Disclaimer: Stars Wars is NOT mine, if it was…well let's just say Anakin wouldn't be the only one breaking the code ;) lmao

Ok, chapter 2, we get to meet QuiGon, Padme, Jar Jar, and R2D2!

Ten years later…

"Mom?" called Anakin, the moment he entered the house. Lei'ala went to the doorway of the common room to see the visitors. For some unknown reason, Anakin called it her gut feeling, she somehow knew that Anakin wasn't alone. She cocked her head slightly to the side, curious at the sight of them. There was a shiny platinum/blue astrodroid, a creature with huge ears and gangly limbs, a girl about her own age with long, braided hair, and a tall man with long hair and what looked like a beard. Anakin turned to Shmi who had just entered the hall to see who was here and asked, "Please Mom, can they stay here?"

"Ani…" Shmi looked overwhelmed.

"Please? There's a sandstorm and their ship is out on the outskirts…" Shmi sighed at her son, but then smiled at the visitors.

"Oh, alright."

"We don't mean to intrude…" spoke up the girl.

"No, please, we would love to offer you shelter," Shmi insisted in her gentle but firm way, and gently smirked, "Mos Eisley's rather short on lodging…"

The four visitors gave their thanks, the two humans voicing them articulately, the creature stumbling over the words, and the droid giving two rather cheerful chirps. Just then Shmi noticed Lei standing at the doorway.

"Ari! Come meet our visitors!" she smiled. Lei walked forward slowly. All four turned to look at her. The man immediately extended his hand. Lei took it cautiously.

"Qui-Gon Jinn," He introduced himself. Lei nodded by way of reply and the girl introduced herself as Padme. She noted with amusement that her brother looked at Padme as if she was an angel. Lei turned her face to the creature, whose trouble speaking was explained by an inordinately long tongue, and whose name was Jar Jar. He was apparently from the same world as Padme, Naboo. Momentarily, Lei remembered a pilot who had landed on Tattoine, who was from Naboo. It had sounded like a beautiful and peaceful world. There was a slight pause in which everything was silent and coming back to the present, Lei turned to the droid. Qui-Gon with his face in a small smile introduced the droid as R2D2, or just R2. There was another small moment of silence where the visitors seemed to expect her to speak. Lei noticed a slight bulge on Qui-Gon's hip and remembered another pilot who had stayed with them as well, and in return regaled them with tales of the Republic and the Jedi that protected it. She remembered the energy swords they were alleged to carry around their waists. Intuitively, she sensed that there was more to this man than the simple, threadbare robes he wore. She turned to Anakin and signed him the basic signs that she used to communicate with her mother and brother. Anakin answered her out loud, and Lei noted with an interal smirk at the fact her little brother barely seemed to control his excitement. He had wanted to be a Jedi since Aroyt, the pilot, had stayed with them and spoken of them.

"Yes. Qui-Gon is a Jedi!" Qui-Gon's gaze was now focused solely on her with a slight crease on his brow. Shmi intervened quickly.

"Ari, sweetie, can you go set the table?" Lei nodded quickly, eager to escape the tension and intense gaze of the Jedi Knight. But even in the kitchen she could hear the quiet words her mother uttered.

"I'm sorry. She doesn't speak. But she is really glad to meet all of you," Shmi explained.

"Are you sure, she seemed…" asked Padme hesitantly.

"You can't really tell what Lei is feeling unless you know her really well. It's nothing personal, Lei actually is happy to meet all of you," interrupted Anakin, "She doesn't speak to anyone except me and Mom, and just in Sign then." The visitors must have accepted that, because a moment later, they appeared in the kitchen. Lunch went quickly. Jar Jar was amusing; he used his tongue to get his food. Qui-Gon was about to reprimand him, but caught sight of Lei's smile and let him be.

The rest of the meal was spent discussing the visitor's problem and the circumstances on Tattooine. Padme in particular was pretty naïve when it came to the status of slaves on Tattooine. Lei found herself wishing that she could be as naïve as her, but also sad for Padme because she knew that someday that naivety would be broken.

Lei's heart sank when Anakin began talking of entering the podrace. On one hand, she knew that these newcomers needed the money, proud of her brother's selflessness, and in her heart she sensed that that was the path that someone, somewhere had chosen for him. Yet, she agreed with her mother in that every time Anakin raced, Lei felt as if she was being torn apart and then pieced together as to the dread that came when he started and the relief that came when the race ended and he had survived.

Lei saw Qui-Gon notice her and her mother's emotions and replied to Anakin's proposal.

"I don't think we can ask you to do that for us Anakin, not when your family doesn't wish you to…"

"Well find another way," hastily added Padme seeing Anakin open his mouth to protest. Lei guessed that the foreign girl liked the idea of Anakin racing almost as much as Lei and Shmi. Lei caught her mother's attention, registering as she signed, Anakin's face lighting up as he understood what she said. There is no other way. He must do this Mom. Whether we like it or not, this is the path that has been chosen for him.

"Ari…" Shmi looked at her daughter in desperation, but also a tiny hint of acceptance.

Mom, I can feel it. This is what he needs to do. He was born to do this, to help them. It hurts, but have faith in him. Theres something more here. I can feel it. Something wants- needs him to do this. By then, everyone around the table, with the exception of Anakin was completely lost. Or nearly everyone, Qui-Gon had been watching closely, and there was a flash of understanding and Lei thought maybe a little shock and, perhaps some respect in his eyes. Shmi looked down at the table, and then over at Anakin. Then, acceptance in her voice, she spoke.

"There is no other way," Shmi reiterated her daughter's words, "We may not like it, but…he is meant to help you. He was born to help you."

The rest of the meal passed in quiet. However, Lei was aware of the Jedi's gaze upon her every so often. After, the meal, Anakin excitedly pulled Padme towards C3-PEO, Jar Jar and R2 followed, but Qui-Gon remained with Shmi and while they went out into the hall, Lei could still here them.

"He's unsually selfless," commented the Jedi, "He gives without any thought of himself."

"He's like his sister in that way," answered Shmi. The two watched as Anakin, Lei, and the rest of the newcomers raced outside, so Anakin could show them his podracer.

"They both are extrodinary children," commented Qui-Gon looking towards where they had disappeared, "Who was their father?"

"There was no father," sighed Shmi, but with a hint of pride in her voice, "I carried them, gave birth to them, raised them, I can't explain what happened…"

"The Force works in mysterious ways, that are sometimes best explained as fate."

"The Force?"

"It is a powerful ally for the Jedi and the source of their abilities. The Force is the thread that ties all lifeforms to each other and the things around them. Jedi and some other beings are aware of it, but it exists in all beings, though in most it lies dormant in the unconsious mind." Explained Qui-Gon.

"You believe that that is how my children came to be?" There was no accusation in Shmi's voice, just curiousity and dawning understanding.

Perfect. Not SOOO much of a cliffhanger that you're gonna have a heart attack, but enough to be curious I know I am! Lol, show your love for the story with reviews and MAYBE I'll share Obiwan with you… just for a day, understand, he's still MINE :P love, KT