To make up for those long writer's blocks, this is a long chapter. I work a lot and I hope you guys still enjoy the story. Also, I miss writing Obi Wan. He's tied with Maul as my favorite perspective to write. Also, Yoda and Wodi are fun.

Flames of the Force

Chapter 2:

Meetings

Anakin watched his companion from his peripheral. The Sith had changed since his transcendence. There was a type of power emanating from him that was so profound, it made the human shudder occasionally. Maul had been searching for a few hours. He never explained where his Cosmic arm was reaching, but Anakin knew.

"You are wasting energy doing that." He said dully, finally looking away from the controls.

Maul reigned in his power and opened his eyes. It would be difficult to see with the black ink, but there were shadows of weariness around the golden orbs. "Do not tell me how to use my energy."

Anakin clicked his tongue. "If we are going to get Obi Wan back, I need you in top shape. So, senselessly searching for him when he's lost in a shadow that covers over ten systems is wasteful." He explained.

"I stopped that days ago. I'm checking the planet for threats. If we are going back to the Temple, I want to make sure there are no surprises." He responded, tone lightening.

"That's fine and dandy, but give it a rest. We'll be there soon." The human leaned back in his chair, trying to meditate.

"So, you have equal control over both the Living and the Cosmic?"

And apparently, we would not get to meditate. "Where did you hear that?" He asked, opening his eyes.

Maul crossed his arms and legs. His tribal instincts were apparent, even accounting how he had been raised. Anakin learned that he was prone to sit where it was considered rude; tables, railings, or really anywhere he could climb to. Either too sophisticated for his brothers or too wild for the civilized, he was an odd man out no matter where he turned. "Ahsoka mentioned your visit with the Elder Ones. Later, I pressed Ben and he finally told me the whole story. I always thought that power was a myth. I never assumed it possible to have both in one person."

"It's true. I can control both. It was myself I couldn't control." He explained. "Palpatine knew that. He knew it from the very beginning. And from that moment on, he drove small wedges between me and the only person to really give me a chance at my dream."

"He was always good at driving a wedge. I'm sorry for your burden."

Anakin gave him a quizzical look, but the Zabrak had turned back to the stars. It was odd to hear such a warm sentiment from the Sith, even if his tone barely conveyed much. "Thank you. I hope I can carry it this time."

"That is why we are here."

"What?" The human asked, now completely confused.

Maul sighed, consistently annoyed at having to explain anything to anyone. "I have a guide. He has been explaining things to me about my role as a Champion. You and the whore have a big part in it."

"I don't like her anymore than you do, but aren't you a little disrespectful by calling Qui-Lana that?"

Maul rolled his eyes. "You aren't being headhunted by her. I would call her a pimp, but that implies power and might make her think I'm considering it." He shuddered at the thought, muttering, "Like I would ever be a sex worker."

"It's not wrong if they are being paid and treated fairly. If they have their freedom and choice, that industry can be legitimate." Anakin noticed a while ago that Maul was particularly uncomfortable with sex trade or sex in general. He ducked out of conversations about it and became defensive and angry when directly addressed with the subject. It even took a while before he was open about his relationship with Obi Wan. "Why does it bother you?" He asked.

"I. Am. Not. A. Whore." Maul's tone was like stone. He pulled out his data pad and typed something before pocketing it.

"Fine. Consider it dropped." The human raised his hands in defense. He would let it go for the time being, but for some reason, Anakin was still ferociously curious about it. He would be patient. "Get Benny ready. We should be out of hyperspace in less than an hour."

They did not need much prep, as it had been a rather boring trip. As much as they had in common, Maul and Anakin still had difficulty talking at length. It always ended with one of them being offended and the other refusing to budge.

But his lack of excitement ended when Maul rushed back into the cockpit after the ship pulled out of light-speed. The Zabrak's golden eyes were wild. "Something is stalking your child."

"I wouldn't call him a child when you meet him. He has a sharper tongue than I do. What's stalking him?"

"I'm not sure. It's a bit fuzzy, but it seems similar to the darkness that stole Obi Wan." He explained. "We must be combat ready."

"You have the only lightsaber." Anakin crossed his arms. "And it isn't even yours."

Maul raised a hairless brow. "Am I to assume you did not build yourself a secret toy or two?"

A certain respect for the Sith's deductive skills crept into his chest. "It's true. I have a few surprises up my sleeve, technical or otherwise. I doubt it's anything we can't handle."

Maul did not react to Anakin, but he turned to his left, giving the empty air an incredulous look. "Not you, too." He muttered.

"Your guide likes me, doesn't he?" The human smirked.

Maul shot him a frown. "Let's just stay on task and find your son."

Anakin chuckled and steered the ship down into the atmo.

.

Han Solo hated this part. He despised the way Luke knew, way too early, that danger was close. The anticipation squandered his natural gut reactions and replaced it with anxiety. He preferred a good, ol' face down when they jumped out or at least a chance to talk his way out. Although, the type of evil that followed the Skywalkers never really appreciated his Corellian wit.

"Calm down, Han. Whatever it is, it's not too close." Luke tried to ease the tension, as he always did. It never worked.

"I'd be calmer if you drew that sword of yours." He suggested.

The Jedi shook his head. "Not yet. Mistakes are made in haste." He said in his annoying sage tone.

Ever since the great rescue at Jabba's mobile palace, Luke had changed permanently. He was less rash and not easy to get a rise out of. It had saved their butts more than once, but Han couldn't help but resent the change. It may have even been what pushed Han straight into Leia's arms. As time went on, the navigator began to realize that the kid was just growing into his life and he would just have to accept it.

Han huffed and kept a hand on his trusty blaster, just in case. "Is it coming closer?"

"We can try and approach it, if you're that hungry for action." Luke offered.

"Well anything beats waiting for it to jump us." Han argued.

The Jedi crossed his arms and gave him a scathing look. "Or, we could wait and let it think we don't know about it. It would give us the advantage." He explained.

Han sighed and took a slow breath. He relaxed his hand, but left the clip of the holster undone. "Fine. We'll do this your way."

They wandered around the dorms aimlessly for a few minutes. Luke looked as nonchalant as could be, but Han's hair always stood on end whenever the Jedi was using the Force. A curious look formed on his face. "Someone else just lan...ded..." He trailed off slowly and then froze in the hallway. "It can't be."

"Who?" Han asked, pulling his blaster from his hip. If Luke was nervous, something bad was about to happen.

Luke's pale blue eyes were wide as he turned to his friend. But before he could respond, an explosion erupted from the first bunk they visited. The papers, electrical equipment fragments, and bits and pieces of the altar blew out of the blasted wall. A whirring sound told Han that the lightsaber was out.

He heard a blaster and an immediate deflection and he knew the explosive was a diversion. The rebel twirled about and fired at the shadow near the end of the hall. A red saber sent the blast into the wall. Their attacker was tall and broad and walking right towards them.

"Well, well, well. I never thought I would see Skywalker's son in the flesh." A deep, Coruscanti accent matched the menacing figure. "Ever since that wretch killed me..."

"Who are you?" Luke demanded, standing in front of Han. He had his green saber drawn and his blaster in his offhand.

The intruder must have been a Sith, like Vader. Luke had told him that Siths had red blades. The figure pulled back his hood and stopped a few meters away. He was grim looking, with dark eyebrows, a hooked nose, and a keen stare. His hair was a deep, dark brown and a well trimmed beard to match. "Do forgive my manners. I am Count Dooku." He bowed, flourishing. "And I have come to neutralize you." He lunged forward quickly.

Before Han realized what was happening, he was being flung by an invisible push down the hall, away from the fray. "Luke!" He cried out as he landed hard on his side. "I am too old for this sh-" he froze as a black blur darted past him, towards the battle. Han twisted to watch as the small shadow crept with haste to crouch behind the rubble.

Luke was engaged in a harrowing battle as green and red blades clashed in a flurry of motion. The Count Dooku was clearly the better swordsman and was tiring at a much slower pace. He was well poised and attacked with precision. Luke was a bit slower and less graceful, but his blaster combination seemed to make up for his lack of skill. Han couldn't tell who would win.

The Corellian struggled to stand and before he could straighten up, a strong hand on his shoulder forced him back on the ground. He landed hard on his backside. "LUKE! DUCK!" The newcomer yelled.

Luke did as he was told and parried before he rolled back into a crouch. A Force wave, visible only by its tearing effect on the wall, flew forward. The small shadow figure allowed the wave to pass over, and then darted around its cover to chase after the attack. The Count did not have time to react and was pushed backwards onto the ground. Before he could blink, the old man had a hooded figure looming over, holding a blue lightsaber to his throat.

Han looked up at his rescuer to see a towering man with wavy, dark blond hair and pale blue eyes. He wore a serious frown. "Got him?" He called to his companion.

"Yes." The shadow spoke.

Luke was staring at the tall man and then looked quickly at Han. "Han. Please do not freak out."

The captain huffed and went to stand. The same hand that knocked him down was now offering to help him up. "Why would I freak out?"

"Just promise me." He replied.

"Who the hell are these people?" Han took the offer and allowed the man to help him to his feet. "Who are you?"

"My name is Anakin." The newcomer answered simply. His face was familiar in an unnerving way. His jaw and wide cheekbones reminded the smuggler of someone.

"I know that name..." Han started, trying to pinpoint where he heard it. Pale blue eyes...

"I don't know who he is," Luke jutted a thumb towards the black figure and then he pointed at Anakin, "but that is my Father."

Han jumped back and reached for his blaster. He barely raised it before the now human Darth Vader grabbed his wrist and twisted it. "Yeah, no." He grabbed the blaster and pushed Han backwards. "Give me a reason to break this piece of crap. Go ahead." He dared, holding up Han's very vintage blaster.

Han sighed and raised his now empty hands.

Vader relaxed. "Calm down, we aren't here to harm you two. That piece of shit, over there, though..." he gestured to the Sith, to whom his companion was speaking with quietly. "Maul. What are you waiting for?"

A stroke of blue and the Count was limp on the floor. The shadow reached down to pick up the dead man's saber. Then, he turned to them and switched off his own blade and clipped both onto his belt. "He was always quite good at resisting Force techniques." The male voice was even more prim than Dooku's. He pulled back his hood to reveal a demonic-looking face with bright red skin against stark black tattoos. The ring of horns and bright, yellow eyes did not help to push the demon image out of his mind.

"Somebody. Explain. Please." Han was loosing his patience.

But the horned man was looking woefully at the destroyed room. "My room..." he said in despair. Ignoring the three of them, he wandered around the wreckage.

Vader clicked his tongue disdainfully at the Zabrak and turned back to the Rebels. "Ignore him for now. He's been annoying me this entire time." He sighed and looked at his son. A smile crept onto his handsome face. "Luke." He said fondly.

"Is this real?" The blond asked quietly. "I still had doubts about the orb's information, but seeing you here..."

The small, red man returned quickly. "Where is the little night-light?" He demanded.

"Hey. Welcome back, Mr. Manners. You came to meet Luke, didn't you?" Anakin crossed his arms. "At least introduce yourself before grilling him."

The Zabrak shot him a scowl, before turning back to Luke. "My name is Maul. I came here to find you and the little floating orb of light you mentioned. Let's focus on the light for the moment. Where is it?"

Luke looked slightly shocked, but recovered with a loud chuckle. "Ummm... I'm not sure. I lost track of it after the explosion."

Maul sighed. "Fine. Let's focus on you. You are Luke Skywalker, yes?"

Luke looked at his father, who shrugged, and then back at Maul. "Yes. I am Luke Skywalker. I saw you in a dream, or a vision, I think. Thank you both for intervening back there." He extended his hand for Maul to shake.

But instead, the little devil shot Vader a confused look.

The tall man scoffed. "Seriously, Maul? You've seen a handshake before." He shook his head and stepped closer, laughing. "Don't bother with formality on this one. He's basically a droid."

"Ironic words, coming from you, Skywalker." Maul shot back with a smirk.

"Somebody! Actually! Explain! Something!" Han yelled, feeling very uncomfortable by the dead man and devil creature. "Please!" He added after seeing Luke's admonishing face.

"We are here to seek Luke's help." Vader turned to him and handed back his blaster.

"Who is this bumbling oaf?" Maul asked, arms crossed casually. His golden eyes were unnerving to look at.

Human Vader gestured to the captain, a creepy half-smile on his lips. "This is Han Solo." He said through grated teeth. Did he sense something? Did he know about his grandchild or his breaking of Leia's heart? Did he figure out his secret?

Maul looked up in thought and then his bright eyes snapped back to Han. "What kind of stupid name is The Millennium Falcon? What compels a man to name anything something that ridiculous?" He demanded.

A defensive flare of irritation sparked in his chest when Luke started to laugh. "Hey! That ship is the best in the sky! I have had that ship for years!" He argued, making Luke laugh harder. "And who the kriff are you? A Jedi?"

It seemed it was Maul's turn to laugh, though it was hollow. "No, Solo. I am a Sith Saber."

"Sith are bad guys." Han was confused, annoyed, hungry and way too sober for this. "And Siths have red swords, not blue ones."

"Oh, good. You have a basic understanding of color. At least you're sentient." The devil retorted patronizingly. "This isn't my saber."

"As to being the bad guys, we don't have the best history, I'll admit." Anakin shrugged casually.

"You. tortured. me."

"Is it bad that I feel less guilty about that than any of the other stuff?" Anakin joked. When Luke didn't share his humor, he coughed awkwardly into his hand. "Fine. I apologize for torturing you and manhunting you and your friends. Oh. And I apologize for the carbonite thing. And selling... you... to Jabba..."

"Wow." Maul responded, eyes glittering in amusement. He, apparently, was not as emotionless as he seemed. "I have so many questions. However, if we linger too long, there are bound to be more where he came from." He jerked his head towards the body. He looked past Han's head and smiled. "If you cannot trust us, look to the Force."

Han turned to see the orb of light bobbing up and down. It flew past him and began circling Maul, growing brighter. It started to giggle. $He told me you would follow me. Your bond is strong.

The Sith clicked his tongue. "It was made clear to me that you switched hosts in secret after I was shot. Twice." He responded in a haughty tone. "You and Ben certainly had me looping around for a little while there."

The orb giggled again. $He also said to tell you that he wanted to explain. He just didn't know if the corruption had ears in the Temple. I do hope you forgive him.

Maul sighed, eyes softening. "I already have. But, let's get back to Master Yoda and figure out what to do next. Perhaps Ben's bond with Skywalker's child is strong enough to narrow our search." He turned to Luke and Han. "That is, if you are willing to help us."

Luke's blue eyes were unreadable. He scratched at his chin with his fake hand for a minute. "When you refer to Ben, who do you mean?" Oh, no. The kid was hooked.

"I mean Obi Wan Kenobi, your Master. He was taken by a group of corrupted Jedi and Sith. We need you to help us locate him. Otherwise, the bad guys, as Solo put it, will return in numbers. And they will have the host of this little fairy, your Master, dead or corrupted." His voice and face were grim. "We can go to our temporary lodgings to plan and train. But we need you, Master Skywalker." He gave Luke a reverent bow.

Luke smiled and returned the bow. "I would be honored, Saber Maul. I trust the Force and I sense no evil between the two of you." He turned to his Father, who smirked. "A little tension, but no evil."

Han couldn't help but chuckle darkly at the kid. He sighed and swallowed his discomfort for the umpteenth time, following Luke into another wacky adventure.

.

Maul could barely swallow, his mouth was so dry. His head pounded as if both hearts were lodged in his skull, instead of his chest. He did not expect to be so drained. It didn't help that he hadn't had any time to really train with Uusan. His guide was constantly whispering knowledge to him and the split focus was rough.

They walked up to the hangar where both ships were waiting. Skywalker's son stopped suddenly. "What if they have someone to trail us if Dooku failed?" He asked.

It was an excellent question. Maul glanced woefully at Uusan, who was nodding. "I can check to see if there is anything that can follow us in the sky and space. While I do that, the three of you check the ships for bugs or trackers." He did not mean to sound so commanding. It did not seem to affect them badly and they immediately obeyed. Perhaps he was getting the hang of social clues and his own tone.

He sat, crosslegged, on the ground and took in a slow, deep breath. It felt as if he was inhaling fire and lightning. He exhaled the pain and expanded his mind. Like an electrical signal, his consciousness raced through the temple and branched out, swirling through the trees in thousands of pathways. He searched through the planet and into the sky. There was nothing out of the ordinary. He pulled everything back in and rubbed his temples, groaning.

"Are you alright?" He opened his eyes to see Luke, crouching in front of him. The fair haired young man was concerned. "We found a bug each ship. It was well hidden, but Han knows the Falcon like the back of his hand. Do you need help up? You look drained."

"I will be fine, thank you. How long was I searching?" He asked. The Cosmic Force was prone to distort his perception of time.

"About an hour." He extended his gloved hand anyway.

Maul swallowed a bit of pride and accepted the offer, allowing the short human to pull him to his feet. His head spun momentarily, but he shook it off. "Leave the whore's ship. I doubt she cares about the money."

"What makes you say that?" Anakin asked.

"I saw that hangar of hers. She gave us the worst one in there. It may be left alone. It may be stolen or destroyed. Either way, two ships are easier to follow. And if I remember the conversation correctly," he pointed to Solo, "what you lack in decorum, you make up for in navigation."

"Did you say that?" The handsome man looked at Anakin with a cocky smirk on his face. "Could barely keep up with me, huh?"

"Get on the ship before I hit you." Skywalker snapped.

Maul chuckled. This Solo was more amusing than he originally thought. He touched the remote button on his wrist cuff that called Benny. "Hold on. I won't leave without my droid." He stood and waited as the hatch of Qui-Lana's ship hissed open.

Benny hovered out and approached them. "Are we leaving again?" He asked.

"We're going back to the group to strategize." Maul explained.

They boarded and took off in the Millennium Falcon. Maul sighed, trying to exhale the dull pain in his head. He sat down at the round table located in a common room and buried his eyes into his palms.

"Are you sure you're alright?" Luke sat next to him. "You're starting to look ill."

"Can't rest yet." The Sith shook his head. His brain felt like it was sloshing around in his head. "If I rest, I'll be out for a while. I need answers."

"You needed to listen to me when I said you were wasting energy." Anakin's voice grated his nerves. "I can help you regain some energy but, I need you to trust me."

Maul looked up to see the tall human seated across the table. His eyes were serious and his mouth was a thin line of anticipation. The Zabrak's instincts immediately said to reject the trust. But a small voice in his head that sounded like Ben told him to nod. "Go ahead."

Anakin placed his fingertips to each temple, his middle fingers each resting gently on a horn.

He began to bristle, but reigned in the discomfort. A sound began to rise in his head. It reminded him of an ocean. His mind began to ease in its swirling.

Anakin pulled away and gave him a quizzical look. "Do you feel better?" He asked.

"Yes." He was still tired, but his vision was less blurred. "Where did you learn that?"

"Master Yoda. He taught me early in my knighthood. He told me Obi Wan would need it once the war escalated. He was not wrong." Skywalker explained. "Now. Stay relaxed and keep the conversation light. Otherwise, you'll drain again and I will leave you to faint."

Maul narrowed his eyes at him and willed his heart rate back down. "Fine. Thank you."

Han appeared in the common room and flopped into the chair by the control panel. He checked a few things as he addressed Luke. "I can get us to Follorum soon enough, kid. And there's a small hiccup you seem to have conveniently left with me to remember."

The Jedi rolled his eyes. "And what's that?"

Solo spun to look the blond straight in the eye, slouching casually in the chair. "We need to report to your sister soon. What's your big plan to tackle that? Wait casually, like back in those old ruins? Gunna let that danger search us out this time?"

Luke shrugged. "I figured you would tell her."

"Oh, well, thanks." The captain crossed his arms and nodded sarcastically. "Just let me get blamed for your misadventures yet again."

"You can throw me into the pod engine, if it saves you the hassle. All the blame goes to me." The Jedi smirked.

"Good. So you can call her." Han said with finality.

Maul watched the interaction closely. It was so familiar, the banter between the two of them. He felt like he should recognize the energy there, but he just couldn't identify it.

"Fine. I'll call her in a little while. She's not expecting our report for another day or two, anyway. I'd like to get to know our new companions." He turned to Maul. "Who are you, Lord Maul. Where were you born?"

"I was born a slave to the Nightsisters on Dothomir during the reign of Talzin. They sold me at the age of four to Senator Palpatine." Maul answered without hesitating. With the help of Yoda, he had learned to share without gut wrenching shame. "I spent those years either in the care of droids or my Master."

"Emperor Palpatine?" Luke's eyes narrowed. "You were raised by that monster?"

Maul felt defensive. "If you boil my childhood down, I raised myself. I was treated like a tool, not a son." He assured the Jedi. "I never knew what 'family' felt like until recently."

There was a strange pensive look in those pale eyes. It was not like Yoda, who was playful or stern. It did not remind him of Obi Wan or Ahsoka. They were always skeptical. It was more... emotive. The young man hid it well, but a rage of empathy and sorrow was swelling in him. "I apologize. I should have guessed he would be abusive and neglectful to his students. It must have been a difficult life." The sentiment was more comforting than Maul expected. "Dothomir was never part of the official Republic. You never had a chance to be given to the Temple."

That made the Sith laugh suddenly. "You know, I was offered a chance to run off and see if the Temple would take me. I was barely out of childhood. And I was angry with the notion at the time." He let out a residual chuckle. "But now, when I think about being Jedi, I cannot help but find it funny. I would never had made it out of being a Padawan. I experienced a very hard life, full of horrible decisions and painful regrets. Yet, I could never imagine a reality where I could follow the path of the Jedi."

"So, you're happy you were a bad guy?" Solo scoffed arrogantly.

"No. I'm not happy about what I've done. But I am far too proud and reactive to be Jedi." Maul explained. "When the ancient Order had a chance to resurface, I took the offer. Since then, I have learned that there are other paths in this Galaxy. And the declaration of 'good' or 'evil' can be a dangerous one."

He locked eyes with Anakin and Maul could see the gears working in that odd and brilliant mind. The human seemed to resolve his feelings quickly and turned to his son. The crystal colored eyes sparkled brightly as he gazed upon his child. It was a strong, pure love. "Enough about the weirdo. Why are you in unknown space?" He asked.

Luke sighed. "The new Republic is being set up by Leia. Chewie and Lando are heading the remaining fight against the Empire."

Han chuckled. "What's left of it." At the glare from the elder Skywalker, he cleared his throat. "There was nothing for us. So, when Luke said he felt a surge of Force energy in the unknown, her Highness sent us packing to investigate."

Maul furrowed his brow in thought. "How did he die?" He asked suddenly. Luke had been there, when Sidious fell. It was a question that gnawed at the back of his mind for weeks. Anakin never talked about the actual fight. He merely said that Luke redeemed him.

"Who?" Luke blinked at the random nature of the question.

"The Emperor."

Luke looked at his father. "You never told them?" He accused. "Why?"

"It would have seemed proud and boastful. So I kept it to myself." Anakin explained, cheeks turning pink.

Luke turned to Maul and looked him square in the eye. "I lost the fight." He said bluntly. "I could not kill Vader. I lost control for a moment, but I could not go through with killing him. The Emperor was torturing me to death with his lightning." The boy paused and smiled at his father. "Anakin broke through Vader and he took a good deal of pain to throw him into to power core."

"You dragged me through that station only to have me die before we could board. But I was okay with that."

A swell of emotion rose in Maul's chest. He saw Anakin Skywalker in a newer light. No longer did he seem like a cold, selfish child. The light of love was clear in his eyes when he saw his son. Without warning, an image of the fight flashed in his brain. Laughter bubbled from his chest to his mouth.

The three other men looked at him, perplexed.

Benny chimed in. "He's been doing this lately. I am unsure whether or not to be concerned with the behavior."

The comments added fuel to his mirth and he laughed harder.

"Can you tell me what you find so funny about that intense memory Luke and I share?" Skywalker asked, clearly annoyed by Maul's reaction.

The Sith raised a finger; a plea for a moment to regain his composure. When he calmed down to chuckles, he managed to explain. "You threw him.. ha ha… down a shaft… heh heh… into a power core…" He lost it again.

"What's so funny about that?" Solo asked.

"That happened to him." Anakin answered, pointing at Maul. "It was a point of failure in Palpatine's eyes." He smirked. "I'll give you that, short stack."

Maul bristled at the jab at his height, but he let it go. His vision began to blur slightly.

"Creator. I think it is time for you to rest." Benny hovered by his head and he saw the distinct scan light. "Retinal reaction is at forty percent. You require at least five hours of REM sleep to properly regain that energy."

"Remember when I broke you?" He snapped at the droid.

"Master Ben was rather upset by that." He quipped back. "I can replay the reaction recording I have on file."

Maul groaned as the Skywalkers chuckled at the exchange. "Go ahead and delete that. I'm afraid you are right, however."

"The quarters are down the hall. Bunk four is clean." He heard Solo say.

A small, robotic hand grabbed his tunic and he stood, knowing he could not trust his eyes. Also, Benny held more strength in his little motor than one would believe. He allowed the droid to lead him down the hall, warning him of the step down. He chuckled at the doting. It comforted him.

They stopped suddenly. He heard a whistle and the beeping of an astrodroid. It sounded like an R2 unit. The droids argued for a moment. The R2 was just as pert, if not more so, than Benny.

"Well, discuss it with your master, if you must. But mine is sleeping as he stands and poses no threat. So please, allow him to rest." Benny replied.

The R2 whistled a sassy, -Fine, then. I will do just that,- and rolled away.

"The nerve of some droids." Benny huffed before pulling Maul into the bunk.

He flopped down onto the thin mattress and sighed as sleep took him.

.

Luke watched as the unique droid led the exhausted Zabrak out of the room. "What a strange man." He remarked.

"Yeah." His father agreed. "He's something else. But, for some reason, he's caught the attention of the Force and Obi Wan. That's ultimately why we sought you out."

"Ben is in danger, if I remember correctly."

The tall man nodded gravely. Luke took a moment to study his father's face. Though they did not share height, Anakin's face was not unlike his own. They shared icy blue eyes, a square jaw, and sandy blonde hair. "The corruption that took me is not dead with Palpatine. It has created its own force that took Obi Wan from us. We can't find them without a bond between Padawan and Master. That is where you come in. You two had never broken that bond."

"I see." Luke quickly glanced at Han's skeptical face. "And Lord Maul is his… partner?"

Anakin chuckled darkly. "Yeah. You could say that. It's complicated." He scratched his neck, clearly uncomfortable.

"You don't like talking about their partnership?"

His father sighed. "Not particularly, no." He admitted.

Luke chuckled. "Fine. I'll leave it be, then."

They were interrupted by R2D2. He wheeled into the room in a huff. He squealed and beeped angrily. Without the translator, Luke was lost on the why. Luckily, someone in the room understood him.

Anakin chuckled. "Calm down, R2. I know he's bossy, but he's with us."

The droid's dome of a head spun around, finally noticing the newcomer. He squealed happily and scooted over to him.

"You know R2?" Han asked.

"This little guy and I go way back. You had 3P0, too, right?" He asked excitedly, patting the droid.

"He's with Leia and Chewie." Luke replied, enjoying the warm feeling at seeing his father in such a relaxed light.

"I built that droid for my mother when I was a child. He helped her in the shop when I was helping Watto." His tone was strangely bittersweet.

"That old fly?" Han asked suddenly. "How do you know Watto, the con artist?"

Anakin's smile disappeared. "He owned us." He explained. "Until a Jedi came and freed me from slavery. He couldn't get Watto to give up my mother, though."

"Oh." The smuggler's face fell in shame. "Sorry."

"It's something I've had to face and accept in this newly borrowed time. Ot doesn't bother me as badly as it used to. Besides, a man ended up freeing her and marrying her. They had your Uncle Owen." He looked past Luke and smirked. "He asleep?"

Benny had returned and settled next to Luke. "He is. Stubborn as he is, he cannot deny himself rest for too long." He looked down at R2. "Have you clarified my reasons for being here? Or will you be slinging more insults at me?"

R2 replied with a whistle and turned away.

"Can I ask you something, Luke?" His father's brow was furrowed and his hands were fidgeting.

Luke smiled, trying to soothe the elder Skywalker's worry. "What do you want to know?"

"Why are you trusting us so easily?"

The question made him think. He ignored Han's smug expression and took a moment to answer. "I suppose you could say that it was the Force. And it will probably be the only one I give after this. But, if you must know, I'm a lot more selfish than that. It's about getting to know you. And the idea of seeing Ben again?" He paused, collecting his emotions. "It's an opportunity I thought I'd never get."

A smile twitched the corners of Anakin's lips. "The thought of putting you in more danger made me pretty angry. I almost tried to stop Maul from seeking you out. Now that I see you, talk to you, I'm glad he's more stubborn than me."

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Hope you enjoyed! Being restaurant cook doesn't allow much writing time, but I will continue to do my best to give you all my best!