Warning:There is some violence against a child and if this disturbs you please skip this chapter and if you wish email me and I will tell you the gist of this chapter. As always the Star Wars characters are not mine, I'm just playing in Lucas' large sandbox.—Darth Gladiator45

Tomas was grateful to the A' Marie's father that he took him in last night he also washed his school clothes so he wouldn't have to go to his house to get clean clothing. He was afraid of the possible confrontation with his abusive, alcoholic father.

A' Marie hated her teacher it was only getting the infamous look from her father did she run out the door nearly colliding with Tomas.

"Hey!"

A' Marie had completed her report on the Battle of Naboo, fortunately she had knew the two living legends to collaborate her story. Mrs. Leikvold would have to give her an A+; since most of the details were left out of the general history. Unbeknownst to A' Marie though, she hated Padmé Amidala with a passion, the woman lucked out in everything that Mrs. Leikvold hadn't. When A' Marie received her report, it was marked with a C minus and when she questioned Mrs. Leikvold, "Most reports are required to have a shred of truth to them A' Marie. The parts that were true I marked, the others were fantastic lies and pure fantasy."

"No its not! My father did blow up the control ship and my mother did work with the Jedi to capture Nute Gunray. Why don't you believe me?"

"There is no way that a nine-year-old child could have flown a star fighter and crippled the Trade Federations ship, its impossible."

"No you are impossible; it's the truth!"

"Go sit before I report your impertinence to your father."

A' Marie sat at her desk and put her head down as she cried. "Told you; your parents aren't as great as you think they are." Victoria boasted.

"Shut up." A' Marie stared at Victoria.

"Oo, I'm so scared. Why is it your family can feel the so-called Force and you can't is it because you are retarded?"

A' Marie jumped up from her desk, knocking it over and punched Victoria dead in the face she collapsed in a large heap.

"A' Marie Skywalker report to the administrator's office, at once!"

"Fine!" A' Marie grabbed her knapsack and stormed out of the classroom. The administrator called her father, A' Marie would be suspended for at least a week. She sat and cried.

Anakin Skywalker sighed deeply after receiving the summons to retrieve his wayward daughter; it seemed she would never learn. Qui-Gon was right she was a chip off the old block. He went to the school and even though the sight was pitiful his daughter appeared to be incredibly sorrowful. The ride home was silent with the exception of some sniveling. Anakin wondered if this might be some type of blessing in disguise he could take A' Marie and start somewhat training her, though she would have to temper her anger. It was a difficult trait to learn at least it was for Anakin and would be for his daughter as well. A' Marie went to her room and changed into a pair of jeans and tee-shirt. She sat on in her favorite window seat and put her head on her knees and finished crying at least she hoped that she wouldn't be crying anymore today. She noted that her father didn't even say anything on the short ride home the tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife. Why did she do these things? It was odd that her father didn't say anything on the way home, it would have been better if he started yelling or lecturing, instead it was pure dead silence.

She only had been on the receiving end of this once before and that was when she was found playing with his lightsaber. Her father kept it in a specific place in the bedroom. She had to climb the bookcase to get to it. She was curious about it. Luke had one it was very similar to his, except the blade was green instead of blue. A' Marie had sat there on the floor fiddling with the controls when her father stormed into the bedroom and Force-pulled it from her as it slapped resoundingly in his hand. The temperature had dropped twenty degrees and A' Marie sat there shuddering with not only fear but with cold. It had been the very first time she had been on the receiving end of the infamous "Sith Lord Stance." The memory faded as she heard her father's heavy footsteps in the hall and he opened the door and A' Marie tentatively looked up into her father's face. He was calm but his eyes were a darker shade of blue almost gray. Uh-oh, he was staring at her with a hint of anger, frustration, and disappointment. Why did her father have to be so tall and intimidating, why? It was especially intimidating to a nine year old girl; she noted that he remained standing.

"I can explain." A' Marie whispered.

"Please do so, young one." Anakin replied ominously.

A' Marie explained the entire bit about her teacher and with Victoria's gloating and calling her a retard because she didn't have any Force ability like the rest of her family. Anakin was saddened by her words, he would straighten that out in a moment, but the issue of A' Marie's anger getting the best of her would be addressed right now.

Anakin sat across from her, noting that she didn't move from her position.

"What have I told you about your anger?" Anakin gently asked.

"It will be my downfall, but I'm not a Jedi so it doesn't matter."

"Doesn't it? To feel anger is a normal, it's what we do with it that makes it right or wrong. A healthy response is to say I'm angry and to work through it calmly. When my mom would become angry, she would clean. Punching Victoria was very wrong, A' Marie she is jealous."

"What about Mrs. Leikvold? She's always putting me down and she didn't believe the part in my report about you destroying the Trade Federation ship. She said that you were nine and it was impossible for you to do it!"

"Nothing is impossible thorough the Force, I will deal with your teacher."

A' Marie sighed with a tad of relief, but when she saw Anakin's face was still stern, she knew that there was more to follow. "Come with me." It wasn't a request but an order, she was already skating on thin ice, and she jumped down and followed Anakin's long strides out of her room. He was heading to the garage, she hesitated she wasn't allowed in there without supervision. She learned that lesson painfully when she was about five years old; she was caught playing with matches completely unaware of high flammable engine fuel nearby. It was one of most memorable moments in her life; she had never seen a father pounce on top of her so quickly. It was also the first time she had an extended length of time over his knee. Anakin opened the door and turned to find A' Marie standing at the doorway not moving. She was remembering the matches incident, he could feel her fear and apprehension, it was a solid lesson that she had been taught, she hadn't dared stepped into the garage since. Anakin knelt to the child sending warm feelings of compassion and forgiveness. A' Marie cried out of relief, her father didn't hate her or wouldn't be angry forever.

"To hate you, Ani, would be to hate myself." Anakin whispered in her ear as her tears were dried by his handkerchief.

A' Marie let go of her father and he picked her up and took her to the tools, they were disorganized and covered in grease.

"The last time Solo was here he used my tools, knowing that it really irks me when he doesn't clean them or put them in their proper places. So I require your assistance and I need to keep an eye on you."

"Yes, sir." A' Marie responded as she was placed on a stool, she was handed a cleaning solvent and a cloth.

Anakin removed the tarp from the speeder and A' Marie thought it was beautiful, despite it being nearly torn completely down. She diligently worked on the tools, she was watching her father work and as he did, his anger and disappointment seemed to be fading. It was amusing to watch him work especially when he cursed in Huttese. It was his native tongue; he also had a slight outer rim accent when he did curse. A' Marie finished cleaning the tools and putting them away. She watched as her father continued to work. He was starting to get frustrated, A' Marie couldn't explain it but she felt her father's feelings. How was this even possible? It was like she could feel what he was going through, it was very strange. She even felt his hunger as he continued to ignore his stomach rumbling.

"Dad?"

"Mm?"

"I'm hungry, it's almost lunch time."

Anakin stood and wiped his hands on a cloth, "Well, let's go get something to eat."

A' Marie jumped to the floor and took Anakin's hand into her own as they walked to the kitchen. After eating, Anakin asked her to get cleaned up and to meet him in the meditation chamber. "I'm not a Jedi, father. You told me to stay away from that room."

"Are you questioning me, young one?" Anakin sternly asked. A' Marie couldn't sense any real animosity just a bit of irritation.

"No, sir." A' Marie was substantially quelled and ran to the shower. Anakin took his shower and dressed in his Jedi robes. After meditating he felt A' Marie's confusion and a bit of apprehension about entering the room.

She had only been there once before, because she was curious, she had thought incorrectly that if she wore her father's black cloak that she could sneak in there to take a look around. It was peaceful and the mats on the floor were comfortable, Luke had found her in the sanctum and pulled her out before Anakin had shown up, he was grounded for week for allowing his younger sister into the room. Her big brother covered for her and she never forgot. Luke was always protective of her and didn't seem to fear their father as she often did. The door slid open and her father was sitting cross-legged on the floor wearing his black Jedi garb. His two favorite colors were black and yellow; he absolutely detested pink. A' Marie stood there with her head lowered looking at her feet.

"Come." Anakin warmly called.

A' Marie took one step forward shaking the entire time. Then she felt warmth embracing her and she stopped shaking with the cold and fear.

"Do not be afraid, A' Marie. Come have a seat."

A' Marie slowly walked forward and sat across from her father, it was strange she could sense his love and amicable nature. "So many questions you have young one."

A' Marie jumped out of her skin, she heard her father in her thoughts but his lips didn't move.

"How is it possible that I just heard you and your lips weren't moving?"

"It's called telepathy; I can also sense strong feelings."

"Mm, its shame you could feel my feelings when you are spanking me, father." A' Marie thought.

Anakin leaned forward and whispered, "Oh, but I can young one."

"Stop that." A' Marie unintentionally yelled.

Anakin pulled A' Marie towards him using the Force, she tried to resist but he was much too strong for her. He gathered her in his lap, "It's important the next few questions I ask that you answer honestly, not that you would ever lie to me."

A' Marie was placed across from Anakin once again, he held on to her hands as he looked deeply into his daughter's blue eyes.

"Do you wish to become a Jedi? Think before you answer."

A' Marie was excited but she wondered how this was possible, she was blind to the Force wasn't she?

"You are not blind to the Force, young one. Before you were born, we had to put a block on your potential Force ability. That block has been weakening for the last nine years; once the block has been removed you will be strong in the Force once again."

"I'm not retarded?" A' Marie almost cried with relief.

"No, honey, you never were."

"Yes, father I wish to study to become a Jedi."

"You understand that it is your choice, that even if you choose not to that there will not be any repercussions with our family. We will love you."

"I want to become a Jedi like you." A' Marie smiled.

Anakin started to explain to A' Marie the responsibilities, the hard life, the discipline, the level of obedience required, he also told her that they would be going to Coruscant to be formally tested by the Jedi Council.

"Are these tests hard?"

"It depends greatly on your own point of view; each challenge is different for everyone."

"Will Luke, Leia and Mara be there?"

"Possibly, they are mostly on the go with missions."

"Will I have to wear Jedi robes like you?"

"No, yours will be a pale ivory and you will have a brown cloak."

"Why are you the only one with leather tabards?"

Anakin rolled his eyes, even his own child had to make remarks about his Jedi clothing.

"Dare to be different, young one." the only answer Anakin would provide.

"Why do you wear black? Master Obi-Wan wears beige and he doesn't scare people, aren't you worried that you might be construed as a Sith? I mean when you get angry, you have this funny little stance that you do."

"Are you sure it is wise to mock me young one?" Anakin sent a warning to his daughter to stop her inane questions. A' Marie quickly closed her mouth and remained quiet.

"Let me teach you how to meditate."

Anakin showed her to cross her legs put her hand palm's up and to clear her mind of all questions and to relax, breathing in and out. Her father was seemingly an expert in this meditation business, but she was bored out of her skull. How was this going to teach her anything? This was a waste of time; she could be outside climbing trees or playing with her friend Tomas. Then she saw a vision of Tomas, he was pleading and begging for mercy from his Father who was beating him relentlessly. He was in pain and was suffering.

"TOMAS!" A' Marie jumped up and Anakin startled out of his meditation as he watched A' Marie run out of the room. He quickly followed his daughter out the front door and down the street. Anakin and A' Marie heard the yelling and crying. Wasting no time, Anakin kicked down the door and entered the living room; the boy was barely able to cover himself from his father's harsh blows from the belt.

"Drop it Piett." Anakin growled.

"Get the hell out of my house, Jedi! You people have no business here, get out now!" Anakin drew himself up using the Force to intimidate the much weaker man. Tomas could barely move his arm was dislocated from being pulled into the house and slammed against the wall. Piett lashed the belt at Anakin, "That was a big mistake, mister." Anakin yanked the belt out of his hand and Force-pushed him across the room, he went reeling crashing into the fireplace and hitting his head hard. "A' Marie, get Tomas out of here!"

Tomas was helped to his feet and watched as Anakin stalked towards the cruel man. A' Marie took him outside and gently walked him to her house. Once the entered the living room, she gently sat him on the sofa. "Wait here."

She retrieved a glass of water and a piece of fruit.

"Here."

Tomas drank the water and ate the pear. He was so touched that even before he realized it, huge sobs broke out and he cried against A' Marie's shoulder releasing all his grief and sorrow. A' Marie attempted to send warm feelings of compassion as her father often did for her. Tomas eventually calmed and the pain from the beating wasn't as intense. It was strange, he felt better not only emotionally but physically. Anakin appeared some time later, after the senior Piett had been arrested and his rights to the child would be forever abolished.

Anakin put a deeper healing spell on the boy and managed to repair the dislocated shoulder, the boy didn't feel the sudden pain as Anakin pulled the arm and the arm went back into place.

"Father, what are we going to do about Tomas?"

"I have a good friend of mine who would take him."

Captain Panaka owed him a favor.

Captain Panaka didn't have any family of his own, but Anakin knew that he was a responsible man and he cared deeply for children. Anakin was a young boy when he first met up with the older man, even though he was at times very stern with Padmé her safety was his primary concern. Captain Panaka did work with Anakin briefly when they stayed after the defeat of the Trade Federation. Anakin wasn't surprised when the Captain agreed to take the young Tomas Piett under his wing. Piett's father committed suicide hanging himself with a sheet before he could be arraigned on child abuse charges.

Tomas hugged A' Marie goodbye and thanked Anakin for the new lease on life.

Padmé, Anakin and A' Marie had dinner that evening and it was decided that Padmé would finish out her semester and would semi-retire, so she could spend time with her family of Jedi. She would still work with the Senate and be a liaison between the Chancellor's office and the Jedi Council while working with Master Gallia. A' Marie meditated that evening with Anakin and even though the meditation exercises were mundane and seemingly boring, she enjoyed the time she spent with her father. Tomorrow they would be leaving Naboo to go to the council so she could be tested.

Author's Note:Thanks again for all your kind reviews, my constant readers.

DarthGladiator45.