The boy silently watched as Padme comforted Anakin, his blue gaze watchful and wary.

Anakin wiped the tears away from his face and managed a small smile. "Thank you Padme, for being with me.

Padme smiled and stood up. "Anything for a friend." Picking up the tray Padme asked. "Are you sure you won't have something to eat?"

"I'm sure." Anakin replied, standing up to go sit on the chair.

Once Padme had left, the boy spoke. "She's nice."

Anakin turned to face the boy and placed his hand on the boy's forehead to check his temperature. "You feel a little bit cooler."

The boy scowled and crossed his arms, burying them in the deep folds of his cloak. "Or perhaps your hand is hotter."

"The scowl does not look becoming on you." Anakin remarked.

"And the heat on this planet is awful." The boy put in.

"Well you're sounding better." Anakin remarked, a small grin splitting his features.

The boy shifted around on the bed until his back was against the wall and he was directly facing Anakin. "For someone who disliked me before, you sure are caring now."

The smile faded from Anakin's face and he nodded slowly. "Yes. And I'm sorry I acted that way before. Even though I was still upset, I shouldn't have directed my anger at you."

"It is good to see your mistakes and admit them." The boy commented and then looked down to fiddle with the right sleeve of his cloak.

"Let's start over then. I am Anakin Skywalker."

"Ben." He stopped and looked up at Anakin. "Ben Jade."

"Ben, is there anyone I should contact to inform them where you are and that you're alright?" Anakin asked.

Ben looked down and tugged at the sleeve of his cloak. "No. I don't have anyone."

The sound of footsteps was heard and Anakin turned to see Owen in the doorway.

"We're ready to begin." Owen told Anakin, his voice laced with sadness.

Anakin nodded his head. "I'm coming."

Owen nodded and walked away and Anakin went to follow.

Ben got off the bed and followed right behind Anakin but was stopped when Anakin halted in the doorway, "You don't have to come with us." Anakin told him gently.

"I want to come." Ben answered.

"Very well then." Anakin responded and continued on.

They reached the gravesite where the others were already gathered, the grave already filled with sand over Shmi's lifeless body.

Ben silently watched as Owen, Beru, Cliegg, and then Anakin each gave parting words to Shmi. Ben listened intently as Anakin asked for forgiveness for his actions and swear a promise that he would continue to make her proud and will learn to control himself more.

After Anakin was finished, R2-D2 found them and began emitting a series of beeps and whistles.

"Artoo, what are you doing here?" Padme asked.

"It seems that he is carrying a message from an Obi-Wan Kenobi. Master Ani, does that name mean anything to you?" Threepio asked.

Anakin nodded, and without answering, he quickly headed for the ship, followed closely by Padme and Ben.

Entering the ship, Anakin headed straight to the cockpit, and when he got there he activated the message.

"Anakin, my long range transmitter has been knocked out. Retransmit this message to Coruscant." Obi-Wan told Anakin from the recorded message.

Padme sat down in the co-pilot's seat and reached over the controls to press a button to transmit the message.

"I have tracked the bounty hunter Jango Fett to the droid foundries on Geonosis." Obi-Wan continued. "The Trade Federation is to take taking delivery of a droid army here and it is clear that Viceroy Gunray... is behind the assassination attempts on
Senator Amidala. The Commerce Guilds and Corporate Alliance have both pledged their armies to Count Dooku and are forming an... Wait!... Wait!" Obi-Wan is attacked by droidekas and then the hologram cuts off.

Agitated, Anakin begins to pace the cockpit and stops when Mace Windu speaks.

"Anakin, we will deal with Count Dooku. The most important thing for you is to stay where you are. Protect the Senator at all costs. That is your first priority." Mace instructed.

"Understood, Master." Anakin dutifully replied and the connection to the Council is cut.

"Are you really going to stay here while your Master is in danger?" Ben asked.

Looking at Ben, who looked small in his much to large cloak, Anakin answered. "I have my orders. I have bent them enough already."

"Anakin, Master Windu told you to stay where you are, not me. That means if I decide to go rescue Obi-Wan, you will have to come with me." With that said, Padme began to flick switches and push buttons."

"Windu would make a bad politician." Ben pointed out as he strapped in behind Padme.

Grinning, Anakin sat in the pilot's seat and took the controls. "You know what. You both are right."