Qui-Gon didn't know what to make of the friends that had shown up on the Skywalkers' doorstep. Even as the sandstorm continued to rage outside, he observed them as they interacted with the boy that he was quickly beginning to believe a force sensitive. Alexander seemed amiable enough, but the Jedi knew better. Every sense in his body screamed that the man was dangerous. The fact that Connor, who was most certainly dangerous, listened to the man only led Qui-Gon further, to believe that Alexander was something more than he made himself out to be.
Normally the Sandy haired Jedi would have left it alone. Everyone was entitled to their' secrets, and being a Jedi didn't mean you knew every little detail, but on a mission like this details could mean life or death. The fact that Qui-Gon was curious anyway didn't bode well for the former Scooby's already shaky privacy. And Xander knew it, because just as Qui-Gon was watching Xander, Xander was watching the Jedi master in return. He had seen that look more times than he ever cared to remember. The only improvement was that there was no malice accompanied by the speculative gleam behind the Jedi's eyes.
"So how long have you lived on Tatooine?" He asked the one eyed man, even as he kept one eye on Connor as he washed dishes with Shmi. The one eyed man raised a dark brow, "how do you know if I'm not a native?" Qui-Gon smiled back, "you could be, but I doubt it considering how pale your nephew is." Alexander smiled seemingly sheepishly shrugging his broad shoulder. "Good observational skills," like so many times before Xander curbed his California speak. His usual quips and Cordelia worthy barbs were lost on the people of this dimension.
"I've been planet hoping for almost ten years, we didn't settle until more recent years." Padmè looked curious, "that must have been hard for you and your nephew, and Tempest?" This time the Zeppo's smile was genuine, "my daughter, she's ten years old." The handmaiden looked surprised as did Qui-Gon if only mildly so. It was not unheard of for people to travel for years at a time. But a nomadic life in space was a hard one especially for children. What this man was saying was the he had been traveling with his daughter for most if not all her life.
What would drive a man to journey so long and alone with two children? "I see." The brunette announced almost uncertainly. Connor came back into the 'living room' he took one look at the people still sitting at the table and immediately focused on his uncle. "Uncle Xander, you might want to try and contact Uncle Oz, he'll be worried." The vampire born was lying through his teeth and they both knew it. Xander sent him a grateful look before excusing himself from the table.
Sensing the tension building once again, Anakin grasped his angel's hand and smiled. "I built a robot wanna see?" Hesitating, the small teenager at the Jedi master who was regarding Conner almost thoughtfully, then she nodded at the little boy, letting him drag her to his room. Jar Jar, proving smarter than many would give him credit for quickly followed behind them along with R2-D2. Now that the four were gone, Connor stared flatly at the Jedi that was to unwittingly set his young friend on the path to darkness.
Despite his turbulent life, Connor did actually get to see the original Star Wars saga, and knew the basic story of Anakin Skywalker. He was nowhere near knowledgeable as Xander and Andrew, but he understood the basic concept of the story. In fact, out of all the many characters, Darth Vador was the one that Connor could understand and sympathize with the most. And for that reason alone he wanted nothing more than to kill the Jedi where he sat. Intellectually the dark haired youth knew it wasn't Qui-Gon's fault, by his instincts were screaming a very different tone. "You are a very wary young man."
Abruptly focusing on the words that the taller man spoke, Connor nearly growled at the speculative look Qui- Gon was giving him. He didn't have the ability to cover up the fact that he was dangerous like his 'relatives'. He was nowhere near impassive as Oz, or goofy as Xander, Connor wasn't even going to attempt Tempest's cute act. Finally allowing the growl to escape out of sheer frustration, he glared harder at the Jedi. "I was taught to trust my instincts," he scowled, "and I don't like what their' telling me." Qui-Gon looked serene under his glower.
"And what are they telling you Mr. Wolf?" the older man asked him. Connor grimaced at the irony of his new family name. What he didn't know, was that Qui-Gon had once again reached out toward him with the force. This time the Jedi kept his senses at a distance, his touch light, like gossamer wings of a butterfly. "It's not something he can explain Qui-Gon, no one can." Surprised the middle aged man whipped his head toward Xander. The one eyed man had returned from 'calling' Oz. The dark man's expression was extraordinarily grim, and the expression seemed more natural to Qui-Gon considering the untamed savagery he could sense from the man.
Shmi came to stand along side of him, not looking in the least bit surprised by his proclaimation. The Jedi was beginning to think, not only had he found one force strong boy, but possibly an entire family as well. It wasn't unheard of for force sensitives to gravitate toward each other. But that still begged to question the origins of Connor and Alexander, because if how they felt was anything to go by, these two were well on their' way to the dark side. Qui-Gon could feel the hostility radiating off of Connor. The boy made no attempts to hide it, which reassure him but a little. Alexander on the other hand was a different subject entirely. This only cemented his earlier resolve to somehow get Anakin to Coruscant.
It would not do to leave someone of the boy's potential threat. As if reading his mind, the former Scooby smiled with Cheshire delight, and then he bowed his head toward Shmi who was staring him dead in the eye. Her lips were pulled taunt as she stared at him, "Anakin will help you, but under one condition" The Skywalker matron took a steadying breath, "If you find a way to free Ani and take him with you, Alexander's brother, Oz, will go with you." Qui-Gon stared at her resolute face and then Alexander's sly grin. The elderly Jedi never cursed aloud and when he did curse in his own head he made up for lost time. 'Negotiator indeed,' he thought wryly.