Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars.

AN: Thanks for all the amazing reviews everyone. Yes, the mystery continues to unfold and little by little, the past will be revealed. Enjoy this next installment and let me know what you think!

Foundations of Hope

Chapter 9: Unexpected Detour

Anakin held Padme's hand tightly, as they navigated the dusty streets of Mos Espa. The place hadn't changed much over the years. It was still the same, dirty, slime infested dust hole that Anakin remembered. It still had the same feel too, but even more so now that he was aware of the Force. It had a dark, evil feel that made him cold all over. He was aware of the shady eyes upon them, as they passed by various patrons. They finally rounded the corner and Anakin spotted his old Toydarian Master, sitting outside his shop. The little winged creature uttered a curse in Huttese, as he fiddled with a broken pit droid.

"Let me help you with that," Anakin said, in fluent Huttese. Watto looked at the group of people suspiciously, as the young blonde haired man picked up the droid. Anakin made a few quick adjustments, as Watto stared at him with great scrutiny.

"Ani..." he questioned suspiciously. Anakin set the droid down and smacked the nose. The little droid came to life good as new.

"You are Ani!" he exclaimed, as he began flapping his wings excitedly.

"Boy you sure sprouted. What brings you here?" Watto asked, as he motioned them inside.

"We need a part. An alternator for the hyper drive engine on a Corellian A class freighter," Anakin explained.

"Sure...sure. I got that. If you got the money, that is," Watto replied.

"We have it. Just get the part already," Ben snapped.

"Okay...it's in the back. You remember, Ani," Watto said.

"Sure," Anakin replied, as he led Padme into the back room.

"Hey Watto, whatever happened to that droid I built?" Anakin asked curiously.

"I'm sorry Ani, but I sold him. You had him finished, so I gave him an operating number. A nice man named Antilles bought him...at least I think it was Antilles," Watto said, as he rummaged through some boxes

"Antilles?" he asked. Padme smiled.

"Threepio..." Padme said in amazement.

"But I thought Threepio was yours," Anakin replied.

"He is now. Jagged bought him for Bail's use when he was still serving in the Imperial Senate. I can't believe you built Threepio," Padme replied.

"Wow...what do you know. I guess the galaxy isn't so big after all," Anakin replied, as he found the Corellian parts in one of the boxes.

"I knew there was something really familiar about him," Anakin mentioned, as he dug for the part. They heard a chime, indicating Watto had another customer. The Toydarian flapped its wings and flew out into the main area of his shop.

--

"Ah...Kenobi, didn't expect to see you back here on this dust ball so soon," Jango said, as he and Boba entered.

"Wasn't planning on it either, but I have a busted alternator," Ben replied.

"What can I do for you, Jango?" Watto asked.

"Boba, go with Watto and get the parts we need for the Slave I," Jango said. Boba nodded and followed the Toydarian into the back. The moment Jango entered the shop, Anakin had pulled Padme into a corner behind some boxes. He held her close, as they hid quietly, watching the young bounty hunter, as he told Watto which parts he needed. Watto was scratching his head in confusion, wondering where Anakin and that girl had gone.

--

"So, you got my money?" Jango asked.

"Not yet, but I will soon. I have taken a very profitable job and I'll be paid soon. Then you and Jabba will have your credits," Ben replied.

"I'll bet if you present this pretty little thing to Jabba, he'll forget all about your debt," Jango suggested, referring to Beru.

"I thought about it," Ben said, as he put his arm around Beru's waist.

"But I decided to keep her for my own entertainment. Space gets quite cold you know. It's nice to have a beautiful woman to warm your bed," Ben replied. Jango chuckled.

"Very true. But I think I might have a job for you that could make us both very rich men. You interested?" Jango asked.

"Perhaps," Ben replied, as Jango produced a holo of a young man. Beru suppressed a gasp, as she stared at her brother's picture.

"Lord Vader wants this kid pretty bad. He's willing to pay one million credits for this little whelp, but only if he's taken alive," Jango said. Ben whistled.

"A million? This kid must have really done a number on those Imps," Ben said.

"Well, he looks like a little punk to me, but the word is that he's a Jedi or something. So...you interested?" Jango asked. Ben smirked.

"I'll keep my eyes open. I can't really abandon this job yet," Ben replied.

"Suit yourself," Jango replied.

"Hey Watto...have you seen this kid around? Rumor has it that the brat used to live on this sandbox," Jango said, as he held up the holo, as Boba joined him. Anakin and Padme continued to hide in the back room.

--

"Oh no...what if he betrays us?" Padme whispered.

"Then we're going to have to make a run for it," Anakin whispered back.

--

Watto looked at the holo and shrugged his shoulders.

"Nope...never seen him," Watto replied.

"Well, if you do, let me know. Lord Vader wants him something fierce...and I'm going to be the one to get him," Jango replied, as he paid for his parts and left with his son in tow.

"Watto, you didn't sell me out," Anakin said, genuinely surprised, as he led Padme out from the back room.

"I thought about it. He probably would have given me a good cut too. But I like you. I'll be expecting a bonus in addition to the cost of the parts though," Watto said.

"Naturally. A swindler to the end," Ben replied, as he paid for the parts, plus the bonus.

"Good seein' you Ani. Be careful out there. Looks like you got quite a price on your head," Watto said.

"Thanks Watto. I'll be careful," Anakin said, as he and Padme put their hoods up and left the little shop. As they left, a pair of eyes watched them with careful scrutiny. The figure raised the hood of their cloak and slowly followed the small group.


Padme and Beru sat on the lowered ramp, out of the sun, as Anakin and Ben repaired the hyper drive engine. They could hear Anakin and Ben bickering, as they went about fixing the ship. The girls giggled, as they heard Chewie rawl angrily at them, shutting them both up.

"So, I noticed that you certainly caught Ben's attention," Padme mentioned.

"I guess so. He seems to like the new look as much as I do. Thank you Padme," she replied.

"Anytime," she replied, as she put her hand to her forehead.

"This planet is so hot," she mentioned.

"Yes, that's one of the many things I don't miss about this place," Beru said, as she looked over at Padme. The other girl's eyes were wide and fixated on the cloaked figure before them.

"Anakin!" Padme cried in alarm. Anakin's head shot up and he hopped down off the Falcon, quickly running to Padme's side.

"Who are you?" Anakin demanded, as his hand twitched, ready to call his light saber to his hand if need be.

"Blast...what the hell is going on?" Ben grumped, as he joined them.

"Is the heat the only thing you don't miss from this place, Beru?" The man's voice said, as he dropped the hood of his cloak. Beru and Anakin gasped in surprise.

"Owen?!" they exclaimed.

"You killed him! I went to a neighboring farm on an errand and when I came back, the whole place had gone up in smoke. You killed dad, you little bastard!" Owen screamed.

"No Owen, it wasn't Anakin! We were gone looking for our droid that ran away. It was Imperial Storm Troopers that killed him. We...we thought you had been killed too," Beru said.

"Then where the hell have you been?" Owen snapped.

"We left and joined the Rebellion," Anakin answered.

"Well, you can do what you want, slave trash, but you're coming home with me, Beru. I'm staying and working at a neighboring farm until I can afford to rebuild our farm. I need your help," he said.

"No you don't. You just need a servant," Beru spat.

"You were supposed to marry me, before this whole fiasco started and nothing's changed. Let's go," Owen ordered.

"I said no and you're wrong...everything has changed. I don't want to be with you," she replied.

"What did you say?" he demanded. She noticed the glazed look in his eyes. He had been drinking.

"You heard her Owen. You used to treat her like dirt, but we don't have to take it anymore," Anakin snapped.

"Shut up, you worthless slave scum. This is all your fault!" Owen yelled. Suddenly, they heard Chewie rawl in alarm. Anakin sensed the danger a moment later.

"We've got company," he said, as he took Padme's hand.

"Jango," Ben said, as he saw the speeder in the distance.

"Blast, Chewie, can we take off?" he called. Chewie rawled and Ben ushered Beru up the ramp, as Anakin followed, pulling Padme along.

"Hey Beru, get back here!" Owen called, as he followed them up. Artoo raised the ramp, stomping back and forth on his droid feet. Ben and Chewie hurried for the cockpit and fired up the engines. Anakin helped Padme and Beru strap in.

"Hey, let Beru and I off," Owen demanded, as he grabbed Anakin's shoulder.

"Beru's not going anywhere with you! We have to leave before that bounty hunter catches up to us. Now sit down and shut up or you'll be floating home," Anakin snapped. Owen gulped and did so, as Anakin strapped himself in next to Padme.

The Millennium Falcon sailed out of the atmosphere and zoomed safely into the realm of hyperspace. Once Ben raised the cabin lights, they undid their restraints.

"Come on Artoo, let's do a scan of the ship's exterior to make sure there are no tracking devices," Anakin said. Artoo rolled along behind him.

"Beru..." Owen said.

"Save it Owen. Once we're able to, we'll find a way to send you back to that dust ball you love so much, but I'm not going with you," Beru spat. Anakin returned, as Owen continued to argue with Beru.

"Is everything okay?" Padme asked.

"Yeah, there were no tracking devices attached to the ship," he replied. Padme sighed in relief and hugged him tightly. Their lips met in a passionate kiss, as they relished in their relief. Anakin held her tightly, as she rested her head on his shoulder. He could tell that she was deeply worried about him and rightfully so, considering the large bounty that had been placed on his head.

"Everything will be okay. I won't let them take me from you," he promised.

"How did you know what I was thinking?" she asked.

"I sensed it, but only because you let me," he replied.

"You make me feel safe. I don't feel the need to guard myself when I'm around you," she replied.

"You are safe. I'd never let anything happen to you," he promised. She gazed up into his amazing blue eyes and felt her heart swell with love. How had she fallen for him so fast? In a matter of weeks, he had claimed her heart. She felt so safe and secure in his arms...so loved.

"Anakin...there's something I need to tell you," she said. He smiled.

"Okay," he replied. She opened her mouth to continue, but they were rudely interrupted. It was only as he approached that they noticed that he absolutely reeked of liquor. Owen was very drunk...and if Anakin remembered correctly, he got mean when he drank.

"Well...what's this? Owen slurred snidely, as he approached, his attention diverted from Beru for the moment. Anakin glared at him.

"Aren't you going to introduce me?" Owen slurred.

"Owen, this is Padme, my girlfriend," he answered. Owen snorted in amusement.

"She must not know what a loser you are then, because she is way too good for you," Owen replied, looking Padme up and down. Padme glared daggers at him.

"Excuse me, I don't know who you think you are, you drunken Sith spawn, but Anakin is not a loser. He's a hero. He saved me and the entire Rebellion. You're the only loser I see here," she snapped. Owen whistled in mocking.

"Wow...a feisty one. Bet that mouth of yours gets you into trouble, doesn't it beautiful? Maybe I should teach you a lesson...or maybe you can teach me one. I bet you're a wild Nexu in bed," Owen said, as he stumbled drunkenly. The alcohol was really having an effect on him now, but Anakin didn't care if he was drunk or not. He stepped in front of Padme.

"Lay one finger on her and I swear, I'll kill you," Anakin growled. Owen chuckled, having got the reaction he wanted.

"Don't worry lover boy, I got my own girl right here," Owen slurred, as he grabbed Beru's arm and pulled her to him.

"Let go," Beru yelled, as she slapped him. This made Owen see red.

"Why you little..." he growled. But before he could do anything to her, he felt an invisible force shove him onto his back. Anakin ignited his light saber and held the searing, humming blade to Owen's throat.

"Stay away from Padme and Beru. This is your last warning," Anakin growled.

"What...what the hell are you?" Owen asked in alarm. Padme smiled, snaking her arms around his waist.

"He's a Jedi. I would advise you to heed his warning," she replied. He glared at Beru.

"You're supposed to be marrying me," he said.

"Only because your families were forcing her," Ben said, as he entered.

"And just who the hell are you," Owen spat. Ben smirked and put his arm around Beru's waist.

"Wouldn't you like to know," Ben taunted. Owen roared angrily and lunged at Ben. But the drunken fool stumbled and Ben kneed him in the gut, before knocking him on the back of the neck.

"Why don't you sleep it off, you Sith slime," he hissed, as he dropped Owen's unconscious body to the floor.

"You should have gutted him with that thing," Ben said.

"Believe me...I wanted to. I'll help you haul him into a room," Anakin said.

"No, he's not good enough to take one of the rooms. Let's put him in one of the floor panels," Ben chuckled deviously. Anakin allowed himself a chuckle as well.

"Are you okay, Beru?" Padme asked. Beru smiled thinly and nodded.

"Do you need anything?" Padme asked.

"Am I a bad person for wishing that he were dead...or at least that he had never found us?" Beru cried. Padme hugged her tightly.

"No, not at all sweetie. From what I just saw, you have every right to wish that you never had to see him again," Padme said, as she held her.

"Hey...come on, let's go to the kitchen and see what we can find. I think I remembering seeing a stash of chocolate," Padme said. Beru giggled.

"I saw Ben sneaking some earlier. How mad do you think he'd be if we ate it all?" Beru asked. Padme giggled.

"Let's go," she said, as they hurried off to the kitchen.


Padme and Beru munched on chocolate, as they went about making dinner in the small kitchenette aboard the ship.

Ben and Chewie walked into the kitchen.

"Well...it certainly smells good in here. I'm surprised you even know anything about cooking, Princess," Ben teased. Padme shot him a glare.

"I'll have you know that I learned to cook long before I learned any politicking of any kind. I come from a farming village in the mountains, you know," Padme replied, as she continued chopping vegetables and putting them in the large pot on the stove.

"It's a good thing I saw to it that your ship was stocked with food stores before we left, because the cooler and cupboards were quite bare," Beru replied, as she and Padme ate another piece of chocolate.

"Hey...it that my Corellian chocolate!" he exclaimed. The girls erupted into giggles, as he snatched the box away, only to find it empty.

"Oh bloody hell..." Ben swore. Chewie joined in on the girls' mirth and chuckled as well.

"Laugh it up, fuzz ball," he snapped.

"Have you seen Anakin?" Padme asked.

"The brat is meditating...or something," Ben replied.

"I'm going to go tell him that dinner is almost ready," she said, as she took off her apron and went to find him.


She spied him sitting on the floor, cross legged with his eyes closed, deep in meditation. She knew that she shouldn't disturb him, but she could hardly help herself, as she knelt down beside him.

"You're not disturbing me. Your presence is very soothing," he told her. She smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Well...that's good to know," she replied, as she kissed him softly.

"Dinner will be ready soon," she said.

"Great," he replied, as he pulled her across his lap. They stared at each other for a long moment, before their lips met with searing passion.

"I still can't believe it...that you're mine," Anakin whispered, as her lips slowly trailed from his jaw and down to his neck where she placed soft, moist kisses. And Anakin was in heaven.

"You're so beautiful..." he uttered in a husky voice. She lifted her head, her passionate gaze locking with his.

"It's only because I'm so in love," she replied. His breath hitched in his throat.

"You love me?" he asked in awe. She nodded.

"Oh Padme...I love you too. I've loved you since the moment I laid eyes on you," he replied. She threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly. Anakin felt a few tears splash on his neck.

"Are you okay?" he asked, as he pulled back.

"Yes, I'm just so happy. You've made me happier than I ever dreamed possible," she replied.

"You've made me happy too...more than I ever thought possible as well," he replied, as he chuckled.

"When I first saw you, I swore that you had to be an angel, because I'd never seen someone so beautiful before...but now I'm convinced that you are an angel...my angel," he told her passionately. Padme blushed and felt her heart quicken, as he leaned in and pressed his lips to hers. She eagerly responded, as they exchanged passionate, feverish kisses. They broke apart, as they heard Beru call to them. Anakin helped her up and put his arm around her. They smiled at each other, as they headed for the kitchen.


The rickety carriage stopped in front of the small junk shop. A woman garbed in a long indigo cloak stepped out and paid the droid driver, before entering the shop.

"Ah...a customer. What can I do for you?" Watto asked. She dropped her hood, revealing herself to be a beautiful blonde haired woman with piercing, gold tinted, sapphire eyes.

"I'm looking for my sister...Shmi Skywalker," she stated. Watto looked at her suspiciously.

"What's your name?" he asked.

"Tahl...Tahl Skywalker," she answered.

"Shmi is dead," he stated. Tahl's eyes widened.

"Dead?" she questioned.

"She died a few years ago...some human ailment. She wasn't mine no more," Watto replied.

"Who did she belong to when she died?" Tahl asked.

"She didn't. She was freed by a moisture farmer, bout ten years ago. She and her boy moved there. Lars married her, but he's dead now too," Watto replied.

"What happened to Anakin?" she asked. Watto looked at her suspiciously again.

"What interest do you have in the boy?" he asked.

"I'm his mother...his real mother. He is in danger and I must find him, before the Empire does," Tahl stated. Watto looked at her with great scrutiny, not wanting to believe a word this woman was saying. But her resemblance to the boy that he had a fondness for was uncanny.

"He looks like you," Watto stated, making Tahl smile.

"He was here, just a few hours ago, getting a part for a ship. I'm sure he's left by now. And I don't know for sure, but...I think he's involved with those Rebels..." Watto whispered.

"The Rebellion...of course! Thank you," Tahl replied, as she placed a very generous amount of Tatooinian currency in Watto's small hand.

"I would appreciate your discretion," she said. Watto's eyes bulged, as he saw the amount.

"Sure...never saw you," he replied. Tahl raised the hood of her cloak and was gone in an instant.

As she returned to her ship, she contemplated on how to find the Rebellion's new location. She knew she could only get that information by contacting one of the last remaining Jedi. She had a feeling that Master Dooku was with the Rebellion, looking after Anakin in all likelihood. That only left a few options. Yoda was out, since she truly never wanted to speak to that little troll again. Plus Degobah was less than appealing. She didn't know Mace very well, so Haruun Kal was also out. Jabiim was where Quinlan Vos resided, but had little tolerance for her. She smiled, knowing her old friend, Shaak Ti was her best option. She set the course for Felucia in her ship's computer. Shaak Ti was in for the surprise of her life.

The cabin in the Millennium Falcon was dark and quiet, as it sailed through hyperspace. Anakin and Padme slept soundly on the futon in the living area, innocently of course, in their sleep clothes. They both slept very peacefully though in each other's arms, very content just to hold each other. Beru slept on the pull out sofa, but was not enjoying a restful sleep at all. She tossed and turned, before finally getting up and padding to the kitchen. Owen was still passed out and locked in one of the storage panels. But not even that was calming her restlessness. She decided some tea might soothe her and she reached the kitchen, only to find Ben there, getting a night cap. He put the cap back on the scotch and looked up at her. She was dressed in a long blue night gown, with her hair down.

"Couldn't sleep?" he asked.

"No," she replied, as she put some water on the stove for her tea, before sitting down at the table.

"So, it is true then?" he asked.

"Is what true?" she replied.

"Owen was rambling on about how you were supposed to marry him," Ben replied.

"It's true...but it was never by choice. Our father's arranged the marriage. Anakin and I were never anything more to Owen than servants. Owen could get mean and Ani always stood up for me, even though he knew it would get him on the receiving end of Cliegg's belt. I would always beg him not to, since I hated seeing him get punished. But he rarely ever backed down," Beru said.

"I'm sorry...I didn't know he used to do that for you," Ben replied. She nodded.

"Maybe now you'll be nicer to him," she suggested.

"For you, I may try. But no promises," he replied, as she let her tea steep. The tea soothed Beru's nerves and relaxed her. She put her cup in the sink when she finished and turned to Ben, who stood leaning on the counter.

"Well, I think I'll try to go back to bed now," she said. He nodded.

"Sleep well. We should be nearing Hoth by late afternoon tomorrow," he replied.

"Well, then I'll see you in the morning. Don't stay up too late," Beru said.

"I'll try not to. Good night Beru," he replied.

"Good night Ben," she replied, as she placed a kiss on his cheek, before hurrying out of the kitchen. Ben stood stalk still for longer than he could remember, before he set his glass down. He touched his cheek softly. No one had penetrated the walls he had put up around himself like she had. In some ways, he loved it and in others he hated it. In the experiences that he had, love only left you venerable and heart broken. The question was...could it be different with Beru? He shook his head in confusion.

"Blast..." he mumbled, as he headed for his quarters, though he wasn't sure how easily sleep would come...