Chapter Eight: Warnings and Young Love

Harry pulled back the lever and watched the stars snap back into view as his ship dropped out of hyperspace above Naboo. He shook his head and guided the starfighter down to the landing platform outside the main city of Theed. Padme and Anakin were waiting for him, as he had called them to say that he'd be landing there.

"Hey Harry how're you doing" Anakin said as he walked forward to greet the Knight who was like a big brother to him. Harry embraced him, and then moved to embrace Padme as well. Letting go of her he stood back and looked at both of them.

"Where is Master Jinn, is he here yet?" Harry asked. Anakin shook his head. "No he's not but he should be arriving soon. Why?"

"I have some things to tell all of you but I can't until he's here" came the cryptic reply. Anakin and Padme looked at each other and shook their heads. "Wait with us here, then, then we can all go to our retreat together" Padme offered.

Harry accepted the offer and they hung around Theed for an hour until Harry spied an approaching ship. Reaching out with the Force he sensed Qui Gon on board and smiled. "It's him" he yelled over the noise of the landing gear engaging. Qui Gon walked down the ramp only to be grabbed by Harry and hustled into a speeder that took them to the edge of the lake. There they caught a boat that took them to their retreat where it was just the four of them.

Once Qui Gon and Harry had settled in and they were gathered in the lounge Qui Gon turned on Harry. "I don't appreciate being ordered around like you did Knight Potter and I want an explanation for your behaviour." Padme opened her mouth to protest Qui Gon's terse demand but both Harry and Anakin waved for her to be silent. Shutting her mouth, the young Senator complied, just as interested in Harry's explanation as the others were.

Harry rose and faced the irate Master. "I apologise for the rather presumptuous order Master Jinn but I was in a fight for my life at the time and I didn't have time to observe the proper protocols. The reason for the fight was that I engaged Asaji Ventress in a dogfight and left her stranded in space with one wing shot off. The reason for ordering you to Naboo was that I had a vision."

He paused for a drink and then continued. "I felt a flare of pain in my scar, and then was pulled into a Force vision where two Sith, one called Sidious and the other called Paine were discussing how best to make you, Anakin, turn to the Dark Side. Sidious was saying that all their plots have failed so far, thanks to Master Jinn and myself. Paine then suggested going after you, Senator, and your mother, Anakin. He said that they could get a bounty hunter to wipe out Padme and use the Tusken Raiders on Tatooine to get rid of Shmi. Padme is in very real danger here, as is Shmi Skywalker. The Sith want Anakin, and they don't care who they have to kill to get him."

Harry's audience looked at him with horror. Anakin then dropped his head in his hands and groaned. When Harry looked at him enquiringly, Anakin muttered, "I've been having dreams where my mother is in danger and I have to go to her. In some she dies and others she lives. In the ones where she dies, I give in to the Dark and eventually become a Sith. In the ones where she lives I stay a Jedi. I have to go to her now."

Anakin rose and made to go for the front door. Both Qui Gon and Harry moved in his path. Anakin stopped and glared at them. "Move" he growled. The two Jedi in his way shook their heads. Harry moved towards Anakin and herded him towards the couch.

"Your mother will be fine until tomorrow Anakin. Going off half-cocked will do no one any good, least of all your mother, or yourself. Believe me, I know." Anakin looked curiously at Harry but the Knight ignored the silent request. Qui-Gon filed this piece of information away for later. Harry didn't talk about his past much so this was interesting.

"Why don't we all have dinner" Padme suggested, thus breaking the mini-standoff between the three Jedi. They acquiesced to her suggestion and sat down. There was still tension between Anakin and Harry, but Qui Gon seemed to have been forgiven.

After dinner, Padme and Anakin retired to the lounge to have a talk, while Harry and Qui Gon meditated out on the balcony. After half an hour Harry rose, stretched and went inside. He was just in time to witness Anakin stalk into his room and close the door firmly. Intrigued, Harry reached out to Anakin with the Force, sensing turmoil, conflict, fear, and desire?

'Now that's interesting' Harry thought to himself. He turned the opposite direction from Anakin and went into the lounge. Padme was sitting on the couch staring sightlessly into the fire. She looked round as Harry entered and sat down but didn't say anything. Harry remained silent for a while and then said, "I saw Anakin just before. He looked upset. Did something happen between you?"

Padme sighed. "Yes, no, I don't' know." Harry waited while she composed herself and was rewarded when she started talking again. "He told me that he loves me. I said that I couldn't return the feelings, regardless of how I truly feel because of our respective positions."

"What positions?" Harry asked. Padme looked up at him and snapped, "He's a Jedi and I'm a Senator. Your Code forbids him to love me and I, I can't live a lie. He wanted to keep it a secret, I can't do that."

Harry tilted his head to the side and then asked bluntly, "Do you love him?" Padme's head whipped round and she stared at the Knight. Finally she answered, "Yes." Harry nodded and then looked into the fire himself. Padme thought that he looked as if he was going to share something of his own, some personal bit of information from his past. She knew that he was secretive about his past, it was something that Anakin sometimes got frustrated with. Harry sighed and then said,

"Padme, you don't' have to think only of your duty. You are allowed to have your own life, find a husband, have children. Anakin loves you, you love him. I and Master Jinn can smooth things over with the Council if necessary. You don't have to flaunt the fact that you love him, but neither should you keep it a total secret, like something you're ashamed of. Love can be a source of great power when channelled properly."

"What about you then? Did you love someone once?" Padme asked softly. Harry stiffened and then relaxed. "I did. She died, in a huge battle. I ended up killing the man who killed her but it was too late to save her. All my friends and family ended up dying because their murderer wanted to kill me. And in the end, he's the one who died and I came here. Love for my friends and family gave me the strength to do what I had to do, and I think it also applies here."

Padme nodded and then looked at Harry. She was struck by how expressive his eyes were tonight. Normally they weren't so expressive, but tonight she could see everything. Harry broke the eye contact and rose from his seat, turning to leave. "Think about what I said Padme. You can choose to have a life outside of politics. I know that Anakin would appreciate it."

Harry left, closing the door quietly behind him leaving behind a very thoughtful Senator. As he walked towards his room he sensed that Anakin was in distress. Harry turned and walked quickly to Anakin's room, the door was now open, and Harry could see that the Padawan was caught in a nightmare. When he called for his mother though, and pleaded with someone to not hurt her, Harry stepped inside and sat on the bed. Gently shaking Anakin's shoulder, Harry resolved to help his little brother in any way possible, even if he had to reveal his past to do so.

Authors Notes:

Done.

Next time Harry and Ani have a chat