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 10: Hoth
"Ohhhhwww...my head is pounding," Owen complained, as he sat at the kitchen table the next morning. Beru sat at a cup of caf down for him.
"Drink this and sober up," she ordered. He glared up at her with blood shot eyes.
"Stop looking at me like I did this to you," Beru snapped.
"But you did...you and that little bastard," Owen spat.
"I'm sorry about your father, Owen, but Anakin and I had nothing to do with his death. We also did not tell you to drink yourself into an early grave," she snapped back.
"Trouble follows that damn urchin wherever he goes. Dad was killed because of him!" Owen yelled.
"No, it was an unfortunate tragedy and you will not blame Anakin for it," Beru replied.
"The hell I won't. You and that slave trash don't really give a damn that he's dead," Owen spat.
"You're right, we don't. Your father abused my brother for no reason other than he hated him. I will never forgive either of you for hurting him," Beru snapped. Owen scoffed.
"He's not your brother. You're not even related to him," Owen replied.
"He is my brother, blood or not," Beru spat back.
"So...you've dumped me for the scoundrel, huh?" Owen spat.
"Ben has nothing to do with this. I dumped you, because I do not wish to spend the rest of my life as your doormat," she retorted, as Anakin and Padme came into the kitchen, practically draped over each other, laughing playfully. Beru smiled. She was so happy for her brother, yet she felt her heart aching and longing for a love such as what Anakin had found with Padme. They made a gorgeous couple; perfect, like something out of a fairytale. The beautiful princess and her dashing Knight. She knew they were much deeper than that, but she enjoyed the analogy. It gave her some semblance of hope.
"Will you stop that," Padme giggled, as she smacked his hand to stop his tickling.
"Sorry, I can't help myself," he whispered to her, as he stood behind her and his lips trailed kisses along the back of her neck, driving her absolutely wild. She turned in his arms and pressed her lips passionately to his. They both seemed unaware that they weren't alone.
"I think I'm gonna be sick," Owen spat. Beru cleared her throat playfully.
"Good morning you two. It looks like you both slept well," Beru greeted pleasantly.
"Well, it's hard not to when you're holding an angel in your arms," he replied, gazing fondly at Padme. She blushed furiously.
"Anakin," she said, suddenly very shy.
"It's true," he replied sincerely. She smiled at him, as she took some fruit out of the refrigeration unit and began slicing it.
"Well, if I stay here, I'm going to lose my breakfast," Owen said grumpily, as he stalked out. Beru smiled at the young couple and left to clean up, leaving them alone. Anakin came up behind her and gently brushed her beautiful curls aside, as he began kissing her neck. Padme hummed sweetly in her throat, enjoying every single new sensation that this new love wrought upon them. She set the knife down and turned in his arms, wrapped her arms around his neck, as his lips descended upon hers. Their lips met again and again in a passionate, hungry rhythm. Padme gasped in excitement, as his strong arms lifted her up and sat her on the counter. She smiled at him, as their lips met again, this time feverishly, as they each fought for control of the kiss. Ben walked in about that time with Chewie and rolled his eyes in annoyance.
"Oh for the love of...would you mind not making out in my kitchen," he snapped. Padme giggled, as Anakin broke their kiss and helped her down.
"Sorry Ben, I guess we got carried away," Anakin apologized.
"Oh really, you think?" he asked sarcastically. Padme's cheeks were rosy with a blush.
"How bout I make you breakfast, handsome?" she asked.
"Sounds wonderful, beautiful angel," he replied, as he sat down at the table, while Padme went about starting breakfast for everyone.
Ben reached up and flipped a couple switches, as he prepared to bring them out of hyperspace. He hated being alone with his thoughts, but found himself that way far too often. When his thoughts were idle, the memories began surfacing...
"Sorry I am, Obi-Wan, but trained...you will not be," Yoda said.
"But...I thought Master Jinn was going to take me as his padawan," young Obi-Wan Kenobi responded.
"Train you, Master Jinn will not. Broken the code he has. Much to atone for, he must," Yoda answered.
"What...what will happen to me?" Obi-Wan asked.
"To Agri-Corps, you will go," Yoda answered. The young boy was ushered out of the Council room, his ears stinging with the words of rejection. He was going to be put on the next transport to Bandomeer and put in a place to be forgotten. As Obi-Wan quietly walked toward the lift, he heard voices coming from behind one of the permacrete pillars. He quietly tucked himself in the nearest corner and listened to the conversation when he realized one of the speakers was Master Jinn. Obi-Wan saw him with Master Tahl, who had a wiggling baby in her arms. He had heard the gossip. Master Jinn and Master Tahl had broken the code by entering a romantic relationship, which they both refused to give up. The baby in her arms was the only reason they had not yet been dismissed from the Order. The Council wanted the child. They were calling the boy, The Chosen One, because his midichlorian count was off the charts. But Obi-Wan didn't see what all the fuss was about. He was just a baby. How special could he be?
"What did the Council say when you were in there?" Tahl asked, as she rocked the baby.
"The same old garbage. Preaching to me about the dangers of attachment and how they think Anakin isn't really mine," Qui-Gon growled.
"He is yours, my love. I don't care what they believe," Tahl insisted.
"They believe that Plagueis manipulated the midichlorians to create Anakin when you refused to be with him. I should march down to the cell block right now and kill him ever trying to put his hands on you!" Qui-Gon said.
"You will do no such thing. He is not worth it. I love you and that's what matters," she replied.
"They want you to talk to him. They think that he might give you a clue to the identity of his apprentice...that perhaps he will let his guard down around you. I refused," Qui-Gon told her.
"It may be the only way to learn the truth. There is a Sith Lord out there wreaking havoc from the shadows and he must be stopped," Tahl stated.
"I will not put you in that kind of danger," Qui-Gon insisted.
"Please calm down, my love," Tahl soothed him. He sighed and focused on his love for her. Tenderly, he kissed her lips, as Ani babbled between them. Tahl looked down at their son adoringly.
"See...Ani knows you're his father and that's what matters," Tahl said. Qui-Gon smiled at their son.
"Let's go back to our quarters and settle in for a quiet evening. We can forget all about this and everything else," he suggested.
"That sounds wonderful, but don't you have a new padawan now?" she asked.
"No, I told them I couldn't take the boy...not with everything that's going on. My focus is on you and our baby. If they want to expel me for it, then fine. But Anakin goes with us...no matter what," Qui-Gon said. Tahl smiled.
"I love you," she said.
"I love you too," he replied.
Obi-Wan felt sick to his stomach. Qui-Gon didn't want him. All he cared about was her and that brat...
"Ben...are you okay?" Beru asked. He was pulled away from his painful memories at the sound of her voice.
"I'm fine. You need to get strapped in," he replied.
"You don't seem fine," Beru replied.
"Well, I am. Now please, go strap in, because I'm bringing us out of hyperspace," he replied. Beru nodded and left quietly. Ben sighed in frustration, as he tended to the ship's controls.
"Bloody hell...this place is just one giant ball of ice," Ben said, as he flew the Falcon over the planet, which was blanketed with ice and snow. Chewie rawled in agreement, no more fond of this place than his partner.
"Organa better pay us well," Ben mentioned, as he slowed the ship and brought them into the docking bay of the new Hoth base. He landed and dropped the ramp. Anakin helped Padme down the ramp. Bail and Breha waited anxiously and hugged Padme tightly.
"We were getting worried," Breha said.
"Did everything go okay?" Bail asked.
"We had to make a detour to Tatooine to fix the hyper drive. But we were fine once we were underway again," Anakin stated.
"Hey, I need a ship, so I can go home," Owen snapped to Anakin.
"Your majesty, this is my stepbrother, Owen. Due to a little problem on Tatooine, we were forced to bring him with us," Anakin explained.
"I'm sorry Owen, but Commander Antillies says that patrols in the outer rim have tripled since the destruction of the Death Star. It would not be safe to travel anywhere right now," Bail replied.
"You mean I'm stuck here!" Owen exclaimed.
"Don't worry. You'll be provided with accommodations and we'll analyze your skills to see where we can use you," Bail replied. Owen smirked.
"All right. I'll work here until I can get a transport out of here. What kind of work does my loser brother do, because I'm sure he could use a good supervisor," Owen said smugly.
"Um...well, Anakin is our top pilot and a ranking Lt. Commander, right under Commander Antilles, whom he answers to for his piloting duties. As for his other duties, he is a Jedi Knight in training under Jedi Master Dooku. I believe we'll have to find you another area of work if we are able to utilize any skills you may have," Bail replied, as nicely as possible. Owen looked thoroughly embarrassed, but quickly sobered to his usual smug self.
"Lt. Commander? This slave trash? You've got to be kidding," Owen spat.
"Excuse me, I'm not sure who you think you are, but I've appointed Anakin my second in command, thus making him a superior to you. He is responsible for the survival of the Alliance and if you are going to stay here, then you will work to earn your keep. Are you a pilot?" Antilles questioned sharply.
"N...no," Owen stammered.
"Then I'm sure we'll find a place for you on one of the maintenance crews. And you will address superior officers by their rank or sir. You will be expected to show respect to your higher ranking officers, including Commander Skywalker. You'll be shown to you quarters for the evening and then report for duty tomorrow morning at O six hundred. Until then, Ensign," Jagged said sternly, as he moved on to tend to other duties. Anakin and Padme couldn't help but snicker, earning them a glare from Owen. Ben patted his shoulder.
"Don't worry. I'm sure you'll make a fine plumber or better yet, a ship cleaner. Do make sure you put two coats of wax on the Falcon and not just one. I can tell if you don't," Ben said. Owen simmered, as Ben put his arm around Beru's waist.
"I'm going to the bar for a drink. Care to join me?" Beru was stunned.
"Sure," she answered.
Ben and Beru walked into the community common room that had just been set up. It was meant to be a place for Officers and all alike to come and cool off after the days work was finished. It was designed for relaxation and socializing to help cope with the everyday stresses and dangers they faced in what they did. Bail thought it was important to have it set up right away, especially since going outside was not pleasant on Hoth like it had been on Yavin IV. The spacious room had lounges, chairs, tables, and a bar, as well as a dance floor even. It was styled much like a nicer, ritzy Cantina, free of villainy and riff raff.
"Double scotch on the rocks and whatever the lady wants," Ben told the bartender. He looked at Beru, waiting for her to answer.
"I'm not much of a drinker. I guess I'll just have a blue milk," Beru replied. Ben rolled his eyes.
"Cancel the blue milk and give her a Grandana berry twist," Ben said.
"What is that?" Beru inquired.
"It's made with vodka and grandana berry juice. They're very sweet, delicious berries that grow primarily on Bandomeer. You'll like it and it's much less boring than blue milk," he replied. She smirked.
"Calling me boring, are you Captain?" she asked.
"Not at all. You're just very...conservative. Not necessarily a bad thing, mind you, but it's important to be adventurous from time to time," Ben replied, as the bartender delivered their drinks and then found a table. Beru took a sip of her drink and her eyes widened
"Wow...that strong. Good, but strong," she said.
"Yes, make sure you sip at it," he replied, as he took a big gulp of scotch. She gave him a questioning look.
"Unless you're me and you have a legendary tolerance for liquor," he replied with a smirk. She smiled.
"I was kind of surprised when you asked me to have a drink with you," Beru mentioned.
"Why's that?" he asked, as he took another sip.
"It's just that earlier you seemed to want nothing to do with me. I was afraid that...I had done something to upset you," she replied.
"That didn't have anything to do with you and I'm sorry if I snapped at you," he said.
"Do you want to talk about it? It might help," she replied.
"I doubt it. I was just reliving some bad memories. But they are in the past where they belong," he replied. She shrugged.
"Okay," she said, accepting that he was not going to share it with her. She decided the change the subject.
"So, you sound like you know a little about farming. I would not have expected you to know much about growing crops like the berries in this drink," she said. He smirked.
"You are very perceptive. I lived on Bandomeer for several months when I was an adolescent. That's where I met Chewie," he replied.
"I didn't know there were Wookies on Bandomeer," she said. He chuckled.
"There aren't. During the transition from the Republic to the Empire, Bandomeer came under heavy attack. Chewie had been captured on Kashyyyk, as it was one of the first to fall to Imperial Forces," Ben explained.
"You're talking about the Jedi purge, aren't you?" she asked. He looked at her poignantly.
"Yes," he replied softly.
"Anyway, Chewie was aboard the prison transport that I was placed upon when I was captured," Ben replied, as he recalled that dark day...
"Commander, I caught this brat trying to steal one of our TIE fighters," the Clone Trooper reported, as he dragged young Obi-Wan by the arm.
"Put him on the ship with the rest of the trash. The Emperor has ordered that all prisoners are to be executed once we're finished with the siege on Agri-Corps. He'll receive the same fate as the others," the Commander spat. The Lt. dragged the boy to a cell where there was a Wookie inside. The creature looked broken and sad, instantly touching Obi-Wan's already fragile heart. The Trooper hadn't bothered to search the boy for weapons, so when Obi-Wan pulled a light saber form inside his tunic, the Trooper was caught completely off guard and cut down with ease. Obi-Wan melted the lock on the Wookie's cell and then proceeded to free other occupants. Creatures of all kinds stampeded through the durasteel hallways. Blaster fire erupted on the ship, as the prisoners revolted. Obi-Wan was knocked into a wall head first by an advancing Storm Trooper. The Clone aimed his blaster at the unconscious lad, ready to kill when an angry growl caught his attention. The Wookie grabbed the Trooper around the neck, snapping it like a twig. The Wookie picked the boy up and tossed him over his shoulder, before escaping...
"So, you escaped together. I had no idea," Beru said, amazed by his story.
"Yes, I told Chewie he could return to Kashyyyk if he wished, but he wanted to remain with me. We've made our way together as partners ever since," he said. Beru smiled.
"So, Ben Kenobi does have a heart," she teased. He smirked and pointed his finger at her playfully.
"That's top secret information. Should you tell anyone, I shall deny it," he joked. She giggled.
"Well, you're secret is safe with me. I'm perfectly fine with the fact that only I get to see this side of you," Beru said, then immediately blushed at her rather forward comment. She blushed even deeper when he placed his hand on hers.
"No one has ever effected me the way you do...and I will admit that it scares the living Sith out of me," he said.
"You don't have to be afraid to show your feelings to me. I would never betray you," Beru replied. He sighed.
"I know...it's just that opening up is hard for me," he replied. She squeezed his hand.
"Tell you what; let's go for a walk and if you feel like talking, we can. If you don't, then we won't," she replied.
"Okay, but I promise nothing, so no high expectations," he warned.
"Got it," she replied, as they stood and left, just as Anakin and Padme entered.
"Wow...this is nice," Anakin mentioned.
"I'll say," she replied, as they found a table.
"Can I get you a drink?" he asked.
"Shuura fizz, please," she replied. Anakin nodded and went to the bar.
"A Shuura fizz and a jawa juice," he said. The bartender made the drinks and slid them in front of Anakin. He returned to the table with them and sat down. He stared across at her, captivated by her alluring beauty. He noticed many of the other officers and personnel alike were casting glances her way as well. But she was only interested in him. And that thought made him smile. She smiled back, intrigued by his job.
"What?" she questioned.
"I just can't stop thinking about how beautiful you are," he replied. She smiled and moved her chair closer to his.
"Well, if I am, it's because I'm in love...so in love with you," she replied, as their faces drew closer and closer until their lips met with tender passion. She gazed into his eyes, as he broke the kiss.
"Every time you kiss me, I feel like I'm walking on air," she whispered breathlessly.
"That makes two of us," he replied.
"Do you resume training in the morning?" she asked.
"Bright and early at five a.m.," he answered with a smirk.
"And I thought I had to get up early," she replied. He sipped at his drink.
"It takes some getting used to, but I feel like I'm doing what I was meant to do," he replied.
"You're a natural born warrior," she stated.
"Thank you. But you're a warrior too, albeit in a different way. You were born to be a leader," he replied.
"I don't know about that," she said.
"I do. Your conviction to do what's right and to stand up for what you believe is awe-inspiring. You're just as beautiful on the inside as you are on the outside. That is extremely rare," he replied, as he kissed the back of her hand. She blushed.
"Thank you Anakin, though I'm not sure everyone agrees," she stated.
"Then they are fools," he retorted.
"Perhaps, but my outspoken ways tend to get me into trouble. And people wish to silence me because of it. But if I stay silent and allow them to commit their atrocities unhindered, then I fear I would lose myself," Padme replied.
"Good thing you have someone protecting you then," he replied, with a smile, which she returned.
"I'm very lucky indeed. I feel safest when I'm with you," she replied.
"I'll never let harm come to you, I promise," he said, as he sealed it with a kiss...
Jedi Master Shaak Ti sat in the Felucian forest, near her home, meditating. Felucia's strong natural surroundings usually allowed for very peaceful meditation. But this particular morning, she felt a presence nearby. A strong, human-like presence. This immediately put her on her guard, for she feared that she had been discovered. She leapt to her feet and ignited her gold light saber.
"I know you are there! Show yourself!" she demanded another golden blade sprang forth, as the sleek figure emerged from the trees. Shaak Ti dropped her light saber and it extinguished upon impact.
"This...is impossible," Shaak said, as she stared at the blonde woman. Tahl extinguished her blade and smiled kindly.
"No my friend. It really is me," Tahl responded...
In the next chapter, two old friends are reunited. Shaak Ti tells Tahl where she may find her son. They decide to set out for Hoth together. Meanwhile, Ben and Beru grow closer and Anakin and Padme's love flourishes, as Anakin's training intensifies.