"Well?" Padmé prompted as Anakin climbed back into the rickshaw.

"Watto's dead," he replied.

"That's awful!" Padmé exclaimed. She hesitated. "Did you…?"

"Yeah, I killed him," Anakin admitted. "He was getting on my nerves."

"This cannot be healthy," said Padmé.

"Don't worry about it," Anakin assured her. "From the sound of things, I did him a favor."

Padmé was fed up with Anakin's cynicism and moodiness. "Is there anyone else you'd like to murder while you're at it?" she asked sarcastically. "Perhaps you should bring Luke and Leia with you; they might as well get used to the idea of their father being a homicidal maniac."

"Bantha or landspeeder?' wondered Anakin.

"What?" exclaimed Padmé, completely confused.

"For the trip to Owen and Beru's," Anakin explained. "The rickshaws are only for traveling in town. So do you want to rent a bantha or a landspeeder?"

"Landspeeder," Padmé replied. "As long as we're not going to get attacked by Tusken Raiders or anything."

"We'll be fine," Anakin said confidently. "I have a reputation, remember?"


The sun sank towards the horizon as Anakin drove the landspeeder across the dusty desert terrain towards the Lars' homestead. He pulled to a stop next to the modest hut, and Beru came out to greet them.

"What can I do for you?" she asked as Anakin hopped out of the vehicle.

"I'm Anakin Skywalker," he introduced himself, walking over to shake her hand. "You might not remember me, but-"

"Oh, I remember you," Beru replied seductively, batting her eyelashes.

"Anakin!" yelled Padmé. She was still seated in the landspeeder, unable to get out due to the fact that she was holding a child in each arm. "A little help?"

Anakin rushed over and took the babies, allowing Padmé to disembark.

"I'm Padmé," she introduced herself to Beru, shaking her hand firmly. "Anakin's wife."

"Oh, so you guys are married now? Congratulations!" said Beru with a stiff smile. "And parents too, I see," she added, nodding towards the sleeping infants in Anakin's arms.

"Yes, these are our children," Padmé confirmed. "Luke and Leia."

Beru thought that the names were ridiculous, but politely refrained from laughing out loud. "May I hold one of them?" she wondered.

"Take Luke," offered Anakin, holding his son out to her. "He's already been dropped on his head once, so it won't really matter if it happens again."

Beru accepted the tiny infant and began rocking him gently.

"Beru?" called Owen, emerging from the house. "What's going on?"

"See for yourself," Beru replied. "The prodigal brother has returned at last."

"Oh," Owen said unenthusiastically, surveying Anakin and his family. "It's you."

"Nice to see you, too," said Anakin sarcastically, eliciting a sharp elbow to the ribs from Padmé.

"Be polite," she hissed.

"I was!" Anakin protested.

Beru was oblivious to the exchange; she was too busy basking in the glow of her brother-in-law's hotness. If only Anakin and Owen could have switched places…

"We were just about to sit down to dinner," said Beru, snapping out of her trance. "Would you like to stay?"

"Why not?" Anakin replied. "After all, we did travel halfway across the galaxy to get here."

Beru giggled flirtatiously as they all retreated into the house.


There was a briefmoment of chaoswhen the twins began wailing inconsolably just as the group sat down to eat, but eventually they quieted down and the others were able to enjoy the home-cooked meal Beru had prepared.

"Could you pass the blue milk, please?" wondered Anakin, having already gulped down his first glass. "Thanks," he said as Beru eagerly complied. "You know, this is the one thing I missed about this planet," he admitted. "It's milk! And it's blue! How cool is that?"

The others stared at him blankly.

"Anyway," Anakin continued, changing the subject. "How's the moisture farming business going?" he asked Owen.

"Pretty well," Owen replied. "Although we've been having a bit of a dry spell lately," he confessed.

Anakin and Padmé laughed politely at the pun; Beru simply rolled her eyes. Why did he have to tell that same stupid joke every single time someone asked that question?

"So what brings you to Tatooine?" Owen asked Anakin. "You're not here to steal my wife, are you?"

Beru laughed a little too heartily, causing the others to stare. After a moment she regained her composure, staring down at her plate in embarrassment.

"That would be ridiculous," said Padmé, addressing Owen's comment. "Seeing as how he already has one," she added pointedly.

"Well, why are you here?" Owen pressed.

"I was hoping you could tell me about my mother," confessed Anakin.

"Your mother?" Owen repeated in confusion. "You would know more than me."

Anakin took a deep breath, unsure of how to continue.

"It's getting late," Padmé interjected. "Perhaps it would be better to have this discussion tomorrow," she suggested.

"It has been a long day," Anakin agreed.

"Owen can show you to your room," said Beru as she began clearing the dishes. "Unless you want to stay and help clean up?" she asked Anakin hopefully.

"I'll do it," Padmé offered quickly.

"Oh," said Beru in disappointment as she watched Anakin follow Owen out of the room. "Thanks."


It was some time later when Padmé finally finished kitchen duty and was able to join her family in the guest room. The twins were already sound asleep, and Anakin had dozed off as well.

"Are you awake?" Padmé whispered as she climbed into bed beside him.

"Now I am," came the drowsy reply.

"Sorry it took so long," Padmé apologized. "These people seriously need to invest in a dishwasher."

"You poor thing," said Anakin sympathetically. "I'll do it tomorrow, okay?"

"Oh, no you won't!" Padmé replied adamantly. "I don't want you spending any more time with that hussy than is absolutely necessary."

"What are you talking about?" Anakin asked in confusion.

"You saw the way she looked at you," said Padmé. "She might as well have been screaming 'Take me now!'"

"I would never cheat on you," Anakin assured her.

Padmé relaxed. "Really?"

"Are you kidding?" said Anakin."After all the crap I had to go through to get you in the first place? Besides, you're like a zillion times hotter than her," he added.

Padmé looked him in the eye. "Anakin?"

"What?"

"Shut up and kiss me."


Voila! That chapter took a little longer (sorry), but now I should be back on schedule for daily updates. To everyone who has reviewed, you have my undying gratitude and appreciation. Keep it up! Thanks! -Luna