Chapter Eleven: A Fair Bet

He'd won.

Anakin won! The words bounced through Buffy's mind. She was elated. It was marvelous! Amazing! Wonderful! He did it! Just like I pictured! That stopped her dead and caused a cold pit to settle at the bottom of her stomach as she glanced back at Qui-Gon Jinn. Just like he said. She frowned. The memory of what had happened, the feeling of being cradled by something so much larger than herself, having been caught in a river and pulled…somewhere. It had felt good. The surrender. I don't want to do it again.

The grinding of metal struck her ears, the whirring of gears. They were going down. To where Anakin is.

Had she really felt her brother? Had she really helped him win? Buffy wasn't sure. I felt something. She couldn't deny that.

Buffy's fingernails dug into the flesh of her palm and she forced a smile onto her lips. This was a time for celebration not contemplation. She glanced at Qui-Gon, noticing that he wasn't looking at her. Swallowing her disappointment and her expectations of Giles like "Well done, Buffy!" pat on the back. And a cookie. Buffy turned away from him and hugged her mother tightly. Shmi was crying, her tears staining the rough cloth of Buffy's tunic.

"He did it!" She whispered. "He made it! Buffy, he won!"

"Yeah," Buffy swallowed. "He did."

She knew she should be more excited for Anakin. Instead, she felt lost and alone. The edges of her perceptions were sharper than before and everything felt so much closer. It was like she could feel…she didn't know what. Life maybe? Lives? Emotion. Whatever it was it was distracting. And scary. In all her years as a Slayer, what few of them there were, she'd never felt anything like this.

They had reached the ground and Buffy could see a crowd growing around Anakin. She came to a stop as Jar Jar and Padme rushed past her, their movements and expressions filled with exultation. They were going to congratulate him.

Buffy paused and licked her lips. Anakin was right all along. She'd been wrong. The sobering reality. By now though, Buffy was used to being wrong. I was wrong about Angel, I was wrong about Kendra, I was wrong… About so many things. No! She shook her head. This was Anakin's moment. By tomorrow these spacers will be gone and I'll be dealing with the fallout. She knew Anakin didn't expect anything, but there had always been a dream in his eyes. I don't want him to lose that innocence.

A hand was on her shoulder. "You and your brother did well." Qui-Gon said. His voice was low and for her ears alone, Buffy felt a twinge of gratitude sweep through her. "Just as I expected."

What's that supposed to mean? "But what did I do exactly?"

"Everything will be revealed in time," Qui-Gon replied. His voice was gentle with compassion and understanding and his fingers. "Have patience."

Buffy watched him walk away towards Anakin, fuming. Thanks so very much for the cryptic Mister Mystical Monk Man. Or whatever you are. I don't need patience! I need answers! Buffy snorted. I bet you're just like Giles. Foppish and unable to hold his own in a real fight. I'd like to see how well you'd have done against Vamps and demons and monsters of all kinds! I bet you'd scream like a little girl! Buffy paused, realizing that this was the first time she'd managed to think about her past without her soul crying out in pain. Weird.

"Mom! Buffy!" Anakin was shouting. Buffy looked up, her thoughts broken by the undeniable triumph in Anakin's voice. He wanted to share this with her. "I did it! Yeah!"

She smiled, watching his fists pump the air from his position on Qui-Gon's shoulder and she ran forward. No time to think about Qui-Gon or his Force. I'm Anakin's big sister and I'm as excited about his first victory as he is. As she shoved her way through the crowd, Buffy imagined the expression on Watto's face. Bet he's having conniptions! She thought gleefully.

"Awesome Anakin!" She shouted over the crowd. "Amazing!"

***

After things had calmed down and the crowd's celebration finished the team retired to the inside hanger for a private moment of congratulations, Jar Jar held Anakin high over his head. Buffy stood beside her mother and Threepio, watching as the spacers expressed their gratitude. She frowned for a moment as Padme scooped Anakin up after Jar Jar put him down, holding him in a tight hug.

"We owe you everything, Ani." She said, after she let him go.

Staring deep into his crystal blue eyes, both ashamed for doubting him and saddened by the knowledge that winning this race wouldn't release him from bondage. Slavery was disgusting to her and Padme knew that after things had settled on her own planet, she would find her way back here to release him. Her eyes swung for a moment to the blonde headed Buffy watching her with suspicion and sighed. I'll find a way to release his whole family. It was the least she could do after everything he'd done for them. But that doesn't mean I have to like her or her foul mouth.

Shmi was next, sweeping Anakin into a tight hug and pressing her lips against his cheek. "It's so wonderful Ani," she said. "You have brought hope to those who had none."

But what about hope for us? Buffy wondered. After they leave what will happen to Anakin? Something tugged at the back of her mind, sharper and even more persistent than before. There was something, someone out there. A person she had to look for. Someone important. Who was, no, Buffy shook her head, who would be important. To me? It was like a tickle in her spine, an irritation in her thoughts. It's like I can feel…connections… How would she ever discover what Qui-Gon had done to her? He's going to leave and he'll never come back. Her heart tightened. He said have patience, but what patience? He's going to take his ship and fly into the stars and never return. Anakin and I will just be memories, blips on his Jedi radar.

That wasn't true. Buffy could feel herself lying now. It was weird. Strange. She shook her head. She didn't care. After they go, everything will be back to normal. What ever this was, it would disappear with the Jedi and she'd be fine. Buffy swallowed. I'll be fine.

"I'm so very proud of you." Shmi said, giving Anakin's grimy cheek another kiss.

"Congrats, Anakin." Buffy said. Once more, she shoved her depressing thoughts to the back of her mind and tried to focus only on her brother's triumph. She walked to his side and gave him a light punch on the shoulder. "Always knew you had it in you."

Anakin grinned up at her. "It was all thanks to Qui-Gon." He said. "I followed his advice and a miracle happened." As their mother let him go, Anakin put his arms around Buffy's midriff and hugged her. "And," he added in a low voice, one that was for her ears only. "I thought I felt you out there with me."

Buffy swallowed. "It was just your imagination. Adrenaline. Race jitters." Her voice was soft as she stroked Anakin's straw blonde hair. "I was up in the tower the whole time, no way I couldn't a been with you."

"I guess not." Anakin said. He looked up at her with a small frown and Buffy knew he was doubting what she'd said.

"Come on," she laughed, giving him a hard smack between his shoulders. "I'm your sister, I wouldn't lie to you!"

"Okay." Anakin agreed with a nod and Buffy heaved a silent sigh in relief.

Whatever troubles she was having, she didn't want Anakin to get caught up in this Force nonsense too. It would be hard enough when Padme and Qui-Gon left. I doubt anyone's going to miss Jar Jar much. And Artoo only ever seemed to make snarky comments in a beeping language that Buffy couldn't understand. Not going to miss him either. Even if he made Threepio have the most hilarious outbursts. And I won't miss Qui-Gon. He could take his wannabe Giles ass somewhere else, anywhere else. Just as long as he gets off this sandpit.

"Where's Mister Qui-Gon?" Anakin asked a few moments later, looking around.

"I believe he had some business to settle with Watto." Shmi replied. She glanced at her daughter, catching her eye. Buffy blinked in response, not sure what her mother might be suggesting. "He told me that he would meet us back here when he was done."

"Then, we should get home." Buffy said, seeing the excitement in the eyes of Padme and Jar Jar. She didn't want Anakin to have to see the results of his win or realize too quickly that soon his new friends would be leaving. Besides, she wasn't looking forward to seeing Qui-Gon Jinn again. "Finish the celebration there."

"What about everybody else?" Anakin asked. He glanced at Jar Jar and Padme.

"You go home and celebrate with your family, Anakin." Padme said after a momentary glance at Buffy, suddenly catching on to the other's intent. I can't free you now Anakin, but I will someday. She also had no wish to cause the young boy anymore suffering, not after he had already done so much. He isn't even getting a reward. Padme had always known that the galaxy could be a cruel place, but time it seemed horribly unfair. "We'll stay here and help Qui-Gon get everything to our space ship."

"You mean this is goodbye?" Anakin asked. He glanced from Padme to Jar Jar and then to Artoo, his face falling. He hadn't realized that they would have to leave so soon.

Artoo whistled sadly, his wheels moving him back and forth on the sands.

"It's sa already time?" Jar Jar asked. His duck-billed face seeming to crumple and the stalks of his eyes bending forward sadly. His gangly fingers prodded each other as he glanced from Padme to Anakin.

"I'm afraid so." Padme said. Silently, she knelt and pulled Anakin into another tight hug. Anakin's arms went around her and he hugged back. Padme could feel that he was trying to keep on a brave face. "We'll see each other again someday." She added softly into his ear.

"Promise?"

"I promise." Padme said. Squeezing her eyes shut, she opened them to glance at Buffy. The girl wasn't looking at them, but Padme sensed that her ugly big sister head was about to rear up and strike. Sadly, she let Anakin go and stood. "Will you be alright on the way home?"

"Buffy and Anakin must go meet Watto at his shop." Shmi replied. She glanced at her children. This was what happened at the end of every Podrace, but the possibility that Qui-Gon had spoken of, gave the older woman hope. Perhaps this time it will be different.

"Right." Buffy said. Walking forward, she touched Anakin's shoulder and then took his hand. Squeezing it gently, she spoke in a soft voice. "Come on, Anakin. Let's see the kind of tizzy you put old elephant nose Barbar in."

***

On the balcony overlooking the circuit, Watto was busy paying out his debts to collectors. Anger burned at the bottom of his Toydarian heart. He felt a great sense of loss and disappointment. He should have been happy and proud at what Anakin had won him, but all that filled him was the knowledge that he had lost the boy at the moment he'd begun to show his true potential. Though the twin suns of Tatooine burned brightly overhead, Watto's day was only filled with darkness. He hoped against hope that Qui-Gon would not come, that he had forgotten his bet, that the strange spacer would be satisfied with receiving his parts. But Watto was a Toydarian, he knew that could not of resisted the acquisition of such a skilled slave and like his own people humans too had greedy hearts.

Hearing footsteps crunching on the sand behind him, Watto turned and saw the face of the man who'd ruined him. "You!" He snarled. His body fluttered in the air as his wings buzzed angrily, he covered the distance between them, bouncing up and down as he went. "You swindled me!" He pointed an angry claw at the spacer. Irritated even more by the casual calmness the man faced him with. "You knew the boy was going to win!" He hissed. "Somehow you knew it! I lost everything."

"Whenever you gamble my friend, eventually you lose." Qui-Gon replied, he turned and walked towards the sunny outlook over the track. His attitude dismissive, a businessman who was finishing up a particularly odious transaction. "Bring the parts to the main hanger, I'll come by the shop later on so you can release your charges."

"You can't have them." Watto replied sullenly. He crossed his short, stubby arms over his chest, his face partially hidden by shadow. "It wasn't a fair bet."

Qui-Gon turned to face him, a dark cast falling on his features. He was not going to allow Watto to renege on their arrangement, too much was at stake. "Would you like to take this matter up with the Hutts?" He walked towards Watto slowly, his calm never breaking, but there was an edge to his voice. "I'm sure they can settle this."

"Hmm," Watto faced him, wondering if he was bluffing. Watto knew the consequences, what would happen if this were to be brought before Jabba. It would be he, not the spacer who would be punished. Gravely punished. Watto would lose more than he had already. He looked up at the human, knowing that it was not worth the risk. "Take them."

Qui-Gon bowed to the Toydarian, an expression of gratitude that he did not truly feel and left.

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A/N: Another chapter dedicated to my wonderful readers. Thank you so much for the reviews! They always make me smile!

Sorry this one is so short, I wasn't sure what to do with all the skipping around and I figured it would be best to start the next chapter back at the ship and do all the emotional stuff then. Don't worry, it'll be up soon! ^_^

Remember to review!