Thank you to the 18 people who reviewed the last chapter. You guys are the greatest and here is the next chapter. Also, while I did not do a Jabiim chapter, there will be a reference to the Jabiim crisis in this chapter. It was essential to put it in this chapter because of how the changed Jabiim crisis helped a duel change. Also, how Padmé was found in Ziro's palace; Dormé called Padmé okay? Good and hey, once again, this is AU and I oh so love messing with canon. Also, this is going to be a long chapter because the scene I added is going to be a bit longer than I thought it would be.
Chapter 14
The old freighter traveled through hyperspace and Ahsoka found herself bored out of her mind as she waited for them to exit lightspeed. She distracted herself with watching her new master modify the freighter they were traveling in. Anakin was silent but Ahsoka could sense a brief surge of happiness come off her master but it was gone almost as soon as it appeared and she began to wonder if she sensed it at all.
"How's the huttlet?" Anakin asked not taking his gaze off the console as he examined the systems of the freighter, which was in rather poor condition. Poor was probably an understatement when it came to describing the freighter.
"Not any better," Ahsoka admitted glancing at the huttlet that she was carrying in her arms. "His fever seems to be getting worse."
Anakin glanced at the huttlet before frowning. "Go check in the back for anything that might help," he said.
Ahsoka nodded before she placed the huttlet on the chair, got up and walked out of the cockpit. She explored the freighter searching for anything that could help the little huttlet and ran across a tiny medbay located aft of the cargo hold that doubled as a hangar bay. It was empty now since Ahsoka had emptied it out to allow the ship to escape the droid starfighters above Teth.
She decided that the medbay was probably their only chance at finding something that could help the little huttlet so she returned to the cockpit to retrieve the huttlet. Picking the little huttlet up, she walked back into the small medbay and gently placed the huttlet on the table. She then frowned as she examined the wall before she pressed a button and the hologram of a medical droid appeared.
"This obviously hasn't been used in a long time," Ahsoka murmured under her breath before she glanced at the hologram.
"Hello, what do we have here?" the medical droid's hologram asked.
"I have a sick huttlet," said Ahsoka as the medical droid began running a diagnostic scan on the huttlet.
"Hmm, I see."
"Do you have any medicine?"
"You will need to put a medical booster into the infant's mouth. If that does not work then he will have to be seen by an actual doctor," the droid said before his hologram disappeared and Ahsoka lifted up the medical booster before releasing the capsule.
"All right, Stinky. It's time for some yum-yums," Ahsoka murmured before she attempted to feed the huttlet but the huttlet, stubbornly, refused.
"You'll take it and you'll like it," Ahsoka said before she managed to get the capsule in the huttlet's mouth. The huttlet burped and Ahsoka covered her nose before smiling slightly.
"That wasn't so bad," she said before she carried the huttlet into the cockpit.
Anakin glanced at her before returning his attention to his modifications while Ahsoka gently placed the huttlet on a bench at the back of the cockpit. "We should be coming out of hyperspace soon," he said slipping back into his seat and Ahsoka, after one glance at the huttlet who had fallen sleep, sat down as well.
The freighter left hyperspace before beginning the short journey to Tatooine. Anakin, putting the ship on autopilot, began his modifications again but, this time, he asked for Ahsoka's help every now and then. Ahsoka, after making sure the huttlet was still asleep, made her way to her master's side.
"How's the huttlet now?" Anakin asked focused more on his work than on Ahsoka at the moment.
"Getting better. That medical booster helped a lot," Ahsoka replied before glancing at the planet that was gradually appearing in front of them and handing a tool to Anakin.
"I never thought I would return to this dustball," Anakin admitted softly and Ahsoka frowned sensing there was something more behind Anakin's declaration. Briefly, she recalled that Anakin was from Tatooine.
'"You're from Tatooine, aren't you? So, this is like coming home," Ahsoka said.
Anakin's eyes closed and that brief flash of happiness appeared again before it was gone to be replaced by a flash of sadness. "Yes, home," he murmured opening his eyes and examining the planet. For a long moment, he was silent then he shook his head and seemed to pull himself from his thoughts.
"Let's finish these modifications," he said before he glanced at Artoo as the little astromech droid that Ahsoka nearly forgot was there rolled forward. "Artoo, divert more power to the front shields."
Ahsoka frowned. "Wouldn't it be wiser to divert power to the rear deflector shields? Better defense is better, I would say," she said.
"A good offense defeats the purpose of a better defense," replied Anakin.
"Okay." Ahsoka still didn't like it but she said nothing in response as she slipped into her seat and watched as Tatooine grew bigger in the large viewports.
When the droid starfighters appeared on the scopes of the freighter, Anakin cursed the fact that his young Padawan was right and he should have put more power in the rear deflector shields. Deciding against worrying about that, and pushing the excitement at the idea of seeing his mother again even if he probably couldn't see her to the back of his mind, Anakin slipped into the pilot's chair before taking the freighter off autopilot.
"How many are there, Ahsoka?" he asked swerving to starboard as blasterfire slammed into the back of the ship.
"Two, master," Ahsoka replied.
Anakin nodded before swearing when the ship shuddered and spun; his fingers ran across the console as he attempted to stabilize the ship. The ship shuddered before it spun as the stabilizer was shot off. He spun the ship around before firing on the first droid starfighter and managed to get it before calling for Artoo to turn the guns around.
"They're shooting us to pieces," Ahsoka exclaimed. "Too bad we didn't think about updating the rear deflector shields."
"Not now, Ahsoka," Anakin growled gritting his pausing, Anakin turned the ship to port just as Artoo managed to turn the guns around. Without pausing, he fired on the starfighter and it exploded in a bright ball of sparks.
"Well at least we don't have to worry about being shot at."
Anakin didn't respond as he contacted his former master hoping Obi-Wan would be right behind him and be able to offer some backup.
Obi-Wan's hologram appeared before them. "Anakin, have you delivered the huttlet to Jabba yet?" he asked.
"No, master. We ran into some complications…" Anakin began.
Obi-Wan's eyes rolled. "Don't tell me. You got shot down again," he said matter-of-factly.
"Yes," Ahsoka put in even though it wasn't a question.
Anakin glowered at his apprentice. "This ship is too slow. I haven't had time to modify it yet," he said returning his gaze to his former master's hologram.
Obi-Wan sighed. "I haven't finished up cleaning the mess you made on Teth but I'll get there as soon as I can. Be careful, Anakin. The Separatists will not just let you deliver the huttlet to his father alive," he said.
"I understand master," Anakin replied and the hologram of his former master disappeared.
"Hold on, Ahsoka. This landing's going to get a little rough," said Anakin as the ship entered the atmosphere and toward the surface of the planet.
"Crashings are rough. Landings aren't," Ahsoka protested.
"Okay, then it's a crash-landing."
Anakin did his best to guide the freighter to a decent crash-landing that would leave everyone in the freighter alive. The Force guided his fingers as he ran them across the console and the freighter as it flew rapidly toward the sand dunes. It slammed into one, bounced over the landscape before slamming into another one, skidded across the sand and coming to a stop on top of one of the dunes.
Anakin coughed as smoke entered the cockpit. "Ahsoka, are you all right?" he asked.
"I…I'm fine."
"How's the huttlet?"
Ahsoka was holding the huttlet after she and the huttlet as sent flying to the other end of the cockpit and the huttlet was still crying. "Unharmed but terrified," she said.
"That's good," Anakin said before he gazed around for Artoo. "Artoo?"
Artoo's beeping and whistling came to him.
"Glad you're all right, ol' buddy. Can you get the boarding ramp lowered?"
Artoo beeped in response and Anakin unstrapped the straps around him before getting to his feet and leading the way out of the ship with Ahsoka and the huttlet just behind him. Artoo stopped on top of the ramp before beeping in protest.
"It's just a little sand," Ahsoka said handing the huttlet to Anakin. "I'll clean out your servos later, come on."
Artoo beeped before activating his booster rockets and gliding down to join them before rolling after them. The journey across the sand was done in silence and Anakin found his thoughts drifting; they went to his master, who was the reason why his mother was safe and sound with the Lars family, and, naturally, his mother. He hoped he could see his mother again but he doubted it; he was a Jedi and he wasn't supposed to see his mother again after he left her.
But I promised her, he thought closing his eyes briefly as the two of them continued to walk.
"Master, are you all right?" Ahsoka asked concern mingling in her tone of voice while her large blue eyes examined Anakin as she came to his side.
Anakin sighed. "I'm fine, Ahsoka, just remembering," he said; it was the truth. Whenever he thought about his mother, he would always relive the memories he had with his mother. All of them were while he was a slave but they were all happy memories. His mother was such a kind and gentle person; she always held him when he had nightmares and comforted him when it was a particularly bad day at Watto's. He missed her so much.
He also remembered the promise he made before the Clone Wars began and, as he gazed up at the twin suns that were gradually making their way to the horizon, he found himself wondering if he could do it. Could he really become a Jedi both his mother and his former master could be proud of? Anakin did not know.
"What are you remembering?" Ahsoka asked breaking into Anakin's thoughts.
Anakin sighed. "My mother," he said finally looking at his apprentice. "She lives here on Tatooine, you know, and I guess I'm just missing her because I know I won't be able to see her." He stopped his walking before closing his eyes. "I can't see her because I am a Jedi and I have to do whatever I can to make both my mother and Master Obi-Wan proud of me."
"I think Master Obi-Wan is already proud of you, master," Ahsoka said.
Anakin opened his eyes before glancing at his apprentice again. "Why do you say that?" he asked starting to walk again.
"Well, I've heard from other Padawans that a knight cannot choose a Padawan until the Jedi Council deems they are ready to become a master. And Master Yoda told me, when he told me that I was going to be assigned to a Jedi Knight soon, that it was Master Obi-Wan who suggested the knight who was to become my master. Master Obi-Wan feels you are worthy to become a master and train me, Master, and I think that means he's proud of you too."
Anakin blinked; he hadn't thought of it that way even though he had guessed Obi-Wan was responsible for him suddenly having a Padawan. "I guess I never really thought of it that way," he admitted before he smiled and added, "You're pretty smart for a youngling."
"I'm not a youngling," Ahsoka protested but Anakin just laughed and returned his gaze to the sand dunes they were walking over.
It was at that moment that Anakin felt the disturbance and he frowned shivering. Ahsoka also stopped before gazing around eyes alert.
"I sense something, master," she said.
"Yes so do I. It's the dark side of the Force," Anakin murmured.
The huttlet whimpered before proceeding to hide himself deeper into the backpack.
"They're after the hutt," Anakin said before he turned around to face his apprentice. "It's time for us to split up."
"Split up?" Ahsoka exclaimed. "We can take them together, master."
Anakin smiled at his apprentice's bravery. "I have a more important mission for you, Ahsoka," he said. "You need to deliver the huttlet to Jabba alive. We will create a diversion. I'll make the dark side user think I have the huttlet and you deliver the hutt to Jabba." He thought about his master's words about how the Separatists wouldn't let the huttlet be delivered to Jabba alive and he knew both he and Ahsoka would have to tread carefully.
"All right, master," Ahsoka said quietly.
"You'll do fine, Ahsoka," Anakin said gently placing a hand on his apprentice's shoulder before he removed the backpack from around his shoulders and gently lifted the huttlet out and handed him to Ahsoka. He then strapped the huttlet to Ahsoka's back before filling the backpack with rocks.
"That should fool them, I hope," he said.
"You hope?"
Anakin let a lopsided grin cross his face. "If it doesn't work then I'll go to plan B," he said.
"What's plan B?"
"I don't know but there's always a plan B."
Ahsoka was nervous and did everything she possibly could to quench to nervousness. She could do this; she could prove to her master that she could handle this simple quest. All she had to do was deliver the huttlet to Jabba the Hutt alive and unharmed and she could do that. In fact, she could see Jabba's palace rising in the distance; a great palace situated with sand dunes surrounding it on all sides.
"I can do this," Ahsoka murmured to herself and continued to journey.
It was when she was about half a kilometer or so away from the palace that three droids with rods with crackling purple electricity condensed into a ball at either end spinning in their hands. Ahsoka leapt back before igniting her green lightsaber while Artoo Deetoo, who was rolling after her, whistled in anger at the appearance of the guards.
"Looks like this got tougher," Ahsoka grunted before quickly blocking the thrust from the droid's staff and caught the staff on the lightsaber. She backed away as the three droids advanced on her their weapons spinning circles of purple energy as they moved toward her.
"Someone must not really want you to return to your father, Stinky," Ahsoka said over her shoulder to the huttlet who was whimpering softly.
A couple of kilometers to the east of where Ahsoka was facing off against three droids, Anakin was caught up in his own duel against Count Dooku; the dark lord of the Sith that took his arm at the battle of Geonosis six months earlier.
"You're training has come a long way, boy," Dooku sneered blocking the slash Anakin aimed at his chest and side and catching Anakin into a bladelock.
Anakin glared at Dooku before pulling free from the bladelock and slashed toward Dooku's waist. The two of them had been dueling for several minutes now and Anakin was focused entirely on defeating Dooku like he was unable to do the last time they fought.
When they broke apart, both of them gasping for breath, Dooku's lips twisted into a sneer. "Ah, I remember now. You were born here weren't you? I can sense many emotions coming off you, Skywalker. Sadness, longing."
Are my emotions really that open? Anakin thought before he quickly blocked the blow Dooku aimed at his chest. He told himself to not let Dooku's taunting get to him; he had to focus on the duel and he could not let the traitor's taunting get to him. He would not, could not, lose focus; Ahsoka needed all the time he could give her.
"Don't you have family here, Skywalker?" Dooku smirked when Anakin did his best to contain his response to that question but the slight twitch of his shoulders confirmed the answer to Dooku's question.
"Ah, you do. Such a shame that you cannot see them. All that sadness, all that longing. It is all for your family, isn't it? And what is this? Is this fear I am feeling? Fear for your family? Or someone else?"
Anakin dashed forward before slamming his blade into Dooku's in a vicious overhand strike. He did feel fear, he was trying to control it, but it wasn't for his family. He knew his family was safe and sound; his fear was for his apprentice.
You must learn to control your fear, my young apprentice, and do not let it control you or you will spiral out of control, Obi-Wan's words came into Anakin's mind; he had spoken those words when he had escaped Asajj Ventress's clutches after he had been captured on Jabiim. He hadn't been as injured as Anakin thought he would be and he hadn't been missing for long. It was because he had come back injured that Anakin feared for the very man he owed so much too, the man he loved like a brother and the father he never had.
Obi-Wan is right. I have to focus; I cannot let my fear control me, Anakin thought before he backed off and took a deep breath blocking a blow aimed at his side as he did so. He could do this; all he needed to do was give Ahsoka enough time to get to Jabba's palace.
I can do this, Anakin thought determinably before he attacked again but, this time, he was in control of the fear that was threatening to overwhelm, the fear that was brought to the surface by Dooku's taunts.
Dooku was doing that on purpose, Anakin realized. He wanted Anakin to feel fear so that it would make him more prone to mistakes, mistakes that could cost him the duel and the time he was trying to gather for Ahsoka.
He blocked another blow aimed at his leg before going on the defensive as Dooku attacked focusing primarily on preventing Dooku from learning of his deception. He could do this, he could.
He only hoped Ahsoka was faring better than he was.
Near Jabba the Hutt's palace, Ahsoka was not faring better than her master was.
The three droids she was fighting managed to get her to fall and she went skidding down the dune and off a cliff sliding past Artoo who had tried to help but got knocked down as well. Coughing and rolling onto her side, while the huttlet on her back, couched as he accidentally inhaled some sand, Ahsoka glanced at the hutt.
"I thought you liked playing in the sand," she said before she leapt to her feet and quickly hid in an overhang within the cliff as the three droids went to the bottom of the cliff to search for her. Ahsoka leapt at them landing on top of one of them and slicing it in half before she was pushed toward the cliff-face.
"You two tinnies are going back to Dooku in pieces," Ahsoka declared charging at one of the droids. She knocked it down and the electrostaff fell from its hand. She grabbed it before stabbing it into the droids chest and then, removing it, swung it to hit the third droid on the head stunning it.
Without pausing, she ignited her lightsaber and stabbed it into the final droid's chest and sliced upward before removing the blade. The droid fell to the ground and Ahsoka gasped before glancing over her shoulder at the huttlet who was coughing and then at Artoo who was slowly getting up.
"Being a Padawan is harder than I thought," Ahsoka murmured clipping her lightsaber to her belt before glancing at Artoo and the huttlet. "Let's get to the palace."
Anakin didn't know how long he and Dooku had been fighting. All he knew was that he was focusing entirely on protecting the backpack around his shoulders. The longer he could protect the backpack and prevent Dooku from discovering his deception, the better. Now that he was in control of his fear, he had to thank Obi-Wan for the sound advice Obi-Wan gave him after Jabiim, his head was clear and he wasn't thinking about defeating Dooku or winning the duel.
He was thinking about giving his Padawan enough time to reach Jabba's palace.
He also thought ahead and told Ahsoka to contact him via comlink, just a simple beep, when she reached the palace and returned the huttlet to Jabba. That way, Anakin would know his apprentice made it all right to the palace. Until he heard that beep, he was going to keep Dooku busy; he had to give Ahsoka enough time to reach the palace.
Naturally, he didn't think Dooku already knew what his plan was.
The two of them continued to duel back and forth.
Ahsoka was dusty and exhausted by the time she reached Jabba the Hutt's palace. She glanced at the huttlet before gently removing him from her back and holding him in her arms. She walked up to the large gates before raising a hand that wasn't holding the huttlet but, before she could knock, the gate opened and a protocol droid stepped into the open.
"Uh, hi," Ahsoka said unsure of what to say. "I'm Ahsoka Tano, um, for the Republic. I'm here to deliver Jabba the Hutt's son back to him unharmed." She held out the huttlet who wiggled and squealed happily at seeing his home.
"I see," the droid said and Ahsoka was surprised that it sounded surprised. "Come with me and, please, your weapon."
Ahsoka frowned but nodded and removed the weapon from her side before handing it over. The protocol droid then turned around and made its way deeper into the palace with Ahsoka just behind it.
When they reached the throne room, Ahsoka walked over to stand in front of the huge slug that was Jabba the Hutt while the protocol droid went to Jabba's side. "Ahsoka Tano, of the Republic, has brought your son to you unharmed," the protocol droid said gesturing to Ahsoka.
Jabba glanced at the huttlet before saying something in huttese.
The huttlet happily responded the same way before wiggling and stretching out tiny hands toward his father. Ahsoka moved forward before gently handing the little huttlet to the father who happily held his son close to him and then rumbled something to Ahsoka that she couldn't understand.
"His High Exaltedness, Jabba, wishes to thank you and your companion ever so graciously for delivering his son back to him," the protocol droid stated, "and for proving that the Separatists who spoke with him were lying to him."
Jabba spoke again.
"He also wishes to inform you that he wishes to know who was behind his son's abduction if it was not the Jedi," the droid translated.
"Honestly, I can't say that I know, uh, your High Exaltedness," Ahsoka said. "My master might know but I doubt it. May I contact him?"
Jabba responded in huttese.
"His High Exaltedness wishes to express his gratitude to your companion so you may contact him and inform him that he may join you wherever it is he is," the droid said.
"Great," Ahsoka said before she pulled out her comlink and thumbed it on briefly so that it would beep and alert Anakin to the fact that the mission was a success.
Dooku had just sliced the backpack in half when Anakin's comlink beeped and he smirked before pushing himself to his feet. "Looks like you didn't get your way, Dooku," he said tossing the backpack to the ground and revealing the rocks in it. "It's just rocks."
Dooku snarled in fury. "I should have expected this kind of treachery, Jedi," he sneered.
"Nevertheless, Dooku, you failed. My Padawan has just contacted me and told me that she has returned Jabba the Hutt's son to him and they are safely at Jabba's palace," Anakin declared.
Dooku glared furiously at him. "Are you so sure of that?" he demanded. "I had a feeling you would try to deceive me, Skywalker, so I had a little backup plan."
"Whatever it was must not have worked, Dooku," Anakin retorted, "because I instructed my Padawan to not contact me unless she was in the presence of Jabba himself and Jabba's son was already in his father's arms. She just contacted me. In other words, you've failed."
Dooku stretched out with the Force clearly to sense if Anakin was telling the truth and, when he sensed that Anakin wasn't lying, he snarled before lashing out with Force lightning that Anakin quickly caught in his lightsaber and the two of them began circling each other before Anakin lashed out with the Force and sent a whirling sandstorm at Dooku taking him by surprise and knocking him down.
He, then, deactivated his lightsaber and saluted. "Goodbye Dooku," he declared before he took a flying leap backwards to land on Dooku's speeder and sped away toward Jabba's palace.
Ahsoka, who was sitting on the ground in front of Jabba, stood up as Anakin, exhausted and dusty, was escorted into the throne room. "Master, you're all right," she gasped rushing to her master's side.
Anakin grimaced. "I feel like I haven't slept in days though," he said before he glanced at Jabba who spoke something in huttese.
"There is no need for thanks, your High Exaltedness," Anakin said before the translator droid could say anything. "We are Jedi and Jedi do what is right. Returning your son to you was the right thing to do."
Jabba said something else.
"I believe it would be best if we waited until my former master, Obi-Wan, or Master Yoda arrived; they are better at negotiating treaties than I am."
Jabba said something else, this time with a slight puzzled note.
"I was born and raised on Tatooine for nine years, your High Exaltedness. I learned huttese during those years," Anakin replied.
Jabba said something else.
"Unfortunately, I do not know who was behind the abduction of your son."
At that moment, the protocol droid declared they were receiving a transmission from Coruscant. "It's from your uncle, Ziro," the droid said before it activated the transmission and the hologram of Senator Padmé Amidala appeared before them.
Anakin's eyes softened and Ahsoka frowned but decided against asking about it.
"All mighty Jabba," Amidala began. "I have just discovered a threat against the hutt clan organized by your uncle Ziro. He has something he would like to tell you." Her hologram disappeared and the hologram of a purple hutt appeared.
"Ziro!" Jabba declared before saying something else in huttese.
"What's he saying?" Ahsoka whispered to her master; she was still surprised her master understood huttese.
"It's a private conversation, Ahsoka," Anakin murmured back.
"I didn't know you could speak huttese."
"I was raised around people who spoke huttese all the time, among other languages, so I picked it up along with basic."
"Oh."
"It wasn't me, it was Count Dooku," Ziro exclaimed in basic.
"Whaa!" Jabba exclaimed and then Ziro's hologram disappeared and Amidala's reappeared.
"I hope that the confusion has been cleared up and you would still be willing to discuss a treaty with the Republic, all mighty Jabba," Amidala said.
Jabba responded in huttese and the translator droid said, "We have already agreed to discuss a treaty with the Jedi, Senator."
"Very well," Amidala said.
"Senator, thank you," Anakin said and Amidala glanced at him a soft gleam in her eyes.
"No, Master Jedi, it is I, and the Republic, who should be thanking you." Padmé said softly before her hologram disappeared.
Obi-Wan smiled to himself. I have no idea as to how this event changed and yet I didn't do anything to change it, he thought.
'You did when you gave Anakin those words of advice after Jabiim,' Qui-Gon's voice murmured n his mind.
Obi-Wan frowned thinking back to remember the advice he gave him. When he remembered, his frown deepened. I gave him that advice to try and help him control his fear so he won't start fretting over Padmé in three years. I didn't think he would remember that advice and take it to heart now, he thought.
'I couldn't interfere, of course, but I was able to watch Anakin's duel with Dooku. He took your advice to heart and he conquered and controlled his fear; he did it all because he wants to make you proud of him. He wants to be the best Jedi he could possibly be for you and for his mother.'
I am already proud of him, master, Obi-Wan replied silently.
'I know. You also need to talk to him. You have to make him understand that power is not the same as greatness. You need to tell him that you are proud of him now before he begins to think that he has to be powerful in order to be the best he can be and thus make you and his mother proud of him. The want to be powerful was the cause of his downfall last time.'
Obi-Wan knew that was true and he knew that his master was right. I will tell him before I send him off to see his mother, he thought back.
'I see you are finally starting to grasp the true meaning of those words I spoke to you before the Force sent you back,' Qui-Gon said.
I don't understand most of it, Qui-Gon, but I am beginning to.
'Also understand, Obi-Wan, that those words do not just apply to Anakin. They can apply to anyone and everyone, including you. Remember, Obi-Wan, love can ignite the stars.' And then Qui-Gon was gone leaving Obi-Wan, as usual, with more questions than answers.
Sighing, Obi-Wan stepped out of the gunship as it landed on the landing pad in front of Jabba's palace with Yoda just behind him before he made his way toward Ahsoka and Anakin.
"Master, Master Yoda," Anakin greeted them as they came to a stop in front of him.
Yoda, who had been observing Obi-Wan with narrowed eyes, glanced at Anakin and Obi-Wan was thankful that the Grand Master wasn't observing him anymore. Even so, Obi-Wan was sure that if there was anyone in the Jedi Order who might know about the Force's plan and Obi-Wan's knowledge of the future then it would be Yoda.
"Succeeded you have, young Skywalker, Padawan Tano," Yoda said. "A full report I expect when return to Coruscant you do."
"Yes Master Yoda," Anakin replied before he and Ahsoka bowed.
"I do believe we have a treaty to discuss," Obi-Wan said before he glanced at Anakin.
"Take care of that we can, Obi-Wan. Rest Skywalker and Tano have earned," Yoda said.
"Of course, Master Yoda," Obi-Wan said lightly.
"We can give them a lift back to the Resolute, sir," Cody said coming to Obi-Wan's side.
"No, I think it would be best if Anakin goes back out into the desert and retrieve the hunk of junk he took so much time to modify. A Separatist ship in the Republic could come in handy," he said casually.
And, of course, no one would know if you and your Padawan made any side trips, he added through the Force having decided on the journey from Teth to Tatooine that he would let Anakin see his mother again.
Anakin glanced sharply at him eyes going wide. Master, are you trying to tell me I can go and see my mother? I thought you said to the council… He began through their bond.
I know what I said, Anakin, but I am revising what I said. You may see your mother again but only briefly and know that you may not see her again after today, Obi-Wan sent back.
He knew that was true for only one reason; because of the war, especially if it goes similar to how it went the first time around, Anakin wouldn't be back on Tatooine at all in the next two and a half years.
And Obi-Wan was not going be coming back to this dustball with a little bundle of life in his arms two and a half years from now. He gazed at his brother. You will remain as you are, my brother, and you will become the father you were meant to be to your son. I will do everything I can to make sure that happens. I will not let you fall again, my brother.
He kept all those thoughts to himself through a powerful mental shield he had learned to use during his time in exile on Tatooine.
Anakin, not noticing anything out of the ordinary with his former master, smiled. Thank you, master, he thought.
Obi-Wan remembered what Qui-Gon told him and he walked forward before placing a hand on his brother's shoulder. "I am very proud of you, Anakin," he said softly. "You have become a great Jedi Knight."
Anakin gazed at him. "Thank you master," he said. I will make you prouder still, master. I will become the best Jedi knight the Jedi Order has ever seen, he added through their bond.
Obi-Wan decided he would discuss how power did not equal greatness at another time. Let Anakin enjoy the brief time he would have with his mother before he and his Padawan would have to return to Coruscant. But he was going to have that conversation with his former Padawan one way or another.
"Now go, Anakin, before the Jawas tear that hunk of junk you call a ship apart," Obi-Wan added knowing full well how Jawas acted from when Anakin told him about them.
Anakin smiled. "Come on, Ahsoka. Let's go see if we can salvage that hunk of junk," he said before he and Ahsoka walked away from Jabba's palace.
"Master, I thought we were going to find the Separatist ship," Ahsoka said confused when Anakin guided the speeder they borrowed from the settlement closest to Jabba's palace toward the Lars homestead beyond Anchorhead. He had gotten the directions to the Lars homestead at the settlement and that was only because he managed to run into someone in the settlement who knew Cliegg Lars.
"I'm running a quick side trip, Ahsoka," Anakin replied.
Ahsoka frowned watching the sands blur past. "Are you sure we can do this? Won't we get into trouble?" she asked.
"Who's going to know? Are you going to tell them?"
Ahsoka shook her head.
Anakin smiled faintly. "Don't worry, Ahsoka. I just want to see someone, keep a promise I made ten and a half years ago. That's all," he said before he turned his gaze to the landscape that blurred in front of them.
Before long, he pulled to a stop outside of a homestead before examining the homestead. A familiar droid was working a vaporator and reddish brown haired young man was working on another one opposite the droid. Anakin climbed out of the speeder before moving forward cautiously while Ahsoka, frowning, followed him.
The man glanced up before frowning and walking over to join him. "Can I help you?" he aske.d
"Yes, is this the Lars homestead?" Anakin asked although he knew the person who had given him instructions to the place hadn't been lying. The man had admitted he was a friend of Cliegg Lars after all.
"Yes," the man said warily.
"I am looking for Shmi Skywalker," Anakin said softly.
"Who are you?" the man asked narrowing his eyes.
Before he could respond, the familiar droid walked over to join them. "Master Owen, you should be more polite to a guest," the droid said before he turned to Anakin and added, "Please excuse Master Owen, I am See…"
"Threepio?" Anakin asked finally recognizing the droid.
The droid was silent before he suddenly realized who he was talking to. "Oh the Maker, it is good to see you again, Master Ani," Threepio exclaimed.
Anakin smiled. "It's good to see you again too, Threepio. Is my mother home?"
Owen's eyes had gone wide.
"Of course, of course, Master Anakin," Threepio said before he walked toward the homestead.
"I am sorry for my rudeness earlier. We don't get many visitors here," Owen admitted, "and my father has been a bit paranoid since his wife was nearly kidnapped by Tusken Raiders six months earlier. I am Owen Lars. I guess you and I are stepbrothers."
"I guess so," Anakin replied shaking Owen's hand in greeting before glancing at Ahsoka. "This is my apprentice, Ahsoka."
"Nice to meet you," Ahsoka greeted Owen politely although she was confused.
Threepio stepped into the doorway. "Mistress Shmi and Master Cliegg are out at the moment, Master Anakin, but you may come in and wait for them."
"Master, are you sure…?" Ahsoka began.
"It's all right, Ahsoka," Anakin said quietly before he followed Owen and Threepio into the homestead with Ahsoka, who's eyes were narrowed, just behind him.
The two of them took seats at the table while a blond girl that introduced herself as Beru, Owen's girlfriend, served them drinks. Anakin thanked them before waiting for his mother to come by; he wanted to see his mother so much that it hurt having to wait for her to get back.
Thankfully, he didn't have to wait long.
"Dad, you're back," Owen said before he stepped into the kitchen and Anakin stood up as a graying man with brown eyes stepped into the kitchen but it was the woman at his side that caught Anakin's eyes immediately.
Shmi Skywalker's eyes went wide and the sack of mushrooms that was in her hands fell to the ground. "Ani?" She whispered.
"Mom," Anakin whispered before he moved forward and immediately hugged his mother feeling his mother's arms circle around him. Tears leaked out of his eyes as he moved back to gaze at his mother again.
"Oh my Ani," Shmi whispered stretching out a hand and gently wiping Anakin's tears away. "What are you doing here?"
"I told you ten and a half years ago that I would come back, mom, and I did," Anakin said quietly. "I can't stay long. My former master, Obi-Wan, told me that I have to make this meeting brief but…I just had to keep my promise to you. I had to."
"I understand, Ani," Shmi said gently. "I am glad to see you." She hugged Anakin again before glancing at Ahsoka. "And who's this?"
"This is my apprentice, Ahsoka Tano. Ahsoka, this is my mother Shmi Skywalker," Anakin said stepping out of his mother's arms and moving a little in the cramped kitchen to introduce the young Togruta.
"Nice to meet you, Mrs. Skywalker," Ahsoka greeted her.
"Oh please just call me Shmi," Shmi said smiling before she glanced at Anakin. "I don't understand how you can have an apprentice, Ani. I don't understand the Jedi and I thought you had to be a knight."
"I am a knight, mom," Anakin said smiling gently at his mother. "I was knighted less than a month ago."
"Oh congratulations Ani," Shmi said hugging Anakin tightly.
Anakin hugged his mother back. "Siri delivered your message to me, mom," he said quietly, "and I promise you that I will be the greatest Jedi Knight I can be. I will make you proud of me."
"Oh sweetie, I am already proud of you," Shmi said smiling at her son before she stepped back. "I take it you already met your stepbrother."
Anakin nodded.
"This is my husband, Cliegg. Cliegg, this is my son Anakin," Shmi said gesturing to the graying haired man who was watching the entire scene but not interfering.
"It is very nice to finally meet you, son. Shmi talks about you a lot," Cliegg said stretching out a hand and Anakin took it before shaking it.
"You too, Cliegg," he replied, "and I would like to thank you."
"For what, son?"
"For freeing my mother."
"Ah, think nothing of it, son. I do not like slavery," Cliegg said.
Ahsoka's eyes went huge.
Anakin smiled at his mother. "I can't stay long, mom," he said. "Ahsoka and I still have some business to take care of before we have to head back to Coruscant." He was a bit afraid his mother would be upset but his mother merely smiled at him.
"I know, son. I have always known your destiny is much greater than anything Tatooine can provide. You were meant to be a Jedi and that is what you are. I am proud of you and I want you to know that I love you no matter what."
"I love you too, mom." Anakin's eyes filled with tears and he found himself wondering if he could leave his mother behind again.
"Go, son," Shmi said hugging Anakin one last time and Anakin hugged her back. "Your destiny lies with the Jedi. Go. Do not worry about me. I will never forget you and I will never stop loving you but I am happy where I am now."
"I can see that you are happy, mom," Anakin admitted.
Shmi smiled before placing a hand on Anakin's shoulder until an idea sparked in her eyes. "Threepio?" she called.
"Yes Mistress Shmi?" Threepio asked moving to stand beside Shmi.
"I want you to go with Anakin," Shmi said.
"I couldn't…" Anakin began.
"Yes you can."
"But I built him for you, mom, and Jedi aren't allowed possessions."
"Then give him to the temple. He could work for them. Besides, we don't have much use for a protocol droid here. I'm sure you can find someplace useful for him to work."
Anakin examined the droid. "I did build him for you to help around the house back when you and I were living alone," he said, "so I can see how he isn't useful now."
"There is no need to be mean, Master Anakin," Threepio protested.
"Sorry, Threepio, didn't mean it that way." Anakin thought about Padmé; Padmé had given him Artoo as a wedding gift. Perhaps he could give her Threepio as a late wedding gift; he was efficient when it came to translations after all and Anakin could always program other skills into him.
"All right, mom, I'll take him with us. I'm sure I can find someone to give him to as a present," Anakin said.
Shmi smiled. "He did help me out a lot before Cliegg freed me, Anakin, so don't think I don't appreciate your gift."
"I know, mom." Anakin hugged his mother again and his mother hugged him back. For a long moment, Anakin didn't want to release his mother; he didn't want to leave her again.
"Anakin," Shmi said gently pulling free from Anakin's arms. "You have to go now."
"I'll miss you mom."
"I know you will but I am happy here. This is my life and you must return to yours. Perhaps, sometime in the future, we shall see each other again. But, for now, you must return to your own life."
Anakin gazed at his mother for a long moment imprinting her to memory. "All right, mom. I love you."
"I love you too. I told you this once ten and a half years ago and now I will say it again. Go, my son, and do not look back."
Anakin nodded. "Come on, Threepio," he said quietly before he glanced at Cliegg. "Take care of her, Cliegg and, again thank you. It was also nice meeting you."
"I will take care of her, son. It was nice meeting you as well," Cliegg replied putting an arm around his wife's shoulders.
Anakin nodded before he repeated his goodbyes to Owen and Beru and turned around before making his way out of the house.
Just as his mother requested of him, he did not look back.
A/n what do you think?
Blaze: wow. I'm posting this chapter at three-thirty in the morning. I really should be in bed asleep.
Darth: yes, yes you should.
Blaze: ah well. The next chapter shall be almost entirely Siriwan
Obi-Wan: YAY!
Anakin: it's the next chapter. So what's the answer? Are you going to break the Jedi Code?
Obi-Wan: I did promise you. (Whispers answer into Anakin's ear)
Anakin: I KNEW IT!
Obi-Wan: (rolls eyes and smirks)
Blaze: (chuckles) Okay, I'm having two polls
Number One: The first one is: will Obi-Wan and Siri not only get married but have a child together? (I am undecided)
Number Two: If Obi-Wan does become a father in this story (I am still undecided) then what shall I name his child?
Blaze: I want a lot of options to pick from (since I have no clue what to name the kid if Obi-Wan does end up a father) and that is why I am putting the second poll up now and the fact that I am undecided is why I put up the first poll
Anakin: YOU'RE GOING TO BECOME A FATHER?
Obi-Wan: Blaze just said she was UNDECIDED, Anakin!
Anakin: ah you know Blaze is going to end up…
Obi-Wan: (quickly steals Severus's wand and stuns Anakin)
Severus: (steals wand back) you actually let him do that to your favorite character?
Blaze: only happens when a spoiler is about to be revealed
Severus: I see
Blaze: so please review (and submit an answer to the two questions I posted please? Pretty please with a cherry on top?) and I shall post chapter 15 as soon as I possibly can but I doubt it'll be anytime soon