Maul seethed as he entered the place he'd lived in for his whole life. The only place he could call home, though home was not a word the Sith used at all for it demonstrated a weakness and affection for a place. Places did not give power, only his emotions and his Master did that.

And lately, he was beginning to chafe under his Master's attitude.

Dropping to his knee, he waited with his head bowed for his Master. He could feel the man's presence breathing in the air about him and knew better than to demand his attention. It was only on his Master's terms that he would see him.

A sneer crossed his face as his Master called out to him. Rising, he wiped it off his face, kneeling humbly before the robed figure.

"You are displeased, my apprentice." As always, Sidious was not fooled. "You do not see, as I do, beyond the trappings of the Jedi."

"Forgive me for doubting you but what is the point of wasting so much energy chasing after that brat? Am I not enough for our purposes? Have you not made me the greatest, the strongest of our kind?"

"Ah, but my purpose is not simply to eradicate the Jedi as you wish to. I want the Jedi-all of them-to suffer, to bleed, for what they did. I want them to lose honor and respect in the sight of the Republic before it falls because of their arrogance and pride. Their actions must damn them utterly for our revenge to be complete, to be whole. I want them to hide in the shadows, to cower in fear while they are hunted from one corner of the Galaxy to another by all-not just by us but by those they have sworn to serve and protect. That is true revenge, my misguided and deluded apprentice, to make them suffer and live in anguish. Killing them outright is child's play. It is far too easy to be revenge."

Maul did not say anything but his expression revealed his distaste of such a plan. To his mind, it seemed to be to long in the making. It exerted too much effort to be worth the payoff.

"It matters not what you think for I have need of you. Something of great worth to us has been rediscovered and brought to the Jedi Temple. It now resides in the Jedi Archives, waiting for the Jedi Council to find a moment to study it out in great detail. You will retrieve it for me-as soon as possible."

"What is it, Master?" he asked, reluctantly interested in this item if only for the chance to break into the Jedi Temple and prove to his Master that the Jedi were lazy and not worth all of this effort.

Sidious did not answer with more than a, "Think of this as a test of your skills. If you can get past the Jedi without any of them discovering you, you will find yourself back on the path to regaining my confidence."

Maul nodded and slunk into the shadows, leaving the room. An inkling of doubt-possibly whispered by the Force, possibly by his own ambitions-entered his mind as to his Master's true intentions in this matter.

He shrugged it off as not worth contemplation.

654321

Shmi and Cliegg entered the large building they'd been told was the Jedi Temple. Even though it was the most glorious buildings she'd ever been in, she was unimpressed for it was cold and austere. The idea of her little Ani living in such a place as this made her shiver.

This place lacked…feelings and the pure laughter of children. It lacked…love.

A tall woman with blond hair dressed in the familiar robes of the Jedi came down the hall, behind her was a young, brown haired, golden eyed boy a little older than Ani. The two of them slowed down as they got closer, looking them up and down. The boy looked at them with curiosity, the woman…with disdain.

Shmi did not like the way this woman looked her nose at them though she was pretty sure that she was the taller of the two. Standing straighter, she met the cool blue gaze with one of her own.

"What business do you have with the Jedi?" she asked, disdain in her voice.

Not flinching away from it, her voice was quiet as she replied, "My name is Shmi Lars, this is my husband Cliegg. And you are?" There was reproach in her tone as she crossed her arms across her chest, looking at the Jedi expectantly. Cliegg was silent, allowing her to handle matters for he knew that she still felt uncertain about herself because of her past.

Lips tightening, turning white, she introduced herself with obvious reluctance. It was quite apparent that she did not like being taken to task for he behavior, "I am Jedi Knight Tachi and this is my Padawan, Ferus Olin. Your business?"

"I wish to see Master Jinn about my son."

"I am afraid that he is no longer with us. Master Jinn has gone into the Force," for the first time, her voice softened. There was deep regret in her voice.

Shmi's head bowed for a moment, sending out a prayer for his sake. Cliegg squeezed her hand comfortingly. "I am sorry to hear that."

"I'm sorry that your trip has been in vain. Shall I show you out? Or can you find your own way?" she asked.

Shmi's eyes flashed briefly before being blanketed under her lashes. Taking a deep breath, she let out her discontent with the whole situation. "No, Knight Tachi, my business is far from concluded. I wish to see the Jedi Council."

"For what purpose?" Siri asked, starting to feel slightly impatient. "The Jedi Council does not convene to meet just anyone. They have matters of great importance to discuss. They do not handle the matters of the common people."

"Funny. I thought we were the ones they have sworn to serve," she mildly commented.

"That may be so but they are not going see you just because you ask. Now, Mrs. Lars…"

"Skywalker," she quietly interrupted. "My name is Shmi Skywalker Lars. I wish to speak to them about my son, Anakin."

Ferus and Siri exchanged looks. The air was charged with uncertainty and disbelief. Her name and purpose changed the tenor of the meeting. She did not know how to explain what had happened to the boy, nor was she sure of what to say. The situation was so delicate, saying anything was risky. "I will see which member of the Council is free. Please, wait here until I return. Padawan Olin will see to your needs."

Shmi leaned back into Cliegg's supporting arm, allowing him to be strong for her. She looked at the boy who stood, nervously shifting from side to side, studying them curiously. There was the faintest sneer on his face and, though he was surely not that much older than Ani, he seemed more aged-prematurely so.

For all of their harsh background and all that she did to protect Ani, to give him the childhood he deserved, it had never seemed more worth it to her than it did in that moment. Ani retained an innocence, a wide eyed wonder that this boy, for all his privileged upbringing, never would have. This Ferus Olin seemed over anxious to grow up-and be done with childish things.

She found it heartbreaking.

"Is there anything I can get for you?" Ferus finally asked, hoping they'd say yes just so that he could get away from them. They made him uncomfortable in a way he wasn't quite able to explain-even to himself. And he wasn't sure he could keep silent if asked about that boy.

"No, thank you," Cliegg replied. "Padawan Olin, is it?"

"Yes, sir."

"Where is Anakin?"

Ferus shrugged, staying silent.

"Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Lars," a female voice said, smoothly entering the tense silence of their conversation. "I am Master Adi Gallia. Would you please come with me?"

Nodding, they followed the elegant woman down the hall and up a series of steps into a wide, brightly illuminated, circular room. There were only a few beings in the room and they stopped talking, facing them as they entered. "Mr. and Mrs. Lars," Adi introduced them, "I would like to introduce you to Knight Mundi, Master Depa Billaba, Master Yaddle, and Master Plo-Koon."

"It is an honor to meet you," Cliegg said, bowing. "Thank you for taking the time to see us on such short notice."

"Matters concerning your son of some importance to us," Master Yaddle said. "No trouble it was to see you."

"What is it that you wish?" Knight Mundi said, fingers forming a bridge under his long chin as he looked at them. His deep eyes were curious as he studied the pair, noting the way they stood as a solid unit, complementing each other completely. It was…very odd and not the way those of his race acted with their spouses.

"I wish to see my son, to know that he is well. And, if he has not found a new teacher to watch over him, I would like to take him home with me," Shmi quietly said. "Though I trust the Jedi, it was to Master Jinn that I entrusted my son to. I released him into his care. As he is no longer with us, I would like to take him home."

Master Plo-Koon sighed a little, it was just as he thought. "This is not an easy thing you ask of us for your son is terribly gifted in the Force. He needs to be taught to control what he has under the proper circumstances."

"I understand," she said. "May I see him?"

They exchanged looks before Master Billaba answered, voice deep with suppressed concern. "I am afraid that Padawan Skywalker is not here."

"Not here? Why?" she asked, proud of her restrain. Her hand clutched Cliegg's tighter and he answered back with a squeeze.

"Mrs. Lars, you must understand that the bond formed between your son and Master Jinn was broken when he passed into the Force. We, of the Council, decided that he should go to a Jedi world where he could heal and continue to learn," Knight Mundi said.

"Where is this world?"

"Bandomeer," a deep voice answered her question. "I am Master Mace Windu-and I shall take you to see Anakin. And why are not all members of the Council here? Informal or not, this is a matter that concerns the entire Jedi Council. When I return from Bandomeer, we shall discuss your appalling breach of conduct."

"Yes, Master Windu."

"Would you care to join me for a light meal while our transport is being prepared?"

Shmi smiled at him, feeling a kindness and worry from him that had been lacking in the other members of the Jedi Order that she'd met so far. It was…comforting. "How is my son?"

"Please, Mrs. Lars, may we talk over a meal?" he asked, looking pained.

"Of course we can," Cliegg replied, feeling that this Master Jedi wished to have privacy for their conversation.

In all honesty, it was what he would prefer himself. There was something about this room and this particular group of Jedi Masters that left him feeling distinctly uneasy for all that there was no scorn or derision within them. With his arm guiding her along, they followed Mace into an absolutely breathtaking room-full of more water than Cliegg had even seen.

"This is the Room of a Thousand Fountains," Mace quietly told them. "I have often found it relaxing."

Sitting down at a table spread in the back, Shmi hat to bite her lip to prevent herself from asking-yet again-about her son. Questions that were clamoring for attention in her mind, that begged for answers. Her hand shook as she poured out the tea, not seeing the look of sympathy on Mace's face.

"As you know, Master Jinn passed into the Force a few days ago. He was killed by a Sith warrior, of that we are in no doubt. We do not know if he tried to take Padawan Skywalker with him or if he attempted to kill him as well. Padawan Skywalker remained silent upon the subject after he was rescued by Knight Vos.

"I do not say these things to frighten you, although I am aware that such is unavoidable. I tell you this to make you aware of the situation and the very real danger your son-and by extension the both of you-are in." Mace sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose before looking her right in the eyes. "You cannot know how deeply regretful I am for what has happened to your son, for not being more alert to the return of the Sith. We have grown lax over the years and as a result, your son has paid the price for our complacency."

Shmi unflinchingly met his troubled gaze, compassion for him in their brown depths. It was the first time he had ever seen such pure love and forgiveness from anyone-and he knew that it was because of this woman that Anakin was the kind of young man he was. There was strength, dignity, and true understanding of things that the Jedi could not even begin to know within her.

"I know you would never wish for anything bad to happen to those in your care. The fact that it happened is, indeed, very grievous. But worrying over it to the point that you are making yourself sick will not change it. What we must do now is move forward."

"Mrs. Lars, I do not know what to say. We have broken trust with you-caused your son to be placed in the greatest of dangers."

"With all due respect, Master Windu, no. You have not."

"But…"

"Did you mean for Anakin to meet up with the Sith? Did you train this Sith? No. This happened now because it needed to happen for the Sith's return must be addressed. I know that this is something that had to occur-though I am distressed…No. I am angry and I hate that it happened to my son. But I cannot spend my time railing against it. Doing so will not change the past. You are doing what you must to save Anakin, to capture this Sith and bring him to justice. I only wish to see my son, to make sure that he is well and happy."

"You stun me with your generosity and forgiveness, gracious lady," Mace said.

"What grace I have in learning to accept this is not my own, I learned it from Cliegg."

They exchanged fond smiles, remembering the occasion all to well. "It was actually Owen who taught the both of us that simple lesson, dear."

"Oh, yes-over dinner," she laughed.

Mace watched the two of them as he sipped his tea and wondered.

654321

Author's Notes: It's not that I don't like Siri but I think that she, like Obi-Wan, benefited from knowing Anakin. And since she would have no reason to be paired up with Qui-Gon as in the JQ books, she would not have had any change. Reading about her, she seemed to be a hard character-especially how she ripped into Obi-Wan after the whole Melida/Daan affair. As for Anakin's comment in the last chapter about Obi-Wan becoming more important to him than even his mother, that is supported by EU canon in which he observes that he could survive losing anyone-except Obi-Wan. The only way he'd be able to do that is if he no longer had a heart. (JQ #10 I believe it is.)