A/N) Well, I'm back from a bit of a longer absence then I intended. I honestly thought I'd be able to update last Saturday, which I know I promised to do, but I didn't count on all the bad stuff happening in my life over the last three weeks. First of all, University has been very stressful, we've had a lot of work to do and its been crazy, secondly I've had a mouth infection and a ton of ulcers to deal with as well as a constant tooth ache, of which I've still got but its getting better. Very painful and I've been unable to eat or drink properly for weeks - I can't chew at the moment so am having to mash up my food which I admit is very depressing. And thirdly, on top of all this, my uncle was diagnosed with brain cancer. So, a lot of rubbish has been happening and its just been a horrid three weeks.

The one thing that really motivated me to try to get this chapter finished and posted today was the start of Season 5 of the Clone Wars. Yes, I like it, I enjoy it for what it is, and honestly it seems to be the only thing presently that keeps me cheerful, and its what helped me to finish this chapter. I doubt this chapter would even be finished now if the show hadn't given me the inspiration I needed to get back into it.

Enough of my babbling... here is the story!

A Mother's Love

Chapter Twenty-One

He had wanted to surprise her but had caught his wife-to-be at a very bad time. He hadn't commed ahead to see if she was free, assuming that after a long day in the Senate that Padmé Amidala would be resting. He hadn't seen her in a while and hadn't visited since he had brought Obi-Wan back to the Temple. The Jedi Council had imposed a news black-out until Obi-Wan was sufficiently recovered enough to deal with it, so she did not even know that Anakin had returned to Coruscant.

Padmé was hosting a small dinner with two of her closest friends, Bail Organa and Mon Mothma when Anakin arrived. When C-3PO announced his arrival and he had walked in, the three Senators had frozen for none of them had expected his arrival. C-3PO hadn't mentioned to him that Padmé had visitors.

Out of the three Senators, Padmé resumed her composure the quickest. "Master Skywalker, I didn't know you had returned to Coruscant."

"Apologies, my lady, it has been kept quiet."

"Why would the Jedi Council wish to keep your presence on Coruscant a secret?" Bail Organa curtly asked before Padmé could reply.

Can I trust them? It was a consideration he had to think about. He had come here with the express desire to inform Padmé about Obi-Wan's return, but had not counted on her already having company. He was not here on official business and though some Jedi had friends within the Galactic Senate, not many of them visited on a regular basis that Anakin did whenever he was home. But Obi-Wan's return was meant to remain a secret until it was authorised to be released. He knew Bail Organa and Obi-Wan were friends – the man had been deeply saddened to learn of his friend's death. Mon Mothma was an unknown quantity but he knew that Padmé respected her and liked her, considering her to be one of her closest allies in the Senate.

"Anakin?" prompted Padmé quietly.

He sighed. "Officially I am meant to be elsewhere but circumstances called for me to return." He bit his lip He was still supposed to be on Christophsis after all; the battle was still on-going there. He shouldn't be telling them but he had messed up in not contacting Padmé in advance to make sure he could visit. Apart from seeing his mother, for the past week he had been constantly by Obi-Wan's side. If he didn't say something more official the two Senators may begin to suspect that something was up and not be as willing to put their faith in the Jedi Order as they had done in the past.

"We can keep a secret," Bail noted.

"Bail! If he's not meant to say then he shouldn't!" retorted Padmé.

Bail scrutinised the young man in front of him. "You were coming to tell Senator Amidala though, were you not?"

Anakin shifted uncomfortably on his feet. He couldn't get out of that one and he shouldn't lie either. "Yes, I was. I came here to talk to Senator Amidala and tell her confidential information that isn't being released to either Republic Senators or the public at this present time."

"I suppose there is a very good reason why the Jedi Order has chosen to be secretive with the Republic?" mentioned Organa, clearly not impressed.

"It reserves that right to yes, when one of our own returns to us in ill health," stated Anakin, which was true.

Padmé gasped.

Anakin smiled gently. Padmé had guessed what Anakin had come to say but she couldn't say it because it would reveal more about Anakin's love for her and what she knew ahead of the other Senators. "I have chosen to inform Senator Amidala because he is a dear friend of hers."

Bail traded glances with Mon Mothma. "I imagine myself and Mon can accept that reason."

"But, I feel I can trust you both to not talk of it if I did tell you. It's to protect the Jedi in question more than anything and to stop the speculation that occurs in the news that can occur about certain Jedi," said Anakin. He took a deep breath. "We have recovered Master Kenobi from captivity."

"How is that possible?" asked Bail. "Chancellor Palpatine announced that he had been killed on Jabiim."

Anakin moved forward and sat down at the table. "He wasn't. He was my Master and I knew he wasn't dead. We've spent the last few months trying to find him and we did. The Separatists chose to keep his capture a secret." There was no need for the Senators to know that Ventress had kept Obi-Wan's capture a secret from her employer. That wasn't important. He'd tell Padmé later, when they were alone. "We've rescued him but he is in fragile health and not receiving any visitors apart from close friends within the Temple itself."

"It is wonderful news that an esteemed Jedi has returned to us," said Mon Mothma. "He was instrumental in freeing your home world during the Naboo crisis eleven years ago wasn't he, Padmé?"

Padmé nodded. "He was. He is a dear friend of mine." She looked back at Anakin. "I'm very happy that you've found him, Knight Skywalker. Will the news be released any time soon about his return?"

Anakin shook his head. "I doubt it. I think the Council will want to hear his report before they release the news to the Chancellor's office. That won't be happening for a while, not until he has returned to normal." By that Anakin meant his Master no longer having nightmares and believing that he was back in that horrid place. Through the bond he could sense what Obi-Wan was seeing but the link between them was still weak due to his Master's current lack of control with the Force. It was still early days.

Bail nodded thoughtfully. "Then we will remain quiet about this news until the Jedi Council release it. Obi-Wan is a dear friend of mine. I do wish him the best of health."

It seemed Bail was dismissing him which Anakin didn't want. He wanted to talk to Padmé more freely. And he had something more important to say… After what had happened to Obi-Wan, Anakin didn't want to risk losing any more people he loved. Padmé was one of the last people in the galaxy that he wished to lose, he loved her, and he wanted to do something about it. Lives could be destroyed in a second with the war, Obi-Wan's had been and so many others...

His eyes swept over to Padmé and he caught her mouthing something at him.

"I'll contact you later."

He blew out a sigh. Not what he wanted but at least he could return. He bowed before the three Senators. "If you must excuse me, I need to return to my Master."

Padmé stepped forward and quickly gave him a hug. "Thank you for informing me about Master Kenobi. Look after him, and please, pass on my regards. I hope I will be able to see him soon."

Anakin smiled. Just having Padmé give him a hug made him feel more relaxed then he had done for the past week. "I'll be back later," he whispered.

Then he turned away and without looking back left the apartment.

The dagger tore into his clothing, its sharp edge nicking his skin as Ventress pulled it slowly down his chest. He bit his lip, trying to resist from whimpering out his pain. She wanted that. He couldn't give her that satisfaction.

"No one is coming for you, Obi-Wan…" she whispered close to his ear, her hot breath on his neck.

He shivered at the unpleasant sensation. He wanted to be away from here. Far away. He wanted to be at home, safe in the Jedi Temple.

"All it will take is three simple words from you and all of this will end…" she whispered invitingly into his ear. "I will beg…"

He shook his head desperately. "No!"

A hand curled around his chin, forcing him to look at her, her dark eyes glinting menacingly.

"Obi-Wan…"

"Obi-Wan! Come on! Snap out of it!"

With a gasp and a shout and with his body jerking suddenly, Obi-Wan woke from his slumber, his heart beating fast and his eyes darting about the room, searching for any signs of the woman that had tortured him so. As he recognised the familiar form of Anakin he began to calm down, realising that he had over-reacted to the past. His dreams were nightmares, forcing him to relive the terrible time he had spent in Ventress' tender care. "Anakin?" he whispered faintly.

He felt soothing ripples envelop his body as Anakin plunged into the bond and help him. His former Padawan's presence was reassuring.

It is ok, Master.

Anakin's voice came quietly over the bond. Their connection wasn't fully restored yet though Obi-Wan grew stronger every day. He was still weak and would be for quite a few weeks yet. His stomach couldn't handle proper food, having been deprived of it for so long. This wouldn't be an easy recovery for him and he loathed that he was dependent on others until he was deemed fit enough to leave the Halls of Healing.

Even then, he doubted that Anakin would leave him to his own devices. Anakin wanted to help him; the trouble was that Anakin wanted to know exactly what Obi-Wan had gone through. Obi-Wan wanted to forget and not talk about it to anyone.

"You need to talk about it," said Anakin gently.

Predictable. Anakin thought he knew what was best for him. No he didn't. He was fed up of Anakin trying to push him into doing things he didn't want to do. He just wanted to forget what Ventress had done to him.

I can't forget can I?

He knew that because he had to report to the Council, and no doubt the topic of his captivity would come up in session. Either way he'd have to discuss it with people and he'd rather not but he also understood that Anakin could help him, if he let him.

But Obi-Wan was afraid of what the truth of his captivity would do to Anakin. He hadn't failed to notice that his former apprentice had felt strange through their bond, there was a slight dark tinge to it that hadn't been there before. Had Anakin had a brush with the dark side? If he had he was afraid to push him even further by filling him in with the details of his imprisonment.

He brushed away Anakin's arm. "I'm fine, Anakin."

"You still look rather pale, Obi-Wan," his former Padawan returned.

Obi-Wan sent a glare at him. "Really?"

"Master…" Anakin reverted to the old name.

"No."

Anakin sighed. "You know where I am if you need me. Call on the com-link."

Obi-Wan curtly nodded and watched as Anakin left his room. He sank back into the pillows and closed his eyes, trying to reach out to the Force.

"Obi-Wan?"

His eyes snapped open again, his lips parted to tell the intruder to go away but as soon as he saw Shmi Skywalker in the doorway, he knew he couldn't tell her to leave. He softened his face and made an effort to move up the bed so he was sitting up more and watched as she moved into the room, closing the door behind him.

"He's only trying to help," she pointed out.

"I know," he answered. "But I can't talk about it."

Shmi sat down on the side of the bed. "Do you remember when Anakin didn't want to tell you about his time as a slave? And how it took him months before you finally learnt the full truth of his slavery?"

Of course he remembered. Anakin had been scarred by slavery. It had only been through meditation and Obi-Wan's guidance and encouragement, and Shmi's determination to help her son, that Anakin had allowed Obi-Wan to see his most horrible memories. Through that he had finally found acceptance.

He remembered that day so well…

"Something still bothers you, Anakin," said Obi-Wan. He was getting very good at picking up on his young Padawan's mood. "Something you don't want to tell me."

Anakin lowered his eyes away from his Master. "I'm worried what you'll think when you see this. What I'm hiding is the worst memory I have of being a slave. I don't want to forgive the people for what they did."

"You don't have to forgive them, just accept that it happened and move on," advised Obi-Wan gently. "I know it is difficult and I cannot even understand what you've gone through but you've shared with me other aspects of your past and it has helped you. As your Master, it is my duty to aid you in whatever way I can. To face your demons is a natural part of life… Your past as a slave is your demon. If you can't come to acceptance it will haunt you forever."

Anakin bit his lip. "Am I susceptible to the dark side, Master?"

That was a tough question coming from someone so young. Obi-Wan swallowed, understanding the implications of what could occur if he said the wrong thing. His apprentice wanted reassurance but Obi-Wan couldn't give that if he was going to be honest. He and Anakin were building their bond on trust. If he lied, he'd shatter that fragile, but growing bond to pieces. The progress they'd have made over the last few months would be for nothing.

Obi-Wan sighed. This would be hard and difficult for him. Anakin deserved to know the truth. "Everyone is susceptible to the dark side, Padawan. Even me. In fact for a while I probably was. After Qui-Gon's death I had to filter out the darkness in me at my failure to prevent him from being killed. I was skilful enough to keep up with them during the duel on Naboo. I harboured guilt and my soul was darkened by the violent severing of our bond." He reached out and tapped Anakin on the shoulder. "But you? You have more demons then other young Jedi because you didn't have the benefit of growing up in the Temple away from attachments. You have attachments and from that you are more susceptible to the dark side. Your experience as a slave only furthers that, but if you can face the past, accept it and move forward, you lower the risk you have at being lured to the dark side because slavery won't be something that affects you."

Anakin's presence in the Force felt reluctant. "I've shared with you other things…"

Obi-Wan nodded. "You have but the point of our relationship is to trust one another. I trusted you to do what was right with those pirates because I knew you could do it. I put my own life on the line because I valued having your trust and that I respected you." He smiled gently. "No matter what has happened to you in the past I will always be here for you, if you let me in, just like you will be for me if I ever suffer a traumatic experience that you need to help me with."

Anakin's gaze tore right up. "I won't let anything happen to you ever, Master."

"You know you can't stop bad things happening to me. I appreciate your concern but that is my point. If I ever need your help I expect you to push me into talking about it. We can't forgive and accept if we don't open our hearts to the people we are closest too," responded Obi-Wan.

The young boy in front of him sighed.

Obi-Wan could appreciate how hard it was for Anakin to talk to him about his past. He had seen some of Anakin's worst memories during his slavery but there was one memory, one final experience that he just wouldn't share with him. It kept Anakin resentful and was the final block in their way in building a strong bond.

"Let me help you," he said.

"You won't tell anyone?" asked Anakin, his eyes wide in fear.

"No, I won't. I haven't even told the Jedi Council about the other memories I have seen. All they know is that you are sharing with me your memories; they do not expect me to tell them about your experiences. This is about trust." He held up a hand, and placed the other over his heart. "I swear that what you reveal to me will stay between us."

"And my mother," whispered Anakin. "This memory involves her. It was when we found out that I was different."

"You must have been very young then," commented Obi-Wan. He had seen quite a few memories but most of them had been of when Anakin had been on Tatooine. The youngest he had seen his apprentice had been when he was four years old. Whatever memory Anakin was afraid of showing him was one where they learnt about his Force powers.

"I was," admitted Anakin. "We weren't even on Tatooine yet. It's very hazy but I can remember bits and pieces of it and…" he shuddered, "…what they did to my mother was…" He couldn't finish the sentence.

No wonder Anakin didn't want Obi-Wan to see. If Shmi had been beaten in front of Anakin and he had done something… Anakin must have thought that Obi-Wan would think little of him if he had used his anger to protect his mother, if that was the case, and the young Master suspected that to be the case.

"Anakin, you were a child. You wanted to protect your mother. You knew no different. I cannot blame you for the things you did before Master Qui-Gon discovered you." He sat back but locked gazes with his young charge. "Please, share with me this final piece of the puzzle and we can work on it together, so that you can move past it."

Anakin was silent for several long moments. The young boy's Force aura was turbulent, shaking with fear and worry, concerned with sharing this memory.

"You have to trust me," pushed Obi-Wan quietly.

Anakin swallowed and reached out to take his Master's hand. "You'll have to help me because I don't think I'll be able to stop myself from getting angry... and I could take it out on you for making me relieve it again when I've tried to bury it beneath my happier and less troublesome experiences."

"Of course. I don't expect you to be able to handle the worst of your past on your own. Everyone needs help, no matter how much they think they don't," said Obi-Wan. "Now, let's do this and afterwards I'll give you the rest of the day off and tomorrow to do what you want."

Anakin looked up hopefully. Instantly Obi-Wan knew what Anakin wanted to do. Go and see his mother. Shmi was currently on leave and Anakin hadn't seen his mother as often as he had been. "Ok." He took a deep breath and the young boy closed his eyes.

Obi-Wan sensed Anakin reaching for him in the Force and opened himself up to him so that their Force signatures combined and came together in a blaze of light. They became one, feeling each other's thoughts and catching glimpses of memories.

Anakin draw on his past, projecting the images of the darkest part of his past, the final piece that held him back.

Obi-Wan saw as a barely three year old Anakin watched as his mother was dragged from the cell she was being kept in by the slavers that were transporting them to Tatooine, pulling her away from her young son. Screaming for Anakin, the young boy could only witness as the three pirates grabbed his mother and tore at her clothing. They grabbed her harshly, touching and pressing themselves on her.

The screams that came from Shmi shocked the young boy to the core. Tears fell down his cheeks as he scrambled to his feet and yelled: "Stop it!"

The men only continued with their violent assault on Shmi Skywalker. But the young boy had had enough.

Something triggered in him. Something dark built up and was unleashed as Anakin pushed his palms out hard and the three men went flying across the room, crashing hard into the steel wall. Shmi scrambled to her feet and ran back to her son.

"Ani?" she had said. "What did you do?"

The small boy sniffed. "I don't know…"

They both watched as the three pirates got to their feet, watching the two of them silently.

"There's something strange about that kid…" said one of the pirates, the one who had initiated the attack.

"I pity the poor soul that will buy him…" said another.

"No," the third one replied, "we'll make sure they're sold to the harshest bidder possible. They don't deserve kindness."

Anakin was too young to understand the ramifications of those words but to his young ears they heard evil. Something bubbled in him again and he let loose, palms outward once again and the three pirates went slamming back again, heads snapping hard into the wall. Scrambling to their feet once more, the three pirates retreated.

Shmi opened the cell door that hadn't been locked when she had been dragged out but was too strong for Anakin to open and reached for her son. "Oh Ani, what have you done? What have you done?"

Obi-Wan felt Anakin draw away from the bond, the images fading from his mind. Opening his eyes, he fixed his Padawan with a stare. Anakin couldn't be held responsible for his actions at that age. He hadn't known what he was doing. He had wanted to save his mother and he'd had no idea what power he held. His mother was being assaulted and would have been raped… the young boy had tried to protect her, without realising or understanding what he had done. He could also see why Anakin simply could not forgive those pirates. They had been responsible in ensuring he and his mother had been sold to the harshest bidder possible and from other memories Anakin had shared, that bidder had been Gardulla the Hutt.

"Anakin…"

Anakin didn't want to look at him.

"I don't blame you for what you did," he continued. "I now know why you don't want to forgive these people or accept it. Seeing someone you love being hurt is a horrible thing to witness… and at your age that would have been frightening for you."

"But if I want to be a good Jedi, I have to learn to forgive them?" replied Anakin morosely.

Obi-Wan nodded. "Yes."

"Bad things always happen to people in slavery. Rarely a good thing occurs. My mum and I were lucky that Master Qui-Gon came along when he did. That day, when she was nearly raped, that was the day I knew I had to save her. I didn't know that my powers were of the Jedi until a year later. I kept making things happen. I thought that I could use my power to free us but I couldn't…" he hung his head. "It took for someone else to save my mother and I didn't do it."

And Obi-Wan saw the crux of the problem.

"Before you left Tatooine you promised your mother that you'd go back one day and free her, didn't you?" questioned Obi-Wan.

Anakin sniffed, wiping his nose. "Yes."

"And I did that for you so you didn't fulfil your promise…" Obi-Wan realised.

"I don't blame you, Master!" Anakin responded quickly. "It was something that I always intended to do, was to free her. After that incident my life became one of trying to help her in any way I could. Whenever anyone tried to make a move on her, I stopped them. I was so angry a lot of the time."

Obi-Wan sighed. "You didn't know. And it is understandable you felt the way you did. But you have grown out of it. You are not dark, Anakin, and you never will be."

"How can you know that?" he demanded, the young boy's features scrunching up. "Just because I'm light now doesn't mean I won't be dark in the future!"

"Anakin, your mother is your balance point. She holds you in place. I do not sense any darkness in you," explained Obi-Wan. "Anakin let your past go. Forgive. Hasn't your mother done the same?"

Anakin was silent for a long while and Obi-Wan chose to let him think. Shmi had told him a while ago that she had forgiven the pirates and her owners for whatever they had done to her a long time ago. They had been trying to earn a living and even though their trade was inhuman, Shmi felt despite her slavery she'd had a good life. She'd raised a son and she'd been freed which was something a lot of the slaves never accomplished. Once a slave, always a slave.

"She has forgiven them," admitted Anakin. "How can she do that? They nearly…" he choked on the word he was trying to say.

"I know," said Obi-Wan gently. "But she's forgiven them because she found her freedom. It's more difficult for you because you were a child. Your innocence was taken from you the moment you were born. But if your mother can forgive then so can you."

Closing his eyes, the young Padawan sunk deep into the Force. Obi-Wan gently skimmed the surface of the bond and he felt the remaining tense, grey part of his Padawan's Force signature gently fade away as he released his anger and guilt to the Force, accepting his past and forgiving those that had wronged him.

"How do you feel?"

Anakin slowly opened his eyes. "Better I think."

"Good," smiled Obi-Wan.

Obi-Wan shook himself free of the memory. If Anakin hadn't shown him that memory, there would still be a remnant of resentment inside him, a part of him that would be susceptible to the Sith. He had helped Anakin come to terms with his past and to accept the actions of others, and yet, here Obi-Wan Kenobi was years later, and not wishing to do the same. He wanted to wallow in the past, he didn't want to talk about it, didn't wish to burden Anakin with the pain he had endured over the months he had been imprisoned.

Obi-Wan's pain overshadowed their bond.

"It took a lot for Anakin to tell you about my attack," said Shmi. "He trusted you with his darkest secrets and experiences." She patted his arm gently, smiling lightly. "You need to do the same."

Despite his own feelings, Obi-Wan knew Shmi was right. He did have to confront it, the trouble was, he was afraid of what it would reveal about him and what his own memories would do to Anakin if he saw the extent of the torture Obi-Wan had been forced to endure. Anakin would, naturally, blame himself for failing to save his Master from the explosion. Either way, one of them would have to be burdened. Why should it be Anakin when he already had so much to be concerned about? Shouldn't Obi-Wan have his own share of the burden? If keeping Anakin from the truth would save him, then wasn't it worth it?

"Obi-Wan…" Shmi looked at him expectantly. "Don't try and think yourself out of it. You know letting go will boost your recovery. Let Ani help you."

He was silent. What could he say? Bring Anakin here now so that they could talk?

She seemed to know what he was thinking before he could even say a word.

"It doesn't have to be now, but soon," she said. "Please, Obi-Wan, talk to Anakin. If not for yourself do it for me. It's difficult to see you like this. Promise me you'll speak to him."

Obi-Wan let out a slow breath.

Shmi watched him expectantly.

"I… I can't promise," he began, "…but I can talk to him."

Shmi nodded. "It's a start," she acknowledged as she rose from the side of the bed. "Remember, if you need me, I'm here for you too. If you don't want to tell Anakin just yet, trust me, but it is important you face what has happened to you. The Republic needs you, Obi-Wan."

She gave him a smile before she walked out of the room, leaving Obi-Wan to contemplate his thoughts.

To be continued...

Please let me know what you think!

I did say I'd deal with Anakin coming to terms with his past as a slave and this was where I always intended to put this scene - Obi-Wan needs some motivation to talk to Anakin and it felt right that he'd look back on how he helped Anakin. As for the content of the memory, I felt it had to be quite a dark memory... Shmi nearly being raped and Anakin discovering his Force-powers. I hope I dealt with the sensitive subject well, since I'm unsure, but its something that Shmi probably did face during her slavery was the threat of that.

Anakin telling three Senators about Obi-Wan's survival? They caught him out. They guessed he'd come back later and he figured he could trust them.

Next chapter is being written, I do hope it will be posted next Saturday. And it should be longer then this one.

Until next time,

the-writer1988