Greetings loyal readers! I hope you all enjoyed the holidays as much as I did; I had hoped to post another chapter by Christmas, but I just didn't have the time to devote my full attention to writing. Then, I had a hard time getting back into it, and couldn't decide just how to write these concluding chapters. In any case, my Christmas present from all of you were your wonderful reviews! I relished each and every one of them! So, as always, I wish to thank you all by name: JediDaughter1, JediKnight 13, starwarsforever, MoAngel, Star Wars for Life, JediAngel001 and otcpa - my very loyal and very supportive faithful readers. Crow T. Author - my friend, who just finished chapter 3. Death-God-777 - who has been reading my stories for the past couple of months and who gave me a huge and wonderful review of them all up to this point. Bronzeraven- an old fan, and new reader to this story. And last, but definitely not least, Jedi Hsoj, who has just recently starting reviewing. I know I've said this many times, but without you, there would have been no 10th story; thank you all once again.

Chapter 21 - Consequences, Confessions and Wise Counsel

For the most part, Ferri slept soundly through the afternoon and into the early evening; rising only once to go the private area; when he returned to the alcove, Beru was just placing a pitcher on the bed table. She turned to smile at him, "I thought you might want something to drink." She said.

"I'm sorry to be so much trouble." Ferri replied.

"Trouble? After what you've been through? Don't be ridiculous, Ferri." Beru answered dismissively.

"But, they came here for me; it was my fault Owen was hurt." Ferri argued.

Beru huffed impatiently, "They came here for Padme; it was because of you that they didn't get her. And because of you, they left without hurting anyone else." She countered, and looked up to meet his gaze, "And because of you, this planet is finally free of the Hutts."

"I was captured and had to be rescued; my master and Master Kenobi took care of the Hutts." Ferri corrected.

"You are wrong." Beru persisted with a shake of her head, "And I'm through arguing with you because you should be resting."

Ferri rubbed his free hand across his forehead, "You see, look at you, weak as a newborn eopie; back into bed with you." Beru ordered.

And Ferri had not argued with her; meekly accepting the full mug she held out to him as he sat down on the bed. It seemed he had barely laid down again when he felt himself drifting once more into sleep. He roused briefly several times, but only long enough to drink, and even then he barely remembered doing it. At some level of consciousness, he sensed that he was being checked on from time to time, but he was too tired to open his eyes in order to see who was doing the checking.

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The mood at the evening meal was surprisingly subdued considering the outcome of recent events. After all, Ferri had been successfully liberated, and because of the Hutt's death, without fear of reprisal. But relief over Ferri's safe return was tainted by the evidence of the brutal treatment he had been subjected to during nearly a week of captivity. And then there was Jabba's death, which could potentially - as the Twi'lek had predicted - throw the planetary system into a chaotic mess before the Republic had a chance to organize any kind of substantial leadership. Of course, no one spoke of this, but, with the exception of the younglings, who were too young to understand, and Ferri, in his exhausted oblivion, everyone was well aware of the possibility. And no one felt more keenly responsible than Anakin, who had been so naive as to have thought Jabba the Hutt had ever even considered allying with the Republic, that he had not only endangered his family by bringing them here in the first place, but his apprentice had nearly lost his life, and Anakin had brought about the upheaval of Tatooine society by killing its leader. He had wanted an end to slavery, but would the Hutt's demise bring that about? Or make matters worse? Would the majority of those living on Tatooine accept Republic rule? Or rail against it? What happened to a society based on slavery? Would the economic system completely collapse without the unpaid labor force that supported it? And could Ferri's suffering be measured against Tatooine's freedom? With these thoughts weighing on his mind, Anakin slipped quietly outside to think.

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Padme stood up as she watched her husband climb the steps leading outside, but felt a hand on her arm, "Padme, let him go." Obi-Wan advised.

"But...." Padme started to protest.

"He needs a bit of time alone." Obi-Wan explained.

"How would you know what he needs?" Padme retorted , finding herself uncharacteristically annoyed with the Jedi Master.

Taken aback by her harsh tone, Obi-Wan released her arm; of late, his counsel seemed to be both ill-advised and unwanted, "Forgive me." He said quietly, "You must do what you think is right."

Even Padme's children did not hide their shock at their mother's anger, which appeared completely unwarranted; Zak resisted the temptation to defend his master, sensing the younglings' confusion at Padme's unusual outburst.

"I'm sure Master Kenobi meant no offense, Padme." Cliegg interjected, trying to defuse the situation.

Padme's hand flew up to cover her mouth; what was the matter with her? "No." She replied, shaking her head, "No, of course not; I'm sorry, Obi-Wan." She said.

"It's alright, Padme; I am sure you know best what Anakin needs right now. It was wrong for me to interfere." Obi-Wan answered, seemingly unaffected by Padme's earlier behavior.

"Well, it's not alright. You are my friend, Anakin's friend; you did not deserve to be snapped at." Padme insisted.

Obi-Wan smiled, "We have all been under a great deal of stress lately; it is not surprising that tempers flair." He assured her, "I do understand."

"I'm glad you do." Padme stated, shaking her head again.

"It's alwight, Mommy; evwebody gets mad sometimes." Livie piped in, causing everyone to laugh, and putting a final end to the tense situation.

After all was said and done, Padme realized Obi-Wan would know what Anakin needed at that point; the pair shared a bond she could was still trying to understand. Instead of violating her husband's solitude, she helped Beru clean up after the evening meal, half-listening to Cleigg and Owen playing with her children; she heard nothing from Obi-Wan and Zak, and she assumed they had retreated to a private corner to meditate. Boba and Dena had retreated to Slave I; deciding that the Lars homestead was already overcrowded and not wanting to overtax their hospitality. Tomorrow would be a busy day, Bail's interim leader would arrive with another message from the Chancellor for the people of Tatooine. Then the difficult work of transition would begin. But for now, Padme was content to listen to her children's laughter again, after nearly a week of uncertainty.

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Ferri's awareness returned slowly; he became conscious of the soft bedding beneath him, the blanket covering him, the bandage around his neck and the one binding his left arm across his chest, the laughter of younglings in the room beyond, the clatter of dishes. He lay unmoving, waiting for the pleasant illusion to shatter, leaving him chained once more in cold darkness; he closed his eyes, expecting the comforting noises to fade into the silence of his solitary confinement.

"Ferri? Are you awake, Son?" Cleigg asked.

"Cleigg?" Ferri mumbled in a voice thick from sleep.

"Are you up to eating something? We've already had supper, but I'm sure we could find something." Cleigg continued.

"Eat?" Ferri repeated.

"Well, you don't have to, of course; but I'm sure you haven't had much since...." Cleigg trailed off.

Ferri focused his eyes on Cleigg standing in the doorway, "Is this real?" He asked.

Cleigg's weathered face broke into a smile, "Yes, son; it most certainly is." He confirmed, "Now, I'll bet you're hungry."

"Yes sir, I guess could eat something." Ferri replied, grunting as he shifted to sit up.

"Easy; you're not exactly in the best of shape." Cleigg reminded him.

"No, I guess I'm not." Ferri answered, sliding his legs over the side of the bed.

Cleigg sighed, "I'm sorry." He said.

"What for? It wasn't your doing." Ferri countered.

"You were a guest in my home." Cleigg replied.

Sensing that the discussion was heading along the lines of the one he had had earlier with Beru, Ferri decided to change the subject, "Are my boots around somewhere?" He asked.

"At the end of the bed." Cleigg answered, "Here, let me do it."

Having only one free hand, Ferri did not refuse Cleigg's offer, "Your friend, Dena, is quite the healer." Cleigg said as he pushed the first boot home.

"She worries too much." Ferri replied.

"Well, she's a woman; they have a tendency to do that." Cleigg pointed out as he shoved the other boot on, "There we go."

Ferri looked down, "I thought I lost this pair." He said.

"Oh, I think one of those troopers found them when they did a sweep of Jabba's palace." Cleigg informed him.

"Huh...what else have I missed?" Ferri wondered.

"Those Clones have been coming and going ever since you got here; they've established outposts at Mos Espa, Mos Eisley and even Anchorhead. Padme and the Chancellor have been conversing back and forth all afternoon, and I believe the Chancellor is sending someone here to take charge of everything until we can find our own leader to take over." Cleigg explained.

"I can't believe I slept through all that." Ferri said as he followed Cleigg into the common area.

"You needed it." Cleigg answered, placing a hand on the young man's shoulder.

"I'm a Jedi; I shouldn't have." Ferri replied.

"Being a Jedi doesn't make us invulnerable, Ferri." Zak interjected.

"I know; but I still don't think I needed another five hours of sleep." Ferri countered.

"Your body said you did, Padawan." Obi-Wan told him.

"Oh good, you're awake!" Beru exclaimed, "We've eaten, but it won't take me more than a few minutes to heat up a plate for you."

"You don't have to go through all that trouble." Ferri objected, seizing the opportunity to end a discussion he knew he would have lost anyway.

"It's no trouble; sit, sit." Beru insisted, almost pushing into a seat at the table.

Ferri started to protest, "I wouldn't argue with her if I were you." Owen advised as he put an arm around his strong-willed wife.

The young Jedi sighed and shook his head, but did not press the issue, even though privately he felt he had done nothing to earn such special treatment. If only they knew what he had said in the bowels of Jabba's dungeon....oh, it would have to come out eventually, he understood that, but he just couldn't bring himself to expose his shameful, cowardly behavior just yet. And so he forced himself to accept the unwarranted, undeserved attention. He looked up to see Obi-Wan studying him, stroking his beard; a characteristic sign that the master was thinking. Ferri averted his eyes under this scrutiny.

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"Your friend is troubled." Obi-Wan relayed through the bond he shared with his apprentice.

"Yes, I sense shame and guilt." Zak replied, "I could understand the shame, what they did to him was humiliating; but guilt?"

"Perhaps there is something he has not told you." Obi-Wan suggested.

Zak turned to look at his master, "You know what it is." He murmured quietly.

Obi-Wan's eyes twinkled and the ghost of a smile played on his lips; it had been far too long since his apprentice had used his unique Force talent, "And so I do; as do Anakin and Cliegg." He admitted.

For a moment, Zak remained silent as he digested this last bit of information; Obi-Wan could 'feel' him thinking, "It was something on Cleigg's recording, then. What was it?" He finally queried.

"Nothing to warrant such feelings of guilt or shame; however, Ferri believes this to be his secret, and his alone, so it would be wrong for me to tell you."

"I understand; it might help if he talked to me about it, though." Zak decided.

"It might; as his friend, he may open up to you, but tread carefully, Padawan; do not confront him directly, allow him to tell you what is troubling him." Obi-Wan counseled.

"Yes, Master." Zak answered then stood up and moved toward his friend seated at the table.

Obi-Wan smiled as he watched his apprentice; as terrible as the last few days had been, perhaps, he thought, in helping Ferri overcome his ordeal, Zak would be able to finally climb the mountain of his own mental difficulties. Another presence tickled the edges of his mind, and he looked over at Padme who was playing a game with her younglings, "You may want to go out to Anakin now, Padme." He suggested.

Padme smiled at him, "I can give him my love; but you share his mind, Obi-Wan. You know what he needs right now more than I do." She answered.

Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow, "Do I?" He questioned.

"Yes, you do." Padme replied with complete confidence, turning her attention back to the game.

"Are you certain, Padme?" Obi-Wan questioned.

"Yes." Padme affirmed, not even looking up.

Still unsure, Obi-Wan brushed her mind gently, but sensed no animosity; and so, with a nod, he turned and headed up the steps leading outside.

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"So, how are you?" Zak asked as he sat down on the bench across from his friend.

"Alright, more or less." Ferri answered.

"You'll feel better after you've had something to eat." Beru interjected, setting a steaming plate of leftovers in front of him.

"Thank you, Ma'am."

"And there's more where that came from when you've finished that." Beru added.

"Uh...I think this will do, thanks." Ferri assured her.

"Dessert then, when you've finished." Beru pressed.

"Really, I'm fine; why does everyone keep fussing over me?" Ferri demanded with more impatience that he intended.

Because you've spent the last five days in hell, Ferri." Zak answered.

Ferri shook his head, "I don't deserve all this attention." He countered, thinking privately, 'if you only knew what I did, you'd agree with me.'

"After what you've been through, whether you believe you deserve this 'attention' or not, you need it, son." Cleigg said from the adjoining room.

Beru smiled, patted Ferri's shoulder and returned to the kitchen.

Zak narrowed his eyes and leaned closer, "What happened to you in there, Ferri?" He asked, lowering his voice so that only Ferri could hear him.

"I would have thought that would be obvious." Ferri retorted.

"Beyond the obvious." Zak added.

"Nothing."

"You can't lie to me, you know." Zak replied.

"Really? Well, it's nice to see you got something out of all this." Ferri said bitterly as he guessed Zak's implication.

"Don't be bitter, Ferri; I want to help you." Zak persisted.

Ferri sighed and shook his head, "There's nothing you need to help me with." Ferri answered.

"Now you sound like me a couple of weeks ago." Zak pointed out.

"Ferri, I know you're hiding something; I can sense your guilt." Zak went on when Ferri remained silent.

The knuckles on Ferri's left hand turned white as he gripped his fork tightly, "What could you have possibly done to be ashamed of?" Zak pressed.

Ferri lowered his head as he played with the food on his plate; Zak waited for several minutes and then sighed, "Alright, look, I don't know what you think you've done, but I do know it's not as terrible as you make it out to be. Haven't you been through enough without beating yourself up about nothing?" He questioned.

"It's not 'nothing', Zak." Ferri murmured.

"Yes, it is; my master told me that much." Zak insisted.

"What?!" Ferri exclaimed, shoving the untouched plate of food away as he stood up...and then abruptly dropped back down, overcome by a wave of dizziness.

"Easy, Ferri." Zak advised.

"Are you telling me that Master Kenobi knows what I did?" Ferri questioned, "How?"

"It's better if you hear that from your master; all I can tell you is that you're making way too much of whatever it is you think you've done." Zak answered.

"I thought I'd have more time to accept their judgment against me. I planned on confessing it myself...." Ferri went on.

"Who's judgment?" Zak asked.

"When this goes before the Council, I'm finished. I've blown my last chance." Ferri explained.

"Ferri, I've told you..."

Ferri buried his head in the crook of his left arm, "You don't know what I did." He murmured.

"No, I don't." Zak admitted, "But my master does, and he thinks you're being far too hard on yourself."

"You don't know anything about it." Ferri retorted, raising his head to glare angrily up at his friend.

"I'd like to." Zak said, then stood and then moved away from the table, "Look, nevermind, just sit down and eat. If you want to talk, you know where to find me."

With a sigh, Ferri sat back down; satisfied, Zak turned toward the common room, "Thank you, Zak."

Zak nodded, then looked back and smiled, "We're friends, Ferri."

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"You take too much on yourself, my friend." Obi-Wan said as he came alongside Anakin.

"It's about time I start taking responsibility for my actions." Anakin replied.

"Well, it appears to me that your actions brought about the very thing you came here to accomplish." Obi-Wan pointed out.

"Have I? Or have I thrown this whole system into chaos?" Anakin questioned.

"With change there is initially always some level of disorganization; especially where the system eliminated was as deeply entrenched as the one here. That's why the Chancellor sent troops in – to maintain order until a new system can be established." Obi-Wan explained, "Surely you must have given that some thought ."

Anakin sighed, "That's just it; I didn't. I was so focused on what I wanted, I never thought about what it would actually mean for the people here; including the Hutts." He confessed, "If I had, I would have realized Jabba would never have allowed himself to be ruled by a government that would end all his business dealings. I would have seen his offer to negotiate for the trap it was, and would not have walked into it and nearly gotten my apprentice killed."

"What has happened cannot be changed, Anakin; and the result is not all that bad, is it?" Obi-Wan answered.

"I put my family in danger, and look what Ferri what through because my bad judgment." Anakin persisted.

"But your family is safe, my brother; that is what you must hold on to. Holding onto what cannot be changed serves no purpose, and prevents you from moving on; and you must move on before you can help Ferri." Obi-Wan counseled.

Anakin kicked the sand angrily, "Just one more thing I've failed at." He retorted and then sighed, "I'm sorry; from the start of this, I've been on the edge of losing control."

Obi-Wan smiled gently sensing Anakin's turmoil, "We all have faults, my brother; and lack of control is yours. As long as I have known you, you have struggled with it. It does not take away from what you are, here." He replied, pointing at Anakin's chest, "You are a Jedi in your heart; but that does not make you perfect. None of us are."

"I hope you'll always be here to remind me of what I am, Obi-Wan." Anakin stated.

"It was not so long ago that you did not welcome my counsel, or consider it wise." Obi-Wan reminded him sadly.

"I didn't welcome your counsel because it wasn't what I wanted to hear." Anakin countered and then looked his brother in the eye, "I have never known it be unwise. I don't know what I'll do when you're not here to give it to me."

"Well, by that time, I hope you will no longer need it." Obi-Wan answered, smiling again, "But I am here now, Anakin; as are Padme and your family and your apprentice, who badly needs your support and counsel right now."

"Ferri." Anakin sighed, "How will I ever convince him that what he said was not a betrayal?"

"Open your mind to him, my friend; and he will feel it for himself." Obi-Wan advised.

Well, the action, as you can see, is over, but there will still be at least one more, possibly two chapters to tie up (hopefully) all the loose ends....I do have a couple of little surprises for you, so I hope you stay tuned to the end. Thanks again for reviewing!

TamsynDell