Anakin decided to take some time to spend with his brother and took his three children to the Lars Farm, besides it had been a long time since he saw his brother Owen. Han Solo was also brought to the Lars Farm to help with the small farm. "We welcome the extra hands; we have an abundant crop this season." Owen hugged Anakin, "Perhaps you can work on that new speeder I bought from the Jawas."
After setting up several cots and places to sleep, A' Marie joined her Aunt Beru in the kitchen to prepare dinner. Leia at much prodding of her father joined them. Three ladies were laughing as they were telling stories about their adventures. Luke and Anakin went to the garage and sighed as the speeder looked quite used. They started tearing it apart as Owen and Obi-Wan talked. Anakin had notified Padmé about their location and told her that they would be staying for awhile. She informed him that Delaney and Whie were settling in nicely, the serene Lake Country seemed to be having a calming effect on Delaney. Anakin was pleased to hear that. After dinner was prepared, A' Marie went to the garage and saw her father filthy with grease as was her brother.
"Dinner is ready, but you might want to clean up first."
"Oh, Ani you are so sweet to come and get us like this, come give me a hug!" Anakin approached her.
"No! Get away, I don't want to have to take another shower, father!" Anakin chased her around the garage and she tripped over a wrench near a box of spare parts and went sprawling on the floor. "A' Marie!" Anakin helped her up and she was in a trance witnessing Anakin's temper tantrum. He held her and was also pulled into the vision:
"I killed them. I killed them all! They're dead! Not just men, but the women and the children. They're like animals and I slaughtered them like animals! I hate them!"
A' Marie grabbed her father ignoring the grease and cried. "Shh, don't cry Ani."
The pair sat like that for a long while, Luke told the rest of the family to stay out of the garage.
"Is the dark side more powerful?" A' Marie asked.
"No. It requires strong emotions like hatred, anger, and aggression; it's like an addictive drug. One hit is never enough, you need more and therein lays the trap because the more you succumb to the Dark Side the more it consumes you. You become a slave to it."
"How did you break free of it then?"
"I had some help from Qui-Gon Jinn also Obi-Wan helped me with his patience and guidance. I found forgiveness through my family and my wife."
"Why do the Sith have yellow/red eyeballs father?"
Anakin sighed deeply, "Because their anger and their hatred consume them and it shows in their eyes. Ever heard of the maxim, 'Eyes are the windows to the soul?'"
"I think so."
"Eyes can be a clear indication of the condition of the soul, that is at least my theory as to why the Sith have yellow/red eyes."
After eating dinner, Beru set aside a couple plates of leftovers for her niece and brother in-law. A' Marie took a quick shower and walked into the kitchen, Aunt Beru was sewing.
"Sorry we missed dinner, Aunt Beru."
"That's okay sweetheart, there is a plate in the kitchen."
Anakin came into the kitchen to see A' Marie eating and Beru was sewing.
"Thanks again for your hospitality, Beru."
"Why are you thanking me, Anakin Skywalker? You are not some mere stranger, you are family." Beru stood and hugged him, who returned the favor. After eating dinner, A' Marie was tucked into bed with Leia.
"Dad, I'm old enough to tuck myself into bed."
"Yes, but appease your father will you, Leia?"
"I suppose." Leia sighed, though secretly she enjoyed the tucking in and the comforting that was always her father's presence.
"Good night."
"Night, father."
Anakin went to the garage and slept on the pallet by the speeder. The next morning, Anakin awoke to hear Han Solo and Leia arguing. He went to the kitchen to get a cup of coffee, Beru smiled at him. "Good morning, Anakin."
"Morning, Beru. How long have they been at it?"
"Oh, about five minutes." Beru exaggerated.
"Beru, come on now, don't lie to a Jedi." Anakin feigning irritation stated.
"Okay more like thirty minutes, but I think those two love each other." Beru laughed.
"You're probably right, I know I've sensed strong feelings between them for sometime now, but both are too proud to admit it."
"Leia can be very stubborn."
"Yes a trait that she gets from both of her parents."
Beru laughed.
"It probably doesn't help that Leia has training in politics not only by her mother but by Master Gallia."
"You have your hands full, don't you brother?" Owen stated as he entered the kitchen.
"Mm, and much to my chagrin, A' Marie is a bit too much like me. Stubborn, head-strong, impatient oh I could go on."
"She's also sweet, forgiving, loving, and openly affectionate."
"Solo!" Anakin called.
"Yes, sir?" Han replied as he entered the kitchen from the courtyard.
"Here are some credits go to Anchorhead and get these parts, take Leia with you."
"Oh, come on, your Lordship, I really rather go by myself."
Anakin raised his eyes and pointed his finger at him, "You will do as I tell you."
Leia was mortified, "I rather spend the next fifteen minutes in the stomach of a Sarlacc then spend another fifteen minutes with the galaxy's biggest nerf herder!"
"That my daughter can be arranged, now go."
Leia huffed and stormed with Han Solo. "Dad, are you sure its wise putting those two together?" Luke asked.
"Yes." Anakin knew that the two needed sometime together to sort out their feelings.
Han sighed deeply as they went through Anchorhead to get the parts they needed for not only the speeder but for the moisture evaporators as well. After making several deals for the parts they needed, Han asked Leia if she wanted to get something to eat. "Yes, I'm hungry." Han and Leia found a small diner in the back corner of the shopping district. After sitting and ordering their drinks, Han smiled at her.
"We are alone at last. I'm glad you came with me."
"I agree this is nice. I'm sorry I was irritated with you earlier."
"That's okay Princess. I know you like to argue." Han Solo smiled.
"You know me too well, Han."
"It's because, well, I uh . . ." Once again as Han was trying to express his deep feelings he had for Leia they were interrupted by a young boy running into the diner and hiding under their table. The child of about nine years old clung to Leia's leg.
"Where is that boy, he is going to be in for a rude awakening." The rough burly farmer stated as he walked by Leia and Han's table.
"Have you seen a young boy, about yea big, brown hair blue eyes?" The farmer indicating the boy's height about four foot five.
"Not recently."
"Keep your eyes open if you do see him, let me know."
"What do you want with the young boy?"
"He is to be arrested for stealing from me."
"What did he take?" Han asked.
"It doesn't matter! These homeless kids can always think they can get away with murder. He needs to be taught a harsh lesson. Good day!"
"Its safe you can come out now." Leia noted the scrawny boy and the bruises on his arms and he had a black eye. Leia could feel the boy's desperation and intense hunger. "What's your name?"
"Zachary." He whispered eyeing the meal before him.
Leia helped him into the chair and gave him her meal. He started to eat as fast as he could.
"Hey, slow down, kid." Han put his hand on his shoulder.
"Please don't touch me, it hurts." Zachary cried.
"Sorry kid."
"Where are your parents?" Leia gently asked.
Zachary looked at her confused, "Parents?"
"Yes, who are the adults that take care of you?"
"Adults are mean, they only want to get you arrested and beaten. I hate adults." Zachary emphatically stated as the egg yolk dripped down his chin. Leia noted the young boy's mind was full of pain and misery.
"Han we can't leave him here."
"What will his Lordship say?" Han asked.
"I'll take care of my father, Han. I know he frightens you." Leia laughed.
"With good reason."
Leia laughed especially since Zachary let go a large belch and turned three different shades of red.
"Would you like to come with us? We know some friends who could take good care of you."
Zachary shrugged his shoulders and took Leia's hand. Three armed thugs approached Leia, Han, and Zachary.
"Hand him over and no one gets hurt." The leader of the group stated.
"I don't think so." Han grabbed his blaster.
"Okay so we kill you and take him anyway."
"You can try." Leia pulled her lightsaber from her hip and activated the blade. The brilliant blue light amazed Zachary but he disappeared underneath a vendor's cart.
"A Jedi, lets get out of here!" two of the three cowards fled. The leader fired a shot anyway and it was blocked.
"The boy will rob you blind! You will regret sheltering him, Jedi!" the thug stated as he ran away.
Zachary was in awe of Leia's lightsaber, "Wow you're a Jedi!"
"Shh, keep your voice down, kid." Han replied.
Leia hooked her lightsaber back on her belt and took Zachary's hand. "Come let's go."
Han couldn't understand it why is it that every time he wanted to tell Leia how much he loved her. Some kid always had to come into the room and ruin it for him whether it is related kid or not. Leia picked up on his thoughts but remained silent; she knew he disliked it immensely when she read his thoughts.
"Leia, you're blushing are you okay?" Han noted.
"Oh, it's the heat that's getting to me." Leia replied as they walked to the speeder.
Zachary jumped into the speeder, "Are you guys married?"
"Kids, they say the darnedest things don't they?" Han laughed.
"No we're not." Leia sadly noted.
Han knew that this wasn't probably the most romantic spot in the galaxy but then Leia might appreciate the spontaneity of the moment.
"Leia, I love you. You take me as I am nerf-herder and all. I've watched you grow from a youngling to a mature, intelligent, contentious woman. Will you marry me?" Han lowered himself to one knee as he fumbled with a black velvet box that creaked to reveal a beautiful rose-colored diamond on a titanium band.
Leia was flabbergasted and completely speechless.
Han noted that tears started to come down her face and she was smiling. "Yes, Han! I will marry you. I love you so much." Leia threw herself into Han's arms and he lifted her up and sat her on the hood of the speeder. He placed the ring on her left ring finger and kissed her hands.
"Wow! I never witness a ring exchanging! This is too wizard!"
"Now, kid she's engaged to me, which means we will marry soon."
"You know at one time you told me that you didn't want to be related to my father, Han Solo."
"Yes, the sacrifices one has to make. Maybe since I'll be his son in-law he will cut me some slack."
"I doubt it very seriously, Han. He will consider you as his son, which in away you already are since he raised you." Leia smiled.
"Miss Leia?"
"Yes, Zachary?"
"Do you know a famous Jedi named 'Anakin Skywalker'? He used to race pods when he was my age. I think he is so cool."
"I'm familiar with him." Leia smiled.
"Leia, don't be coy."
"Shh, Han, let it be a surprise." Leia whispered.
"Is he as nice as they say?"
"Perhaps one day you will meet him and can find out for yourself."
"Really you think so?" Zachary seemed so excited about the prospect of meeting the Hero with No Fear.
When they arrived at the homestead, Leia sent a telepathic message to her father, "Remain where you are, Dad. There's someone with us that would love to meet you."
"Solo? He already knows me dearest."
"No, you'll see."
"I'm in the garage with Luke."
"Big surprise there."
"Watch it, Leia." Anakin replied sternly.
After unloading the speeder, Leia handed a few of the packages to Zachary and told him to follow her into the garage. Zachary was introduced to Owen and Beru Lars. Luke appeared in the kitchen wiping his hands on a rag, "this is my brother Luke and my sister A' Marie."
"Nice to meet you." Zachary replied.
"Dad is in the garage impatiently waiting for those parts, Leia."
"Patience is a virtue that Dad has yet to learn. Come on Zachary, come to the garage and I'll introduce you to my father."
The young boy followed Leia down the gang plank into the garage and saw the speeder he was working on. Anakin was underneath the jacked up speeder installing an oil filter.
"It's about time, Leia. Where did you go to get these parts, Mos Espa clear across the other side of the planet?"
"Yes and I ran into your old boss, Watto, he gave me the family discount."
"Impossible, Watto is in jail."
"A Jedi Master who is always preaching patience but has so little of it himself, ironic isn't it, Zachary?"
"Huh?"
Anakin rolled out from underneath the speeder and stood to his feet.
"You better watch your mouth, my daughter." Anakin pointed at Leia, faking his anger.
"He's your father?" Zachary stared at Anakin completely incredulous.
"Yes, Jedi Master Anakin Skywalker, father of three, Hero with No Fear and also the Chosen One."
"Leia, you know I hate being referred to in such a manner."
"Oh, get over it, you enjoyed the press when you were younger and don't tell me that you didn't because I won't believe you."
Anakin sighed and Zachary was just standing there staring in awe. "Why do these kids look up to me like this?"
"You are very tall, father. Most people have to look up to you." Leia laughed.
Anakin knelt down in front of the small boy and thanked him for bringing him the equipment.
"You're welcome sir."
Anakin noted the small boy's injuries and even though he had eaten there were still a lot of meals that he was missing. "Where are your parents, young one?"
"Huh?"
Anakin smiled this child was still in awe of him.
"Where are your folks?"
"I don't know, sir. I think their dead." Zachary cried.
"Shh, don't cry." Anakin put his hand on the boy's shoulder who shrieked in pain, "Please don't hurt me!" Zachary yelled and ran into the cupboard. Anakin was mystified, why did he think that he was going to hurt him?
"Come out Zak, let me help you." Anakin gently called.
Zachary stepped out of the cupboard and stood there crying.
"Shh, let me help you." Anakin gently placed his hands on the small boy and sent him massive doses of healing into the young boy. Zackary was so relaxed that he nearly crumbled to the floor; Anakin gently lifted him up and carried him into the bedroom with a cot. He placed him face down and continued to heal his wounds. Obi-Wan felt Anakin's exhaustion through their old bond and went into the room and took over as Anakin wiped the sweat from his brow. Healing was still not his forte, he could heal minor wounds, but the massive doses he was giving Zachary took a lot out of him. Anakin put the young boy in a deep sleep as soon as the healing was completed. While he had been healing him, he sensed great psychological trauma, his parents had abandoned him on this planet and he had survived by stealing food and bits of clothing.
"Father, how is the young boy?" Leia asked.
"He's sleeping now, it seems the local thugs enjoyed beating him on a regular basis, this is why he doesn't like anyone touching him."
"Where are his parents?"
"They abandoned him; he doesn't trust anyone."
"What do we do?"
"I don't know."
"We'll take him." Beru replied.
"Are you sure? He's liable to give you a lot of trouble."
"We can handle it." Beru replied.
"He needs compassion, love, and most of all understanding." Anakin replied.
"Owen and I will see to all his needs both physical and emotional."
Zachary awoke the next morning to hear laughter coming from the kitchen, his wounds had been healed and he was dressed in an off-white cotton tunic with brown pants. He also felt clean, which was a foreign concept, for the young boy. Ever so quietly he entered the kitchen and stood in the doorway taking in the scene, Anakin was sitting with his youngest daughter on his knee drinking a cup of coffee, Beru and Owen were bantering back n' forth. Luke and Obi-Wan were laughing and Leia was sitting beside Han also laughing.
"Good morning, Zak. Come have a seat." Anakin greeted.
"Yes, sir." Zak took a place and Beru handed him a bowl of warm oats and a glass of blue milk to go with it.
"Enjoy."
"This is all mine?" Zak asked incredulous.
"Yes, we've eaten already." Beru reassured him.
Zak took the spoon and greedily began to eat and his stomach welcomed the warm oats. After breakfast the family went in different directions and Owen invited Zak to help him with the harvest and the young boy agreed.
"Luke, hand me the hydro spanner."
"So, what do you think of Leia's engagement?"
"I think it's great that she's found somebody that will treat her well and obviously loves her."
"Yea." Luke stated dreamily thinking of his own red-headed girlfriend.
"Son, when are you going to up the ante on Mara Jade?"
"I doubt she'll say yes; she loves being a Jedi so much and she enjoys the independence of being out there on her own."
"Yes, that maybe true; but I also sense a real yearning to be with you. She adores you."
"You're just saying that, Dad."
"No, I'm not. She especially adores your blue eyes that are reminiscent of the brightest clear blue sky."
"Which I incidentally inherited from you, father."
"Yes, I know Son." Anakin smiled wickedly.
"Too bad you didn't get his height, Luke." A' Marie laughed hysterically until Luke came over to her and glared at his youngest sister.
"Your cute brother when you attempt father's Sith Lord Stance, but your essence is too pure to be believable." Anakin laughed as Luke chased his sister throughout the courtyard. Zachary enjoyed the time spent with the Skywalker Family especially since he knew that Beru and Owen were going to adopt him, he would finally have a family. He was very happy but also scared, sure Beru and Owen were nice to him now, but that would change soon and he would be on his own again. Even all the reassurances from the both of them that would not happen, he still couldn't believe them as much as he wanted to believe.
The next few weeks, Anakin had managed to fix the speeder, modified it for better speed and durability and also fixed the moisture evaporators with the help from Luke and Zachary. Anakin discovered that the boy was very smart but a bit introverted. A' Marie enjoyed Zak's company, sometimes its tough being around adults all the time. Late one night A' Marie couldn't sleep she had awaken to get some juice and saw Zak sitting in the courtyard.
"You okay?"
"Yea, you have to leave soon don't you?"
"Yes. But you are good hands; Aunt Beru and Uncle Owen adore you."
"A' Marie, do you think we will see each other again?"
"Yes, I'm certain of it."
"You are so lucky to have a great family like you do."
"Just think you will also be a part of our great family when Aunt Beru and Uncle Owen adopt you. You will be related to your hero."
Zachary blushed, "Yea. He's the one that kept me going those hard days and nights. Did you know he was a slave?"
"Yes, he won his freedom in the pod race at the Boonta Eve Classic."
"He's a patient teacher, even when I kept handing him the wrong tools."
A' Marie whispered, "Did you ever hear him curse?"
"Yea, he speaks Huttese and his accent is like mine." Zachary smiled.
"Its funny ain't it?"
Zachary laughed, "Yea who would have thought that he would be the type. He seems so cultured."
"You're lucky you haven't seen him mad yet."
"He gets mad?"
"Yea, you'll know it too. The air temperature drops about twenty degrees and he does this." A' Marie stood to her feet, put her hands on her hips and glared at Zachary.
"That's scary! I hope I never see him like that!" Zak wanted to go hide.
"He only has one major pet peeve that I should warn you about, especially since you'll be in our family."
"What's that?"
"Don't ever lie to him, not even a little white lie. First he can pick up on lies like a flea from a bantha. Second, that stance I just went into he will intimidate you further."
"What does he do?"
"You don't want to know, trust me."
Zachary left it at that and followed A' Marie into the kitchen to get a glass of juice and then hugged each other good night and went to their respective bedrooms.
Author's Note:I was hesitant to bring in another abused orphan into the scene. But I thought that maybe Beru and Owen needed a child to raise. I couldn't really think of another way of doing it and Zachary though he's been on the streets for awhile desperately needed a family that would love and accept him as he was. I thought also that there was some comic relief needed especially when Han was once again trying to express his love for Leia and a kid interrupted, again. The next chapter is going to be wedding preparations and poor A' Marie will have to wear another dress. (No, it will not be pink.) Thanks again for all the kind reviews. DarthGladiator45