A/N: I wanted to take a moment to give thanks to all my reviewers, especially my, ever vigilante, regular reviewers. I read them and I wanted to let you guys know that I really appreciate you all! Thank you so much for the reviews! It helps me understand what you guys are thinking and the impression you're getting from the story. Yeah, it's been a pretty dark story so far.

Just so you know, the lowest point of the story has passed! It was Chapter 8 and now the story is on an upwards trajectory. I don't want you guys to stress out too much with the story. Anakin will live in the end but he'll have to fight his way back up to fulfill his destiny. (Because even if you attempt to defy destiny, the inevitable will still happen!) I don't want Anakin to die in any of my stories. I think canon is the darkest timeline for that poor guy!

Please enjoy!

Chapter 10

Lah'mu, Outer Rim

Standing in front of the smallest shop on the road, Obi Wan had his hands on his hips, wondering really what he would find here. Just by the looks of the place, it didn't appear promising. Compared to the other shops, it was so run down and disorganized with randoms parts piled haphazardly that he questioned if it was the right place.

But sure enough, it was.

Running into some mechanical trouble with his compressor, a recommendation was given to head to this shop on Lah'mu. The rebellion worked on a very restricted budget and he had flown his little shuttle hard through the deep space of the Outer Rim. Rather than having the rebellion mechanics fix and discover how many parsecs he's put on the ship he decided to try and fix it on his own.

Only to make it worse.

Digging into the Rebellion's bare pockets to fix his mistake was not an option and he decided to venture out on his own. He had heard of a mechanic with magical hands.

A mechanical genius.

Able to fix everything and anything you put in front of him. It was softly whispered in the darkest corners as people held this precious secret close to them. An old lady had taken pity on him on a nearby planet as he cursed trying to fix the shuttle, throwing a wrench off out a viewport. Hushing him not to tell her husband, she revealed the cherished information with him. Apparently, not only was the mechanic exceptionally talented but also incredibly charismatic as his clients spoke highly of him.

It was a long shot. He had hoped and prayed the Force was with him, believing it was him. There's only one person out there with such impressive skill and disgusting charm.

"Did he have a cybernetic right arm?" Obi Wan inquired after chatting with Caasi for a bit to gain his trust.

"Cybernetic right arm? Huh. Not sure. The guy wears gloves on both his hands. I figured he didn't want to get his hands dirty." Caasi shrugged helplessly.

Frustration growing, Obi Wan pushed further. "What about a scar down his right eye?" He motioned where it would be.

Again, the mimbanese shrugged. "Maybe? The guy is as furry as a wookiee! Your guess is as good as mine."

Obi Wan rubbed his face furiously as he squinted his eyes shut while the shop keeper continued. "Look, it doesn't matter what his appearance is. Alright, whatever it is you got, he's going to fix it. Guaranteed."

Defeated, the cloaked Jedi half heartedly replied, "Well, I'll just have to take your word for it."

The owner just chuckles. "Oh, trust me. You're going to love him. Everyone does. Just don't get too attached. He's as skittish as a tooka being chased by a pack of children."

Obi Wan replied, his interested peaked. "Why do you say that?"

"If you want to get whatever you have fixed, I suggest leaving it here. No one knows when he comes, how long he stays, and when he leaves. I've lost bets on when he shows up and I'm the most likely person to know him too!" Caasi sensed his potential client's uneasiness. "Usually I don't do this but I'll discount your storage fee for your equipment while you wait for him to come."

Ever the businessman, he knew how to ring out every last credit he could get out of a client even when there wasn't a mechanic around but that's not why Obi Wan was here.

Obi Wan laughed to himself and shook his head casually, hoping to draw more information from the dark red skinned fellow. "It sounds like this person isn't doing it for the money, it seems."

"Yeah, I think he just gets bored. I mean, I can't imagine being a farmer would be all that exciting."

Obi Wan's shoulders twitched excitedly as he tried to contain his revelry. "He's a farmer?"

"Yeah, something about a farm and a family, but that's all I know. He could live on any number of planets." Wagging a finger at Obi Wan, he warned. "If you're thinking about trying to find him yourself, good luck! His ship is untraceable. This guy's serious about not being found unless he wants to be. It's funny how people keep asking me about his farm." He shook his head in disbelief. "A fool's errand if you ask me."

Satisfied, the galaxy weary Jedi bowed to the shop keeper. "Thank you, Caasi. You have been most helpful."

The shop keeper sputtered, "uh, sure. So you want to leave your equipment or not?"

"That won't be necessary." Obi Wan waved two of his fingers in front of him. "You never saw me. You were just out here taking stock of inventory."

The mimbanese's eyes glazed over as he repeated in a robotic tone, "I never saw you and I was out here doing my inventory."

Unable to contain his excitement as well as he hoped, his shuffling feet quickly moving underneath him as he darted out of the shop to the spaceport. A rush of thrill surged through him. It had to be him! An exemplary mechanic with a dashing charm who took so much care to conceal his identity and his whereabouts.

It screamed Anakin Skywalker.

The logical part of his mind warned him this could be for naught, another dead end, while the other part was so hungry for hope it dived in completely. Heeding Caasi's words, maybe most people couldn't find Anakin but Obi Wan wasn't just anyone; he was Anakin's Master within the Jedi order, his brother in arms, a father figure, and at one time-his friend. He raised Anakin and taught him everything he knows. Spending so much time together, he knew Anakin's thoughts and actions and he was the one to teach him all those Jedi tricks to conceal himself and go undercover.

He could do what no one else could do, not because he's Obi Wan but because of his relationship with Anakin.

Fueled with this new knowledge and Obi Wan's dogmatic, relentless determination, he finally felt like he had his first real taste of actually finding him.

Nevah, Unknown Region

Skywalker farm

A soft moan rippled through the stillness of the calm night. Padmé's senses slowly coming back down from the intoxicating high she experienced. Her body alive and on fire as the tingling coursing through her body numbed and subsided. Faintly, she was aware of her husband still deep inside her as his sweat glistened body strained on top of her. Erotically, she loved hearing her beloved husband's lustful groan as he made his way through his own amazing release. His toned sweat slicked body dropping heavily on top of her as he came down from his high. She didn't mind the weight and in fact welcomed it. It felt good for their mind, body, and soul to be fused so intimately together.

The air hung warm and thick with the scent of their love making.

As necessary as Anakin's trips were, Padmé never enjoyed it when he left, but it was a different story when he returned. Their reunions were always sweet as an unspoken rule. In the intimacy of their bedroom, fervently, they rejoined as a couple still madly in love and hungrily lustful for each other's embrace. It was an addiction for each other that burn brightly long after every return.

The soft body shifted underneath Anakin beckoning him back into his body as his awareness returned. Hesitantly, he pulled his strong, toned body off his small wife's frame and rolled over to his beloved's side heavily, pulling her towards him, already missing her touch. With a satisfied grin on his face, he nuzzled his thick beard into her neck. Jolting at the action, Padmé giggled and retracted in response to the coarse, itchy beard against her sensitive neck as Anakin chuckled lightly.

"What? I thought you liked my beard."

She brushed a long, sweat plastered strand of hair out of her adoring husband's face so she could clearly see his beautiful blue eyes. Her fingers dropped down to stroke the side of his beard.

"Like is a strong word." She responded with a relaxed smile on her face. "But it does make you look distinguished."

Anakin raised an eyebrow. "So you think I look good with one but you don't like it?" His face was clearly confused as to how the two things could not be related.

Padmé sighed sweetly as she took a finger tracing his beard, her body pleasantly numb from their aggressive negotiations, and half heartily explained her reasoning.

"It's course and rough and…"

"So, you don't like the beard?" Anakin concluded with a frown.

Replacing the finger with the palm of her hand, she lovely cupped her husband's face, imagining what he looked like without it. "It covers up too much of your handsome face."

"I'll shave it off," Anakin quickly conceded.

Laughing loudly, Padmé knew why he grew it out in the first place. She wouldn't chance him being recognized without the beard. It was a part of his identity now.

Slapping his chest playfully, she countered, as the former Queen and Senator's voice commanded. "You will do no such thing!"

Anakin pouted, yet his eyes twinkled mischievously.

"Do you have any idea how beautiful you are?" Anakin breathed.

The heat rushed to Padmé's cheeks as the inevitable red tinted blush appeared. He always knew what to say to make her stomach flip and she had a feeling that'll never change-the things he did to her.

Adoringly, Anakin watched his sweet wife loving how he could make her blush so easily with such honesty that came easy to him. Unable to resist, he leaned over to capture Padmé's soft, kiss swollen lips with his own.

In the beginning, the kiss was soft and tender, then quickly evolving into something rougher with their passion as their breath mingled. Anakin flipped and pressed his body above and flush over Padmé's as he moaned with his desire for her. His hands roaming her body as she felt his love surging through his touch.

Breaking their heated kiss, Padmé giggled at her husband's relentlessness, "Again? You really are insatiable!"

Anakin breathed against her lips, "only for you."

He flashed her a charming smile she couldn't resist as her body molded under his wonderful hands and she thrusted her hips up against him instinctively. The air around them electrified as they held each other in a trusting embrace.

Shrilling loudly, an unwelcome alarm broke the intimacy of the moment with its urgency.

Agitated by the disruption, Anakin whipped his head, glancing over to the security monitors in their bedroom, hoping against all odds what could have triggered the alarms.

Groaning at the specific lights that blinked urgently, he quickly leaped out of bed, accessing the controls. Swiping through the various prompts, he stated, his voice tight and strained. "The perimeter sensors went off."

Padmé quickly came beside him as she grabbed a robe and flung it over her shoulders. "Maybe it's another boar?"

Tight lipped, Anakin's fingers worked the monitors quickly rotating through the various holocams stationed around the farm. His heart skipped a beat; in the north most corner was a shuttle docked partially obscured by the nearby trees, far off in the distance. Switching to another view, several meters away, a biped figure in a heavy, dark cloak was slowly making its way through the foliage towards the edge of the crops.

"Dank Farrik!" Anakin exclaimed as Padmé covered her mouth, gaped at the dark silhouette on the screen.

There hasn't been anyone even close to this area of the unknown regions since they arrived. And most definitely no one that has ever set foot on the planet. Worry coursed through Padmé's veins, hot and livid with its implications.

Dread rising in his chest, Anakin darted for his clothes piled on the floor and quickly dressed. Once Padmé could peel her eyes away from the screen, finally accepting the reality of the moment, she also threw some clothes on.

"Go get the children." Anakin barked harshly as he yanked a jacket over his tunic. "Take them to the bunker."

"I know," Padmé quipped more out of fear than anger. Anakin had built out a secret bunker for Padmé and the children to hide in an emergency. It was filled with food, clothing, and supplies needed to last for several weeks to sustain them until a threat had passed.

Anakin didn't even notice the edge in Padmé's voice as his thoughts became a tornado of trepidation and determination. Reaching for his rifle, he checked to ensure everything was still working before he flung the strap over his shoulder.

"Wait!" Padmé called out as she quickly made her way over to the bed. Underneath it, she pulled out a worn rectangular box, punched in the code, unlocking the latch, and threw the lid open.

Before she could reach inside, her hand halted at the sound of her husband's voice.

"Leave it," he insisted.

Eyebrows furrowed, she threw him a look. "You might need it."

Anakin grimaced, his eyes darting back and forth, dreading what laid expectantly in the box. "It's too risky."

"Anakin, please?" Padmé's eyes wide with fear and her breath haggard, unable to remain calm, fearing the worse.

A scowl crossed Anakin's face. He didn't have the Force to tell him who was out there but his gut instincts urged him to bring it. He hadn't touched it, much less looked at it in years. Skeptically, he didn't even know if he could wield it anymore but Padmé's logic was undeniable.

He'll need it.

"Fine." He relented.

Padmé smiled, satisfied, turning back to the open box. Neatly folded, laid his Jedi robes and on top of it was his utility belt and lightsaber. She threw the utility belt to him.

In one fluid movement, he reached out and clutched the familiar worn leather under his palm. Trembling, he drew in a sharp, shaky breath as memories of his former life passed through his mind quickly before he willed them away. Now was not the time. His body shuddered slightly at the adrenaline surging through him while he quickly fastened his belt, his lightsaber softly tapping at his side as he pulled his jacket covering it.

"If you don't hear from me in thirty minutes you know what to do."

Having prepared for scenarios like this, they had a plan for every imaginable situation, but it didn't make it any easier when it occurred. Prepared or not, the thunderous waves of dread stemming from the stark reality of the situation could not be blunted.

Fear blinding her sight, Padmé pulled on Anakin's tunic roughly and, squeezing her eyes shut, crushing her lips against his. He returned the passionate, frantic kiss. As they broke away, a sense of desperation overcame her as she cupped his face seeking consolation as she gazed deeply into his blue eyes, committing them to memory. "Be careful, Ani!"

Cherishing the moment, he nodded as he tenderly ran his hand through her hair at a loss for words. After a moment's consideration, he turned abruptly as she watched him barrel through the door, sneaking one more glance at her before shutting the door behind him.

Clutching her chest, willing her racing heart to steady, she took a deep breath pushing down her willful worries and raging emotions. Once satisfied she was back in control, she quickly made it over to the children's room.

Opening the door as gently as she could, despite her shaking hand's betrayal, she twisted the doorknob peering into the room. Luke and Leia had their own beds on opposite sides. Sure enough, they both sat up in their beds with worried sleepy eyes.

"Momma, what's going on?" Leia asked first, her tiny hands clutching at the sheets.

Luke rubbing the sleep from his eyes, questioned, "Why are the alarms going off? Are we in trouble?"

Biting her lip, the children's concerned looks threaten her own emotions to bubble back up. Padmé quickly switched back into mother mode as she crossed their room over to Luke, sitting next to him and speaking in a comforting tone. "Oh no, sweetie. Something must have tripped the security fence. Your daddy is just checking it out." Planting a kiss on Luke's head, her time as a politician taught her that half truths were always more convincing than a complete lie. Gently peeling the sheets off Luke's small legs, she helped him out of bed.

"He'll be back soon, but you know what we need to do now, right? We've been through this multiple times. Just like we practiced." In a measured tone, she replied, keeping calm for the children's sake. She had made it a game for them to practice going down to the bunker, hoping that if they ever needed to, it'll give the children some comfort and familiarity. Remembering the rules of his mother's game Luke obediently pulled on his shoes.

Satisfied with what she saw, she made her way over to Leia, who was in the process of getting out of bed with her feet dangling at the edge, waiting expectantly. Putting up a brave front, Leia's face demonstrated a calm, collected look she's seen on her mother multiple times even as her eyes glinted with fear. A sense of pride swelled up in Padmé as she drew Leia in for a quick, comforting hug and modeled the expression of boldness Leia was imitating before speaking.

"We're going to go down to the bunker and wait there until daddy says it's ok."

Padmé held her hand out and Leia, trusting her mother, dutifully slid off her bed grabbing her mother's hand tightly. After a couple of minutes of the quiet shuffling of clothes with both children bundled up, she held both their hands as she soothed them with a reassuring smile. "Just like we practiced, ok."

The children nodded stiffly as they clung to their mother's side. With a practiced discipline, Padmé quickly rushed them out the back door. Once outside, the cold wind bit at their face bitterly as they blinked to get their bearings. In the distance, even the chickens sensed something a miss as they rustled agitatedly in their coop.

Luke clung to his mother's side, his small face twisted into a worried frown, "I don't like this, Momma. Something wrong."

Slightly unnerved by his confession, she squeezed his hand tighter. Despite's Anakin's reluctance to teach them how to use the Force, she understood how natural it was to them, the Force warned her son, but she couldn't scare him further. Her first priority was to get them safely into the bunker. "I know you're scared but you have to trust daddy. We need to get down to the bunker so he'll know where to find us."

Looking down, Padmé recognized the piercing gaze in Luke's deep blue eyes so similar to his father's. Sure enough, she saw in them the same look her husband gave her many times before and it made her hair stand on end. Before she could do anything, Luke let go of her hand and took off. Engulfed by the perilous black abyss of the night.

"Luke!" She shrilled loudly. "Luke, get back here!" But it was too late. The black curtain of the night swallowed her son whole.

A/N: I know. Cliffhanger….but the next chapter will be worth it! Obi Wan and Anakin will finally meet again!

I also stole a line from Satine and Obi Wan in TCW. I couldn't help but poke fun at Anakin's beard.

I left a teeny tiny hint in this chapter that will get revisited in the later chapters ahead.

Next update will be for the DNE story.