Obi-Wan P.O.V

Thankfully the sandstorms seemed to disappear as quickly as they started. In a few hours, the storm was gone and everyone was back in town running their businesses.

Padmé and I were on our way to see Watto. Anakin had already headed over there as soon as the storm had ended and we had decided to leave Jar Jar and R2 back with Shmi.

"I really don't feel comfortable about this" Padmé said. I could practically feel the tension emitting from her.

Honestly, I couldn't blame her. I wasn't looking forward to telling my master about this plan but it just felt right and that was enough for me.

"Don't trust me?" I teased.

A faint smile glanced her lips "I do but there is a big difference between trusting you and betting everything on a kid in a pod race" she commented.

Another wave of worry came from her "I understand that" I say stopping outside Watto's shop "but this is our only option and trust me, it will all work out" I give her shoulder a reassuring squeeze before walking past her and into the shop.

When I entered the shop I see Watto hovering near the counter like he was waiting for me.

"The boy tells me you want to sponsor him in the race tomorrow. You cannot do that with republic credits" Watto said with an arrogant laugh.

I give him a smirk "I will be using my ship as the entry fee" I say as I bring out a small device that shows Watto a hologram of our ship.

"A Nubian… not bad" Watto said after examining it.

"Apart from the parts I need, it's all there and works fine" I inform him.

"But what will the boy ride? The last pod I let him ride got smashed up" the flying creature commented.

Anakin stepped from behind the counter hearing that "That wasn't my fault. Sabulba flashed me with his vent ports. I actually managed to save the pod...mostly"

Watto laughed a little at that "Indeed you did. The boy is good"

"I actually just recently acquired a pod in a game of chance. The fastest ever built" I say with confidence.

"I hope you didn't kill anyone I know for it" Watto says with a laugh but eyes me suspiciously. I just keep my smirk on my face.

"So, you provide the pod and the entry fee. I provide the boy and we split the winnings fifty-fifty?" Watto suggested.

I stare at him for a moment "if it's going to be fifty-fifty then why don't you front the entry fee. If we win, you keep all the prize money. Minus the cost of the parts we need...if we lose then you get my ship" I say shaking the small device in my hand to tempt Watto a little.

Watto seemed to be in deep thought when Anakin started to give off nervous energy so I added "Either way, you win"

That seemed to do the trick "Deal" Watto said and then started to fly off.

I bowed to him and made my way out of the shop.

"How'd it go?" Padmé asked when I got back to her.

"We got the deal. Now, all we need is that pod to work" I say.

Qui-Gon P.O.V

"I'm sorry I didn't consult with you on the plan master but there is no other way and with the race tomorrow, time isn't on our side" Obi-Wan said through the communicator in my hand.

He had just informed me about everything that has happened since the last time we had been in contact and even though he had acted on his own. I couldn't help but feel pride for my padawan.

"There is no need to apologize Obi-Wan. In the same situation I would have done the same thing" I said hoping to put his mind at ease.

"Thank you, Master. As we speak the pod is being prepared" he informed me.

"Good" I say before asking "this boy, is he really capable of racing one?"

"yes, Master. I can't explain it fully but I believe in his ability and he is very bright. there's just something about him" my padawan says.

I nodded even though I knew he couldn't see it "See if you can get a small blood sample for a midi-chlorian count" I inform him.

"I will try to Master. I got to go now, may the force be with you" he said and then cutting off the communicator.

I leaned back in my chair with a smile on my face 'it seems that you have become a fine Jedi Obi-Wan. You are more than ready for the trials when all this is over' I thought to myself.

Obi-Wan P.O.V

It was now night. Thankfully during the day Anakin (with everyone's help) had been able to get his pod working which meant everything was ready for tomorrow.

Anakin and I were currently sat on the stone balcony. Anakin had cut himself while working so I was cleaning it.

"There are so many" the boy said as he stared at the vast number of stars above us "do they all have a system of planets?" he asked.

I briefly look up before going back to concentrating on his cut "most of them" I answered.

"Has anyone ever seen them all?" he asked.

I let out a chuckle "I doubt it"

"I'm going to be the first one to see them all...ouch" he said as I wiped some blood from Anakin's arm.

"All done" I say with a smile.

"Anakin bedtime" we hear Shmi call from inside the house.

I put the blood into my communicator.

"What are you doing?" Anakin asked.

"Just checking for infections" I lied but gave him another smile so he wouldn't notice.

"Ani. I'm not going to tell you again" Shmi called a little louder and sterner this time.

"Coming" the small boy answered before heading into the house.

I waited a minute before activating my communicator "Master are you there?" I asked.

Almost immediately Qui-Gon replies "I'm here Obi-Wan"

"I got the sample needed for the midi-chlorian count. I'm sending it now" I inform him. I hear some shuffling and sounds coming from his side and wait for him to finish checking.

"Obi-Wan are you sure the connection with the communicators are good?" he asked.

I quickly check the connection before responding "The connection is in good order master. Why do you ask?"

"The boys reading is over twenty thousand" Qui-Gon informed me. His voice filled with shock and disbelief.

Which wasn't far off from what I was feeling myself. It had been a while since I had been shocked and surprised like this. I called out for the force to try and calm myself a little and recover.

"But not even Master Yoda's count is that high" shock still in my voice a little.

"No Jedi has" Qui-Gon replied.

"What does this mean Master?" I asked.

"I'm not sure. I must go meditate on this" he replied and then ended the communication. I put my communicator away and deciding mediation sounded like a good idea right now.

Padmé P.O.V

It had been around an hour or so since everyone had retired for the night but sleep was avoiding me tonight. How could it not? Here I was on an unknown planet with the only hope of saving my people was resting on the shoulders of a small boy.

Even before that the Jedi and an R2 unit had saved me. I'm meant to be the Queen and I can't do anything. I feel the frustration grow until I needed some air.

I threw the blanket I had been given off and headed for the stone balcony I had seen earlier but when I arrived I was surprised to find Obi-Wan on there. Standing in the center of it with his back to me.

I was about to leave. Not wanting to bother him when his voice stopped me "can't sleep?"

I felt myself smile. 'How does he make me smile when I feel so low?' I quickly thought before answering "At this point, I am convinced Jedi are just psychic"

He turned his head and gave me a smirk "who's to say we aren't?" he teased.

I keep my smile as I walked up beside him "I'm sorry if I disturbed you" I say softly.

"You didn't" he replied. "I was just thinking about a few things on my mind"

"Anything I can help with?" I asked looking up at him.

He smiled down at me "Not unless you know how to tell the future" he said.

"Sorry. that's not one of my talents" I teased and was happy when I received a chuckle from him. I seemed to be hiding my low mood.

"Guess I will have to look for help elsewhere then" he said feigning disappointment but then his face changed to a concerned expression.

"What?" I asked confused.

"I'm waiting for you to tell me what's bothering you" he said. Guess I wasn't hiding it as well as I thought or was his Jedi senses just that good at reading things.

I sighed and decided to be honest "I suppose it's a combination of everything I told you on the ship and that I feel as though I am letting everyone down by letting everything get to me this much"

It felt weird admitting all this out loud. Never had I been so open with someone. I saw him nod his head and he seemed to think for a second.

"I think you might be looking at this the wrong way" he said softly.

"What do you mean?" I asked a little confused.

"The way you are feeling about this situation is completely understandable but even with all of that going on and how you are feeling. You are out here with the Queen and doing anything you can to help. That's strength to me" he explained.

I didn't know what to say. I couldn't even think of anything to respond to something as kind and as sweet as that.

"You aren't letting anyone down either. I have seen how you are and how people count on you. You are lifting people up. Not dragging them down" he said with a smile.

That's when it happened. I don't know if it was because of how I was feeling, if it was the fact he was saying these wonderful things about me when I desperately needed to hear them or if it was the fact this is the first time I had opened up to anyone about how I was feeling and he accepted and then helped me.

Whatever the reason. My body acted on its own and before I knew it, I had my arms wrapped around his waist and my head was resting against his chest. Even as I came to my senses I still didn't move away.

"Thank you" I whispered softly.

To my surprise, I felt him bring an arm up and wrap it around my back in a one-armed hug "You're welcome" he replied in a soft voice.

So I really wanted a tender moment with Obi-Wan and Padmé and I hope it came off ok.

as always please leave a review to let me know how its going and I hope everyone is staying safe out there.