**I've had this story up before, but I'm reposting a chapter a day so more people get to read it**

Chapter Two

Weak, Tired, Beaten…But Alive

A flashing blue lightsaber completed the hole in the wall of the hut. Anakin wasted no time climbing through it, almost forgetting to keep quiet, know several

Tuskens were still awake at their campsite. He pulls himself up to his full height inside the gloomy hut, and his voice caught in his throat, only allowing a short gasp to escape his lips. By the light of the moon coming in through the newly formed whole, Anakin saw Shmi, hanging from a wooden frame like a wounded animal in the middle of the hut.
           Holding his breath, Anakin cut his mother free, cradled her into his arms, and lowered her smoothly to the ground. Her eyes were closed and her face was bloodied. Anakin knew she had been terribly beaten. He supported her light body tenderly.
         "Mom... Mom... Mom..." Shmi's eyelids, caked with blood, fluttered weakly and eventually opened a little..
         "Ani...? Ani… Is it you?" Shmi's eyes focused slowly, disbelieving the sight in front of her.
         Anakin gave a little choking gasp. "I'm here, Mom. You're safe."
         "Ani…? Ani…? Is it really you?" She looked into those eyes of such unfathomable blue, and any doubts were immediately erased from her mind. "Oh, you look so handsome," she said with a small grin. She placed a bloody hand on his cheek tenderly. "My son... my grown-up son. I'm so proud of you, honey."

         Anakin smiled back at her. "I missed you," he said softly.
         Shmi looked into her grown son's eyes. "My grown Ani. I always knew you would return, but I…" Her voice trailed, a thousand thoughts suddenly coming at once. So much needed to be said.

         "I wanted to come back," he said softly. Anakin tried to stop himself from crying, but the attempt was in vain. "I love you, Mom."

         "I love you too, my son."

         He looked around the hut. "It's too bad we weren't reunited under better circumstances, eh?"

         Shmi smiled deeply, and the old sparkle that Anakin had known all his life slowly started to return to her eyes. "Ani, my Ani, you haven't changed. Still have… that wittiness in you." She paused. Her amount of strength was limited, but her amount of questions was infinite. She tried to start with the most basic of them. "How are you, my son?"

         Anakin reluctantly shook his head. "Mom, I want to talk forever, but not here. We need to get you out of this place, now."

         Shmi closed her eyes. "I'm to weak to walk, Ani. You'll have to carry me."

         Anakin nodded his head and slowly, quietly, he picked his mother up gently into his arms. He carefully stepped out into the night through the hole in the hut he had made, then silently made his way back to the speeder.

         By the time he had traveled back to the bike, his mother had slipped into unconsciousness. In a way, though, he was relived. He worried that if his mother were awake, she might not be able to withstand the pain.

         A million thoughts were going through his head. He was going to tell his mother all that had happened to him in the past ten years, and she would be proud of him. He couldn't wait to tell her everything—his Jedi training, his friends, his mentor, all the good work he had already done, and most of all, about Padme. How he wanted his mom to get to know Padme! Half a day in their home back in Mos Eisley wasn't enough to get to know the beautiful creature that was Padme, but now they had time. She will obviously love her. How could she not? And Padme will love her, too.

         Skillfully moving her so that she was positioned in his lap where he could still operate the machine, Anakin tore off for the Lars homestead.

         Owen smiled as he looked the newly furnished Threepio. "Well, Padme, I think he should be yours from now on... I know that is what my Mom would want."
         "Oh, my!" Threepio proclaimed, and he looked at the two other beings with him in the Lars garage in what could only be called wonderment.
         Then suddenly, from outside they heard Beru's voice. "Come topside, everybody! He's back! He's back!" came Beru's call from outside the garage. Padme immediately tore for the door, and raced for the top. Owen turned and rushed out right behind her. She held tentatively her breath.

         Cliegg was already hovering out there in his chair, and soon she saw what he was intently staring at.

         Anakin came zooming up to them on the speeder bike. In his arms was a limp, skinny, and bloody body. Shmi Skywalker. Padme shut her eyes to stop the tears, but those tears became those of joy when she opened them again. Anakin's mother might be limp and skinny and bloody, but she was alive. Unconscious, but alive.

         Cliegg moved up to Anakin in his chair, and raised his hand to Shmi's cheek. He stroked it tenderly, and then kissed her forehead. He was feeling too emotional for words. Anakin then lifted her up off the speeder, and said swiftly, "She's here, but just barely. We need to take care of her. Quickly!"

         Padme heard the slight fear in Anakin's voice, and looked at Beru. "Beru?" she asked hurriedly. "Can you get me some towels and water, please? Owen, get her bed ready with soft sheets and pillows. Have pain killers next to her ready." She turned to Anakin. "Ani, take her down, we need to get her out of the sun and someplace cool immediately." When Anakin looked at her, confused, she explained, "My mother used to visit houses at home, kind of like a volunteer doctor. I was her helper, and watched her do many things, including treat a beaten woman."

         This was enough ground for authority on the matter for Owen and Beru, who immediately went to their tasks without debate. On the other hand, for the first time in a day and a half, Anakin smiled. "Padme, you never cease to amaze me."

         As he walked past her, his mother still in his arms, Padme replied with a grin, "Anakin, I still have many more tricks of my sleeve. Now hurry!" Cliegg stayed right at Anakin's heel as he ushered inside, offering encouraging words to his wife.

         An hour later, Anakin and Padme sat on either side of Shmi Skywalker's bed in a comfortable silence. Shmi had finally stabilized a few minutes before, and was now sleeping. The two relaxed a bit, and Padme continuously placed a wet washcloth on Shmi's face, dabbing lightly on her bloody cuts. To Anakin, his mother was already returning to the normal image he had always remembered, now that the mask of blood and dirt and sweat was gone.

         He sighed and silently watched Padme cleanse his mother's wounds on her hands and arms. He was touched at the care and caution Padme was using on Shmi. Softly, and full of hidden love, Anakin whispered to her, "Thank you."

         Padme stared back at him, a little startled in the sudden break of silence, but smiled warmly and nodded her head. "Your welcome, Anakin. I'm only glad I could help."

         Anakin reached out across the bed and took her hand. He squeezed it softly. Looking into her eyes, he whispered, "Just you being here helps."

         Padme smiled even more beautifully, and Anakin's heart did flip-flops. She whispered back, "I wouldn't rather be anywhere else."

         After a moment, Anakin cracked a grin. "Well, what about the Galactic Senate? Wouldn't you rather be Senator Amidala right now, debating about creating an army for the Republic?"

         Padme gave his hand a tight squeeze. "Bite your tongue! Right now, this is more important to me."

         Anakin could hardly believe his ears. He smiled back at Padme again, his eyes drinking her in. "Thank you," he repeated.

         Padme waved her other hand carelessly, and said, "Forget it, you would have done the same for me."

         Anakin nodded, and leaned forward. After he slowly kissed her soft hand, he replied, "You're right, I would have."

         Padme looked back at him. She knew she should look away, but didn't. She didn't want to.

         Anakin took a breath, and prepared to say the three words he'd been feeling for years, regardless of the consequences. "Padme… I lo—"

         "Ah… "

         "Mom!" Anakin suddenly exclaimed. "You're back!"

         On the other side of the single bed, Padme smiled hugely. She turned for the door and called,  "Owen! Beru! Mr. Lars! She's waking up! Come quickly!"

         Almost immediately, Cliegg, Owen, and Beru arrived at the door. Cliegg came in first and went to his wife's side next to Padme. Beru went to the foot of the bed, and Owen knelt beside Anakin.

         "Oh, my darling wife," Cliegg whispered with love. "I was so worried about you!"

         Shmi slowly but surely opened her eyes. "I… missed… you… too… my love," she wheezed.

         Tears streamed down Cliegg's face. He laid his hand on hers softly and replied, "Save your strength, dearest. You have broken many ribs, besides some other bones. But you're alive, you're safe, and you're home, so just rest."

         Anakin nodded his head while he blinked away tears. "Yes, mom. Don't talk. The only reason why you were able to talk so much with me when I found you was because you were using all of your adrenaline from seeing me again—now none is left. Just know we are all here, and that we love you."

         Shmi started to say something, but obediently closed her eyes and fell back into a deep sleep. For the next two hours, nobody left her side.

         It had been four hours since Anakin had brought back his mother when Padme did another check of her heartbeat, and gladly reported that Shmi had improved greatly. Beru left to get some blue milk for everyone, and Owen went to refill the bloody water in the bowl beside Padme that she had been using to wet the cloth. Cliegg would not leave his wife's side.

         Padme eyed Anakin and saw how tired he actually was. It must have been hours since he had eaten some food, and it showed. He hadn't slept in days, and he was overly exhausted from the anxiety over his mother.

         Anakin noticed her stare. "What?"

         Padme paused for a moment, then asked, "Anakin, how long has it been since you've rested?"

         Anakin shifted in his chair, not looking at her, then softly replied, "I can't leave her side. What if she wakes up? Or what if something happens?"

         Padme continued to gaze at him. She now saw the faint dark circles under his eyes. "If she wakes up, I'd call for you immediately. But she is getting better, not worse, so you have nothing to worry about. You look like you need the rest, and some food."

         Anakin was still reluctant, despite the total exhaustion he was feeling. "Padme, she needs me here. I haven't seen her in ten years, and I don't want to waste another moment."

         Padme placed her hand on his, and whispered, "But she has years to come to see you. There will be plenty of time to catch up with her."

         After a few more minutes of mild arguing, Anakin finally stood up and asked quietly, "Someone will call me the minute she wakes up, right? I have you're word on that?"

         Padme smiled and nodded. "Don't worry, she'll be fine, and someone will come get you the second she moves. Now go, and get some much needed rest." She turned back to his mother, and continued wiping her face with the damp cloth, moisturizing the dry, brittle skin.

         Anakin, now that he had decided to rest, felt like collapsing. He trusted Padme to look after his mother with the care she deserved, and was more thankful than ever that she was there. As he passed Cliegg, he muttered to be able find him in the garage, and smiled weakly at the pat he received on the back from the old man.

         Padme watched Anakin leave the room from the corner of her eye, and was extremely touched at the obvious deep, moving love he had for his mother. It reminded her at the extreme compassion she felt for her own parents.

         Anakin weakly made his way to the garage, and using a wide, thick blanket he had found, laid it on the ground to make a bed. He made a pillow from his waded up Jedi robe, and kicked off his shoes.

         For the first time in months, Anakin slept in a peaceful, deep sleep, knowing his mother was safe and home.

To Be Continued… tomorrow…

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