This one is a bit shorter, but I wanted to get an update in this week. I have a part-time job now, but thankfully, it hasn't interfered with my writing.

Ewan's girl Yeah, there are so many avenues this could take, it's just a little intimidating trying to choose! Thank you for the comments so much.

Fudge Obi-Wan will join the fun…just not yet! Thank you for the review.

Mystic665 Thank you!

Athena Leigh I'm so glad you liked it. Writing Bruck was a bit of a challenge, since I've never really explored his character before-especially in an AU setting! Thank you for your support.

Mayster Kaym Thank you so much!

Jedi71 Thank you for reading and replying. I really appreciate it!

Kynstar Somehow, I knew you'd be the first to comment here, girl! Thank you so, so much!

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Anakin Skywalker was trying very hard to be patient and still. Really, he was. All night, he had laid in his bed, hands folded over his stomach, eyes sturdily fastened shut. He regulated his breathing, even counted dewbacks. The problem with dewbacks was, they were slow creatures that trudged through the desert landscaped across his consciousness, and while he waited for one to complete the journey over the dunes, his mind would start to wander to more exhilarating things. Like crackling swords of colored energy, the wonderfully dizzying speed of a starfighter as it jetted through the black, seeing the delicate, white pulse of nightlights so close they could graze his nose, watching an explosion rock space itself, feeling the rumble and knowing he had been the instigator of it all, while the others, the adults, looked on in surprise and awe.

Then he would blink in the darkness of the room and yank himself back to the present. It was like what Master Qui-Gon had told him, to 'live in the moment'. So that's what he did. He focused on the seconds as they ticked by, doing his best not to reflect on the past, or get caught in the whirlwind excitement and worry of the future. Anakin was motionless beneath the blanket, and marveled over how big the bed was, wide enough to fit at least four more, and long enough to tuck in another few. It was hugely different than his sleepcouch on Tatooine, barely more than an outcropping of the wall. Sometimes, he would be curled up on the thin mattress, and his mind would venture to the uncharted shadow lands of distant tomorrows, a time riddled with uncertainty. What would happen when he grew and his short bed no longer held him? Would it be like the shackles, always able to contort to fit him?

Now, suddenly, after years of dread, those questions seemed to have evaporated, instantly replaced by a new set. Would this strange title of the Chosen One, would it wrap around him so easily? He trusted Qui-Gon Jinn, that should have been enough to satisfy Anakin. But he wasn't satisfied. The man was his savior, but they remained something close to strangers, and Anakin was aware that he was different, an 'ugly little spot on the Force', as Bruck Chun had dubbed him. Would everyone else be able to function under Master Jinn's philosophy? Could they see Anakin as he was currently, or would their minds sift through the boy's past, searching for the ugly little spots?

Would the label of the Chosen One be the evolved chains, with all the old rust, locked to his wrists?

He had turned his head to press his cheek against the cool pillow, and studied the elaborate décor of the quarters. Everything was so pristine and beautiful, as though the fabric were spun by the fingers of angels.

Their translucent wings hovered in his sleepless, dreamy sight, along with a blur of chestnut, a flash of a soft smile.

Padme. This was Padme's home, and the thought settled in him as warmth. He felt her take rule of his musings, and that was appropriate, because she was Queen. Queen! And he had been oblivious, talking away to her, even chastising her for referring to him as…

But that was behind him. Qui-Gon's deep voice rang in Anakin's head, and that time, the boy had been grateful to return to the freshness of the unfolding night. Pad--Queen Amidala had welcomed his return from the aviated battle with tearful eyes and a tight embrace, followed by a long, sincere proclamation of her gratitude. He had been ecstatic to be the subject of her heartfelt joy, but became confused when Qui-Gon did not appear, to offer his own reactions.

After all, the Council people had named him guardian of Anakin. The boy had looked up at Padme, once it was obvious the man was not going to show.

"That's alright, Ani. Master Jinn has been busied by something very important." She reached out her hand. "So you can come with me. The hero of Naboo deserves proper treatment!"

He was fed all sorts of sweets, things he'd never heard of, but came to love more than anything he had ever previously tasted. Once his belly was swelled to bursting, Padme and her cadre of friends introduced him to his own, private room in the Palace. The best, Padme assured him. She even made sure he was comfortable in the bed before turning down the lights and shutting the door.

He could sense her now, as he peeked out that same door, dressed in a new, pressed cream tunic, his hair wet and tangled, but clean.

Moments later, the sovereign stopped in the hallway outside his room, and favored him with a grin. She was more Padme than Amidala today, in a fine silk gown of short, outturned layers, with coalescing hues of ivory, violet and pale yellow. Her hair was pulled into a fanned bun, drawing the eye to a white oval that rose above her shoulders and head, studded with simple, silvery jewels.

There were elements of royalty returned to her face, but were limited to the tiny scarlet dots on each cheek, and the scarlet stripe that divided her bottom lip.

Anakin smiled shyly at her.

But Padme was having none of it, remembering too well the sprite that was free to say anything to her, and confide in her his deepest emotions. She rested slim fingers against the wooden door and looked down at the boy. "I'm not liking the act, Ani." Padme chuckled lightly, though her tone was serious, "You must know I am the same person you met on Tatooine."

Anakin felt the fire of a blush and ducked his head. "I know. It's just that…" His blue eyes lifted to meet hers, "You…look…not like yourself. It's hard to remind myself…"

Wordlessly, she crouched in front of him, losing none of her grace in the process. "Anakin," Her hands framed his small, freshly scrubbed face, "Have you so quickly forgotten what I told you on the starship?"

He couldn't help but gaze into the warm, liquid depths of her eyes, seeing such light reflected back to him he had to swallow a thickening lump. "Things are changing, Padme," Anakin said, "And I'm gonna leave soon."

"So you are," She whispered, her thumb tracing the curve of his cheek, and the corner of her lip twisting in a faint smile, "But you deserve what comes next, Ani. You'll be a Jedi, and you'll know such happiness. You'll have an entire family so big, you won't be able to keep the names straight."

He giggled a little at that.

"And I'll be here, hoping for that happiness, keeping you with me in that way." The Queen stroked the damp, flaxen strands of hair. "Caring for you always, as I said I would."

They both heard the echo of approaching footsteps, and Anakin lunged into her arms, clutching her against him.

Padme returned the embrace, wiping a tear from each eye before stepping away.

Qui-Gon Jinn and Bruck Chun bowed to her, the Master's attention shifting from the young woman to her younger companion.

"Ani," The man said with affection, "I'm sorry I wasn't here earlier, to congratulate you."

"That's okay," The child beamed, glancing at Padme, "I was treated like a hero. Four desserts for dinner!"

Qui-Gon and the Queen laughed at that, linked in sound and Anakin's heart by their unique devotions to him. He felt that thing called the Force glow inside him, boosted in luminosity by love, something far simpler to understand.

But he would comprehend the complexities of the Force. Not now, but that was what his Jedi training was for. And then he would be a hero again, several times over. Like Qui-Gon was.

Anakin resisted the urge to rock back and forth on his heels. He would be apart from Padme, and his mother, but it would be worth the sacrifice in the end. It had to be.

Qui-Gon rested a hand on Anakin's shoulder and turned a smile to Padme. "And congratulations are in order to you as well, your Highness. Naboo has emerged from this."

Padme took a breath. "Yes," And her lashes fell momentarily, "We have survived." When her eyes were revealed once more, they were coated in somber tones. "But this war…it has brought shadows with it." She swallowed, watching the Master's expression closely, "Hasn't it, Master Jinn?"

Qui-Gon was impressed, and not for the first time, by her high level of perception. "You speak of the warrior."

Padme stole a look at Anakin, concerned his ears were too tender for the subject. But then she saw that the Master made no move to shelter the child, so she answered, "Yes."

Qui-Gon began to walk beside her, Anakin and Bruck just slightly behind.

The corridor emptied out into a grand area of windows that bathed the floor in Naboo dawn. A beam of light crossed over Padme, and Anakin looked appreciatively at the display.

Bruck noticed, and smirked.

"What was it?" Padme wondered in a disturbed, low voice to Qui-Gon. "I can't say I have the touch of the Force, Master Jedi, but the vibe was felt by just about everyone."

"It was…" Qui-Gon paused while a shiver coursed his body, "It was a man. A…former Jedi."

Padme came very close to tripping over her shock, disguised as the train of her gown. "What?"

The Master sighed. It was difficult enough to run through the impossible scenario in his own head. It was like solidifying the reality of a nightmare by repeating it aloud. "He was a Jedi once. In his childhood. He was…" The moisture dried to nonexistence in his throat. "He was my student, if only for a very short time."

Padme rubbed at her arms, as if inexplicably cold. "Your apprentice?"

Gods why does she have to say it? Qui-Gon galvanized his nerves and grappled for residual composure, "He strayed. He was--He was very young, and thought he was doing what was right." He shook his head as the pressure crept into his chest again, "But it wasn't right. And there was no forgiveness for that decision."

Padme craned her neck to look up at the towering figure. "The Jedi wouldn't forgive him?"

Qui-Gon held her gaze until the pain of his frown took dominance. "I wouldn't forgive him. And the Jedi never had the chance."

"Why?"

The Master's tone was flat, devoid of inflection or emotion. "Because he never came back."

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