"Have you completely thought this through, Anakin?" Obi Wan questioned for what seemed like the millionth time in the past hour.
Anakin, who was currently sitting with Obi Wan outside Owen's home, simply nodded. Obi Wan knew that he didn't have the man's full attention – it was obvious. Anakin's eyes had never left the blonde haired boy who was keeping himself entertained with a droid a few feet away. Anakin had sent the boy to play only because Obi Wan seemed to insist on talking to Anakin alone. It wasn't hard to figure out why – they were discussing a sister that Luke did not know he had. Their course of action was also not yet confirmed – to get the hopes of the child up would be both foolish and irresponsible.
Seemingly frustrated with his inability to even waver the young man's decision, Obi Wan let out an exasperated sigh. It was clear that Anakin was not even going to try and weight his options. Part of him was pleased at this – the fact that Anakin had once again found something he was so set on and passionate towards. His children. It was against the Jedi code to love, but how could one punish a man for loving his children. Anakin had broken many rules before, but it was obvious that a more punishable crime would be not to love his children. His son and a daughter he did not yet know.
"My mind is made up, Obi Wan," Anakin finally spoke, his gaze breaking from his son to gaze up into his master's familiar features. "This is my daughter, not a foolish mission or quest I'm throwing myself into. My children," he began, "Are not negotiable."
At this moment in time, his children were all that he had to live for. Something to draw him out of the solitude and misery he'd submersed himself in for so long. Although he did not even know his daughter yet, he was well aware that her absence in his life would bring regret and pain. Anakin couldn't bear to think of wandering another day in the loneliness that he'd been living in for nine years.
"Very well," Obi Wan signed with a nod, watching as Luke began to run back over to them.
With his blonde hair a mess and gasping for breath after the run, Luke stopped beside Anakin, his hands resting on Anakin's leg and leaning against them. His curious gaze moved from his father to Obi Wan and then back to his father. Anakin raised his hand, gently pushing the boy's hair back out of his face as his hand fell to rest on Luke's back. Anakin's attention returned to Obi Wan.
"Will you accompany me?" Anakin questioned.
Obi Wan looked down at Anakin, an eyebrow rose at the question and his arms folded over his chest. He looked from Anakin to the young boy. Luke was his reason to be here – the person he was supposed to protect. Without Luke here, there was no reason for him to stay on this planet. Taking a deep breath, Obi Wan simply nodded in response.
The preparations for the trip to Alderaan were not ones that were easily made. They had to take into consideration that they would be traveling with a nine year old boy. Putting themselves in the line of danger was not an option – they only had two left. Either they had to buy a ship and allow Anakin to fly it or to find a pilot willing to take the three of them. Their lack in money for a decent ship led them to their second option – Obi Wan wandering into a bar - where one would hardly consider finding someone trustworthy - in search of a pilot.
Owen had not been happy in being forced to allow Luke to go – but he had no choice. Anakin was his - father that was the bottom line. His protests went on deaf ears by the former Jedi knight, who had been inseparable from his son from the second the two were united. It was obvious to Obi Wan that seeing this drove Owen insane – which was why he wasted no time finding transport to Alderaan…and informing Master Yoda of what had happened. Yoda had seemed alarmed at the situation and informed Obi Wan that he would meet them on Alderaan – hopefully arrive early and inform Organa of the situation.
There was no time wasted in getting off the planet – for Obi Wan knew the best way to remove Luke from the tension between his father and uncle was to separate them. They traveled light, taking only the necessary, which for Anakin and Obi Wan consisted of their lightsabers, placed deep into the inside pockets of their cloaks. Luke, who was quite unaware of his father and Ben's (he still saw Obi Wan as Ben, the hermit who lived in the cliffs) adventurous past as Jedi's, took only the smallest bag he could find which he'd shoved "essentials" in - this being a change of clothes and whatever small toys he couldn't bear to be parted with. Anakin had told his son to pack light, but he had simply stood with a hidden smile as he saw the young boy walking past them – the small edge of a toy stuck out of the corner of a bag.
It was with a tearful goodbye that Luke hugged his aunt (his aunt being the tearful one) and his uncle and ran off to take his place beside Anakin, taking his father's larger hand and holding to it tightly with the bag on his back – ready to start off on an adventure.
"You're sure about this pilot, Obi Wan?" questioned a cautious Anakin as he sat inside the ship that was scheduled to take them to Alderaan.
The three of them were sitting in a small, circular room, filled with seats around the edge. They were the only ones on the ship except for the pilot and copilot who were preparing for take off. Anakin and Obi Wan were sitting back, Luke trying to find something interesting in the room to busy himself with. Despite his attention being on Obi Wan, Anakin always had an eye out for his son. He was extra careful, considering he did not know the pilot and met him only in passing as they all loaded the ship. Obi Wan had mentioned his name, but it seemed irrelevant at the moment.
"He's the only one willing to do it for the amount of money we had, Anakin," Obi Wan informed, his eyes resting on the child who climbed on one of the seats – sitting on his knees and looking out of the window.
Anakin realized that, even if he did not like the situation, he could not do anything about it. Hearing the sounds of the ship's engines starting, he stood up and made his way over to his son, sitting in the seat beside him and a hand rested on the boy's back as he leaned over the back of the chair. Luke looked over at his father – the excitement evident in the ways his eyes sparkled and the grin that was shot Anakin's way. It never failed to have Anakin grinning in response and ruffling the boy's hair affectionately.
Obi Wan simply watched the scene before him. He'd never seen Anakin grin or smile like that – looking so utterly happy that his features all brightened, bringing a lighter tone to the scarred face. It made him smile – the young, rebellious padawan that he'd once trained had found his way to happiness through his own means. Albeit they weren't the best, and the whole Sith-Lord thing would have been better off skipped, Anakin's rebellion against the Jedi ways had not led him to the doom that so many had predicted. It brought him a happiness he could never have found in the Jedi Order.
The ship began to move and while Anakin and Obi Wan remained calm – having done this more than once, Luke turned to look to his father eagerly. The young blonde climbed over onto his father's lap, resting on Anakin's legs while his eyes remained on the scene outside. Sliding his arms around his son, Anakin leaned back and looked over at Obi Wan – noticing the smile that remained on his former master's lips. He returned it, bringing a hand up to fix Luke's hair in such a parental manner that it surprised even himself. It was amazing how quickly he had been able to step into the fatherly role. Luke tilted his head backwards to look up at Anakin and Anakin simply raised an eyebrow in amusement, watching as his son settled his head against Anakin's shoulder and rested his small hands on top of his father's larger ones, settling in for the smooth ride that was to come.
Despite their constant state of alert, the trip to Alderaan had been peaceful. Luke had fallen asleep a couple hours after they left the port, having worn himself out by bouncing around in excitement between Anakin and Obi Wan. Anakin had spent the rest of the flight lost in his thoughts and Obi Wan trying to figure out what Anakin was thinking about. All in all, it's been uneventful – which both of the Jedi's were thankful for. Luke, on the other hand, was probably hoping for some kind of action. He seemed to be the only one disappointed by the trip.
Their landing on Alderaan went without any excitement or unusual treatment. The pilot was paid and Anakin stepped off of the ship – his hood up and Luke's hand firmly in his – and the child's bag slung over his shoulder. Luke had woken up only moments before landing and it took a lot of coaxing from Anakin to keep him awake. Obi Wan soon followed, stepping off of the ramp and onto the planet's ground. He was not sure what to expect – a greeting party of Yoda and Organa, or no one at all. The later seemed to be what was happening. People went on their own way with their own business, not minding the two men and young boy that walked off of the landing platform and would soon be exploring the city.
Obi Wan reached a hand out, touching Anakin's arm lightly – but firm enough to get the man's attention. Gazing over at the bearded Jedi, Anakin raised an eyebrow quietly and simply watched as Obi Wan began to lead and motioned for Anakin and Luke to follow. Anakin began to walk, Luke going along with and – in his sleepy state – stumbling to run into Anakin's leg. Pausing to look down at the boy, Anakin turned and kneeled down, picking the boy up quietly and supporting him with both hands. Luke's head fell onto his shoulder – his eyes closing fully and his hands gripping at his father's robes, pulling the hood slightly back from Anakin's face. Obi Wan had stopped and waited for them and when Anakin arrived to his side once more – they left the platform and entered the city.
Anakin's heart was racing, beating in his chest. His throat seemed to have gone dry and his voice was gone as he and his master neared the home of Senator Organa. Luke was no longer asleep, but still resting against his father's shoulder and watching the scenery as they passed. He seemed aware of his father's nervousness and gently rubbed his small hand against Anakin's shoulder. Anakin simply squeezed his son in a gentle hug to thank him for the small, but meaningful gesture. He knew the boy could feel his father's heart racing – or at least hear the thumping that rang in Anakin's own ears.
Anakin watched as the door of the home opened before they'd even reached it and out stepped the tall frame of Organa – the same as he remembered him, but simply older. Afterwards, a woman joined him at his side and it was the third figure that made Anakin stop in his tracks. It was his suddenly jolt that caused Luke to turn around and see what was going on.
"What's that?" questioned Luke softly into his father's ear.
"That," replied Obi Wan, who had stopped beside the two. "Is Master Yoda, a powerful Jedi."
Luke seemed to be confused on how something so small and green could be powerful. Anakin seemed shocked to see the former master after all these years – partially grateful for the hood that covered him. Obi Wan, on the other hand, was smiling. He had not seen the Jedi for a long time – it was good to see someone so familiar after so many years of being holed alone as a mere hermit. Leaving the side of the two Skywalker's, Obi Wan ventured up the steps to the door, greeting his old friends and companions. It was after the greetings were finished that Yoda turned his attention towards Anakin and the child.
"Come," he spoke, his voice sparking familiarity in Anakin's mind. "Talk, we must."
Anakin hesitated but a mere moment before joining the other four at the top of the steps, and carefully following them inside the house, keeping Luke close as the boy looked curiously at their surroundings – wondering what was going on.