Chapter 12 Homeward Bound

Qui-Gon left to return the camel-creatures, and Jesse found Obi-Wan to tell him everything that had happened while he quickly made the final repairs on the ship.

"Qui-Gon's been acting awfully secretive." Jesse concluded. "I think something's up."

"Maybe." Obi-Wan didn't look his way.

"You know something don't you?" Jesse demanded.

"Maybe. Maybe not." Obi-Wan answered.

Jesse sighed. "But you're not going to tell me?"

"No."

"You're all in a conspiracy. Or something." Jesse kicked at a bolt lying on the ground.

"Don't lose that. I need it."

"Sure. Obi-Wan, is growing up always so hard?"

"What do you mean by that?"

"Well, I just made a great friend, but now I'm losing him."

"You'll always be gaining and losing things. It's part of life. The really important things will stay with you."

"How come?"

Obi-Wan finished installing the hyperdrive and shut the hatch. "You hold on to them. You may never see Anakin again, but you'll always have the friendship."

Jesse thought about what Obi-Wan had said. It made sense, but it didn't make him feel much better.

Just then Captain Panaka, Padme, and the last person anyone expected to see, Anakin Skywalker, burst through the door.

"Qui-Gon is in trouble, he says to take off!" Panaka said.

The ship roared to life.

"I don't see anything." The plot said, straining his eyes.

"Over there!" Obi-Wan pointed to a cloud of dust. "Fly low!"

Jesse bit his lip, able to make out two figures fighting a deadly combat.

"Lower the ramp!" Obi-Wan said.

The pilot lowered the ramp as they flew over the two combatants. Anakin, Obi-Wan and Jesse rushed out to the hallway just in time to see Qui-Gon collapse on the floor, breathing hard.

"Are you all right?" Anakin asked.

"I think so. That was a surprise I won't soon forget." Qui-Gon panted.

Jesse looked out the window, but they were already to far away.

"What was it?" Obi-Wan asked.

"I don't know, but he was well trained in the Jedi arts. My guess is he was after the Queen."

"Do you think he'll follow us?" Anakin sounded afraid for the first time.

"We'll be safe enough once we're in hyperspace, but I have no doubt he knows our destination."

"So you think he'll come back?" Jesse tried not to let thought terrify him. It was extremely hard.

"We'll just have to be on our toes." Qui-Gon said.

"If it does come, what are we going to do about it?" Anakin asked.

Obi-Wan noticed the stranger for the first time, giving Anakin a 'who are you?' look.

"We'll find out then. Anakin Skywalker, meet Obi-Wan Kenobi."

"Pleased to meet you." Anakin held out a hand. "Wow! You're a

Jedi too?"

Obi-Wan shot Qui-Gon a skeptical look. Qui-Gon just shook his head and smiled.

"Um, Qui-Gon, are you really ok?" Jesse asked. Seeing the Jedi master panting for breath like that and then collapsing on the floor had scared him more than he liked to admit. Qui-Gon was always so strong.

"I'll be fine. Even Jedi can meet a formidable opponent. Do you think your teachers make you practice so hard just because they want to torture you?"

"Um, yes?"

"No."

"Ok, point taken." Jesse noticed Anakin looking eagerly around. "Haven't you ever seen a ship before?"

"Not from the inside." Anakin didn't take his eyes off the window.

"Not much to see when you're in hyperspace." Jesse had to laugh at how knowledgeable he sounded considering that a week ago he'd never seen the inside of a ship either. Now, however, he was almost an expert. "If you want I can show you around." He offered.

Anakin looked at him eagerly. "Let's go."

Jesse led him toward the cockpit. "You know, I didn't ask you what you're doing here."

Anakin looked him with wonder-filled eyes. "Qui-Gon betted the pod against me in the race."

"So..."

"I'm not a slave anymore. I'm free." Anakin said it slowly as if he were savoring the word.

"Wow. What about your mom?" Jesse instantly regretted asking.

Anakin's face fell. "Watto wouldn't let her go too. No pod is worth two slaves." he said, his voice cracking.

Jesse put a hand on his shoulder. "It's ok." he said as Anakin struggled not to cry.

"How can it be? I don't know if I'll ever see her again." Anakin looked away, wiping his eyes. "She asked me what my heart says, but I don't know anymore." he took a deep breath to steady himself. "Qui-Gon said I might become a Jedi." he said, trying to smile.

"Will the council let you?" Jesse didn't want to be a wet balnket, but he was almost completely sure Anakin was too old.

"I hope so. Qui-Gon says nothing happens by accident."

Jesse thought back to when he hid in the cargo hold of a ship headed for Naboo. "I hope not."

"Now, can I see the ship already?"

"Right. This way."

After the tour and a very late supper Anakin and Jesse, and JarJar settled down in the main cabin with R2. Soon JarJar was dozing, and Anakin was curled up in a corner thinking. Jesse was almost asleep when Padme entered, once more dressed as a handmaiden, and turned on a monitor. A recording of Bibble asking the queen to return appeared. From Jesse's angle, he could clearly see tears watering in Padme's eyes.

She must be homesick too; just like Anakin. He thought drowsily.

As if on cue, Anakin let out a sniffle. PAdme whirled, then softened when she noticed Anakin curled up miserably in the corner.

"Are you all right?" she asked softly.

"It's very cold." Anakin sniffed again.

Padme brought a blanket over and covered him. "You're from a warm planet, Annie. Too warm for my taste. Space is cold."

"You seem sad." Anakin noted.

"The queen is worried. Her people are suffering- dying. She must convince the Senate to intervene, or I'm not sure what will happen." Padme answered hesitantly.

Jesse's tuned in senses caught her feelings of guilt. Guilt over what? He settled deeper into sub consciousness. He was probably just imagining it.

"We'll be in Coruscant in about fifteen minutes." Qui-Gon announced, entering the main cabin.

Jesse turned off his lightsaber and clipped it back onto his belt. He'd been demonstrating some of his lightsaber skills for Padme, JarJar, and Anakin. "Showing off', Anakin said.

Anakin and Padme both ran over to the window. Jesse followed in spite of himself. He wasn't all that eager to reach Coruscant considering the circumstances under which he'd left the planet. Still, it might be interesting to see what it looked like from space. Soon the planet came into view. Even Jesse was breath taken.

"Wow! It's so huge!" Anakin breathed. Padme was speechless.

Jesse tore his eyes away from the planet and went to the cockpit where Obi-Wan was watching the descent.

"Obi-Wan, how much trouble do you think I'll be in?" he asked.

Obi-Wan chuckled. "Seriously?"

"Seriously. Don't sugar-coat it."

"I don't know. Probably quite a bit. I'll back you up though."

"Thanks. What about Qui-Gon?"

"He might be a little busy."

"Because of Anakin?"

"Because of Anakin." Obi-Wan seemed a bit put out.

"What do you think about it?" Jesse asked.

"I think the council should decide what's best. That is what they're there for."

"But will Qui-Gon see it that way?"

"Probably not."

"So what will he do?"

"I have no idea."

"I see." Jesse watched the landing platform get closer and closer. "I hope I don't have to do KP again."

"Kitchen patrol?"

"I hate doing dishes."

The pilot navigated the ship expertly above the platform and landed it. Jesse hurried back to the main cabin as the ramp lowered. The Supreme Chancellor and Senator Palpatine met them. Jesse only knew who they were because Obi-Wan pointed them out.

Queen Amidala descended from the ship with her handmaidens and Captain Panaka. Senator Palpatine bowed low.

"It is a great gift to see you alive, Your Majesty. May I present Supreme Chancellor Valorum." he said.

"Welcome, Your Highness." the Supreme Chancellor said. "It is an honor to finally meet you in person. I must relay to you how distressed everyone is over the current situation. I've called for a special session of the Senate to hear your position."

"I am grateful for your concern, Chancellor." the queen replied.

The group began to walk away, Queen Amidala motioning for JarJar and Anakin to follow, but the Jedi and Valorum hung back.

"I must speak with the Jedi Council immediately, Your Honor. The situation has become more complicated." Qui-Gon told him.

Jesse wondered if he was talking about the strange person who had attacked them on Tatooine, but he didn't say anything. It really wasn't his business anymore; actually it never had been his business. He'd just been along for the ride.

Now it's back to real life. He thought as they entered the Temple.

"I have to see the Council, then we'll go talk to Master Gwinka, Jesse." Qui-Gon said.

Jesse flinched. He wasn't looking forward to that.

He couldn't sit still while waiting outside the council chambers. He paced then sat down only to get up and pace again. Finally the doors opened, and Obi-Wan walked out. He smiled at Jesse, but he looked distracted.

"Well?"

"Well what?" Obi-Wan asked.

"You know what."

Obi-Wan sighed. "Qui-Gon's going to ask the council about Anakin."

"He didn't already ask?" Jesse thought that was why Qui-Gon had had to talk to them in the first place. "Then what were you talking about in there?"

"Something that I cannot disclose."

"Why not?"

"Jesse."

"You can't even give me hint?"

"Jesse!"

"Alright, alright." Jesse slumped on his seat, but jumped up when Qui-Gon emerged.

"Well?" he asked. "Are they going to train Anakin?"

Qui-Gon looked at Obi-Wan. "How did he hear about this?"

"I guessed. Are they?"

"They want to see him."

"But he's back at the Senate building." Jesse pointed out.

"So we'll bring him back over here."

"Now?" Jesse asked, eager to put off his own conference.

"No, not now. I think you know what happens now."

"Well, if the council's in a hurry..."

"No more stalling, Jesse. Let's go."

"Rats." Jesse muttered, following Qui-Gon down the hall to the library, where Master Gwinka, the Jedi Master who was in charge of Jesse's age group, always was at this time of day. Jesse wished he could sink into the floor.

"Wait here, Jesse." Qui-Gon told him outside the door.

"Sure." Jesse muttered, wondering if he could blame Gala. She had said she would take responsibility. But she'd probably only said it because she knew Jesse wouldn't take her up on her offer. Jesse never shoved blame.

The minutes ticked by agonizingly. If Jesse had been anxious before, now he was a nervous wreck. Finally, the door opened, and Master Gwinka, Obi-Wan, and Qui-Gon exited.

"Well, Jesse, it sounds to me like you've had an extraordinary adventure." Master Gwinka said, leading Jesse over to some chairs. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan left.

"Yes, Master Gwinka."

"How did it happen that you were on a ship headed for Naboo?"

"I hid on it."

"Why did you hide?"

"We...I heard footsteps approaching, and since I knew I wasn't allowed in the hangar, I hid. I shouldn't have." Jesse admitted.

"If you knew you weren't allowed in, then why did you go?"

"To..." Jesse stopped. He really didn't want to get anyone else in trouble.

"I already know what happened, Jesse. Master Jinn told me.

Duh. Jesse thought.

"I was looking for Ko'arn. He'd gone in there because of a dare, and I wanted to talk him out of it."

"I see." Master Gwinka appeared deep in thought. "Master Junn says you learned a lot from the trip."

"Yes, Master Gwinka, I guess I did."

"And even though you broke the rules, you did it to help a friend, so I won't be hard on you- this time."

Jesse breathed out a deep sigh of relief. "Thank you, Master."

"However, I'm assigning you Kitchen duty for one month."

Jesse's heart sank. One month! Well, it could be worse.

"Yes, Master."

"Do not let this happen again." the old master warned.

"I won't."

"You are dismissed."

"Yes, Master."

Jesse hurried away.

"Rats, rats, rats." he muttered in time with his steps.

"Jesse!" Gala ran up to him.

"I'm not talking to you." he pretended to be mad.

"Jesse, I'm sorry. I'll talk to Master Gwinka. I didn't mean to get you in trouble- honest."

Jesse smiled. "It's alright, Gala. I'm not really mad. Actually, I should be thanking you. I had the time of my life out there."

"Really? What happened?"

Jesse snorted. "What didn't happen? Battle droids, Gungans, podraces, sheesh, it'll take all night to tell you about it."

"Then start now."

"I can't."

"Why not?" Gala demanded.

"I'm too hungry."

Gala rolled her bright green eyes. "Come on, Jesse." she pulled him toward the cafeteria.

By the time Jesse was finished his story he had a large audience. He had to stop and explain a lot of things, but finally he brought things up to present.

"Wow." Mon voiced all the student's thoughts.

"I saw some really neat moves. I'll show you tomorrow." Jesse promised. He didn't mind being in the center of attention for a change, and it was good to be back home.