Disclaimer: It's George's sandbox. I just play here, because it's fun.
AN: Here's chapter 7 of Never Gone! Thanks for all the great reviews everybody!
Never Gone
Chapter 7: Misadventures in Mos Epsa
Anakin parked the speeder outside the streets of Mos Espa. He took Padme's hand and helped her out.
"Keep that hood up, okay?" Anakin told her, as he checked to make sure his blaster had a full charge. He flipped the safety off and holstered it. He checked the other side of his blades and made sure his vibro blades were within reach.
"Anakin, is that all necessary?" Obi-Wan asked.
"You've never been to Mos Espa. Get rid of your cloak and make sure your light saber is concealed out of sight," Anakin said.
"What's wrong with my cloak?" Obi-Wan objected.
"You look like a Jedi and that will attract attention. I'll do enough of that for the both of us," Anakin replied, as he looped Padme's arm in his.
"This is a bad idea," Anakin said. The three walked to Watto's shop and went inside. Anakin nodded to her and she dropped the hood of her cloak.
"Ani!" Watto greeted.
"Hello Watto, I need a moisture inductor for one of my step dad's vaporators. Do you have one?" Anakin asked.
"Let me check in the back," Watto said, as he eyed the people with Anakin. He vaguely recognized the girl from ten years ago and he eyed the man suspiciously, before going in back. He came back a few minutes later.
"Ah, sorry Ani, I don't have any more. I sold the last one yesterday," Watto said. Anakin rolled his eyes impatiently.
"Well, how long until you have one?" Anakin asked.
"I'm getting a delivery in about two hours. Come back then," Watto said.
"And what are we supposed to do for two hours?" Anakin mumbled.
"Anakin, perhaps there is an establishment where we can rest and wait for the time to pass," Obi-Wan suggested. Anakin looked at him like he had grown bantha ears.
"I am not taking Padme into a cantina. No way," Anakin protested.
"Come on Ani, it should be fine. It's hot and I'm getting thirsty" Padme replied. Anakin checked the crono on Watto's wall. It was early enough and he might get lucky enough not to run into the usual scum.
"Fine, but stay close and don't look at anyone," Anakin replied. They entered the cantina, their ears immediately having to adjust to the loud, lively music that played. A few scantily clad Twi'lek's and human women eyed Anakin lustily, as they usually did when he was unfortunate enough to come here. But he paid them no mind, as usual and quickly found a booth in the corner in an area that was rather vacant. The droid waitress asked them what they wanted and they ordered water. The Tatooine heat was in full force, as it neared noon already.
"I just hope the two hours passes quickly, so we can get out of here. I hate this place," Anakin grumbled. Padme cautiously dropped the hood on her cloak and squeezed his hand.
"Well, let's pass the time by talking about the wedding. You're going to come, aren't you Obi-Wan?" Padme asked. Obi-Wan chuckled.
"Wouldn't miss it for the world," Obi-Wan replied.
"I was thinking we could get married on the balcony at the lake house, maybe at sunset, surrounded by our families," Padme said, as she squeezed his hand. Anakin was momentarily able to forget about where they were, as he stared into her chestnut brown eyes.
"Have you two even set a date yet?" Obi-Wan asked.
"No, but I was definitely thinking about a spring wedding. That gives us about six months to plan the wedding," Padme replied.
"Sounds like it will be quite the beautiful event," Obi-Wan said, as he sipped at his water.
"Well, well, if it isn't Anakin Skywalker," a rude voice said. Anakin cringed, as he realized exactly who he hoped they wouldn't run into, was here.
"Sebulba," Anakin growled. Sebulba and his lackeys approached their table.
"Beat it Sebulba," Anakin replied.
"You know Skywalker, I don't like your attitude," Sebulba spat.
"And I don't like the way you smell," Anakin retorted. Sebulba growled, but then caught sight of Padme.
"Well, who's your...slave," Sebulba said, knowing it would strike a chord with Anakin.
"She is no slave. Stay away from her, sleamo," Anakin growled, as he stood up to face Sebulba. Anakin towered over the dug, but he didn't seem intimidated.
"Hmm...I bet she would fetch top dollar on the market," Sebulba said.
Whatever control Anakin had been exercising up until this point completely dissolved at his statement. Anakin sensed one of Sebulba's human lackeys moving around him. The man reached out and grabbed Padme's shoulder. Anakin snapped one of his vibro blades from his belt and threw it at the man's hand. It stuck him, embedding itself in his palm. He cried out in pain, as he drew his hand away. Anakin drew his blaster and pointed it at the disgusting man's head.
"Touch her again and next time, I'll shoot you," Anakin threatened. Obi-Wan stood up and began to reach under his tunic.
"No, that will only attract the attention of bounty hunters," Anakin said.
"And you're not?" Obi-Wan asked. Anakin chuckled.
"No, my cantina brawls with Sebulba is a regular occurrence," Anakin replied.
"A regular occurrence?" Padme asked worriedly. Anakin smiled roguishly.
"Sebulba has a little grudge against me," Anakin replied, as he turned back to the scowling Sebulba.
"Look, I don't want to fight you. We'll be on our way now," Anakin told Sebulba. Sebulba refused to let them pass.
"You're not worth my time Sebulba. Now, just step aside and we'll be going," Anakin said, as he grasped Padme's hand.
"Afraid that I'll beat you in front of your woman?" Sebulba taunted. Anakin smirked back.
"No, I just don't want to make a mess of you in front of her," Anakin retorted. Sebulba snarled, as his lackeys flanked him.
"You're overdue for a beating slave scum," Sebulba spat. Anakin barred his white teeth.
"I'm not a slave," Anakin spat back.
"Last chance sleamo. Back down, I don't want to fight you," Anakin warned. By now, the entire cantina was watching the confrontation, as they usually did when Anakin and Sebulba fought. Anakin sensed Sebulba was winding up for a punch. Before Sebulba could connect. Anakin punched his bony jaw. Sebulba snarled and punched Anakin in the jaw. Anakin's head turned slightly from the impact of the blow, but he easily shook it off. Dugs were comparably weak and usually hid behind weapons. Sebulba was becoming increasingly angry and drew a large vibro knife. He did not appreciate being humiliated in front of all these people.
"Stupid boy, you won't be smiling when I slice you open," Sebulba spat.
"I suggest you put the weapon away," Obi-Wan spoke.
"And who the hell are you?" Sebulba asked, snarling his grimy teeth.
"Who I am is none of your concern. Put the weapon down," Obi-Wan replied. Sebulba spit on Obi-Wan's boot in response. Anakin stared intently at Sebulba with immense concentration. Suddenly, Sebulba went flying back through the air and over the bar. He crashed into a bunch of liquor bottles before finally crashing to the floor with the liquid and glass. Anakin pointed his blaster at Sebulba's lackeys, daring them to try anything. The four worthless beings backed down and away from them, like they had seen nothing. Anakin took Padme's hand and lead her out of the cantina, followed by a stunned Obi-Wan.
'Does Anakin realized what he just did?' Obi-Wan wondered to himself. They left the cantina and headed back to Watto's shop. Anakin shook his bloody knuckle, which had grazed one of Sebulba's fangs when he punched him.
"Stupid dugs," Anakin said. Padme grabbed his hand to examine it.
"Ani, this needs bacta. Who knows where that nasty dug has been," she replied.
"It's fine. You can patch it up when we get home, since I know you will make me let you," Anakin replied.
"It's my fault," Padme replied.
"Not it's not angel. Even if we hadn't gone there and hung around Watto's shop, he would have found me anyway. The dealers around here always tell him when I come into town, so this would have happened anyway. They all lost a lot of money when I beat Sebulba in the Boonta Eve Classic ten years ago, so I'm not the most popular person in town. I've come out of here much, much worse that this," Anakin replied.
"Anakin, that's terrible. They shouldn't be allowed to do that to you!" Padme protested.
"I know angel, but that's Tatooine for you. You either learn how to defend yourself and get good with a blaster or you get yourself killed. Sebulba has a bit of grudge against me and never turns down on opportunity to try and fight me," Anakin replied.
"Anakin, do you have any idea what you did back there?" Obi-Wan asked.
"What do you mean?" Anakin questioned.
"You Force pushed Sebulba. And powerfully too. Who taught you how to do that?" Obi-Wan asked, still amazed at how easily the Force seemed to flow through Anakin even though he was untrained.
"I don't know. I just concentrate on things when I want them to move and I listen to what the Force tells me. Then, I just do it. I don't really know how," Anakin replied honestly.
'Amazing. If he had been trained, he would be incredibly powerful. And that could have been good or bad,' Obi-Wan mused to himself.
They arrived back at Watto's shop and the part had just arrived about ten minutes earlier. Anakin paid the Toydarian and they made it back to the speeder. A couple hours later, they arrived back at the homestead. Anakin, come onto the ship with me so I can look at your hand," Padme said.
"I'm sure mom has some bacta," Anakin replied clueless.
"No Ani, you need to come on the ship with me," she beckoned, her eyes revealing to him what she really wanted.
"Oh ok," Anakin replied, as his eyes glazed a bit. Obi-Wan shook his head in amusement.
"I'll tell your mother we're back," Obi-Wan said, as he made his way for the house.
Padme sat beside him on the bed in the quarters on her ship, quietly bandaging his knuckles.
"So, why did we really come on the ship?" Anakin asked slyly.
"Ani, are you suggesting that I have ulterior motives?" Padme chided playfully, as she placed a few soft kisses along his neck.
"I hope so," he replied with a smirk. Padme climbed onto his lap, while starting to unbutton his tunic. He watched her, as she discarded his shirt, mesmerized by her beauty. Her brown eyes were glazed with desire and mirrored his own. Padme release the clip in her, allowing her brown tresses to cascade down her back. Padme cupped his face and kissed him hungrily, as they fell back onto the bed...
Mace Windu trekked carefully through the silent corridors of what he was certain was some kind of droid factory. He heard voices and quickly ran toward the source.
Count Dooku stopped speaking for a moment, as he felt a disturbance in the Force.
"Well, well, it seems we have company. Welcome Master Windu!" Dooku called. Mace was surprised for a moment. It seemed that Dooku had grown strong in the dark side, as Yoda suspected. He had scoffed when Senator Amidala had suggested that he was behind the assassination attempts on her life. But now it seemed that she was correct. Mace stepped into the light and ignited his purple saber. Dooku turned to Jango Fett.
"Leave and take the separatist leaders to the location we discussed and implement our plan," Dooku said. The bounty hunter merely nodded and led the leaders out of the room, leaving Dooku and Mace to face each other. Dooku smiled and ignited his crimson saber.
"So, political idealist turned Sith," Mace bit out.
"Oh, but I am a political idealist. My goal is to reform the Republic. Because we all know that the current system is in shambles," Dooku said.
"And you hope to fix it by joining the Sith?" Mace asked.
"Oh no my friend, my aim is to destroy the Sith and restore peace to the Republic. What if I told you that the Senate is under the control of the Sith Lord called Darth Sidious," Dooku said.
"I don't believe you. We would have sensed it," Mace replied.
"The dark side has clouded your vision my friend," Dooku replied.
"Join me Mace and together, we can destroy the Sith!" Dooku offered.
"I'll never join you Dooku!" Mace replied.
"Then, I'm worry old friend," Dooku said, as he shot Force lightning at Mace. Mace absorbed the lightning with his saber. Dooku swung his blade up and then brought it at Mace, locking with his in a powerful deadlock...
Anakin and Padme lay entangled together under a twisted mess of bedding. They lay pressed together as they basked in the after glow of their lovemaking. Their skin was slick with a thin layer of sweat and their breath was still coming in gasps, as they sucked air back into their lungs.
"We should probably clean up and head for the house. Mom will be calling us for dinner," Anakin said. Padme sighed.
"I know, though I'd much rather stay here," Padme said, as he kissed him and reluctantly got up, heading for the fresher. The sway of her hips mesmerized him.
"Ani, I could really use help scrubbing my back," she called to him. He smirked and followed her into the fresher...