Chapter 2: Return to Tatooine

He stared straight ahead as the sun's blaze hit off the hot sandy streets of Mos Espa.
The ride on the rickshaw back to their ship was a quiet one between Anakin and Padme. He had not said a word since they had left Watto. His former slave Master had given the information they needed to hopefully find Shmi Skywalker. Padme had never seen him like this so driven, and determined. He seemed to be miles away someplace hidden from her, darker. How different things had felt before they left the lake retreat. She felt helpless, and wished there was something she could say, or do to ease his pain.

She studied his frozen expression for a moment, and grazed his arm gently with her hand.
"Are you alright?" She asked with a concerned look.

He turned to look at her, and took her hand in his. "Yeah, I'm just so worried about mom. I can't stop thinking about her. I'm sorry I've been so quiet; I haven't exactly been much company for you have I?"

"That's ok, I just feel so bad that I can't do more to help."

"Just being here with me is enough." He leaned over to kiss her softly for a few moments.

Anakin climbed out of the rickshaw, and extended his hand to help her out. They began to walk quickly to their ship.

"How far do you think this moisture farmer's homestead is?"

"Shouldn't take to long, we'll be there in no…"

The sight before him cut his words, and his train of thought. Waiting patiently by their ship was Jedi Master Mace Windu.

Anakin's eyes were wide with shock. "Master Windu what are you doing here?" He fought to keep from stumbling over his words.

"We received your message; you did the right thing by contacting us, it showed good judgment."

"Thank you Master."

"But we were most concerned for your reasons for coming here, and changing your assignment to protect Senator Amadala." He nodded to her.

"Hello Master Windu." She smiled at him.

"A pleasure my lady." He bowed to her.

"Master, I understand the Council's concerns, but I assure you everything is under control."

"Anakin, the Council, and I felt it would be best to try lending our help to the situation. Therefore, I will be accompanying you and Senator Amadala on your mission to find your mother."

"Yes Master." He replied back trying desperately to swallow his pride.

Anakin felt like his ears were burning. He couldn't decide if he was pleased, or disappointed with this new turn of events. Master Windu was to accompany us. As if I'm still the ten year old who stood before him for the first time in the Jedi temple, Force did anyone have faith in his abilities as a Jedi besides Padme? He asked himself. Wait, how could I forget about Chancellor Palphetine; he has great faith in my abilities. The thought comforted, and eased his frustration a bit. But there was also a part of him that was relieved to know Master Windu would be there to help assist them. It would definitely be easier now to protect Padme; if they did run into any potential danger that could threaten her safety.

"Anakin where are you at tracking down your mother, what have you learned?"

"We visited Watto my former slave Master; he told us that he sold my mother to a moisture farmer named Lars. He freed her, and married her. They live on the other side Mos Eisley."

"Excellent, let's head over there."

There was nothing surrounding the Lars homestead, but sand as far as the eye could see. The tiny home resembled something of an igloo, ironically located on one the hottest planets in the universe. Standing in front of the homestead was an overjoyed, excited droid who greeted his maker happily.

"I've come to see my mother." Anakin announced to C3PO the droid he had built as a boy, but never finished his coverings.

The dull gray colored weather beaten droid stumbled over his words. "I think … I think perhaps we'd better go indoors."

From the moment the words slipped out of C3PO's mouth dread, and terror struck Anakin, and Padme. They knew as they followed the droid that there would be no comforting news given. She knew that Anakin was going to need her love, and comfort more then ever before. They were introduced to Anakin's step brother Owen Lars, and his girlfriend Beru right before finding out what he had already sensed. His mother was not there.

Anakin, Padme, and Mace all gathered around the table with Owen, and Beru as they listened to Cliegg Lars. The heavyset, middle aged man sat in a hover chair with his leg heavily bandaged. He began to explain the unfortunate reason for his wife's disappearance.

"It was just before dawn, they came out of nowhere a band of Tusken Raiders. Your mother had gone out early, like she always did, to pick mushrooms that grow on the vaporators. Those Tuskens walk like men, but they're vicious, mindless monsters. Thirty of us went out after her, four of us came back. I'd still be out there, only… after I lost my leg. I just can't ride anymore until I heal. I don't want to give up on her, but she's been gone a month. There's little hope she's lasted this long."

With every word Anakin's heart was breaking; Padme could feel the stabs in her own with each sentence Cliegg uttered. She watched Anakin's tears swim in his brilliant blue eyes. Padme saw the little boy resurfacing from him that she had first met all those years ago. His fear, and pain mirrored her own as he rose up from his chair, and stared far off someplace she couldn't reach.

"Where are you going?" Owen asked out of confusion.

"To find my mother." He stated with a cold, and angry tone to his voice.

"Your mother's dead son, except it." Cliegg said with barely enough strength in his voice.

Anakin shook his head, and held back the urge to scream. He wouldn't accept it, he couldn't. The rest of them may have given up, and failed, but I'm not going to. And I'm certainly not going to just sit here when I know I can save her. The thought dominated his mind, and feelings. He knew what he saw in his nightmares, Tusken raiders were beating, torturing his kind, and loving mother. He could feel the fear, and agony she was feeling through the force. Without saying another word, or looking back, he began walking out.

"Anakin" Mace called after him, but he did not turn around, and continued to walk out.

Padme left the table to follow them.

She found him standing watching the suns of Tatooine fade into the horizon.

Mace Windu was standing beside him.

"I'm going Master Windu, I have to."

"I sense this is not a wise decision. You are not thinking clearly, and are acting on your impulses; that is not what we have taught you."

Padme walked over to them with deep worry, and concern in her face.

He turned to her. "You're going to have to stay here; these are good people Padme, you'll be safe."

"Yes, you must stay here Senator."

She nodded. "I understand I hope you find her, please be careful." Her voice cracked as she spoke.

"We will, don't worry; we won't be long." He looked deeply into her eyes, and desperately held back the urge to grab her into his arms, and kiss her goodbye.

She wanted to touch him so badly, and tell him she loved him. But she couldn't because they weren't alone. Mace Windu was standing right beside them as a painful remainder that reality had hit them full force. He was a Jedi, and she was Senator. They would have to hold back their emotions, and affections for each other; with little hope that it would ever change. She watched with tears in her eyes as Mace Windu, and the man that she loved climb onto their speeders, and fade off into the distance.

Hope you enjoyed this chapter I know it's short, but it's the length that I wanted.
I want to thank everyone for all your great reviews. I really appreciate it. And I've noticed this week that Last Night of Innocence (the first story) has been read by a lot of people. I'm so pleased so many people are enjoying the stories. Chapter 3 will be up next week, and thanks for reading.