Part 2 - Anakin

Don't look back.

Disorientated, I lift my head from the pillow.

Mom?

But she is not here. Blinking the sleep away from my eyes, they slowly adjust to the darkness and take in the unfamiliar surroundings. This isn't home – home is somewhere I may never be again.

Forcing back the tears and pushing the covers away I quietly sit up. My bare feet touch the floor. So cold. I involuntary shiver, but resist climbing back under the blankets. Bringing my knees up to my chest I pull my tunic down over them. The coldness clings to me – I haven't been warm since leaving Tatooine.

Will I ever be warm again?

I can't help it. The tears are sliding silently down my cheeks. All I've left behind makes me hurt inside. I can't wait to grow up, to be a great Jedi as Qui-Gon was. Perhaps then I will have the power to stop all the bad things - to stop the hurt for all of us. I hug my knees tighter and I can almost feel mom's arms around me.

Why won't Obi-Wan talk to me about it? About him? I can see the sadness in his face and feel his pain. It hurts.

Why did you have to go?

Does Obi-Wan want me here? I don't know. I'm lonely. I'm alone in the dark. I wish I could make everything better.

Resting my head on my knees the tears dry on my face. I try to stop crying...I didn't even get to say goodbye.

Can you hear me?

A voice is whispering softly through the Force. It's so quiet - I strain to hear it.

My knees uncurl and I slip from the bed. I know where to go.

The distance between our rooms is short. My feet make the only noise, padding softly on the cold, hard floor. The door is open. Stepping into the room I suddenly stop. Qui-Gon! I can feel him here. It is a good surprise. My eyes, hardly dry, fill with tears again. But I'm also smiling now, remembering the good things: his touch, the gentle words he spoke, but most of all his belief in me.

I miss you.

The smile leaves. Rubbing my sleeve across my face I walk towards the bed where Obi-Wan is sleeping. Nervously, I reach out to stroke his face – he looks so sad.

Master?

There is no answer. Our bond feels so new - I don't want to call too loudly; I might break it.

Leaning forward I softly speak in his ear.

"I can hear you."

Stepping back I watch as his eyes flicker open. He sees me. And as sleepy confusion clears I feel relief as he smiles.

There are no words as he shuffles across the bed and raises the cloak that is wrapped around him. Climbing onto the bed I scurry underneath it; it is big enough to cover us both. It feels warm; it feels safe - like the three of us are together again.

Obi-Wan places an arm around me and we lay together in comfortable silence. He is drifting back to sleep and my eyes too are beginning to close. I'm sleepy here; I'm safe, and I whisper through the Force:

He can hear us too.

His arm tightens around me as he pauses before answering.

Yes, Anakin. I believe he can.

These words fill me with peace.

Everything has changed, but we are still here.

Smiling I close my eyes –Obi-Wan, I think, is smiling too.

Goodnight, Master.

Goodnight, my Padawan.

And from somewhere far off in the distance, just before I fall asleep I think I hear another voice.

Goodnight, my sons.