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Anakin knelt down slowly to the grave where they had buried Shmi. He picked up a handful of the coarse sand that he had always loathed so much, and he let it slowly trickle through his fingers onto his mother's grave.
He felt the smallest of tears fall down his cheek, but instead of wiping it away, he let the searing suns of Tatooine dry it. "I should have been able to save you Mom," he whispered in a hoarse voice.
"I will never fail you again, Mom. I promise." He tried to say this with conviction, but the ache deep in his heart refused to ease.
Behind him, the Lars' watched with stony faces as the young Jedi said goodbye. Slightly off to the side, not wanting to impose on the family's grief, Sarah stood, watching Anakin with a profound sadness in her blue eyes. She bowed her head and wiped away a small tear.
After a long while, Anakin slowly stood, his shoulders curved slightly in grief. All five made their way back into the small home. They clutched small cups of tea, but no one was drinking. Owen glanced up at Anakin briefly and then spoke, "Shmi talked about you a lot."
Anakin raised his sad blue eyes to look at his stepbrother, as though seeing him for the first time.
Owen then spoke again, "She would stare out at the stars at night, hoping that she could see some bright light fly by. Whenever she did, she would tell me that she hoped it was you, saving the galaxy, following the noble path of the Jedi."
Anakin stared down at his still-full cup of tea. He seemed unable to speak. He swallowed hard.
Cliegg then began to speak, "I loved your mother with all my heart," he said, looking at Anakin. "I hope you know that." The man paused for a moment, and then spoke again, "If you ever need anything, we will be here." Owen nodded as though to affirm his father's words.
Anakin looked as though he wanted to say something, but at that moment, Threepio came bursting in, Artoo close behind. Threepio was muttering to the astromech, "Really Artoo, it is entirely impolite to interrupt them like this."
A whirring of chirps and whistles was Artoo's reply. "How terribly rude," Threepio said indignantly.
Artoo whistled some more, and Threepio spoke again, "Masters Anakin and Sarah, Artoo wishes me to tell you that there is an urgent message for you both from an Obi-Wan Kenobi."
Anakin glanced at Sarah. She looked at him quickly and then looked away. Anakin turned to the Lars family, "I am sorry..." Cliegg simply nodded and gestured for the Jedi to take the transmission.
Anakin and Sarah quickly made their way back to their ship, the droids following closely behind. They began to play the transmission, and Obi-Wan's holo came up. Both Padawans were surprised to see how visibly nervous Obi-Wan was. Their Master kept glancing over his shoulder and was speaking very quickly.
"Anakin. Sarah," Obi-Wan said brusquely. "My long-range transmitter has been knocked out. I need you to retransmit this message to the Jedi Temple." At these words, Sarah immediately sent the message straight to Coruscant.
They turned back to the mission, knowing that the Jedi Council would be listening as well. "I have tracked Jango Fett and his son to Geonosis. I came across a droid factory, and I saw Count Dooku. He was making deals with Nute Gunray and others. There were strong implications that they are funding Dooku's droid army."
Anakin and Sarah shared a quick glance, and watched as Obi-Wan continued. "Dooku had a conversation with Gunray, and I believe-" but Obi-Wan did not finish the thought. The last thing that they saw was him ignite his lightsaber and whirl around, and the transmission was cut.
Sarah breathed heavily. "We have to go."
Anakin shook his head, "We can't. We have to go back to Naboo. If something happens to Padme...we've already spent too long here."
Sarah made a contemptuous sound, "Anakin, if Obi-Wan is in danger, then I'm going to go help him. You can do what you want, go back to Naboo for all I care. I just thought that our family matters a little bit more to you than the Senator."
"Protecting Padme is our job," Anakin said hotly.
"Well, she was rather quick to insist against Jedi protection, wasn't she?" Sarah glared at Anakin, and he returned her caustic look.
"I don't care what you do, Anakin. But I'm going."
Anakin did not last long. Every part of him felt tired. The wounds from losing Shmi were still fresh, and he did not have the strength to argue with Sarah, who he knew would not back down without a fight. He sighed heavily. "Let's go then."
She gave him a stony nod, and they prepared the ship to leave the dusty planet.
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"Dooku," Obi-Wan said steadily as the two men circled each other. Obi-Wan knew that he was at a terrible disadvantage if the older man was here for a fight. Not only was Dooku's swordsmanship legendary, but the Count also had the help of four droidekas, and Obi-Wan did not doubt that there would be more ready and waiting should Dooku need them.
"I must say, Obi-Wan," Dooku said pleasantly, "that I have quite looked forward to this meeting for a long time."
Obi-Wan was confused, but he knew that he should play along. "And why is that, Count?"
Dooku chuckled, "Young Kenobi, Qui-Gon always spoke so highly of you. He bragged about your skills constantly. At times it could even get quite aggravating."
At the mention of Qui-Gon's name, Obi-Wan felt the familiar pang of sadness that he had become accustomed to over the years. Of course, his grief was nothing compared to what it had been right after his Master's death, but standing with Qui-Gon's own Master, it felt as though a fresh wound was being opened. "I fail to see your point, Count."
"Ah," said Dooku, a small smile playing on his lips, "the innocence of youth. It is so entertaining at times. After all, Obi-Wan, you are no more than what...thirty-five? I must say, a long while has passed since I was your age, but I do remember it."
Obi-Wan knew that the Count was playing games with him, and he did not find it very amusing. Dooku smirked and continued, "Why so quiet Obi-Wan?"
The younger Jedi did not respond, and Dooku continued, "I was sorry that we did not have more chances to visit with each other, Obi-Wan, after all, I am almost like your grandfather. And of course, Qui-Gon was an exceptionally talented Jedi. The news of his death...terrible."
Obi-Wan stood still, following the other with his eyes. He remained silent as Dooku continued to talk, "But death is such a dismal subject, would you agree? I actually, do not feel that it does to dwell on the past, and so, I have always considered myself somewhat of a visionary, and the future that I have seen, Obi-Wan, is you."
"I once again fail to see your purpose in this oration, Count."
"You're right, perhaps I have not explained myself properly. Though I am no longer with the Jedi, I have followed you closely, Obi-Wan. I have heard of your famous triumphs, your great power, your quiet yet imposing character. It has been said that you have the bright future of a great negotiator."
"I'm afraid that I have never been much a fan of politics, Dooku," Obi-Wan said curtly.
Dooku chuckled. "Indeed. You are much like Qui-Gon in that sense. He never had the patience, nor the stomach for politics. It is a shame, Master Kenobi. Politics is an intricate and beautiful entity. Full of connections and wills that are intertwined." Dooku paused for a moment and looked at Obi-Wan.
He continued to stare at Obi-Wan as he spoke again. "As I have said, I have heard of your great accomplishments. There are rumors that in time, you will come a member of the High Council. Perhaps the greatest that they have ever seen."
Obi-Wan did not enjoy it when others spoke of this. His close friends often told him that he was made for the Council, and he would continue to put their theories down. He did not want to draw attention to himself. If there was anything that Obi-Wan Kenobi was, it was modest.
"But, Obi-Wan, I must confess, it is not just you that I have watched. I have heard may great stories about your Padawans," Dooku greatly emphasized the 's' in Padawans when he spoke these words. "There are rumors...rumors of ancient prophecies and...chosen ones." Dooku chuckled again. "I must say, I am impressed, and Qui-Gon would have been proud that his esteemed apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi did something well against the Council wishes."
"Though it really should not be any concern to you, Count," Obi-Wan spat, "I have the Council's full permission and confidence to train both."
Ignoring Obi-Wan's comment, Dooku plowed on, "I am quite eager to meet them. I do hope that I have the chance. Truly, we are linked, aren't we, Obi-Wan? You, like a grandson, and they, like my great-grandchildren. Indeed, we are a family, aren't we? It is too bad that Qui-Gon is not here. The circle could be complete."
Obi-Wan did not take the time to contemplate Dooku's enigmatic words too deeply for the other man continued to speak, his face suddenly stony and his voice intense. "I hope, Obi-Wan, that you can come to forgive my mistakes. They are mistakes riddled with age and grief."
"I'm afraid that I do not understand," Obi-Wan said, confused at the sudden change in Dooku's countenance.
Dooku turned his brown eyes to Obi-Wan. "There are times, Obi-Wan, where we must betray blood. You are like my blood, as are your Padawans. And I am sorry. Family binds souls together, but I do not know if it can save." Dooku sighed heavily.
"Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon was like a son to me, as you were to him, and I am sure that your Padawans are to you. Connections are a powerful thing, and I hope that, in time, you come to understand this. It is a powerful lesson, and it is one that the Jedi do not teach, for they fear it."
Dooku looked straight into Obi-Wan's eyes, and Obi-Wan saw a fusion of many emotions. The man suddenly looked less regal and powerful, and in his eyes, there was sadness. He then gave his orders, and custom built droids came out of the shadows. Obi-Wan had let his guard down, and because of that, his reflexes had slowed. With a wave of his hand, Dooku summoned Obi-Wan's lightsaber to his own hand and gave his orders for the droids to surround Obi-Wan.
Dooku stared at Obi-Wan, and there was a flash of regret on his face as he spoke again, "I hope that we have another opportunity to speak, Obi-Wan Kenobi. And I hope that one day you forgive me."
With a small signal, the droids began to march Obi-Wan back to the droid factory. Obi-Wan glanced back at Dooku, and he saw the older man staring out into the horizon, a look of deep misery etched into the lines on his face.
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A/N: Phew, a bit of a longer chapter than usual, but once I got started, I couldn't stop. I hope that it wasn't terribly confusing, but what has been said between Obi-Wan and Dooku is important to the core of the story, and future events. Thanks for reading, have a wonderful next few days, more to come soon!