Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars.
AN: Here's chapter 2! Thanks for all the great reviews!
A Matter of Hope
Chapter 2: Getting Home
"Why Hoth?" Anakin asked in exasperation. They were sitting at the table in Owen and Beru's small home on Tatooine. It had taken them about four hours to arrive on the desert planet. Anakin had set down near Jawa territory, where he knew he could easily unload the Imperial ship off on the jawas who would scrap it for parts. Owen had come to get them and they had managed to cram uncomfortably into it. Now they were back at the Lars homestead where Obi-Wan and Zach were reunited with Sabe. Also present at their gathering was Mace Windu and Mon Mothma. Sabe had been thoughtful enough to bring changes of clothes for Padme and the girls. Gratefully, Padme and the two girls cleaned themselves up and changed. Padme joined their meeting, while the girls went off to play with their brother and Zach.
"You have to admit the Empire would never suspect it," Obi-Wan said. Anakin rolled his eyes.
"Yes, because no sane person in their right mind would go to Hoth," Anakin griped. Mace gave Anakin a hard look. Padme opened up her mind to him, so their thoughts could flow between each other.
'Ani, stop being difficult,' she chided.
'Oh, like you think Hoth is a good idea,' Anakin replied.
'I think it's our only option right now. They need your support, because no matter how much Mace would like to deny it, the rebellion needs your leadership and expertise,' Padme said.
'Besides, it'll be warm inside the base,' Padme added.
'It gets over 200 below on Hoth during the night. It'll still be cold no matter what,' Anakin grumbled.
'Well, then I'll just have to come up with ways to keep you warm in bed,' she replied to him, seductively. Anakin felt a craving warmth spread through his body at her words. It was suddenly very hot and it had nothing to do with the blazing binary suns that were beating down on the planet.
"Well, I guess if Hoth is our best bet right now, then it'll have to do. At least there's no sand," Anakin told them.
"Obi-Wan looked at his former apprentice suspiciously, wondering about his sudden change. To his side, Padme grinned and Obi-Wan decided that perhaps he didn't want to know.
"Good, it will probably be a month before any kind of operations can begin there. For now, we should all return home. The council will convene in one month at our new location," Mace said.
Home. Home sounded really good to Anakin.
"Things are probably pretty dangerous near the core planets after our escape. Maybe you and your family should come home to Andea with us for the time being," Anakin suggested. Obi-Wan smiled, as he watched Zack play with Larisa.
"I think that's a good idea. And the children will certainly enjoy it," Obi-Wan replied.
"Okay, that's settled, but how are we going to get off this giant sandbox?" Sabe asked. Anakin chuckled.
"Tomorrow, we'll go to Mos Eisley and charter a flight home," Anakin replied.
"I don't know if I like the idea of chartering a flight with some unknown pilot. How do we know who we can trust?" Padme asked.
"She has a point," Obi-Wan replied. Anakin contemplated for a moment.
"Padme and I can go in tonight to Mos Espa and we'll talk to Watto. He may be able to recommend someone. Then we can stay the night at a hotel and meet you and the kids in the morning.
"How come we can't go tonight daddy?" Larisa asked. He picked her up and set her on his lap.
"Mos Espa is no place for little girls at night," he replied, kissing her cheek. The six year old pouted for a moment and then lost in interest quickly. She got down and went to resume playing.
"Come to think of it, Mos Espa is no place for you either," Anakin told Padme.
"But I'm coming with you anyway," Padme replied. It wasn't a demand. It was an order.
As the suns began to dip below the horizon, Anakin and Padme set off across the desert on Owen's speeder bike. A couple hours later, they arrived at Mos Espa. Anakin parked the speeder and they ventured into the streets. The streets were very dark and only lit very dimly. Shady characters walked the streets, their eyes watching them as they made their way to Watto's shop. Padme clutched Anakin's hand tighter. Luckily, no one gave them any trouble, thanks to the fact that Anakin made sure his light saber was swinging at his side in full view. They reached Watto's shop and went in. They heard talking and realized that the Dug had a visitor.
"Look, I really need that part. Do ya got it or not?" a male voice asked.
"You still owe me alotta money Solo! No money, no part!" Watto replied.
"Look Watto, I can get ya the money as soon as Jabba gives me a job. But I ain't gonna get anything from him if my ship won't fly," the young man, who couldn't be more than 21, replied.
"I've got customers," Watto said, as he went out into the main area to greet whoever was there. Solo followed, intending to keep pestering the junk dealer.
"Ani! What a surprise. And Padme too. Where are those little sprouts?" Watto asked. Anakin smiled.
"Hello Watto. The kids are back at Owen and Beru's. We came in to ask if you could recommend a trustworthy pilot for us to charter a flight home with. We had a little...entanglement with the Imperials and we need to get home unnoticed," Anakin explained.
"Boy, you're in luck Ani. Just so happens, I know just the guy. He also happens to need a job, cause he owes me alotta money. Meet captain Solo," Watto said.
"Nice to meet you captain, I'm Anakin Skywalker and this is my wife Padme," Anakin said, shaking his hand.
"I'm Han Solo. But I'm afraid I'm not available to be your pilot. Look Watto, I need that part so I can finish a job and get Jabba his money, before he has my head," Han yelled.
"Captain Solo, if you were to take our family home, you would be well paid," Padme interjected.
"How much?" Han asked.
"Two thousand in advance and fifteen more once we reach our destination," Padme replied. Han looked astounded, by Padme's offer and regal authority. Anakin smirked, realizing that like most, he had underestimated her because of her beauty and small stature.
"Seventeen thousand huh? How do I know you're good for it?" Han asked skeptically. Anakin and Padme smiled and exchanged amused glances.
"I was once a senator in the days of the old Republic. I can assure you that we're good for it," Padme replied. Han regarded them both and then caught sight of the silver cylinder dangling from Anakin's side.
"You're rebels," Han said.
"Is that going to be a problem captain?" Anakin asked.
"Nah, I don't care who ya are as long as I get my money. What's the cargo?" he asked.
"The two of us, our three children, our two friends, and their son," Anakin replied. Han nodded, as Watto brought him the part he needed.
"Here's the part Solo. You better pay me back!" Watto grumbled.
"Yeah, yeah," Han grumbled back.
"I'll have my partner get this on the ship and I'll be here to pick ya up at the space port in the morning," Han told them. Anakin nodded and took Padme's hand, as they left to find a room for the night.
Anakin and Padme found one of the nicer hotels in Mos Espa and paid for a room. Padme stood gazing out the window, while brushing out her long curls.
"I can't wait till we get home," Padme said. Anakin wrapped his arms around her from behind and she leaned into his embrace.
"Me either. Home by the lake, where we can take our moonlight swims together," he whispered in her ear. She smiled, thinking about that favorite activity of theirs. They usually took a long swim together at least once a week after the kids had gone to bed. Anakin tightened his hold around her and placed several, sensual kisses along her neck.
"I don't know what I'd do if I lost you," Anakin said desperately. She turned in his embrace and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"You're not going to lose me Ani," she replied.
"You're always in constant danger, thanks to the damn empire. What if...what if I don't get there in time to save you the next time or the time after that. I hate that there even could be a next time!" Anakin replied.
"That's why we're fighting the Empire Ani, you know that. I also know that when the time is right, you'll destroy the Sith and free the galaxy, I know you will," Padme replied.
"I hate that stupid prophecy," Anakin grumbled.
"You may be the Jedi's chosen one, but you're mine first. Never doubt that," Padme replied.
"I've always been yours," he told her. She kissed him softly.
"And I've always been yours, even when I tried to deny it," she said. He grinned and kissed her again.
"So, that day I walked into your apartment after ten years?" he asked. She kissed him again.
"You had me the moment our eyes met," she admitted, before kissing him yet again.
"Well, you had me the moment you walked into Watto's shop," he replied, returning another kiss.
"You thought I was an angel," she stated, as she gently kissed him again.
"You are an angel," he replied. This time, he captured her lips in another kiss. Angling his mouth over hers, he kissed her deeply, long, and hard. She moaned into the kids, as his hands traveled over her body, touching her through her nightgown. She caressed his bare, broad chest with her hands, as she slowly traveled down his abs and to the waistband of his sleep pants. He slipped her nightgown down her slender frame, leaving it in a pool at her feet, while she pushed his pants down his long legs. Anakin lifted her up and she wrapped her legs around his waist, as he carried her to the bed, desire mirroring in each other's eyes...
The next morning, Anakin and Padme met Obi-Wan, Sabe, and the children at the space port.
"Did you two find someone?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Sure did master, we're going home in that," Anakin pointed at the spherical Corellian cruiser.
"What a piece of junk. How are we going to get anywhere with such a bulky design. I miss our Nubian," Luke complained.
"Don't let looks deceive you Luke. You may be surprised by the power of that ship. Captain Solo let Artoo and I look her over before you got here. She's impressive," Anakin replied with a grin.
"Does the ship have a name daddy?" Larisa asked.
"She sure does sweetie. Captain Solo calls her the Millennium Falcon," Anakin replied. About that time, Han made his way over to the people he would be taking home.
"Captain Solo, I'd like you meet Obi-Wan Kenobi, his wife Sabe, and their son Zach," Anakin introduced. Obi-Wan shook the young man's hand.
"It's a pleasure to meet you captain," Obi-Wan greeted.
"You too, but you can call me Han," he replied.
"These are our children, Luke, Leia, and Larisa," Anakin introduced. Han smiled at the kids and nodded. The seven foot tall Wookie, who was standing by the Falcon rawled to get Han's attention.
"That's my first mate, Chewy. He says we're all checked out and ready to go. So where is this planet of yours?" Han asked.
"It's called Andea and it's very far out beyond the outer rim. At least a four to five day journey probably," Anakin replied.
"I've never heard of it," Han replied.
"Not many have captain Solo, and I'd like to keep it that way," Anakin replied.
"Mr. Solo, is that a real wookie!" Larisa asked in amazement.
"Sure is kid. Once we get underway, I'll have him introduce himself. Don't be afraid of him, he won't hurt you," Han told them, as they boarded the ship. A few minutes later, the Millennium Falcon left Tatooine. Han and Chewy made the jump to hyperspace, coordinates set for Andea.
"Report," Psion demanded from the trooper.
"I'm sorry Lady Psion, but we haven't been able to trace any sign of the stolen vessel. Wherever they went, they must have destroyed the craft upon landing," the trooper reported. Psion growled and stalked off. Once again, he had slipped through her fingers. She entered her chambers and answered the comm from her master.
"What do you have to report?" Sidious asked.
"We have stepped up production on the death star. I have ordered that we have it finished within a year. Had our weapons been operational, the Skywalkers would have not escaped," Psion insisted.
"Excellent, keep me posted on the progress. As for Skywalker, there will be other opportunities to claim him. I was pleased to hear that the rebel base on Dantooine was obliterated. I hear the casualties were heavy," Sidious said. Psion smirked.
"Yes master, it will take them a while to regroup and their efforts will be futile, for I will continue to hunt them down until they're all dead," Psion replied evilly.
"Very good. I shall plan a trip to see your progress on the death star soon," Sidious said, as his transmission blinked out.
Four days later, thanks to the Falcon's speed, Andea was in sight. After getting landing clearance, Han took the Falcon in and landed. He had been to a lot of planets, but he had to admit that Andea was incredibly beautiful. He could see why Anakin wanted to keep this little jewel away from the empire.
"Your welcome to stay with us for the night if you'd like Captain Solo," Padme offered.
"Thank you maim, I think I'll take you up on that. I'm a bit tired," Han said. Padme called home and soon, Dorme, Typho, and Sola arrived bringing two speeders to take everyone home...