Anakin tossed and turned in his sleep as beads of sweat ran down his face. "No!" he cried out. "No, Mom, no! NO!"

He shouted so loudly that he woke himself up with a start. It took him a moment to remember where he was. He was in Padmé's family home on Naboo. He was safe. But his mother was still on Tatooine. She was not safe.

Anakin sat up and slid over to the edge of the bed. He put his head in his hands as his mind began to race. It was the same nightmare as the ones he'd had before, but this time was different. He felt a sense of urgency now that he had not felt before, as though the death of his mother was now imminent. Qui-Gon had promised to take him to Tatooine as soon as the matter of Padmé's would-be assassins was dealt with, but Anakin knew there was no time to wait for that. He knew deep in his soul that if he waited for Qui-Gon's help it would be too late. If he was ever going to see his mother alive again, Anakin had to go now.

Without any hesitation, Anakin stood up and got dressed. He left his room and was about to make his way down the hall when he was stopped by the sight of Padmé's door. Now he hesitated. Could he really leave her behind now? Would she be able to forgive him for abandoning her at her time of need? Would he be able to forgive himself if he didn't?

Then Anakin remembered that Obi-Wan would still be here to protect her. She would still be safe as long as she stayed here with Obi-Wan. Right now, Padmé did not need Anakin, but his mother did. With an effort, Anakin continued walking. He had only taken a few steps when he was stopped by the sound of a door opening behind him. "Anakin?"

Anakin turned around and saw Padmé standing in her doorway. She looked him up and down and realized immediately that he was planning to leave. "Where are you going?" she asked.

"To find my mother," Anakin replied.

"It's the nightmares, isn't it? They're getting worse."

Anakin nodded. "I'm sorry, but I must leave you here. You'll be alright. Obi-Wan will see to it that no harm becomes of you."

"No," Padmé shook her head. "You're not leaving. Not without me."

"I can't ask you to do that," Anakin stepped toward her. "It's too dangerous."

"That's why I'm not waiting for you to ask. I'm coming with you," Padmé insisted. "Stay right there, I'll be right back."

With that, she disappeared back into her room. "You two weren't planning on running off without me, were you?" Anakin heard Obi-Wan say from behind him.

Anakin turned around to face Obi-Wan and smiled in spite of himself when he saw that Obi-Wan was completely ready to go. "No," Anakin shook his head. "I suppose not. Though I wish you would both just let me go."

"Anakin, I made Qui-Gon a promise that I would look after both of you, and I intend to keep that promise," Obi-Wan replied. "It is better this way. Trust me."

Anakin nodded as Padmé approached, now appropriately dressed for the deserts of Tatooine in a white jumpsuit and light cape. "I've contacted the palace," she announced as she stopped by Anakin's side. "They will have a cruiser waiting for us when we arrive."

"Very good," Obi-Wan nodded. "In that case, we'd best head out."

Anakin and Padmé nodded in return and soon the trio were off to the palace. When they arrived, they found a cruiser that was fueled and ready for takeoff, just as Padmé had said. As they entered the ship, they were greeted by a blue and white astromech droid that beeped and whistled excitedly upon seeing them. Anakin immediately recognized it as the same droid who had been with him the last time he was on Naboo. "R2? R2-D2?" he smiled in surprise.

This was met with a series of affirmative beeps as R2 wobbled happily from side to side. "It's good to see you too," Anakin said.

"R2, is the ship ready?" Padmé asked.

R2 gave gave a whistle indicating all systems were a go. "Good," Anakin said. "Then prepare the hyperdrive and set a course for Tatooine."

R2 beeped and set to work as the cruiser's engines powered up. Obi-Wan and Anakin took there positions in the cockpit and began the procedure to guide the ship out of the hangar. In no time they were leaving Naboo's atmosphere and on their way to Tatooine.

Once they had landed on Tatooine, they made their way through the city of Mos Espa until they reached the junkyard of the Toydarian who had owned Anakin and his mother as slaves when Anakin was a boy. The Toydarian, whose name was Watto, was surprised to see Anakin and even more surprised to see that he had become a Jedi in the time since Anakin had won his freedom in that podrace ten years ago. Watto of course had no idea that the man Anakin had left with was Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn, so his surprise was understandable. Thus Anakin pushed past that topic and asked after his mother. "Oh yeah, Shmi," Watto scratched his head. "She's not mine no more, I sold her."

"Sold her?" Anakin asked.

"Years ago," Watto nodded. "Sorry, Ani, but you know, business is business."

"Where can I find her?" Anakin asked.

"I sold her to a moisture farmer called Lars. At least I think it was Lars. Believe it or not, I heard he freed her and married her! How do you like that, eh?"

After some more pressing from Anakin, Watto finally revealed where the Lars farm was located, and so they left Watto to return to their cruiser. They did not have to fly far before they reached a small homestead out in the middle of nowhere. "If Watto's coordinates are correct, this is the place," Obi-Wan said as he guided the ship in for a landing.

After instructing R2 to stay with the ship, Anakin, Padmé, and Obi-Wan disembarked and walked toward the farm. They were greeted just outside by a protocol droid with worn out outer plating. "Oh hello," the droid greeted them. "I am C-"

"3PO?" Anakin asked as he recognized the voice of the droid he had built to be his mother's assistant.

"Oh!" C-3PO exclaimed. "The Maker! Master Ani, it's so good to see you again!"

"3PO, where is my mother?" Anakin asked.

"Oh, I'm afraid we'd better go indoors," C-3PO replied as he led the trio inside.

Once inside, they found a young man and a young woman talking to each other. The young man's attention was instantly drawn to the group as they approached. "3PO?" the young man inquired. "Who is this?"

"This is Anakin Skywalker, Mistress Shmi's son," C-3PO responded.

"Anakin," the young man repeated. "Shmi always said you'd come someday. I'm Owen, and this is my girlfriend Beru. I guess I'm your step-brother."

"Nice to meet you," Anakin gave a small bow. "This is Padmé and Obi-Wan. We're looking for my mother."

"She was taken," a gruff voice said.

The group turned and saw an old man ride up to them in a hoverchair. "Cliegg Lars," the man extended his hand. "Shmi is my wife."

Anakin took Cliegg's hand and shook it. "Where was she taken?" he asked.

"We don't know," Cliegg shook his head. "Tuskens took her some days ago. Some men and I went searching for her, but we were attacked. After that," here he rubbed his leg, "I just couldn't ride any more. We had parties continue the search, but they found nothing. I'm afraid," Cliegg paused as he choked on the words, "I'm afraid your mother is dead, son."

Anakin stepped back, unable to accept what he had just heard. Padmé looked on, pained by the look on Anakin's face. Obi-Wan walked up to Anakin and put his hand on his shoulder. "We'll find her, Anakin," he said. "I promise you, we will find her."

Anakin looked back at Obi-Wan and nodded. Then he turned to Padmé and said, "Stay here and wait for us."

Once Padmé had given him a nod in response, Anakin turned back to Cliegg, gestured toward Padmé, and said, "Look after her."

"We will," Cliegg nodded.

"Anakin," Padmé murmured as she moved toward him and locked him in an embrace.

Anakin held her in his arms for a moment. He was surprised by the sudden display of affection, but he welcomed it. It somehow calmed his mind and soothed his spirits. Finally he let her go and whispered, "We'll be back soon."

She nodded and watched as the two Jedi departed. When they were gone, Beru put her arm around Padmé's shoulder and guided her into a dining room. "Is there anything I can get you?" Beru asked.

"No, not right now, thank you," Padmé shook her head as she sank into one of the chairs at the table.

"Your friends, they're Jedi, aren't they?" Beru asked.

"Yes," Padmé nodded.

"Good," Beru said. "I'm sure they'll be able to find her."

"I know," Padmé replied. "It's what happens when they find her that worries me."

While this conversation was happening, Anakin and Obi-Wan borrowed the Lars' speeder bikes and sped off into the desert. They rode until they came upon a camp of Jawas at sunset. They questioned the Jawas about any nearby Tusken camps, and soon learned of two camps that were nearby. When they arrived at the first one, Anakin shook his head. "She's not here," he said.

"Are you sure?" Obi-Wan asked.

"I don't sense her," Anakin replied. "Let's try the other camp."

Obi-Wan nodded and away they went. It was well into the night by the time they reached the second camp. Anakin stopped his bike some distance from the camp and shut off the engine. Obi-Wan pulled up beside him and followed suit. "Anakin?" he asked.

"She's here."

Obi-Wan nodded and they dismounted from their bikes. They walked the rest of the way until they reached the perimeter of the camp. Then Anakin reached out through the Force to sense his mother's exact location. Once he got a sense of where she was, he led Obi-Wan stealthily through the camp until they reached a small tent. Anakin stopped here and gestured toward it, indicating this was the place. Obi-Wan nodded and used the Force to quietly create an opening.

Once they were inside, they found Shmi tied to a post. She was slumped over the post and her eyes were closed, which made Anakin worry that she was dead. But as he approached her, she stirred and murmured something that was not intelligible, telling him she was still alive. Anakin hurried to untie her and gently lowered her to the floor. As she began to wake up, Anakin got a more clear look at her and realized she had been brutally tortured. Her face was disfigured, and her clothes were stained with blood.

"Ani?" she whispered as she regained consciousness.

"I'm here, Mom," Anakin's voice trembled as he heard his mother's voice.

"My son," she smiled as she put her hand on Anakin's cheek. "My grown up son. Oh, you look so handsome. I've missed you so much."

"I know," Anakin nodded. "I've missed you too."

"I'm glad I got to see you, one last time," she said weakly.

"No, don't say that," Anakin shook his head. "I've got you now, everything's going to be alright."

With that, Anakin raised his hand over his mother's body and began transferring some of his life force to her, just as he had done for Qui-Gon on Naboo all those years ago. It was at this moment that he realized the extent of her wounds. She had been beaten so badly that she was now at death's door. Anakin reached out through the Force, trying desperately to save her, but the more he tried, the weaker he felt. Then she reached up and grabbed his arm.

"No, Anakin," she shook her head. "You have to be strong. You have to let me go."

"No," Anakin began to cry. "I can't."

"You must," she whispered. "I'm not worth this."

"You are to me," Anakin insisted.

Tears welled up in Shmi's eyes as she said, "Oh Ani, you've always had such a good heart. You were meant to help others. Don't throw that away for me."

Anakin could only shake his head as he continued to reach out through the Force.

"Ani, let me go," Shmi said as she let go of his arm and placed her hand over his heart. "It's alright. Let go, Ani."

Anakin looked into his mother's eyes. They showed no sign of pain or suffering. Instead, they were full of love and peace. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and broke off the connection between him and his mother. Shmi began gasping for breath as the life he had tried to give her passed back into him. "Ani?"

Anakin opened his eyes. She struggled to form the words, "I love…"

She went limp in his arms before she could finish the sentence. Now there was no doubt that Shmi Skywalker was dead.

Anakin held her lifeless body in a tight embrace and began to weep. This was wrong. He should have been here sooner. He should have been able to save her. But instead she had been alone, and those monsters outside had killed her. His anguish turned to rage as he stood up and reached for his lightsaber. "Anakin, no," Obi-Wan's voice broke through the wrath that was burning up as Anakin felt his friend's hand wrap around his arm.

"Don't stop me, Obi-Wan," Anakin whispered angrily.

"Anakin, please," Obi-Wan continued to hold him back, "this isn't the way. I know you're angry, I know you're in pain. But don't do this."

"They have to pay for what they did to her!"

"Not like this. Not at the expense of your soul. Is this what your mother would want?"

Anakin stood still for a moment, breathing aggressively. He looked back at his mother's corpse. Her eyes were still open, and though they were lifeless, he could still see traces of the love she had for him in them. His breathing calmed a little and he withdrew his hand from his lightsaber. He sank to his knees and began to sob. Obi-Wan knelt down beside him and put his arm around him. "I'm sorry, Anakin," he whispered.

They sat there just like that for awhile until Anakin settled down. Then Obi-Wan said, "The suns will be up soon. We'd better take her body and go."

Anakin sniffled and nodded. They stood up, Anakin scooped up his mother, and Obi-Wan led the way back to the bikes. They rode through the morning until they finally returned to the Lars homestead. As they brought their speeders to a halt, the Lars, Beru, and Padmé all came out to meet them. Their faces fell when they saw Shmi's body in Anakin's arms. Anakin wordlessly carried her past them and into the house. Obi-Wan, on the other hand, stopped by Padmé's side. "Obi-Wan," she said quietly, "what happened out there?"

"We arrived just before she passed," Obi-Wan replied, matching her tone. "She died in his arms."

Padmé shakily took in a breath, but could not bring herself to say anything.

"I know," Obi-Wan said. "Be strong for him, Padmé. He needs you."

"Me?"

"Yes. More than you know. Go be with him. I'll give the Lars the news."

Padmé nodded and went into the house. It took a moment of searching to find Anakin, but she eventually found him in the garage. He was sitting on the floor in front of a pile of speeder parts, his back turned toward the doorway. Padmé could tell he was messing around with some parts, and wondered if he preferred to be alone. As if he could read her thoughts, he said, "Don't go."

Padmé took this as an invitation to join him and sat down next to him. Now she could see that he had been crying. "I couldn't save her, Padmé," Anakin shook his head. "I could have saved her. If I'd been here."

"Anakin, it's not your fault."

"Then why does it feel like it is?"

Padmé put her hand on his shoulder. "Anakin, please don't blame yourself. You didn't do this."

"I know," Anakin bowed his head.

"Don't shut down on me, Anakin. Tell me what's going on and let me help you."

"I… I can't tell you."

"Try me. Please."

Anakin sat in silence for a moment, then began, "When we found my mother, when she died, I…"

"What?"

"I wanted to kill them. I wanted to kill them all. Not just the men, but the women, and the children too. I know I shouldn't have, but I wanted them to suffer, like she suffered. If Obi-Wan hadn't been there to hold me back, I don't know what I would have done."

"It's best not to dwell on that. You didn't kill anyone. That's what matters."

"I'm a Jedi. I should be better than this."

"Hey," Padmé took his face in her hand and turned his head to face her, "you are a great Jedi, and an even better man. You showed mercy when you wanted revenge. Your mother would be so proud of you. You haven't failed her."

"I miss her. So much," Anakin began to cry again.

Padmé pulled him into an embrace. "I know. I'm so sorry, Anakin."

Padmé did not leave Anakin's side for the rest of the day. Wherever he went, she went with him. Whenever she saw a hint of shame on his face, she would quietly take his hand to reassure him that everything was alright. When Anakin was ready to retire for the night, she gave him a long hug and wished him good night.

Try as he might, Anakin could not fall asleep. He kept tossing and turning as he could not get the image of his mother's beaten face out of his mind's eye. Finally, he gave up on sleeping and got out of bed to meditate. As he tried to quiet his mind, he felt a familiar presence reaching out to him through the Force. "Anakin? Anakin, can you hear me?"

"Master Qui-Gon?" Anakin asked.

"Anakin, I'm sorry," Qui-Gon said. "I sense your loss, and I'm sorry."

"I wasn't strong enough to save her, Master."

"You blame yourself for her death?"

"Yes."

"Don't. You had no part in what happened to her."

"No. But if I had been here, I could have stopped it."

"You don't know that. It does not help to dwell on what ifs, Anakin. They will drive you to madness."

"What else am I supposed to do?"

"Mourn for her, then live. Be the man she always knew you were. Be the Jedi I know you can be. For her."

"I don't know how to do that, Master."

"Nobody ever does at first. You'll be alright, Anakin. You already have everything you need. You just need to find your way."

"And what if I can't?"

"Trust in the Force. When your path is laid before you, you will know it. In the meantime, look to Obi-Wan and to Padmé. They are willing to help you for as long as is necessary. Now I must go. I cannot maintain this connection for much longer. I'm sorry I cannot be more help."

"It's alright, Master. Thank you for reaching out."

"Of course, my boy. Take care of yourself."

And with that, Anakin was alone once again.