Disclaimer: In no way at all do I own any of the original character, locations, ships, or anything else mentioned in Star Wars. They are all owned by George Lucas. I only own my OC. Any similarities between this story and another are purely accidental.

A/N: Shorter than normal.

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After congratulating Anakin, Lyra had wandered off to the building where Watto was paying off the money he lost betting on Sebulba. She peered inside, seeing Qui-Gon talking to the Toydarian.

"You swindled me!" Watto shouted, pointing an accusing finger at Qui-Gon. "You knew the boy was going to win! Somehow you knew it! I lost everything!"

"Whenever you gamble, my friend, eventually you lose," stated Qui-Gon, hiding a smile. Bring the parts to the main hanger. I'll come by your shop later so you can release the boy."

"You can't have him," said Watto bitterly. "It wasn't a fair bet."

"Would you like to discuss this with the Hutts?" asked Qui-Gon, making Lyra stifle a snicker at his slyness. "I'm sure they can settle this."

Watto looked ready to scream. "No! No! I want no more of your tricks! Take him!" Outraged, Watto flew out of the small room, followed by Qui-Gon, who sighed deeply when he saw Lyra.

"You, young Padawan," he commented, "have a passion for eavesdropping." The way he smiled showed he remembered the times Lyra had eavesdropped on his conversations with Shmi and Anakin.

Lyra grinned sheepishly as they approached the arena. "It's handy sometimes," she said. "Like now. So Anakin's free, huh?"

"Yes," replied Qui-Gon. "As are you, free to choose whether or not you will go back." He looked at her. "Coruscant is—and always will be—your home. But no one will look down on you if you choose to see Tatooine as a home. It has, after all, sheltered you for most of your adolescent life."

I do want to go back to Coruscant, she thought, but I can't leave Shmi. Coruscant is my home, but so is Tatooine. What now?

Upon entering the arena, she stopped thinking about it and scooped Anakin into a hug, spinning him around in the air. This was Anakin's special moment, and she would not ruin it by brooding about her future. "I'm so proud of you, Ani!" she said, setting him down on the ground.

Anakin grinned up at her, then turned his grin to Padmé. "Just feeling this good was worth it," he replied honestly.

"Padmé, Jar Jar," Qui-Gon called from where he had harnessed the Eopies to crates full of parts, "let's go. We've got to get these parts back to the ship."

Lyra, Anakin, and Shmi stood waving as the three rode away.

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Later that day, Lyra and Shmi were working in the main room when Anakin burst into the hovel, followed closely by Qui-Gon. A small leather bag was clutched tightly in his hands.

"Mon, he sold the Pod!" he shouted gleefully, presenting the bag to his mother. "Look at all the money we have!"

"That's wonderful!" exclaimed Shmi, hugging her son.

"And Anakin has been freed," said Qui-Gon. Anakin's eyes widened with excitement as he spun around to look at the Jedi. "You're no longer a slave."

"Did you hear that Mom!" asked Anakin, jumping up and down with joy. He turned to look at Qui-Gon. "Was that part of the prize, or what?"

"Let's just say Watto has learned an important lesson about gambling."

Lyra stifled a chuckle as she remembered Qui-Gon's threat to go to the Hutts. It was certainly amusing, seeing the lazy blockhead fluttering around in fear.

"Now you can make your dreams come true, Ani. You're free!" She turned to Qui-Gon. "Will you take him with you? Is he to become a Jedi?"

"Our meeting was not a coincidence," added Qui-Gon. "Nothing happens by accident." He turned to Anakin. "You are strong with the Force, but the Council may not accept you."

Anakin grinned excitedly. "A Jedi! Mighty blasters, you mean I get to go with you in your starship and everything!"

Qui-Gon knelt down to eye-level with Anakin. Anakin, training to be a Jedi will not be an easy challenge. And if you succeed, it will be a hard life."

"But it's what I want," Anakin protested, "what I've always dreamed about." He turned to Shmi. "Can I go Mom?"

"This path has been placed for you, Ani," said Shmi. "The choice to take it is yours alone."

Anakin looked between his mother and Qui-Gon before saying, "I want to go."

Smiling, Qui-Gon said, "Then pack your things. We haven't much time."

Anakin hugged Shmi and Lyra, then raced towards his room. Suddenly, he stopped, looking back at Qui-Gon, Shmi, and Lyra. "What about Mom? And Lyra? Are they coming?"

"Lyra told me everything, Ani," Qui-Gon said. "But it is up to her whether or not she wants to come. As for your mother, I tried to free her, but Watto wouldn't have it."

"But the money from selling…"

"It's not nearly enough."

Shmi went over to her son and sat next to him. Taking both of his hands in hers, she drew him close. "Son, my place is here. My future is here. It is time for you to let go…to let go of me. I cannot go with you."

"I want to stay with you," said Anakin, close to crying. "I don't want things to change."

"You can't stop change any more than you can stop the suns from setting," Shmi replied. "Listen to your feelings, Ani. You know what's right."

"I'm going to miss you," said Anakin quietly.

"I love you Ani, now hurry." She nudged him to his room to pack.

Lyra felt tears prick her eyes as Shmi turned to her. "I'm not leaving without you," she said stubbornly. "You took care of me when no one else would, and I am not repaying that fact by abandoning you here."

Shmi sighed. "You aren't going to abandon me, Lyra," she said. "Anakin needs you with him there more then I need you here. How do you think he'll feel if he goes there by himself?"

Lyra said nothing.

"That's what I thought," replied Shmi. She hugged Lyra, kissing her cheek lightly.

Holding back tears, Lyra went to pack as well.