Chapter Seventeen: Returning Home
Jango woke instantly alert as the unfamiliar vibrations of the ship he was in set off his threat alarms. He looked round the room he was in before remembering where he was and why he was there. Feeling somewhat safer the bounty hunter then looked round for his son. Finding Boba not present he frowned and rose, dressing quickly and efficiently before stepping out of the room and starting his search.
He walked up the small corridor and arrived at the common area, where he encountered Obi-Wan. The Knight looked up at him and then gestured to a seat.
"Sit down Jango" he said calmly. "We're about to have breakfast. What do you want to eat?"
Jango blinked, before cautiously replying, "Anything's fine really. Have you seen my son?" Obi-Wan nodded before jerking his head towards the cockpit.
"He's up front with Harry; he wanted to learn the controls of the ship. Harry obliged him and has kept him occupied until you woke up. They should be coming back any minute now."
Just then footsteps sounded in the small corridor leading to the cockpit and then Boba burst into the common area, with Harry behind him. The young boy leapt at Jango jabbering excitedly, "Dad, Harry showed me how to fly this ship, it's awesome. He even let me fly it alone for a few minutes."
Jango raised an eyebrow at Harry who shrugged. "I figured I was there to oversee any problems and he couldn't do much harm out here. It was a good way of keeping him occupied while you slept."
Now it was Jango's turn to shrug. "Thanks Jedi, he always wants to learn more about different types of ships. Where's breakfast?"
Harry smirked. "First of all, it's Harry, and second of all, I'll get breakfast if you'll tell me what you want." After Jango, Boba and Obi-Wan had given their orders Harry swiftly prepared the meal and they sat down to eat. They were just finishing when Boba asked a question.
"Hey Harry, why did you hurt that other guy. He's a Jedi too right?"
Harry and Obi-Wan exchanged looks before looking at Jango. The elder bounty hunter shrugged and Harry took that as permission to tell the boy the details.
"He used to be a Jedi Boba. He went bad and wants to hurt the galaxy so we had to stop him. I really didn't want to hurt him like that but he wouldn't surrender."
"Why didn't you kill him? Then he couldn't hurt anyone ever again" came the next question. Harry raised his eyebrows at Jango who shrugged again.
"He's not exactly innocent Je, sorry Harry. It's what he knows."
Harry raised his eyebrows again but before he could answer Obi-Wan broke in. "We didn't kill him because he has information we need Boba, and also we don't just go around killing randomly. We never kill without a very good reason and we don't like doing it."
"So killing isn't a job for you then?" the young bounty hunter asked. This got two emphatic negative head shakes from the two Jedi. "No. We prefer to keep people alive, Boba, not see them die."
Boba looked incredulous that the Jedi could live without killing people but Jango intervened at this point.
"Boba, different people live by different codes. You and I live by one, the Jedi live by another. They may be different but you need to respect that difference OK."
"OK Dad. Has that bad guy had breakfast yet?"
Harry looked at Obi-Wan who shook his head. "I didn't feed him Harry, I thought you were going to."
Harry shook his head in disbelief. "I doubt that he'd be willing to take food from me, I'm the guy that relieved him of three of his limbs remember. You take him the food; he'll be more likely to believe it isn't poisoned if it comes from you."
Obi-Wan raised his eyebrows but got up and prepared a meal for their prisoner. He then walked down to the cargo hold where he knocked once and went inside. After a few minutes he returned.
"He's eating. He's not very happy with any of us but he's eating at least. Are you going to question him Harry?"
Harry shook his head. "No I'll leave that for the Council. I need to go and meditate for a bit. I've got some things that need sorting out before I arrive back at the Temple." With that he got up and quietly retreated to his room to meditate on what to do about Anakin and the potential consequences his Padawan could face for his actions.
While Harry and co were on their way back to Coruscant, Anakin, James, Lily and Padme had arrived at the Jedi Temple. They had been quickly moved indoors where they had been questioned about what had happened on Tatooine. The Jedi had noticed Anakin's pain at any mention of Harry and Mace resolved to talk to him one on one without involving the Council for now. Arrangements were made to house Padme in one of the guest apartments and James and Lily were dismissed to freshen up and grab some sleep before returning to their normal duties the next day. Anakin was also dismissed but Mace chose to walk with him back to his apartment.
Once they were inside, Mace sat down on the couch and held out a hand to the suffering Padawan. "Anakin, sit down please. I know that something went wrong on Tatooine, Master Yoda was able to sense your pain from here. I'm not here to judge and we won't do anything about anything that you tell me until Harry gets back but you need to tell someone what happened before you crack."
Anakin looked at the floor before finally meeting Mace's eyes. "You truly won't do anything until my master gets back?" he asked. Mace nodded. "Yes Anakin. Think of me as just Mace here, not as a Jedi Council member."
Anakin nodded and took a deep breath. Voice subdued he said, "My mother died in my arms, killed by Tusken Raiders. I lost my temper, and my control on my emotions. My master tried to stop me but I killed them all, the men, and the women and the children. When Harry tried to stop me I attacked him, with my lightsaber. I, I used the Dark Side in the attack."
Mace was shocked but hid it well. This was definitely a matter for the Council but he was right to delay informing them until Harry could be there to provide defence for Anakin as was his right. Voice gentle he asked, "Did Harry say anything to you afterwards?"
Anakin nodded. Near tears once again from reliving the memory, he choked out, "He said that he would be within his rights to disown me but he wouldn't do so as he believed that I could learn from this and still be a good Jedi. He said that he was ashamed of me, but then said, just before he took off for Geonosis, that he still loved me. I'm not sure what to do Master, I'm afraid that he won't want me after he's had a chance to think about it, and I'm not sure about my future here."
Looking directly at Mace he said, "I feel lost Master. Help me, please."
Mace looked at Anakin for a moment, internally debating with himself. The situation was serious, using the Dark Side and attacking one's Master wasn't something to take lightly but he could also see that what Harry had said had hurt Anakin deeply. Sighing he asked, "May I see the memory for myself? I know that you told me about it but I also know that a highly charged emotional state can distort your view of the events in question. A dispassionate, calm review of the memory can often help to put things in a proper perspective."
Anakin looked at him cautiously before reluctantly nodding. Mace led him in meditation until he'd calmed enough to show the memory via the Force. This memory sharing was often done between Master and Padawan but Mace was close enough to Anakin, and powerful enough for the technique to work.
When the memory had finished, Mace sat back. Harry had been quite harsh, and he was surprised at that. His former Padawan wasn't much given to that level of severity when it came to reprimands. Even though the event in question was serious, he hadn't believed that Harry could bring himself to be that harsh.
'Guess I was wrong' the Jedi Master thought, before turning his attention to the Padawan sitting opposite him. "Anakin" he started gently. He waited until Anakin's eyes met his before continuing.
"I know that what Harry said hurt, but he was hurting too. He didn't like having to be that harsh anymore than you liked it. But, he was right in what he said. He won't be your only defender when you face the Council. I'll also be on your side. I can't say that officially but I'll oppose any expulsion request, as will your master. Just be patient, and take whatever punishment you're given, and you'll get through this OK."
Anakin nodded and Mace stood, pulling Anakin with him. The Master pulled him into a hug briefly before letting go. Looking straight at him, Mace said, "Harry loves you more than life itself Anakin. Never doubt that."
He turned and walked out of the apartment, leaving Anakin to contemplate the upcoming Council meeting, as well as the eventual meeting with his master as well. Anakin sank down onto the couch and dropped his head into his hands, finally allowing the situation to sink in and accept what happened.
The next day saw the arrival of the Marauder at the Jedi Temple. Anakin, Mace, James and Lily were there to meet them, with three visitors who had arrived earlier that morning. Hermione had used the intervening years between Harry's departure from Earth and the present day to construct a way to get from Earth to Coruscant via magic. She had finally succeeded earlier that year and now she had arranged with the Jedi Council to visit with Harry briefly, and had brought Professors Dumbledore and Snape with her.
Snape and Dumbledore had not failed to notice Anakin's subdued demeanor and wondered what was wrong. Hermione quietly questioned him about Harry and was astute enough to realize that whatever was wrong concerned Harry. She was tactful enough to not mention this fact; however, when Harry arrived she didn't need to as Snape and Dumbledore both sensed the tension in Anakin skyrocket when he spotted Harry.
"It looks like Anakin is in trouble with Harry" Dumbledore murmured to Snape. The younger professor nodded before whispering back, "Serious trouble I think." Dumbledore nodded quietly before there was a general gasp as Obi-Wan led the rest of the group down the ramp.
Jango tensed upon seeing the group but Harry dropped back and quietly said, "Relax, they're friends. The three at the back are visitors from my homeworld, and the ones to the left are my former Master, my parents and my apprentice. None of them will hurt you or Boba."
Jango nodded, having come to temporarily, and just barely, trust the raven haired Jedi now walking beside him. His senses picked up the tension in Anakin and he smirked.
"Your apprentice seems a bit nervous to be seeing you again Harry" he said. Harry snorted. "He has reason to be, our parting was not on especially friendly terms. That doesn't mean I'm going to hurt him however."
Jango smirked again and nodded. Harry moved forward to the front and quietly spoke to Mace. "We brought back Jango Fett the bounty hunter that Obi-Wan believes is the assassin that was ordered to kill Senator Amidala for questioning. He's brought his son with him; don't separate them for too long, they're very close."
Mace nodded. "We won't Harry, we only want to question him. We'll let him go afterwards. What happened to Dooku?"
"He tried to escape, after hurting Obi-Wan." Looking slightly embarrassed Harry continued, "I was also letting out my residual anger at Anakin's actions on Tatooine. It's not something I'm proud of but I do feel better now and I'm ready to talk with my Padawan and discuss what happened calmly."
Mace eyed his former Padawan before replying, "Good. He's very upset you know. He thinks you're going to reject him now that you've had time to consider things."
Harry's eyes closed and he looked pained. "Does he not trust me when I say that I love him? Have I not shown him time and again that I will fight for him, that I will defend him from anyone and everyone that attacks him? Why doesn't he believe that I love him?"
"I think he does believe that Harry, but a situation like this one brings up doubts, and your threat didn't help matters."
Harry sighed. "I said that to get the severity of the situation across to him. I also said that I WOULDN'T do that." Sighing again he added, "I'll go talk to him."
Turning he walked towards Anakin, noticing the presence of the three Earth visitors. Calmly he turned to James and Lily and said, "Hello Mum, Dad. Would you mind taking Hermione, Severus and Albus to your quarters while I talk with Anakin please?"
James and Lily nodded and quietly guided the three guests off the platform and back indoors while Harry and Anakin looked at each other quietly. Behind them, Mace guided Jango and Boba indoors and up to the Council chamber for questioning.
Finally Anakin spoke. "Hello Master." Harry looked back at him before replying neutrally, "Hello Anakin. How are you doing?"
Anakin looked up at his master and then shrugged. "OK I guess. I'm just feeling lost and unsure of what's going to happen now." He spotted Dooku over Harry's shoulder and his eyes widened. "Er Master, what happened to him?"
Harry smirked and then said, "I was releasing my residual annoyance at your actions on him." As Anakin's eyes widened and his face paled, Harry started to think he'd made a mistake. Before he could say it was a joke, Dooku spoke from behind them.
"Whatever you did to piss him off must have been really bad."
Anakin paled even further and Harry growled lightly before flicking his wand at Dooku and silencing him. He then concentrated and banished Dooku to the holding cells at the bottom of the Temple before placing a hand on Anakin's back and gently but firmly guiding him inside. "Let's go home Padawan, and we can discuss what happened before we have to face the Council" he said gently, seeing that Anakin couldn't stand much more coldness from him.
Master and Padawan moved through the Temple, meeting hardly anyone else on the way, and Anakin breathed a sigh of relief when they reached their home. Walking through the door he dropped onto the couch, his legs giving out from under him now that he had seen his master's normal manner make a brief return. He hoped it lasted.
Harry sat down beside his Padawan and looked at him, really looked at him. Underneath the brave surface his apprentice was hurting badly, and it was partly his fault. Sighing he held out one arm, inviting a hug. Anakin needed no further invitation as he gladly accepted the hug. They sat in silence for a minute before Harry started to speak quietly.
"Anakin, when I saw you on Tatooine, I was more scared than I had ever been in my entire life. I thought I'd lose you to the one thing I'd always tried to prevent. I know that grief can be a dangerous thing, and I know that you were hurting and needed to lash out at something. Do you remember those memories I showed you of when I was 15?"
Anakin looked at Harry, not quite understanding the change of direction. "The one where you fought at the Ministry?" Harry nodded. "Yes Padawan. What happened to me after Sirius died?"
"You, you lost it too. You chased after the person who killed him and tried to hurt her. You used the Dark Side then too."
Harry nodded again. "Yes Anakin. If I had allowed myself too I could have easily lost myself to the Dark. But I pulled back from it. It was the most difficult thing I've ever done."
"I shouldn't have lost it the way I did Master. I could have asked you for a duel, where I could have let out my anger in a controlled setting rather than what happened. I'm sorry" Anakin whispered, from somewhere in the region of Harry's shoulder.
Harry shifted Anakin away from him and held his shoulders. "Yes you could have. I in turn need to say that I should have made sure that you knew that what I said wasn't meant to make you doubt my commitment to you. It needed to be said but it didn't have to destroy your confidence in our relationship the way it almost has and for that I'm sorry."
Anakin nodded before giving a shaky laugh. "We make quite the sorry pair then don't we Master?" he said. Harry chuckled before replying "Yes we do Anakin, yes we do."
Master and Padawan sat in a more comfortable silence for a few minutes before Anakin asked, "Master, what's going to happen at the Council hearing?"
Harry looked up at the ceiling. "Well, they'll debrief us about the general mission, then they'll most likely talk to us both, probably separately, and then they'll convene and make a decision. I don't think they'll expel you, I'll certainly do my best to prevent that, but you need to be prepared for the possibility of probation for a period of time. I will hopefully get them to declare this incident sealed so you don't hear about it on the grapevine, and I will do my best to ensure that it gets cleared up in a timely manner."
Anakin steeled himself to ask the next question. "You're not taking expulsion off the table simply because I'm the Chosen One are you?"
Harry growled slightly. "No I most certainly am not. That has nothing to do with this. Get that thought out of your head right now."
Anakin blinked and complied, before saying, "OK that thought has been trashed. Now what?"
Harry looked at him and said, "Now we wait." They didn't have to wait long. After about half an hour a call came on their comm. system.
"Harry" Mace said when the Knight answered the call. "Yes Mace what is it" Harry answered, although he knew what it was. Mace took a breath and then said simply,
"It's time."
