The arena, in which the race was to begin, was full and overly crowded.

Qui-Gon, along with the company of Shmi and Yané, made their way across the desert field towards Anakin's racer where Shmi immediately held her son in her arms and talked softly to him; such as a mother would when expressing her worries for her only son's safety. The sight of seeing mother and son together sent a feeling of guilt through Qui-Gon's heart. He should have checked on the status of his Padawan earlier when he had the chance, rather then having Handmaiden Yané go back to the ship alone and unarmed. Qui-Gon had no doubt that the young girl had been trained in the arts of self defense and was more then likely to care for her own well-being when nobody else was present…but the growing disturbance in the Force did little to convince the aging Master to accompany her and see Obi-Wan with his own eyes.

It would have brought comfort to his Padawan.

That…and answer the lingering questions that recently were discovered during his current meditations. Something from the Force was drawing his Padawan towards a path that was all too familiar to Qui-Gon. It was a path he had been on before, and one that had ended in much sorrow and led him into a world of self-destruction. The feelings and Force-traces through their training bond told Qui-Gon that something forbidden was beginning to take place…how he was certain of this, he could not be sure. But he trusted in the Force and right now all he knew was that he deeply believed Anakin Skywalker would win this eventful race and soon everyone aboard the Naboo vessel would be heading to Coruscant.

That is…if he could do his best to concentrate on the now rather then the later and what ifs… The darkside was growing each passing day and didn't seem to dwindle in stride.

He had to be cautious.

And return to the ship with no casualties.

Casualties… Was he expecting an attack?

"Master Jinn, sir." Handmaiden Yané gently broke him from his thoughts, gazing into her caring eyes. "Miss Shmi and I will take our places on one of the circular viewing balconies. Anakin is preparing for the race, and requests your audience."

Qui-Gon nodded. "Of course. I'll will catch up to you two in a moment." Yané smiled and soon she and Shmi made their way to the far side of the arena.

"Where is Jar-Jar?" He heard Shmi ask the young 'maiden.

"He's with See-Threepio and Kitster. Staying out of trouble, I hope."

He couldn't help but to smile. Staying out of trouble indeed, he mused.

Anakin looked up as he saw Qui-Gon approaching and smiled. "I'm all set and ready to go!"

"Good." Qui-Gon lifted the young boy off the ground and into the racer, helped him strap himself in and soon settled down to eye level. "Yané says you wanted to speak to me?"

Anakin nodded, placing his helmet in his lap. "Yeah. She mentioned something about your apprentice being injured…and that after I win this race, your going back to the planet where you came from so he can be properly treated."

Qui-Gon slowly nodded. That small feeling of guilt soon increased in strength as Anakin allowed the subject to linger in the air a while longer until he spoke again. "I was wondering…what happened to him?"

He looked at the young boy directly in the eyes. "Before we were able to escape into the ship with the Queen, my Padawan became greatly outnumbered against the enemies were facing." Anakin nodded, interested and yet concerned with what Qui-Gon was telling him. "In the Force, I sensed something that told me I needed to get to him quicker. And in response I hesitated…and it nearly cost me my Padawan's life." Qui-Gon looked down at the ground.

Anakin looked at him before the Jedi Master shifted his gaze back towards him. The older mans eyes slightly glazed over, and Anakin knew that this memory was painful. "I almost lost him, Anakin. Instead of being able to reach Coruscant, we were forced to come here when our ship took on heavy damage, as I'm sure Yané mentioned to you, and with what little medical treatment can be offered to him…"

"The money you need and the parts for the ship are his only hope of getting better."

A small smile appeared on Qui-Gon's face and he nodded. "Precisely."

"Well, tell him to hold on a bit longer—because I'm gonna win this race and make sure he gets better!"

Anakin's enthusiasm warmed his heart. "Then may the Force be with you, Anakin. Feel…don't think. Use your instincts."

"And win!" Anakin shouted.

Qui-Gon hoped so.

Shmi smiled as Qui-Gon joined them. "Is he ready?"

"As ready as he'll ever be." He gave her a concerned look. "Will you be all right?"

She was hesitant. "This is something he loves to do, and I know from the bottom of my heart that he has the ability to do what he thinks is right… I won't stop him. If he believes he can help you get back home…"

Qui-Gon took her hand in his and gave it a gently squeeze. "I appreciate your sons help. I know he can look after himself."

Shmi smiled. "I know."

They were about to ascend when they heard a familiar voice yell at them from across the field. Yané was the first to catch a glimpse of her fellow handmaiden. "Padmé! What are you doing here?"

After a few pants and a moment of catching her breath, Padmé joined them. "I came here to witness this Podrace that's supposed to be our prayers of leaving this world for myself."

"What about Padwan Kenobi? Surely you cannot leave him unattended?"

Padmé looked to Qui-Gon to give the answer. "He acknowledges my decision and saw no reason for me not to be here when our moment of truth is decided. He will be watching this race as promised and awaits our return back to the ship."

"I can see no amount of reasoning can be made to convince you to head back to the ship. So, Miss Padmé, I grant your request of joining us."

"Thank you, Master Jinn."

Shmi took her place in a comfortable spot while the two girls' crowded her on either side. Qui-Gon took a chip from his comlink and inserted the tiny square into the handheld viewing screen; transmitting the images back to the ship.

Anakin would not disappoint him.