Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars or anything that has to do with it, George Lucas does (Darn it! Oh well but if he ever wants to sell it...)
Summary: AU One year after Attack of the Clones Anakin and his family are on the run from the Empire. As they try to hide on Naboo, problems begin from within as Qui-Gon's health begins to fail.
Warnings: Nothing for this chapter.
Author's Note: This was my first attempt at fanfiction that I started in 1999 and I have rewritten it several times in order for it to tie into the movies a bit better. I just tried to fix some of the spelling, grammar and typing mistakes but bear with me. My CP and dyslexia makes it hard to catch everything.
Chapter 10: Wake up call and Dancing in the snow
The next morning everyone in the Naberrie household gathered around Anakin's room as Obi-Wan prepared to help the young man back to consciousness. Although he did request that only he, Padme, Qui-Gon and Christian be in the room until the Padawan was awake.
Obi-Wan closed his eyes and placed a hand on Skywalker's forehead, Anakin. He sent.
Yes Master? Came the reply.
Are you ready to join us Padawan?
Yes Master!
Kenobi smiled at his little brother's excitement, All right, listen carefully. When you wake up you'll still be a little weak, especially since you've been in bed for almost a week without moving. We're going to take this slowly, I'm going to verbally give you an order and I want you to follow it as best you can, do you understand?
Yes Master.
Obi-Wan helped his apprentice become aware enough that the young man would be able to hear him before he opened his eyes, "Anakin." The Jedi instructed taking Skywalker's hands. "Squeeze my hands as hard as you can." He smiled as the Padawan did so. "Good, now keep me from pushing your arms down." Again Anakin did as he was asked, Obi-Wan repeated the routine with the young man's legs and did a complete physical evaluation before allowing the Padawan to fully regain consciousness. "Okay Ani, open your eyes."
Anakin's eyes fluttered as he became more aware of his surroundings and sensed his loved ones. He smiled inwardly when he felt the familiar Force signatures of his wife, unborn twins, father and brothers. Skywalker coughed to clear his throat and took a deep breath as he opened his eyes, he smiled at Obi-Wan as the Jedi Knight helped him sit up and handed him a glass of water.
Padme, who had been standing off to the side, couldn't wait any longer. Totally oblivious to the other Jedi in the room, she ran to her husband and gave him the most passionate kiss she could manage, "Hello my angel." Anakin said, his voice hoarse from lack of use. "I missed you too."
"Oh Ani, I never want to let you go again." His wife said holding him tighter.
"I'm not going anywhere baby, I swear."
Everyone in the room turned toward Christian when Faolan barked, "Quite Faolan." The blind Jedi said. "We'll get our turn. Sorry Ani."
Anakin laughed, overjoyed to see that his family was alive and safe. "It's okay Christian, I think everyone out in the hall is just as excited." He said, before turning to see a pale and an exhausted looking Qui-Gon sitting in one of the chairs. "Father are you all right?"
Jinn smiled and allowed Obi-Wan to help him stand, "I'm fine Ani, just a little weak today. I have my good and bad days, I'm sorry you have to see me like this."
Skywalker caught the older man's arm and had him sit on the edge of the bed, "It's okay, and I'd rather see you like this then not at all. You really should be in bed though, I'll come and see you later."
"Is that a promise little one?" Qui-Gon asked with a tired smile.
"Yes, that's if Obi-Wan will let me out of bed." His youngest replied returning the smile.
"I'll hold you to it then." The Jedi Master said before giving the Padawan a gentle kiss on the forehead. "And don't you dare scare me like that again, you almost gave me a heart attack." He turned to the others and smiled. "That goes for you three as well."
They all laughed. Christian came over, dropped Faolan's harness and a helped Qui-Gon get to his feet, "Okay father I walk, and you navigate." He said helping Jinn out of the room and in passing said to the others with a smile. "You can go in now."
(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)
One week later Anakin was nearly back to full strength and quickly found himself not only still learning from his Jedi Masters but from Christian and the others he was living with as well. Obi-Wan surprised him by continuing to teach him ways of healing with the Force and how to use the herbs and plants in Mrs. Naberrie's garden for medicinal purposes. His older brother had started Skywalker's medical training about a year after he was taken as a Padawan but after Anakin's incident with Palpatine the young man thought he was unworthy of such knowledge.
On the porch just outside the kitchen Ryoo and Pooja watched intently from Obi-Wan's lap as their uncle prepared some blue liquid like substance for their Aunt Padme, "Is this the right consistency Obi-Wan?" He asked.
Obi-Wan surveyed his apprentice's work with a smile, "Good work, it's perfect. Now what comes next?"
Anakin thought for a moment before remembering, "Three crushed Rasan leaves and then a petal from a Barasonia flower."
"Good Ani." His brother praised. "How is this medicine best administered to a pregnant woman of Padme's age and overall health in her third trimester. Now Remember this is her first pregnancy and she's carrying twins."
Skywalker went with his instincts; he had the same gift as his young mentor and used it to his advantage, "Two tablespoons in 8 oz. of hot water. Twice a day: once in the morning before breakfast and once in the evening before dinner."
"Good and how long will the undiluted solution last?"
"Two standard weeks."
"What other conditions can Rasan liquid be used for, besides pregnancy?"
Anakin sat for a moment before voicing his thoughts, "Well, since Rasan liquid helps build the immune system I would think you could use it on patents with immunity disorders and in small amounts on patents with colds or flu." Skywalker smiled when a thought hit him. "I bet it would even work on Asacalare's disease patents."
Obi-Wan smiled, "Good Anakin. I've been having Qui-Gon take it and it seems to be helping. Now last question: What, when and how is the best way for Qui-Gon to take the Rasan liquid. Now remember all of our father's other medication too."
Anakin cocked his head and thought for a moment, "Three tablespoons undiluted liquid in the morning before he takes his medication but not before eating."
"Very good Anakin." The Jedi Knight said turning to the two children in his lap. "Don't you agree ladies?"
Pooja and Ryoo nodded and laughed, "Will we have to take that stuff too." Pooja asked.
It was Obi-Wan's turn to laugh, "Oh no, we would need your parents permission, besides Rasan liquid is too strong for you. We'd give you Sandkelp root or something of that nature." He said as he held up a coal black root that looked like something Faolan left behind after he was let out in the morning.
"Ewww, gross." Ryoo said.
"Yes but it is good for you." Said a voice from the kitchen doorway. The girls turned to face their mother. "And your father and I may just start having you take it. So you don't get sick this winter, if Master Kenobi or your uncle doesn't mind making it?"
"We don't mind at all Sola, Anakin needs the practice working with herbs and other plants." Obi-Wan told her.
"Thank you Master Kenobi." Sola said. "Breakfast is ready if you're hungry."
"Thank you Miss Naberrie, we'll be in directly."
"Come help set the table you two." The children did what their mother asked. "Five minutes." The young woman said with a smile before she followed her daughters.
As soon as the women went into the house Obi-Wan groaned softly as he felt his back flare up again, he had yet to take the herbal concoction of Cavasan Root and Gonhare Weed that he'd been doctoring himself with for the past few weeks.
Skywalker stood and grabbed the bowl of medication from the floor and turned to his brother, who was struggling to stand, "Do you need help Obi-Wan?"
"No Ani I'm fine, I'll be in a minute." The Jedi said, taking a deep breath. "Go in and prepare the Rasan liquid for Qui-Gon and Padme and I'll be in a few minutes with the Sandkelp root for Ryoo and Pooja."
Anakin smiled and bowed formally, "Yes Obi-Wan." He said before going into house.
(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)
After breakfast Padme and Anakin slipped away to spend some time alone for the first time in weeks. Verykino was surrounded by a huge garden, that one could walk in and easily get lost if you didn't know where you were going. The young Padawan and his wife loved walking in this part of the garden, it had a special meaning for them.
They shared their first kiss and started to fall in love here. After their huge wedding in the main Meditation Gardens of Coruscant's Jedi Temple, surrounded by Jedi, politicians and Padme's family. The two newlyweds decided to have a quite honeymoon staying at Verykino and spending most of their time walking in the gardens.
The first snow of winter was due any minute, so Padme wanted to spend as much time as she could outside before it came. Anakin jumped at the chance to spend time alone with his wife, this was the first time since they escaped from Coruscant that the two felt safe enough to really relax. The young Jedi kept his wife close to his body in order to keep her warm as they walked.
Padme looked into her husband's ice blue eye's as they held each other, "Hey daddy." She said as she placed his hand on her tummy as the twins started moving.
Anakin stopped dead in his tracks, "Whoa, they're really starting to move aren't they?"
His wife smiled, "They like moving in the morning and at night, especially when I'm trying to sleep."
The Padawan laughed and took a good look at the woman beside him, "Do you need to sit down for a minute?" He asked.
Padme looked up and nodded, her back was killing her and she didn't want to push her husband too hard either. She let Anakin lead her to a bench and pulled him down with her as she sat down. She sighed in contentment as her husband started to massage her lower back and worked his way around her belly, "How did you know that I needed a back rub Ani?"
"I'm a Jedi milady." He said with a smile. "I can sense it."
"What about you?" She asked. "This is only the first week you've been back on your feet."
"I'm a little stiff but otherwise I'm fine." Anakin said, looking into her eyes, which were brimming with unshed tears. " Ami, what's wrong my angel?"
Padme sniffed, "I don't know, I just have this overwhelming urge to cry." She said as she broke into tears. "I'm sorry Ani, I thought I was past this."
Skywalker looked at her for a moment, unable to figure out what was bothering her. Then it hit him. She's almost eight months pregnant, you idiot! He thought to himself, "Ohhh Ami, it's okay baby. Shhh, it's okay." He said before he remembered that she had also asked him that morning if he still found her attractive and he had yet to answer her. Before he could say anything else Anakin felt something cold and wet hit his shoulder. "What the?"
Padme looked up and laughed, "It's snowing, Ani!" She stood and pulled her husband into her arms.
Skywalker looked around as the snow stated coming down harder, "We should get you inside baby."
His wife smiled and started to pull his Jedi cloak around her, "I'm fine Ani, just hold us."
Anakin smiled and pulled up the hood of his cloak, making sure his wife was warm as the two started dancing in the falling snow, "Do you know how much I love you?" He asked.
"Even now?"
"Especially now. I can't wait for the twins to be here."
"But look at me." Padme said, pulling away and pointing to her swollen belly. "I'm as big as a Shaak and I still have two months to go."
"So?" Anakin asked her. "If you think I'm not attracted to you anymore just because of a little baby weight..." He picked her up into his arms and spun her around. "You are surely mistaken my angel."
"Ani put me down! I'm too heavy for you to carry!"
"Ami you forget that I can use the Force to help lift things." Skywalker said as he turned and headed back towards the house. "Not that I couldn't normally lift you on my own."
Padme laughed at her husband's slipup and rested her head against her husband's shoulder as he carried her back towards the warmth of the house. Enjoying the steady sound of his heart.
