Jedi Apprentice – Skywalker's Rescue

Chapter 13

"You sure you won't join us?" the young Rodian woman asked.

"I'm sure. I'll see you later," Shmi Skywalker told her friend as she folded up her apron and stowed her basket of cleaning supplies.

She walked through the dusty streets alone to her small home in a neighborhood that was dismally neglected compared to where she worked, which wasn't even that nice to start with. The other workers liked to eat lunch together but Shmi still stuck to her old routine, even a year after her life had changed and there was no longer a little boy about to pop through the door with a smile and a hug. She used to spend their brief lunch breaks listening to Anakin talk about some story he'd overheard from the spacers or about whatever new device he was building.

How I took those moments for granted… she thought. Some days, when the gaping hole of her son's absence grew too large, Shmi found herself sitting at the table staring out into nothing until it was time to get back to work.

Today she was determined not to feel sorry for herself. She resolved to make some insta-bread and eat that, maybe with a little Bantha cheese.

When she entered the code to the front door, Anakin's birth date, it beeped to say that it was already unlocked. Had she forgotten to lock it? She stepped through the door cautiously and then –

"MOM!"

Shmi was certain that she was dreaming because there was Anakin, as clear as day, coming out of his bedroom and running towards her. She reflexively bent down to catch him in her arms and then he was real, so warm and real, hugging her tightly.

"Ani!" she choked on sudden tears, "Ani, my love!"

"Mom! I missed you so so much!" Anakin cried, holding onto her so tight that she almost couldn't breathe.

"Oh, my boy, let me look at you," Shmi let go of him so he could stand in front of her. She ran her hands over his arms, his face, wiping tears from his cheeks. His blonde hair was cropped short now and he stood with a new confidence, taller than the last time she'd seen him. His face had lost a little of its childish roundness.

"Look how much you've grown!" she pulled him close for another embrace, overwhelmed by the joy of seeing him, relief that he looked so healthy, and sorrow that she'd missed all these changes.

"But – Ani, what are you doing here?" she asked, searching his face for answers.

Anakin's smile grew even wider, "Mom, we came back to get you! Just like I promised!"

It was only then that Shmi noticed that they weren't alone. A young man dressed in what could only be Jedi robes stood a few paces back.

"Hello. I am Obi-Wan Kenobi," the man said, bowing from the waist, "It is an honor to meet you, Miss Skywalker."

Shmi nodded, too surprised by what was happening to say anything. He was so formal, and what kind of person bows to a slave?

"I'm Anakin's mentor," the man was explaining.

Shmi looked between them and their matching clothes, then around the small room to confirm nobody else was there.

"What about Qui-Gon Jinn?" she asked, "Where is he? He promised me that he was going to train Anakin himself."

A shadow seemed to pass over Kenobi, but his voice remained steady, "Master Qui-Gon was killed nearly a year ago. Until then, I was his apprentice. I promised to train Anakin in his place."

"Oh. I see," Shmi said. She was too shocked to say more.

All this time, Shmi had consoled herself with the thought that sending Anakin away had been the right thing to do, the only thing she could have done. He deserved an education. He deserved freedom. And he'd always dreamed of meeting a Jedi. And maybe, once he was grown and he was a Jedi himself, then she would see him again. But deep down, part of her had believed that the moment she had hugged him goodbye would be the last time she ever saw him.

She let go of Anakin and stood up, taking a close look at this stranger standing in her house. He looked to be in his early twenties. This man was raising her son in place of Qui-Gon Jinn. Qui-Gon, who had seemed so wise and experienced, and kind too, who Shmi had instinctually trusted. Now he was dead! What sort of dangerous life had she sent Anakin to?

Kenobi said, "When we were here before, we didn't have enough credits to buy your freedom. We were in the middle of a dangerous mission. Qui-Gon was only able to free Anakin."

Shmi knew all this already. Kenobi hesitated for a moment, waited for Shmi to meet his eyes again.

"I believe it was a mistake to leave you behind," he said. "I'm going to make things right."

She felt Anakin slip his hand into hers. She had missed that! She looked down at Anakin's earnest face.

"We're going to buy your freedom, Mom!"

Shmi looked back at Kenobi. She found herself nodding, telling him, "Alright then. You'll have to go talk to Watto. He's at the junkyard."

Anakin's hand tightened around hers. She could practically see the dark cloud of anger settle over him.

"Are you sure about this?" She asked Kenboi, "Do you have enough money? It won't be cheap. Watto is deep in debt. I don't know the details, but I hear that the Hutt's men have been visiting him, so it must be pretty bad."

Kenobi rubbed his chin thoughtfully, "Actually, that may be to our advantage. If he's being harassed by loan sharks, he should jump at a quick payout." He smiled reassuringly, "Don't worry, I have plenty of money. And it's the correct currency this time. I've been planning this for weeks."

"You have?" Anakin asked, apparently surprised.

Kenobi only nodded. He moved towards the door, "I should move quickly, before anyone gets word that we're here."

"I'm coming with you!" Anakin said, and Shmi wondered if Kenobi could hear the edge in his voice too.

"No," he said, with a firm look, "You stay here and help your mother to pack. Clothes, any food you can bring. It's going to be a long journey."

Shmi nodded, placing a hand on Anakin's shoulder. She didn't want him anywhere near that junkyard again and would have said so if Kenobi hadn't shut it down first.

"But I –" Anakin started to protest but Kenobi cut him off.

"Anakin," he said, his voice sharp. Then, more gently, "In negotiations, it often helps to not let your opponent know how strongly you want something. If Watto sees you again, he'll use your feelings for your mother as emotional leverage. It will be better if I go alone."

"Watto's not dumb. Once he realizes who you are, he'll know I'm here anyway," Anakin said, but his tone was resigned.

"I'll be back soon," Kenobi said, directing this to both Shmi and Anakin. Then, to Anakin, "Stay alert. Don't let your emotions cloud your senses."

"Yes, Master," Anakin said obediently.

Shmi watched him leave and disappear down the street before closing the door and turning to Anakin.

"You call him Master?" she asked.

"Mom, it's not like that…" Anakin said, frowning as he explained, "For Jedi, Master is a term of respect. I call him Master and he calls me Padawan. It means I'm his apprentice."

Shmi thought about this. She had so many questions. "Does he treat you well?"

"Obi-Wan? Yeah, he's nice…but he's so strict," Anakin gave a big sigh, "I do my best, but it's all so much harder than I thought it'd be." The contemplative moment passed quickly and Anakin launched into an excited description of life in the Jedi temple; morning exercises, meditation, classes, eating in the cafeteria with beings form every corner of the galaxy, and on and on.

Eventually Anakin paused, looking up at Shmi worriedly, "Mom, what's wrong?"

Shmi wiped her sleeve across her eyes and smiled. "Ani, I missed you," she said, pulling him into another tight hug. He'd grown so much but he was still her little boy.

"I missed you too," he said softly, burying his face in her neck, "I dreamed about you every night."

…..

TBC!

Preview: Obi-Wan engages in some aggressive negoatiations!