TATOOINE

"Tell me where the plans are!" Hissed a metallic sounding voice.

"It's our burden to lose," Rene said, sounding a lot older than she did now. "Not only as masters but as parents too."

"You will join my side as Empress Palpatine!" Bellowed another voice.

"Help!"

"Revenge is not the Jedi way!"

"I won't leave you! Not this time."

"I failed you father. . .I'm sorry."

"Master Skywalker?"

All different types of places and people flashed before Luke's eyes. He felt as though he was living life through different eyes, hearing screams and echoes of help. Hearing laughter and declarations of love. Yet he stood, hollow, empty, and alone in a dark room. Distantly in his mind, he knew this to be a dream but all the events were so real that at any moment he'd wake up in one of them.

Luke couldn't help but wonder just what this was. Of course, it wasn't real because who could possibly tell their own future? He looked around, desperately for an exit from the cries and pleads for people he cared about and people he didn't even know. People calling out for him to save them. All his life, Luke had played hero and the thought of being one terrified him.

To the far right was a light, sad and small but strong in itself. Lost. Like himself. He tilted his head like a lost dog, slowly inching toward the blue. When he was arm length away, he stretched his hand toward it. The screams of others started to quiet down and was replaced by a blissful whisper, one pleading to get to safety. His finger touched the outside of the light and a shock spread from his finger tip all the way up to his head. Luke wanted to jump away, to cradle his right hand but he didn't, his whole hand was enveloped by the light.

He knew that he should feel scared or even unsettled yet all the emotion he could muster with just comfort from the other, whoever they were. Anger and confusion flowed from it suddenly and with the utmost hesitancy, a voice sounded:

"Hello?"

Luke shot up from his sleep when a pillow slapped his face. He sputtered and rolled off the side, throwing the pillow to the side. He sat up on the floor of his room and blinked, the blur in his eyes wouldn't go away but he was 100% sure that it was Rene standing in front of him now. His mood went from bitterly confused to just plain bitterness. Luke glared up at her as she placed her hands on her hips in a motherly fashion.

"It's time to get up if you don't want Owen figuring out your mistake." Rene disclosed. She stared down at him while he rubbed his eyes, throwing his blanket off of himself and stumbling up. He blinked wearily and stood in front of her, still half asleep. She sighed. "Get dressed." With that, she turned and left the room.

Rene walked up toward the surface, hoping to get R2 and QT home before Owen and Beru got up and there'd be no problems. She knew that Luke was right the night before and she had stayed up late last night thinking about it. Yes, she hardly visited but it was war! She couldn't control when she was sent to Tatooine either from the Rebels or from the Empire. No one really cared about what she needed and she couldn't be selfish at a time like this.

But, selfishlessly, Rene did long to spend time with her family. She did want to know the stupid things Luke was up to and she kinda missed the days where she would ride around, ending up in Beggar's Canyon, racing. Those were simpler times. She didn't have the Empire to worry about and only Jabba's goons came for their water tax just so they could keep that giant slug cool.

3PO had since shuffled from the garage after waking himself up. He glanced around the Tatooine desert and then to Rene who leaned against the speeder with an impatience glare.

"Mistress Rene, will Master Luke be joining us soon?" He asked.

"Of course, Threepio, he was part of this mess." Rene held out her palm. "Now, come on, I'll help you up."

With great difficulty, Rene managed to get 3PO into the back of the speeder and then hopped up in the front. Luke stumbled out of the house, pulling his tunic into the right position and holding his little too big utility belt higher up his waist. He still looked terribly tired and slightly iffed that he was up even before Owen was. He walked over and took the passenger seat, silently.

"Master Luke, it's good to see you! I hope you rested up well!" 3PO greeted him for the day, obviously wanting someone to say something-anything.

"Thank you, Threepio." Luke muttered, resting his head on his fist.

Rene stared at him for a long moment before muttering a curse and starting the speeder up, making a quick exit off the Lars homestead. The ride was silent for a good bit, Rene was positive that Luke had ended up falling asleep again but then he did wake up and he was bitter. The woman knew that it was only a matter of time before the boy said something that set off a chain of events that would be another argument.

3PO surprisingly remained silent in the back of the speeder, respectfully waiting for some sign of R2 to come up or for either of the people up front to address him. But he knew that they wouldn't without reason and just decided to conduct his own search, obviously they were going on some type of whim that Mistress Rene had and it would eventually get them into some type of trouble.

Luke took his hard gaze from the land in front of them to his sister who was resting her own head on her fist as she drove. "How long have you been part of the Rebellion?" He knew that it shouldn't bother him too much, a part of him was reassured that his sister was helping what he considered the 'good guys' but he was also confused. Three years ago she left for the Imperial Academy and then a year later she left to join them officially.

"Four years," Rene answered, causing Luke to scoff, rolling his eyes. Her own became hard and she frowned at him like a mother with her child. "Look, this is war, okay? I don't get to choose where I go and when. I would've came home a long time ago if it was that type of thing, okay? But it's not."

"But the one time you do, it's for two droids!" Luke shot back, their earlier argument had, once again, been brought alive.

Rene bellowed, "They are carrying vital information for the Rebellion! I'm sorry I can't play soldier with you anymore, Luke, but actual lives depend on those two droids!" The muscles in her jaw tightened and she shifted in her seat. Uncomfortable and feeling a little exposed, Rene regained her composure. "You know I would come visit you if I could, but I couldn't."

"I don't know anything anymore." Luke muttered bitterly, he shook his head. "Next thing you'll say is our father isn't dead."

"Don't joke like that." Rene snapped. She glared at him head on now. "I wouldn't keep something like that from you."

A silence filled the speeder once again and Rene returned her gaze securely back on the terrain in front of them. She pondered what life would be like if she wasn't part of the Rebellion, if she didn't know of what R2 and C3PO carried. Well, really it was R2 carrying it but 3PO was important in many other ways, specifically, his ability to get on everyone's nerves. And. . .Rene believed he used to be owned by her mother.

"I'm sorry," Rene spoke up after she calmed down. "That I haven't been here for you."

Luke nervously bit his lip and fumbled with his hands. "I'm sorry, too, for being rude."

Rene smiled and then announced to both of them, "Old Ben Kenobi lives out in this direction somewhere, I don't really remember though, it was a long time ago that I saw him." Her tone almost took a teasing side to it. "I didn't know R2 could move so fast, maybe we should condition him for some soldier work, eh, Threepio?"

As ever, the droid took it to heart. "Oh, I don't understand everyone's fascination with that oversized garbage tin! All he does is chatter and get me into all sorts of trouble!" He then went quiet at his own outburst. "I'm fond of Artoo, ma'am, don't take my accusations to heart but he truly does get on one's nerves."

Rene chuckled softly, shaking her head. "It's okay, Threepio. We all have that one person."

"And who is your 'one person', ma'am?" He inquired softly.

Rene waved a hand, "Hopefully, someone I don't meet for a very long time."

Luke suddenly spoke up, sounding elated. "Wait, there's something dead ahead on the scanner. It looks like our droids. . .hit the accelerator."

Rene followed the order and they sped closer to where the droids were located. It didn't take long before they caught up with the two droids, QT had been in the middle of speaking to the other when the speeder took a sharp turn and screeched to a stop. For a moment, the humans stared at droids. Then QT ordered them to scramble. Unfortunately, R2 wasn't gifted with speed. Luke hoped out of the speeder and 3PO slipped out himself while Rene let out a hollow: "Q."

The droid came to a pause and turned his head toward her, she raised a brow and pointed to the back of the speeder. Q knew that he would be in for it later, that Rene wasn't really one to forget things. She rested her head back while Luke and 3PO confronted R2 about his sudden escape.

"Hey, just where do you think you're going?" Luke inquired, eyebrows raised and hands on hips.

R2 took it in himself to sound sheepish: I MUST FIND MASTER KENOBI.

"Master Luke here is your rightful owner." 3PO snapped while Luke just frowned at them. "We'll have no more of this Obi-Wan Kenobi gibberish. . .and don't talk to me about your mission, either. You're fortunate he doesn't blast you into a million pieces right here."

Luke placed a hand on 3PO's chest, shaking his head. "Well, come on. It's getting late. I only hope we can get back before Uncle Owen really blows up." He muttered.

"If you don't mind my saying so, sir, I think you should deactivate the little fugitive until you've gotten him back to your workshop."

"No, he's not going to try anything." Luke reassured, shooting a warning glance at R2.

Luke wasn't sure what set him off but suddenly R2 broke into a flourish of whistles and beeps. Rene frowned and looked around, "Tuskens, where?" She jumped out of her speeder with QT close behind her. She rushed forward, grabbing Luke's arm and dragging them up a cliff that overlooked most of the valley, getting down on her stomach and holding her hand out. "Binoculars."

As Luke handed the binoculars to her, he muttered, "You sure are a soldier."

It sounded bitter but Rene wasn't really paying attention to him or the bickering 3PO. She used the binoculars to home in on the Banthas at the edge of the canyon. She wondered where the Tuskens could possibly be, it wasn't in their nature to leave their Banthas unguarded unless. . .unless they were hunting. Rene pulled the binoculars down and wetted her lips, hopefully allowing some words to get out.

"Two Banthas without their Tuskens, they're definitely out hunting." She informed the group, pulling her brother to be flat on the ground. Luke blinked at her in confusion and then looked to where the Banthas were. Rene brought the binoculars back to her eyes, hopefully to see the Tuskens nearby. Yet she couldn't.

But she didn't have to search for long when a Tusken jumped right into one of the eyes, causing Rene to cry out and falling back into 3PO. The Tusken continued to screech while standing over Luke who looked absolutely petrified. Rene and 3PO tried to regain some type of balance but, unfortunately, 3PO decided to grab onto his master and pull her back with him.

"Oh!" 3PO exclaimed.

"Ah!" Rene cried out, surprised at how messy all of this was becoming. Before she hit the ground, she spread her hands and they both stopped before they injured themselves. Rene placed herself on the ground then 3PO fell on his side.

"Oh, my!" 3PO huffed.

"You okay, Threepio?" Rene asked, bringing him up to a sitting position. She attempted to dust him off but it was useless. She sighed softly.

"Oh, I'm quite alright, ma'am. Just had a tumble!" 3PO reassured, he shook his head as if trying to adjust the mechanics in his head.

Rene smiled softly and stood, "I got to make sure Artoo and Q are okay, just stay here."

She turned and rushed around the corner, spotting the Tuskens dropping Luke to the ground as though he was dead. The next step for them was to search their speeder in search of something of value, she grabbed the blue tinted saber on her belt and it snapped on, illuminating against the ridges around her. The Tuskens huddled with fear, yipping about something like 'another'. They stared at the orange blade, she tilted her chin up.

"Step away from the speeder, I don't want to hurt you." She pointed at the Tuskens and they coward away. "Now." She demanded.

They seemed to weigh their options then raised their gaderffii, yipping in bravery. Rene twirled the saber and then pointed it down. She sprung toward the Tuskens and took down the ones that threatened her, they let out cries and tried to block her weapon with the stick that only made it split in two. They tried to be resourceful but she easily took them down. Rene thought that it might've gone on forever. Then a Krayt Dragon moaned through the canyon causing both woman and Tuskens to pause in their efforts.

It was evident that the Tuskens didn't want to deal with a Krayt Dragon, scurrying off toward their Banthas and riding off. Rene, however, was feeling bold. She wanted to get out with Luke but knew it was useless to try and run from a Krayt Dragon in a speeder. Especially the run down one they own. She clutched her saber and took her stance.

Yet the only thing to stop ten feet from her was a robed figure. The moment he appeared, Rene knew. She knew that their search for Obi-Wan was over. For a long time, the day dragged on. Moments seemed like 20 years. Skywalker and Kenobi. That phrase used to be one and now it had been years since one saw the other. Rene's saber deactivated and she clipped on her belt.

Obi-Wan reached up, pushing his hood back to see the woman fully. She was frozen in shock while the man smiled softly. "You surely are your father's daughter." He teased gently, gazing around the area. His eyes paused on Luke and then fluttered back to Rene. He moved toward Luke, kneeling beside him and placing his hand on his forehead.

"I. . ." She blinked back tears from her eyes. "Obi-Wan, I'm so glad to see you." She wanted to move forward, to hug the man, demand to know what had transpired in the last 13 years. But she felt frozen to the ground. Like it had reached up and grabbed a hold of her feet. Rene had missed her uncle incredibly and to have him in front of her right now was surreal.

Rene's eyes travelled back to Luke and guilt twisted her gut. She was by his side in an instant, hunched over. The Tuskens had thrown him down with no care. He didn't appear to hold any injuries but she couldn't be sure there weren't any internal injuries. Five minutes into a little adventure and Luke was already unconscious. This was all her fault, she should've just gone after R2 and QT on her own. They could've avoided all of this.

"He's all right, just beaten out of shape." Obi-Wan told her softly, as if knowing what she was thinking.

Rene tilted her head, smiling ruefully. "That's good." She would take his word for it. Why would he lie? Currently not to comfort her.

There wasn't much time given that Obi-Wan could possibly question the woman. QT came blasting out of his hiding space with R2 behind, the latter gave a melancholy beep. QT started to assess his master, worried that she had sustained an injury. In response, Rene rubbed the top of his little dome, turning her attention upon the hesitant R2.

"Come along, Artoo, it's okay now." She reached out her hand but R2 wasn't paying any attention to her. No, his attention was caught on Obi-Wan.

"Don't thank me. It was Artoo's shooting." Anakin grinned mischievously, daring a glance to R2 in his port. Of course Obi-Wan wouldn't thank R2; Obi-Wan, afterall, didn't enjoy droids.

"Yes. I suppose, if you like, you can thank your droid for me as well."

"That's the closest you're gonna get, Artoo. Worry not, though, I'll appreciate the hard work."

R2's photoreceptors homed in on Obi-Wan's face; he had to make sure this was truly his former Master's old friend and Princess Organa's General. The facial structure was the same, everything the same, but he had yet to hear the old man- or "Old Ben" - speak. Something in his cogs hoped that he'd say something, anything, even a scold.

"Hello there!" Obi-Wan exclaimed. Immediately, R2 started whistling excitedly and rolled over. R2 couldn't believe it, it truly was Obi-Wan Kenobi! He was right here in front of him, in the flesh. Albeit older, he seemed to be the same Jedi he was 19 years ago. Obi-Wan noticed R2's mood change when he whistled at Luke in concern. "Don't worry, he'll be alright."

As if woken by his words, Luke's lashes fluttered. Rene let out a noise close to an exclamation, placing her hands on his shoulders and helping him sit up. He blinked, trying to adjust to the bright suns of Tatooine. He squinted, firsting meeting Rene's gaze- with great relief- and then meeting Obi-Wan's. He frowned at first, then he sat up straighter with realization. Luke had found him! Or Rene had found him. But either way, Luke had been present for his arrival. Unconscious, but present.

"What happened?" Luke asked, dazed.

"The Tuskens got you. I'm sorry for taking my leave but. . . Threepio and I got preoccupied." Rene admitted, wryly.

Luke nodded slowly, his hand coming back to rub the area where the Tusken had hit him. It stung under the pressure and he was sure that there'd be a bad bruise for a few days. He wondered just how long he had fallen unconscious. As he moved himself into a more comfortable position, he felt every joint in his body ache. So the Tuskens either dragged him or punt him from the overhead. Obviously, there wasn't much of a difference.

"It's OK. You couldn't have known that they were going to find us." Luke chided. He took in his surroundings. R2 rocked happily back and forth at the sight of his awakening, QT beeped low attempts at scolds, Rene fretted over his well-being, and Old Ben. Yes, that's right, Obi-Wan was there! The realization painted Luke's features in delicate awe. "Ben? Ben Kenobi! Boy, am I glad to see you!"

Obi-Wan's eyebrows furrowed in confusion, wondering why he could possibly be happy to see him. In reality, the old man was quite excited to see the young Skywalker it was like. . .it was like a second chance from Anakin. Instead of voicing his confirmations, he remained void of emotion. "The Jundland wastes are not to be traveled lightly. Tell me, young Luke, what brings you out this far?"

'Young Luke? I never told him my name. Maybe Rene told him.' Luke laid out a hand toward R2 as if presenting a showcase prize. "Oh, this little droid! I think he's searching for his former master. . .I've never seen such devotion in a droid before. . .there seems to be no stopping him. He claims to be the property of an Obi-Wan Kenobi. Is he a relative of yours? Do you know who he's talking about?" Luke didn't miss the way Obi-Wan's face fell, his hand coming up to stroke his grey beard.

"Obi-Wan? Now that's a name I haven't heard in a long time. . .a long time." Briefly, Obi-Wan looked to Rene who watched the interaction closely.

Luke frowned, "I think my uncle knew him. He said he was dead."

"Oh, he's not dead," Obi-Wan said with amusement.

"Not yet at least." Rene commented, crossing her arms.

Obi-Wan spared her another glance, Luke's expression brightened considerably. "You know him!"

Obi-Wan regarded him with a smile. "Well, of course I know him. He's me!" Luke's face fell in shock. "I haven't gone by the name Obi-Wan since oh, before you were born!"

Luke numbly nodded, "Then the droid does belong to you."

This made Obi-Wan frown himself, gazing at R2. Sure, Obi-Wan knew the droid the moment it came bursting from its hidden space but it wasn't his droid. Really, if they were speaking with all honesty, it was more Luke and Rene's droid more than anyone else. It was surely not his droid. R2-D2 and Anakin Skywalker. Obi-Wan distantly remembered when Anakin had to get a new droid due to R2's sudden disappearance. He was so different. . .Obi-Wan supposed his care and devotion to others was Anakin's downfall.

"Don't seem to remember ever owning a droid." He pondered aloud.

Rene anxiously looked out toward the empty canyon. "We should go, those Tuskens think there's a Krayt out here, they'll come out in greater numbers." She stood, holding out her hand for Luke to take.

Luke took it, stumbling up and hanging onto her hand for balance. Obi-Wan watched them curiously. So, she had stuck by her promise and taken care of Luke. It wasn't like there was much of a choice and Obi-Wan didn't see Rene as the type to hurt her family, nor abandon them. Although, he had heard whispers of her joining the Empire. He wondered if Vader had reached her. . .

"Oh, gosh, Threepio!" Rene turned on her heel and called for the golden droid. He came shuffling from his hiding spot, already fussing: "Why, Mistress Rene, I stuck by my hiding space! I'm sorry if I unsettled anyone."

She smiled slightly, "It's fine, Threepio, come on." Rene assisted everyone into the speeder, taking her rightful spot as the driver. She raised a brow at her passengers, smirking a little. "Ready for liftoff?"

Luke gave her a flat look in return, flipping the speeder to life. "Rene, just. . .go."

Rene pouted then started toward the last place she remembered Obi-Wan's home was. Obi-Wan himself started to chuckle, covering his grin behind his pale hand. Fondly, he spoke over the roar of the wind. "You remind me of your parents, your father especially."

Luke leaned toward the man with glittering eyes, "You knew our father?"

Obi-Wan's gaze softened, gazing upon Luke like he did Anakin when he was his age. Yet, at Anakin's age, he was fighting a war; Luke was a mere boy with big aspirations. Obi-Wan didn't know his own father or mother, like Luke, and he hadn't known how to control his Force before joining the Jedi Order, like Luke. In many ways, Obi-Wan saw himself in Luke and just small things. Distant memories of himself and Qui-Gon running about on missions, then himself and Anakin. Then. . .then Mustafar.

"I did, we were friends once." Obi-Wan finally answered, distantly.

"Do you know how he died?"

"I HATE YOU!"

"You were my brother, Anakin. . .I loved you."

"Unfortunately." Bitterly, he had answered the boy. A hint of resentment in his voice, of course, it was for himself. It was his own fault. He was the reason Anakin was dead, probably even Padme. Luke stared at him curiously, biting his tongue and hoping that the ex-Jedi Master would continue. He regarded the boy gravely. "It's a story for another time."

Rene frowned, keeping her eyes on the desert. She truly wondered what had happened to her father. She knew that it couldn't have been peaceful seeing how Obi-Wan reacted at the mere mention of him but she desperately wanted some type of closure. Just something that would resolve her wonder and conflict on his death. She knew that it wouldn't change the fact that he had died but. . .just any inkling of information would let her be at peace.

"Whatever you say, Obi-Wan." Rene finally said.

The ride was silent the rest of the way, excluding the few times 3PO spoke up causing R2 and QT to retort in their own fashion. Luke's mind was wrapped in itself; pondering what lay ahead for himself. What could Obi-Wan have to say that the Princess so desperately needed? Luke pondered if he was as crazy as Owen had made him seem, especially when he was younger. Owen would go on tangents whenever Rene so much as mentioned the 'old wizard'. Perhaps Obi-Wan would prove otherwise.

Luke just hoped Owen wouldn't find out about his little adventure.