Home Sweet Home…For Now – Part 2

"Hey, have you seen this individual?"

Mitccha did not know what made his mind finally click, but he suddenly realized where he had seen Ben Wardin from; Ben was the legendary High General Obi-Wan Kenobi. The man who helped liberate his planet, Ryloth.

The sounds of screaming, the smell of burning crops, the sound of destruction everywhere, and those of his people dying right there in front of Mitccha. The Separatists had attacked, deciding their planet was the next one to be occupied. Mitccha remembered being rounded up and held against his will. All seemed lost for the people of Ryloth, with no hope the Republic would break through the barricade that the Separatists had placed around his planet. Yet, the Jedi and his troops showed up, releasing them, and almost got himself killed in the process. His people, including Mitccha, rallied against the battle droids taking out the TX-20 that had pointed its giant cannon at Kenobi, bent on killing the General.

It was because of the Jedi, and General Kenobi and his troops that he was alive and free and not in the hands of some slaver or, worse, killed. He owed everything to this Jedi. The last thing he would do was give up the man who saved his life to something as cruel as the Empire.

Though it felt like an eternity in Mitccha's head before he responded to the trooper standing there waiting for an acceptable response, it was only mere seconds. Quickly he answered so as not to raise suspicion, "A Jedi, huh? Nope haven't seen em."

Then, for whatever reason, the dumbest luck possible, one of the most annoying Twi'lek that Mitccha had ever met stuck his business where it did not belong.

"Hey, isn't that Ben that works with you? Looks just like him I think, you have a criminal working for you Mitccha!"

Mitccha wanted to roll his eyes, punch the living shit out of Cipsaho, and walk away from this drama escalating way too quickly. Cipsaho had no friends in the village, which was a prime example of why everyone hated this Twi'lek. "No, you fool, I think I would know if I had a Master Jedi working with me. They look nothing alike. Frang! You think all humans look alike you ignorant bantha."

The clone trooper stood there, looking for some truth to either Mitccha's story or Cipsaho"s. Not being able to read the trooper's body language due to the armor they wore, Mitccha hoped his desperate attempt to make them not believe was enough. Yet Cipsaho kept talking.

"I mean who doesn't get humans mixed up but come on even you can't deny it's uncanny how similar they look."

Mitccha knew murder was a crime, but in this instant, he was pretty sure he could get many of his fellow villagers on his side. All he would have to do is explain that Cipsaho was the reason the Empire killed Obi-Wan Kenobi due to the stupidity of one Twi'lek. He was pretty sure no one would ever know or put him up on crimes for the murder. Everyone would agree, Cipsaho needed to die a horrible death.

More troopers walked up, and the one who had been asking the question about Obi-Wan's location snapped to attention. Their leader had walked up, and the situation went from bad to worse. Mitccha tried to salvage the whole mess one more time, so he could walk away from this burning ship, "Cipsaho probably had one too many at the tavern, if you know what I mean?" No response from the troopers, "you know when you had one too many, say things get everyone riled up. I think it's safe to say there are no Jedi here."

The clone trooper seemed to ignore Mitccha's last words, for he looked at his leader.

"Sir, we may have a lead," pointing to Cipsaho, "says there is a male that looks like Kenobi working for," now pointing at Mitccha "at his shop."

"Take us to your village, now." This was not a request but a demand and Mitccha now knew he had no choice but to comply.

Obi-Wan finished the last of what was required of him. He figured if Mitccha didn't show up soon enough, he would take the twins and head home for the evening. He was trying to get them into a sound sleep pattern and normal cycle for himself and them. He had downloaded all the material he could on babies. Taking the information in as though he was studying the enemy and planning a siege, he made notes and learned until his eyes hurt and he had to nurse a migraine. If there was one thing Obi-Wan Kenobi was known for, if he didn't know something or was unfamiliar with a subject, he would study the crap out of it until he was a Master. After all, he was a perfectionist. From all his studies, one of the biggest takeaways was getting them on a schedule and keeping it.

Thinking back to his first memories, how much they had set times of what they could do and when they could do it.

As he finished up, closed the shop, and grabbed the babies, something pinged in the force. A warning. Something foreboding, warning him. He looked around and didn't sense anything but the babies and R2. He walked out of the door when he heard a commanding voice.

"MOVE."

As Twi'leks scrambled out of the way, Obi-Wan could spot the starking almost blinding white of a clone trooper's armor. He saw Mitccha in front of them, leading them right towards himself and the twins. He only had seconds to see them and make his move before he was spotted. Obi-Wan knew if he took off, he would be spotted, so the only choice was to step back into the shop. R2D2 following as the door shut, Obi-Wan tried to think quickly. He moved into the back, where they stored all their supplies and parts.

"Artoo," whispering, fearing how close they may be and not wanting to speak too loud, "go dormant." R2D2 powered down instantly without a question or a chirp, sensing the urgency in the manner. Obi-Wan called upon the force and jumped high, disappearing quickly into the back part of the shelves where it was dark and hard to see if someone was hiding—thanking the force that Leia and Luke were still fast asleep and had not waken up for what seemed their hundred snack of the day. Just as the soldiers walked into the back, Obi-Wan used the force to throw a cover over R2D2, hiding him from any prying eyes that may recognize the droid.

"Spread out, check the back." A commanding voice could be heard as the sound of footsteps shuffling as they moved into where Obi-Wan was hiding with the children.

Obi-Wan had to wonder, 'had Mitccha betrayed him? For what? How much? Would they go to his home next? Did they know where it was in the first place? How would he get off the planet if they destroyed his ship? He could hear the troopers opening the door and not being subtle at all about looking for him. Leia let out a soft whimper; it was time for them to be fed. It was a gentle warning before all hell broke loose, and Leia made it known she was hungry. The panic almost hit Obi-Wan instantly.

'No, no, no, no, this couldn't be the time.' Without even a slight hesitation, he sent Luke and Leia a sleep suggestion. He felt terrible for having to do it but it was life or death for himself and possibly them. The babies had no choice in the manner and fell asleep, not knowing the type of danger they were all in.

"Where does he live?" He could hear one of the clone troopers bark at Mitccha. He could listen to Mitccha's voice quivering. "I don't know, he never told me. Please, I don't think he is the Jedi you are looking for. Please, my people, have suffered enough. What else more do you want from me?"

Obi-Wan's ears strained to listen to the rest of the conversation as the clone troopers moved out of the supply room, what sounded like them talking and hopefully the sound of them leaving. Obi-Wan stayed up there. He dared not move and give away his position. He could hear Mitccha coming back and looking around, trying to find where Obi-Wan must have hidden or where he thought he had hidden.

"You can come out Ben, they have gone. I know how this looks, I didn't sell you out."

Reaching into the force, Obi-Wan no longer felt the warning; he felt no danger. Nothing said Mitccha was lying to him. What Mitccha spoke was the truth, for now. Deciding he could no longer hold his position, he came out from his spot and jumped down directly behind Mitccha without a sound. It wasn't till he spoke that Mitccha spun around, surprised to find Obi-Wan standing behind.

"I'm listening." Obi-Wan crossed his arms. A slight eyebrow up.

Mitccha put his hands up as though in defense, trying to show his innocence as though Obi-Wan was going to strike him down right then and there. Of course, it was absurd even to think Obi-Wan would do something so heinous, but Mitccha wanted Obi-Wan to know without a doubt that there indeed was nothing he could have done to prevent them from following him home.

"Some troopers stopped me and showed me a wanted beacon with your face on it, I…I tried to tell them I didn't want them coming this way, but Cipsaho, a town fool, said something and said he recognized you, and well, you know the rest. But, I swear, Obi-Wan, I would never give you up." Mitccha went on the hope by actually saying the Jedi's name; he could show that he meant the Jedi no will harm and that his secrete was safe with him.

Obi-Wan eyes flashed. 'He knows my real name. He knows who I am and probably why I'm on the run.' He shifted his weight and studied Mitccha intently. Nothing told Obi-Wan the Twi'lek was lying to him. Yet his survivor instincts made him want to flee, not to get settled, that he should abandon this notion of ever being able to rest for longer than a few months. "Now you know who I am; what do you plan on doing with that information?"

"Look, can we go sit down and have a drink?" Finally, dropping his hands that had still been up since this entire conversation started.

Not feeling threatened or pending danger from doing so, he nodded in acceptance of the offer.

A few minutes later, after retrieving the sleeping babies from the shelves and awakening R2, the two males sat face to face, with drinks in their hands as they slowly sipped.

"You know, I'm kind of glad I know who you are. Took me a second, but once I saw the name it all came back to me."

Obi-Wan arched an eyebrow, unsure where this conversation would lead.

"See, I never got to thank you and your men for helping us. I was part of the group you helped rescue that day from the Separatists. Kam'koru, or Koru, Gawnarin's mother resisted and tried hiding her away when she resisted and was killed in the process. Didn't need anyone being rebellious amongst our group." Looking down at his drink, he was grasped in the memory, holding onto him tightly, "We didn't know what was going to happen to us. Not sure if we would be traded into slavery or just killed once the Separatists were done. Yet, then you and the troopers showed up and freed us. I wish it were something we should or could have done before you even got there but we," shaking his head, correcting himself, "I was too afraid to do what was needed to be done. But, you inspired us when you took down those tanks. You and your men showed no fear. It was probably one of the bravest acts I've seen besides Koru."

He could feel tears threatening. He shook his head and took a drink, and looked at Obi-Wan. "Anyways, I'm glad I get to thank the man that rescued me and was the true hero that day."

Obi-Wan, not looking at him with any type of judgment, gave a slight smile.

"I would disagree. You had a child to look out for; that is the true hero. But, sometimes, doing nothing is doing the best thing. I'm sorry you lost Koru. The war claimed too many lives, especially those not even a part of it. The true innocent. They deserved to live peacefully, not be pulled into a senseless war. I just wish I could have done more." Obi-Wan said his heart heavy with the burden.

The two sat in silence until Mitccha had to ask the question. He heard about the clone troopers turning on the Jedi; the Jedi were now the enemy of the new Empire that came from the ashes of the Republic. It didn't seem authentic, and he didn't believe it until the holonet, and everything changed for the worse.

"Begs the question, what happened? Why are you now hunted down and considered the enemy. Always seemed the Jedi where good, not on the side of evil."

Obi-Wan took a swig of his drink, letting the cold hit his throat. He knew the question eventually would come up, but it's not like he wanted to discuss it. Making it so real again in his mind.

"We were betrayed and deceived. We were blinded, and we didn't see the end game until it was too late. Our clone troopers turned on us, killing hundreds if not thousands of us ordered by the new Emperor. We all went into hiding, or so I hope. I don't know who all survived. I could be the only one left." Obi-Wan said the last sentence, feeling a heavy weight. To not know if he was the only surviving Jedi was heart-wrenching. However, he would hope and trust in the force that he wasn't the only one to escape with his life; he just couldn't be. "I sent out a warning message, but not sure if anyone received it, only time would tell. Till then, I will continue to hide and protect the babies as long as I live, or until my dying last breath if I must."

"…the babies. They are not yours, are they? Who's do they belong too?"

Obi-Wan debated for a few seconds in his head. "No, I can't tell you their identity it must remain a secrete, I am sorry friend. If you were to be caught, there are powerful people who could make you give up that name even if your heart was not too. I'm sorry, just know they are special, and I must protect them with my life."

If on cue, the babies awoke from their force suggestion and started wailing.

"That's enough excitement for one day, don't you think?" Obi-Wan left his drink as Mitccha continued to sit at his seat, watching as the Jedi left the room to go and retrieve the children. R2 started chirping, recognizing that it was time to leave and return home. Mitccha stood up as Obi-Wan headed towards the door.

"Obi-Wan," who stopped and turned back around to look at Mitccha, "Ben. I do hope you decide to stay and do not run after this. I will protect you and them, 'glancing at the fussy babies, then directly at the tired Jedi, "you protected my people with your life, as I shall do the same. You are welcome to stay until you feel it's no longer safe for you and them.

Not wanting to answer, Obi-Wan would have to think about what he wanted to do next and his options. Meditate on it. Seek out what the force directed him to do before he made any decisions on the manner. He gave a small smile, "thank you, Mitccha." With that, he was out the door and into the night.

TBC…..

Author Notes: Well...it has been quite some time since the last time I updated this. Two years and some change, huh? To be honest, after the sequels, I fell out of SW. It just did me in, I guess. So then, we got the Obi-Wan Kenobi show, which of course, I LOVED, and here I am. One of the stories I enjoyed writing was this silly little thing. So hopefully, you still want this, and well...see y'all around till next time. Promise I won't take two years to update a new chapter.