Author's Note: This is just a tiny update. I promise there is a much bigger one coming later on. This is just to let everyone know that I am still alive and interested in this tale. I have yet to get me a word program that works with windows 98-and cannot upgrade to XP. If anyone knows where I can get a hold of office 98 or 2000, that would be much appreciated. Any errors in spelling/grammar/capitaliztions are all my own fault. I try to betta my own work and am not always successful. This means that things may change in this chapter later. But, after reading it over, I doubt it. I apologize in advance for any shoddy work.

A special thanks to Maglor the Harper, Padfoot Reincarnated, Patty, and Lea Nikkaya. Thank you all for your continued support and patience with me as I struggle to keep this story-and my other ones alive and kicking. It ain't easy, but I hope that it is worth it.

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Anakin flew to the homestead he knew from his dreams and made his landing just beyond a moisture evaporator. Stepping out, he made his way towards a weather beaten figure bent over something, earnestly working.

Upon sensing the presence of a life form, the figure straightened up and began to speak briskly. Though mechanized, there was a definite human quality in his voice. A sound of welcome, of gentility and grace, that was out of place in the barren and hostile land, "Hello. Welcome to the Lars' homestead. I am C-," he never finished his speech.

"Threepio?" Anakin asked, mouth hanging open slightly in shock as he recognized him. Blinking, he recovered and asked, eagerly throwing questions at him. Desperate for any word, any news about her at all. Wanting to know if she was all right before he went in to face her. "Is my mom here? Is she nearby? How is she? How are you?"

"My maker?" he asked, disbelieving. But his programing kicked in andhe answered the questions, though he was brimming with joy to see his creator once again. "I am afraid not. She is currently out with Beru Whitesun, girlfriend of your new stepbrother, Owen, the son of Cliegg Lars, your stepfather of…"

"All right, Threepio," he stopped him again. He really didn't need to hear all the details of his mother's life-at least, right now. What he really needed was to see her, to make sure that she was all right. "Is she in Mos Eisley?"

"I am afraid that is something I do not know, Master Ani," he regretfully said.

"Anakin," he absently corrected, though hearing 'Master' in connection to his name thrilled him. To hear it made his dream a reality. Soon he would be a Master in deed as well as word-and not just to the droid he had built many years ago. "I would prefer to be called Anakin. And it isn't Master Anakin, I'm not a knight yet, Threepio."

"Very well, Master Anakin," he corrected his name obligingly. "Would you like to go inside and meet Master Lars and his son? Your mother has told them so much about you that you will be welcomed with open arms for they see you as family. I know that they have waited a long time-and most anxiously-to meet you."

Reluctantly, he nodded. "You look good. Complete," he said.

"Thank you, Master Anakin. Mistress Lars completed me a year ago with help from Master Lars. He is a kind man, though his sense of humor often puzzles me."

As he talked on, Anakin listened with half an ear but was seeking out the truth with his other senses.

He knew that he needed to learn what kind of person his mother would marry-and he wanted to meet him without his mother there. If he didn't like him, he knew it would pain his mother deeply. And there was a small part of him that wanted to know the story of their courtship. How, he wondered, was it possible for a moisture farmer to free his mom from Watto when a Jedi Master could not?

As he followed Threepio into the house, he sensed the joy and laughter that colored the place. He could feel of his mother's happiness and contentment in this life that she had found. It echoed in the very stones of the house. Though it did not appeal to him, she had found it gratifying.

Anakin looked about, seeing Cliegg walk towards them, drying off his hands. The young man prepared himself for disdain, for suspicion about him. For he was an unknown element, the child of an unknown father.

He was fully prepared to dislike him.

To hate him for taking his place in his mother's heart-but his honest welcome, the genuine smile of affection and his jocularity sent those feelings slinking off into a corner. Shame filled him for his thoughts.

No, he wasn't an exciting man who had an eye on adventure, but he was a good, hard working man. Cliegg Lars was an honest man.

And his obvious love for Shmi opened up Anakin's heart to receive him gladly.

Sitting back in the cozy kitchen, enjoying a cup of milk, he listened to Cliegg speak of the past. Listened hungrily as he spoke of his mom, of how they had met. How she and he had grown closer-and how he had felt hearing about Anakin.

"You've never been far from her thoughts or her heart. Through her, I have come to know you and hope that you will not mind when I tell you that I have always thought of you as my son," he finished, looking up.

Glancing over his shoulder, his hand paused and began to shake. There in the doorway was his mother, her face flushed from the heat of the day and her exertions. Just beyond her was another woman-he vaguely recalled that Threepio had called her Beru.

His eyes were all for his mom and he watched, with a twinge of something undefined as Cliegg embraced her. Of course, he was happy for her. How could he not be? It was obvious that she was loved, accepted. Yet…this was his mother and watching them two of them kiss was just weird. He'd never thought of his mother as someone who had needs like that.

Loneliness filled him as they stood, embraced in their own little world.

The realization of what it meant hit him and nearly brought tears to his eyes.

As much as he loved her, he was no longer the only one in her heart. She had found others to love, to care for. And he was angry at her for it-and angry at himself for feeling that way.

"Shmi, there is someone whose come a long way to see you," Cliegg gruffly said, stepping away from her and gesturing towards the table.

Anakin shakily stood up, turning to fully face her. The light framed him as he walked a few steps closer, stopping to let her study him. Her face was puckered up in confusion as she studied him. He trembled, holding himself still with effort.

Part of him wanted to bolt from the room and run back to Coruscant. Back to the world of Obi-Wan, enjoy his company and have him hold him, keeping his fears at bay. To stand once more in his reassuring presence, letting his Master handle all of the frightening details that haunted him.

But the rest of him wanted to stay, the little boy he'd been trembled even more and waited, hoping for a kind word. Desperately hungry for his mother to remember him, he held steady and waited, wanting for nothing more than for her to embrace him in her sheltering, all encompassing love.

What seemed like an eternity passed in seconds as her brown eyes took in the tall young man who stood before her, waiting. A little nervous shifting was the only sign that he felt anything. Shmi felt like she knew should know him-and not just because it seemed like those in the room felt she should.

It was the eyes, she realized as she met them. She knew those eyes. "Ani?" she tentatively whispered, shakily taking a step forward.

A fierce joy swept through her, blotting out the hole in her heart when he smiled his sweet smile at her.

"ANI! How I've missed you!" Her words were chocked out through a rapidly clogging throat as she fought off tears, rushing into his open arms. He swept her up tightly, making up for the long absence from each other in an instant.

"Mom." It was all he could say as he held her to him, feeling almost home again. All he needed was for Obi-Wan to be there, a faintly confused and disapproving look on his face, then everything would be all right.

The next few days passed in an almost bliss like fashion. In Cliegg, he found a father who may not have understood him, but accepted him-even when it seemed as though he was afraid of him. Anakin didn't blame him. Even in this enlightened age, those who were called Jedi were feared for the abilities they had.

He got to know Owen and Beru-and slightly envy their ability to love freely. It wasn't that he wanted to settle down and marry, raise a family while he held down a steady job-or raise the kids if his wife wanted to work outside the home, he knew he didn't have the temperment for such a life. But he did envy the way they could express themselves. The way they could say what they felt without fear of upbraiding.

Through it all, he never heard a word from the Jedi Council. Therefore, he allowed himself to let go. Allowed himself to forget why they had sent him. Anakin could almost make himself forget about his dreams-except they came back every night. And during the day, he could see signs of the Tusken raiders' drawing ever nearer.

Finally, after one particularly vicious dream, he decided that he needed help. With careful steps, he crept out of the house and towards his ship, thankful that he had strengthened the perimeter shielding. Thankful that Cliegg had trusted him enough to let him do so, for it had been a risky thing to do. Anything could have gone wrong.

Dialing up a familiar number, he waited, somewhat impatiently for it to be answered.

"Anakin?" A sleep tousled Obi-Wan asked him, instantly alert. "What's wrong?"

"Sorry, Master. I didn't mean to…Come to Tatooine?" he suddenly asked, watching his face. "Please? I need you." Anakin watched as Obi-Wan struggled with his simple request and sighed, wondering why he'd even tried.

But something in his Master's face caught his eye. "I'll be there as soon as I can," he finally decided. "Where are you?"

"On a moisture farm on the outskirts of Mos Eisley, near the Judland Wastes," he said faintly. "Master Obi-Wan?"

"Yes, Anakin? What is it?"

"Thank you," he said, shocked but pleased that he would come.

Obi-Wan smiled suddenly, Anakin felt warmth fill him. An unusual amount of affection flowed his way, communicated through their bond. And he wondered if it was his doing-or Obi-Wan's. "Thank you for asking me, my Padawan. Get some rest. I am coming."

"Yes, Master." Secure in the knowledge that Obi-Wan would soon be with him, he turned of the communicator and curled up, suddenly very tired. Safe in the ship, and warmed by the bond he shared with Obi-Wan, he slept deeply and was not troubled.

Shmi entered the ship, a blanket under her arm. Smoothing back his hair, she covered him up and wondered over what she had heard. Kissing his forehead, she wondered who this mysterious Master Obi-Wan was. This stranger was obviously someone who meant a lot to Anakin.

She realized suddenly that, for all their talks, she knew next to nothing about his new life. Straightening up, she thought about it, curious to know about it. There were so many things she wanted to know, wanted to understand. They had to talk, she decided.

Quickly walking back to the house, she briskly rubbed her arms to ward off the chill in the air. Her face warmed as she saw Cliegg in the doorway, a knowing look on his face. His arms opened to receive her and she walked in, snuggling into his hearty embrace.

"How is your boy?" he asked, rubbing her shivering body.

"Ani's sleeping," she replied, resting her head on his shoulder. "I think we should prepare his room for another person. He's invited his Master to come. Something's troubling him."

"Aye, I could tell."

"It won't be any trouble, will it?" she asked, concerned by the fact that her son had just asked someone to come-and had not consulted either of them.

Shaking his head, he simply said. "This is Anakin's home to. I look forward to meeting this Master Jinn you've told me of. I have much to thank him for."

Shmi looked up at him, a pensive look in her eyes. Something inside told her that she would not be seeing Qui-Gon Jinn again, but she couldn't bring herself to quite believe it. "It isn't Master Jinn who's coming. It is someone I've never met or even heard of, a Master Obi-Wan."

"Well, whoever he is, he'll find a warm welcome here. Shmi, I'm sure he's a good man. Your son trusts him and I have not seen any sign that he is a bad judge of character," he reassured her.

"I know. It's just that I feel…unsure as I never felt when I met Qui-Gon. Though I did not know him, I never felt awkward, for all that I was a slave. But now…I don't know. There is so much I don't know about his life-and now I am going to meet the man who shaped him into the young man I see before me now. I just don't know what to do," she admitted softly.

"Take time tomorrow and ask," he advised, moving them both inside. "Nothing will be accomplished by avoiding the situation. We can handle things here."

"If you're sure," she hesitated, biting her lip. As much as she wanted to, there were things that needed doing around the house. It wouldn't be right to just take off, leaving them to do the work alone.

She just couldn't abandon them.

"Though I don't know how we survived without you for all of these years, we did manage before. Somehow, I'm sure that we'll muddle through without your help for one day. Now, let's get back into bed. Tomorrow will be busy-for all of us," he teased her.

"I should just let you sleep out here for that comment," she threatened, a smile breaking out on her face. "But I won't-this time. You're much to warm to waste on the couch."

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Obi-Wan surfaced from the water, pushing back his wet hair and blinked into the bright light. Something had disturbed him and he looked over to the shoreline, seeing someone there. He did not know who it was-and wasn't entirely sure that he had been seen. With this thought in mind, he went to dive back under the water. After a week of solitude, with occasional appearances from his Master, he had not seen anyone.

"Master Kenobi?" an aristocratic voice echoed over the water. "Please, I have a message for you from my mistress, Lady Organa."

With a sigh, he swam towards the shore and climbed out, noting that she averted her head to give him some privacy. Shrugging, he wrapped a towel about himself, rubbing himself briskly to ward off the chill. Turning, he inclined his head towards the diminutive blonde. "What is this message, Miss?"

"Kynthia," she replied, bowing.

"Miss Kynthia," he said.

"My Mistress wishes your presence at dinner tonight. She has been most displeased that you have been here for many days and have not paid a visit to her. If you wish to remain in her good graces, you would do well to come. Senator Organa and his fiancée will be in attendance, as well as Senator Amidala."

Hiding a grimace a the thought of Amidala, he knew that seeing her was not something he wished. Nevertheless, he knew he should attend. If for no other reason than he did not wish to upset Lady Organa. He liked her. "Tell your Mistress that I shall be there for I have no wish to offend her."

"Dinner is at eight. I would come around seven." The way she said it left Obi-Wan in no doubt that is was not a request.

Promptly at six-thirty, for he did not think it would be wise to take any chances, Obi-Wan arrived. Dressed in his Jedi robes, he found he was grateful for the formal look they always had. As annoying as they tended to be to put on, they were presentable for any occasion. Forcing a smile, he greeted a few of the senators gathered in the parlor.

It was late when Obi-Wan was able to escape the party.

And that was only because Bail had distracted his mother with talk of the wedding. Breathing a sigh of relief as the door closed behind him, he smiled slightly. Though ashamed of himself, he was happy that he had managed to avoid Amidala all ever. It wasn't that he didn't like her, she just asked questions he couldn't answer.

Undressing, he fell into the bed, relieved. His private comlink went off, waking him instantly from a sound sleep.

Reaching over with a yawn, he flicked it on, startled into full awareness upon seeing…"Anakin?" he asked, concern coming to the front. "What's wrong?"

"Sorry, Master. I didn't mean to…come to Tatooine?" he suddenly asked. Obi-Wan was struck by the lost, little boy sound he heard. "Please. I need you."

Obi-Wan studied him, his mind flashing back to Qui-Gon's words, that Anakin would need him. His options were few-and Anakin's own question haunted him…'if it had been Qui-Gon, could you turn aside?'-only he replaced it with Anakin.

"I'll be there as soon as I can," he finally said. "Where are you?"

The fierce joy that replaced the shock in Anakin's eyes eased his guilty conscience at going against everything he ever knew. "On a moisture farm on the outskirts of Mos Eisley, near the Jundland Wastes. Master Obi-Wan?"

"Yes, Anakin? What is it?"

"Thank you," he said.

Obi-Wan felt the waves of gratitude, the look of pure joy dance in his friend's eyes, and smiled suddenly. For the first time, he felt…all right about going against the dictates of the Jedi Council. "Thank you for asking me, my Padawan. Get some rest. I am coming."

"Yes, Master."

Fully awake and aware in light of his decision, Obi-Wan found that he could not rest.

There was an intense need to be up, to be doing something now that he had made this decision. A fear that he might change his mind if he did not move forward. With a sigh, he flicked on the light and rose, thinking and planning his next moves.

From there it was a simple matter of thought becoming action. He had always been a man who could make a plan and then implement it without care, for he was always cautious when he planned anyhting. Almost fatalistically so, as Anakin was wont to complain. Within an hour of the call, Obi-Wan was packed, his good-byes and the explanation for his leaving written, his ship was fueled and ready to go. Now, he was only waiting for clearance.

"Obi-Wan, do you think this is wise?" Bail asked, suddenly appearing in his ship.

"No," he answered, not really surprised to hear from him.

He had known that his leave taking would be reported-especially when it was so abrupt and mysterious. What he hadn't expected was that the senator would show up.

The most he had expected was a call asking what he was doing.

This visit was a surprise-both a welcome one and an unwanted one. "I just know that Anakin needs me with him. He asked me to come. For all the reputation he has gained, you don't know Anakin, Bail. He doesn't asked for help. He just doesn't. The fact that he did worries me. It may not be wise but I believe that it is the right thing to do. If only for my own piece of mind."

"Then I wish you luck," Bail sighed. "Once I leave, you will gain clearance."

"Thank you," Obi-Wan smiled.

"I have a feeling that you will wish that I had stopped you from going in a few weeks," he said. "Nevertheless, I hope you are met with success."

"Again, I thank you. If the Council calls, tell them what happened." He hesitated, before continuing, "If the Chancellor asks about anything at all, direct him towards the Council. I don't want to put you in a position where you must lie to him, which is why I will not tell you where I am going now. I don't want him to know where I have gone without the Council being notified. They should be the ones to tell him."

"Do you honestly think he would harm you?" He was surprised by the request-and what it implied. Of course, he had known that there was some tension between the Chancellor and Obi-Wan but had always thought it harmless. Here Obi-Wan seemed to be implying that there was something more sinister to the Chancellor than anyone thought.

It ran along the lines of something he and former Chancellor Vallorum had spoken of the last time they had met.

"I don't know. But I have been having some very disturbing dreams lately. They could be nothing more than my disliking him but…I would rather not take any chances. Be careful around him, Bail. There is just something about him that I do not trust in the slightest." He did not add that it felt familiar to him, like something he'd felt ten years ago-in Theed.

Bail would not understand. How could be expected to when Obi-Wan himself did not?

The senator nodded. "All right. I shall be wary of him and have all his calls forwards to me. This will not be a problem as my mother shares your opinion of him."

"And Senator Amidala?"

"I shall try to keep her from speaking of this though I make no promises. I will not stifle her voice," he warned, backing out of the ship.

"I would not ask you to. I bid you a farewell for the time being, Bail. And I thank you for asking no questions of me that I cannot in all good conscience answer." In moments, he was flying towards Tatooine, burying his worry about his Padawan under the task of flying. He knew that it would do him no good, though he couldn't stop the fear that filled his heart. Something was wrong with the whole situation.

Very wrong if Anakin was asking him to come help him out.

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Author's Note #2: Yes, I spell Ani as Ani. I write it that way b/c it is spelled that way in the movies' closed captioning. I know in the books it's Annie, but I'm going with the movie on this. As both were approved of by George Lucas, I feel all right in doing so. And I do apologize for the double conversaton with Obi-Wan and Anakin. I wanted to show both of the pov's. I don't know if it worked out. I'll have to check it out later and see.