Thank you very much for clicking and reading! Here is the next part, I hope you enjoy it. Also, if you haven't picked up Revenge of the Sith yet, you really should—the Saga is now complete!

Thank You's

Skychaser: Hello Dove! Er, Sky. It's okay, I know who you are. Thank you for your continued reviews and compliments! And yes, Artoo is just a bit biased isn't he? LOL I hope you enjoy the next part.

Ryan Lohner: Thank you! Yes, I count Artoo as one of the big stars, though he's not the main star in my mind. But of course, he would tell you otherwise.

Sammy Solo: Thank you! I have fun with the off-camera moments as well.

Cracklin' Rosie: Hey you! Thank you! As for Artoo being a bit critical, well, he's had a few years to build up memories and become a cranky old droid. Still, I hope I can still convey that he's a huge softie at heart. Let me know how I do!

Disclaimer: All your base are belong to George Lucas.

3

Sandstorms and Protocol Acquaintances

So now that Qui-Gon had all but claimed slaveboy as his prodigal son, forgetting conveniently about Obi-Wan Kenobi, we marched on through the streets of Mos Espa.

Until the sandstorm hit, that is.

Conveniently, slaveboy offered up his quarters as shelter during the bad weather and so we made our way to a small hovel on the other side of the town, away from the shop district.

"Dissen cozy," the abomination next to me muttered.

Shut it duck! I snapped, and annoyed almost to the point of blowing my motivator, I rolled behind slaveboy and Padmé, determined to stay away from him for the next few lifetimes.

"I built my own podracer," Slaveboy bragged to the Queen.

I'll believe when I see it kid. I kindly informed him.

"I've been building this protocol droid too," he bragged on. "He's not quite finished."

And saying so, he uncovered a sorry excuse for a droid, and flipped the switch.

With that single action, he changed the universe forever.

"Oh. Where is everyone?" The protocol droid looked around futilely as clever slaveboy had forgotten to put in his eyepiece.

"Whoops," he commented smartly as he pushed the piece into place.

Can't wait to see your pod. I commented to him.

"Oh hello!" The protocol droid practically beamed with enthusiasm. "I am See Threepio, human cyborg relations, how might I be of service?"

Padmé, bless her heart, beamed at slaveboy. "He's perfect."

"Oh. Perfect." See Threepio sounded pleased as he repeated the Queen's words and slowly got up from the bunk where slaveboy had put him.

While slaveboy continued to woo Padmé, See Threepio tried to master the basics of walking.

Hey watch it, don't fall on me! I said, alerting him to my existence.

He started. "Oh hello!" The chipper voice grated in my sensory placements. "Pleased to meet you."

Hey bud. I decided to give the droid the benefit of the doubt. After all, he couldn't help it if some slave kid built him out of shoddy parts. I'm Artoo-Detoo.

"Artoo Detoo!" He repeated happily. "It is a pleasure to meet you!"

Likewise, I'm sure. I drawled. And then, not being able to help it, I added, You always walk around naked?

"Naked! What do you mean naked?" He cried out in alarm as the two lovely organics looked on.

I laughed. Your master sure left you in the dark! Your parts are showing!

"My parts are showing! Oh my goodness!" If he were a human he would have been blushing.

As it was, all he could do was stand there awkwardly as I laughed, a bit more than I should have I admit, openly at him.

And thus a unique relationship was born.