Author's Note: Sorry, I forgot to put this in the first Chapter. The story takes place about one year after Rebirth, and is an AU. The Vong have been eradicated. It also takes place shortly after AOTC. I have taken a lot of liberties with the Halcyon's. If I followed canon, Hal Horn would be a Daddy at the age of ten. I chose not to go this route. I have made him Anakin Skywalker's age, and close to Knighthood in this story.

Chapter Two

Old Republic, Jedi Temple

Anakin Solo stood in the Jedi Council chamber, exactly one step behind Obi-Wan. He wasn't certain why he'd adopted an apprentice's stance behind Obi-Wan, but it had felt right. The Jedi Temple was a little overwhelming for him. He hadn't expected to find it on Coruscant, right in the heart of Imperial City. He also hadn't expected to sense thousands of Jedi in one place. It was disconcerting to think that his grandfather and Palpatine had been able to kill so many. He had always pictured the Old Republic consisting of no more than maybe one or two thousand Jedi. At the most.

He could sense more than twice that in the temple alone.

The Jedi Council had gathered for Obi-Wan's announcement. Master Yoda watched Anakin with great interest the entire time Obi-Wan related the events surrounding Anakin Skywalker and Valin Halcyon using the Crystal. Uncomfortable with the Jedi Master's scrutiny, Anakin shifted under its weight. Did he have something on his face? Were his pants buttons undone?

He tried to focus his thoughts on the present, but he couldn't help wonder why his presence had angered Obi-Wan Kenobi. Exactly what code had his grandfather broken?

"Dangerous, it is, to know the future," Yoda said as he focused his gaze on Valin and then on Anakin. "Always in motion, it is. Your silence, do we request, young Valin, young Anakin."

A tall, black Jedi Master whom Anakin did not recognize nodded. "There is nothing we can do to stop Skywalker and Halcyon from learning too much about the future." He turned to Master Yoda. "How long do the effects of the Crystal last?"

"Day, no more than," Master Yoda said. "Or permanent, it is. Had time to study the Crystal, I did not."

The other Master frowned. "What do we do with these two?" he asked, gesturing to Valin and Anakin.

"Trained they are, but broken it is. To Obi-Wan, Anakin Solo will be temporarily apprenticed. Run strong in his family, the Force does. High midichlorian count, he must have. Know it you do, young Solo?"

Anakin blinked, having trouble following Master Yoda's backward speech. "My…what count?"

"Midichlorians."

"I'm afraid I don't know what you are talking about, Master Yoda."

Master Yoda closed his eyes, seeming to search the future. "Strange it is, that know of them you do not. Teach him and test him you will, Obi-Wan."

Obi-Wan bowed. "Yes, Master."

"To Nejaa Halcyon, Valin Horn will be temporarily apprenticed. If agree to this you do, Nejaa."

Nejaa nodded, eyes sparkling. "I would be happy to help train my great grandson."

Anakin frowned as he wondered why Master Yoda would order Obi-Wan to apprentice him but ask Nejaa to apprentice Valin. What was he missing?

"Dismissed, you are," Master Yoda said, nodding. "Speak with Obi-Wan and Nejaa later, we will."

Obi-Wan and Nejaa bowed to Master Yoda. Anakin exchanged a glance with Valin, who shrugged. They offered awkward bows.

"Come along, Anakin," Obi-Wan instructed him. The moment they were in the hallway, he turned to his temporary padawan. "Are you part of a legal order of Jedi, Anakin?"

Anakin stiffened, surprised by Obi-Wan's suspicious tone. "Of course I am, Master Kenobi. Why would you ask that?"

"You don't know what midichlorians are," Obi-Wan pointed out. "How do you test for Force sensitivity? Are you a Corellian Jedi?"

"My dad is Corellian."

"I would like to point out, Obi-Wan, that we Corellians know what midichlorians are," Nejaa interjected.

"I know, but why don't they?"

"I don't know," Nejaa said, frowning. "And I don't think we're supposed to ask."

Anakin cleared his throat. "Master Kenobi?"

"Yes, Anakin?"

"What are midichlorians?"

Obi-Wan turned to him, his blue eyes warm. "Your patience does you credit, Anakin. The midichlorians are micro-organisms that live in your blood, creating a symbiotic relationship. A Jedi cannot touch the Force without these conduits and messengers of the Force. The higher your midichlorian count, the more sensitive you are to the Force."

"They're in your blood?" Valin asked, examining his arms. "I sort of thought that sensitivity to the Force would be a little more…mystical."

"Disappointed that it can be explained?" Nejaa asked, amused.

"A little bit."

Anakin was too. But he was more disappointed that Master Yoda had instructed him not to tell them of the future. This was his chance to prevent the purges, and the Jedi weren't willing to listen. Somehow, he had to tell Obi-Wan that his grandfather would turn to the Dark side of the Force and destroy the Jedi. But would Obi-Wan believe him? And even if he did, how could they prevent Anakin Skywalker from falling?

The only sure way would be to kill him, and that most certainly was not the Jedi way. Killing Anakin Skywalker would also destroy Anakin Solo's family. And he didn't want his grandfather to die. Anakin's shoulders slumped. Why had he wanted to travel to the past again? What if he and Valin got stuck here? What would that mean for the future?

"Anakin," Obi-Wan interrupted his thoughts. "Keep your mind on the present."

"Sorry, Master Kenobi," Anakin apologized, startled that the Jedi had noticed. "How did you know I wasn't?"

"You nearly walked into me," said Obi-Wan, smiling. "And it's obvious from the expression on your face."

"Oh."

"Come on," Obi-Wan said, clapping his back. "We've reached the Healers Ward."

"Know the way like the back of your hand, don't you, Obi-Wan?" Nejaa teased.

Obi-Wan held the door open for his companions. "Not that well."

"Do we really have to be tested?" Anakin asked as he entered the pristine, soft blue reception area.

"Afraid of needles?" Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow.

"No," Anakin said slowly. "I'm just not sure why it matters exactly how powerful I am in the Force or not. I'm strong enough to be a Jedi. Isn't that enough?"

Obi-Wan paused as he considered his words. "You are wise, young Anakin," he said softly. "But Master Yoda has asked that I test you and Valin Horn."

"Then I'll do it, Master Kenobi."

"Thank you, Anakin."

***

With only Nejaa in the room, Obi-Wan looked at the test results. He tapped his fingers on the desk holding his datapad. "Anakin Solo's count is only a few thousand behind my padawan's."

"Powerful family," Nejaa said, taking the chair beside Obi-Wan.

"Too powerful." Obi-Wan pushed away from the datapad. "I cannot believe that Anakin is going to break the code like this. He is the Chosen One."

Nejaa raised an eyebrow. "You cannot believe it, Obi-Wan? The boy learned love from his mother, and he loves you as a Master."

Obi-Wan supposed Nejaa was right. He wasn't as surprised as he should have been that Anakin would eventually marry. Obi-Wan worried what the Council was going to do about Anakin breaking the Code. He didn't want to lose his padawan.

He had promised Qui-Gon that he would train him. If they forced Anakin to leave the Jedi Order, what would he do?

Obi-Wan glanced out the window of the small office, where Anakin Solo sat with Valin Horn. Anakin Solo bore a striking resemblance to his padawan, but only in appearance. His padawan had an edge earned from his former life as a slave. And sometimes, when he apologized for his recklessness to Obi-Wan, his tone was mockingly polite.

On the other hand, Anakin Solo was milder-mannered and earnest in his apologies. It was obvious that he was a very well trained Jedi apprentice. "What do you think it means that they aren't aware of midichlorians?"

Nejaa frowned. "I don't know."

"Do you think the knowledge will be lost, or suppressed?" Obi-Wan asked, getting to his feet. "And why?"

Nejaa stood up as well. "I would suspect the reemergence of the Sith has something to do with it."

"The Sith," Obi-Wan repeated as he clasped his hands behind his back. "Perhaps we should question the boys."

"Master Yoda advised against it."

"I know," Obi-Wan agreed. "Interfering with the future is dangerous business. I don't know what my padawan was thinking when he used the Crystal." He turned to Nejaa. "I don't think you appreciate it, but I am glad that Valin went with Anakin. He should help temper Anakin's recklessness."

"That's a big job," Nejaa said with a small smile. "But I believe Valin can handle it."

***

Imperial City, Coruscant, New Republic

The future didn't seem very bright to Valin Halcyon. Thousands of Jedi were dead, and so much knowledge was lost that they didn't even know where the temple was anymore. He followed Jacen Solo into Jedi Headquarters, which was a plain, nondescript sky scraper. It was a far cry from the pyramid shaped Jedi temple that was just down the street.

Jacen led them into a speeder bay, where a pair of small feet poked out of a speeder, and a four year old girl sat in front of a toolbox. "Hydrospanner."

"Spanner," the little girl repeated, handing her the tool.

"Jaina?" Jacen demanded, not even needing to peek under the speeder. "Mirax asks you to watch Jysella, and you have her helping you fix a speeder?"

"Never hurts to learn early," Jaina said as she pushed herself out from underneath the speeder. "And Corran has obviously taught her how to use tools." She looked Anakin and Valin up and down, her gaze lingering on Valin. "Hello."

"Hello yourself," Valin said. He folded his arms and gave her an appreciative look. She was really pretty, even with the oil stains on her jumpsuit.

Anakin nudged him in the ribs, hard. "I'm Cliegg Lars, and this is Garm Idanion. He's a lot older than he looks."

Jacen gestured to Jaina. "This is my sister, Jaina."

Valin's eyes widened. He'd just been flirting with Anakin Skywalker's granddaughter. "I see."

Anakin gave him a dangerous look and then turned back to Jaina. "So you're good at fixing things?"

"Pretty good," Jaina said, frowning. "You're both Jedi, but I've never seen you before." She raised an eyebrow. "Where's little brother?"

Jacen looked around, making certain no one was watching. "I'm not exactly sure."

"What do you mean, you're not sure?" Jaina demanded, threatening him with the hydrospanner. "Did you lose him in the lower levels?"

Jacen shook his head. "Do you remember how Uncle Luke asked us to find the Crystal of Transportation?"

Jaina rolled her eyes. "That stupid legend…"

"We found it, Jaina. And Anakin…used it."

"What?" Jaina paled. "You mean you've lost our little brother to the future? Or the past? He's lost in when?"

"And Valin Horn," Jacen said, wincing. "They touched the Crystal at the same time. And it would appear they're lost in the past." He pointed to Anakin and Valin. "The Crystal causes people to trade places. Cliegg and Garm here have replaced Anakin and Valin. They're Old Republic Jedi. Well, Cliegg is. The affects are only supposed to last a day."

She scratched her forehead. "How are we going to explain this to Mom and Dad?"

Jacen offered her a sloppy grin. "I was hoping you would help."

"Your time isn't dangerous, is it?" Jaina asked, now threatening Anakin with the hydrospanner. "It's not during…"

Jacen cleared his throat. "The less they know about their future, the better, Jaina."

Jaina hesitated, obviously annoyed with Jacen's interruption. "But they're safe, right, Cliegg?"

"They're more than likely in the Temple, surrounded by thousands of Jedi," Anakin said as he attempted to reassure her. "What could be safer than that?"

"Not all Jedi are good, Cliegg," Jaina said, meeting his gaze. "He better be safe."

Valin frowned, wondering what she meant by saying that not all Jedi were good. And what had she been about to say when Jacen interrupted her? He decided that he probably shouldn't know. He felt something tugging on his pants legs and found Jysella looking up at him. "Hello."

"Hi," Jysella said, crooking her little fingers. "I have a secret to tell you."

"Oh?" Valin asked, bending down so she could whisper in his ear. "What is it?"

"Why is he wearing a braid?"

Valin grinned. "That's his paddlehorn."

"Paddlehorn?" Jysella repeated.

"If you tug it, he'll make a noise."

"Really?" Jysella's green eyes widened, and she gave Anakin an impish grin.

"Padawan, Garm," Anakin corrected him.

"What's a padawan?" Jaina asked, folding her arms.

"It means apprentice," Anakin replied.

"You're just an apprentice?" Jaina raised an eyebrow. "Does that mean that Garm is a Knight?"

"No, he's an apprentice," Anakin corrected. "But he's Corellian."

"Corellians don't need paddlehorns," Valin said seriously. "Do they consider you a Knight, Jaina?"

Jaina smirked. "Yes." She cocked her head to the side. "Aren't you a little old to be an apprentice?"

"Aren't you a little young to be a Knight?"

Her look was challenging. "No."

"You have dirt on your nose."

Surprised, Jaina scrubbed at her nose with the back of her hand. "And?" she demanded.

Valin shrugged. "Most Knights I know practice good hygiene habits."

"Most Knights you know probably have prickleburrs stuffed up their butts."

Anakin cleared his throat while simultaneously glaring sabers at Valin. "Weren't you taking us to your Headmaster, Jacen?"

"Right." Jacen turned to Jaina. "Is Uncle Luke around?"

Jaina shook her head. "He was called to a Senate meeting. He left Kyp in charge."

"Then I guess we better talk to Kyp." Jacen started to lead the way out of the speeder bay.

"Wait!" Jysella called, catching Valin's hand. "I go with you!"

"I think you better stay here with Jaina," said Valin as he gently pulled his hand from hers.

Jysella pouted. "I like you."

"I like you too."

"See you later?"

Valin mussed her hair. "Sure, kiddo," he said. "See you later."