A/N: Hey! Thanks to brooklynturtle, froovygirl, Empresselizabeth, Queen Naberrie, and Apollo353 for reviewing. I'm going to let this chapter speak for itself.
Chapter Fifteen
A New Family
The harsh winds of Coruscant ruffled Obi-wan's copper hair as his speeder flew the heights of the glittering city.
At the current moment the image of a slave boy was burned into his memory.
He wondered when that image had changed from a winsome blond haired pod-racing builder of machines into a jaded brown haired boy with sad green eyes.
Obi-wan wasn't sure what to do with the boy. The refugee program had helped many former slaves get back on their feet.
But this boy was alone. In those moments when he didn't have a social worker trying to help him, in those moments where he wouldn't interact with other former slaves, who would be there to guide him? Who would be there to quell his fears? Who would be there to heal the wounds he carried around inside from a lifetime of slavery?
The boy was strong. He had lasted long enough to be rescued.
But Obi-wan knew that the battle to heal mental and spiritual scars was one of the most difficult battles of a person's life.
The memories of Qui-Gon and Cerasi flickered in his mind for just a short little moment, but they were pangs in his heart that instantly reminded him of the battle he knew Jacen would have to fight.
The battle to overcome grief.
Jacen was currently at Padmé's apartment with her handmaiden.
Obi-wan arrived at the med-center Anakin was recovering at.
He had quite a few things to discuss.
When the Jedi Master walked into Anakin's room he was touched by the sight.
Anakin was asleep, with his bed positioned so he was sitting upright and Luke and Leia were sound asleep as well, burrowed into their father's chest.
Padmé was asleep in a chair and Sola was watching the scene with a smile on her face. She turned around and looked at Obi-wan.
"Hello."
"Hi."
"I need to speak to Anakin about something."
"Well, it's gonna have to wait. Because this is too adorable a moment to ruin."
Anakin's eyes fluttered open slowly.
"What's going on?" He whispered.
Obi-wan smiled. "Hello Anakin."
"Hello."
Anakin noticed Obi-wan's occasional glances at Luke and Leia. He looked down at the children in his arms and smiled softly and proudly and then looked back at Obi-wan.
"I…hate to bring this up right now." Obi-wan said.
"Out with it." Anakin said with the slightest humor.
"I'm not sure what the right course of action should be for young Jacen."
Anakin's expression was more earnest then and he was quiet for some time.
"How is he?"
"Physically, he is fine." Obi-wan paused.
"For now he's staying with Padmé. I'm sure she must have told you."
"Yes."
"I don't know where he should stay in the long term, though. Asking you two to…raise the boy is a very burdensome favor to ask of someone."
"It's not a burden. I have two already." Anakin smirked referring to the twins.
"There is the possibility of testing his blood to check midichlorian levels. And then training him in the ways of the Jedi."
There was a glimmer of protective affection in Anakin's eyes.
"No. He will be made to do nothing against his will. I didn't save him so he could go from one form of slavery to another."
"Those are very strong words. I would hardly call the Jedi way of life slavery."
"That depends on your point of view."
Obi-wan sighed. He veered the conversation away from the beginnings of an argument.
"Well, I've come here to ask you what you believe would be the best for the boy…since you were once in his place."
"I believe he should make the decision."
"And if his decision is to live with you and Padmé. Permanently."
"We'll raise him like our own child."
Obi-wan smiled. "That is a great weight off my shoulders."
"Oh no. You're not out of harm's way just yet, Obi-wan." Anakin smirked.
"Uncle Obi-wan is going to visit all the time." Anakin teased.
"I'll be too busy with Jedi dealings."
"You'll make time."
Obi-wan smirked.
His face was more serious suddenly.
"Jacen feels very guilty about what happened. He told me you should have left him behind. That your own life and your family are more important than his well-being."
Anakin frowned, a look of pained compassion. "I don't regret helping him. He shouldn't be ashamed. What's shameful here were the circumstances he faced."
He continued. "Bring him here. I want to reassure him. He has nothing to apologize for."
Obi-wan nodded gently in agreement.
Little Leia giggled as Anakin made faces at her. He opened his eyes as wide as they would go and his cheeks were inflated.
Leia's small palms hit Anakin's cheeks and he pretended she had popped them.
She squealed with joy.
Anakin laughed softly and feathered kisses over her little features.
Obi-wan and Jacen walked in quietly.
Jacen looked at Anakin and the infant girl in his arms with a pained expression. He stayed behind Obi-wan with trepidation.
Leia was trying to touch Anakin's face, but alas. Her arms were far too short. He bent his neck and she squeezed a bit of her father's cheek.
"Oww. You've got some serious nails for such a little thing."
Padmé laughed and then took Leia from Anakin and distracted her.
Jacen stared at Anakin wordlessly.
"Come over here."
Jacen was motionless.
"Pull up a chair. I want to talk to you."
Obi-wan put a reassuring hand on Jacen's shoulder.
The boy sat down with much hesitation.
He was quiet for a few moments. "Thank you." Jacen said finally. "Thank you for saving me."
Anakin smiled.
"I'm sorry you got hurt because of me."
"I would have gotten hurt either way. It's kind of a talent of mine." He smiled impishly. "Or handicap."
Anakin was suddenly serious. "We are in a time of war, Jacen. People are going to get hurt. Especially Jedi like myself. I knew what I was getting myself into when I agreed to go to Tatooine.'
"But I'm sure you never expected what happened to you."
"What's done is done."
Jacen was silent yet again.
"The important thing to consider now is you."
"What do you want Jacen?"
The boy was confused. He had never been asked what he wanted. That was an irrelevant thing in a slave's life. The issue of want and need.
"Well, I'm gonna give you some options. We have no idea if you have any family. You probably have never known your parents."
Jacen shook his head despairingly.
"My wife and I have agreed to adopt you as our son."
Jacen looked startled, a mixture of different confusing emotions swimming around in him.
"I know you barely know me and the idea may seem a bit unnerving. You can say no. I just thought you should know that you are welcome to stay in our home for as long as you need."
Jacen looked around the room. He didn't know how to feel about the situation. He wanted to be happy. But it seemed like a dream. A cruel trick someone was playing on him. One that he would pay for later. His master had enjoyed playing those sorts of psychological games with him. Promising a reward and then laughing in his face the moment he believed the lies. He would always get severely lashed afterwards. His hands were shaking and he was trying desperately to look brave in front of Anakin.
Anakin read the boy's thoughts. "This isn't a trick, Jacen. I'm going to do everything I can to make sure no one ever hurts you again."
Padmé looked at Jacen sadly. She placed the babies in their hover-carrier and walked over to Jacen. She wrapped her arms around him.
He tensed at first. He had long forgotten what tenderness was. Touch to him meant bruises and cuts and broken bones.
"We don't want to hurt you. Please believe us." Padmé said softly.
He hugged her back and his face twisted and then the tears poured over his cheeks like the rapids of a river.
A lifetime of pain raining down his cheeks.
Anakin's eyes were downcast as he fell into his thoughts. He looked out the window of his room and it was dark outside, the lights of the speeders like shooting stars in outer space.
He asked the force silently what to do. What could he do to make this boy believe in good again? What could he do to give this boy faith? Hope for a better tomorrow.
He already had the answers. He just hoped that they would be enough.