Chapter 59 - Adjusting

Author's Note: Anakin... adjusts. :P

~ Amina Gila

"I wish Kalifa was here," O'mer says, and the already deafening quiet of the corner of the refugee ship Anakin and the other three padawans are taking to Naboo suddenly feels even quieter. For the first time since he left the Order, he was starting to feel traces of excitement, because he's finally about to see his mother again, and he's going to be able to stay with her, unlike he has since he was a little child. Even if he doesn't know how long it'll last.

For the past couple weeks since leaving, though, they've all been taking whatever odd jobs they can find to save up enough money to get on a ship in the first place. And now, they've finally made it.

"Me too," Anakin replies, quietly.

"She was always our leader, before," Jinx agrees, solemnly. Now that he's out here alone with them again – the only difference being that Barriss is here – it's a sharp reminder of when they were alone together, running from the Trandoshans.

"I wish I could've met her," Barriss comments.

"She wanted to leave most of all," Anakin replies. And she never got that chance. But they can only honor her memory now. Nothing will bring her back. And if she were still alive, things would be... different. Anakin wouldn't have to feel so lost right now. He wishes she was here.

"She would have loved Naboo," Anakin agrees, "I think you all will, too."

"What's it like there?" queries Jinx, and he counts it as a silent win that he distracted them from that more depressing line of thought.

And so, he tells them what he knows of the planet, while they wait for landing. The last time he was here was during the Festival of Light, and he doesn't want to think about that time at all right now. He keeps his focus on how he's about to be reunited with Shmi and Omega instead.

Once they're almost there, it's far easier. He's practically bouncing with excitement as he approaches the house. Omega is outside playing in the yard with several other Nubian children, and he takes a moment to just... be happy at how well she's fit in here, even if he knows she must miss her brothers unimaginably. "Omega!" he calls, finally.

She whips around, face lighting up. "Anakin! You're here!"

He only has half a second of warning before she's sprinting across the grass, tackling him in a hug. He catches her, returning the hug just as fiercely. "I missed you."

"I missed you too," he agrees, grip tightening. They're close in a way that he isn't with the other padawans, simply because there's... things they can understand about each other better. Because at the end of the day, he never truly fit in with the Jedi.

"Where's Mom?" He was able to call ahead so she knew he was coming. She should be somewhere nearby.

"Inside. C'mon!" She grabs his hand, dragging him towards the house.

The others follow, feeling distinctly more awkward.

Shmi is waiting right inside for them, and she pulls him into a hug immediately. She feels so much happier here, even if he can feel her distant longing that he knows is because he's been gone. "Are you alright, Ani?" she asks, eyeing him with concern.

"I... I'm better now that we're here."

Shmi steps away from him, turning to the others. "And you're Anakin's friends? You're more than welcome to stay here."

"Thank you," Barriss replies cordially.

"They're Barriss, Jinx, and O'mer," Anakin introduces each in turn.

"Hi!" Omega says, brightly.

"So, you're the only female clone?" Jinx asks, approaching her.

Omega nods.

"I know all four of you have been through a lot," Shmi speaks up, "And it's getting late. You should eat and rest."

The other three all blink in surprise at the unexpectedness of the words. It's... been a while since Anakin had someone fuss over him like that. Obi-Wan was like that sometimes, but it often came across more as him not believing Anakin was capable of taking care of himself. A sharp pang runs through his heart, remembering him and Ahsoka and the clones, but he tries not to think about it. Not right now, at least. He... he can't go back.

"Okay," O'mer," agrees, finally, and she escorts them all to the dining room. The house here is small, but it's nice. It can't even compare to what little he remembers of their accommodations on Zygerria. It's different than at the Temple too, because this is entirely their own place. Although not feeling people everywhere, even right on the other side of the walls, is... jarring.

"Later, I can show you all around the neighborhood," Omega says, eagerly.

**w**

"What's it been like here?" Anakin asks, following Omega through the Nubian streets. He's missed her.

"It's nice," she replies, giving him a small smile, "But I... I miss my brothers. I can talk to them sometimes, but it's not the same."

"I know," he answers, squeezing her hand reassuringly, "I know they miss you."

She nods. "I have friends here, but that's different."

"Yeah," he agrees, a little more subdued, "Maybe it will change eventually." Even if he has no idea how.

"What are you gonna do now?" she wonders, "Are you planning to go to school, too?"

Go to school? Anakin can't even imagine such a thing. He's technically past what non-Jedi consider high school anyway because all education that's actually important for life they have to learn before becoming padawans. After that, they take whatever classes are mission specific, for the most part. He doesn't know what he'd even be interested in studying, beyond that. At least not when he still wants to help people.

"I want to keep doing what I was before, but... not as part of the military. Maybe I could help free slaves." He doesn't know yet.

"I want to help," Omega volunteers immediately, eagerness in her eyes. "I was in the lab on Kamino for so long, and then I got to go places on missions, and being here all the time is nice, but..."

"I can imagine." He already doesn't know how he'll deal with sitting still all the time. "Maybe I could even try to... arrange something with Ahsoka's civilian division, and get your brothers to work with us..." He has no idea, though. He doesn't think he's ready for that quite yet, when it'll lead him back to what he left only a few weeks ago.

"Are you still talking to your friends in the Order?" she asks.

"I'm not in contact with them right now, but... I could," he replies.

"Are you okay?" Omega queries, pausing to look at him, "I saw what was happening on the news. I was so worried."

Anakin sighs. "Yes, I... I am. But I couldn't believe in the Order or the Republic anymore. Whatever I do from here, I... I'll have to do it on my own, and with your help. For now, at least."

She nods, though he doesn't know how much she fully understands because she never was trained to believe in serving the Republic, like he was. "Why don't I finish showing you around?" she offers, tugging him after her as they head off down the streets again.

And for the first time since leaving the Order, he's starting to feel a little less empty. (He hopes Ahsoka and Obi-Wan and the boys are okay without him.)

**w**

They've been on Naboo for a couple weeks now, just getting used to what it's like to live. Anakin's never had that before, and he's beginning to feel increasingly restless. He's not used to sitting still and doing nothing. That's why he built all sorts of things even as a youngling, and he's... doing that now, too, but he wants to be doing more.

The other three are also having a hard time adjusting to the change. They're all so used to fighting, and it's especially bad for Jinx and O'mer who haven't been able to hold still at all. None of them seem quite sure what to make of the gentleness Shmi treats them with, either. It's nothing like how their masters were.

Anakin doesn't know the other boys' masters, but Luminara was always distant from Barriss. He frankly can't imagine what it would be like to grow up with someone like that. His own masters were never anything like that, for all the problems they had.

He's out in the yard with Omega when he suddenly senses something shifting in the Force. It's a feeling of danger, one he hasn't felt since the battlefield. Dropping the flower that he picked to tickle Omega with the next time she's not looking, he scrambles to his feet, wishing instinctively for his lightsabers as he scans their surroundings. Someone's watching them, but he doesn't know who or what. Or why.

"What's wrong?" Omega asks.

"We're being watched," he replies, voice low.

"Here?" Omega squeaks, jumping to her feet, which is when the Force screams. There's a flash of something – armor – in the trees, and several stun blasts are fired right at Omega. Anakin Force-shoves her out of the way before they can hit her, desperately wishing for his lightsabers as another shot – this time live – nearly hits him.

Anakin sprints for the trees as a figure in Mandalorian armor – he looks pretty small, though – flies above the trees, shooting at them again. Anakin dodges out of the way, ducking behind a tree. "Get to the house!" he yells to Omega.

She takes off running – she's trained to fight, but she obviously doesn't have any weapons on her – but ducks behind the first thing she can find to avoid another stun blast, right as the other three padawans come running outside.

Another shot nearly hits Anakin in the head, and he reaches out, ripping the blaster away with the Force, spinning to fire back at him. One of the others Force shoves the bounty hunter hard, sending him spiraling for a moment as his jetpack tries to reorient him, but it gives Anakin the opportunity he needs to hit him in the shoulder. It probably doesn't go through, the shot glancing off the beskar, but it definitely hurt. Sprinting out of hiding, he fires again, a shot hitting the jetpack. The bounty hunter rips it off before it explodes, landing unceremoniously on the ground. The four former padawans crowd forwards instantly, surrounding him.

The bounty hunter pushes himself upright, hand very discreetly moving for his weapons.

"Don't try that," warns Barriss.

"What are you doing here?" Anakin demands, "Who are you after?"

"Turn over the girl, and I'll leave you alone, Jedi," he retorts.

Anakin stills entirely at that voice, because it's so familiar. He's heard it a million times before. He's a clone.

Boba?

It has to be.

And he's here after Omega, who Anakin's fairly certain is his twin sister. Does he not care about that? Or does he simply not know?

"Boba?" Anakin guesses, uncertainly.

"What?" he asks, sharply.

"I've heard of you," he offers, "And it... I know you were Jango's son."

Boba bristles instantly at the mention. His father is dead, though, reported killed on Geonosis from the rumors Anakin heard in the aftermath of the battle. Probably, it was the Jedi who did it. Well, he'll have to approach this a little more carefully, because he can entirely imagine and understand that anger. "Give her over," he snaps, stubbornly refusing to accept the already obvious fact that he's lost.

"Who put a bounty on her?" Anakin inquires, though he already knows, or at least suspects. Probably, the Kaminoans are trying to get her back.

"That's confidential," he retorts, standing, though making no move to attack. Yet. They're all ready for the moment he makes a move, though.

"The Kaminoans, right?"

"You Jedi serve the Republic," Boba replies, "And that's what they want her for. Why are you hiding her here?" He can't tell if it's genuine curiosity or if he's trying to be antagonistic, but hearing the reminder that Omega's technically considered property instantly ignites a spark of anger.

"They're not property," Anakin argues, fiercely, "None of the clones are. They deserve far more than that. And they're your brothers, too, or in her case... sister."

"They're not my brothers!" Boba yells.

He has to forcibly keep from snapping back the first thing that comes to mind, because launching into a rant about how Jango only bothered to care for one of his children is not going to help matters whatsoever. "Yes, she is," he replies firmly, "You're both... different, but that doesn't make you siblings any less. Even if you don't want to accept it."

Boba's hand is nearly touching his blaster now, but he's surrounded by four former Jedi padawans, and there's really nothing he can do against them.

Keep talking. It'd be easier, if Anakin actually knew how to get through to him. "She's a child, too," he continues, "She has a family here. Maybe nothing you do can get yours back, but you don't have to take it from someone else, either."

Boba momentarily hesitates, which he counts as a silent win.

"You might not consider her your sister, but she was still... created at the same time as you." How that couldn't matter to him, Anakin has no idea. The more he sees of the clones, the more he wishes he could have a sibling. He'd do anything he could to accept someone like that, and here, Boba is rejecting it entirely. "And if you take her back, you don't know what they're going to do to her. That's why she left. They were going to hurt her." Well, they don't know that for certain, but whoever this Hemlock was – Anakin could swear he remembers reading in Temple files for a mission that that's the name of a poisonous plant, and that's about all he needs to know – he didn't trust his motives at all.

That's the moment Shmi steps out of the house, and Anakin tenses instantly. He doesn't want a bounty hunter anywhere near his mother.

"Omega told me what happened," she explains approaching. "You're Boba?" she asks.

He tilts his helmet back to look up at her. He's still small, only twelve after all. Anakin can't imagine that life, especially for someone so young. "What of it?"

"Aren't you... young for this profession?" she queries.

"My father trained me," he throws back, clearly irked someone might imply he's not capable.

"I don't doubt you're good at it, being able to track Omega all the way here," she replies, "You work all alone?"

"I don't need anyone's help."

"It's not about help," Anakin answers finally, frustrated. He can't understand this mental state. "Why would you want to be alone?"

He can feel Boba's distinct flare of hurt, that quickly turns to anger. "The Jedi killed my father," he snaps.

"We just need the assurance that you're going to leave her alone," Jinx interjects, obviously upset, "And not tell anyone else where she is." But if someone was able to find her at all, who knows how many more could be on the way. Is it even safe for her to stay here? Anakin doesn't want to think about it.

Boba hesitates again, but Anakin can sense it as he starts to give in. "I'll leave," he replies, "But if I was able to track you here, I'm sure others will find their way here eventually, too."

That's what Anakin's most afraid of, and he doesn't know what to do about it.

"Your jetpack is gone," Shmi notes, studying him. "If you would like to treat your... injury here before leaving, you can."

Right.

Because the walk back to the ship is probably very long. Not that Anakin's too keen on him staying, but Boba is only twelve. And he's only doing what he was taught, for as misguided as it is. He's all alone, and Anakin can't imagine such a thing – even if Boba himself acts like he doesn't care.

The bounty hunter wavers a moment before giving in, seating himself outside the house and pulling his helmet off for the first time. He looks so young, far too young to... already be living a life like this.

Anakin lingers a moment, considering saying something to him, but he doesn't seem comfortable treating his injuries with them watching, so they head into the house together.

"Boba is right," he says, turning to the others.

"You think someone else might find me?" Omega asks, eyes wide.

"It's a possibility," Barriss concurs, grimly. The other three padawans have gotten to know Omega well over the past couple weeks and even if they're not close by any means, they're still... friends on some level.

"Yes," Shmi agrees, sighing, "We could alert the Nubian security, and with all of you here I don't think it could get too serious, but it's... possible. We may need to consider relocating."

Omega looks disappointed and scared at once, and Anakin steps closer, laying a comforting hand on her shoulder. He'll do whatever he can to protect her, but he knows something could still happen. She goes to school, after all, and none of the others are with her there. Getting her back from the Kaninoans wouldn't be so easy a second time.

"I have an idea," Anakin says, finally.

"What?" she asks, hopefully.

"You know I was mentioning joining Ahsoka's... military division. I don't know if I want to work under them so directly, but maybe we could join as a separate division, so we're still in charge of what missions we take on. We can help with the... slavery aspect of what they do. You could join, too, and maybe I could get in contact with your brothers. I want to do it soon, anyway." Now would be as good a time as any, and it would get Omega off Naboo to somewhere she'd be a little safer, where no bounty hunter could get to her.

"You could do that?" Omega queries, brightening.

"I will try," he promises. He doesn't want her to get her hopes up for something that might not work.

He doesn't think Shmi's very happy about the abrupt change, though, and... Anakin entirely understands that. She's used to having Omega here, and now, they're all about to leave. Not to mention that Omega is only twelve, and she shouldn't even have to be out there, fighting, in the first place. She should be living a normal life, like she has been. But right now, it might be safer than leaving her here.

"Do you want to come with us too, Mom?" Anakin asks. He doesn't want to leave her either. They were only just reunited and actually living together for the first time since he was five.

She looks slightly surprised at the request, but they'll be dealing with slavery. He knows his mother could never not want to help with that, even if she didn't engage in actual fighting.

She smiles at him, then, warmly. "Yes," she agrees, finally, "I can come with you."

It... settles all his concerns instantly, then, because he doesn't want to leave Shmi again, especially not leaving her all by herself, but now, he won't have to. Yes, it will be dangerous, but they'll still be together, and they're going to be helping people. This is what he's always dreamed of doing.

**w**

Omega doesn't know if she's more excited or scared right now. There's people hunting her. And yes, she's been on the battlefield and fought countless droids alongside her brother – and she's nearly been killed many times over – but it's somehow different when she knows there's someone after her personally. And they could take her back to Kamino, and she'd probably never be able to get out again. And then, she'd definitely never be able to see her brothers again, or even talk to them. So yes, she's terrified.

But this might also mean that she'll have a chance to see them in person again if she's able to go back to fighting. She likes being here on Naboo, but unless her brothers are here too, it's not what she wants. Even if she's going to miss it now that she's leaving.

She doesn't know what Shmi and Boba were discussing outside the house, but he's still sitting out there.

She knew she had a twin, but it's different to actually see him. All the clones are her brothers, technically, but she's only truly seen the Batch that way. Those are the ones she took care of when they were babies. She was alone until they were created. They're important to her, in a way no one else ever could be.

That doesn't mean she's not curious about her... twin brother, who was created at the same time as her. Even if he was going to turn her over to the Kaminoans.

It's probably dangerous to go out there and talk to him alone, but she can't stop her curiosity anymore.

"Hi," she offers, stepping out of the house, sitting on the back porch near him. He's already treated his injury from the fight, so she doesn't know why he's still lingering. Not that she necessarily minds.

Boba looks up sharply, though she's certain there's something almost curious in his gaze. "What do you want?" he asks.

"I... never thought I would meet another unaltered clone like me." It's cool, but she can't tell if she's the only one who thinks so.

He eyes her. "Yeah. I didn't know you existed, until I saw the bounty."

And you were just going to take me back? She can't help thinking, with a pang of hurt that's probably unjustified when he doesn't know her at all, but still. "I know what it's like... a little," she says, "Clone Force 99 are the only ones I know as my brothers."

"Who are they?" he asks.

"They're... considered genetically defective. They have mutations that make them different from the others. I took care of them after they were... born, when Nala Se was still watching their enhancements, before she sent them to be with the other clones." Force, she misses them so much.

"I never knew any of the others," Boba says, "Never needed to."

"I'm sorry about your father," Omega offers, because she doesn't want to debate the whole sibling issue again. And it's strange to think that this person is technically her father in a way, too, but she doesn't see him that way at all. He's just... their genetic donor, to her. "What did you do after you lost him?"

Boba is quiet, for a brief pause, grief flickering across his face. "I become a bounty hunter, like he taught me."

"By yourself?" That sounds unimaginably lonely. It was bad enough when she was trapped in the lab, with only Nala Se there, but at least she knew someday she could find her brothers.

"I worked with some others for a time, but they... left." She thinks there's a hint of bitterness there.

"You could stay with us," Omega volunteers, "If you want."

"Here?" Boba asks, looking around, probably thinking it's far too peaceful for him here.

"We're going to be fighting to free people if Anakin can make the arrangements."

"Maybe I'll stay, for now at least," he decides, and she's hardly sure why she's so excited to hear that. He is her twin, though. She can't help being curious to know him.

**w**

Anakin hasn't seen Padme since his trial, but getting a call through to her is easier than he expected. He doesn't have any other way to get in contact with Ahsoka's group, without making it public, and he'd rather this stay under tight wraps.

"Anakin?" Padme asks, surprised. "Dorme told me you were trying to get ahold of me."

He nods. "Thank you for answering me. I won't be long."

"It's okay," she assures, "I haven't seen you since the trial. Ahsoka said you left the Order. Is everything alright?"

"Yeah, I'm... staying on Naboo right now with the others. Is... Is Ahsoka okay?" He's afraid to know the answer, but he can't just not ask about her.

A shadow crosses over Padme's face. "She... is having a hard time. I don't think it's only with you leaving. It's the war, too. You being there helped her."

Guilt twists sharply inside of him. He could still be helping her, if he was there. But the Force indicated he needed to leave. It wasn't for himself. He can't stand with organizations anymore, not when he doesn't believe in them.

"I didn't want to leave," he says, quietly, "But I... didn't see a path in the Order anymore."

Padme purses her lips. "I can understand wanting distance, but there's always more you could do if you were here."

He didn't really expect her to support his decision, but it still feels like she doesn't see him as anything more than the little boy he was when they first met. Which he can understand, but it isn't helping when he's trying to find some measure of stability right now.

"That's why I'm calling you," he replies, "I was thinking about... joining Kitster's division, as more independent contractors. Do you think you could talk to him about it? I don't have a way to talk to him personally."

"I can do that," she responds, "Though you're... young to be leading something like that on your own."

"There's others with me," he objects, "And I was a Commander." He knows how to lead operations. It's not like he's walking in blind.

"I'll do what I can," she decides, finally.

"On more thing, if you have time. Have you... heard anything from Obi-Wan or Rex? Or Cody?"

"I haven't," she says, and his disappointment swells even if he expected it.

"Alright... thank you."

She nods, breaking the connection.

Well, that went almost better than he expected. Hopefully, the arrangements should be dealt with quickly, and then, they can finally start making a difference. He doesn't know what to think of how Omega convinced Boba to stay with them, but any help is welcome, even if he's still cautious about trusting him right now. And most of all, he hopes he can arrange something with the Bad Batch, soon.

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