Summary: Mace and Anakin have saved Shmi but can they save themselves?

Shmi's eyes fluttered open and a tired smile spread across her bruised face when she looked up and recognized the handsome face of her son. Anakin cried tears of joy as he held his mother in his arms. She was alive and whole thanks to Mace, who was firmly pressed against his side.

"I knew you would come," She whispered, her voice weak but filled with love and pride. "I knew... you would find me."

"Of course I did. You're safe now, mom." Anakin's voice trembled and he buried his face on Shmi's chest and sobbed. "You're safe."

It had been so long since he'd held his mother close and he reveled in the feel of her warm love. His mother was safe. But for how long? Now that the immediate crisis was over, Anakin's mind turned to their dire predicament. They were still in the heart of a Tusken village, surrounded by vicious, violent Tusken Raiders. Shmi was badly injured and Mace was weakened by the ritual he had just performed. Escape would not be an easy task but Anakin was determined to make it out after coming so far.

Reluctantly, Anakin pulled away from his mother, and as gently as he could he maneuvered his mom to take his spot next to Mace. He crawled to the tent's opening and peered out through the crack, surveying the surroundings. The Tusken camp was alive with evening activity. People were moving all about; warriors patrolling, children chasing mastiffs, fires burned with food cooking on spits, and banthas were ruminating in their pens. Anakin's heart sank; it would be impossible for all three of them to escape undetected, but they couldn't just wait around to be caught again either.

He turned back to his mother and Mace, both still recovering but alert and aware of the danger they were in. Anakin's eyes met Mace's. He could see his master understood their predicament.

"We have to get out of here," Anakin whispered, his voice urgent. "But we can't just make a run for it. Mom is in no condition to move fast. They'll catch us."

Mace nodded his expression thoughtful. "You'll need another diversion," he said and tried to stand but Anakin stopped him.

"No Master. You're in no condition to go up against the Tuskens alone."

"I've been in worse situations. I'll be fine."

"No!" Anakin whispered forcefully. "You saved my mom. I owe you a debt."

"That's not how this works, padawan. I'm the master and you're the apprentice," Mace said preparing once again to move. "You will listen to me and follow my lead. Maybe I can negotiate safe passage for-"

"No Master, you listen!" Anakin said insistently. "This isn't the Jedi council chamber or the senate, you're on Tatooine now. I was raised here. I know this place. I know these people. Tuskens don't care about rules or laws. They've survived out here in the desert for generations without any intervention from the Hutts or anyone else. You see what they did to my mom. They're like wild animals! They can't be bargained with or reasoned with logically," he said angrily. "They don't feel pity or remorse or fear. If they capture you and mom again they'll kill you. But not before they torture you and make you wish you were dead. The only thing they'll understand is violence."

Mace placed a calming hand on Anakin's shoulder. "Be mindful of your thoughts my padawan, they betray you."

Anakin took a deep calming breath in an attempt to rein in his emotions.

"Now, what do you propose we do Padawan? If we hang around here any longer they'll catch us anyway."

Anakin nodded and sat down on his heels and thought for a moment, his mind racing. His eyes darted around the tent, quickly assessing their situation. Normally he and Mace could use force speed to make a break for it but they had his mom to look after. Also, the Force technique they used to heal Shmi had depleted much of their energy, leaving them both vulnerable.

If only Obi-Wan were here. He was the master of planting suggestions into people's minds, but Anakin had never gotten the hang of the technique. Normally he'd be willing to give it a shot anyway but if he failed now they'd all be in big trouble. So a physical diversion would be necessary, and he knew he had to be the one to do it. He couldn't risk Mace being captured by the Tuskens.

"Master, stay with my mother," he instructed. "Once you hear the signal, make your move. How did you get here?"

"I brought the speeder," Mace said.

"Where'd you park?"

"Northside, behind the dunes," Mace answered. He watched Anakin strap his lightsaber to his belt and adjust his clothing preparing to leave.

Anakin nodded when he was ready and turned back to Mace, "Okay, when you hear my signal head for your speeder as fast as you can. And no matter what happens, don't look back. Just get my mom out of here."

Mace knew there was no point in arguing and time was running out. "And what's the signal?"

Anakin shot him a cocky grin. "You'll know." With that, he slipped out of the tent and into the night.

That boy! Mace shook his head but he did as Anakin asked. He checked on Shmi. Though she was still conscious and her breathing was strong and steady she was battered and bruised from head to toe. He dreaded having to jostle her but it had to be done. He explained Anakin's plan to her though she probably heard it all herself, and asked if he could pick her up. Once she agreed he gathered her as carefully as he could in his arms and waited at the tent flap for the signal.

Shmi looked up at Mace with grateful eyes. "Thank you," she whispered. "For saving my son's life."

Mace shook his head. "I didn't save Anakin's life. I helped him to save yours."

"You saved us both," Shmi insisted, her voice soft but determined. "I don't think he would have made the right choice without you."

"What choice?" Mace asked, a frown creasing his brow, but Shmi's eyes had closed, and she was already drifting into sleep. Her breathing was still strong and deep and Mace knew she would be alright in time.

Suddenly, all hell broke loose outside the tent. There were the inhuman screams, the sound of feet rushing, and the unmistakable noise of banthas running wild. Mace poked his head out and saw chaos in the camp. Banthas stampeded through the narrow alleys between tents as Tuskens tried desperately to regain control of them.

"There's our sign," he muttered. As careful as he could in deference to Shmi's condition, he made a break for it. As he sprinted toward the northern dunes where his speeder was hidden, his mind was on Anakin. He hoped that his padawan also made it out of the camp without further incident. He hoped the trust he'd placed in Anakin had not been misplaced now that they were on their way to freedom.

Mace made his way through the narrow, winding paths of the village avoiding banthas and Tusken alike. The sounds of pandemonium grew fainter as they moved farther from the camp. Finally, he reached the outskirts of the village, the open desert stretching out before them. He was breathing heavily by now and getting tired but he made one last mad dash across the open sand struggling to reach the cover of the dune before the Tuskens were aware of their escape.

Anakin moved stealthily through the Tusken village, his every sense alert. The diversion he had created with the banthas had worked perfectly. He may not be able to manipulate human minds but banthas' simple brains were another matter. They were easily persuaded to make a break for it giving him just enough chaos to work with. He knew that Mace and Shmi would be on their way to the hidden speeder by now, but he had to make sure they had every chance to make it safely.

Using the shadows cast by the large huts to his advantage, Anakin navigated the maze-like camp, avoiding the alarmed and disoriented Tuskens that rushed about. He couldn't afford to be careless now. Every step had to be calculated, every move deliberate.

A sudden noise to his left caught his attention, and he froze, his body pressed against a crude wall. A group of Tuskens was heading his way, their guttural cries filling the night air. Anakin held his breath, waiting for them to pass. He calmed his mind. He was in control and knew exactly what he had to do. He was one with the force. The Tuskens walked right by him, not even glancing in his direction. Once they were gone, he resumed his path towards the edge of the village.

Anakin's heart pounded as he rounded a corner of the last tent and saw something moving in the desert. He watched Mace carrying Shmi into the distance towards the dunes and the hidden speeder. Thank the Force his diversion had worked, but there was one last thing he needed to do before he could leave this wretched village behind.

With new determination, he made his way back towards the heart of the village. He passed the tent where his mother had been kept and anger boiled his blood. He hesitated only a moment before he rushed inside. He was only there a moment before he exited again and then kept moving until he found the hut that had been guarded by sentries and mastiffs before his diversion. The leader of the Tusken Raiders' eyes widened as Anakin appeared in his home. The rage and power in the young Jedi's eyes were so arresting that the leader could not cry out for help. An unseen force held him in place and stole his voice.

Anakin stood in the tent with a tightly held fist in front of him as he subdued his opponent. "Listen well," Anakin said, his voice steady and filled with cold authority. "You will never attack or go near the Lars homestead ever again. If you do, your village will not be spared." His words were a promise, a vow that he would do whatever was necessary to protect his family.

The Tusken leader grabbed at his throat in vain, trying to pry away the invisible fingers that held him at bay.

"Do we have an understanding?" Anakin asked as he clenched his fist tighter. Fighting for air, the leader finally nodded in desperation, understanding the threat for what it was.

Satisfied, Anakin released his fist and watched as the leader crashed to the floor in a gasping heap. After that, he left the tent as quickly as he had appeared. It was not difficult to reach the edge of the village this time as the Tuskens were preoccupied with the mayhem he'd caused. The desert stretched out before Anakin as he mounted the speeder bike and raced through the dunes towards the Lars homestead, never looking back at the chaos he'd left in his wake.