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Qui-gon easily tended to Obi-wan's head wound, so they returned to their rooms instead of going to a hospital. The journey back to the city had been one of silence. Anakin was lost in thought and Qui-gon would never discuss Jedi matters in public. There was nothing else either could say.
Obi-wan awoke from the healing trance after they arrived. The knock to his head had looked worse than it was due to all the blood. The time it had taken for Anakin to dig him out, waiting for the next transport, and the travel time had been sufficient for him to safely return to consciousness. Despite how well he was recovering, Obi-wan made no objection to Qui-gon's less than subtle hint to stay in bed for the remainder of the day.
Anakin waited quietly for Qui-gon to elaborate on his statement on the mountain. He fetched water, extra blankets, and anything else asked of him. How much longer? Anakin busied himself and held his tongue. How did he know? I was so careful.
Finally, Qui-gon ran out of tasks for Anakin to perform and Obi-wan had all that he needed. "Come and sit, Anakin," Qui-gon directed him to one of the nearby chairs.
Anakin did as he was told and sat stiffly. Restraining himself from blurting out his questions and demanding answers was getting harder by the second. They always do this at the hardest times! Why don't they ever test my patience when I'm not anxious about something? Anakin thought in growing irritation.
"Thank you for being there to help me, Ani," Obi-wan said suddenly.
Anakin tried not to look sheepish, "Well, I'm glad I was there too."
Qui-gon sadly regarded Anakin's tense and aggravated expression, "We knew that you were-"
"You knew! Exactly!" Anakin hit his balled fists on the arms of the chair. "I didn't actually do any real preparing. I didn't collect supplies for traveling. I didn't leave behind any kind of record on the ship to show what files I'd searched for. And I was careful not to look up any information when we landed here!"
Anakin's irritation mounted and grew with each sentence. The beginning traces of indignation threatened to flare into anger. He gave suspicious looks to each of them, "Are you now scanning my mind and eavesdropping on my thoughts?"
Qui-gon stared at him and Obi-wan could only blink in confusion. Both were completely surprised by Anakin's accusation. Their shocked expressions helped ease Anakin's fears somewhat.
"Certainly not!" Obi-wan blurted when he recovered his voice.
"Anakin," Qui-gon said carefully. "You know that no Jedi would ever do such a thing. Also, you should be aware by now that no one could read your mind without your knowledge."
"I thought you knew us better than that," Obi-wan said coldly.
Anakin crumpled and his face drained of all color, "I'm very sorry, I shouldn't..." His voice cracked and he hung his head in shame. I just had to open my mouth.
"When will I learn not to say stupid things," Anakin muttered to himself. He didn't realize he'd spoken along until he felt Qui-gon's hand on his shoulder.
"Your distrust in everyone will pass in time."
Anakin forced himself to look up at his masters. He expected them to be stern and disappointed and was stunned to see grief in their eyes. I really blew it and hurt them this time. Anakin sunk further in his seat.
"Ani," Obi-wan said calmly. "We were given this mission because it is so close to Tatooine."
"It was intentional," Qui-gon revealed. "And you passed the test."
Anakin's jaw dropped, "Test?" His mind froze up as began to understand. "You took me close to Mom on purpose just to see what I'd do?!"
"Ani -"
"Why?!" Anakin demanded. "Is loving and worrying about my Mom is a weakness? Or is this to test my loyalty? Well," Anakin said sarcastically. "Congratulations, I chose you instead of Mom!"
"Padawan that is enough," Qui-gon interrupted. "After your use of the Darkside, we needed to know if we could truly rely on you."
"But this?" Anakin gritted his teeth.
"When we are on missions, I'm counting on you to be where you should be, when I need you and doing what is right," Obi-wan explained. "And today you proved that we can trust you. If there had been some other way..."
Anakin was crushed. I knew that things would be hard for a while after the mess I made fighting Lavir and using the Darkside, but why this? Anakin wallowed in misery. Why did they have to deliberately make me chose between rescuing my Mom and obeying them?
"If I'd... ," Anakin struggled to keep his voice steady. "If I had left, what would my punishment have been?"
The Jedi regarded him in concern while he fought to keep his composure. Obi-wan choose to answer him, "If you had disobeyed again we would've had no choice but to remove you from the Temple."
Just what I thought, Anakin slouched. At least they weren't going to expel me entirely.
However, Anakin knew that was a small comfort. The Jedi would certainly never let him out of their sight for long, much less allow him to ever leave their order. Not that I think I'd ever want to leave, but being their linchpin to destroying the Sith and whatever 'balancing the Force' is supposed to mean, is not exactly what I had in mind when I joined.
"We prepared carefully for the possibility that you might disobey again," Qui-gon intruded on Anakin's train of thought. Quickly the teenager returned his attention to his masters.
"An uninhabited planet was selected not more than two days journey from here and a team of Jedi were sent to wait in orbit around it," Qui-gon continued, his voice growing stern again. "We would have taken you there and gave them our ship, leaving the three of us stranded. Before leaving on this mission we packed all of the survival gear we'd need and a field com-terminal to report regularly to the Jedi Temple."
"We were prepared to stay there for years if necessary," Obi-wan told him.
Anakin hung his head in silence as the full implications of the seriousness of this situation finally became clear to him. I came so close to ruining everything, again.
"Would you have freed Mom anyway?" Anakin held his breath as he waited for their answer.
"At this time, the Council cannot -" Obi-wan began.
Anakin's throat constricted and he struggled to remain calm. It wasn't working, "If you'll excuse me," he interrupted. "I need to be alone for a while."
"Ani, wait, we need to tell -"
"NO!" Anakin darted for the exit.
Obi-wan sat forward in alarm and nearly tried to get up but Qui-gon wouldn't let him. "Why did you let him go?"
Qui-gon was struggling to remain were he was as well, "He needs to calm down first."
"He needs to know!" Obi-wan disagreed.
"After he accepts this, yes," Qui-gon insisted. "Then he will be ready to listen."
***
Anakin didn't return until dinner. The teenager had missed both breakfast, due to the avalanche, and lunch, due to his stubbornness. But he had to eat sometime and the Jedi knew that when Anakin had calmed himself he would come. However, just in case, Qui-gon kept carefully aware of where Anakin was at all times, though he refrained from disturbing him. They didn't see Anakin until he plodded woefully into their small dinning room.
"Anakin, you must listen!" Obi-wan demanded immediately from the where he was sitting at the table.
Anakin's eyes had a blank look to them, "I understand why you did what you did," he sat down at the table. "I apologize for refusing to hear you earlier and running out. It was childish of me."
Obi-wan relaxed somewhat, "The Council may not have the funds to spare for purchasing a slave, but Queen Amidala would have freed your mother eventually."
"Queen Amidala?"
"Yes, Anakin," Qui-gon explained. "Over the last five years, the Queen has attempted to free your mother many times. She has found that she cannot do it alone." Qui-gon suddenly smiled, "Like us."
"So," Obi-wan mirrored his friend's grin. "The Council has given permission for us to combine out resources. Queen Amidala has the money to buy your mother, but cannot send anyone to the Outer Rim. She is ready to also offer her a home on Naboo, in gratitude for the shelter you and your mother provided and the help in saving Naboo."
Anakin blinked as his mind whirled, "What?"
Qui-gon shook his head at the boy's stunned look, "We knew this test would be very hard on you and because you passed, we shall make a detour to Tatooine to free your mother."
Okay I was really a fool to storm out of here earlier! Anakin berated himself harshly. Note to self, listening to Master Qui-gon and Obi-wan is a good idea!
Anakin beamed in excitement, "When can we go?!"
"As soon as this mission is done. Another day or two at most."
"YES!" Anakin almost jumped for joy. He could hardly keep still enough to even eat. I'm coming, Mom! I'm coming!
"In the meantime, you may call the Queen. I'm sure she'd love to talk to you..."
***
"No holo-terminal?"
"These people have no way of trading for one at this time. This system's technology is very simple or just antique," Qui-gon explained. "At least you can talk directly to her."
Anakin tried to hide his disappointment, I wanted to see her. Over the years he'd had to content himself with news-holos of Queen Amidala that he'd scrounged up.
And I wanted her to see me. I don't look like a little kid anymore.
Qui-gon discretely left the room. Anakin hunched over the com-terminal in anticipation. It was agonizingly slow to establish the connection. At least I won't have to deal with some busybody secretary or security guard to confirm that I can talk to the Queen, Anakin thought in relief. Padme gave Qui-gon her personal comlink frequency.
Finally the device registered the signal's completion, "Hello, this is Anakin Skywalker calling Padme."
Anakin settled in to wait. On the other end someone would have to notice the comlink's blinking or beeping and then key the message. To his surprise the response was almost immediate.
"Anakin! I almost didn't recognize your voice," Padme replied eagerly. "I didn't realize it had already started to grow deeper."
Anakin's face turned bright red. Never mind, now I am glad she can't see me. Anakin was disgusted with is instant reaction and tried to hide his blush even though no one could see it.
"You must be almost fifteen now. Right?"
"Uh, yes I'm pretty close, about fourteen and three fourths or so," Anakin stammered out. I sound dumb. Where's all that boldness when I need it?
"I want to thank you Padme. Master Qui-gon told me that you've been trying to free my Mom for years now," Anakin could hardly contain his happiness. "I didn't know that."
"You are more than welcome, Ani," Padme said cheerfully. Anakin could imagine her lovely smile. "I'm only sorry I couldn't sooner."
Anakin was naturally a little curious about why she never could before, but didn't feel that he had a right to ask. However, Padme chose to explain anyway.
"The bureaucrats have put me off again and again," her voice became tinged with anger. "At first they said we had to put all our effort in recovering from the Trade Federation's occupation and battle damage."
"Unfortunately, they were right, Padme," Anakin interjected. "Your people come first."
A soft sigh, barely audible, came from the com, "Later their excuses were even more irritating. They'd go on about the dangers of the Outer Rim, the cost of the ship transportation, fuel, armed guards to safely get to Tatooine, and the hefty price of a slave -"
"Who may or may not be for sale," Anakin finished Padme's sentence for her. "Sounds familiar. The Jedi Council is very good at finding excuses, too."
"I told them flatly that I was going to free Shmi, regardless of the expense," Padme continued. "They finally realized I was serious and changed their tactics to 'we'll have the extra funds to free Shmi Skywalker next year'."
Anakin couldn't help but smirk at the semi-menacing tone in Padme's voice. "I'd have liked to see those idiot politicians' faces when they discovered they couldn't stop you."
Padme laughed, "They were a bit shocked when they found out what I'd hidden in the new 'Restoration Project.' After they'd already passed it, of course."
Anakin grinned. I bet they were! After the Neimodian's defeat, you'd think they'd have guessed that going up against my Padme would guarantee their failure!
"Everything is ready for your mother," Padme told him. "A house of her own and servants to care for it. She will lack nothing, Anakin, I promise you."
"Thank you," Anakin's voice cracked embarrassingly, but for once he didn't care.
"Now, tell me about you," Padme asked. "How is your training coming?"
Anakin relaxed blissfully in his chair, "Well, its been wild..."
***
"Anakin," Obi-wan murmured quietly. "Try not to look so paranoid."
The three Jedi wandered unobtrusively through the streets of Mos Espa. Or rather, Qui-gon and Obi-wan were unobtrusive. Anakin threw suspicious looks at every person they passed.
"You are too tense, Ani," Qui-gon pointed out. "You are even glaring at the droids."
Kaely was hovered behind them and squeaked in surprise at Qui-gon's statement, "He doesn't mean you," Anakin told her.
Anakin relaxed a little and reduced his glaring to brief irritated glances. "I won't feel safe until we are in the ship and are at lightspeed. And after I've triple checked that Mom doesn't have a second slave transmitter hidden in her or something."
Qui-gon looked sharply at the teenager. Anakin had anxiously watched for trouble the whole journey, even while they were out in the desert. It had worried Obi-wan from the start. By the time they began to skirt the edges of the city, Qui-gon become concerned as well. Anakin had expressed his disgust of Tatooine before, but never with such vehemence bordering on hatred that they could sense rolling off of him in waves.
They easily slipped into the slaves quarter un-noticed. It was a typical Tatooine morning, blindingly bright and sunny. There were a moderate number of slaves going to and fro in the street. Just enough of them for the Jedi to blend in, but not too many that they couldn't ensure no one would remember them later, if necessary.
Anakin scanned the area in depth, hunting for the soft, comforting presence of his mother. I had such little control of the Force before, that I never could sense her clearly. As he walked down the familiar road he couldn't shake the creepy feeling that coming back here gave him. I was going to come free all the slaves one day. Maybe in a few years I can.
At Shmi Skywalker's door, Qui-gon held out a hand to stop Anakin, "I will go in first. She will recognize me."
Anakin felt insulted, but remained where he was, "Mom will know its me! I don't look that different!"
Qui-gon used the old code Anakin remembered and they swiftly vanished through the door. In the dim interior, Anakin could barely see the shape of his mother standing in the hallway.
"Ani!" Shmi threw her arms around her son instantly.
"I'm here, Mom," Anakin choked out.
Shmi looked up at the boy who now towered over her, "You've grown so much!" she looked down at the brown Jedi robe she was clutching, noticing how Anakin was dressed. Shmi smiled in delight and turned to her guests.
"Welcome Qui-gon," Shmi greeted him and then looked at the other Jedi.
"I am Obi-wan Kenobi," the young man stepped forward.
Shmi smiled, "I'm pleased to meet you."
"We have come to free you," Qui-gon told her, but from the look in Shmi's eyes they could see that she had already guessed that.
"Watto has never met Obi-wan, so he will go to negotiate with him," Anakin carefully didn't say the word 'buy'.
"You have come at a good time. Watto has been trying to sell me for months now, but the price he is asking for has been too high," Shmi glanced over at the Jedi and so missed seeing the look of murder on Anakin's face.
"We can meet whatever price he asks," Qui-gon promised her.
Its not too late, everything will be fine. Anakin hugged his mother and took in the familiar sounds and smells of his old home. The oil and grease of droid parts, the sweet scent of crushed Noitol leaves whose oil his mother used to protect her skin from the strong rays of the sun, and the sound of C-3PO's startled yelp.
"Hey, Threepio!"
"Oh, my! Master Anakin I am so glad -" Threepio stopped talking when a tiny pink droid whizzed around his head. "What's this?"
"This is Kaely, I made her a little over two years ago," Anakin introduced them. "Kaely, meet Threepio. I built him, too."
"Hello, I am C-3PO human cyborg rela -"
Kaely interrupted the protocol droid's spiel with a loud screech and tittered at him jealously.
"How rude!"
***
At last! Anakin thought in relief as they finally reached their ship. I wish we had hired a speeder or had landed closer to the city at least, Anakin looked at his mother's tired face in concern. Though Kaely and Threepio had slowed them down the most. Qui-gon had been forced to actually threaten both droids with being deactivated to get them to hush.
Obi-wan went ahead and opened the hatch. Anakin stayed back to keep pace with Shmi's slow and tired walk. Mom is strong, but it was a long walk in the sun.
Anakin and Qui-gon got Shmi aboard as quickly as they could and took her to the main room. Qui-gon shut the hatch and went to the cockpit to help Obi-wan with the preflight sequence. Anakin had just fetched his mother a cool drink of water in the galley, when Obi-wan returned from the cockpit
"Anakin, we have a mission."
Anakin stopped to look at him in confusion, "Already?"
"There has been an emergency and we are the only Jedi in this region of space," Obi-wan explained and a dismayed look crossed his face. "We can't take your mother there."
No!! Anakin's face was a mass of pain. He wanted scream and yell, but knew he could do neither. Obi-wan's right, but I just got Mom back!
"Qui-gon is contacting the Naboo. They will send a ship to meet us at a safe spaceport on the edge of the Mid-Rim."
Anakin stared out into space. I know what this means. After this mission we will just be sent on another. I won't get to see Padme, and I'll have to say goodbye to Mom with in a day, instead of the week I was hoping for, he took a shuddering breath. We might not even go near Naboo again for years.
"It is your duty, Ani," Shmi kissed her son's forehead gently. "This is the way it must be."
"I want you to have my savings account I started to free you," Anakin dug into his belt pouch for the datachip that contained the codes.
"I will not need it."
"I know, but use it for the extra things you've never even dreamed of buying!"
"Anakin," Shmi shook her head and smiled. "While on Naboo, I will get a small job," Anakin opened his mouth to interrupt but Shmi stopped him. "You know I could never sit and do nothing. Everything I earn will go towards sending holo-messages to you. Save your money for replying to me."
"Okay," Anakin agreed reluctantly. I didn't think of that. Mom's right. I won't be able to earn more money, so I'd have no way of answering. "But don't you work hard!"
"I promise," Shmi's eyes began to water faintly. "Nothing strenuous."
Shmi wrapped her arms around the young man and grieved to be parted from him again so soon. Anakin gathered her close and kissed his mother's forehead, just as she had done countless times for him.
End
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