#he promised freedom for his mother too but anakin has to leave the planet with him first

[miraclepoisons]

always-a-sith anakin au

first meeting with obiwan

[dracowars]

ten years apart | anakin skywalker

pairing: anakin x reader

word count: 6,0k

summary: where anakin comes back after ten years

a/n: i'm so sorry for the length but i just couldn't stop writing :( please get a drink and snack before reading this hella long os <3

warnings: angst, mentions of blood

universe: star wars

Exhaling heavily, you throw the garbage bag into the shaft and push it down with all your strength. Beads of sweat have already formed on your forehead which you wipe away with the back of your hand. It is, again, incredibly hot on Tatooine today and the unbearable heat has been beating your mind and body all day. But what temperatures can you expect from a desert planet, right?

The desert planet of hell, as you like to call it. Disgusting creatures, pirates, bounty hunters and actually all kinds of insidious henchmen cavort here in Mos Espa. The city you grew up in. The city you have always been stuck in and probably will be stuck in for the rest of your life. You come from a small and poor family, no money to escape this hell, always having to work hard to survive.

And yet you had a better life than other children here. Because you were lucky enough to not get sold as a slave. Your parents could always raise enough money - often in ways you do not support - to save you. Even though you are more than grateful, you cannot help but to sometimes wonder what would have happened if. If you became a slave, maybe just maybe, you might have met the same lucky fate as him.

It has been ten long lonely years since the two Jedi Masters Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi were stranded on Tatooine and seeked help. You were still very young, therefore you can barely remember their faces. But you definetely do remember the face of him, Anakin Skywalker. The little boy from Tatooine.

How could you ever forget him? He was the nicest, bravest and most courteous boy you have ever met in your life. You always knew that something about him was different. The way he acted, the way he thought. There was just something about him that fascinated you and before you knew it you had developed a small crush on him. You got along well and you loved to watch him when he was working on his droid yet again. He always told you about his dreams, how he wanted to help, how much he wanted to get away from this dump called Tatooine. With his mother.

And with you.

Anakin and his mother Shmi Skywalker were slaves and belonged to Watto, one of the many junk dealers and human traffickers of Mos Espa. Even though they must have had a terrible life, Anakin always stayed positive. The smile on his dirt-stained face when he was building on his droid was priceless and you can see it in front of you as if it was yesterday. In fact, it has been ten years.

Ten years since the Jedi Masters took Anakin with them to train him as a Padawan in the ways of the Jedi. You were happy for him, you really were. He was finally able to leave this terrible planet and live a better life elsewhere. But to a certain price, since he had to go without his mother and also without you, his best friend.

"Y/N! These tables do not clean themselves!", a voice calls for you from inside and you just roll your eyes before leaving the heat outside, entering the building again. Inside, the musty smell of smoke greets you, low music plays in the background and you go straight towards the round bar in the middle of the room. This is the most popular hotspot of Mos Espa: the infamous Twin Sun, a bar in the center of the city. The place where the creepiest species float around, where the dirty business is done.

You absolutely hate your job in the bar. Every day you have to tidy up and serve under worst conditions. Especially in the later hours of the evening, when it is completely overcrowded, you are running back and forth every second, receiving disgusting comments from the guests. However, hardly anyone is here in the early morning and you have to only take care of the leftovers from the previous day. Unfortunately though, you have to endure this kind of job.

Your parents, who always saved you from the worst, are too old and weak now to raise money themselves and you felt obliged to take on this role. That is also the reason why you have several jobs at the same time. In addition to working in the Twin Sun, you also work at some booths at the weekly market and when you are lucky, you can sometimes even help out on the farms outside of the city. It is the only way to ensure your family's survival.

While you are about to wipe the empty tables, the roaring unpleasant noises of podracers echo through the building, sweeping through the bar like an earthquake, and the following loud cheers of the audience can hardly be overheard. The race is also a reason why it is exceptionally empty here today. Almost every living creature in Mos Espa is in the Grand Arena, cheering on their favorite, probably making some bets beforehand.

Personally, you hate these races more than anything.

Besides being totally unfair and dangerous, it is really just about the money - the money you do not own. The same participant always wins and despite your hatred of these races, you watched one of them for the first and last time when Anakin himself participated, won and was thus able to free himself from slavery. Only his mother remained on Tatooine but he promised he would come back and rescue her once he is a fully trained Jedi.

It has now been ten years and he has still not shown up.

Well, maybe he did show up after all, just did not look for you as he initinally promised. Maybe he only picked up his mother, not you.

A few years ago you had to watch how his mother got sold at the weekly market, but the buyer actually seemed very nice and later you found out that he even gave her freedom and took her as his wife. The man called Cliegg Lars used to come to the bar regularly until a few weeks ago. Does Anakin know, or can he maybe even feel, what happened?

"What do you think you are doing?! Finally work for your money or I will kick you out!", the bartender, who is also your boss, suddenly yells at you and pulls you out of your thoughts. "Sorry", you huff out and continue to clean up the tables at a quicker pace. It is a day like any other day. At least that is what you thought.

After you have cleaned all the tables you stand behind the bar and tidy up the glasses. Meanwhile it is already in the afternoon and the bar is much more crowded than it was this morning, which means more work for you. However, for some inexplicable reason, you are very distracted today, your mind always wandering off, and when you do not pay attention for a tiny second, a glass slips out of your hand and shatters into a million pieces.

"Watch out!", your boss grumbels at you immediately, only waiting for such an opportunity. Quietly cursing under your breath, you pick up some of the broken pieces. With a hiss you reflexively pull back your hand after accidentally cutting yourself on a sharp piece. Quickly, you put the small bleeding area against your lips to stop the blood from flowing.

"A table just got free back there! Clean it", your boss orders, not waiting for you to get up again as he almost throws the wet cloth into your face. Trying to control the rising anger inside of you as best as possible, you stand up, dispose of the broken pieces and make your way to said table. When you reach it, you have an uncomfortable feeling all of a sudden, a feeling of someone watching you. You turn around but do not see anyone looking into your direction. Shaking off the weird feeling, you take care of your task and then go back behind the counter to do your work while you hear your boss talking loudly to one of the guests on the other side.

"Watto, Watto.. Never heard of him before", he says thoughtfully over the music. You frown irritated and bend over to be able to see your boss. He is talking to a young, handsome man who seems quite determined about finding Watto. "Buy something or get out of here, kid!", your boss suddenly threathens, but the young man seems pretty unimpressed. Nevertheless, he turns around and leaves but not without your eyes meeting first. His blue eyes shimmer in the weak light and while turning away, he pulls the brown hood of his cloak over his head.

Even though your boss did not call you for help, something deep inside of you tells you to help this unknown, mysterious man. After all, you actually know Watto. You worked for him in your younger years until he went bankrupt eventually. Therefore, it is very uncommon and suspicious for someone to ask for him.

You put everything aside right away and go to your boss, who seems to be in an extremely bad mood today. "I take my break now", you quickly let him know and without giving him a chance to answer, you already head towards the entrance. When you arrive outside, you take a look around and spot the young man just a few meters away from you. Running after him, you gently tug on his sleeve to draw his attention to you.

"Excuse me", you stop him in his tracks and he turns to you with confusion written all over his face. "I heard you ask my boss about Watto in the bar. I know where to find him."

His face seems even more surprised now and he raises his eyebrows. "Really?", he asks, a hint of hope in his voice. You nod in agreement. "Can you lead me to him?", he resolutely asks and you nod again.

"You do not look like you are from here. What do you want from Watto?", you ask him curiously and go ahead to lead the way while he follows right behind you. "That is not important and also none of your business, I think", he replies emotionless, only looking ahead and not at you. You are a little taken aback by his harsh words but decide that it is best to not ask any more questions. He seems quite serious about it and somehow you still cannot get rid of this strange feeling inside of you.

You lead the way to the market, where some stalls are set up, and finally find Watto at his regular place in the shade of a house. He sits on a small chair and is currently busy examining a screw in his hand as you both approach him. Watto raises his gaze when he realizes that someone is walking towards him and as soon as he recognizes you, he flutters into the air excitedly.

"Oh! I have not seen you in a long time", he laughs and looks at the unknown man next to you. "There is someone who was looking for you, Watto", you explain in Huttese and point to the young man next to you, who bows his head slightly as if he could also understand what you are saying. Which is ridiculous, of course, because only Tatooine people can speak and understand Huttese.

Immediately Watto flies back, unsure whether he has done anything wrong. "Excuse me?", he trys hiding his nervousness, suspiciously looking at you.

Instead of telling Watto what he wants, he picks up a piece of equipment and fiddles with it. "Let me help you with that", he murmurs under his breath while actually speaking in Huttese, fixing the broken piece. "What? I do not know you! What can I do for you?", Watto grumbels but his eyes widen at once as he discovers something. "You look like a Jedi. Whatever it is.. I did not do it!"

A Jedi?

The next words abruptly catch you off guard and your heart completely stops beating.

"I am looking for Shmi Skywalker."

You look at him in shock as he pulls the hood down, Watto looking at him exactly the way you do as he finally lets out the words you were too scared to say.

"Ani? Little Ani?", Watto breathes out in astonishment, now using Basic instead of Huttese. When Watto then realizes that he fixed the broken piece, he happily jumps into the air. "You are Ani! You sure sprouted! A Jedi! Hey, maybe you couldda help wit some deadbeats who owe me a lot of money.."

"My mother."

"Oh, yes. Shmi.. she is not mine no more. I sold her", Watto confesses, obviously feeling uncomfortable about the situation while you are still not able to get out a word as they get stuck in your throat.

You were sure that you would never see Anakin again in your life, that he would have long forgotten about you. And now that he is actually back, that he is actually standing right next to you, you cannot believe it. He changed so much that you did not even recognize him.

And it seems he does not recognize you either.

"Sold her?"

"Years ago. Sorry, Ani, but you know, business is business."

"Who did you sell her to?"

"I-I do not remember, actually. I think it was a farmer, yeah, a moisture farmer probably", Watto stutters and his words pull you out of your trance all of a sudden, hitting a trigger in your head.

"His name, Watto."

"I-I think I do not know-"

"Cliegg", you mention softly, turning your gaze to Anakin whose brows are furrowed in confusion. "His name is Cliegg Lars."

"How could you-", Anakin starts, slowly becoming more tense, but as he looks at you more closely, at your face and in your beautiful glistening eyes, his expression suddenly softens. "Y/N?"

"Anakin", you say barely audible, trying to prevent your eyes from watering at hearing your name out of his mouth for the first time in years.

He does remember you. He did not forget about your existence.

You both cannot help but stare at each other for what feels like hours before he gently pulls you into his now very strong arms, hugging you tightly.

After all these years you were separated one would probably think that the hug would be uncomfortable and awkward. But it is far from that. Anakin's embrace is warm and soft, like it used to be when he was still here. He just got stronger and much taller since then.

He grew up.

On a whole different planet, far far away from you.

He has become a Jedi and fights for justice in the galaxy while you are still stuck on the same old planet, struggeling to keep your family alive.

"I can't believe it is actually you, Y/N!", Anakin gives you a warm smile after breaking the hug, his hands still resting on your forearms to keep you close while scanning you from the top to the bottom. "You have grown so much."

"I could say the same to you", you giggle, hiding your bright smile behind your hand while you blush. His blue eyes have become even brighter than you remember them and his face and stature in general look extremely healthy. If someone had told you years ago that Anakin would develop into such a handsome man, you almost would not have believed them. Yet, in your eyes he is still the same Anakin.

"And you are a Jedi", you mumble, pointing to the lightsaber attached to his belt under his brown cloak. Anakin continues to stare at you for a moment before finding his way back to reality.

"O-Oh yes. My lightsaber", he stumbles over his words and looks down at his weapon, but makes sure to completely hide it behind the fabric after that while clearing his throat. Slowly but surely it suddenly gets a bit awkward between you, none of you knowing what to say or where to start.

You have so much to tell him and still want to ask him so many question, but you do not know how.

"So, you know where my mother is?", Anakin finally speaks up again and breaks the silence, but with a question you did not quite hope for.

"It is very far outside of Mos Espa, yes. I can bring you there", you answer with a little sadness in your voice. Of course, he wants to find his mother after all these years.

"Hey! When you come back, make sure to visit me. Ani, I could really need some help, you know", Watto calls after you both as you show Anakin the way.

"He has not changed a bit", Anakin chuckles slightly next to you and follows you over the street, where you pass numerous creatures and vehicles.

"We need a vehicle to get there", you absently speak to yourself while searching for a suitable one. "Or a Dewback works too."

"A landspeeder sounds good", Anakin immediately answers after you end your sentence, almost interrupting you. With raised eyebrows you look at him sceptically.

"What happened to your sense of adventure?"

"I got older, I guess", he sighs and you hear out some sadness in his voice for the split of a second, but you tell yourself that it must have been your imagination.

"We all did", you mumble and finally agree to take a landspeeder instead of a dewback, even though it is much more expensive. However, Anakin insists on paying and after doing so you sit in the passenger seat, patiently waiting for him to join you and start driving.

At high speed you whiz over the dry sand and out of the city towards the seemingly endless outback. From time to time you glance over at Anakin, who does not look at you once, not even when you tell him the directions. When you catch yourself staring at him for longer than a second, you look away quickly but not without noticing the changes in his apperance.

His face has become much more striking and his hair got darker. The dark brown cloak that is covering his body compliments his eyes and makes them shine even more.

On your way you drive past a group of Jawas with their Sandcrawler, who are currently busy taking apart an abandoned spaceship that has apparently been stranded out here.

After a few more minutes you finally reach the Lars homestead and get out of the speeder, Anakin giving you a helping hand that you shyly accept. He keeps his gaze on the dome in front of you though and you can feel the nervousness that suddenly emanates from him.

As soon as you both walk towards it, a girl, younger than Anakin and you, comes up the stairs after she has apparently heard your arrival. Which is honestly not very difficult out here regarding the fact nobody comes here that often.

"Can I help you?", she asks, concern in her voice, and the longer you look at her, the more familiar she gets until it clicks in your head. She is Cliegg's daughter-in-law. You have often worked together on the farm. It seems like she already recognized you as the concern in her face slowly fades.

"Beru, right? I often helped you out on your farm", you take a step towards her and she nods in agreement before glancing at Anakin, who is standing directly behind you.

"We are looking for Shmi", you explain and Beru's brows furrow, obviously confused as to why you search for her.

"She is currently at the market in Mos Eisley with my boyfriend. But they should be back any moment", she mentions and then points down the stairs behind her. "If you want, you can wait for her inside."

Accepting her offer, you follow her inside the dome and you are completely amazed when you arrive at the open pit, a crater housing a courtyard from which all rooms can be accessed. You saw the huge hole in the ground before but never paid attention to it.

You follow Beru into what seems to be a kitchen and she asks you to sit down, but before you are able to, Anakin suddenly turns around due to a noise and a man in a power chair appears behind you.

"Who are you? What do you want?", he asks grumpily and Anakin's grip around his lightsaber on his belt, probably a reflex, reduces as you step in between. "Oh, Y/N! It is you!"

"Good afternoon, Cliegg. I am sorry for our unannounced visit, but we are looking for your.. wife", you say, almost whispering your last words, your heart stopping for a moment when you realize Anakin does not even know his mother married this farmer.

"What?", Anakin asks, shocked, his eyes widened and his lips split while he takes a step forward.

"I am Cliegg Lars. Shmi is my wife. Then you must be my stepson", Cliegg introduces himself and offers Anakin a handshake, which gets refused as Anakin just stares at him in disbelief.

"How is that possible?", Anakin breathes, directing his gaze to the ground, and you discover how he fiddles with the sleeves of his cloak in despair.

"I bought her from Watto at that time and gave her freedom before I made her my wife", Cliegg explains calmly, also noticing Anakin's displeasure about the situation. "My son and Shmi are just-"

He does not get to finish his sentence when loud screams and shouts interrupt him out of nowhere, silencing all of you. A brief moment later you are already on your way back up, Anakin ahead.

Once at the top you spot another landspeeder that has stopped in the distance, fuming. Due to the bright sunlight it is difficult at first to see that two people approach you, followed by several aggressive, snarling Massiffs. Disgusting beasts from hell that usually only live in the mountains unless they have been tamed by Tusken Raiders for their own purposes.

Quickly, you come to the conclusion that they must have been attacked by Tusken Raiders, who are now chasing their pets after them. It takes another second until you all realize that these two people running towards you are none other than Anakin's mother and stepbrother.

"Owen!", Beru desperately exclaims next to you, hands covering her mouth in shock.

Without hesitation, Anakin and you sprint straight towards them at the same time, hoping to somehow help and save them. But when suddenly a blue light brightly erupts next to you, you almost forget to keep running.

Anakin now runs towards them with his ignited lightsaber, much faster than you, and reaches them in seconds. Positioning himself protectively in front of them, waiting until they have run past him, he kills one of the Massiffs with the single stroke of his deadly weapon.

"Y/N, get them to safety!", Anakin shouts while he is fighting with the Massiffs, and you obey his words, quickly escorting them back to their house.

Glancing back after you have brought them inside safely, Anakin has just fended off an attack and pushes the monster a few meters back through the air, his hand outstretched. Finally, yowling and panting, the few survivors retreat and if you would not have called out Anakin's name, you are sure he would have followed them.

Deactivating his lightsaber, he quickly comes back to you, his face flooded with anger and pain. However, instead of paying attention to you, he walks straight past you.

"Are you injured?", you catch his upper arm worriedly and bring him to a stop. Shaking his head, he immediately removes his arm from your grip and continues his way down the stairs. With a sigh, you follow him.

"Where is she?", Anakin asks emotionlessly when reaching the bottom of the stairs, stopping abruptly and causing you to accidentally run into him.

"Ani?", a quiet voice finally sounds and Shmi steps out.

"Mom", Anakin swallows hard and embraces her tightly in his arms as she comes running towards him. After ten long years, mother and son are finally reunited.

"Oh, you look so handsome", Shmi sobs and takes a closer look at Anakin, taking his face between her hands, whereupon Anakin places a kiss on her palm. "My son. Oh, my grown up son. I am so proud of you, Ani."

"I missed you", he sniffs in response and a few tears find their way down his, her and also your cheeks.

"You came back, I can't believe it", she happily smiles at him, pride showing in her eyes.

"Just like I promised", he gives her the same smile and they hug each other again.

"And you saved us. You truly became a Jedi", Shmi sobs and Anakin gives her a kiss on the forehead before her gaze falls on you for the first time. "Y/N! Thank you so much for bringing him here."

"Of course", you wipe away your happy tears and smile back at her.

"Let us eat something, children", Cliegg then suggests while already being on his way to the kitchen, followed by his son and daugther-in-law.

"You might want to freshen up. I will show you where you can", Shmi offers and leads you both through a hole in the wall into a medium-sized room before she reluctantly separates from Anakin.

"Show me your leg", you order as soon as Shmi is out of reach and he turns around to you in confusion. "Your leg, Anakin. I saw you limp."

"It is not that bad", he shrugs it off and puts his Jedi robe aside, revealing his broad shoulders.

"Please", you repeat again and stare at him worriedly until he is no longer able to hold your gaze and pulls up his pants to reveal his leg. You have to swallow hard when a gaping wound appears on his shin and it takes you a lot of self control to not scream at him right there.

"That has to be treated, Ani!", you rebuke him indignantly, but now he is the one who keeps staring at you until you notice what you have just said. "A-Anakin, I mean."

"N-No, no! It is okay. I like when you call me that, it just... it has been some time since you last did", he clears his throat and your cheeks turn into a slight shade of red.

"Y-Yes, a long time ago. But we have gotten older, like you said", you stutter out, trying to make the situation less awkward. "I will ask if they have Bacta patches here, fix you up and make my way home."

"What are you even talking about?", Anakin raises his voice all of a sudden, rather unintentionally as you notice in his subsequent expression, while he grabs your wrist tightly to keep you from walking away.

"You have just seen your mother for the first time in ten years. I am sure you have a lot to tell her and I do not want to stand in the way", you explain and place your hand on top of his to loosen his grip, but to no avail.

"But.. I want to tell you too, Y/N. You are forgetting that I saw you again for the first time in ten years as well. I do not want you to go now", Anakin admits and takes a step closer to you, his eyes pleading to not leave him. "Apart from that, I will certainly not let you go now when these monsters are out there."

Leaving you no choice and not even a chance to answer, he suddenly pulls you into a tight hug, much like he did with his mother.

"I missed you so damn much", he softly whispers and you can't help but smile while you wrap your arms around him.

"I missed you too, Ani", you mumble against his shoulder and claw your hands into the fabric of his clothes.

Although you already hugged each other when you first met today, this one feels much more intense than before. It makes you feel safe and warm and comfortable, a feeling that you have not felt on this planet for a long time. For ten years, to be exact.

The next morning, you tiredly step outside into the burning hot twin suns and follow the voices coming from the kitchen. You stayed awake late yesterday and Anakin told you everything. From start to finish, he explained everything about his training to you, everything that happened after he left ten years ago. You have eagerly listened to his stories about the numerous adventures and here and there caught yourself staring at him sadly but lovingly.

Even though he pretended to be strong while telling these heartbreaking stories, you could see that he is not. After all these long years you can still read it on his face in an instant. He was not strong after Qui-Gon Jinn was killed shortly after their departure and also not when he became Padawan of a Jedi who was almost still a Padawan himself. He was not strong when he has been seperated from his family and he still is not as strong as he pretends to be. No matter from which point of view you look at it, Anakin is still the little boy from Tatooine.

"Good morning", you yawn when you meet the Lars family in the kitchen.

"Sit down, Y/N. I made breakfast", Shmi happily greets you and puts a plate down for you on the table.

You have not seen Shmi this happy in a long time. You never met her often after Cliegg freed her from slavery, but when you did, she always looked very absent and, above all, sad. She seems like a whole different person now.

"If you are looking for Anakin, he is outside", Shmi mentions when she notices your mental absence. Shyly, you nod and give her a warm smile. After you have eaten up your breakfast, you make your way upstairs. Arriving outside, you briefly get blinded by the bright suns when the dome no longer offers you protection.

However, as soon as your eyes get used to the sunlight, your breath gets caught in your lungs when a huge spaceship appears in your field of vision. The ship landed just a few meters away from the farm, the boarding hatch open. You spot Anakin in front of it, deeply submerged in a conversation with another man.

Said man notices you right away and draws Anakin's attention to you with a subtle head movement. When Anakin then sees you and the worried expression on your face, he waves you over. Nervously, you set yourself in motion and approach them.

"What is going on here, Anakin?", you ask shyly after discovering a lightsaber on the other man's belt, quickly gesturing a bow with your head.

"This is my master, Obi-Wan Kenobi. Maybe you still remember him", Anakin introduces him to you and, in fact, you actually do remember his face.

"If this isn't the little girl from back then who watched us leave with such a heartbreaking expression", Obi-Wan loudly thinks and scratches his beard before patting Anakin's shoulder. "I will go ahead and meet Padmé on board."

At his words, an uncomfortable feeling of nervousness rushs through your body until it turns into a feeling of sheer fear. Not only because you remember the name and its associated, incredibly beautiful Queen of Naboo, - which Anakin also told you about in his stories - but also because you suddenly feel like your worst nightmare turns into reality.

"W-What does he mean by that?", you stutter out, not really wanting to hear an answer to your question, but Anakin gently puts his hands on either side of your cheeks to calm you down.

"The Jedi Order has called Obi-Wan and me back to Coruscant, along with the senator", Anakin sighs and sadly looks to the ground, his thumb lightly stroking your skin. "My mother is happy here and that is most important for me. I now know that she is fine and safe."

Transforming his words into sharp weapons, they painfully shoot through your heart and you take a step back immediately, breaking the body contact with him.

"But I am not, Anakin!", you yell at him desperately, much louder than originally intended, and he just looks at you in shock from your sudden outburst. "I am not fine since you left ten years ago! I can't do this anymore."

"Y/N-"

"No, do not touch me! Please", you sob and wrap your arms around your own body in order to protect you from further damage. "Would you- Would you have even searched for me at all if I had not found you first?!"

Breathing hard while accusing him, he remains quiet and does not answer. His eyes wander around, desperately seeking an appropriate answer that will not hurt you, but he terribly fails.

"That's what I thought", your voice breaks and a single tear runs down your cheek before you turn around and walk away. However, you do not get very far when you feel a firm grip on your arm and are turned around again to face him shortly afterwards, your bodies only inches away from each other.

"Come with me."

"W-What?"

"Come back to Coruscant with me, Y/N", he begs you, his voice full of sorrow.

"A-Ani-"

"I had a dream about my mother and about you. You were badly injured and I was too late to save you", Anakin confesses, desperation prominent in his coarse voice, opening up to you all of a sudden, letting his guard down and showing you his vulnerable side for once. "That is why I came back. That is why I am back on Tatooine."

"A-Anakin. I can't.. I have responsibilities here", you choke out and look away, not able to hold his pleading gaze while your hands and knees shake in fear. "I have to go back to my parents.. I can't just leave them like this."

Silence spreads between you until Anakin lifts your face up with his fingers on your chin, deeply looking into your eyes. Suddenly your fear is reflected in his glassy eyes. A fear you last saw all those years ago when he left. When he had to leave his mother and you behind. It is precisely this fear that is now reappearing in his eyes and all of a sudden the little boy from Tatooine is back, not wanting to leave his home.

"I understand", his shaky voice whispers as he is close to tears as well.

How much you would like to just go with him. To just leave everything behind and finally get off this dirty planet. But you know it would not be fair to your parents and that you can't just leave them behind. As much as you would love to go with Anakin, you would never forgive yourself if you did.

"I am really sorry, Ani", you carefully say and place your hands on his upper arms to steady yourself before he pulls you closer and places his chin on top of your head.

"I will come back", he breathes into your hair and his voice sounds so fragile in your ears that you can no longer hold back the pricking tears, letting them stream down your cheeks freely. "I promise."

"I will wait for you", you fake a smile through your tears before he gives you a gentle kiss on the forehead, leaving a warm spot there.

The following repeated exclamation of his name coming from his master makes your heart ache even more and Anakin takes a step away from you, breaking off any contact.

"See you soon", he forces a smile and slowly retreats backwards to the spaceship, not averting his gaze from you and repeatedly raising his hand to wave goodbye.

Your eyes filled with tears and your vision blurred, you watch him leave and say goodbye with a heavy heart.

After ten long years you were finally able to see him again. You were ten years apart and now you pray that it will not be another ten years until you meet again.

[crystal-siren]

Other Worlds (Obi-Wan x Reader) Pt. 6

Part 1  Part 2  Part 3  Part 4  Part 5

@dovies666

Once a deep and powerful connection between two people has been made they become a vital part of each other’s lives and there is no separating them. No measure of distance or duration of silence can prevent the outbreak of smiles and laughter or the strong desire to leap into each other’s arms when they come together once more. ~ Beau Taplin // unpreventable

“I swear I will tear your throat out, you filthy son of a-” her words were cut short as she suddenly found it difficult to breathe.

“What a wicked tongue you have young Y/N,” Dooku sauntered into her cell, his hand slightly curled. “What would your old Master say if she heard you talk like that?”

Y/N glared at him between gasps for air. “Don’t...you...dare.”

Dooku smiled condescendingly down at her. “You brought this on yourself young one.” He curled his hand a little and watched as her fight for air became more desperate. “If you had taken my offer, you would not be here right now. Shackled to a wall and gasping for air.”

Somehow she still had the strength to maintain her glare. “Just.....give....up already.” Her bound hands were reaching for her throat but the shorter chain limited their ability to do so.

“Your loyalty to a corrupt system is admirable, if somewhat misguided.” Dooku crouched down to where she knelt, struggling for air.

“It...is..you who are...misguided,” Y/N managed to choke out.

“Such spirit,” he murmured, “do you think your friend will have the same when he is lead into the arena?” He stood and moved just in time as Y/N lurched towards him. The chain prevented her from going any further.

“I...take it...he...said..no?” Her gasped words brought Dooku to a halt just before the door. “I...told..you...he wouldn’t,” he could almost hear the smile in her strangled voice.

~ ~ ~

Geonosis was almost a welcome distraction from his mother’s death. His Master’s capture allowed Anakin to think of something other than the crushing grief that almost overwhelmed him at his mother’s grave.

As they entered the atmosphere, Anakin’s eyes took in the planet’s terrain and groaned inwardly. The similarity to Tatooine was a little annoying. He already couldn’t wait to leave.

He navigated the ship so that he could land it in the middle of what appeared to be steam vents. Padme stood up the moment they touched down and wrapping a thick white scarf around herself, she made for the entrance.

“Hold up,” Anakin stopped her. “Where are you going?”

Padme looked at him with disbelief, “to find Obi-Wan.” She dared him to challenge her.

“No, you’re not.” Anakin squared his shoulders and rose to his full height. “I’m not letting you go out there, it’s too dangerous.”

Padme blinked at him in shock, “What?!”

“It’s my job to protect you,” he reminded her with an air of authority. “I said its too dangerous. You’re not going, and that’s final.”

Her mouth dropped open with blatant shock and disbelief. “Don't you give me orders, Annie! I'm a Senator of the Galactic Republic. You have no authority to contain me, restrain me, or direct me! You remember your place, young man.” Lifting her chin, she took a step past him before turning to face him, “now you can come along and protect me or stay here. It's up to you.” She missed the look of both admiration and surprise in Anakin’s blue eyes as she made her way to the lowered boarding ramp.

As the pair cautiously entered the palace-like structure that was only short distance from their ship, they noticed that it looked to be deserted.

“It’s empty,” Padme whispered to Anakin, her earlier hostility towards him seemingly forgotten.

They had barely taken four steps further when four winged Geonosians seized hold of them. Anakin instinctively reached for his lightsaber and ignited it.

“Wait,” Padme cautioned him as her eyes landed on the weapons their attackers carried. As the seconds pass, more winged creatures assemble around them, all of them armed.

Then, suddenly, the group parted to allow a tall human male to pass through. “Senator Amidala,” he spoke, looking directly at her. “I've heard so much about you.“

Anakin curled his lip, he knew exactly who this was.

“Count Dooku, I assume ?” Padme asked with an air of confidence.

“I'm delighted to meet you at last,” Dooku stepped a little closer to the pair. “ We have a great deal to discuss, Senator. I hope you can keep your young Jedi under control.”

Anakin clenched his jaw at the remark and Padme simply smiled and nodded.

Satisfied, Dooku nodded to the assembled Geonosians who then started to disperse. Turning his attention back to the two, “now please, follow me.”

He led them through a maze of hallways and deserted passageways until at last they entered a room which held nothing save for one large conference table.

Gesturing for Padme to take a seat, Dooku seated himself at the far end, with Padme at the far end. Anakin stood silently behind her, watching and listening t everything.

Then Padme began to speak in that calm logical tone that Anakin had often heard her use. “You are holding a Jedi Knight, Obi- Wan Kenobi. I am formally requesting you turn him over to me, now.“

Anakin held his breath waiting for the Count’s answer.

“He has been convicted of espionage, Senator, and will be executed. In just a few hours, I believe.” Dooku smiled inwardly, so they were unaware of Y/N’s presence? Maybe he should keep it that way.

Anakin blinked in shock and his mind struggled to process the information.

While her companion struggled silently behind her, Padme kept her cool. “He is an officer of the Republic. You can't do that.“

Anakin narrowed his eyes at the Count, who simply smiled at the pair. “We don't recognise the Republic here, Senator. But if Naboo were to join our Alliance, I could easily hear your plea for clemency.“

That was the last straw. Anakin reached for his lightsaber but barely restrained himself from igniting it.

“And if I don't join your rebellion,” Padme tried to reason with their opponent, “I assume this Jedi with me will also die?”

Standing up, Dooku replied smoothly, “I don't wish to make you to join our cause against your will, Senator, but you are a rational, honest representative of your people and I assume you want to do what's in their best interest. Aren't you fed up with the corruption, the bureaucrats, the hypocrisy of it all?.. Aren't you? Be honest, Senator.“

Anakin’s blue eyes stayed trained on the traitorous Count.

Padme too stood up and met his piercing gaze. “The ideals are still alive, Count, even if the institution is failing.“

Dooku strode around the table and stopped a few feet from the Nubian Senator. “You believe in the same ideals we believe in! The same ideals we are striving to make prominent.“

Padme shook her head ever-so-slightly but her strength did not falter. “If what you say is true, you should stay in the Republic and help Chancellor Palpatine put things right.“

The former Jedi smiled down at her, albeit a little patronisingly. “The Chancellor means well, M'Lady but he is incompetent. He has promised to cut the bureaucracy, but the bureaucrats are stronger than ever, no? Senator, the Republic cannot be fixed. It is time to start over. The democratic process in the Republic is a sham, a shell game played on the voters. It will not be long before the cult of greed, called the Republic, will lose even the pretext of democracy and freedom.“

Anakin, for one, was grateful for Padme’s self-control as his was almost non-existent.

Little did he know that she was struggling too. Forcing a calm expression, she continued. “I cannot believe that. I will not forsake all I have honoured and worked for and betray the Republic. I know of your treaties with the Trade Federation, the Commerce Guilds, and the others, Count. What is happening here is not government that has been bought out by business... it's business becoming government!“ Her voice rose slightly towards the end.

Dooku narrowed his eyes thoughtfully and cocked his head to the side. “Are you willing to betray your Jedi friends? Without your co-operation I can do nothing to stop their execution.“

This made Padme stand up a little straighter and she lifted her chin in defiance as she glared at the Count. Her precious self-control was slipping away dangerously fast. “What is to happen to me? Am I to be executed also?“

Whether his reaction was genuine or not, they would never know. “I wouldn't think of such an offence.” He appeared shocked and taken aback.

“But,” he continued, “there are individuals who have a strong interest in your demise, M'lady. It has nothing to do with politics, I'm afraid. It's purely personal, and they have already paid great sums to have you assassinated. I'm sure they will push hard to have you included in the executions. I'm sorry but if you are not going to co-operate, I must turn you over to the Geonosians for justice. I've done all I can for you.”

Padme did not give him the satisfaction of her reaction.

~ ~ ~

The sound of her cell door being opened jolted Y/N awake from the fitful and uncomfortable sleep she had fallen into.

Her e/c eyes narrowed as she took in her ‘visitor’. “Come to choke the life out of me again?”

“Come now, there is no need for such hostility,” Dooku spoke as he approached her, flanked by two armed Geonosians. “There is something I would like you to see.”

Y/N said nothing as the two winged aliens approached her and detached her shackles from the wall. Shuddering with disgust at being so close to them, Y/N glared at Dooku. It had become a default expression where he was concerned.

“Come along,” he motioned for her to follow him.

Y/N remained silent as she walked behind him. Her two guards made her skin crawl just by being there.

At last they came to a rather ordinary looking door. Dooku opened it and gestured for her to enter. “After you.” Seeing no choice in the matter, she stepped through.

The sight she was met with rattled her to her core. “Anakin,” she breathed, her eyes widened at sight of him and Padme. They looked so small amidst the obviously hostile crowd.

Turning back to Dooku, she asked somewhat hesitantly. “What are they doing here?” She tried desperately to keep the concern and fear from her voice.

“Keep watching,” was his answer, “you will see soon enough.”

True to his word, Y/N soon realised what was happening. A cold fear began to spread through her.

Anakin and Padme, unaware of who had just entered the room, kept their gazes fixed on their accusers.

“You have been charged and found guilty of Espionage.“

It was then that Anakin felt a wave of fear and horror crash into him. But it wasn’t from Padme. His eyes wondered over the crowd and widened slightly when he saw her. Y/N Y/L/N. His Master’s closest friend and who he himself considered the closest thing to a sister.

She was looking at him with thinly veiled fear, her usually bright eyes had lost their spark. Her wrists, like his and Padme’s, were shackled. Her mouth was slightly open with shock.

“Do you have anything to say before your sentence is carried out?“ The Geonosian Archduke’s question snatched his attention away from her.

Padme answered the question with an edge to her voice. “You are committing an act of war, Archduke. I hope you are prepared for the consequences.“

While their accuser laughed and Dooku smiled, Y/N clenched her jaw and and clutched the railing in front of her.

“We build weapons, Senator... that is our business! Of course we're prepared!“

Y/N wanted nothing more than to strangle the insectile filth.

“Get on with it. Carry out the sentence. I want to see her suffer.“ Nute Gunray spoke up from beside her.

Then the Archduke spoke the words that Y/N had been dreading. “Take them to the arena! Your other Jedi friend is waiting for you, Senator.”

That was it for her. She threw reason and control to the four winds. She launched herself at the Archduke, or she would have, had Dooku not forcibly restrained her. “Insect filth,” she hissed and her eyes reminded all who saw her of a wild animal who had just been caged.

The commotion did not go unnoticed by Anakin or Padme, who glanced at Anakin in surprise. “How long has she been here?”

Anakin shook his head, “I have no idea.”

~ ~ ~

The brightness of the Geonosian sun made Y/N want to shield her eyes. Standing between the Count and the vile Nute Gunray, Y/N’s keen eyes had trained on a figure who stood in the arena. Obi-Wan, she thought sadly. Part of her wished she didn’t know who that was.

She waited with baited breath as two more figures were lead out. Her eyes reluctantly left him and followed them. She could not help but feel that this was all her fault.

Meanwhile, down on the sand, Obi-Wan couldn’t help but be surprised at who he saw being led out. He watched, almost casually, as the guards led Anakin and Padme to two of the remaining stone pillars.

“I was beginning to wonder if you had gotten my message.“ His tone was surprisingly calm but Anakin detected a trace of annoyance.

“I retransmitted it as you requested, Master.” Anakin replied as he was chained to the pillar. “Then we decided to come and rescue you.“

Looking up at where his chain was secured and back to Anakin, Obi-Wan spoke, “It looks like you're going a good job so far.“

Anakin only rolled his eyes at the remark.

High above them in the arena, a voice rang out. “The felons before you have been convicted of espionage against the Sovereign System of Geonosis. Their sentence of death is to be carried out in this public arena henceforth.“

Anakin glanced at Padme, then at his Master before speaking. “She’s here, Master.” Those three words seemed to have little effect on the Jedi Master. Or that is what Anakin thought.

Obi-Wan did not reply to Anakin’s statement. His eyes travelled the crowd, knowing that it would be near impossible to spot her.

Y/N glared at the Archduke with the fire of thousand suns as he spoke. “Let the executions begin!“

The crowd went wild as three gates were opened and three different animals came out. Y/N took an involuntary step back, “no,” she whispered, shaking her head.

It soon became clear as to which animal was meant for who and Y/N could not stop the scream that tore from her throat as a large eight-legged Acklay set it’s sights on Obi-Wan.

A scream of denial echoed around the arena, momentarily silencing the crowd. Obi-Wan would know that voice anywhere. His eyes found her at last. She was high up on the viewing balcony beside Count Dooku. She was struggling violently against the Count’s grip, her hair was loose and wild and her shackled hands were reaching down towards him.

Y/N’s struggle only increased when she realised that he had seen her. The sudden need to be down there with him overwhelmed her. No matter how hard she struggled, the Count’s grip would not loosen.

The sudden shout of the crowd drew Obi-Wan’s attention back to the creature in front of him. He was only vaguely aware of Anakin and Padme’s struggle with their respective animals.

Within moments it seemed as though Anakin had somehow mastered some kind of control over his attacker and now sat atop it’s leathery back.

Seeing Padme fend off her animal viciously with the chain that had originally bound her, made Anakin change tactic. Forcing the beast which he rode, a Reek, towards the pillar on which Padme stood and trampled the Nexu that had set it’s murderous gaze on her.

From where she stood, Y/N sighed in relief as Padme jumped to safety behind Anakin. This relief was short-lived as her e/c eyes wondered back to Obi-Wan who narrowly dodged a swipe by one of the Acklay’s deadly claws.

“Watch out!” Her warning came just in time. Allowing Obi-Wan to side-step a stab by the determined Acklay.

“Obi-Wan! Behind you!” Her second warning was well-timed, just like the first. Her decision to help the Jedi only served to annoy and anger the other ‘dignitaries’ in the box with her.

“Can’t you keep her quiet?” Nute Gunray demanded, only to have Y/N shoot daggers at him with her eyes.

“Her warnings will not delay the inevitable,” the Count reassured the Viceroy.

Y/N watched with increasing pride as Obi-Wan eventually got the best of the Acklay and now sat behind Anakin and Padme atop the Reek. Her smile was noticed by the Count, who leaned down and whispered, “don’t be too sure of yourself Y/N. This is far from over.”

Before she had time to ask what he meant, Driodekas entered the arena. Her smile soon faded and her eyes widened with fear. She turned on the Count, “this is a massacre.” She cursed inwardly at the way her voice trembled slightly, “they have little to no chance.” She cast a glance down at the droid-filled arena, then back to the Count who simply smiled at her.

“Have you such little faith in your friends?”

“Even if they were to survive,” she took a deep shuddering breath, her emotions were slowly getting the better of her. “You wouldn’t stop until they were dead,” she paused briefly before meeting his gaze, “am I right?”

Dooku said nothing and in his silence, Y/N received her answer. Shaking her head in denial, she backed away from him only to suddenly run forward and launch herself off the balcony. Strong arms pulled her back.

“Obi-Wan! Anakin!” Their names tore from her already injured throat and caught their attention.

Looking up from where they were surrounded, the two Jedi watched horrified as a violently struggling Y/N was pulled away from the edge by a menacing battle droid.

Obi-Wan and Anakin made to jump off the Reeks’ back when Padme stopped them. “There is little we can do for her while we are down here.” Looking around at the surrounding droids, she continued, “let’s just make sure we survive this first.” Both of the Jedi nodded and seemed to settle down but Anakin didn’t miss the looks his Master was sending in Y/N’s direction.

The bruising grip of the battle droid that held her was the only thing keeping Y/N from making another run for it. A nod from the Count had the droid dragging Y/N, fighting and all, from the balcony. Her hoarse voice screamed his name in one last desperate attempt. The droid would not loosen its grip on her as it dragged her into the hallways beyond, narrowly missing Master Windu’s entrance.

“Master Windu, how pleasant of you to join us. You're just in time for the moment of truth. I would think these two new boys of yours could use a little more training.“ Dooku’s irritatingly familiar voice reached her ears.

“Sorry to disappoint you, Dooku. This party's over.“ Never had she been so happy to hear the Korun Master’s stern tone.

A brief pause followed and Y/N began to fear the worst.

“Brave, but stupid, my old Jedi friend. You're impossibly outnumbered.” The all too familiar words triggered something in Y/N’s mind. With a strength she didn’t know she possessed, she threw herself backwards. The droid slammed into the wall and it’s grip on her loosened ever so slightly but it was she needed. At last managing to twist free of it’s infernal grip, she called on the Force and flung the droid against the opposite wall where it attempted to get a hold of her again. Taking this opportunity, Y/N turned and fled in the direction she believed the arena to be.

~ ~ ~

Seeing the glow of hundreds of lightsabers was one of the best sights Anakin and Obi-Wan had ever seen. They glanced at each other, maybe they would get out of this after all. 

At a signal from Dooku, the arena was suddenly filled with battle droids.  Then, from one moment to the next, it was like everything happened at once and chaos ensued. Both Anakin and Obi-Wan were thrown a lightsaber and managed to sever the shackles around their wrists.

Fending off droids was a simple matter, what made it complicated was their number. Soon only a handful of the Jedi remained, caught in a circle that the droids created. A silence had fallen over the arena which now resembled more of a battle-field.

“Master Windu!“ Dooku’s voice echoed around them and drew their gaze to him. “You have fought gallantly. Worthy of recognition in the history archives of the Jedi Order. Now it is finished.“ He paused for a moment before continuing, “surrender - and your lives will be spared.”

The assembled Jedi glare up at him and Master Windu spoke on their behalf. “We will not be hostages for you to barter with Dooku.“

Whether or not his disappointment was real or not, no one would ever know. “Then, I'm sorry, old friend. You will have to be destroyed.“ At his words, the assembled droids aimed their blasters at the remaining Jedi.

“NO!”

The scream echoed across the silent arena and everyone turned to see a young Jedi Knight stand at one of the arena’s numerous entrances.

“Y/N,” Obi-Wan said her name before he could stop himself. Relief flooded through him at such an intensity that his knees threatened to give way.

Then she ran. She ran straight for the crowd of droids who suddenly took an interest in her.

Obi-Wan watched in horror as hundreds of blasters were aimed at her, without her lightsaber, she had a slim chance of surviving should they choose to open fire.

His thoughts were interrupted as Padme shouted loud enough for everyone to hear, “look!“ She pointed up and everyone looked up to see six gunships descend towards the arena, Master Yoda in one of them.

Y/N saw them too. Adrenaline coursed through her as she continued to run towards her friends, she was so close. She was within reaching distance when she suddenly came to a halt.

Obi-Wan watched, confused as Y/N skidded to a stop. Looking over her shoulder he saw a figure in the shadows of the arena entrance. He had a hand stretched out towards her.

Y/N looked up and met the sea-shaded gaze of her closest friend. Something was holding her back and preventing her from moving.

Impulsively, Obi-Wan moved towards her and reached out a hand, “Y/N. Take my hand.” The look in her eyes, he had never seen it before, hatred mixed with fear.

Y/N wanted nothing more than to reach out and take his offered hand, but her body did not seem to want to listen to her. “Obi-Wan,” she said as she struggled to move. Fighting against whatever was holding her back, Y/N forced her arm to do her bidding.

Dooku watched her closely and the moment her hand moved, he pulled harder and the Force helped him. From one moment to the next, she was out of the arena. She screamed for him, damaging her vocal cords even more.

“Soon you will have no voice, young one.”

She glared up at the Count. “They will not stop until they have hunted you down. You can count on that.”

His answering smile sent shivers down her spine.

To be continued...

Part 7

[lurkingcrow]

Ok, so I had a few ideas about an AU of an AU of a crack AU thanks to @albaparthenicevelut @resistancepilots  @aifsaath and @forcearama . And then I got thinking. And then it got a little long. Ok, a lot long. But the mental image had so much potential...

 It all starts on Mandalore. In another universe Satine Kryze holds her tongue and Obi-Wan Kenobi leaves after saying his goodbyes and commits to becoming the best Jedi he can be. In this universe, she asks him to stay. So he does. Oh not immediately, there are after all conversations he must have with his master, apologies he must give, but Obi-Wan meditates long and hard and determines that this is where the force is calling him and so he leaves the order just after his 18th birthday. 

Qui-Gon is devastated at first. But Obi-Wan is no Xanatos - he is not leaving for power, or due to the failings of his master, but for love and the chance to bring about peace to a war-torn planet, and maybe Qui-Gon can live with that. He stays for their wedding, which for all its simplicity given the limited resources is no less beautiful. Qui-Gon does not cry, but his eyes are suspiciously wet and anyone with a hint of Force sensitivity can feel his love and pride half a planet away. Obi-Wan may still have his doubts about leaving, but having his former master's support means the world. Their bond never truly breaks, and frequent holocalls ensure that Qui-Gon is up to date with what his former apprentice is up to (Satine is not above snitching to him about Obi-Wan's reckless stunts in the hope that he can guilt her husband into behaving, and Qui-Gon is thankful for her efforts to keep their relationship strong. He is growing quite fond of Obi-Wan's lady love.).

But it is lonely in the temple without his padawan. And increasingly Qui-Gon is growing frustrated with the senate interference in Jedi activities. The missions he is sent on seem like futile wastes of time, and while he never thought he would say it, he is beginning to see Master Dooku's point about the systemic corruption being too entrenched to overcome. Honestly, these days he suspects he'd do more good running around the galaxy as some kind of vigilante peacekeeper than negotiating yet another inane trade deal that should have been resolved weeks earlier if it weren't for the egos involved... the force pings. Oh.  Qui-Gon Jinn is a master of the living force, of the here and now, and here and now the force is telling him that maybe that's not such a bad idea.

Truthfully there is little left for him in the Temple; Tahl, Master Dooku, Obi-Wan - so many of those close to him are gone. All that keeps him here is his duty, and as a Jedi is his ultimate duty not to the Force? It would be nice to pay Obi-Wan a visit, maybe take a side trip to Serreno to see what his old master is up to these days...

So Qui-Gon leaves, not quite knowing what his plans are but trusting in the will of the Force. He initially sets up on Mandalore, where Obi-Wan and Satine are more than happy to have him (once Qui-Gon has finished convincing his not-son that his leaving the order was not his fault. Satine does not permit emotional constipation in her palace after all.), but soon finds himself restless and sets out again, promising not to get in too much trouble. Obi-Wan sighs and Satine starts ordering the set of armour she knows he's going to need when it comes time to rescue his old master. After all, their future children should have at least one Grandparent to look up to right?

The Force takes him to Tatooine, where an investigation of Gardulla the Hutt ends up with him befriending a local mother and her toddler and confronting the reality of slavery on the Outer Rim. The Jedi aren't coming to free the slaves, but Qui-Gon's no longer just a Jedi is he? And he sees Shmi worry over Little Ani (So strong in the force! And yet so unlikely to ever be found and brought to the temple...) and decides that maybe he can't save them all, but there's no reason he can't try and help those he can. A bit of offhand gambling during the negotiations, a minor favour of two (that the Hutt doesn't realise will end up backfiring but Qui-Gon does) and Qui-Gon Jinn is up a large sum of credits and two newly freed Skywalkers.

(It should be noted that as there are a lack of facilities to provide a midichlorian count, and Shmi is still somewhat reluctant to admit to the whole "virgin birth" thing, Qui- Gon considers Anakin Skywalker to be a strong and promising child but not exactly miraculous. Cute though. Very cute. He likes to fall asleep against his shoulder and Qui-Gon gets nostalgic about all the times Obi-Wan did the same. Shmi looks on, and thinks.) 

They head to Mandalore to get the chips out (and to show Obi-Wan that his father old master is safe and well - minus a cracked rib of two) and  Qui-Gon Jinn is faced with a major dilemma. He really should be encouraging Shmi to consider sending Ani to the temple, where his talents can be trained, but… he looks to where Shmi and Satine are beaming as they watch Anakin attempt to sneak up on Obi-Wan who is assiduously pretending to ignore the toddler's giggles as he reads the latest reports on the rebuilding effort. Anakin inexplicably adores Obi-Wan, and it is to all appearances, mutual.  Qui-Gon has no desire to hurt his former Padawan again, and how could he be so hypocritical as to send little Ani off to an institution he’s not sure he believes in anymore? The question is rendered moot when Shmi bluntly tells him the only ones she trusts with Anakin are currently in the palace, and if he needs teaching Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan can do it. The idea is honestly a little uncomfortable for the pair of former Jedi, but they're coming to terms with what the Force seems to be asking of them.

 Which in Qui-Gon’s case seems to mean a lot of trips to the outer rim among the poor and downtrodden - oddly enough Shmi suddenly decides to come with him, claiming that Ani is safe as he can be on Mandalore, she’s familiar with some of the more unsavory parts of the galaxy and Qui-Gon needs someone to watch his back. He’s just glad for the company,  particularly when he does end up paying a visit to Serenno. Watching a former slave look Dooku in the eye and calmly and quietly call bullshit on his arguments surrounding the role of the trading unions is worth every moment. Honestly, while he may have a point about corruption within the Republic, Qui-Gon is getting a little creeped out by his former Master’s insistence on the need for strong leadership and a firm hand. It sounds like he’s advocating open conflict, and war isn’t good for anyone!

So he attempts to make his goodbyes, but Dooku is reluctant to let them leave, which means it’s time to implement the old “disappear and claim you had a vision” trick. And ok, so I won't go into details, but after a long and complex series of events involving a freight hauler, eight barrels of spiked Telosian Brandy, three janitor droids and a Twilek Dance Company they manage to make it off planet and into Hutt space where they can disappear for a bit.

But a Skywalker is still a Skywalker, not matter how much sense she has, and Qui-Gon Jinn is as much a trouble-magnet as the rest of his line, so thanks to yet another strange convergence of events involving an attempted kidnapping, five tonnes of explosives, a backroom bar on Ord Mantell, a missing shipment of Spice, an insurrection on a mining colony,  uncountable huttese expletives, one inspirational speech, a cache of heavy weapons and no less than eight marriage proposals, Qui-Gon Jinn finds himself the captain of a small fleet of ships and a band of untrained but passionate freedom fighters. Shmi has never laughed so much in her entire life!

Qui-Gon does what he does best and attempts to talk his way out of it, but it is to no avail; “Captain Jinn” is an inspiration to them all, his dedication is unparalleled and they will do all they can to aid him in his quest to bring justice to the galaxy!  Qui-Gon panics and calls in the cavalry. Unfortunately for him Satine thinks it’s a brilliant idea.

Because while she adores her husband, the Duchess of Mandalore has noticed that recently he seems to be going a little stir crazy. For all his denials Obi-Wan is a man of action, and things have calmed enough that he needs a distraction lest she start throwing martini glasses at him to make him stop hovering! Assisting a band of “pirates” in undermining the various interests who take advantage of the lawless nature of the Outer Rim to spread their influence and at the same time giving him the chance to spend time with Qui-Gon  seems like an excellent way to keep him occupied. Also, as Shmi points out, it’s exactly the type of thing that Mandalorians go gaga for - heroic warriors secretly taking out evildoers and doing good while dramatically declaring their own villainy, why it seems like the perfect outlet for those Mandalorians who long for the glory found in days of old!

She’s right. There are plenty of volunteers willing to follow their Duchess’ dashing husband to join his father mentor in cleaning up the Outer Rim. They start out small, intercepting a shipment of slaves, diverting a cargo of pharmaceuticals to a planet in urgent need of medicine, confiscating a hold full of illegal weaponry. But soon they grow bolder, raiding larger and larger targets, always making sure that those they hit deserve it and will only bring themselves greater trouble if they make a fuss about the loss of their ill-gotten gains. Soon their little group has carved out quite a solid support base, and while they never stop wondering why the Force seems so happy about this turn of events, the former Jedi actually begin to enjoy their work. They’re slowly making progress, and eventually they know enough momentum will build that uniting this part of the galaxy and freeing the slaves may one day be feasible. Also, it’s really really pissing off both the Senate and the Order, which means they must be doing something right.

And that is how Qui-Gon Jinn becomes a Pirate King, the Scourge of Slavers, Hassler of Hutts, Bane of the Banking Clan and Terror of the Techno Union. Dooku is grinding his teeth into dust with frustration. Especially since all his correspondence suggesting an alliance is either returned unopened or overwritten with sarcastic commentary and a suggestion to go deep throat a lightsaber.

That’s more than enough for now, I need some sleep, but there is more to this verse I’ve worked out. Tune in next time for “Naboo’s no good very rotten day aka Padme Amidala, Pirate Queen in Exile” “The clone wars start but the clones are late to the party” “Qui-Gon discovers he never actually formally quit the Jedi, and Yoda and Mace take advantage of this” “Plo Koon admire’s Qui-Gon’s taste in pets” and “Oh god, Anakin Skywalker, Mandalorian Pirate Prince, what have I done?”...