Chapter 5: With or Without You
The silence fell. Padme concentrated on hearing the storm, but everything was quiet. "Do you think it's over?" she asked.
"It could be, or this could just be the middle. On many planets storms form a ring with a calm spot at the center," Obi-Wan informed her, sounding oddly hopeful.
"Well, should we try to get inside while it's safe anyway?"
"A good idea. I remember Watto's shop being just ahead of us, the slave homes aren't far beyond that."
"Do you think we can make it?"
"With the Force as our ally, anything is possible."
"I said 'we', Obi-Wan. I know next to nothing about The Force. How will I be able to keep up with you?"
"Well... I'll have to carry you, I suppose."
"Isn't there a more... dignified way?"
"Well I could let you walk on your own and get blasted by sand when the storm starts up again," Obi-Wan answered, smugly.
"You're not being very helpful."
"The longer we debate this the less chance we have of getting back in one piece."
"All right, fine. Let's go."
"All right, we will. But first I have to dig us out," Obi-Wan said, as he lifted his cloak and caused a torrent of sand to cascade onto them both.
"I'm glad our galaxy is guarded by such efficient and intelligent warriors," Padme mused, sarcastically.
"And I'm glad our galaxy is run by children," Obi-Wan retorted. "At least our leaders won't ever be knocked down by a speeder. They're too young to cross the road on their own yet."
"Now there's no need to be nasty, Padawan," Padme scolded him with amusement. "Any more talking back to your Queen and you will be punished!"
"Right, of course. Punished how?"
Padme paused for a moment, then answered cheerily. "I could have you forced to kiss the Gungan, you know."
"What's kiss?" Obi-Wan asked, slightly puzzled.
"You don't know what kissing is?" Padme asked, incredulous.
"It sounds familiar..."
"Well, it's when you really really like someone and want to show them... you sort of press your mouths together," she explained, slowly.
"Oh, I see. I've not really been out of the temple much... I don't know much about these social situations... But... Jar-Jar?"
"Yes, Jar-Jar."
"Ugh... I don't even like Jar-Jar! Can't I choose someone else?"
"Well, you could, but I may not grant your wish. Who would you choose?"
"I... well I think I might choose---" he began, but was drowned out as another flurry of sand slid into their hiding place, and the robe was pulled fully from them.
"Hi," a young boy said to them. "Did you get caught out in the storm?"
"Hello, Anakin," Obi-Wan muttered. "Yes, we got caught in the storm."
"Are you ok?" Anakin asked, directing his question mostly to Padme. She didn't respond.
"We're fine," Obi-Wan assured him after a pause, then noticed Anakin was clutching a long, silver tube in his grubby fingers. "What's that?"
"It's something I've got to repair, for Watto," Anakin explained. "Come on, we better get home before the storm picks up again..."
**
"Mom, we're home," Anakin called as the dishevelled trio staggered into what could only be described as the hovel, despite Shmi's tremendous efforts to make the place look presentable.
"Hello, Ani," she said from the kitchen. Anakin rushed in to see her and give her a hug, leaving his damaged weaponry on the table.
Padme walked further into the home and took a seat facing Obi-Wan, who was still standing in the porch. He looked as though he was lost in a trance... or a dream... "Wake up, Jedi," she said to him.
Obi-Wan turned to face her, slightly startled. He walked into the room and crouched beside her chair. He had left his robe hanging outside, so the wind could blow most of the sand from it, and looked a lot smaller in his bright tan tunic. However, Padme thought that this also made him look more powerful, as she could see the muscles of his limbs clearly.
"What's wrong with your?" she asked him.
"Oh, nothing, nothing. I'm fine," he told her, and smiled. She smiled back, although hers was slightly more mischeivous.
"So, who would you choose?"
"What?"
"Before Anakin interrupted us," she said with a hint of anger. "Remember what we were talking about?"
"Oh, yes, of course," Obi-Wan answered, then fell silent.
"Well?"
"Well what?"
"Aren't you going to answer?!" she demanded, exasperated.
"Oh, right, yes. Well... I'll need to give it some though..."
"Couldn't you have thought on the way back here?"
"I did, but I don't think it was enough. I may need to discuss this with my master."
"It's just a silly question, Obi-Wan," Padme wearily informed him. "Just say the first answer that pops into your head."
"Well... it's someone I really like?"
"Really, really like," Padme corrected him.
"I see. Well I really, really like my master..." he began, then stopped. Padme's laughter suggested that his answer wasn't going to be very intelligent.
"I don't think you quite understood," she breathed through fits of hysterics. "At least I hope you didn't!"
"Well, what did you mean?" Obi-Wan asked, cautiously.
"Well," Padme started, finally calming down slightly. "Usually it would be someone of the opposite gender. At least in most species... Basically, it's someone you love."
"But I love my master!" Obi-Wan protested. This set Padme off in another laughing fit.
"Not that type of love," she finally explained. She wondered how to best teach this to Obi-Wan. Soon, an idea struck her (but not hard enough to damage anything). "Obi-Wan, where do children come from?"
"The Nursery in the Temple," Obi-Wan said immediately.
"Well, some do, I guess... But where do they come from before there? Before they're born?"
"Oh... I've not really given it much though," Obi-Wan admitted, then attempted a guess. "Planet of the Babies?"
"No, not there," Padme told him, after she had again reclaimed control of her laughter. "Obi-Wan, I think you should have a talk with your master when he comes back."
"I agree," Obi-Wan said, sounding worried.
**
Chapter 6: Elevation
Anakin looked up from his meal, as the bearded Jedi made his way into the room.
"Sorry I'm late for dinner," Qui-Gon softly apologised to Shmi as he placed himself in a seat beside her.
"That's alright," she replied, smiling warmly and laying a full plate before him. "How was the factory?"
"Well, things could be better, but once I'm settled in I'm sure it will improve. How was your day?"
"Oh, the same as usual, except I had Ani home earlier than normal. I hate those awful sandstorms, if it had just been the eye Ani could have been caught up in it on his way home."
"Really?" Qui-Gon glanced at Anakin with concern. "Watto sent you home early?"
"Yes, sir," Anakin answered.
Qui-Gon smiled at him. "There's no need for such formalities. Please, call me Qui-Gon."
"But Master!" Obi-Wan protested from one head of the table. "I never get to call you Qui-Gon."
Padme smirked at him from the other end. "I've heard you call him plenty of things," she muttered, then laughed at the padawan's worried expression.
"I'm sure you have," Qui-Gon said with good humour. "So, how did you two get on today in your job seeking?"
"Great!" Obi-Wan answered enthusiastically. "Padme starts work as a waitress and dancer tomorrow afternoon."
"Waitress?!" Padme cried. "No-one mentioned anything about being a waitress! Don't they have droids to do that?"
"Well, yes, but Jabba prefers to be served... personally."
"Ugh..."
"You know, it's a shame they keep the uniforms there, Padme. You could have tried it on and showed everyone."
"I would not! Nevermind everyONE, that uniform almost shows everyTHING!"
Qui-Gon laughed slightly, then addressed his padawan again. "I'm sure we can live without seeing it... And did you find anything, Obi-Wan?"
"No, Master..." Obi-Wan said, hesitantly. "Soon after we left we were caught in the sandstorm."
"Oh dear... I trust you returned here in time?"
"No, Master. I had to use my robes and the Force to shield us."
Qui-Gon nodded, silently. He seemed to be concentrating on something.
"Oh, and Master..." Obi-Wan continued, glancing between Qui-Gon and Padme.
"Hmm?"
"I... I think I need to talk to you about something..."
"Of course, Padawan."
Near silence fell over the table, broken slightly by Padme failing to stifle a laugh.
"Obi-Wan?" Qui-Gon prompted, eventually.
"Yes, Master?"
"Aren't you going to tell me what you wish to discuss?" he asked, with growing amusement.
"Er.. Not just now, Master. It's rather private..." Obi-Wan said, glaring at Padme. His eyes weren't the only ones on her...
"Anakin," Shmi groaned. "Aren't you going to eat anything?"
"I am eating," he said.
"You've hardly touched your meal. You've just been staring into space!"
"I doubt it's space he's staring into," Padme muttered darkly to herself. Obi-Wan, however, also heard it. His senses seemed to be tuning into everything Padme said and did, creating a bond similar to what he had with his master.
**
Shadows flickered in the orange glow from buzzing lamps, sending beams of light through hollow windows to the outside world. Obi-Wan sat, his body divided into light and dark from the lamp's rays hitting his side, on a wall over-looking the pit behind the slave quarters. Anakin had constructed his pod-racer here, and here it's remains rested.
"You wished to speak to me, Padawan?" a soft voice floated through the back door.
"Aaah!" Obi-Wan cried, almost losing his balance on the wall. A couple of loose rocks scattered down the hill.
"Hmm," Qui-Gon mused as he sat beside his student and gathered his robes around himself. "You seem to be rather nervous, Obi-Wan."
"Y-yes, Master. I've felt this way---"
"All day? I've sensed it from you. Tell me, what's troubling you?"
"Well..." he began. "I don't know."
"That's not a lot of help."
"I know, Master, but it's difficult to explain. I've been having these odd... feelings."
"I see... What are these feelings like?"
"Well, as you noticed, I've been feeling quite nervous lately... Anxious... "
"Perhaps we could find a common factor in this? That should help."
"It could just be the new environment, Master. Although it only seems to be when I'm around Padme..."
"Ah." Qui-Gon said.
"There's so much I don't understand... I think I've missed something while growing up in the Jedi Temple."
"Yes, you may have..."
"Master, where do babies come from?" Obi-Wan asked abruptly.
"What?!" Qui-Gon spluttered.
"Padme was saying I should as you about that... We were talking about kiss too... I don't know what that is either. I'm finding this awfully confusing. And apparently there's a different type of love than that between a master and a padawan."
"Well... em... The teachers in the temple haven't taught you anything about this?"
"No, Master. Nothing."
"Why are they always trying to keep the Jedi celibate...?"
"Sorry, Master?"
"Nevermind. Uhm... You know the difference between males and females, don't you, Obi-Wan?"
"Yes, Master," the padawan began.
"That's a good start."
"Females are lumpy."
"Yes... that's it, in a way... You know, Obi-Wan, I don't think I'll be able to explain this to you very well. However, I'm sure I can track down some textbooks, or at any rate certain magazines, that should help once we return to Coruscant. Until then, I suggest you spend as much time with Padme as possible and maybe ask her to demonstrate this 'kiss' for you."
"I see. Thank you, Master."
"You're welcome, Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon breathed, sounding relieved.
"Oh, Master?"
"...Yes?" Qui-Gon sounded worried again.
"Padme said I should kiss people I love. Does that mean I should kiss you, Master?"
"Thank you, but that won't be necessary," Qui-Gon told him, gently but firmly.
"I see. Goodnight, Master," Obi-Wan said, sliding off the wall and walking back into the slaves' house.
"Goodnight, Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon replied, sadly. His little Padawan was growing up.
**
Chapter 7: Everybody Hurts (Sometimes)
Anakin awoke to the muffled whisperings beyond the wall. He could see nothing in the totally dark cavern of his room, save for faint orange glow from the living and kitchen area outside. Someone must be still up, he decided. Curious, Anakin slid out of his bed and listened intently through the curtained archway. He could make out two voices now, one of which immediately stuck out in his mind.
"Obi-Wan, we better not wake any of our hosts up," Padme hissed.
"Why not?"
"Because... it's rude, for a start. And it's... well it's just not proper."
"Nevermind proper, Qui-Gon said I should have a word with you."
"Couldn't it have waited until the morning? It's freezing in this room at night."
"It's freezing everywhere at night," Obi-Wan said, then sighed. "And... I'd rather ask you about this... privately."
"You didn't talk to Qui-Gon yet, did you?" Padme whispered, suspiciously.
"I did, really... but then he told me you'd be able to demonstrate..."
"What?!" Padme exclaimed, barely managing to keep her voice under control. "He expects me to show you where babies come from?"
"No, not that part... "
"Oh thank the Maker," she breathed.
"This... kissing thing. I still don't understand."
"It's very simple. You just take your mouth and presses it against someone els---" Padme was cut off as Obi-Wan's lips smothered her own.
"Like that...?" he whispered after finally breaking off.
Padme remained silent, her mouth busy opening with shock and gasping for air.
"I got it wrong, didn't I?" Obi-Wan said worriedly.
"It... You could do with some practice...." Padme finally replied.
"Oh... Sorry..." Obi-Wan murmered. He looked sadly at his boots. "You didn't want me to do that, did y---"
"I would be happy to help you practice," Padme cut in, a smile rolling up from the corners of her lips. Obi-Wan's chest gave a flutter, and he returned the grin.
As they sat quietly, gazing at each other, they began to notice a soft sniffling coming from somewhere around them. Padme glanced around, and was almost certain she saw the curtains dividing off one of the bedrooms twitch. Of course, it could just be a draught...
**
Anakin was already awake, and seated at the table, when his mother walked into the kitchen. She saw that he hadn't noticed her, and was staring down at the table with bloodshot eyes.
"Ani, what are you doing up so soon?" she asked, concerned.
"I couldn't sleep," he said, simply.
"No wonder, Ani, you look ill. Are y--"
"I'm all right."
"No you aren't," she said, stepping around the table and kneeling beside him. "You don't look all right."
"I just need something to eat," he whispered. "Then I'll go to Watto's."
"No, Ani, you're not going to Watto's today, not when you're sick," she said, putting her hand on his forehead.
"But I've got something to take back that I was working on last night. That customer didn't look too friendly..."
"Have you finished repairing it?"
"Almost... I think. I didn't want to turn it on at night in case it woke everyone up."
"Oh, Ani! Were you up all night working on it?"
"Not exactly... I finished it in about an hour or so... Then I woke up when I heard voices and had a bad dream and stuff..."
"What voices?" Shmi asked, gently.
"It doesn't matter, just people talking. They couldn't sleep either..."
"Who couldn't sleep?"
"It doesn't matter," Anakin repeated, tensely.
"Well... Tell me about this dream..."
"It was just a dream, that's all. The never come true anyway!" Anakin cried out, and darted into the nearest room, narrowly avoiding stumbling on Jar-Jar who was sprawled under the table.
"Anakin!" Shmi called him gently, then sighed.
**
"Oops," Anakin breathed, sliding to a halt after bursting through the curtain. He prepared to turn away and leave again, but found his body wouldn't let him.
"Wha...?" Padme muttered, and turned over in her sleeping bag. Shmi had tried to get her to take the bed, but the handmaiden had insisted on staying on the floor. She opened her large, brown eyes. They stared up at Anakin.
"Um... Good morning," he said.
"Is it?" she said, after a confused pause. Her brain was still tired, and finding it difficult to think.
"Huh?"
"You don't look like you're having a good morning..."
"I'm not feeling so good," Anakin informed her.
Padme peered through the gloom. The room was only lit from the pale sunlight which flooded the main living area and kitchen, and filtered through the curtain-style door. "You look like you've been crying," she said gently, sitting up on one elbow.
"I've not," Anakin said, defiantly.
"Are you cer--" she began, then was almost blinded as the curtains parted. When her eyes adjusted to the brightness, she could see Shmi in the doorway, her hands on the shoulders of her son.
"Good morning, Padme," Shmi greeted her. "I'm sorry about Anakin, I hope he didn't wake you..."
"Well it is time for me to get up now," Padme said.
"Yes, breakfast is ready," Shmi replied. "Padme... would you mind helping me with something today?"
"Of course not."
"Could you look after Anakin while I run some errands? I don't think he's well enough to go to Watto's today. It would only be until the afternoon, so you don't miss any work."
"I don't need looking after..." Anakin muttered.
"I'd be happy to," Padme said.
"Thank you," Shmi replied. "Come on, Ani, finish your breakfast."
Anakin left with his mother, wondering why Padme was suddenly in a good mood with him. Padme watched them go, and smiled to herself, thinking about last night. She was tired, but happy... untill she suddenly rememberd the sobbing and twitching curtain.
"Oh sith..." she cursed, rather unregally.
**
Chapter 8: One Winged Angel
Qui-Gon stood in the door-way to the slaves' home, watching Shmi hug her son and say goodbye. He smirked as his Padawan suddenly stumbled into view, looking as if he had just got up. And he had.
"Mornin', everyone," Obi-Wan slurred, pulling his brown robe onto his arms. Unfortunately, he had trouble moving, and soon realised he had put his arms into the wrong sleeves.
"I take it someone else didn't get much sleep last night?" Padme said to the confused and dishevelled Jedi trainee, smiling.
"He's like that most mornings," Qui-Gon informed her. "Try not to misbehave for the handmaiden, please, Obi-Wan."
"Of course, Master. I shall do everything she asks," Obi-Wan replied, his brain finally getting into gear.
"I'm sure you will," his master replied, and chuckled. He waited for Shmi to leave, then walked out after her.
Padme pushed Obi-Wan in the ribs. "What was that about?"
"Oh, don't worry. He's my Master, he won't tell anyone," Obi-Wan said, and collapsed onto a couch.
"Won't tell anyone what?" Anakin asked.
"Obi-Wan..." Padme hissed.
"Oh... uh... nothing important. Just some Jedi stuff, don't worry about it, Anakin," Obi-Wan told him, sounding almost hopeful that the boy would believe him.
"All right," Anakin said, then walked towards his room. "I'll be working on some equipment that needs fixed."
"Well come tell us if you start feeling any worse," Padme called after him. "And we'll check on you in a little while." She then turned back to Obi-Wan, and smiled. "So...
"So..." he said, smiling back. "Do you... uhm... think we should continue from where we finished last night...?"
"You mean before you fell asleep?" Padme laughed.
"It had been a very long day," Obi-Wan whined. "I'm sorry, but I was tired."
"Tired? What did you do all day?! I had to dance for almost an hour at my interview!"
"Well... I had to use the Force and concentrate really hard to keep us safe in the storm," Obi-Wan retorted, and stuck his tongue out at Padme.
"Well I had to... oh... curse you, Jedi!" Padme cried in mock frustration, and put out her own tongue. They both began to laugh.
**
Anakin turned to his whirring companion, the uncovered protocol droid, and held up a large crystal. "What do you think of this, Threepio?"
"It's red, Master Anakin," the droid informed him.
"No, I mean do you think it's ok? It's not cracked or anything?"
"Not that I can see. Of course, I am not fully complete yet, so my sight may not be entirely accurate."
"It's good enough for me," the boy muttered, and carefully slotted the long, pointed gem into a frame between a square power-source and some kind of dish-shaped lense. He lifted the entire network of parts carefully, and sat them in half of a metal cylinder. "I hope this works," he whispered as he slotted the top half of the cylinder into place over the parts.
"I'm sure it will, Master Anakin," Threepio reassured him.
"Thanks." Anakin held the silver object at arms' length. He rotated it until it was fully upright, and gingerly pressed a small button on its side. A narrow beam of crimson snapped into existence and flashed up from the tip of the long object with a hiss. "Great, now this end works too."
"The customer and Watto are bound to be pleased."
**
Obi-Wan's brain had barely registered the sound of a lightsabre igniting, when he leapt from the couch, yanked his own weapon from his belt, and switched it on. The thin pillar of blue light shone inches from his face. "Did you hear that too?" he whispered.
Padme nodded, clutching her chest and breathing heavily in fright.
"Get under the table with Jar-Jar," Obi-Wan gently commanded. "I'll take a look around."
"But what if it's Qui-Gon?" Padme asked, quietly.
"If Qui-Gon ever uses his sabre, then he's in terrible trouble," Obi-Wan replied, and strode silently towards Anakin's room. The buzzing of a Jedi weapon seemed to get louder with each step...
"It's in there!" Padme cried out, pointing towards the dark sillhoette, which was projected onto the curtain of Anakin's doorway by a red glow from within the room.
Obi-Wan tore back the curtain and dived into the room, his sabre held ready.
"Oh my!" a droid's shrill, panicky voice shouted.
Anakin spun around, and cowered behind the red blade as Obi-Wan's own lightsabre hummed in the gloom. Suddenly, it flickered out, and the blue light faded.
"Anakin..." Obi-Wan said, breathlessly. "Where did you get this?"
"Someone brought it into the shop... Watto told me to fix it..." Anakin said, his sentences broken by his shaking.
"Anakin..." Obi-Wan said, holding out his hand. "Give it to me. Please?"
Anakin nodded, and fed the handle into Obi-Wan's fist. The firey-red beam snapped again, and sunk into the now silent, silver handle.
"These are very dangerous, Anakin," Obi-Wan said, exhaling with relief.
"Sorry..." Anakin muttered, and looked down at the floor.
"It wasn't your fault," Obi-Wan said, now sounding cheerful. "Don't worry. I would like a word with the customer who brought this in, though."
"We can take it to Watto's on the way to my work," Padme said, gazing into the room from the doorway with wide, frightened eyes.
"All right, but until then I had better hang onto this..." Obi-Wan replied, and hid both lightsabres in his robes.
"Do you think this belongs to another Jedi...?" Anakin asked.
"It might, though I've never seen one this colour. It might also be our ticket out of here..."
"I doubt it," Padme cut in. "Do you think any respectable Jedi would use slave labourers to fix their equipment?"
"Well... we had to use it to try to get out of here, didn't we?"
"Yes... I just wish it had worked as well for us as it has for this other Jedi..." Padme said, turning away.
Chapter 9 and more to come once it is finished. |
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