3 Chapter 3

With a heavy sigh, Anakin opened the door to his house. "Mom, I'm home!"

"Good, I was starting to worry you wouldn't make it back... home in time." Shmi Sky— Anakin's mother, a middle aged woman with brown hair and eyes, a kind smile, and worn down brown robe similar to Qui-Gon's— paused at the end of her sentence upon seeing an unknown species, two humans, and a droid accompany her son through the door.

"Anakin!" Was all she said, a long drown out sigh escaping her.

Why did her son always have to get himself in trouble, she thought.

"Mom, this Qui-Gon, Jar Jar, and Padmé," he explained hurriedly. "They were with me when the storm hit, and they didn't have a place to stay so I invited them over. Guys, this is my Mom, Shmi Skywalker

"Don't worry though, I'm a great judge of character, so I know they're good," he said with all the innocence he could muster.

Anakin honestly felt bad of taking advantage of his mother's kindness. She was practically a saint, and one of the most prominent reasons he wasn't insane. Though he couldn't say he was her reason for staying sane, even though he wished he was.

As much as he hated to admit, and wanted to change, he often found himself in the way of trouble. The only time Anakin could ever so much as sit still was when he was tinkering or working with some parts, but when he wasn't doing that he had to find something else to focus on or occupy his mind. And when that happened, he could get pretty creative if he said so himself.

This often led to life threatening trouble, reckless endeavors, and glorious adventures that often came to and end with his mothers furious glare. But they were the only fun things to do around here besides working, and it made him feel alive, the adrenalin was just a bonus.

Over the years of having the actual threat of death thrown in his face, it had lost some of its meaning to him when his life was literally in the hands of someone who had a dubious moral character at best. So he didn't hesitate to put his life on the line to make the most of his life, instead of just trying to survive like the other slaves. That didn't mean he did it too often, and most of the time it was calculated risk with a negligible chance of death or bodily harm.

"Hi, I am Qui-Gon, it is a pleasure to meet you," the Jedi introduced himself. "I'm sorry if we are an inconvenience. We can leave if you want."

"No, it's fine, too late now anyways with the storm." Shmi said, giving her son a pointed look. "And even though my son is the biggest trouble maker in the galaxy, he has a good heart, and he is a good judge of character," she admitted begrudgingly. 

"In that case, you have our most sincere gratitude." The elderly man gave a slight bow to Shmi.

 "Hey, Qui-Gon, Come with me I want to talk to you about something." Anakin eagerly grasped his hand and dragged him down the hallway and away from his mother.

Qui-Gon could only uncomfortably accept his fate, giving Shmi a wry smile. 

"We'll talk later!" Shmi called out to Qui-Gon before he disappeared into Anakin's room.

"So... I understand you wanted to talk to me," Qui-Gon said, more amused than annoyed.

"I know your a Jedi!" Anakin suddenly blurted out, the weight of holding in the proclamation in left his chest.

The old Jedi merely raised and eye brow. "Oh, and how do you know that?"

"I saw your laser sword, and only Jedi carry those," He said, trying to sound more confident than he felt. He didn't actually know for sure if Qui-Gon had one on him, but if he was a Jedi then the chances were pretty high, and he was willing to take a gamble on it.

"Did you now? I thought I kept it pretty hidden." A knowing twinkly brightened Qui-Gon's eyes as he looked at the boy. Slowly, he reached into his robe at his waist and pulled at metal cylinder that carried ridges in it, almost like it was a grip, it was about ten inches long and no wider than an inch and a half with a opening on the top and a switch on the side wit several buttons— Also known as a lightsaber.

Guessed it, he thought to himself, immediate relief and pride filling him at being right. If Jedi were anything like what he knew of them then he could probably put his trust in Qui-Gon.

"That's not the only reason I knew you were a Jedi," Anakin Admitted. "I think I'm like you. I can use it. The only way I can describe it, is as some sort of force or balance— the Force, that exists between everything, that exists inside us." He finished, nervously anticipating Qui-Gon's reactions.

For the first time since he had know him, Qui-Gon showed genuine surprise with the almost imperceptible widening of his eyes and raised brows.

"Remarkable, never have I felt someone so strong with the force. To have gained this much knowledge and control over the Force at such a young and starting from scratch, with absolutely no prior knowledge or training is nothing short of impossible. And yet, you have somehow done it and reached a level of skill beyond most younglings at the Jedi temple." Curiosity replaced Qui-Gon's surprise, like Anakin was a mystery he was eager to solve.

For a moment, Anakin enjoyed the praise, until he understood the implications of Qui-Gon's words. "You knew!"

Qui-Gon laughed. "Of course I knew. You may be the strongest Force sensitive I've seen yet, but your use of the Force is rudimentary, lacking control, precision, and knowledge.

"I felt before I even entered Mos Espa, like a chaotic storm in the force that sent ripples throughout the city and beyond."

Anakin's face was flushed red with embarrassment; not because he was basically told he was as obvious as a storm and his control with the Force was just as unrefined, but because he had missed how painstakingly obvious it was that Qui-Gon knew he was a Force-sensitive.

In his defense, Qui-Gon had never once given the indication that he knew Anakin was a Force-sensitive, so he easily assumed that he didn't know, plus his judgement was clouded with various emotions and thoughts.

Anakin decided to move past his earlier blunder and keep it in mind for the future. "Would it be okay if I asked you about the Force and Jedi while you are here," he asked hopefully.

A delighted smile appeared on Qui-Gon's face. "Of course! But I won't be here for long. We our leaving as soon as we acquire the money to fix the ship."

"About that, how come you're here?"

"Our ship was forced to land here after getting damaged in an attack, and now I need to leave as soon as possible to inform the Republic of the current crisis on Naboo, and to save its people," Qui-Gon said seriously, a grim look on his face.

For a moment, Anakin was disappointed, even knowing that Qui-Gon's mission was more important than his wishes. The disappointment passed as fast as it came though; determination to help Qui-Gon rising in its place.

"Hmm, oh! You could borrow my pod and enter the Podrace which is tomorrow, you'll definitely win with it. I made it myself, and it's the fastest one in Tatooine," Anakin planned after a moment of thinking.

"I'm sure there's a entry fee?" Qui-Gon said, interested in the idea.

"Yeah, and it's pretty big." He deflated for a moment, suddenly his eyes relit with renewed excitement. "But I've raced before, so if you make a deal with Watto to provide a pod while he sponsors me, then you could probably get half the winnings which will more than cover your repair-ments."

"Very well, once the storm is over we can go talk with Watto," Qui-Gon finally said after a long pause of heavy consideration. "What about your mother? From what I understand, podraces are quite brutal, will she let you participate?"

Anakin grimaced. "She won't like it, but if she knows it's for a Jedi and people in need then she will."

"Then we'll bring it up during lunch. Speaking of which, I can sense they just finished, we better get going."

"Ok." Anakin nodded. "Oh, Qui-Gon, my Mom doesn't know about the Force."

"Another thing we will have to bring up later, now come along." Qui-Gon motioned for Anakin to follow h and then walked out.

Like an obedient child— which he rarely was— he followed Qui-Gon out to the living room.

Anakin was surprised to see Padmé and his mother talking happily to each other as they set the table with food, Jar Jar on the other hand was sitting with the droid looking vaguely ashamed of himself.

It took Anakin no stretch of the imagination to figure out the Jar Jar probably did something troublesome and equally amusing, a smile splayed out on his lips as he imagined the amusing trouble Jar Jar probably got himself into.

"You're here, good. I was just about to go get you." Shmi's smile brightened when she saw them enter.

"It seems you and Padmé have made quite the feast and it looks delicious, thank you," Qui-Gon said, nodding to the table.

Calling it a feast may have been an over embellishment, but to the family of two it may as well have been.

"It's nothing," Shmi said, flustered. "Padmé helped a lot."

Ignoring the overwhelming urge to laugh at his mothers reaction, Anakin sat down at the table patiently.

"Thank you, Shmi, it was fun cooking with you," Padmé said as she gracefully sat down next to Anakin.

"I had fun too."

Shmi sat down on the opposite side of the table next to Jar Jar, while Qui-Gon moved stat at the head of the table.

The group started eating and chatting happily, ignoring the muffled howling of the storm outside. Anakin for the most part, kept to himself. He wasn't really the social type, preferring to around with machines for the most part.

"Mom," Anakin said, once a comfortable silence enveloped the table as everyone ate, "Can I go podracing tomorrow?"

Before Shmi could speak, Anakin hurriedly rushed to explain himself. "Qui-Gon is a Jedi, and he has information that he needs to inform the Republic of to save Naboo, but he doesn't have the money to fix his ship."

Qui-Gon gave Anakin a thankful nod, while Padme and Jar Jar reacted with shock.

Shmi didn't say anything for a moment, her jaw set firmly. "Was this your idea," she asked, directing her question to Qui-Gon.

"No it was mine," Anakin said before Qui-Gon could speak.

"Watto won't let you," his mother replied, almost desperately."

"Qui-Gon can pretend the pod I built is his and convince Watto to let me pilot it in the race for a share of the winnings!" Anakin argued back.

"I don't want you to participate in those forsaken races! You could die!"

"I won't," he denied. "I'm the best there is at it, and with the pod I built I can't lose."

Both mother and son locked gazes fiercely, neither backing down.

"It's ok Anakin, thank you for trying, it means a great deal," Qui-Gon said, deciding to put an end to the impasse. "I'm sure we can find someone else to pay the entry fee and pilot the pod."

There was no way that was happening. People rich enough to casually pay the entry feel were rare on Tatooine, and he was sure they didn't get rich by donating money to the helpless. Plus, there were very few pilots in Mos Espa actually good enough to podrace. And the only people there who like the Republic, were the powerless slaves who hoped they would free them.

Shmi sighed in defeat, breaking Anakin out of his depressing line of thought. "No, I'll let Anakin do it."

"Are you sure?" Qui-Gon asked.

Anakin looked at Qui Gon incredulously. There was a planet on the line, was now really the time to tempt fate?

"Yes, as long as he adds every safety precaution under the suns, he can do it," she said with finality, looking at Anakin. "He is the only one who can do it, and as much as I hate it, It must be done for the people on Naboo."

Anakin smiled victoriously, he was going to be the first nine year old to save a planet!

For the rest of the meal, the conversation was much more subdued, all of them thinking about the near future.

"How long do you think the storm will last," Padmé asked Anakin as they both finished cleaning up.

"Mmm... I don't know for sure, maybe an hour or so until it passes over," He guessed, trusting the Force. "Hey, do you wanna see the droid I'm making?"

"Sure," she said with raised eyebrows.

"Come on, I'll show ya." He grabbed her hand and led her to his room, which was still messy with machine parts all over the floor.

"This is 3-CPO!" Anakin said proudly, pointing to a human shaped droid cover in silver plating lying motionless on a table.

Anakin excitedly flipped on the switch, and they both watch as the droids mechanical eyes literally lit up."

"Hello, Master Anakin, how may I be of assistance?" the droid asked once it smoothly sat up.

"Just sit there for now, Threepio." 

"Wow this incredible, Anakin," Padmé exclaimed in surprise. She didn't know how to make a droid, but she knew it should be well beyond the capabilities of a nine year old, especially an uneducated one.

"Thanks, it wasn't easy. You wouldn't believe how hard it was to get all the parts I needed, I almost died on several a occasions," Anakin said proudly, fondly remembering those days.

Padmé's speechless look made him laugh in unabashed amusement at her expense. At some point she started laughing with him, because when he stopped she was also out of breath.

"You're crazy," she said, only half joking, shaking her head in wry amusement.

"Everyone is crazy here; I'm just a little ahead of the curve." Anakin smiled.

"So, what can Threepio do?" Padmé asked, changing the subject.

"Well, I originally wanted it to be my assistant during work, but I didn't have the proper parts it needed for menial tasks. Instead I made it a protocol droid, it can speak six million different languages if you can believe it."

For half an hour regaled Padmé of his most memorable adventures to get the parts needed to complete Threepio. 

"Well, thanks for showing me your droid and telling me about how you got its parts, but I have to go talk with Master Qui-Gon," Padmé said, as she started to leave the room. "I'll be seeing you later, Anakin."

Anakin simply waved her good bye. He didn't mind her departure; there was still a few minor things he wanted to fix on the droid before the sand storm was over anyway.

With a focused smile, Anakin got to work.