Watching from a slightly elevated
platform, faded green quickly spot the blond head as Shimi Skywalker
steps of the shuttle after Depa with her in her arms, her large kind
eyes looking around in awe at the temple.
But it was the awed blue eyes that
caught Ben’s attention.
‘Oh Anakin…’ He couldn’t help the
melancholic smile that crossed his face at the sight of the five year
old that was clinging to his mother.
Older then normal yes but not to old.
Not like last time.
The council had listened to him.
Had sent Depa to find Shimi on
Tatooine.
And there they were. He had never meet
Shimi but he could see where Qui-Gon had gotten the impression that
she was kind. There was a quality of something gentle in her
expression and very Force nature despite the harsh life she had
lived.
But next to Anakin it got overwhelmed.
More then one Jedi was stumbling in shock while Ben just stood there,
taking in the familiar if younger essence of the boy he had raised to
a man once.
“That’s him?” Qui-Gon stopped by
Ben’s side, sliding a arm around the others waist with care.
“Yes. That’s my little nova. Or…was
my little nova.” Ben shifted to lean against Qui-Gon’s taller and
warmer sense. “…You abandoned me for him.” Ben whispered and
the other man clung tightly to him at that. “What?”
“When we found him…he was nine,
almost tent.” Ben whispered again, watching Depa lead the
Skywalkers through the hanger. “And the council was…”
Qui-Gon closed his eyes at that. “I
would have insisted he’d be trained with that kind of power. I found him…Force…you would
have been twenty five…I would have been rushing your training if I
did that.” He shifted Ben closer to him, feeling the other tuck his
head on Qui-Gon’s shoulder.
“…I was so angry for so long.
Because you died…died without us talking. Died and left me with all
your responsibilities…but I won’t regret Anakin, he was…so good, my little nova.
You may have found a different way had we had more time.” Ben
murmured.
Qui-Gon tightened his arms on the other
man then frowned. “You’re shivering.”
“I’m cold.”
“You forgot your robe.” Qui-Gon
shifted out of his and slid it around Ben’s slimmer shoulders,
stroking the braid over his shoulder and caressing the salt and
pepper strands with care. “Its alright, you can use mine.”
“Its big.” Ben smiled up at him.
“I’m big so it has to match.”
Qui-Gon grinned back before leaning down and pressing his forehead
against Ben’s. “I don’t know what my future self was thinking. I
don’t have the words to apologize Ben. But things are different now.
And I’m the man that is. And I’ve gone several steps to mend the
fences I didn’t know had broken down with Obi-Wan since you arrived.”
“Been a year and half, hasn’t it.”
Ben mused, taking comfort in the large robes and somehow larger then
life hands on him.
“Mhmm, two months since I started
courting you.” Qui-Gon took Ben’s hand in his, guiding him out of
the cold hanger. “Do you want to talk to them?”
Them of course being the Skywalkers.
“I don’t know…I never meet Shimi
before. And Anakin…last time I saw him he wasn’t my Anakin.”
“Stands to reason he isn’t your
Anakin now either.” Qui-Gon pointed out with care.
“True…he’s even younger then he was
back then.” Ben smiled at that thought. “And him joining the
temple should go smoother.” He leaned against Qui-Gon’s side. “If
its the will of the Force that we meet, then we shall but for
now…I’d love something to eat and then perhaps a trip to one of the
meditation gardens.” He squeezed the others hand.
Qui-Gon grinned instantly and changed
direction for the commissary. “Of course Ben.”
()()()()()
He felt the eyes on him as he sat by
the little pond of the garden.
It would be impossible not to feel them
But Ben had always been attuned to
those eyes and the power behind them, though untrained as they were
now. He opened his eyes slowly to meet the blue eyes that were so
familiar to him.
“…Hello youngling.” He smiled.
“Hello…you’re a Jedi, aren’t you?”
Anakin Skywalker was bouncing shyly back and forth on his feet, hands
tucked behind his back.
“Indeed I am. You’ve seen quite a few
of them today.” Ben tilted his head and Anakin nodded, beaming. He
was missing one of his front teeth and Ben felt his heart thump at
the sight at his former padawan’s smile.
“Uhu. But you feel different.”
Anakin shuffled then moved to sit beside Ben. “You feel…like when
I fix droids.”
“Oh?” Ah, the innocence of a
youngling with no filter. But Ben didn’t want to silence Anakin
anyway, he did wonder why Anakin was in a meditation garden alone
though.
Anakin scrunched his nose up. “Uhu,
like parts are missing.”
“Hmm, you are a bit right there young
one. I’m unfortunately a bit broken.” Ben chuckled softly at the
boy then offered his hand to him. “My name is Ben Kenobi.”
“Anakin Skywalker, pleased to meet
you!” Anakin grasped the big hand and beamed wildly at him.
‘A new chance, a new life…’ Ben
smiled softly. “Are you going to become a Initiate Anakin?”
“Uhu! The Jedi that bought us here
said I’m very strong! She even bought mom along and mom’s suppose to
start working for someone named Dex!” Ben closed his eyes at that,
smiling a bit more. ‘Qui-Gon you sly dog…’
Dex would take care of Shimi. Though
how the other man had been able to convince Dex to hire her he was
unsure since Dex preferred his droids.
“They even took care of the
transmitters inside us.” Anakin continued, unaware of Ben falling
into his own memories as he let Anakin’s excited voice wash over him.
“Anakin!” They both looked up as
Shimi hurriedly walked towards them, looking both relieved and a tiny
bit angry.
“Mom! I found a new friend!” Anakin
beamed then shuffled when he took note of her anger. “Uhoh…”
“I’m glad you found a friend Anakin
but you weren’t suppose to wander of like that.” Shimi held out her
hand to him and took the child’s hand firmly before turning
apologetic eyes to Ben. “I’m sorry if he’s been a bother Master
Jedi. We were having a tour and when I turned around he was…well.
Apologies.”
“Don’t apologize. He’s a energetic
breath of fresh air.” Ben smiled, his smile turning wider when
Qui-Gon slipped into the garden and came over. He accepted the
offered arm and was slowly helped up by the other Jedi, his knee
making a loud snapping sound as he did. “Mmmn…”
“Are you alright Ben?” Qui-Gon
frowned then smiled at Shimi, bowing his head a bit while letting Ben
lean on him. “Greetings Lady Skywalker.”
Shimi looked between the two Jedi’s,
taking in the way Ben was obviously leaning on Qui-Gon for support
and Qui-Gon’s unsurprised face at it. “I wasn’t aware I was known
here.” She offered softly.
“Not so much, but Shaak Ti told us
via coms that your little one had escaped during a tour. I can call
her to the garden if you wish?” He shifted his arm around Ben’s
waist once the man was up.
“Oh, would you? She was showing us
around but Anakin…” She sighed.
“Children are curious. He’s a fresh
breath of air Lady Skywalker and he means no harm. He’s to become a
Initiate I hear?” Qui-Gon pulled his com of his belt.
“Yes. He’s…he’s a little miracle.
He’s strong too the healers here said.” Shimi smiled down at her
son and squeezed his hand slowly. “He’s going to be a wonderful
Jedi.”
Qui-Gon smiled warmly at that. “I’m
sure he will.” He called Shaak up to inform here where both Shimi
and Anakin was, taking note of how Ben’s head was sinking onto his
arm. ‘Tired Ben?’
‘Very. I think the day has been long
for me, with chores, training, therapy, healers and this.’
‘Don’t worry. I’ll get you to your
quarters and we can have tea. It will be alright.’ Qui-Gon assured.
Ben opened his eyes to look down at
Anakin Skywalker, a soft smile crossing his face. ‘You know what
Qui-Gon…I think it will be.’