Role Reversal

See part 1 for disclaimers, etc.


Part 4 - Family

“Good morning, Master.”

“Good morning, Anakin.” Obi-Wan tossed the greeting offhandedly over his shoulder as he walked down the hall with Mace Windu. Anakin fell into step behind the two Masters.

“Once again, let me say how sorry I am to send you off like this, so soon,” Mace was saying. “And to Dipcun, of all places.”

Obi-Wan shrugged. “Duty calls, we answer.”

The trio emerged onto a landing platform, high above the bustling city. The sudden raucousness made conversation more difficult.

“I will see you soon,” Mace said, his voice raised over the wind. “May the Force be with you!”

“And with you as well,” Obi-Wan and Anakin both intoned, turning to bow slightly before continuing toward their waiting two-seater.

“I trust you slept well, Padawan?” Obi-Wan called.

Before answering, Anakin glanced over his shoulder, saw the retreating form of the Jedi Council member. “Not really,” he said quietly enough that only Obi-Wan could hear him. “I missed you.”

Obi-Wan shot a sideways look at his Padawan, but couldn’t hide his smile. “I missed you, too.”

It only took a minute for the two men to toss their small bags into a storage compartment and climb into the fighter. Another few minutes, and they were clearing the atmosphere of Coruscant. No sooner had Anakin thanked the Atmospheric Traffic Controller and switched off the comm., then they both leaned in at the same moment, their lips meeting in a searing kiss.

“Oh, Master,” Anakin gushed as the deep kiss morphed into a rain of smaller ones. “I’m so glad we left the Temple; I don’t think I could have kept my hands off of you for another minute.”

“It is difficult for me, too,” Obi-Wan responded, easing off his nibbling of Anakin’s jawline to lean back into his own chair. “But we must control ourselves, on Dipcun as well.”

“I know, but at least there I won’t have to monitor my thoughts, too.” And the Padawan let all his desire and love for his Master well up to the surface, knowing Obi-Wan could sense it. They shared a smile as Obi-Wan did more than just sense it, but mirrored it back ten-fold.

They were quiet as Anakin maneuvered the fighter into one of the waiting hyper-drive rings, programmed their course, and took the ship to light speed. When the stars were streaming prettily outside, the apprentice turned to his Master to find him reclined, with a relaxed smile on his face.

Suddenly Anakin desperately wished these Jedi fighters weren’t so damned compact. The arm rests between them would make most…things impractical. He consoled himself with the knowledge that they would have plenty of room and comfort when they got to Dipcun; the last time, all the squabbling factions had fallen over themselves in a futile attempt to sway the Jedi with gifts. If he recalled correctly, one gift had been a basket of scents and oils that they had left behind, unopened. Maybe this time they could find a use for them. But they would still have to think of something else to do until then.

“Tell me about him,” Anakin said, choosing the first subject that came to mind. “Qui-Gon. I knew him for such a short time.”

The next moment, he was sorry he’d mentioned his Master’s Master, for the relaxed look on Obi-Wan’s face faded to sadness and longing. Obi-Wan, sensing Anakin’s regret, quickly reached out to put a hand on his Padawan’s arm.

“That’s a wonderful idea, Anakin.” Over the years, they hadn’t spoken much of the man who had brought them together, and when they had it had been in factual, dry terms. At first Obi-Wan had avoided the subject on purpose, finding it too painful, and too difficult, since he had to hide his true feelings for the man. Eventually Anakin had stopped asking. But now Anakin knew the truth, and Qui-Gon’s memory seemed less sharply painful. It occurred to Obi-Wan that it would be good to finally talk about it. “What do you want to know?”

And so they talked, of how Qui-Gon had become Obi-Wan’s Master, of their more interesting missions, of the legacy of training practices. But more importantly of Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon’s relationship, the growth of their love, the five anguished years in which they’d hidden it. And of the events of Anakin and Obi-Wan’s own first meeting.

“So in some ways he was like a father to you,” Anakin observed.

“Yes, just as I have been to you, I suppose,” Obi-Wan responded. Then he caught how Anakin’s mouth twitched. “I understand there are taboos on many worlds about parent/child sexuality, but it is different for those of us who had no parents.”

Another pained twitch of Anakin’s lips, and Obi-Wan realized his mistake.

“Tell me about her,” he said, his voice quieter, kinder, as he reached out to take his apprentice’s hand. “Your mother.” Another subject they had rarely touched on, Mace insisting that Anakin’s “unnatural” attachment to her be discouraged. He saw now that that had been wrong. “I never got to meet her.”

Anakin responded with a wistful smile, gazing out the transparent dome as though he could see Tatooine through it. “What do you want to know?”

And so they talked, of how Shmi had raised her son alone, of their lives as slaves, of their owner, Watto. But more importantly of how difficult it had been for Anakin to leave all that, even if it was for a better life and to fulfill his dream of being a Jedi. And of how much he still missed her.

Obi-Wan was still digesting all he had learned, fitting it into a more complete picture of his Padawan than he’d ever had before, when the ship dropped out of hyperspace. They had arrived at Dipcun.

~~~

It was barely an hour later when they found themselves trudging back to their ship.

“But…they can’t do that!” Anakin was protesting, not for the first time. “Just leave the Republic like that! Can they?”

Obi-Wan sighed. “It is called the ‘Repc’ fc’ for a reason; we can’t make them stay.” That said, he was also not very happy about the unexpected, unfriendly greeting, and the news that Dipcun’s newest leader had decided to secede. The Council and the Senate wouot bot be happy, either; the Galactic Republic needed to maintain a presence out here on the Rim. It was why so much effort had been expended to try to keep the troublesome Dipcuns happy.

“We must inform the Council.” Obi-Wan stopped a few feet from their fighter. “R3, scramble code five to Coruscant, care of the Old Folks’ Home.” R3 beeped his readiness, and almost immediately, Mace Windu’s voice sounded.

“Obi-Wan? How are things going there? We did not expect to hear from you this soon.”

“Not well, Master Windu. The new leader refused an audience. He is withdrawing from the Republic.”

“Withdrawing?” Mace looked away, thoughtful, and obviously displeased. “I will inform the Chancellor. This must be discussed in the Senate. Until then, I want you to stay there; we may need you at any moment. I don’t have to tell you how important our relations with Dipcun are to the Republic.”

“With all due respect, he has ordered us off planet, and we have only a fighter, few supplies. We cannot remain indefinitely in orbit.”

“Hmmm.” Mace sighed. “Then proceed to the nearest suitable planet and await further instructions.”

“Yes, Master.”

“May the Fore wie with you.”

“And with you.”

The link severed, the communications dish rotated back into place as Obi-Wan climbed into his seat.

“It looks like we have a few choices,” Anakin said before Obi-Wan could relay the order, having listened carefully. His fingers tapped on the display console, where a miniature map of the local area spun; three planets were lit up. “Parlamel, Vor-Gon IV, or-” His fingers and his voice froze at the same moment, then burst back into sudden life. “Parlamel is closest, but the atmosphere is too nitrous, we’d have to wear breathers. Vor-Gon is a little further, but it is a Republic world, we’d be welcomed.”

“And the third option?” Obi-Wan asked gently, his Padawan’s distress all too clear to him. “What is it, Anakin? What’s wrong?”

“The third option is…Tatooine.” Anakin had not been back to the planet of his childhood since Qui-Gon discovered him and made it possible for him to be a Jedi. Without saying it in so many words, the Jedi Council had made it clear that he was not to return, not to seek out his mother. He had managed to abide by that rule, mostly because there had been no opportunity to do otherwise. Until now. For just a moment, Anakin let his eyes drift to his Master’s, but he knew the longing was too bright in them and snatched them away.

“How far is it?”

“Not quite as far as Vor-Gon, but-”

“Set course for Tatooine, then,” Obi-Wan ordered, keeping his face and voice business-like. When Anakin opened his mouth, he added, “We’re only following Council orders.”

Anakin smiled then, a smile that came on slowly, but which grew as it found its echo on Obi-Wan’s face until it was almost giddy. Turning back to the controls, he applied himself to carry out his Master’s orders, not trusting his voice until they were well on their way.

“Do you think she’s still…”

“I think we will have ample time to find out,” Obi-Wan promised. “But for now, I think we should meditate.” They had neglected their meditation the last few days. And Obi-Wan felt he needed to make sure of his own motives before they reached Tatooine.

“Yes, Master,” Anakin replied happily, relaxing into his chair and letting his eyes close. Even the prospect of meditation could not dampen the young apprentice’s spirits, for once.

So it was a bit confusing when Obi-Wan opened his eyes at the drop to normal space, to find a subdued, pensive Padawan.

“Anakin?”

“Master, I’m…I’m not sure this is a good idea.”

Obi-Wan just raised a questioning brow and waited for his Padawan to explain.

“Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate the chance you’re giving me, but…” The young man sighed, trying to put his fears into words. “If something has happened to her, or if we do find her and… I’m not sure I can leave her again, Master. Maybe it’s best to just keep the memories I have.”

Obi-Wan stared at apprapprentice for a long time. His own meditation had convinced him that he was doing the right thing. His sudden, unexpected even to him, decision had, he thought, been inspired by the Force. It had felt right. But now this. He was doing this for Anakin; surely it was not right to do so against his will. Was it?

“What do you want to do, then?”

“I thought we’d set down here.” The apprentice pointed to a small settlement, much smaller than the city Obi-Wan remembered from eight years ago. “Anchorhead. It’s so remote the Hutts don’t even bother with it. We should be able to find a quiet place to stay there until we are contacted.” That it happened to be far away from Mos Espa, he didn’t mention. Neither did he heed the hollow feeling in his gut.

“All right.” Obi-Wan sat back as Anakin began the landing, watching his apprentice out of the corner of his eye. Just when he had thought he was beginning to understand his Padawan, just when he thought he’d found a way to make him happy… Maybe this had been a mistake. They could have had a nice vacation in a hotel on Vor-Gon while they waited patiently for Dipcun’s next round of idiocy. Instead they’d be spending who knew how many days in a hole-in-the-wall on a barren planet, while Anakin moped.

But if their prospects were so bleak, why did something about this seem so right? Taking a deep breath, Obi-Wan tried to relax and let the Force guide them. It was not easy.

Anchorhead was as tiny and dingy as he had imagined, Obi-Wan noted as the two Jedi walked into town, having parked their fighter on the outskirts and covered it with a Force-enhanced camouflage sheet. By unspoken agreement, Anakin led the way. Obi-Wan watched him as he conversed in fluid Huttese with various beings, trying to find them some shelter. Though the younger man was still somewhat subdued, his Master could tell he was relaxing. This place, the familiarity of it, was like a balm to him, no matter how much he might deny it.

“This way, Master,” Anakin announced after a long conversation with a Bith. “Torino here knows of a place that will cheat us less than most.” He smiled amusedly as he gestured the way.

And Obi-Wan was suddenly overwhelmed with love for him. He was so beautiful, with the sunlight glinting in his hair just so. His lips were so kissably full, his eyes so intelligently deep, his shoulders soad. ad.

“You know, this was a good idea,” Obi-Wan said as they began to walk. “This is not a Republic world; no one knows us here.” He glanced down at their slight but adequate disguises – both had hidden their lightsabers, removed their belts, and rearranged the way their tunics lay. It had seemed prudent not to ask for any trouble by advertising that they were Jedi. “There is no need to be secretive about…other things.” And he took Anakin’s hand without missing a stride.

The Padawan faltered for only a moment, his surprise quickly fading into happiness. Such a simple gesture it was, and yet so powerful. He did not let himself think that it might be the only time they could express their love in public; he just enjoyed it while he could.

Maybe he enjoyed it too much, to the exclusion of the world around him. Maybe that was why he was caught so completely by surprise when, as they crossed a street bustling with market traffic, someone called his name.

“Anakin?!”

He turned, his eyes darting over the crowd, his Force-senses roaring back into focus. So he knew even before he saw the caller, who it was.

“Mom!”

End Part 4