Anakin smiled broadly at the compliment. Jar Jar's tongue snaked toward the serving bowl in an effort to snare another morsel, but this time Qui-Gon was waiting hand moved swiftly, and in a heartbeat he had secured the Gungan's tongue between his thumb and forefinger. Jar Jar froze, his mouth open, his tongue held fast, his eyes wide.
'Don't do that again,' Qui-Gon advised, an edge to his soft voice.
Jar Jar tried to say something, but it came out an unintelligible mumble. Qui-Gon released the Gungan's tongue, and it snapped back into place. Jar Jar massaged his billed mouth ruefully.
Anakin's young face lifted to the older man's, and his voice was hesitant. 'I... I was wondering something.'
Qui-Gon nodded for him to continue.
The boy cleared his throat, screwing up his courage. 'You're a Jedi Knight, aren't you?'
There was a long moment of silence as the man and the boy stared at each other. 'What makes you think that?' Qui-Gon asked finally.
Anakin swallowed. 'I saw your lightsaber. Only Jedi Knights carry that kind of weapon.'
Qui-Gon continued to stare at him, then leaned back slowly in his chair and smiled. 'Perhaps I killed a Jedi and stole it from him.'
Anakin shook his head quickly. 'I don't think so. No one can kill a Jedi.'
Qui-Gon's smile faded and there was a hint of sadness in his dark eyes. 'I wish that were so...'
'I had a dream I was a Jedi,' the boy said quickly, anxious to talk about it now. 'I came back here and freed all the slaves. I dreamed it just the other night, when I was out in the desert.' He paused, his young face expectant. 'Have you come to free us?'
Qui-Gon Jinn shook his head. 'No, I'm afraid not...' He trailed off, hesitating.
'I think you have,' the boy insisted, defiance in his eyes. 'Why else would you be here?'
Shmi was about to say something, to chastise her son for his impudence perhaps, but Qui-Gon spoke first, leaning forward conspiratorially. 'I can see there's no fooling you, Anakin. But you mustn't let anyone know about us. We're on our way to Coruscant, the central system in the Republic, on a very important mission. It must be kept secret.'
Anakin's eyes widened. 'Coruscant? Wow! How did you end up out here in the Outer Rim?'
'Our ship was damaged,' Padme answered him. 'We're stranded here until we can repair it.'
'I can help!' the boy announced quickly, anxious to be of service to them. 'I can fix anything!'
Qui-Gon smiled at his enthusiasm. 'I believe you can, but our first task, as you know from our visit to Watto's shop, is to acquire the parts we need.'
'Wit nutten ta trade,' Jar Jar pointed out sourly.
Padme was looking at Qui-Gon speculatively. 'These junk dealers must have a weakness of some kind.'
'Gambling,' Shmi said at on She rose and began clearing the table of dishes. 'Everything in ''Mos Espa revolves around betting on those awful Podraces.'
Qui-Gon rose, walked to the window, and stared out through the thick, diffuse glass at the clouds of windblown sand. 'Podracing,' he mused. 'Greed can be a powerful ally, if it's used properly.'
Anakin leapt to his feet. 'I've built a racer!' he declared triumphantly. His boy's face shone with pride. 'It's the fastest ever! There's a big race day after tomorrow, on Boonta Eve. You could enter my Pod! It's all but finished-'
'Anakin, settle down!' his mother said sharply, cutting him short. Her eyes were bright with concern. 'Watto won't let you race!'
'Watto doesn't have to know the racer is mine!' the boy replied quickly, his mind working through the problem. He turned back to Qui-Gon. 'You could make him think it was yours! You could get him to let me pilot it for you!'
The Jedi Master had caught the look in Shmi's eyes. He met her gaze, silently acknowledged her consternation, and waited patiently for her response.
'I don't want you to race, Annie,' his mother said quietly. She shook he! head to emphasize her words, weariness and concern reflected in her eyes. 'It's awful. I die every time Watto makes you do it. Every time.'
Anakin bit his lip. 'But, Mom, I love it!' He gestured at Qui-Gon. 'And they need my help. They're in trouble. The prize money would more than pay for the parts they need.'
Jar Jar Binks nodded in support. 'We in kinda bad goo.'
Qui-Gon walked over to Anakin and looked down at him. 'Your mother is right. Let's drop the matter.' He held the boy's gaze for a moment, then turned back to his mother. 'Do you know of anyone friendly to the Republic who might be able to help us?' Shmi stood silent and unmoving as she thought the matter through. She shook her head no.
'We have to help them, Mom,' Anakin insisted, knowing he was right about this, that he was meant to help the Jedi and his companions. 'Remember what you said? You said the biggest problem in the universe is that no one helps anyone.'
Shmi sighed. 'Anakin, don't-'
'But you said it, Mom.' The boy refused to back down, his eyes locked on hers. Shmi Skywalker made no response this time, her brow fur-rowed, her body still. 'I'm sure Qui-Gon doesn't want to put your son in danger,' Padme said suddenly, uncomfortable with the confrontation they had brought about between mother and son, trying to ease the tension. 'We will find another way...' Shmi looked over at the girl and shook her head slowly.
