Disclaimer: I own not Star Wars; George Lucas owneth it.
Title: As the Sand Churns
Time: TPM
The wind howled outside.
"It's been hard raising him," Shmi finished with a sigh, leaning against the Jedi. Somehow, at the exact same moment in the middle of the Tatooine night, she and Qui-Gon Jinn had entered the kitchen seeking something to drink.
"My apprentice has more than a few antics of his own, believe me."
They were sitting in the corner of the wall with glasses of blue milk beside them, his serape draped around her shoulders.
"He can't be worse than my Anakin."
"The Healers have a bed on constant reserve for him because he gets hurt constantly. Granted, there's one on reserve for me, too, but..."
His face was scarred and lined, but in a way that made him seem wise instead of old. There was something about him, something that made her feel safe and warm inside.
Shmi Skywalker had never felt that way before.
Is this what it is to fall in love? Watto had never encouraged such things; he griped enough about the food Anakin and Shmi required that she knew another mouth, however valuable on the slave-market, would never be accepted by Watto. Besides, she and Anakin were happy together. Well, as happy as two slaves could be. Watto was better than the Hutts, at the very least!
She smiled and closed her eyes, lulled by the rhythm of his words.
He was an off-world stranger in need of help, but maybe...
...when this was all over...
...just maybe...
She hardly felt it when he carried her, almost asleep, back to her room.
Two days later...
Shmi could hardly believe her ears.
Anakin... free?
"Here's the proceeds from the sale of the podracer." Qui-Gon placed the small bag in her hand and she felt the weight of the money inside.
Not enough on its own, but...
"What about Mom?" Anakin was looking right at Qui-Gon.
She saw the Jedi swallow, hard.
"Your mother will do just fine. Qui-Gon, go by Watto's with him and do whatever needs doing." Not having Anakin freed before I try this could put his freedom at risk; there isn't enough for both of us. "Then, come back here."
Qui-Gon nodded and they left.
Shmi pulled open the bottom drawer of her desk, heaving out the bag there.
The bag she had saved money in since she and Anakin had been sold to Watto and she had been allowed to clean electronics for money whenever Watto did not need her work for himself.
With the money Qui-Gon had given her, there was nothing to stop her from buying her freedom. Her value was a set number in the documentation both Watto and the city held. While Watto could raise that number all he wanted for anyone trying to buy her, he was allowed only that in damages if she was killed and that price held if a slave should be capable to buy freedom.
And the work she had done on the side was documented as well.
If she went to the city office itself, Watto could do nothing about the procedings. At all.
If Watto tried anything, the Hutts would seize his property. Probably the reason they let that law exist in the first place.
She left a note on the table and left.
With any luck, I'll be back before they are.
She sat, sheaf of papers in her lap and meager bags at her feet, waiting for her son and the Jedi to return.
Soon, Qui-Gon steered a crying little boy into the small quarters.
Anakin stood there for a moment, sniffling and peering out through tears.
And then he smiled.
Shmi laughed at the look on Qui-Gon's face. "The credits from the podracer weren't enough for my freedom... but the credits I've saved for years and the credits from the podracer were!"
As he helped her and Anakin carry their things to the waiting ship, Qui-Gon looked out of the corner of his eye at the newly-free slavewoman.
She really was quite lovely, even more so considering what that beauty had been made to endure over the years. She was strong of heart and bold, as well. He admired her desire to help others even when she herself had troubles.
Much would have to change, even to just train Anakin.
Maybe there was a chance...
Just maybe...
She caught his gaze and smiled.
He couldn't help but smile back.