Family Bonding

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Padme

"And what a horrific experience we have been through Mistress Padme! I can't begin to tell you what the New Order has been like!"

Padme shook her head as she sat by the fire that Anakin had built while listening to C-3PO describe his and R2's adventures over the last decade. That droid could go on for hours if she would let him. "I'm sure you have lots of stories threepio," she commented. R2 whistled a few times and projected an image of a battle from his projector. C-3PO was in the picture and was waddling for cover and Padme recognized a few familiar Jedi Knights whome Anakin had known who were fighting with a strange alien army. "Oh my," Padme said, observing the chaos of the video. C-3PO twitched, "That battle took place here in Felucia no more than a month ago. Those warriors are Stryds. A native tribe who have been living underground for approximately twelve centuries. They have proven quite hostile and posses a somewhat barbaric fighting style using clubs and salvaged weapons," he lectured.

Padme shivered, "And they're here?" she asked gravely. C-3PO nodded, "Yes. The Alliance base has been repeatedly attcked by them, but they are of little threat to our Jedi," he added in reassurance.

Padme watched the creatures in the projection. Their eyes were menacing and yellow. Their teeth like stalagmites in a cave. The hair in her neck stood on end at the thought of one of them lurking nearby.

Just as R2 retracted the video, Anakin stomped over carrying a large pile of fire wood. Behind him, Luke held a clump of twigs. "How are we holding up?" Anakin asked as he piled logs on the fire. Padme smiled falsely, "Never better." Anakin smiled back sadly and kissed her forhead, "I know things took a turn, but Obi-wan is sending a skiff to retrieve us in the morning. It'll be okay," he said in a way that seemed to be directed toward himself more so than to his family.

Luke fed his sticks to the fire and brushed off his hands, "This is like camping!" he cheered. Anakin sat down and hugged Padme's shoulder, "Right, camping..." Padme ruffled her son's shaggy hair, "Where's your sister?"

Luke stared at the fire uncomfortably, "She's asleep..." he answered slowly. Padme glanced at Anakin and caught the greif in his handsome blue eyes. He had told her what she had said to him and she felt bad for him. Anakin loved their little girl so much and it was the first time they had a serious fight. Padme just hoped she would come around.

Trying to lighten the depressed mood, Padme smiled brightly, "How about some family bonding time?" she asked enthusiastically. Luke and Anakin shared expressions of confusion. Padme stood up, "You know, like spending time with eachother? It'll be fun!" she insisted. Anakin stood up too, "Great idea! Luke, what is it you want to do?" he asked. Luke stood like a statue, "Anything but family bonding." Padme frowned, "Well, why don't we go see if Leia wants to do something?" she suggested.

Luke's eyes widened, "On second thought... Let's play a game! Just us! Not Leia! Just us!" he blurted.

Padme clapped her hands, "Great! How about Eye Spy?" Anakin tilted his head, "Eye what?" he asked. "It's this game I used to play when I was little. You pick something around you and describe it, then everyone else has to guess what it is," Padme explained. Luke copied his father's expression, "Why?" Padme tossed up her hands, "Because it's fun!" she answered.

Anakin rolled his eyes, "How is that fun?" he continued. Padme put her hands on her hips, "Because we're doing it as a family..." she replied through clenched teeth.

Anakin sighed, "Fine..." Padme smiled in satisfaction, "Good. I'll start. I spy with my little eye, something... Blue and-" Anakin interrupted excitedly, "A lightsaber!" Padme shook her head, "No. It has to be something I can see. Do I see your lightsaber?" Anakin unclipped the lightsaber from his belt and ignited it's electric blue blade. "You do now..." Luke jumped up, "Ooh, this game just got a lot better!"

Without hesitation, Padme snatched the sword out if her husband's hand and retracted the blade, "That's not how you play. Now just listen... I spy with my little eye, something blue and white..."

Luke waved his hand, "The sky and the clouds!" he shouted. Padme shook her head again, "No Sweetie, it's dark out. The sky isn't blue right now."

Luke kicked the ground, "At least I didn't say lightsaber," he grumbled. Anakin frowned, "Hey!"

Padme threw her hands up again, "R2-D2! It was R2-D2!" she growled. Luke and Anakin suddenly understood, "Ahhhhh..." the said in unison. R2 beeped happily.

Anakin stepped forward, "Okay, I think I get it. Let me try... I spy with my big eye..." Padme stopped him, "Honey, it's little eye," she corrected. Anakin crossed his arms, "Well who says my eye isn't big?"

Padme groaned, "That's just not how you play!" Anakin rolled his eyes, "Fine. Whatever. I spy with my little eye, something green..."

Luke pulled out his lightsaber, "I know! My-" Padme glared at him, "Put it away Luke." Luke returned his weapon to his belt sadly. Anakin grinned, "It's small..."

Padme squirmed, "It better not be a bug in my hair because if it is, Anakin Skywalker, I will-" Anakin held up his hand, "It's not a bug. I promise." Padme replaced her hands to her hips, "Then what is it, Anakin?" she asked impatiently

She looked down at the ground, "The grass?"

Anakin smiled and shook his head, "Which blade of grass?" he smirked. Padme's face turned pink, "Blade? How am I supposed to know that?"

Luke suddenly squatted down and plucked a thin, green blade from the mass of foliage. "Is this the blade you are looking for?"

Anakin grinned in satisfaction, "Correct!" he congratulated. Padme's jaw dropped, "But how did you? How did-?" she sputtered. Luke held the strand of grass proudly in the air, "The Force."

Padme dropped her head into her hands, "Why do I even bother?" she asked herself humorously as Anakin rubbed her back tenderly.

Luke

Letting the grass fall, Luke sighed in relief. His parents were something else but he had managed to survive their "family bonding" on his own. All while hiding the fact that his sister had secretly run away...

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