disclaimer: Star Wars and its characters are owned by George Lucas and Lucasfilm, Ltd.

Pre-ROTS during the Clone Wars

Author's Notes: Sorry for the lengthy delays between updates. Darth Real Life has me running backwards and forwards at the same time. Typical this time of year...too much to do and no time whatsoever to get it all done. I really do appreciate your patience and hopefully, at some point, the amount of my spare time to write,etc.

This chapter is a bit short and a fast read...a lot of conversation...but hey, at least it's an update right?

Beachside...

Boba was buried in repairs when the two Jedi discovered his crash landing location. Using hand signals and other 'quiet' methods, Skywalker and Kenobi closed in on the teenage bounty hunter's ship.

Once Anakin was in a secluded position and capable of striking, Obi-Wan announced their presence to the still-unaware teen.

"Uh, hello there!" Obi-Wan greeted enthusiastically from behind the young bounty hunter.

Boba was momentarily stunned. He didn't expect the two Jedi to trail him so quickly. He smacked his head atop a panel as he tried to seek out his helmet that was no longer where he had laid it.

"Looking for this?" Anakin spoke from the top of the ship's hull, twirling the bounty hunter's helmet in his hand. He had used the Force to quietly lift the helmet away from the teen.

"Leave me Jedi. I have no quarrel with you at the moment."

"No quarrels with you either, but Skywalker here doesn't take kindly to you firing upon those he deems friends." Obi-Wan spoke.

"Feh'ler is no friend of yours nor mine. She is only friend to herself and does whatever she can to promote that." Boba spoke, still continuing on his repairs rather than facing the Jedi. He was outnumbered and on the defensive. His father had taught him how to deal with that scenario and it took patience and a little buying of time. The two Jedi confronting him were known to be the best of the best. It was far wiser to seek an out rather than antagonize them further...at least until a new advantage could be found and the tables could be turned.

"But that is the Bounty Hunter's Creed. Oneself first. Others last. I've been around your type before Boba. Tatooine is full of creeps like you." Anakin spoke as he studied Boba's helmet more closely. "Mandalorian design. Like Jango's. What do you hope to accomplish by following in his footsteps?"

"More than you ever will Jedi."

"Revenge from Geonosis I bet. Growing up alone isn't an easy feat. But you make it worse upon yourself by choosing this profession. Why not do something more worthwhile with your skills like fly for the Republic?"

"Because I'd have to rub noses with Jedi scum like you!"

"Rub noses? Hear that Master, Boba thinks we rub noses!"

"Guess he wouldn't want to hear the OTHER part then." Obi-Wan joked as Anakin drew ever closer to Boba.

"Wanna know something...I COULD fix that for you. Make this whole situation go away."

"And what's in it for you?"

"Just a little information. Nothing more."

"I could be well off and retire early if I took you two in. The bounty on your heads would more than pay for a grand lifestyle."

"Oh, I'm sure. So, tell me, Boba...who wants us so badly? You? Someone else?"

"Not my authority to give."

"So not you hmm? A Hutt perhaps? Or the Separtists? Grievous? Does that name ring any bells in your simple head?"

"Anakin, get information. Don't upset him by calling him names." Obi-Wan interrupted. Anakin was not nearly the negotiator Obi-Wan was, but Anakin spoke better to those who did business in the shadows and away from the laws. So, Obi-Wan allowed his former padawan to take the lead this time.

"He's not much different from me when I was his age Master. Trust me."

"The last time I trusted you Anakin, you nearly had my Jedi butt roasted by laser fire."

Anakin slowly grinned then winked. He had a plan and Obi-Wan just had to let him go with it. With a sigh of defeat, Obi-Wan allowed the younger Jedi to do things his way. He would've one way or the other anyway.

Anakin slid down the ship's sleek side until he was side-by-side with the young bounty hunter. He spoke softly, but with an amused caring hitch to his voice. "It's really not all that complicated...the damage to your ship. No different from rigging a podracer to shatter records and time trials."

"If you wanna fix my ship so bad then why did you damage it in the first place Jedi!?"

"Always fun to break things then see if they can be fixed even better."

"Sounds like something a Jedi WOULDN'T do."

"And I never said I was the ideal Jedi now did I?" Anakin replied. "Here, trade you." He continued as he took the tools from the bounty hunter and replaced them with the helmet. Boba was only stupified for a moment however. He knew this Jedi was playing him, but he had never known in any of his teachings a Jedi to do such...unless they were on the so-called Dark Side. But Skywalker wasn't known to be such so the situation was perplexing to say the least. He'd remain on his guard. The two most skilled, deadliest Jedi were in his face and yet they were also the most wanted as well. Perhaps an opportunity would arise...

"Why do you fly this bucket of bolts? Surely if you have your father's skills as a bounty hunter you can afford something a little better than this." Anakin spoke as he messed with the wirings.

"Call it sentimental value. Oh, wait what would you know about that. A Jedi knows not possesions nor attachments."

"Hey, you recite that better than I. Here that Obi-Wan...he knows the creed better than I! Amazing isn't it!?"

"Anakin, considering your track record with all things Jedi, it's hardly amazing." Obi-Wan deadpanned.

"See Boba...even Obi-Wan knows me. Wanna know something kid...I'm a special case...not like normal Jedi."

"Yeah, you're really weird. Already knew that about you, Skywalker. So what."

"So...I know more about possession and attachment than ANY Jedi. So don't lecture me about it." Anakin spoke sternly.

"And I know more about Feh'ler than you. Would a lecture in that be more pleasing to your ears Jedi?"

"Nah, maybe Kenobi's, but not mine. I'm more action. If she's not as she seems, I'll handle it...MY way."

"You're wasting my time then. Leave me be." Boba replied with growing frustration and impatience. He was fast becoming tired of the company of the two Jedi.

"You're not going anywhere fast in this heap." Anakin commented matter-of-factly.

"And you're not going anywhere in yours either Jedi." Boba replied with a defiant smirk.

"He's got a point there Anakin." Obi-Wan interrupted. "Our ships are in a similar state and I'd rather have you repairing them than this whelp's."

"Since when did I become everybody's maintenance man?"

"Since you brag about your skillful abilities with machines."

"Oh. Fine then." Anakin muttered back to Kenobi before turning back to Boba. "Well, he's the boss so I guess you're on your own kid. Good luck fixing this thing." Anakin replied as he sat the tool kit down, lept from the ship, and landed beside Obi-Wan.

"You're just going to leave?" Boba asked, not really sure why he did, but his mouth didn't always cooperate with his brain.

"You're free to join us, but it comes with a price." Anakin shot back.

"A Jedi dealing? What would your oh so mighty Council think of that eh?"

"Wouldn't be the first time I've faced them in less than friendly circumstances. Now are you interested or not?"

"No."

"Then suit yourself." Anakin waved and followed Obi-Wan away from the ship and back towards their own.

"Think he'll follow?" Obi-Wan whispered.

"Oh yeah. Hook, line, and sinker. I've got this fish snagged good."

"With blasters in hand though."

"He'll try to take us out again. He's a bounty hunter afterall."

"So who's bait?" Obi-Wan uttered.

"You of course."

"Me, of course. Hey, wait...he wants us BOTH. Why me then?"

"Because I'm on his level. You're the straight and true Jedi...easier prey AND a higher rank than I AND a Council Member. Therefore, your bounty is most definitely higher than mine."

"Anakin, one day you will learn that these daredevil schemes of yours will never work."

"But they have worked so far Master."

"Damn your Skywalker luck. One day it will run out on you."

"If you think like that you defeat yourself Master. Stay positive. Trust me."

"You drive me to drink Anakin."

"You were doing that before you met me. Well, at least I'm not the death of you."

"That remains to be seen."

"You really do need to stop thinking like that."

Obi-Wan muttered some inaudible words that Anakin simply shrugged off as a verbal victory for himself. As they returned to their ships, they awaited the young bounty hunter who would no doubt continue his stalking of the two Jedi.

Upon their arrival, Feh'ler decloaked her now landed ship and stepped forward.

"I was wondering if you two would return. Is Boba dead?"

"He's very much alive and probably stalking us as we speak." Obi-Wan replied.

"You let him live!?"

"Jedi don't kill unecessarily. He's stranded until he repairs his ship." Obi-Wan continued.

"Don't worry, Obi-Wan's good bait. We'll get him on our terms." Anakin added as Obi-Wan shot him a nasty glare.

"So what do you want me to do?" Feh'ler inquired.

"Stay nearby, but cloaked. We don't want to play our trump card too soon."

"So I'm bait too?"

"Maybe." Anakin smirked.

"Can he be trusted?" Feh'ler asked Obi-Wan as she pointed to the younger Jedi.

Obi-Wan only replied with a shrug and a wink.

A couple of hours later...as the solar star began its decent below the horizon...

"Rustling leaves...hear it Obi-Wan?" Anakin whispered quietly from beside his ship. Using the Force, the two Jedi had brought Obi-Wan's fighter beside Anakin's.

Obi-Wan ceased his tinkering and listened. "Sounds like our little hunter is on the prowl again."

"Or some other beastie wanting to make a meal of us."

"Oh, that's an enlightening thought Anakin."

"Look at it this way Master, it could be a meal FOR us. I am hungry."

"You're always hungry."

"I know, but I'm also ever the opportunist. Unfortunately, I'm thinking Boba's nearby rather than some beastie so I guess dinner will have to wait.Or better yet, maybe Boba BROUGHT dinner?" Anakin joked as he reoriented himself under his fighter for a better view of the area of noises.

The rustling soon ceased. Both Jedi double checked that their lightsaber hilts were nearby then continued on with their repairs. Their keen sensing abilities were tuned into every sound even those a normal human ear could not hear. Boba would strike in darkness and silence...just like Jango had always done. But this time, two Jedi were one step ahead of the young bounty hunter.

to be continued...