Anakin POV:

A month.

It's been a whole month since I dropped (y/n) off on Corellia to be Elliots temporary bodyguard. And I remember that day so vividly, which makes the memory so much more worse. I returned to Coruscant with a heavy heart and an empty feeling in my stomach, knowing that (y/n) wasn't going to be there waiting for me. My daily life in the Temple feels so different without her, since we pretty much used to always be together with the exception of certain missions. I was also frustrated now more than ever because it seems like every time I've tried to have intimate moments with her, something gets in the way.

That something was Elliot, I realized in bitter irritation. I don't know if it was just me being overly protective, but I found it strange that the attacks on him suddenly stopped since (y/n) got there. At least, we haven't heard anything over here, so maybe she's handling all of it over there?

That didn't seem right, though. Not that I think she can't handle it, but all the recent attacks have required more than one Jedi, and I doubt the Separatists would stop attacking just because she's over there.

Also, she's been missing out on something odd that's been happening ever since she left. We don't know who it is, but someone has been coming to the Temple and the Senate building at night time to steal random things. First, they took an astromech droid from the hangar bay. Then they came back and stole lightsabers from the younglings that just built them. They apparently came last night as well and took some files from the Senate building.

But the weirdest part was, we weren't able to stop them or even identify them because they were too quick. They always came at different times of the night as well, probably to throw us off.

And it worked, seeing as we don't know who they are yet.

The Council installed more security in both places, but so far it hasn't done much. It made me wonder what kind of person this was if they could maneuver both buildings so easily, and avoid and take out all the security.

Maybe I'll find out soon, but for now I shouldn't dwell on it any longer.

I was currently in my room on a mat, meditating. I was trying to find a sense of calm to ease my restless mind. I couldn't stop thinking about (y/n), and if she was okay, and if Elliot was staying in his lane. Just thinking about him makes my temper spike, because I don't know what his intentions are. Even though she told me not to worry about him, I still have this weird feeling because of all the strange things that have been happening ever since he came into our lives.

Thinking back to Kashyyyk, I remembered that (y/n) never told me what was bothering her and causing her to avoid me. She said she would tell me but we never had the chance to talk about it again.

I sighed and rubbed my temples, hoping that it wasn't anything too serious.

I've tried contacting her a couple times—despite the Council's requests to 'let her stay focused'— but she hasn't responded at all. And of course, this made me more uncomfortable and worried than I already was, so I've been trying to meditate on all of my fears even if I was being irrational.

I stood up and grabbed my water bottle, taking big gulps to alleviate the sudden dryness I felt inside of me.

I set the bottle down on my nightstand, and left my room into the bright hallways of the Temple. Meditating wasn't helping so I might as well find something else to do. Today, the halls were bustling with other Jedi and clones who weren't on any missions. I spotted Obi-Wan heading into the cafeteria and decided to go after him.

"Hey Obi-Wan." I said from a few feet behind him. He turned around and gave a friendly nod.

"What can I do for you, Anakin?"

We walked towards the nearest table and sat down across from each other. I awkwardly scratched the back of my head, "So uh, have you heard anything from (y/n)? I don't think she's contacted us at all and I'm starting to get worried."

'Starting to get worried' is an understatement. But Obi-Wan doesn't need to know that.

He shook his head, "No, I haven't. But I would assume that means that things are going well over there."

I closed my eyes and sighed in irritation. Was I the only one that thought this situation was strange?

Obi-Wan narrowed his eyes at me, "I sense anxiety in you, Anakin. Why are you so worried about her?"

"Because there's been a lot of....inconsistencies since she left."

He rose an eyebrow in curiosity, "Like?"

I sighed again, "Well for starters, don't you think it's weird that all the threats just happened to stop once she got to Corellia? And like I said, she hasn't contacted us at all which isn't normal for her. Something just doesn't seem right to me."

Obi-Wan nodded and stroked his beard, taking in my words. "What are you suggesting?"

I was about to respond but then I paused, considering his question. What am I suggesting? I don't have enough information to make a full theory of anything, so at this point I'm just speculating that something isn't right.

I shook my head, "I don't know, but I would feel better if we knew for sure that she was okay."

I saw a flicker of amusement in Obi-Wan's eyes. "I can tell you're already planning something. Whatever it is, I know I won't be able to stop you. But at least tell the rest of the Council before you potentially do something stupid."

I glared at him for that last comment, but he just chuckled at me and stood up.

"Now if you'll excuse me, I'm starving." He turned the other way and went to grab a tray from the tray rack.

I smiled and rolled my eyes, standing up as well. I turned the opposite way to leave the cafeteria and made my way to the Council room. Maybe this was too much, but I wouldn't feel satisfied unless I know (y/n) is safe. I have to go over there to check on her, just to make sure that everything is fine. I hope that the Council will let me, but even if they don't I'll probably just do it anyways.

I walked through the plain white halls which were currently empty, since most people were in the cafeteria by now. But I could sense that Yoda was still in his meditation room, so that's where I decided to go first. I carefully entered his room in case he didn't want to be disturbed, but once he was in sight I noticed that he was already looking at me as if he expected me to come.

I bowed respectfully and stepped further inside, "Hello Master. I hope I'm not interrupting." I say, looking around the room. This room in particular didn't have much besides a mat that Yoda was currently sitting on, a bed, and one lamp on his nightstand. Compared to my room at least, his was clean and practically empty.

He shook his head and gave me a small smile, "Interrupted, you have not. Hoping to see you, I was."

I rose an eyebrow in surprise, "What for?"

He closed his eyes and it looked like he was in deep thought. I played with the sleeves of my black robe while I waited for his answer.

He solemnly shook his head and opened his eyes, "Darnkess in the force, I sense. Investigate, I want you to."

I was taken aback by his words. That's not what I was expecting him to say, but I felt hopeful because his senses might be related to the weird things that I've noticed.

I nodded, "I'll do it. The reason I came in here was to ask if I could head to Corellia to check on (y/n). I just have a....bad feeling inside of me because she hasn't contacted us at all, and it just doesn't feel right."

I said my words a bit too fast because I didn't want Yoda to think anything was suspicious about my anxiety, but I don't think he noticed. Instead he nodded, "There, the darkness may be. Check on her, you must."

I sighed in relief and bowed one more time, "Thank you."

I turned around and left quickly before he could say anything else. I didn't think it would be that easy to get permission to do this since it's not anything urgent or life threatening, but I guess Yoda has fears about this just as I do. One thing was for sure: I didn't trust Elliot at all. But I have no idea what his goals or motives are so I can't jump to any conclusions just yet. But when I get there, I'm gonna make it my top priority to finally find out what's been bothering (y/n), and to see what Elliot's true intentions are.

(y/n) POV:

"Here are your stupid files." I said while throwing the papers down onto Elliot's desk. He nodded approvingly, causing his brown hair to bounce in front of his eyes.

"And you're sure no one recognized you?" He asked.

I rolled my eyes, because he asks this question every single time I return. To make sure I wasn't recognized by anyone, I bought an all black bodysuit to wear as well as borrowing an old Mandalore helmet from Elliot to hide my face. I have no idea how or why he has it, but I never bothered to question him since he most likely wouldn't tell me anyways.

"Of course they didn't." I snapped.

Amused, he chuckled and waved me off. "You can go now. I'll summon you later if I need you."

I clenched my jaw and turned around, storming out of his office.

I hated this.

I hated everything that's happened in the month that I've been here. All the things he asked me to do caused even more guilt to weigh on my shoulders. There were times where I asked myself: Is this really worth it? Because by doing this I'm already ruining the chances of the Jedi winning the war, so if Anakin and I got expelled then I didn't think it would make much of a difference. But then each time after I asked myself that, I remembered that I was doing this so Anakin could keep his place as a Jedi.

The constant conflict in my mind was driving me crazy, but there was nothing I could do to stop it which made it even worse. I had no one to confide in, and no one to lean on.

I was alone here.

The only person that was friendly to me was Leo, the hotel manager, but I didn't even know if I could trust him or not. He let me stay in the hotel for the time being, which was nice of him. But I did my best to avoid him and as many people as possible so that they wouldn't ask any questions.

I haven't really been able to meditate here either, since my mind has been all over the place and I can't ever stay focused anymore. That vision I had will just have to wait, because meditation isn't an option right now. But it still weighed on my mind, and I hope that I can get some answers from it soon.

Thankfully, I noticed that the side effects of the herb have finally worn off. For a while I was worried that they would never leave, but the bleeding stopped after about a week. I thought back to Elliot's note that said the herb was 'a threat.'

I scoffed, "Some threat....I thought threats weren't actually supposed to be painful." I muttered.

It was early in the morning, since Elliot had me do a late night mission. I was super exhausted and planned to crash in my bed as soon as I got to it. I used the elevator to get up to my room, then walked down the quiet hallway. My room was on the second floor this time, and the patterns of the walls and carpets were different. The walls had all sorts of trees and plants painted on them, and the carpets were floral patterned to match. This hallway in particular was very colorful, just like the lobby. It was the only thing here that made me feel an iota of happiness.

I pulled out a key from my pocket and was about to put it in the doors lock, when I noticed that the door was already unlocked. And I could feel another presence close by.

My heartbeat quickened, and terrifying theories started to form in my mind.

Did someone break in? Do they know about me or what I'm doing?

I quickly opened the door and turned on the lights, looking in both directions to see if anyone was there. But I didn't see anyone, which made me even more worried because I could clearly feel someone else here.

"Who's there? You better come out right now." I said in a commanding tone.

There was just silence, and no response. I cautiously stepped inside, looking left and right with each step. I tried to make my breaths as quiet as possible, so I could hear if someone was moving around. I made it all the way to the edge of my bed, and still saw nothing as I scanned the room. I exhaled slowly, deciding to change back into my Jedi clothing. I could still feel a presence nearby, but maybe it's just someone in the next room. It still doesn't explain the unlocked door though, because I vividly remember locking it before I left.

I changed back into my robes and kneeled to take off my boots, preparing for a nice long sleep.

But as soon as I stood back up, I was roughly shoved against the wall by my shoulders. I coughed from the impact of the sudden motion that caused all the wind to be knocked out of me. I looked up, my eyes blazing with fury as I was getting ready to use the force to push this person off of me. But my anger changed to confusion when I saw who was in front of me.

"Anakin?"

(a/n): Chapter 13 done! Sorry if this one was a little boring, it was mostly a preparation for the next chapter which is going to be VERY emotional