The Trial
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(y/n)'s POV
"How do you plead to the murder of Count Dooku, an unarmed prisoner of the Jedi?" Palpatine stared down at Shaak Ti with an almost threatening glare.

She swallowed nervously as she stood up. Her eyes scanned the room for a moment until they met my own; betrayal flashed through them.

I quickly looked away, feeling shameful, this was all my fault. But I couldn't stop it, I had no choice but to listen. I had no choice but to watch an innocent person pay for my own crimes.

"Guilty." She pleaded solemnly as she looked down to the floor. My heart ached at the solemness her tone carried.

I felt Anakin grab my hand and squeeze it gently from next to me, "Are you okay Princess?" He asked in a soft whisper.

I nodded slowly without meeting his eyes, I didn't want him to see the guilt in my eyes. He knows me better than anyone, and the last thing I need is anymore questions from him, "I'm fine."

Anakin's POV
I didn't have to look into her eyes to know the guilt she was feeling, not that I blamed her, Ti was going to prison for something that she did.

Which raises more questions from me.

Now that I know the truth, I can't help but wonder why Ti is pleading guilty in first place. And judging by how (y/n) feels, I know she didn't make Ti do this, so none of this is making any sense to me..

And I'm sure you're wondering why I'm not doing anything to stop this innocent woman from being locked away after knowing what I now know.

Well, the way I see it is, it's either Ti or (y/n).. and as fucking selfish as it is, I refuse to turn my own fiancé in. I feel absolutely horrible for it, but my mind is made and I'm protecting her over anyone else, and I won't apologize for that.

I'm hoping I can help Ti in the future if I ever get a better understanding of what's even happening, but as of right now, there isn't anything I can do that won't put (y/n) in her place. And that isn't something I'm willing to do.

She would do the same thing for me if the roles were reversed, I know she would.

I know there has to be a good reason for killing Dooku, I refuse to believe otherwise.. if only I can get her to open up to me. I don't want to approach her with the information and make her feel like she's being pushed into a corner. I want her to feel safe enough to tell me herself, I'm just wondering what has been holding her back lately from trusting me. Even after last night when I assured her that there isn't a single thing she could tell me that would make me not love her, she still remained blocked off from me, and it hurt..

I squeezed her hand a little tighter to comfort her and then released it, before anyone around us noticed our close contact.

I sighed sadly and quietly as I leaned back in my seat and watched as Ti received her sentence. My gaze slowly traveled to Palpatine, he seemed a little too joyful for a circumstance such as this one.

The way his wrinkly lips tugged into a devious smile when the guards began to take her away made my skin crawl. And I noticed that during the entire trial, Ti avoided his stare at all costs, it seemed a little suspicious to me. It was almost like she was afraid to look into his eyes.

But why would she be afraid of him?

I brought my hand up to my chin and thought back to my conversation with her in the hall, the one that took place just before he had shown up.

'No one can be trusted.'

'Especially those in power.'

My eyes widened slightly as I sat up straight and kept my gaze fixated on the old man who had just stood up to get down from his high seat, a high seat of power. Not only that, but not many people have as much power as him. He also insisted on dealing with this matter himself..

All the pieces to this messy puzzle I have inside of my mind are starting to slowly fit together.

But I still need more.

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One week later

(y/n)'s POV
"Are you sure you feel ready for this?" I asked Cal who was eager to get on our ship for our mission to Zygerria to find out where all the missing Togruta's are being taken. I am to pose as a slaver, Cal being my slave, gain favor with the Queen by giving him as a gift, and see what I can find out from her during casual small talk.

Easy.

He nodded with a huge grin on his face. He was a little too excited for someone who is about to play the role of a slave, "I am more than ready Master."

I breathed out chuckle through my nose at his optimism, "Alright, well your outfit is on the ship so go ahead and get on while I say goodbye to Anakin," I turned my head to the side and smiled at my fiance who was waiting over on the side for me.

Cal smirked, "Try to remember that there's people around." He teased me, luckily I already knew how to get back at him.

I raised a brow and nodded behind him, "Oh look is that Ahsoka?"

His eyes widened and he spun around, then he slowly turned around and met my knowing eyes; now I was the one holding a smirk, "That's not cool Master." He responded sheepishly.

I placed a hand on his shoulder, "I know, but now it looks like we have a topic for a discussion on our way to Zygerria."

His cheeks flushed red as he avoided my eye contact, "I'll be on the ship." He mumbled as he spun around and hurried up the ramp.

Teenage crushes and emotions, I remember them all too well.

I hurried over to Anakin and he quickly pulled me by my wrist to get us in-between two ships, away from the public eye, "Master Yoda wanted me to apologize on his behalf for not being able to come see you off," He spoke quickly before immediately pulling me into a kiss, I already forgot the words he had said as I got lost in his love. I savored the few seconds we had before pulling away from the embrace, "I'm going to miss you so much Princess." He brushed my hair behind my ear gently with a sweet smile on his face.

I gazed into his eyes dotingly as I held his hand to my cheek, "I'll miss you too Ani, but it should only be a day or two, at most." I immediately dropped my hand down and took one step away from him when I heard a few people about to walk by.

He shrugged, still holding his beautiful smile, "I know, but I always miss you when you're not around."

I chuckled, "Just keep yourself busy, why don't you try going on a mission as well?" I suggested, "I'm sure there are droids wreaking havoc somewhere." I rolled my eyes at the idiotic machines.

He shook his head, his emotion switching slightly to a more serious, "I have a personal assignment that I'm working on."

I eyed him curiously, he's never mentioned anything about a personal assignment to me, "And what might this assignment be?"

He lifted his gloved hand and poked my nose playfully, "Don't worry about it Princess, just be safe and hurry back to me so I can marry you." His words caused a grin to spread across my cheeks. Our wedding is in less than a week and I haven't planned a single thing.

Master Yoda insisted, no, demanded, to be the one to plan it so I don't stress about it apparently. But I know that's just an excuse; I happen to think that he's been planning this for longer than Anakin and I have been together, probably since we were teenagers. And I do have complete faith in him, so I know I'll love it and it's going to be beautiful.

I glanced to the small opening between the ships to make sure no one could see us, and when the coast was clear; I leaned up and gave him one more quick kiss, "I can't wait to be your wife." I smiled bigger than I have in awhile.

Ive had a difficult few weeks, so my wedding day and marrying this amazing man is something that I desperately need.

I've tried not to think about what happened with Ti, since it brings so much guilt into my heart. But sometimes the look of betrayal she gave me that day appears into my mind, like my own brain was reminding me how shitty of a person I am. I tried to go see her a few times too, so I could explain to her why I had to do what I did, but she always told the guards to make me go away.. and I chose not to press it any further. Either way, my decision was selfish, I threw away her freedom for my love.

"And I can't wait to be your husband." Anakin pulled me into a hug and sighed softly into my ear, his embrace was enough to heal my pain and I welcomed the relief only he could give me, "Call me if you have any trouble, I'll be on the first ship out." He kissed the side of my head before pulling away.

I nodded, "You know I will."

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I sat in the pilot sit with Cal sitting patiently in the co-pilot seat next to me. He was currently eyeing a necklace he had on, he twisted the black rock in his fingertips while he looked lost in thought, "You alright Cal?"

He jumped when I spoke and turned to me with a smile, "Yes I'm fine." He nodded before glancing back down at the gem in his hands.

I began pressing the controls on the dashboard to bring this ship to life, "Where'd you get that necklace from?" I asked to make small talk, but I was also curious.

"Master Windu." He told me and I paused for a moment.

I slowly turned my head to face him with furrowed brows, "Master Windu gave you a.. gift?" I asked in disbelief.

He shrugged as he dropped it down so it rested on his upper clothed torso, "I thought it was weird too, but he said it would bring me luck on my first real mission." He smiled joyfully.

I hummed as I faced the front of the ship to begin our take off, "That's nice of him, but also odd. I've never known him to be kind before." Maybe he does have a bit of a softer side that I never got to see, because of how much trouble Anakin and I caused.

He chuckled, "I assumed it was something he did for everyone."

I shook my head slowly without making eye contact with him, "No, I don't think he does, maybe he just likes you." I shrugged once we pulled out of the shipping dock and flew into the surrounding sky of the temple.

"Well I do happen to be likable." He joked and I let out a laugh at his Anakin like cockiness.

I turned my head to look at him, "Likable even to Ahsoka?" I smirked and he immediately broke eye contact with me; I could see the blood rushing to his cheeks.

"I don't know." He mumbled as he nervously played with the fabric of his pants.

"Just be honest with her," I advised him. Looking back on how my own teenage romance fell into years worth of hate and arguments because honesty was never on the table, "The worst thing that can happen is that she'll say she doesn't feel the same. But I happen to think she just might." I winked; causing a smile to spread on his face. He's an adorable kid and him and Ahsoka have a good time together. They've always reminded me of Anakin and myself when we were younger, I wouldn't be surprised if a romance blossomed between them.

Fuck the code.

He tilted his head curiously, "Is that what happened with you and Master Skywalker?"

I shook my head with a light laugh, "Oh definitely not, that is one messy love story. He was too stupid to be honest and so we spent years arguing, fighting, and damn near hating each other. And it was all because of one little thing that wasn't even my fault." I rolled my eyes at the memory of Brian, who I also haven't seen in a while. I wonder if he's dead.. no he's not, we would've heard something. But I wouldn't say I'd mind if he was after he tried ruining my relationship.

Cal turned his body to fully face me with an intrigued look in his eyes, "I want to hear yours and Master Skywalker's love story." He smiled as he leaned his head on his seat, getting himself comfortable to prepare for the tea.

I chuckled as I shook my head, "That's a long story Cal, we've known each other for nearly fourteen years and we only have about two hours till we reach Zygerria."

He glanced towards the lights of hyperspace, before looking back to me, then he shrugged, "I guess you'll just have to talk fast then."

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I'm already thinking of the next few chapter and Ahh it's making me emotional I hope you all are ready.
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Thoughts?
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