❝ i have the habit of needing to prove someone wrong,
just to embarrass them.  ❞

―

CARINA GAZED AROUND THE nightclub as Anakin watched his master approach them, "Do you see him?"

Anakin pursed his lips, "I think he's a she... and I think she's a changeling."

Carina rolled her shoulders back as she kept her complete focus on the crowd, "Well, this should make things more interesting."

Obi-Wan nodded before taking a step towards the bar, "Be extra careful then." Anakin tilted his head in confusion as the Jedi turned to leave, "Where are you going, Master?"

"To get a drink."

The young padawan blinked in surprise as Carina began to make her way across the room, examining everyone her eyes landed on.

Carina passed the bar where Obi-Wan was sat, she abruptly stopped, turning her head ever so slightly as she looked at the other side of the pub. She narrowed her eyes as her gaze landed on a figure approaching the Jedi Master from behind.

Before Carina could react, Obi-Wan was on his feet slicing his saber through the air. Screams and gasps erupted through the club and the Jedi Knight was quick to join Kenobi's side as Anakin yelled, "Easy, official business. Go back to your drinks."

Carina clicked her tongue as she gazed at the changeling cradling her cut off hand, Carina and Anakin moved to carry Zam out of the club before setting her down on the ground just by the entrance.

The changeling glared hatefully at the Jedi's as Carina narrowed her eyes, "Quite an attempt on a Senators life. Who hired you?"

Zam stayed completely quiet to which the Jedi Knight began to apply semi pressure to her wound, making the creature wince, "I don't like having to repeat myself."

"It was just a job." she rasped out. Carina gripped her wrist even tighter, "Not the answer I was looking for."

Zam grit her teeth in pain as she scowled at the twenty-year old, "That Senator's gonna die soon anyway, and the next one won't make the same mistake I did."

Carina let out a bitter chuckle, "You really don't like helping yourself."

The creature breathed heavily before speaking, "It was a bounty hunter called—" but before she could continue, a dart shot right past Carina and hit the changeling in the neck. Zam twitched for a moment, blinking in surprise before going limp.

The Jedi's glanced back to see an armoured rocket-man take off into the sky from the roof of a building, Carina clicked her tongue in annoyance, "Well, that's just rutting great."

Obi-Wan pulled out a small, wicked looking dart, "Toxic dart."

―

Carina voided her face of any emotion as she stood before Jedi council, Anakin and Obi-Wan stood on either sides of the girl as they had just informed the council of the bounty hunter.

Master Yoda placed his hands on his chin as he thought, "Track down this bounty hunter, you must, Obi-Wan."

Mace Windu nodded in agreement, "Most importantly, find out who he's working for."

Obi-Wan clasped his hands together, "What about Senator Amidala? She will still need protecting."

Master Windu gazed at his previous padawan, "Carina and Anakin will handle that. You two will escort the Senator back to her home planet of Naboo. She'll be safer there. And don't use registered transport. Travel as refugees."

Carina thought for a moment before voicing her thoughts, "Senator Amidala is the leader of the opposition, it will not be an easy task to get her to leave."

"Until caught this killer is, our judgment she must respect." Yoda responded to young Carina.

Mace gave his graduated apprentice a look, "You two will go to the Senate and ask Chancellor Palpatine to speak with her."

―

Carina held her hands clasped together as she gazed out of the window in the Chancellor's office as he agreed to what the Jedi's had told him. The girl turned as Anakin moved beside her to hear what Palpatine had to say, "I will talk to her. Senator Amidala will not refuse an executive order. I know her well enough to assure you of that."

Anakin slightly bowed before him, "Thank you, your excellency."

Palpatine gazed between the two before addressing Carina, "And so, I heard you passed your trials. Your hard work paid off, miss Algora."

Carina mustered up a smile, "You are too kind, Chancellor."

"You two never needed guidance, with time your power grows. I have said it many times, Carina and Anakin, you are the most gifted Jedi's I have ever met."

Carina fought off a weary expression as Palpatine gazed at her, "Power radiates off of you."

Carina reached for Anakin's hand as she offered the Chancellor an apologetic smile, "Your words are most appreciative, your excellency, but we must get going."

The Jedi Knight lead Anakin out of the office, not daring to look back.

―

Carina took a deep breath as she waited outside of Padme's room whilst she packed, despite her reluctance with the idea.

Anakin gazed intently at Carina as he took notice of her brows slightly furrowed, as if she was troubled with something, "Everything all right?"

Carina turned to meet the padawan's concerned gaze and offered him a reassuring smile, "Yes, just thoughts."

Anakin pressed his lips into a firm line, "I'm not a child anymore, Carina." The Jedi Knight looked visibly taken back by his words, "Why are you saying this to me?"

The padawan looked conflicted, "It just feels like you're trying to shield me, as if I can't take anything. I'm not ten anymore." Carina blinked as she listened, "I apologize if I've made you feel that way, believe me I know you've..." her eyes trailed over him, he had now passed her in height, "grown. I just have this instinct to protect you."

Anakin had to bite back a smug smile before taking a step towards Carina, who watched his every movement, "Let me protect you from time to time."

Carina found herself lost in his hazel eyes, such emotion behind his look could be seen clear as day, such emotions that frightened herself, she cleared her throat before quickly diverting her attention elsewhere, "You've grown as a Jedi, I meant."

Anakin hid the disappointment he felt from seeing her distance herself, a frown pulled at his lips as he changed the conversation, "Master Obi-Wan manages not to see it."

Carina straightened up her posture as she spoke, "He's your mentor, Ani. He sees the flaws you choose not to see. That's his job."

Anakin let out a frustrated sigh, "Don't get me wrong... Obi-Wan is a great mentor, as wise as Master Yoda and as powerful as Master Windu. I am truly thankful to be his apprentice. Only... although I'm a Padawan learner, in some ways, a lot of ways... I'm ahead of him." Anakin turned to meet Carina's eyes.

"I'm ready for the trials. I know I am! He knows it too. But he feels I'm too unpredictable... other Jedi my age have gone through the trials and made it. I know I started my training late, but he won't let me move on."

Carina hummed taking in the boys words before giving her input, "Anakin, we are always going to think we are ready, we think too much of ourselves, believe me, I thought the same. Master Windu whipped me into shape real quick after I claimed I was ready when in reality, I wasn't. I was far from it. Listen to Obi-Wan, I know he can be an utter pain in the behind but all he wants is the best for you, trust him."

Anakin ran a hand over his face as he calmed down once again, "You're right." the boy held an admiring gaze for Carina, "When did you become so wise?"

The Jedi Knight let out a soft chuckle, "Don't try and grow up too fast." Anakin moved to where he was standing directly before Carina, gazing down at her as she inhaled sharply, "You said I was grown up."

Carina watched Anakin's eyes wander over her facial features and slowly shook her head, "Don't give me that look."

"Why not?" Anakin moved closer and this time Carina took a step back, "You know why. We have roles to fulfill."

"Carina—"

"I will check to see if the Senator is ready." The brunette swiftly cut him off before striding into Padme's room before she was placing her clothes into her suitcase, "Trouble in paradise?" the Senator spoke without even glancing at Carina.

The Jedi blinked rapidly before recomposing herself, "I beg your pardon?"

Padme gave her friend a knowing look, "Don't give me that oblivious act, anyone who pays attention can tell you and Anakin are constantly giving each other heart eyes."

Carina narrowed her eyes at the Senator, "Instead of looking way into situations, finish up your packing."

Padme rolled her eyes, "Denial at it's finest."

―

Carina adjusted her utility belt as she stood before the spaceport frieghter docks, awaiting to get on a transport bus.

R2 stood at her side as Padme began to head onto the vehicle, Anakin glancing back at her as she joined the group. Captain Typho and Obi-Wan were waiting to hand them the luggage.

"Be safe, M'lady." Typho slightly bowed before the Senator who smiled at him, "Thank you, Captain. Take good care of Dorme... the threat's on you two now."

Carina followed Anakin as Obi-Wan pulled him aside, "Anakin, you stay put on Naboo. Do not attract any attention. Do absolutely nothing without checking in with me or the Council."

Carina arched a brow as she gave Obi-Wan a look, "Easy there, Obi. He won't be alone." The Jedi Master looked over at the girl, "Be careful, the two of you."

Obi-Wan turned to face Padme who had been giving Carina a knowing gaze as she quickly composed herself as the Jedi Master spoke, "I will get to the bottom of this plot quickly, M'Lady. You'll be back here in no time."

"I will be most grateful for your speed, Master Jedi."

Carina placed a gentle hand on Padme forearm, "Time to go." Anakin picked up most of the luggage as Carina herself picked a few up, exiting the speeder bus.

Obi-Wan smiled at Carina and Anakin, "May the force be with you."

"As with you, Obi." the girl softly smiled before the trio headed off to the Starfreighter, "Suddenly, I'm afraid."

Carina shuffled closer to the Senators side, "I will be here for anything you need, Padme."

Anakin took a deep breath in hopes to calm his trouble mind. Carina caught sight of the act and made a mental note to question the padawan on it later.

―

Carina pulled her robe closer to herself as Anakin laid sleeping beside her, Padme kept to herself as she continued to examine their surroundings.

Carina pursed her lips in worry as she watched Anakin twitch in his sleep, sweat forming on his forehead as his brows were pulled together in a slight furrow. The twenty-year old girl swept a strand of hair off of his face as she gazed at him, "Ani."

The padawan twitched once again, Carina's worry growing by the second. She softly patted his arm, "Anakin."

"Anakin."

The padawan awoke with a slight jolt as he blinked rapidly, slowly calming down once he met Carina's eyes. Concern laced the girls expression as she questioned, "Are you alright?"

Anakin swallowed a lump in his throat before reluctantly nodding, "Yeah, nothing to worry about."

Carina narrowed her eyes at him, severely unconvinced but at the same time R2 reappeared with three bowls of mush.

Padme shuffled in her seat chuckling awkwardly, "Anyone hungry?"

Anakin nodded as he took the bowl, "Thank you." Carina turned to her own plate and began to eat, "We went into lightspeed a while ago."

The padawan spared a glance at the Jedi Knight before speaking, "I look forward to seeing Naboo again. It was very beautiful."

Padme gave him a kind smile due to the compliment he gave her home planet, "Thank you, I hope even if it has been awhile since you last saw it, you think of it the same."

Anakin gazed at Carina as he spoke, "I think time has given me much more mature feelings to enhance my perception."

Carina stopped chewing her food halfway as she looked up. Padme pursed her lips, gazing between the two before she thought of something, "It must be difficult having sworn your life to the Jedi... not being able to visit the places you like... or do the things you like."

Carina's eyes widened as she sent a glare at her friend, swallowing her food as Anakin hummed, "Not being able to be with the person I love."

The Algora girl shuffled in her seat as Padme raised a curious brow, "Are you allowed to love? I thought that was forbidden for the Jedi."

Carina cleared her throat as she did not like where the conversation was going, "It's quite complicated considering everything contradicts itself, so how's the meal?"

Padme hid an amused smile as Anakin continued to eat his plate of food. Carina heard R2 let out a few beeps when the Senator stood from her seat, "If you'll excuse me, I have to use the restroom."

Carina went to accompany her but Padme stopped the Jedi Knight, "I'll be fine on my own."

The brunette reluctantly nodded before slipping back into her seat, she watched Padme disappear into the back before gazing at Anakin, "The nightmare, it was about your mother, wasn't it?"

Anakin stopped his movement before nodding, "Yes... I left Tatooine so long ago, my memory of her is fading. I don't want to lose it. Recently I've been seeing her in my dreams, vivid dreams... scary dreams. I worry about her."

Carina's expression softened as she took the padawan's hand, "I'm here for whatever you need, Ani."

Anakin found himself falling for the Jedi Knight harder by the second.