❝ obi-wan, let's not forget who's been beating
you since the age of twelve. ❞

―

CARINA NARROWED HER eyes as Master Windu explained the situation to her, "Senator Amidala needs protecting as her life has been threatened, I have volunteered you as well as Obi-Wan to take up the task."

Carina raised a questioning brow, "Is this you officially giving me my first task as a Jedi Knight?"

Mace pursed his lips, "You were a wonderful apprentice, Carina. I believe you will grow to be one of the strongest of us. I knew you would pass the trials."

"I am grateful you trained me, even if you are a tad bit too strict." Carina gave her old mentor an amused smile. Master Windu let out a heavy sigh, "You carry the spirit of a child, treasure that always, Carina."

Carina slightly bowed before him, "Of course, Master Windu."

"Now go, the Senator awaits."

The Jedi Knight nodded before entering the apartment corridor, a genuine smile spread across her lips as she caught sight of Jar Jar.

The Gungan face lit up, "Ina! Osa so good to sees you."

Carina clasped her hands together, "Always good to see you too, Jar Jar."

Padme approached the Jedi and held her arms out, "Ina, I didn't believe when they had told me you were here." Carina chuckled as she embraced her old friend, "I was told you need a bodyguard."

Padme stepped back, "It's nice to see a familiar face, you've grown so much since I last saw you."

Carina shrugged, "I'm definitely not twelve so." Padme's eyes widened as if she had just recalled something, "I was told you're officially a Jedi Knight, congrats, Ina. That's amazing."

The brunette smiled at the Senator, "Thank you, Padme. No harm will come to you under my watch, I promise."

"Lookie... lookie, oops. Oh, dear, I'm afraid I've forgotten myself again."

Carina slowly turned around to see Master Kenobi, and Anakin standing at the doorway. Anakin inhaled sharply upon seeing Carina once again, it had been four years since the last he saw her, and she grew even more beautiful than he had last remembered.

Carina approached the two and smiled, "Obi-Wan, been awhile since I last saw you."

The male held an endearing gaze for the girl, "Congratulations on passing your trials, Carina." The Jedi Knight nodded in appreciation, "I won't lie, I'm a tad surprised I did."

Carina looked over at Anakin, "You've grown since I last saw you, Ani."

"You've grown more beautiful... and taller." Anakin attempted to cover up his slip up of complimenting the Jedi Knight. Carina chuckled softly, "Oh how I've missed you."

The twenty-year old moved beside the padawan as Senator Amidala joined the trio, "It has been far too long Master Kenobi. I'm so glad our paths have crossed again... but I must warn you that I think your presence here is unnecessary."

Obi-Wan crossed his arms over his chest, "I'm sure the Jedi council have their reasons."

The group moved towards the sofas as Obi-Wan continued, "Our presence will be invisible, M'lady."

Captain Typho glanced between Kenobi and Carina, "I am very grateful you are here, the situation is more dangerous than the Senator will admit."

Carina took a seat between Obi-Wan and Anakin as Padme spoke up, "I don't need security, I need answers. I want to know who's trying to kill me."

Obi-Wan frowned upon hearing this, "We're here to protect you, Senator, not start an investigation."

Carina sent her friend a comforting smile, "All will come to light, Senator. One cannot hide for too long."

Anakin furrowed his brows in thought, "Isn't investigation implied in our mandate? Why would they send three Jedi's to merely play local security?"

Carina looked over at the padawan as Obi-Wan spoke up in a scolding tone, "We will do exactly as the Council has instructed, and you will learn your place, young one."

Padme glanced between the trio, "Perhaps with merely your presence, the mysteries surrounding this threat will be revealed. Now, if you will excuse me, I will retire."

Everyone stood just after the Senator, giving her a slight bow as she excused herself from the room.

Anakin immediately gazed over at Carina who walked away from him to approach Captain Typho, "Well, I know I feel a lot better having you here. I'll have an officer on every floor and I'll be at the command center downstairs."

Anakin frowned at seeing Carina hold a distance from himself, he bit his lower lip as Jar Jar approached the padawan, "Mesa busten wit happiness seein Yousa again, Annie. Deesa bad times, bombad times."

Anakin let out a heavy sigh, "She can barely even look at me, Jar Jar. I've thought about her every single day and she was more welcoming four years ago when I last saw her. It's like she wants nothing to do with me."

Jar Jar listened intently as Obi-Wan joined the two, "Carina matured after being trained by Master Windu. Anakin, you're focusing on the negative again. Be mindful of your thoughts. She was glad to see us. Now lets check the security here."

―

Carina gazed out the windows as Anakin paced around the living room. The Jedi Knight smiled in awe at the beauty of the night, all the gleaming lights with the city still busy with people.

Anakin shuffled on his feet awkwardly, "It has been awhile since us two spoke to one another, alone."

Carina turned to face the padawan, "It has been. I am glad to see you doing well, Ani."

Anakin hid a smile as he licked his lips, "You're talking more like Obi-Wan." Carina feigned an offended expression, "Ouch, I take that as an insult."

The young padawan shook his head, "Am I wrong?"

Carina let go of the tension in her shoulders before an amused smile spread across her lips, "You still say everything that comes to mind, huh."

Anakin felt his chest tighten upon seeing her relax around him, "You don't have to be so uptight with me."

Carina blinked as she took in his words, "I've grown accustomed to it. I hadn't even realized how tense I've held myself."

Anakin smiled at the twenty-year old Jedi, "Well, around me you don't have to be."

Carina gazed into the padawan's intriguing eyes for a moment too long. Obi-Wan waltzed into the room as he informed the two, "Captain Typho has more than enough men downstairs. No assassin will try that way. Any activity up here?"

Carina straightened up her posture as she pursed her lips, tearing her eyes away from Anakin and to the Jedi Master, "No, quiet as can be."

Anakin clasped his hands together as Obi-Wan checked his palm-sized scanner that he pulled from his utility belt. His eyes narrowed upon only seeing R2 in the frame yet no sign of Padme.

The male glanced between Carina and Anakin, "What's going on?"

"I covered the camera for her, she did not want to be watched whilst she slept. That is to be respected." Carina firmly spoke, silently daring Obi-Wan to speak against the idea.

"Is it safe though?"

Anakin took a step beside Carina as she nodded, "I programmed R2 to warn us if there's an intruder."

Kenobi crossed his arms over his chest, "It's not an intruder I'm worried about. There are many other ways to kill a Senator."

"I know, but we also want to catch the one behind this." Carina told the Jedi that gave his padawan and the Jedi an incredulous look, "You're using her as bait?"

"It was Padme's idea. I was ordered to serve and protect, that is what I will do." Carina spoke as Anakin nodded in agreement, "I can sense everything going on in that room as well."

Obi-Wan shook his head, "It's too risky... and your senses aren't that attuned, young apprentice."

Anakin gazed intently at his Master, "And yours are?"

The Jedi Master shrugged, "Possibly."

Carina let out a heavy sigh before leaning against a window, "You two still seem like a bundle of joy."

Obi-Wan gazed at the twenty-year old, "I'm glad to see you growing, my old training partner."

The corner of the Jedi Knights lips tugged upwards, "I can definitely kick your ass now, Obi." Obi-Wan shook his head, "You're still the same as before, Carina."

"Master Windu said to keep my childish spirit, so that I will do."

Obi-Wan smiled at the girl before gazing over at his own padawan who looked awfully exhausted, "You look tired."

Carina diverted her attention over to Anakin, who pressed his lips into a firm line, "I don't sleep well, anymore."

"Because of your mother?"

This peaked Carina's attention as she pushed off the wall and worriedly gazed at Anakin, "What's wrong?"

The padawan shrugged in response, "I don't know why I keep dreaming about her now. I haven't seen her since I was little."

The Jedi Master hummed, "Dreams pass in time."

Anakin looked deep in thought, "I'd rather dream of—" the boy quickly caught himself from finishing his sentence as he snuck a quick glance at Carina, who held a caring glint in her eyes. His mind was constantly filled with thoughts of her, her eyes that always held so much emotions. More importantly, her smile. That damned smile that always flustered him, always made his heart beat faster.

She was all he could think about, for her, he would do anything for.

Obi-Wan pursed his lips, "Mind your thoughts, Anakin, they betray you. You've made a commitment to the Jedi order... a commitment not easily broken."

Carina chimed into the conversation, "I'm sure Anakin has heard that plenty of times, Obi-Wan. No need to constantly remind him."

The Jedi Master shook his head, "It is my job to remind him of what truly—"

Carina had stopped listening as she turned gazing at the Senator's room.

"I sense it too." Anakin reassured.

Carina moved quickly with the two males trailing behind her, she reached for her lightsaber as she kicked down the door. The Jedi Knight swiftly sliced the two Kouhun worms in half, startling Padme awake from the ruckus.

Obi-Wan gazed over at the droid lingering by the window and raced straight at it, grabbing onto the deadly machine before it could flee.

Carina let out a heavy sigh before glancing back at her friend, "Stay here."

The Jedi Knight leaped off the bed as she gripped Anakin's wrist, leading him out the room just as Captain Typho and the guards rushed into the Senators room.

Carina charged out of the building with Anakin closely behind as they ran into a line of parked speeders.

Her eyes landed on a three seater and she rushed towards it, "The Obi-Wan says I act before thinking." she muttered before opening the vault, Anakin slipped into the drivers seat as Carina slid into the place beside him before the two quickly took off into the line of speeder traffic above.

Carina narrowed her eyes as she looked around for the Jedi Master, "Up ahead."

Anakin stepped onto the accelerator, "Found him."

The two watched Obi-Wan fall from above before they swiftly made their way below him to catch the Jedi, he grabbed onto the back of speeder before hauling himself into the cockpit, slipping into the seat behind Carina and Anakin.

"Maybe, take your own advice next time, Obi."

Obi-Wan rolled his eyes, "What took you two so long?"

"Oh, you know, Master, I couldn't find a speeder I really liked, with an open cockpit... and with the right speed capabilities... and then you know I had to get a really gonzo color." Anakin retorted as Carina smiled, "Should have picked a two seater speeder."

"If you'd spend as much time working on your saber skills as you do on your wit, young Padawan, you would rival Master Yoda as a swordsman." Obi-Wan spoke to his apprentice.

Carina chuckled, "Obi-Wan, let's not forget who's been a better swordsman than you since the age of twelve. Perhaps perfecting your own skills would be dandy."

Anakin stifled in his laughter as Obi-Wan crossed his arms over his chest, "Woah, easy there." Anakin skimmed past another speeder to make his way through traffic, "Sorry, I forgot you don't like flying, Master."

Carina leaned her her chin on the palm of her hand where her arm rested upon the edge as Obi-Wan spoke, "I don't mind flying." Anakin turned sharply, barely missing a commuter train.

The Jedi Master gripped onto his seat, "But what you're doing is suicide!"

Carina let out a soft sigh, "You never do change, Obi."

"Master, you know I've been flying before I could walk. I'm very good at this." Anakin reassured as he continued to zoom past other speeders and vehicles.

Obi-Wan fought the urge to close his eyes, "Just slow down!"

Carina watched the person they were chasing fly straight into a tram tunnel. "Ani, watch out."

"Wait, don't go in there." Obi-Wan yelled out, Anakin hit the accelerator, speeding past the tunnel barely ahead of the charging commuter transport.

The Jedi Master blinked rapidly before letting out a sigh, "You know I don't like it when you do that."

"Sorry, Master. Don't worry, this guy's gonna kill himself any minute now." Anakin loudly spoke as they turned back onto oncoming traffic.

Zam did a quick, tight loop-over and ended up behind the Jedi's. Carina looked behind to see the assassin getting into position to fire at them with a laser pistol.

"Uh, Ani!"

"I got it." Anakin grit out before slamming on the brakes, turning to move alongside Zam. They now fired point blank at Obi-Wan. The Jedi Master ducked from the shot fired, "What are you doing? He's gonna blast me!"

Anakin slid under Zam's speeder, racing along the traffic filled sky. One speeder right on top of the other. The bounty hunter skimmed over the rooftops, causing for the Anakin to fall behind. The padawan went through his gears, zooming around the traffic.

They zoom past speeders and almost crashed into a large spacecraft that was landing. Anakin zoomed after the hunter into a power refinery. Carina wearily watched as huge electrical bolts shot between the buildings as the speeders past.

Carina cringed as they barely made it out of the shock, Obi-Wan looked beyond annoyed, "Well, that was good."

The Jedi Knight let out a breathless laugh, "I've missed adventuring with you two."

"We are going to die."

Anakin raced out of a cloud of smoke, continuing after the bounty hunter that lied ahead of them. Carina watched the assassin go up, crossing their way through the traffic.

Anakin pulled up to the right, continuing straight, Obi-Wan glanced back before looking at his apprentice, "Where are you going? He went down there, the other way."

"Master, if we keep this chase going, that creep's gonna end up Deep-fried. Personally, I'd very much like to find out who in the hell he is and who he's working for. This is a shortcut... I think."

Carina pulled her hair back as she tied it into a bun, having gotten annoyed of having it in her face. Anakin gazed her for a moment too long before he gazed back out the sky to see a speeder coming right at them.

The padawan swerved out of the way as Carina looked over at Anakin, "Eyes on the sky."

Obi-Wan blinked rapidly, holding onto the sides, "He's gonna kill us."

Anakin turned up a side street, zooming up several small passageways, before suddenly stopping, hovering about fifty stories up in the air.

"Well, you lost him." Obi-Wan huffed as he crossed his arms over his chest.

Anakin gazed out before thinking up an idea, "I'm deeply sorry, Master."

Carina looked down below them before she glanced over at Anakin as if they two had come upon the same idea.

Anakin gestured to the wheel and Carina firmly nodded.

Obi-Wan continued on his rant, oblivious to what the two in front of him were planning, "Well, this is some kind of shortcut. He went
completely the other way! Once again, Anakin—"

Before the Jedi Master could continue his scolding, Anakin stood from his seat, "Excuse me for a moment."

The padawan jumped out of the speeder, Carina slipped into the pilots seat as Obi-Wan gazed down below, "I hate it when he does that."

Carina chuckled, "Buckle in, Obi."

Dread flushed through Obi-Wan's expression. He suddenly remembered how riskier Carina flew.

"Someone get me off this speeder."

Carina stepped on the accelerator as she dove down, Obi-Wan nearly shrieked as the girl skimmed past any incoming speeders.

The Jedi Knight swerved, doing a looped spin as she past a train. Carina caught sight of Anakin on the bounty hunters speeder and rushed towards him.

She watched the padawan's saber fall and dove under so the weapon landed in the passenger seat.

Obi-Wan shook his head, "Again with losing his saber."

Carina slipped past two speeders and caught sight of the assassins speeder, she went down, landing the vehicle.

She slipped out of the speeder as Obi-Wan rushed to get into solid ground.

"Never will I fly with you as the pilot, again."

Carina rolled her eyes, "You always had a flair for being dramatic."

The two rushed to the front of the nightclub where Anakin was standing.

"Anakin!" Obi-Wan yelled out for his apprentice. The padawan turned around, "She went into that club, Master."

Carina narrowed her eyes at the club as Obi-Wan let out a heavy sigh, "Patience. Use the force, Anakin. Think."

"Sorry, Master."

"He went in there to hide, not run."

"Or to catch us off guard." Carina chimed in as the Jedi Master handed the Skywalker his lightsaber, "Here. Next time, try not to lose it."

"Yes, Master."

"A Jedi's saber is his most precious possession—" before Obi-Wan could continue lecturing the boy, Carina spoke up, "All the lesson giving can be given later, so right now get your asses in the club."

Anakin hid an amused smile as Carina took the lead heading inside.

Obi-Wan gazed at Anakin and Carina intently, Yoda's words echoing in his mind.

"One will fall."

—

AUTHORS NOTE, thank you loves for all the comments it makes me so happy to look through and that you guys are enjoying this book xx