❝ some people just weren't meant
for a happy ending ❞

―

CARINA PICKED UP the used plates from the main dining table after Padme had finished eating, Anakin was collecting the utensils to help her out.

Carina avoided eye contact with the young Skywalker as she placed the dishes in the kitchen. The padawan felt a frown tug on his lips upon seeing her keep her distance, he stole a glance at her and the Jedi Knight had her lips tightly pursed before she dusted off her hands, looking up at the blonde, "Thank you for your help."

Anakin meekly nodded, "My pleasure."

Carina turned to walk away, wanting to extract herself from the tense atmosphere when Anakin spoke up, causing her to halt her steps, "May I tell you something?"

The twenty two year old closed her eyes, "I don't know."

"Then how can I tell you?"

"Does your mind tell you it's wise to say it to me?"

Anakin furrowed his brows together, "I don't know, the only thing on my mind is you." Carina gazed down at the ground before turning towards the padawan, "Anakin, please don't."

The young Skywalker let out a soft scoff, "Don't what? It's not my fault that from the moment I met you not a day has gone by where I haven't thought of you. Being around you is intoxicating and I'm frustrated that I cannot act on how I feel. The thought of not being with you physically makes me sick."

Carina held a torn look as Anakin continued, "Four years ago when you arrived back from that mission and I was finally able to see you again after six years, I had never been so happy. Then having to part with you again, it broke me. Please tell me it is not only I feeling this way. Please."

Carina inhaled sharply before clasping her hands tightly together, "We swore an oath to the Jedi, Anakin. We are not allowed to tread into relationships, we know this very well. We can't do this, no matter how we feel towards each other."

Anakin felt a slimmer of hope shoot through him as he intensely gazed at Carina, "So you do feel something. Carina, we cannot deny the bond between us."

Carina's posture straightened up, "We're going to have to. We would both be expelled from the order, we cannot give up our futures for this. I made a pact to help people as a Jedi, that is what I must do."

Anakin took a step towards the brunette, "I was destined to be a Jedi. I don't think I could be anything else. But you are asking me to be rational. That is something I know I cannot do. I wish I could wish my feelings away... but I can't."

Carina stumbled backwards, shaking her head as she did so, "I refuse to give into this, I can't."

"Carina—"

The Jedi Knight held a stern expression, "No, this would destroy us both in the long run. You know this, Anakin."

The blonde padawan attempted to not let his disappointment shine through as he meekly nodded, agreeing with the brunette, "You're right. It would destroy us."

―

Wind flew by as Carina stood outside on the grand balcony, slashing her saber around as she attempted to get some movement in.

Anakin leaned against the pillars as he intently watched her. The Jedi Knight twirled on her heel before spinning moving her weapon in an upwards slash, stopping abruptly upon seeing the padawan smiling slightly.

"What?"

Anakin pushed himself off the pillar as he approached the girl, "Always training." A smirk spread across Carina's lips as she shrugged, "It's also the reason I can kick your ass."

Anakin gave the Jedi a look, "One can dream." Carina held a challenging glint in her eyes as she twirled her saber, "Prove it then. Knock me down."

Anakin let out a soft chuckle before pulling out his saber, "I think this would be the first time we train against each other."

Carina smiled as she rolled her shoulders back, "Don't expect me to go easy on you just because you're a padawan."

The young Skywalker playfully scowled as he turned on his blue lit saber, "You won't have to." Anakin pounced first as he slashed his saber, Carina was quick to counter his attack as she used her strength to push him back, planting her feet on the ground as Anakin looked at her, "Alright then."

Carina slashed her weapon sideways to deflect another hit from the padawan that kept attacking just so Carina could block every single one.

The Jedi Knight found it easy to read his movements and his fighting style, Anakin was always one to attack until he couldn't anymore.

Carina spun on her heel, jabbing the metal part of her saber handle to the boys back, causing him to stumble forward. Carina let out a sigh as she held her weapon before her, "You were saying?"

Anakin playfully glared at her before spinning his saber, attacking her once again and Carina held her saber up, clashing it with Anakin's as they both used sheer force.

Carina twirled on her heel, feeling the boys saber near her upper arm dangerously close, grinning as she conjured up an idea. She let out a wince, holding her arm as she faced away from the padawan.

Anakin's face fell in concern, "Carina?" He quickly approached the girl and she jutted her elbow up, jabbing him in the jaw as she kicked him the chest, sending him tumbling on the ground.

Carina let out a chuckle as she shut her saber off, "I'll be honest, I didn't think you'd fall for that."

Anakin groaned as he hauled himself up to his feet once again, "My mistake for actually caring if I had hurt you." Carina gave the padawan a look, "It wouldn't have mattered, in training it's normal to get hurt. I have a few scars on my waist for being too cocky."

Anakin expression grew serious as he gazed at her, "Not me. The last thing I would ever want to do is hurt you."

Carina was severely taken back by his sincere tone of voice as he kept his eyes on her, Carina swallowed thickly before shaking her head, as if to rid herself of any thoughts as she cleared her throat, "I should go check on Padme."

Anakin licked his lips before hesitantly agreeing, "Yeah, you should."

Carina slipped her lightsaber back into her utility belt as she went to leave, stopping right at the doorway, "I do wish things could be different, Anakin. But this is the universe we live in, I'm sorry."

Anakin felt his chest tighten as the Jedi Knight disappeared into the house, he gazed back out towards the view, every piece of him wishing the Jedi code didn't forbid attachments.

―

"I am begging you, please, please don't make me side against you."

"You would choose him over me? Is that how far we've fallen? I thought you loved me."

"What you're doing is wrong, you have to see that."

"You will join me, one way or another."

"You'd have to kill me first."

Carina jolted up from her bed, breathing heavily as she tucked her hair behind her ear, placing her hand on her chest as she was covered in sweat, chest heaving up and down as she gain control over her breathing.

The Jedi Knight swung her legs over the edge of the bed as she inhaled an exhaled, the voices in dream sounded so familiar, too familiar but at the same time they didn't. She couldn't see anything in her dreams, it was pure darkness with distorted voices speaking.

Carina rubbed her eyes as she got up, slipping on her shows before walking out into the hallway. The brunette halted her movements as she listened intently to the room before her.

"No, no... no. Mom... mom, no."

Carina carefully pushed open the door to see young Anakin slightly thrashing in his sweets, covered in sweat as his brows were pulled together, lips slightly parted.

"Please, no."

Carina approached the boy, placing her her hand on his arm, "Ani." she slightly shook him but the padawan kept squirming, breathing heavily.

Carina used more force this type, concern lacing her voice as she spoke, "Anakin."

"Anakin!"

The Skywalker awoke with a slight gasp as his eyes snapped open, his gaze darted around until they landed on the Jedi's worried expression. He relaxed slightly upon the sight of her as he ran his hands over his face.

Carina took a seat beside him as she placed a gentle hand on his forearm, "Another nightmare?"

Anakin inhaled shakily before slowly nodding, "It's my mother, she's in pain. I know she is." Carina pursed her lips, "Go, look for your mother. I will stay and watch over the Senator."

Anakin looked taken back by what the Jedi offered, "I couldn't leave you on this mission on your own. It wouldn't be right."

Carina pursed her lips, "I would go with you but I have a mandate to fulfill." Anakin thought for a moment, "I—"

"We all go."

Anakin and Carina turned to see Padme standing at the doorway, "That way you two will still be able to complete your mandate."

Carina blinked in surprise, "You would do that?"

"Shmi was a kind hearted woman. I won't be the person stopping Anakin from checking up on her."

The padawan gave Senator Amidala a grateful nod, "Thank you."

"We leave at sun rise."

—

Carina steered the Naboo Cruiser down onto the large parking lot of spaceships just on the outskirts of Mos Espa.

The trio along with R2-D2 rode their way on a rickshaw through the streets. Anakin stared out at the scenery he hadn't seen in so long.

Carina kept a distant expression as her gaze landed on Watto's shop. The rickshaw came to a stop as they got off the transport.

Carina clasped her hands together, staying by Senator Amidala's side as Anakin took the lead.

The trio came upon Watto sitting on a stool bin front of the shop using a small electronic screwdriver on a fiddled and broken droid. Three other pit droids attempted to help him but, from what could be seen, they only served to anger him more.

Watto let out an annoyed grunt, "No chuba da wanga, da wanga."

Anakin pursed his lips before making their appearance known, "Chut, chut, Watto."

The blue creature looked up with confusion evident in his gaze, "What?"

Anakin once again spoke in Huttese, "Di nova, chut, chut."

Watto turned towards the chattering droids, "Go ana bopa."

The pit droids snapped back into their storage position and Anakin took ahold of the broken droid Watto had been working on, "Ding mi chasa hopa."

Young Skywalker began to inspect the robot as Watto blinked in surprise, "What? I don't know you... What can I do for you? You look like a Jedi. Whatever it is... I didn't do it."

Carina suppressed a soft chuckle as she fixed her robes.

"I'm looking for Shmi Skywalker." Anakin spoke without taking his eyes off of the droid.

Watto's gaze narrowed in suspicion before glancing between Padme and Carina before looking back over at the padawan, "Ani? Little Ani?"

After a short moment, the droid in Anakin's grasp began to stir back into life as he set it back down on the table.

Watto blinked, "You are Annie! It is you!
Ya sure sprouted! Weehoo! A Jedi! Waddya know? Hey, maybe you couldda help wit some deadbeats who owe me a lot of money."

Carina rolled her eyes as Anakin pressed his lips tightly together, "My mother."

Watto let out a nervous chuckle, "Oh, yeah. Shmi... she's not mine no more. I sold her."

Anakin's brows furrowed upon hearing such a statement, "Sold her?"

"Years ago. Sorry, Annie, but you know, business is business. Sold her to a moisture farmer named Lars. Least I think it was Lars. Believe it or not, I heard he freed her and married her. Can ya beat that?"

"Do you know where they are?" Anakin's tone of voice was stern as Watto replied, "Long way from here... someplace over on the other side of Mos Eisley, I think."

Anakin's expression was grim, "I'd like to know."

"Yeah, sure... absolutely. Let's go look in my records."