❝ there was a time when i would've
done anything for you ❞

―

CARINA HELD A SADDENED expression as she stood beside Anakin who gazed down at his mothers grave, two other headstones, one smaller than the other, stood in the blazing sun.

Cliegg pursed his lips, "I know wherever you are it's become a better place. You were the most loving partner a man could ever have. Goodbye, my dearest wife. And thank you."

Carina gazed up at Anakin who paused for a short moment before kneeling down, taking a fist full of sand, "I wasn't strong enough to save you, Mom. I wasn't strong enough. But I promise I won't fail again." the young padawan stood back up as he breathed out, "I miss you so much."

Carina gazed down at Shmi's grave when a familiar beep caught her attention, Padme tilted her head at the sight of the R2 unit, "What are you doing here, R2?"

The Jedi Knight furrowed her brows in concern as the droid whistled to C-3PO, who gazed over at Anakin and Carina, "It seems that he is carrying a message from an Obi-Wan Kenobi. Master Annie, does that name mean anything to you?"

―

Carina narrowed her eyes as she leaned back in her seat as she intently watched the flickering hologram of Obi-Wan, "Anakin, my long range transmitter has been knocked out. Retransmit this message to Coruscant."

The Jedi Knight reached over to the control board, pushing the button to transmit the message.

"I have tracked the bounty hunter Jango Fett to the droid foundries on Geonosis. The Trade Federation is to take taking delivery of a droid army here and it is clear that Viceroy Gunray is behind the assassination attempts on Senator Amidala."

Carina glanced up at Padme as Kenobi continued, "The Commerce Guilds and Corporate Alliance have both pledged their armies to Count Dooku and are forming an... Wait—"

Carina felt panic surge through her as she watched her dearest friend begin to be attacked by droidekas, barely a moment later, the hologram cut out.

The Jedi Knight pursed her lips, worry evident in her eyes as Anakin abruptly stood from his seat, clearly agitated.

"Obi..." Carina softly whispered, she knew the Jedi Master could handle himself, but that didn't stop her from worrying about him.

Padme watched as an incoming transmission sounded, the Senator answered the call and Carina stood up from her seat as a hologram of Mace Windu popped up.

"Carina."

The brunette slightly bowed her head, "Master Windu."

"We will deal with Count Dooku. The most important thing for you and Anakin is to stay where you are. Protect the Senator at all costs. That is your first priority."

Carina grit her teeth as she attempted to calm herself, staying put while someone she cared for could be suffering was a challenge for her, but she simply nodded, "Understood."

The hologram switched off and Carina clenched her jaw as she breathed heavily, Padme was currently looking at the readout on the control panel, "They'll never get there in time to save him. They have to come halfway across the galaxy. Look, Geonosis is less than a parsec away."

"If he's still alive." Anakin grimly spoke as Carina sent the boy a look, "Watch it."

Padme glanced between the two Jedi, "You're not going to do anything? He's your friend."

Carina crossed her arms over her chest, "Obi-Wan is my brother, my family. You think I like having to stay put knowing he could be dying? No, but I was given strict orders. The council would have my head if I were to disobey."

Padme smiled, "He gave you two strict orders to protect me." she pulled her free hand out and flicked some more switches, "And I'm going to save Obi-Wan. You guys coming along?"

―

Carina steered the ship through the clouds as Padme pointed out into the distance, "See those columns of steam straight ahead? They're exhaust vents of some type."

"That'll do."

The Jedi Knight piloted the craft into a column, flying through the steam as they landed at the bottom. Carina flicked the switches as she shut the engine off, the brunette unbuckled herself as Anakin stood from his own seat.

Carina gazed over at Padme who began to speak, "Whatever happens out there, follow my lead. I'm not interested in getting into a war here. As a member of the Senate, maybe I can find a diplomatic solution to this mess."

The Jedi Knight crossed her arms over her chest, "If I see any of them hurt Obi-Wan, I can't promise I'll stay reasonable."

―

The trio started down a dark narrow hall, silence purging the atmosphere as Carina kept track of their surroundings. She placed her hand on her utility belt, ready to attack if needed.

Anakin furrowed his brows as an eerie feeling of being watched occurred, the boy glanced over at Carina who seemed to be deep in thought as her hand instinctively reached for her lightsaber.

The Jedi Knight spun on her heel as she turned her weapon on, slashing straight through a winged creature just as Anakin hit another down.

Carina twirled her saber as she cut through two creatures, gazing back at Padme who had exited the corridor through the outlet at the far end.

The Algora girl kicked another monster back as she along with Anakin ran to meet up with the Senator. Carina looked down as the trio stood on a short ledge, nothing could be seen below them as the door behind them closed shut just as the small walkway began to retract itself.

Carina muttered a curse as she lost her balance, bracing her legs as she landed on the moving conveyor belt below.

"Carina!"

The brunette looked up at Anakin and waved him off, "I'm fine!"

Carina glanced around, adjusting her grip on her saber as a few winged creatures flew right at her. The girl sliced her hand upwards, cutting two brutes in half while jabbing her elbow into another.

Padme fell onto the conveyor belt on the side as Anakin jumped down onto the one young Carina was perched upon. He fought off more creatures as he eyed the stamping machines that seemed to be getting closer to the brunette.

Carina let out a grunt as she tore a wing off of the animal, blowing her hair out of her way as she gazed at the welders just ahead of her, "You've gotta be kidding."

Carina hadn't noticed a creature fly right at her from the side, her hand shot out quickly as she gripped the thing by its leg, using her strength as she spun before launching it into the far distance.

Carina rolled under a stamping machine before jumping back on her feet as she stabbed her saber through another brute, breathing heavily as she grit her teeth. Her eyes darted around in search for Anakin and Padme, she blinked at seeing Senator Amidala push off an alien.

Carina gazed back before her as she saw another machine approaching her, she ducked, rolling under quickly but noticed she left her saber on the other side. The Jedi Knight uppercut a winged alien before kicking it backwards, she extended out her arm, holding her hand open as she willed her weapon to fly back into her grasp before turning it on to slash through one more creature.

Carina's hand was suddenly kicked, causing for her saber to slip out of her grasp once more. The brunette halted for a moment as she caught sight of Anakin under a cutting machine, droidekas suddenly surrounded the Jedi Knight, pointing their guns at her as she sighed out in annoyance.

Jango Fett suddenly dropped in front of Carina, aiming his blaster right at her head, "Don't move, Jedi."

Just great.

―

Carina had her hands clasped tightly together as her gaze was set on Count Dooku, who sat at the far end of the conference table as Anakin stood beside her with eight Geonosian guards surrounding the two Jedi.

Padme sat in a seat before the two as she began to speak, "You are holding a Jedi Knight, Obi-Wan Kenobi. I am formally requesting you turn him over to me, now."

Count Dooku pursed his lips, "He has been convicted of espionage, Senator, and will be executed. In just a few hours, I believe."

Carina clenched her jaw as she narrowed her eyes at him, "That would be a serious mistake to commit." Count Dookue gazed over at the young Jedi, "I'm not sure you are in a place to be making threats."

"I'll decide that for myself."

Padme cut into the conversation, hoping to keep everything civil, "He is an officer of the Republic. You can't do that."

The Sith Lord leaned back in his seat, "We don't recognize the Republic here, Senator. But if Naboo were to join our Alliance, I could easily hear your plea for clemency."

Carina fought back a scoff as Senator Amidala responded, "And if I don't join your rebellion, I assume these Jedi with me will also die?"

"I don't wish to make you to join our cause against your will, Senator, but you are a rational, honest representative of your people and I assume you want to do what's in their best interest. Aren't they fed up with the corruption, the bureaucrats, the hypocrisy of it all? Aren't you? Be honest, Senator."

Padme pressed her lips tightly together, "The ideals are still alive, Count, even if the institution is failing."

"You believe in the same ideals we believe in. The same ideals we are striving to make prominent." Count Dooku pressed to which Padme slightly scoffed, "If what you say is true, you should stay in the Republic and help Chancellor Palpatine put things right."

Count Dooku was quick to shake his head, "The Chancellor means well, M'Lady, but he is incompetent. He has promised to cut the bureaucracy, but the bureaucrats are stronger than ever, no? The Republic cannot be fixed, M'Lady. It is time to start over."

Carina narrowed her gaze at the male as he continued, "The democratic process in the Republic is a sham, no? A shell game played on the voters. The time will come when that cult of greed, called the Republic, will lose even the pretext of democracy and freedom."

Padme knitted her brows together as she thought for a moment before speaking up, "I cannot believe that. I know of your treaties with the Trade Federation, the Commerce Guilds, and the others, Count. What is happening here is not government that has been bought out by business... it's business becoming government. I will not forsake all I have honored and worked for and betray the Republic."

Count Dooku raised a questioning brow, "Then you will betray your Jedi friends? Without your cooperation I can do nothing to stop their execution."

Carina and Anakin exchanged gazes as Padme raised her chin, "And what about me? Am I to be executed also?"

Count Dooku faked a sympathetic expression, "I wouldn't think of such an offense. But, there are individuals who have a strong interest in your demise, M'Lady. It has nothing to do with politics, I'm afraid. It's purely personal, and they have already paid great sums to have you assassinated. I'm sure they will push hard to have you included in the executions."

Carina's eyes darted around as the guards stood tall, the Jedi Knight gazed down at her chained hands as the Sith sighed out, "I'm sorry but if you are not going to cooperate, I must turn you over to the Geonosians for justice. Without your cooperation, I've done all I can for you."

Jango Fett gestured towards the trio, "Take them away."

―

Carina gazed around the gloomy tunnel as she, along with Anakin, were shoved into an open cart while Padme was escorted to one beside them.

"Well, isn't this great?"

Anakin bit back an amused smile, "At least we'll be the center of attention." Carina let out a soft chuckle as she gazed down at her chained hands, pursing her lips as thoughts flooded her mind. Would there be a way out of this? A part of her was at peace with the mere concept, but the other had panic surge through her. Not yet, no.

Her eyes wandered over to Anakin who seemed to be gazing off into the distance, since he had implanted himself back into her life, she has felt more joy than she was accustomed to.

The young padawan was able to warm her heart like none other, and all she had been was distant and cold towards him. Pushing the boy away despite how badly, she too, wanted him.

She always thought her whole self should only be devoted to the Republic, but now, she wasn't certain. She wanted to cave, to take what she wanted, so why shouldn't she?

What could she possibly lose?

Anakin tilted his head as he watched the brunette with her lips parted as a determined glint shone in her eyes, "What thoughts roam your mind?"

Carina blinked a few times as she broke out of her trance, glancing up at the blonde boy who had entranced her entire being, parting her chapped lips as she spoke with sincerity, "You."

Anakin was taken back with the brunette being so up front, "What?"

"I've tried so hard to shut out what I feel, to resent myself for it, that I hadn't even realized how much it was killing me."

Anakin felt his heartbeat pick up as he intensely watched the Jedi Knight, "What are you saying?"

Carina pursed her lips, closing her eyes for a short moment before hesitantly speaking, "You weren't the only one frustrated with not being able to act on how you felt."

Anakin's lips parted as a smile tugged on his lips, "You?"

"My heart is yours, Anakin Skywalker. Handle it with care."

The young padawan blinked rapidly, "I thought this would destroy us?" Carina shrugged, a playful glint shining in her gaze, "Only if we let it."

Anakin's gaze flickered down to Carina lips, lingering there for a moment too long as the Jedi Knight smiled, "Do you need an invitation, or?"

The Skywalker boy let out a laugh before slowly leaning in, Carina closed her eyes upon feeling his lips meet hers. The brunette felt as if her heart would burst as she leaned closer to him, pulling on her chained hands as she relished in his warmth.

Anakin gently moved his lips on hers as the cart suddenly moved with a jolt, Carina pulled back, gazing into his eyes as a soft smile caressed her lips, "Not bad, Skywalker."

"Not too shabby yourself."

Carina squinted her eyes as they suddenly emerged into the light, eyes widening upon seeing the huge arena packed tier upon tier of shouting Geonosians. Carina clenched her hands as they treaded into the center, where Obi-Wan was chained to one of four upright posts.

The cart suddenly halted and the Jedi Knight gazed back to see Padme being dragged to her post to be chained.

Carina held an annoyed expression as the guard lead her to her own beam as she heard Anakin speak to Obi-Wan, "I retransmitted it as you requested, Master. Then we decided to come and rescue you."

"Good job."

Carina rolled her eyes as her arms dangled above her, her attention set on Kenobi, "Says the one who said they had everything under control."

The crowd let out a roar just as Count Dooku and Nute Gunray along with the Fetts stepped into the archducal box, staring down at the four prisoners.

Poggle the Lesser rose and the crowd fell utterly silent, a short moment passed before he spoke up, "Let the executions begin!"

Carina clenched her jaw, "Such an exciting sentence."

—

AUTHORS NOTE, i hate this chapter so i apologize for this