❝ i don't do favors anymore. ❞

—

CARINA GAZED AT ANAKIN'S Jedi robes perfectly hung in her closet. The brunette purses her lips as thoughts floated around in her mind, every day, every hour that past, the more she felt as if something was coming to an end.

What? Well, that was just the question she wished she had an answer to.

A knock was heard at the door, pulling Carina out of her trance as she shut the closet, turning on her heel to open the doors to see Obi-Wan smiling at her, "Carina."

The Jedi Master was slightly surprised by the sight of her dearest friend but opened the door wider for him to enter, "Evening, Obi. I thought you would've been long gone by now."

"I leave soon, I just came to check on you." Obi-Wan spoke as he treaded into the room. Carina furrowed her brows slightly in confusion, "Check on me?"

"I can sense your anxiety all the time, Carina. I know somethings troubling you, and although I would like to help, I won't overstep my boundaries."

A small grateful smile tugged on the girls lips, "Thank you, Obi-Wan."

The Kenobi Jedi nodded before questioning, "Have you spoken to Anakin?"

Carina eyed Obi-Wan, holding a composed expression as she replied, "Not much, just when he spoke to me about the council. Why?"

Obi-Wan let out a heavy sigh, running a hand over his face, "It's Anakin. I'm worried for him. He's becoming moody and detached. He's been put in a difficult position as the Chancellor's representative— but I think it's more than that. I was hoping he may have talked to you."

Carina straightened up her posture, "Why would he talk to me about his troubles?"

Obi-Wan stared intently at the girl, a knowing glint shining in his eyes, "I have eyes, you know. Neither of you are good at hiding your feelings."

Carina swallowed thickly as she shook her head, "No— I don't know what you're talking about." Obi-Wan gave the girl a look, "I know how he feels about you. Anakin is even worse at hiding it."

Carina parted her dried lips, "What did he say?"

Obi-Wan shook his head, "Nothing. He didn't have to."

Carina turned to face away from Obi-Wan, nervously chewing her lower lip, "You're mistaken."

The Jedi Master took a step towards the girl, "I know you both so very well, we've been friends for years, Carina. I see how in love you two are. Please, I'm worried about him and I know you are too."

Carina shifted her gaze towards the ground as her friend continued, "He's changed since we've returned. I know you know that, you worry just as I do. I care incredibly much for the both of you, I won't betray you to the council."

Carina let go of the tension in her shoulders, shutting her eyes as she breathed out, "Thank you, Obi."

"You are like my sister, Carina. I wouldn't put you in harms way, the same goes for Anakin, so please, help him."

"I will."

—

Carina strutted down the Senate hall in hopes to find Anakin, if Obi-Wan and herself could feel something going on with Anakin, then that means it was something serious.

The brunette tightly pressed her lips together, her steps faltering as her name was suddenly called. The girl turned to see Chancellor Palpatine smiling at her.

Carina only gave the male a nod in respect as he caught up to her, "You seem troubled."

The Jedi Master clasped her hands together before her, "Only searching for someone. Could I help you with something, Chancellor?"

"You must be looking for Anakin."

Carina's eyes narrowed ever so slightly, suspicion hidden in her glint as she spoke, "How would you know of that?"

"Skywalker has spoke to me about his troubles, I can only imagine you worry for him as well."

Carina hummed, "I'm not sure that concerns you, Chancellor."

Palpatine eyed the girl, feeling her resentment for him grow by the minute. He knew Carina would not be as easy to manipulate as Anakin, but the more time went on the more suspicion Carina held for him. He should've never allowed Master Windu to train her.

Anakin's mind had been easier to twist. Palpatine gave the girl a nod, "My apologies, Master Algora. I did not mean to offend you."

Carina bit back a patronizing smile, "Right. Will this be all?"

Palpatine smiled at her, "Of course."

Carina turned on her heel, continuing down the hall as Palpatine watched her.

The sith's smile fell, replaced by an irritated expression as he thought, for three years he tried to snake his way into Carina's mind but at last he realized it was useless. She was too strong willed and sure of herself.

Carina would never serve as his apprentice, a shame in his mind seeing as she was powerful, strong with the force and almost perfect in combat, but nonetheless the young Skywalker was perfect for the role as his apprentice. Palpatine grinned wickedly.

If Carina could not be his apprentice, then he would simply have to get rid of her.

—

Anakin took a step into the Senate office with Palpatine at his side, smiling slightly as Jar Jar began to walk past him, "Helloo Annie. Good en to see yousa."

The blonde smiled, "Hi, Jar Jar."

Jar Jar gazed over at the Chancellor and almost yelped, "Oopsin da Chancellor! So sorry, Your Highness, sir."

Palpatine meekly nodded at the Gungan that disappeared from the room, leaving Anakin and the Chancellor alone, "There are rumors in the Senate about Master Kenobi. Many believe he is not fit for this assignment."

Anakin knitted his brows together, "Not fit? Why would anyone think that?"

Palpatine let out a sigh, "They say a certain Jedi has clouded his mind, inflicting influence upon him."

Anakin pursed his lips, blinking as he questioned, "That's ridiculous. Who?"

Palpatine hid a sly grin as he simply shrugged, "No one knows who they are. Just that they are a Jedi and is supposedly close with Master Kenobi."

Anakin looked deep in thought, "That's impossible, I would know."

"Sometimes the closest are the ones who cannot see."

Anakin gazed at the ground beneath him in worry as several conclusions flooded his mind.

Palpatine smiled reassuringly, "Idle Senate gossip is rarely true and never accurate. I'm sure your Master will do fine."

—

Carina gazed over at her husband who was working on the living room couch. The girl crossed in front of him as Anakin spoke up, "I sense someone familiar— Obi-Wan's been here, hasn't he?"

Carina glanced back at the blonde before nodding, "Yeah, he passed by this morning. Nothing out of the ordinary."

Anakin narrowed his eyes ever so slightly, "What did he want?"

Carina gazed into the Jedi Knights eyes intently, examining his tense and stressed expression, "He's worried about you. Just as I am."

Anakin clenched his jaw, "You told him about us, didn't you?"

Carina blinked at her lovers hostile tone, "No, I did not. He says you're under a lot of stress, which I agree with."

Anakin shook his head as he stood from the couch, "And you two aren't?"

Carina crossed her arms over her chest, "You've been incredibly moody lately, anything makes you tense and you're always watching and waiting to accuse someone of being against you."

Anakin took in his wife's words, realizing just how true they were. Carina gazed worriedly at him, "Please, let me in, Anakin. What's wrong?"

The young Skywalker parted his lips, shaking his head slightly, "I don't— I don't know... I just feel so— so lost."

Carina purses her lips in concern as she approached the male, taking his hands in hers as she looked up at him, "You've always been so sure of yourself, my love. What's clouding up your mind?"

"Obi-Wan and the Council don't trust me."

Carina blinked as she thought of a way to comfort her husband, she couldn't say anything on the councils behalf because it was true, they had lost their trust in Anakin, but not Obi-Wan.

"Obi-Wan trusts you, you're his best friend. He loves and cares for you."

Anakin pulled the girl closer to himself, "I just feel like everyone's trying to turn you against me— like I'm going to lose you."

Carina firmly shook her head, "You're not losing me, I will be at your side for as long as I am breathing. Trust me."

Anakin reached up to cup the side of the girls face with his left hand, "Something's happening . . . I'm not the Jedi I should be. I am one of the most powerful Jedi, but I'm not satisfied ... I want more, and I know I shouldn't."

The Algora girl blinked, wondering how to respond to that, the way he was feeling wasn't that of a Jedi, Carina knew that, but she prioritized comforting him over realizing what was truly going on.

"You're expecting too much of yourself, Anakin. You don't need more power."

The blonde shifted his gaze down towards her womb, placing a gentle hand on her stomach, "I have found a way to save you two."

Carina blinked in surprise, "Is this what is troubling you? That nightmare?"

"I won't lose you, Carina. I can't. I made you a promise and I intend to keep it, nothing will stop me."

Carina smiled softly, "I'm not dying at childbirth and we're not losing anyone, okay?"

Anakin leaned down to press a chaste kiss to his lovers lips before resting his forehead gently upon hers, "I'm going to protect you two with my life."

—

Carina was sat on a chair in the great hall, allowing her thoughts to consume her as she fought the troubled whispers attempting to sneak their way into her mind to warn her, but Carina never listened.

Mace finally found his old apprentice and marched towards her, "Carina."

The brunette's eyes snapped open as she gazed at her Master, "Master Windu."

"Have you been doing as I asked?"

Carina licked her lips before hesitantly nodding, "I have, nothing seems to be out of the ordinary with Anakin."

Mace crossed his arms over his chest, "There's something going on with Skywalker, Carina. Everyone senses it, you and Kenobi are in denial."

"There is nothing going on with Anakin, Mace."

The Jedi Master gave the girl a look, "If Skywalker says or acts in any way a Jedi should not you are to report it to me, Carina. Immediately."

Carina fell utterly silent, she gazed down at her joined hands before reluctantly nodding, "I will."

—

AUTHORS NOTE,
i miss carina and anakin already