❝ i always knew, no matter how much
i tried to lie to myself. ❞

―

CARINA LEAPT OFF OF the flying creature, shortly followed by Ahsoka and Anakin as the trio landed onto the platform. R2 let out a beep as he rolled into the brunette's side. Ahsoka blinked at the ship that was parked before them, "We're taking this junker? We'd be better off on that big bug."

Anakin gave his padawan a look, "Get aboard and prime the engines." the blonde watched the young girl walk away as he muttered under his breath, "Assuming it has engines."

Carina hid an amused smile as Anakin turned towards her, "How you feeling?" The Algora girl pursed her chapped lips, "Don't worry about me. Keep your focus on the mission, Ani."

Anakin's gaze narrowed slightly as he responded, "You're more important to me than this damned mission." Carina spared a glance as Ahsoka who was too busy meddling with the caretaker droid from before, turning her attention back to her husband, "Not here, Anakin."

The blonde Jedi held a torn expression, lowering his gaze as he reluctantly nodded. Carina diverted her eyes towards Ahsoka who had ignited her saber to dodge shots fired from two battle droids, "She's at it again."

"Let's go."

―

Carina slipped into the co-pilot seat beside Anakin as Ahsoka and the Huttlet were perched upon the chair behind the couple.

"Now let's get Stinky out of here." Anakin spoke up before pressing the power button, simply to find the engines unable to ignite themselves. Ahsoka let out a grunt in annoyance, "If we can."

"Relax, Snips. R2, see if you can spark the couplers."

The R2 unit moved as told as he began wiring his way through the mechanics. Anakin pursed his lips as his idea didn't work. Carina looked deep in thought for a moment before raising her voice, "Try opening the fuel lifters all the way."

The droid followed the brunette's command and Anakin spared his wife a soft glance as her idea had worked, the engines starting up with a rumble.

"Thanks, buddy." Carina flashed the R2 unit a smile before slouching back in her seat as Anakin began to steer the aircraft through the sky. Carina narrowed her gaze at the distant shots and crossfire in view, Ahsoka blinked at the scenery before chirping, "Master Kenobi is here. Now we'll see some real fireworks."

Carina gaped at the padawan, "Excuse you, I saved your ass from being sliced in half, young lady." Ahsoka glanced over at the brunette, "Oh you were so cool, I meant Master Skywalker."

Carina huffed before leaning back in her seat as it was now Anakin's turn to gape at his apprentice, "Excuse me? What do you call what I've been doing all day?"

Ahsoka merely shrugged, "I don't know. The word 'reckless' comes to mind."

"That word usually comes to mind when anything involves Anakin." Carina chimed in. Anakin narrowed his eyes at the two girls before looking back out, "Very funny. Back to work. The troops still need our help. Charge the main guns."

Ahsoka pursed her lips as Carina began to look over the control panels, "How are we gonna help? Stinky's getting sicker and sicker."

"But we promised Rex we'd help them."

Ahsoka adjusted her grip on the backpack, "Master, we've got to get him to the medics on the Jedi cruiser. It's our only chance to get Stinky back to his father still breathing."

Carina glanced down at her clasped hands on her lap, softly sighing as she knew the young girl had a point. Anakin turned his attention towards his wife, "Carina?"

"She's right, Anakin. As much as I hate leaving the troops to fend for themselves, we need to get the Huttlet back to Tattoine."

Anakin held a defeated glint in his gaze as her turned his comlink on, "Captain Rex, this is General Skywalker."

"Yes, General."

Carina closed her eyes as she heard Anakin respond, "We're not going to be able help you."

"Don't worry about us, General. We'll be all right. The mission always comes first, sir."

Carina placed her fingertips to her temple as she knitted her brows together, Anakin spared the brunette a worried glance as Ahsoka happily spoke, "Master, today I did my best to stay calm, focused, and when I did, everything seemed so easy."

The ship suddenly lurched forward, catching the Jedi's attention as they peered ahead. Carina's eyes watched battle ships attack one another.

"Well, get focused, 'cause things just got a lot harder."

"When is anything easy?" Carina muttered in irritation as Anakin swerved past a battle ship that was raining fire on anothers.

The Skywalker male pursed his lips, "All we've got to do is land on that Jedi cruiser." Carina blinked at her lover, "Easier said then done."

Ahsoka pulled the Huttlet closer to herself as she spoke, "But, Master, their deflector shields are up." Anakin steered the ship around the cruiser, "They must think this grease bucket is an enemy ship."

Carina slightly scoffed, "Well, who wouldn't?"

Anakin got in touch with the cruiser, "Jedi cruiser, hold your fire!"

"Who is that? Incoming ship, identify yourself."

Anakin dodged another shot fired right at them as he hurriedly spoke, "This is General Skywalker. We have Jabba the Hutt's son. He needs medical attention. We must board immediately."

"Stand by."

Carina ran her hands over her face, "Isn't that great?" Ahsoka let out a harsh scoff, "Stand by? That's helpful."

Anakin grit his teeth in annoyance at the three battle ships firing at them, he looped under the Jedi cruiser as he did his best to avoid getting hit, "Hang on!"

"Now what do you think I'm doing?" Carina glanced at the blonde as R2 let out a droid like shriek as he rolled backwards from the amount of turbulence occurring.

"General Skywalker, we think we can lift the shields on the lower rear hangar."

Anakin let out a relieved sigh as he turned the wheel, "We're on our way." Ahsoka looked down at the baby Hutt, "We've made it! We've made it!"

Carina's lips parted as she watched the enemy ships take advantage of the open hangar as they aimed multiple shots into the cruiser.

"General Skywalker, abort! Abort!"

Carina slightly flinched at the heavy explosions that erupted before them, Anakin gripped the wheel, "That changes our plans. Looks like we're gonna have to take this bucket of bolts all the way to Tatooine."

Carina pursed her lips, "We're supposed to make it in this?"

"Positive mind set, Ina."

"I am not in the mood."

―

"We're clear to make the jump to hyperspace. R2, program the navicomputer."

Carina glanced back to see Ahsoka gazing down at the baby Hutt, lips pursed in concern before she spoke up, "I don't think he's gonna make it. There's gotta be something we can do for him."

Carina hummed, "In the back there should be something for medical attention, go take a look."

"I'm on it."

Ahsoka placed the backpack holding the Hutt on her chair as she stood before disappearing into the back. Anakin gazed over at the alien, "Don't die on me now, little guy. Just hang in there."

Carina smiled at the blonde before letting out a yawn. Anakin looked up at his wife, "Why don't you go rest in the back, Ina."

Carina pursed her lips as she softly shook her head, "I'll rest once this is all over."

"Carina—"

"We need to get going, Anakin."

The blonde Jedi stared at his wife for a moment longer before turning forward, "If you've locked the coordinates, R2, let's go."

Carina watched themselves travel through hyperspace, her head leaning on her chair as they sped through, inching closer and closer to Anakin's home planet. Ahsoka came back into the pilot room as she reached for the Huttlet, "I'll be right back, don't get too bored without me."

Carina slightly chuckled before turning her attention over to the male who had his eyes set at the vast space ahead, brows furrowed together as his lips were pressed into a firm line.

The Algora girl tilted her head slightly, "Troubled about going back there?" Anakin slightly tensed as he adjusted his grip on the wheel, "I couldn't care less."

Carina hummed, "What was it you said to me? Don't lie to me, Ani." Anakin couldn't help the soft chuckle that slipped past his lips, "I think we know each other too well."

Carina smiled as her eyes finally shone, "It has it's perks. So?" Anakin visibly relaxed before he began speaking, "I just... never thought I'd have to go back there. At least not anytime soon."

Carina reached her hand out, placing it upon his that was holding the steering wheel as she smiled at him, "I'll be right by your side if you need anything."

Anakin gazed intently at his wife for a moment longer, "You're too good to me." Carina cheekily smiled, "And you're too good to me. I don't think anyone's ever stressed over me not sleeping."

Anakin gave the brunette a loving smile, "Well, it's my job now."

Carina let out a genuine laugh just as Ahsoka walked into the compartment, the Jedi Knight was quick to snatch her hand back as she placed it in her lap once again, keeping her gaze forward as the padawan placed the Huttles down on the bench.

Anakin cleared his throat as he stood from his seat, grabbing a wrench R2 passed to him as he decided to work on what he could of the ship.

Carina unbuckled herself before crossing her arms over her chest as she took in the Huttlets condition, watching the young apprentice who spoke, "His fever broke. I think he's gonna live to stink another day."

Anakin let out a hum as he continued working on the wiring, glancing back at the two approaching girls, "Great. Keeping him alive wasn't as easy as you'd hoped, was it?"

Ahsoka quirked up a brow at the blonde, "Master, if you have taught me one thing it's that nothing is easy when you are around." Carina chuckled in amusement as she placed her elbow on the head of her chair, perching her chin onto the palm of her hand as she watched Ahsoka cautiously speak up, glancing between the couple, "You think Rex and Master Obi-Wan made it out okay?"

Carina gave the girl a reassuring smile, "It's Obi-Wan, he always has things under control."

Anakin nodded in agreement with his wife, "Now help me with this. I want the primary systems fully repaired by the time we reach Tatooine."

Ahsoka looked in thought for a moment, "You grew up on Tatooine, right? So, for you, this trip is like going home." Carina's lips parted as she tossed a worried glance toward her husbands way, watching his jaw clench slightly as he responded, "Yeah. Home."

―

Carina placed a gentle hand on R2's head as she watched themselves near Tattione. Anakin had his eyes narrowed as he gave the droid a screwdriver back, "I was hoping I'd never have to lay eyes on this dust ball again."

Ahsoka blinked in her seat as she looked up at her Master, "Okay, what happened?"

Carina leaned her back on the wall, gazing at the blonde that responded, "I don't want to talk about it. How's Stinky holding up?"

The Algora girl huffed as she made her way back to her seat, buckling herself in, "Out like a light, I'm slightly jealous of how easily he can sleep, I won't lie."

Ahsoka shook her head in amusement before chiming in, "He seems to be feeling much better. His fever is gone. Even you have to admit he's cute when he's asleep." Anakin let out a soft scoff, "I admit I like him better when he's quiet, but only a little."

Carina suppressed a yawn, listening as R2 beeped at the blonde Jedi, "No, R2. I want the cannon operational first. Leave the rear deflector shields for later."

The Algora girl gave Skywalker a look, "I don't think that's a good call, Anakin."

"Yeah, no rear shields?" Ahsoka agreed with Carina. Anakin sent the two girls a glance, "A strong attack eliminates the need for defense."

The brunette narrowed her eyes, "Uh huh, is that also your technique for saber fighting? It would explain why you lose so much." Ahsoka stifled a laugh as she side-eyed her Master who blinked in response.

"No comment. Just trust me."

Carina turned her attention towards the alarm that began ringing, watching as ships were caught on the radar, "Attack ship closing."

"Somebody doesn't want Stinky to get home in one piece."

The ship suddenly lurched forward as they were hit, engines beginning to strain themselves as Ahsoka grit out, "Wow! Quite a welcome home party."

Anakin glanced back at a listening R2, "Set the approach vector and make ready to land." the male raised the speed as he spoke to his wife, "Carina, activate the guns."

The brunette looked over the control panel, hitting the button but gritting her teeth as she had no way to move them from their current position. Carina spared Anakin a glance, "Trust you, huh?" the Jedi gazed over at R2, "R2, see if you can unlock the guns from forward position." Carina diverted her attention back to her husband, "Defense is just as good as offense, sometimes it's even more important!"

"Not now, Carina."

Anakin lurched forward, speeding down as he did his best to deflect incoming fire. Ahsoka stood to check on the Huttlet just as the blonde dove down, Carina placed her hands firmly on the control panel for balance as suddenly cries filled the ships atmosphere.

"Great! You woke the baby."

Anakin glanced back at his padawan, "I'm a little busy here!"

Carina narrowed her eyes at the blonde, "That is always your response to these situations."

A battle ship suddenly flew in front of them, aiming fire as Anakin set his gaze straight ahead, firing away at the ship, watching as the aircraft exploded before them. "Got one."

"What about the other one?"

"One thing at a time!"

The ship suddenly rumbled violently as they lost another part of the ship. Anakin clenched his jaw harshly, "I think we needed those rear shields after all."

Carina shook her head, "This always happens when you don't listen to me."

"Scold me all you want later, Ina." the blonde sputtered before speaking to the R2 unit, "R2, turn those guns around."

Ahsoka grunted as she began pushing the droid closer to his control panel, using all her leg strength as she grit out, "Why can't you be a tiny little mouse droid?"

The ship suddenly tottered to the side, R2 gaining control over the panel as he aimed the two guns at the enemy ship, "Get him, R2."

Carina let out a relieved sigh as the aircraft exploded, slouching in her seat as she muttered, "I love that droid."

"Good shot, buddy! You've been holding out on me."

Carina blinked as the ship became more and more unsteady by the moment, glancing over at Ahsoka, "Strap in."

The padawan pursed her lips as she slid into her seat, "You two have 'we're in trouble look'."

The couple furrowed their brows before retorting in sync, "There's a look?"

"You can't miss it. It's like a parental look."

Carina blinked a few times before clasping her hands together, "Hilarious, you tell wonderful jokes, Ahsoka." Anakin dialed some buttons, calling in hopes to reach his old Master, "Obi-Wan, come in! Do you copy?"

"Kenobi, here Anakin, have you and Carina reached Tatooine yet?"

Anakin pressed his lips firmly together, "Almost, but we ran into some old—"

"Anakin, did you get shot down again?"

Carina smiled in amusement, "Bingo!"

"This ship is too slow. I haven't had time to modify it yet."

The brunette rolled her eyes, "A well thought out excuse." Obi-Wan shook his head, "I'm still cleaning up your other mess, but I'll get there." the holographic call suddenly cut out as Anakin sighed out, "So much for reinforcements."

Carina watched alarms go off as her husband shouted, "Hang on, this landing could get a little rough." Ahsoka blinked at her Master, holding an incredulous expression, "Crashes are rough. Landings are not."

"Then it's a crash landing."

Carina pursed her dried lips, "You're going to be the death of me."

"I thought you were the positive one!"

"Since when?"

—