The Shadows Star: Book 2

35: I Won't Leave You

As the starship soared through the vast expanse of space, a palpable tension hung in the air. Anakin had isolated himself in the cockpit, a solitary figure wrestling with his thoughts and fears. Meanwhile, Sombra and Padmé sat in the ship's bay, their concerns mirrored in their eyes as they exchanged glances.

Sombra paced back and forth wildly; the bond she shared with Anakin now screamed at her, urging her to go to him. A part of her longed to be the solace he sought, to mend the fractures that had emerged between them. However, a gnawing fear gripped her— fear she had become a source of pain in his life, fear that her presence might exacerbate the wound. The choice she faced felt like navigating a minefield of emotions, each step fraught with the uncertainty of unintended consequences.

Padmé sensed the inner conflict in her friend and offered a reassuring nod of encouragement.

After a deep breath, she summoned the courage and made her way to the cockpit. The door slid open, revealing Anakin's silhouette against the starry backdrop. His shoulders were hunched, and the weight of his emotions seemed to press upon him.

She approached him cautiously, her presence acknowledged only by a slight turn of his head. She spoke softly, her voice filled with empathy, "Anakin."

She took a step closer, her heart aching for him, and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. After a moment, Anakin finally turned to her, his eyes reflecting the storm of emotions within. He remained silent for a moment, his gaze fixed on the starlight ahead. "Did you mean it? Do you really regret it all?"

Her heart sank at the vulnerability in his voice. She took a seat beside him, the hum of the ship surrounding them like a melancholic melody. "Anakin, I... I shouldn't have said that. I was..."

Instead of trying to put into words the turmoil in her heart, she reopened her mind and soul to him.

The shock registered in his eyes as he turned to her, his eyes searching for sincerity in hers. "You're afraid."

She sighed, guilt and remorse clouding her expression. "Yes...I'm afraid of what I feel, and what it means, but I won't leave you to handle this alone. Especially not now."

She saw the vulnerability in his gaze, the weight of his fears, and the yearning for understanding. "I'm afraid too..."

Without hesitation, she pulled him into a warm embrace, offering the solace of her presence and the reassurance of their unbreakable bond.

Anakin's walls began to crumble, and he found refuge in her arms, allowing himself to release the pent-up frustration he had carried. At that moment, they were not just Jedi on a mission but two souls supporting each other through the trials of their destinies.

"Anakin," she whispered into his hair, "Try to get some rest, I can fly us the rest of the way."

His reply was mumbled into her ear. "Stay with me, please. Like, when we were kids?"

"Anakin," she sighed, "Are you sure that's a good idea?"

"I haven't slept and I feel safer with you here. You keep the nightmares away." He begged, his blue eyes boring into her.

"But these floors are so uncomfortable..." she joked.

Anakin looked around and he sat down, pulling her into his lap sideways. A bit shocked, she couldn't relax her body in the strange position. Noting her tensed body, he wrapped his arms around her and stretched his legs out to the other chair. He tucked her head under his chin and took a deep breath. "Perfect. You fit with me just perfectly." He murmured.

She wrapped her arms behind his neck, and the comforting rhythm of her breathing eased his restlessness. As they settled into the seat, he couldn't help but feel the warmth of her embrace slowly dispelling the tension that had gripped his heart.

The hum of the ship's engines offered a tranquil melody, a gentle lullaby that enveloped them in a momentary sanctuary. Nestled against his chest, she inhaled the comforting blend of leather, smoke, and a hint of vanilla that clung to his skin. At that moment, they both glimpsed a version of themselves unencumbered by the weight of responsibilities and the rigid strictures of the Jedi Code that typically pressed upon them.

Hours later the ship emerged from hyperspace, and before them stretched the vast expanse of an orange-hued planet—Tatooine. Anakin's reaction was immediate; his muscles tensed, and he drew in a sharp breath, the memories of this desert world flooding back to him with an overwhelming intensity. It was here that he had last seen his mother before leaving her behind to become a Jedi.

Sombra sensed his turmoil and silently reached out, her hand finding his, fingers intertwining in a show of support.

Gently, she guided the ship towards the outskirts of the Mos Espa Spaceport, where they would disembark and begin their mission. As the ship touched down and the engines powered off, a heavy silence hung in the air, their shared history with Tatooine casting a shadow over their arrival.

Sombra finally spoke, her voice soft and filled with understanding. "I won't leave your side, Anakin."

Anakin nodded, his stare fixed on the desolate landscape beyond the ship's viewport. "I never thought I'd return here, not after... everything that happened."

She gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. "We will find her Ani. I promise." He looked at her, his eyes reflecting a mix of gratitude and pain. She smiled softly, her memories of running away from her father still fresh in her mind. "Together."

The two Jedi prepared themselves for the journey ahead, Sombra had dressed in a cropped shirt and her favorite pair of patched-up baggy pants, clipping her belt around her waist, and Anakin wore his dark Jedi robes. As they stepped out, Sombra turned to C-1 and R2, "You both stay on the ship, if anything happens, we might need a quick exit and I trust you two. Stay safe and let me know if you need anything. We shouldn't be gone long."

C-1's optical sensors dimmed a bit, "Of course, young miss." Before he could walk away, C-1 stopped Anakin. "Padawan Skywalker, please keep her safe. She is very capable on her own, but I still worry for her. If I cannot be there to protect her, I ask that you do so."

Sombra looked lovingly at her droid companion and Anakin smiled kindly. "I promise I'd give my life for her C-1. She will be safe."

The droid nodded and patted their heads, "Such good children. Thank you. I will watch over the ship until you return." He turned and walked toward the cockpit, R2 beeping behind him.

Sombra looked at Padmé with worry, "Maé, maybe you should stay here. The spaceport isn't safe and–"

"Oh absolutely not," Padmé snapped, "you are both my friends and I will not be put on the shelf. I am going to support both of you. And I won't be safer than if I was with my brave Jedi."

Sombra sighed, recognizing the determination in Padmé's eyes. She knew that arguing further would be futile, so she relented. "All right, you can come with us. Just stay close and be cautious. Tatooine can be a harsh place."

Padmé smiled, appreciating Sombra's concern. "I promise I'll be careful. Besides, I'm no stranger to dangerous situations."