- CASTLES CRUMBLING (A.S.) -

- 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐍 -

i'm following the map that leads to you.

"WE'RE NEARLY THERE," Padmé spoke up. They'd been traveling through hyperspace for a few hours and each one of them was feeling the tension. They knew that every second was one in which something horrible could be happening to Obi-Wan. Not encouraging.

Neither of the Padawans said anything. That's when Padmé slid out of her seat and began walking to the back of the cockpit.

"Where are you going?" Skywalker asked, an alarmed look flashing over his face. As if she could actually go anywhere. 

"I have to grab something from the cabin, Ani," Padmé replied, a slight smile on her face. "Both of you relax. I'll be right back."

She went out without another word. Still, both Regina and Skywalker watched her go warily, not wanting her to leave their sigh. After what had happened to Obi-Wan... Regina glanced over at Skywalker; she could feel his mixed emotions about everything so clearly.

Regina slowly rose to her feet and walked to where Padmé had been sitting minutes before, standing beside the copilot's seat. Silently, she stared at the blue tunnel of light, lost in thought.

"Sitara." Skywalker's voice snapped her out of her thoughts. She slowly turned her head so that she could look into his eyes. His face was solemn.

"I have a bad feeling about this," was all Regina said in response. Skywalker gazed back at her. Regina couldn't push down that aching feeling, the one that gave her anxiety and excitement all rolled into one. The one about the future and the destiny of the entire galaxy.

"As do I," Skywalker agreed quietly. "Look." He sucked in a deep breath. "No matter what happens, Padmé is our first priority."

He was saying that if it came down to himself or Padmé, he wanted her to save Padmé and that he'd do the same. That's why they were on this mission in the first place, to protect the senator. Had he forgotten that? But all she could do was stare back at him.

"I know."

He nodded.

"Good."

He sounded like he was trying to convince himself, but Regina didn't push him. She stood in silence for a minute longer before slowly sinking into the copilot's seat. Feeling worried, she glanced back at Skywalker. His face was smooth, like he was carefully covering up his emotions. Regina could sense his anxiety, and more than that, his pain.

"How are you holding up?" she quietly asked him. Startled, Skywalker slowly looked at her.

"I'm fine."

Regina shot him a pointed look.

"I'll feel a lot better when we find Obi-Wan," he admitted. Regina offered a weak smile.

"Don't worry, Skywalker," she soothed. "We'll find him."

And for Skywalker's sake as much as Kenobi's, Regina hoped she was right.

The duo was quiet for a while, staring into space, then Skywalker broke the silence.

"Sitara? Did you mean it when you told me that you loved me?"

Regina blinked, taken aback by the suddenness of the statement. She tilted her head, studying his profile, trying to get a read on why he was asking this. His jaw was clenched tightly, the muscles in his neck flexing. His braid hung down the side of his head, and his eyes flickered in the brightness of hyperspace.