- CASTLES CRUMBLING (A.S.) -

- 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐑𝐓𝐘-𝐅𝐈𝐕𝐄 -

i put my armor on, show you how strong i am

MONTHS FLEW BY. Much of the same thing happened for the new Jedi Knight. Regina would be sent off to some far-off system—with Anakin, another Jedi, or just herself—before she'd come back to Coruscant for a day or two. Occasionally she'd get some time with Anakin, but it was rarer than either of them would have liked. Most of the time when she was in the Capital, Anakin was off-world on a mission of his own. They'd started by using the comms that Anakin had made for the two of them, but it wasn't the same as seeing each other. This led the couple to develop new ways to communicate and talk to each other: frequent holocalls.

"How's the mission on Christophsis going, Skywalker?" Regina asked her husband at one of these such calls. Though he was thousands of parsecs away, it seemed like he was right there with her.

"Could be better," he admitted. "But we're getting reinforcements from Coruscant today, so it should be over soon." Regina smiled.

"Well, I'm hoping to be out of here before long, too," Regina nodded, looking around the palace that she was standing inside of. She had been assigned to a diplomatic mission. In fact, she was with Padmé, not working as a bodyguard this time but as a partner. Their mission was mostly complete, and the two of them predicted that they'd be out of there the following evening.

"Hopefully we'll be back at the same time," Anakin sighed, looking tired.

"I know," Regina nodded, meeting his eyes. "I have to go, but be careful. Don't get yourself killed." Anakin chuckled, looking over his shoulder.

"I think Obi-Wan will make sure of that," he assured her. "Besides, where would he be without me saving him every other day?" Regina laughed for a moment before sobering. "I miss you every day, Genie."

"I miss you too, Ani," Regina admitted, changing the subject before she could get too emotional. "Tomorrow?"

"If I can," he replied, his forehead wrinkling with thought. "Obi-Wan, Rex, and Cody have the whole day planned. We might be a little busy but I'll see what I can do."

After saying their goodbyes, Regina returned to her duties as a Republic diplomat. Before she knew it, she and Padmé were headed back to Coruscant, their mission successfully completed. Both the senator and the Jedi felt lighthearted as they neared the Capital, Regina for reasons beyond their accomplished task.

As they flew through hyperspace, Padmé turned to her friend.

"How are things, Regina?" the senator questioned. Regina, who had been anticipating this question was coming for a while, turned on the cushioned seat that she was sitting on to face Padmé.

"Everything's good," she replied, giving Padmé a knowing look.

"As I expected." Padmé grinned. "I am very happy for you, you know." She reached out and squeezed Regina's hand. The Jedi smiled back.

Dropping Padmé off at her flat, Regina made her way back to her own apartment, the one she shared with Anakin when he was on the planet. As she had predicted, it was completely empty, save for C-3P0. Parking the speeder in the hidden lot, Regina slid inside of the small apartment and made herself at home.

Noticing the powered-down protocol droid sitting in the corner, Regina walked over to the C-3P0, flipping his power switch. Instantly, he powered on, his eyes lighting up.