- CASTLES CRUMBLING (A.S.) -

- 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐘 -

you're not here to get me through it all

REGINA RETRACTED HER lightsaber and looked at Luna who was sprawled on the floor across from her, grunting from being kicked backward. Regina had just successfully defeated the older Jedi in a practice duel.

"I'd say you've made a speedy recovery," Luna remarked as Regina offered her a hand, pulling the older girl to her feet. Regina grinned.

"Yeah." She nodded. "Could be much worse."

"From what I hear, it should be worse," Luna replied, tucking a strand of reddish hair behind her ear. "You should be dead, Regina."

"Well, thank the Force that I escaped with only a scar," Regina said, shrugging it off. "Have you heard from Quillow recently?"

Luna shook her head. "I'm sure he's fine. He's done this before, you know."

"He left the Order before this?" Regina asked in confusion.

"Left the Order, no." Luna shook her head. "But he used to take extended leaves to Kashyyyk. His father was the chief and though Quillow was brought here at a young age, he still felt obliged to serve his clan every now and then."

Regina nodded. "I'm sure he's fine," she agreed.

After Luna and Regina went their separate ways, Regina headed for one of the meditation chambers, determined to calm her mind before looking for something to do. She was expecting the Council to give her an assignment at any time—they'd noticed her recovery as well—but so far she'd heard nothing.

But Regina only made it halfway to a mediation chamber.

Walking down the hall came Obi-Wan Kenobi with a worried look displayed on his face. As he began to pass her–without seeing her–Regina got an aching feeling that the person he was worrying over was Anakin Skywalker.

"Master!" she called, bringing Kenobi to a halt. "Is everything alright?"

Obi-Wan offered her a weak smile. "We've just received word that Anakin was injured in an explosion." Regina raised her eyebrows, trying to bury her worry and turn her features into one of polite concern than anything else. "He's received medical attention under the care of some natives on Meriden. We're planning on bringing him and Ahsoka back to Coruscant immediately." Regina forced herself not to feel her worry; she stuffed it down. She couldn't let Obi-Wan sense her true feelings. Not when she'd taken such care to hide them.

"I'm sure he's fine," Regina replied, seemingly for the hundredth time that day, trying to be cordial and polite. But her feelings really were threatening to overtake her.

"I think you should tell yourself that," Obi-Wan informed her. Regina frowned. Obi-Wan gave her a thoughtful look and jerked his head to a vacant mediation chamber, the very one that Regina had originally planned on using. Obi-Wan stepped inside and Regina followed after him, an uneasy feeling growing in her chest.

"What's wrong, Master Kenobi?" Regina asked politely as she entered the room. Obi-Wan didn't reply, but simply took a seat on one of the empty cushioned seats.

"When you were injured, Ahsoka brought to my attention how worried Anakin was for you," Obi-Wan began, studying her carefully. "I see now how the two of you have grown and gotten past your differences."

You don't know the half of it.

"Anakin values you, Regina," Obi-Wan stated simply. Regina kept her face an impassive mask. She could not slip up now. "And I sense that you feel the same. You're good friends and that is something Anakin desperately needs."

Friends, Regina thought with relief.

"However, he has the tendency to form attachments, and we both know how dangerous that is," Obi-Wan continued. Regina studied him. His expression was thoughtful, his hand stroking his beard as he spoke. "I advise you to be cautious. Put him at arms length, if you must."

Regina frowned. "Master, I don't understand." Obi-Wan gave her a look that told her to continue. "When we didn't get along, we were looked down on, and now that we are friends, it's seen as an attachment. I know you know Anakin, and you understand how... Extreme he can be. But I don't see how we can have it both ways."

Obi-Wan nodded. "I do understand," Obi-Wan agreed. "But I advise you to keep your distance. He can form serious attachments, and that can be dangerous for the both of you." Regina gave up.

"Yes, Master." She nodded.

"Now, if you will excuse me, I have a rescue mission to plan," he told her, a slight smile on his face. "Maybe this time Anakin will owe me."

"I doubt he'll accept that." Regina grinned. "He'll find a way to repay you ten times over."

Obi-Wan's smile grew. "That sums up our friendship," he admitted, getting to his feet. "We'll send for you soon. We may need you on this mission."

Regina watched Obi-Wan go thoughtfully. She and Anakin needed to be more careful. Obi-Wan saw something in them, and though he interpreted it as friendship for now, she knew that based on their interactions, that might not last long.

What worried her more was Ahsoka. She had no doubt that the Padawan wouldn't do anything to purposely harm Anakin, but what if she accidentally said something that could incriminate them, something she thought was entirely harmless? Regina shook these thoughts away and turned to her meditation.

She cleared her mind.

"There is only the Force," she repeated to herself. "There is only—"

"Master Sitara?" a small voice asked. "The Council needs you."

Regina sighed.

Time to go save Anakin again.

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