A Priceless Bounty | Anakin Skywalker

Chapter Eight | Anakin

Four days had passed since my last transmission to Adea. I found myself pacing outside Desi's Noodles on Level 2046. I tried not letting my anxiety consume me, so I decided to sit down on one of the stools, waiting for my date. I had given her a specific time, but I chalked her absence up to being late getting ready.

Soon, hours had gone by. I tried to reach her on her comm channel but it was dead silent, not even a response from the guildmate that always answered her comms. I paid the waitress before getting up to leave, absolutely disappointed. I took my speeder back up to the surface, hoping to sleep off the negative thoughts that raced through my mind.

"Is something wrong, Anakin? You look upset." Obi-Wan asked worriedly as I sulked towards my quarters. I shook my head at him.

"Just tired, Master. I think I'm going to get some rest."

"Where are your robes?" He looked down at my outfit, just a plain shirt and trousers.

"I, uh, must've left them in my speeder." I said quietly. "I'll grab them in the morning."

"Were you out with her?" He frowned.

"Nope." I rolled my eyes, frustrated. "I was just out getting food."

"In the lower levels?"

"What? You're tracking me now?"

"I'm allowed to be concerned about your whereabouts, Anakin."

"I wasn't with her. I was getting Desi's."

"Alright, I believe you." He gestured to my door. "Go get some rest, we have a briefing on a new mission tomorrow." I nodded, heading to bed.

I went another two weeks without hearing from Adea, all of my calls failing to reach her. I was beginning to think she had paid her debt and disappeared, like she said she would. These constant thoughts really put a damper on my mood, causing many people to notice that I wasn't feeling like myself lately. I neglected to give them any good explanation as to why.

I stood outside the Jedi Temple talking with Senator Organa about the mission Obi-Wan and I had just returned from when I felt someone's eyes lingering on me.

"I hope you don't mind, Senator, but I just remembered that I have something I have to go deal with." I said as I quickly glanced behind him.

"I don't mind at all, it was good chatting with you." He smiled and turned to walk away.

I ran over to find Adea hiding behind one of the pillars. She wore a long black gown with a matching hooded cloak, making it easy for her to blend into the shadows.

"What are you doing here?" I interrogated her, wondering why she thought showing up to the Temple was a smart idea. I held her by her shoulders, causing her to wince. She pulled her hood down, revealing cuts and bruises along her face and neck. "Oh fuck. Baby, are you okay?"

"I didn't mean to stand you up, Ani. My comms were silenced for everyone but Harga and I didn't know how else to contact you, so I thought I'd come in person." She said, trying to hide her obvious tears.

"You being here is really risky. You could've just waited until I called again."

"But I missed you. I was scared you would hate me for going so long without comms."

"I could never hate you. Where were you?"

"I was tracking a target."

"That's hot." I laughed.

"Oh yeah? You like it when I kill people?" She teased, her eyes still watery.

"Ew. Please don't say it like that." I winced, making her smile. "Meet me at Desi's in an hour, you can tell me all about it."