Of Love and War Book 3: In The Thick of Battle

Chapter 3: The Movie (Tatooine)

"The medicine: it's working!" Ahsoka exclaimed from behind them. "His fever broke. I think he's going to live to stink another day."

"Great," Anakin said with a hint of sarcasm. "Keeping him alive wasn't as easy as you thought it would be, was it?"

"Master, if you've taught me one thing, it's that nothing is easy when you are around."

Zelina laughed. "If I had a glass, I would toast to that. It's the truest thing I've heard all day."

Anakin chuckled under his breath, eyes riveted to the section of the ship he was working on at the moment.

"Do you think Rex and Master Obi-Wan made it out okay?" Ahsoka asked in concern.

"If I know my old master, he has things well in hand," Anakin said easily. "Now help me with this: I want the primary systems fully repaired by the time we reach Tatooine."

Ahsoka handed him some tool he needed as Zelina watched the two closely.

"You both grew up on Tatooine, right? So for you two, this trip is like going home!"

"Yeah...home..."Anakin muttered, a soft, slightly dark undercurrent showing up in his tone. Zelina had the feeling she was the only one who caught it. Gently, she placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Hey...breathe," she told him softly.

He glanced at her, giving her a small smile and letting the tension seep out of him. "I'm good," he told her softly. "Don't worry about me."

"I have plenty of reasons too," Zelina muttered under her breath, though no one seemed to hear.

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"I was hoping I would never have to lay eyes on this dust ball again."

Anakin's dark tone of voice seemed to throw Ahsoka off, which was understandable. Normal people loved going back home. Normal people had happy feelings and memories associated with home. Normal people jumped at every opportunity to go back home.

But they weren't exactly normal people now, were they?

"Okay...what happened?" Ahsoka asked. Zelina visibly bristled off to the side at the question, an action that Anakin did not miss.

"I don't want to talk about it," Anakin said lowly.

"What about you Zelina?" Ahsoka asked, turning to her.

"My experience is even worse than his," she said shortly.

"How's Stinky holding up?" Anakin asked, effectively changing the topic and saving them from a very depressing and dark path of conversation.

"He seems to be feeling much better. His fever's gone; even you have to admit he's cute when he's asleep," Ahsoka said with a smile, undaunted by the dark mood just a few moments prior.

"I admit I like him better when he's quiet...but only a little," Anakin replied with a small smile. Zelina simply shrugged.

"He could be cuter," she said with a smirk.

R2 beeped, interrupting their conversation with a question aimed towards Anakin.

"No R2, I want the canon operational first, leave the rear deflector shields for later," Anakin informed the droid, drawing a stare from the other two.

"No rear shields Master?" Ahsoka asked.

"Don't you think that's a little risky Ani? Or perhaps that's not the right word...how about...stupid, cocky, arrogant; the list goes on," Zelina remarked.