The mission
〰️Ten years later〰️
I lay staring up at the ceiling: feeling my chest slowly rise and fall with every steady yet slow breath while my mind thought of various events, my arms crossed back behind my head. Today my master-not Yoda anymore but instead master Starfallen, she was busy tending to some mission off world, somethng I'd grown used to over these last few years. So I was left to conduct my own training for the day, and yes that meant I was in no hurry. After all, patience is key...
I yawned and stretched my arms above my head, slowly sitting up and rubbing my temples as I let out a little groan, out stretching one hand and using the force to pull over my belt and boots from were I knew they lay. Sleep still clouding my eyes I buckled up the leather straps on each article of clothing and got up to cross over to the mirror. Staring at myself in the mirror I worked and smoothing out my hair, having not cut it since I joined the order it was now near waist length, meaning I had to tie back the front pieces, leaving just my braid to fall in front of my shoulder. Checking the nearby clock I saw it was still mid morning, the perfect time to train since younglings were in class all morning. I made my way silently over to the door, eyes briefly meeting with a small metal object of my shelf, a smile spreading slightly on my face as I left into the hallway. Humming quietly in contentment I began to walk to the training hall, passing through the canteen as I went to pick up some breakfast to eat on the way. As I entered the hall I noted that there was only a few padawans and a couple of masters inside, that was good.
"Morning (y/l/n), I heard master Starfallen went off on a mission to Florrum this morning, if you need anything feel free to just ask, I'm always happy to help." One of the other young masters I'd become familiar with said with a smile as I passed by, his green eyes full of comfort and warmth.
"Thank you for the offer master Acaina, but I'll be okay on my own." I said politely back with a small bow and a smile. That was one of the things I'd managed to overcome over the years, I was no longer afraid to talk to others, no longer feeling so self conscious. I have to admit though I think it was Anakin's influence that helped me there, since I did always admire his confidence I guess when he left I realised I could do it to.
"Hm always happy to help, I do hope you have a good day." He replied with a nod before turning to leave back to where him and his padawan had been training. However his padawan stayed behind, his golden-brown eyes fixed on me.
"Hey." He said simply when he realised I'd noticed him staring.
"Hey." I replied flatly, with a small wave of my hand from my side.
"Bynn, come we have training to do." Master Acaina called back to the boy.
"I have to go, uh, maybe I'll see you later..?" The boy awkwardly said while pointing back towards where his master was while giving me a half smile. I internally rolled my eyes as I held in a chuckle at his behaviour, looking at how he was staring at me like a lost puppy,
"Maybe." I shrugged while giving him a sweet smile. I had no intention of being rude, but still, the code had to be respoected-if he had some form of crush on me it would be wrong for me to lead him on. After all my alligence will always be to the Jedi.
"Ok then, bye for now." He smiled back with a slight sparkle in his eyes as he ran back up towards where he'd been training.
"Bye." I hummed back while waving one hand his way, then proceeding to turn and shake my head slightly with a whispering chuckle as I headed to the corner in order to train.
It was now around midday, and I was currently sat in silence meditating, not a sound to be heard around nor a movement to be felt. I was busy feeling my connection to the force, exploring it and investigating just what it would allow me to sense.
'(Y/n)...'
My eyes suddenly opened and my head jolted up at the whispering sound, stunned as I tried to figure out wether it was real or imaginary. A warm fire had sparked inside me, a feeling I felt I remembered, a warmth I could never forget...
...was it really that though?
Before I could further question the feeling someone walked in and my head flicked round to see one of the masters, though I wasn't familiar with their name.
"Padawan (y/l/n), the council requests you to proceed out to protect the senator of Naboo, they ask you act with the upmost caution and speed. Here is the senators location and information on your mission, the council will contact you again when they have a plan in place." The elegant woman said calmly while taking one of my hands and placing a holo file into it. I was stunned silent, the council were allowing me on a mission, without my master, just me.
"I understand master, I will not let you down." I finally responded with determination flaring in my soul as I stood up and quickly gave her a bow of my head.
"I believe in you child, now go, we know not when the senators enemies will attack again." She said smoothly while ushering me to the door.
"Understood master." I quickly said looking back at her before running off to the temple doors, my robes and hair flying out behind me as I sped by other Jedi out into the open of the main steps. I'd finally been entrusted with a responsibility, and I was not about to let anyone down. As I ran out towards the speeders the realisation hit me that I couldn't drive, and I certainly didn't have time to ask for a lift. I checked the location while running down the steps-almost tripping on the last few as I closed up the projection. The senator was four blocks away, so I'd have to take the back streets in order to save time. Without pausing to catch my breath I began to run and weave through the city, jumping on and over a few stationary speeders as I focused on my destination.
Eventually I reached the senate building and ran straight in, ignoring the few shouts of a security guard as I ran into the lift and pressed the floor I needed, tapping my foot impatiently as it began to speed me up into the air. Finally the door opened and I ran out, startling a few people as I abruptly stopped in the entrance and placed my hands on my knees while I panted for air. I could feel eceryone was staring down at me so I tried to straighten up and look presentable.
"Sorry about that, my name's (y/n) (y/l/n), I'm here to help protect the senator, I was sent by the Jedi council." I stated while trying to control my breathing as the soldiers remained defensive towards me.
"She's a Jedi..? Oh please let her through." A feminine voice called from the room just beyond, the guards seeming to relax and stand aside at her words. I nodded in thanks and walked through to the seating area standing before the elegant woman I recconised to be the senator and placing my hands before me as I gave her a respectful bow.
"It's a pleasure to meet you senator, my name is (y/n) (y/l/n), I've been sent by the Jedi council to ensure your safety while a plan to maintain your protection is put in place." I informed after rising back up and looking over to the senator.
"I see, thank you, please do feel free to take a seat," the woman offered waving one hand in indication towards the chair opposite her. "I appreciate the councils help during this troublesome time, though I do wish I knew who it was who wanted me dead." She spoke up as I took a seat opposite.
"I'm sure the council will do its best to bring whoever it may be to justice swiftly, for now be assured that no harm will come to you." I responded politely, keeping faith in the Jedi councils judgment as I tried to reassure the evidently concerned senator. She nodded in understanding and relaxed her shoulder slightly with a sigh.
"...Thank you master-
"Padawan, I'm still in training." I corrected while raising my hand, trying to be as respectful as possible. She rose a brow with an intrigued look of slight surprise over at me.
"Oh my I'm sorry, I just assumed by your attitude that..." she said while waving her hands in a soft circle to indicate me. "But it seems I was mistaken. Well Padawan (y/l/n), thank you for coming on such short notice, now if you'll excuse me I wish to change before I receive any more guests." Miss Padmè said with grace as she rose up from her seat and headed away to her room after I'd given her a curt nod of understanding I was left to my own devices once more. I got up and took a look around the apartment, checking any and all exits and entrances as well as it's security over all.
"I have guards at every entrance, no one gets in without proper clearance." The guard captain stated as I knelt down to inspect one of the air vents.
"Very good captain..." I trailed off as I stood back up and looked at him for a name.
"Captain Typho, Senator Amidala's head of security." The man responded respectfully, a little to much respect for my rank if you ask me but I wasn't going to complain.
"Right, thank you," I replied back while taking a final glance around the room. "I'll keep myself here, the closer I am to the senator the better I believe."
"Very good ma'am, if you need anything just ask." The captain said as I made my way back to the sitting area and he remained by the doorway.
"Thank you captain, but I'll be just fine." I replied while sitting down on the floor and crossing my legs, placing my hands on my knees as I heard him leave and the door close. Letting myself become one with my surroundings I focussed my attention to every pulse of life or detail nearing the apartment, checking every spark of energy for its intent and purpose. Becoming lost in thought I stayed perfectly still, not needing to see or hear to know what was going on near me.
I stayed in this semi-conscious state for a good while, unaware of time passing until I felt someone enter the room and opened my eyes to see it was captain Typho holding a com link.
"Message for you from the Jedi council ma'am." He stated holding the device out to me as I got up and walked over.
"Thank you captain." I said with a smile as I took the communicator, opening it up as he left to reveal the face of my old master.
"Good to see you it is, padawan (y/l/n)." Master Yoda said with a wrinkled smile that bought me back to my childhood.
"You to master, thank you for trusting me enough to take this mission." I replied giving a a quick bow of my head towards the hologram of my former master.
"Thank me do not, deserve this, you do," he said while pointing a clawed finger off his cane towards me. "Now, a plan for the senators further protection, the council had made. Joined you shall be by master Kenobi and young Skywalker, protect the senator they shall help you to."
I barely heard the words after Skywalker: my heart having skipped a beat at his name, at the realisation he was back, that we'd finally see each other again.
"Uh, oh right, thank you for informing me master, I look forward to working alongside them both again," I responded after pulling myself out my daydream and back into reality, something I found myself doing fairly often. "...do you happen to know when about a I can expect them..?" I asked tilting my head slightly, eager to see my childhood friend again.
"On their way they are, see them soon you shall, now go I must, speak soon I hope we can." Master Yoda replied, filling my stomach with butterflies and my veins with excitement.
"Ok thank you master, have a good day." I replied with a smile and another slight bow of my head, watching him smile before signing off. I couldn't help but let my smile grow a I put the com link way.
I was going to see him again
After all these years
Finally...
Anakin's pov
Master Kenobi had just told me we'd been assigned to protect Padmè since it seemed someone was trying to kill her and the council wanted to assign someone familiar to her. It's lucky we got back when we did I guess.We walked into the senate building and made our way to the lift, Obi-Wan beginning to speak again as we waited.
"It seems Padawan (y/l/n) was assigned to help with our mission, I do hope you to refrain from causing any trouble this time around."
Wait did he just say (y/l/n)? As in (y/n) (y/l/n)?
"Of course not master." I said half-heartedly as we got into the lift, my mind barely focused on him now. It's been years since I last saw her, I wonder if she remembers me? I mean we were best friends, but that all came to a sudden end. And what if she doesn't remember me, what if we've grown apart-what if she found someone to replace me.
"You seem a little on edge." My masters voice finally cuts through, allowing my spiralling thoughts to fade into the background for a few moment.
"Not at all." I reply without hesitation, shifting my my feet slightly as I look round and down to my master, then quickly looking back to the doors and continuing to think.
"I haven't felt you this tense since we fell into that nest of gundarks." He said causing me to internally roll my eyes as I looked back round to correct him.
"You fell into the nightmare master, and I recused you remember?" I said in correction, memories of the events flashing through my mind as I frowned down at him.
"Oh, yes," the man chuckled folding his arms while I looked back at the door, eager to see it open. "You're sweating, relax, take a deep breath." He instructed while turning back to face me as my eyes flicked between him and the door.
"Yes master..." I replied sullenly, hoping for the short journey left to remain silent.
(Y/n)'s pov
I was trying my best not to pace the hall as I awaited my old friends, having to figet my fingers as I sat on the sofa staring out at the speeders. So many feelings and questions were flooding my mind I'm ashamed to say I had become slightly distracted from my mission. It seemed the closer they got the more agitated I'd become, it was getting a little embarrassing. In a last attempt to look professional I took a deep breath and closed my eyes as I exhaled, feeling a warm tingling numb my senses.
"Obi..? Obi!" The gungan in the hall shouted, alerting me to the fact they had arrived. I swiftly stood up as the senator joined me, the both of us looking over to the door as Jarjar led the two Jedi inside.
"Lookie lookie senator, itsa Jedi." He introduced as Obi-wan walked in, my eyes skimming over him and immediately back to Anakin. My heart almost stopped as my sights settled on the handsome young man that had once been the sweet boy I'd called a best friend, his eyes meeting mine for a fraction of a second before looking away again as they moved closer.
"It's good to see you again Obi-wan," Padmè greeted with a smile while I tore my eyes away from Anakin to focus once more on the whole group. "Ani? My goodness you've grown." She said with a light chuckle as she looked at the tall teenager with disbelief.
"So have you," Anakin replied looking briefly at her, then me, then off to the side again. "...both of you, more beautful-uh, for a senator I mean." He said, quickly adding his amendment on the end as he look back from me to Padmè with those eyes I wish he'd look to me with.
"Hm, to me you'll always be that little boy I met on Tatooine." She replied with a sweetness I'd never be able to match.
I know it's wrong to feel jealousy, I'm a Jedi, we are not allowed to love...but still, how can I stop my heart from wanting what I tell myself I can't have...
We all took a seat on the sofas-well all except me since there was no remaining space.
"(Y/n) here take my seat." Anakin said to me as he got up again and offered up his place. I nodded suddenly feeling shy once more as I sat down on the sofa, feeling him towering over behind me.
"I'm glad you're all here, the situation is far worse than the senator would have you believe." Captain Typho started the discusion by saying.
"I don't need more security, I want to know who's trying to kill me." Padmè spoke up as she looked out across at the three of us.
"We are here to protect you senator, not start an investigation for you." Obi-wan clarified while looking directly across at the woman.
"But surely we will find out who's trying to kill her since that would be the simplest way to eradicate the threat to her life." I said looking over at Obi-Wan for some kind of confirmation only to see him frown as he looked round at me.
"We will not exceed our mandate young one." He said firmly causing me to frown back at him, feeling a little patronised by his words. Don't get me wrong, I highly respect Master Kenobi, but I really do feel I was in the right here.
"Why?" Anakin interrupted before his master could start his next sentence to the senator.
"Excuse me?" Obi-wan asked with some form of surprised interest mixed in with disbelieving annoyance.
"Why else would we be here, protection is a job for local security, not Jedi, investigation is implied in our mandate." Anakin explained back while looking down at his master from beside me. I could feel a tension rising between the pair, making me shrink back slightly into my seat.
"we will do as the council has instructed of us, don't make me go over this exercise again," he said, pausing before taking his eyes off Anakin and looking back at me. "Either of you..." after his last statement a few moments of silence filled the room before the senator began to speak.
"Perhaps with merely your presence, the mysteries surrounding us will reveal themselves, now if you excuse me, I will retire." She said while standing up, everyone else standing up at the same time and nodding with understanding as she left with her handmaiden for her room. Captain Typho began to speak with Obi-Wan which left me and Anakin in and awkward silence alone.
"I'm going to check the security downstairs, you both stay out of trouble until I get back." Obi-wan called across to us without raising his voice as he headed for the hallway.
"...yes dad," I said quietly with a slight eye roll once he was out of earshot, hearing Anakin give a snort of laughter from beside me. I looked round and my eyes met with his, becoming lost once more in their beautiful blue haze. He gave me a small smirk which I responded to with a small smile as I looked up at him. My gosh he's tall now...I feel so tiny right now... "It's great to finally see you again." I said softly while continuing to look up at him.
"You to," He said looking at me with soft blue eyes that had once melted the ice of my soul so many years ago. "I can't believe how much you've grown, you look incredible." He stated calmly while continuing to stare at me softly as a light pink dusted my cheeks from his comment.
"Thanks, you don't look to bad yourself." I joked, leaning up onto my top toes and tapping a finger on his nose. We both laughed quietly for a second before settling back down, though my heart was still fluttering slightly no matter how much I tried to calm it.
A few moments later we began to talk about what we'd been up to the past ten years, or at least the highlights, him telling me about the numerous times he'd had to recuse his master and me about the various adventures of my new master. It felt so nice to be chatting with him again, like all my waiting had finally payed off, it wasn't awkward or uncomfortable, it was simply like old times...