War!

The Republic is crumbling under attacks by the ruthless Sith Lord, Count Dooku. There are heroes on both sides. Evil is everywhere. In a stunning move, the fiendish droid leader, General Grievous, has swept into the Republic capital and kidnapped Chancellor Palpatine, leader of the Galactic Senate.

As the Separatist Droid Army attempts to flee the besieged capital with their valuable hostage, three Jedi Knights lead a desperate mission to rescue the captive Chancellor...

The air crackles with tension as Anakin and Raina stand over the fallen Count Dooku, their lightsabers humming menacingly in the dimly lit chamber. The weight of their actions hangs heavy upon them, a stark reminder of the moral quandaries they face as Jedi Knights.

Chancellor Palpatine's words echo in their minds, urging them to strike down their defenseless foe. But as they exchange a fleeting glance, a silent communication passes between them—a shared understanding of the gravity of their situation.

"We shouldn't..." Anakin's voice wavers, his gaze flickering with uncertainty.

"Do it," Palpatine commands once more, his tone insistent.

Anakin and Raina hesitate, their resolve faltering in the face of their conflicting emotions. They are torn between duty and conscience, between the demands of their leader and the principles of the Jedi Order.

But then, with a shared sense of determination, they act as one. Their lightsabers flash with blinding intensity as they swiftly dispatch the fallen Count, his lifeless body crumpling to the ground in a heap. The room falls silent, save for the crackling hum of their lightsabers and the heavy weight of regret that settles upon them.

As Palpatine stands before them, a twisted smile playing upon his lips, Anakin and Raina cannot help but feel a gnawing sense of unease. They had crossed a line, straying from the path of the Jedi and succumbing to the darkness that lurked within.

"You did well, young ones," Palpatine praises, his voice dripping with satisfaction, "He was too dangerous to be kept alive."

Anakin and Raina exchange a troubled glance, their hearts heavy with the weight of their actions. Raina's voice trembles as she dares to voice her misgivings.

"Yes...but he was an unarmed prisoner," She asserts, her tone laced with a hint of defiance.

Anakin's expression mirrors her concerns, his brow furrowed in contemplation. He knows deep down that what they have done goes against everything they have been taught as Jedi, yet he cannot shake the feeling of unease that gnaws at him.

"We shouldn't have done that...it's not the Jedi way," He admits, his voice tinged with remorse.

Their words hang in the air, a somber acknowledgment of the choices they have made and the consequences that will surely follow.

" It is only natural. He cut off your arm, you wanted revenge," Palpatine brushes off, then eyes Raina, " He hurt someone close to you, you wanted revenge. It wasn't the first time," he eyes Anakin, " Remember what you told me about your mother the Sand People?" then eyes Raina yet again, " Remember what you told me you wanted to do after your father was killed?" then changes the subject entirely, " Now we must leave before more security droids arrive."

Anakin and Raina then rush over to their master. They pick up his unconscious body together, all while Palpatine insists that they have no time. It proves that they still have a heart left, much to the Chancellor's dismay. They all make it off the ship safely and have successfully completed another mission together.

Rain and Anakin go off with the politicians, whilst Obi-Wan goes off with the council. He allows the young Jedi Knights to take credit for the successful mission, he allows them to be the heroes.

Even Palpatine confirms it by relaying the events to Master Windu. But their work is far from done, for General Grievous is still out there.

The two Jedi pretend as long as they can, exchanging small glances here and there. But the Skywalker knight has to attend to his wife, who calls for his attention to deliver some news.

He's enthralled, of course he is, but his smile slowly fades as he realizes one fateful thing.

He must tell Raina.

After Anakin and Padme separate, he finds the other woman who has his heart. Raina pulls him close, smiling as she finally gets to kiss him, but upon feeling how tense he is, she pulls back and looks into his eyes.

" What's wrong?"

" Padme... she's pregnant."

Raina stifles a gasp. Her eyes flicker between Anakin as reality comes hurdling toward her and hits her like a speeder. Her lips tremble at the thought of what it could mean for them.

" Congratulations," She utters with a forced smile, " I'm sure you'll make a great father."

Neither of them wants to bring it up, but it looms over them like a shadow, and so one of them must.

" Raina..."

" Anakin... please don't"

He watches as Raina's eyes well up with tears, and he quickly brings his one good hand up to catch the tear before it falls.

" Don't do that... don't cry," He whispers, " We still have time."

" Only about nine months," She whispers back, " Then what?"

" I don't know," Anakin sighs.

And so they say nothing at all. Anakin brings Raina close to his body, hugging her and resting his head atop hers as she lays her head on his chest. They hold each other as the guilt and severity finally hit. They know it's wrong, but their feelings are too strong. They cannot deny their love for one another, the same way Anakin cannot deny his love for Padme.

Perhaps they're just running on borrowed time. Perhaps nothing is meant to come from this. Perhaps it's just a fluke, just a mistake.

But their time together has been amazing. They've cherished every single stolen moment they've gotten.

They cherish every kiss they've shared or every hiding spot they've made love in. They cherish every mission, both successful and unsuccessful.

Above all, they cherish each other.

Raina makes Anakin stronger, and Anakin makes Raina stronger.

They train together and work together... but perhaps that's all it's meant to be.

Anakin pulls back just the slightest so he can gaze down upon her beautiful face. He memorizes all of her features, everything about her is seared into his mind. Everything about her makes him fall in love all over again. He rests his forehead upon hers, closing his eyes, and whispers before he leans it to kiss her plump lips.

" My rainstorm."

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