"Why do I get the feeling you're going to be the death of me?" Obi-Wan asks with a wry smile as he leads his students into the club.

"Don't say that, Master. You're the closest thing I have to a father," Anakin replies, his tone half-joking, half-serious.

"Then why don't you listen to me?" Obi-Wan counters, his voice tinged with a hint of exasperation.

"I'm trying," Anakin responds earnestly, his eyes reflecting his determination.

They stand at the top of the steps, surveying the bustling club below, where patrons of all species mingle amidst flashing lights and pulsating music. Raina feels a pang of nervousness as a few scantily clad women pass by, their gazes lingering on her in a way that makes her cheeks flush with embarrassment.

But she pushes the distraction aside, focusing on the task at hand. She can't afford to let her emotions get the better of her.

After a brief discussion, they decide that their enemy may be a changeling, requiring extra caution and vigilance. The trio splits up, with Raina and Anakin tasked with locating the enemy while Obi-Wan heads to the bar, adopting an unusual tactic for their master.

As they weave through the crowded club, Raina and Anakin remain close, their senses alert for any signs of danger. They ignore the curious glances of the patrons around them, their focus solely on the mission at hand. Suddenly, Raina's instincts flare, and she gasps, coming to a sudden stop beside Anakin.

In an instant, Obi-Wan draws his lightsaber, deflecting an incoming attack from a would-be assassin. Raina and Anakin spring into action, standing by their master's side as he disarms the attacker and ushers them out of the club. The Jedi reassure the patrons that they are safe, urging them to continue with their evening as they handle the threat.

"Do you know who hired you to kill the senator?" Obi-Wan demands, his voice firm as he confronts the assassin in the alley.

"It was a bounty hunter called--" the changeling begins to reveal, but before they can finish, a dart pierces their neck, silencing them instantly.

Their heads snap in the direction of the attacker, only to see a figure disappearing into the night. Obi-Wan examines the toxic dart, his expression grave, while Anakin's jaw tightens with anger.

"We'll find him," Raina assures Anakin, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "I have no doubt."

"You never have doubt, Raina," Anakin remarks, a hint of frustration in his voice. "You're annoyingly optimistic."

If only Anakin knew the truth - that Raina's optimism masked a well of uncertainty and fear that she kept buried deep within her.

The following day, Raina and her companions stand before the Jedi Council, recounting the events of the previous night. Masters Yoda and Windu decide that the senator must be escorted back to Naboo without registered transport for her safety, but knowing Padme's determination, they understand she will refuse to leave.

Senator Palpatine, they decide, will be the one to persuade her otherwise.

"I will talk with her. Senator Amidala will not refuse an executive order. I know her well enough to assure you of that," Palpatine asserts with a confident nod.

"Thank you, Your Excellency," Raina responds respectfully, inclining her head.

"And so, they've finally given the two of you an assignment," Palpatine remarks, a sly grin playing on his lips, "Your patience has finally paid off."

"Your guidance more than my patience," Anakin corrects, his tone earnest, "I wouldn't have any if Raina didn't keep me grounded."

The senator offers a gentle smile to the girl before stepping away from the window in his office, motioning for them to join him by a set of chairs.

"You don't need guidance. In time, you will learn to trust your feelings," Palpatine states as they descend the small set of steps, "Then, you will be invincible. I have said it many times: you both are the most gifted Jedi I've ever met."

"Thank you, Your Excellency," Anakin acknowledges with a nod.

"I see you becoming the greatest Jedi of all time, even more powerful than Master Yoda," Palpatine continues, his words laden with flattery.

Raina furrows her brow slightly at his praise, a nagging sense of unease stirring within her. As tempting as his words sound, she knows that her training under Obi-Wan has instilled in her the importance of humility and restraint. Palpatine's words may inflate her ego, but they also plant seeds of doubt and arrogance, threatening to lead her astray from the path of the Jedi.

Anakin, too, feels the pull of temptation in Palpatine's words. They make him question the Jedi Order and its teachings, especially when it comes to matters of the heart. His longing for Padme burns within him, overshadowing his bond with Raina, whom he fails to see in the same light.

Palpatine, however, remains indifferent to their personal struggles and desires. He has his own agenda, and teenage romance is of little consequence to him.

Once convinced to return to Naboo, Padme makes arrangements for her absence, appointing Jar Jar as her temporary replacement in the Senate. Raina stands guard outside the senator's chambers, while Anakin accompanies Padme inside.

"I haven't worked for a year to defeat the Military Creation Act to not be here when its fate is decided," Padme remarks as she packs her belongings.

"Sometimes we must let go of our pride and do what is requested of us," Anakin replies, echoing Obi-Wan's teachings.

"Anakin, you've grown up," She observes with a smile.

"Master Obi-Wan manages not to see it," Anakin says, his frustration evident, "Don't get me wrong, Obi-Wan is a great mentor. As wise as Master Yoda, and as powerful as Master Windu. I am truly thankful to be his apprentice. In some ways-- in a lot of ways... I'm really ahead of him. I'm ready for the trials, but he feels that I'm too unpredictable. He won't let me move on."

"That must be frustrating," Padme sympathizes.

"It's worse. He's overly critical, he never listens. He doesn't understand, and the only person who does is... Raina... It's not fair!" Anakin vents, his frustration boiling over.

"All mentors have a way of seeing more of our faults than we would like. It's the only way we grow," Padme offers wisdom gained from experience.

"I know," Anakin sighs as he sits heavily on her bed, his emotions running high.

"Anakin," Padme begins, her tone gentle yet firm as she stands before him, "Don't try to grow up too fast."

"But I am grown up," He insists, rising to his feet to face her, his intensity unsettling her.

"Please don't look at me like that," Padme requests, her discomfort evident.

It's a moment of realization for Anakin, a reminder of his inability to gauge boundaries and understand the impact of his actions on others. He doesn't realize when he crosses a line, when his intensity becomes overwhelming. He doesn't see the discomfort he causes Padme, nor does he recognize the pain he inflicts on Raina with his obliviousness.

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[ in anakin's defense, i too would throw my entire life away for natalie portman ]