!

Ani, help me!

Mom! No!

Your eyes snapped open as you woke up with a jolt. You quickly sat up as you put a hand on your chest, trying to calm your pounding heart. You were covered in a cold sweat as you were still a little shaky as well. Your chest heaved as you struggled to regulate your breathing. You tried to make sense of what you saw in your nightmare. You saw Shmi. She was in pain, so terrible that your body ached where her very wounds were. She was tied up and you couldn't see who was hurting her. But wounds appeared all over her as she screamed in pain. You had felt her pain as if it was your own. You heard her cry for help, her cry for Anakin.

Anakin.

You realized that this wasn't a nightmare meant to haunt you. It was Anakin's. One of the many that was haunting him, the ones he has been keeping from you. Through the shared Force Bond, you had seen a glimpse of his nightmares. You threw off your blankets, shivering slightly from the lost of warmth. You grabbed your black night robe and wrapped it around your pale blue nightgown. Your bare feet hardly made a sound on the cold marble floor as you left your room.

You and Anakin hadn't spoken to each other since the heartbreaking discussion you both had. You had gone off to bed and Anakin most likely did shortly after. You hadn't completely blocked Anakin from your connection, but at some point you couldn't tell whose sadness was whose. But you didn't care right now. You knew Anakin needed you. You felt his fear, worry, and hurt. He was still having that nightmare as his screams echoed in your mind. As you got closer to his room, you heard his quiet whimpers and soft shouts of 'No!' or 'Mom!'. You used the Force to unlock his door. Your heart ached when you saw him. He was so scared.

"No! Mom!" Anakin shouted as you sat down on his bed and reached over to wake him up. His eyes snapped open before you could touch him as he sat up quickly. He grabbed you by your arms as he steadied himself and came back to his senses. He didn't say anything as he glanced around and worked on controlling his breathing.

"Anakin?" you said, getting his attention. "You're okay. You were having a nightmare." you said softly to him. He didn't say anything as he hugged you tightly. You were taken by surprise, but didn't say anything as you wrapped your arms around him. You knew he needed you as he trembled from fear. With the shared Force Bond, you slowly eased him back into contentment. You didn't let him go until he released you. After a moment or two, Anakin let you go and was calm enough.

"I'm okay." Anakin breathed out as you looked at him with sad eyes.

"Anakin, I-" you started to say, but Ani cut you off.

"I promise I am. It was just a bad dream." Anakin said. You let out a soft sigh.

"We don't have to discuss it then. I'm not going to pry or force you to." you told him. You wanted to tell him everything you saw and felt. That you had seen his nightmare. But against your better judgement, you decided not to. Now wasn't the time to confront him about it.

"Thank you." Anakin said quietly.

"No need." you replied as you gave him a tight lipped smile. Feeling like there was nothing else you could do, you got up and turned around to leave, but Anakin grabbed your hand. You turned around and looked into Anakin's sad and afraid eyes.

"Please stay," he whispered. "please. I understand-"

Before Anakin could ramble on, you gave his hand a squeeze. "I'll stay." you said softly.

Neither one of you said anything as Anakin moved over and you laid down next to him. Anakin reached over and covered you both with the blanket that had fallen off of the bed during his nightmare. You both laid and faced each other, trying to convince yourself that you were just being there for your friend. You had gone against your better judgement again and stayed with Anakin. Even though you knew it wasn't the best idea.

"Goodnight, Anakin." you said so softly that Anakin barely heard it. You closed your eyes as Anakin replied.

"Goodnight, ____."

~

Anakin woke up as the morning sun shined through a small opening from the closed curtains. He felt a weight on his chest. Ani looked down and saw you sound asleep. Your head was resting on his chest as you rested your left hand on his torso. His arms were wrapped around your waist. Anakin smiled fondly at your peaceful form. He wished he could hold you like this forever.

But he gently moved you off of him before getting out of bed. While he didn't have another nightmare after waking up last night, he was still bothered by the ones he had. He needed to clear his head. He made his way to the small balcony that overlooked the gardens on the floor where your rooms were.

He took a deep breath as he closed his eyes. He focused on the sounds of the morning birds as he worked on clearing his mind. After a few moments, he felt you wake up and your confusion when you realized he was gone. He didn't say anything, knowing that you would easily find him. Anakin kept his eyes closed as he felt your presence.

You didn't say anything as you saw his eyes were closed. Figuring he needed time alone, you turn to go away.

"Don't go." Anakin said, making you think of how he wanted you to stay last night

.

"I don't want to disturb you." you simply replied.

"Your presence is soothing." he replied. There was a brief pause before you decided to confront him.

"You had another nightmare last night." you pointed out.

"Jedi don't have nightmares." Anakin answered.

"I heard you." you countered, causing Anakin to open his eyes. "And I actually saw it through our connection. I felt everything. I know what you have been having nightmares about. Please talk to me." you informed him carefully.

"I saw my mother." Anakin finally opened up. You walked over to him as he turned to look at you. "She is suffering, ____. I saw her as clearly as I see you now."

Anakin turned away and took a few steps away. He let out a shaky breath before continuing.

"She is in pain." Anakin said as he turned to you. "I know I'm disobeying my mandate to protect you, Jedi Senator, but I have to go. I have to help her."

"I'll go with you." you said with no hesitation. "You won't be disobeying your mandate if I am with you."

"I'm sorry, I don't have a choice." Anakin apologized as you shook your head.

"I don't want or need an apology. Let's get ready and leave as soon as possible." you said as Anakin gave you a sad but grateful smile.