"You really have to leave?" I asked; Anakin sighed, nodding his head. His intercom seemed to be going off every second. There was never one moment in our day when we could be together.

After the events that settled on Scipio, everything became different. Some darkness landed on Coruscant and almost everywhere. The war was much worse than it was a few weeks ago. And it seemed that the Republic was losing every battle. As if something were to malfunction in the heads of the troops.

They weren't doing their usual best, and it almost seemed as if they had progressively gotten worse. Almost as if they were programmed to malfunction.

I looked over to my husband, the young boy, while light blue eyes. His eyes examined the whole room before they landed on mine. A weak smile formed, one that seemed forced in a sense. "I'll be back soon, I promise." He reassured.

I knew in the back of my mind he wasn't. They needed him out in battle, and from the ways, things were heading, they needed more of his time. From experience, there was never really a timeframe; missions could last weeks or months. It depended on the severity of the mission and just how important it was for the Chancellor. For the Republic.

"Anakin, there is something you must know before you leave," I stutter, nervous; this was a perfect time to tell him what I've waited for finally. "yeah?" He questioned; his voice was soft and peaceful; despite everything around us, he was at peace at the moment.

His tall body moved from the couches and found its way to mine. Closer to the entrance of our main hallway. His gloved hands placed themselves onto my shoulders and slowly moved down my arms until his hands held onto mine.

"I'm pr-"

The sound of his intercom began once again. We both looked onto his wrist in silence, wondering if it was worth the answer.

"I'm sorry, it will be quick," he sighed.

He walked a few steps back in the direction he had just come from.

I couldn't quite figure out the urgency, but his facial expression was expressive. That sudden peace he had only a few moments ago was gone in seconds. His hands touched his temples. His back hunched itself.

"I will be right there," Anakin said to the person on the other end.

"They aren't doing well," He almost whispered.

"What?" I asked, confused.

"We keep losing; nothing the troops do are working." His eyes stared at our living room ground.

His mind was in his thoughts; even he sounded confused.

"So what must be done?" I questioned.

"Master Windu needs me to lead the front-line troops. He hopes that maybe my efforts will change the Republic's path by working with a special unit who called themselves "The Bad Batch," he said, surprised.

"There's a unit who names themselves The Bad Batch?" I laughed to myself.

"They seem to know how to handle themselves, however, going might just explain the name choice," he huffed.

I didn't speak back. I knew what was about to come next. A goodbye hug and a farewell kiss. I didn't want any of those things.

I wanted his time.

"Please don't be upset. You know if I could stay, I would."

I huffed at the words, feeling guilt crawl up from within. It wasn't his choice, so I shouldn't be mad, right?

"I understand," I framed a smile on my face that wasn't real.

His tall body walked over to mine. His hand reached out for my chin, cupping it in his hands. "I'll be back soon, I promise." he laid his words gently. His voice was soothing to the ear. His lips came into contact with mine, giving them a warm, soft touch. His free hand moved pieces of loose hair that fell onto my face.

These were the moments I would genuinely miss.

"I'll call you every day whenever I can," He added as he stepped away.

I nodded in approval, "I expect to hear from you every day General," this time, the smile on my face was real.

"Everday," he repeated before he was no longer in the same room as I was.

₍ ..̮ ₎ ❃ ⁽ ˙˙̮ ⁾❃₍ ..̮ ₎ ❃⁽ ˙˙̮ ⁾

"You're late again," I weakly smiled.

Three months had passed since our departure, but he kept his word. He called every day, just as he had said. However, Anakin always found himself late to our Holocron meetings. Sometimes even days late. I didn't mind; I knew he didn't end up dead.

I was five months pregnant and now bigger than before he had seen me. I admit my bump was still tiny, but there was something there. I hadn't mentioned that we were expecting, and sending a message through a Holocron wasn't how I wanted to break the news.

I covered my belly in dresses and baggy clothes whenever we had our little chats, but everyone from the Senate had their suspicion, even outside Anakin. I never once went forward with their questions on why I looked fatter but gave them the excuse of eating more.

"Y/n, I'm so sorry. We didn't anticipate the Outer Rim Sieges would last this long." He nervously stuttered. He felt the quilt from all our canceled calls, but it was understandable.

I desired more than anything to be back on the field. To fight with my brothers once more.

"That would be why they call it a siege, Anakin." I rolled my eyes playfully.

"I know, I just thought that I–"

I stopped him immediately.

"You think what you always think. That you could single-handily resolve the conflict in one swift action?" I raised my eyebrow. It was a question I knew the answer to. Anakin was cocky in all forms of combat, a competitor, to say the least.

"Well, yeah." He answered.

I chuckled, shaking my head. The corners of his mouth curled up; I saw a smirk on his face. His overconfident face was on.

"Anakin, what you're doing is important. The Republic needs you on the front lines just as they need my voice in the Senate." I huffed.

"I know-" he began but was cut off by a bang.

It was Rex's warning call.

Anakin looked at the closed door, knowing what he had to do next. He let out a loud sigh before looking back onto my body. His face immediately fell into depression, something unusual I hadn't seen before.

"What is it?" I asked, confused. He was acting differently, and I could feel it even far apart.

"Obi-Wan is coming." he lied.

"No, that's not it. There's something more." I dug deeper.

"It's Rex." He admitted.

My mind wandered in all sorts of directions. Did something terrible happen while we were apart?

"I'm worried he's letting his personal feelings drive him too much on this mission." Anakin articulated.

His arms folded themselves onto his chest, his eyes roaming the entire room. I watched his every move, finding it quite funny that this was his situation.

"I wonder where he learned that," I smirked, confident he knew the answer.

Anakin scoffed, rolling his eyes playfully.

"You've known Rex a long time. Where is he when you throw caution to the wind and take chances? I pointed out with an eyebrow raised.

"Right beside me." He answered almost like a toddler.

"Then maybe that is where you should be for him, Ani. Trust his instincts as he trusts yours," I added.

"I'm just trying to look out for him." Anakin sighed.

"I know you are."

In those few moments, it seemed as if we were in the same room. His touch was the thing I craved most in the world. To feel his soft brown hair run through my fingers. It was a powerful craving that didn't go away.

"I love you, Anakin," I whispered.

"I love you too, "he smiled.

I lifted my hand toward his cheek, placing it where I always would—but feeling nothing of his skin.

And then he disappeared once again.