October 5th, Three years post Galactic Empire

It was sunny and beautiful, the wind was gentle and the world was calm. Mia walked through the outdoor market, stocking up on food while Anakin spent his day off with Leia. One thing she always liked about this market was that everything was fresh and affordable. She loved the way it bustled with people. Walking towards the cart carrying coffee beans, she bought a pound, watching as the man scooped them in and poured them into a small bag, weighing it until it was about a pound, about an ounce more, before closing the top of the bag and handed to her. Smiling, Mia dropped the right amount of credits into his hand before turning to walk away. She was surprised, however, when she bumped into someone.

Mia looked up at the man, blond and with emerald green eyes. She smiled, apologizing, "Sorry."

"No, I'm sorry, I should have been paying more attention," He told her, smiling charmingly, "I'm sorry, but you look incredibly familiar, have we met before?"

She looked up at him, her eyebrows furrowing as she tried to place him. He did look familiar but she couldn't figure out where she might have met him. "We might have," She murmured, "I can't think of where though."

Walking towards the next stand, she looked over the various foods, noticing as he followed her. "Do you come here often?" He inquired.

She laughed, "Is that a pick up line?" She teased him.

He shrugged, looking unabashed, "It depends on whether or not it worked," He told her boldly, "I'm Revan," He added, holding his hand out.

"Mia," She answered, taking his hand and shaking the offered hand as she smiled.

"Mia, that's a lovely name," He told her, "I don't suppose it's short for something."

She shook her head, "No, just Mia," She replied as she picked up some apples that were a deep shade of red.

"Well, Mia, I know this must seem very forward but I was wondering if you'd like to have dinner with me," Revan told her, making her turn to him in surprise. "There's this lovely place by the lake that has the best food."

She didn't know what to say for a moment, "That sounds great," She answered, "I'd love to."

"Maybe in two days?" He suggested, "That's my day off, I could pick you up around five."

Mia nodded, "Sounds great, let me write down your address," She told him as she pulled the shopping list out of her bag.

Scribbling down the address on the bottom of the page, Mia carefully tore it off before handing it to him with a smile on her face. She'd never been asked out, not on a proper date. Actually, she'd never had a proper date before. Smiling, Revan told her goodbye, wishing her a good day before disappearing into the crowd.

October 7th, Three years post Galactic Empire

Anakin walked in through the front door, tired muscles protesting as he shrugged off his coat. He glanced into the kitchen, noticing the smell of something spicy, to find Mia by the stove, her back to him. Yawning, he walked in, wondering what she was making and why she was making it at three in the afternoon.

"Hey," He spoke up, sitting at the counter.

She looked over her shoulder and smiled, "Hey, how was work?" She asked before turning back to the stove, stirring whatever it was in the pot.

"Uneventful," Anakin answered, "What are you making?"

Mia looked over her shoulder at him, "I'm cooking the last of the lamb I bought on Tuesday for you and Leia. It's going to have this sort of spicy, zesty sause drizzled on top. I'm going to have Leia try it herself before putting it on hers though."

"Are you having any?" He questioned with concern coloring his voice, eyebrows knitted together.

Mia turned to face him, smiling, "I have a date tonight," She answered, unable to stop grinning.

"You do?" He asked, confusion leaking into his voice, "Who?"

"His name's Revan, we met while I was out on Tuesday," Mia answered, "He's taking me out for dinner to this place by the lake."

Nodding, he watched as Mia continued cooking before looking down at his hands, sitting on top of the counter. He was surprised, to say the least. Mia had never really shown an interest in dating, not really. They'd been together for a while but that was different. He didn't know why he'd assumed Mia would never find someone. It was absurd, Mia was always going to meet someone, one day. It was just a matter of time.

After finishing the sauce—which was Leia approved—Mia went upstairs to get dressed. Anakin spent the time playing pretend with Leia. She made him be a dragon so she could save the day and save the villagers—her stuffed animals sitting on the chair in the corner of the living room. He was pretending to breathe fire at Leia when she stopped and looked past him. Anakin turned to see Mia standing there, smiling. She was dressed in a little black dress Anakin didn't even know she owned. Now that he'd seen it Anakin had the sudden urge to take it off her.

"Mia, you look so pretty!" Leia commented excitedly, passing Anakin to look at her closer.

Mia pushed some hair—down instead of in the braid she'd been wearing earlier—and picked Leia up, "Well thank you Leia," She replied with a laugh and a smile.

"Daddy, doesn't Mia look pretty?" Leia inquired.

He swallowed thickly, "Beautiful was what I was thinking actually," He mumbled.

Mia beamed, her eyes shining at that. Suddenly Anakin heard the sound of a speeder pulling up to the curb.

"That's probably him," Mia decided, setting Leia down in the ground before walking towards the door.

Anakin moved to follow but Mia turned and pinned him with a look, "No Anakin, you are not interrogating my date," She insisted before opening the door.

Anakin got a glimpse of a blond man dressed nicely with a bouquet of flowers in his hand before Mia closed the door gently behind her. Leia turned and looked at him with confusion playing her warm brown eyes.

"Who was that?" Leia questioned.

"Mia's date," Anakin answered absently, trying to listen for any bit of conversation.

Leia's head titled to the side and her eyebrows pushed together, "What's a date?"

Anakin pressed his lips together for a moment before turning to Leia, "It's when two people who like each other go and get dinner or watch a movie together. That's why Mia was so dressed up."

"So why don't you and Mia go on dates?" Leia questioned, looking more confused, "You like each other."

Anakin blushed—something hadn't done since he was a Padawan, "Um, no, not like that Princess," He corrected.

"Like what then?" Leia tried, still looking lost.

Anakin sat down at the couch, motioning for Leia to sit down next to him. After she climbed on and scooted herself to Anakin's side, he explained. "I love her like a friend, like you love Demi. I don't love her in a romantic sense."

He wasn't entirely sure how true the latter was though.

"So, you don't want to kiss Mia," Leia concluded, "Not like Demi's mommy and daddy do."

Anakin nodded, not about to open his mouth and verbally lie to Leia because it certainly hadn't been true two minutes ago when Mia stood in front of him looking gorgeous as ever.

October 7th, Three years post Galactic Empire

Mia found that the restaurant was perfect. She glanced over her menu, not sure what she wanted. She'd been out to eat before those places were usually cheap grease-bucket diners and half the time Anakin was eating like a pig and Obi-wan was busy shaking his head in dismay before correcting him. The table before her was set nicely with a table cloth and in the center of their small round table was a little candle and a small vase with two puffy pink flowers.

She looked up at the menu to find Revan watching her with a faint smile on his face. The candlelight lit up his eyes and enhanced the gold in his emerald eyes. Mia smiled and felt herself blush, not used to somebody looking at her like that.

"So, did you grow up on Verron?" She inquired curiously.

He nodded, "I did, my family is a bit up north but, personally, I don't like the cold much," He explained, "What about here? Did you grow up here?"

Mia shook her head, "No, I moved her about three years ago," She answered.

Revan's eyebrows rose with interest, "Oh, where did you live before?" He asked.

"Alderaan," She lied. They'd planned their alias's backgrounds pretty well before they moved, down to towns and places.

He nodded thoughtfully, "Why'd you move?" He inquired after a moment.

"A good friend of mine lost his wife and he needed help with his daughter," She answered before deciding a change in subject was in order, "So, what do you do for work?"

He took a sip of his wine, "Oh, nothing special, I'm just in the security sector, I'm just a body-guard," Revan explained.

Mia nodded, "Interesting," She murmured before taking a sip of her water, choosing to leave her wine relatively untouched.

After they ordered Revan asked her about Alderann, "So what was it like?"

"It's like here but they have a winter, summer and autumn," Mia explained, "Here it's just spring all the time. I didn't live in the capital city, I lived in a small town near the mountains. It was pretty quiet, there wasn't much excitement."

Revan smiled, "What were your parents like?"

"My mother died when I was really little actually, I was raised by my brother for the most part," Mia answered. That much was actually pretty close to the truth because she always thought of Obi-wan as her brother, even after all that had happened.

"What's your family like?" She inquired, changing the subject.

After dinner they walked around the lake. Mia marveled at the floating lanterns, all carrying little candles, making the lake glow with light. Revan slipped her hand in his, it was cool and his palms her rough. She turned and smiled at him, once again noticing the way the light made the gold in his irises stand out. He started to lean in, his eyes on her lips, and Mia found herself leaning in, meeting him halfway. Their lips pressed together, melding into a chaste kiss. Then Revan pushed into it, elevating the kiss into something more passionate. Mia reached up and wound her fingers through his hair, smiling as his hands wound themselves around her waist.

He pulled away, smiling, "I should get you home," He decided.

Mia nodded, smiling a little because he seemed to be the old fashioned type and she found she kind of liked that.

As Revan pulled the speeder up to the curb in front of her house Mia looked at the living room window, finding light streaming through the curtains. She turned and saw Revan smiling as he looked at her before leaning in to kiss her goodnight.

"Goodnight," Mia murmured when they pulled away.

"Goodnight," He replied as she got out of the speeder and walked towards the front door.

He waiting until she walked through the door before driving away. Mia smirked as she found Anakin on the couch, slumped down with his head hanging back. Walking towards him, she gave his shoulder a gentle shake. Anakin opened his eyes wearily before smiling as he realized Mia was back.

"Hey," He muttered, sitting up straight as he realized his neck was stiff, "My neck."

"Well, that's what happens when you sleep on the couch like that," Mia scolded him teasingly before smiling, "Did you wait up for me?"

Anakin nodded, rubbing his eye, "Yeah," He admitted quietly, "How'd it go?" He inquired.

"It was great," She told him, grinning widely.

Anakin smiled but it didn't quite reach his eyes, "That's great," He told her before standing up, "I better get to bed."

"Night," Mia murmured as he walked away.

"Night," He returned tiredly.

October 15th, Three years post Galactic Empire

He'd promised to cook for her and Mia was excited to have someone cook for her. She just hoped he was good at it because she'd lived with two men who couldn't cook to save their lives—well, that wasn't very well, Obi-wan could cook to some degree but his knowledge in it was really limited. So Mia picked the blue dress, the one that faded to purple as it reached her knees and decided to leave her hair down again. He seemed to love her hair because he kept touching it every chance he got. It made her smile.

Anakin was in Leia's room when she left, barely acknowledging her as she said goodbye. Leia waved at her, her wide smile infectious. She decided to walk to his apartment, it wasn't very far, just a few blocks and the late afternoon was cool and relaxing.

Revan opened the door to his apartment almost immediately, grinning when he saw her before beckoning her in. "It's almost ready, I'm putting the final touches on it," He told her as he walked into the small kitchen.

"Nice apron," Mia commented sweetly, smirking.

He just sort of chuckled at that, "Well, I wanted to fool you long enough for you to actually try it," He explained.

"I think it's working," She murmured, winking.

He laughed as he opened the oven and pulled out a baking sheet with two chicken breasts. Placing them on two plates before pouring a strange green sauce on it delicately, just enough to season it but not enough to drown it. Mia watched as he poured steaming vegetables onto the plate and placed a roll on each plate.

"Ready," He decided before taking the dishes to the small table.

Mia followed, noticing the wine bottle sitting off to the side and the two wine glasses. "Wine?" Revan offered.

"Sure," She decided.

He poured her glass about halfway, expecting her to not drink very much of it. Mia took a small sip, letting the wine sit on her tongue for a moment. It was surprisingly sweet with a bit of an after taste but it wasn't unpleasant. Her eyes widened with surprise, making Revan's face split in two with a big smile.

"That's actually really good," She complimented.

"Good," He replied, still smiling, "I'm glad."

Taking her fork and knife she started cutting off a small piece of the chicken, making sure she got some of the green sauce to go with it. The chicken was a bit dry but the sauce, spicy and a little bit zesty, made up for that.

"This is good," Mia complimented, surprised because she distinctly remember Revan saying his cooking skills weren't all that good.

"Okay, so I lied about my cooking being bad, but I wanted to surprise you," He admitted with a smirk playing his features, looking a bit cheeky.

"I am surprised, I've never met a man that could cook, well I've met one, but it's been so long," She told him before taking another bite of the chicken.

"Have many men cooked for you?" He inquired, his eyebrows scrunching together with confusion.

She shrugged as she swallowed her food before properly explaining, "Well my brother was never all that good at cooking, he could make a few dishes without much problem but with most other things he was clueless and I was never very good at teaching him. My friend, he's terrible. He usually burns everything he makes," She explained, "So I do most of the cooking at home."

After dinner Revan revealed a dessert he'd made. It was a plum pudding and, while Mia was hesitant at first, she found she really like it. She insisted he give her the recipe so she could replicate it.

Mia was carrying her dishes to the sink when Revan snuck up on her, turning her suddenly making her gasp in surprise. He grinned, unabashed, before leaning in and kissing her passionately. Mia returned the kiss eagerly, gripping the front of his shirt to keep him close as the fingers of her other hand wound themselves in his wavy blond hair. Revan pulled away suddenly and pressed kisses down her neck, making Mia moan with pleasure. The passionate kissing returned and Revan trailed his hands down her waist, past her hips and skimming her butt before reaching her thighs. Mia jumped and he catching her before placing her on the edge of the counter.

She'd almost forgotten what this was like and she couldn't remember why she'd gone so long without this.

"Bedroom," She whispered breathlessly.

October 16th, Three years post Galactic Empire

Anakin opened his eyes slowly, looking up at the ceiling as he rolled over. He found himself nearly falling off the edge of what he realized was the couch. It took a moment to remember, waiting up for Mia and falling asleep. She must have come in late and hadn't woken him. Standing up, he worked the kinks in his back before heading up the stairs. Stepping towards Mia's bedroom, he cracked open the door, expecting to see her sound asleep. Instead he found her room empty and realized that her Force signature was nowhere near here.

He wanted to call her, check in and see where she was, but they didn't have comms. They hadn't thought they'd need them but now he was realizing that it was a stupid assumption. Of course they needed them because unexpected things happened to them all the time.

Anakin was sitting at the kitchen counter with a cup of cold coffee in his hands when the front door open. He was on his feet in an instant, stepping out the kitchen as Mia walked past.

"Where were you?" He questioned.

Mia turned to him, surprised to see him up this early, "Places," She answered vaguely.

"Why didn't you come back last night," Anakin questioned.

Her eyebrows furrowed together, "Anakin you're an adult with two children, I'm sure you can connect the dots," She answered before turning to go up the stairs.

"Mia, you had me worried sick," Anakin told her, following her up.

Mia turned towards him, on the last step, "Anakin, I'm twenty-four, I can take care of myself," She reminded him.

Anakin pinched the bridge of his nose, "I know," He mumbled, "Doesn't stop me from worrying."

Mia nodded slowly, not sure what to say.

"Please, promise me you'll come home every night," Anakin requested, looking up at her grey eyes, his blue eyes almost pleading.

He walked up the rest of the steps, closing the distance between them so that only two steps remained. Even still he stood over her just a little bit, only by a few inches. He stared into her grey eyes, marveling at the way they shined like silver in the dim light. Anakin loved her eyes because he could read every emotion in them, she became an open book to him. He resisted the urge to cup her face with his hands and kiss her.

"I couldn't bear it if something happened to you," He murmured softly instead.

Mia nodded, "Alright, no staying out all night," She told him, "Promise."

With that she turned and retreated to her room. Sighing, Anakin walked back down stairs. He wasn't sure how he felt about that, Mia with another man. He hadn't really expected it, which was stupid because Mia was an adult. He supposed he had thought that because Mia had never really shown interest in other guys, not after they were forced to break up.

He looked up at the ceiling as he walked into the kitchen, completely lost in his thoughts. Why was it that, when he was just starting to think he was moving on, Mia had found someone.

Whoever he was, he wasn't good enough for Mia. Nobody was, nobody was worthy of having someone as amazing as Mia, especially Anakin himself. He didn't think he really deserved her but it didn't stop him from wanting her in every sense of the word. Wanting her mind, her body, her soul, everything.

October 30th, Three years post Galactic Empire

In the last month or so Mia had been spending more and more time with Revan. Anakin wasn't sure if he was her boyfriend now because she never referred to him as that, she never called him her boyfriend. Maybe it was just casual or maybe Mia was just being secretive, whatever it was Anakin wasn't sure. She also rarely talked about him when Leia was there. He also wasn't sure why that was other than that maybe Mia didn't want Leia asking questions. His daughter was at that age where she kept asking 'why' and Mia probably didn't feel like explaining her relationship with Revan.

It was complicated.

He was heating up dinner, a casserole that smelled like cheese and chicken, when Leia came bounding into the kitchen, curls bouncing. She frowned when she saw Anakin instead of Mia.

"Where's Mia?" She questioned, sounding disappointed.

Anakin sighed, "She's with her guy-friend," He answered quietly.

"Why?" Leia questioned.

"Because she likes spending time with him," Anakin answered tiredly.

Leia huffed, "She's never here!" She whined, crossing her arms stubbornly.

"She was here the last few nights," Anakin pointed out, not looking at his three year old daughter.

Leia just huffed and turned, walking away. Anakin leaned against the counter behind him, scrubbing his hand over his face, wondering what he was going to do. He couldn't very well tell Mia how he felt. She had someone else, she didn't return his feelings. It would ruin their friendship and he couldn't let that happen.

November 6th, Three years post Galactic Empire

Mia rolled onto her back, collapsing next to Revan on the bed, completely spent. She pulling the sheet up, shivering from the cool air in the apartment. She stared at the ceiling, lost in thought. Her mind drifted away from the present moment to memories she'd long ago pushed away. She couldn't help but remember the way it felt to be in Anakin's arms, his rough, calloused hands gliding over her back, sending shivers through her. She remembered the way he always gently pushed her hair away from her face as they had sex, their bodies pressed together like two puzzle pieces, perfect for each other.

She felt someone nudge her shoulder and turned to look at Revan before realizing that he was talking, his lips moving. Mia hadn't noticed that she'd tuned the sounds of the world around her out. Opening herself to the Force, she listened again.

"Sorry, what?" She questioned.

Revan smirked, "I asked if you wanted to get something to eat," He explained, "You must have really been lost in thought, I called your name three times."

Mia nodded quickly, letting him think that that was all it was. She hadn't told him she was deaf, that would mean admitting to being Force sensitive and a Jedi. Despite the fact they'd been together for a month now, she didn't trust him enough with that kind of information.

"Yeah, food sounds good," She agreed, "Maybe something from that diner we ate at a few weeks ago?"

November 20th, Three years post Galactic Empire

The day was sunny and warm, maybe a little too warm but they didn't really mind too much. The second the speeder was parked Leia struggled with the safety seat, trying to undo all the straps. Mia reached over into the backseat and untangled her, watching with a smile as she jumped out the speeder and started running towards the playground. Anakin chased after her, shouting for her not run. He didn't like her being too far away. Getting out, Mia grabbed the picnic basket and the blanket before slowly walking towards the playground as well. Anakin stood by the edge of the playground, watching as Leia ran up the steps and towards the slide, barely noticing Mia walked towards him.

Setting down the basket, Mia took the blanket and got to work spreading it out. Once it was flat on the ground, Mia sat down. Anakin joined her, keeping his eyes on Leia. Leaning back on her elbows, Mia nudged him.

"What's up with you?" She inquired.

His eyebrows furrowed together in confusion.

"You've been, I don't know, kind of lost in thought, distant even," Mia looked at him closely, "What's been on your mind?"

He shrugged and leaned back so that he was laying down on his back. He looked at Mia, debating whether or not to tell her. He decided on not telling her.

"How've you been?" Anakin asked, turning the question on her, "You've been spending a lot of time with Revan."

Mia nodded thoughtfully, "Good, we're just taking things kind of slow," She answered, "It's not official or anything."

Anakin nodded, "It's just, this is the first time I've ever seen you interested in another guy," He muttered before wincing and wishing he hadn't said that.

Mia shrugged, "He's not the first," She admitted, "I've been with other guys before."

Anakin's eyebrows rose up and he sat up a little, "Wait, you have?"

Mia nodded, "During the war I was in the middle of this siege between us and the Separatists. Their army had taking over this factory, one of the factories that made parts for our fighters. I was there with another Jedi, he and I got pretty close in the five months we were there."

"What happened?" Anakin asked.

Mia sighed, "We defeated the army, we were assigned different missions and I saw him maybe once or twice after," She answered, "I don't know if he's even alive."

"There was also this diplomat, I was assigned to protect him, it was my first solo mission, I was eighteen, almost nineteen," Mia added, "We were together for a while but, after that I went back to the temple and a few months after that he was in an arranged marriage."

Anakin nodded, laying down on his back, in a stunned silence. Closing his eyes, he just felt the sun on him as his thoughts floated away in no direction in particular. Suddenly he felt Leia running towards him. Opening his eyes, he sat up as she sat down on the blanket, telling Mia she was hungry. Smiling, Mia opened up the picnic basket and handed her a sandwich before handing one to him. Unwrapping it from the plastic wrap, Anakin took a bite, chewing thoughtfully as Mia helped Leia unwrap her sandwich. She pulled out a salad in a plastic container for herself.

"Rabbit," Anakin muttered to himself.

Mia laughed, her smile so infectious he smiled with her. "Perhaps," She admitted, "But I like rabbit food," She joked.

"Can I be a rabbit?" Leia eagerly asked, her brown eyes lighting up with excitement.

Smirking, Mia pulled out a fork and handed it to Leia, letting her have a few bites before handing Leia her apple. Munching on the apple happily, Leia left her sandwich half eaten. Finishing his sandwich, he reached into the picnic basket, expecting some sort of salty or sweet snack somewhere in there. When he found a plastic baggy of vegetables instead, he frowned.

"Someone's replaced my snacks with her rabbit food," He stated, looking at Mia accusingly.

She smirked, "It won't kill you," She reminded him before taking the vegetables from his hand and pulling out a carrot stick for herself.

Sighing, he took one and munched on it, looking supremely displeased.

"No Daddy's a rabbit," Leia laughed, smiling as she took a celery stick.

Anakin rolled his eyes but smiled anyway, "Yeah, yeah, I'm a rabbit," He agreed, scrunching his nose at her like other rabbits, making Leia giggle.

Following suit, Mia placed her hands behind her head, making rabbit ears with the index and middle fingers on her hands, wrinkling her nose at the girl. Leia laughed and mimicked Mia.

"You're so adorable," An older lady spoke up, making them all turn to her, "And you and your wife have such an adorable daughter."

Anakin sat there in stunned silence, opening his mouth to tell him that Mia wasn't his wife but he hesitated. It had happened before, people had assumed they were married or at least together and he'd always been quick to correct them. But today he hesitated and before he could make himself speak the lady walked away with her husband and what was likely her granddaughter, a few years older than Leia. He turned and Mia was looking at him curiously, probably wondering why he'd hesitated. With nothing to say, Anakin grabbed another celery stick and chewed it slowly.

December 14th, Three years post Galactic Empire

Revan had taken her to the restaurant from their first date and they were chatting happily. Mia watched him as he talked about one of his co-workers animatedly, gesturing widely and smiling. She nodded, listening but unable to keep her mind from straying. It was two and a half months into the relationship and she knew this was when most couples fell in love. But as she looked at him, the way his hands gestured widely, she couldn't figure if she did. There was definitely chemistry, that she couldn't deny, but she didn't have the warm sensations in her heart that came with love. Mia knew what love felt like and she knew how strong it could be sometimes but when she thought about Revan the feelings weren't there. She wanted them to be but, try as she may, she couldn't force them.

"I love you," He spoke up suddenly, making Mia suddenly tune in, her eyes going wide.

Her mouth fell open ever so slightly and she stopped breathing for a moment. "Wow," Mia murmured, looking down at her bread plate.

Revan looked at her expectantly, clearly wanting her to say it back.

"Revan, I really care about you but, at the moment, the feelings aren't there," Mia told him, "That's not to say I won't ever love you it's just going to take me a bit longer to feel that way."

He nodded, looking a little wounded but plastered on a smile, "It's alright, I'm glad you were honest with me instead of telling me what I wanted to hear," He told her.

December 15th, Three years post Galactic Empire

Anakin trudged into the kitchen tiredly in dirt stained sweatpants and a ratty old shirt with a faded design on the once-black-now-grey material. He found Mia sitting on the counter, facing the stove and looking lost in thought, eyes glazed over like she was seeing something else. Her coffee cup sat beside her, no longer steaming. Rubbing his eyes, he tried calling her name to get her attention but it didn't work. Sighing, Anakin tapped the counter with his hand, hard enough to send vibrations. It got her attention and Mia looked over at him, surprise playing her features.

"Morning," Mia signed, too tired to talk verbally.

"Morning," He answered, his voice groggy, "You came in early last night."

Mia shrugged, "Yeah, kind of didn't feel all that great," She signed slowly with her right hand only, her movements slow and almost nonexistent.

"What's wrong, are you sick?" Anakin questioned, looking worried.

Mia shook her head, "No, it's not that," She answered, sighing.

Taking her cup, he dumped the cold coffee into the sink before pouring a new cup for the both of them. He returned the cup to Mia's open hands and situated himself so he was standing in front of the stove, facing her head on.

"What is it?" He inquired, his eyes showing her that there was no room to get around it.

Mia sighed again, shrugging, "I don't even know why it's a problem, I mean, I should be happy, right?" She signed.

"What are you talking about?" Anakin questioned, his eyebrows furrowing together with confusion as worry continued to overtake him.

"Last night Revan told me he loved me," Mia explained.

Anakin nodded slowly, "And you don't love him back," He signed back, his hands hesitant and slow.

Mia nodded, "That basically sums it up pretty nicely," She answered, sarcasm leaking into the way she signed.

"Why do you think you don't love him?" Anakin inquired, trying to swallow his hopes down because right now was a really bad time.

She shrugged, "I don't know, I just know that the feelings aren't there and that when I'm there I'm not all the way there," Mia looked at him like she wondered if he even understood, "Maybe it's because of all the crap we've been through, it's been making it hard to trust people and trust is a bit part of love but I'm not ready to trust him with everything and it's so freaking complicated and," Her hands when from signing rapidly, jerkily even, to not at all, falling limply to her sides.

January 2nd, Three years post Galactic Empire

Recently Revan had been insisting on meeting Anakin and Leia but Mia had been making excuses left and right for him not to. That he and Anakin had different schedules and that there was no way they could get together. That the house was a mess right now. That Leia had a cold. That it wasn't convenient. Of course, Revan was starting to get impatient with her excuses, asking if Mia was ashamed of him and asking why she didn't want him to meet her family. Then there was the fact that every time he saw her, dropped her off, kissed her, had sex with her he told her he loved her and looked at Mia like he expected her to say it back. But she didn't because she still didn't feel that way about him. She didn't even know why she didn't but she didn't. Maybe it was because she didn't trust him enough to tell him who she really was. Maybe it was because he didn't know she was deaf and she constantly felt like she had to be careful around him.

Whatever it was, Mia knew she didn't love him and she was beginning to think she never would.

That night she was up late with Revan, talking. They'd been drinking wine and eating berries with ice cream. It was late and she knew she should be going home but the conversation was serious so she stayed, listening carefully even as she fell asleep.

Mia woke up the next morning in a bed that was not hers. It took her a moment to realize it was Revan's bed. She couldn't remember the events of last night, Revan poured her a second glass of wine and it blurred out from there. Someone tapped her shoulder and she turned to see Revan looking at her with a smile on his face.

"I said 'good morning'," He reminded her, his lips moving but no matter how hard she focused on the Force she couldn't hear his voice.

"Morning," She murmured, not able to hear her own voice.

Pulling the covers off, she stood up. The world around her blurred and swayed and Mia fell to the side, hitting the ground hard. Something was definitely wrong. Standing up she tried to walk towards the door but she fell again, this time on her face. Someone took her hands and helped her up, keeping a close hold of her arms to steady out. Mia looked up at Revan, about to tell him that she thought something was seriously wrong when he scowled at her and slapped her hard.

She fell to the ground again, stunned and scared. He'd drugged her, she knew that now. Standing up as quickly as possible, she leaned heavily against the wall, trying to get to the door. Revan grabbed her arm and forcefully turned her to him, making her gasp

"No, let me go!" She demanded, a little scared to not be able to hear her own voice.

He just laughed at her, or at least she was pretty sure it was laughter. The way he grinned and tilted his head back, his chest rising and falling quickly make her think it was laughter at least. Struggling against him, she got free for a second, long enough to get out of the bedroom and try and get to out of the apartment. Revan grabbed onto her before she couldn't even make it from the hallway to the door.

His lips were moving but she couldn't focus enough to read them. She settled for kicking him where the sun didn't shine. Released from his hands, however temporary, Mia made a run for the door. The ever present vertigo amplified the more she moved and Mia found herself stumbling forward and falling on her face. A sharp pain echoed through her ribcage, making her cry out in pain as she belatedly realized it was a boot that caused the pain. Then there was a sharp but considerably smaller pain at the side of her neck.

Needle, being drugged, Mia thought sluggishly as darkness fell over her.

January 2nd, Three years post Galactic Empire

Anakin sat at the kitchen table, his leg bouncing restlessly. Mia hadn't returned home last night. When he woke up this morning that had worried him but not too badly because he figured she'd just crashed at Revan's. But she hadn't come back and she hadn't called. At dinner Leia kept asking where Mia was and refused to eat her dinner, instead running upstairs shouting that she missed Mia. Scrubbing his hand over his face, Anakin walked out the kitchen and into the short hallway next to the front door. He was surprised to find a white envelope on the ground next to the door. Figuring he'd just dropped it when he'd collected the main, Anakin picked it up.

Anakin Skywalker

The sight of his name, his real name not the alias he went by, on the envelope sent shivers down his spine. He ripped it up, worry sinking into his chest.

Skywalker, it's simple. Your life for hers. Come alone, unarmed or she dies.

Anakin felt cold and numb as he turned the paper over, finding an address typed up on the back. Swallowing back the nausea and the worry, Anakin hurried upstairs and got Leia, still sitting on her bed sulking. He coaxed her into leaving her room and staying with the Hawthorns for a little while. His neighbors were more than understanding and didn't ask too many questions when he said there was an emergency and he had to have someone watch Leia for a while.

Taking the speeder, Anakin drove to the address. It was an old, abandoned factory and in the pale moonlight it looked haunted. The windows of the front of the factory were lit dimly, but enough that he was certain Mia and whoever had kidnapped her were there. Getting out of the speeder and careful not to make a sound, Anakin scouted the nearby area. There was a front door and he was certain it wasn't locked but whoever was waiting for him would be waiting there, expecting him. Instead he stood under the tall second story windows. From there he could see the ledge in front of the window was just wide enough to stand on. Reaching out with the Force, he leaped into the air and landed silently on the ledge, balancing himself against the window. In the center of the factory floor was Mia, chained to a pillar, blindfolded and wearing a Force-suppressing collar. Her knees were pulled tight to her chest in a protective way. The sight of that made his blood boil because it left her deaf and blind to the world around her and he could tell, even from this distance and with her Force signature dampened into almost nonexistence, Mia was terrified.

He couldn't see anyone though, whoever it was, they were hiding. They were waiting for him to come bursting through the door. He searched the building out, but whoever it was had shielded themselves as well. Anakin would have to draw them out. Taking in a calming breath to soothe his nerves, Anakin stepped through the broken window, careful of the occasional shard sticking out, and jumped, landing gracefully.

"Anakin Skywalker, about time you showed up." He looked to the dark corner behind him to see a blonde man walk out.

Anakin stared at him, completely surprised. It wasn't some stranger with a grudge or a anyone from the Empire, this was Grev Grandy and he was a Jedi, only a few years older than Anakin. He distinctly remembered watching the Jedi flee when he'd stormed the Temple during Order 66, try as he may to forget it all. He looked a little different, more tanned and his dark, inky hair was now blond.

Immediately he ignited his lightsaber, the blue light glowing in the dimly lit room.

The other Jedi scowled, "I told you not to bring a weapon," He reminded Anakin, anger dripping in his slithery voice, "I guess you want the girl to die just as much as I do."

Anakin attacked Grandy head on, aiming for his heart. Grandy lit his blue lightsaber, blocking him just in time. Pulling back, Anakin swung a downward arc aimed for his right shoulder, finding himself blocked and pushed back by the force of Grandy. They clashed again, Anakin putting all his strength into the fight. Grandy swung his lightsaber horizontally, almost cutting through Anakin's chest but Anakin backed up just in time, instead stabbing his saber forward. His opponent parried and dodged his next few attacks before returning with a few of his own. Anakin stopped a stab aimed for his head, side stepped a vertical slice and blocked a move aimed for his right side.

"You're despicable for the things you've done, Skywalker!" Grandy shouted, charging him with another attack.

"I never held an innocent woman hostage," Anakin yelled, blocking the attack and pushing him back.

"She's worse that you are!" Grandy shouted, his face contorted with rage, "She knew what you had done, what you were capable of and she had countless opertunities to kill you but you know what she did instead? She helped you, help raised your daughter."

Anakin attacked him head on, pushing Grandy back with every attack.

"And you know what, when I've killed you, I'm going to kill her slowly," Grandy decided, looking very pleased with that decision, "Piece by piece."

Reaching into the Force, Anakin threw the Jedi across the room. Grandy landed on his back on a conveyer belt. Standing up, he smirked. Anakin felt the stirrings of something darker in the air and the way it felt like the room had gotten colder. He recognized that feeling all too well, Grandy was reaching towards the dark side of the Force. It happened quickly and it took Anakin by surprise as Grandy reaching into the Force and flung him forward. Anakin collided with the side of the conveyer belt, the force of it knocking the air out of his lungs. Staggering back, Anakin tried to breathe in, noticing the pain that felt very much like a cracked, possibly broken, rib. Pushing down the pain, Anakin jumped onto the conveyer belt and attacked Grandy.

"I spent three years tracking you down. What a surprise when, while hiding out on this little hole-in-the-wall planet, I find her walking through the market. She was easy enough to charm. Hey, I thought it would be harder, I figured she was still in love with you," Grandy told him as their sabers clashed, blow after blow, "She always did follow you around like a lost little puppy."

"Of course, then you traded her in for your dead senator," Grandy added.

Anakin kicked him hard in the chest, sending him stumbling back.

Grandy just smirked, "Struck a nerve, have I?" He questioned before charging back at Anakin full force.

Somewhere in the heat of battle the conveyer belt turned on. Anakin watched as they neared a door curtained with black plastic strips, leading into the mysterious next room. They continued to fight, blow for blow, even as they were carried into the next room.

"Once you're dead I'm going to torture her, slowly, until every last drop bleeds," Grandy bragged, "And then, I think I'm going to find your little girl. Maybe I'll kill her, maybe I'll take her and raise her to be a Jedi."

Anakin pushed him back with the Force, struggling to not use the dark side as Grandy taunted him and pulled it around him like a protective blanket. "You're hardly a Jedi now," Anakin stated, watching the way yellow bleed into his irises.

He noticed the conveyer belt tool behind Grandy, shaped fairly similar to a knife. Grandy charged towards Anakin, lightsaber raised but Anakin pushed him back with the Force. His eyes, once green, now gold, widened with surprise as the knife like tool sliced through his chest. He looked down and Anakin followed his eyes to see the tip of the blade poking out of his chest. Blood spilled out of Grandy's mouth, dripping down his chin as his labored breaths died out slowly. Taking a deep breath, Anakin got off the conveyer belt and walked towards the front room, finding Mia still chained to the pillar. Taking his lightsaber, Anakin sliced through the chains effortlessly, watching as Mia tensed, shaking. Kneeling down in front of her, he removed the Force-suppressing collar first and then the blindfold, noticing the way it was damp with tears.

Mia looked at him, shocked but the fear was slowly draining from her eyes as relief took over. She lunged into his arms, winding her arms around his neck as she cried with relief. Anakin rubbed her back soothingly in circular motions, whispering encouraging words.

"What happened?" Anakin inquired.

She didn't answer, just kept her head buried in the crook of his neck as she curled up into his arms, seeking safety.

"How long have you been here?" He tried.

When she didn't respond Anakin worried that it was the lingering effects of the Force-supressing collar. Gently taking her arms, he pulled away so he could look into his eyes.

"What happened?" He asked.

Her eyebrows furrowed as her eyes watched his lips. Anakin nodded and moved his hands, signing the question.

"Revan, he drugged me but I don't know what he used. It cut off me off the Force and it hasn't worn off," She answered, tears in her eyes as she signed, hands shaky, "Anakin, he's a Jedi and he's been hunting you down."

Turning, Mia looked around for him, "Where is he?" She asked, her hands jerky and shaky.

Taking her hand, Anakin got her attention, "He's gone and he's never going to hurt you, ever again," He promised her, "Come on, let's get you home."

The ride in the speeder was quiet and Anakin suspected that wasn't just because he couldn't pay attention to her signing or sign back. He glanced at Mia, she had her head pressed to the window of the speeder, her eyes glazed over. She hadn't answered most of his questions, like how long she was there or if she'd been hurt. Anakin was beginning to suspect shock. He didn't know much about medicine or how to treat most conditions—save for frostbite and stomach flu—but he did remember that Mia always took anyone suffering from shock to some form of emergency services, no matter what.

Pulling over, Anakin tapped her arm, watching as she slowly turned to look at him.

"How do you feel?" He asked as he gently pressed his index and middle finger to the pulse point on the left side of her neck.

"Tired," Mia answered, her hand moving sluggishly.

He noticed that her breathing was also shallow. Nodding, Anakin pulled back onto the road, turning around and heading towards the hospital. Mia didn't even notice they weren't heading home anyway. When they pulled into a space in front of the hospital, Anakin shut the speeder off and quickly moved to get out and walk around the car. He opened Mia's door slowly and helped her get out. She stumbled, clearly still feeling the effects of the drug. Wrapping her arm over his shoulder, Anakin stabilized her and helped her walk towards the doors of the emergency room.

"I'm in shock aren't I," Mia slurred.

He was surprised she'd realized that, she'd been pretty out of it before. Anakin settled on nodding, not able to free a hand to sign any form of response at her. Noticing them, one of the orderlies brought over a wheel chair, helping Mia sit down. It didn't escape Anakin's notice the way she seemed very uncomfortable being touched by him, she didn't even seem all that comfortable being touched by Anakin. It just made him want to kill Grandy or Revan or whoever the fuck he was all over again.

He wheeled her up to the front desk, not sure what to do next, "Um, she's in shock and I," He trailed off, uncertain.

The woman at the desk looked at Mia and nodded before handing him a clipboard with paperwork on it, "Fill this out while we check her over," She requested before motioning for an orderly to bring her.

"I need to come with her," Anakin told them before they could take her away, "She's deaf and she needs someone to translate for her and I know sign language."

Nodding with a sigh, the woman at the front desk motioned for Anakin to follow Mia and the orderly into the next room. He sat down in the chair in the corner as they attached Mia to several monitors, things for heart-rate and blood pressure.

"Mia, are you in pain?" The nurse asked her.

Mia look at her in confusion before turning to Anakin, "Are you in pain?" He translated.

"Not really," She answered verbally, her voice slurred, making Anakin wonder if it was because she couldn't hear herself talk or because the drug was still running through her system.

"Mia, do you remember what the date is?" The nurse asked, glancing at Anakin as he translated.

"January something," She mumbled.

The nurse sighed and turned to the orderly holding up a clipboard, "Heart rate, oxygen and blood pressure are low," She told him, "Take her in right away."

Anakin followed them into the chaos of an emergency room. Anakin hadn't really been in one before now, not a civilian one at least. He'd seen Mia volunteer at the healing ward at the Temple before, always looking like she was in her element. He waited from the other side of the curtain as a female nurse helped her into a hospital gown. A few minutes later she opened the curtain and walked away.

Anakin stopped her for a moment, "Is it possible to get a female doctor?" He requested nervously, "She was attacked by her boyfriend and she's been a little cagey around guys I've noticed."

Nodding, the nurse smiled reassuringly before walking off with the promise of finding the right doctor. Turning, Anakin walked towards Mia who was laying down flat on her back, legs elevated by two pillows. The nurse came back a moment later with two warm blankets to keep her warm.

"How do you feel?" Anakin inquired as he sat down at a chair by her bed.

She gave him a confused look, like the answer should be obvious, "I'm in a hospital, what do you think?"

He laughed, nodding, "I suppose I walked into that one," He signed back.

The curtain opened and a middle aged woman walked in, smiling gently. "Hello Mia, I'm Dr. Vegier," She introduced herself, holding her hand out for Mia to shake it.

Anakin moved into translating mode effortlessly, "Hello Mia, I'm Dr. V-E-G-I-E-R."

"Nice to meet you," Mia mumbled.

"Mia, can you tell me what brought you here?" Dr. Vegier inquired, not at all fazed that Mia was looking past her and at Anakin as he translated. Brushing some blond hair behind her ear, Dr. Vegier reached for her stethoscope and started examining Mia.

Mia furrowed her brows as she tried to remember, "This guy I was dating," She started, "He attacked me, out of the blue. He found me," Mia explained, gesturing to Anakin as she tried to remember the stupid alias they'd picked for him.

The doctor nodded, "Well Mia, I'm going to draw for blood, get a urine sample and we'll see where to go from there," She explained to her, "In the meantime, just rest."

It was a long night that mostly consisted of Anakin just trying to keep Mia talking as the shock wore off and she began to feel more herself. She was released early in the morning with orders to rest and take it easy.

When they got home Anakin went and got Leia, answering some of the Hawthorn's questions before going inside. Leia went upstairs, saying she wanted to say hi to Mia. Anakin lingered at the stairs, still not able to fully grasp the entirety of what had just happened. Groaning, he walked up at the stairs, finding Leia standing at the top of the steps.

"Shh, Mia's going to sleep," Leia whispered.

Anakin nodded, "It's been a long night for both of us Princess, so I'm going to get some sleep too, yell if you need anything," He told her with a yawn before passing her.

Leia went downstairs, stating that she'd go and watch cartoons. Just before going into his room, Anakin decided to take a peek in Mia's room and make sure she was alright. Cracking the door, he looked but, instead of seeing her in bed like he'd expected, he found her standing in front of the dresser, her shirt raised as she looked at the angry red and purple bruise on her ribcage in the reflection of the mirror.

Before he really knew what he was doing, he walked into her room. She jumped in surprise, quickly pulling her shirt down in an attempt to hide the bruise. She met his sad gaze, her grey eyes shadowed and not quite all there. Crossing the distance behind them, Anakin reached forward and pulled her into a hug. She stiffened up at first before relaxing, wrapping her arms around him before pulling away.

"I'm tired, I'm just going to sleep," She told him.

Anakin nodded, "Before you do, I just want to say that I'm sorry."

Mia's eyebrows pressed together in confusion, "What are you sorry for?"

"I should have known, I should have checked up on him," Anakin answered, "I was supposed to protect you and I failed at that."

Mia's eyes softened, "Anakin, you don't have to apologize. You didn't do this to me, he did and you saved my life," She reminded him, "Thank you, thank you for being there."

Anakin nodded, not sure what to say now. Instead he opted for wishing her goodnight and walked out her room, going to bed.

January 3rd, Three years post Galactic Empire

The effects of the drug had worn off before Mia had even woken up. As she felt the Force liven up around her, she was left with the memories of the last twenty-four hours. Curling up on herself, Mia pressed her head to her knees, silently scolding herself for even falling into that situation. She should had noticed something was wrong, should have gotten away when she realized. She should have paid more attention to when he was pouring her second glass of wine at the very least. But she didn't and she paid the price. Revan—Grev, she reminded herself—had lured her towards him with charming smiles and nice words. How had she not noticed the darkness in him?

Getting up, Mia picked up a towel and walked into the bathroom she shared with Leia and Anakin. She turned the shower on, making the water hotter than usual and stripped down. The bruise covering her ribs screamed at her. As she noticed her reflection she began to see the subtle formings of bruises around her cheek where he'd hit her and around her neck where the Force suppressing collar had been. Tears prickling her eyes, Mia turned away and stepped into the shower, letting the hot water wash over her.

She felt dirty and used. She felt stupid and scared and angry. She felt violated. Mia didn't even know why she felt that way. After all, it wasn't rape, she'd consented to it, she was an adult and he hadn't forced himself on her. But rationalizing that didn't make the feelings go away. Sliding down the tile wall to the floor, she curled up in herself, letting the hot water sting against her back.

January 19th, Three years post Galactic Empire

Mia sat on the cold examination table in nothing but her bra and a thin paper gown that didn't offer any warmth. She waited for the doctor to return, rubbing her arms to try and spark some warmth. Finally the door creaked open and her doctor walked in, smiling.

"Well Ms. Lilkov, we've got the results from the urine sample, you're pregnant," The doctor told her, smiling.

"But that's impossible, I was in the emergency room less than a month ago, I wasn't pregnant then," She argued even though she knew it was completely possible and that it probably had been too soon to show up on the tests then.

The doctor nodded, "Yes, well according to the hormone levels, the baby is only a few weeks old," She explained before handing Mia a series of packets, "This is some information about pregnancy and adoption and even terminating the pregnancy if you wish."

Mia nodded numbly, looking at the brochures with absent eyes. What was she going to do? She could terminate the pregnancy but that didn't feel particularly right, after all, the child had never done anything to her. But did she really want to bring one of Revan's—Grev's, she corrected herself—children into the world? She could just put the child up for adoption. It would be Force sensitive though, and most likely deaf, it would struggle for all its life between hiding its ability and trying to get through the world unable to hear.

She walked out the examination room and made an appointment to come back and get checked up again. Numbly she walked out the office and went home, her thoughts millions of miles away.

January 30th, Three years post Galactic Empire

It was a relatively quiet morning, Leia wasn't up yet and Anakin was just starting to wake up. He walked down the stairs and in the kitchen, finding Mia by the stove with breakfast meat cooking in a pan. Anakin moved to touch her shoulder, somewhat unconsciously and a bit on purpose. Mia sidestepped away from his touch and looked at him with wide eyes. Then she seemed to realize it was him and not Grev so she turned and walked towards the cabinet, taking a cup and filling it up with coffee before handing it to Anakin in an attempt to cover it up. He knew better though. Since Grev she'd been jumpy, hated being touched by men. Sometimes she'd just tense up and sometimes she step away. There was a few occasions when she pushed the hand or the person away. He understood and he didn't blame her.

February 4th, Three years post Galactic Empire

It was late and he and Mia were watching an old movie on TV. Mia was curled up in a blanket and, for a change, she hadn't chosen to set on a separate couch, instead she was sitting pretty close to Anakin. He'd been trying to coax her into talking about it but she'd been tight lipped about the experience. She hadn't even told him how long she'd been there or if Grev had ever been violent before he attacked her. He supposed he could understand, it was months before Anakin started to open up about his fall to the dark side and that night. He'd be patient, give her time.

Shifting, Anakin moved so that he was closer to Mia, giving her a gentle nudge through the bond they shared as he did it, reminding her it was just him. She tensed for a moment but quickly relaxed, surprising Anakin. They sat like that, arms pressed together as they leaned into each other.

The movie was almost over when she rested her head on his shoulder, eyes drooping down with exhaustion. She gave in, letting sleep overtake her and Anakin sat there, just enjoying the way she leaned into him and the warmth she gave off.

When the movie was over he gently carried her up the stairs and tucked her into bed, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead before he turned off the light and walked out, closing the door.

February 19th, Three years post Galactic Empire

She walked over the hill, not quite sure what it was she was looking for. Then a little boy came running up to her, stopping just a few feet short and looking up at her with a curious expression. Kneeling down to his level, Mia got a closer look. He was about two, with dark black hair that fell in curls around his face and grey eyes with such innocence in them. He smiled shyly at her, holding up a small flower he'd probably picked from somewhere up, smiling even wider as she took it from him, accepting the gift. Her eyebrows furrowed as she tried to remember the name of the boy. She knew she knew it but she couldn't remember.

Mia woke up slowly, images of the top of the hill and the little boy flashing through her mind. She laid in bed for a moment, letting the dream sink in. She wondered if the child was hers. There was an obvious resemblance. That didn't seem quite right because she'd had dreams of that same child for years, longer than she could remember. Sometimes he was older, maybe six or seven and he was reaching out to her, he always looked afraid in those. Once he'd been ten and he just looked at her with hopelessness in his eyes.

Getting up, she went to make tea for herself, knowing that she wouldn't get back to sleep after this.

March 7th, Three years post Galactic Empire

Mia leaned back against the door to her room, fresh from the doctor's office. She was now in her third month of pregnancy and this was about the time where she'd be getting morning sickness and her belly would start to show signs of pregnancy. It wouldn't be very noticeable till she was about five months pregnant but still. In a month she'd get to know the gender of the child. Sighing, Mia curled up on herself, one hand resting against her stomach.

She could still abort it, she remembered. She still had a few months, the law of this planet said a human child couldn't be aborted after five months. Still, she was raised to believe that every life is sacred.

Every life is sacred, thank you very much Obi-wan, Mia thought sarcastically.

Sometimes she wondered if the child would be a boy like the one she'd seen in her dreams. She wouldn't mind that. It might even be a little girl, like Leia. She liked that too.

She was still terrified of being a mother.

March 17th, Three years post Galactic Empire

Anakin walked out of his room slowly, rubbing his eye as he hoped for coffee. He was just about to go down the stairs when he heard the sounds of someone vomiting. Opening the door to the bathroom, he found Mia hunched over the toilet, throwing up. Leaning down next to her, he pulled her hair away from her face, making sure it didn't get any vomit on it. Mia continued to throw up for several minutes before it subsided into dry heaves. Finally, Mia pulled away and sat back on her legs, looking pale and exhausted. She looked at Anakin, not knowing what to say.

"Did you get food poisoning?" He questioned.

Mia nodded quickly, "Yeah that must be it," She answered, "You and Leia should be careful."

Nodding, Anakin stood up, "I'm going to go make that tea, the one for upset stomachs, you use to make for Obi-wan and I," He decided as he walked out.

"Thank you," She murmured, just loud enough for him to hear.

When Mia came down Anakin had the tea made. She took it from his hands and had a sip. Her nose wrinkled and her eyes scrunched up.

"Too strong?" He questioned.

"Too bitter," Mia answered as she reached for the sugar, "I always added a little bit of sugar for you two so it wouldn't taste so bad."

Anakin nodded, watching as she took another sip, seeming to enjoy it a bit more.

March 20th, Three years post Galactic Empire

Anakin sat on the couch, a book in hand and a cup of coffee on the side table. It was his day off and he was enjoying the morning. He had the entire bottom floor to himself because Leia had Mia upstairs playing house with her. Taking another sip of his coffee, Anakin turned the page in his book. Suddenly Leia came bounding down the stairs. He turned to see the sad look on her face.

"Daddy, Mia's crying again," She told him.

Standing up, Anakin walked upstairs. It was the third time this past week, first time it was because she burned dinner and the second time it was because she accidentally bleached one of his shirts.

Maybe it's just that time of the month, Anakin guessed.

He found her sitting on the floor of Leia's room with a teddy bear clutched to her chest, crying quietly. Making sure to give her a gentle nudge through the Force before touching her, Anakin kneeled down next to her and wrapped his arms around.

"Hey, it's alright," He murmured, pushing a few stray strands of hair behind her ear.

He'd lived with women all his life. First it was his mom when he was just a kid. Then it was Mia who, despite not technically being Obi-wan's Padawan for the first few years practically lived with them. Then it was Padmé and then it was Mia. He was used to women crying and, while he hated to see the women he cared about so sad, he knew what to do.

"What's wrong?" Anakin asked as he rubbed soothing circles into her back.

She shook her head, "It's stupid," She mumbled.

"It's not stupid if it's upsetting you," He insisted, pulling her closer.

"I don't even know why I'm crying about it," Mia told him quietly.

After a few minutes she stopped, wiping her tears away hastily. Standing up, she crossed her arms, mumbling something about going out and getting groceries.

March 28th, Three years post Galactic Empire

Anakin was growing more and more worried about Mia as the days past. For the last ten days or so she'd been sick after every meal. It was especially bad in the mornings. It also hadn't escaped his notice that some foods were absolutely repulsive to her, even ones she'd loved all her life. Not knowing why she was sick, Anakin had been doing everything from picking up on some of the day-to-day cooking so she didn't have to do so much to suggesting every day that she should see a doctor. Every time he suggested that, though, she insisted that was fine and that it would pass in time.

Mia was still trying to keep it a secret, not because she thought he'd be mad or upset but because saying it out loud made it solidify and become real. Fortunately for her, Anakin didn't seem to remember anything he'd learned about reproduction in health class. He also hadn't gotten to spend any time with Padmé during the first two trimesters of her pregnancy. Mia had, she had spent a week home around the fourth month of Padmé's pregnancy and, while it had taken a few days, she'd noticed. She and Padmé had actually gotten pretty close in the three years Mia had known her and there were a few times with Padmé had almost told her but had paused and said something else.

April 8th, Three years post Galactic Empire

Mia picked at her dinner, not feeling particularly hungry. She looked at Leia, eating her vegetables with little prompting from her or Anakin. She glanced at Anakin as well, he was looking at her curiously, like he was trying to figure her out. He'd been doing that a lot, she'd noticed. She was thinking it was about time she just come out about it and tell him. Suddenly she had a sharp pain, making her grip her abdomen, trying not to groan in pain. Taking a sip of water, she tried to wait out the pain. After a minute of two it became dull and began to go away. Sitting up straight, Mia ignored Anakin's look and the way he opened his mouth to ask a question. Taking another bite of her food, Mia chewed slowly, really not wanting to talk about it.

The pain returned suddenly and much worse this time, making Mia slump forward and groan this time. She felt something sticky on her fingers and pulled them up to examine them. Her eyes widened as she saw blood. How, she didn't even know how. This wasn't supposed to happen. She turned to Anakin who looked just as horrified as she felt.

"H-hospital," Mia stuttered, hardly able to speak, "Now."

Getting up, Anakin picked Leia up, quietly telling her they had to go to the hospital. Wiping her hands on the dinner napkin, Mia stood up, following him to the speeder.

April 8th, Three years post Galactic Empire

Anakin sat on the uncomfortable plastic chair, his mind spinning. Leia sat in the chair next to him, looking bored and sleepy. The waiting room was full of sick people who weren't sick enough to be taken in right away. Mia was rushed in though.

Miscarriage, the sign in sheet had said. Mia had written miscarriage as the reason for being here.

He didn't even know she was pregnant. At first he had wondered why she wouldn't tell him something like that, then he remembered who the baby's father would be and he understood why she would want to tell anyone.

She was at least three months pregnant, which explained the mood swings and the morning sickness. Still, the knowledge of that made his head spin.

April 8th, Three years post Galactic Empire

Mia looked up as Doctor Vegier pushed open the curtain and stepped in, pulling it closed behind her. She just looked at the woman's face and she knew, she'd lost the baby. She took a glance at the translator who'd stayed nearby at all times. He rose his hands to translate for her but Mia wished it was Anakin who was there and not some stranger.

"Can you leave for a moment," She verbally requested to the translator, "I think I want to hear this alone."

Nodding, he walked out and Mia sat up, looking at the woman.

"Mia, I'm sorry to tell you this but you lost the baby," Dr. Vegier told her.

Mia nodded, feeling the sadness and depression creep up on her at the news. She found it horrifying that, after all that, she was honestly just relieved. A life, a small but very important life, was over and she was relieved.

"The blood tests show that you have a rather high midichlorian count," Dr. Vegier explained, noticing the way Mia tensed up at that, "Relax, legally I can't release medical records to the Empire and even if I could, I wouldn't."

Relaxing slightly, Mia nodded.

"I'm afraid that Force sensitive women have a very hard time carrying children to term, miscarriage at this stage in the pregnancy is, unfortunately, very common," She explained, "Also, some of the tests showed that you have an irregularly shaped uterus."

She pulled a page out of her folder and handed it to Mia. She saw two diagrams of the uterus, one T-shaped and one shaped more like a Y with the arms sloping down. The latter was normal, hers was the former. Handing the page back to Dr. Vegier, Mia nodded slowly.

"I'm afraid that in the long run it will be very difficult for you to carry children to full term," Dr Vegier explained, "In the meantime we're going to keep you overnight and observe you."

"Alright," Mia mumbled numbly.

April 9th, Three years post Galactic Empire

It was past midnight when Anakin was allowed to see Mia again. Leia was sound asleep in his arms, her head tucked into the crook of his neck. Standing slowly, so as not to wake up Leia, Anakin followed the nurse further into the hospital. Instead of being taken to the emergency room, like he'd expected, he was lead to an elevator that took them to the third floor. The nurse explained that they'd admitted Mia for observation, she didn't mention if the baby had survived. Anakin didn't think it had, just a gut feeling he had.

Mia was sitting up in the bed looking pale and exhausted, dressed in a hospital gown and covered with two blankets. She noticed Anakin and Leia right away as they walked in. Setting Leia down on the comfier-looking chair in the room, Anakin sat down on the plastic on.

"How do you feel?" He signed.

She just sighed, "Horrible, depressed, numb," She signed.

"The baby didn't survive, did it?" Anakin questioned.

Mia shook her head, "No," She answered, eyes filling up with tears, "The worst part is that I feel relieved."

Anakin moved towards the bed, sitting down in front of Mia. Reaching slowly, gaging her response, Anakin wiped her tears away as they spilled down her cheeks.

He asked the question that had been circling around in his mind for hours, "Why didn't you tell me?" He signed.

Mia bit her lip before answering, "Because talking about it made it real. Because I hated even thinking about it let alone talking about it. Because I didn't know how to tell you." She ran her fingers through her hair, pushing them away from her face as tears started to spill down her cheeks again, "Why do I feel relieved? A child is dead and I feel relieved. What kind of terrible person feels that way?"

Anakin pulled her into a hug, running his fingers through her long hair as he tried to think of an answer. If he was being completely honest with himself, he was a bit relieved too and that made him feel terrible as well. Pulling away, he look into her grey eyes, the variations of muted colors being magnified by her tears so that he could see the faint traces of blue in her eyes and even a bit of gold around her pupils.

"I don't have an answer for that," He told her, "All I can tell you is that anyone in your position would feel the same way and that in no way makes you a bad person."


Eh, yeah, I know, that kind of erred on the darker side. I don't know what it is but I like to address certain realities in society in what I write and not just in this story. Let me know what you think, I know one of you wanted a more Anakin and Mia centric chapter. I'm posting another Mia and Anakin chapter tomorrow but fortunately it will be a lot lighter than this. Review, it inspires me, I'm working on chapter 12 today.