So here we are-the last chapter of 'Starlight'! Tomorrow will be the first chapter of the next book, so keep your eye out! :D :D It was great to have all of your support for me to write this third book-so thank you guys so super much! :) ;) Now, without further ado, read on for the last chapter!

Chapter 13.

Anakin—

"So…your mission was a failure." Master Windu says slowly in the Council meeting and I felt my hands clench.

Cadena looked up at me. She was tired, angry, and no doubt restless after the trip that we just made. We barely made it back to the cruiser intact.

"Maybe it was." I said coldly. "We got a little…side tracked."

Windu raised an eyebrow and then Cadena says in a flat tone, "Excuse me for speaking out of turn, masters, but what we're trying to say is that we crash landed. We…had a little help from the natives, but we managed to get back."

"Reward the natives, we should." Master Yoda suggests and I swallowed. Cadena gave me a stricken look and I sighed. "That…wouldn't work." I said slowly. Master Windu raised an eyebrow and I grit my teeth. "That planet…does not want to be involved with the war." I said.

"I can't blame them." Master Ti murmured and I nodded.

"You are dismissed." Master Windu says and I nodded again.

We walked out of the room and Cadena sighs. "I don't ever want to repeat that trip again." She whispered and I looked down at her.

She was still pretty shaken up about the trip and I couldn't blame her. When we got back from Mortis the first time, it scarred us. But to think of Cadena in a more dangerous, much more sinister form of it at an age so young…I was surprised that her mind was still functional and working.

We walked out of the Temple, watching the storm clouds gather. Cadena leaned against one of the pillars, sighing.

We were both silent until Cadena stiffens and straightens, squinting at the distance. "What is it?" I asked, surprised by her sudden tension. My hand placed itself on the light saber, already prepared to jump into action if necessary.

"Jim." Cadena whispered and I tilted my head, confused.

Then, Cadena was running down the steps and I saw her hug a blond head at the bottom of the stairwell. I sighed, shaking my head, but allowed her to have her moment of peace.

Jim looked up at me and managed to give me a small salute. I nodded tightly and Cadena grins. "What are YOU doing here?" She asks, amused.

Jim smirks and says, "Allow me to do a quick introduction, first."

He straightened himself and gave Cadena a salute. "Trooper Jim at your service, Commander." He says, his eyes shining.

Cadena's mouth dropped open and she turned to me. I couldn't help but to have the same reaction.

Jim smiled and said, "Wait, I almost forgot."

He turns to me and gave me another salute. "Trooper Jim at your service as well, General."

I raised an eyebrow and then Cadena turned to Jim. "You joined the 501st?" She asks incredulously. "You only joined a couple months ago!"

Jim shrugged. "Well…I guess I picked up pretty quick." He says cheerfully. Cadena rolls her eyes and punches his arm. "Whatever, Jim." She says teasingly and he smiled back at her.

I smirked at Cadena's reaction and leaned against a pillar, watching the two younger people talk and catch up.

I looked up at the sky, shaking my head in exasperation.

•◊•

"Jim will be with us on our missions from now on, right, Master?" Cadena says cheerfully as we walked into our quarters.

I nodded wordlessly.

"I didn't think he would be in the 501st so easily, though…I mean, he has some fighting experience and he's a great strategist and he's had practice taking care of other people when he was a slave but…wow, I mean I never knew that he would be coming with us all the time, you know? And so—" I held up a hand to cut Cadena off.

"Blast it, Cadena, can't I have a second of peace?" I asked, rolling my eyes. Cadena smirked. "I'm just really happy!" Cadena squealed, jumping and ran into the refresher.

I sighed but couldn't help but to grin at Cadena's attitude coming back.

I heard a knocking at the door and I opened it to reveal Ahsoka, who was waiting on the other side. She looked tired, but was giving me a small smile.

"Glad to be back, Skyguy?" She asks and walked in.

"Cadena definitely is." I said, leaning against the wall. Ahsoka rolled her eyes and sat herself down on the small couch in the corner of the room, tapping her fingers against the coffee table.

"So…what's the reason?" She asks.

I grunted, shrugging.

"Oh, don't be so ridiculous, Anakin. I know that look. Something's bothering you and you know it." She says lightly and I sighed.

Even without the mental link, Ahsoka still knew how I felt.

"It's that Jim kid. He's joined the 501st. Already." I grumbled and Ahsoka blinked, surprised. "Well…that was quick." She managed to say. I nodded. Ahsoka sighed and stood up. "You can't possibly be upset, Anakin." She says. "We're all back at the Temple, and we're all safe and alive. It's okay for Cadena to be glad that her friend is going to be with her from now on."

I didn't look up. I scuffed my boot at the ground and Ahsoka walked up to me. "Don't be so annoyed by it, Skyguy. Just be glad that Cadena didn't totally lose herself." Ahsoka says quietly and walked out of the room.

I raised an eyebrow after her retreating back, unsure of what she meant and then Cadena stepped out of the refresher, her hair still wet.

She plopped herself down in bed and whispered, "Hey, Master?"

I looked down at her and Cadena propped herself up on an elbow. "I'm glad that we're back safely." She says quietly and I nodded.

"I'm glad that you're not hurt." I replied.

Cadena grinned and then her smile faded. I tilted my head after her. "What's wrong?" I asked. Cadena looked at me uneasily and she sat up. "Master…when you killed all of those villagers…I was really scared. I have never seen you like that before." She said quietly.

I sighed and sat myself down next to Cadena.

"Cadena, what I did back there…it was to protect you." I said slowly. "I didn't want anyone to hurt you. It's just…if you died, I would never have forgiven myself. I wasn't prepared to lose you ever again."

Cadena didn't look up, but a faint smile appeared on her face. She sighs and leaned her head against my shoulder.

"Thanks, Master." She says and gave me a hug.

I blinked, surprised and then hesitantly hugged her back.

"You're welcome, my Padawan." I whispered.

A/N: Yeah, this chapter is a lot shorter than usual, but I just felt like this totally wrapped the story up, plus I was really excited to get a start on the next book. :D

Cadena: Can you at least tell the readers just a little bit about the story?

Me: Hope. Nothing. I'm eeeeeeeeeeeeeevil that way.

Anakin: You are VERY evil...-_-

Me: You were reading it again, weren't you?

Anakin: Uh...maybe...?

Me: Ai...*slaps Anakin*

Anakin: Ow! *protects himself with hands*

Me: You...*punch*...don't even THINK...*punch* about other people's personal belongings!

Anakin: Ow! But it was right there!

Me: *sigh* Do the review notice.

Anakin: *blows out air* Ah...well, review people, give feedback, no hate comments! Thanks for the support!

Me: Are you actually enthusiastic about the review notice for once?

Ahsoka: I think I'm rubbing off on him. *smirk*

Anakin: Am NOT. -_-

Ahsoka: Uh-huh. Right, Skyguy.

Anakin: Be quiet, Snips.

Me: Well...that's it for today! see you guys all tomorrow! :D :D :D