Chapter 3
After a month had passed Anakin was fully healed. He and Farra had spent a lot of time together and several of the Jedi council had also begun to suspect that they might be more than friends. However before they could investigate it was learnt that the Separatists were attacking Rhen Var. At the time Anakin and Obi Wan were in the system concerned. Farra was also with them as the three of them had been involved in a peacekeeping mission. Anakin had talked Obi Wan into letting her go with them and she and Anakin were flying side by side in their star fighters. Both Farra and Anakin were bored as they'd been traveling with nothing much to do for quite some time. Anakin comments to Farra that he is hoping they might get some excitement soon. Obi Wan tells Anakin to remember to be patient and Farra has to stifle a laugh. Anakin was always being told to be patient! However Obi Wan spots some blips on his sensors. The blips turn out to be Trade Federation ships. It is an invasion force headed to Rhen Var so the Jedi decide to intercept it. Anakin dives for them before Obi Wan can tell him not to.
As the three Jedi had been spotted the Invasion force moved to engage them. Obi Wan called the Jedi Council to tell them the situation. Farra sends Anakin a message through the force to be mindful of his actions. She suggests they work together to make their way down to the surface of the planet. By now laser bolts were flying all around them, lighting up the darkness of space. Both Farra and Anakin dived for the planet's surface, taking out any Trade Federation fighters that tried to intercept them. One of the fighters landed a hit on Farra's ship causing it to spin out of control. Anakin destroyed the fighter then looked to see how Farra was doing.
"Anakin I'm out of control" Anakin heard Farra say through his comlink. He dived after Farra's ship but couldn't prevent her crashing on the planet. He landed and scrambled out of his star fighter to see a number of Federation troops heading for Farra's fighter. Anakin ignites his lightsaber and defends Farra's ship, preventing the Trade Federation troops capturing Farra. Obi Wan landed not long after and helped Anakin to dispatch all the troops in the area. They then turn their attention to Farra who hasn't left her ship since crashing. Anakin hurried to the ship and triggered the canopy opener, hoping Farra is ok, but knowing she is alive. As the canopy rises he can see that Farra is unconscious. He carefully undoes her seat belt and lifts her out of the star fighter.
After Anakin placed Farra on the ground he checked for her pulse. To his relief it was strong so he began to examine her to see what her injuries were. He found that she had a large bump on her head but other than that she was ok. Obi Wan put a hand on her head and concentrated.
"She's in a healing trance Anakin. We can leave some clone troopers with her while we evac the planet"
"I would like to stay with her" Anakin said.
"No Anakin I need your help" Obi Wan said.
"I wish to protect Farra" Anakin said obstinately.
"Anakin, we have a job to do. What would Farra do in your place?" Obi Wan asked.
"She would go with you" Anakin said reluctantly.
"Farra will be fine" Obi Wan said.
He knew Anakin wanted to stay with Farra because he cared for her.
After the evacuation of the planet was complete Anakin and Obi Wan return to where Farra had crashed. She was conscious and seemed to be ok. Farra smiled and ran to Anakin and hugged him relieved that he is ok as well.
"What did I miss she asked"
"We just evacuated the planet. I destroyed lots of droids though and I got to use a gunship. My piloting skills are definitely improving. Now did I miss anything?" Anakin asked.
"Not much. Some Trade Federation troops decided to be nosey and see what was going on here. I left none alive"
"I wish we could have been fighting together," Anakin said.
He and Farra were alone because Obi Wan had left them in the temporary camp they had set up to contact the Jedi council. Farra smiled at Anakin.
"I think we'd have made a great team. Just like we did on Geonosis" Farra says.
"I'm just glad you survived the crash," Anakin said.
His lips were inches from Farra's as he'd moved closer as they talked. Farra closed her eyes as Anakin moved forward the last few inches and met Farra's lips with his. It was their first kiss since they had left Coruscant on their peacekeeping mission. Until then they had never been alone together as Obi Wan was constantly with them.
Just then Obi Wan returned from contacting the council. Anakin and Farra had not heard him come in so he caught them kissing. Obi Wan cleared his throat and the two sprang apart. Both looked embarrassed.
"I thought you were going to be more mindful of your emotions Anakin" Obi Wan said. He looked disappointed.
"I am sorry my Master. I will try and do better," Anakin said.
"How long has this been going on Anakin? Did it continue after I saw the two of you in the garden?"
"Yes Master it did" Anakin said.
"Don't be angry with Anakin, Master" Farra said, I am as guilty as he. I like him just as much as he likes me"
"Is that why you followed us when we fought Dooku on Geonosis"
"Yes it was. But I was able to help Anakin maintain his control" Farra said.
"I noticed that. Maybe your relationship isn't such a bad thing if it is helpful to you both"
Anakin looked hopeful.
"But on the other hand the council may not agree" Obi Wan said.
He left to check on his and Anakin's star fighters and figure out how the three of them were going to get back to Coruscant. Farra's star fighter had been badly damaged when she crashed. Anakin looked at Farra.
"I can fix your star fighter I'm sure I can," he said.
"Will Obi Wan let you?" Farra asked.
"I shall find out. Wait here"
Anakin disappeared out of the door. A short while later he returned.
"I am to see what I can do with your fighter," he said.
"Can I help?" Farra asked.
"I'd love your assistance" Anakin said.
He smiled and Farra knew he was looking forward to working with her.
A short while later Anakin and Farra were hard at work on Farra's star fighter. Anakin had started by assessing the damage and working out what needed to be done to repair it. Then he began the repairs. Farra was helping him by giving him the tools he needed when he needed them. While he worked the two talked about the War and about their own situation.
"I wish we didn't have to keep our relationship a secret" Anakin commented.
"I think we help each other and that our relationship is beneficial. I don't think it would lead us to the dark side. In fact I think it would keep you from the dark side" Farra said.
"I wonder what the council would say to that" Anakin mused.
Not much longer after that the repairs were complete. Anakin and Farra and Obi Wan boarded their star fighters and took off. A short series of hyperspace jumps later and they were back in Coruscant. Upon their arrival at the temple Obi Wan reported to the council about the situation on Rhen Var. Anakin and Farra went to their rooms to freshen up and meditate. Later that evening they did some lightsaber practice together. This was the first time that Anakin had seen Farra's new lightsaber close up. He asked if he could look at it and she passed it to him. He held it in his hands and examined it.
"You've made yours look similar to mine" Anakin said.
"Yes that was the idea," Farra said.
Anakin smiled and kissed her, knowing she'd modeled her lightsaber on his because of how she felt about him.
"I wonder what the council will think if they see my lightsaber close up" Farra said
"Lets not worry about that now" Anakin said, "I want to train" he ended.
He ignited his lightsaber and Farra did likewise. The two dropped into fighting stances and prepared to begin their training. Farra took a moment to clear her mind and draw into the Force. Farra was training in the technique of Dejem So, which was the same technique Anakin was using. She had switched to that technique after Anakin suggested she do so. Ploon had been training her in Soresu, which was also Obi Wan's preferred style. Farra had switched to Dejem So after Ploon had died. The two engaged and for the next half an hour they exchanged a rapid series of moves. Both were becoming expert swordsmen. As they were studying the same style of lightsaber technique they complemented each other well. The training session ended in a draw. Farra was worried about Anakin though.
"I sensed you becoming angry when you couldn't get through my defenses" Farra told Anakin.
"And I sensed you calming me down" Anakin said.
"It would be helpful if you could control your emotions and even fight without emotion. Just let the Force flow through you" Farra said.
Anakin and Farra retired to their rooms for the night. Both were thinking about their relationship and what to do. It had become clear to them that Farra was a soothing influence on Anakin and she had prevented him allowing his anger to control his actions in battle on several occasions.
A few days later the Jedi learnt that the separatists had a base on Raxus Prime. The Council decided that they should send Obi Wan and Anakin along with an attack force of clones to wipe out the base. Farra hears about the mission and realizes she needs to go along or Anakin would have trouble controlling himself. She searched out Obi Wan and asked if she could accompany them. He is reluctant at first then remembered how Farra had helped Anakin in the past. The three Jedi arrive at Raxus Prime before the clone attack force does, so they head to the surface to investigate. This time they make it down without crashing. After landing on the planet's surface, Anakin suddenly sensed Dooku's presence. At the same time the three Jedi encounter convoys of Separatist troops. They destroy these in readiness for the clones to arrive then watched as the clones destroy the digging site. Anakin suddenly spies Dooku heading for his ship. He tells Obi Wan he is going to sneak aboard. Farra decides to follow him in case he gets into trouble and runs after him. Both make it aboard without any difficulties and find hiding places. Farra wanted to wait and observe to see what the Count was up to but Anakin insisted on confronting Dooku and leapt down from his hiding place to land silently behind the Count. He then ignited his lightsaber in readiness to duel with the Count. As the two were about to start fighting Cydon Prax stepped out of nowhere and began shooting stun bolts at Anakin.
Farra dropped down from her hiding place her lightsaber igniting in a fluid motion. She steps forward and begins deflecting the stun bolts. She sees that Anakin has been stunned and realizes she is alone against the Count and Cydon Prax. She has no idea who Cydon Prax is and doesn't know how she will get out of the situation she is. She lets herself be controlled by the Force and continues to deflect stun bolts with one hand while calling Anakin's saber to her other hand. She used Anakin's saber to parry the blows the Count aimed at her hoping would be able to hold out until Anakin came around. Unfortunately the Count managed to disarm her. By then Anakin has come around and he calls his lightsaber to his hand. Farra has managed to destroy Prax's pistol before being disarmed. Farra turned to engage the Count and screamed as Force Lightning hit her.
"Farra. No!" Anakin cried out.
He rushes forward as Farra collapses writhing in pain.
Farra wakes up in prison on Alaris Prime. She learns that the Count intends to test a new weapon there. This weapon is the Force Harvester and Farra knows that she needs to escape. There is another prisoner with her, a bounty hunter named Bera Kazan. Kazan admits to Farra that she helped Cydon find the Force Harvester. Farra is dismayed to hear this but doesn't allow her anger to cause her to kill the young bounty Hunter. She instead concentrates on finding a way to escape the prison. Unfortunately before she can do so Dooku shows up. He is curious as to why Anakin had defended Farra and suspected that Farra was special to Anakin even though the Jedi are not supposed to care for anyone that way.
"I'm afraid Anakin did not survive" Dooku lied.
"Noooo" Farra cried out, before she could stop herself.
"Your feelings betray you, Jedi. You care for Anakin do you not?"
Farra ignores Dooku and reaches into the Force. She searches for Anakin's signature and senses that he is still alive.
"You lie Dooku! Anakin is still alive. I would have felt his death in the Force if he were dead" Farra says.
Dooku snarls and turning on his heel marches out of the room. Farra sinks to her knees, knowing that Dooku now knows that she and Anakin are close. Bera looks at Farra and suggests they escape. Farra nods, her concentration on the present. She knows that although Dooku knows she and Anakin are close he can only use that against them if they allow themselves to give into fear. Farra also knows she has beaten Dooku this time by not giving into her fear. She reaches into the Force and sees the prison through the Force. There is a window in the room they are in with bars over it. Farra uses the Force to rip the bars away then opens the window.
"Follow me," she orders Bera then leaps lightly on to the windowsill. She then uses the Force to leap lightly down to the ground some meters below. Bera hesitatingly follows her and Ferra uses the Force to help her land softly as well. The two begin to make their way towards the nearby woods. Then Farra spots some STAP's and they commandeer two of these and make good their escape into the woods.
Chapter 4