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(Y/n)'s POV
As soon as I boarded the ship, my Master began his thorough examination of me. He brushed my hair aside to check my face, checked my neck for any signs of markings, and squeezed my arms gently to see if I would flinch. Just as he was about to inspect my wrists, I interrupted him, "Master, I'm fine." I chuckled softly while gently pushing his hands away. Our eyes locked, and I could see concern in his gaze as he noticed the bruises on my wrists. For a brief moment, it felt like I was back in the med-wing, undergoing another physical.

He hummed thoughtfully as he stepped back and instructed the clones to take us back to the temple. "I have the right to care for your well-being," he stated.

"That's true," I replied, walking over to him with a slow, confident stride until I stood beside him. He resembled the captain of the ship, hands clasped behind his back, staring out the glass windows. "But you're being a bit over the top. I'm bound to get a few cuts and bruises; it's inevitable."

He glanced at me from the corner of his eye, his mask giving him a slightly intimidating look. "Consider my perspective for a moment," he said in a muffled tone. "I brought you into this life of mine, so every bruise, cut, scrape, or broken bone you sustain is my responsibility. I won't tolerate it; I will mend even the smallest scratch." With a swift motion, he turned to me and grasped my wrists in his hands. In an instant, a yellow light appeared and the bruises vanished.

He let go of me, and I examined the spot where he had held me. This wasn't the first time he had done something like this, yet it still surprised me. "Has anyone ever mentioned that you might be a little high maintenance?" I asked, glancing up at him as I let my arms fall to my sides.

He shrugged casually. "A few times. They're dead now—floating in space somewhere."

"Oh," I replied, following his gaze to the swirling blue lights of hyperspace. "Well, you are definitely very high maintenance." I let out a soft sigh.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed him slowly turning his head to shoot me a glare.

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Vader's POV
I found myself back in that same miserable cell once again. It was only a dream, but more accurately, a nightmare from which I couldn't escape.

I had experienced it so frequently that it had become intertwined with my very existence—a routine. Normally, I would pound on the glass and scream for freedom, but I had long since given up, resigning myself to the fact that sleep meant being trapped here.

This was my punishment for the horrific act I committed—taking lives and disrupting the delicate peace of the order. It struck me as absurd, considering my actions were a reaction to their cruel way of life—but I can't exactly expect the force to forgive me for taking everyone away.

So, I leaned against the wall, waiting for the moment I would finally wake up.

Then, something unexpected happened. I heard footsteps echoing outside my confinement, and my eyes shot to the glass—Obi-Wan was there. In the many times I've had this exact dream, he has never appeared. I have always been alone.

He looked at me with a fierce expression, and I met his gaze. "Not much fun in there, is it?" he asked, tilting his head slightly.

I rose slowly, bitterness tinging my words. "You forget, Master, I was here long before you ever were."

He nodded, surveying the space as if he were inspecting a cage. "I'm coming for her, you know." He met my eyes, "I want you to hold her lifeless body in your arms. I want to see your heart break when I take the life of the woman you love."

"Well then you're going to be severely disappointed, "I let out a small laugh, "You see, I don't love her."

He raised an eyebrow, "Who are you trying to convince; me or yourself?" He chuckled while I stood there, silent and unsure of what to say. "I have an idea, let's settle this right now, shall we?" Out of nowhere, he brought (y/n) into view, pressing her against the glass. She was crying, and a sharp pain gripped my chest as I fought to remind myself it was just a nightmare. She wasn't here, she wasn't in danger; she was safe beside me in our real world? "Do you love her?" He asked slowly, his eyes peering around her, filled with a venomous hatred.

"No."

"Anakin, please, it hurts so much," she sobbed as he pressed her face harder against the glass, and I felt a surge of anger building inside me.

It's not real.
It's not real.
It's not real.

"Do you love her?" Obi-Wan asked again.

"No," I repeated, my voice trembling and lacking conviction, even to my own ears.

Obi-Wan lifted her head and slammed it against the glass, blood splattering as it seemed to break her nose. "Do you love her?" he shouted, and the room trembled as if an earthquake had struck, "Do you love her?" He repeated, slamming her face yet again and I swear I heard a crack this time.

"Yes!" I finally shouted, and the room fell silent.

"I know." His voice was steady now as he pulled (y/n) away from the glass, revealing her bruised face. "Now mend this." He did what I did, placing his lightsaber against her back and igniting it, the blue light shining through.

I hit the glass, screaming, "No!"

I shot up in bed, chest heaving, heart racing. I could feel myself sweating so I threw the blankets off of me and placed my hand on my chest to help calm myself down as I paced my breathing.

I looked over at (y/n) to see her sleeping peacefully.

Once I managed to calm my racing heart, I quietly slipped out of bed, careful not to disturb her, and made my way out of the room. Before I began to walk through the silent hallways, I summoned my mask and placed it over my face. I had a specific destination in mind, and it didn't take long to reach it since his room was nearby.

I knocked softly and waited. Less than thirty seconds later, Rex opened the door, looking momentarily surprised to see me. He quickly straightened up and saluted, always so formal even when it wasn't necessary anymore. "Sir, is everything—"

"He's messing with me," I cut him off, my tone firm.

Rex glanced behind him before turning back to me. "You can come in, I just need to take care of something."

I nodded, already knowing what it was. "Make it quick." I stepped aside and waited.

He moved away from the door and returned about a minute later, a woman following him. "Sorry, love, I have to work now," he said to her as she sleepily made her way out.

"But why?" she asked, annoyance crossing her face until she noticed me, and fear replaced it.

"Because I said so," I snapped, letting my frustration from earlier spill out. "Now go."

Without a word, she hurried away, and Rex shot me a disapproving glare. "I like her."

"That's what you said about the last one," I replied, walking past him and into his room.

He let out a frustrated sigh. "That's the same one." After shutting the door behind him, I took off my mask and carefully set it on the small table in the corner of his room. There were two chairs beside it, a spot we often used for talks such as these. We settled into our seats, looking at each other. "What do you mean he's messing with you? Who is he?" he asked, leaning back in his chair.

"Obi-Wan," I replied, raising my hand to summon a whiskey bottle that flew into my grasp. I twisted it open and took a deep swig. "He came into my dreams while I was asleep and threatened to kill her, again." I slammed the bottle down and pushed it toward him, "We need to do something about him, now."

Understanding dawned on his face. "I see," he said, reaching for the bottle. He took a small sip and grimaced, clearly not enjoying it. "But what else can we do that we haven't already tried? We've looked everywhere for him, and he's just not turning up. It's as if he's disappeared into thin air."

"I don't know," I said, rubbing my face in frustration, trying to shake off the exhaustion clinging to me like a second skin. Each passing day that we don't find him was amplifying the stress that gnawed at me day and now night. "But I can't let him reach her, Rex. I refuse to let that happen." I drummed my fingers on the table, lost in thought.

He exhaled slowly, his brow furrowing as he considered our options. "I have a plan, but you're not going to like it."

I raised an eyebrow, skepticism etched across my face. "I'm listening."

"We could use her as bait—"

"No way," I interrupted, shaking my head vehemently, "Absolutely not," The very idea sent a chill down my spine. The thought of putting her in harm's way, even as a strategy, felt like a risk I wasn't sure I wanted to take. In fact, it made me sick.

"Let me explain," Rex sighed, "What if we do something we've never done before? We throw a party in her honor and invite guests. I have no doubt in my mind he would take the opportunity to show up and make some kind of move on her. Especially since it seems he's already getting strong and confident enough to terrorize you in your sleep."

I paused, considering the implications. A party? It sounded reckless, but there was a glimmer of logic in his suggestion. "You think he'd actually show up?"

"Why not? This is the perfect opportunity for him to make an appearance. If we make the event extravagant enough, it just might lure him out of hiding. He'll think he can easily blend in with all the guests coming and going. We just need to ensure our team stays vigilant and prepared at all times."

I bit my lip, feeling anxious. The idea of a party felt like a double-edged sword—while it could draw him out and I could finally put an end to his threats, it also meant he had the opportunity get too close to her. "You seem to have it all figured out. Tell me, Rex, how long have you been considering this?" I asked, trying to mask my unease with curiosity.

"About a week," he answered, "I assumed you wouldn't be on board with something this extreme, so I kept quiet until I noticed you looking a bit desperate. And I hate to say it, sir, but right now, you do seem quite desperate."

After a moment of reflection, I sighed. "You're right; I really don't like it." The thought of orchestrating a grand event, all while knowing he could slip through our fingers, made my stomach churn. But I couldn't come up with any other viable plan besides this one. Sitting around like sitting ducks wasn't an option. At least with this plan, I could control the time and the location. I'll just make sure I keep her in my sights at all times. "But we'll do it." I stood, "Though if she dies Rex, I'll kill you."

He looked unfazed by my threat, "I have no doubt you would, sir."