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WARNING: No warnings lol

A/N: Hello! This is a little but important chapter. Mostly plot related, it will all make sense soon. :) Next chapter will be reaaaaal spicy hehe. Also I felt like I needed to tell you guys that this is a suitless Vader fic, I just picture them with their Jedi attire, fyi.

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Y/N's POV

The whole time I was in the meeting with the 399th my mind was wandering around everything except the agenda's topics. Whilst my eyes were fixed on the projector's light, the images on the wall were the last thing playing in my head. My temporary second in command trooper called off the session and I was released from my silent suffering. It's not like I didn't like it, I was just not in the mindset to talk strategy; still too aroused from our last encounter. There was this awful feeling in the back of my head that Anakin's decision to move on from trying to get me into bed had more to it. There has to. He wasn't the type to let go of the topic so easily.

I made the decision to come back to Qui-Gon's office in case I could sneak into their super, duper, amazing, magnificent team meeting. I rolled my eyes out of frustration. Why wouldn't they invite me? But my walk was cut short in the middle of the main lobby when I saw the three of them walking out of the east wing and directly to the hangar, with a couple of troopers with suitcases following their trail. My head tilted in confusion and I guessed they saw it, because soon they were approaching me, Anakin with an uninterested look on his face.

—What's with the bags? Who's moving out? —I asked with furrowed brows and my fingers pointing at the mentioned items.

—We are, actually. —Obi-Wan sighed and glared at Qui-Gon. My heart dropped. What the hell? Like I know I wanted Anakin to be far away from me, but why Obi-Wan?

—Don't be so dramatic. It's just a few days. —Qui-Gon huffed.

—But, where are you going? —I pressured them into spilling some answers.

—Qui-Gon is sending us on a special recovery mission to the old Jedi Temple. —Obi-Wan rolled his eyes.

—The Jedi Temple? Wha- That's like 10 minutes away from here, why do they look like they are moving out of the planet? —I made a funny confused grimace.

—Because that way they are not gonna get comfortable. I know that if they have to come back everyday, they will eventually stop going. And it's good punishment for their mistake. — Qui-Gon answered. Punishment? For what?

—You mean Anakin's. —Obi-Wan whispered loudly.

—Whatever. We won't talk more about it. Now leave. The ship is ready. —Qui-Gon moved his hand, encouraging them to make their way. Obi-Wan sighed and walked to the hangar, waving at me with a sweet grin. I expected Anakin to look at me and give some kind of cheeky line or wink provocatively at me before exiting, but nothing. He just walked past me and started to revise some things in his commlink. Nothing. I tried really hard to ignore the feeling of disappointment in my stomach.

This is what you wanted. You asked this yourself.

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These past few days have been really lonely here at the Empire headquarters.

The aisles were quieter, the days longer and the time incredibly slower. The hangar was lonelier than usual, the missing clones not filling the extra space. Due to Obi-Wan's absence, I've been eating alone most of the time; I really missed our breakfasts (Qui-Gon would join me mostly at dinner time, because he would go out in the mornings). And not only that, but whenever I was bored, I used to go and meet Obi-Wan wherever he was (always finding him on the rooftop) and just talk. Now it was totally silent.

Qui-Gon had given me homework for these few days, so I would fully take advantage of my new space and time. He explained the whole commlink situation to me and apparently there was a Jedi on the loose, therefore justifying Obi-Wan and Anakin's job in the Temple. As he predicted, I was completely mad at Anakin for failing at killing one of them and putting us at such risk. Qui-Gon made his biggest effort in calming me down,  seeing how crazy his office ended up after my little tantrum. Let's just say that I had to send some troopers over to clean up the mess.

Which leads me to my new assigned tasks; Qui-Gon needed us stronger than ever to be able to face this imminent threat, so he sent me over to the library to hit the books. He wanted me to memorize all of the Sith and Dark Side tricks I wasn't familiar with yet and to re-practice the ones I already knew, as well as learning some Light Side of the Force techniques, mostly to recognize them in combat and know how to fight them. I always loved reading, so this wasn't a drag at all, but in the moments I gave myself a break (there were more than five hundred books in the enormous library, there was no way I was finishing any time soon), I was bored as hell.

I walked around the building, dragging my feet and lazily kicking the air, making a mental map because I still didn't know every room of it. I would sit on my balcony and swing my legs on the edge of it, feeling the dangerous adrenaline of being so close to falling. I would go to the terrace and smoke a cigarette. Or I would do some stretching in my room or knife-throwing, just so I wouldn't lose practice, but not even that would give me the fun I needed. I even tried to bake, but eating chocolate cupcakes alone was borderline depressing. Everything was way too quiet for my taste.

Nonetheless, the weirdest part came from how much I hated to be this calm. Since Anakin wasn't here, my whole routine changed: I worked out all by myself (with the few exceptions when Qui-Gon would come and train me) and it just wasn't the same, having a partner made it way funner. There was no fun bickering, no competition, no heavenly abs at sight... I had an empty feeling when I realized that I didn't have to be so alert when exploring; he wasn't here. But that was the ugly part; unconsciously I longed him here, arousing me, sending goosebumps with just his attractive smirk. I found myself wondering what he was doing in several moments of the day; one thought standing out from the rest:

Would he be thinking about me too?

From the minute he left, my mind wouldn't shut up about him. Weirdly, because I thought that without his presence as a distraction, I would finally achieve some peace. Instead, I was hornier than ever and I had to smack my hand away from touching myself whenever a memory of our first time together came to my mind. Stop! First and only time, miss. I wouldn't say I missed him, but hell... I craved our little interactions.

However, I think that even when he would come back, there was something that switched between us that day in the meeting room. I remembered our first team meeting since their departure, it was via hologram. I was standing behind Qui-Gon and Anakin and Obi-Wan were little figures on the desk. Obi and Qui-Gon talked a lot between each other, about how all the records proved Anakin's success and that there was no reason to believe one of them escaped. It was all blabbering to me because my focus was on trying to find out why Anakin wasn't looking at me. During meetings, his eyes were glued on me or my body, not doing much to hide his looks. This time? Nothing. Not one single deviated glance. It was like I didn't exist. I was not about to stay behind and I matched his strategy, giving him the cold treatment as well. Qui-Gon was proud of us for not arguing, but neither of us said much.

I expected him to go back to normal when they returned, fully knowing that he would insist once more on hooking up... 

Knowing or hoping?

It got to the point when I thought about just saying yes and leaving all rules behind, after all, nobody had to find out. But my pride wouldn't let me. 

You surely are interested in a guy you swear you despise. 

Can you shut up? 

I'm just saying, you were offley firm when you said no. 

I know, I had my motives. 

Then what changed? 

I don't know... I guess now I understand when they say: Be careful what you wish for.

That was an example of the daily conversations I had with myself. Sometimes I would dig further in my horny feelings, some days I would stop myself and not let myself be persuaded. So I would bury myself in knowledge to not have time to think.

I was reading a book on holocrons when Qui-Gon bursted into the room. It was quite interesting, finding out how much hidden knowledge there was, but it will never be fully known; a great vast number of holocrons were forever lost, meaning that a good part of the Sith culture will never be revealed to me, or to anyone for that matter. My master walked up to me and smiled at the book I was holding.

—Oh! Holocrons! I have a precious collection I've found. Maybe someday I will show them to you. —He offered, sitting on the desk.

—That would be so cool. Where are they? —My eyes left the pages and focused on him.

—They are on the Death Star, it's safer there. —He shrugged his shoulders, looking around. —How's the reading?

—It's been good, I've already read all of those shelves. —I pointed to the archives on my right. There were at least 12 large shelves. He whizzled, surprised.

—You have a good pace. I'm glad, we are gonna need all the help we can get. —He nodded with lost eyes.

—Why? Did the guys find something? — I fixed my posture in a heartbeat, wanting to hear his next words correctly.

— Not exactly, all of the names are in the archives and the recordings and other evidence backed them up. If one got away, we don't have any way to suspect who it is. —He shook his head slowly. I was fuming, but before I could destroy something with the Force, Qui-Gon spoke. —However, we don't believe it was Anakin's mistake. We are thinking about the possibility that the missing Jedi may have escaped from the clones. It makes way more sense. —He scratched his beard, eyes lingering, unsure of his words.

—Qui-Gon, is there something troubling you? If it's just one Jedi, we'll be fine. It's us four against one, no biggie. —I tried to comfort him, moving myself to caress his shoulder.

—Yes, the problem is which one survived...—He crossed his arms and gently stroked his throat.

—Do you have any guesses? —I wandered, scared that he would be so terrified.

—Not really, I just... Let's not think about it. All logic points that the rebels used that message to confuse us or in a tacky strategy to use the Jedi as a symbol... either way it is pathetic that we are falling for it. —He grimaced at the floor.

—And what does the Force tell you?

He stood in silence.

—It tells me to be precautious. But it's quiet. Too quiet. If one of them was alive, wouldn't I have felt it? —He tossed the question to me, but it seemed like he was actually talking to himself. — I've decided to pause the topic for a while. That's why I'm bringing the boys over, they must be arriving in the next couple of hours.

My heart dropped and I swallowed nervously. It would be the first time I would see him face to face in two weeks. And I needed to decide: was the tingling in my stomach excitment or terror? How do I want him to react?

—Two of my troopers are coming back from a secret mission too. I hope they bring valuable information. —I reassured him with a tiny smile.

—Nice, I'll leave and stop interrupting your study time. —He pulled me in for a side hug and kissed the top of my head, to which I laughed lightly. So sappy. He left shortly after and I returned to the book.

Two hours later, when I was almost falling asleep, my commlink vibrated until it fell, letting me know of Taaray and Kytra's arrival. I stood up, ready to greet them at the hangar. I was so into my thoughts that I almost didn't notice the next encounter.

—Hey, Rex. —I waved with a polite head tilt.

—General Phoenix, pleasure to see you. —He saluted me back respectfully. Wait. Rex? I turned around and twisted the clone to face me.

—When did you guys come back? —I bombarded him.

—Like ten minutes ago. Didn't you receive the notification? —He furrowed his brows.

—What notificati- —I checked my commlink and saw three missing calls from Qui-Gon but I had it silenced. —Oh...

—Yeah, Emperor Jinn called you in, I guess to welcome us or something. But don't sweat about it. They are still in the hangar. —He palmed my shoulder and left. I was on my way there anyways, so I just rushed in, making up an excuse as I moved forward.

"Oh sorry, I left the commlink in my room."

"You called me? I couldn't hear the commlink with all of the screams of suffering from the civilians."

"I dropped the commlink in my tea."

They all sucked and I just decided to wing the topic. But another constant thought just kept nagging in my head.

How will I react when seeing him?

I made the decision that if he flirted, I would flirt back, throwing down the board every single thing I've ever said. But in a classy way. In a way that looks like he initiated it all and the one chasing after me. Yes, to surrender but still be in control. Basically play hard to get. And when I see him submissive enough, I may grant him the wish one more time. Just once. To get him out of my system and never think about it again. Exactly. A one last hurrah and then goodbye. Seems rational enough to me. My mood brightened up and my chin rose up for the rest of my path.

As the hangar door made itself visible to me, I saw a maid wandering around offley eager. The nerve of this woman... Being completely motivated by an ego boost, I glared at her, force choked her and sent her off to do her job, or I would tell Emperor Jinn about her fucking side jobs. She looked at me terrified and nodded restlessly. I rolled my eyes and strolled to my final destination once again, but the door opened before I could reach it, revealing my master to me.

—Hey, Phoenix, I was calling, but you didn't answer. —Qui-Gon pried at me for answers.

—Yes, ummm, I think my commlink is broken. I didn't hear it. —That was not a total lie.

—We can check it later. —He proposed. Obi-Wan appeared from behind him and got all excited to see me, approaching to hug me.

—And here I was thinking you would be unkind enough to not come and greet me home. —He chuckled on my shoulder and pulled away with a raised brow.

—I find your lack of faith disturbing, old man. —I mocked him back and he grinned widely, not mad at his nickname. —How was it? —I grabbed him by the shoulders, pressuring him to tell me everything.

—Boring as fuck. I think that time when I shaved my hair and beard was better. —He said casually, like it wasn't  a once in a lifetime event that I totally missed.

—What?! Do you have pictures? How come I never heard of it? —I widened my eyes and cackled.

—A story for another time. I need some tea right now. —He let out a deep breath, showing how tired he was. —And my bed. My back hurts.

—You know you are old when you need an orthopedic mattress. —I commented.

—Shut up. Breakfast tomorrow? —He marched down the aisle, only twisting his head to see my reaction.

—Of course! What are you preparing?

—You could stop being such a lazy ass and do it for once, Phoenix. —He yelled due to the distance.

—But why would I when I have you as my personal chef?

— Fuck off. —He finally screamed and I giggled, turning on my heels only to bump into someone's chest.

—Oh, I'm sorry, Qui-

—Not Qui-Gon. —My head snapped up to meet his voice.

My body froze under his gaze, breath hitching when his blue eyes analyzed mine. I waited for the princess to come out of his mouth. Or the sweetheart. Or the baby. But nothing. I gave his little smirk some time to appear. But nothing. I focused on his irises to see if the shiny spark that usually showed up whenever we would fight made an appearance. But nothing. I ignored my sinking heart and I kept my cocky attitude as a shield.

—Oh- Watch your step, Shitwalker. — My bratiness pushed him to fight back. I just needed to know our current status: Would he make a sarcastic comment? Would he insult me? Would he flirt?

—I will, sorry, Phoenix. — He didn't bother to say anything else, leaving me shocked and with a witty comeback in the tip of my tongue. He just moved out of my way and continued his walk to the north wing; the chambers section. My devastation was invisible to the external eyes, but the humiliating feeling inside was eating me alive. Did he lose interest so easily? Just one fuck and that's it?

I was midway in overthinking everything when my troopers started to call me and I forced myself to get to them without a hint of embarrassment on my face. All of the legion was surrounding their captain and Kytra, excited for their return.

—Hi girls, how was the trip? Any interesting report? —At least this would be a good distraction. I rubbed my palms together, resisting the freezing breeze of the hangar. Maker, do I hate the cold.

—Do you want the long or short version? —Taaray put her weight on one hip, a sassy stand demonstrating her strong personality.

—I'll take the short one for now. —I sighed. —Give me good news, captain.

—That I cannot do. —She said with frustration. —Short version: the rebel wouldn't talk to us. They said that they will only sell their information to someone who is worth it, something that they consider we are not. —She rolled her eyes. —I told them that we were officers of the Empire, but they didn't trust us, believing that we could be rebels in disguise who had orders to kill them. We didn't make any big deal, trying not to scare them away. Maybe you can go and, you know, convince them yourself. —She chuckled with mischief. —At least we have a location now. Stars, were they hard to find.

I thought for a moment, humming in my thinking process.

—We can talk about this further in a meeting tonight. I want both of you there, the full report this time. —Taaray nodded firmly, however, Kytra looked at me shyly.

—Um... General Phoenix? I wanted to ask for a special permission for today. I have a date. —She beamed sheepishly. I laughed at her reaction. If she wasn't one of my favorites, there was no way for her to get that privilege, but given her recent efforts I was even more flexible. Also, I couldn't let my bad mood affect others.

—Sure, we'll meet tomorrow then. You can go and rest now. —I nodded as a signal for them to leave. Hating to be there alone and seeking some comfort, I went to the kitchen, hoping to run into Obi-Wan, which I did. He was drinking his tangerine tea, apparently it was still too early to sleep.

We were laughing off at some stupid joke he did when his commlink bipped.

—It' s Qui-Gon. He wanted a team meeting to reevaluate the situation and decide the next course of action. Let 's go. —We arrived at the big office bursting into laughter, something that won us a glare from Anakin. Well, at least he is jealous that I'm spending time with his best friend.

On a brief summary, Qui-Gon decided that after Obi-Wan and Anakin's final report on the records, there was no reason to keep lingering on the topic until we had more evidence to believe there was a Jedi on the loose. In the meantime, we would concentrate on our regular plans and keep an eye open, in case we could collect any more information on a new mission.

—Like the Hoth mission. Due to this unfortunate setback, it has been delayed for way too long. I'm sending you guys off to it at the end of the week. I want this topic out of everyone's head until something major happens. Okay? —We all agreed.

—Until the possible becomes actual, it's just a distraction. —Obi-Wan added wisely. How the fuck does he do it?

—Exactly. Talking about a Hoth, I want an update meeting tonight. I believe we must discuss details before giving it a full green light. —Qui-Gon suggested. I simply nodded, demonstrating my availability to it.

—I can't. —Anakin said with a straight posture. — I'm not free tonight. I have a date.

My body immediately stiffened, putting two and two together.

Oh no. The fuck he did not.

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A/N: The fucking nerve of that man. Even I am mad lol. hahaha what are we thinking? Do you think Anakin is playing games or something? Let me hear you :)

Is this gonna turn into a Maddie/Cassie type of catfight? WAIT SHOULD I-

No spoiler :) just smut warning: the next one promises a good time. It may take me a little longer, because writing smut takes time, but don't worry :)

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