Skywalker Apartment [Late Monday evening]

[sith_happened]

Anakin was zoning out in front of the Daily Show, scratching idly at a patch of gray skin on his elbow that hadn't disappeared yet and trying to relax after a very, very long week.

He wasn't expecting his comlink to go off, especially not from the number he saw.

"Haymitch?"

Thirty seconds of tense conversation and Anakin was on the phone to Portalocity. He'd call the students in Fandom in the morning once the travel arrangements were sorted out. It was time to go to District Thirteen.

Now to break it to his wife...

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[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

Rory was sending an email to the website that had been talking to her about the possibility of campaign blogging. It was one of the more promising job prospects she'd found, and it wouldn't take her too far from Anakin and Juliet, at least.

She hoped, anyway.

But for now, she set the laptop aside. "You look...stressy. What was that?"

[sith_happened]

"Katniss's mentor," Anakin replied, scrubbing his hands through his hair. "She's been shot."

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"Is she okay?" Rory asked immediately. Of course she knew almost nothing about this girl, but based on what she did know, poor thing couldn't catch a freaking break.

[sith_happened]

Anakin waggled his hand. "They think so, but Haymitch is finally calling us for back-up, which I think means he's been over his head for at least a month."

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

Rory's frown deepened as she tucked her knees up against her chest. "You're leaving again?"

[sith_happened]

Anakin looked deeply regretful. "I think I need to," he said quietly.

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

Rory sighed, nodding after a moment. "I'm gonna take Juliet to Stars Hollow, then, I think. I've finally got a lead on a job, and Mom'll watch her while I follow it up."

She shook her head, because she knew that wasn't as important as what he was doing. "Don't you get shot, now."

[sith_happened]

Anakin leaned in to rest his forehead against hers. "I've had enough excitement for one August already. I won't get shot."

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"Or maimed at all," she clarified, reaching up to stroke his hair.

[sith_happened]

"Or maimed at all," Anakin added. He sighed. "It's sad that we've had this conversation a lot, isn't it?"

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"Product of where we went to high school," Rory teased gently.

[sith_happened]

"Or your husband being predisposed to sticking his neck out and playing the hero?" Anakin offered.

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"Little bit of both. When do you leave?" she asked softly.

[sith_happened]

"Tomorrow morning, probably," he replied, stroking her cheek.

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"Do you want to give Juliet her breakfast, then?" she asked, smiling a little. "Give her a minute to adjust to it?"

[sith_happened]

"Sounds perfect," he said. "I've missed her. But I've missed you more."