HELLO CLONE WARS FANS! Allow me to introduce myself; I am Uncle Sam the Man, and i am here to give you guys some new content! SO let me give you guys a little set up about this story. I don't like the idea that Ahsoka left without saying goodbye to the boys, so i wanted to give her that chance. So, enough of my rambling, and let's begin!
Why is saying goodbye so hard? Ahsoka was deep in thought, anxious about the multiple conversations she would be having in the next few hours. It had only BEEN a few hours since it was discovered that she had been framed for the bombing of the Jedi Temple, as well as the murders of Letta Turmond and three clones, by her former friend and colleague Barriss Offee. While she was relieved to be proven innocent, she was perplexed, and a bit offended, when the Council offered to reinstate her in the order, after they just turned their backs on her the moment there was any doubt. The only Jedi convinced of her innocence were Anakin and Master Plo; Obi-Wan seemed to have some faith, but he was still all too willing to vote with the rest of the council to expel the young togruta. Ahsoka, after seeing the hopeful and pleading look in Anakin's eyes, was just as heartbroken as he was when she said she would not be returning to the Order. Shortly after their conversation at the temple entrance, Ahsoka began dreading what she was going to do next; announce her decision to her boys, the ones with whom she had served with for so long, and so faithfully for almost the entire duration of the war; the 501st Legion. Upon reaching the GAR headquarters, Ahsoka was barred from entering by two shock troopers; Even though she had been cleared of the charges against her, she was still stripped of her rank of commander. The two troopers asked her to leave the premise, or she would be "escorted off." Before she could begin to explain what she was doing on the base, a voice sounded from behind her.
"Commander?" Turning around, Ahsoka was met with one of the youngest members of the 501st, Tup. Upon removing his helmet, Ahsoka could see the broad smile on the troopers face as he approached her. His joyful expression made Ahsoka feel another pang of guilt well in her chest as she remembered why she was there.
"Hello Tup," she greeted with a sad smile on her face. Tup didn't notice, as his attention soon turned to the two Shock Troopers blocking Ahsoka's path. Stepping forward, Tup inquired as to the situation. Both guards informed their younger brother that Ahsoka was no longer allowed entrance into the facility, due to her being stripped of her rank.
"Well then," Tup began, with a bit of a sly smile on his face, which Ahsoka knew all too well mean that he was cooking up a plan to get her inside, "she will have to be given admittance on the grounds that she is my guest." Ahsoka spared her own sly grin to the trooper as he turned back to her.
"All guest visitations must be cleared with the main office!" one of the guards snapped back. Tup, realizing that he and Ahsoka were beginning to get forced into a metaphorical corner, was about to attempt to talk their way out of it when the blast door behind the two guards opened, revealing the all too familiar markings of the armor that was worn by the trooper who originally accused Ahsoka of murder; Commander Fox.
"TROOPERS!" he yelled, causing both to turn to their C.O. and snap to attention. "WHAT IS GOING ON OUT HE-…" before he could finish his question, Fox noticed Ahsoka standing behind one of the troopers he recognized from the 501st, who also quickly stood to attention. Ahsoka, unsure of what to do at the moment, offered a meek wave, as well as a nervous smile. After a brief moment of uncomfortable silence, Fox finally spoke up, giving an order to the troopers that caught Ahsoka off guard; "Let them pass." Ahsoka couldn't be sure, but she thought she felt a hint of guilt in Fox's force signature. The guards, not wanting to cross their commander any further, quickly stepped aside to allow Tup and his "guest" access to the facility.
"Thank you, Commander," Tup finally said as the trio began walking down the halls of the Republic Headquarters. Ahsoka, still a bit uncomfortable around the clone who had so enthusiastically given the "shoot to kill" order when he had thought she had killed three of his men, merely hummed a quick noise of gratitude. Fox, who caught on to the timid reply, stopped abruptly, startling both the trooper and youngling behind him. Turning quickly on his heels, he approached Ahsoka, who seemed to cower under the intense stare from Fox's visor. Tup, feeling a little timid himself, excused himself from the seen, not wanting to get in the way of a potential altercation, as he headed towards the barracks reserved for the "Boys in Blue." The corridor was now empty, save for the two sole occupants. After a few moments of intense staring, Fox let out a long sigh as he dipped his head in submission. Slowly raising his hands to his "bucket," Fox hesitantly removed his helmet, revealing the same jet black hair as his brothers, but slicked back instead of the regulation buzz cut, and a cleanly shaved face. Looking into his eyes, Ahsoka could see deep regret in Fox's soul.
"Commander," Fox began, shocking Ahsoka with a gentle sound that was very uncharacteristic of the Shock Commander. "I just wanted to apologize," seeing her shocked and confused expression, Fox felt he needed to clarify. "For-f-for what happened," he stammered, which continued to shock Ahsoka even more. Looking down at the floor with his helmet tucked under one arm, Fox brought the other up to rub the back of his neck nervously. After a few moments of awkward silence, Fox continued. "It was unfair of me to accuse you of murdering Letta Turmond, especially since you WERE here on her request," swallowing a lump that was forming in his throat, Fox continued, "and I would also like to apologize for what happened with the men that where killed. I WAS able to find surveillance footage that showed the men where killed WHILE you were still in your cell. I jumped to conclusions based on the situation, and I can only hope that you can find it in yourself to forgive my grievous mistake."
Ahsoka was purely speechless; it was very rare, if not entirely uncommon, for Fox to admit when he was wrong, let alone offer an actual apology. But upon seeing the regret on his face, and hearing the sincerity in his words, Ahsoka realized it was best to part on favorable terms with the commander. Stepping forward, Ahsoka noticed Fox flinch as she brought her hand up to caress his cheek. Smiling a kind smile, Ahsoka leaned up and gently kissed the cheek of the clone that was not currently occupied by her other hand. Pulling away, Ahsoka chuckled at the shocked expression, as well as the deep, crimson blush, on Fox's face.
"I forgive you, Fox." After saying this, Ahsoka could feel Fox relax through the force as he returned her kind smile. As Ahsoka began to pass him, Fox realized he never found out why she was there.
"Commander!" he called out, making Ahsoka freeze.
"Please," Ahsoka began, "Just Ahsoka." Perplexed, Fox decided not to push the subject.
"Sorry. Ahsoka," he corrected, "Why exactly are you here?" Ahsoka then tensed up, wondering if she should tell Fox of her intentions. After a brief internal debate, Ahsoka turned back to the red clad trooper, a sad smile of her face.
"I am here to see the boys." Fox offered a knowing smiling, as he knew that Ahsoka was referring to the 501st.
"Telling them you'll be back in no time?" He then noticed Ahsoka's smile fall, which put an uneasy feeling in is stomach. "Ahsoka?" he inquired nervously. After a short period of silence, Fox noticed a tear fall down Ahsoka's cheek as she turned her head halfway back in his direction, not fully meeting his eyes.
"To say goodbye." After recovering from the shock at what was just revealed to him, Fox simply nodded, offering an encouraging smile.
"That's very noble, and I wish you luck for wherever you end up." Returning the smile, Ahsoka offered a small wave of acknowledgement, which was returned by Fox, who was sporting an even wider smile by this point, before putting his helmet back on and walking back toward his office. Ahsoka's smile then fell, as she continued on the long, and emotionally stressful road ahead.
Fox gets a lot of flack for what he's done, so I wanted to give a shot at redemption, and to also show that Ahsoka does not blame him for what happened. Anyway, that's chapter 1 of "A Kiss Goodbye" and stick around to see who else Ahsoka runs into. Until then, May the Force Be With You, and HAPPY READING!
