Facing This Past

by Artemis the Rebel

In this short story, Ahsoka Tano decides that she must go after the Sith Lord she sensed during the attack on the rebel fleet and sets out with the faithful Captain Rex at her side. Will she accept who he really is, what he has done, and what he is now - and be able to let go of what they used to be? My best guess on what will happen in the show when Ahsoka and Vader finally meet.

1. Chapter 1

1

There are questions, Ahsoka Tano had told the Ghost crew. Questions that need to be answered.

What she had sensed during the Sith Lord's attack on the rebel fleet... a mind corrupted by the Dark Side... a mind that was horribly familiar, and yet so drastically different than it had once been.

Ahsoka knew, deep within herself, that Sith Lord's true identity.

No. I don't know, she thought suddenly, desperately, for the millionth time. I don't know who he is. But the time has come for me to find out.

The tall Togruta woman walked briskly through the command ship's docking bay. A starfighter awaited her there - as did an old friend.

He was garbed from head to toe in his armor, even his helmet placed upon his head. He held his hand in a salute as she approached.

Ahsoka paused, feeling a pang of nostalgia, gratitude, and love at the sight of him standing there.

But she had to decline him.

"Rex," she said softly, her voice cracking. This would truly be the last time she ever saw her dear friend. "You can't go with me."

"Sure I can," Rex scoffed, patting the blaster at his side. "Wherever you're going, sir, I'm going too. We'll fight together to the end."

Tears gathered at the corners of Ahsoka's bright blue eyes. "I'm going somewhere you cannot follow."

Rex folded his arms. "No such place, sir. I've been on almost every planet in the galaxy, and so long as Ahsoka Tano is at my side, then there's nowhere else I wouldn't go."

The tears trickled down the sides of Ahsoka's face. "I'm going to search for a Sith Lord, Rex," she whispered. "And I won't be coming back."

Rex was silent and still for a long time.

Ahsoka approached the starfighter. Just as she was beginning to climb inside, however, Rex caught her shoulder.

Ahsoka stopped and looked down at him.

Rex pulled off his helmet with his free hand and stared back up at her, his dark eyes full of emotion.

"Sir," he told her, his voice firm despite its softness, "when I mean nowhere, I mean nowhere."

Fresh tears spilled heavily over Ahsoka's cheekbones. She gripped Rex's hand tightly.

"If you are certain, Rex," she murmured, "then to nowhere it is."