Tom's POV
Tom hasn't seen Ahsoka in a month. He missed her. He hasn't been able to visit her. He's been inrolled into regular school with his twin cousins. They had been let out of school for the week to repair the platform. He asked his aunt if he could go to Naboo to see Ahsoka. She said he could if he took the twins with him. She wanted to be alone with his uncle. He wasn't able to leave until Tuesday. They are now in hyperspace. They navicomputer indicates they should get there in an hour.
Ahsoka's POV
Ahsoka awoke to the ususal pair of ocean blue eyes of her new fiance. She smiled at him.
"Hey." She kissed him.
"Hey." She looked out the window, then back at him. "What time is it? The sun's not even up."
"4:00. I have to leave early. I came by to say bye." She frowned when she was reminded he had to leave. "Don't look so sad. I'm not going away forever."
"But every time you leave, it feels like you're never coming back."
"But I always do. Ahsoka, nothing, not even death, will ever keep me away from you. I love you and I will always be around when you need me."
"I know. I love you too." They kissed one last time.
"I'll be back as soon as I can." He got up and left. Ahsoka laid back down and tried to go back to sleep.
Tom's POV
They just got to Naboo. It was about time. He was tired of hearing Nia and Lea argue back and forth about the stupidest of things. When they landed, they stopped. He got the speeder out the back of the ship and headed for the pregnancy center.
"Could we at least get something to eat first? I'm pretty sure Ahsoka's still asleep by now." Nia did her usual complaining.
"She's right, Tom. It's 5:00 in the morning and she's pregnant. You won't miss anything. Can we just stop somewhere & get something to eat."
"Why the hell did we leave so early in the first place? The sun's not even up."
"Would you shut up already? All you do is complain. Can you shut up for five minutes, please?"
"Whatever." She sat back and sulked in her seat. Tom pulled into a diner. They sat at a table. Nia got up to go to the restroom.
"Tom, I know you're a little ticked off at Nia."
"Ticked off? I'm passed ticked."
"I know, but you have to understand. Nia wasn't always like this. Before this stage, she was actually like me. Wearing bright clothes, nice to everyone, always on a good mood."
"Can't imagine her being like that."
"I'm serious. Nia was actually happy before."
"Well, what happened?"
"When our dad got his promotion, he barely had time for us anymore. Nia was always a daddy's girl. She went into a depression after that, until she met Luke."
"Who's Luke?"
"He was her boyfriend. When he came along, we thought Nia was finally going back to her normal self. And she was."
"Did he break up with her?"
"We wished. Luke's parents had a past that they were trying to keep him away from. Nia and Luke was on a date. On their way home, a bounty hunter shot him from his speeder. It was a drive by. Nia tried to call for help, but by the time anyone got there, he was gone. He died in her arms. After that, she was never the same. She shuts everyone out to prevent having an attachment to them. She has this thing where she feels when she's close with someone, they leave her."
"I had no idea. I feel like an idiot for yelling at her."
"You're not an idiot, Tom. You couldn't have known. We don't talk about it because every time we do around her, she only gets worse. The worst she's gotten was the dark clothes and bad attitude."
"So, if I mention him..."
"She'll probably start cutting herself."
"When did this happen?"
"Almost three years ago. Every year on the anniversary of his death, she goes to his grave and releases black balloons. One for every year he's been dead. The next anniversary is next month. We support her. Me and my mom go with her. My dad never has time for it. He doesn't even know she does this. We didn't bother telling him because he's never around to be with us."
"I guess I thought she was born like that."
"No, but I just wish that she'll find someone else that'll snap her out of this phase. I hate seeing her like this. I go around pretending that she was born like that to forget the horrible experience she went through. Can you imagine what it's like to have the one you love die in your arms?"
"I only can imagine. If Ahsoka died in my arms, I would never be the same either."
"Exactly, so can you be a little more compassionate towards her. And don't tell her I told you this. I don't want her to get worse if he's mentioned."
"Yeah. I'll try." Nia came back when try were finished talking.
"What were you two talking about?"
"Nothing, really. It's not important."
"Whatever."
When they were finished eating, Nia and Lea decided they wanted to let him have his alone time with Ahsoka. He dropped them off in TownSquare where they would have a lot of things to do. Tom went to the pregnancy center by himself. He hoped he wouldn't run into Clare. Unfortunately for him, she was the first one he met.
"Hey, Tom. Ahsoka didn't tell us you were coming over."
"She doesn't know I'm here. I wanted to surprise her."
"Ooh, you like to surprise girls. How romantic."
"Ahsoka and I are just friends, Clare."
"I know, but the thought's still nice."
"Yeah. So, where is Ahsoka?"
"Sleep. Why don't you hang out with me until she wakes up?"
"Clare, stop flirting with Tom." Trekkie came down the stairs.
"I can't help that he's cute."
"Clare, shoo."
"Alright. If you need me, I'll be in the main room." She walked off. Tom sighed in relief.
"Thanks, Trekkie. I owe you one."
"Yes, you do. Come on. I'll take you to Ahsoka. She could use some cheering up."
"Why's that?"
"Anakin left this morning. She was upset that he had to leave. She said something about him going to Christophisis."
"Is she up?"
"Yeah. He came this morning to say bye. She couldn't go back to sleep. She's wide awake now."
"How's she been?"
"I don't want to give anything away, so I'll let her tell you." Trekkie opened the door to her and Ahsoka's room. Tom saw her sitting up on the bed writing in her journal. She didn't look up when the door opened.
"Hey, Soka." She looked up and saw Tom. Her face lit up. She dropped her notebook and ran to him with open arms. Tom picked her up and hugged her.
"Oh my Force, Tom. What are you doing here?"
"Can't a man come see his best friend?" She rolled her eyes.
"I wouldn't exactly say you're a man, Tom."
"Hey, I'm eightteen."
"That makes you legal. That doesn't make you a man."
"Don't start with me." She rolled her eyes again.
"So, how long are you going to be here?"
"I'll be here the rest of the week. The only way I could come is if I brought the twins with me."
"And where are they?"
"I dropped them off in TownSquare. Today, you and I will get caught up on what happened over that past month."
"What did you have in mind?"
"Maybe we could take a walk through the park. I know how much you love nature."
"You remembered."
"Of course I did."
"Alright. Wait downstairs. I'll be down in a minute."
"Actually, could I stay in here? I won't look."
"Tom!"
"I just really don't want to run into Clare again. She was flirting with me as soon as I walked in the door." She giggled.
"You're more than capable to take care of yourself. Plus, just give her a chance. Clare is a real sweety, but she flirts a little too hard. That's only because she's nervous. Just talk to her."
"Okay, I'll take your word on it. But if she tries anything, you owe me one."
"Would you just go?"
"Alright." He left so she could change.
Ahsoka's POV
Ahsoka got up and went to her closet, looking for something appropriate to wear.
"Going out, Ahsoka?" She turned and there was Padme again.
"You know, I've gotten use to that now."
"Ahsoka, what are you doing? You're engaged, to Anakin."
"Tom's just a friend. You don't have to worry."
"I don't trust him."
"Well, I do. I've known Tom for years. I know he still has feelings for me, but..."
"Have feelings for you? The boy's in love with you. Don't you remember what happened at the beach house?"
"I try not to think about it."
"Ahsoka."
"Look, Padme, I know Tom made a made a mistake, but all is forgiven and forgotten. We just dropped it."
"All I'm saying is, be careful. I don't want you to get hurt."
"Tom's not going to hurt me. Not again."
"I hope you're right, Ahsoka." She faded away.
"I hope so, too." By now, Ahsoka had on a red tube top that went a little past her hips. She had on a pair of acid washed jeans with red flats. She grabbed her purse off the nightstand. She saw the pictures of the babies and her engagment ring. She wondered if she should bring them. Padme came back.
"What are you thinking?"
"I don't know. Would it be the right time to tell him?"
"I think it's best if he knew." Ahsoka sighed.
"You're probably right. If he knew, maybe it'll help him move on." She grabbed the ring and slid it on her finger. She grabbed the baby pictures and stuck them in her purse. She went downstairs to find Tom talking to Clare. They were engaged in deep conversation. Maybe he'll finally move on. She approached them.
"Hey, Ahsoka. You were right. Clare really is a sweet and calm person."
"I told you. You ready to go?"
"Yeah. Let's go." Clare held Ahsoka's arm.
"Go ahead and start up your speeder. I need to have a little word with her."
"Alright." He went outside.
"You talked about me?"
"You were scaring him. I told him how you really were and to give you a chance."
"Thank you SO much. I owe you big time for this."
"Yes, you do. I'll see you later."
"Don't be hittin on my man, now."
"I'm engaged and pregnant. I'm good."
"Alright. I'll see you guys later." Ahsoka went to Tom's speeder.
"Ready?"
"Let's go."
Will Ahsoka tell Tom about her engagment? How would he react? Will Padme ever reveal herself to anyone besides Anakin and Ahsoka? R&R
