A/N: Hey there guys... *dodges rotten fruit and various other projectiles* I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I know I haven't updated in forever, but I promise this is not abandoned. Full explanation can be found on my profile, but feel free to PM me about any further questions and/or complaints you have. As usual, comments, questions, reviews, and helpful criticism is always appreciated. Full disclaimer is available on my profile.
(This chapter may be rated T for (slightly) suggestive themes/imagery due to Zeb's fantasies, but there isn't much detail. You have been warned)
Zeb sighed, sitting down on his bed heavily. He didn't like Ahsoka; not like that, at least, he told himself sternly. Besides, if he did, so what? There wasn't anything he could do about it, after all. They were in the middle of a Rebellion, not to mention that she was a Jedi and way out of his league. He didn't have a chance even if he did like her, which he didn't, so it was pointless to dwell on it. Unfortunately, that was easier said than done.
The door slid open suddenly, jolting Zeb out of his unhappy thoughts, and he looked up to see Ezra standing in the doorway.
"Oh. Um, sorry Zeb, I didn't know you were still in here," he apologized, stepping in and letting the door shut behind him. "Have you seen my helmet?"
"It's right here, under this pile of your dirty clothes," Zeb answered drily, kicking at the previously mentioned pile. Ezra grinned sheepishly at him and shrugged, blinking innocently. Zeb rolled his eyes and tossed the helmet to him.
"Thanks, Zeb," Ezra said, turning to the door. He paused before turning around and asking hesitantly, "You like her, don't you? Ahsoka, I mean." Zeb jerked his head up and opened his mouth for a snappy retort when he saw Ezra's face. There was no trace of playfulness, no sign that he was teasing Zeb. All he could see was curiosity and sincerity.
"I don't know," Zeb admitted, rubbing the back of his head with a hand and avoiding the kid's bright eyes. "I admire her, and I think she's really pretty, but I'm not in love with her. I can't be. I mean, we're in the middle of a war! We don't have time-"
"For feelings?" Ezra questioned, raising an eyebrow. "Kanan and Hera seem to find the time." Zeb had to smile at that.
"That's true. But Ahsoka's too busy. She doesn't have time for things like romance and love. Besides, she's way out my league anyway, even if I did love her." Ezra set down his helmet and sat down next to Zeb.
"What do you mean, 'out of your league'?" he asked, staring intensely at Zeb with those blue eyes that seemed like they could pierce your soul. Zeb sighed and shrugged. "You do like her," Ezra continued. "And there's no way to know if she feels the same without asking her."
"Ask her?! Kid, are you crazy? She'd laugh at me!"
"No she wouldn't," Ezra responded calmly. "The worst that could happen is that she'd say no. Besides," he added with a grin. "At least then you won't be moping anymore."
"I'm not moping," Zeb growled playfully, pushing Ezra's shoulder. He turned serious again as he mulled over what Ezra had said. "I guess I could give it a try…" he said reluctantly. Ezra smiled brightly at him before grabbing his helmet and bounding out of the room. With a jolt, Zeb realized that Ezra had gotten him to admit what he refused to say; he was in love with Ahsoka Tano. Zeb squared his shoulders determinedly and headed out of the room to find her.
After a bit of fruitless questioning and some procrastination, a young Twi'lek girl was able to point Zeb in the direction of Commander Sato's office.
"Ahsoka? You mean Fulcrum? She is in the Commander's office," the girl told him in a strong Huttese accent. "They are in a very important meeting, not to be interrupted."
"Thanks," Zeb said distractedly. The girl nodded to him as he turned in the direction she had indicated, arriving quicker than he had anticipated. Now that he was here, Zeb was nervous. He forced himself to take a deep breath and raised a hesitant fist, ready to knock. However, before he could even touch the door, it slid open and Ahsoka stepped out and collided with Zeb, their foreheads smashing together painfully.
"Ow! Oh, sorry Zeb," Ahsoka stepped back, a hand pressed to her forehead and her face screwed up lightly with pain. "I wasn't paying attention. Are you alright?"
"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine," Zeb assured her, rubbing what he was sure would develop into a good-sized knot. He looked up and met Ahsoka's worried and apologetic gaze. "Really," he added. "I'm fine. It doesn' even hurt. Y'know, that badly."
Ahsoka had to grin at that, but she nodded anyway and put a gentle, apologetic hand on his shoulder. Zeb nodded as he felt his face heat up. She was so close that he could see the little red spot forming on her forehead from their collision; he watched as her lips curved slightly in a sympathetic grimace, forming small wrinkles around her nose and between her eyes. She shook her head slightly as if to clear it and the action caused her lekku to shake and shiver slightly. Zeb suddenly found himself fascinated by them, staring at the way they bounced and swayed, his fingers itching to touch them.
Karabast, what's wrong with me? Zeb wondered, unable to tear his gaze away from her swinging lekku, strong and graceful facial features, and tall montrals. He'd been around Hera for years with no problems or weird feelings or this burning need to brush against them, so why did he feel this way now? Why did he suddenly want to feel Ahsoka's lekku? Why did he want to caress them, feel them tremble under his hands as he stroked along them, up their length and past her neck and lips and face, rubbing up her montrals, feel her smooth lekku shivering beneath his palms as he pet them gently, fondly, trail his fingers across her cheeks and trace the curve of her lips…
Zeb snapped himself out of his increasingly passionate fantasies quickly, sure that his face was glowing bright red, fur or no fur. Ahsoka was looking at him strangely and he realized with a jolt that she must have said something to him. Oops.
"Er, ah, sorry, wha' was that?" he asked, feigning nonchalance- and, judging by Ahsoka's amused expression, failing pretty spectacularly.
"I asked if there was something you needed," she said, her hand leaving his shoulder to cover her barely contained laughter. Zeb swallowed and shifted his feet before offering her a tentative grin.
"Well, I was thinkin' earlier that I… enjoyed our practice, er, trainin', and, um, I was wonderin', or at least I thought that you did too. I mean, you said- well, you told me-" At Ahsoka's raised brow he steeled himself and managed to finish, saying, "Do you wanna maybe do somethin' later? Like, the two of us, somewhere fun?" He looked at her hopefully. Ahsoka's wide smile faded and Zeb felt his heart sink.
"Look, Zeb, I'd love to," she began hesitantly. Zeb flattened his ears, bracing himself for the inevitable rebuff. Why had he ever thought that she'd even look twice at him? As if she had heard his thoughts, Ahsoka quickly continued, saying earnestly, "Really I would!
"But I have a mission. I was being debriefed in Commander Sato's office, and I have to leave for Nar Shaddaa soon." To Zeb's surprise, she looked genuinely sorry. "Besides, I'm busy with the Rebellion. I wouldn't… I don't have time for… that stuff." She finished, a slight blush coloring her attractive features.
"That hasn't stopped Kanan and Hera," Zeb pointed out with a wry grin. Ahsoka smiled slightly and Zeb continued, encouraged. "Maybe I could come with you as back-up on your mission," he suggested. "Just in case anything goes wrong. It is Nar Shaddaa, after all." Ahsoka paused and stroked her chin, considering his offer. Zeb crossed his claws and prayed to the Force that she would say yes.
"Well, this mission isn't need-to-know basis," she said slowly, the smile growing on her face as she thought out loud. "I don't see a problem with you tagging along. Besides, you have a point about back-up; going into a cantina on Nar Shaddaa alone isn't the best idea." She shifted closer to him and punched his shoulder lightly, adding teasingly, "I'd welcome the presence of a big, strong Lasat to watch my back."
"I'll go tell Hera and get the supplies we'll need," Zeb offered, trying to ignore his heart's frantic thumping at Ahsoka's closeness and the prospect of going on a mission with her. Alone.
"I'll inform Commander Sato of the changes in the plan," Ahsoka told him with a nod, stepping away from him and turning serious once more. Zeb pushed away the sinking feeling growing in his stomach and forced himself to pay attention as she continued.
"I'll fill you in on all the details in the shuttle. Meet me in the hangar when you're ready." Zeb nodded his response and watched her re-enter Commander Sato's office before trotting back towards the Ghost, excitement building in his chest.