There might be language here too. Just saying. Also, this is the end of the story. There could be more, but I like how this story ends here. A sequel may or may not happen. I hope you all enjoyed it, and thanks for waiting through my long break!
Anakin moved to follow her, but Padmé put a hand on his shoulder. "No, Ani. I should talk to her."
"What?" Anakin took his wife's hand. "She's my Padawan. And she shouldn't have thrown a temper tantrum like that." Padmé shook her head.
"No, she shouldn't have. But she really doesn't want to see you now. She'll respond more to a woman." Anakin was going to argue, but he had to admit that Ahsoka had exhausted him, and he was willing to give someone else a chance to fight.
"Alright."
Padmé kissed the palm of his hand, and turned to Rex. "Captain…I apologize for the night…"
He held up a hand. "No need, m'lady. In fact, I found to be much easier to handle than what was earlier at the masque."
Padmé looked back towards Anakin. "Oh, right…what happened with Ahsoka…"
Anakin frowned. "Yeah, she showed me your pill, Padmé. By the way, when did you get that?"
Padmé waved a hand. "Oh, Ani. That's nothing. I've always had some. When I entered the public sphere, and eventually became queen, my advisors thought it would be best to protect myself and my family to have something like that. She showed you it. Did she need it?"
Anakin shook his head. "She says no. But I think she might need a doctor just…" he trailed off.
"Anakin. You didn't talk to her, did you?"
"Yes, I did. She's my Padawan, I should know how she is."
Padmé went to her room, but turned before she entered. "Wait…Anakin. You thought I'd had the medicine for us?"
Anakin shifted uncomfortably. "Yes."
She looked at him in disgust. "When would we ever use it? You're always too tired…"
Anakin's eyes widened. "Padmé!"
Rex was still laughing when Padmé entered the room.
Ahsoka was out on the balcony, sitting on the edge with her legs tucked up. She had Anakin's cape tucked up around to ward off the cold evening air. Padmé looked at the chrono next to her bed. It was still hours until sunrise.
She walked out onto the balcony and sat on a chair. Ahsoka didn't move.
"Anakin loves you in every way he possibly can, Ahsoka," she started. "He views you more than just a pupil. You are his little sister. I never have seen him prouder than when he talks about you. He never has, and never will wish to intentionally hurt you."
Ahsoka still didn't answer, but shifted so Padmé couldn't see the side of her face anymore. Padmé tried again.
"I have a sister, Ahsoka, and two nieces. I can play bitch right back at you."
Ahsoka lifted her head slightly, startled at Padmé's language. This was enough for Padmé. She'd witnessed this behavior in her sister as they were young, and recognized it in her nieces when they fought each other or were over-tired. Sometimes, Padmé thought, bitchiness is a virtue.
"Fine," she said aloud. "For example, you are a spoiled brat."
Ahsoka turned her face. "Me? I was raised in the Temple. You were queen at the age of fourteen, and had servants to cater to your every whim. Who's the spoiled brat now?"
Padmé let out a low laugh. "And the annoying floozy speaks!"
"Hey!" Ahsoka shot back. "Where did that come from?"
"You want to talk about sirens and harlots? Ahsoka, honey…you're a tease. I mean," Padmé motioned to Ahsoka. "What is up with your choice of attire? Most other female Jedi I know wear tunics, like Obi-Wan's."
Ahsoka snorted. "Yeah, because they stifle their femininity. The Jedi strive for equality, but in it forget individual voice. I am a woman! Why do I have to wear what is dictated proper by a man?" She swung her legs over the railing.
"Besides, I was given great weapons. I know it, and I know how dangerous they are." She huffed.
Padmé smiled. "I know, right? Men are jealous. They actually have to work to get what they want. For example, this outdoor set…"she motioned to the table and chairs. "Paid nothing but a bat of an eyelash."
Ahsoka laughed. "Really? Don't you think that's…well, isn't that against what you stand for? You're using your body to get what you want."
Padmé shook a finger. "Ahsoka, I would never do that. I am exercising my gift as a woman to remind men that they want to do these things for me. They just forgot."
Ahsoka laughed again and moved to the chair next to Padmé. "I like how you put that."
Padmé smiled. "Equality is a long way off, Ahsoka. I am still ignored in many committees because of my sex. We just have to learn to deal with it and move through it until that day comes, if ever. And as far as your 'weapons'…" she motioned to Ahsoka's chest. "Is that why you agreed to this assignment? Did you feel empowered?"
Ahsoka thought for a moment. "In a sense…yeah. I mean, it was my choice to agree."
"Even though the Council placed it before you?"
Ahsoka nodded. "Yeah. I mean…I'm pretty certain there were, or would be, a lot of Jedi who disagreed with what I did. And I think it was outside the rules…or at least in that grey area. But we got something done, no one was killed, and I think, for once, we succeeded without any problems."
"So…you bent the rules. You chose."
Ahsoka looked down at her hands. "That's different."
"How so?" Padmé asked softly.
Ahsoka didn't answer. Padmé could tell that door that was opened was closing quickly. She tried a different angle.
"Are you angry at what Anakin did? Or are you angry that it was with me?"
Ahsoka's faced flushed. "Padmé…I'm really sorry about what I said. I don't think you're a harlot. Or a siren."
"Ahsoka, it's alright. You were upset. And I don't blame you. Anakin didn't pick the right time to tell you. I had actually hoped to do it differently."
Ahsoka looked back at Padmé. "You've been wanting to tell me for a while?"
Padmé nodded. "Oh, yes. I love the time we spend together, and it was hard when I couldn't talk about Anakin with you."
"What do you mean?"
Padmé smiled. "You know how he talks in his sleep, right?"
Ahsoka nodded. "I don't like it when we have to share a sleeping space. He keeps me up."
"Have you ever tried talking back to him?"
"Only to tell him to shut-it."
Padmé laughed. "Well…next time he does it, start asking him questions. He talks often about showing up naked for an exam."
Ahsoka laughed. "I'll have to remember that!"
"So…are you angry at Anakin?"
Ahsoka shrugged. "I don't know who I'm angry at."
"Try thinking this way: how has it changed him? Ahsoka, we've been married for well over a year. Knowing this now and looking back on your time with him…has he acted in any way contrary to what a 'proper Jedi' should?"
Ahsoka thought. "Well…you mean besides his impulsiveness and some of his ideas? No…I guess not."
"So then how has he changed now?"
Ahsoka growled slightly, a noise Padmé had heard before when they talked about deep matters. Ahsoka stood up and paced. "I guess I'm not mad at him either."
Padmé tilted her head. "Then what is it? Obi-Wan?"
Ahsoka shook her head, "No! Not him, of course not."
"Captain Rex?"
Ahsoka stopped her pacing. She turned and leaned on the balcony railing. "Yeah…"
Padmé nodded, though Ahsoka couldn't see her. She suspected this. "He told you he loved you, didn't he? He didn't wait, he was impulsive. Inconsiderate of you and your position."
Ahsoka turned towards Padmé, surprised. "Well…yeah…yes. That's exactly it. How did you know?"
"Those were my feelings when Anakin first kissed me on Naboo, and again when he tried to talk to me about it. It wasn't fair then, and it isn't fair now for you. But Ahsoka, you need to remember…he does love you. And, in all of his impulsiveness, can you return the feeling?"
For what seemed like the tenth time that night, Ahsoka felt tears come to her eyes again. She hadn't cried this much in her life, not even when she was a small child. Instead of holding them in, however, it felt refreshing to let them fall.
"I can. But I don't know if I can act on them."
Padmé stood and wrapped her arms around the slim girl. Anakin never feeds her, she reflected. "And that choice is for you and you alone to make. Whatever your decision, know that Anakin and I will support you. As for Rex…he will respect you. But you do owe him to let him know where you stand. Don't brush him aside. It will only make it worse."
Ahsoka nodded. There was a soft knock on the inside door to the sitting room. Ahsoka wiped her face as Padmé went to answer it. Anakin stood, his hands behind his back and looking at his feet.
"Obi-Wan and the Queen just arrived. They are talking to Master Plo about retrieving her children, and then we need to leave for the Temple. There, she's going to declare sanctuary and defect."
Padmé placed a hand on Anakin's shoulder. "Thank you, Ani. We'll be right out."
Anakin looked up and tried to find Ahsoka. "Is she ok?"
Padmé pulled him in. "She is just fine. Ahsoka, Obi-Wan and the Queen are here."
Ahsoka came from the balcony. "I heard. I'm ready to go."
Anakin stood back by the door. "Are you sure?"
Ahsoka frowned. "I'm sick of that question. Yes, I am sure."
Padmé put an arm around Ahsoka's waist, and Ahsoka returned the gesture. Anakin just shook his head. "I'm never going to understand women. One minute, you hate each other, and the next you are 'besties' and dancing on sunshine and rainbows."
Ahsoka cocked her head. "Master, I was never mad at Padmé."
"But…" Anakin sputtered. "You called her a harlot!"
"And she called me a spoiled brat, and now we're even." The two moved past Anakin who stood with his mouth open.
"Well…are you made at me?"
"Nope," she answered over her shoulder.
Anakin followed, shaking his head again.
When they entered the living chamber, Obi-Wan was finishing a conversation with a holographic Plo Koon, and the Queen and Rex were talking lightly about Rex's childhood as a clone.
"In my mind, it feels like a full twenty years. I try not to think about that I am actually only ten. It's too much to think about," he was saying. When he noticed Ahsoka entered. He stood suddenly. The Queen turned.
"Ahsoka!" Enys stood. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah. He fell asleep."
Enys rolled her eyes. "And he wonders why he doesn't have more children. Well, I am glad to see you are fine."
Obi-Wan turned. "Queen Enys, Plo and his fleet will have collected your children within the hour. They will meet us at the Temple in two standard days."
Enys smiled relief. "Thank you, Master Jedi. I don't want to think about how my actions would fall on the Princesses or Prince."
Obi-Wan nodded and then frowned when he saw Padmé and Ahsoka still in their half hug. "Afraid you'll each float away?"
Padmé smiled as she gave Ahsoka one last squeeze and let go. "No, just some de-briefing. Female de-briefing."
The word 'female' was all Obi-Wan needed to hear to know that he didn't want to hear anymore. At least Ahsoka had somewhere to turn that wasn't a man.
"Well then…we need to progress towards the Temple. Padmé, if you wouldn't mind, may we borrow your transport? It's a little more covered then the one we brought from the Temple."
Padmé nodded. "Of course. We'll switch back in the morning."
Obi-Wan lead the Queen to the transport and helped her inside. When he was out of sight, Anakin leaned in and kissed Padmé good-bye.
Ahsoka made a gagging noise. "Hey, Sky Guy. PDA."
Surprised, Anakin pulled away. "What? I thought…"
Ahsoka laughed and hit him lightly in the arm. "Just because Padmé talked me into you guys doesn't mean I want to see that."
Anakin rolled his eyes, and shoved her away. "Whatever, Snips," he smiled.
Rex cleared his throat. He was waiting for his orders. Ahsoka stopped smiling and looked down. Anakin chose to not notice.
"Rex, you'll still be needed in the Temple in the morning. That room you were in is still open, come back and have some real food…is it just me or was that stuff at the Masque terrible?
The Captain was about to refuse, but something in him tugged him to stay. He turned to where Obi-Wan had headed. "Thank you, General."
Anakin hugged Padmé one last time and followed Ahsoka out to the platform. He hung an arm around her shoulder. "What changed your mind?" He asked lowly.
Ahsoka kept her eyes down. "I never was turned off to the idea, Master. We figured that out. I was mad about something else. I'm sorry if I disrespected you in any way."
He looked down at her and nudged her so she'd look up. Pointing with his head, he motioned towards Rex's back. Ahsoka nodded.
"It's all ok, Snips," he replied. They walked up the ramp and he stretched his arms out as he sat in the pilot's seat, Obi-Wan on his right.
"For once, it's actually all ok!" He laughed. Obi-Wan rolled his eyes. "You're provoking your luck, Anakin."
Anakin did his best Ki Adi Mundi. "Jedi do not need luck." They pulled away from the platform.
Ahsoka tried to fight back the feeling of Déjà Vu, but she couldn't help it. Rolling over from her back to her side on the sleep couch in her room in the Temple, she looked at her chrono. The sun was up by now. In a few hours, they would be summoned to the Council for de-briefing. She was tired, and could feel it, but she also knew this was probably her last chance. She was certain in her decision, she knew, but still her hands shook as she pulled on her boots.
Her door slid open silently and she looked up and down the hall. Satisfied she was alone, she closed her door. Walking silently, she went to Rex's door and knocked softly. After a moment, Rex opened it. His eyes were heavy, but Ahsoka could tell he hadn't been sleeping either. His shirt was on this time.
"Ahsoka?" He whispered, surprised.
"Can I come in?"
He could only nod and move aside. Ahsoka entered. Rex's armor was in a pile on one side of the room, and his dirty Masquerade costume in a pile by the sleep couch. He was in his sleep fatigues.
"Wow. You're messy."
Rex grunted. He didn't know how to respond to that. On one hand, he was angry with Ahsoka and how he'd made a fool of himself in front of her and Anakin. On the other, he was so overjoyed that she was here. At the moment, it didn't matter what she wanted to talk about. Just as long as they were talking, he was happy.
When he didn't respond, Ahsoka moved to the desk in the room and pulled out the chair. She moved it to the bed.
"Rex, you should sit."
He obeyed and sat on the bed across from her, but kept his eyes down, as though his hands were suddenly the most important thing in the universe.
"Rex, look at me."
When his brown eyes met hers, Ahsoka's breath was caught in her chest. She had been ready. She was going to scold him for his impulsiveness, and deny his advance. She admitted to herself that she loved him, sure. But it couldn't work. It just can't work, she thought. It's against the Code. In that moment, though…forget the Code. This is what Padmé meant.
Before she knew what she was doing, she said quietly, "Rex. I love you too."
Rex's eyes widened, and a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "You…you do, huh, kid? Well…what does that mean?"
Ahsoka took a deep breath. "I don't know, Rex. I mean…in a few hours, after we're done with the Council, you'll have to go back to the barracks. I'll stay with Anakin until we have to go off somewhere, and then you have to be a Captain, and I am a Commander."
Rex reached out with his hand, hesitated, then took hers. "Yes. It'll be hard."
Ahsoka looked at her hand, small in his large muscular one. He had calluses in places where his DC-17s hit, different from where the calluses her lightsaber made. She liked how his hand felt, and liked even more the electricity it sent through her arm, to her heart, and pumped through her whole body.
"Yes, it will," she repeated. He moved close to her.
"I feel confident, though, that we will make it through. Each battle, each separation."
"Yeah…" She leaned in. "Will you still be able to take orders from me?"
He grinned. "Well, it'll be hard, kid. But I think I can do it."
She smiled back, but realized how close his face was and started to shake.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing…I'm just really happy."
"Good. I'm happy too."
At that, he pulled her in closer, and kissed her fully on the lips. Ahsoka's heart exploded into more joy and love than she had ever experienced before. A new emotion mixed in as well, and she was frightened, but at the same time she knew she wouldn't stop.
Rex put his arms around her, and pulled her closer, laying down on his sleep couch. They laid there for long, blessed moments, stealing all the time they could, knowing each moment, each new experience was as precious as water in a desert. It could be days or weeks until they saw each other again. After they had explored this new wondrous thing, they collapsed into a deep, sweet sleep.
Ahsoka blinked awake as she groggily tried to place the beeping noise. Rex grunted as she moved. "Blasted comlink," he muttered.
"Shh. It's probably Anakin for the de-briefing." She answered the call. "Yes, Master?"
"Ahsoka, the Council wants to see us in twenty minutes. Will you wake Rex too?"
"Yes, Master," she ended the call.
Stretching, Rex grunted again. "I didn't realize how much I drank last night. Ugh…I don't want to do that again."
Ahsoka slid out of the sleep couch and put on her boots. A slight throb was behind her eyes and she felt queasy. "I know. You don't have to yell."
Rex chuckled. "I wasn't yelling," he whispered.
She swatted his arm. "I'll be back in ten minutes. We'll grab something quick to eat then?"
Rex nodded, then suddenly reached up to her and pulled her into a kiss. She pushed him away and smiled.
"Ten minutes, Captain."
After she was gone, Rex went into his refresher for a shower. When he got out, he placed a quick call to the Torrent Company, letting them know he would be back in the late afternoon. He then placed another call to Cody, asking to meet up later. Rex hadn't decided if he was going to tell his good friend yet. But it would be good to see him. Ahsoka was soon outside his door again, and they walked towards the kitchen.
Rex wasn't surprised to see Obi-Wan and Anakin there. They were sitting in a familiar spot and he and Ahsoka joined them after gathering their meal.
"Where's the Queen?" Ahsoka asked with a mouthful.
Obi-Wan swallowed his blue milk. "She will meet us in the Council Room. You didn't sleep, I see."
Ahsoka looked up. "What? No, I was in my room."
Obi-Wan frowned. "I meant you look tired."
Anakin jumped in. "Well, you look like hell too, Master. I'm sure we all do."
Obi-Wan rolled his eyes. "Let's go."
Ahsoka shoved three more forks-full of food in her mouth before following Anakin to dump her tray. Anakin waited behind Obi-Wan to watch Ahsoka. After she dumped her tray, she playfully moved into Rex's path. Instead of talking her down, his Captain poked her side, causing her to squeal slightly and jump to the side. Both were smiling.
Anakin smiled too and turned after Obi-Wan. This had been a good mission.
