Cozzizzie: Yes! *Grins* Sorry about the teasing... This is the last chapter, and then there's an epilogue after this! And then voila! Thank you for sticking with this story...

The main square of Coruscant city was made into a sort of spectator's view for the senators and chancellor. A temporary, see through dome had been put up around it, and the temperature was controlled, and brought to a pleasant temperature. In the far side of the dome, a band played soft, pleasant tunes.

The lights were dimmed, and the show was to begin in only a matter of minutes. Everyone was waiting expectantly. Some people talked pleasantly, a few danced in the designated area. Anakin, Rex, and several men from the 501st, were with the Chancellor.

Ahsoka spun in a slow circle, looking at each of the guests, just as she'd been doing since the sun had gone down. She bit her lip and crossed her arms. The soft material of her dress rubbed gently against her skin. He wasn't here yet—or, she hadn't seen him.

Scattered around the dome, clones stood around, also scanning the crowd. Though they were looking for potential threats, and Ahsoka was looking for… Cody. She tapped into the Force, looking for Cody's Force signature. But with so many people—many of whom were Jedi—it was like looking for a raindrop in an ocean. She sighed.

In her distraction, she bumped into none other than Luston. "Oh, I'm sorry."

He spun and looked down at her.

She didn't have to see his face to know he was frowning under his helmet. "Have you ever been to the Light Festival before?"

"No."

"Ah…" Ahsoka crossed her arms over her chest. She shifted away from him, but didn't leave. "Well, it's… nice. You might enjoy it."

Luston nodded.

"How is Master Kenobi? He must be here… but I haven't seen him in a few days."

"He's fine. Doing his job."

Ahsoka frowned slightly. "I am doing what my Master told me to do. Is that all right, Commander?" Ahsoka asked, trying to keep her annoyance at bay. She breathed in deeply, breathing out the negative emotion.

"Of course, Commander Tano. But isn't it your job to stay with him—even if he says you can wander?"

Ahsoka smiled. "It's my job to watch his back." She turned, pointedly waving at Anakin. He smiled and waved back at her. "He's right there. If he needs me, I'll know."

"Yes-Sir."

"So…"

"Commander Tano; I have a job to do." He snarled, pushing past her.

Luston ran straight into another armored man. Only, his armor was much different from the commander's – though still white. Luston grunted in surprise then attempted moving past the newcomer. His attempts were blocked. They were the same height; the other man bumped his plated chest against Luston's. The man was in Luston's face, and he tried to keep his temper in check. Still, a scowl settled on his face. "Why don't you move?"

"Oh, am I in your way, sir?"

"I suggest you get out of it."

"Yeah, let me do that right now-…" The bounty hunter stepped back. Luston tried to move past again, and the man instantly stepped in front of him. "Whoops."

Ahsoka looked between the two men—the clone, and a Mandalorian—and stepped forward. There was something familiar about the man. "Luston, just let it go." She looked with curiosity at the man. He seemed… safe, to her.

"But, Sir…"

"That's an order, Luston."

Luston growled and backed up a few steps, then spun on a heel and strode away.

Ahsoka smiled up at the Mandalorian. "I suppose I should thank you—Luston's a bit… cold." She laughed. She wanted to ask if she knew him… she did. She was sure.

The man scowled underneath his helmet as he watched Luston's retreating back. He was no commander, just a glorified Shiny. The newcomer seemed to pause for a few moments before pulling his mind back to where he was. His heart picked up. She was… His mouth went dry. She didn't even recognize him, and he couldn't seem to make his tongue function.

Ahsoka stared at him through the Force. His Force signature was similar to… but… She stepped forward, dress twirling and swaying lightly around her ankles. "Cody?" Her voice dropped to a whisper.

"What?" The man barely pulled himself from his stupor. "Ah, right." He moved his hands up and pulled off the helmet; everyone was preoccupied, too much so to notice him. "You…" He laughed quietly and ran a hand through his hair, eyes momentarily flickering down then back up.

Ahsoka felt a cool energy pulse through her. Her skin tingled. Before she really knew what she was doing, she threw her arms around him, leaning her head against his armored chest. "You like it?" she muttered quietly.

"Like – yeah," Cody didn't stop the grin. He moved his arms around the shorter woman, looking down at the top of her head. His heart hammered. He wondered if it was loud enough to be heard through the armor.

Ahsoka pulled back and looked up at him. The people around them seemed to fade. The festival had begun… floating light outside the dome exploded with millions of colors in the night sky; Ahsoka barely noticed it. "I was afraid you wouldn't make it…"

"Course I made it." Cody moved a hand to the side of her face, half beneath one of her montrails.

Ahsoka put one hand over his, smiling up at him. "I missed you—It's been so… It hasn't been the same without you. I was afraid I'd never see you again…"

His heart fell for the briefest of seconds. He still remembered what he told Boba – this was probably the last time they would see each other. He tried to push it back into one of the mental boxes far away from the forefront of his mind. "Want to see the lights outside?" He held his other hand forward.

Ahsoka nodded, smiling.

Cody took her hand, suspiciously eyeing the crowd. Eventually he saw a way out that led to the back entrance. He started walking, turning back to look at Ahsoka.

Ahsoka moved along beside him, dress swaying lightly as she walked. They headed toward the exit. On their way, Ahsoka spotted a teen nod to Cody. She glanced at Cody, then at the teen again. She didn't need to ask to know who it was. He looked… older than the last time she'd seen him.

Cody returned the nod. They made it to the door and he held it open, motioning for her to go first.

Ahsoka stepped out into the dark, chilly air. Lights of varying colors brightened the way as she stood outside. She rubbed a hand over her bare shoulder. It was a bit cooler than she'd expected it to be, but the excitement had her feeling as though she was up in the stars. She was still beaming.

Cody took his cloak off and instead draped it over her shoulders. He stared at her eyes for a long moment, a warm glow settling in his own amber ones. Energy pulsed with the beating of his heart.

Ahsoka pulled the cloak around her shoulders. She held his gaze. In another moment, she was on the tips of her toes, both arms around his neck. Her lips were inches away from his; she paused. Eyelashes fluttered slowly over blue eyes. If he didn't really feel the same way, should she stop…

Surprise was the clone's initial reaction. She was warm; her breath against his skin. He felt… dizzy. Cody put both hands on either side of her face, under her montrails – pressing his lips against hers. He could hardly stand touches since the incident; yet now adrenaline flowed through his veins, pulsing down his arms, a warmth growing in his chest.

Ahsoka leaned in. Her eyes closed and her heart raced. The Jedi forbade love of this kind; but in this moment, she knew she'd never felt anything more naturally right.

A quiet cough drew their attention. Ahsoka gasped, pulling back slightly and turning to see none other than Tup. She almost wanted to laugh.

Tup coughed again. He gaped, seeming to be searching for the correct words.

Cody both laughed and winced. "On your way, soldier."

"Yes-sir." It was habit. Tup looked barely conscious as he began shuffling forward, moving towards the door.

Ahsoka let out a breath, and let her head rest against Cody's chest. "Tup always did have the worst timing."

Cody shook his head, eyes closing as he grinned. He had dropped his helmet somewhere from point A to point B – he didn't want to move to pick it up just yet. He put his hands on her back.

Ahsoka let her hands find his shoulders again. "So…" she smiled.

"You're beautiful," he spoke, saying what he'd not managed to earlier.

Ahsoka felt heat creep to her cheeks. Her montrails and lekku darkened and she smiled. "Thank you," she wasn't sure if she'd actually spoken.

He rubbed his hand against her back, the material of the dress felt course against his glove. He pulled back and kissed her forehead, staying like that for long seconds.

"I love you." She never expected it—truly. Only a few months ago, she'd known very little about him… but in the past months, things had changed. Now, nothing felt the same at all—it was better.

"I love you too – Ahsoka." The name was all-but purred, his accent brought out.

Ahsoka leaned against him, closing her eyes. The music in the dome drifted quietly to them; like something from a distant dream… something Ahsoka had never let herself think of before. She didn't want to move—she didn't want it to be over. How could she just… go back?

Cody's heart continuously raced. He couldn't seem to calm it, and he didn't wish to try. "You can keep the armor…" There was something… foreign in his voice.

"M'kay…" Ahsoka answered—if it could be called an answer. She didn't move.

"Cloak, too."

"Thank you—it's warm," Ahsoka smiled up at him, blinking slowly.

"Yeah, 's isn't it…"

Ahsoka laughed quietly. "Mhm…" She breathed a quiet sigh.

He knew, logically, he would have to leave. Before he or Boba were recognized. The lights still shone around them, brilliant hues lighting the darkness. They would have to say it; again. It was ripping his chest apart.

Ahsoka Sensed the apprehension. She frowned slightly. Ahsoka knew—she knew that Cody couldn't stay. She felt her heart drop. It wasn't safe for him to stay… She could feel the words coming—but she refused to hear or say them just yet.

"What's your favorite color?" Cody's words were random to say the least – and whispered, his breath against her montrails. He didn't know. There were things he'd never known, and he wished to know before the sun woke.

Ahsoka repressed a shiver. "Would I be lying if I said pink?" She smiled.

"You tell me." He smiled slightly, but it didn't reach his eyes.

"Sentimentally speaking, it comes a close second to orange…" she whispered.

Cody moved back, his hands on either side of her face once again. He needed to get his helmet. He needed to leave. He leaned forward, his lips brushing against hers. There was a pain he was certain would never leave.

Ahsoka leaned in, closing her eyes. If he asked her to leave—she almost would… perhaps she would. Anakin would feel betrayed, so would the Council—but… but did Anakin's feelings, and the Council's wishes, have to come over what she wanted—what her soul wanted?

The man felt something warm running down his cheek. He wouldn't admit what it was, even as it ran onto Ahsoka's face from his own. His heart was being shredded, the air crushed from his lungs.

Ahsoka pretended not to notice, even as her own eyes began swimming.

There was a moment that felt like hours, and felt like seconds. Cody moved back – he'd given a part of himself he would never have back. He would never take back. "Have to leave," he managed, keeping his voice low to stop the pain from showing through. He stooped to take his helmet from the ground, his limbs feeling almost too weak to push him back up again.

Ahsoka nodded. "I know…" she took his free hand in one of hers.

He stared intently at her hand. It was easier; simpler. He took a deep breath and met blue eyes, trying for his best winning smile. "Y' take care of yourself."

"Watch your six—and… if you need anything, call me." She didn't move.

"Always do. And… you too. Loostahn gives you any trouble, I'll give him a piece of my mind."

Ahsoka laughed—it sounded a bit strangled, but she'd tried. "Will do, Cody."

"Ahsoka," Cody returned.

"I didn't think anything could be this… difficult," Ahsoka whispered.

"I won't… put it off." Cody carefully pulled his helmet back on. "G-…" He stopped. He had to try again. He was beginning to hate that word. "Goodbye, 'Soka."

Ahsoka stood on the tips of her toes again. She kissed the black visor, leaving a shining lip-gloss on it. "Sorry for the smudge," she whispered.

Cody was laughing; it sounded strained even to himself. "Won't be a problem, sir." Even the short title sounded much more informal than ever.

"Later then, Commander." She tried for a winning smile; her very best. She didn't want to let him leave with her last expression being one of misery.

He squared his shoulders and gave a half-hearted salute. They were very best and picking up broken pieces, it seemed. Yet walking away was the hardest; he was a man who never looked back.

But he would look back, for one. Just one.