CHAPTER 9: A Secret to keep

It was a very small ceremony. Only a priest and two servants from the palace as witnesses. One was Alek's governess. She held him during the ceremony.

They were married just as the sun set over the sky in the seclusion of the palace gardens. There were large trees with low hanging branches for privacy. The priest blessed their union, then they exchanged vows. Then Lux fixed the marital headband to Ahsoka's head. He was very gentle, placing a small kiss to her back lekku as he did so. For Lux, Ahsoka discovered, his culture only wore a small ring on their left hand. She slipped it onto his finger. It was made of the same metal as her headband, embedded with a ring of the same gemstone around it.

They were married. Ahsoka would always remember the sound of the windchimes hanging from the trees as they kissed. It was music. And maybe the Force.

They stayed on Onderon for the next few days, happily enjoying their marital bliss in peace. Until word came from Coruscant; Lux was needed. An important bill was being discussed that involved Onderon's hyperspace lanes. It was critical he was there.

In other words, Ahsoka was going back to Coruscant for the first time since she left the Order.

The hanger for the ship was empty as they landed, exactly as planned. The pilot had signaled the guards when they reached the upper atmosphere that they were approaching to secure the hanger for their arrival.

Lux stood. He was dressed in his Senate cloths. Ahsoka sat in her seat with Alek in her lap. She let him play with her fingers while she watched her anxious husband.

"You're worried."

"When am I not?" he answered, eyeing her.

She smiled. "We'll be alright, Lux. I sense no danger."

He relaxed his shoulders a little. "That's good to know, but I was thinking about the Senate. Some of the transmissions I've gotten were less then reassuring. Many still doubt my ability to serve."

The ramp lowered. Ahsoka pulled up her hood and wrapped her arms around Alek. They descended to the hanger. It was the two of them, Alek's governess, and two personal guards from Onderon. A party of Republic guards awaited them at a speeder to take them to the Senate apartments.

Ahsoka leaned over to Lux, talking quietly.

"I was young to be taken as a padawan. Even though Master Yoda had approved of it himself. I was constantly underestimated because of my age." She gave him a cocky smile. "But it didn't take long for everyone to see I could handle it. Part of my strength was taking people by surprise. I think you have the same advantage."

"Didn't that line of thinking get you in trouble with the Council many times?" he asked as they boarded the speeder.

She rolled her eyes. "My point still stands. And anyway, what kind of a Senator doesn't cause trouble? Look at Senator Amidala."

He smiled. She was right…as usual.

The trip to the apartment wasn't long and despite his own worries, Lux noticed Ahsoka's nerves too. She held Alek a little closer to her chest than normal. She also avoided looking in the direction of the Temple.

"Lux!" Padme exclaimed happily. "It's been too long! I heard you just got back!"

"Padme, it has been awhile." He accepted her zealous hug.

It was only his first day back and he received her invitation for lunch in her office. When Lux had first arrived as the newly appointed senator for Onderon, Padme was the only person he knew. She had been close friends with his mother. After her death, Padme became somewhat of a mentor to Lux, and a good friend.

Which made him feel a little guilty about not telling her what he'd been up to lately.

"I don't believe we've met. I am Bail Organa, from Alderon."

Lux turned to the other man. He stood just a little taller than Lux but had the presence of someone you would want to impress. Lux shook his hand.

"Lux Bonteri, from Onderon," he said, a little too nervously. "I've heard many things about you from Padme."

"All good things, I hope?" he joked.

Lux grinned. They made their way to Padme's office. Inside, he also met another infamous Republic senator, Mon Mothma. Her presence reminded Lux too much of his mother.

Lunch was served. Lux knew how these gatherings of politicians went. They were meant to be opportunities to rub elbows and negotiate bill amendments. He began to mentally prepare himself.

"Bail, how's your wife?" Padme asked, taking a sip of water.

Bail smiled. "Wonderful, thank you for asking. We talked just this morning. She's on her way to Coruscant as we speak."

"That's good to hear. Mon, I heard your daughter got into the academy she applied for," Padme continued.

The older senator nodded. "Yes, she starts next week. She said your recommendation letter really helped. Thank you so much for writing it."

"Of course."

Lux blinked. He realized he hadn't touched his food yet. He was struck a little by the conversation. Were these senators…friends?

"So, Lux. I've heard some about you from Padme, but how about you tell us about yourself," Mon encouraged.

Lux was perplexed again. This wasn't a meeting of nefarious minds. Each person here was genuine. He looked to Padme. She nodded. Lux relaxed.

"Well, my mother was Senator before me, she represented the Onderon system to the Republic and the Confederacy. When we were betrayed by Dooku, the Separatists took control of our capital city. I helped liberate-"

"I heard about that!" Bail exclaimed. "Quite an achievement."

Lux did his best not to let the praise go to his head.

"The king appointed me Senator and decided to rejoin the Republic after that. I've been working to make the transition go smoothly."

Across from him, Mon nodded in understanding. "Yes, I've heard about some struggles of the systems that rejoin the Republic. The state they are in after Separatist control is inhumane."

Lux looked at his plate. "Onderon is suffering, but not economically. It's the people I am worried about. They won't forget the droid occupation very easily."

"Nor should they," Padme said. She leaned over and put a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "You are doing the right thing for your people by being here. Your mother would be proud you care so much."

Lux nodded. Lunch continued. He found that despite his first assumptions, he actually did have more people on his side than he thought.

Until dessert came around.

They were talking about past trade deals with opposition leaders when a commotion was heard in the hallway. Padme rose, grabbing her communicator from her desk.

"Captain, what's-"

The office doors opened to reveal the guards wrestling with a Representative Lux had never seen before.

"I demand to see him! Let me go! It is a matter of treason!" the man shouted. He kicked at the guards.

Padme glared at him. "Stop struggling and the guards will release you! Then we can have a civil discussion!"

The man ceased fighting. A moment passed before they set him back down. He huffed and straightened out is clothes.

"Now, let's talk inside. With proper respect," Padme said firmly. She motioned for the guards to follow them inside. They flanked the doorway.

The representative walked in. Lux stood next to Bail.

"Any idea what this is about?" he whispered to the older senator.

"I was going to ask you the same thing."

Padme took a seat. The man did as well. The feel-good mood in the room moments before had evaporated. Mon and Bail took places behind Padme with stern looks on their faces. They were ready to jump in on her behalf at any moment. They presented a unified front that, at least to Lux, was a little intimidating.

"Now, what were you saying, something about treason?" Padme asked.

The man nodded, his eyes narrowing. Then he pointed a long finger at Lux.

"Yes, by him!"

All eyes turned to Lux. His stomach dropped.

"What are you talking about?" he asked quickly. At the same time he thought quickly about anything this man could have accused him of. It was instinct. He knew he was innocent.

"That is a very serious claim, Representative. What is your evidence?" Padme questioned furiously.

The man smirked. "I have reason to believe he is still part of the Separatists. He's working as a spy for them." He pulled out a datapad, handing it to Padme. "Did you know that all ships that come and go from the Senate hanger are kept in record? There is a record of Lux Bonteri making dozens of trips off-world for the past six months. He's going to collude with his Separatist allies!"

Oh. The man has just found all of the trips he made to Shili. He had nothing. Lux resisted the urge to roll his eyes.

"That is not true," He stated as calmly as he could.

Padme looked at the datapad. She then handed it to Bail. He scanned the list quickly.

"How do you know where he is going? The destination for each take-off is unregistered," Bail observed, looking back at the Representative. "Your claim is weak. You cannot come in here and accuse a Senator of such a claim with no solid evidence!"

Mon spoke up too. "Representative, Senator Bonteri took an oath of office, as we all did. His world was terrorized by Separatist leaders, why would he betray the Republic now?"

For what seemed like the millionth time that day, Lux was stunned by these politicians. Bail, Mon, Padme…they all were defending him. They didn't even know the full story and they were choosing his side.

The man's eyes sneered, and he crossed his arms. "With his…history…I think this is more than enough to convince a Senate committee to expel him from his seat and pursue criminal charges."

Lux was fuming now. The representative was right. If this was brought in front of a committee he'd be out of a job within minutes.

"How about we ask the accused what his explanation is before rushing to conclusions, Representative. The Republic does practice the due process of law." Mon motioned to Lux.

He swallowed and ventured a glance at Padme. She held some confusion in her eyes. He hadn't told her of his small trips to Shili, let alone what they were for. He made sure they were unregistered. Clearly, he should have erased them completely from the data logs. All Padme knew was he took a long leave for diplomatic reasons.

But now he was facing prison. He thought quickly. The vile man sat on the couch with a smug look on his face. Out of all the Senators in the room, Lux had least experience. He was the easiest target. He was being underestimated.

He'd hope Ahsoka would understand.

"I have a very reasonable excuse, Representative." Lux glared at the man. He steeled his face of any nervous emotion and clasping his hands behind his back.

"As most know, my mother was killed by Separatist leaders. My father was killed in a Republic battle. I've been alone for over a year."

He took a step toward the man. He remained sitting but shifted a bit, betraying a bit of unease. Lux went on.

"So, after losing my family, what lengths do you think I'd go to protect my new one?"

The man's face faltered. Lux didn't back down.

"I make sure that the location of my wife and child are unknown so as to keep them safe from anyone wishing them or me harm. It so happens those trips you so easily discovered were when my son hadn't been born yet. Now," he got closer, leaning down to the man's level. "I wonder what a committee will say to how you obtained this highly classified list, and to accuse a higher-ranking Senator than you of treason. If my seat is unoccupied, I wonder how your career would benefit?"

The man's eyes were suddenly full of regret. Lux backed away, satisfied.

"Do not mistake my inexperience for arrogance, Representative. I suggest you leave. I look forward to our next encounter, whenever that will be."

The man visibly deflated. He stood without a word and dashed out Padme's office. Lux could hear him cursing under his breath. The guards followed him out.

Once the doors shut and the Senators were alone again, Padme wheeled on Lux. Hurt was clear in her face.

"Well, I'd say you handled that well," she said, her tone flat. "Congratulations, you made your first enemy."

He sighed, then looked at the others.

"Padme, I'm sorry I didn't tell you."

She waved a hand in dismissal. "We all have secrets, Lux."

Mon and Bail watched her as she went over to have some water. They shared a look Lux didn't understand before following her back to the table.

As much as he was glad to be avoiding prison, he felt horrible.

"Well Lux," Bail picked up his glass of wine. "I'd say you are an official part of the Senate now."

"Being accused of treason is considered a rite of passage," Mon joked. "It also means you are on the right path."

Lux laughed but didn't say anything, his focus on his friend. He took his seat adjacent to Padme again.

"Padme, it wasn't anything against you. It was really his mother's wish not to tell anyone else."

She looked at him with blank eyes. Feeling even worse, Lux reached into his pocket and pulled out a holo-disk. He clicked it.

A picture of him and Alek appeared in a blue hue. It was the day after he was born. Lux was sitting with him in his arms, looking down. You couldn't see Alek's face in the image, but Lux was smiling broadly.

Padme gazed at the image. Lux watched her face. There were a series of emotions on it he couldn't quite read.

"His name is Alek."

Padme finally smiled again. "I like that name."

"His mother picked it." He put the image away safely in his pocket again.

"She sounds like a smart woman."

Lunch was suddenly over. An eventful hour had passed, and the Senators had to return to their work. Lux left Padme's office content. He'd have to explain everything to Ahsoka later. If anything, he felt a little better telling someone about his family. Part of the truth wasn't the whole truth, but it was something.

But he couldn't get Padme's expression when she saw the image out of his mind. There was something there that he didn't know about. Then there was the look between Bail and Mon.

He had new friends, that was for sure. But they also had secrets to keep.

Ahsoka paused as she passed the alley she woke up in sick months ago. People stepped around her on the sidewalk. She stared into the dark space. With the overhangs and trash bins, it almost looked haunted.

It was hard to believe she had been there. Just as it was hard to believe she was back.

She moved on.

Down the street and around a corner the diner's sign glowed in the night of Coruscant. Ahsoka had waited until Lux came back from work to venture off on her own. He didn't question it, only nodding as he took Alek to put him down for a nap.

She crossed the street and stood in front of the doorway. Grease, trash, and the smell of fried food wafted to her nose. This time it didn't make her gag.

Ahsoka sensed a presence inside the diner, the person she was looking for.

She opened the door and went in.

Ventress sat at the counter with her back to the door and a large drink in her hand. Ahsoka paused behind her.

"I'm surprised you came back to this hellhole."

"I wasn't going to stay away forever."

Ventress snorted. She angled her head to look at Ahsoka. Her normally bald head had short hair now, stark white against her pale purple skin. But her eyes still had the same lack-luster gaze.

"Another round?" Ahsoka asked, taking a seat and pulling off her hood.

"Only if you pay."

Ahsoka motioned to the bartender, giving the credits for the drinks. They said nothing while the bartender worked. When two cold glasses were in front of them, Ahsoka finally spoke.

"You really helped me."

"If you're here for a sappy thank-you, tell it to a protocol droid."

Ahsoka sighed, looking away and taking a long sip. A few more moments passed.

"Regardless of whether or not you want to hear it, I'm saying thank you for the advice at least."

Ventress remained silent.

"You were nice to me when I least expected it. It wasn't a very Sith-like thing to do."

"I'm not a Sith!" she snapped. She slammed her drink down, empty. "I never really was."

Ahsoka was confused. There was more behind that statement. Of course, Ventress wasn't willing to elaborate so they went back to being silent again.

"I'm not a Jedi. Not anymore," Ahsoka said after a long while.

"Congrats."

"My point is," she urged, "is what are we? Not Sith, nor Jedi…"

"Yet we still use the Force," Ventress finished. She finally looked to Ahsoka. Her face was contemplative.

Ahsoka laughed. "Is there a middle grey area?"

Ventress smiled for the first time that night. "If there is, I've been in it for a long time. Seems like the best route if you ask me. Don't have to worry about anyone but yourself."

She stood. Ahsoka watched her pay and pull on a cloak of her own.

"Ventress-"

"Asaij."

Ahsoka froze. "What?"

"Asaij. That's my name. See you around, Ahsoka. If you find your way into the grey area, let me know."

She swept from the diner. Ahsoka blinked and she was gone.

I always liked Ventress. I think they should have done more with her character.

Bail, Padme, and Mon were THE trio in the Senate. I loved their dynamics.

I've got a bunch of writing to do for school in the next few weeks. I'm using this story as a buffer when I'm not writing about boring things

I have one Ahsoka-centric chapter planned and one Lux-centric chapter planned. They will kind of represent a bit of a time skip in the story, maybe a few months (but will not be total filler chaps, just wait). They will happen chronologically at the same time. But I have to sit my ass down and write them.

After those chapters…well stay tuned lovelies! Follow and Review!