Chapter 10.

Ahsoka turned her lightsabers over in her hands. It'd been two weeks since their investigation began and they had hit a dead end. They had reviewed all the previous attacks, but they had all been random with little discrimination to Confederate or Republic systems. Clone and droid presence was everywhere, but it only seemed like it was the clones who had been assumingly taken by the assailants. Someone was trying to send a message, but what. Clones would disappear, and the droids would report it, but they were never together when it happened. They wouldn't attack the same outpost twice.

"We need to go back to where it first started. Has the scene been released to clean-up, yet?" Ahsoka asked, fiddling with the ignition key.

Tech collapsed into his holopad and came up with a negative answer before punching in the coordinates for Devaron.

Ahsoka paced restlessly in the bunk area as Rex watched her intently.

"I know that pacing all too well," Rex breathed out, sitting up from his bunk.

Ahsoka paused in her step and smiled at his fondness, sitting down beside him, leaning heavily on her knees.

"My judgement is clouded, Rex," she reluctantly blurted out, holding her breath.

"I'm not quite sure I understand," Rex replied, urging her to continue.

"Towards the end of the clone wars, Anakin and I were together, and together we brought the end of the clone wars. That is when I left him… it clouds my judgement when my focus should be on my duty and loyalty to my friends," Ahsoka sighed, ripping her gaze from his.

"Experience outranks everything," Rex said plainly, letting the words hang in the air as Ahsoka reminisced the first time she had heard those words on Christophsis.

She stood up and looked at him sideways pulling him to his feet and embracing him.

"You're right," she huffed out, accepting her situation for what it was.

Ahsoka admitted to herself that she had pushed Anakin away in a time when she needed him. She allowed herself to gather her thoughts and figure things out on her own. But now she needed him, regardless of her feelings she needed to find Anakin and the Force demanded it. She knew that Morai would be watching over them, but it wasn't enough to remedy the crushing feeling in her chest.

Rex left for the cockpit and allowed her to remain to mull over her thoughts. She clicked her boots together and let the cool metal touch her un-gloved hands, sensing the strength and energy within them. She clipped them to her belt and entered the cockpit.

"Tech, fire up the long-range communications," she ordered using a voice she never thought she'd have to use again.

Rex couldn't help but entertain himself, standing next to her as she winked at him playfully, assuming a wide-stance. The rest of the team retreated to the bunks as Hunter remained at the helm. The pair had not stood side-by-side in numerous rotations, and the familiarity was chilling as Tech gave the go-ahead.

Ahsoka typed in Anakin's sub-space frequency and nudged Anakin with the Force as she allowed the communication link to connect. She held her breath, her stomach in her throat and her heart in her head as she swallowed back her feelings.

"I didn't expect to hear from you," his voice was clear before his hologram projected.

She couldn't help but stare at him. The face she hadn't seen for what felt like years and the voice she missed hearing complain about Jedi politics. It was like she was seeing him for the first time, really seeing him for everything he was.

"You look tired, Skyguy," she played coy, unable to hide a small smile behind the millions of words she wanted to say to him.

"Likewise, Snips," he smirked, "I sense you have something on your mind".

"Yes," she sighed, "I know that I haven't made it easy, Anakin, but I require your assistance".

Anakin scoffed at the hypocrisy, "I see, so when you need my help, you think you'll get it after you denied my plea for help?"

Ahsoka cringed at the thought of her actions and inwardly apologised to Anakin. Rex wavered in his stance and gestured to Tech and Hunter for the door, but Ahsoka stopped them.

"Anakin please, I'm asking you on behalf of the clones who fought beside you in the war to prevent more deaths at the hands of the Son of Mortis," she stared at what would be his eyes in the hologram and allowed Anakin to read her force presence.

For the first time in months, she let down her guard and allowed herself to feel everything that she desired.

"I understand," he replied, reading all of her emotions.

Anakin swallowed hard trying to maintain his composure. He couldn't help but feel his stomach twist violently at the thought of seeing Ahsoka and having her in his presence again.

"I think I may have more information on the matter. Obi wan and I found Maul on Mortis," Anakin informed, "we're on our way to Coruscant".

"I will rendezvous with you there. Rex and the Bad Batch will maintain the course to Devaron and re-group with us on Coruscant," Ahsoka nodded.

Ahsoka detached from the hyperspace ring and announced her imminent arrival to Katooni, Zatt and Petro who were more than excited to hear from her. Katooni asked if Anakin and Obi wan were safe and Ahsoka happily reassured her. They hadn't arrived yet, but they wouldn't be far behind. Rex and the others would have arrived on Devaron by now and would have re-examined the scene. If there were anything missed or out of place since the attack, they would find it.

Ahsoka couldn't help but feel relieved as she lounged herself on the nearest plush lounge in the apartment. Her eyes felt heavy, and she closed them for a moment with the intention of finding food within the hour, however much to her surprised the moment had turned into several hours. She awoke to the lowering rays of the sun coming through the window, and a blanket tucked around her body. She could hear voices belonging to Obi wan and Zatt nearby and smiled to herself that he would have more than likely arranged food. Her stomach growled impatiently as she finally opened her eyes to see Anakin staring aimlessly at the sky.

Anakin stood outside on the balcony and was in a perfect view waiting for her to wake up. He could sense her alertness and knew that she had woken up but was hesitant to approach her. She swung her legs over the side of the lounge and yawned a little too loudly, making Anakin chuff with amusement. It was like a holo-movie, Ahsoka wrapped the blanket around herself and leant casually against the doorway as Anakin turned around to look at her.

"hey," was all they could say as they absorbed each other's presence.

-Preview-

"Yesterday on the balcony, I saw you as if I had never met you before…"

"Troopers have begun re-appearing and not in a good way…"

Authors Note: Hi everyone, so sorry for the lack of updates. Covid19 has made this year extremely difficult to juggle everything all at once. I hope you all find yourselves happy and healthy! Pls review and msg me if you think making a discord for all us folk to chat is a good idea.

As always, May the Force Be with You…