DISCLAIMERS
1. This is a fan fiction based on characters owned by Disney/Lucasfilm. I DO NOT OWN THEM. This is just for fun.
2. This is a quite different version of the final Clone Wars episodes, "Shattered" and "Victory and Death".
PART 5
They huddled together to keep warm, without much luck. The place was cold, wet and dark. Their makeshift cloaks offered little protection, or disguise for that matter. One of them held something in its arms, a small bundle wrapped in likewise-inadequate coverings.
Barriss leaned into her wife as she felt a chill go through her. Ahsoka could only put an arm around and pull her even closer, careful not to jostle the precious thing in the Mirialan's embrace. Ahsoka instinctively kissed Barriss' forehead in a weak attempt at comfort. Any attempt would be weak considering their current situation… stowing away in a transport's cargo hold.
After Barriss' labour finally ended, the Togruta searched the rest of the medical centre for supplies, but like everything it seemed in the undercity district they found themselves in, that was woefully lacking. Instead, Ahsoka had to use another mind trick to block the secretary's knowledge of them while they holed up in the small room Barriss gave birth in. The women were stuck in there - essentially holding the medical droid hostage to not give them away - while the surgery carried on as normal. The doctors and patients were blissfully unaware two former Jedi were hiding themselves away in one of the rooms.
The Offee-Tanos could not stay there forever, however. After two days they had to get out. Once Barriss could make a decent move - the birth really took it out of her - they snuck out the centre at night, all the while Ahsoka hoping the little rewiring she performed on the droid erased its memory of them.
At first, they had no real idea where to go; their home was out of the question, and the Jedi temple lay in ashes. Worse, they realised the Jedi were now being searched for by the authorities - all authorities. The main Coruscant Security Force, underworld police, even clone troopers: they were all looking for members of the Order. Including, it seemed, former members, judging by Rex's behaviour.
Out of all other options, the Offee-Tanos realised there was only one thing they could do. Run. They had to get off Coruscant as soon as possible. It broke their hearts, but they had to. Both Ahsoka and Barriss wanted to go looking for their friends and former Masters, but that was simply not feasible. Not with their precious cargo.
So here they were, hiding in a cold, dark and dirty hold on some dingy supply ship. They tried getting onto a civilian transport, but all the ports they went to had troopers investigating every single person going through. It was too much of a risk that Ahsoka and Barriss might be recognised. Instead, they had to sneak onto a commercial ship and stay in a miserable cargo hold amidst assorted barrels, canisters and containers with who knew what inside them. For all they knew, it was a black market ship.
Still, it was the best they could do in the time. As horrid as their surroundings were, the ship left Coruscant unimpeded and was on its way to Raada. Actually, considering the remoteness of the destination, there was a good chance it was an illicit vessel. Few ships travelled from the core world to the outer reaches of the Outer Rim.
Ahsoka heard a sniffle and turned back to the hooded figure huddled next to her. "You OK?" She knew how idiotic that question was.
"Just tired," came the quiet reply. Barriss kept the tiny bundle in her arms snug.
"Try and get some sleep," suggested the Togruta. "It's going to be a long journey." There was silence for a few moments, then Barriss let out a choked sob. Ahsoka's eyes widened as her wife's body shuddered and she saw her crying profusely. "Darling… !"
"It's all gone… " Barris choked, her eyes closed tight. "Our home… our friends… our freedom… " With that, she convulsed into more tears, and wept openly. "It's all gone!"
Unable to hold back her own pain, Ahsoka felt wetness trickle down her cheeks. "I know," she sobbed. "I… I… " What could she possibly say? In the space of - what, two minutes? - their life together, their plans for the future, the security and peace which was within reach… was lost. They went from a perfect home with wonderful friends and hope… to hiding in shame inside a pathetic cargo hold. They had no supplies, no chance of aid and not even their lightsabres for protection.
By now, Barriss was all-but wailing. Ahsoka could only cradle her wife's head and lean in as much as possible. Part of her wanted to give into despair too, but she had to remain strong for her beloved. Also, to only add to the situation, they had to be mindful of the ship's pilot/crew discovering them.
Ahsoka again kissed Barriss' forehead, then looked her in the eyes. "Listen. We're going to be alright. I know how stupid that sounds, but we'll get to Raada and we'll find someplace safe. OK? We're going to make it through this."
Barriss looked utterly broken, which only shattered Ahsoka's heart even more. "H… how?" she choked.
"Because I promised myself I would never lose you," replied the Togruta. "After everything we went through to be together, and especially after everything that's just happened… I am never losing you, Barriss Offee." She stroked a green, wet cheek tenderly. "Do you hear me? Do you understand? Nothing in this galaxy or beyond will ever take me away from you. Anyone or anything that tries… " She gulped down the very thought of losing the love of her life. "I will do anything it takes to keep us together." She paused and looked down at the bundle in Barriss' arms. "All of us."
Barriss followed her gaze… at the precious thing snug and asleep in her embrace. Their miracle. Their baby. Their daughter.
The Mirialan-Togruta hybrid was in blissful slumber even as her birth mother broke down. She really was a mixture of both species: her skin was olive green like Barriss', though with a different, orangey hue. She had montrals and lekku, but also hints of hair on the top of her head and nape of her neck. The infant was truly the most beautiful being her mothers ever laid eyes on… OK, joint-most with eachother.
Her name came from out of nowhere. A day after the birth, Ahsoka was holding her new daughter while Barriss slept, and Ahsoka breathlessly whispered a word. Perhaps it was due to her experience just before Rex turned on them, but it seemed right. And when she later told her wife, it was agreed on. Annaka.
Barriss seemed to calm somewhat, though she still sniffled and blinked away tears. She tenderly placed a finger under little Annaka's chin, who gave a tiny yawn yet did not wake. "What kind of galaxy have we brought her into?" she breathed. Barriss then looked back up at her wife, who could see the sheer hopelessness in her eyes. Ahsoka knew it was upto her to provide that hope, to give them something to fight for. Except, of course, Barriss already did that: their reason to keep on was in her very arms.
Ahsoka looked her wife straight in the eyes. "One in which her mothers will love and protect her, no matter what."
"No matter what." Despite her anguish, Barriss returned her gaze. "I love you, Ahsoka."
Ahsoka responded the only way she could, and leaned forward and kissed her wife with all her heart.
Neither knew what the future - once so clear - would bring. They just learnt happiness was ever-precarious. But whatever happened, the Offee-Tanos would face it as they faced everything.
Together.
THE END
