Author's Note: CHAPTER 100. Wow. This has been a long time coming.

Can I just say, thank you, for all the support. The 3 Year anniversary is coming up soon and we've just hit a major milestone. I would not have gotten this far without your encouragement, praise, and critiques. I owe it all to you, the readers, whose continued vested interest makes steaming ahead worthwhile.

So, for the 100th chapter, I suppose something special should happen... right?


-Chapter 100: Love Me Forever-

Location: Coruscant

"You don't want to be a favorite or a best, you want to be their only. Nothing less."

The ache she felt today was different from those the Urge induced.

Normally it felt overwhelming, like she couldn't function properly unless the sweltering intensity of her hormonal desires were sated. This was different. This felt like a sense of emptiness, an ache to feel complete rather than satisfied. It was a desire for closeness and she'd never felt it so strongly before.

Of course, having been on her fair share of long-range reconnaissance operations, Ahsoka knew what it was like to feel lonely and to crave another presence. But this craving felt different, it wasn't borne from her innate tribal unity that she shared with others of her species, it was derived solely from her. Normally when nothing was happening and she got to spend some alone time in the Temple, it was a good thing. But today invited a melancholic sense of longing. Nothing around her seemed right... not without him.

She had to wonder if this was how he felt during his time where his love remained a secret from her, going unrequited for days on end. Had he sat alone in his room with no one to talk to, his heart aching for her presence much like she was now? But she wanted to see him, longed to feel his presence. Ahsoka found herself wanting him to such an unbearable end. Reaching into their bond, she had only sensed the barest flicker of his presence. Obviously he was trying to keep his signature concealed and it was working. She smiled a little at his progress, but it didn't satisfy the ache.

What scared her most was that this was the first time she'd felt this way.

It was such a sudden and dramatically noticeable change that she couldn't help but feel a little shocked when she first realized it. That was when she chose to remove The Jedi Path from its place among her possessions, lift the leather cover and began at the most basic of levels, simply trying to understand the Force and the Jedi like a Youngling. What she read was absolutely damning and her worry grew the more she read. It was basic and simple, plain yet precise. "Should the urge to contact your birth families or form romantic attachments emerge, please consult with your Master. To dwell in the dark will lead to suffering. Attachments will cause you to lose sight of your path and are cause for expulsion from the Order." There it was. The words of Sabla-Mandibu, Jedi Seer, had condemned her actions entirely.

But what she felt for Wraith didn't seem dark. It felt right! How could something as pure as the love he felt for her be dark? How could her desire to see him again be of the Dark Side? The handwriting of Anakin stood next to the Seer's words. "I miss people outside this Temple and would do anything to protect them. Does that make me a bad person?" No, she supposed, it didn't.

It just didn't make sense to her. How could something as wholesome as their relationship be considered dark? As a Youngling, she'd accepted this, not knowing any better. Now having actually formed a 'romantic attachment' she'd gotten to know what it was like... and couldn't fathom why the Jedi would condemn such a thing!

The text hung loosely from her grip as Ahsoka leaned back to rest her head against the wall. The war within her was starting up again, her conscious torn between her innate desires and her sense of duty and purpose. She was a good Jedi, as far as anyone could tell. Not nearly as picturesque as someone like her friend Barriss might be, but everyone said she had potential. So how in the name of the Force did she ever do something so anti-Jedi like falling in love with him? She chalked it up to a myriad of things; the heart of gold beneath layers of silver armor, the mighty expanse of his handsome musculature that made her both nervous and desperate every time she looked at him, his silver tongue and wordsmithing abilties that made her feel giddy and free, his warm and comforting presence in the Force that was now omniscient through their bond. There was something about him that drew her to him, something about him that made her ache to be near him. But it was so severe, she felt like she had to do something about it. Talking seemed to work. She needed someone to talk to. But not directly about this, maybe skirt around it and get a rough answer.

Ahsoka closed the text in her lap, set it on her bed and rose. Seer Mandibu suggested she speak with her master. But since hers wasn't exactly able to talk at the moment, she'd have to find someone else... and she knew just who to go to.

Leaving her quarters, Ahsoka ventured through the many halls of the Temple, quietly working out what she was going to say. "Obviously not 'I've fallen in love with The Wraith and I feel a desperate urge to see him again. Is this normal?' That would land me in soooooo much trouble." She kept thinking through varying openers until she arrived at a particular door; the entrance to Plo Koon's quarters. The Kel Dor Master was the one being in the whole Order whom Ahsoka could call her oldest friend and something of a role model for her (in addition to Shaak Ti). She owed a lot to him, and would admit so if asked. After all, he had been the one to find her on Shili and take her to the Temple. Using the Force, the Togruta pried open his door just a little and poked her head in. "Master Plo?" She wondered. "Can I come in?"

"Of course, little 'Soka." Plo responded from the other side. Sliding the door open further, Ahsoka entered fully to find Master Plo seated on his bed, setting a datapad aside. "What seems to be the trouble?" He kindly asked.

"Well... you know how I'm reaching that age where boys become... less 'gross' and more interesting?" She wondered, trying to phrase this just right. He nodded. "I was wondering if I could... ask you a few things."

"Wouldn't Master Ti be a better source of wisdom on this matter?" He queried.

"I think I need a different perspective." Ahsoka stated. Plo stroked the sides of his face not covered by his breathing mask.

"What do you wish to know?" He wondered.

"Well..." Ahsoka began, sitting on the floor across from him, "I know that it's natural for me to feel attracted to boys, Master Ti's said so. But... I don't really know what that's like. Sure I've had crushes on random guys but those faded pretty quickly."

"You are wondering what to do if you feel something stronger," Plo perceived, "if you feel you are falling in love." Ahsoka nodded. "Master Ti is right when she says your feelings are natural. However, when you took the oath of the Jedi, those now come secondary to your duty to the Force. You remember this from your days as a Youngling, yes?"

"I do. It's just... everything theoretical is suddenly becoming more... real." Ahsoka slowly replied.

"Indeed. How are you faring?"

"I'm okay, I guess. Dealing with the Urge really makes everything harder." Plo nodded.

"I would suggest that you work on containing your feelings and channeling them towards more noble pursuits, rather than skirting too close to the temptation to indulge them." He cautioned. Ahsoka's eyes widened. That sounded like the opposite to what Shaak had told her.

"Like... not even try to learn about them?" She queried, hoping for elaboration.

"Love and passion are dangerously powerful things, Ahsoka. If you let them have even a little foothold in your life, they would drag you off the path of a Jedi and lead you astray." Plo told her. "It would be better to avoid them entirely."

"But... what's wrong with caring about people?" The Togruta asked, thinking back to Anakin's comment in the Path.

"There is nothing wrong with showing compassion, Ahsoka. The danger lies in allowing people to consume your focus and draw you away from the Force." The Kel Dor described. Processing everything he said, Ahsoka dwelt for a moment on the sense of enormous importance Plo was placing on this. She supposed Shaak had said something similar, just not with so much gravity. The elder Togruta had told her to satisfy her desires with the Jedi way in mind, a rather liberal suggestion by comparison to the hard line Master Plo was drawing. Shaak told her to explore and understand, but to not let it consume her. Plo had completely and utterly forbidden her from even exploring.

"So... the reason why attachments are forbidden is because...?" She hesitantly wondered.

"Because Jedi are called to a higher purpose and cannot allow anything to come between them and their duty to the Force." Plo answered. It sounded like a textbook answer, but Ahsoka rolled with it.

"I know I learned this as a Youngling. I guess the war has just made everything a little foggy." She excused, knowing his answer was simple and straightforward. Plo nodded.

"That's perfectly understandable." He agreed. Then he leaned forward and Ahsoka could sense he intended to be serious. "I want you to succeed, Ahsoka. Many of us want you to. During this time of your life, I urge you to avoid anything that might lead you away from becoming the powerful Jedi I know you can be." He told her with much genuinity. "You can always come and talk to me, little one. I will help you however I can." He promised. Ahsoka smiled, happy to have someone else to discuss this with.

"Thank you, Master Plo. It's... helpful to know that." She replied, grateful. She picked herself up, "I'll be going now." She said as she made for the door.

"Ahsoka," Plo stopped her, "it has not been finalized yet, but we may be heading back to the Outer Rim soon." He stated. Ahsoka nodded, understanding that her downtime might be limited.

"Okay, I'll make sure I'm ready." She promised as she left.


Returning to her room, Ahsoka surmised that hadn't really gone the way she hoped. Then again, it was hard to accrue an answer to a problem she couldn't accurately describe. In reality, it seemed like just another reminder that her relationship with Wraith was forbidden and, if she wanted to be a good Jedi, she really should end it as soon as possible.

But that's not what Ahsoka felt like doing.

As soon as the door to her quarters closed, she felt lonely again. As she sat down on her bed she craved the company of someone who completely and utterly loved her without giving a damn about how both sides of the war might react. Her attachment to Wraith ran deep and she didn't care if she was breaking the Code. She loved him and she wanted to be near him again. Right now the Jedi Path didn't seem right, the words of Sabla-Mandibu wrong in her eyes. She knew what she wanted, talking with Master Plo had cleared up that much for her. She didn't want to figure out anything, she knew what she wanted and she was just having trouble accepting it. The part of her that was truly a Jedi, raised so since she was only a few years old, was having trouble reconciling her true desires. Deep down, she desired Wraith. He'd loved her first, gone out of his way for her and completely disregarded who his superiors wanted him to be so that he could be what she needed him to be, and she'd fallen for him soon after.

Gazing out her window for a moment, seeing Coruscant shiny and bright courtesy of a low-hanging sun, Ahsoka wondered for a moment what he was doing and where he was, if maybe she might share a sunset with him one time.

The ache was real, so very real. She needed to do something about it, something that didn't involved classification or more talk. Perhaps the best method of reprieve, she thought, was the direct approach.

Reaching for her belt, she retrieved the holocom unique to her and switched it on, a blue light emitting from the central projector. She knew it was calling him, having used the feature many times before. The device felt heavy in her hands, the wait for him to pick up so agonizingly long compared to prior occasions. What felt like an eternity later, even though it was less than a minute, a shape began to flicker to life. It drew her attention and she practically jumped, like a lightning bolt had almost struck her. Her heart beat a little quicker as the broad shoulders appeared first soon followed by the telltale jawline as his head appeared. She gazed dreamily upon him in the seconds before he spoke, taking a moment to simply appreciate his handsome structure. His eyes seemed to glimmer for a moment as he regarded her and then smiled and spoke warmly in his deep, masculine voice that sent a briefest of shivers up and down her spine.

"Hello my love." He greeted, always so cordial and kind.

"Hi Wraith," she replied, deeply wishing she had a title for him like he did her, "how are you?"

"Doing well. Can't complain right now." He stated. "Yourself? Anything wrong?"

"No, I'm fine." She replied, assuaging his worries while trying to figure out just how to best express herself. Why would she downplay it? He needed to know her need, at least she felt like he did. Maybe that was something best reserved for a face-to-face conversation. "I was wondering if you had some time to talk?"

"Of course." He readily agreed. He always did, even if he was on the battlefield. Ahsoka smiled in relief, but then felt a burning desire to press her luck and ask for more. It wouldn't be possible, a dream really.

"Actually..." she started, forming her words as she went, "I really would like to... see you again. I wanna talk... in person." She admitted. She looked at him with a sense of longing she was positive he could see, and maybe even sense.

"Then lucky for you, I'm on Coruscant right now." He suddenly replied. Ahsoka looked at him in surprise. He was here? Doing what? "I'll send you an address. You can come here tonight, well after dark so that no one can see you." He continued, getting ready to put the coordinates into device. Ahsoka's hopes skyrocketed. Tonight? Him? In person? "I'm on an upper floor, room six-sixteen." He explained. "Is this okay? I can always do tomorrow." He asked, seeking her confirmation. Ahsoka swiftly nodded. There would be no need for delay, now that she had an opening.

"Yeah, I can do that." She quickly agreed. Glancing out the window, the sun took on a new meaning for her. It was low in the sky, early evening most likely. Just a few more hours now...

"Good. I will see you tonight and we can talk to our hearts content." He said with a grin, causing her to giggle.

"Okay. Make sure your ears are on tight, 'cause I'm gonna talk them off!" She joked, making him laugh. She immediately sensed it through their bond, the sense of wholesomeness and genuinity they shared. This felt right, this was good. The Jedi had no idea what they were talking about. As the call came to an end, neither Ahsoka nor Wraith knew just how important tonight would be...


Later that night...

"The 'Elysium', huh?" Ahsoka said aloud. Night had fallen across Coruscant and the Padawan had successfully snuck out of the Temple and walked to the address Wraith had forwarded her. She soon found herself in Coruscant's Jrade District, standing across the street from a building that was shorter than those around it. She knew the Jrade District well, having chased the criminal Ione Marcy here after she tried to sell her stolen lightsaber. To be back here again on far more personal and preferred business did her memory some good.

The building was well-made, using polished stones that gave off an elegant look despite its questionable surroundings. A simple bronze placard next to the front door gave the building's name and address in Aurebesh. The address matched the one Wraith gave her, even though she was unfamiliar with the name. Mustering her courage, she ascended the small set of stairs towards the entrance. She was wearing her dull brown cloak, attempting to look casual and as inconspicuous as possible. Her Jedi attire and lightsabers were underneath this, prompting maximum secrecy. Ahsoka did remove her hood, though, figuring any staff might not care for a seemingly random Togruta. Though with her efforts in the war, her face might just be famous enough to be noticed.

She hoped that wouldn't be the case.

Ahsoka pushed open the dark door and entered without a sound. The lobby was empty, lit only by the yellow lights hanging from above. Far ahead, a lone Duros stood behind a desk, clearly busy with something. She decided against asking him and drawing attention to herself. Wraith said he was on an upper floor, surely she could find it without a problem. But as she started moving,

"Greetings Master Jedi." Said the concierge, startling Ahsoka. Despite her efforts it seemed he had noticed her and deduced her identity rather quickly. She had to wonder what the deal was with this place.

"Oh, uh... H-Hello." She nervously replied.

"You are here to visit someone, yes?" The Duros softly inquired. He certainly seemed nice enough.

"Y-Yeah." The Togruta timidly responded. Clearing her throat, she straightened up and continued in an even voice, "He knows I'm coming." The concierge nodded.

"Very well." Extending his arm he pointed down the hall to his left. "The turbolift is to your right." He stated. Ahsoka knew Wraith to be on a higher floor... did the concierge know she was coming to see him?

"Oh... Thank you." She quietly said, moving on with a slightly quickened step. The sooner she was out of the public eye the better.

Tembo watched the Togruta make her way to the lifts and summon the nearest one. As soon as she entered, and the doors closed behind her, the Duros reached for the hotel's communicator. Activating the receiver, he selected 616 and pressed the connection. Within seconds the line was active and, not waiting for an answer, he spoke,

"Good evening Mister W. Your guest has arrived."

"Thank you Tembo." Came the deep, masculine response before the line clicked off. Shutting down his device, Tembo returned to his tasks without another thought.

As the lift rose, Ahsoka pulled her cloak a little tighter around her. She tried to shrug off her encounter with the concierge, feeling a little unnerved by how scarily precise he was. Hopefully this was just her fears acting up and nothing would come of it. She was grateful when the lift doors slid back, revealing a simple yet elegant hallway. Testing her bond, she could sense Wraith down to the hall to her left and followed it. The floor was completely silent, only the sounds of her steps filling the quiet air. Ahsoka felt her nervousness rise, feeling alone and worried that someone might be looking. But his signature grew the closer she got, warming waves reassuring her and making her feel a little more comfortable. The doors passed one by one until she arrived at a single dark door marked 616 in gold. Ahsoka slowed and paused before it, his signature strongest and radiating from the other side. Exhaling softly, she raised her hand and knocked three times on the door. Then she lowered her arm and waited. The seconds that past felt horrendously long and she started to fidget, shifting from one foot to the other until she heard footsteps on the other side. She could sense the warmth and couldn't help but smile in relief even before the door opened to reveal him. He smiled upon seeing her, her orange skin glowing from the light in his room.

"Hi. Come on in." He invited, standing aside to grant her entrance.

"Hey Wraith." She greeted, loosening her cloak while walking in. "Wow, nice place." She observed, taking her eyes off him for a moment to examine where he was staying. "So posh... it's almost like a senatorial apartment."

"I admit, it's a nice change of pace compared to a cruiser." He replied, closing the door. Ahsoka shrugged off her cloak and he took it, "Can I get you something to drink?"

"Water would be fine." She replied, feeling a little looser now freed from her necessary disguise. She needed to ditch the weights on her belt, though, and soon did when she left her lightsaber hilts on the same chair where his gunbelt was draped across. She moved back into the lounge as Wraith returned with her glass. They both sat beside one another on the couch as she slowly sipped her water.

"So, you wanted to talk?" He began and she nodded. "Anakin being out cold stressing you out?" He wondered. A confused Ahsoka paused for a moment as she set her glass down, and then realized he was wondering about her depression.

"Actually, I... don't actually have any issues right now." She slowly replied.

"No?" Wraith wondered, both surprised and intrigued. Ahsoka shook her head. "I'm sorry... I always assumed that when you said 'you wanted to talk' it meant you we're... you know..." He continued, referring to what the trend used to be.

"I know, but no I'm okay. Really." Ahsoka told him. "I just wanted to see you again." She admitted. Wraith tilted his head and offered her a smirk.

"My dear, you really don't need an excuse to see to me." He gently responded.

"But I do want to talk, Wraith." Ahsoka earnestly replied. "I just want to interact with you. I haven't since Charros and I've been, well... missing it." Her words settled on his heart and Wraith felt pleased that Ahsoka should desire him so. He'd been busy the past few days while here on Coruscant, but that hand't stopped him from thinking about her, especially with the Temple within his view.

"I would be lying if I said I didn't miss you, too." He admitted, fixing her with his soft amber gaze. "Since you bonded with me... I feel like part of me is gone when you're not around. I can sense you, sure, but it doesn't compare to your physical presence."

"I know, I feel the same way." Ahsoka agreed. Perhaps the ache she'd felt today was a consequence of the bond they shared. She really didn't know everything that could come of a bond and was slowly surprised by the consequences. "How is the Force?" She asked.

"Well, it's there." Wraith mused with a breathy chuckle. "Been working on controlling my signature the past few days. Getting better at it too... at least, I think I am." He reported.

"I could sense you when I arrived on the floor." Ahsoka revealed with a smile. He smiled back.

"I purposefully let my guard down, for you." Wraith admitted, making her blush. "Have you been able to sense my thoughts?" He asked. Ahsoka shook her head.

"No. You're getting good at shielding things, I see." She praised.

"Yeah, been working on that too."

"You don't have to right now." She added, almost slyly so.

Neither do you. He commented through their bond, earning a brief chuckle from her. Ahsoka relaxed more fully and let down all of her guards, allowing Wraith to sense everything she was feeling. Relief, happiness, comfort... love. "So... you have my undivided attention for as long as you like." He stated, leaning back in the couch. "What would you like to talk about?"

"Anything," Ahsoka replied, scooting closer to him, "so as it means I'm here with you." Wraith chuckled as she snuggled up to him, wrapping one arm around her shoulders. One of Ahsoka's hands glided across his abs, feeling his muscles through his shirt as she assumed a position not unlike the one she'd found herself in on Wasskah so many months ago. Able to be this close to him was so refreshing and satisfied her earlier cravings, so much so Ahsoka almost started purring as Wraith rubbed her shoulder. The heat coming from him felt so lovely. "You're so warm... like a blast furnace. Wait, why do I feel like I've said that before?" Or maybe thought it.

"Nice to know I'm not cold." Wraith quipped.

"You're warm in real life, you're warm in the Force..." Ahsoka giggled, "I've sensed Sith before, and they're cold. Lifeless, even. You're definitely not." Closing her eyes, the Togruta hummed pleasantly, happy to be in his arms again. "You're a good guy..." Wraith could sense just how in love with him she was and how genuine her feelings were. There was a depth to them he hadn't realized before, but also one that seemed hidden from him so he couldn't understand their true enormity.

"How did you fall in love with me?" He finally asked.

"You first." Ahsoka replied. He supposed that was fair.

"The first time I ever saw you was on Felucia, during one of our advances. As soon as I laid eyes on you I was... smitten, you could say. I could see your passion and power, your courage and your strength, and I was taken by it all." He described, remembering the moment he'd first seen her through his rifle scope atop a turbo tank. "That and you were, and are, very beautiful." He sincerely believed that and Ahsoka could sense it.

"Even when I was fourteen?" She wondered.

"Yes. Even then." He affirmed with a slight chuckle. "I didn't place my feelings right then and there, but as time went on, I learned about you. The more I understood who you are as a person, the more I fell in love with you. My feelings finally came to a head on Gwori, when I laid eyes on you in that corridor. I swore then and there that I would never do anything to harm you... because I wanted to know you." He remembered that moment well, a brief collection of seconds that changed his life forever. It had resulted in Darth Sidious giving him a beating, but it was worth it.

If one were to ask him if his life had been worth it, Wraith would've reflected on how everything had led to this very moment and answered yes.

"Your turn." With his story told, Ahsoka breathed deeply as she recounted the events of her life that had led to their present circumstances.

"It started during a briefing with Commander Thrawn. He suggested that you might be forced to do what you do, that the Sith were making you do things against your will. That was when I started to care about you." She stated, recalling every detail of that meeting. "Then you kissed me on Lola Sayu, and I realized I was... teetering on the edge of something impossibly big. Something I wasn't sure I was ready for. But after Takodana, I felt drawn to you. I cared so much I was willing to cross whatever boundaries that kept me from helping you." Both of those moments had been huge for her. Each one was a moment when her feelings solidified, when something other than the Jedi Code felt right to her.

"Until you watched Sereva kiss me." Wraith interjected, recalling that hellishly awkward moment with much chagrin.

"I admit, I was indignant. I thought you really were just trying to seduce me for the bragging rights." Ahsoka admitted. She'd foolishly let her emotions get the better of her and had not properly assessed the situation with the available facts.

In the end, she came to the conclusion that she needed logic to guide her emotions. If she let her feelings run rampant, chaos ensued. But when they were guided and controlled, things were fine. "But I learned that was far from the truth... and that you actually love me." She continued. "And then I realized that my sense of care had evolved. Understanding that there is a heart of gold underneath all that armor and muscle, a heart that beats for me, it helped to solidify my feelings. The fact that you love me so much you would ignore orders and defy commands to help me... you have no idea how much that means to me." She stated, looking up so her big blue eyes met his amber ones. "I took a step back and looked at everything you had done for me, everything you've told me... and what you mean to me... and I fell in love with what I saw." Sitting up, Ahsoka adjusted her position so that she was even with him. "I fell in love with the real you. I don't need The Wraith. I just want Wraith." She softly murmured, one hand stroking his scars.

"You could say the same about me." Wraith concurred. "I don't need Jedi Commander Padawan Tano. I just want Ahsoka," he professed, both hands coming up to cup her beautifully bright orange skin, "I want you." Maybe there was a double-meaning behind his words, or perhaps that was just how Ahsoka interpreted them. But his words stirred something within her, a sense of confidence she'd been lacking. She chose to act on it as she closed her eyes to savour the touch of his hands against her skin.

"I don't want to be a Jedi. Not tonight." She softly whispered.

"What do you want then?" Wraith asked in an equally gentle tone. her answer was to be exactly what he'd just described.

"I just want to be a normal girl." To back up her actions, Ahsoka slipped from his hold and bent over to remove her boots, sliding them off one at a time and revealing to Wraith her grey leggings reaching all the way down to her ankles where a strap ran under her feet, leaving her orange toes bare. Then she undid the clasps of her gloves and shed them too, leaving her arms bare as she placed them on the table. Wraith caught a glimpse of the scarred undersides and carefully turned one over to reveal many faded scars well on their way to being fully healed... but no new ones. The same could be said for the other and Wraith brimmed with a pride and happiness Ahsoka could feel.

"Nicely done, my love." He complimented, quietly praising her success in a far more intimate manner.

"You made this possible." Ahsoka responded, the emotions she felt through their bond threatening to overwhelm her. "You... It's all you." Was all she could say, trying so very hard to keep her composure. Wraith's touch circled her face one more time and Ahsoka clasped his hands with hers, just before he leaned close and claimed her dark lips. He kissed her tenderly and she reciprocated, the gentle feeling of his lips pressed against hers both soothing and intoxicating at the same time.

"I know you've gone through a lot, but I still believe you deserve a happy ending." Wraith whispered once he'd broken away. His thoughtful kindness proved to be enough to cause a tear to leak from her closed lid and Ahsoka sniffled as he wiped it away.

"I think a self-described 'bad guy' deserves a happy ending too." She replied, composing herself. "One where, even if the galaxy denounces him, one Togruta girl doesn't." To emphasize, she sent waves of assurance through their bond, trying to convey to him just how much she believed in them and what they shared. Wraith felt a little overwhelmed himself.

"I don't deserve you." He whispered. "I loved you from a distance for so long, without ever saying a word," Ahsoka's hand on his chin guided his gaze up to hers, interrupting whatever he intended to ramble about.

"But then you told me," she continued, "and that was probably the best choice you could've made. For both of us." She gave him another kiss, one that lingered longer than he expected. When she pulled back they were holding one another close.

"I love you, Ahsoka Tano." Wraith professed.

"I love you too, Wraith." Ahsoka repeated. They kissed again, more fervently than before, waves of love pulsing back and forth through their bond as they embraced. As they kissed, she slowly slid into his lap, arms wrapping around one another's bodies as they drew closer together. Her legs on either side of his hips, there wasn't an inch of space between them as Wraith held her close with a hand against her lower back. Her own was in his hair, the tactile sensation of millions of strands unique agaisnt her skin and adding to the passion of the moment as Ahsoka held Wraith in place. She was well and truly in his lap now, a place she'd been a handful of times before but now felt like she needed to be here. There was a certain visceral feeling that came with such closeness, an aspect of her primal nature that she only ever flirted with while seeking to avoid.

But tonight seemed... different.

Ahsoka felt a little more adventurous, a little bolder and willing to step beyond explored territory. She didn't quite know where this came from, but she felt ready to indulge it. Even when they parted to breathe she felt her pulse quicken, and desired to stay close to him. She giggled breathily as Wraith rubbed noses with her but the feeling of his breath against her skin sent a shiver through her body as gooseflesh appeared along her neck.

Wraith could sense Ahsoka's desires as they flowed openly through their bond. The warmth he felt was coming from her, not him. The spike of primal sensations was enough to give him pause, everything wholesome suddenly threatening to give way to something carnal. Such sensations had teased him before, though not quite as openly as with a Force bond. He'd kept his desires in check in spite of wanting her since their relationship bloomed, and he was determined to continue to wait until she was ready. Wraith knew everything about her burgeoning physiology threatened to get away from her and required a constant check to ensure she didn't do something she'd regret. While hers needed a leash, his needed to be beaten back down. Once again, his self-control won out and he managed some coherency.

"Ahsoka," he breathed, catching her attention, "I love you." Through their open link, Ahsoka can already sense what he wants to say. "But maybe we should slow-"

"No." She interrupted, voice low but keening, "Please," the way she says it is like a spark within him, one threatening to ignite him entirely, "please Wraith. I don't... want to give this up. Not yet." It's how she practically begs him that casts his former train of thought aside, as he is definitely in favor of being just a little more physical with his girlfriend. So Wraith pulled her as close as he could and seals his lips against hers. Her breath catches, much like their first kiss, but the little whimper that follows is less from the intensity and moreso from the hunger that fills her. He kisses her with passion and she can sense he doesn't want to stop. She doesn't want him to either, enabling him by cupping his jaw with both hands, her back arching to ensure there is no space and anything close to qualifying is diminished by her proximity. They'd made out before, only a few times, but enough for Wraith to know where the boundaries are and to mentally begin ticking down the seconds until it's time for them to stop, before they cross the point of no return.

Her mind is enveloped by a haze, reducing her focus to him and him alone. There's something so blissful about it that makes her happy and she realizes that this is what she wanted. The closeness she was missing was this, this physical unity with Wraith.

But it wasn't total. At least, not yet.

A new craving came to her, this one testing her sense of boldness. A notion that would propell the two of them well beyond the comfortable borders they had settled for. Closeness was one thing, unity was another. But intimacy...

It was something that would mean devoting herself to something more than the Jedi, not just breaking the Code but completely shattering it. It was a sin and she knew it, all sorts of warnings in her head blaring at the notion. But they were swiftly drowned out by something else, something that's not the feel of his lips or the taste of his mouth. It's a sudden desire for more, more than kisses, more than making out. It's a heat, and a very tangible one.

She knew the feeling well, the all-consuming thoughts and feelings that had plagued her every step only a few days ago. It was the Urge again. Only this time it wasn't a nuisance or a bother. It inflamed her passion and for a moment she understood why the Jedi cautioned all about it, only to cast the knowledge aside for the sake of wanting more. Ahsoka knew she was supposed to quell the Urge and supress her feelings, but she didn't and welcomed it instead. It felt like everything she'd been wanting, amplifying her activity with Wraith tenfold. This was the first time Ahsoka had ever dabbled in the Urge, but now that she had, she had a feeling there'd be no going back. Further indulgence would, if found out, shatter her chances at further promotion within the Order. At best she'd be sent to the AgriCorps, exiled from everything she'd ever known. At worst she'd be expelled in a heartbeat, her entire life decimated in the span of a day.

Was it worth it?

Wraith had far less stakes to worry about. Sure, if this was somehow uncovered he'd never hear the end of it and maybe, just maybe, Darth Sidious might try to 'correct' him. But he could care less about the opinions of others, especially when he had the love of his life so close at hand. He could sense Ahsoka's desire for him, but once again had no idea how far it truly went. He didn't know her exact thoughts just yet, not knowing she was contemplating more than making out. He was, though, and decided to push the intensity just a little higher. He did so by suddenly moving them and laying her down on the couch. Ahsoka let out a soft squeak of surprise as he did, her senses too clouded to know it was coming. She looked up as he hovered over her, effectively pinning her down, and the look he gave her made her squirm as the ache became unbearable, as if his eyes bored into her to stoke the heat even further. His pupils were large and dark, consuming most of the iris as passion and desire clouded him. His intentions were evident, even if he wasn't fully aware of them, and Ahsoka could plainly sense them, thinly veiled behind a waning sense of restraint. It was primal, basic biology.

He wanted her.

He likely had since the first time she confessed her love for him. His self-control was remarkable and praiseworthy, as was his patience. Ahsoka knew he had the strength to overpower her and could've taken her any time he wished. But he didn't, waiting until she was ready. That was really admirable, and she pulled him down closer to her so she might express her appreciation. She kissed him tenderly, the lustful haze broken for a moment and pulled back to whisper, "Thank you."

"For what?" He asked, voice deep and thick with passion.

"For being you." She replied with eyes half-lidded. He smiled and his arms came around her in a protective yet loving way, their bodies pressed together. His hands reached for hers, fingers intertwining as he showed her the same sense of care and concern he always did. Even in the midst of rising passions, he put her first. He said nothing more and kissed her gently. A pulse filtered through their bond and she sensed his mutual yearning for her. Their feelings kindred, they kissed again, hands abruptly coming apart to settle on each other's bodies. Having been wound down, Ahsoka could feel the escalating emotions coming on again. She felt the heat rising again, felt the ache deepen, felt the need grow and grow until she could barely contain herself. A part of her demanded she slow down and stop this. As a Jedi she wasn't supposed to do this.

But the rest of her wanted to continue, wanted to know what it was like, wanted to feel him...

She could feel her inhibitions sliding, her sense of restraint and self-control giving out as their motions escalated, simple kisses including tongues as they became open-mouthed and gentle pets becoming firm groping. The heat bloomed across her cheeks and settled in her core, mixing with the ache she already felt. Ahsoka felt clouded, but in the best possible way. She was hazy as she kissed Wraith, losing all sense of duty and responsibilty and trading it for passion and love... or was it lust?

She decided that it was both. Definitely both.

Ahsoka let out a disappointed sound as his lips left hers, the sound abruptly changing pitch and tone to that of surprise as he pressed his mouth to her jaw. He trailed kisses down her jaw towards her neck where his ministrations lingered upon the skin he'd never touched before. the shudder from Ahsoka spurred him on and he wished for a moment that he could get beneath the restrictive collar of her top. Ahsoka wanted to give him access, but felt held back until she and Wraith had sorted this out.

And so he moved on, from her neck... to her lekku.

Ahsoka had heard of headtail stimulation before and felt it when she'd accidentally touched her lekku the wrong way. The brief, pleasurable wave was enough to leave her weak-kneed and gasping for air.

The prolonged stimulation from Wraith's tongue, however, was enough to make her melt.

Biting her lip, Ahsoka held back a moan as he caressed her sensitive and virtually-untouched bundles of nerve endings in the very tip of her lekku. Little kisses, teasing licks, all of it threatened to undo her self-restraint and unleash that which the Jedi sought to quell. Ahsoka tried to hold it back, honestly and truly, but when she felt his tongue slash across her tail and it becomes too much to contain. She let out a moan, followed by a pleasurable shiver as he teased her ultra-sensitive tail. That was one more crack in her wall of restraint. She wasn't sure how many more it could take. But it's when he teases her montrals with just his fingers that she knew the wall had crumbled entirely.

She could not control it any longer.

"Wraith..." Ahsoka's words came as a moan and it was enough for to stir Wraith from the sensual revelry he'd lapsed into. The countdown was up, they were now on borrowed time, on the precipice of falling off. He released her lekku.

"I-I'm sorry. I went to far-" He started to apologize.

"No." Ahsoka suddenly and fervently stopped him, taking his face in hand and kissing him again. Wraith tried to hold back, but he was also losing his sense of restraint. He was fully aware of it now, he knew he had to stop lest his desires rage to the point of becoming unstoppable. Then their kisses slowed, replaced with mutually heavy breathing as Ahsoka pulled away. Despite the surges of pleasure, she'd had enough coherency to think about what she wanted. "I... I-I..." She tried to say, losing her words to nervousness. The boldness was there, her mind made up, but she couldn't quite speak it. So she relied on their bond and Wraith was riveted to hear her say,

I want to be intimate with you.

His widened eyes regarded her flushed expression with surprise, not expecting her to say that at all. They spoke no words, conversing only through their bond.

Are you sure? He asked. I-I don't want to rush you, I'll happily wait until you're ready. He quickly replied. Ahsoka said nothing further, letting her dilated gaze meet his. As she gained a little more control over her body, her shallow breathing indicated she was very much in heat and in want. Wraith could see the fervor behind her eyes, sense the rising desire and need that was filling her, consuming her.

She wanted him.

Then Ahsoka kissed him again, silently affirming their actions, letting him know that this was okay and that she was ready. Wave after wave of reassurance filled Wraith's mind and put his worries to rest. He remembered he needed to trust her judgement more, to know that she could handle herself and was more than capable of making decisions about sensitive matters.

And so he decided to oblige her wishes.

He leaned back, their lips coming apart once again. He smiled at her and slowly got off the couch, Ahsoka following his moves and wondering what he was doing. That's when he knelt beside the couch and slid one arm under her legs and the other around her back, lifting her up moments later. Taken by his strength and her heart pounding now that she was aloft, Ahsoka looked to Wraith with bright, shining eyes.

"If you'll allow me, my love..." He whispered in a breathy voice. Ahsoka smiled and exhaled, blushing further at the notion of being cradled in his arms bridal-style. With long strides he crossed the floor of the lounge, his destination obvious to them both. He carried her into the bedroom and a Force push from her closed the door behind them...


They made love that night. Slow, intimate, tender love.

It was their first time, their first attempt. There was no rush, no need to be hasty, they were determined to take things slow and do things right. It became a sensory experience unlike anything either of them had experienced before, enhanced greatly through their bond. Her pleasure spilled into his and vice versa, culminating in a euphoric state that dragged on for hours as they were united in mind, body and soul.

For Wraith it was bliss, it was passion... it was love. Real, true, honest love. The intimacy he shared with Ahsoka was something he'd always treasure, something he knew would drive him to do anything and everything for her and her alone.

For Ahsoka, there simply were no words to describe this heavenly night, and if there were she doubted they could do it a true justice. She felt adoration, euphoria, desire and such intense pleasure as she experienced true intimacy with Wraith for the first time. And it felt amazing. Wraith made her feel wanted. He made her feel desired, cherished and, above all, loved. Loved in a way that no one else had or could make her feel.

In the end, with soft night light streaming in through the nearby window, clothes scattered across the floor, tangled sheets wrapped around them, Wraith and Ahsoka cuddled together in the afterglow. Sweet whispered words lingered in the air, nerve endings still buzzed with fading pleasure, drying sweat clung to every inch of their bodies... it was perfect.

With one hand splayed across his chest and the other curling around his neck, her body pressed tightly against his, Ahsoka nuzzled Wraith's neck before sleep claimed her, feeling so intimately connected to him and even more in love with him. Wraith felt similarly, his strong arms wrapped around Ahsoka's lithe frame as he held her, one hand reassuringly on the back of her head while the other rubbed her back in slow soothing motions. He fell asleep soon after, just as tired as her... but also just as happy.


Author's Note: For those of you who have been wanting a lemon, I've decided to not include any lemons in this story for a couple of reasons: Firstly, Star Wars as a whole does not feature any sort of scenes like that, only moments of loving embraces. Since I'm trying to be faithful to George Lucas' original vision and intentions, that's my big reason for not including a lemon. Secondly, in reading my story over again, I think it might be tasteless to include such a graphic scene. It just doesn't fit the overall vibe of the story. Despite the M rating, I am trying to be tasteful.

Anyway, hope you enjoyed!