Chapter 3.

After returning to Lux and signing off on Anakin's misdemeanours we left for Alderaan. I had spent time talking vigorously with Obi wan as he made is way back to Coruscant. He offered a place for Katooni in his home with the others. She could attend school with Petro and Zatt, train with them and be around people her age and those who she knows she can trust… Reluctantly, I finally agreed to allow him to give her the invitation. Katooni was beyond excited at the thought of seeing her classmates again but she was hesitant. She was worried about my wellbeing and reminisced fondly about the lessons I have taught her. We laughed and hugged and expected to see each other again soon.

Katooni left for Coruscant the same time we left for Alderaan. I wished her well and she insisted that she was only going to visit and ensure that it was the right place for her. She promised that she would come straight back to Onderon the same time we would, something about Onderon being her, 'calling' whatever that was supposed to mean. The force was pushing me to let her go and was content to allow Katooni to decide her fate. I was sure that she'd stay and Coruscant with the other, it only seems right.

My eyes glossed over Lux's sun-kissed complexion that was immaculately purple with damaged blood cells. I had told him the sun would help clear the bruising. I giggled. Such a dork.

"Are you staring at me again, Lady Tano?" he chided.

"Not at all, Senator Bonteri. Just admiring the view".

He cracked a smile as I began the descent into the upper atmosphere. I flew us up into the mountains and over the lake that surrounded the metropolis. Lux asked where I was taking him and I insisted it was a secret. He closed his eyes and played coy and told me to tell him when we were there. I happily obliged, punching his arm lightly. Within minutes we were there. I giggled watching his lips part and astonishment glaze his eyes.

A beautiful, opulent chalet built into the mountainside high up in the hills, hidden from any pesky reporters. Plenty of tree cover and a view of the lake down below. A small hangar off to the side with building access, big enough for a small starship but small enough as to not intrude into the landscape too much.

"Welcome to casa Tano!" I laughed wholeheartedly, heading for the hanger.

Lux shook his head as he remembered the many calls, I had been making to the acting Chancellor Bail Organa. Not only to help re-telling what happened on Coruscant as an anonymous informant but to offer assistance of any kind should he need it. He recommended the chalet to me after I had originally contacted him offering the same assistance back. Alderaan would be my home away from homes. Who knew that I'd make money as an advisor to the king and a member of the royal court!

The security system let us into the hall connecting the hangar to the main entry. The automatic door swung open upon scanning my face and allowed entry to the main living area. Lux flung himself gratefully onto the plush lounge. I rolled my eyes and set down my belongings and clicked on the security system. I used the force to open the terrace doors and pulled Lux up from the lounge, dragging him outside to admire the view. The glass balcony happily supported our weight as we leant upon its edge, staring longingly into the serenity of the forest and lake sleeping below.

"Why didn't you tell me, Soka? I could've helped with the process," Lux breathed out, his eyes flickering to mine.

I looped my arm under him and pulled him close, weariness and exhaustion clear on his face.

"I wanted to surprise you..." I trailed off sighing heavily, "to prove that I could trust myself again".

I gave him a series of explanations. The betrayal of Barriss and how that impacted me and sent me into the healing ward and our confrontation at the temple. The Jedi Council and my expulsion from the order. And Anakin, he still betrayed me even after knowing what Barriss did to me, after all, he had done to heal me from her. Lux listened and his compassionate words of understanding pulled at my heartstrings. He began to lean heavily on me. I wiped away my tears of realisation and gratitude. Using the force, I helped him into one of the bedrooms.

He laid still and moaned uncomfortably. Lux's forehead was glistening with sweat and the bruise on his face had turned a deeper, richer red and purple. The small cut was now bulbous. I frowned, his breathing was normal and mumbling left his lips about wanting sleep. I stepped quickly back down the hallway and into the bathroom, activating a small medical droid. The noise itself echoed off the vanity in the large tiled room. I had to pull myself out of a daydream, it was much larger than those in the Jedi Temple and almost as luscious as Padme's. I shook my head. The droid bounced along behind me before jumping onto the bed and scanning Lux. The droid administered type one antibiotics and anti-inflammatories. I thanked the droid just as it shut itself down on the side table in the room.

Lux stirred and reached out for my hand, "I feel so dumb, I shouldn't have dragged you into politics. It's so crazy".

"My life was already crazy, Mister Bonteri. I wouldn't change it. You'd take care of me all the same," I forced a smile retreating to the kitchen.

I returned with water and a plate of dried fruits. Lux was sat up looking out the window, past the spa and garden on the balcony. I went to leave and attend to the ship when his voice reached my ears.

"Stay…" he cleared his throat, "would you care to sit with me for a while?"

His formality thrilled my soul as I gladly sat myself up next to him. It was so welcoming yet shocking. It was something that I would never get used to. His upbringing was noble yet challenging and he still grew up to be this man. It was something that I would always admire about him. The qualities of a gentleman without the misogynistic overtones.

I reached up and tousled the hair on his hair. It was so strange, yet soft and shiny. It felt good between my fingers. He petted my montrals and in between it all I caught myself staring at him and he was staring at me. It was a strange mutual realisation and it seemed to happen to both of us at the same time. We both gave a puff of approval from our noses and laughed at each other and soon it was dark.

I woke up and scared myself, shaking the bed and slipping myself away from Lux who awoke to me jumping off of the bed.

"Sorry, I must've been tired. I didn't mean t-"

Lux cut me off, "it's okay, Ahsoka, you don't have to apologise. You did fly all the way here".

My cheeks flushed red. I hadn't meant to fall asleep next to him. That's the first time we've shared a bed. I could feel myself shrink away to the bathroom. Yes, we had kissed once or twice and had the occasional cuddle and hug-cry but this was new.

I sent an order to a distributor and restaurant for a delivery of local foods as well as a couple of hot meals. The droid flew onto the balcony and released the containers. It waited for me to dismiss it as I opened the door, turning on the patio lights. I checked that the correct containers had arrived before touching the screen to allow the delivery droid to fly to its next destination. I moved the containers inside and unpacked them. Storing them away and calling Lux to the table.

"How are you feeling?" I asked him, poking at my food.

"Better now," he smiled.

We ate in silence, a weary sense of exhaustion hanging over us. The plates were cleared and returned to the container on the balcony for the droid. Lux appeared to be in a brighter mood and no longer wincing in pain every time he moved. I heard him rummage through one of his bags and pull something out just as I finished removing my head guard and wrist guards. A bottle of Iziz distilled liquor. He smirked at me with that goofy grin and I couldn't help but shake my head.

"Pour me a glass then," I breathed out, walking out towards the spa, pulling two towels from the shelf.

I dipped my toe into the warm water, before I removed my tank top and skirt, clumsily tossing my belt inside the door. I stood there in my only my underwear, the night air pricking my skin. With a small hop, I descended into the warmth.

Lux brought two glasses and the bottle outside to the spa. He slid off his shirt and I looked away biting my lip. I heard him get in and I turned back. He poured a glass for me and I took it gratefully.

"Congratulations on your first house, Soka," his voice sweet and sincere.

He leaned in and kissed my cheek unexpectedly, "and thank you for taking care of me".

We talked for a while about our lives past and experiences. It made me smile thinking about our first meeting on Raxus. I remember receiving my first letter from Lux. It was with the last letter his mother Mina had sent to Padme. After that, it was holo messages sent from Onderon. We talked about Steela and the civil war we both fought in and won.

"You have no idea how hard it was not to kiss you," he laughed pouring a third glass.

I blushed profusely, "I wish you had. It probably would've stopped me from falling for, Anakin". I finished my glass.

He grabbed me by the waist and pulled me close, kissing me deeply. This was different than the other times we had kissed. This time my heart was involved. Clumsily setting down my glass I climbed onto his lap so I was facing him. Our foreheads touched and I could feel his passionate drive flow through me, his emotions, he poured everything into me.

'…Lux'

'Ahsoka…'

I pulled away the same time he did and giggled, "it must be the alcohol".

Lux shrugged and kissed me again ignoring the fact that I just accidentally used to force to connect our thoughts at such proximity. I slide my hand around to the back of his head and weaved it into his hair, tugging gently. His lips burned my skin as I moved against his body. He kissed a trail down my neck as I arched my back, my clothing slipping off of my body with ease as I relished in the moment. Just him and me. He chuckled to himself as he pulled back to look at me, a look of desire enveloping my body.

Chapter 4 -preview-

"What do you mean that the entire ship has disappeared?"

My thoughts began to race as an all too familiar presence began to creep up the back of my neck. Remnants of the past needling their way into my eyes. Morai?