The Missions Between

Chapter 3: Distracted Practice

Ahsoka was down in the lounge in the Jedi temple just relaxing from her studying. She had closed her eyes and tried to get a little bit of sleep. It was just too quiet in her room so she stayed down where there was a little commotion. This was finally her solitude after the events on Mortis.

"Ahsoka!" Came a familiar female voice.

Ahsoka awoke but not at all excited for this.

"How are you feeling? I heard about what happened during your last mission."

"Ugh, Barriss, can't you see I'm trying to get a little sleep?" Ahsoka pointed out.

"Well, this isn't really the place for that. That's what we all have our own rooms for." Barriss added.

"It's just too quiet right now up there and my mind has been a little, out of sorts." Ahsoka stated as she looked down at her feet. "But to answer your question, I just feel a little tired mostly."

"Well, I was wondering if you could help me with some minor training. Master Unduli has taught me a new move with my lightsaber and I wanted to show you."

"You want to dual me? Are you really sure that's wise Barriss?" Ahsoka asked arrogantly.

"Oh goodness Ahsoka." Barriss said rolling her eyes. "You're good, but you're a fool if you think you can beat me." Barriss taunted her back.

Ahsoka jumped out of the chair she was lounging in. "Well then, I accept that challenge." She said with confidence in her eyes. The two girls ran off to the practice room of the temple.

Barriss ignited her lightsaber and Ahsoka ignited one of hers.

"Okay Barriss, what's this new move of yours?" Ahsoka asked.

Barriss leapt from her position swinging her lightsaber moving it from behind her head slamming it down as she landed right in front of Ahsoka.

Ahsoka fell backwards. "What was that?" Ahsoka said angrily.

"What's wrong Ahsoka? You didn't block. I could have ended you just now. What's going on?

"Umm, nothing; let's try again." Ahsoka stuttered as she stood to her feet. She shook her head to get refocused.

Barriss was really concerned for her distracted friend. She backed up to make her move again. She jumped in the air and swung her lightsaber in Ahsoka's direction.

Ahsoka had spaced out for a moment then realized the blue light coming towards her and she quickly ducked.

"Okay Ahsoka. This is not how you fight. I know, I've seen how good you are. What's going on?" Barriss asked.

"Nothing!" Ahsoka declared as she crossed her arms and gave Barriss an angry look.

"It's not nothing Ahsoka. I know that look." Barriss said as she put her arm around Ahsoka and walked her over to the chair in the room and sat her down. "It's a boy isn't it."

"No, umm, of course not. That's ridiculous Barriss." Ahsoka tried to defend herself but Barriss wasn't having it.

"What's his name?"

Ahsoka was about to defend herself again but then she submitted. She let out a huge breath and then spoke. "Okay, his name is Lux. But you can't tell anyone Barriss, especially not Anakin."

Barriss smiled up at Ahsoka. "Little Ahsoka has a boyfriend." She taunted.

"Hey! Stop it Barriss." Ahsoka demanded as she blushed.

Barriss stood up and gave Ahsoka a look of disapproval. "Ahsoka, you can't let it affect you in the field." Barriss informed her.

"I'm well aware of that Barriss; and so far, it hasn't." Ahsoka said with a bit of confusion. "I just don't know what to do. Do I leave the order? I just don't know Barriss."

"Hmm, well let's think about this. The Jedi code forbids romance yet, I know how hard it can be to avoid those feelings." Barriss informed.

"Come on Barriss, I just really like him. I don't understand why, I guess he's just, cute." Ahsoka said blushing again. This is the first time she mentioned her feelings to someone in the Jedi order. She kind of felt better now that someone knew. "Promise me Barriss that you won't tell anyone."

Barriss rolled her eyes. "Okay okay, I won't tell anyone. We all deserve a little feeling in our hectic lives I guess." Barriss said comforting her love sick friend.

Ahsoka began to walk out of the room and as she passed Barriss, she put her hand on her shoulder. "Thank you Barriss, I really need some time alone now if you don't mind. I hope you find a worthy opponent for your new moves. Besides, we all know it wouldn't work on me anyway." Ahsoka said with a half grin on her face.

Barriss rolled her eyes again and they both walked out of the practice room.

Ahsoka opened the door to her room and collapsed on her bed. She was more overwhelmed with feelings now than she'd been since she met Lux. Her eyes began to water as she pondered her options. She didn't want to sneak around especially since Lux lived on Raxus and it was technically illegal for her to travel there even though she was a Jedi, it was considered illegal unless she went there for Jedi business and Lux, definitely didn't count as Jedi business. Pretty soon, Ahsoka heard her com link beep. She jumped off her bed hoping maybe it was Lux. But it was just Anakin.

"Hello! This is Ahsoka."

"Hey Snips."

"Oh, hey Master." Ahsoka said with a much more disappointed tone.

"Don't sound too excited Snips." Anakin joked. "Hey I just wanted to let you know that Master Windu and Master Plo put together the rescue team going to the Citadel. We are all good to go."

"Oh, sounds good Master. I'll be down shortly."

"But wait Snip…" he wasn't able to finish before she signed off.

Ahsoka got her Jedi apparel on and headed down to the briefing hall. Ahsoka was running a tad late. The briefing was already finished and the rescue party was already heading to the hanger area to board their ship. She ran out into the hall to catch up to her master and the others.

"Master! I'm sorry I'm late; I just heard about the briefing. We're going to rescue Master Peel right?" Ahsoka said with her composure together for she was excited to have something to distract her from her feelings.

Anakin and Ahsoka stopped while Obi wan and Plo Koon walked a few steps ahead.

"You two have much to discuss." Plo said with his deep voice.

"Ahsoka I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier; but you won't be coming along on this one." Anakin informed her.

A look of disgust came across her face. "Not coming?"

Anakin and Ahsoka finished their conversation and Anakin walked on.

Ahsoka turned around to head back to her room. She hung her head and began to feel useless.

She opened the door to her room with a look of disappointment on her face, she saw her com link was blinking. She pushed the button and sat down on her bed and placed her forehead in her palm.

"Hey Ahsoka it's Lux. Give me a shout when you get in will you? Thanks."

Ahsoka immediately perked up. She sent out the call to Lux.

"Hello, this is Lux."
"Hey Lux!" Ahsoka said with excitement wiping her eyes. "I'm returning your message."

"Oh, I just wanted to talk to you for a bit. Do you have time?"

"Well, I guess I do, since I won't be going on the rescue mission. They don't understand, Anakin is just being protective of me. He always is. I know they will need me to fit through some type of small space or something." Ahsoka vented.

"Really? Why wouldn't they want you to go?" Lux asked.

"Anakin said, he didn't want to share the risk of possibility of death."

"How does he expect you to gain experience if he won't let you go on missions?" Lux asked.

"That's what I said!" Ahsoka piped. "But, he is the master so I guess I should listen to him right?"

"Well, is there anyone that may be able to reassign you to the mission, someone above your master? Lux asked.

"Well, Master Plo is heading it up."

"There ya go Ahsoka. You deserve to go on the mission. I don't want anything bad to happen to you either but I know you are good at what you do."

Ahsoka blushed and then let out a little soft chuckle. "Thanks Lux. I will be careful I promise. I'll call you later and let you know how it goes."

"Umm, okay…" Lux wasn't able to finish before Ahsoka signed off.

She ran down to the hanger area and sure enough, there was Plo preparing a ship.

The Citadel rescue was now complete. Ahsoka and the rest of the rescue party returned to the temple. Ahsoka gave Master Peel's half of the intel to the Jedi council like she was instructed.

"Now, run along you must, Padawan Tano." Master Yoda said after she gave him the intel.

Ahsoka bowed to Yoda then took off back to her room. She attempted to make contact with Lux but she got no answer. She decided she's leave a message just like he always seemed to do for her.

"Hey Lux. It's Ahsoka. I just got back from the mission. I have so much to tell you about that mission. There were some good things and some bad. But I was definitely needed for the mission. Unfortunately, Master Peel didn't make it home, I will miss him. But Master Plo had my back when Anakin asked him if he assigned me to the mission." Ahsoka said all of this with excitement. "Anyway, I hope all is well with you and your mother. Tell her I said hi. I guess I'll talk to you later." And Ahsoka signed off.

At this time, Lux didn't respond to her message.

Chapter 4 coming soon….