The Missions Between

Chapter 8: Meeting again

Anakin was called into the council room for they had received a transmission from someone named Saw Gerrara from Onderon. He was needing help eliminating separatist occupation from the planet.

"Sorry we're late, Ahsoka was getting some rest and I couldn't find her." He said sarcastically as he looked down at his padawan who was glaring at him.

The entire council was waiting for them to take position on the other side of the room. Saw continued to talk about the situation on Onderon and what he was needing help with. "I do have a small cell of people willing to take on separatists here on Onderon, and this is one of them. Senator Lux Bonteri." Saw introduced.

Just as Saw introduced him, Lux appeared in the hologram.

Ahsoka's breath was taken from her when she saw him. It had been a while since she talked to him.

As Saw was talking to the council, Lux and Ahsoka made immediate eye contact.

Her heart was about to explode and Anakin looked down at his young padawan and could feel her tension but decided to let it be for now, he didn't want to say anything in front of the council, or even in front of Lux. He knew darn well what was going on in Ahsoka's adolescent mind.

Her heart was pounding so fast that her whole body started shaking. She was really concerned with why he hadn't even tried to contact her. Insecurities entered into her mind. While the council discussed what they would do, Ahsoka was really hoping they would go and she would go along. It was later decided that she would go with her master and his master.

While Anakin and Ahsoka walked to the hanger area, Anakin had something he wanted to discuss with Ahsoka. "Ahsoka, don't be nervous about this mission."

Ahsoka gave him a bit of a confused look. She had been on many missions and he never once said that to her. "Don't worry Master, I'm not nervous." She denied for she was incredibly nervous about seeing her young Bonteri again, although she had no idea he was a senator now.

"That's good because you seem a bit tense. Is there something going on?" Anakin asked.

"Umm, no. Why would there be something going on?"

"I'm just looking out for you, I worry about you sometimes Ahsoka."

She got a bit frustrated with him at that point. "You always get so over protective of me Master; I'm perfectly capable of handling things myself." She piped.

"Take it easy Snips, I wasn't saying you weren't, I just don't want you to get hurt, that's all." Anakin stated.

Before Ahsoka could say another word, they had arrived at the ship they were to take to Onderon. Both Rex and Obi-wan were waiting for them.

"Well it's about time." Obi-wan said as he walked towards both of them

Ahsoka just blew right past him and got on the ship. She felt a tad embarrassed about her feelings. She knew it was forbidden for her to act on them, but she really didn't have this under control the way she wanted to.

Ahsoka wrapped her robe around her, the ships were always cold on her bare back and arms. She sat away from the rest of the group to focus on the mission at hand, not Lux this time. But she couldn't figure out why something just felt off about seeing him in the hologram, she was very unsettled.

Rex came out and saw her sitting by herself. "Are.. you alright Commander?" He asked as he sat down beside her.

"Oh, hey Rex. I, guess you could say so." She said with uncertainty. She could barely look at Rex, after having unbearable feelings for Lux that she couldn't explain, and having had a little argument with her master, her eyes were a little watery and she didn't want Rex to see.

Rex knew as well by his commander's reaction that something wasn't right and so he stayed there to pry. "Well, I know distress when I see it. Out with it Commander, something's bothering you."

Ahsoka began to tear up, but she managed to look up at Rex who was just smiling with his kind eyes at her. "Rex, have you ever had… romantic feelings?"

"Why yes I have Commander. Why? Feeling love's bittersweet sting are we?"

"I guess you could say that, I haven't seen him for quite some time, or even made contact with him in quite some time. Something just doesn't feel right about this." Ahsoka told him with a sad expression on her face.

"Might I ask who this young man is?" Rex asked.

Ahsoka didn't respond, but more or less, turned her body as not to face Rex as she felt like if she even said Lux's name she would be a hot mess, then her master would know what was going on and she didn't want that.

"Oh, it's the senator from the hologram isn't it? I saw you two acknowledge each other in the conference room." Rex stated in a calming manner.

Ahsoka's petite body started quivering again.

Rex sat down beside her and placed his arm around her in acts to comfort his hurting commander. "I care about you Commander, I'm sorry this is so difficult for you. I'm no Jedi so I don't quite understand what it's like to ignore these feelings.

In a sobbing voice, Ahsoka managed to speak. "It's just not easy at all Rex." She said with a little sniffle as she turned her body to face him and she hugged him.

"I've got your back Commander." Rex informed her.

"I know you do Rex." Ahsoka said as her sobbing was letting up. She just didn't know what to do about all of these emotions, she never felt quite like this before, even on Mon Gozza her feelings weren't quite this strong.

Rex let go of her once she stopped crying. "I won't tell General Skywalker or General Kenobi either Commander. This will be between us." He said giving her a little wink.

Ahsoka pushed out a smile of significant gratitude for the amount of comfort he just provided for her. She managed to gather her composure and went up to the cockpit.

"How are we coming?" She asked.

"Almost to Onderon Snips." Anakin stated.

The ship was finally entering the atmosphere of Onderon.

"This is Valkyrie 2929, we are coming up on the drop site." Stated one of the pilots.

The three Jedi and Captain Rex were dropped off in the middle of the jungle.

"I'm not so sure about this Anakin." Obi-wan stated as the group took a look around as to where they needed to go.

Soon out of nowhere, a young dark skinned woman appeared on a native animal. "Stay where you are! Identify yourselves!" She demanded.

Anakin lifted his hood. "It's alright, you're among friends."

"Jedi!" She exclaimed.

Then Ahsoka lifted her hood. Seeing a woman in the rebellion was not what she expected. Insecurities immediately entered into her mind. What if Lux was "with" her, she thought to herself. 'No no, that's ridiculous, just because she's another girl, doesn't mean anything.' She thought. "I'm Commander Tano." She said with a stern and confident tone.

"Come with me, I'll show you to our secret base." Steela stated as she turned the animal around to have the Jedi follow her.

As they walked through the jungle, Ahsoka's mind became very clouded, what had Lux been up to all this time, how long would it be before she got to even see him? She was clearly losing focus.

Anakin could feel Ahsoka's tension once again, but he had to keep his composure for her safety and not to jeopardize the mission as Ahsoka would be doing most of the training during the mission.

As they got closer to the camp, the group could see creatures flying in the air.

"We're getting close now." Steela informed.

There was a large archway that they went underneath and that's how they entered into the camp. And standing around a holomap, who should catch Ahsoka's wandering eye, but Lux himself.

Ahsoka's eyes went wide and a smile brewed upon her face. The insecurities went away for the time being. And the group got settled in before beginning the trainings.