The Missions Between
Chapter 11: Tying up Loose Ends
Saw had decided he was going to break the former king out of the holding area that King Rash had him held in. he decided he was going to do this by himself. Steela had just been announced as the leader of this rebellion. Steela wasn't happy with her brother's decision to go off by himself, she went into a room to gather up information on their next attack. Lux followed her in to try to comfort her.
"Steela, Saw is strong." He said as he placed a hand on Steela's shoulder.
"He's always been brash, he never thinks. He doesn't realize that by leaving us, he's hurting us. We need a plan."
Steela began to explain her plan to Lux. But the plan was not on his mind. He just stared at a stressed out Steela who still hadn't quite forgiven him for his past hidden feelings for Ahsoka. His eyes widened as he looked at her darker skin and hair.
Steela noticed Lux's gaze. "Lux, please don't look at me like that." She said calmly considering his feelings.
"Sorry, forgive me, i…"
Steela grabbed Lux's hand. "I just need to be alone right now. Gather everyone to go over the plan." Steela demanded.
Lux turned with a defeated heart and walked out.
He walked back into the main hall and noticed Ahsoka was still seated in there. She had just gotten in touch with Obi-wan and Anakin to plan her next move.
Ahsoka stood up when Lux walked in. "Well, what did she say?" She asked.
"Oh, not much Ahsoka, she just needs to be alone." Lux said with a sad look on his face.
Ahsoka felt responsible for the tension between Lux and Steela, and it broke her heart to even think about stepping aside for his sake. But after hearing her master's words during their transmission, "purpose must come before feelings," she decided that she would no longer let her feelings get the better of her; at least for the remainder of this mission. She reached out and placed a hand on Lux's shoulder in comfort. "I'm, sorry Lux." She added trying to be sincere.
Lux just stared up at Ahsoka. Her comforting smile was too much for him to stand. How could he choose Steela over her? But he had made a promise to Steela that he wasn't going to break. He never made this promise to Ahsoka. "Ahsoka, I'm so sorry for the uncomfortable situation that we've gotten into lately. I'd really love to be good friends, if you'll let me be your friend."
Ahsoka smiled at Lux again but felt her heart sink just like she did before. "Of course Lux." She confirmed even though it wasn't what she really wanted. But she needed to obey her master's advice. "Let's go round up the others." She added.
Together, they rallied the troops for Steela to go over the plan as to how they were going to save both Saw and the rightful Kind Dendub. They executed the plan although not without many flaws and problems. Ahsoka had tried everything she could as to not step in and get involved with the cause. But she couldn't help it, she did it for Lux and even for his relationship with Steela. As the rebels got the King back to the camp quarters, they were all cheering about this victory although they knew the fight wasn't over yet.
"Ahsoka, I knew you couldn't resist a good fight." Lux told her in private.
Ahsoka blushed and smiled. "Am I becoming that predictable?"
"Only to me." Lux added. "Come with me, let's go get some food to celebrate."
Ahsoka obliged and went with him. They hopped onto one of those large orange flying creatures and headed into town together.
Steela, who knew she had been evasive towards Lux, didn't really blame him for going off with Ahsoka at this point. She knew she needed to apologize for acting the way she did. Ahsoka was here to help and that's just what she did. And Steela knew that if they were going to fully liberate Onderon, they would need Ahsoka's help for the fight to come.
Lux took Ahsoka to a secluded spot in town for a bite to eat.
"You must be starving Ahsoka." Lux mentioned.
Ahsoka wasn't sure what to say, she felt strange being alone with Lux again after everything that had happened between them, but she knew it was where she wanted to be despite Steela's feelings. "Sure, I guess." She told him. "Lux, what about Steela?"
"She's in a bit of a rough spot. She never considered herself our leader before. It's just a lot for her to take."
"I meant because of me. I didn't mean to hurt your relationship with her Lux." Ahsoka said.
"Ahsoka, I know. It's not your fault, I should have told her about my feelings for you." Lux added.
"I must ask, what, are your feelings for me?"
"I really like you Ahsoka, you're so beautiful and sweet. But you have a code to live by and your life is so fast paced that I just felt left behind." Lux admitted to her. "Steela and I, well, we share a common interest, and that is liberating our home planet."
Ahsoka blushed at his compliment. She wasn't used to being told she was beautiful, or sweet for that matter. "Thank you Lux."
"Don't get me wrong Ahsoka, I really wanted you to be mine."
"You don't have to say anymore, the thing is, you're with Steela now and so I guess I'll…I'll have to just let it be." Ahsoka said with her eyes beginning to water. She turned her head away from Lux. She was too prideful to let him see her shed even one tear.
Lux noticed right away, he knew how to read Ahsoka. He walked around the table and wrapped his arms around her.
Ahsoka accepted the hug and returned the favor.
"Ahsoka, you mean so much to me. I just don't want you to give up your destiny to be with me. I do love you Ahsoka." Lux stated as he released her from his grip.
She began wiping her eyes. "I love you too Lux." She hesitated but she got the words out. The first time she had ever been told she was loved, and certainly the first time she had ever said it to someone. She liked the way those words felt coming out of her mouth but she wouldn't dare say them around the other Jedi. She felt much better now that they'd had a chance to talk about stuff. She still didn't want to let him go, but she knew she had to for his sake. Lux was right about her fast paced life style. It didn't allow much time for a social life beyond socializing with the other Jedi. Several of her friends that she felt were family, some had passed on and others of course were still living. Like Anakin, like Obi-wan, like Barriss, all Jedi that she could say that she loved in some aspect, and quite frankly, she couldn't wait to see them again, for they were her family and Anakin would have her back in almost any situation, including her unfocused romantic feelings for Lux.
Pretty soon, a transmission came through on Lux's com link. "Lux, Ahsoka, get back to the camp, we need to go over out new attack!" Steela demanded.
"We have to go Ahsoka."Lux stated as the two of them darted out of the restaurant and headed back for the camp.
More coming…..
