The Missions Between
Chapter 12: Dealing with Loss
Steela had formed a plan that involved sending a transmission into the city of Isis in order for former King Dendub to make a statement to the people. Once Ahsoka and Lux got back to the main post, Steela, Saw, and former King Dendub were waiting for them.
"The people are turning against the droids. There's rioting in the streets now." Lux stated
Saw walked up to Lux and placed his hand on his shoulder. "That's a beautiful thing." Saw confirmed.
Steela and the others began to devise a plan that would draw the droids to the outskirts of the city in order to take the battle away from the people.
King Dendub decided to make Steela the leader of the whole army.
As they decided to put their plan into action, Lux walked up to Steela in order to congratulate her on her leadership skills. But Steela walked up to her escort and started preparing to leave. Lux then followed suit. He whistled for his escort and Ahsoka hopped on.
Steela then turned around and went over to Lux and planted a firm kiss on him. "Just in case!" She said.
Lux smiled at the thought of kissing Steela again. He then hopped onto the creature in front of Ahsoka with a joyful expression on his face.
The image burned in Ahsoka's mind and heart. But she played it off since she knew how he felt about Steela. She gave him one of her 'Ahsoka' looks and then punched him on the upper arm.
He smiled back at Ahsoka and then they flew off.
"I'm sorry Ahsoka, I know that must have been hard to see." Lux said.
"Oh, don't be so full of yourself Lux." Ahsoka joked.
"Sorry, I wasn't trying to be full of myself, I just know how you feel."
"Lux, you and Steela are together, okay, I get it; there's nothing more today about it. I will support your relationship and as I said before, for now, purpose must come before feelings."
"Thank you Ahsoka, and I understand. I don't know how you Jedi do it."
"It's not easy, that's for sure." Ahsoka added.
They all met back up on the large rocks where they were preparing for the large battle to breakout. Anakin was able to get some weaponry for them to use and had it delivered to them. The battle dragged on.
On the cliff where Steela was standing, Saw had shot down a drop ship and it crashed into the side of the cliff. Steela was hanging onto the edge and Lux tried to save her.
Ahsoka used the force to lift Lux back away from the edge so she could save Steela. She didn't even think twice about saving Steela despite their romantic differences. She was able to put purpose before her feelings in this situation without hesitation. But as she lifted Steela away from the edge of the cliff, a tank blasted Ahsoka in the shoulder and she accidentally dropped Steela who fell to her death.
Ahsoka felt her heart nearly stop after what had just happened. "This is my fault!" She told herself while she watched Lux nearly collapse out of shock. Everything seemed to be moving in slow motion for her at this point, she couldn't believe what had just happened at her own hand.
Lux began to shed a few tears as Ahsoka grabbed him and held him in her arms as she began to shed tears as well.
"I'm so sorry Lux." Ahsoka said with a sniffle, while her body was shaking from the shock.
While in tears, Lux wrapped his arms around Ahsoka as tightly as he could. He felt a bit safer with her there. "We…we…we need to go down there, I need to see her." Lux tried to say.
Ahsoka let go of him and together they headed down into the canyon where Saw was already holding his dead sister in his arms.
Ahsoka could feel the tension in both boys, Saw blamed himself for what happened just as she blamed herself. She wanted to tell Saw that it wasn't his fault but didn't want to do that with Lux around. She really didn't know what else to say to Lux, she wasn't sure if he blamed her for Steela's death as well.
Eventually, a group of the king's guards came to retrieve Steela's body in order to prepare for a funeral. And Ahsoka was taken to medicare station.
The nurses were treating Ahsoka's shoulder, she was lucky not to lose her arm from that blast.
Ahsoka sat on the stretcher hanging her head not really thinking about her own injuries. She really wanted the nurses to hurry up so she could go talk to Lux and Saw. But she didn't have to wait long before Lux walked into the room where she was being worked on.
Ahsoka immediately lifted her head and her eyes went wide but she did everything she could to avoid direct eye contact with Lux. She didn't really know what to say.
"Ahsoka, I know this wasn't your fault." Lux stated.
"I'm the one who dropped her. I was so confident in my abilities that I didn't even think about that tank still being active, and I dropped her." She mentioned as her eyes began to water. "I really am so sorry Lux."
"No, it wasn't your fault Ahsoka, I refuse to believe it. Your injuries prove that."
"I'll, let you two talk." The nurse said as she walked out without finishing the wrapping of Ahsoka's slender arm.
Lux walked over to her to admire her shoulder. "Despite all that has happened, I'm glad you were here during all of this, I don't know how I would have taken to losing her if you weren't here." He stated as he continued to handle the wrapping of Ahsoka's arm.
The way it felt for her to have Lux gently touching her arm made her lose all other focus. She still couldn't help it. She was not one who would ever capitalize on Steela's death in order to have Lux to herself. "Lux, how can you not blame me for this?" Ahsoka asked.
"Ahsoka, I'm not looking for someone to blame. You saved me and tried to save her. Although I will dearly miss her, there is something I have come to realize after some careful thinking shortly after this happened. I love you Ahsoka."
Ahsoka was breathless at these words, and what was she to say in response.
"When Steela fell, I began to realize how much I treasure you and your friendship. I put you and her both in an uncomfortable position, and I don't want to hear you blame yourself for her death okay!"
Ahsoka had no words at the moment. "Umm, I… guess I ….love you too Lux." She stuttered as she pushed the words out. She had never been told she was loved by anyone. The words meant a great deal to her. "I do love you Lux!" She then said more assured. The two of them just smiled at each other as Lux was finishing up Ahsoka's arm. The two stood up together and walked out of the room and headed off to Steela's funeral.
Ahsoka pulled Saw aside and explained to him all that had happened on the cliff. "I'm sorry for your loss Saw. This is mostly my fault."
"Don't be silly Jedi. She knew what the risks were." Saw said. "No one blames you."
Saw had at least confirmed that he was not blaming Ahsoka for Steela's death. Now they all walked behind Steela's casket and walked up to the alter for Kind Dendub to give some words on Steela.
"This has been quite a journey for our padawan." Obi-wan said to Anakin.
After the funeral, Ahsoka was preparing to leave with her Jedi masters. She gave Lux a hug and looked directly into his eyes. "You will keep in touch with me Mr. Senator Bonteri." She said with a smile.
"You know I will!" Lux confirmed.
Ahsoka turned to walk away from him and looked directly at Anakin.
"Ahsoka, you did well here. This was not an easy mission for you."
"Oh, it wasn't that tough Master." She said with her head held high.
"Don't get cocky Snips." Anakin said as they got on their ship to head back home.
