Thank you so much for all the reviews! *jumps for joy*
This chapter is mostly Luxsoka romance. Just telling you, not to much action, but reading the end is important. ;)
"They're back!"
Ker's voice rang through the Temple garden, where he had been awaiting the return of his friends. As soon as he saw Lux and Amara's ship land, he was racing for the doorway, screaming at the top of his lungs. Obi-Wan and Amber quickly met him on the landing platform. Both were covered in soot, dust, and ash. Who wasn't? They had been busily trying to stop the seemingly endless waves of soldiers that had suddenly appeared all over Coruscant. Even the Temple was crumbling.
Ker tried stopping the anxious thoughts from running through his head. Lux had contacted them briefly, only long enough to state that they were coming back. That was it.
'Kriff. If something happened to Lux or Amara, I will never forgive myself,' Ker thought, his forehead furrowed into a deep scowl.
Amber noticed his frown. "They're fine, Ker," she reassured him. "I know it."
Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Are you a Jedi?"
Amara's heart skipped a beat, and she gasped, before she saw Obi-Wan's teasing laugh. She gently slapped the Jedi on the arm, before turning her attention to the landing ship.
The first to step off was Lux. Amara followed behind him. Almost immediately, Amber knew something was wrong, and ran to her friend.
"Amara, are you okay?" she asked softly. Amara looked at her through her helmet, and shook her head. Then, she walked away silently.
Ker and Obi-Wan practically assaulted Lux with questions. "What happened?!" Ker nearly screamed. "Did you find out where Skywalker is being held?" Obi-Wan nodded. "Yes, what went wrong?!"
Lux gave a long, loud sigh. "No, we didn't find any information on Skywalker. And we were attacked on Hoth." He held up the holo-disk and tossed it to Obi-Wan. "But he gave us this. He wants a big separation with Jedi all over the place and people scattered." He shook his head. "But I think it's a lost cause."
Obi-Wan frowned. "We can't send ANY Jedi anywhere. Look around you."
Lux did look around. Fire and smoke still clogged the city streets, but the screams, sirens, and explosions had died out considerably.
"That attack was just a threat to us, showing us what they are capable of," Obi-Wan stated grimly. "We've managed to scare them away, but have no idea when they'll return. I'm sorry, but we're going to be forced to decline Kalzin's offer."
Lux bit his lip. This was exactly why he didn't like or respect the Jedi. They were WEAK. If they couldn't manage to keep up with the terrorist's game plan, Skywalker was dead. He took a deep breath before answering. "So, are we at least going to examine this holo-disk?"
"Of course." Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow. "However, you and Amara must be exhausted. How about I take Ker and Amber to come help me and the Council go over this, and you get some rest. You'll need it. This may have just been a warning attack on Coruscant – nowhere near what these men are capable of."
Obi-Wan was right. Lux knew it, but wasn't about to tell him that. So he just nodded. "Thank you, General Kenobi. Please, be sure to inform us if anything appears."
He began walking away, but just before he entered the Temple, Ker caught up to him and grabbed his arm. "Is Amara okay?" he asked. "She looked…sad."
"She's upset because she didn't get any new information on Skywalker," Lux explained. "But don't worry. Since we're not needed until the Jedi get new information – which will be a while – I'm going to help her relax."
Ker's dirty face cracked a grin. "I knew you'd come up with something." He slapped Lux on the back. "Go grab your girl, Prince Charming."
Lux laughed. "Let me get some stuff set up. Trust me. She's going to love this."
Night quickly fell on Coruscant only a few hours after their return. Amara forced her eyes open, and sat up. 'I must have fallen asleep,' she thought wearily, as she looked around. She was back in her old quarters. She knew this small room would always be her home, especially since no one had occupied it since her departure. The soft pitter-patter of raindrops could be heard from the outside. She glanced out her window. It was indeed raining, blocking out the stars. She groaned, and flung her face into her pillow. Her thoughts went back to Anakin. 'I'm sorry, Anakin,' she whispered. 'I can't find you.'
Suddenly, there was a tapping noise. She looked up. No one at the door. Then, she turned, and nearly screamed when she saw a dark figure hovering outside her window. The glass swung inward, and Lux stepped into the room.
Amara jumped to her feet. "Lux Bonteri, you nearly gave me a heart attack!"
Lux chuckled. "Sorry, love."
She scowled. "What are you doing outside in the rain anyway? And on the roof?! Do you know how high we are…"
Lux suddenly ran over, and put his fingers on her lips. "I'll explain everything. Come on." He grasped her arm, and pulled her toward the window. She realized that despite being outside, he was completely dry.
"Lux, what…"
"Shhh…like I said, I'll explain everything." He hopped outside, then leaned down to helped her out. And what she saw made her gasp.
They were standing under a small arc, with a tarp laid across to keep a roof above their heads. Several candles were lit all around, and there was a platter of sandwiches on the floor.
He saw her look of awe, and laughed again. He led her over to the sandwiches and sat her down on a small blanket. "These were all I could find," he admitted. "Ham and cheese. So romantic."
She giggled, and picked on up. "Food fit for a king," she commented, grinning. She bit into the food. "It's great. I'm starved."
Lux reached back, and pulled out a tiny bottle. "I also managed to go out to some shops and grab a tiny bottle of Naboo Wine." He chuckled at her surprised expression. "No, not enough to get us dead drunk and do something we may regret," he reassured her. "Just enough to, you know…make up for the sandwiches."
She laughed. He loved her laugh…it sounded like a song. He looked around. The dozen candles flickered by a gust of wind, but stayed lit. "I didn't know it was going to rain," he stated. "I got the tarp up just in time."
She looked at him. "Oh Lux…I can't believe you did this." She giggled again. "If the Jedi discover us on the roof of their sacred Temple drinking in the rain, they'll think…"
He pulled her close. "Let them think what they want. Are you done eating?"
She nodded, and he pulled her to her feet. Then, he grasped her wrists and swung her out from under the tarp. She shrieked as she was pummeled by rain drops, but began laughing. He had chosen a good spot - a flat area on the Temple roof with sides, so they couldn't fall unless they deliberately jumped. He swung her again, and began dancing with her in the rain.
She couldn't stop smiling, and he loved the shine in her eyes. She slipped once, and he bent down and grabbed her in his strong arms. His wet brown hair dangled on her cheeks, and she let out a happy squeal. He swooped her up, and spun around with her in his arms, her head resting on his chest. He looked down, and wiped some of the rain off her face. "I love you, Ahsoka."
Suddenly, she frowned, and hopped back onto her own feet. "Lux, you can't use my real name," she said in a whisper, angry. "If anyone heard you…"
Suddenly, he gripped her face in his hands, gently but firmly. "Before you finish, let me speak," he stated. He took a deep breath. "The girl I met years ago with a Senator from Naboo was named Ahsoka Tano. The girl I fell in love with time and time again was named Ahsoka Tano." He brushed her cheek with his fingers. "The girl I AM in love with is named Ahsoka Tano. You will always be Ahsoka to me, no matter what name you choose to go by. Don't make me lose the love of my life by denying who you are. Ever. When we're around others, I'll call you Amara. But when we're alone, except for our love, don't make me deny who you are. Don't make me lie to myself again and again. I proposed to Ahsoka, not Amara."
She stared into his eyes as the rain soaked her to the bone. Then, she jumped into his arms. "Lux!" She began sobbing into his shoulder.
He held her close, his arms wrapped around her tight, kissing her montrals. "I love you. I love you so much. Don't let your past ruin our love. Please."
"I won't," she whispered, her body shaking with her sobs. "Lux, I love you so much."
She pulled back, and kissed him on the lips. He returned it, kissing her with all the passion he could. Then, he pulled her back against him. "We'll find your brother, Ahsoka," he said softly. "I promise."
Her tears mingled with the small raindrops on her face as she looked up at him. What he said was the truth. Someday she would have to tell everyone who she really was. But not yet. Someday – but not yet. For now, she was happy to be herself again with just Lux. That was enough for now.
Suddenly, Lux's comlink began beeping, breaking the moment. He sighed, and ran back under the tarp, Amara close behind him. He held her to his side as he answered it. "Who is this?"
It was Obi-Wan's voice that came through. "Lux? Is that you? We need you and Amara to come down to the Council Chambers immediately. We think we've found out where Anakin is."
Lux's face lit up. "We'll be right there." He turned off his comlink and glanced down. Her eyes were beaming. He laughed, and kissed her on the forehead. "Told you I'd find him!"
She playfully swatted his arm. "You mean WE, Mr. Bonteri."
"I mean we, soon to be Mrs. Bonteri," he exclaimed, chuckling. "We'll, we'd better not waste any time." He suddenly scooped her back up, and carried her back inside her room.
Obi-Wan Kenobi couldn't have been more surprised when the two teenagers ran into the room. Their helmets hid their wet hair, but the dripping clothing gave them away. "Holy Force, have you too been jumping in puddles all this time?!" he declared.
Amara and Lux exchanged glances, while Amber and Ker burst out laughing. "We were just…having a little fun outside, General Kenobi," Lux said evasively.
The room was almost empty. Only Kenobi, Windu, and Yoda were present. 'The rest of the Council must be off on missions,' Amara assumed.
Obi-Wan leaned over, and activated a holo-projector. It displayed an image of the Outer Rim. Five planets were highlighted in red. "These are the star systems Kalzin wanted us to go to," he explained.
Lux walked over for a batter look. "Okay, so…what does this tell us."
"We don't think the clues to finding Skywalker are on the planets directly," Mace Windu suddenly spoke up. "We believe that there's a connection we can find without going to each system and wasting time."
Obi-Wan nodded. "And we were right." He clicked another button, and several lines began flicking in different patterns between the planets. "It took us hours to find the right pattern, but find it we did."
The flicking suddenly stopped, and immediately Amara and Lux found the pattern. The lines in between the marked planets formed a shape…and arrow.
"The clue is in the shape of an arrow!" Amara exclaimed.
Obi-Wan nodded, and for the first time since they had arrived, allowed a huge grin. "Yes, and it's pointing to Endor. Hopefully – and I do mean hopefully – that is where Anakin is being held captive. If we can find their base, we find him."
"But why would Kalzin leave this kind of clue?" Ker asked.
"Because, remember, to them this is a game," Obi-Wan explained. "If they gave us random and useless tasks, we would eventually catch on and give up. They want to keep us interested."
Mace stood up, and looked at the teenagers. "Is the OUCO willing to go with Master Kenobi to Endor and find Skywalker?"
Ker, Lux, and Amber turned to Amara. The final shot was up to her. Amara hesitated a moment, then gave a tiny shrug of the shoulders. Even with the helmet on, Lux could tell she was grinning ear to ear.
"What are we waiting for?"
As always, if you read, please review! I do like helpful criticism, but don't bash me for writing Luxsoka. You have your opinion, I have mine. Just saying this, because I know some people that are against Luxsoka...
