Ahsoka and Cardek got the twins on board the ship, ready to leave. The clones paid them no mind. They were unaware of where they were actually going. Anakin met up with them before they left.
"So, you two all ready to go?"
"Yeah, I think so."
"Are you sure you'll be okay out there."
"We'll be fine, Master."
"Don't worry. My friends around the galaxy will help us out the whole way."
"I know you can't tell me what planet you're going to, but could you at least tell me if it's in the Inner Core?" Ahsoka turned to Cardek.
"Cardek?"
"Not sure. If we stay in the Inner Core, it'll likely be easier and we'll have a better life for our babies, but there's a chance the Council will come looking for us and staying in the Inner Core will make it easier for them to find us."
"I just want you to be safe."
"We will be, Master." He turned to Cardek.
"Cardek, can I talk to you for a minute?"
"Sure." He walked away with Anakin to a private place. "What's up?"
"I know you don't like me and I honestly don't care much for you, but I know how much Ahsoka loves you. When you guys leave, I won't be able to look out for her. I just want you to know that I'm sorry for everything I said or did to you. I just don't want you to leave having bad thoughts about me. Can we put this behind us for her sake and the twins?" He was silent, crossing his arms over his chest in thought. He looked up towards Anakin, then smiled.
"Of course Anakin. To be honest, I sort of looked up to you." He was surprised.
"Really? Because you seemed like you hated my guts."
"That's because you angered me more than once. I may have looked like that, but you were kind of like my idol. You always went into a dangerous situation without fear, you always fought your hardest no matter the odds, you always protected your loved ones the most, and your piloting skills are something I aspire to have one day. You're someone who has been a great source of inspiration to me, and I thank you."
"That's just me. I protect the ones I care about and be myself. And sometimes myself is a total ass, but you learn to live with it. Anyway, I hope you and Ahsoka have a great life with the twins and who knows. Maybe one day, you two will be married." He closed his eyes at the thought of that and smirked.
"I would like that. I would like that a lot."
"I know you would. Just make sure you know she's the one."
"She is the one, Anakin. After all we've been through, knowing what we feel, I have no doubt she is the one." He smiled and sighed.
"Well, I guess you better be on your way. I don't want to hold you up."
"Thanks, Anakin. May the Force be with you."
"May the Force be with you, Cardek. And take care of Ahsoka."
"I will, Master Anakin. I will." He walked back over to Ahsoka. "You ready?"
"Yeah. What did he want to talk to you about?"
"Just wanted to apoligize to me and made sure we left on good terms. It was nice talk with him, actually."
"Well, I'm glad you two are friends now. It's nice for you two to have a conversation that doesn't lead to yelling."
"I looked up to him, you know. He always fought with no fear and absolute determination, and did what he could to protect those he loved. We may have fought a few times, but I wanted to be like him. I'll miss him."
"I will too. We better go before the twins realize we're not there." He nodded and headed into the ship with Ahsoka. She sat in her chair. "So, where are we going?"
"After giving some thought...Dantooine." He sat in his chair next to her. "The Inner Core is nice, but I feel we'll get caught and taken back to the Temple way too easy. And Dantooine is one of the most stable worlds in the Outer Rim, and it's remote and peaceful, and offers a good life in farming. I would like so me peace and quiet."
"Well, with Dantooine, at least the twins will have lots of space to grow. They won't exactly have a normal childhood, but it's the closet they'll have to it."
"And at least they won't have a war to worry about out there. It's pretty remote, and holds no interest. Plus, I have a few good friends there who will help us settle in."
"Cardek, how is it that you have so many friends all over the galaxy?" He shrugged and began to pilot the ship.
"I wouldn't say I have many friends. But I guess I make a good impression. I've met a few refugees during the war that I've befriended, and a few of them said they were headed to Dantooine. I chose the planet not only for that, but because it's nice, quiet, peaceful, and we can actually be happy enough there."
"Are you sure we can trust them?" He nodded.
"I'm sure." They left Lexon's atmoshpere. "These people went to Dantooine with the sole purpose of getting away from the war, and I know them well enough that they mean good. They all have familes themselves so they should understand our plight."
"Well, if you trust them, I could give them a chance. I'm not that quick to judge."
"Trust me, they'll be fine." He entered the coordinates and entered hyperspace. He looked back at the twins. "Ahsoka, I've been wondering: if they show a connection to the Force, do we train them to be Jedi?"
"I never thought I would leave the temple to be with them, but since we are leaving, I want to keep them as far away from the Jedi as possible."
"Alright, if that's what you want." He leaned back into his chair, deep in thought. "There's still one thing: Bane. He's still out there, and he forced us to do this. We're going to see him again, no doubt."
"I don't want to think about that right now. We're safe now and so are the twins. If Bane comes around, we'll be ready for him."
"You got that right." He grasped her hand. "I love you, Ahsoka."
"I love you too, Cardek."
"Let's get to Dantooine." He looked back at the twins. "Time to make a life for the twins."
"With their parents."
"And nothing is going to seperate them from us."
"You got that right." They exited hyperspace and into the orbit of Dantooine.
"Here we are. Dantooine."
"Do you know where to find these people?" He grinned sheepishly as they descend down onto Dantooine.
"I never got to that part..."
"Are you telling me you have no idea where they are?"
"I do, sort of. One of the families sent me a message a few months back, thanking me for helping them out and sent me a picture of their home. They failed to give me coordinates, but I'm sure from the picture I can figure out where they are. All I have to do is look a bit."
"Are you sure you'll be able to find them?"
"I haven't come this far just to give up. I will find them Ahsoka, for us and the babies." She smiled at him.
"I know you will." Amai and Carth started to whine. Ahsoka got up and went over to them. Cardek flew across the fields of Dantooine, searching for anything remotely similar to the picture.
"Come on, where are you? Force, please help us find these people." Ahsoka walked over to him with Amai in her arms and looked out.
"Cardek, there's smoke coming from over there. You think that's them?" He looked to where she's looking.
"Might as well check it out. If nothing else, we could ask for some directions and some help if it's not them." He flew toward the direction of the smoke.
"You go ahead. I'll stay here with the twins." He nodded and landed the ship next to the establishment. He stood up and gave Ahsoka a kiss.
"Don't get into trouble while I'm gone."
"I'm staying on the ship with the twins. What am I going to do?" He smirked.
"Can't be too careful, especially when it's you."
"Hey, I'm a mother now. I'm not going to do anything too reckless."
"Just making sure." He stoked Ahsoka's cheek lovingly then kissed her once more. "See you soon."
He got off the ship and then walked over to the settlement. He took a good look around. "Seems similar enough. Just hope I got this place right." He walked up to the entrance and knocked. A woman opened the door.
"May I help you?"
"Is this the Starren residence?"
"Yes, it is."
"Are you Marilyn Starren?"
"Do I know you? You look familar."
"I was hoping you remember me. I'm Cardek Onasi, remember? I helped you and your family out escape from the war when you were refugees."
"Cardek! Now I remember you. It's been so long. How are you?"
"Good, I guess. I'm in a bit of a bind, right now, and I need your help."
"How can I be of assisstance?" He rubbed ths back of his head.
"It's kind of a long story. A REALLY long story."
"Well, what't the long story short?" He took a deep breath.
"My best friend got into affair with a bounty hunter, got pregnant, the bounty hunter abandoned the children, me and my best friend fell in love, told the Council she was raped, went through months of pregnancy together, she birthed twins, bounty hunter told the Jedi about the relationship for reasons I don't know, Council wanted to take the children away, we couldn't give them up so we left the Jedi, and we came to Dantooine because we wanted a peaceful life far away from the Jedi. I'm hoping you and your family can help us settle in here on Dantooine."
"Okay. Calm down. Take a breath. My husband and I will be happy to help you and your girlfriend."
"Thank you. All I want is to be happy with my family, and if it means leaving the Jedi, I was willing to do that. I'll give you the full details of the story later. We need some help to get on our feet here on Dantooine and settle into life out here."
"Well, you all can stay here for the night and we'll get you settled in a home tomorrow morning. I'll have my daugther help you with your things." He smiled.
"Thanks, Marilyn. I appreciate what you're doing for us."
"It's nothing. You helped me and my family. It's only right that I help you and yours."
"I'll go get my family. I can properly introduce you to another. Then I can tell you the full story. I have a feeling we're going to like it here."
"My daugther will help you." She turned in the house. "Sina! Come here!"
She came to the door. She looked like she was sixteen. "What?"
"This is an old friend of mine. I want you to help him with his things." Sina smirked at him.
"You're cute." He blushed and fidgeted nervously.
"Thanks...but sorry, I'm already taken."
"I don't believe you."
"Sina, he has a girlfriend and they have twins."
"How much you wanna bet their not his?"
"Sina!"
"No, it's fine. Techinically, they're not mine, but some stupid bounty hunter's who doesn't care for them and abandoned them. Still, I think of them as mine, and I will not let them go no matter what."
"You're sweet, yet feisty. I like that in a guy."
"Sina, you are to be helping him. Not flirting with him."
"Whatever. So, where are we going?"
"My ship over there." He pointed to the ship. "You're going to help me move my things, but please, don't try to flirt with me in front of my girlfriend. She is not one to take lightly, and I don't need a catfight right now."
"Alright. I'll try... but no promises. Let's go." She headed towards the ship. He followed her and entered the ship.
"Hey, Ahsoka." She spoke in a whisper.
"Hey. I just got the twins back to sleep. Did you find anyone?" Sina walked on the ship. "Who's this?"
"Who's this?" This is not going to end well, I just know it.
"Sina, this is Ahsoka Tano, my girlfriend and the mother to the twins. Ahsoka, this is Sina Starren, the daughter of the family I helped out during the war."
"It's nice to meet you." Sina turned to Cardek.
"Togruta, huh? I guess you like exotic girls." He blushed.
"I guess you could say that. Now help me out with this stuff, and make sure to be quiet. The twins just went to sleep, and I don't want them waking."
"Okay. I'll be quiet." She picked up a box and purposely dropped it. Amai and Carth woke up crying. "Oops."
"Sina! What the hell?" She spoke with fake innocence.
"It was an accident."
"Accident my ass! You did that on purpose!" Ahsoka ran over to the crying twins.
"Hey, it's not my fault they were conceieved." Ahsoka turned to her.
"What are you saying?"
"Ah crap! I knew this was going to happen!" He got in between the girls. "Now just calm down, and let's get all this stuff moved! We can sort this out later!"
"No, Cardek. I want to hear this."
"All I'm saying is that if would've kept your legs closed, you wouldn't be in this situation."
"You little bitch!"
"Ahsoka, calm down! This is no time to get angry!"
"Cardek, you can't stop that. That's just the way they are: savage and sluttly."
"That's it!" Ahsoka jumped up and attacked her. Cardek tried to pull Ahsoka off of Sina, but was unsuccessful. Desperate, he used the Force to pull them apart and forced them both against opposite walls. "Cardek, let me go!"
"No! Listen to me, the both of you! This is no time to be fighting! All I want is to get settled in here on Dantooine! *turns to Sina* And I've come for your family's help to do so! The least you can do is try to be as cooperative as you can! You two don't have to like each other, but can you two at least stay off each other long to get this done, for me at least!" Ahsoka sighed.
"Fine."
"Whatever."
"I'm going to let go of the two of you now, and the moment I do, I want absolute cohesion." He slowly dropped them down, ever so cautiously. Sina glared at Ahsoka as she made her way to the back of the ship. Ahsoka turned to Cardek.
"I don't even know her. What does she have against me?" He sighed.
"She likes me, Ahsoka. Thinks I'm cute, sweet, and feisty. I think she's being like this because she wants to try and get together with me, and feels you're in the way."
"You're not falling for her, are you?"
"Of course not! I love you, and you alone! I would never leave you for someone else. You mean the world to me, Ahsoka." He pulled her close and stroked her head. "And nothing will ever change that."
"I love you too, Cardek." She kissed him. "How long do we have to stay with her family?"
"Just for the night. Marilyn, the mother, will get us a house tomorrow morning, but we'll likely be near them. I would like to have some friends I know out here to help us out. They'll help us out with life out here and make sure we're settled in."
"Alright. I'll try to put up with her for the night. If she ticks me off again, I will try to kill her."
"Fine." He picked up some boxes with the Force. "I'm going to take this stuff into the house and have a chat with Marliyn. When I get back, there better not be blood on the walls and one of you two dead."
"No promises, but I'll try not to kill her. I'm trying not to be violent in front of the twins."
"Good enough, I guess." He kissed her on the cheek, then left with the boxes and entered the house. Marilyn saw him.
"Cardek, I heard yelling. Is everything alright?"
"Aside from your daughter trying to get together with me, waking up the twins, and insulting my Togruta girlfriend, who tried to kill her, just wonderful."
"Oh my. You never said she was Togruta. Sina doesn't take kindly to Togrutas."
"Ah crap. And add to the fact she has the hots for me, things are going to get ugly between them."
"I'll say. They're out there fighting now."
"What?" He turned around to see the two fighting outside the ship. "Ah damn it! Didn't I just tell those two not to try and kill each other? What does Sina have against Togrutas?"
"Long story. I think right now, you should break them up before they kill each other." He ran off towards the scene of fighting and after much struggling, he pulled the two off each other, and suspended them both in the air with the Force.
"What's going on here? I just said no fighting whatsoever!" He turned to Ahsoka. "And I thought you said you told me you weren't going to fight with Sina!"
"First of all, I said I'd try. Second, she purposely dropped Carth." He turned to Sina with a glare.
"Is she telling the truth?"
"You think I'm really going to purposely drop a baby? Of course she's not telling the truth. Are you really going to believe her over me?"
"I have known Ahsoka far longer than you! She was my best friend for over a decade, and now she is my lover! Now I want the truth, and trust me, I'll find out one way or the other!"
"I know over all theses years, she has lied to you about something. How do you know you can completely trust her?" He lowered Sina so he could face her eye-to-eye.
"Because I love her, and she loves me! Yeah, she has lied to me about some stuff, and trust me, finding out about them hurt me! But I have forgiven her, and despite all the lies, she has been way more truthful for me! There will be lies, but I love her enough to trust her! So stop skirting away from the question, and answer me! Did you drop Carth on purpose?"
"You have really sexy eyes." He pulled her closer, growling.
"Answer... the question."
"I dropped him... but not on purpose."
"You did drop him on purpose!"
"No I fucking didn't! It's a baby! Why would I drop it on purpose?"
"You're just trying to piss me off!" They started yelling back and forth.
"SHUT THE FUCK UP, THE BOTH OF YOU!" Ahsoka, shocked, shut up.
"I love a man who takes charge." He glared at Sina.
"Listen, at lesat you admitted to dropping Carth. If you had lied, I probably wouldn't trust you. But did you do it on purpose? And I know you would have good reason to do so, seeing as how Marilyn told me you don't like Togrutas."
"That's right, I don't." She glared at Ahsoka. "And I don't want one staying in my house." Ahsoka glared back at her.
"Why don't you like Togrutas? Tell me, and I would at least understand why you're doing all of this."
"You wanna know? Fine. This is why." She pulled up her sleeve to reveal bruised bite marks. Ahsoka's eyes went wide. Cardek was shocked.
"What the hell?"
"Before we came here, we were wandering around Coruscant. I went out one night to get a few things for our trip. A guy, Togruta, offered to help me. Like a fool, I trusted him. He pulled me into an alley and raped me. Before he left, he left these marks on me. He said I was his property and if I told anyone, he would kill me. I've never trusted a Togruta ever since." Cardek looked at her sympatheticly.
"Sina..."
"Look, you know why. Just leave it alone." Ahsoka looked to her.
"Sina, I'm sorry about what happened to you. You should know that not all Togrutas are like that."
"From what I know, you all are the same cold, heartless monsters."
"Sina, they're not heartless monsters. In fact, Ahsoka went through something similar to what you went through."
"I doubt that."
"It's true, Sina. I was raped by a cold, heartless monster that was Duros. I was four months pregnant and he was the father."
"And what made it worse, was that he did it right in front of me. I was unable to help as Ashoka screamed for me to stop it. The image has been forever burned in my heart and mind, and it even eats away at me. That bastard did this for revenge without a single regret, and even now continues to screw with our heads." Sina was slient for a moment, then she looked to Ahsoka.
"Why were you with him? The Duros?"
"I don't know. There was something about him that attracted me to him. I made a reckless decision to be with him. But, I guess if I wasn't with him, Cardek and I wouldn't be together."
"It's a bittersweet thing then. Ahsoka left him because he refused to be the father to the children, showing that he only cared about what he wanted. He's a scumbag who continues to screw with us to this day. In fact, he told the Jedi about the relationship, which forced us to come here."
"You guys have been through hell and I guess I'm not making it any better. I'm sorry about how I acted, especially to you, Ahsoka."
"It's okay. We've all been through things. It only matters that we don't let it control the rest of our lives." Cardek smiled.
"I'm glad things were worked out between the two of you." He set them both down. "What I want is for me and Ahsoka to live here on Dantooine with our babies among friends." He turned to Sina. "And that includes you, Sina."
She smiled sweetly. "Thanks and I'm sorry for hitting on you earlier. They're not a lot of cute guys around here." He chuckled.
"I bet. It kinda raises my ego a bit though." Ahsoka walked over to him.
"I think your ego's high enough. Come on, let's get the rest of this stuff inside."
"Good idea. You two go get the stuff. I'm going to check on the twins." Ahsoka and Sina picked up a box.
"We'll meet you inside."