Within no time, Lux and Ahsoka had arrived on Onderon. The young couple had discussed the subject of their child for the remainder of the journey and had concluded that Ahsoka should seek medical attention as soon as she could, just to assure that their baby is safe and healthy. Ahsoka's strong connection with the Force allowed her to sense that her child was okay, but Lux insisted just to give them both a peace of mind. There were a variety of emotions during their trip, tears of both joy and stress were consistent, Ahsoka's vulnerability overshadowed what should be a blissful time for her. Lux acknowledged this and vowed once again to help the young Togruta to heal.

The young couple made their descent into the atmosphere of the system, it was dusk by this point and Ahsoka peered out of the ship's window and took in her surroundings. There were a few differences that she had noted since her short trip here months ago, the planet seemed livelier, the neutral earthy tones of the building have subsided, and blooms of colour were now present. The dry landscape once again flourished with bright flowers and crops, showing the improvement since they had joined the Republic. Ahsoka watched the people of Iziz as their ship advanced towards the palace, the glee emanating from them all, once again showing the progress of the planet. She turned her glance over to Lux as he brought the ship to a stop on the landing platform of the palace, she was in awe of how much his influence has impacted his people and admired what he and the King had done in such little time.

"Well, here we are." Lux said as he swivelled around in his chair, Ahsoka rose from her seat, Lux followed quickly. They both exited the ship and walked down the ramp onto the platform, King Dendup along with a handful of guards were there to greet them. The King was stood slightly slumped due to his older age, hands behind his back and smiling from ear to ear. Ahsoka kept close to Lux while they walked towards Dendup.

"Senator Bonteri, how good to see you again." The King beamed; Lux grinned back at him.

"As it is you, Sire." He bowed, Dendup moved his glance over to Ahsoka.

"And you Commander, I hope you've been keeping well." She bowed her head in respect, she shuddered at being called Commander. The King was aware of the events that had taken place through Lux, but not the details.

"As well as I can be." Ahsoka uttered quietly in response. Silence fell upon them.

"Ahsoka will be staying with me for the foreseeable, Sire." Lux spoke up.

"Of course, you are always welcome, my child." His smile grew wider, Dendup felt he owed Ahsoka for her help in regaining his planet, letting her stay here was the least he could do.

"Thank you." She replied with a toothless smile.

"Please, this way. The guards will show you to your quarters." Dendup gestured towards to palace entrance, Lux and Ahsoka followed behind the King and the guards behind them.

Lux's quarters were more than adequate, it was a different room than the one they had stayed in before. A large bed was against a wall next to the window, a desk that had stacks of papers thrown all over and a small refresher room adjoined, it was basic but all they needed.

"I know it's not much. The King is allowing me to stay here until I find my own residence." Lux never thought he would need to find a place of his own but, now Ahsoka was carrying his child, he had more of a reason to find a place for them all to call home. Ahsoka did not mind the quarters, it's more than what she was used to at the Temple. She was just pleased to get away from Coruscant, the war and the Jedi.

"It's fine, Lux." She breathed, making her way over to the bed. Her legs dangled over the side as she settled in, Lux made his way to sit beside her. He gripped her thigh and brushed his thumb over the material of her Jedi attire.

"I want you to see a medical droid." He insisted. Ahsoka agreed, she knew it was the right thing to do, however she was worried about sharing the news of her condition with others. Her newly developed trust issues played on her mind, and she was anxious of the word spreading.

"Lux, I think we should keep the pregnancy quiet," She began to tense again, Lux felt her do this against his touch. "With everything that has happened, I just can't bring myself to let anyone find out." Ahsoka was fretting.

"Don't worry, 'Soka. It's in our best interest to keep this quiet for now. I want to protect you both." Lux said trying to calm her. Her body began to relax again, tension melting away. Ahsoka sighed. She considered the possibility of the child wielding the Force as she does and what that would mean for them. The Jedi harnessed a capability to find Force-sensitive children from all over the galaxy, and the possibility of her child being sought by them terrified her. Ahsoka refused to allow her child to be taken to be trained in the ways of the Jedi, she voiced these concerns to Lux who in return agreed with her worry. Lux was ignorant to the selection process that Jedi endured, but regardless he would not allow his child to be taken at such a young age. Being aware of this only stressed Ahsoka more, the strain this was having on her body was becoming unhealthy.

"I think we should see the medical droid." Lux nodded, he got up and extended his hand out to Ahsoka, assisting her in standing up. The young couple left their quarters and headed towards the small medical wing within the palace.

The droid did not speak much, other than the odd question to surmise the situation. The medical wing was small, full of advanced medical equipment for any health concern. It was well lit but dull. Ahsoka found herself laying on a cot which had a plastic sheet covering it, cold on her exposed back. Lux sat beside her holding her hand in both of his, showing his concern and support. Ahsoka was poked and prodded for her duration in the medical wing, her bloods were taken, temperature measured and many, many scans were done, leaving no stone unturned.

"Everything is completely normal." Confirmed the droid. The young couple breathed a sigh of relief.

"Is the baby healthy?" Lux asked again.

"The foetus is healthy and normal for the end of the first trimester," The droid was matter of fact, but at least the expectant parents were now aware. "However, the mother must not become more stressed as it is affecting both hers and the foetus's health. I suggest plenty of rest." Lux nodded.

"Thank you." He said as he dismissed the droid. Lux helped Ahsoka to her feet and escorted her back to their quarters. They had both taken on board what the droid advised, Ahsoka would have to relax and rest for the remainder of her pregnancy, she was not too pleased about that as she had always been an active person. Relaxing is something she did rarely, however Lux was going to make sure she did nothing but take it easy.

*'*'

Padme had been consoling Anakin for what felt like eons. The Jedi was distraught over Ahsoka's decision to leave the Order and Padme was the only one he could turn to in his time of need. Anakin had gone AWOL since Ahsoka had chosen to leave this life behind, he had abandoned all responsibilities to tend to his current state of mind. He was livid. The Jedi had deserted Ahsoka, and he did not think he could return to his duties following this. His trust was broken, life would not be the same for him.

The secret couple were at Padme's complex, Anakin clenching to Padme with his head in her neck. He never cried, the odd tear here and there through his angry rants. The two sat in darkness, the only light was spilling in from the bright lights of vehicles and buildings. Exhaustion was beginning to take its effect on the young Knight. He tried on multiple occasions to reach Ahsoka through their Force bond but to no avail. Ahsoka had severed their connection, but Anakin could still feel her. This only made Anakin more desperate.

"Where will she go?" Another question he asked with no answer.

"Ani, you just need to give her time. Ahsoka knows what she's doing." Padme tried her best to comfort her husband but was conflicted. She could not tell Anakin that Ahsoka had left with Lux, he would only go after her and plead with her to rethink her choice, and she knew that Ahsoka did not need that. Although Anakin would mean well, Padme knew it would be the wrong course of action as it would only prolong Ahsoka's recovery.

"I just can't let her go like this; I've failed her." Anakin began pacing around the room, his wife still sat on the sofa. Padme felt a twinge of guilt, she wanted desperately to help her husband, but it would only hinder Ahsoka. She rose and Anakin paused, she rubbed Anakin's arm to provide comfort.

"Wherever she is, I know she'll be safe." She noticed Anakin's commlink was blinking, he saw that she had realised it was blinking. He had been ignoring it for the past couple of days, not wanting to return to the Temple, he needed time.

"You can't ignore them forever, Ani." He sighed.

"I'm not even sure if I even want to go back." Anakin doubted. If he was being completely honest, he never wanted to return to them, but Padme was right. If he continued to ignore them then Obi-Wan would be searching endlessly. The commlink blinked again and he reluctantly answered.

"Anakin!" Obi-Wan was frantic. "Where have you been? I've been trying to reach you for days!" Padme frowned, she did not know that her husband had been ignoring his duties for that amount of time, regardless of his current state. Anakin rubbed the back of his neck.

"I needed to get away, Obi-Wan." His old master sighed angrily.

"Your purpose must come before feelings, Anakin. I know you're upset about Ahsoka, but you still have responsibilities." Obi-Wan growled. Anakin screwed his face; he was enraged by Obi-Wan and The Council's actions and they cannot even let him process his grief.

"I don't care." He spat back. Padme just watched as her husband grew more and more infuriated, helpless. She listened as they argued, Anakin's raw emotions spilling out, she even noticed Obi-Wan expressing his grief of losing Ahsoka. After going at one another, the two Jedi started to settle their tempers, Anakin was defeated and reluctantly agreed to return to the Temple. Padme pulled her husband into a hug.

"It's the right thing to do." She said into his ear, he pulled back and placed a gentle kiss on her head.

"I love you, Padme."

"I love you too." With that, Anakin left into the Coruscant night, heart still in tatters.

His speeder made its way into one of the many hangars of the Temple, Obi-Wan stood there anticipating his former apprentice's arrival. Anakin saw his old master and scowled at him, he threw himself from his parked speeder and tried to make his way to his quarters. Obi-Wan purposely stood in his way to talk further, Anakin tried to get passed but failed.

"We need to talk." Anakin avoided eye contact with him.

"There's nothing to talk about." He hissed, back to Obi-Wan.

"Anakin, please." Obi-Wan begged him to listen. "I can't imagine how you're feeling right now but you cannot blame the Council for Ahsoka's decision." Anakin snapped his head to face his former master.

"The Council are to blame for Ahsoka leaving," He snarled. "She was loyal to this Order, she was devoted and the second there was any suspicion about her loyalty, the Council discarded her and didn't even give her a chance to defend herself." Obi-Wan watched as Anakin grew more passionate with his rage, shame building up in him as he knew Anakin was right.

"She left because she had no other choice. You all abandoned her." With that, Anakin stormed away, leaving Obi-Wan ashamed. He knew Anakin was right. He fought for Ahsoka but not hard enough, his conflicting views stopped him from fighting harder and it has now cost him his relationship with Anakin. He does not know if Anakin could ever really forgive him for this.