Memories

Chapter 32.

The sun was hanging low in the sky by the time we entered Coruscant's airspace, and all of us were feeling the day's events bearing heavily on our shoulders. Obi-Wan spent most of the flight unconscious or about to become so, and Asajj had to take the controls of the ship due to the sleepy pilot that was my padawan. Despite the danger in her lack of concentration, I didn't have the heart to scold her. If Asajj hadn't been there to take over, things might have been different. But she was, and so they weren't.

I hadn't bothered moving from my spot at Obi-Wan's bedside, my fingers tucked into his, and I was sure the world didn't normally have so many swirling patterns in it. I had almost fallen asleep myself when Ahsoka jerked awake, hastily and guiltily taking control of the ship again. With Ahsoka at the wheel, Asajj came back to me, kneeling beside me.

I smiled at her, wondering what she wanted, but she didn't say anything. Instead, she held my gaze for a few seconds before digging around in the ship's supplies. She emerged with a bacta patch, which she offered me. At first, I couldn't think why I would need such a thing, but then I remembered the pain that had been present in my back the whole time. I had forgotten about that dagger wound.

I accepted the patch gratefully, then tried to figure out the logistics of placing it in the correct spot between my shoulder blades without reaching my arm up and hurting it all over again.

Asajj watched my attempts with amusement before she laughed and held out her hand.

I sheepishly handed the patch back to her, then sat still as she applied it, her touch gentle and fingers light. She hesitated, cringing, when I flinched, pulling away from her hand, so she proceeded with even more care, trying not to cause me any more pain. Once she was done, both she and I breathed a sigh of relief, and I offered her a slightly embarrassed grin. She smiled, chuckling, then straightened up, about to head back to the cockpit.

"Asajj," I called quietly.

She stopped, turning around again, her ice-blue eyes dancing with questions and curiosity.

"Where will you go? After we reach Coruscant," I added.

She tilted her head on the side, tapping her fingers against her waist. "I'm not sure. But I'll figure something out."

I smiled slightly. "Thanks for your help. And here," I tossed her lightsaber back to her, "a parting gift. I hope all goes well for you."

She fingered the weapon, and the Force warmed with gentle pleasure. She returned my smile and dipped her head briefly before joining Ahsoka for landing the ship.

They picked a place in the underbelly of Coruscant, parking long enough for Asajj to slip out and melt into the shadows of the streets. I watched her disappear until the ship's door closed, and I was sure she cast one last smile over her shoulder. Then Ahsoka flew us to the Jedi Temple, requesting a med team to meet us on the ground.

In a flurry of activity, we landed in the hanger, a team of medics loaded Obi-Wan onto a stretcher and whisked him away, and Ahsoka ushered me off the ship, trying to convince me to follow Obi-Wan's lead to the medical ward. But I wouldn't agree, instead telling her to get some dinner before she went to bed. She wasn't impressed, arguing that I needed looking after, but I brushed off her protests.

"If I need you," I assured her, "I can comm you."

She pursed her lips but yielded. "You'd better call," she warned as she backed away.

I just smiled and didn't make any promises. When she left, I took a deep breath in, then went for the Council chamber. I wanted to get this done and over with as soon as possible.

Entering the room quietly, I slinked into the centre, awkwardly receiving the stares of the Council members. "Good evening, Masters," I greeted them quietly, dipping my head in a bow.

For a minute, no one spoke. Then Yoda broke the silence, his tone betraying pleasant surprise. "Evening, Skywalker. Doing what here, are you? Hear that you were captured, we did."

I blinked. "Oh, I was captured, but Obi-Wan and Ahsoka rescued, uh, gave me a hand. So Snips and Obi-Wan are here, too."

Again, silence choked the air, but this time it was Mace who broke it. "So, are you saying their mission to rescue you was a success? Why are they not here to report?"

"Obi-Wan's in the medical ward, and I sent Ahsoka off to get some food," I stated bluntly, though it was more from a lack of energy than a deliberate act of disrespect.

"Injured, Kenobi is?" Yoda asked. "Good, that is not. Get better soon, we hope he will."

I smiled a little. "I'm sure he'd appreciate your concern." Then I paused, feeling nerves tying a knot in my stomach. How was I going to explain to them about Asajj? "I-I have to tell you something. But maybe I should start from the beginning." I took a deep breath, then plunged in, starting from when we were taken to the execution arena, right through to Asajj's redemption. I left out the part that she was on Coruscant; I didn't want to get her into trouble. That could be dealt with later. 

When I finished my tale, silence once more reigned in the room. Eventually, I plucked up the courage to speak. "I want to apologize for my behaviour of late. I haven't been acting myself, and I said things I shouldn't have. I'm also sorry for failing my missions," I ended quietly, looking down.

"Accept your apology, the Council does," Yoda responded kindly. "We understand that normally behave like this, you do not."

I sneaked a glance up and was surprised to see the smallest of smiles softening Mace's face. "Get some rest, young Skywalker," he told me. "You look like you need it."

I returned his smile, bowing low then leaving the room, breathing a heavy sigh of relief. I had done it. The Council understood; it was okay.

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It was kinda happy-sad saying goodbye to Asajj, but I hope to see her in another book (and yes, it is a possibility that there may be a second book!). Did anyone pick up my subtle hints from her ...?

Yaaay! The Council actually listened to Anakin! I mean, he looks really awful, and it would have been pretty tough for him if they hadn't! But yay for them that they did. :)

I'd say we've got three or four more chapters left, but we'll see how things go. Thanks so so much for reading, everybody! :) :) :)