In the End {1}

~ The Assignment ~

"Good," Jaryn said. "That was the idea." He extended a hand, and Ahsoka shook it. "Pleasure to meet you, Commander Tano."

"Nice to meet you too," she said hesitantly. "Ahsoka is fine."

"Our parents didn't exactly agree with all of Jaryn's decisions, especially during the war," Lux said. "They cut him off at the beginning of the war after be decided to support the Republic instead of the Separatists. We kept in touch, though."

"Wow," Ahsoka said. "I had no idea. Do you work within the Republic?"

He nodded. "I work as a mechanic for Jedi star fighters and Republic gunships. Nothing too fancy, but I enjoy what I do. I was actually just promoted, and I'll start working on projects within the Temple next week."

"That's fantastic!" Ahsoka knew that civilians had to pass a series of difficult entry tests and a thorough background check before being allowed access to the Jedi Temple, so she had no doubt that Jaryn was very good at his job. "Who knows? Maybe we'll run into each other some time."

Lux smiled. "King Dendup better hurry up with the paperwork so I can go live on Coruscant with you two. I'd hate to miss all the fun."

Conversation flowed naturally for the rest of the evening. Lux was right; Jaryn was very nice. Ahsoka could definitely see the resemblance between the two brothers in the way they talked and some of the facial expressions they made.

Ahsoka sometimes wondered what it would be like to have a brother or sister. Usually, she'd feel upset that she didn't have a blood family, but then she always remembered that she had Anakin, who was the best brother she could ever hope for.

It was late by the time Jaryn was ready to leave. After putting on his shoes and coat, he gave Lux a big hug.

"I'm gonna miss you, little bro. Hopefully we'll see each other again soon."

"Of course we will," Lux said, smiling. "Love you, man. Have a save trip home."

Jaryn turned to Ahsoka. "It was a pleasure to finally meet you, Commander." He glanced back and forth between Ahsoka and Lux. "Do you mind if I speak with you outside for a moment?" He asked her.

Ahsoka followed him outside on to the patio while Lux went inside.

Jaryn ran a hand through his hair. "Ahsoka, there's something you should know. Several things, really."

"Oh, okay," she said, unsure of what he meant.

"Lux has no idea what I'm about to tell you, so you have to promise me you won't say anything to him."

This was going to be interesting. "Yes, of course I promise. Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, everything's fine. I just wanted to say that what Lux told you about my past is wrong. He doesn't know the full truth. On the night of my first birthday, a Jedi was here on Onderon. He identified me as force-sensitive and tried to convince my parents to let me come to the Temple to be trained. My father reluctantly agreed, but my mother was very against it. She went behind my father's back and paid the Jedi a handsome amount to leave our family alone, and my father was furious that the Jedi took it.

"From that point forward, he believed that the Jedi Order was corrupt and had no business leading a war. That's why we joined the Separatists. I didn't know about this until I was older. When my parents told me, I was mad and decided to pursue my own path closer to the place I really belonged, and when I left for Coruscant, my parents cut me off. I don't want to tell Lux because I don't want to ruin the memories he has of mum and dad."

Ahsoka was silent. Jaryn was force-sensitive? Did that mean Lux was force-sensitive, too? "I'm so sorry," she said, unsure of what else to say.

"Don't be. What's done is done. I'm telling you because I want you to keep an eye on my brother. His midi-chlorian count was never tested because he doesn't seem to demonstrate any Jedi traits, but I still wonder sometimes, you know? I just don't want him to get into any trouble. If the Separatists find out about me or it turns out he is sensitive, we could have a problem. He's the only family I have left. I need to know that he's in good hands."

"I completely understand," Ahsoka said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "And trust me when I say that as long as I'm alive, I won't let anyone hurt Lux."

"Thank you, Ahsoka." They shook hands, and he turned to leave. Before he could get down the steps, however, he paused and looked back at her.

"Lux talks about you all the time. I'm sure you can sense it, but you mean a great deal to him. After tonight, I can tell that he's important to you, too. A word of advice: I know the Jedi have a strict code, but that code doesn't define you. Stay true to who you are and what you feel." Without giving Ahsoka a chance to respond, he walked down the stairs and mounted his speeder.

Had her feelings for Lux been that obvious? She hadn't bothered trying to hide them through the force because she didn't think Lux or Jaryn would notice, but clearly she was wrong. And if Jaryn was encouraging her to follow her heart, could it mean Lux felt the same way?