Consequences

Chapter 25 - Awakening

The world slowly comes into focus around me, the familiar feeling of home surrounding me. The first thing that registers is that the Force no longer feels so empty. I can feel all the familiar Force presences again. I'm lying on a bed in what is presumably the healing wing of the Temple. Next my eyes fall on Anakin, standing not far away, like he always is when I'm here.

I bolt upright, eyes darting around the room. I'm not sure I dare believe this is really real. It's been far too long. I can't believe this isn't just a dream, a creation of my own imagination from missing everyone too much. I reach into the Force, feeling the familiar Force signatures just to make sure they're actually really here.

Anakin notices my awakening instantly and walks over to me. "Ahsoka, are you alright?" he asks worriedly. I can't seem to find my voice. Or maybe it's that I can't believe the person who was just a Force ghost a minute ago is alive again. "Ahsoka?" he repeats again, louder this time. It's not until his hand touches my shoulder that I finally realize. I'm here. I'm home. This time, for real.

I throw my arms around him as the reality finally sinks in. I'm home. Home at last. With Anakin, with the Jedi, in a world where the Republic still exists. Maybe not a world of peace, but still a world of hope. But most of all, a world where my brother is still here and not dead. With Anakin, my Anakin, not Vader. "You're alive," I murmur, grip tightening.

Anakin doesn't say anything for many moments, just holds me as I cry. I don't care how un-Jedi like it may be. I just saw the galaxy descend into chaos, the Republic ripped apart at its very seams, Jedi destroyed, everyone I cared about die except Rex, and after all that, Anakin – the only person I had left – died. Even if he's really here, the memory of his sacrifice is too close for comfort.

And the mission... I have to fulfill the mission. I must. I can't let any of that happen. And I will keep my promise to Anakin. I won't leave. I'll never leave him again. I reach out gently to our bond, feeling it solidify under the touch, though it's... damaged. Tainted almost imperceptibly from Vader's death.

"What happened?" Anakin asks finally, "What did you see?"

"Everything," I murmur, still not letting go. "I saw the galaxy torn apart, the empire rise, the destruction of... everything." There is a momentary pause before Anakin lets go of me and sits down next to me. I bury my face in his shoulder, wrapping my arms around him again.

"A detailed vision?" he guesses.

"I'd say I time-traveled."

"Time-travel?" Anakin repeats with disbelief, "That's impossible!" I wince at how much that reminded me of Vader's reaction when I first saw him.

"I was on Dagobah with Luke, and we went to Bespin and fought Vader and Leia rescued us, but Jabba captured Han so we had to free him and went to blow up the Death Star but Luke and I went to confront Vader and Sidious and then you died," I blurt out, not quite present enough to realize Anakin's probably questioning my sanity.

"... I can't understand any of that. Calm down," Anakin declares firmly, but I can hear his confusion, "You need to calm down. It's alright, I'm here."

Yes, it's alright. He's here. Anakin's here. He's not dead. He's not a Sith Lord. He's your brother. Your master. Leaning against him, I take a few deep breaths, trying to calm myself. I can't help but remember the last moments in the future. When I talked to Anakin one last time and said goodbye to everyone. Oh, right. The twins.

"When'll they be born?"

"Ahsoka, you're not making any sense," Anakin sighs.

"I suggest you both rest and sort this out in the morning," comes another voice. Obi-Wan. Wait. He's here? I look up in surprise to see him standing only a few feet away from us. I must have been too out of it to notice. But not out of it enough to forget that I haven't seen him in months. Jumping to my feet, I hug him also.