Even the Dark Side Can't Take Our Memories

Chapter 7 - Suspicions

Ahsoka and Barriss sat on the front steps of the Jedi Temple, giggling and chatting in the light of the shimmering sun. They were so lost in the long sought-for beauty of each other, that they didn't even notice Anakin and Padme watching them from a few paces away.

Padme shook her head wistfully and said with a smile, "Young love."

"What?" Anakin was obviously shocked at this comment. "Ahsoka and Barris? They're just friends." Padme laughed.

"Are you blind, Skywalker?" Anakin blushed. "Do you see the way they're looking at each other?" Padme continued, unaware of the lovesickness for Padme obviously blinding Anakin's view of Ahsoka and Barriss. "Anyway... I have to go meet with Senator Organa." As Padme walked off to her speeder, Anakin stumbled after her. Neither of them noticed Master Luminara watching them...

***

"Ahsoka!" Ahsoka whirled around from Commander Cody to find Barriss running towards her.

"What is it?" Barriss grabbed Ahsoka's hand and yanked her away from Cody. Ahsoka smiled at the green hand lingering on hers, then quickly jerked her attention back to Barriss.

"Master Luminara just spent the entire morning teaching me about the importance of the lack of attachment in a Jedi, and the punishment of a Jedi with attachment!" Ahsoka's eyes widened.

"Do you think she knows about... us?"

"I-I don't know... how could she?"

"Erm - well..." A series of memories flashed through Ahsoka's mind; her and Barriss begging their masters to send them on missions together, constantly training together, sneaking off into small alcoves of the Jedi Temple to satisfy their longing for each other... "I mean... we were kinda obvious?" Barriss gasped.

"Oh no, oh no, oh no... Ahsoka, I am 'the perfect Padawan'! I follow all of my Master's orders to the letter, I never waver from the Jedi Code... oh, if Master Luminara found about us; Ahsoka, I would be done for! No one would ever expect the polite, well-mannered, p-perfect Barriss Offee to - to -" Barriss rambled, as tears slowly began to well up in her eyes.

"Oh, Barriss, it's alright!" Ahsoka clutched Barriss's forearms in her hands, and stared into Barriss's big, wet blue eyes. "Don't worry. We'll just be more careful from now on, right? It's okay, Bair. And just remember, no matter what happens, you'll always have me, and I'll always have you. Okay?" Barriss nodded and sniffed.

"Okay. Th-thanks, Ahsoka." Ahsoka smiled and blushed as Barriss fell into her arms.

***

For the next few treacherous weeks, Barriss and Ahsoka spared no more than a longing glance for each other when they passed in the halls of the Jedi Temple or stood distractedly in meetings of war strategy. Thankfully, Master Luminara seemed less suspicious of the two... but Ahsoka didn't know if it was even worth it anymore. Ahsoka had to do something about the gaping hole of emptiness inside of her... if it was this hard being away from Barriss for a few weeks, Ahsoka didn't know what she would do if they were separated for any longer.

The next day, when Ahsoka came across Barriss in the otherwise empty library, she decided to take action.

"Barriss, I can't-" Barriss silenced Ahsoka by flinging her arms around Ahsoka's neck and cramming her head into Ahsoka's shoulder.

"I don't care what anyone - Master Luminara, the Council, even the Jedi Code - say, but I - I can't bear this, Ahsoka." A grin slowly creeped up Ahsoka's face as she reached out her arms and squeezed Barriss back, her eyes shut tight. Ahsoka planted a tiny kiss on Barriss's earlobe, too choked up with happiness to say anything in response.

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