Redemption

History

After plotting the course for Tatooine, Ahsoka turned on autopilot and lied down on the galley bench for a nap. She needed a clear head to be on Tatooine lest she be swallowed up by the desert.

A few hours later, she arrived at the Mos Eisley spaceport. It took about an hour to clear customs, but before she knew it, she was in the marketplace. She asked around for any information about a man named Kenobi.

"Kenobi? The guy who lives near the Skywalker farm?" a bartender responded when pressed.

Skywalker?

"Actually, will you direct me towards the farm?"

Five minutes later, Ahsoka had rented a speeder and bought a traveling cloak. She didn't want any xenophobic trouble.

Following the directions she'd received, Ahsoka reached out, searching for Obi-Wan's Force signature.

There really was almost nothing but sand and sun this far out. Ahsoka was beginning to understand why Anakin hated the place.

Eventually, she noticed a moisture farm in the distance.

This must be it.

She steered towards the small hut attached to the farm, once again reaching out in the Force for Obi-Wan. She sensed... something. There was a strong presence inside the hut, but it wasn't what she was looking for.

Where are you?

Ahsoka turned off the speeder and cautiously approached the hut. She didn't sense anything concerning, so she knocked on the door.

A blond boy about Ezra's age opened the door.

"May I help you?" he asked.

His blue eyes bore into her in a very familiar way. Ahsoka was speechless for a moment. He looked at her expectantly. She cleared her throat and lowered her hood.

"Yes, I'm looking for a man named Kenobi," she said diplomatically.

"He lives over the hill," the boy said, pointing behind her.

Ahsoka thanked him and began walking towards her speeder.

"Anakin," Ahsoka said as she got back on the speeder, "you and Padmé had kids?"

She didn't know who she was even talking to. They were both gone but still...

That boy was strong in the Force. She could still sense him, even as she crested the hill. There was something else, too. Something calming.

Obi-Wan.

Her speeder couldn't move fast enough. She parked and lowered her hood, grimacing in the scorching sun. She quickly walked to the doorstep, seeking shade.

"Obi-Wan... you'd better be in here," Ahsoka muttered before knocking on the door.

The door opened and a voice she hadn't heard in years greeted her.

"Hello! May I ask what you're..."

Ahsoka smiled. "Still so polite, Kenobi."

"Ahsoka? You're alive? Thank goodness."

He wrapped her up in a hug, making her feel small despite her being taller than him now.

"I missed you, Obi-Wan."

"Ben. I go by Ben here."

"Ben," Ahsoka repeated.

"Please, come in! I'll get you some water."

Ahsoka followed him into the hut and sat down at what she assumed was the dinner table. Ben had gotten so much older. She imagined he was thinking the same thing about her.

"I guess you'd like to know why I'm here," Ben said as he took two cups from a cupboard.

"The boy at the moisture farm?"

"I - yes, how did you know?"

"He pointed me towards you. Anakin's kid, right?"

"One of them, yes."

"One of them?

"They're twins. Luke is here with his aunt and uncle, Leia is on Alderaan with Senator Organa."

"And Padmé?"

"Gone. Died giving birth. The doctors said she lost the will to live."

"Damnit," Ahsoka breathed.

"You know what has become of Anakin, I presume?"

"Yes, we've... encountered each other. What happened, Ben? Why does he wear that suit?"

"Because of me."

Ben told the story of Anakin's fall. Ahsoka listened dismally.

"Wow." Ahsoka patted his shoulder in what she hoped was a comforting manner.

"I hid Luke here because I know Vader can't - and won't - come back here."

Ahsoka nodded. "I figured."

"How did you find me, Ahsoka?"

"Some rebels showed me the message you sent out after Order 66. I figured you were still alive. I like to think I know you pretty well, Ben, and I assumed you reached the same conclusion I did: Vader will never come here. With all his machinery, he can't. Not that he would want to anyways."

"Well, happy as I am to see you, I do urge you to be careful. The Empire is relentless in their hunt for Jedi."

"The Empire thinks I'm dead."

"What?"

Ahsoka filled him in about the events on Malachor.

"Time travel? Really?" Ben raised an eyebrow at her. "Do you take me for a fool?"

"I'm not lying Ben. I don't understand it any more than you do."

"You're here for an answer, then?"

"I actually came because I needed to know you were alive, but I'll take any wisdom you'd offer me."

"You make me sound so old."

"It seems your age has only made you sassier," Ahsoka joked.

Ben rolled his eyes. "Honestly, Ahsoka, I don't think I'm the right person to ask."

"Well, I can't exactly search the archives anymore."

He nodded sadly. "There is someone you can go to, though. Master Yoda is on Dagobah. If anyone can explain this, he can."

Ahsoka sighed in relief. "I'm glad he's alive too. Before seeing you, I felt so directionless, but now I know what I was looking for. I need answers and I really hope Master Yoda can help."

Ahsoka looked out the window. The setting sun bathed the hut in a soft orange light.

"Stay the night, Ahsoka. Tatooine is dangerous enough during the day."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. Master Yoda has been alive for upwards of eight hundred years. He can wait a few more days for you."

Ahsoka nodded. "Thank you, Ben."

"Of course. Help me make dinner?"

Ahsoka followed him into the kitchen, feeling fully safe for the first time in years.