SIDETRACKED II A LUXSOKA STORY

1

Ahsoka stood in the shadows, her bright, blue eyes flickering across the loading bay viginantly as she waited. She was stationed at the bay located deep within Coruscant to await the arrival of Senator Lux Bonteri. He was to attend a conference with the Galactic Senate in two days' time, and it was her job to get him there -and back- safe and sound.

Usually Senators didn't require a Jedi escort, but Lux was in desperate need of one due to the fact that he was being watched by the Seperatist Alliance. Ever since his switching of sides to be with the Republic, he was attracting anything but friendly motives. Traitors within the CIS weren't common due to this, for everyone was too frightened to leave in fear of what might happen to them if they did. But, as anyone might have guessed, Lux wasn't like the other Separatists, and Ahsoka was glad.

With Lux no longer supporting the opposing force, their friendship was more relaxed and easier to work with. They could be neutral and didn't have to worry about what might happen if they were to meet in battle, which Ahsoka ever so casually reminded him that it wouldn't be a good thing if it were to happen...

Smiling to herself slightly, Ahsoka leaned further against a nearby wall and reminisced in all the sweet memories associated with her favorite Senator while she was waiting on him to arrive. However, it wasn't long before the young togruta easily depicted the ship described to her ascending into a nearby dock. It was an old, buffering cruiser with the paintjob faded and parts falling off in all the wrong places, but nevertheless it gave the right effect. One would assume a Senator as important as Lux would arrive in style, but given the circumstances, everything had to be downgraded to fit the disguise. Even Ahsoka had to play along, sporting a loose t-shirt and cargo pants, with a brown leather jacket to conceal the lightsabers that hung above her hips.

Following a deep, mechanical whirl, the ramp lagged to the ground. As it touched the surface of the cracked concrete ground, a familiar figure could be seen disembarking it. It was Lux, followed by a guard. Both were disguised as common smugglers and sported outfits similar to Ahsoka's.

"Hello, Leon." Ahsoka greeted casually as they approached her, careful to use the requested code name. It was mandatory because of possible spies and innocent civilians that might be questioned later on.

"Ashla." Lux acknowledged with a curt nod, a playful smile visible on his lips. It felt somewhat awkward, considering it was the first time they'd seen eachother since the battle upon Onderon, and having to use made-up names made it even more so.

"I'll take it from here," Ahsoka muttered in an undertone, nodding her thanks at the guard who stood nearby with Lux's belongings. The individual simply blinked with acceptance and handed Ahsoka the suitcase before departing back to the ship.

"I can take that, if you'd like," Lux offered hastily, outstretching a hand to relieve the case from Ahsoka's grip.

"Thanks, but I think I can manage," Ahsoka replied with a knowing smile.

"Alright," Lux shrugged, sharing a smile. "...So, where are we going?" He inquired after a moment of silence filled with nothing but the sounds of the surrounding city as the pair maneuvered their way through the packed streets.

"There's a hotel close by." Ahsoka responded plainfully, instinctively grabbing Lux's forearm as she skirted around the bustling crowds. "That's where we'll be staying," She added as if that wasn't obvious.

Lux merely nodded as they broke away from the clusters of people. The part of Coruscant where they were now headed was sketchier than most, and everyone with a brain knew not to linger long within it.

"Do you know why the Jedi couldn't establish a closer residence?" Lux questioned uneasily, his grey eyes darting in all directions as he took in the ruggish scenery. "Or perhaps a safer one?"

"Well, whoever's after you would most likely expect you to stay within close proximity to the Senate Rotunda..." Ahsoka noted indifferently, quickly releasing his arm from her firm grasp. "...And the very thing we're trying to do, is to undermine their expectations." She continued briskly. "Besides, Bonteri, you're with me and that's as safe as you can get...Why, are you worried?"

"As long as I'm with you I'm not." Lux replied confidently, his silver eyes bright with a warm glow that made Ahsoka the tiniest bit breathless as she met them.

"...Well, that's good to hear," She commented shyly, her tiny heart racing inside her chest. "He's just a friend." Ahsoka had to remind herself as they continued to walk in silence. "Despite everything you've ever felt for him...He's just a friend."