SIDETRACKED II A LUXSOKA STORY

2

"Ah, Ashla, you've returned." A middle-aged Twi'lek woman announced from behind a desk as Lux and Ahsoka entered the hotel. "...Is this your partner you've spoken to me about?" She questioned, her brown eyes intrigued as they landed on Lux.

"Yep." Ahsoka replied simply, momentarily sending a sideways glance at Lux before averting her gaze back to the Twi'lek. "The best smuggler in the galaxy."

"So I've heard," The female noted indifferently as she absentmindedly shuffled through a small pile of papers. "Well, here's a second key to your room," She offered, extending her hand over the desk and dropping the small key in Ahsoka's outstretched palm.

"Thank you," Ahsoka acknowledged with a slight smile before pocketing it and motioning for Lux to follow her. Together, they trailed down a small hall which led to a narrow flight of stairs. Single file, they climbed them, and journeyed down another hall until slowing to a stop outside the room "66".

"So I'm a smuggler now?" Lux chuckled airily as Ahsoka fiddled with the lock. "What are you, then?"

"I'm a mechanic, travelling about, looking for work anywhere." Ahsoka responded with a playful tone, opening the door and removing the key from the lock before shutting it behind Lux.

The room was quite small, but not terribly. The interior was complete with two twin beds on either side, with a small dresser in the middle, backed against the wall. Right at the entrance on the right-hand side was a bathroom, which consisted of the necessary hardware, and a small closet opposite to it. Although it was nothing compared to what the other senators received, Lux thought it to be quite homely, especially with Ahsoka there to keep him company.

"Go crazy," Ahsoka joked, tossing Lux's case on the bed closest to the door. Her own belongings were already situated on the other bed, which consisted of a suitcase similar to Lux's and an additional cloak that was folded beside it.

"Trust me, I will," Lux smiled, his tone matching the playfulness of Ahsoka's.

"Anyways, you hungry?" Ahsoka inquired, fishing the keys out of her pockets and placing them on top of the aged dresser. "Because I certainly am."

"I suppose, yes." Lux replied humbly.

"Well...given your condition, we aren't exactly allowed to go anywhere...But, I'm sure we will have just as much fun in the confinement of this room as if we were to go someplace else." Ahsoka continued optimistically, already reaching for the holopad that was in one of the drawers.

"Oh? And how will you manage that?"

"I have my ways, Bonteri."

***

She certainly did.

Ahsoka had taken an extra blanket from the closet and spread it on the floor in the space between the two beds. She then searched the cabinets in the bathroom for some candles, which were almost all used up, but they would work just fine nonetheless.

After she had lit them with a box of matches she found with the candles, she journeyed down to the lobby room and returned with the food still hot in her hands.

"I have to say, I'm impressed." Lux commented happily as he and Ahsoka took a seat beside each other on the soft fabric.

"Good. Because I'd be pretty mad if you weren't." Ahsoka quipped brightly, hastily assembling the contents inside of the box in front of them, quickly serving herself before Lux did the same.

"So, how's Onderon?" Ahsoka questioned after a moment of content silence as the two enjoyed their food.

"Well, there's certainly a lot of work that needs to be done now that King Denup is back on the throne," Lux responded plainfully, "There's still groups of people here and there that want to remain separate from the Republic, but we're managing..." He sighed, his gaze lingering as it fell on Ahsoka, for he couldn't help it but stare...Her tan skin was bright in the candlelight, and the white tattoos that adorned her features stood out against the natural, orange tone, all the while making her irresistible turquoise eyes pop...Her beauty seemed abnormal, like nothing he's ever seen. "She's a friend." He had to remind himself. "The most beautiful friend I've ever had."

Ahsoka could feel his eyes grazing her face, but she didn't look away. A part of her wasn't sure how she felt about it, but another part loved every last second. Besides, Lux was indeed a sight to adore in the smooth light...His dark complexion contrasted silkily with his wavy, chocolate hair, and the way his grey eyes shone like silver made Ahsoka short of breath. Just like every other time he looked her way. "Dammit, Lux!" She cursed inside her head, "That gorgeous face isn't helping!"

"How are the Jedi?" Lux interjected after what felt like hours of looking into each other's eyes, "How are Anakin and Obi-Wan?"

"Oh...The same as usual," Ahsoka replied quietly. "Anakin's his usual, arrogant self, and Obi-Wan seems to grow more grey hairs everyday."

Lux merely chuckled at her response, shaking his head with a smile. He wasn't on familiar terms with the Jedi Masters, but the description regarding their bond sounded just as he thought it would. Childish and brotherly.

The two then continued to eat their meal, chatting casually and sharing a couple of good laughs. Despite how long it's been since they had last seen each other, it only took a couple minutes for them to click just like they had before.

"Well, I think it's time we should be going to bed," Ahsoka sighed wearily, momentarily glancing outside one of the numerous windows that lined the room. Through the gap in the curtains she could see nothing but a pitch black void, with nothing but the pulsating city lights to puncture the twilight air.

"Agreed," Lux nodded, his tone lower and more sleepier than it was before.

"Cute," Ahsoka thought as she watched him grab his suitcase on the way to the bathroom, and she didn't even try to convince herself otherwise. Perhaps if she kept these thoughts to herself, she could get through the pain of never being able to express them out loud.