Chapter Text
It was supposed to be easier than this.
She was supposed to pack up her childhood bedroom (at least, what was left of it), empty her bank account, and book it cross country. Figure out where to go from there.
This was supposed to be a freeing experience for her, a soul searching, awakening, something .
Not a sputtering engine in a dingy gas station off I-90.
Ahsoka popped the hood with a little too much force to release the light grey clouds of smoke beginning to block her airway. A voice shouted over the noise of her car and her sudden coughing. “Hey, you okay?” A man’s voice asked as she stepped away from her car.
Ahsoka aimed her voice in his general direction. “Apparently not, wise guy.”
“Let me see if I can help.” His too-tall figure came into view as he assisted in swatting away the smoke. In a moment it was clear enough to notice his features. No older than twenty four or so, eyes to match hers, and dirty blonde hair that was just long enough that Ahsoka wondered if he’d ever tried putting it up with a hair tie.
Ahsoka stood back to watch him fiddle around with some mechanical component. “You sure you know what you’re doing? Because if you’re just trying to be some masculine hero-figure, I’ll have you know I took mechanics courses in high school for situations like this.” She crossed her arms in retort.
The man chuckled. “Well, I happen to be a licensed mechanic, so I think I’m good.”
“Oh,” She responded, a blush creeping it’s way onto her cheeks. “That’s good. It’s Ahsoka, by the way. Thanks for helping.”
“Anakin. Look, if you want, my wife’s back at my car, this might take me a minute. Don’t want you covered in engine grease if we can help it.” He gestured a couple parking spots down where a woman about the same height as Ahsoka standing against the car watching.
The girl shook her head. “That’s alright, Anakin. Not like I’m dressed nice or anything,” She joked, gesturing to her denim shorts and tank top.
“Well, if you’re not moving, can you c’mere?” She hesitantly came closer. “Hold this here.” Ahsoka reached out to hold whatever part it was in place. It looked familiar, she was pretty sure it had something to do with the coolant system, but she couldn’t be sure. That course happened over a year ago. “Do you have a socket wrench or should I go looking in my car?”
“Look in the trunk, it should be close to the front.” He moved around to the back where he popped the trunk and began looking. “You living out of your car?” He asked in response to her two half unpacked suitcases and various cardboard boxes, not bothering to hide the hint of concern before grabbing the red box by the handle and closing her trunk.
“For now.”
“Where are you headed?” He shuffled through the box and found a socket wrench and grabbed the piece Ahsoka was holding and began working again. Ahsoka wiped the grease off onto her already stained pants.
She shuffled backwards. “Not quite sure.” Anakin stopped for a moment to look at her. “I’m just trying to leave home, it’s not like I’ve got a five year plan or something.”
Anakin nodded with a huffing laugh. “You sure you don’t wanna meet my wife? I think she’d like you,” He smiled.
Ahsoka laughed, beginning to walk over to the car. Might as well meet new people. She was supposed to be adventurous, right? “Fine.”
“Hello dear,” She began as soon as Ahsoka walked up. “Is that your car?”
She looked down and shoved her hands in her pockets. “Unfortunately, yes. Hope your husband knows what he’s doing.”
“Oh he does, he’s gotten us out of a few bad situations like this. I’m sure he’ll figure it out.” The woman reminded Ahsoka of her mother, kind, soft face, brown hair. Although she didn’t remember much about her old family, just images. But she imagined this woman was similar.
“I’m Padme,” She offered, expecting an answer in return.
“Ahsoka, good to meet you.”
As if hearing Padme’s previous optimism, Anakin called over to the two of them. “I’ve got good news and bad news,” He said, walking over to them and wiping his greasy hands on his also already stained cargo pants.
“Good news first,” Ahsoka answered, differing from the normal response.
“Well,” He started. “Your car didn’t blow up. You’re lucky I got here when I did.”
“I’m sorry?” Ahsoka scoffed. “What do you mean blow up? ”
“The coolant system was blocked. It wouldn't necessarily have blown up, but you certainly wouldn't have had enough of an engine to salvage.” Anakin got as close to his wife as he could without getting her covered in grease, settling against the car.
“So it’s okay? It’s fixed?”
“That’s where the bad news comes in.”
Ahsoka sighed and shut her eyes in annoyance. “Get on with it then.”
“If you want to salvage your car you’ll have a good chunk of cash in repairs.” Ahsoka groaned, and to make matters worse, Anakin kept going. “I can’t say anything for certain but you won’t be getting your car back anytime soon.”
“I’m karked,” She mumbled. “I’m so karked. I don’t have anywhere to stay! I’m already three hours from my hometown and I’m in the middle of nowhere , with two strangers and a busted car,” She rambled. The couple gave each other a look that told her they had more years of silently communicating than they had led on. “What?”
Padme spoke first. “What direction are you headed?”
“Anywhere but here. I was initially headed northwest but I literally could not care less. What’s your point?”
Anakin gave her a smirk. “We’re going northwest into Coruscant, and we just so happen to have an empty back seat.”
Ahsoka stood, mouth open, still digesting what they had just implied. Sure she wanted adventure, but driving cross country with two strangers? Was she really that in need of something new?
Who was she kidding, of course she was. “Space in your trunk for a suitcase or two?” She added with a grin.
“Sure do.”