Chapter Text
Forgiveness is never that easy
“Ahsoka?”
The timid sounding voice behind her sounded oh so very familiar, a blast from the past or something similar.
Then again, there were a lot of familiar things and people having turned up in the past few months Ahsoka had spent with the New Republic. Well, with those at least whom Ahsoka called friends as she wasn’t exactly working with the New Republic rather, guess consulting here and there. And only for her friends!
As it was these days, Ahsoka preferred to be her own person and not tied to any kind of big organisation, corporation or politically motivated party. Not anymore. Never again! (Jedi Council be damned, then again, guess they already were that, damned!)
And so, having been summoned by Senator Organa once again to take part in a debriefing for an upon coming very special operation in which Ahsoka talents were needed, the Senator had mentioned Ahsoka would be getting someone to help her. Not that Ahsoka felt she needed the help as she was more than capable, alas. Well, this wasn’t her op.
And guess this person having arrived, was the one?
Ahsoka turned around, her spidey senses already raised some alarms on her person, not to mention the non-existing hairs standing up at the back at her neck. But what had her senses, or rather whom alerted Ahsoka to, could not really be true?
And yet, there she was. Right there, in front of Ahsoka.
“Barriss.”
Indeed, a blast from the past!
“I… am glad to see you.” Barriss tried, still acting rather timid, apologetic perhaps?
Ahsoka simply crossed her arms and took a defensive stance. Trying to tower the other woman, to be, intimidating, if that is what Barriss excepted from her.
“Are you?”
“Ahsoka…”
Ahsoka was livid. But then again, even if it was on file, Senator Organa might not have known about the two of their shared past. How Barriss had betrayed Ahsoka. Betrayed, them.
“You… you dare to come back here… to me like nothing happened.”
Ahsoka’s tone was calm despite the turmoil raging inside of her. The Jedi teachings eluding her at the very moment. As this, was Barriss. Her Barriss. The one who had, in the end, betrayed her.
“Ahsoka, I am so sorry… What I did…“
“You did to me Ris! To us! I believed in you, I loved you. You were… my everything. And yet, here you are, back like nothing happened.” Ahsoka was finally showing her true feelings, the inner turmoil coming out. “How’s the Empire? Oh wait, no more Empire!”
Yes, Ahsoka had read her file, after some time had passed. After the Empire was gone. They had all read the files, Ahsoka, Hera… if nothing more then to figure out what had really happened. And it had not been light reading at all.
Ahsoka felt the choking sensation in her throat the sting in her eyes. But she did not want to have a breakdown. Not now, not in front of Barriss. Not ever in front of Barriss again!
“There is no excuse I have to give you, Soka. I can only offer you my deepest and sincerest apology. If you will accept it.”
Barriss wasn’t even trying to defend herself. She knew what she had done. But she had also done a lot of good since then. And she had hoped, well… guess she had hoped too much.
But Ahsoka wasn’t buying what Barriss was selling. Not any more. Not now.
Ahsoka only scowled as she passed Barriss on her way out from the meeting room, not wanting to discuss things further with Barriss. But, she was planning on having a wee chat with Senator Organa. This, surprise, being a tad too much for Ahsoka.
Leaving a very distraught and sad looking Barriss behind as Ahsoka took her leave.
Then again, what had Barriss expected to happen? Open arms full blown I forgive you for everything kind of a welcome. Well, the Senator had warned her.
And yet Barriss could not help but feel the pang in her heart as it walked out. Her very special heart, which Ahsoka still very much was. Even after all this time, all the happenings between the two, Barriss still loved Ahsoka.
Clearly, Ahsoka did not.