Chapter Text
Ahsoka leapt off the eopie with practiced grace and began setting up the pod for the race. She saw Qui-gon approach Watto across the hangar to begin the plan. A pair of hands began helping her to link up the starboard engine to the pod while she observed the pair.
“So….” Ahsoka was at a strange loss for words. It was strange being in the presence of Obi-wan so much younger than what she was used to. Her grandmaster was an exasperated mid-30s master, far too tired to deal with anyone’s nonsense. Padawan Kenobi on the other hand was so unlike what she expected.
“Do you know me in the future?” Obi-wan asked with surprising boldness.
Ahsoka felt a smile curling onto her face. “Yes. I’ll be honest, it’s really strange to see you like this…”
Obi-wan paused looking confused. “What do you mean by that?” He asked.
Ahsoka finished securing the engine and lowered her tools, facing him. “I’ve known you as a wise Jedi Master. You were a mentor of sorts to me alongside my master before I left the order. Tea was always a welcome invitation as well. It’s just strange seeing you so young and carefree,” happy Ahsoka thought privately.
Despite her argument before Mandalore, she really had missed her grandmaster. Obi-wan had been such a supporting figure during the war; he always knew what to say and how to make her feel better. Ahsoka had spent many hours chatting with Obi-wan over a mug of tea.
The young man raised an eyebrow. “It seems that Qui-gon must have rubbed off on me then, because I certainly don’t love tea as much as it seems you think I do,” he said with a huff.
Ahsoka grinned. “Maybe your taste matured with age,” she quipped. Belatedly she realised that his love for tea probably developed as a coping method when his master died, and her smile faded.
“That looked like a concerning thought,” Obi-wan said as he studied her face.
“It’s nothing to worry about,” she said and flashed a grin at him. It’s not going to happen anyway now she thought to herself fiercely. Her gaze drifted to where Anakin was with Shmi and Padmé. He looked so happy; Ahsoka’s heart almost melted at the smile on his face. Another future-changing thought flew across her mind.
“Obi-wan, I have a favour to ask….do you have any credits I could use? I’ll repay you, I promise,” she asked quietly.
The other padawan looked vaguely curious, and reached into his robes. “Yes, although I don’t know what good they’ll be out here…” he said as he placed them in her hand carefully.
“You’ll see eventually, but I promise that this is very important,” Ahsoka replied. “Thank you,” she said sincerely.
“Rex?”
“Commander?” He replied on instinct.
“I’m off on an important mission regarding our General’s future, full details later. I’ll be back soon,” she said with a wink leaving him to stew in confusion.
Ahsoka wandered out the hangar and towards the stadium towards the betting stalls. Using Obi-wan’s credits and manipulating the minuscule odds in Anakin’s favour on the board, Ahsoka managed to place a pretty ambitious bet. The winnings would be going towards Shmi.
Ahsoka didn’t know much about Anakin’s mum, but she knew that tearing a child Anakin’s age away from his mother and forcing him into the Jedi life of no attachments was a disaster waiting to happen. Shmi was so important to him, and as such Ahsoka couldn’t bear to start his attachment ‘problems’ by doing nothing. Shmi Skywalker would be leaving Tatooine along with them if it was the last thing Ahsoka could do.
~~~~~~~
Rex was uncomfortable in that hangar. Ahsoka had been frustratingly vague, but he trusted that whatever she was doing was important despite her joking debrief. He didn’t quite know what to do with himself. Baby Skywalker was chatting and laughing with his mother and the child senator Amidala. Young general Kenobi was attaching the second engine to Anakin’s pod - although why the kid wasn’t trying to do it Rex would never know. Jinn had been negotiating with the slave owner and was now heading towards him.
“Well Watto let Anakin enter as planned,” the Jedi said.
“You shouldn’t worry, from what Ahsoka remembers, the kid wins the race,” Rex said. He knew not to reveal too much, but that little fact would be alright. Hopefully.
Qui-gon stroked his beard slightly in thought. “Well that certainly is good to know, although I had faith in the boy’s abilities already,” he said. “Is there anything else I should know?”
“Almost undoubtedly sir, but Ahsoka and I have an understanding and everything is under control,” Rex said, cringing as the words left his mouth. “Is there anything that we should know from your end?”
“All will be revealed in time Captain,” the Jedi said with a concerning twinkle in his eye.
Thankfully Ahsoka reappeared at that moment, saving Rex from any awkward interactions. He had a strong suspicion as to what she had wandered off to do, but didn’t want to prematurely reveal anything, so remained silent on the matter.
“Come on Rexter, it’s nearly time to start the race. Help me get the kid sorted out,” she said while taking his arm and dragging him away from Jinn.
“Thanks,” he muttered lowly so only Ahsoka could hear. She said nothing, only grinned at him before heading over to mini-Skywalker.
“Okay Skyguy, you ready for this?”
Ahsoka asked as they manouvered the pod onto the start area.
The kid nodded mutely.
“Hey, don’t worry; I know you’ll do great out there.” Ahsoka ruffled his hair and gave him a small hug.
Jinn walked over to give Anakin some last-minute jetii advice. Rex walked off towards the stands with Ahsoka following close behind.
The race itself was entertaining enough to watch. Rex couldn’t help but feel anxious when Anakin stalled his engines at the start of the race. He could see that Ahsoka felt similarly from the way she gripped her bracers.
“To think he bragged about this race all the time…” Ahsoka muttered under her breath. “I can see he definitely exaggerated the actual events, although that’s not to say it’s still very impressive.”
Shmi and Amidala were clearly very worried throughout the whole race, understandably. Jinn and Kenobi managed to hide any anxiety with the usual jetii mannerisms, but occasionally the mask slipped ever so slightly.
The second that Anakin crossed the line the stadium erupted into cheers. Ahsoka was grinning and clapping and Rex found himself joining in happily. The group rushed down to the track and Jinn hoisted Anakin onto his shoulders and paraded the kid though the crowds in victory.
Ahsoka dragged Rex off towards the betting stands. “This is how we start to fix things,” she said with a smile.
“‘Soka what did you do?” He asked almost exasperated.
“Placed a sizeable bet in Anakin’s favour,” she replied calmly.
“For what purpose?”
“I’m going to use the winnings to free Shmi as well.”
“Not to sound horribly callous, but how does this stop Order 66?”
“I don’t know. This probably won’t, but I have to do this. Anakin barely spoke of his past, but I know that leaving his mother was traumatic for him. Even more so when she died just before the war started. There’s a nasty reason why the order doesn’t take children over a certain age… and if I can help mini-Skyguy by doing this, then I will. He deserves this at least.”
Rex pulled her into a hug and then gently touched his forehead to hers. Ahsoka reciprocated and wrapped her arms around his torso. “I understand, don’t worry. We’ll make it right.”