A/N: If you want my suggestion, listen to "The Real Hero" by Alan Silvestri while reading this. Enjoy! Oh, and May the Fourth be with you! :)

"Ahsoka!"

She blinked back tears, shaking her head, not slowing down.

"Ahsoka, wait! I need to talk to you!"

He wasn't going to stop following her until he had said goodbye.

That was Anakin Skywalker, always so caring towards those he loved, yet unable to let go.

She took a deep breath. Stopped. Turned to face him.

"Why…" he panted, bending over to catch his breath, "are you doing this?"

"The Council didn't trust me, so how can I trust myself?" she said, looking at the ground and crossing her arms over herself.

"What about me?" he demanded. "I believed in you. I stood by you!"

She looked up at him. "I know you believe in me, Anakin. And I'm grateful for that. But I can't stay here any longer." Her gaze dropped back to the ground. "Not now."

"The Jedi Order is your life. You can't just… throw it away like this! Ahsoka, you are making a mistake!"

The sorrow in that last word was palpable, even without the Force.

"Maybe," she admitted. "But I have to sort this out on my own. Without the Council…" she turned away, not wanting to see the pain in his eyes, "and without you."

He sighed. "I understand. More than you realize, I understand wanting to walk away from the Order."

She turned, just slightly, so she could just see him in the corner of her eye. She had to get his reaction to this. "I know," she said.

Anakin's eyes went wide. "Wha— what's that supposed to mean?!" he spluttered.

"Honestly, you and Senator Amidala are the worst actors in the galaxy," she said, turning to face him with a slight smile.

He looked away, blushing, running a hand through his hair. "I should have known you'd figure it out, Snips."

Did he know how much she missed that nickname?

"Don't worry," she said. "I won't tell anyone."

"Oh, right, because you're leaving and there won't be any Council for you to report to," he said, his tone obviously sarcastic yet bleeding with pain.

Ahsoka didn't reply. But she didn't need to. They both already knew the answer.

After a moment, Ahsoka cleared her throat.

"Anakin… do me a favor?" she asked, looking up at him.

"You know I would do anything for you, Ahsoka," he said.

"The galaxy needs you. Padmé needs you. So stay the amazing, loving, compassionate person you are. Don't let the war make you someone you're not. And don't waste your time moping about me, because… I'll be fine. You did everything you could."

"No, Ahsoka, I didn't!" he burst out. "If I had done everything I could, you would still be in the Order!"

"You saved my life," she insisted. "You didn't fail me. You never have. You are the best friend I could ever have or want. And no matter how far apart we are, just… just remember," she took a deep breath, "I have been and always will be your friend… Skyguy."

Force, she missed calling him that.

And judging by the choking sounds he was making, he missed it too.

"Aw…" she said, smiling. "Come here." She stepped forward and pulled him into her arms, burying her face into his chest.

Anakin readily returned the hug, holding on to her as if for the last time.

Closing her eyes, Ahsoka tried to download every bit of this moment into her memory forever. She took in the scent of Anakin's robes—not clean, for sure, but not unpleasant; she felt his head pressed against her montral, his arms firm yet gentle, holding her close.

Because she knew that it would be a long time before she could do this again.

But it wouldn't be the last time.

She knew it wouldn't.

A/N: Did anyone catch the Star Trek quote? It's one of my favorites.

I'm thinking of adding at least one more chapter to this so it's more of a fix-it and less of a heartwrenching goodbye. :( Thoughts?

-Jimmy