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In all the years that he had been searching, Cody had never once thought that it would end like this. Under twin suns on a desert planet that he truly should have known to check first. After the Death Star had been destroyed it became a little easier to travel, the Empire losing so many men meant that their control relaxed more as you got further from the inner core worlds. The spaceport on Tatooine was a bustling hive of different species and creatures all just trying to get through the day. Cody looks for a place to rest for a moment, it was a long and tiring journey to get to Tatooine. He knew he could have stayed with Rex, Wolffe, and the rest of the rebels for a little longer but he knew that it was time to finish his search. He passes shop after shop before stopping at a little tea shop down an alley. It looked a little dusty, maybe even a little sketchy but appearances aren't everything. The tea shop is the first in a series of stops in what seems to be another wild goose chase. No one will give Cody an answer—without credits of course. Credits that Cody was in short supply of. He asks day after day until finally, someone tells him. There had been a Kenobi on Tatooine. “Had” being the key word. Cody had missed him by mere weeks.

“You must mean Old Ben, the human guy with a Coruscanti accent? Always wearing these heavy robes till the day he left with that Skywalker kid and two droids,” said one of the locals. Cody had not wanted to believe the next farmer he asked when the man had said that old Ben had never returned. If he was honest he had begun to lose hope anyway. After 17 years or so of searching one has to give up sometime right? Cody hadn’t, he had known he'd find Obi-Wan somewhere someday. Technically, he had, he was just too late.

The farmer he had spoken to was kind enough to drive him out to where “Ole Ben Kenobi” had lived for a small fee of course. The house is on an overhang looking out over the sands of Tatooine. An outpost with unobstructed views, the high ground. The farmer leaves him at the base looking up at the several flights of stairs. Cody groans knowing that this is not going to feel good tomorrow. Walking into the humble home that Obi-wan had kept for himself, Cody quickly gets a sense of how he had been living. There was a fine layer of dust over everything, it had been a while since the owner was home.

As he walks through the doorway, he notices a mirror behind the door and stops for a moment to study the man in the reflection. He realizes that even if he had found Obi-Wan, he might not have recognized the bearded and slightly longer-haired clone he had become, the wrinkles across his face didn’t suit someone who wasn’t even 34 yet. Cody notices a cloak haphazardly lying on the floor of a closet doorway. He can't help but chuckle as he is reminded of all the times he had picked up Obi-Wan’s cloaks before.

“General! It appears you lost something again!” Cody grins beneath his helmet as he watches his Jedi pause and whips his head around searching for his robe.“My dear I never lost it, you knew where it was the whole time did you not?” Obi-Wan flashes that smile that makes Cody’s heart skip a couple of beats. The smile that he is sure that if anyone fighting just looked at for more than a second, could end the war. “Really? Guess I can add robe collector to my official job description then.” “Oh no, nothing so menial as that you must not forget to add lightsaber collector to your resume also.” Obi-wan jests and despite the dirt covering his face, Cody swears that he has never seen someone so beautiful. “Maybe I could turn this into a part-time gig, the other Generals must lose their things all the time.” “I’m afraid not, dearest Cody. I fear I shall have to keep your particular skills to myself.” Obi-Wan takes the robe from Cody with a wink, their fingers brushing ever so slightly, and even through his gloves, Cody can feel the connection.

Cody smiles at the memory, groaning as he picks up the cloak. He carefully hangs the robe up in the closet, cleaning up after Obi-Wan once again. The Jedi had become a bit eccentric in his old age, the messy house a polar opposite to his former quarters at the Jedi Temple and on the cruiser where his room had been kept tidy. Just from where he stands at the front of the house he sees this is no longer the case. Obi-Wan had other things on his mind.

He moves further into the house, the clutter coming just short of disarray, He sees glimpses of the man he loves as he moves further in. Little details about the life that he should have been a part of. Tables stained with rings, little dents in the walls, scuff marks on the floors, proof that this house had been a home. The kitchen is difficult, there are scratches on the floor under the table and chairs. There are marks on the countertops and water stains near the sink. This kitchen had been lived in. Cody looks for some kind of food, something to help with at least some of the empty feelings. Looking through the cabinets he opens one and is overwhelmed by the scents that almost attack him. Throwing him back into yet another memory.

Obi-Wan had said it would be easy to find the droid. It should have been but the damn thing ran into a marketplace.

Undercover, Obi-Wan and Cody were in disguise, playing the couple who were simply at the market, searching for tea. While Obi-Wan was comfortable wearing a simple slightly worn-down robe, Cody was without his armor. The loose civilian shirt and pants have no weight nor the protection that his armor provided and he was only allowed a blaster on his hip. As they got ready Cody reminded Obi-Wan,

“Sir—I have the most recognizable face in the galaxy, how are we going to be inconspicuous?”

“You see my wonderful Cody. I did think of that. I grabbed this for you.”

Obi-wan brings his hand out of his robes holding—a hood? Cody can't exactly see what it is before Obi-Wan steps closer and puts the fabric around Cody’s head creating a hood.

“Genius as always sir—but this doesn't cover my face. It Isn't much of a disguise.”

Obi-wan takes the end of the fabric holding it up and across the bottom half of Cody’s face. Only his dark brown eyes can be seen.

“It is if you do this” Obi wan says grinning as he secures the fabric. They realize seemingly at the same time how close they are standing. Obi-Wan’s hand was still over Cody's shoulder and their faces were inches apart. He feels as if he is frozen in time as he stands close to Obi-Wan. For a moment he can imagine that this is real, that they truly were a couple simply out at the market for essentials. If they were, would they hold hands? Would they stand this close comfortably? Without care if they were allowed this one piece of sunshine in the darkness of a war?

Would Cody’s teasing about the endless tea that Obi-Wan collects end in a kiss on the cheek instead of a polite chuckle? These thoughts are all destined to be dreams, never reality. Cody clears his throat and looks out of the alley they had been hiding in. Now disguised as the couple–the pair continue down through the market. Eyes roaming the stands and crowds of people. Obi-Wan walks beside him, his arm hooked on Cody’s own.

“Wouldn't want to lose you”, Obi-Wan explains with a satisfied smile as Cody is glad that the redhead can't see the blush hidden by his mask. Surrounded by people and creatures from around the galaxy there are so many things to see, hear, and smell. Passing shop after shop the pair come upon a shop filled to the brim with different colored boxes and tins full of herbs and different teas. Cody looks over at Obi-Wan who is already grinning at him.

“Sir we don't have the time-” He tries to start but he is practically dragged into the tea shop by the Jedi general.

“Come now Cody, there is always time for tea. We haven't collected one for this mission have we?”

“No sir we haven’t,” Cody says, shaking his head but smiling. Obi-wan immediately begins to pursue the store, moving and investigating pile after pile of tea. Cody watches as Obi-Wan meticulously chooses a type of Deychin tea, one that is both of their favorites. They pay the attendant and Obi-Wan grabs Cody’s hand this time.

“Just to stay together,” Obi-wan reassures him. Cody wishes that he wasn't wearing gloves, cursing them the whole time they continue through the market. He wishes he had listened. That they had stayed together.

The cabinet Cody had opened contained one of every tea that Obi-Wan and Cody had collected over their years on different planets. Cody’s favorites remained untouched as if waiting for someone to appreciate them. He wonders if they are even good anymore. They had to be nearly two decades old by now. Yet, Obi-Wan had kept them. Simultaneously comforting and a little disquieting the scents come with the memories of times long gone, missions long finished. Obi-Wan had saved them, hoping that Cody would find him and that they'd be able to drink the tea together.

The stains on the counters, and dishes in the sink, just are further signs of the life that had occupied the house. Standing in the middle of the space, Cody can imagine himself finding Obi-Wan preparing tea and wrapping his arms around his waist to pull him in for an impromptu dance in the kitchen, their foreheads together no care in the galaxy but for the man in front of him. Again these would remain dreams wishes for a time that had passed without the chance to arrive in the first place.

From the kitchen Cody ventures into the bedroom, unlike the barren quarters he had held on The Negotiator, there are shelves of books and a small cot against the wall. Cody inspects the bookshelves, wanting more of an understanding of who the man he had loved became. Cody remembered how Obi-Wan had preferred using flimsi, claiming the datapads could hurt his eyes if used excessively. Upon closer inspection, one of the books on the shelf sits at an odd angle and Cody pushes it in; he hears a mechanical noise and takes his blaster out aiming it at the newly revealed shelf in the wall that holds several more books that Obi-Wan had not wanted found. Cody grabs one recognizing the little notebook Obi-Wan had carried around for most of the war.

It had been a harsh battle, scars would marr the landscape and soldiers alike for years to come. Cody finished talking to a group of shinies still shaken after their first fight before noticing a figure sitting under a tree alone. He nods to the troopers dismissing them with a hand to a shoulder, a handshake, and a salute as he tells them to get some rest. As he gets closer he realizes that Obi-Wan is asleep, a notebook just about to fall out of his hand.

Cody picks up the notebook, his heart sinking as he recognizes the names within. After every battle, Obi-Wan, his sweet kind hearted general, wrote every fallen vod’s name. No matter how long they had been with the 212th, every single man they lost was in one of the many journals Obi-Wan had filled out. Name after name filled the pages, even from the battles that Obi-Wan wasn't with them for. He flips back several pages looking for a specific name. Cody had entered it himself after they had left that hellhole of a planet. Umbara had taken up almost half a notebook.

Waxer had always helped Obi-Wan remember and gather the names of the journals. Now, the men all knew to bring the names straight to Obi-Wan or Cody, sometimes they even passed the journal around so the men could enter their brother's names themselves. Remembering their brothers who had marched on. Immortalizing those who marched forward. If you asked Cody, the ones who marched on weren't the ones who had fallen. It is the ones left living who have fallen behind. The ones left who wished that they could just march with their brothers again. The ones who stayed were cursed to hear their lost brother’s voice every day and yet they'd never hear them laugh again. Many had never had the chance to hold a photo of their brothers who marched on but would always see their faces. Cody looks past the journal smiling softly at his general asleep against the tree. He grabs the pen that Obi-Wan had been using and sits next to the sleeping Jedi. Setting his helmet beside him, He continues the list from where Obi-Wan had left off, two heavy pages later his own eyes start to droop as he yawns and settles back against the tree. He closes the notebook, sets it beside himself, and slowly lets himself relax enough to fall asleep next to Obi-wan. He startles awake when He feels Obi-Wan’s head rest on his shoulder. Looking at the clones who had also congregated around the pair leaning against their trees or their brothers he hoped none had noticed. His face burns with a blush as he looks down at Obi’s peaceful face he shrugs it's not like his brothers are oblivious, they often tease Cody about his affection for Obi-Wan anyway. Letting his head lean against Obi-Wan’s, Cody accepts his fate and falls back asleep.

Cody picks up the notebook sitting on top of the shelf, it’s the least used of the batch but it’s still about a third of the way full. He recognizes the names in this book as those of the Jedi, young and old. Names that Obi-Wan had grown up with, the names from the stories of Obi-Wan’s childhood. Stories told over fires and late nights over holo tables. He remembers the first name that Obi-Wan had put into the very first notebook, the name of his fallen master, now joined by his Jedi brethren.

The pages went on and on, as he flipped through the pages there were more spots where it seemed that a tear had fallen and landed on the page. He reaches the end and his heart stutters reading the names Ahsoka, Padme, Anakin, and Rex.

The last name is several blank pages later like Obi-Wan had wanted to give the name its own space. His name sits in the middle of the page, Cody. Alone, even in remembrance. His heart sinks seeing the stains surrounding the name.

The paper is warped around his name, evidence of the sorrow Obi-Wan had felt writing it down. Turning to another page he almost drops the notebook when he sees a letter addressed to him. His hands shake as he holds the notebook and as he reads, tears already begin to fall leaving identical marks to the ones his partner had left.

Dearest Cody, I don't believe that you will ever read this but on the odd chance you do, I have probably moved on. Not a day has passed that I haven't thought of you. From the second the suns rise to the minute the moon sets my thoughts are of you. I haven't felt your presence since that day on Utapau, perhaps whatever it was that caused the clones to turn and take you from me also blocked your presence from the force. I hope that should you ever find this, that you understand I never blamed you. I only wish that we could have had more time. I often wonder why the force would have brought us together just to tear us apart. I often try to find solace in the fact that you wouldn’t be alone. While I lost my family, you would always have your brothers. While we have been separated I have found solace in the fact that I will always have you. The memories we shared could never be erased from my mind, nor could they grow foggy with time as I regularly revisit them to see your face. I treasure the time we had together and only wish that we could have had more. I do hope that someday you find my humble dwelling, not home–not yet, not without you. For you know what they say, dearest Cody, home is where your heart is, but my heart was never here. I never said it aloud but just know I thought it every day, I love you, Cody. I think from the very first time we met. I continue to live and shall end my days with the hope I shall see you again, be it in this life or next. All my love, Obi Wan Kenobi

Cody can't help but stare at the letter for several more minutes. Re-reading and analyzing every single word on the paper. Throughout reading the letter, many of the warped places on the page were joined by twin marks right beside them. Cody had been mourned. That should bring some comfort, shouldn't it?

It doesn't. He hadn't been there. This house wasn't his, the chair on the front porch sat empty beside its partner. If he closes his eyes he can imagine what could have been, mornings beginning with tea out on the porch waiting for the pitter-patter of little feet to shatter the quiet of a peaceful sunrise. Cody knows Obi-Wan was good with kids, he raised Anakin and practically raised Ahsoka, if everything had gone the way it should have, would that have even been in the picture? Cody had never allowed himself to wonder. They would have adopted, of course, found children who needed a home.

After finishing the letter and replacing it in the wall with the others, He doesn't spend long in the bedroom; the sight of the robes still in the closet and the single wilted sunflower on the bedside table promise nothing but more tears.

Stepping back into the main room, the house now fully explored, Cody stands alone. Not an uncommon occurrence, but now the feeling is greater than ever. He had missed his chance at life. The years he had been given were short and most had been spent searching for what could never be found. However as he looks around the house that still sits in slight disarray he realizes that whatever the next years will bring, Obi-Wan has made him a home. Albeit unknowingly he had prepared this space that felt lived in and loved and cared for and now Cody will live just as Obi-Wan did, alone but with the knowledge that his partner had left him a haven. Away from the galaxy and the fight, no need to search any longer, for Obi-Wan is not lost and neither is Cody.