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Rain. Hair plastered across his forehead. Stun blasts breaking across familiar green and yellow lightsabers. Ahsoka, a fierce but terrified look on her face. She is standing ankle-deep in water, and there is water splashed across his leggings and squishing unpleasantly in his boots.
"I'm not going to take the fall for something I didn't do." To anybody else, she would look angry, but Anakin knows her well enough to know that she is terrified.
Darkness swirling around him. Confusion and fear, then an explosion that blows smoke and fire.
Ahsoka, calm then reaching out to help, a horrified look on her face. "Letta!"
A trooper, armor painted red, the Coruscant guard cog painted on the left shoulder bell. A blaster pistol held to Ahsoka's montrals. "You're under arrest," the trooper says sharply.
Tarkin, standing tall and straight, a harsh look on his face and a holotransmitter held in one hand. "There are recorders in every room," Tarkin says, activating the transmitter. "Curiously, the sound isn't working on this one."
Master Windu, frowning thunderously as he speaks. "It is the council's opinion that Padawan Ahsoka Tano has committed sedition against the Republic, and thus, she will be expelled from the Jedi Order."
"Your Padawan status will be stripped from you, and you shall forfeit all rank and privileges within the Grand Army of the Republic. You will be turned over to the Republic courts to await your trial and whatever punishment they will set for you. Henceforth, you are barred from the Jedi Order," Master Mundi announces.
A temple guard reaches out and wrenches off Ahsoka's silka beads.
Anakin's hand, holding out Ahsoka's silka beads to her. Ahsoka reaches out and closes his hand around her silka beads. "I'm sorry, master," she says, tears in her eyes, "but I'm not coming back."
Ahsoka, her back turned, and her head bowed, and she walks down the Temple's grand staircase.
"No!" Anakin exclaims, jerking awake and dislodging Ahsoka from his shoulder and Scorch from his chest.
"Master! What-" before Ahsoka can say another word, Anakin pulls her onto his lap, burying his face in between her montrals. "Oh...okay."
Anakin stays like that for several minutes, breathing and letting go of his fear, worry, and anger. "Sorry," he says, finally letting go of Ahsoka. She doesn't move from his lap, and Anakin doesn't mind. It isn't often she'll let him hold her like this.
Rex is pressed up against one side. Scorch is on the other. Somebody is running their hand up and down his back. The rest of his men, his vod'e, are looking at him with worried eyes.
"What happened, Master?" Ahsoka asks softly, putting a hand on Anakin's shoulder and resting the other in her lap.
"Another vision," he admits, his eyebrows furrowing. All the masters on the council had revealed that their visions were clouded or non-existent. Why weren't his?
Ahsoka's brow markings furrow, and she leans forward to lay her head on his shoulder. "It's okay, Anakin. I'm right here and I'm not going anywhere," she says in a soft voice.
"I know, Snips. Just..." He begins aloud, then through their bond, he says, "don't leave me."
Ahsoka makes a soft, trilling noise that Anakin knows is supposed to be comforting for Togruta. "I won't, Master. I promise," Ahsoka responds through their bond.
***
Obi-Wan stands tall on the holo-emitter, speaking surely, as he always does when Admiral Tarkin appears.
"Excuse me, Master Jedi," Tarkin says, nodding to Master Windu.
"Yes, Admiral," Windu responds.
Tarkin turns to Ahsoka, who stands at her place a step behind and to Anakin's left. "Commander Tano, your presence is requested by prisoner Letta Turmond," Tarkin tells her.
Anakin's stomach turns over, and the Force churns unhappily. Something is about to happen.
"The prisoner from the hangar bombing?" Ahsoka asks.
"Why is she asking for Ahsoka?" Anakin asks, his eyebrows furrowing as a bad feeling creeps up his spine.
"Not exactly sure," Tarkin responds. "But Commander Tano is the only person the prisoner will speak to."
Ahsoka's brow markings furrow. "I'll report back with whatever I find out," Ahsoka says. She bows, walks away, and something heavy that feels a little like terror drops into his stomach.
"Excuse me for a moment, Masters," Anakin says, bows, and goes after Ahsoka. "Ahsoka, wait," he calls after he's left the war room.
Ahsoka stops and turns to him. "Yes, Master?"
"Take Rex or one of the ARCs with you, please," Anakin tells her. Her brow markings furrow, and she frowns.
"Master, I don't need a body-"
"Ahsoka!" He cuts her off. She jerks a little and looks up into his eyes. He lets her see what he's feeling. She gulps and lets out a little trilling sound.
"Okay, Master."
"Thank you." He sighs in relief. He contemplates pulling her into a hug for a moment but puts a hand on her shoulder instead. "Go on now, Snips. Don't want to take too long. We've got places to be."
"Yes, master," she says, smiling as she turns to go. He watches her until she turns a corner, then he turns his attention to his bond with Rex. "You busy, Rex?"
Rex is not a natural sender, but he's a quick learner. He can send to Anakin, but it strained him, so Anakin didn't do it often.
"Never for you," Rex responds.
"Rex," Anakin scolds half-heartedly. "I'm gonna comm you." Anakin pulls out his comm. Rex answers immediately.
"What's up, Anakin?" Rex asks. Anakin can hear the smile in his voice.
"Ahsoka is coming to fetch you or one of the ARCs, whichever one of you isn't busy. I want you to make sure whoever goes with her records everything that happens, visual and audio," Anakin responds.
"I'll make sure I record everything."
"No, Rex, if you're busy, you don't have to go," Anakin says, shaking his head.
"Oh, please," Rex responds, and Anakin can almost see him waving his hand dismissively. "You'll be saving me from a whole karkton of paperwork."
Anakin laughs lightly. "Okay. Don't leave her side. Thank you, akku."
"You're welcome, cyare," Rex says, his voice warm with affection, then hangs up. Anakin puts his comm away and returns to the war room.
***
Anakin stares out the window of his, Obi-Wan, and Ahsoka's quarters as he attempts to meditate. However, he's not making much progress due to the rather copious amounts of anxiety that Ahsoka is projecting through their bond. He's just about to give up and pace instead when the door opens. Anakin scrambles to his feet and turns to the door.
Ahsoka walks in with wide eyes, and the ends of her lekku twitch with anxiety. Rex is a step behind her, his helmet tucked under his arm. His eyes are hard, his jaw is clenched, and he is projecting an unsettling amount of anger.
"Ahsoka?"
Ahsoka looks up at him then jumps forward. Anakin catches her and holds her tightly to his chest. She buries her face in his shoulder and half sobs.
"It's alright, Ahsoka. It's alright," he murmurs against her left montral.
"I'm fine," she responds. She doesn't sound fine. Her breaths come in sharp gasps, and she sounds like she's about to burst into sobs.
"Breathe with me, Ahsoka. Just breathe with me," Anakin orders and takes several deep breaths. Ahsoka breathes with him then pulls away when she's finally calm.
Anakin cradles her face in his hands and smiles gently at her. "You alright?"
Ahsoka takes a deep breath then nods. "I'm okay. Thanks, Master."
"Good," Anakin says, taking a step back and glancing at Rex. "Now, what happened?"
Rex steps forward, looking calmer than he did when he walked in. Ahsoka glances at him and gulps. "So, Letta didn't feel comfortable talking to me with Rex, Fox, and the other guards there, but Rex was persistent. Eventually, he convinced Letta to talk while he was in the room. It was just the three of us and she said that a Jedi told her to bomb the Temple."
Ahsoka sits and runs a hand down her face. "Suddenly she rose into the air and she was choking and I couldn't help," she continues, blinking away tears.
"She died," Rex announces, taking over for Ahsoka. "Fox and a couple other guards came and arrested the both of us. We waited probably thirty minutes then Tarkin showed up. He had a recording of the incident but there was no audio. Luckily, I recorded everything." Rex meets Anakin's eyes. "They had to let us go, but I don't think Tarkin actually believes us."
"I don't know what would have happened if Rex hadn't been there," Ahsoka admits.
Anakin sits beside her and tugs her against his side. He opens his mouth to speak, but before he can say anything, his comm chimes. He growls with frustration but answers anyway. "Skywalker."
"It's Windu. You're needed in the war room. Bring your Padawan and captain."
"Of course, Master. We'll be there as soon as possible," Anakin responds. "Skywalker out."
He puts his comm away then looks to Ahsoka and Rex. "Well, let's not keep Master Windu waiting," he sighs. Ahsoka and Rex both nod, and he and Ahsoka stand.
The three of them walk to the war room in silence. Master Yoda, Master Windu, and Master Plo are waiting for them, standing around the holotable. Anakin steps up to the holotable. Ahsoka stands half a step behind him and to his right, while Rex stands a step behind him and to his left.
"Masters," Anakin greets and bows.
"Because of what happened with Letta Turmond—" Master Windu starts.
"I didn't do it," Ahsoka interrupts, stepping forward.
"It's alright, Little 'Soka," Master Plo responds, holding out a hand towards Ahsoka in a calming motion. "We believe you. Admiral Tarkin, however, and some beings within the Senate may not, therefore, for your protection, we'll be sending you back out to the front lines."
"Oh," Ahsoka says softly, looking mildly surprised. "Okay." She nods and steps back.
***
Anakin listens with half an ear as Chancellor Palpatine talks about some political something or another. He doesn't really care about whatever it is, and lately, it feels like everything Palpatine says is a lie.
"You should just tell your Padawan to turn herself in—"
"Wait! Hold on. Sorry. What was that?" Anakin asks, shaking his head and giving Palpatine his full attention.
"You should tell your Padawan to turn herself in so we can have done with it," Palpatine repeats. Anger rises in Anakin's chest. He puts a hand behind his back, and signs help. "It would make things much easier for Master Koon if—"
"Sorry to interrupt, sirs," one of the naval officers says as he steps forward. Anakin turns to him.
"Spike, right?"
"Yes, general," Spike nods, smiling.
"What can I do for you, Spike?" Anakin asks.
"We have a situation that requires your attention, sir," Spike responds, glancing at Palpatine out of the corner of his eye.
"Oh, yes, of course," Anakin nods. "Give me just a moment."
"Of course, sir," Spike nods and takes a couple steps back.
Anakin turns back to Palpatine. "It was a pleasure, as always, speaking with you, Your Excellency, but I must be going."
"Of course, Anakin. I'll speak with you again soon, my boy," Palpatine says, then the holotable deactivates, and Anakin sighs in relief.
Anakin turns back to Spike. "Is there actually a problem or..."
Spike grins. "No, sir. Just helping."
Anakin chuckles. "Vor'e, vod,"
"Ba'gedet'ye, alor," Spike responds.
***
Anakin nearly stumbles when Ahsoka's emotions sweep over him in the middle of one of his katas. He gasps, turns on his heel, and follows their bond.
Ahsoka is in the barracks surrounded by vod'e. She's sobbing hard into Scorch's neck, who cradles her on his lap. Rex looks up at him and holds out a datapad. Anakin steps forward and takes it, reading through it quickly.
It's a message from Master Plo with a brief of his mission to find the Jedi who bombed the Temple. "Fuck," Anakin sighs, putting the datapad aside and slipping into the pile of vod'e. Ahsoka reaches for him, and he pulls her onto his lap. The men surround them, pressing close and murmuring soft words of comfort to Ahsoka.
***
Anakin stares down at the datapad, re-reading the message from Master Plo for probably the fifth time. "What's wrong, cyare?" Rex asks, stepping up behind him and running a hand through his hair.
Anakin turns in his swivel chair, looks up at Rex, and promptly forgets everything he was thinking. Rex is wearing only the bottom half of his blacks, and those don't exactly leave much to the imagination.
"Son of a bitch, Rex. We talked about this," Anakin sighs, pressing the thumb and forefinger of his left hand into his eyes.
Rex laughs, sounding incredibly pleased with himself. "Sorry." He doesn't sound sorry, but he pulls on his shirt anyway. He sits on their bunk and gives Anakin his full attention. "Now, what's wrong?"
Anakin shakes his head and scrambles for a moment to recollect his thoughts. "In his brief, Master Plo gave the time of Bariss' trial. I did the math and it ended about four hours before Master Plo sent the message. About two hours before Master Plo sent the message, I spoke with Chancellor Palpatine and he told me that I should tell Ahsoka to turn herself in."
Rex's jaw clenches, and a moment later, his eyebrows furrow as he puts the pieces together. "Hold on. Wouldn't that have been after Offee's trial?"
"Yeah," Anakin nods. There's a pit in his stomach, and his heart aches, and he feels slightly bereft.
"Kriffing hells," Rex mumbles. He reaches out, grabs Anakin's hand, and tugs him over to their bunk. Anakin lays down, and Rex all but lays on top of him.
"Why would he say that?" Anakin murmurs.
Rex's steady presence calms and comforts Anakin, but his words do not. "I don't know."