AN: Please review. I'm currently writing the story but have a few chapters done. The more reviews I get the faster I will post more chapters. All criticism is welcomed. This is obviously an AU story. I do not own Star Wars or any characters except my off character.

Edit: Updated for formatting. Also Jahn is pronounced as John, kind of like Han.

Enjoy!

Chapter 1

Jedi Starfighters zipped through the airspace above Christophsis as vulture droids met the oncoming fire. It was the Clone Wars and the Jedi were in the middle of fighting a war between the Republic and the Separatists. The newest target for the Separatists was the rich planet of Christophsis which the Republic was already lending aid to.

"Do these tactics ever change?" Jahn asked with a sigh over the comlink, flak rocking his ship as he weaved his starfighter through the muddled airspace. He had been outside of Christophsis holding off the blockading fleet with Anakin Skywalker for a few hours now and it didn't seem like it was going to let up.

"Jahn I could use your help here," Anakin said as he had four vulture droids chasing him. Jahn circled back and cut down the vulture droids and rolled his eyes to himself, typical. Anakin was a great fighter pilot but tended to bite off more than he could chew leaving Jahn to clean up his mess.

"You're clear, Ani." Jahn said as he pulled up to make sure he avoided the resulting blast.

"Do I need to start escorting you like a supply frigate?" Jahn laughed looking through the cockpit window at his friend. Anakin replied with a very unkind gesture and pulled away to provide more relief to the blockade runners.

"If I'm mistaken I have more kills than you. I just wanted to give you some freebies," Anakin shot back.

It was always about the kills for Anakin, for Jahn it was about preventing the most loses. They did a couple more runs taking out more droids, a cruiser and were able to get some blockade runners through to the surface for Obi wan who had been trapped on the surface for days now.

"General Skywalker and Bombatu, we need to get you down to the surface to assist Obi-wan. If you could please quit witht the shenanigans and focus that would be greatly appreciated," Admiral Yularen said dryly into the comlink.

"Yes, Admiral. Need me to tow you down to the surface, Anakin?" Jahn asked snidely, with a chuckle.

"I said, enough!" Yularen cut in, a bit of annoyance in his voice.

"Hah!" Anakin laughed into the com, gliding past Jahn so that his counterpart could see his glee.

After a few minutes of radio silence the finally set down on the plant near the command center that housed the remaining Republic forces. What started out as a routine supply run turned into a nightmare in a matter of hours. Obi wan had been under intense pressure because the Separatists kept landing wave after wave of fresh troops and he had only come with two battalions of clone troopers and three artillery units.

"On time as usual, Anakin," Obi-wan said dryly once the two pilots came into view.

"He was under duress and I had to come to his rescue," Jahn replied slyly, which garnered a glare from the Jedi Master.

"You and Anakin got here in the nick of time," Obi-wan said as he pulled up the holomap that showed the remains of the battlefield and dwindling Republic troops "we are getting pinned back and it seems the Separatists have a new battalion of troops. To say the outcome favors us is a bit of an understatement but at least-"

"Generals," Yularen's interrupted over the com. "We have to pull the fleet back the Separatists brought in another fleet. The Resolute is heavily damaged. I'm sorry but you're on your own now. We will repair and be back when we can assist."

"Understood, Admiral," Jahn replied, as his eyes scanned the map.

"How many troops do we have left?" Anakin asked.

"We have a battalion of troops and two heavy cannons," Obi-wan replied as the engines of a incoming shuttle alerted the three of them of incoming reinforcements.

"Well it looks like Admiral had a parting gift for us after all," Anakin said with a confident smile but pulled his attention back to the holomap and his former Master.

"If you move the cannons back we can try to funnel the troops past these buildings where the lanes get narrow. That way they will be cannon fonder and we can keep them at bay," Jahn suggested as he motioned to a choke-point between the crumbling buildings. "I'll go and do a recon run while you and Anakin hang back and-"

"Excuse me?" a soft voice asked, interrupting his battle plan and starling the three of them. They turned around to see a young Togruta woman standing at attention in front of them.

"This isn't the reinforcements I was expecting," Anakin said his once confident smile now fading into a frown. Jahn nudged him once he saw the reaction from her.

"Hello there!" Obi-wan finally replied, stepping in front of Anakin and gave her a small smile. "And to whom do we owe the pleasure?"

"My name is Ahsoka Tano. Master Yoda sent me here to start my Padawan training," she said proudly, revealing her lightsaber hilts.

"I wasn't expecting a padawan this soon," Obi-wan replied raising an eyebrow. In fact he hadn't been expecting a new padawan for the next few years due to the circumstances that arose because of the war.

"Pardon me Master but I have been assigned to Master Skywalker," Ahsoka corrected.

"Whoa, whoa wait," Anakin started to protest. "There must be some mistake. I never asked for a Padawan."

Ahsoka looked down at her feet rubbing her arm embarassed. Yoda told her to report to Anakin why was he acting like he didn't know? Even Admiral Yularen, who scolded her for arriving late to the Resolute, knew.

"I'm sure we will get this figured out. How about some pleasantries? My name is Jahn Bombatu, this is Obi-wan, and obviously, Anakin. Welcome to the lovely warn torn planet of Christophsis!" Jahn chimed in noticing Ahsoka took what Anakin said a little hard.

"Nice to meet you, Jahn," she said with a glare at Anakin.

"I would love to stay and help you all sort this put but I believe we are in the middle of a battle so I'm going to make sure we don't get outflanked, gentlemen and lady," Jahn said putting on his clone helmet.

"Why on Coruscant do you still wear that armor?" Obi wan asked.

"I've always thought that it might come in handy one day plus it breathes better than those robes," Jahn replied, securing the helmet and climbing into his star fighter. He waved at Ahsoka and took off.

"When do I begin my training, Master?" Ahsoka asked, turning to Anakin. She was looking to learn as much as she could from The Chosen One. When she had found out that she was assigned to Master Skywalker she couldn't believe it. Master Yoda had cautioned that even though it was a great honor it could come with just as great of a sacrifice.

"Slow down, Ahsoka, was it?. Let's not get ahead of ourselves" he said, putting a hand on her shoulder which she immediately shrugged off. The rumors starting to become true about her new Master, he was difficult to deal with.

"I'm not a youngling, I'm 18, which last I checked was the best age to be a Padawan," she said scowling pointing a finger at him. "Besides Skyguy, I guarantee I'm the best padawan out there."

Captain Rex and a few of the clones who had come to get to know their new comrade snickered causing Anakin to give them a disapproving glare.

"Guys we got a problem," Jahn said coming over the comlink. No sooner had he said this, than a large amber shield appeared in the distance.

"Is it close?" Obi wan asked, looking at the generator.

"About two clicks North of where you are," Jahn said. "They've spotted me and I'm taking a lot of flak so I need to get my ship on the ground."

The three turned to look back at the holomap and figure out a plan.

"That definitely creates an unneeded problem for us to," Obi wan said grimly

"It just makes for more of a challenge" Anakin said smiling "I'll get it down" he turned to walk away.

"Aren't you forgetting something?" Obi wan said motioning to Ahsoka. He had completely forgotten about Ahsoka.

"Try to keep up," he said running off. She chased after him as they went to scout out the best route.

"Master slow down!" Ahsoka called out,breathing heavily out of breath but soon realized that he had stopped.

Just then Jahn's plane zipped 40ft overhead, dodging vulture droid fire. He banked away from a building having causing one of the ships to crash into the tower. He then rolled up and then put on the brakes, slid behind the other fighter blasting it to pieces while igniting his engines to keep balance.

"Whoa," Ahsoka said watching the event unfold. "He is really good."

"Taught him everything he knows," Anakin said with a smirk, turning back to the oncoming droid battalions.

"How are we supposed to get through that?" Ahsoka asked as she climb up the rubble to join him.

"We'll just have to blend in," Anakin replied, as the plan of attack became clearer. Ahsoka shifted her weight as she watched the choreographed droids continue their march towards them. She wondered if the droids had any dread in their minds that they were built for battle. This was her first interaction with any sort of military events and she knew it wouldn't be her last.

"If you say so Master," she said, nodding disapprovingly. Typical Skywalker tactics she would get killed on her first mission….great!

/~~~~~~~\

Jahn's ship set nestled back down on the makeshift hanger near the communications center.

"Miss me Ben?" He asked, smiling joining Obi-wan in the room and tossed him helmet aside.

"Hardly," replied Obi-wan, his gaze still fixed on the map.

"Any trouble yet from the droids?" he asked. "I know there was a scout team about 40 yards out from here."

His question was soon answered by a rain of incoming blaster fire. The clones quickly engaged the small scout team of droids that began funneling through choke point while Jahn and Obi-wan ran out to try to slow the push down.

"You still have that?" Obi-wan asked, looking at Jahn's lightsaber. "When was the last time you used it?"

"I keep up with my training," Jahn replied, slashing a droid and force pushing another into a wall. He was partly correct in his admission, he might not meditate as much as he should but his skills were still sharp. Even though he wasn't used in the field much as a Jedi he made sure he was an asset on the battlefield.

The stream of droids began to slow down and soon the clones were able to destroy the remaining tank with the help of the artillery.

"Captain Cody move the cannons back," Obi wan directed into the com once the attack had stopped. "I fear that we will be over run here soon and we need to keep the cannons protected until we get that shield down."

"Yes sir," the Captain complied, as the cannons revved their engines starting their retreat.

"Anakin, how's it going?" Jahn asked as the battalion began to crest the ridge line of the bridge that separated the small group of clones from them. "We could use that shield down soon."

"We're- busy-" Anakin replied as the comlink was getting scrambled "Ahsoka, wait!"

"That didn't sound good," Jahn said shooting Obi-wan a concerned look. "Seems Ahsoka is giving him a run for his money already."

"No it didn't," Obi wan replied, worried as well. They didn't have much more time to dwell on their current state because the droid artillery started to send in volley fire.

The droids began to pour into the small street in droves and also took high points in the buildings surrounding the small group of clones. The clones kept pushing them back but soon started to get over run. Jahn and Obi-wan found themselves separated from the group in the thick of things when droid cannon fire sprayed through the battle and knocking Jahn through the air. He tried to ignore the ringing in his ears, clouded vision but the shrapnel from the blast cut through his lower ribs causing him to stumble back down. As he got up he soon found that he and Obi-wan were surrounded by droids, blasters at the ready. They were about to fire when the shield generator began to disappear causing the droids to begin to panic.

"Finally," he said catching the droids off guard. Anakin and Ahsoka finally came through. With the majority of the droids in the confines of the command center they would finally be able to cut them off from their reinforcements.

"Cody power up the cannons now!" Obi-wan shouted into the com as he began to pick apart the droids.

"Sir, you and General Jahn will be caught in the fire," Cody protested.

"We'll be fine," Obi-wan replied sternly. "Fire now Cody, we are running out of time."

Obi-wan threw a group of droids back and grabbed Jahn by the arm, pulling him away from the income cannon fire. They stumbled behind the cover of the buildings as the cannons continued to fire upon the now helpless droids. Their robotic screams were a welcome change to Jahn who had thought they weren't going to make it.

"That's a relief wouldn't you say so Ben?" Jahn asked, slumping down into a chair while checking his wound.

"Don't sit too long you need to go pick them up our dynamic duo up," Obi-wan replied, ignoring the fact that Jahn was injured. Jahn let out a groan of annoyance and put a bacta patch on his ribs.

"Fine," he said wincing in pain as he wandered over to the small cargo ship. He powered it up and took off towards Anakin's beacon. Thinking back to the last communication he had heard from Anakin and Ahsoka he hoped Ahsoka was OK. Knowing Anakin he was probably critiquing something, making the new padawan a bit more uncertain about the decision to join the Jedi ranks. The bacta patch wasn't working as well as advertised and his flying was erratic. He was able to steady the ship and finally got to the rendezvous point.

Sure enough they were sitting down and Anakin was doing all the talking while Ahsoka had a defeated look on her face. The lesson soon ended as they saw him set down a few yards away.

"How'd it go?" Jahn asked as they walked into the cockpit.

"It was...eventful to say the least," Anakin replied not trying to be too hard on Ahsoka.

"Master Skywalker told me to be careful but I was so caught up in completing the mission and making an impression I didn't listen," Ahsoka blurted out from the doorway. Jahn could tell that she was a bit embarrassed because of her antics.

"It's ok, Snips. If you were trying to impress me it worked," Anakin said with a smile.

"Plus I saved you, Skyguy," she replied, a soft smile forming on her once frowning lips.

The flight back to the command center became quiet which seemed to do them all good. Based on the first battle it seemed that Anakin and Ahsoka would end up working well but a few mistakes wasn't anything new for a padawan. A tired but proud Obi-wan waved at them as they set down on the makeshift hanger.

"Generals, all is well I see," Admiral Yularen said dryly over the comlink. His voice was a welcomed surprise and meant that they would finally be able to leave the plant and get home.

"Admiral, you couldn't have arrived at a better time," Obi-wan replied. "We have quite a few injured and are without a medic. Do you think you could spare one and a few transport ships?"

"I believe we have a few that we can lend," Yularen replied. "Generals, you are needed on the bridge."

"Try not to take too long, Ben" Jahn smiled.

"Nice again to meet you, Ahsoka," he said turning his attention to his friend's new padawan. "See you back on the ship."

"Race you back?" Anakin asked as he hopped in the pilot's seat of his starfighter.

"And how is your padawan going to return to the ship? Why don't you let her fly, maybe she could learn a thing or two?" Jahn replied as he settled into his seat tempted to close his eyes and let exhaustion take control of him. He looked over at Ahsoka with a smile but he was met with a glare from her.

"I'll be fine riding with Rex and the others. I'm sure I'll get my ship soon and teach you guys a thing or two" she added, waving them off and joined the clone troopers to lend a hand.

"Well you're on-," Jahn started to say as he turned back to Anakin but noticed already had his plane in the air, speeding towards the Resolute.

/~~~~~~~\

"Lost again huh Skywalker? No amount of droid kills could make up for that defeat!" Jahn shouted, hopping down from his star fighter in the nearly empty hanger. He stretched but immediately regretted the decision as his wound re-opened shooting a numbing pain down his side.

"Like that flying Ahsoka? That is how a real pilot flies." Jahn said ignoring his wound once he saw Ahsoka coming into view. He couldn't look soft in front of the woman, not during their first meeting at least.

"You OK?" Ahsoka asked, helping Jahn steady himself.

"Yea I'm fine, just a little sore," he replied, using one had to wave her off and the other to check his now scarlet colored bacta patch.

"No you're not" Ahsoka said moving his hand away much to his resistance and began to inspect the wound. It was pretty deep and wasn't clotting due to his movement which she knew would be an issue. "You need to get to the med bay or this wound will never close."

"I need to get to debriefing and I can get this stitched up later" Jahn said, determined to stand his ground and try to brush past her.

She pushed him back and put her hands on her hips, "I'm not moving until you get treatment."

He let out an annoyed sigh, "Fine."

He hated the medical bay so much that he'd rather be back on Geononsis battling those decrepit bugs. It smelled of rubbing alcohol and death. Even though he acted like he didn't need to come to get himself stitched up Ahsoka did have a point. He was showed into an open room and turned on a med droid. The droid looked at the wound and applied more bacta and pain suppressants.

"Nice flying by the way," She said, watching leaning in the doorway.

"Oh that?" he asked with a smile as the droid patched him. She must've seen him take out those two droid ships on Christophsis. "You'll pick it up once you get more flying experience but thank you for the compliment"

"So are you a Jedi?" She asked bluntly. She was never one to step around an obvious question she wanted to know why she had seen him around in the Archives but at none of the Council meetings or in any of her classes.

"My status is...well complicated would be a better way to put it," Jahn replied, wincing in pain again as he stood up. "I thought these were fast acting."

The med droid beeped an insult at the Jedi pilot and continued to log the patient report. Jahn picked up a bed pan but Ahsoka gave him a glare and he immediately put it down.

"If you two will excuse me I have something that I need to do," Anakin said, startling the two of them. He must've followed them in silence the whole because he hadn't made a sound since he landed.

"Everything OK, Master?" she asked concerned at her Master's quiet demeanor.

"Yes Snips, we will continue training late,r" he said, bowing garnering bows from both Jahn and Ahsoka.

Jahn smiled knowing where Anakin was going. Anakin hadn't talked to Padme in a long time, not since Geonosis but he took comfort in the fact that he came to make sure he was OK.

"Did you even realize he had followed us?" Jahn asked confused.

"No. That was odd," she replied as her eyes trailed after Anakin.

"General Tano?" Rex's voice cam over her comlink

"This is Ahsoka."

"You're needed on the bridge with Master Kenobi," he requested

"Yes, Captain," she replied, cutting transmission.

Ahsoka turned to continue talking with Jahn but he was already walking away in the opposite direction of the bridge. This wasn't one of those meetings he was entitled to be a part of. Why did these calls always come at the most inconvenient times?

"Another time" Jahn said over his shoulder after he sensed her eyes on him. "Duty calls."

She smiled and began her walk to the bridge. It was a great first day and happy with the impression she made on her Master but more importantly she got her first battle under her belt. She couldn't help but thinking back to Jahn and how even though he was friendly, she could sense a darkness in him. She did find it odd that she was concerned with his wound. Why did she care if he was alright? Maybe it was because he was a friend of Anakin? Reasoning aside, she felt a tug at her from a spot she had never felt before. She continued to mull over these thoughts but immediately pushed those to the side as the bridge's durasteel doors slid open

/~~~~~~~\

"Well hello there, Padawan Tano," Obi wan said with a smile "I heard about you heroics with Master Skywalker. A little unconventional and reckless but I'm sure that's what Anakin likes."

"It was a little bumpy and I should have listened more. But to be honest, I just wanted to make a good impression" she replied as her thoughts drifted back to the small mishap on Christophisis.

"He may have been hard on you but I can guarantee he's harder on himself than anyone," Obi wan said, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Anakin was handful when I started his training."

"Pardon my interruption, General, but you have been assigned another mission. It's best if you head back to your fleet" Yularen cut in and joined the two near the holomap.

"Thank you, Admiral," Obi wan said and walked off the bridge to his starship.

"Padawan Tano," a shimmering figure said.

"Master Yoda" she said bowing to the image of the small green master floating about the command hub.

"Your first mission, success I heard it was" Yoda said

"Yes it was Master. We were able to repel back the oncoming Separatist forces." she replied, with a confident tone. It felt different being on this side of the screen from Yoda, giving report and getting affirmation of a good job. She felt a bit of pride swell as she gave her gave her full report. "Christophsis should be safe from further attack. Do we have other orders?"

"All quiet it is now. Admiral, keep the fleet near Christophsis you shall," Yoda instructed.

"Understood, General," Yularen replied.

They both bowed as the image of the little green master faded.

"Well if that is all I'm needed for I'm starving and wanted to head to the cafeteria" she said. She wanted to get to know more of clones but for the most part she was absolutely famished.

"That is all for now Commander Tano" Yularen said and went to join the remaining crewmen on the bridge.

/~~~~~~~\

Jahn walked out of his quarter's bathroom finally getting that shower that he desperately needed as his thoughts crept to Ahsoka. He hoped Anakin was being patient with her. Anakin and Jahn had been friends since they grew up on Tatooine together so he was used to Anakin's tactics and his relentless drive to do things in an unconventional way. He hoped Ahsoka took it in stride. He threw on a shirt grabbed a book and headed to the cafeteria to quell his hunger. Being stuck on a star destroyer would be a change of pace. He wouldn't be able to spend hours in the Archives researching battle plans or tactics. All his training was now going to be the only thing keeping him and his crew safe.

He walked into the cafeteria to see if anything caught his eye. He grabbed a tray, some food, and turned to go to his usual spot nestled in the corner. As he took his seat he saw Anakin and Ahsoka in deep conversation probably about the past mission or training. Reading was an escape for him; it helped ease the pain of battle and the loss of his clone friends. He sat in silence as the words from the book painted a picture in his head of the Jedi of old. When he first started his training with the Jedi he would often get frustrated and end up in the Archives studying up on the great generals and battle tactics. One reason the Jedi kept him around was for his military mind so he tried to stay as astute as possible. He rubbed his eyes and finished the last of his dinner. It had been a long week and he had a feeling it would get longer as the war carried on. After skimming through a few chapters he noticed that the mess hall was mostly empty except for Anakin and Ahsoka, who he noticed was looking at him. She averted her eyes quickly but they were affixed back on him in no time. He waved at her as he tossed out his trashed and walked back to his quarters for much needed rest.

There was something about Ahsoka. Why was she so interested in him and his wound or him for that matter? She was the padawan of the Chosen One and he was just a washed out Jedi. He closed the door to his quarters and fell into his bed allowing it to take him into blissful sleep. Finally.