I am forced to live everyday knowing my best friend might not wake up the next morning. I'm forced to know that Ahsoka is in constant pain. I know that there's a high chance she won't survive this. But she's a fighter, I know that. She won't give up. Maybe her determination will save her, at least I hope it will. She knows she's way too young to die, and that her death would be the end for us both. I pray that later on we can look back on this, that she'll be alive to remember.
Ahsoka peaks over at my datapad. "Whatcha writing?" I switch it off. "Stuff." I respond.
Obi-Wan and Rex come in without even knocking. I let Rex and Ahsoka talk, and meet Obi-Wan in the living room.
I've never hugged him before, but I find myself in his arms somehow, sobbing into his shoulder. "Master-I- don't know- what to do…" My words come out in short gasps. He rubs my back. "Shhh...Anakin...it'll all be okay. Ahsoka's survived marching armies into the front lines and fighting for her life since she was fourteen."
"She...on Mortis.."
"I know, Anakin." He sighs. "I know. And...if she doesn't-"
I start flat out bawling, and can't get any words out.
Obi-Wan gently pulls me out to the balcony, not wanting Ahsoka to hear me crying. "Stay strong for your padawan, Anakin." He whispers.
AHSOKA
I can't stand not being able to be there for Anakin. I heard him crying a few days ago, when Obi-Wan and Rex came over. It's been nagging at me. Every time he's helped me and been there and told me everything would be fine, I can't repay. I've been trying though.
I'm on my bed, blankets off, wearing shorts and a sports bra. Anakin helps place ice packs on my upturned wrists, ankles, stomach, back neck and forehead. I have had a fever for the past few days, and it was much worse this morning. My mind is groggy and my skull rings and throbs with a headache. My stomach hurts, and my blood runs hot underneath my skin. My Master's hands feel freezing.
I cough. Anakin turns to me. "How's the headache?" He asks. I moan in response. He walks to the bathroom and comes back with a wet towel. He gently wipes my face with it. I wince at the cold. "Try to sleep." He whispers, rubbing my arm.
"I don't-" I start. My throat hurts too much too finish.
"Shh...Ahsoka I'm here. I won't leave you. You'll wake up. Trust me."
A few tears fall down my face, meeting with Anakin's thumb as he brushes them off. "It's okay, Snips. It's okay." He murmurs. I close my eyes and start crying despite myself.
"Ahsoka…" Anakin whispers. He sits next to me and lets me throw my arms around his neck. I bury my face in his shoulder, sobbing. He rocks me in his arms. The room is silent except the sound of my bawling and the barely audible sounds of Anakin whispering against my lekku, comforting me..
While I'm still crying, he manages to lay me back down, give me medicine and take off all the ice packs. "How are you feeling now?" He asks, laying his palm on my jaw and caressing my cheek with his fingers.
"Cold. Miserable." I say.
He wraps me in his cloak, cradling me against his chest. "I'm right here, Ahsoka, I won't let anything happen to you." He murmurs against my lekku. I smile, one hand on his arm, the other his chest. His steady heartbeat rings through my head and I close my eyes. As much as I wish he wouldn't I know that he probably will stay up all night, making sure I still have a pulse and will be up and breathing in the morning. I can still hear him whispering as I finally drift off to sleep.
ANAKIN
My eyes crack open to bright light streaming in through my window.
I flex my fingers to find them curl around something warm. Looking down I see my padawan in my cloak, my hands around her thin arms. Where am I-?
I suddenly remember that I'm in Ahsoka's room, and had fallen asleep with her again.
I sigh, leaning against the backboard of her bed, looking down at her sleepy face.
I jolt up out of my relaxation, hurriedly grabbing her wrist and pressing two fingers against her vein. I feel her pulse. She's alive.
I smile with relief, kissing the tip of her nose and framing her face in my hands.
She moans, opening her eyes. "You woke up, you woke up, you woke up…." I whisper, looking into her glassy eyes. I press my forehead against hers.
She laughs softly, circling her arms around my waist. "Good morning, Anakin."
I pull away from her slowly.
Something hits me.
I stare at her, her lekku and smile and eyes. Her skin is untouched by her disease, and glowing. There's an awkward moment of silence as I melt over her beauty. I'd never brought it to myself to admit how stunning Ahsoka really is….
I snap out of my trance. "Today you have a check up." I say quietly.
"Will you stay with me?"
I chuckle. "I don't have a choice."
She frowns dramatically, punching my arm.
"Okay, let's get up." I laugh.
We eat government rations since Ahsoka can't cook, and she slips on a turtleneck and sweatpants. "Can you walk?" I ask as I carefully remove the IV from her arm. She shrugs. "Haven't had a chance to try."
I bandage her arm up and help her to sit up. "Okay, let's try." I hold her back with one hand, and hold her hip with the other. She's shaky and unsure, but she can definitely walk.
"Good job, Snips." I say.
"Thanks."
We head out the door, Ahsoka now wearing my hoodie. The sleeves hang off her hands like wings. I help her into a ship, smiling as I take her hand in mine. I pilot the ship slowly into the traffic on Corosaunt, landing eventually at the Jedi Temple's medical bay hanger. I look up at the white walls, feeling my heart jump inside my chest.
"Anakin?" Ahsoka asks. "I sense your uneasy."
"I'm thinking about the last time we were here." I say. The last time we went into the ER, which is accesible from our apartment halls. I sigh. "C'mon, Snips." I say. We walk into the doctor's office, carefully laying her down on a waiting room cr. "I'll be right back, Snips." I say, kissing her cheek. She smiles tiredly.
"Master Skywalker." The healer greets me. "I'm sorry to hear about your padawan's condition." Her voice has a thick accent and it's kinda hard to pick up what she's saying. "Yeah…." I say awkwardly.
"Just fill out this sheet with her," she hands me a piece of paper. "And then we'll have to talk to her alone for a minute after that."
My heart starts pounding. "Okay, thanks." I don't like the idea of Ahsoka alone. I know it's just me being overprotective, but I still can't stop thinking about what might happen.
Ahsoka sits up with what little strength she has. "We just have to do this." I tell her. I sit next to my padawan. 'Ahsoka Tano...Togrutan female...age, seventeen….height, 5:7'...weight, 86 lbs...'
Hi! Sorry, I know this leaves off at a weird 'cliffhanger'. By that I just mean I was too lazy to write a proper end to this Chapter, so sorry again. But basicly all that happens is Ahsoka finishes her checkup and is fine, well besides the disease.
