Chapter 7

Anakin was very conscious of the fact that the Halls were crawling with med corp. He knew that Master Che was probably only a room or two away. Still, he was itching to try out his newly-restored wheelchair, and now seemed like as good of time as any.

"Nothing too stupid, my reckless Jedi friend," Padmé said humorlessly. He knew that it was taking a lot out of her just to sit and watch, powerless to boss him around without Ahsoka catching on.

"Of course, my dear Senator. This is an absolute necessary risk to take. I have to prove to Master Che that my chair is far better than any hunk of machinery she has. C'mon, Snips, let's race!"

Obi-Wan Kenobi had many stories about his bravery in battle, but it was one thing to stand up to a mechanical monster, and another to talk a young man into taking care of a different man's business.

"Sir, I appreciate you thinking of me first, but I'm not sure I'm cut out for the job," Captain Rex said. He didn't sound nearly as uncomfortable with the situation as Obi-Wan did. In fact, Obi-Wan could sense his eagerness to help his General. It was only his doubt that held him back.

Obi-Wan had arrived back at the Halls of Healing only minutes before, locating the recovering clone quickly and getting right to the point. None of Obi-Wan's usual formalities were exchanged, no offers for tea and a long chat. He didn't like to doddle when it came to Anakin's wellbeing. He needed to be briefing Rex on how to perform the treatment, not sit here twiddling his thumbs and waiting for the Captain to believe in himself.

"Captain, you're not only my first choice, but my only choice. Are you willing?" Obi-Wan rushed. Rex nodded unconvincingly, then again with more confidence.

"Yes, sir. I'd do anything for the General."

"Good. Walk with me, Captain, and we'll get right to it. It's nearly time for his third treatment of the day. A demonstration is how I was taught."

They walked together briskly through the Halls, Obi-Wan barely slowing his pace to let the recovering Captain keep up.

Obi-Wan was so caught up in all he had to do to prepare for his absence that he almost got plowed over.

"Watch it, Obi-Wan!"

"Get out of the way, Master Kenobi!"

Obi-Wan looked up, jumping quickly to the side before two haphazardly speeding figures blew past him. His heart pounded against his ribs. Something was loose! And he wasn't there to protect Anakin!

But when Obi-Wan peeled himself off of the wall and got a better look at his attackers, he found that it wasn't something, but someone. Two someones on the loose, for that matter. Two someones who would be wishing they were on the opposite side of the galaxy very, very soon.

Rex tried hard to stifle his laughter when he saw his General and Commander Tano racing through the Halls on medical equipment. Leave it to them to make anything a competition, Rex thought fondly. He watched their receding figures, barely noticing General Kenobi stalking toward him.

"I don't have time for this. The Council is breathing down my neck about getting back to the warfront and here these two-two nerf herders messing around in the Halls of Healing!"

Rex really did try to keep a straight face.

"Sir," he struggled to say, laughing hard. "It may be hard to believe after all that they've been through because of this war, but they are still just kids. Let them have a little fun. Force knows how much the General could use a good laugh."

General Kenobi rubbed his face tiredly, acknowledging what Rex said with a nod. "You're right, of course. They need to have some fun. Just…not right now. Not when I cannot be by his side," Obi-Wan said wearily. Rex nodded, starting to jog after his General and Commander.

"I'll be right back, General!"

Then he sprinted after them, trying to get rid of the bubbly feeling he had growing in his chest. What was that feeling? It had been absent for so long, he could barely remember.

Was it hope?


Ahsoka was laughing so hard she was crying. Or maybe she was crying so hard she was laughing. She wasn't sure anymore. It just felt so good to be with her Master again.

Anakin's tied up hair had fallen out halfway through the race, but you could see it in his eyes that he didn't care. Ahsoka watched his arm muscles flex as he pushed his wheelchair harder, faster. Her top-of-the-line hoverchair was barely keeping up. Something had to be done about that.

Zipping past frightened med corp members at lightning speed, Ahsoka flipped around in the hoverchair. Her Master was gaining a lead, but she could fix that. Ahsoka channeled the Force, then pushing against one of the walls she was flying past, her chair burst ahead of Anakin's.

"Hey!" Master Skywalker shouted indignantly. "That's cheating!"

Ahsoka wiped at the tears around her eyes. "I'm not cheating! I'm being resourceful!"

Anakin lifted his hands away from the lava-hot wheels. If his Padawan was going to bring the Force into this race, then so would he.

He lashed out with the Force, bringing Ahsoka's hoverchair to a screeching halt before using his power to move his own chair even faster. As soon as he was out of Ahsoka's line of sight, he grimaced. His shoulder obviously wasn't ready for such harsh treatment. His sling lay useless on his lap. Maybe he should have listened…

Anakin shook the pain off, letting his adrenaline carry him once more. He turned the corner sharply, letting his wheelchair buck as he almost tipped from the angle. Ahsoka was screeching something at him from far behind him. Sore loser, Anakin thought happily. His Jedi sense started to prickle.

"Sir!"

"Rex, get out of the way!"

His Captain leapt to the side, barely out of reach from the rogue wheelchair. Anakin looked around him with wild eyes. He couldn't stop with his feet. His arms felt useless and sore. He closed his eyes waiting for impact with the wall.

Then he felt a tug at his back. His wheelchair was stopped. Despite the miracle that it seemed, he turned around slowly, dreading what he might see.

"Obi-Wan," Anakin said sheepishly. "Back so soon?"


Obi-Wan stood behind Anakin, arms crossed, mouth drawn into a tight frown. He knew something like this would happen. He just knew it. It made no sense for him to leave his reckless former padawan when every time he turned his back for more than three minutes he does something dangerous! He would go back to the Council, convince them that Anakin needed him here—

"General Kenobi, what's the next step?"

Rex stood next to him watching Obi-Wan prepare the medicine formula for Anakin's bowel treatment. Obi-Wan shook himself out of his angry haze, returning his thoughts to his work.

"Of course. Anakin can turn himself on his side on his own, but you'll need to pull his right leg forward, left leg straight. Once the medicine is inside of him, his body will do the rest of the work. Just get him to the 'fresher fast. Master Healer Che will return soon to reinsert the IV line."

Obi-Wan's transmitter bleeped at him, signaling an incoming call. He excused himself from his work and walked into the corridor. He hesitantly pressed the answering button.

"Plans have changed, Kenobi. We're leaving tonight. Gather up your things and be at the loading dock in an hour. Don't be late," Master Windu commanded. Obi-Wan bowed slightly. Could he tell him that he couldn't leave?

"I—I think that it would be best—"

"Obi-Wan. We have troops still out there. They're fighting a war. And what are you doing? Babysitting the so-called Chosen One so that he doesn't feel uncomfortable. The world doesn't stop for Skywalker's comfort, and nor does the war. I expect to see you at the docks."

And as the transmitter shut off, Obi-Wan could have sworn he was a fuse away from blowing up. How dare a Jedi say such cold-hearted things about someone who has done nothing but sacrifice his whole life! Obi-Wan stormed back inside of the room, face red with fury.

"Sir?" Rex said hesitantly.

Anakin looked him in the eye. He was so tired, so sick of living with all the pain and hardship. All Anakin has done since he was born was lose. He lost his freedom, his mother, his ability to walk. Obi-Wan couldn't help but sense the immense sorrow Anakin carried with him every day.

Obi-Wan's anger melted away.

"The Council has moved the departure time to tonight. I'm afraid that this is where I leave you. Don't hesitate to send a message if you need anything," Obi-Wan said, his voice hoarse. He then turned directly to Rex. "I'm trusting you with his life, Captain. I know you will do what is right."

"I'll do my very best, General."

"Thank you," Obi-Wan said in a hushed tone. Then before he lost his resolve, Obi-Wan turned and fled the room.


Anakin laid on his side, shoulder aching, for what seemed like an eternity. Every second dragged by slowly, leaving Anakin wishing for Ahsoka and Padmé again, for a fun, carefree time. Anything but laying totally exposed in front of this Captain. Someone who has only ever seen him strong: the way everyone should see him. He didn't think that it could get any worse.

"General Skywalker?" Rex said, clearing his throat. "I don't want to make this any longer than it has to be, but General Kenobi didn't tell me what to…do. With the medicine. Once I've prepared it. I feel like an idiot, sir, but I have very little med knowledge and I don't want to mess this up—"

"Rex," Anakin interrupted, embarrassed beyond belief. If he had to explain to Rex where to stick the medicine, he may never return to his normal skin color. "Rex, you don't have to do any of this. Obi-Wan's the idiot, making you learn this so quick…and…and expect you to feel comfortable with me like-like this. It's beyond the call of duty."

Anakin sensed Rex stiffen behind him. "Sir, it may not be a part of my duty as a clone, but it is my duty as a friend. It's more than a duty, it's an honor, sir."

Anakin smiled at the sentiment, but couldn't help but keep a straight face. "You said duty," Anakin choked out, his laugh echoing around the room. Rex started to snicker as well. Their low-pitched laughter contrasted the boyish joke. Soon, both men were clutching their sore stomachs, high on their own happiness. When they finally caught a grip on themselves, Rex sighed.

"We miss you, General. It's hard to express how much the 501st looks up to you. How much I look up to you. You're a hard one to substitute."

Anakin furrowed his brow. "You mean replace," Anakin tried to correct. Rex grunted his objection.

"Sir, I will never forgive myself if I'm a part of the reason why you'll never lead the men again. You have to come back," his Captain said, his voice sounding strange. Anakin himself had to fight down the lump forming in his throat.

"Rex, I…I can't. I won't return to battle again. You saw how helpless I was when I fought…fought the Chancellor. I can't protect my men if I can't protect myself," Anakin said, fighting off the chill running through his body. He hadn't thought of battle in a long time. The thought of it now…it shocked him full of longing.

"There's got to be a way," Rex tried.

"If there was, wouldn't it have been done?" Anakin shot back, anger threading through his voice. "I'm not able to be put together again!"

Rex fell silent.

"I'll just…find Master Healer Che, then. She'll know what to do about the medicine," Rex mumbled, walking slowly out of the room. "Would you be okay if I sent Senator Amidala in to look after you while I'm gone?"

Anakin rolled his eyes. "Don't need the Senator to babysit."

Rex shook his head, watching his General slump against his pillow, the joy he had witness only moments before disappearing fast. He pressed the exit pad with unnecessary force.

How could the galaxy be so unfair to his General?

Rex marched down the Halls, fist clenched so tight the skin atop his knuckled were stretched white. He had become so furious he almost stormed right past Senator Amidala and Commander Tano.

"Captain Rex?" the Senator said, surprised. "Where are you going?"

Rex shook himself out of his red haze. "Actually, to find you, Senator. Would you be willing to look after General Skywalker while I find Master Che, ma'am?"

The Senator looked at him meaningfully. "Of course I will, Captain."

"What about me?" Ahsoka asked, bouncing from heel to heel. Rex sent her a mischievous grin. The Commander continued to bounce.

"We're gonna get the General back on the battlefield."

Rex thought of the duty given to him by General Kenobi, but they barely finished running through his mind before he was back on his plan. Which would be better for General Skywalker? He saw firsthand the affects of a good joke. It had practically set the room aglow. What had the medicine done, just depress the poor man further? He felt his inner soldier fighting in his brain. He had to follow orders…didn't he?


Vokara swiped a pile of useless archives off of her desk. Garbage, garbage, garbage! None of it was worth keeping, talking of insect bites and how to treat frostbite. A fool could treat an insect bite! She needed to know how to fix paralysis!

She had been through her entire personal files, and had as of two days ago, moved on the the Jedi Archives. Why had no Healer ever written anything down about how to use Force Crystals to restore someone's ability to walk? Someone must have encountered paraplegia within their time as a Healer!

So where was the information hiding?

She massaged the deep purple forming under her eyes. She was losing the battle against sleep, again. No, Vokara Che would not let herself get that far again. Not after what happened.

She picked herself out of her chair she had planted herself in. I would not have been surprised if I had grown roots, Vokara mused. Skywalker does have a way of making you inspired. Would I have done so much research for another patient?

Vokara Che decided that she didn't want to answer that question.

At least, not consciously.