POV: Ahsoka Tano

I was shocked when Anakin actually feared losing me and that he couldn't bear the thought of me not living. I assured him that he won't lose me, that he never will, and that we'll be together as long as we can. The fears he had for me were very similar to my own for him. I feared that I'd lose him. The thoughts continued to torment my mind constantly. Whenever he was away to some sort of solo-mission I'd always fear that something tragic happened. Visions… thoughts of his cold, dead corpse in front of me… I always see his corpse coming to the entrance of the Temple and me just hopelessly standing there. I feared that those visions would actually come true when he attempted suicide not too long ago.

Every night whenever I'd dreamt such things, I would cry myself to sleep. I thought that there's no use in crying; all my tears won't drown my pain. That thought didn't help at all. My hands would search for his body, trying to feel him when I feared losing him. He was my everything and I can never bring myself to the point of seeing any evil in him. He wasn't evil. Anakin wasn't the man that everyone thought he was. The Jedi believed that they couldn't truly trust him after Obi-Wan's death.

I held Anakin close to me as he held my hands in his. I rested my head against his chest as we laid on the bed. The doctors didn't confirm when exactly Anakin could leave, but they told us that maybe he should stay at least one night to make sure he's okay.

I loved Anakin so much and I know that I will always be there for him. I would never leave him to figure things out on his own. I will be at his side whenever he needs me. My heart is torn… just in knowing that Anakin will someday have to learn to let go of the people he loved. I was trying very hard to prevent him from experiencing any more deaths. Death can't be prevented, but I won't let him witness one again. He'll never be alone because I'll always love him and be there for him.

'If it's not forever; if it's just tonight. Oh, it's still the greatest, the greatest, the greatest…'

Anakin smiled as he heard the words. His grip tightened around my hand. I knew he loved escaping his life by listening to music. That's what he told me last time. He admitted that he prefers to listen to music to ease his mind and that it takes him to a whole different world. I believed him. I did the same and I could agree with him entirely.

He held me tighter in his arms as night consumed the city-planet. The lights of the city almost blinded me because they were so bright even from here. My eyes shifted from outside to Anakin. He was staring down at me with a tiny smirk on his face. "How'd you know I like this song?" he asked me, kissing my forehead. The song was probably on its second repeat and we had it on low volume since there was a small child next door with other patients.

I laughed softly. "Who doesn't love the song?" I asked him.

He shrugged. "Well, it's not appropriate for young children." His eyes shifted to motion next door before looking back at me.

"You have a point there," I giggled, "though I don't see why that would make people not like it," I said, brushing his cheek with the back of my hand.

Anakin smiled at me. "And this song is too sexual. So sexual that it may turn me on," he teased.

Rolling my eyes, I sighed and changed the song. A song that we both loved played in the background. This song always made me get emotional… how I felt towards him was just unbelievable when I discovered those feelings towards him. I wanted us to just forget the world. To forget what we're told by the Jedi before we get too old. Looking outside again, I held back the tears that were threatening to leave my eyes. He wrapped his arms around me, protectively. I didn't notice that he covered us up with the blanket. It was pretty cold in here, typical for a medical wing. Anakin pressed his lips against mine once I turned around. We were both on each other's sides but his upper half was above me and mine was below him, my head on top of the soft pillow. "We don't need anything or anyone…" he whispered with a big smile on his face. He was right. All I needed was him. Only him. He was the reason why I'm still here, why I'm still a Jedi, why I'm still alive… If I lost him today or any day… I'd lose my mind and go insane. I would commit suicide to just stop the agonizing days without him.

I let a tear fall, holding his flesh hand in mine. "If I lay here… If I just lay here… Would you lie with me and just forget the world?" I asked him, looking up to notice his eyes had tears in them. At first, we didn't quite know what to say or how we felt. Now…I feel like those three words are said too much and they're not enough. He laid his head against my chest and closed his eyes. I breathed regularly but my heart was picking up its pace. My fingers lightly brushed his hair. His breathing was the same as mine. There was no silence; the music fed our hungry, desperate, broken souls, healing them with the meaningful words. I'll save him from himself. We've walked this path for way too long but we still carry on. I always wondered if there is hope for us. If we can make it out alive, I won't give up on him. "I won't give up on you," I breathed to him as our free hands intertwined.

Anakin lifted up his head and grimaced when he did. I flinched when I heard him hiss. The scars on his body… Especially the fresh new scars around his neck made me believe that he was more vulnerable than anything. He rolled over until he was on top of me. Luckily, his room was private, but anyone could've entered whenever they wanted. I frowned at that and just when I sighed, Anakin locked the door. His fingers slightly brushed my cheek as he gave me a weak smile. "Love, I don't want you to worry about me… that much. I'll be okay…" he trailed off but continued in a soft whisper. "I know you won't give up on me." He kissed my nose for a split second. "I won't give up on you," he promised me.

I smiled weakly up at him as he gazed lovingly at me. "Anakin, I love you so much…" I told him after a few moments of pure silence. "There has never been a day where I don't think about you."

He chuckled, being careful with his vulnerable neck. "I love you so much more than you love me, Snips." He arched an eyebrow, our hands intertwining again. "Just… thinking of you… dead…" he trailed off once more, the air hitching in his throat. He shook his head sadly… so slow that it felt like he was in so much pain. His body trembled so badly that his figure looked blurry. Anakin clenched his fists and shut his eyes, bowing his head. "I-I'm… I'm lost without you." He wept, silent cries escaping his lips. Anakin always had this way of not showing any emotions but clearly he didn't… He must've not cared right now. The feelings he had towards someone was always the reason why he kept fighting and to keep them safe. He loved me… but he feared that he'd lose me.

I titled his head up very slowly, making sure it doesn't hurt him. "Ani, you will not lose me," I promised him. "I'm not going anywhere… not without you," I assured him. I knew I was promising something I may not be able to keep, but I didn't want him to experience anymore losses. I knew I couldn't prevent death… I know I will die sooner or later. As of right now, I will continue living for him.

Minutes passed, I had to step out of the way when the droids had to check Anakin in the morning. After everyone left, and I could finally return to the room, the song 'You Could Be Happy' silently played as Anakin was already getting ready to leave the medical wing. He was in the refresher, probably examining himself.

He walked up to me, taking my hand once he left the refresher. "Are you okay?" he asked softly. Tears left my eyes as I quietly heard the song.

"You know this song reminds me of you," I whispered as we looked outside. "When you leave or when you're not with me at all… I hear this song and think of you." When he left to missions that lasted forever, I felt so alone. As if no one was here for me. The feeling was that of emptiness. I have been feeling like this ever since Obi-Wan's passing as well. When Master Kenobi passed away, I felt as if his passing took a part of my Ani. I knew Master Kenobi and my Master were like brothers; they cared for one another just like how Anakin cared for me… "It was before we admitted our feelings towards each other," I said as the song ended. "I'll love you no matter what."

"Snips–"

"Even though you and I have done idiotic things such as harming ourselves–"

"–Or me wasting my stipend on drugs and alcohol..."

"That doesn't matter anymore." I shook my head. "That's all in the past. We should act like our age from now on," I explained. "Master Plo's probably right. How can the Council trust us if we continue to act like this?"

The Council has doubted me. I can't… I always felt like I couldn't trust anyone anymore except for Anakin. The Republic was also another reason that I doubted several Senators and its citizens. I believed in democracy, but the people were the problem. Something about the citizens made me lack faith that this Republic will last.

I looked at him, desperate, waiting for him to say something. To commit to the promise. "I'll do everything in my power to keep myself clean and put an end to the things I've done," he vowed before saying, "Do you promise me you'll stop harming yourself too?"

I nodded. "Anything for the most important man in my life," I whispered, promising him.

We arrived at the Temple a couple of minutes later; Rex was awaiting our arrival. He smiled at both of us and greeted us very warmly. He knew Anakin was taken to the Medical wing… He just didn't know why. Rex was like Anakin's best friend, kind of like a brother figure. They'd joke around and did other things that any best friends would do. "General Skywalker, Commander Tano, it's good to see that both of you are alright." He smiled and gestured towards the entrance of the Temple.

Anakin cringed a little, not knowing what was to come. I could already see the Council questioning his actions and Master Windu literally yelling his head off. I closed my eyes, not knowing how we would make it through this time since we don't have anyone defending Anakin. He must've been thinking the same thing. I could clearly tell by his facial expression.

I sighed and nodded towards Rex. "Thanks, Rex." I smiled and took Anakin's hand to lead him towards the entrance.

"Do you think the Council will contact us?" he asked me in a whisper as we walked to our dorm. I could feel his uneasiness and anger towards the Council. I didn't know why he was upset with the Council, but then again, I envied the Council myself.

"Oh yeah… We'll go together when they contact us." I assured him. I held his hand tighter until we made it inside the main hall of the Temple. I didn't want to, but since Jedi were forbidden to love… we had to. Unless we wanted to be separated or kicked out of the Order.

Anakin easily sat down on the couch as I opened the curtains that darkened the room. I heard him mutter, "Damn," quietly after readjusting himself on the couch. My mind was set on cleaning and making sure Anakin was alright. He was still sitting, flexing his body a little. He must've been sore due to laying down so much. I pouted as I thought of what the Council would do… Especially since Anakin attempted to commit suicide. I wasn't sure if they'd let this action slide. He almost ended his life and I'm pretty sure they'd make stupid decisions on what to do with Anakin.

Anakin held me closer to him as we waited in fear for the Council to contact us. He buried his face against my neck as he held my right hand in his. He must've been frightened of what will happen to him and I didn't blame him. I would be scared as well. Just seeing him… Imagining him defenseless without anyone protecting him… No. I wouldn't allow that. I would be by his side every second of everyday. The com beeped and we heard a very familiar voice. "Anakin, the Council wishes to speak with you." he said, timidly.

I sighed and held him closer to me. The Council was going to make our lives more difficult. Suddenly, my holoprojecter that was on the small table beeped. I groaned and got up to answer it. I was surprised by who I saw in front of me.

Lux Bonteri…

I could feel Anakin's tension almost immediately.