Okay everyone, here we are! I worked fast on this one to bring the story to a close. I really hope you all enjoyed the journey, and thank you so much for reading it!

Dumbledore19: Thanks and hope you enjoy the ending

powergirl1: Yep, they'll finally get some support

Also, I had to make someone a bit of an a-hole among the Council and I just chose someone. Sorry if they happen to be to your liking ^^"
As always, read, review and enjoy!

Chapter 10 Yaim'ol (Homecoming)

It was a silent trip back to the Resolute, and they saw the Negotiator had arrived as well. The missing clones had somehow huddled together in a corner, just trying to grasp the situation while the rest gave them space or anything they needed really. No one had asked about Svak and the five were grateful for that. They doubted they could handle explaining that…

"Prepare for landing," Jewels announced and everyone tensed a bit. There'd be a lot of explaining to do – something none of them really wanted.

As the ship landed, the soldiers got to their feet and readied themselves. Their brothers stood close by, showing they're ready to step in if need be. When the doors opened, there was probably half if not more of the 501st waiting, along with a few squads from 212th while General Kenobi stood at the front.

"Master," Anakin was the first one out, followed by Ahsoka. "I wasn't expecting you."

"Yes well, I figured I would check on the situation," Obi-Wan had a small smile on his face as he spotted Cody dropping down as well.

"C'mon," Appo nodded outside to the five, smiling. "The boys missed you." They carefully and slowly stepped off, trying to avoid looking at anyone, but the sudden cheer and calls of their vode made them look.

"Welcome home!"

"You had us worried!"

"Everyone alright?"

"We knew you'd make it!"

Cody walked up to the Captain and lightly shoved him forward, a smirk on his lips. Boil and Jewels stood behind them, giving Fives and Jesse a push as well. They glanced at their orange brothers and laughed, facing their battalion.

"It's good to be back!"

Kix dropped down as soon as he could, which meant at a couple of crates. Cinder followed his brothers to the barracks for some much needed rest. Jesse went with Kix and sat on the ground, by his legs, before Fixer arrived to give them a check. Boil and Jewels tried to clear away some of the boys to give their brothers space and Appo decided to grab some food. Fives was helping Tup to the infirmary and Rex stood by the three Jedi and Cody.

"The Council is not happy with your actions, Anakin," Kenobi lightly shook his head.

"I know that Master, but I had good reasons!" Skywalker crossed his arms.

"And those would be?" the ginger looked at his Padawan, before his eyes were cast on the two commanding clones, followed by the others who went to fight Dooku. His eyes opened slightly, and he moved to stroke his beard.

"I see…" he could clearly read the feelings and thoughts of the soldiers. "This a most… unexpected situation. Perhaps it would be best if we…" he trailed off, talking to Skywalker.

"Rex?" Ahsoka gently nudged his arm and he almost snapped his head to her. "You're really tense…" her eyes were looking up at him with worry and concern and Cody was giving him a sidelong look as well.

"Sirs," the older clone spoke up, straighten his back. "I request the 501st men be examined and set to immediate rest. All of them. This… experience was exhausting," the Commander saw his brother giving him a surprised and slightly betrayed look.

"Good idea Cody," Obi-Wan nodded. "You should all rest and recover. We can discuss this further later."

They were shooed into the infirmary, where Tup and Fives already were. Someone had gone to get Cinder and they waited until all five missing soldiers were there. The medics barely managed to keep Kix from doing his job and just sit still.

"You two got injection entries…" Fixer grumbled, fingers pressed on Fives and Rex's necks as they all sat on the beds, out of their armor. "Any idea what was it they used?"

"…Adrenalin shots, I think… Also, different things I can't…" the Captain shook his head, putting a hand on his head to stop the spinning.

"They did it to me when I was passed out," Fives admitted with some worry.

"I see…" Fixer ran a hand through his short, ginger hair. "Well, whatever it was, it doesn't seem to have left any permanent damage… I'd still keep you both out of any heavy action and drink a lot of water – try to sweat whatever is left out."

"What about… whatever Dooku did?" Jesse asked, leaning forward on his knees.

"The Jedi said it was the 'Dark Side' or something, so we can't do anything about it. But they did suggest you all rest."

"Rest how… I… I still hear it… And seeing the Jedi…" Cinder shook his head, letting out a shuddered breath.

"We keep away from them…" Kix spoke up, eyes downcast. "At least, until we're sure we won't be… aggressive against them… It worked back there, but it was mostly the basic instinct for survival…" he looked back up, exhaustion clearly showing.

"If you boys are all agreed," Fixer nodded, before turning to the blonde. "Captain, mind if I do one last scan on you? The previous signs gave off a lot of brain activity…"

"Right, go ahead," Rex blinked to ground himself, giving a weak nod.

"How's the progress with the men?" Kenobi asked as Cody walked up to the holo-table on the bridge, where Anakin and Ahsoka were already talking.

"Going well sir. But, the medics have suggested they stay in the infirmary, away from…" he paused, giving the youngest Padawan an apologetic look. "From all Jedi."

"But, I thought they were fine now!" Ahsoka almost jumped, looking at the Commander.

"There's no knowing just how much damage Dooku did to them Snips. The best thing for everyone, them especially, is to give them time and space to recover," Skywalker put a hand on her shoulder, giving a small squeeze.

"Anakin is correct. In a matter as delicate as this, one wrong move could have great consequences. Allow them to recover," Obi-Wan looked at the Togruta.

"I… understand, Masters…" she lowered her head.

"…What happened with Svak?" Fixer had asked when he finished scanning the Captain. The signs were still erratic, but more… stable now. He couldn't really tell what was making the blonde react like that, but he figured it might be one of those drugs.

"…" the silence answered for itself and Cinder could be seen looking away, eyes tight.

"Have you told Gift and Hopper?" the only answer was a weak shake of the head.

"…Alright. I'll be leaving now, and you all stay here, and rest. If you need anything – no Kix will not work – you call me, alright?" their small smiles made him relax ever so slightly.

"Get some rest Fixer," Rex nodded, eyes grateful.

"Medics get to ignore orders like that…" Fixer mumbled as he shook his head, leaving the room and the fives clones.

"We're finally home…" Fives dropped back on the bed, looking at the ceiling.

"Yeah… it's a relief," Jesse sighed and turned to his side, so he could see the others.

"All that's left, is explaining… However the kriff we'll do that," Kix rubbed his face, legs hanging off the side of the bed.

"I don't even remember that much about it…" Cinder sat crossed legged on the bed.

"We'll think of something… For now, let's just get some sleep… It's been quite the ride…" Rex let out a breath, lying down himself.

"Aye aye Captain," the small moment of humor eased out quite a bit of tension between them, as they all slowly settled onto the beds. They knew they wouldn't be sleeping – not for a while. But the fact they were in a familiar place, a place they felt safe… It was all that mattered at the moment.

The nightmares will come… They knew they would. So would the whispers. But they wouldn't follow it. Not again. And if anything did happen, they knew their brothers would help them out. Jedi included.

. . .

"You alright?" he heard her ask next to him.

"Yes sir," he answered automatically, not really thinking about it.

"…You're not, are you?" she stated more than asked.

"You can read me, can't you?" he let out a humorless chuckle.

"Yeah, and so can the rest of them."

"…Joy…"

"Just, be your usual calm self, okay? Master Skywalker and Kenobi will be there as well."

"That doesn't really make me feel better…"

"Master Plo will also be there."

"…I'll be the only one, won't I?"

"…You don't have to do this, you know…"

"If I won't, who will? The others? No. I can't let them face… this."

"You wish Cody was here, don't you?"

"…"

"The Council didn't even want to bring you here… Some still think you might… react."

"It's just… strange. Small bits are still foggy and confused and… and we still hesitate."

"It's not your fault…"

"I wish I could believe that…"

The doors opened and he took in a sharp breathe, straightening his back. She tried to reach out one last time, to give him a small bit of assurance, but didn't. So, when he was told to enter, he did, trying to hide his feelings in the room full of Jedi.

There was instant silence as every pair of eyes landed on him. He's never had a greater desire to run and hide than at that moment, when he could almost feel each and every one of them prodding into his being.

"Captain Rex," Skywalker brought him out of his idea of running, standing by his side.

"Generals," he gave a salute back, wincing internally at how stiff his movement was.

"Clear it is, the truth you spoke, Skywalker," Master Yoda said almost instantly after that, eyes looking into the soldier's own.

"I would have no reason to lie, Masters."

"It does not change the fact you risked so much for so little," Maser Tiin crossed his arms.

"How can you still say that, despite what Skywalker has told us?" Plo leaned forward in his chair, eyes narrowing.

"He only told us that a couple of clones were turned to the Dark Side by Count Dooku and he clearly didn't kill them," Coleman growled, his translator making him sound horrid.

"We can't very well get information out of dead men, now can we?" Anakin narrowed his eyes as well, arms folded over his chest.

"What Anakin is trying to say," Kenobi gave a small smile, stepping forward and casually putting a hand on the Captain's shoulder. But to the clone, it was clear the Jedi had just reminded him where he stood and that he needed to breathe.

"Is that these fives clones underwent a very extreme and unknown procedure involving the Dark Side of the Force. They might not remember all of it, but in due time, it will back. They were able to recall and explain some of what happened and we were able to get a better grasp at what Dooku was trying to do. None of this would have been possible, had they been killed," the man spoke so clearly, so confidently, one would almost believe he's been working on this speech for a while now.

"And what information did you receive?" Stass was still skeptical as she leaned back.

"Captain, if you would, in short, tell the Council what you told us…" Obi-Wan moved next to the blonde, allowing the Jedi a full view.

. . .

He walked out and stood there, until the doors closed again. As soon as they did, he let out a shuddered breathe, eyes closed and swallowed hard, doubling over.

"I see you made it out alive," he heard someone say and didn't even have the energy to glare at the man.

"Not funny Cody…" he grumbled, accepting the helping hand from his bother.

"Fives told me to say that to you when I see you," the Commander had a small grin on his face as he quickly checked the blonde over. "You alright?"

"Better now that that's over," Rex gave his own weak smile.

"Good. Now c'mon, before all the good food is gone."

"Jesse and Fives are probably already on thirds…"

"Actually, Kix is the monster today… Never seen a medic inhale food like that…"

"Haha, then it won't be long until someone turns it into a competition."

"Right, so let's get there before you 501st nuts start another food fight."

"Hey, that last one was not our fault! Oval started it when…" the two talked and bantered all the way to the mess hall and even inside. Luckily, there hasn't been a fight, but it was coming close by the looks of things. But now that 'Captain Killjoy' and 'Commander Boring' were here, the boys started to simmer down. That's what happens when you have two battle ridden Battalions stationed on such a small location. The City Guards had the right idea though – avoiding this place until they all left.

"A most disturbing story…" Plo rubbed his chin in thought.

"And it's all true… The Captain could not have made it up," Mace added, looking at the others. They all felt the man's Force signature flicker, shiver, crawl and scream as he retold what happened.

"See? I had good reason to do what I did," Anakin had a cocky grin on his face.

"You were… aware of this?" Unduli was trying very hard to cover up her smile.

"Of course!" Skywalker smirked a bit wider, realizing only a handful of Masters were still mad at him for what he did.

"This plan, devastating it would be. A job well done, for stopping it, Skywalker," Yoda gave a bow of the head.

"You should thank the men as well. They fought well against the Dark Side," Anakin added, almost slipping up. He had talked with the boys about… the lightsabers battle, and they all concluded it'd be best if the Council not know about it. As for how they knew how to fight… well, it's something they all decided would be better left discussed another time.

"If there is nothing more…" Obi-Wan looked around the room.

"Actually, I think it's best to discuss a precaution to this… control," Tiin said, getting everyone's attention.

"And what would you suggest?" Munid asked, keeping a calm face.

"Should any clone come to face such a situation again, they will have to take action," Tiin leaned back in his seat. "A soldier should be willing to die to protect others, correct?"

"Are you suggesting they take their own lives?" Mace asked, voice hinted with disgust.

"That does sound like a reasonable thing. They cannot control them if they are dead," Coleman nodded casually.

"You can't be serious!" Unduli opened her eyes wide.

"You dare suggest such a vile, disgusting and dishonorable action to force upon them?" Plo Koon stood up, eyes narrowing dangerously.

There was a sound, a staff hitting the stone ground, and everyone calmed down. Yoda had his eyes closed, calming himself, and the rest of the Council waited for his words.

"Kenobi, Skywalker – sense I do, answers to our query you have," he looked at the two Jedi, who shared a glance.

"Actually, we do," Anakin stepped forward. "Dooku's entire plan was to get the soldiers to rebel – that's why he would capture them and let them go. But if this news spreads – of what he would do, there wouldn't be much to worry about."

"His secret will be out. Should a clone vanish or be taken, and then return, speaking of treason, no one would believe him. They would all know Dooku has control over them. His plan would not work," Obi-Wan continued, a ghost of a smile on his face.

The Council looked at each other, Koon still on edge and Tiin frowning. But in the end, Mace leaned forward, nodding his head.

"I am sure most will agree to that. We will not needlessly force our men to take their own lives. And Dooku is no fool – he must realize this as well. He likely will not try again."

"But if he does, we will be prepared. This information will he passed throughout the Republic, to make sure everyone is aware," Mundi gave a small smile.

"Thank you, Masters," the two gave a bow, unable to stop the grins.

"You are dismissed," Windu said with a smirk, while Tiin was apparently fuming.

"Do keep us informed of any developments" Koon gave a final nod as the two men left.

"That went better than expected," Kenobi smiled as he left the room.

"Still could have gone better," Anakin shrugged as the two stopped when a familiar Padawan stepped into their path.

"The boys are the mess, I figured we could join them," Ahsoka was smiling up at them.

"I don't see why not? The food is better than the Cruiser," the ginger began to move.

"True, but it's still not all that great…" Skywalker sighed, frowning.

"You really don't get to complain Skyguy. The boys eat worse all the time."

"Fair enough," there was already some noise coming from the mess as they neared.

"Well, they haven't started a fight," Obi-Wan glanced at the other two.

"Yet," they both smirked, shared a look and then laughed. Oh yeah, it was good to have all the boys back home. The three quickly cast their eyes on a few dark-flickering spots in the Force, despite knowing who it was. The five missing clones have yet to be fully cleansed of the Dark Side – they didn't think they ever will be. But the light greatly outshone the dark as the boys seemed more relaxed than they have been the last week. Things may not be the same as before, but that wasn't stopping them. They would get as close as they could to what was before.

Cut! There you go everyone, the conclusion! Hope it was a good enough send of to what happened!
But even if this one is over, I got a few more from before so check those out. And if you already have read all of them or if none of them seem to interest you, there will be more on the way. More specifically, for those who read my "Aliit ori'shya tal'din" story - those collection of one-shots are soon gonna be out. Otherwise I still got a couple of tricks up my sleeve, so be sure to check any of those out!
Thank you all again for reading, reviewing and favoring this story! It was short, but had a different approach and I hope you enjoyed!