POV: Ahsoka Tano

The anger I harbored for Bonteri had finally reached its limit. Now that the Council found out about Anakin's behavior, I felt snippets of my anger rising higher and higher. Lux made the call to the Council. All of this happened because he looked at me the wrong way and said something that made Anakin lose control, nearly mauling Lux as a result of it. I was so afraid of what would happen if Lux found out about my and Anakin's relationship–even suspected anything for that matter. If he knew… Force, he'd advise the Council to separate the two of us, dissolving our chances of becoming very historical figures in the history of the Order and the Republic. Well, Anakin anyway. I'm nothing to the Republic. I'm only the Chosen One's Padawan.

I watched Anakin from behind a glass window, watching his every move. Lux's men locked him in a room where he would be restrained until he was calm once again. I doubted that was why Lux had him in there. Bonteri always had to get under Anakin's skin. Anakin's personal feelings overwhelmed him in this situation, as it did in almost every other situation, too. I could have sworn I saw Anakin smirk faintly as Lux wept after his first strike. I just wanted to get out of here with Anakin. That's all I wanted. I didn't want to await the Council's verdict on the matter, nor did I want to wait for Anakin to wake up.

"Oh, Anakin..." I whispered through our bond. "You have just gotten us into so much trouble with the Council and with Lux…"

Lux, after weeping for a good length of time that Anakin would approve of, walked up to me. He gave me a sad smile because he just showed me his weakness and how he couldn't handle himself on his own. He was just a weak Senator who lacks skill. Sure he should some skill during his rebel war, but not enough that indicated he could handle taking care of himself. His eyes were a bit swollen, too, and he tried to hide them from me.

"Ahsoka, the Council is contacting us as we speak," he whispered, motioning his eyes towards his office.

I sighed. I knew Anakin wouldn't want me to go in there… alone, but we'd be in more trouble if I ignored the holocall. Groaning, I walked over and answered the call. "Masters," I replied, bowing as their figures appeared.

"Padawan Tano, are you alright?" Master Plo immediately asked. He was a very close friend of mine, given that he was the one who found me and brought me back to the Temple at the age of three. He also had this soft spot for Anakin; though, it's been slowly fading away ever since Anakin's behavior had worsened and he became more and more reckless. "Where's Skywalker?"

I slowly straightened up. "I'm fine, Master Plo." I smiled slightly, looking down with a saddened expression. I blinked hard, making my expression serious to make the Council believe that I wasn't so attached to Anakin. "He's fine. We've just had… some issues here, but surely they can be fixed." I assured them.

"I'm sure of it. That's why we need to speak to Anakin and you…" Master Windu looked at Bonteri. "Alone."

Lux looked uneasy with Mace's glare, but I bet it was Plo's hardened expression that made him more uncomfortable because he knew what kind of danger Lux had put me through. "Of course, Master Jedi." He bowed, smiling friendly.

"Get General Skywalker in here immediately," Mace Windu said, angry. His voice scared me. What would happen next? What if Lux knew about Anakin and me? What if he found out? Or was he clueless and didn't suspect anything but a Master being protective of his young Padawan? "We need to have an urgent meeting with him—"

"Master," I interrupted, stuttering at first. "U-uh, let me talk to Master Skywalker first, and then we'll call you in an hour or so?" I tried to make them give me time to think of something to say to them to keep Anakin from getting into more trouble. Anakin, in no way, needed to be punished.

Lux arched an eyebrow at me before looking at the Council, frowning. I felt like he was going to object, but he didn't. He just continued to frown and looked at the ground, probably thinking deeply. "Should I release him now?" he asked, aggravated.

I looked at him in disbelief, my eyes ripping away from the Council. "That would be helpful," I said, trying to keep the annoyance out of my voice. I know he's up to something, but I didn't want to waste my time on wondering what he'd do. I just wanted to see Anakin and talk to him, to feel him in my arms or to be in his arms.

Lux nodded, smiling at me; he bowed towards the Council before walking away. I looked after him, frowning, shaking my head slowly. "Ahsoka, we'll be awaiting your call," Windu said, firmly. His brown eyes were filled with disappointment, but sympathy towards, possibly, Anakin. I always knew he didn't like Anakin, so I didn't understand the sympathy.

I nodded, ending the call there. I had to stop my urge to let tears fall. Obi-Wan would always be there for Anakin or me. He would always make the Council see reason and explain our unacceptable actions during the war. I'd always wait for that one day where I can see his face again.

I breathed out a trembling sigh, sniffling. I walked back to Anakin's and my room. He was already there… laying on the bed. I sighed and walked up to him, trying to hide my feelings from him. I didn't know what to say or what exactly was going to happen. He groaned and gave me a sorrowful glance. "Hey, sweetheart," Anakin breathed, giving me the smile I always loved.

I smiled as he wrapped his arms around my waist once he got up on his feet. "Hey, sweetie," I greeted warmly. I loved how he made me feel, the way kissed me and the way he just made me feel every day.

He noticed my feelings that I tried really hard to hide from him. "What's wrong, my Padawan?" He smirked, stroking my cheeks.

I looked down, holding one of his hands in mine. "I… The Council wants to speak to us," I whispered, afraid. "They know what happened." I wanted to cry, but I couldn't… Not in front of him.

Anakin frowned, remembering what happened. "Now?" he asked, helplessly.

I shook my head, sniffling. "No, no, not now. I asked them if you and I can have a… if I could talk to you for an hour or so beforehand," I said, shrugging.

His expression softened. "Hey, you didn't have to do that, Snips." He weakly smiled at me.

I looked at him in disbelief, just like I did earlier with Lux. "Anakin, if they find out what you did… The chances of you leaving or the Council deciding to give you another mission is fifty-fifty—"

"I wouldn't leave my Padawan alone," he hissed, his hand tightening around my hand—the one he was holding. "That's the last thing I'd ever do," he firmly said. I remained silent; however, I began to search around our room and bathroom to use something to heal Anakin's wounds he received when Lux's men had to sedate him. He glanced at one of his more visible wounds. "Baby, it's not that bad," he told me, trying to make me not worry. I always worried for his health, so, right now, worry was all that was in my mind. "It'll heal," he said weakly.

I slammed the drawers and walked over to him with objects in my hand. I began to clean his wounds as he flinched and hissed in pain. "Ani." I frowned. "Could you please let me clean you up?"

Anakin sighed and shrugged off his shirt to see if he had any other wounds from the ordeal. "Gross..." he murmured.

I leaned against his chest and kiss his shoulder, sighing. "Quit being so hard on yourself." I breathed, "You're my handsome Anakin. My knight. My Ani. My hero." I pulled back, staring deeply into his eyes. "You are the most beautiful, precious person I've ever met."

He laughed sadly, shaking his head. "Snips, I don't believe that…" He quickly changed the subject and kissed me. "I can't believe you're mine," Anakin whispered against my montrals.

I was shocked by what he said. I wanted to argue the statement he made, but I didn't want to at the same time. What if the Council actually makes Anakin leave because of his actions? "I can't believe you're mine."

With that, he kissed my lips. I kissed him back, breathing heavily. My fingers twirled in his hair as his right hand held the back of my neck and the free hand pressed me against his warm body. I didn't know if Lux would just barge in and see what we've been hiding; truthfully, I didn't care. Though, I knew Anakin did. He pulled away slowly, though our lips still hungered for more. His breath blew against my face as we gasped for air. His forehead was pressed against mine, both of us smiling before he kissed me one last time. "Whatever happens, I'm going to be by your side," he promised me, staring into my eyes.

I nodded. "I know." I smiled, wanting him. I knew we'd risk our careers, but I also knew Anakin wouldn't want that.

We stayed there for the entire hour, just telling each other how much we cared for one another and continued to kiss. I didn't know exactly how long we were standing there until Anakin decided to sit down on the bed with me on his lap. Something about this made me think of things that I knew Anakin wouldn't want to do. I breathed heavily, admiring his body and his thoughts that flowed through our bond to me.

Moments later, we received a holocall from the Council. Anakin sighed and gently pulled away to answer. We both sighed as the Council was before us. I didn't know what was about to happen, but I knew it wouldn't be good. One little slip up from Anakin Skywalker is a dramatic explosion to the Council. I shook my head at that thought and looked at Anakin with a saddened expression before staring solemnly at the Council.

"Anakin," Master Windu said. "We've heard of your…incident." I'm guessing Lux called them immediately after that event happened. I rolled my eyes. Anakin's gaze dropped. He didn't answer to that question, which made Mace move on. "The Council and I have decided to remove you from this mission and we are ordering you to return to the Temple to… calm down," he said. "We know that Kenobi's death as had a great impact on you, but we fear for those around you."

I was about to argue, but I couldn't since Anakin spoke first. "Masters, I assure you it was for a good reason—" he began, anger tight in his voice.

"Padawan Tano will take it from there and will help Bonteri with his men," Master Ti spoke, looking at Anakin before me.

"This isn't right!" Anakin hollered, enraged. "She can't be left alone here on her own! She can't be!" He couldn't control himself, especially since he's seen with his own eyes what Lux wanted to do to me.

"And why is that?" Mace questioned Anakin, frowning as he crossed his arms above his chest.

Anakin glared at them as I stood there, shocked by his reaction to the Council's decision. I didn't know what to do…