Surprise and Happy May the 4th! Holiday update for both my fics. Guilty is still in line for next Monday. Also, the Bad Batch was amazing and I love them.

Star-The-Writer: You know what that sounds like a great idea.

osterreicher97: Thank you! My thought process exactly.

OneLittleSpark18: Thank you, as always! (applauses back)

doyouseewhatisee: Thank you very much!

Guest: Thank you! I work really hard to make their relationship work as it should. And let me tell you, I have worked very hard to be as good as I am.

TragicFiction: You're in luck! Happy Star Wars day! (and don't worry this thing ain't going nowhere)

We're going to be switching some perspectives here, getting inside some heads we normally don't get into.

There's uh, actually no Mando'a in this chapter. I'm ashamed.

Padme watched as the Temple Guards led Barriss Offee away. Anakin stood alone in the center of the courtroom, his part played. He had insisted on being the one to escort the padawan to court along with the Temple Guards.

A twinge of sympathy plucked Padme's heart for the young woman. She in part understood her motivations. The Republic nor the Jedi were the shining example of peace and justice they presented themselves as. Padme herself felt that there was more that could be done to end this war sooner.

But to sacrifice the lives of innocents to achieve it: no motivation could justify that. Then to frame a person that Barriss had called a friend? For it to be Ahsoka: a Jedi who did have pure intentions and someone Padme loved as a sister. Padme rarely was vindictive but there was a certain satisfaction in seeing Barriss be brought to justice.

"It seems the matter is closed." Palpatine said with an air of weariness.

"Not quite, your Excellency." Padme spoke up. "We must discuss the sentence of Ahsoka Tano."

Palpatine turned his pale gaze to Padme and she shivered. No matter how much her husband respected and admired the Chancellor, Padme was now finding the man to be unsettling.

"Ah, yes." Palpatine said.

"Now that the crimes Ahsoka Tano was accused of have been determined to be the actions of Barriss Offee, Tano's sentence should be overturned." Padme said.

Perhaps she was being overly cautious, but after everything, Padme wanted the words said. There would be no doubt that Ahsoka could go free.

"This is highly unusual." Palpatine said. "The accused is not present."

Padme frowned. He was dithering more than usual about this.

"The law does not require the accused to be in attendance for alterations to their sentence." Padme said.

"Alterations, yes, but this is overturning the entire sentence-" Palpatine fussed.

"I would think the court would be eager to rectify their mistake in condemning Ahsoka Tano." Padme said coolly.

Palpatine met her eyes again and for just a moment, Padme felt hatred in his gaze. Cold, potent loathing. She was taken aback. Then his eyes softened. It had only lasted a second. Perhaps she had imagined it?

"You are correct, of course." Palpatine said. "I hereby declare Ahsoka Tano's sentence of death to be overturned. She is cleared of all charges."

Padme watched her husband sag with relief. Her own chest felt hollow without the constant weight of anxiety over Ahsoka's fate.

The ending proceedings dragged on. Palpatine twisted words until it seemed like it wasn't the Republic's fault they had condemned Ahsoka. It was almost an hour later before Padme was hurrying to Anakin in the hallway.

Padme wanted to sink into his embrace, but the highly public building was no place for that.

"We did it!" Anakin breathed. "Kriff, it's over!"

"You did it, you mean." Padme said. "I wasn't much help in the initial trial. It was you capturing Barriss that did the trick."

"You did great." Anakin protested. "It wasn't your fault Barriss did everything to frame Ahsoka."

Padme smiled at him. He was absolutely glowing with joy. It was getting very difficult now to not kiss the silly grin off his face.

"Congratulations." A cold voice said. "It seems your apprentice was not guilty after all."

Tarkin was striding towards them. His words were empty and he scanned them with a contemptuous gaze.

"I told you she wasn't!" Anakin said.

Padme was impressed that he was keeping a somewhat civil tone. Tarkin gave no reaction as he continued to stare at Anakin.

"It is a pity you will have to be involved with another trial so soon after." He said.

"What are you talking about?" Anakin asked.

"Regarding the clone." Tarkin said.

"Clone?" Anakin asked. "You mean Rex?"

"CT-7567, yes." Tarkin said.

Padme frowned. The way he said it made it seem he was correcting Anakin's use of Rex's name.

"'What trial?" Anakin demanded.

"I suppose lawsuit would be the more appropriate term." Tarkin said. "The clone has acted in such a way that we have never seen before. There are elements in the Senate that have decided to take legal action against the Kaminoans. They clearly have falsely advertised their product."

"What does that have to do with Rex?" Anakin asked.

Tarkin regarded him with contempt and something similar to pity.

"The clone disobeyed orders." He said slowly. "All clones are under a standing order to obey the laws of Coruscant. The Kaminoans told us that the clones are completely obedient. Clearly this is not true. In any case, the clone must be examined in court, to prove its defectiveness. The Senate has asked me to be their representative in the case."

The pit reformed in Padme's stomach. Oh, no.

"In court? Defective?" Anakin asked. "But Ahsoka was cleared!"

Tarkin's lip twitched in a facsimile of a smile.

"A pity indeed." He said. "Congratulations again."

The admiral turned on his heel and strode away. Padme watched him go, her insides twisting.

"Rex, being defective? What a load of bantha poodoo." Anakin said as Tarkin disappeared from view. "He must be angry he was proved wrong."

"Ani." Padme said softly. "He's right. Rex broke the law."

Anakin frowned at her.

"Ahsoka was proven innocent!" He said. "He was right to break her out!"

Padme repressed a sigh. As much as her husband was a tactical and combat genius, he could be a bit dense in other matters.

"Ani, it doesn't matter that she was innocent." Padme said. "Breaking someone out of jail, regardless of their guilt, is illegal. And to the Kaminoans, breaking the law means he's defective."

Anakin stared at her with wide, confused blue eyes. Understanding dawned in them and he paled.

"They can't!" He said, anger now underscoring his words. "They can't take him after everything he's done!"

"Take him?" Padme said. "Anakin, what happens to defective clones?"

She cursed herself for not doing the research.

"It's a death sentence." Anakin's voice was deadly calm and it scared her. "They're decommissioned if they're lucky. Reconditioned if they're not. Padme, if they decide Rex is defective, we lose him. ".

Padme stared at him with dismay. Anakin put a hand to his head.

"I can't- I can't lose Rex." He said.

He looked up to Padme.

"I'll go to the Chancellor." He said. "He'll listen to me. He can pardon Rex."

"Ani-"

"He will!" Anakin said. He was in one of his moods where he acted exactly as stubborn as an eopie. It would be easier for him to listen to her if he had plugged his ears and sang loudly.

"All right." She said.

She couldn't do much but appear to agree with him when he was like this. Internally, Padme was already making plans. She agreed with Anakin on that point. Tarkin would not have Rex.

Anakin waited as patiently as he could outside Chancellor Palpatine's office.

He paced up and down the room. The Chancellor had asked him to wait for 'just a few moments.' It had been an hour since then. Anakin liked the Chancellor very much but even he had to admit that the man had the politician's habit of keeping people waiting. The Coruscant Guard around him were cold and silent sentinels. The door finally slid open and Anakin whirled around. There was the Chancellor walking out and- and Tarkin.

"Yes, Admiral, you are correct." Chancellor Palpatine was saying. "I will ensure it."

"Thank you, Chancellor." Tarkin said. He caught sight of Anakin and his eyes narrowed. There was an unpleasant gleam in them. "Skywalker."

Anakin ignored him and turned eagerly to the Chancellor.

"We will meet tomorrow to discuss the other matters you mentioned, Admiral." Chancellor Palpatine said. "Anakin, my boy, come in."

Anakin hurried in after the Chancellor as Tarkin walked away.

"Sit, my boy." Chancellor Palpatine said cheerfully. "Shall I have refreshments ordered?"

"No, thank you." Anakin said. He remained on his feet.

"What can I do for you?" The Chancellor said as he sat at his desk. He peered at Anakin over laced fingers. Anakin hesitated. The Chancellor was one of the few people Anakin felt he needed to consider carefully what he said.

"Chancellor, I came to ask for a pardon for my Captain, Rex." Anakin said.

Chancellor Palpatine's brows knit together.

"This is the clone who is suspected to be with Tano?" He asked. "As well as being involved with her escape?"

Anakin nodded.

"Oh dear." The Chancellor said with a sigh. "This is indeed unfortunate."

He looked back up to Anakin.

"I'm afraid I cannot, my boy." He said.

Anakin's stomach plummeted.

"Your Excellency, you don't understand." He said. "Rex was only trying to protect his Commander-"

"It is not that I am unwilling." Chancellor Palpatine said. "I am unable. The clones are not sentients, and therefore cannot be pardoned. The law is quite clear."

Anakin stared at the Chancellor. Emotions boiled in his core.

"Rex- Rex is my right hand." Anakin said. "He's one of the reasons the 501st is so successful- the army needs him!"

"I'm sure a replacement can be found." Chancellor Palpatine said gently. "I'm sorry, Anakin, but it is impossible."

A flash of anger flared in Anakin's chest. He quickly reigned it in. There were some people you simply did not get angry at. Anakin instead struggled to find the right words.

"Your Excellency, you know I trust your judgment, but you don't understand the clones."

"The matter is closed, Anakin!" For a moment Anakin caught sight of that coldness that lurked behind the Chancellor's eyes. It made Anakin feel small, like he was a slave on Tatooine again. He resisted the urge to recoil. Then the man's warmth and sympathy returned and Anakin relaxed.

"I truly am sorry, my boy." Chancellor Palpatine said. "If only the Jedi had taken more care with the investigation. Perhaps this would not have had to happen."

"It was Tarkin who-" Anakin protested.

"The good Admiral took over the investigation because he believed the Jedi would not be willing to be thorough." Chancellor Palpatine said. "A mistake, perhaps, but one with good intentions."

Anakin doubted that. The Chancellor was right, however. The Jedi should have been more careful with the investigation. If they had done it correctly from the start, none of this would have happened.

Rex.

Anakin's insides burned. They had saved Ahsoka, but it seemed Rex would fall instead.

No.

Anakin clenched his fists. Rex would not be punished for others' mistakes. Anakin would go to Padme, and Obi Wan. They would make a plan.

"Thank you for your time, your Excellency." Anakin mumbled, giving a bow. "I must be going now."

Chancellor Palpatine inclined his head.

"I understand." He said. "You have my deepest condolences."

"Thank you." Anakin said. Then he stopped. An idea had struck him. Perhaps they could prove Rex not defective after all.

A burst of emotions filled Ahsoka's chest at the news. Relief, hurt at Barriss' betrayal, and a twinge of anxiety at the tone in Anakin's voice. The emotions kept any words from forming.

"Snips?" Anakin said. "There's more."

"Go ahead, Master." She was surprised with how even her voice was.

"Rex can't come home yet." Anakin said. "Tarkin's trying to prove him defective."

Ahsoka's insides twisted. Of course. Rex had made a fool of Tarkin by snatching the Admiral's prey from under his nose.

"We're working on getting him off." Anakin went on. "But it'll take time, Snips, and we need a solid case before he can come back. Otherwise-"

"We won't come until he's safe." Ahsoka said.

"Ahsoka-" Anakin said, his voice worried. "You should come home. What's happening to you is-"

"How am I supposed to come home without him?" Ahsoka responded shortly. "I can't fly a ship right now. And I swear, it's not going to kill me."

There was a long silence on the other end.

"Where is he? He should know." Anakin finally said.

"Sleeping." Ahsoka said. "I'm not waking him up."

"I'll call back later then." Anakin said.

"No." Ahsoka said. "He can't know. He'd make us come back immediately, regardless of what they'd do to him."

Silence on the other end.

"You're right." Anakin admitted. "This should take a few weeks, maybe longer. You're somewhere safe?"

"Yes, Master." Ahsoka replied. "Thank you."

"I'll see you soon." Anakin said.

Then the comm clicked off. Ahsoka stared at it in her hand for a while longer, the cool night breeze caressing her montrals. Then she returned inside.

Rex was stirring as she entered. Ahsoka frowned and knelt by his side. She put a hand on his head.

"Sleep." She whispered, calling on as little of the Force as she could. He went limp again and her head blossomed with a blistering headache.

It was worth it. Ahsoka knew that even here, Rex didn't sleep much. Combined with his already fitful night, he needed a few more hours of uninterrupted rest.

Ahsoka studied his face in the near darkness. First the Republic wanted her dead; now they wanted Rex. Her deep relief was poisoned by the prospect. Rex had done nothing to earn that sentence. Ahsoka wouldn't lay this new evil on his already troubled mind.

Only in sleep, and only sometimes then, was Ahsoka aware of his face losing all of its lines of worry.

No, she would not let them take this man. He had been willing to die for her, and she was very willing to risk her life for him.

Ahsoka was acting very oddly. The anxiety she'd been feeling had changed somehow. Rex couldn't pinpoint it exactly, but things were different.

She hadn't even protested when Rex begged her to keep resting.

She now sat bundled in a blanket, watching from the porch of the house as Rex helped Cut.

I feel like an invalid. She told him.

So you've said. He sent back.

Ahsoka opened the bond a bit more so he could feel exactly how bored and frustrated she was.

Have you tried meditating? He suggested.

There's only so much meditating one person can take.

General Kenobi seems to like it. Rex replied.

There's something wrong with Obi Wan. She shot back. And I'm pretty sure he's just napping when he meditates.

You should tell Cody that. It'd take a load off his mind. He always thinks General Kenobi isn't getting enough sleep. Rex said.

He's right, Obi Wan doesn't. Honestly, who is getting enough sleep in the army?

Jesse. He's always late to roll call. And General Skywalker, at least when we're on Coruscant. Rex said after a moment's thought.

Oh no he doesn't. Ahsoka said.

He spends all his time in Senator Amidala's bedroom. Rex protested.

Rex, they're not sleeping when he's in there.

Rex frowned and felt his face warming.

Rex, did you honestly think they were just sleeping in there?

I would like to change the subject.

Rex glanced up in time to see Ahsoka laughing so hard she was doubled over. He couldn't help but smile.

"I'm glad to see you found something besides your programmed loyalty to the Republic."

Cut's spoken words startled Rex. Rex looked over at Cut, who jerked his head towards Ahsoka.

"Not just her." Rex said. "My general, and our brothers. They're why I fight now."

Cut nodded thoughtfully.

"When she's cleared, you're welcome to stay here as long as you like."

"I'm going with her." Rex said.

Cut gave him a sharp look.

"Rex, they'll court martial you, or send you back to Kamino."

"I know." Rex said.

"Why go back, then?"

"She needs me to get her home. She can't go by herself." Rex said.

"Let me take her, or Suu, or have your General come get her!"

"I'm not like the Commander." Rex said. "I wasn't falsely accused. What they want me for, I did."

"What you did was right." Cut protested. "You're going to let them condemn you because they kriffed up?"

"I'm not going to run from the consequences of my actions." Rex said.

"It's an honor thing, isn't it?" Cut said. "Kriff, Rex! I thought you were over your blind allegiance to the Republic!"

"I'm not going back for them!" Rex said. "This is for our brothers!"

"How is it for them? How can you help them if you're dead?" Cut asked. /avoid the word death

"If I stay, what will the Republic do to them?" Rex asked. "What if they are punished in my stead?"

"You don't know that would happen. And what about her?" Cut jabbed a finger in Ahsoka's direction. "Have you thought what it'd do to her?"

Rex swallowed. He had thought about what it would do to Ahsoka. It was the reason he'd never brought it up with her.

"She'd want me to do what I think is right." He finally mumbled.

"Wrong. That girl would do anything at this point to keep you safe and you know it." Cut said in a low voice. "If you go back, and the Republic kills you, it's going to destroy her. She'll blame herself."

"She's stronger than that." Rex replied.

"Why risk it?" Cut asked.

Rex looked Cut in the face.

"I follow my code, same as you."

"Fine." Cut muttered. "I can see you're determined. But know that your nobility is going to do a lot more harm than good."

Padme is a blast to write for me. And some of you guessed it: Rex is in a spot of trouble. It took a long time to figure out how exactly they would react, and I think I found a unique way. If you couldn't tell, the Republic is basically going to sue the Kaminoans for false advertisement, with Rex as crucial evidence. Palpatine is also surprisingly fun to write. He's just evil Dumbledore. And Rex and Ahsoka continue their trend of self sacrifice while the other would really like it if they would stop self sacrificing. And no, I will not answer whether or not Rex actually knew what Padme and Anakin were doing. That's up to you.

As always, wear your masks, remember to review, and have a great couple of weeks!