A/N: I would like to dedicate this story to ErinKenobi, who wanted some Padmé and Ahsoka fluff. This chapter... doesn't... actually... have any of that, but it sets it up for the next chapter. So, Erin, I hope you enjoy the story!

And for everyone else...

I was writing for Kenobi. Why are you here?

Just kidding XD. Let's get going.

Also, I had to delete this within, like, five minutes of posting it because my document didn't save right. Turned out, it didn't really save at all, so I just tried to recreate the stuff I remembered and hopefully it's close :/

Deep in the Jedi Temple, an alarm clock beeped.

Anakin stretched and yawned, reaching to turn off the alarm. He didn't usually use it, except when there was some reason for him to get up early. Such as today's mission, for example.

He rubbed at his face and blinked a couple times. He shoved the blankets off to one side of the bed, stood up, and got dressed, shoving his gloves in his belt rather than putting them on.

He left his room and went to the kitchen, passing through the living room on the way.

Then he stopped and frowned.

Where was Ahsoka?

Usually if they had a mission, she would be bouncing into his room and waking him up before his alarm would.

Reaching out in the Force, he discovered that his Padawan was still in her room.

He went to her door and knocked softly. "Ahsoka?"

She didn't respond.

"Oh no," Anakin muttered. He punched the door button. Thankfully Ahsoka hadn't locked it, and it slid open.

Anakin burst into the room, his head turning wildly back and forth as he scanned for threats.

There was nothing.

His gaze landed on Ahsoka, who was still sleeping peacefully, and he had to smile.

Of course.

Nothing was wrong, she was just tired.

He wished he could let her sleep in, but they had work to do.

Walking quietly over to her, he bent down and laid his hand on her shoulder.

"Hey, Snips," he said softly. "Wake up."

She stirred and blinked sleepily up at him.

He smiled. "We have a mission today, remember?"

She blinked a few more times, and then nodded.

"Okay. You get dressed and I'll get some food together, okay?"

She nodded again, twisting around until she was free of the blankets.

Anakin turned to leave so she could change, but just as he did, the Force gave a sudden murmur of foreboding. He spun around just in time to catch Ahsoka as she stumbled out of bed.

"Careful there," he chuckled.

He expected her to brush him off and say something about how she was fine, but she didn't. She just kind of… went limp.

His playfulness instantly vanished, replaced by concern. "Hey, hey, easy," he said, easing her back down onto the bed and sitting down next to her. "You okay?"

Ahsoka opened her mouth to say something, but the only thing that came out was a cough. And another, and another.

It took a second to register in Anakin's brain.

His Padawan was sick.

And they had a mission today.

No, screw the mission, Ahsoka was sick and coughing her throat out.

Anakin sucked in a nervous breath through his teeth. "Okay, uh… just… relax," he said, awkwardly patting her shoulder. "Breathe slow."

He heard her gasping for breath between coughs, trying to follow his instructions. It took a few seconds, but slowly, her coughs evened out into shaky, raspy breaths.

"There you go," he said, smiling encouragingly. "Good job."

She gave a little whine and fell against his side, and he frowned.

Her skin felt hot. It wasn't like he paid attention to her skin temperature all the time (that would be weird), but it didn't feel right.

"Um… Snips, is it normal for you to be this warm?"

"I'm not warm," she mumbled.

"Wha—yeah you are."

"No." She shivered and pressed herself closer to his side.

Right. Fever. You feel cold even if you're hot.

Anakin's first thought was to reach for a blanket, but then he paused.

Ahsoka thought she was cold, so putting a blanket on would help her feel a bit better, but was it good to make her even hotter if she already had a fever?

He felt her forehead.

Oh, well. She wasn't so warm that it could hurt.

He looked around and reached for a blanket, carefully lifting her away from himself so he could wrap her in it. "Better?"

She nodded.

"Do you want some water?"

She shook her head.

"You sure?"

"Can get some when we leave."

Anakin laughed. "Oh, no, no, no. You are not leaving. You are sick and you need to rest," he said, carefully moving her into a laying-down position.

She squirmed. "But the mission—"

"Don't worry about the mission. Obi-Wan will be fine without us, I'm sure." Just then, Anakin's comm rang. He answered it, ignoring the fact that Ahsoka had just sat up again. "Yes?"

It was Obi-Wan, of course. "Anakin, where are you?"

"Uh…" Anakin looked at Ahsoka. "In… our… quarters."

"What are you doing? We have a mission, you know."

"I don't think I'll be coming."

"Care to explain?"

"Ahsoka's sick and I'm going to stay with her."

"I'm not that sick," Ahsoka cut in. Her voice said otherwise. It was weak and hoarse.

"You have a fever and a cough and I'm guessing your head hurts too. You. Are. Sick."

"Is that true, Ahsoka?"

"…No?"

Anakin raised an eyebrow at her.

"Maybe… a little," she conceded.

"If you're sick, young one, you should stay. We'll manage without you."

"No—I'm fine, I can still help—"

"Ahsoka. We want you to get better. You're not helping anyone if you come on the mission sick."

She groaned. "Fine."

"Thank you. Don't worry, you'll be better in no time."

"Yeah," Anakin added.

"Now, Anakin, how long will it take you to get here?"

"What?!" Anakin demanded, causing Ahsoka to wince.

Oh. She already had really good hearing, so it must've been even more sensitive when she was sick.

"Sorry," he said in a softer voice. He glared at his comm as if it were Obi-Wan's face. "You want me to go off with you on a mission you could probably do perfectly fine by yourself and just leave her here?"

"I'll be fine," Ahsoka said quickly.

"Yes, you see, Anakin? Although I do think it might be a good idea for you to go to the Healers, Ahsoka."

She froze. Anakin could tell she was trying to hide it, but he could sense her anxiety, even see it on her face. He remembered how she had described the Halls of Healing as "cold" and "blank" and "sad." Usually, he only made her go if it was something he couldn't take care of, and he always accompanied her. He couldn't make her go there now, not without him.

"No," he said.

"You'll leave her alone at home, then?" Obi-Wan said dryly.

Anakin thought about that. It was better than the Healers… but not really.

Then something occurred to him.

He smirked. "No, I have a better idea. I'll see you soon, Obi-Wan." With that, he ended the call.

"What's your better idea?" Ahsoka asked, looking at him nervously.

Anakin stood up. "You'll see. Just rest." As he spoke, he gently pushed her to lay down again.

She raised an eyebrow up at him.

"I'll get it sorted out," he said in what he hoped was a soothing tone, adjusting the blanket over her. "Don't worry."

Her skeptical expression was ruined by a yawn.

Anakin chuckled softly. "Trust me, okay? I'll take care of you, in one way or another."

"'Kay," she murmured, her eyes falling shut.

Anakin smiled and, after one last glance to ensure all was well, left the room.