Anakin paced around the communications centre, stopping every few seconds to stare at the holo-map of the galaxy. He had finally been released from the medical wing the day before and had not left the room since. "Contact Rex, we're going to need his help if we're going to find her and-" he trailed off, seeing the look on Obi Wan's face "What?" he asked. Obi Wan sighed, knowing what was coming next. "Anakin, Rex is dead." Anakin was shocked. "What? No, he can't be- I… How?" he was stunned, not quite able to believe that Rex, who had been his close friend since the beginning of the Clone Wars, was dead.

"On the Trade Federation cruiser. When you were captured by Bane, he took the shuttle. It was the only way off. None of the clones made it out." Anakin took a shuddering breath. Rex too? How many more would he loose because of this bounty hunter? First, Ahsoka, his padawan, and now, Rex, one of his closest friends. No, I can't think like that! I will get Ahsoka back. I can't lose her too.

What made it worse was that he could only blame himself. If he hadn't gone and got himself captured… Anakin sighed. His whole squadron, gone. He sank onto the steps and put his head in his hands

After a few minutes of silence, Anakin spoke. "We'll just have to find her by ourselves then." Obi Wan sighed, knowing how stubborn Anakin could be, "Anakin" he said gently "I want to believe she's okay as much as you do. But you have to face reality. Ahsoka may not still be alive."

Ahsoka's POV

Ahsoka sat alone, in total darkness, chained to the wall, listening to the jeering crowd. She had barely been with this slaver for a week, and he had already decided that she was more trouble than she was worth. Ahsoka smirked just thinking about it. She had flat out refused to do his bidding. She'd been punished harshly for it, but it was worth it, besides, she was a Jedi, she could take it.

The door opened and blinding sunlight streamed it, making Ahsoka blink. A shadow fell across the doorway. Her master – no, nother master, he would never be her master – the slaver marched towards her and unhooked the chains from the wall. He jerked them towards him, sending her sprawling at his feet. She scowled, pushing herself to her feet. He smirked and dragged her through the doorway and into the arena.

Obi Wan's POV

Obi Wan made his way to the Communications and planning centre. He knew Anakin would be there, he'd only left once since returning to the temple, and even that had been at Obi Wan's insistence that he rest. He hadn't eaten in days.

"Anakin you need to eat." Obi Wan said gently "I'm not hungry" he muttered "I have to find her. Every second I waste here, is a second that she's out there, and who knows what could be happening to her! And, it's a second I could be looking for her!" he had raised his voice and was shouting. His skin was pale, his face was gaunt, and there were dark circles under his eyes. He looked on the brink of madness.

Obi Wan put his hand on his friend's shoulder. "Anakin, I know that you're worried, I am too. But you need to eat, and, when was the last time you slept?" Anakin sighed "Not since it happened" He went and sat on the stairs, head in hands. "I guess I'm just…scared. I know she's out there. But what if something happens to her? She's my padawan, I'm supposed to protect her." "I know how you feel. But you mustn't be afraid. If she's out there, we will find her, Anakin." "But what if we're too late? What if, because of me, Ahsoka-" "It's not your fault. And, you have to sleep, Anakin. You're no help to her starving and sleep deprived." Anakin sighed, knowing Obi Wan was right. He didn't want to stop looking for even a minute, but he was exhausted. It took huge effort, but he stood and ambled slowly back to his quarters, as if in a trance.

Anakin's POV

Anakin tossed and turned, unable to sleep for hours. Finally, when he did sleep, it was a troubled, fitful sleep. He slept for hours. When, at last, he woke, he found a plate of food on his bedside table. He only picked at it, despite not having eaten for days, he wasn't feeling hungry. He was about to get up and go back to the coms room, when his commlink beeped. He pressed it. "Anakin, the council requests your presence immediately. Please do not ignore me this time." Obi Wan sounded almost as tired as Anakin felt. "I'll be right there Obi Wan." Anakin sighed. He would have preferred to go back to searching for Ahsoka, but he couldn't ignore the council again. Besides, he had a request for them.

"What?!" Anakin shouted, "But we have to-" Master Windu interrupted him "We are at war Skywalker, we do not have the resources to set up a search party." "So, you're saying that we should just give up on her?" "No, I am saying that we can't spare the troops Skywalker, I am saying that we probably wouldn't find her anyway, we have no leads and it is highly unlikely that she is still alive."

Anakin clenched his fist in frustration. Why? Why couldn't they understand? Why did Windu insist on shutting down every argument he came up with? "I know she's alive! You don't understand. You have to-" "Do NOT tell this council what it must do Skywalker. We will not condone a search party for Padawan Tano and that is final."

Anakin hung his head. The argument was over. "Yes Master" "Something else, I sense you have to say?" asked Master Yoda "Yes Master. Since the council will not help me… I request a discharge so that I may search for her myself."

"Denied" said Windu immediately. "But-" It was Ki Adi Mundi who cut Anakin off this time, "I am sorry Skywalker, but we simply cannot spare you from the war to go off and search for Padawan Tano. I am sure you understand; you are too important. You are one of the best pilots in the council." Anakin could see that he was getting nowhere. "Yes masters" he growled.

"Attachment, do I sense Skywalker?" said Yoda. It was phrased as a question, but his tone said that he already knew, and wanted to see how he would react. "Yes master. I care for my Padawan very much." Yoda thought for a moment "hmm, attachment leads to jealousy, the shadow of greed, that is. Be careful you must, Skywalker."

"You are dismissed" said Windu "The council will summon you to give you your next mission tomorrow morning." Anakin bowed "Yes master"