Chapter Nine
Ana didn't know what time it was when she felt Obi-Wan's gentle, yet cold hand on her forehead. For the past couple of days, time might as well have been non-existent between her nausea and fever. She barely woke up. When she opened her eyes she could barely distinct night and day despite being able to see the the light. She understood that it was day or evening, but the actual acknowledgement of it was lost to her. For all she knew she could have been like this for two weeks and not know the difference.
Ana didn't bother to open her eyes as she felt Obi-Wan's hand against her forehead for a couple of seconds. It was something that she would get used to. The first times she felt it, she was too sick to barely open her eyes and try to communicate. By the time that wore off, she was used to it. This time, his routine was no different. First was the couple of seconds of his hand on her forehead. The hand would shift somewhat, but it was the longest that would try to feel her temperature. Other times, she would usually feel his hand on her shoulders or behind her neck to most likely feel her body temperature. Sometimes soon after she would feel a cold cloth against her forehead. Frankly she was surprised that he didn't just take her to the medical centre in the Temple, but perhaps it wasn't urgent enough for her to need it.
In the brief moments where she woke up, she would usually see some sort of light, either by one in her room or by the sun, but sometimes she found it hard to distinguish from the two. She would usually also see a glass of water beside her on the night-table beside her bed. It was a silent telling of Obi-Wan wanting her to drink it and stay hydrated. She would try to stay up long enough to at least drink a couple of sips. Usually though, she would only be up for a couple of seconds before she would drift back into sleep.
A couple, a few rare times, she woke up, her eyes actually opening when Obi-Wan came in. Once or twice it was when he was replacing the cold cloth on her forehead or moving it across her cheeks and neck to catch some of the sweat. Once it was when he was walking in through the door. That was one of the earlier times. She was sure he was trying to tell her something, but in her haze she couldn't really read his lips that well to understand what he was saying. And she was usually shortly back to sleep anyway.
It was only within the past day or so that she was actually more aware of her surroundings. She was actually up when she was awake, able to look around her room and drink the full glass of water before going back to sleep. She was just usually tired during the times that she was up.
So, she decided to stay still as she felt Obi-Wan move a cloth against her forehead and soon enough, she was back asleep.
~.~
It was the next day when Ana was actually up for a couple of hours. She slept deeply, but when she woke up in the morning, she was able to walk around. She had a small bowl of breakfast, though only eating half before going back to her room to fall asleep. The next time she woke up was in the afternoon and she spent the time watching a holovid until she fell asleep during it. That time she was awake when Obi-Wan came in to ask how she was doing, but he didn't stay too long after telling her he had a Council Meeting soon.
This was the third time she was up. Obi-Wan came to visit her when he was done with the Council meeting. Ana was continuing the holovid she was in the middle of when she fell asleep earlier. Obi-Wan had told her that the Council members were hoping that she would be in good spirits soon and that Cody had sent a message that the Battalion is hoping that she gets better soon as well.
What surprised Ana was a couple of hours later when Ana was getting ready to try and fall back asleep. She was laying in her bed when she saw the light flash on the wall beside her, indicating that someone was knocking at her door from the sensory pads she placed against the door. She wasn't just surprised by the knock, but that she couldn't sense the person in the Force. She didn't realize she was so sick that her Force senses were starting to trail off. It made sense. With a sick and hazy mind, it would be harder for her to sense and connect to the Force.
She didn't think that Obi-Wan would knock at the door. Reaching out in the Force as best as she could, she was even more surprised that she was met with a familiar, but unexpected person in the Force.
"Come in," Ana called to Ahsoka, shutting off the holovid and setting the data pad on the night-table beside her.
A couple of seconds later, Ana saw the door open and watched the Togruta girl at the doorway. This was definitely a surprise. Ana stared at her, surprised with an eyebrow rising.
"You didn't sneak in here did you?" Ana asked her.
Ahsoka laughed before stepping forward, shutting the door behind her.
"No. I got approval from Master Kenobi," Ahsoka answered her, walking towards the bed and making sure her face was visible, "I just wanted to see you."
Ana's eyebrow raised higher as Ahsoka got closer.
"You do realize that I'm still sick and probably contagious," Ana told her.
Ahsoka nodded and shrugged, jumping onto the bed. Ana jolted a bit from the sudden bounce in the bed before it slowly rustled back down to normal after Ahsoka was sitting. Even as Ahsoka shifted to get more comfortable in the bed, it moved but the cushion at least did not bounce to make her aching bones and headache worse.
"Well, I never got to say congratulations on a successful first mission," Ahsoka told her, looking at Ana so the redhead could see her mouth clearly. "Anakin and I didn't get back from out mission until after you were sick and when I tried to visit you, Master Kenobi said that you shouldn't see anyone because you were so sick."
Ana shrugged and nodded, trying to hold back her nervousness for talking about the previous mission, which she could only start to vaguely remember, "yeah…I haven't been my best lately. For the first couple of days I don't even really remember waking up."
Ahsoka nodded empathetically before moving again, a slight shuffle as she laid out more along the bed, lounging slightly to be comfortable. Despite Ana still feeling sick, Ahsoka didn't seem to mind or care at all, both at Ana being sick or at the thought that she could still be contagious. She was just making her comfortable. Although it looked slightly out of place, it was also kind of refreshing to have that comfortability between them.
"I know how that feels," Ahsoka told her. "When I got sick, I don't even think I actually woke up for a whole week. Did you throw up too? For the first couple of days I lived on the refresher floor."
Ana's eyebrows raised.
"You got sick too?" Ana asked.
Ahsoka nodded, a confused expression now on her face.
"Yeah. All the padawans usually get super sick after their first mission or first time where they are close with the clones for a period of time. I think a lot of Jedi got a little sick too when they first started working with the clones after a while, but most of them had immunity to different diseases from other planets already from going to them," Ahsoka answered. "The clones are terrible for passing things around."
Ana thought about that for a moment. That would make sense. The clones are all of the same DNA. So, they would mean they are all immune, or at least to the best extent, of a lot of things like common colds and flu strands across the Galaxy. That did not mean, however, that they could not be carriers. And that was even worse that they all lived in close quarters. If even just a group of five clones went to a planet and came back to the barracks, within hours the entire clone army would most likely be carriers. Even though Ana had never been to Ryloth, if one small army did go, then they could have passed a flu strand from there to Ana based on passing it to other clones. Ana realized it would make sense for her to pick something up from them. She probably had multiple different infections.
No wonder the Kamonians spent so much time ensuring that the clones were regularly immune or highly protected from different viruses. Perhaps one or all could get a mild cold or flu every now and then. If a group evolved into a better immunity of a certain strand, such as if a group were on Onderon for a while then they may not get sick from viruses from Onderon, while the others may get a small cough at most. Either way, the same DNA meant that as carriers, the virus would go to each one more than quickly. Ahsoka said within a couple of hours, but depending on how close they were, it could be less. Ana wondered if there could be a way to measure how fast it could go. For all she knew, it could pass through the barracks within minutes. No wonder it would pass to the Jedi so quickly even if they did not make contact with the originally infected clones.
While the sicknesses could very easily pass over the clones, if there was an illness hat could infect and kill the clones, they could also be wiped out within a matter of hours. As long as the Kamonians were constantly updating and securing, they would be fine. Despite herself, Ana couldn't help but find it interesting.
If there was a design flaw with the clones, that would be it.
Ana sighed before chuckling lightly, signing at the same time, though a bit more sloppy than normal, "now I am wondering what exactly I all have."
Ahsoka couldn't help but let out a small snort before answering with a smile, "well the common flu at least, though you could have two different streams. And they can be from all over the galaxy. One stream may be from Dantooine and the other from Corellia. There are some clones that just got back from both places."
Excellent, the redhead thought.
"For the next couple of months, you're probably going to be pretty sick on and off while you build your immunity to different illnesses across the galaxy that the clones give you," Ahsoka told her.
Ana rolled her eyes and rolled slightly in her bed, now laying on her back as she puffed out some air.
"Great," Ana groaned. "At least I have something to look forward to."
As Ahsoka began to giggle, vibrating the bed slightly again, Ana couldn't help but smile herself. The younger girl turned to look at the redhead again and she smiled towards her.
"I see that Master Kenobi is starting to break you out of your shell and is already starting to rub off on you," Ahsoka commented.
"What do you mean?"
"You're telling me you haven't noticed how sarcastic he can get?" Ahsoka asked, raising an eyebrow. After, she thought for a moment before she shrugged, "however I guess it could just be naturally directed to Master Skywalker."
This time, Ana couldn't help letting out a small snort. Ahsoka giggled as well before Ana answered her, "well, I guess I've noticed. He's still not fantastic with his signing though so sometimes it takes a bit to rework his statements…and I also have not seen him actively working with Master Skywalker yet."
Ahsoka smiled and nodded, "fair enough."
Ana gave her another smile before she shifted a little in the bed to get into a more comfortable position. She stared up at Ahsoka and the Togruta moved right back into conversation.
"Anyway, I just wanted to congratulate you on your first mission," Ahsoka told him, "you certainly made an impression with everyone."
As though she couldn't help it, Ana groaned. Her small blush may have been seen if her cheeks weren't already a little red from sickness. She didn't quite mind the words from Ahsoka so much, but she hated attention. And if Ahsoka was saying she made an impression, it meant that Ahsoka was not the only one talking about Ana and the mission lately. Most of the time she received attention it would end in feelings that she did not want to go through again. She could only be happy that at least she wasn't around to hear it. At least it sounded positive, but still. She forced older memories away.
The Togruta girl looked surprised.
"I thought that you'd be happy you were successful on your first mission!" Ahsoka commented. "I know that you've been waiting for a chance to be a Padawan for a while."
"I am happy, but I hate the attention that I am apparently getting," Ana explained. "I was just doing my job as Commander."
"You did more than that!" Ahsoka said, exasperated. "You tunnelled underground to set off bombs and then you held a broken wire so that three clones wouldn't fall to their deaths! It's impressive?"
Ana sighed and signed as she spoke, "all in a day's work?"
Ahsoka rolled her eyes, "you should stop being so humble."
Ana shrugged again.
"I don't feel like I did anything special," Ana told her, shifting to get into another position. "I just did what I had to. So I had a good idea. The trick was that I fit. If I didn't then my idea wouldn't have been a good idea. And I wouldn't ave destroyed my new clothing."
The Togruta girl could only look exasperated at her.
"Okay, fine, it all depended if you fit in the tunnels, but you basically single-handedly did the first part of the mission yourself. Master Kenobi said that you're the one who thought of the idea to get close and to set up the bombs underground," Ahsoka said.
Ana made the mental note to talk to her Master about his telling of stories. It's not that she didn't mind that he was telling others, but she hoped to Force that he wasn't bragging or trying to constantly bring it up in attention.
She also made the mental note to talk to Cody about that too. She doubted that the guys in the Battalion weren't talking about her heroics too. Just how much did the story blow up while she was away sick and couldn't deflate it?
Ana only sighed before answering, "beginner's luck, I guess."
"Ana, you went out of your way to save three men!" Ahsoka tried to insist before Ana turned her head.
"Two, actually…"
The redhead didn't turn to look at her, her eyes only at the wall in front of her on the other side of the room. The tidy dresser with nothing on the top except a mirror and some hairbands. Ahsoka opened her mouth to say something before she tapped the other girl's shoulder. Ana forced her head to turn to look at her friend and explained.
"I brought three up, but one still died," Ana explained. "He was shot."
Ahsoka nodded empathetically, a frown coming to her face. Despite their differences, that feeling was something that Ahsoka knew well.
"Is that what this is about?" Ahsoka asked her.
Thinking for a moment, Ana then shook her head. She could see the damage that she had done to Ahsoka's mood. That wasn't fair. Ahsoka was an excited person normally, and she was hoping her hyped up excitement about Ana's successful mission would rub off on her and yet all Ana did was shoot it down.
"No, it's not," she answered before inching down more into the pillows, "I'm sorry, Ahsoka. I know that you are just trying to cheer me up and get me all excited about my first mission. I appreciate it, I really do. I just hate attention."
Ahsoka nodded.
"I'm just really happy for you. And when I heard what you did…I guess I was proud? In a way. I knew that you were that kind of person and I'm glad that you so easily moved into the missions. I know that you were nervous about it," Ahsoka told her. "I guess I forgot about what you would have seen."
Ana shook her head, "I'm sorry I killed your excitement. Honestly, I'm really glad that you're excited and supporting me. It means a lot. I guess I'm just sick."
Ahsoka gave her a smile and told her, "I think I know what else it is…but Ana, if you ever need to talk about…well all that, then you can come to me."
As a soft, but sure smile came to her face, Ana nodded. Ahsoka smiled back. At least she was a bit more calmed down now, but Ana hoped that the happiness would come again.
"Thanks. I'm glad I have someone to show me the ropes," Ana told her. And in all honesty, she really was grateful. At least she knew that she could go to Ahsoka if she needed to. It was good to know that she had two options to talk to someone if she needed to. Already, she wasn't so sure that she could go to Obi-Wan for everything.
Gently moving some hair out of her face, Ana tried to change the subject before coughing slightly to try and relieve an itch in her throat.
"Well, I guess I'll focus on some good things that happened," Ana answered. "At least I saved two."
"Two more than what could have been," Ahsoka agreed. "You learn to take the small victories sometimes."
Ana nodded in agreement. She knew that it was something she would have to take. Small victories were sometimes as good as the big ones.
Still, she knew that she would always gear towards the big. That was just the thing with her, but at least she knew it.
looking at her hands carefully, Ana noticed that they were still dry and scrapped almost raw from the mission and travelling through the tunnels. She could only imagine the horror that her elbows and arms were from constantly going against it. Nova put some bacta patches on it, but she knew that it would take a bit to fully heal.
However, her hands did bring up another memory; one that couldn't stop the smile from forming on her face. Ana turned to Ahsoka and told her, "I think some of the clones are starting to pick up sign language too."
The smile that returned to Ahsoka's face was like a brightening awakening and reassurance that Ana's smile could widen as well.
"Really?" she asked.
Ana nodded.
"A lot of them were interested about certain words and their names," Ana explained. "And Waxer even tried to say a small sentence to me during the battle."
That intrigued Ahsoka more and Ana could see it. So, she explained.
"Well, he got a word wrong. He signed 'what' instead of 'how' but he still picked up the words from Cody and I communicating earlier in the night, I'm sure," Ana explained, signing the difference as well as she spoke. "Honestly, I'm really impressed. Even if he got a word wrong, it was a really good try, especially just from watching us for a short time."
"That's great!" Ahsoka told her. "The clones can get interested easily on somethings. I don't know Waxer that well, but I've only heard good things. I guess he likes learning new languages, or at least he was fascinated enough."
"He certainly is observant," Ana agreed. So far she didn't meet a clone she didn't like, and there personalities were interesting and refreshing to be around after knowing the same people—and the same type of people—all her life.
Ahsoka smiled and in the back of her mind, Ana was aware that Obi-Wan was coming closer. However, that back thought didn't become apparent until the light on her wall flashed again to signal that someone was at the door, who she could sense was her Master.
He opened the door more than the small crack Ahsoka left and looked at the two sitting in the bed. He was holding a water bottle, of which Ana knew that he was going to give her again. As she gave her Master a smile, Ana could also see that ashore and Obi-Wan had a short conversation, or another short greeting, before she saw him sign while he talked, I hate to make an interruption and break the conversation, but I think you should get back to resting, Ana. You are still recovering.
Although she didn't particularly want to, Ana nodded a little sadly and turned to Ahsoka.
"He's right. I'm still pretty sick and also tired," Ana told her friend. The frown that Ahsoka sported was also saddening, but Ana knew that Obi-Wan was right. And honestly, she was still a little tired.
Ahsoka nodded, folding to her agreement.
"Alright. Try and feel better soon!" Ahsoka told her. "Hopefully we can work together soon."
A smile suddenly appeared on Ana's face. She certainly wouldn't mind that. It would be nice to team up with familiar faces. And she would get first hand experience of the dynamic duo of Kenobi and Skywalker the Masters around the Temple were constantly talking or groaning about. And hose new that Ahsoka would help keep her focused and confident.
"Perhaps," Ana agreed, "thanks for visiting."
Ahsoka nodded, already moving out of the bed. She looked down at the redhead as she stood beside the bed before answering, "feel better soon!"
"Thanks," Ana told her, watching as Ahsoka left the room. She saw the Padawan and her Master make a small goodbye before Obi-Wan turned his attention back to her and Ahsoka let herself out. Ana watched Obi-Wan walk to her, offering her a smile as he offered her the bottle of water. Graciously, Ana took it, already moving to twist the cap. Already, he was moving closer to feel her forehead.
"Thank you," she answered him, letting him cup his hand against her forehead.
Obi-Wan was silent for a moment as Ana took a drink of the water. Finally, her Master dropped his hand and the two looked at each other. Obi-Wan's soft demeanour did make Ana feel somewhat better and comforted. In all honesty, though she would never admit it, it was kind of nice to be taken care of for once.
"You still have a bit of a high fever, but at least you are coherent now," Obi-Wan told her. "At least you are somewhat on the mend."
"Better than nothing," Ana agreed, forcing herself to drink more of the water. She relaxed in the pillows and stared up at him with a small smile.
"Do you think you are up to eating anything?" Obi-Wan asked her.
"Not quite yet," Ana answered.
"Keep drinking the water then. At least stay hydrated."
"Yes, Master. Thank you."
The Jedi Master smiled and turned to leave her. Ahsoka placed the bottle on her nightside table and then relaxed under the covers, closing her eyes to try and fall back asleep. Luckily it came soon.
A/N: I know it's kind of a slow chapter, but I thought that it would be good to show some bonding time between Ana and Ahsoka and also show more of the growing relationship between Obi-Wan and Ana (and some Dad Kenobi). I hope you enjoyed it! :)