I am back! I haven't really had the motivation to do,, anything lately because God saw i was too powerful and nerfed me with depression. So uh im dealing with it, I dont cry all the time anymore which is nice, but i cant update frequently anymore. I finished this chapter instead of my half a week of math hw taht i have not yet done, so uh enjoy

Chapter Thirteen: Blue Shadow Virus Part Two

Anakin was running as fast as he could in the containment suit, knowing that he may need to be fast to help Grace. He had sensed her danger in the Force, and he would not let her share the same fate as his mother due to his own inaction. It was his fault she was in the line of fire, so it would be him that got her out and to safety. The metal-lined tunnels felt endless, but eventually he arrived at the office, igniting his lightsaber and running inside.

There were battle droids, but his single-minded anger and protectiveness allowed him to cut them all down in seconds. He turned to the two organics he could see: A humanoid with dark pigmentation under his eyes and Grace, bound to a small metal pole with her suit's headpiece off and a gag in her mouth. His heartrate spiked in fear, and he quickly assessed her condition. She did not seem injured, just annoyed at the current situation.

The humanoid now held a blaster, the muzzle pointed at his prisoner. "Welcome, Jedi. I'm sure we can all be civil, or else I would be forced to shoot your lovely friend here."

His lightsaber still out and pointed at the Seppie, the Jedi knew he did not need much time to consider his next course of action. If he attacked, Grace would die. He sheathed his weapon, rolling the sacred weapon across the floor. The humanoid picked it up, examining it and placing it on a desk. He lowered his blaster, to Anakin's immense relief, but still kept it in his hand as a poorly-veiled threat.

"I suppose I should introduce myself," he said. "I am Doctor Nuvo Vindi, and this is my laboratory you have stumbled into. I'm merely trying to restore balance to the galaxy with my inventions, to revive something that was unlawfully murdered! The Blue Shadow Virus was mercilessly eradicated some centuries ago, and I plan to restore it to its full glory!"

The General could not believe what he was hearing. "Are you crazy? You're talking about it like it was an innocent life-form, but it wiped out the majority of the Galaxy! It is not balance to introduce a deadly illness once again."

Vindi sighed. "You Jedi and your ridiculous ideals. I do not care for your moral code. I have discovered a new way to spread this virus, and it would be hopeless to try and stop me. Allow me to demonstrate."

He could only watch as Nuvo approached an apparatus on the wall, inserting one of the vials into it and pressing a button. He would have tried to free Grace, but the chances of her getting hurt were too high. Anakin paid close attention as a button was pressed and the vial was bombarded with electric shocks, eventually taking on a misty look. The shocks finished and the vial was removed, the liquid inside now a gas that swirled around in its container. The Seppie placed the vial in a holder, pointing his blaster at Grace once more as he walked over to a keypad on the wall.

"I'd love to chat more, but I'm afraid I have to go," He quipped, pressing a button. Electricity spouted from the pole she was tied to, and she let out muffled screams of pain. Vindi smiled. "You could try to stop me, but I'm sure the Senator's life matters more to you." With that he fled from the room, leaving Anakin and his tortured wife.

Instantly he was moving, running to the keypad. He didn't know what any of the buttons meant, but he was motivated to figure it out fast by the love of his life's muffled cries. His heart was beating incredibly fast and he was barely able to reach into the Force for guidance, letting it lead his hand to a button. He pressed it, and the buzzing of electricity stopped, as well as the screaming. He looked as Grace, who was panting through the gag, slumped over her knees.

He ran to her, calling his lightsaber to him with the Force, and cut through the binders on her wrists. They were rubbed red from friction and he gently kissed each one, looking into her eyes. He removed her gag, and she took a deep breath.

"Are you alright?" he asked, his voice soft with concern.

She smiled weakly. "I've been worse."

Their reunion was interrupted by the loud clattering of a chair being shoved across the floor, and Jar Jar climbed out from under the desk. Anakin had been too preoccupied with Grace to notice him, and he had somehow remained undetected. He quickly backed away to a respectable distance from his secret space wife, clearing his throat awkwardly.

"I need to- uh- tell Obi-Wan that Vindi's getting away."

The Senator nodded. "You do that."

He mentally kicked himself for being so flustered, calling his former Master via commlink. "Master, the head Seppie is getting away. He's a humanoid with dark skin under his eyes, it looks like he's wearing a mask. You seriously can't miss him."

The Master's response was tinny. "I'm on it, Anakin."

Ahsoka looked at the rows and rows of bombs, a seemingly endless amount of fully-stocked shelves in front of her. She was going to need help disarming them all, but she did happen to have several clones at her disposal. She sent a signal to Master Kenobi via commlink. "Master, can you send approximately ten men to my signal? I'm in need of help disarming bombs that could spread the Blue Shadow Virus through the whole planet!"

His reply was quick. "They're on their way."

The Commander decided to get started, and she took a bomb down to get a sense of how one would even go about disarming it. Her Master had not touched on bombs much in his lessons, but she would have to make due. It was the same principle as deactivating a droid, she supposed. You just had to type in the right sequence or cut the correct wire and it stopped working.

She had managed to deactivate two by the time her backup arrived, and soon they were all seated on the floor as they concentrated to disable what could become a catastrophe if they were not fast enough.

"What's in these things?" one of the clones asked.

"Not sure," replied another.

Ahsoka realized at that point that nobody had actually told Master Kenobi about the virus yet. She needed to make sure her men knew what they were dealing with. "I'm sure you've heard about the Blue Shadow Virus. These things are filled with vials of it, some crazy Seppie plan. We think they want it for biological warfare."

One of her men whistled. "That would be pretty hard to combat."

She laughed a bit. "Yeah. That's why we need to work fast in case they go off."

After that there was mainly silence, all of them focusing hard to combat the ticking clock on a timer they couldn't see. If these bombs exploded it was all over. The Jedi and politicians that had come along, aside from Master Kenobi, had protective suits that could protect them. The clones did not, and would surely die if they were exposed. Hopefully they were fast enough.

The togruta's back was sore from bending over bombs for so long, but they were almost done. Once she and her men concluded disarming them all they decided they should keep inventory. One clone counted the slots on the rack while another counted the disarmed bombs they had in a pile, and after a few minutes they finished, reporting to their CO.

"Commander," said the first one, "I counted 200 bomb slots on the shelves."

The second one's body language changed in a way that allowed her to see his confusion even with the bucket on. "I counted 199."

Ahsoka frowned. "That can't be right. The shelves were full when we came in here, are you sure you both counted correctly?"

Both nodded, and her frown deepened. "We need to warn the others. If something stole a bomb and is loose in the compound it could compromise this whole mission. You all stay here to guard the rest, I'll warn Master Kenobi."

"Sir yes sir!"

The padawan ran out of the room, activating her commlink as she sprinted in search of the elusive bomb. "Master, we have a problem."

The sound of running could be heard in the background as he answered, "What is it?" He sounded resigned.

"The Blue Shadow Virus bombs. One of them is missing, and even one could kill millions!"

His voice was now tinged with worry. "I'll send a squad to sweep the compound. Our battle is finished, soon we'll have control of the entire base. The leader of this operation is getting away, so I'm afraid I can't chat more."

The teen nodded, even though he could not see her. "I'm going to get back to Anakin and the Senator, as well as Jar Jar. Ahsoka out."

The transmission ended, and she ran down the hallway. Her memory was impeccable, so she had no trouble finding the office where everyone else was supposed to be and ran in, panting.

"Is everything alright? Where's the danger?"

Grace smiled at her reassuringly. "We're fine. Thanks to Anakin I'm safe, and Jar Jar as well. The leader did manage to escape, but General Kenobi is on it."

"That's a relief. I was worried something terrible had happened, but my Master does like to exaggerate when it comes to you…"

Anakin changed the subject quickly. "If one of the bombs is loose we need to get Grace to safety." He paused for a moment. "And Jar Jar as well. There should be a bunker nearby, c'mon!"

He missed the smirk his padawan threw his way because he was already out the door, and in his rush to get his "secret" wife to safety he forgot that the headpiece for her suit was gone. As they ran through the halls towards the bunker, which would be safe from contamination, a blast shook the entire compound. Jar Jar yelped, and the Senator's eyes filled with horror. "Oh no…"

The General blanched. "The bomb went off. Double time to the bunker, now!"

Ahsoka activated the commlink's main frequency. "The bomb containing the blue shadow virus went off! You need to get out of the compound and seal it or to the nearest bunker immediately!"

They were sprinting full out now, and soon they could hear the heavy footsteps of clones headed their way. Trained specifically for this type of situation, they were faster than the others, especially since the two Jedi were slowing down for the politicians. They did not need to turn around to see the rapidly approaching blue cloud at their backs, sensing its approach as they got closer and closer to the bunker. The first group got there first, Ahsoka's hand hovering over the button meant to close the door as the clones drew nearer.

As they sped towards the bunker so did the virus, gaining even as they sprinted full out. It was just in the nick of time that the last trooper managed to get in, and the padawan closed the door. They all almost missed the blue wisp that seeped through, but Anakin did not. His eyes went wide, and he looked to Grace, face paling as he realized her suit was not sealed since her headpiece had been forgotten. His concern seemed to alert everyone else in the bunker to the breach, and his padawan looked at the Senator worriedly.

The Jedi looked genuinely scared for her before he hid it behind the mask he wore when they were in public, burying the not-so-secret concern he held for his wife to be stealthier. He looked at the door and then back at her, fear making his heart rate spike.

"It seems we weren't fast enough," he said, voice strained. "To all of you that don't have protective suits on, a small enough amount of the virus came in that we may be able to hold out until we can find an antidote. I'll contact Obi-Wan and see what he may be able to do."

Obi-Wan ran through the base's seemingly endless hallways, trying to find Vindi. The virus had successfully been cut off, but not without infecting several clones and the politicians. He needed to detain the scientist immediately both to stop him from spreading the virus further and to see if there was anything he could do to cure it. Senator McNally was one of Anakin's best friends, it would truly devastate him if she were to be lost to this.

Well, he knew that Anakin and the Senator were probably more than just friends. He saw how they looked at each other, had seen the giddy look in his eye when he returned from escorting her- alone- to Naboo after Geonosis. He simply turned a blind eye, not unaware of his own romantic advances towards Satine in the past. He understood, and he would not throw his brother under the bus.

The flash of white turning a corner up ahead alerted the General that his quarry was nearby, and he increased his pace. He turned the same corner to see the scientist scrambling out a hatch before slamming it shut and presumably locking it. He sighed and ignited his lightsaber, slicing through the metal and using the Force to throw it into the air and out of his way. He leapt through the hole out onto a large pit, spotting Vindi holding a briefcase as he rose on a small platform up to where his ship undoubtedly waited. If he had to guess, the Jedi would say that vials of the virus were in there.

Vindi, clearly underestimating the capability of a determined Jedi, gave a sarcastic wave as he was lifted higher into the air. Obi-Wan, unimpressed, jumped into the air, aiding his ascent with the Force. He landed on the platform and ignited his lightsaber, pointing it at the frightened Separatist's throat.

"Now," he said, smiling, "feel free to sit down and make yourself comfortable while we wait for my friends. Perhaps we could have a chat as well! I've been wondering, how does one cure the Blue Shadow Virus?"

Ahsoka did her best to comfort her troops, their helmets doing nothing to keep away the virus. They were all sitting leaned against the walls, too weak to stand, and she spared her Master only a few glances as she tried to help their men. She hoped that they could hold out long enough for Master Kenobi to retrieve the cure he had been reluctantly informed of, for everyone's sake.

Anakin held Grace's hand in his, wishing he could pull her close and hold her until Obi-Wan returned with the cure. Unfortunately, they were surrounded by people, and suspecting their relationship was not the same as having seen proof. That meant he was resigned to only being able to offer her a fraction of the comfort and affection she deserved, and it broke his heart that she could die here and he couldn't even hold her.

She coughed, and it felt like physical pain shot through him at the sound. His heart broke as she turned to look at him, her head braced against the wall from the sickness robbing her of strength. He held her hand tighter, restraining himself from showing too much affection.

"You're gonna be alright," he soothed, both comforting her and himself. He didn't know what he would do if lost his wife, his soulmate, the other half of his heart. He would make sure to do all in his power to keep her alive, but he could not stop the virus with his lightsaber. He felt helpless.

The Senator smiled weakly up at her husband. "Don't worry about me," she said, her voice thin. "I'll be fine. I- I'll be alright." She had to stop herself from saying the three words that would condemn them for life: I love you.

She hid it from him, but she felt absolutely terrible. The virus was attacking her body and if he realized how much pain she was in it would cause nothing but trouble. He was protective to a fault and she didn't mind, but there was nothing he could possibly do right now. All that could be done was to sit and wait for Obi-Wan to come through.

Grace's head rested on Anakin's shoulders as she slept, the rest bringing a reprieve from her feelings of illness. It was a dreamless sleep, one that she welcomed in her exhausted state. She was awoken, however, by the beeping of a commlink and her husband's deliberately gentle movement to answer it.

"Master?" he asked, trying to keep quiet.

Obi-Wan's voice came through the commlink, bringing good news. "I was successful in locating the antidote, and am bringing back enough for everyone caught in the bomb. I'll send what troops escaped it down with stretchers to bring our people up to the surface to be treated."

The Knight's eyes opened wide and he found himself smiling for the first time since the start of the hours they'd been trapped. "That's- that's amazing! I'll bring up the Senator on my own, she has higher priority."

That excuse was flimsy and he knew it, but he wanted her to get help as soon as possible. He looked at her, filled with worry for her wellbeing. Her skin was sallow and her veins were showing prominently, but he still thought she was beautiful. The General gently removed her from his shoulder and stood, calling out to his padawan. "Ahsoka, you stay here and wait for the stretchers to arrive. I'll take the Senator to the surface."

She nodded, and he gently took hold of Grace, picking her up and positioning her bridal-style in his arms. She had pretty much passed out again, and her head lolled against his chest. The scene reminded him painfully of when he had carried his mother home, but she had been dead and he would never allow that to happen to his wife. She was alive, and he would fight tooth and nail to keep it that way.

He carried her determinedly down the corridors, making his way to the exit he knew led to a landing pad his former Master was now on. Her safety was his top priority, and if he could get her help just a few minutes faster he would. It was important to get her the antidote quickly, and then she could recover and heal. Anakin was fighting this war for the Republic and for her, spending his days on the battlefield to do what was right and to keep the woman he loved safe. He would be damned if he let her get more hurt than she already was.

Grace's eyes fluttered open, but she immediately closed them after the onslaught of sunlight that filtered through. It was odd, how bright everything was seeming in this bunker. For a brief moment she wondered if she was dead, but then she remembered what was happening. She must have been taken to the surface, that would also explain the slightly softer surface beneath her, probably a stretcher. She tentatively opened her eyes again, looking at her surroundings. She could see trees and a blue sky, the familiar lushness of her planet. Soon though, something obstructed her vision, and she was looking up into Anakin's face.

He looked worried. "How are you feeling?" he asked.

She took a moment to assess herself. "Honestly, a lot better. Whatever that antidote was must have been effective."

His whole body sagged with relief. "Thank the Force you're alright."

She smiled. "I'm not going anywhere, Anakin."

End of chapter!

Notes:

-POV: Once again refuse to watch the episode for reference and just make this chapter the blue shadow virus arc off Wish

-tbh i was just too out of steam to write good fluff there by the end i swear if i wasnt depressed it would be OVER for yall

-I didnt really know how to end the chapter but whatever lol

-Tbh idk how often i can update this but trust that im not done with it, i have big plans

-Once again, Obi-Wan does all the work while anakin and his space wife just chill

-I did not know what to do with Ahsoka since i didnt really wanna have her also get sick so shes just off hangin out with clones ig

Tune in whenever i drink coffee and write 1k words in an hour for the next update!