Author's Note: I didn't post Chapter 4 over here? Oof, I am very sorry guys. I posted Chapter 4 on Monday over on AO3. I've never forgotten to post over here at the same time! Well, have three chapters today to make up for my oversight! Hope you enjoy!


Chapter IV

There was silence for a while, as Obi-wan and Anakin each seemed to be turning her words over in their heads. They gave each other long, significant looks.

"Based on your description," Obi-wan began. "That was almost certainly the influence of a Sith artifact."

She blinked. A what now? "What is that?"

"What is what? What are the Sith?" Anakin asked, sitting up in surprise. "How do you not know- well." He turned to Obi-wan now. "I guess since Dooku wanted to seem like the good guy - "

"He wouldn't explain that," Obi-wan finished. "Well, let me put it this way. The Sith exclusively use the dark side of the Force. The influence of this red light comes from that side as well. It is steeped in the dark side." He pointed at her head. "That's why you felt sick and had headaches. You are a practitioner of the light side. The two are not known to mix well." He chuckled like he'd just said something humorous. Anakin just rolled his eyes.

Meanwhile, Ahsoka had no idea what on earth these two were talking about, and she said as much. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

Anakin let out a laugh. "Very funny, Snips." But his laughter died when she continued to stare at him like he'd grown three heads. "Ahsoka. The - the Force. Dark side and light. All Jedi practice the light side, you… you should know this."

She shook her head slowly, and watched as his face changed from incredulous to alarmed. "You know, the Force. Like when you do this." Holding out his hand, he turned his gaze to a datapad that was lying nearby.

Ahsoka stared in shock as the datapad rose in the air, slowly levitating along the table, all the way till it gently slid into Anakin's outstretched hand. He turned back to Ahsoka. "Like that!"

Clearly, Ahsoka had been misled on how powerful the Jedi were. If they could make objects move just by looking at them, perhaps she needed to rethink her plan. She drew in a shaky breath. "What… what was that?"

Both Anakin and Obi-wan's eyes went wide now, apparently horrified at her lack of knowledge.

"Ahsoka." Obi-wan's tone was careful now. "You possess that power as well."

"How on earth could the Count have hidden this from her?" Anakin asked Obi-wan, a note of panic in his voice.

"I do not know," came Obi-wan's response. He sat back in his chair, one hand reaching to his beard as he mulled the question over.

This whole thing was becoming too much for Ahsoka. There was no way even her Master had power like that, so she was very sure that she did not.

Once again, her nervous habit presented itself, and she took deep breaths as the collar tugged against her bruised skin.

This time, Obi-wan took notice.

His eyes flicked to her neck, following her movements with an inquiring eye.

"Ahsoka. Does that collar have a purpose? Besides a possible aesthetic one?"

Tug, tug. "Well, it was supposed to be able to keep you Jedi from tracking me. Clearly that didn't work."

Obi-wan hummed, still stroking his beard. "Noooo, I don't think that's it."

Ahsoka felt anger flare hot inside her. "My Master wouldn't lie to me!"

"Yes. He would!" Anakin shot back. "And he's not your Master, stop calling him that!" His fists clenched at his sides, but he quickly quieted with a look from Obi-wan.

"I could swear I have seen such a device before… I must contact Master Yoda. I have a bad feeling about this whole thing." At that, Obi-wan got up to leave.

Good thing too, because Ahsoka's head was swimming. She needed rest. Ugh, I've become so weak, she thought to herself. She slid down on the bed, her head falling to the pillow, as Obi-wan turned back at the door. "Anakin, are you coming?"

"Uhhh…" Anakin spluttered. He'd clearly been planning on staying, but when he glanced at Ahsoka and saw she was about to fall asleep, he stood up. "Sure."

They both headed out, and Ahsoka's eyes closed almost immediately.