Author's Notes: Happy weekend! I'm making sure to post this pretty early in the morning, cause we're currently experiencing *another* freaking snowstorm, and could very well lose power. So have some yummy heartbreak, folks😆
Chapter V
"I can't do it."
Anakin dropped heavily to the lone chair in the Comm's Center, which he and Obi-wan had emptied out, intending to go over the data crystal Ventress had given them before sending it on to the Temple.
The first few moments had been fine. He'd smiled at the sight of Ahsoka meditating in her cell, not giving that Dooku scum the time of day. Taking everything in stride, like she'd done this a hundred times before and always come out fine.
Then Dooku had spoken, and the words had been like a dagger twisted in his heart.
"My master had the thought that the war might go a good deal better for us if The Hero With No Fear were otherwise occupied."
Him? Was this- was this all because of him?
"We both know how all-consuming Skywalker's emotions and thoughts are."
The whisper escaped him. "No."
"With him on the hunt for you, he'll have no thoughts to spare for the war."
The dagger twisted deeper, and though he didn't let out the wounded cry that had been building in his throat, it was a near thing. He felt Obi-wan's hand on his shoulder.
"It's not your fault, Anakin."
But that's just not true, is it?
He fast-forwarded, making himself watch, to bear witness to the pain he had caused as she collapsed unmoving to the floor. Clearly alive, but probably drugged. Watched as she was denied sleep, watched as she was thrown at Dooku's feet. Felt his pride for her briefly cut through the guilt as she matched the Count word for word.
"The power of a Jedi is in not lingering on those feelings. Not letting them consume you. You should know that. So if you expect me to listen to a word you say, or do anything you command… you had better let me go right now."
He fast-forwarded again, hope in his heart… only to feel it plummet to his feet at the sight of her in a cage over a roaring ocean.
He heard his Master's sharp intake of breath as they both registered the danger she was in, the frayed rope all that kept her from death.
This time it was Obi-wan that jumped ahead.
And this time Anakin's guilt and simmering rage turned to ice in his veins, his whole body going still as the holoimage flared to reveal his Padawan strapped to a chair, an IV in her arm. Well, that explains this morning. It was when she started squirming, clearly uncomfortable, and began muttering in an agitated voice that the guilt came back.
Obi-wan pushed the button again.
This time he couldn't help the cry that left his lips as the image of Ahsoka strung to the ceiling, a crackling vibrowhip being lashed across her back, coalesced before them.
He slammed the off button, sinking into the chair behind him. "I can't do this. I can't watch- she's so- my Padawan…" He buried his face in his hands.
He expected Obi-wan to lecture him. Be mindful of your feelings. It wasn't your fault Anakin, but Jedi should not get as attached as you clearly are. He wasn't expecting the broken voice that issued from his old Master.
"No. Neither can I."
He looked up, startled. Obi-wan gave him a sad smile. "Not what you were expecting, I take it?"
Anakin could only shake his head.
"You forget, Anakin, that I already had to watch one Padawan suffer greatly at the hands of a Sith. The same Sith, no less. I have no desire to repeat the experience."
His mechanical hand clenched and unclenched at his side. He had forgotten.
Obi-wan spoke. "We'll… put it away for now. After we send it to the Council."
Anakin's hand shot out, stopping Obi-wan's in its tracks. "No. We can't… we can't send this to them. Not yet." He looked his mentor in the eyes, willing him to understand. This footage was too personal. He wanted time to… he wasn't sure. Only it felt too soon. Let Ahsoka regain some strength first, let her at least start to heal… before making the depths of her pain "public", subject to scrutiny, and questions, and all that came with sending something like this to the vaunted Jedi Council.
And Obi-wan being Obi-wan, he heard the message loud and clear. Twisting his hand in Anakin's grip, he gave him a quick squeeze. I hear you. "I think a written report detailing her rescue will be quite enough for now."
Dropping his mentor's hand, The Hero With No Fear let out a loud sigh, his feelings coming through - almost overwhelmingly - in the Force. Thank you.
Obi-wan clapped him on the back, as they made to leave. "Let's go get some rest, hmm? I have a feeling the next few days are going to be quite long."
Author's Notes: I know, it was a short one. This was a scene I didn't write in the original draft, but knew was missing all along. So when I went back and edited the first few chapters for posting, I decided on a good spot, and just started writing. Which is funny, cause usually I can't write at all if I'm not using pen and paper! Anyways, I thought about making it a part of a chapter, but I don't really like chapters over 1,100 words, so this became it's own little thing😊
