Author's Notes: Very Important Conversations Part... I don't know, I've lost track. There's a lot that needs to happen/be covered when you're recovering from being Dooku's "guest"šŸ˜‚šŸ˜… Enjoy!


Chapter XIII

There was dead silence for a full heartbeat.

Then… "Ahsoka, where did you hear any of that?! It's complete… complete poodoo!"

Obi-wan was next. "For once, I agree with Anakin. Vulgar language aside."

"Little 'Soka," came the gentle voice of Plo Koon. "What makes you believe those things are true?"

Now Ahsoka was flummoxed. Her shoulders dropped and her hands went to her collar. "I - I don't know. I just… remember it. From the… crystal." She whispered the last in consternation as a few more memories started making themselves known. "In… the room. Where there were needles that - set my nerves on fire." She was still whispering, talking only to herself now as her eyes stared off into space and her hands clenched around the collar. "I thought I knew what pain was before, but I had no idea. Vibrowhip burns flesh, leather tears it open. Durasteel slices, while the crystal - the crystal was the only thing that ever said a word those whole sessions. It told me everything, showed me the truth. My Master… and Obi-wan… never wanted me." Her hands started twisting the collar, and she heard her voice change to a familiar hiss. "Why would they? Look how easily Dooku rescued you from them. He wants to help you, he is the only one who cares for you. Just admit there are three lights and alllll this can stooo-"

"Ahsoka, snap out of it!" She heard, right before she felt her body begin shaking. She turned to look in Anakin's eyes as his hands shook her shoulders, and for a split second, she saw the reflection of her eyes in his. They were yellow.

She blinked, and the strange hold over her mind disappeared. She gagged once before her lungs started working again, heaving in deep breaths of air.

Coughing slightly as Anakin thumped her back, she shook her head, trying to clear the last of the whatever-that-was that had taken control of her mind.

"A crystal, you say?" Plo Koon asked, hand stroking his chin.

"And you mentioned a red light before, as well," Obi-wan added. "I think with this new evidence," he gestured at her. "We can safely assume they are one and the same."

"Do you hear that, Ahsoka?"

She looked back to Anakin, who had hopped off the bed and was crouching in front of her now. He put his hands on her shoulders, pretty well the only place he could without touching burns.

"That means that all that stuff in your head… all that stuff about how - " He swallowed thickly. "How I don't want you. How Obi-wan doesn't want you around… that's Dooku talking." He looked her dead in the eye, and she could see a glisten in them that wasn't there before. "None of it is true! Force knows I didn't want a Padawan, it's true. But I wouldn't trade you for anything. You hear me? You are my Padawan, and I am your Master." His voice was intense with emotion, and his hands shook slightly on her shoulders. "And that's exactly how it should be."

Obi-wan came over to sit next to her on the bed, putting an arm around her. "You're right about one thing, Ahsoka. Anakin and I are like brothers. But…" He paused as if searching for the right words. "But families can always grow. And while it's not very Jedi-like of me to say, I think I will be forgiven given the circumstances- if Anakin and I are brothers, you are our sister. We're all three of us - " He gestured with his other hand. "Our own small family."

"You certainly are," Plo Koon spoke up. "Ever since I've known you, it's always been you three, getting into trouble… and just as easily getting out." He moved to stand close to them, Anakin standing and shuffling slightly to make room. "No need for worry, little 'Soka. We will help you purge your mind of the Sith crystal's influence. It will just be one more step on your journey towards healing."

Ahsoka felt overwhelmed by all the attention, as well as their apparent earnestness. Despite what her learned thoughts from Dooku were telling her though, she believed these men meant what they said. But there was still one problem.

"But you don't understand." She swallowed hard, giving her collar another tug. "I can't use the Force. You said I have the power, but…" She held out a hand. "There's nothing. I can't be your apprentice." She whispered the last, somehow hoping that if she said it quietly it wouldn't be true. Everything she thought she knew had turned out to be a lie, and she desperately wanted to belong somewhere. But these men had been so kind and patient with her that not telling them about her missing skill didn't feel right.

"Ah yes, that," Obi-wan said, removing his arm from around her shoulders. "I contacted Master Yoda about that and it turns out, Ahsoka, that Dooku lied to you about something else as well." He gestured to her collar. "This is not to keep us from tracking you, my dear. It is used on Force-sensitive beings to suppress their abilities."

She gave him a blank look.

"It cuts you off from the Force. From the source of your - our powers. And unfortunately, taking it off will be a rough experience." He gave her a sad look. "Where you've been cut off from the Force for so long - more than a month, going from your description - it's going to be very painful on your mind."

Anakin let out a breath, his eyes round with disbelief. "More than a month! I can't even imagine… not being with the Force for that long…" He shuddered. Then indignation and anger slipped over his features and he growled, "Dooku will pay for this."

Plo Koon gave him a look before saying, "Our scouts are attempting to track him as we speak."

"You mean… I can stay?" Ahsoka felt an odd fluttering feeling in her stomach. It took her a moment to figure out what it was: hope. Hope and the realization that these men truly cared for her… and not in the way Dooku had.

"Ahsoka! We were never going to just kick you out. You're stuck with us for good, Padawan," Anakin answered with a grin.

She flinched slightly at the title. It brought back too many instances of a deep, sonorous voice; one who had claimed ownership of her body, mind, and soul.

But she could appreciate the sentiment.

Before she could share that appreciation out loud though, her mouth split in a yawn.

Obi-wan got up off the bed, saying, "But we don't have to do anymore deciding today. Your body still needs to rest, Ahsoka."

Obi-wan and Plo Koon moved off toward the door, while Anakin leaned closer for a second, flashing her a grin. "I'll be back as soon as I get some food in me, Snips. No need to worry."

She blushed slightly, looking down. "You don't have to do that."

He put one hand on her shoulder, pushing back slightly so she'd look up. "Hey." He spoke softly, as if he might frighten her away. "I know you have nightmares. I get them too. I've always found waking up to a familiar face generally makes a world of difference."

She gingerly returned his soft smile.

"Are you joining us, Knight Skywalker?" Plo called from the door.

"What he meant to say was 'Hurry up, Anakin, we're hungry!'" Obi-wan added, winking at Ahsoka as Anakin rolled his eyes, walking over to join them.

"Don't you know patience is a virtue, Master?"

"I do, but I didn't think you did."

The door whooshed shut behind them.

Ahsoka fell asleep easily for the first time in two and a half months, mystified and delighted by the strange antics of her newfound family.


Author's Notes: Can you tell I love the Disaster Trio?šŸ˜‚