Heyo! TW: This chapter contains self victim blaming. Please know that nothing is EVER the victim's fault, and that this is just how a kid feels after a traumatic situation. I hope you guys enjoy the chapter.

"I'll tell you one thing, kid," Rex put a hand on her shoulder as they got ready to deploy for Teth, "If any of the men bother you, tell me." He pointed a finger at himself proudly, "I'll set them straight."

"I can take care of myself, Rexster," she said with a grin, having to crane her neck to look at his visor, "Focus on not getting your head blown off out there."

She could hear the smile in his voice as he snapped a salute, "Yes, sir."

For the most part, Ahsoka got along with the men.

She was their Commander, after all.

Rex was like a mentor- a second Master of sorts who always had her back and a lesson up his sleeve. Fives, Echo and Hardcase could make her laugh until she cried, and Kix always patched her up with a smile. Coric was supportive when Anakin got hurt, and he let her sit in the medbay office at night to fill out reports whilst he did inventory.

Over time, she grew to love all the men for their different personalities and quirks- from loud-mouthed Jesse to reserved Chopper, they all meant something special to her.

Except for Tuk'ata.

Tuk'ata was an odd man. He was older than Rex yet had never been promoted to anything higher than Private due to what Coric called 'attitude problems'. He was still an experienced soldier though and was often sent on important scouting missions because he could think on his feet- and that made him one of Anakin's favourite troopers.

When Tuk'ata was with the rest of the Legion, he was distanced. The only time she ever heard him over the comms was when he berated shinies for breaking formation. Disciplined, she put him down to- not that there was a problem with being a stickler for rules.

Ahsoka tried, like with every other clone under her command, to get to know the red-haired soldier and befriend him. Their conversation went something like this...

"Hey, you must be Tuk'ata." She greeted him after a sparring session with her Master. "I'm Ahsoka."

He had the darkest eyes she had ever seen in a clone, and she remembered feeling like a piece of meat as he scanned her up and down. She wondered if his menacing stare was the reason why he earned himself the name of a Sith war beast.

"What are you supposed to be? Eye candy?" He asked, smiling in a way that made her feel uncomfortable.

She brushed his comment off with a nervous laugh, not knowing what eye candy meant at the time. She just wanted to get along with everyone, and she figured that some clones were just more awkward around females than others.

When she learnt what eye candy meant, she changed her uniform. Anakin was a bit shocked by her sudden decision, but she said it was because she needed something with a bit more protection, when really, she didn't want anyone to be distracted by her.

Especially not Tuk'ata.

He didn't rush to speak to her like the other men in the Legion did- not that she minded. Anakin told her that not everyone would always like her, and she needed to accept that.

So, she let Tuk'ata be, giving him a smile when passing him the corridors of the Resolute but otherwise avoiding him. He rarely smiled back, and the only time she felt his eyes on her was from across the gym when she sparred with Rex or Jesse, which told her that he simply didn't want to be friends with her.

It didn't bother her- all the other clones were still friends with her.

At least they were before Umbara.

Ahsoka's lips were pressed in a thin line as the transport took her down to the surface. She wished Anakin were there, but he was still on Coruscant, and she had already agreed to go to the surface once she finished the space-battle.

She wasn't looking forward to it.

Rex had been very vague when he told her that Master Krell had been killed. All she knew was that Dogma was in a holding cell, and two dozen men had lightsaber injuries.

Tuk'ata was the first man she saw when the doors of the LAAT opened. In the darkness of the twilight planet, it was hard to see the men's faces, but she recognised his armour- as she did with all her soldiers.

"Tuk'ata!" She called, getting his attention. Clone medics with stretchers pushed past her to get the worst of the wounded back to the cruiser, and Ahsoka had to cringe as she felt the looming sense of the Darkside surrounding her.

What the hell happened?

"Yeah?" He asked, pausing in his tracks.

"What happened?" She demanded, searching his face for some sort of clue as to what events occurred since Anakin left for Coruscant, but Tuk'ata was wearing a blank stare.

"Ask Rex." He spat, already turning to leave.

Ahsoka took a deep breath but found she couldn't brush off his attitude this time.

"Hey!" She shouted, getting him to halt, "I asked you a question, trooper."

He spun back to her, his face a storm. She expected him to start shouting back, either telling her to kriff off or give an actual explanation as to what had happened to Master Krell, but then, he seemed to relax.

"Come with me." He grunted, then he turned on his heel and headed towards the base.

She ran to catch up with him, trying to read the Force-signatures of the men around her, but they all avoided looking at her. In the distance, she saw Fives helping a wounded man with an arm over his shoulder.

Maybe he would give her an answer.

"This way." Tuk'ata turned right suddenly, forcing her to jump out of the way before he walked into her. She glanced back at Fives whilst she followed the older clone, wondering how a soldier as experienced as Tuk'ata had not yet been promoted to ARC trooper.

He led her down an alleyway between two hangers, and Ahsoka felt something twist in her stomach- something wasn't right.

"Where are we-"

She yelped as Tuk'ata suddenly swung, grabbing her shoulders to pin her against the brick wall. She gasped in shock, looking into his dark eyes, "What are you doing, trooper?!"

Tuk'ata put a forearm across her chest, halting her struggle to break free. "I'll explain what happened here, Commander."

"Unhand me!" She ordered, trying to calm her racing heart. No clone had ever treated her like this. "I'm your commanding officer-"

"Shhh," his hand moved to cover her mouth, and Ahsoka felt her eyes widen. "No need to shout; I'm the only one here."

"Fives! Rex!" She tried to scream, but the sound was muffled by his glove. "Someone!"

Tuk'ata chuckled, the sound making her feel sick. "Why would they help a Jedi when Krell murdered our brothers?"

She opened her bond to Anakin- flooding it with her fear and panic. Anakin instantly gave her his attention, sending waves of concern and confusion. If only they could speak over their bond.

Her Master always said that her species didn't give men the right to feel entitled to her.

"Krell was a traitor." Tuk'ata breathed against her montrals, "One of your kind betrayed us- made us kill our brothers. Dogma had no choice but to shoot him, to which he'll be executed for."

Ahsoka tried to shake her head. It couldn't be true. Krell was a Jedi, and yet the Darkside that she sensed around her must've been coming from him. Dogma was a good soldier, and Rex wasn't the type of Captain to mindlessly follow orders. Something wasn't right.

"He abused his power over us." Tuk'ata hissed, his hand on her hip wandering across her belt. Ahsoka squirmed, trying to kick him away, but he was bigger and stronger than she was. "It's only fair I get to show some power over you."

She needed to get someone's attention, but who could help? She'd never heard of a female superior needing rescuing from a male subordinate. Would the men even want to help her? If Tuk'ata was telling the truth about Krell, then surely they all felt the same way about the Jedi.

It was her fault. She should've been on Umbara when they needed her. She should've protected them.

"You're lucky I'm not like the others," Tuk'ata said darkly, "Not many clones would be able to resist having a little lady like you pinned to a wall."

"Tuk'ata!"

They both turned at the snap of a clone's voice from the end of the alleyway. Ahsoka sharply swallowed the bile that was crawling up her throat whilst Tuk'ata immediately released her, chuckling lowly as he stood back, "Maybe another time, little Soka."

That wasn't his nickname to call her. It was Master Plo's. It always had been his since he took her to the Temple when she was a little girl. Tuk'ata had no right to ruin that name for her.

"Commander Tano, are you alright?"

She looked up at Coric's helmet, not realising that she had walked out of the alley. She glanced towards the transports, watching as Tuk'ata strolled away like a man on top of the universe. She was too oblivious to hear if any words were exchanged between the two clones as he passed the Sergeant.

"Ahsoka."

She turned back to the medic, "Make sure the worst of the wounded are taken to the cruiser." The words spilt from her mouth, perfectly measured despite her shakiness.

"Sir-" his hand wrapped around her wrist as she tried to walk away, triggering an automatic reflex.

Ahsoka swung out, narrowly missing Coric's face as she ripped her arm from his grip. The trooper took a cautious step backwards, lifting his hands into the surrender position. She froze.

What had she done? Krell had betrayed them, and she had just nearly hit one of her troopers.

Tuk'ata was right- she was no different from the Besalisk Jedi. In fact, she was worse. Why? Because the men didn't even see her as a leader, only as eye candy. How could she lead them to victory if she was constantly distracting them?

Boys will be boys, her clan Master used to say, cross your legs when you sit, girls, or else you will distract the boys who are trying to focus on their learning.

"I gave you an order, Sergeant." She said before she could start rambling an apology. Then, she turned on her heel, and marched towards her starfighter, not daring to look back.

Coric couldn't let the incident slide.

Yes, he was just as suspicious of the Jedi as the rest of his brothers, but what he had seen in that alleyway on Umbara- no, what he had witnessed- couldn't be ignored.

Nothing that involved his Commander- Jedi or not- being threatened or abused could be ignored like it was nothing, even if it meant one of his brothers was going to get a serious dressing down.

"Come in," Rex grunted, the door to his office in the Coruscant barracks sliding open.

"Rex," Coric shut the door behind him, earning a confused look from the Captain, "we need to talk."

"I'm a little busy, Coric," Rex nodded towards the stacks of paperwork on his desk, and the bags under his eyes made it clear that he was weighed down with the aftermath of that disastrous campaign, "What do you need?"

The Sergeant removed his helmet, placing it on the edge of the desk, "It's about Ahsoka."

Rex's brow furrowed, "I haven't seen the Commander since she made a quick-stop to Umbara once we cleared up the mess."

The spite in the clone's tone is obvious. If only he knew why Ahsoka was in such a hurry to leave…

"Some bastard had her pinned to a wall of an alleyway between the bases." The words poured out of Coric's mouth and left a bitter aftertaste, "I didn't see what happened, but he was talking, and Ahsoka looked terrified. She all but bolted when I tried to ask if she was alright."

He kept out Tuk'ata's name and the part where Ahsoka swung at him with a clenched fist.

He knew better than to grab someone who was going through shock, but in the moment, Coric just wanted to find out what had happened in that alleyway.

Whether it was a clone or some sleemo, nobody had the right to hurt their Commander.

"Beg your pardon?" Rex glanced at him, an expression of shock and confusion written over his face.

"You heard me, sir." More importantly, Coric didn't want to repeat the chain of events unless it was necessary for the disciplinary report.

"Who in the universe could've pinned the Commander to a wall?" Rex asked, raising an eyebrow, "I'm not sure if you've realised, but she's a Jedi. Have you seen her spar with the General?"

He didn't believe him.

Coric struggled to not raise his voice, "I know what I saw, Captain. The Commander may be strong, but she's not as strong as a clone, and you know it."

Rex blinked, "A clone?"

His tone carried none of the anger that Coric expected- only frustration.

"Tuk'ata." He spat the name out like it was poison.

Rex sighed- as if this were a huge inconvenience for him. "Tuk'ata's not stupid enough to try hurting a Jedi, even if we were betrayed by one."

"I wouldn't be so sure." Coric put his hands on the desk and leaned down so he and Rex were at eye level, "Have you seen the way he looks at her?"

Rex's voice was measured, "Perhaps Tuk'ata just isn't the best at controlling his impulses."

Coric felt his blood boil, "Maybe, but we all know better than to subject our Commander to those types of impulses. We're bred to protect her."

Rex was supposed to protect her. Coric couldn't believe he's trying to excuse Tuk'ata's behaviour? Everyone hates the man- he's a shabuir, and his behaviour towards the Commander was the final straw for Coric.

The Captain sighed, "I'll give him a reprimand."

Not good enough.

Coric straightened, "As the chief medic of the 501st Legion, I want him out."

Rex's eyes widened, but his voice was soft, "You would turn your back on a vod?"

The answer was simple. "For the Commander's safety, yes."

"A reprimand should suffice." Rex argued, standing as well, "You don't think Tuk'ata would seriously hurt her, do you?"

Coric gritted his teeth, "I'm not willing to give him the chance, Captain. If she ends up hurt, you'll be kicking yourself."

"I won't transfer him for something so small." Rex said, crossing his arms over his chest, "Torrent Company has one of the lowest transfer rates in the GAR, and I refuse to sink into the habit of tossing men aside for issues that can be dealt with."

"More willing to protect your reputation than our Commander?" Coric could've laughed as he pulled on his helmet. "You're starting to act like Krell, Rex. If you're not going to listen to me, then I'm sure General Skywalker will."

He turned on the balls of his feet, not bothering to salute as he prayed the threat would work. He really didn't want to tell Skywalker that his Padawan was assaulted and their Captain couldn't give a flying-kriff about it, "Goodnight, sir."

Ahsoka felt sick as she walked up the ramp of the Resolute.

It had been a month since the Umbara campaign ended, and this was her first mission with the 501st. It took some begging and lying to get Anakin to take her on a few missions with just the two of them, but her Master was happy enough to travel around the galaxy for a few weeks, helping people in need and arresting a handful of criminals.

Now, it was time for another campaign, and she was terrified.

Firstly, it was clear that none of the men were comfortable around the Jedi. Even as they boarded the ship, Ahsoka could feel the tension in the air. The clones gave them space, keeping their distance whilst some kept their hands on their blasters.

If Anakin noticed, he didn't say anything.

The second reason for Ahsoka's fear was a veteran clone with blazing red hair who could be lingering anywhere.

Tuk'ata's words still circled her head at night…

It's only fair I get to show some power over you.

You're lucky I'm not like the others. Not many clones would be able to resist having a little lady like you pinned to a wall.

Maybe another time, little Soka.

"Stay focused, Snips." Anakin said beside her, "You make the men tense up whenever you wear that murderous look on your face." He softened his voice, "I know you're angry at Krell, but anger is the path to the Darkside."

So, she shook her head, and tried to pay as much attention to the briefing as possible. It was hard whilst she was constantly scanning for Tuk'ata's dark eyes through the crowd of troopers.

The meeting ended mercifully quickly thanks to the clones not raising any questions and rushing out of the briefing room like cattle, leaving only Anakin and Rex behind.

"I should inform you, sir." Rex said, his voice tense, "I transferred one of our men whilst you were away."

Ahsoka's breath caught in her throat as Anakin frowned, "Without my authorisation? That's not like you, Rex. Actually, I don't think you've ever transferred someone."

Rex looked unbothered by this revelation, "It was a hasty decision, sir."

"Who?" Ahsoka asked, her voice trembling. Her hands were clad with sweat, and her chest was painfully tight.

"CT-0666."

"Tuk'ata?" Anakin asked.

Ahsoka said nothing. There was a torrent of emotions running through her mind, all too chaotic for her to focus on one particular. Even if she tried to speak, nothing but a whisper would come out.

What would she even say?

"Yes, sir." Rex said, nodding slowly.

"He was an exemplar soldier," Anakin spluttered, "He had one of the highest kill counts in the Company. He was amazing. Why did you let him go?"

Rex met her eyes, but all Ahsoka could see was a blur of tears. "I didn't want to transfer him, sir, but I was left with no choice. That is all."

She watched Rex leave, Anakin chasing after him in need of answers.

The guilt was suffocating. Because of her, a soldier was now being transferred to a Company where he didn't know the men, and Rex was dealing with the grief of saying goodbye to a brother.

It was her fault, and that's what hurt the most.

As always, thanks to dieFabuliererin, and I love you all lots!