Chapter Twenty-Nine

Ella shivered as the lift came to a halt. For some reason, it seemed so much colder in here now. Why that was, she wasn't sure.

Fives moved Dogma outside of his cell, keeping a gentle hand on his arm.

Rex's face wasn't visible to Ella, but she could see tension in his posture as he unholstered one of his pistols and turned the safety off.

"Turn around, and step towards the wall," he commanded.

Well, his voice isn't betraying his anxiety, she thought.

"On your knees," Rex growled as the cell was opened.

Krell laughed mockingly. "You're in a position of power now; how does it feel?"

Rex's jaw clenched, "I said on. your. knees!"

Krell sank to the ground, "It feels good, doesn't it?" he snickered. "But I can sense your fear."

Ella shut her eyes, wishing she could do something to make this easier for her friend. She hated Krell for exploiting his fears of reconditioning. It was so cruel and unfair.

"Your shaking, aren't you?" he taunted. "What are you waiting for? The Umbarans are getting closer."

"I have to do this!" Rex said, trying to steel himself.

"You can't do it, can you?" Krell simpered. "You're right to be afraid of me."

Suddenly Ella was lifted off her feet, hovering above the ground. She was a little startled at first, but had been force-lifted before, and wasn't thinking much of it.

But then the world screamed around her as a white haze of agony hooded her eyes.

Her whole body seemed to be ripped apart from the inside out, and she was helpless to do anything against it.

Wave after wave of tearing, ripping agony shredded through her, powdering her spine, igniting her blood with lava, melting her into a puddle of ash and steam. Her lungs seemed full of lead and she could barely suck in a breath of air to keep herself lucid.

She couldn't get away, couldn't fight back.

But that wasn't the part that frightened her the most.

Ayah was writhing within her, beating in the walls of her womb helplessly, as if trying to escape. Ella could feel her terror, and what was worse, her pain.

Krell was hurting Ayah, and she was helpless to defend her.

She didn't realize she was screaming until it suddenly stopped and she collapsed on her side.

Gradually noises filtered back through to her ears.

"—need a medic! Lock the body in the cell! Jesse, get us up there!"

"—He betrayed us!"

"—Ella! Ella, talk to me!"

That was Rex. She knew.

Ella pried her eyes open and curled around her womb protectively. It was over, but something was not right.

Ayah wasn't moving.

She had been writhing about, but now she was still.

So still.

She felt a chill pass through her body, and pain hit her again, but this time it wasn't unnatural. It wasn't from the dead ex-jedi. This pain she'd begun to feel before and had been growing accustomed to.

"Ella, look at me!" Rex pleaded.

She met his gaze through a veil of tears, gasping desperately. "R-Rex!"

"I'm here," he said gently. "What's wrong? Are you okay?"

She shook her head, a sob lodging in her throat halfway, leaving the other part of itself behind. "Rex, the baby! He did something to my baby!"

•~§~•

Rex didn't know how to comprehend that statement. It was one thing to know that Krell was willing to slaughter his brothers who were clones and so were thought to be replaceable. It was another thing to know that he'd likely hurt Ella, who was a sweet but feisty grown woman.

It was altogether something else, something malicious and downright evil, to even think about maiming an unborn child.

His eyes grew wide with shock, horror coursing through his veins as he glanced from the corpse slumped in the cell to the young woman trembling on the floor in agony

What was he supposed to do?

Then determination cast it's spell and he lifted his wrist. "Kix, it's Rex. Do you need reinforcements?"

"No sir. It's basically over. We have a few wounded, but that's it. The few Umbaran's that came here retreated and then surrendered. We took Umbara, sir."

Rex breathed a small sigh of relief, but couldn't really appreciate the feat. "How badly injured are the wounded? How fast can I have you?"

"I already took care of the worst cases. Can you explain?"

Ella moaned and doubled over. "Rex..."

He grabbed her hand, "Kix, I'll meet you in the medbay. Krell did something to Ella before he was executed. She thinks the baby is in distress."

"Rex!" she cried.

"Uh, Rex!" Jesse begged one a panicked voice.

"What?" he asked, then gasped.

A pool of water had spread beneath Ella. She gasped and groaned.

"Rex, what happened?" Kix asked anxiously.

"My... my water broke!" Ella whimpered.

"What!" Kix cried through the com. "Rex, you have to get her in here immediately! It's unlikely she'll deliver very soon, but we just don't know and it's not the best idea to risk it."

"Okay," the captain said. "Okay. Ella, I'm gonna carry you, okay?"

She nodded and reached out weakly.

Rex slipped one arm beneath her legs and the other behind her back, cradling the small body against his.

"Sir, what do we do with Dogma?" Fives asked.

He turned, "He'll come with. Dogma!"

The boy's head shot up. There was impalpable fear in his wide-blown eyes, fear beyond what he had seen in them before. His whole body was hunched even as he stood, as if to make himself smaller.

Rex softened his voice, "You thought clearly when I didn't. Thank you. If not for you... I don't know what could've happened. You made the right choice."

Dogma's eyes widened impossibly more, then a sheen of tears coated them as he nodded. If his arms weren't full of Ella, Rex would've taken his younger brother into them.

But there was an emergency on their hands.

"Ella needs medical attention. She's going into semi-premature labor. You'll accompany us to the medbay and see what you can do to help, alright?"

He nodded and swallowed hard. "Y-Yes sir."

Rex nodded at him before his attention was shared by the girl in his arms, who moaned, pressing her face into his shoulder. "Hang in there, Ella," he breathed. "You're going to be okay."

She sniffled, "My baby! Ayah!"

The captain shut his eyes and steadied himself, then led them off the lift and jogged to the medbay. Heads popped up at the sight of Ella's stricken face, gazes following them as their captain carried her towards the back.

"Rex!" someone barked. He looked to his elbow to see Rogue, Chopper in pursuit and Vaughn close behind.

Kid intercepted them, guiding him to an empty biobed behind a curtain. Rex set Ella down upon it and stepped to the side to allow the medic to take over.

"You said he did something to Ayah?" he asked gravely.

Ella nodded. "I felt her... it was horrible!"

His face grew pinched and he squeezed her hand reassuringly. "I need you to put on a medical gown and let me check you over. Your water broke?"

She nodded, "Y-Yes."

He sighed, "It's not the best time for her to be born, I'll give you that. But if she's okay, she'll likely be just fine. She might be a little small, but babies born at this stage in gestation usually survive. Rex," he turned slightly, "can you get a medical gown for her? They're in the supply closet."

Rex nodded and hurried to get the gown.

"Rex," Vaughn begged. "Please tell us what happened!"

He sighed, "Krell used the force on her up there, and she says he hurt Ayah. Dogma shot him, and it stopped, but her water broke."

The boy gasped, "No!"

"How could he?" Rogue whispered.

Rex shrugged. "I don't know. We don't know what he did, but she's going into labor now."

"You mean...?" Chopper gasped.

"Yes. I have to get back to her," he said, grabbing a medical gown and turning to hurry back to Ella.

"Rex!" Kix called.

Rex thrust his hand through the curtain and waited until Kix grabbed the paper-thin cloth. A few minutes later, the medic ushered him in.

"What's going on? Have you gotten any info on the baby?" the captain asked in a hushed voice.

"I can't find a heartbeat."

Rex froze, then shook his head in shock. "No... you don't mean that... that he..."

Kix's sighed, "I'm praying it doesn't mean that. But I tried to find a heartbeat and it won't show up. It could be that this equipment isn't strong enough to pick up a baby's heartbeat, but... Rex, I just don't know."

The captain swallowed hard and glanced at Ella, who was pale and sweating on the bed, her shivering arms wrapped protectively around her womb.

A womb that might be devoid of the precious life they'd all loved - the life that had pulled her out of the throes of grief and given her a reason to smile again.

Would she ever smile again if that life was gone?

•~§~•

Something was horribly wrong and she knew it. Ayah had stilled too suddenly after Krell's attack for it to mean anything good, and she still hadn't moved again.

"You're seven centimeters dilated now, Ella," Kix informed. "You doing okay?"

Ella shook her head, "She hasn't moved, Kix. She hasn't moved since he..." she trailed off, unable to describe what he'd done.

Rex squeezed her hand as Fives repeated the action on the other side. They were the only ones allowed inside the small space besides Kix, Wander, and Vutyc. The others who'd wanted to make sure she was alright took up too much room. Ella could almost feel her friends hovering outside the curtain.

Tup stuck his head in again and sighed, "Anything new?"

Kix shook his head. "Not much. She's seven out of ten centimeters now, so you can tell them that."

"Everyone kinda crowded in here, sir," Tup said. "Everyone wants to know. They all want to tell Ella they're praying for her, and they're here."

Ella managed a tiny smile, "Tell them all thank you for me, Tup."

He nodded and slipped back out, spreading the news.

"I want to push," she groaned. "Please, can I push?"

Kix shook his head. "Not yet, Ella. You're not open enough for that yet."

You know that.

She knew. But her world was getting smaller by the minute, as if her brain was saying that there was too much to process and was purging unnecessary information, which apparently included all she knew about nursing.

She felt so small. So tiny and unprepared.

"Kix I'm scared!" Ella whimpered. "He did something to her, I just know it!" She stiffened and groaned as another contraction passed over her. Braxton Hicks were nothing in comparison. She worried that she'd end up breaking her friends' hands.

"It's okay, Ella," Fives gritted out. "We're tough."

She grimaced back, letting out a small cry of pain before she relaxed and the contraction passed.

"Ella," Kix said, "it's true that he may have done something to her. But we can't do anything about that until she's born. So we're not going to think about that now, okay?"

She hesitated, then nodded. "O-Okay."

"Right now we're going to pretend that Krell never existed and that this is completely normal. We're going to remember that she's developed well and will probably be littler than normal, but will be just fine. We're going to think about good things until we find out otherwise, alright?"

Ella nodded and groaned, crying out shrilly as another contraction hit.

They kept that up for what felt like forever until she gasped, writhing frantically.

"K-Kix... I need to push! I have to!" she cried waveringly. "Please!"

He peeked beneath the sheet and nodded, "Ella... Ayah is crowning."

"WHAT!" Fives and Rex cried in unison.

"Is that... is that bad?" Rex asked worriedly.

Kix shook his head, "Crowning is when you can see the baby's head. Which means, it's time to push. Tup!"

Almost immediately, the boy stuck his head through the curtain again. "Yes?"

"Tell them it's time."

Tup slipped back out and almost instantly murmurs were heard around the room.

Kix nodded at the girl and gave her an encouraging smile, "Push as long as you can through the next contraction."

Ella nodded and waited until she felt the contraction start, then bore down as hard as she could.

"That's it, Ella. Good job," Kix cheered.

She stopped, panting for a few seconds before leaping back into it again.

For a while it was discouraging work. Ayah seemed determined not to leave that warm place she had grown in, and kept slipping back inside.

But finally, Kix smiled, "The head's out, Ella! Just the shoulders and then she's here."

Ella bore down again, eager to meet her little girl.

A deep, cutting pain lanced her without warning and she cried out, stopping her progress. It wasn't another contraction.

"It's okay! It's okay!" Kix comforted.

"What was that?" she sobbed. "It hurts!"

"You tore a little. That's normal for the first few times," he soothed.

"You mean she...?" Fives couldn't finish.

Ella screamed and pushed again, though not as hard as she had been and it only lasted a few seconds.

"Come on, Ella. I'll help you, but you have to give it all you got," Kix ordered.

"I can't! Kix... I can't!" she sobbed. It was all consuming. She understood now why epidurals were so popular.

Kix nodded to Wander and Vutyc. They each grabbed one of her legs and held them back. "Come on, Ella. You're so close."

Rex and Fives slid one hand each behind her back and propped her up. The new angle gave her a little more leverage and she bore down as hard as she could.

"Yes! That's it, Ella, don't stop now!" Kix cheered. "Come on, right back at it! You're so close!"

She pushed again, then fell back panting.

"Ella," Vutyc said, "I think if you push one more time, she'll be out."

Hope filled her heart with new strength and she gathered herself one more time and gave it her all, screaming as pain flashed her vision into stark whiteness.

Kix pulled up a tiny, slick little thing in his hands. "She's here, Ella! She's here. You did it."

Ella smiled weakly and tried to breathe in as much air as she could into her exhausted body. Her baby was here. It was over now. Everything was okay.

But then she saw the worried look on the medics' faces as they looked at the little girl, who was silent in Kix's arms. And Ella realized that she was right to feel like something was wrong.

Ayah wasn't breathing.

Kix lay the baby on a table and opened her mouth, swabbing out thick mucus with his finger. He shook his head and started trying to rub her back and chest, to get blood pumping again.

"Kix?" Ella breathed, tears filling her eyes.

Kix stopped and took out a scanner. They all held their breaths.

Kix turned back to Ella with tears in his eyes. "Ella..." he whispered gently. "I... I'm so sorry."

Wander picked the little girl up and cradled her in his arms, blinking back his own tears.

"What... what's wrong with her?" she heard her own voice asking. "Why isn't she breathing?"

Kix held up the scanner and pointed a shaking finger to show her the cause.

"Krell... he crushed her lungs. That's why she was writhing. She was suffocating," he sniffled. "Ella... I'm so, so sorry."

Ella felt tears dripping down her cheeks. She swallowed hard and took a breath, "Can I... can I hold her?"

He hesitated, then nodded.

Wander lay the baby on her mother's chest and stepped back.

Ella looked at her daughter's still face and didn't stop the tears from streaming.

She was so beautiful, from the tips of her little toes to her tiny fingers and pouting lips. A faint halo of baby fuzz swathed her head in a dark brown, almost black. Ella would never know the color of her eyes, but it didn't matter. They were beautiful either way.

The mother cradled her baby to her chest and kissed her head with trembling lips. "Oh, Echo..." she murmured. "Take care of her for me."

Then she broke down, her stitched up heart ripping open anew.

She wasn't sure if she'd ever be able to mend the tatters this time.

•~§~•

Rex pushed past the curtain as he escaped the little corner where a young woman's heart was breaking again, and leaned against a wall. He couldn't get the image of that sweet, innocent little baby lying so still and lifeless on her mother's chest out of his head.

"Is she pretty, sir?" Rogue asked.

"Is Ella okay?" Charge called from his bed.

"Why didn't she cry when she was born?" Vaughn asked.

Chopper stepped beside him. He didn't ask any questions, just looked at him; at his barely restrained tears and pained eyes, his bitten lips and clenched jaw.

He hugged him. "It's not your fault, Rex."

Rex felt tears slipping down his cheeks and for once he let them. He could cry for the pain of his broken sister, and the child who never had a chance to live.

And just like that, they all knew. And suddenly, he wasn't the only one mourning for Ella's baby.

Tup pulled him and Chopper into a huddle and they all held onto each other as they grieved.

With his ear close to the curtain, only Dogma could hear the pitiful cries of Ella and the barely audible sniffles of the medics that had helped her deliver her little girl.

Suddenly, someone gasped and cried out in alarm. "Fives! Go get an oxygen mask! Hurry! Wander, get the crash cart!"

Fives darted out of the little space and grabbed the first mask he could find.

"Fives! What is it?" Tup asked fearfully.

His eyes were scared when Fives answered, "Ella's hemorrhaging!"

•~§~•

"Ella! Ella come on, breathe!" someone called from what sounded like very far away.

"Kix... what's...?"

"Bleed... trying!"

"Clear! ... Clear! ... Oh come on, Ella! Don't give up now!"

She felt like she was underwater, sounds muffled and garbled, air scarce. What was going on? Why did she hurt so?

Ayah.

Ayah was dead.

Her little girl whom she'd felt moving and growing and living inside her, connected to her for months.

Her only piece of Echo that she would have living and breathing in her life.

It would be so easy to let go now. So easy to just go with them.

What more did she have to live for anyway? Her husband was dead. Her daughter was dead. She didn't want to ever love another and wouldn't likely ever have another child for that reason. Yes she loved her career, but it wasn't who she was.

Who was she now anyway?

"Ella!" someone called.

Echo?

She opened her eyes and saw the same young man whom she'd loved more than anything, holding her baby in her arms. Her Ayah with brown hair and eyes like Echo had always dreamed of. Her husband smiled at her lovingly, but sadness was in his eyes.

"Ella, my angel," he murmured, and held out his hand.

She walked into his arms and rested her head on his chest. "I miss you! So much!" she whispered.

He kissed her cheek, "I miss you too, Ella. But you can't forget. You can't give up now."

Tears streamed down her cheeks, "But you're gone! And so is Ayah! I don't want a life without you in it! I thought if I couldn't have you, maybe I could have our daughter, and love her the way you would want me to love her. But now she's gone too!"

"There are still people who need you," Echo said. "My brothers need you. Ahsoka and Anakin and Padmé need you. Your family needs you." He took her hand in his, holding it over his bare chest. "I need you."

She ducked her head. "But I want to be with you."

He kissed her softly on her lips, "I never left you. But you must live. You'll see me again, Ella. Don't forget who you are."

She looked up into his eyes; those sweet, deep brown eyes that seemed to hold eternity and the richest love in them. She wanted to dive in and stay there forever, safe and sound.

"I've forgotten," she whispered.

He shook his head, "No. You haven't. And you're still the same girl. But you can't let pain bury you six feet under. You can't let it get the best of you because that's what evil wants. Ella, you are powerful with your gentleness and mercy. It's something rare that barely exists anymore and this galaxy needs the purity of your love even when it rejects it. It needs your good, sound judgment of right and wrong. It needs your feistiness and protectiveness. It needs you. Don't let evil take that away."

Her lip quivered and she held onto him tightly. "Don't leave me, Echo. I need you. You make me happy in a world of pain and sadness. I just want you!"

He kissed her again and held her safe against his beating heart. "I will never leave you, Ella. What the Maker has brought together, nothing will separate. Not even death."

"We're losing her!"

Echo squeezed her tightly, then let her go. "Be strong, Ella. You're more powerful than you realize. You can get through this. I believe in you."

Ella kissed her husband one more time. It didn't feel like goodbye. It felt like hello and see you soon all in one. It felt like I miss you and I love you more than anything. It felt like every kiss they'd ever had; the sneaky ones they hid before and after battles or in closets. The heated and tender ones they shared while breathing passion against each other's lips. It felt like comfort and safety and joy and resurrection. Renewed peace.

"I love you, my angel. Our little one will be cared for. I promise."

"I love you, Echo," Ella gasped without words as his breath pervaded her lungs.

"Oh thank the Maker!" a familiar voice sobbed. "Ella! Ella can you hear me?"

The beeping of a heart monitor reached her ears and she pried her eyes open to see Kix's blurred face. She smiled and squeezed his hand.

He sighed in relief, scrubbing his eyes, "I'm sorry! You almost died, Ella! You weren't breathing and you were bleeding so badly and I—"

She rested her finger against his lips, silencing his apologetic rant.

"S'okay, Kix," she whispered. "I'm back."

He dropped his head to her empty womb and sobbed.

•~§~•

Dogma felt terribly afraid as he stood in the door of the cell in Coruscant's prison. His trial was undecided, but he knew it would be soon.

"Get in there, hut'uun."

He staggered as his guard shoved him in, falling to the cement floor in a heap.

His brothers laughed and locked him in, leaving him alone.

Dogma shivered, pulling himself back into a corner, careful not to lean against the wall. The welts, bruises, and cuts on his back were taking an excruciatingly long time healing. He supposed it was likely because he hadn't gotten medical attention for them.

His mind wandered to the young woman who'd lost her baby last night. Ella was on strict bed rest until she healed. He wished he could hear her play the piano again; it sounded more beautiful than anything he'd heard before.

They'd buried her baby with his brothers, and someone had made a tombstone for her. Ayah Ilene Starrow. Beloved Daughter. Deceased before birth.

It was a brutally painful funeral.

They'd never really had much of a chance to honor their fallen brothers before. To be able to lay them to rest around their tiny niece, as if protecting her as they escorted her into the realm of heaven, seemed like a special kind of burial.

Rex said a few words about his men, then about Ayah.

"Krell did many things in his life out of complete malice. I'm not sure if I can compare anything with his last act, however. Ayah was a strong and healthy baby, and, under normal circumstances, would've grown up to be a beautiful, lively, and wonderful young woman, like her mother, who nearly gave her life to bring her into the world. Krell took away two things from them both; he took Ayah's chance at life away in an absolutely sadistic manner. And, he stole her mother's joy. I wish that little Ayah would've been given a chance at life instead of being buried here. We'll see her again one day; the one consolation I can take from this is that she will never know grief or pain. She will live in eternity, unfettered and free with a heart that is sweet and loving, in untouched innocence."

Dogma clenched his fists. How could Krell have been so monstrous? He knew he was ruthless and unforgiving; he wore the evidence in his skin. But to murder an unborn little girl in such a barbaric way... you had to have a truly sick heart to do something like that.

His thoughts turned to his imminent trial and he gathered himself into a tighter ball. He didn't want to be a coward, but how could he help it when reconditioning was such a horrible fate?

And I still have to speak to the Jedi Council and explain my actions regardless of the ruling.

That thought frightened him more than he wanted to admit, even to himself. He didn't know if he could handle powerful force wielders all around him, capable of the same things that Krell had done.

He shut his eyes and tried to block out those memories.

There was no way around it; he would have to face them. He'd try to be brave, but if Krell already made him feel so small, how could he bear twelve more like him all at the same time?

His hands began to shake and the air seemed to thin. He tried to steady his breathing, but it was so hard. He felt so alone, so cold and unwanted and small. The walls pressed in around him and be just wanted space to breathe; he wanted to go back and save Ella from that pain. He wanted to go back and save his brothers, and to stand up to Krell. He wanted to fix things, but he couldn't; he was a helpless victim of time, which passed without thought or care of his wishes and wounds.

After all, he was just another expendable clone.

Dogma pressed the heels of his hands against his burning eyes and struggled to rein in his spiraling emotions. It took incredible effort, but he managed.

Looking to his right he saw that this cell had a cot and a small bathroom, just equipped with a vac tube and sink.

He shuddered, hoping he wouldn't be here long enough to need a shower. He'd grown up used to washing with his brothers in the barracks refreshers. But they were brothers. They didn't want to hurt him.

These prisoners likely did.

He saw a blanket on the edge of the cot and staggered to his feet, reaching out and taking it.

It wasn't angel soft like the one on Ella's bed that he'd felt when he visited her. But it was a blanket. It was warm and wrapped around him like how a hug might feel.

He didn't know when he'd last been hugged. He remembered Ella pulling her against his side. That was wonderful. But he wished she'd hugged him like he'd seen her hug Rex, or Chopper, or the wounded. Like an almost cradle. Like she would keep him safe and make him feel loved.

How incredibly that must feel.

Feeling exhausted beyond reckoning, he clambered onto the cot and curled into the tightest possible ball. Ah. A pillow. He'd missed these.

He found that he couldn't keep his eyes open long after he accidentally closed them. He knew that nightmares would likely plague him once sleep came knocking, but he was so tired. He needed as much rest as he could get, especially if he was going to face the Council tomorrow.

So he let it happen, readying himself to be wakened by terrors in his memory that teased his imagination into morbid creativity.

•~§~•

Anakin was upset.

No, he was more than that. He was seething.

One of his men had been arrested and was under threat of reconditioning when he'd only done the right thing.

That was unacceptable and if the Council didn't see that, he'd have to retaliate.

"Steady, Anakin," Obi-Wan whispered, sensing his tumultuous thoughts. "I will back him. So will Master Plo and likely Master Yoda. We're not as heartless as you think."

"Not all of you," he grumbled.

Obi-Wan rolled his eyes, "Someone forgot their caf this morning."

"You would too if one of your troopers had been accused of one thing awful. It's Krell who is the traitor - not Dogma," he protested.

"Preaching to the choir, Anakin. I know this. It's fortunate that the Senate gave the Jedi leave to take the reins. Dogma will only face punishment for what he's accused of if he's found guilty by the Council."

Thank the Maker for small mercies, he thought.

"They better find him innocent, or I swear I'll paint the temple atrociously."

"Oooh, I'm so shocked and terrified. I'm shaking in my boots," Obi-Wan rolled his eyes.

"And everyone wonders why I turned out sarcastic," Anakin mumbled.

They entered the Council Chamber and Anakin stood to the side. He felt a guilty shot of relief that at least he wasn't the one in trouble this time.

At least not yet.

"Everyone is here, Masters," Anakin said as Obi-Wan sat down.

Yoda nodded. "Hmm. Bring in the trooper, you may now," he said to the guard at a smaller door.

It opened and Dogma stumbled inside. Dark bags were under his eyes, which were glued to the floor. His lips were chapped and bitten, his skin paler than it had been before, just a few hours ago.

His entire posture was a struggle between terror and courage. It was obvious that he was sure the worst would come from this meeting.

Anakin hoped he was wrong.

Dogma came to a stop in the middle of the room.

"Leave us," Yoda ordered not unkindly, then turned his attention to the clone who held the spotlight. "Dogma your name is, yes?"

He nodded jerkily, "Y-Yes sir."

"Executed Master Krell, you did?" he continued.

Dogma swallowed, but nodded, "Yes sir."

The grandmaster sighed, "Explain, can you, your actions?"

Dogma opened his mouth and shut it. Anakin watched his hands begin to shake and how he fisted them in a vain effort to try to still them.

"H-He... he was a traitor, s-sir," he said meekly. "He admitted it himself."

Yoda's eyes widened, "Proof of this, you have?"

Dogma nodded, "Yes sir. I believe that... Captain Rex had the recording of his questioning downloaded."

"Do you have it, Anakin?" Obi-Wan asked.

Anakin nodded, "I do."

I took out a holo device and set it up in the middle of the room, gesturing for his trooper to move to the side.

A recording of Tup, Jesse, Fives, Dogma, and Krell appeared before them.

"Why General?" Captain Rex asked. "Why kill your own men?"

Krell stood from his crouched position and laughed, "Because I can. Because you fell for it. Because you're inferior!"

Dogma flinched at that statement.

"But you're a jedi. How could you!" Rex cried, anger and pain and pure confusion in his voice.

Krell laughed again, "A jedi? I am no longer naive enough to be a jedi! A new power is rising. I have foreseen it. The jedi are going to lose this war, and the Republic will be ripped apart from the inside. In its place will rise a new order, and I will rule as part of it."

"You're a separatist," Rex spat venomously.

"I serve no one side, only my own. And soon, my new master," Krell informed.

"You're an agent of Dooku," the captain deduced scathingly.

"Not yet, but when I get out of here I will be. After I've succeeded in driving the Republic from Umbara, the Count will reward my actions, and make me his new apprentice."

"How could you do this?" came a new voice. A young voice. They recognized it as Dogma's own, in a cell alongside the Sith Lord wannabe. "You had my trust, my loyalty; I followed all of your orders. And you made me kill my brothers!"

The Dogma standing in the Council Chamber made a small noise at his earlier statement of betrayal and pain.

But Krell laughed at the backstabbing as if it were all a game to be played, "That's because you're the biggest plan of them all, Dogma! I counted on blind loyalty like yours to make my plan succeed!"

The look of shame and guilt, and utter self-hatred in both identical faces spoke more than words ever could. Anakin wished he could reach through the holo and back through time to deliver a good punch to the sadist's windpipe.

"That will never happen!" Rex declared. "You're a traitor, General; and you will be dealt with as one."

"You never learn, Captain. The Umbarans will retake this base, and when they do, I will be free."

The holo recording paused here and gave an option for a second part.

"There are two things to be shown?" Master Billaba asked confusedly.

Anakin nodded, "Yes. This is... incredibly difficult to watch, but in his last moments, Krell did something utterly barbaric to an innocent woman who has been with the 501st for nearly two years. She is a favorite of everyone for her unwavering kindness and treatment of the men. It would be more accurate to call her sister than nurse at this point."

"Ella?" Obi-Wan gasped. "Anakin, you didn't tell me that she was hurt!"

"Nurse Starrow?" Master Windu exclaimed. "He hurt that sweet girl?"

Anakin didn't answer, but pressed play.

This time Tup was absent, and Ella was between Jesse and Captain Rex.

Fives came forward and took Dogma from his cell, moving him away from the General.

Captain Rex unholstered his pistol. "Turn around. Step toward the wall."

Krell rolled his eyes and did so.

"On your knees."

Krell laughed, "You're in a position of power now. How does it feel?"

"I said," Rex repeated, his voice thick with anger but also trepidation. "On. your. knees!"

The besalisk complied, "It feels good, doesn't it? But I can sense your fear. You're shaking, aren't you? What are you waiting for? The Umbarans are getting closer!"

"I have to do this!" Rex said aloud. Anakin knew he was trying to go against everything he knew in order to keep the Republic safe. He wasn't trained to kill a jedi. He had always followed him loyally, and they treated one another like brothers. How confusing and terrifying it must've been to have to turn all that on its head and face a terrible fate.

And Krell mocked him, "You can't do it, can you?" Then everyone in the room tensed as he smirked, "You are right to be afraid of me."

Ella was suddenly lifted off her feet. A second later she screamed piercingly, a horrible, heartrending sound of pure suffering and terror.

"Ella!" Fives and Jesse cried in horror.

"Let her go!" Rex barked, but it sounded more like a plea. Ella shrieked louder, as if she was being ripped apart from the inside out.

"Eventually you'll have to do the right thing and— oough!"

Anakin had to go back so they could watch Dogma look from Ella to Krell, then grab the pistol from Fives' holster, load it, aim, and shoot.

If it were possible, he was shaking more than Rex.

"We need a medic! We lock the body in the cell for now. Jesse, get us up there!" Fives ordered, already moving.

"I... I had to!" Dogma pleaded in the holo. "He betrayed us! And... is Ella okay?"

"Ella!" Rex called sinking down to his knees next to her shuddering form, "Ella, talk to me!"

The girl curled in around her swollen belly and whimpered.

"Ella! Ella, look at me!" the captain pleaded, his voice cracking as he looked her up and down.

Ella finally raised her eyes to his, a stricken, terrified look on her sweet face. "R-Rex!"

"I'm here. What's wrong? Are you okay?"

Ella shook her head and convulsed with tears. "Rex, the baby! He did something to my baby!"

Rex called the medic, and they were talking about a battle or something, when he brought up the atrocity they'd just witnessed.

"Rex..." Ella moaned, clutching her abdomen.

"Kix, I'll meet you in the medbay. Krell did something to Ella before he was executed. She thinks the baby is in distress."

"Rex!"

"Uh, Rex!"

"What?"

"Rex, what happened?"

"My... my water broke!" Ella said.

"What! Rex, you have to get her in here immediately! It's unlikely she'll deliver very soon, but we just don't know and it's not the best idea to risk it."

"Okay. Okay. Ella, I'm gonna carry you, okay?"

"Sir, what do we do with Dogma?" Fives asked.

"He'll come with. Dogma!"

"We've seen enough," Shaak Ti said, wiping tears from her eyes.

Anakin turned it off.

Dogma cowered against a wall. "I-I'm sorry!" he whispered. His legs gave out on him and he fell against the wall, moaning at the contact, curling into the fetal position. His breathing picked up until it was much too fast and short to be doing any real good.

Anakin stood but Plo Koon surprised him and was there first, kneeling by his side.

"Dogma..." he murmured gently. "You need to take a deep breath."

"I-I'm ssssoooorrry!" he whimpered, grabbing his head in both hands.

Plo Koon rested his hand on his shoulder and drew it back when the trooper cried out sharply.

"P-Please don't!" he begged. "Not again! I'll be good! I'll be good!"

"Skywalker, was he given a physical when he returned?" the Kel Dor asked calmly.

Anakin's eyes widened and he shook his head, "Not that I'm aware of."

He sighed heavily, "Come young one. You need to calm down. No one will hurt you here," he said to the distressed boy. Again, he touched him, but this time he didn't let him get away, wrapping him in a protective embrace.

Dogma jerked as if someone hit him, but then his tightly-closed eyes opened and he gasped. To everyone's astonishment, his breathing started to normalize.

"There now," Plo Koon murmured. "It's alright. He won't hurt you here. He's gone."

Dogma's hands fisted in his jedi robes and held on as if it were the only thing tying him to the light and safety. Tears ran down his cheeks and harsh sobs shook him.

"Shhh... it's alright. You're safe," the jedi comforted. "You're safe now."

The room was dead silent save the young trooper's cries, and Anakin looked around to see that everyone was focused on him.

Yoda pushed himself off of his seat and hobbled over to him, laying a clawed hand on his back gently.

Dogma whined and tried to escape the touch and lean into it at the same time, wanting the contact but avoiding it for some reason.

"Hurt he has been. His trust, shattered and confused, it has been," he murmured sadly.

"Abused is a more accurate description," Plo Koon said.

"Abused?" Anakin asked, his patience almost up. He'd need a very tough punching bag after this. "You're saying that Krell... abused him?"

"Physically, verbally, mentally, and emotionally," Plo Koon informed. "Dogma let me see just how. Apparently, three of your troopers embarked on a mission to take out the supply ship. One sacrificed his life for the sake of the Republic, and two made it back. Jesse and Fives were thrown into the brig on arrival, and were expected to be court martialed. The next day, Krell decided to execute them immediately."

"For saving their lives?" Master Windu asked in astonishment.

"Yes. His original plan was to send the men into direct range of missiles to capture the Capital. Knowing this was a terrible plan that would do nothing but weaken their hold on Umbara, they took the initiative and were victorious," the Kel Dor explained.

"I'd have given them medals!" Skywalker said. "My troops know better than to follow a stupid order. They're smart!"

"Dogma actually agreed that it was a good idea, but didn't want to contribute to a mutiny, and tried to be a peacekeeper," Plo Koon said. "But that stopped when Krell ordered him to take command of a firing squad and execute the two survivors. He said he wouldn't do it, and it wasn't the right call. Krell struck him, began to beat him senseless. Before he could pass out, he told him that he would follow the order or be executed with them, after he, the prisoners, and the captain were beaten." He shook his head. "Dogma didn't know what to do. He went down and began to go through with it when... Fives?"

Dogma nodded mutely.

"Fives won the gunners over. He was both glad and terrified. He didn't want his brothers to die, but he also had no desire to receive similar treatment as he'd already gotten before. Rex went with him to see Krell and he thought he would carry out his threat. They received intel and put a pause on it. But not for Dogma. Before they left, Krell beat him again, more severely than before. They left and encountered the 212th in an orchestrated friendly fire."

"That's what he meant," Master Gallia noted.

"Yes," Yoda said. "In his confusion and fear, worried he was, and tried to stop his brothers from pursuing. Then later, in the cell, Krell said many things to hurt him."

"The final stroke was going after Ella, who, though she'd been feisty and not allowed him to push her around, had never done him harm," Plo Koon finished. "Not only had he admitted he was a traitor, and would hand over the base to the Umbarans, and go to work for the sith, but he manipulated them into killing their own brothers pointlessly, and attacked a young girl who was pregnant."

"And so he executed him," Master Mundi concluded.

Dogma shivered and shrunk closer to the Kel Dor.

"Hush, young one; you'll be alright," Koon soothed.

Dogma hiccuped and nodded.

"Skywalker," Master Fisto said, "what became of the girl and her child?"

Everyone looked at him with a mix of hope and concern.

Anakin bit his lip, "Ella hemorrhaged after the birth, and nearly died. Kix says he thought he lost her; her heartbeat had stopped, and he couldn't get her back. But then it started up again and she was breathing and even woke up. He got an oxygen mask on her and treated her and she's doing better."

"And the baby?" Master Tiin asked.

Anakin shook his head, "Krell killed her before Ella even went into labor. Kix said that her lungs were completely collapsed in on themselves, though her ribcage was untouched. There's no doubt that she would've survived if the cause of the birth wasn't brought on by Krell's maliciousness."

Yoda shook his head as the others looked around in horror. "Terrible are the hearts of the sith; willing to wreak unthinkable pain, they are, for selfish intent." He turned to Anakin, "Skywalker, take, would you, your trooper into the other room while we discuss this matter?"

"I think that would be a good idea," Koon agreed. "I believe he is exhausted."

Dogma could barely keep his eyes open at this point, so fatigued was he from nights of unrest and the constant terror that haunted his every waking hour.

"Yes, Masters," Anakin said, kneeling by Dogma. "Hey, pal," he said. "Let's take a walk and get some water and a chair, eh?"

Dogma nodded and reluctantly parted from the jedi who had been holding him the entire time. Plo Koon sent a wave of calm his way and smiled as he relaxed slightly, following his General from the room.

"One more thing, Skywalker," Yoda called.

"Yes Grandmaster?" he replied.

"Speak with this Ella, I must. Much suffering she has endured," he said.

Anakin nodded, "I'll let her know, though you may have to come aboard the Resolute. She's on strict bed rest until she's healed; no one wants to take any chances."

The elder jedi bowed his head and hummed thoughtfully, "Mind this, I do not. Much affection for her, you and others have. Meet her myself, I wish."

He nodded, then left with his emotionally drained trooper.

Anakin led Dogma to a comfortable room not far away from the Council Chamber, and guided him to sit on a comfortable couch.

He went to a tea station and did his best to make him a good cup (his master said tea helps when you've had a stressful day, and Anakin hadn't ever really been a tea person himself but maybe Dogma was. What was the difference between Nabooian Mint and Alderaanian Mint? There was only one Chamomile and it was supposed to be soothing, so he'd pick that.) then brought it back to him.

"Sorry if it tastes terrible; I don't make tea very often," he said.

Dogma took the tea hesitantly, as if he still wasn't sure it was okay. After Anakin gave him what he hoped was a reassuring smile, he took it and took a tentative sip. His dulled eyes sparkled a little and he took another, longer sip.

"I like this; I never had tea before," he whispered hoarsely.

Anakin shrugged, "Glad it's okay."

Then he noticed how he was staring at the blanket draped over the back of another chair longingly. He worried his lip, then cautiously, "If I sat there... could I use the blanket?" Then he blanched, "I-I mean i-i-if it's not okay, if I-I'm supposed-supposed to stay h-here—"

Anakin reached over and grabbed the blanket and handed it to him. "You can use it in whichever chair you're sitting. And you don't need to be worried, Dogma. You can pick which one you're more comfortable in as well."

He just took the blanket and wrapped it around himself, blushing bashfully. "I... I like blankets."

The jedi smiled at him and patted his shoulder gently. "I do too. But I don't like sand."

"I don't like the grease used to clean guns," Dogma confessed. "It's hard to get off your armor and clothes, especially skin, and feels grimy."

"Yeah. I get that," Anakin said. "You know, what you did to save Ella... it was the right thing."

Dogma lifted his head mid-sip, a shocked expression on his face. "You mean that, sir?"

Anakin nodded, "Jedi are supposed to be selfless, compassionate, and protective. Not selfish, cruel, and abusive. Krell... he wasn't a jedi. Not in my book, at least." He glanced back at the closed doors of the Council Chamber. "I doubt after the evidence they were given that the Council will even consider you guilty."

He swallowed hard, "What will happen to me?"

His general shrugged, "Well, you'll be safe from reconditioning or execution, which I'd say is good. They may transfer you to another battalion, though. Sometimes, that's the best thing; I'll be sad to lose you, though, if that's the case."

The boy flushed. The Hero With No Fear was telling him he'd be sad he would be absent from the 501st. What an honor.

"I will be too, sir," he admitted quietly. "And... I'll miss my family there."

The doors opened and Obi-Wan ushered them back inside. Dogma clutched the cup of tea in his hands, the blanket trailing from his shoulders and giving him an almost childlike appearance.

"Dogma," Master Plo said gently. "The Council has found you absolutely clear of any guilt. You are no longer under any threat of reconditioning, and will be commended for your actions."

Shock and relief played a battle across the young man's face, and he nearly started to cry again out of gratitude.

"Th-Thank you, sirs, and ma'am's," he amended, nodding at them all.

"Decided, we did, unanimously, of your innocence. A transfer, we agreed, is best for you," Yoda continued.

Dogma nodded, though his eyes shone with a faint sadness, thinly veiled as to not draw attention to it, but there, poignant all the same. "Where will I go?"

"If you don't object," Master Plo spoke, standing to his feet, "I would like to integrate you into the 104th."

Anakin smiled as his former trooper's eyes widened. The Wolfpack was legendary for how tightly-knit it was. When he visited with Ahsoka, he thought how it was like a big houseful of boys, all with reckless energy and imagination. It was laid back and easy; more so than the boys in blue. A good place for the tightly-wound trooper to loosen up and calm down.

And he couldn't have picked a better jedi to rebuild the man's shattered trust.

Dogma looked to him, as if to ask what he should do. Anakin shrugged, "It's your decision, Dogma."

He worried his lip, glancing around at all the jedi. Then he made eye contact with Master Plo... briefly.

He nodded.

"I'd be honored sir," he murmured shyly.

Master Plo came forward and set his hands on his shoulders. Some of the tenseness melted away from his posture and he straightened.

"Welcome, then. I can speak for my men when I say we are most pleased to have you in our ranks."

Anakin felt this was his jedi way of saying, 'I adopt you. You're my newest son. I can't wait for you to meet your new brothers and settle in; do you want a cookie?'

He sighed. "I'll have the men pack your things and have them brought to you tomorrow."

"I'll meet you at the prison entrance, then," Dogma said.

"Actually, trooper," Master Windu corrected, "you'll be meeting him here."

"Here?" Dogma asked.

"Yes," Plo Koon said. "You'll be staying in the healing wing tonight. We want to check you over and make sure nothing is broken or contused."

Dogma paled a little, but nodded.

"Go now, you should," Yoda said. "Accompany you, Master Koon will."

He nodded again and bowed his head reverently. "Thank you, Master Jedi."

"My welcome, you have, young Dogma."

Dogma followed Master Plo towards the healing wing, but stopped at the lounge.

"What is it, ad'ika?" the Kel Dor asked.

Dogma hesitated, "I still have the blanket, sir. I should put it back."

But Master Plo tugged him away gently, "No need. Those blankets are easily replaced. Keep it."

Anakin and his master smiled at this exchange, especially when a Dogma's lips twitched to almost resemble a joyful expression.

"I think he'll be just fine, Anakin," Obi-Wan sighed happily.

He nodded, "I think so too, Master."

•~§~•

Ella couldn't get used to not feeling Ayah moving around inside her. It was stranger still to get a full night's sleep, and she found herself regretting ever wanting more when she had her alive and safe.

Someone knocked at her door and she sighed. "It's unlocked. Come in!"

Winter hobbled into the room, still not used to his prosthetic leg. "Hey."

She sat up, hissing slightly. She was still pretty sore from the delivery. "Hey Winter. I'm glad you're doing okay."

He smiled, "General Skywalker took me to the medical facility here and made sure I and the others who lost limbs and mobility due to spinal injuries were seen to. He says I won't be in action for a while, but that's kinda a good thing because I can study for a while too."

She patted the bed and he sat down. "Study what?"

He grinned, "I want to be a medic like you and Kix."

Ella beamed, "I can easily see you as a medic, Winter."

He blushed, "Really?"

She nodded, "Absolutely. You'll be a wonderful medic."

He sighed, "I... I had some more news."

"Oh?"

He nodded, "Different parts actually. The first is that Dogma has been declared innocent by the Jedi Council."

Ella sighed in relief, "Thank the Maker!"

"He was hurt, Ella," he murmured. "Badly. Krell hurt him for not executing Fives and Jesse. He's really scared and skittish."

She winced, "Do I have the scans?"

Winter nodded, "Kix sent them to you."

Ella opened her data pad and tapped the newest message from Kix. She gasped, covering her mouth. "Oh, Dogma... sweetheart, how could he?"

There were pictures of the damage done to him. Several long slashes ran down his back, deep and painful to see. His skin was mottled in dark blacks and purples, sickly greens and yellows, spreading their tapestry of broken dreams across his ribs and back and shoulders. Hand marks were wrapped around his neck, and Ella swallowed hard when she realized that Krell had choked him.

"He's been transferred to the 104th," Winter said. "General Skywalker said he's sad to be losing him, but couldn't think of a better place for him right now."

Ella sighed, "That's good then, I suppose."

"Krell's battalion will be moving on with us permanently tomorrow," he continued. "There aren't a lot of brothers left in it. Maybe twenty at most; that includes the two captains and the commander."

"Sadly, I'm not surprised," Ella muttered truthfully.

"Oh, and Master Yoda wants to talk to you," he said. "General Skywalker said it surprised him to hear that he was willing to come here to meet you; he doesn't often leave the temple anymore."

Ella's brow furrowed. What could Grandmaster Yoda want with her? "That's interesting," she said slowly. "I'd be honored to meet him as well. I wonder what he wants?"

Winter shrugged. "No telling. Skywalker doesn't know either."

She sighed and leaned back against the pillows. "I heard they're going on a mission soon."

"To Kiros," Winter clarified. "And tomorrow actually."

Ella sighed and grabbed her comlink.

"What are you doing?" her friend asked worriedly.

"If we're going on a mission, we could be gone for a while. I'll let Master Yoda know that I am happy to meet with him, and have time today, and perhaps tomorrow when we see Dogma off," she said.

"Ella! Is that you?" Anakin asked.

"Yes, it is!" she replied.

"What can I do for you?"

"I heard that Master Yoda wanted to meet with me; if he's available today or anytime before the mission, I'm willing," she said.

"Obi-Wan is already going to tell him now. Are you comfortable with him coming to the Resolute to meet with you?"

"I don't know that I could move anywhere at the moment, and even if I was able, I doubt that Kix would like it," she said.

"Well, he's actually pretty excited to meet you, or so Obi-Wan tells me. He's telling me to get a move on."

Ella heard a faint, gravelly voice protesting, 'Fun of me, you are making. Your feet, you must move, or chaos I will start!'

She laughed at this statement. "Tell him I am looking forward to meeting him."

Anakin chuckled, "I will. We'll see you very shortly."

"And tell Dogma that I already miss him," she added.

"He heard you; he says thank you."

They said goodbye, then she sighed and looked down at her appearance. "I need a bath and a serious makeover."

Winter scoffed, "You don't look as bad as you think for being on bedrest for three days."

"Well I'd rather look like me instead of Lady Grease when Yoda meets me."

She groaned and sat up, moving her legs over the side of the bed and cautiously standing. Winter immediately stood up to offer her support if she needed it. They took it slowly, little by little moving to the chest of drawers and bathroom. Ella felt strangely appreciative when she noticed that someone had left a chair in the shower.

"I'll wait out here in case you need me," he said.

"Thank you," she murmured softly, then slipped inside.

The girl in the mirror was pale, her eyes sunken with fatigue and grief. Her stomach wasn't exactly flat, not anymore. But it didn't hold life either.

She groaned as she turned around, shuffling into the shower and sitting down. It felt good; the hot water seemed to cleanse her of the grimy burdens that clung to her, like quicksand, aching to pull her under.

She quickly washed her hair and scrubbed herself clean, biting her lip as she stood. She ached in so many places. Her back. Her chest, heavy with nourishment that would go to waste. She'd have to pump until the pills came in to tell her body that there was no mouth to feed.

Ella sighed and dried off, slipping into a clean t-shirt and knit sweater duster, and some leggings. She was going back to bed, and though she wanted to look presentable, she didn't see the need to gussy herself up. It would look silly if she decked herself out with her best makeup look and an elaborate hairstyle, or nice clothes. No one expected her to dress up for Master Yoda; she was supposed to take it easy.

She slipped her feet into warm, knit socks, then opened the door. Winter was there, standing by dutifully, and helped her back to the bed.

"Can I do anything for you, Ella?" he asked sweetly.

She smiled at him in appreciation. "You've been a dear, Winter. Thank you. But if you don't mind, I would like some privacy."

He nodded understandingly, "That's just fine. I promised Charge I'd visit him, anyway. Kix is a lot more paranoid about the patients right now, and he gets bored. I'll see you later!" Then he slipped out.

Ella grabbed the pump from a nook in the bedside, then set it up, biting her lip as it clamped onto her oversensitive breasts. It began to feel a lot better though once it began to drain them.

She felt so very drained. So tired.

Seeing that vision of Echo both encouraged her and pulled in frayed heartstrings. All she wanted was to curl up in his arms where safety resided, to stay there forever, basking in his loving presence.

Tears pricked her eyes and she curled up in a ball, careful not to interrupt the helpful contraption.

Her soul cried out as silent tears wracked her shoulders, her empty arms aching to love and be loved in return.

"Oh, Maker!" she whimpered. "It's too much. It's too much! For once in my life, can't something good happen that doesn't get taken away? Can I stop losing the people I love? Please?" She hiccuped and buried her face in the pillow. "I've lost my husband. I lost my friend. I lost my baby!" she cried brokenly. "I can't bear anymore! I need something good. I need something that won't abandon me! Please, I'm surrounded by people I love who love me too, but I feel so alone!"

She felt the tentative touch of his presence again and eagerly welcomed it. He always helped ease the ache.

Her sobs began to slow and she wiped her dewy eyes.

Hold on, he whispered. Just hold on. It won't always hurt.

She sighed and sat up, detaching the pump and setting it aside. She stood on wobbly feet and emptied the contents, flushing them down the drain. She wouldn't think how that wouldn't be wasted if her baby was alive. She wouldn't.

She had just slipped into her bed again when someone knocked on the door.

"Come in!" she called.

The door opened and Anakin ushered in a smaller, and slightly slower jedi, whose forest-green eyes sparkled with ages of wisdom and heavy knowledge.

"Ella," the younger jedi said gently, "this is Master Yoda, Grandmaster of the High Jedi Council."

"A pleasure to meet you, Master Yoda," she said sweetly.

"A pleasure also mine, Ella Starrow," he replied warmly.

She looked around for a chair, and saw the only one was covered in boxes and baby supplies. She shrugged and patted the bed, "I apologize for the untidiness; we just returned to the Resolute and I've been ordered to be on bedrest and not to exert myself in the least," she said abashedly.

He just chuckled and jumped up on the bed, "Sit here, will I, if mind you do not?"

She smiled softly, "That's just fine with me," she said.

Anakin cleared his throat, "I have to go and welcome Krell's men aboard. They've been picked up from Umbara and are likely exhausted and a bit out of sorts."

Ella smoked and squeezed his hand, "Thank you, Anakin. Don't delay. Those boys need a hearty welcome; just not... too hearty."

He nodded and bowed to the Grandmaster, then exited.

"Now that he is gone, curious are you about why I wished to meet you?" Yoda asked playfully.

She shrugged, "I admit, I am curious. I'm just a simple nurse." Hopefully that explained things well.

He hummed, "Simple, you are not. Precious, you are. In the force, feel great power from you, I do."

Her eyes widened, "I'm not quite sure I understand what you mean, Master Jedi."

"Genuine, your heart is. Compassionate. Selfless," he said. "Desire to help with no return; see others as equals, as special and unique, you do. Rare, it is. A treasure."

Ella blushed. "Thank you, sir."

"Hmm. A question also, have I," he continued with a smile. "A husband, you had, yes?"

Her heart sank, "Yes. I loved him very much."

"Lost him you did, on Lola Sayu?"

Her mouth gaped as her eyes bulged. She couldn't find the words to answer him, so shocked that he'd guessed.

"Told me, no one did," he assured. "Know this, I did, myself. The force, it moves in ways of mystery, yes? Echo, he was, mmm?"

She nodded mutely, shutting her eyes as memories of gentle touches, whispered adorations, and a homelike heartbeat invaded.

"A clone, he was." It wasn't a question. "Dead you were, on Umbara?"

She nodded, "Kix said my heart stopped and he couldn't get me to breathe for over fifteen minutes."

"Come back, how did you?"

She paused, then hesitantly, "I think I had a vision of my husband. He was holding Ayah... my daughter. He told me he needed me not to give up." She sighed, "I just wanted to be back with him again. When we were together, everything was easier to face; not because the hard stuff got easier but because it wasn't so heavy anymore, since both of us were carrying on together. He encouraged me to be the best of myself, and helped me grow. It was like... like someone took away the rain and the sunshine from me. I was wilting."

He hummed sadly.

"Then," she continued, "I found out I was pregnant with his daughter. And even though she couldn't fill that place, she helped me to focus on a new piece of me. To remember who the girl that he had loved was. I carried on for her."

"Then took her, Krell did, and lost you felt," he concluded.

She nodded, "It wasn't that I wanted to die. I just... I felt like there wasn't a point anymore. I'd poured everything into my love for her. And then she was gone, and I didn't know what to do. And the hemorrhaging situation was just too ironic; kicking me while I was down."

"Down, are you now?" the jedi asked kindly.

She sighed, "No. I'm not up either, but I'm getting there. I think it will take time, but I need to stay the same girl he loved; the mother I would've been to her. I can't lose myself just because they aren't here. It isn't what they would want."

He bowed his head in thought, "Strong, are you, Ella. Very strong."

She flushed, "You're very kind, Master Yoda."

"Love again, do you think you will?"

She sighed, "I... I don't know. I don't know if I can. What I had with Echo... he was so pure and selfless… I don't know that I'm capable of loving like that twice."

Yoda nodded, "And afraid, you aren't, of being alone?"

"I'm not alone," she smiled. "I have so many wonderful brothers and sisters. I have my parents and my friends, and the Maker." She shrugged, "And though he isn't physically with me, my husband is here too, in my heart. He's a huge part of me."

He nodded, then lay a hand on hers, "To meet you, glad I am. Call you friend, I would. Worthy of joy, you are."

She smiled at him, "I'd be honored to have you as a friend, Master Yoda."

He nodded to her. "Tell me, will you, about muffins?"

They both laughed at this and she began getting to know him better.

About an hour later, he sighed and said he would have to take his leave, but would love to see her again, as he'd had more fun that night than he'd had in a long time. She promised to visit the Temple soon.

After he left, she sighed and lay back, letting her hair fall out of the loose bun she'd finagled it into. Reaching out to the empty side of the bed, she smiled tenderly.

"I know you can't really hear me right now, Echo," she murmured, "but I still love you. I think I always will." Then she sighed. "I'll try. I know that you wouldn't want me to be alone, so I'll try. But I love you so much… I don't know if I ever can love anyone else. I don't think it would be fair to love them any less, and I am not sure I ever could give my heart fully to anyone but you."

The silence held answers in riddles that she wished to translate, but couldn't understand.

Grabbing a pillow, his favorite pillow, she pulled it to her chest and closed her eyes. She was more tired than she'd thought after such a lazy day.

When she drifted off, she was sure she felt phantom lips press against the freckle on her cheek, and windy fingers blow the hair behind her ear.

Her memory whispered into her heart words she knew belonged to her beloved.

'I love you. You're my angel. Never doubt how I love you.'

"Sweet dreams, my love," she whispered before dancing amidst stardust dreams.

•~§~•

It was maddening to just sit and wait while her friends were out there, fighting and dying to defend the Togrutan people of Kiros. Ella shuffled back and forth, thinking to herself that Kix would likely flip like a Twi'lek gymnast if he knew she wasn't reclining. It brought a naughty satisfaction to her and a smug grin to her face.

Little rebel. Sit down before you give him ammunition to say 'I told you so.'

Ella sighed and plopped down in a chair, groaning angrily. She was tired of reading. Tired of lazing about. She wanted to move. To do something.

Finally, the men returned.

Ella walked stiffly towards the medbay and grabbed Wander, who had just turned around from wrapping someone's torso.

His eyes widened, "Ella! What are you doing out of bed?"

She rolled her eyes. "I'm perfectly capable of walking, and there is nothing wrong with my hands, so I came to help. Injuries?"

He sighed, grabbing her wrist gently and guiding her towards the waiting bench. "It's good you came. Vutyc was hurt, so he's in bacta. It took a lot to get him to stay down; I guess the notion that a medic is the worst kind of patient is true."

"How was he injured?"

"Shrapnel in his side and leg. You'd have thought he'd have let us take care of him. But no. He had to try dragging himself to the other guys caught in the explosion."

"How many?"

"Ten. And… Rogue was injured."

"Again? I swear, he's a magnet for danger!" she lamented.

"He threw himself over General Skywalker," he said. "Got shrapnel in his back and… rear end."

She winced. That had to hurt. "Where is he?"

Wander led her to one of the beds and drew back a curtain. Her friend was lying on his stomach, a thin sheet across his lower half which she knew had been bandaged, large bacta patches across his shoulders and back. His face was pinched, his hands fisted in the pillow his head was burrowing in.

Ella knelt by his side and brushed her fingers over his hair. Tightly shut eyes squinted open and he relaxed a little when he saw her.

"Hey vod," she murmured softly.

"Ella," he managed.

She sighed in faked-reproach, "You know, we've got to stop this habit, Rogue. It's getting to be alarming."

He grimaced, and she guessed that was as close as he could get to a smirk, "Agreed."

"Is he going for a bacta dip?" she asked.

Wander nodded, "Yes. We're just waiting for Chopper to get his shebs over here and help us get him in there."

"I'm here. It took a while to prep," the helpful trooper apologized. "Okay, Rogue. Pinch."

"Ugh… really?"

"It was a painkiller. Relax. Feeling better?" he asked.

Rogue nodded, "A little bit."

"Good. Let's get you into the bacta," he said, helping Wander push him to the tanks.

"Where's Rex?" Ella asked.

"Ella…" someone growled.

Ooh shizzle.

She turned to see Kix glowering at her venomously.

"Hey?" she squeaked.

He crossed his arms, "Why are you out of bed?"

She shrugged, "I wanted to help. I can't stand being still, Kix. If I can do something - anything! - I'll do it! It really helps!"

He glared for a few more tense seconds, then relented to her desperation. "Look. You really scared me. Really really scared me. I just want to make sure you're okay."

She nodded. "I understand. Look. What about a compromise? I sit down and use my hands instead? No walking. No standing unless I have to."

He sighed, "Okay. We're nearly through with the bad injuries. If you can bandage up the minor ones… just work your magic. You always make everyone feel so much more at ease."

She smiled, "Okay. Gotcha."

"Take a hoverchair," he said, pushing one her way.

She nodded and climbed in. "Hey Kix?"

He paused and turned, "Yeah?"

Ella beamed at him warmly, "Thank you. For everything."

Kix shut his eyes and took a deep breath, nodding, "You're the closest thing I've ever had to a sister, Ella. Keeping you safe is second nature."

"Well, thanks ori'vod. I owe you."

He waved it off, "No. You being alive is enough."

"Oh, and by the way?"

"Uh huh?"

"Where's Rex, Anakin, and Ahsoka?"

He rolled his eyes. "They're headed off to Zygerria with General Kenobi. The natives were all kidnapped and they think they'll find them there."

As Ella busied herself with bandaging and giving hypos, she pondered his answer.

Zygerria? The heart of a huge slave empire? Oh, Maker, please. Let them all come back. Just cut me some slack and let them all come home. No matter what state they are in.

:

:

:

:

:

Mando'a Translations

hut'uun - coward

:

:

:

... pweeze don't kill me? You have no clue how guilty I felt writing this and reading the excitement in y'all's reviews for weeks. I promise this wasn't a 'they readers are happy; let's make them suffer' decision. I had already planned this weeks ago so yeah. The guilt is real. I hope y'all forgive me???

Sending overdoses of love and peace,

LittleBitOfGrace

: