When they arrived at the council chambers, everyone was present, even Siri and Plo.
"Ahsoka, horrible new we have heard about you."
"What do you mean Master?"
"For months, someone has been beating you and you have not reported it. Is that correct?" Mace said.
"Master, I..."
"Yes or no, Ahsoka." Plo said.
"Yes."
"No one, you have told this, except Master Tachi. Protecting this person, you are. Why?" Ahsoka looked over at Siri.
"This had to stop, Ahsoka. If it didn't now, he would kill you. I can't stand to see you hurt any more. I did this for your own good."
"Ahsoka, this is a serious matter. We understand that it is Clone Captain Rex who is beating you. Do you know why?" Plo said.
"No, my Masters. I don't."
"A reason, there must be. Find out what it is, we must."
"Agreed. Skywalker, bring your captain before us for questioning. Padawan, return to your quarters and rest. Your eye and neck won't heal with you up and around." Mace said.
"Yes, Master." They bowed and left the chambers. Anakin stopped Ahsoka in the hall.
"Ahsoka, what's wrong with your neck?" She was hoping he didn't catch that. She wiped the make up from her neck, reveiling the red and black ring around it. Anakin's eyes widened. "Now I'm really gonna kill him."
"Master..."
"No, Ahsoka. This is going to far. He could've killed you."
"But he didn't." He sighed.
"Go back to your quarters. Try to get some rest." He walked off. She headed for her quarters. When she got there, she used the Force to make sure Rex wasn't there. He wasn't. She went in and laid on her bed. She was relieved that the truth was out, but scared that Rex would come after her because of it. Minutes later, she heard the door open. She immediately jumped up and sighed in relief when she saw it was Anakin.
"It's just me, Snips."
"I thought you were Rex." She laid back down. He walked over to her bed and sat on the edge of it.
"Don't worry about him. The Council is questioning him now. He's never going to hurt you again. I still can't believe he beat you the way he did, especially when you're pregnant." Ahsoka shot up.
"Pregnant?"
"Master Tachi didn't tell you? She found out this morning when she treated your eye."
"This does not help me much."
"Ahsoka, he's not going to hurt you again. I'll make sure of that."
"Master, I appreciate you wanting to protect me, but if Rex finds out about the baby, he'll always find a way back. He told me only death can keep him from me. He won't stay away." She was frantic about the whole situation. Tears started forming in her eyes. He pulled her closer and hugged her as she cried into his chest.
"Shhh, it's okay. I understand that you're still scared. Rex knows that if you believe how relentless he could be, he'll always keep you under his thumb and keep you scared. You can't allow yourself to give him the satisfaction of proving him right. It'll be hard, but you have to look past everything he says that scared you. I'll always be here to help you through it."
"Do you really mean that?"
"Of course I do. I won't let you do this alone. I love you too much to let you do this by yourself." She lifted her head out of his chest and looked at him.
"What?"
"I love you, Ahsoka. That's why it breaks my heart so much to see you the way you've been lately."
"I never knew you felt the same."
"You love me?"
"I have for some time."
"Then why were you with Rex?"
"I started feeling this way about you around the time he started beating me. The sympothy you showed for me showed a different side of you I've never seen before. I started feeling something for you, but I wasn't sure what. Do you remember that ngiht when I had bruises all on my legs and you stayed with me in my bed?"
"Of course."
"It was the way you held me. You weren't touching me in places you shouldn't or forcing me to do things I didn't want to the way Rex always did. You just carressed me in a way that made me feel so safe. I was afriad to leave Rex because I knew he would hurt me for trying, but now I'm not anymore, because of you."
"So, what does this mean?"
"It means I love you and I want us to be together." Anakin put his hand on her chin, pulled her closer, and kissed her lips. When he kissed her, her mind exploded. He kissed her with much passion and care, but most of all, love. She pulled herself against him to deepen the kiss. She put her arms around his neck. He put his arms around her waist. She felt safe with him. They broke apart and looked into each other's eyes.
"I love you too and we can be together."
"But what about Rex?"
"Rex won't be around. It's most likely the Council will discharge him and force him to leave."
"I hope you're right." Anakin pulled her into another kiss. Ahsoka relaxed into him. All of her worries faded away. Anakin ran his hand gently down her lekku and felt the negativity leaving her body. They broke apart again and Ahsoka rested her head on his chest and closed her eyes. She was so relaxed, she was finally able to sleep. Anakin heard her softly purring. He adjusted himself so that he was laying down. He cradled her in his arms and allowed her to sleep on his chest. He watched her as she slept peacefully.