Mission success!, with Mandalorian forces now hot on the trail of the Deathwatch movement Jedi master Obi-Wan Kenobi leads padawans Barriss Offee and Ahsoka Tano to their mission debrief with the Jedi council. Sensing a change in Obi-Wan's behavior Ahsoka begins to question just how much the Jedi master knows about her secret relationship, taking it upon herself to come to a conclusion, once and for all.

Chapter 17: Come What May

The second they stepped inside the Jedi temple Ahsoka casually fell behind Obi-Wan and Barriss, bringing her com-link to her mouth once she sure neither could hear her "James, you there?"

James' voice took a moment to answer "where else would I be?"

"listen James, I think we should put the plan on hold for now"

"did something happen during your mission?, is Barriss alright?"

Ahsoka let a bit of offense into her voice "no Barriss is fine, nothing happened during the mission. Well, okay something did happen but that's not what this is about, something is off about the way the other Jedi have been acting around me and Barriss. I first noticed it when Anakin started acting strange but know master Obi-Wan is acting the same way, something isn't right"

"you think they know?"

"I don't know, but until we know more acting out our little play might just hurt us more than help"

"you're the boss lady, just be sure to keep me in the loop, James out" Ahsoka lowered her arm and took a few long strides to catch up with her friend and the silent Jedi master, Barriss shot her a look of concern before she waved a dismissive hand through the air 'nothing important'.

Barriss raised an eyebrow but shrugged the gesture away, focusing her gaze straight ahead as the doors leading to the council chamber loomed ever nearer 'so, are we okay?, because I'll understand if you need some time after what happened'

'would you relax for once?, we're both here and we're both okay, that's all I need to forget what happened' Ahsoka shared a bright smile with her friend before master Obi-Wan opened the doors in front of them, the council chamber was mostly empty as they stepped inside and took their regular place in the middle of the room.

Masters Yoda and Windu, being the only council members present, nodded slowly as they entered. Once master Obi-Wan took his respective seat Barriss forced herself to speak "we have done what was asked of us masters, Mandalore now has a lead as to Deathwatch's location and motives"

Master Windu promptly nodded "excellent job padawans, we'll expect a full mission report by tomorrow"

Barriss bowed in response "of course master, was there anything else you required from us?"

"let you know we will, dismissed you are" a light smile crossed master Yoda's face as he waved the door open behind them.

Both Barriss and Ahsoka bowed before turning towards the door, the latter closing it behind them and bringing a hand up to stop her friend in her tracks "Barriss, just so we can finally put this all behind us, I'm am truly sorry for what I said on Mandalore". Meeting with Ahsoka's deep blue eyes Barriss felt what little anger she still had from the fight disappear, without thinking of where they were she immediately rushed forward and wrapped her arms around the others girls waist. Ahsoka buried her face in Barriss' neck for a few moments of comfortable silence "I can't do this anymore Barriss"

Barriss pulled back from the hug and raised an eyebrow "what?"

"Barriss I know now that I simply could not live without you by my side, but I can't hide this anymore, I have to know something" before Barriss could stop her Ahsoka turned back to the council chamber and stormed through the door with a light force push "masters there's something I have to ask you".

Senate district, Padme' Amidala's apartment

Anakin put his arms behind his head and stretched out on the couch spanning a decent size of the large apartment, Padme' sat at her desk in the corner silently typing into her terminal. A few hours had gone by in a peaceful silence as the sun slowly fell in the horizon, and every second the feeling flowing inside the Jedi knight intensified "something isn't right".

Padme' stopped typing and looked around her terminal "was is it Ani?"

"I think its Ahsoka, she's...troubled" rising to a sitting position Anakin closed his eyes for a moment "I don't like this, Obi-Wan told me earlier today both her and Barriss performed perfectly during their mission on Mandalore, she should have no reason to be upset"

"maybe her and Barriss had a falling out?, young love can sometimes be stressful to say the least" Padme' stood from her seat and moved to her apartments open half, looking out past the many lights of Corusant's night landscape towards the Jedi temple that was just visible in the distance.

Anakin looked at his inactive com-link and turned the small device back on "meditative retreat or no Obi-Wan will contact me if there is a problem, maybe I'm just being paranoid" a small laugh from his wife forced Anakin to rise from his seat "what?"

Padme' turned to face him, the bright smile on her lips seemed to fill the very room with a lighthearted nature "I just can't believe how quickly you and Ahsoka have bonded, you're sound like a worried father when her daughter goes on her first date"

Anakin let a cocky grin cross his face "someone is pushing their luck"

"ooh, what's the scary Jedi knight going to do about it?" already turning to the door leading to her bedroom Padme' couldn't help but laugh at the look she was getting "scary"

"oh that's it!" taking a quick step forward sent Padme' into her bedroom with a girlish squeal, a smile escaping him Anakin quickly followed, taking one last look at his com-link before stepping through the door 'I'm sure she's fine'.

The Jedi temple

Barriss quickly took her friends hand and attempted to pull her back to the door "Ahsoka I really don't think this is the way to go about this" when the only reply she got was a stern look she sighed reluctantly and stood at attention beside her friend "okay, now or never I suppose" doing her best to hide her true emotions Barriss felt the blood inside her rise as she fought back an intense shiver, never before had the eyes on the Jedi council seemed so intimidating.

Master Yoda was first to grasp the new situation "a question you have young ones?"

Feeling a large lump in her throat Barriss turned her gaze to Ahsoka, the young Togruta bowed respectfully before speaking "masters, as you know over the last few weeks my master took it upon himself to also train Barriss. Well over that time me and Barriss have grown closer, and something that neither of us could control took place" Ahsoka strengthened her grip on the hand gripping her own "me and Barriss have formed an attachment to one another, I love her, and she loves me" in a move that surprised all in the room Ahsoka pulled the lightsabers from her side and, with a hint of pain, tossed them to the ground "I thought being a Jedi was the most important thing in my life, I was wrong".

Master Yoda simply nodded at the girls words and switched his view to Barriss "padawan Offee?"

Barriss looked to the ground as she pulled her hand free of Ahsoka's grip and pulled the lightsabers from her side, looking at the sabers in her hand while a few lone tears escaped her eyes "from the day I was brought to the temple I was taught that the Jedi were forbidden from forming attachments, it's not until now that I realized just how hypocritical the Jedi code is. We are raised to be emotionless, so that when the times comes we're capable of making impossible decisions, but with that you teach us compassion, to hold all life sacred no matter how corrupt. Masters you must see just how erroneous that is, to instill in youth both the sympathy to care for life and the idea that to grow close to such life is wrong" holding both sabers in front of her Barriss dropped them to the ground at her feet "I cannot go on serving a code I don't believe in, I am sorry"

Master Yoda sat in silence for a moment, his expressionless face giving no clue into his thoughts. After a short silence Yoda let out a long sigh "known about this attachment for some time, we have"

Ahsoka took a few steps closer to the grandmaster, the pain and anger evident in her voice "then please master just tell me one thing!, why have you let us go on like this!. We broke the Jedi code!, why not strip us from the order!"

With a polite nod Yoda gave Obi-Wan permission to speak, the Jedi master rose from his seat and put a comforting hand on both Ahsoka's shoulders "not here young one, and not like this. I ask both of you to please wait till tomorrow before making the decision you made just now, we will gather the council and discuss this with the respect it deserves"

Ahsoka looked back at Barriss before answering "fine" stepping over their dropped lightsabers both girls exited the council chamber and pulled the door shut behind them.

Padme' Amidala's apartment

The same sensation Anakin had felt earlier came back ten fold as he rose from his bed, Padme' moaned in her sleep and rolled away from his side as he slipped his pants back on and walked into the living room. The second the door closed behind him he felt a small rumble tell him his com-link was going off, bringing his arm to his mouth he quickly replied "yes"

The voice he immediately recognized as his former masters answered back "Anakin are you still on Corusant?"

"yes Obi-Wan, why?"

"Anakin I don't quite know how to put this but, Ahsoka and Barriss must of figured out we knew about them, they basically just abandoned their training"

Anakin moved to the couch and sat down as he felt the blood rush to his head "they what!, you just let them walk out!"

"calm yourself Anakin, they've agreed to stay so that we can talk tomorrow, master Yoda is requesting you be here as soon as possible"

"of course master"

Grabbing his Jedi robes and heading for the door Obi-Wan's voice forced him to stop "you wouldn't happen to be by the Senate district would you?"

Anakin looked slyly at his surroundings "I'm...within walking distance, why?"

"master Yoda believes all who know about your padawans attachment should be present, hopefully giving each person a chance to speak will help us come to the right conclusion. I need you to stop by senator Amidala's apartment and ask her to attend tomorrow, can you do that?"

"at once master"

The Jedi temple

Barriss led the way inside Anakin's quarters and immediately wrapped both arms around Ahsoka, keeping her grip strong she led the young Togruta to the couch and sat down slowly. "Ahsoka I can't believe we just did that"

Ahsoka's smile widened as she lightly kissed her friends cheek "I just hope it was the right thing to...oh no" before Barriss could question the girls strange words a series of loud steps led to the door opening up behind her.

Anakin stormed into the room and immediately pulled Ahsoka off the couch "your quarters!, now!"

Ahsoka pulled her arm free "master wait!, just listen!"

"Ahsoka like it or not I am your master!, now go to your quarters!" giving the Jedi knight a look of pure hatred Ahsoka stormed down the hall and into her room, making sure to shake the floor beneath them with each step she took. Seeing her friend disappear Barriss felt Anakin's presence overwhelm her own, with eyes bordering on dark yellow Anakin clenched both his fists "if this ends her training it will be the end of you as well!" turning from the speechless girl Anakin started back the hall towards his room "you sleep on the couch tonight!, I sense you move one inch and there won't be reason to have a meeting tomorrow!"

The Following Day

Barriss saw Ahsoka's face light up as they neared the council chamber, following her gaze she saw three figures standing just outside the large doors leading to the chamber, the closest one she recognized as James but the other two, aside from the fact that they were clearly padawans, one twi-lek, and Cerean, she had never seen before. Letting go of her hand Ahsoka quickly ran to the padawans "O-Mer!, Jinx!" embracing each padawan in a quick hug she took a few steps back as Barriss walked up to join the group "I'd like you to meet padawan..."

Jinx raised a hand for her to stop "Barriss Offee" looking the girl up and down the young twi-lek let out a loud snort "this is why you broke the Jedi code, I'll never understand girls"

Barriss opened her mouth her to speak but a thin grin crossing Jinx's face drained the tension from the situation, O-Mer gave his friend a strong punch in the shoulder "sorry Barriss, Jinx thinks he's funny. In reality I think I speak for both myself and Jinx when I say we're behind you one hundred percent"

Jinx nodded firmly "you led us through hell and back Ahsoka, we will stand beside you in this and any situation, we got your back"

Ahsoka returned the smile of her two friends "thank you both, that means a lot" with a compassionate nod all heads turned towards James "what about you James?, I assume you're here to help?"

James let his usual smirk cross his lips "you really think I'd miss this?, I'll back whatever decision you two make. Besides master Yoda asked me to be here, I have a feeling he knew about our plan the entire time. Talk about feeling like an idiot, I made such an ass of myself"

Barriss fought back a smile "I have a feeling you would of found a way to do that either way James"

"oh kick a man while he's down, you just lost my vote beautiful" with the last of his words James smiled and moved to the bench beside the councils door, quickly followed by O-Mer and Jinx.

"Ahsoka!" a strange voice caused both Ahsoka and Barriss to turn, once again Barriss had no idea why Ahsoka's face lit up at the sight in front of her. A small light brown skinned Zabrak walked up to them, dressed in a brown Jedi robe the obvious padawan bowed to each girl before speaking up "Ahsoka is it true what they're saying?, have you really developed an attachment?"

Ahsoka motioned back and forth between her friends "Barriss meet padawan Tyzen Xebec, Tyzen this is padawan Offee, the...attachment"

Not sure what else to do Barriss offered her hand "a pleasure Tyzen"

Tyzen reluctantly shook her hand, his thoughts betraying the smile he tried to force "Ahsoka no offense but how could you do this?"

Ahsoka seemed to take no offense by the boys words "love Tyzen, there's not much else I can say"

"I never would have expected this from you Ahsoka" Tyzen took a quick look, probably checking to see if his master was around "Ahsoka when master Ropal was killed you were the only one who cared enough to try and comfort me, I cannot support what you two are doing, but I will not speak against you either"

Ahsoka nodded "I would never ask you to go against your beliefs Tyzen, thank you for being so honest

with me" Tyzen bowed again before joining the group on the bench at the side of the hallway.

Hoping that was all the people master Yoda had gathered Barriss took a quick look around the halls corner, her heart sinking as she quickly pulled back around "uh Ahsoka, I'm starting to think just about everybody knew about us"

"why?" before Ahsoka's words could be answered Anakin rounded the corner, his face unreadable as he walked directly past his padawans and into the councils chamber, quickly closing the door behind him "you think he's still mad?"

"he was never really mad, just worried" wondering why Barriss' voice had suddenly gone up a few octaves Ahsoka turned, her entire body freezing as she looked into the caring eyes of senator Amidala.

Sensing the fear inside her friend Barriss walked beside Ahsoka and grasped her hand "senator Amidala, you uh...you knew?"

With a compassionate nod Padme' turned her attention to Ahsoka "Ahsoka I'm sure there's nothing I can say to offer any comfort in this situation, but I do need you to know something"

Ahsoka forced herself meet the senators eyes "what is it?"

"I agreed to be here today for the sole purpose of helping you, I stand by your decision to live your life the way you chose" before either girl could speak up Padme' embraced them both in a deep hug, wrapping one arm around both Barriss and Ahsoka. Barriss completely froze from the sudden contact, not only did the senators actions completely contradict with the cold personality she expected from a politician but having the girls body so close, a strange presence in the force ripped the wind from her lungs.

Padme' pulled back from the hug and gave each one last bright smile before walking past them and disappearing behind the chamber doors, Barriss turned towards her friend with a dry throat "when she hugged us, did you..."

"sense more than one being" Ahsoka nodded "I don't think she knows yet, better to keep this to ourselves for now"

"I agree, we have enough problems to deal with right now, no sense adding any more awkward conversations than necessary" lightly squeezing her friends hand Barriss turned towards the chamber doors "do you have any idea what you're gonna say?"

Ahsoka took a few deep breaths before shaking her head "no idea, you?"

"the same, way I see it we have almost no chance of convincing the council to change their mind"

Ahsoka tried to keep the fear from her voice "so, this is the end, one way or another"

Barriss felt a few loose beads of sweat drip from her forehead, wiping the fear from her face she turned her gaze to Ahsoka "come what may, I'll stand by your decision"

Both girls held back a nervous jump as Anakin waved open the door in front of them and stepped into the hall, his face portraying a look of both compassion and anger "it's time".

Never before had Barriss seen the council chamber so full, masters Yoda, Obi-Wan, Luminara, Plo Koon, Kit Fisto, Windu, and Ki-Adi-Mundi sat at their respective seats. James, O-Mer and Jinx were the last three to enter, all choosing to lean on the wall next to the door. Tyzen Xebec walked to the left side of the large room, clasping his hands behind his back as he moved to stand beside master Keelyvine Reus. Beside them stood Anakin and Padme', each giving off the same look of concern for the situation to come. A short beep brought Barriss' attention to the right side of the room, artoo seemed a bit out of place in the room full of Jedi but seeing the small astromech seemed to relax Ahsoka's stance so she wasn't about to raise questions.

Beside artoo, leaning with his back against the back wall stood Marikane Cananvi, the general stood with his hood pulled from his head as he talked to the man beside him in a polite whisper. Straining her mind Barriss quickly realized this last man was the one person in the room she couldn't recognize, looking to be in his late twenties the mans short white hair and rough beard did no justice in hiding the obvious look of battle weariness painted on every inch of his face. The mans clothes gave him away as a Jedi, light brown pants with a dark brown flap coming down the middle led up to a dark brown Jedi robe covered in metallic armor that had obviously been cleaned of blaster marks on more than occasion, and just visible over his right shoulder was the bottom of a lightsabers hilt, the weapon being held in place by a strap that spanned the mans back 'uh Ahsoka, who is that guy?'

Ahsoka followed her gaze and studied the strange Jedi for a moment 'never met him before, but it he's here he must be a master, think he'll side with us?'

'maybe, I suppose anything is possible'

All master Yoda had to do to gain the rooms attention was clear his throat, once the room fell to a deathly silence the Jedi grandmaster began to speak, his normally tame voice reverberating all around the large room "with all of us may the force be, and may the peace of this temple be ours, a place open to thought and speech, a realm of mutual respect, and a haven of shared noble purpose. Let us take these seats together, with no one above the others. May we work together, free from the restraints of ego and jealousy, at this gathering and all others to come".

Taking time to let his words resonate with all present master Yoda gave a silent nod to Obi-Wan, the Jedi master stood to his feet and cleared his throat before speaking "most of you know why you have been called here today, but for those unaware of the situation this meeting is to discuss, rationally and with respect, the attachment between padawans Ahsoka Tano and Barriss Offee, in the hopes that a reasonable solution can be found"

As Obi-Wan took his seat Luminara raised from hers "Barriss, Ahsoka, if you would kindly step aside we will begin, each person present will have a chance to voice their opinion if they so desire" with a short bow Barriss and Ahsoka moved to the back of the room, taking a spot beside artoo as Luminara switched her gaze to the rest of the chamber "who would like to speak first?"

Pulling his jacket around his body James pushed his back from the wall and walked into the middle of the large room "alright, guess I'll start things off" Luminara nodded as she sat back down. Once the chamber once again fell to silence James started "I first met Ahsoka and Barriss under...strange circumstances, soon after realizing their role as padawans in the Jedi order Barriss put aside her own emotions and invited me to the temple should I ever need help. Over the past few weeks I've come to think as both as family, they helped me when I needed it the most, and they did so without ever once igniting their lightsabers. Working here I've met just about every knight, master, and padawan there is, never before have I met two girls who so perfectly represent what I was raised to believe a Jedi stands for"

Master Yoda nodded politely "know about their attachment for some time, you have?"

"yes Grandmaster"

"and a plan to help them, you had did you not?"

James swallowed a lump in his throat "yes, I had planned to...trick the council into thinking Ahsoka's attachment was to me. Afterward I would cause a scene, of course Ahsoka would blow me off, and you would be left thinking the problem was dealt with. But before you pass judgment I have to say the plan was completely my idea, Barriss and Ahsoka had no idea it was going on"

Ki-Adi-Mundi rubbed his beard thoughtfully "you do an impressive job of hiding your true thoughts my boy, but do not try and lie this day, that is not the way to help your friends"

James sighed "fine, they knew about the plan, but with all due respect you gave them no choice but to try and fool you. You say just because they can't live without each other they're somehow beneath you, well everything about them leads me to see the contrary, you're beneath them" clenching his fist James took a deep breath and moved back to his spot at the wall by the door.

Obi-Wan once again rose from his seat "who's next?"

Giving each other a shared nod both O-Mer and Jinx moved to the middle of the room, without a word shared between them O-Mer began "by now our experiences with the pack of Trandoshan slavers are well known throughout the temple, as all of you know were it not for Ahsoka both me and Jinx would not be here to defend her today"

With a short nod Jinx took over "Ahsoka is in every way our superior, she's stronger than us, wiser than us, and a natural leader. I look forward to the day I can look up to her as the Jedi master she's destined to become"

O-Mer put a hand on the twi-leks shoulder, silently telling his friend he would continue "if Ahsoka has decided to act on this attachment, there's no doubt in my mind that it was the right thing to do" both Jedi offered a short bow to the council before stepping out of the center and moving back to their spot.

"I have something to say, if I may?" Padme's voice forced all heads to turn, when no one objected she gracefully moved into the middle of the room "there is one thing that seems to be a constant when speaking to all Jedi, and that is the idea that emotions, all emotions, must be pushed away in order to achieve peace. But over the years I've personally seen many instances where Jedi doing just the opposite has solved many problems and changed the galaxy in amazing ways"

Obi-Wan nodded as he took his seat "please senator, continue"

"master Kenobi, when we first met Anakin on Tatooine, didn't his compassion to help those in trouble make it possible for us to leave the planet?. And when master Qui-Gon Jinn was killed by Darth Maul, didn't your anger of his death give you the strength necessary to defeat the sith?. And if not for Qui-Gon's stubbornness and arrogance in his own beliefs Anakin would not be the Jedi knight he is today and I, along with a lot of you here, would not be here to debate this. If Ahsoka and Barriss can keep their relationship from interfering with their roles as peacekeepers, why not let them?".

As Padme' made her way to Anakin master Yoda spoke up from his seat "time it is, to give the padawans a chance to speak. Padawan Tano, padawan Offee, please come forward"

Barriss felt her legs turn to rubber the second her name was mentioned, wanting nothing more than to simply run from the room and never look back she felt a chill go through her body as Ahsoka grabbed her hand and began to pull her forward 'it'll be fine, trust me'.

Moving in front of the council Ahsoka was first to speak, doing her best to keep eye contact with master Yoda as she did so "let me start by saying I understand why me and Barriss are being forced to defend ourselves, the Jedi code has been the way it is ever since our ancestors first rose their swords to protect the galaxy. As the leaders of the Jedi order you feel what we're doing is wrong, but masters, nothing I've ever done has felt more right. True it's a Jedi's responsibility to put their emotions to the back of their mind for the good of the galaxy, but why does that have to mean we can't live our lives like every other sentient being alive?. And to say me and Barriss choice to act on this attachment is not just an insult to us but to everything I've experienced in the past few weeks, given..."

Barriss spoke up, continuing her friends sentence perfectly "the choice masters, we would drop this relationship in a second and go our separate ways, like so many Jedi before us but..."

"to ask us to fight true love is something we simply cannot do, so I'm afraid either the Jedi code changes today, or..."

"the Jedi order loses two of it's padawan learners"

A short silence followed Marikane stepping forward from his spot at the side of the room, his calm voice asking the question floating around the chamber "how long have you two been finishing each others sentences?"

Barriss took a few seconds to comprehend the strange question, sharing a confused look with Ahsoka before both girls shook their heads "maybe a couple days, why?

Moving inside the middle of the room Marikane pulled his darksaber from his waist and ignited the black bladed weapon, using the tip of the blade to slash a small cut in the palm of his hand he deactivated the darksaber and strapped it back to his waist. Before anyone in the room could raise a question as to his actions the general promptly stretched his bloodied hand out in front of Ahsoka "try and heal this young one"

Ahsoka stared at the hand with wide eyes "what?, no Barriss is the one with that ability, not me"

Master Yoda nodded from his seat "just try padawan Tano"

"yes master" wincing a bit Ahsoka wrapped the bloodied hand between her own and closed her eyes, for a few uncomfortable moments there was nothing but silence as the young Togruta concentrated. Soon enough a small blue energy circled through the enclosed hands, Barriss heard herself gasp loudly as her friend pulled her hands away to reveal the cut on Marikane completely gone. Opening her eyes Ahsoka immediately took a few steps back in shock "but, you have to be born with that power!, I've never had if before!".

Marikane turned to the council "their force meld has been allowed to go on for too long, it must be broken before they lose control"

"master, if I may, I think I have a theory as to this attachment" the soft yet stern voice of Tyzen Xebec turned all heads in the room "perhaps when this force meld was formed Barriss and Ahsoka misinterpreted the closeness of mind it brings with an attachment, if that was indeed the case breaking the meld would solve this problem"

O-Mer shook his head from across the room "that's nonsense, there has never been a record of a force meld having that effect, and I think both Barriss and Ahsoka are old enough to properly interpret their own emotions"

Yoda jumped down from his seat and made his way to the middle of the room, gesturing for Marikane to return to his spot at the side of the room "either way right Cananvi is, broken this force meld must be"

Barriss took a few steps backwards "whoa wait a minute, if the meld was let to go on this long wouldn't stopping it have repercussions?"

Yoda stepped forward and stretched a hand out to each girl "no more so than if it was allowed to continue, it is for your own well being young one". After watching Ahsoka reluctantly give her hand to the Jedi master Barriss did the same, the world went black so quickly Barriss thought she had simply blinked. In the darkness she felt a deep presence surge through every inch of her body as she fell to her knees.

Barriss awoke with Ahsoka knelt worriedly beside her, running a slightly trembling hand through her hair "Barriss!, are you okay?"

"how...could I not be?" returning her friends smile Barriss winced a bit as Ahsoka helped her to her feet, master Yoda stood close by and closed his eyes once both girls gave a silent nod to show they were okay. After a few moments of silence Barriss couldn't hide her anticipation "so, is the meld broken master?"

Yoda slowly nodded "gone the force meld is, but strong feelings of attachment I still sense from both of you"

Ahsoka took Barriss' hand as they turned to the council "what did you expect masters?, that breaking the meld would just make these feelings disappear?"

All stood in silence till master Yoda reclaimed his seat, with quite a strong voice for someone so advanced in years the Grandmaster addressed the entire room "before the council makes it decision, know something I've kept to myself for sometime you all must. Known about this attachment from the beginning, I have, and allowed it to go on undisturbed, I did"

Barriss looked to Ahsoka to make sure she had heard correctly "you went against the code master?"

Yoda nodded "for sometime now, seeds of the dark side I have sensed inside young Tano. Not until Skywalker took Barriss under his tutelage did those seeds dissipate, rethink we must, all that we know about the Jedi code"

Plo Koon kept his hands clasped on his lap as he spoke up "you believe this attachment helped Ahsoka resist the dark sides influence?"

"over the course of the attachment, yes" after a short silence master Yoda continued "heard all we need to the council has, time for a decision to be made, it is. Each master will choose to either allow Ahsoka and Barriss to continue their relationship along with their training, or banish them from the order"

All heads in the room switched to master Windu, the seasoned warrior rose from his seat and bowed "Ahsoka Tano and Barriss Offee have both showed great promise as future Jedi knights, but if we allow this attachment to go on it will be putting not only both girls at risk, but any who serve alongside them. My vote, is for banishment".

Master Yoda nodded solemnly as he watched his fellow Jedi take his seat "been a Jedi master for many years I have, never in my lifetime have I sensed a connection so strong, and so pure. My vote, is for reinstatement"

Plo Koon rose from his seat with his eyes meeting those of Ahsoka's "as many of you know I am the one who brought little Soka to the temple all those years ago, I have watched her grow up with great pride, she has proven herself a capable Jedi in every sense of the word. If these girls believe this attachment will not get in the way of their role as peacekeepers, who am I to say they're wrong?. My vote, is for reinstatement"

As Plo Koon sat back down Luminara rose from her seat, locking eyes with Barriss before she began "Barriss, I trained you to the best of my abilities. I had hoped that in doing so you would learn just what it means to be a Jedi, unfortunately, I failed" Barriss felt her heart drop as her former master continued "for you to go against my teachings and give into your emotions so recklessly and without a thought as to the consequences of your actions, it finally shows me just how much I failed in training you. My vote, is for banishment".

Wiping a lone tear from her eye Luminara sat back down, after a short silence Kit Fisto stood up beside her. The masters trademark grin spanning his face as he filled the room with his voice "I can understand both points made here today by so many who care about the continuation of this order, but like master Yoda I have also sensed the dark side within Ahsoka. If padawan Offee was able to help her through something that every Jedi struggles with the better part of their lives, then I see no problem in allowing this relationship to continue. My vote, is for reinstatement"

Following the chain of seats Ki-Adi-Mundi stood to his full height "it pains me to go against my former master, but I have seen far too many of my fellow Jedi fall to the dark side because of the loss of those they love. I've gone through that pain before, and I cannot willingly allow two so young to go through what I did. My vote, is for banishment"

The last of the council members present master Obi-Wan rose from his seat "like master Mundi I too have seem many Jedi fall to the dark side, even master Jinn was brought to his knees when someone he cared for was killed. I have...cared for others in the past, the pain of losing those you care about can cripple even the strongest and bravest Jedi. It is with great sorrow that I cast my vote, for banishment".