Girth was actually the first person to the therapy room. He was fine with that as he could make sure the everything was ready, with the lights on and he had some left-over confections he'd taken out of the stasis storage. He arranged them on the table and then sat down and waited.

After a few minutes, he rose to his feet and began to pace. Anakin had been doing so well. A relapse now... was not a good thing, mainly due to the timing. After all, relapses happened. It was a part of healing and something that could ultimately help the patient in the future. No, the problem stemmed from the fact that he knew the Chancellor would be expecting his newest assistant to be there this week. Could Anakin handle it? Somehow, especially with this relapse, he didn't think so.

A couple of minutes later, the door opened and Siri Tachi walked in. Her blond hair looked mussed and matted, and her clothes seemed askew, like she'd just thrown them on. She looked disheveled, despite some rather nice makeup and… was that a tattoo? He blinked, filed that away and studied the rest of the group as they followed.

Behind her walked Anakin... and Girth immediately knew that this would be a long emergency session. He'd seen Anakin depressed before, but not despondent. He once again mourned for the lost progress. All of his growth seemed like it had been washed away and the boy had somehow sunken even lower than before. He knew that wasn't the case, that some permanent progress was still there, but still…

At least when Girth had first started there had been a spark of defiance, even if it had been in a very unhealthy form of anger. Now he just stared at the floor in front of him, although his eyes did not seem to be fixed on anything. His hands gripped each other tightly, white-knuckled and likely in danger of breaking each other if the shaking were anything to go by. He wasn't dressed in normal Jedi clothes under the standard Jedi robe, either. Was that significant? Girth couldn't help but think so... but it also probably wasn't the time to ask.

Maybe it would all be explained to him anyway.

The next person to shuffle in was Master Yoda, and Girth felt his third surprise of the night. He'd never seen the Jedi Master looking depressed. Just what was going on?

Finally, Master Xio followed everyone, shutting the door behind her. Wordlessly, everyone took a seat in the sitting area. No one seemed to even notice the refreshments.

"Siri," the Jedi mind healer started, "you called us. Can you tell us what happened?"

Girth approved of her getting information out of the only person who seemed to actually be somewhat together. They were here on behalf of Anakin, though, and judging from how the time-traveler looked... they'd have to address him directly at some point, no matter what. Fortunately, they could give him some time. Girth just hoped it would be enough.

The knight sighed, running a hand through her hair, or tried to. Her fingers got too caught to really comb through it. "Count Dooku contacted us... well, Anakin, a couple of days ago, asking to meet. We weren't entirely sure he should, but we figured if I tagged along for backup...

"Turns out he hasn't gotten far in his espionage, and was pretty sure if he stayed where he was, he'd end up Falling. He wanted to do so on his own terms and asked us for help."

Girth felt his eyes go wide and his jaw dropped in surprise. He didn't really understand the difference between the dark and light sides of the Force. It had been explained to him, but he couldn't really comprehend how a universal, cosmic Force could have two different 'sides'. It was something that he accepted simply because he had no other context to draw from.

However, he knew the connotations. This idea of Falling wasn't something most Force-sensitives would want... Especially if they were as knowledgeable as Jedi Masters were supposed to be. It was something Anakin shied away from with a fervor that bordered on phobia at times. Why would someone actively seek this 'dark side' out? Simply to stay under cover? Would that be worth it? Somehow, he didn't think so.

"Naturally," Siri continued, "we didn't want to help him do something like that... but then we spoke to Master Yoda, who was convinced that if his former apprentice didn't get the help he needed, he'd attempt to do it himself and our entire situation could end up infinitely worse if Dooku Fell hard and fast, so he asked if we could possibly help. We decided to try, set up a time and a place and..."

She pause and took a deep breath before continuing. "It worked. Not initially, of course, but eventually..."

Yoda's ears drooped even more. He looked the very image of an old man in mourning. Yet it took all of Girth's self-restraint to not continue to stare in incredulity at the Jedi Master. He was 900 years old. Wasn't he supposed to know better than to put one person's needs ahead of another's so blatantly and (dare he think it) needlessly? Although, judging from the look on the Jedi Master's face, he realized he'd made a grave error of judgment. They'd likely have to address that ASAP too...

He really didn't think Jedi would be this... well, he wasn't sure there was a word for it. Sapient? Human? Imperfect? Just... not what he expected. He probably should have been prepared for this, though.

"In any case," Siri went on, drawing the drall's attention again, "he got on a bit of a power high and wanted to go and confront Sidious tonight." Girth felt the blood drain from his face and was glad that he, unlike the other beings in the room, had fur to cover it. From the look on Siri's face, the other adults had similar reactions. Anakin had explained – multiple times – how Darth Sidious was no pushover, but a duelist who could put most if not all of the Jedi Order to shame. He also tended to plan for contingencies and they would have to have some pretty damning evidence to actually convince any jury. He was also, more often than not, fairly well protected against assassinations at any given moment (and Girth had been rather worried they'd had to bring that particular point up...).

"You said he was on a power high, but could Count Dooku have defeated the Chancellor?" he asked cautiously.

"No," Siri replied with a shake of her head. "He's an excellent duelist, but Sidious uses more than just his lightsaber to fight. It's part of what makes him so dangerous."

"Words, he uses," Yoda commented quietly.

"Among other things," Siri nodded. "He has contingencies for contingencies, and it is very difficult to keep up with him. He's had decades to work out potential problems that may get in the way of his planning, and he's good at preparing."

"I'm going to stop us right now before we get off topic," Xio cut in, shooting another worried glance at a very silent, very still Anakin. Girth felt a little abashed, allowing himself to be sidetracked like that. It wasn't something that happened often, but he had been woken in the middle of the night. Perhaps that was why he was finding it a little more difficult than normal to concentrate? If so, he was getting old and rusty. He gathered himself and focused on the conversation again as Xio turned to the youngest woman in there. "Please, continue, Siri."

The blond nodded. "I don't know exactly why, but him going to confront Sidious with or without us..." she paused and glanced warily at the boy sitting by her side, "it set Anakin off."

Girth frowned. "What do you mean by 'setting him off', exactly." If he didn't know what had gone on, he couldn't help. Didn't stop the fact that he knew he was walking on thin ice...

"I Fell," Anakin said, his voice hoarse. "Again."

The Force users in the room all stiffened at that, although Siri looked more sympathetic than horrified, and Master Yoda seemed to shrink in on himself even more. Girth filed that away for later.

"Oh, Anakin..." Master Xio said.

Girth frowned. They'd discussed Anakin's 'Fall' before, but he was under the impression that that was behind them now... No, he was missing something. He'd best start at the basics. "I... believe my current definition of 'Falling' may be lacking. What exactly does it entail?"

"I became Darth Vader again," the boy sat there, staring straight ahead, hands fisted so tightly on his legs they trembled. Actually, his whole body shook. He looked stiff and brittle, like he'd break at the slightest touch.

The drall still felt like he wasn't grasping the whole picture. Understandable, seeing as he wasn't Force-sensitive, but still... "To my knowledge, 'Darth Vader' is a name and nothing more. Why does using the 'dark side' suddenly make you so different as to claim what is sounding almost like an alternate personality?" Because he hadn't thought Anakin's desire to disassociate from his past was that severe... But the time-traveler was too old to develop DID, even without taking his future memories into account. So it couldn't be that... right?

Girth really wanted something he could nibble on himself at that moment... or some caff. He should have gotten some before he came. And the confections on the table were soft, made for humans and not drall (who tended to like harder things to nibble on, soft was very unappealing, and he might need something more than a short burst of sugar followed by a crash that his body would most definitely feel).

Anakin blinked, opened his mouth, then closed it again and shook his head at Girth's inquiry, like he couldn't explain. Likely his state of mind – and him understanding that was a positive sign, even if it tended to be frustrating to the non-force-sensitive mind healer at the moment. Siri had calmly reached a hand out to rest on his shoulder and wasn't looking at Girth. So finally, the drall turned to Xio.

The woman sighed. "I was going to present my findings later, but I suppose presenting it to those here now would help more. In my study of the dark side, I've come to the conclusion that the Force does indeed have a sentience." That seemed to get the attention of everyone in the room. She didn't acknowledge the scrutiny as she continued. "It isn't sapience, I can find no real evidence of conscious thought, even though this has been a debate among Jedi scholars for centuries. Still, in my study of the dark side and its effects, I've amassed evidence behind the saying 'the will of the Force'."

"Jedi say that all the time, though," Siri said. "I've always been taught to follow the will of the Force."

Xio nodded. "I think most Jedi see it as more of an acknowledgment of the larger picture – how everything is connected, and the smallest effect can lead to other, far larger incidents, and because the universe is immersed in the Force, it can show us those instances or how to avoid them. I know I've thought of it as more of an incredibly intricate math equation and we just get the overflow of the most likely conclusions when we see visions and such."

"Hence why the future is never set in stone," Siri said thoughtfully. "The math equation would change all the time. I suppose your definition fits the 'Will of the Force' as it was taught."

"I now think the Will of the Force is far more than that, though," Xio said. "If it were nothing but a simple – or even complex – math equation, why is there a dark side? Most scholars pass this off as the residue and influence of negative emotions, but from my discussions with and studies of the Sith holocrons, I've come to the conclusion that it must have an actual will of its own. It is more than just a byproduct of negative emotion because it actually changes the way a person thinks. From what I've discussed with Anakin and observed myself, the darkness actually and actively twists one's thought process. Again, this is a theory, but I've studied holo recordings of people in the process of falling. We don't have many of them, but they do exist, and I've noticed that a person can say one thing at the beginning of their Fall and be completely devoted to the opposite once that Fall is more complete. Sometimes that takes minutes, sometimes it takes longer, but no matter how slowly, the change of opinion happens far faster than it naturally should.

"The Darkness draws people and will change those who embrace it to keep them there... like a sentient drug, I suppose."

A snort from Anakin had everyone glancing at him for a moment before turning their attention back to Xio once it became obvious that was all he was willing to contribute at this point.

"The thing is, I say 'sentience'... but even then I don't think that is quite the word for it. It's so much... larger than that. Not necessarily more complex, but all-encompassing at the same time. Everything that happens in a Fall – the twisting, the addiction, the power burst – the effects are consistent enough to be a natural – or perhaps instinctual is a better word – side effect of channeling the dark side. From what I've been able to gather of the dark side – or the Force in general – the effects point to something similar to how animals have instincts. This one just affects everything that touches it."

Girth felt his eyebrows raise even higher than they had been before. "Are you saying that the Force is an invisible animal that encompasses the universe?" he asked. "Or two animals, one that represents kindness and peace while the other is an addictive, sentient drug that just wants to draw more power to itself?"

The older woman frowned. "I think even that is far too... simple and just doesn't encompass enough of the Force... but if that helps, then yes.

"In any case, Anakin has experienced that mental twisting. When he channels the dark side, his entire thought-process changes, you see?"

Yes, Girth did see. Well, better than he had before. It was sounding a more and more like DID, though... which was rather distressing.

"Thank you for the explanation." He eyed Anakin carefully, "So, are we looking at a sort of 'detox' stage for this? To continue the drug analogy."

Anakin seemed to withdraw into himself even more. "There is no 'detox' stage," he whispered. "'Once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny.' There is no escape."

Girth stiffened himself. They had to nip that in the bud ASAP. Fortunately, he wasn't the only one to think that.

"And yet, here you are, fully aware of the changes you went through, and cognoscente of the consequences," Master Xio countered.

Anakin shook his head. "I knew what the consequences would be this time. I know what it does and I still chose it... even after all these years of supposed healing..."

"Anakin," Girth said softly, "cravings for death sticks and spice never go away once one uses them. And when it comes to emotional therapy, we expect back-shuffling and reversions. It's a natural part of learning to heal. This is not unexpected." Even if it did come at a very inconvenient time.

"The important thing is that you stopped as soon as you realized what you were doing," Xio agreed. "You keep coming back. You've Fallen multiple times now, you likely will again, but you actively choose to return, and that is no small thing." The way she spoke sounded like she'd gotten more details before they'd shown up. He'd have to ask her for those tidbits later as now really wasn't a good time.

The former Sith looked up carefully, and Girth had never seen him looking so fragile... which said a lot.

"It's... okay... to use the dark side?" he asked, confused. "As long as I can come back?"

"No," Xio said softly, shaking her head. "That's not what I mean at all. But you've proven that it is possible to come back from it. So it isn't the end of the world either."

Anakin flinched a little. "But it is..."

Xio and Girth exchanged glances. "What do you mean?" the drall asked.

"If someone isn't there to... pull me back... I was a very large part of what destroyed the Republic and the Jedi Order – and consequently, half the galaxy! I'm the 'Chosen One'! The Universe's well-being does rest on my shoulders!"

Girth's brow furrowed. "'Chosen One'?" he asked.

The older mind healer sighed. "A reference to an ages-old prophecy."

The drall's jaw dropped. "Jedi have prophecies?" Then he frowned. "And nobody told me this?" That was kind of an important detail. "Why?"

Xio blinked. "Oh... it... never really occurred to me that you wouldn't know it. Most Jedi at least know of it. I've never had to explain it before. I apologize for the oversight."

He took a deep breath and put a paw to the bridge of his nose. "Moving back to the point at hand, even if you are some sort of fulfillment to a prophecy, I highly doubt that prophets know everything. Every choice you make will not affect the universe at large, and you cannot treat those decisions as if they will." Girth shook his head. "That's too much pressure for any single person – or even group of people. Do you think every single decision the Senate makes affects the entire galaxy? Some do, but most don't. What about the bill for more parking meters they spoke of the other day?"

Anakin didn't look convinced. "Somehow I think that me choosing to channel a mind-twisting, addictive darkness is one of those decisions, especially when I'm naturally far more powerful than most Force-sensitives." He wasn't even saying that to brag, but stated it simply; as if it was a fact.

"And yet, as Master Xio has pointed out, here you are. You have not killed in your 'Falling', you are still working to take down a great evil..."

"Not to mention you keep pulling off the impossible," Siri said, sounding tentatively amused. "And I'm not just talking physical stunts."

Anakin made a sound somewhere between a laugh and a scoff. It was weak, and still delicate, but definitely a step in the right direction. Then he looked down, any mirth he'd gained disappearing.

"I... can't help but hate myself for this, though. Not when I know better. Not when it's all my fault."

Oh, no. Blaming only himself for this? Not happening if Girth had anything to say about it. "I'm not saying you shouldn't be held responsible for your choices, but I would like to point out that I don't think you should have even been out there and put in that scenario to begin with." He shot a pointed look at Yoda who met his eyes and nodded. Good.

Anakin just kind of blinked, as if he couldn't completely wrap his head around that. "But... he needed help that only I could give."

"Perhaps," Girth conceded, "but would you have gone if Master Yoda hadn't asked you to?"

More blinking and a puzzled expression, as if he couldn't really put together why Girth was asking him that. Hmm, was that his natural state of mind interfering, or his young, undeveloped brain coming into play? Stang it, time travel made everything far more complicated than it should be. Which said quite a bit, right there.

"I... yes, probably."

Which would make this harder for him to see, but still... they had to try. Girth could plant a good seed if nothing else.

"That still doesn't negate the kind of pressure he put you under, especially considering the events of the past couple of days. He knew that, so by asking you to go, he sent a message that your state of mind was less important than Count Dooku's." He turned to the green Jedi. "Wouldn't you agree, Master?"

The Grandmaster seemed to slump down a little more, as if his shoulders bent under a great weight. Girth felt for him, he did, but the Jedi needed to understand the implications.

"My intention, it was not," he said quietly. Girth frowned and opened his mouth to say that intention or not, that's the message he sent. However, the old Master went on before he could say anything. "But understand, I do, why see it that way, you would. Known that, I should have."

Well, good, he did understand.

Master Yoda scooted out of the chair he'd taken residence in, then shuffled over to a flummoxed Anakin. Then he bowed low.

"My apologies, you have. Desperate, I was, to save my Padawan. Foolish, it was. Made his choice, he has."

Girth smiled. Well, that was a pleasant development.

Anakin just sat there, face blank as he processed this. Yoda didn't seem like the kind of person who apologized a lot. Probably his age and experience coming into play. This seemed like a lesson both of them needed to relearn.

Then, to his surprise and disappointment, Anakin blinked and shook his head. "No, it's fine."

"Anakin," Girth said, frowning and shooting a glance at Tai'k, who looked rather troubled herself. He could understand why she wouldn't want to speak out against her Grandmaster – probably more than a little learned conditioning, and he'd guess it was unintentional if anything. Most Jedi seemed to regard the old Master with a great deal of respect and fondness. So it was up to him. "It isn't fine. You shouldn't have been asked something like this considering recent events. Remember when I said that you can't be strong all the time? And it shouldn't be expected of you? It's up to your leaders and caretakers to understand when they're pushing you too hard. Pushing you is all well and good – it's a great way to get someone to grow – but you have to be in the proper head space to take advantage of that. Otherwise, it will just hurt you. Rather like trying to walk off a broken bone. You can't exercise it while it's healing, and even after that you have to take it carefully or you'll re-injure yourself – sometimes to a greater extent than before. The mind and psyche are no different."

The time-traveler looked troubled as he thought about that. Then he spoke softly. "Maybe... and I think I see what you mean... but you have to understand that coming back from the dark side is... I can't even begin to describe how difficult it is. I don't know if I have the ability to begin to describe it to even other Jedi, let alone someone who has only ever touched the Force indirectly. The only reason I was able to do it the first time was because I found someone who meant more to me than all my ideals, thoughts and pride. More than my anger and power. And I was only able to do that because he reached out and cared enough to not give up even when I rejected his offer time and time again.

"Master Yoda..." he turned to the troll, who watched him with an expression somewhere between wary and surprised. "You showed me that you have the conviction – you might be able to bring him back. How could I not help?"

Well, that was a good hope for Anakin to have, certainly, but...

"It still isn't your responsibility," Girth insisted.

The former Sith shook his head. "I was the only one who had a chance to help him Fall in any sort of controlled manner."

"Despite not thinking it could work?" Siri asked quietly.

Girth shot her a grateful smile. That was more support he needed to help Anakin see.

He licked his lips. "Regardless, it still is not your responsibility, and certainly not something you should be pressured in to."

Anakin shook his head again. "The universe continues to move along regardless of my wishes. It won't wait for me to finally pull myself together. Palpatine certainly won't."

True, but he still felt like Anakin was missing his meaning. So Girth turned to Xio with a pointed look. The white-haired woman sighed.

"I think you both have good points. The universe does move on whether we're ready for it or not, and making steps to help someone return from the dark side – I can't see that as anything but good. However," she put up a hand to forestall any arguments or comments from her fellow mind healer, "I have to say that Girth is also right in that you were pressured into something you weren't ready for that did cause you harm, Anakin. Maybe you would have gone otherwise, but that goes to show your own state of mind more than anything else and it's one I cannot agree with. I think that is what Healer Girth is trying to point out."

Girth nodded firmly. She nodded back in appreciation before taking a breath. Then leaned forward, expression sad.

"You don't value your own life or sanity. You see it as somehow below others', which isn't true at all. You are important, Anakin, and not just because of a prophecy or your unique power in the Force. You are important simply because you live. And living beings should be born with certain rights. You are just as important as Count Dooku, and Master Yoda did reinforce an unhealthy outlook, whether he meant to or not."

"No," Anakin protested, sounding more frustrated, "he was simply showing how he cares for someone. Dooku is important to him, and it shouldn't be any other way."

"Important to me, you are, young Anakin," Yoda said softly.

The initiate looked taken back at that. Whether it was Yoda actually using his name (Girth had never heard him call anyone by their first name and had figured it was a quirk of his... maybe not?) or the sentiment expressed was anyone's guess.

"Thank you for what you did – what you tried to do – I do, but asked it of you, I should not have. Blinded by my own desperation, I was. Sorry, I am. Deeply so." And he bowed again. Girth had to say he was impressed. The Jedi hadn't taken the easy way out and he'd shouldered his own share of the blame without hesitation. He could see why others would follow this being, flawed though he was.

The younger time-traveler just continued to stare at Yoda, mouth gaping like a fish. Well, that was better than the despondency that had been there earlier.

"Psst," Siri said in a stage whisper, "now is where you accept the apology and move on."

More blinking. "But... there is nothing to apologize for. My mother always said that people shouldn't apologize for caring." Now that was interesting. He sounded his physical age there, suggesting a reversion. It could be the natural inclination of his young body, but it felt more personal than that. He'd suspected there had been some trauma regarding Anakin's separation from his mother, but this suggested there was more than he'd realized. Or maybe it was something else to do with his mother? He made a mental note to ask Anakin later as now was definitely not the time.

"Apologize for caring, no," Girth agreed after a small pause. "Apologize for not thinking the situation through and putting someone else's needs ahead of yours when he should have known better or tried to come up with a different solution that was less trying to you – that he rightly apologized for." The mind healer had to give a nod to Yoda's mature way of handling the fall out if nothing else.

Siri rolled her eyes. "Just accept it. It'll make everyone feel better."

Anakin looked back at Master Yoda. "Er... apology accepted, I suppose."

"Thank you, I do," the old Master said. Then he turned and walked back to his chair, lifting himself up and onto it before settling into a somber pose. Girth gave him an approving nod as the old Master shuffled past.

Once they were all situated again, Girth looked over to Master Xio, and then to Anakin. "So... what kind of repercussions can we expect?"

Anakin slouched again in depression. "Sidious felt that. I'm positive. He was likely monitoring the area we were in. If he saw my face or recognized Siri..."

"Why would he know me?" Siri asked. "I'm not anything he was interested in before. And you had a hood covering your face."

"True, but Dooku..."

She shook her head. "He doesn't know me either and I'd taken my wig off before we'd exited the building. We'd also taken off all of your stilts and extensions. He would have been looking for a red-headed woman in bounty-hunter garb, not a blond in a clubbing outfit. He'd also be looking for a large man, not a child who could be said blond's little brother... or son." She wrinkled her nose. "I'm not that old, but he probably wouldn't know that from a holo recording."

"There's still a chance he'll put it together..." Anakin pointed out, his voice small.

"Then I vote to take Anakin out of the Ambassador program," Girth said firmly. He'd been looking for a way to bring that topic up. His (admittedly abrupt) comment seemed to surprise everyone, the former Sith most of all as he looked up quickly.

"What?" He seemed confused, as if he couldn't process what his mind healer had proposed.

"In that case, even if he does put it together, you will be well away from his influence," the drall pointed out.

"But... I..." the time-traveler started, looking unsure of himself and seeming so lost, such a contrast from the facade he usually put up. He wasn't even making an attempt now. That was when Girth felt he really understood how much this whole situation had gotten to the time-traveler.

"This isn't your first regression, Anakin," Xio said kindly, "but it is your biggest one yet. You'll need time to work through it."

"Remember what we just spoke about in our last meeting?" Girth asked. "About how you need to learn to know where your limits are? And what pushing yourself too far too fast does?"

The boy's expression went from puzzled to pained and he looked down. "Yes."

"It's admirable that you tried, Anakin, but we knew you likely weren't ready. That's why we had contingencies in place," Xio pointed out.

The time-traveler didn't look up, but he did slump a little more as he nodded again.

"So we'll have Master Yoda make the arrangements, is that alright?" Girth asked.

"Make them, I can, if wish it, Initiate Skywalker does," the old Master said serenely.

"Anakin?" Siri asked.

The boy sighed and sat back, his rigid posture suddenly gone as he slumped against the couch cushions. "Very well." Then he shook his head harshly. "He wins again," he said bitterly.

At first Girth let out a breath of relief, and he expected something similar to show on the initiate's face. It never came, though. Instead, all he saw was even more frustration... followed by the despondency from when they'd first come in. That... wasn't right. He thought over Anakin's most recent words and frowned himself.

"What do you mean, 'He wins'?"

Anakin's face went blank as he spoke. "He always wins."

That... wasn't what Girth had been expecting. But in hindsight, he probably should have.

"This isn't a win for him, Anakin," Tai'k started, but Girth held up one finger of his paw. She nodded to him and closed her mouth.

"How is this a win for Palpatine?" Girth asked. "What is your definition of 'a win' against him?"

Anakin stared at him for several seconds, obviously unsure as to how to answer, or trying to put his answer into words.

"The Master wins when he breaks you," he finally said. "When you stop fighting back, even in your head. I've only ever known one person who has won against him."

"Who?" Siri asked, sounding surprised.

The smile the little boy gave belonged on an old face, not his youthful one, full of sadness, pain and nostalgia. "Padmé. I think that's why he hated her so much... She isn't even Force-Sensitive, didn't know anything about his plans at all, and she still won against him."

Girth really wanted to meet this woman, even if he didn't approve of Anakin's nigh hero-worship of her. Yet more mental notes to address later. Fortunately, he wasn't the only one who saw that for the potential side-track it was.

"You think that by leaving the program, he's broken you?" Master Xio asked carefully.

Anakin shrugged, a little too nonchalantly. "He drove me away, again, and has obstructed our goals."

"Which goals?" Tai'k asked with a frown.

"Getting information and proof of his true nature, keeping him away from the other initiates so he doesn't corrupt one of them," he paused, then shuddered. "He's going to subjugate the entire galaxy if we don't do something."

"Anakin," Girth pointed out. "It isn't your fault you weren't ready. You've been working so hard, and you've made more progress than we had any right to expect."

"I never would have been ready," the time-traveler replied with a sigh. "I just wasn't strong enough to push through." He looked off towards the side of the room blankly. "He broke me a long time ago. It was foolish of me to think otherwise."

Girth was about to point out that recovery in general didn't work like that, but Siri spoke up first.

"So, you throwing Palpatine down a reactor core shaft wasn't a 'win'?"

Anakin looked back at her, eyes wide. Girth's own eyebrows rose. Wait, what?

"Explain that, please," Xio said, sounding a little strained herself.

Siri shot Anakin a dry look. "That's how the Emperor died. Anakin killed him."

A little color returned to Anakin's cheeks and he seemed split between being pleased, embarrassed and frustrated. (Still a step up from the depression.) "Luke was distracting him."

"He was killing Luke and you chose to save your son, destroying the Emperor in the process. It was a conscious choice on your part. How can that not be a 'win'?"

"It was merely luck."

"You know there's no such thing as luck," Siri returned, sounding exasperated.

"The will of the Force, then," Anakin said, definitely sounding annoyed. Girth almost wanted to sigh in relief. Despite his words, the boy hadn't given in yet.

Silence, before Siri asked slowly, "And what is the Force telling you now?"

Anakin's annoyance melted away. He seemed to be pleading with her, their gazes locked, for several seconds before he spoke up. "It's telling me to go back."

"And that isn't your history or background speaking?" she asked, bluntly. Girth wanted to facepalm. Somehow, he didn't think Siri would make a very good therapist, even if she seemed to be good for Anakin.

To his credit, though, the former Sith thought about it. "No," he finally said, sounding firmer than he had since he'd walked into the room. It still wasn't up to his usual confidence, but Girth would take it.

"And do you think you'll be able to do that – face him and put on an act?" Siri asked. "Even with everything that has happened today?"

No answer for several seconds, and the silence felt thick enough to cut with a vibroblade.

"I... don't know," Anakin said, his voice shaking. But then the child's face firmed up in determination. "But this won't just go away."

Girth spoke up, frowning. "We don't expect it to. But, in the week and a half since you saw the Chancellor for the first time, you have had at least one major breakdown, one major reversion, multiple small instances of each and several nightmares. You can't possibly think that going back to him is a good idea, still."

Anakin shook his head. "Putting aside the fact that I'm the one who has the most chance of succeeding in gaining the information we need, if I back out now, I'll still know he's there, corrupting some other potential Jedi, and my withdrawal will be suspicious to say the least. Knowing he'll suspect something will put me on edge as much as, if not even more than, I am now." The fact that he could realize that was actually another very positive thing, so Girth didn't interrupt, even if he wasn't happy with where this was headed.

The former Sith's hands tightened into fists. "After all of this, I'd prefer to know where he is and who he's in contact with, I think."

"Anakin," Girth said softly, "You're pushing yourself too hard again. Can you honestly tell me that walking into that room with him when you've admitted that you have negative feelings towards yourself and your actions regarding him is a good idea?"

Silence, and then a sigh. "No. But I do think it's a better option than the alternative. Taking me out of the program will just enhance my paranoia. I can admit that this... may not have been the best idea, but going through with it is the least I can do to make up for the sins I have committed."

Girth grit his teeth. He could argue against self-sacrifice. He could argue against duty. He could even argue against the paranoia point. But absolution... That was something Anakin needed. Desperately. Girth still didn't think he was ready for this, but it was Anakin's choice. He would not undermine months and months of work by not honoring that choice.

That didn't mean he wouldn't offer his opinion.

"I still don't think you're ready," he said. It felt like an old argument, probably because it was. It was also just as valid now as it had ever been. Perhaps more so, even.

The sardonic smile crossing the boy's mouth held no mirth. "I never disagreed with that."

Well, at least he seemed more stable and self-aware than he had been earlier.

"When you come into your next session, we're going to discuss your extreme levels of self-hatred," Girth could only really mutter. Maybe he was just too tired right now? He was going to petition for a caff machine in this room. Maybe a way to make tea too? Just for instances like this.

Then the mind healer let out another long sigh. "But, I will always support you, Anakin, even if I can't agree with your choices."

Was it his imagination, or did some of the darkness recede from the boy's eyes?

"Also," Xio said, smiling, "you may have channeled the dark-side tonight, but I think we can still take something good from this. I think this stemmed from you taking your current, far healthier state for granted, Anakin, and you can't do that anymore. This is something that you will likely have to fight for the rest of your life. But... if anyone can fight it, I think it's you. Your mental fortitude is... awe inspiring."

And Jedi, it seemed, worked well at all hours of the night too. Stang Force users.

Anakin still looked vulnerable as his gaze shifted to Xio, then he just blinked at her, as if to say, 'Really?'

She raised one white eyebrow. "I mean it, Anakin. I wouldn't have said it otherwise."

The initiate's smile was small but real, and Girth took that as a win.

"Thank you," Anakin said softly. "I... needed to hear that."

"Of course," Xio said.

"Well," Girth decided to cut in. "You seem to be doing better. Will you be alright if we send you off to bed?"

Anakin closed his eyes for a second, and Girth appreciated him really considering the question.

"Yes," he finally said. "I... don't think I'm just... I mean this will take a while to work through, won't it?"

Both Girth and Xio nodded. Especially with his next meeting with Palpatine coming up in a couple of days.

"But... I think I'll be okay... tonight."

And Girth believed him.

"Good," the mind healer said as he rose and yawned. "That's a load off of my mind then. Shall we?" he gestured to the door.

"What about the food?" Siri asked, pointing to the table and the largely untouched confections.

"Right," Girth said, going to gather it. "Go on. I'll finish up here."

A couple of minutes later, he left the now empty room, heading back to his quarters with an arm-full of pastries. He had to get these to his storage unit. They'd likely be useful in the next session he had.

xXx

Master Yoda, Siri and Anakin parted ways with Master Xio, who said she would likely be getting up soon anyway and wanted to start on her morning work. Anakin didn't comment on the work-a-holic tendency. Obi-Wan had done that so many times, and he knew when to pick his battles. The other three turned to shuffle off towards their quarters.

"Um... could we swing by the Clawmouse clan before we head back to the Thranta clan?" Anakin asked. "I can tell that Snips isn't happy right now."

Siri raised an eyebrow at him. "Can you usually tell when one of us," she paused, "I mean one of those you share a bond with, is having difficulties?"

Anakin shook his head. "I'm not usually looking, but after the last couple of... problems I've had, Ahsoka hasn't been too happy with me, so I checked. She's probably up crying."

"Hmm. Help her, we should," Master Yoda said as he hobbled along. He made a turn towards the lifts.

Quietly, the other two followed him. Anakin couldn't help but marvel at how much better he felt now than he had earlier. After he'd realized what he'd done, he'd almost drowned in despair. It had been difficult to breathe correctly and he'd gone back to almost wishing for his respirator again. Almost.

But Girth informing him that they had expected back-sliding and regressions had been a bit of a pleasant surprise. He didn't think regressions would be a natural part of healing, but now that he thought about it, sometimes someone had to stop training to heal, and wasn't that like a physical regression? And didn't Master Xio say that the mind and body were the same? Or, at least that they healed the same. He wasn't sure he believed that, but he could believe they acted similarly.

Girth offering his support had been... stabilizing. Anakin couldn't really describe it in any other way, and he appreciated the concessions the drall had made. That couldn't have been easy.

And Master Xio pointing out that some good could still come from this... well, he thought that was a little optimistic, but the whole experience had driven home the fact that he couldn't let his guard down. He couldn't just pretend he'd never fallen and move on, or the darkness would claim him again. It was a little disheartening to realize that Master Yoda was right in that his experiences with the dark side would indeed influence – if not outright dictate – the rest of his life, but somehow, he felt more prepared to meet that challenge now. Which was strange as he'd felt rather the opposite not an hour earlier.

Mind-healing was really far more helpful than he'd realized.

They entered the lifts in silence, then exited on the Clawmouse Clan floor, approaching the door with only their faint footsteps echoing down the large hallways.

Anakin saw that there was, indeed, a light on, far after 'bed time' hours and had to hide a small wince.

They knocked on the door (Anakin wondered why as usually he just walked in, but figured it had something to do with the current time) and it opened a couple of seconds later. The same crechemaster from before, Master Kobola, stood in the frame, night-tunics and a bath robe tied around her and her red-hair sticking out like a fuzzy cloud. In her arms, she held an obviously distraught Togruta youngling.

"Master Yoda," she said with surprise. "What can I do for you?"

"Worried, we were, that having problems, you might be."

Master Kobola narrowed her eyes at them suspiciously, and if it had been just Anakin, or even Anakin and Siri, she might have asked how they knew. However, seeing Master Yoda standing there, serene as ever, she just sighed.

"I see." Then she patted the little girl's back. "Ahsoka, Anakin's here."

The girl, whose head had been resting on the woman's shoulders, whipped around so quickly Anakin was surprised she didn't give herself whiplash.

"You!" she yelled, pointing at Anakin.

"Ahsoka! You need to be quieter! The other children are sleeping,' Master Kobola admonished.

The girl looked a little abashed for a moment, but then she turned back to Anakin.

"You liar!" she said, voice quieter but still angry. Then she seemed to break down, tears welling up in her eyes. "You said you'd try! That I could keep you warm but... it's always cold! And you weren't here! I couldn't stop it!"

Anakin slumped a little, the depression he'd almost chased off earlier coming back at the little girl's words.

"I'm so sorry, Ahsoka," he said softly. "I wish you didn't have to feel that."

Before the little girl could respond, the crechemaster cut in, putting her one free hand on her hip.

"Alright, I've had enough. This has been going on for far too long for me to not know what is happening here."

She glared at them and, yet again, made Anakin feel like a chastised child. Kriff, she was good.

Anakin glanced at Siri and Yoda. The former just shrugged helplessly, while the latter nodded. He let out a sigh.

"Ahsoka and I have a bond," he said. Master Kobola's eyes widened.

"How?" she asked.

Yeah, he wasn't about to divulge that. "I'm... not entirely sure."

"With his mind-healing lately," Siri cut in, sensing Anakin's growing distress (he greatly appreciated that), "he's been having some relapses, and we think some of that is spilling over to Ahsoka."

The crechemaster's eyes narrowed again. "What kind of relapses?"

He found himself caught flat-footed for a moment. What kind of answer could he give that didn't throw everything he'd been trying to keep under wraps out the window for the Galaxy to see?

Then he remembered what he had initially been treated for when he'd gone to the mind-healing sessions. Yeah, that should work.

"I was raised as a slave," he said, lifting his chin up and putting his hands behind his back. Then he realized that that's what Vader would do and consciously had to relax his stance. He tried to remain confident as he continued, though. "I, apparently, have severe PTSD and relapses because of it." Which was all true too. Maybe he was getting better at this whole 'wordplay' thing. As Vader, he'd had to get better than Knight Skywalker, but he still hadn't been good. Even then, he'd tended to be more of a blunt, brute-force kind of person instead of a subtle, precision-tool kind of person. It had only taken him three lifetimes to start getting over that, but he'd take it.

Right now, he'd take just about any positivity he could get.

The woman's eyes softened immensely. "Oh... I see." Then she shot an annoyed look at Master Yoda. "I would have liked to have known that before, though."

Yoda bowed in apology. The second (or was it third?) time tonight. That had to be some kind of record.

Ahsoka had thrown her arms back around her crechemaster's neck and was facing away from them again.

"May I?" Anakin asked, pointing to the child.

The woman seemed a little wary, but eventually nodded and stepped back so Anakin could come in. He walked around in back of her, looking up to the little girl's face.

"Hey, Snips."

She just hid her face away in the woman's neck.

"Yeah, I guess I can't blame you for being upset with me," he said with a sigh. "I know this isn't fair to you, Ahsoka. I thought I could handle it and keep it away, but... my mind-healers told me that I might be fighting the cold for the rest of my life. I wish you didn't have to live with this too... I hate it."

"Hate?" the crechemaster asked. It sounded like a rote reprimand, and Anakin could understand where she was coming from.

"Dislike it greatly?" he asked, a little sheepishly. The woman humphed, but didn't comment further, so Anakin went on. "But it's people like you that can bring me back, Ahsoka. So, I know you're mad at me, but I wanted to say thank you anyway."

She peeked up at him, pale blue eyes looking hurt. It killed him to see that look on her face… again.

"It was colder, this time," she said softly. "And... scarier."

So that was what made her angry. She'd always been one to look her fear in the face and challenge it to a lightsaber duel. But not this fear. This was something she had no control over whatsoever. Of course that would terrify her even more. It terrified him.

"It's okay to be scared, Snips," he said softly, reaching out a hand to lay on top of hers. She didn't pull away, so he kept on. "I know I don't like being scared, but it's something everyone feels – even Master Yoda."

Her eyes widened and she sat back, looking around at the Grandmaster, who nodded solemnly.

"That's what we're here to do," Anakin continued, "to train ourselves so that fear doesn't … rule us." He'd been about to say 'dictate our actions', but doubted Ahsoka could follow that at this age, even as smart as she was. "We shouldn't make our choices based on fear, but that doesn't mean we are never scared."

She turned back around, blinking at Anakin. Her eyes narrowed as she studied him. "It's going to get cold again, isn't it."

The former Sith looked down, but nodded. "Most likely, yes." And how it galled him to admit that. It made him feel so weak, no matter what his mind healers said. But somehow, he knew she needed to hear this, and that was worth his discomfort.

The girl looked down at her crechemaster's shoulder. "I don't like the cold."

Anakin found himself smiling sadly. "Me neither."

"But... if you're here, I can help you stop it?"

His smile grew just a little. "There's a good chance, yes."

She sniffed, then looked up at her crechemaster. "Master Kobola, can Anakin stay here tonight?"

Anakin's eyes widened and he found himself simultaneously touched and panicked.

"Oh, no, it's—" he started at the same time Master Kobola said, "Oh, I don't think—" But Yoda cut them both off.

"A good idea, it is," he said, somehow making himself heard over both of them. Ahsoka seemed to light up, then squealed in excitement and squirmed to get down. The crechemaster let her go as both she and Anakin turned to stare at Yoda incredulously.

"I'll be right back with blankets!" the young torgruta yelled.

"Ahsoka! Inside voice!" Master Kobola practically hissed after her, but the girl was already gone. The red-head sighed, then turned to Yoda. "Are you sure this is a good idea."

Yoda studied both of them for several seconds, then nodded. "I am."

Finally, the crechemaster just sighed in resignation. "Very well," she said. "You can sleep on the couch over there. Or the large cushion like last time."

Anakin copied her sigh, then nodded and walked over to the couch, resigned. A couple of seconds later, Ahsoka came back out with her arms full of pillows and blankets. She was also followed by some very sleepy, familiar friends. Both of their eyes widened and grins broke across their faces as they rushed over to Anakin (who still didn't deserve this).

A couple of minutes later, he found himself curled up on the couch with younglings scattered around him. This was becoming a very bad habit, he thought.

As Master Kobola and Master Yoda continued to talk by the door, Siri came over, grabbed one of the blankets and spread it over all of them as they all snuggled up together.

"Not a word, Siri," Anakin muttered, hoping his burning face wasn't visible in the dim light.

"Whatever you say, oh Hero with No Fear," she said through a grin.

Anakin just groaned and he shot her a dirty look. She didn't look repentant in the slightest.

"Go away," he muttered. Despite his discomfort, he already felt sleep pull at him, and the younglings settling down around him actually seemed to help that along, strangely enough, even despite their squirming.

Siri smiled warmly at them for a moment before she laughed and did as he'd said.

A couple of minutes later, exhaustion – both physical and mental – claimed him.

xXx

One of my longest chapters yet. Thank you Carradee, Khalthar and Quathis for all their help with this!

So, a couple of things:

I've begun to use the word 'sapient' instead of 'sentient' because I looked it up, and any animal that has higher brain function is sentient, while those who are self aware are sapient. I thought it was the other way around. Mind. Blown.

This will likely be the last mind-healing chapter for a while, but given the rest of the story, it had to happen. I wanted to name this chapter Fallout... but then I'd have to go back and rename other chapters and I really don't have the time right now. This new webcomic has SUCKED AWAY MY LIFE! I honestly get up, morning routine for an hour or so, eat, and then get to work drawing. I will draw with breaks (because burnout is a bad thing…) for the next 8 – 15 hours, then go back to sleep (an average of about 5.5 -6 hours), and I'm STILL behind. You guys are lucky you're getting this chapter this month at all. I reserve the right to wait to post the next one in July…

I also may not be able to respond to any reviews or responses until July, but I promise I read every single one of them! Some of them, multiple times. I really appreciate that you've taken time out of your own busy life to come and read my story. It really means the world to me, so thank you!

For anyone interested: If you go to webtoons, look up HACamp and then check out 'Hope for Scars', I'd REALLY appreciate it! The second installment should be up this week so I'd also appreciate it if you subscribed to it. Don't blame you if you just want to take a look at it though. Unlike my other webcomic that's a comedy with dry to morbid humor, Hope for Scars is about taking the first step past child abuse. So for those of you who like the Sight series, you may like that one. If you check it out, thanks in advance!