Hey everyone!

RyanSquad: One of those things might be coming in the near future...

OneLittleSpark18: Thanks so much! I'm glad I'm doing pacing well, I always feel I'm rushing.

TragicFiction: when you can't trust Rex, who can you trust???

Mando'a translations at the end!

Obi Wan watched his former apprentice fidget before the Council. He knew Anakin never really liked facing the Jedi Council, usually because he was in trouble, but his anxiety this time was far greater than Obi Wan had felt before. Obi Wan himself was anxious. This was one of their last hopes for saving Captain Rex.

Obi Wan was just as eager as Anakin to save the Captain's life. For one, Anakin and Ahsoka relied on the Captain. Obi Wan didn't know what they would do without his steady presence. He himself would have more to worry about if Rex wasn't there to keep an eye on them. Then there was the fact that he was an exceptional soldier. The GAR would sorely miss his strategies and battlefield skill if he was decommissioned.The other clones were another reason. Rex was a rock for many clones, Cody included.

And Obi Wan just liked Rex. Rex was a good man and Obi Wan was discovering a lack of those in the galaxy. Deep down, Obi Wan also knew he shared a deep bond with the Captain. The horrors of Kadavo had forged something between them that Obi Wan had difficulty describing. And how could they have created such a bond if Rex was not sentient?

That was the only reason needed to save Rex's life.

All of these excellent reasons why Rex should go free and the Republic needed only one to condemn him.

Obi Wan fixed his attention back on Anakin.

"What is the reason you requested to meet with us, Skywalker?" Master Windu said.

"I have a request, Masters." Anakin said slowly.

Good. He was being respectful. That was not always a given with Anakin. Master Windu inclined his head for Anakin to continue.

"As you know, my Captain, Rex, is returning with Ahsoka in the next few days." Anakin went on. "The Senate has plans to prove him defective when he returns."

The council stayed silent. Obi Wan shared a glance with Master Plo.

"I know that in the past the Jedi Council has granted amnesty to individuals they wished to protect from the law." Anakin said. "I request the council do the same for Rex."

Obi Wan suspected that Padme had helped him with the wording.

"This has not been done in many years." Master Windu said. "And to individuals with no favor with any Jedi."

Anakin stiffened. Obi Wan grit his teeth. Master Windu could at least have the decency to outright accuse Anakin of being attached to Rex.

Remain calm, Anakin. Obi Wan sent.

He got a vague agreement in reply. Obi Wan suspected that Anakin was working hard at holding his tongue. His former apprentice's nerves were more frayed than they'd ever been. Come to think of it, so were Obi Wan's. Whatever happened to Ahsoka in the last few days, when her presence through their bonds had nearly winked out, had disturbed them all.

It was a few seconds before Anakin seemed to reign himself in.

"Masters, this would be for the good of the Republic." Anakin said. "Rex is one of our best. It would be a huge blow to the army if we lost him."

Obi Wan was exceptionally proud of his apprentice at that moment.

"We will discuss this matter among ourselves." Master Windu said.

Obi Wan got a flash of annoyance from Anakin at the dismissal. However, Anakin merely bowed and retreated from the room.

"It is clear we must grant Captain Rex amnesty." Obi Wan said as soon as Anakin was gone.

"I'm not sure." Master Windu said. "The clone did commit a serious crime."

"And in doing so rectified the council's own grave mistake." Master Plo interjected. "I believe we owe Captain Rex this at the very least."

Windu stroked his chin.

"I worry this comes not from a desire for justice, but from attachment to the clones." He said.

"There is a difference between attachment and concern for a sentient's life." Plo said.

His tone was mild, and yet behind his words was a sharpness Obi Wan didn't think possible for the Kel Dor.

"I agree with Masters Kenobi and Plo." Master Shaak Ti said from her flickering hologram.

"As do I." Master Kit Fisto said.

Obi Wan was elated as one by one each member of the council agreed to provide Rex amnesty. Even Masters Mundi and Windu gave their approval without prodding. Well, much prodding.

"Agreed the council is." Yoda announced.

"It's decided then." Master Windu said. "Summon Skywalker."

He was interrupted by a chirping. Each member turned to the holo transmitter in the center of the room. With a flick of a talon, Master Yoda turned it on.

A tall-necked pale creature flickered into view.

"Greetings, Masters Jedi." The Kaminoan said.

"Nala Se." Master Ti said. She wore a frown. "What business is there that you did not approach me first?"

Nala Se turned her gaze to the Togruta master.

"This matter is of extreme importance." She said. "It concerns the clone CT-7567."

"Captain Rex?" Obi Wan asked.

"It has been brought to our attention that efforts have been made to prevent its sentencing." Nala Se said. "The clone has acted in a way we have not seen before. It is imperative that the process of determining its status as defective be unhampered."

Obi Wan's insides felt riddled with blaster fire. How did they know?

"We have just made the decision to grant Captain Rex amnesty." Master Windu said in a chilly tone.

The only sign of displeasure in the Kaminoan's face was a slight contraction of her pupil. Even that could have been a trick of the holo.

"The actions of this clone have put into question its functionality. It is of the utmost importance we continue with the process."

Nala Se paused, passing her eerie gaze over many of the council members.

"If you do not comply, we will consider it a breach of contract. The contract will be considered null, and we will reclaim our assets."

The Force tightened with the Jedi's suddenly tense nerves.

"On what grounds?" Obi Wan managed to ask.

Nala Se looked at him and blinked slowly.

"We require your absolute cooperation in any matter regarding the functionality of the clones." She said. "In keeping the clone from us, you are hindering our attempts to keep the army in working order."

The room was silent.

"Comply, we will." Master Yoda said. "An obstacle to you, we will not be."

"Master Yoda!" Obi Wan protested, then cursed himself for the outburst.

Yoda turned tired eyes to Obi Wan.

"The life of one clone, we cannot choose, over the entire army." He said.

Nala Se bowed her head and the holo clicked off.

It was silent again.

"Perhaps you could tell Skywalker, Master Kenobi." Master Windu said. "He would take it better from you."

Obi Wan fixed Windu with cold eyes.

"No." The council for once deserved Anakin's anger.

Windu sighed.

"Bring him in."

The trip passed with Ahsoka sleeping through most of it and Rex trying and failing to keep his mind off his fate.

Then the time came. Coruscant loomed in their viewport. Rex guided their craft to the instructed landing pad. Out the front he could see two groups. One, troopers dressed in red, were obviously for him. The other was far more welcome to him. Generals Skywalker, Kenobi, and Plo, Senator Amidala, and a group of clones Rex realized was the rescue team.

Rex helped Ahsoka onto her feet. She leaned heavily on him, but they had agreed that him carrying her out wouldn't be appropriate.

She looked up at him. He managed a smile for her. Then she reached up and touched his face. The weakness of her touch worried him.

"Thank you for everything, Rex." She said.

I'm sorry. Please understand. He thought behind mental shields. He reached up and took her hand in both his own.

"Always, Commander." Rex said. He hesitated. This could be the last time he saw her. "I am proud to say that you outrank me."

Confusion flitted across her face and their bond.

"Rex?" She asked.

Rex looked away.

"We shouldn't keep them waiting."

He let go and opened the ship's door. There was a burst of cheering from the clones involved with the rescue. Kix and General Skywalker hurried forward to take Ahsoka from Rex. Rex met the General's eyes. He looked exhausted and he quickly broke Rex's gaze. Rex swallowed. So that was it. But right now he needed to pass information on.

"She experienced cardiac arrest a few nights ago." Rex told Kix in an undertone.

The medic froze, horrified. Rex quickly explained the rest of her symptoms as best he could. The Coruscant Guard was coming closer, led by Fox.

"CT-7567, you are under arrest for the unlawful entry of a GAR building, attacking GAR personnel, and the releasing and harboring of a GAR prisoner." Fox announced.

Rex closed his eyes. This was it.

"I understand." He said and held out his wrists. One of the troopers put him in binders. Fox turned to Ahsoka.

"Commander Tano." He said stiffly. "I would like to apologize on behalf of the Coruscant Guard for your erroneous arrest and imprisonment."

Ahsoka blinked, but gave Fox a nod. He nodded back and turned back to Rex. Fox took Rex's arm and led him towards a waiting GAR speeder. Rex looked back. The welcoming party and Ahsoka were all staring at him. Then Fives saluted, and the rest of the clones followed suit. The Generals and Senator Amidala bowed. Ahsoka just met his gaze and smiled encouragingly.

The ride to the GAR Headquarters was silent. Fox had never been talkative and he was probably still angry at Rex.

They arrived and Rex was marched to the detention level and into a small room. Thire was the only person in the room and the door closed behind Rex.

"Your armor, vod." Thire said.

Rex took a deep breath and with trembling hands began to undo the straps. He managed to get most of it off and place it on the ground. His hands were shaking so bad when he got to his breastplate it slipped. The white armor clattered to the ground. Rex leaned against the wall with one hand.

"Rex?" Thire asked.

"I-" Rex swallowed and struggled to find his voice. "When is it going to happen?"

"I don't know." Thire said quietly. "We're waiting on word from the Kaminoans."

Rex squeezed his eyes shut. He felt Thire place his hands on Rex's shoulders.

"Udesii, vod." Thire said. "Your General's deadset on seeing you safe."

Rex let a shaky snort.

"I'm sure he is." He muttered. "I knew I was a dead man the second we stunned the first trooper."

It wasn't often that Anakin had reason to be in the Halls of Healing, at least not lately. He'd been there plenty of times as an apprentice, a few of those times to visit his master. These days he just got his medics to patch him up. He never thought he'd be at all pleased to be here.

Yet here he was, holding his apprentice's hand, and able to focus on a spark of happiness. Ahsoka had been in surgery, a healing trance, and being treated for over eight hours. Now she slept in one of the soft beds. She was still pale and though Master Che had promised Anakin that she was in little danger, he watched her carefully.

The head healer was currently off studying the strange, miniscule device the surgeons had found in Ahsoka's arm. They theorized that it was the cause of Ahsoka's 'fits', as Rex had called them. Master Plo and Obi Wan would have been there, but they had been called before the council to be reprimanded for their actions to save Ahsoka. It was all for show, Anakin knew. The council was very pleased to have Ahsoka return and be cleared of all charges. It still rankled Anakin that they felt they needed to. Most of what the council had done lately rankled him. Of course, it was nothing compared to their most recent betrayal.

Anakin grit his teeth.

Thanks to them, Rex was sitting in solitary confinement, waiting for the humiliation of a trial. Anakin had tried to visit his Captain after the medics had pronounced Ahsoka out of danger. He'd been denied.

The simmer of rage in his stomach from the last few days boiled up again. The whole council were cowards. One half hearted threat from the Kaminoans and they fell apart. They had abandoned one of their most loyal men.

And Anakin couldn't do anything about it. Padme had begged Anakin to give her more time. She was sure she could find a way. So Anakin was forced to wait.

Ahsoka stirred in her sleep and Anakin anchored his focus on her. He could feel her mind coming closer to wakefulness. Emotions began filtering through their bond. Anakin frowned. Even in her sleep, Ahsoka usually had enough control to keep her emotions and thoughts to herself. Anakin became more worried as he felt how distressed she was. He was tempted to wake her from whatever nightmare she was going through, but Master Che had told him to let her wake up naturally. So he settled down to wait.

Ahsoka crawled her way to wakefulness. It was difficult, like swimming through the Namana custard from Dex's that Anakin liked so much. She wanted to give up and stay asleep. But there was something wrong. She could feel it in her stomach: deep, cold dread, almost eclipsing the pain scrabbling at her skin. As she became closer and closer to consciousness, she realized the dread wasn't her own.

A familiar face grinned at her as she opened her eyes.

"Hey Snips." Anakin said.

"Master?"

The dark feelings weren't his. He was worried, and frustrated, with a shallow skin of happiness, but not dreading anything. Her muddled mind tried to connect the feelings to the bond they were oozing from. Not Obi Wan. Not Plo.

Rex.

Those were not the feelings of a man merely consigned to a prison stay.

"Master." She croaked. Speaking hurt her ribs. "Master, where's Rex?"

He didn't meet her eyes as he responded.

"GAR headquarters." He said. "They settled him in last night."

That was the truth, but Ahsoka could sense there was more.

"There's something else, isn't there? What's happening?" She asked.

"Nothing, Snips." Anakin said. "They're keeping him there until his sentence is up."

"No! Something's wrong!" Ahsoka said. Her own dread festered with Rex's. "Anakin. What is happening?"

Anakin fully looked away.

"He's being held at the GAR headquarters until they try to prove he's defective in court in a few days"

Ahsoka felt her face blaze with panic. She tried to suck in a deep breath only to be stopped by pain in her ribs.

"What? No, you told me it was just a prison stay!" Ahsoka managed.

Anakin still wouldn't look at her.

"You lied to me." She whispered.

"I had to!" Anakin burst out. "Rex made me-"

"Made you?" Ahsoka could hear her voice rising in fear. "Since when do you take orders from him?"

"He was right, Ahsoka!" Anakin said. "You were dying! The healers say that if we had waited even a few more days, you'd be dead!"

"And so will Rex if they find him guilty!" Ahsoka snapped.

"Rex knew the consequences-"

"So did I! Is my life worth more than his?" Ahsoka demanded.

She saw the truth in the way he looked away.

"Anakin." Ahsoka whispered.

"He would agree." Anakin said, still looking away. "We will always put your life above his."

"Why?" Ahsoka asked, trying to sit up. "I hate it! I hate that Rex thinks he's not worth as much as I am! That all of them think that! And you- you-"

Anakin thought so too.

But the words wouldn't, couldn't come. Suddenly she was very aware of the pain still stitched across her body. And it was getting worse. Her chest constricted, her ribs burned, and she suddenly couldn't breathe.

"Ahsoka!" Anakin said, standing.

Ahsoka gasped for breath. It was happening again-it was happening again-they hadn't fixed it-Rex-where was Rex- she needed Rex-

A cool hand touched her head. The jagged edges of pain were rounded into something bearable. The blackness faded from the edges of her vision and she saw a healer removing his hand from her. The healer turned to Anakin.

"Knight Skywalker, you are distressing my patient!" The tall Pantoran man scolded. "She is still in a delicate state. I must ask you to leave if you continue to upset her."

"I'm sorry." Anakin said. "It won't happen again."

The healer narrowed his eyes.

"I want him to leave." Ahsoka rasped.

Both men looked back down at her. Anakin's face reflected the hurt in their bond. The healer raised an eyebrow.

"As you wish." He said. "Knight Skywalker, this way."

Anakin didn't move.

"Ahsoka?" He asked.

She didn't want him there. Her head was hazy again and resentment twisted cold in her stomach.

"Ahsoka, we're working on it!" Anakin said in a pleading tone. "Padme, Obi Wan, Plo, we're all trying to get him out!"

"Then why are you here?" Each word was difficult to speak. "Get out and save him."

Padme was at her desk, head in hand. She was exhausted. Anakin had given her evidence that could potentially save Rex's life. And there was no place to put it. The Kaminoans had no legal counsel as of yet, and Padme doubted the lawyer they chose would be particularly eager to help Rex. They'd probably be focused on having the Kaminoans save face.

Anakin was asleep in the chair next to her. He hadn't gone to bed since Ahsoka and Rex came back. He was either at Ahsoka's side, where Ahsoka would barely speak to him, or fretting with Padme. Padme sighed and tried to wake him. He merely muttered something about 'sand' and continued to snore softly.

Padme's comm beeped. She frowned at it. Anyone comming at this hour must have business of extreme importance. Extreme, or mildly illegal importance.

Padme answered the comm.

"This is Senator Amidala." She said, then blinked.

Maybe the person comming had forgotten the time difference between planets.

"Senator Amidala." The Kaminoan said in a musical tone. "I am Administrator Taun We. I am contacting you on behalf of Prime Minister Lama Su."

Padme straightened up and tried a little harder to look like she hadn't been awake for nearly seventy-two hours.

"What can I help you with?" She asked.

"We would like you to represent Kamino in the upcoming lawsuit." Taun We said. "We need to prove that CT-7567 is not defective."

Padme felt her jaw drop.

"I see." She finally managed. "I was unaware that this was a matter of such importance to the Kaminoan government."

"It is." Taun We said. "While there are some factions within the scientists that wish to study the unit, the majority of the leadership on Kamino have determined that it would be in our best interest for the clone to be determined functional."

Padme's thoughts raced. Of course the Kaminoan government would want Rex to be cleared. It wouldn't be good for their image if their clones were determined to be faulty. For once, politicking was on her side.

"I would be honored to represent you, Administrator We." Padme said.

Padme marched down the halls of the GAR Headquarters. She had no guard. Why would she? The men she would have called on to accompany her would have come from this very facility.

She made a point to smile, or give a greeting, or nod to each trooper she passed. Many were used to her; they nodded back. There were a few troopers who gave a double take at her friendliness. One even stopped in his tracks and stared. Padme didn't mind. Either the troopers were very shiny or had had the displeasure of only working with more unpleasant politicians.

As confident as she wanted to seem, after about fifteen minutes she had to admit she was lost.

"Trooper." She approached the nearest guard. "What is your name?"

The fact that the clone stared at her for a moment and that his voice was almost fearful as he responded marked him as young.

"Flip, ma'am." He stammered.

"Flip, can you show me to the detention level?"

He hesitated, but nodded.

"This way, ma'am."

It was the complete opposite way she had been going. Padme regretted not glancing at a map of the place, but she'd been in a hurry. Rex's trial was the next day.

Stone was manning the detention level operations desk. Padme was glad. Fox was too rigid, Thorn a tad too patriotic. Stone and Thire were both easier to 'work' with. Stone looked up as Padme thanked Flip and the young trooper retreated.

"Hello, Senator Amidala." Stone said. "What can I do for you?"

"I'm here as the Kaminoan counsel." Padme said. "I'd like to see Captain Rex, please."

Stone likely knew as well as she did that clones in solitary confinement did not have the luxury of any visitors, regardless of the reason. He didn't react as he opened the door to the cell block.

"Cell C15." Stone drawled. "Do you want an escort?"

"No thank you." Padme said. "I trust Rex."

Stone nodded.

"It's a shame, all of this." He said as Padme passed. "If you wouldn't mind, ma'am letting us know what happens in there? Our surveillance equipment has been spotty lately."

Padme glanced back at the commander. His helmet was fixed forward. Maybe Padme wouldn't have to use the silencing device Anakin had provided her.

The cell block was mostly empty, save for a few guards. They nodded to her, stances confused.

Cell C15 was unlike the other cells in the place. Instead of an open, ray shielded front, there was only a durasteel door into the cell. A single trooper guarded the door. Oddly, it was Thire. Padme thought the Commanders too high ranking to perform something like guard duty.

Thire didn't question her as she approached.

"Ma'am." He said with a nod and tapped the door's panel.

The door slid open and Padme made to go in. Thire inclined his head and spoke in a whisper.

"We haven't been able to talk to him." He said in a hurried tone. "Please, make sure he's alright?"

Padme tilted her head in a tiny nod and entered the small cell.

Rex was sitting on the slab they called a bed. He lifted his bowed head to look at Padme as she stepped down into the room.

"Senator?" He croaked.

Before Padme could respond, Rex spoke again.

"Is the Commander all right?" He said urgently.

"She's not in danger anymore." Padme said. "And the healers say with some time she'll make a full recovery."

Rex closed his eyes and lowered his head again.

"Thank the Force." He mumbled.

Padme waited for him to ask why she was there, or say anything else for that matter. He remained silent.

"How are you feeling?" Padme finally asked.

He looked up to stare at her for a moment more.

"I'd prefer not to answer that, ma'am."

He didn't have to answer for her to know how he was; he looked terrible. The dark shadows under his eyes told her he hadn't been sleeping. He had a few days of scruff on his face and his hair was no longer shaved to the skull. Either they weren't letting him take care of himself, or he didn't care to. Neither boded well for his mental state.

They'd taken his armor, leaving him in his blacks. His shoulders were hunched and now he was avoiding her eyes.

It was wrong.

The most time Padme had ever spent with the Captain was in an underground bunker, slowly dying from the blue shadow virus, and the subsequent time recovering. Padme felt she knew him well from that time. Rex was a dignified and honorable soldier. He cared deeply for those in his charge. He performed his duty and far beyond it, in Padme's opinion. He deserved more than being shoved away in a dark room, waiting for punishment.

"Can I sit?" Padme asked.

"Yes, ma'am." Rex said quietly.

Padme settled herself next to Rex. She fingered the device in her pocket. He didn't look her way. A red light glowing near the ceiling flickered out. Padme relaxed her grip on the device.

"Senator, why haven't they taken me?" He asked. "What are they waiting for?"

He sounded lost and afraid.

Padme's heart twisted more. Had they not told him?

"The Senate has sued the Kaminoans over your lack of obedience when you broke Ahsoka out." Padme said. "The trial is tomorrow. They're proving whether or not you're defective. You're- part of the evidence."

Rex stayed silent.

"Rex, we have a plan to prove you innocent tomorrow." Padme said in a low tone, just in case.

"I'm not innocent." Rex said.

That wasn't the response Padme was expecting, but she plowed on anyway.

"Rex, this is about proving you 'defective.'" Padme said. "They don't care much that you broke the law. It's the fact that you broke the law without orders to do so."

Padme had found traces of evidence of a commando squad that had broken dozens of laws for a covert mission. They hadn't been prosecuted, as the actions had all been under orders.

Rex made no response to her declaration, so Padme continued.

"If we can provide evidence that Anakin gave you orders to break Ahsoka out, the case will have to be thrown out." Padme went on. "We can stop this farce."

Rex continued to stare forward. He had shown no sign he had heard her.

"Rex?" She asked.

"General Skywalker did not give me orders to rescue Commander Tano." He said.

Padme repressed a sigh of frustration. It was good she had acted on her instincts. If Rex denied that he'd been given orders in court, things would go very badly.

"Rex, Anakin told me he did. We have the recordings." Padme said gently.

Rex turned his head slowly to look at her. His eyes were dull, so different from their usual bright attentiveness.

"He did not." He said. "If he had, we wouldn't know the consequences would be for General Skywalker."

"But we do know what they will do to you." Padme said. "Rex, they're not going to execute Anakin."

"But they could take him away from the 501st." Rex said. "General Skywalker protects my men. They need him more than they need me."

Padme closed her eyes. Why did he have to be so blasted noble?

"We don't think they'll expel him or remove him from command, either." Padme assured him. "The 501st is one of the best because of Anakin and they know that."

Rex looked away from her again and fixed his gaze forward.

"I-I don't want a false hope, ma'am." He said. "I know what the Kaminoan scientists are like. I doubt there's anything even you could do to convince them."

Padme reached out and gently laid a hand on Rex's shoulder. He tensed beneath her touch.

"We have evidence, Rex." Padme murmured. "I promise, there is a chance. A good one."

"Thank you." Rex said in barely a whisper.

She let him sit quietly for a moment. To her surprise, he spoke again.

"If it doesn't work-" He said. "Please, tell General Skywalker to not do anything drastic."

Padme smiled slightly and squeezed his shoulder.

"I'll try."

After a few moments Padme stood.

"I'll be with you." She told him.

He nodded.

"Thank you." He said again.

Padme gave him a reassuring smile. She hated to leave him alone once more.

Mando'a:

Udesii: calm down, be still

vod: brother

Hoo boy the angst is coming in hard. I just...like writing it? Anyway, Ahsoka is understandably pissed at Anakin and Padme is trying to fix the huge mess they're all in. Ahsoka is gonna take a bit of a back seat while this plays out. She needs to recover from almost dying and crap.

Anyway, wear your masks, remember to review, and have a great few weeks!