Happy 4th of July for my American readers!

Maeve111999: Thank you! And here you are, next update!

LizzyLuna75: Just as I intended

Omahawar1940: Thank you! And yeah that's the reaction I was going for

RyanSquad: Wouldn't that be wonderful?

It's a shorter chapter this week, but I will be posting a companion one shot to this chapter. It's the story of Padme getting the flowers with some of the 501st. It's mostly fluff, to counteract last week's angst. Check my profile for the story, because I can't figure out how to make links work on this site

Things are far calmer this time around. TW: for slight flashbacks, but nothing too graphic

Mando'a translations at the end!

Rex could feel Ahsoka's eyes on him. She'd been watching him almost constantly since they'd taken him out of the bacta a few days ago. Even now, talking with Senator Amidala, Ahsoka kept an eye his direction. He continued to feign sleep. He didn't feel much like talking. Wasn't easy to either, with healing ribs and a million other aches and pains running up and down his body.

Apparently they'd had to take him out of the bacta early. After three weeks he had been in danger of slipping into a coma.

Ahsoka had been with him most of the time. More often than not when he opened his eyes, her shadowy montrals were visible through the blue substance. She helped keep some of the flashbacks at bay.

A healer approached him. Rex had to open his eyes and focus on the Twi'lek woman. Master Che herself had come to do his daily examination.

"If you could sit up, please, Captain." She said.

She watched, disapproving, as Rex struggled upright. Rex insisted on doing as many things as he could by himself. It was a short list. Sitting up, eating, and drinking. Anything that required getting out of his bed needed at least one healer. It rankled him badly that he needed help dressing or using the fresher.

When he was finally upright Rex began to remove the loose tunic they'd dressed him in. He hated the thing. It was only cloth and offered absolutely no protection. Like his blacks. Blacks that had been torn away from his body as teeth ripped into his leg-

Rex caught himself and forced himself to breathe. It took a minute for the images to fade.

He appreciated that Ahsoka and Senator Amidala pointedly looked away as Master Che began her examination. Rex endured this without much trouble. It was easier today. The gash across his face and puncture wounds on his chest were healing well. His hands and shoulder were still infected. Apparently, like humans, the bite of a Karkarodon always became infected. Master Che had lamented the fact after he'd been removed from the bacta and his wounds were still oozing and red.

"This will sting, Captain." Master Che said.

It did sting, but Rex gritted his teeth and bore it. What was one more pain?

His ribs still ached, but Master Che applied a bacta shot that she said should help. Still, even her gentle touch made him want to lash out and get away.

"Lie back down, Captain." Master Che said gently.

She didn't try to press him down. She must have heard of the difficulty the healers had the day before. Perhaps that was why she was here today.

Rex lowered himself and another healer approached. Rex winced as he saw the dark bruise on the Pantoran man's cheek.

This was the hard part for Rex.

He was able to keep still as the pair of healers finished undressing him, which was better than yesterday.

He kept his eyes fixed on the ceiling as they examined the mild, but infected bite marks above his stump.

"I am sorry, Captain, but we must keep you still while we apply the antibiotics." Master Che said.

Rex set his jaw as the Pantoran healer placed a gentle, but firm hand on Rex's chest.

The memories of being held down were coming back. Rex's chest began to heave.

A tender mental touch suddenly surged, pushing the memories away. Rex realized it had been there the entire examination, keeping his panic down.

Rex stole a glance at Ahsoka. She was still chatting with Senator Amidala. Was she doing it unconsciously?

Then Master Che moved on to his missing leg. Despite Ahsoka's help, Rex clutched the side of his bed and pulled his head away as the examination was done.

Finally it was over and the Pantoran healer began to help Rex dress again. Master Che went over her data pad and made notes.

"We will have to wait on your prosthesis based on how well the infection heals."

Rex nodded and both healers retreated. He leaned back into the too soft pillows and stared at the ceiling.

He looked over at a soft clinking noise. Senator Amidala had set a vase holding a bunch of blue and white flowers on his bedside table.

"From the 501st." She said with a smile. "They say to get better soon."

Rex glanced past her to see Ahsoka had one too, except much larger and more gaudy than his. He looked back to Senator Amidala and tried to smile and nod.

She seemed to understand, smiling again.

"I'll see you both tomorrow." She said, before leaving them alone in the quiet room.

There was a moment of silence during which Rex studied the flowers. An interesting choice. Perhaps it was traditional?

Ahsoka got up from her bed and cautiously made her way to his bedside. She sat down and took his hand. She'd taken up the same position every time they'd been alone.

How are you?

Rex didn't jump at Ahsoka's mental question. In fact, he wondered what took her so long. He sent back the equivalent of a mental shrug. She frowned at him.

What's the matter? She asked.

The Kaminoans will be coming for me. He said. Once they learn what happened.

What? No, we-

I'm damaged goods, Commander. Bitterness leaked into his thoughts and he turned to stare at the ceiling once more. Once a tool is broken, you get rid of it.

You're not a tool! She protested.

That's what the Kaminoans see. Clones hurt this bad are always decommissioned.

We're not going to let that happen. You'll get your leg and-

Why?

What?

Why do I get to live? Why do you fight so hard for me?

Because you did the right thing, Rex. Because we care-

Then why didn't you fight for Dogma? He did the right thing.

Rex, by the time we knew, it was too late-

And what about all of my brothers who've lost limbs? Clones don't get cybernetics. Clones like me die.

Rex-

I had a squadmate- he didn't even have a name yet. There was an accident, he got his leg shattered. They could have helped him, given him a new leg, but it wasn't worth it to them.

Ahsoka didn't respond, but Rex wasn't done.

Do you know what they called me as they tried to kill me in there? Meatdroid. And that's what we are, at least to everyone else. If I weren't the favorite pet of someone important, I would have died in there. I should have died in there, because every single one of my brothers would have.

Angry tears were forming in his eyes and he turned completely away from her, tugging his hand from her grip.

When the Kaminoans find out, let them take me. You'd let them take any other clone.

Rex curled in tighter on himself and quickly shut down their bond. He didn't want her reaction. It would make the guilt already creeping up even worse. He waited for her to get up and return to her bed.

Instead, she put her hand on his shoulder. For a moment he was overwhelmed by her touch but she soon soothed away the panic.

"I'm sorry." Ahsoka whispered aloud. "You're right. Every clone deserves the chance you get."

She squeezed his shoulder tighter.

"None of it is fair. I don't have the power to change much. But I promise I'll stay with our men and I'll do what I can to protect them."

Rex slowly relaxed and some of the anger drained away.

"Thank you." He mumbled, though it hurt. "I'm sorry. It's not your fault."

He was still facing away from her, but he reached his hand over and touched hers. She took his hand again.

"I hope you know," She said quietly. "I would fight for any clone, if I had the chance."

Rex looked at her. Her eyes were serious.

"I know, Commander." He said. And he did.

"I want you to promise me something."

Rex met her gaze, an odd sense of apprehension falling over him.

"Promise me you won't give up." She said. "You'll do everything in your power to come back to us."

Rex hesitated and Ahsoka immediately squeezed his hand.

"Promise me." She said.

Rex swallowed.

"I promise."

He wondered if she knew how difficult it was to say it.

"Some of the council have come to see you." Master Che told Ahsoka. "Do you feel well enough to meet with them?"

"Yes." Ahsoka said.

It had been a few days since Rex's outburst and Ahsoka had been thinking long and hard about the promise she had made to him. The Jedi Council was key to whether or not she could keep it.

A few moments later a small group crowded into the room. Master Yoda was there of course, as well as Master Windu, Master Mundi, and Master Tiin. Ahsoka was pleased to see Master Obi Wan and Master Plo there as well. They would make things easier.

"Padawan Tano, it is good to see you recovered." Master Windu said.

"Should you be calling me that?" Ahsoka asked.

Master Windu seemed taken aback by her challenge.

"We wish to discuss with you the matter of your place in the Jedi Order." He continued as if she hadn't said anything. "We would have come to you before, but we wished for you to have time to recover."

Ahsoka suppressed a snort. Some of the council wanted to talk to her since day one. It had been Master Che, Master Plo, and Master Obi Wan who had absolutely put their foot down. Master Che especially had told them that she would decide when her patient was able to meet with them, not them.

Master Windu paused, glancing Rex's direction. Rex was curiously watching them.

"These are Jedi matters." Master Windu said. "Perhaps the clone-"

"I'd like Rex to stay." Ahsoka said.

Master Windu and Master Mundi shared a glance but said nothing more about it.

"You have been through a difficult ordeal, little 'Soka." Master Plo said. He had moved to the side of her bed with Obi Wan."You have our humblest apologies. It was the fault of the council that you have suffered."

Ahsoka looked up into his face. They both tried to hide it, but Ahsoka knew their inaction still deeply hurt Obi Wan and Plo.

"Thank you, Master." Ahsoka said softly.

"You have shown such great strength and resilience in your struggle to prove your innocence." Master Tiin said.

"This is the true sign of a Jedi Knight." Master Mundi added.

"This was actually your great trial. Now we see that." Master Windu said. "We understand that the Force works in mysterious ways, and because of this trial, you have become a greater Jedi than you would have otherwise."

Master Windu's words felt like a slap to the face. Ahsoka blinked, stunned. The Force worked in mysterious ways?

"Back into the Order, you may come." Master Yoda said.

Ahsoka stared at her folded hands on the blanket. She was angry. Master Windu in one blow had shed all responsibility from the Order. She was very tempted to tell them all to kark off, but Ahsoka had a promise to keep.

"I will be honest, Masters." She said slowly. "The council failed me. You abandoned me based on circumstantial evidence."

The group was quiet, so she continued.

"I have one priority now." She looked past the members of the council to Rex and met his eyes. "My men. And I will make whatever choice I need to in order to stay with them."

She looked back to the council.

"But know this. If my only choice is to rejoin the Jedi Order, I do so with the intention of leaving again after the war is over and my men are safe."

"Why would we allow you to return knowing this?" Master Mundi exclaimed.

Anger flared again and Ahsoka only just managed to keep her temper in check. Mostly.

"Because the council owes me a great debt." Ahsoka said. "You would have allowed my death without lifting a finger."

"Clearly attachment to the clones has clouded your judgement." Master Windu said.

His placid face belied the cold anger Ahsoka could hear in his voice.

"My men's attachment to me is what saved me!" Ahsoka said. "Attachment is what prevented innocent blood from being on your hands!"

"Perhaps it was well that you were removed from the Jedi Order." Master Mundi said. "If you see attachment in such a way."

Plo and Obi Wan stiffened with Ahsoka. Even Master Tiin and Windu looked a little uncomfortable with the comment.

"Then make me a civilian officer." Ahsoka said. "The Navy has them, why not the GAR?"

"Those officers have a history in the military." Master Windu said.

"And Ahsoka does not?" Obi Wan interjected. "Has she not proven herself an excellent Commander thus far? I fail to see how her status as a Jedi changes that."

"If we deny 'Soka her request, we will be weakening ourselves." Plo said. "The men of the 501st would be demoralized and we would lose both her tactical and battlefield abilities."

Master Windu frowned, but looked as if he were considering their points.

"Support Padawan Tano's proposal, I do." Yoda declared. "Lose her skills, we cannot."

"I agree." Master Windu said. "We will speak to the Supreme Chancellor about reinstating you to the rank of Commander."

"Thank you, Masters." Ahsoka said, giving a bow of her head.

She received a few reluctant bows back, before most of the council excused themselves. Masters Plo and Obi Wan remained.

"You have done a very brave thing, Little 'Soka." Plo said. "We will miss you, but if you feel you can no longer be a Jedi, I would not wish to force you."

"Indeed." Obi Wan said. "Anakin will be disappointed, but at least you'll be staying close."

"Thank you again, Masters." Ahsoka said.

She didn't want to think about how Anakin would react.

Master Che gave her a clean bill of health a few days later, at least physically. Ahsoka still was having trouble with certain aspects of the Force. So now she was being sent off to another Jedi Master, Bas Gek, who specialized in Force ailments. It wouldn't be for a few days; Ahsoka would have time to spend with the men.

Ahsoka approached Rex's bed. He looked up at her. He still didn't talk much out loud. He'd be shipped off to the Kaliida Shoals Medical Center in the Outer Rim in a few days for his recovery. Anakin had suggested it, as far away as Rex could get from Tarkin's influence. The Kaminoans were surprisingly compliant in their requests regarding Rex. Ahsoka figured that Rex, as both an ARC and a Captain, was easier to fix than replace. It didn't hurt that Padme, now in good standings with the Kaminoan government, had personally asked for their help.

"I'm off." She told him. "I'm good to go, then we're going to Kaladin IV to meet with Master Gek."

He nodded.

Thank you for staying with the men. He replied.

"I promised I would." She said. "And someone needs to look after them with you laid up."

He smiled a little.

Take care of them. And yourself.

"Of course." Ahsoka said.

They looked at each other. There was so much Ahsoka wanted to say. Words weren't enough. Gently she took his hand. She leaned down and pressed her lips against his head.

He squeezed her hand.

Ret'urcye mhi, Ahsoka.

He understood.

"I don't like that phrase." She told him. "We will meet again."

The Force had bonded them, and it had a way of bringing those it connected back together.

Mando'a:

Ret'urcye mhi: Mandalorian farewell, literally 'maybe we'll meet again'

Okay, first things first. I obviously retooled the scene in season 5 were Ahsoka rejects the Order, but a with a twist. I did take some of the lines from the Jedi word for word. Anakin isn't there and my excuse is it's because the Council is mad at him for causing such a stir with the Chancellor and such. I dunno, for some reason he just didn't exist in the scene for me. I may go back and change it, but for now, it stays. Obviously not a lot happens this chapter. It's mostly to set things up for future events and transition from one part of the story to the next.

(Also I really don't like Mundi, can you tell?)

Anyway, as always, wear your masks unless you're vaccinated, remember to review, and have a great few weeks!