Hello everyone!

IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ:

Before I get into the chapter, I'm unfortunately announcing a short hiatus for both Guilty/Absolved and Fives Effect. I haven't been able to write as much due to the transition of a new job and some medication wonkiness. Because of this, I am nearly out of content. I have like 2 paragraphs of content for after this chapter. I also need to take some time to work out some plot details.

SO.

I am taking a 4 week hiatus and I will return with the Fives Effect on June 21-22. That should give me the time I need to get things in order.

Thank you for your continued reading and support!

imaginationflies: I actually anticipate a different conversation. It's funny, Haali was a character that I just threw out there because I needed a POV character for the scene. And then I kinda fell in love with her. I feel like the overall levels of misery are equal, but Fives in particular is having a better time in this fic. Senna…is not. I'm so glad you like how I write the Batch! It helps that my editors help catch anything that might be out of character.(usually me trying to do more angst than necessary) I like that detail too. Tech trusts Hunter so much.

4thwallbreak: I don't think I could really write anything like that in any amount of detail. I don't have the experience and honestly I don't think it's necessary. I might make references if I feel it's realistic, but to have the direct aftermath is a little too much for me. At least Senna and Sev are rescued now! And you can, it's just not for long!

I'm hoping that I can get some info on Padme's side of things within the next few chapters. Sometimes it's kinda hard to remember everything I've introduced into my own story lol

Good thing I didn't go on hiatus this week before posting, I think I would have ended up murdered.

No Mando'a this chapter!

ABSOLVED: Chapter 29

Pressure embraced Ahsoka as she came to. Weight pressed all around her. It took a moment for her to realize that it was in the physical world, not just the pain in the Force. She tried opening her eyes, but she was met with darkness. Something was dripping on her face.

She could move somewhat and she pressed her hand to the weight on top of her. She felt plasteel through her torn gloves. Rex.

She remembered him leaping on her as they crashed. Ahsoka felt at him in the Force. He was alive, but Ahsoka could sense great pain from him. Ahsoka took a shuddering breath as she realized the steady trickle landing on her face was his blood. With each drop she felt a shred of his life force ebb away.

She reached out with her senses. It was a miracle they were alive. The shuttle was crumpled around them. They were caught in a small pocket created by the way the metal had crushed. By the pain in her head, she must have instinctively used the Force to guide the metal around them.

It hadn't been enough. A jagged spike of metal had pierced Rex's side. Ahsoka had no idea how long they had sat there, his life blood seeped out onto her.

She prepared to start shifting the metal around them when voices came muffled to her montrals. Her head throbbed as she tried to remember who was chasing them. Finally it clicked: the Imperial troopers called by the Zygerrians. Ahsoka laid still, hoping that they wouldn't notice them.

"There's a trooper over here!" She heard.

Ahsoka moved before she could hear any more. She shoved outward, blasting a section of metal out from the side. She heard a cry as it careened into one of the enemy troopers. She cushioned Rex with the Force as she slipped out from under him. There were three remaining Imperial troopers facing her.

"What the-"

The trooper couldn't finish his sentence as Ahsoka threw him into the wall of rock. Her lightsabers had been crushed in the crash, dangling uselessly from her belt.. She deflected two blaster bolts with her hand, both striking one of the troopers. She pulled one of their blasters to her and quickly fired into the last's chest.

There was more shouting from nearby. Ahsoka didn't think. She rushed to Rex, heaved him into her arms, and ran deeper into the maze of rocks before them.

She wasn't able to make it far. Rex was heavy in her arms, and only adrenaline and the Force allowed her to carry him more than just a few meters. It was enough to find a crack in the rock, difficult to see and easily defendable. She laid Rex down, wedging him in. Ahsoka listened for a moment, but she heard nothing.

She removed Rex's helmet. His head lolled forward, blood on his lips. Ahsoka gritted her teeth and looked down at his wound. The metal jutted a few inches from his side. Ahsoka tore a section of her skirt off and packed it around the jagged piece. She couldn't remove it. He'd bleed out in seconds.

He shifted as she pressed against the wound and let out a groan of pain.

"I know." Ahsoka said. "I'm sorry, but we have to stop the bleeding."

He would know that, of course, but saying it aloud helped Ahsoka concentrate on what she needed to be doing.

'Soka? He mumbled in her head.

"I'm here." She said. "It's all right."

It wasn't. He was losing blood, even with the metal still in place. Ahsoka touched her comm, but she already knew that it would only spurt out static.

Hopefully, once the others had returned, they would notice their absence. But then- it would take a few hours for them to come back to Ladarra. Ahsoka didn't know if Rex had that long.

That thought made her chest constrict with cold, cold fear.

She studied the wound. Keeping one hand on the cloth, she slipped her fingers to his skin. She had no practice in Force healing, but her powers were so strong. Surely she could bend the Force to her will in this too?

She chose not to remember the words Qui Gon had whispered to her as she had tried to prevent the crash.

It turned out that raw power could not replace skill or training. No matter how hard she begged Rex's body to respond, for the blood to stop, it would not yield to her commands.

She looked around. From what she understood, Ladara was practically abandoned. There wouldn't be help.

Ahsoka froze as she heard shouts echo through the stone walls.

Kriff!

More troopers were coming their way. Ahsoka held still in their small shelter, but then-

"There's blood here!" One said. "Spread out, there's someone hiding!"

"Hang tight." Ahsoka whispered, taking one of Rex's blasters.

She whipped around one of the rocky corners and came face to face with three troopers. Ahsoka couldn't match the clones when it came to accuracy, but the Force made up for that.

The first trooper fell with a hole in his chest after two shots. She had to hit the second three times before he stumbled to the ground. The third managed to fire off a few shots. Ahsoka felt a burning pain sear on the side of one of her lekku. He didn't have a chance to shoot again.

Ahsoka panted for a moment as she listened. Then she broke into a run, sprinting back to where she left Rex. A fourth trooper looked up from leveling a blaster at Rex, surprised. Ahsoka didn't give him a chance to do more than that. She fired five times, hit two, and the trooper crumpled to the ground. Ahsoka ignored him and scrambled to Rex. He was still breathing.

They were alone again.

Except-

Ahsoka looked at the final trooper. He was still alive, but barely and definitely unconscious. She could feel his death stalking him quickly.

A vague memory surfaced. Anakin, a woman of light, and Ahsoka herself all connected. The woman had given Ahsoka the last of her life Force even as she was dying.

Perhaps this man could do the same for Rex.

Ahsoka continued to ignore the pains of her body as she got up again.

"'Soka?" Rex was more aware as she moved, but his voice was still weak. "What-"

"Shh." Ahsoka said.

She knelt down and placed a hand on the trooper and the other on Rex's wound. She closed her eyes. She felt the dying man's weak essence. It wasn't much, but enough to give Rex a chance.

Ahsoka connected their life forces, willing one to bolster the other.

Nothing happened.

Life must be given willingly, young one. Qui Gon's voice echoed to her. You cannot offer what is not yours.

Please! Ahsoka begged to the Force. He can't die like this! Let me give him my life!

You cannot change everything. Qui Gon sounded regretful. The Force needs you alive.

Regret wouldn't save Rex's life.

There was another whisper, one smooth, cold, and Dark.

The will of others does not matter if yours is stronger.

Ahsoka froze.

"No." She whispered, but it sounded weak to her own montrals.

She knew she could do it. She just needed to give just the smallest part of her to the Dark. And she could save Rex.

The man was almost dead. Ahsoka needed to act now. She would do what was necessary.

Fingers brushed her face. She looked up to see Rex looking at her with half lidded eyes.

"'Soka." He said, his voice barely audible. "No."

"I can save you." Ahsoka said.

"No." Rex said again. "It- it will change you."

"This isn't your choice!" Ahsoka said.

Rex would resist the transfer, but Ahsoka could overcome his will. He would live. She would make him live.

"Ahsoka."

The reproach in Rex's voice slapped Ahsoka in the face. Force him? Make him? Like the Kaminoans, the Republic, like Palpatine and the chips? The Darkness called for her to order his obedience.

But if it could spare his life-

Rex's lips twitched upward into a weak smile.

"It's okay." He whispered.

The prospect of him, his smile and steadiness, disappearing from Ahsoka's life cleaved through her chest.

"How am I supposed to do this without you?" She asked. "I can't. I won't."

In that moment she was ready to either die with him, alone on this hellish planet, or give herself completely to the Darkness.

His lips moved, but no sound came from them. She heard his words clearly in her mind.

You can. He said. Please, 'Soka. My brothers- the Rebellion. They need you. You as you are.

Ahsoka wanted to snap back, say that she didn't care. But it was a lie. Rex was not the only person she loved.

And- he was right. Beyond the enticing words of the Dark, she could sense its twisting, corrupting influence.

She saw a tear run down his face and she felt his fear and grief. For himself, but for her too.

Ahsoka, keeping her hand on his wound, shifted so that she lay at his side. She gently eased his fear.

"I know." She said. "I won't abandon them."

Rex nodded. His eyes were getting dull. Ahsoka pushed aside her own pain. She still didn't know how she could do what was needed of her without him, but she would make his passing as peaceful as possible.

His- his passing. It had suddenly become a certainty in her mind. She took a deep breath.

"Your brothers are waiting for you." She said, stroking his short hair. "I've felt it. And- and I'll follow you when it's time."
His head fell against hers. She didn't know if he did it on purpose.

"We'll be fine." Ahsoka promised. "I love you."

The other man died soon after. Ahsoka's chance had passed, but she and Rex had made their choice. They lay curled together for what seemed to be hours after as Ahsoka murmured affirmations and love to him. His breathing grew shallower and he didn't seem to hear her much. Death was so close.

The sound of ship engines shot a lance of fear through Ahsoka. No- could they not just let him die in peace?

She would not leave him. She would fight, of course, but she would be with him until the end.

She could sense Darkness. She stood, kissed Rex gently, and took one of his blasters.

"Lady Tano, I assume that is you."

Maul? The lanky Zabrack came strolling into view, hands clasped behind his back. Ahsoka lowered Rex's blaster, but she did not put it away. Her exhaustion had prevented her from recognizing his presence in the Force.

"What- what are you doing here?" She asked.

Maul cocked his head.

"To assist you, Lady Tano." He said. "Lady Offee was quite concerned about your mission."

"Barriss?" Ahsoka said. But no, there was no time for that. "Please, do you have any bacta?"

Maul's yellow eyes found Rex.

"I'm afraid not." He said.

Ahsoka felt the last drop of hope drain from her heart. Maul raised an eyebrow.

"I did not say I could not assist him." He said. "Please, follow me."

Ahsoka wasted no time in heaving Rex up again. Maul didn't offer to help. She didn't expect him to.

Luckily, Maul led her to a Kom'rk class ship just around a bend. A red armored Mandalorian poked their head out.

"Your business is finished already, Lord Maul?" They asked.

"Indeed." Maul said. "Please plot a course for Yavin IV."

Maul entered the ship and Ahsoka carried Rex on board right after him.

"Lay him here, Lady Tano." Maul said, indicating a space behind the pilot's seat. Ahsoka did so. Rex twitched slightly as she agitated his wound.

"Sh." Ahsoka said. "It's all right."

Maul knelt at Rex's head. Ahsoka had to repress the urge to stop him as he placed a hand on Rex's temple. He closed his eyes.

Ahsoka waited. At first, nothing seemed to happen. Then Maul's brow furrowed.

"Your lover would make a poor Sith, Lady Tano." He said. "So little hatred in his heart. But enough."

He flexed his hand and Rex gasped. Ahsoka tensed as she felt something stir in their bond. And then hatred like Ahsoka had never felt before flooded her mind. All from Rex.

"What did you do?" She choked out.

Maul didn't respond. Ahsoka wanted to rip him away from Rex, to stem the loathing she could feel from her husband's heart. She barely restrained herself. Rex- wasn't getting worse. He wasn't healing, but his life had stopped ebbing away. Whatever Maul was doing was working.

The next few hours were torture. Rex cried out often, angry, spiteful shouts. He struggled weakly and Ahsoka had to restrain him so that he didn't knock Maul free. She wanted to soothe him and ease the burning rage and hatred in him, but she sensed that was what was keeping him alive.

She had to leave him as they approached Yavin. She rushed to the pilot's side and activated the comm.

"Rebel base, this is Commander Tano." She said. "We were retrieved by Maul. Captain Rex is badly injured, have medics, bacta, and blood transfusion on standby!"

"Commander Tano?" A clone's voice came back, relieved. "Quickly, sir. We'll be ready for you."

Ahsoka let out a breath she felt like she'd been holding the entire trip. She guided the pilot down to the landing pads. Maul was still in a trance as they landed.

"Open the ship!" Ahsoka commanded the pilot.

She ran to the opening hatch to see a group of people waiting for them.

Kix and Hapa were at the forefront. And behind them-

Barriss?

Ahsoka's former friend quietly walked forward. Three troopers stood behind her with their blasters pointed at her back.

Right now Ahsoka didn't care what Barriss had done in the past. All she knew was that Barriss had the power to help her husband.

"This way." Ahsoka said.

Kix went ashen as he saw Rex, but he went to his captain's side. Within moments he set up the blood transfusion.

"Good thing we all have the same blood type." He muttered.

Then he looked up at Barriss.

"Can you stop the bleeding as I pull this out?" He asked.

Barriss nodded and knelt by him. She glanced at Maul, but didn't say anything.

"Hapa, standby with the bacta patches." Kix said. "It looks like he's got some internal damage but the biggest danger is the bleeding."

Ahsoka pressed her folded arms against her stomach as they began their work. Kix had to remove Rex's armor and cut through his blacks. Then he made an incision and beckoned Barriss to place her hands over the wound. Rex shouted as Kix slowly drew the shard out, Barriss healing the wound as the metal left it. Ahsoka held her breath and felt every second plodding by as Barriss concentrated.

Finally, Barriss removed her hand, and Ahsoka could see fresh skin over the wound.

Immediately Kix cleaned the blood from the area and Hapa applied the bacta. As they did so, Maul opened his eyes and removed his hand.

"Ah." He said, looking at Rex. "It seems that I am no longer needed."

He looked to Barriss.

"Lady Offee." He said. "It is a pleasure to meet you in person."

Barriss looked down.

"What did you do to keep him alive?" She asked.

Maul cocked his head.

"An old Sith technique." He said. "Hatred and the desire for revenge can keep one alive if one knows how to use it. I merely shared that knowledge, along with some of my own grudges."

"Stretcher!" Kix called.

Within moments another medic came on board with one and they transferred Rex onto it. Then they were gone, taking Rex to the bacta tanks.

"Thank you." Ahsoka said to Maul.

"Of course, Lady Tano." He said. "I find that allying with the Jedi is far more useful than being their enemies."

Ahsoka nodded. Barriss and Maul met each other's gaze.

"Might I ask a favor in return, Lady Tano?" Maul asked.

Ahsoka hesitated, exhaustion making her dread anything that Maul would ask of her.

"Perhaps I could persuade you to allow Lady Offee to leave with me?" Maul said. "I believe she has been your prisoner for long enough."

Ahsoka had to stare at him for a moment before she comprehended what he was asking.

"I-" She started. "I don't have the authority to make that decision. I would have to speak with the others."

"What purpose does holding her serve?" Maul asked. "She must take significant resources."

"She's aligned herself with Dooku before." Ahsoka said. "Who is currently still serving Palpatine. Do you truly trust her?"

"That is my decision to make, is it not?" Maul asked smoothly.

"And it's our decision to let her go." Ahsoka said. "We are indebted to you for what you did today, but give us time. Please."

Maul stared at her for a long time before giving a nod.

"I look forward to our next communication." He said. "I hope to return to retrieve my pilots soon."

Ahsoka followed Barriss and her guards out onto the dirt and grass of Yavin. She turned to see the ship's engines ignite and Maul was gone.

"Ahsoka." Barriss' voice was quiet. "Do you believe that it is possible that they will let me go with him?"

Ahsoka closed her eyes.

"I don't know." She said. "We'll- we'll see."

She looked over at Barriss to see her former friend give a small nod.

"Thank you." Ahsoka said. "For saving him. You don't know what it means to me."

Barriss' eyes were- sad.

"No." She said. She sounded as if she were confused. "I don't."

The med bay was full. Hunter looked around the bursting room as he, Wrecker, Crosshair, and Echo sat at Tech's bedside. It was- odd to have such a familiar sight as clones being treated intercut with natborns.

Hunter shifted his chair closer to Tech's cot. He'd be uncomfortable enough if the place was just filled with regs. But to have people with which he did not share DNA be witness to his squad's vulnerability-

It didn't help that one natborn kept staring.

Taja Desai, her brother at her side, was one bed over, watching over Tech's sleeping form.

Hunter didn't see the point. Tech was still sleeping off the sedatives Hunter had requested for him. If Hunter knew Tech, he would need to be encouraged to get some actual rest.

"Hunter." Echo said. "I'm going to go spend some time with Rex, okay?"

Hunter nodded. He didn't envy Echo, with so many injured brothers. Captain Rex had been by far the worst. Hunter had seen them rush him in and straight to the bacta tank. He'd heard the Captain's erratic heartbeat. Smelled the blood. He was surprised the man was still alive.

Echo touched Tech's shoulder before slipping from the bedside. Hunter watched him cross the room. He paused at one of the rescued slave girls' bedside to speak quietly to Fives. Then he disappeared into the side room where they kept the bacta tanks.

Hunter turned back to Tech. His face was peaceful, a contrast to the bandages and bacta swathing his body. So much effort to reverse the work of a few hours. The medics had said that if Tech had suffered much more electrocution, he would have had permanent nerve damage. As it was, he'd likely experience some difficulty walking and temporary numbness.

He'd have more scars. They all had them, especially Wrecker, but these were strange to them. Wrecker had nearly cried when they'd gotten a good look at Tech's flayed back on the Marauder. They were all used to injuries. This had been brutality.

Hunter was almost glad that Omega was not here to see this. Almost.

Hunter shouldn't have thought of Omega. Fear wormed its way into his heart, a fear developed by the sights of the slave mine.

What if Omega was-

He forced himself to not finish the thought. Tech was right. Tech had to be right. Omega was 'safe' with Nala Se.

The next few hours passed slowly. The most interesting thing that happened was General Skywalker appearing and carrying a sleeping Commander Tano out of the bacta room. Otherwise, the bay was quiet, with occasional whispers or barely audible crying.

Then, as Hunter drifted on the edge of sleep, he heard a change in Tech's breathing. Hunter sat up as Tech shifted and groaned slightly.

"Welcome back." Hunter said as Tech opened his eyes.

Wrecker, also on the cusp of falling asleep, straightened. Crosshair, alert as ever, merely smirked.

Tech didn't say anything at first. He lifted a hand to his goggles: the undamaged ones that Wrecker had insisted they put on him. Hunter frowned as Tech remained silent. Tech always had something to say, unless he had been badly overwhelmed. Hunter had hoped that a few hours of sleep would have made things better for him.

"Thank you." Tech finally said. "For replacing my goggles. They had been broken."

Hunter shared a confused glance with Crosshair.
"No problem." Wrecker said in as quiet a voice as Hunter had ever heard him use.

He laid a hand on Tech's shoulder, which was a huge amount of restraint from him. Hunter had been prepared to stop Wrecker from squeezing the life out of Tech. It was still too much. Tech flinched away and Wrecker pulled his hand back as if burned.

"I- apologize." Tech muttered.

"No, no, it's my bad." Wrecker said immediately. "Shoulda known. You- you doing okay?"

Tech stared quietly at the ceiling.

"I do not know." He finally said. "I seem to be still- disoriented from being sedated. I will inform you of my status when I am more sure."

He let out a long breath.

"Is- Taja well?" He asked.

Hunter nodded towards where she was and Tech turned his head. Hunter could see Taja manage a weak smile as Tech saw her.

"Ah." Tech said. "Good. Good."

"All right, clear off." Crosshair suddenly said.

Hunter shot him a look, but Crosshair glared back.

"He woke up, we know he's alive." He said. "Do you think he can relax with all of us gawking at him?"

Hunter thought that Tech looked relieved at the idea, so he nodded to Wrecker.

"We should go see if we've got any more leads." He said, standing up. "We'll be back in a bit, all right?"

Tech nodded mutely. Hunter gave him what he hoped was a reassuring smile.

Tech did not look reassured.

Ahsoka woke to Rex feebly tugging at their bond.

'Soka? He sounded lost. 'Soka?

Coming, love. Ahsoka told him.

She sat up and found herself on one of the medbay beds. The last thing she remembered was sitting at the foot of Rex's bacta tank.

Ahsoka swung her legs over the side of the bed. Hackjob appeared.

"I don't recommend moving around much." He said. "Rex might have nearly died, but you didn't come out of it unscathed."

"Rex is asking for me." Ahsoka said. "It's just to the bacta room."

Hackjob raised an eyebrow.

"You Jedi." He said with a sigh. "It's not fair you can read minds."

"Not everyone's, most of the time." Ahsoka said. She was just now feeling the pains in her ribs and limbs. She had nearly forgotten she'd been in a kriffing shuttle crash. "Just his."

"Well, you'll have to ask someone else to get to him." Hackjob said. "Not good at helping people around anymore."

That was true enough. Ahsoka sometimes forgot about the partial paralysis Hackjob suffered.

Ahsoka scanned the room and found who she was looking for.

"Fives!" She called.

Fives looked up from his spot at one of the slaves' bedsides. He leaned forward to murmur something in her ear, and then made his way to Ahsoka.

"What can I do for you, Commander?" He asked.

Ahsoka's request died on her lips at the look in his eyes. They were filled to the brim with worry and regret.

"Who is that?" Ahsoka found herself asking.

Fives glanced back at the girl, who had curled up into a ball.

"Senna." He said.

Ahsoka felt her eyes widen. She looked to the girl again. Now brought to her attention, Ahsoka could feel the terror encasing Senna.

"What?" Ahsoka asked. "Not- the Senna from 79's?"

Fives nodded.

"The Empire sold them." He said darkly. "Happened after some of the girls started asking questions about where the clones were going."

Fives had tears in his eyes.

"I'm so sorry." Ahsoka said.

"You're sorry?" Fives said with a bitter laugh. "You barely knew they existed. We should have reminded you about them, gone back for them."

Ahsoka put a hand on his arm.

"You couldn't have known the Empire would do this." She said. "Fives, you can't blame yourself."

"I know, I know!" Fives muttered. "It's stupid, but- I promised I'd come back for her."

He fell silent and took a deep breath.

"What did you need?"

Ahsoka felt foolish as she voiced her small request.

"I just need a hand to get to Rex."

Fives pasted on a weak smile.

"Of course." He said.

Ahsoka hoped he didn't begrudge her the few minutes it took to get to the bacta room. She doubted he did, but she felt guilty nonetheless. That girl needed Fives.

Rex was the only occupant of a bacta tank. Echo was sitting in a chair next to Rex, hunched over. He looked up at Ahsoka and Fives.

"Commander." Echo said. "How are you feeling?"

'Soka.

I'm here.

"Better than Rex, I'm sure." Ahsoka said aloud.

Echo nodded and sighed.

"That mission was a mess." He said. "We're lucky we didn't lose more."

"Technically we came out of that with a net positive." Fives said.

"I wouldn't call them fighting fit." Ahsoka said. "Nor would I want them to have to fight."

Echo shook his head.

"I don't know if we have the luxury to protect them like that." He said. "We need all the help we can get."

They were silent for a moment.

"Thanks for the help, Fives." Ahsoka said.

"Of course, Ahsoka." Fives said with a weak smile.

He patted Echo on the shoulder and left to return to Senna.

"Is he okay?" Ahsoka asked Echo. "That girl, Senna-"

"He's mostly angry." Echo said.

Ahsoka nodded and turned to look at Rex.

She hated seeing him in here. It had been bad when he'd lost his leg. This still was, but not as heart wrenching.

I'm here. Ahsoka said again, touching the tank.

I'm angry. Why? Rex sounded frightened.

It's not you. Ahsoka said. She assumed that Maul's technique had residual effects. I promise.

She felt his distress at being trapped with the strong emotion. He had nothing to distract himself with. Rex was a prisoner to a rage not his own.

Ahsoka still hesitated to soothe it. She didn't know if the lingering emotion was helping with his recovery. Kriff, she should have asked Maul more.

"Echo, has Kix said anything about his recovery?" Ahsoka asked.

Echo looked very tired as he responded.

"He's stable." He said. "Should recover pretty normally."

Ahsoka nodded and hesitantly began to leech away the anger burning in Rex. His mind clung to her as she did so.

What do you remember? Ahsoka asked.

You. Rex replied. I was warm. And then- I was furious. At General Kenobi. 'Soka, it hurt.

It hurt? Ahsoka asked.

She'd felt pain while Maul helped Rex, but she had assumed it had been from his wound. Looking back, it shouldn't have been as strong as it was.

What happened? Rex asked.

Maul did. He kept you alive.

Rex was quiet for a long while.

What did you promise him? He finally asked. There was reproach in his voice.

Nothing! Ahsoka said. He didn't ask for anything.

Rex was mulling something over now. Ahsoka let him as she tore anger piece by piece from his heart. She knew what he was thinking. He was wondering what she would have given Maul in exchange for his life.

My love, I had accepted your fate. She said. I think- if he had asked too much, I would have been able to let you go.

He was surprised. Ahsoka was too. Her fear had been so strong and she had been so close to embracing the Dark Side. It frightened her with how near she had come to falling. It had been her love for Rex and the others that had saved her.

I'm sorry you had to face it. He told her. He was calmer now. Oh, 'Soka, I'm sorry.

I was more worried about you. Ahsoka said with a watery smile. I didn't want you to be scared.

I wasn't. He said. You were with me. I just- knew I would miss you and my brothers.

Ahsoka closed her eyes and leaned her head against the bacta tank. Her chest hurt with the sheer relief that Rex was safe.

Kriff, I love you. She said.

Love you too. Rex sounded drowsy.

Go to sleep. Ahsoka told him. Heal and rest.

Rex faded back to unconsciousness. Ahsoka sat with her head pressed against the transparasteel for a while longer. She eventually heard Echo murmur something about Tech and slip out.

Ahsoka had been so helpless with Rex's blood staining her hands. Barriss wouldn't have been.

Maul couldn't have Barriss, she decided. At least not yet.

Barriss had something very important to teach Ahsoka.

From the top!

I've had this concept of Rex and Ahsoka being stranded after a mission with one of them dying for a while. I flip flopped on who was injured for a while, but I felt that it fell in line with where I want to take Ahsoka for her to be dealing with dying Rex.

This is the second time Rex has been bleeding out in this fic. Eh whatever, the circumstances are way different.

According to my sister, in Canon Force healing has been lost for hundreds of years. I have decided to stick with Legends plus my own rules. Basically healing is super hard for those who don't have a innate gift for it. Ahsoka does not and never really learned. Also, Force healing is often used alongside normal medical treatment. Fully healing a life threatening wound can be fatal for the healer. It's why Barriss heals only Rex's skin and some of the internal damage here.

So I've heard a theory (I don't know how Canon it is but I like it) that Palpatine leeches life from Padme to keep Vader alive at the end of Revenge of the Sith. I like the idea as a Dark Side ability so Ahsoka is tempted to do it here.

Hey Maul! This technique he uses is something I completely made up. I love the anger of Sith and Dark Side users being able to keep them alive past what should be possible. So what if they could share that anger for a time? It can't heal, but it just keeps them alive. The user expands the hatred already present in the person they're using it on with their own hatred. I dunno, I thought it was cool.

Maul was probably like 5 seconds away from just taking Barriss but he figured he still wants to use the Jedi.

I worked hard to get the balance of Tech's condition when he woke up. He's obviously not going to be unaffected, but I also didn't think he'd be a blubbering mess. I think I got it right.

Rex got to wake up to hating Obi Wan for a little while. That must have been fun.

Ahsoka is learning the lesson Kanan and Ezra learn in Rebels! You can love without attachment! And in fact that love will make you a better Jedi!

And now for Ahsoka to learn to heal. We'll see how that goes!

Okay, that should be it!

Stay safe, remember to review, and I'll see you in June!