Hello lovely people! I should be doing my schoolwork cause I slept in but this makes me happy so here we are.

OneLittleSpark18: It's difficult to strike a balance, let me tell you. I'm glad you enjoyed and thank you as always for reviewing!

IrishDrunk14: It can be hard to keep track of honestly. But it's worth it if it's making the fic more interesting!

lionkingfactsguy: Huh, I'd never heard of the Jensaari before. I looked them up, and they're an interesting concept. I need to consider if groups like that will come into conflict with Plo and Anakin's new order. And don't worry, Obi Wan chapters are coming. In fact next chapter!

Rocket: I don't want to spoil too much, but on ArchiveofmyOwn, I have the tag 'eventual happy ending.' I hope it brings you comfort. I hope Jedi can get kicked off the Council because I've done it at least twice in my fic lol. I took Plo's age from the legends side of things, but I like him being that old. He's that happy grandpa that still does things with his kids.

A little bit more angst, but hopefully some catharsis.

TW: Suicide mentions

Mando'a translations at the end!

A week passed. Each of those five days confirmed Ahsoka's suspicion. Rex was broken. He would not recover on his own. His shattered mind didn't allow her to reach in. She didn't have access to his thoughts or his emotions, if he felt any.

He spent his time standing at parade rest, or sitting if she was lucky, speaking nothing and doing nothing. He couldn't sleep without the aid of a sedative. Every time his exhaustion came near to overwhelming him, he would have some kind of fit, muttering over and over that it wasn't safe to sleep. She understood why; they punished him too harshly for any sign of sleeping and the reconditioning that would have overcome that had not been completed. And Fives- Rex's condition badly affected Fives. Any progress she and Tech were making with him stopped. Ahsoka worried that he was becoming worse.

Ahsoka insisted on acting as Padme's bodyguard. Padme had told Ahsoka that she could stay home, but Ahsoka needed something to do, even if that something was just glaring at politicians. She could not stay home only to watch Rex and Fives' despair. She knew it was selfish of her, but it would drive her mad.

With Ahsoka continuing to work, the problem of who would stay home with Rex and Fives came to light. Tech was an unexpected blessing in this regard. He stayed home almost every day, working on a cure for the accelerated aging. Ahsoka wished that someone closer to Rex and Fives could be there, like Jesse or Kix. Kix had thrown himself back into his medical training. Ahsoka had confided in Kix about Fives' mental state. Kix took the news well, calmly like the medic he was. He swore to her to do his best to learn what he could about how to help Fives. Jesse was there when he could, but he understandably spent a lot of his time with Rhys and Gia.

The Bad Batch lived with them now. They were grounded, with Omega and Echo's positions as representatives, though Echo had given them permission to move on if they wished. The Batch had vehemently refused and insisted on continuing their role as Omega and Echo's bodyguards.

The Senate was busy. Settling the clones was a huge process. Many of them were able to return to their old jobs and the reserve army quickly filled. Still, even with the sizable amount left on Mandalore according to Kix, many clones were without a purpose. That scared Ahsoka. She saw what it was doing to Fives.

He had asked to return to the reserve army, but Ahsoka was afraid to put any pressure on him. She pulled enough strings to keep him home.

On the sixth day, Ahsoka returned with Omega, Echo, and the Batch. She was starting to get to know Clone Force 99 quite well. They were all good men, fiercely loyal to each other. And Ahsoka appreciated their love for Echo and Tech's sudden attachment to Fives.

Today's Senate's discussions didn't go anywhere. Sure, the members of the Senate would happily give freedom to the clones as it didn't inconvenience them. But they were fighting every credit Padme and the others wanted to use for the clones' benefit. Tiig Bitti was in the forefront of the opposition against helping the clones, claiming that they had spent enough money on their creation as is.

Ahsoka was in a foul mood when she returned home. And home wasn't a place she could use to dispel that mood.

Home wasn't quite what she expected. Rex was indeed still stiffly perched on the couch, staring straight ahead as usual. But Fives was on a datapad next to him. He normally was asleep at this time of day, or at least hiding in his room.

Echo moved past Ahsoka into the living room. Fives looked up and gave a tired smile.

"What do you have there, vod?" Echo asked, peering over Fives' shoulder.

"There's been a bunch of flimsiwork from the clones coming back and returning to the reserves." Fives said. "Tech's making me do some."

It must have been helping, as Fives was actually doing something. He also looked and smelled like he'd showered, which wasn't common these days. It made Ahsoka smile for real, for the first time in days.

"I'm starving!" Wrecker said loudly as he headed towards the kitchen.

Omega followed him eagerly.

"Do not eat too much." Tech said, not looking up from his datapad. "Jesse and his fiance have volunteered to come over and make dinner."

Ahsoka blinked. That was right. She'd talked with Jesse just the day before. How had she forgotten?

It wasn't long before Jesse and Rhys showed up at the door.

"Come in!" Ahsoka said. She attempted to keep up a cheerful exterior. "Is there anything we can do to help?"

"Just stay out of our way!" Jesse replied.

His smile seemed strained as well, especially when he glanced towards Rex.

Rhys pulled Ahsoka into a tight hug as Jesse moved into the apartment's kitchen. The other woman held on for a long time. Ahsoka forced herself to not break down into tears at the caring embrace. She pulled away before her emotions could overwhelm her.

"Thanks for coming." She said.

"It's our pleasure." Rhys replied.

She smiled at Ahsoka, but there was pity in her golden eyes. Ahsoka looked away, instead turning to the rest of the room. Jesse was shooing Omega and Wrecker out of the kitchen. Crosshair had disappeared, but Tech and Hunter remained where they were. Echo and Fives stayed together on the couch.

Rhys followed her fiance into the kitchen. Ahsoka went and hovered at the entrance. She watched them for a while. Rhys and Jesse were so normal. Rhys teased Jesse as they moved around the kitchen. Jesse would respond with a clever remark and ultimately complimenting Rhys. They were happy.

Ahsoka burned with jealousy.

She squashed those feelings as quickly as she recognized them. It wasn't their fault that her own happiness had been ripped from her.

She focused on what they were doing. Jesse was natural in the kitchen. He exuded confidence as he stirred, sliced, and sautéed. Rhys was beaming with pride at him as he took over most of the cooking.

"Fives was right." Ahsoka said. "If you've always been this good, you're a shebs for not cooking for us."

Jesse shot her a sheepish grin.

"He did pick it up quickly." Rhys said. "Faster than many of our cooks."

"Hire him, then." Ahsoka said. "I can give him a good reference. Has a problem with authority, though."

Jesse grew abashed, looking down at the bantha he was grilling.

"I-" He said. "That's what I want. Quit the army and work at the diner."

He said it is as if he was confessing a dreadful sin. Rhys took his arm.

"I think that's a wonderful idea, Jesse." Ahsoka said quietly.

Jesse looked up at Ahsoka, surprised. Ahsoka frowned. Why would he be?

"Thanks, Commander!" He said. "I guess I better start the paperwork."

"Wait a minute." Ahsoka said. "Were you asking permission?"

Jesse shrugged.

"Jesse!" Ahsoka said. "You're a free man-"

"I know, I know." Jesse said. "Old habits die hard. But it's still good to have your blessing."

He smiled at her and Ahsoka managed a smile back. He let go of his cooking utensils and embraced her.

"Don't let it burn." Ahsoka said.

"Rhys has got my back." Jesse said. "And you need this."

Ahsoka wanted to protest that she didn't, but she couldn't force the words out.

"We'll figure it out, Commander." Jesse said. "He'll-"

He trailed off as Ahsoka stiffened in his arms.

"Commander?" He asked gently.

"I'm sorry, Jesse." Ahsoka said. "It's just- people keep telling me that. And we don't know. He could never be the same."

Rhys moved to them, placing her hands on both of their arms.

"It's all right to grieve." Rhys said. "Even if Rex recovers, it's all right to grieve for what he went through."

Ahsoka nearly broke down again right there. Jesse had to support her as she sagged against him. Tears, tears she was sick of holding back, burned her eyes.

Rex had been tortured and twisted until the man she loved was gone. Ahsoka had watched it happen. She had cried when she had first found him like this, but she hadn't since. She had needed to be strong. But now- she had been given permission to grieve. She hadn't thought she needed it.

"I need a minute." She said.

She only just managed to keep her voice level. Jesse let go after an extra squeeze. Rhys nodded and directed Jesse back to the food. Ahsoka walked from the kitchen, past the quiet conversations in the living room, and to her own room. She sank onto her bed. Rex's jacket still lay on one of the pillows. She took it into her arms and cried again, grieving the pain that had broken Rex's mind.

Echo watched Commander Tano retreat into her room. He understood, glancing at Rex's blank stare. He had picked up that the Commander had feelings for Rex and vice versa during the Bad Batch's stays. It hurt badly enough as his brother. He couldn't imagine what it would be like as someone who loved him in a different way.

Fives was continuing his flimsiwork beside Echo. Echo was glad to see his brother doing something. He was worried about Fives, especially with Rex affecting him. Fives spent most of his days sleeping. Echo would have to thank Tech for changing that.

"Hey! Food's ready!" Jesse called from the kitchen.

Wrecker and Omega perked up and scurried to the table. Tech and Hunter followed more sedately. Echo frowned when Fives made no move to get up.

"Come on." Echo said, nudging Fives. "Aren't you hungry?"

Fives frowned, shrugging.

"Not really." He said.

"Too bad." Echo said. "Jesse went to all that trouble and you are going to eat it."

Fives sighed, a deep and mildly annoyed sound.

"Fine."

Echo had never had Pantoran food before, but it was good. He couldn't eat much, but he made sure to sample all the different dishes. Fives picked at his food beside him. Tech had given Rex the order to eat, so the Captain ate what was placed before him.

Echo attempted to keep up the conversation with Jesse and Rhys; Hunter and Tech weren't ones for dinner conversation and Wrecker and Omega were too busy eating. Fives stayed mostly quiet and of course Rex said nothing.

"Hey, Fives!" Jesse said after a lull in the conversation. "What were you doing when we showed up?"

Fives shrugged.

"Just some flimsiwork Tech is making me do." He said. "Force knows why; I hate flimsiwork."

"Would you like to have nothing to occupy your time?" Tech asked absently.

Echo frowned. That nagging feeling of dread had returned. In a moment of frustration, he decided he wanted answers.

"What do you mean?" He asked. "Can't he do other stuff for the army?

The atmosphere around the table had stiffened. Tech paused before giving a half shrug.

"There is no other work that can be done from here." He said.

Echo narrowed his eyes.

"Why does he have to do it from here?"

"Leave it, Echo." Fives said.

Fives' tone was harsh and furthered Echo's suspicions.

"Why exactly do you have Fives do the reports?" Echo tried to sound casual.

Tech looked nervous.

"It is- stimulating for him. As he cannot currently return to his position in the army."

"What? Why not?" Jesse asked.

"Is it 'cause of how bad you've been feeling?" Wrecker asked. "You've been just- I dunno, dark."

"How would you know, Wrecker?" Fives snapped.

"I generally trust Wrecker with picking up on how the squad's feeling." Hunter said slowly.

He glanced at Echo.

"I'm fine!" Fives said.

"Then why does Tech follow you around like a lost massiff puppy?" Echo asked.

He felt angry, angry that Fives was keeping secrets from him. It wasn't just any secret, but a secret about Fives' condition. Fives used to tell Echo about everything, from a stubbed toe to his fears about the end of the war.

"This conversation is upsetting Fives." Tech said. "It is in our best interest to avoid doing so."

"He's not some fragile longneck!" Echo said. "He can handle-"

Fives stood and stalked away. Everyone at the table stared as he went. Echo rose and made to follow.

"I would not suggest going after him." Tech said.

Echo whirled around and glared at him.

"Are you going to tell me what the hell is going on?" He snarled.

Tech hesitated and shook his head.

"It is not my place to tell." He said.

"Then it's his, and he's going to kriffing tell me." Echo said and went to follow his brother.

Fives had locked his door, but that was no issue for Echo. The apartment's security system was compatible with his scomp. Fives' door wooshed open and Echo entered before Fives could try and lock it again.

"Talk." Echo demanded. "Now."

Fives glared at him from where he sat on his bed.

"It's my business, Echo." He said.

Echo scoffed and stalked to stand right in front of Fives.

"Since when has your business not been my business too?"

"Since you left me for the Bad Batch!" Fives snapped.

Echo nearly recoiled, but saw the barb for what it was: an attempt to get Echo to leave him alone.

"Not going to work, Fives." Echo said. "You've been off, ever since we came back. Hell, ever since the war ended!"

Fives looked away. His jaw was set.

"Dammit, Fives!" Echo said. "You mope around all day, you hardly speak to anyone, you're not allowed to work, Tech keeps dropping weird hints, you tried to leave! I almost think you don't want to be here anymore!"

Fives did not look at Echo at first. Then, he met Echo's eyes and Echo's heart nearly stopped. He felt himself drowning in the exhaustion and self-loathing in Fives' gaze. Fives hadn't just tried to leave. He wasn't just sick of being here, he was tired of living. He had tried to kill himself. Somehow, Echo had known.

"Fives." He said. "Fives, no. Why didn't you tell me?"

"What would have telling you done?" Fives mumbled.

Echo felt panic spreading freezing hot through his veins.

"Why?" He choked out. "Why would you want to leave me?"

There was a flash of sorrow in Fives' eyes as he turned them downward.

"You don't need me, Echo." He said softly. "You have the Bad Batch. Nobody really needs me. I've shabbed everything up, ever since the war ended."

"No!" Echo said. "No, how can you think that? I need you, of course I need you!"

Echo was on the verge of vomiting. Fives, on the other hand, was calm. There was no anger and only a little sorrow in him. He seemed tired and disbelieving.

Echo reached out and grasped Fives' shoulders.

"Please." He said. "Tell me you're getting help for this."

Fives shrugged.

"I can't go and get professional help." He said. "It'd get out to the media and it'd be all over. I'd never have peace again."

Echo's stomach dropped further.

"But Tech's done some research." Fives went on. "He knows how to help me, at least a little. Things- aren't as bad as they were."

Echo grabbed Fives and pressed his head into his shoulder.

"Let me help you." He said.

He felt Fives nod and he gripped tighter to his brother's shoulders.

"I'm tired, Echo." Fives said quietly.

"I'm sorry." Echo said. "I'll help you. You'll be okay."

Echo sat with his head against Fives' shoulder, holding back tears. He had two broken brothers and he didn't know what he would do if he lost either.

Ahsoka left her room after around an hour. Most of it had been giving voice to her grief, and the rest trying to look like she hadn't been crying her heart out. Jesse and Rhys were cleaning up leftovers when she came out. Echo and Fives were nowhere to be found. Omega smiled at Ahsoka as she trotted past, holding a plate of food that was probably for Crosshair. Jesse had left another plate of food on the table. He smiled at her as she came in and gestured to it.

"Thanks, Jesse." Ahsoka said.

The food was good, even lukewarm. Ahsoka did her best to enjoy it, but her gaze kept on being drawn by Rex standing in the corner. It made the food taste like dust to her and difficult to choke down.

She was surprised by the door chiming. She got up and opened the it.

Kal Skirata stood there, pale gold helmet under his arm.

"Kal?" Ahsoka said. "I thought you'd gone back to Mandalore."

Kal shrugged.

"Sent most of the kids back. I had some business here to take care of." He said. "I'm heading back tomorrow morning, but I wanted to talk to you first."

Ahsoka stood back and gestured him in. Kal nodded to the clones in the room. His gaze lingered on Rex before he turned back to Ahsoka.

"Ahsoka," He started. His voice was solemn. "I'm here about your Rex."

Ahsoka felt her stomach twist. Part of her didn't want to talk about Rex.

"My offer still stands." Kal said. "Send him to Mandalore to stay with me. My son, Bardan, can help, I know he can."

Ahsoka stared at him. That hope that Kal offered scared her. What would happen if she let herself hope and it turned out they couldn't help Rex? Right now she was safe in her hardened shell of disbelief. If they couldn't help him, it was what she expected.

Hope on the other hand, could very easily destroy her.

"He's helped other people who've gone through hell and he's made progress." Kal said.

Ahsoka bit her lip. He needed to stop telling her this because it was making her think of Rex as he was. She glanced back at Rex.

If there was a chance the light could return to his eyes, she would take it.

"Okay." Ahsoka said. "But I come too."

Kal raised an eyebrow but nodded.

"Fives could come too, you know." He said. "Couldn't hurt."

Ahsoka blinked and immediately felt terrible that she hadn't thought of it.

"I'll ask him." Ahsoka said. "We'll be ready for you tomorrow."

Ahsoka spent most of that evening informing her closest family where she was going. Padme and Anakin took the news better than Ahsoka expected. Even through the holo, Ahsoka could tell that they thought it was a good idea. Her men took it similarly well, Jesse especially. Plo had been cautiously optimistic and had wished her well, promising to tell Wolffe and Prime. Cody had nearly cried at the news.

Ahsoka waited a long time in front of Fives' door. Eventually it cracked open. Echo nearly ran into her. To her surprise, his stare was nearly a glare. The door closed behind him.

"Did you know?" He asked.

Ahsoka stiffened at his question.

"Yes." She finally admitted. "I'm sorry."

Echo's expression darkened.

"Why didn't you tell me?" He demanded. "He was like this for weeks and you didn't think to tell me?"

Ahsoka closed her eyes.

"Only Tech and I knew." She said. "We were so busy working on getting everyone else home. There never seemed to be a good time."

Echo looked away.

"I could have been helping him this whole time. I could have been kinder, paid more attention to him. I was too distracted by the kriffing Senate." He muttered. "What's the point of having any of them home if I lost my closest brother?"

"You don't mean that." Ahsoka said.

After a moment Echo shook his head.

"No, I don't. Of course I want them here." He said. "But- I knew something was wrong. I could have been able to do something about it."

Ahsoka put her hand on his arm and he didn't shake it off.

"Now you can." She said.

Echo let out a long breath and nodded.

"What did you need?" He asked after a few moments more. "You were waiting out here for us, right?"

"Yes." Ahsoka said. "Kal wants to take Rex to Mandalore. He knows someone who can treat him. And- he says that Fives can come too."

Echo stared at her for a moment.

"He can help Fives?" He asked.

Ahsoka nodded.

Hope flashed in Echo's eyes.

"That's great!" He said. "I'll tell him. He- doesn't want to talk to anybody right now."

Ahsoka nodded.

"We leave tomorrow morning." She said. "Make sure to give him plenty of time to decide."

"Right." Echo said. "And- I hope it works, Commander."

"I do too." Ahsoka said.

Then she went to go find Rex, in order to sedate him to sleep. She prayed that it would be one of the last times she would have to do so.

Ahsoka packed quickly in the morning, taking only the necessities. Her night's sleep had been fitful. She was glad it was morning so she could actually do something. She was soon ready to leave. On a whim, she grabbed Rex's jacket from her bed and the copy of Corellian Nights that still lay on her bedside table. She came out to the living room. Tech was waiting next to Rex.

"Is Fives coming?" Ahsoka asked him.

Tech adjusted his goggles.

"I am afraid not." He said. "And no, he did not inform me why he has made that decision."

Ahsoka's stomach twisted, but a part of her had expected this.

"He probably doesn't want to leave Echo." She said quietly.

Tech nodded. Ahsoka picked up a datapad from one of the end tables. She thought a moment before tapping out her message.

Fives

Don't worry. We'll be back, I promise. Everything will be okay. Please take care of yourself and Echo. Keep in touch.

Ahsoka

It was short, but she hoped that Fives would understand that she wasn't leaving him. She would return. She handed the datapad to Tech.

"Make sure Fives gets this." She said.

Tech took it and nodded again. Ahsoka turned to Rex.

"Rex," She said. "You have a mission."

Rex looked down at her.

"You are going to come with me and Kal Skirata to Mandalore. There you will work with a former Jedi who will try and help you. Do you understand?"

"Understood." Rex said flatly.

"Put this on." Ahsoka proffered the coat.

He did so and Ahsoka's heart twisted at the sight of him looking a little more normal.

"Come on." She said.

He obediently followed her into the Coruscant sunlight to chase a desperate hope.

Mando'a:

Shebs: Arse

shabbed: effed. (not strictly pure mando'a, just adding -ed to shab)

Reminder that a week in Star Wars is five days. After making a timeline for Guilty (trying to figure out when Padme should have her kids), I am now acutely aware of this. Yes, it is supposed to be incredibly sad that Rex just stands around. Also yes, Ahsoka's decision to not let Fives go back to work is questionable. I've mentioned this before, but it's hard to strike a balance when dealing with suicidal/mental health challenges. On one hand, you want your characters to deal with the challenge in the best possible way. On the other, you also want your characters to act realistically and the real thing is that they aren't always going to make the right choice. Tech is correct in giving him things to do, at least I'm pretty sure. I am not a mental health expert.

At least Jesse's happy, for the most part. I dunno why, but Jesse as a diner cook just fits in my head. And his and Rhys' happiness is just more salt in the wounds for Ahsoka. Plus the fact that she let herself cry once when she found out about Rex and that's it. She's been bottling it up ever since. Part of her Jedi training is coming to the forefront, the fact that you shouldn't grieve. Luckily, Rhys has lost someone and knows how to healthily grieve.

Poor Tech gets cornered. He's just trying to do his best by Fives and unfortunately that means being interrogated by Echo, who has suspected a lot, but now wants answers. Wrecker is the most emotionally intelligent person in the room, except maybe Omega, and Hunter and Echo know this. If Wrecker says something's up, something's up. And then the long awaited talk with Echo and Fives. I hope there's some catharsis here. Funny, I have two catharsis based convos between Fives and Echo two weeks in a row. They have different flavors I guess. Fives is terrified of his condition getting out to the media as the former Clone representative. He is probably right that the media would never let him rest because the media are a holes.

I headcanon that Crosshair will just refuse to spend time around people he doesn't know well, especially when it comes to food. He's in his home and he doesn't want to feel uncomfortable. Also canonically Jesse and Cross don't get along. So Omega is quite willing to deliver him his dinner while he's brooding on a balcony or something.

And we end the chapter with a bit of hope! Bardan Jusik, Kal's adopted son and former Jedi, has worked with some messed up minds before. I won't mention them here because some of my readers have started reading RepCom and I don't want too many spoilers.

I thought Echo would be maybe a little bitter with Ahsoka, but in the end he mostly understands. It just hurts so much that nobody thought to tell him about Fives' condition. He feels so bad that he was mostly focused on his work instead of his brother.

Fives has a few good reasons to not go. One, he can't leave Echo, who wouldn't be able to leave. Two, he's more reliant on Tech than he'd like to admit, and Tech will not leave Omega. Three, I just get the feeling he wouldn't get along with Kal's boys. Superiority complexes and all that. We'll be exploring more of Fives' journey later.

Next time we'll be finally going back to Mandalore and Obi Wan! With some Rex action at the end.

Stay safe, remember to review, and I'll see you next week!