Apologies for the delay, everyone! The 4th of July was busy and so was yesterday. But we are back to the main characters of the fic!

ZabuzasGirl: Thank you!

SWNerd4life: We'll learn a bit more about the Sergeant in a little while. And I don't think Baylan didn't quite have the motivation to go Dark in this timeline. And for some reason yellow works really well for him in my mind. We'll see with Todo, I haven't made up my mind lol. Like you said, it wouldn't be the first time. Enjoy Quebec!

Mando'a translations at the end!

TW: non graphic pregnancy and birth

RESTITUTION: Chapter 5

04 wished the scientists watching him would quiet their minds. He couldn't quite make out their thoughts as he ran through his forms, but those thoughts were loud enough to be distracting.

The forms were more difficult in the Out, but 04 managed. The observation room that he was in was blank like his world, except it had windows at the top. The scientists were there, watching.

04 hated them.

He wondered which one of them had killed 07. He could feel that they felt nothing about it. No guilt. No sorrow.

It had been ten days for SC-04. The pain was still sharp. He didn't want to cry anymore. He wanted to scream at the scientists, to hurt them.

He couldn't. They could kill him- or even worse, kill the others. The idea made him want to throw up.

04 made his trembling arms and legs go through the forms until a voice echoed through the room.

"End of session."

04 stopped and went to the door that led to his chamber. It opened after a moment and he walked through. He let himself be blank as the scientists took him and hooked him back up.

"The new scanner is complete." One said. It surprised 04. They rarely spoke when they prepped him to go home. "Attach it to the hands and head."

So four more wires joined the many, many others.

A dizzying jolt and his mind flooded with his brothers.

04! You're okay?

Did they hurt you?

We were worried!

Why? 04 asked. It was my turn to go out.

It still- scared us.

I'm okay. 04 said. It was normal. New scanner, though.

We got them too. 06 said.

That was a relief. 04 opened his eyes and he was back home. Sergeant was waiting for him.

"I've been informed that it is time to begin your Force training." Sergeant said. "You must learn to use it in combat."

04 felt a thrill of excitement. He knew the Force, through his studies and through his bond with his brothers. The Force was power. Power to protect.

Power to punish.

"We're approaching Imperial space, sir." Sonar announced.

Rex nodded to the navigator clone and glanced at General Skywalker. He had his hand to his chin in a good imitation of General Kenobi.

"The Imperials have been pretty quiet." He said. "Let's try and do this without being noticed."

"There goes my hope for a good fight." Fives said as he walked from the lift.

"Where's Echo?" Rex asked.

Fives smirked.

"Omega went AWOL, apparently." He said. "It's Echo's turn to lecture her."

Rex frowned.

"Is she all right?" He asked. "What happened?"

"Hunter turned down a rescue mission." Fives said. "Omega accepted it and the Batch had to go after her. She's okay, but Hunter's livid."

Rex raised an eyebrow. He wondered how Ahsoka had reacted to her sort of padawan running off. He wished he could ask her. He wished even more that he could feel it.

"So Echo's going to be a while." He said. "Kriff, I'd hate to get a lecture from him."

Fives shook his head.

"He's more proud than angry." He said. "She got a Jedi and his padawan saved."

"What Jedi?" General Skywalker asked.

"His name is Baylan Skoll, I think." Fives said.
The General stroked his chin.

"I don't know him well." He said. "Last I heard, he and his padawan were sent undercover. Glad to know they're okay."

"We have to make sure the cadets are the same way." Fives said. "Any news from them?"

"Not yet." Rex said. "They might have gone silent. Xagobah still has a decent Imperial presence. But we think we've pinpointed the cadets' venator."

"What's our plan, then?" Fives asked.

"Send in a small team, assess the situation, and then hopefully get them out." Rex said. "The Imps will know exactly when our Venator drops into orbit, so we need to be as efficient as possible. The General and I will take you and Echo. Jesse's in charge."

"Why do you never leave me in charge?" Fives asked.

Rex beckoned to him to go prepare for the mission.

"I was under the impression you didn't want to be in charge." He said as they left.

"You're right." Fives said. "I'd be too limited. Jesse's better at the admin stuff, anyway."

"I tried my best to teach you." Rex said with a sigh.

"I was meant for more than flimsi work and yelling at shinies." Fives said.

Echo joined them near the armory.

"Is Omega sufficiently chastised?" Fives asked.

Echo snorted.

"That implies she'll change her behavior." He said. "Not that I really want her to. She did what she thought was right, even if it was a little foolish."

"You'd think the Kaminoans would have bred that out of us." Fives said.

"How?" Echo asked. "It's not exactly a gene you can turn on and off."

They reached the armory. Rex and the others went in, preparing themselves to save their helpless brothers.

"I get the feeling we didn't exactly turn out the way the Kaminoans wanted." Rex said. "Any of us."

"It seems the contractions have ceased." The medical droid reported. "You have experienced a false labor."

"I told you." Ahsoka told Tup who hovered by her bed in the medbay. It was odd to see it so empty, but that meant the people here didn't have to fight. "Ad'ika is likely to let me know when he's coming."

Tup folded his arms.

"I promised Rex that I would make sure you were all right." He said.

Ahsoka sighed. She couldn't fault him for that. She still felt like she was cramping.

"Ahsoka!"

Ahsoka looked up to see Obi Wan and Plo come into the room.

"Is it time?" Obi Wan asked. "Good gracious, are you all right? Is the baby all right?"

"I'm fine." Ahsoka said. "I was just- stressed and I had a couple of contractions. What are you doing here?"

Obi Wan limped over, Plo following.

"I am here for my physical therapy." He said. "Master Plo has been kind enough to bring me today."

A shock of guilt hit Ahsoka as she looked at Obi Wan. She'd been so busy with Omega and Crosshair that she'd had little time to keep up with Obi Wan as much as she would like.

Obi Wan smiled at her. His face was still thin and pallid. His clothes hung off of him, hiding his primitive cybernetics. Anakin was working on getting access to an expert modder in order to improve the quality of prosthetics they had access to. As it was now, Obi Wan's legs and arm were functional and not much more.

"Are you implying that I should have asked my pregnant grand padawan for help?" He asked. "When she is in charge of the security of the settlement and is training a Force sensitive child?"

"You're too kind, Master." Ahsoka said with a rueful grin. "I could have checked on you more."

"I have been taken care of." Obi Wan said. He absently touched his prosthetic arm. "Some of the 212th have come here and are all very eager to provide support."

Ahsoka nodded, but she made a mental note to spend more time with him and Plo. Plo cocked his head at her.

"What has stressed you, little 'Soka?" He asked. "Everything is well with Captain Rex, I hope?"

"Rex is fine." Ahsoka quickly assured him. A surge of embarrassment hit her and she looked down at the white sheets of the medbed. How had she not seen this coming from the headstrong young clone? And how could Omega have been so stupid? "I- well, I sensed another Jedi and his padawan. I obviously couldn't go, and we don't have many other options at the moment. Omega went against orders and went after him."

Obi Wan blinked.

"Oh my." He said. Ahsoka thought she could sense a flash of frustration from him. "Has it been resolved?"

"The Bad Batch went after her. They have successfully extracted her and the Jedi." Ahsoka said.

"Why did you not come to me for assistance?" Plo asked. "I am able, and there are other Jedi here."

"You are retired." Ahsoka said. She purposefully shoved her true thoughts away- that Plo was frail now, and she didn't want to send him into any danger. "Master Ti watches the younglings and every other Jedi is here for a reason."

Plo clicked his talons together in a way that Ahsoka recognized as vexed. She shared a glance with Tup. She should have guessed that her Masters would have become as frustrated as her with their lack of action.

"Do we know the identity of the Jedi?" Plo finally asked.

"Baylan Skoll and his apprentice Callum Brun." Ahsoka reported. "They were on Serenno."

"Yes." Plo said with a nod. "They had been sent on a covert mission right before the Order. It is good that they have survived this long and even better that they can join us again."

"What can you tell me about them?" Ahsoka asked.

Obi Wan put his hand to his chin.

"Baylan is a very- focused individual." He said. "I did not know him well, I'm afraid. I do know that he always had a fascination with the- for lack of a better word- 'mystic' aspects of the Force."

Excitement that Ahsoka didn't quite understand swelled in her. Since the Battle of Coruscant, the Force had whispered no guidance to her. Maybe this Baylan Skoll could help her.

"I remember young Callum." Plo chimed in. "He is a kind soul. He joined the war late. He was not eager to be a part of it."

Ahsoka winced as she thought of the brash teenager she'd been, so willing to fight and destroy.

She looked at Tup at the sound of a comm beeping. Tup sheepishly pulled his out.

"Tup!" Padme's voice burst from it. "What's going on? Is she having the baby? You promised to contact me half an hour ago!"

"Er- no, ma'am, not yet." Tup said. "It was a false alarm. My apologies."

When will it be time? Ahsoka asked her baby.

She just got a confused blip back. He didn't understand the concept of time.

"Am I clear to go?" She asked the med droid as Tup tried to placate Padme.

"Yes." The droid said. "However, this is likely a sign that the birth will happen with the next two weeks. Look for any signs."

"Right, right." Ahsoka said.

The idea of her baby finally being born felt unreal. A part of her believed that she'd carry him forever.

Tup helped her up as the med droid floated away. Ahsoka smiled at Plo and Obi Wan.

"You'll be some of the first to know when it finally happens." She said. "Kriff, I don't know how humans do it for nine months."

"Ask Padme." Obi Wan said. "Though I imagine twins made it even more arduous. We must get going, Ahsoka. My physical therapist is not fond of tardiness-"

"General Kenobi!"

They all looked around to see a clone medic hobble towards them, a clone that Ahsoka knew.

"You're five minutes late!" Hackjob said. "I know we're not in the army anymore, but that doesn't mean you can just leave me waiting!"

He stopped near them, noticing Ahsoka.

"Oh, Commander Tano!" He said. "General, you're forgiven if the Commander was having her baby."

"Not quite." Ahsoka said. "But we thought I was. You're Obi Wan's physical therapist?"

"I'm the only one with any experience, thanks to Rex." Hackjob said. "And- Neya Ha."

Hackjob gave a sad, wistful half smile before focusing on them again.

"Well, come on, General." He said. "Better late than never."

"I'll come along, if you don't mind, Obi Wan." Ahsoka said. "I can't do much, but I can be moral support. And I can offer Tup, too, if he's up for it."

"Of course, sir." Tup said quickly.

Obi Wan turned with a resigned air.

"I don't suppose it would be any good to try and dissuade you." He said. "Though I cannot help but think what a shock it would be to see how far my skills have degraded."

"Skills at what?" Hackjob asked, leading the way. "Walking? Not exactly your fault, General."

Obi Wan, for once, didn't quip back.

"We're working on his gait." Hackjob explained to Ahsoka. "You see how he's just kind of shuffling right now? We practice his proper stances and swings so he'll eventually build reflexes to a better stride."

For almost an hour, Ahsoka watched Obi Wan struggle to walk in a firm, steady motion. She felt like looking away whenever he stumbled or fell. She now wondered if she had avoided him before on purpose.

It didn't help that throughout, her false contractions continued.

She was relieved when she received the comm from the flight tower, letting her know that the Batch were arriving.

"Tell Rex to send a message or two, huh?" Hackjob told Ahsoka when she told them she had to go. "That man is terrible at communication. Besides with you. Probably."

"He's not bad." Ahsoka said. "But I've had to push him. Tup, do you mind staying with Obi Wan until the end?"

"That's fine, sir." Tup said with a nod.

"I'll keep you updated about Master Skoll and his padawan." Ahsoka told Obi Wan and Plo.

"Of course, Little 'Soka." Plo said warmly.

To Ahsoka's surprise, Obi Wan gave her another sincere smile.

"Goodbye, my dear." He said.

Ahsoka felt like crying at his expression.

Ahsoka didn't know how Crosshair managed to get to the Batch's landing space before her, especially with the GONK droid. But he had, and he was waiting with his arms tightly folded when she got there. Another clone stood nearby, a smile on his bearded face.

On second thought, it did make sense. Ahsoka's false contractions had continued and she really hadn't been able to go very fast.

"Hello, Mayday." Ahsoka called.

Mayday gave her a nod. Crosshair tilted his head towards her, but didn't say anything. His worry and frustration furrowed the air around him, as well as his brow.

"Try not to give her too hard of a time, Crosshair." Ahsoka told him.

"Do you take it easy on disobedient soldiers?" Crosshair snapped. "She had her orders!"

'Yes, and she's had such good role models in that area." Ahsoka said.

Mayday laughed. Ahsoka did too, but she cut off with a wince as her stomach tightened painfully again. It wasn't long before the Marauder grew from a speck in the sky.

"They've broken atmosphere." Ahsoka told Crosshair.
He perked up, especially when the sound of the Marauder reached them. The moment it landed, he nudged the GONK droid forward and he walked with his hand on its head. He stopped just shy of the ramp as it came down. Ahsoka caught a whiff of the Batch's particular odor as the ship opened.

"Crosshair." Tech was the first one out. Ahsoka noticed him give Mayday an odd look. "Are you well?"

"I'm fine." Crosshair snapped. "Where is she?"

At that moment, Omega, Wrecker, and Hunter descended the ramp. Ahsoka took them in. Wrecker looked worried, Hunter stony faced, and Omega rumpled and tired. At the sight of her unharmed, much of Ahsoka's frustration with her drained away.

"Hi, Crosshair." Omega said nervously.

"Come here." Crosshair ordered.

Omega crept forward. She looked at least somewhat abashed. Crosshair reached out and fumbled to take her shoulders.

"Are you all right?" He rasped.

Omega smiled a little.

"I'm fine." She said.

"She is indeed uninjured." Tech added.

Crosshair's shoulders relaxed somewhat.

"Good." He said. "Now, you can tell me what the kriff you were thinking!"

"I hope you're not waiting for a turn, Commander." Hunter said. He had come closer in order to be heard over Crosshair's lecture. "We're going to be here a while."

"She's been through Echo, I'm assuming." Ahsoka said. "She doesn't need anything from me just yet. I'm wondering more where the Jedi you rescued are."

"They've got their own shuttle." Hunter said. "The one Omega took. Not sure where they'll be landing."

Ahsoka quickly contacted the flight tower, all the while Crosshair continued his tirade.

"They've almost landed." Ahsoka said. "I'm going to go meet-"

She cut herself off as Crosshair suddenly cut off. Omega had hugged him tightly around the middle.

"I'm sorry for scaring you." She said.

Ahsoka wasn't quite surprised to see Crosshair hesitantly bring his hands up to hug her back.

"You will never do that again." Crosshair muttered.

Ahsoka noted that Omega didn't agree, but just hugged Crosshair tighter.

"I should go." Ahsoka told Hunter.

"Oh!" Omega let go of Crosshair. "Are you going to go see Callum?"
Ahsoka raised an eyebrow at Omega's wording. 'Callum.' The padawan's first name, and no mention of the Master.

"Yes." Ahsoka said. "I need to welcome them and help get them settled."

"Can I come?" Omega asked eagerly and all her brothers immediately frowned.

"Why would you need to?" Tech asked. "I am hesitant to allow you to accompany Commander Tano if it is not essential."

"You said I only need to have one of you with me, not that I couldn't go anywhere!" Omega protested.

"Yeah, but we don't have to go with you anywhere." Hunter said. "Besides, I doubt you need to be there."

"But-!" Omega said and then her face turned bright red.

Ahsoka understood. It seemed Omega was experiencing the 'joys' of teenage infatuation. Her brothers didn't seem to get the memo, all looking at her with bemused expressions.

"You can see Callum later, Omega." Ahsoka said. "You need rest and I'm sure he needs some too."

"Oh! Right!" Omega said. "Right right right right."

Her brothers stared.

"Are you feeling well, Omega?" Tech asked.

"Yeah!" Omega said. "I'm good! I'm-"

She paused and looked at Ahsoka. Then a particularly bad cramp hit Ahsoka. She gasped aloud and the Batch all looked at her.

"Commander?" Hunter asked.

Ahsoka didn't reply, trying to think with gritted teeth when the last one had been. Were they getting closer together? Kriff, she hadn't been paying attention!

"Oh." Tech said. "Are you having contractions, Commander?"

She glared at him as best she could while riding the wave of tightness and pain.

"Contractions?" She heard Hunter ask. "Wait, is she having her baby?"

Ahsoka didn't hear Tech's reply. Her baby was projecting waves of strain to her, but he wasn't distressed.

This is how you tell me? She asked Ad'ika, though she didn't expect a response.

She suddenly realized that she was on the ground, staring at the leaf dappled sky.

"Tech, you're a medic! Do somethin'!"

"I was not instructed extensively in assisting birth! We must get one of the med droids!"

"I'll do it!"

The pounding of footsteps away thudded in Ahsoka's montrals. Her body was doing things on its own and she just let it. Every moment and contraction passed in slow motion. She faintly compared it to the burning of the Force when it overwhelmed her. But this- this had a purpose. The waves of pain were taking her somewhere.

She let out a low, guttural groan and crushed someone's hand underneath her own.

"It's okay, Ahsoka." Ahsoka recognized Omega's voice. "Just breathe."

"She is likely experiencing a precipitous birth. The speed at which the contractions overcame her is rather quick."

Ahsoka wanted to snap out that she'd just thought the contractions weren't doing anything but her voice didn't seem to work.

Moments blurred together and yet dragged. Voices spoke but she filtered them out. Things were going the way they were supposed to. So she breathed. In. Out. Waves pushing her. Or was that her body doing the pushing?

No, because when she felt the urge to push, her body pushed. There was no mistaking it. She shouted and obeyed her body's commands.

Then- release.

The Force burst into light and noise around her, crying out its joy in this new life. It overwhelmed Ahsoka so much that she barely felt her baby being placed in her arms. Instinct took over, and she held him close. Her baby. Their baby.

With the last of her strength, she reached across the galaxy to Rex.

Rex ducked behind a large boulder, narrowly dodging a barrage of blaster fire.

"How did they know we were coming for them?" Fives demanded next to him.

Rex shook his head. The rocky terrain between them and the cadets was blocked with a squad of Imperial remnants.

"Probably got a hold of their distress signal." Echo suggested. "Bad luck that the General's still scouting."

"Doesn't matter." Rex said. "You still have their comms blocked, Echo?"

"Not for much longer." Echo said. "We need to take them out quick. Any ideas?"

Rex opened his mouth, but paused. A feeling crept into his mind, something he hadn't felt for months.

Ahsoka?

"Rex!"

Rex looked up to see Echo and Fives staring at him.

"Something's going on." He rasped. "Ahsoka-"

Then he was flooded with pain and joy. He gasped aloud. He could see a tiny form, a baby with bronze skin and white smudges on its face.

Their baby.

Rex stumbled and leaned against the boulder. He was thankful for his helmet so that Fives and Echo couldn't see the tears blurring his vision.

"Is Ahsoka okay?" Fives demanded. "Rex, talk to us!"

"She had the baby." Rex choked out.

And Rex hadn't been there. Each lightyear that separated him from his family felt like a blow. But like with every blow that had rained on him throughout his life, he endured them. He only had to be the Captain for a while longer. Then he could go home and be- a father.

Mando'a:

Ad'ika: little one/baby. Currently Rex and Ahsoka's baby's nickname as they wait for him to choose his own name

From the top!

Mmm maybe teaching an experimented on child the Force isn't a good idea. Or maybe it's getting the results his Master wants…

Quick check in with Rex, how he's doing, just missing Ahsoka mostly and getting ready to save some kids.

Oh hey, Obi Wan. Poor guy's just doing his best and being frustrated that he can't go be helpful.

I have a confession. I regret killing Neya Ha. He was just so delightful. OH WELL TOO LATE FOR THAT I GUESS.

Crosshair's lectures are undone by Omega hugs. No one is surprised.

I forgot to mention it last time, but Callum is very much Omega's first teenage crush on an older person that will never work out.

Ahsoka's experience here is based off of how my sister described giving birth. According to my mom, it is very different from her own experience. Ah well, I think it turned out fine.

Also, please imagine the Batch absolutely just LOSING it as Ahsoka is giving birth. All except Omega, who was a medical assistant.

Hi Commander Jr!

That should be everything!

Stay safe, remember to review, and have a great few weeks!