Chapter Text
Waiting was the worst part. Anakin paced the cell, from one dark cold corner, to the next. Waiting for his fate, while he knew that somewhere out there his men were fighting for their lives, or defending their brothers. He stopped pacing and let out a shaky sigh, a cloud of his own breath appearing in the freezing air of the room. He looked up, squinting in the dark. Ahsoka sat next to Rex who was struggling to keep his head up. The clone rubbed his face and eyes, trying to stay awake.
“It’s alright, Rex.” Anakin told him. “It’s nothing but waiting right now. Get some rest.” The captain shook his head.
“Thank you, sir. But, I’m alright.”
“No.” Anakin said, kneeling down in front of him. “I need my captain well rested, so this is an order . Get some sleep.” Rex paused, and seemed to catch words in his throat before they were spoken. Then, his face relaxed and he nodded at his general.
“Well, alright.” He said getting up and moving to the corner closest to them to rest his head on the wall. Anakin took Rex’s spot next to Ahsoka, who leaned into Anakin's side the second he settled down next to her.
“You should get some rest too, snips.” He said looking down at the top of her hood. He watched her head shake from side to side.
“Not tired.” she replied pulling her knees towards her chest. “These restraints,” she pulled at them, “are making me feel sick.”
Anakin felt that knot of guilt pull tighter in his chest. “I’m sorry, Ahsoka.” He was saying sorry for more than just the restraints, and she seemed to catch that.
“Anakin.” She sighed. “This isn’t your fault.” She told him, and he felt himself wanting to argue with her. But, she turned around and faced him before he could say anything. “Have you been blaming yourself this entire time?” She asked him. He turned his eyes away from hers. She was starting to sound like Obi-Wan.
“How could I not?” He finally admitted. “I should've told you to go back with the rest of the battalion, I should've told Rex to stay with the rest of the men, I should’ve memorized those coordinates, I could have-”
“Master!” Ahsoka interrupted him. “There was no way for you to know we were going to be ambushed and I chose to memorize those coordinates. None of this is your fault, Anakin.” She seemed to offer him a small smile. Anakin stared at his apprentice, so young, but her words were always beyond her years.
He returned her smile to her. “You know, you’re supposed to be the learner, and I’m supposed to be the Master.” Anakin shakes his head, joking with her. Ahsoka just shrugs her shoulders before leaning back next to him.
“That’s just because I’m smarter than you.” She chided, as she nestled up closer to his side. He didn’t mind.
“Well maybe so. You’re just not allowed to get taller than me. That’s when we’ll have a problem.” Anakin nudged her slightly as a giggle escaped from Ahsoka's mouth. In those few moments Anakin forgot he was a war prisoner. The cell didn’t exist and a Sith Lord wasn’t currently on his way to collect them. In those moments, nothing could harm them.
<<<>>>
The Negotiator was nearing its destination and Obi-Wan's concern was only growing as he couldn’t find Anakin when he searched for their bond. Obi-Wan's hand went to his beard and he stared intently out at the hyperspace lane.
“Everything alright, General?” Cody asked, approaching from behind him. Obi-Wan turned, eyebrows raised.
“I hope so, Cody. I just hope we are not too late.” He replied, turning back to his view.
“I’m sure we’re not, sir.” Cody said. “But we do need you to finalize the plan. Our scouts report that there are three lifeforms in the detention center of the Separatist compound. We’re pretty confident it’s Skywalker, Tano, and Rex.” Cody explained as they walked side by side to the holotable.
Obi-Wan felt a semblance of relief when Cody told him that information. “That’s good news. Now, we just have to get them out.” The General pressed a button on the table and brought up the map of the compound.
“This is where we believe they are being held.” Cody motioned to the area of cells on the map. “The base is heavily fortified so we need an air team and a ground assault.”
Obi-Wan studied the map, making mental notes of the passageways and corridors. As usual, there was only one hallway leading to and from the detention center. There seemed to be no air ways or ducts leading out either. That means no heat in a cold climate such as this planet. How cold is their cell? Obi-Wan forced his fears aside and concentrated on the map once more.
“We’ll need a strong distraction so I can get in there and out with the three of them.” Obi-wan explained, not taking his eyes off the map. Cody nodded to his right.
“That’s where the air team comes in. We’ll make a quick drop with cables out of gunships into the courtyard of the base. That will draw the clankers out and then the ground teams will go in and cover for you, General.” The Commander told him.
“Very good, Cody. Get those gunships ready.”
“Yes, sir!”
<<<>>>
Anakin woke to the sound of voices outside the cell door. Then, suddenly he was cold, not because of the low temperature, but because he could sense Dooku on the other side. It was a faint feeling, due to the binders, but the Dark Side seeped from him so powerfully, that it was hard to miss. Ahsoka leaned forward, and Rex hurried to both of them.
“It’s time.” Anakin said, as Rex helped both Jedi to their feet. The door hissed open and Anakin stepped forward, standing between Dooku and his friends.
“Skywalker.” The Count's deep voice announced. His eyes glanced behind him at Ahsoka and Rex. “And company, I see.”
“Dooku.” Anakin growled in an aggressive greeting. He caught a glimpse of Dooku's lightsaber and Anakin suddenly felt severely exposed.
“I’m surprised you allowed yourself to be captured, and since you have stayed put in your cell for so long, I assume the Council has given up on you.” The Count stepped forward, but Anakin never took his eyes off him. They were both calculating the others' next move, except Anakin knew Dooku had all the playing cards.
“No they did not!” Ahsoka shouts, stepping next to Anakin. “Someone will come for us!”
“Ahsoka, get back!” Anakin hisses, looking down at her.
“Your Padawan?” Dooku raises an eyebrow as he scans Ahsoka. “You surprise me, Skywalker. I never pictured you as the teaching type. I thought you would have handed her training over to Master Kenobi by now. Tell me young one, is he a good Master?”
“Leave her out of this!” Anakin inches closer to Dooku. “Take me if you want information. Let these two-”
The whole compound shook and they struggled to stay upright on their feet. Then another explosion sounded in the distance and a moment later a blaster fighter and the sounds of battle floated in through the open cell door. Anakin shared an optimistic look with Ahsoka and Rex but suddenly, Ahsoka was pulled towards the Count. He had his arm stretched out and he grabbed onto her coat once she was close enough. His red lightsaber ignited and he held it to her throat.
“Commander!” Rex shouted, but as he took a step forward, Dooku pushed the ‘saber closer to Ahsoka's neck.
“You let her go, Dooku!” Anakin wailed. Rex held onto Anakin's shoulder, cautioning him not to get any closer.
“It seems I spoke too soon about that rescue.” Count Dooku frowned. “No matter. This ,” he shook Ahsoka, who was struggling against the Count's hold, “will ensure my escape.”
He backed out of the cell, keeping his eye on Anakin and Rex. Ahsoka was kicking and flinging her arms to try and escape his hold. As Dooku went for the controls to close the cell door, Ahsoka kicked them in, locking the door in its place.
“You insolent child!” Dooku shouted, and pulled her back from the door. Anakin took his chance and followed him out into the hallway, he was dragging her down the corridor as fast as he could, while moving backwards. The lightsaber was still dangerously close to Ahsoka’s skin as the Count attempted escape.
Anakin took a step to follow him, but behind Dooku appeared someone Anakin was relieved to see. Dooku hadn't noticed him just yet. He was still eyeing Anakin. Obi-Wan raised his lightsaber and suddenly, Dooku had sensed him. He let go of Ahsoka, pushing her towards Anakin's direction as he turned and deflected Obi-Wan's strike.
“Master Kenobi. I should've known it was you coming to Skywalker's rescue.” The Count snides. Obi-Wan ignored his comment and Force pushed Dooku into the wall, clearing a way for the three.
“Run! Go, we’ll finish the fight here!” He instructed.
Anakin pulled Ahsoka up and they ran past Dooku, passed Obi-Wan, and into the courtyard of the compound. Three gunships were flying around, providing cover as the 212th and a few members of the 501st were busy taking out the droids.
“We can’t help them without the Force and without our lightsabers.” Ahsoka said, looking up at Anakin. She was right. He had no idea where their weapons were and they were still cut off from the Force.
“I’m going to help my brothers, sir.” Rex said picking up a discarded blaster near his feet.
“Rex!” Anakin called.
“I’ll be fine, sir. You and the Commander need to get out of here!” Anakin nodded.
“There!” Ahsoka motioned towards one of the exits, it was blasted open. “If we can make it out of the compound, they can find us later. Let’s go!”
Anakin followed his Padawan, pulling her head down if any stray blaster bolts came too close to their location, but they reached the door in one piece. Ahsoka climbed out and landed in the snow. Anakin jumped out after her and was immediately met with a blast of icy wind. A snow storm was picking up again.
“Maybe we should've stayed in the compound!” Ahsoka shouted over the wind, she tugged her hood over her head.
“We would’ve been shot if we stayed in there. Now, come on, we have to get far enough away that the droids wont spot us!” Anakin shouted back. They walked. That feeling of guilt in Anakin's gut did not subside as he knew he was leaving his former Master and his men behind to fight without him. But, he felt a sense of comfort knowing Ahsoka was out of that cell. All he had to do now was make sure they found them in this storm.
They trudged through the snow and the biting winds. Anakin looked back, the compound seemed to be billowing smoke and the blaster fire could still be seen.
“Master, I can’t feel my-my feet!” Ahsoka chattered, she fell into the snow, her legs collapsing beneath her.
“Oh, kriff!” Anakin muttered to himself. He grabbed Ahsoka’s arm, helping her steady herself. His eyes glanced upwards and he spotted a dark opening in the mountains just ahead of them. “Okay, snips. We’re getting out of this storm.” he says to her. He carefully picks her up, letting her body fall between the hole his bound hands create in his arms.
Anakin carries her all the way to the cave. She was shivering in his hold as they reached their shelter. He found a dry spot, out of the oppressing wind and set her down, collapsing next to her.
“I’m sorry, Ahsoka. I’m sorry.”
<<<>>>
Dooku managed to escape again. As did Trench. But the compound was destroyed and the droids taken care of.
“Rex!” Obi-Wan shouted once he spotted him. “It’s good to see you again.” The Captain nodded.
“Same to you, sir.”
“Where’s Skywalker and Ahsoka?” Obi-Wan asks him, noticing their absence from the battle.
“They left the compound, sir. They didn't want to get in the way. They have no lightsabers and their binders cut them off from the Force.” Rex explained.
“ Blast! ” Obi-Wan says under his breath. “Alright, send out gunships to look for them in the surrounding area.” Obi-Wan ordered.
“Sir!” Cody called from behind him. Obi-Wan turned around and his Commander approached holding a box. “We found these in Trenches quarters.” Obi-Wan opened the box and found three lightsabers resting inside.
“Thank you, Cody.” He said with a smile, taking the ‘sabers out.
“Let’s go return them."
Obi-Wan's gunship spotted the cave. It was difficult to see through the blizzard, and even harder to pilot. The eventually landed in the snow right at the opening of the cave Obi-Wan and the medics jumped out and walked in, scanning the dark. The Jedi's eyes finally landed on two figures lying next to a rock.
He leaned down towards the pair. They were huddling for warmth. Ahsoka looked so small in Anakin's embrace. Obi-Wan called for a medic and the two were woken up and covered in thermal blankets.
“Obi-Wan?” Anakin mumbled, his eyes, landed on his former Master.
“Here, hold on.” Obi-Wan ignited his ‘saber and cut the binders from their wrists. “Better?”
“Much.” Ahsoka spoke now, as she was lifted onto a stretcher. Obi-Wan beamed at her.
“Thank you.” Anakin spoke to him, raising his robotic hand. Obi-Wan took it and held it in his.
“Of course, my friend. Now, let’s go home.”