The Will of the Force

II. Tormented

It had already been several hours since they had left for hyperspace.

Ahsoka had gone to her quarters, categorically refusing to discuss her pain with her Master.

She was still convinced
that it was nothing serious.
"It's just a passing pain."
she thought
But deep down, she was beginning to have doubts...

---- ----

Anakin, for his part, was sitting on a crate opposite his fighter, staring straight ahead.
He wondered how and why Ahsoka had kept such important information from him.
Didn't she know she could tell him anything?

Worried beeps brought him out of his thoughts.

-Anakin: "Yes, R2, I'm fine.
It's Ahsoka I'm worried about..."

----

-Anakin: "No, I can't blame her.
I'd have done the same at her age.
I realize that the more time passes, the more I become like Obi-Wan when I was his apprentice.
I hated a lot of things about him that I do myself with her today".

-Ahsoka: "Hello Master.

-Anakin: "Are you feeling better?"

-Ahsoka: "Yes!
I'm fine now".

-Anakin: "Ahsoka...
You know, you must never hide anything this important from me again".

-Ahsoka: "Yes, Master, I know, but it's just that I really wanted to go on the mission with you and I didn't think it would get worse on the mission.
I'm really sorry".

-Anakin: "I'm the one who's sorry, Ahsoka.
I realized today that there are a lot of things I hated about Obi-Wan when I was his apprentice that I've been doing with you since I've had you as a Padawan, and I apologize.
I would have done the same thing at your age. I'd have been too scared that Obi-Wan would stop me from going on my mission and leave me in a room in the Medical Bay".

-Ahsoka: "When we get to Coruscant, I'm going to visit Senator Amidala as she asked.
Don't wait up for my training".

-Anakin: "Did you really think I was going to train you when you're not well?

She wanted to retaliate by telling him once again that she was much better, but a new wave of pain washed over her.

Anakin noticed this and grabbed her by the waist.

-Anakin: "Are you all right, Snips?"
he asked worriedly.

She shook her head.
"It's my back!"
she moaned.

-Anakin: "That's enough.
This time I'm taking you to the infirmary!"

-Ahsoka: "No, Master!
There's no need for that.
It doesn't hurt anymore.
she said as the pain became uncontrollable.

-Anakin: "You lied to me, Ahsoka!
The pain doesn't go away.
I'm just taking you with me!"
He said angrily, lowering himself to her level and taking her arm, passing it over her neck.

She tried to escape his grip, but another, even more painful wave hit her and she ended up fainting.

Anakin caught her just before she hit the ground.

Anakin: "You won't escape this time..."
he said, staring at his Padawan's silhouette.The cruiser landed on Coruscant and Anakin, still with Ahsoka in his arms, headed for the Medical Bay as quickly as possible.

-Anakin: "A doctor, I need a doctor right now!"
he exclaimed as soon as he passed through the door of the building.

-Valia: "Who is it, Master Jedi?"

-Anakin: "It's my Padawan.
She's been seized by violent pains in her back and has finally fainted".
He says, pointing to the figure of his unconscious Padawan.

-Valia: "Follow me, I'll take you to an examination room.
A doctor will attend to her in a few minutes".

She led him into a room where he laid Ahsoka on an examination table.

-Valia: "A doctor will see you in a few minutes".

-Anakin: "Thank you.

---- ----

Anakin had left to give the mission report to the Council while the doctor attended to Ahsoka.

-Dr.V: "Very well, now describe your pains to me, Padawan Tano."

-Ahsoka: "They're strong in the lower back.

-Dr.V: "In the lumbar region?"

-Ahsoka: "Yes, I think so.

-Dr.V : "We'll do a blood test and we'll certainly keep you here tonight".

-Ahsoka: "Is it really worth my staying?
You know, I can manage pain very well on my own".

-Dr.V: "It's our duty to do what's best for our patients, and I assure you that you must be taken care of.
Until we have the results, you'll stay here".

She nodded sadly in agreement as a medical droid entered to draw her blood.

For his part, Anakin had just completed his report to the Council, but Obi-Wan was intrigued by Anakin's revelations about Ahsoka's condition.

---- ----

Obi-Wan: "Anakin, wait for me!"

-Anakin: "Who is it, Master?"

-Obi-Wan: "You said that Ahsoka wasn't feeling well, so..,
you'd do her report for her
but explain to me what really happened, please".

-Anakin: "I assure you it's nothing serious".

-Obi-Wan: "Anakin, please.
I know very well when you're lying, and this is one of those times".

-Anakin: "Well, we were on a mission when Ahsoka started having severe pain in her lower back and she hid it from me to no avail, but I eventually found out and when we were in the cruiser, she finally fainted and I took her to the Medical Bay as soon as the cruiser arrived".

-Obi-Wan: "Hmm, I see."
he says, stroking his beard.

-Anakin: "Do you think it's serious?"

-Obi-Wan: "I don't know, Anakin.
Let's hope not.

---- ----

Anakin and Obi-Wan entered the examination room, where they saw Ahsoka, who had obviously managed to fall asleep between two waves of pain.

Anakin approached her, stroking her lekku to wake her up.

-Anakin: "Are you all right, Snips?"
He said as she slowly opened her eyes.

-Ahsoka: "Yes, for now.
Master Kenobi, what are you doing here?"

-Obi-Wan: "Anakin explained everything to me.
The droid doctors said we'll have your results soon."

-Ahsoka: "The doctor said I'll probably have to spend the night here, but I don't want to stay here myself!"

-Anakin: "I know, Snips, I know, but you don't have a choice.
It's for your own good and you know it."

-Ahsoka: "But I don't want to...
I want to be let out!"
She started to struggle to get out, but they stopped her.

-Obi-Wan: "Calm down Ahsoka, take it easy.
Take it easy.
There, easy."

-Ahsoka: "Ahhh!
It hurts like hell...
I don't understand why I've got this".

-Anakin: "It'll be all right, Snips".

-Obi-Wan: "You need to relax".

-Ahsoka: "I can't relax right now.
It hurts too much!"

-Anakin: "I don't like seeing you like this..."

-Obi-Wan: "It's all right, Ahsoka.
The droids will let us know the results soon and they'll take care of you.
It'll all be over soon.
he said reassuringly.