"Ow." Ahsoka winced as Kix pressed a cold pack to the back of her head. "That's the last time I face off with a danchaf."

Anakin chuckled, warm laughter masking the concern in his eyes. The young Knight was sitting next to her bed, feet propped up on a second chair, watching as the clone medic tended to his injured Padawan.

"Just try to lie still, little one. And next time, don't make eye contact with them."

"Yeah." she grumbled, shifting uncomfortably on the hard bed. "You could've told me that before hand."

"I did. It's not my fault you were daydreaming during the briefing."

Kix suppressed a laugh, but couldn't hide his smile without the protection of his helmet.

"Trust me sir, those goblins are vicious. All the preparation in the world won't help you against them. Even the best men can't beat em, especially when they've got those clubs of theirs."

"How's she looking Kix?" Anakin asked. "She got hit pretty hard."

"The ice should bring the swelling down considerably, but you know how important lekku are to Togrutan physiology. With your permission, General, I'd like to run some tests to check her reactions."

Anakin nodded, even as Ahsoka rolled her eyes. "I don't get a say in this?"

"Not really, unless you managed to pass your Trials without me knowing." he replied.

"It won't take long, Commander." Kix assured. Ahsoka sighed, then turned her head to watch her Master. She needed a elder Jedi was cleaning both of their lightsabers. He must really be worried. Ahsoka hadn't been Anakin's apprentice for even a year, but she knew how mechanical tasks calmed his anxieties. She sent a wave of reassurance through their bond, with no reaction. He didn't even acknowledge her, totally focused on the moment.

As Kix promised, the tests didn't take long. Her hearing wasn't quite as strong as usual, or her echo-location, but both were intact. She'd experienced enough head injuries to know that she'd be alright once the swelling went down, and Kix relayed as much to Anakin. Once the auditory scanners were put away, the clone medic turned to Ahsoka with an expression she could only describe as sheepish.

"Sir, with your permission, I'd like to test your Force control." That caught Anakin's attention.

"Is there a problem, Kix?"

Kix shifted his gaze between the two Jedi and tried to backpedal. "Not necessarily, General. I just want to be thorough."

Ahsoka smiled. "It's okay, Master. Kix has been studying the effects of injuries on Force-users. Isn't that right?"

The clone chuckled. "Now where did you hear that, Commander?"

Ahsoka flashed a toothy grin at the medic. "I have my sources."

Anakin shook his head. "Snips, stop eavesdropping on Rex. Kix, run the tests. It's better to check now than wait for the Healers."

Kix nodded. "Thank you, sir."

Ahsoka waited patiently while he stuck two sensors to each side of her head. Those would monitor her brain activity. Then he placed one stone in each of her hands. She'd played this game before, at the Temple. Each stone was colored, and with the Force, she could sense the color and manipulate the right one.

"Okay, move the red one for me."

Ahsoka took a deep breath and extended her focus outward. She centered her thoughts on her left hand. That one held the red stone, as red as Ryloth soil. As she exhaled, the stone slowly rose into the air-

Except, it didn't. It wasn't. She furrowed her brow and tried again. Nothing. She turned inward, and searched for the Force. It was there, always there, but not this time. The rushing river of energy that ran through her had become a leaky faucet. She was suddenly aware of the eyes on her. She reached out her senses to the bond, the tether that connected her to Anakin. It didn't matter if she was sick, hurting, or barely conscious- that bond let her know she was safe, that everything was going to be okay. But it, too, was gone.

"Snips? What's wrong?"

Ahsoka turned to him, breath caught in her throat, eyes wide and scared. For the first time in her life, she was completely and utterly alone. The massive web she had been connected to since birth had vanished, leaving her empty.

"Master, the Force is...gone."

Anakin was on his feet in an instant, fighting to keep his voice steady. "What do you mean, gone?"

"I mean, I can't feel it. I can't pick up the stones, I can't feel it within me, I can't even feel our bond. It's just...silent."

Anakin shook his head, not understanding. "Close your eyes." he ordered softly. She did, channeling all her energy into not shaking as he placed a hand on her forehead. He placed the other on her stomach, focusing on her breath and matching his own with hers. Anakin breathed in...out...and then reached for her. Ahsoka was very good at shielding, too good when she was angry with him, but this wasn't shielding. It wasn't a wall that he hit and couldn't get past. He could reach out forever, but there wasn't anything there. He knew the bond hadn't been cut, both of them would be in intense pain if it had. Something was definitely wrong. He tried again, sending a thought towards her. /Ahsoka, are you there?/

He looked down at her still form, the tension drawing her limbs taut like the string on a bow. No reaction. He sighed, and removed his hands. She blinked and looked up at him, hope pooling in her blue eyes.

"It's gone. I can't feel you, either."

A sob forced its way up, catching in Ahsoka's throat and choking her.

Kix, who had remained quiet, finally spoke. "We shouldn't panic, General. Force-muteness is quite common, actually. When Force-sensitives endure great stress, sleep deprivation, or malnutrition, their midi-chlorian count can be lowered significantly. Let's test those before we worry."

Anakin nodded tersely, before helping Ahsoka sit up. The shock had left her dizzy, and she clung to the sleeves of his tunic tightly. This was a waking nightmare, unlike anything she had ever imagined.

"What are we going to do Master? What will happen to me if I can't use the Force?" Her voice was thick with tears, though none had fallen yet.

The Knight shook his head and pulled her close, holding his young padawan, wishing he could support her with their bond. "Shhh." he murmured. "One thing at a time. Let's check your 'chlorian count first. Kix is right, you haven't had enough food or rest. Deep breaths."

"B-but if I can't use the Force, I can't be a Jedi. I'll have to leave the Temple."

Anakin gripped her shoulders and pushed her back from the embrace. "Ahsoka, look at me." He was not angry, but very stern. He needed her to understand this. She swallowed and looked up, finding nothing but compassion in his eyes.

"Ahsoka Tano, I don't care if this test shows that you don't have any midi-chlorians left. I don't care if the Council decides you are not to be trained. You are my Padawan Learner; I will teach and care for you as long as I need to. Anyone who has a problem with that will have to go through me. Do you understand me?"

She nodded, calming. "Yes Master."

"Good girl. We're going to figure this out together. Kix, where's that tester?"