"Ahsoka," Anakin said quietly. "I am so sorry. About everything." If none of the Council would apologize, he would.

Ahsoka turned to him and gave a slight nod, almost smiling but not.

"You have our most humble apologies, Little 'Soka," Master Plo said, his normally confident voice filled with sadness and regret and shame. "The Council was wrong to accuse you."

"You have shown such great strength and resilience in your struggle to prove your innocence." Master Tiin said, actually sounding somewhat sincere.

"This is the true sign of a Jedi Knight." said Master Mundi.

Yes! Anakin thought. She's going to come back, and we can spar and prank each other and eat lots of bacon for breakfast and—

And then Windu had to go and open his mouth.

"This was actually your great trial. Now we see that. We understand that the Force works in mysterious ways, and because of this trial, you have become a greater Jedi than you would have otherwise."

Anakin had to use all his thirteen years of Jedi training to keep from rolling his eyes and facepalming. He saw Ahsoka cross her arms and narrow her eyes. Understandable. Was that what Master Windu considered an apology?

"Back into the Order, you may come," came Master Yoda's voice. He smiled up at Ahsoka.

"They're asking you back, Ahsoka," Anakin said, stepping forward and reaching into a pocket. "I'm asking you back." He held out her Padawan braid.

Ahsoka looked at the beads. Anakin moved his hand toward her, silently pleading for her to take them. He gave her a hopeful smile.

Ahsoka looked back down to the beads. Slowly, hesitantly, she lifted her left hand, reached for the beads.

And then she took hold of his palm with her right hand. Gently, she closed his mechanical fingers over the braid with her left.

Ahsoka looked up at Anakin, tears welling in her eyes.

"I'm sorry, Master," she choked out. "But I'm not coming back." She turned her head away.

Anakin's mouth dropped and he stared at Ahsoka in shock as she left the Council chambers.

Unconsciously, his fist tightened around Ahsoka's beads. He shook his head, his mouth pulling into an angry frown. I've had it with this nerf-kriffing Council in this nerf-kriffing Order, he thought.

"HA! Gotcha!" Ahsoka screamed, whirling around.

Anakin's mouth dropped again. He dropped Ahsoka's braid on the floor as she tackled him in a hug that nearly knocked him into Obi-Wan.

"You had me worried there, Snips," Anakin whispered into her montral.

She just laughed and held him tighter.

A/N: If only...

That's my only comment, but I'd like to hear from you! I hope you enjoyed the story!

-JP421

UPDATE: Like Chapter 1, I revised this chapter the same day (4/10/2020).