Sola could see him. He was fleeing from her. But she was fast upon his heels. The grotesque abomination was hers. What planet was this again? Whichever one is was, it was arid. Dry. Painfully so. The wind and the dust and the heat.
He darted right and she followed him. The clanker, as Rex would call him. Thinking of Rex made Sola sprint faster, propelling herself through the force. Her anger gnawed away at her as he kept evading her.
But not forever.
She cornered him and then came to a halt. The general looked at the wall, looking around and then back to her, his wretched mechanical head split into a glare.
"You thought you'd get away again?" Sola ignited her saber, the silver crisp.
"It's time for you to die, small jedi." Grievous glared at her, his eyes fiery yellow. He ignited two of his own sabers, brandishing them at her. "You cannot win against me. Not you, not Skywalker, not Kenobi."
"You haven't dueled me, general." Sola got into stance, her eyes dark and blunt. "I'm not aiming to capture."
His confusion was just settling but before he could speak, Sola gave a cry and charged. The blades spit fire as they collided. She was merciless, feeling the power guide her movements. Thinking of all he had done…the war…the lives cost. And how she would end it all. She hoped. But Grievous blocked and parried and swung a claw at her that caught her in the face and sent her to her side on the floor. He towered above her.
"Succumb to my power jedi!" he laughed, coughing in sputters afterward.
"You don't know power" Sola said darkly.
"It is you who doesn't know." Grievous laughed once more. "And so you die." And with that, his blade swung down to her chest.
Sola's screams were caught in her throat, not even bearing themselves to the darkness. She sat up in the bunk where she had been sleeping and inhaled with force before exhaling more deeply. She fought to calm herself, moving ever so slightly. A knot in her neck forced her to grip it and change positions to better assess her situation. This wasn't the first time she'd had a dream like this….
Aboard the Jedi Cruiser, Rex and his brothers and others Jedi were near the outer rim but due to be shuttled back to Coruscant for a short leave before being sent back out into the warzone.
Rex was putting on his armor. It was early but it was his time to be awake, seeing as he would be due in the command center within minutes. He made sure to strap in his blaster and then moved out of the sleep cabin. He made his way down the corridor, making a slight detour to the other crew cabins for the commanders and the like. He opened the doors and slipped in quietly, tiptoeing to the nearest bed to the door. He reached up and found it empty. Puzzled, he felt more and affirmed it was absent Sola. He crept back out and thought for a moment before the idea occurred to him.
Sola was meditating in the cargo hold when the door opened. She saw Rex and relaxed a bit, but more in exasperation.
"Evening." She greeted him, turning away from him.
"I expected you to still be sleeping." Rex said to her, walking in fully and closing the door.
"Couldn't." Sola said. "You're up early as well."
"Got up before the calls," Rex explained. "Wanted to see if you were awake…guess I got my answer." He joins her finally. "We have a few moments…before it's time for duty."
Sola did not need him to speak further. She turned to kiss him fully on the mouth, him returning it but wrapping an armored arm around her back. Sola could not help being enlivened by the touches and kisses they shared. For some reason, they all seemed so…surreal. Transcending. And the passion Rex emitted…the complete dedication to her…it overwhelmed her. But it was nothing she was going to shy away from.
Yet those feelings weren't the only ones.
Her vengeance she desired for Grievous has only grown and she had let it. She knew it was wrong and justified her reasons for wanting him dead but she knew deep down that it was because of her need for Obi-Wan's guidance and touch and presence…because of moments like this with Rex—him in her arms, lips connected, minds and bodies trying to leave imprints in the force—and the thought that Grievous had almost succeed in taking both away, had it not been for two inches and the unexpected presence of a beast of Kamino.
"It's funny." Rex said finally after they broke. Sola looked at him. He continued, "how much has happened…the way the war is going…the state of my brothers…and myself."
"I can say the same…" Sola nodded. "About the jedi as well—and myself." She paused before continuing. "I wrestle…with my faith in the council—our Jedi way. Not very much," she was defensive without needing to be so, standing, "just…enough to put my mind out of ease. After all that has happened…and our inaction…our pause…" She sighs and smiles at Rex, who looked worried. "It is a small thing…I just…can see why the council or the jedi philosophies may at times have been…ignored—by great jedi of the past."
"Most of that didn't turn out well did it?" Rex's tone was light but he was firm.
"It depends on the light it's cast in." Sola said evenly. "If we look at Revan for instance, he went to war without permission yet saved the Republic—the foundation under the Jedi—and brought about a dismantling of the old ways and allowed the flaws in the jedi way to be addressed and fixed." She was getting a bit excited now. "Even Skyalker was initially opposed. He was too old to be trained but by deciding against the initial thought and the jedi rules we now have one of the greatest defenses and weapons to the war and potentially a prophetic man who can balance the force." She stops as she realizes her octave was high. She sits. "And I'm ahead of myself."
"You're more sensationalizing." Rex told her. "But not…very far off the mark. I think one of the best things experience—and Skywalker—has taught…is that the plan isn't always the way to win. I've had to make hard decisions…seen dishonesty and betrayal—and lies for the greater good." Rex said slowly. "But I've grown with it and learned how to think on my toes, do what's right, compromise…" He turned his gaze to her. "And stay true to the Republic…and myself too."
Sola's hand went back to his face but after a short kiss, she looked at the display.
"It's time to be on the deck." She told Rex. "We're supposed to be out there."
"Right." Rex stood, helmet in hand. As they reached the door, she stopped him.
"And after this mission is done…I've arranged us some real R&R." She said smoothly. Rex smirked at her.
"All your events seem to end with us having to save more of our citizens." He teased.
"This time is different." She laughed. "I give you my word."
With one more kiss, they made their way to the communications.
"We're at the rendezvous point, awaiting your arrival." Skywalker told Rex on the comm when they had finally arrived. "Where are you?"
"Sir, we are at the rendezvous point." Rex said exasperated. "There's no sign of you on our scanners."
"Oh come on," Skywalker gestured. "That's impossible." He turned to someone else, who Sola assumed was Obi-Wan or Skywalker's padawan Ahsoka. "Something's wrong. We're at the exact coordinates where the distress signal was coordinated but there's nothing here. Rex is at the exact same coordinates and he's not here—"
There as static. Sola's eyebrow arched and Rex felt himself become puzzled.
"Sir?" He asked as Anakin's figure shook. "We're unable to find you….sir? Where are you sir?"
Skywalker had gone black. Rex's eyes widened. He looked to his fellow brothers and then to Sola, who gave him a serious, questioning look. He turned back to the station. What had happened?
"General?" Rex asked and then clicked twice more. "Genearl Skywalker: come in."
The image of Anakin in a seat flickered to life once more.
"We read you Rex. Can you hear me?"
"Yes sir, standing by." Rex nodded, his relief clear. "We were worried. You were…of the scopes there for a moment." Skywalker looked funny.
"A moment?" He asked. "We've…been gone for more than a moment Rex."
"I…don't' understand sir." Rex eyed him. "You're going to have to explain." Skywalker hesitated. Sola moved forward and she heard him say, "You wouldn't believe me if I told you." He sighed. "We're coming in now."
Rex nodded and the transmission died. He walked out of the cabin and Sola came to his side.
"What do you suppose that was about?" She asked. "And the signal?"
"You can never tell with Skywalker." Rex said. "Until later that is. Best thing is to go along with it. But—this mission is over…back to the Core now."
"Comm me after you check in with the base." Sola said to him. "And…just in case…pack your armor. We might just need you in it."
Rex set off and arrived to meet with Sola at Amidala's apartment. He had a bag with him containing nothing but his armor and wore neat, ordinary clothing. For Coruscant.
He waited for her to come back into view, her hair down now. She was carrying a larger bag on wheels. She stopped before him at the door.
"Time to go." She said. "To the hangar."
"After you Commander." Rex said.
They pushed forward. Up to the rooftop where one of Amidala's private shuttles waited. She entered, followed by Rex. She set a course on autopilot and they put their things in the storage container. Sola exhaled. Rex came to her in the cockpit.
"Surprise destination?" He asked.
"Somewhere where no one can reach us." Sola said to him plainly, smiling. She held out her hand for his communicator and placed both theirs in the cabinet under the controls. Rex smiled lopsidedly. With the same outstretched hand, he laced their fingers. Sola gave him a shyer smile than usual. Rex eyed her and she met his gaze fully. But there were no words. There was no real need and neither knew what they would say. But they both felt it….
Sola was hot in pursuit. Her anxiety had heightened. She could see him now. He was fleeing from her now. There was a mechanical hand on the ground now—perhaps the second of the six that he had in total. She sped herself up with the force. She got closer and closer. She would not let him escape again. It was dark but a bright, white light shone at the end of the passage. She was running from it, into the darkness. It felt dry. She saw bits of sand litering the ground. Sand and wind and dust.
He darted right and she followed him. The disgusting clanker. She could see him nearly through the force. She felt him. Her lust was filling her as if tracking. Obi-Wan always called him a spider—how he would flee. Thinking of Obi-Wan made Sola sprint faster, propelling herself through the force. Her anger gnawed away at her as he kept evading her. But the force filled her with a…dark frenzy? It wasn't quite yet.
She cornered him and then came to a halt. The general looked at the wall, looking around and then back to her, his wretched mechanical head split into a glare.
"You thought you'd get away again?" Sola ignited her saber, the silver crisp. Her heart race hummed with it. The calm was disrupted by a passionate rage.
"It's time for you to die, small jedi." Grievous glared at her, his eyes fiery yellow. He ignited two of his own sabers, brandishing them at her. "You cannot win against me. Not you, not Skywalker, not Kenobi."
"You haven't dueled me, general." Sola got into stance, her eyes dark and blunt. "I'm not aiming to capture."
His confusion was just settling but before he could speak, Sola gave a cry and charged. The blades spit fire as they collided. She was merciless, feeling the power guide her movements. Thinking of all he had done…the war…the lives cost. Rex tumbled before her eyes—a hole in his armor…his hands clasping hers as he was spared by inches. She saw Obi-Wan, at the mercy of this mechanical abomination. The general stood above him. The blades ached for blood.
From Ryloth to the Evoki to the Republic citizens…she would end it all. End his terror reign. And break free from the bloodlust that held her mind. She was winning but in a moment, she felt the situation shift. He kept blocking. He kept parrying. And then pain. A mechanical claw caught her in the face and sent her to her side on the floor. The pain was not overwhelming. Nor was it nonexistent. She felt her mind disorient, her rage abated by the confusion. And panic. He came to tower above her.
"Succumb to my power jedi!" he laughed, coughing in sputters afterward.
"You don't know power" Sola said darkly. Her power was building. She built up the force's kinetic energy all around her.
"It is you who doesn't know." Grievous laughed once more. "And so you die." And with that, his blade swung down only to be blow off course. She flung him back with the force and, igniting her blade, cut another scar beneath the one he already had. Her blade had cut from his mouth to his right eye. Grievous staggered back and Sola got her bearings again. She stood before him, glaring.
"I told you…I'm not aiming to capture…Grievous." She charged forward, landing yet another blow. The droid backed away and ran more toward the light. Sola was not going to lose him. She reached forward with the force, grabbing and felt something constrict where his neck would be. And he stopped, gagging. She was surprised when she realized she was choking him. And that made her drop him.
As she did, she saw one of his lightsabers fly and could not dodge. Her arm was caught and she screams as the wound forms and cauterizes. She falters slightly and the general is back at her. She blocks just in time but a claw comes to grapple her. She is tripped but she backflips out of his grasp and pants, circling him.
"You will die!" Grievous growled. She panted, trying to steady herself and block the pain.
In a moment though, she saw him take another blade and begin to whirl them. Her anxiety rose and she backed towards the dark corner, avoiding the blades. Sola tried to judge how to move from it but he kept advancing. And then she began to twirl her own and stilled his. She maneuvered to disarm him and twisted.
Pain tore through her back as she felt his blades lace across her back. She spun away and grimaced, shaking—her back-now bloody and exposed—facing him.
"You lose Jedi!" He cried, jumping. Sola gasped and the saber swung down on her neck.
"Sola!" Sola heard and sat up in the ship dormitory. She saw Rex beside her, looking worried. She swallowed and sighed, realizing she was panting.
"You were…you were having a nightmare." He said unsteadily. "Are you okay?"
"…Yes." Sola shook, inhaling deeply to calm herself. "There is no emotion…there is peace." She felt her anxiety dissipate. Then she turned to her lover.
"Sorry…it was just a dream." She said.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Rex asked her sincerely. She shook her head, her movements still slightly twitchy.
"Are we here?" She asked him. Rex hesitated then let the matter drop.
"Nar Shaddaa." He nodded. "Your mystery destination." He snorted. "We're supposed to be avoiding cases to solve." He commented.
"We are." Sola assured him. "The promenade…and the opera houses are our only concern today." Rex gave another nod before he leaned forward to place a slight kiss on her mouth. His gruff look returned. "Are you sure you're okay?"
"I will be…once I school you in pazaak." Sola smirked. "No Jedi powers."
"How would I know you aren't cheating?" Rex asked.
"You don't." Sola replied and got out of bed.
Rex and Sola walked along the promenade as a couple. She had brought a dress—borrowed from Senator Amidala she said—that was plain enough to not cause thieves to take notice but expensive enough to have them offered pricey drinks. It was one long of course with cap sleeves. It was an emerald green color and bunched high on her waist. Her hair was fish-tailed on her forehead while the remaining hung on the sides of her face. She looked…regal almost. But plainly so. Rex knew he looked like the lucky guy who scored her.
As Rex knew Sola was opposed to drinking and he abstained, taking only juices and not ale. Sola and he hit the pazaak table where he was sure she cheated and then they attended a show at the opera house on Nar Shaddaa—an illusion show. Rex was never fond of the light shows so Sola avoided that one. Rex couldn't stop laughing. A polticial debate sparked between the two of them and Rex had to glare off a man who tried to approach her at the promenade as she went to get their drinks. They walked back to their booth together, Rex not being able to hold back a smile as Sola chided him.
"There wasn't a need to threaten him." She shook her head, sipping her juice. Rex chuckled.
"He asked who was I and what I was doing with you. I asked him if he'd like to negotiate another way." Rex shrugged. "I didn't make a threat."
"Semantics, semantics. I think you've been around me too much." Sola wiggled an eyebrow at him. "You're starting to use my reasoning." Rex eyed her with a smile before he placed a hand on the side of her face. Sola's smile stayed but her eyes showed her attention.
"I can never be around you too much." He said bluntly. He could see Sola's eyes dim a fraction and knew she was becoming shy at the announcement. But liked it nonetheless.
"Good. I wouldn't want it." She said, eyes meeting his again after she smiled to herself. Rex did not hesitate. He leaned forward and brought their lips together. Sola gave into it completely. They met and deepened the kiss, Rex caressing her face and Sola holding his other hand on the table. Her entire body felt warm—and calm. But not calm as in without emotion. She was filled with intense want—for him to wrap his arms around her and kiss her harder and…
Rex wanted nothing more than for Sola to attack him. Not harmfully of course. But with her lips and her hands. He was stubbornly avoiding making any suggestions. His head was filled with wild thoughts—all involving Sola with much fewer clothes and with her arms around him, breath hot on his ears and neck….
When they finally broke apart, Sola paused but then spoke.
"Let's go back. To the apartment." She said calmly but Rex could tell by the red on her face that she was far from it. "This is…very public. But we don't have to stop our course…."
Rex gave no reply. Instead, he stood and offered his arm. She took it and the two made their way, cuddled, back to the apartment. As they approached, Rex felt anxious. Nervous. Sola exuded only warmth and was first to enter. Rex followed her slowly…thoughts running through his mind. Some primal, others transcendent, and still others…
Sola turned to view him and then spread her arms slightly.
"We aren't stopping are we?" She asked him and Rex moved to her, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her against him. Both had to inhale deeply, electricity coursing through them. Rex licked his lips nervously and then turned his face to the side.
"Let's pause…just a moment." He said to her. He released her but took her hand, leading her into the room. She sat on the bed, curiously looking up at him. Her mind tried to discern what was on his. He didn't look at her but opened his bag that presumably only had armor within it. He took out a parcel from within it and then headed over to where she sat. His hands shook slightly and his voice was gruff.
"I…I know that Jedi don't…have possessions. Or wear anything outside of the robes." He began. "But I…I thought you'd look good…in these so…." He produced a chain of some form of crystal—they were white-ish and silvery with a hint of what could be blue. Shaped in slanted triangles that resembled Rex's helmet markings, they were held down on a silver chain, which was long but had a natural inclination to wind. Sola's eyed widened.
"Rex…" She breathed.
"The crystals…they're found near aiwha nests…on Kamino." Rex said, voice thicke but still gruff. "I…I had a chain…so I fashioned some onto it for you…I think…I'd like it if you wore it." Sola said nothing, her heart in her throat. She felt a weird feeling take over her. Then she spoke very softly. So softly she almost didn't hear herself but was sure Rex did.
"I love you."
There was a silence. And then Rex was kissing her hard. He pulled her into his arms, bear-hugging her as he pressed her lips into his. His chest hurt and his back prickled at the words. He felt goose bumps.
"I love you too." He said after he let them come up for air. She was still in his arms. Sola breathed deeply, not looking up. Rex stroked one of her arms and let his lips graze her neck, feeling more…content than he ever felt he had. Content but wanting…as he knew Sola was. Her hands slowly moved up and down his chest. They burned through his shirt. Then his ears must've deceived him.
"Put it on me." She said bluntly before returning to meet his gaze. Rex blinked at her, eyes widening ever so slightly. There was a double meaning to her words. The soft yet blunt tone she spoke it with…. She let her own hand trace along his exposed neck bones. Her eyes never left his as her fingers worked in between the fastens of his shirt. Rex needn't be told any more.
He let his own hand brush her shoulder before it wandered to her upper back. He brought their lips together, body hotter than it had ever been. Sola's lips shook as much as his but her hand undid the 2/5 of fastens on his shirt already. He let his hand find the top zip of her dress and then released it slightly, pulling it down low and lower on her. His remaining fingers tickled the skin on her spine as he unzipped her and he felt her shiver. The fabric slumped off of her shoulders, leaving her half dressed with only under coverings blocking her from his sight. She pulled her arms out of the dress, his shirt now open with his own underclothes blocking. Rex moved more onto the bed, kissing her mouth and nuzzling their heads together. The fear was almost palpable but as was the curious feeling…propelling them forward.
Sola's hands reached down to the chain and she fastened it on her arm, clasping it and then winding it down to its stop at her wrist and fastened that bit. Rex gazed at her as she shrugged off the rest of the dress and his eyes began to swim.
He was undressed just as quick.
"Rex…" He heard her say gently. His heart pumped in his ears as he cradled her down onto her back, each facing each other. He found her lips again and tasted salt. He paused and then saw she was blurry. He beauty was blurry. He was teary-eyed. She put a soothing hand on his face, wrapping nervous legs around his waist to urge him to her. He brought his body closer, still unable to understand his tears but she silenced him with a kiss and her tongue in his mouth. He forgot…eyes opening and closing to absorb images of her.
She was gasping. She was shaking. Rex's face was at her ears, breathing into them. She had her entire mouth on his neck and her once hesitant thighs firmly pressed against his. Their rhythm was in sync. In tune. Completely together. His moans filled her ears and her hair. The jewels on her arm pressed into his back as she clung to him tightly, her body giving graceful spasms with each rocking motion they made. She could not hear herself. She couldn't really see. But she knew…. Eyes wide then narrow. This emotion…was stronger than any others. Peace was shattered by some passion that she couldn't name. They rocked more, her hands clutching tighter to him—one around his back and the other around his neck. His arms remained around her back or on the covers, gripping them. This was discorded…harmony. Rex's jaw tightened and blood pumped through his veins. Too much. He couldn't think. He couldn't really take it all in. But he was elated and ravenous—every time she gave a cry, loud or soft, every time they moved just a little faster before returning to their rhythmic pace, every time her arm chain dug just a big deeper into his back than it was…leaving an imprint of this moment. Their lips met with fire, senses heightened. The movements changed—quickened. Rex felt his back twitch and felt Sola's toes curl on either side of him. Their lips tore at each other's. He heard her cries more clearly and grunted his moans louder as his body shook. He panted clearer now, his arms twitching. Sola's grip was tight—never loosening now. Sola began to…whimper? Rex couldn't discern—
"Rex…" his name came out of her mouth as a lovingly harsh hiss and she constricted around him—nails, legs, and….Rex's passion flared and combusted. He grabbed the head of the bed with one hand to steady himself and Sola's head bent backward to the pillows. Body shaking, he was once more hit with swimming vision. Goose bumps littered his spine and he shook his back hunching as hers arched.
And then his grip began to slacken against the bed and his shaking became less severe. Weariness. Sola felt him exhale as she did. The darkness and warmth the circulated through the room touched the very covers he slowly pulled up. Sola's mind felt...clear yet fuzzy and she breathed in deep, feeling Rex start to breath beside her. Felt him position himself gingerly onto the bed beside her. Felt the heat radiating from his drying, beautiful skin...
Felt him reach for her hand, offering his….
She took it.
