Rex marched through the corridors of the Resolute, going through his notes for his briefing with Torrent Company's NCO's and Fives. Fives wasn't actually a member of Torrent Company, but that was soon to change. With a little luck he would neither be late nor would anyone guess the reason for his lack of preparation. Ahsoka had been very... distracting this morning, ambushing him in a side corridor near the hangar for a brief, yet intense, kiss. How she was able to do that when he could feel her presence through their bond was a mystery to him. Especially as he could never do same. Sometimes he thought she did it for the sheer pleasure of catching him off guard. Even now Rex could feel her indulging in a certain smug satisfaction about their morning encounter.
Over the month since their bonding, Rex had learned that though he loved the tiny togruta, sometimes she drove him just a little crazy.
The Clone Captain entered the wardroom, pleased to note that everyone was ready for him. He quickly got down to business before anyone could notice just how close he'd been to tardy. Or at least before anyone could comment on it. Rex was pretty sure that Fives had noticed. He was also sure that the trooper suspected the reason for it. Fives was shaping up to be one of the best the 501st had to offer and Rex planned on... rewarding him for that service. Only one detail stood in the way of Fives being made Rex's official second.
"And finally, gentlemen," Rex announced, "It's that time of year again - physicals." A groan went around the room. All clones found the annual physical to be an annoying waste of time - they were all in peak physical condition and at the prime of life... for a clone. Why should they submit themselves to a procedure that was completely unnecessary? Not to mention incredibly boring - the clones of Jango Fett simply weren't conditioned to spending long periods sitting still. Those in command had it worse - they had to convince the troopers under them to do something that they themselves felt was a waste of time.
Rex singled out a particular trooper, "You especially, Fives."
Fives tried to look innocent, but that was a skill that none of the clones had ever mastered, "Me, Captain?"
"According to the report, you missed your last physical. You won't miss this one, understood?"
"Yes, sir," came the unenthusiastic reply.
"Good," Rex continued as the door hissed open, admitting General Skywalker into the wardroom, "Because I'd hate for my new Lieutenant to be on report for missing his physical."
Five's head shot up, "Lieutenant?"
"That's right," Skywalker said, indicating Rex, "I've been after Rex to recommend someone to the position for some time now. He finally gave me an answer this morning. Congratulations, LT."
"Yes, sirs! Thank-you sirs!" Fives stood at attention and saluted them both.
The General continued, "In fact, we're due to arrive back at Coruscant in twenty minutes, report to GAR Medical when we land." Then, almost as an afterthought, he said, "Oh, and take Rex with you. GAR-M tell me he hasn't had a full physical since leaving Kamino."
As sniggers were suppressed throughout the wardroom, Rex gritted his teeth and thanked his General, "I hadn't realised. Thank-you for clearing that up, sir."
Rex dismissed the troopers and tried to leave with some shred of his dignity as an officer intact, only to be pulled to the side by Skywalker. "I need a favour," he whispered.
"Sir?"
"I'm going to be tied up in the Temple all day. Don't let on, but the Council has finally agreed: Ahsoka's getting Knighted today. Traditionally, Masters get their Padawans something to mark the occasion, something that they'll find useful as a Knight. But I'm not going to have the time to do that, so I need you to go into the city for me."
Rex raised an eyebrow, "You want me to... go shopping for you?"
Skywalker nodded, "Yes!"
When no further details were forthcoming, Rex sighed, "You don't know what to get her, do you sir?"
With a wince that revealed his limited awareness of his Padawan, the Jedi shook his head, "Not a clue." Then he looked at his Captain hopefully, "You?"
Rex's hand twitched as he resisted the urge to massage away the pain that was beginning to form behind his eyes. The answer was, at least to Rex, painfully obvious. And it had the benefit of alleviating one of his many concerns about the reckless young Jedi. Luckily it seemed that Skywalker was just as clueless as the rest of the Jedi when it came to affairs of the heart. Or at least the heart of others... "I think I know the very thing, General. But it will be expensive. Very expensive and not from people who'll take credit, if you get my meaning sir."
As always, a mystery and the hint of danger piqued Skywalker's curiosity. Before Rex could even tell him what the gift would be, Skywalker was reaching for his wallet, half committed to any suggestion Rex gave him.
As the Resolute left hyperspace Rex was once more walking the corridors of the great ship, this time returning to his quarters with Fives by his side. Suddenly he asked, "Fives, how many credits can we scrape together?"
Fives grinned. The 501st had a reputation as risk takers on the battlefield, thanks to their General's unorthodox tactics. As a result they'd become known as gamblers with their money as well, with just as much luck. "Well, we've got a couple thousand on hand, plus almost that much again if we call in that marker from 212th after that bolo-ball game."
Rex considered, then discarded that idea, "No, what we have will be enough. Just. Let's keep that marker for emergencies. Besides, rumour has it Cody's flat broke at the moment..."
"He really didn't make out well on Malastare. What's the play?"
"No game," replied Rex, shaking his head. "We're actually going to spend it on something."
Fives blinked. That was a surprise. Clones didn't really need money, the GAR provided them with everything they needed. Credits were just a means of keeping score in the neverending rivalry between units. There was really only one thing Rex would be needing credits for. "The Commander?" Rex hesitated, glancing at his friend from the corner of his eye, then nodded. "It worth it?"
"Definitely. But the money does belong to the 501st. If anyone objects..."
"The men follow you into hell on a regular basis, sir. None of them would hesitate in following you into bankruptcy as well. I'll get the creds from Chopper before we disembark."
"Chopper? You trusted our money to Chopper?" Rex asked.
"Would you steal from him?" Fives asked with a smirk.
"I know I wouldn't," came a voice from behind them. A young, female voice. Both men stopped, hoping that she hadn't heard the entire conversation. Ahsoka stepped in front of them, practically dancing at the thought of potential mischief. "Now what could you boys need credits for? Hmm?"
Rex smothered his alarm and paid attention to the feeling of her in his head. He couldn't say exactly how, but somehow he knew that the intense curiosity he was getting from her was different to the curiosity she'd have if she knew the money was for her. Now was the perfect opportunity to get her back for the ambush earlier. With a smirk he knew would infuriate her, Rex nodded to her and said, "Torrent Company business. Commander," and continued walking.
Fives hurried to catch up as the Jedi-Knight-to-be glared at Rex. "You really aren't afraid of anything are you?"
Ahsoka was not brooding during the speeder ride to the Jedi Temple. Nor was she seething, simmering, sulking or sullen. She was merely mildly vexed. Rex was not supposed to keep things from her, especially not when she wanted to know what they were. Nothing tested her calm like unsatiated curiosity. An anthropologist had once suggested that the curious nature of the togruta people was a result of their predatory ancestry.
"Better lose the attitude, Snips. You can't appear before the Council like this, believe me."
Ahsoka sighed, "Another mission already, Master? We only just got back."
Anakin laughed, "Nope. Not a mission."
Ahsoka gave him a cynical look, "What did you do this time, Master?"
"Hey!" he cried in indignation. "I'm not the one they want to see, Snips. And I'm not always in trouble..." Involved with navigating a sudden snarl in the Coruscanti traffic pattern, and in his own denials, Anakin missed seeing his Padawan's flush of guilt as she looked away, trying to control her emotions. "Relax, Snips. Neither one of us is in trouble here. This summons is a good thing. Trust me."
Ahsoka had her doubts.
Inside the Temple, Anakin didn't lead her to the turbolift that led to the Council Chamber, but instead to the base of the Tranquillity Spire. They rode the 'lift in silence and exited into the Hall of Knighthood. There the members of the Jedi Council awaited them. Ahsoka hesitated, "Bu..But the Trials! I haven't completed the Trials."
Plo Koon, who Ahsoka considered to be one of the most wise of all her Masters, tried to reassure her. "You have already overcome most of the Trials, young one. Your ordeals in this war have proven both your skill and courage. And you passed the Trial of the Flesh when you were wounded in defence of Senator Amidala against Aurra Sing. Finally, Anakin tells us it was you who correctly chose which Separatist ship held the imprisoned clones just ten days ago, passing the Trial of Insight. You have overcome all the Trials, Ahsoka. Now it is time for you to take your place as a Jedi Knight."
In truth, the reason Ahsoka had picked out that Sep ship had little to do with the Force - Rex had been on board and their bond had led her straight to him. But she couldn't reveal that to the Council and had to accept their ruling. "But what about the Trial of Spirit?" Ahsoka asked.
There was a general sense of embarrassment in the chamber, and Obi-Wan cleared his throat, "Ah, yes. Well. With the need for more Jedi Knights, because of the war, it was decided that the Trial of Spirit could be passed over."
Ahsoka objected,"I'm sorry Masters, but I must disagree. How can I be expected to face others as a Jedi Knight if I've never faced myself? If I do not go through this Trial, I will never completely believe I deserve to be Knighted." Determined, she steeled herself and made her request, "If you feel I'm not ready for it, then I will continue as I am. Otherwise I ask, let me take the Trial of Spirit."
The Council was quiet for a time examining the outspoken young woman before them. Surprisingly, for Ahsoka, it was Yoda who spoke first. She'd always found his respect to be hard earned. "Wise, your words are, young one. Most agreeable to see sense, in one so young. Guide you in your Trial personally, I shall. Now."
Ahsoka calmed her sudden anxiety, bowed to the Council, and followed the diminutive Grand Master to her fate.
Rex and Fives were bored. The physical was done and they were still the exam room at GAR-M, waiting for the results. They'd spent the last hour going over Five's new duties as Rex's second. After that there wasn't much left to talk about. Or at least nothing that Rex was willing to talk about. Fives had tried to probe for details on his Captain's new relationship. The glare his brother had sent his way had brought that topic to a stop before it could really begin.
"What the hell is taking him so long?" Fives groused.
Rex silently agreed. At least the doctor running their tests was a clone. Formerly a medic for the 101st Battalion of the 7th Legion, 'Doc' had taken a bad fall during the First Battle of Geonosis. Rather than accept reconditioning, Doc had volunteered for retraining - undergoing months of further flash training to supplement his medical skills and knowledge, at least to the point that he could run the clones through their annual physicals, freeing up 'real' doctors for 'real' doctoring.
Frankly his brothers preferred it that way.
Finally Doc was kind enough to return to them, although his expression was not what they expected. Instead it was... perturbed.
"Something wrong, Doc?" Fives asked.
"Nope. Nothing's wrong. Nothing at all. And that's the problem!" Doc exclaimed. He pointed at Fives, "Take you for example, Lieutenant. Everything about you was exactly what I expected - a clone in perfect physical condition, just as I expected. Your Captain, on the other hand... Increased auditory and visual acuity, heightened reflexes, increased strength and stamina, increased resistance to pain. And then there's your age."
"What about my age?" Rex asked. He'd actually expected the physical improvements. Part and parcel of the bonding package. Ahsoka had done far more than save his life, and although he couldn't touch the Force directly or read the thoughts and feelings of anyone other than Ahsoka, he occasionally experienced flashes of insight - sudden instinct that an opponent would move a certain way, or that dodging now would avoid blaster fire.
"Personally, I'm 12 years old. Which means that, biologically, I'm 24."
"You can measure that?" Fives asked.
"Oh, yes. Our makers made sure of that. You, CT-27-5555, are 11. According to the test, you're the expected 22. Nearly 23 actually. Happy half birthday."
Rex sighed, "I take it there's something wrong with my test?"
"Or something very right," Doc told him. "You are the same age as me, 12 years old. So how is it that you are biologically younger than anyone else in this room?"
Rex and Fives were stunned. Seeing that his patients were clueless on the matter, Doc began working on a theory, "Captain, your records were accurate and normal for a clone your age when you first left Kamino. But near as I can figure, somewhere over a year ago you underwent a change, or were exposed to something, something the others weren't. Think, man! Was there anything unusual that happened then?"
They puzzled over that for a while. Rex was about to declare his ignorance when Fives worked it out. "Naboo. You were exposed to the virus, remember?"
Rex remembered alright. Remembered the halls and rooms filled with fatal blue mists, trying to avoid the idiot gungan, holding Ahsoka in his arms for the first time when she passed out. "The virus, and the cure. Could have been either one, I guess. Or the combination."
Doc demanded details, so Rex recounted the events as best as he could remember. "Do you really think that's slowed my aging, Doc?"
The medic nodded, "Yes, most likely one or the other though. I'd have to test them to find out."
"Well you'll have to be satisfied testing the stuff they cured us with. The virus is extinct again. All the records were purged."
"I hope that's what did it then." Doc frowned, still puzzled. "That doesn't explain the other improvements though."
Rex winced. He'd hoped that Doc would overlook that. Doc also didn't overlook his patient's expression. "You already knew about those, didn't you?"
"I'm not getting out of here without telling you, am I?"
Doc and Fives replied in unison, "Nope."
"Fine, but you have to keep this quiet. Tell no one..."
Anakin Skywalker paced outside the meditation chamber his Padawan was using for her Trial of Spirit. Why hadn't she simply accepted the Knighthood, as he had done? After all his work in getting the Council to accept his nomination to make her a Knight, the ungrateful child had the nerve... Anakin didn't finish that thought consciously: the nerve to imply he wasn't a real Jedi.
Within the chamber Ahsoka sat relaxed, ready to enter the deep state of meditation required for the Trial. Nearby the Grand Master of the Jedi Order watched over her. "On what will your meditations focus, young Ahsoka?"
Ahsoka had given this serious thought, and was ready with her answer, "On my path as a Jedi, on where my fate shall take me."
"Then begin."
Ahsoka's breathing slowed, calm and even. Her heart rate dropped but remained strong as she delved ever deeper into her own mind, deeper than she'd ever gone before, immersing herself in the Force. Before her lay many paths, all branching off from where she was. Choosing what felt to be the most likely, Ahsoka followed a path, the path of the Jedi Knight, Ahsoka Tano.
She found death and destruction. She watched as the war ended and the Jedi were exterminated. A shadowy figure kneeled before his master and led clones by the hundreds to destroy the Temple. Ahsoka fled, returning to the many forked road. She followed a path of warning and found no change. An Empire of fear and the extinction of the Jedi. Again and again Ahsoka tried to find a way that wouldn't mean the end for all they'd fought and suffered. She even glimpsed the path of the Dark Side, but could not bear it. Finally, able to take it no more, she fled down the only path left open to her. The path that led only to safety. To comfort. To love.
To Rex.
There she found sanctuary, freedom and happiness. But most importantly, she found hope.
A/N: Not too much of a cliffhanger for you all I hope. Don't worry, the next one won't be long in coming. Thanks for all the reviews, favourites and alerts, keep em coming.
Some of you may have noticed a certain lack of respect for Anakin in this chapter. It's nothing personal, he just annoys me sometimes and my writing reflects that.
