Author's Note: I don't think me doing an AU of this Vig is a surprise to anyone :p I've a few other ideas for this whole last part of season 5, and a bunch for other places in the season, so this thread will be going strong for a while - just depends when I have time to write them.

SPOILER ALERT: This Vignette takes place after Episode 20 in SEASON 5 of TCW! If you do not wish to be spoiled, DO NOT READ!

Beyond a Shadow… Vig V - Rexsoka AU

"Rumor has it-"

As her foot hit the last stair of the temple steps, the familiar voice reached her, stopping her in her tracks and drawing her around. Decked out in full kit, his bucket clipped to his belt, Rex looked every inch the Captain he was when she'd last seen him. Leaning casually against the base of one of the statues that guarded the perimeter of the Jedi temple, he wore a serious expression belied only by the relief visible in the depths of his gaze.

A relief coupled with a heat she'd come to recognize and anticipate - but one she dreaded now. She wished for nothing more in those hear beats than to be able to throw herself into his arms and cling, to never let go; to let him take this burden from her and to find solace in his embrace. But she couldn't. Her life had irrevocably changed and Rex… Rex had no idea yet just how fundamentally it would affect them.

"-you've been reinstated and will be rejoining our ranks."

"Didn't I ever tell you never listen to rumors?"

"What else am I supposed to do with you getting yourself into heaps of trouble and being ordered to sit it out? See what happens when I don't have your back?"

Despite being in no mood to banter, Ahsoka found a smile and shook her head; Rex had always been able to lift her spirits. "I really should know better by now, huh?"

"Yes; you should." He straightened, his expression suddenly serious and held his hand out. She accepted it without so much as a glance around, allowing him to pull her close, his fingers twining with hers as he lifted them to his lips, pressing a heartfelt kiss to the backs of her fingers. "I never doubted you were innocent, Ahsoka. Anyone who knows you knew you couldn't have killed those men."

Which implied the men closest to her under her comm… former command.

"Rex-" Her throat closed.

He wasn't holding her the way she wished yet, but they were close, closer than normal in public his grip on her hand tight, almost desperate. As if now that he held her again, woe to anyone who sought to separate them. A nod, no doubt, to the fact she'd nearly been torn from him forever.

What he couldn't yet know was that she already had been.

Anakin and Rex had been in her corner from the start, working to clear her name, and to the end when she'd been exonerated. Somewhere behind her, Anakin still stood at the top of the stairs; she could feel his presence, a silent sentry as she exited this chapter of her life.

In contrast, Rex was unaware of what had happened within the council chambers bare minutes ago. Telling Anakin had been hard enough, but telling Rex would be wore. Not just because he'd not been privy to the meeting but because of what they had been slowly building between them.

Her relationship with Anakin had always been sibling to sibling, but Rex… Rex was her rock, her best friend who was more than just a friend. He'd given her a taste of freedom and complete unconditional acceptance from the start. He was her partner, her confidante; he was everything to her… and she was being forced to walk away. To leave him behind when she wanted nothing more than to continue at his side; to protect him and be protected. To be accepted and accept; to cherish him in ways she'd only begun to understand as she was exposed to the deepening feelings between them.

She swallowed hard, unable to continue.

Rex lifted his free hand and gently brushed the side of her head when she didn't continue. "Missing something?"

Her hand lifted of its own accord to where the string of beads that had been her Padawan braid would have hung; the braid that she would never wear again. The braid that hadn't been cut as was her right, but stripped from her because the council has lost its faith in her and surrendered her as a sacrifice to the Republic's corrupted need for justice at any cost.

"No."

Rex's eyebrows rose. "Wasn't that your Padawan braid?"

"I won't need it anymore," she told him softly, the strength of her conviction still reverberated within her but, knowing she was about to disappoint him, made her quiet.

"You're no longer a Padawan?"

"I'm no longer a Jedi."

The even way she said it fell between them with the power of a turbolaser hit. She felt the impact of her words through the Force but more, she saw it. Rex lost his mask of polite professionalism, the stunned look on his face one she'd hoped to incite more often… but not like this. That surprise morphed as she watched, Rex recovering, anger asserting itself and his outburst was louder than it needed to be.

"You were framed; innocent!" His outburst dropped to a lethally low level. "That's all that should matter; they have to reinstate you!"

"They offered, Rex," she corrected him, placing one hand on the side of his face so he'd have to see her conviction; to calm himself. "They offered me everything I'd wanted; said I'd passed my trials and were going to reinstate me as a Knight."

Staring at her, he searched her face as her fingers traced the line of his cheekbone, her other hand still caught against his chest where it had dropped. Understanding and disappointment dawned, his anger slipping away. When he spoke, it wasn't a question. "You turned them down."

"I did."

He closed his eyes, bowing his head to hers for a moment, their foreheads touching. His breath was ragged as he seemed to absorb the hit like a physical thing.

Her eyes burned, aching with unshed tears as she watched him struggle with the implications. His free arm slid around her waist, drawing her closer, holding her to him in a grasp that was as steely as it was gentle.

Rex held her for long moment before his head slowly lifted and his amber gaze clashed with hers. There was such a myriad of emotion in his eyes, she couldn't read them all, but for all his turbulence, respect and understanding shone the brightest. Rex knew her better than anyone, even Anakin, and if anyone would understand why she'd made the decision she had, it would be him.

"Principles?"

She nodded. After a moment of silence, he gave her the answer she'd hoped to elicit from Anakin.

"I understand."

After Anakin's pleas, it was a balm to her injured soul that Rex didn't protest, didn't plead. He simply accepted her decision, respected it. She could see his wish to do otherwise in his eyes, but here, at the end of their time together, he was letting her go with dignity.

Contrarily, she wished he would ask her to reconsider. She wasn't leaving the order because of Anakin or the men and, standing with Rex as she was, she couldn't help but feel guilty she was all but abandoning them. All because her principles dictated she couldn't stay within an Order who wouldn't support and trust her.

Rex exhaled and she felt the breath across the sensitive skin of her montrals, making her shiver. His hand released hers, both arms now around her as he pulled her into a tight hug, his lips against the curve of one montral. "I don't want you to go."

"I don't want to leave," she countered, wrapping her arms tightly about his waist, tears streaking her cheeks as she clung to him tightly. "But I can't…"

"I know."

There was silence between them for a moment. "I wish there was another way, Rexster." Her thoughts turned towards the temple and the lone figure at the top of the stairs that was hidden by the statue beside her. "Anakin's going to need you now; you'll need to make sure he doesn't get himself killed with his crazy schemes of the day."

"I'll watch out for the General," he assured her quietly.

"I appreciate it, Rex." She lifted her head to meet his gaze again. "He's… not happy about this."

"Neither am I."

"You're better at hiding it."

"No; I just know there's nothing I can say that will change your mind." He paused, his grip on her slackening a fraction. "Is there?"

She laughed sadly and shook her head. "No, Rex. This is it." Stepping back reluctantly and letting him go, she brushed one hand across her eyes. "I won't be going back; I can't."

"I know." He paused a second and then reached under his kama, pulling out two, familiar cylindrical objects she'd thought lost for good; trust Rex to have found them again. "What should I do with these?"

It was reminiscent of the last time he'd done this for her and her throat closed. Last time she'd asked for them back but this time… her throat ached and her fingers clench into fists. More than anything she wished she could accept the gift he offered, to feel their familiar, comforting weight - but she couldn't. She didn't reach for them and shook her head, the words slipping out before she considered the implications. "Keep them."

He looked surprised. "Me?"

"Why not?" The more she thought about it, the more she liked the idea. She was no longer a Jedi and didn't have the right to wield them, but Rex… "If Anakin loses his, you can give him a spare."

"I don't think the General will understand me having your lightsabers."

Ahsoka laughed softly. "He doesn't know you have them again, does he?" putting up one hand, she forestalled his answer. "Of course he doesn't. Do what you want with them Rex." The lighsabers stayed in his open palm for a moment before Ahsoka, in a move so eerily reminiscent of the earlier scene with Anakin in the Council Chamber, reached out to fold his fingers around them. "I can't take them with me. Keep them; they might come in handy."

"I'm not exactly qualified on a lightsaber."

"Neither was I when I started," she teased. "Think of them as my gift to you; something to remember me by."

"I don't need these for that."

"But if you have them, I know they're safe."

He stared at her and finally nodded, clipping them away and out of sight again. His hands moved to his waist and her own eyes widened as, with a very practiced flick of his wrist, his weapon's belt was removed and settled about her own hips.

"Rex, what-"

"My gift to you," he countered, fastening the belt and keeping his fingers around the clasp when she made to reach for it, to remove it and give it back, her hands settling over his and unable to reach the buckle.

"They're your blasters, Rex; I can't-"

"You'll need a weapon," he smiled faintly. "This way I know you'll have one you know how to use."

His gift was beyond price; Ahsoka knew just how much work he'd put into them, modified and re-modified to his preferences. What more, she knew just how important a trooper's weapons were to them; like an extension of themselves or a limb. For Rex to offer… "I can't accept these."

"You'll need a weapon as you're not taking your lightsabers."

"I know how much work you put into these blasters, Rex; what they mean to you; I couldn't-."

"It means more to me to know you've got a weapon that works; one that's seen action and can be trusted." His expression was intent, his fingers still on the clasp at her waist. "Remember; safety off, brace yourself and use both hands if you can. They're higher powered than a typical blaster and you'll need to practice to master the recoil."

"I remember," she returned, their time on Naboo between them for a moment. It had marked a definite shift in their personal relationship. "Two hundred and fifty high powered bolts instead of the standard five to a power pack, right?"

His delight at her memory was visible in the way his eyes crinkled. "Right."

They stared at one another for a moment. When Rex seemed to realize he was still holding her, his fingers loosened and then shifted, tugging at the weapon's belt to settle it properly on her hips. Ahsoka let him fuss; it would be the last time for a long time, if ever, he'd get the chance. He lingered over the task, despite the sharpness of his movements and when he finally stopped, he stayed close and Ahsoka made note of the weight at her hips and how it sat.

Different, but reassuring. Still… "I shouldn't take them both, Rex; keep one."

He shook his head. "I can requisition and modify new ones. I'm told they're worth their weight in credits with all the modifications - should it come to that."

It took a moment for that to sink in and, when it did, Ahsoka recoiled. "Sell them?"

"If you have to."

"Never!"

"Just one then." He smiled faintly and she returned it, buoyed by his faith in her. "But only if you have to; I did put a lot of work into them."

She laughed. "I'll take good care of them, Rex."

"They'll take good care of you too, if you let them."

"Just like you always have." She wanted to say something more but couldn't find the words and instead reached out to touch his hand, sliding her fingers back into his with a squeeze. "Thank you."

He returned the gesture before letting her go and turning the conversation back to the matter at hand. "Where will you go now?"

"Onderon, maybe, or Alderaan." She sighed, shaking her head, her hands dropping to the stocks of his blasters. They were strange, yet familiar; a reminder of better times - of him. She ran her fingers along the unfamiliar seams suddenly glad that, if she had to go, she could take a little piece of him with her. "I'm not sure. All I know is that I can't stay here."

He didn't disagree. "I could go with you."

"I'd never ask it of you."

"I know." Rex's tone was resigned. "Someone has to look out for the men with you going AWOL."

"Hard to be AWOL when I'm no longer military," she pointed out wryly.

He arched his eyebrows. "That's true"

"Just think; you won't have to watch my back anymore."

"And trust shinies at mine?"

"Jesse and Kix," she came back immediately. "Unless you're going to promote them; Jesse's got the makings of a good Sergeant."

"He does."

"Then maybe he can keep you out of trouble while you keep Anakin in line."

"Maybe."

He looked so solemn, so intent in that moment that Ahsoka couldn't help it; she laughed. "No one will ever accuse you of mincing words, Rex." His silent shrug made her laugh again before her smile started to fade, the realization that this would be the last time they were together like this for a long time, possibly the last time, settling about her shoulders with a sudden sense of finality. "I'm gonna miss this."

He arched his eyebrows. "The war?"

"Your company; this." She made a motion with one hand between them. "Just… talking; being together. Sharing."

"Likewise, Ahsoka." He seemed disinclined to say anything more, but surprised her, reaching up to cup her cheek and brush the tears that had begun to escape again with the pad of his thumb. "It won't be the same without you; keep in touch if you can."

"I'll try." She exhaled, leaning into his touch. "I'm sorry I'm running out on you and the men. That I'm leaving. If I saw any way I could stay..."

"You're not running out on us. Don't ever think it." He told her firmly. "It takes integrity to make the choice you've made."

"But where does that leave us?"

"About the same as before," he countered with a soft smile. "Just without the proximity."

"I feel like I'm abandoning you; abandoning us."

"Don't," he brushed another tear from her cheek. "I understand why you have to go."

"Anakin doesn't understand; he blames the council."

"He will; give him time."

"Optimism, Rex?"

"You taught me that."

"Nothing very optimistic about this situation is there?"

There was nothing he could say to that and they both knew it. Looking deep into his eyes, she could see how much this was hurting him and, to stay true to herself, there was nothing she could do about it.

"Take care of yourself," he finally settled on. "There won't be anyone to watch your back on daily basis now but you."

"And your blasters."

"And them."

"It's my honor and privilege to have served with you, Ahsoka; you were the best Jedi I've ever worked with; and that includes the General."

"Flatterer."

There was an edge to his words however that concerned her as he tilted his forehead to hers, drawing her back into his arms for a tight, intense hug. She went willingly, knowing he needed the contact as much as she did and unwilling to let him go just yet. How could she leave him… but how could she stay?

"You're leaving with half of me," he admitted raggedly, tears now bright in his eyes but not falling. "I don't know how to let you go."

"Rex…" she clung to him, feeling the same way but knowing she couldn't stay. "I'm leaving half of myself with you, too." She searched his gaze. "Keep it safe for me?"

"Always."

Her eyes fluttered closed as his head tilted, his lips settling softly upon hers, tasting the desolation and despair mixed with the pride he felt in those moments. The kiss depended for a moment, her hand sliding around his neck as she pressed herself more fully against his plastoid shell. Caught in the poignant kiss that had every potential to be their last, Ahsoka wished his armor could have been missing in that moment.

The kiss was everything it should have been; poignantly bittersweet and a touch desperate as they tried to convey what they felt but didn't fully understand.

He pulled back first, inhaling an uneven breath, and her eyes fluttered open as he touched his forehead back to hers. "Good luck."

"You too," she backed away, reluctantly breaking his hold and knowing it was time to go. If she lingered any longer, she wasn't sure she'd have the strength to leave after everything else. "Watch your back, Rexster."

He smiled then; a real that reached his tear-filled eyes and stretched his lips to each side of his face for all it had a desolate edge. "You too, Ahsoka." His expression turned stern, "I expect to see you again soon."

"You will," she assured him, wishing she knew for sure as she turned to go, tears blurring her eyes and making it impossible to see the path before her. "I promise Rex; I won't be gone too long."

"I'll be holding you to that."

As she walked away, not looking back, Ahsoka didn't voice her thoughts to him; couldn't. Just be here when I do, Rex, she prayed silently. Be here…

fin