Disclaimer: Star Wars belongs to Disney and is the intellectual property of George Lucas. He created the sandbox. I'm making no money off of this and am simply destroying the sandcastles.

Title: Well, That's New

Author: Jade_Max

Characters: Ahsoka Tano, Captain Rex, Kanan Jarrus

Genre: Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Family

Era: Rebels, Season 02, Post Episode 09

Summary: Missing Moment

Well, That's New

Rex watched as Ahsoka moved through the hatchway into the Ghost, his gaze roving over her, looking for injuries as she stepped off the ladder and into the rec room. His gaze encountered nothing; just the same, older, more mature Togrutan he'd been getting accustom to sincebeing found by the Ghost's crew.

Despite her physical changes, there were vestiges of the teenager she'd been when they'd parted ways fifteen years ago. Now... now she was full grown, as capable as ever, and Rex found that despite her capabilities, he hadn't changed enough to not worry about her.

He'd been in the cockpit when Kanan had informed Hera that he and Ezra had encountered the inquisitors on their mission and that Ahsoka had stepped in to fight them.

Both of them.

At the same time.

Considering his friend had once taken on the Darkside witch Asajj Ventress with success, as well as Barriss Offee and General Grievous, Rex wasn't very surprised to hear that she continued to excel with her lightsaber work. What he was surprised to hear was that she didn't appear to have lost her recklessness. Age had not tempered her eagerness for a fight. It was both concerning and exhilarating and brought with it the hope he might, just might, get to fight along side her again.

If she didn't get herself killed first.

"That was so wizard, Ahsoka," Ezra's comment reached Rex as the kid followed her out of the ship, sliding down the ladder one handed. "You took them out like it was nothing!"

"It wasn't nothing."

"Are you kidding me? You fought off both inquisitors. And you didn't just fight them off, you attacked them! You disarmed both of them an-"

"Ezra."

"What?" The kid's indignation made Rex grin; Ezra reminded him of Ahsoka when he'd first met her. "I'm not wrong - she did."

"Yes; she did." Agreed Kanan. "But that's enough."

"Fine." Ezra stopped talking for barely a moment, before looking at his Master. "How come you don't fight like her, Kanan?"

Kanan looked at a loss for how to handle the question for a moment and Rex, unable to resist, stepped into the light and walked towards them. He spoke as he walked, seeing the smile that always seemed to appear on Ahsoka's face when they ran into each other nowadays bloom once more. "Because he didn't have her Master, kid," Rex had always held the highest regard for his General's battle skills, especially with a lightsaber; skills he'd passed diligently along to his Padawan. "It helps if your Master prefers aggressive negotiation tactics over diplomacy."

Ahsoka chuckled.

"What's aggressive negotiations?"

"Negotiation... with a lightsaber," Ahsoka grinned as she said it and then became serious once again. "Rex is right, Ezra. Not all Jedi are the same and some focus more heavily on other talents than lightsaber combat."

"But you're so good."

"She's had a lot of practice, kid."

"How is it you're not fazed by any of this Rex?"

"It's standard operating procedure. The Commander-"

"Ahsoka, Rex - please."

He chuckled. "Ahsoka has saved my shebs with stunts like that repeatedly."

"Shebs?"

"Oh no," Ahsoka pushed Ezra away when he perked up at the strange word. "You're not teaching him Mando'a."

"What's shebs?"

Chopper cackled and hooted as he came out of the hatch on his thrusters, one Jedi baby in his metal arms, the other in the arms of its mother behind him, effectively ending the conversation as the R2 unit landed and rolled over Ezra's toes, making the boy curse. "Chopper, you pile of rust, watch where you're going!"

The baby in Chopper's arms began to fuss, looking as if it was going to cry, and Ezra swooped in.

"Ezra!"

"He started it."

Rex watched Kanan scold Ezra and Chopper, Chopper 'talk' back belligerently and Ezra slowly get more and more riled up as he tried to calm the baby but couldn't. Watching it all unfold, amused, Rex couldn't help but chuckle more as Chopper made to take the baby back - only to have Ahsoka hold her arms out and Ezra hand her the baby.

The trio of Ghost ship mates continued to bicker, but the baby - all but forgotten in the moment - quieted almost immediately as the Togrutan placed it against her shoulder. Rex's smile disappeared, his expression serious, as he watched her. Ahsoka closed her eyes and even over the din of the Ghost's crew, Rex could hear her softly humming something to the baby.

"And just what is going on here?"

Everyone turned at the sound of Hera's authoritative tone and the noise in the rec room died. The Twi'lek had her hands on her hips and a frown on her face.

"I thought I told you to dock and come see me immediately, dear."

Kanan winced and Rex bit the inside of his cheek to avoid a smile. The Twi'lek was a demanding companion but kept the Jedi in line. "The baby was-"

"Oh no," Hera stepped into the room and planted her index finger in the middle of Kanan's chest. "You're not playing that card, love. The noise in here would make anyone cranky."

"Chopper landed on my foot."

The droid made an indignant noise and scurried out of the room - running over Ezra's foot and sending the boy after him again. The mother and child who had been rescued quickly followed and Hera raised her voice. "Give them your room, Ezra."

"What?! But-"

"Now."

"Yes, Hera," was herd before the door shut behind the mother and her baby.

Hera stared at Kanan, and the Jedi stared at her, and Rex got the distinct feeling that he and Ahsoka had been forgotten. He was even more sure of it when Hera's voice softened and worry creased her once stern brow. "Are you alright?"

"We are." Kanan's smile was reassuring as Hera's index finger bent, her hand flattening over his heart on his chest. His hand came up to cover hers.

Rex looked away as Ahsoka came to stand beside him. Their gazes locked and Ahsoka's drifted to the door, her head giving the barest of nods. In her arms, the baby's eyes were closed and she was quiet. Rex did his best to ignore Hera and Kanan's conversation as Ahsoka waved the doors to the rec room open without a sound and they took the few steps to, and through, it.

"You're sure?"

"I am."

"But two inquisitors, Kanan-"

The door shut on whatever else Hera would have said, leaving him and Ahsoka - and the baby in her arms, a sight that was doing odd things to him on the inside - alone in the corridor. They shared a look and Rex indicated the closed door at her back.

"I guess Jedi aren't following that no attachments rule anymore."

"You mean like my old Master did?" He acknowledge the hit with a half-smile and a nod of his head but Ahsoka was serious, keeping her voice down and trying not to disturb the baby. "Times have changed, Rex. The Jedi aren't the same order you knew."

He considered that statement for a moment. He knew the order was gone, destroyed in the purge that continued to this day, but a part of him had never really considered what that exactly meant for the hundreds of displaced Jedi. Not unlike he'd felt at being retired, he supposed. All the rules and regulations were suddenly gone, his life no longer held together by the beliefs he'd fought so long and hard for.

His retirement had left him feeling adrift, cast aside and, a part of him admitted, bitter. The Republic his allegiance had been to was gone, replaced by an Empire he didn't believe in and wanted no part of. Not unlike him, the Jedi had been forcefully ripped from everything they'd known and cast to the ends of the galaxies. Unlike him, they were hunted for something they couldn't help, feared and reviled, and had few people they could trust.

That they would build stronger, more lasting bonds now didn't seem like such a bad idea.

"How about you?"

Ahsoka blinked. "Me?"

"You attached to anyone?"

Rex was unprepared for the reaction he received. Ahsoka's hands tightened on the infant and she looked away, not meeting his gaze. She seemed... uncomfortable and he wondered if he shouldn't have asked.

"Ahsoka?"

There was a paused and then she was hesitant. More hesitant than he could recall ever having seen her. "Rex, I-"

The door behind her opened and she snapped her lips shut just as the baby in her arms began to fuss. Hera and Kanan were looking at them in surprise for a moment before Hera stepped forward and offered. "I'll take her."

"Thanks," Ahsoka handed the baby to Hera, glanced at Rex and then met the Twi'lek's gaze. "How long until we rendezvous with the Phoenix?"

"Another standard hour or two. Depends on if she's running late."

"Only if she ran into trouble."

"Here's hoping Sato can keep it in one piece then," Kanan commented dryly and then let out an "Urk!" as Hera handed him the infant. "Hera-"

"Take her back to your cabin for now, Kanan; at least until we dock with the Phoenix and can return her to her mother."

"What am I going to do with a baby?"

Despite his protest, the Jedi was already moving as Hera headed for the cockpit, falling into step with her and leaving he and Ahsoka behind. Ahsoka made to follow and Rex put his hand out, touching her elbow. She glanced back and stopped at his unspoken request.

They waited for Hera and Kanan to pass out of earshot.

"Rex-"

"No." he cut her off with a firm shake of his head. "It's none of my business if you're attached or not, Ahsoka. I shouldn't have asked."

"Actually," she smiled wryly, folding her hand over his on her arm, "that's not an uncommon question for friends to ask. I've spent so much time building this resistance I haven't had a lot of time for attachments."

He heard what she didn't say; not a lot of time, but some. Still, there was no partner at her side now.

"How about you, Rex? Attached to anyone?"

"Not in the way you mean." he quickly change the subject, letting it drop; Ahsoka would tell him if she thought he needed to know or if she wanted to. He didn't need to pry, just wait. "Two inquisitors?"

"And here I thought I was going to avoid that lecture."

"No lecture; you're a seasoned enough warrior to know when you're outmatched or not."

"It was a little reckless," she admitted with a shake of her head.

"I won't disagree with you," his tease drew a chuckle from her, "but what's your reasoning?"

"I knew I could fight them to a stand still."

"At least."

"At least," her agreement was followed with a sigh. "The thing is, Rex, I'd accepted that I might be captured when I told Ezra to get the younglings to the ship."

"That's not like you." With a frown, he crossed his arms over his chest. "The Ahsoka I remember would never just surrender."

"Oh please. The Ahsoka you remember was reckless and brash and aggressive."

"And tactically sound and with the ability to think on her feet despite her ferocity."

Ahsoka blinked.

"You didn't surrender. Why did you think you would need to?"

"Every child deserves a chance at a future. The time of the Jedi may be over, but those of us with Force abilities have something people don't understand. It makes us a target. At least, adults who show abilities. Why would Sith be after children again?"

"You've got me. I don't think you ever discovered the reason the first time."

"True." Ahsoka sighed, visibly at a loss. "We'll just have to try and see what we can dig up. It's not going to be easy."

"Is anything you've ever done?"

With a laugh, she turned and went back into the main gathering room, taking a seat at the dejarik board. Watching her, Rex stopped just inside the door, taking up an unconscious parade rest position before he crossed his arms over his chest, the door closing behind him. Ahsoka watched him the the easy, familiar smile he remembered, shadowed by sorrows that hadn't been there in her youth.

"Let's just say that nothing I did at Anakin's side was..." there was a pause and then she laughed but it held a twinge of sadness. "I can't say that with a straight face. Reckless was a way of life, wasn't it?"

"It certainly wasn't boring."

This time they shared a chuckle.

"It really wasn't... and it hasn't changed much since I left the Jedi order, I'm afraid."

"I doubt you'd have been happy any other way," despite how tired she looked by it, Rex was certain as he continued, "you're too good of a leader not to be."

"So are you... and yet you seemed to have enjoyed your retirement."

"I've enjoyed coming out of it more." He examined her once more, turning their discussion back to his original purpose. "I would enjoy it even more if you'd let me watch your back."

"I couldn't risk you with the inquisitors, Rex. You're too valuable... and you don't have the Force for all you stood toe to toe with Asajj on more than one occasion."

He conceded it with a faint, rueful smile. "I'm not as young as I used to be."

"Neither of us are." Propping both elbows on top of the table, careful not to hit the controls that would activate it, Ahsoka rubbed her hands over her face. "And I feel about a hundred years old."

"And you don't look a day over fifty."

"That's my line." They shared a wry chuckle before Ahsoka exhaled on a sigh. "Things are changing again, Rex. In ways I'm not sure I like."

"When did you ever like the way they changed?"

"When I was a youngling, maybe."

"Was there that much change in the Temple?"

"Hardly. More like... it was so constant in its ever evolving tasks and responsibilities as I worked to become a Jedi that I took it for granted. Just like when I was assigned to be Anakin's Padawan. Things changed again, but I just took it as the natural order of things. This... this doesn't feel like that. Leaving the Jedi felt natural and right; being a part of the leadership of the Rebellion... that feels natural and right. Here with you-"

"That's nothing new."

"True." Her smile was faint. "Any time I spend with you feels natural and right." she frowned. "It always has. Maybe that's why it has me nervous."

Rex didn't say anything, simply waited for her to continue - which she did.

"Whatever's coming, things are going to change again."

"Not all change is bad."

"True. Not all of it is good, either. Look where the change from Republic to Empire got us."

Watching her, Rex noted how tired she looked as she rubbed her fingers over her temples and then, unable to help himself, his lips hitched into a half smile. "Yeah..."

His drawl drew her head up in confusion. "Rex?"

"Change might have brought us here, but... it brought us here." he waited for that to sink in and finally saw her smile. Faintly, but it was there. "Back to a path we can walk together."

"And if it separates us again?"

"Then it better not be another kriffing fifteen years before it brings us back together."

Her laughter, startled but genuine, was everything he hoped for. If nothing else, her smile made the darkness of their reality a little more bearable and Rex was determined to ensure she had a reason to use it.

fin