A/N: I do not own Star Wars or any part of the franchise; all rights and ownership belongs to Disney. The ideas portrayed within this piece of fiction are purely Fan-based explorations for my fellow enthusiasts to enjoy.

Please read and review! :D

~ProphetessMinty

Chapter 4

The weekend flew by in the blink of an eye and Ahsoka couldn't be happier because that meant she would see Rex today. She didn't care that Anakin was speeding down the road like a scared Mynock out of its cave. She didn't care how big she was smiling as strands of hair smacked her in the face. She didn't care that when she arrived to work her hair was a windblown disaster- okay…that's a lie. She was freaking out. For a full five minutes she frantically combed her fingers through her hair; accidentally yanking each time to smooth out the knots. Though she attempted to fix the monstrosity on top of her head—somewhat neatly— it resulted in a messy bun with baby hairs poking out all over.

She silently screamed as she looked herself over in the glass door's reflection, not caring that she was blocking the entrance into the pizzeria. This was a disaster! She had been so caught up in getting to work that she had ignored Anakin when he tried to warn her as he dropped her off. However, his attempt at "warning" her, involved miming to her both speechlessly and frantically about her hair. Not sure what he meant at the time, she shooed him off because she didn't have time for his antics.

What had she done?! She should have taken his help.

In the middle of her internal conflict, Ahsoka watched as the world went temporarily sideways. Her left shoulder slammed into the window pane next to the front door right before the metal frame smacked her upside the head with an audible crack. "Move it," she heard a girlish voice yell at her. Holding her head, she watched after the customer who assaulted her with the door. She stood tall, slender and muscly as she impatiently waited with the rest of the customers in line. Ahsoka watched as the girl's Nike-covered foot tapped at the floor with her arms crossed in annoyance while her brown dreads shook back and forth. Eventually, the girl looked over her shoulder and made eye contact with Ahsoka.

She paled instantly.

"Steela," Ahsoka whispered in recognition. "If she's here," she thought, "then he isn't far behi-" As if time went into slow motion, she watched as a tall, medium-haired brunette navigated past her in the door way. "Excuse me," he said gently before looking over his shoulder at her. He almost paused in shock when he spotted her but continued on semi-flawlessly when he heard his name shouted. "Lux honey, go get us a table," called Steela as she watched Ahsoka from over Lux's shoulder.

She wasn't clocked on-shift yet and she knew this wasn't going to be good. Not giving the two a second look, she walked toward the kitchen with her head held high. Deciding not to give in to the emotions, thoughts and pressures; she knew she had nothing to fear from them. They made their choices just like Ahsoka was making her choice now. She was changed and the past was behind her. That's where she needed to leave it.

Moving past the kitchen doors, she walked over to the broom-closet-office and began clocking in. As she waited for the desktop to boot up, she took one of the disinfectant wipes and started to scrub at the counter. Whoever used the office last must have been eating pizza because there were globs of sauce everywhere. And the keyboard…what happened to it?! Taking hold of it with a dainty pincer grip, she grudgingly wiped at it.

Finishing up with the keyboard, she brought up her timecard and started typing in her information. As she clacked away, her phone began to vibrate on the table. Almost jumping in pure horror, she grabbed at the device and almost dropped it. When she looked at the screen she smiled as she realized Buckhead had messaged her.

Swiping her thumb across the screen, the page opened to her holonet app conversation with her anonymous-crush. In her excitement, she went straight to reading everything all at once that she wasn't sure of what she had just read. Her stomach plummeted and her excitement flew out the window as she read through the messages again.

-Sent at 12:15 pm-

Buckethead7527: I have really come to value our conversations and I enjoy every text that I get. However, I think we shouldn't talk as much as we have been. I want to do right by you, whoever you are, but I am not sure I can do that over an app. I don't want to replace any personal relationships either of us could have with a virtual one.

-Seen by CommanderSnips at 12:15 pm-

-Sent at 12:16 pm-

Buckethead7527: And to be honest, I don't want to invest in a relationship over this app and then in-person not have that same connection. I have thought a lot about this since we tried to meet up and I don't think dating…like this…is something I can handle.

-Seen by CommanderSnips at 12:16 pm-

-Sent at 12:17 pm-

Buckethead7527: I hate having to tell you this after investing in a somewhat-relationship so far but I want to be honest with you. I am sorry about this and I know that may not mean a lot right now. I hope we can still go on talking…that's up to you of course.

-Seen by CommanderSnips at 12:17 pm-

The door to the broom-closet-office opened and Ahsoka fought hard against the tears. She felt like her heart was torn in half and the wound stung even further knowing that Lux and Steela were in the dining area together. "Hey Ahsoka," Rex called happily with a smile in his voice. Half embarrassed and half scared of showing her emotions, she didn't bother to talk with him as she exited the office with her head hanging in defeat.

Walking over to the apron rack, she took one and tied it to her before heading to the registers. After she typed in her code, the drawer popped open and she started the monotonous chore of counting her till. Once that was taken care of, she closed the register drawer and flipped the plastic placard to "open".

An hour passed by with customer after customer; it was definitely the afternoon rush-hour. With the University about two blocks away, the Pizza Republic was the unspoken, designated hangout for college students. Ahsoka normally didn't mind this type of crowd but today they were a rowdy bunch. She caught the tail-end of a conversation between two customers about how this week was a pep-rally for some big school event. No wonder they had been practically bouncing off the walls.

"Ahsoka," sang the gentle voice of her coworker. "Earth to Ahsoka," Bariss's gentle voice finally broke into a yell. Shaking her head, Ahsoka looked toward Bariss a little upset. "Sorry," Bariss looked down submissively, "but I've tried to get your attention a couple times." Ahsoka practically copied Bariss's demeanor as she looked away but not out of meekness. "Sorry Bariss."

"What's going on with you," Bariss asked as softly as possible, "you've been quite out of it." Ahsoka looked back to her freckled-friend and saw concern in her blue eyes. "Today has been kind of awful so far," she almost cried but held on to her emotions. Bariss saw tears well up in her coworker's eyes and fought the sudden urge to hug her consolingly. "Do you want to talk about it?" Ahsoka was about to reply when the two were interrupted by a customer who obnoxiously "ahem-ed" them.

"Excuse me," came the smug voice of the irksome Steela. Ahsoka instantly adorned an impassive complexion and replied, "How can I help you?" Steela crossed her arms and squinted at her combatively, "I see you're still as frumpy as ever."

"Excuse me," Ahsoka retorted, instantly from zero to a hundred.

"I want two large gluten-free pizzas to go and make it snappy."

"Why- "

"Yes, we'll get that taken care of. What name should we put on the order," Bariss inquired as she moved in front of Ahsoka. "Steela," she purred in slimy cruelty as she scrutinized Ahsoka over Bariss's shoulder. "Okay, great. Just to double-check that was a gluten-free cheese pizza? What kind of crust do you want?"

"Two, I want two gluten-free cheese pizzas. Thin crust. And while you're at it, tell your chef to go easy on the sauce. The last time I got a pizza from you guys, it had too much sauce on it and it was burnt."

Bariss nodded in compliant understanding before looking over her shoulder. "Ahsoka, can you please convey our customer's concerns with our 'Pizza Artist?'" As she said this, she nodded toward the kitchen doors with her chin. Ahsoka practically shook with rage but complied in obedience. "She's just trying to get under my skin," Ahsoka told herself walking into the kitchen.

Making her way to the prep table, she saw Rex working his way down the line of pizzas with experienced swiftness. She was almost mesmerized as she watched how quickly but delicately he tossed on the toppings as he went. "Can I help you," Rex asked not looking over his shoulder. His question wasn't intoned out of frustration but flat with concentration.

Tossing on the last mushroom, he finally put his hands down and looked over to her with a genuine smile. "Ahsoka, you okay," he asked as his smile broke into a frown. With a sniff and a quick swipe at her eyes, she nodded. "This next order is a bit particular. The customer is concerned about the pizzas having too much sauce and the crust being burnt." Handing the ticket order over to Rex, she turned around and rushed out the door with Rex staring after her.

As she returned to the register, she found Lux waiting at the counter with Steela practically draped over him as she kissed him. The bell rung about fifteen minutes later with their freshly made order and Ahsoka gladly handed Steela the pizzas knowing this would make her leave. With a smug smile, Steela accepted the pizzas as she pranced out the front doors in victory. Lux, however, remained standing in front of the registers starring at Ahsoka. "H-How are you," he managed to finally speak as he rubbed at his neck nervously.

"Will that complete your order," Ahsoka asked in place of an answer.

"Ahsoka," he spoke with hurt, "are you still mad at me?"

"Mad," she scoffed under her breath, "mad is not accurate." Looking up at Lux, she gave her signature smile that was devoid of all happiness. "Thank you for dining with us today. Next!" She watched as the next customer pushed passed Lux with a shoulder before giving her their order. Lux looked broken as he turned away toward the doors but Ahsoka was perfectly fine with it.

"Harsh!"

Ahsoka turned toward the kitchen doors and found Fives standing there with a wet towel in his hands. "I wasn't being mean," she said defensively. "Not you, the situation," he responded. "Steela hasn't changed and neither has Lux. He's following after her like a lost puppy. Just like before." Ahsoka nodded before turning back to the register. "You don't deserve that," he said before walking back into the kitchen.

"What do I deserve," Ahsoka questioned internally. "I keep being told what I should deserve but no one is letting me make the choice myself," she whined in response to her own question. Carrying a grey, plastic tub in hand, Ahsoka walked over to a booth that was in dire need of attention. It was five o'clock and she was still mulling over the earlier events. Her stomach was still sour and she wanted to cry so badly. However, her pride wouldn't allow her to lose composure and besides, she had a job to do. Leaning over the table, she started to pick up the left over dishes and trash before scrubbing the tables with a wet rag.

"Need a hand," she heard from behind her. Rex stepped in before she could answer him and went to work. Five minutes passed before he finally spoke. "I overheard your conversation with Fives earlier," he started. Ahsoka didn't respond as she turned and walked off to the kitchen with Rex trailing behind. As they passed the kitchen doors he spoke again, "Is that what's been bothering you?"

"Not completely but part of it," she finally spoke as she brought the dirty dishes to the kitchen sink. "I've got time to listen," he said before nervously scratching at this head, "I'm off the clock." Ahsoka walked over to the trashcans and started to dump out the contents of the tub. "I don't know that now is a good time." Rex walked over and hesitantly placed a hand on her shoulder. "When is?" Ahsoka felt her cheeks heat with sudden embarrassment that almost made her swoon in delight.

Rex pulled his hand away as she looked up at him and she noticed that his cheeks were suddenly red. She looked down before walking away to the sink to wash her hands. "I-I don't know."

"How about in an hour when you're off the clock," he asked as boldly as he could muster. "You can talk to me then." Ahsoka turned toward him in disbelief, "Really? You'd be willing to wait?"

"Why not," he asked rhetorically as he shrugged.

Ahsoka managed a genuine smile before fidgeting with the hem of her apron. "Has anyone told you how awesome you are," she asked before practically racing out of the kitchen. "You're welcome," she heard him yell after her. She felt encouraged by their small exchange and knew that it was what she needed to make it through the last hour of her shift. No matter how small the kindness he gave her, it gave her hope to know that not everything in life sucked.

In the blink of an eye, Ahsoka was clocking off shift in the closet when she hear the door open. "You ready," she heard Rex behind her as he closed the door. "Almost," she said as she exited her time card. "Oh and don't worry about a ride home," he said quickly, "I've got that covered." Ahsoka turned around with confusion, "You do?"

"Yeah," he smiled before walking out.

Ahsoka smiled as she walked out after him. "Okay, let me text my brother then." Five minutes later, the pair walked out of work and into the parking lot. "Do you like shakes," he asked her nonchalantly. Ahsoka beamed, "Yes, I do. I love a good Banana shake. Oh! And with fries." Rex offered her a warm smile before replying, "Good. I know the perfect place."

The two hopped into his Jeep but not before he so kindly helped her in. Ahsoka fought the instinct to blush but knew she wouldn't win the fight. It was so hard not to when he was just so kind. It was something she grew to like about him—a lot in fact.

A couple blocks away from work, they turned into the parking lot of a burger drive-in. Pulling up to a stall, Rex parked the Jeep and rolled down the windows. He gave their order over the intercom and the two waited in silence until their shakes—and fries—were delivered. Ahsoka squealed in thankful delight before dipping a fry into her desert. "So," Rex started, "What's up?" He watched as she half-heartedly bit into to her shake-covered fry; mulling over his question in her head.

"Today has been awful," she started. "My hair is a mess. That friend I was telling you about said he didn't want to talk with me as much anymore. My not-really-ex was there at work today with his really mean girlfriend…who used to be my friend…until I realized she was after him. She only became my friend to get close to him." After relaying this all at once, she placed her shake into the cup holder between them. "Am I not likeable," she asked rhetorically. "Is there something wrong with me?"

"It seems like whenever I get close to people…THIS," she expressed exasperatedly with her hands, "type of stuff happens." Picking her shake back up, she stabbed a straw into the cup and began to stir it without thought. "I also don't like it when people decide important things for me. I can make my own choices, you know?"

Rex nodded in acknowledgement as he tried a fry with his shake. Taking a bite, he realized he had been missing something wonderful out of his shake experience until now. "Wow, this is good," he said as he waved the fry around. "I haven't tried this before." Ahsoka offered him her shake and he happily obliged.

"First of all," he said after finishing his bite, "there's nothing wrong with your hair. It looks good." She blushed. "Second, I can't imagine why anyone would stop talking to you. They have to be stupid to do that." She blushed a little hotter now. "Third, that whole situation shouldn't bother you." Ahsoka looked at him confused and slightly hurt. "What do you mean by that?"

"What I mean is that those two made their choice which overlooked your feelings. At that point, you should move on being happy that you didn't make a bad choice or get swept up into their antics. People like that, you can't trust them. They are too whimsical."

Ahsoka looked down into her cup and nodded. "True."

"Besides, would you really want to be with a guy like that? No one should be tossed aside so easily like that. There needs to be forethought and honesty," he said with frustration, "It's not right." Ahsoka sniffed before swiping at her eyes with the sleeve of her jacket. "I know, but why does it hurt so much?"

"Because you care," he offered wisely. She nodded, "Why do you care?" Her question wasn't pointed or harsh, she simply wanted to understand how they got here. "Because, I do," he said. Ahsoka looked over at him as the flood of emotions finally overtook her. She finally began to cry out the frustration she had held onto all day. Rex wasn't sure what to do at first but he finally reached over and swept a knuckle over a tear before offering her a napkin.

"No more tears," he said softly, "it hurts watching you hurt."

Ahsoka laughed a little as more tears came, "I'm sorry."

"Don't be," he offered genuinely, "If anything, I want to find the little bugger and have a one-on-one with him." Ahsoka giggled in response as she swiped at her face with a napkin. "I probably look like a wreck. Has my makeup smeared," she asked in sudden worry. Rex leaned over and studied her face with gentle scrutiny. "Yup," he replied. Ahsoka brought up her hands quickly, "Don't look-"

"You're still pretty," he replied with a chuckle as he brought her hands down.

Even with the windows down and a shake in her lap, Ahsoka felt like she was in the middle of the Sahara dessert. How could he so easily do this to her? It wasn't fair! He brought a hand up and swiped at a small black smudge at the corner of her eye until it was gone. "You're good," he supplied, though his cheeks seemed to be bright red as well.

The two went quiet as they leaned back into their seats.

"Hey Rex-"

Before she could finish, her phone, which was sitting in one of the free cup holders, began to buzz violently against the plastic. Pausing, she picked up the cell phone and opened the text that popped up. Rex barely glanced over when he froze in place, seeing the familiar text bubbles and icons synonymous to the holonet app he used. "Who are you talking to," he asked as he heard her giggle.

"Fives texted me," she replied, "He was trying to cheer me up with a meme."

"Oh? I didn't realize you guys talked outside of work."

"Oh yeah, we go way back," she said, "We've been friends since middle school." She laughed before offering her screen to him, "It's pretty funny. Take a look." Rex nodded and looked over the screen. The meme was funny but the humor died out the moment he saw her username.

"CommanderSnips," he asked confusedly before looking up to her. "You're CommanderSnips?"

Ahsoka paled as realization hit her, "Buckethead?"

A/N: Hey guys, I hope you enjoyed this. I made it a longer chapter than normal since I've been gone for a little while. :} Now the charade is done with buuuuut there's more drama ahead. ;} Stay tuned.

~ProphetessMinty