Twenty Four

Rex took a sip from the offered mug and winced.

"Still can't get used to the taste?"

He looked up and waited before he replied.

"There are, a lot, of things I can't get used to."

Tash took an uninvited seat at the chair opposite.

Unlike Fives, she didn't revere him.

The fire was burning low and the light was casting an eerie glow against his face; either that, or there was a level of malevolence about the infamous Captain Rex of the 501st. She had heard all the stories of his heroics over the years, the minutia of his ability to get out of any given situation.

But they were all Fives' romancing to her, and now, here he sat.

Just a man, like the rest of them, broken in battle and worn down by war.

"You know," she said in a guarded tone, "apparently I'm a good listener. Believe me when I say, I've heard it all."

Rex continued to stare at the brown liquid camouflaging as caf, "I am not sure you have."

"Try me."

Rex looked up at the woman with the blonde hair.

It helped, in a way, that she was nothing like Gem. Fives had called it a night hours ago staying awake longer than he ought to, the pain coupled with the emotional day taking its toll. Rex had heard the door close and he knew he could venture out and not have to face him.

"Would you like Fives and I to leave? We have the credits. We can move if that would make you more comfortable. We're grateful for the help up to this point and understand totally if you would prefer to be alone."

He admired her tenacity.

He had made it abundantly clear when he arrived that he wanted nothing to do with anyone, the need to settle the baby paramount. But here was this woman, bringing him a caf and pushing him into a conversation.

Propriety, impeccable manners or just his initial programming on Kamino meant the former captain couldn't continue to be rude when she was sitting directly opposite him.

"I gather Fives has spoken to you about our, I mean my, unique situation?

"Well, if you mean yours and Gem's, then yes. But he also told me about the others."

With the mention of her name, Rex was shocked into silence.

"Jesse, Kix. Hardcase and Echo," she stopped at Echo remembering how hard that death had affected her lover.

How was it she could say all those names without the pain he associated with them.

"You see Rex, it's what I do. Put peoples minds back together. When they're ready that is. That's how Fives and I met. Army Med, Level 6, Suite 4A."

Rex sat back into the chair.

She was right.

The hot drink that had sustained them all over their entire life would never taste the same. The barracks caf was like nothing else. Black and sweet if you were a true connoisseur, with a dash of Bantha milk if the bitterness was too much for the palate. The first brew of the day was the best, but after a trip off world, battle and injury, it didn't matter if you were drinking the dregs.

It was late, and the house was cool.

Ahsoka had gone to the garage to meditate, the first time she felt comfortable and had the space to be alone, knowing that both Rex and Piia were truly safe.

It had been an emotion charged day.

Rex looked around the lounge.

There was no way around it; Gem was ingrained into every inch of the house. Everywhere he turned there was something to remind him of her, of them.

"No," he spoke quietly, "I would like you both to stay, it's your home as well, and besides, I'd appreciate another woman around to help with Piia, no disrespect intended."

"None taken and thank you."

Tash stood up and held out her hand, "here, let me take that for you."

Rex gave her the half empty mug and nodded.

All of a sudden he felt very tired.

It was going to be hard, there was no denying it, but he knew he couldn't do it alone.

.

"Oi, big guy! Over here. Looks like you have a friend."

They were the words Reed never wanted to hear.

He had no friends on Ilbeos, he made it his business not to get close to anyone and told no one who was even remotely interested where he was really from.

He had grown his hair deliberately long, as well as a beard to try and disguise himself to anyone who may have recognised him as a former Republic soldier. One redeeming feature about being so remote a plantation was the lack of technology. No holonet with continuous propaganda from the Empire.

That was the appeal of the planet with the tall trees, up in the branches, away from prying eyes, and just the scent of the newly sawed immature Mycenae wood and an enormous sky with no clouds.

So when his shift manager called out to him while he was adjusting his harness, Reed felt as though the entire universe had finally caught up to him.

As he turned he steeled himself, but he needn't have worried. When he saw the rag tag man in the oversized coat standing next to his boss, he couldn't help but smile. This wasn't someone who was there to bring a deserting soldier to justice. This was just another airman who had also heard about the gigantic trees and the anonymity of Ilbeos.

Reed stepped forward and immediately put the tired, anxious looking man at ease. He too, had been surprised when he was told there was someone just like him working for the company.

Reed was careful not to address the man by his former commission. There was no need for such formality.

Anymore.

They were all born equal and now, without the Military breathing down their necks they were even more so.

"Burc'ya vaal burk'yc, burc'ya veman."

"Cin vhetin, ner vod."

They clutched hands, the traditional way of their heritage.

"Welcome brother, they call me Reed."

"Good to meet you Reed, but you have me at a disadvantage."

Reed laughed as he held his hand, "now's theres a table that's turned, hey Wolffe."

.

"We don't have the likes of him here."

Another boarding house, another door shut firmly in their face.

Jesse looked down at his hands, he was the reason people were too frightened to rent them a room for the night.

"Come on, there's one more down the road. I'll go in alone, secure the room and then we'll get you in via the fire escape."

Jesse shook his head, waving his arm. 'No,' he mouthed, "too risky."

"Oh please," Gem was losing patience. She was tired and her side ached, she wanted nothing more than to find a bed and go to sleep. "Don't you give up on me now, not after dragging my sorry shebs out of the water, and let's face it, we've just been through worse. This is how we're doing it. Got it?" She swung around and came to face him within a millimetre, Jess didn't flinch. She was intimidating and for the briefest of moments, he was caught up in the adventure.

He nodded his head.

The only alternative turned out to be a rather less than salubrious boarding house.

Gem opened the door and stepped inside, waiting for the Ithorian to raise his hideous head from whatever appeared to be so enthralling on his datapad.

Within twenty standard minutes they both stood in the small room with the one bed.

Gem opened her pack and removed her clothing, standing there in nothing but her briefs, Jesse could see the wound weeping. She knew he was watching, but didn't care in the slightest.

Gem had apparently lost everything, even the ability to kill herself.

She pulled the covers back on the bed and crawled in, relishing in the feeling of utter exhaustion. She looked over at the clone, standing fully clothed.

"Come on, I won't bite," she said and patted the pillow next to her.

Jesse shook his head, "floor."

"Suit yourself!" she stated and turned to face the wall before falling promptly to sleep.

Jesse stood for a minute and looked at the pillow on the double bed. He hadn't been this tired ever on a mission, ever.

If injured he would have been extracted by now or a medic would have sedated him sufficiently.

He couldn't think straight, but moved towards the bed and climbed in, fully dressed next to the Peoples Representative of Oriis; his captains wife.

As he lay there, his eyes feeling the weight of exhaustion he couldn't help but think, how things had changed.

.