[Light 10: Order 66]
During a battle they were able to finally kill Dooku. Or at least Anakin was.
At this time they have also begin to feel something is wrong. Not only with the war but with Chancellor Palpatine.
Also Rue worries about the council finding out about the child before she can talk to Rex, whom is avoiding her messages at the time. Finally it is time for their return.
Rue, dressed in her Jedi rube, paces near the terminal, waiting for their shuttle to land.
"You men head back first. I have something else to do." Rex waves them off as he spots Rue behind a pillar.
"Yes sir!" The men salute as they head off.
"Rue, it's good to see you." Rex smiles as he removes his helmet.
"What happened?" Rue touches a small scar on the side of his head.
"A small injury." Rex places his hand on hers.
"Is that so? I'm glad." Rue sighs with relief, yet there is a twinge of fear in them.
"What's the matter?" Rex seems confused by her reaction.
"I… I have something to tell you." Rue moves her cloak enough to show a small baby bump.
Rex drops his helmet with wide eyes. "Y-you're…?" He touches her stomach.
Rue simply nods with a twinge of fear in her eyes. Rex's excitement quickly dies as he sees this.
The two decide to talk at a café. Rex catches her up on his missions and she tells him about how the pregnancy was discovered and going so far.
"Talking about a child is one thing. But now…" Rue touches her small bump. "Now I can't stop shaking." Her hand trembles on her cup.
"You won't be going alone." Rex gently places his hand on hers.
Rue relaxes slightly as she lays her head on his shoulder. It's funny the feel of the cool arm she once felt tense around now gave her a comfort she could never forget. Rex simply allowed her to rest as he smiles softly at her.
After finishing their coffee they head for the council.
Rue pauses in front of those seemingly looming doors. Rex takes a hold of her hand tightly. As she glances over at him, she finds that calming smile that always brings her joy. Clinging to his hand tightly, she takes a deep breath then knocks on the door.
The council stares in shock as they tell their story. They explain when the relationship began and why they have come to them now.
"We will need to deliberate. Please wait outside." Windo motions to the door.
"I would just like to say one last thing." Rue stands firm in the circle. "I will never take back nor regret following my heart." She glances at the masters before leaving with Rex.
"We'll wait for your answer." Rex bows then takes Rue's hand as they leave.
"Not shy now they are." Yoda chuckles once they are gone.
"Master Yoda this is no laughing or joking matter." Windo stares at the center of the room seriously.
"This is truly a predicament." Kenobi sighs as he leans back in his chair.
"Is it though?" Another master speaks up. "Surly they can't be punished for falling in love."
"That is not the Jedi way. Nor is it the Troopers." A female master interjects.
"Yet many species are allowed to marry. Mine in clouded." The big headed master points to himself.
"But Troopers…" One tries to argue.
"We now know they are capable of much more than fighting." Another interrupts.
"But what about them?" Windo glances at the other masters.
The couple wait for the answer on a bench outside. Rue felt like a Young One waiting for her discipline after messing up once more. While Rex memorizes Rue's face, as if this could possibly be the last time he will see her.
Finally the door opens causing them to stand quickly. Called back in they hold their breath while waiting for the final deliberation.
"Decided we have. Together you may go." Yoda smiles softly at them.
"R-really?" Rue's ears perk up.
"Yes." Yoda nods.
"Thank you masters." Rex holds Rue close.
"There are conditions however." Kenobi stares at them seriously.
"Rue will have to hand over her lightsaber and will be stricken from the Jedi Order. While Rex has to renounce himself as captain along with return the armer and weapons." Windo instructs.
"I have no complaints with that." Rue unhooks her saber.
"I don't either." Rex places his blaster next to her saber on a floating tray.
"You will also need to stay away from Mythia until the war is truly over." Kenobi instructs. "For yours and the peoples' safety."
"I understand." Rue nods, her ears a bit drooped at having to still stay away.
"We can go to Onderon. The king said we would always be welcome." Rex takes hold of her hand once more.
"May the force always look after you." Windo bows his head to them.
They bow themselves then head off to pack.
Rue packs very little in her bag. She freezes for a moment as she picks up the photo of her father. She smiles as she hugs it close before placing it in her bag.
Rex has even less as he readies for the life to come. Finishing changing he stares at his old helmet before placing it in his locker for the last time. Turning he sees Cody and Jessie.
"What are you two doing here?" Rex is happy yet surprised to see his brothers.
"Thought you could uses some medical supplies for the road." Jessie hands over a small satchel.
"And some grub. You'll be needing it." Cody tosses him another bag.
"Take care of the others in my place brothers." Rex sellouts them.
"Yes sir." They sellout back for the last time.
"Ready to go?" Rue stands by the pod.
"Ready." Rex fixes his bags on his shoulder.
"Wait!" Calls Kenobi as he hails them.
"What's going on Kenobi?" Rue seems confused.
"This is for you." Kenobi hands her a small white crystal.
"This is…" Rue stares at it with wide eyes.
"A reminder of your true heart and judgment." Kenobi smiles softly at her.
"Thank you." Tears drips from her cheeks as she holds the gem close.
"Take care of each other out there." Kenobi glances at the two of them.
"If a war couldn't keep us apart then nothing in the galaxy can." Rex jokes as he takes a hold of Rue's hand.
"By Obi-wan." Rue waves as the bay doors close.
"Good luck you two." Kenobi whispers as they head off.
The flight took no more than a day. To their surprise Ahsoka was at the palace with Lux. They explained most of the rebels left to help others still suffering and they stayed behind to keep an eye on things and help the king.
Ahsoka was over joyed at the news of their child. In fact she was almost more excited than them.
Months pass peacefully for the newly expecting parents. They planned the nursery and thought of baby names for boys or girls. Rex even found work as a mechanic and enjoying it. Meanwhile Ahsoka keeps Rue busy so she doesn't go stir crazy.
Yet these happy times would soon end. And they have no way to stop it.
On a clear morning, a seven months pregnant Rue tosses and turns in her bed. She tries to fight the awful visions running through her mind.
"No!" Rue pops up dripping with sweat.
"Rue, are you alright?" Ahsoka places her hands on Rue's as she sits next to her.
"A dream. No nightmare. No it… it felt like more than that." Rue takes deep breathes trying to calm down.
"Why don't we try getting some fresh air and talk?" Ahsoka helps her stand.
She told Ahsoka about the screaming Young Ones, fire all around, and the clones attacking all the Jedi. The young woman listened to her friend's tail sensing the worry and fear in her as she talks.
While walking through town they see a clone ship land with supplies. At first Rue felt stupid for believing her dream and the girls laugh to themselves. But then something odd happens.
The armored men that once waved at them now have their blasters point at them. Frozen they had no idea what to do until the first blast came and Ahsoka blocked it with her sabers.
"Run!" Ahsoka shouted taking her hand as they dash off.
They run as fast as they can yet run into one of the clones, Wolfe. Not sure what he was going to do, Ahsoka has her sabers ready.
"This way." Wolfe instrucks.
Confused the girls follow. Seeing many people being loaded on to ships by another free clone and Lux, they sigh with relief.
"Rex!" Rue runs over to her husband as she spots him.
"Thank god you're okay." They say at the same time as they hold each other close.
"Alright. There is one last ship." Gregor motions to the small medical ship behind them.
"But what about the others? What about…?" Rex begins.
"All do respect Rex, but you aren't a captain anymore." Wolfe cuts him off.
"We'll take care of the evacuation. You two get out of here." Lux motions to the ship.
"Thank you." Rue takes a hold of his hand.
"Stay safe." Rex salutes his brothers for what he was sure will be the last time.
Once on the ship they are able to make into space be for being chased. They race around trying to avoid the canons with Rex's flying. They are able to lose the petrol for a while after flying through an asteroid field.
"What are we going to do?" Rue holds her stomach as she stares out at the endless space with a moment of peace.
"There!" Rex points to a warm whole. "That can take us away from here."
"But it might tair the ship apart in the proses." Rue glances down at him nervously.
"That's why will go into stasis pods with the ship on aodpiolet." Rex stands leading her to the medical bay.
"Wait there's only one pod." Rue glances around the room.
"I know." Rex injects her with a sedative.
"R-Rex." Rue paces out in his arms.
Rex gently places her in the pod then heads back to cockpit.
"Forgive me Rue." Rex whispers as he heads for the warm whole head on.
(To see what happens next please read Star Bound)