Fives and Echo were talking quietly in the back corner of the medbay while the more reckless ARC recovered. Rex was itching to go and talk with his ARC, but he knew that the two brothers-by-choice deserved their time together. The blonde was leaned up against the medbay wall as he watched the two carefully.

"Haven't talked to him yet," Cody's voice cut through the Captain's thoughts as he watched Echo and Fives.

"No. I don't want to interrupt," Rex sighed lightly not even turning to look at the 212th commander, smiling when he saw Fives start to giggle at what ever joke Echo had told.

"He'll be released in a few hours, if what Kix is saying is true," Cody hummed smiling at the scene as well, amber eyes glinting in amusement as Fives fell into a giggling fit that had Echo rolling with laughter.

"That's good. Did Delta make it back to their base," Rex smiled before turning his head over to Cody.

"Yeah. General Kenobi managed to convince Skywalker that Rogue and Reaper had Fives and Echo as captives, and that the two were killed during our rescue of our ARCs. Your General is oblivious as kriff I hope you know that," Cody grinned cocking an eyebrow at Rex.

"Yes. I am aware," Rex snorted lightly before turning his head back to the two ARCs.

/—/—/

Fives was curled up in Rex's lap, his hold on him tight and needy. The ARC was making a quiet purring noise in the back of his throat as he nuzzled into the blonde's throat. Rex had a hand in the brunette's hair scratching at the ARC's scalp. Golden eyes flickered closed as Fives slowly nodded off. It was almost lights out so it wouldn't hurt to fall asleep now.

Rex smiled as he pressed a kiss to the younger male's hairline. The Captain wasn't surprised that Fives had been extremely tired after coming out of what ever corruption the chip had caused. Echo had been the same way. It was why the other ARC didn't help capture Rogue. Speaking of Echo, Rex wasn't surprised when he and the other ARC started having a silent battle for affection from Fives. He could practically see the jealousy hanging in between them.

Rex leaned back in his chair so that Fives wasn't just sitting up in his lap. The blonde was half expecting Echo to come bursting through the doors of the room when lights out was signaled through out the ship. Thankfully that didn't happen though. He suspected it had to do with whatever Jesse had been planning earlier.

"You okay, cyare," Rex whispered glancing down at the ARC in his lap when he heard the brunette's breathing hitch.

"I'm… I almost killed you Rex. How can you… how can you be alright with this? I was a slave to the thing I warned you about," Fives spoke up finally and it startled Rex that the younger clone was crying.

"Hey. Hey look at me. Look at me, Fives," Rex whispered cupping the ARC's face in his hands.

Fives' golden eyes were rimmed with red and tears were threatening to fall. The ARC looked vulnerable, and that was a word that he rarely characterized with the ARC.

"That wasn't you. None of that was you. You're your own person. Never forget that. What matters is that I have you back. Alright," Rex assured quietly pressing a kiss to Fives' forehead.

Fives was quiet as he leaned up against Rex for a few more moments before he grabbed Rex by the collar of his blacks and pulled him for a rough kiss. Teeth clicked together as Fives practically climbed Rex to kiss him. Rex saw it coming, so when it happened he was able to brace himself and the chair against his desk.

"Fives— Fives easy— easy you still have—," Rex tried to get out as he felt Fives go for the lower part of his blacks.

"Rex. I need something. Now. Please," Fives snapped leaning his forehead against Rex's meeting the blonde's eyes.

Rex sighed heavily before settling his hands on the ARC's hips. Fives went slower this time, gentle hands wrapping around the blonde's neck.

/—/—/

It lasted three days before the silent battle between Echo and Rex became more… aggressive if you will. Smart remarks and jabs. More aggressive sparing matches. Glares over shoulders. It was a little much. Fives could see it now. It wasn't exactly subtle.

Fives was only half listening to what Kix was telling him as he watched Echo and Rex spare on the training mat. Something about now diving head first into someone's legs to take them down. Bacta had patched him up, but he still had a light concussion. Echo snarled as he threw a nasty right hook that Rex barely managed to dodge.

"How long has this been going on, again," Fives asked cutting Kix off mid sentence.

The medic huffed in annoyance, his eyes narrowing at the ARC as he turned to look at the training mat.

"Ever since we got you back. More specifically ever since Delta dragged you in with a blaster bolt to the chest. Echo had not been happy, and Rex had been shaking," Kix mused as Rex kicked Echo in the gut knocking the ARC out of his defense position.

"What am I supposed to say to that. I'm not exactly good with words. That's Echo," Fives flinched when Rex knocked Echo to the ground and pinned him easily as if it had been the easiest thing ever.

Rex looked smug. His eyes glinting lightly as a dangerous smirk crossed his lips. Echo snarled up at Rex and struggled to get out of the hold. Echo knocked his head back ending the match. Rex let go of Echo snd stood up extending a hand to the ARC on the ground. When Echo didn't take it Fives closed his eyes and let out an annoyed sigh.

"I'm gonna take care of this now," Fives muttered.

"Please do. It's painful to watch Rex continuously kick his shebs," Kix nodded as he watched Echo take his stance again.

/—/—/

Okay next few chapters will be character development which means they'll be shorter than my past few chapters! Hope you guys are enjoying it so far! This is the longest story I have ever written by far and I'm so proud of it. Love you guys!

Glogirl out!