Lila
I sit cross-legged on the floor, eyes closed as Ahsoka walks around me in a slow circle. After a long moment, I finally sigh and open my eyes, meeting Ahsoka's amused gaze from her place in the room.
"Trouble focusing?" She asks.
"Something like that." I smile before venturing a question, "Ahsoka… have you and Rex ever…"
"I believe the nature of your question is specifically against the Jedi Code." Ahsoka replies, but her eyes are amused. "But no, Rex and I are close friends and nothing more."
"Oh."
Ahsoka pauses before adding,
"Although, if you want forbidden relationship advice, Master Skywalker is the one to go to."
"I would never let him know that I've guessed his secret." I tell her seriously, but I'm secretly glad to know that my suspicions of Anakin Skywalker and the beautiful Padme Amidala are correct. "And I don't think my relationship is strictly forbidden, although I've never heard of a clone in a steady relationship before."
"We are talking about the same person, aren't we?" Ahsoka interrupts, coming over to sit on the floor with me, "The leader of Clone Force 99, Sergeant Hunter?"
"Yeah. Yeah that's right." I can't stop the smile on my face at the very sound of his name. God, I've got it bad.
"And he feels the same, I assume?" Ahsoka asks as she watches me carefully.
"I'd say so." I nod, thinking back to my night with barely any sleep and lots of personal time with Hunter. Ahsoka flashes me a smile and rocks slightly back and forth.
"So you're serious about rejecting Master Yoda's offer to train you in the Jedi way. I thought that if you took a break from missions and the temple, you'd change your mind."
"I thought so too. There were times where I almost did." I admitted, unconsciously playing with the chain around my neck where the Bad Batch's dog tag swung under my shirt. "But I found another family… and I can't give them up."
"You're very strong with the Force, Lila." Ahsoka reminds me, "If you were properly trained, you could become an even stronger ally than you already are."
"I understand. You know I'm ready to do anything for the Republic. Just not that."
Ahsoka lets out a thoughtful sigh as she considers my words,
"The decision is yours alone, Lila. We're old friends, you and I, and you know you will always have my support no matter which path you choose."
"Thanks, Ahsoka." I rise and dust the bottom of my pants off, "Your guidance means everything to me."
Hunter brushed the cool metal of a ring with his thumb in his pocket as he watched Lila enter into a huge argument with one of the clones, stabbing her index finger indignantly at one of the holograms projected in the air.
"No, you don't understand," Lila said, her voice slightly frustrated, "I've been training with General Tano and I can send my allusions further than a mile radius now."
"I'm sorry, ma'am." The Clone replied, "I have my orders from General Skywalker. He was worried that you might be worn out from the effort of projecting that many warriors for such an extended amount of time."
"I'll deal with General Skywalker." Lila retorted, brushing a hand through her long, dark brown hair as Hunter fought the urge to grin at her feisty gesticulations, "Just give me clearance to go past that marker and I'll get you what you need."
"Right away." The clone nodded and Lila blew a low breath from between her lips as Hunter entered the scene.
"I see your morning is off to a great start." He smirked, pressing his lips to her temple and making her relax into him.
"I'm no Padawan." Lila replied, "Master Skywalker has been like a brother to me but he's resting my patience."
"He's only looking out for you." Hunter pointed out, pulling away from her slightly to get a good look at her.
"Just think of how much time we could save on this job if I could send my allusions more than a mile from me." Lila kept on going, spinning the hologram with her finger and showing him the schematics of the building. "You think I can do it, right?"
"You know I do. Besides, if you and General Tano have been working with your abilities, General Skywalker should have no problem with that."
Lila looked up at him, her eyes gentle as she smiled shyly,
"Thanks."
Hunter opened his mouth, wanting to ask her to spare a moment for them to take a private second together. It had taken him less than twenty-four hours for him to decide that Lila was the woman he wanted at his side for life and he was bound and determined to get her.
"Sergeant Hunter." Fives saluted and Hunter turned to the clone, "Commander Cody needs you in the bridge. Now."
"Very good." Hunter replied before sighing, squeezing Lila's hands. "Listen, I've got to-"
"Go." Lila finished, standing on tiptoe to kiss his cheek. "I understand. I'll catch you later so we can finish that talk."
Lila never did catch Hunter. He never came back from the mission. Starting to get worried, she punched in the code to the Bad Batch's corridor only to find it empty and bare, as if nobody had ever lived there. She pleaded with Ahsoka and Cody, begging to go after the Bad Batch but the commanders refused, afraid of losing one of their best friends and allies. Losing Clone Force 99 had taken a toll on the ranks and they couldn't afford to lose Lila too.