Disclaimer: I do not own either Star Wars or Mass Effect. They're just two of my favorite franchises and I wanted to play in the sandbox.

Chapter Seven: Training Rounds

The smell of medical grade disinfectant always put her nerves on edge. As a child, Shepard recalled the countless times she waited in then children's play room with a social worker as her mother recovered from an overdose or a reminder from Garvon who was really in charge. As a soldier, she said goodbye to as many friends in the medbay as she saw recover. Although it was the way of her life, she still hated hospitals.

She was escorted to the medbay by Anakin's student, Ahsoka Tano and together they waited. Chaak was on the gurney, his body fully covered with a sheet. Anakin had hurried away to speak with his council. A masked temple guard stood silently just outside the door. While she waited, she meditated as Thane taught her in an effort to keep battle sleep at bay. It frightened her how quickly she was ready to succumb to it.

With a deep breath, she opened her eyes and met Ahsoka's curious gaze. The young Togrutan smiled awkwardly and looked away quickly. The chevrons of her lekku darkened and Shepard assumed she was blushing.

"Thank you for staying with me." She broke the silence, "I'm sorry I haven't been much for conversation."

"It's okay." Ahsoka replied kindly as her eyes flicked to Chaak. "You've had a hard day."

"So you're Commander Tano. Rex talks about you all the time." She smiled.

"We've been through a lot together. I remembered seeing you drop him off at the flight deck at our last deployment. He hasn't talked about you though."

Shepard felt her face get warm and she chuckled lightly as she recalled the day, "Yeah, that was me."

"How did you meet Rex?"

"We met at 79's about a month ago."

"Do you love him?"

Shepard blinked quickly at the abruptness of her question. She tried to form a response, but only stammering sounds came out.

"Rex is...special to me. We've watched each others backs the whole war. I've learned a lot from him. He's like a brother to me."

"Just a brother?" She asked, having remembered what that age was like.

Her lekku darkened further, "Jedi aren't allowed to have attachments."

"That doesn't mean you aren't to have feelings, does it?"

"No, but I have to be mindful of them."

"Is it okay with you if I love him?"

"That depends."

"On?"

"What you want from him." Ahsoka maintained a firm gaze.

"You're very protective of him. I appreciate that. Yes, Ahsoka. I am falling in love with Rex, but I ask that you don't say anything to him about it."

"Why?"

She contemplated her response for a minute. "I remember what it was like to fall in love for the first time. I was younger than you are now. He was older than me and very attractive. He told me very quickly that he loved me, but I didn't know who I was or what I truly wanted. As a result, I found myself in an unhealthy relationship. He was manipulative and controlling and abusive. Looking back on it, I know now I wasn't in love with him as much as I was in love with the attention he was giving me, good or bad. It wasn't until just few years ago that I finally knew myself well enough to know what love was.

"Rex hasn't known a life outside being a soldier. He and his brother are gaining experiences well beyond what they were trained for, but the last thing I want is for him to love me because he thinks he supposed to rather than truly feeling that way about our relationship. As much as that would break my heart, I'd rather see him be honest about his feelings than be with me when he doesn't want to."

"I thought love was holding on to someone and never letting go. Refusing to lose them, no matter what."

"That isn't love, that's obsession. It can be easy to confuse the two, especially when someone hasn't taught you the difference. Truly loving someone is wanting what's best for them, even if it means they aren't with you." She looked at her hands, "I just don't want to influence his feelings by pushing mine too quickly."

"I won't say a word." She smiled approval.

"Thank you."

Footsteps approached. Ahsoka jumped to her feet as Anakin appeared with another human and a small green man. Shepard stood as well.

"Commander Shepard, this is Master Windu and Master Yoda." He gestured respectively. "They are the two senior members of the Jedi Council. The wanted to talk to you about Urdnot Chaak."

"Pleasure it is, to meet you Commander." Master Yoda greeted.

Shepard was unfazed by his manner of speaking. "Thank you for allowing me to bring his body here. It is my hope to have him cremated, as is the tradition of his people."

"May I see him first?" Master Windu respecrfully asked.

Although it was a requested, Shepard did not get the impression it was one she could decline. Rather than fight, stepped back and allowed him to pass. He gave a thoughtful rumble from his chest after pulling back the sheet.

"This is most unsettling." He said quietly. "Skywalker told the council this is a juvenile."

"Yes, sir." She answered crisply. "Adolescent Krogan experience a significant growth phase at the onset of puberty. They'll gain a couple hundred pounds of muscle, almost a meter in height, and their armor plating will thicken substantially." She paused, "The more unsettling implication is how two young Krogan were separated from their mothers. Female Krogan are not much smaller than males and are violently protective of their young. You don't just snatch young Krogan without major fall-out."

"Have a theory, you do." Master Yoda concluded.

"I do." She turned to Chaak, "But I would like his remains tended to first."

"Young Skywalker made your wishes known and the council respects them. We will see to it right away. Padawan Tano can take you to the living quarters so you can clean up as well." Windu gestured to her clothes. Shepard furrowed her brow and looked down. She had forgotten her arms and shirt were covered in Chaak's blood.

"I have nothing clean to wear."

"I've already contacted Captain Rex. He's on his way." Anakin answered.

She nodded and followed Ahsoka. As they entered the main corridor, she saw a clone trooper hurry through the large arched entryways and look around.

"Rex!" Ahsoka called.

Spotting them, he jogged over, but stopped himself just short of pulling Shepard into his arms. Instead, he removed his helmet off and gave her a worried look.

"Are you okay? The general didn't elaborate other than you that needed new clothes."

"Rex I'm fine. This isn't from me." She indicated to herself.

He handed her the bag he had collected from her apartment. Together the three walked through the temple. "What happened? Did you find the Krogan?"

"Yes, but it's complicated. Two youngsters, but both died." She paused, "The council wants to speak to me once I'm presentable. Hopefully I can convince them to take action."

"Do you want me to stay?" He asked.

"Can you? Don't you have other duties?"

"I can stay if my Commander thinks I should." He caught Ahsoka's eye.

She smiled as she watched the interaction between them, "Having Captain Rex present will save us time later if the council approves a mission. I think Skyguy would agree to have you stay."

Rex kissed her cheek and squeezed her hand. "I'll be waiting outside the council chambers."

Shepard watched him go, but felt the teenager's eyes gauging her response.

"This way, Commander." Ahsoka chimed happily.

After showing Shepard to the 'fresher, she nearly vibrated with giddiness. She always tried to turn a blind ear to scuttlebutt, but as the brothers of Torrent Company discussed theories, rumors, and gossip during their down time, she couldn't help but feel curious. For the prior three weeks, after giving everyone eyeful before shipping out, the rumors swirled about the mystery women with Rex. The theories ranged from her being a brothel girl to a member a royal family to a changeling to a droid in a synthetic human suit. They had all gotten wrong. There was still great deal she didn't know, but of two things she was certain: she was undoubtedly Rex's equal and Rex was falling in love with her.

--

"These allegations are most concerning." Master Windu said gravely, "But there is little proof that Count Dooku or the Speratists are involved."

"Master Windu. I know what I saw." Anakin defended.

"Briefly, from the stressed mind of a dying child. Unreliable, this is." Master Yoda countered.

"Artoo found the origin of the pod-"

"Our sources do not indicate any droid activity in the sector. We simply do not have the resources to divert to this cause." Master Windu continued. "Commander Shepard, can you provide the council with a compelling reason to act?"

"Beyond the fact that it's the morally right thing to do?" She responded from Anakin's shoulder.

"We are at war with our resources spread thin." Windu replied.

Shepard stepped forward and cleared her throat. "Respectfully Generals, how often does the call to do what is right come at the moment of our greatest convenience?"

"True, this is. With wisdom you speak." Yoda agreed.

"If we helped you recover the Krogan, will your system join the Republic?" Master Windu asked plainly.

"I am an arm of my council, not the mouth and not the mind. My system, or what is left of it, has been exhausted by a war for our collective survival. I doubt they will be eager to join a civil war at such a vulnerable time."

Master Windu sat back, clearly annoyed, but she pressed on.

"However. An act of good faith on the part of the Jedi and by extension the Republic, such as aiding the Krogan at such an inconvenient time, will show the governments of my system what the Jedi and the Republic stand for and may influence a final decision once they are firmly back on their feet. Until such a time, I will volunteer my services as a soldier, tactician, and special operative to your cause."

Master Windu held a long pause, "The council will deliberate your offer."

"Thank you, Generals." She bowed slightly in respect and departed then chambers.

Another day, another speech to a council compelling action. Councils were all the same, as far as she was concerned. People bloated with self importance claiming to make decisions about the greater good, but in practice their primary focus is self preservation and maintaining an image. While she conceded the Jedi Council's motivations were more altruistic, the "peacekeepers" of a religious order acting as high level military officers rubbed her the wrong way. She'd seen it a hundred times before and it always ended the same way: slaughter.

"How did it go?" Rex asked as she and Skywalked departed.

Shepard shrugged a shoulder and rolled her eyes, "About the same as every council I've been involved with."

"Have patience, Shepard." Anakin reassured, "Your words made more impact than you realize. You can be quite persuasive. In the meantime, why don't you and Rex head back to the base and make preparations. I suspect we'll be off the ground before the end of the rotation."

"You never told me what you saw in Chaak's mind." She pointed out. "What did you see that makes you certain the Separatists are involved?"

Anakin paused, "I saw battle droids."

Her eyes narrowed slightly, "Anything else?"

"No. Nothing that I could make sense of. I have a couple things I need to discuss with Rex. Ahsoka will take you out."

"Alright." She agreed with a degree of suspicion and turned.

"Rex, I'm worried she's rusty. I want you to take her to the training simulator. Put her through her paces." He said quietly.

"Sir, Shepard is a career soldier and special operative. You don't just forget those skills."

"She hasn't seen a firefight in a year and her reaction to seeing her last battle has me concerned. I have to know she can take it before dropping her planet side."

Frustration flared in Rex. Skywalker didn't understand her response to that day. But it also wasn't his place to elaborate, so instead he nodded and jogged after her.

--

Shepard looked at the simulator from the observation deck. "Not bad. Training rounds or live fire?"

"Training rounds. It isn't as big as the one on Kamino, but it helps keep everyone sharp. Do you want to go a round? We could configure your kit. Maybe see if we can get a set of armor fitted."

"Uh-huh." She looked at him skeptically but agreed "Sure. Why not. You coming or am I running solo?"

As she spoke, several of his brothers strolled to them in full kit.

"I actually asked some of Torrent Company to join you. This is Fives, Jesse, Tup and Kix. Guys, this is Commander Shepard. General Skywalker has requested she join us for the next mission, council permitting."

They reflexively made protocol, though she could see amusement on Jesse's face.

"Pleasure to meet you formally." Fives said after jamming an elbow into Jesse's ribs. Both Tup and Kix were grinning widely. "Likewise." She replied, suppressing a grin herself.

"I'll take you to suit up." He turned to his men, "We'll meet you at the lift."

As they walked away, Jesse audibly snickered. "You owe me 20 creds, Fives."

"Yeah, yeah. You'll get it once we get paid."

--

Shepard rolled her shoulders and neck. It felt good to be back in a hardsuit with a weapons kit on her back, even was a poor fit. The boots had been hilariously oversized, so they improvised and strapped shin guards to her own. The chest and abdomen pieces were likewise an ill fit, but little could be done to modify the size and shape of the plastoid armor. She opted for the chest and arm pieces alone, leaving the stomach panel behind for the sake of mobility.

Her typical load out was akin to an ARC trooper, but without a proper fit, she wasn't able to carry all the parts of a kit she preferred. Rex doted over her attentively, which was a trial of her patience, but she also appreciated that he was trying to help and set her up for success. He gave her a rundown of the team's strengths and weaknesses as they left the locker room. The team was waiting at the lift to the simulator.

"Boys, I expect you to follow her orders as though they came from me. I'll be on the observation deck. Good luck, Shepard."

The loaded onto the lift. Shepard shook her head lightly and drew her rifle.

Rusty, my ass.

--

Three green lights illuminated in succession, then a red. An alarm blared and the doors opened. Shepard led her team out to cover. Two doors at far side of the arena opened. B1 battle droids emerged while two turrets activated. Torrent Comapny immediately returned fire. Their objective was to recover a beacon from the top of the structure at back of the arena. A simple game of capture the flag.

As soon as Shepard returned fire, she sorely missed her Alliance weapons. These blasters were underpowered and inaccurate. She was genuinely impressed the clone army was doing as well as they were with shoddy weapons and armor. Eventually they cleared the droids and maneuvered before the next wave started.

"Jesse, Kix, Tup. Take the left flank. Stay clear the turrets."

"Yes, sir." They replied and pushed forward. In the next wave, B2 droids emerged from entrances behind them to pin them down.

"Commander, we can't hold them back for long!" Tup shouted.

Shepard crouched behind cover and activated her Omni-Tool and Fives provided cover. A moment later, she stood, aimed her rifle, and fired. A crackle of electricity disrupted a group of the droids and suddenly they turned and began firing on others in the wave.

"Push forward!" She commanded.

They ducked through the turret fire and regrouped at the far quadrant of the arena.

"Fives, Kix, Tup. Hold this position. Jesse, you're with me. Wait here for my signal."

Her Omni-Tool flashed and she disappeared. The troopers looked around for a moment before continuing to provide cover fire. The hacked droids moved around the room, though one by one they were exploding. Suddenly, one of the turrets powered down.

"Cover me!" Jesse yelled and ran to the downed turret.

He rounded the backside and saw Shepard working at display panel.

"Watch my back"

"Yes, sir." He picked off the droids one by one.

--

From the observation deck, Anakin's brow furrowed, "How did she reprogram the droids so quickly?"

Obi-Wan watched intently. "What is she doing with the turret?"

Rex just smiled proudly.

--

After a long moment, the turret came back online and the second synched to its reprogrammed targeting. In short order, the room was cleared of droids. The team regrouped and began scaling the tower. On the third wave, four highly mobile droid commandos sprang from the entry. The turrets struggled to keep pace with their movements. Shepard pulled the rifle from her back and took aim. She targeted and took one out. Tup and Kix targeted another from the high ground to cover Jesse as he scaled the tower.

"Commander, on your left!" Fives yelled and fired over her shoulder.

The remaining two droids rushed forward. Fives destroyed one, but the other swung a vibrosword at Shepard. She dodged to the left and activated her omni-blade. As the orange blade unfolded she grabbed the droids sword arm with her right hand and pulled it downward. With ease, she jammed the blade between the droid's neck and shoulder and twisted. The droid's head severed and it fell in a heap of sparks.

"Where can I get one of those?" Fives asked.

Shepard chuckled and they scaled the tower with ease as the doors opened for another wave. Torrent stood aside so Shepard could claim the beacon. She lifted the meter long rod out of the socket and the simulation ended.

The clones removed their helmets and she was met with smiles, claps on the shoulders and nods of approval. Doffing her own helmet, she looked up at the observation deck and met Rex's beaming face. She smiled subtly and nodded to him.

Her expression tightened as she saw Skywalker speaking to another Jedi in close quarters. Rex turned toward their conversation. She recognized him from the council chambers. He stroked his beard with his arms crossed over his chest. Watching their mouths and gestures, she knew they were talking about her. She handed her helmet to Fives and tossed the beacon in the air to adjust her grip. Using a biotic push, she hurled the beacon like a spear toward the observation deck.

--

"This is highly irregular." Obi-Wan pointed out.

"She could be a valuable resource to us. She obviously has tools at her disposal we don't that could make a difference. If she's willing to help..."

"She's an unknown and we have enough of that as it is."

"But, Master-"

"One step at a time, Anakin. The council has approved you to take her along to recover her people. There's no need to-"

The end of the beacon suddenly impaled the safety glass. All three men ducked and drew their respective weapons. Confused, they looked back in simulator and saw Shepard staring defiantly at them. The troopers had stepped back in surprise. She activated her comm to Anakin's channel.

"Hope I wasn't too rusty for you, General." She dryly said and closed the line. She descended the structure in two bounds and angrily strode to the lift.

Rex glanced at Anakin and raised his brows. "Will there be anything else, sir?"

The 'I told you so' tone didn't go unnoticed.

"No, Rex. That'll do." After Rex made protocol and departed, he sighed heavily.

"Well, she's spirited." Obi-Wan said as the corners of his mouth curled upward. "I imagine she's a force to be reckoned with in the field."

"I know you're enjoying his. You could at least try not to."

Obi-wan snickered, "Let's just hope your padawan doesn't learn too much from her. Ahsoka is enough of a handful as it is."

‐--

Shepard shucked her gear in the empty locker room. Although frustration got the better of her after the match, she was trying to cool off and let it go. She heard the door open and poked her head around the bank of lockers. As she anticipated, Rex slowly approached.

"Did I pass their test?" She asked, her tone dripping with resentment.

"Yes." Rex answered quietly.

"Ya' know, get it. They wanted to see what I can do before taking me into the field. I expected this deceptive bullshit from the Jedi. I didn't expect it from you, Rex. Don't lie to me and certainly don't lie to me on their behalf. Make them do their own dirty work." She paused and took his hand, "Just because they aren't allowed to have attachments doesn't give them the right to exploit the attachments of others when it suits them."

"I'm sorry, Shepard." He met her eyes and smiled, "You really kicked ass in there."

She returned a smug grin, "You should see me out there with my gear. I had some cool toys. Your brothers did really well. Felt like I was with my old team again."

"I'll see what we can do to get a better fitting suit for you."

She turned her back after removing her grieves. Rex took advantage of the moment and savored the way the body glove clung to every curve. His eyes drifted down her back, across her hips and butt, down her legs and back up again as she turned back to him.

"Captain," she feigned surprise, "Were you ogling me?"

A dusky smile crossed his face, "I was doing more than ogling, Commander."

She hooked her fingers on the upper edge of his armor and pauldron and pulled him into her. They hadn't had any real time alone since he shipped out three weeks prior. Although she was happy to move their relationship at his pace, being alone in the locker room with the rush of adrenaline from the combat simulator left her unable to resist. He clearly felt the same, as he dropped his helmet on the bench and lifted her legs to his waist. She wrapped her hands around his shoulders and kissed him with her pent up energy. He returned her passion as his hands groped the curves he spent most of his free time fantasizing about.

Tonight. I want her tonight.