Ahsoka is suffering from a crisis of confidence. Padme comes up with an idea to help restore it and asks Rex and the boys of the 501st to assist. In the process Rex reveals a surprising and unexpected talent.
You Don't Dance The Same as Everyone
Chapter 1
Invite
Senator Amidala strode along the sweeping corridors of the Senate building towards the speeder bays, her emerald green and gold skirts billowing behind her. A single Senate Guard tailed her, his silent presence largely ignored as she fumed over the latest debate where yet again money had been put before morals.
Rounding the corner, a slight figure standing by the window of a small anteroom caught her eye. As she swept passed, she registered the sienna skin and distinct outline of striped lekku and montrals curving upward from the figure's head. Padme stopped so abruptly that the following guard had to sidestep to avoid her, twisting sharply to follow her as she back tracked and stepped into the small chamber.
"Ma'am?"
"At ease Corporal…Ahsoka?"
The young Padawan was staring out of the panoramic window at the chaotic Courescant skyline, the never-ending lines of speeder traffic buzzing between soaring sky towers as the sun began to set, the orange sphere dipping towards the structural horizon, all squared corners and harsh lines. At the sound of her name she turned, a genuine smile gracing her features as she recognized the speaker.
"Senator Amidala" she said, dipping her head in a respectful bow. Padme smiled and stepped forward, taking Ahsoka's hands in her own.
"Come now Ahsoka, there's no need for such formality between friends"
She pulled the young Torgruta into a tight embrace which was returned with equal enthusiasm, Ahsoka's cool skin in contrast to her own warmth.
"What brings you to the Senate?" Padme said, trying to discreetly cast her eyes around for Anakin. A pointless gesture. She knew he wasn't there.
"Master is meeting with the Chancellor. Masters Obi-Wan and Yoda are with him. I…was told to wait here"
Padme immediately caught the under tone of resigned annoyance in Ahsoka's voice having been told yet again to make herself scarce whilst the 'adults' talked. As far as Padme was concerned, Ahsoka had proven herself more than capable on numerous occasions, having quickly learned to temper her over confidence and recklessness and channel that energy into listening and observing. The Padawan still had many lessons to learn but she was already considered an adept student and a proficient soldier. Anakin often spoke highly of her, as much as she frustrated him at times, but Padme wished he would lavish more of that praise directly on his Padawan as opposed to her. Anakin's Clone Captain, Rex, was better at the encouragement and praise element of Ahsoka's training. Initially any compliments were always delivered in the clipped, succinct, military manner that was so characteristic of the man. But, as Rex began to understand Ahsoka's personality and how she learned, the clone's infallible adaptability had proved invaluable once more as he adjusted his approach. Rex had relaxed his style, tempering his delivery with a small smile and the occasional gentle pat on the shoulder or wink of an amber eye but, importantly, he was never afraid to bring Ahsoka back down to planet side when needed either. Between Rex and Anakin, Ahsoka's natural ability had been nurtured and blossomed. Padme understood the Padawan's frustration all to well, as a young female senator, she often had to fight harder to have her voice heard. But Ahsoka seemed a little more deflated than usual, the ramrod straight, head high, confident posture that she had adopted from Anakin and Rex a little softer, her shoulders down and rounded, lekku limp and listless.
She gave her a sympathetic smile and squeezed Ahsoka's shoulders,
"Oh, let them wallow in their own importance, it makes them happy"
The young torgruta returned the smile, then dropped her gaze, eyeing Padme's outfit. The dress consisted of a close-fitting bodice of emerald silk with cut through panels that maintained her modesty with shimmering golden mesh. The same material clung to her arms and shoulders, closed at her wrists with gold cuffs. The emerald skirt draped from her hips, the hem brushing the floor and the side slit revealing the gold lining as she walked. Chains of gold beading glittered around her waist, complementing those that were entwined in the intricate braid of her brown hair that hung down her back.
"You look stunning as always Padme" Ahsoka said, turning away from her to look out of the window once more. The lowering light made Ahsoka's reflection in the plastiglass more visible and Padme watched as the young woman's blue eyes traced over her own image, scrutinizing her practical, if rather plain working dress of tunic and leggings. Then she scowled, her eyes returning to the view beyond the glass. Padme waved the Senate Guard, who had been hovering at the door, away. He saluted smartly and left without argument. She'd be safe enough in the company of a Jedi, Padawn or otherwise. She stepped up beside Ahsoka and examined their reflections. The two women couldn't look more different, the only similarity being their slight builds.
"Thank you…is something bothering you Ahsoka?"
The tips of Ahsoka's lekku curled slightly and she folded her arms across her chest, eyes sliding back to Padme's glittering reflection then to the floor. She seemed to be struggling with something, unsure of what to say. Padme gripped her shoulders, turning her to face her and dipping her head to try to catch Ahsoka's eye,
"Whatever it is, you can tell me"
Ahsoka squirmed slightly and wouldn't look at her, shuffling her weight from foot to foot.
"It's stupid" she mumbled,
"Not at all"
Ahsoka looked up without lifting her head and studied Padme's sincere expression from under the ridges of her brow markings.
"Its just…I…I don't..." she sighed with frustration then dropped her gaze again. Her next words were so quiet that Padme barely heard them,
"Am I pretty?"
Before her eyes, Ahsoka seemed to morph from a confident, fierce Jedi Padawan, a true warrior in the making, to an insecure teenage girl. The Padawan's confident persona and talent often belayed the fact that she was essentially still a child and although Ashoka's upbringing had been so very different from that of a normal youngling, it was no real surprise that she experienced the same worries and insecurities of any regular girl going through the process of growing up. Surrounded as she was by men, those men either governed her or deferred to her as their commanding officer and she spent very little time with other females and had few close female friends. She had seen Ahsoka with a Mirilian Padawan, Barris Offee, on a few occasions but she doubted the pair would ever sit in each other's quarters, discussing fashion and music and giggling over boys the way she had, even as Queen of Naboo. Jedi Padawans had very little time for fun, frivolity and generally being teenagers.
She reached out and lifted Ahsoka's chin with a delicate hand.
"You're beautiful Ahsoka, both inside and out"
She tilted Ashoka's face and brushed a thumb over her jaw, only releasing the girl's face when her blue eyes came up to look into her own brown ones.
"What's brought this on?"
"Nothing specific…I don't think anyway…maybe just…"
The white brow markings knitted together. Ahsoka had always been self-confident and even when she didn't feel that way, could easily act the part. But there had been times recently where she had felt uncomfortable in her own skin, not helped by the changes that her body was going through. She knew about puberty and how it would affect her, but what she had read and therefore expected was dwarfed by the reality. Togrutas matured later than humans but much quicker and at times the process could be both painful and unsettling.
She thought back to a few days prior when she and a small detachment of clones had been assigned to escort a Senator across Courescant. The man's family had been with them and his three daughters, a little older than her, had given her a withering look as she had walked through the door to greet them with four troopers at her back. Each woman had long golden blonde hair that fell in loose curls around their shoulders, clear, creamy skin and large almond shaped green eyes. Each was dressed lavishly and elegantly as dictated by their status, each outfit accentuating their figures. Their gaze took in Ahsoka's frayed and faded working rig, her dirty, dusty boots, sunset skin and striped lekku as they whispered and giggled behind their hands, unimpressed by her own title and the lightsabers at her belt. She had noticed the tilts of the clone trooper's helmets, angled towards the three young women and when the Senator had insisted that Sergeant Falkirk remove his bucket to talk to him, the clone's dark amber eyes had studied the three women as they smiled coquettishly at him and twisted their curls around delicate fingers. Falkirk had returned their smiles with a lopsided, roguish grin of his own, managing to stretch an extra inch of straightness out of his spine, shoulders rolling back and chest high, his handsome features set in an expression of open appreciation tempered by the professionalism that he was required to show. None of the clones had ever looked at her the way Falkirk was looking at the three girls as they giggled and preened at his attention. She had felt small, insignificant, dirty, dull and ugly.
Padme's silence made her look up and the Senator's expression made her realise that she had unthinkingly voiced her story. Ahsoka scowled, annoyed at herself and crossed her arms over her chest.
"Don't pity me Padme, it's stupid…I'm stupid"
Unexpectedly Padme laughed lightly and enveloped her in a tight embrace,
"Oh Ahsoka, it's not stupid, it's normal! All these worries about your body, your confidence, your abilities-"
She pulled back so she could look Ahsoka in the face and gave her a little, knowing smile,
"- the boys. It's all a perfectly normal part of growing up"
Huge, cerulean eyes looked back at her from an exotic patterned face of smooth sienna skin, framed by the colourful contrast of her stiped lekku. Ahsoka's athletic body showed the promise of a blossoming figure as she transitioned into womanhood. She was a beautiful teenager, very soon to be a stunning woman.
"But I'm not ordinary…I'm a Jedi Padawan"
"Who has exactly the same thoughts and feelings as any youngling no matter their species or status…and who also deserves to have some fun once in a while" Padme said, the beginnings of an idea blossoming. Ahsoka blinked at her,
"Fun?"
Padme grinned,
"Yes, fun"
She took Ahsoka's hand and led her towards the speeder bays, the Padawan putting up little resistance.
"Torrent Company are currently on leave, yes?"
"Er yeah"
"Excellent. You and I are heading to the shopping district right now, then tomorrow I want you to grab a few of the boys. We are going out on the town!"
Being dragged along in Padme's wake, Ahsoka frowned,
"Out on the town?"
"Yes Ahsoka. A few drinks, some dancing. It'll give the boys a chance to relax and you to have some fun"
"What about my Master?"
Padme ginned mischievously as she practically pushed Ahsoka into the waiting luxury private speeder,
"You just leave your Master to me"
Ahsoka looked thoughtful for a moment, then grinned, her eyes dancing,
"Fun?"
Padme put an arm around her shoulders,
"Fun"
###
Captain Rex stood in the middle of the parade ground to the front of the GAR barracks, watching as Cody's training Sergeants put his latest batch of Shinnies through their paces. Both Officers were armoured with their helmets clipped to their belts, enjoying the afternoon sun on the back of their necks.
"Not bad Cody"
Cody raised a dark brow and looked at his brother out of the corner of his eye.
"Not bad? I'd say they're looking pretty good"
A small smile played around Rex's lips,
"By 212th standards maybe" he said as another squad of orange and white clad troopers sprinted passed them. Cody harrumphed good naturedly and turned to him, folding his arms across his chest and dropping his weight into one hip,
"Not that I mind your company but what are you doing out here anyway? Aren't you on leave?"
Rex sighed,
"Technically yes, but you know what it's like for COs. Leave is a chance to catch up on paperwork and I had to get away from my desk for five minutes"
"You need to learn to delegate Rex. Privileges of rank"
Rex let out a bark of laughter,
"Delegate to whom? My Sergeant is a senior Medic, he's got enough paperwork of his own"
"So, promote someone to honorary admin assistant"
Rex 'hmmm'ed doubtfully.
Cody ginned and prodded him in the chest,
"Alright then Captain Control Freak have it your way"
He looked passed Rex and nodded,
"Incoming"
"Rex!"
Rex turned in time to brace himself before Ahsoka cannoned into him. Her arms snaked around his neck as he spun to take some of the momentum out of the collision, his arms encircling her waist and holding her against him to lessen the pressure on his neck. Cody side stepped smartly out of the way as the blur of blue, white, orange and burgundy whirled passed. As Rex planted his feet and the pair came to a halt, the bag the Ahsoka had in her hand thunked the Captain on the side of the head.
"Ow" he said flatly.
Practically nose to nose with him, Ahsoka giggled her huge blue eyes twinkling with amusement and delight,
"Hey Rex"
"Commander? Can I help you with something?"
"You certainly can Captain. You have any plans tonight?"
Rex blinked at her,
"Plans?"
Ashoka sighed and rolled her eyes,
"Are you doing anything later?"
"Admin"
Ahsoka wrinkled her nose,
"Why are you doing paperwork? You're on leave"
Rex shrugged, the movement making him realise that he was still holding Ahsoka against him, the petite female's toes dangling above the ground as she hung around his neck.
"Needs doing" he said, bending down to quickly but gently place her back on the ground.
She grasped the bag in front of her, practically bouncing on her toes,
"Well, it can wait" she said, reaching out and prodding him in his plackart,
"Grab some of the boys and dig out your best civvies Rexter. We are going out!"
"Out Sir?"
"Yes out. Partying, drinking, dancing? Senator Amedala has invited me, you and some of the boys to join her in the city for the evening"
She laughed as Rex's face slackened. This specific idea obviously did not compute. Off to the side Cody snickered, his dark amber eyes glittering with amusement.
"Oh, come on Rex, it'll be good for you and the boys to let your hair down"
"Figuratively speaking" Cody interjected, and Rex shot him a glare.
Ahsoka stepped closer to him,
"Please Rex. I want you to come" she winked at him and his eyebrows shot towards his hairline,
"Don't make me order you Captain" she said and stuck out her lower lip in a parody of a petulant child.
He looked down at her, her eyes dancing, her whole body almost vibrating with excitement, her expression so full of hope and sincerity. How could he say no to that face? His own expression softened and he sighed,
"Ok Commander. Time and place?"
Ahsoka squeaked and threw her arms around his waist, squeezing him tightly. She bobbed back, beaming at him,
"Nineteen hundred at Zenith. Don't be late" she shot over her shoulder as she bounced away,
"Bye Cody!"
Cody lifted a hand and waved at the retreating Padawan before turning to Rex, a wide grin splitting his angular features. Rex rubbed one hand over his face whilst holding up a stern finger under Cody's nose with the other,
"Don't. Say. A. Word" he growled, removing his hand and sliding the Marshall Commander a sideways look,
"It's not funny Cody!"
Cody chuckled,
"I'm sorry Vod but it really is" he said, thumping Rex on the back,
"Have to say I don't envy you though. Which of the boys are you going to choose?"
"The ones least likely to cause complete kriffing chaos"
"That doesn't narrow your choices down much"
"It'll be names in a helmet then. Excuse me Vod, I better go and sort this out" he sighed, turning away. When he was a few paces away, Cody called after him,
"Hey Rex? May the Force be with you"
Growling under his breath Rex threw a less than polite and very un-captainly hand gesture over his shoulder and Cody's laughter followed him as he stamped off the parade ground.
###
Rex swore when his comm link chirped. Dressed in only a towel slung low on his hips, elbow deep in his locker trying to dig out a set of civvies that would be appropriate for what, he had discovered, was a fairly up market club he automatically reached out and accepted the transmission without checking the caller ID.
"Rex here"
"Good evening Cap-oh"
Rex spun at the unfamiliar female voice and found Padme's holoimage looking back at him. He grabbed a t-shirt off his bunk and pulled it over his head, keeping one hand on his towel lest it betray him and his dignity as he snapped to attention.
"Senator. Please allow me to apologise for my state of dress"
Padme smiled,
"No apology necessary Captain. Please, stand at ease"
Rex slid into parade rest, still clutching his towel.
"I'm assuming you're getting ready to meet with Ahsoka and I?"
"Yes Ma'am"
"And which of the men will be joining us?"
"Coric, Kix, Jessie, Echo and Fives"
"How did you choose?"
Rex smiled,
"Three top scorers on the range and the medics deserve a break…will the General be joining us?"
Padme shook her head,
"He didn't want the men to feel like they had to be on their best behavior because he was there"
Rex tilted his head, one brow rising,
"They'll be on their best behavior, regardless of if the General is present or not. I'll make sure of that Ma'am"
Padme chuckled,
"He does pass on his wishes that you all enjoy yourselves and that you relax a little… and I have a personal favour to ask you Captain"
"Of course Senator, anything"
"You may have noticed that Ahsoka has been suffering a little crisis of confidence recently"
Rex blinked; his brow furrowed. The Commander had been a little quieter than usual as of late, but he'd put that down to her being tired and in need of some down time. Seeing her back to her bouncing, bubbly self earlier in the day had just affirmed that conclusion. Yet, here was Padme informing him that he'd completely misinterpreted the situation.
"No Ma'am, I er…hadn't noticed"
"She's at a pivotal age Captain and could do with a little extra assurance…"
'Pivotal age?...oh'
Sudden understanding blossomed. Rex had grown into adulthood at twice the rate a normal human being did and as such puberty had barely registered with him. That and the fact that he'd spent most of his teenage years dodging live ordinance, having training Sergeants screaming in his face and being drilled until he could barely stand, meant that all of 'that' had passed him by. He'd been a soldier from the day he was decanted, he hadn't had the time or the energy to worry about the things that normal teenage boys did.
"…you're a charming man Captain. I'd like you to turn some of that charm on Ahsoka this evening. Make her feel a little special…important"
Rex's brows almost hit his hairline. Charm Ahsoka? She was his commanding officer. Charming her would be highly inappropriate…but if it would help her?
"But she is important Ma'am"
"We know that, but she just needs a little confidence boost. Please Rex, I'm sorry if this is making you uncomfortable but I know I can trust you to do this without being inappropriate"
Her use of his name as opposed to his rank caught his attention. He held her projected, slightly pixelated gaze for a moment then sighed and nodded,
"Of course Senator, anything I can do to help"
Padme beamed at him, clasping her hands in front of her chest and he saw her shoulders relax. She'd obviously been unsure about asking him and uncertain of his reaction. She needn't have worried. If there was a chink in his armour, Ahsoka was it. The Padawan had him wrapped around her little orange finger…not that she knew that…he hoped.
"Thank you Rex and please, tonight it's Padme, not Senator"
"As you wish…Padme"
Padme's smile grew impossibly wider,
"See you later Rex…and Captain? Bring your dancing shoes"
She winked at him and the comm cut off. Rex sunk on to his bunk, running a palm over his head to rub the back of his neck. He reached into the draw by the bunk and pulled out a bottle of dark amber liquid. It was the one treat that he allowed himself on rare occasions, an expensive vintage that had been a gift from a grateful diplomat that he had once been seconded to to play bodyguard on one of his leave rotations. He unscrewed the cap and took a swig straight from the bottle, savoring the smokey flavour as it warmed his throat. Go out, enjoy himself, relax, keep the boys in line…and charm the Commander? Mission, reluctantly, accepted.
'Force help me'