Day 14- Rexsoka: Late Night Caffeine

Ahsoka couldn't sleep. She didn't know why, and now she was feeling thirsty. The idea of getting up to get a drink was unappealing. However she had a feeling if she didn't do something about it, she wouldn't go back to sleep.

She sighed and swung her feet over the side of the bed. Gingerly placing them on the cold, metal floor she stood up. She grabbed her blanket and wrapped it around her. It wouldn't be a very nice trip over to the mess hall.

Mostly everybody must have been asleep, because it was practically silent all the way down to the mess hall. Anyone who was up was working on the bridge, but she couldn't here the chatter from where she was. The eery quiet was not to her liking; even the dull roar of the engine didn't provide it's usual comfort.

It was dark inside the mess hall when she opened the doors. However, there was a light towards the back left side of the room, indicating someone else was in here.

Ahsoka sighed. Explaining herself wouldn't be the hardest thing she supposed. And it was, to a degree, a comfort she didn't have to be in the vast, dark room by herself. That definitely wasn't to her liking.

As she made her way over she could make out that it was one of the troopers (not that it was incredibly surprising as they were the majority of the people on the ship).

Reaching the area and the edge of the light she now could see well enough to recognize it was Rex. She smiled.

"Well, good evening, Captain," Ahsoka said alerting the man to her presence. "What brings you down here?"

Rex turns around in surprise, a drink in hand. "Commander!" he nearly shouted, more out of being caught off guard than anything else. He could feel his face flush and wished for his helmet. Yet here he was, standing in front of his commander in just his fatigues. Not that she hadn't seen him in them before, but it was just them at the moment. In the mess hall. In the dark.

"What are you doing here?" Rex managed to ask, leaning against the small counter behind him.

Ahsoka shrugged. "I could ask you the same thing. But I was just down here to get a drink."

"Me too, actually," Rex said, rubbing the back of his neck. "Though, I suppose you can see that." He held up the cup in hand. "Did you just want water?"

Ahsoka nodded. "That was the idea. It's not like there's much else."

Rex chuckled. "Yeah, not much else...Do you want me to get it for you?"

"Sure, if you don't mind?" Ahsoka said, her smile widening.

"It's no trouble," Rex shrugged. "Can you hold that for me?" He handed her his cup.

Ahsoka took he cup and as he turned to fill one up for her, she took the lid off. "Rex...this isn't water."

"And?" Rex laughed nervously. "Is it any of your business what I'm drinking?"

"Well, not really I suppose," she responded slowly. "But usually people don't drink caffeine at this hour. What's up, Captain?"

"It's just some late night caf for some late night work," he said turning back around quickly. He took back his cup and gave her the water. "None of your business."

"Why are you doing work?" Ahsoka asked taking a sip.

"Because it needs to get done, that's why," the man quickly retorted. "What more reason do I need?"

"Well...none I suppose. Maybe Kix's approval, but...who am I to give orders." She stuck out her tongue.

Rex snorted. "Really? Can't you be a little more mature? Also, Kix has nothing to do with this."

Ahsoka smirked as Rex sipped his drink. "I could tell him. He wouldn't be happy."

Rex nearly choked. "You wouldn't dare!"

"Ha!" she declared triumphantly. "So you shouldn't be doing this!"

"I didn't say that!" Rex shot back. "Honestly. Hearing what you want..."

"Come on, Rex. You're not fooling anyone," Ahsoka smirked. "But..." she placed her cup down on a table and moved to Rex's side. "Maybe I won't tell Kix if you give me a drink."

Rex moved the cup out of her reach. "Absolutely not! You don't even like it and you know it. Not mention, you certainly don't need any at this hour. One sip will keep you up for the rest of the night. Then no one will sleep."

Ahsoka stuck out her lower lip. "I don't see why you can have some and I can't. That seems very unfair. Especially since Kix doesn't approve either way. Maybe we should all listen Kix."

"I don't go bouncing off the walls when I have caf," Rex said. "You, on the other hand, are unbearable and uncontrollable. No caffeine. And just leave Kix out of this."

"Fine," Ahsoka sighed as she retreated back to get her drink. "But I still don't think it's a good idea. All you guys are weird," she muttered into her cup.

Rex snorted and took a sip of his drink. "Says you! Have you heard yourself when you're on caf? Pretty weird."

Ahsoka glared. "At least I don't drink disproportionate amounts."

"Any amount of caf is disproportionate for you!" Rex almost shouted. "Besides, I'm drinking just one cup to keep me up for a couple more hours. That's it. I don't have as much as some of the other boys do, and you know it."

Ahsoka hummed. "Maybe I should do something about that then."

Rex rolled his eyes. "Maybe you should drink your water and go back to bed."

"Oh yeah?" she said raising one of the white markings above her eyes. "And what will you be doing?"

Rex sipped his drink. "Work."

"Or we could stand here and talk all night," Ahsoka said with an innocent smile.

"Because that's better than me doing work for a couple more hours and then getting rest?" Rex said cocking an eyebrow. "I don't think so. We both need rest. Come on. I'll walk you back to your room."

"Fine," Ahsoka yawned. "Have it your way."

"I will. Let's go." He pointed his head at the door and stood up straight. Instinctively, he reached out a hand to her. Though when she so willingly took it, he could feel himself blush again.

Rex turned off the light and they made their way to the door.

As they walked through the hallways of the ship back to Ahsoka's room, Rex could she her head begin to droop. It kept popping back up, but Rex could see his commander was struggling to keep her eyes open and head up.

Perhaps about halfway back, he stopped. Ahsoka head shot up, alarm on her face. "What is it?"

Rex laughed. "Nothing. Just that if we keep walking, you're gonna fall over. Mind if I carry you back instead? It seems I'll have to anyway. Probably best if we avoid you falling over."

Ahsoka giggled. "Prob'ly. You can carry me...if you want...if you don't mind."

Rex, cup still in hand, easily picked her up. "Trust me. It's nothing. I can carry the boys."

"Yeah," Ahsoka sighed, snuggling up to his chest, her cup clutched close to hers." "They're pretty heavy."

Rex chuckled. "Yeah they are."

The rest of the way back passed in silence. Ahsoka could feel herself falling asleep, and Rex could tell too.

When he reached her room, he carefully bent down and pressed the panel to open the door. He knew it wasn't wrong to be stepping inside her room, but it certainly felt like it. It's not as though it was even that different from his. Both being officers, the cabins had all the same features. Only difference was how things were arranged. And of course, it was her room.

But, all the same, Rex stepped in, and placed his cup on the table. He then walked over to her bed, and laid her down. He took her cup from her and set it on the floor.

Ahsoka whined a little, unhappy at the change from warm to cold. Rex smiled as she curled in on herself, pulling the blanket tighter around herself. Rex wondered if there was another a blanket.

Walking to the closet and opening it, he found another blanket. It was identical to the one she had, but another blanket meant extra warmth. And sure enough she could use it.

When Rex spread the second blanket on top of her she flinched, but relaxed as it settled down around her. She smiled. "Thank you," she mumbled.

"You're welcome," Rex whispered.

"Goodnight, Rex," Ahsoka said quietly.

Rex smiled. "Goodnight, Commander."