The words swam on the page as Rex desperately tried to focus, it had been almost two months since everything on Geonosis, so this report was long overdue. The General hadn't noticed it's absence yet but surely someone up the line soon would. But the truth was, every time he read through the casualty list he felt panic build up in his chest and tears come to his eyes.

Why this battle affected him so strongly he wasn't sure, he had watched thousands of his brothers die across dozens of worlds so he should be used to this.

'You know why it's harder now, a small traitorous voice told him, you've seen what life can be like for a brother outside of this war.'

As promised he had left Cut out of his report on Salucami but had been unable to push it from his mind. Rex was a good soldier, he followed orders, he had never allowed himself the luxury of wishing for a different life, but now in the quiet moments he found himself imagining what it might feel like, to have a wife tenderly kiss his cheek like Suu had done, or to have children running around, maybe a little girl with big blue eyes and orange and white markings like her mother...snap out of it soldier! Don't even finish that thought.

Shaking his head Rex pulled his focus back to his desk, thoughts like that could get him decommissioned. It was too late though, his thoughts drifted back to the other difference with Geonosis. He had almost lost her.

When the bomb had exploded without hearing that the commander was clear he had forced the shock and panic down assuming he just wasn't on the right comm frequency but once he heard General Unduli talking about how it must be their time something in him had snapped. Swapping to a different frequency he had shouted to his men to start shifting rubble

"I don't care what the generals say, we are not leaving her down there!"

"If it's any comfort Captain, General Skywalker seems to agree with you"

Coric had shot back as he lifted rubble.

Thanks to Ahsokas ingenuity she and Commander Offee had been rescued but seeing Skywalker be reprimanded for not being willing to leave them trapped and suffocating deeply shook Rex's faith in the Jedi as a whole.

That was another dangerous line of thought, although he supposed that while it was cynical, if he followed the Jedi creed to not have attachments this paperwork would be a breeze. Shaking away all the troublesome thoughts Rex got back to work.

He had barely made a dent when there was a knock at the door. Groaning he got up to open the door saying as he went,

"Dogma you'll get those kriffing reports when I'm done with them and not a minute sooner!"

Shit... instead of the uptight young trooper it was Commander Tano with her eyebrows raised at his outburst

"I, uh well I uh, I'm sorry Commander I was expecting someone else, I never would have cursed at you, please forgive me" laughing as she passed him into his office she shot back

"Rexter you know I can make Jessie blush with my language you have nothing to apologize for. You mentioned a report, can I help you?"

"Oh no it's fine I'm sure you have more important things to worry about."

"Captain everything that concerns my men is important to me, please let me help you."

Against such a compelling point he had no argument and joined her at his desk.

"Thank you Commander. So this is the list of everything we lost on Geonosis, we need to compile a list of everything we need replaced and list all the numbers of lost troopers"

"The numbers not the names? That's barbaric!"

He smiled slightly appreciating her indignation

"It is more practical but I agree with you, which is why I also keep a second list with their numbers, names and something about them. Technically it's considered a waste of time but I think it's important to remember them as indi..."

He trailed off as Ahsoka reached over to rest her hand on his

"Rex that's a wonderful thing to do. I can't imagine the emotional toll these reports take on you. If you'd like I want to help you with all of them from here on out."

He felt a blush rise on his neck, kriff things like that made it so much harder to put aside those unprofessional thoughts. She was usually so feisty that her softer side always caught him off guard. This time a gentle touch was enough to get his heart rate up but combined with such kindness and the fact that she wanted to spend time with him... he had dodged that train of thought once already this evening and was determined to do so again.

Clearing his throat he thanked her and they got to work. A few hours later as he put the final touches on their work he finally thought to ask her about why she had come to see him.

"So kid, what brought you down to the barracks this evening anyway?"

"Oh I almost forgot! I got something for you while I was running around the lower levels with Master Sinube"

Reaching into the bag at her side she pulled out a lumpy package and set it in front of him

"I know you're not supposed to have many possessions but I won't tell if you don't" she said with a wink.

He was too tired to fight the warm feeling spreading through him as she spoke. A present for him? He had never received any sort of gift before let alone from such a dear friend. Hang on did she say the lower levels?

"Wait when you you down in the lower levels? How deep did you go? It's not safe down there!"

Fascinated he watched the stripes on her lekku darken a bit in a blush.

"First off, I am a Jedi who has plenty of battle experience I can handle a few skugholes, but if you must know, I was tracking down my lightsaber..."

"how did your lightsaber end up way down there?"

He wasn't sure if he should be concerned or amused as she launched into her tale of woe

"And then I had to teach a bunch of younglings about the importance of patience and keeping a close eye on your weapon in trade for him not telling Skyguy about my mistake"

She finished with her face in her hands.

"It was so embarrassing but I did learn a lot and on the way back up I saw this in a window and thought you'd like it so open up so I can see if I was right!" Laughing he started to open the wrapping

"You're just trying to distract me from teasing you but it won't work, I'm laser focused as you well know."

He missed her response however as he examined the small Djarik board in front of him, marveling at the quality of the projections and the blue accents that were almost the same shade as the paint on the 501st armor.

"I know you have a version on your comms and this is kind of bulky but I thought you might like to be able to actually see your players instead of just blobs. Is it too impractical?"

Rex coughed to alleviate the sudden tightness in his chest, and tried to settle the butterflies swooping around his stomach. In a slightly gruff voice he said

"No it's perfect, I'm sure all the boys will appreciate having a real board to play on."

Pausing he actually made eye contact with her even though he was sure she would see his the emotions in his eyes

"Thank you Commander, I've never received a gift before, let alone one as thoughtful as this. I'm going to treasure it. And thank you for your help this evening, I was really struggling with that report..." her hand was on his again as she gave him a warm smile

"Anytime Rexter, I'm glad you like it. If you're not too tired want to play a round? I was thinking maybe we could get a post mission tradition going of paperwork and playing?"

Unable to speak past the lump that had formed in his throat he just nodded.

After a few rounds Ahsoka headed back up to her quarters with a smile on her face, he had won every time so far but she was a fast learner and would beat him sooner rather than later.

She had been a bit nervous that he would reject her gift as impractical or improper but he had seemed genuinely touched with her gesture. She treasured her friendship with the gruff Captain. It was perhaps bordering on the edge of what was an acceptable level of attachment for a Jedi, but in battle her attachment to her men had been an invaluable resource even if it occasionally came with the pain of their deaths.

Her smile fell as she thought of all the clones on that list. So many lives had been lost in this senseless conflict and with each battle it seemed less and less justified.

Sighing she promised to herself that she would do everything in her power to protect her men and end this cursed war as soon as she could.