On The Wings of a Hawk
Chapter 8: Stealth Medicine
Disclaimer: Don't own Star Wars.
Rex sighed softly in annoyance as he stalked the halls of their ship. There was a twinge in his neck that was annoying him but for the time being he'd brush it off along with all the other aches in his body. There was a headache starting to form behind his eyes. He opened the door to his room and the lights didn't click on, but it was something that didn't register at that moment to care. Rex placed his helmet on the night stand before flopped down on his bunk. The door shut and he closed his eyes. His mind was whirling on everything that was going on around him. Then his mind settled on the Fate that constantly showed up to help him. He didn't understand her completely but one thing he knew was that he could easily find a comfortable friendship with her and maybe one day more. Rex knew that was what Moira wanted something more.
"Rex, are you okay?" he heard a soft voice whisper.
He tensed but then relaxed recognizing the voice. Inwardly he was cursing himself. If she'd been an enemy he would've been dead. He didn't even open his eyes to even try to look for her in the darkened room. Though he had the feeling she would remind him how dangerous it was to be so lax.
"It's dangerous for you to be here," he murmured.
She didn't respond for a moment but he heard the shifting of her wings over cloth.
"You're stressed out Rex."
"Its war, of course I am."
"That's not what I meant and you know it. Despite what you think Rex I can feel the tension in you and I can see it. It's triggering the headache you have."
"I'm not really in the mood for this Moira. I need to sleep while I can."
She huffed softly and moved in the darkness. He could barely make out her outline as she moved. "Sit up and take your armor off."
He felt his cheeks heat up at her words. Shaking it off Rex tried to think of something else to get her to leave. Some of his brothers wouldn't leave him alone about her and it wouldn't do any good for them to find her here. Then his General didn't think much of her either and the feeling was mutual. Though, he couldn't pinpoint what it was that the two of them were so hostile to one another. If he were to ask her point blank she probably wouldn't say anything.
"I don't think that'll be necessary."
"Rex, you're tense and if you're hurt you're not going to be able to focus clearly. So just let me help you."
"I don't think…"
"You trust me to watch your back and stand next to you on the battlefield. So just trust me Rex I'm not going to jump you."
"You'd like to," he shot back carelessly.
He felt stupid for saying it but her response stopped him;
"You got me," she murmured dryly. "That's all I want at this point. Come on Rex I'm not some hormonal teenager. I'm only reckless when I need to be. Your pain called to me as it always does. "
Her irritation level at him was starting to rise almost to the point he felt like she was going to beat him to death. His mind and common sense were telling him two different things, but common sense won out at that moment. Sighing softly he knew she wouldn't leave him alone until she got her way. He stripped down to his black clothing underneath his armor.
"Shirt off, Rex," she purred.
Rolling his eyes he tossed his shirt off. For some reason he couldn't meet her eyes undressed like this even though it was partially. Even though he couldn't see her eyes clearly he knew she could see his. She was waiting for him to respond to her.
"You're so demanding."
"Lay face down on the bunk."
He didn't know why he was humoring her but something told him he could trust her with his life. Sighing softly he laid down and rested his chin on his folded arms. She rustled in her bag and got something out. He couldn't see what it was clearly. Before she sat down on his back she popped the top on a bottle and poured something on her hands. He tensed underneath her but knowing it wouldn't help her irritation level he settled down and relaxed as best that he could.
"Don't you need the light on to work?"
"No, my sight is keen even in the dark thanks to the predator I can become."
She rubbed her hands again. He assumed it was some type of oil or lotion. He didn't smell it right away which he hoped was a good thing. Didn't want the guys to smell some flowery stuff.
"Is that necessary?"
"Will you just shut up and trust me?"
Shaking his head he closed his eyes. Her gentle hands worked over his back working out the tension and knots. He was tense but relaxed into her gentle care. When she got to his neck all tension started melting away. The scent was subtle and soothing. The silence was companionable but he wanted her to speak with him.
"What's that smell? I expected something different."
"It comes from the pine trees of my home world and another plant mixed it. One meant to soothe the aches and another to help with sleep. I could've brought a more flowery scent, but I figured you'd kill me if I did."
"Where did you learn this?"
"The healers from our Clan taught me basic healing as is necessary in our work sometimes."
"I find that hard to believe being what you are."
"Well more or less my best friend Vega taught me the message part of the healing process. We are taught how to treat wounds and things Rex we do get into fights and get hurt. Besides, I was worried about you going into battle this tense and wound up."
"She get annoyed that you were whining to her about it?"
"You are important to me Rex of course I was worried about you and she understands about being worried about those you care about. Vega's One has already gone into the other world."
They slipped into a silence again. He had a lot of things on his mind when it came to her but never had the chance to voice it. Then a question that had been bugging him since they last saw each other he wanted to ask her about it.
"So that contract that the Goddess punished you for…"
Her hands tensed only for a moment, but soon resumed her kneading. He wondered if it was a sore subject for her what she'd done in the past. Though, there was the feeling that she didn't regret a lot that she'd done in her life to get to this point to be able to stand beside him. He was sure that she wouldn't answer him but after a heavy breath she spoke up.
"It was a Sith Lord. I took a contract to cut his line even though our Clan swore not to take on contracts like that."
"Why did you take it even though cutting a Sith Lord's line would've probably saved a lot of lives?"
A humorless laugh escaped her lips. He could feel her shaking her head as she continued to work.
"I would've thought that would've been obvious why our clan shouldn't have taken that contract. There are other factors but the glaringly obvious one should've been enough."
Her hands kept working and easily. Then realization dawned on him.
"I would've thought peace of the worlds would've been more important."
"Another would've risen up to take his place but there wouldn't have been a guarantee that you and your brothers would've come into existence. Despite what you think I couldn't risk that. I paid the price for my decision from the Goddess and the man I almost killed. Don't think on it to much Rex. It's done. You cannot change the past so easily."
"You can change it?"
"There are ways but they are very risky even if you succeed. Not to mention none of the Seers of our clan would risk their lives to prevent a war that was inevitable from the beginning."
The back of his mind was tingling as if telling him not to linger on this line of conversation. Then she started singing softly in her home language, but he couldn't understand. His eyes were getting heavy with the gentle motion of her hands and the scent of the lotion found himself slipping easily into sleep with nothing on his mind but the soft sound of her voice.
He woke with a start at the loud knocking on his door. Moira wasn't anywhere to be found. He was lying as he'd been when Moira messaged his back. He felt better than he'd done in a long time. The blanket was over his body completely. He wondered how long he'd been asleep the scent of the plant lotion she'd used was barely detectable. He flexed his hands to get the blood flowing again from falling asleep as he did. He sat up and the tension in his neck and shoulders was completely gone. The charm around his neck beat softly like a heartbeat and was warm to the touch. It wasn't like when she was angry and it was blistering hot but a soft gentle warmth. His thumb ran over the necklace tracing its curves and lines absently.
"Rex you awake?" he heard from the other side of the door.
It took him a couple minutes to orientate himself to what was going on and what he heard. Shaking his head he tried to clear the fog in his mind that came with a deep sleep.
"Yes General I'm awake."
"Be on the Bridge in ten."
"Will do sir."
The light came on and there was a note on top of his neatly stacked armor. The Jaig Eyes in blue was on the cover. Flipping it over he read what was on it.
'Take better care of yourself Rex. I'll see you soon.'
The last couple words were written in a script he'd never seen before and he assumed it was her home language. He wondered what it meant, but shrugging it off he tucked the note away and he'd figure out what it was later when he had a minute to get the pad she'd given him out. With practiced ease he dressed himself and headed towards the bridge.
They went over the battle plans on how to deploy the new weapon to get past the blockade. Ahsoka was standing there beside him. Rex looked at the young learner.
"Something on your mind Captain?" she murmured.
"No."
They turned to walk down the halls.
"What's really bothering you Rex?"
He didn't have to say it out loud but Ahsoka knew what was troubling him.
"How easily she gets in and out of places."
"It's one of her skills."
"What if someone convinces her to turn?"
"You honestly think someone could get her to turn willingly?"
"I don't…"
"Moira will fight beside you till her dying day Rex be sure of that."
"I have no doubt about that."
"Then what are you really worried about?"
"How fast things are moving."
"Rex Moira will respect your wishes if it's moving too fast for you. Just say something to her. She's not a monster or a stalker… well she can act like a stalker sometimes."
He looked at Ahsoka like she'd lost her mind then a soft chuckle escaped him. Sometimes Ahsoka acted like she was older than she was with some small form of wisdom and sometimes she was as childish as she could be.
"How did you get Moira's charm?"
"I met her at the temple not long after Master Ploh brought me in. It wasn't amusing then but it is now. She walked up to me and told me I was destined to do great things."
"Great things?"
"Yes, and she also told me that there was someone that I needed to walk beside. I wasn't sure what she meant but she handed me that charm and told me that she was under her protection and the protection of the clan."
"That sounds like her."
"In Moira's way of thinking Rex everything always leads back to you."
He looked at her and knew that her words were truth.
"Maybe your right kid on that part at least."
"Of course I am. She's very dedicated to you."
The two of them walked towards the hanger in companionable silence. Some of his men and General Skywalker were waiting for him.
"Good luck out there Rex."
He tilted his head to the side and gave a curt nod before putting his helmet on and heading towards the shuttle to go rescue Master Koth from General Grievous.
