On The Wings of a Hawk 12


an: Dont own clone wars or star wars.


Rex cursed there were assassin droids everywhere. No doubt trying to kill the Duchess and the other senators. A tremble rushed through him. The air around the hold area compressed. She came crashing down on the assassin droid. Her claws smashing the droid into the ground. The droid tried to struggle but the metal it was made of groaned in protest at her weight crushing down on it. A dark rumbling growl escaped her. Her eyes were damned near crimson. The clones stepped back away from her but brought their blasters up. She snarled at them. Flames shot up around her cooking the smaller droids.

"Easy guys!" Rex called. "Put the blasters down."

He approached her and even at him had her thrashing her tails throwing their sparks. The flames extinguished quickly. She shook herself bodily sending ash everywhere.

"Come on Moira," Rex said softly. "It's okay."

She snorted and her lips curled up baring her fangs. In seconds she had slammed on her back. The assassin droid dropped down from above and dragged its claws across her shoulder and hip. She snarled and swiped at the droid. Blaster shots and the swish of a saber the assassin droid fell. Moira shook her head wildly trying to clear the rage inside of her. Rex approached her without the fear that the others showed. Rex reached up and ran his hands down over her face.

"Come on Moira it's alright."

She growled softly as the others tried to take a step towards her.

"Leave us alone for a bit. I have to get her to calm down."

"Let's go men," Anakin said softly knowing that Rex was right.

They all retreated leaving the injured assassin alone with Rex. They knew she wouldn't hurt him. A heavy sigh escaped him at the aches he was feeling. Moira was leaning against the wall. Her head was bowed.

"Moira?"

"Sorry I couldn't have gotten here sooner."

He didn't understand her need to apologize to him when she couldn't get to him in time for something. He being a soldier too understood that things happened and she couldn't be there every minute of every day.

"Moira you're not going to be able to save me every single time I get hurt or something goes wrong. You even warned me before that it could happen."

She looked at him sideways with a pointed look.

"I'm going to damn well try."

He laughed softly. Moira rose and shook herself bodily. "I'm good now. Should probably make sure the others are alright."

He nodded his head. The two of them went to the lift to get them up on the main deck. Rex leaned against Moira as they hit the floor they needed to be on. Her wings were mantled over Rex's head. Moira shouldered his weight easily as they walked down the hall. Her ears flicked forward hearing a familiar annoying voice. She stopped moving making Rex stop beside her. He saw Anakin, Obi-Wan and Duchess Satine. Then he noticed how close the last two were standing next to each other.

Moira stood there and her tails were thrashing back and forth a bit betraying what she was dealing with on the inside.

"Moira? Something wrong?" Rex asked her softly.

Moira sighed softly in annoyance. Seeing Obi-Wan with his Mandalorian Duchess made something stir inside of her, but not for herself. No one knew but Kali made her swear not to do anything against the woman. Though, she understood on some sort of level what Kali had to hold back. "Moira?"

"I'm okay Rex."

"What is it?"

"Being the One to our kind means very little to some people and it just ruffles our feathers a little."

Obi-Wan sent a sharp look her way having heard her. Her ears flicked forward and a soft growl escaped her.

"Moira, leave it alone," Obi-Wan called.

"Get over yourself Kenobi. I wouldn't waste my time. I have no contract on her."

Moira shook herself bodily and stood up straight next to Rex. Her lips curled up showing off her fangs. Satine moved forward towards Moira but Obi-Wan stopped her from getting too close to the assassin.

"Where did you get that mark?" the Duchess called to her.

A dark look washed through her eyes. A warning growl escaped her. The thought of that arrogant brat made her insides twist with anger. She had to fight down everything within her not to lash out. Even if she were a descendant of that brat, she was not him.

"That isn't any of your concern Duchess," she retorted in the language of the Mandalorians.

Rex reached up and tugged on her neck ruff to draw her attention to him before she started a fight. But trying to move her was like moving a huge rock by brute strength alone.

"Moira… One…" he murmured softly in her language.

Her body went still hearing him call her that. She turned her head and rested her forehead against his. The jaig eyes completed itself as their foreheads touched. There was a sense of calm that washed over the two of them as they stood there basking in each other's presence.

"She's lucky you're here to keep me calm," she murmured softly in her language.

She didn't want the Duchess to understand her. What she did wasn't any of the woman's concern.

"Kali would hurt you if you went after her."

"She's lucky also that Kali has made it known to refuse any contracts on the Duchess. Many would pay our clan handsomely to end her."

"Moira!" Kenobi snarled. "Enough!"

"She can't even understand me," Moira snapped at him.

"But I can and I don't appreciate what's being said."

Moira snorted and turned. Blood was smeared down her sides.

"When have I ever cared what you had to say?" she challenged back.

Knowing it was useless in the end she snorted. One could never control their heart. It always did what it wanted.

"You're injured," Satine called to her.

She stopped flexing her wings and stared at the Duchess. Her tails swished back and forth throwing off false sparks.

"My injures are nothing and your concern isn't necessary."

"You were injured in my defense…"

"Oh please I wouldn't defend you. My actions are in defense of my One."

All eyes shot to Rex. She was sure he was blushing under his helmet if his rapid heartbeat was anything to go by. She shook herself to hide the smile. Satine was staring at her with a thoughtful expression on her face.

"You must've done something to earn that mark from a Mandalorian."

"Not that it's any of your business, Duchess," she hissed. "Four hundred years ago I did something to help a Mandalorian and it brought a lot of pain. I wouldn't do it again much less help you."

Obi-Wan was about ready to say something she snarl at him. "It's by happenstance you are still able to walk away."

Turning she walked down the hallway and jumped. A single feather fluttered to the ground in her wake.

Rex shook his head after she left. If one thing was true about his One she knew how to make an entrances and exits. Moving forward he reached down and picked up the feather and stuffed it in his belt. Satine was watching him. She approached him slowly.

"You know her?" she asked cautiously.

"Yes."

"They are partners," Obi-Wan told her as he approached them. "In the fashion of her clan."

"The assassin part?"

"Moira's Clan are assassins by trade."

The Duchess visibly tensed. Rex watched the two of them.

"And you let her go?"

"There isn't a contract on you within the Clan because of her sister. Besides you can't exactly trap someone like Moira even if you wanted to."

"What does…"

"You're being protected by the Clan. They will not interfere in anything pertaining to you. Moira's only drive is protect Rex. We're on the same side so she helps us too."

Rex shook his head and went to rejoin his brothers. As he was walking down the hall a hand came out and yanked him into a dark room. It took him only a second to recognize his One.

"Really?" he groused softly.

She reached up and pulled off his helmet and sat it on a shelf.

"Are you alright?" she asked worriedly.

"You didn't stay away long and of course I'm alright Moira."

She wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her head on his chest. Rex smiled and rested his chin on top of her head.

"What's wrong?" he murmured softly.

"Just hurts my heart for Kali seeing those two like that."

"Kali is stronger than you know."

"I know she is. Stronger than any of us in some ways."

That set his mind to wondering. He knew the question might upset her but some part of him had to ask.

"If I fell in love with someone else would you walk away?"

He didn't think she'd answer him at the look on her face. Then a heavy sigh escaped her as she stepped away from him for a moment. There was a moment of remorse that washed through him.

"I wouldn't like it but yes, I'd step back."

The answer surprised and yet touched him. If he'd learned anything about his One was how protective she was of him. He pulled her back against him.

"No you wouldn't," he teased.

"You're right I would fight for you first. I've waited over four hundred years for you and I wouldn't let you go without a fight."

She pulled back stared up at him. He smiled softly down at his One. Leaning down Rex kissed her softly. Moira pulled back first.

"I really need to get back," he told her softly.

A nod of acceptance was her answer. He placed a soft kiss on her lips once more.

"I love you," she murmured softly in her language.

"I know," he replied to her in her language.

"You're learning."

"There's a lot of nights I couldn't sleep so I started learning."

"You'll have it down in no time."

"My Beloved One," Rex said.

He saw her freeze. Then he hoped he hadn't said it wrong. "Did I not say it right?"

A huge grin spread across her face easing his worry.

"No you said it right Beloved One. I just didn't think…"

Tears formed in her eyes. He reached up and brushed them away with his thumbs. He was sure that she hadn't expected him to regard her like that yet. Some of their meetings hadn't always been on good terms, but the words had felt right to him to say to her.

"I meant what I said Moira."

"I know."

She reached up and placed her hand over his heart. "I can feel it. When you get back to Corosaunt let me know. I want to show you something."

"Will do."

She leaned up and kissed him again before she stepped out of his hold and vanished. There was a warm feeling pulsing in his chest at finally saying the words aloud.

Rex grabbed his gear as he stepped off the Senators ship. Cat calling caught his attention as he saw someone from Moira's clan saunter towards him. He recognized the woman but wasn't sure from where specifically. Her long mint green hair swished behind her. It was tipped in blue. Her wings were a mixture of blues like an angry ocean. The markings on her face were a darker blue than Moira's were. Then he remembered she'd flashed in an out of battles.

"Rex," she called.

He stepped towards her.

"Get back to work!" he barked at the others to get them moving.

A couple had the decency to laugh nervously and walk away. She laughed softly.

"What brings you here…"

The woman seemed to blush a bit in embarrassment.

"I'm sorry Rex we haven't been formally introduced. I'm Maris. I'm a friend of Moira's."

"What brings you here?"

"Moira wanted me to deliver a message to you."

She handed him the message. He looked it over for a moment and then back at the Fate.

"She really made you…"

Maris just laughed softly and shook her head.

"I was here anyway. Going to meet with a friend before he leaves on his next mission."

She seemed a bit flustered for some reason.

"Are you alright?"

She seemed to shake herself from whatever she was thinking about.

"Yes. Sorry Rex. It was nice meeting you, but I really need to go."

Before he could reply she vanished.

"Jumping it is."

Shaking his head he headed towards the barracks.

Rex looked at the address that Maris had given him. He was about ready to knock when a loud crash and the sounds of struggling. It sounded like something heavy was smashed against something else. Getting his blasters ready he kicked the door in. Isra had a malicious grin on her face as she had Moira in a choke hold. Blood was running down the side of her face and red was staining her side. The latter was also in a light wise state of injuries. There was blood splattered across the wall in places. It looked like crime scene. There was scorch marks on the walls and furniture from their fight. Isra's normally green saber was flickering red.

"Isra let her go."

"No I think I'll end her once and for all. Then if you survive the backlash Rex you'll be next."

Moira's eyes flashed red. Her wings flexed but Isra kept her hold on Moira. A dark rumbling growl was coming from Moira and he could tell she was fighting the urge to shift.

"You touch him I'll rip your throat out."

"Empty threats Moira I have the upper hand. You were always the weaker one."

The close proximity to the blade made the skin burn a bit. Rex didn't know what to do. Moira's eyes flashed back to their normal electric blue. Unease washed through him at that. There was something telling him that he wasn't going to like what was about to happen.

"Rex," she called softly.

His gaze was drawn to her. "I'm sorry."

The two vanished in a flurry of feathers. Rex gasped as it felt like someone slamming something heavy against his chest as an echo of something wet snapping. His knees gave out as he sank to the floor heavily. Her apology was echoing through his mind. He didn't know what to do. They were gone to somewhere he couldn't follow and he didn't know where to go to even begin to find her. The door swung open wildly and feet rushing towards him didn't even stir him in the echoes of the pain he was feeling. Someone shaking him and calling his name had him snapping out of it. He recognized Kali and Maris. Ajax flashed in moments later.

"Rex what the hell happened?" Kali demanded.

He shook his head trying to clear the stupor that whatever had happened had put him in.

"Isra… they fought and Moira she looked at me and apologized and they vanished. I heard a wet crack and then pain hit me in the chest."

Kali looked at Rex worriedly. Looking over her shoulder at Ajax her eyes hardened. This was the no nonsense warrior.

"Find her," she snarled at her brother.

"I've never felt pain like this before is… is she dead?"

"No," she murmured softly. "At least not yet. You'd be hurting a whole lot more if she were. Even Ahsoka would feel it if Moira died."

The whoosh of air at the two of them rose to their feet. Leaning heavily against Ajax was Moira. There was blood all over her and he was sure not all of it was hers. There were also burn marks dotting her body. He was sure from the lightsaber.

"It's over," she murmured finally. "It's over."

She sagged completely against her brother. Rex moved forward and carefully took Moira from Ajax.

"The Arbitrators are going to have a field day with this one," Ajax grumbled.

Maris looked between the three.

"You guys go back and deal with the Arbitrators and I'm sure Rex can take care of Moira."

"I'll get the droids to clean the mess up before I get back to what I was doing."

They nodded their heads in agreement. Rex moved forward and carefully scooped Moira up bridal style.

"Upstairs third bedroom on the left," Kali told him before she and Ajax left.

Rex gave a curt nod as he started walking up the stairs. Her forehead was resting against his neck.

"Are you alright?" he finally murmured.

"I've been better and I've been worse."

He approached her room. Tiredly she reached out and touched the pad on the door to open it.

"I've never felt anything like that before," he murmured as he carried her inside.

"Hopefully you'll never have to feel that again."

"Kali says it could be worse."

"The backlash when I die will be worse."

His wrist started beeping annoyingly. Carefully he sat her down.

"Rex get out here we're going to be late!" Ahsoka growled.

"Give me a minute."

Moira laughed softly at the two of them.

"What?" Rex asked her softly.

"The two of you are two of a kind. Watch each other's back and it'll be okay in the end."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Just take care of her Rex. Oh before you go can you put my shoulder back in place."

He started at her question.

"Moira!"

He moved forward and aligned her shoulder. "Ready?"

"As I'll ever be."

Take a deep breath he forcefully popped her shoulder back in place. A grunt of pain and a soft sigh escaped her.

"Rest. I'm sure you'll be barging into our battles soon enough."

She grunted softly as she laid back against the wall. And smiled tiredly at him. "Are you sure that you'll be okay?"

"Been through worse."

"So I've been told more than once."

She laughed softly and closed her eyes.

"Go on Rex before Ahsoka comes in here."

Moira leaned against the wall. Rex reluctantly left. Leaning forward she managed to get up. Her wings furled out of their full length. That took a lot of strength to do that much.

"He's going to need to know."

She looked over her shoulder at her sister. Her eyes narrowed.

"He doesn't need to know right now."

"That is your choice Moira but someday that might bite you in the ass."

"I know," she sighed tiredly. "But for now. I want to keep him close for as long as I can."

Kali shook her head and walked out the door. Moira's wings drooped for a moment before her eyes hardened and she was ready to fight.