On the Wings of a Hawk
14: A Talk
Disclaimer: Don't own Star Wars.
Rex sighed softly as he sat on a rock staring off into the distance. He was thinking about what Moira had told him the other day. Being what he was he was trying to weigh out his options in the end. Moira would leave this up to him how to take the next step. Though, he'd never admit out loud that he wondered what would happen if he made it through this war to create a family with Moira. Unconsciously he reached up and ran his thumb over the necklace he wore. It warmed underneath his thumbs knowing that she was trying to reassure him. As it stood he didn't think he could imagine a life without her in it. The feathers under his armor felt like a comforting warmth. The sound of pounding wings made him look up. Kali landed gracefully in front of him. Panic raced through him thinking something had happened to Moira. He rose up.
"Easy Rex," Kali called softly.
He relaxed seeing her. Then his thoughts went racing that something had happened to Moira. Before he could arrange his almost ready to be frantic question Kali raised a hand.
"Kali…"
"Easy Rex nothing is wrong with Moira I just needed to talk to you about something."
He eyed her warily.
"About what?"
"About my sister."
He had a feeling he wasn't going to be a social call or at least one he wanted to have. Kali hardly spoke to him but now he was curious at what she had to say away from her sister. Taking a deep breath as he watched the other woman quietly. Her long wings fanned out as she looked around the world they were fighting on. The silence wasn't a comfortable silence.
"What about her?"
"I know Moira mentioned the fact to you that you don't have a complete bond."
"You mean The Bond?"
"Yes."
"I also learned she has the half assed third gift. Said something about bad coming, but wouldn't elaborate."
"She's right and so are you."
"She also told me that she wanted to marry me in your clan's ways and have a family with me."
"All that is up to you Rex and you know she wouldn't push you even though she wants it with everything that she is."
"Then why not complete the bonding that she obviously wants between us?"
"Rex I know it's hard to comprehend but the price of what we see is really high and she wants you most of all to survive the bad to come."
"I can protect myself."
A smile crossed her features.
"We're not saying you can't Rex I assure you, but things have to pass as they need to. It's not clear but it's something she has to do and doesn't want you hurt."
His thoughts turned inward. Rex then looked at Kali. The older woman watched him for a moment. "What?" she asked softly.
He knew it was her instinct to protect him and he trusted her judgment even though it irked him a bit that she wouldn't let him protect her too. It was kind of ironic that of all those who looked the same she chose him. Even though he had great faith in her he should trust her with this.
"When your clan members have agreed to marry each other what do they exchange?"
Kali smiled softly knowing he already wanted to be with Moira just as much as she did. That warmed her heart to see that there was the makings of a great bond that would last for a bunch of lifetimes.
"Feathers, but considering the circumstances Moira would be happy with anything that you give her."
"Can I ask you why she only wants to marry in your clans ways?"
"We don't keep records Rex like the Republic does and it's for the best that the Republic doesn't know our kind exist."
That made him start.
"But they've seen you. You've fought beside them."
A soft smile escaped her as she turned her head.
"Seeing and knowing are two different things. Even the Jedi's knowledge is limited about our kind. Obi-Wan and Kit know to not mention our kind to anyone outside the circle. Even Master Yoda knows not to ask questions of our kind."
"I don't understand that."
"It's how we've operated for a long time Rex. Moira told me Keahi was there that night she faced you for the first time."
"Keahi?"
"Red colored wings."
Rex searched inward and remembered that night and who'd she'd showed herself to. He'd seen her before too in another fight but couldn't remember when. Then a memory hit him on who Keahi had come to see that night.
"Cody."
Kali nodded her head.
"Keahi approached Cody that once but hasn't shown herself to him since."
He frowned at those words. Ugly thoughts swirled at that implication. He was sure there were those that didn't like his kind in their clan but he wasn't sure that Moira would associate with one.
"One of those…"
"No, not one of those. Keahi just stepped away for Cody's safety."
"Safety?"
"It's for the best that you not ask about that one. But, you know it's up to you Rex on what the relationship becomes. You could marry her in our way, or you could walk away from her."
"I don't think I can at this point."
"Even if you did she'd still protect you it's in her nature to do so."
"I know."
A look crossed Kali's face that he didn't like what she was about ready to say to him.
"You could become friends with benefits."
He snorted at what she'd said. That idea sounded appalling to him. He knew Moira, and she wouldn't be okay with that.
"I know your sister well enough to know she wouldn't ever allow that to happen."
"You're right about that. She's an all or nothing kind of person."
"You've seen the future too right? That is your gift."
"It is."
"Have you seen this coming bad also?"
"Yes and that's all I'll say about it Rex. But in that light Rex if you love my sister don't hold back. We all aren't guaranteed a future past the next day."
"Is that a threat or a promise?"
"It's a fact of life you should know that. Just because we can see the future with more clarity than the Jedi do doesn't mean we can act to change it. There are consequences."
"You keep saying that."
"Because it is the truth. It's another reason we do not want records kept of our clan. Others would force us to get the information and then wouldn't care about the consequences. It's a delicate balance that was created by the Goddess to make sure we don't overstep the bounds of what is written."
"So if someone you cared about was going to die you wouldn't try to do something damn the consequences?"
"We'll all die someday Rex. It's the fate of all creatures just some live shorter lives."
"You still wouldn't at least try?"
"There are times I will endure that suffering that will come. Just like you will endure suffering as it comes."
Kali smiled softly at him. "With all that you know about my sister Rex and make you choice. She loves you and has loved you for centuries and it is up to you where this goes. She may not agree with your choice if you choose not to be with her, but she will respect your wishes."
"I don't understand how she can be so loyal to one person for so long."
The look that crossed Kali's face made him tense. She smiled and shook her head.
"Wolves mate for life. It's in her nature."
A whoosh of feathers had him turning his head. Ajax was standing there with his arms crossed and his wings fanned out. He wondered if this was their version or a pep talk or a threatening session. Though considering they were here without Moira it was a bit of both.
"Take care with our sister Rex," Ajax growled. "Or you'll regret it."
"Ajax leave him alone."
"I'm her big brother I'm allowed to do this. It's written down… somewhere…"
A soft chuckle escaped Rex at the Fates.
"Just think on what I've said."
He nodded his head at Kali's request. The two vanished and he turned to return to his team. It kept his mind busy when he wasn't out fighting against the Separatist armies.
The a week later found him on a field of battle. Moira came in to help. She came crashing down heavily on the droids around her as she lashed out with her wings and paws. He couldn't help but be in awe of her grace and ease as she fought. Leaping forward she shifted and they started fighting side by side as if they'd been doing it all their lives. That was the way he wanted it.
Once the battle was won Moira stepped away from the group and started going through some exercises he'd seen her do before. The tall trees shaded her as she moved like a seasoned warrior that he knew she was. Rex watched Moira move through her exercises. The grace and ease she flowed through the exercises captivated him like nothing else could. Then as if lightning hit him from the sky an epiphany hit him. He knew exactly what he wanted. When he shook himself he focused and found Moira in front of him looking at him worriedly. She reached up and touched his face to try and get his attention on her.
"Rex what is it?"
"Okay."
She looked at him in confusion since that wasn't exactly the answer to the question she'd asking him. A flush dusted his cheeks knowing that he might've just made himself look like an idiot in her eyes.
"Okay what?"
He took a deep breath trying to get past his nerves. Battle was one thing but trying to tell this woman he wanted to marry her was another thing.
"I talked to Kali."
She looked a bit nervous at that phrase and that seemed to ease his tense figure. He fought the urge to chuckle softly at her worry.
"And…"
"Okay I'll marry you by your clans standards."
"Rex…" she started.
He could see tears forming in her eyes. Shaking his head he reached forward and brushed the tears away gently with his thumbs.
"Don't cry," he murmured softly.
She sniffed softly and shook her head.
"These are happy tears."
Then he realized that he hadn't completely thought this through. He didn't have anything on him to give her as a symbol of his promise to marry her.
"I don't have anything to give you at least not yet."
"I don't need anything Rex," she reassured him.
"I realized after talking to Kali I want a family with you one day."
"Rex…"
"I probably didn't do this right."
A blush dusted his cheeks at those words.
"Rex," she murmured softly. "It was perfect and I want a family with you too."
He leaned down and kissed her lips softly. She nuzzled close to him. The call to battle drew them apart. Shaking his head he leaned down and kissed her again.
"I have to get back Rex."
"See you soon."
She gave a curt nod and flexed her wings widely and vanished. For some reason after this conversation he felt better. Then his mind turned to other things for a moment about getting her something to represent his love for her. He'd have to ask someone for help, but right at that moment there was a war to be fought. Putting his helmet on he stalked forward with a renewed vigor.
A few days later found him taking Ahsoka aside. Carefully he explained to the young Jedi what he was needing help with. Rex looked at Ahsoka pointedly while the young Commander started laughing like a hyena. He was starting to get impatient with her laughing.
"Ahsoka," he growled. "Stop laughing and help me."
"Just pick something out for her Rex."
"That's what Kali said, but I don't have any idea where to start."
"You're hopeless Rex."
"I never thought in a million years that I would live beyond the war. Much less be able to marry her."
His thoughts went back to Cut and his family and he realized that he wanted that too once the war was over. It would take some work but they'd have it someday.
Ahsoka smiled softly at her friend and wiped her tears away.
"You know Moira doesn't care what you get her Rex. She'll love whatever it is. I don't think it's about the objects anyway. She just loves you for you and doesn't really need anything else."
Then something crossed Ahsoka's mind. She grabbed Rex's wrist and started dragging him along.
"Where are we going?"
"To someone that can help you."
Rex looked around in confusion as they entered the Senate building. Before he could protest they were standing in front of Padme. He hastily pulled his helmet off and tucked it against his hip as he stood before the Senator.
"Ahsoka," Rex growled in protest.
"Rex… Ahsoka what do I owe this visit?"
Ahsoka pushed Rex forward. He didn't even know what to say this woman. He didn't even know where to start to ask for help even though he knew he needed it.
"Rex needs help getting a gift for his girl friend. Neither of us know where to start. More or less Rex didn't want to do something conventional."
Padme smiled softly at the two. It warmed her heart to see the two that kept Anakin on his toes.
"Of course I'll help. Did you have something in mind?"
Rex pulled out a paper and started telling Padme what he'd been thinking about. The woman nodded her head and asked a couple questions.
"Let me handle this Rex," Padme assured. "I'm sure the idea you came up with will make her happy."
Rex nodded his head before Ahsoka dragged him from the room laughing like a hyena. There were days when he wasn't sure why he liked this kid so much. Shaking his head he followed Ahsoka back out of the Senate building.
"I'll have to admit that was a good idea Commander Tano."
"You seemed surprised I had a good idea."
"Thank you."
She smiled at the Clone Captain.
"Padme will take care if it Rex. We should head out before Anakin starts calling for us."
He nodded and the two returned to the ship. He couldn't help the smile on his face at the thought of being able to give Moira something that will be seen just as a gift to the Republic and would mean so much more to them. Rex put his helmet back on and followed Ahsoka back to the ship and their next mission. He felt a bit lighter now that someone could help him with the gift he wanted to give his fiancé.
