Hello everyone, I have gotten a few questions about when updates are. They will continue to be every third day. No set time on those days, but barring any unforeseen circumstances it will be some point that day. As always thank you for reading and please comment your thoughts. As a warning: this chapter does contain sensitive topics. Please be mindful when reading.
Astra woke up to the sound of a commlink blaring from the bedroom. She jumped up and moved as quickly as she could to see what was going on. The comm was on the bedside table and Dagger was still passed out in bed.
She took a deep breath and answered the call, "Dagger's commlink."
"Where is Dagger," oh boy, whoever it was, sounded like a bad combination of angry and worried.
"Asleep in my house, may I ask who this is?"
"This is Captain Rex of the Grand Army of the Republic, who are you?"
Astra hesitated, what did she say? She didn't want Dagger to get in trouble, she had to do something, "oh! Captain Rex, you weren't by any chance the handsome trooper I met last night at Luna's are you? I'm Astra."
She heard a few mumbled words exchanged too far away from the speaker for her to hear, but it seemed like there was more than just Captain Rex on his end of the call.
"Yes I remember. Why is Dagger with you? We didn't even know that he went out last night."
"I found Dagger at the club last night after you left my friend and I. We really hit it off and we came back to my place for the night. I sure hope I haven't caused any problems."
The noise she heard from the other side of the commlink sounded like Rex was going to blow a gasket. Then someone took the comm from him and a new but similar voice spoke to her, "hello . My name is Echo, I'm Dagger's partner. We appreciate that you looked after Dagger last night, but he really needs to come home now."
She sighed, "I'm sure he does, but when he wakes up he is going to have a hell of a hangover. Give me twenty minutes to wake him up and you can come get him or I will come to you."
"Thank you ma'am, we will be there in thirty minutes."
The communication channel closed before Astra could even give them her address, well they would figure it out. She turned to Dagger's still sleeping form, "they did not sound happy with you sweetheart."
She gently shook her awake and Dagger looked up at her with bleary eyes, "Astra? What happened?"
She laughed, "at what point Dagger?"
Dagger scrunched her forehead in confusion, thinking, "after we got to the bar?"
"Oh honey, there is so much that happened, but right now your pals are coming to pick you up and they are not happy. Something about you not showing up for training and no one knowing where you are."
Dagger's eyes went wide and she sprung out of bed, her head pounding as she did so. She stumbled as she frantically looked for her clothes and started pulling them on, "I don't have my helmet! I can't say anything! Where is my cloak? Oh no! Captain and Echo are gonna kill me."
Astra laughed handing her the cloak, "listen, I told them you got too drunk and stayed the night here. I think they were just upset because they didn't know where you were. Both of them seem to care a lot about you."
Dagger looked down, "will I see you again?"
With a smile Astra took her comm and started pressing buttons, "of course. This is my number and you can call any time you like. Now and when you leave. I will only call you Dagger, but I want to hear from you. And while you are still on Coruscant, you can find me here at the boutique."
Dagger nodded and quickly threw her arms around Astra, "thank you Astra. You are a wonderful person. I will call you, I promise. Right now I just have to hope I don't get murdered by my Captain for going out alone."
Astra nodded, "good luck Dagger."
Dagger pulled her hood over her head as a speeder car pulled up outside. The door opened and two armored clones climbed out, helmets on. Rex exited first and moved with a ruthless efficiency. He was pissed and his anger was evident in every move he made. Echo followed behind quickly, holding something in his hands behind his back.
Dagger couldn't tell if Echo was mad and that was almost worse. She watched the pair approach the door and Rex knocked on the door. Astra sent her an apologetic look and opened the door, allowing them inside.
When Captain Rex entered the doorway, Dagger deflated, he looked so tall and intimidating, she knew she was in trouble now. Rex didn't say anything but she could feel him glaring through his helmet at her.
Without turning he asked Astra, "he cause any trouble?"
"No Captain. Dagger was an amazing guest, we had a lot of fun last night," she said with a smirk.
Dagger wanted to shrivel up and die at what Astra was implying. She didn't want her captain and her friend to think that she was that kind of a person. Yet, she didn't have a choice. There were no other options than to just stay quiet.
Rex grunted at the statement but didn't say anything. Echo cleared his throat and stepped around the Captain when it was obvious that he wasn't going to say anything. He handed Dagger's helmet to her and whispered, "I'm glad you are safe."
His voice cracked when he spoke. She knew that he had been upset, she felt guilt clawing at her insides. She had made them worry, she was such an idiot. She should have known better.
She took the helmet and quickly went into the back room to secure it on her head. She immediately turned back around to rejoin the group.
With a nod to Astra she said, "thank you for everything ma'am."
"Stay safe, all of you," she replied with a smile as the troopers left the shop.
They climbed into the speeder, Rex first, then Dagger, and finally Echo. She kept her head down and was really trying her hardest to disappear into the seat behind her. She felt a twinge of sadness as she saw Astra wave from the front of her store as they left.
The ride was completely silent. Even the driver, who was usually so chatty knew to stay quiet. Anticipation for the reaming she was going to get felt like it was killing her.
She had finally done it this time, she had finally messed up bad enough that they were going to send her back to Kamino. Or at the very least reassign her to a different unit. Now she was really going to cry, she didn't want to leave.
She pulled her arms in tighter, trying to help fill the empty feeling in her heart. Trying to scream at her past self for being so stupid. Why didn't she just tell someone? Was it so important that she couldn't have just stayed in? It had been the best night of her life, but it wasn't worth it. It wasn't worth the best people and the best days of her life.
Dagger promised herself that she would do anything to keep her spot in the 501st. She would fight for her position, any opportunity she got she would take. She couldn't let them down, she had to stay.
The speeder pulled up to the GAR barracks and they all filed out. As they approached the door, Rex came up from behind her and put a hand at the base of her neck under the lip of her helmet. He didn't put any pressure into the hold, but it was a clear signal. Don't run because I will catch you.
Message received, she knew better than to run. Hadn't even thought of it as an option. She was used to punishment, she would be fine. The Madam on Kamino had been insistent with her training, mistakes were always quickly taken care of.
Dagger just hopped that they would punish her and let her stay afterwards. The elevator rose and so did her anxious fidgeting. The three of them ended up on the floor where Rex and Dagger had rooms.
Instead of going to either of those rooms they walked all the way to the end of the hallway to a small empty room. Rex's hand never left the back of her neck, there was no way he couldn't have felt her flinch when the door latched closed behind the three of them.
He released her and she turned to face him. Both troopers were looking at her, helmets on, arms crossed. She cast her eyes to the floor ready for what she assumed would be a punishment fitting for her misconduct.
She was startled when he spoke, his voice controlled but hiding anger, "you weren't at training this morning. No one knew where you were. We had to conduct a manhunt for you and were about to call in General Skywalker when we finally got through to your communicator. You were the one who told me that my unit can be trusted here on Coruscant. I want an explanation. Now."
"I am sorry, sir."
"I didn't ask for an apology. I want an explanation as to why you thought it was a good idea to go out on your own, without telling anyone," his voice and body were tense. She could feel his anger growing and she was quick to explain.
"Captain, I wanted to go out and see what it was like in the city. I wanted to go to a club and actually take off my helmet. I just wanted one night to be whoever I wanted to be."
He huffed and took off his helmet, voice rising he spoke again, "do you have any idea how irresponsible that is? You were alone and surrounded by strangers. This may be a Republic world, but not everyone here supports the war that we fight in. You could have been taken or killed. No one would have known what happened to you. Did you even think about that?"
He had been yelling, but what cut her to her core was when he whispered, "did you even think about what that would do to everyone who cares about you here?"
Her lip trembled and her head hung low, "no Captain. I didn't."
"You should have. I never would have thought it would have been you that would be a troublemaker. Do you understand what you did wrong?"
"Yes sir," her voice could barely be heard.
"So you understand that I have to assign discipline now, correct?"
She trembled, "yes sir."
Dagger sank to her knees on the floor. Palms turned up and shoulders hunched in submission. She knew what was coming. When she had been unable to complete tasks or meet standards on Kamino this is what would happen. If soldiers weren't good enough they would be disciplined until they were. The Madam always said it was the best way to train clones.
Echo looked at Rex for an explanation, Rex just looked back at him hoping that he knew what was going on. They had never seen anyone do that before. Usually they just waited for Rex to tell them how many blasters they had to clean while standing. Both honestly had no clue what Dagger was doing.
Rex's head tilted in confusion. He reached down to pull Dagger up and he flinched back. Almost as if he expected…
The Captain recalled his hand to his chest in shock. Dagger hadn't ever seen a field discipline before. Whatever he thought was about to happen was what he had learned on Kamino. The picture that was being painted in his mind was not turning out to be a pretty one.
He slowly kneeled in front of Dagger, took his helmet off in the process and clipped it to his belt, "Dagger, look at me."
She did as asked. She wondered why he was playing with her so much. Why couldn't he just get it over with and she can have more time to recover.
"I need you to be honest with me, soldier. What do you think your discipline is going to be?"
Now it was her turn to tilt her head in confusion, "when a clone is disobedient they are beaten until they comply. I broke the rules, I will take the punishment sir."
Both Rex and Echo sucked in a breath of surprise. Echo turned away and leaned against the wall muttering softly, "no Dagger no."
"You think I'm going to beat you, Dagger?" Rex asked, afraid, but needing to hear the answer. He kneeled in front of her, close enough to reach out, not close enough to be touching.
"Why wouldn't you?"
"I would never hurt you. I would never beat anyone in my command. No one should ever be beaten for disobedience, least of all something like this. Who hurt you?"
"The Madam, on Kamino. She always said it was the best way to get clones to follow orders. She said we would all be beaten into submission. I never got to be with the rest of my brothers during training, but she told me it was normal. I can take it sir."
Echo choked back a sob and Rex himself was fighting tears. How could anyone have been so cruel to Dagger? Separated from his brothers and beaten during training. There was no excuse for such cruelty.
One of their brothers had suffered so much and they hadn't even known. They didn't see. He thought that was just how it was, he couldn't have been more wrong.
Echo cursed over and over again, Dagger, his best friend. How could this have happened? He wanted to kill whoever had told that to Dagger, much less do it to him. His blood was boiling. He couldn't stay, he couldn't take it.
He knew the Kaminoans were cold, but even he didn't think they could be this cruel. He couldn't even look at Dagger, he just stormed out of the room. No. No! No one would ever hurt him again. He swore it on every star and deity he could name. Rex could take care of Dagger now, if he stayed he would just make everything worse.
Out of the corner of her eye she saw Echo leave the room. She stared up at her Captain, still processing what he said. Did he mean it? Why was he looking at her like that?
Neither said a word, but Rex moved suddenly. He pulled her forward, off balance, and wrapped his arms around her. She fell forward and was practically laying in his lap. His breaths were shaky and she could feel his heart pounding in his chest from where her hand rested on him.
"That should have never happened to you. It will never happen again, this I swear to you. You should have never been beaten Dagger. That is not how we are trained. You are allowed to make mistakes, you don't have to be perfect all of the time."
She was starting to understand, "so you won't send me away?"
"Never," he said as he shook his head.
"I'm sorry Captain."
"Don't be sorry, little one. You have nothing to apologize for," he spoke calmly, stroking her back.
"Captain Rex?"
"Just Rex," he corrected.
"Rex? I know that I have no place, but may I make a request?"
"What is it?"
"Can I look at your back?"
He didn't reply verbally, but he released Dagger from his arms. She took this as permission when he turned and kneeled oh both knees facing away from her. Gently she unclipped his back plate and placed it on the ground. She untucked the top half of his blacks.
Rex had no idea what Dagger was doing, but in this moment there was nothing that he could refuse from him. His mind was still reeling. Rex turned his head slightly to watch Dagger out of his peripherals.
Dagger took a breath before pulling the black shirt up to reveal a large expanse of tan skin. Pulled tight over toned muscles. Minor scars from battles forgotten littered the skin, one from a blaster wound. Other than that his skin was clear and unmarred. No thick scars slashing across his back. No marks from a past filled with pain inflicted by their creators.
She couldn't control herself, she slid her hands over his skin. As if she didn't believe the sight in front of her. He shivered slightly at the touch. She marveled at how smooth his back was, she could feel his powerful muscles under her fingertips.
She felt so happy she almost could cry, he hadn't been lying. Her brothers had not gone through her pain, for that she was thankful. High on happiness she was bold enough to make another request, "look forward?"
He did as asked and trained his eyes on the door. Rex didn't know how much this meant to Dagger or what he was doing. He focused even more on the door refusing to let his eyes wander when he heard the hiss of a helmet lock releasing. Dagger had just taken off his helmet, he would not betray that trust.
Whatever he had been thinking was about to happen is not what ended up happening. He gasped when he felt Dagger kiss his back. Then he continued to kiss his way up the spine, stopping at every vertebrae.
Like worship, his lips brushed Rex's skin, soft and gentle. Fingers feather light on his skin sending thrills into his body. He could feel Dagger's soft skin against his back, freshly shaven if he were to guess. Soft but shuddering breaths ghosting across his skin.
Rex leaned back unconsciously into the affectionate touches. He had never been touched so intimately, not in a way without ulterior motive. He'd gotten laid before, but those had always been quick one night stands. They never had any meaning.
This was different. Dagger had asked to touch him and he hadn't said no. He probably should have, seeing as he is the superior officer and he was supposed to be giving discipline at the moment. And yet it was the furthest thing from his mind.
Captain Rex had been turned into a pile of mush at the slightest touch from Dagger. He couldn't help it. When you live a life of battles and pain that is what you are used to. Kindness is startling and unexpected. Most of all kindness is never taken for granted.
All too soon, Dagger stopped kissing his back. He resisted the pull to turn around and look at his face. Rex's shoulders fell slightly when he heard the helmet go back on. He didn't speak as his shirt was gently lowered and he felt Dagger attach his back plate again.
When he rested a hand on his shoulder Rex finally turned back around. Dagger was once again sitting back on his knees. As if for the first time Rex studied his form.
Dagger was small, smaller than the rest of them at least. Toned muscles and an elegant form. He looked like an athlete, thick legs with corded muscles that were built to move. Slender arms compared to himself but still bulky with muscles.
"I'm sorry Captain," she spoke, just a little breathless.
"Don't be. Just please be careful."
She nodded, "so what are you going to do with me?"
"Just ground you really. Like the humans do. No leaving the tower without an escort for the next week. And if you leave at all for the rest of our stay you need to tell me where you are going and when you will be back."
"Yes sir. Thank you sir," she stood along with him and went to leave.
He stopped her with a gentle hand on her arm. He struggled for several seconds to figure out what he wanted to say, "if anyone ever hurts you, I will kill them. No one will ever get away with that again."
She nodded, there was no doubt in her mind that he meant those words. Close to him she felt safe. And while she didn't feel unsafe around others, she felt safest close to him.