Me: This story is about Rex and his relationship with the Jedi.
Also Me: No! We wants Bridger-Syndulla-Jarrus family fluffs!
Me: Can we at least have both?
Also Me: *Sighs* Okay. :P
For all the time they'd known each other, Rex freely admitted that Kanan still puzzled him now and then. This latest near escape from death was no exception.
On the outside the Jedi was much the same as before, but for newly restored vision (and how that was possible Rex didn't even begin to ask, he just nodded and moved on) and a sheared off hairstyle that everyone in his family hated. His manner though, was nearly the opposite of what it had been. He was far more open now, generally speaking. Laughed more, was more affectionate, and just more expressive all around. As if he was determined not to waste a second of life not being clear about what he wanted from people or for people.
It was a welcome change but it made moments like this, when his friend was clearly disturbed by the way their fight was going, all the more upsetting to witness.
"You alright General?"
Kanan startled, then rolled his eyes. "How many times Rex? Or should I call you Commander?"
"Hey now that's supposed to be a secret."
"Then you shouldn't have told Ezra."
The clone laughed shortly, then sighed. "Let's just hope it lasts longer than last time."
The Jedi turned to look at him. "What do you mean?"
Curiosity being a more favorable look than pensiveness, Rex decided to share. Gesturing for them to move inside he explained. "I was actually promoted right before the siege of Mandalore. Skywalker's idea, so Ahsoka could join us under the protection of the 501st. It felt good, for a little while. Then well…you know. After I got my chip out the two of us were cornered by the rest of my brothers on the command ship. I tried to convince them our orders were wrong, and that even if they weren't Ahsoka wasn't even a Jedi technically, so she didn't have to die. For a moment I thought I'd gotten through. But…Anyway, the ship went down, we barely escaped with our lives. We were the only ones. Took weeks to bury everyone"
"I'm sorry."
"Ah, it was a fool's hope. The whole GAR was. We weren't ever meant to be more than cannon fodder. Most of us knew that going in."
"That was wrong and the Jedi should have done more for you, but that's all too easy to say - now. What I meant though was I spent close over a decade thinking the clones deliberately betrayed us. That they were mindless drones who didn't care about anything but the next order they received. I can't imagine what it would feel like to lose all control of yourself. To have your free will so locked under another's control that you don't recognize your own family. I mean some clones only served with the Jedi a few weeks but you, you grew up together. If you were forced to turn on each other then… What I'm trying to say is I know it wasn't personal. I'm sorry I ever made it that way."
Rex sighed. "I'm sorry too. If the order had gone out at Christophsis, Ahsoka would have been about as old as you were. I can't imagine how scared she would have been. How scared you must have been."
"Well. It was a long time ago. And hey, at least she gets to witness this promotion too."
Rex scratched his head. "Yeah, explain that one again?"
Kanan held up his hands. "I was there and I still don't understand it. Ezra saw her through a portal and pulled her out just at the time Vader was about to strike a fatal blow. It's all rather complicated but according to our best guess the galaxy should still believe she died on Malachor."
"So she's safe?"
"As much as any of us are." They walked for some minutes in silence then Kanan ventured tentatively, "Where are they…that is, what planet did you crash on?"
Rex shook his head. "It was an uninhabited moon, I don't even know if the empire's given it a name. I called it Kyr."
"End?"
The clone nodded. "Seemed appropriate."
"Can we go there? When the war's over? My master never got a burial, not a proper one anyway. I'd like to…well I've never really said goodbye. To anyone. And your brothers were as much of a victim as she was."
Rex stopped short. "Seriously?"
"Only if you're okay with it."
The commander blinked hard. "That would," he cleared his throat roughly, "yes. That would mean a lot to me. Thank you General, ah Kanan."
"Ahem."
Two heads swiveled to see Zeb standing at the entrance of the crew's sleeping cave. He took a few steps closer and threw a mock salute their way. "Captains Orrelios and Kallus here to take over patrol duties Sirs."
Kallus hid a smile as both men glared at the Lasat. "Are there any areas you suggest we pay special attention to?"
"Spotted a convoy approximately 20 klicks southwest." The commander reported. "It was stationary but there were no signs of a camp or unit base. Odds are it'll be on the move soon."
"We also didn't detect any long range scanners anywhere within a 50 klick radius. But still keep out of orbit and maintain comm silence unless absolutely necessary."
"Understood."
The others moved off and the Jedi rubbed a hand across his face. "Never thought I'd be in charge of anything like this again."
"I know the feeling." Rex let out a chuckle. "Hey don't look now General, but I think you've been replaced."
Kanan followed his gaze over to the cot he and Hera had begun sharing after her rescue. She was sound asleep, propped halfway up by both their pillows. Ezra was curled on his side in Kanan's usual spot, gripping her hand tightly in his own.
The Jedi gave a smile half sad, half amused but full of love. "Lately she hasn't been able to fall asleep without someone next to her. He must have sensed that."
"Good kid. Want me to get him out of your way?" Rex mimed carrying the sleeping teenager back to his own makeshift bed.
"No, don't bother. I'm not tired enough to sleep yet."
"Mind if I hit the sack?"
"Not at all." Kanan made himself comfortable on a flat stone nearest the bed. "I'll keep a lookout a little longer."
Rex squeezed his shoulder with a smile, his gaze soft as he watched his Jedi watch his family enjoy a moment's peace and quiet. "Goodnight brother." He murmured before crossing the room to where Ahsoka was borrowing Sabine's sleeping mat while the Mandalorian flew her own patrol.
Kanan smiled in turn as the togruta was awakened by his presence, the two old friends sharing a conversation too quiet for him to hear. He averted his eyes as the clone gathered her into a hug, clearly overcome by some emotion it wasn't his business to know.
Vivid green eyes peaked at him when he turned back to meet them. "Hey gorgeous."
"When did you get back?" Hera queried, her voice heavy with exhaustion.
"Just a few minutes ago. How are you feeling?"
"Mmm tired. Had a nightmare."
He leaned over and kissed her tenderly. "I'm sorry I wasn't here."
"S'Okay. Ezra helped. Said you were okay, that you'd come home to me."
"I'll always come home to you, Love."
"That's my word."
"Yes well, I steal from the best. Surely you know that."
"Do I now?"
"Mm hm. For instance, you remember-?"
"I remember a good night's sleep."
A heavy sigh escaped Kanan as he switched attention to their other companion. "Really? You sleep like the dead any other time, but you just had to wake up now?"
"I've been awake since you walked in the room. Is someone losing focus, Master?"
Hera laughed, running a hand over Ezra's hair. "Thank you for coming to me earlier," she told him. Ezra smiled back and Kanan couldn't be mad. In moments like this he loved them both so much his heart nearly couldn't take it.
"Guess I'll budge now." Ezra attempted to sit up only to flop comically back on the cot half a second later. Kanan put a hand on his shoulder to stop him trying again.
"Stay," he said. "I'll keep an eye on you two."
"Watching people sleep is creepy," his padawan felt obligated to point out.
"Ah, but if you're asleep you don't know I'm watching."
"You officially do not make sense."
"Shush," Hera commanded, giving the teen a motherly kiss on his scarred cheek. "It's all in how you look at things."
Ezra muttered something indecipherable and then was out again. Kanan smiled fondly, reaching across to pull the blanket up, tucking it closely around the two most precious people in the galaxy to him.
Hera laid her free hand over his. "Love you," she mumbled, and followed their adopted son back into the world of slumber.
A sigh escaped Kanan's lips. To think he'd almost lost this - no, to think he'd almost willingly given this up. At the time it felt like the right option - the only option - but what he would have missed if not for that…Rex called it a miracle and that was as good a word as any. It didn't bear thinking about. Except as a reminder not to make such a foolish mistake again.
He wouldn't. Where once embracing the force so wholeheartedly would have seemed like a distant dream, he now understood it didn't have to be all or nothing. The force was encapsulated in each and every person he came across, and never more than in those he shared his heart with. They'd guide him just as well as anything else.
With them he'd never be lost again.
Corny end line is corny. But it fits I guess. I know I wrote this as if Kanan had more control over the whole situation than he probably did, but it's fanfic. And I like to think these people can be happy if they choose to be. And yes I brought Ahsoka back! Because her partner (I don't ship but you can take that any way you want) deserved to know she was alive and safe!
Hope you all enjoyed! If I don't post again before the end of the year…it's because I've become obsessed with The Book Of Boba Fett. Jk. Sorta. Seriously though, stay safe everyone! And Thank You.
