No Going Back

2.

Rex blinked. He remembered the darkness. The earthquake. The fall. A blinding light. He remembered screaming.

He shook his head. His vision was blurred but after a while it cleared. He was shocked. He found himself standing on a completely different world. Not only that, he was in his old armor. To be honest, he hadn't been able to fit into all of it in years. Something was wrong. His hands were shaking. It wasn't right. His hands looked different. He was different. He took his helmet off and turned it around. He stared at his own reflection in the visor and saw that he was young again. He touched his own face and immediately dropped his helmet to the ground.

He suddenly recognized where he was. He was on Christophsis. It was at the end of the battle. He was back during the Clone Wars. He saw countless dead brothers walking around alive again. It was too much. It was too overwhelming. It was suddenly hard to breathe. He thought he was going to pass out.

Suddenly, a voice brought him out of his panic attack.

"Rex, are you okay?"

He turned and saw standing beside him was Ahsoka, but she wasn't the Ahsoka he knew. She was the young Padawan he first met. He was struck by how small she was. She was so demure. Her elegant montrals were back to their stubby shoots and her blue and white lekku barely passed her shoulders. He never realized how much of a child she really was back then. The desire to protect her was strong.

"Oh, Rex."

She reached up and brushed away a tear he didn't know he had shed away from his eye. He knew then that what happened to him had happened to her. He knew it when he looked into her eyes. She was his Ahsoka and not the young girl he met all those years ago on the battlefield. He closed the distance between them and wrapped her in his arms. He pressed his cheek between her montrals at the top of her head and pressed her even closer against his armor when he felt her arms around his waist.

"Cyare."

Ahsoka closed her eyes in relief. She had no idea what had happened, but if Rex was with her, her Rex, then she knew she could face anything. At first, it was strange waking up in her 14-year-old body. She was so short and so weak. She hadn't realized how much physically stronger she had become as an adult, but thankfully the Force still felt the same.

When Rex finally drew away from their embrace, Ahsoka couldn't help admiring his youthful face. Rex had always looked older than her. It was the rest of rapid aging, but with hindsight, she now appreciated how truly handsome he looked in his prime. She caressed his cheek and brushed her thumb over his jaw.

He grabbed her hand before she did anything else and said, "That's enough, Commander. We're not exactly alone."

"Yes, you're right. We need to figure out what happened."

Ahsoka bent down to pick up Rex's helmet and handed it back to him. He tucked it under his arm and together they slowly fell into step.

She said, "I keep thinking that this is all a dream."

Rex muttered, "More like a nightmare. This probably has something to do with Jinn's ceremony. The earthquake knocked us both into the chamber just when he finished his light show."

"Do you think he made it back home?"

"I don't know. Even if we did find him, there's no telling if we'd be able to get back."

"True, but he's our only lead."

"I can't help thinking maybe we're here for a reason. Maybe we can change what will happen."

"Maybe, but there's one thing I know for sure. I'm not going to let what did happen, happen again."

"Agreed."

"So, how do we do this? Do you think Skywalker and Kenobi will believe us? If I were them, I wouldn't believe us."

Ahsoka and Rex made their way across the aftermath of a battlefield and over towards the ships. It was eerie passing so many dead friends that were still alive and well. Ahsoka had to work hard not to react. Rex had a good poker face. He let his expression go blank as he passed his brothers.

Ahsoka spoke in a low voice as they entered the main ship and said, "I could pass it off as Jedi premonition, but honestly I think we should try telling them the truth. I don't think I can pretend to be someone I'm not. Thankfully, the mission on Christophsis over with. I don't want to fight all the same battles again."

The two entered a lift to the main command room of the ship. Since they kept their conversation in low tones, no one had stopped them or said anything as they made their way through the ship. To everyone else it just looked like a clone escorting a Jedi on board the ship. They hadn't made eye contact while they spoke, and they had kept a respectable distance between them as they walked. The only sign something was off was if anyone was watching them outside when Rex had his panic attack.

When the elevator doors closed in front of them, Rex said, "I lost a lot of brothers on this day, but you're right. I don't think I can stomach pretending. Besides, we've got more than enough experience between us now."

Ahsoka smiled and took Rex's hand.

"Whatever happens, I got your back, Soka."

"And I've got yours, Rex."

He returned her smile and lifted her hand up to give the back of it a kiss.

Just then the elevator doors opened and right in front of them stood Anakin and Obi-Wan. The two Jedi stared perplexed at what they saw. Stern and steadfast, Captain Rex was kissing the hand of Anakin's new Padawan. The two time-travelers froze.

Anakin looked between the two and cautiously said, "What the Force is happening here?"

Rex recovered first. He released Ahsoka's hand. He fell back into trooper mode and straightened up at attention. "Ah, General. We—we were just-"

Ahsoka stepped forward and said, "We were just looking for you. Can you and Master Obi-Wan come and speak with us in private?"

Anakin raised his brow and placed his hands over his hips and said, "What's going on, Snips?"

Ahsoka tried her best not to react to the familiar nickname. It had been such a long since she'd since she heard her old master speak. It broke her heart to see and hear him as he once was.

"I'll explain, but not here."

Anakin shared a look with Obi-Wan. The elder Jedi rubbed his beard and said, "Yes, I think we ought to have this conversation in private. Come, there should be an empty conference room this way."

It wasn't a long walk, just down the hall. They all filed into the empty conference room. Rex was last to walk in and made a point to lock the door behind him. What they were about to tell the Generals couldn't be repeated. He saw that Obi-Wan had taken a seat at the conference table while Anakin folded his arms over his chest and remained standing. Ahsoka strode up to Anakin and mirrored his pose without thinking.

However, before she could speak, Anakin charged in and said, "First, Rex what were you doing with my Padawan?"

Rex nervously replied, "N-Nothing, sir."

Anakin frowned and said, "It looked to me that you were kissing her hand. Rex, I've always known you to be a good man, but you only just met Ahsoka. I didn't think I'd ever find you acting inappropriately."

"Stop," said Ahsoka. "Rex doesn't deserve your lecturing, Anakin."

The Jedi Knight snapped, "Don't interrupt me, Ahsoka."

Ahsoka knew that Anakin's temper was getting the better of him. He was already jumping to conclusions. His over protectiveness was surprising. From his prospective, they barely knew each other. Yet, he already assumed that Rex was to blame for the kiss in the lift.

"Please, let me explain. There's a lot more going on here then you think."

Obi-Wan was ever the voice of reason and said, "Let her explain, Anakin. I'm sure there's an innocent explanation."

Anakin took a deep breath and resumed crossing his arms over his chest. He knew Obi-Wan was probably right, yet there was something wrong in the way Rex looked at Ahsoka in the elevator. He seemed to have strong feelings for his Padawan. Stronger feelings than was likely to occur between two people who just met.

Ahsoka also took a deep breath. She decided if she was doing this than she better get it all out. Holding out would probably make things worse. She glanced back at Rex and gestured with her hand for him to join her. He silently stood by her side.

"This will sound strange and hard to believe, but we are not who we used to be. Our minds have traveled back in time, about 17 years. Rex and I have known each other for a long time."

The two Jedi didn't say anything for a while. Then, when the silence became too much, Anakin said, "Is this a joke?"

Ahsoka became solemn and lowered her gaze and said, "No, it's the truth."

Obi-Wan leaned forward and said, "I believe you."

Anakin exclaimed, "You do?"

The elder man said, "Yes, it's too elaborate to be a lie and the Force is telling me that it's true. Though, tell me. How did you come to travel though time?"

Rex said, "The Force. We met a traveler and we fell in."

Ahsoka said, "We'd like to tell you what we know about the future. Since we're here, we want to save as many lives as we can."

Obi-Wan said, "I'm not sure if that's wise. Knowledge of the future may change things irrevocably. You may find that your future may no longer exist."

Ahsoka shouted, "I'm willing to take that risk! You don't know what horrible things we've seen. I can't stand by and let them happen again. Not when I can help. Please, I need you to listen to me."

Obi-Wan rubbed his beard and rose from his chair and said, "I need time to think. You need to understand, changing the future could just as easily make things worse as they can better. I don't want to take things lightly."

She closed her eyes briefly and said, "Trust me, what did happen was far worse than you could imagine."

Obi-Wan was far from comforted by Ahsoka's words. He silently opened the door and left the conference room. He needed to mediate and wrap his mind around the opportunity she and Rex presented.

Meanwhile, Anakin remained behind. He saw Rex lock the door again after Obi-Wan left. Rex was a cautious man. Ahsoka had been wise to keep this information between them. Though, unlike Obi-Wan, he didn't need to think about accepting Ahsoka's knowledge about the future. Anakin was all for it. Anything that could stop the war and save lives was beneficial to the Republic. Obi-Wan was being too cautious.

Anakin said, "I'll listen to what you have to say, Ahsoka. If you know how to change things than I'm all ears."

"Thank you, Master."

Anakin smiled. He was pleased that this version of Ahsoka recognized him as her master. It gave him hope that regardless of the future, that their relationship had turned out well. Though, he noticed that her explanation still didn't shed any light as to why Rex was kissing her hand.

He turned to the Captain and held his gaze. He knew if he was going to get an answer, it would be easier to get it out of him.

"So, Rex. Tell me, why did you kiss Ahsoka's hand?"

Rex blushed and rubbed the back of his head. He couldn't lie. It wouldn't be fair to Ahsoka and he was a terrible lair. Anakin would see right through him. It also seemed a waste to deny his feelings. They had been through so much together. He respected her and admired her. It had taken him a long time to realize that what he felt for her was more than friendship. He had spent years gazing up at the stars and wondering where she was and if she was safe. He had wasted so much time. Time that he found he suddenly had. Time which he vowed he'd never waste again.

He smiled and said, "Well, General. I kissed her cause she's my girlfriend."

"Girlfriend!"

Anakin didn't expect that. Girlfriend? Attachments were forbiden to the Jedi and as far as he knew Clones were only free to fraternize with civilians only. At most, he thought Rex was being reasuring to his Padawan out of friendship.

Flabbergasted, he said, "B-But you can't. Jedi aren't allowed to form attachments."

Ahsoka and Rex both rolled their eyes and turned to face each other. The ease in which they interacted did not go unnoticed by Anakin. He raised his brow as they both smiled at one another.

Finally, Rex said, "Don't you think you're being a tad hypocritical in regard to attachments, sir? After all, you are a married man."

Anakin felt like all the air had been sucked right out from his lungs. He sputtered, "W-What? N-No, I am not married. I don't know what you're talking about."

Rex palmed his face with his hand and said, "Blasted, General. I've covered your back enough times to know there's something going on between you and the Senator. You comm her every chance you get. I don't need future knowledge to figure that out for myself."

Anakin sighed in defeat. It was true what Rex said. He had been covering for him, but he hadn't said anything and that left room for denial. He couldn't afford to be expelled. The war was raging and the Republic needed him to defend it.

"Rex, it's important that no one find out about this. In fact, you shouldn't tell anyone about your own attachment or Ahsoka could be expelled from the Order as well."

The Captain said, "What you do is your own business, General. And what Soka and I do behind closed doors is ours."

Anakin frowned. He did not like the sound of that. He looked at Ahsoka and watched her smile brightly at the Captain.

She said, "Don't worry, Master. It's not our secret to tell. Though, that's not the most important thing you need to know. We know who the Sith Lord is. It's Chancellor Palpatine. He's the one behind the creation of both the clone army and the droid army so that he could push the Senate into naming him Supreme Chancellor. This war is an elaborate scheme so he can become emperor and he wants you to be his apprentice."

Anakin shook his head and turned away from them and said, "No, I don't believe it. Chancellor Palpatine is a good man. He's my friend."

Ahsoka joined him as he stood by the window of the ship. The troopers outside were repairing to leave. Cargo, droids and soliders were nearly cleared.

"I know you don't believe me. From your prospective it doesn't make sense, but from mine, it's already happened. This war has taken away so much from us. Being a soldier is the only life I've ever really known. The Jedi were wrong to enter this war. The Jedi were never meant to serve the Senate. The Jedi were meant to serve the Force. For me, that means helping people whether I'm a Jedi or not. Titles don't define us, it's what we choose to do that defines us, Anakin."

"Ahsoka..." He turned to look at her and said, "How did you get to be so wise?"

She smiled up at him and said, "I've had a lot of experience."

"You've given me a lot to think about. I think I'll follow Obi-Wan's example and go mediate."

Ahsoka bowed her head and said, "Alright, but there's so much I need to tell you when you're ready."

XXX

TBC

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Note:

cyare - [SHAH-ray], beloved, loved, popular.