Summary:

Ahsoka and Rex have breakfast with Cody.

Cody meets Jinn.

Jinn offers to help.

9.

The next day Ahsoka woke up bright and early and headed to the Mess Hall for breakfast. This was their last day of shore leave. Anakin had left her a message last night saying they would return to space and receive a new mission. However, Ashoka wasn't sure what the mission would be. After she and Rex gave Obi-Wan and Anakin their report on future events, there would be no telling how the future would unfold. She hoped they were able to make a difference.

"Good morning, Commander."

Ahsoka waved at Rex and saw that he had two trays of rations in his hands. One of them was clearly meant for her because it contained only meat. The Togruta-beauty couldn't help but smile at her Captain. Memories of their date the night before came flooding back. She couldn't wait to go out on another date. Though, the likelihood of that happening was slim since they would be going back to the war.

"Good morning, Rex."

She sat down next to him and saw that Cody was already eating at the table. The stern clone commander eyed her silently. He still hadn't gotten used to her yet, let alone the idea that she and Rex were together.

"I missed you, cyare."

Cody nearly spat out his drink when he heard Rex call his Commander sweetheart in Mando'a. He covered his mouth as he coughed to clear his throat.

Ahsoka handed him a napkin and said, "Cody, are you alright?"

"Y-Yeah, I'm fine."

Cody took the napkin with embarrassed. His ears were burning just thinking about what Rex said and how he nearly choked on his own split over it. He wondered if Rex had any idea of what he was doing. Their fraternizing was taboo on so many levels. The obvious one being her status as a Jedi. The second was Rex being a clone. The third thing Cody couldn't understand was what exactly Rex saw in the Togruta teen. He supposed she could be considered exotic, but she was too much of a kid. Maybe things were different in their future time, but it was still hard for him to wrap his mind around it.

Ahsoka asked, "Did you figure out what to do with the chipped clones on Kamino?"

Rex said, "No, Cody and I tried to think of ways to get the chips removed from the shinnies after they leave Kamino without the Chancellor knowing, but nothing we came up with is foolproof. What about you? Did you talk with Senator Amidala yet?"

Ahsoka shook her head and said, "No, but I didn't have to. Anakin told me he already spoke to her. She wants to help. She already got Senator Organa and Senator Mothma to agree to help too. It looks like our little rebellion is beginning to take flight."

Rex smiled and said, "It helps that we already have experience in that department."

She smiled back at him and said, "Yeah, but this time I've got more experience than you, Captain."

Cody noticed there was some sort of inside joking going on between them. He had no idea what it was, but he did see the happiness shinning in Rex's eyes. He realized that he didn't need to understand their relationship. All that matter was that Commander Tano made Rex happy and whatever made his brother happy was fine by him.

Ahsoka changed the subject and asked, "Did you finish reviewing your reports? Do you want any help?"

Rex replied, "No, it's all finished. Cody and I finished them last night. I plan to give Appo and Jesse more responsibility and handle regular reports. This way I'll have more time to work with you and the Generals on getting ahead of the Separatists."

"And the network?"

"I assigned Vaughn to handle that."

"Good. We should get clone bridge officers to help with the network as well."

Cody raised his eyebrow. It wasn't until this moment that he realized that Commander Tano was really a capable young woman and not the youngling she appeared to be. She was laying the groundwork for a larger operation with ease. He was impressed with how well she communicated with Rex. It felt like they had been working together for years.

"Already on it, Commander. Though, there's another issue I wanted to talk to you about. It's about Umbara. I don't think we should wait till it happens. We should have Krell relieved of his commander as soon as possible. He already has a track record of high clone casualties. I don't want my brothers to suffer again because of him."

Cody frowned and leaned forward and said, "Who's Krell?"

Rex turned to him and said, "A Jedi General. A bad one. In our time, he was a traitor and made our brothers kill each other by saying they were droids in disguise."

Cody gripped his fork into a fist. He could not believe that a Jedi would betray them so utterly. It made his blood boil. It went against everything he had ever learned. The Jedi were supposed to be their leaders. The fact that one of them could become a traitor was disturbing.

Ahsoka reached out and took Cody's hand. Her touch broke him away from his thoughts. He saw that her expression was gentle and understanding. It wasn't an expression he thought belonged on a youngling.

"We're going to make sure that doesn't happen, Cody."

Cody lowered his gaze and said, "Yes, Commander."

"Ah, Miss Tano. There you are."

The three turned to face the entrance way of the Mess Hall and saw that it was Jinn. He was wearing a long Jedi robe and crossed the Mess to their table. However, Cody hadn't met Jinn and mistook him for General Kenobi. He stood at attention and turned to address him.

"General, what can I do for you, sir?"

Flustered, Jinn stared awkwardly at Cody. Ahsoka was about to tell Cody that he made a mistake, but Rex placed his hand over her shoulder and shook his head. The two watched as Jinn nervously shied away from Cody's intensity.

"Please, don't call me general."

Cody narrowed his brow in confusion. "Sir?"

"I am not a general. I'm a Jedi."

"Ah-yes, Gen-I mean Jedi Kenobi, sir."

Jinn smiled and said, "Yes, well, who are you?"

Cody was visibly confused. He had no idea what the General meant by asking him who he was. Meanwhile, Rex and Commander Tano were laughing up a storm. Cody pressed his lip at their antics. He felt like they were putting him on. He did not appreciate being the butt of a joke.

"Is this a prank?"

Jinn interjected and said, "What do you mean?"

"It's just-General, did you hit your head?"

"No, and I told you. I am not a general."

Jinn looked at Rex and Ahsoka and then back at Cody. Ahsoka knew that look. She had seen Obi-Wan looked frustrated plenty of times. It was weird seeing it so clearing on another man's face. It reminded her of how sometimes Rex's brothers shared similar looks between them.

"I feel as if we are going around in circles. Now, please. Tell me your name."

Bewildered, Cody replied, "It's Commander Cody, General. You know that. I mean, Jedi Kenobi."

"Oh, I see," said Jinn with annoyance. "Commander, I am not your general. I am not Obi-Wan Kenobi. My name is Jinn. Obi-Wan and I just happen to share the same good looks. Do you understand?"

"Yes, sir!"

"Now, since I don't have a military rank, you can relax."

"Yes, sir."

Jinn put his hand over his face and shook his head and muttered, "This is getting old. I don't know how many times I have to tell people that I am not Obi-Wan."

Ahsoka giggled but managed to say, "Oh, Jinn, was there something you wanted?"

Jinn looked up and said, "Yes, I wanted a word with you. Miss Tano."

"OK, we can talk in my quarters." She paused and said, "Can Rex come along?"

Jinn replied, "Yes, of course. Commander Cody can come along as well."

Cody frowned but collected his tray along with Rex and Ahsoka. They deposited them in the proper area before exiting out into the hall. It wasn't a long before they arrived in Ahsoka's quarters. It wasn't very big. It was standard size for an officer. She took a seat on the bunk as Rex and Cody stood by her desk in the corner.

Jinn folded his arms into the sleeves of his long Jedi robe. Ahsoka noted that his worried expression made him look even more like Obi-Wan. However, with his Force-shields down she could tell the two men had their differences. Jinn was more grey compared to Obi-Wan. He stroked his beard and glanced at the two clones.

"I don't want to get your hopes up, but I a skilled healer."

Rex raised his brow and interrupted, "Don't you mean best healer in the galaxy? I mean, really? I saw you cure a blind man with the Force."

Jinn smirked and said, "Thank you for the compliment. However, I wanted to inform you that I know a thing or two about cloning. I believe I can cure you of rapid aging."

Ahsoka got up and immediately approached him and said, "What do you just say?"

"I said I think I can cure the clones of rapid aging."

Ahsoka instantly grabbed Jinn and gave him a hug. Jinn was stunned by her embraced, but then recovered and gently held her close. Ahsoka pulled back with a blush. Her lekku darkened with embarrassment. She knew that Obi-Wan wasn't really one for hugs and Jinn had the same air about him.

She composed herself and said, "I know that if anyone can find a cure it's you, Jinn."

"Thank you for your vote of confidence, but I haven't done anything yet."

Rex paused and thought about what being cured would mean. He wouldn't have to worry about aging. He could live a normal human life. He could give Soka the life he never dared hope to dream. Instead of him being old and she young, they could age together. There wouldn't be any more awkward looks and hidden glances. That perfect day on Coruscant could go on forever. He could finally give her forever.

"I don't know what to say."

Jinn said, "You don't have to say anything. It's like what I told Kanan. I don't want a fuss. Though, I will need a lab and access to medical equipment."

Ahsoka said, "I'm sure Kix and Coric can help you with that."

"Wait," said Cody. "C-Can you even do that?"

Jinn looked to the others before he said, "I believe I can do it. Why? Don't you want to live a full human lifetime?"

Cody said, "That's not what I meant. We're property of the Republic. Don't we need to clear it with them first? If you do this and they don't approve, won't we get sent back to Kamino and get decommissioned?"

Jinn smiled cunningly and said, "I won't tell if you won't."

Cody looked appalled. Ahsoka rolled her eyes at Jinn's mischievous tone and patted his arm to get him to step away. He easily complied with her silent instruction. She watched as he sat down on the empty bunch.

"Cody, you're right. This does need approval from the Republic, but I want Jinn to go ahead and work on a cure. Then, we will have it to present to the Republic. I also want to work on getting the clones the right of citizens. It isn't right that clones are considered property. It isn't fair that the Republic expects its soldiers to fight for them and then give them nothing in return."

Cody felt overwhelmed. Nobody had ever talked about the clones like she did. He was beginning to see what Rex loved about his Jedi. She didn't see the clones as just soldiers. She saw them as men.

He looked up and met her gaze and said, "Alright, Commander. Whatever Jinn needs to make it happen; I'll provide it."

Jinn said, "Thank you, Commander Cody. We will be seeing a lot of each other since Master Yoda assigned me to be Obi-Wan's partner."

Cody frowned and said, "Then, does that mean you are a general?"

Jinn opened his mouth to object, but then paused. He hadn't considered that. He didn't consider himself military material. He had been a Rebel, a Jedi Master of the New Order and most recently a time traveling nomad. He supposed he could just add becoming a general onto his list of experiences.

Diplomatically, he said, "You'll have to ask Obi-Wan."

XXX

TBC