Summary:

The team has a meeting.

Ahsoka and Rex go on a mission with Padme.

Warning: chapter contains a steamy Rex & Ahsoka scene.

.

15.

"Don't you think we're going a little overboard with the decoys?" asked Anakin.

Rex said, "What do you mean?"

The Jedi Knight crossed his arms and said, "Well, we already have a decoy of Dooku at the detention center to fool the Chancellor. Now, you want to use another decoy to convince Dooku that he's speaking to the Chancellor."

Obi-Wan said, "I think it's a good idea to be cautious. Since the Chancellor is the Sith Lord, he could arrange for Dooku to be freed or eliminated. Though, I'm not sure how you plan to convince Dooku that he's speaking to his Master."

Ahsoka said, "I thought we could use a holo-comm. We could program it to project the Chancellor's image and voice and have someone interact with Dooku. We could have the conversation recorded and use that as evidence."

Anakin smiled and said, "Not bad. Who do you have in mind to play the Chancellor?"

Ahsoka grinned mischievously and replied, "Actually, I thought you could do it, Skyguy."

Startled, Anakin said, "What? Why me?"

Ahsoka said, "You've known the Chancellor for a long time. You know how he moves and how he talks. I figured it wouldn't be too hard for you to impersonate him."

He said, "Yeah, I guess so, but I don't know the first thing about being a Sith."

Rex resisted the urge to roll his eyes at Anakin's comment. He knew it wouldn't be fair to judge him on a possible future event, but it was hard. Darth Vader knew damn well how to be a Sith. Not for the first time, he wondered how Ahsoka could keep a straight face.

Anakin turned around to face Jinn and Ventress. The two were their resistant experts on being a Sith. The two were silent. They were ignoring them and seated next to each other. Jinn's arm was outstretched across the table while his other hand was rubbing his beard. He was leaning towards Ventress while she was pointing at some figures on the data-pad in her hand. He noticed that they looked awfully chummy.

"Hey!" snapped Anakin. "Are you two even listening?"

Ventress rolled her eyes and set the data-pad down and said, "I'm sorry. I wasn't aware I was a part of your little meeting, that is, unless you're finally going to pay me."

Anakin glared and said, "Fine, I'll get you your salary."

Ventress smiled and slide the data-pad across the table to him and said, "Good, because I'm not cheap."

Anakin frowned and picked up the data-pad. He read the figures and raised his brow. He then looked at Ventress with equal parts distain and respect. The ex-slave part of him respected her list of demands, but the Jedi Knight part of him couldn't stomach her blatant profiteering.

"Very well, I'll hand over your salary requirements to the High Council, but since when does Jinn need a salary?"

All eyes turned to the amber Jedi. He uncomfortably sat up and moved his hands off the table and onto the armrests. He said, "Well, my status isn't much different from Miss Ventress. I'm not a member of the Order. I'm not employed by the GAR. Technically, I'm a civilian volunteer. If I were hired by the Order as a freelancer or as an advisor, it would legitimize my involvement in Jedi affairs. It would also be nice to be able to buy my own drinks and pay for my own transports."

Anakin smirked and said, "Well, when you put it like that then we should have put you on the payroll a while ago. Alright, you two. Consider yourselves hired."

Obi-Wan said, "Now since that is taken care of, let's get back to business. Do you have any information that could help Anakin impersonate the Sith Lord?"

Jinn shook his head and replied, "I didn't know the him personally. Though, I suppose you could say he had a way of preying on your weakness. He wants you to feel anger. He wants your bloodlust. He wants you to want to kill him. It's his way of drawing you deeper into the Darkness. Hate makes you closer to him. Hate makes him strong. He uses hate to cloud your judgement."

Obi-Wan felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. Jinn preached the ways of the Sith like a follower. He was disturbed that a Jedi could possess knowledge of the Dark Lord's teachings. He also noticed that Jinn had grown close to Ventress. The two had become inseparable since they captured the Count. He usually found them either sparring or meditating together. He feared that Jinn may have grown attached.

Anakin broke Obi-Wan's train of thought, when he said, "Alright, I think I understand. I'll start working on a holo-comm program and use old holo-net feed to re-create the Chancellor's voice. It shouldn't take me more than a few days to set it up."

Obi-Wan said, "Ahsoka, in the meantime, we received a message from Padme. She wants to try and establish diplomatic relations with the Separatists. She asked that you help her with a diplomatic mission."

Ahsoka was curious about the mission and said, "Alright, I'm on it. I'll bring Rex along as well."

Jinn said, "I still need to construct the healing chamber and run tests. It should take me a few days as well. Though, I would like to create a team in order to run the operation without me being present. I may be a healer, but I would rather be out in the field."

Rex raised his brow. He realized that Jinn didn't have the temperament of a typical healer. He was reckless like most Jedi. He wondered how he acquired his skill. "How'd you get interesting in becoming a healer in the first place, Jinn?"

The amber Jedi lowered his gaze and said, "I lost my Padawan to illness. For a time, I lost myself to grief. I threw myself into learning all I could about healing. I vowed that I would do all I could to spare others from that grief."

Ventress turned to face Jinn. She gave him a sympathetic look and touched his arm under the table. She sent him soothing waves through the Force. Jinn's heart raced at the feel of her concern for him. He kept his gaze forward but reached out to take her hand and gently brushed his thumb over her knuckles.

Ever since they started meditating together, she had begun to open up to him. She let him share some of her feelings and he started to share some of his. It soothed some of the loneliness that ached inside him. Before his travels, Jinn was used to feeling the constant hum of his family members in the back of his mind. Their support and power were always within his reach, but once he was lost, he had been cut off. He missed bonding with other Force-sensitives.

Rex said, "Sorry for stirring up bad memories."

Jinn said, "It's quite alright, Captain. I'll do my best to spare your brothers from grief as well."

XXX

Ahsoka and Rex met Padme in her apartment. Ahsoka was intrigued by Padme's diplomatic mission at first. However, her intrigue turned to unease once she learned what it entailed. Padme wanted to make an unofficial diplomatic mission to visit her former mentor, Separatists Senator Mina Bonteri. She wanted to use Ashoka's status as a Jedi in order to cross into Separatists space. Unfortunately, Ahsoka knew how well that would go.

"Padme, I want to help you, but you cannot tell anyone that you are meeting Senator Bonteri. If the Chancellor found out, then Senator Bonteri will be killed."

Padme said, "I know that, Ahsoka but I have to try. I won't let fear stop me from trying to do the right thing."

Ahsoka smiled. She admired Padme's strength, but she also didn't want to repeat history. She and placed her hand on her shoulder and said, "Don't worry. We're going to help you, but we need to figure out how to do this without anyone knowing."

Rex said, "So, how do we do that?"

Padme said, "I've already been in contact with Mina. I was planning on visiting her home, but I think it might be wise to meet her somewhere neutral."

Rex said, "Sure, but where do you want to meet?"

Ahsoka crossed her arms and rubbed her chin in thought before she finally said, "How about Lothal? It's on the Outer Rim and far from any prominent hyperlanes and the war."

Padme replied, "I will send Mina a message. I'm sure she will agree."

While Padme prepared to send her message, Rex turned to Ahsoka in order to have a quiet word. He gently guided her away from the balcony in Padme's apartment. He wanted to make sure they could not be overheard.

"Soka, I don't think we should do this without back up. I just know something is going to go wrong."

She narrowed her brow and said, "Rex, how can you say that?"

He said, "Cause it tends to happen, Soka. Somebody is going to know the Senator is missing. She's a public figure."

Ashoka sighed and said, "I know, but I think Padme is right. It's a chance worth taking. However, I think we should have a group of troopers follow us from a distance just in case. Maybe disguised as civilians."

Rex smiled, "That I can do. I'll have Echo create a team."

XXX

It felt like a lifetime ago since Ahsoka had been on Lothal, or maybe not. Time travel was strange. It was eerie seeing buildings untarnished by the war. There were no stormtroopers. There were no Imperial propaganda posters. People walked and laughed in the streets. There were forests beyond the grasslands that hadn't been logged. It almost felt like a dream.

They were in a ship dock waiting for the Separatists Senator to arrive. She arrived on a civilian transport to avoid detection. Even Padme, Ahsoka and Rex traveled to Lothal by civilian transport. They were all dressed in civilian clothing.

When Mina disembarked on her ship, she was dressed plainly in a cloak over a plain dress. She smiled brightly when she saw Padme and greeted her with a hug.

"Padme! It's so good to see you again."

"You too, Mina. Please, let me introduce you to my friends. This is Ahsoka Tano and Rex."

Mina warmly greeted the two and said, "It's a pleasure to meet you. Please, let me introduce you to my son, Lux."

Ahsoka's heart sank. She was hoping that meeting on Lothal would mean she wouldn't have to meet Lux again. However, the teenage boy casually descended the ship's ramp to greet them. He gave Padme a stately bow and shook her hand.

"It's good to meet you, Miss Padme. My mother speaks highly of you."

Padme smiled and said, "It's good to meet you too. Come, I've arranged for us to stay at a private residence."

Mina was excited to speak with Padme and together the two women quickly boarded a transport. Rex shook his head at their enthusiasm and when to the driver's seat of the transport. He wasn't dressed in what he thought passed for civilian clothes like he did in the past. He didn't wear the hat and googles. Instead, he wore a simple white tunic with a blue collar and dark pants. Yet, he felt naked out any armor, so he wore a reinforced black vest. He noticed that Ahsoka had given him some sultry looks while they snail crawled in a bucket to Lothal.

However, Rex saw that Ahsoka looked troubled when Lux approached her.

Lux smiled charmingly at her and said, "Shall we get going, Ahsoka?"

Ahsoka deliberately made sure not to make eye contact with Lux. She pulled her hood up over her montrals to hide her face. She marched ahead of him towards the transport.

"Right, let's go."

Rex raised his brow. Ahsoka was normally friendly with everyone. It was strange seeing her act so cold towards Senator Bonteri's son. Though, he didn't have time to question her about it. Once everyone was in the transport, he began to drive them towards the private house Padme had rented.

XXX

The house Padme rented was private and beautiful. It overlooked the rolling grasslands. It was the type of luxury that Ahsoka and Rex hadn't seen in years. The war had gutted the culture of from many worlds. Only the extremely wealthy or corrupt could afford anything so lavish after the Clone Wars. Ahsoka prayed with all her heart that their efforts would change things.

Lux saw Ahsoka's melancholy look as she stared out into the grasslands in the distance. He joined her on the balcony and leaned on the rail. He noticed she wasn't wearing her cloak and saw she had a pair of lightsabers on her belt.

"Are you a Jedi?"

"Yes."

"I've never met a Jedi before."

"Well, there's a first time for everything."

Lux smiled at her sassy response and said, "Yes, I suppose so. I don't want to be rude, but have I offended you in some way?"

She turned to him and said, "No, I was just thinking about how much this war will cost us. I've lost a lot of friends. I've dedicated my life to helping people and doing what I believed to be right, but it never seems to be enough. It's so important that Padme and Senator Bonteri succeed."

Lux was impressed by Ahsoka's passion. He could tell that she spoke from her heart. He might have never met a Jedi before, but if any of them were like her than he had a feeling that he and his friends were greatly misinformed.

"You're amazing, Ahsoka."

She smiled at his compliment and said, "Thank you but I'm only telling you what I believe."

He grinned and said, "And that's what makes you amazing. I've been around senators all my life. I can tell when someone is lying. I didn't know Jedi could be so passionate or so pretty."

Ahsoka was flattered by Lux's words. She was about to reply when Rex appeared at the balcony with a dark look on his face. The Captain marched up to Ahsoka while glaring at the teen.

"Is Mr. Bonteri giving you any trouble, Ahsoka?"

Lux frowned at Rex's behavior and dismissively said, "It's none of your concern, Mr. Rex. We don't have any need for a chauffeur."

Rex balled his hand into a fist and said, "For your information, I'm not a chauffeur."

Lux smiled and said, "Oh? So, what are you? A bodyguard?"

Rex squared his jaw and said, "No, I'm Captain Rex of the 501st legion."

Lux was surprised and asked, "You're a clone?"

"That's right."

Lux circled around Rex with interest and said, "I've never met a clone before. I always thought they were no better than living droids. I've never seen one out of armor before. Tell me, is it true that you're all identical?"

Rex deliberately folded his hands behind his back. He didn't like being looked at like a freak. Though, he knew that most people didn't know much about clones and decided to answer Lux's question. It wasn't their fault that they were ignorant. He replied, "Yeah, that's why we're clones. We're genetically identical to each other, but everyone of my brothers is an individual."

Ahsoka said, "That's right and Rex is my friend."

Lux said, "I see. I had no idea clones could be friends."

Rex smugly said, "Well, then I guess you need more experience, kid. That's the advice I gave the Commander when we first met. If you don't have experience than your rank doesn't mean anything."

Lux paused for a moment but then finally said, "Thank you, Captain. You've given me much to think about."

When Lux returned inside the house, Ahsoka and Rex found themselves alone on the balcony. It had been a long time since they spent any time together. There were always reports to fill, meetings to attend or battles to fight. The only time they had together was during evening meals, but even those moments were growing far and few between.

Ahsoka decided to make the best of their time together and wrapped her arms around his waist. Rex was startled at first, but then slowly returned her embrace. He rested his cheek against the space between her montrals and gently rubbed her back.

"I missed you, Rex."

He tenderly caressed her lekku and said, "I haven't gone anywhere, Soka."

She lifted her head to meet his warm hazel gaze. She raised her hand to cup his cheek. He closed his eyes and held her hand to his face. He kissed her palm before resting his forehead against her own.

"I know you haven't, but we haven't been alone together for a while. I just missed being around you and just being myself. It's exhausting pretending to be a youngling sometimes."

"You don't have to pretend, Soka."

Ahsoka wished that were true. She knew she couldn't reveal that she was a time traveler or cause anyone to be suspicious of her. If the Sith Lord found out, then there would be no telling what he'd do to her or Rex. She decided to put those thoughts aside. As far as she knew, the Sith had no reason to suspect them of anything.

Instead, a smile crept across her lips as she stepped back from Rex and said, "I noticed you were jealous of Lux, Rexy."

Rex crossed his arms over his chest and said, "Me? Jealous of that brat? Never."

"You know, this isn't the first time Lux came on to me."

Rex frowned and said, "What do you mean? Do I need to have a talk with him?"

Ahsoka smiled and shook her head. "No, it was in my past. He even kissed me once."

Rex was furious. He turned around to march back into the house and pounded his fist into his palm and said, "I'm going to teach him some manners."

"Wait!" said Ahsoka as she walked over to stand in front of him. "It's fine, Rex. It was a long time ago. I really was a youngling when it happened. Besides, he's nowhere near as good a kisser as you, Captain."

Rex smiled at her compliment. "Yeah? You like my kisses, cyare?"

She leaned in close to whisper into his ear and said, "Actually, I wouldn't mind if you bite me too, Rexy."

Rex's heart was racing when he heard Ahsoka's words. He grabbed her shoulders with a groan. He could just imagine where she wanted him to bite her. He was also curious about what it would feel like to be bit by her. Her sharp little canines could probably break his skin and leave a mark. He liked the idea of her marking him. He wanted to belong to her in every sense of the word. As far as he was concerned, his heart and soul already did.

Suddenly, the grand house felt stiflingly small. He stepped away from Ahsoka with a smirk and offered her his arm.

"How about we get out of here? It's been a while since we went out on a date."

Ahsoka smiled and linked her arm through his and said, "I'd love to, Rex."

XXX

Ahsoka knew she couldn't leave Padme and Senator Bonteri and her son unprotected. She decided to take a stroll in the garden with Rex. It was lush and full of beautiful trees. Loth-cats roamed freely around the cloisters, ponds and pathways. They strolled side-by-side at a comfortable pace. They didn't keep their arms linked for long in case someone was watching.

Rex kept his arms behind his back in order to maintain his distance. He knew he should be looking for any signs of anything suspicious, but his mind kept going back to the Togruta teen beside him. He wanted to take Ahsoka to the cloisters and away from prying eyes and kiss her senseless. Holding her in his arms at the balcony still had him on edge.

However, he knew he couldn't get too carried away. Ahsoka's body was still too young to be doing anything too intimate. It didn't matter that she had the mind of an adult. He didn't want to hurt her. He wanted to make sure she enjoyed the experience.

"You've been awfully quiet, Rex. What's on your mind?"

"Uh, nothing really."

She gave him a knowing smile and started walking towards the cloisters. "How about we go sit in the shade?"

"Sure."

Rex obediently followed her to the pillared archway. He knew in his heart that he'd follow Ahsoka to hell and back if she wanted him to. She sat down on a stone bench in the cool shade with her back against a wall. Rex joined her and nervously rubbed his hands in his lap.

"It's beautiful here. It's hard to imagine what it was like in our time."

"Yeah, I know what you mean, but we are making a difference, Soka. We've saved a lot of brothers with our intel. We're prevented a lot of tragedy from happening. And now with our network and Jinn's cure, it just feels so close. I just know that after Skywalker gets that confession out of Dooku everything will be different."

Ahsoka nodded her head and said, "It's scary, isn't it?"

Rex sat back and exclaimed, "It's kriffing terrifying."

Ahsoka smiled and said, "Well, it's a good thing I've got you to watch my back."

Rex turned to her and said, "You'll always have me, cyare."

Ahsoka's heart melted at Rex's words. She leaned forward and gave him a kiss. Rex eagerly kissed her back. He wrapped his hand under her head-tail and pulled her closer. Ahsoka snaked her arms around his shoulders and opened her mouth. She licked the seam of his lips. Rex was surprised but complied. He opened his mouth and let her in. Soon their hearts and breathes were racing.

Then, Ahsoka reached for Rex's hand and placed it over her breast. Rex abruptly stopped the kiss.

"Soka, what are you doing?"

"Touch me."

She curled her fingers over his larger hand. Rex was transfixed by the softness of her body. He didn't know she could feel so soft. He then resumed kissing her passionately. He trained kisses along her jaw and down her neck. He felt Ahsoka dig her fingers into his shoulders as he nipped and sucked at her skin. She moaned into his ear and it set his blood on fire. He then scooped her up into his lap and brushed back her lekku over her shoulder.

Ahsoka gasped at Rex's strength. He picked her up like she weighed nothing. She had to get closer. She turned to face him and straddle his lap. Rex's hands went to her back and he started kissing her lips again. Ahsoka loved the feel of his strong hands on her body, but she wanted to follow through with her suggestion on the balcony.

She broke the kiss and moved to kiss Rex's jaw and ear. He groaned when he felt her little teeth nip the shell. Ahsoka smiled into the crook of his shoulder. She then pulled back his collar and licked the flesh underneath. Rex shuddered at the feel of her hot tongue and the cool sensation of her breath. Then, without warning, she closed her teeth around the skin and bite him.

In response, Rex grabbed her hips and pulled her flush against him.

"Ahsoka, don't."

Ahsoka smiled as the coppery taste of blood filled her mouth. The predator inside her was fully awakened. She began to rub against him and nuzzle the short cropped blonde hair on his head.

"Why should I, Rexy?"

"If you don't then I won't be able to stop."

She whispered into his ear as she rubbed against him harder. "I don't want to stop."

Rex pulled away from her. She was disappointed at his response, but a second later he grabbed her lekku firmly in his hand and turned his head so he could bite her back on the neck. Ahsoka cried out as Rex left his mark on her. His blunt human teeth sank into her skin. She shut her eyes and arched her back as he continued to stroke her lekku and breasts. It was too much. She lost all control over her body. She couldn't think. All she could do was feel and it felt amazing.

When she finally came back to her senses, she was shaking. Rex was holding her tight and leaving little kisses on her lekku. Her body was limp against him.

"Are you alright?"

"Wow."

Rex laughed and said, "I'm that good?"

She hummed and pressed her head against his shoulder and wrapped her arms around him in a hug. "Better than good. I didn't know my body could do that."

"I didn't know either. For a minute, I thought I hurt you."

"You did the total opposite, Rexy."

"Good. I want it to be good when we're together."

Ahsoka sat back down on the bench with a smile. She framed Rex's face in her hands and said, "As long as I'm with you, it's always going to be good."

Rex beamed back at her and bend down to give her a kiss. However, they didn't notice that right at that moment, Lux had found them.

XXX

TBC

XXX

Note:

• Warning: This goes without saying, but biting people is bad. The human mouth contains more germs than most animals and can lead to infection so don't do it. Be safe.

.