My brother helped me with the second part of this chapter. :)
When she reached the comm room, Ahsoka went over to one of the consoles over in a dark corner. Although there was no one else currently in the room, she knew that the smaller the link, the better. Despite whatever the Kaminoans said about how the clones weren't really free-thinking, Ahsoka knew from personal experience that eavesdropping wasn't completely beneath them. She tapped in the code, and grinned when she saw the now familiar Nubian senator standing in front of her.
''Ahsoka?'' she seemed surprised to see her. ''Hello, how are you doing?''
Nodding politely, Ahsoka chirped, ''Hi; I'm doing well.''
Then she paused, glancing away. ''Senator..'' Another pause. ''..Padme, I need a favor.''
''Of course, Ahsoka. What is it?''
''Okay, but first. . .This isn't a bad time is it? I know you're busy.''
Padme laughed. ''Are you kidding? I've been waiting for anything to pull me out of the meeting I was just in. You're timing couldn't have been more perfect.''
''That's good to hear. You see, I have this idea. You know how you set up for me, Skyguy, and Master Obi-wan to have that week off . . . The one that turned out to be much more eventful then we'd expected?''
''Yes,'' Padme looked guarded now, answering slowly, ''What about it?''
''There are these two friends of ours... ''
A few hours later:
Padme was quiet for a moment, her brows knit in concentration, then glanced up at the Padawan.
''Are you sure about this? I'm all for it; but from what you told me, these men don't seem to want the help.''
''Don't worry about it; leave that to me.'' Ahsoka waved away the concern. ''Trust me, they'll do it...''
The next evening:
''Excuse me, I am not doing that!'' Rex crossed his arms over his chest as he and Cody glared down at her smug grin. ''I am not leaving this Star Destroyer unless I am called for it.''
They were sitting at the DEFAC, Ahsoka leaning comfortably back in her chair after having told the two troopers the little plan she'd worked up. They didn't agree with her now, but no matter. They'd have to do it anyway.
''Aaaand Master Skywalker and I are calling you for it.'' she said, ''So it's perfectly fine.''
Shooting a glare over at the all-too-relaxed Jedi, Rex growled, ''I do not call 'vacation' a reason to leave my post. And remember what I said about giving orders back on Teth?''
''But you don't have a 'post', Rex, that's for everyone else. You just have to make sure that everyone is doing their job. And this is what Master Skywalker thinks; not me.''
''Really?'' he crossed his arms over his chest, shooting another glance over at Skywalker. ''If that were the case, then why isn't he telling us himself?''
Anakin merely shrugged, not saying a word. Then he stood and turned, calling over his shoulder, ''I'll be at the bridge if you need me.''
''Wait!'' Ahsoka cried, ''Where are you going?''
''I just told you. Leave me outta this.''
''Oh. . . '' She turned back to Rex and Cody, trying to seem sophisticated and in charge, ''Well, earlier he said I could represent him in this matter.''
''Noooo, this is under your order and no one else is merely willing to argue with you.''
''What's the difference?'' Ahsoka shrugged innocently.
Rex looked down at her. She was giving him those hopeful tooka-cat eyes as she whispered sweetly, ''Pleeeease, will you do this?''
He considered for only a moment...then leaned into her face, glaring her down. ''Ahsoka Tano, those pleading eyes are enough to make a man cry, but not this man. Stop.''
''Aw, come on,'' she protested, aura of sweetness gone as she scowled at him. ''You'll go whether you like it or not.''
Before either of them could add anything, she started, ''Now, you'll have to go under certain conditions. . . ''
Rex shook his head, starting to stand and heading for the exit, ''Wup, well that's not happening, so I guess it's off and I have things I need to get to...''
''Oh no you don't.'' Ahsoka stepped in front of the door and snarled at him, ''Now, as I was saying before I was rudely interrupted. Because Alderaan has refused a military presence there, you'll have to go in civvies.''
Cody gawked at her, something that she knew was rare. Cody losing-even momentarily-his pose due to surprise was as bad as Rex actually reverting back to it in shock.
''Are you nuts!'' he cried, ''There's no way we are going to Alderaan during the middle of the war, away from the front lines, in civvies, and out of contact for a week. We can't do that! We have jobs to complete!''
''Which will be properly taken care of while you're gone,'' Ahsoka assured him, motioning for him to calm down. ''You guys have worked too hard in this war just to burn out now. If you guys don't take this chance, I don't want to think what might happen.''
She paused, adding tiredly. ''I really don't want to have to take this to Master Skywalker and tell him to make this an order. Really, I don't. And the idea of having to tackle both of you just to get you going on your way isn't a good one.''
Then she snorted, amused. ''Not that I couldn't if I had to.''
''Do you really know how to bring us down?'' Cody asked skeptically.
Ahsoka smirked. ''Not really, but just enough to hurt your pride.''
''Ahsoka,'' Rex warned, glaring at her. She held back a wince; that voice was used rarely. She didn't like it when he was mad at her, but she was secretly afraid of what would happen if they didn't take her offer.
Knowing that trying to force it on them would only make it worse and since trying to sweet-talk into it hadn't worked, she changed tactics and her voice became nearly pleading. ''Guys, please. It's only for one week. It's only a day there, and a day back. If absolutely necessary, we can call you back and you be with us within a few hours.''
The two clones stared at her, their hard gazes locking with her pleading one. For a moment, they stayed there, then they glanced at each other. Cody gave the slightest of nods and Rex returned it.
''Alright, Commander.'' he said slowly, peering back down at her.
''Yeeeesss?'' she asked expectantly, cocking her head with anticipation.
''We. Ain't. Doin' it.''
Ahsoka's temper flared. Okay, they weren't taking the bait.
''Don't make me call Skyguy back here!'' she threatened, eyes narrowing down to thin slits, glittering death in the LED lights on the ceiling.
Standing a little behind Rex, Cody leaned back on his heels and tried to pick the right word to describe the look on her face for his memoirs for after the war.
Terrifying. . .wasn't it. Yeah, definitely wasn't it.
Determined? Might work. Like a baby who wanted to eat a cookie but the mother snatched it away to safe herself from having to deal with a hyper-active child while she was trying to clean the house. She definitely had the face for it.
Perhaps. . .downright adorable? Cody snickered a little at that, knowing Ahsoka would run him through if she ever heard him say that out loud. But, seriously, coming from a clone who had fought just about everything on that side of the galaxy, fought across multiple star systems, faced enemies ranging from rancors to Sith-spitting Zillo beasts. . .and now he was looking down at the most un-intimidating creature in the galaxy (at least to him): Commander Ahsoka Tano, trying to look intimidating.
It's the eyes, he decided. I mean, she's adorable! Just look at those eyes! Even squinting, they're so big! Hehe, wouldn't want to be in Rex's shoes though. I think I'll observe from a safe distance. . .meaning I don't have to work with her.
Meanwhile, unfazed, Rex continued to stare her down, his voice low, nearly a growl. ''Fine, do it. We'd like to hear it from the General himself.''
''With pleasure,'' she hissed back, head tilting with each word to emphasize the point. She held her pointer finger above the comm button. Held it there. . .Held it there. . .
Smirking, Rex asked, ''Well?''
''I'm just waiting for him to reach the bridge,'' she snapped back, trying to cover how lame that had sounded by acting snarky and blundering on, arms crossed over her chest. ''After all, he was just here. And you know how slow he can be sometimes.''
''Uhhumm. Yeah, sure. How do I know that you're not stalling while he gets back up? Or that this isn't one of your little tricks?''
A slight to her honor!
''TRICKS!'' she shrieked, going to her tiptoes in rage, her face mere inches from his. ''Urrgh, you've got a lot of nerve! Don't make me do it, cause you not gonna like it!''
Rex blinked slowly. Once. . .Twice. . .
''Don't do. . .what?'' he asked innocently.
''OHGGGRRH! That tears it!'' she held gestured to the commlink, raising her finger above the button again. ''I WILL COMM HIM!''
Rex chuckled, slowly and infuriatingly. ''Go ahead.'' he challenged.
Snarling, she slapped the comm button.
The blue figure of General Skywalker popped up. His manor, surprisingly calm, (Cody thought it was because he was trying to hide that smile lurking behind his lips as he watched his teenage Padawan staring down his equally younger-yet-older teenage captain like two Mandalorian gunslingers at the Jo-Blo cantina) he said, ''Whaddaya need, Snips?''
Yep, Cody thought, Could definitely hear the smile in that.
Ahsoka scoffed in disgust, rolling her eyes, ''Your Captain is being stubborn. . .Again!''
''Is he now?'' Anakin asked, now really trying hard to keep a straight face, ''I couldn't tell. Must have learned it from you cause he didn't learn it from me.''
''MASTER!''
Skywalker finally couldn't help it and chuckled, ''Okay, okay, okay. I'm just messing with ya. But seriously, that was funny to watch.''
Earning a glare from Ahsoka, Skywalker shook out the last of his laughs and turned to Rex, ''Okay, I know this isn't what you wanted to hear, but. . . ''
Rex's face drained. His expression was almost...hurt.
''Sir, you don't mean-?''
''Do what she says, Captain.''
''Sir, you can't be serious. I can't leave my men! They-''
''Will be fine. Rex?''
Sighing mentally, he replied, ''Yes, Sir?''
Anakin watched him for a moment to make sure he was listening, then continued gently, ''You're a good soldier, Rex. I understand your wanting to stay with your men, just as any good soldier would want to stay with his unit or any good brother would want to take care of his siblings. But no one is invincible. Everyone has a breaking point and a need to recharge, eventually. It's good that you've pushed yourself for your men; really, it is; because it means that you're growing stronger by it.
''But you've. Pushed. Too. Far. And at the cost of your effectiveness as a leader; It's obvious to everyone. We still have a lot of battles ahead of us before this war is finally over and what your men need now, more then ever, is a well-rested leader who can think clearly.'' Anakin gestured to something off screen, ''Seeing your reports, it's clear that right now, you can't.''
''Sir, I-''
Skywalker held up a hand to silence him. ''I'm not done yet. Rex, I know you have a undying devotion to those who serve under you; and you owe it to them that you are in the best condition you can be. Cause otherwise, you can't help them. So. . .what are you going to do?''
Rex dropped his head, then nodded. ''Yes, sir.''
''Alright,'' he glanced at Cody, ''You too, Commander.''
Cody was about to protest, but then Obi-wan also appeared on the holo. ''Cody, do what he says. Anakin and I have put some thought into this. And what Anakin said isn't just talk. You both have made our battalions what they are; And without you, this wouldn't pull together the way it should.''
''I know it's hard,'' Skywalker stepped in, ''but's it the right thing to do.''
''You'll be leaving in three days. That should give you both enough time to situate things the way you want them before you go.''
''And as for who's gonna take care of the boys, you've both been training junior officers. This will give them a chance to really practice what you've preached.''
Skywalker grinned, ''And honestly, I wouldn't worry too much about them. If you've trained them, I'm sure everything will go fine.''
''Yes, sirs.'' both troopers replied, albeit quietly and resigned.
''Good luck to you both then.'' Kenobi said, signing off.
Skywalker stayed, peering at the men. ''Don't worry. You've trained your men right. I'll see you all later.''
Then the holo disappeared back into Ahsoka's comm.
''Well,'' Cody deadpanned, ''Looks like we're going whether we like it or not.''
''Yeah.''
''We're only trying to help,'' Ahsoka murmured, shrinking a little.
''Yeah, I know you're trying, kid. I just. . .Don't like being so far away during a war like this.''
''But Skywalker, Master Kenobi, and I are gone all the time.''
''Yes, but, that's you. We're talking about us. When was the last time both of us were gone?''
Ahsoka started to answer, then paused, landing on an awkward, ''Uuuuuhhh. . .''
''Exactly,'' Cody replied, ''But,'' he glanced at Rex, ''We'll-do as we're told.''
''Yeah,'' Rex agreed, lip curling like he had a bad taste in his mouth, ''We'll. . . go-Under one condition.'' he added sharply.
''Yes?'' she asked quietly, all earlier frustration replaced with pity.
''When we get there, where ever we're going, you hand us commlinks so we can keep in touch. If I call you, I expect you to answer it. Plus,'' he added, his voice getting stronger while he held up a finger to halt Ahsoka from attempting to interrupt, ''If there is so much as a hint of a conflict, you come back and get us; or, so help me, I swear I will hijack a starship and fly to where ever you are-''
''But-'' Ahsoka started.
''-And, after I pull you out of what ever mess you and Skywalker get yourselves into, I will drag you both to the docking ports and give you a piece of my mind with the sharpest tongue lashing you've had since you were born.''
The Padawan stared silently up at him. Blinked once. . .
Then cracked a big, teary smile. Throwing her arms around his waist, she cried, ''That's why we all love you, Rex.''
''What?!''
She sniffled, ''Even mad, you always think of how things are going to affect us and how you can save us. Such a model leader.''
Sighing as he reluctantly allowed himself to realize it was hopeless to try to dissuade her, he could only nod tiredly. ''Yeah, right. Sure.''
Without turning his head, he could feel Cody's gaze as his silent sniff said, Such a leader? You're such a dad.
Shut up, Cody, Rex thought, eyes narrowing, Not now.
Rex, I know you know what I'm thinking so I'll tell you this: you're hopeless.
Rex snorted, glancing over his shoulder at Cody, his own expression saying: Really? Hopelessly the best officer here? Do tell. I wonder what gave it away. The shining armor and the equally shining tract-record, perhaps?
Ahsoka frowned, pulling away as she glanced between the two of them. ''What's going on?'' she asked.
''Nothing.''
The captain shook his head, before returning his attention back to the young Togrutan Padawan in front of him, his gaze growing cold again. ''And back to the matter at hand. . .''
With just enough speed to surprise her, he leaned in and jerked her chin up, holding it between his thumb and pointer finger; His face mere inches from hers, forcing her bright blue eyes to stare into his golden-brown ones as he tried to make his point extremely clear, he growled, ''I expect no trouble from you, or General Skywalker, or the boys while I'm gone. If I hear that you so much as gave Kix a heart-attack with a mere prank, I shall return. And I will deal with you both. . . Personally.''
He paused, leaning back a little and putting his other hand on one hip, ''Now, no trouble; Got it?''
She pursed her lips, but nodded, glancing away. ''Okay.''
''Ahsoka,'' he pressed, hearing the reluctance in her voice, ''I mean it.''
''I won't!'' she chirped, using his grip on her chin to pull him into another quick hug. ''I know the rules: No trouble to anyone, remember what you said about command, and you want this place thoroughly spotless by the time you get back. Got it!''
Giving a sharp nod, she broke Rex's grip on her chin, smiling up at him; before she turned and pranced away, calling over her shoulder, ''This is going to be fun!''
Watching her leave as Cody came up beside him, Rex could only shake his head. ''What have we gotten ourselves into?''
Thank you for reading! :D I hope you enjoyed it.