A/N: Have I been writing this instead of Until they're gone? Yes. But I promise I'll update that soon! Sorry for the wait!

This is based on some art I did on my art account, which is the cover for the story. It's a Rex and Anakin bromance fic, but it's fine if you want to take it as romance! No real context, it's just at some point in the Clone Wars.

Rex felt his heart stop as he saw the saber stop in its fluid motion, then alternate its strike to the right. There was no time to call out. There was no way, even with his years of training, for the General to parry it. There was no time to warn him. There was no-

The Knight cried out as it brushed his leg, crumpling forward onto the ground. Rex made to move forward, starting towards the thin opening between the metal wreckage. But he felt someone grab onto his boot, pulling him back. He almost, almost, kicked them to get free. But some of his anger evaporated. His training kicked in.

They needed to retrieve the General. But they couldn't do that while the Count was still there. Even with half a dozen men, Rex didn't think they'd be able to take the risk. They'd end up all dead, with Anakin in no better position than he was before.

It was supposed to be a routine mission. It was meant to be quick, over and done with before anyone had time to miss them. Obi-Wan had been the one who'd suggested they split up, cover more ground in less time. It would have worked, if not for the fact it was a trap. If not for the fact it had gone wrong. Rex looked back from the helmet of his squadmate, he couldn't see who in the darkness, onto the scene which was playing out a few meters bellow them. Dooku was walking away from Anakin, looking up into the sky. Rain was falling heavily on them.

Rex didn't think that Anakin was in any immediate danger from the Count, but once he was in Separatist hands there was no garuntee that he'd come out unscathed, if he came out at all. And Anakin still hadn't moved.

Neither had Rex. He kept his eyes on Dooku. Waiting until he had moved out of sight. Rex didn't know why he had left, but he could only assume he'd be back. With more troops.

"I'm going," He whispered behind him, "get back to the ship. And then contact Cody."

"Sir, the-"

"Take the troops and go. I'll follow with General Skywalker."

He didn't wait for a reply. He swung his legs over the wreckage.

Rex slid down the plate and lightly landed on his feet, soundlessly so he didn't alert the Count. He ducked down low, almost fully onto the floor. Then he started shuffling his way along, grabbing ahold of the slippery rocks and pulling forward. It wasn't far, but every minute that they waited was another minute where the Separatist transport moved closer to them. Another minute where the chance of escape grew slimmer and slimmer.

When he finally reached the General's prone body, he hesitated. On the one hand, he'd be moving into clear view. On the other, Anakin still hadn't moved. And time was running out.

His choice was decided for him when Anakin groaned and rolled over. Rex breathed a sigh of relief. He was alive at least. That was all he could really hope for. Rex took a last look at Dooku, then crawled over to Anakin.

Burns covered his tunic, char marks from where the saber had hit him. There were bruises all over his face, and Rex didn't even dare look down to the deep cut which he knew was on the General's leg.

"General Skywalker. General. Anakin?" Rex promoted, cupping the Knight's face in his hands. He received only another groan in response. "Sir, you have to get up."

The sounds of voices grew closer. Dooku's transport had obviously arrived. "Sir, we need to leave. Now."

When it became apparent that Anakin wasn't in any condition to respond, Rex stood, hoisting him up so that Anakin's arm was around his shoulders.

"I need you to cooperate with me here." Rex grunted as he took Anakin's full weight. Now very vaguely aware, Anakin tightened his grip slightly. But not nearly enough for Rex to be able to move easily.

Suddenly he heard the voices behind him yell out in alarm. In realisation. He froze in place. There was no way out. No way -

But... while his gun was useless in this close combat, he knew something that wasn't. Something that could work. Reaching over to Anakin's belt, he grabbed the lightsaber. He spun around and activated it.

"Back off."

He swung the lightsaber around in an arc, careful to keep Anakin away from the heat of the blade. The droids stepped back, but didn't lower their blasters. Not that Rex had expected them to.

But they hadn't fired yet. And he suspected that had more to do with the high alive-only bounty on Anakin's head, rather than his own amateur lightsaber swinging. Which meant that while he stayed so close to the General, they couldn't kill him. So the main objective was to stay together until either help arrived or they could retreat.

Rex's head felt clearer with a plan. A plan he could work with.

"General." He whispered, not wanting to take his eyes from the every growing Separatist group. "Are you okay to stand by yourself for a minute?"

Anakin gave a small squeeze of his shoulder. Rex hoped that meant yes. Otherwise this was going to be a very bad idea. He saw Dooku returning, the crowd parting for him. Rex wasn't sure where he had disappeared to, or why he had left one of the Separatist's most wanted injured and in plain sight, but it didn't really matter. He was back now. And Rex knew his limited blade skills would never be able to hold the Count off.

Letting go of Anakin, hoping he wouldn't just collapse, Rex moved to stand in front of the Knight. Holding the lightsaber with both hands, he raised it.

"I said back off."

Dooku looked at him with something almost akin to a minimal respect.

"You are foolish if you think you can defeat me in combat." He said. Rex's heart dropped as Anakin swayed behind him, grabbing onto his shoulder. "If you surrender it would be easier. I promise that the boy will come to minimal harm."

"Oh yeah?" Rex jeered. He swung the blade again, for no particular reason other than just to show them that he wasn't backing down.

"My lineage won't come to any harm from me." Dooku replied.

"Tell that to his missing limb."

"He won't come under any more harm from me." Dooku answered. "That incident was... Regretful." He took a step forward, so Rex took one back, pressing against Anakin. The rain thudded on his helmet. It almost obscured his vision completely. But Dooku didn't stop advancing, and Rex knew that soon they'd be backed into a corner, against the wreckage of some old ship.

He was just trying to think of a possible way to stall when he felt Anakin let out a small cry behind him and fall forward. He, by instinct, just had time to deactivate the lightsaber and drop it, catching Anakin. Momentary relief flooded him.

Then dread as he realised his mistake. Dooku smiled and summoned the now useless lightsaber into his hand. He clipped it into his belt, as Rex pulled out his blaster. It was a lot less useful in the situation, but it was better than nothing.

"He will die if he doesn't get medical attention soon. Only we can provide that."

"I have soldiers near. They're just awaiting my order." Rex bluffed. He had no idea where the rest were. They could've been miles away.

But Dooku was right about Anakin. He was fading fast.

"Rex-" Anakin coughed.

"Hold on General." Rex interrupted. He didn't have time to hear last wishes. He needed to save him. He lowered Anakin to the floor gently.

"Rex-"

Rex stood and ignored him, pointing his blaster at Dooku.

"Last chance, Count." He threatened. An empty threat. He doubted if Dooku was even remotely fazed.

"Rex!" Anakin yelled.

Finally it clicked in his mind. Maybe Anakin wasn't quite as out of it as he had been. Maybe it wasn't him dying that the problem. Maybe it was...

Throwing himself over Anakin, he winced as a loud explosion roared near them, and a burning heat seared the back of his neck. Of course. The fall back plan was always the same, never varying. So one would know what to do if something like this happened. Rex, in his stupid state of shock, had forgotten.

He heard the sounds of blaster fire and unidentifiable yells. And then Cody's voice. Followed by Obi-Wan's.

He breathed out a sigh of relief. While their numbers were small, they would have enough to drive back the droids.

Picking himself unsteadily up, he immediately looked to Anakin.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

"As good as ever Rex." Anakin replied, his speech slightly slurred. Rex smiled.

"Thanks for the warning General."

He bent down and pulled Anakin up, taking care to support him steadily. He could see that his brothers had surrounded them now, there was a protective cricle around them, Obi-Wan leading the defensive team. So he took his time to make sure Anakin didn't fall.

"S'okay Rex. That's what best friends are for right?" Anakin replied.

Rex felt his heart jump. He knew that it was probably the concussion getting to the General. But he couldn't help but hope.

"Of course Anakin."

A/N: Feel free to review if you enjoyed! And I promise I'll be updating the main story soon!