Rex got used to his position in the 501, moving onto his own company once Anakin became a general. He felt that was where he truly could shine, Anakin encouraging him to speak his mind and think critically instead of simply taking orders. He wrote to Kaleera once a week, even at times when he couldn't send them in remote, desolate places too far to send. They kept him grounded… kept him sane. Even if he never sent them the habit was cathartic. In those down times before a battle when he thought he'd lose it, they kept him occupied. He wrote her physical letters- he didn't want records of everything he said going to Anakin- it was private. She did the same, and he kept his favorites of hers in the pocket on his kamas. one read:

"Dear Rex,

I'm happy to hear that you've gotten you're own company. I always knew that someone would notice how intelligent you are and capture your potential. From all the games you bested me at in the med bay, I know you're a great strategist. Things have been quiet here, and I suppose that's a good thing, but I have to admit- I do miss having you around. I hope you're doing well."

He missed her; it was something he'd wished he could ignore. But he often caught himself visualizing her smile, trying to hear her voice. Especially when things got rough and he wasn't sure how much more he could take, he'd relive a moment they'd shared, a conversation they'd had. He'd never thought of returning to Kamino, except when he thought of visiting her. He'd gotten accustomed to the distance, her face a distant memory. But her letters never ceases to give him butterflies, a childlike grin on her face. She was a piece of joy, untouched by the horrors of what he'd done and seen. She allowed him to be Rex, and somehow made him feel special doing it.

It'd been so long, that when Anakin told them Kamino was under attack, Rex didn't hold back.

"That's our home," he pressed. The thought of something happening to her… he pushed the thought away. "It's personal."

It wasn't until after the battle on Kamino, after all the droids were dead and Ventress had fled, that he allowed himself to seek her out. A large part of him was worried about her safety; after Kaliida Shoals he knew the separatists weren't above targeting the wounded. But the other part of him was sweaty palms, knots in his stomach. What if she'd changed? What if she wasn't interested in seeing him, and the letters were somehow a farce? He shook his head. That was absurd, right? But it was a thought he couldn't shake. He walked down the halls, nodding to men he'd never met, knowing one day they could be in the 501st. After being away for so long, Kamino felt claustrophobic. He liked the small freedoms granted to him by Anakin when he was able.

He entered the med bay, and her back was turned, talking to one of her assistants at the front medic station. Her hair had grown much longer, he noticed, hoping it was the only thing that had changed. The sight of her took his breath away. She'd been an extension of his imagination for so long, that seeing her again in person, standing before her, it was almost too much. She was commanding, intoxicating.

She turned, tilting her head.

"Can I help you?"

His stomach fell. Why would she know his face? He was one in a million, more than a million, clones, many of which had passed through. He reddened, backing away. Then it dawned on him. She's never seen him in his armor, never mind his phase two armor. He took a deep breath, and pulled off his helmet, his face heating up. What if she still didn't know him?

She tilted her head, smiling. "Rex?"

He smiled. She did know him. She opened her arms, and he rushed into them, pulling her into his grasp. Her touch was like water to a flame, such an immediate relief. His mouth fell open, surprised at how previously unaware he was of how much he needed her touch. His fingers curled around her shirt, and he hid his face in her hair, breathing deep. He couldn't hold her close enough, couldn't get enough of her.

"I've missed you so much." He whispered, reddening. He sounded absurd.

Apparently she didn't think so. She laughed a bit. "I've missed you too." She released him, taking his face in her hands. He closed his eyes, relishing in the feeling.

"Do you have anything you need to be doing?" She asked.

He shook his head. "No. General Skywalker told us to get some rest."

She smiled. "Good. How about we get dinner and catch up?"

He smiled, and she shouted to one of her assistants that she was done for the day, leading him down a wing that had been added since his last visit.

They turned into the officer's mess, some of the men looking up at them. They greeted Kaleera, and she led him through the line. Rex grabbed a meatloaf and a side of mash, his stomac hgrowling for actual food. He'd eaten rations for so long that he was a bit worried he'd spoil himself. She grabbed him a drink and they sat at the table in the far corner, drawing weird looks and raised eyebrows. She handed him his drink, setting down her own as she pulled in her chair.

"Thank you." He blushed, still feeling cold since they'd separated after their embrace. They chat idly about their recent work until dinner was finished and they sat together at the table. Rex hung on her every word, enjoying the glimmer in her eyes, the care behind her smile. She seemed happy he was here. For what reason he wasn't sure. She was around clones every day. But his heart warmed regardless.

"This is really good." Rex said, not wishing for the meal to end and his return to the 501st.

He smiled, and a small droid came by and took their dishes.

She watched him, her eyes thoughtful. "What's on your mind?"

He flushed and shook his head. "Nothing."

"Rex. You still have the same worry face."

He smiled a bit, before sighing. "I don't want to go back."

She sighed sadly. "I don't want you to either." She shrugged. "Why don't you stay the night? We can have breakfast in the morning before you go."

Rex's eyes widened. Him, spend the night… here? With her? His late night thoughts that drifted to what ifs and forbidden futures had led him here, bit he never dared to think he'd ever even be in the same building with her again.

"You can stay in one of the guest rooms down here instead of in the barracks. I'm working the overnight tonight, so, in the morning we can grab breakfast before you go."

She smirked. "Its your choice. I thought you might like an opportunity for some privacy."

Privacy. He hadn't had it since his stay in the medical bay. "I'd love to. Thank you."

They cleaned up their mess and Rex grabbed his helmet, following her. She led him back to the medical bay and down the hallway behind it, where the visiting medics and doctors stayed. She pushed open the door, the plain bed barely visible before she flicked on the light.

"The fresher is through there, you can give your blacks to the droid he;ll clean them up for you." She opened a drawer in a dresser beside the door and pulled out a plain shirt and sweats.

"I'll be at the medical station if you need me at all."

"Thank you," He sputtered.

She smiled, "of course. Good night."

He went into the fresher, tossing his blacks onto the floor and turning on the water. He washed the sweat and ash from his skin, taking a moment to relish in his current situation.

He smiled. He'd daydreamed about this, what it'd be like to have his own place, share his life with someone who cared, even a relationship. He'd only heard of such things, since the Jedi lived very similar lives to the clones. He'd always been fed a lot of 'when the war is over', but with his lifespan and odds of survival, he'd accepted defeat, instead allowing himself to daydream in the long hours of downtime they faced. Something as simple as what type of clothing he'd wear as a civilian could keep his mind occupied in the tense moments where the silence threatened to eat up his mind.

He ran the body wash over his shoulders and neck, taking a moment to enjoy a shower without a dozen men waiting for him to get out. He loved his men, they were his brothers, the only people that understood him. But there was always the element of 'the job'. There were professionalism and ranks to be upheld. it out a dent in the potential to be a family, an invisible wall of red tape and orders.

He shut off the water, running the towel over his head and chest. He pulled on the pajamas, frowning again at the suspected source. He climbed into the guest bed. It was incredibly soft. His durasteel bunk had a thin layer of foam over it, and that was when he could sleep in his bunk and not on the ground somewhere. He pulled the blankets up around him, closing his eyes.

He could not sleep.

It was too quiet.

He scolded himself. Even peace wasn't peaceful to him. It was absolutely silent. Silence had always been dangerous for him, his mind playing tricks on him. He began to think of the possibilities of everything, consequences and nightmares. He got out of bed, getting on the floor to do push-ups. If he got physically tired enough, he'd sleep. Right? He counted, trying to drown out the particular sound he'd heard one of his brothers make when debris went through his armor. Screaming. Gurgling, moaning. The smells.

Stop. He willed his mind, his arms burning. Stop.

But another image seeped through the wall, a quick flash of eyes frozen open in death.

He shook his head, rolling over to switch to sit ups. Stop stop stop….

Rex?

He spun around so fast he bumped his head on the bedframe.

Kaleera stood there, arms crossed. "You ok?"

He reddened.

"I was up. I heard you grunt a few times and wanted to make sure you were ok."

He scrambled to his feet. "It's uhh, it's just so quiet."

She bobbed her head, "I told you to come get me right?" She waved her hand and he followed her into the rec room where she turned on the holo. She turned it down, low enough for him to hear but not too much, and he sat. She pulled a large blanket from behind the couch and tossed a pillow on the end. He followed her instruction and he lie down, letting her cover him with the blanket. It smelled like her, and he took a deep breath. She sat beside him, just after his knees, her legs drawn up onto the couch. She was on the other end, her legs reservedly tucked beside her, but the warmth of her body was comforting.

He listened to the holo, her presence and warmth pulling him to sleep.

He woke the next morning to the smell of caff and pancakes, the sun streaming in. He sat up, stretching his shoulder.

"Morning." She greeted.

"Morning."

He stood, scratching his head. The realization that'd he'd be leaving that morning made his stomach sink.

"Caff?"

He nodded, and she walked him a cup, joining him at the table with their pancakes. He looked at her silently, momentarily pretending this could be everyday, time spent with someone he cared for, and who cared for him, who wasn't his superior or subordinate. Someone who wasn't obligated to be in his presence. Was it too much to ask, to live platonically beside her? Even for a short time?

"What's wrong?" She asked, looking at him over her mug.

He sighed. "You've spoiled me, I hate to leave."

She smiled, "life changes so quickly. This time next year you could be a criminal on the streets of Coruscant or something."

He laughed and she dipped her caff. He had a spur of bravery with that statement, and blurted, "am I the only clone you write to?"

She looked up. "Yes. Why?"

He flushed, "that's none of my business, I'm sorry-"

"Why do you ask?" She asked again.

"I just, I couldn't figure out why you were writing to me, so I figured maybe you wrote to more clones, I don't know."

She shook her head. "I offered to write to you, Rex, because, in addition to enjoying having you on the ward, I wanted to help ease you into leaving the healing ward after spending so much time here. The Republic is so brutal with changes and demands that I think they forget clones are humans. However, I kept writing to you because I liked it. I enjoy our friendship."

He blushed, "I'm one clone-"

"Yes but you're you, Rex. Like any other people, I'm going to be compatible with some clones and not with others. You and I seemed to hit it off, so now we're friends. It has nothing to do with you being a clone or not."

He smiled, "I thought you didn't recognize me yesterday."

She laughed, light reaching her eyes, "I did, but I was afraid to assume it was you just because of the jaig eyes. Especially since you weren't supposed to be there last I heard." She said pointedly, poking him in the chest.

He smirked, "it was a last minute decision. That's Skywalker for you."

She walked him back to the troop transport, offering him an embrace before he left. He pulled her into his arms, her feet off the ground. He wanted to remember this, remember how she felt in his arms. It could be the last time... He shook the thought away.

She laughed, and he set her down, sighing.

"I hope I get to see you sooner than a year."

She put her hands on either side of his helmet. "Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere. I'll be here."

Pacing is quick for now but will slow down after introductions and such :) thanks for reading