The butterfly effect. Something Fives was having to get used to. Since the 212th were here now that means Krell couldn't put his men against each other so easily. It also means that no one was going to know that Krell wasn't all that he seemed, or at least not everyone. Fives had a sneaking suspicion that Rex called Cody after he had found him in the fresher having a break down. It backfired a little bit when Krell took his anger out on him though.

Fives was wrapping his arm up in bandages when he heard the loud thump across the hall. It sounded like someone fell off the top bunk, but one could never be sure. Moving over to the door of the barrack room he listened closely trying to decipher if it was a threat or not.

"Hardcase!"

"What!? You know it's true! You've seen the way that the two look at each other! Plus Cody and Rex has always been protective of Echo and Fives. It's like a given."

"You can't just go spreading rumors like that though! What if the captain found out? Or worse the General!?"

"Oi don't jinx it Dogma."

"I'm not! I'm being honest!"

"He has a point you know, Dogma. They do sort of… hover… around each other. Plus Fives and Rex seemed to be very close. The two seemed to be as connected as Jesse and Kix."

"I know Cody is just as worried about them as well."

"Waxer don't get into this, please."

"Just chiming in."

"I bet that it will be official, if it already isn't, by the time we leave Umbara."

"No! No betting! It's against regs!"

"Alright I bet three weeks."

"A month."

"Waxer!"

"What?"

Fives leaned against the wall listening to the conversation quietly. Great. Rumors had started to fly already. Why wasn't he surprised? Because Hardcase was the worst at gossip and couldn't keep his mouth shut once he suspected something. Fives snorted lightly as he continued to listen. Something in his gut tightened lightly as he felt his face get hot. He never really thought about it that way. Never really had the chance to, but now that rumors were flying it was making him more aware of it.

Sure his relationship with Rex was closer than most, but that was because he spent more time with him. It wasn't like they were dating, or riduur like Jesse and Kix were. Yet still. The brunette shook his head lightly. They were just getting in his head. Nothing more. And yet Fives was blushing as he walked away.

/—/—/

Unfortunately, Fives had not been the only one listening in on the conversation. Krell grinned almost sadistically as he listened to the gossip. So they are that close then. Good then my next move should work perfectly. I won't have a group of lab monkeys ruining my chance to get Dooku in my favor. Krell laughed darkly as he moved to begin setting up his plan. Nothing could stand in his way now. Nothing. Not even an ARC.

Krell stood up from his chair turning away from the screen of the room. Yes. Everything was going according to plan. Now all he needed was for the ARC to screw something up, or for the 212th to show their real purpose as to why they were here. That or he could just get rid of the ARC permanently. Yes he would do just that.

/—/—/

"Cody, I'm fine. It missed my heart by a few inches," Fives whined as the 212th commander kept the ARC from moving out of Rex's lap who had a hand discarded though the ARC's hair.

"Bantha shit, and you know it," Cody growled lightly as looked over the healing wound.

Rex hummed in agreement as he began scratching at Fives' scalp. Cody was normally the one who did that, but it was normally when they were trying to bring Fives back to reality not just for no reason. When Fives made a choked sound in the back of his throat Rex paused in what he was doing. Cody even paused and looked up from examining the wound afraid he had done something.

"Are you alright," the blonde asked concern bleeding into his voice.

"Keep doing that," Fives got out his voice hitting a low register and coming out slowly like syrup.

"What this," Rex cocked an eyebrow as he continued to scratch at Fives' head.

"Yes… that," Fives got out again his voice slow and leaned into Rex's hand.

Rex snorted lightly as he continued the massage at Fives' scalp keeping his other arm wrapped around the ARC's middle. Fives never would have guessed that his scalp was an area that he could derive pleasure from, but as Rex's hand kept moving it was quickly changing his thoughts.

"You like this," Rex asked quietly almost forgetting that Cody was right there in front of them.

"Yes," Fives affirmed his voice a low purr that got a light smile out of Rex.

Cody chuckled quietly watching the two. Rex's gaze meets the commander's and its one full of understanding and fondness. Rex smiled lightly before pressing a light kiss to Fives' hair line. Well at least now he knows a way to get the ARC to be quiet and listen for once.

"You know I'm using this a blackmail the first chance I get, right," Cody finally spoke up drawing both of the 501st members attention to him.

In the older clone's hand was a data-pad with a usable camera. The smirk on Cody's face was pure evil, and the look of horror on Rex's face was priceless. Fives on the other hand was too out of it to care.

"You bastard I should—," Rex growled half-heartedly as he glared at Cody only to be cut off by Fives grabbing the blonde's hand that had been on his head ( now on his shoulder ) and placing it back in the ARC's hair.

The slight rush of color that Rex got to his cheeks was going to be Cody's blackmail for the next year at least. Growling at Cody the captain went back to taking care of his trooper not continuing his sentence.

"You were saying?"

"Kriff off Cody."

/—/—/

It was time Krell decided when the next day rolled around. His plan was in motion now. He called ARC-5555 to meet him in the command center. Alone. He had watched the order being given to the ARC when he was right next to CC-2224 and CT-7567. Both of the officers seemed alarmed. CT-7567 tried to get the ARC to stay or to let one of them come with. It was a delight to hear the ARC say ,"Orders are orders, Rex. Sorry."

The hurt on the captain's face was perfect. The pure betrayal in his eyes was grand. He did however notice that ARC-5555's voice was off. Off as in he didn't sound surprised or even afraid of what was to come. Oh, but he would be. He would be. The 212th commander tried to talk some sense into ARC-5555. It didn't work either, and when the ARC entered the command center Krell couldn't be more please with a plan gone well.

Mind torture was easier than it looked. All he did was stretch out his presence. Krell did so however in an invasive way and it hurt the ARC beautifully. The besalisk grabbed onto everything that defined the ARC, and pushed and pulled in all of the wrong directions.

"I've been patient long enough ARC-5555. You see in order for my plan to move forward I need you out of the picture," Krell circled the ARC as if he were his pray.

ARC-5555 looked small compared to when he first saw the ARC when he landed. He could practically taste the anxiety and fear rolling off of the clone in waves through the force. It tasted so sweet to him. So perfect. His plan was going marvelously.

"I'm relieving you of duty ARC-5555. Permanently," Krell gleamed as his lightsabers igniting causing the ARC to flinch.

ARC-5555 swallowed audibly and took one step backwards still struggling against the mind torture. Krell followed with one of his own. This pattern continued until the ARC hit the wall behind him and Krell was invading his space. Just when Krell was about to give the final blow the sound of blasters charging drew the jedi's attention away.

"General Krell you're being relieved from duty."

"Permanently."

/—/—/

This one was a bit longer than my normal chapters. It took me a while to figure out how I wanted to write this. Some of it was suggested by an ANON (you know who you are). I do have to admit I'm slowly losing motivation, and with school starting up again I believe I will lose motivation faster. If anyone has any ideas or requests at how you guys want this story to go please tell me in the review section. I don't care how long the review is or if its just all written like a cat crossed your keyboard.

This is the longest story I've written, and I would love to actually finish it for you guys.

Glogirl signing off