Author's Note: Since "Mission Day Three" is just shy of 9K long, second half on Sunday :)

Mando'a Translation:

di'kut = idiot

Mission Day Three; Part 1

The following day was much a repeat of the previous ones, with Ahsoka practicing her dancing, visibly determined to ensure perfection, and Rex working at modifying his blasters. He did his best to ignore her when he could, but found it was nearly impossible.

Ahsoka's athletic grace was a distraction that he couldn't avoid, and after nearly slipping the firing pins into a position that would have reversed the charge and caused the blaster to explode when attempting to fire, he gave up on his modifications. "Don't you have to sleep before tonight?"

His abrupt question startled her.

Ahsoka slipped from the extension she was in, unbalanced, and caught herself only by stretching her hands out to take her weight spinning as she did to mitigate the impact.

Rex was out his chair and half way to her when she hit the ground.

Their eyes locked as she bent her arms to absorb the impact, her chest nearly touching the floor. Her eyes flashed for a half second before a teasing smile touched her lips. "Why Rexster, anxious to be rid of me?"

"Considering our objectives and the importance of your performance tonight, I thought you might want to rest beforehand." It sounded so plausible and mundane as he said it.

"Me? I slept a solid eight; you didn't sleep a wink last night."

"You needed it." And he hadn't dared share the bed with her lest they end up in another clinch like the one they'd been in yesterday morning. He couldn't trust himself while he was sleeping to maintain the control necessary to stay away from her. It hadn't been the first time Ahsoka had featured in his dreams, simply the most vivid. Not to mention the first time he'd ever woken to find her in his arms. "I'm conditioned to stay awake for days."

"Rex," his name was an exasperation on her lips, "this isn't your typical battlefield with the adrenaline pumping and blaster bolts flying. We have a chance to rest up in between shows and get caught up on the sleep deficit we always run back on the Resolute; we should use it."

He watched as she straightened, regaining her feet. "Is that a suggestion or an order?"

"I shouldn't have to make it an order," she told him exasperatedly, planting her hands on her hips and, to his chagrin, thrusting her breasts out as a result, "We have an opportunity here; it'd be a shame to waste it."

His jaw worked for a moment before he spoke. "I'm fine, Ahsoka."

She regarded him for a second and then shrugged, resuming her previous position, extending one leg upwards in a vertical split in a slow move that made him swallow hard as his gut clenched. "Suit yourself. It just means you'll need to join me later," her smile was mischievous as she bent, taking her leg with her and careful to maintain her balance. "Personally, I like having you for a bed warmer; keeps my… toes warm."

The feel of her was still imprinted on his body and the thought alone made thinking straight impossible. Abruptly getting to his feet, he headed for the bedroom.

"Rex?"

He glanced back to see she'd somehow curved her body into a perfect ninety degree angle, her head tilted his way, a frown on her face. With a motion towards the other room, he tried to put her at ease. "I'm going to hit the shower."

"Oh." Her expression cleared as she moved her head back in line with her leg. "Okay then. See you in a few."

Wondering if she could feel what he was feeling, Rex decided not to dwell on it as he headed for the 'fresher. Stripping down once the door was closed, he flipped on the water, still marveling a little at the luxury, and stepped in. Flexing his toes on the slightly rough bottom of the stall, he closed his eyes as he tilted his head to the spray.

The running water drowned out Ahsoka's music, replacing it with a beat that was closer to his own heartbeat. Under other circumstances it would have been soothing, relaxing even, except he was too keyed up after too little sleep and too much stimulation. His shoulders were tense, his neck practically a solid line of tension that refused to abate.

Tilting his head back and forth, he rolled it around on his neck, trying to focus on the heat of the water, to let it seep into his pores and lend it the soothing relief his body craved. When the heat didn't work, he attempted to stretch with limited success.

No matter what he did, eyes open or closed, he could picture Ahsoka in the next room; feel the press of her body against his. No matter how sternly he berated himself, or tried to picture something - anything - else, the images refused to fade. His body remained as ready for the desired activity as any mission he'd ever been on.

With a groan, Rex caved to the inevitable.

He couldn't continue to function like this. He needed some kind of relief, some kind of release, and the only place of privacy was where he was in that moment. If he wanted any kind of relief he would have to take matters into his own hands.

Closing his eyes, he focused on the young woman in the next room and the immediate image that leapt to mind was one of an indistinct outline in the very place he stood now. He could easily picture her head tilted backwards under the spray, a small curve to her lips as the water sluiced over the sensitive skin if her montrals and lekku, trailing down over her neck, to her shoulders to cascade down across her breasts.

His forehead touched the wall of the shower as he swallowed back a moan, his hand already moving, seeking the relief that would help clear his head and-

"Rex? Rex are you okay?"

He froze, hand mid motion, aching and desperate for a respite he didn't seem capable of obtaining. Clearing his throat, he raised his voice. "I'm fine, Ahsoka."

"Are you sure? I felt…"

He didn't want to know what she'd felt and he reluctantly moved to brace both hands on the wall, turning the water temperature dial as far as it would to cold. "It's nothing." He shivered as the icy water struck him, dousing his desires temporarily, despair striking him as he realized he was going to be denied this little relief.

"Rex?"

He closed his eyes against the concern in her voice. He couldn't stay where he was lest she not believe him and coming looking. That scenario, considering his current state of mind, didn't even bear thinking about. Straightening, he made his decision.

"Everything is fine, Ahsoka," he called shutting off the water. "Nothing to worry about."

"If you say so," she sounded less than convinced and he had to mentally steel himself against how good it felt to have her worried about him.

"I do." he grabbed a towel and wrapped it around his hips before cracking open the door to her concerned expression. "Go practice, Ahsoka."

"You sure?"

"Certain; if you're not going to sleep before tonight, I will."

"That's a good idea, Rex; you really should have woken me last night, you know."

"I'm not the one putting my neck out," he retorted, managing to find her a ghost of a smile. He'd been too keyed up to wake her the night before and wouldn't have slept anyway. No use ruining it for them both. "Figuratively speaking of course."

She grinned. "And literally if the club is as seedy under all that polish as it looks. Your role is just as important as mine, you know. I need you in top form."

He almost groaned. Being in top form wasn't the issue; it was getting away from the adrenaline and lust that fueled it that would eventually drop him. Or so he figured. He'd never been on edge for these reasons before and could only speculate. "I'll sleep; go."

With one last look, she left, and Rex tilted his head to the door jamb with a faint shake of his head. He doubted he'd sleep, but now that he'd stated the intention, he was damn well going to try.

"Rex?"

He looked up from his seat on the edge of the bed to find Ahsoka standing in the doorway to the bedroom as he was pulling on his boots. He took her in at a glance and frowned, seeing she looked uncertain, her fingers drawing idly on the door frame in a show of nerves he rarely saw. Turning back to his task, he kept on eye on her. "Something the matter, Ahsoka?"

"I… er… in everything we looked at for hustlers, I don't… I…"

Rex finished tying the last laces, securing them in place before looking back her way. He hadn't slept well, tossing and turning for several hours in a state of semi-rest that he often survived upon when in battle conditions, but did nothing to refresh him in this situation. She was normally more articulate and he arched his eyebrows at her, exasperation in his tone. "Ahsoka."

She flushed, from the tip of her montrals down. "Do hustlers kiss their girls?"

The blurted question caught him off guard, as did the image that followed; Ahsoka, her head tilted to his, lips parted, with his hands on either side of her face as lowered his head and-

-shook it off, with difficulty, swallowing back a groan. As if this night wasn't going to be difficult enough watching her on stage and having males approach him to haggle for her bedroom services. He cleared his throat. "Nothing I've read says they do."

"But nothing says they don't - right?"

No; nothing had said they didn't. His heart leapt into his throat and he clenched his jaw, still struggling to banish the imagery and physical reaction her question had begotten. "Right." He cleared his throat again, not daring to get to his feet. "If we had more time for recon-"

"I don't think recon would help, Rex," she looked away, obviously abashed, her fingers curling about the door jamb. "I mean, we could just observe and mimic, but… but I've never…"

His reaction to her admission was such a grateful swelling of emotional gratitude and possessive conflict that Rex pushed to his feet and strode right for her, drawing her uncertain gaze back his way. Staring at her, looking down into her eyes as he stopped before her, his heart felt tight in his chest. Ahsoka visibly wanted to do her best, wanted to get this right, and his protective urges mixed with desires long suppressed. It was a difficult decision, but not for the reasons that it should have been.

Rex wanted to kiss her; he'd wanted it, fantasized about it, for many a night and felt horribly guilty the following mornings, only managing to act normal around her through sheer force of will.

As far as he knew, Ahsoka had never detected his thoughts and fantasies and if he'd needed proof, it would have been in the uncertainty shining in the depths of her eyes. He could read it clearly; she wasn't sure if he'd reject her or ridicule her. It was a recognizable emotion; one he'd felt often in her presence and which resonated within him with intimate familiarity. Reaching out one hand, he gently caught her chin as she made to look away, visibly embarrassed. "Neither have I, Ahsoka."

"No?"

Was that relief in her tone? He wasn't sure if he was broadcasting his emotional response into her words. His answer was soft, but firm. "No."

Her eyes widened as he did exactly what he'd been thinking about when she mentioned it, sliding his fingers along her jawline to cup her face. He heard her breath catch, her pupils dilating, as she seemed to be frozen; watching him, waiting, poised for flight if he moved the wrong way. The longing in her gaze penetrated his defenses; she wanted him to kiss her.

Rex shamelessly took advantage, caving to the need to touch her further, to do something, anything about the desires simmering in his blood.

His free hand came up to caress her other cheek, tilting her chin as he'd seen in holos before tilting his head to hers and covering her mouth with his. Eyes closing, he savored her acceptance, putting everything he felt for her into that brushing of lips.

She tasted like spice.

Heady and subtle with a hint of a kick, he drank in her soft sigh like a drowning man, allowing himself this memory; taking what he'd always desired. Giving what he'd always wanted her to have.

The kiss was soft, hesitant and, as Ahsoka's lips parted under his, Rex drew back. His hands slid from her face to her shoulders as he watched her. Uncertainty gripped him; had he done it right?

Her eyes fluttered open to stare at him with something akin to shock. "I didn't…" her hand lifted to her lips as they tilted in a kind of wonderment he'd never seen before. "Wow."

Somehow, he chuckled, his own lips kicking into a responding grin despite the fire eating away at his gut. "With a response like that, you'd have given us away for sure."

"I would, wouldn't I?" she looked abashed. "I guess it's a good thing we practiced, wasn't it?"

Rex shook his head, taking a step away from her before he did something rash; like kiss her again. "Once is hardly practice."

"True," she exhaled and straightened her shoulders. "It's a good thing we got that first one out of the way then," she corrected gamely. Her expression softened as she touched her lips once more, something warm and soft and heartfelt in her gaze. "Thanks Rex."

He wasn't sure if she should have; he still wanted to do it again. "We should be going."

"Now?"

"Shortly. Collect what you need and be ready for several costume changes."

"Just what did you sign me up for, Rexster?"

"Stage shows," he told her flatly, crossing his arms over his chest. "You don't work the floor. Ever."

"Ever?" She frowned. "That's not going to work; I won't be able to get close to the target."

"Only with my permission," he amended; he wasn't about to tell her what he'd threatened the man with in the event that rule was broken. "I made it very clear to The Catalyst's owner that I call the shots when it comes to you and your clientele."

"So… no surprises."

"I think he was more excited just to have such an exotic female in his stage show; apparently Togruta are rare in this business," Rex smiled faintly. "Imagine that."

His tease had the desired effect and she laughed softly. "Imagine. Give me ten or fifteen minutes and I'll be ready, Rex."

"Take thirty," he suggested, stepping past her into the main living area and going to collect the dual blasters he'd been given for the mission. "I've a modification I want to make to these before we leave."

"Thirty it is."

Thirty Minutes Later - The Catalyst Cantina

Ahsoka looked around the back area of the club as Ishka, a violet Twi'lek dancer, gave her a brief tour.

There were a series of small dressing rooms, each with its own waiting parlor and long, half couch where they could rest between acts or, Ishka advised with a wink, service clients who paid for their charms. Inside the dressing rooms were enough space to hang several costumes, their accoutrements, and to store their shoes. Additionally each room had a vanity, small storage for the provided paints and perfumes and an overstuffed chair for relaxing. The doors to each dressing room also had locks, Ishka told her seriously, to give them a safe place to retreat should a client ask for more than they had paid.

Keeping that in mind, despite the fact she wouldn't be entertaining anyone, Ahsoka was left to her own devices to prepare as she had the dubious honor of being the first girl on stage. She was examining the wardrobe and putting the costumes she'd brought for wardrobe changes inside when a knock sounded on her door.

Turning her head, she found Rex standing on the threshold.

Gone were the military precision and polish in his stance as he leaned one shoulder against the door frame, one knee cocked, one booted foot crossed over the other, looking dangerous and sexy in his black outfit; a contrast to the blonde head of fuzz that had begun to grow, longer than she'd ever seen it, in the last few days. He looked every inch the Hustler inspecting his Dancer before a big show.

He also looked dangerously alluring with the glint in his eyes that matched the turmoil in his Force signature. Turmoil that had been there since she'd gotten the conflicting, spiking emotional response while he was in the shower; their kiss had only made it worse. She did her best to ignore it, still partly reeling from that kiss herself.

Managing not to grin widely but to instead shoot Rex a sly half smile, she waved one hand to the room and cocked her hip to place the other squarely on it with a coquettish tilt of her head. "Does it meet the standards my Hustler has set?"

"Not by half," he frowned, looking around. "I'll be having a word with the manager."

Ahsoka giggled. "Oh Rex."

He shot her a cautionary look, reminding her of the danger she was courting by teasing him and her smile quickly died. "Are you ready?"

"As I'll ever be," she exhaled, her voice dropping to a near whisper, "think he'll be here tonight?"

Rex stepped into the small room and closed the door behind him. His voice was pitched low as he shook his head. "I doubt it. Tonight is mostly to establish your credibility. The file says he goes for the exotic and the high priced; apparently he doesn't like to share."

"So you'll charge an exorbitant amount for my services and word will spread about my prowess." He nodded once, shortly, and Ahsoka sighed. "Relax, Rex. Rumors might start after tonight, but both you and I know there's nothing true about them."

"I dislike destroying your reputation on purpose."

She grinned. "Think of it as building Kora's reputation," she suggested a touch cheekily, "the more talk there is, the better the chance of catching our prey."

Rex frowned, revealing that her attempt to put him at ease had failed. "Be careful, Ahsoka."

"Kora," she corrected, tilting her head and assuming the languid posture she'd used just before starting her lap dance on him that morning, her words practically a purr. Just as quickly, the transformation was gone, and her concern for him shone through. "I'm not the one seated with the armed trouble makers; you be careful too, okay?"

"I will. Your fan dance is first; good luck," with that, a smoldering look and a flash of a half-smile, Rex was gone.

Ahsoka exhaled as the door closed behind him and turned back to the wardrobe with a determined move. Fan dance; check. She would wow the lot of them and set this whole charade in motion with a stellar performance.

Leaving Ahsoka to the back room, Rex made his way to the front of The Catalyst and the seat the proprietor had 'reserved' for him off to the side. Seating himself, he was brought a drink by the Twi'lek serving girl; first one on the house, he was told.

Rex lifted his glass to the bartender and turned towards the stage, one eye on the cantina entrance. If their target arrived tonight, he had every intention of giving Ahsoka the go ahead so they could get this done and over with.

The sooner they were gone, the sooner they could go back to being Captain and Commander, with the boundaries of their relationship clearly defined. Boundaries that had become blurred and distorted, more so with every passing hour; he never should have kissed her.

His self-recriminations were enough to keep him occupied as he sipped his drink and kept an eye out for their target.

Sleaze after sleaze entered The Catalyst until there was a half full house, the manager visibly waiting and counting and, once the house was two thirds full, the music was cued and the show began.

Rex's jaw tightened as Ahsoka stepped out onto the stage; twin fans in hand, her face veiled and montrals adorned with golden links and bells attached to the thinnest of chains that draped horizontally across her face. She tinkled musically with every tilt of her head, her smile a bare hint behind semi opaque material covering the lower half of her face. Whistles and cat calls sounded from the audience as she came towards center stage.

She took up her starting position, one fan held discreetly before her, bare sienna legs visible from mid-thigh down to her toes, each athletic inch poised to begin, lengthened by small golden heels that did nothing but add to her exotic look.

He couldn't look away, though he knew he should, as she began to sway with the music. One of their mission parameters had been singing, but GAR Intelligence obviously hadn't heard Ahsoka try and sing before suggesting it. It had been considered, and dismissed, quickly.

Whispers started almost immediately, males inquiring as to her time and Rex caught the speculation about her as she moved fluidly into the routine. It stung, knowing it was necessary, the cruder comments making his fists clench and inspiring mental images he didn't need.

Comments about her thighs around one's hips, her ass and beauty; about her lips around-

It was all he could do not to stand and set them all straight. The mission, he admonished himself silently. This is all for the mission. Ahsoka's cover might be essential but if I ever meet those di'kut's at Intelligence, they'll be speaking with the business end of my blaster! She deserves better than this; than to be used like this.

Rex forced a hard smile to his lips, knowing his gaze probably gleamed with hunger, but was unable to help himself.

"If you're still looking at her like that after owning her for the last year," a voice his shoulder rasped, "I'm mighty interested in discovering why. What do you charge for her?"

Rex's fingers tightened on the glass as he dragged his gaze from Ahsoka to look at the Deveronian who'd addressed him. The club manager must have directed the sleaze towards him. Relief and annoyance shot through him as he regarded the other male; not their target. "More than you can afford," he responded, evenly.

"A price, my friend," the creature insisted, "I am a man of many means and may surprise you."

"Ten thousand." Rex turned his attention back to the stage, knowing no one wanted to pay that much for her; he would have, but for other reasons. He would have paid millions to make Ahsoka his even for a night - if he'd had any credits.

"A little steep for a night, but I'm willing to pay it."

"Nightly?" Rex scoffed. "That's hourly, friend."

"No whore is worth ten thousand hourly!"

Somehow, Rex managed not to deck the creature. Ahsoka was no whore, no matter that she was playing the part and it got his back up to hear scum like this talk that way about her. "You're wasting my time," he drawled, "come back when you grow a pair."

"You can't charge anything for her when you're dead!"

The sound of durasteel clearing leather had barely reached him before Rex's pistol was out and against the Deveronian's chin. "Try it," he urged; his tone was anticipatory. He could use a good fight; anything to bleed off the sexual tension that was eating at his gut and to channel it elsewhere. "Go ahead."

Intent flashed in the other male's eyes and the sound of Rex's blaster going off echoed through the cantina.

Sound died as all eyes turned to him, the dead Deveronian sliding to the ground at his feet with a thump.

Looking around, his gaze fell on Ahsoka's and then to the musicians. "You're not being paid to stand there, girl," he growled before his gaze snapped to the musicians, "you - play!"

There was a pause as if everyone waited to see what would happen. Rex spun his blaster deliberately, not holstering the weapon but placing it on the table before picking up his drink as if nothing had happened.

And things returned to normal.

The music resumed and Ahsoka returned to her dance. The body was removed and the credits on the corpse placed on the table before his drink was replenished. Rex tossed back the last of the alcohol, enjoying the burn from throat to stomach, wishing the di'kut's challenge had been more of an issue. He was still solid as a rock, his pants painfully tight, the brief satisfaction of eliminating the Deveronian and protecting Ahsoka fading away as his gaze was drawn back to the stage.

No one else approaches him for the duration on her dance, as if informed by some unspoken code that he wanted to watch his girl. His girl; the connotation was different in his mind than in theirs.

To him, she was his girl. His to protect. To defend; to support through this fekking mission and assist in getting out of intact once they had what they'd come for.

To them, she was his working girl. A woman who could be had for a few minutes to a few hours to a whole night for just the right price.

It made him want to shoot someone.

Ahsoka's routine was just under five minutes long. Five minutes of interminable hell where he could watch her to his heart's content - and burn.

With rage.

At the council for forcing her into this part; for making her grow up far faster than any teenager should. At the dictates of society that made this role the only viable one for gaining quick access to their target's person and the information they so desperately needed. At the creatures around him who believed they were good enough to touch the hem of her skimpy show costume, let alone more.

With jealousy.

At the patrons and the men calling to her and fantasizing about what was his in his dreams and never could be otherwise.

With lust.

He'd never wanted anyone more, and not just because he could see the charms her role forced her to portray. He knew the beauty of her heart, the selflessness of her soul; he knew her better than anyone... And he lusted to have her, hold her, be with her, just once.

The show was over before the next male approached him to inquire about hiring Ahsoka's company, wanting to take advantage of her charms for the evening.

Unlike the Deveronian, once he heard the cost, he bowed away graciously. Two more followed with the same result before Ahsoka's next act and a second followed the Deveronian to the gutter outside, adding more credits to Rex's haul on top of what Ahsoka was earning.

Slouching in the chair was as unnatural as it was necessary; his pants were three sizes too small, his temper frayed, and he seriously considered calling the mission off right then and there. How could he be expected to sit and watch her, to deal with these scum, night after night, and maintain his sanity?

The answer was simple; grin and bear it.

Ahsoka was playing as distasteful a role as he and doing so with poise; could he do any less? The answer, of course, was no.

So Rex bore it.

Her dancing - three different routines, each more risqué than the last. The customers - their perverted requests and demands. The heat that simmered below his skin, churning low in his belly, only his silent mantra that they were there for the mission holding it in check.

There for the mission; it was going to be a long mission.

TBC