Author's Note: You guys are getting this a few hours early because I don't know that I'll be able to post tomorrow... enjoy :D

Mission Day Six - Part Two

Rex wasn't anywhere she could see when Ahsoka went out for her first solo dance. The lack of his familiar stoic expression and the heat in his eyes was immediately noticeable; the churning in her stomach and pulse didn't kick into overdrive.

The music guided her through the song and fan dance even as Ahsoka searched covertly for her friend. Where are you, Rex? As her gaze scanned the crowd more thoroughly than she'd before allowed it; the leering looks of the male crowd, and the odd female, were a touch disturbing. She'd never let herself really see the effect of her dancing and here, now, with Rex absent, Ahsoka felt suddenly exposed in ways she'd not been before.

Her gaze fell on a man as he entered the dance area and the tension ebbed, the flutter in her gut telling her just who it was.

He emerged from the crowd, taking his seat, and his gaze locked on her for the rest of the song. Confident nothing would happen to her with him there, Ahsoka twirled and flirted, all the while keeping her attention focused on Rex. Even when she appeared to be playing the crowd, exhilarated by the feel of his possessive, protective Force signature, she watched him.

As a result, she missed her target entering The Catalyst as the song ended, only shifting her attention as Rex's gaze left her to deliberately touch on the human approaching his booth. While taking her bows, she saw Rex smile falsely at the other man, shaking his hand and offering him a seat.

Having to leave the stage, her last glimpse of their interactions was the man who was her target reaching into his coat pocket to extract a small bag - and then nothing but curtains. Unable to hang around, for she had to be out for the group set in mere minutes, she silently congratulated Rex on managing to be civil as she slipped back into her dressing room.

The group dance passed, before Ahsoka had a breather. Soon, she would need to be out on the floor for the last time and the real reason for playing a Burlesque Coquette would come to fruition. Her stomach was in knots, her attention fractured as she considered the fact that soon it wouldn't be Rex whom she was practicing on, but another male she held no attraction for. She would have to search his pockets, to touch him-

A shudder took her. Seated at the table where she normally adjusted her elaborate head pieces, she couldn't help but notice the panicked slant of her own gaze and the way she looked lost. Distressed. Frantic even.

I can't do this.

The realization was staggering, disheartening, and Ahsoka's head sank into her hands as she dug the heels of her palms into her eyes. I can't… I can't betray Rex like that; I can't betray myself by… I can't-

"I have heard it said," spinning, Ahsoka was on her feet and facing the softly spoken comment before she registered Rex's solemn expression, "that a beautiful girl should never look sad."

"You've…"

"Heard it said," he repeated, stepping into her dressing room and closing the door behind him. "Are you alright?"

"I can't," she swallowed against the lump in her throat, her words low so not to carry beyond the walls. "I can't do this Rex."

"You can."

"No; I can't."

"You've had harder assignments, Ahsoka," Rex seemed to be biting his tongue, even as he was trying to reassure her. "Lifting the data crystal off that di'kut Seppie should be child's play for you."

"I don't…" she looked away, ashamed of her own weakness but unable to explain it, her fear of pressuring Rex into saying something she very much wanted to hear - but not if it wasn't true - preventing the words. "I don't want to touch him."

Rex was across the room and she was in his arms, bands like durasteel across her back, her head tucked to his shoulder within moments. One hand cradled her head, about where her lek met her skull, his fingers caressing the seam with deliberate strokes. "I know."

Clutching to him, she tilted her face to bury it in his shoulder, uncaring if she was smudging her paint. This was what she wanted; Rex's touch, not some stranger who was only paying for the privilege. She didn't know how the other girls stood it. Managing to avoid the burning behind her eyes, she lifted her head to look at him a couple of long minutes later. "I don't want him to touch me, Rex."

Rex touched his forehead to hers. There was a brief moment before a ragged admission seemed suddenly torn from him. "I don't want him touching you either."

Heart soaring, hope kindling, Ahsoka clung to him. "Can you make it a condition?"

"Not without rekindling suspicion," his expression was bleak as her heart hopes were dashed. "I'm sorry, Ahsoka."

And that was that.

Closing her eyes, Ahsoka nodded, accepting the fact that this role would require a greater sacrifice of self than she'd understood before. A Jedi does what they must for the people they protect, she reminded herself silently, drawing strength from Rex's embrace. A Jedi is selfless; serving the greater good of others no matter the personal cost.

Somehow, she didn't think the Council had this in mind when they'd put that into law.

Ahsoka's next act, fortunately with the other girls, found Rex back in his seat, hyper aware of the males around him. Word had spread through the crowd that Kora the Torgutan Temptress - the moniker would make Ahsoka laugh later, he was sure - would be performing a special dance tonight and the speculative looks being cast his way weren't unnoticed.

Rex chose to ignore them. Let them think what they wanted.

Tonight had already added to his body count, two more small credit pouches having been tucked away with the others almost absently. Other than a very brief side trip before slipping in to catch the last of Ahsoka's first act, he hadn't a clue what to do with them.

This act for Ahsoka though...

Something felt wrong. Rex saw it because he knew her; she was almost hesitant in her moves, sad... and no one wanted to pay good credits for a Burlesque Coquette who didn't look like she was having a good time. Come on, Ahsoka, he urged her silently and hating himself for thinking it, make them believe this is you; that you're enjoying yourself even though we both know you're not.

Tonight, of all nights, she couldn't afford to have an 'off' night.

Their eyes locked and she must have caught on to his concern, for she forced a smile and her movements gained confidence and grace for all they were still slightly stilted in his view. But then, even after watching her perform on stage for this past week, he still privately believed her at her most graceful with her lightsabers in hand.

She followed along with the music, in step and in time with the other dancers, but even with her grace restored, Rex could tell she was still nervous. During the dance, no one approached him - as had been the norm since that first night barring the seppie's brief interruption- and Rex took advantage of it.

As Ahsoka left the stage, he pushed to his feet, determined to have another word with her; to help her regain her confidence. Rex was stopped a couple of times, briefly, by patrons who wished to speak with him, to which he told them to stick around; once Kora's surprise was finished, he would be open to discussion.

He arrived backstage to a scene from one of his nightmares.

Rhyn was there and Ahsoka was with him.

Or rather the owner of The Catalyst had her backed into the wall with a lascivious look, his hand high on her thigh with his thumb on her hip as his body brushed hers. Ahsoka's posture was all business; Burlesque Coquette business, with the fingers of her right hand walking up the other man's chest.

It was an effective way to tease the man and keep him at bay. Rex could see the way her finger nails of her left hand dug into the wall behind her and how the cadence of her breathing was fearful and not the excitement Rhyn seemed to think. He caught the tail end of Rhyn's low comment as he entered the area.

"-aste of what you can expect tonight; I like my girls wearing my-"

"After she works the floor, Quill," Rex's tone was hard, cutting off whatever vulgar thing the proprietor had been about to say, his hands clenched at his sides. "Last time I checked, she's got one more dance before that happens."

"So there is," Rhyn flashed Rex a grin, running his fingers up Ahsoka's thigh and teasing the raised hem of her skirt, "what harm is there in starting early?"

"Yeah Rex," Ahsoka's voice was sultry, but he could read the plea for help in her eyes when his gaze met hers, "just a taste?"

"We had a deal; take your hands off my girl, Quill, or word on the street will reflect its true value, and you'll be finished by end of month."

Rhyn lifted his hand free and backed off with a smirk. "No need for threats; she goes on in ten and then to the floor," the distinguished looking human's eyes flashed with a decidedly anticipatory and predatory tendencies as he glanced back at Ahsoka. "Don't worry, sweetling; you can show me all your secrets soon enough."

Rex held his arm out for Ahsoka. "Kora. Now."

Ahsoka made a moue of disappointment. "You always ruin my fun." Despite her words and visible, physical reluctance as she slunk to his side, she slid under his arm and pressed against his body.

He could feel her trembling. Looking at Rhyn with a dark expression, Rex didn't back down when the other man turned to face him, suddenly all business.

"Tonight."

Giving Rhyn a sharp nod when he seemed disinclined to leave without it, Rex watched the other man go. Rex remained where he was, his hand splayed across Ahsoka's bare back as her trembling intensified as Rhyn stepped out of view. "Go to your dressing room," he told her in an undertone, "I'll join you in a minute."

Ahsoka did as he directed but Rex remained where he was. It was a good idea, too, for Rhyn returned. Stopping after a moment when he spied Rex, his gaze narrowed and then cleared before he headed for the door that would take him out on the floor. A final glance Rex's way, almost as if checking to see if he was still here, and Rhyn was gone.

Undoubtedly to get a seat for Ahsoka's next act and a quick exit to claim his prize at the end of it.

Rex knew he'd have to act swiftly on the heels of Ahsoka's dance to save her from the man's attentions and was already planning in the back of his mind as he turned back to Ahsoka's dressing room.

His blood was simmering with the repressed rage that Rhyn's audacity had struck a match to; rage that the man had dared to touch Ahsoka. Dared to touch what was his. Striding to the door to where Ahsoka had retreated, he stepped in, not finding her in the small adjoining room. Closing the door behind him, he headed for the inner door, cracking it silently, his steps muffled by the carpet.

She was leaning against the table where her paints were strewn haphazardly, the outfit she'd chosen for her last dance on the nearby chair, her eyes closed, head bowed, all her weight on her outstretched arms. They shook a little, still trembling, and he could see her mouthing something to herself – something that looked like I can do this.

Looking at her as she determinedly squared her shoulders, Rex could tell she still wasn't confident. She needed to be confident; to be ready. She needed to be in the same place that she was whenever she was on stage; but more than that, whenever she…

An idea hit him.

"Dance for me."

Ahsoka spun to find Rex watching her from the doorway; she hadn't heard him come in. His words took a moment to register.

Surprising and unexpectedly husky, it was the predatory light in his eyes that reached deep within her, calling to the predator in her that struck the strongest chord. Her mate wanted her. Wanted something from her and she was powerless to resist his call. She swallowed hard and didn't even pretend she hadn't heard him.

"Here?"

He backed away and she followed, exiting the little dressing room and into the private waiting area with a nod. Keeping his gaze locked with hers, Rex settled on the low sofa provided, assuming the slight spread kneed position Ahsoka recognized from the vid they'd watched together.

"Here."

"There's no music."

Rex held out his hand, crooking his fingers in a 'come hither' motion she'd seen men on the floor use, the message in his eyes all heat and desire with an edge she felt more than understood. "You don't need it."

It didn't matter anyway because she'd already begun to approach him, caught in the allure of his demand, her hips swaying unconsciously to a beat she could hear within her heart. The events of what had occurred beyond the room disappeared; the knowledge of what she was doing in that moment infusing her with sudden confidence.

Rex wanted her to dance for him.

Her steps became sharp, sultry, for him alone and the beat of the music was that of her own heart, tapping out a rhythm to which she moved.

Rage shifted to something else as Ahsoka began to sway, her steps deliberate, taking on an edge that had been missing since the beginning of the night. Lust exploded low in his belly, drying out his mouth as she slipped from soldier to uncomfortable dancer and into the liquid fantasy that haunted his waking hours.

Her slinky, seductive steps were only a half dozen, but the roll of her hips held him mesmerized, his hand still outstretched to catch the elusiveness before him. Just once more. Her fingers touched his, his gaze traveling upwards, across the purple interlaced fabrics of the short dress to meet her gaze.

Smoky cerulean irises with dilated pupils flashed a predatory possessiveness that resonated within his chest and squeezed. Her look smoldered with heat, arcing between them with such a sudden ferocity, Rex slid further down in his seat, intentionally pulling her closer.

There was no resistance as Ahsoka slid between his knees but made no move to give him her back. Her hips undulated and shifted to a rhythm he couldn't hear, but knew, as she slid down, the fabric of her short skirt brushing with tantalizing promise against the fabric of his pants.

Her hand in his, Ahsoka danced for him. Teasing him, their eyes never leaving one another, yet Rex saw every move, felt every whisper soft caress like points of fire against his resolve.

His hands slid from hers as she lifted her arms, tracing her hands over the side of her body, touching herself as Rex yearned to. She shifted, swaying from side to side, straddling one of his legs. With a single, graceful move, she was over is lap.

"Touch me," Ahsoka whispered, sliding down onto his slightly spread knees, her body a hair breadth away from his, midnight blue irises staring down into his. "Rex… touch me."

"'Soka-"

"Please," she breathed, her knees bending as she tilted her hips and brushed the front of his pants with the whisper of her costume, the barest of pressures. "Touch me; I need you to touch me."

His hands twitched, wanting to do just that, and after days of restraint and frustration without relief, he couldn't hold back any more. She wanted him to touch her; in his role as her Hustler, he had to daily, but she wasn't playing a part now. The emotional heat in her eyes was more than just lust, finding a reflection equal to it within him, answering that call even if he couldn't fully understand it.

Lifting his hands slowly, he started at her knees, the closest part of her body to him, and flexed his fingers. Their eyes locked, anticipation clear in every line of her body, her head tilted back fractionally as he touched her, placing his bare finger tips against the bare skin of her knees. She slid forward, his calloused finger tips dragging along her thighs and moving of their own accord up the length of her legs and under the filmy fabric of her costume to rest on her hips.

She moved then, pressing down, her body undulating as she pressed her pelvis to his, her eyes half lidded with desire and want. Ahsoka slid back on his lap, breaking the pressure and bending to bring her forehead in line with his before shifting downwards, and pressing her breasts against his chest, dragging them upwards without losing either physical or eye contact.

Rex was forced to remove his hands from her costume as he spanned the expanse of her waist. His finger touched at her spine, his thumbs brushing along the firm muscles of her abdomen, feeling them flex and relax as she moved, forward to grind against him. She lifted and pressed in counterpoint to his body, sliding back and forth across his lap like the wanton she was portraying.

The heat in her eyes, the desire, the emotion was the only thing belying her act.

One of her hands slid purposefully down his chest. Their eyes still locked, her hand slipped between them, making him hiss as she cupped him through his pants, her fingers curling about the ridge behind the fastener.

Her smile was sultry, teasing almost, but purposeful. He felt the fabric give way, his breath catching as his fingers flexed on her waist, her hand sliding purposefully downwards. The heel of her hand pressed tightly against him.

"Fek."

Ahsoka bent forward to brush her lips across the corner of his mouth as air struck his flesh only to be replaced by the soft tug of fabric. The heat of her surrounded him, penetrating through the thin layers of cloth which held them apart. Ahsoka slid forward, her knees pressed against his hips as she rode him.

"Rex..."

Her voice was smoky, wanton, her eyes and chevrons long since deepened from the shades he was familiar with into the darkened, black state of arousal.

Only some instinct prevented him from saying her name, his fingers spreading against her back as she bent backwards. Her hands linked at the back of his neck as his hips lifted to meet hers, driving them together, flesh to cloth.

His thumbs brushed the under curve of her breasts and over the aching swells, her head dropped back as she broke eye contact, her lekku shifted, exposing her chest and neck in the now familiar gesture of supplication and surrender.

Rex growled low in his throat, drawing her up with a jerk as his lips latched on with possessive intent to the exposed vein. His teeth dug in fractionally, making her moan, her body flexing around his and squeezing. Almost of their own accord, his hands shifted lower, his only intent to remove the barrier between them, reason and mission protocol forgotten in the heat of the moment.

He was going to-

"Kora, you're on in - oh!"

Rex lifted his head to see who had spoken and spied one of the other girls from the club standing in the doorway, her arms crossed as a slight smirk appeared on her face.

"Don't mind me," she offered with a gesture, a hard look and smile telling him she knew exactly what they were doing. "I can wait."

But the spell was broken.

As his gaze came back to Ahsoka's, he could see the flush that wasn't all repressed desire which darkened her skin. He looked back to the other girl. "Get out."

"Once she's done with you, sugar, I wouldn't mind taking a ride."

"Out," Rex snapped, "or I'll ensure you've a string of the most unsavory customers you've ever seen."

The other girl pouted and flounced away. The door closed behind her and Rex caught Ahsoka's outstretched hand from the corner of his eye. Turning his head slowly, he looked at her, seeing that while the spell had been broken, the banked desires in her eyes had far from faded. His thumbs shifted of their own accord, stroking the skin of her hips where his hands had stopped. "You need to get ready."

"Rex…I-"

He shook his head, offering her a pained smile, knowing she could feel every rigid inch of him between her thighs. "We've a mission to finish," he told her evenly, his jaw working; the girl's timely interruption had reminded him of their purpose and why they were there. Saved them both from what he'd been about to do... from losing those final shreds of control.

Ahsoka shifted and stopped, looking uncomfortable as his body tensed. "Rex, I-"

"Slide back and turn away."

She did, getting to her feet and giving him her back.

Rex slouched in the seat and refasten his pants. It was painful; nearly impossible, but he did it. Pushing to his feet, he was suddenly at a loss for what to do or say, wanting to place his hands on her shoulders. To run his hands down her arms and enfold her within his. His hands clenched at his sides. The mission, he admonished himself silently.

They could discuss the lapse later, once the night at the cantina was over.

You're fooling yourself if you think you'll be able to discuss anything rationally with her later, a small voice whispered in the back of his mind, you're at the breaking point, do you really think there will be a discussion? Your mouths won't be used for talking. With no chance of an interruption, you'll finish what you started and Ahsoka isn't going to stop you now; she wants you.

Rex pushed it to the back of his mind, focusing on the rhetoric that had been his mantra for days; the only thing that had somehow kept his mind where it needed to be. The mission; focus on the mission.

But the thought was one that had been gaining strength as his resolve fractured, weakening the effectiveness of that motto. In close quarters with the sexy teen, acting as both protector and lover, the toll being exacted had him at the breaking point. There was no going back now.

Ahsoka turned as the door closed, Rex departing without another word and leaving her to her preparations. The blood was still humming through her veins, unquenched fires banked but not extinguished, the interruption feeling like providence... and damnation.

So close, her heartbeat seemed to tell her, we were... so close.

Trembling, but not from anything except the fires licking through her veins, Ahsoka turned to go back into the inner chamber of her dressing room. A glint of something shiny where Rex had been sitting caught her attention. Striding to the sofa, she collected a long, chain-like weave that had been left behind, three distinct pieces separating from one another. The adornments on the chains were strange, crystal like, and she took it with her into the main changing room for no other reason than they must have come from Rex.

The next few minutes passed in a blur as she changed, setting the sparkling decorations upon her hands and head, the chinking of the adornments barely registering, the brush of the fabric like the whisper of Rex's touch.

She was on stage and performing before she came back fully to herself, still feeling the residual pheromone rush of charged attraction even as her thoughts cleared. Cheers rang through the cantina as, just under mid-way through her dance, Ahsoka slunk to the edge of the stage.

Playing to the crowd, but with eyes only for Rex, she stepped and out onto the floor for the first time since having been dragged there at the beginning of the week. Ignoring the outstretched hands of the men around her, smacking them away with teasing flicks of her wrists, she went straight for Rex.

Still in time with the music, her footsteps held a prowl-like quality, an edge she'd never think to put into it consciously. Reaching his table, she placed one hand on the top and slid towards him, bending at the waist and drawing another cheer and ribald round of comments. Never losing her smile, she played the part, looking as if she were checking to see who had paid for her that evening. Knowing none but Rex would hear her, she pitched her tone low.

"Thank you for the gift." His eyes flashed as he took in her appearance. "Are we green?"

Rex, playing to her question, nodded once. Taking the hand she'd splayed on his chest, he lifted it, making a production, catcalls of incentives almost drowning out the music. He brought it to a stop, pointing at her target before using it to spin her towards him.

Their fingers parted, leaving her pointed at the eager looking seppie.

Not saying a word, Ahsoka was moving, heading across the floor, already knowing what she had to do to make this believable. A smile crossed her lips. Determined, she melted into the music and let it guide her.