Author's Note: Only one chapter left which can be posted on TFN after this. Hang on; we're almost done! :D

Mission Day Six - Part 3

Rex leaned back in his chair as he sent Ahsoka across the room, watching the sway of her hips and trying to block out the jeers and whistles of the patrons. She faltered, barely a heartbeat of a whisper, before her steps took on a new kind of edge.

She sashayed confidently towards her target and his insides knotted. This was it. This was the reason they were there; the reason they'd endured this last week's eccentricities. This was the mission. This was the purpose behind everything.

And none of it meant anything.

Rex wished he could call her back, to stop this farce before it began, but Ahsoka had already stepped completely into the character. His mouth dried, his tongue sticking to the roof of his mouth, preventing him from saying anything even if he'd so chosen.

Ahsoka slid into the dance, but this time, instead of seeing it from the perspective of the target, he was seeing it as an observer. His jaw tightened, the muscles in his neck cording, as she arched her back, stretching her arms sensuously towards the ceiling. Except for a barely decent wisp of blue fabric, that was practically see through across her hips and backside, he was treated to the practically naked view of her rear.

Along with every other male in the house.

Possessive, jealous fury rose up within him, pounding in his chest as his hand clenched, unseen, around the edge of his seat cushion under the table. Mine, he wanted to cry, the urge to blast anyone who was looking at her suddenly nearly unbearable.

Only the knowledge that he couldn't without putting Ahsoka in more danger than she already was stayed his hand.

The music changed into a low, thrumming beat as Ahsoka leaned in, sliding her hands along the thighs of her target, her fingers firm even from Rex's view, the crystals of arm and face covers glinting in the dim light. Every muscle in his lower body felt that touch, every sense of self denying that she was touching another man the way she'd so recently been touching him.

It was torture to watch her work the target, swaying over and back across the Separatists lap. To see her hands running up and down, across his shoulders, chest and thighs, undoubtedly, dipping into the hidden pockets she found.

Ahsoka turned then, gracefully sliding up and down and back as she finally made full contact with the target. Her gaze locked with Rex's unerringly, as if sensing his agonized regard, and the tempo of her movements increased.

Tilting her head back to expose the slender lines of her neck, her eyes half-lidded and never leaving Rex's, her hips and body undulated convincingly as she leaned back to give the Separatist the thrill of his life. Her head touched the target's shoulder, her montral along the curve of his face, eyes flashing with heat that Rex felt from his seat across the room.

As her legs extended, sliding against one another, the light caught on the golden chains that wound down her body from neck to ankle. Practically stretched prone, the chains were the only things keeping her outfit from lifting free with each shift and twist of her body.

The fabric stretched and bunched as the Separatist became involved, his hands sliding down Ahsoka's sides and across her bare stomach as she lifted her hips. She slid down within that touch, his hands coming up to cup her breasts, her eyes still locked with Rex's.

Ahsoka's posture never changed.

She didn't tense, made no move to escape the touch, in fact, Rex watched her seem to encourage it as she lifted straight into the Separatists body. Those invading hands were touching what was his; what should never be touched by anyone else. What Ahsoka didn't want touched by anyone else...

Get your hands off-

Rex felt the cushion under his fingers give as the leather fabric tore under the ferocity of his grip.

The music reached its crescendo and Ahsoka moved, the Separatists hands dropping to her hips as she stood. Caressing her curves as the man appeared to use her moves to direct his touch, Ahsoka straddled both of the man's knees and let him take her weight as the final notes of the song blared through the cantina.

Not waiting, Rex stood and exited the room as the surrounding crowd leapt to its feet, using it to mask his getaway into the back, needing to escape from the sight that had rattled and infuriated him. If he didn't leave, he would blow their cover and not give a damn that he was throwing all of their hard work, all of Ahsoka's hard work, away. Behind him, the music came to its final close

How can you do it? he wondered, his stomach in knots. How can you let him touch you after you said... after... Jealous fury consumed him as he found a dark corner and put his back to the wall. He crossed his arms over his chest, only realizing in that moment he was still holding the part of the seat cushion he'd torn.

Tossing it away, he waited for Ahsoka to return backstage, not trusting himself to go after her in those moments. If he did, the Separatist would end up dead, the patrons would end up dead and he and Ahsoka would have a worthless data crystal. The mission... the hell with the mission; we're done!

Rex, thankfully, didn't have long to wait and Ahsoka appeared to chants and calls for more, glancing behind her before slipping into the area, her smile dying the moment she noticed she seemed to be alone. Even as he watched, she lifted her hands and rubbed her arms, as if trying to get warm - or erase the touch of the Separatist. For the sake of his sanity, Rex latched on to the second one.

"Ahsoka."

She spun, eyes wide, only to relax when she spied him, crossing the room swiftly to his side. Stopping just shy of touching him, he noted a glint of something different in her eyes as she unfurled her fingers to reveal a data crystal that didn't match the rest of her adornments, a smile crossing her lips again.

Rex glanced at it with a sharp nod, the viable proof of her... of their success doing nothing to mitigate the jealousy eating away at him. Still; she deserved something other than a nod but the words came out clipped and ragged. "Good job."

"Rex?" her smile dimmed a little, confusion entering her gaze as she searched what he knew was his taut expression. "Wha-"

"Kora!"

They both looked as one of Rhyn's guards appeared in the backstage area and Rex collected the crystal, tucking it away within a pocket in his jacket that could be secured. He eased her deeper into the shadows, narrowing his gaze as the man headed for the dressing room Ahsoka had been assigned.

"We don't have much time," Rex told her, somehow managing to keep his voice low and reclaim the professionalism of his craft. He retreated behind it like a shield, using it as a bulwark against the conflagration of emotional upheaval that was eating him alive. "We need to leave; now."

Ahsoka nodded, following him as Rex eased deeper into the room as the bodyguard disappeared. Glancing back to make sure she stayed close, Rex knew it was unlikely they'd reach the exit without a fight, but he knew they had to try. There was no way Rhyn was getting his hands on Ahsoka any more than he already had. Rex's hand closed over the stock of a blaster, wishing it was his familiar decee, but knowing it would do in a pinch. If Rhyn came for Ahsoka, the man wouldn't live to see morning.

Motioning Ahsoka across the room first, Rex knew his priority was to keep her out of sight for as long as possible. She darted, the chains on her costume clinking musically off point with the crystals of her head and arm decorations, her footsteps silent and sure across the plush carpet. He followed, keeping to the wall, hearing the guard call for her again.

Precious seconds passed as they moved from the dressing room area, through the winding corridors towards the stage exit and emerged into the main exit/entry hall the girls used when they had no clients.

Rex made for the door, his blaster in hand, only to spin when a shout behind him drew his attention.

"Hey! Kora! The boss wants you in his chambers by the end of this act. Doesn't do to keep Master Quill waiting."

Ahsoka didn't so much as make to respond as she passed Rex and reached the portal, Rex returning a very pointed blaster bolt in response. The guard cried out, clutching his shoulder as the bolt ricocheted off something, deflecting the killing blow and Rex growled as he fired again and then a third time again with the same result.

"Rex!"

The sound of the streets beyond and the coolness of the night air hit him at the same time as her cry; the door was open, it was time to go.

"Tell your boss thanks but no thanks; Kora's retired," Rex snapped as he whirled away to follow Ahsoka.

As they gained the street, Rex could hear the general call to arms behind him; Rhyn wasn't going to give up his prize without a fight. Especially not after Ahsoka had taunted him in the back and he'd seen that final dance. They needed a place to hide; quickly.

"Rex?"

"This way," he motioned her to follow, taking off at a run for the first block.

Ducking and weaving as the first bolt followed them out into the night. Cries of "Stop!" and "Hold them!" and "Thief!" resonated behind them as Rex snapped off a couple of shots in return. Rex fell back, using himself as a shield between the scantily clad Ahsoka and their pursuers. Agile as she was and able to call on the Force, she lacked a Jedi's preferred weapon in hand when in retreat.

"We can't lose them in this," Ahsoka called back, turning a corner and then another one, Rex right on her heels. She was easy for him to follow; barely a flash of sienna skin and blue with a musical discordance only audible at close range. "We need a plan!"

"Don't get shot," he called back, in his element as he paused to shoot back around the corner, both into the bodyguard and security staff he recognized from The Catalyst and into the surrounding narrow streets and alleyways to deflect shots off the walls and confuse their pursuers. "Do we need something more?"

Her laughter beyond him was low and Rex grinned, the adrenaline coursing through his system, the fire fight, even the run itself, being used as an outlet for the sexual frustration of these last days. He'd have preferred to turn and fight, to take out from physical frustration by defending Ahsoka as was his right, but her safety came first.

Leaving the corner, he followed her around the next series, hearing the pursuit incoming, closer than before. As they broke around the next corner, Rex was suddenly thrown bodily into a wall as a blaster bolt that would have taken him in the side of the head otherwise, arrowed down the street. Ahsoka lay flat against him, pressing him into the surface.

Rex had no time to dwell on her actions as he wrapped an arm about her waist, fired back in the direction the shot had come from, and cut around the next edge. Back and forth they went, Rex trading shots with their pursuers and Ahsoka saving his skin when one of them got lucky. A fizzled shot glanced off his shoulder, deflected by his coat to expire in the coolness of the night air.

On they ran as an hour passed before they were able to gain a breather, Ahsoka slipping into a tight, blind corner and hauling him after her. To fit inside, Ahsoka grasped him around the neck and pulled.

One of her legs slid up over his hip as she used her grip on his neck for leverage, pulling herself up to hold him tightly even as Rex stumbled into the opening. His shoulders lodged sideways and he turned, his jacket taking the brunt of the ragged wall edge as one arm came up protectively along Ahsoka's bare back.

Flush, crushed together, Rex attempted to give them each some space, but Ahsoka shifted and suddenly it was as if they were back on the sofa and had never left The Catalyst.

Their eyes locked, not even the cool night air able to slip between their fused bodies. Rex held his breath, trying not to inhale her scent, he was surprised when she nodded and did the same, her chest expanding against his and he barely managed to hold back a groan.

This is a bad idea.

His breath came out in a soft gasp, mingling with hers, both of their chests heaving together as they struggled to prevent heavy, audible breathing and against the volatile attraction binding them together.

Jealousy surged through him as their current position brought to mind the image of her on the Separatist's lap and a hissed question fell from his lips before he could stop it. "How could you do it, Ahsoka?"

Her gaze searched his, not following his train of thought.

"The dance, I thought you didn't-"

One of her hands came up, her fingers cool against his lips as she cut him off. "I didn't." Her voice was low, just above a whisper so it didn't carry. "I couldn't do it, Rex."

He shook his head, saying nothing, but she understood him this time and her expression was vulnerable when she answered. "I couldn't do it... so I pictured I was dancing for you; touching you."

The words had an effect on him he didn't expect. Both humbling and empowering, Ahsoka's fingers curled against the back of his head, drawing it down, and he tilted his forehead to hers. He wanted to kiss her, to show her what it meant to him, but this was neither the time nor the place.

Footsteps one street over, and closer, passed in a rush, Rex catching a smattering of communication between the groups but not understanding any of it. His brain seemed to have short circuited, adrenaline ebbed to have left the raw edged desire that had been his constant companion this past week in its place. Coupled with Ahsoka's admission, only their circumstances in the moment stopped him from acting on it.

Lifting his head as the footsteps and voices passed and disappeared beyond them, Rex turned to look beyond their little alcove.

Hidden as they were, the downside to not being seen was that he couldn't see beyond the sharp corner. Glancing back at Ahsoka, he saw her eyes were closed. Pitching his voice low, his fingers flexed on her back. "Ahsoka."

She shuddered, her eyes opening, and Rex thought she looked a little... dazed.

Ignoring it, he didn't really have any other choice, he tried again. "Ahsoka, we have to go."

Getting out of the tight spot was almost as painful as having gotten into it and Rex had no desire to let her go once they were free. Still, he did; they weren't safe yet. His instincts were telling him danger was close and now was not the time. That didn't stop his hand from lingering low on the small of her back, all in the interest of seeing she regained her balance as he let her go.

He felt every flex and shift of her muscles as she sucked in a sharp breath - only to cry out, eyes widening as she stumbled against him, blood blooming on her upper arm and spattering the blue of her costume. Something shiny and sharp sliced her skin, impacting on his coat before clattering to the ground.

Rex's blaster was out and aimed, the first of the bolts having left the muzzle before he truly saw the target. Spinning Ahsoka behind him and back into the tight corner where they'd been hiding, he drew the second pistol, firing off a volley at the pair of Catalyst guards who stood ten feet away, knives in hand.

A third was already down, a single blaster shot straight through the forehead.

The fight was brief, almost embarrassingly so, Rex's concern for Ahsoka lending him a clarity that had been lacking moments before. Four shots later and it was over, the thugs dropping without letting loose another knife. Holstering his blasters, Rex turned to find Ahsoka holding her injury, blood dripping through her fingers, staring at him with the look he most loathed to see in her eyes.

Pain.

"How bad?"

She uncurled her hand, revealing a deep gash, her fingers and the crystal charms coated in her own blood.

Rex reached out, intending to touch but curled her fingers back around it instead. He had no medical supplies, hadn't thought they would need any, and cast around for options. His gaze fell on the three corpses. "Wait here."

Moving to the still cooling bodies, he knelt and began rifling through their pockets and belt supplies. Leaving the credits and rest of their equipment, Rex worked quickly, aware that these would be missed. He and Ahsoka were close enough to the edge of the city they would be able to run for their extraction point, but she needed to be tended to first. On the body of the second bouncer, he found what he was looking for; a bottle of bacta gel.

Moving back to the blind corner where he'd left her, Rex took a knee beside where she was sitting against the wall, her breathing even, her eyes closed and he recognized the concentration in her expression; she was drawing on the Force. Her arm was streaked with blood, droplets still escaping from between her fingers.

Rex placed the bottle next to her hip and touched her hand. "Let me see."

She did as he asked and Rex examined the wound, pausing as he cast about for some way to clean it; for such a small scratch, it shouldn't be bleeding as it was. Shrugging out of his jacket, he tore the sleeves off his shirt. With gentle hands, he wiped away the blood, pulling a small fragment of metal from the wound and doing his best to ignore Ahsoka's sharp inhale.

Her skin was cool under his touch, her blood warm, as he pressed the other folded sleeve against the wound. "Hold this."

Ahsoka's hand curled back around the makeshift pad as Rex did something she wasn't expecting; he pulled his shirt over his head. Her mouth went dry as she was suddenly exposed to his half naked self, dressed in just leather pants and the wound in her arm faded into an inconsequential nuisance.

As she watched, Rex wiped his hands as clean as he could on the shirt before reaching down to collect the tube of bacta gel. Completely focused on his task, he lifted her hand, nodded at something, and pressed it away. His touch was gentle and thorough as he squeezed some of the gel onto his finger tips and began spreading it over her wound.

Rex leaned in close, and Ahsoka turned her head to watch him, her lips slightly parted as a feeling of euphoria left her slightly light headed. He tensed, working quickly, before tearing his shirt into strips. Ahsoka angled her arm for him so he could wrap the bandage around the bacta gel and apply additional pressure to the wound.

As he was tying it off, Rex lifted his head and their gazes locked. Her heart skipped a beat as she saw the concern and heat in the depths of his, her blood pounding through her veins as his head drew closer to hers. Oh yes, her gaze darted to his lips and back to his eyes, oh yes; yes, yes, y-

Their heads snapped up at the sound of a familiar set of engines rumbling through the atmosphere above the city. Rex was already on his feet and shrugging into his coat when she looked back his way, the moment lost. She accepted the hand he extended her way to get her back on her feet, the bacta gel already having numbed her injury.

She found her voice. "That sounds like our ride, Rex."

"Yes, sir."

Ahsoka flinched with the automatic response. "Ahsoka, Rex," she insisted, "No sirs... okay?"

"Ahsoka," he squeezed her hand before letting her go. "Let's get out of here."

Part of her wanted to rebel, to deny it; to remain where they were finish the exploration they'd begun. Yet, even as she thought it, she knew it was impossible and not just because they had responsibilities, duties and a piece of key intelligence to hand over.

Stepping out into the streets, Ahsoka looked back to Rex, flashed him what she hoped was a reassuring smile, and set out towards their rendezvous. Rex offered her a tight half smile and nodded, giving her the go ahead to take point. Setting out, Ahsoka somehow found the focus to stretch out with the Force and followed its guidance away from the pockets of malevolence focused their way, ensuring they could skirt the largest groups of their pursuers.

Rex was forced to use his blasters in two very brief, and one sided, running fights before they were able to break free of the city limits. The trek took far longer than she'd thought possible, but also no time at all, and Ahsoka found she wasn't prepared when the Resolute came into sight just under an hour later, dead of night having passed without so much as a whisper of notice.

The illumination of the area by the Resolute's flood lights was a stark contrast to the darkened hills and small scrubs she and Rex had been hiking through. It was a shock to see the familiar white and blue clad armor of Torrent Company's men, such a startling difference to the black she'd become accustomed to seeing Rex in.

It was a shock to realize that where the armor on Rex was a reassuring familiarity, his current outfit had become something that wasn't just dangerous but irresistible. As it was, she wasn't prepared when, moments later, they were surrounded by familiar figures, blasters at the ready, and challenged.