Twelve

"I need to get dressed," Rex began walking into the bedroom, taking off the brown casual tunic and looking for his black body suit. "If you feel up to it, I could take you over to see Reed."

Gemma, followed him into the bedroom and opened her wardrobe and pulled out some clothes.

They stood on opposite sides of the bed, secretly watching each other dress.

Rex stole quick glances as he clipped his armour into place, privately wishing he was taking it off instead of putting it on. She shyly smiled as she turned away from his gaze to clip a black brassiere in place.

Things may have been different for Rex, but he forgot that she too, was on an unfamiliar planet, minus any family.

"You know Rex," she spoke quietly, "everyone says I did a great job keeping Reed alive. In reality he was the one keeping me going. If it weren't for him -" she stopped herself as her voice began to falter.

He walked over to where she was sitting, now pulling boots on, and placed his hand on her shoulder.

"I know Gem, I know. Here, let me help you with those," he said as he knelt down and started lacing the leather in place.

She watched his hands the entire time, his fingers belying their size with their dexterity.

Then she remembered where he had placed them during their love making and flushed at the thought.

"There, all done," he said, slapping the leather at her calf and pulling himself up. "Come on, let's get out of here."

###

She grabbed the battle worn pack and headed to the kitchen where she placed a generous amount of treats and fresh fruit to take in to Reed. It had been the one thing that had seen every bit of action they had on the moons surface. He had it washed before sending it through with her items to her apartment, but she noticed a small amount of dried blood enmeshed into a front zipper. It was hers and it would remain a constant reminder of how lucky she was to be alive.

She was keen to see Reed and finally meet the woman he had incessantly talked about during their incarceration.

There had been one time though, when they had let their collective guard down and she allowed Reed to kiss her.

They had spent that night together, holding onto each other for dear life during a storm that had engulfed the moons surface. The broken hull had withstood the elements fury, keeping them dry and safe, as his arms had done.

"Gem. Gem, you alright?"

"Oh. Yeah. I mean yes, sorry." Her mind a million miles away.

She smiled and looked over to where he waited patiently.

Standing perfectly straight, with his helmet under his right arm, she was taken aback at how natural it was to have him in her apartment, in her life.

Gem walked over to him and he looked down at the pack and took it from her.

"Thank you Rex," she said simply.

"No problem Gem, I can carry it," he said absently.

"No," she grabbed and stopped his arm as he lifted the bag, " I mean for everything."

He turned to her before he opened the door and kissed her ever so lightly on the lips.

"You're very welcome," he whispered as silently as the door slid open.

###

"I can if you would just give me a go." she implored.

"No chance Gem. These speeders are military property and I am not letting you drive."

"My father always let me drive, I'll show you." She was nothing but insistent.

He laughed at her enthusiasm, walking just slightly in front of her and hit the elevator button.

"No way, end of discussion."

It was different.

He wasn't used to being questioned, his word was usually his final answer, every one knew this.

His men knew better, but not her.

He immediately thought of another who would challenge his authority, and quickly tried to shake her image out of his mind.

They playfully bickered as the doors to the elevator opened and unbeknownst to them, they had an audience.

Anakin Skywalker and Padmè Amidala were already inside and agog seeing the two standing together.

They stepped inside, Rex nodding at his General and the Senator.

Anakin spoke first, breaking the silence.

"I believe we are yet to meet? My heartfelt congratulations on the death of the Sith warriors." General Skywalker held out his hand.

"Skylar Gem sir. Thank you, but it's your Captain that deserves the gratitude. I understand it is you I have to thank for sending a rescue party for us."

"Oh I didn't Ma'am, it was by complete coincidence that we found you."

An awkward silence ensued.

The woman in the elevator stepped forward to breech the uncomfortable reaction Anakin often drew from others.

"Padmè Amidala, Skylar. We are so glad that you have made it here finally." She quickly shot a look to Anakin and continued, "I hope we can meet together soon?"

"It would be a pleasure Ma'am," Gemma replied.

"Where are you both heading?" Anakin inquired warily, all the time looking at his Captain and the pack he carried. There was something different about Rex, he couldn't quite put a finger on it.

There was also an unusual disturbance in the Force.

"We are off to see how the flight lieutenant is getting on with his therapy Sir," Rex answered.

"Ah, yes. Well, enjoy the trip and we'll see you back on deck in two days Captain."

"General."

"Captain."

"Senator."

"Representative."

Anakin walked quickly from the elevator, forgetting that Padme was following.

"Anakin, wait up! Ani!" she said loudly from behind.

"Sorry," he replied as he slowed to wait for her to catch up.

'She's Force sensitive,' he thought to himself, smiling at his wife as he held out a hand.

###

"That was awkward," she said as she watched them go.

"You get used to it." Rex breathed back.

They weaved their way through the Military Compound, Rex noticing how troopers would stop and watch him as he strode through with the woman at his side.

It was always a hive of activity and she was thrilled to see how comfortable he was back in his own environment. He chose a speeder bike that could take a pillion and put his helmet with the familiar markings on the seat as he placed the bag into the rear storage compartment.

"Let me help you up Ma'am," she could sense the fun in his voice.

"No need Captain."

Gem placed her hands on the handle bars and angled a leg straight over the top slowly.

Rex noticed near on every soldier in the bay stop and watch her seductively place her bottom on the seat.

"Move back Gem." Rex was adamant that she wasn't going to drive.

She pouted, mockingly him and wiggled herself back, ever so slowly, well aware of the soldiers watching. She patted the seat in front of her.

"Captain."

He was glad to have his armour on, the pressure building in the front made for an uncomfortable seat as he lowered himself onto the leather in front of her. She moved forward, placing her arms loosely around his waist.

"I need a bucket for the Representative," he said gruffly and a plain white helmet was handed to her.

"Oh, I can't see," Gem felt claustrophobic when it was placed on her head and the constant light display inside was making her feel nauseous.

"Just give it a few minutes. Look forward to the icon at the front right hand side. Focus on that until you get used to the sensation."

She persisted through no alternative whilst sitting on the back of the bike. As the engine started up, Rex manoeuvered closer to the exit.

"Bucket's off, uh, sirs?" the confused soldier asked. They took their helmets off so that a security image could be taken.

Gemma couldn't quite see where the voice was coming from, but when she saw the soldier in white she shot him a dazzling smile, so much so, the clone moved back to have another look at the image generated in front of him.

Helmets back on, the speeder roared off into the distance.

###

They arrived at the Syndall Memorial Private Rehabilitation Hospital within the hour.

Anakin had kept true to his word, and had the best facility on the planet made available for the Lieutenant. The Senate would be picking up the tab as gratitude to the Oriian people for the part their Representative played in the annihilation of the two Sith. Padmè, unbeknownst to Gem, had been instrumental in negotiating on behalf of the young Lieutenant.

Gemma was feeling quite sick, struggled to get the helmet off quickly.

Rex grabbed a hold of her and calmed her down as he lifted it from her head.

"Udessi Gem," he said in his usual patient tone.

"Is that some form of Republic torture?" she inquired, taking deep breaths.

Rex hooked the helmets onto the back of the speeder, collecting the back pack before he turned to head inside the facility.

"You whinge more than a shinie on a forty klick run," he laughed.

###

It was a beautiful building.

Light hit the exterior and it gleamed as patients and staff moved around the manufactured trees adorning the entrance. A manicured lawn, respite for families visiting loved ones as they ate and talked in the sunshine. It was idyllic, if not artificial, and Gem was happy that her friend had such a lovely place to recuperate.

They walked the long corridors and she noticed how staff would look at the Captain.

It was obvious to her that the medical personal were not used to soldiers being at the hospital.

Some even sniggered as they passed. Gem shot them a look, but Rex ignored them, oblivious to their snide remarks, or so she thought.

Reed was in the gym. She walked in to see several other people, none of them clones, lying in various positions on mattresses. They all had spinal cord injuries as the name of the gymnasium indicated.

Level Two, Room 21b, SCI Gym.

She took a deep breath and stopped before Rex turned and asked.

"You OK?" He reached out and held her hand, "come on," he said, his eyes sparkling.

###

Between two parallel bars she saw him first.

Quietly she stood watching as her patient and dear friend tentatively made his first step.

"Well done!" the therapist enthused. "Let's take another one."

She saw his shoulders slump and then stiffen as he physically and mentally willed another step, his legs obliged.

"You're making great progress Lieutenant." Gemma moved to the end of the bars as she said those words of encouragement.

Reed looked up and beamed at her, "you look like a dead Wookie." He was commenting on the black fur vest she wore.

"I thought it was rather fetching myself," she said, moving forward and gently placing her arms around his neck.

"Steady on Gem, we'll have the whole place talking!" he laughed, still not strong enough to let go and hold her by himself.

Reed was eased down into a repulsor lift chair and Rex pushed it, through the corridors, past the snide comments and out into the sunshine; where they both belonged.

They found a spot near a small pond filled with brightly coloured fish and, on opening the bag of treats, both Rex and Reed began to make their way through the sweet pastries and crisp fruit.

He looked well. Still thin, she would have to have a word with the dietitian.

Did they know clones had a rapid metabolism?

The Bacta had done the job it was designed to do. Healing the bruised spinal cord and returning the function slowly to his lower extremities.

His therapists and doctors were happy with his progress, but Reed was pushing himself harder than any other patient in the hospital.

He was a clone and a soldier, after all.

Although it meant time with his partner, a pretty woman with yellow hair and blue eyes, she remembered him saying.

He had a private room and was given almost celebrity status amongst the other patients.

They had never met a clone before and were enjoying his company and finding out first hand about the war.

Even Reed didn't seem to mind the ignorant Coruscanti.

"I'm just sorry that Cariss isn't in today Gem, she is very keen to meet you, you know?"

"Oh, somehow I think I will get to meet her, I'm planning on visiting often."

"As long as you bring some more of these," he lifted up a sticky bun, "you'll always be welcome!"

Gem got up from the bench and headed inside. "Back in a minute. Leave me the chocolate one, no, on second thought, let me take that with me," she smiled as she shoved it whole in her mouth.

"Oi,I had my eye on that!" Rex joked.

"I know where you can get more," she replied with a wink.

###

"I heard what happened dirt side. Congratulations Captain. Maul and Opress. Unbelievable!" Reed said shaking his head. "Has she been sworn in at the Senate yet?"

"No, should be in the next week or so. Palpatine wants to meet her first; I think that's tomorrow sometime."

"You know the history there?"

Rex nodded, "she told me everything."

"She should be a Jedi, I'd follow her into battle any day!"

He waited a minute, wondering to himself if he should continue. "You two?" he raised an eyebrow in the typical clone way.

Rex was sitting on the ground, pulling blades of fake grass between his fingers. "Yes Lieutenant?" He smiled, all the time looking at his hands.

Reed knew better than to question a higher ranking Officer, especially on such personal matters. However he smiled, biting into a piece of fruit and was glad to know that his friend had someone to keep a close eye on her.

They spent the afternoon talking about their time together on the moon.

Rex looked often at the woman as the pilot would describe the daily duties she would perform.

He was amazed at her ability to disguise the ship with moss and weed dragged up from the lake, but mostly he admired her strength during the difficult time of her father's death. Dragging their bodies and digging the graves.

"We were quite a team weren't we Reed."

"A damn good one Ma'am," before adding, "with respect."

Rex looked at Reed, he was making great progress but he wasn't sure if he'd see active service again.

He felt envious listening to the two talk amongst themselves, they shared a bond that went further than the intimacy he knew with her. She and Reed were true friends, and he hoped, that in time, she would allow him to become one as well.

"What I miss most about that little moon is my daily run."

"You need to introduce Gem to the tunnel Captain." Reed looked over at Rex.

"The tunnel?" Her curiosity sparked.

"It's in the gym at the barracks, or under the gym at the barracks I should say. It's an underground running track that we use to recreate conditions on other planets. You can manipulate the environment to suit the training regime required."

"I don't understand."

"Well," Rex broke in, "you can run ten klicks in a forest like, say on Endor then they change the programme and you're busting your guts on Tantooine in forty degree heat."

"It's an excellent work out Gem. You could get her in couldn't you Captain?"

"We'll see, I don't hold that much clout!" he laughed.

A nurse came out from the building behind them, signalling the end visiting hours.

"She gives the best sponge bath," Reed smiled waiting for a response from Gem.

She didn't take the bait, giving him one of her well-meaning stares he knew only too well.

"I'll tell Cariss."

"Promise?"

Gemma was happy that Reed's cheeky sense of humour had finally returned.

She had never seen him so confident.

There had been times when Reed had been angry and depressed, unable to move he would be belligerent and rude.

She never gave up on him though, putting up with his sporadic intolerable behaviour.

He had known those dark times and would apologise for days afterwards.

He would feel guilty as she more often than not, cried herself to sleep, not knowing where the future lay for them both.

"I'll be back in two days Reed. I think I have a meeting with the Chancellor so I will be able to fill you in on how it went."

"Good luck Gemma, and thanks," his voice wavering a little.

She embraced him, Reed lowered his head and nodding the entire time while she spoke quietly in his ear.

Clearing his throat, he then reciprocated.

She stood back quickly, laughing, "No way?" She bent forward quickly and kissed him on the cheek.

"Arh on with you, don't waste them on me! Save them for your Captain." He winked at her and Rex flushed slightly.

The two brothers looked and with unspoken words merely nodded their heads. She was beginning to understand that the bond of this fraternity went well beyond genomes and shared mitochondria.

The nurse pushed him back inside and she heard her giggle at something the Lieutenant had said.

###

"What did Reed say to you back there?" Rex asked cautiously as he packed away the bag.

"He's happy to report that all feeling is returning below his waist, if you know what I mean?"

Rex laughed and helped her back up on the speeder.

"Here's your helmet Gem," Rex said holding it out to her.

"No." She shook her head, refusing to take it.

"I insist you wear this Gemma, no buts OK."

"No." She smiled and he felt it hard to chastise her.

"Put it on. Now." His voice raising slightly.

"I am not putting that shabla thing back on. It makes me want to hurl."

She was adamant. He tried to place it over her head, but she dodged him and the helmet, giggling all the while, infuriating him further.

"Come on Rex, live a little. Leave the damn thing off, just once. It must reek in there anyway?"

He sighed and she could see the internal struggle he was having with himself, and laughed.

"Gem I swear, you make me -" he started as he clipped both the helmets onto the back of the bike.

"Make you what Captain?"

He moved forward, grabbing her face in his large hands and planted a searing hot kiss directly on her mouth. Her lips tingled at the intensity. He broke back and continued to hold her face, her hands holding onto his arms.

"You make me question, that's what you do."

Back on the speeder, Rex opened up the throttle and they were off again, without a care in the world she hugged herself to his back, breathing in his scent and letting the crisp wind whistle past her long, unruly hair.

Rex enjoyed the same sensation, listening to her laughing in his ear and for once he allowed himself to dream, for a short time anyway, that he was just a young man out on a ride with his girl.

###

Anakin found his Master reading in the Jedi Library.

"Master," he politely interrupted.

"Anakin, this is indeed a surprise! Here to do some overdue research?"

"Not in the slightest Master." Anakin preferred to learn 'on the job' and had refused to sit long hours out in the library researching and reading about the Jedi much to his Masters chagrin.

"Then, how can I be of assistance." Obi-Wan, exasperated, sighed and offered him a seat.

"I met the young Oriian Representative this morning."

Obi-Wan nodded and stroked his beard. 'Here it comes,' he thought to himself.

"She is Force sensitive?"

"Yes. Indeed she is," and with that, Obi-Wan slowly and carefully told his old Padawan the story of his relationship with Skylar Gem.

###

"This doesn't look good," Rex sounded grave as they headed back into the docking bay awash with a sea of men in white. He pulled up and jumped off the bike, lending her a hand to do the same. She tousled her hair and he stopped being a soldier, for just a second, to take in her beauty.

"Captain!" It was Skywalker breaking the trance. "Glad to see you back, we have another hop to make." He looked past his Captain to Gemma while he spoke.

"I trust you had a pleasant outing Ma'am?" Now, with full knowledge of the woman, he could push the nagging presence in the Force aside.

"Why thank you Sir, indeed we did," she smiled at him.

He allowed a smirk to escape from his lips. He was tall, good looking and could be quite charming she thought, if the need arose.

Her attention was quickly captured by the small female Togrutan on his left.

"Rexster, aren't you going to introduce me?" She spoke overly familiar to the Captain and he looked obviously uncomfortable. She moved forward as she spoke.

"Commando Tano, Ma'am," she held out a delicate hand.

Gem noticed the two light sabres attached by their hilts to her waist, and smiled grabbing the offered hand, all the while aware of both the General and the Captains eyes on her.

"I believe the Chancellor wants an audience with you Senator," Anakin said, his eyes looking up from under his brow.

"I'll head there accordingly then." she nodded and made her towards the exit to hear him barking orders and laughing, saying something about 'balls and brass monkey's.'

###

She continued on her way when she heard him calling out her name. She turned to see Rex jogging up behind her.

Quickly he stopped and said "we are off at oh five hundred, I'd like to see you tonight if I can?" She just nodded and turned to leave, then remembered.

"Rex. The tunnel?"

"I'll see what I can do," he said smiling.

"Senator,' it was another clone soldier. She sighed and stopped again.

"I thought you might like a copy of this?" he said shyly, handing her two small flimsi images taken from security camera earlier that afternoon.

She smiled and thanked him for his consideration, looking at the two happy people in her hand, and continued alone, on her way.

###