Eighty Four

"Alright, let's move it out."

Those were the sweetest words Rex had said in what seemed like an eternity. They were finally leaving the barracks and were being transported to the Intrepid this time, on new assignment.

They were heading to Dagro, a mid rim planet with Commander Tano taking charge on this hop. Rex didn't care where they were being assigned, as long as he was off Ground Zero. The extended leave on Coruscant had made them all a little edgy, the mission was well timed for all of Torrent.

"Jess, head below to supply and make sure ordinance sent the new PLX's. I don't want any surprises when we hit orbit."

"Copy that sir." Rex stood and watched as the men headed below deck.

The Intrepid was different to their usual hike. There were no separate quarters for the captain; he would be bunking in with the men, his cot under the unit medic. He followed the line of soldiers before he was stopped by the commander, waiting for him at the end of the corridor.

"Captain, we've had updated mission plans."

Rex walked with her to the debriefing room, stopping to allow her to enter first.

He watched as she opened the holovid recorder, flicking her agile fingers until she opened the correct file.

"OK, here we go. So this is the town we are being dropped into. These are buildings here and here," she moved her hands over the images of the two warehouses that were under Republic surveillance. "This one, on the left is where we last had a transmission from the commando squad."

Rex blew out a breath. This was a recovery mission to retrieve a commando unit that had gone off the grid.

Ion Squad.

Led by Captain Climber, the four commandos had been on assignment when HQ got the evacuation code red. Torrent was on cool down and awaiting orders when the call came out. Ahsoka was glad of the distraction, and the thought of saving some hot shot commandos shebs appealed to captain of the 501st.

"The code red was sent three hours ago. We've had no communiqué with Ion since the initial transmission."

"What were they doing there again?"

"They had orders to retrieve intel regarding a new pulse canon that was reportedly being manufactured in this large warehouse on the right. Once they streamed the data back to Coruscant their orders were to blow the warehouse sky high."

Ion was part of an elite commando unit that fell under the 22nd Air Combat Division. Captain Climber was known for his frank and hard line disciplines as well as being a fair leader. Ras, Trace and Mack made up the formidable group.

One thing Rex knew for sure, was that if Climber needed a code red, it was hot. He wasn't one to bail on a mission unless it was absolutely necessary.

"We'll start here, setting up a perimeter around both warehouses," Ahsoka continued.

"If I might suggest a unit to maintain the periphery, here and," Rex moved forward and brushed her hand briefly, "here."

Their chemistry was still apparent.

Rex looked down at his recalcitrant finger and squeezed it hard against the others.

A silence ensued. It wasn't awkward, it wasn't even unpleasant. The swirling blue outlines of the buildings separating them. Rex finally had the courage to look up at her, and Ahsoka met his gaze.

She spoke first, "I know Rex." His head tilted to the side and she couldn't help but smile, it was one of his endearing attributes. "I know about - " she knew saying it would make it real, acknowledging that he would never be hers again, "congratulations Rex," she rushed out, "to you both."

It didn't hurt any less.

Rex nodded and returned back to the hologram, grateful that he never had to speak the words he knew would be the final chapter to their story.

She continued to watch him as he flicked through more images of the terrain, feigning interest, her thoughts on their previous 'non' conversation.

He was looking the best she had ever seen him.

Fit, tanned and ready to fight, Rex was attractive beyond words.

Ahsoka took in his entire appearance. Apart from the well worn armour, Rex had aged slightly and she noticed the small lines beginning to wear on the corner of both eyes, his skin although youthful showed signs of sun damage, his tell tale blond hair a little lighter at the temples. Then she remembered. The clones were aging twice as fast as regular humans. The increased cellular activity along with the artificial regeneration he had received thanks to numerous stints in bacta were beginning to show. He had matured into a fine, strong man, and she immediately felt inner peace at the thought of him having a child. Somehow, in amongst her own disappointment, she was happy that part of him was continuing, especially after what the Republic had asked and the Jedi had ordered, of them all.

"Commander?"

"Wha, what? Oh, yes, I concur captain. We'll leave hyperspace and beak orbit in five hours. You should get some rest." Ahsoka turned and began to leave the room, her legs moving on their own accord.

"Copy that commander. Ahsoka - ," she stopped at the sound of him saying her name and swayed momentarily.

Her name spoken from the only man in the universe that mattered most.

Her intuition had been all wrong, her ability to see into the future didn't show him having a child to another woman. She had searched her religion for an answer and every time, it had always led to him.

Why had it betrayed her?

Was it romantic dreaming and adolescent hormones that had influenced her thoughts? It made her doubt her ability to perform as a Knight of the Jedi Order. He was the one person she had always relied on to talk through her feelings of self doubt regarding her faith. They had philosophized on more than one occasion about her religion, more often than not in each other's arms after making love. Those were the times she missed the most, the time after the physical need was sated and the more intimate connection was explored, the one of their minds.

He was learned.

Rex, like all the clones was intelligent and had studied the Jedi Order he was created to defend. It made her crazy, that someone so physically attractive was also mentally stimulating. He was a good catch for the young Oriian Representative. Reliable, strong, intelligent; her captain would make a fine father.

"Yes, captain," she turned and smiled. He looked confused, his eyes searching hers for some sort of signal that things were ok. She had to take charge, she was the emotional adult in the room. Rex walked over to where she stood.

She intonated for him to follow. "You know," she said as she gently nudged him with her shoulder, "I've always thought I'd make a great Aunt."

Rex nodded, he couldn't hide the smile.

She had made it easy for him, and he loved all the more for it.

.

A/N: to jog your memories, re read C77, Ahsoka discovers Gem is carrying his child.