One Hundred and Ten

Gem watched as he slept peacefully next to her.

The apartment was at its quietest.

With the subtle glow from the world outside she could see every mark on his face and chest.

Everything about him had aged; even the scar on his manubrium which was now nothing more than a feint line was old, replaced by a dozen or so more.

He had told her once how he acquired it; a lucky shot from a Commando Droid on a planet in a system far, far away.

Rex seemed peaceful. Usually the delayed stays on Coruscant made him restless.

But not this time.

She had dared picture a future with him, away from Coruscant City.

Away from the war.

If it weren't for the one raging in her heart.

The deceit and lies all at the hand of the Jedi.

There was no denying that what she had learned at the Temple was heart breaking, however Gem was somewhat resolved and comforted in knowing the truth.

She had done the right thing not becoming one herself.

And in time, she would allow her daughter to decide her own path.

In time.

Gem gently skimmed her hand down her husband's abdomen, focussing on each and every muscle that was perfectly illuminated along the length.

A whisper broke the solitude, "what are you up to?"

"You're awake?"

"No. But something else is."

Gemma chuckled and continued to stretch down until she realised what he was referring to.

Rex took in a deep, calming breath and moved into her hand as she began to waken him gently. Resting her head in the crook of his shoulder she lay there and listened to his heart as it began to quicken.

"Easy there," he said as he grabbed her hand and stopped her from continuing.

He then sprung to life.

It always fascinated her how someone so large could move so fast.

Rex rolled quickly, pinning her under him completely.

It took her breath away.

"MMmm," he mused as he kissed her neck making his way towards her breasts. "When are you giving up feeding, I've missed these," he said as he nuzzled his face into one full bosom.

"She's only six months old!' Gem exclaimed playfully.

Rex moved his face up to hers. He didn't say a word, he didn't need to as she accepted him into her completely.

Her silky dark hair framed her face perfectly.

"Force you're beautiful," he said, studying her, his eyes searching hers in the half light.

They moved in perfect harmony, in sync as they had done from the very beginning. Rex always in control, would never tire from watching her in the throes of passion, her chin arched back exposing her neck in complete trust and abandon.

He moved a hand up and stroked her throat as he continued to please them both in the early morning tryst. A quiet gasp and moan a far cry from when it was just the two of them and their love making would resound throughout the apartment.

Rex moved off her gently and pulled her up onto his chest.

There they lay silently, their hands entwined in a perfect lovers knot; a pact of intimacy and undying love.

.

The alarm on his comm heralded another day.

0600.

When Rex returned from the refresher clad in his black body glove, she noticed the change in his demeanour.

"Rex?"

He shook his head and sat on the edge of the bed as he clipped his chrono on his left wrist.

"How is it, I was so lucky to meet you?"

"I could say the same."

He held her hand and stroked it, and she immediately knew there was something on his mind.

"I've been thinking a lot about something you once offered me."

She could tell he was uncomfortable.

In response she sat upright and pulled the sheet to cover her chest and nodded for him to continue.

"Kenobi has Grievous locked down on Upatau. The 501st are just waiting for the word to join them, but come what may, the next time I am back," he took a breath, "I want you to start the process of transferring me to the Coruscant Guard."

For once there were no words. The ever in control captain was completely laid bare.

"I'm done. It's something I've been thinking about for a while and I'm tired Gem." Rex raised her hand to his mouth and kissed it before he continued at a whisper, "whatever armour I have left, is yours."

Gemma moved forward and placed her hand up to his cheek.

"Are you sure?"

"I have nothing more to prove. One more, and I'm all your's."

"And Piia's?"

The mere mention of her name brought a broad smile along with it, "and Piia's."

She pulled him in and kissed him firmly, "I love you."

"I love you more."

He then stood and began working the dented and well-worn armour, his fingers moving a little faster now the weight on his mind had been lightened.

"You're not going down to the Jedi Library again today are you?"

"You still have Jesse and Kix on foot patrol?"

"Yes, and they'll keep doing it until you finish this," he wanted to say folly, but knew better, "this research on your mother. You know the truth Gem'ika, it's time to bury it and move on. For everyone's sake."

She continued to watch him, contemplating what he had just said. It was time to move on, but there was a nagging feeling that needed to be sated.

He was swinging the kama around his waist, wiggling his hips slightly to get the holsters in the right spot. It was an art, and she knew exactly the order in which he would clip and tap each piece in place.

She had watched him enough over the past two years.

He looked for his hand pistols and checked the charge, making sure the safety locks were engaged. She laughed out loud as she saw him look fondly at them and smile at her.

"What?" he said.

"Sometimes I think you love them more than us."

"I do. They keep me alive so I can come back to you," he said.

Then the little alarm clock from the other room drew their attention. He would now have just enough time to down a caf and steal a cuddle before reporting to the barracks at 0630.

Carrying Piia back into her mother he jostled her into his chest. She was more than comfortable nestled up against the hard surface.

"Don't go down there today Gem. Stay at home."

.

It had been a morning of revelations.

Gem thought about what Rex had said to her.

She had been heading off to the Jedi Library daily, taking Piia with her for the past week, determined to scour though all the library journals to find something, anything of her mother's time as a Jedi.

Jocasta Nu had been sympathetic in her plight regarding any information on Eremena Torr, and had delved a little too efficiently into the archives, upsetting some of the High Jedi Knights in the process.

Obi-Wan had warned her that sifting through information was a fruitless exercise and that she already knew the truth.

But her mother was an anomaly.

She had left the Order to have a child; that she already knew.

Padawan Torr had been disgraced from the Jedi Order only to be reinstated once she had given up the life she had delivered.

What Gemma couldn't understand was why all records had been removed from the archives?

Her mother had done as she was asked; why then was there no evidence of her existence alongside her lifelong friend, Plo Koon?

The Kel Dor had elaborated further on her demise, but the events leading up to her mother's death still remained a mystery.

What had precipitated such an act?

She simply had to know more.

"Someone has gone to great lengths Gem to remove all history of your mother from the Jedi Archives," Jocasta explained, "but I have found at least a record they forgot to delete, look," she said as she opened a data terminal and recalled the information.

"Here it is."

"I don't know what I am looking at," Gem replied in all honesty.

"It's your mother's midi-chlorian count. They are just numbers from the Jedi Infirmary, but they had to be registered before she would have been accepted as a Forceful and then on to become an Initiate. But look closely, see the name?"

Gemma strained to see the five letters written at the bottom of the official laboratory result. ETorr.

.

"There, it's not much, but at least it validates your research." The older woman looked at Gem and smiled.

"I truly hope you find some peace in this Gem. Come, it's getting late," she checked the Jedi time piece, "I should be closing up."

It was late.

Gem was surprised that she had been in the Library for the better part of the day and early evening. Piia was in the Nursery with the other Force Sensitives and she was cross at herself that she had also missed a call from Rex. Bundling up her coat she thanked the patient librarian and headed to where her daughter would now be well and truly asleep.

.

Rex had been in his office for most of the day.

Reports, duty rosters.

No matter how he looked at it, there was always the dreaded flimsi work that accompanied the war. There had been no further news from the 212th and the remaining 501st were getting a little edgy.

He stared at the data pad in front of him and stretched his back wincing at the release of muscles caught in the same position for way too long. He checked his chrono.

1500.

He smiled. He knew his families routine and quickly tapped into his comm.

No answer.

No matter, he had another three standard hours before he would head back to the Senate building and see Piia before the night time ritual would take over.

A caf break was interrupted by the presence of Lieutenant Appo at his door.

"Sir. If I may?"

"Come in Appo," Rex gestured and sat back in his chair.

"Sir. Given that other units are currently deployed elsewhere, it is in my opinion that Torrent have become somewhat complacent in their training."

"Continue."

"With your permission, I'd like to commence immediate exercises to regain peak physical and battle readiness."

"Of course Lieutenant, maybe tomorrow we could - ,"

"It's in my opinion the men need to be caught off guard sir. I suggest splitting Torrent in two and having half at the range whilst the other are subjected to a rigorous physical regime. We'll rotate the groups accordingly."

Rex inwardly sighed. Whilst Appo wasn't his favourite within the 501st, he couldn't deny his enthusiasm since the commission to First Lieutenant.

"Alright," he replied, closing down the terminal on his desk and reaching for his helmet, "I'll take the men for the range."

"Would you like me to recall Jesse and Kix sir?"

Rex eyed the soldier in front of him cautiously, "no," he said slowly, "I will get word to them myself."

.

'Fekking Appo,' Rex thought as he watched his men perfectly place pulses at the simulated objects in front of them.

There was a reason these men had been hand-picked for Torrent and the extended down time on Coruscant had done nothing to hamper their skills with a DC-17.

"Alright, alright, that's enough," Rex smiled as Didge obliterated his target in a matter of seconds, "pack it up and let's head back to the barracks."

Rex turned around, still smiling at the headless BX the sniper had targeted when he was alerted to an incoming message on his private comm.

It was an official code that made his blood run cold

Execute Order 66.

He immediately backed up the Order with the appropriate security codes.

Then the confusion of his men calling in, checking if they too had heard it correctly.

One after the another, they questioned, talking over each other, private conversations beginning between soldiers before Rex silenced them once and for all.

"Torrent Company, call in." he ordered. Their numbers coming in loud and clear.

"Ok, quiet!" he implored.

This was no drill.

Torrent may have been taken out of the war, but the second that message was received, the war had found them.

The next voice to come over the comm was that of his general. There was a level of unease in his words as he ordered the infamous blue to rally at the Jedi Temple.

Rex had to think straight. He couldn't believe this was happening, he went over the order again to make sure.

Order 66 – eliminate the Jedi.

Then it struck him.

The feeling of duty being replaced by sheer panic.

Did Gemma heed his advice and skip the Temple that day?

.

Rex attempted to contact the apartment via closed link to no avail.

'Kriff, answer Gemma.'

Then he remembered that Appo had the other half of Torrent on drills. "Appo, what is your location?" Rex marched on, his face searing with heat under his helmet.

"Sir, my unit is with General Skywalker and we are currently awaiting your arrival at the Jedi Temple."

Fek!

Rex broke into a slight jog.

"Listen up men, we are heading to the Jedi Temple. I would like to think that we all show some restraint before we open fire on any Jedi – is that clear?"

"I SAID, IS THAT CLEAR?"

"Sir, yes, sir," they responded in unison.

'Ok, stay calm,' he steadied himself, 'there had better be a kriffing good explanation for this.'

Rex strode forward with his men in perfect line behind him. The infamous 501st looked more intimating than ever as they made their way to the ancient building.

Inwardly he was in turmoil.

"Sir, the Jedi Temple is in military lock down." It was Jesse reporting in.

With a few blinks his HUD was on private channel with one of his oldest and most loyal soldiers.

"Jesse, are you in the Temple?"

"Affirmative sir. Both Kix and I are awaiting your arrival and orders," Rex could sense trepidation in his voice.

He looked up and saw smoke from the ancient building.

"Jesse, listen to me, have you seen Gem and Piia?"

It was a personal question and he thought for a second before asking it.

Suddenly there was screaming down the open comm.

"It's Skywalker! He's gone crazy with the light sabre, he's, he's. Oh shab, he's killing the kids, I repeat, he's killing the children," Kix all the time screaming, and Rex broke into a run.

"Have you seen Gem Kix?" He asked the question again, bile rising in his throat.

Rex tried to still his voice and remain calm for the trooper obviously in the midst of something atrocious and unthinkable.

"No," his voice trembling, "no sir, I haven't."

"I have her sir," it was Jesse, his voice sounded strained and quiet.

"Good, good," Rex relaxed a fraction, "keep them hidden and safe Jesse, my eta is two standard minutes."

"I only have the Representative sir," he replied, his voice just above a whisper.

Rex ran as fast as he could, the remainder of the company trying hard to keep up with him.

He bellowed down the comm link.

"Location CT-5597."

"Third level, west wing. Sir."

"CT-5586, location."

"Third level, west wing."

Rex panicked, he knew Gem would never leave Piia alone.

Rex ran through the building like a man possessed, barging past other units that had been recently hatched to follow orders.

They knew enough to move aside when the blue and white armour went hurtling past.

He raced up the stairs, his chest burning with every breath until he crashed through the doors to the level where Kix had been awaiting his arrival.

The medic was kneeling outside the closed door to the Jedi Nursery, his helmet off and his face ashen.

Rex could smell the burning flesh and crouched low to his medic.

"Kix, where's Jesse?"

The other men in his unit were coming around the corridor and Rex had to act fast. He had fought beside every one of them but didn't want to risk any following the Order before he had a chance to ascertain the situation behind the elaborate doors.

"Kix," more urgently, "is he in there?"

"Yes sir, but - "

"Is Gemma in there too?"

"I think so, I'm not sure."

"OK," Rex rattled through a couple of possible scenario's but nothing could have prepared him for what he was about to witness.

He stood tall and looked to the heavy doors. Collecting himself he motioned to the medic on his knees.

"Stand up Kix, let's go and see just what in the Fek is going on."

He was angry, really angry.

The door opened and together they stood aghast at what they saw.

Smoke.

Bodies.

Skywalker was hunched over. His light sabre drawn as he turned and looked at his captain, deactivating the blade as they walked into the room.

Rex was on high alert.

"Good, you're here captain."

There was something off about Anakin, Rex couldn't quite put a finger on it, but he moved forward with trepidation all the time utilising the visual capabilities of his helmet.

There was no sign of his family in the room.

No one spoke for, it felt like ages, but in reality it must have only been seconds.

That's when every man in the room heard it.

A sound so familiar Rex felt the blood drain from his head.

Lying amongst the dead, partially covered by a torn and bloodied Padawan tunic lay the small child. Previously asleep or in shock she was silent, but the cry alerted them to her presence.

.

Gem gasped and Jesse quickly covered her mouth with his hand.

The tattooed trooper had acted quickly, pushing the woman into the ancillary air conditioning duct when Skywalker began the cull.

It was an act of treason.

Gem saw the men turn to her daughter.

Jesse whispered softly in her ear to 'remain quiet' and 'all would be fine', over and over again. She was trembling terrified, desperately wanting to collect her child. He held her close between his legs, watching the scene play out, waiting for the danger to pass.

Even Jess knew from what they had both witnessed, there didn't appear to be a way out this time.

Together they peered through the grill of the shaft and watched as Rex slowly removed his beloved helmet and, without taking his eyes off his general, moved towards the small bundle on the floor in front of them. Jesse could feel a sigh of relief leave his captive and relaxed his hold. Bending down and putting his twin blasters on the floor, Rex picked up his daughter and held her to his chest.

Then came the order.

"Stand aside captain."

"Sir, with all due respect, you do know who this is?" Rex pleaded, not truly believing what he was hearing.

He became aware of his men a few that had taken a step towards him and some that had moved to the side of the general.

There was obvious confusion.

"You have your orders captain. All Jedi and Force sensitive personal are to be eliminated."

He stepped towards his captain, then the hum from the light sabre that had only ever been raised to protect him in the past, was reactivated.

Rex stood firm, cradling his daughter, fixed to the spot, unable to move.

"You wouldn't?" Rex questioned his commanding officer.

"Step down soldier."

"Again, with all due respect, you're a Jedi!"

They faced off against each other.

There was a brief flicker of familiarity before everything was lost forever.

.

Gem had to do something other than sit and hide, her entire life being played out in front of her.

With all her strength she pushed her head back into Jesse's face, the action rendering his nose broken, the sound of cartilage and bone cracking unmistakable.

She pushed through the grate, Anakin and the men turned quickly at the noise when she let out a deafening scream.

"NO!"

Rex extended one arm towards her, trying to halt her moving forward as a sadistic smirk crept across the general's mouth.

It would be an easy kill for the experienced Sith.

Without second thought Anakin slashed at her side, her body crumpling to the floor before he turned back in one fluid movement to his captain.

As Rex closed his eyes at the brilliant blue light a blur of white crossed in front of him as Kix attempted to deflect the ancient weapon.

There was a moment of silence when all three appeared to be skewered by the sword just moments before the enormous window cracked and they were lost forever.

There was nothing anyone could do.

It just happened so fast.

.

Fin