Chapter 10- Concerning the Children

"Ahsoka! Ahsoka, Honey, wake up," Rex's voice filtered through Ahsoka's montrals. "We're here, on Atollon. You've got to see this. It's a jungle. And the Bendu, well, he looks like part of the jungle."

Eyes closed, Ahsoka let her mate ramble on in his attempt to wake her. Of course, he had broken her slumber the first time he had called her name, but she wanted to see how far he would go to rouse her. She heard him pause and sigh.

"You really are sleepy, Little U'n. Came on kind of early this time. And you're usually so predictable about these things."

Strong arms lifted her and she rested against Rex's chest as he sat on the bed. With weariness hanging heavily on her, she let her head droop on his shoulder. Maybe Rex would carry her off the ship. Then his hand slipped to the blue and white back of her head and she had to fight a smile.

"I guess there's only one thing to do," she heard him say.

His lips pressed against her left montral, near the center of her head. Moving quickly, he kissed his way around her montrals and down her lek. He continued around her head, stopping to nibble at the sweet spot under her back lek. He made his way up her right lek to her montral, and finally pressed a kiss on her forehead.

Surrendering, Ahsoka opened her eyes with a contented sigh. "That was wonderful, Rex. Do it again!"

Rex abruptly stood. "I thought so! You've been awake the whole time. Ahsoka, everyone's waiting on us out there, even the kids."

"Don't put me down. I really am tired." She yawned. "Just one more kiss, please?" She tilted her head towards him.

Rex ignored her head and flipped her in his arms so that her head was lower than her feet. His lips caressed her slightly rounded stomach, first with a tight, firm kiss, then with several small, nibbling kisses.

"Oh, Rex!" she laughed, raising her head to look at him. "I see how it is. You only keep me around to give you children."

With one last lingering kiss on her pregnant middle, Rex righted her in his arms. He frowned in mock sternness.

"Baby wasn't the one pretending to be asleep for five minutes while I tried to wake her." The frown disappeared and his brown eyes twinkled at her. "Sleepiness may be early this time, but playfulness is right on schedule."

He fitted his mouth to hers as he carried her towards the ramp. At the top of the ramp, he paused and lifted his eyes, his lips still moving against Ahsoka's.

"Captain Rex and Jedi Ahsoka," rumbled a deep voice. Ahsoka didn't bother turning towards the speaker.

"How good of you to join us," the Bendu continued. "Do you wish to contribute to this discussion or would prefer to continue your mating display?"

Rex broke the kiss at last. "Mating display?" he spluttered. "Can't a man give his pregnant wife a little lovin' without people coming unglued?" He shot a meaningful look in Luke's direction.

The Jedi Master stood with his hands on his hips and eyebrows raised in disapproval. "There is a time and a place for 'loving on your wife' and this is neither."

"Public opinion never mattered much to Rex," chortled Punch, leading the four other Clones down the Jade Shadow's ramp.

"Your father would be on my side," Rex assured Luke with a knowing nod.

"All right, boys, that's enough," Ahsoka interrupted, slipping out of Rex's arms to stand beside him. She smiled at the Clones, pleased that they already looked younger and more energetic. "Bendu would like to tell us something, I think."

"You are mistaken, Jedi Ahsoka. I would like to listen to what you all have to say."

On the other side of the clearing, Alora slipped up beside Dev and gently laid a hand on his elbow. She caught his eye as he turned.

Isn't he amazing?

Dev nodded. Such Balance in the Force and quiet power. Ezra had apparently learned much from this mysterious mentor.

Ezra knelt and clasped his hands as the other Jedi gathered around in a circle, kneeling or in lotus position. "I'll tell you what's going on, even though you probably already know. There's a growing mistrust and fear of Force-sensitive individuals all around the Galaxy. It's been building for some time. Some people have always disliked us, but now…, well, our list of friends is shrinking fast and our list of enemies is growing even faster. We've been framed and accused of things we didn't do and people are out for blood. One person in particular."

"Hmmm," Bendu rumbled. "Yes, I have sensed dark emotions growing and festering. And your particular enemy. I have felt him."

"You don't mean a Force-sensitive?" Luke gasped.

"No, Luke Skywalker. I do not feel his presence in the Force. I sense the lack of it."

Luke's forehead wrinkled in thought. "I don't understand, Master Bendu. How can you sense his presence if it's not there?"

"I neither accept nor use that title, Luke Skywalker. But if you had reached out in the Force and paid attention, you would understand my meaning. All living creatures are bound together by the Force. Individuals woven together as one, each in its place. Except this enemy. In the place where he should be, there is a nothingness, a hole if you will. When I first felt that emptiness, I perceived that it boded ill. How could it be otherwise, when he has wholly cut himself off from the Living Force?"

Stunned silence met the Bendu's proclamation. The Jedi stared at each other, trying to grasp how such a thing could be.

"I think," Dev ventured hesitantly, "that Agati must have a very strong mind to cut himself completely off from the Force."

The Bendu nodded as Leia stepped forward. "I think it's time you were all aware of the latest development in Agati's scheme. As I was saying earlier, I have a friend and informant in Agati's committee. No doubt Agati chose him so that my friend would tell me what he wants me to know."

Leia hesitated, her gaze sweeping the little group. Her eyes lingered briefly on the other women who were her fellow mothers: Mara, gently swaying to rock the sleeping little Ben; Sabine, her motherhood evident in her round, full body as she leaned against Ezra with Violet-Meadows squirming beside her and Ahsoka, nestled in Rex's embrace, keeping a watchful eye on her brood. She knew how they would react - the same way she had. Her gaze drifted to her own sweet children - Jaina, Jacen, Ben and little Anakin. She could not let this happen.

Drawing a deep breath, she continued. "Of course, Agati managed to make this plan seem like someone else's idea, but it could only have come from him. It's too cold and cruel and … deceptive. As soon as they receive approval from the full emergency quorum, Agati's committee will begin gathering all Force-sensitive individuals, no matter their age, and place them in … in rehabilitation centers. The older ones will be assessed. If they are judged to be too dangerous for rehabilitation, they will be killed. The children and infants will undergo a rigorous treatment program in a facility far from the adults…from their …" Leia's voice broke and she shivered. "They will be kept far from the influence of their parents. Any child who continues to demonstrate Force-sensitivity after treatment will be…" She choked on an angry sob, unable to go on.

An animal cry of wrath and anguish split the still, heavy jungle air. Rex pulled Ahsoka closer, rubbing her back and whispering softly against her montrals. As her screams faded, he looked up while continuing to pat his distraught wife. Sabine sobbed softly as Ezra held her, his eyes flashing. Luke took Mara's hand and squeezed it, their eyes wide with horror. The younger Jedi gathered closer.

"Leia," Rex's face had turned hard, the soldier's gleam returned to his eye. "Is there any chance that the quorum will reject this … proposal?"

"Very little. They are handpicked, even the ones who are not on his side. There are not enough senators who could reach Coruscant in time. I thought of going back myself…"

"No!" Han jumped up and laid a hand on her arm. "You heard what your senator friend said. If you go back, you'll be the first one they lock up. I like you a whole lot better not frozen in carbonite- and alive."

"Han's right," Luke assented. "We can't stop them through the Senate."

"But we can make them come to us," Rex stroked Ahsoka's montrals as he spoke. "Make them fight on our terms, where we choose. And don't give them a chance to get near the younglings."

Grogu squeaked and ran to Luke's side. Violet-Meadows hurried over to him.

"It otay," she assured him, wrapping her chubby arms around him. Grogu held on to her, his eyes big and far away.

Barrell knelt beside the children. "I think he's remembering when …" the Clone's voice trailed off, the thought too painful to finish.

"It would seem," the Bendu addressed the little band, "that this enemy believes he can destroy the Creator's Living Force. He is gravely mistaken and he will pay a great price for his folly in the end. However, many may die before that time comes."

Ahsoka stiffened in Rex's arms and a moan escaped her. The Clone captain hugged her even tighter, turning her face into his chest.

"Shh," he soothed, still rubbing her montrals. He stood and tugged her to her feet. "We'll be back."

Clutching his arm, Ahsoka whispered desperately, "The children!"

"Will be just fine," Rex whispered back. "Kids, we'll be back soon. You stay right here and keep an eye on each other. Got it?"

The Little 501st nodded and Ahsoka relaxed slightly as Rex led her into the jungle. Once they were out of earshot, Rex lifted her in his arms and pressed her against his chest again. As he gently cradled her, she began to cry.

"That's it, Little U'n. Have a good cry. Get it all out. And then," he added in his best no-nonsense tone, "I want you to go back to sleep."

"But Rex,"

"No 'buts'. You're too emotional right now. You need sleep. And I need to join the tactical discussion going on back there."

Ahsoka knew he was right. She felt foolish for her inability to control her outbursts, even though she was pregnant. The old Jedi were right, too. Relationships complicated things. Maybe another nap would help. Yielding, she relaxed in Rex's embrace as he sat on the mossy bank of a stream. His hands moved over her, warming and soothing her, and the stream tinkled musically as it flowed through the jungle. It was so peaceful. She truly was tired. She would sleep after all.