Their Hope
Chapter Six
Allie doesn't think she has ever felt as safe as she does right now, being surrounded by the Domino squad. She allows the Force to flow freely around them, to connect her to them. Wishing slightly that Rex was still here too. There was something just magnetic about the captain to her, almost like the Force called her to him, this thought makes the Force pulse around her in agreement. Allie feels herself drifting off to sleep, surrounded by her boys and the calmness in the Force around her.
Rex enters the rec room, a few hours later, smiling seeing the peaceful expression on the sleeping bodies in the room. He doesn't want to disturb their peace but unfortunately there is a holo call from the council due in thirty minutes and Allie needs to be there. Placing his hand on Allie's shoulder he lightly shakes her, just enough to wake her and not panic her.
'I'm sorry, but the council are due to call in thirty minutes, I thought I'd give you enough time to wake up properly,' Rex says quietly but it still causes Domino Squad to awaken.
'Echo, I need to get up sweetie, please,' Allie says trying to remove Echo's arm from around her waist with little success.
'No, stay,' Echo says still half asleep, tightening his grip on her, causing Allie to laugh.
'I've got it,' Hevy says from behind Echo and pulls Echo's arm up enough for Allie to shuffle out, taking Rex's offered hand and pulling herself to her feet.
'I'll see you boys later. Oh and leave Coric alone,' Allie warns but smiles as she leaves with Rex. 'Do you mind if we make a stop at my quarters first?' Rex smiles and shakes his head, leading them through the halls back to her room in a peaceful silence. 'You can come in and wait for me, if you want. I just need to change and freshen up,' Allie tells him as she opens her door. Rex nods and as Allie heads to the fresher he sits on the edge of her bunk. Five minutes later Allie walks out smiling. 'Any idea what the council are calling for?'
'I believe it is just a general report on how the war is going,' Rex tells her as she comes to stand in front of him, making him shift nervously at her being so close when they are alone in her quarters.
'Joy,' Allie sighs as she flops onto the bunk next to where Rex is sitting. Rex laughs as she groans, making her stick her tongue out at him, before trying to blow a piece of her hair that has fallen over her face, that is tickling her nose, with not much success. Rex reaches out and gently pushes said piece of hair behind her ear without thinking about it, causing Allie to blush. 'Thank you.' Allie's voice makes Rex jump as his brain finally registers what he had just done.
'I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that,' Rex apologies quickly as he stands from her bunk and puts a little distance between the two. Allie stands slowly, before walking over to him, closing the distance he's just put between them. The Force gently nudging her closer.
'It's okay Rex, I don't mind,' Allie smiles as she takes his hand softly in hers.
'Allie,' Rex warns, making Allie freeze her eyes widening when she realises she may be able feel the pull of the Force between them but Rex likely can't.
'I'm sorry, I'm sorry,' Allie lets go of his hand and this time she puts a little distance between them feeling a sadness in the Force as she does so.
Rex watches her apologise and sighs, before he steps forward towards her and pulls her into his arms, holding her gently. Allie relaxes into the hug, returning it tightly.
'You know,' Allie begins, 'when I am being hugged by one of the Domino's I feel safe, like I know they won't let anything happen to me. Do you want to know what I feel when I'm in your arms?' Allie asks Rex softly, feeling him nod not trusting himself to speak should he break this moment. 'It feels like home,' Rex tightens his own hold on Allie, kissing the top of her head, making Allie turn her face up to look at him. 'Rex?' Allie questions as Rex looks down into her eyes before his gaze slips down to her lips. Standing slightly on her tip toes Allie kisses the corner of Rex's lips, who turns his head slightly to capture her lips with his in a soft, hesitant kiss before he pulls away and connects their forehead in a Keldabe kiss.
'Is this okay?' Rex asks unsure.
'Perfect,' Allie whispers back titling her head and kissing him once more.
'Rex do you read me?' Anakin asks through Rex's comm link, who groans as Allie giggles.
'Sir, yes, sir.'
'Did you find Allie? The council are due to call any minute.'
'We are on our way sir,' Rex ends the call and smiles at Allie. 'Best get going General,' Allie shakes her head and sticks her tongue out at him.
'Lead the way ner alor'ad,' Allie smirks at seeing Rex's blush before he puts his helmet on and leads them out of her quarters to the bridge and into the communication room just off to the side.
'Nice of you to join us,' Anakin smirks.
'Sorry, I had to extract myself from a Domino pile,' Allie laughs taking a seat as the council call connects. Allie half listens to what is being said, until she hears Krell's name mentioned.
'Master Krell had to call a retreat on taking out the droid factory and his unit suffered heavy losses, he is on his way back to Kamino to pick up more troops and try again,' Mace informs.
'When doesn't Krell take heavy losses,' Anakin mutters to Rex, but Allie and the rest of the council hear it too.
'True, this is but achieve his objectives, he does. Matters to the senate, that does,' Yoda replies, but pauses at seeing Allie's blank look. 'Allie?' Yoda questions in concern.
'Go on young one,' the Force nudges her.
'Yoda what if I told you that Krell may have fallen?' Allie asks Yoda, using the Force to communicate so the others cannot hear.
'Disturbing, that would be. Sure, you are?' Yoda replies worriedly.
'I think so, I don't know, something dark is lurking there, I can feel it. I need to go to Kamino.'
Yoda nods at her. 'Go young one, you must. May the Force be with you.'
'And with you Yoda,' Allie stands and bows before rushing out of the room.
'What was that about?' Mace enquires, though sure Yoda won't give a full explanation.
'Pray she is wrong, I do,' Yoda bows his head, feeling in the Force that she isn't.
'Rex go with her, see is she needs anything,' Anakin says, before returning his attention to the rest of the councils report.
Allie runs to the barracks, apologising to the many troops she nearly bumps into on the way. Popping around the door where Domino are bunking with Torrent, she takes a breath before speaking.
'Domino suit up, be in the hanger in ten,' Allie is about to rush back out the door however Coric and Rex both block her way as they enter.
'What's going on Allie?' Rex asks, catching her by her upper arms before she can run past them.
'I… I'm not sure, I have to get to Kamino. Do you mind if I borrow Coric?' Allie says trying to shake off Rex's hands so she can exit the barracks.
'Calm down Allie, take a deep breath,' Rex moves his hands from her arms to cup her face, turning it so she is looking at him. 'Breathe, Cyare,' everyone in the room freezes at hearing Rex say this, knowing Allie will know what it means. Allie takes a deep breath, calming down, Rex feels this and smiles at her. 'Coric will you go with Allie?'
'Of course vod,' Coric moves to his bunk to collect the rest of his things.
'Why do you need to go to Kamino?' Rex asks quietly.
'I can't tell you, not yet, not if I am wrong. I promise I'll explain when we get back,' Allie smiles at Rex, feeling much calmer now, she has time, she can stop what happens on Umbara, Rex nods at her.
'I'll comm ahead and have a ship and pilot ready for you,' Allie smiles wider at this, throwing her arms around Rex's neck and kisses him quickly.
'Thank you,' Allie drops down and finally free from Rex's grasp, runs out of the room before Rex can reply.
'Yeah, sure, nothing going on at all,' Cutup says sarcastically, laughing at Rex's surprised look.
'Hurt her, no one will ever find the body,' Droidbait threatens, shocking even Domino squad with his statement.
''Bait didn't know you had it in you,' Fives laughs.
'Come on, we better catch up with her,' Echo says as they exit the room, purposefully bumping into Rex on the way out. 'You best call in that ship for us captain,' Echo gently reminds him, snapping Rex out of his daze, as he nods and does just that.
'Be careful Coric,' Del says clasping their forearms together.
'We'll watch out for him, Sergeant,' Hevy promises, nodding at Del, who nods back.
'I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself,' Coric mumbles causing a round of laughter from the troops in barracks.
'Get moving vode,' Rex says, once his own laughter has dies down.
'Sir, yes, sir,' Domino and Coric say, saluting the captain as they pass.
'Soooooo, Allie huh?' Del asks grinning, as he comes to stand next to Rex watching the others walk away towards the hanger.
'Allie,' Rex nods in reply with a smile.
'I'm happy for you vod, you know the men will keep it between us.'
'I know Del, I trust you all,' Rex nods before leaving, heading back to the bridge, to rejoin Anakin to see what he has missed from the end of the meeting.
Mando's translation
Ner alor'ad- my captain
Cyare- beloved
Vod- brother/sister