Their Hope

Chapter Nine

'Welcome aboard Air Hotshot, I thank you for choosing me as your pilot on this return journey to the Resolute,' the vode on board laugh as Allie waits nervously on the ramp to see if the Batch will show up.

'They will be here, they said they would be,' Fives tries to reassure Allie.

'I know. Everyone else safely on board?'

'All safely on board, Ma'am,' Fives answers with a cheeky grin.

'Get strapped in soldier,' Allie replies scrunching up her nose, causing Fives to laugh at her. 'I swear men,' she shakes her head as Fives re-enters the ship.

'Unfortunately you are in an army of them,' Hunter says as the Batch reach the ship.

'Tell me about it, at least I have Ahsoka,' Allie smiles at them. 'Thank you, for choosing to come with us.'

'No problem, let us know when you're ready to explain what you're up to,' Hunter smirks.

'Maybe, or I might just keep giving you random things to do and not explaining why,' she says before sticking her tongue out at them.

This make Wrecker laugh, 'oh, this is going to be so much fun,' Allie laughs too and opens her arms to him. Wrecker doesn't hesitate to wrap her in his arms and pull her into a hug, lifting her off the ground in the process.

'Okay, okay. Wrecker I'm more breakable than your brothers,' Allie laughs as Wrecker slackens his grip slightly before lowering her back to the ground.

'Sorry,' Wrecker says looking a bit embarrassed, rubbing the back of his head.

'No harm done sweetie,' Allie pats his arm. 'Go get yourselves strapped in,' she gently squeezes each of their shoulders as they pass her getting onto the ship.

'Room for one more?' 99 says with a laugh, shuffling towards her with Shaak Ti.

'I would love to take you with us 99 but,' Allie stops seeing 99 raise his hand at her.

'It's okay I understand,' 99 says sadly. Allie quickly steps off the ramp before hugging 99 tightly, not knowing Hunter, Crosshair and Tech are still watching from the top of the ramp.

'You take care of yourself, you hear me. My boys would be heartbroken if something happened to you. Stay safe, promise me 99,' Allie squeezes him tighter, promising herself that she won't let anything happen to 99 this time.

'I promise Allie,' 99 pats her back, trying to reassure her.

'Watch out for him, please,' Allie asks, releasing 99 and turning to Shaak.

'You know, I was just saying I need someone to help me with things around here, I'm sure 99 would be a fine candidate for the job,' Shaak smiles.

'It would be an honour General,' 99 salutes.

'Thank you,' Allie whispers whilst drawing Shaak into a goodbye hug. 'May the force be with you.'

'And with you,' both Jedi smile to one another before Allie walks up the ramp, waving as it closes behind her. Walking over to her seat she sees a few of the vode are still recovering from their injuries.

'You know, we could have waited a few more days,' Allie says to Coric across from her.

'I think they were all just eager to get off of Kamino,' Allie nods at Coric's answer.

About an hour or so after they jump into hyperspace Allie notices a few of the sleeping men shiver. Getting up from her seat she quickly locates some blankets and sets about tucking them around the vode. The Batch watch her carefully, for she didn't have to do this, it wouldn't hurt the troops being a little cold.

'You don't need to do that Ma'am,' Lieutenant Cap says, really unused to anyone caring for them, other than their brothers.

'It's okay, it's no trouble,' Allie smiles at him.

'You care,' Cap states, voicing the conclusion the Batch have come to.

'Very much so, about all of you. Now rest, we'll be on the Resolute before you know it,' she tells Cap placing a blanket around him too.

'I feel left out,' Wrecker pouts, making Allie giggle.

'Want me to tuck you in?' Allie asks holding up a blanket to him.

'Nah, I'm fine,' Wrecker says embarrassed. Allie just shakes her head and walks over, placing the blanket around him and kissing him on the forehead before walking back to Echo.

'What about me vod'ika?' Echo pouts with puppy dog eyes.

'Get your own damn blanket,' Allie replies with a big grin.

'Meanie,' Echo mumbles, causing Allie to laugh, leaning over and kissing his cheek, before settling her head on his shoulder to get some rest.

'I would like to thank you all for flying Air Hotshot, I hope you had a pleasant flight and hope to see you again soon,' Hotshot cheerily says over the comm.

'Can I adopt him as our pilot?' Allie mumbles as she wakes up.

'No,' Crosshair says sternly. 'Once was more than enough. Tech is a good pilot.'

'You sir are no fun,' Allie huffs, before getting up and stretching. 'Alright boys, let's go.' Walking off the ship, they are greeted by Anakin, Ahsoka and Rex. 'Ahsoka,' Allie grins holding her arms open which the young Togruta gladly runs into them for a hug. 'Miss me?'

'Of course,' Ahsoka laughs.

'You caused quite a stir with the council, what exactly happened?' Anakin asks, placing his hand on her shoulder.

'Krell, he, fell,' Allie answers simply.

'Force,' Anakin breaths out shocked. 'And the men?'

'Oh, I kind of adopted them, after what Krell did. Most of them are what are left of his unit. And the Batch just because I like chaos,' she says pointing to the four different looking vode stood slightly away from the rest.

'They are different,' Anakin laughs. 'Come on Snips, we have training,' Ahsoka nods, waving at Allie as she follows her master out of the hanger.

'Miss me?' Allie asks smiling at Rex.

'Of course cyare,' Rex replies, opening his arms for her, which she happily steps into.

'Did he just call her..?' Hunter begins.

'Yep,' Fives says popping the p and laughing seeing the looks on their faces and the faces of Allie's new troopers.

'It's going to be the worst kept secret in the GAR,' Coric shakes his head. 'Right, those who still need to be in medical with me, the rest of you, I'm sure Domino can make themselves useful and show you to the barracks.'

'Think Coric's just taken command for you,' Allie whispers into Rex's chest.

'So it would seem,' Rex pulls back from Allie, turning to the new vode under his care. 'Welcome to the 501st men, if you need anything please don't hesitate to ask someone, we are all happy to help,' he says before turning his attention towards the Batch. 'Good to see you all again, please try to keep the peace.'

'We never start it, not our fault your men can't finish it,' Hunter laughs before offering his arm to Rex which he takes firmly grasping it. 'Good to see you Rex.'

'You too Hunter,' Rex nods.

'So…' Hunter starts looking between Rex and Allie, who has turned her attention to Echo. Rex raises his eyebrow at him. 'Happy for you brother, think Wrecker might be a bit heartbroken though,' Hunter jokes, laughing when Wrecker tries to get him in a headlock.

'Okay boys we haven't even left the hanger,' Allie sighs.

'So what happened exactly?' Rex asks.

'Krell was working with the Separatists, reason his unit always took such heavy casualties is because that's how he wanted it, so I killed him, not that he gave Shaak or myself much choice,' Allie shrugs. 'It's been a long few days and I've read reports I never want to think about again,' Allie shivers thinking of the messages between Krell and the Separatists and the way he spoke about the vode. Rex places his arm around her shoulders and draws her back to him.

'General Allie do you read me?' everyone glances down at Allie's comm as it goes off.

'Loud and clear Yularen,' Allie replies.

'The council are requesting a call from you,' Admiral Yularen in forms the young general.

'I'll be right there, thank you,' she hangs up the comm. 'No rest for the wicked. I'll catch up with you all later,' Allie kisses Rex's jaw before running off to the bridge.

'Walk!' Droidbait calls after her.

'Come on Batch, let's get you to your bunks,' Hevy says slinging his arms around Wrecker and Tech.

'Lead the way Domino,' Crosshair snarls.

'Allie what have you gotten us into,' Rex sighs shaking his head watching the two squad walk off.

Allie nearly collapses after hours of being in on a council meeting, her only condolence is Anakin looks the same way.

'I'll see you later Anakin,' Allie waves as she leaves the bride, heading for her quarters.

'Need some help?' Rex asks meeting her a few corridors from her destination.

'Please, council meetings are so boring and I'm not even on the council,' Allie groans wrapping her arm through Rex's, making him laugh. After that the walk is quiet until they reach the door to her quarters.

'Want to come in?' Allie asks, Rex nods slowly. Allie enters leaving the door open for Rex to follow her in.

'Don't do anything I wouldn't,' Cutup shouts from down the corridor, causing Rex to pause and blush.

'You wouldn't know what to do Cutup,' Allie shouts back, before closing her door to the sound of roaring laughter from whichever of the vode are with him. 'Sorry about him, I swear those boys,' Allie shakes her head but sees Rex still hasn't moved. 'Hey you, it's okay,' Allie smiles sweetly pulling Rex down for a kiss, which he immediately relaxes into and returns.

'Are you alright?' Rex asks once he pulls back from the kiss.

'Been better, knowing, seeing someone treat your brothers that way and for them to feel like they couldn't tell someone else. It hurts,' Allie says shrugging out of her outer robes.

'We weren't trained to do that,' Rex simply answers her.

'Can you send a message GAR wide?' Allie suddenly asks, shocking Rex a little.

'I can't, but Cody can. Why? What are you thinking cyare?' Rex asks pulling Allie towards him.

'That you are wearing too many layers and need to ditch this armour, as much as I like seeing you in it,' Allie replies, then giggles at Rex blushing.

'If that's what you want,' Rex slowly pulls away to do as Allie has asked, not making eye contact with her.

'Only if that's what you want to do,' Allie places her hands over his, making him look towards her. 'Partnership Rex, tell me if I say or do something you don't like, or are uncomfortable with,' she smiles reassuringly at him.

'It isn't very comfortable when you're trying to relax,' Rex smiles and resumes taking off his armour, stacking it neatly on the chair in Allie's room, as she sits on her bunk. 'So what message do you want to send?'

'I want to send my private comm frequency out, saying that if there's a problem they feel like they can't go to their general about or about their general, they can message me and I will help them solve it,' Rex is stunned for a moment but then remembers just who Allie has shown herself to be, how much she genuinely cares for all of his brothers.

'I'll message him and see if he will do it,' Allie smiles at Rex and lays down as he finishes taking off his armour, shifting uncomfortably on his feet not sure what to do with himself now.

'Come here,' Allie rolls to her side so her back is pressing up against the wall, holding her hand out to Rex, who smiles at her before walking over and taking it, laughing as she pulls him down onto the bed.

Rex lays facing her, slowly bringing his hand up to caress her cheek lightly. Allie closes her eyes and leans into his palm, before he leans forward and kisses her gently. Allie melts into his kiss and pulls him closer to her, moaning softly feeling his body press against hers. Letting her tongue sneak past her lips, she lightly licks his, asking for entrance which he grants. Their tongues dance with each other's before Rex takes charge of the kiss and pushes his tongue into her mouth, devouring her, making Allie moan louder this time causing Rex to growl grabbing her more firmly before disconnecting their lips and placing their foreheads together, taking a deep, steadying breath.

'Sleep?' Rex asks.

'We probably should,' Allie smiles leaning up and kissing Rex softly. Rex shifts so he is laying on his back so Allie can place her head on his chest. 'Goodnight ner alor'ad.'

'Goodnight cyare,' Rex whispers kissing her head, before both of them drift off to sleep.

Mando's translation

Vod'ika- little sister/brother

Cyare- beloved

Ner alor'ad- my captain