Here we go! I'm very excited for this chapter. Mando'a translations are at the end.

SoldierFly61: I do indeed plan on continuing this story! I have a fair amount written at the moment, too. It just needs to be edited. I really appreciate your grip! I hope my reasoning helps: I always felt Obi Wan and Plo really failed Ahsoka during this arc. Since this is kind of a redemption for the characters I wish did more, the presence of the 212th and Wolf Pack is more of a redemption for Plo and Obi Wan. They're the stand ins as the two Jedi can't really be there. But I totally appreciate you voicing any problems you had! And thank you so much for the review!

Kondoru: Thank you! I hope that it continues to be great!

"Aruetti." Fox snarled.

Rex didn't flinch at the accusation. Dread ran down his back as he realized Fox's gun was pointed directly at Ahsoka. Rex felt Ahsoka tense next to him. He tried to position himself slowly to put himself between her and Fox.

"Surrender or she dies now." Fox said.

Rex scoffed inside his helmet. So you can kill her later? He thought with a snarl.

He simply shook his head. His mind raced. Rex didn't have his blaster aimed; Fox did. In any case, Fox was probably a better shot with the standard blaster and Rex had his Commander hanging off of him. And whatever was in Ahsoka's system wasn't going to let her dodge a blaster bolt.

"Why her?" Fox asked. "She's killed vod'e!"

I told you, Rex thought angrily. I know her. She would never.

Again, the only thing he did was shake his head.

Even from a distance, Rex could see Fox's rage. He understood, at least in part, his brother's anger. His mind flashed back to Krell. To have someone that was supposed to lead you kill your brothers; it was one of the worst things Rex had felt.

But he knew Ahsoka. He knew how much she loved her men and how much their lives mattered to her. That was worth protecting.

So he lifted his chin defiantly at Fox. He needed to provoke a shot made out of anger. So he said a single word, in the most monotone tone he could muster.

"Shabuir."

It worked.

Several things happened at once. Fox pulled the trigger. Rex threw Ahsoka behind him. Fox stiffened as a stun blast hit him in the back.

Fox's bolt rammed into Rex's shoulder. He let out a grunt of pain and fell to one knee. Ahsoka crawled to his side.

He managed to look up to see five unmarked clones standing over Fox's prone body. The one who had taken the shot moved forward and roughly hoisted Rex to his feet.

Rex gave a hiss at the harsh treatment. Whoever it was was furious and not afraid to show it. It could be Cody, Wolffe, or Fives, angry that he had given himself away, or it could be Kix, angry that he had gotten himself hurt.

No, Kix was the one kneeling in front of the Commander, making sure she was unhurt. Fives was probably the one miming banging his head against the wall.

"I'm fine." Ahsoka said. Her voice was slurred. "I think he needs help though."

She gestured to Rex. Kix looked at his captain and Rex could swear he could hear the medic's thoughts. It's the di'kut's own fault.

Kix helped Ahsoka to her feet and turned to Rex. Rex waved him away. They didn't have time. They'd probably treat him on Kamino before they reconditioned him because he was a kriffing idiot. Better yet, they might just have him executed, negating the need for treatment. There was no escaping this now. Rex was marked and could be identified.

Now wasn't the time to drown in self-pity. He knew the risks when he decided to rescue the Commander. Just the sight of his men surrounding her helped set his mind at ease.

He nodded to the others and they moved. Kix had Ahsoka hanging off of him. He could have sworn one of them purposefully stepped on Fox. They reached the entrance to find the other five waiting.

Their leader, through hand motions, communicated that they had neutralized all hostiles, but reinforcements were on their way. Rex nodded and signalled for them to get moving. The eight troopers surrounded him, Kix, and Ahsoka in a tight circle.

They encountered only a few stragglers that didn't stand a chance. Once they were outside, they could hear the troopers coming, shouting to one another.

Ahsoka squeaked as Kix hoisted her over his shoulder. Rex was glad he did. Their speed was doubled without her limping along. Rex grimaced at the throbbing pain in his shoulder. It was something that always annoyed him. Why create an army of cannon fodder soldiers and give them the ability to feel pain?

Focus, he told himself. The pain was causing his mind to wander. They could see the lights of the searching troopers. They hadn't gotten the massiffs yet. That was good. The guard had little chance of finding them without the animals. Even with the massiffs, Rex hoped the overwhelming clone scent would confuse the animals a little.

Rex's stomach dropped as they approached the pipes. Their getaway hole was surrounded by troopers. So they had learned something. The others stopped in unison in the dark, unseen by the guards.

Rex's mind raced. Ahsoka didn't have her lightsabers, so the old standby wasn't an option. Then he realized one of his troopers was holding something up. Detonators.

Rex was caught between laughing, rolling his eyes, and sighing with relief. He'd guess the trooper was Wolffe. The commander was too paranoid for his own good. Always had to have a back up plan. Rex didn't quite know when Wolffe had set the explosions, but he was thankful he had.

Wolffe led them further down the pipe. He pressed his detonator and two explosions rang out. One was small, right next to their position. The other was enormous and farther along the pipe. There were shouts and Rex could make out the troopers guarding the original entrance moving to investigate.

The first explosion had opened up a hole just large enough to get into.

Rex wasn't quite sure where in the system they were, but one of the troopers confidently took the lead. Rex hoped it wasn't Fives.

They could hear echoed splashing and shouting from the distant pipes, but they didn't seem to be getting much closer. They themselves kept to the sides, on the dry edges.

They didn't dare light their way through the dark pipes. Their leader seemed to know what he was doing. They managed to reach the crossroads that split the way between the two ships. They stopped and looked at each other. Ahsoka was in no condition to go by herself. One of them would have to go with her.

Without warning, Kix walked over to Rex, lightly set Ahsoka on her feet, and dragged Rex over. Rex found himself supporting his commander and Kix stepped back.

Rex looked at the men. He didn't want to leave them, even if he was practically caught already. One made a shooing motion. Rex nodded.

"Thank you." Ahsoka said. Her voice was tight with emotion. "All of you."

They all snapped to attention and gave her a salute. Even in the low light Rex could see Ahsoka's almost shocked expression. She managed a salute back.

Rex tugged her along and they stumbled off together.

Rex could hear the others start to move away. He prayed they'd make it.

He and Ahsoka were moving far slower than he would have liked. He couldn't help but notice that she was shaking and hanging on to him a little too tightly. Luckily they weren't far from the ship. Right as they boarded, Rex heard shouts of the guard.

The second the ship's door closed he tore off his helmet.

"Sir, hold on tight." He told her.

His arm was going numb, but he'd have to push through it.

He was scared for a second as she stared at him blankly before she nodded and headed for the co pilot's seat.

Rex followed her and turned on the engine. Mostly one handed, he steered the ship into the scattering of transports already in the air. His hand was shaking as he let their ship slowly sink with the others.

Rex caught sight of the Guard gathered in several exit pipes. Relief washed over him. They were looking around, scanning for any suspicious ships. They hadn't been seen.

Rex collapsed with a groan back into the seat. Kriff, he really needed to get something for his shoulder.

"Here," He managed and leaned forward. "I know a place we can lie low."

He tapped in the location, an old shipyard that was filled with beat up old ships, and set the ship to autopilot.

The ship changed course.

Rex cast a sidelong glance at Ahsoka. She was rigid in her seat, hands clenched. Her eyes were still not quite right.

"You should get some rest." He told her. "There's a bunk back there."

"Y-yeah." She said.

She stood up shakily, took two steps, and collapsed to her knees.

Rex leapt to his feet, ignoring the burst of pain.

"Commander!"

He knelt by her side.

"Are you hurt?" He wouldn't put it past her to hide an injury from Kix. In any case, he shouldn't have let her try to move by herself.

She shook her head and placed a hand on her forehead.

Kriff, was she crying?

Commander Tano didn't cry. She had been in countless battles, been buried alive, enslaved, kidnapped, infected by a lethal virus, and endured a war for over two years. She had never cracked, at least not in front of Rex or the men.

But here she was with her face wet with tears and shoulders shaking with sobs. He supposed part of it could be whatever was in her system, but even then, it was a shock.

Rex didn't know what to do at first. He had dealt with breakdowns before, but they were always vod'e, not his Jedi Commander.

His mind flashed back to the time after Umbara. She had been with him then, the only one besides Cody to see him break. She had just been there. No words. Rex hoped that that's what she needed now.

He settled himself down next to her.

He moved without thinking, stretching his arm out to place around her shoulders. He froze. What was he doing? Rex couldn't just touch her without permission. It just wouldn't be right. He slowly drew his hand back.

Ahsoka noticed the movement. She grabbed his hand. He stiffened. She held it for a moment before pulling herself into his arms.

She pressed her face into his uninjured shoulder. There was no hesitation now as he put his arms around her.

They sat there for a long time, Rex just holding her, until her shaking sobs subsided.

Ahsoka still didn't let go. Neither did Rex.

"Thank you." She finally whispered in a trembling voice. "I was so alone."

Rex gently shifted her back until he could look her in the eyes.

"Sir, as long as we are alive, you will never be alone."

It was as much a promise to himself as it was to her. He would never hesitate again.

She closed her eyes and leaned into him again.

"You really should get some rest, Commander." He told her.

"That's what I'm doing." She murmured.

"Not on me, sir."

She grumbled a little, but didn't resist much when he helped her to her feet. She still swayed, and Rex nearly had to carry her to the bunk.

She kept staring at him as he got her settled, as if she still couldn't quite believe he was real. She tugged at his hand as he turned to go.

"Your shoulder." She muttered.

Rex eased his hand out of hers.

"I'll be okay, Commander." He said. "Don't worry."

He could see she was still worried, but he couldn't do much about that. He went back to the controls of the ship and watched as they made their way to their destination. They were in the undercity now, grimy and dark. He didn't exactly like being down here, but it was far easier to disappear. He had worked with the Coruscant Guard enough to know that. The ship jolted as it landed.

Rex winced as he stood up again. He really needed to get something for his blaster wound. He checked on his commander. She had fallen asleep, curled up in a ball. Rex went about searching the ship's containers. It was old, yes, but that didn't mean there weren't a few useful things lying about. He was lucky. There were some old blankets, a few very old ration bars, and an ancient med pack.

Rex threw two of the blankets over the Commander. The rations he set aside. He determined that they'd have to be very desperate to give them a try after the clunking noise they made when tapped against the wall.

Finally he cracked open the dusty pack. Bandages, a few unlabeled syringes, pain pills. Beyond hope he pulled out an albeit old bacta patch. He wasn't sure how effective it would be with how old it seemed, but it was better than nothing.

He took the patch and the remaining blanket and headed back to the front. He had to get his armor and blacks top off before he could properly stick the patch on. As soon as it was secure Rex hurriedly pulled his blacks top back on. The commander was asleep, but he didn't want to take any chances. He finally settled himself down in the pilot's chair to keep watch. He wasn't sure what they'd do now.

Fives drummed his fingers against the durasteel table in front of him. Jesse was besides him, trying desperately to hold up the 'scared trooper' façade. Fives had given that up. He'd gotten too bored and irritated.

He glanced up at Fox, who was standing silent sentinel in the corner of the windowless room.

"You gonna tell us why we're here?" He asked for the thousandth time.

Fox just stared at the opposite wall. Fives rolled his eyes and studied his bound hands in front of him. He of course knew the reason he and Jesse were here.

The Guard had come for them a few hours after the Captain and Commander had escaped. What had confused Fives is that they came for only Fives and Jesse. Tup and Kix were left alone, and Fives was pretty sure none of the 212th or Wolf Pack were taken into custody. The Guard had said nothing to them after the initial arrest, and they had been waiting in this kriffing room for over an hour. If they were going to execute them, or torture them, or whatever, they could at least be prompt about it.

The door slid open and Fox stood up straighter. Fives felt an interesting mix of revulsion, distress, and loathing at the sight of the person who entered the room.

Admiral Tarkin.

The hut'uun that Echo had died trying to help save. The greying admiral eyed them with equal parts disdain and disgust. A part of Fives was glad his hands were secured. He might have attacked Tarkin. He might try regardless.

"ARC-5555, CT-5597." He said.

Great. The numbers. Fives stole a glance at Fox. He could tell even the commander was uncomfortable with the dehumanizing way Tarkin addressed them."

"So do we get to know why we were arrested now?" Jesse asked.

Tarkin narrowed his eyes.

"Ahsoka Tano was aided in escaping late last night by a number of clones."
Fives let a grin fall on his face.

"That's great news!" He said.

Tarkin's mouth drew into a tight line.

"Wait a minute, you think we helped break her out?" Jesse said.

Fives was impressed with how shocked Jesse sounded. He sounded as if he hadn't wrestled a member of the guard down in the facility the Commander had been held at only a few hours before.

Tarkin just stared at Jesse.

"Where's Rex?" Jesse asked. "I'm not saying anything until the Captain's here."

"CT-7567 is suspected to be with Tano." Tarkin said in a clipped voice.

Jesse's eyes widened and Fives did his best to copy him.

"Then I want General Skywalker." Jesse said.

Tarkin's mouth tightened further.

"If you will confess, you will be sentenced to reconditioning, rather than death."

Fives couldn't help but give a derisive laugh at that. Instead of death, they'd give them a fate worse than death. What a deal.

"I'm not saying anything until General Skywalker is here." Jesse said.

Tarkin glared at him. Finally he turned to Fox and nodded. Fox left the room.

"You are being rather quiet, CT-5555." Tarkin remarked after a moment. "This is quite different from what I have been informed of you."

Fives met his gaze easily.

"It's because I hate you."

He wasn't afraid of saying that. It was the truth, or at least part of it. Tarkin didn't need to know about the fact that Fives was a terrible liar and under orders from Jesse to keep his mouth shut in any and all situations that required lying. Of course that rule was normally in place for when they were trying to keep something dumb from the Captain, not trying to save lives.

Tarkin raised an eyebrow.

"How interesting, considering I cannot recall speaking to you at the Citadel."

Fives couldn't keep himself from speaking.

"My brother died to try and get you out of that hell-hole." He snarled. Jesse elbowed him to shut up, but Fives didn't care. "Can you tell me any of the names of the clones that died for you?"

Tarkin looked annoyed.

"I fail to see-"

"And let's not forget that Commander Tano herself personally saved your pathetic life!" Fives interrupted. "But that didn't stop you from trying to get her executed."

"It was her duty." Tarkin said coldly. "As it was mine to attempt to bring justice to a criminal."

Fives opened his mouth to make a biting reply when the door slid open again. Fox stepped in.

"Sir, I'm sorry, he was here already-" He muttered to Tarkin.

"What do you-"
General Kenobi walked in.

"Admiral Tarkin." He acknowledged before turning to Fives and Jesse. "Fives, Jesse. Are you all right?"

"Yes, sir." Jesse responded. "Where's General Skywalker?"

"Anakin is currently in pursuit of Commander Offee." General Kenobi said. "It was discovered she was involved with the bombings. She escaped off-world."

Fives blinked and tried to remember anything about the Mirialan padawan. He had only seen her once or twice. She had been friends with Commander Tano, he knew that at least.

"Now, I would like to know why these troopers are being held." Kenobi said to Tarkin. "As far as I knew, we had no leads on who was involved in Ahsoka's escape."

Tarkin cleared his throat.

"ARC-5555 and CT-5597 have a history of treason." Tarkin said coolly.

Five jerked his head, ready to counter Tarkin when General Kenobi gave him a 'look.'

"If you are referring to Umbara, I believe they were cleared of all charges when it was revealed that General Krell was himself a traitor." Kenobi replied in an equally chilly tone.

"It is enough to place them under suspicion."

"Fortunately, I am able to absolve them of such." Kenobi said. "Jesse and Fives were at a meeting with me during Ahsoka's escape."

Fives blinked again. He had just witnessed General Obi Wan Kenobi, Jedi Master, tell a bald faced lie.

Tarkin's mouth tightened further.

"Can anyone confirm this?" He asked.

"Certainly. General Plo was there, as well as Commander Wolffe and Commander Cody." Kenobi almost sounded bored. "We had some questions regarding one of their previous missions that would affect our own upcoming ones."

"And why did they not inform us of this?"

Kenobi's lips twitched into a small smile.

"Need to know basis, Admiral." He said. "You of course understand."

Tarkin's lips were so tightly pressed together they were white.

Fives was overjoyed to see a crack in the facade. The admiral was clearly furious.

Tarkin turned around.

"I am hesitant to take you at your word, General Kenobi." He said. "You, as well as General Plo Koon, are well known to be biased towards Tano and your men."

Fives scowled. Biased towards their men? Did he mean that the Generals actually cared about their troops?

Kenobi stroked his beard.

"Perhaps." He said. "But I believe you are biased against her and anyone you believe would give her help."

Kenobi stared Tarkin right in the eye.

"Why is it you are so determined to believe she is guilty, Admiral?" He asked. "Why did you push so hard for her execution?"

Tarkin had regained his haughty air.

"She is a danger to the Republic." He said. "The fact that she manipulated those clones into helping her escape is troubling. We may lose control of the others."

Fives nearly burst out of his chair. Manipulated? Lose control? The decision to rescue the Commander had been theirs. No one had told them to do it. Tarkin seemed to understand the clones just as well as Krell had.

"Gar motir juann ibic aruetii? Gar ne'motir juann gar vod'e?"

Fives directed the words at Fox. The red clad commander stiffened.

"Was that a confession?" Tarkin asked.

"No, sir." Fox said. "He said-"

"If it was not an admission of guilt, it was mostly likely an insult. I do not care to hear it." Tarkin interrupted.

"I have given you their alibi." Kenobi said. "Do you have any other reason to continue holding them?"

Tarkin's eyes were flashing.

"I will speak to you privately, Kenobi."

Kenobi stood and gestured out the door.

"After you, Admiral."

The two men left them alone with Fox.

Fives realized they were right where they had started fifteen minutes ago. Then Fox spoke.

"We have a duty to the Republic." He said. "Not to the Jedi. You'd best remember that."

"We've got a duty to our brothers too." Fives replied. "Umbara proved that."

Fives ignored the exasperated groan from Jesse.

"This isn't about brothers!" Fox snapped. "Tano isn't one of us!"

"She might as well be!" Fives retorted. "And we trust vod'e! "

"She killed vod'e!" Fox's voice was strained. "She killed my men!"

"I'm sorry about your men, Fox. I am." Fives said. "But we know Commander Tano. She wouldn't ever."

"That's what your captain said." Fox muttered. "And now look where he is: a deserter."

"Because he did what he thought was right." Fives said. "Have you ever done that, Fox? Done something not because it was orders, but because it was right?"

Fox turned away. Fives couldn't tell if it was from frustration or shame. He could tell that Jesse was annoyed. It felt a long time before the door slid open.

"Please remove their binders, Fox." Kenobi said pleasantly.

Fox looked to Tarkin, who nodded curtly. The commander yanked Fives' hands over. Fives raised his eyebrows at the rough treatment. Kriff, he'd gotten under Fox's skin more than he realized.

Fives rubbed his raw wrists as Fox moved to Jesse.

"Come along, you two. I'm in charge of the 501st while Anakin, Ahsoka, and Rex are away. I'll need your help." Kenobi spoke as if the three highest ranking members of the legion were on shore leave. Tarkin bristled.

"Yes, sir!" Fives chorused with Jesse.

They left a seething Tarkin and quickly exited the facility.

"I am very sorry about that." Kenobi said once they were out of range of any surveillance devices. "Though we are extremely fortunate that you were only under suspicion. Overall, you and the others did exceptionally well."

"Thank you, sir." Fives said. "Any news on them?"

Kenobi shook his head.

"The Guard have no leads. Apparently nobody saw their escape vehicle. All they are able to do is scour the undercity."

Jesse barked out a laugh.

"I wish them luck!"

"Indeed." Kenobi said.

They'd reached the General's speeder and he motioned them in.

"Cody is going to attempt to contact them once we return." The General went on. "Currently the Guard has tightened out of planet security, so we will have to plan accordingly."

There was a moment of silence as General Kenobi maneuvered the Coruscant traffic.

"Has there been any word from General Skywalker?" Fives asked.

"He is aware of what you have done. I was able to speak with him briefly before he left the planet." Kenobi said. He looked back at them with a twinkle in his eye. "I do believe if he had more time, he'd have come and promoted you all to Commander."

Jesse and Fives laughed.

"What about Cody and Wolffe?" Jesse asked.

"We would have had our first clone generals."

Kenobi's mood was lighter than Fives had seen since the whole temple bombing fiasco started.

"Is it true? Was Commander Offee really involved in the bombing?" He found the courage to ask.

"Yes." Kenobi's voice was somber. "It would seem she framed Ahsoka as well."

Jesse and Fives glanced at each other, aghast. Fives couldn't wrap his head around it.

"But they were friends!" Jesse protested.

"Not everyone has the loyalty of clones, Jesse." Kenobi said gently.

"But why?" Fives interrupted. "Why betray the Republic?"

"Hopefully Anakin will be able to find her and ask."

Mando'a Translations:

Aruetti: Outsider, traitor, non-Mandalorian. Used as traitor in this context.

Vod'e: Brothers/Sisters

Shabuir: jerk, but to the extreme. More like mother effer

hut'uun: coward. Extreme insult

"Gar motir juann ibic aruetii? Gar ne'motir juann gar vod'e?": You stand with this non-Mandalorian(or in this case non-brother)? You won't stand with your brothers?

Fox is a bit of an antagonist this early on, but I really do see his point of view. He thinks Ahsoka murdered his men, and has no reason to believe Ahsoka wouldn't.We know she wouldn't, and the 501st know, but Fox has no such solace. I try not to write him overly evil or anything. Just a trooper with a different point of view. I think especially the fact that his brothers would risk so much for a brother killer really bothers him.

Also Wolffe is a paranoid over preparer and you can't change my mind. And Jesse is one of like a dozen clones that can actually tell a decent lie.

Anyway, wear your masks, remember to review, and have a great couple of weeks!