HELLO YES I'M POSTING WAY EARLY BUT I'M TOO EXCITED ABOUT THIS CHAPTER. IT'S ONE OF MY LONGEST AND ONE OF MY FAVORITES.
No, I haven't seen the Mando finale yet, so no spoilers!
ZabuzasGirl: Thank you!
RubenAssassinRose: Thank you! We'll see if Shaak Ti can find a place in the rest of the story. I can't promise anything though. I've learned a lot in the last few years of writing, and one of the things I learned is that sometimes characters just don't fit anymore. And yeah, Fives and Tech has been a great surprise to write. And I'm currently working on editing the first episode of the podcast, so hopefully it'll be soon!
SWNerd4Life: Not as much planning ahead as you think, lol, at least in that direction. I do plan A LOT ahead. I once spent 2-4 hours outlining the timelines for both Guilty and Fives Effect. And we'll see, we'll see! It makes me so happy that you're able to theorize about my writing.
A Sole Reviewer: An interesting theory, but as I have learned through extensive research on Dissassociative Identity Disorder, the disorder that is the source of 'dual personalities,' that the trauma to cause new personalities has to happen fairly young, and Rex is out of that age bracket in both his literal age and his biological age. 7567 is more a representation of his trauma and how that trauma taught him to react. It's not its own person, like a dual personality would be. It's him putting a name to the urges that his trauma created.
Venomizer: AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH THE BAD BATCH FINALE BROKE ME. Yeah I'm fine now though. And by fine I mean in deep denial. And yeah, I'd say this was definitely the calm before the storm. You'll see in this chapter.
4thwallbreak: He's definitely doing better!
Seriously guys I'm really proud of this chapter. But it does get a little emotionally intense, so fair warning.
Trigger warning: intrusive thoughts.
Mando'a translations at the end!
The Grand Salon buzzed with voices. Bo Katan sat on her throne, leaning her head on her fist. She grit her teeth against the arguments happening around her.
"Are you mad? We can't go to war again!"
"They're accusing one of our own of a coward's crime! If they go through with this-"
"We can't make any rash decisions! War might not even come!"
Bo Katan wanted to shout at all of them to shut up, that Kor was her nephew and that she would decide how to defend him.
The holo projector in the arm of her throne beeped. Bo Katan looked down at it. She felt her face go pale.
"Out!" She bellowed. "Get out, all of you!"
Silence fell. The visors turned her way, burning into her as harshly as eyes would.
"Get out." She repeated. "I need- I need to think."
They muttered, but they obeyed their Mandalor. Soon Bo Katan was alone in the Salon. She took a deep breath and accepted the incoming comm.
"Greetings, Mandalor Kryze."
It was the same, distorted voice as always. Bo Katan couldn't help a blink of surprise. She had thought-
"You thought me Dooku, didn't you?" The voice was crisp, but still amused. "Who would be calling if that were the case?"
"This thing you're doing isn't just you." Bo Katan said. "And I know more than most that people are willing to die for their cause. I thought I'd be talking with your successor."
"I am not one of those fools." The voice said. "I can achieve my goals without dying a pathetic death."
Bo Katan bristled. She had known many willing to die for their cause. She had always respected them. Her sister had been one of them. Bo Katan had always wished she had that kind of conviction.
"So you are a coward." Bo Katan said through gritted teeth. "I had my suspicions."
"Luckily I am not Mandalorian, so it does not matter." The voice said. "I did not contact you to discuss my identity."
"What do you want?" Bo Katan said, though she had a sneaking suspicion.
"The Republic and the CIS are on the brink of war." The voice said. "We have much to gain from this situation."
"Convenient for your plans." Bo Katan said.
There was a pause.
"My plans do not rely on mere chance." The voice said coldly.
It took only a moment for the implication to sink in.
"You're the one who framed Kenobi." Bo Katan said. "You're the one who framed Kor."
"I knew that Tano would be foolish enough to commit the jailbreak." The voice said in a dismissive tone. "He was never in any danger."
"How did you know they'd send Tano?" Bo Katan demanded. "You'd let them execute my nephew?"
"You are being childish." The voice said. "Our goals are beyond the life of any one person."
What about your own life? Bo Katan wanted to spit.
"Can you guarantee his safety now?" She asked instead. "What if the Serennians send bounty hunters after him?"
"Amidala will do much to protect her fugitives." The voice said. "Regardless. It is of no concern to you. Play your part, and your nephew will be unharmed."
"Is that a threat?" Bo Katan demanded.
"Perhaps."
Bo Katan's jaw clenched.
"What do you want?" She asked again.
"The Republic will not be able to prove Kenobi innocent." The voice said. "Soon either Amidala will be forced to hand over the fugitives or begin another war. The former will remove some of her staunchest supporters. The latter betrays her promises of peace, not to mention undermines her stance on the clones."
"So what will she do?" Bo Katan asked. "And how do we factor into it?"
"You have already made promises about what side you will take." The voice said. "You will need to break them. Amidala will not allow her supporters to die, one way or another. She will either refuse outright, or smuggle them away. War is inevitable."
Bo Katan clutched the sides of the throne with a white knuckled grip as the voice continued.
"You will join them at first, like you have said." The voice said. "But you will order your troops to betray the Republic when I give the order."
Bo Katan knew that was what he would command her to do. It still felt like a blaster bolt to her chest.
She didn't want to go to war with the kriffing Republic. Har'chaak, she didn't want war. Her threat of civil war to Fett had been empty, a threat made in a moment of pure desperation.
She just wanted the Mandalore of her childhood, before the Civil War. That's all she ever wanted.
"You have your orders." The voice said. "You will carry them out."
Orders. Bo Katan had come to hate those. She was Mandalor, she was supposed to be the one to command!
"Need I remind you how easily I put you on the throne?" The voice asked.
This being was the one who helped her get the throne, he could take it away. Her attempts to find and remove them had resulted in nothing. This throne was the only reason she had left to live. Pre was gone, Satine was gone, her father was gone.
Except-
She still had Kor.
No. She had driven him away. He was with his father now.
What was one more sin? What more could she lose?
She knew she was willing to die for Mandalore. She just didn't know if she'd be able to live with herself for it.
Fives pulled on his boots and stood up. He scanned the living room and frowned as he realized Tech was nowhere to be seen. It was almost time to leave for Grif's.
"Hunter, have you seen-" Fives began to ask but then Tech entered from the kitchen, looking flustered.
"I am ready." He said as Fives looked at him.
Fives studied Tech. He had shadows under his eyes, obvious despite his goggles, and his shoulders were slumped. His data pad dangled limply from his hand.
"You all right?" Fives asked.
"Er, yes. I am fine." Tech said.
"You don't seem like it." Fives said.
It made sense that Tech was exhausted. In the last week since Ahsoka had rescued General Kenobi, Tech had been working himself to the bone figuring out the damn memory chip. Even two days after he'd cracked it, the entire Batch was on high alert with the unrest between the Republic and Serenno. Fives doubted that Tech was letting himself rest.
Even still, Tech had promised to escort Fives down to the fights tonight. He insisted that it was no trouble, but Fives didn't believe him.
"I am fine." Tech repeated.
Fives glanced over at Hunter, whose brow was furrowed as he looked at Tech.
"I think I can head down by myself tonight." Fives said.
If he hadn't needed to go down tonight, he would have insisted they stay home. But with the prospect of war hanging over the Republic, Fives needed to get some pent up emotions out. He tried so hard to go on as normal, to not think of it. Even still, it titrated into his mind and the stress had been slowly building.
Tech stiffened.
"No." He said. "That is not- I cannot allow you-"
"Tech." Fives said. "Come on. You're working yourself ragged. I'll be okay. Woor will be there, and so will Pez, Bits, and Leaf. I won't be alone."
Tech looked as if he was going to argue. He still had reservations about Woor and the others despite the last month of seeing them. Fives put his hand on Tech's shoulder.
"Vod." He said. "Get some rest."
Tech blinked at him, surprise clear in his eyes. Fives realized it was the first time he had called Tech 'brother.' Tech looked down, but Fives thought he looked pleased.
"Please keep me informed." Tech said. "And be careful."
"I will." Fives promised.
He squeezed Tech's shoulder and was glad to see him, his brother, go sit down with Omega.
Fives had initially hated the Bad Batch for commandeering Echo. He'd warmed up to them, except maybe Crosshair, but he'd kept them at arm's length. But Tech- Tech had proven himself to be a true brother.
If you care so much about him, then why did you run from him?
Fives nearly growled at the thought. It'd been months ago! Why did Tech's empty stare still haunt him?
Fives grabbed his helmet, nodded his goodbye to the others, and left.
Fives couldn't help but feel nervous as he descended into the Undercity. The last time he'd gone alone, Echo had followed him and nearly died.
Who will get hurt this time because of you?
The people I fight. Fives thought firmly. And that's it.
He grinned as he saw Woor's orange helmet peering out from the ring's entrance.
"Where's your brother?" She asked as Fives nodded to Bul and joined her on their way down to the ring.
"He's taking a break." Fives said. "He's got a lot on his plate right now."
"I don't like the idea of you wandering down here by yourself." Woor said.
"You sound like Echo." Fives said. "I'm okay. I've got you."
"I'm not a great fighter yet." Woor said. "I can't protect you."
She sounded so earnest in her worry.
"You look plenty intimidating." Fives said, patting her shoulder. "That's good enough."
She slowed her step when he touched her and turned her helmet away. Fives raised an eyebrow, but she quickly turned back to him.
"Thanks." Woor said in a tone that implied an eyeroll. "I'll try just staring at any attackers."
Something about her tone reminded Fives of nights in a low lit room, reactions to his boasting.
Fives shook himself and grinned.
"I'd appreciate it." He said. "Hey, Bits, Leaf! Me'vaae ti gar?"
The two brothers were, as usual, hanging in the corners of the room. The weeks Fives had spent with them had done little to help them relax. He wasn't sure if he'd ever heard Bits speak.
"Naas." Leaf said quietly.
Fives paused to give him a chance to say something more, but Leaf didn't seem inclined to continue.
You can't even help these two brothers.
Fives still grinned through the uncomfortable thought and clapped them on the shoulders.
"Where's Pez?" He asked.
"Pez is currently in the med center." Grif's voice boomed from behind them.
Fives turned, his heart suddenly racing. Any number of things could have happened to Pez. A bad injury, a spice relapse that led to an overdose.
"Is he okay?" He asked.
Grif shrugged.
"A human kriffing bit him a few nights ago and it got infected." He said. "Ris told us it'd be better if he got some long term care instead of her treatment."
Ris, that was Commander Offee. With a jolt Fives remembered the night he was stabbed, and Commander Offee had come out of nowhere to heal him. He hated the memory, and how he had overstepped his bounds with Ahsoka. The thought of how he had taken advantage of how much she missed Rex made him sick.
Fives forced himself back to the moment.
"Sounds nasty." He managed. "Let me know what medcenter he's at. I'll drop by and give him a visit."
"He'd appreciate it." Grif said. "Pol says he's not taking it well. Bad experiences and all."
Fives nodded. Pez had told him, with a grin on his face, about the times he'd nearly overdosed on spice and had panic attacks at the medcenter.
Another fighter was calling for Grif and he lumbered away. Fives looked to Leaf and Bits.
"You wanna come visit him after the fights?" He asked.
Leaf and Bits glanced at each other.
"We've got work at the factory pretty early tomorrow." Leaf said.
There was a bite in his voice that wasn't there normally. Fives frowned.
"Ah, well." He said as nonchalantly as he could. "Where do you two work again?"
"The Ikas-Adno speeder bike factory." Leaf said too quickly. "We make the Starhawk bikes."
Fives had heard enough lies to Captain Rex to know what a practiced answer sounded like. Not to mention that Bits had glanced down as Leaf spoke.
"I remember now." Fives said. "I know a couple of brothers who work there."
It was true. When Fives had wrested the information from them, he'd made sure to find any clone in the 501st who worked at the place. As it turned out, Ridge did.
Ridge had never seen Leaf or Bits there. Either they didn't engage with the other clones that were employed there, or- they were lying.
Leaf's expression darkened.
"We don't know them." He said. "There aren't any clones on our team."
Bits still stared at the ground.
"It's good work, then?" Fives pressed. "You're making ends meet?"
"Yes." Leaf said through gritted teeth. His fists were clenched and Fives could see a simmering anger in his eyes. "Don't see why it matters."
It felt like Fives' outstretched hand had been smacked away.
He knows what your help is worth. He doesn't want it.
Fives opened his mouth to probe further, but the bell for the beginning of the matches rang.
"I'm up first." Leaf said.
He pushed past Fives and Woor. Bits gave Fives an apologetic look before following him. Fives stared after him. Leaf didn't want help, but perhaps Bits did.
Fives moved closer to the ring with Woor to watch Leaf fight. Leaf was facing a Devaronian with a broken horn.
"Kriffing clones." The man said. "Can't go two feet without stepping on one."
"I'll have you seeing twice as many once I'm done with you." Leaf growled.
The second the bell went off, Leaf lunged forwards and drove his fist into the Devaronian's face. Fives watched, disturbed, at the brutal beat down that followed. Leaf held nothing back with his savage blows aimed at the man's face. The crowd gasped as Leaf grabbed the man's arm after a wavering punch and snapped it with a deliberate movement. It wasn't unusual for limbs to be broken during these fights, but it was rarely that purposeful.
Fives didn't understand. The man's comment hadn't really been that bad. Had Leaf been that offended by it?
Even more unsettling was the fact that Leaf was obviously drawing the fight out. He could have won easily within the first few minutes, but by the time the referee declared him the winner, it had been several.
"Well fought." Fives said carefully as he reached Leaf.
Leaf shrugged.
"Just another beating." He muttered.
Fives frowned, but a shouting fighting ring wasn't likely to be a good place to press him.
Don't press him. How could you help?
The following fights went as well as always. Fives handled his fight against a very feisty Ugnaught well enough, though he knew his shins were badly bruised. Grif had taken Woor on and she was coming along nicely. Her ba'buir was training her in hand to hand, and it showed. She still lost, but it was close.
"You did great." Fives told her as she came down from the ring.
He imagined she had a grin on her face as she looked at him.
"Thanks." She said warmly, though Fives could hear a strain in her voice.
"You okay?" He asked.
"I think I dislocated something." She said. "I- I'm not sure how to fix it."
Fives chuckled.
"Let me see." He said. "Dislocation was a weekly occurrence during the war. Especially with the 212th boys."
"Oh?" She asked as tentatively held out her hand.
"Known droid punchers." Fives said. "Now which one?"
"My thumb." She said.
Fives took her hand and found that she was correct.
"All right." He said. "I'm gonna do it on a count of three. It's gonna hurt like a son of a sith, though."
Woor nodded.
"One." Fives said, and then jerked her thumb back into place.
"Sithspit!" Woor hissed as she jerked her hand from his.
Fives froze. Sithspit. A curse that not many used. But Senna-
No. He would not follow this train of thought now.
"What the hell was that?" Woor demanded. The fire he sometimes glimpsed in her burned through. "You said on three!"
"You would have been as tense as a shiny meeting their Jedi if I'd gone to three." Fives said. "It's better if you surprise the patient. At least that's what Kix says."
"Kix can stuff it." Woor muttered.
Fives found himself smiling again. He liked it when she let herself out. She was reserved and, if Fives was to be honest, awkward most of the time.
"Be careful with it." He said. "You may want to sit out of a few fights, unless you got some bacta."
"Thank you." She said.
He gave her a grin. Her hand felt- familiar in his. A nice sort of familiar. She didn't say anything as he held her hand a little longer than necessary.
He let go and coughed.
"I should get going, if I'm gonna have the time to drop in on Pez." He said. "You want to come?"
Woor nodded.
"Pez is sweet." She said.
Fives laughed.
"That's one word to describe him."
Woor nudged him in the ribs.
"Be nice!" She scolded. "He really is a good kid."
"I know, I know." Fives said. "He can just be a bit enthusiastic sometimes. But he helps me feel normal."
Woor's helmet tilted towards him.
"Why do you need to feel normal?" She asked.
Fives tensed at the question. She didn't need to know what drove him down here, what he had nearly done.
Thankfully, he spotted Leaf and Bits edging their way towards the exit. He nodded towards them instead of answering her.
"Hey!" He said, catching up to them. "I'll see you guys next time!"
Leaf stared at the ground.
"Yeah." He said dully.
Bits glanced at Fives and made eye contact for once. His eyes were wide and his brow creased.
Fives couldn't help the surge of protectiveness that hit him at his brother's silent supplication.
"Are you okay?" He asked. "Vod-"
"Stop."
Fives froze at Leaf's frigid tone.
"We're not your brothers." Leaf said. "Leave us be."
"I'm just trying to help-" Fives forced out.
"You may think you can help, but you can't and you aren't." Leaf said. A hint of anger came into his voice. "We don't need you."
He turned around, grabbed Bits by the wrist, and dragged him away.
Fives couldn't move. Echo, Tech, and Ahsoka had all told him that the thoughts were lies. They said that they were never true, that Fives should never listen to them.
They'd been wrong.
Leaf had just confirmed it.
The strength that he'd spent the last months building back up crumbled away like sand.
He put a shaking hand to his head.
Coward.
Was that thought true too?
You can't stop hurting people.
Were they all true?
Worthless.
Fives felt a tug on his arm. He looked and saw Woor.
"Come on." She said.
Fives let himself be led back deeper into the ring, towards the empty rooms at the back. He heard Woor say something to Grif, but he didn't quite make it out.
Woor pulled him into one of the rooms, and Fives sank onto one of the benches there. He buried his face in his hands and let the tide of virulent thoughts crash over him.
Useless.
Can't do anything right.
Burden.
Then he felt arms around him, pulling him close. Hands traced soothing circles on his back. He felt the smooth, cool curve of her helmet lean against his head.
"Fives." She said. "It's all right."
He knew this touch. He knew the comfort she was giving him.
"My Taka-"
Fives tore himself away. That name, called after the golden bird of Devaron.
It preens all the time, just like you.
No. No. No. Not now. Not when his world was crashing down around him. Not when he was every disgusting thing that his mind told him he was.
"I can't do this." Fives whispered.
He pulled away from her reaching, comforting arms, and left.
Senna didn't understand as she watched Fives walk away from her.
Why had that clone's words hurt him so much? What had happened to him? She thought that she could help him, like she had before. She had thought that they-
Had he ever cared for her?
He had to know who she was. She hadn't tried to conceal the truth in those last moments. In fact, she'd wanted him to piece things together, to spare them from the awkward confrontation. But he'd walked away.
Part of her knew she couldn't just let him walk away, not in his state and not alone down here.
She got to shaky feet, took a deep breath, and went after him.
Why? Why did you try and tell him now? Doubt was starting to worm its way into Senna's mind. Would any time have been a good time? When he said 'l can't do this,' did that mean right now, or ever?
Senna suddenly wished she had the confidence she'd had as a pleasure girl. She'd known him then, she knew how he worked.
What had happened to him? And in the midst of all of her concern for Fives, her preening, confident, reckless Fives, her heart hurt.
She'd hoped-
It had been a foolish hope. She had made the decision to hide the truth from him. With how long she'd kept him in the dark, no wonder he'd acted like this. She'd broken his trust.
Well, at the very least she could help him get home.
"Fives." She said, reaching him as he got to the exit of the fighting ring.
"Don't." He said.
"No, I need to get you home." She said.
He stared at the ground for a long time before he nodded. He walked forward in silence, and Senna's heart broke.
Rex couldn't concentrate. He just cycled through the forms he should have been filling out and glanced at Fives' empty desk. Fives had come home last night, pale and silent, escorted by a Mandalorian that Rex had never seen before. Tech had known her and had thanked her sincerely.
Fives was at home now, refusing to leave his room. Rex had never seen him so defeated. Fives had been- tired since Rex had come home, but never to this degree. Tech had been so agitated that he insisted on staying home with him. He wasn't the only upset one. Echo had forced his way into Fives' room and had been there a long time.
And Ahsoka-
Ahsoka had a haunted look in her eyes when they left the apartment. She'd barely spoken to anyone and Rex could feel a potent fear from her.
Rex couldn't help but think this all had to do with Fives' confession.
Maybe I was too busy trying to kill myself!
Rex shivered and tried to focus on the screen before him.
It didn't work.
He glanced at the chrono. An hour and a half into his six hour shift. He'd gotten nothing done, but it felt as long as a march on Umbara.
It didn't help that the other clones kept muttering about rumors of war. Rex had hoped that work would distract him from those thoughts. He'd been wrong.
"Rex, you've got a visitor."
Rex looked up at the sound of Hil's voice. His squad didn't normally need announcing.
Then he saw the little standing shyly in the doorway. The boy wore not the blue fatigues most young clones still favored, but the robe of a Jedi youngling.
Shame and horror and self disgust crashed over Rex. Most of his memories of the first weeks after his ordeal were indistinct. One of them was crisp and jagged. The sharp sound of skin striking skin. The slight sting of his own hand, an insufficient punishment for the pain he'd inflicted. The look of betrayal in young eyes filled with tears.
Those same eyes looked at him now. Prime. His little brother who had witnessed first hand Rex's failure as a brother and protector.
Rex slowly got out of his chair, knelt down, and spread his arms out.
Prime's unsure expression bloomed into a grin. He ran forward into Rex's arms.
"I'm sorry." Rex said, holding his brother close. "I'm so sorry."
"You've told me." Prime squeaked. "You always say in your messages. It's okay."
Rex shook his head.
"I promised." He said. "I'm supposed to protect you."
"You did protect us." Prime said. "You sent the message that saved us."
Rex froze. He- had forgotten. That time was so hazy, but- he had gotten Mereel out. He'd made him promise to bring the Jedi news of Prime. Then the Jedi had come.
He had known this. Of course he had. But it hadn't seemed real.
With his brother here however, Rex believed it. He had saved his brothers.
"It wasn't your fault that you hit me either." Prime said. "I promise."
Rex felt Prime's influence on his mind, helping him believe what he said. Rex had held this silent guilt for so long that it was odd to have it lessen.
"It's okay." Prime said. "You don't have to feel bad anymore."
Rex let out a long breath and with it went so much of the blame he'd put on himself.
Prime patted him on his back and Rex smiled.
"So." He said, letting go. "What're you doing here? You didn't say anything about visiting in your last message."
Prime's brow furrowed.
"Plo'buir has to come talk with the Chancellor." He said quietly. "He's worried about how things are with General Kenobi."
Rex's heart plummeted. The fear had even reached the clone colony living alongside the Disciples.
"It'll be okay." Rex forced himself to say. "But since when did you call General Plo Plo'buir?"
Prime gave Rex a look that said he didn't believe Rex's assurances.
"Well, he is a buir, isn't he?" He said after a moment. "He takes care of me and teaches me. Plus, he doesn't like being called General."
"He is." Rex agreed, thinking of the Wolf Pack. "How's your training going?"
"Great!" Prime said. Rex thought that his bright tone seemed a little forced. "I can move stuff now!"
Rex smiled his way through Prime's demonstration of lifting Rex's chair, through his squad rushing in and embracing their brother, and through Prime managing to suspend a giggling Chap a few inches in the air. Prime joined them for the after class reading and Rex was able to see General Plo, who greeted him warmly.
"How long will you be on Coruscant?" Rex asked after shaking General Plo's hand.
"That remains to be seen." General Plo said. "Force willing, this business will be over soon. In the meantime, I am glad to let you borrow Prime for as long as you like."
"I'll have to compete with his brothers." Rex said, glancing over to where Prime was beating Chip over and over at saber-blaster-slug. "Prim'ika, you're cheating."
"Am not!" Prime said as he beat Chap's lightsaber throw with a slugthrower sign. "He keeps challenging me!"
"I can do it if I keep my mind blank!" Chap said.
Rex smiled and turned back to General Plo.
"We can keep an eye on him while you handle business." He said. "I know the boys want him to stay the night at the barracks, and I'm sure he'll enjoy the classes here."
"Thank you, Captain." General Plo said. "It is good to see you so recovered."
"It's been a long road, and not quite done at that." Rex said. "I can thank Ahsoka for much of it."
"You have both persevered valiantly through this trial." General Plo said. "You will find your rest all the sweeter for it."
Rex considered General Plo's words as he rode the shuttle home. He didn't exactly regret that he had gone through the reconditioning at the Kaminoans' hands. It had been a result of his efforts to free Mereel, which had ended up saving all of his brothers. He instead lamented the pain that it had caused. Wouldn't it be better if he had been able to save his brothers without that agony?
In any case, it was such a relief to have his guilt over Prime eased. If it were not for his worry over Fives and the current situation with Serenno, he thought he could be truly content and happy.
Unfortunately, Rex's life was never that easy.
"How is he?" Rex asked as soon as he got home.
Two thirds of the Bad Batch were lounging in the living room. Hunter was leaned back, twisting his knife between his fingers. Crosshair was reading one of Rex's books while Omega studied her datapad, curled into a snoring Wrecker's side. Ahsoka was perched on one of the seats as well.
"Better." Ahsoka said. "Echo and Tech have finally got him to talk."
"That's good." Rex said. "Guess he shouldn't go off by himself, then."
"Not exactly." Tech had come out of Fives' room. "I believe this incident would have happened regardless of who was with him."
"What happened?" Rex asked.
"We have encountered two clones down in the fighting ring on a regular basis. Fives has become concerned for them." Tech said. "Apparently, last night, one of them was quite harsh in response to Fives' attempts to help them. He inadvertently reinforced some of Fives' intrusive thoughts, which has deeply affected him."
"A brother did this to him?" Rex asked, aghast.
Tech adjusted his goggles. He seemed- angry.
"Indeed." He said. "The next time I see this particular clone, I will be educating him on the harm that can be done by such thoughtless actions."
It oddly bolstered Rex to see Tech so agitated for Fives' sake.
"Thank you, Tech." He said. "For taking care of him."
Tech pushed up his goggles in an embarrassed way.
"It is no trouble." He said.
Rex nearly laughed at that. Fives was many things, but 'no trouble' was not one of them.
The evening passed quietly. Fives came out for the dinner Wrecker made, but he was subdued. Rex didn't press him. He knew what bad days were like. He himself found himself as an active participant in the night's dinner discussion. Rex gladly told them about Prime and his visit.
"Fascinating." Tech said. "I should like to meet the only Force sensitive clone recorded."
"Sounds like he's not much different from other cadets." Echo commented.
"He's not." Rex said. "He just knows what you're thinking half the time."
"Sounds like Hunter when Omega wants to break the rules!" Wrecker said with a chortle.
"You mean when you want to break the rules and drag Omega along." Echo said.
"And he knows because you're terrible with secrets." Crosshair said.
"He didn't know the last time." Omega said lightly.
Rex smiled as all five other members of the Batch stared at Omega.
"What last time?" Hunter asked slowly.
Omega shrugged but she had a mischievous smile on her face. The other members of the Batch looked at each other.
Rex noticed that Ahsoka looked tired, only a faint smile on her lips.
"You all right?" He asked her quietly.
"Just- worried." She said. "I'll be glad when this is all over."
Rex nodded in agreement.
"It'll be soon." He promised.
She let out a long sigh.
"I hope so."
She looked so forlorn that Rex grasped for an idea that would cheer her up.
"Listen," He said. "We're just about done with Corellian Nights. What do you say that we start early tonight, finish it up, and then tomorrow we can go and pick out a new book."
This time her smile was wide and genuine. It sent a happy shiver through Rex.
"Sounds like a plan." She said.
So they excused themselves from dinner, leaving Omega to be interrogated by her brothers on what exactly she meant. Luckily, they couldn't hear much once Ahsoka closed the door to their room.
Ahsoka sat on her bed and patted the space next to her as Rex went to settle on his cot.
"It's a momentous occasion." She said. "I want to be able to read along."
Rex hesitated. 7567 growled at him, but it was easier than usual to push it away. He took the place Ahsoka indicated. She leaned into his side with a sigh. Rex forced himself to relax as she did so.
"You're feeling better." She said as Rex found their place in the book. "I can feel it."
"I am." Rex said. "Seeing Prime helped."
"Thank the Force." Ahsoka said.
Rex smiled at her and started where they had left off.
"'It had been a trap. Of course it had.'"
It was easier to read with Ahsoka at his side. He loved the way he could feel her laugh when he made mistakes or gasp at the dramatic turns of the story.
7567's wailing grew softer and softer as they came closer to the end of the book. Ahsoka had wrapped her arm around his waist as they reached the end of the penultimate chapter.
"'The duchess struggled against her captors, trying to reach Captain Enas.'" Rex read. "'Enas knew it was useless. They had no chance of escape at this point. He could only hope his sacrifice would ensure the safety of his companions. The duchess met his eyes, her own filled with emotion.'"
Rex paused at the next line. He stole a glance at Ahsoka, who was staring at the place on the page.
7567 shrieked as Rex took a deep breath. It clawed at him and tried to drag him down, away from Ahsoka. But Rex's mission was stronger. He was stronger.
Rex looked at Ahsoka as he read the next words.
"'I love you.'"
Ahsoka stiffened next to him. She broke her gaze from the page and met Rex's eyes.
"I love you." Rex whispered, given the words that he had needed for so long.
Tears filled Ahsoka's eyes. Rex lifted his hand to cup her cheek, wiping one that had escaped.
"I love you." He said.
He kissed her. She gasped softly as his lips met hers, but surged against him. She quickly wrapped her arms around his neck.
Rex pulled away, but found himself kissing the other features of her face: her cheekbones, forehead, chin, jaw. Now that whatever dam that had kept him from her had burst, he wanted to make up for lost time.
"Ner aka." He murmured.
She was still crying, but she pressed herself closer to him.
"You're back." She said. "You're back."
He was. And it was all the sweeter for his absence.
Angry voices bludgeoned the air. Rex froze, his lips brushing Ahsoka's neck. Then a sharp knock came at the door. Rex slowly released his grip on Ahsoka. She stared at the door as she let go of him.
Without a word she got up and went to the door. Rex followed her, a deep, dark feeling forming in his stomach.
It was Echo at the door. He seemed even paler than usual.
"Commander-" He said.
He flinched as Crosshair's voice slashed from somewhere in the living room.
"I don't give a damn, I'm not going anywhere!"
"Appo needs to talk to you." Echo said. "Please."
Rex followed Ahsoka out of their room and into the living room, where Fives, the rest of the Batch, and several Coruscant Guards stood.
Rex's heart seemed to stop. Why were they here? They- they weren't going to turn Ahsoka over to the Serennians, would they?
Rex found Appo, who had his helmet off. His face was grim but not pained or upset, which would have been the case if they were here for Ahsoka.
"Commander." Appo said when he caught sight of them. "You need to come with us. The memory chip was stolen on route. Chancellor Amidala has ordered all individuals involved to be relocated to a safehouse."
Rex couldn't think. He stared at Appo. No-
"I'm not going!" Crosshair snapped. "I can't just go sit and do nothing!"
"Crosshair." Echo had spoken up. "You won't be any help to us if the Serennians send someone to capture you."
"I'm not leaving." Crosshair said.
Ahsoka had grabbed Rex's hand in a beskar grip. He squeezed back.
"Crosshair, please." Omega said.
Crosshair looked down at her, his gaze softening slightly.
"I'm not leaving." He said again. "We stay together."
"Yes." Omega said. "We do. But this is only for a while. We'll never be together again if the Serennians get you."
Crosshair's mouth tightened to a line. Omega took his hand.
"I know you want to protect us." She went on. "But please, let us protect you just this once."
Crosshair's shoulders drooped ever so slightly.
"Fine." He muttered and he let Omega throw her arms around his legs.
Appo turned to Rex and Ahsoka as the Batch gave their brother their goodbyes.
"Commander." He said. "We need to get going."
Rex heard Ahsoka take a shuddering breath. She didn't say anything to Appo. She just turned to Rex and pulled him into her arms. Rex clutched at her, unable to speak.
"I love you." Ahsoka said in a surprisingly even voice. "It won't be for long. Padme will fix this. I swear."
"I love you." Rex whispered.
The words that had been such a triumph mere minutes ago fell from his lips as a defeat. He cleared his throat and forced his voice to be stronger.
"I'll be all right." He managed. "Don't worry about me."
Ahsoka gave him a watery smile.
"Commander." Appo said.
Ahsoka kissed Rex quickly before letting him go.
"Wait-" Rex said, an idea striking him. "Wait-"
He turned and rushed back into his old room, where his books still were. He snatched a few up, not caring much what he got, and ran back to a bemused Ahsoka.
"Here." Rex said, holding the books out. "I'm sure there won't be much to do."
Ahsoka took them carefully.
"Thank you." She said. "I'll take care of them."
Rex forced himself to smile. Ahsoka turned away from him. Rex watched her leave the apartment with a brisk step he knew she was barely maintaining.
The door closed behind her, Crosshair, and the members of the Coruscant Guard. The apartment was silent, save for Omega's quiet crying.
Mandoa:
Vod: brother
Me'vaae ti gar?: a Mandalorian greeting, lit 'what's new with you?'
Naas: nothing, the general answer to the above greeting
Ba'buir: grandparent
Plo'buir: Papa Plo
Buir: parent
Prim'ika: little Prime. Term of endearment.
Ner aka: my mission, a nickname for Ahsoka
FROM. THE. TOP.
Mando season 3 made me think a lot more of Bo Katan. Unfortunately for this Bo Katan, she is dumb, pre Empire Bo Katan and not older, wiser, and more traumatized Bo Katan from Mando season 3. Which is why she made the initial deal with this mysterious, not Dooku person. She is starting to have regrets though.
Tech is VERY pleased that Fives called him brother. I also believe that Crosshair and Fives would HATE each other. Crosshair probably said something snarky about Echo early on and Fives never forgave him.
Bits and especially Leaf being aggressively suspicious…
I'm suddenly in love with the concept that every other species is terrified of human bites because they always get infected.
Sithspit is a fun curse I've never used before, so I gave it to Woor/Senna.
Leaf says no to help and inadvertently reinforces Fives' intrusive thoughts! My sister asked that we skip over it during our second round of editing because it made her feel bad, so I guess I did a good job?
Taka is a nickname based off of the golden bird, Taka-tei, from Devaron. Cause Senna is a Devaronian.
Unfortunately for Senna, this was not a good time to try and reveal herself. She can see that Fives is upset, but she doesn't know about what he's been through since the war ended. Fives does want to connect with her again, it's just the absolute WORST time. I wish I had foreshadowed this scene a bit better, but it's a fairly new idea that just kind of happened.
Meanwhile, Fives' condition disturbs Rex less than it does Tech, Echo, and Ahsoka. They had to live through the worst of it. Not to say Rex isn't concerned. He obviously is. He just doesn't quite understand it like the others do.
Prime! And I realized, with everyone trying to get Rex back to himself, they kind of glossed over the fact that he saved the clones. Prime has come to remind him! And Rex FINALLY forgives himself. Hooray catharsis!
Saber-blaster-slug is the Star Wars version of rock-paper-scissors that I made up. Saber beats blaster, blaster beats slug, slug beats saber. (A slugthrower is basically a shotgun that the Mandalorians created to fight Jedi) There's another version in the Star Wars universe that I found, but it was something with lizards and toads. I like mine better. As you might have guessed, playing with a Jedi is not a good idea.
It feels so good to write Rex normally.
I love angry Tech. He will verbally destroy people.
Omega has learned the art of managing to do things without Hunter (or the rest) knowing. What did she do? That's up to your own imagination.
The scenes Rex reads to Ahsoka are based off of the end of Empire Strikes Back, because I decided so long ago that Corellian Nights is actually about Han Solo.
And here we are at the scene I'd planned near the beginning. Where Rex uses the words of the book they've been reading all fic to FINALLY say 'I love you.' I planned this before I even had him speak only in quotes for a while and it just fit in wonderfully.
AND OF COURSE IT CAN'T LAST BECAUSE I'M EVIL. Good thing Appo didn't come a bit later because then Rex and Ahsoka would not be as- available.
Ooh who stole the chip? And now Crosshair, Omega, Obi Wan, Oddball, Cody, and Kor are all going to be stuck together. And now someone has to teach Obi Wan what a clapback is. If you get that reference, treat yourself to a cookie. (But seriously, imagine Obi Wan at Cody: Do you know what a clapback is, Cody? Be*clap* cause*clap* I*clap* do. *clap* I can't decided if it was Ahsoka or Crosshair who taught him)
So yeah, at least one person wondered whether I was excited for this chapter because it resolved some things or because I'm evil. The answer is yes.
In other news, I'm currently working on editing that first episode of our podcast! So maybe in a week it'll be out. I'll post a link when it's ready.
All right, that should be everything!
Stay safe, remember to review, and have a great week! (and sink deeper into denial about Tech's death. That's what I'm doing)