The General seemed to be in unusually good spirits as they walked toward the Temple, and Rex had to quicken his pace to match Skywalker's hurried stride.

The quiet stillness of the Temple was a stark contrast to the bustle and noise of the busy streets of Coruscant. While instinct told him he could be wasting his breath, Rex was obligated by duty and honor to make another pitch to return to the barracks.

"Sir," he started out, his voice sounding more hushed and muted than he intended as they climbed the great steps leading into the Temple, as if he was already getting swallowed up into the place, "My place is with my Legion. There is much work to be done. Perhaps Admiral Yularen could..." He hesitated slightly, not wanting to say the words 'be in charge of me.' After months of freedom, his inner core seemed to rebel at anyone being in charge of him. "... eh, that is..."

Skywalker cut him off before he could continue. "Already tried that, Rex. The Council was specific about keeping this as a Jedi matter. I'm responsible for you until your hearing."

Rex quirked up an eyebrow, wondering how that translated to leaving him with Ahsoka. Experience taught him better than to argue with Skywalker, although sometimes he wondered if he should voice his dissent more often. "Of course, sir."

But, Skywalker wasn't an idiot. He never had been. He had his quirks, and that was actually one of the things Rex liked about him. He would've made a fine clone.

"Look, Rex," Skywalker said, pausing by one of the massive columns at the top of the stairs. He pushed out a sigh and made eye contact with Rex. "I know these have been a rough few months for you, and I'm deeply sorry."

The thing was, though, the General didn't know the half of it. Yes, Rex had been sent away, like an outdated piece of equipment, to be disposed of at Kamino. But, what happened after with the clones now on Ando had been amazing and the Jedi didn't know about any of it. Rex was discovering more and more just how vulnerable and not all-powerful Jedi could be.

Rex found himself in the strange place of comforting his General. "It's alright, sir."

Skywalker smiled, a bit sadly. "It's not. But, I can't change what happened."

His sincerity was unsettling.

"Eh... of course, sir," Rex said, at a loss for another appropriate response.

"Ahsoka, we're here," Skywalker said into his wrist comm quietly. She must have been waiting nearby because Ahsoka appeared almost immediately.

"Hello, Rex. Good to see you free again."

Her voice was rich and melodious and did something to Rex it had no right to do.

He automatically straightened his spine, telling himself he was only doing it because she was his superior officer. "Commander," he said in greeting, bowing his head slightly. It gave him a moment to study her, even if he didn't have the privacy of his helmet. But, her coloring was back to normal and she seemed to have regained the bounce back in her step.

A message chimed in on Skywalker's wrist comm. He glanced at it, and his face changed, lighting up with a small smile, as if he couldn't hold back an inner joy. Rex had only ever seen him use that expression for one person.

"I have to go," Skywalker said, turned to Rex and Ahsoka. His urgency to leave was apparent. "Ahsoka, you're in charge. I asked the Council to notify both of us when they're ready to speak to Rex."

Rex's stomach tightened at the thought of another hearing before the Council. He sucked in a breath and then cursed himself for revealing his feelings. He tried to keep his expression neutral; the one he used when things went south and he didn't want the men to panic.

But, fek, he was panicked. If this second meeting went badly, he was done. There would be no getting away this time.

Despite his obvious impatience to leave, Skywalker noticed his discomfort. "Rex, we will get through this. You're my Captain and belong with the 501st." He said it with such conviction Rex believed him. Rex believed in him. The knot in his stomach eased. The General had his back.

Skywalker gave one final nod before spinning on his heel and loping down the stairs out of the Temple two at a time.

No one better get in his way.

"This way," Ahsoka said, taking off down the corridor into the interior of the Temple,

Rex strode dutifully by Ahsoka's side, trying not to feel so out-of-place. They walked in silence. It wasn't the same sort of companionable silence as when he'd been with Skywalker out in the busy streets of Coruscant. Things were different when he was around Ahsoka. They'd always been different. She'd always pushed him out of his comfort zone. Challenged him. She evoked in him feelings he had no right to feel. He pushed those feelings away. Burying them.

She was his commander. That was all.

He kept his eyes fixed straight, dutifully playing the role of trooper escort. None of the Jedi they passed gave them a second glance. Clone troopers had become commonplace in the Temple.

They took a sudden turn and entered a quiet hallway. Ahsoka glanced back and forth up and down the corridor. "OK, this way. Quickly." Her pace picked up as if they'd suddenly entered an area they shouldn't be. Rex quickened his steps to keep pace. Ahsoka palmed the door controls and pushed him inside.

Rex stumbled slightly, and then caught his balance. He looked around the darkened interior in confusion. "Commander-"

"Rex, if you call me 'Commander' one more time-" She shook her head and started again. "It's confusing now that we are back, figuring who we are and what are our boundaries. But, when it's you and me together, it's Ahsoka." She reached forward and gripped both her hands in his, and the simple contact sent jolts of feeling rushing through him.

He pulled back and took a step away, under the pretense of examing his surroundings. But, he needed some distance, not trusting himself to be near her. "Where are we?"

She waved her hands and the lights came on. "My quarters."

"Why am I here?" Rex asked pointedly.

"It is the most private spot I could think of where we could talk and wait until your Council summons. Knowing Anakin, he is not going to be back for a while. His Senate engagements take a long time." If she found this behavior odd, she didn't show it. "Tea?" She started the insta-kettle without waiting for an answer.

He did not need tea. No self-respecting clone would touch the stuff.

Rex took a step away from her, trying to gather his thoughts. He was in Ahsoka's quarters. This could end very badly. He needed some space to think. But, there wasn't much of it to be found in her quarters where every space reminded him of Ahsoka. He opted to stare out the oversized scenic window, past the never-ending flow of traffic, and toward the RMB. Cody was there, and beyond the farkin' prison facility lay the newly constructed barracks.

"Are you alright?" she set down the tea mugs, at a small side table.

"Of course." He kept his gazed fixed on the RMB, trying to imagine what his men might be doing right now. Without him.

But, he wasn't OK. For so many reasons. Most of which he didn't feel he could discuss with Ahsoka.

"Liar," Ahsoka challenged without malice.

Rex turned to study Ahsoka. She had settled into a stern-looking upright chair, which looked like standard Jedi issue, and not at all like something Ahsoka would pick out for herself. Rex had the impression there was something about her quarters, and even the Temple itself, which did not quite suit Ahsoka. He hadn't seen it before now. But, it was so apparent now as sat so ramrod straight trying to conform to something which did not suit her lithe frame.

"No," Rex admitted finally. "I don't think I'm OK, and I haven't been for a while. I'm supposed to watch over the 501st and I haven't done so since I was hobbled on TriLuna. And, now, I finally returned and I had a chance to return to duty. But, I ended up locked up, for contempt, and, I used to pride myself on following orders." He scrubbed a hand through his hair. "I don't understand what's going on, and I don't understand how I fit into any of this."

Rex forcibly turned his attention back to the window, upset by his own outburst. He was not normally this unguarded about his own emotions, but he had always been different around Ahsoka. She'd always brought about an entirely different side of him.

It was... unsettling.

"Why did you come back?" Ahsoka asked softly. She had her hands wrapped around her tea mug, as if seeking strength and comfort.

"What?" Rex turned around, startled at the question. "It was... is... my duty."

"Your duty ended when you freed everyone. The Republic didn't know you were alive. You were free, Rex."

There was a long silence. It hung in the air. Rex stared back out the window. The sun was setting and deep red streaks of light settled over everything in sight. Rex shook his head. He didn't answer. He couldn't answer.

Ahsoka persisted. "Why did you come back?" He startled. He hadn't heard her get up and walk over next to him. The reason he came back was standing beside him. But, he couldn't say it.

He turned to Ahsoka, at a loss for words, but his emotions must have been clear to see on his face and in his eyes. He could never hide anything from Ahsoka.

Her face softened and she smiled.

He couldn't resist smiling back. He was lost.

She leaned up on her tiptoes and pressed the softest of kisses to his lips. He was stunned by her action. His arms came up to her shoulders, at first to push her away. But, he couldn't. He gripped her in place. His lips engaged with her own and he could not tear himself away.

They could not do this now.

They said they would not.

Oh, fek.

As from a galaxy far far away, he heard a moan ripped out of him.

All he had to do was press her back against her bunk, and could press one of his armored legs between her own thighs. He nudged her back slightly, and she moved back with him, so willingly.

He ran a head down one of her lekku, and a low guttural moan ripped out of her. It echoed everything which was going on inside of Rex; everything which had been building up inside of him for so long.

All of this was so right. He was meant to do this; after all, Skywalker had practically thrust him here with Ahsoka-

And, yet, somehow the thought of the General was sobering enough to give him pause. He pulled back, feeling as if he was ripping a vital piece of himself when he did so. Ahsoka stared at him, a whole host of emotions flashing through her eyes at once at Rex's apparent rejection. He opened his mouth to explain, but she put up a hand up to his lips to still him. He couldn't resist pressing the gentlest of kisses to her fingertips, and she turned away from him.

Rex pushed out a long weighted sigh, feeling as if he'd fekked up royally somehow now. Ahsoka took a step closer to the large window, looking out as the room was bathed in a blood red glow.

Rex moved a half-step forward, automatically taking his place by Ahsoka's side. He could not imagine standing anywhere else, even when he knew she must be angry with him. As was the case so often, she knew what he was thinking.

She shook her head and sighed. "I'm not... mad, Rex." She turned so she was facing him. They were still standing so close their faces were practically touching. She reached a hand out and brushed his cheek. His skin burned where she touched him. Would it always be so between them? This mad burning and longing? "I get it and I understand. More than you know." She pushed out a long, weighted breath and released it. Her breath fluttered his eyelashes. She cupped his cheek. It was such a soft gesture of affection he nearly melted into her touch. "You did the right thing."

"I did?" he questioned hoarsely, his words causing his lips to graze against the inside of her palm.

She smiled again and reached both hands up to gently scratch his scalp. He closed his eyes and melted into her touch. "Your hair is longer." She playfully tugged on a strand. "I couldn't do this before."

He peered an eye open at her at the playful tug. She took the hint and resumed her scratching. He sighed again, melting like a tooka cat.

"You're purring, Rex," Ahsoka laughed.

"I'm a clone Captain," Rex muttered, his eyes closed in bliss. "I do not purr."

"Really?" Ahsoka took this as a challenge and re-doubled her efforts, skimming her fingers over all the pressure points on his scalp. He peered an eye open again. She was smiling at him, a smile so warm and full of affectionate he knew she could never stay mad at him for long. And, his heart lit up again and he knew everything would be alright as long as he could be near Ahsoka. Fight near Ahsoka. Die near Ahsoka. This was the Republic he loved. Ahsoka and his brothers. This was his everything. He gave her hand a gentle squeeze in return and while parts of him still ached fiercely to explore her body, he would not violate the trust between them. Or, the trust which had been placed in him by General Skywalker. He was a man of honor.

"You can't blame me, though," Ahsoka said softly, turning toward him and brushing the lightest of kisses up against the side of his neck. Somehow this gentle touch made him blush even more than the passionate kiss they had shared moments before. "You are the most handsome man in the clone army."

His chest swelled with pride at the praise. "Ah, yes, well, it is well known that clones are notably superior in every way."

Ahsoka raised up an eyebrow. "Really, now? And, who says so?"

"Oh, well," Rex blustered, crossing his arms across his chest, "most everyone I know..."

Ahsoka snorted with amusement. "Most everyone you know is a clone!"

"Doesn't matter," Rex insisted. "It's still true. Clones are engineered to be superior."

Ahsoka quirked up an eyebrow and gave him a rakish gaze up and down. His insides flip-flopped from that one look. "Ah, well, then, I look forward to you proving that to me one day." Her statement fit in with their earlier banter, but it was also a promise for a future. Maybe. Something beyond fighting for the GAR and being Captain and Commander.

But, for now, he was still Captain Rex of the 501st. She was Commander Ahsoka Tano of the 501st. She was off-limits. Their hands naturally found each other of their own accord. The sunset was startling now in its intensity; darkness gathering around the intense shades of red, streaks of purple and orange battling around the sides.

He was startled a moment later by the gentle feel of Ahsoka resting her head on his pauldron. Somehow though, this, too, felt right. He leaned his head momentarily down on top of her head and sighed. There was such a pleasure in the way his softly shorn scalp rubbed up against her montrals. He resisted the urge to nuzzle her. Ahsoka didn't hold back, though, and brush her montrals up against him. Why did the simplest of touches against Ahsoka feel so profound?

"I'm glad you're here," Ahsoka's voice was soft as they looked out together into the swiftly advancing darkness. "I am so glad you made it back."

Rex closed his eyes and memorized the feeling of her touch; reveling in it. Gut instinct told him these moments may not come again. If he'd learned anything during his time as a clone, it was to appreciate all of life's little moments. So many of his brothers were gone in an instant, their lives snuffed out. He'd learned as a very young cadet life was fleeting, and so very, very precious. It was an odd realization for a soldier trained to take lives.

They stayed like that for several minutes watching darkness creep in over Coruscant together.

It was Ahsoka who finally ended the quiet moment between them. The room was in full darkness, except for the ambient light coming in from the traffic passing by outside. "I'll set up a bedroll for you." With a flick of her hands, she activated soft lighting in the room.

"I'll help you," Rex insisted, not used to anyone to doing anything for him. It was unnatural. Together, they set up the simplest of sleeping arrangements with a mat which looked as if it doubled as the floor mat Ahsoka used for her katas, and a spare blanket Ahsoka insisted on pulling from her own bed.

They washed up together in the small attached refresher. It was a modest room, much less grand than Rex would expect in the Jedi Temple. Nothing more than a sonic shower, a mirror and a sink. There was something incredibly intimate about getting ready for bed next to Ahsoka, even if was simply washing his face and scrubbing his teeth using the dental kit from his belt pouch. It was different than brushing his teeth next to dozens of rowdy, laughing brothers, but there was nothing awkward about it. Washing up next to her, shoulder to shoulder, felt so right.

"You have a little denta-paste here," Ahsoka teased, dabbing at his face with a soft towel. The gesture was so intimate. He had no idea if he did or not, but to get her to look at him like that, and touch him like that, he would happily smear denta-paste on his face for the rest of his days.

A few minutes later, with the lights completely dimmed and the windows darkened, they'd settled in for the night. He didn't think he'd be able to sleep after all that had happened, and confined to the Jedi Temple. But, with the gentle scent of Ahsoka wafting up to his nostrils, his body relaxed and he was asleep almost immediately.

# # #

Revision History:

12/1/2019: Big changes to this scene. The original title of this chapter was "A Night to Remember." The scene was a sexy, passionate love scene between Ahsoka and Rex. It is now a quiet moment between the two of them, with Rex inwardly expressing regrets it cannot be anything more.

1/21/2020: Many thanks to Adam / Huntsman who provided feedback this scene needed something more than the revision it was left with on 12/1/2019. In the 12/1 revision, Ahsoka and Rex quietly talk over tea and do not make love. It was a far cry from their original lovemaking scene. This scene is a compromise between the two scenes. It sets up a possible future for them, but keeps the tension between the two characters, which is what I felt was lost in the original version of the scene, (the passionate lovemaking version.)

1/25/2022: Revised the scene again before posting it to A03. Added more sweetness and a little more spice to the scene.