INT. RESOLUTE HALLWAYS - EVENING
Rex walks down the hallways of the Resolute. He hears a pitter-patter of footsteps behind him.
AHSOKA
Rex!
Ahsoka catches up to him.
REX
What is it, Commander?
AHSOKA
It's Ahsoka. And where are you headed?
REX
To the mess hall. I've had enough training for one night.
AHSOKA
Can I walk with you?
REX
Sure.
AHSOKA
Rex?
REX
Yeah?
AHSOKA
Um... you know how we'll be in hyperspace until morning?
REX
Yeah...?
AHSOKA
Well, I was just wondering if you're doing anything later tonight, if you have no more work to do.
REX
I finished all my work.
AHSOKA
Well... maybe we could do something... together... later.
REX
Okay.
Ahsoka points her fingers like guns at Rex.
AHSOKA
Check ya later!
Ahsoka skips down the hallway and runs into the mess hall ahead of Rex. Rex smiles at her as she runs away.
INT. MESS HALL - CONTINUOUS
Rex walks into the mess hall. He joins Fives and Echo in the back of the food line.
ECHO
Rex! We were just talking about you.
REX
Anything bad?
Fives punches Rex on the shoulder.
FIVES
Never.
(whispers)
You're invited to our sleepover tonight.
REX
Sleepover?
ECHO
Shh! It's a secret.
REX
(whispers)
Who else is coming?
ECHO
Just you. We would've invited Cody but he's out fighting with General Kenobi.
REX
Hmm. In your room?
FIVES
Yeah, where else?
The line reaches the food. They grab trays and start dishing out dinner.
FIVES
Wait! Echo grab that to go box.
Echo grabs a to go box and hands it to Fives. He takes it and starts stuffing donuts into the box.
FIVES
We need midnight snacks.
REX
Good idea.
FIVES
Rex, be sure to bring your holopad so we can watch holofilms without having to bypass security.
REX
(smiles)
The perks of being a Captain.
Ahsoka walks past them with her dinner tray.
AHSOKA
Hey boys! Where will you be sitting?
FIVES
Hey vod'ika. Sit anywhere. We'll join you.
Ahsoka nods and walks off. Rex, Fives, and Echo finish getting their dinner and follow Ahsoka.
Ahsoka sits down at a table with Kix. Fives and Echo sit next to each other while Rex takes the seat next to Ahsoka.
Kix notices the to go box.
KIX
What's in there, Fives?
Fives' face turns pink as he selfishly grabs the box and sets it next to him on the bench.
FIVES
It's nothing.
Ahsoka uses the force to lift the box back onto the table, out of Fives' reach. She opens the lid, a donut lifting out of the box.
KIX
Donuts?
FIVES
I'm saving them for later!
Fives lunges over Echo's food tray and takes the box back, closing it up and putting it back on the bench seat.
ECHO
Fives!
Echo's food is smushed, and stained onto Fives' armor.
FIVES
Whatever. Just get more food.
KIX
How many donuts do you have in there?
FIVES
Enough to last me through the war. What're you? My mother?
REX
Fives, stop.
KIX
(angry)
Do I look like your mother?
Fives stands up with his fists clenched on the table.
FIVES
I DON'T HAVE A MOTHER!
KIX
None of us do!
REX
(to Kix)
He's being an idiot. Just ignore him.
FIVES
An idiot? Who're you calling an idiot?
AHSOKA
Fives! You don't need to get so angry.
Fives frowns at Kix and sits back down.
FIVES
Yes, Commander.
Fives eyes Kix out of the corner of his eye as he chews on some food. Echo tries to signal Rex by blinking weird.
REX
What're you doing?
Echo keeps blinking in weird patterns. Echo rolls eyes and stands up, crossing around the table and leaning into Rex's ear.
ECHO
(whispers)
I was trying to signal you.
Rex roars with laughter. Everyone stares at him and Echo.
ECHO
(whispers)
Let's go before anyone catches on to the sleepover.
Rex turns his head into Echo's ear.
REX
(whispers)
I'll leave after you and Fives.
Echo crosses the table again, reaching for Fives' to go box.
ECHO
Let's go, Fives. Don't forget the five pounds of caf on the way out.
KIX
(spits out drink)
Five pounds?
ECHO
We're saving up for the end of the war, remember?
KIX
(unsure)
Good luck.
Echo takes the to go box and wanders off to the caf station as Fives huffs out of his chair and follows Echo.
AHSOKA
Why are they saving donuts and caf?
REX
It's just a stupid bet they have going.
KIX
I don't want to be around when they drink all that caf, assuming they drink it all tonight.
AHSOKA
That wouldn't surprise me.
KIX
(stands up)
I'm leaving before they cause any trouble.
Kix leaves. Ahsoka turns towards Rex.
AHSOKA
I'm taking you up on that offer later.
REX
Um?
AHSOKA
To hang out later.
REX
Oh yeah. About that... I'm not sleeping in my bunk tonight. Echo and Fives wanted me to come over to theirs.
AHSOKA
A sleepover?!
REX
You can't come though. Sorry we can't hang out tonight.
AHSOKA
But...
Rex crosses his arms playfully.
REX
It's for boys only. You're not invited.
AHSOKA
(stands up)
Expect a surprise visit sometime tonight.
REX
What!
Ahsoka runs off. Rex tries to hide a smile.
INT. ARC DORM - NIGHT
The door slides open. Rex walks in. He notices Echo sitting criss-crossed on the floor, spreading out several cups of caf around the box of donuts. A side of plates sits next to the box. Fives sits in his blacks on the bottom bunk staring into space. Echo stands up.
ECHO
You're finally here!
REX
(holds up holopad)
I brought this.
ECHO
(giddy)
Great!
Echo snatches the data pad and hands it to Fives.
ECHO
Pick a film. I'm taking off my armor.
Echo starts to shed his armor and places it on a shelf next to Fives'. Rex copies Echo. Fives scrolls through the holopad.
FIVES
What're we in the mood for?
ECHO
Donuts.
FIVES
(waves holopad)
I meant on here.
ECHO
Oh...
(unintelligible)
Romance.
Rex finishes taking off his armor and smiles up at Echo.
REX
I heard that.
Echo blushes.
REX
I don't mind it.
FIVES
What'd he say?
Echo walks over to his bunk.
ECHO
Slide over. I said romance.
FIVES
Ew, Echo! Every time we watch something you want romance!
ECHO
Where's the fun if you're not staring a beautiful lady?
Rex laughs as Fives thinks it over.
FIVES
That actually made sense. Here, Echo.
Echo grabs the holopad. Rex sits on the floor and grabs a donut.
ECHO
No! Rex, you're our guest. Get up here.
Echo crosses his legs and slides to the back of the bunk. Rex crawls in. Fives reaches up to grab a pillow from his bunk and hugs it.
ECHO
What about this one? It's about a princess who falls in love with a farm boy.
Fives dramatically rolls his eyes.
FIVES
Every romance has the same plot.
REX
But Echo said it's about the women.
ECHO
Yeah! Look at this actress!
Echo shows both of them. Fives looks unphased.
REX
(small voice)
Wow.
ECHO
She's beautiful.
FIVES
I've seen better.
ECHO
Fives, if you're not going to cooperate-
Fives steals the holopad.
FIVES
-This one looks better. Seven farm women find love interests at the town festival.
REX
Seven?
ECHO
Fine. We'll watch that one.
Fives starts the holofilm.
ECHO
Rex can you grab me a donut, please?
Rex bends down and grabs a donut. Fives curls up against Echo, still clutching his pillow.
REX
Here.
FIVES
Vote on who's the hottest.
ECHO
You can use my pillow, Rex.
REX
Thanks.
Rex grabs the pillow and puts it up against Echo's shoulder, then lies on it.
ECHO
What am I? The bunk bed?
FIVES
Wow. No one could be hotter than her.
REX
Mmm, that one's hotter.
FIVES
She is not.
ECHO
(blushes)
Wow, the one who just walked in is the cutest.
FIVES
She's short.
ECHO
Who cares. Her face-
REX
I see it, too. She's cute.
FIVES
Which one did you like, Rex?
REX
Her.
ECHO
Yeah, she is cute, Rex. We have a similar taste.
FIVES
You're both wrong because neither of those girls are attractive.
ECHO
OH MY GOSH IT'S A MUSICAL!
Rex smiles. Fives rolls his eyes and hugs his pillow tighter.
FIVES
Why did I choose this?
REX
Her voice is beautiful!
ECHO
(squeals)
Her eyes! Her eyes when she sings.
REX
Oh yeah.
ECHO
How did you not notice? We're crushing on the same girl.
REX
(blushes)
I was staring at her lips.
FIVES
Oooooooh.
Echo stuffs part of a donut in Fives' mouth. The girl who Fives was crushing on starts singing. They all cringe.
REX
Turn it down.
ECHO
Fives, your girl can't sing. In musical culture, that's like a crime.
FIVES
So what? She's hot. I would totally-
REX
-Go out with her?
FIVES
If that's how you want to say it.
ECHO
Fives, don't be dirty.
FIVES
What'd you expect?
REX
He only likes her because she's... shapely.
Echo and Rex die of laughter. Fives sits up straight.
FIVES
Who cares? I really do think she has a gorgeous face, too.
ECHO
What about her personality?
FIVES
I can't even hear because you've been talking the whole time!
Fives curls up against Echo again.
ECHO
Sorry, we'll be quieter.
Rex sighs.
FIVES
What?
Rex lets out a giggle. Echo looks down at Rex on his shoulder. Rex's face is very pink.
REX
Did you see that? The way she told him off and then patted him. The pat was so cute.
Rex starts giggling again at the holofilm.
FIVES
I've had enough of this girl. Show the other girls!
On the holopad, the girl kisses one of the men. Fives and Echo both crane their nexts to look at Rex. Rex stares like he's never seen a kiss before.
FIVES
(smirks)
Rex wants to be that man.
ECHO
Why does she kiss like that? Both of their mouths are closed.
REX
It looks normal to me.
Echo and Fives both stare at Rex, waiting for him to look back at them. Rex notices.
REX
What?
FIVES
Have you ever kissed a girl?
ECHO
He doesn't have to answer that!
Fives sits up and pauses the holofilm. Rex sits up, too.
FIVES
Have you?
Rex pulls Echo's pillow up to face and smushes his face into it out of embarrassment. Fives crawls over Echo's knees and pulls down the pillow. Rex is forced to look into Fives' eyes.
REX
(red faced)
No.
Fives sits back in his spot, unphased.
FIVES
Not surprised.
REX
What's that supposed to mean?
FIVES
You never go out, ever. Of course you've never kissed a girl.
ECHO
Fives, let's finish the film.
FIVES
Not now, Echo.
ECHO
But, Fives, this is a sleepover! We're supposed to have fun!
FIVES
Fine. Rex, truth or dare?
REX
Dare. Wait, no, truth.
FIVES
Who do you want your first kiss to be?
REX
(pink faced)
What!?
ECHO
Fives, leave him alone.
Echo gives Fives a look that makes him stop talking.
Fives grabs his pillow and hugs it again.
FIVES
Fine.
The door slides open. Ahsoka stands at the door. Fives and Echo stare with jaws dropped. Rex puts his hands over his face.
ECHO
How'd you get in?
AHSOKA
The force. Why is Rex pink?
ECHO
Why are you here?
AHSOKA
Because Rex told me about your sleepover.
FIVES
YOU WHAT!
Fives lunges at Rex and tries to pull his hands from blocking his face. Rex strongly stays put.
ECHO
Not to be rude, Commander, but this sleepover is for clones only.
AHSOKA
I know. But Rex promised me we'd spend time together tonight.
A lightbulb goes off inside of Fives' head. He stands up and puts an arm around the Commander, walking her out of the room while whispering into her ear. The door slides shut, leaving Rex and Echo alone. They stare at each other in silence.
The door opens and Fives walks back in, dusting off his hands.
FIVES
You have five minutes with the Commander, Rex.
Rex stands up, a bit confused.
FIVES
But wait! Truth or dare?
REX
Um... Dare?
Fives puts his hands on Rex's back, about to push him out the door.
FIVES
Kiss the Commander.
REX
But that's against regulations! I can't-
Fives pushes him out the door. It shuts behind Rex.
INT. RESOLUTE HALLWAYS - CONTINUOUS
Rex stands awkwardly outside the door staring at Ahsoka. She grabs him by the hand and starts running down the hall, dragging Rex along with her. He looks shocked.
REX
Ahsoka!
Ahsoka pulls him into a storage closet.
INT. STORAGE CLOSET - CONTINUOUS
She sits down on a crate. Rex sits next to her. He shifts awkwardly.
REX
Um...
AHSOKA
Well, Fives told me we get five minutes.
REX
Yeah...
AHSOKA
How's your sleepover?
Rex puts his face in his hands and bends over.
REX
A complete disaster.
AHSOKA
What happened?
REX
Well, everything was fine until Fives found out I've never kissed anyone before. We were watching a holofilm about these seven farm girls...
Rex looks up at Ahsoka.
AHSOKA
I'm listening.
REX
(chuckles)
I was expecting you to interrupt long before I got to explaining the holofilm.
AHSOKA
What? About the kiss thing?
REX
Yeah.
AHSOKA
I mean... that's not such a horrible thing.
REX
I don't know why they expect me to have. It's not like I get out much. It's not like I want to get out much, either.
AHSOKA
(small voice)
Have you ever wanted to kiss anyone?
Rex looks down at his hands and fidgets with his fingers.
REX
(whispers)
Yes.
AHSOKA
Do I know her?
Rex sucks in a whole bunch of air and tries to sit up straight and lean against something, but his arms have no where to go. Ahsoka puts a hand on Rex's arm.
AHSOKA
Rex, are you okay? It doesn't take a Jedi to notice how flustered you are.
REX
(pink faced)
I'm fine.
Rex nervously puts his hands in his lap.
AHSOKA
So who's the girl?
Ahsoka waits for a response. No answer. Rex sits there in terror. Then he feels her hand on his thigh. He knows she's just trying to be sympathetic, but it's not helping. He stands up and walks across the storage closet.
REX
It's none of your business.
Ahsoka stands up with a smirk on her face.
AHSOKA
It's someone in the army, right? Considering you don't get out much.
Rex puts a hand over his eyes. He can feel sweat on his forehead.
AHSOKA
And you only ever spend a lot of time with the 212th and Wolffe Pack. There aren't really any girls...
The wheels turn in Ahsoka's head. Rex starts visibly shaking, wishing he could crawl into a hole and never come out.
Rex feels two small hands on his wrists. Ahsoka peels away his hands from his face. Rex stares into her eyes in an almost panicked expression.
AHSOKA
(whispers)
You're shaking.
She takes his hands and pulls him back to the crate. They sit down next to each other. She takes his hands in hers. Rex sits hunched over Ahsoka. She looks up into his eyes and squeezes his hands. Rex manages to squeeze back.
AHSOKA
I think I know.
REX
...Know what?
Ahsoka wraps her arms around his neck and stares into Rex's eyes.
REX
(whispers)
No...
AHSOKA
Rex, I know you meant me.
Rex takes her hands off from his neck.
REX
We can't.
Rex looks down at his lap. He then feels soft lips against his cheek. He looks at Ahsoka in shock.
AHSOKA
If you're saying we can't because of me-
REX
-Ahsoka. We can't. These rules are in place for a reason.
Rex sees tears forming in Ahsoka's eyes.
AHSOKA
Did you ever think about how I might feel? I care about you, Rex.
REX
I care about you, too. But we can't go throwing ourselves at each other. What if one of us dies? Either you or I would break inside. What if we get too distracted and something bad happens because of us? What if-
AHSOKA
-What if everything went exactly how it was meant to?
REX
But the rules exist for our protection.
AHSOKA
Are the rules really protecting us?
REX
Yes.
AHSOKA
What if we didn't care about the rules and got just a little closer? You've never thought about that?
Rex stares into Ahsoka's eyes.
REX
I have. As much as I want to be with you, we... it's a slippery slope and I'm not taking you down with me.
AHSOKA
But it's not a slippery slope if we happen to be friends who have kissed just once.
Rex stares at Ahsoka for a moment before placing his hands on her cheeks. He brings his lips to hers. She melts into the kiss.
Rex brakes away, staring into Ahsoka's eyes.
REX
Like you said, we're still just friends.
AHSOKA
That's fine with me.
Ahsoka smiles at him. Rex smiles back.
AHSOKA
You should get back. Your five minutes were up a while ago.
Rex laughs.
REX
I almost forgot about that.
Rex stands up. So does Ahsoka.
REX
I'll see you tomorrow.
Ahsoka nods at Rex as he walks out of the storage closet.
INT. ARC DORM - NIGHT
Rex walks back inside Echo and Fives' room. Fives lies asleep on Echo's bed facing the wrong way. Echo sits on the floor with the donut box on his lap watching the musical holofilm.
Echo nearly jumps a mile and stands up, putting the donut box on the floor.
ECHO
You're back! It's been like twenty minutes!
Rex smiles and blushes.
ECHO
What happened?
Echo sits on his bed and nudges Fives. He wakes up all groggy.
FIVES
(whiny)
What?
ECHO
Rex is back.
Fives bolts upright, nearly hitting his head. He and Echo both lunge forward and pull Rex on the bed in between them. Rex sits with his knees up as Fives sleepily hugs one of Rex's arms. Echo leans his shoulder up against Rex's shoulder.
FIVES
What happened?
ECHO
Why were you gone for twenty minutes?
FIVES
It was that long!?
REX
I kissed her.
Echo turns his head and meets Rex's gaze. Echo stares in shock. Fives slips down Rex's arm and then tries to sit up straight by pulling on Rex.
FIVES
What!? I didn't think you would actually do it.
REX
I did.
Echo seems to finally break out of his shell.
ECHO
What happened? What was it like? Tell us every detail.
FIVES
Echo wants to live vicariously through you.
Echo stuffs a hand in Fives' face.
ECHO
I would NEVER kiss the Commander!
Rex breaks them up. They settle back down.
REX
Well, she asked how the sleepover was, and I said terrible. But only because you found out I'd never kissed anyone before, and next thing I knew she found out I had a crush on her.
Echo leans in eagerly. Fives' mouth hands slightly open.
ECHO
So...?
REX
We talked and... came to the conclusion that friends can kiss once and it wouldn't ruin anything, no matter the rules.
ECHO
(nods)
That makes sense.
FIVES
What? You kissed her and you're still only friends?
REX
What'd you expect? A marriage? I can't be with her!
ECHO
Go on. I want to hear about the kiss!
REX
Well, after that point in the conversation... I kissed her... because it all made sense.
FIVES
On the lips?
REX
(rolls eyes)
Yes, on the lips.
ECHO
More details.
REX
We were sitting on this giant crate in the storage closet down the hall. I put my hands on her cheeks, then kissed her.
Echo sighs and leans his head on Rex's shoulder.
ECHO
Wow. That's cute. Makes me want to sneak out and see Mia, and Fives don't even say it. I know we're in hyperspace.
Fives leans back against the bunk wall.
FIVES
For some reason I can't picture you kissing the Commander. You're gonna have to do it again with an audience.
Rex holds a hand over Fives' face. Fives starts squirming.
REX
I'm not doing that.
Fives finally pulls Rex's hand away, or rather Rex lets him.
REX
I'm surprised you weren't waiting out in the hallway.
ECHO
We wouldn't do that.
FIVES
We thought you weren't gonna kiss her. It'd be a waste of time.
REX
Well, I did.
FIVES
I'm actually proud of you, Rex.
REX
For breaking the rules?
FIVES
No, how long have you thought about that scenario for?
REX
...I don't know. About a year.
Fives nearly falls off the bed. Echo reaches for a cup of caf.
FIVES
Thank goodness we pushed you.
REX
I made that choice on my own. I'm tired.
FIVES
You can have my bed.
Rex climbs up to the top bunk as Echo throws a pillow up to him. Echo starts watching the holofilm again as Fives closes his eyes on Echo's bed.
REX
Thanks for the sleepover. It was fun.
FIVES
We need to do one again.
ECHO
Agreed.
Rex closes his eyes, slipping into a deep sleep. Echo starts tearing up at the holofilm. Fives begins to doze off, thinking of ways he could get his Captain and Commander to spend more time together.