Hey everyone! I hope you guys enjoyed the Bad Batch as much as I did.

RyanSquad: I like to think everyone does. They are kind of both the worst.

Guest: I'm glad you're liking it! Could you give me some examples of where you found the problems so I can fix it?

haze47: Thank you as always! I aim to please and or provide sufficient angst

osterreicher97: It's gotta slip sometimes, right?

Guest: The stupidity is yet to peak. And maybe they'll make some right choices in the future, who knows?

So uh, this is a pretty angsty chapter, so be prepared. Though there is a section I'm pretty proud of.

Mando'a translations at the end!

"Where is the proof?" Padme asked of the full courtroom. "Where is the proof that Captain Rex was part of the team that assisted in the prison break?"

"CT-7567 went missing the very night Ahsoka Tano was unlawfully re-located." Tarkin said. "The trooper injured in the escape attempt is also nowhere to be found. CT-7567 was obviously the one injured and escaped with Tano."

"Circumstantial evidence." Padme retorted. "I'm sure the court remembers the last time it made a decision based only on such evidence."

There was a swell of mutters from around them.

"Furthermore," Padme said. "We also have only circumstantial evidence that the individuals who committed the crime were clones. Or even that Tano has a clone with her."

"It is highly unlikely that Tano was able to leave the facility by herself." Tarkin said.

"And why is that?" Padme asked.

For once Tarkin looked not fearful, but apprehensive about his answer.

"Tano had proven herself to be a flight risk." He said. "We had to take necessary precautions to ensure it did not happen again."

"How so?" Padme asked. "Any physical restraint could be removed by her rescuers."

Tarkin remained silent.

"Did you use altering substances in order to restrain Ahsoka Tano?" Padme asked. "Did you drug her?"

The gallery exploded into noise. Padme suppressed a smile of triumph. The drugging of a prisoner, while unfortunately common, was not something the citizens of Coruscant liked to be reminded of. Padme wanted every point of sympathy on her side. They would need it.

"It was necessary." Tarkin said.

"Disregarding the moral questionableness of that action, the abilities of a Force user often make them resistant to such substances." Padme said. "Had the drug been tested on a Force user before?"

Even from here Padme could see Tarkin's clenched jaw.

"No." He said.

"Then it is possible that Tano overcame the effects of the substance and escaped under her own power?"

"Yes." Came Tarkin's clipped reply."

"Let us look at what we know." Padme said. "Ahsoka Tano was assisted in escaping the GAR facility by a group of individuals that wore clone armor. One was injured. A drugged Ahsoka Tano and the individuals left the facility. Later that night, Captain Rex was discovered to be missing."

Padme paused and stared at Tarkin as she continued.

"Now let us look at what we do not know." Padme said. "We do not know the identities of the individuals involved or if they were indeed clones. We do not know if Ahsoka Tano was incapacitated by the drug to the point she could not leave under her own power. We do not know if any of the individuals accompanied her. And we do not know for sure under what circumstances Captain Rex disappeared."

Padme looked up to Palaptine.

"I rest my case, your Excellency."

Palpatine nodded.

"We will hear Admiral Tarkin's evidence after a short recess." He announced.

"You are a marvel, Padme!" Anakin said as he and Masters Plo and Kenobi met her in a small side chamber.

"I'm inclined to agree." Master Kenobi said. "You almost have me convinced."

"Thank you." Padme said. "Though much of it is how clever your men were in the operation."

"Indeed." Master Plo said. He sounded extremely proud of the troopers. "Though there is still an issue."

"Yes." Master Kenobi said. "How are we to keep the facade when Rex returns?"

"I've got the answer for that." Anakin said. "All we need to do is hire a bounty hunter, have Rex be 'kidnapped' by them, and then have the bounty hunter contact us with a ransom!"

Padme blinked.

"Very illegal, but it should work." She said.

"Well, I think we have all given up on doing this legally." Master Kenobi said.

The court resumed a few minutes later.

"Your Excellency, I have only one piece of evidence to show." Tarkin said.

Padme didn't like the tone in his voice.

"This footage was provided to us by an outside source." Tarkin announced.

A large holo screen flickered to life. It showed a dingy landing pad in the undercity. A ragged ship landed. After a few moments, Pykes came into view. By an outside source, Tarkin clearly meant the crime syndicate. Padme let out a small gasp as a figure in white plastoid armor exited the ship. It had a blackened mark on the shoulder, where the injured trooper had been reportedly shot. It had to be Rex.

This doesn't prove anything. She told herself. His helmet isn't off and Ahsoka is nowhere.

She watched the firefight between the trooper and the Pykes. Rex took down a fair amount of them before he was tackled by one. The Pyke ripped off his helmet. A blonde head with familiar features became visible.

Padme felt sick. For once she wished the clones remained as uniform as they were supposed to be.

Ahsoka still isn't here. She again said to herself. We can work with this.

Then Ahsoka left the ship. The footage crackled and shut off.

Padme clenched her hands and turned to stare at Tarkin's smug face.

"As you can see-" Tarkin said, waving at the screen. A still from the video of Rex's face appeared alongside an official headshot of the trooper. "This trooper is clearly CT-7567 and can be seen to be travelling with former fugitive Ahsoka Tano.

Padme had no response. She could almost feel Anakin's dismay mixing with her own.

"The evidence is irrefutable." Palpatine announced. "Senator Amidala's request is denied. When the trooper CT-7567 is recovered, the lawsuit will proceed as planned."

"This isn't the end, Ani." Padme tried to comfort her husband. "We have options!"

Anakin paced in the small room. His anger and panic shrouded him more than his actual cloak.

"We could go to the Jedi council." Obi Wan said. "They have the power to grant Rex amnesty."

"A rare occurrence." Plo commented. "But worth an attempt."

The comment seemed to make Anakin angrier.

"It's the council's fault Rex had to save Ahsoka in the first place!" He snapped. "If they hadn't turned Ahsoka over to Tarkin, or even if they hadn't bungled the bombing investigation in the first place-"

"They could save him as well." Obi Wan said. "Please, let us try to make it right."

Anakin looked away.

"Fine." He said.

Ahsoka didn't fully recover from her fit before the next one hit. Her weakened body reacted even worse to the experience. When Rex came out of the trance he entered when attempting to help her mind, they had been sitting in a pool of her vomit.

What almost disturbed him more was what he had seen in her mind during the experience. General Skywalker had contacted her. She could go home.

She wasn't going to, because of Rex. It didn't hurt him that she hadn't told him; he'd probably do the same. The problem was that she was dying, no matter what she said.

Once again Cut and Suu gave up their bed as Ahsoka suffered through the fevers. Rex mulled this over as he held her hand as she muttered feverishly. How much time did they have? Rex didn't particularly want to be decommissioned, so if General Skywalker could find a way to clear him, that would be preferable. But how much time would it take? What good would Rex's life be if his Commander died in exchange for it?

He listened to Ahsoka's ragged breathing. It was almost funny, how determined they both were to keep the other alive. It was starting to look like it wouldn't be possible for both of them to succeed.

The moonlit room was suddenly silent. The sound of his breathing was alone. Rex felt his blood run cold. How long had it been since she last took a breath? Rex launched himself out of his chair and dug his finger under her lekku. Even as he found her pulse, it faded.

"Cut!" Rex roared before placing his hands over Ahsoka's chest. He thanked the Force for his emergency med training as he pressed down. He counted down in his mind. Sixteen. No, no, no. Fifteen. Please. He unconsciously began to pull on their bond. It was barely there, a trickle instead of the river it had been. Once he hit zero he bent over her and clamped his mouth over hers. The action was needed. It would save her life.

Cut burst in as Rex started his second round of compressions.

"Keep on that, I'll be right back!" Cut said.

Rex couldn't reply; he was breathing for her again. Two breaths, then back to compressions. He grit his teeth as he felt her ribs cracking beneath his hands. He established a rhythm of compressions, breathing, and cracked ribs. He knew he couldn't take the time to check if she was breathing between steps. He begged her in their bond to return. He could not lose her to this after everything. A shape loomed over them. Cut was back. He tried to push Rex off of Ahsoka. Rex for an instant resisted and tried to bat Cut away. Realization hit him and he let himself be usurped. Cut leaned over Ahsoka and jabbed a hypo into her chest.

Ahsoka gasped loudly and sucked in a few breaths, letting out a soft cry of pain. Her pulse thudded under Rex's fingers when he checked. Rex let out a choked noise and pressed his forehead to hers, an action usually reserved for the closest of vod'e.

Kriff, he'd lost people before, but to get them back- that was overwhelming.

He managed to compose himself, pulled Ahsoka into the recovery position, and turned to face Cut.

"What was that?" Rex asked.

Cut held up the hypo.

"Stim from an old med pack I saved." He said. "The medics of my battalion had certain ones that could give the heart a jump start."

Rex nodded and sat down to watch her. A strange calmness and certainty had come over him.

"Can you watch her? There's something I need to do." Rex asked after a few minutes.

Cut gave him a knowing look but agreed.

Rex walked down the stairs, but was stopped by Suu.

"Rex." She took his arm. "What happened? Is everything all right?"

"Her heart stopped." Rex said in a raspy voice. "We got it going again with some stims Cut had."

Suu's eyes widened and rushed past him up the stairs. Rex made his way to the barn, finding his comm. He entered General Skywalker's frequency.

"Skywalker here."

It was a relief to hear his General's voice again.

"Sir, it's Rex."

"Rex? Is there something wrong?" General Skywalker's voice took on a worried tone.

"General, you are going to contact us tomorrow and you are going to tell Commander Tano that my name is cleared." Rex said.

"What? How did you- Never mind. Rex, I still need time on that. Be patient." General Skywalker said.

"She's dying." Rex said. "We don't have any time."

The General was quiet for a long time.

"Rex-"

"I understand the consequences, sir." Rex said. "My priority is her safety."

Silence again.

"I'm not going to let them take you, Rex." General Skywalker said. "I promise. I'll comm you tomorrow."

Rex smiled wryly.

"Thank you, sir."

Seeing as the General now had only a few days to get his name cleared, Rex doubted that he had much of a chance. Tarkin would probably want Rex done away with as quickly as possible. Rex did appreciate his General's concern and efforts.

Rex was almost afraid of what he would find when he returned upstairs. Ahsoka still breathed when he entered the room. There was the acrid smell of vomit in the air. Cut and Suu were speaking quietly in the corner. They looked up at him.

"Rex, " Cut said quietly. "She can't stay here. We don't have the means to help her. She'll die without better help."

"I know. We're going back to Coruscant tomorrow." Rex said.

"They still think she's guilty-" Cut started.

"No, she's cleared." Rex said wearily. "I just contacted my General."

Cut looked down at Ahsoka.

"Did she know?" Cut asked.

"Yes. She opted not to tell me." Rex said.

"Nearly kriffing killed her." Cut commented.

Rex didn't sleep that night. For one, he had to make sure Ahsoka kept breathing. And when one faced his impending decommissioning, it tended to chase rest away.

Cut would tell him it was his own fault. There were choices to hide and run away. Not for Rex. There were few choices in his life and one that he cherished was his honor. That was worth his life.

That didn't mean he looked forward to the event. Would they allow him the dignity of a firing squad, like the one that had nearly taken Fives and Jesse? To stand and face his death like the man they didn't see him as? Of course, it could be that he would be just sent back to Kamino. There it would end in bright lights, white walls, and the prick of a needle.

Somehow, Rex thought it would be the latter.

He thought maybe his brothers would understand. Cody would, at least. He wouldn't like it, but he'd understand. He would move on, as would all his brothers, shedding their resentment and simply adding his name to those to be remembered.

General Skywalker on the other hand, would not. Even now, agreeing with the plan that would almost certainly end in Rex's death, the General did not understand. The General was selfish in an odd way. He would not let Rex go until the blaster bolt went through Rex's heart. Perhaps not even then.

What of Ahsoka? He knew she would fight his decision tooth and nail until it got her killed, but would she understand in the end? Would she be able to see his death as his choice? She would hate him for it, especially with the deception.

Well, she'd be alive, and his honor would be intact, so she could hate him all she wanted.

The thought immediately made him feel worse.

Rex was relieved to feel her wake up in a mostly cognizant state.

"Don't move." He told her as soon as she was awake. "Your ribs are broken."

Her brow furrowed.

"Thanks, I didn't notice." She said in a weak voice. "What happened?"

Rex hesitated before showing her what happened the night before. It was a lot easier than trying to explain it, but he was careful to edit certain conversations from the memory. She was quiet for a long time.

"Better keep those stims handy." She finally said.

Rex grit his teeth. She was being as stubborn about this as, well, he was. He thanked the Force that he'd thought to contact General Skywalker the night before.

The comm beeped around noon. General Skywalker was very convincing, telling them that Rex had been sentenced only to a few months in the brig. The joy radiating through their bond was enough to let Rex know that Ahsoka had no clue of the deception. He clamped down his own dread and grim resignation and focused on the relief and happiness that Ahsoka was cleared and could get help.

Ahsoka still picked up that something was off with him.

"What's wrong?" She asked when General Skywalker hung up.

Rex shrugged.

"It's a long time in the brig." He said.

"It's better than dying." Ahsoka retorted.

Rex forced a smile.

"I don't do well with nothing to do." He said.

"Fair." Ahsoka admitted.

"We should get going." Rex said. "The sooner we can get you treatment, the better."

"I guess we don't have a reason to stick around anymore." Ahsoka said with a grin.

It took less than an hour to pack up their things and get the ship ready to go. Rex found Cut waiting for him as he returned to the farm.

"Ahsoka told me what happened." Cut said. "I'm assuming you asked Skywalker to lie."

Rex nodded.

"Still planning to go through with it?" Cut asked.

Rex nodded again.

"To each their own." Cut said bitterly.

"I'm glad I met you." Rex said and held out his hand. "Vor entye- for everything."

Cut grasped it.

"Anything for a brother." He said. "Ret'urcye mhi."

"Ret'urcye mhi, ner vod." Rex returned the phrase quietly.

Suu and the kids were saying their goodbyes to Ahsoka in the bedroom.

"Everything's ready, sir." Rex announced.

"Thank you again, Suu." Ahsoka said. "And good luck."

"You as well, Ahsoka. It has been a pleasure." Suu replied.

Rex felt a tug on his hand. He looked down to Jek, who held out a large piece of paper.

"This is for you." Jek announced. "So you remember us."

Rex took the paper. It was a drawing of what he assumed to be himself and Cut, standing triumphant on a pile of dead droids.

"Thank you." Rex said. "It's-it's great."

He hesitated before reaching out and placing a hand on Jek's head. The boy beamed up at him.

"Will you come and visit again?" Shaeeah asked.

"We'll see." Rex managed.

"Remember what I told you?" Cut said. "It could be dangerous for Rex to come back."

The kids wilted. Shaeeah rushed forward and wrapped her arms around Rex's legs. Rex put his other hand on her head as well.

"You listen to your buir, okay?" He said.

"Okay!" They chorused.

Suu reached out and put her arms around Rex's neck. Rex stiffened. Suu laughed.

"Goodbye, Rex." She said. "Take care of her, won't you?"

"Of course." Rex said as she let go. "Commander, are you ready?"

Ahsoka had just finished shaking hands with Cut and she nodded.

Rex reached out and carefully picked her up. She winced, but Rex knew it'd be harder for her to walk.

"Thank you again." Rex said. "Take care of yourselves."

The Lawquanes stood outside and waved as Rex carried Ahsoka into the ship. She waved too, until the ship door creaked shut.

"Suu's pregnant." Ahsoka said.

Rex jerked his head up. It was a few hours after they had taken off. Rex sat next to Ahsoka as she rested in the bunk. He knew she preferred that he was there.

"What?" Rex asked. "When did she tell you?"

Ahsoka shook her head.

"She didn't. I could feel the baby's Force signature." She said.

Envy curdled in Rex's stomach. Cut had everything, didn't he? A family, his freedom, and now his own child.

For a brief moment Rex regretted his choice.

Then he smothered those emotions as quickly as he could. Cut might have those dreams fulfilled, but he didn't have his brothers. Rex would do anything to prevent any harm to his vod'e. Even if it meant going back to be humiliated and eventually killed.

He managed to dispel the feelings well enough for actual goodwill for Cut to manifest.

"I'm happy for them." Rex said truthfully.

Ahsoka reached out to touch Rex's arm.

"The war will be over eventually." She told him.

Kriff. He hadn't hidden his resentment well enough.

"Yes, sir." Was all Rex said.

He hoped that she would read his disbelief as mere doubt about the clones' fate.

"You might as well get some sleep, sir." Rex told her. "It'll make the time go by faster."

Ahsoka rolled her eyes.

"I've practically done nothing but sleep lately." She said, but Rex knew she was exhausted. "Fine. Only if you sleep."

Rex frowned.

"One of us has to-"

"The ship's on autopilot." Ahsoka said. "And don't pretend you slept at all last night. Please."

If only to please her, Rex removed his armor and settled on the opposite berth. He had no intention of sleeping; he doubted he could.

Mando'a Translations:

Vod'e: Brothers/sisters

vor entye: thank you, literally 'I accept a debt'

ret'uryce mhi: Goodbye, literally 'maybe we'll meet again'

I have a headcanon that clones can accept death fairly well. They'll grieve the fallen, shed some tears after the fact, but they can handle it. Getting someone back that they thought was lost on the other hand, absolutely destroys them. Rex is able to hang back on Echo because 1, he's stoic and 2, he had time to get used to the idea before actually getting him back. If Fives were there however...tears. Funny story, I was writing how Suu was pregnant and my mom, who reads my fics and is also a huge Star Wars fan, told me humans and Twi'leks couldn't have kids. This is based off of non-canon info in the Republic Commando books, which she'd been reading. And I just went: Mom...one, Jek and Shaeeah are canonically half human...and two...your favorite ship, the human and twi'lek, HAVE A LITERAL BABY.

Rex here has the sense to not challenge Ahsoka on things. Just lie out hisshebs. I noticed something interesting, that Rex can lie no problem to Krell's face, but has a problem with Obi Wan. I'm just gonna say he can lie when lives depend on it.

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