AND WE ARE BACK, BABY!

IrishDrunk14: Thank you so much! I hope you enjoyed last week and will enjoy this week!

4thwallbreak: We did and I hope it is worth the wait!

OneLittleSpark18: HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I'm so glad I get to give you this little present! I hope you have a wonderful day!

Okay, since it has been such a while, I would suggest a quick glance over the latter half of Absolved Chapter 10 as a refresher. Not 11, because IT IS TIME FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.

Mando'a translations at the end!

ABSOLVED: CHAPTER 12

"I'm starting to think Anakin doesn't want us on missions together." Ahsoka said as she started up the shuttle. Then she glanced at R2, who was sitting quietly behind her and Rex. "At least alone."

They didn't really need R2 along with them, but when Rex volunteered to accompany Ahsoka, Anakin had insisted with a gleam in his eye.

They were on their way to Scarif, to meet the potential rebels that their mystery contact had sent. Anakin had wanted someone he trusted on the mission.

"It does seem that way." Rex agreed. "I'm surprised he let me come along on this one."

"Are you sure he said he approved of us?" Ahsoka asked as she guided the shuttle out of the landing bay. "Because he isn't acting like it."

"Positive." Rex said.

She was glad they could talk more openly about their relationship now without him getting awkward or overly serious. Though, she did miss it when he flushed with embarrassment. It was cute.

"So, do you think that this mystery person's telling the truth?" Rex asked once they were in hyperspace.

"We're pretty sure it's Senator Organa." Ahsoka said. "And if it is, we can trust him."

She reached out for his hand and he placed his in hers. She removed the gauntlet and began her ritual of massaging his stiff fingers. He was quiet as she eased the pain from them. That was normal, especially after what happened to Neya Ha. Rex seemed to speak just a bit less now. But now his brow was furrowed.

"What's wrong?" Ahsoka asked.

"I'm concerned about the Bad Batch." He said. "And Omega. Echo's been out of his mind with worry."

Echo had reported Omega's kidnapping a few days before and Ahsoka knew it weighed heavily on Rex.

"I know." Ahsoka said. "I wish we could do more for them."

"I don't understand it." Rex said. "We could help them. At least give them a base of operations."

"I have the feeling that coming back to the Rebellion feels like giving up to them." Ahsoka said. "We'd probably ask them to pull a few jobs while we waited for intel or the like. They don't want distractions."

Rex nodded thoughtfully and relaxed. Ahsoka continued her ministrations. He was so tired, she knew, constantly worrying about the Rebellion and his brothers. Not to mention he was still working with a relationship he never thought he'd have.

He kept glancing between their hands and her face. He was clearly contemplating something. Ahsoka didn't pry. He'd say something if he needed to.

"Ahsoka." Rex said when she put his hand down. He seemed nervous. "May I touch your montrals?"

Ahsoka blinked at him. That was not what she had been expecting. He had touched her lekku before, which was more intimate in a way. Before she had the chance to answer, Rex began speaking again in a rush.

"You help so much with my hands, and I want to return the favor. I- I asked General Ti about ways to help you relax. She told me that I could massage your montrals."

"I help with your hands because I love you." Ahsoka said. "You don't need to return any favor."

"I love you too." He said quietly. "And I want to show it like you show me."

Ahsoka was pleased, but confused. Didn't he know that he showed that he loved her in the way he looked at her, the way he held her, the way he spent every moment he could with her?

But- this was so sweet. She could picture him trying to keep up an air of professionalism as he spoke to Master Ti.

"Of course you can." Ahsoka said.

His eyes shone as he got up from his seat.

"Can you keep us on course, R2?" He asked.

R2 gave a short, annoyed whistle, complaining that he'd just gotten out of watching Anakin and Padme 'canoodle.'

"That's insensitive." Ahsoka told the droid. "We don't even know if Padme's okay."

R2 beeped again, the equivalent to rolling his eyes. Rex moved around to the back of her seat. His hands touched her montrals, hesitant. Ahsoka was surprised by how soothing just having his hands' weight on them was.

"What should I avoid?" Rex asked.

Ahsoka looked up at him. He was so sincere, excited to perform his own act of affection.

"It's pretty hard to hurt them." She said. "I trust you."

She felt him take a deep breath and his fingers began to gently rub circles into her montrals. Almost immediately she felt her body relax. Her head was filled with a pleasant fuzzing sound as he continued.

She hadn't realized how tired she was. Drowsiness hit her in waves. The only thing stopping her from drifting off was the tender touch on her head. Then it stopped.

"Hey." She mumbled, half lifting her hand to find out what was wrong.

She felt him chuckle and there was a soft pressure between her montrals.

"Go to sleep, cyare."

The next thing Ahsoka knew, the ship shuddered beneath them as they came out of hyperspace. She jerked her head up. Clarity came rushing back to her. That was a six hour trip- had she slept the whole time?

"We're here." Rex, who was sitting in his own chair now.

Ahsoka turned to him.

"Why did you let me sleep that whole time?" She asked. "We were supposed to prepare to meet these people!"

"There's still time for that." Rex said. "You keep telling me how I need to rest, but you work just as hard as I do. More, I'd say."

She frowned at him, but she did feel refreshed and relaxed. She leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek.

"Thank you." She said.

He gently took her face to kiss her on the lips.

"Just ask." He said.

Ahsoka was rather content to sit and stare into his beautiful amber eyes, but R2 wheeled in, beeping something about how they were here, they needed to get going. Rex stood and helped Ahsoka out of her own chair. They looked together out of the viewport. Scarif was gorgeous. The waters were a clear blue, the sand of the islands was white, and the strange, tall trees swayed in the wind. They had landed on one of the smaller islands on an archipelago dotted with wooden buildings.

"It's a resort planet, mostly." Ahsoka told Rex as he surveyed the landscape.

"I know." He said. "I do my research."

They continued looking at the lovely view. Ahsoka couldn't help but wish they were here to rest and enjoy themselves together, rather than work. R2 whistled at them impatiently.

"Right, right." Rex said and began removing his armor.

Blacks tended to leave very little to the imagination and Ahsoka stole a glance at his chest before turning around. Their relationship was progressing well and Ahsoka didn't want to rush Rex, but she couldn't deny wanting things to develop a little faster. She battened down those thoughts so Rex couldn't pick up on them. He didn't need that pressure on him.

She removed her own armor and visor, leaving her only in her form-fitting black dress. She replaced the visor with a simple blue headband. The real disguise was the gauzy, colorful head wrapping that she twisted around her montrals and lekku. She opened her eyes wide and squeezed a few drops from a small bottle into them. Kix had said it would turn her eyes violet.

She glanced backwards and nearly choked. Rex was in a loose, sleeveless vest tucked into his blacks bottoms. His chest was nearly bare. Ahsoka had seen shirtless clones before, but mostly in a medical situation or a quick flash in the barracks. Rex was flushed red and that color deepened when he glanced at her.

"Fives picked it out." He said stiffly.

Ahsoka overcame her temporary stupor and smiled at him.

"I like it." She said, coming to take his arm. "You look very handsome."

Ahsoka hadn't thought it possible, but he flushed deeper.

"I wish-" He started, but faltered.

Ahsoka felt the rest of the sentence in his mind. He wished, like her, that they were here to enjoy themselves, that he was dressed like this for her and not the mission.

"One day." She promised.

He nodded.

"You look nice too." He said.

She grinned at him and kissed his check.

"Let's go."

R2 beeped at them. Ahsoka glanced at him.

"Tattoos." She said. "Right."

She pressed the patch Tech had developed onto her forearm and it quickly took on the tone of her skin. She put one on her shoulder and saw Rex do the same.

Ahsoka studied Rex for a moment. He almost didn't look like a clone soldier. His hair was longer than she'd seen it, but not as long as regulation. He'd applied similar eye drops, so his eyes were a dark green. And what clone would be blonde? There was just one thing.

"Relax." She told him.

"This is a delicate mission." Rex said. "I need to be on guard."

"No, relax your shoulders." Ahsoka said. "You stand like a soldier."

Rex blinked at her. Degree by degree his shoulders dropped into a more relaxed position. Somehow, he managed to make it look uncomfortable.

"Maybe not." Ahsoka said.

Rex looked relieved as he immediately shifted into perfect posture.

"Keep an eye on us, R2." Ahsoka told the droid as the door of the shuttle lowered.

R2 whirred an assent as Ahsoka and Rex disembarked. The sun flashed in Ahsoka's eyes as they stepped out into the warm air. The smell of salt was nearly overwhelming to Ahsoka's sensitive nose. The sound of the waves lapping at the island was pleasant, though.

Ahsoka reattached herself to Rex's arm as they headed out towards the group of buildings. There were a few people out in the cobbled streets, but Ahsoka could see that most of the visitors were out on the beaches and playing in the waves.

The cantina was easy to spot, as it was by far the largest building on the main island. Music with a lazy beat wafted from its doors. Rex pushed aside the cloth hanging over the entrance. The only light inside was sunlight streaming from cracks in the roof. A few couples sat at tables, but it was clear business was slow as the Duros bartender perked up at the sight of them.

"Oh, has the shuttle from Coruscant arrived?" The man said as Rex and Ahsoka took a few steps in. "We were told it was delayed for at least two rotations!"

Ahsoka and Rex glanced at each other. Delayed?

"No." Ahsoka said in her native Shili accent. "We came on our own ship. We were supposed to be meeting friends coming on that shuttle. Do you know what's happened?"

"Oh, just the new Empire." The Duros said. "It's blocked off some of the Hyperspace lanes, so they have to take the long way."

Ahsoka forced herself to shrug.

"Oh well." She said. "It's only a few rotations. And there couldn't be a more beautiful place to wait."

Rex was tense beside her.

"Do you have a reservation?" The Duros asked. "I can still get you checked in, even if your party hasn't shown up yet."

Ahsoka had to make a decision. Do they wait and risk being caught? Or leave, abandoning possible allies?

Rex? She asked in her mind. What do you think?

They might have information about what happened to the remaining Kaminoans. Rex replied I say we stay.

"We don't have a reservation." Ahsoka said. "But we were hoping you had an opening."

"Nothing in the deluxe suites." The bartender replied. "But we have a few of our basic huts open. I don't know if we have enough for your friends, though."

"That's their bad." Ahsoka said. "Besides, a few nights to ourselves sounds perfect. Right, Jaiv?"

Rex looked down at her and smiled.

"Of course." He said.

"So the names-" The bartender prompted.

"Jaiv and Karta." Rex said.

Karta sounded suspiciously like kar'ta. Ahsoka sent Rex.

He sent back the equivalent of a sheepish shrug.

"All right, for how long?"

"Three nights." Rex said. "Should give our friends enough time to get here."

"That'll be fifteen hundred credits." The Duros said. "We do still accept Republic currency. The Empire hasn't bothered us that much about it."

Ahsoka had to resist a hiss of surprise at the price. That was half the price of a speeder bike! Rex didn't blink as he retrieved a mix of Imperial and Republic credits. They had managed to steal some Imperial money, but they had learned a while back that some places still accepted Republic credits.

"Thank you." The Duros said. "Yours is Isk Hut. It'll be with the huts with the green painted doors. If you need any help, ask for Hok. Can I interest you in any drinks?"

The drinks were as overpriced as the hut, but they bought a bottle of emerald wine. Ahsoka doubted it was really from Naboo's Theed Palace as Hok claimed, but they took the bottle and made their way to the hut they had rented.

The hut was actually fairly nice, better than Ahsoka had expected. There was a single large bed, table with two chairs, and a miniature fridger.

Together they swept the hut for any bugs or recording devices. Their scans came up with nothing.

Ahsoka activated her comm as soon as they were in the clear.

"R2, contact Anakin." She said. "The shuttle was delayed. We're staying until it arrives in a rotation or two."

R2 beeped an acknowledgement and Ahsoka turned to Rex.

"So." She said. She felt excited. They had wanted so badly to have a chance to relax together, without the certainty of being interrupted. Suddenly that chance was in front of them. "What do you want to do?"

Rex looked at her with a strained expression.

"We should lay low." He said. "Stay in here and wait."

Ahsoka felt herself deflate.

"That's what we should do." She agreed.

He hesitated. She could feel his longing burn as fiercely as hers.

"It would be suspicious if we just stayed in the hut all day." He said.

"I think we can go splash in the waves a little bit." She said.

He nodded. Ahsoka took his hand and led him into the bright sunlight.

Scarif was beautiful. Rex had little to base this off of, as most of the places he had fought had been war torn or he had been too preoccupied to notice the planet's aesthetic merits. But he had been to Naboo and this place gave him the same feeling Senator Amidala's home planet did.

The air was warm, the breeze was cool, and the sound of waves lapping against the shore was peaceful. Ahsoka was with him, smiling at him often as they walked along the beach. Her hand was always in his. They had nothing to do but wait.

Rex was miserable.

He felt guilty being here. He felt guilty for wanting time alone with his ven'riduur. He felt guilty for enjoying the sights of the planet.

He was a soldier. He wasn't made to have pleasure. With the galaxy in the state it was in, what right did he have to enjoy himself?

He tried to keep these thoughts to himself. Ahsoka was clearly enjoying herself, though he saw a mirror of his own guilt to a lesser degree in her mind. She deserved this break and he would not keep her from enjoying herself.

She, of course, noticed. It took a few hours for her to bring it up. They had settled on the beach, watching the glorious spread of colors from the sunset. She was leaned into his side, while he had his arm around her shoulders.

"Hey." She said, touching his face. "What else are we supposed to do while we wait?"

"I don't know." Rex said in a low voice. He kept his eyes towards the sunset. "Treat it like a mission."

"And how would that help anyone?" She asked. "I understand how you feel. But right now all we can do is wait. Like you said, it would be suspicious if we stayed inside our room this whole time."

"It feels wrong." Rex said.

Ahsoka turned his head to look at her.

"It's not wrong to enjoy things." She said. "It's not wrong to be happy that you're with someone you love."

"I feel as if we're stealing time." Rex said. "We weren't supposed to be here. It's only a fluke that we're here longer."

"The Force doesn't do flukes." Ahsoka said.

"You're saying the Force cares whether or not we have time to ourselves." Rex said with a raised eyebrow.

"I'm saying the Force needs us to be able to do what it asks." Ahsoka said. "It's asking us to stop Palpatine. And to do that, we need to replenish our strength."

Rex looked into her color-changed eyes. He wished they were her normal blue. She was tired and she was only now showing Rex how deep that weariness went. Her soul was at its limits.

Seeing her exhaustion made him acutely aware of his own.

Maybe they needed this time. Maybe without it they couldn't be the leaders General Skywalker and his brothers needed them to be.

That thought made it easy to accept this small gift.

Rex raised his own hand to her face.

"Tell the Force I said 'thank you.'" He said. "For this and for you."

"Tell it yourself." She said. "I'm too busy thanking it every day for you."

She turned her head to kiss his palm.

"Every hour." She said against his hand.

The vibrations made him shiver. That was nothing to the shudder than ran through his body as she leaned forward and kissed his collarbone.

"Every minute."

She kissed his neck next. Desire began to burn low in his stomach and he felt his heart quicken.

"Every second."

Her lips were on his jaw next. His breathing was turning ragged. Ahsoka was looking into his eyes now. Rex couldn't tell if his heart had stopped beating or was thudding so quickly that he couldn't tell the pulses apart.

To his own surprise, he was the one to lean forward and kiss her. She met him eagerly. Her hands crept up his face and she ran her fingers through his hair.

No.

The familiar fear began churning out a freezing counter to his desire.

Not yet.

Carefully, because he feared any movement based on instinct would betray him, he broke the kiss.

Ahsoka chased after him, pressing her lips to his nearly as soon as he moved away. He turned his head and she paused, though her hands were still caressing his head.

"Ahsoka." He said, pleading with her to understand.

"Why not?" She asked. "Why are you so afraid?"

Rex pulled away from her, the places where she had touched him feeling cold. He had been careless. He had let her get him to this point, to where he wanted nothing more than her. He was slipping. He needed to have the self denial that had been ironed into him on Kamino.

"I'm not afraid." He lied. "I'm just- not ready."

He hated the flash of disappointment in their bond at his words. He felt her quash the feeling and she replaced it with careful acceptance.

"I know." She said. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have pushed you."

Rex looked away. He used the excuse that he wasn't ready so easily, though for a while he had no idea what it meant for him. He had spent hours in his quarters, hands clenched at his head as he tried to understand what made him so afraid of being intimate with her. He had felt like a coward. He still felt like a coward, knowing that what held him back was fear. He wanted to tell her, but the words wouldn't come.

He glanced at her. She was looking at him with her head slightly cocked, confusion evident in her eyes.

She deserved an answer.

He held his hand out to her.

"Let me show you." He said. "It's hard for me to say."

She took his hand and pulled him closer again. Her hands moved to his temples. He closed his eyes, ready for her mental touch.

The first thought Rex showed her was of Senator Amidala, a memory he had of her. General Skywalker had sent Rex to let her know that he would be delayed. When she had answered the door, Rex had been shocked to see her fear at seeing him. She had thought Rex was there to tell her that General Skywalker was dead.

The next thought was also a memory, of General Skywalker standing on the bridge of the Defiant, hands clenched on his upper arms. It was after Order 66 and the General had no idea if Senator Amidala was all right. Rex could see the pain the General tried so hard to hold back. The General had to keep going, despite the agony he was in. He had to pretend like nothing was wrong.

Rex took a deep breath. He knew what to say now. He reached up and took Ahsoka's hands in his.

"I love you." He said. "More than I rightly understand. But we don't know what the future holds. I can't be with you unless I can promise that I will stay with you. And I can't do that. I've seen what that separation has done to the General and Senator Amidala. I won't do that to you."

Ahsoka looked at him. Love that he couldn't comprehend shone in her eyes.

"You can make that promise." She said. "The Force has bound us to each other, Rex. Even separated, even in death, we will share this connection."

Her words lifted a burden from his shoulders he hadn't quite realized was there. He had been so afraid of breaking her heart if he didn't come back from a mission. But if he was with her, even in death-

We are one when together, we are one when parted. Words from the riduurok echoed through his head.

Rex took her face in his hands and pressed his forehead to hers. He closed his eyes

"Will you make that promise with me?" He asked.

"Yes." She said. There was no hesitation in her voice. "I will."

Rex bathed in her love for a moment, marveling that it was for him. It was matched in magnitude in his own heart, every beat pounding out his adoration for the magnificent woman kneeling with him.

"Mhi solus tome, mhi solus dar'tome, mhi me'dinui an, mhi ba'juri verde." He said.

She whispered the words back. Rex pressed his lips to hers with as much tenderness as he could conjure. She met him with equal gentleness.

"Ner 'Soka." He murmured as he pulled away.

For a moment they stayed where they were, just breathing together. Then Ahsoka wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down.

If the first kiss had been love, then this one was passion. Ahsoka pressed against him with a need that he understood in his soul. The desire flared again, but this time he did not try to extinguish it. He put his hands to her hips, pulling her flush to his chest. Ahsoka took hold of his vest, pulling it down off his shoulders. Rex shuddered as she drew her hands down his bare chest.

Ahsoka was the one to break the kiss this time. Rex stopped himself from starting it again and waited for her lead. She looked up at him. Her eyes had returned to their beautiful blue and they sparkled. Her gorgeous orange skin was flushed and her breathing was heavy. Kriff, she was beautiful.

"Not here." She said.

Rex immediately felt like an idiot. Of course- they were out in the open on a very public beach.

She stood and Rex followed her. Ahsoka smiled at him and took his hand. She took a step towards their hut and Rex let her lead him.

Ahsoka Tano. Ex-Jedi, former Commander of the GAR. Rebel leader. One of the kindest, most caring, most powerful beings in the universe.

His wife.

Mando'a:

cyare: beloved

kar'ta: heart. Rex literally just calls Ahsoka heart for her cover name.

ven'riduur: lit. before spouse. A term I made up because Mando'a doesn't really have a word for partner for before husband/wife/spouse. Kind of like boyfriend or girfriend or someone you're courting.

riduurok: love bond, specifically between spouses - marriage agreement

Mhi solus tome, mhi solus dar'tome, mhi me'dinui an, mhi ba'juri verde: The words of the ridurook. Lit. We are one when together, we are one when parted. We will share all, we will raise warriors

Ner: My

And finally they get a break! (and an actual chapter to themselves in a story in which they are the main characters) Everything has been so plot heavy lately, I wanted a stab at an almost purely romantic chapter. Very little angst, and only a bit of plot. It's really the first that I've written, so I hope you guys like it!

I like the idea of Scarif being a resort planet before the Empire took over. It's so PRETTY. And then the Empire kicked everyone out and eventually blew it up.

Rex mirrors me a little bit here. Trying to give yourself a break when other people are working or you have things to do is really difficult. Luckily Rex has Ahsoka to convince him that IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A BREAK, YOU WILL BURN OUT AND NOT BE ABLE TO DO THE THING YOU NEED TO DO.

I wish I had built this up a little more before hand, but Rex really is afraid of leaving Ahsoka behind. He watches Anakin deal with it every day and he's afraid of both hurting her and interrupting her work. Luckily the Force solves everything. Thanks, the Force.

I think that's everything! Now I gotta go get ready for class.

Stay safe, remember to review, and have a good week!