WARNING: lots of angst and panicking.

EXT. PLANET CAVE - DAY

Ahsoka, Rex, and Fives run into a cave. They're on a dry planet scouting out a location for a Republic base in this sector. Only problem with this planet is that it has earthquakes. And LOTS of them.

They run inside just as another earthquake starts. Ahsoka bends over to the side from the pressure. Fives runs in a crooked line.

FIVES
Get inside!

The rock wall grumbles, and with a loud clatter, the entrance of the cave falls to pieces.

AHSOKA
We need to get out!

FIVES
No time!

The entrance is blocked. Ahsoka turns around to see Rex's body caught underneath the rocks.

AHSOKA
Rex!

Ahsoka runs over to him. Fives follows her.

FIVES
(on comms)
Captain's down. Kix we need you.

KIX
(over comms)
Echo and I are a bit busy!

FIVES
(on comms)
Get here as fast as you can.

KIX
(over comms)
I hear you. Out.

The comms click off. Ahsoka takes off Rex's helmet. He's passed out.

AHSOKA
Stand back.

Ahsoka uses the force to lift some of the rocks pinning Rex under. Fives pulls Rex out. Ahsoka lets the rocks fall. The cave shakes.

Ahsoka runs over to Rex and places his head in her lap. Fives takes off his helmet.

FIVES
How do we wake him up?

AHSOKA
I don't know. Call Kix.

FIVES
He said he was busy. I hope they're not stuck, too.

AHSOKA
I hope not.

FIVES
(stands up)
I'll go see if there's another way out.

Fives runs down deeper into the cave. Ahsoka drags Rex's body to the side of the cave. She leans up against the wall and places his head on her lap again.

AHSOKA
Please wake up, Rex. Please be okay.

Ahsoka places her hands on the side of his face. She closes her eyes. She can feel his pain, even though he's unconscious.

Ahsoka opens her eyes and looks down at Rex. As she stares, tears begin to well up in her eyes. She looks up, hoping the tears will dry.

Rex stirs awake. He contorts his face in pain.

AHSOKA
(yells)
FIVES! GET BACK HERE!

Her voice echoes down the cave. She looks at Rex.

AHSOKA
Everything is going to be okay.

Rex's breathing begins to speed up faster and faster. He's panicking. Ahsoka puts a hand on his chest. His breathing quickens.

REX
I can't feel anything.

AHSOKA
It's okay. You're probably just in shock.

REX
I can't move my legs.

Ahsoka's eyes widen. She pulls Rex up against the wall and sits him upright.

AHSOKA
You still can't feel anything?

Rex shakes his head. Ahsoka keeps her hands on his shoulders as she hovers over his lap. She looks back into the heart of the cave.

AHSOKA
FIVES!

She hears footsteps. Fives comes running out of the shadows.

FIVES
I'm here! What is it?

AHSOKA
Rex can't feel anything. He can't move.

FIVES
Not at all?

Rex shakes his head again. But this time he looks like he might puke. Ahsoka shuffles over to his side and holds an arm around his stomach so he won't tip over. Rex turns his head the opposite direction and hurls.

FIVES
(on comms)
Kix. Kix. Come in. We have an emergency.

KIX
(over comms)
What is it?

FIVES
The Captain was stuck under a huge pile of rocks. We freed him, but now he can't move any of his muscles, only his head.

KIX
(over comms)
Don't move him. We'll be there shortly.

The comms click off. Ahsoka puts a hand on Rex's face. He looks longingly into her eyes.

AHSOKA
Everything is going to be okay.

Rex closes his eyes in her hand and turns so that his lips are in her palm. Fives sits down next to Rex.

FIVES
I've never seen him like that before.

Ahsoka and Rex both give him a look. Ahsoka sits down comfortably and puts one of Rex's arms around her shoulder to support him. She looks into his face.

AHSOKA
Let me know if you feel anything.

Rex's breathing becomes strained.

REX
That doesn't feel good.

AHSOKA
What?!

Rex starts screaming out in pain. Fives and Ahsoka both lunge forward at the same time and lay Rex down on the floor.

Ahsoka leans over Rex. He's still screaming out in pain.

AHSOKA
What's happening?

Rex won't speak. Fives looks at Ahsoka with a worried expression.

FIVES
He never screams.

Ahsoka frantically looks around, tears threatening to spill out. Fives holds his brother's hand.

AHSOKA
(small voice)
Is he going to be okay?

Fives puts his other hand on Ahsoka's shoulder.

FIVES
He always pulls through.

Rex's screaming stops. His face looks like he's still in pain and his breathing is very irregular. His face turns white.

Ahsoka lowers her head closer to Rex's.

AHSOKA
Just focus on breathing.

Rex tries to breathe. One of Ahsoka's tears falls on his face. She wipes her eyes. Fives grips Ahsoka's shoulder tighter. Rex's breathing becomes even shakier.

KIX
(over comms)
We're outside the cave. Blowing up the wall in a minute.

FIVES
Copy that. We're clear of any explosions.

KIX
(over comms)
I'll comm before we detonate.

The comms click off. Rex is barely breathing. Ahsoka puts her hands behind his head and brings his head up to her forehead.

AHSOKA
Keep breathing. Please.

Ahsoka feels his breathing stop. She buries her face into his.

AHSOKA
(gasping)
Noo.

KIX
(over comms)
About to detonate.

FIVES
(on comms)
Hurry up. He's not breathing.

As Ahsoka presses into Rex's face, her tears spill over onto him. She gasps while crying and holds his face tight. Her lips accidentally touch his. She pushes her nose harder into his face.

The wall detonates. Kix and Echo come running over.

Fives pries Ahsoka away from Rex. Echo grabs Rex's body and lies him down while Kix opens his medical pack.

Fives puts his arms around Ahsoka's waist and sits her in his lap as he leans against the wall. Ahsoka turns around in his arms and curls up into his chest, crying. Fives puts a hand on her head.

FIVES
It's okay, Ahsoka.

She shudders in his arms. Fives wraps her in a tighter embrace.

FIVES
He'll be okay.

Fives holds Ahsoka as she sobs into his chest.

KIX
Echo, I need you get the ship and pick us up here.

ECHO
Got it.

Echo runs out of the cave. Kix looks over at Ahsoka in Fives' arms.

KIX
He'll be alright. He's actually seen worse.

Ahsoka looks out at Kix with a hopeful gleam from Fives' arms.

FIVES
It sounded like he was paralyzed.

KIX
He's not. His body will heal. His brain didn't know what to do with the shock.

Kix looks back at Rex. Fives looks down at Ahsoka and nudges her in his arms.

FIVES
Hear that? He's alright. What did I tell you?

Ahsoka sniffs and leans back against Fives' chest. Fives smiles and holds her tight again.

Ahsoka perks up at the sound of the ship landing outside the cave. Echo runs back in with a stretcher.

FIVES
Let's go, Commander.

Fives puts his hands around Ahsoka's waist and lifts her up. He walks her to the ship.

INT. SHIP - DAY

Ahsoka stands worriedly over Rex's bed on the ship as they take off. The medical droid checks his vitals.

MEDICAL DROID
He's doing fine. Let him rest.

Ahsoka nods at the droid. The droid walks off.

Ahsoka puts a hand on Rex's cheek. She sighs, looking at his peaceful face.

AHSOKA
(whispers)
I thought you were dying.

REX
(mumbles)
I wasn't.

His eyes flutter open.

AHSOKA
Rex!

Rex gives her a small smile. Ahsoka lowers her forehead to his. Rex smiles and closes his eyes, breathing in her presence. Next thing he knows, her lips are locked with his. He kisses her back and slides a hand around the back of her neck.

Ahsoka breaks away and leans over Rex, surrounding him in a hug.

AHSOKA
It felt like I lost you. I couldn't breathe I was crying so hard.

Rex wraps his arms around her and holds her tight.

REX
I'm here. And I'm not leaving you.

Ahsoka pulls back to look him in the face.

AHSOKA
I love you, Rex.

Rex puts a hand on her face and rubs his thumb against her cheek.

REX
I love you, Ahsoka.

They stare into each other's eyes unable to look away.

ECHO
(over comms)
Ahsoka, you're needed on the bridge.

AHSOKA
(on comms)
I'm coming.

Ahsoka looks at Rex.

AHSOKA
I'll see you later.

She slips out of his embrace and heads for the door.

REX
(quietly)
I love you.

Ahsoka smiles as the door slides shut behind her. Rex looks at the door with pure joy illuminating from his face.