The Lightening Sky

by heavenseed

Summary:

Nova was a simple Academy student who drove an air taxi to pay the bills. The GAR barracks, the Jedi Temple and the Senate District were great places to pick up fares; meeting a blonde clone captain was just a perk of the job. For Rex, Nova is a sweet distraction from the horrors of war. But does a man with so much responsibility need a distraction like Nova, or will their friendship be the downfall of the entire GAR?

Chapter 1: Meet Nova

Nova was a simple girl. She didn’t want for much. She was just a cab driver on the upper levels of Coruscant, who wanted to graduate from the Academy with a degree that would get her out of the cab and into something more lucrative. Anthropology, biology, archeology; she loved studying people, cultures and traditions. She didn’t have many of her own, growing up in the mid-levels of the city-planet. She’d never been off-world for kriff’s sake. The pollution on Coruscant left much to be desired by way of stargazing, so her view of the galaxy was always tainted by smog, light pollution and simply time to look up. She spent nearly all her time in class, studying or driving.  What little time was spent in her dime-sized apartment was usually sleeping or eating, indulging in the occasional water shower and delivered food. Driving an airtaxi was lucrative, especially after bar close. Only the most savvy and street-hardened cab drivers would take fares from the entertainment district, expecting drunken sleemos and handsy losers to be the bulk of their clientele. Nova had a secret, however. She stuck with the men coming from the dock and the barracks of the Grand Army of the Republic and the clones making their way to one of the few places on the planet that would serve them: 79’s. She didn’t get tips, but each ride was guaranteed and the more she did, the more she was paid. If a clone picked up a date, she might make a few extra credits, but most importantly, it was regular income. If there were no ships docked for shore leave, the barracks of the Coruscant Guard were always a good place to find fares, as was the Senate building and the Jedi Temple. 

Nova wasn’t naive by any stretch of the imagination. She’d had her fair share of muggings and skippers. She’d fought off her share of groping hands and sleemos who thought her body was part of the taxi service. Growing up in the mid-levels taught a girl a thing or two about how to take care of herself. Her taxi, thankfully, was paid off, and she made her own schedule, giving her time for her studies at the academy and her volunteer pursuits. While her parents still lived and thrived on planet, she rarely visited, her desire to be more than they ever were a perceived slight and an insult they had yet to forgive. Nova didn’t have time for their drama. 

While she was used to clones in all manner of armor, undress, and civilian clothing, she was quite caught off-guard the day she met the Captain of the 501st. Nova had seen clones with scars, cybernetic eyes, strange tattoos and painted armor, but in the year she had been picking clones up from the GAR barracks and volunteering in the GAR rehabilitation facility, she had never seen a blond clone before.

It had been a long day of exams, which Nova wasn’t entirely sure she had passed. She had just said goodbye to the troops she’s been volunteering with for the past three months and was feeling melancholy. The sun was setting, casting the cityscape into a cool pink glow, though the neon lights of the clone bar 79’s washed out any natural color to be had. Nova let out her fare and stepped out of the cab to stretch. She tucked a few strands of her chin-length curly hair back into the barrette holding it off her face and pulled her jacket around her. A cool breeze wafted through the streets, making her eyes water. Another taxi pulled up in front of hers as she leaned on the door of her vehicle, turning her focus to the raucous laughter emanating from within. The door to the taxi opened and several clones spilled out, all of them wearing white armor detailed with 501st blue. One had a distinct Republic cog tattoo over his head and face, while the one who followed him wore a neatly trimmed goatee. The third clone had designs buzzed into the sides of his short hair and was scowling at the other two. Nova watched the three troopers with some amusement as they goaded a fourth man who was still inside the taxi to exit the vehicle.

“C’mon! You can have one drink with us Captain! It’s my first shore leave!” The clone with the goatee rolled his eyes. “Kix, tell him it’s not against regulations!”

“If the captain doesn’t want to drink, he doesn’t have to.” The man with the buzzed hair replied with an equally exasperated tone.

“Cap, seriously, Cody will be here. He specifically asked for you to have a whisky with him!” Cog tattoo insisted.

The last trooper in the taxi stepped out, his hands raised in defeat. “I’m coming, I’m coming, you mother nunas! I’m only staying for an hour though. I have reports for that last campaign to finish and I’m already behind!” Even with his scowling face and his arms coming to cross over his armored chest, Nova was captivated by him. His blonde buzz cut somehow softened the chiseled features the GAR clones shared, deep-set amber eyes glinting in the setting sun. They stopped on Nova for a mere heartbeat and froze her to the spot. The clone with the goatee grabbed the Captain’s upper arm and dragged him across the landing platform and into the bar, breaking their eye contact before either of them could blink.

The night dragged on like any other, taking officers and troopers to and from the GAR barracks to 79’s, which was nothing if not amusing, and as per usual, easy money. As the hour got late, Nova took the opportunity to cash in on her status as a taxi driver and grab a meal to go from the bar, locking up her cab at the curb and making her way through the throngs of identical faces to the service counter. A nerf burger and veg fries to go were ready by the time she was out of the fresher, waiting in a bag at the counter. The food service counter was adjacent to a bank of holo screens showing various sports games and news feeds, which wasn’t of much interest to most who came to the bar. Sitting on a stool, engrossed in a boloball game though, was the blonde clone Nova had noticed earlier. He was sat by himself, nursing a mug of ardees and cheering on Alderaan. The droid behind the bar was paying him little mind. Nova watched the man for a moment, smirking as he mumbled to himself at the antics of the players on the screen.

“Dikut! Can’t even keep the goddamned ball.” The armored man took a big swig of his drink and set it down with a clunk next to his helmet. “Aww! C’mon! Seriously! Let’s see some defense for kriff’s sake!” He gestured to the screen and ran his hand over his buzzed head. Nova looked up at the screen and grinned. 

Taking a chance she sat at the bar several stools down from him.

“So you’re an Avalanche fan, huh?” She asked, looking up at the screen.

“I was until they started losing. I don’t know what the kriff they’re doing tonight.” The clone grumbled, his eyes on the screen.

“I never liked Alderaan. I’ve always been a Corrie girl.” Nova opened her package and took out her burger.

“Coruscant’s a wringer. I like the underdogs.” The clone turned to look at Nova fully. He had an open, kind face and a smile that said it didn’t show itself often. Nova couldn’t help but smile back. 

“Yeah, but they’re my team, you know, Triple Zero’s my home.” Nova said with a grimace.

“I suppose if my home world had a team I’d support them too.” The clone shrugged.

“You’re just here to enjoy the boloball games? You’re not here to dance with pretty civilians or find someone to take home?” Nova asked between bites of food.

The clone trooper scoffed. “Home would be the barracks. I doubt any pretty girl would want to to go back to the barracks with a clone.” The game caught his attention once again. “No way! That was a foul!” The clone trooper seemed to finally take notice of Nova next to him. “What about you? You don’t seem like the type to hang out at a bar that serves clones.”

Nova swallowed her bite of food and smiled at the man next to her, who was in full armor. “I’m not. I’m on duty, actually. I fly an airtaxi. Just grabbing a bite before I start my bar close runs.” 

A large human male named Dak, one of the bouncers, approached Nova with a smile. “Since when do you stick around, Curly?” The bouncer leaned over the bar, his muscular frame on display through a stretched sleeveless shirt.

Nova rolled her eyes. “Since I started getting car sick eating in my cab!”

“YES!” The clone trooper raised his mug to the screens with a genuine smile, his triumphant outburst giving Nova a start.

Another clone in armor painted with warm gold accents came striding over to the bar, clapping the man Nova had been speaking to on the shoulder. “Good game?” He asked, setting a helmet with a distinct gold visor down on the bar top next to the other clones.

“Ori’vod! My boys dragged me out here just to see you and you were nowhere to be found!” The clone trooper in blue said with feigned anger.

“Just needed to relax a little. Get my dick wet.” The newcomer sat next to his friend with a swagger. 

The other trooper’s jaw dropped at the crass turn of phrase. “Cody!” he scoffed, his face turning red.

Cody nudged the other man with his shoulder, laughing. “You should try it sometime vod!” Cody laughed.

Dak met Nova’s eyes, who sighed as she popped a fry into her mouth.

“Rex here was doing just fine on his own.” Dak nodded toward Nova, giving Cody a pointed look. Nova’s eyes went wide.

Cody looked over at the unassuming woman sitting at the end of the bar. She was petite, her curly black hair held back from her face with just a plain barrette. She wasn’t dressed for the club and looked like an eopie in speeder lights as he looked her over. She was attractive in a simple way, Cody thought. Perfect for his little brother.

Coming off the stool in one suave move, Cody stepped over to Nova, his smile pulled crooked on one side by a scar that trailed up the side of his face. Nova returned his gaze warily. “Well hello, mesh’la.” He sat next to her, straddling the stool. Behind him, Rex scrubbed a hand over his face in embarrassment.

“Hello?” Nova raised an eyebrow at Cody.

“You’ve been chatting up my brother.” Cody replied, his brown eyes twinkling playfully.

“We’ve been talking about the boloball game.” Nova took a bite of her burger, wiping her mouth on the back of her hand.

“Cody! Come have that drink with me. Leave the poor girl to her dinner!” Rex called from down the bar.

Nova and Cody regarded one another for a long moment, before the trooper stood again. “It was nice to meet you…” He raised an eyebrow in question.

“Nova. Cab THX 1138 if you need a ride home to the barracks.” Nova said with a grin.

“Nova. Lovely.” Cody rapped his knuckles on the bar and backed away from her, winking before turning around to sit next to Rex again.

Dak snorted a deep laugh. “That was hella awkward!” He said, reaching for Nova’s empty food box as she shoved the remainder of her burger into her mouth. She swallowed it with a swig of fizz pop, setting the bottle down hard.

“You’re telling me!” She grumbled. “Back to work!” 

Dak tilted her empty bottle at her and nodded goodbye as Nova turned to leave, looking back to see Rex and Cody with their heads together in conversation. With not a little regret for their interrupted conversation, Nova sighed and slunk out of the club and back to her cab.

Two hours later, a familiar gold set of armor hastily flopped into the back seat of cab THX 1138, along with a scantily clad woman, who immediately latched on to the soldier’s face the second the door closed. 

Nova cleared her throat and asked loudly, “Where ya headed?” as she adjusted the rearview mirror.

The armored soldier busied himself with holding the woman on his lap and noisily kissing and sucking her neck, leaving bruises in his wake as she broke away to give Nova the coordinates to her apartment. The entire ride was spent with Nova mentally calculating how to pay for a privacy screen in her cab so she wouldn’t have to witness such debauchery again. Although, she would be hard pressed to say she wasn’t impressed with Cody’s ability to give the woman two thigh-shaking orgasms by the time they pulled up to her apartment complex. As they broke apart and the woman stepped out of the cab, Nova met Cody’s eyes in the rearview mirror, his face splitting into a toothy smile when he recognized her.

“Rex’ll need a ride home too mesh’la.” Cody simpered as he handed Nova his card. Nova silently held it to the reader and passed it back when he signed off on the charge.

“Take care, soldier.” Nova said cordially.

Cody chuckled as he unfolded himself from the cab. Nova drove away without looking back.

The night drew to a close and like most nights, Nova was one of the last cabs available outside 79’s at the end of the night. To her surprise, she found the blond trooper in blue and white armor standing alone on the platform as she landed for her last run. As he got into the cab, she noticed the dark circles under his eyes.

“Home to bed soldier?” Nova quipped as she keyed in the coordinates for the GAR barracks.

Rex met Nova’s eyes in the rearview mirror. His face brightened considerably as recognition dawned.

“It’s you!” He said, sitting taller in the center of the seat. His broad shoulders and armor made him seem bigger in the confined space of the cab.

“Nova.” She smiled at him through the mirror. They just stared at eachother awkwardly for a moment. “Where to Colonel?”

Rex caught himself staring. “Oh, um, GAR barracks.” He chuckled shyly, rubbing the back of his neck as Nova lifted away from the club. “It’s Captain, actually. Captain Rex.”

They rode in silence, the lights of the upper city rolling over their faces as they went. Nova watched the Captain through the mirror as he watched the buildings pass.

“Your friend Cody didn’t find you someone to go home with?” Nova asked finally.

Rex blushed furiously from the back seat, shaking his head slowly. “Ugh. My brother Cody. He would have if I let him.” He laughed. It was a deep, whole body thing that seemed to come from the very base of his being, warming something vital in Nova’s stomach. She grinned stupidly back at him.

“He seemed pretty happy with the woman he went home with.” Nova teased.

Rex blushed even deeper. “Oh stars. He is quite the lady’s man! It’s too bad he’s pining after someone he can’t have.”

“What, you don’t share your brother’s penchant for letting loose and finding someone to ‘relax’ with, when you’ve got shore leave?” Nova asked teasingly as she turned down the last lane toward the GAR complex.

“I don’t have time, frankly.” Rex scratched idly at his brow with his thumb, finding it difficult to meet Nova’s eye in the rear view mirror. “I usually spend my downtime keeping my squad out of the brig or writing reports.” He chuckled, looking out at the passing cityscape.

Nova slowly pulled up to the brightly lit GAR barracks lobby, where she could see several identical clone troopers in pristine white plastoid armor sitting at desks on the other side of the transparisteel. “Well, if you ever need a place to watch the boloball games when you’re on Triple Zero, feel free to comm for my cab and I’ll take you to a real sports bar. Clone-friendly even.”

Rex dug in one of his belt pouches and pulled out his per diem card, passing it up to Nova. “I might take you up on that.” Rex said, genuinely smiling. He met her deep blue eyes and matched her playful smile with his own. He noted the dimple on her left cheek and the little cleft in her chin. “Thank you.”

Nova handed Rex back his card. “Stay safe soldier.” She said as their hands touched. 

Nova watched the Captain walk into the GAR complex, waving when he looked back as he opened the door and gave her a little salute before entering the barracks. She drove away with a smile still ghosting her lips, the Captain’s swagger in her rearview mirror.

 

 

Chapter 2: Brig Blues

Summary:

A fare goes bad, but Rex saves the day and learns more about Nova.

Taungsday afternoons weren’t the most lucrative for a taxi driver, but Nova was caught up on homework and reading, using a rare day off to make a few extra credits. She’d listened in on talk from a couple of chatty Jedi in her cab the day before and learned that one of the Venator-class ships would be docking in the next rotation for some well-earned down time for it’s crew. She waffled between telling herself she was just there to shore up her savings account and vehemently hoping she would spot a certain blonde-haired clone coming out of the barracks. It had been several months that any clones other than the Coruscant Guard had spent any time on the planet, the holonet buzzing with news of the ongoing war.

Nova shook her waning hope away as the back door to her cab opened and a disheveled-looking Bothan slid into the seat.

“Level 3100, Sector J.” The man warbled, looking nervously out the window.

Nova didn’t reply as she set the coordinates and took off for the lane into the undercity. She didn’t try to make conversation with her skittish passenger, choosing to drive in silence as she moved from level to level through the ever-descending lanes. Just as she passed the landing platform for level 3500, a police speeder came bolting off the platform behind her with it’s lights flashing and siren blaring. Her passenger started looking through the windows of the cab, head swiveling this way and that, trying to look everywhere at once. As Nova started pulling over to the closest platform, her passenger got even more agitated.

“No, no, no! Drive faster!” The Bothan demanded, nearly crawling over the seat, reaching for the steering wheel.

Nova tried in vain to push the large male off of her. “Karking- stop it! I have to pull over! What the kriff are you doing?”

“Just drive!” The man yelled as he launched himself further into the front seat of the cab.

They wrestled for control of the vehicle, the cab swerving through traffic. Nova finally hit the brakes, sending the large, furry man catapulting forward. Several speeders with lights and sirens pulled up alongside the cab, though she was only vaguely aware of the voices telling her to turn off the vehicle and put her hands where they could see them. Once in the front, the Bothan began kicking and flailing, striking Nova several times, a large, booted foot to her jaw sending her vision swimming. A beefy elbow to her ribs stealing the air from her lungs. Then she was being yanked bodily from the cab through the window and pinned to the dirty floor of the adjacent landing by a police droid.

 

***

At the police station, her cab impounded, Nova sulked in a cell for the better part of the night, losing hundreds of credits an hour. The city police were deaf to her continued polite requests for a call to her employer, who could verify that she was, in fact, a legitimate air taxi driver. Her ID card and air taxi license didn’t seem to be enough.

The lock-up smelled like a sewer, though Nova was lucky there weren’t any other females in the holding cell with her. The Bothan who had attempted to commandeer her taxi was in a cell down the hallway with the men, which sounded much rowdier. Nova laid on one of the benches, waiting for someone, anyone, new to walk by so she could plead her case, when two clone troopers in armor painted with red accents came to collect her assailant. She had reading to do, fares to pick up. And her face and ribs hurt something awful.

“Hey! Hey troopers!” Nova jumped up and called to get their attention. “Can I please make a comm call to my boss? Seriously! I don’t know why they’ve got me locked up in here!” She yelled after them.

The troopers in red, the Coruscant Guard, turned and gave her a cursory glance, but otherwise ignored her. She hung her head, pressing it against the duracrete of the cell, dejected. She could hear the troopers rounding up the Bothan from the men’s cell, the man’s voice distinct and plaintive.

“Taxi girl? What are you doing in lock-up?” A modulated male voice asked from the entry to the hallway.

Nova’s head whipped up to see a clone trooper in blue and white armor standing there with his hands on his hips. He took off his helmet at her blank stare, revealing his white-blond hair and golden eyes.

“Captain Rex!” Nova’s face lit up in recognition.

“What trouble did you get yourself into?” Rex asked, approaching the cell. His face held a fond, but confused grin, distorted by the wavering red energy of the cell’s ray shield.

Nova’s swollen and bruised face split into a smile, and then a grimace, as her split lip opened and started bleeding again. “Ow! I didn’t do anything!” She scowled.

“Easy there. You’ve been through the wringer!” Rex winced sympathetically.

“Yeah. A fare tried to hijack my cab and they arrested both of us. I haven’t been given a chance to call my boss- they just dumped me here!” Nova gestured wildly to the dank jail cell.

Rex’s spine straightened. “And they haven’t treated your injuries either?” He asked, drawing in a steadying breath.

“No.” Nova shook her head. She pressed at her aching ribs; it felt better to have something pressed against them.

Rex frowned. “Unacceptable.” Rex looked up and down the hallway a moment. “I’ll be right back.” He said, turning back the way he’d come, looking murderous. “Where is Commander Fox?” Nova heard him yell before the door closed.

The other two troopers brought the Bothan by and out the door, ostensibly to be transferred elsewhere. Not five minutes later, the same clones, accompanied by Captain Rex, came to release Nova from her cell.

“Apologies, Miss. There seems to have been a clerical error. I shall escort you to Medical Services to get your injuries assessed.” Rex said very formally as the ray shield disappeared from between them.

Nova was handed a bag with her personal effects and some gauze, which she pressed to her split lip and followed Rex out of the station in a daze.

Keeping up with the Captain’s long strides meant Nova nearly jogged to stay near him. City police and Coruscant Guardsmen alike watched Rex lead Nova out of the station and into the lower-level street, where a GAR transport waited. A lone Guardsmen also stood, waiting for Rex.

“I took the liberty of sending Thorn with the Bothan.” The red and white armored clone said to Rex when they finally came to a stop outside the station. Nova noticed his black kama hanging from his hips, much like Rex’s, taking a mental note to ask Rex what it meant.

Rex pulled off his helmet and offered his arm to the other clone, who also slipped off his helmet as he clasped Rex’s forearm.

“Thank you, brother. Those di’kut city police…. I owe you one, Fox.” Rex said.

“Don’t worry about it, Rex. It will come out in the wash.” Fox turned to Nova who was standing quietly, taking in the two nearly identical men. “No worse for wear, then?”

“I’ll be fine, thanks to Rex.” Nova attempted to smile. Both men noticed her pained look.

“Let’s get you over to see Kix.” Rex said, putting an arm around her shoulders. “Ret’ urcye mhi, vod!” Goodbye brother.

“Ret’urcye mhi, vodika! Jate ka’ra!” Fox said in a sing-song voice. Goodbye little brother! Good luck!

Nova let herself be lead into the transport as the clones said goodbye to one another. Rex was chuckling and shaking his head as he sat down next to her.

“What’s so funny?” She asked conversationally.

Rex turned a lovely shade of pink. “Nothing. Older brother stuff.” 

Nova grinned at the Captain. “So you’re the little brother, huh?” She asked.

“That I am, unfortunately. The command classes were raised together, but I was a year younger than Fox.” Rex shrugged.

“You both wear those things around your hips, do they mean something?” Nova asked, gesturing to Rex’s armor.

“Oh! Our kama?” Rex asked. Nova shyly nodded. If Rex puffed out his chest a little, Nova didn’t notice. “They are a mark of a certain rank. Only command class and specialist troopers wear them, if they choose to. Like our pauldrons denote rank and class, it’s a way to tell us apart from one another on the battlefield.” He added conspiratorially, leaning in,“It also protects us from shrapnel and heat from our jetpacks.”

Nova frowned and then laughed. “That is both macabre and practical. The more training you have, the more they protect you with better armor.”

Rex looked thoughtful, a sweet grin on his lips. “I suppose it is, now that I think about it.”

The ride to the GAR Med Center went quickly as they made small talk. Rex, ever the gentleman, helped Nova out of the transport and demanded she sit in the hover chair waiting for her. The medic standing behind the chair bit his lip to keep from chuckling at the indignant look Nova gave him as she sat down.

“When I heard you were bringing a cab driver from lock up for medical treatment I didn’t think she’d be beautiful!” The medic behind the main desk of the medical bay beamed as Nova was pushed through the door. He and another medic moved to follow her and Rex to a bed.

“Stow it Patch!” Rex ordered. “Kix, this is Nova…” Rex lifted at eyebrow at the woman in the hover chair.

“Nova Emery,” she stated as she transferred herself from the chair to the medical cot. Rex stood stiffly at the end of the bed.

The medic the captain had referred to as Kix smiled sweetly, holding a datapad. He had close-cropped hair, with lightening bolts buzzed into the sides and a distinctive aurebesh tattoo on one side of his scalp. “Hello Ms. Emery. The captain tells me you were in a scuffle with the city police this afternoon.”

“Tackled to the ground after being kicked by a Bothan, actually.” She stated, rolling her eyes.

“Oof!” Kix winced. “How about you change into a gown and I’ll get a scan of your ribs, make sure nothing’s broken?”

“I’m probably fine, really. I should really just call my boss -” Nova started to say.

“Already done.” Rex stated from his spot at the end of the bed. “Your cab will be outside the Med Center here in the next hour.”

“Broken ribs are nothing to mess around with, Ms. Emery.” Kix picked up the gown from the end of the bed and held it in front of Nova.

Nova took the gown and waited until the troopers all stepped away from the bed, Kix deftly pulling the curtains closed around her cot. While she changed, the men gathered around the desk to wait. 

Kix turned to Rex with a mischievous smile on his face. “Sir, you are lucky I am bound by doctor-patient confidentiality or this favor would be all over the GAR by lights out.”

Rex scowled at Kix. “Excuse me?”

Kix immediately backtracked. “Oh, not from me, sir!”

Patch took the opportunity to pipe up, his face lit up with a huge smile. “Do you even know who you brought in sir?”

“What are you lads on about?” Rex set his helmet down on the desk and crossed his arms.

“That’s the Academy student who volunteers with the wounded clones at the med center!” Patch gushed. Beside him Kix nodded, seeming to understand something Rex was not privvy to. Patch rolled his eyes. “Captain! She’s the one organizing the choir group everyone’s been raving about!”

The sound of the privacy curtains being pulled back cut off their conversation, Kix moving to the cot to find Nova sitting up in the bed.

“Let’s get this over with.” Nova said, looking like a kicked tooka.

***

Rex stayed while Nova was injected with bacta into her broken ribs and her split lip, waited for a prescription for pain medication and allowed a bacta treatment to work on her bruised face. By the time she left the GAR Med Center, she looked and felt more like herself. As they walked up to her taxi, parked in the garage of the Med Center, Nova found herself loathe to say goodbye to the good Captain.

“Thank you, Rex. You fixed a really, really shitty day.” Nova said, turning and leaning against the door to her taxi.

“It’s no problem, really. It was one of the rare days when I was actually caught up on paperwork for once!” The both chuckled at that, an awkward silence falling between them. “That offer to catch a boloball game still stand?” Rex asked sheepishly.

Nova beamed. “Absolutely!” A strange look came over her face, one of disappointment. “I would have you put your code in my comm, but it’s dead.” She pouted.

She’s adorable when she pouts… Stop it Rex!

“Here, put yours in mine. Text or voice.” Rex opened a panel on his left vambrace and held out his arm. It was at an uncomfortable angle to type at, so they turned awkwardly, Nova’s back to Rex’s front. Rex essentially had his arm wrapped around Nova as she put her comm code into his device, the citrus scent of her hair tickling his nose. They both smiled at each other at the nervous tension as they parted.

“Maybe your troops can come hear their brothers in the rehab center some time.” Nova smirked, adjusting her bag on her shoulder as she rummaged for her keys.

“You heard that.” Rex said, a statement, not a question.

“Yeah… they were not subtle.” She teased. “It’s alright. I needed some community service hours and the med center needed volunteers. Kinda spiraled out of control.” Nova shrugged.

Rex scratched the back of his head. “Sorry. It doesn’t take much to entertain the boys.”

“Don’t worry about it. I appreciate what you all did today.” Nova stretched up as Rex ducked his head shyly and she gave him a peck on the cheek. “Stay safe soldier.” She turned quickly and opened the door to her cab.

Rex stood, dumbfounded, his face crimson as Nova started the taxi and drove off with a little wave. When the sound of the taxi faded away, Rex looked around the garage, wondering if it had happened at all.

 

Chapter 3: Bittersweet Win

Summary:

During the Boloball finals, Rex's squad are a little overprotective. He's handling himself just fine, however.

Rex,

 Just wanted to say thank you again for your help the other day. I feel 100% already. Tell Kix and Patch thank you. I’ll let you decide if you want to share these with your brothers.

 

Nova

 

Rex stared at the cardboard camtono, looking over the flimsi note once more.

“Aren’t you gonna open it?” Jesse finally asked. The sounds of the barracks finally filtered back into Rex’s awareness.

“Come on, Captain! Read us the note!” Hawk pestered.

The barracks were fairly empty, which was normal for a Centaxday afternoon. Rex had come from a briefing to find he had a package waiting for him, which had never happened before. The cardboard camtono had a bakery label with flowery script all over the bright purple packaging. Attached was a flimsi envelope with the note inside. Looking around at all his curious brothers, Rex gathered his helmet and the camtono and made for his rarely-used quarters. The sound of his men lamenting his disappearing act followed in his wake.

The room served as both his personal quarters and his office, consisting of a desk, a locker, a bed and foot locker. The tiny attached refresher with a real water shower was the true perk. He set the camtono on his desk and sat down, regarding it with trepidation. He turned the top of box like he would a real camtono and the cardboard pulled up, revealing warm chocolate chip cookies. The scent of brown sugar and chocolate filled his quarters, making his mouth water. He gingerly reached into the box and pulled out one individually wrapped cookie, the chocolate still viscose and tacky, sticking to the wax paper as he removed it from the little envelope. It bent slightly under its own weight in his hand, and he was forced to quickly take a bite before it broke apart.

The savory-sweet flavor and warmth burst on his tongue, the chocolate melting in his mouth and Rex’ eyes rolled back in his head. He had never tasted anything so good. It was warm and not overly sweet, just a touch of crunch on the outside, but soft in the center. Swallowing the first bite, he crammed the rest of the cookie into his mouth and sat down on his bed, regarding the camtono on the desk. As he chewed, he reached for another waxed paper envelope, pressing his comlink as he pulled it from the wrapper.

“Kix?” He said, licking chocolate off his fingers.

“Yessir?” Kix replied, his voice staticky.

“Stop by the mess and grab a gallon of blue milk then report to my quarters immediately.” Rex bit off half the cookie. “Top secret mission.” Rex mumbled through his full mouth.

“Err. Yes sir. Right away sir.” Kix responded, confused.

Rex sat back in his chair, waiting for Kix to bring the milk.

 

***

Miss Nova, thank you for the delicious cookies. I shared with Kix - Patch was on KP duty, err, punishment, for pranking the General. Thank you, again, Miss Nova. Take care.

Rex’ voice message was formal and stunted, but sincere, and it made Nova’s heart spin in her chest.

“What are you smiling about?” Nova’s long-time friend and fellow volunteer, Cade, kicked her foot as he sat across from her in their practice space drinking ardees from a duraplast bottle. “Is that the clone trooper who sprung you from jail?”

Nova just nodded, quickly closing the communicator, tucking it in her pocket. Cade eyed her as he took a longer swig. “What?” Nova finally asked, the heat of her friend’s stare finally too much.

Cade just grinned. “You hang out with clones all the time for our volunteer work,” he shrugged, “I think it’s funny that this one’s got you so affected.”

Nova scoffed. “I’m not ‘affected’!” She sprang from her seat and started putting away gear. “I was just surprised to hear from him.”

Cade chuckled as he took another swig of ardees, watching his friend nervously clean the practice space.

***

Rex, 

I have a long break from the Academy coming up that coincides with the boloball finals. If you’re on Coruscant, you should come catch the game with me! I can’t believe your team made it! I’ll be cheering along with you, whereever you are. If you do happen to get leave, my cab number is THX 1138.

I hope you’re alright, Rex. I’ve been watching the news reports about the war and I just cannot imagine what you go through out there. I’ve seen what it’s doing to the soldiers after they’ve been injured and left behind… I’ve been volunteering in the rehab center. Most of those troopers only saw battle once or twice before they were injured and now they won’t see it again. Many of them feel cast aside, like they no longer have purpose. Those of us in the rehab volunteer program, Unsung Heroes, we try and give them something to focus on, like playing an instrument or writing songs. Their deep hurt comes out in their music. Maybe next time you’re here you could visit some of the 501st boys if you have time? I know they would appreciate it. I’m hoping I’ll get to volunteer again next semester. Maybe one day I’ll get to take the program to Kallida Shoals and help more troopers…

As much as I know war must be hell, I’m a little jealous that you get to see all those different planets, help all kinds of different people. War isn’t all blasters and fighting all the time, is it? I hope you get to enjoy the beautiful sunsets and climates on different worlds, see the stars from a new angle even.

Stay safe soldier.

Nova.

****

Nova,

It just so happens there is a Senatorial function that General Skywalker will be attending the same week as the boloball finals. I’ve never formally requested leave, but I may just have to!

War isn’t all blasters and combat. A lot of strategy goes into war, tactical planning, resource allocation, negotiation etc. We don’t get a lot of time to take in the sites, however. We clones don’t mind. We were born to do a job and we focus on the task at hand. I just hope that, in the end, it was all worth fighting for.

I would love to visit the rehab center. I’m sure I can wrangle some of my other brothers, Cody and Fox, perhaps some others to accompany me. I do feel bad that I haven’t come to visit my wounded brothers. I understand what they must be feeling. We’re taught that our life’s purpose is to fight for the Republic. After that, what is there for a clone? I’m glad someone like you is helping them find their way.

Seeing new planets, it’s not about the sunsets for me, it’s about the sunrises. Living to fight another day and see a new star on the horizon, that’s the most I can hope for. Now at least, I get to look forward to the boloball finals. I’ll contact you when I’m back on planet.

Rex

***

The cantina was loud, buzzing with adrenaline, packed with bodies all sat around the holoscreens tuned to one thing: the boloball finals. Rex squeezed his way past patrons whose faces were red from drink and smiling from excitement as he scanned the crowd for Nova. Beings of all species paid him no mind as he shuffled amongst them, some giving him well-meaning pats on the back or shoulder as he passed.

“Rex! You made it!” The shout over the din of the other revelers caught Rex’ attention. He could barely make out Nova’s curly head of black hair from the side of the bar, where she stood on the rungs of her stool, waving him over. Others noticed the pair and parted slightly, attempting to make Rex’ passage through to Nova easier, though the shear number of bodies pressed together made it difficult. His way was made even more difficult with his full kit of armor on, pauldrons doing nothing to help pave the path before him.

“It’s really busy!” Rex said with a nervous smile when he finally made it to Nova at the bar.

Nova just smiled and nodded. “I’m happy to see you,” she said, leaning into him and speaking right into his ear. She pulled away with a bright grin on her face. “I’m glad you could come!” Nova turned to catch the attention of the bartender.

“Did I miss much?” Rex asked as the bartender stepped up to the pair. “What’s good here?”

“Want a beer?” Nova and Rex laughed as they struggled to communicate over the din of bar, leaning in to each other to be heard and speaking over one another.

The entire cantina erupted in raucous applause and cheers as the game started, an over-sized mug of dark beer placed down in front of Rex. He raised his eyebrows at it, turning to Nova who was watching him with fond amusement. The mug was sweaty with cool condensation, the liquid inside having sloshed over the side, it’s suds sliding down onto the bar top. Rex picked up the drink and took a long sip, his eyes lighting up at the crisp, complex taste that hit his tongue. Nova watched, rapt, as Rex set the mug down and sucked the foam from his top lip.

“That’s good! What is that?” Rex asked. 

Nova leaned in with a smirk. “Alderaanian black ale,” she said, picking up her own gigantic mug. “To Alderaan!” Nova yelled, hoisting her mug in the air.

“TO ALDERAAN!” The entire bar shouted back, much to Rex’s glee, just as he’d begun to hold his drink aloft.

The Boloball Cup Finals turned out to be a night Rex would never forget. Not another clone in sight, but the brotherhood and comaraderie he felt in that cantina filled his heart just the same. Shoulder to shoulder with Nova, they cheered on Alderaan, yelling at the holoscreens, drinking to points won on the field, accepting shots from the other patrons and forgetting the battlefield for a night. Other patrons took to rubbing Rex’ shaved head for good luck as the night went on, which he learned to accept as the night wore on. By the time the bar was heaving with Alderaan’s win, patrons jumping up and down with mugs of beer and glasses of alcohol being sloshed over one another, Rex was smiling so hard his face hurt. As the ball went over the line for the winning goal, Nova threw her arms around his neck, spilling beer down into the back of his armor. Rex caught her around the hips, keeping her from falling off her stool completely. As she pulled away, Nova was laughing so hard she could barely stand, her head thrown back, curls in complete disarray.

They stumbled out of the cantina, the late Coruscant night quiet compared to the raging party inside. Rex had to extract Nova, pulling her by the hand through the throngs to ensure they stayed together. As they were deposited on the concrete outside, he tucked her hand into the crook of his arm.

“Such a gentleman!” Nova cooed, giving Rex a cheeky smirk.

Rex just blushed and looked around at the surrounding streets, trying to get his bearings after such overstimulation. “I think we should put some food on top of all this alcohol, don’t you,” he asked, putting his serious face on.

Nova sighed, taking in a lungful of relatively fresh air. “I suppose. Otherwise we’ll feel like poodoo in the morning.”

“I know a place, right around the corner, actually.” Rex offered.

“Lead on, Captain.” Nova held his arm tighter as Rex began to walk.

They sat across from each other at the all-night diner, sharing a basket of fries and inhaling a burger each. Rex found talking to Nova so easy, comforting even. They could talk about the highlights of the game and with the same level of openness, speak about themselves. For Rex, it was rare that anyone outside of his battalion wanted to know so much about him. While he blushed at the attention, he eagerly shared his innermost thoughts with the bright, earnest face sitting across from him.

“So you liked the cookies I sent then?” Nova asked, dipping a fry in the garlic sauce sitting between them.

Rex sat back and gave an otherworldly moan. “Like them? Maker! They were the best thing I’ve ever tasted! I almost kept them all to myself!” Rex shook his head and helped himself to a fry as well. “I always thought natborns were exaggerating about sweets.”

Nova’s eyes grew wide in her head. “You’ve never had chocolate chip cookies before?”

Rex shook his head, looking away from her imploring gaze as he tried to catch a glob of cilantro sauce with another fry. He shoved them both into his mouth to keep from losing the food altogether. “Nuh-uh,” he hummed through the bite of food, wiping his hands.

“Seriously? That is a crime! A crime, Rex!” Nova sat forward, her face set in a mask of horror.

“There are a lot of things we don’t get to try,” Rex shrugged, “It costs a lot of money to feed a million men; cookies are more expensive than ration bars.”

Nova scoffed. “There’s eating to survive and then there’s living, Rex!”

Rex took a sip of his fizz pop and regarded Nova for a second, his face serious. “Clone troopers don’t live very long, Nova. Just surviving is enough,” he said softly.

Nova’s heart dropped into her stomach. “Oh Rex. I’m so sorry. I wasn’t thinking.” She reached over with both her hands and grasped Rex’ around his glass. The soft warmth of her hands had him sucking in a startled breath.

“Don’t be sorry. It’s just the truth.” Rex flashed his brilliant smile.

Nova squeezed his hands. “If there’s one thing I’ve learned during my time volunteering with your brothers, it’s that ‘just surviving’ is no way to live,” Nova’s deep blue eyes burned into Rex. “The difference between you and a Seppie Droid is that you are a man. A living, breathing man, who can have hopes and dreams and a future.”

Rex pulled his hands away and looked out the window into the night, where the neon signs and traffic was growing as lonely as the hour, sighing as he let Nova’s words bounce through his head.

“It sounds nice. But I was created with one purpose, one goal -”

“And what happens when you achieve that goal?” Nova interrupted. “This war won’t last forever, Rex. what happens when you and your brothers win? What will you do then?”

Rex shifted uncomfortably in his seat, looking everywhere but at Nova.

Nova opened her hand on the table. “Living isn’t hard. We’re doing it right now. Can we just live while you’re here?”

Rex considered the open hand on the table, warm and inviting, so innocent. He finally looked up into Nova’s impossibly blue eyes, their irises speckled grey like little stars. His face changed from one of somber contemplation to mischievous curiosity.

“Do you have a Rodian ancestor?” Rex asked, cocking his head to one side and leaning forward to look into her eyes.

Nova dissolved into a fit of giggles. “What?” Rex’ change of subject had her head spinning.

“Your eyes! They look like a Rodian’s. Come here!” Rex’ gestured for her to come closer.

“Pay attention! We were having a serious conversation!” Nova tried swatting his hand away as Rex reached for her face to keep her still so he could look at her eyes.

“I am too! Let me see!” Rex chuckled, swatting back at Nova’s hand. “You’re part Rodian, aren’t you?”

Nova was laughing so hard she snorted, which sent Rex into a full body laugh. “I’m 1/64th Rodian. Call the Kaminoans, they might wanna study me!”

Rex laughed. “I knew it!”

“What out for my suction cup fingers!” Nova made grabby hands at Rex, making him lurch away as she cackled, their heavy conversation forgotten.

 

***

In the front seat of cab THX-1138, Rex hesitated as they sat outside the GAR barracks, his helmet sitting in his lap. Behind the complex the sun was just peaking over the horizon.

“I had a good time tonight. Thank you.” Rex said quietly, looking out at the bruised purple sky.

Nova turned her body toward him and tucked a stray curl behind her ear. “I hope you’ll take me up on my offer. If nothing else, it’s a free ride whenever you’re on planet.”

Rex looked up, his honey-amber eyes catching the slowly rising sun. “You’re more than a free ride, Nova. You’re my friend.” He grinned shyly, looking very much his fourteen years. He opened his door, loathe for the night to end, even as the planet turned toward its star.

“I expect a transmission, mister!” Nova called as Rex slid out of the cab.

“You are a nag!” Rex bit back with a wink.

Nova honked at him as she flew off, the good captain watching until she was lost in the early morning traffic.

A tiny smile played on Rex’ lips as he entered the barracks, his thoughts still inside cab THX-1138 as he tugged open the doors and waved a dismissive hand to the troopers on desk duty. He missed the concerned look the other clones shared as Rex walked past, heading to the turbolift.

“Err, captain,” one of the troopers stood and called out.

Rex turned back to the desk. The raise of his eyebrow and his less than formal response giving the two lower ranking troopers pause. 

“Captain, are the other Torrent boys with you? We have four others who haven’t made curfew. We didn’t call it in because we thought they were with you, sir.”

Rex’ heart dropped into his boots. Then his anger flared hot. He took a steadying breath through his nose. “So I take LOA and members of my company sign out and don’t sign back in by curfew and you choose not to call it in, shiny?” he asked with contempt.

The soldier stood a little straighter, his face flushing red as the captain’s ire became apparent. “Err, I’m sorry sir, they said they were going out with you, sir.”

The other trooper stood up next to his brother. “I apologize sir, Mitch here said we should call it in, but I made the call to wait. It’s my fault, captain.”

“What is your name trooper?” Rex let out a tired sigh and set his helmet on the desk.

“Watts, sir.” Both soldiers behind the desk stood at attention, looking properly chastised.

Rex’s commlink chirped just as he was about to insist they call in the missing troopers. He gave the two in front of him a disappointed look and stepped away. “Rex here.”

Nova’s amused voice came over the commlink, tinny and muffled. “Are you missing a few soldiers from the barracks, Captain?”

“Why yes, indeed, I am.” Rex turned and sent the troopers at the desk a dark glare. “Watts and Mitch here just told me a few of my company went out looking for me and never came home.”

“I found some 501st blue armor stuffed full of drunk troopers at the rail station by my apartment. Would you like them back?” Nova’s infectious laugh underlined her voice.

“Oh yes, I would love to have my boys back. They’re due for drills at 0600. Why don’t you transport that armor for me and I’ll see that it gets put to good use.”

“Copy that captain.” Nova ended the call with verbal salute.

Watts and Mitch eyed each other, neither one of them envious of what the captain had in store for their brothers.

Rex sauntered up to the desk and took up his helmet, glaring at the other men.

“At ease,” he said quietly, still glaring. He slowly walked toward the turbolift and pressed the call button. “Mitch,” he called from down the stark, pristine hallway.

“Yessir?” Mitch called back.

“What time does your shift end?” The captain stood at the back of lifts, looking at the doors.

Mitch gave Watts a nervous side eye. “0500, sir.” 

“You and Watts will join Torrent for drills immediately following, am I clear?”

“Yessir!” Mitch barked out.

“Watts. You’ll ensure medical is on standby.”

Watts startled at the sound of his name. “Sir, yes, sir!”

The turbolift opened with a soft chime and Rex stepped into it. As the doors closed, he sagged against the wall, all of his strings cut.

One day. Just one day without the responsibility of dozens of men on his shoulders. that’s all he’d wanted. He was going to be exhausted himself tomorrow, but hopefully his wayward brothers would learn their lesson.

 

Notes:

C'mon. We've all wanted to bake cookies for the troopers. I went and did it, at least for Rex. :p

Chapter 4: Living and Dying

Summary:

Rex struggles with the realities of war; Nova helps him with it. Rex lies to his General

Rex stood with his arms crossed, in just the bottom half of his armor and his blacks, his General leaning against the wall of the barracks in a similar stance. Across the training grounds, six troopers in their blacks, all in various states of exhaustion, slow-jogged around the track as the sun began it’s trek across the sky. On the other side of Rex, Kix kneeled on the ground next to his medical bag watching his brothers nervously.

It was a gorgeous day, the sky cloudless above them, a cool breeze drying the sweat on the skin of the suffering troopers and ruffling the robes at the ankles of the Jedi.

“This is pretty harsh, even for you, Rex.” Anakin Skywalker said as one of the troopers, Hardcase, he thought, stumbled in the grass to dry heave.

“They tried to stalk me on my LOA, General. That deserves extra punishment.” Rex replied sternly.

Kix nodded. “I told them to leave it alone, but you know Fives. Once he gets a bone, he’s doing to take off with it.” He began pulling rehydration fluid out of his bag.

“What did the Corries do?” The general pointed to the two troopers who were faring much better, coming around to where they were standing. 

Rex smirked. “Watts and Mitch. They didn’t call it in when the other four didn’t make it back for curfew.” 

Skywalker shook his head, amused. “Thats one mistake they won’t be making again.”

“Pack it in boys!” Rex called to the men on the field. Their combined relief was audible. “I’m hoping it will deter them from meddling in my personal life altogether.”

Anakin scrutinized his Captain for a long moment. “You have a personal life, Rex?” the Jedi asked, his piercing blue eyes fond.

“I have friends!” Rex bit back. Next to him, Kix chuckled. “What?” Rex asked, affronted.

“Taxi girl is just a friend, Captain?” Kix asked with a grin as he approached his brothers, encouraging the General to ask more probing questions.

Skywalker looked from Rex, to Kix and back again. “Your friend is a girl? A woman?” The man stumbled over the words as if they were synonymous with Sith.

Rex glared daggers through Kix’ back as his CMO began to help the others. Fives and Hardcase laid down on the weedy grass as Echo eagerly accepted the water held out to him. Jesse all but collapsed into Kix’ arms, he could barely keep holding his own head up. Mitch and Watts just leaned on one another, panting.

“I told you that was a bad idea.” Kix said with a grin.

“Stow it.” Fives croaked from the ground. Kix just shrugged and started pulling stims and electrolyte packs out of his med bag.

Skywalker watched Kix, but his Jedi senses were firmly on Rex.

“She’s a friend I met on leave, sir. Rodian.” Rex said gruffly.

Anakin could feel the embarrassment-apprehension-deception coming off Rex as the Captain kept from meeting his eyes.

“Well, as long as this friend doesn’t become a distraction, Captain.” Skywalker pushed himself off the wall. “We’re shipping out tomorrow. Don’t be too much harder on em, Rex. They care about you.” Without a glance back, Skywalker sauntered away from the training field.

Rex let out a breath he’d been holding. He felt bad, lying to his General. But he knew Skywalker would just think it was an unnecessary distraction. For all his Jedi talked about respecting clones, he didn’t treat his men like men. They were simply soldiers, built for one thing and one thing only. Rex frowned in disappointment as he watched Kix dole out care to his brothers. The medic was particularly affectionate to Jesse, who everyone knew he harbored feelings for. Rex shook his head as he watched. The entire 501st knew the feeling was mutual and that neither one could get their head out of their ass to make the first move. Rex wished he was in a place where he could have such easy affection with his brothers. But he was a captain. He had a higher calling and as such, he had to maintain his professionalism.

“Mitch, Watts, report back to your squad.” Rex called. “I’ve kept you long enough.”

The shinies groaned in relief. They gave a tired salute to the captain as they passed and slung an arm around each others shoulders as they walked past. Rex watched his men for a few more minutes; the easy way Echo opened the sip-pack of water and handed it to Fives, squeezing the the other man’s hand affectionately in reply when Fives took the water and gave his hand an almost imperceptible squeeze in thanks. He watched Jesse press his sweaty head to Kix’ shoulder as he whined and Kix rubbed a towel over Jesse’s bald head with a grin on his face. He’d been that tactile with his brothers once, as a cadet, when he was still the youngest in a barracks full of older brothers. He had to be the big brother now.

“The rest of you ord’ini, I hope you’ve learned your lesson.” Rex stood over his wayward crew with his hands behind his back.

“What lesson would that be, sir?” Hardcase asked without removing his arm from over his eyes.

Echo kicked his cheeky brother in the thigh. “‘Case! Seriously? I speak for all of us when I say we understand that we overstepped and it will not happen again, Captain.” Echo stated.

Fives snickered. “Suck up.” He said under his breath.

Rex ignored it. “Good. Now you can all clean up and report for your regular assigned duties. You’re dismissed.” He turned on his heel and walked off the training field.

“Better than KP duty, I guess.”

“You’re such a kriffin’ brown-noser, Echo!”

“You’re all di’kutla shabuire. Should have listened to me in the first place.” Kix placed an injector against Jesse’s neck and administered a stim.

“Kix is no fun.”

“Yeah, well, we wouldn’t be sittin here if we’d listened to him.”

“Next leave we’re just going to the bar and picking up our own ‘friends’.”

“I’d love to see that disaster!”

Rex chuckled as he listened to his brothers bicker as they picked themselves up off the training field.

*****

Rex,

 

I hope you weren’t too hard on your troops. They really do mean well. They love you to bits and are fiercely loyal to you. They invited me to party with you all at 79s next time you’re on 000.

Classes have started again. I may have bit off more than I can chew though. I’m happy to say I get to continue to volunteer with Unsung Heroes, but my regular classes are going to kick my ass! I have to decide on a sentient species to do a research paper on for my New Species biology class. With so many in the galaxy, I want to do something that will be a challenge but not something that everyone else will be doing. If I have to sit through one more presentation on the “unique digestive tract of the Jawa” one more time, I might space myself! I also have to settle on a language to master. The boys I volunteer with are pushing for Mando’a, but I have to justify it with my professor; how would it be used in my future as an anthropologist or biologist? It would be fun to learn though, and having a couple dozen tutors would be a plus!

I almost forgot! Did you see the trades for next years boloball roster? I can’t fucking believe Alderaan traded Pomer for that Ord Mantell sleemo! I mean come ON! 

Anyway. I heard your battalion is headed to the Outer Rim. Stay safe out there soldier.

Nova

 

***

 

Nova,

Would it be selfish of me to say I think it would be a fantastic idea to learn Mando’a? We clones were first trained by Mandalorians and passed the language down to our brothers. If your boys are suggesting it, they must really think of you as one of their own. Consider it a compliment! As for a solid reasoning, perhaps learning a language that is being lost much like the Mandalorians themselves, is a way to preserve it for those few that remain. And it could be said it is a good way to connect with the soldiers in your care in the volunteer program as well.

As I write this, I am coming off a campaign in the Quell system to assist General Luminara. It… didn’t go as planned, but nothing really ever does. We spent several days on a planet called Maridun and met a race of sentients called Lurmen with very peculiar ideas about war and pacifism. I’m attaching a file with some information you may find interesting. They have very little technology, but they now have a way to contact the Republic should the CIS come knocking again. Perhaps this will help with your class?

While the mission was nearly a disaster, Maridun has beautiful sunrises. I hope the photos I’ve attached do them justice.

Sorry to cut this short, duty calls. This next mission should be a walk in the park, even if it’s supposed to be on a frozen moon.

Rex

PS: I like the new Ord Mantell center for Alderaan. We can discuss later.

 

***

Rex,

Later? Um no. There is NO discussion. Boyton’s retirement was bullshit and this trade was bullshit. No discussion needed.

But THANK YOU for the information on the Lurmen. My research paper is going swimmingly, thanks to you! My professor has been very impressed with my drafts. Is this cheating? No. Nevermind. I don’t even care. I did find more information on them in the Academy library, so no, not cheating. Did you know they aren’t native to Maridun? I’ll send you my paper when it’s finished.

Your mission was in the Quell system… but you ended up on Maridun. That’s not even the same sector, Rex. How does that happen?

The boys are so hyped to be helping me with my Mando’a. My pronunciation is quite bad, but I understand much better than I annunciate. Sucks that the proctor for the final exam is a protocol droid.

I hope my care package makes it to you eventually. The GAR communications office said it could be several weeks before it got to you, but that supply ships were going out every day. If there is anything special you want, let me know. I’m sure I can find some chocolate chip cookies to spare.

Nova.

***

Nova,

I received your care package just before we deployed on Naboo. While I can’t get into details, I can tell you, your letters and your small gestures of comfort mean more to me than you will ever know. War is hell. The galaxy has no idea how close they are to complete annihilation at any given time. If it weren’t for the Jedi, the Generals, the Senators, and yes, the clones… I don’t know where you’d all be right now. 

I looked death in the face more closely than I ever wanted to yesterday. I didn’t think I would see another sunrise or spend another night watching boloball with you again. I fought as hard as I could, but I wasn’t sure if it would be enough. One day it won’t be enough.

You were right, Nova. I don’t want to survive. I want to live.

Rex

***

Rex sat up in his hospital bed, wracked by a cough that just wouldn’t seem to keep his lungs clear. The smell of bacta and the papery starched linens made it hard to get comfortable, even if he did have a private room. His window gave him a view of the hanging gardens and terraced city of Theed, streetlamps illuminating the dark streets below. He tossed and turned, the crinkly pillow beneath his head creaking with every breath he took. Glancing at the chrono on the wall, he idly wondered what Nova was doing on Coruscant at 2am on a Zhellday. Likely working. Like he wished he was. Every time he closed his eyes the image of his men, spidery, bulging veins pulsing blue under their skin as their eyes rolled back in their head as they breathed their last flashed behind his eyelids. The purple bags under Ahsoka’s eyes as she fainted and he couldn’t find the strength to catch her… Clones were built to withstand even the most nefarious bacteria, but still, the Blue Shadow virus had killed a squad of men and then some.

With a sigh, Rex sat up in bed and reached for the holodisc on the side table, only hesitating a moment before inputting Nova’s code. It only buzzed twice before her miniature blue visage was standing in the palm of his hand.

“Rex? Is everything alright? You’ve never commed me directly before.” Nova said over the shaky connection, looking alarmed.

“Everything’s alright. I’m just restless. Couldn’t sleep.” Rex gave a tired grin.

Nova’s shoulder’s relaxed a fraction. “I just got your last transmission. I was worried something bad happened. Sounded like you were saying your goodbyes.”

“Not at all! In fact, quite the opposite.” Rex drew in a sharp breath. “Something… bad… did happen. I lost a lot of good men the past few days. To some evil scientist trying to infect the galaxy with an incurable virus.” Nova balked. “Yeah – thankfully the Generals found a cure… but it could have been so much worse. It gave me a lot to think about.”

“Near death experiences will do that!” Nova said, running a hand through her hair.

“Yeah.” Rex chuckled dryly.

“I’m so sorry about your men. I’m sure it never gets easier.” Nova’s soft tone made a lump gather in Rex’ throat. He could only nod. “Do you want to tell me about them?”

Rex looked out the window, not really seeing the fairy-tale scene outside, but the unique blue paint on white armor and new tattoos on bronze skin. Taking a deep, shuddering breath, he swallowed down the lump of grief.

“Drago was pretty shiny – err, new, but he was a good shot. He’d just painted his armor before this mission. Torrent Company was going to take the shinies out on their next leave. Blip and Hub were batch mates. They had a little trouble thinking outside the box, but they were alright. I took this squad because I thought it would be a straightforward mission. Naboo is Republic territory! Anyway, at least they went together…” Rex rubbed his eyes as he continued talking about his fallen brothers long into the night.

Nova listened, rapt. She was pulled over in an alley, her knees pulled up against the steering yoke of her airtaxi, curling in on herself, as Rex continued talking about his fallen brothers. Even as a small, staticky hologram, she could make out the wobble of Rex’ lower jaw as he recounted their names, their quirks, and fondly recalled who they were. She let him talk until his voice grew hoarse and his eyes began to blink more slowly.

“The UH boys taught me the remembrance for the dead. Do you… Can I say it with you, Rex?” Nova offered, his unfocused eyes coming to fall on her sad smile.

“I’d really like that.” Rex rasped.

Nova cleared her throat, and though she felt the burn of embarrassment on her cheeks, she continued as Rex joined her. “Ni su’cuyi, gar kyr’adyc, ni partayli, gar darasuum. Carlo, Blip, Hub, Anders, Drago, Deets, Sparky, Kyle, Moose, Frye, Marc and Ozzie. Nu kyr’adyc, shi taab’echaaj’la.”

Rex’ face relaxed into sleep soon after, the lines between his brows smoothing out as his breathing did.

“Sleep well Captain.” Nova said softly. She watched him for a long moment, until his eyes began to flicker behind their lids. She disconnected and set aside the comm, then reached for her datapad and began to write.

 

 

Notes:

Another chapter! I know I’m slow in updating - a new job is on the horizon so this one might go lots slower than my others. How about Ahsoka though?? EZRA! Am I RIGHT? I cried.

Chapter 5: Song and Dance

Summary:

Rex meets the vode Nova works with at the rehab center, then they go dancing... Rex learns some things about himself.

Rex was told to follow the sound of the music, when he entered the recreation space of the rehab center where he was due to meet Nova. Indeed, as he walked deeper into the building, the sound of singing could be heard throughout the halls, broken now and again by muffled laughter or stretches of silence. Finally, as he rounded a corner, the wall of voices hit him full force. Nova was stood with her back to him, two dozen troopers in varying combinations of medical garb and military blacks stood around her, some holding instruments, others arranged on a riser holding thin datapads. A couple of natborns also sat or stood with instruments in their hands. One was off to the side of the big space sitting next to a piano. The music started up again, a lilting thing with a sweet tune, the vod singing bringing goosebumps to Rex’ arms. One trooper played the organ as one of the nat-born musicians played the piano, two verses in a soldier in just his lower blacks began playing the drums and another in a hoverchair joined him a moment later on the guitar. Rex gravitated further into the room. Watching Nova command them all was hypnotizing. The words of the song continued. Abruptly the music stopped as Nova waved her hands in front of herself.

“Stop, stop, stop.” Nova stepped off the small crate she stood on, rubbing at her temples with one hand. “Maybe we should call it a night fellas. We’re just missing the mark here.”

“Do I need to give you a signal or a wink or something, McGee?” the man behind the drums asked, exasperated. 

McGee, the trooper standing at the microphone closest to Nova looked properly chastened. “I don’t know – one more go. I’ll get it this time, I swear!”

The drummer cut McGee off, “It’s the second flourish. Just remember, the second one!”

A man in a hoverchair holding a guitar caught Rex standing just outside the entryway. “CAPTAIN ON DECK!” He called, nearly dropping his instrument to come to attention.

All the other clones in the room stood at attention, those that could, all of them ramrod straight, chins up and staring off into the distance. A startled Nova whipped her head around to see Rex slink around the corner, slowly taking his helmet from his head. 

“At ease troopers.” Rex drawled, an amused smile falling onto his lips as he regarded the motley crew of men in front of him. The other clones relaxed marginally.

“Rex!” Nova’s face split into a grin and she opened her arms to him. He stepped into the circle of her embrace with a blush high on his face, returning her welcoming squeeze with a one-armed hug.

Cade, standing up from the piano, offered a hand to Rex, shaking the Captain’s hand. “Nice to meet you Captain! I’m Cade, Nova’s volunteer partner.” He eyed Nova where she still had an arm around Rex.

“Likewise.” Rex looked over the troopers who were watching the exchange with charged fascination. “Is that Sticks I see behind the drums? And Lucky up top there?” Rex squinted to see who else he recognized from the 501st Battalion, letting go of Nova to shade his eyes from the bright overhead lights.

“Hey Captain! Nice to see you Captain!” Came the replies from his men, whom he hadn’t seen since they’d been so gravely injured they’d been taken out of active duty.

“Dart here Captain! I don’t know if you remember me –“

“Oh, I remember you, rookie!” Everyone chuckled at that. “I remember you never stayed put when we were on a stealth mission and got your leg blown off!” Rex grumbled. The other men laughed at Dart, razzing him good-naturedly.

“Songbird, sir, from the 212th! How’s Commander Cody doing?” Another trooper on the risers piped up.

Rex smiled and glanced over at Nova, who was giving him a fond look. “Commander Cody is doing well. General Kenobi keeps him on his toes. Weren’t you boys in the middle of something?”

Nova set down the baton she had been holding. “We were just finishing up, actually –“

A chorus of grumbles and “C’mon, just one more” and “I’ll get it for the Captain!” and “Please Ms. Nova!” rose up.

Nova looked at Cade and shrugged. “Do you mind if I let them have one more go at this song?”

Rex pretended to think, giving the troops a stern look. “Let’s hear it then.” He set his helmet on top of the piano and stood behind Nova in a formal parade rest. She gave him a double take, raising an eyebrow at him. Rex gestured to the troopers with his head, as if to say, get on with it.

“Alright then,” Nova said with an amused, but resigned shake of her curly head, “Let’s do it.”

She stood next to the podium and raised the baton, letting everyone get into positions, clear throats, and adjust instruments. As she stepped up to the podium the room fell silent, all eyes on her. Rex glanced around the room, in awe of the perfect command tiny Nova had over the soldiers in front of her.

The organ started playing, low and sad, joined by the piano as McGee started singing. Some of the men on the risers were tapping their feet or swaying with the music. Everyone in the room was feeling it.

“When you try your best but you don’t succeed

When you get what you want, but not what you need

When you feel so tired but you can’t sleep

Stuck in reverse

And the tears come streamin down your face

When you lose something you can’t replace

When you love someone but it goes to waste

Could it be worse?”

 

One of the volunteers started in on the acoustic guitar and Songbird joined Mcgee in song.

“Lights will guide you home

And ignite your bones

And I will try to fix you.”

 

Songbird grinned at Rex as he took a deep breath and let McGee go on his own.

“And high up above or down below

When you’re too in love to let it go

But if you never try you’ll never know

Just what you’re worth.”

 

Songbird and another vod Rex didn’t know joined in again.

“Lights will guide you home

And ignite your bones

And I will try to fix you.”

 

The soldier in the hoverchair came in on the electric guitar just as Sticks began on the drums and once again the hair stood up on Rex’ arms and the back of his neck. Now all the vode were moving to the music, though their eyes were on Nova. Her hands were independent of one another, one keeping time with Sticks, the other keeping time with the other instruments in an exotic and perfect dance. 

As Stick’s drumming got more intense Mcgee stepped up to the microphone again, Nova shook her head twice and he stepped back. The musical break went on another four bars before she nodded at him. A tiny grin spread on his face as he stepped up to the mic. And then all the vode were singing.

“Tears stream down your face

When you lose something you cannot replace

Tears stream down your face, and I

Tears stream down your face

I promise you I will learn from my mistakes

Tears stream down your face, and I….”

 

Only the acoustic guitar accompanied McGee as he sang the last verse.

“Lights will guide you home

And ignite your bones

And I will try to fix you.”

 

The last refrain was McGee’s alone, his voice ringing through the space. There was a long beat of silence.

“Woo!” Nova jumped off the crate in triumph, the troopers and the rest of the volunteers all breaking out into cheers as their accomplishment became apparent.

Rex could only stand there and take in the look of pure joy radiating from every face in the room.

Sticks came over and slapped Rex on the back. “You’re our good luck charm, Captain! We’ve been working on that one all day!” He beamed and moved on to Nova, who he lifted up into a bear hug. Rex watched on as Nova squealed in surprise as Sticks swung her around, the urge to stop the enthusiastic display of affection making his palms itch. As quickly as he had picked her up, Sticks set Nova down again and moved to embrace McGee.

“So, what did you think?” Nova asked shyly, tucking her hair behind her ears.

Rex stammered a moment. “What do I think,” he looked around the room at the squad’s worth of men she had just commanded to perfection. “I think you are a force to be reckoned with! I’ve never heard my brothers sound so, so… mesh’la. That was absolutely beautiful.”

 

 

79’s was packed solid as Nova and Rex threaded their way to the food bar where the holoscreens were playing at the back. Nova’s hand was tightly clasped in Rex’s much larger one, as they went, other clones called out to Rex in greeting, though he didn’t stop to talk. He just pulled her much smaller body through the crowd to the quieter part of the bar.

“Phew! This place is hopping tonight!” Nova said as they sat down. “Think we’ll find the rest of the guys in all this?”

Rex leaned all his weight on the bar top. He looked relaxed in just the bottom half of his kit, his helmet and cuirass in Nova’s air taxi. “I’ll comm them when we’re done eating. Otherwise, we’ll never get a meal,” he said conspiratorially.

They ordered from the droid at the bar, Nova turning around to watch the mass of bodies on the dancefloor on the other side of the establishment. Boloball season wasn’t set to start for another several standard weeks, so there was little to watch on the holos.

“Is it good to be back on Triple Zero?” Nova leaned her head back to ask Rex. 

Rex shrugged. “It’s nice to be off the battlefield, but Coruscant has its own set of problems whenever we’re here.”

“It’s good to see you in one piece though!” Nova slapped at his pauldron, reaching back for the mug of ardees the droid set down beside her.

Rex chuckled into his own mug. “Nice to be in one piece!” He took a long swig from his drink, turning around to sit shoulder-to-shoulder with Nova. “You seem like you’re doing well, I was quite impressed with your command back there. Those boys really love you.”

Nova rolled her eyes but smiled through her blushing cheeks. “I don’t know about that! I work them pretty hard!”

“Oh, you have to! We were made to work hard. To strive for perfection!” Rex leaned over and drawled directly into Nova’s ear, “That’s why they respect you.”

A shiver went up her spine at that.

“Your food. Is there anything else I can get you?” The service droid’s robotic voice cut through their conversation. The pair spun on their stools to see their food steaming between themselves and the service droid.

“No, thank you.” Rex said politely. He stripped off his gloves, which Nova tried not to watch, before he picked up his ronto wrap and began to eat. “Eat up. The boys are going to try and make you drink your weight in alcohol.”

Nova laughed as she picked up her burger and started to eat. “I can’t have a hangover tomorrow,” Nova said as she set down her food for her drink. “Too much homework. I gotta work on a song for the vode too.”

“Vode, huh?” Rex smirked. “I’m impressed! I have a ton of flimsiwork myself, to get ready for our next campaign.”

Nova rolled her eyes. “Yeah… I’m learning all the useful Mando’a lingo. Especially the insults and swears.”

Rex nodded as he chewed a large bite of food. “Best way to learn!” He mumbled with a grin.

Nova laughed into her ardees. Wiping her mouth she said, “You could come by my place and keep me company tomorrow if you don’t have to be on base.” Her impossibly blue eyes bore into the dark amber of Rex’ with hope and trepidation. Her unspoken affection for the Captain had grown in their time apart, and she longed to just be in his presence. She had expected their reunion to be awkward and to feel like strangers. Instead, seeing Rex was like welcoming warmth and sunlight into a cold, dark room. She wanted to bask in his aliveness.

They ate in companionable silence, though Nova’s question hung in the air. She watched the Captain eat from the corner of her eye, his enjoyment of his meal written all over his handsome face. He would close his eyes as he took each bite, lick the sauce off his lips, and chew thoughtfully, clearly enjoying every bite.

“Getting off base would be a dream!” Rex replied after swallowing the last of his wrap. “Ah. So much better than rations.”

Nova finished her food, sitting back with a satisfied smile. “Ready to dance?” she asked, giving Rex a side-eyed glance.

Rex blanched at the question. “Should I comm the boys?”

Her eyes slid from Rex to someone behind him. “Isn’t that the medic who patched me up?” She gestured with a nod of her head.

Rex turned to see Kix and Jesse coming through the crowd of bodies, dressed in civilian clothes. Kix caught Rex’ eye and his face split into a dazzling smile in recognition as he spotted Nova next to him. Behind Jesse, Fives and Echo followed, wearing similar outfits of tight black pants and fitted button-up shirts.

Nova’s mass of curly black hair and infectious smile were unmistakable in the crowd of identical faces. Fives slapped Echo on the chest as he spotted Rex sitting on the stool grinning at Nova stupidly as she greeted them all.

“Long time no see, fellas!” Nova said as the others gathered around. “Where’s the other guy with the tattoos?” She gestured to her face.

 

You may call it in this evening
But you’ve only lost the night
Present all your pretty feelings
May they comfort you tonight
And I’m climbing over something
And I’m running through these walls

 

“Hardcase stopped to say hello to some guys from the 104th he knows,” Jesse explained.

Echo rolled his eyes. “He’s got a little crush going on with one of the pilots.”

Kix brightened at that. “Who?”

“Corvis.” Fives spit out.

“Hey!” Echo chastised.

“I didn’t know it was a secret!” Fives raised his hands in defense but his face betrayed his lie.

 

I don’t even know if I believe
I don’t even know if I believe
I don’t even know if I believe

Everything you’re trying to say to me

 

Nova and Rex glanced at one another, the captain shaking his head at his brothers as Nova grinned. The club was fairly loud, and they all still had to speak in raised voices, the music thumping through their bones.

“What are you drinking?” Kix leaned over to Nova and gestured to her empty mug.

Rex noticed both he and Nova were empty and signaled to the droid behind the bar. “I’ll get us a pitcher.”

 

I had the strangest feeling
Your world’s not all it seems
So tired of misconceiving
What else this could’ve been

I don’t even know if I believe
I don’t even know if I believe
I don’t even know if I believe
Everything you’re trying to say to me

 

“Oh! I love this song!” Nova squealed as she recognized the tune as it changed over to a harder beat. “Let’s dance!” She grabbed Rex’ wrist and pulled.

“I just ordered drinks -” Rex protested.

 

So open up my eyes
Tell me I’m alive
This is never gonna go our way
If I’m gonna have to guess what’s on your mind

 

“C’mon, this is my jam!” Echo took Nova’s hand and began pulling her toward the dance floor.

“You go on, I’ll catch up.” Rex let Echo pull her away, Fives and Jesse skipping out into the throng of bodies gyrating to the music after them. Kix claimed the stool next to Rex and watched them go with him.

 

Say something, say something
Something like you love me
Less you want to move away
From the noise of this place

 

“You’re not dancing?” Rex asked his CMO.

“Neither are you.” Kix shrugged.

Rex chuckled as the droid set a pitcher of ardees and several glasses down next to him. “I don’t dance much, you know that.” Rex poured himself a glass.

 

Well I don’t even know if I believe
I don’t even know if I believe
I don’t even know if I wanna believe
Everything you’re trying to say to me

 

Kix reached for a glass for himself. “You’d dance for her.” He lifted his glass toward the dance floor, where Nova was dancing between Fives and Echo, bodies moving to the music as they sang along. Jesse danced beside them with Hardcase and another clone Rex didn’t recognize. Kix took a long drink from his glass, his eyes shifting over to Rex, who was staring at Nova, watching her with a look of pure longing on his face. Kix elbowed the other man. “What’s your deal?”

Rex blinked, coming back to himself. “What do you mean?”

Kix smiled and laughed into his glass. “You are goner, Captain!”

 

So open up my eyes
Tell me I’m alive
This is never gonna go our way
If I’m gonna have to guess what’s on your mind

 

“Pfft!” Rex took a drink from his glass and turned away from where Fives had a hand on Nova’s hip and she had an arm thrown over Echo’s shoulder. “Like you are for Jesse?”

Kix choked on his swig of ardees. 

It was Rex’ turn to grin wickedly into his drink as Kix blushed furiously. “I… I don’t…” Kix began weakly.

“Anyone can see it, vod’ika!” Rex leaned in to Kix conspiratorially. “And he feels the same! What are you waiting for?”

Kix looked out onto the dance floor where Hardcase was smushed between Corvis and Jesse, singing along with the music much like the rest of the crowd. “It’ll hurt too much when I lose him,” he mumbled into his glass. Rex could just hear him above the din.

 

So open up my eyes
Tell me I’m alive
This is never gonna go our way
If I’m gonna have to guess what’s on your mind

 

Rex followed Kix’ gaze, the lights of the club pulsing and flashing with the beat of the song’s upbeat remix.

“What’s your excuse?” Kix elbowed the captain. He watched the sad look come over Rex’s face as he watched his brothers letting down their inhibitions with Nova, something Kix had never seen the captain do with anyone before.

Rex sighed. “We’re just friends. We’re just… going to be friends,” he said solemnly.

 

Coming out of my cage
And I’ve been doing just fine
Gotta gotta be down
Because I want it all
It started out with a kiss
How did it end up like this?

 

“Did you bring your new friend?” Cody’s voice had Rex and Kix both swiveling abruptly in their seats as it cut through the dull roar of one song blending into the next as one song ended and the other began.

“She’s out there dancing with Fives and Echo.” Kix grinned over at Cody, who gave Rex a disapproving glare, but reached around to take a glass and pour himself a mug of ardees anyway.

“You’re one to talk, little brother. Your riduur is going to end up going home with Hardcase and Corvis if you don’t make a move.” Rex tipped his glass toward where Hardcase was kissing Corvis over Jesse’s shoulder as they both were grinding on him on the dance floor. Kix’s eyes flashed. Cody and Rex grinned at one another as Kix pointedly set down his drink and wiped his sweaty hands on his pants. With a fortifying, deep breath, Kix headed toward the mass of grinding bodies.

 

It was only a kiss, it was only a kiss
Now I’m falling asleep
And she’s calling a cab
While he’s having a smoke
And she’s taking a drag

 

“Now what about you?” Cody took a long swig of his drink. “Taxi girl is hot.”

Rex shook his head. “We’ve only just seen each other twice, for Maker’s sake!”

Cody chuckled. “So what? I’d have fucked her the night I met her! If I hadn’t had someone else in the back of her cab that first night, I’d have hit it.” 

 

Now they’re going to bed
And my stomach is sick
And it’s all in my head
But she’s touching his chest now
He takes off her dress now
Letting me go

 

Rex’ blanched at his brother. 

“Don’t give me that look!” Cody drained his glass, “You have to start going for what you want, vod’ika. Look at her out there – any trooper could take her home tonight. You gotta make sure it’s you.” Cody filled his glass again.

 

And I just can’t look, it’s killing me
And taking control

 

Rex looked out into the crowd to see Nova dancing alone, Fives and Echo were pressed close together, their foreheads touching.

“Or me.” Cody took a big drink of ardees and set his glass down with an audible clink, shoulder-checking Rex as he quickly made his own way out to the dance floor. Rex watched, leaning back on the bar to appear relaxed as Cody sidled up to Nova, slapping Jesse and Fives on the back in greeting and beginning to dance. Cody caught his younger brother’s eye and smirked. Rex just rolled his eyes.

 

Jealousy, turning saints into the sea
Swimming through sick lullabies
Choking on your alibis
But it’s just the price I pay
Destiny is calling me
Open up my eager eyes
‘Cause I’m Mr. Brightside

 

It took a few moments, but as his vode danced, Cody’s point began to sink in. He didn’t want to see Nova dancing with any of the identical faces in the crowd. She was too special to him, too unique to dance with just anyone, to be with just anyone. Even just through letters and holos, Nova had made a home in his heart amongst the people he cared for most.

 

I’m coming out of my cage
And I’ve been doing just fine
Gotta gotta be down
Because I want it all
It started out with a kiss
How did it end up like this?

 

Cody put an arm around Nova’s waist as they danced, his flirtatious and infectious smile brightening his features. Hardcase was groping Corvis as they kissed, barely doing anything anyone would call dancing. Jesse and Kix were dancing, but were so focused on each other they may have been the only ones in the room. Fives and Echo were still wrapped around one another, smiling like fools. 

 

“That’s new.” Rex grumbled.

 

(It was only a kiss), it was only a kiss
Now I’m falling asleep
And she’s calling a cab
While he’s having a smoke
And she’s taking a drag
Now they’re going to bed
And my stomach is sick
And it’s all in my head
But she’s touching his chest now
He takes off her dress now
Letting me go

 

The memory of Nova sitting across from him in the diner spun in Rex’s head, those blue eyes focused on him alone, now focused on his brother. Her curly hair was disheveled and wild much like it was when they watched the boloball game. Cody leaned in and said something into Nova’s ear that had her tipping her head back and laughing. Rex swallowed against the jealous lump in his throat. He’d gotten that reaction from her. Seeing Cody pull out a laugh like that, then pull her closer to keep dancing made Rex’s stomach tighten. Nova stood on her tiptoes to say something back to Cody. His older brother let his hands slide up her arms and hold her against his body, leaning down to hear her. Cody’s knees buckled slightly as he laughed at whatever she said. Rex turned away completely then, tearing his eyes away from the dance floor.

 

‘Cause I just can’t look, it’s killing me
And taking control

Jealousy, turning saints into the sea
Swimming through sick lullabies
Choking on your alibi
But it’s just the price I pay
Destiny is calling me
Open up my eager eyes
‘Cause I’m Mr. Brightside

I never
I never
I never
I never

 

“Hey! Wanna pour some for me?” Nova’s breathless voice was close, the space next to Rex now filled with warmth and the scent of sweat and whatever light perfume Nova wore. Rex poured the last of the pitcher for Nova and signaled to the droid to bring another as a wordless techno song began to play over the speakers. Nova took two big swallows from her glass. 

“Having fun?” Rex asked blankly.

Nova smiled out at the dance floor. “Be more fun if you were out there. Your brothers are handsy!” She turned to Rex with shake of her head.

“Who?” Rex looked murderous.

Nova had to laugh. “It’s fine, Rex. No harm, no foul.”

“If one of them tried something,” Rex turned to look into the crowd, getting off his stool.

Nova grabbed Rex by the bicep and pulled him back. “I’m a big girl, Rex.” Nova’s sparkling eyes and wide smile stopped him in his tracks. “I might not mind some clones being handsy.” She watched him over her glass as she took another drink.

“Um…” Rex’s brain stalled out for a moment. “Like which clones?” He asked dumbly, his eyes on her lips as she drank.

“Come dance with me, Rex. You do dance, don’t you?” She grabbed his hand and set her drink down, lacing their fingers together.

Rex set his own drink down. “I dance… I just,” he didn’t finish his sentence as Nova turned and began dragging him toward the dance floor.

Nova was thrilled to find, Rex had moves. He started out looking unsure of himself and whether it was the music or the alcohol kicking in, she happily threw her arms around his neck as he started dancing with the same physical prowess as his brothers. There was something about the way the clones moved, their muscular, sinewy bodies finding the rhythm and keeping it so well that made her just a little weak in the knees. Perhaps it was finding freedom on the dance floor from the heavy, bulky armor they wore 95% of the time. She didn’t know, and the way Rex moved with her to the music, she didn’t care. He had eyes for no one but her, his golden brown eyes flashing in the strobe lights. He reached for her as much she reached for him, mostly to stay together in the throng of bodies, but his large hands on her waist, pulling her closer, sent a thrill through up her spine. After several songs of non-stop dancing, working up a sweat with each other, Nova finally pulled him back off the dance floor, when the music slowed and the proximity became overwhelming.

Laughing and sweaty, the crowd spit them out back to the food bar, where Fives and Echo were eating nachos. They turned to the captain and his friend as they came through the crowd, each of them grinning through the food in their mouths.

“You are the KING, Rex!” Fives raised a hand for Rex to slap, the other man looking slightly confused as he high-fived him.

“Who knew you could dance like that, Captain!” Echo added, handing Nova a fresh mug from a full pitcher of ardees.

Nova drank her fill as Rex grimaced at his men. “What are you talking about? Just because I don’t go gallivanting about with you lot, doesn’t mean I don’t get out.”

Echo passed Rex a full mug. “How would we know, sir? It’s not like you’re letting us have dance parties in the mess on off hours.”

“You want to have dance parties in the mess?” Rex quipped. “So I dance, it’s not a secret.”

“Not like you two anyway,” Nova said over the rim of her mug, eyes mischievous.

Fives nearly choked on the loaded nacho he was attempting to take a bite from. Echo turned his stool around to face the bar. Nova locked eyes with him through the mirror behind the bar, though, noting his reddened face.

“Yeah…” Rex smirked, standing closer to Nova, “What is going on with you two?”

“I… I don’t know what you mean, Rex.” Fives replied, turning to refill his half-full mug. Echo covered his face with both his hands. Fives never called Rex captain unless he was trying to get in his good graces.

Echo turned the stool back to face the others. “It’s still new, alright,” he said quietly. He glanced at Fives, who was looking at him with nervous fondness.

“Awww!” Nova reached across the circle of their little group and opened her arms to Echo, who accepted her embrace with an even redder face. “Your boys are in love, Rex!” She turned to Fives, who eagerly accepted his hug.

“It was just a matter of time!” Rex smiled a genuine, full smile at both of his men. 

Just then Hardcase came barreling into their group, sweaty and looking dazed. He nearly knocked the drinks from their hands. His face was flushed, but he appeared to be happier than a Jawa at a junkyard.

“Whoa, ‘Case, slow down!” Rex reached out to steady the younger man.

Hardcase turned fully and his face lit up. “Rex! Have you seen Jesse or Kix?” He asked, his words just on the edge of slurring. Echo and Fives gave each other a furtive glance.

“Sorry, pal, been dancin’!” Rex said. “How much have you had to drink?”

Hardcase’s face shined in the light of club, he was so full of glee. “It’s not how much – it’s how good the booze! It’s not how much it is.. but how much it is…. good.” He swayed on his feet. “I told Warthog Kix could beat anybody in arm wrestling and now he wants to challenge him. Have you seen him?”

Rex and Nova traded amused looks. “No, sorry, haven’t seen him.”

Nova giggled, latching on to Rex’s bicep. “Me neither, sorry.”

Hardcase ran a hand through his hair, making it stick up in all directions. “I’m gonna check the fresher. I bet they’re in there fuckin,” he said conspiratorially. He tapped twice at the side of his nose and then took off into the crowd.

Nova pressed her laughing face into Rex’s arm as he pinched the bridge of his nose. Looking down at the shaking mass of curly black hair, Rex couldn’t help but laugh as well. Nova threw her head back and laughed, leaning on Rex to keep herself upright. He looked down at her, face rosy with heat, eyes bright with mirth, skin dewy from dancing. He felt like the luckiest man in the club. He took a long swallow from his mug and set it on the bar.

“Read to go back out there?” Rex asked, lacing his fingers with hers. She skipped ahead of him, squeezing his hand.

Notes:

Songs in order:

Fix You - by Coldplay
Believe - Mumford and Sons
Mr. Brightside - The Killers

Chapter 6: Sunrises and Sunsets

Summary:

Fluffy chapter: Rex comes to a realization. Nova worms her way into his heart a little deeper.

Rex was no stranger to waking with someone clinging to him, a foot here, a limp hand there. Cuddle piles were common amongst his brothers, especially after a rough campaign: mattresses pulled from bunks, clones stripped of their armor seeking comfort in the crush of bodies. None of the clones were shy about snuggling up to a friend for comfort, for the tangible reminder that they weren’t alone. Clones did not do well with solitude. They were created in a sterile, singular glass womb, alone, with no warm, soft body to care for them. The moment they could touch another person, they would bask in the warmth and the familiar smell of their brothers. As they grew older and the nightmares and the panic and the existential dread of being a soldier became too much, they would seek out their brothers, often in the dark of night and the cold of space.

No, Rex was no stranger to sharing a bed. But as the smell of fresh-brewed caf hit his senses and he began to wake, he felt something was off. The bed beneath him was soft, the sheets smelled of detergent and something citrusy he couldn’t place. The body half on top of him was small, the warm puffs of air tickling his neck faster and more shallow than he was accustomed to. His eyes fluttered open to sunlight, a window he was unfamiliar with. With a groan, he pinched his eyes to clear them. The person on top of him stirred, fragrant black curls coming to rest against his face. He smoothed the hair away and glanced down to see Nova curled into his side, their legs tangled on the wide bed. He wore only his blacks, his body enjoying the proximity of the feminine curves pressed tightly against him. She was clad only in a t-shirt that had ridden up in her sleep and a pair of plain white panties. Rex vaguely remembered being unceremoniously dumped here, on top of the bedding, before turning over and falling asleep hard.

Cringing and cursing his body’s betrayal, Rex turned and laid Nova’s head on the pillow as he sat up, trying hard not to disturb her sleep. As he kneeled above her, preparing to crawl down and out of the bed, sleepy blue eyes caught him. Rex froze, cradling the back of Nova’s head, his face mere inches from hers.

“Morning soldier.” Nova said sleepily, a slow smile stretching across her face. She was sleep-warm, her skin dewy and hair a mess. Her pink lips were inviting and oh-so-close. Something twisted in Rex’s stomach as he stared down at her.

Oh. Rex thought. Oh no…

Rex sat up on his knees and moved to the end of the bed. “Morning,” he rumbled in reply, his voice scratchy.

Nova stretched like a tooka in a sunbeam, completely unconcerned about the thin t-shirt riding up higher on her torso or her naked legs. Rex feigned tiredness, rubbing his eyes to avoid looking at her.

“OOOH! Caf’s on!” Nova sat up and swung her legs off the bed, leaning heavily into Rex. “Fresher’s across the hall. Do NOT use all the hot water.” She bumped her shoulder against his and strode out of the room, running her fingers through her curls. Rex watched her walk through the bedroom door and into the kitchen beyond. He rubbed his face, scratching at his overgrown scalp before following her out of the room and into the fresher.

Nova was not naive nor oblivious. Waking up with Rex hovering over her was an unexpected, though not unwelcome surprise. She had noted his amber eyes flicking to her mouth before he caught himself and sat back. She’d wanted to wrap her arms around his neck, but something in his eyes made her hesitate. They were friends. And perhaps that’s all Rex wanted to be. She had resigned herself to let Rex lead their friendship; he was, after all, the one with the most to lose in starting a relationship with a civilian. She was growing to care for him deeply and did not want to jeopardize what they already had. As she pulled two mugs out of the cupboard and poured herself a cup of caf, she listened to the water start up in the bathroom, trying not to imagine him in there alone, naked and wet.

“Get a grip girlie.” Nova mumbled as she doctored her coffee with creamer and sugar to her liking. She took a tentative sip at the steaming cup and grinned. Taking a larger sip, she retreated back into the bedroom and slipped on a pair of comfortable pants and a sweatshirt. Just as she picked up her mug of caf, Rex came out of the fresher rubbing at his head with one of her towels. “You are quick!” Nova exclaimed as Rex draped the towel over one shoulder. He wore a pair of casual cargo pants and the top of his blacks.

“Military,” Rex replied with a lopsided grin. “Do you have a washer I can toss these in?” He held a set of blacks in his hand.

Nova nodded to her kitchen. “In there, right under the caf maker. Help yourself.” She took a sip from her mug and sat down in front of her caf table, which was strewn with datachips, her datapad, and several dozen sheets of flimsy.

Rex found a mug and poured himself some caf, the rich aroma reaching his senses before the warmth hit his tongue. Nova’s caf was full-bodied and thick, smooth and dark. Not a single undissolved granule hit his palate as he drank. With a sinful moan, he topped up his mug before joining Nova in the living room. 

“I will never tire of real caf.” Rex said as he carried his pack to the sofa and sat down.

Nova looked at him over the rim of her own mug. “I am totally sending you back to the barracks with better caf.”

Rex sniffed in amusement. “Unless it’s instant caf, it’ll be a waste of credits.”

“I swear to you, the little market down the street has the best instant caf; we’re stopping there before you ship out again.” Nova said with finality.

“Yes ma’am.” Rex gave Nova a salute, which earned him a laugh. He pulled out his own datapad and turned it on, sitting back with his mug in one hand. Nova watched him a moment before focusing on the chaos of her table and beginning to organize herself.

They worked in silence for a good couple of hours, Nova brewing another pot of caf and topping them both up without a word. As she outlined her next paper on the Lurmen, she snuck glances at Rex as he worked. She learned a lot about the man in those hours, as Rex pulled out another datapad and studied one as he typed on another. He would mutter to himself as he worked, his face morphing from placid to brows furrowed in tense concentration and back as he worked. He pursed his lips when he had trouble coming up with the right word, and often mumbled through what he wanted to say. He only drank his caf between reports, stretching and reaching for his mug between each. He would fiddle with the stylus instead of using it to type, flipping it between his fingers and holding it with his teeth as he typed with the first and second fingers on each hand instead. Nova found his quirks endearing.

Finishing typing up the notes from her last lecture and the outline of her paper, Nova waited for Rex to reach for his mug again. He rubbed at his golden eyes and blinked before reaching down, only to find the mug empty. He looked up to find Nova watching him.

“You gettin’ hungry?” Nova asked, her arms wrapped around her knees. Rex could see he had been watched.

“I’m out of caf, so… I could eat,” he shrugged.

Nova unfolded herself from her place on the floor and grabbed both their mugs, heading straight for the kitchen. She took out two packets of quick-cook noodles and set them to boil. Rex came and leaned against the entryway to the kitchen, watching as Nova pulled several bottles down from a cupboard and began measuring ingredients into a saucepan. The savory smell of the sauce as Nova began to heat it on the stovetop made Rex’s mouth water. It took no time at all for the thick brown liquid to come to a boil, Nova adding cooked nuna from her conservator before taking it off the heat. She added the noodles to the pan and stirred the concoction together.

“This is my poor girl specialty,” Nova said as she transferred the dish to two bowls. “Wanna grab some fizz from the conny?” She asked as she made to carry the bowls into the living room. Rex obliged and followed her back to their respective places, where she’d set a bowl of noodles on the caf table for him. Rex popped open both bottles of fizz and sat down.

“Thank you. This smells amazing.” Rex said as he picked up his bowl. 

As he twisted noodles onto his fork, Nova scoffed. “It’s nothing special.”

Rex’s first bite was heaven. Tangy, savory, gingery sauce coated the nuna and noodles, not too much to be overwhelming, but enough to make him crave the next bite. After slurping up nearly half the bowl, Rex finally paused to take a sip from his drink. “Maybe not much to you, but after GAR rations, this is a meal fit for a Senator!” He tucked back into his noodles as Nova watched on. Watching him enjoy just being gave Nova a warm feeling in her chest.

“Do you mind if I work on some music? It won’t be loud, just me singing mostly.” Nova asked as she set aside her empty bowl and began nursing the bottle of florescent pink fizz.

Rex set his bowl inside Nova’s and sat back with his own bottle of fizz. “Not at all. I usually do these reports and requisitions with a battalion of troopers hounding me for attention,” he replied. “Distraction is their middle name.”

Rex stood and gathered the dishes, taking them into the kitchen. On hearing the sink turn on, Nova called, “Just leave them in the sink Rex. I’ll get them eventually.”

“No,” Rex called, his voice stern, “You cooked, I can clean!”

Nova shook her head fondly and sighed. She couldn’t argue with Rex’s authoritative Captain’s voice. So she cleared her schoolwork away and set a small keyboard up on the table in its place. Grabbing a guitar from the corner, she sat down with a piece of flimsy and started to work. The song that had been rattling around in her head since Rex had called her after his near-death experience on Naboo was still vexing her. She would play a few chords on the piano and write them down, humming a tune only she knew the words to. Rex finally reclaimed his space on the sofa, kicking his feet up and lounging back, datapad in hand.

As Nova went back and forth between the guitar and the piano, Rex found himself tapping his foot along with her as the rhythm became more clear and the tune more defined. It was his turn to watch her, completely in her element, murmurs of lyrics slipping past her lips every so often. He’d finished his mission reports and casualty reports and was on to requisitions when she seemed to stall out. Abruptly, she stood and stretched, excusing herself to the fresher for her own shower. It was already midafternoon, the artificial light coming through the windows in the tiny apartment growing long and golden as they worked.

Nova came out of the fresher to find Rex asleep on her sofa, datapad on his stomach, long forgotten. She smiled down at him, his face relaxed in sleep, and the urge to run her hand over his blonde buzz cut nearly too strong to ignore. She passed through to her bedroom where she quickly put on work clothes and attempted to tame her hair with a barrette. When she came back into the living room, Rex was still asleep, soft snores coming through parted lips. Carefully, Nova covered him up with a blanket. As quietly as possible, she tidied the apartment, finally sitting down to pull out a different song to work on, popping a set of headphones on. She began to sing.

 

“Wide-eyed with a heart made full of fright
Your eyes follow like tracers in the night
And the tightrope that you wander everytime
You have been weighed, you have been found wanting

Been wondering for days
How you felt me slip your mind
Leave behind your wanton ways
I want to learn to love in kind
‘Cause you were all I ever longed for…”

 

Deep, honey-colored eyes watched Nova from across the room. She pursed her lips as she worked something out in her head and swayed to the music he couldn’t hear. Rex watched her, the little details and quirks he was coming to know as uniquely Nova solidifying what he had discovered earlier that morning. He liked her. More than that, he was feeling things he’d only experienced in small flashes with people he barely remembered: attraction. Rex’s experience was limited to ungratifying rendezvous with women he knew he would never see again. It scratched an itch, but it left him feeling dirty afterward. As he watched Nova through his lashes he felt the same spark, but it simmered just under his heart, rather than sparking hot and quick. He was used to sharp, quick burns, like the wick on a stick of dynamite. It would cause an explosion of heat and light and be devastating in the best way. But it was over quickly and with little to show for it once the ash hit the ground. Just the pile of rubble that was his heart. This was something else entirely. Blue eyes locked on Rex’s and Nova found him watching her intently as she sang softly to the music only she could decipher from the notes spread before her. She smiled at him as she finished the last line, giving the guitar a flourished strum in finality.

“Hey sleepyhead! Have a good nap?” Nova asked cheekily.

Rex blinked and began to sit up, his neck stiff from where he’d used the arm of the sofa as a pillow. “Best sleep I’ve had in a long time.” His smile was brilliant as he considered that he’d just had more sleep in the last 18 hours than he’d had in the last six months and felt better than he had in a very long time. The dim light and long shadows brought him back to himself, however. “What time is it?”

“1700. You haven’t been sleeping long.” Nova said as she turned off her datapad and disconnected the headphones.

Rex grimaced. “No, but I should check in. Maker knows I don’t want the boys coming to look for me again,” he said with a wry grin.

“You don’t think they learned their lesson last time?” Nova asked with a chuckle.

Rex just rolled his eyes. “I wish.” He began packing up his things, stuffing them into the plastoid pack in a very specific order.

“What are you up to tonight?” Nova asked sheepishly.

Rex turned to her with a blank stare. “I thought I was hanging out with you,” he stated simply. Nova beamed.

“The new rosters are going up tonight. Wanna go back to Beevor’s to watch?” Nova hugged her knees.

A smile slowly spread itself across Rex’s face. “Hell yes.”

 

*****

Beevor’s Bar wasn’t nearly as full as it had been during the boloball finals, but it wasn’t dead either. Nova and Rex were able to get seats at the end of the bar where Rex could see the whole room.

“Now this is what I’m talkin about!” Rex said with eyes bright as the bartender set a giant mug of Alderaanian ale down in front of him.

Taking her equally large mug and diving in, Nova raised her eyebrows in agreement as she drank. She wiped her lips off on the sleeve of her shirt and groaned. “That’s good shit.”

Rex laughed. The giant mug looked even larger in her tiny hands. “Careful. That’s a lot of ale for a tiny woman.”

Nova scowled. “I’m not tiny. I’m… compact.”

“Same thing!” Rex replied with a mischievous tilt to his smile. “Copikla,” he grinned.

Nova eyed the man suspiciously. “What does that mean?”

Rex’s smile grew. He took a moment to consider his answer. “Tiny but fierce,” he stated.

Nova searched her friend’s eyes, his playful expression and the overly-amused smile narrowing her eyes. “Okay. Copikla. I like it.” She took another long swig of her ale. Rex let his chuckle get lost in his own drink as he watched her. “Oh, it’s on!” Nova gestured to the holoscreens above the bar.

“Intergalactic Boloball season is coming around again soon, and we’re here to learn the new picks for the triple-A division rosters!” The smartly dressed Rodian on the screen announced as the bartender turned the volume up.

Nova and Rex argued over each teams’ picks like two Hutts on Boonta Eve. Rex laughed until his stomach hurt, the good-natured ribbing from his companion was a balm to his soul. She could see past his serious and stoic demeanor and find that funny bone within him that ached to shine through sometimes. He could be who he was, without the threat of losing someone he cared about or defending the defenseless. For a moment, only Beevor’s bar and his friend Nova existed and boloball was the only thing of consequence. He bathed in the normality.

Across the bar in a dark corner, sat a man watching. He knew the blonde-haired clone at the bar with the pretty girl. He knew General Skywalker’s right-hand man anywhere. The man nursed his whiskey and watched in silence, planning.

 

***

It had been raining a sad drizzle for quite awhile by the time they left Beevor’s, the streets slick and the air a thick, misty haze. Street lamps were the only beacons in the darkness, pinpoints of light stretching off into the fog.

“Look at that. Lights to guide us home.” Rex said as he stopped just outside the bar. He looked down at Nova as she came to stand next to him, her eyes bright and skin dewy in the hazy light. Maker… She couldn’t be more beautiful if she tried, Rex thought.

Nova smiled up at him. “Aren’t you poetic all of a sudden!”

“You must be rubbing off on me.” Rex grumbled as they set off toward Nova’s apartment. She cackled in response.

They were quiet on the way back, arguing about who was paying when they stopped at the shop to pick up instant caf. Rex compromised by paying for his own plain caf, Nova purchasing him several flavored varieties. They were still ribbing one another as they entered her apartment, so Rex could gather his belongings. As he sat to put his things in his pack, Nova had the audacity to ask about Kix and Jesse.

“Those two!” Rex sat back on the sofa. “They’ve been with me from the start. They’ve been inseparable since Hisseen. That’s when Kix really showed his aptitude for field medicine. It just happened to be when Jesse got a piece of shrapnel in his side that lacerated his liver.”

Nova sat down next to Rex, wincing at his retelling of how Kix met Jesse.

Rex chuckled at her look of horror. “Yeah. There is a lot of blood in a human being!”

“How about Fives and Echo?” Nova pulled her knees up onto the sofa, getting comfortable.

“Now there’s a pair I didn’t see coming! They weren’t initially assigned to the 501st. They were a couple of cocky shinies when I met them.” He shook his head fondly. He recounted the tale of finding the pair on the Rishi moon. Nova was rapt, keeping the Captain talking late into the night.

***

“Rex.” The comm was muffled, but it stirred the pair on the sofa out of slumber. “Come in Captain.” Nova lifted her head off Rex’s lap where his arm was trapped under her, looking around in sleepy confusion. Rex himself rubbed at his eyes, not quite sure what had woken him. Milky light filtered through the window, though it was still dark outside.

“What time is it?” Nova asked, stretching as she sat up and gave Rex some distance.

“Rex? Where are you?” General Skywalker’s voice was a concerned squawk over the comm on Rex’s vambrace.

Rex hurried to answer, now fully awake. “Yessir! I’m here sir.” He stood and started collecting his armor from where he’d left it the night before.

“I was starting to worry.” Skywalker’s voice was back to all business. “We ship out at 0900.”

“Where are we headed, sir?” Rex paused as he fastened his utility belt onto his hips.

“We’re headed to Ryloth to break up that blockade and get some aid down to the Twileks. I’ll see you on the bridge.”

Nova watched, hugging herself, as Rex finished donning his armor. "Sun is coming up, you want some caf for the road?" she asked.

Rex quirked an eyebrow. "I'll never say no to your caf."

 

They rode to the GAR complex in silence, the sun peaking over the horizon like a sleepy child. Nova made the last turn before she broke the unspoken truce to keep their lingering thoughts to themselves.

"Don't get yourself killed." Nova said in a serious tone.

Rex chuckled. "Wasn't planning on it." His eyes sparkled with mirth.

Nova pulled up to the GAR lobby and put the taxi in park. "I'm serious, Rex. You're my best friend. I don't know what I'd do."

Rex sobered, turning to look at Nova fully. Her eyes were full of some emotion he'd never seen on her face before. Her dusky pink lips were in a pout, her sparkling blue eyes narrowed. It was so different from staring at her as he attempted to leave her bed nearly a full standard day ago. And yet, the urge to lean over and kiss the pout off her lips...

Rex swallowed hard. "I'll come back to you," he husked, trying to commit her softening features to memory.

Nova smiled. "K'oyacyi, Captain."

Rex beamed. The lump in his throat kept him from responding as he stepped out of the taxi.

Notes:

Nova’s song in the chapter is The Wolf by Mumford and Sons.

Chapter 7: Antigravity

Summary:

Rex learns more about what Nova does at the rehab center and takes her on a ride.

Notes:

Hello there! Have some angst. The writer's block got me a little bit, but here's a chapter that I've had in my head since the beginning. Why must Rex be such a gentleman?

Plush lips trailed down the thin skin of his throat, sucking at his pulse point. Blunt nails raked down his stomach, others scratching at his scalp. He inhaled, the citrusy tang of her hair clinging to his senses. She tasted like chocolate and brown sugar when she finally smiled down and kissed him, taking his bottom lip between both of hers. He wrapped his arms around her much smaller body, capturing her laugh in his mouth -

 

The ground shook and Rex was thrown from his bunk by the force of the blast just outside his tent. He was on his feet and had his helmet on before the next blast hit, opening a comm channel.

“Sitrep?!” He bellowed over the connection. Outside his tent was chaos, craters in the earth where there had been canvas tents full of his men just hours ago. Blue and white armor streaked past as his brothers grabbed what supplies they could, wounded troopers and anything else they could get their hands on. The sun had just broken through the dense foliage and Rex couldn’t make out who was who.

“We’ve been ambushed, sir! We’re surrounded by clankers!” someone replied. Chips, Rex noted, the man’s number coming up on his HUD.

Rex pulled out his blasters and followed the other clones into the jungle, where the air closed around them in a humid stranglehold.

“General! Commander!” Rex called over the connection.

“Read you loud and clear Rex, I’m at point 35 with Hammer squad. Make your way to me when you can!” General Skywalker replied, the sound of his lightsaber chopping through his words.

“Where’s the commander?” Rex ducked behind a large tree, pressing his back into the crawling vines twisting around it’s trunk. Half a dozen B1 battle droids passed his position. He reached for a droid popper, only to find his pouch empty. “Kriff!” With three shots in quick succession from each hand, the droids were down.

“Ahsoka’s on recon! She’s got the Torrent boys with her!” The General replied.

“Copy that!” Rex heaved a sigh of relief. The sheer carnage surrounding their little makeshift base made his stomach lurch. Smoking craters where there should have been tents, red blaster bolts slicing through half-dressed troopers. The sound of the air strike filled his ears as a mortar came down on the tent he’d just been asleep in, a spray of moist dirt, rocks and debris flying into the air. He was finally forced to move, as more of his brothers got their bearings around him and began holding their own line.

Stepping over brothers and battle droids, Rex fought his way to his General’s side where Anakin slashed through the neverending ranks of droids on the path to the little clearing they had set camp in.

“Sorry to ruin your nap, Rex.” Skywalker quipped, giving his captain a half smile.

Rex tipped his head in acknowledgement, “Who needs sleep when there are tinnies to take down, sir?” The rock he was using as cover splintered near his head, the shot coming from behind.

Rex turned to see a whole battalion of battle droids coming up on their rear flank, groaning into his bucket.

“We’re surrounded, sir!” Rex informed as he came to stand back to back with Skywalker.

“Amp, call in an evac!” Skywalker ordered. “Obi Wan, make for my position!”

“Yessir!” Amp replied, squishing himself between two large trees covered in vines, while another clone covered him. It took him several anxious minutes to raise the nearest cruiser.

On the battlefield, the fight raged, the sound of brothers dying and blaster bolts hitting metal a cacophony in the dense jungle arena. Every few yards Rex and his men gained, they lost again within minutes. He was acutely aware that his brother Cody was somewhere in the fray, side-by-side with his own General. Among the blue and white plastoid, the occasional gold-painted trooper fought… and died.

“General!” Amp finally called.

Skywalker backflipped away from where a mortar hit seconds later. “Give me some good news Amp!”

Amp brought his own blaster to bear as the general deflected blaster bolts away from their position. “Sir, the 104th are on their way to evac. ETA thirteen minutes.”

 

Twenty of the longest minutes of Rex’s short life later, the troops of the 501st and 212th were flying away in the gunships of the 104th. Beside him, a brooding Togruta teenager, his Commander, glared down at the jungles of Felucia. Below, Ahsoka’s Juggernaut exploded in an orange fireball, her whole body jerking as the concussion wave hit the ship. Rex tightened his grip on the strap of the gunship, his other hand coming up to steady the girl. Ahsoka looked up at him, her eyes apologetic. Rex squeezed her shoulder and they rose into the sky, leaving the battlefield far, far below.

***

 

Nova, due to unforeseen circumstances, I’ll be back on 000 for the boloball opener. Care to join me? I’ve requested LOA for the day of, and the next, in case I overindulge. I’ve got a lot of it saved up, so I might as well use it. I may need to go to Centax 2 to oversee some new training regimes we’ve developed, so I’ll be back on duty the Zhellday after the opener.

Apparently, there are more varieties of cookies I have not tried. Are you holding out on me? Chocolate chip cookies are finding me in my dreams, and now I’m told there are hundreds more kinds of cookies out there? What gives?

Rex

***

Rex stared at his message, reading and rereading it. He sat in the mess hall of the Resolute, an empty tray off to the side and a full mug of caf growing cold before him. On the other side of the table, Jesse and Kix sat side-by-side glued together from shoulder to knees, watching something on Kix’s datapad. Each had a hand on the device, their finger entwined. Rex tried not to watch as Jesse laid his head on Kix’s shoulder with a contented sigh. Oh to be able to touch Nova someone like that. The warmth of another body pressed him… Rex closed his eyes and tried to recall the weight of that small body curled around him - 

“Hey Captain!” Fives sat down next to Rex, tray heaped with the calorie and protein-rich mush they had for most meals. Echo followed behind sedately, giving the Captain a grin and a nod. “Are we all going to C-2, or just the shinies?”

Echo rolled his eyes as he sat down. “It’s on our duty roster.”

Jesse lifted his head from Kix’s shoulder. “If it’s shinies, that means you vod,” he teased.

Fives glared. “We have our paint, or’dinii.”

“We have our paint.” Echo said, pointing his spoon at his brother across the table.

Rex hit send on his message, setting his datapad down with a huff. “You’ll all be on C-2, actually. You’ll be working with General Kenobi on some new stealth ops maneuvers he’s put together.” He crossed his arms and met each of his brother’s eyes in turn.

“Where will you be?” Kix asked as he set down his own datapad.

“Um…” Rex wiggled uncomfortably in his seat. “I’m taking a couple of day’s leave.”

Fives and Echo looked at one another, a silent conversation passing between them, before they both laughed.

“It’s Nova, isn’t it!” Fives grinned, stroking his goatee.

“It’s Nova.” Echo repeated. He smiled down at his food and shook his head fondly.

Rex pursed his lips at his men. “I don’t know that it’s any of your business.”

“Come on, Captain! Don’t be ashamed -” Fives started, a bite of food tucked into his cheek.

“I’m not ashamed!” Rex sputtered.

Kix regarded his older brother solemnly. “I think she’s good for you, Captain.”

“Be sure to tell her how good she is!” Fives and Jesse locked eyes, Fives’ quip tickling something in Jesse, both men dissolving into giggles.

Rex extracted himself from the table as Kix gave the others a disapproving glare. Echo watched Rex gather his things.

“This is why I can’t talk to you; it’s like speaking to cadets.” Rex grumbled.

“Captain, come back!” Echo called as Rex made for the door to the mess. Rex stalked away and put his tray down with the other dirty ones with much more force than necessary. He watched with concern until Fives nudged him. Turning the other way, he was met with a forkful of fruit, which he allowed Fives to place in his mouth. Echo couldn’t help but smile and lean forward, letting his forehead come to rest on Fives’ own. His partner knew goochberries were his favorite. He didn’t catch Rex looking back and watching the exchange with sad eyes.

When Rex looked back, Kix and Jesse were watching whatever Kix had on the datapad again and Echo was eating food off Fives’ fork. He thought it juvenile and sickly sweet… But he wished it were him all the same.

 

***

Rex,

I would love to join you for the opener! For the record, I have not been holding out on you. Chocolate chip cookies are just the quintessential cookie. The “starter cookie” if you will. I am happy to facilitate your deep dive into the world of baked goods. I’m sure a regimented, organized man such as yourself will appreciate the attached spreadsheet of cookies and other goodies. We will be scientific about it.

I don’t know where you’re coming from or when you’ll be back exactly. Comm me when you’re home.

Nova

***

Home. Now there was a concept. Rex didn’t think Nova had really thought it through before sending her last message, which he didn’t receive until the Resolute was dropping into the atmosphere of Coruscant. Did he have a home? Kamino would be his home planet, if he had to name one. The barracks on Coruscant and his bunk on the Resolute were just places to stay between battles, during resupply stops, a way to travel from one battle to another. The Resolute was a weapon, a transport, but no, not a home. He frowned down into his pack as he folded his civvies into it. Was Coruscant home? His small office-slash-bunkroom was cozy, but he could leave it behind if he needed to. It was only chance that he was assigned the same room whenever he had time to spend on the planet. Lower-ranking officers often shared bunks with the ARC troopers and weren’t guaranteed to get the same bunk twice, depending on who was on planet.

Nonetheless, he was happy to make atmosphere on Coruscant, sighing in relief as he felt the mooring clamps lock onto the vessel. He slipped the last of his things into his pack and slung it over his shoulder as his comm chirped.

Nova.

He pressed a button in his vambrace, expecting to deliver a cheeky greeting to his friend. Instead, the other end of the line was static and fabric rustling. “Nova?”

“Yeah! No, Rex, this is Cade, one of the other volunteers.” Cade’s voice was breathless and stunted. “Nova is going to have to cancel tonight. There have been – AH! Kriffin hell! There’s been an incident at the rehab center and she – she says she’s sorry.”

“Well, can I talk to her?” Rex frowned down into the comm, disappointment and concern sitting heavily in his stomach.

The comm went dead before he could even finish his sentence, leaving him standing at the threshold of his bunk room dumbfounded.

 

***

When Rex entered the rehab and wound his way back to the practice space, he didn’t expect to find a war zone. Instruments were broken, pieces strewn about the space, several datapads were lodged in the walls like throwing stars, flimsy and the detritus of broken furniture lay everywhere. Nova was crouched in a corner, a crying vod in her arms, rocking him back and forth as Cade looked on from the other side of the room.

“What the hell happened here?” Rex asked Cade, voice low and dangerous. He had some idea what might have occurred but disrupting the relative calm was not his motive.

Cade sighed heavily. “Saber had a flashback. A bad one. We were writing a new song, one he wrote the lyrics to. He just snapped. Hurt a couple of other patients.”

The idea of a flashback to some trauma the trooper had suffered causing so much damage had Rex taking a step back. They were trained against this kind of thing, conditioned to set aside their emotions. How bad could it be, that one of his brothers was so broken?

“What battalion is he from? I don’t recognize the name,” Rex asked.

“13th. Jedi Pong Krell’s command.” Cade said shortly.

Rex wracked his brain. He’d never heard of the 13th. “I don’t know the name.” He watched Nova attempt to wrap her arms around the full-grown trooper as he openly wept in her arms. Rex shivered, hoping he never ended up as broken as this vod’s sobs sounded. Shaking the thought away, he asked, “Is there anything I can do?”

 Cade rubbed his jaw. The man was shorter and stockier than Rex, his clothes disheveled and his chin sported week-old stubble. “Maybe. He needs to know he’s not worthless. They all do. Saber especially, since he was left behind by his squad on orders to keep pushing the front line. He lost everyone.”

Rex’s heart dropped. Protocol number one: Never leave a man behind. His heart broke for the man whose sobs had tapered off to hiccuped sniffles. He met Cade’s eyes and nodded.

Slowly, Rex approached where Nova had wrapped herself around the shaking man, catching her eye as he came into her line of sight.

“Hey. It’s alright,” Rex said lowly. “We’re all friends here.” He held his hands out in a placating gesture. He kneeled down several feet away from Nova and Saber. “How can I help, vodika?”

Nova kept a tight hold on Saber as he slowly looked up at Rex.

“Vodika? Little brother?” Saber said, his voice raw.

Rex smiled. “Yeah. I’m Captain Rex. Orivod, if you like?” His eyes flicked over to Nova who was watching him just as warily as Saber was.

“Why?” Saber whined. “Why would you want me as your little brother? Nobody – Nobody wants me. I’m just a piece of trash, a throwaway.”  His eyes and stuttering breath were a heartbreaking reminder of just how young this man was.

“You are my brother, I’m here for you. Not to command you or give you orders or anything like that. I’m here because you are worth it. You are worth my time. I care about you brother.” Rex held his hand out to Saber.

Saber eyed Rex’s gloved hand suspiciously, hiding most of his face in Nova’s neck, hiccuped sobs fading to hitched breath. “Why?” came his whispered reply.

Nova squeezed the clone a little tighter. “Because Rex is one of the good ones, Saber. He takes care of his men, his vode. He wants to take care of you too,” Nova rubbed circles into the man’s back. “I know it doesn’t feel like it right now, but there are battalions of vode who care about you. You’re their vodika, their little brother. Let Rex help you.”

Saber took several deep breaths, the air stuttering in his chest. Rex stood, his hand still out, letting the other trooper slowly extract himself from Nova’s hold. He didn’t say anything, just kept his eyes on Saber, his face open. Saber took Rex’s forearm and let the captain pull him up to his feet. 

“There we go.” Rex smiled, pulling the trooper into a hug. Saber clung to Rex’s armor, a long, shuttering sigh escaping his lungs as Rex’s arms came around him. “Good man, good man.” Rex petted the younger man’s head. Saber smelled like any of Rex’s brothers, GAR-issued soap and burned laundry. The younger man’s sobs came back, less intense and desperate, but he still shook as he leaned all his weight on Rex, arms limp at his sides. Nova stood up, a small, sad smile tugging at the corners of her lips, seeing Saber clinging to Rex.

One moment Saber was relaxed against Rex and the next he was holding the Captain’s blaster just an inch from Rex’s face. “Why shouldn’t I kill you?!” Saber screamed. “You took everything! Everyone!” His body trembled for a different reason altogether, every line in his body coiled tight.

Nova yelped, the turn of events throwing her off balance. She sunk to the floor once more, her hands over her mouth. Cade was stuck in place across the room, arms out, as if he was trying to block the view from his own eyes.

“Stand down soldier.” Rex’s voice was low and dangerous. Nova had never heard him sound so deadly.

“Fuck –” Saber’s words were cut off as a blade of blue light issued through Rex’s other blaster, the man dropping to the floor in a heap.

Nova slowly rose from her spot on the floor, eyes huge and round in her face where she just stared at Saber unconscious on the floor. 

Rex leaned over and retrieved the dropped blaster. “Are you alright?” he asked as he holstered the weapon. Nova’s arms were wrapped around his neck before the blaster was even clipped in place. She was trembling in his arms and he felt her nod against his armor. He was reluctant to wrap his arms around her, but Nova’s continued shaking made it almost impossible not to. She relaxed into his hold as both of his arms enveloped her and he could feel the warmth of her breath against his neck as she sighed.

“I’m going to get the orderlies to come help get him to his room.” Cade said from the doorway, looking down at Saber sadly. “I’ll have the doc see him.”

Nova pulled away from Rex and gave Cade a tight smile. “Thank you, Cade. I’ll clean up.” She looked over the destroyed room.

Cade put his hands on his hips and frowned. “But it’s the opener! You two go on and get out of here. I’ll have the cleaning droids help me. Won’t take but a few minutes.”

Rex nodded at the other man and hugged Nova tight to his side as he lead her through the wreckage and out the door.

 

Beevor’s was busy, the crowd pressed against the bar in anticipation of the first game of the season. Nova didn’t try to squeeze herself through the crowd, but found a quieter table in the far corner of the room instead. There was an artificial candle on the table, an electric flame fluttering in a pattern across the wood. Rex was quick to get the attention of a droid to place their order and pulled his chair around to sit close to Nova.

Nova hugged herself, though the bar was stifling hot, still looking lost. Rex reached out with an ungloved hand and extracted the arm closest to him, lacing his fingers with hers. He put on his serious captain face for her. “None of this is your fault, you know,” he said, clasping his other hand over their joined fingers. “Nothing you did or didn’t do could have changed the outcome. Saber is going to be fine. Because you didn’t give up on him.”

Nova looked up into Rex’s eyes, amber irises burnished gold in the low light. “I’ll never give up on them.” Rex smiled at her earnest conviction.

“You’ve taken a tremendous risk and a lot of responsibility for those men.” Rex traced the hills and valleys of her knuckles with his thumb. 

Nova licked her lips and turned toward Rex. “Those boys… the troopers at the rehab center… They’ve all been deemed permanently unfit for duty. I don’t know how to feel about that. They’ve all been abused or have seen or been through horrible things. Some of them started to drink or got addicted to spice. And it’s not their fault. But today…” Nova shook her head and had to look away.

Rex just listened. He hadn’t known the men in the rehab center weren’t actually being rehabilitated. But it made sense. Clones worth saving were sent to the Kallida Sholes space station and put back into service as quickly as possible.

Nova straightened her back and looked straight into Rex’s eyes. “I know, intellectually, that you are a soldier. I know you get shot at every day and put yourself in harm’s way all the time, but…” she let out a deep breath, “It didn’t click for me until he had that blaster pointed at your face. You could be killed. In the blink of an eye, I could lose you.”

Rex’s heart stopped in his chest. No one had ever explicitly expressed the desire to keep him safe. The concept didn’t register. “I’m meant to be a soldier. It’s what I was created for,” he said slowly.

Nova shook her head, curls tumbling this way and that. “No. Nobody creates something just to destroy it. You all have to have a larger purpose.”

Rex smiled. “I wish that were true. But if it is, we haven’t figured it out yet.”

They gazed at one another for a long moment, Nova’s devastated blue eyes warring with Rex’s warm, honest look. They were interrupted by the arrival of their drinks.

“I’ll never believe that.” Nova said, drawing her hands away from Rex and picking up her oversized mug of ale.

Rex took a long pull from his own mug and settled more heavily into his seat. “Maybe you can help me learn to figure out what that purpose is then.” He grinned slyly over at the woman beside him. She couldn’t help grinning back.

 

They spent the night talking, the Boloball opener all but forgotten. He told her about his brothers, their personalities as different as their faces were similar. He could laugh about their sibling antics when removed from their proximity, but swore Nova to secrecy. He told her about meeting Echo and Fives and their unlikely relationship, and Jesse and Kix and their most predictable bond. She told him about her family, being the forgotten middle child who would never live up to her parents’ expectations. She didn’t shy away from telling him her dream of counseling and rehabilitating the forgotten and the poor, helping them to learn trades that might lift them out of poverty: writing, translating, performing.

A dark-robed figure two tables over watched them with interest, noting the tiny details they let slip between them: the name of the air taxi company Nova worked for, the regimen Rex was with. They weren’t interested in how close the pair got when something struck them both funny, leaning into each other and letting their touch linger. They didn’t care that the clone’s eyes fell to the girl’s lips whenever she took a drink or that his smile grew wider when she laughed. But as they watched, they planned.

“How is that possible? You’ve never left Coruscant?” Rex squinted at Nova in disbelief.

“Nope. Never been off planet. Can’t say I’ve even seen many stars.” Nova shrugged and tipped back her mug to get the last swallow.

Rex’s brow furrowed in determination. “We’ll have to remedy that!”

 

The hangar next to the dock where the Resolute sat waiting for her crew was spooky. Nova held on to Rex’s forearm with both her hands as they walked through the mostly-empty space to where the Twilight was sitting all by herself. Up close, the Resolute looked like a Coruscanti skyscraper fallen on it’s side as it stretched out in either direction from the over-sized gangplank.

“You’re not going to get in trouble for this, are you?” Nova whispered as they moved through the dark space.

Rex chuckled. He leaned over and whispered conspiratorially, “It pays to have a general in a secret marriage with a Senator.”

Nova replied, “It’s not that secret.”

“Me’ven?” Rex stopped in his tracks. What?

It was Nova’s turn to laugh. “Cabbies hear a LOT. Jedi gossip terribly, and they think no one is listening. If I had time, I could make you a diagram of all the love triangles in the Senate.”

They came to the Twilight where Rex pressed a few buttons on the outside of the hull. The gangplank came down with a hydraulic hiss, which made Nova jump. He gestured to the interior of the ship. Nova started to walk inside as Rex flipped a few more switches. 

“Why is it such a weird shape?” Nova wondered aloud, hugging herself against the chill that seemed to seep into the durasteel of every starship.

“This is a G9 Rigger. The only freighter in its class with a hyperdrive. I believe it’s meant to look like a water sailing ship of some kind,” Rex spouted as he led Nova to the cockpit. “The General commandeered it from a Hutt! That’s all I know! Sit here.” Rex patted the back of the copilot’s seat.

Nova sat as Rex reached above her, turning knobs and flicking switches, the ship slowly coming to life. She watched him expertly check the gauges and dials, mumbling as he did so, his face serious.

Rex started fastening his harness and turned to Nova, “Strap in.” He huffed, humored, as Nova stared at him blankly, holding the ends of the seatbelt. With his 1000 kilowatt smile, Rex unbuckled and stepped over the center console, effectively straddling Nova. They were nearly forehead-to-forehead as he brought the four-point harness around Nova’s tiny frame and buckled it, his big, warm hand between her and the complicated-looking buckle. He reached to either side of her and pulled on the tightening straps, which retracted and pulled Nova flush to the seat. “Okay there?” Rex asked, pulling on the harness to be sure it wasn’t too tight.

Nova cleared her throat and smiled up at him, “All good Captain.”

Rex went offline for a moment, hearing his rank in her voice. He nodded and stepped back to his own seat, deftly applying his own harness. He flipped one last switch and the ship rumbled to life. “GAR tower, this is CT-7567, Captain Rex at hanger 1-tac-5, requesting leave for a maintenance run with Twilight, anticipated return less than one rotation.”

The familiar voice of another clone filled the cockpit. “General has you doing repairs, now, Rex? I’ve got you, sir. Return to 1-tac-5 within the rotation.”

“Copy that.” Rex switched off comms and began maneuvering out of the hangar. Nova held on to her seat with all her might.

Until they were ready to break through the atmosphere, being in the ship wasn’t much different than driving an airtaxi. But then Rex did something that made the ship pressurize and he looked over at Nova. “We’re about to break atmosphere. Open your eyes.”

Nova wasn’t sure when her eyes had closed, but they were squeezed tight. She peeled them open as Rex brought the ship around so she could see the planet below through the viewport. Coruscant space was busy at all hours of the day, ships passing from spaceports to the planet, others jetting off to hyperlanes from each hemisphere. Rex watched Nova looking out the transperisteel.

“It’s so… pretty. Up here,” Nova marvelled.

“It is.” Rex agreed, never taking his eyes off her. Her face was a mixture of delight and trepidation and curiosity as her eyes latched on to a ship and watched it fly past. “Do you want to fly?”

Nova whipped her face to Rex’s, shaking her head. “I can’t fly this!” She squeaked.

“It’s exactly like the taxi. C’mon.” Rex reached over and took her right hand off her seat where her knuckles were bleached white against the material. He placed her hand on the yoke. “I’ve already input the coordinates, all you have to do is fly.”

Nova swallowed hard. “Okay. I can do that.” She slowly brought her other hand to the yoke and Rex turned off the autopilot. Nova glanced down at the dials in front of her and saw it was almost exactly like her taxi. “I can totally do this.” She relaxed a fraction in her chair.

“Now, with artificial gravity, you’ll want to keep track of the astrolabe. It will have an extra dimension that’s going to help you calculate your hyperspace route -” Rex began calmly.

“WHAT? I can’t calculate a hyperspace anything, Rex!” Nova stared out the viewport but the tension she had lost was back tenfold.

“You’re fine, you’re okay. The ship’s computer already has a route worked out.” Rex gestured to the navicomputer. "When you get to the coordinates I’ve set, you’ll be able to input those into the hyperdrive and just push us into hyperspace.” His voice was so soothing, deep and reassuring.

Nova kept piloting the little ship, easing up on the yoke as a small ding rang through the cockpit. She reached for the correct switch to place the vessel in stationary orbit around the fixed point of their coordinates. She blew an errant curl out of her hair. “Okay. So now I do what?” Her sparkling blue eyes were trained on Rex.

Maker she’s beautiful. Rex shook himself. He tapped on a switch. “This will… um, transfer the calculations from the navicomputer to the hyperdrive.” Nova flicked the switch. Another notification chimed above a large lever. “Now, this readout above the lever tells you when the two match. When the circles all match up, you’re ready to jump to lightspeed.”

Nova reached for the lever, the big piece of metal dwarfing her hand. “Al – alright.” She bit her lip and nervously watched the readout as one blue circle inside a large red circle both lit up completely. She glanced up at Rex who grinned and nodded at her. With some effort, and an assist of Rex’s much larger hand, Nova pushed the lever forward. All around the ship, the stars elongated and warped into streaks of light, pushing both of them into their seats.

Nova looked up at Rex, who was smiling across at her. “You’ve just folded space-time at your will,” he whispered.

“Maker Rex,” Nova craned her neck to look out, “it’s gorgeous! How do you not just stand at a window and watch the stars whiz by?”

“Sometimes I do.” Rex tore his eyes away from Nova and looked out the viewport himself. “But it’s the lives on all the planets we’re passing that I’m more concerned with.” A klaxon rang out, giving Nova another start. Rex chuckled. “Just a short jump.” The ship lurched out of hyperspace and fell still. There was not a planet or moon to be seen.

“Where are we?” Nova asked with awe.

Rex leaned over the hyperdrive lever. “See that bright star over there? Brightest one out there?” He pointed to one celestial body that was brighter than all the others and shone with a pinkish tinge. Nova nodded. “That’s Spiro. The resort planet. There are these little pockets of space where you’re not held in the orbit of a planet or its star. And we can do this.” Rex reached up and turned off the artificial gravity.

Nova’s hair stood on end and her clothing began floating around her body. “Rex!” She watched as her limp arms began floating away from her.

With a cheeky grin, Rex pressed the center button of his harness and shucked it off his shoulders. His whole body began to rise from the seat and he gently pushed off of the dash. Grabbing Nova’s seat he reached down to her lap and pressed on the latch for her own harness before reaching up to the communications dash and turning on the radio. Nova let her body float away from her seat, her limbs akimbo. Before she crashed into the ceiling, Rex captured her wrist and drew her to him.

“This is wild!” Nova giggled as he drew his arm around her waist.

“Maybe one day I’ll teach you to use a jetpack!” Rex’s eyes crinkled with how hard he was smiling. His voice dipped lower, “Dance with me.”

Nova flailed a bit in his arms. “Is it like swimming? Cuz I can’t do that either.” She pushed off the bulkhead and sent both of them floating fast across the cockpit.

“Whoa! Not too hard.” Rex took Nova’s hand and spun her away from him until only their fingertips touched, then he pulled her back in with a spin into his arms. As a sad-sounding Huttese number played on the radio, they danced around each other, giggling like children. There was a crackle of anticipation in the Twilight, no one but the two of them for parsecs. Without artificial gravity, even the scent of Nova’s hair floated through the hull unchecked, making Rex dizzy with her scent. Rex’s warm hands keeping Nova from going too fast or too far from his solid embrace made her bold. She did a slow somersault in the air and let Rex stop her before she could tumble end over end again, wrapping her arms around his neck and holding on.

“Thank you for this, Rex,” Nova said earnestly, holding his gaze in the semidarkness. Her eyes ticked down to his lips, still pressed up into a tiny, satisfied grin. There was nothing to stop her from running her hands over his soft blonde hair, which he leaned into like a tooka. The satisfied hum was an added bonus, as he followed her hand. For a fraction of a second Nova thought he was going to kiss her, as he took the hand in his hair and brought it down between them. He kissed her wrist then, his warm lips against her pulse fleeting.

“We should get back.” His voice rumbled with regret.

A flash of hurt filled her eyes as Nova pulled herself from his embrace. “Suns probably coming up on triple zero,”

Rex ran his hand through his own hair and huffed out a breath. “You should strap in before I turn the gravity back on.”

There was so much he wanted to do, so much he wanted to say. He saw the tiny glance at his lips and by the Maker if he didn’t want to use them to taste her. He watched her for a second, the black curls waving this way and that without gravity to hold them in place, the graceful hands finding purchase and maneuvering her body into her seat. When they were both settled, he turned the gravity back on and let it press them into the plasteel of their respective chairs before reversing course and punching them into hyperspace.

The radio still played, though the cockpit was otherwise silent. Ever the gentleman, Rex refused to let it linger.

“I have brothers who are – were in relationships. With natborns, err, civilians,” Rex stared out at the passing stars. “It never ends well, when I have to tell their partners they’ve marching on without them.” He glanced over at Nova who was watching him unblinking. “I don’t want you to go through that.”

“You’re a survivor -”

“The older I get the more likely I am to be killed.” Rex spoke over Nova.

“It’s never going to not hurt, Rex. Whether we’re friends or… more than friends.” Rex started to speak, but Nova was louder. “But I think you’re going to outlast them all.”

Rex gave a shy smile, finally meeting her eyes. She smiled thinly back at him.

Chapter 8: The Zillo Beast

Summary:

A plan goes very wrong and Nova pays the price.

Notes:

I’ve stared at this chapter for too long. Time to let it out into the world.

Malastare. Rex watched in horror as the ground beneath his feet cracked and rumbled. Several feet away, the grey-brown sand vanished with an all-mighty roar and the ground beneath him dropped two feet. 

“Run!” Rex bellowed, the troopers closer to ground zero turned and began to run alongside him. He didn’t wait to see who followed, as the sound of buckling earth and falling debris filled the air. His helmet’s filtration sputtered as it tried to keep up with the thick dust clogging the atmosphere. How far to run? Rex could see the camp ahead, the playa no longer a smooth expanse of packed sand, but broken into pieces like cobblestone. A sharp crack sounded behind Rex and there was wind at his back, a great THUMP pushing him forward. The pressure was felt more than heard, taking him out at the knees. A pained scream sounded behind him.

“KIX!’ Jesse hung onto the edge of the crater with just his fingertips. Rex turned around to see him only a foot behind. Kix was already on his stomach, clutching Jesse’s forearm. Lurching to his feet, Rex grabbed his Lieutenant’s shoulder and arm and hauled him bodily out of the crater. As the other man caught his balance, the three troops ran ahead a few yards. Abruptly, the tremors ceased and the dust in the air began to settle. The sound of smaller rocks and equipment falling into the chasm echoed up to the surface, but the expanse was quiet.

“Is it over?” Kix asked, panting.

Rex took a step toward the edge of the newly-formed gapping hole as an unholy screech lit up the eerie quiet. The ground rumbled, but the edge held. Rex took another step forward another screech sounded from below. The playa shook with the call of something in the chasm, its head waving in the choked air as it cried out.

“Back to base to regroup,” Rex said calmly as he turned and began running once more.

Kix and Jesse shared a look. One didn’t need to be a clone to know their mouths were agape and their eyes wide in their sockets. The something screeched again and the pair turned to follow Rex with haste.

***

Rex pinched the bridge of his nose, mirroring Jedi General Mace Windu as the Dug council filed out of the meeting space. His own General watched the Dugs leave, his arms crossed over his chest, the leather sheath over his mechanical hand creaking as he clenched it tightly. Once out of sight, his grip loosened. All Rex wanted was to spend some time with his ori’vod, Ponds. The man himself shot Rex a fond look and shrugged.

“Rex, let’s get that carcass loaded up. Don’t want to have a zombie Zillo beast on the loose if that thing wakes up.” General Skywalker ordered, still watching the doorway.

Rex snapped off a salute, “Yes sir!” He put his helmet on his head and gave a signal to the troopers in the back of the room. Torrent Company, his hand-picked team; the team he almost lost today. Kix, Jesse, Hardcase, Tup, Dogma, Juke, Pry, Lenny, Spark, Echo, Fives, Boomer, Mouse – all brothers he would miss terribly should he find their names on the list of the dead. As it was, Kix was there, which meant there were very few troopers to treat. It was with grim satisfaction he led his men back onto the dusty playa to begin the task of hauling the unconscious creature aboard a cargo vessel. Ponds ordered his men back to barracks to rest. They had taken quite a beating in the pit of the Zillo Beast. He nodded to Rex and signaled with his hand, later. Rex nodded back and followed his company out into the night.

***

The door to his quarters had barely opened and Rex was already pulling off his armor. It wasn’t until each piece was neatly stacked in his footlocker that he noticed the package on his bed. He frowned down at it. He didn’t need any more surprises. On top of the tidy, regulation-stiff blanket lay the small, square parcel, no bigger than a datapad. Under the machine-printed label, he noted Nova’s loopy script peeking out from underneath. Sitting at his desk in just his dusty blacks, Rex opened the package. The scent of chocolate and and roasted nuts hit his nose as a small blue pastry box fell into his hands.

Rex, 

These are best served warm, with ice cream and warm caramel on top. Some have nuts and others don’t -I wasn’t sure which you’d like better. Some cold milk or some hot coffee will do in a pinch. Here’s to another sunrise my friend! I’ll serve you one properly when you’re back on triple zero. 

Saber would like you to come by the rehab center to apologize. He’s doing much better. He finished his song even. It’s a little… well… I included an audio bulb so, you’ll see. I think he has a little crush and some unrealistic expectations. He’s taking some time away from the program. Sadly, I think it’s the right thing to do.

Anyway, take care, soldier. ring my best friend back in one piece.

 Nova

P.S. The ice cream and caramel go on top of the brownie. The milk or coffee you just drink.

P.P.S Not that you wouldn’t know that. Or understand what I meant. Oh whatever.

 

Rex read the letter as he brought one of the brownies to his lips. It was flaky on top the edges studded with thick walnuts, and bits of chocolate. He took a bite off the corner and the savory flavor of chocolate melted on his tongue. It was chewy and dense in the most delectable way. The gooey texture stuck to his palate and the nuts had a satisfying, salty crunch. He swallowed and regarded the brownie in his fingers.

“Torrent company. Rally at my quarters immediately,” he said through his wrist comm, “Kix, bring the milk.” A chorus of crisp replies were snapped off through the connection as Rex took another bite.

***

 

Of all the screams of the dying and suffering peoples he had borne witness to, the terror in the voice on the other end of Rex’s comm sent his blood turning to ice in his veins like nothing else could. He was meeting with Generals Mace Windu and Obi-Wan Kenobi, filling in for his wayward general. His comm cut through the meeting and after glancing up at the Generals, who nodded in approval, he stepped away to take the call.

“REX!!” Nova’s voice was punctuated by the sound of explosions, blaster fire and the screams of other civilians. “THERE IS A THING DESTROYING THE…(Nova squealed in fright) FUCKING CITY!” She panted into the comm before letting out another blood-curdling scream. “WHAT IS THAT? REX, WHAT DO I DO?”

Rex froze for a split second. He could not register what he was hearing. Then he heard a screech from something else over the line. The Zillo beast. “Nova? Stay on the line with me. GENERAL KENOBI, SOUND THE INVASION ALARM!” Rex bellowed across GAR hangar office. “Nova?!”

Chaos reigned over their connection. Rex could hear falling debris and people screaming, the sounds of their footfalls and the beast calling out.

“EEEK! You FUCK, Oh SHIT, Rex, what do I do?” Nova sobbed.

“Can you distract it? Get it to follow you?” Rex asked. He spotted the General lopping over to his position with a confused look on his face.

“AHH! You can’t be serious! SHIT. WATCH OUT! Oh, he really doesn’t like the Chancellor’s info screens for some reason. MAKER ON TOAST!” Nova exclaimed. It was clear that she was keeping up with the monster and the destruction it wrought.

“Can you get it to follow you? Get it out of the population center?” Rex asked, General Kenobi now standing in front of him, arms crossed. “Zillo is loose.” Rex stated. 

General Kenobi’s eyes grew comically wide. He turned on his heel and began running toward the control room. “SOUND THE INVASION ALARM!” 

“Shit, I don’t know if I can. THIS THING IS TRYING TO KRIFFING KILL ME! It seems to know where it’s going. Son of a pregnant quacta! I can keep following it but if I get too close to it’s head that KRIFFING tail tries to BLUDGEON…. FUCK.” The horrific sounds from ground zero came pummeling Rex’s ears. He paced the hangar, not really seeing it or the troopers now beginning to gather around him. He switched the audio to his wrist comm. Fives took hold of Rex’s shoulders and mouthed, “Sector?”

“What sector are you in?” Rex asked, his eyes lighting on the men in his company, and General Kenobi as he came back to join them.

“It’s not a sector anymore. WHOA. Okay. We started near my apartment. KRIFF, my apartment!” Nova coughed, likely from the destruction she was flying through.

“Focus, cyare!” Rex begged.

“Focusing!” Nova replied, panting. “Um, apartment is in Sector 325. And, KRIFFING mud scuffer! It’s headed toward the Senate district. OOH. He really does hate the Chancellor; he took out another screen. AH! That was close!”

Rex’s head shot up and he met General Kenobi’s eyes. “Tell her we’ll meet her at the Senate building,” Kenobi ordered, waving the men to follow hip.

Just then, General Mace Windu entered the complex, looking furious. “The invasion alarm? Let me guess.” He followed the General and Rex out onto the tarmac, followed by Torrent and Ghost companies.

“Stay on the line, cyare. We’re coming to you now.” Rex stated, his gut roiling with fear.

 

***

Nova swerved to avoid another piece of falling debris, swearing as the dust that followed obscured her view. Her view screen was cracked into an intricate spiderweb and the craft was listing to one side where ominous smoke poured from underneath. It was still flying however. Weaving and dodging the beast’s long limbs and tail tested all her piloting skills. Having Rex on the line calmed her somewhat, but hearing the screams of unsuspecting civilians as floors and walls were ripped away unnerved her. Finally, the iconic dome of the Senate building came into view. Gunships hovered over the promenade, the troopers inside silhouetted by the search lights.

“I think I see you!” Nova yelled, spying Rex’s distinct armor. She flashed her lights.

“I see you too!” Rex raised a hand and waved three times.

Nova dodged the beast’s tail and yelped at the close contact, the back draft of air taking away what little control she had for a second.

“Shit, what do I do now?” She asked, bringing her taxi under an enormous leg.

“The upper level of the building! The Chancellor tried to escape. Senator Amidala and the General are trapped!” Nova heard Rex speak to someone next to him. “Her taxi should be able to handle it, sir.”

“Handle what?” Nova asked, starting to panic, “WHAT REX?”

“Cyare, we need you to get close enough to that ship to let them get into the cab.”

“Why can’t you?” Her voice was high and tight.

Rex sighed. “The gunships have too big of a wingspan to make a transfer possible. You can get right alongside.”

Nova let out a shrill laugh. “Maybe YOU can get alongside! I really did not plan on getting eaten today! What is that??”

A white-hot arc was lighting up the floor of the Chancelor’s ship from the inside, the glow difficult to look at. 

“That would be the general! Get underneath them!” Rex ordered.

“Nerf herding… Mud scuffing… Son of bantha…” Nova swore a blue streak as she flew up to the larger craft and held next to it, waiting. The Zillo was holding the vessel like a child would hold a toy, looking inside and screeching it’s ear-splitting roar. A circle of durasteel fell away and hit the dome with a sickening crash just like so many other pieces of steel and plastic and glass had this night. Nova swerved underneath the hold and saw General Skywalker straddling the hole he had just carved. He had a smirk on his face.

“GET IN!” Nova screamed, her voice nearly lost over the sound of her damaged taxi and the spacecraft’s engines. She reached over and opened the passenger door.

Skywalker disappeared and a split second later, a woman was falling through the hole in a pile of fabric and finery with a loud, “Omph.” The woman wasted no time getting to her feet and reaching for the next person coming through. Standing on the top of the taxi. Inside, the roof of the taxi dented inward.

“Hang on Chancelor! Can you get any closer?” It took a moment for Nova to register that the woman was speaking to her.

“Proximity sensors won’t let me get any closer.” Nova said as she swerved to avoid the beast’s other hand swatting angrily at her.

“TURN THEM OFF!” Shouted both Rex and Padme.

Nova gave a start, before reaching under the yoke and turning off the proximity sensors. A new chaos began as the taxi’s warning system began to blare. Ignoring it, she began inching closer to the spacecraft. She realized she had succeeded when the taxi roof dented even further. 

“Nice job, Cyare!” Rex cried over comms. The faint sound of people cheering could be heard behind him.

Nova didn’t respond, as two sets of legs were coming to rest on the passenger seat. She reached for one pair and yanked, it’s owner crumpling into the footwell. The Chancellor looked up from the dirty floor of Nova’s taxi. His eyes were big and bright, face a mask of terror. Nova turned her attention to the more feminine legs seeking purchase in the open door.

“Get in back, I have her!” Nova yelled at the Chancellor. The man wasted no time in climbing over the cab seat which gave Nova room to pull the Senator into the cab. With effort, Padme was able to haul herself into a sitting position. Just as she settled, a third set of legs dangled out the door. Padme shifted over to her left, giving the General room to get in. There was another THWUMP, as the roof caved in and Anakin Skywalker was in the cab. Nova wasted no time diving out of reach of the beast. As she hit the throttle, the debris from the Chancellor’s crushed spacecraft rained down on them. The Senator was nearly in her lap, the skirts of her dress filling the space. The Chancellor was crouched in the back, hiding his face from the windows. General Skywalker looked giddy.

“North! Go North, behind the line of gunships!” Rex sounded as though he was running.

“There!” General Skywalker pointed to where the promenade was illuminated with rows and rows of tanks, walkers and Nova had no idea what else. They were staged behind the circle of gunships aimed at the beast.

“I see it.” Nova confirmed and took her taxi in for a landing.

She heard him before she saw him, Rex running through the promenade as other troopers approached her cab. Nova was out of her seat and out of the cab in a hot second, the adrenaline of the past hour still pumping in her veins.

“Nova!” Rex’s husky cry was the last thing Nova heard before his lips were on hers, kissing her hungrily. He held her face in his hands, reveling in the feel of her against him, even through the armor, whole and alive.

Rex broke the kiss, breathless. “WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING?” He shook her by the shoulders. His eyes flashed with fear. “You could have been killed, cyar’ika!” Rex pulled her into his tight embrace, losing all composure. “Kriffing hells, woman! I was so scared.” He confessed against her ear. He kissed the shell of her ear, then her temple, hugging her tight, moving to place a tender kiss on her forehead, then her lips. He loosened some as he pressed his forehead against hers. “Don’t ever scare me like that again.” He sighed as her realness in his arms finally calmed his heart.

Nova relaxed into the kov’nyn, Rex’s scent and proximity bringing her into the present. For a brief moment, only they existed.

“MOVE, MOVE, MOVE!” Shouting and falling debris broke the spell, troopers running past for cover. Rex nearly carried Nova away from the promenade as the Zillo swayed above them, beams of blue-white light aimed directly at the beast. Swirls of thick green gas hovered in the damp air, threatening to disperse much too quickly. She noted several Jedi concentrating their power on the beast or the gas, she wasn’t sure which, as Rex and another trooper ushered herself, the Chancellor and the Senator behind a waiting gunship for cover. The light left the beast’s eyes and it collapsed. At the very last moment, everyone realized with horror where the beast would land.

 

 

“Are you alright?” Rex asked, curving a hand around Nova’s bicep as she drifted to where the dead Zillo beast lay on top of her taxi. 

She turned to him in a daze. “I’m okay. I think.” She noticed Rex’s lips, still swollen and wet from their kiss. She swayed on her feet.

Rex gave a wry chuckle. “I don’t think you are.” Rex pressed his comm link. “Kix, can you make your way to my position and check out our civilian?”

“Copy that sir.” Came the the reply.

Nova turned sharply back to the Zillo. Others had gathered on the promenade, the Senator, Generals Kenobi, Skywalker, Windu, Yoda, Secura and other troopers and droids. Everyone held a somber air about them as they gathered, most covered by debris and ash. Nova ignored it all, seeing shattered glass and the edge of the repulsor from her taxi peeking out at her from beneath the gigantic corpse. She slowly approached it, the back quarter panel wedged beneath the thing’s shoulders. She reached under and used her fingernails to pry off a small magnetic piece. The vehicle’s designation and license. THX1138, gone.

To her horror, the assembled were right behind her, watching her begin to grieve. She caught Rex’s sad eyes and finally broke. She heaved a single sob. “It’s all gone! My apartment, my taxi, all my instruments.”

Rex wrapped his armored body around her and held her as the others averted their eyes.

At some point, Rex allowed Kix to examine Nova. A broken rib and several broken fingers on her left hand. Likely from falling debris. Shards of glass were imbedded in her face and arms. Rex was just being handed back his bucket where he’d dropped it on the other side of the promenade, as Kix made his final determination.

“She’s going into shock, sir. We need to get her to the med bay on base.” His earnest eyes were hard.

Master Yoda’s voice was commanding, “No. Take her to the Halls of Healing, you will. In her debt, we are, for her sacrifice.”

“Lead the way.” Rex gently scooped Nova into his arms and hurried to follow Kix to a waiting gunship. On his heels, the Senator and General Skywalker followed. As the sun began to rise, the larty took off, leaving the chaos behind.

 

***

Rex’s leg bounced, even as he sharpened his vibroblade to attempt to lessen his anxiety. He had laid Nova on a cot in the Halls of Healing and been asked to leave, all of his protests falling on deaf ears. General Skywalker put an arm around his shoulders and lead him to an uncomfortable bench on which to wait. Now, the Jedi’s mechanical hand was coming down to still Rex’s knee.

“I thought you said she was Rodian?” Anakin Skywalker asked, without looking at Rex. The other man gaped for a moment.

“She… she is, sir. 1/64th Rodian.” Rex attempted, but his red face said otherwise. Across the hall in a more comfortable chair, Senator Amidala giggled.

Skywalker finally turned to Rex. “It’s okay if your friend is a woman Rex.” Anakin grinned mischievously over at his captain. Then his face turned deadly serious. “Just don’t let it distract from the field.”

Across the way, Padme tutted disapprovingly at Anakin. Rex continued to look from Padme to Anakin, wondering if they were joking. Did they see him kiss her? Who saw? Will she remember? All Rex remembers is being consumed by fear for her safety and needing to feel her warm and alive. The urge to cram her bodily into his mouth and keep her there overwhelmed the moment he saw her stumble out of her smoking taxi. He couldn’t explain it.

Nova’s door opened and Master Jia came out with a serene, nearly bored, look on her face. All three of them rose to meet her.

“We have mitigated some of the effects of the trauma she has suffered. We have certainly repaired any physical damage. I’m afraid the extent of the psychological damage remains to be seen. We would like to keep her overnight to monitor her cortisol levels, alleviate any nightmares or other mental backlash from her experience.” Master Jia was a regal woman, standing as tall as Rex, with her hair in a severe up-do. Her expression was one of cautious warmth, which Rex thought was probably well-practiced.

“Can I see her?” Rex asked solemnly.

Master Jia gave the Captain a once over. “Of course, but understand she has suffered a great loss. She is to be handled gently.”

Rex nodded and swallowed hard. He barely heard Padme say, “We’ll peek in before we leave, Rex, take your time.” And then he was opening the door to her room.

Nova was on her side, facing away from the door when Rex entered, the swoosh of the automatic opener giving a start. She turned to see Rex enter, his eyes expectant but the rest of him appeared tired, haggard.

“Hey cyar’ika.” Rex grinned through his worry.

Nova turned over and opened her arms; Rex was there in two long strides, settling on the pristine white sheets as he answered her unspoken plea. He enveloped her tiny body in his arms, letting her snake her arms around his waist and tuck her face between his neck and pauldron. She seemed to deflate as held her, letting her warm breath fan against his skin.

“Thank you.” She murmured, squirming closer.

Rex frowned “What for? You did all the work.”

Nova finally pulled away, letting Rex hold her hands as she slid out of his arms to relax against the pillows. “But you answered my call. When I needed you, you were there.”

“Of course. Nova – if I can answer my comm, I will. Every time.” Rex was so matter-of-fact it made Nova’s eyes sting. Rex saw her eyes grow wet; he sat closer and tucked her against his armored chest. “Hey! None of that now. It’s over. You’re in good hands here. Take some time to rest and we’ll figure out the rest later.”

Nova reveled in the scent of Rex, his arms tightly pressing her into him. He smelled like blaster residue, some kind of machine oil and GAR laundry soap. Beneath that she could smell sweat and the earthy scent that was simply Rex. “I can’t believe you do this all the time.”

Rex chuckled, his chest moving beneath her ear. “To be fair, its not every day a giant monster attacks the city…. I’m usually fighting battle droids.”

“You know what I mean.”

Just then a knock sounded at the door and it opened to allow Padme and Anakin to peek inside.

“May we interrupt?” The Senator asked sweetly.

Rex was standing beside Nova’s bed at parade rest in an instant, leaving Nova slightly shocked at how quickly and fluidly he moved.

“Yes, Senator, please come in.” Nova smiled, though it didn’t meet her eyes.

Padme smiled her mega-watt smile and came into the room with Anakin at her heels. “Please call me Padme. How are you, my dear?” Padme took both of Nova’s hands and squeezed, sitting down in the space Rex had just occupied.

Nova swallowed nervously. “As well as can be expected. They treated by broken bones, but they want to keep me overnight. Kind of annoying, since the sun just rose an hour ago.”

Padme gave a maternal frown. “I know, but the Jedi healers are the best. Let them do their work and you’ll be out of here in no time.”

“But to where? My apartment was destroyed, and I certainly can’t live in my taxi.” Nova replied bitterly. “Where the hell did that thing even come from anyway?” She looked from Padme to Anakin, as if they would have any answers.

Anakin’s eyes flashed to Rex’s, who gave a tiny nod.

“The chancellor and certain members of the senate have already agreed to pay you a hefty reward -” Padme began.

Nova scoffed. “For what?”

Anakin finally spoke up. “You’re a private citizen who saved the life of our beloved Chancellor and a popular senator! It’s all over the news.”

Nova blinked at both of them.

Anakin continued, “The senator has generously offered to let you stay in her apartments until you find a place you like.”

Padme squeezed their linked hands again. “Yes, an after they release you, Rex can accompany you to find what clothing and other personal belongings you’ll need.”

“Um… thank you Senator. I don’t know what to say.” Nova let another tear slip down her cheek.

“Say nothing. The senate and the Republic will be glad to get you back on your feet.” Padme rose from the bed with one last warm smile. She looked at Rex then. “Make sure nothing happens to this one, Rex. Let Captain Typho know when she’ll be released and he’ll send a car.”

Rex nodded. “Yes, Senator.” He was the perfect visage of a Republic soldier, with his shoulders back and chin held high. 

“Get some rest, Ms. Emory.” Anakin gave a tiny bow as he made to follow Padme out of the room. “And Rex, remember what I said.”

Rex’s cheeks grew warm. “Yes, General.” He cleared his throat and rocked on his heels. Anakin gave his second in command a smirk as he left the room, letting the door close behind him.

Chapter 9: It was only a kiss

Summary:

Displaced from her home, Nova has some decisions to make. And they talk about the kiss.

The GAR medbay was a frustrating experience to be sure. But the overwhelming kindness and accommodation from Senator Amidala’s staff was nearly enough to make Nova snap. She had the entire lower apartment to herself, Captain Typho and his team who usually occupied the space, were relocated to the same floor as the handmaids, to give Nova some semblance of privacy. She was assigned her own handmaid and provided with a dowry’s worth of clothing to choose from until she replenished her own wardrobe, plus the Senator’s chef came down several times a day to make food for her. All she wanted was time to go through the few boxes of belongings the 501st boys were actually able to salvage from her apartment before the Engineering Corps demolished the entire sector for safety. Her only saving grace was that Rex was assigned to her for the next tenday, while she found a new apartment and settled in.

The first morning in the Senator’s apartment, Padme invited Nova to breakfast, which she couldn’t refuse. She dragged Rex along as a buffer.

“I hope Rex is treating you well?” Padme said with a gleam in her eye, sparing the Captain a wry grin as they sat down to a table full of pastries, fruit and fresh caf. Rex stood at attention near the doorway, and simply raised his uncovered eyebrow at the Senator.

Nova turned, where Rex had pushed in her seat like the proper gentleman he was. “Oh, don’t be all stiff, Rex! Come and eat!” Nova turned around to see the Senator grinning at them both, but not saying a word about whether inviting Rex to the table was “proper”.

“Oh. Is that alright?” Nova asked sheepishly.

Padme chuckled into her mug of tea. “Quite alright. Rex is an old friend and if he doesn’t come have breakfast with us, I’m going to stuff his ammo pouch with pastries!”

The women laughed as Rex just rolled his eyes and sauntered over to take a seat between them. He accepted a hot cup of caf from Nova and began to doctor it.

“So what is the plan? Have you called any of the realtors I sent you?” Padme motioned to the new datapad and comm link sitting on the table next to Nova’s plate.

Nova swallowed what had to be the ripest, juiciest berry on Coruscant before answering. “Yes. I have a class to teach at the rehab center and then we have three places to look at.”

Padme perked up. “Oh? You teach at the clone rehab center? That must be fascinating! What exactly do you teach?”

Nova’s face heated at the attention. “Just songwriting, arrangement, and individual instruments when the guys ask.”

Rex balked as Nova waved the question away. “She doesn’t just teach, Senator. Ms. Emery has arranged an entire choir and orchestra made up of my brothers. She’s also developed flash learning modules for songwriting and poetry.” His mouth twitched with mirth as he buttered a piece of toast, chancing a glance at Nova who was trying to hide behind her mug.

Padme’s eyebrows shot up, “Really? That’s an accomplishment! Is it just one battalion or do you go from squad to squad? How does that work?”

Nova huffed a sigh at Rex, who grinned at her as he took a bite of his toast. “No, I only teach the men at the rehab. It’s part of their care, retraining. I’m still in school, so I teach under a preceptor.”

“Are you seeking a degree in music or teaching?” Padme asked, delicately popping a berry in her mouth.

Nova shrugged. “It started off as a degree in music education, but since meeting the clones, I’ve wanted to do more. They love performing, and I love getting people writing songs about their lives and experiences. Right now I’m taking a class where I’ve had to choose a language to study, so I chose Mando’a on Rex’s recommendation.”

Padme smiled wide. “It must be nice having dozens of handsome tutors at your disposal!”

Nova smiled back, “Yes, indeed,” She sent a cheeky look Rex’s way. Rex completely ignored her as he munched on his toast. “I just wish they had something to work toward, to keep them motivated.”

“More people should hear these men, Senator.” Rex said nonchalantly, taking a helping of fruit from the bowl. He very carefully cut the stems off his strawberries.

“They’ve never performed their music?” Padme looked horrified.

Nova shook her head sadly. “No. Not in front of anyone other than each other. Most haven’t left the rehab center since they were assigned there. No one goes there to visit.”

“Can I come?” The Senator sat up straighter in her chair, looking like she was hatching a plan.

Rex and Nova looked at one another, each asking the same question. Rex was silently wishing he had kept his mouth shut.

“I suppose,” Nova said noncommittally, “You know these are men who had spice addiction issues and psychological problems, right?”

The Senator just grinned wider. “So, not so different from the Senate chambers then?”

 

***

Senator Amidala graciously gave Nova a week to prepare the clones to perform in front of her. Nova would feel terrible springing such a performance on them. Instead, Rex accompanied Nova to the rehab center in the morning and stood vigilant while she broke the news to her students. Silence filled the space for a moment as the troopers all digested the news. They were going to perform for Senator Amidala? Laughter, whoops of joy, a few sobs, but generally the clone troopers of Unsung Heroes were elated to be able to perform.

“But, with the entire orchestra, we don’t have a big enough space, Ms. Nova,” Lucky piped up after the initial shock wore off. Their big golden eyes all turned to Nova, all expectant optimism.

Nova began to speak, but it was Rex who had the ultimate answer. “I’m sure General Skywalker will agree to move the performance to one of the hangars,” He said with authority, “A couple of barracks billets should suffice for all of you.”

McGee nearly dropped the tambourine he was holding. “You mean we can live and practice there?”

Rex looked to Nova who was grinning back at him. “I’m sure you boys can handle a change of pace, right?” The men, and their conductor all nodded in the affirmative. “Alright, you get to rehearsing and I’ll make the arrangements.”

 

****

 

In the end, she didn’t choose the largest or most expensive home, but chose one with a landing pad and garage for her taxi, if she ever drove again. It had two stories, the bottom of which held the kitchen, living and dining areas with a small refresher and the added bonus of an “office”. The second floor hosted two bedrooms and a large open sitting area between them, with ensuite refreshers for both. There was a large, built-in booth that could easily fit ten, just off the modest kitchen. The whole apartment was open and airy, a far cry from her cramped apartment lower in the city. She actually had a view now! She signed the papers with some trepidation, turning to Rex with a nervous smile as the realtor left them alone, two sets of security cards in her hand.

“Oh maker Rex! Is this really… mine?” Nova beamed, the late afternoon sun spilling through the wall of windows that made up one whole side of her new home.

Rex pulled off his helmet, body relaxing from his formal, stiff posture and set it on the kitchen counter. “Yes, cyare. It’s yours!” He caught her as she opened her arms and fairly threw herself at him with a squeal. His armored arms engulfed her tiny frame as he set her on her feet.

“And this is yours.” Nova grinned shyly up at Rex, holding one of the security keys up to him.

Rex froze, one arm locked around her waist, the other coming up to slowly take the little card. “Why?” He breathed.

“Because,” Nova shrugged, “I want this to be someplace you feel at home.”

The good captain was speechless. He looked at the key with something like awe on his face. He swallowed hard.

“I do think we’ll need to get furniture, though.” Nova gave him an animated frown and looked around the apartment. Rex looked around the sterile, empty space and chuckled.

 

****

 

Night found them bent over several datapads back at the Senator’s apartments, pouring over furniture catalogs, eating Pantoran noodles and arguing over color schemes. There was no argument for Rex. The smallest bedroom would be white with blue accents, and was large enough to fit two queen-sized beds side-by-side. The rest of the furniture in the room was utilitarian and sparse, perfect for him. Nova bought the biggest bed she could find for her enormous bedroom, picking out black and white florals for the linens and a set of real Alderanian teak dressers with a vanity and mirror. They did agree black bath sheets were preferable to any other color, if only to hide the stains of blaster oil and speeder grease. The office was outfitted with a pull-out couch and several squashy armchairs upholstered in Bantha hide, with a nerf rug adorning the hardwood floor. Brown bantha hide seemed to satisfy them both for the main living area furniture, as it was not a color that represented any one battalion. Nova caved and let Rex get his own set of dishes in 501st blue; he picked a stoneware set with huge mugs.

“For the correct size serving of caf.” Rex said with a cheeky look over his shoulder at Nova. He sat leaning over the caf table and Nova was huddled against the back of the sofa with a carton of noodles in one hand.

Through a mouthful of noodles, Nova seemed to remember something. “Oh! We need a caf machine!”

An unreadable look passed over Rex’s face. “I’ll look up your old machine. You loved that thing.” He turned back to type a query into his datapad. 

Nova set down the noodles and reached for the pad. “No, no, no. That thing was old. Let’s get a better one.” Rex quickly pulled the pad out of her reach.

“You worry about getting some new clothing, cyar’ika. I’ve already got caf machines pulled up.” Rex pulled her pad off the caf table and handed it to her. 

Nova reached across Rex with a scowl. “That’s like the most important appliance Rex! I want to look!”

Rex gently pushed her back against the couch cushions. “I think I can handle picking out a caf machine,” he said with some offense.

“Let’s look together.” Nova tried to reach across Rex for the pad again.

“Clothes, you need clothing.” Rex pressed her pad into her hands.

Nova held her datapad lax in her hands and studied Rex’s profile. “Reeexxxx…. What did you do?”

The captain rubbed his short blonde hair, then scrubbed a hand over his face with a huff. He was a bad liar and he knew it. Abandoning his own pad, he sat back further on the couch, not meeting Nova’s eyes. “I may have already acquired a caf machine for your new place,” he finally admitted. “It’s got all the bells and whistles and can be programmed to start at a certain time. General Secura asked what she could do and I said that besides your instruments and your taxi, you would likely miss your caf machine the most.” He shrugged and looked down at his bare hands. He had long since discarded his armor, leaving it neatly stacked near the door.

Thin arms wrapped around his neck before he had a chance to react, leaving Rex smiling into a mass of black curls. “You really do know me, don’t you, Rex?” Nova pulled back as she spoke, finding Rex much closer than she anticipated. 

Very slowly, Rex lowered his head to rest his forehead against Nova’s in a gentle kov’nyn, letting his amber eyes lock on her starry blue ones. It caught them both by surprise, the proximity, the intensity of the other’s gaze. They had not spoken about their kiss in front of the senate building, though the tension had never really left either of them. It came to a head now as Rex gently rubbed the tip of her nose with his own.

“I think I know what you like.” Rex said haltingly, his voice impossibly deep and soft. Nova’s breath left her through trembling lips as the man in front of her made her heart gallop in her chest. The press of his forehead against hers shifted and she sucked in a nervous gulp of air as their lips came impossibly closer. “But tell me if I’m wrong.” Rex whispered, before pressing forward and letting his mouth envelop her bottom lip.

It was quick and chaste and over far too soon, Rex pulling back a fraction of an inch to gauge her reaction. His eyes were so full of affection, radiating happiness, it brought tears to Nova’s eyes, blurring her view of him. “You’re not wrong.” She whispered back, closing the distance and kissing him back a fraction harder, several ticks longer. 

Rex chased her as she pulled away, capturing her jaw in his warm hand. His thumb gently traced her cheekbone, his long fingers slipping into the hair at the nape of her neck. “Is this okay,” he asked breathlessly.

Nova just nodded and let Rex draw her closer. His kiss was careful, but passionate and thorough. Their lips slotted together like they were meant for each other, and when he slowly teased her lips apart with his tongue, he moaned into her mouth without embarrassment, savoring the taste of her. Her hands came up to his chest, covered only in skin-tight blacks, seeking to ground herself on something. But feeling his fluttering heart underneath powerful muscles that flowed over his shoulders and down his stomach had her following each line and bulge to the next. Blunt nails scratched at his shorn scalp as he sunk his hands deeper into her hair. With a tug, he brought her head back and brought his lips to her throat, nibbling on the rabbiting point of her pulse. She moaned and used his considerable shoulders to twist around and bring a leg over his lap. He took the invitation to kiss down the open V of her shirt, laving attention over the soft skin of her clavicle. When his reach became impeded by too much fabric, he found her mouth again, his name a gasp on her lips as he claimed them once more.

While Nova had objectively admired the black compression suit all the clones wore under their armor, she found it even more appealing now as she slid down the natural slope created by Rex’s long legs, hips meeting hips as they enjoyed each other more intimately than they ever had before. She tried to move herself back from where her hips had settled against him, only to slide right back against him. Rex’s arm came around her to still her undulating body, locking her tightly against him.

“If you keep doing that, this will be over before it starts.” Rex said hotly against her ear.

Nova sat up to look at Rex, confused at first. A blushing Rex grinned at her as he adjusted her on his lap once more, and she could feel his undeniable arousal against the inside of her leg. “Oh maker, Rex, I am so sorry,” she laughed as she sought refuge from her embarrassment by tucking her face into the crook of his neck.

Rex just wrapped both arms around her and laughed himself. “Don’t be sorry, cyar’ika. Now you know what you do to me.” He placed a kiss just behind her ear, which set off another fit of giggles from Nova. He shifted his hips in a deliberate bid to chase the heat of Nova’s own arousal. “I would keep going… but I think we should talk first.”

She groaned, throwing her head back, before moving to sit next to Rex. He reluctantly let her go, turning slightly to keep her close.

“Why do you have to be so adult about everything?”

Rex laughed and put a large, warm hand on her knee. “Because I care about you. I need to know you want this as much as I do.” His big golden eyes were sincere and held such a depth of affection, it was hard for her to keep from jumping back on his lap and finishing what they started. “I mean, do you have protection? I don’t exactly carry any in my ammo belt.” He took both of her hands in his; they dwarfed hers as they lay cradled in his lap. 

Nova laughed sheepishly. “I have an implant… and there hasn’t been anyone else in a really, really long time.”

Rex’s smile grew wider. “Good. I have mandatory health checks every six months. Just had one last month and frankly, you’ve been the only person on my mind since we met.” He squeezed her hands. “I don’t know if the Senator’s apartments are really the best place to, ah, further our relationship though.”

Nova blanched at that. “You’re probably right about that. A handmaid might come in to see if we need a midnight snack or a change of clothes.” They both laughed at that.

Rex became serious, taking her face in his hands and locking his whiskey-colored eyes on hers, he began speaking low,  “When I do make love to you, it’s going to be intentional. I want to take my time, to learn you and enjoy taking you apart.” Nova whimpered, her stomach flipping inside her. Rex’s fingers traced a delicate path down her skin, into the V of her shirt and stopped with his palm over her heart. “I want to remember what you look like when I make you scream my name, cya’rika.”

Trembling, Nova surged up on her knees to capture Rex’s lips in a heated kiss.

 

 

Notes:

Shorter chapter, but! SQUEEE! I had so much angst over this one... I am relying on ya'lls love of all things vode for the Mando'a (primary because I'm lazy).

Also, I GOT A NEW CAR! My license plate will say CUYAN (Survivor).

Chapter 10: All the Way Home

Summary:

Torrent help Unsung Heroes set up in the hangar, Nova gets a visit from a friend and a beautiful gift. Rex has ideas on how to celebrate her new home.

Watching the men from the 501st assist in the temporary move from the rehab center to the converted hangar bay was as entertaining as listening to Unsung Heroes perform. Nova watched with a little smile on her face as her trepidatious troupe stepped out of their transport and took in their surroundings. Torrent and Jaguar companies were there to assist with the instruments and supplies. Seeing their faces light up – both the UH boys and the 501st troopers – gave her such a sense of satisfaction. It didn’t hurt that Rex was directing the men at her behest, and watching him was a treat. He preened a little at her attention and took his troopers’ good-natured ribbing in stride. The air between them crackled every time their eyes met.

 

Nova followed Fives and Jesse as they rolled a piano off the transport, bringing it to a group of UH men waiting to warm up with her.

“So, Nova, how’s Rex?” Fives asked with a salacious grin. Jesse chuckled as he guided the other end of the piano.

Nova’s face grew hot, but she kept her composure, knowing this was coming. “You should ask him. He’s right over there,” she gestured to where Rex was having the pieces of the riser stacked for assembly.

“No, he means how was he.” Jesse laughed.

Nova just shook her head and rolled her eyes. “I should smack the both of you. A lady doesn’t kiss and tell.”

Fives face morphed into a mask of glee. “So there was kissing!” He looked over at Jesse who was doing an excited little wiggle with his eyebrows. The two troopers dissolved into a fit of giggles.

“Kriff off, both of you.” Nova said, not a little fondly. The troopers moved the piano into place, and she sat down, playing a few scales to make sure it hadn’t fallen completely out of tune during the transport. Fives and Jesse watched on from behind the upright, as a group of UH troopers came to form a semicircle behind their fearless leader. “Middle C.” Nova played a single note and began to hum. The UH troopers began a moment later, matching her pitch. She played the note again on the piano and again the men matched her pitch. As Fives and Jesse watched on, Rex crept up behind them.

Rex caught the eye of one of the UH boys and winked.

“CAPTAIN ON DECK!” McGee shouted, coming to perfect attention, the other men next to him snapping to. Jesse jumped to attention immediately, while Fives knees nearly gave out and his head whipped around, looking for the superior officer; when he caught sight of Rex, he visibly relaxed.

“At ease.” Rex grinned. “Jesse! Fives! Don’t you have anything better to do than harass Ms. Nova?” Before they could answer, Rex answered for them. “Go help Lenny and Pry with the risers!”

“SIR, YES SIR!” Fives and Jesse both snapped off a tidy salute to Rex. Fives, though turned to where Nova was watching with an amused smile and gave her a more casual salute and a wink. As they walked off, Rex swatted at the back of Fives’ head.

“Acting like a damned shiny…” Rex grumbled as his pair of troublemakers walked off.

The orchestra set up behind the piano with Cade there to organize and the boys in the core band set up on the other side of the risers. Nova was pleasantly surprised when they broke for lunch and all the instruments, stands and risers were accounted for. The men were elated to find out the good Senator was catering the affair and found a spread of sandwiches, cold salads, fruit and fizz pop on offer near their barracks at the back of the hangar come lunchtime. There was also a list of choices for dinner and chart with their names so they could choose. Rex cut through the knot of troopers gathered around the menu to see what the fuss was about.

“We’re going to have to have some extra drills, if the Senator keeps feeding us like this.” He frowned.

Seph, one of the UH boys pouted, “I should quite enjoy some PT, captain. We don’t get a lot of time for it in rehab.”

“I wouldn’t mind getting fat and happy, personally.” Lucky quipped, the others laughing along with him.

Rex continued to grumble. “Don’t get too used to it, lads. It’s just while we’re getting ready for the Senator.”

Nova sat down on a crate next to Rex with a plate of food. 

“I’m impressed. Got everything transferred and set up before midmeal,
Nova said, taking a bite of her sandwich.

Rex turned to her with a sour look. “Oh ye of little faith. My boys are efficient… they may be ord’ini off the field, but they get the job done.”

Nova knocked their shoulders together, smiling up at Rex. “Of course they did. Now the real work begins.” She sighed and tucked into her meal leaning against Rex’s solid shoulder. 

The hangar fell quiet as everyone sat down for their meal, but just as Nova took her plate to the waste bin, Dart called out to her, “Ms. Nova, can you play us a song?”

Nova turned to the clones, all looking at her expectantly. Her face was hot. 

“C’mon, you never play anymore!” Another trooper called out. Soon half the troopers in the hangar were begging to hear her.

A loud clap stopped the chatter, startling nearly everyone. A large Togrutan man dressed in purple finery flanked by two personal guards boomed with laughter. “Yes! Nova! Please grace us with a song!” The green and light yellow markings on the man’s face crinkled with delight.

“Professor Inigo!” Nova’s jaw dropped, before she skipped over to the much larger man. The UH clones began waving and saying hello from where they sat. The professor caught Nova as she ran into his outstretched arms, enveloping her in a bear hug. “What are you doing here?”

“I couldn’t miss the first performance of these men of yours, now could I?” He held Nova out at arm’s length with a toothy smile. Noticing Cade, he opened his arms wider to accept the young man in an embrace. “And young Cade! I expect I’ll see Nicky and Clem at some point too?”

Nova and Cade began introducing their professor around. It was clear that the man loved them both, and he enjoyed their little project. The UH clones were quick to shake the man’s hand or let him give them a side-hug.

“And this must be Rex! Famous captain of the 501st under General Skywalker!” the professor offered his hand to Rex, who dutifully stood to shake his hand. 

“Nice to meet you, sir.” Rex gave his best captain’s smile and winked at Nova, who stood beaming beside her mentor.

Professor Inigo gripped Rex’s hand firmly and leaned in close. “You are the one who is looking after my girl, yes? You take good care of her, or it’s me you will answer to.” Rex could only nod, his face flushing as the implication of the other man’s words set in.

“Professor!” Nova swatted at Inigo, who simply turned away and ignored both Nova’s admonishment and Rex’s red face.

“Now, who was saying something about hearing Nova sing? I come bearing a gift.” Inigo motioned to the two guards who had stood silently at the entrance to the hangar; both were carrying heavy cases, the sight of which had Nova and Cade gasping. “When I heard your apartment was destroyed, I figured you would need to replace some things. So this is for you, my dear.” Inigo laid one of the cases on stack of crates and opened it. Nova was knocked back a step as she saw what was inside, Cade catching her from behind.

“I can’t believe you did this!” Nova whispered as she reached for the item in the case.

“Tuned up and ready for its first song.” Professor Inigo helped Nova lift the item from the case.

The steel-string, hollow-body guitar was a work of art. Dark wood with mother-of-pearl inlays and frets; the entire instrument seemed to glow. Nova slid the strap over her shoulder and it fit perfectly against her ribcage. She looked up at the Professor with tears in her eyes. “Will you play with me?” She asked in a whisper, trying to keep the tears from spilling down her face.

Professor Inigo smiled so wide you could nearly count his teeth. “I wouldn’t have it any other way!”

Feeling clumsy and in the way as Cade, Nova and the professor all moved to find chairs and the UH clones began moving into a circle around them, he retreated to the mess area. He sat on the table with his feet propped on the seat, Jesse and Kix joining him while the other 501st men stood with the other clones. He caught Nova’s eye as she took a seat between the professor and Cade. She gave him a nervous smile and he winked back. She shook her hair away from her face and played a few notes on the guitar, just as the other two did on either side. Beside Rex, Kix quietly slipped on his helmet to record.

“Alright. I haven’t played this song in awhile, so excuse any mistakes. My professor is insisting that we play Seasons, if we only have time for one song.” Nova smiled fondly over at the Togruta next to her. She looked to Cade and nodded.

“1, 2, 3, 4...” Cade counted off and Nova began playing, her new instrument ringing bright and true in the dimly-lit hangar. From strumming chords to more meticulous notes, Nova played through the intro and was soon joined by the professor. As she began to sing, Cade joined in, until the three guitars were a bone-shaking wall of sound.

“Summer nights and long warm days
Are stolen as the old moon falls
And my mirror shows another face
Another place to hide it all
Another place to hide it all”

Nova closed her eyes and felt the notes move from her heart down through her fingers and become manifest in the air as music.

“And I’m lost, behind
The words I’ll never find
And I’m left behind
As seasons roll on by”

The tempo changed for the verse and the men around her stood up straighter, feeling her commanding voice grow in strength and confidence.

“Sleeping with a full moon blanket
Sand and feathers for my head
Dreams have never been the answer
And dreams have never made my bed
Dreams have never made my bed”

“And I’m lost, behind
The words I’ll never find
And I’m left behind
As the seasons roll on by, yeah”

Rex watched as lithe fingers deftly moved over the strings of the guitar, in awe of Nova’s command of the instrument. Her black curls bounced as she played, her eyes looking off into the middle distance. Her shoulders were loose and she looked strong, the long line of her throat moving with the words of the song. He could even appreciate the way the instrument fit against the curve of her breast. Even Professor Inigo and Cade looked as if they were dancing some intimate dance with the instruments in their hands.

“Well I want to fly above the storm
But you can’t grow feathers in the rain
And the naked floor is cold as hell
The naked floor reminds me
Oh, the naked floor reminds me”

“That I’m lost, behind
The words I’ll never find
And I’m left behind
As the seasons roll on by, yeah”

Nova met Rex’s eye again and smiled as she sang, his honey-hued eyes locked on her.

“If I should be short on words
And long on things to say
Could you crawl into my world
And take me worlds away
Should I be beside myself
And not even stay

Well I’m lost, behind
The words I’ll never find
And I’m left behind
As the seasons roll on by, yeah”

 

As the last ring of the guitar strings faded, the men erupted into applause and cheers. Kix and Jesse stood on the mess table clapping and wolf-whistling, hollering their approval with all the other men. Nova just laughed, her face red with joy. Rex had to fight his way through the clones all trying to crowd the tiny woman, to offer thanks and congratulations for having shared this small part of herself. Overwhelmed, she tried to put the guitar back in it’s case while trying to respond to all the men. He finally made his way to the other side of the crate where the cases were laying open, catching her gaze in a moment of calm.

“That was… whew. I never knew,” Rex said earnestly; he couldn’t find the words to tell her how she was the most beautiful creature to exist in the vast galaxy. He knew what he was feeling: pure awe and adoration, shock and a sense of having completely underestimated the talent hiding inside her. What he wanted was to press all of that wondrous stuff that was her being into himself and feel the warmth, love and belonging she exuded, but he couldn’t even express half of what he was feeling. He vibrated with it.

“Alright, alright! Let’s get back on schedule!” Cade called to the UH troopers who were milling around, talking about the performance. Nova looked over her shoulder at all that was her responsibility and then back at Rex’s big, expectant eyes.

“Back to work.” She murmured, closing the guitar case and latching it with a snap.

Rex watched her go back into teaching mode, waving off more praise from her men and putting the professor to work with a group of clones.

A hand clamped down on Rex’s shoulder; he knew at once who was behind him.

“Captain,” Fives jostled his older brother as they both watched Nova from across the room, “you are so fucked.”

***

He enjoyed watching her in her element. The way she looked when she was singing, the smile on her face as she bantered with the clones, and especially her commanding spirit when she was at the podium. She radiated such joy and uninhibited love; he wanted to sit beside her and bask in the warmth that was Nova Emery. Her black curls glittered when she danced, just like her eyes when she laughed. When she found his gaze across the room and her face lit up as their eyes met, a shiver would trickle down his spine. Rex was done for. At the end of the day, as she slipped her hand into his and they made the long trek to her quarters, he felt like the luckiest man in the galaxy.

 

Although they had spent the day setting up the hangar and working to get Unsung Heroes settled, their duties kept them busy and far away from each other. On their walk back to her new apartment, however, Rex had her complete and undivided attention. She hugged his arm to her chest as they walked, her weight hanging off of him as they chatted. Her body heat seeped into the places his armor left unprotected and he could smell her hair in the light breeze of the evening.

“Do people think it’s weird that clones date each other?” Nova asked, looking up at Rex through long lashes.

Rex frowned. “I don’t think many nat-borns think about it really,” he shrugged. “We grew up so isolated… Our trainers taught us next to nothing about love or romance, let alone the things happening to our bodies as we aged. They just didn’t think to tell us.”

Nova grimaced, “Puberty at twice the speed? Ugh.”

A deep chuckle left Rex’s chest. “Boys will get into trouble,” he said, shaking his head fondly. “Once we were allowed access to the holonet, it was all over. I think it made the troops even randier, to be honest. We all learned that our desires and… and feelings, were normal, even if we were taught not to act on them.”

Nova stopped walking for a beat. “Wait, they let you develop normally, but they taught you sex was dirty and wrong?”

Rex blinked in thought. “Well, not dirty, just not for us. We’re soldiers. No time for partners or pleasure or anything really, outside of the battlefield.”

“That’s sad, “Nova remarked quietly. “I guess I can see how having no guidance whatsoever would lead to clones finding comfort in one another.” Rex hummed in agreement.

They walked along in companionable silence for awhile, enjoying the evening.

“It’s also a little sad that Torrent is joining us tonight.” Rex grumbled.

Nova just laughed. “Are you going to help me put together all the furniture yourself?” She poked him in the stomach through the spaces between his armor plates.

“No,” Rex rolled his eyes as he smirked. “Was just hoping to find some time alone with you.”

“Aww. Maybe when we start the movie, we can sneak off.” Nova offered.

Rex balked, “Not with them around!”

“I’m sure they get it on when you’re not looking! I caught Fives and Echo in a bathroom stall this afternoon!” She shrugged, “They were just making out, but it didn’t seem like they cared who saw.”

“Yeah… those two are trouble. Find them alone and you’re sure to find a codpiece on the floor.”

Nova tipped her head back and laughed. It was such a bright, wonderful sound, Rex had to stop and look at her. “You’re just afraid they’ll get pics or listen in.”

“No… well, yes, but I’m less worried about what they’ll see and more worried about what we might see.” Rex confirmed with a grimace. Nova just giggled at his discomfort.

“Clones,” Rex started, “don’t stand on ceremony in the barracks. Doesn’t matter who sees what when everything’s the same as what you see in the mirror. But the other stuff… the romantic stuff… most will find an empty shower stall or wait until lights out. But we all know it’s happening.”

Nova snorted. “How often are you looking at your junk in a mirror, Rex?”

Rex balked once again, then wrapped his strong arm around Nova’s neck, putting her in a playful headlock as she laughed at him.

 

***

“It’s starting to look like someone lives here now!” Lenny said as he broke down the last empty box and added it to the pile.

Nova collapsed on the sofa next to Rex, pulling a freshly washed throw blanket from the pile on the floor. “Mhmm. You boys have done a fabulous job so far.”

“Anyone gonna eat the last of the pizza?” Boomer yelled from the kitchen.

Fives stuck his head out of the office. “There’s food left?”

Jesse and Echo yelled at Fives from somewhere in the office. 

“You gotta keep holding your side, ordi’ni!” 

“Cyar’ika, I will personally get you more food if you help with this last shelf!”

Rex just chuckled as he wrapped an arm around Nova. “Perhaps we should head back to the Senator’s apartments? Let the chefs feed these boys?”

“I thought I ordered enough.” Nova whined as she tucked herself in tighter.

“Oh, you did. Our metabolism is just faster than a natborns; we’re always willing to eat.”

Just then Kix and Juke came down the stairs. “All the linens are washing, and all the beds are set up.”

Nova peeked up at Rex with a cheeky grin. “We could stay here tonight,” she offered.

Rex shook his head, then leaned down close, so only Nova could hear. “When you stay here for the first time, I want to help you christen every room… Make love to you on every available surface….” His eyes scanned the room to make sure his brothers weren’t listening, rather than watching Nova’s face heat up.

She squirmed in her seat as Rex murmured in her ear, his warm breath fanning across the sensitive skin of her throat. She hid under the throw blanket as he squeezed her tighter against his side, clutching it around her head.

“Don’t hide from me.” Rex wormed his face into the gap between her shoulder and the blanket, mischievous grin coming underneath with her. He captured her lips in a heated kiss, swallowing down her protests.

Nova pulled the blanket over their heads and let Rex explore her mouth with his tongue, savoring the taste of him she’d wanted all day.

“Anyone seen the captain? He was just here?” Boomer quipped as he came out of the kitchen.

“No, haven’t seen him in awhile.” Fives’ smile was apparent in his response, and as the other troopers filtered into the living room, he held up a finger to his lips.

Echo rolled his eyes, but played along. “Maybe we should go over to the Senator’s place. They might have left without us.”

“Ms. Nova and the Captain probably went somewhere private to make out like a couple of cadets.” Jesse sat down directly on the lump of blanket covering Rex and Nova, earning him a squawk of protest beneath. Rex shoved Jesse off and tossed the blanket aside. “Oh! There you are sir! Didn’t see you there!” Jesse’s wide grin did nothing to cool Rex’s ire.

Nova laughed as Rex grumbled. “ Ordi’ni! All of you!” He couldn’t hold his composure long as the rest of the squad laughed at him.

As they left the flat for the short walk to the Senator’s apartment, Jesse offered to carry Nova as an apology, crouching down as they exited the building and letting her ride piggy-back for the journey. Not to be outdone, Fives offered a ride to Echo, who graciously accepted.

Notes:

The song is Seasons by Temple of the Dog

This is not well-edited but I couldn't deal with this chapter anymore.

Chapter 11: Tomorrow's the big day...

Summary:

Pep talks and pillow talk gets our intrepid couple through the evening before the big performance.

Notes:

WARNING: Sexual content, mention of suicide

Rex blinked.

He blinked again, taking in the sight before him. It was more than he could have imagined and more than a little overwhelming. Two dozen different kinds of cookies and bars covered one of the mess tables at the back of the hangar. Some round, some square, all wafting the scent of sugar and spices and chocolate, a hint of orange, roasted nuts and berries.

“You’re were holding out on me cyar’ika.” Rex said with awe as he stood looking at the sweets. “What’s that one?” He pointed at a lemon bar, the filling slowly oozing out from the edges, the top adorned with a candied raspberry.

“That is not a cookie. That is a lemon bar. More like a piece of pie.” Nova reached for a plate.

“Pie?” Rex’s big brown eyes got impossibly bigger.

Nova paused, looking back at Rex. “You’ve had pie, yes? Look, there’s hand pies over there,” she pointed before putting a lemon bar on the plate.

Rex shuffled where he stood. “I’ve seen pie charts, but I’ve never experienced eating one. I don’t know how those two things relate.” He shrugged and took the offered plate.

Nova frowned. “Well fuck. I suppose if I introduce you to pie, we’ll have to do cake as well.”

He began to navigate the treat to his mouth. “We go down that road, we’ll need a LOT more training!” Rex took a bite of the lemon bar, bits of the flaky crust and powdered sugar sticking to his lips. The flavor oozed over his tongue, citrusy-sour, sweet and tangy. He chewed thoughtfully as Nova watched on in amusement, licking his lips in thought.

“Dat’ goo!” Rex mumbled as he crammed the rest of the treat into his mouth. He stepped closer to the table to look at what else was on offer as he chewed.

Chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, monster, M&M, shortbread, spritz, some with icing, some without, most were round, others were in fancy shapes. There were brownies and blondies and bars as well as some hand pies filled with berries.

“What the kark was that!” From the other side of the table, Jesse was spitting the contents of his mouth into a napkin.

“Looks like a raisin, vod.” Kix snickered at him, brows questioning, holding an iced sugar cookie in the shape of rancor.

“I thought it was oatmeal chocolate chip!” Jesse continued to sputter, regarding his cookie with contempt.

“I thought you liked raisins – you always have those little red boxes.” Rex grinned at his little brother. “Drives me crazy when he whistles through them,” he added to Nova.

Jesse just glared back as Pry and Boomer watched the exchange and laughed at his expense. Amps came up to the table and eyed all the treats with distrust.

Nova chuckled, “There is nothing worse than getting raisins when you expected chocolate!”

Jesse balled up the napkin and tossed it into the trash at the end of the table, then took another bite of the offending cookie.

“Seriously?” Kix asked, incredulous and amused.

Jesse shrugged. “Now that I know what to expect, it’s pretty good!”

Kix rolled his eyes. He took a bite of his own cookie and wrapped an arm around Jesse’s shoulders, affectionately pressing his forehead against the other man’s temple.

“Let’s huddle everyone!” Cade called from the center of the hangar.

The Unsung Heroes sat on the risers and at their instruments, while the men from the 501st stood where they were meant to set up chairs later.

Nova and Cade let everyone settle before Nova sat on a large crate, putting her at just about eye level with the standing clones.

“Before we get started on what’s to come, I just want to tell you all how proud I am of you. All of you. We’ve all worked really hard these past four days, and I am so pleased with how far we’ve come as a team.” Nova met the eyes of every trooper she could see.

“Tomorrow is the big day. You get to perform, officially, for the first time.” Whoops and whistles, some applause echoed throughout the space. “I know there are some nerves, but I want you all to remember, everyone who comes to see you wants you to succeed. Enjoy yourselves! This is fun, yeah? Have fun! We’ve worked really hard and we deserve to enjoy it ourselves.” Nova looked over her men. Some were watching her with rapt attention, others were fidgeting, some appeared terrified and a few were grinning.

“Ms. Nova?” Voodoo, one of the chorus, raised his hand, “Will we be doing Saber’s song? He’s not here, but we all really like performing it.”

Nova and Cade exchanged a look. Cade replied, “I think we’re going to hold off on that one until he can join us. I think that’s only fair to him.” Grumbles and nods of agreement followed.

“So, we’re going to do a run-through of the setlist first thing, break for lunch, do some warm-up exercises and be ready at 2pm. There are standard blacks in the bunkroom to change into during lunch. I will see you all at 10am.” Nova clapped her hands and hopped off the crate.

“If anyone wants to do one more practice now, I’ll be here and the professor will be in early tomorrow.” Cade called out as everyone began to disperse.

“Um, Ms. Nova?” Mouse, a shiny from the 501st spoke up meekly.

“Yeah, Mouse, what’s up?”

The trooper wrung his hands and shuffled on his feet as he spoke. “Um… what do you want us – Torrent – to do tomorrow?”

Nova looked at Rex, just now realizing the Torrent boys didn’t have anything assigned. “After our guests arrive, you’ll be my hype-men! You’ve heard all the songs, you know when to clap and when to sing along. Just keep the mood up. I’ll have you all at the door, waiting to seat the senator and her entourage and when we begin, you can stand behind and keep the morale up.”

“Aww, yeah! We get to keep the party going!” Fives crowed from the back. 

“Hell yeah!” Hardcase cheered, raising a hand to get a high-five from Spark.

Rex and Nova grinned at one another, the trepidation and night-before jitters setting in.

***

The walk back to the senator’s apartments was quiet, dusk just beginning to paint the horizon a deeper shade of blue. Torrent was tasked with a final cleaning and setting up chairs in the hangar, as Rex and Nova walked back to get food ready for everyone.

“Ugh, I wish I had my cab!” Nova broke the silence after bumping shoulders with a passerby for the third time.

“I know cyar’ika. You’ve been through a lot with that taxi. After this performance is done, you’ll have some time to look for a new one.” Rex reassured, rubbing a gloved hand down her back.

Nova sighed heavily, “I don’t know when! Coming up on midterms, and I’m already behind on my homework. UH and the professor want to record some of these songs.” She shook her head in defeat.

Rex stopped walking and took both her hands in his. “A life, cyare. You have a life! This is your last term. Once this thing is over tomorrow, I’ll likely ship out and you’ll have a lot more time to study. I’m proud of you. For keeping it all together.” Rex touched her face and Nova leaned into it.

“I don’t want you to leave,” She said softly, taking a step forward. “We’ve only just started… whatever this is between us.” She looked up through her lashes, her eyes sad.

Rex huffed. “Nova, what I feel for you, it’s not going anywhere any time soon,” he said softly.

A bright smile spread over Nova’s face. “Good.” She leaned up and pressed a tiny kiss on his helmet where his mouth would be.

They resumed walking, arms brushing, stealing little glances at one another. As Padme’s building came into view, Rex leaned down to speak close to Nova’s ear. “We’re alone now… The boys have quite a bit to do.” Nova turned and grinned conspiratorially. “Race you to the apartment?” Rex challenged.

Nova stepped away, looking unsure. “I don’t know Rex… GO!” Nova took off running with a squeal of delight, sprinting full speed down the sidewalk. It took Rex a beat to realize what was happening before he started off after her.

“You cheater!” Rex called as he quickly caught up to Nova. She could hear the smile in his voice. Rex poured on the speed and deftly beat her to the door of the building.

“No fair! You are an elite super soldier in perfect form.” Nova huffed and puffed as she slammed against the door.

Rex, barely winded, smirked beneath the helmet. “And you are the woman who just cheated!”

“Alls fair in love and war, Rex!” Nova smiled back at him as she opened the door.

Love and war, eh? Rex pondered for a moment before following her inside.

***

 

Nova clutched the fabric of Rex’s blacks at the waist as he pressed his forehead to her temple, their chests heaving. He held her tight against his body, one hand in her hair, the other wrapped around her back in a possessive hold.

Taking a cleansing breath in through his nose, Rex leaned back. “The things you do to me, cyar’ika.”

They were tangled on the large arrangement of lounges on the balcony, configured into a big square of cushions, dusk slowly turning to full night as they studied each other with their lips and hands. Nova groaned and pressed her thigh higher between Rex’s own, causing him to roll his hips into her. He let out a wanton sigh and dipped his head to latch on to her thundering pulse, right beneath her ear. She scratched at his scalp and ran her other hand over his muscled back under the top of his blacks, feeling the sweat beading along his spine. She worked her way down to slide a hand into his pants, finding the soft, taught flesh of his ass, making Rex moan and capture her lips once more. She pressed herself ever closer, trying to find friction to soothe the ache between her legs, grinding against his muscular thigh.

“You trying to get off like this, pretty girl?” Rex pulled back with a wicked grin, taking in her swollen lips and the color in her cheeks. Her pupils were blown wide, her glossy lips panting.

“I need… I need something. Please.” She writhed against him as if to prove her very real need.

Without breaking eye contact, Rex activated the comm on the only piece of armor he still wore. His vambrace buzzed in acknowledgment. “What’s your ETA?”

“Probably another ninety minutes sir. We’re helping the UH vode with organizing their blacks for tomorrow.” Kix responded.

“Affirmative. Good work, boys. See you in ninety.” He cut off the comm before Kix could respond, the look in his eyes turning predatory.

He kissed her with all the pent-up passion he’d been holding back, pressing her into the cushions to lay her on her back as he reached for the fly of her pants. He broke away only to ask, “Is this okay?” To which Nova frantically nodded her head. He took her lips again as her zipper came down, his large hand soft and warm against her lower stomach which twitched beneath his palm. He found the plain cotton panties she wore soaked through and leaving her thighs slick. He groaned into her mouth as she let her legs fall open for her. “Fuck…” he groaned into her mouth, pulling the panties aside and tracing her seam with his middle finger, massaging her puffy outer lips, teasing. “The things I’m going to do to you when we’re alone tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?” Nova sighed as she reached up to grope at her own breasts.

“Tomorrow at the new place, just us. No distractions.” He rumbled low into her ear as she gazed out at the city lights just off the balcony.

“Tell me.” She whined as he finally parted her and found where she wept for him, hot and slick.

“We’re going to sit in front of that big mirror in your bedroom and I’m going to do this while you watch, so you can see how gorgeous you look as I take you apart.” His thumb found her aching clitoris and began rubbing slow circles, moving the hood against the sensitive bundle of nerves. “I’m going to hold you open, so I can watch you dripping for me. I want to see my fingers disappear inside you…” He moved from her clit to her slick entrance, just teasing two fingers there.

“Please, Rex.” Nova’s chest was heaving as she pulled at her nipples through her shirt.

He watched her face bloom into bliss as he pressed inside her. Her slick walls welcomed the intrusion, her back arching at the sensation. He slowly curled his fingers, pressing along the spongy top wall, knowing he had found what he was looking for when her body began to tremble in his arms and she clutched at his chest.

“That’s it, cyar’ika.” He watched her face as he began slowly pumping his fingers, hitting that spot inside her with every stroke, anchoring his hand with his thumb pressing her clit. He leaned down to mouth at her clothed breast as she writhed in his arms, the wet sound of his fingers mixing with her breathy moans and his own groans of encouragement. When her brows furrowed in concentration and she reached up to grab the armrest of the lounge, he knew she was close. He alternated between rubbing fast circles over her clit and plunging his fingers inside her. “Just like that? Come for me sweetheart. I want to see you.”

“Rex….” She sighed one final time before a silent scream had her arching her back, her body vibrating. White hot bliss flowed through her limbs, only Rex’s lips on her throat and his clothed body writhing against hers as she shook in his arms. As she resurfaced, he pet through the curls framing her wet heat, sucking a dark bruise into the soft skin of her shoulder. She blinked at him, Rex’s brow beaded with sweat and his own chest heaving with labored breath. “Little Gods, Rex, let me touch you.” She panted and reached for the seal of his blacks.

Rex stopped Nova, grabbing her wrist with shuddering sigh. He flashed her a bashful smile. Nova frowned at him. “I, um… I’ve finished already.” He answered her unspoken question, his cheeks and ears turning a lovely shade of pink. Nova could feel the heat rising in her cheeks at the realization that he had come in his blacks just from watching her.

“Maker, that is fucking hot!” Nova tilted her head back and laughed.

Rex grinned up at her, confused. “It is?” He shifted next to her, uncomfortable stickiness cooling against his skin.

“Hell yes.” Nova turned and leaned down to give him a sweet, lingering kiss.

“Mi’lady?” A familiar male voice called from the house. The pair looked at each other with wide eyes.

“I’ll talk to the chef, you go get cleaned up.” Nova said as she rolled off the lounge. She quickly ran a hand through her hair and zipped her pants. Rex waited until she entered the house and could hear her speaking to the chef before scurrying off to the refresher.

 

***

Unbeknownst to either Rex or Nova, back at the hangar, Torrent company had helped the UH troops paint their blacks with a single stripe of color signifying their old battalion, next to the spice-red that was the usual color of their clothing at the rehab center. Over three dozen black compression shirts with stripes of every battalion color lay across the mess tables, drying in the night air.

Lenny stood looking over the organized chaos with a little grin on his face as Sparks packed his carry-all with what little leftover paint they had.

“We should get going if we’re gonna have hot food!” Kix called from the front of the hangar, snapping his chest plate back on.

“Think we need to stall any longer?” Jesse asked with a smug grin, reaching up to Kix’s hair where intricate designs were shaved into the sparse hair. He ran his fingers affectionately along the design.

Kix shivered and stepped closer to Jesse, shouldering his pack. “I think the Captain is holding out until tomorrow. But,” Kix leaned in for a chaste peck on the lips, which Jesse accepted with a smile. “We have to do no such thing,” he grinned.

Jesse put both arms around Kix’s neck. “Why soldier, are you propositioning me?”

Kix nodded as his smile widened. “Yes, trooper, I am.” He yanked Jesse forward by the sides of his chest plate and captured his lips in a heated kiss, swallowing the giggle that spilled from Jesse’s lips.

Fives bounded up to the pair making out at the entrance to the hangar, slapping both of them on the pauldrons at the same time. “Starting the orgy without us?” He quipped as the pair broke apart to glare at him. 

Behind Fives, Echo had his face in his hand. “There will be no orgy, Fives! I swear to the Maker.” Echo huffed and crossed his arms, looking tired. He spotted movement outside the hangar. “Is that Cade? What’s he doing back?”

Nova’s volunteer partner ambled up to the hangar, his face was pale and drawn, his shoulders slumped. Cade’s eyes were red-rimmed and shiny.

“What’s up, vod?” Boomer called from inside the hangar, where all of Torrent were gathering. They looked to each other, silently wondering why Cade would come back more than an hour after he’d left for the night.

Cade shook his head, as if to clear it. “I have to talk to the UH boys.” His voice cracked. “Saber… one of their brothers at the rehab… he… he took his own life.”

 

Chapter 12: I Put a Banjo Up Into the Sky

Summary:

Unsung Heroes performs for Senator Amidala, and a few unexpected guests.

Rex woke to the smell of fresh caf like most mornings he had spent on Coruscant lately. He rolled over to find the blinds still drawn and his head filled with cotton. It had been a very long night of restless sleep. He rolled out of bed, noting that the other side was long cold. He shuffled out into the quiet living space, the drapes from the balcony wafting into the room the only sign someone else was awake. Torrent company was spread throughout the living space in various states of dress, all still asleep. He could make out Nova’s silhouette in the predawn light on the balcony. He padded over to the glass doors, unsure if he was a welcome presence or a nuisance.

Nova stood on the balcony in just a pair of pajama bottoms and a tank, sipping her coffee and watching the planet wake. Her eyes were gritty and swollen from crying, and her hair was a tangled mess from tossing and turning. Leaning against the wall of the balcony, her guitar sat, looking somehow lonesome.

“How do you do this every day?” Nova said as Rex crossed the threshold and joined her in the blessed cool of the morning. 

Rex huffed a sigh through his nose, coming to stand behind her. “Sometimes I wonder myself,” he murmured into her hair. “We’re taught not to hang on too tightly to any of our brothers but…. It gets harder every day. We don’t ask the big questions: why me? Why them? Why us? Because the answer is always the same: It’s what we were made for. We wait for the lightening sky, take a deep breath, and live to fight another day.” As Rex spoke, the sun peeked over the horizon, painting the skyscrapers in pinks and oranges and golds. He enveloped Nova in his arms and kissed her shoulder.

“I get so angry, just thinking about how many are dying out there, without ever really living.” 

Rex squeezed her closer to himself. “You can’t go down that road, cya’rika. It will drive you insane. I try to take it day by day, hour by hour. I fight alongside the brothers I still have and hope that what I’m fighting for is the right thing.”

“You’re an amazing man, Rex.” Nova leaned her head back on his strong chest, letting him wrap his arms around her. “You deserve more than medals and commendations.”

His low chuckle tickled her ear. “The only accolade I need is to be allowed to be here with you as often as I can.”

Nova was quiet for a long moment. “You are a sentimental old man, you know that?” she said with the growing smirk evident in her voice.

Rex scoffed. “Why would you say that? I am neither old nor… okay that was sentimental… I was going for romantic but…”

Nova turned, giggling, in his arms. “It’s okay. I’m partial to sentimentality.”

“Oh yeah?” Rex glared down his nose at her, a grin ghosting his lips.

“Yeah. Definitely.” She rose up on her toes to kiss him. He reluctantly returned the kiss as he took the coffee cup out her hands.

“I think,” Rex started maneuvering them back into the apartment with his arms still firmly around her shoulders. “Your romantic notions are trying to rub off on me.”

Nova laughed, “You love me and my romantic notions.”

They both froze in the threshold, the L-word bringing their banter to a screeching halt. Nova swallowed thickly, as Rex leaned down to whisper darkly directly into her ear.

“And I am going to show you some romantic notions when I have you all to myself.” He nipped Nova’s earlobe with his teeth, making her entire body shiver in his hold. He soothed her skin with his tongue before letting go.

“You’re a menace.” Nova turned and playfully swatted at Rex.

“Save it, you two!” Lenny said as he turned on the kitchen light, Chips not far behind, already holding a mug.

Nova and Rex just smiled sadly at one other, their bubble broken. Nova made directly for the kitchen and the promise of more caf. Rex’s eye was caught by the sight of Fives and Echo, still deep asleep on the sofa nearest the balcony. Fives sat in the center in just his blacks, head turned toward Echo, his face slack and one arm tucked under his head. Echo lay on his back, his legs draped over Fives lap, wearing only his lower blacks. Fives’ palm rested over Echo’s chest, mirroring the blue handprint on his armor. Echo had laced their fingers together over his heart at some point in the night. Rex smiled down fondly at his Domino Twins. They were no longer the shiny troopers he’d met all those missions ago. They each had scars now, some Rex could see, like the one twisting around Echo’s abdomen from a piece of shrapnel; others were in their mind and hearts, invisible to the naked eye.

“Yep. Sentimental. And a little creepy.” Nova gave Rex a start; she came to stand a hairsbreadth from him as he gazed down on his sleeping brothers. Rex rolled his eyes and shook his head, going to the kitchen for his own cup of caf.

 

**

Solemn would not be a word Nova would want to use to describe this day, but the weight of a life not fully lived was heavy on all of the men. Red eyes, downcast stares, sad and angry faces greeted her as she and Torrent Company arrived in the hangar to rehearse. They’d arrived early, knowing they’d need to take time to address Saber’s passing. With no small amount of pride, Nova and Rex watched the men from Torrent approach the UH boys as they ate breakfast, offering condolences and trying to lift their spirits. Seeing Fives and Jesse, Lenny and Boomer and all the other battle-hardened soldiers of Rex’s most trusted platoon freely giving hugs, holding their grieving brothers, speaking in low tones and taking others aside to talk, made his heart swell in his chest. Rex smiled over at Nova as she watched on with him, a sad smile playing on her lips. As her charges finished their meal, they came to sit on the risers, shoulders slumped and morale low.

Nova stood as the last man sat on a crate next to the risers. Cade joined her, looking harried and as if he hadn’t slept at all.

“Saber was everything a good soldier should be. He was loyal and kind and did his duty to the Republic. I have heard he was an excellent shot and even better with a knife.” Nova smiled at the clones who would let her catch their eye. “But the Republic was not so kind to Saber. It hasn’t been kind to any of you. But I know you are so much more than the Kaminoans made you to be. You might be the best soldiers in the galaxy, but you are also the smartest, most talented men I have ever known. Each and every one of us in this space has a gift that didn’t come from the battlefield or from flash training or sims. It came from in here.” Nova held her hand over her heart and looked over her men. “And it is something no one can take away from you. Saber’s gift lives on in us – his songs, his poetry and his memory. We have the privilege of mourning him and all the other men we’ve lost. And we still have a job to do today,” she took a deep breath, “so I’ve added Saber’s song to the end of the setlist, and Joy will lead.”

The UH men erupted in cheers and gasps of disbelief, many reaching over to jostle Joy, who sat beaming in the middle of the risers. Joy was a clone who had been at the rehab center for years, suffering cognitive difficulties since the battlefield injury that left him functionally blind. The man had a perpetual smile on his face, though, always the first to see the light at the end of a tunnel. He sang soprano in the choir, but had a dynamic vocal range and often provided auxiliary percussion. Now he beamed, clapping his hands in glee.

Professor Inigo crept up beside Cade and Nova, wearing a bedazzled black suit. He startled Nova as he began to speak.

“Yes, yes! We will honor our fallen brother with song! Nicky and Clem will be joining us soon as well.” Inigo clasped his hands together, becoming serious. “Before we begin rehearsal, I just wanted to let you all know that I have been in touch with Saber’s remaining batchmates; Dao and Bowie were grateful for all of you, especially Ms. Nova and Cade. Now!” Inigo bellowed, clapping his hands. “Let us say the remembrance and more forward! Joy, will you lead us?”

Joy stood and bowed his head, as Nova, Cade and the professor sat, all the other clones stilling in their seats. 

“O’r ibic aay’han, ni partaylir gar. Par ner ular, vor entye. Par ner cyare, ni yaimpir cyare. Gar nu kyrayc tuu gar gai bat cyare’se’urame, tuu mhi partaylir gar. Gar taab’echaaj’la, al nakar’tuur ni ven’olaror ogir, bal mhi ven’urcir tug’yc.” In this time of mourning, I remember you. For your care, I thank you. For your love, I return love. You are not dead while your name is on your loved ones’ mouths, while we remember you. You have gone far away, but someday I will arrive there, and we will be together again. The hangar was silent as every person took the time to see Saber in their mind’s eye and reflect. After a long moment, Joy continued, “Saber, ni su’cuyi, gar kyr’adyc, ni partayli, gar darasuum.” Saber, I’m still alive, but you are dead. I remember you, so you are eternal.

Long sighs, the sound of knuckles and necks being cracked as the men shook off their grief, murmurs of personal prayers and men checking in with their brothers filled the space as each one set aside their grief.

The reverent quiet was broken by the sound of the hangar doors opening, the creaking, squeaking cacophony tearing through the calm. Two women, a human and an orange-skinned Twilek entered with the newly-risen sun, a swath of light bathing the whole hangar in a yellow glow. It hit Rex square in the face, making him squint and scowl.

“Well, they know how to make an entrance,” Nova grumbled to Cade. He just nodded and rolled his eyes.

 

***

Torrent was ready with chairs set up, their armor polished and the refreshments for the reception after the performance ready in the back of the hangar as General Skywalker and Senator Amidala entered. They were preceded by a retinue of the Senator’s handmaidens and guards, including Captain Typho, who assisted the soldiers in seating the women. What they all failed to consider when setting up the audience, was the power of word-of-mouth. Just as the last handmaiden got comfortable, General Kenobi and Commander Cody sauntered in, smiling at the Senator and confirming they were not late. The General sat down in an extra seat and Cody stood at his side. Pry looked at Jesse with a grimace as General Plo Koon and several of his men, the Wolf Pack, entered. There were no chairs left. 

Rex, standing outside the barracks at the back of the hangar, gave a start when his comm chirped, a harried-sounding Lenny hailing him. “Captain, we need more chairs! Apparently, the Senator invited a whole bunch of people!”

Rex balked and looked out into the hangar. Indeed, he could see Senators Organa and Mothma greeting General Koon, General Windu and his Commander stopping to say hello to Senator Amidala.

Rallying his men, Rex just smiled at Nova when she came out of the barracks, wondering what all the commotion was. With an armful of folding chairs, he could only smile and reassure her. “We have it under control, just let the UH boys know we’re going to have a bigger audience.”

Nova’s eyes went wide at that. “Cade! Professor!” She called into the barracks before slamming the door closed. Taking her panic in stride, Rex just continued directing the additional seating as more unexpected guests filtered in. 

As the last of the chairs were set up, Cody sidled up to Rex, with his helmet tucked under his arm. “They’ve got you doing event duty now, vod?” Cody teased.

Rex positioned the last chair just so and frowned at his older brother. “I thought you and your ridduur were working on decoding that intel we just received?”

Cody smiled, proud of his little brother for putting up a wall and not giving in to his teasing. “We’re taking a break! The esteemed Senator was gracious enough to extend an invitation to the Council. The General couldn’t pass up the chance to see the Hero of Coruscant perform with her clones!”

Rex tried not to appear rankled. “They are not her clones. She’s their instructor. You make it sound like she’s trained circus animals.” Rex testily nudged a few of the chairs into line, glowering at Cody. Cody laughed, though his retort was cut off by a booming voice joining the din of the audience.

“Welcome, welcome, welcome! Thank you all for coming to hear our little band of Unsung Heroes perform for the lovely Senator Amidala!” Professor Inigo came to stand before the audience, looking for all the galaxy like a ringleader. The audience grew quiet as he spoke. “Ms. Nova Emory has worked with these men for nearly three years now. Along with Cade Franklin, Nickia Shonda and Clementine Lyon, they have instructed over one hundred and twenty former soldiers in songwriting, poetry, and instruments of their choice. Unsung Heroes was founded by myself, Inigo Mue and Nickia Shonda when we came to open the Rehabilitation Center for Decommissioned Clones. We needed a way for these men, who had been left behind, to find new purpose. They needed an outlet for their very human emotions. We are thankful to the Kaminoans who allowed us to treat these men as individuals worthy of rehabilitation, rather than a product to be discarded.” The professor looked out over the audience, who shifted uncomfortably in their seats at the mention of decommissioning and Kaminoans. “Without further ado, I give you, Unsung Heroes!”

The audience’s polite clapping was cut short by the sound of wood on concrete.

General Yoda came through the open hangar, his gimer stick clicking with each step, all eyes on him. “Forgive me,” he huffed, “Late to the party, I am.” He cackled as he came to stand in front of a crate. General Kenobi made to stand and offer the ancient Jedi his seat. “Many thanks, Obi-Wan. Prefer this vantage point, I do.” He clambered onto the equipment crate and sat, his three-toed feet hanging off the edge. Everyone seemed to be holding their breath, watching Yoda in anticipation. “Please, continue!” he proclaimed with a toothy grin.

Professor Inigo smiled back at the Jedi and swept his arm out toward the back of the hangar. “Enjoy!”

***

McGee, Songbird and the UH’s pianist, Henn, were the first men to take the stage. They began the performance with the calming and benign tones of the first song Rex heard them play. As the song progressed and more instruments and voices joined in, more men filtered onto the stage in a slow, stealthy crawl that made it seem like they just appeared. They each wore the top of their blacks, the skin-tight leggings replaced by simple black pants. Each man had a single stripe of reddish brown down the front of his shirt, paired with a color unique to their former battalion. McGee was visibly nervous, one hand clasping the opposite bicep in a self-soothing gesture Nova knew well. His voice was clear and true, and she met his eye, giving him a smile and wink.

 

Unsung Heroes Song 1

 

Rex watched the reactions of the audience, especially his fellow troopers. Surprised looks of consideration broke over the faces of most in the crowd, looking to one another with silent agreement: these men were good. Behind him, Torrent company moved along with the music, the voices of a few singing along with the band. They lead the applause as the song ended with McGee’s rich voice, the trooper himself grinning over at his vode in the audience. Nova directed from off-stage, taking an exaggerated deep breath and exhaling with a puff of air. Several men copied her and they all relaxed considerably.

“This next song is one of the first Ms. Nova ever taught us. It’s a rally song from the planet Tawl.”

The guitar started the song off with a “Yee-haw!” from Songbird. Jesse, Hardcase, Fives and Hawk tried (and failed) to keep their excitement for the song contained. They jumped over one another to see the band better, earning a pointed glare from Rex. As the strings started up, the rest of Torrent came alive, clapping along with the music, which gave the audience some much-needed encouragement. Cade nudged Nova as the song began, noting Kix was the only trooper wearing his helmet, stood planted where no one could obstruct his view. She just frowned and shrugged, Kix’s antics a mystery.

 

Unsung Heroes Song 2

 

As the bridge began, Joy lead the choir in building the refrain, which, much to Rex’s bemusement, had even the Wolf Pack tapping their feet. Noticing one of his men moving next to him, Commander Wolffe elbowed him between his cuirass and his belt. The trooper just shrugged and took a step away from Wolffe, crossed his arms and let his foot continue to tap along with the beat. Behind him, Torrent had their arms around each other, swaying to the music, singing along. Unsung Heroes clearly enjoyed performing this piece, as many danced along where they stood, pride radiant on their faces. At the end of the song, the applause was thunderous. The senators all turned to each other to murmur their approval amongst themselves, the handmaidens doing the same, while trying to catch the eye of a musician. 

General Yoda stood on the crate he was perched on and exclaimed his appreciation, “Beautiful. Very good, very good, yes!”

The applause died down as McGee approached the microphone once again, having stood back to sheepishly accept this praise. “Our next song was written for the Jedi. It’s called Brother.”

Unsung Heroes took a beat to get set for the next song, Nicky and Cade coming out to each lend a hand on an instrument. Rex noted Nova lingering behind all the strings, her arms crossed over her chest, beaming at the men. McGee’s arms were loose, one hand clutching the microphone stand. He held the microphone with more confidence, meeting the eyes of his brothers in the audience and finally enjoying himself. Sticks counted off and began the song, Mcgee turning to address the Jedi in the room. Soon, the strings joined in, the swell of the music carrying the sentiment of the song to their ears. As the choir took the refrain, McGee let his voice carry a note into something primal, a sound that made the Jedi sit up a little in their seats. Nova looked over to the Professor and they both cheered for their student, who was finally showing the depth of his talent.

 

Unsung Heroes Song 3

 

As the song ended, the entire audience was on its feet to cheer. General Skywalker wolf-whistled and Yoda beat his gimer stick against the crate. Of course the men in Torrent Company were the loudest, yelling the names of their UH brothers and making the musicians grin. They took a moment to drink from their canteens or adjust their seating, a few of the strings trading instruments and seats. 

As the shuffling died down, Sticks went off-script, introducing the next song. “This next song is one of the first that Unsung Heroes wrote as a band. Um, it was quite the accomplishment for us clones, cuz most of us don’t have a creative bone in our bodies. Um… I also just want to give a shout out to Ms. Nova for getting us all to the point where we could perform, and Senator Amidala for allowing us this opportunity.” Sticks blushed as the Senator met his eye and gave him her thousand-watt smile, nodding in her regal, royal way. “So, yeah, this song is called We Don’t Know.” Several of the UH musicians gave Sticks teasing grins as he wiped his sweaty hands on his pants and sat up a little straighter on his stool. Cade and Clem were on instruments, ready to fill in for those pieces that the men couldn’t yet fill.

The first chair violin counted off, and the strings began to play. Songbird came in on the guitar moments later. McGee had drifted to the edge of the risers to stand with the choir, a tambourine and Songbird’s microphone close at hand for the short duets peppered throughout the piece. Songbird’s voice was grittier than McGee’s, but no less beautiful. Watching him sing and play guitar in his earnest way had Nickia and Nova beaming at one another. The refrain began with the Torrent boys clapping along. Rex noted all the men in the Wolfpack clacking their vambraces together on the beat (sans Wolffe himself, whose stoic frown had lost it’s heat). The song lent itself well to audience participation, and soon everyone was clapping along.

 

Unsung Heroes Song 4

 

As the strings began the bridge, taking the spotlight from Songbird and his guitar, Rex chanced a look over at Nova. Her eyes were sparkling as she leaned into Professor Inigo, the two of them doing a little dance to the music. Every now and then she would clasp her hands in front of her mouth and tap her feet, as if praying the men did well. A proud little smile graced her face as she listened, responding to quips from the other instructors who would lean over and make comments into her ear. She would have to tuck a stray curl or two behind her ear as they spoke, the errant twists popping back out as soon as she moved. During one such conversation, Rex was able to get her attention, her smile changing into something soft and fond, he grinned back, hoping he was conveying how proud he was of her. Her cheeks flushed as Rex turned back to the music, moving along with his brothers and clapping along to the music.

As the song ended its final flourish, the entire audience was on its feet with applause. The Unsung Heroes looked around at one another, unsure of what to do, looking shell-shocked at the praise. Songbird looked over at Nova, who rolled her hands slowly; keep going. It wasn’t until he started playing that the applause and cheers began to die down. Joy quickly made his way to the front, his brothers parting to let him down from the center of the risers. Songbird played an extra bar of the intro as Joy got the microphone where he wanted, the entire band taking their cues from the two of them. Pressing his lips to the microphone, Joy closed his eyes. “This one is for Saber.”

As he sang, Joy was clearly moved by how much the handmaidens and the senators, the other clones and the Jedi were enjoying themselves. He engaged them, meeting their eyes and smiling, encouraging them to clap along by nodding and clapping himself when he saw someone sheepishly starting to bring their hands together. He grinned cheekily at Seth who was playing the bass guitar, who came over and tried to share his mic on the chorus, only to elbow the other man out of the way in a playful shove. 

 

Saber's Song

 

On the last refrain of the chorus, Joy urged the audience onto their feet with his hands, the Torrent boys taking over and making sure the entire audience was up and clapping on the 2s and 4s. He gave the “roll with it” gesture Nova had given Songbird earlier and the band played through another refrain, letting the audience fill in the words. From the back, Torrent company lead the last few lines of the song, as Joy held the mic out.

“I got guns in my head and they won’t go, spirits in my head and they won’t go.”

“But the gun still rattles, the gun still rattles, oOoh!”

The music cut and a beat of silence followed before the hangar erupted in a cacophony of praise. The wolf whistles, vambraces clacking, feet stomping applause was deafening for a moment, as the musicians stood and applauded their brothers, wide smiles plastered on their faces. Through the crowd, the professor and his students began moving from man to man to shake each identical hand. As he came to the front, Prof. Inigo was stopped by the overwhelming presence of Master Yoda. An eerie quiet came over the crowd as the small Jedi hobbled forward. Knowing when he was being addressed directly, Prof. Inigo dropped to one knee.

“Much talent and spirit, do these men possess. Promise in this endeavor, I see. Yes, yes, Professor. Makes itself known through their music, the force does. Take for granted, we do not, the sacrifice these men have made.” Yoda looked around at the clones, his deep brown eyes sparkling with pride. He raised his voice to address all the men of Unsung Heroes. “Waste your gift, do not. Give away your gift, do not. Many good things are yet to be revealed. Thank you, I do, for sharing your gifts.”

Master Kenobi started the applause back up, though the roar was quite a bit more polite.

“Thank you for coming, everyone!” Senator Amidala said, looking around at the Jedi and other Senators. “Please, please enjoy the refreshments at the back of the hangar. Take some time to get to know these wonderful performers!”

As everyone began moving further into the space where appetizers and desserts were amassed on the mess tables, Rex was able to loop his arm around Nova’s.

“Kandosii’laa bes’laar, vodika.” Rex squeezed Nova’s arm as he looked down at her. Amazing music, my friend. “Haat.” Truth. He let go of her arm as they neared the reception area, Nova’s flushed cheeks as she stared after him proof of just how much she valued his opinion.

 

***

The party lasted well into the evening, The UH clones goading their instructors to play more songs, which Torrent company and the remaining Jedi were all too happy to encourage. The Senators floated away throughout the afternoon, a party in the clone barracks just wasn’t their scene. It wasn’t until a service droid arrived with late meal that anyone realized the sun had already set. Rex took this as a sign that it was time to take Nova home to her new apartment and started making his way around to say his goodbyes.

Nova had excused herself to the restroom, but was grabbed by strong, unyielding arms as she exited the freshers in the central hub of the hangar complex. The barracks billets backed up to the door of the hangar’s larger attached complex, and created a small space that barely fit the shoulders of an ARC trooper in width. She gasped aloud, but the sound was swallowed by warm, soft lips and calloused hands that held her face right where they wanted her. Recognising the man who pressed her flush against his armor, she chuckled against his lips and wrapped her arms around Rex’s shoulders. He worked his way down the soft column of her throat with his lips and teeth, storing away the hushed notes of pleasure she let slip past her own kiss-swollen lips.

“I thought you were ready for an exit, Captain?” She bared her throat to him as he hummed against her pulse point.

Rex held Nova tighter, letting his hands run up and down her back as he slotted one armoured thigh between hers. “I don’t know if I can wait until we get back,” he murmured, turning them so he could press her between the barracks wall and his solid frame.

BEEP BEEP BEEP!

“Ms. Nova! Where are you!”

The sound of a speeder horn and the shouts of the men brought the couple up cold.

“I think you’re going to have to.” Nova frowned, letting Rex gently rest his forehead against hers for a moment. Rex growled, but let her slip from his grasp as the shouting continued. He took a moment to adjust his codpiece and slip his gloves back on before walking out into the main hangar.

The sight that greeted both of them was shocking and confusing. General Yoda sat in a shiny new Air taxi, cackling with delight as he tried all the settings. The headlights were flashing and the windshield wipers were gliding over the window as the horn continued to blare. Wrapped around the taxi was a huge red bow. The front license plate read: THX 1138.

“There she is!” Adonai, a viola player in Unsung Heroes called out to everyone as he spotted Nova coming from between the barracks. Her mouth hung open in utter shock. A short cry of triumph rose from the dwindling crowd, which quickly turned quiet as the gathering tears in Nova’s eyes finally spilled over.

“How did you… why did you…” Nova swayed on her feet, but Rex was just behind her to take both her shoulders in his hands and keep her upright.

With effort, General Yoda clambered out of the taxi, his gimer stick tapping on the concrete floor as he came to the front of the group of smiling Jedi and clones.

“Lost much, you did, by assisting us with the Zillo beast. Accept this replacement for your damaged taxi, you must.” His clawed hand reached out to give Nova the keys to the taxi.

Nova took the ancient Master’s hand into both of her own. “Thank you, Master Yoda. This means so much to me.” Tears continued to drip down her chin.

Master Yoda smiled, showing his jagged teeth. “Means the galaxy, what you do for these men. Yes, continue your work, you should. Finish your studies and bring this joy to more clones, will you?”

Nova was left speechless. She gaped at Master Yoda for a moment, looking up at Anakin and Obi-Wan for an appropriate response.

Before her, Yoda laughed, his joyful titter making everyone else chuckle.

“Please, think on this matter. Clone troopers are smart, learned men, yes. But the ways of war are not the only use for such a mind. More men, I believe, could benefit from your instruction.” With squeeze of her hand, Master Yoda gave a small nod to the crying young woman and turned around.

“I shall escort Master Yoda back to the Temple. I thank you, Miss Emory.” Mace Windu bowed before Nova as she wiped her tears away with a table napkin offered from somewhere behind her. She nodded back in disbelief.

“Shall we go for a ride? Rex squeezed her shoulders as he leaned down and breathed into her ear, letting the resulting shiver press her back closer against his front. The rest of the men, the Jedi and the service droids all faded away as Nova turned to look up at Rex, who wore an amused smirk, his eyes shining with adoration.

She grabbed his hand and pulled, running for the taxi. “Yes!”

 

 

 

 

Notes:

The performance, in order:

Fix You - ColdPlay
Shovels & Dirt - The Strumbellas
Brother - Kodaline
We Don't Know - The Strumbellas
Spirits - The Strumbellas

No, no, UH is not the Strumbellas! I didn't even like them until I started researching songs for this fic, and now I'm hooked. All rights are reserved for the respective artists and I make no claim on any musical piece mentioned here.

Sorry it's been so long, dear readers. It has been a roller coaster ride for me these past few months. I have Stage 4 breast cancer with metastases to my bones. I've been through 6 different oral and IV chemo regimens in the last year and a half since being diagnosed, but my tumor continues to grow. The Mets to my hip responded to radiation, but microscopic disease and mets to my other bones, lungs, liver and brain are whats in store down the road. How much further remains to be seen. This is my second go-around with cancer, and shit just got real. I hope I can do this story justice and I hope I am able to finish it the way I want. I have given my son, who is also a fan fiction writer, access to my account, so he can mark any unfinished works and let others finish the story. There is much more ahead for Nova and Rex, to be sure. With lots more music to go with it. Writing is my relaxation and joy, so when you see an update, know that I am happy and well enough to write, even if I do a crap job proofreading. Take care, dear readers, and please, please, do your monthly breast and testicular checks. It could save your life.

Chapter 13: Interlude #1

Summary:

Nova and Rex can finally be alone. The wider galaxy hears Unsung Heroes.

To see Nova completely bare before him was like seeing the sky for the first time. A shy smile graced her features, which were otherwise glowing in the soft light filtering in from the window. Her body was a work of art, all curves and softness with a hint of muscle beneath her thick thighs. Rex licked his lips as he took her in, completely nonplussed by his own nakedness. Even when she reached out to trail shaking fingers down his chest, outlining the ridges of every defined muscle, following the sparse trail of hair down his stomach. Before she could follow it to its conclusion, he took her wrist in his much larger hand and brought it up to his lips to place a reverent kiss there, meeting her eyes. She drew in a shaky breath as he stepped closer to her, feeling the heat radiating from his body.

“Ner mesh’la dala. Ner kar’ta.” He held her wrist as he cupped her face with his other hand, thumb caressing the soft skin of her cheek. My beautiful woman. My heart. She leaned into it, revelling in the warm scent of his skin, his heat and his comforting presence. He kissed her forehead, both her eyelids, and pressed his lips against hers as her head dropped heavy into his hand.

Her hands splayed over the skin of his shoulders and chest as he embraced her to deepen their kiss, his eyes fluttering shut at the taste of her on his tongue. Their bodies finally came to press against one another, sending sparks of desire up their spines that dialed up the urgency of their desire. They had kissed before, and they had touched each other, but this was the first time they actually had the chance to explore one another. His hands mapped the curve of her back and the fullness of her breasts, learning the places that would make her tremble with a simple caress. His body was a map all its own, each sinewy muscle flowing into the next. He moaned into their kiss as she touched him, nimble fingers finding places no one had ever ventured before. His moans turned into sighs as her lips found the sensitive skin of his throat, lips and tongue and teeth marking him as her own. 

His eyes were slow to open as she leaned back to view her handiwork, a mischievious smile on her lips.

“Sit.” He turned them both to help her sit on the edge of the bed, his amber eyes never leaving hers as she allowed him to lead. As he went to his knees in front of her, her breath caught. “Can I?” he asked, his hands running slowly along her inner thighs. She understood what he wanted as he rubbed his jaw against her knee, turning to kiss the inside of it as she gave a hesitant nod. “I need to hear it, cyar’ika.” Even as he sought her permission, he pressed her legs wider and pulled her closer to the edge of the bed.

Nova ran her hands through his short hair, urging him forward. “Please, Rex. I want your mouth on me.”

Before her plea was out of her mouth, his was on her, tasting her arousal from the source with a moan that reverberated through her body. She held him there, as he pressed her lower back closer to himself, allowing her to lead this dance. His tongue and lips found her drenched in salty-sweet ardour, her legs shaking around him. Her breathy moans morphed into needy whining, as the coil of pleasure built slowly, too slowly for her liking. 

“What do you need, love?” Rex pulled away from her heat to see her flushed face, brow furrowed in mild frustration. 

“More. Just, I don’t know.” She shook her head and urged him back to his place between her thighs with her calves, which she placed over his broad shoulders. 

He smirked back at her, his face glistening with her juices. “I’ve got you, cyar’ika.” One big hand came up to push her down onto the bed, the other slipping through her folds to find her entrance. Nova’s fingers tangled in her own hair, body pliant as she lay down on the unused bed. Her hands tightened their grip as two thick fingers slowly worked their way inside her. His lips sealed around her buzzing bundle of nerves, setting her aflame with pleasure. He watched her through hooded eyes as she writhed beneath him, absently reaching down to stroke himself. He was already painfully hard and leaking, but his focus never waivered from her need. Whispered praises and choked moans fell from her lips as the coil wound tighter inside her; moans turned into desperate panting and her thighs tightened around his head, trembling.

He worshiped her like he had longed to do since their first kiss. If he was honest with himself, he had wanted her much longer, trying in vain to keep their relationship platonic. He couldn’t deny it now, his heart clawing at the inside of his ribcage trying to get to her, to show her how much he cared for her. He had made love to other women; believed he loved other women, but this, she was…. He knew as she panted his name like a prayer that he loved her. The realization made his stomach flip and he redoubled his efforts to bring her to her peak.

“Fuck, Rex! Maker, don’t stop! I’m so close…”

Nova’s body locked up as white hot bliss spread through her limbs and her vision went dark. Rex worked her through it until her breath returned, chest heaving as she fought through the haze of her pleasure. Leaving one last lingering kiss on her clitoris, Rex climbed onto the bed, sliding alongside her, pulling her against himself and running his hands over her still quivering muscles. He twined their legs together, trying to get as close as possible as she grounded herself by embracing his shoulders and tucking herself into the hollow of his throat. Before he could think to act, Nova had him slotted against her entrance. She was still coming down as he split her open, his groan of satisfaction vibrating against her lips. He was bigger than she had anticipated, the stretch making her clench and pant, clutching him as she welcomed him into herself.

“Stars, you feel so good, cyar’ika.” Rex slurred against her ear, his own breath shuddering through his chest. Nova lifted her head to look at him and oh, she was a vision. Her eyes were glassy, cheeks rosy, her brow glistening with sweat, all framed by her wild hair, now a tangle of errant curls. She smiled at him and he felt giddy. They started to move together, and it was all he could do to press his forehead against hers as her fingers dug into his biceps.

“You fit so good inside me. It’s never… never felt like this….” Nova scratched at his scalp, whispering praises between gasps of pleasure.

It was unhurried, the push-pull of their bodies, hands finding purchase for a fleeting moment before moving to find another plane of luscious skin to dance their fingers upon. Try as they might, they could not keep their eyes locked together, the waves of intoxicating satisfaction overwhelming their senses. Eyes slipped closed as they breathed, open-mouthed, against each other’s lips. Rex’s fingers came to tangle in Nova’s hair, while the other hand hitched her leg higher on his hip, allowing him deeper. He rolled half on top of her as she writhed with this new angle, still rocking languidly into each other. He pulled one sensitive nipple between his lips and she keened in his arms, that coil beginning to tighten once more. As her back arched to press her breasts closer to his mouth, he switched sides. Her stomach quivered, moving down to where she clenched around him, the pleasure building. While he wanted to take his time, Rex was still a man and could only take so much. He came off her breast with a pop, lips wet as he started moving faster, pressing deeper.

“I want to feel you come on my cock,” he rasped against her shoulder, his body becoming more and more desperate for release. 

Nova beheld his blissed-out expression, flushed down to his chest, sweat sparkling across his skin as if he were effervescent. He was the most beautiful thing she’d ever seen. His lithe muscles ripping under his skin as he moved inside her had Nova standing at the edge of pure ecstasy. “Come with me, Rex. Please. Oh, please….” Her words dissolved into a groan as pleasure coalesced in every pore and vein, her searing hot cunt spasming around his intrusion and pulling him under with her. He bent his knees to drive himself as deeply as possible, his seed spilling into her as syrupy satisfaction filled him. In the fog of bliss, their lips found each other and their kiss brought them back to themselves.

Slipping back onto the bed next to her, Rex pulled Nova tight against himself, still panting. She pillowed her head on his chest, his pounding heart just centimeters beneath her ear, arms slipping around his abdomen. “Thank you Nova. For… No one has ever…” Rex’s voice was thick with emotion as he pressed his face into the comforting scent of her hair. 

She pulled back to look at him. “I love you Rex,” she said with a tiny smile on her lips, as if it answered his unasked question.

He studied her face for a long moment, his amber eyes glittering in the dark, reflecting the lights of city from the window. Her blue eyes were in shadow, but they still sparkled with affection. “I love you, Nova,” he husked over the lump in his throat. He pulled her into a kiss, pouring their affection into each other and igniting their passion once more.

 

***

 

An unfamiliar alarm woke Nova from a perfect, dreamless slumber. Her limbs ached as she fought the plush blankets tucked around her. As she surfaced, she found Rex tangled up in the blankets with her, still deep asleep. His face relaxed and body at rest, he looked smaller, younger somehow. She watched him for a long moment, enjoying the warmth of his presence. The alarm that woke her sounded again, and she sat up with a start, identifying the sound as coming from Rex’s armor, piled in the corner of the room. She pushed at his shoulder, attempting to wake him gently.

“Rex. I think your comm is going off.” Rex just hummed sleepily, shifting minutely in the bed. Nova smiled, letting her fingers ghost along the shell of his ear. “Rex –”

He sat up, pawing at his ear and squinting in the morning light. Nova giggled, as the alarm sounded once more. Rex went from half asleep, to completely alert, standing naked over his armor in seconds. His tan skin glowed in the sunlight, his perfectly chisled body in stark relief next to the window.

“Rex here.” There was no trace of sleep in his voice, his shoulders back and standing at attention. 

“Captain! Did you see it? It’s all over the holonet!” Rex had to glance at his comm to see which of his brothers was shouting at him. Fives. Figured.

“What are you on about, vod?”

“The audio of Unsung Heroes! It made the Coruscant Underground Radio broadcast and Prime Time Live picked it up too! Now it’s all anyone can talk about!” Fives gushed.

Rex sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Of course it is.” 

Notes:

Smexy fun times will be titled as Interludes; skip them if it's not your thing. This will include some clone/clone relationship smexy fun times as well.

Notes:

I know I said I wasn't going to write any fan fic until I was done with my original fiction... but I write better overall when I'm writing fan fic! This little bunny has been hopping around in my head for a while. Slow burn. Slow to update. Lots of musical references and lots of music.