Epilogue II

The Resolute, Post Catalyst - Day Sixteen - Mid Morning

"Twin lightsabers," Rex nudged one of her hilts with his index finger, making it swing in its clip as they left her room and headed for the morning briefing. "When did you find time for that?"

"I needed some kind of distraction when you weren't talking to me," the look she shot him was serious. "I think it's the reason I got hit. I needed more practice before diving into combat."

He didn't have to look to know that she was long since healed from that wound and the marks he'd left on her the first time they'd spent the night together. This time, he'd woken her with an apologetic caress to the bruises on her hips and Ahsoka had woken to pin him to the bed.

As a result, he really was late for shift but, with the General gone, wasn't particularly worried as Ahsoka was now technically the ranking officer.

"You seemed pretty confident with them from what I could see."

"You were watching me?"

"I couldn't see when you landed," he admitted, remembering the panic that had struck him as his boots had touched the ground and he hadn't been able to see her reassuring form at his side or the blaze of her lightsaber. "I had to watch the HUD footage after the fact."

"The..." she looked surprised. "I didn't think you would."

"It was all I could allow myself when I-."

"Stop. Just stop, Rex." Ahsoka held up one hand, cutting him off. "It's too soon. One of these days I'm going to want to hear about it, but not today, okay? Today I just want to enjoy the fact that you're mine again."

Rex stopped walking, turning towards her, a quick check of the hall showing they were alone. Ahsoka turned to look at him with a frown and, before he could think better of it, Rex cupped her cheek, making her eyes widen, his thumb caressing the curve of it gently, a contrast to his rough words. "I have always been and always will be yours, Ahsoka." She looked shocked but Rex forged ahead. "Even when it feels like I'm not."

"Rex…"

The urge to kiss her was strong, but if they were caught he had no defense but the truth - which would land them both, at the very least, on report - so Rex took a reluctant step back. They shared a look, close but no longer touching, before Rex resumed walking, Ahsoka falling back into step with him quickly. They didn't speak again until they reached the briefing room.

"I thought we didn't have any missions before Kamino." Echo caught Jesse's grumble as he slouched in one of the seats next to Fives. "And talk about a mishmash. What could Rex possibly want to see the six of us for?"

Looking around the room, Echo silently took inventory of the attendees for this mission briefing. Himself and Fives. Coric and Kix. Jesse and Chopper. Two ARCs, two medics, a technical specialist and a specialized trooper. All close friends, he knew, of the Captain and Commander.

"What else?" Fives sounded cocky. "We've all pulled the Captain and Commander out of the fire at one time or another. There's probably some special mission they need us for."

"You think?"

Jesse looked considerably brighter at the prospect, but Echo had his reservations. This group was split on their opinion of their commanding officers at the moment. Three of the men in the room held a hostile, or a considerably disenchanted, opinion of Rex. Fives was semi-oblivious, Jesse was completely oblivious and himself... Echo liked to think of himself as strictly an observer, but without knowing Rex's reasons for withdrawing from Ahsoka, he found himself leaning towards Ahsoka's side of things.

Echo straightened as the door opened and Rex stepped in, his expression as grim as ever. Standing at attention, the others in the room snapping to their feet to do the same, Echo took the opportunity to observe Rex without being observed and he zeroed in on a twitch in Rex's jaw muscles.

It wasn't an angry twitch and Echo had been around long enough to know the difference. Rex had something planned. He was sure of it.

"At ease."

Six pairs of boots slid into the at ease pose in unison, one short sound of boot heels on deck plates and Rex looked them over with a critical eye. The silence in the room was tense, almost deafening, and from the fringes, Echo could see the hands of some of his vod were clenched, as if restraining themselves.

There was a pregnant pause where Rex seemed as if he wasn't going to say anything and Echo could practically feel the restlessness of his brothers. When Rex did speak, stopping to cross his arms over his chest and pin them all with a severe look, it was enough to make Echo's eyebrows hit his hairline.

"Respect." Rex's voice was sharp and disproving. "It's been decidedly lacking in this chain of command the last two weeks. Sergeant," he turned to Coric, who snapped to attention, "explain your actions."

As Rex turned slightly, Echo caught sight of a trio of red lines, just above the neck of Rex's armor. Red lines that looked suspiciously like- no. It couldn't be, could it? If Echo was right, the scratch lines at the base of Rex's skull were identical to the ones he'd seen in the shower almost two weeks prior. Which meant-

"Sir?"

The look on Coric's face had Echo biting the inside of his cheek to avoid a chuckle or otherwise inappropriate outburst. Coric's expression was just shy of mutinous, rebellious, at the order. An order that – provided Coric was honest – could cause all sorts of other issues with their Captain and Commander.

If Echo's suspicions were wrong.

"Respect, Sergeant." Rex was almost nose to nose with the other clone, his words a growled demand. "I want the reason I've lost yours."

Coric's silence was almost as damming as the glare on his expression but it didn't, from what Echo could see, faze Rex. Second ticked by before Rex prompted with lethal softness. "I'm waiting Sergeant. "

"With all due respect, sir," the words were short and clipped. "You don't deserve it."

Rex regarded Coric for a moment before turning to Kix. "And you, Medic?" he waited for a heartbeat before turning to a stoic Chopper, "And you, trooper?"

"Captain, what are you-"

"Am I," Rex's gaze never left the trio as he cut Jesse off, "speaking to you, Trooper?"

Jesse's lips snapped shut audibly.

Echo waited as Rex's gaze traveled to him and Fives, but didn't say anything, before turning his gaze back to the trio who'd shown him the most disrespect these last couple of weeks. Reaching down, he made a show of removing the helmet at his belt and showing them the passive recording was shut off.

"I want honesty from my men," Rex told them bluntly. "This meeting is not being recorded. Whatever is said within these walls will remain within this room, is that clear?"

There was no immediate response and Rex snapped the question again. "Is that clear?"

"Sir, yes, sir!"

Echo himself just nodded, one eye on the door.

"Good. Now shut down your passive recorders."

Slowly, confusion visible in Jesse's movements, along with Kix and Chopper's, but relish in Fives and Coric's, each of them did as instructed. Echo, having guessed where this was going, had shut his own off absently about the same time Rex had snapped at Jesse.

Standing back, Rex focused on the trio again and crossed his arms over his chest. "Your reasons."

"Your behavior towards the Commander is inexcusable, Rex."

Kix, Echo reflected, always has the capability to shock. Medics were known for being able to look beyond rank and not be intimidated and Rex had provided him with a forum to assert himself. He wasn't really surprised Kix had been the first to speak after Coric, just in his choice of words.

Coric and Chopper added their voices to Kix's complaint, but neither was clear and Rex simply seemed to stand there absorbing what they were saying. Finally, silence fell again and Jesse spoke into the gap.

"Has it ever occurred to any of you that the Captain has a number of other things to do than babysit a Jedi who doesn't need it?"

Echo coughed, barely smothering a laugh, the noise covering the opening of the door as all eyes turned his way. He looked beyond his brothers to the entry of the young Togruta he'd been expecting.

Ahsoka didn't disappoint, her voice drawing their attention. "I'm glad to know you feel that way, Jesse."

"Commander!"

"Sir!"

There were exclamations from just about everyone. Except Rex. Coric and Kix and Chopper sent him a dark look but Echo couldn't help but notice Rex had eyes for no one except the Commander. Much the way it had been before the mission but now... now there was something else.

Acceptance?

Stepping inside, Ahsoka turned to the door and engaged the lock before turning back to the men. She advanced to Rex's side, stopping just out of his reach as she looked at each of them with a deliberate show of motion. When she reached him, their eyes locked and Echo noted immediately how relieved she appeared... as if a weight had been lifted from her. It was all he could do not to smile even as he offered her the barest of nods. Good for you, Commander.

When she spoke, it was to Fives and Jesse. "Jesse. Fives."

"Commander?"

"Sir?"

"I have a request of you."

Echo struggled to keep a straight face, already seeing what was coming.

"Anything, sir."

She smiled faintly. "Both of your names were heard as referenced with regards to the scratches," she flushed, her color high, her montrals darker than Echo had ever seen them, "seen on Rex's back a couple of weeks ago."

Jesse went bright red but Fives, irrepressibly, just grinned. "What's your request Commander? Find the woman so you can have a word?"

Her lips quirked into a semi smile as she slanted a look at Rex. "I was more thinking that you discourage, instead of encourage, talk about them and any others you might see."

"Any…"

"…others?"

Fives and Jesse exchanged looks before turning identical frowns her way. Coric, unexpectedly, added his voice to hers. "Regardless of whatever the Captain has done, it's unseemly to be gossiping about a ranking officer."

"Coric."

"Sir?"

Ahsoka looked at Rex and extended her hand. Rex, to Echo's satisfaction, didn't so much as hesitate in taking it and stepping close to her. Her gaze turned back to the five men now looking at them in shock. Echo, having expected it, counted himself the only satisfied one among them.

"I'd rather the rumors die a natural death instead of being quelled. The last thing I want," and her tone hardened, "is to be reassigned because one of you couldn't keep this under your buckets."

"One of us, sir?" Chopper's question was unexpected as he waved between them, specifically at their linked hands. "Last I saw, you two couldn't be in the same room, hell, the same ship cordially. What exactly is this?"

Ah. The million credit question.

"This," Ahsoka raised their linked hands and squared her shoulders, "this is what it looks like."

"And what," Kix asked cautiously, "does it look like?"

"Echo?"

Ahsoka turned his way, along with everyone else. Fives cocked his head, seeming to catch on as Echo spoke, his gaze on Kix, Jesse and Fives in particular, the instigators of the scratches rumors. "If I'm not mistaken-"

"Really vod?"

He ignored Fives' caustic remark, continually quietly, "-you're looking at one of the hands which gave Rex those scratches."

It took a moment for the statement to sink in. When it did, he got five identical blank looks followed swiftly by Ahsoka stepping in front of Rex, her hand now free of his, and lifting to catch the swinging fist of one irate Sergeant.

"You son of a-"

Smack!

"Commander!"

"As you were, Coric!" Ahsoka snapped the command, her hands having lifted to block and grab the punch and preventing him from striking Rex. Her gaze turned back Echo's way. "Not quite how I would have put it, Echo."

"Sir?"

"You forgot," her tone was dry, "willingly."

It had been worth it to see Coric try and strike Rex. "My apologies, Commander." He did grin this time. "Sergeant, the hands on your vambrace are the ones that willingly gave Rex those scratches." Tongue in cheek, he cocked his head at Ahsoka. "Better, Commander?"

"Oh, much."

Fives snickered at her pointed reply.

"Let him go, Ahsoka." Rex placed one hand on her shoulder. "He needs this."

"I don't want him to hit you."

Echo suddenly felt like an outsider as Rex and Ahsoka shared a look and she let out a deep breath, releasing Coric's arm. Stepping back, she crossed her arms over her chest and pinned each of the men with a narrowed gaze. "Once each then."

Rex nodded.

Echo moved to her side as Coric didn't wait to be told twice, slamming his fist into Rex's jaw. Rex made no move to avoid or go with the blow, taking it straight on the chin and having to take a step back with the force of it.

"You deserve more than that for what you put her through these last two weeks, Rex." Coric's low tone was almost lethal.

There was no kind of reply from Rex except a sharp nod and Coric struck him again, staggering him before Rex pulled himself back upright. He flexed his jaw, something cracking, as Coric drew back for a third strike.

"Coric! Enough!" There was no compromise in Ahsoka's tone. "You hit him again and I'll be the one putting you on report."

Coric snapped to rigid attention and stepped back sharply. "Yes, sir."

"Kix?"

"No, sir." He shook his head at Rex's inquiry and Echo was gratified to see that the younger Medic seemed to have grasped the situation. "The Sergeant took my swing. If the Commander's forgiven you, I trust her judgment."

"Chopper?"

The scarred clone stepped up and right into Rex's face. He frowned, eye to eye with his commanding officer, seeming to look for something within Rex's expression. Rex let him look and, as Chopper was investigating, Echo pitched his voice low to only be heard by Ahsoka.

"Is this wise, sir?"

"Wise?"

"Allowing him a second chance?"

Ahsoka turned her gaze to his, Chopper and Rex still dead locked in a silent stare, Jesse and Fives making something of a racket as they demanded to know what Chopper was doing. When Chopper didn't answer, they proceeded to guess. She smiled faintly, ignoring the ruckus. "He's been his own worst enemy these last two weeks. I think he's been harder on himself than I ever could be."

"This is what you want?"

She nodded, her lips curving into the sweetest, shyest smile Echo had ever seen. "More than I want to be a Jedi, Echo."

"More, huh?" He chuckled softly. "What's the General have to say about that?"

"Nothing," she flushed again. "He can't know."

Regarding her for a moment, he was suddenly serious. "Then you may eventually have to make that choice."

"Not if we can count on you guys to know who to bring in on this secret, on who to trust and who we need to be careful around." Her grin turned impish. "What Skyguy doesn't know, won't kill Rex."

She had a valid point. Their General wasn't likely to look kindly on his Captain and Padawan engaging in a romantic relationship. "What will you do?"

"Take things slow," her gaze went back to Rex and Chopper. "We both have a lot to learn about this stuff."

Echo wasn't given a chance to reply as Chopper's voice suddenly silenced them all and drew their attention. "You're an idiot, sir."

The silence stretched for half a minute, as if Chopper was waiting for a denial, only to be broken by Ahsoka's sudden outburst as she began to laugh. "He's not going to argue with you, Chopper. In his apology last night, he acknowledged that fact."

"Last night, sir? Really?"

Fives' keen question made her flush again as she seemed to realize what she'd revealed. Chopper resumed speaking, saving her from that inquiry, and drew their attention again.

"Good. He knows it. He won't make the same mistake twice."

Rex nodded sharply, agreeing with him. "I won't."

"Good." Unexpectedly, he turned towards Ahsoka. "Will you be reassigning me, Commander?"

"Never."

Chopper blinked, visibly taken aback. "Sir?"

"This group," she turned to look at each of them briefly, "are the core of those Rex and I trust most. While we work this out, it's not something that Anakin, or any other Jedi, can know."

"Or the rest of the men," Rex's addition was firm. "Each of you know the men in your current squads best. Ahsoka and I will trust your judgment on who you reveal this to. We only ask you use discretion."

"Jesse and discretion aren't exactly acquainted."

"One could say the same about you, Fives." Jesse's retort was accompanied with a grin. "But in this case, I wouldn't dream of saying anything."

"Oh?" His declaration drew a surprised murmur from Kix. "Really?"

"Yeah, Really," Jesse looked offended. "The last thing I want to see is the Commander reassigned."

"Or Rex reconditioned." Ahsoka's soft addition quieted them again before she continued. "Can I take your silence as consent?"

The five other troopers exchanged looks and Echo, having had enough, finally spoke up. "If you're willing to give the Captain another chance, Commander, you have my support and my silence."

Repetitions of the same vows came from each of the men, except Coric, and, as the last of them died away, Ahsoka turned to the medic. "Coric?"

"So long as he treats you right, Commander," Coric told her with a narrowed gaze at Rex, "I don't want you back in my medbay because of him."

"I don't want to have to make it an order," her gaze never wavered and Echo was silently impressed with the maturity behind it. She'd grown much since Ord Mantell. "Will you keep your silence?"

With a final look at Rex, Coric finally turned fully to her and nodded once. "For you, Commander, I will."

Ahsoka's smile was relieved. "Thanks guys."

"What exactly does keeping this quiet mean?"

All eyes turned back to Ahsoka at Kix's question. She held her hand out to Rex, who stepped forward to take it immediately. Echo watched, feeling a mess of relief and smugness as his Captain lifted those fingers to his lips in both hands. "It means," Rex's voice was low, "acting as interference in the event we're almost caught."

"Just be careful, sir," Jesse clapped Rex on the back, "and you won't have anything to worry about."

Rex and Ahsoka shared a look before Rex finally turned his head to regarded the specialized tech with a half-smile. "Careful isn't what worries me. It's getting carried away that becomes dangerous."

Echo stepped away from the conversation, fading into the background as he did, and did what he did best as he observed the conversation flowing about the room. Jesse and Fives were delighted with the turn of events and seemed to shift into a contest to outdo one another in teasing their commanding officers.

Coric was still glowering at Rex, but Echo suspected it wouldn't last. Ahsoka had made her choice plain and it was obvious, to anyone who cared to see, that she was free of the burden Rex's absence in her life had caused. With their reconciliation, Coric would undoubtedly remain skeptical for some time, but he'd come around eventually. It would just take some time for Rex to regain his respect and his trust.

Kix and Chopper were quiet, but seemed to be somewhat more accepting of the turn of events, going so far as to join in the banter. Rex and Ahsoka were at the center of it all and Echo took his time in observing them. The scratches on Rex's neck aside, Echo could see no other visible signs that his commanding officers had spent the night together.

But it wasn't in the imprints, it was in their actions. How Ahsoka's hands seemed to twitch towards Rex's and how Rex's seemed to clench into fists to keep from reaching for her. It was in the way Ahsoka leaned in Rex's direction and the way she looked at him, unable to fully conceal her feelings and, if he wasn't mistaken, not trying to with these men. Once they left the safety and security of the briefing room, they'd need to act like colleagues once again, but here they could be together.

And were.

Even as he watched, they seemed to realize it entirely and Rex reached for Ahsoka just as she was reaching for him, tucking herself under his arm with a laugh at something Fives said.

Satisfied, Echo held back on the fringes, considering all of the things that had kept him awake at night over the last two weeks, confident in the answers to questions he'd never once thought he would be able to answer.

He hadn't known if Rex would be capable of enjoying Ahsoka's instinctive trust and fierce loyalty. He knew now, without knowing the details, that Rex didn't simply enjoy it, but reveled in it.

He hadn't known how they were going to handle their relationship, but he knew now, after having walked through fire, nothing would come between them.

He hadn't known if Ahsoka knew that Rex had tried not to see her as a woman for fear of wanting her too much. Looking at them now, there was no question in his mind that she knew how badly Rex wanted her… and it was a mutual thing.

Lastly, he hadn't known if Ahsoka had been capable of allowing herself to fall in love with Rex or even if Rex had been capable of admitting he'd been in love with her for some time. Their request, and trust, in himself, Fives, Jesse, Kix, Coric and Chopper had more than proved they both could.

Rex and Ahsoka's relationship had been torn asunder and burnt to ash, on the brink of being scattered to the winds, only to have them rise together, reborn, to a galaxy of endless possibilities. Possibilities that looked, from where Echo was standing, like a better and brighter future.

Together.

Fin

Author's Note: There are a -lot- of unanswered questions by the end of this fic. What happened between Lux and Ahsoka and does Rex ever find out? Do Coric, Kix and Chopper ever really trust Rex again and, if they do, how do they earn it? What happens between Rex and Ahsoka and does this mean a real turning point in their relationship; are their hardships over or is this only the beginning? Are they able to keep the true depth of their relationship out of the public eye and just between their little group? Does Anakin ever learn of it and does Rex live through the encounter? How does this shape the rest of the TCW series and what changes - does Echo still die? Lastly, do Palpatine's evil schemes ever come to fruition or, with the resurgence of Rex and Ahsoka's relationship, does it mean something else?

Yes, questions, questions. If you look at emjalen's profile, you'll notice the JoR universes [yes, plural] have 2 diverging story lines. One that, potentially, follows her original ending of JoR and one that will be following the ending of this fic where a lot, if not all, of those questions will be answered.

Following JoR: Consequences will be a Vignette series, as of yet unwritten, with little snippets of fics that touch on Rex and Ahsoka's relationship, and those of Torrent Company's around them, through the rest of the TCW series. If anyone has ideas for episodes they'd like to see mentioned, send them my way ;)

Thanks for reading everyone and a huge thank you to emjalen for letting my play in her AU multiverse :D It's been a ton of fun and I look forward to the next jaunt!

-JM