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Kix stood in the hanger bay of the Tribunal. Behind him, the two junior medics Hawk and Charge stood, checking gear and fidgeting.
"We need to be prepared for anything," Kix told them, again, "We don't know what condition the General will be in when she arrives. Stay sharp."
The only details they managed to glean from the chaotic situation planet-side were that she had been separated from the main group for roughly 12 hours and had been out of communication range during that time. It wasn't until later that they realized she had been captured. Fives had led a raid on the Separatist facility.
"Any word from the ground?" Hawk asked, breaking the tense silence as he glanced at Kix for updates.
Kix shook his head. "Not much. Most of the fighting seems to have wrapped up, but comms are still spotty at best down there ." Thankfully, casualties had been minimal from what he‘d heard. Small wonders.
Finally, the hanger doors whirred and the LAAT was arriving. It took everything Kix had to keep still. Maybe that last cup of caf had been a mistake. As the ramp lowered and he caught sight of the General standing unaided, a wave of relief flooded through him.
Ahsoka appeared to be moving on her own, albeit with a slight wobble in her step. But overall, she seemed no worse for wear.
Kix fought the urge to rush forward and offer assistance. Ahsoka appeared content to lean on Hardcase for the time being.Turning to Hawk and Charge, he reassured the junior medics that he could manage, instructing them to proceed with preparations back at the medbay. With a nod of understanding, they departed, leaving Kix to tend to the situation at hand.
Hardcase grabbed the Togruta‘s arm to steady her. "Whoa there, General. Easy goes. Just another step," he said with a grin, his voice filled with his usual lighthearted charm.
Ahsoka giggled, actually giggled, which had most of Kix‘s alarm bells ringing. "Thanks, Hardcase. It's like that one time at 79s. After Rex‘s promotion went through." she joked.
Hardcase and Fives shared a knowing glance as Fives caught up to them. "Oh yeah, that was a wild night!" Hardcase laughed.
Ahsoka smirked, a playful glint in her eyes. "You were pretty drunk after you danced on the bar, Hardcase. Surprised you remember much," she teased.
Hardcase chuckled, shaking his head but he was glancing to Fives, with an almost helpless look when he was sure the General wasn‘t looking. "Yeah, well, most people that were there that night probably don't," he agreed.
Ahsoka nodded, almost contemplatively, "Oh yeah, Rex wasn't in the best shape either. That's why he puked the next day on the LAAT."
Fives looked at Ahsoka with genuine surprise. "Really? I always thought it was because of the turbulence," he said, scratching his head. "Or maybe a bad ration bar."
Hardcase's grin faltered for a moment before he managed to regain his composure. "Heh, yeah, that's what I thought," he said, though his amusement was tinged with surprise as he shot Fives another look as if to throw him a lifeline on how to react.
Ahsoka glanced between the two of them and seemed to register what she‘d said, "Oops," she murmured, a hint of surprise in her voice. "I wasn't supposed to tell anyone that."
Fives laughed, trying to ease the tension, giving her a pat on the shoulder and Hardcase a look to hang back.
Ahsoka had still spotted him and waved, “Oh, hi Kix!“ She said cheerfully before her face scrunched, “You alright? You seem really on edge...“
Approaching Kix, Fives‘ tone was anything but joking as he gave Kix a rundown of the details. "I'm starting to think something's not right with her" he said quietly, his voice concerned. "She's been acting strange for most of the trip. She was fine initially, but now..." He crossed his arms, looking back where Ahsoka seemed to be babbling stream of conscious at Hardcase. Hardcase, for all his humor and cheerfulness was looking increasingly stressed. “Think they gave her something. She‘s just been blurting whatever comes to mind, like her filter is gone.“
Kix patted Fives on the shoulder, “Guess you‘d know a thing or two about that,“ He tried to joke with the ARC, but the joke fell a little flat. He got half a smile at least. “Let‘s get her to medbay, I‘ll run some tests and see what we are dealing with. I suspect some sort of interrogation drug.“
Fives nodded and then pulled a cheerful smile on his face as he approached where Ahsoka and Hardcase were. Hardcase looked relieved and Ahsoka grinned back at Fives. “Alright General, off we go!“
As they arrived at medbay, Kix guided Ahsoka gently towards one of the beds, offering his thanks to Fives and Hardcase for their assistance. "I appreciate your help, but I can take it from here," he said. Both seemed to hesitate, almost as if they wanted to hover.
Ahsoka protested, reaching out to grab onto Fives. "Wait, I want to talk to you more," she insisted, casting pleading looks at Fives and Hardcase.
Fives exchanged a glance with Kix. "General, you really should get checked out," Fives urged, "You don't seem yourself."
“I‘m not really hurt though, I mean not really. It‘s just a couple bruises, guys,“ She insisted.
Hardcase nodded, his expression serious. "Yeah, we're all worried about you, General. Better safe than sorry," he added.
But Ahsoka wasn't swayed. "But I'll miss playing cards with you guys," she protested, even as she narrowed her eyes at Fives, “Even though Fives always cheats,“ Fives tried his best to look chagrined at that.
Then, she turned to Hardcase, "Hey, could you bring me one of those chocolate things?" she pleaded, having the good sense still to look over at Kix. "I know I'm not supposed to have that much sugar, but I love them. And a little won‘t hurt."
Kix shot Ahsoka a disapproving look. She really wasn‘t supposed to have much sugar at all, it wasn‘t good for her, even if she claimed otherwise. She seemed to like to forget her Togruta constitution wasn‘t made for most human foods, especially not sweets. "Is that where you get them?" he asked.
Ahsoka nodded. "Yeah, Hardcase has a stash," she grinned cheerfully.
Hardcase shifted nervously under Kix's gaze, realizing he had been caught. However, before he could respond, Kix simply shook his head. "I'll take care of her," he said firmly, addressing Fives and Hardcase. "You two can check back later."
With a nod of understanding, Fives and Hardcase exchanged glances before reluctantly stepping out of medbay, leaving Ahsoka in Kix's capable hands.
Ahsoka pouted for a moment. As Kix began administering fluids and took a blood sample, he maintained a professional demeanor, trying not to focus on all Ahsoka seemed intent on telling him. It was almost certainly some sort of truth serum. He‘d have to test her blood to be sure but his mind was already going through the usual suspects.
"Any injuries I should know about?" Kix asked, his tone gentle.
Ahsoka shook her head slightly. "Just a few bumps and bruises, nothing major," she replied, all too happy to rattle off where. But she was right, it wasn‘t anything overly concerning.
Kix jotted down notes on his datapad before continuing. "Can you tell me what happened?" he asked. This is where he needed to know more details.
Ahsoka sighed, her expression turning solemn as she recounted the events. "I got caught in a blast, I‘d run ahead. Comms were cutting out and I couldn‘t get a hold of Rex or the others. I wanted to let them know that everything was clear on my side," she began. "And then boom! I mean I wasn‘t knocked out or anything at least not at first. I was disoriented, but I'm fine. I was far enough away, but I felt it in my montrals." Her hands moved to the side of her head, above her lekku, showing him where she had felt the explosion. “But then I was dizzy,“ Her brow wrinkled as she tried to piece things together. “I think I might have fallen asleep,“ Or passed out more likely. That might explain the light blood staining on her nose.
Kix tried to keep the exasperation off his face as he took a couple more notes. She‘d need a scan, for sure. Whether she believed it or not, her montrals were sensitive and an explosion could really throw things off. Plus, her loss of consciousness worried him. That was indicative of a head injury. He listened intently as Ahsoka continued.
"I woke up in the facility, in restraints. I mean I didn‘t know it was the facility on our maps at the time, but I was in a cell." Ahsoka explained. "A man I didn't know kept coming in, always with droids. Sometimes B-1s, or B-2s. A couple times, he had magnaguards with him. He asked me questions, stuff about plans, who I was with, that sort of thing. I didn‘t tell him anything of course. He wore a lab coat, but I never heard a name. I‘d remember him, though, if I saw him again. I'll find out who he is." She seemed convinced of this, determined.
Kix nodded, absorbing the information before prompting her further. "Did anything else happen?" he inquired, his tone probing.
Ahsoka nodded, her expression grim. "He got upset a couple of times because I mouthed off to him. Ordered the magnaguards forward. I got hit by an electrostaff twice. That always hurts but I was fine," she continued, "And then he came in not too long before I got out of there, had the magnaguards hold me down. I took one of their heads off with my boot," She grinned, looking pleased with herself. “I fought but with the cuffs...anyway. He took blood and then injected me with a hypo.“
Kix's brow furrowed in concern. "How long ago was this?" he asked, his voice urgent.
Ahsoka paused, considering. "Maybe an hour before I got out," she replied, her tone uncertain. "I felt fine, though. Just a little flushed."
Kix made a mental note of the timeline, his expression serious. "And then what happened?" he prompted, his voice gentle yet firm.
"I was just getting loose from my restraints when there was an explosion, but it seemed far away. Once I had my hands free, I was able to hack the ray shield," Ahsoka explained. "That's when the boys found me. I heard they did a sweep, but they didn't find anyone."
Kix nodded, his mind racing with possibilities. "I'll make sure to find out if they found a lab," he assured her. If they had taken blood from her, the possibilities were endless, and none of them good. He was already sending communiques to everyone on the team, asking details. It would be hours or days until official mission reports were done for him to comb through. He was starting to suspect the Seppies had blown up part of their own facility to cover their tracks as soon as they realized that the facility was compromised. It happened pretty often.
As Kix completed his examination and wrapped up his notes, he noticed Ahsoka‘s eyes seemed a little glassy. She was sweating. Retrieving a scanner, he took her temperature. After a moment, he reviewed the reading, noting the slight elevation with a furrow of his brow.
"You've got a slight fever," Kix told her. "I'll keep an eye on it. For now, you should rest."
Ahsoka nodded, her eyelids drooping slightly as drowsiness washed over her. "Okay," she murmured softly.
Then, with a small smile playing on her lips, her eyes opened again, as if suddenly remembering something, "Can I see Rex?" she asked, her voice hopeful.
Kix's expression softened at her request. "Rex is still planetside wrapping things up," he explained. "But when he's back, he'll most likely come straight to you anyway." That was almost certain. Rex would come straight from the hanger, Kix could almost bet on it, especially when he got word that Ahsoka was in medbay.
Ahsoka's smile widened at the thought of seeing Rex again. "Good," she replied softly. "You should tell him he should rest first, though. He doesn't sleep enough."
Kix chuckled at her concern, his amusement evident. "Maybe you should tell him yourself," he suggested with a grin. "Who knows, maybe he'll listen to you."
With a nod, she settled back onto the bed, allowing herself to drift into much-needed rest. Kix watched for a moment before moving to get the blood analysis started and ordered a scan from his datapad. He grabbed a cup of caf as he waited for the data to start rolling in. With any luck they would have answers soon.
#^#^#
Her montrals thrummed with an unsettling sensation, she felt the ring of sound through the air and winced as the pitch seemed to waver and increase, as if warning her of danger. She coughed, her throat raw from the acrid smoke that filled the air, swirling around her like a thick, suffocating fog. Through the haze, she heard the unmistakable voice of Rex, his command ringing out. "Fall back, everyone fall back, that's an order!" His words echoed drowning out all the other sounds. The sounds of artillery, of screams, of explosions.
And yet, through the smoke, as it swirled and cleared, she saw flashes of memory, each one vivid and intense, like scenes from a holovid playing out before her. Like she was there. She saw herself walking next to Rex on Christophsis and winced at the younger version of herself, as she snarked at the captain. But there he was, calm and ever patient, as he told her, "In my book, experience outranks everything." The memory filled her with a sense of reverence,a pivotal moment and she smiled.
She saw Rex, sitting there on board the Leveler, the sorrow still fresh in his eyes as her younger self took his hand, as she asked him about all the doubts fresh in her mind, about whether they were doing the right thing. At the time she hadn‘t really been focused on his reaction, too lost in her own swirling thoughts, doubts and fears. But now, she saw it, the conflict in his eyes, the fear and doubt. He‘d been so young, so afraid, but she‘d leaned on him, seeking his reassurance. And despite what must have been an eyeopening conversation, none of the topics she‘d touched on that evening had been light, he‘d still tried to help, explaining his thoughts, on leadership, on how he made it through. And she watched as their conversation wrapped up, as she told him she was trying not to let anything bad happen on her watch, as she swore it, determination on her face, as he seemed to brighten at that, take her words to heart.
She saw snippets of their time together on and off the battlefield, close calls, like with the Blue Shadow virus, near misses, but also moments of laughter and friendship. Her laughing at one of Rex's jokes even as they worked through stacks of never ending reports. She saw herself watching with amusement as Rex tried noodles for the first time, his expression was one she‘d never forget. She felt the warmth of his presence beside her as they gazed up at the stars after making camp with the squad on some distant planet neither of them knew the name of, both lost in the moment.
Her heart swelled at that, at her affection for him.
Ahsoka found herself overwhelmed by a sense of confusion and wonder. Why was she seeing all of this? Why was she thinking of all these moments with Rex and why did every pivotal moment seem to involve him? What did it mean? The questions swirled around her like a whirlwind, pulling her deeper into the recesses of her mind.
She snapped awake briefly, seeing Kix standing over her, checking her eyes it seemed. Maybe that was what woke her in the first place. She felt the warmth and comfort of his hand on her shoulder and faded. The fog swirled again, no longer smoke, but something thick and ethereal. Ahsoka felt herself slipping further into the embrace of sleep, her consciousness fading. Yet even as she drifted into unconsciousness, the visions lingered.
#^#^#
Hours later, Rex had arrived back on the Tribunal, his steps determined as he walked through the corridors. He tried to stamp the worry down, keeps his expression controlled. No need to unsettle the men. He‘d just heard the latest, that Ahsoka was in medbay. He was irritated. He‘d been so focused on holding the line, he hadn‘t even realized when she had slipped away. He just remembered realizing it, hours later, ordering Fives to track her. It felt like days ago at this point.
He glanced over at General Skywalker, who had a similar expression of controlled worry on his face. After hearing about Ahsoka, he‘d made the decision to come aboard the Tribunal for the hyperspace journey to the rendezvous coordinates. They‘d be meeting with General Kenobi and Admiral Yularan in just a few hours. Whatever was going on near Metalorn, it apparently needed half the fleet and the combined forces of 332nd ,501st and the 212th. He wasn‘t complaining. He just hoped Ahsoka would be on her feet soon.
Walking into the medical bay, they were met by the concerned and tired face of Kix.
"Commander, General Skywalker," Kix began, "General Tano is stable for now, but she's running a high fever. It's likely a reaction to the serum they injected her with."
Rex's jaw tightened at the news, "What kind of serum?" he asked.
Kix sighed heavily, his shoulders slumping. "It's a sort of truth serum, one that the Separatists have been known to use, I‘ve given her the anti-serum to speed up her being able to metabolize it," he explained, his tone tinged with frustration. "It's generally used in interrogations."
“Did they interrogate her? Is she alright?“ Rex demanded.
Kix shook his head, a slight smile on his face. “She‘s pretty resourceful, she broke her restraints and managed to get out right before Fives and Hardcase found her,“
Rex nodded, relieved. Information was one thing, Ahsoka‘s well being another.
Kix gave them the rundown of what Ahsoka had reported, what he‘d managed to gather from Fives and Hardcase about the facility, the fact that they had destroyed their own laboratories and communications centers. He mentioned the man who had taken Ahsoka‘s blood.
Anakin's expression darkened at the revelation, his mind racing with possibilities. "That's unsettling," he murmured. "I'll make some calls, see what I can find out about it."
If anyone could get the information they needed, it would be General Skywalker, through his contacts and sheer determination.
“Can we see her?“ Rex asked.
Kix hesitated, a flicker of concern crossing his features. "I'm not sure if that's a good idea, Commander," he responded cautiously. "Given her current condition, she's running a high fever. With the truth serum in her system...“
Rex's expression hardened with determination. "I understand the risks, but I'm her commander," he insisted. "There shouldn't be any issues." It‘s not like they didn‘t share the same information.
Kix sighed, understanding Rex's concern but also wary of the potential complications. "If she's awake, just be prepared," he cautioned.
Rex nodded. "I'll take my chances," he stated firmly.
Kix nodded, before leaning in close and sparing a glance to Skywalker. "Look, Rex, when I mean no filter, I mean it ok? She teased Hardcase about 79s the one time, and the LAAT," he explained. At Rex‘s puzzled expression, Kix elaborated, “Day after your promotion."
Rex grimaced at the mention of that particular moment. Not his finest showing. But at the end of the day, it wasn‘t like Ahsoka could help it. He doubted there‘d be much fallout, except for some mild teasing. He shrugged. "If that's the worst dirt she's got on me," he remarked dryly, "then I think I'll survive."
Rex followed Kix to the room where Ahsoka was resting. He‘d expected her to be asleep, but she seemed awake, though her eyes seemed hazy. His heart clenched at the sight of her, usually so vibrant and strong. She seemed small, under all the blankets as she shivered. Pale. He did his best to give her a reassuring smile as her face lit with recognition. “Rex!“ She glanced behind him, “Oh, hi Anakin,“ That got a snort of amusement from Skywalker, who hung back by the doorway, on his comm.
"General," Rex said softly.
Ahsoka's gaze drifted towards him, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Rex, you know you can actually call me by my name right? It won‘t kill you,"
Rex‘s lips twitched at that. “Yes, General.“
She rolled her eyes and huffed. Rex attempted to lighten the mood with a feeble joke, hoping to lift her spirits even just a little. "Did you hear the one about the Jedi who walked into a cantina?" he quipped.
Ahsoka managed a weak chuckle, “That‘s just low right now, just kick me while I‘m down.“ She shivered and without even thinking, Rex moved to settle the blanket around her shoulders a bit tighter. She watched him with as smile, but wrinkled her nose. “You need a shower.“
Rex smiled at that, “Oh I know. Just wanted to make sure you were alright. You need to rest, I‘ll check back later."
Ahsoka nodded, “You should sleep too though.“
Rex stood, straightened, “I will.“
She narrowed her eyes, “No you won‘t, you‘ll start doing reports, and keep working until you fall asleep at your desk. That‘s not sleep.“
“Oh come on, where‘s your sense of adventure?“ Rex teased, watching as her face lit up. It made him happy to see that despite everything, he could get her to smile like that, and despite his own exhaustion, that smile gave him more strength than any caf or stim every could.
"I'll try, General," he promised, his voice sincere.
"That‘s a lie, Rex“ She said, her tone affectionate, and it got another smile out of him.
He could see Kix watching them out of the corner of his eye and cleared his throat, stepping back slightly as Anakin approached, his expression grim.
He‘d just been on his comm, probably already pursuing his contacts. "We'll get to the bottom of everything, Ahsoka," Anakin assured her.
She nodded, reaching out a hand to squeeze Anakin‘s, “Thank you, sky guy. If anyone can help, it‘s you. You‘ve always got my back...“ She let out a yawn."Say hi to Padmé for me," she whispered, her eyes starting to close. Something flickered over Anakin‘s face but he assured her he would.
She smiled again, "Don‘t worry, I won't tell anyone." she reassured him. Anakin shot a glance over his shoulder quickly but Kix seemed distracted by whatever was on his datapad. He shared a quick glance to Rex, who managed to keep a straight face, only his eyebrows twitching in response to the interaction. It was interesting to see Anakin realize that maybe he wasn‘t as discreet as he thought he was.
As they exited the room, Rex glanced back at Ahsoka's still form, his worry evident in his eyes. "She's delirious," Anakin remarked quietly.
Rex shrugged noncommittally and exchanged a look with Kix. She‘d seemed exhausted and aside from being brutally honest, she‘d seemed clear. He let Skywalker have his thoughts and make his excuses though.
Rex turned back to Kix, his concern still evident in his eyes. "What about other injuries?" he inquired.
“Head scan was clear, just a minor bit of irritation in the left side of her montrals, but no real head injury. I‘m still following concussion protocol though, but so far so good. Nothing else major, couple bruises and scrapes," Kix explained, his tone measured. “Blood is clear except for the positive for the serum.“
Rex breathed a sigh of relief, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly at the news. "That's good to hear," he replied, grateful for the reassurance.
“Mind if I use your war room?“ Skywalker asked. Rex nodded. Despite the circumstances, it was always nice to have him on board, it felt like old times in a way. “It‘s all yours, General.“
Anakin nodded, slapping him on the back, “Good, we‘ll meet up in a couple hours.“
Rex watched him walk away. “You really should take Ahsoka‘s advice,“ Kix told him. “You smell pretty ripe.“
Rex rolled his eyes but smiled. “Yeah, I‘ll do that, wouldn‘t want to insult your delicate sensibilities, Kix.“
“And take a nap!“ Kix shouted after him. He gave him a half-hearted wave.
He doubted he‘d be able to rest, not without answers, not with the worry of Ahsoka‘s condition weighing on him. But her words floated back to him. He‘d at least make an effort.
#^#^#
Ahsoka stumbled through the swirling mist, each step heavy and uncertain. Glimpses of fragmented scenes flickered, leaving her disoriented and breathless. Suddenly, she found herself in the middle of a battle, the ring of blaster fire and explosions overwhelmed her for a second. But there she was, leading a charge alongside Rex. But the landscape that stretched in front of her was eerily unfamiliar, the sky was a strange, otherworldly color, and the features of the planet were unrecognizable. The droids they battled seemed both familiar and different, and she couldn‘t quite place why. Ahsoka's heart raced as she caught sight of herself in the middle of it all, dressed in armor she didn't recognize, leading troops she could barely distinguish. It was as if she were glimpsing a distorted reflection of herself, older and wearier, lost in a never-ending cycle of war. The realization sent a chill down her spine, was this their future, doomed to an eternity of conflict?
As the scene shifted, Ahsoka's mind reeled in disorientation, struggling to make sense of the scene unfolding before her. Another version of herself, dressed in dark robes, a haunting smile playing on her lips. Lithe and dangerous, she had an aura of power, her eyes glowed, literally, full of an almost mad intensity. It was a disturbing sight, seeing her own likeness consumed by darkness, the weight of her pain and anger crackled in the air. Ahsoka felt a sense of despair wash over her, as if staring into the abyss. At her side stood Rex, his presence both initially comforting and source of confusion. His familiar armor was darker, altered. Almost as if he too had been tainted by the darkness. But it was his eyes that unnerved her the most – once bright and full of life, they now seemed to match the shadows. Or were they just a reflection of the darkness of her doppelganger?
Suddenly, Ahsoka found herself on Coruscant, standing in a building that she seemed to recognize, but didn‘t. She certainly recognized the view from the windows, the endless cityscape and traffic. But it was puzzling, strange. The atmosphere was so different from the choking darkness of moments before, she felt like she wanted to suck huge lungfuls of air in, to cleanse herself in the light. There was a sense of lightness and ease in the air, and she realized with uncertainty, she‘d never felt anything like it, especially not on Coruscant.
Seated at a nearby table, Ahsoka observed a group of clones engaged in animated conversation, their armor an array of colors, not just 501 st blue. Each had an unfamiliar symbol upon their shoulder. By her side sat Rex, his laughter ringing out, and she was struck by how at ease he seemed. She recognized some of the faces around him, but some of the others were unfamiliar, no matter how she tried to place their force signature or armor pattern. And yet, she felt comfortable, with all of them, like she‘d known them forever. Around them, the setting resembled an office space of sorts, bustling with activity yet there was a sense of purpose and contentment. Despite her confusion, Ahsoka couldn't help but find comfort in the scene.
And then, Ahsoka found herself sprinting through a Venator's corridors, the deafening wail of alarms making her montrals ache. Smoke billowed around her, thick and suffocating, as she stole a frantic glance at the viewport, only to be met with the sight of a planet dangerously close. Panic surged in her, they were going to crash.
At her side, Rex moved with practiced eased, as he fired off a stun blast. But the sickening realization dawned on Ahsoka as she narrowly dodged a blaster bolt, her own men were targeting her.
A wave of horror washed over her, her mind reeling with disbelief and confusion. Why would they turn against her? In the chaos, a pang of recognition pierced her heart as she caught sight of a familiar helmet, Jesse....
But before she even had time to process that betrayal, she found herself in a dimly lit alley, Ahsoka and Rex poured over a holographic map, their figures shadowed by their cloaks. Dust and grime clung to their weary faces. Their voices were low, urgent whispers as they planned their next move.
Suddenly, a rustle of movement shattered the silence, and they sprang into action. With adrenaline coursing through their veins, they bolted down the alley, the sound of boot steps echoing behind them. But these were not the familiar footfalls of clone troopers. These figures wore armor, but their helmets and symbols were unlike anything Ahsoka had ever seen. The unfamiliar landscape, every shadow held a threat, every corner concealed danger. As they raced through the streets, uncertainty hung heavy in the air.
The dark streets vanished, in front of her stood a figure she recognized instantly, she‘d recognize him anywhere, the feel of him in the force. Rex, aged and weathered, yet his presence was the same. His once-blond hair was gone. A full white beard, covered his face, but his eyes sparkled with a glimmer of recognition and relief as he saw Ahsoka. His eyes were the same.
Ahsoka closed the distance between them, without a thought. As she leaned in, she felt him hesitate but only for a moment before she was wrapped in his arms, she felt the weight of years of separation lift from her, replaced by a sense of belonging and connection. She breathed in the scent of him, not wanting to let go.
And then she was seeing this from the outside and felt it, a bittersweet undercurrent lingered in the air. Ahsoka couldn't help but notice the changes in herself , the montrals, the length of her lekku, the weariness of her features. There was sorrow and joy, regret and relief, as they stood together, two survivors, finding comfort in each other.
She felt a burst of icy wind and then she saw her, sitting on the icy ground of barren landscape, wreckage in the distance. Ahsoka cradled a helmet in her shaking hands. As tears blurred her vision, she traced the familiar contours of the helmet, the markings, its surface full with memories of battles fought and victories won. And now, everything felt hollow, overshadowed by the weight of loss.
Clutching the helmet tightly to her chest, Ahsoka surrendered to the anguish that consumed her, her sobs and screams echoed through the landscape haunting and raw.
With a gasp, Ahsoka was torn from the scene, her heart pounding in her chest. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she struggled to catch her breath. She could still hear her own screams. Kix stood at her side, his face concerned as he watched her vitals spike. And then she saw him, felt him, Master Kenobi, her grand master. Obi-Wan moved to her side. She leaned into his embrace crumpling against him, seeking comfort in the familiar scent of tea that clung to his robes. In his arms, she felt a sense of calm and safety wash over her, if only for a moment.
"What did you see, Ahsoka?" Obi-Wan's voice was gentle, his gaze filled with genuine concern.
"It's like... I saw the future," Ahsoka murmured, her breath still hitching, as she attempted to make sense of the jumble of images in her mind.
Obi-Wan nodded thoughtfully, his brow furrowing in contemplation. "A vision,?“
Ahsoka shrugged, wiping her eyes, “A dream, a nightmare, a vision...does it matter?“
Obi-Wan smiled at her, patiently. “The Force often shows us possibilities, but they are not set in stone," he explained, his tone reassuring. "It could be tied to fear, anxiety, or even your fever. Sometimes dreams are just that, dreams."
Ahsoka's mind raced with questions, her thoughts swirling with uncertainty. "But why was it only Rex? I mean, I saw others too, but every vision had to do with him. Why?" she wondered aloud.
Obi-Wan offered her a gentle pat on her hand, his eyes filled with understanding. "Meditate on it, Ahsoka," he suggested. "When you are feeling better, perhaps the answers will come to you."
He seemed to want to say more, but her eyes were already slipping closed as she settled back against her pillows. As she drifted off to sleep once more, Obi-Wan turned to Kix, his expression thoughtful.
"I suspect she's reacting poorly to the truth serum," Kix explained, his tone grim. "I hope it will be out of her system soon, once her fever breaks. Or do you reckon this is some force thing?"
Obi-Wan seemed deep in thought, "I'll research a few things and let you know what I find, but I trust your judgement. This may be a matter of her abilities reacting to the stress her body has undergone."
Kix nodded, trusting the Jedi Master‘s judgement. “Any studies would be helpful. I‘ll send you the name of the compound.“
Obi-Wan nodded. “I‘ll go find Anakin, perhaps he has an update for us. And comm me if anything changes.“
Kix busied himself, checking Ahsoka‘s temperature again and sat in front of his datapad. He ran a weary hand over his face, feeling the stubble and took a sip of his cold caf. It was going to be a long night.
#^#^#
Ahsoka was bathed in the soft glow of the late afternoon sun. She saw herself crouched in a field, surrounded by a gentle breeze that rustled the grass around her. She could smell it, smell the scent of sun-baked earth.
Her own voice was distant, filled the air, though she couldn‘t make out the words, like whispers in the breeze. In the hazy blur she sensed another presence, bright, pure and full of life. She saw the small figure, jumping through the grass, the voice rattling off what sounded like a series of questions. She wished she could hear them. Just the sound resonated in her soul.
Ahsoka heard the echo of her own laughter. With a sense of wonder, Ahsoka watched as she lifted the child into her arms, their giggles echoing in the stillness of the air. The child's laughter was infectious, tugging at her heart, at something deep within her.
As she held the child close, breathing them in, the pure clean scent of them, a surge of overwhelming love and joy washed over her, flooding her senses. In that moment, she knew with absolute certainty, the child was hers. Their connection resonated in the Force, binding them together in an unbreakable bond.
But as she basked in the warmth of their shared embrace, she felt the first sense of unease. She felt the edges of the dream begin to fray, fading into the distance. Desperately, she tried to hold onto the fleeting moment, to cling to the sensation of love and joy, to the image in front of her, to the child‘s features.The child's eyes, she‘d expected to meet the blue of her own gaze, but instead, they were a mesmerizing shade of amber brown. The chill of familiarity went down her spine, but before she could contemplate where she knew that gaze, she felt herself being pulled further and further away, the dream slipping through her fingers. The image faded, leaving only the faint echoes of memory. Ahsoka was left grappling with the haunting beauty of a possibility, and the unsettling realization that some truths are meant to remain forever out of reach.
The reality of waking left Ahsoka feeling hollow, like the warmth had been drained from her. Tears welled up in her eyes as she grappled with an overwhelming sense of loss and longing.
In the blink of an eye, Kix was by her side, his presence soothing. His touch was gentle, his voice a soft murmur of reassurance as he sought to ease her trembling form. "It's okay, Ahsoka," he murmured. "You're safe now. Your fever broke."
He let her sob, rubbing her back until she calmed down enough to form words, asking gently if she wanted to talk about it.
It took her a few minutes before she found her voice. "I kept seeing Rex in my dreams. I don't know what it means."
Kix's expression softened with empathy as he listened to Ahsoka's words. "Dreams can be strange, Ahsoka," he said gently. "Sometimes they're just a way of processing things."
Ahsoka shook her head, her tears flowing unabated. "But it's not just the dreams," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I think... I think I'm in love with him. But it's stupid, right? One-sided...and we have a job to do. I just... I can‘t..."
Kix's gaze held a depth of understanding as he met Ahsoka's tear-filled eyes. "It's probably not as one-sided as you think, Ahsoka," he said meaningfully, almost knowing, and Ahsoka wondered what he meant. "But you need to think about what you want... and maybe talk to Rex about it."
Ahsoka nodded, her tears still streaming down her face as she grappled with the weight of her emotions. "I don't know what to do," she admitted. “I‘m supposed to be Jedi...this whole situation is a mess. It isn‘t fair to him...“
Kix sighed, in acknowledgment of the complexity of Ahsoka's situation. "It's not an easy decision to make, Ahsoka," he said softly. "But you should probably talk to Rex about it. It's important to be honest with him."
Ahsoka's nod was almost imperceptible, her features full of anguish and confusion. She wiped at her face as she struggled to make sense of the images in her dreams.
"It felt so real, Kix," she choked out between sobs. "There was a child. I could feel their presence in the Force. But... I'm a Jedi. It's impossible."
Her words hung heavy in the air. Ahsoka's heart ached with a yearning she couldn't comprehend, a desire for something she knew she could never have.
Kix listened intently. With a gentle squeeze of her hand, he offered a semblance of comfort.
"Sometimes dreams can be like that, Ahsoka," Kix murmured softly, his voice almost sad. "They show us what we wish for, even if it's beyond our reach. But that doesn't make the longing any less real."
His words resonated deep in her, stirring a whirlwind of emotions. As Kix urged her to rest, Ahsoka nodded, her exhaustion weighing heavily on her. With tearful gratitude, she thanked him, her voice choked with emotion.
"I'll... I'll talk to Rex. I promise."
With a final squeeze of her hand, Kix offered her a reassuring smile before retreating to give her the space she needed to heal.
Kix let out a breath he hadn‘t known he‘d been holding. He wasn‘t sure what would come out of all this but he hoped everything for the better. Seeing Ahsoka like this broke his heart.
She and Rex had been dancing around each other for a long time, and he suspected it was just that, exasperated by the serum she‘d been a victim of, forcing her to confront the truths she‘d been in denial of.
Between General Skywalker and Kenobi, not much had been revealed. They still didn‘t know who was behind her capture, though Skywalker had sworn he was working on it. The research Kenobi had sent his way hadn‘t revealed much, other than the serum could exasperate force visions in force sensitives. He hoped that was what it was, that she had had a few nasty nightmares and it was done with. He suspected it was far more than she let on though. Her confessions had seemed real, too emotional and too raw to just be the truth serum.
It would work itself out. He was sure of it, in one way or another.
#^#^#
As Rex entered the room, Ahsoka felt a surge of nervousness and anticipation. Kix's reassuring pat on her hand, after he removed the IV, was a silent encouragement, a reminder that she had the strength to face whatever lay ahead.
"Hey," Rex greeted her with a bemused smile, his eyes betraying a hint of concern beneath the facade of casualness. "Feeling any better?"
Ahsoka returned his smile, though it faltered slightly as she struggled to find the right words. "Yeah, I‘m feeling better" she admitted. Her smile didn‘t reach her eyes though.
Rex's brow furrowed in response, his gaze searching hers for clues to the source of her unease. Despite Kix's assurances earlier that she was well on her way back to normal, he had a feeling that there was more than met the eye.
Ahsoka watched as Kix gave her one last look and left the room. Her heart weighed heavy with uncertainty, her mind racing with questions and doubts about the path that lay before her. But deep down, she knew that this moment was a crucial step towards clarity, towards understanding the emotions that had consumed her in recent days.
Taking a deep breath, Ahsoka steadied herself for what lay ahead. She had no idea what the future held, but she was determined to face it head-on, armed with the courage to confront her fears and the strength to face anything.
And as she met Rex's gaze, a flicker of determination ignited within her, fighting her own doubt.
"There's something I need to talk to you about."