Chapter Text
79’s was very nearly packed full when Fox managed to make his way to the bar after a sixteen-hour shift. He wanted nothing more than to crash in his bunk, but Torrent was scheduled to ship out the next day, and he had officially run out of time.
It wasn’t hard to find the corner of the bar where Torrent Command had set up shop. Somehow, the volume increased exponentially anywhere there was a vod in blue. Rex and his command staff were huddled in a corner booth, laughing at the expense of one of Torrent’s ARCs standing at the foot of the table.
Rex saw him first—as Fox expected he would—followed closely by a vod with a—was that a giant Republic cog on his face? Did no one double-check tattoo ideas in Torrent? The laughter died down, but did not stop as Fox approached the table. “Since when did they allow karking tubies to drink here?” he drawled.
He got the hissy reaction he wanted from Cog and Baldie, but Rex just rolled his eyes. “Probably about the same time they let senior citizens out after 20:00,” he replied with a smirk.
Fox couldn’t help the twitch of his lips at the crack, and he knew Rex saw it when he beamed in delight. Fox rolled his eyes and pointed his thumb over his shoulder. “Take a hike, children. The adult and wanna-be adult need to talk.”
Oh, look at that, Ostentatious Haircut got hissy this time as well. Fox was having the best time!
Rex leaned forward slightly, humor leaving his eyes to be replaced by concern. “Do we need to take it outside, Commander?”
Where sensors and bugs could pick up what he had to say? No thanks. “Here’s fine,” Fox said instead. He eyed Rex, carefully casual. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you about a vod from Kamino,” he said in an undertone.
‘A vod from Kamino.’ A phrase decided on early in the war amongst the commanders as a way to let each other know when a conversation was clandestine.
Rex’s eyes widened briefly before he pasted a smirk on his face. “Well,” Rex said dryly, “when you put it that way.” He glanced at his officers briefly. “Boys, give us a few minutes.”
Cog seemed to hesitate briefly before offering, “I can get you something to drink if you’d like, Commander?"
But Fox was already shaking his head. “Do I karking look like I’m staying, vod? Leave.”
The booth cleared out rapidly. As he slid into the booth, Fox noticed how each officer casually (for Torrents) placed themselves in positions to keep others from bothering the two. His mouth tilted up in amusement. “Not bad, blondie.”
“What’s going on, Fox?” Rex took a casual swig of his drink and leaned back comfortably. Fox mimicked the position, and for all the bar knew, they were just two vode catching up.
“In the two years he’s been your General,” Fox began quietly. Rex tensed slightly, but Fox waved his hand like he was telling a story. “Since he’s been your General, have you noticed just how often he’s called into the Chancellor’s office?”
Rex grinned widely, and anyone who hadn’t known him since he was a bratling cadet would think it was real. “I’ve noticed it’s often,” he replied, equally as quiet, “but I’ve been busy a lot when we’re here, so I don’t know the exact number.”
Fox sighed. “Thorn was present during a few of their meetings.” He met Rex’s eyes, and allowed his own to show his sincerity. “He had some concerns with their meeting today.”
Rex couldn’t seem to keep his eyes from narrowing. “I thought he had a meeting with Senator Amidala.” His eyes flickered to Fox’s, and understanding passed between them. They both knew what kind of meetings happened between the Senator and General.
Fox nodded, and grinned in turn. “He did, but the Chancellor met him on his way out of the Senate building, and invited him to his office. A lot of their meetings have been ‘by chance’ in that way.”
Rex shrugged casually. “So what has Thorn worried?”
“This is the eighth kriffing meeting between just the two of them Thorn has been present for. Each time the Chancellor has insinuated things about the Order that made Thorn really fucking uncomfortable.”
“Big word for you,” Rex murmured with a chuckle.
Fox took the words as the invitation it was and slapped him on top of his fuzzy blond head. “Shut it brat,” he said loudly. More quietly, he added, “Today’s meeting was different. You need to have a talk with your General.”
“Karking spit it out, Fox,” Rex whispered. His hands clenched around his bottle briefly before they relaxed. “You’re not one to prevaricate.”
“Skywalker left that meeting confused and angry,” Fox hissed bluntly. “Whatever you’ve been doing to calm him down flew out the karking window. The Chancellor had him convinced Kenobi would never condone his marriage to Senator Amidala, and that the Council would expel him from the Order if they found out.”
Rex paled. “What?” he whisper-yelled. “He knows Kenobi knows he’s married. Kenobi told him outright he wouldn’t report him to the Council. I was there.”
“And that’s why you need to talk to him,” Fox muttered urgently. “I don’t know how, but all progress you made with him was reversed, and he’s angrier than he was when the war started. Bring in Kenobi, I don’t karking care, but whatever you have to do, do it quickly.”
“Kark,” Rex rubbed a hand over his face and quickly faked a laugh. “Okay, do you know if he went back to the barracks?”
Fox shook his head, grinning. “Last I heard, he was holed up with Senator Amidala.”
Rex glanced at him out of the corner of his eye. “Is it secure? For a conversation?”
Fox gave that comment the look it deserved. “What do you think? Sabé runs that ship.”
“Fair point,” Rex snorted. “Well, it’s been great talking with you, vod, but apparently I have a vod’ika to corral.”
Fox got up with him. “I’ll walk you. Can’t let that uppity shit you call an ori’vod think I let you walk the streets of Coruscant alone.”
Rex glared at him. “I’m not six anymore, Fox. I can take care of myself.”
Fox leveled his serial killer grin at him. “My fucking city, my fucking rules, Sheb’ika. No vod on the streets at night alone.”
Rex rolled his eyes. “Whatever, Fox. Fine. Walk me to the doors of the Senatorial apartments like a good date.” He waved farewell to his officers, who took the opportunity to reclaim their booth. “I’ll see you all back at the barracks, vode.”
As they walked through the doors of 79’s, pushing their way past the crowd of vode around the entrance, Fox drawled, “You wish you could get me for a date. Maybe if I was into vode who were bite-sized, I’d be interested.”
“That’s okay, Fox,” Rex grinned wickedly, and it immediately set Fox on the defensive. “You’re not my type anyway. Too short.” He ducked out of the way of Fox’s retaliatory punch, laughing.
* * *
The walk to the Senatorial apartments was brief. Fox stopped them before Rex entered the building. “Listen, vod’ika. Have you been in here alone before?”
Rex frowned in confusion, both for the question and the address. “No, I’ve usually been with General Skywalker.”
“Then pay attention, kid.” Fox turned to face him directly. “If anyone asks, you were tasked by Senator Amidala to deliver a briefing on the current state of the war in the Mid-Rim, and you’re already running late. That should keep anyone from trying to lure you into their apartments.”
“What,” Rex squawked indignantly.
Fox ignored him. “If anyone calls up to confirm, she will verify it. It’s one of our code phrases that lets her know the vod has urgent information for her. Go straight up to her apartment. No detours. Do not leave unless General Skywalker is with you. And Rex.” Rex looked startled by the use of his name. Fox cupped the back of his head and said, very seriously, “Be on your guard. Always. If anyone talks to you, be polite, be smart. Sometimes it’s best to keep your mouth shut. Do not volunteer information. Let them make their assumptions. And do not argue.” It was a condensed version of the speeches given to shinies when they arrived. Fox hoped it would be enough to get this little blond nuisance back to the barracks safely.
Fortunately, Rex seemed to understand the seriousness of what he was being told. “I will Fox,” he said, placing his fist over his heart. “Haat, ijaat, haa'it.”
Fox breathed out a sigh of relief. “Good.” He ruffled Rex’s short hair and stepped back. “I’ve got to go,” he groused. “0500 comes quick after babysitting vod’ike all night.”
Rex grinned. “Sure Fox, sure. K'oyacyi!”
* * *
Rex was waiting on the lifts when he was waylaid by a familiar voice. “Captain Rex!” He turned to see Commander Thire and two more Guard heading his way.
“Commander Thire,” He nodded to the other Guards, “Vode.”
Even through his helmet’s vocoder, Rex could tell Thire was worried. “Captain Rex. Chancellor Palpatine has requested your presence in his office.”