Captain Rex: Never a Time

Chapter 10: Change

After Rex had left, I was in a storm. Rejection did not feel good. I went to the mess hall, mostly empty since Obi-Wan had most of the boys. I ate in silence, then went back to my room. I meditated to calm my feelings. I didn't want Anakin or Ahsoka asking questions. I accepted the fact that things would be different, then went to the bridge to learn of Kenobi's progress.

"They have a lead. They've been going from escape pod to escape pod trying to find Grievous. Seems like they're close." Anakin was looking at a tablet, probably an updated report. Ahsoka was looking down at the planet, boredom on her face.

"Do we have anything that needs to be done?" Ahsoka sighed.

"Just the capture of Grievous," Anakin said without looking up. I glanced over at Ahsoka.

"Young one, you bored?" She turned and raised an eyebrow.

"Why, got something in mind to do?"

"Let's go spare." I wanted to take my mind off everything, and spending time with her would definitely distract me. We went to the gym and started stretching. She went to work talking my ear off. We ended up talking for a while before we got to sparring. I had no idea how long it lasted, but soon our hunger brought us back to reality. We went to the mess hall, and there were Jesse and Kix. When did they get back? We went over to catch up with them.

"Did you get Grievous?" Ahsoka asked, hoping for good news. They looked up and shook their head. It was quiet in here compared to the excitement that normally went on. "Well, I guess I'll get the details from Rex."

"You'll have to wait on that," Kix said. "He's in the med bay." Panic rose in my throat.

"What happened?" Ahsoka asked, her worry matching mine. Kix looked down.

"Commando droids. They sniped him off a ridge. If it had been two inches to the left, he wouldn't be here." I couldn't stop myself. My legs were moving on their own. I ran into the med bay, scanning for him. There were a few clones in there from the battle below. I caught a medical droid.

"Where is CT-7567?" Without a word, the droid led me down a hall.

"Here is CT-7567's room," the droid turned and went back to work. I had so many emotions swirling inside of me. My fist hovered an inch from the door. Should I knock? Would he want to see me? I took a breath and knocked. There wasn't an answer. I slowly opened the door and found Rex laying there asleep. His shirt was off and above his heart was a patch. There were wires coming from the patch and his arms. I walked over and sat in a chair near him. I took his hand gently, sadness washing over me. I should've gone, I should've helped. I felt his hand twitch in mine, and I raised my head to find him looking at me.

"Hey," I said weakly.

"Hey." He didn't pull his hand from mine. Could he move his hand? I went to pull away and he tightened his grip. "Cyar'ika, I'm sorry." He looked up at the ceiling and took a breath. "Down there, a lot happened. I got hit and my last thought was how I left things off with you. Then I met someone. They showed me that feelings don't make one weak and that there is hope. I can be strong for the Republic, and strong for you." His eyes came to meet mine. I took a breath. "Will you give me a chance?" I smiled.

"Only if you tell me what Cyar'ika means." He smiled.

"Cyar'ika, it means beloved or darling." My heart was beating faster than it ever had. He twisted to face me better and I leaned in. Then the door opened, and I flung myself back into my chair. I couldn't have anyone catch us like this. The medical droid came in.

"Good evening, I must ask you leave so that CT-7567 may rest." I looked back at Rex, he had also thrown himself back on his bed, the red still in his cheeks. I stood to go and pulled my hand from his reluctantly. I felt sadness from him. I turned quick and pecked his cheek, then bolted out before he could say anything. My cheeks were burning. I made it back to my room without seeing anyone else, which was good. I needed time to comprehend what was going on. I paced my room, then realized my emotions were probably sensed by any Jedi within the system. I sat to meditate, but I couldn't fully focus. I calmed down enough and laid down. I had no idea what a relationship meant. They didn't really teach that in the Temple. And I was not about to ask Anakin for advice. If only Aayla was here, she'd know.