Only Love can Save them

Chapter 16

Brie never took a breath again. A blaster shot went straight through her stomach as Barriss screamed in anguish and shot the Inquisitor. There was a groan from beside Rex and he saw who the Inquisitor had struck.

No. he thought desperately. No, please no. Tears streamed down his cheeks as he dashed over to the body. A figure laying there, her fingers clasped over her heart, a smoking hole in her chest. Blue and white striped montrals stained with blood. Diamond-like markings seeming almost paler now that she was dying.

"Soka," he cried as he picked her up in his arms. Her lips were in the shape of a smile as he gently stroked her montrals. 

"In the war," she choked out. 

"No, no, Soka, save your breath. You're gonna be okay," Rex sobbed, tears falling from his amber eyes and splashing her cheeks. Her hand shakily reached up and brushed his cheek. He caught it and pressed his lips to it. 

"Love, I'm dying," she said between shaky coughs. "Nothing.... can stop that now. But.. back in the war... I told you I'd die for you. This... this is me... proving it... to you."

"Soka, you didn't have to prove it," Rex said, his tears blinding him. He could barely see her through the tears that were flowing down his cheeks. Her lips formed a thin smile.

"Don't worry, Rexie," she said, and coughed, her body trembling. 

"Haven't called me that in a while, have you?" Rex asked with a sad laugh. Ahsoka grinned weakly, her arms slowly going limp in Rex's grasp. "No, no, Soka, hold on," he begged, the pained smile leaving his face instantly as he cradled her in his arms. 

"I.... I... love you," she said quietly as her body shook. Then it all stopped. Like a broken record, her heart screeched to a halt and she went limp in his arms. Her head hung back, her montrals brushing the ash-grey floor of the Star Destroyer. Ahsoka stopped blinking, her blue eyes creepily open. 

Tears flooded Rex's eyes, his heart shattering as he stood, trembling as he held his dead lover close to his chest. Cody was by his side, his hand resting on Rex's shoulder, and his voice filled with sadness. "It's time to go, vod," he said softly. Rex nodded, to weak to think to do anything else. 

His head low and his eyes red from crying, Rex boarded the Ghost, too overcome with grief to say anything to the Twi'lek, Lasat, Mandalorian, and two Jedi who were already on the freighter. A black and gold R2 unit that Rex recognized as G-G rolled up to him and chirped in confusion. The droid nudged Ahsoka's pale hand and beeped sadly. 

"I'm so sorry, Rex," Barriss said, her own green and diamond-marked skin pale in anguish. "I should have moved faster- stopped the Inquisitor, something."

"It's okay, Barriss," Rex said, his voice hoarse. She embraced him and several moments later, Rex saw a small Togruta come over. 

"Rex, this is Ash. She's Force-sensitive. I wanted Ahsoka to teach her instead of me," Barriss explained, scooping Ash up in her arms. Rex nodded, gently laying Ahsoka's body down on a seat in the ship as they shot into the blue and white blur of hyperspace.

Why'd it have to be her? he thought. I just got her back and now she's gone. Now she's gone. 

Rex didn't move for a long time, the same thoughts bouncing around in his mind as they flew to Garel. Cody and Barriss joined him, with Ash. "She'll get a funeral. A proper one," Cody promised, looking to Ahsoka's corpse. Rex nodded. It provided some comfort, knowing his cyare would be given the goodbye she deserved, even if her life had been cut short. 

And Rex embraced his brother, letting all of his emotions out. Barriss and Ash's arms wrapped around him. And so the grief-stricken group of people mourned what the Togruta had been for them. 

Commander. 

Friend. 

Fellow Padawan. 

Rescuer. 

Warrior. 

Master. 

Survivor.

Grey Jedi. 

Rebel.

Sister. 

Love. 

Someone taken far too soon.

A/N:

Okay, okay, I know I killed off Ahsoka just after she reunited with Rex. I was planning for it to be Barriss originally, but then I switched it to Ahsoka. I think this will be the last actual chapter before I write a short epilogue and finish this book up.

And have you guys see the Bad Batch? It's so good! If you haven't you really should watch it.

-EmeraldMoon