It's Commander Tano, Not Padawan

Chapter 18

The Jedi Temple had always given him the creeps.

Rex had only entered the sanctuary a handful of times – all for briefings of one kind or another – but the overall hushed vastness of the structure threw him off. Coupled with their policy requiring him to leave his blasters at the security point near the entrance, Rex was generally on edge, out of habit, grasping for the hilts of his DCs, surprised every time when their solid forms weren't there.

Plus, there was the reality that he was entirely surrounded by beings with the ability to sense his emotions and, if they desired, invade his mind.

So, yeah – all in all, the man appreciated the rapid pace Ahsoka had set headed toward the communication center.

The questioning looks sent their way, especially by the younglings, only added to his self-consciousness, grateful his helmet shielded him from their nosy gazes.

Even if they can feel some of what I feel.

Rex just hoped they weren't as adept at reading him as Ahsoka. The thought that others could sense the lingering flashes of arousal that hit him was mortifying.

As long as it was just Ahsoka, he knew she at least felt similarly in that regard.

Well, he was pretty sure, anyways.

Logically, Rex knew she had to feel something for him –

Love you, Rex.

Sleep well, cyar'ika.

Teach me another word, Rex.

But there was always that niggling uncertainty. What if she liked him now, but he was just a fixation that she'd get bored with sooner of later.

After all, there were literal millions of him.

But, either way, now was not the time nor place to be pondering his relationship with Ahsoka. The General needed him focused.

Fives needed him focused.

The room was empty besides a sole occupant slouched on the innermost bench, datapad in hand. Even without the Force, Rex thought he was bleeding stress.

Tense, heavy stress.

Rex's stomach clenched, unwanted foreboding settling tacky within him.

"Hey Snips. Rex," he greeted, glancing over his shoulder as they entered before he stood up.

"Anakin," she nodded. "You finally got something for us about Fives and Tup?"

When the Jedi winced and stared at them with wide, sorrowful eyes, Rex knew something was up – knew what the General was going to tell him. What he was going to apologize for.

He had seen that look countless times before.

No. Not another one, please.

"Rex, Ahsoka, I'm sorry. Tup didn't make it."

His breath caught in his throat, heart feeling like was being crushed. He had prepared for this. He had known this might happen. Tup wasn't stable when he left them, but he was so young.

Fives' vod'ika.

He wasn't even permitted a warrior's death.

A tight, raging inferno roared within him, the urge to avenge – to hurt something the way he hurt – howled in anguish.

Another brother gone.

"What do you mean Tup didn't make it? What happened on Kamino?"

Skywalker tightened a hand around the hilt of his saber as he addressed Ahsoka, conflicted. "It's – uh – rather complicated."