Chapter 23 - Playing the Cards

186 13 18
                                    

"You're late," Asajj states flatly as Anakin steps into the mostly empty dining room. He was supposed to be back early in the morning for a short break in his attempts to break the Jedi. Honestly, she suspects the only reason he came is because she returned for two days before heading back to the front lines. The war is no joke, and she's been fighting almost nonstop since it began. Okay. Maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration.

"Miss me much?" Anakin teases right back, pulling out the chair next to her and sitting down. "Hey, Rex!" he greets the clone who, unlike his brothers, is still eating.

Rex nods a greeting. "Would you like me to get you something, Anakin?"

"Please," Anakin replies gratefully, and Rex rises to fetch him a tray of breakfast.

"Mmm hmm," Asajj hums, leaning over to give him a playful, chaste kiss on the cheek as she throws an arm around his shoulders. "It was incredibly boring on the front lines without you there to keep me company."

Anakin snorts, elbowing her. "Careful or I might think you're trying to steal me from Padme."

Asajj makes a gagging noise. "Ick! I told you I'm not interested in that sort of thing! Besides, you're my best friend or brother, whichever you prefer."

Rex coughs to smother a laugh behind them as he sets a tray down in front of Anakin before returning to his own seat. "Thanks," Anakin tells him with a half-smile as he starts eating. "I'm starving," he comments five minutes and half a plate later. "It's busy work to break a Jedi, and my brain feels as though it's been fried from all the exercise that I've been giving it."

"Which is to say that you normally don't use it," Asajj concludes, patting his arm. "I feel bad for you." Anakin swats her hand away and glares.

"Hush, you," he scolds. "I'm the one talking." She nods with a feigned obedience and is pleased to see him fighting a smile as he looks back at the food in front of him. "Anyway, she's Fallen. I played enough word games and used the Sith mask on her. I'm not sure how she feels about me now; that's something which Dooku will have to decide when we return there tomorrow."

"Great job!" Asajj praises. "I knew you could do it!" And she did. Anakin is not only powerful, but incredibly determined. Nothing can stop him once he sets his mind to something, and she can only admire – and envy – his power. He's the strongest of all of them, and even she has yet to learn of something he can't accomplish with the Force.

Anakin looks smug and altogether pleased with himself. "Where are Obi-Wan and Ahsoka?" he queries. "And Dooku?"

"The Count is probably in his office," Rex answers, "And Obi-Wan and Ahsoka went outside to the gardens about fifteen minutes before you got here."

"Oh well," Anakin shrugs. "I'll go see them in a moment, but first, I wanted to talk to you, Rex."

That immediately perks Asajj's interest, because she hadn't heard him mention anything he wanted to discuss with Rex. Maybe this is just a spur of the moment thing. "I know you and your brothers are keeping an eye on the progression of the Clone Wars," Anakin begins neutrally, "And I also know that you dislike sitting here, unable to help."

Rex seems mildly surprised for a moment, but maybe that's only because he didn't realize that Anakin pays close attention to everyone around him, even if he doesn't act like it. "Yes," the clone admits, "That is true. We know that it's not realistic for us to help, especially given our positions, but if it would be possible, we are all more than willing."

Anakin nods slowly, leaning back in his chair, blue eyes scrutinizing Rex. "I don't want to push you, but if you want, you can help us. I know that means fighting with the Separatists and against the Republic which is why I want you to think about it."

BrotherhoodWhere stories live. Discover now