It's Commander Tano, Not Padawan

Chapter 26

Notes: Many thanks to my much appreciated beta for this chapter WildHoneyProse. (Seriously, if you're looking for Rexsoka, go check her out on Ao3.) And yes, this chapter is definitely shorter, but it just felt right to end it here. I think you'll enjoy it though...

The briefing was – well – brief.

The General had a meeting with Kenobi and Windu immediately following the time that Skywalker himself had called for them to gather on the bridge. It had, this time, worked out fine as there wasn't much more for them to share than a status report on their progress.

The Admiral hadn't had much to say other than his own update for the navy side of the operation, greeting them with a curt nod before turning to engage with a waiting officer.

Ahsoka had been decidedly grateful for her Master's hasty approach, hiding her nerves behind her lukewarm cup of caff and bland attentiveness.

She'd awoken that morning – thankfully before Rex – with her leg all but flung across his thighs, ankle hanging off the bunk. Ahsoka then proceeded to spend a solid two minutes staring at his chapped lips and came to the realization they had to talk. They needed to have that conversation they were supposed to have had months ago.

And it needed to happen soon, before she did something stupid.

The type of stupid she had almost done yesterday before Cody had inadvertently pulled her from the edge.

The type of stupid that was kissing her Captain awake.

So, when his sleepy amber eyes flickered opened with a lazy half-smile, causing a dangerous heart palpitation on her part, Ahsoka had blurted, "We're talking tonight. My apartment," before scrambling off his warm form and practically running to the refresher.

But even now, as she walked out of the bridge to the hangar, Rex just a step behind her, Ahsoka cringed.

Yet, the embarrassment she felt was nothing compared to the tsunami-like waves rolling off Rex.

How can Anakin not feel him?

Turning slightly to peer at his visor, she asked, "You okay, Rex?"

His helmet tilted indecipherably and, even with the Force, Ahsoka cursed her inability to see his face.

"Actually, there's something I should probably warn you about," he replied, gruff displeasure coating any of the turmoil she could feel below.

'Warn her about?' They had just woken up not even two hours ago.

"What is it?" She frowned, nodding at a passing trooper who curiously avoided her gaze.

Rex's bucket dipped awkwardly to the side. "This wouldn't be the best conversation to have here," he responded, hesitant and hoping she'd pick up on his unspoken request.

Ahsoka looked at him again, confused. His silent headshake told her to wait. "Alright," she drawled, suspicious. "I'm sure we'll pass an armory we could commandeer along the way."

His quiet, relieved sigh wasn't audible through his vocoder, but the short fall of his chest was all too telling. "That'll work."

They continued in silence. A couple minutes passed before she caught sight of such an opportunity, signaling to Rex as she headed toward the entrance.

Luckily, it was empty, and she found a crate to sit on, crossing her legs while she watched Rex's hands nervously grip around the hilts of his DC's.

She didn't speak, knowing they had plenty of time, but breathed slowly, refusing to accept his apprehension as her own.

"You, um – Do you remember waking up to a comm call last night?" he asked, sliding his helmet off, and staring at the row of blasters on the wall behind her.