The View From Here

Chapter 1

Rex threw back another drink without flinching. The drinks were just as strong as when he had his first shot, but he was becoming numb to the sting of the liquor. He was becoming numb to everything, if he was being honest with himself. Rex avoided eye contact with his brothers enjoying themselves in 79s as he slinked back to the bar for another drink.

Had it not been for the fact that his face was identical to every other mans' in the bar, he might have been thrown out hours ago. Any other random drunk civilian in here would. Without his armor or an officer's uniform, Rex felt out of place in simple civilian clothes. Another reminder that clone or not, he was not a captain in the Grand Army of the Republic. Not for 9 more days.

After Fives's death, Rex was restless. He wasn't sleeping, was irritable, and could feel that spark of resentment he felt the year before under General Krell inch back up within him. Anakin sensed it too, and yesterday sent him packing on a ten-day administrative leave of absence. Anakin had tried to make it seem like the time off was only a standard rotation off duty, but Rex had been in his shoes long enough to know what was happening: he was being told to take a break before he was going to be forced to leave.

"One for me, too?" The voice came from just over his left shoulder. Even in his inebriated state of mind, Rex knew exactly who it was.

"Kid?" he said turning to meet Ahsoka's eyes. He was shocked to see her. It had been months since she had left the order...left him...but now here she was. Ahsoka Tano was beside him again.

"I think we both could use a drink," she said with a soft smile, passing a couple of credits over to the bartender in exchange for two drinks. Rex was too stunned to know what to say, so he simply followed her back to the booth he had just vacated.

Seeing her again was...well, he didn't know. He hated how they had ended things. How she didn't say goodbye. Not that he could blame her. The last time he had seen her, he was holding her captive on a shuttle with Wolffe, General Skywalker and Master Plo. He was betraying her.

But here she was.

"Why, why are you here?" he asked in disbelief. He wanted to look away in shame but couldn't tear his eyes away from hers, searching her face for answers to all the questions he had.

Ahsoka took a long sip of her drink. "I don't have to be a Jedi anymore to sense when someone needs a friend," she said with a soft smile. She huffed and then chuckled. "Besides, when I got wind that the unflappable Captain Rex was dressed in civies, I had to see it for myself." He laughed humorously.

"I would have thought that of all the people you'd want to see, I would be last on the list," he said. "I don't deserve your friendship after what I did to you. What I let them do to you." He gritted his teeth and eyes burned. Another downside of mandatory leave: time to process your past mistakes and let the guilt catch up with you.

"I've made my peace with what happened between me and the Jedi Order. It wasn't easy, but I had to move on. And what happened had nothing to do with you, Rex. You were doing what was expected of you," she replied. He flinched. She may not have meant it, but that was the least comforting thing she could have said.

"Good soldiers follow orders," he spit under his breath. His jaw tightened again and anger swelled up within him. If only he had been strong enough to stand up for her. Strong enough to stand up to Krell sooner. Strong enough to fight for Tup and Fives.

Ahsoka shifted uncomfortably once she realized the effect her words had on him. She took a deep breath and spoke softly. "What I meant was that it was a situation where even the leaders we trusted and respected the most made the wrong call. That's not on you. I never thought that once while I was on the run, and I don't think that now." She reached across the table to grab his hand. "I'm here because I know what it feels like to lose faith. And I don't what you to have to go through that alone."