Love In Coruscant

Concern

Anakin continued to stare at the clone medic for several moments, contemplating. By all means, Kix should be sent back to base with the LAAT/i, but the clone was the only medic that they had taken besides Black, and he was a shiny. He was also going to need every possible clone to defend Republic grounds.

Anakin sighed and turned away. Kix hadn't seemed right since Rex had died, as if something had snapped, or a sudden realization dawned. Anakin shook his head. His heart hurt whenever he thought about his captain.

"Master?" Ahsoka Tano whispered, placing a hand on his arm as he turned toward her.

"What is it, Snips?" Anakin asked, looking into the sad, blue eyes of the Togrutan. Come to think of it, Ahsoka seemed different since Rex had died too.

"You asked Rex those same words before he died." Ahsoka whispered, looking toward Kix with worry. "And Rex had responded the exact way as..." They blue eyes looked up at him, fear tinting the usual shine.

"Ahsoka, Rex's death happened a while ago. How could you remember that?" Anakin asked, although he remembered it too, now that she mentioned it.

"I will never forget that day." Ahsoka answered, a slight clenching of her jaw betraying her inner feelings. "What if Kix gets hurt?"

Anakin looked down at her, noticing her bodily stance and fearful eyes. She was sincerely worried. Anakin placed a comforting hand on her shoulders. "It's going to be alright, Snips. OK?"

Ahsoka looked up at him, trust melting the fear. "OK." She nodded.

"Here's where we drop you, sir!" Wings, the co-pilot, called.

"OK, Wings. You guys will come for us later, right?" Anakin asked.

"Of course, sir." Aero answered.

Anakin didn't respond, instead he looked down to where Aayla Secura waited with a squad of clones. Movement caused him to turn his attention to a clone standing close to her right side. A little closer than was really necessary. Their arms almost brushed.

Anakin squinted down at them until he could identify the clone as Bly, whom leaned over to whisper something to Aayla Secura.

Aayla Secura looked at her second-in-command and responded softly, causing Bly to look up at the ship, then step back and a little away from the Jedi Master. Anakin frowned at this strange occurrence. Something was going on here...

The LAAT/i landed and Anakin stepped off, Ahsoka and the soldiers following.

"Master." Anakin acknowledged the Twi'lek, Ahsoka echoing him.

"Welcome to Felucia, Skywalker." Aayla responded, turning to Ahsoka. "You as well, young one."

Anakin turned to Bly, whom shifted under his gaze and took another half-step away from Aayla before saluting.

"Commander." Anakin studied him carefully.

"General Skywalk...er." Bly responded, looking behind Anakin at something.

Confused, Anakin looked over his shoulder to see Kix getting down from the gunship. When the clone medic seemed to notice Bly looking at him, he froze, the action making him miss his handhold and trip, falling out of the ship.

Guts was at his brother's side in a moment, having the other back on his feet in a moment, Kix looking away from everyone as he stepped out of sight behind one of his companions.

Anakin turned and looked at Bly. "Do you have a problem with Kix?" A voice asked softly, causing Anakin to start.

"Ahsoka!" Anakin chastised his Padawan, causing her to look up at him. "What?" She asked as Aayla stepped in. "Bly has absolutely nothing against Kix, Ahsoka."

Bly looked at Aayla, then glared at the other Jedi. "I made no notion of such a thing as..." The clone commander looked at Aayla, suddenly realizing he had cut her off. "General." He coughed.

Anakin couldn't believe it. A clone interrupting a Jedi Master. Anakin wasn't sure if he'd every heard of that before, let alone seen it, yet, Rex may have more than likely done the same thing. Due the the respect and comfortable atmosphere he and Anakin shared. It must be the same with Aayla Secura and Bly.

There was silence for several moments, before Aayla Secura told them to follow her back to the camp.

Anakin walked a little ways back, watching Kix, who was reluctantly trailing the group by several meters.

Aayla and Bly seemed to be arguing about something, heads closer together as they walked.

Hmmm. Anakin pondered. Strange.