Afterglow | The Clone Wars

Steady Hand

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The transport settled onto the rain-slick platform, repulsorlifts groaning as the hatch lowered to the landing deck. Sheets of water slid across durasteel, the storm painting the Jedi Temple in fractured reflections of muted light.

"Dakota, take the gurney," Obi-Wan urged, his hand hovering at her shoulder as he motioned to the bed already laid out for her to use.

She shook her head weakly, but firmly. She sat on a chair in the cargo hatch of the transport, arm in a sling, with her torso fully wrapped and half a pair of fully functioning legs. "I'll w—walk." She heaved herself up, cursing to herself as she used Obi-Wan's arm to pull herself up. "Hasn't my pride been ruined enough as it— " she coughed. "as it is?"

"There's nothing wrong with a little help, my friend." Obi-Wan brought his hand to the small of her back steadily.

She rose wobbly, teeth grit together as heat shot up the back of her leg and dug into her spine. Captain Rex, who stood by, and Obi-Wan exchanged a glance, both aware of the stitched wounds concealed with her white medical tunic, tunic and the way her steps faltered beneath the weight of pain.

Still, neither pressed her further. Obi-Wan moved to her side, shoulder steadying her, while Rex slipped into place at her other flank. Together, they guided her down the ramp into the storm.

Waiting for them at the base of the platform stood Mace, his broad silhouette cut sharp against the curtain of rain. His expression was unreadable, but the stillness in him said everything.

As they drew near, Mace stepped forward and wordlessly took over, slipping an arm beneath Dakota's to bear her weight as if it had always been his role. The exchange was seamless, Obi-Wan and Rex easing back without protest.

She melted into her master's side as he began to walk her to the side entrance of the temple.

Dakota tilted her head just enough to glance at Rex, her hair growing wet and into curly ringlets in the rain. A long, steady look, her lips curving into a small, pained smile through the rain. It was the kind of smile that seemed to say more than words could—too deliberate to be an accident.

Rex blinked behind his dark visor, unsettled. She had never smiled at him like that. Perhaps it was the pain meds clouding her judgment... or perhaps it was something more?

Mace's hold tightened as Dakota's steps faltered after a moment. She turned away, allowing herself to be led inside, into the warm glow of the temple beyond the storm.

Rex lingered on the platform a heartbeat longer, rain dripping from his armor, the image of that smile gnawing at him even as the doors shut behind her.