Unexpected

chapter thirty-one: denied

Elara cuddles into Echo and listens to his heartbeat as he snores softly. Her eyes notice the sun peeking over the horizon and she furrows her eyebrows. Memories of last night's events flood her mind and she groans. She smiles softly at the sleeping angel of a soldier beside her but her mind races, focused on the man sleeping on the bunk above her.

Elara carefully slips away from Echo and onto the top bunk. Her eyes land on Fives's sleeping form and she suppresses a grin.

"Fives." She speaks softly.

The man hums but his eyes remain closed. Elara tucks herself under the covers and nestles into Fives. His arm tiredly snakes it's way around her and pulls her closer as she rests her head on his chest.

"Fives." She repeats, brushing her fingers through his hair.

"Hmm?" Fives hums again, still not fully awake. "Ten more minutes." He groans, pulling her closer.

"Fives." Elara gasps at the lack of oxygen flowing through her body. She tugs at his arm but his grip is too tight.

The front door slides open and the lights are switched on, causing Fives to shoot up on his bunk. A loud thud bounces off of the walls and Fives glances down to find Elara groaning on the floor.

Echo's head pops out from his bunk as well to see what the loud noise was. "Elara!" He gasps, quickly jumping off of his bed to help her up.

Elara's eyes briefly meet Fives's as she rubs the back of her head. Her focus then turns to the door. "Morning, Rex." She pushes herself to her feet with the help of Echo. "I didn't expect the Senator to ask for me this early."

"I'm not here for you." Rex admits, glancing at the two ARC Troopers. "Fives, Echo." He addresses them before stepping out of the room.

"Oooh you're in trouble." Jesse snickers.

"Elara shouldn't have stayed here, we'll all be court-marshaled for this." Dogma worries.

Fives jumps down from his bunk and puts his armor on before following Echo out of the barracks. Elara furrows her eyebrows as she watches them talk discreetly through the open door.

"Aw don't worry Ellie, we'll keep ya company while they're gone." Hardcase smirks.

Elara rolls her eyes playfully. "Go back to bed." She stifles a laugh as she turns the lights off and slips out of the room to follow the three men.

"Right now?" Echo asks.

"No, tomorrow." Rex speaks sarcastically. "Yes right now!" He snaps. "The Generals are waiting for us in the Jedi temple."

"Another mission?" Elara asks, jogging to catch up with them.

"El, what're you-?"

"Just a meeting." Echo lies. He's always been the best liar out of his brothers, but Elara sees right through it.

"Oh! So I guess the Generals won't mind if I tag along." She points, settling into step with the men. "They seem to like me anyway."

Rex just sighs as they board a speeder and head to the temple. They arrive to find the Generals and Commander Cody waiting around a holotable.

"Glad you could join us." General Kenobi states. Clearly someone woke up on the wrong side of bed.

"How much did you tell them?" General Skywalker asks Rex.

"Just the basics." Rex says, causing Anakin to nod.

Plo Koon resumes the meeting as he pulls up a holographic image. "As you are aware, the Citadel is their most isolated and impenetrable detention facility. No one has ever escaped."