In Command (#1 Post-Order 66 Series)

In Command - Part 22

Senna strolled through the halls of the palace, the setting sun casting long shadows across the ground as her footsteps echoed on the marble. She was thinking about the upcoming mission. It seemed easy enough on the surface, but something about it was nagging at her, and she couldn't place her finger on it. She wasn't unsure if it was just nerves or her sensing something through the Force, but either way, it had kept her from being able to eat much at dinner.

Her feet carried her to the door of Rex's quarters. She knocked quietly before hearing a muffled "Come in!" from within. Sliding the door opened, she found the main room of his quarters empty. "Rex?"

"Just a second!" came the reply from the refresher. She smiled and sat down on the edge of the bed, kicking off her boots and wiggling her toes in the thick carpet. "I was just making sure all the buckles and straps still fit correctly," she heard him say as his footsteps approached. She looked up at him only to have her breath ripped from her lungs.

Rex stood before her in his armor, helmet and all. She had never seen him in it, and her dreams came crashing back into her memory. It felt like she was suffocating. The captain cocked his head at her before quickly removing his helmet and squatting down in front of her, resting a gloved hand on her knee. "Senna, what is it? What's wrong?"

His eyes brought her back down to the ground and she sucked air in, gasping. "Rex, sit down. I...I need to tell you something."

Reaching over, he pulled the chair from the desk so that it was in front of her. He sat, leaning forward, his concern wrinkling his forehead as he clasped one of her hands in his. She was chewing her lip furiously, and he reached up with his other hand to run his thumb over it, trying to discourage her chomping. They sat in silence for a few moments before she met his eyes.

"I really don't know where to start with this, so I'm just going to jump in, and it's going to sound like I've lost my mind, but I...I've seen you in that armor before."

Confusion knitted his brows together. "Senna, how? Did we meet during the war? I'm so sorry if I don't remember you, but-"

"No, no it's not like that at all," she said. "Oh, this is going to sound ridiculous. You're right, we never met during the war. I never even knew the 501st's colors or anyone else's really for that matter aside from the Corries, I just knew you were Anakin and Ahsoka's captain, but like I've said, I was never really around the action, and when I was, I wasn't really paying attention to which battalion was which, but...but I've seen you in that armor...in my dreams." She grimaced, meeting his eyes. She could see his confusion deepening as one eyebrow threatened to make its way to hyperspace.

"Your...dreams."

"Yes, except...it's hard to explain."

"More than one?"

"Yes."

Rex rubbed his neck, trying to process this. "Aren't dreams pulled from memories though? How could you know my armor?"

"That's just it. I'm not entirely convinced they were just...dreams."

"You think you had visions?"

"Maybe."

"Of me?"

"Yes."

"What are we doing in these visions?"

Senna took a deep breath and looked down at his hand wrapped around hers. "I'm escaping Order 66 and then you show up. Sometimes there's a river, other times a beach or a cliff. It varies...except for you. Well, and the beginning when I'm on Kashyyyk."

"What do I do?"

"I think you're trying to help me."

"Do I succeed?"

"No...not usually."

He let out a low whistle. He had heard of Jedi having visions, normally some kind of premonitions, but he wasn't sure how he felt about being inserted into her nightmares of Order 66, particularly if he wasn't helpful.

"What...what do you think it means?" he asked.

"I have absolutely no idea."

He laughed dryly, rubbing the back of his neck.

"What?" she asked, a smile pulling at the corner of his lips.

"Well, I always knew you liked me, but I had no idea I was the man of your dreams," he said, wiggling one of his eyebrows at her.

She rolled her eyes, grabbing him by the pauldron and pulling him onto the bed with her. "You're terrible."

"You love it," he teased, letting his fingers tangle in her hair as he kissed her. He smiled as he felt her hum against his lips. Pulling back, he rested his hand on her cheek, staring into her eyes intently. "On a more serious note, if you keep having them, then let's talk about it, ok? I'd prefer if you not look at me with fear every time I'm wearing this armor," he said, stroking her cheekbone with his thumb.

She nodded, leaning her face into his gloved hand. "Deal. Now," she said, a wicked smile spreading across her face, "You're going to have to teach me how to get you out of this armor efficiently."

He grinned. "I bet I can do it faster."

"How fast?"

"I can get into or out of all of this in thirty seconds."

"Challenge accepted."