In Command (#1 Post-Order 66 Series)

In Command - Part 28

"You know, staring is rude," she whispered, opening one eye to look at him.

"Can't help it," he teased.

"How long have I been out?"

"Quite a while. I wanted to let you sleep. You needed it."

She propped herself up on her elbow and looked at him. "There's something bothering you."

He wished she wasn't so perceptive. "I've been wanting to ask you something."

She scooted closer to him. "Go ahead."

He moistened his lips. "Why didn't you tell me you were a Jedi master?"

"Does it matter?"

"It matters to me. Not that it changes anything between us. I just didn't realize..."

"...and knowing would have been nice. Because you care about me."

He nodded. "Yes. Exactly."

"I imagine it's the same reason you didn't tell me you were a commander. It's not something I identified with after the order. I wasn't that person anymore."

"And now?"

She laid back on the pillows, staring at the ceiling. "Now, I'm not so sure. The Inquisitor said there are others out there. Other Jedi. I feel...I don't know."

"You feel like I do about my brothers."

"Yes and no. I feel like there's hope that perhaps the Jedi can live on. That perhaps the ways of the Force can still be passed down. I'm just afraid that my connection to the Force will continue to put you all at risk. I know you don't think he can track me through it, but I'm still not convinced. Even if he can't, my mere existence brings great risk to you all. I don't think he'll stop, and there are more Inquisitors."

He leaned forward, tangling his fingers in her hair. "It's a risk I'd take again and again."

She sighed, leaning her forehead against his. "I know you would. But you shouldn't have to."

"So," he said quietly after a few moments, "are you considering finding someone to train?"

"I'm not sure. I just...I don't want to cut myself off from the Force anymore. I'm still trying to figure out my place in this galaxy, but I think I am more myself when I'm connected if that makes sense."

"It does. No matter how much I know I'd love a life of peace, I also know that when I'm wearing that armor, that's what I was meant to do."

She put her face against his chest, wrapping her arms around his waist. "I love you, Rex."

"And I love you, Master Aven."

Senna smiled against his skin. "I like it better when you say it."

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The next morning, a knock at the door woke Rex. Senna was already gone, presumably to find some breakfast or to train some more. Slipping some trousers on, Rex padded over to the door and opened it to find Hunter standing outside. "Morning," he greeted him.

"Morning. We've got a new assignment. Just a simple supply run handoff. We're to rendezvous for the handoff near Corellia, and then we'll be passing the shipment off to Cham Syndulla at Ryloth. We'll stay there overnight. Cham also has some intelligence we need. We leave in a few hours."

"Understood. What's the intelligence pertain to?"

Hunter ducked his head. "It's not for the rebellion."