In Command (#1 Post-Order 66 Series)

In Command - Part 29

"I love you too," he said quietly. "Always will."

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Senna's eyes opened in the dark. She allowed herself a few more moments in Rex's arms, listening to his heartbeat and feeling his chest rise and fall with his breathing. Inhaling deeply, she committed his smell to memory, the way his skin felt against her cheek, the feeling of his calloused hands on her skin. It's time.

Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes as she gently disentangled herself from him, slipping out of bed. He didn't stir as she dressed, picking up her bag and lightsaber before throwing a cloak around her shoulders. She placed her datapad on the bed near him so that he'd find it in the morning and stepped to the door, watching him sleep peacefully for one more second as her throat tightened before she quietly stepped out into the hall.

Her footsteps barely made a sound as she tip-toed down the corridor. Just as she reached the bottom of the stairs, a voice in the dark startled her.

"Kind of late to be sneaking around, don't you think?"

She turned to see Echo sitting at the table, a cup of tea cooling next to him. He glanced up and locked eyes with her, and she felt her intentions stutter within her.

"What are you doing up?" she asked.

"I told you, I don't sleep much."

The silence hung between them for a few seconds as she tried to think of an excuse while Echo's eyes bored into her. "I-"

"I know what you're doing," he said.

"He'd do the same, Echo."

"I know. But that doesn't mean this isn't going to kill him."

She crossed the room as he stood from the table. "Please, Echo. Help him understand. I can't watch a holo like the one we saw today with his face in it. Or yours or any of the others' for that matter. I have to do this. They'll never stop chasing me. This is the best way to protect you all and the rebellion. No one should have to die because I exist." Her mind was racing faster than her mouth as if she would falter in her intentions if she allowed her words to slow. However, as she looked into Echo's eyes, the ones he shared with Rex, different but the same, she could no longer keep the tears at bay. She saw a sadness in Echo's eyes as well as he walked to her and reached up his hand to brush the tears from her cheek.

"Are you sure this is what you want to do?" he asked quietly.

She sniffled, steadying her breath. "Of course I don't want to. But I have to, Echo. I love him. I have to keep him safe, and this is the only way I know how right now."

"Alright," he whispered. "Do you know where you're going?"

"No, and maybe that's for the best."

"Maybe."

He enveloped her in a tight hug, and she let a lone sob escape her throat. "Be safe out there, Senna. I hope you find whatever it is you're looking for," he whispered in her ear.

"You too, Echo. I hope you find your brother." She hesitated, her last request sticking in her throat. She swallowed thickly. "Take care of him."

"I will. I promise."

Without another word, she pressed a kiss to his cheek, turned and walked quickly out the door into the night.

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A particularly pesky sunbeam pushed through a crack in the curtains, hitting Rex right in the eye. He squeezed his eyes shut harder, eventually admitting defeat to the daylight as he sighed and sat up. Senna's side of the bed was empty and had gone cold. Looking around, he immediately noticed her pack was missing. Panic knotted his insides. No.

Scrambling out of the blankets, he heard something clatter to the floor. Squatting down, he picked up her datapad. She never would have left this. Surely not. He pressed the power button on the side, and the screen illuminated. There was a single file blinking on the screen with his name on it. Swallowing the growing lump in his throat, Rex opened it.

Rex,

I know you may never forgive me for this, but please understand that this is the only thing I know to do to keep you safe. You are the one I love, and would gladly lay my life on the line for you a thousand times, but when my presence is what is putting you at risk, I have to leave. I know you're angry and you'll be hurt, and I'm never going to forgive myself for that, but please understand I'm doing this because I love you more than anything. The Jedi teach that sacrifice is the greatest thing we can do for those we love, so I hope you understand the significance of my actions and that this brings you some comfort, however slight. If there was any other avenue, I'd take it without hesitation, please don't doubt that. I have no idea if we'll both be alive when this is over, but I do believe the light will prevail against the darkness, that the Empire will fall, and that our sacrifice here will not have been in vain. When it is safe, I hope I can find you again, but until then, I will look for you in my dreams.

I will always love you.

Senna