The Cuyaniverse Collection

Cejanr 11-20

Chapter 11

Rex couldn't think. He couldn't feel anything at all, really. He crawled up to the cott and must've fallen asleep at some point because the next thing he knew he was waking up to a sharp rapping on his door.

"Captain? It's Cody. Let me in?" Came his brother's muffled voice from the other side of the door. Rex shifted, grimacing as he realized that he had fallen asleep in his armor. He opened the door and let Cody in. The door slid shut behind him. Cody took in his disheveled state with a sigh.

"Sleeping in your armor?" He asked, his spine stiffening. "Is Ahsoka-"

"She's alright." Rex grunted. "And hates me with a passion." He dug at his eyes. On a thought, he pulled open a drawer in the dresser and pulled out a silver flask with a j scratched on the stopper. Cody's eyes widened.

"I thought you didn't drink. Kriffing haran, how long have you been saving that? That's one of Jesse's." He asked. Rex shrugged.

"He gave it to me after Kavado. Not long before the incident with Kenobi." He said, pulling out the cork and taking a swig. He grimaced as it burned on the way down. He offered it to Cody, who also took a drink. Cody sat on the desk as Rex plopped down on the bed.

"Spill. What happened?" Cody commanded. Rex could already feel the heat that burned his throat making its way into his veins.

"She yelled, slapped me across the face, accused me of leaving on purpose, gave me my old armor and threw the ring at me before telling me to leave. " Rex said in a long breath. Cody blinked, then let out a low whistle.

"Man, you really know how to make a girl happy."

Rex gave him a flat stare then sighed and his shoulders slumping. "Not funny." He said quietly, taking another drink from the flask. Cody's face softened. He put a hesitant hand on Rex's shoulder, and watched as his younger brother's world slowly crumbled.

"I'm sorry." Cody said after a second. Rex pressed his lips together, sighing through his nose. "You just left?" Rex gave a bitter chuckle.

"She asked me to. Her wishes will come above mine, every time." He sighed through his nose, taking another drink with a grimace. He offered the flask to Cody, who shook his head. Rex put it away. His head needed to be clear for the day at least.

"What are you going to do about it?" Cody asked. Rex shrugged.

"What can I do? She made it clear that I wasn't wanted." He dug at his eyes. "I left my comm number, but she'll probably sooner burn it that call me."

Cody winced. "That bad, huh?" Rex didn't answer. He forced himself to stretch, and rubbed at his eyes again blearily. They burned with unshed tears and the grittiness of sleep.

"Any word from Skywalker?" He asked, reaching for his datapad. Cody grabbed his wrist, stopping him.

"I know how worried you are for Ahsoka, but what about you? You're not going to do anything stupid?" Cody asked anxiously. Rex gave a rueful smile.

"I don't plan on it."

Cody relaxed slightly. "Good. That's good." He relaxed slightly. "The seppies went after Tup, but he's now safely back in republic custody. Him and Fives are on Kamino. The general will be back in a few hours, I'm sure he'll talk some sense into her." He said. Rex shook his head.

"I don't think that'll help much. Might even make it worse. I... I'll go back in a couple of days, if she doesn't call." Rex decided. "I really don't know what else to do."

Cody nodded, levering himself off his perch, making his way to the door.

"I'll be right down the hall if you need me. Force knows somebody has to do the kriffing paperwork of this battalion." He smirked. Rex's lips twitched, the closest approximation he could make to a real smile.