Anakin had told Ahsoka, Rex, and Jammara to stay on board the cruiser while him and the others started the mission, at least until Kix said they could leave. That was the thing with war, you had to keep going even if your top soldiers were wounded.
Rex was taking a much needed nap, and she didn't want to disturb him, so Ahsoka was taking a stroll around the cruiser, wanting to stretch her legs. She decided to head down to the mess hall and grab some raw meat to fill some of the hunger. She was tired of constantly eating rations, so once she was in the mess, she went to the conservator and pulled out a small pack of meat. She went to go to a table when she heard a small clatter.
Curious, Ahsoka went to the source of the noise. It happened again and it seemed to be coming from a small closet. She pressed a button and the door slid open. Inside was a little Togruta girl sitting on the ground playing with plastic forks and other utensils.
"Oh no. Annalex, what are you doing here?"
Ahsoka went to the girl and scooped her up, causing her wounds to create some slight discomfort. She put Annalex on her hip and put the pack of meat back, then walked out of the mess hall. While walking through the hallways, she got a few confused looks from the few onboard staff. She would nod at them and continue walking. She got to Rex's quarters and inputted his passcode.
The door opened up and Ahsoka crept inside. She set Annalex on the ground and went over to Rex who was lying on his stomach. She put a light touch on his shoulder and shook him gently, "Rex. Rex, wake up, we have a situation." She said softly.
He let out a small groan and rolled over, "What is it?" He rubbed at his eyes, then sat up.
Ahsoka took a hold of his hand and helped him out of bed, then pointed to the small Togruta staring up at them. Rex blinked rapidly, "Wait.... what is she doing here?"
Ahsoka shrugged, "Not sure. I don't know how long she's been here or how she even got on. But that doesn't matter, 'cause Anakin's gone and he have to take care of a child."
"'We?' Ha, no I don't think so."
"There's no one else on board suitable for caring for her."
Rex was reluctant, "I don't know...."
"Come on, you're great with kids. We just have to feed her, keep her hydrated and entertained, and overall we just need to watch her. How hard can it be?"
"Don't say that. It can always be hard."
Annalex stared up at them with her big violet eyes. Rex glanced at Ahsoka, then got down on one knee to be somewhat eye level with her. "How old are you?" He asked. Annalex continued to stare and didn't say anything. "Okayyy." He looked at Ahsoka, "Approximate age?"
"Mmm, three, four maybe?"
"Okay. So she should know basic ideas and things, and being at the Temple— oh. How did she escape from the Temple?"
"Rex, I don't know. I'm as clueless as you. Annalex, are you hungry?"
"Yes." Came a small voice from the Togruta.
Rex smirked, "That's probably the second word I've heard from her. Not much a talker, is she?"
"All right. Well, go to the mess and get her some milk and snacky things."
"I have rations here."
"She's a child, she shouldn't eat rations. Not until she's older."
Rex groaned, "Fine." He stood up, "But I'm mad you woke me up."
"Be mad, I don't care. I know you'll get over it."
He rolled his eyes and walked out of the room. Ahsoka want to surprised that he slept in his armor, but it couldn't have been comfortable. She figured off he was tired enough, he could sleep in anything and anywhere. She felt a small tug on her leggings so she looked down.
"'Fresher?" Said Annalex.
"Oh. Uhhh, well, let's go I guess."
After a trip to the refreshers, the two Togrutas came back to Rex's quarters just as he came in with a drink and some small packs. Rex handed Annalex a glass of blue milk when Fives came into the door. Rex was about to say something when Fives stopped him, "Kix ordered me to stay onboard because while you two had an adventure, I got a concussion and he said to take it easy. Anyway, I heard about the kid, so I got you this." He handed Rex a datapad. "It's an downloaded book."
Rex read it aloud, " 'The New Parents' Guide to Raising a Healthy, Happy Child' by Doctor Djoser. Really?"
Ahsoka snorted and Fives grinned, "Yeah, I figured it could help you with.... whatever her name is. Plus, you guys are like parents now."
"Whatever." Rex scoffed.
Later that evening, Rex set up a small cot in his quarters for Annalex. The small Togruta was laying on it and he sat next to her, making sure she was comfortable enough. Ahsoka walked over to them and put a hand on her hip, "You're still with her?"
"Well every time I go to get in bed she starts crying." He said defensively.
"Right, right, she's crying. She shouldn't be crying, not at this age."
"Well, more like whining, it's the same thing."
"Mm, no, it's not. You're gonna spoil her, now come here." She went over to him and pulled on his arm, making him stand up, "You've been so busy with Annalex, we've hardly had anytime to ourselves,"
Rex took some steps away from the cot, "Yeah, I know. He looked at the girl, "But look at her, she's so cute."
She nudged him, "Look at you. Fatherhood suits you." She tugged on his arm again and started to lead him to the bed when Annalex let out a small whimper. Rex paused and turned around, but Ahsoka held onto his wrist, "Rex. Hey, she's fine. She's fine," she slid her hands to his waist, pulling him close to her, and kissed him, trying to coax him into bed, "Come on." Annalex sat up and reached out with her arms and whined again. Rex got out of Ahsoka's gasp and walked over to her. Ahsoka looked at the ground and frowned. She decided to go to bed, with or without him.
The next morning, Rex went down to the mess hall for breakfast. He sat down at an empty table with his tray and put his elbow on the table, supporting the side of his face with his hand. He nibbled a few ration cubes when Fives came over and sat down across from him, "So I was-oof, no offense, but you look like death warmed over."
"Gee, thanks. Well, I was up most of the night with Annalex—,"
"That's her name?" Fives assumed.
"Yeah. She wouldn't fall asleep and neither could I, plus Ahsoka seemed upset with me so my thoughts also kept me awake."
"Glad I'm not you. Y'know, when I was younger, I typically stayed up all night until I got so exhausted I fell asleep, so I guess I was like Annalex. Plus I was always hungry."
"What's changed?"
Fives smirked and shook his head, "So, you talked about Ahsoka, where is she now?"
"Contacting the Temple about our stowaway."
"Oh, well I don't know much about relationships, but if you and her aren't getting along at the moment, you should go to her instead of the other way around. But that's what I think, you don't have to do that."
"No, no, I was gonna apologize after she was done with the call— I can't believe I'm discussing this with you." Rex took a few gulps of his caf.
"Well the only reason I'm listening to your personal problems is because I'm bored."
"Then go do something with yourself as long as it doesn't include pranks, anything destructive, annoying, against the rules—,"
"Yeeaahh, I'll go now. Otherwise you'll start naming everything I'm the galaxy," Fives stood up and gave a quick mock salute and left.
Later that day, Ahsoka and Rex were in Rex's private quarters with Annalex again. He was about to say something when she held up a hand, "Save it. Right now, we have some choices. We can bring Annalex back to the Temple, we can have someone pick her up, or she might be able to stay here, but I doubt that."
"Oh, um. Well...." Rex walked over to Annalex and her small hands wrapped around his index finger. "Have you asked what she wanted?"
"She hasn't said a word since yesterday. She's not much of a talker."
"M'Kay, how 'bout we take her to the Temple.... if Kix allows it. If not— ow, she's very mouthy." Annalex started to naw on his fingers and he pulled them out of her mouth and rubbed them. She then looked all innocent and Rex couldn't help but smirk, "Aww, I suppose it's-,"
The door opened up and Fives appeared, "Doctor Djoser wouldn't like that."
"Where the shab did you come from?" Rex asked.
"Uh, the cloning tanks? You shoulda known that by now."
"Not what I meant. How long have you been waiting out there?"
Fives shrugged, "Long enough." He walked into the room, "As I was saying, Doctor Djoser said it's bad to reward naughty behavior," he gestured to the datapad he has given Rex earlier, "Have you even read that?" Rex opened his mouth when Ahsoka cut him off by grabbing his arm.
She pulled him away from the others and they had their backs turned, "I'm going to recontact the Temple, and I want you to watch Annalex," she said. "Also, we need to—," a yelp from behind stopped her and they turned around.
Fives was floating in the air upside down and Annalex was laughing manically with her arms outstretched. Fives called out for help and Rex quickly went over to the little Togruta. He got down on his knees in front of her, "Release him, ad'ika. Put him down please." He said as calmly as he could.
She stared at him for a few seconds, as if she were contemplating whether or not to obey. She dropped her arms to her sides and there was a loud thud and a groan. Rex turned his head and saw Fives lying on the floor. He turned back, "Thank you." And he stood up, "Okay, I think she needs to go back to the Temple so that Fives' concussion won't get worse."
Fives rubbed the back of his head as he sat up, "You coulda told me she was Force sensitive."
Ahsoka shrugged, "Well, now you know. I'm going to go make a call, and Rex, try to keep her out of trouble for a few seconds."
"I'll try." Rex said, "But I can't guarantee any promises."