Warning, this chapter contains spoilers for Elegant. But I don't think it matters anyway because I haven't even written the part talked about in Elegant yet.

So it's more like a sneak peek? Idk.

Tw: Language, violence, pregnancy.

Rex returned to the medic as ordered, and sat on the edge of the exam table as he was told. He was a good sold-

Nope.

He didn't even care enough for that.

"Alright, Captain." The medic held out a needle. "I'm just going to sedate you, then I'll take care of that pesky headache."

Rex held up a hand, blocking the injection. "Why do I need to be sedated for that?"

The medic forced a strained smile. "It's just protocol. Now if you'll just-"

"I really don't see why I need to be sedated for this," Rex said and moved away from the medic. He was growing agitated and didn't like where this was going.

"Captain, please remain calm." The medic took a step back to give Rex some space. "Everything will be okay."

"Sorry." Rex forced the tension from his shoulders. "Why do I have to be sedated, though?"

"It's just a small procedure to fix a tiny problem in your head," the medic vaguely explained.

"Is this brain surgery? Because it sounds like brain surgery."

The medic smiled tightly. "Captain-"

"Actually, I don't think my headache is that bad," Rex decided and slipped off the table.

The medic quickly sidestepped to block the door before Rex could leave. "Captain, I really think it's best if you get the procedure done."

"And I really think I don't need to," Rex countered. His hand went to the pistol on his belt and he tapped it with his index finger. "Let me pass."

"Captain-"

And it all clicked.

Something was manipulating the clones. They were loyal and cared for their generals. Why did they all turn on the Republic and those they had worked so hard to protect?

And the medic was so adamant about the procedure on his brain or whatever the kriff was happening.

Rex wanted out. He was done with what the Empire was doing. He wanted to go live with Kara and-

Kara. They weren't even together anymore. So if they both made it out, there was no telling if something would ever happen.

Rex decided it didn't matter. He'd figure all that shit out later. Who knows if they'd even make it out in the first place.

"Where's Kara?" Rex raised the blaster up to the medic's face.

The medic froze. "That's classified."

Rex switched the safety off. "I won't ask again."

"She's with the Commander," the medic quietly told him. "He's escorting her to- to her execution."

"Why is she being executed?" Rex asked, stomach plummeting.

"Lord Lader ordered it and said she'd lost her use. He said she was an escape risk in prison, so he's getting rid of her." The medic cringed as Rex tensed.

Rex stunned the medic and started sprinting away.

"So," Kara drawled, gazing up at Wolffe. "How've you been?"

Wolffe didn't respond. He tugged her along, cashing her to stumble.

"Didn't you have a girlfriend or something?" Kara asked, trying to make conversation. "Whatever happened to that."

"She left. It's not really any of your business." Wolffe's helmet moved a fraction to the side as he stared down at her.

"Yikes, she just left?" Kara winced. "I know how that feels, believe me. Did she at least say goodbye?"

"She said goodbye." Wolffe gave her another yank, but this one seemed lighter. 

"So why'd she leave?" Kara curiously asked. "Rex left me because he turned psychotic or whatever."

"She was needed elsewhere," Wolffe vaguely answered. "I knew it was selfish to hold on to her."

"Sounds like it was rough," Kara sympathetically said. She hesitated for a second before saying, "Rex mentioned hearing about her. She's not doing too well apparently."

Wolffe hummed, sounding not too interested. "Yeah?"

"How long has it been since you two split up?" Kara causally asked.

"I don't want to talk about this with you," Wolffe told her

"I'm about to die, so it's not like I'm gonna tell anyone what you say," Kara pointed out. "Might as well do some trauma dumping."

Wolffe considered it before sighing. "After the Empire took over, we had fights. Then she got word that her parents died and she needed to go home to rule. She went back about a month ago."

Kara's eyebrows went up. "Only a month?"

"Yeah. What does it matter? She's gone," Wolffe bitterly said.

Kara's lips thinned. "You're right. It doesn't matter that you could be the father."

His head shot up. "What?"

"I thought it didn't matter?" Kara teased.

Even though she couldn't see his face, she knew he was glaring at her. "It obviously matters now! What do you mean by 'the father'?"

"She's pregnant." Kara grinned. "Not like you care, though. You'll be too busy with the Empire to check up on her, right?"

"I came to say goodbye to Rex before I deserted!" Wolffe exclaimed. "I'm leaving the Empire!"

"Oh, so you're not taking me to be executed?" Kara's eyes lit up.

Wolffe didn't reply.

"Wait, you're still executing me?" Kara cried out in outrage. She started furiously pulling on her binders.

"No. But I thought about it," Wolffe seriously said. 

Kara huffed. "Where are we going then?"

"I have a ship. There's a group of clone deserters on Teth we'll be joining. But first I have to visit Karina apparently." Wolffe pinched the bridge of his nose. "Sinker's gonna love this."

"This is gonna be so much fun!" Kara clapped her hands excitedly as they ended up on a landing pad. 

"Wait!" They could hear someone's desperate voice and hurried footsteps. 

They exchanged a look and Wolffe pulled out his blaster, and Kara got into a fighting stance. She had the binders on still, but it wouldn't be the first time she'd have to fight while partially bound.

Rex burst out onto the landing pad, helmet clutched in front of him. 

"Rex?" Kara rolled her eyes. "Are you trying to kill me again? Because I'm not in the mood for this."

"No." Rex shook his head. "I came to say I love you."

Wolffe muttered something under his breath, rolled his eyes, and went to fire up the engines.

"I've moved on." Kara's voice was steady and her gaze was cold. "I've learned my lesson. Are you just manipulating me again?"

"No, this time it's real." Rex threw his pistols on the ground in front of him to prove it. "I just want to be happy. With you. Being with you makes me happy!"

Kara swallowed thickly, pushing past the tears stinging her eyes. "I don't know if I can trust you. I tried, Rex. This is just... I don't know what to do."

Rex wiped under his eyes. "I'll wait. I'll be there for when you know."

"Why don't you come with us, vod?" Wolffe asked as he stepped onto the ship's ramp. "Apparently Echo needs help wrangling a new group."

"If it's okay with Kara." Rex turned to her. "Can I come?"

Kara nodded. "You can come. But if you try to kill me, I'll kill you first." She paused. "Shit. I need to find Alex."

"I did already. I just... didn't want to hand him over to Vader," Rex said. "He's with Ahsoka."

Kara let out a sigh of relief. "Good. I was worried I accidentally killed him."

"If she's pregnant and I'm the father I'm not letting you babysit," Wolffe said as she walked past him getting on the ship.

"Oh, come on!" Kara chased after him as he went to the cockpit. "Why not?"

Wolffe didn't respond and sat down in the pilot's seat. 

"Wolffe!" Kara whined. "Why not?"

"Go find a seat. And not the co-pilot's seat. Rex is sitting there." Wolffe shooed her away.

Kara rolled her eyes and stomped off to another seat. She sat down and tried to figure out how to work the buckles for the safety belt.

"Need some help?" Rex asked in amusement as she fiddled with the clasp on the buckle.

"No." 

Rex patiently waited.

"Okay, maybe."

Rex secured her in the chair, buckling her in. He gave her a teasing smile, eyes searching hers to make sure he wasn't crossing any boundaries. "This time I won't put the child lock on. Even if you need it."

Kara kicked his shin. "Kark off."

Mando'a translations:

Vod~~~~~ Brother

I won't be writing Hero for a bit until Elegant catches up, so this will be the last chapter for a bit.