Because Of You - Blurb 1

Horror. That had been the only thing the Captain's mind was able to register at the sight of the burning ship. He'd stood frozen to the bluff that he, Anakin Skywalker and Ahsoka Tano stood on. Below them in the slight valley lay the burning wreckage of a Narerian ship, a ship that had held Serrah Arlaia.

Rex felt his heart lurch into his throat at the thought of Serrah, his Serrah, being on board. Before he could process the action he was running, as fast as he could for the wreckage. He barely noticed that Anakin and Ahsoka were beside him, sprinting for the crash.

The Trooper vaulted over a bit of debris, scrambling up the small hill that the ship that formed during its smash into the planet. He scanned the wreckage, his visor reflecting the fire and debris.

"No no, she has to be here somewhere..." His mind was screaming.

"We need rescue immedietly!" Ahsoka's voice seemed hazy, pushed aside by his mind. Finding Serrah was all he could think of.

A small voice pinged in the back of his head. "This is why such relationships are forbidden..."

"Serrah!" Rex silenced the thought, of course he'd considered it before, but he didn't care. It was worth it, Serrah was worth it.

He barely noticed the explosion, ignoring the bits of smoking debris that rained against his form. He tore through the bits of gnarled metal, making his way to the hatch. He started as Anakin took hold of his arm.

"Rex, we have to wait... it's too dangerous." The Jedi's face showed his own anguish.

Rex looked to the ship once more before he allowed Anakin to lead him back to a safe distance. The Clone dropped to the ground, staring blankly at the wreck.

Ahsoka dropped to her knees beside him, placing a hand on his shoulder.

Anakin was staring at the flames as well. He glanced to Rex, his expression promising that he knew how Rex felt, having to leave the one he loved's life to fate. The older Jedi's hands clenched and unclenched as he looked back to the crashed ship.

Rex hung his head, doing all he could to refrain from screaming and charging back into the debris to find her, to bring her back to his side. He took to screaming in his mind, balling his hands into fists.

"Serrah... Serrah... please..." He felt tears forming in his eyes.

"Rex!" Serrah's voice echoed softly in his helmet.

Rex started, jerking upright and scrambling to his feet.

Ahsoka blinked, rising with him and glancing around for some unseen threat. "What is it?"

"I..." he whipped around, scanning the area. "I heard her... in my, helmet..." He raised one hand, tapping the side of his helmet.

Again, her voice. "Rex! Can you hear me?"

"No..." He let his hand fall to his side. "In my head..."

Ahsoka and Anakin seemed to find this unsurprising.

"What's she saying?" Anakin asked, watching the Captain intently.

"Serrah, I can hear you baby! I can hear you!" Rex laughed, glancing skywards.

She was smiling, he could feel her smiling. "I'm alright, we're alright. We managed to get into an escape pod, but our transmitter was damaged."

Rex laughed again, his tears finally spilling over in response to his joy. "They're alright!" He turned east, breaking into a sprint. "She's this way, I know she is..."

Again the two Jedi didn't seem to find this odd. The Clone normally would've pondered if the Jedi were always able to talk with their minds like this, but he could only focus on one thing, getting to her.

After what seemed like an eternity a figure appeared over the nearest hill, four more joined it.

"There they are!" Ahsoka's voice was etched with joy.

Another eternity. Crossing the plains to them, to her.

Blood and grime was caked to her face, spotted along her robes, but she was smiling. She was alright.

Rex dropped his blaster, opening his arms to catch Serrah. They laughed, clutching each other madly while silent tears fell. She smiled, pressing her forehead against his.

"I thought I'd lost you..." Rex's voice wavered slightly though he still smiled.

Serrah closed her eyes, tightening her embrace. "Never..."