Rex stared at the figure a long time, wondering who it was. The more he stared, the more he had a feeling he knew who.
“Arvanna? Is that you?” Rex asked aloud.
She froze, terrified he already knew. She just wanted to disappear. She didn’t want to see him again. She sighed, then removed the hood of the cloak, and turned to see him.
“Yes Rex, it’s me,” she softly said as she looked at him.
Sato gasped as did others at her red eyes, assuming she was a Sith. Her hair was still fiery red from that day on Korriban. A lot of things changed that day.
“You brought a Sith here?” Sato asked.
“She’s not a Sith,” Rex said, then turned to her again. “What happened to your eyes?”
“I don’t know. When we went to Malachor, the temple got activated. Once it did, I had this odd feeling and ended up passing out.”
“She had weird black markings around her eyes, and was mumbling something,” Ezra added.
“Just like that one time,” Rex said.
“You mean… when we went to Korriban?” She softly asked.
“Yeah, your eyes were black and red, and had these weird markings around them. Well, amongst other things. Like your hair. It still never went back to normal?”
“No, it’s stayed red since.. that day. Maybe it’s a reaction to the place?”
“It could be, you did go back to mostly normal after we left Korriban.”
“Why were you on Korriban?” Kanan was surprised.
“Visiting family,” she chuckled painfully.
Kanan had a confused look on his face. Arvanna and Rex stared at each other a long time.
“I could take you to a ship, if you wouldn’t mind me escorting you,” he smiles.
His voice was soft and tender to her the whole time. Not his usual louder personality around everyone else. He held out his arm for her to link hers through. She took off the cloak and handed it back to Kanan.
“Thank you for letting me use this.”
“Not a problem. Hopefully we’ll see you again.”
“We’ll see. The force works in mysterious ways.”
She linked her arm through his, and they walked out of the command center.
“Was that weird?” Ezra asked. “They acted so weird with each other.”
“That’s because they used to be lovers.”
“Lovers? Really? I thought Jedi couldn’t form attachments?” Ezra asked.
“She was… a special case.”
“Because of being a Sanguine?”
“Sort of. It was extremely complicated.”
As Rex and Arvanna walked through the halls, Arvanna stared at the ground, not sure what to say. It has been so long since she saw him.
“You’re looking good,” he said as they walked.
“You’re not so bad yourself. Never pictured you with facial hair,” she smiled.
“I’m trying a new look, like it?” he smiled back.
“I liked your baby face more,” she chuckled. “But you’re still so handsome like this too.”
They come up to a ship similar to the Phantom, called The Poltergeist. There was someone standing outside of it and walked up to them.
“So you’re paying for the ship right?” the man asked.
“Yes, do you have the sale pad?” she asked.
“Yes, right here,” he handed it over to her.
She looked it over, seeing the price was a little high, but fair for the fact they were losing a ship. She put in a code so that credits could be transferred and she paid. The man bowed and walked away.
“So, this is it,” Rex said solemnly.
“Until we meet again,” she smiled sadly.
There was a moment of silence as they stared at each other again. She could feel the words at the tip of his tongue, but he was too nervous to say it. Even though it had been so long since she fed on him, she could still read his feelings and thoughts.
“I still love you too,” she said and started to cry. “I never stopped caring about you.”
There was a pained look on his face before he drew her in close in a tight embrace. She was shocked at first, not having flesh and bone contact in a long time. It felt like a weight was lifted from her chest, and she held him tightly.
“You don’t have to tell me Rex, it’s okay. I know.”
They were still holding each other. She knew every word he wanted to tell her but couldn’t figure out how to say it. How he cared for her, missed her terribly, hoped she was alright, wished she would stay, wished he could help her.
“I wish this moment could last forever,” Rex mumbled softly into her ear. “I miss you so much.”
“I feel the same way. I’m sorry. I’m just… I’m on a different path now. Everything is so dark. After… after Korriban and then the Order… I don’t know who I am anymore. I’m in so much pain.”
“I wish I could just take that pain away for you,” he softly said as he held her close.
“I know. Truly you are an amazing man Rex. Never forget that. And I’ll never forget you.”
“I’ll never forget you either, Arvanna.”
They end their hug, and she wipes her tears away to see Rex wipe his own. She touches his chest a moment, then leans in and kisses his lips. She knew how much he wanted one last kiss. As did she. When she pulled back and looked into his eyes again, he gasped softly.
“Your eyes, they’ve returned to normal. There’s no markings, and they are blue again.”
“You always knew how to heal me,” she softly smiled.
“Just be safe, okay?” Rex said.
“I will be, thank you. For everything you’ve ever done for me.”
She starts to tear up again, but turns and gets into the ship. Once it takes off, Rex walks back inside.
The others see how sad he looks, and Kanan walks up to him.
“You alright?” Kanan asked.
“I just… I didn’t want her to go.”
Ezra see’s how upset Rex is, and feels bad for him.
“I know. But she’s on her own path now.”
“I know… it doesn’t make it hurt any less though,” Rex sighed and walked off.
As she left the planet, she had no idea where to go, or what to do. She slinked down and began crying hard. Everything came bubbling back to the surface and she couldn’t take it. The emotions choked her and she just started screaming. In anguish and pain, she let it all out. Losing so many created a black hole in her chest. And it felt like it was getting bigger and bigger. She didn’t know where to go or what to do. She just sat there, alone on the ship.
I should have just stayed. Rex was always the best part of me. He brought out the good in me, and kept me from doing anything rash. What am I doing? Should I go back?
Then her thoughts went to Maul.
Should I find him? Should I seek him out and follow him? He knows all about this kind of pain. I… I don’t know what to do…
The sorrow overtook her as she decided to set a course for the nearest system. After that, she went to her quarters and decided to sleep. There wasn’t anything else to do, and dwelling on her past was only causing more pain.
She lay there, in the bed, lonely and wondering what was going to happen. She had been wandering for so long she didn’t know what to do anymore. As time went on, she slowly started to fade into slumber.