Chapter Text
Hodie mane sciebam quis essem, sed postea aliquotiens mutatus sum. – i knew who i was this morning but i've changed a few times since then
They soon reach their ships. Agandaur and the other rebels are already there, quickly sporting a story of how they blew up any remaining shuttles and have lined explosives through most of the base. Camila nods in approval as she’s ushered towards her ship, the tale confirming the rebels' word about Agandaur’s prior orders.
She forces Gregor to a stop when she spots Rex and Echo’s arrival. Two of the freed clones are supporting Wrecker and Astoria quickly runs from her position beside Camila to Wrecker.
The others following, supporting… the assassins?
“What the fuck?” Hazel mutters, fixing on a faint glare, barely noticeable from the grime on her face. Camila wonders if she was caught in an explosion or something.
“My sentiment exactly.” Narvor says as they all stare at the group in disbelief. Taelia trails behind them, glancing between the assassins and her datapad.
“These are the strays?” Hazel gestures a hand at them as Rex and Echo stop in front of them.
“Yep.” Echo replies, tiredly, watching as they’re loaded onto the clone transport, “You got to see this.” He gestures them forward and they walk over to them.
Camila gasps, recognising a few. On one of the clones, there’s a faint, all too familiar, scar across one eye. Another has a scar on his forehead. Too familiar. Almost painfully so.
Camila steps away from Gregor and crouches down beside one.
“Wolffe?” Her voice is pained and she raises a hand to hover over the scarred eye.
“Hemlock reprogrammed them.” Rex says, angrily, his eyes switching between each in turn, lingering on Cody.
There’s a scream and everyone’s heads dart up. Hazel drops to her knees beside one of the assassins, her hand clasping his face and a loud sob slipping past her lips. Wrecker and Astoria linger behind her, Wrecker watching, pained, and Astoria clearly in shock.
Camila moves quickly, ignoring the searing pain in her waist and thigh, and rushes over. She stutters to a halt once she notices the clone.
“Tech..?” She mutters, hands flying to her mouth. Hazel’s hands run over Tech’s chest, shaking him and checking him.
Camila kneels beside her sister, bringing a hand up to stroke her back.
“They’re going to wake up.” Taelia informs them, kneeling on the opposite side of Tech, “It will take a while but they will return to their normal selves. I installed a flaw into the programming so I could do so. I was just searching for the right moment to turn Hemlock’s projects against him.”
Hazel nods faintly, leaning her head down to rest against Tech’s.
“They’ll be okay?” Camila whispers and Taelia nods rapidly. Camila leans into Hazel, whispering reassurances and stroking her back.
“How could they do this?” Hazel whispers, “How is he still alive? Does that mean..?” She trails off but doesn’t move from Tech. The man she mourned, the man she wanted to die for because she couldn’t live without him. Her eyes flicker to the helmet beside her love and her heart clenches.
Hazel releases another sob and Camila presses a kiss to the side of her hair.
More people run onto the landing pad and the group, excluding Hazel, look up to see the remainder of the people they were rescuing. Camila stiffens and gasps. Hazel looks up, blinking past her tears and then tightly gripping Camila’s hand.
“Lena!” Astoria leaves Wrecker’s side and almost flings herself into Lenaira’s arms.
“You’re alive too?” Camila eases herself to her feet, grimacing but quickly covering it.
“What do you mean, too?” Omega asks.
Camila steps aside, revealing the unconscious Tech to newcomers.
Hunter and Crosshair move quickly (Jayana almost flush against the sniper’s side) but not as quickly as Omega, who drops her grip on Lena's hand and falls to her knees beside Hazel.
“We should get moving.” Narvor instructs.
Camila whispers something to Hazel then holds onto Hazeen as she walks down the ramp. Rex watches her and she smiles at him.
“See you in a minute.” She grins. He nods, but she watches as his eyes flicker to where she gently cradles her waist.
Camila stops in front of Lena. She pulls the woman into a gentle hug.
“I’m so happy you’re okay.” She whispers.
“I almost ended up like them.” Lena replies, “I lost it. I lost it all.”
Camila pulls away with a frown. The former-captain rubs a hand against her stomach and Camila’s face drops.
“Oh, Lena.” She breathes, her eyes flickering to Hunter. He watches them from a distance, an unreadable look in his eyes.
“At least you’re okay now. And you’re not alone.” She hugs the agent again and the woman releases a silent sob. Astoria appears and gently guides Lena back to the ship.
Camila turns to Jayana and crosses her arms.
“Well?” She asks, ignoring Crosshair’s questioning glare.
“You’re welcome.” Jayana says, quietly, “I killed the inquisitors and saved the kid. They took a piece of me with them.” She holds up her mawed hand.
“Well, at least it’s not your head.” Camila replies then hugs her too.
They pile into the ships and pull out of the landing bay, the Silver Angel joining them. Together, the ships cut through the planet’s rain and into the atmosphere.
“We’ll see you at home, Senator.” Agandaur’s voice cuts over the comm.
“Thank you for your assistance.” Camila replies, genuinely.
“Always.” Agandaur replies then clicks off.
“Glad we could help too.” A voice adds from the Silver Angel.
“Yeah, thanks for that.” Rex replies, “I’ll be in contact soon.”
“Thank you.” Camila adds and then that line clicks off as well. The last two ships continue their course to Pabu.
The clones settle quickly on Pabu and Camila is quick to receive proper medical attention. Rex doesn’t leave her side, watching her with his arms crossed and an annoyed look on his face. He hadn’t been happy once he discovered her injuries. The imprisoned children were already enjoying themselves once they arrived and the Doctor who rescued them was quick to join Taelia.
Jayana’s hand is wrapped and Lena receives the full check-up. One of the island’s nurses also mentioned something about an ultrasound ‘just to double check’. Camila’s heart aches for the childless mother.
“All done.” Astoria smiles at her then heads over to the still-unconscious assassins.
Camila sits up, wincing slightly, and watches the three doctors flitter between the bodies. Her eyes linger on Hazel, the woman still stuck to Tech’s side.
“Omega’s free now.” Camila says, “They all are.”
She raises her eyes to Rex, getting to her feet.
“Emerie’s joining Echo and Gregor to Pantora.” Rex informs her, “Along with some of the clones. And Hunter and I are working on reuniting the kids with their families.”
Camila nods and looks around the courtyard.
“I’m glad they’re safe now.”
Rex nods but doesn’t look away from her.
“On Tantiss,” He starts, “you told me you loved me. You haven’t said that before.”
Camila doesn’t reply at first, her eyes lingering on Hunter, Lena, Omega and Batcher sitting at the base of the centre tree.
“You meant it?” Rex asks, softly but slightly tedious.
Camila turns to him, smiling but surprised by his question.
“Of course I meant it.” She frowns, stepping closer to him, “I’ve been slowly falling back in love with you since the minute you came back into my life. I didn’t realise how much I missed you until you weren’t around.” She brings her arms up to his neck, interlocking her fingers, “I’ve always loved you, Rex. Even after everything that happened during the war, my love for you never ceased. It just ached.” She leans up, bringing their heads close and brushing their noses together, “I love you, Rex. I’m so, so in love with you.”
Rex surges forward, crashing their lips together. She gasps, returning it tenfold. His hands grip her waist and they stumble back slightly. His tongue brushes her lip, seeking entry. She grants it, tilting her chin up and pulling him impossibly closer.
“You’re going to be the death of me.” He murmurs into her mouth and she grins.
“Only if you take me with you.” She replies and he kisses her again.
Rex’s ship kicks to life and Camila leans into the man she loves. Echo slowly boards the ramp, sparing a glance towards Hunter and Omega. Gregor chuckles, passing past him and shouting something back to them. Rex, Camila and Wrecker watch as the ship lifts off, casting a shadow across the courtyard.
Wrecker leaves their side and Rex and Mila wander over to the remaining clones. Rex strikes up a conversation with them and Hazeen. Camila turns slightly. She watches as Wrecker and Crosshair join Hunter, Lena and Omega under the tree; Crosshair’s arm is around Jayana’s waist and she leans into him as they sit down as well.
“They’re going to be alright.” Kaya says, appearing beside her.
Camila nods.
“And they’re not alone.” She adds.
Kaya smiles softly and wraps an arm around her sister-figure.
“So, are you and Rex together now?”
Camila groans, throwing back her head as Kaya laughs.
“You’re impossible.” She grumbles, turning away to head over to her sister.
“You love him. You love him.” Kaya sings, trailing after her.
Camila’s face blares red as she stomps over to Hazel.
“Love who?” Hazel asks, looking up. There’s not much emotion on her face but that doesn’t stop Camila and Kaya smiling at her. Not sympathetically but happy, loving.
“Rex.” Kaya replies, dropping onto the crate beside Tech. A small smile appears on Hazel’s lips and despite Mila’s displeasure from the teasing it doesn’t stop her smiling at the reaction.
“Has it really taken you this long to notice?” Hazel asks.
Camila rolls her eyes, standing opposite and crossing her arms.
“I had my reasons.” She grumbles.
Kaya and Hazel share a look.
“Sure.” They say together.
“But you do love him?” Hazel asks, her voice gentle. Camila stares at her sister’s hand as it holds Tech’s one.
“Yeah. I do.” Camila nods.
Hazel and Kaya share a look then start making kissy faces. Camila rolls her eyes and uncrosses her arms. She turns away from the two and walks over to Wolffe and Cody. Her eyes linger on an unconscious Fox as she passes, her chest aching.
She’s never been overly fond of the Commander, especially after what happened with Ahsoka and Fives but to see these clones like that. Camila settles onto the crate between Wolffe and Cody.
“You’re fucking dumbasses.” She mutters to them.
Her gaze flickers up as Taelia approaches. The woman lingers longer on Wolffe than the others. Her hand takes Wolffe’s and her fingers trace over the man’s stomach.
“You know him?” Camila asks, softly.
“A while ago. Yes.” Taelia replies, “I’ve known my fair share of clones.” The doctor’s gaze flickers over to Howzer as he converses with Narvor, “But Wolffe always lingered.”
Taelia returns her gaze to him and Camila’s eyes widen in realisation.
“You love him?” She questions.
Taelia says nothing and Camila turns away from the two. Her eyes linger on Cody’s face.
“Don’t leave him.” Camila whispers, glancing over at Rex, “Your brothers need you.”
The Senator gets up and returns to her boyfriend. He welcomes her with a smile, pulling her in by the waist and continuing his conversation.
They’re safe now. Together.