A/N: I'm posting two chapters today because 1) I didn't update yesterday and 2) Updates will be slower soon because school starts for me in two days.

He walked in and saw Rex inside with Sabine. "Jax!" They both said. Rex ran up to him.

"Where were you?" He asked. "Wait, why do you have your lightsabers?"

"I just went to get some fresh air," Jax said. "And I decided to get out my lightsabers again. I feel like I owe it to my mom."

Rex hugged him, and Jax's eyes widened, but then he relaxed. "I thought I had lost you."

"I promise that I won't die," Jax said. "Not anytime soon."

Rex stepped back. "Happy birthday, Jax." He said. Jax had almost forgotten. It was his birthday!

"Thanks, Dad," Jax said. It was the first time he had used that name directly to Rex.

Rex's eyes widened again. "Your welcome, son." He said.

He went to his wardrobe and put a shirt on, and grabbed his blaster, and put it in his holster.

"Oh, it's a friend of mine's birthday today, too, and I asked her to meet up with me during lunch so that we could have some cake," Jax said. "I hope that's okay."

"It's fine," Rex replied. "Who's your friend?"

"Her name is Alema," Jax replied.

"She's in the Phoenix Squadron," Sabine said. "She's one of Hera's best pilots."

Jax nodded. "That's her." He didn't think that there was another Alema in the Phoenix Squadron, and she did say that she taught herself to fly.

"Let's go see what Hera's done with that cake of yours," Rex said. "Then I've got some gifts for you."

Jax smiled. "Great." He said. "I'm hungry."

"Oh, no," Rex said. "You are not having cake for breakfast." He said.

"Oh, come on!" Jax said.

"That's an order, soldier," Rex said. "Now, go get some breakfast that is accepted by society and not your stomach."

"If I go up to someone and ask them if cake is a normal breakfast, and they say yes, can—"

"No," Rex said. "Never thought that I'd have to supervise my sixteen-year-old's breakfast because he wants cake." He grumbled.

"I heard that!" Jax yelled.

"That was kind of the point," Rex said. "Now get going."

"'Kay," Jax said, and he grabbed a ration from the kitchen. Rex grabbed one, too, and they went back to their room to eat.

After they ate, Rex went to his room and came back a few moments later with a small pouch. He sat next to Jax on his bed.

"Here's your present," Rex said. He dumped out the pouch, and inside there were holograms.

"What are these?" Jax asked. "I mean, I know what they are, but what...?"

"They're pictures," Rex replied. "Your mother gave me these before you left. And this one," he said, picking up a hologram. "This one is a video. You should watch it."

"Okay," Jax said. He set it on the ground and opened it, and he saw his mother. She looked the same as she did before they left for Malachor.

"Jax," she said. "If you're getting this, I just want you to know that I am so, so proud of you. I love you, and I just want you to know that I will always be with you. I didn't want to leave you, and I didn't want to leave Rex either."

Jax smiled, tears forming in his eyes. "Grr. Stupid emotions." He said. "I hate crying."

"I don't know when Rex will give this to you, but I just—" she paused. "I guess I don't really know what to say because I don't know what will happen. But I guess, I just want to say that I'm sorry. I don't want to go down this path, but if it's what the Force wills, then there's nothing I can do. And to be honest, I am terrified to go to Malachor. I feel like Vader will be there, and I'm not ready to—" her voice broke, and she wiped her eyes. "I'm not ready. I'm not ready to leave you, and I'm not ready to face Vader. Now, you may be wondering why, and it's because, if what I've seen is correct, Vader is someone I loved. A brother to me. And Jax, that's why I was crying in the Temple. I saw him. I saw Anakin. And he is Vader. But I don't know if that's true, but I'm almost sure it is. I just don't want to admit it. Jax, please just, don't spend time lying in bed and missing me. Remember me, please do. And talk to people. Don't be afraid, and please, do some good in the world. I love you." And the hologram shut off.

Jax looked over at Rex, and he saw that his eyes were wide, and his eyes were wet.

"Rex?" He asked.

Rex blinked. "Yeah?"

"Are you okay?" Jax said.

"Yeah, I'm okay," Rex said.

"No, you're not," Jax replied. "Mom never told me... she never said anything about Vader being her master. How was she able to keep that secret?"

"Your mom's stubborn," Rex said. "She wouldn't want to admit it. She was in denial. And I am too, I guess. I really hope that she was wrong."

"That explains it." Jax realized.

"What?"

"When we were at the temple, Mom cut open Vader's mask, and she told him 'I won't leave you, not this time.'" Jax said. "She wasn't going to leave him again like she did when she left the Jedi Order, or when she went to Mandalore."

Rex closed his eyes. "I'm sorry, for crying on your birthday."

"No, it's fine," Jax replied. "I've never had my birthday with my dad before, and this one has been special to me. This has been one of the best yet."

"Thanks," Rex said. "Here, look at the pictures."

Jax nodded, and he opened the five of them up. One was of him as an infant, his mom looking a little older than he was, smiling, and holding him.

The next one was of them having a lightsaber duel, and Jax had Ahsoka pinned down and had a blade at her neck. It was the first time that Jax had beaten his mother. It didn't happen much, but he did it from time to time. That was only a few years back.

The next one was of Ahsoka, but she looked younger, about Jax's age. She was with another person, who Jax assumed to be Anakin Skywalker, her master, and behind them was a bearded Jedi, who she assumed was Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Then it was Ahsoka, but she looked to be about three years old, and she was with a Jedi who had a breathing device on his mouth, and goggles on his eyes, and orange skin. Plo Koon! Jax realized. It was the Jedi Master who brought his mother to the Jedi Temple on Coruscant.

And the last picture was of Ahsoka and Rex. Ahsoka looked to be about the same age she was when she had Jax, and Rex looked significantly younger. He didn't have a beard, and he was in full clone armor, and he had a helmet in one hand and had the other hand around Ahsoka's waist.

"That was you guys?" Jax asked.

"That was us," Rex said. "We were on Mandalore, and it was right before we went into the sewers, and Ahsoka met Maul. This was before everything changed."

"There is General Kenobi, the one with the beard," Rex said, pointing to the picture of Ahsoka with Anakin. "And that's General Skywalker with her."

Jax nodded. "I feel like there's a whole other life that Mom never really told me about."

"There's a lot of things your mother never told anyone," Rex said. "I'll leave you alone for now." And Rex left his room.

Jax sat in his room, looking at the pictures for what seemed like no time at all, but was apparently a while.

Rex came up to his room. "Hey, it's lunchtime now." He said. "Hera finished your cake. They're in the Ghost."

"Okay," Jax said back softly. "I'll be there in a few seconds."

Rex nodded and left. After a few moments, Jax left his room and went to find Alema, and saw her by an A-wing. She turned around when she saw him coming up to her.

"Hey," Jax said. "It's lunchtime. Happy birthday." He said.

Alema gave him a small smile. "Thanks."

"Now come on," Jax said. "I've got a present for you after this."

"Really?" Alema asked, her eyes lighting up.

"Really," Jax said. "Let's not leave them waiting."

They ran to the Ghost, and when Jax walked into the ship, he saw Ezra, Hera, Sabine, Zeb, and Chopper. Kanan was there too, surprisingly, and Rex was there, but Jax already knew that he was going to be.

"This is my friend, Alema," Jax said. "It's her birthday today, too." Alema gave a small wave.

"Alema," Hera said. "You didn't tell me it was your birthday today. I could have gotten you something as a present."

"No, no, Captain," Alema said. "It's no big deal, I swear."

"It really is, though," Hera said. "You're one year older! And you're a part of my squadron. I'll get you something by the end of today, I promise."

"You don't have to," Alema said. She seemed really nervous to be getting so much attention. "It's really Jax's birthday today, don't worry about me. I swear, it's no big deal."

"Okay," Hera said, unconvinced. "You can have the first piece, as long as Jax is okay with that."

"I'm fine with it," Jax said. "It's her birthday too." He turned to Alema. "Should we sing?" He asked.

"No," Zeb said.

"No," Sabine said.

"Yes!" Ezra said, pumping a fist into the air. "It's their birthday, we should sing to them. It's a tradition

"We should sing," Hera said. "Unless you two don't want us to." Hera raised an eyebrow.

"You guys don't have to," Jax said.

Alexa nodded in agreement. "Yeah,"

Hera shrugged. "Okay. First pieces for the birthday kids!" She announced and cut the cake. She gave Alema and Jax the biggest slices, and they took them with gratitude.

"I'm sorry if this is weird for you," Jax said, taking a bite of his piece of cake. "You seem nervous around them, and I invited you after knowing you for a few hours."

"No, no," Alema said. "It's fine."

"Are you sure?" Jax asked. "Be honest."

"I am." She insisted.

Jax smiled and walked up to Rex. "Alema and I are going to leave, okay?"

Rex nodded. "Just don't be stupid."

"I won't," Jax promised, and he pulled Alema by the arm out of the Ghost and to his room, Alema tripping over her feet, trying to balance her cake on her plate as she ran.

"Jax!" She said. "Where are we going?"

"My place." He said.

"Why?" Alema asked.

"Because," he said, stopping at his room and walking in, Alema following him. "You don't seem to like talking to people, and you seem more comfortable with a smaller crowd."

"You didn't have to do this, you nerf-herder." She said. "I can take care of myself."

"You don't seem to be very mad at me," Jax replied.

"Fine, I don't like talking," Alema said. "I just don't want to get close to anyone. I don't want to lose them, and I don't want them to betray me."

"They won't, I promise," Jax said. "You could have a family again," Jax said. "At least try to get to know them better. For me." Jax asked.

"Fine." She grumbled. "I've known you for a few hours, and for some reason, I've decided to trust you."

"A horrible decision, really," Jax said.

Alema rolled her eyes, "I know that."

"Now, I'm eating my cake," Jax said. "I'm hungry."

"Okay," Alema said, taking a piece of her cake off with a fork and eating it.

They finished their cakes in silence, and then Jax asked, "You know Hera?"

"She's my Captain," Alema said. "I wouldn't say I know her, but I've worked with her, fought battles with her."

"That's why you should trust me!" Jax exclaimed. "You could get to know your captain, and you can have an amazing new friend!"

"Sure," Alema said. "People. Yay."

Jax laughed. "We should get back to the Ghost." He said. "They'll be getting worried about us."

"Okay," Alema agreed. "Lead the way."

They walked back to the Ghost, and Rex was talking to Ezra, a hand on his shoulder. Ezra looked at Jax, and Rex looked his way too. "Hey, Jax," Rex said.

"Hey," he replied. "What's up?"

"Not much," Ezra said. "How's your girlfriend?" He asked.

Jax felt his face grow warm, and Alema was blushing. "Wha-what? She's not my girlfriend."

"No," Alema said. "Absolutely not, Jedi." She said, crossing her arms.

Ezra raised his arms. "Okay!" He said. "Tell me that in a few months." He walked out of the Ghost.

Rex walked up to Jax and Alema. "I never believe we got a formal introduction, did we?" Rex asked. "I'm Rex, Jax's father."

"Alema," Alema responded. "It's good to meet you."

"Take care of my son, will you?" Rex said. "He'll need someone other than me to keep him in line."

"I will," Alema promised with a laugh.

"Hey!" Jax protested. "I'm right here, you know!"

"Jax, I'm not blind," Rex said. "Now, we have work to do. The Empire never rests. Let's go. Commander Sato probably has something for us to do. You can come if you want, Alema."

"Thanks," Alema said. "But my ship needs some repairs done, so I'll have to go."

"Oh," Jax said. For some reason, he was really, really, disappointed, even though he didn't know her very well. "Okay." He said. "See you later."

"See you." She said, walking out the Ghost.

"Let's go, son," Rex said, and Jax followed him out of the Ghost. "You like her, don't you?" He asked. "Like, as more than a friend."

"I think so," Jax said. "But I don't want to rush anything. And I don't really know her. I haven't known her for long. Just a few hours."

"You're being very mature about this, Jax," Rex said. "And I'm—"

"Don't say you're proud of me." Jax interrupted.

"Me?" Rex asked. "Never. Now let's go."

They walked over to Commander Sato, who was talking to a pilot.

"Commander Sato," Rex said.

"Lieutenant Tano," Sato said. "Rex."

"Commander, we were wondering if you had a mission for us," Rex asked. "Or a supply run?"

"No," Commander Sato said. "I made sure that you had today off, Jax."

"Thank you, Commander," Jax said.

"Also, Jax," Sato added. "I've been meaning to do this for a while, and since you have shown your bravery and courage so many times, and continue to, I have decided to promote you to Captain," he said.

Jax's eyes widened. "Really?" he asked.

"You've earned it, Jax," Hera said, walking up to them.

"Thanks, Hera," Jax replied. "And thank you, Commander Sato."

"No," Commander Sato said. "Thank you. Captain."

Jax saluted Sato, and Sato did the same.

"Now, go," Sato said. "Enjoy your birthday."

"Thanks, Commander," Jax said, and he walked away, back to his room.

He went into his storage bin and grabbed two small pistols, almost identical to the ones Rex used. He grabbed them and walked to Alema, who was under her A-wing, doing repairs.

"Hey," Jax said.

Alema slid out from under her ship. She stood up and wiped her hands on her leggings. "Hey," she replied.

"I got you a present," Jax said, handing her the pistols.

She took them carefully. "Jax, you didn't have to do this," she said. "Wow."

"They're some old stuff I had lying around. I used to use them, but I can't shoot using both of my hands. Jax said. "I thought they were something you could figure out how to use."

"Thank you, so much," Alema said.

"Wanna practice with them?" Jax asked.

"What do you mean?" Alema asked.

"My dad has a bunch of targets that we use for our blaster practice," Jax said. "We have them set up in a small training area around here."

"Really?" Alema asked.

"Really," Jax said. "C'mon, I'll show you."