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“Yes,” I giggle. “I think we are friends now.”

“So, what did you want to name him?”

I wave at the television and smile. “Captain Rex.”

“I think that’s perfect,” Theo says, petting his soft pink ears. “Maybe…just Rex though.”

“Rex…” I murmur, “because he is a good friend.”

“I like it.” There is a long silence while Theo scratches Rex on the back of his neck.

“Theo,” I say at last. “Do you believe…that people can overcome the way they were made to be? The way they were created?”

He sighs and glancesat the screen too. “You mean like Rex does there at the end? To protect Ahsoka?”

“Yes. He cared about his friends enough to resist it when they tried to make him follow the order to kill Jedi. Do you think…that is actually possible?”

“Annie,” says Theo gently, “it’s just a show. But…I also think you’re strong enough to fight anything that anyone throws at you.”

“I will try,” I tell him, just as something overwhelming rises up in my chest. It is not Annoth, attempting to take over. This is a human emotion, I think, but I do not know which one. “I will try…for you and Ben…because I love you both.”

There is a burning sensation behind my eyes, and when I put my fingers to my face, they come away wet. My body shudders with a tiny sob.

“Annie,” Theo gasps, dipping his head to inspect my face. “Annie, are you crying?”

“A-am I?” My words come out strangled, choked by the lump in my throat, but Theo actually laughs, and pulls me against him. My body shakes and my chest heaves, sending more tears spilling from my eyes and down my cheeks. “Why is this happening?”

“I don’t know,” he murmurs into my hair. Rex lifts his head and chirps at us, then begins purring again. The sensation of it, of his warmth and closeness and trust, causes me to cry even harder, until I am sobbing into Theo’s chest, clutching his shirt. Rex does not move from my lap, however—just curls into a tighter ball and continues purring.

I must have fallen asleep in Theo’s arms, because when I open my eyes again, it is morning. Theo is awake, lying under me, and we are covered in blankets, while Ben sits on the chair beside us. My cheeks feel taut, dry, and my eyes are still puffy. I listen to them talk for a moment and realize that Theo is explaining to Ben what happened the night before.

“Yeah, I don’t think this is gonna be covered in a Demonology 101 book,” Ben chuckles, “but I’m not gonna stop until I figure it out. I just wish I could get to the library at my old seminary. Probably more detailed stuff there, but…I think I’mpersona non grataon campus now.”

I open my eyes all the way and push myself up. They are both looking at me as if waiting for me to start crying again. I look down to see Rex still curled in a ball against my stomach. He lifts his head too and lets out a smallprrow, so I scratch him behind the ears.

“Are we going to your new job now?” I ask.

“You feeling alright?” Theo sits up beside me and pushes some hair out of my face. “You were snoring, you know.”

“I was not!” I gasp, horrified.

“Have any naughty dreams,mi amor?” Ben asks.

I put a hand on my head. “If I did, I cannot remember them.”

He stands up and walks over, then gently puts his fingers around my throat, tilting my head back so he can brush his lips over mine.

“We’ll just have to make sure you have one tonight, then.”

“If it can wait until after we get home from work, that would be better,” Theo laughs, pulling his body out from under me. Ben does not let him off easy though, pushing him back against the couch and pinning him there for a deep kiss.

“Fine,” Ben breathes when he finally releases Theo, who looks dazed. “I’m a patient man.” He goes to the kitchen and takes out eggs and bacon for breakfast, while Theo feeds Rex and gets dressed.

“Do you think it will be safe for me to be inside Theo’s body all day?” I ask Ben as he sets a fresh mug of coffee on the counter in front of me.

“Hmm…I’m really not sure. Have you gone back at all since…?” He does not need to say ‘since you tried to kill me and possess him’. It is the worst memory I will ever have.

“No, I have not tried. It is different, being inside the host. Closer, more connected. I can feel what he feels. I worry that Annoth might also be more…in tune with his emotions.”