Wait- am I actually updating the next day? It appears I am! (That doesn't happen often, I'm usually a mess)
This chapter begins my subtle head canon of how the clones address Ahsoka, which gives way to each clone (or some of them at least) having some term of endearment/title 'claimed' when it comes to Ahsoka. (Rex has 'Little'un', whereas Dogma will stick with a formal 'Sir' ect). So with each clone I cover, you'll probably catch onto that a bit, mostly because it brought me great joy.
I own nothing still.
Now, please enjoy Clones and Their Commander: Kix edition!
"You know Kid, if you keep that up you're going to wear a hole in the floor." the sound of Kix's voice caused the light patter of footsteps to fall silent. "Now, any particular reason you're pacing the halls at 0300?" He leaned against the doorframe he'd been standing in, waiting for Ahsoka to speak.
It took her a moment to do so, and he could witness her inner turmoil as she opened her mouth to speak only to let it fall closed in silence almost three times before she spoke, and when she did her words were carefully picked. "Couldn't sleep…I just lay there and feel.. restless…." a look of guilt passed over her features. "I didn't wake you up did I? Am I bothering the others at all-"
"I was finishing up some inventory work in the medbay, and I was on my way to the mess to get some caff when I saw you. Everyone else is probably still asleep in the barracks and none the wiser that you're up. Don't worry about it." he paused for a moment, taking in the sight of the young Jedi as she stood half cloaked in the shadows, her posture slouched and her arms wrapped around herself. "Come on, I don't feel nearly as bad getting a snack at this hour if I'm not alone."
She nodded, joining him as they made their way to the empty mess. Unlike the dimmed hallways, the mess lights were always on for when a trooper needed a midnight snack or one of the ever working engineers or flight crew members needed an early morning pick-me-up. In the bright fluorescent light, it was easy to see the dark shadows under her eyes and the pallor in her usually bright skin. Kix decided she wasn't sick, just exhausted.
He grabbed an mug and poured himself a cup of caff out of one of the constantly full pots. "You want anything Kid?" Seeing her shake her head he sat down at the nearest table and Ahsoka followed suit and took a seat across from him. "So, when was the last time you slept?"
She shrugged, suddenly very interested in the table top. "I got a few minutes on the transport back from Naboo…and Skyguy swears I fell asleep during meditation yesterday but it's hard to tell."
Kix frowned, taking a long drink of his caff. "Naboo was almost four days ago, have you really not slept since then?" He was slowly slipping from 'Cool friendly nice guy' Kix into 'I am the medic and I am in charge' Kix and they both knew it.
"I've tried- I swear!" protested Ahsoka with a scowl. "I just- I don't know… I, I just can't! I get restless and no matter how long I lay there or how bored I get I never fall asleep!"
"So you decided that instead of bringing this up with Coric, or myself or even the General you would just resign yourself to a life without sleep…is that it?" he frowned into his caff. "You're no good to us dead on your feet, and right now I don't think even you can fake enough enthusiasm for training in your state, which means Rex and General Skywalker will notice and get on your case about it."
"I know- but I just can't sleep! It's not that I don't want to- I'm so tired I wish I would just sleep but I can't!" tears welling in her eyes, her tone insistent and panicked..it was times like these Kix was really reminded just how young his Commander was.
He stood up, moving towards the door. "Come on, let's get this figured out so that I don't have to drag you off the training field tomorrow." She walked slightly behind him, her feet dragging and her head down in shame. He couldn't blame her, he'd be embarrassed too, but if Ahsoka had gone this long without resting it was time for him to step in.
"…The med bay? What…are you just gonna sedate me?" She frowned slightly at this, watching as he opened the doors and led her in.
"Not exactly." He gestured for her to sit on one of the beds, and went to rummage through a cabinet. "Stress is known to cause Insomnia, and there's nothing as stressful as fighting a war. I have a few of the men on sleeping pills, even Rex takes them from time to time, it's nothing to be ashamed of."
She tilted her head, watching him dig out not only a bottle of pills, but a second bottle and a syringe. "Do they work, no side effects?"
He almost laughed. "Yes, they work. And as long as you can put up with a dry mouth and some headaches, the side effects aren't too bad." he handed her the bottle. "Two pills, about an hour before you plan to sleep, take them with a full glass of water if you can."
She moved to stand. "Thanks Kix, I owe you one, Goodnig-"
"Ah-ah." he cut her off, gesturing for her to sit back down. "You've been running long enough that the two hours of sleep you'll get before tomorrows business begins won't do you any good. So, I'm officially admitting you to the sick bay until farther notice- AND I'm giving you the heavier duty stuff to really knock you out so you don't go sneaking off before I've decided you're back to normal."
"Master's not gonna like this-"
"Is the General a medic? Does he hold any authority over your health that I don't? Would he rather you drag yourself to training and end up getting hurt or putting one of the other men at risk? I don't think so, now, hold your chin up and look towards that corner of the room." He gestured towards a corner of the ceiling, filling the syringe with the bottle he'd grabbed. "Slight pinch." Warned Kix as he injected the sedative into the vain in her neck, just below her jaw. His tone was almost apologetic. "Fastest route to the brain."
She nodded. "I know, besides I've been through worse than a shot or two before Kix, I can handle it."
"Oh I know Kid, who do you think has patched you up after you've been through worse?" He smiled, setting the supplies aside. "You're gonna start to feel drowsy…well, drowsier than you were, so you might want to lay back so you don't fall."
Ahsoka laughed. "I've been on sedatives before, they don't act that fast or that harshly…I have a solid-" she stopped, blinking languidly. "Minute or so…" she trailed off, eyes unfocussed as she blinked again.
Kix moved to stand next to her, his hand on her shoulder. "So you're the expert now, huh?"
As this point her head was leaning on his arm, and she was slumped into him which was the only thing to keep her from sliding off the cot. "Thanks Kix.." her voice was a low mumble, barely above a whisper, with a slurred "Love you." as a sort of afterthought.
He smiled, laughing and eased her back onto the pillow of the cot as her eyes drooped closed and stayed that way, he gave her an affection pat on the top of her head and pulled the covers up over her limp form. "Get some rest Kid…" he grinned as he sat down in a chair and pulled out a datapad to continue his inventory work. "Love you too."
Wasn't that cute? I've had that plot bunny running through my head for a while now and honestly It just makes me very happy. Hopefully you guys enjoy reading these as much as I enjoy writing them because then everyone'll just be having a grand ole time!
Remember, reviews are your way of being able to give me ideas and express your opinion so let me know how I'm doing, and who/what you wanna see!
~GettingTraught
