A/N: Hello guys! Well, here it is: the final chapter of Hand-to-Heart Combat! (Sorry if the end is a bit weak. I'm not good at endings.) I can't believe that it's been over a year. Also, this is my first multi-chapter fic/story I've ever finished! I wanted to give a huge thank you to everyone who has followed, favorited, reviewed, and even just taken the time to read this. It truly means the world to me. As a side note, school's out! Hooray for summer! However, this means that I'll be working more (four days a week, now! Used to be three). This, and writer's block and random inspiration, means that update times for DGTC(IDI) will continue to be sporadic. Thank you soooo much, everyone! I love you guys so dearly!

As always, comments, questions, reviews, and helpful criticism are highly appreciated.


"Spectre-4 to Ghost, come in Ghost."

As their shuttle grew nearer to the fleet, Zeb had begun trying to contact his crew. There had been no answer so far, but he had only tried twice. As he waited for a response, Zeb looked back at Ahsoka. She was sleeping where he had left her and hadn't stirred yet. Not quite sure if that was good or bad, Zeb was debating whether or not to wake her when Hera's crackly voice snapped him out of his thoughts.

"Spectre-4, this is the Ghost. Was the mission successful? Commander Sato-"

"What happened?" Sabine's excited voice cut through Hera's. "Did you two kiss?" Zeb felt his face heat up and thanked Ashla that Ahsoka wasn't awake to see him blushing like a kid talking about their first crush.

"Sabine!" Hera snapped. "Now is not the time!" Zeb heard Sabine mutter something in the background and promised himself that he would get back at her later. "Commander Sato wants the full report," Hera continued, her voice raised slightly in an effort to drown out Sabine's grumbles.

"Can you patch me through?" Zeb asked her.

"Give me a sec and I'll put him through to your ship's holoprojector," she responded. The Ghost's connection shut off and Zeb watched as the holoprojector hummed to life.

Commander Sato's flickering figure appeared on the small projector, his no-nonsense expression evident despite the sub-par connection.

"Ah, yes, greetings, Garazeb. Where is Ahsoka?" Zeb blinked, taken aback by Sato's directness. "You're back sooner than expected. Was the mission a success?"

"Uh… not… not exactly," Zeb hedged, glancing back at the still-sleeping Ahsoka and desperately wishing that she was awake; she knew how to handle this kind of situation, not to mention this had been her mission to begin with. Zeb turned back to Commander Sato. "No, Commander, the mission wasn' a success."

"And Ahsoka?" Sato interrupted, frowning worriedly.

"She's okay," Zeb assured him quickly. "There was a fight an' she hit her head. I think she's got a concussion, but I'm not sure. She's sleepin' back here," he added, gesturing vaguely behind him. Sato nodded, but the worry didn't leave his face.

"Very well. I'll inform a medic and have them prep a room for her. I'm sure you're correct in your diagnosis, but it's better to be safe than sorry. Now, as for the mission…"

"It wasn' her fault!" Zeb interjected. "She didn' do anythin' wrong. I'm not quite sure wha' happened, but she was amazing. In fact, she-"

"Zeb," Commander Sato raised a hand and Zeb shut his mouth with a snap. "She is not in any trouble. Neither are you," he added, the ghost of a smile flitting across his face momentarily. "I merely ask for the basics. Once you return to the fleet and Ahsoka has been cleared you may give the full report."

"'Course," Zeb said, slightly embarrassed. He cleared his throat and continued with more confidence. "We got there with no problem and everythin' was goin' fine. Ahsoka had talked to the Hutt an' we were waitin' for him to finish 'consulting' when this group of gangsters an' mercenaries burst in an' started shootin' everythin' in sight. We only jus' managed to escape."

"And Vatargg?" Commander Sato asked.

"Dead. I saw'im lyin' on his throne," Zeb told him. Commander Sato nodded and turned to speak to someone Zeb couldn't see. Zeb fidgeted slightly and risked a peek back at Ahsoka.

"Thank you," Commander Sato said. Zeb jerked back around to face him so fast he cricked his neck. "Once you dock a medical droid will take Ahsoka to the medbay. I will send for you for the mission report, whenever that is. Commander Sato, out." The holoprojector clicked off, leaving Zeb in the overwhelming silence with an injured Ahsoka and a sore neck.

Zeb let out the breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding and rubbed his neck furiously. Letting his hand drop to his side, Zeb glanced around the small shuttle, suddenly unsure of what to do. After a few seconds of hesitation he decided to check on Ahsoka even though he could see she was still sleeping. The need to move, to do something was too overwhelming and Zeb knew he wouldn't be able to sit still unless he busied himself with some task or another.

Ahsoka stirred as Zeb approached her and forced one eye open. Zeb smiled at her.

"Sorry, didn' meant to wake ya," he said quietly.

"'S okay," Ahsoka responded, trying to sit up with a wince. "Wha's goin' on? An' why're the lights so bright?" she added, squinting at Zeb.

"They're not…" Zeb said slowly, peering worriedly at her face. "But I can turn them down for you if you want." Ahsoka nodded carefully and Zeb made his way over to the control panel. He had just located the lights and had successfully dimmed them when he heard Ahsoka begin to heave behind him.

Zeb grabbed the nearest container he could find and rushed to her side, thrusting the item, which turned out to be a helmet, under Ahsoka's face just in time to prevent a mess. He vaguely wondered whose helmet he had grabbed even while he held her lekku back from her face, murmuring soothingly to her.

Ahsoka finally fell back with a small cough, looking utterly miserable and shivering violently. Zeb set the helmet aside, careful not to let it tip, before leaning forward and rubbing Ahsoka's arm.

"Sorry," she said, blinking woefully at him.

"S'fine," Zeb assured her. "I'm gonna see if I can find some towels an' blankets for you," Zeb added, getting to his feet and making his way to the cargo hold of the shuttle (which was really just a small cabinet in the back with various odds and ends shoved in and forgotten about). Luckily, there were several small hand towels and two worn, threadbare blankets perched on the top of the haphazard pile. Zeb gathered the towels and the blankets into his arms and trotted quickly back to Ahsoka.

"Here ya are," he announced quietly, kneeling down beside her. Ahsoka forced her eyes back open and stared at him, seemingly confused about something. Zeb carefully lifted her head and laid out a towel beneath it to cover the seats in case she threw up again. Taking a second towel, Zeb placed it under her cheek and gently lowered her head back down; this would (hopefully) serve as further protection against a future incident.

"Zeb?" Ahsoka's voice was louder than she had intended, judging by the surprised look on her face. She blinked, stirring slightly and moving her arms as if to raise them to her face before quitting halfway and letting them flop back down.

"Ahsoka? Wha's wrong?" Zeb asked, trying to tuck her arms back against her body and into a more comfortable position. Ahsoka just stared at him with wide eyes.

"Are we almost there?" Ahsoka asked; this time, her voice was so quiet that Zeb could barely hear it.

"W-What? What d'you mean?"

"To… to…" Ahsoka trailed off, her eyes focusing on something behind Zeb. He turned to look, but there was nothing there. Concerned, Zeb turned back to Ahsoka. She was now staring at him, but her eyes were unfocused and glossy.

"Ahsoka?" Zeb prompted, nudging her gently. She jumped, her eyes refocusing, and tried to sit up. "No, no, Ahsoka-" Zeb grabbed her shoulders and tried to get her to lay back down, but she was surprisingly strong for someone who was so obviously out of it.

"Are we almost to… to Nar Shaddaa?" she asked, not noticing Zeb's hands on her shoulders at first. When she did, she stopped struggling and looked at them in surprise before looking at Zeb. "What're you doing?" she asked.

"We already went t' Nar Shaddaa," Zeb told her. "We're headin' back to the Fleet." When Ahsoka stared at him uncomprehendingly he added, "An' you hit your head. You've got a concussion, I think. You should probably be restin'."

Ahsoka just stared at him, her eyes wide. Zeb shifted uncomfortably and smiled awkwardly at her. She didn't move. Zeb coughed pointedly, but Ahsoka didn't even flinch.

"Okay, this is gettin' creepy," he told her. Ahsoka just leaned closer. She hadn't blinked yet, and Zeb was thoroughly freaked out. "Are you okay?" Zeb tried to lean back, but Ahsoka followed him. Her eyes were locked on his lips and Zeb had only a second to think Oh, crap before she lunged at him. He yelped in shock, but the noise was muffled by Ahsoka's lips on his. They collided painfully, but Ahsoka didn't seem to notice. Zeb carefully grabbed her arms and pushed her back. She didn't fight him, but that didn't make Zeb feel any better.

"Hey, wha' was that about?" he asked her, peering into her eyes.

"I dunno…" Ahsoka hummed, her eyes drooping. She smiled at him and said, "Zeb, has anyone ever told you your fur is beautiful?"

Ashla save me… Zeb thought as Ahsoka tried to snuggle into him, muttering "Soft, warm, pretty" over and over again. He swore that no one else would ever find out about this as he coaxed her to lay back down. This is gonna be a looooong trip…

OoOoOoOoO

By the time the shuttle dropped out of hyperspace, Zeb had managed to get Ahsoka to lay down and she had drifted off. Unfortunately, the only way to get her to rest was to lay down on the cot beside her. Zeb grunted and gently untangled himself from Ahsoka, who had wrapped herself around him before promptly falling asleep. Ahsoka blinked her eyes open and sleepily watched as Zeb stood up.

"Hey," she said quietly, sitting up with a wince. Zeb gave her a smile. "What happened?"

"You hit your head," Zeb responded as he landed the ship.

"Oh," Ahsoka murmured. There was an awkward pause while Zeb shut down the engine before Ahsoka spoke up again. "Um… why were we cuddling?"

Zeb flushed furiously and rubbed his head. To his mingled surprise and relief, Ahsoka was blushing just as hard.

"W-well, you, uh, you weren't goin' back to sleep," he told her. "An', um, the only way to make you lie down was to, er, lay down with you."

"I see," Ahsoka responded. Her face was bright red and she avoided Zeb's eyes. He cleared his throat nervously. Neither spoke for several seconds, sitting there in uncomfortable silence and not looking at each other, when a loud banging noise brought them crashing back to reality.

"Hello? Are you okay in there?" an unfamiliar voice called, followed by more loud knocking. Zeb quickly hit the button to lower the ramp.

"Yeah, sorry," he called. "We're comin'." He held out his hand and helped Ahsoka up. She grimaced as she got to her feet, swaying slightly, and put a hand on her forehead. "You alright?" Zeb asked her.

"Yeah, just hurts a bit," she said with a smile. She let go of Zeb's hand and slowly made her way down the ramp. Zeb followed, watching her carefully, but she seemed to have enough control.

"Commander," she greeted Sato, who stood at the base of the ramp, with a small nod.

"Ahsoka," Sato nodded in response. He glanced at Zeb and nodded slightly. Surprised, Zeb just shrugged. Sato turned back to Ahsoka, who was being examined by a med droid. "I'm glad to see you're okay. Your report can wait until after you are cleared by the droid. Until then, please, get some rest. And Garazeb," he looked over at Zeb with the faintest of smiles. "Your crew has expressed their eagerness to see you. I suggest you go join them. I'll call you for the briefing later."

"Yessir," Zeb saluted quickly. He glanced once more at Ahsoka as she was led away. She looked back and gave him a fleeting smile before disappearing from view. Satisfied that she would be okay, Zeb trotted off to find his crew.

He hadn't been walking for more than a few seconds when his crew found him. Hera turned the corner in front of him, Kanan by her side. She smiled warmly upon seeing him and waved happily.

"Commander Sato told me you'd arrived," Hera said as Zeb jogged up to them. She rested her hand on his arm gently as Kanan grinned and bumped Zeb's shoulder with his. Zeb returned the gesture, feeling guilt rise in his chest. He had meant to contact Hera again after his talk with Commander Sato, but he'd totally forgotten. Hera would have obviously gotten the details from him, and she would have been worried sick. Zeb hated to make his crew worry.

"How's Ahsoka?" Kanan asked. Hera squeezed Zeb's arm gently before moving forward slightly to take the lead.

"She's fine," Zeb said. Heat rose in his cheeks as the memory of everything that happened swam through Zeb's mind, but he pushed it away and prayed that they wouldn't notice. Luckily, they didn't seem to.

"What about you, Zeb?" Hera asked. "Are you okay?"

Zeb had no chance to respond because they had just stepped foot on the Ghost and were ambushed by Sabine and Ezra. The two teens threw themselves at Zeb and grabbed his arms, grinning up at him maniacally.

"Zeb! You're back!" Ezra cheered, holding Zeb's left arm in a death grip. Chopper rolled up, whistling angrily, and jabbed at Ezra with one of his arms. When Ezra ignored him, Chopper instead began bashing his head repeatedly against Zeb's legs. Sabine, meanwhile, was literally hanging off of Zeb's right arm.

"Did you two make out?" Sabine asked loudly in Zeb's ear. Zeb growled good-naturedly and tried to shake her off. She clung to his arm like a burr, crowing, "Did you?! Did you kiss her?! Did you tell her you love her?!"

"Okay, that's enough," Hera ordered. Chopper rolled back as Ezra dropped to the floor before jabbing the kid in the ribs, shocking him. He beeped and took off, Ezra close on his heels. Kanan rolled his eyes and followed them.

Sabine slipped off Zeb's arm obediently, but there was an evil glint in her eye that Zeb wasn't too fond of. He'd seen that look before, and nothing good ever followed. Zeb knew he'd never get any peace unless he told her, although he would be teased endlessly.

"Fine," Zeb said, rolling his eyes. "Yes, we kissed. Happy?" Sabine squealed happily, bouncing in place. She took off after the others, cheering. "I'm never going to hear the end of this," Zeb said drily. Hera laughed as she went to follow.

"No, you won't," she agreed. "Congratulations," she added, patting his shoulder when she passed him. Zeb smirked.

"Yeah, well, you an' Kanan seem to be happy, so I thought I'd try it out," Zeb said. He snorted at Hera's shocked look and scurried away before she could recover. He'd pay for that later, but it was worth it. For now, though, he was going to go visit Ahsoka. Zeb smiled as he made his way off the Ghost and towards the medbay. Maybe, after she recovered, they could spar again. He needed the practice, and alone time with Ahsoka wouldn't be too bad, either.