With the guys…
"I better get a few different types." Rex gets a few different berry drinks.
"Don't you think you're going overboard?" Cody raises a brow.
"Oh just wait. When it happens to you, you'll be like this too. And I bet it's a girl, so you'll go even more wild." Rex teases.
"Don't even joke." Cody tries to swing at him but he dodges. He felt a bit pale at that thought, he would love a girl and a cub but he had never been around girls, how would he care for one?
"That's it nice and easy." Ruby helps Nicol back.
"Nicol what's wrong?" Cody rushes over with worry.
"I don't feel so good." Nicol mews sadly, ears down and pale.
"Cody go call a doctor and Rex get a cloth, soak it in cold water, and get me some berry juice." Ruby helps her laydown on the couch.
"Right." The guys' head off to do as ordered.
"Oww my stomach." Nicol mews as she curls up on the couch.
"You take it easy. It could just be stress from everything." Ruby places the damp cloth on her forehead.
Nicol tries to listen and closes her eyes to relax. Ending up falling asleep for a bit.
Later on that night…
The doctor looks over Nicol. Asking what happened before hand as her to-go tests run.
"Is she okay, what's wrong with her, was it something she ate?" Cody asks all this panicking.
"Please stay calm. I've had practice with Chats haven't I?" She smiles looking over at Ruby.
"Why don't you and Rex go get some ice cream for us? The tests will be done soon." Ruby shoes him out.
"But Nicol, I can't leave her." Cody looks over worried.
"Come on vod. Let the doctor work." Rex helps him out.
With the guys…
"I don't understand. What could have caused this, she was fine the last few days and then this just happens?" Cody holds his heart feeling panic rise up in him again.
"It will be alright. You two went through a lot, she might have just finally felt the stress of it." Rex pats his shoulder with a bag of ice cream in hand.
"How could I have not noticed anything?" Cody frowns.
"It'll be okay. I bet we get back and doc says she was just in the sun too long. Or the sandwich smell got to her." Rex jokes.
"I guess it was a pretty strange combo." Cody sighs remembering the strange sandwich creation ruby made.
Back at the beach house…
When they return the girls look shocked. The doctor handing her a paper with medicine on it.
"Nicol what's wrong?" Cody rushes up to her.
"Amour, we're, we're having a cub." Nicol looks at him smiling and with misty eyes.
"B-but it was only once." Cody looks a mix of panic and excitement.
"Now you know how I felt." Rex chuckles a bit.
"It seems she's developing quickly as well feeling the symptoms so fast. But these medicines helped Ruby and should do the same for Nicol." She smiles. "And congrats." She pats Cody's shoulder heading out.
"Cub, developing fast, going to be parents." Cody feels woozy as he feels himself fall.
"Woah there." Rex catches him.
"Is he okay?" Nicol looks over worried.
"He's smiling, that's a good sign." Ruby looks at the eye spinning and out cold Cody.
A while later…
"Cody, amour, wake up." Nicol pats his face as she sees him stirring.
"Groan, hey song. I had the strangest dream, that we were expecting a cub." Cody smiles a bit loopy.
"Oh that happened. Nicol is with cub." Rex hands him a water.
Cody shoots up at that, with wide eyes. "We're having a cub! Nicol are you okay are you still feeling ill?" Cody starts to panic again.
"This should help with the nausea. It's mint leaves and ginger, you put it in tea and it calms your stomach a bit." Ruby comes out from her room with a small bag of herbs.
"Thanks Ruby. Now anything you can do for my panicking husband." Nicol points at Cody.
"If I did wouldn't I have used it?" Ruby looks over at Rex.
"Hey." Rex calls over to her a bit red.
"Cody please calm down. I thought we wanted this." Nicol feels some tears and Cody jumps to hug her.
"I do, I just didn't expect it so fast. But I am happy. So happy." Cody kisses her.
Nicol purrs at that and nuzzles into him and says "And in a week we find out how many and the gender. It will be so exciting."
"Five, it could be five…" Cody starts.
"Cody?" Nicol looks worried but he shakes it off and says "I'm fine. I'm fine. You need me right now so I'm not going to freak."
Nicol smiles once more and says "I'm glad to hear that. So let's enjoy the rest of our honeymoon."
"Right who wants ice-cream? I got you your favorite. Rocky road." Cody smiles as he goes to bring it over.
"Oh gimmy!" Nicol hold her hands out like a cub.
"Someone is greedy." Both Shadows laugh at that.
Nicol ignored them as she guzzled down the rocky road. Cody tried to grab some but she growled lightly and hugged it near "Mine."
The next week of the honeymoon was both fun and bazar. They went swimming, and walking, and even went to a few restaurants and to watch movies. But they also found out what kind of pregnant women Nicol was.
Turns out that in her people they could get instinctually strong when pregnant and well, let's just say the week was spent with Cody stopping Nicol from chasing down birds and squirrels. Her interrupting their ball games so she could play with it herself, and hogging anything she deemed hers. It was like when she went wild all over again.
"Is this normal?" Cody asks worried one day as Nicol took a nap in the sun.
"Well everyone is different. But it should calm down." Ruby ponders.
"So it will decrease in time." Cody looks over hopeful.
"Yes. You see…" Ruby explains how it works.
Cody sighed at that.
Then the doctor came. It was their last day before they had to leave but it was now time to find out how many and the gender of the cubs. Cody held Nicol's hand tight, he was nervous but was also excited. Nicol was really excited for the reveal as well. She couldn't wait to see her little ones.
Ruby's ears bounce with delight at that. She couldn't wait to see the little ones. Rex was excited himself. A part of him debating if he wants it to be a boy or girl.
The doctor finished up the ultra sound and smiled as she said "Are you all ready?"
They all smiled excitedly, this time Nicol squeezed Cody's hand tight with excitement. At last she turned the monitor and Nicol yowled in delight.
"Looks at them." Ruby's ears bounce.
"Two?" Rex looks surprised.
As for Cody, he fainted at the sight. For on the screen were two little cubs.
"I guess you'll all want to know the gender when he wakes up." The doctor sighs.
"Cody! Not again. You don't want cubs then do you? You don't want us." Nicol starts crying.
"You feral. I'll tear you apart." Ruby yowls.
"Cody get up. Get up or you'll lose your wife and cubs." Rex shakes him.
Cody jumps at that but Ruby growls at him.
"You don't want her or the cubs do you?" Ruby growls.
"No that's not true I am happy I am very happy and I do want you and our cubs! I was just in shock. I wasn't expecting a litter, you said it wasn't usual in your family it was just a surprise." Cody panics as he tries to explain.
Nicol still cried as Ruby stands guard hissing.
The doctor then said "Oh it's okay dear, most men are shocked if it's more than one. And it's not normal for humans so please don't be too mad at him." She pats her back.
Nicol sniffs and says "I guess I can understand. What are the genders?"
The doctor smiles and says "You're both having a beautiful little girl and boys."
Cody feels his brain freeze "Girl and boy?"
"Don't pass out again." Rex whispers sits him up.
Cody shakes it off and then he remembers something. He glares at Rex and points "You! You jinxed me!"
Nicol feels tears as she asks "Jinxed?"
"No I mean that, we were talking a while ago and Rex said that he bet it would be a girl and… and… Nicol I love that there is a girl I do, I'm just worried because I've never really been around girls. And Rex knew that idea would scare me because I'm afraid I'd be a lousy father to a girl. But I do love them both and you oh so much, never think otherwise." Cody begs as he comes near.
"Don't even try it." Ruby hisses.
"It's okay." Nicol nods and lets Cody hold her.
"Hmm… Double trouble? No. Dazzles? No. Oh I got it. Fluff Balls." Rex snaps his fingers coming up with the perfect name for them.
Cody glares at him but isn't willing to let Nicol go right now.
"Oh it will be perfect. I can't wait to tell the guys." Rex chuckles enjoying the moment.
"Be nice." Ruby hits his arm lightly.
"I'm not sure about the name." Nicol raises a brow.
"Besides their my angles and nothing else will work." Cody pecks the side of Nicol's heads.
When they got back most of the brothers were in shock. Some teased Cody but stopped when they saw how angry or upset Nicol got. And when they found out there was a girl they were all nervous and excited. The only thing still on the fence thought was the nick name.
With that their time on Naboo is over at it is time to head out again. They have a few simple missions. Most of the time the girls left on the ship.
A month later…
"Rex either I get off this ship or I'm ripping droids apart." Ruby hisses during a meal. "And if one more person touches my stomach I'm going to go mad." Her tail twitches like mad.
"Cody you better let me off because of they touch me again I'm biting someone's hand off." Nicol growls.
Some nearby brothers back up with their tray of food. They had wanted to feel their nephews and niece kick, but walk away at that.
"We're heading to Ryloth to help with supplies in the main city. I'm sure we can get you girls off for a bit." Rex clears his throat a bit scared by them himself.
"And maybe sneak off for some alone time. Let you girls get some fresh air." Cody adds hoping to calm them.
"That'll be nice." Ruby nuzzles Rex happy now.
"Hmm very." Nicol purrs nuzzling Cody.
'We just saved our skins.' The two sigh with relief.
On Ryloth…
They set up a few tents to start helping. Ruby looks over at a young sea blue girl that seems to be on her own.
"Want something to eat?" Ruby brings over a bowl of stew.
The girl looks at Ruby then the food. She says something in Ryloth then takes it slowly eating. Ruby sitting next to her with her own bowl.
'I wonder where her family is.' Ruby looks around to see if anyone is looking for a child.
All the families seem to be together. But there were still those being freed from prisons so there was a chance they were just still missing.
Nicol on the other hand was helping give out food to some of the people. Or doing small odd jobs just to feel useful. She did have to sit a few times to keep herself from overdoing it though.
"Hey what are you doing." Cody came up to sit next to here.
"I guess I'm tired. The cubs aren't giving my any rest either." Nicol chuckles rubbing her belly.
Cody chuckles and holds her belly saying "Hey you two let your mother rest." It seems that calm them down form kicking to just moving about.
"Look at that they were just missing daddy." Nicol smiles nuzzling him.
Cody smiled at that and held her close, he had been calming down a bit more on the idea on having twins. Though when no one was looking he read up on how to be a good father.
"Hey Cody, we still need to finally pick the names." Nicol had wanted to pick the names earlier but they two had been having trouble deciding.
Cody thought for a bit and said "Well let's think on some of the ones we've saw. I did like that one you todl me about. Monet."
Nicol hums "To be heard. I like that, a voice to be hear, maybe for others." She rubs her belly and the two kick the two laughing s she says "I guess they agree."
Cody chuckles and says "Okay then. Well as for our son, when you were wild you mention wanting to name one after Gregor. I, would you still be okay with that." He looks over hopeful.
Nicol smiles kindly at that as she says "I think it be perfect. Vigilant. It's perfect for s strong and kind boy." Nicol nuzzles into him. the twins kick once more and they both laugh, taking that as another yes.
"Monet and Gregor. Our little one." Cody smiles as he holds her close the two nuzzling each other as the twins move about happily.
Meanwhile….
"Ruby there you are." Rex comes over.
Ruby motioning to be quiet with a sleeping girl on her lap. Rex has a small smile at that sight. Sort of a preview of what's to come.
Rex gently picks up the girl princess style and brings her to one of the tents to rest. Ruby coming along to lay down for a bit. They cover the sleeping girl with a blanket and she snuggles her toy.
"Oh Numa." Waxer whispers seeing her.
"You now this girl?" Rex looks over at him.
"She helped us take back the city." Boil nods.
"Where's her family?" Ruby looks at the sleeping girl.
"We don't know." Waxer shakes his head.
"She was on her own when we found her. And the two of us don't speak Ryloth." Boil adds.
"I see." Ruby's ears droop.
"Hey, it's possible they're at one of the camps. We'll just have to wait and see." Rex pecks her head getting up.
"You're going somewhere?" Ruby looks at him sadly.
"We're going to help General Windu take the main city back." Rex nods grabbing his things. "I'll see you soon." He pecks her lips.
"Be safe." Ruby looks at him a bit worried but manages a smile.
Back with the Runners…
Cody got a call and said "Time to go." Cody sighs.
"Do you have too?" Nicol feels her ears drop.
Cody nods "If these people want to live in peace, we have to get their city back. I love you all so much." He kisses her and pats her bump as he leaves. Nicol feels her ears go down at that and then sighs as she heads to the tent.
As she does she sees Ruby looking over Numa.
"Oh poor thing she's so thin." Nicol whispers as her ears droop more.
"I gave her some chicken stew. But she didn't eat much." Ruby's ears droop.
"Maybe some fish stew for when she wakes up, something easy to swallow but will help fatten her up." Nicol pats her back.
"Maybe." Ruby looks at the cub sadly.
"What's wrong, and where are the girl's parents?" Nicol looks around confused.
"Not here. No one knows where they are." Ruby shakes her head slightly.
"Oh poor thing." Nicol looks over sadly at her.
"What if… what if they're gone?" Ruby turns to her friend sadly.
"Hopefully they find them. And if they don't well someone here who might be willing or maybe on Chat. Anyone would love to adopt her." Nicol smiles at her friend.
"Yeah." Ruby nods with a thought in her head. "How are you doing?" she looks at her friend curiously.
"Oh I got some food out to some of the people and took some small odd jobs. Oh and Cody and I finally chose the twins names." Nicol smiles holding her bump.
"Really?" Ruby looks even more curious.
"It can be hard with two little ones on the way. And you won't believe how we chose…" Nicol then tells how they twins kicked and such wen they chose names.
"That's so cute. Now you just have to figure out which one is which." Ruby giggles.
Nicol laughed as well but as they did the little one in the cot woke up yawning.
"Hey there Numa." Ruby smiles softly at the girl.
"Sorry we woke you sweetie. Hey are you hungry?" Nicol asks.
Numa just looked up at them with wide eyes and so Nicol mimicked someone eating. Numa's eyes widened and nodded quickly.
The two laughed at that and Nicol said "I'll get to work on that. See you two in a bit." Then she heads out to get the food.
Ruby tries to talk with Numa a bit. But the translators are still working. They got a few words. Enough to get a few words out. The eight year old was able to say when her parents were taken and draw a photo of them. It was good for a child and with the names at the bottom it could help. The girl then hugs her toy with a sad look on her face.
"We'll find them honey. Don't worry." Ruby pecks her forehead.
"I'm back, oh what a pretty picture." Nicol notices Numa's drawing.
"I'm going to show this to Gus. Maybe he can get a message out to the others about them." Ruby manages to stand with the picture in hand.
"Okay be safe." Nicol calls and then sits down with the food and says "I brought you something." Nicol smiles at her.
Numa smiles and says, "Thank you." And begins to eat the stew.
Nicol smiles, glad to see the translators working better. She sits down to talk with the girl and hopefully get more information on her.
With Ruby…
"Could the girl not give any more details?" Windu looks at the image sent on the holo message.
"I could barely ask her to draw them and write their names. Our translators are still learning this language." Ruby shakes her head.
"This will help in finding them. Thank you Ruby." Kenobi relays with a nod.
"You should go back and rest before Rex throws a fit." Anakin adds.
"HEY!" Rex calls in the background.
"I will. And please keep them safe." Ruby nods with downed ears.
"We will." The Jedi nod signing off.
Back with Numa…
"Mary Mack, Mack…" Numa plays a clapping game with Nicol.
"You're back." Numa jumps off the cot running over to Ruby. "Did you find them? Are they okay?" she looks at her with her big violet eyes.
"They'll look for them when they take the city." Ruby pats her head. "For now, why don't we get back to sleep and then tomorrow we can play a few games. I'm sure they'll have news for us by dinner tomorrow." She smiles at her softly.
"Kay." Numa looks a bit sad heading back.
"Are you okay Numa." Nicol can smell how she feels off.
"C-can I sleep with you? I don't want to be alone." Numa tugs on Ruby's sleeves.
"If you don't mind kicking." Ruby smiles motioning to her tummy.
Numa giggles at that nodding.
That night the girls didn't sleep very well. The first night of a mission is always the hardest for them. And carrying, it just made it worst.
With the guys…
They made it to the rebel's base and are trying to get them to help. So far they were able to join them for a dinner but that's about it.
Rex decided to see if the girl's parents or family was here at all. So far no one seemed to know them.
"Thank you for the time." Rex sighs heavily feeling defeated.
"You really want to find them." Cody looks sadly at his brother patting his shoulder.
"I just… I want to help the poor cub. If it was Darian…" Rex looks at him with slightly shaking eyes.
"I know what you mean if the twins….. They're to even borne yet and I can't bare the thought of them being alone.…." Cody looks down sadly.
"You have children on the way?" Cham leans against the cave wall.
"Yes. I have a boy on the way." Rex has a small smile.
"And I have twins, a girl and a boy." Cody smiles at the thought of his little ones.
"And you're out here? Why?" Cham looks at them confused.
"You needed help. Your people are in danger." Cody looks over confused at the question.
"You would risk your safety? For us?" Cham looks surprised.
"We want others to be safe." Rex nods.
"I see." Cham ponders that. "May I see that? I can tell my men to be on the lookout for them." He holds out his hand.
"Thank you." Rex hands it to him with a nod.
"Thank you." Cham gives him a small smile heading off.
Back at camp…
The girls woke up early. They went out on a trip just outside to the city for a picnic. Numa made a few flower crowns for the soon to be mothers then ran around chasing after little creatures.
"He's kicking." Numa giggles feeling Darian kick.
"He's extra excited today." Ruby giggles rubbing her stomach.
"He must like you." Nicol chuckles.
They were so busy having fun they didn't see they were being watched.
On a hill just a few feet away…
"Look at that. Two pregnant and a young one." One snake like man looks through binoculars.
"They'll make great additions to the zoo." Another smirks.
"Sending the traps now." The other one hits a button on his wrist band.
With that four small copter droids head off. The girls saw them but smelt nothing wrong, they were like mouse droids.
But then they hit them with tranks. All three of them go down. The droids placing them in nets and pulls them off.
With the guys…
The mission was long and hard. They even almost fell off the bridge. But they got the city back. The people wanted to celebrate but Cody and Rex just wanted to search for Numa's parents.
They looked about asking when suddenly "Well look who it is, the two proud papas to be!" They felt themselves get trapped in a small headlock.
"Ponds!" The two turned excitedly to hug him.
"I should be mad at you two for not inviting me to the weddings." Ponds slugs their arms.
The two laugh as they rub them.
"It was just the vows. The party is later." Rex chuckles.
"Plus we didn't have much time. Darian was on his way and after that challenge I wasn't taking any chances." Cody chuckles.
"Yeah then you had to play catch up to Rex here. Then beat him with two. Seriously Cody you're never satisfied unless you're the best." Ponds chuckles.
"Hey! It's not like I planned it. And my kids aren't a competition." Cody glares.
"No. Just a small pack." Rex jokes.
Cody glares at Rex for that.
"So how are the little trooper and the twins?" Ponds smirks.
"Why didn't mine stick?" Rex huffs.
"Because that's what they are. And besides you'll wait till you have girls, then we'll really have nick names." Cody chuckles.
"Girls? G…" Rex feels dizzy at that thought.
"Waugh there brother, take it easy." Ponds holds his shoulder.
"Didn't mean to make you feel off Rex. Just saying it's a possibility." Cody pats his back.
"Guess so." Rex ponders.
"Yeah best to just think of them one at a time. Or in your cause vod two." Ponds laughs.
"Two fluffers." Rex laughs.
"Very funny you two." Cody rolls his eyes.
Then he grabs the picture and says "Hey Ponds. We're looking for a Twi'lek couple. Their kid drew these of them and their names. The girls are taking care of her for now, but so far we haven't found them. Any ideas?"
Ponds takes a look at that and then he gets a sad look on his face.
"What's the matter?" Rex looks at him worried.
"I'm sorry but, those two are dead." Ponds looks downs sadly.
"How do you know?" Cody asks shocked, hoping he was wrong.
"General Windu had us look over the city at one point, and well, an elder identified them for us. They said their daughter Numa was missing." Ponds sighs.
"Numa. I know that girl. She helped us get back the city. I thought she had family." Cody looks down sadly.
"She had an uncle, but he got sick and well, he didn't last." Ponds frowns.
"Oh no." Rex feels the air knocked out of him at that.
"Maybe someone will be able to take her." Cody pats his back.
"Not likely. No one on the planet can afford to take in a child at the moment. Not with how bad things are." Ponds sighs hating to give so much bad news.
"Then maybe on Chat. We know for a fact someone there will take her." Cody nods.
"Maybe." Rex nods still feeling down.
"I'll come with you boys. After this the generals going to give some of us leave. And I think being able to at least see my family and help my brothers is a good reason for it." Ponds smiles.
They smile at him with gratitude and head off. The jedi agree, even Windu, knowing that Ponds should have a right to see his batchmates family and soon to be niece and nephews. So, Ponds would be staying with them for a bit. With that they headed off.
Meanwhile…
Nicol woke up with a groan. She looked around and looked confused. They were in some sort of forest similar to Chat.
"Ruby wake up." Nicol shakes her.
"Where are we?" Ruby sits up holding her large belly.
"I don't know, it looks like Chat but something feels off." Nicol feels her fur stand.
Numa then woke up with a yawn.
"You okay?" Ruby looks at the girl worried.
Numa nodded and then looked around confused. "Where are we?"
"That's what we're trying to find out little one." Nicol stands hesitantly.
Then a hologram appears.
"Why are we here?" Ruby growls blocking Numa from him.
"You are the newest attractions at our zoo. As long as you behave you may all stay together." The Slith, a snake looking man, instructs them.
"And if we don't?" Nicol growl tail twitching.
"Then we will be forced to separate you." The man nods to someone they can't see.
A few seconds later a barrier cuts in the middle separating them. And then it lowers allowing them near again.
"I trust there will be no trouble. Food will be delivered in an hour." The hologram vanishes.
"W-will we be okay?" Numa looks up at Ruby holding her hand tight.
"Yes. Yes we will. The others will come get us, we just have to wait." Ruby bends down patting her head.
"For now why don't you go play. Try not to think about all this." Nicol points to a nearby area.
"Kay." Numa nods going to the little swing by the two huts.
"How are you?" Nicol looks at Ruby worried.
"I'm doing okay. You?" Ruby looks at her worried.
"I'm okay. Just agitated." Nicol growls slightly. The worse thing for a Chat to ever experience was to be caged.
'Hang on Darian. Daddy is coming.' Ruby rubs her bump as she feels a kick.
'Please find us soon boys. I don't think we'll last long here.' Nicol's ears droop feeling her little ones move about as if knowing something was wrong.
With the guys…
They arrive to the Twi'leks cheer. They could never repay them for their help. The guys then see the others in a panic.
"What's going on? Did Ruby go into labor?" Rex looks over at Gus worried.
"No. The thing is… the girls are missing and have been since yesterday." Gus pulls the words out.
"What! How?" Cody growls.
"I'm so sorry. They went out for a picnic with Numa. They were trying to keep her busy and when I went to check on them…" Jester bites his under lip with a gripped fist.
"We found signs of someone else there and determined it was Slith." Chopper tells them.
"Slith? Slith have them?" Rex goes pale at that.
Cody paled at this. Slith where snake like people that where not only slavers but used people they deemed exotic to display as zoo exhibits. They saw themselves superior to manny beings so manny suffered because of them.
"We're so sorry." They say looking down.
"Hey, you boys couldn't have known. And as far as you know this was a safe area." Pond tries to assure them.
The husbands couldn't answer; they just went looking for their generals. They had to head out quickly.
On the ship they try to come up with a plan. The problem is the Slith provide slaves to Zygerrians and others along use them for their zoos.
"How do we figure out where they went?" Rex looks at the many red dots feeling helpless.
"We'll find them Rex. Just hang in there." Anakin pats his shoulder.
"For now you two should rest." Kenobi looks at Cody just as obsessively staring at it.
"Sorry sir but no. We need to find them." Cody crosses his arms not moving.
"I'm with him. We're needed here." Rex nods turning back to the galaxy map.
"You'll be no good to them or your men if you're dead on your feet. Go get some rest." Anakin motions to them to go.
"Yes sir." The two sigh, heading off.
On the way they see the Card squad. All of them look down sadly seeing them.
"Sirs." They look away with shaking eyes.
"What's wrong boys. You look scared?" Cody raises a brow.
"We let you down." Jester rubs his arm.
"We didn't look out for them. We weren't there to stop this." Gus looks heartbroken.
"You boys couldn't have known." Rex shakes his head.
"But… you've been ignoring us for hours." They all look at their vods with shaking eyes.
"We didn't mean to. I mean we're just…" Rex looks down sadly.
"We're just worried for our girls and cubs. We couldn't really face anyone at this point. Not without blowing up." Cody sighs.
"We understand. And we'll get them back." Gus nods with a serious expression.
"We'll find them." The others nod with the same look.
"Thanks." Rex smiles a bit sadly.
"We appreciate that vod." Cody nods.
A week later at the zoo…
The girls had had a horrible time this last week. First they were forced to be shown as attractions. The slith gawking at them, taking pictures, and some even analyzing them like animals.
Then as they brought food in they tried to examine them Nicol tried to fight them off as Ruby kept Numa close but they had some sort of power that made them obey their commands by just looking them in the eyes.
The worst was when they decided to name them. Ruby was renamed Snow for her fur, Nicol to Blaze for her character, And Numa to Violet because of her eyes.
It was degrading, stressful, and all around bad for the babies and Numa.
"I don't like them." Numa whines hiding as the camera flashes go off above them.
"They won't hurt you. Just stay behind us." Nicol hides her glaring at the public who just awed at how she protected a cub not her own species.
"The guys have to be close. We'll leave s-soon." Ruby huffs holding her stomach.
"Ruby what's wrong?" Nicol rushed to her, Numa beside her.
"C-cub…" Ruby looks at her with shaking eyes.
"It's time?" Nicol looks worried.
"He's coming?" Numa calls scared and amazed.
Ruby nods huffing.
"Look at that. Will we see a cub born?" those above sound excited.
"You have to push Ruby." Nicol says sadly. She didn't have the strength to carry her back to a hut.
"I… I can't. Not here." Ruby cries feeling her water break.
Then a door opens with two Slith coming with a stretcher. But as they try to come over.
"Stay way!" Nicol growls ready to attack if she needs too.
"You will let her come." One of the men looks her in the eyes.
And then Nicol becomes docile. Numa hiding not liking the snake men. Ruby was placed on the stretcher brought into the place.
In a medbay…
'Rex. Rex where are you?' Ruby cries as she gives birth.
This was frightening and placed stress on her. They were able to calm her with some medicine and delivered the white furred cub.
Ruby tiredly looks over as she hears the little meows. She sees the tuffs of sandy hair and white skin wrapped in blue near her.
"Darian." Ruby smiles tiredly seeing him.
"Darian huh? Well we should let Snow pick her cubs name." A Slith sighs.
The next morning Ruby is placed back in the pen with the others with her little bundle. Ruby holding him close nuzzling the meowing cub.
"I'm so sorry." Nicol looks at her friend with tears.
"It's not your fault." Ruby shakes her head feeding her cub while things are calm.
"I hate this. I can't even protect you both. Where are the guys?" Nicol was starting to cry. Glad Numa was in the other hut asleep.
"Just try to hold on a bit longer." Ruby's ears droop.
"I can't, I feel so stressed. I can't even eat." Nicol mews sadly. Her fur had lost its shine and she could only force herself to eat a bit because of her cubs.
"Just try. For the cubs. Please?" Ruby pleads with worry.
"I'll try Ruby. He's beautiful, hello little ons. Welcome to the galaxy. It's not the prettiest thing right now but soon you'll see the sun shine. We promise you that." Nicol rubs a hand through the little ones blond curls.
He yawned a small mew and snuggled up to his mother.
"Just wait until you meet daddy. He's going to never let us go again." Ruby smiles down at her little one.
Nicol was looking down sadly and said "Ruby, if it comes to it, take care of my cubs."
"What? Are you giving up on our guys?" Ruby looks even more worried now.
"I do trust they'll come but I don't know how well I'll be when they get here or if my cubs will be born by then. Please if I have a chance to keep them all from this horror, let me. But please promise me you…" Nicol cries.
"I promise. But please. Please hang on a bit more." Ruby one arm hugs her.
Nicol hugs back nodding; she'd listen and keep her hopes up for now. Then they heard little feet come in.
"What's going on?" Numa yawns.
"Oh Numa, come and meet Darian." Nicol wipes away her tears and moves aside.
"Be careful of his ears." Ruby smiles over at the young girl.
Numa looks on wide eyed as she comes over and as she does the little one opens up his amber eyes and tries to grab her. Numa puts a finger out to him and he grabs it.
Numa smiles and then says "Hello my little nera."
The girls looked shocked with tears, but happy ones this time. They knew what nera meant. It means bother. And since she used it like that…
"What's wrong, isn't he my little nera mama and aunty?" Numa looks up at them with wide eyes.
"Yes. Yes we're a family." Ruby nods happily.
"And of course we are my little niece." Nicol snuggles her as well.
They both thought 'Guess Rex has daughter sooner then he thought.' The both chuckles at the thought slightly.
Numa busy playing with her little brother as Darina mewed happily at the two.
With the guys…
Rex is playing with his food not eating much this week. He was too anxious about Ruby and their pup. Sighing heavily he plays with his potatoes making them into shapes.
"Not going to eat?" Cody asks.
"I'm just not that hungry." Rex sighs heavily pushing the tray away a bit.
"You need your strength." Cody knew it was hard but had been force feeding himself to keep his strength up.
"I'll be fine. As soon as we get them back." Rex shakes his head a bit.
"Sigh. At least get some rest, it will help." Cody tries to convince him. Worried for his brother health, even if he himself couldn't sleep without nightmares.
"There you two are." Ahsoka comes running in.
"What's going on?" Rex looks at her confused.
"W-we found them." Ahsoka huffs.
"What? Where?" Rex stands ready to run.
"Are they okay, are they close?" Cody stands as well ready to get into action.
"It's a bit of good news bad news." Ahsoka takes out a tablet sadly.
The guys look confused until she pulls up a news feed. Cody goes pale and Rex glares at what they saw.
News: 'That's right! Not only do we have two female Chats but one has given birth to a baby boy! Be the first to have a photo of little Darian.' A Slith woman motions to a photo they had taken of him that night. 'Help us celebrate his birthday and welcome him to the North Quadrant zoo.' She smiles.
"They can't be serous!" Cody growls looking at this.
"My cub… My cub is not an attraction!" Rex fumes.
"Rex calm down, this isn't the time to get angry. They need…" Cody tries to calm his brother.
"No! This is the PERFECT time to be angry! I missed my cub being born and Ruby has to be terrified. And their selling tickets to see him!" Rex motions to the ticket deal attached to the add.
"Rex you need to calm down. We know where they are now and…" Ahsoka holds her hands up trying to calm him.
"And what?! They're in Separatist space!" Rex cuts her off angry. "What happens when they see this? What are we supposed to do? What are w-we…" Rex starts feeling a bit dizzy.
"Got you vod." Ponds catches him with a trank in hand.
"T-traitor." Rex mutters passing out.
"Ponds he was just mad you dind't have to do that." Cody glares at him.
"I know. But if he needs to be mad at someone let it be me." Ponds nods then looks over at a lower eyed Kix.
Kix had given it to him having it ready in case it was needed for either of them. He wants the girls back too but knew it was possible they'd go wild when hearing any news about them.
"I'm sorry. I just thought you two should know right away." Ahsoka looks down sadly. "T-there are photos on the sight so you can see how they've been doing." She motions to a tab.
"Thank you Ahsoka we'll get on this right away. Don't blame yourself. There would of never been a good time to show us this." Cody sighs looks down sadly after patting her shoulder.
"Let's get him to the medbay and then come up with a plan." Ponds looks at the passed out brother in his arms.
Cody nods, not able to say anything at the moment. Still too shocked by everything.
Once their brother was in the medbay they went to the jedi to get a plan started.
"This isn't good. The Slith are dangerous opponents. And with them in separatist space Dooku could try to go after them at any moment." Kenobi looks on with a frown.
"Then I say we get there as fast as we can and get the girls out quick." Anakin adds.
"Best plan I've heard all day." Cody says with a fire in his eyes. He was never usually so gung ho, but after seeing the picture of how sick Nicol looked he was afraid something would happen if they didn't hurry.
"Hold on there vod, that planet's full of Slith with mind tricks. We gotta find a way in there without getting turned into exhibit ourselves." Ponds holds his shoulder.
"And we don't want to get the girls or the children hurt in the process. We may have to be more sneaky about this." Kenobi rubs his beard.
"Like what, pretending to be Sliths." Anakin scuffs crossing his arms.
"Exaclty." Kenobi smirks.
And with that they got ready on their plan.
At the zoo…
"Look how little he is. Come on Snow bring him this way. I want a photo of him." The Slith snap photos.
"NO! And that's not my name!" Ruby snarls holding her mewing cub close.
'No like! Make it stop.' Darian mews at the flashes.
"I know baby. I know." Ruby nuzzles him.
"Hey look at that one. She's not looking so good. Will the other cubs be okay? If needed they'll force labor and Snow will look after them." The Slith talk about a not doing well Nicol.
"Numa will you look after Darian in the hut while I look over aunty?" Ruby hands over the tiny cub to the eight year old.
"Yes mama." Numa nods holding him delicately heading in.
Numa had been helping out a bit with him. She loved looking after her new little brother. It's ironic, Numa is doing better with her weight while Nicol was doing bad.
As Ruby came up Nicol looked over and hissed in anger telling "My territory."
"Nicol it's me. Friend. Remember? Friend." Ruby droops her ears nuzzling her to assure her.
Nicol edges close to sniff her and asks "Friend?"
'She's not doing well at all.' Ruby looks at her worried.
"Looks like we might have to think about saving the cubs. Well we could try force feeding her first." Two Slith come in to look her over.
"Back up!" Ruby growls.
"You will…" One starts and then Nicol attacks him.
"Get her off!" He shouts.
"If you want her to back off then STOP with that eye trick and listen! Give me what I ask for and I can get her healthy again." Ruby hisses.
'Or at least last until the guys get here.' Ruby hopes.
"Very well." The other hisses getting his companion up. "What do you need?" he stares at Ruby as if she was lower than him.
"I need honeysuckle, Bippleberries, apple grass…" Ruby names a few things off.
A little while later the stuff is dropped off by the door. Ruby then gets to work ignoring the cameras and people.
"Here you go Nicol." Ruby tries to hand her some sort of drink.
"Hiss, poison." Nicol growls.
"It's safe. See, tasty." Ruby takes a sip.
Nicol takes a sniff and then starts to lap it up with her tongue
"W-will aunty be okay?" Numa looks worried holding a mewing Darian, ready for his dinner.
"I hope so." Ruby mumbles taking her cub for him to eat.
'Guys where are you?' Ruby lets a few tears fall looking up at the fake sky.
On the ship…
"W-where am I? Medbay?" Rex looks around at the medbay walls.
"Finally you're up." Cody sighs as he comes in.
"I had the worst nightmare. The girls were in a zoo and Darian…" Rex starts feeling his dizzy head.
"It wasn't a dream Rex." Cody looks at his vod with shaking eyes.
"THAT HAPPENED?!" Rex looks ready to go on a rampage again.
"Calm down vod. We're on our way to them." Pond tries to cool him down.
"I don't want to hear anything from you!" Rex snaps.
"Rex please, he only did it to clam you down. You were out of control." Cody holds his shoulder.
"Why aren't you angry?!" Rex turns to him furious.
"I AM ANGRY REX!" Cody shouts.
Both brothers fall quiet at that. They had never seen Cody like this before and it wasn't good.
"I checked the records on them and guess what they're fine and safe and waiting for you to come. So at least be thankful for that!" Growls hitting the side of the wall.
"What's got you like this?" Rex looks at him worried, calming himself.
Cody starts to shake and then falls to his knees crying "Nicol, she might not make it. I looked at her files and pictures. She, she's sick. She's lost so much weight and her coat, it has no shine anymore. And now… now they're planning on maybe, maybe, inducing labor just to save the cubs… But her…" Cody finally lets his head fall on to one arm while the other turned into a fist and started hitting the floor.
"Oh Cody…" Rex looks at him worried.
"Cody we'll get them back. We promise." Ponds holds him.
"What if we don't get there in time?" Cody shakes.
"We'll get there. It can't be that bad." Rex tries to assure him.
"You haven't seen the pictures!" Cody wails.
"They're not good Rex." Ponds look at him with shaking eyes.
'So then how is Ruby doing? Our cub? Numa?' Rex worries.
At that Kix runs in and gets a sedative into him.
"Get him on the cot." Kix tells Ponds.
He nods and gets him on there.
"There has to be something we can do." Rex tightens his grip on the blanket angry and frustrated.
"We do have some good news Rex. We got a plan. The next day the general, us, and the Card squad are all going in and we're getting them back." Ponds nods to him before heading out.
"I'm ready to go." Rex stares with a fire in his eyes.
Back at the zoo the next day…
Nicol was bathing in the sun on a rock. She felt somewhat relaxed. Then she heard something, her ears jumping at that.
She saw the Sliths coming in and she growled. 'Enemies.' She thought as she crouched and got ready to attack.
One Slith said "Are you sure this is a good idea? Taking Violet may agitate them more."
"I know but she should be with her own kind. And Snow will have more than enough young to look after if Blaze doesn't get better." The other waved it off.
"Sigh, true."
Nicol fallowed them till she saw them heading towards 'Misty cub!'
"Mama!" Numa called to Ruby as she saw the snakes come towards her.
"Let her go!" Ruby hisses holding her now crying cub having been woken up.
"We are taking her to her own kind. Where she belongs. Trust me they'll gladly take her in." One Slith comes close as the other gets ready to use his powers on them.
'NO!' Nicol yowls as she starts to attack them.
"Stop it!" The other Slith tries to get her off or use his powers but nothing works.
"Mama." Numa runs to Ruby hugging her crying.
"I got you. I got you both." Ruby nuzzles both her cubs.
Then the one being attacked took out a needle and Nicol mewed as she fell knocked out.
"What did you do?!" Ruby hisses moving the kids behind her.
The snake ignored her "Looks like you were right about agitating them if we took Violet. But we can't keep letting Blaze attack us."
"She maybe too dangerous to stay with the others at this stage. We'll separate them and once we deem her healthy enough, we'll induce labor." The other hissed.
"No! She won't make it! You'll kill her!" Ruby hisses at them.
They ignored her as they put up the force field to separate them.
"We'll use Snow's treatment and some injections to help keep her healthy, three days should do the trick." The head snake said and then they headed off.
"No! Nicol!" Ruby hits the red wall with downed ears.
"Aunty!" Numa looks in worried.
'I'm sorry I couldn't….' Nicol mews sadly and then falls back asleep.
'Scary. Scary!' Darian mews in his little hay crib.
"I got you baby. I got you." Ruby nuzzles him crying.
'Why mama sad?' Darian mews not understanding.
Numa stays by the wall for a while, looking in on her aunt. She wanted to help her but had no idea what to do. She would have fallen asleep against the wall but Ruby manages to get her to lay down next to her for safety.
'Please hurry guys. Please.' Ruby cries with her cubs close by for warmth.
She looks over at Nicol curled up in the other hut. She feels her heart break at that but there's nothing she can do right now.
On the ship the next day…
Both dads have an aura of 'don't come near' around them. They were furious and ready for a fight at any given moment.
"Please remember we're going in for recon and THEN break them out." Anakin reminds looking over at them.
"I give no promises." Rex says honestly through gritted teeth as he dresses in the Slith robes.
Just being in these made his stomach churn. He just reminded himself this was so he could have his wife and new born cub in his arms.
"Just at least promise us a chance to break their necks." Cody growls as he forces the horrid outfit on.
"Sir should they be coming?" Gus whispers to Anakin.
"No. But I also know there's no stopping them." Anakin looks over at them thinking about Padme.
With that they head down. Rex looked ready to attack seeing families getting half off. Ponds held him at bay.
Cody was much the same, he saw the picture and the fake names they gave them and how people talked about how dangerous she was. 'I'll show you all dangerous.' But Gus holds him back whispering "Hold it together vod. We're almost there."
Walking around they all feel disgusted at all the cages and people that clearly are scared for their lives. Then they see a big crowed around one cage.
"Why did they split it? It must be for Blaze's safety. Or the others from her wild behavior." They say looking at the split cage.
'Ruby.' Rex looks in ready to jump in seeing her trying to calm their crying cub.
Then he sees Numa looking after Nicol. She seems to be trying to get her to play something to keep her awake.
'Oh Nicol, what have they done to you?' Cody feels his heart break with shaking eyes, Gus having to keep him planted once more.
"Steady men." Anakin places a hand on both their shoulders.
"Sir…" Rex looks at him pleadingly then at their families.
"They look bad, please just let us…" Cody starts but…
"Trust me if that was Padme, I'd be fighting back to jump in. I am now. But if you want them safe, we have to look over our schematics." Anakin motions to a blinking device on his belt.
The two grit their teeth but let go of the railings.
'I'm coming Ruby. I'm coming.' Rex takes another look at her before leaving.
'Hold on Nicol, hold on twins I'm on my way.' Cody looks at them with determination.
"Rex?" Ruby looks up thinking she smelt him.
'I'm starting to hallucinate.' Ruby's ears droop nuzzling her cub.
'Mama no sad.' Darian mews nuzzling her.
"Look aunty. I made a tower." Numa smiles a bit sadly at her rock tower.
'Mate, Cedar. No can't be. What Misty cub want?' Nicol looks over with blurry eyes, her tail and ears still.
"Want me to make something else?" Numa starts on something else.
But it falls over. As she goes to start making it again, she starts to cry. She had been trying so hard to be brave, but she's really scared. Not only for herself but for her new family.
Nicol crawls over and tries to nudge at the wall. 'There, there, cub.' She mews lowly.
"I… I'm sorry. I… I can't be brave anymore." Numa hics.
"Oh sweetie." Ruby goes over one arm hugging her close.
Numa sniffles as she leans into her. Darian playing with her tail ends. He thought they were fun, and it seemed to make is mom and sister smile.
At the ship…
"Okay if we go in here, we can get to them and get out unseen." Anakin points out a route.
"One problem. The girls won't leave knowing all those people are there in cages." Rex sighs with a small smile knowing how big Ruby's heart is.
"Maybe if we break into two teams." Ponds ponders. "You two and general Skywalker get the girls then me and the Cards start opening cages." He points out where the systems are.
"Yeah. Yeah. And once enough are open they can free the others and the Slith can't stop the chaos." Punch nods looking it over.
"And we can keep the ship running for them." Sketch agrees looking it over.
"And then the slith can't keep their zoo running anymore." Cody smirks at the idea of them getting their just desserts.
"Alright let's get going." Anakin nods closing it.
At the zoo…
The Slith suddenly came into the girls cage, one saying "Time to go."
"Come on time to get those pretty cubs." The other said.
Nicol hisses at them but was darted making her fall. At that they then put her on a cot.
"No! Let her go! She won't survive if you do that!" Ruby bangs on the force field.
They ignore her as they bring Nicol in. Ruby looks defeated as she starts to mourn her friend. Numa leaning against her crying herself.
Meanwhile the guys are making their way in. Taking out a few gaurds and stealing keys off of them.
"See ya later." Ponds salutes with a mischievous look on his face as he heads off with the Card squad.
Though it was decided Gus would go with them to look over the girls, especial Nicol. While heading in they see Nicol being taken off somewhere else.
"Nicol, they're going to induce her." Cody pales at this.
"Go after her with Gus. We can get Ruby and Numa." Anakin whispers to him.
"Get them back safe Rex." Cody nods.
"You sure you don't need me?" Gus asks.
"Go." Rex motions for them to go.
The two nod and head off. Cody storming like crazy as Gus had trouble keeping up.
Meanwhile….
A doctor was looking over some charts and says "The cubs should be okay if we keep them in bacta tanks for a while. But I can't save the mother."
"She's too wild to keep around. She's caused too much trouble for us." Another said.
The doctor nodded and grabs a syringe. Ready to induce her when…
"Arg!" They were suddenly shot down by stun blasts.
Cody would have preferred hitting them but didn't want to take a chance.
He rushed up to Nicol and said "Nicol, Nicol please." Cody begs as he tries to wake her up.
Gus comes up and gets a look over her and says "She wasn't induced but she's week. We have to leave now."
Cody nods and on the way they take out a few guards and open some cages. Manny people deciding to revolt against their captors.
Meanwhile…
With that Rex and Anakin head for the cage. Opening the door Rex couldn't go in fast enough.
"Ruby." Rex calls running over to her.
"R-Rex?" Ruby rubs her puffy eyes.
"Oh how I've missed you." Rex kisses all over her face.
"W-what took you?" Ruby cries clinging to him.
"Sorry. I won't ever leave you waiting again." Rex hugs her close.
"You're going to wake nera, papa." Numa calls with a finger to her lips.
"P-papa?" Rex flushes at that, looking at her confused.
"I adopted her." Ruby nods looking at him with big eyes.
"I hope you like the last name Shadow." Rex pats her head making her giggle.
Though all the noise makes Darian wake up. He wasn't happy about that.
"Come her little trooper." Rex picks him up gently. "You're not allowed to tell Cody I said that." He looks over at Ruby.
"Nicol! T-they're going to…" Ruby starts in a panic.
"Cody and Gus are going after her. They'll stop them." Anakin assures her.
"Let's get out of here." Rex stands up with their cub in his arms.
"But the others…" Ruby's ears droop picking up a tired Numa.
"Oh that should be covered right about…" Anakin looks at a watch and then an explosion and shouts can be heard.
Ruby smiles at that and they all head off for the ship waiting for them. Kix looks over Ruby and Numa. Then Darian, whom he nearly has to pry out of Rex's arms. Shortly afterwards Nicol is brought in being carried by Cody.
"Is she okay?" Ruby looks over worried.
"She'll be okay after a few days of rest and monitored food." Gus assures her.
"What about the others? Will they be okay?" Numa looks worried yet sleepy.
"They'll be fine. They're helping to free the rest and some ships are waiting to get them off planet." Cody looks down at the girl with a smile as he puts Nicol on the cot.
"Let's get you all settled in a real bed." Rex smiles at his grown family.
"You won't go on shift right?" Ruby tugs on his shirt with shaking eyes.
"I might never go back." Rex pecks the top of her head.
Cody sits down next to Nicol "You all sleep well." Cody nods looking back at Nicol.
"You too." Ruby smiles at him holding her cub.
Numa yawns rubbing her eyes. She wasn't going to make it far.
"Come here sweetie." Rex picks her up.
Numa wraps her arms around his neck snuggling him. Before going he looks over at Cody mouthing 'You jinxed me.' but has a smile as he heads off with his little girl holding on.
Needless to say they were all pretty much in the same bed. Rex is on one side with Numa nuzzled against him with her doll in hand, Darian in a cozy in the middle, and Ruby on the other side holding the cozy close. Rex just looks at them for a while to make sure they're sleeping soundly then closes his eyes.
Cody stayed next to Nicol till the next day when she woke up and called "Cody?"
"Nicol." Cody jumped at that and kissed her.
"Cody how, I thought…" Nicol was too tired to finish.
"Your safe now. Your back on the ship with us and so are Ruby, Numa, and Darian. Everyone's safe, all of you." He rubs her bump.
"Our cubs. Monet, Gregor." Nicol cries as she holds her bump and cries "I thought I wouldn't get the chance to, to…"
"You will, you will. I'm here now and not letting go, not ever again." Cody sits in the bed nuzzling her.
"Promise." Nicol looks up at him.
"I promise." Cody kisses her.