Cortana POV

John had been back 2 weeks and we hardly had any time together. I was still helping mom at ONI and was pulling extra shifts, while John was personally overseeing some of the clones who were finishing their training, and he was finishing Whips too, so we didn't see each other much. Mom promised me that I could take the next week off if I did this next assignment for her but it was off Kamino and John wasn't coming along.

It was a pretty simple and relatively low risk assignment, with two Jedi going as well. See, yesterday Padme Amidala, a diplomat from Naboo, had managed to capture Nute Gunray on Rodia and he was being transported to Coruscant for imprisonment. The Senate had strict rules on what could and couldn't be done to prisoners so mom wanted to do his interrogation on the way, so we were still technically outside their jurisdiction.

With the Spartan members of ONI being crippled or unable to talk I was the only one she trusted enough to interrogate someone as high profile as a Separatist leader, while she tolerated the Jedi, Zey especially, she didn't trust them to do what was necessary. And so that was why I was walking up a corridor with 2 Jedi, a Separatist Leader and some Senate Commando's. It was like the beginning of a bad joke.

'Senate Commando's. How does a money grabbing swamp worm like Gunray rate all of this security? He doesn't look that dangerous.' She wasn't wrong. Gunray was a coward of the highest order but his power was in his position as Viceroy of the Trade Federation and as a leader of the Separatist. This meant the coward had a lot of control over the fates of others, and he had friend who could be dangerous on his behalf.

'Don't let your over confidence give Gunray another advantage Ahsoka.' Both have points I guess.

'It's not Gunray we need to worry about.' Master Unduli was as calm as anything at my surprise entrance but the little scream Ahsoka let out was very satisfying.

'Who the hell are you? Wait, you're that ONI spook from Christophsis.' I nodded. Ahsoka and I didn't spend much time together back on Christophsis so it wasn't hard to imagine she forgot me.

We had only spent 10 minutes together the shuttle trying to run the blockade before I went off with John while she toured the base. Once the droids attacked Ahsoka and her Master went to take down the deflector shield, Kenobi was leading a counter offensive meant to slow their advance leaving the Chief and I to organise the defence of the cannons.

After Kenobi was captured the droid army came in full force. John had his men and the ODST's of the 501st set up anti tank mines to slow the droids, and hopefully block their path with the broke tanks, to try and make their infantry advance alone. With two teams set up in multiple buildings further down the road on either side, and the rest of the men holding a trench like defensive line made from debris, John had dug us in deep to give the Separatists as much of a problem as possible.

After the full retreat of the troops from Kenobi's position and the deflector shield still being operational things weren't looking good. Droid forces had just started their advance on our position and the Chief had ordered the building forces to focus their fire on the Droidekas, as they sometimes set of the anti tank mines, unlike regular droids, and we needed the mines to slow the tanks.

It worked and the tanks started to block the road while the infantry continued the advance. The shield stopped advancing too. It seems the last tank in the line had the transponder for the shield. See, when setting up a shield you can change the speed of its growth, it cost more power but it can be done. By having the last tank hold the shield transponder then you can time the advance of the shield with the march of the army. Now that the tanks weren't advancing the droid infantry was exposed to fire from our defensive line.

It wasn't long before the shield dropped and the cannons wiped out what was left while Chief lead the troops to destroy every last droid he could find. After cleaning up the Separatist forces John and I left command with a Captain Rex and headed back to Kamino, the Jedi were on their way back anyway and the Admiral, Yularen, one of the few capable commanders, had broken through the blockade so there was no need to stay, which meant this was the first time seeing Ahsoka since stepping off the shuttle.

Now, I was half the galaxy away from John once again. This time, instead of being on Kamino and using the comms to talk to him I was now sent to interrogate a Separatist leader with John being the one stuck on Kamino. We only had personal holograms too so we could only contact each other when we were both free, a disorientating change from being able to talk to him whenever I wanted.

'That's right. I was sent to reestablish contact with Spartan-117, the Master Chief.' The Jedi Master stepped forward to introduce herself.

'I am Master Unduli and this is Padawan Tano. We are grateful for ONI's help in this delicate matter.' How very polite of her. Most don't like ONI agents, calling them spooks, due to their secretive nature and always requisition assets and troops to perform covert tasks, and then returning those troops with orders to keep quiet about what happened. In short, ONI agents weren't the most popular branch of the GAR but we got the job done, not that people knew what job that was exactly but still. The best thing was we weren't the most unpopular branch either, that would be the Riot Squads. They stayed on Coruscant and acted like a police force, with every other clone and even ONI agents out in the field they were seen as cowards, borderline Dar'Manda to some.

'You can call me Phoenix, you look nice.' Mom's choice in code name.

'Thank you/Thanks' The two looked at each other, probably surprised that the other had answered as they thought it was speaking to them.

In truth I was talking to them both. Luminara looked graceful and sophisticated, like she was above you but didn't tell you, just let you come to that conclusion on your own. Ahsoka's outfit seemed like she was saying come take a look at me, and what a look it was. She liked to show off what she had but should probably wait until she had something before she flaunted it, like me. My holo avatar wasn't completely fake you know.

We made it to Gunray's cell with little fuss and took ourselves inside. Luminara took the lead of the investigation, being able to sense what was true or not was a valuable skill it was a shame that only Masters could do it well. She was making steady progress but it seems some didn't quite agree.

I was right in my assessment of Ahsoka back on Christophsis, she was a bold one. You would have to be to threaten a prisoner, and a Separatist leader at that.

'I say we just gut him and be done with it.' Luminara didn't look best pleased.

'Ahsoka control yourself.' I spoke up this time.

'I don't know Master Unduli. I think Ahsoka's onto something here.' Gunray quickly folded without his spine.

'Wait, wait, wait. There is no need for such violence, we can negotiate here.' I took it from here. It seemed Gunray responded better to force.

'A deal? Well how about this one, the more valuable information you give us the less we will have to coax it out of you.' Gunray was just stammering his reply when a trooper just reported that a droid boarding party had just entered the system and we wouldn't make it to hyperspace in time. How in hell did they find us? We were in unknown space and jumping between random hyperspace lanes, how on Mandalore did the find us? A spy. Someone betrayed our location, and I very much doubt it was the Jedi. So that left a clone or a Senate Commando, and I know which my credits were on.

The ship shook as the boarding party pierced the hull. Clone troopers reported that the pods were releasing B-2 Super Battle Droids into the hanger and that the droids were winning. Luminara called for all available clone forces to rendezvous at the hanger, due to the secrecy of the mission it was deemed to much of a risk to assign more than a skeleton crew to the ship encase Separatist listening posts noticed the missing clones and realised the importance of their assignment, this meant even a relatively small droid force could take a ship like the Venator Class Star Destroyer, usually they housed around 7,400 crew with around 5,000 to 20,000 troops, as this one only had 2,100 essential crew members and most couldn't leave their posts. It was decided that a smaller force had a higher chance of going undetected, although that didn't matter now they knew we were here.

'General, the droids. Their overrunning us, they have a new model and it tearing us apaaahhh…' The comms went silent.

'A new droid? What do we do Master?' Luminara unsure, conflicted between the mission and her men. She soon made up her mind.

'Ahsoka stay to guard the prisoner with Phoenix and Captain Argyus. I shall go to reinforce the clones in the hanger with commander Gree.' With that Master Unduli and the Commander both went to help reinforce the hanger while Ahsoka and I were left with the Viceroy.

'It appears you are in no position to negotiate after all.' As soon as things seem to be going his way Gunray's arrogance comes out in full force.

'After my rescue…' Ahsoka decide to dissuade the good Viceroy of any ideas that may prove hazardous to his health.

'Rescue? Maybe they are here to make sure you don't talk.' I chimed in.

'I guess this means you have a decision to make Gunray, rely on the small amount of droid forces to overwhelm a fully stocked war ship filled with tens of thousands of trained clone troopers and rescue you. Or you can talk now, knowing that the droids will be repelled and saving yourself from a very uncomfortable position. Please know, I am perfectly happy with whichever you choose.' His confidence fled once he became aware of the full reality of the situation. I invited Ahsoka in to help me interrogate the Victory and she appear all too eager, something that didn't sit too well with Gunray.

I had only just started my interrogation when a pair of red lightsabers started to cut through the ceiling of the detention centre. The assassin known as Ventress dropped from the roof along with a new type of droid. It was a rusted brown colour and had a more box shaped head then the B-1 droids, wider too. Ventress and the droid made short work of the clones in charge of the detention centre and Captain Argyus made short work of his other Senate Guards, at least we know who the traitor is now.

'Query: Am I allowed to kill all these Meatbags Master? Excitement: Oh please Master. This would be a great pleasure for me.' Well that was new. The whole stance of the droid was different from anything seen before and it's speech patterns suggested a far higher cognitive ability than even the Commando droids.

'Kill them all but spare the Neimoidian.' The droid started to approach so Ahsoka and I readied ourselves, her igniting her saber and me grabbing the silenced SMG I brought with me, taking off the silencer. I preferred the small size and high power of the weapon, the silencer attachment was brought along just in case.

The silencer was unique for the M-series SMG, although ONI was working on re-purposing some to be attached to M-series Snipers. The silencer muffles the ignition of the Tibana gas and has a set of lenses inside that are meant to refract the plasma and darken its colour without compromising its power. Due to the fact that plasma passed directly through the lenses within the silencer it only had limited use before the plasma burnt out the lenses making the silencer useless.

As the new droid approached the cell it raised its rifle and shot Captain Argyus. It seems this new droid either takes it's orders literally or likes to find ways to circumvent its master's will through loopholes left in its commands, considering it said Excitement when asking to kill us meatbags I think I know which one. Luminara burst into the detention centre causing both Ventress and the droid to whip around to face her. Ventress moved to engage but Luminara had used her force powers to open the cell before Ventress could reach her. Ahsoka rushed to help Luminara with Ventress while I rushed the droid, firing at it's back.

It quickly turned back to me but I was already upon it as it was turning, allowing me to knock the rifle from it's hand. It, curiously, had a two handed rifle that had more in common with the clones DC-15A then the droid E-5 single handed blaster.

It reacted quickly, I had acquired a clone Commando Wrist Vibroblade and had planned on using it to sever the droids head and chassis but the droid was too fast. It was lightning fast, Spartan fast. It punched me in the chest, crumpling the modified clone armour. I was sent flying back into the cell and was left strewn across the table as Gunray made his exit, the force didn't kill me thanks to the armour but it did drive the air from my lungs and make concuss when I hit my head.

All ONI agents were given modified clone armour to allow us to blending better and reduce sniper risk, killing intelligence agents is a good way to reduce an armies information gathering abilities after all, but we still need to be identified by friendly units so the ONI diamond was painted on our shoulder. It was decided to use this to identify ONI agents as clones had so many symbols that another symbol would be best at allowing us to blend in while still being identifiable.

I shook my head. It seems that while concuss my mind drifts because while I was thinking about the reason for ONI armour the droid had already picked me up and dragged me out of the cell before throwing me into the wall at the far end of the cell corridor.

'HK-67, get Gunray out of here. We are leaving, now.' It seems two Jedi was too much for Ventress.

'Resignation: *Sigh* Understood Master. Lamentation: It seems I must leave before I can release you of your pathetic existence. Apologise: You must now continue in your suffering known as life.' Like hell I was going to just let them walk away like that. If we couldn't keep Gunray then they weren't having him. Unfortunately, due to my already average aim and my condition thanks to the droid, my aim wasn't very good. I hit Gunray but only in the shoulder before he managed to get away.

They used the elevator tubes to make their way to the lower levels. Just as the Jedi were going to give chase the ship shook as a large explosion went off. It seems that our infiltrators were also saboteurs as they had rigged the engine room with explosives. This also had the added effect of knocking out the power, leaving us on auxiliary power for the gravity and life support.

Commander Gree came to tend to me and had called for some of his men to take me to the infirmary. I was fine, these men didn't need to carry me, I was injured not infirm.

The Jedi had started to cut their way through the elevator to give chase.

Once at the infirmary the medic only had a few patients due to the droids not really leaving many survivors, which meant he had more than enough time for me. He had just removed my chest plate when I spoke up.

'Touch me and you won't live long enough to tell anyone what it's like.' That made the medic nervous but I wasn't going to get felt up by a sexually repressed clone that was seeing a female's chest for the first time.

'But Ma'am, I need to…' Not. Happening.

'I can do it myself, leave me. GO.' He left me after that. I drew the curtains and took of my under shirt. I looked worse than it was, probably. There was a large purple bruise that spread across my chest that made it hard to breath, John was going to lose it when he found out. I had only seen John angry twice before. The first was during the King of the Hill incident where he proceeded to dislocate Freds jaw and the other was on a mission to Felucia.

Mom wanted us to have field experience together in extreme conditions, so sent us to locate and kill a Bull Rancor, she had rather extreme ideas of what training actually entailed. They were one of the most fearsome creatures in the galaxy and were considered to be the only truly untameable species, even Krayt Dragons could be tamed if trained from birth. We managed to track a Bull Rancor down quickly but the fight didn't go well. John jumped into its nest to engage as it was the only open space and he needed that space to manoeuvre around the deceptively quick creature. I took refuge with a tree near the edge and was taking calculated potshots at it with a DMR. John wasn't making much progress with his Assault Rifle as his blaster wasn't piercing it's hide, a very worrying thing as the only blaster with more punch were the Sniper Rifles and we left that on the ship.

John eventually managed to shoot its eye which caused it to rampage and smack John across it's nest. It must have sniffed me out as the next thing I know it grabbed me and tried to eat me.

John doesn't get angry easily but when he does it's like a frozen rage consumes him. The Rancor was so focused on trying to eat me it failed to notice John charging at it with his Spartan Saber, cutting off its leg from the knee down. He then cut off the arm holding me. I rolled back to my feet just in time to see John snap off on of the Bull Rancors tusks, with some help from his Saber but not much, and stab it in the other eye with said tusk.

He took a step back, watching as it roared in pair. I quickly threw a thermal detonator into its mouth and the Rancors head exploded. That seemed to snap John back to reality as he then wasted no time in fussing over me. I had a bit of a rough landing but John had always been overprotective of me. It could be grating at times but I knew it was just because John didn't know what he would do if I ever left him and he didn't cope well with being overwhelmed by his emotions.

Once he starts to calm down again he remembers that I can take care of myself but those initial moments when I get hurt he doesn't handle well, fussing and worrying but not in an overt way where he does everything for me, like fluffing my pillows or fetching me a drink. No John was more of the type who would refuse to leave my side until I was better, my eternal warden, and would carry me where I needed to go rather than let me walk. John's fussing could be fun at time, I mean what girl doesn't like being swept of her feet by her knight in green armour, but when he goes overboard and doesn't put me down I need to be more firm. This snaps him back quickly and he puts me down but you need to force him back, not an easy thing to do, forcing a Spartan.

That's why, while I wrapped Bacta infused bandages around my torso I knew John would freak. I would have sent word back of my injury but that would just make it worse as he would be unable to confirm my status himself. Not that anyone back on Kamino would know he was worried even if I did send back word. Even when worried, angry or even when he was happy John had a mean Sabbac face like no other.

You know, now I think about it I could have John play Sabbac with the Cuy'val Dar. I would have to direct him of course, as he doesn't know how to play, but I could give him an earpiece to direct him on what to do.

I made my way to the bridge to see the Jedi informing Master Yoda and Knight Skywalker on what had happened. Mom was also there but she wasn't saying anything until I arrived.

'Phoenix, where were you?' Nothing gets past her.

'I had to finish up on something.' She gave me a quick look up and down.

'I will inform him before your arrival. Do you have anything else to report?' It was probably for the best. Mom was the only person John trusted enough to calm him down whenever I got injured and he couldn't check on me himself.

I gave my report on the droid, how it wasn't anything like we've seen before and that it had abilities on par with Spartans in at least strength and speed, most likely more. It was a disturbing thought for everyone as it meant they were able to kill Jedi with their level of ability. The fact that it had also knock Ahsoka into a wall while trying to leave alongside Ventress only reaffirmed this.

I also told them of my attempt to take out the Viceroy before he fell back into enemy hands. Luminara looked like I had committed the gravest sin imaginable, Yoda just bowed his head and closed his eyes, knowing the necessity of such actions but not liking them all the same. Skywalker looked pleased, smug actually. Mom and Ahsoka looked to be the most blase about it, mom knowing I was doing what I was trained to do while Ahsoka just didn't seem to see what the big deal was. She, most likely, didn't see Gunray's death to be a big waste to anyone, in fact she more than likely saw it as a benefit for everyone.

We then discussed the locator beacon within the stolen ship and it was decided that Kit Fisto would chase it down as he was closest. The Jedi also dispatched Nahdar Vebb and mom sent Spartan Fireteam Red to help deal with Ventress and the Droid.

Cortana POV

The shuttle doors had only just opened fully when a great big shadow engulfed me and the great green lug picked me up and started to carry me bridal style.

'Put me down John, I'm not an invalid.' He didn't say anything, just carried on walking down the corridor. His hurried pace caused more than a few people to jump out of his way.

'I can walk John.' Still nothing. I sighed, he wasn't going to let me down it seems. I could have put my foot down on the issue but it should bring him some comfort to have physical proof that I am okay, and if he found that by carrying me there was no point arguing as he would fight tooth and nail until finally giving in to me, I always win arguments with him no matter how petty I have to get.

'Where are we going?' He still hadn't slowed down and we had just passed the turnoff to the barracks, where our room was located.

'Infirmary.' Oh hell no. I was fine, and this thick headed neanderthal had better get that through his Beskar covered head. And speaking of Beskar, why was he still wearing his helmet. I know the Spartans didn't like to be out of their armour, like most Mandalorians, and while Spartans took it to an extreme by wearing it even on Kamino they at least took their helmets off.

'We are not going to the Infirmary as I. Am. Fine! If you are taking me anywhere it's our room, and if you don't I will make my own way there.' He passed the next turn that would swing us around to the barracks.

'John…' He heard the warning in my tone as he finally started to make his way to our room.

Once John opened the door Whip was jumping all over John to try to lick my face.

'Whip.' He understood John's tone as Whip stopped jumping on us and made his way to his little bed next to Johns. John laid me on my bed as gently as possible, like I was a princess or something. I was a Mandalorian for kriffs sake and he had better start treating me like one.

'Do you need anything?' What was with him today? Perhaps he didn't like our time apart as much as me, the fact that he couldn't get a hold of me probably didn't help matters but I had never seen him this nervous before. Like I said, a firm hand usually snaps him back.

'You can sit the kriff down and grow a pair.' He seemed to realise I've had enough, about damn time.

'Sorry,' Great. Now I felt like the jerk in all of this. He didn't take being overwhelmed by his emotions well, no Spartan did, but John was the worst as he usually had so much control over them so when they did overwhelm him he didn't have enough experience to know what to do.

'It's okay John. If it's something serious then it's fine but for something minor like this then let me just deal with it, I didn't need your help.' I was very independent and didn't need him hovering over me every step of the way.

'It's my job to take care of you.' Oh John. You big idiot.

'We are supposed to take care of each other. And we do.' John just held my hand as he sat beside me. These bunks were heavy duty, Halsey had all Spartan rooms refurbished with reinforced beds and a door that lead to a room where a machine will help the Spartans put their armour on and take it off.

'Now, I need some sleep.' John nodded and stood up.

'I'll leave you too it.' He still had a lot to learn, that wasn't an order to leave but an offer to join.

'John, I spent two weeks barely seeing you, and only took this mission so we could have a week off together, so you had better take that damn suit off and join me.' He stared at me a second and went to the other room to take it off. We hadn't shared a bed together before but I wasn't going to pass up a chance like this. Besides, mom seemed to realise how I felt about him, now I just had to get him to figure it out too.

I stripped off my armour and under suit before putting on a grey tank top with ONI written across it. I slipped on some shorts and got into bed. John stepped back in with a shirt, one that had SPARTAN written on it, and was wearing longer shorts than mine. For beds that were assigned to one person they fit two people comfortably.

John got in behind me and wrapped me up. I turned into his chest and rest my head on his arm. He shouldn't have a problem but if it was dead in the morning, well, he was a Spartan and would just have to deal with it.

'Goodnight John.' I dozed off quickly but not before hearing him whisper goodnight back.

John POV

I left Cortana to sleep in. She may have been trained by Dr. Halsey personally but she never had as strict a schedule as we did. Spartans had to be up at a certain time and that was that. I was on the balcony that overlooked the Yard when Sam found me.

'I'm surprised Freds not here with how much he wants you up his…' I didn't let him finish.

'Sam!'

'What? You know it's true. Give me another good reason why someone as anal retentive and as good as Fred would want to play second fiddle to you.' Sam was one of my first friends, from before I even met Cortana. He, Kelly and I were inseparable even with the inclusion of Cortana but I also spent time with Cortana first, before she dragged me back to all of the others, whenever we had Yard. Sam found it hilarious and didn't stop her, it also helped enjoyed the time alone with Kelly too.

'How is she?' He must have heard that Cortana was hurt from somewhere.

'Sleeping. It's nothing too serious.' Sam took his place on my left. Fred was my second, no doubt, but Sam was my best friend. As for Cortana, she was something better than a friend but I had not yet found the right word to call it.

'That's not the way I hear it. From what I'm told you started speeding down the corridors heading for the infirmary before suddenly going to your room. Were you kissing it better or using more… sexual… healing methods?' The look I gave him did nothing to wipe that maddening grin off his face.

'No.' He seemed to take the warning in my tone as a challenge.

'But you have kissed her right? I mean, wounded damsel, knight in armour, big scary monster, there is always a kiss in there somewhere. Unless… She didn't kiss the droid did she? I hear that in some stories the hulking knight is the real monster.' The punch I gave him left him rubbing his arm but it only seemed to encourage him.

'Have you had sex with her yet? I mean two teens lock in a room together with no oversight. I've seen the way you two look at each other.' I didn't grace him with a response, as that seemed to be what he was after. He gave up at that.

Sam had always been more social than most Spartans and enjoyed to joke around, this coupled with Kelly's odd humour and comedic timing, in the middle of fighting was her main preference, made them fast friends.

'Jerome and Isabel just shipped out.' To find the droid that hurt Cortana. I wanted to go but Halsey said I was still on leave, it was the first time I really hated mandatory leave. I had spoken to the pair before they went to make sure they understood the dangers. Jerome had a good head on his shoulders and he wouldn't let anything happen to little Isabel. She was by far the most innocent of the Spartans, she could kill but she started to feel guilty when her mission were over and allowed herself to think about them afterwards. Fighting droids should help her, along with being with Jerome, who doted on her the most out of all of us. She was a little anxious and shy when out of combat but she would do her job without any problems, so I wasn't worried about her per say, more that I didn't want to put her in a situation where she would have to kill anyone as I didn't want to get her upset.

'I know.'

'Think she can handle it?' Sam didn't doubt her he just worried that she would go far enough to complete the mission. He was one of the more ruthless Spartans, which went well with Kelly's cynical humour as her favourite time to make a joke was during missions when everything that could go wrong did. They made a good, if slightly scary, pair.

'She won't let him down.' Sam seemed to accept the answer.

'You know, those two remind me a lot of you and Cortana. The only difference being those two have at least kissed each other.' I understood the unspoken question.

'We have.' That brought him up short.

'When?'

'About a year ago.' His look was incredulous.

'A whole year?! That girl is so into you and you've done it once, a year ago?' I nodded.

'She hasn't done it since.' Sam palmed his face. He let out a resigned sigh, why? Cortana never did it again but that was her choice, I was a little disappointed but if she just didn't want to do so that was her choice.

'That's because she is waiting on you. She kissed you making her interests known now you have to kiss her back to let her know you feel the same.' I was confused.

'But she already knows?!' Sam shook his head.

'That's not how this works John. You need to prove it to her physically. Now go back to your room and wake up Sleeping Beauty with a kiss.' He left after that, having said his piece. I stood looking over the Yard. It seems I had a decision to make.