Fates Ties Chapter 10, a star wars: the clone wars fanfic

[CH 10]

[Me 1]

Suddenly she heard chuckling she looked back to see Irma and said "Not one word. He and Bait almost died last night."

Hearing that Irma's eyes widen as she asks what happened. Cora explained what happened and what she had to do to help Echo and how he asked her to stay.

'The poor things.' Irma looks over at all of them.

"I'm kind of stuck here. Now I know how he felt on Rishi."

"Do you really want to?" Irma giggles quietly.

Cora takes in his scent and snuggles in as she says "Maybe not for a while. How's Fives?"

"B-better." Irma flushes remembering getting caught making out by a doctor.

"Good to hear he's feeling better. The others will appreciate to have some good news."

Suddenly they heard a groan and they both looked over to see Rex with a bit of wide eyes as she said "Did I miss something?"

Cora then said "To tired to explain captain. Ask the doctors." And with that she snuggled in deep once more and fell back asleep.

Irma walks Rex out. She tells him what happened.

They knew they'd have to stay for a while so the guys could recover. The doctors also wanted to see what was so different from the girls that they weren't affected at all. Both girls found it neat their blood could help as a vaccine of some kind.

During this period Kenobi tries to help the girls through what happened. Cora seemed to take well to this. Irma talked about the smoke and worked through that. But there's a subject she's avoiding and it was affecting her.

They had all been moved to the palace. Padme thought it would be more relaxing. The queen also wanted to thank all of them for what they risked for Naboo.

Irma and Cora were enjoying the back garden as Anakin came over. Irma snaps a photo of him in the afternoon sunlight.

"Irma, want to go over those moves I told you about?" Anakin motions for them to go to a practice hall.

"I… I don't feel like it." Irma changes the settings on her camera as the light shifts.

(Cora)

"She's right. You haven't picked up your saber in days. What's wrong?" Anakin looks confused.

"I just don't feel like it okay?!" Irma snaps.

(Cora)

"Sorry. I just… I want to be alone." Irma rushes off.

(Cora worrying most likely)

"Leave her be." Anakin stops her shaking his head. "This she has to face alone. But she'll be stronger for it at the end. Trust me." He walks off.

Irma ran to her large room. She felt like she couldn't breathe as images of that fight popped into her head.

'Stop. Stop it!' Irma slides down the door shaking with her heart in her throat.

Irma felt useless. Her saber had become so important to her and now… now she couldn't even look at it let alone hold it. She could barely stand the weight of it on her belt. While crying her cell started ringing.

"Hey dad." Irma wipes away her tears forcing a smile.

"What happened Irma? And don't say nothing." Mr. Spell demands.

Irma tells him breaking down. She felt so ashamed of it all. How she lost control and that dark cold that seeped in so easily.

"I… I can't even look at it." Irma balls.

"I understand." Mr. Spell nods in a calm tone. "I had a point where I couldn't fly after a mission. The thought of a plan terrified me." He explains.

"H-how did you get back in?" Irma wipes her tears calming down.

"My CO sent me home and told me to think about what scared me. And after I figured that out then I'd come back from my leave and face it." Mr. Spell explained.

"T-think it will work?" Irma hics with scared eyes.

"It's worth a shot. Take it off and place it in a drawer then take some of your last free days to relax and think. Then face it." Mr. Spell instructs.

"And if I can't?" Irma looks at him sadly.

"Then you find another way to help your team." Mr. Spell has an assuring smile then hangs up.

Irma stands up and does as instructed. Placing it away she takes a few deep breathes. There were two others that needed to know. Fives she'd tell when she was ready to face it. But Cora she needed to help her find a way to clear her head enough that she could proses this internally.

Irma found Cora still in the garden. She sat her down by the swings and told her everything. What she had been feeling since then, the nightmares of turning sith that won't stop, panic attacks, and her hands shaking holding her saber.

(Cora/ hugs and comfort most likely.)

"Dad suggested walking away for a few days. But I don't know what to do." Irma shakes slightly in her hug.

(Cora)

[Partner 1]

When Echo woke up he felt something warm up against his chest and it smelled nice like 'guiding stars.' His eyes widened at that as he looked down in shock and his mind freezes but then 'Cora, in bed with me… why?' Last night he remembered last night and 'She gave me mouth to mouth, I asked her to stay. Oh I asked her… what was I thinking?'

His face was flushed and suddenly his vitals where spiking slightly from his excelled heart rate. Cora woke at the beeping and said "Echo are you okay?" "Cora I… I…" She jumped saying "Echo are you okay? Calm down, I'm right here." "I… I…"

Cora then realized it, he was freaking out. She leaned into kiss the side of his face close to his lips. He calmed at that but was still flushed as he said "But why?" "Cause I love you of course. That's why I did all this." She caressed his face and their eyes met again. That feeling to inch closer came again but…

"Oh come on not in front of us." Heavy said then Cutup said "Yeah that won't help us get any better." "Guys!" they yelled but at that a doctor came in and said "They do have a point. Your um… boyfriend is doing better now after his attack last night." "Attack!" Heavy and Cutup shouted shocked the doctor then explained what happened last night to both Echo and Droidbait.

They both seemed pale at that but then he the doctor said "Ms. Arrow I know it's been a difficult time, but we would like to do some blood work on you and Ms. Spell just to know if your blood could help us with a possible vaccine for the Blue Shadow."

Cora then said "Oh course, be right there." Cora got up after giving Echo a kiss on the forehead and said "See you all later."

Time passed and Kenobi helped then through what happened and they were moved to the palace to recover.

The girls were enjoying the garden when Anakin came up.

"Irma, want to go over those moves I told you about?" Anakin motions for them to go to a practice hall.

"I… I don't feel like it." Irma changes the settings on her camera as the light shifts.

"What's wrong Irma? You haven't wanted to practice in a long while."

"She's right. You haven't picked up your saber in days. What's wrong?" Anakin looks confused.

"I just don't feel like it okay?!" Irma snaps.

Cora jumped at that looking wounded and said "Irma I just…"

"Sorry. I just… I want to be alone." Irma rushes off.

"I better go check on her."

"Leave her be." Anakin stops her shaking his head. "This she has to face alone. But she'll be stronger for it at the end. Trust me." He walks off.

Cora sighed, she wanted to help Irma but maybe she did need to handle it by herself or she needed to wait a bit till she came to her. She felt a bit of tears. Irma had never raised her voice at her.

She decided to go look around the garden it helped her to relax. The others were doing better. Fives had to go through some physical therapy, but he was on his legs again. In fact the doctors said they'd be well and ready to go back in maybe a few days.

Maybe that will help, Rex was still trying to take all the crazy in. Echo and Bait where just getting over their attacks. The others were trying to comfort them but they seemed off about something. Maybe the sense of normalcy, at least for them, would help them as well.

When Irma came back and told her what was really going on. She was in shock she knew what she had gone through and had worried but she thought she had talked to Kenobi about it.

"Oh Irma, I thought you told Kenobi about all this." She hugged her and said "It wasn't your fault. Those no good sith tried to turn you, it was not your fault."

"Dad suggested walking away for a few days. But I don't know what to do." Irma shakes slightly in her hug.

"I have an idea. It will help you and the guys. Let's go on a two day swimming trip. We can camp under the stars. Make s'mores, enjoy the scenes, tell non scary stories, and even get the guys to blush as we wear swimsuits. Ahaha."

(Irma.)

The two girls laughed at that.

Back with the boys.

As they were getting out of their examination for the day Fives finally had enough of Bait and Echo's depressing attitude.

(Fives probably asking them what's wrong and not to say nothing cause they can tell.)

Bait then said "It's just… I was the first out guy. I know everyone always saw me as the physically weakest of the group, but after going out first and then the attack I… I see how true that is now."

Heavy then said "Bait that's crazy you are not…"

Echo then said "It's true. We both are. I didn't last much longer after Bait and then I almost didn't even make it not unless Cora had done what she did. I… I… I've never been the strongest that's why I study so hard. Cause I wanted to be important to the group."

(Fives.)

Cutup then said "Yeah you guys, that's not true. You're just as important to the team. We're clones we're all strong and capable."

Bait then said "Not all of us and you know it. I should have been put on maintenance like 99."

Echo then said "Both of us should have."

Heavy shouted "Hey do not talk like that about yourselves. 99 is a great clone, he would have been just as good in the battle field if not for what happened."

(Fives.)

[Me 2]

"I wonder how Fives will react to my tattoo." Irma laughs feeling a bit better.

The two girls laughed at that.

Back with the boys.

As they were getting out of their examination for the day Fives finally had enough of Bait and Echo's depressing attitude.

"Alright you two, what's up? And don't say nothing?" Fives flinches a bit turning to them.

Heavy then said "Bait that's crazy you are not…"

"Come on, you two can't really think that can you?" Fives stares at them a bit worried now.

Cutup then said "Yeah you guys, that's not true. You're just as important to the team. We're clones we're all strong and capable."

Bait then said "Not all of us and you know it. I should have been put on maintenance like 99."

Echo then said "Both of us should have."

Heavy shouted "Hey do not talk like that about yourselves. 99 is a great clone, he would have been just as good in the battle field if not for what happened."

Fives was going to add on but Rex came around the corner.

"Sir." They salute.

"At ease." Rex nods to them.

"What's going on?" Heavy looks confused.

"Are we being called in?" Cutup glances at all of them still not at their best.

"No." Rex shakes his head. "The girls asked if a few days on the beach would be alright. The doctors think it will help with recovery and the queen agreed to let us you her private beach." He explains.

(Echo/ catching the us bit)

"General Kenobi and I will be joining you." Rex nods.

"All do respect sir, but why?" Fives looks confused.

"Truthfully I still can't wrap my head around everything. Spending some time with the info and all of you might help me. And the general is more like a chaperon. To make sure certain troopers and young jedi stay in their rooms during late hours." Rex glances at the now flushed two.

The others snicker a bit at that. Rex tells them their leaving tomorrow around noon so it gives them time to pack and buy swim trunks.

While they leave Rex keeps an eye on Fives. He felt guilty for that wound on his side. It had been healing nicely and left a scar that looks like a small star on his lower ab and back. Though Fives had taken to keeping his shirt on, the scar made him feel uneasy and out of breath.

The next morning the girls are first at the main entrance.

"Cora… I'm really sorry I snipped at you yesterday. I was just…" Irma rubs her arm feeling ashamed.

(Cora)

Irma smiles at that. The girls hug then laugh at how they think the guys will react to their swimsuits.

"Well at least you two look happy." Kenobi looks over at the guys still a bit sluggish.

Kenobi was coming for another reason. Cora had gone with her to tell him and Anakin what she was going through. The men agreed Kenobi would be best to help her through this while Anakin stayed in case the council calls.

The hover ride was fairly quiet. This made everyone a bit nervous. The guys normally teased one another and the girls played their music.

'They REALLY need this.' Kenobi looks back at the long faces on the guys and the bags under Irma's eyes.

Irma falls asleep for a bit lying on Cora's shoulder. She could at least fight off the dreams when she had someone near and get some real rest.

Arriving at the queen's beach villa, the girls had opted for staying on the beach with tents and only using the villa as needed. Like for changing or cooking.

They start setting up camp first. Once that's done the girls head to change while the guys draw lots to see who goes where.

Kenobi got the tent closest to the girls to himself. Which they all think he used some sort of trick to get that, but won't say it out loud. Echo and Bait are together in the red tent to the right, Heavy and Cutup are in green next to them, and finally Rex and Fives are in the blue tent on the other side of the girls.

'And with the captain. Good luck Fives.' Some of the others feel for him.

(Echo)

"Luck isn't with me." Fives sighs.

"What's going on?" Irma looks confused as she come back.

(Irma's outfit: her hair has a small hair tie keeping it off her face/ A single strapped light purple swimsuit top with blue butterflies on it/ a rose red towel over her shoulders/ black swim shorts/ an over the shoulder beach bag/ and black flip flops)

"Can I still fight Fives for her?" Heavy whispers over to Cutup.

"Not before I do." Cutup stares amazed.

"Is that how young woman on Earth dress?" Kenobi stares at Irma's outfit.

"No, some wear far less if anything." Irma laughs setting her towel down.

"Bait, we're plotting a course for Earth. Now." Both guys pull in their shyer brother.

"I don't think that'll work." Droidbait escapes from their grip.

[Partner 2]

Echo caught what Rex said and asked "Us sir?"

When waiting for the boys "Hey I've been worse don't sweat it. Anyone would be tense after that."

At the beach Echo said "Good luck Fives."

Cora came out after Irma. She had taken some time to get as much sunscreen on as possible, she hated sunburns. She wore a top similar to Ahsoka's but it had straps that came to tie behind her neck. It was colored sky blue with leopard spots on it. She wore black swim shorts for woman and black swim shoes. She had a bag with her holding her towel, sunscreen and some snacks.

She said with a chuckle "What are you two doing to poor Bait?" Bait was still running from his brothers when they stared back at her words.

Bait shrunk behind a rock as Cutup and Heavy looked on in shock Cutup said "That's it, if I ever find a way to Earth I'm taking it!" Heavy fist bumped him and Cora said "You guys are impossible you know that!?"

They all laughed at that and Cora saw that Fives was staring over at Irma and was talking to her. The two where blushing as they talked but Kenobi was keeping a close eye on them. She chuckled at that then turned to Echo, he was wearing light blue shorts and a white shirt, and he was looking at her with his face all beat red. 'Oh no don't faint please.'

She came up and gave him a peck beside the lips and said "Hey calm down there. I saw you shirtless. This is nothing." He gulped but nodded as they grabbed hands as they sat together she brought out some sunscreen and said "Here don't want you all getting burned."

Cora then saw Cutup and Heavy still pestering Bait who looked all red, and sighed. She used the force to lift some water and dropped it on them.

"Hey what was that!?" "Again?!" "What just happened?" Cora then called "You guys needed to cool off!"

Kenobi laughed as he said "I should have used such tactics on Anakin when he was a teenager. Then I know he would have focused better."

Rex shook his head at his younger brothers' antics but had to emit Cora's tactics gave results. He looked at the couples then and raised his brow. Irma and Fives still seemed tense but being around each other seemed to be helping.

Echo and Cora where now heading to wade in the shallow end a bit Cora observing some of the small fish as Echo told her which ones where which.

It seemed like they were all calming down. He just hoped this trip would help them deal with whatever scars they all had and that he could find a way to wrap his mind around all this.

They all hung about the edge of the beach for a bit. Cora and Echo loved to look at the fish and swim in the water. Echo kept his shirt on still a bit embarrassed after what happened in the hospital a while ago. Cora sighed at that but let it be, not wanting to make him uncomfortable.

Bait, Cutup, Heavy and Rex where playing some volley ball while Irma and Fives seemed to just stroll about and Obi-Wan meditated on some rocks.

Cora found herself relaxing but she could sense something was off with Echo. "Echo are you okay? You seem off." Echo said "Don't worry Cora. It's just something me and the guys were talking about."

"You know I'm here if you want to talk about it." "I don't want to burden you with it." She swam up to him and said "It's not a burden Echo. Please talk to me." He sighed and said "Maybe later, let's just enjoy ourselves for now." Cora sighed, she didn't like not knowing things but she'll wait, for now.

Cora suddenly heard Fives and Irma coming in and they joined them over to swim.

Cora said "The waters here are great aren't they?"

(Irma.)

Echo then said "They do feel relaxing."

(Fives.)

Cora then said "Hey let's make a sand castle later. Or sculpture, those are so much fun. Haven't mad one in a long while."

Echo said "What's a sand castle?"

(Fives.)

(Irma.)

Cora then "We'll have to teach you all how to make one as soon as possible. After a bit more swimming though. This always relaxes me." She started floating on her back to and began to stroke slightly.

They did indeed try to teach the guys how to make a sand castle. Even Rex was curious. But in the end it turned into a sand war.

They all had to dunk in the water to help them clean up after that mess. Let's just say Kenobi was not pleased with getting sand in his beard.

[Me 3]

"Is that a tattoo?" Fives spots it as he walks over.

(Fives outfit: 501st blue trunks and a black button shirt with a few undone)

"I got it when I was eighteen." Irma nods as he sits next to her.

"Really? Any others?" Fives looks at her curiously.

"No." Irma laughs.

The two laugh joking for a while. Irma knows Kenobi is keeping a close eye. Especially on them. They were clearly further in the relationship then Cora and Echo.

"Come on let's walk around." Fives holds his hand out for hers.

Irma takes his hand as they walk along the shoreline. Irma always liked this when she was at the beach.

Out of eye sight Fives pulls her in for a kiss. Irma places her hands on his side feeling the scar. Fives flinches a bit with it still being tender.

"Sorry, are you alright?" Irma looks at him worried.

"Yeah, it just stings a bit." Fives recomposes himself.

"I'm sorry, if I had gotten to it sooner…" Irma's eyes lose some of their shine.

"Hey." Fives cups her face in his hands. "I'm alive because of you. Don't forget that." He kisses the top of her head.

Irma smiles leaning her cheek into his hand. Fives simply hugs her close. He did know something was bothering her though he didn't know what. Looking out into the water they see Echo and Cora swimming about.

'He's looking better.' Fives sighs with relief.

"Why don't we go for a swim?" Irma pulls him into the water.

Cora said "The waters here are great aren't they?"

"I haven't been in an ocean in forever." Irma floats on her back enjoying the cool water.

'Though I might not be able to stay in long.' Irma keeps an eye on her body temp.

Echo then said "They do feel relaxing."

"Yeah, better then pools on Kamino." Fives wades near Irma.

Cora then said "Hey let's make a sand castle later. Or sculpture, those are so much fun. Haven't mad one in a long while."

Echo said "What's a sand castle?"

"You can make a castle out of sand?" Fives lifts a brow.

"Yeah, with a pale, water, and shovel." Irma tries to recall everything needed. "Oh, and shells for decorations." She laughs at the last one.

They did indeed try to teach the guys how to make a sand castle. Even Rex was curious. But in the end it turned into a sand war.

They all had to dunk in the water to help them clean up after that mess. Let's just say Kenobi was not pleased with getting sand in his beard.

"Irma, come with me for a bit." Kenobi calls after they eat.

"Coming." Irma digs a cover shirt out of her bag then trails behind him.

"What's that about?" Fives lifts a brow at that.

(Cora/ covering for now)

"I thought we were relaxing. So what jedi I stuff could they have?" Heavy sips a soda.

'And if it is why aren't you with them?' Fives, miffed, goes for a walk.

(Echo)

"She's keeping something from me Echo. I don't like it." Fives leans against a tree his wound acting up.

(Echo)

"I'll be fine, it just stings at times." Fives holds it as he takes a few breathes.

After a few minutes it does stop. The doctors warned him to not push it. But him being Fives, he had to try working through the pain. Echo shakes his head then walks back with him to the others.

Close to sunset is when Kenobi and Irma come back. She looked tired and had changed into a baby blue sundress.

'What were they doing?' Fives eyes Irma sitting with Cora over by the water's edge.

With the girls.

(Cora)

"Mostly talked about how my emotions were wild at the time and how it's not my fault. Then we meditated." Irma explains.

(Cora)

"I couldn't really get past the battle." Irma shakes her head pulling her legs up so her head can rest on her knees. "Every time I came to it my head would spin. We called it day after I broke the ninth vase after my emotions made my powers go wonky." She sighs staring at the little waves not quiet touching their tows.

(Cora)

"I hope so." Irma sighs again as Cora pats her back.

Unable to take it, Fives walks over to them. Rex tries to stop him but it's too late.

"Mind if I barrow her?" Fives walks over to them.

(Cora)

"Come on, I found a nice spot for the sunset." Fives smiles softly holding his hand out for hers.

"Sure." Irma smiles taking his hand.

The two walk along the shoreline a bit then come to a rock by a large water clearing. They sit there watching the colors shift. They didn't really talk, just sat with one another. Irma lays her head against his shoulder as the last glimmers of the sun fades.

Walking back a fire was going and they could smell something sweet. Irma ran over to join Cora for s'mores. The girls explained them and how they're made to the guys.

"I don't know." Fives eyes the treat.

"Come on, one bite." Irma looks at him with big eyes.

Fives takes a bite. But his face turns pale as he starts spit it out. Right sweets aren't his thing and these are supper sweet.

The others laughed a bit. Irma shot them a look stopping them as she hands him some water.

[Partner 3]

As night was settling Cora had put on a large shirt with a fox on it and jean shorts.

"He probably just needs to ask her something to do with Jedi business."

"I thought we were relaxing. So what jedi I stuff could they have?" Heavy sips a soda.

'And if it is why aren't you with them?' Fives, miffed, goes for a walk.

Echo frowns and goes talk to him "Fives what's wrong?"

"She's keeping something from me Echo. I don't like it." Fives leans against a tree his wound acting up.

Echo frowned as he saw his brother twitch and said "What about your wound?"

"I'll be fine, it just stings at times." Fives holds it as he takes a few breathes.

With the girls.

Cora then said "So how did it go, what'd he say?"

"Mostly talked about how my emotions were wild at the time and how it's not my fault. Then we meditated." Irma explains.

"See I told you it wasn't your fault."

After Irma explained Cora sighed but said "You'll get there. You're stronger than anything they can throw at you."

Fives came over then and Cora said "Go on ahead." And head off.

As the two headed off Cora went with the others. Echo said "Everything alright?" She sighed saying "Not really something for me to say. Don't worry about it. How about I teach you guys the art of s'mores?"

They all looked confused at that as Cora began to teach them how to make the sweet concoctions. Cutup, Bait, and Echo loved them but Rex and Heavy weren't much for them they could handle a few but weren't much for too many sweets.

When the other couple came back Fives spat out his and Irma glared at the others for laughing.

Cora said "Come on guys that's not funny."

As they calmed down Cora said "Okay time for some stories. No scary ones though." Heavy and Cutup grumbled at that but the others were fine with it.

Cora went first with the legend of Mulan. The guys where curious about the woman that broke every rule in her country to save her father from dying in war. And that was even promoted to a general and was held in disguised for years but all the men were shocked to think she was even a man when they saw her dressed as a woman once more.

Echo then said "So that's where you got the saying for your saber." "Off of one the movie adaptations yes. I thought the saying made a lot of sense so I decided to have it written onto my saber."

Rex then said "I don't understand why they didn't allow woman back on your planet back at that time to be in the army. There are plenty of women generals who can fight as good as any man."

(Irma.)

"Yeah our planet is very male dominated but it's changing somewhat and woman always find one way or another to get into what they were never allowed to do before. Though it's never easy."

(Fives.)

Irma told a story next (You can put what she tells and their reactions.)

Rex then told a story about something that happened during his cadet days. Something about him and Cody pulling a prank on their trainer and how they regretted it severely and never again did anything as foolish again.

They all had a good laugh at that. Kenobi told them about his first time on Naboo and how he met Jar jar and then Anakin. The others were really interested in that one, but for the girls it was basically a retelling of the first movie but from Obi-Wans point of view. So it was pretty entertaining since he sass and sarcasm would come in at just the right times to make them laugh.

The Domino's decided to share the story of how they all met 99 for the first time and how he always was there for them and even helped them become a better team. The girls had to hold back tears at that not wanting the guys to find out about what might happens to 99, well it wouldn't be happening again if they could help it.

Kenobi then said "I think it's time for all of us to head to bed." They all agreed feeling tired and heading off but before they did Cora grabbed Echo's hand and said "Hey walk with me a moment." Kenobi was about protest, but she said "We'll be right here Obi-wan. Don't worry."

The jedi sighed and just nodded as he headed off to his tent to give them some privacy he could sense if any mischief would start which was unlikely with those two. Once alone Cora sat by the water Echo doing the same and asked "Is something wrong?" "No just wanted some privet time with you. We haven't had much of it since the virus." Echo nodded after the virus they've all had a close eye kept on them.

Cora then said "Echo what's wrong? Talk to me, I can sense something's up." He looked down sadly but said "It's just… I feel that I don't deserve to be a trooper." "Echo that's not true. You are one of the strongest men I know. Why would you think that?"

She held his face as he replied "Bait and I, we both fell under first from the virus and then what happened that night. Cora I, if it hadn't been for you I wouldn't of made it."

He held her hands and said "You guided me back in a way, like a star in the dark. Cora you are my guiding star. Without you I…" At that he was silenced with a kiss to the lips. Echo felt the air rush out of him but then he felt himself deepen into it.

They lasted like that for a bit but then just held each other, neither able to say more as they just let the moment be until the cool air reminded them it was time to go to sleep and so they parted with a final kiss goodnight.

As Echo entered his tent he was slightly light headed Bait had woken up from the slight noise, being a trooper he was trained to do that but when he saw it was just his brother red faced he smirked and said "What happened?" Echo couldn't hold it in as he said "We finally kissed." Bait smiled for his brother and said "I'm happy for you." "Thanks." At that they both laid down to sleep.

Cora made it to her tent as well, Irma didn't even stir. Poor girl was looking exhausted and after what she told her she needed it. She'd tell her the news tomorrow. Before they headed out. That night she fell asleep peaceful the feeling of Echo's lips still on her mind.

It was too bad that the night would later be shattered with a scream.

[Me 4]

Rex then said "I don't understand why they didn't allow woman back on your planet back at that time to be in the army. There are plenty of women generals who can fight as good as any man."

"It's… complicated." Irma shrugs not knowing what else to say.

"Yeah our planet is very male dominated but it's changing somewhat and woman always find one way or another to get into what they were never allowed to do before. Though it's never easy."

"Seems backwards to me." Fives sighs.

Irma tells her story. She told them the one she made up about the alley cat and the house cat. Cora liked it though felt it was a bit sad in how they could only see each other through a window. Heavy hadn't realized how much they could relate to this story until the second time around. She's the type that likes a challenge and to decide her own fate.

Kenobi found it interesting she came up with that as a teen and that's how she picked Link. Fives thought it was cute and suited her. Rex liked the idea of a protector cat that looked out for everyone.

Irma was too tired. She just wanted to crawl into her sleeping bag.

Fives looks over at her worried. She looked exhausted and he didn't know why. Crawling in he takes off the shirt to put medicine on the star wound.

"Here, I'll get the back." Rex takes the small jar.

"I can't get used to it." Fives has a small nervous laugh.

"It took me a month before I could look at my first scar without losing my breath." Rex looks down at the wound.

"Really?" Fives turns his head shocked.

"Yeah." Rex nods. "You should wear this one with pride though. You'll be of few brothers that can say you got it protecting instead of slaying." He pats his shoulder then heads to his side.

Fives hadn't really thought of that. Every time he looked at it all he could think of was how Irma looked at him. He had never seen her so broken hearted. Laying down he had a new way to see this mark.

Irma's dream hadn't calmed. In fact this one was worst. The tents rattled as she tossed in her sleep. And then…

"NO!" Irma screams ripping the door off their tent.

(Cora)

"Irma! Irma deep breaths." Kenobi rushes over as Cora moves her to the beach.

(Echo)

'Irma?' Fives looks over at her worried as he and the others get up.

(Cora/ most likely telling them to give a bit of space.)

"Deep slow breathes. That's it." Kenobi instructs as she slowly calms down. "What happened?" He carries her clammy skin.

"I… I was a sith and… and this time… I… I killed…" Irma couldn't finish the sentence but her eyes looked over at Fives.

Kenobi helped her stand. The others wanted to know what happened. But Kenobi just motioned for them to wait.

"We'll explain things to the others up at the villa. You two should talk." Kenobi hands her over to Fives.

The others, confused, follow him. Cora is a bit worried but trusts Kenobi.

"Irma what happened?" Fives tries to reach for her.

"I… it was just a bad dream." Irma pulls away looking down.

"That's not it and you know it. Now what happened?" Fives stays in his spot but goes a bit trooper on her.

"I… I killed you. I killed you. I…" Irma breaks down in the sand.

Fives sits pulling her into a hug. She cries as she tells him what happened in the dream. She had realized what her fear was. She was scared she'd end up like Anakin does at the end. That she'd destroy what she loved most.

"It was a dream. Just a dream." Fives kisses the top of her head.

"B-but if ever turned again…" Irma mutters through her tears.

"Then I'll stop you." Fives cuts her off. "You're my center and I'm yours. That's how it works." He pats her hair.

"But you…" Irma tries to argue.

She's stopped with a kiss. All the tears and argument went clean out of her.

"I'm not going anywhere. Not ever." Fives wipes a straggling tear away as he caresses her face.

Irma hugs him. She was still scared of that side but she finally felt like she could fight it again. She also felt really tired. Getting little to no sleep for two weeks will do that.

Irma quickly falls asleep being help against his bare chest. Smiling he carries her princess style up to everyone else.

(Cora)

"She fell asleep after working it out." Fives whispers.

"There's a room over here she can be laid down in." Kenobi points.

"Don't go, my soldier." Irma hugs in her sleep.

Fives flushes as he's pulled down a bit. Kenobi stares not approving of this.

"She hasn't slept in day's right? This might be the only way she gets a good night's rest." Rex defends the situation.

"I'll know if any funny business starts." Kenobi warns.

Fives simply nods. He had gotten free but after covering them both with the blanket Irma snuggled in again. She wasn't letting him go far.

[Partner 4]

"No!"

Cora jumped awake at that and said "Irma get up. It's okay it's just a dream. Guys we need help!" She grabs Irma and takes her to the beach where Kenobi and the others rush to them.

"Irma! Irma deep breaths." Kenobi rushes over as Cora moves her to the beach.

Echo rushed over asking "What happened?"

'Irma?' Fives looks over at her worried as he and the others get up.

Cora looked at them and said "Okay boys back up she needs space."

When Fives brought her in later Cora asked "What happened?"

After everyone headed to bed Cora was glad Irma was finally able to go to sleep, but she couldn't. That shout and the shaking, it really scared her.

The others saw this and went to sit with her at the kitchen table. Heavy said "Not tired?" "Exhausted but after that I just…" She just looked down at her hot coco as they all nodded in understanding.

Echo sat closer to her and kissed the top of her head saying "It will be okay." "I hope so. I, I don't want to see that again. Seeing what happened last time and then with all of you. It was all too much."

As this was going on Rex was walking by but stayed out of sight to listen in.

Cutup then said "Hey we're stronger then we look." Cora said "I know it's just, knowing what we know, and seeing all this. We're trying to save as many as possible and yet we also have to make sure we don't lose ourselves. You've seen how angry I can get what I can do. What if they get me next time what if…? You have to stop me if it comes to that."

Droidbait jumped saying "What, what are you saying?" "No not like that just. Knock me out, lock me up, get a jedi or something. Just don't let me do anything, anything I'll regret later."

Echo looked at her and said "We won't. None of us will let them get to you. I was too weak last time. Next time I won't let them control me, I'll fight to the end to stop them."

Heavy then said "So will the rest of us." Cora had a few tears as she said "Thanks guys. That makes me feel better. I think I'll head to bed now." They all nodded at that and headed to sleep as well.

As they all left Rex couldn't help but sigh thinking 'They really all care for each other. Those girls need those boys just like they need them. What's going to happen if… don't think like that Rex. If these girls know what they're doing they'll do whatever it takes to keep those boys safe.' With that he headed to bed himself.

The next morning Cora woke up to find everyone having breakfast. Irma looked completely calm now and she was glad for that. After breakfast, they would have to wait a while before they could swim so they hung about the villa.

Cora had asked Irma to have some girl time and as they talked she said "Mind telling me what happened?"

(Irma.)

"Oh Irma. I'm so sorry. You told me what was going on but you never said that part. I'm glad you got it out though and talked to him. Are you feeling better?"

(Irma. Tells her how she feels then asks about what happened with Echo last night.)

Cora smirked as she said "We finally had our first kiss."

(Irma.)

As Cora hugged back she said "Thanks, it was so sweet he…" So she explained what had happened.

With the boys

They had decided to go out on the porch to talk and have some sodas. Echo was smiling as he took in his soda and felt his mind drift off to the more pleasant part of last night.

Cutup said "Hey Echo what's with the goofy look on your face?" Heavy then said "Yeah, I don't see Cora around so what gives?" They chuckled at that when Bait smirked saying "He's just happy cause they finally had their first kiss last night."

The two did a spit take at that while Rex, Fives, and Bait laughed at them.

(Fives.)

"Yeah we did. It was pretty nice I, I got some stuff off my chest as well and we're doing pretty good."

Rex then said "Glad to see you two are doing okay by the way I never apologize for what happened at the gala."

Echo sighed as he said "It's okay Captain. Just best never to bring it up again. Cora was pretty miffed for a while after that."

Rex sweat dropped at that as the others chuckled.

Suddenly Fives said (Asking them about them not feeling like the weakest anymore cause that's not true.)

The two looked down and Heavy said "Aw come on you two. Look if you two really feel that way come to train with us more often or get your heads out of those books or out of the clouds."

They both looked up upset at that.

(Fives.)

Cutup "It's not our fault they left them in their grow jars too long." Cutup and Heavy laughed at that but Bait and Echo slammed their sodas down and then rushed off.

(Fives.)

Rex glared at them and said "Okay you two that was too far. You two are going to apologize to your batchmates. but not before you get down and give me 200."

Cutup then said "But captain we're recovering." Rex glared with "That's why I'm only giving you 200." They gulped at that and got down to do as they were told.

(Fives, probably saying he's going after them.)

Rex grabbed him and said "Take it easy trooper. They just need to cool off a bit. If they don't come back in an hour we'll track them down."

Fives sighed but nodded (his thoughts.)

[Me 5]

That night Irma slept well. She had an odd dream that night. Not a nightmare, more like a memory film. It was the day she got her crystal.

She was spending the summer with her grandparents in San Francisco. A skateboarder hits a side walk jeweler's stand. Ten year old Irma helps pick the stones up when the white one caught her eye. She hands it back despite wanting it. The lady tells her white stands for endless possibilities and a pure heart giving it to her as payment for helping. She wore it every day after that.

'So warm and… tickles?' Irma snuggles then opens her eyes. 'Fives? Why!?' She pops awake.

Then memories of last night came back. Irma calms down and just lies in his embrace.

Irma had made a comment during the gala about liking his baby face look when shaved. After that Fives kept it clean most of the time so his morning stubble tickled her forehead as he moves in his sleep.

Stuck in his grip, Irma enjoys being held by him. She does move her hands around some feeling his abs. Then she comes to the scar. Irma had felt it briefly yesterday and guessed the shape. Curious, she gently traces her finger tips over it.

"It really is a star." Irma whispers coming to the tip of it.

"What are you doing?" Fives murmurs waking up.

"Sorry. Does it hurt?" Irma whispers moving her hand away.

"Nah, kinda ticked actually." Fives smiles at her.

It hadn't really hurt since his talk with Rex. He wondered if the pain had been more mental than physical.

It was at this point they realized where they were. Alone in bed and inches away from one another. Both feel the heat go to their faces as they move their lips closer. Then…

"Good morning you two." Kenobi opens the door.

"Kenobi!?" Both jumped letting each other go.

"Time for the day to start." Kenobi pulls Irma out of the room.

Fives sighs feeling his heart is still in his throat. He goes to take a shower. He turns red remembering how close they were.

Irma took a bath in the luxury bathroom. Her face is the same color as her hair as she sinks into the bubbles.

As the morning gets started the others are up as well. Heavy and Cutup were scratching their necks a bit but other than that everything seemed normal.

The girls decided to have a bit of girl time in the sun room. They chatted about a few things then Cora asked what happened last night.

"The dreams were always of me turning sith and hurting those I care about. But last night… I killed Fives in my dream." Irma rubs her arms remembering it.

"Oh Irma. I'm so sorry. You told me what was going on but you never said that part. I'm glad you got it out though and talked to him. Are you feeling better?"

"Better after figuring out what I was worried about." Irma sighs with relief. "So what happened with you and Echo?" She nudges her wanting some gossip.

Cora smirked as she said "We finally had our first kiss."

"Congrats." Irma smiles happily for her.

'Hope he didn't faint.' Irma chuckles in her head.

As Cora hugged back she said "Thanks, it was so sweet he…" So she explained what had happened.

With the boys

They had decided to go out on the porch to talk and have some sodas. Echo was smiling as he took in his soda and felt his mind drift off to the more pleasant part of last night.

The two did a spit take at that while Rex, Fives, and Bait laughed at them.

"That true?" Fives looks over at him sipping his soda.

"Yeah we did. It was pretty nice I, I got some stuff off my chest as well and we're doing pretty good."

Rex then said "Glad to see you two are doing okay by the way I never apologize for what happened at the gala."

Echo sighed as he said "It's okay Captain. Just best never to bring it up again. Cora was pretty miffed for a while after that."

Rex sweat dropped at that as the others chuckled.

"How about the feeling weak thing? You know that's not true right?" Fives glances over at him worried.

The two looked down and Heavy said "Aw come on you two. Look if you two really feel that way come to train with us more often or get your heads out of those books or out of the clouds."

They both looked up upset at that.

"Stop it you two." Fives snaps over at them.

They had been in a mood since getting up. It was starting to tick Fives off.

Cutup "It's not our fault they left them in their grow jars too long." Cutup and Heavy laughed at that but Bait and Echo slammed their sodas down and then rushed off.

"What is wrong with you two?" Fives glares at them slamming his soda on the table.

Rex glared at them and said "Okay you two that was too far. You two are going to apologize to your batchmates. but not before you get down and give me 200."

Cutup then said "But captain we're recovering." Rex glared with "That's why I'm only giving you 200." They gulped at that and got down to do as they were told.

"I'll go get them." Fives stands.

Rex grabbed him and said "Take it easy trooper. They just need to cool off a bit. If they don't come back in an hour we'll track them down."

Fives doesn't like but he's right. So he sighs and just watches the show of them being punished.

'What's going on with these two?' Fives eyes them.

They've been acting like they did back on Kamino. It was bugging him.

"What are you doing?" Irma looks at this surprised.

"They were being pains." Fives motions to them as him and Rex watch them work out.

"More than usual for them anyway." Rex mutters sipping his soda.

"This isn't so bad." Heavy finishes up.

"Easier than I thought it would be." Cutup smirks as he finishes itching his neck.

(Cora)

"No worries. Just a bug bite." Cutup winks to Cora.

"What in the…?" Irma flinches at that.

It was around then Bait and Echo came back challenging them to a contest of strength. The girls thought this was weird but Rex said they're just mad about something that had happened and to let them work it out.

The girls go to make sure none of them take it too far. Plus something was bugging Irma. All of them seemed to be scratching now.

"Are there mosquitos here? Have you seen anything that could make them itch like that?" Irma whispers to Cora.

[Partner 5]

Echo and Bait were furious they ran as fast as they could into the jungle until they ran out of breath. Bait said out of breath "It's not fair. We can't even run for long." Echo sat down saying "What was up with them? They're acting like they did back on Kamino."

Bait then said "Yeah I know, I tend to haze out but that's just because I'm thinking. I like to think I don't know why I just…" Echo said "There's nothing wrong with thinking Bait. It just means you have a lot in your head, it's good to think. And not just act like those two clowns."

Bait scoffed and said "Yeah and your reading helped the team out plenty of times. What's up with that?" Echo then said "Thanks Bait. I don't know but I'm not in the mood to be going back to face those two."

Suddenly Echo felt something bite the back of his neck "Ouch what was that?" Suddenly Bait yelped in pain as well and said "Ah even the bugs get to us."

Suddenly Echo said with a strange look in his eye "Well maybe we shouldn't let them get to us anymore." Echo went and grabbed the strange spider squashing it. Bait then said "Yeah the same should go for those two. Always bugging us and picking on us."

He hits a tree not noticing the dent he left. Echo then said "Then let's challenge them. We'll show them who the real troopers are." "Yeah!" and with that they rushed off not noticing how fast they were going.

They also never noticed the twitching spider that somehow starting reworking itself back together or that it made a mechanical whirr.

As the girls came out and Cutup scratched his neck Cora said "Is something wrong? You guys have been scratching your necks all day."

"No worries. Just a bug bite." Cutup winks to Cora.

"What in the…?" Irma flinches at that.

The girls go to make sure none of them take it too far. Plus something was bugging Irma. All of them seemed to be scratching now.

"Are there mosquitos here? Have you seen anything that could make them itch like that?" Irma whispers to Cora.

Cora replied "No I haven't. And what's up with them? What did Cutup and Heavy do to get them all so mad? Also why is Echo acting like this? Bait I may understand. But not Echo, he's not into this kind of stuff?"

(Irma.)

They came to the beach and the boys decided to start with a race. Bait said "First team back around the lake wins."

Heavy then said "Ha easy enough." Cutup then said "Get ready to eat sand you two." The two glared as they all got at the starting point. Rex would be refereeing the challenge at go they rushed.

They all felt their jaws drop.

Cora said "I've never seen them go so fast."

(Irma.)

Cora said "Guys is this possible?"

(Fives.)

Rex then said "Usually no, but some clones do tend to come out faster than others. Maybe they're just late bloomers or something."

Cora then said "You don't think the virus had anything to do with this or possibly the cure?"

(Irma. Possible saying it might have something to do with those bites.)

Cora then said "Fives can you get Kenobi? We should check them when they get back."

(Fives.)

The guys were still racing. Heavy saw how Bit and Echo where getting to the front and tried to slam into Bait but he dodged and sprung up ahead. The girls gasped at this and Rex shouted "Heavy no cheap shots soldier. You hear me?"

Cora then said with worry "I don't think they can."

(Irma)

Echo and Bait were at the front of the pack now this upset Cutup and Heavy as they grabbed some rocks and through them at them. The two turned in time to catch the rocks and threw them back at the other two shoulders making them fall.

At that the two got up and then rushed forward tackling them to the ground and a brawl began.

Cora shouted "No stop it!"

(Irma.)

Rex said "You two stay here I'm going out there to stop this."

At that Fives rushed over and said (Fives.) He rushed after Rex to help.

Kenobi then said "Girls what's going on?"

They began to explain and he said "I'm going to knock them out with an old jedi trick you girls stay here."

As Rex and Fives where separating the two groups they had a hard time keeping them down. Rex said "Is it just me or are they stronger then I remember."

(Fives.)

Echo then said "Let us go Fives. They deserve this."

Bait then said "Yeah, we've had enough of them pushing us around now we're pushing back."

(Fives.)

They could see Kenobi coming and suddenly Bait and Echo pushed Fives back into Rex who ended up bowling over Cutup and Heavy. The two rushed off and when Kenobi tried to go after them he looked into the forest and said "Their gone. How is this possible?"

The girls where rushing up now Cora said "Where did they go?"

(Irma.)

(Fives.)

Kenobi then said "Into the forest. I don't know how but they've vanished without a trace."

Rex then said "Their training and whatever's affecting them must have done that. For now we should get these two under control."

(Fives as he goes up to help one of the others.)

Kenobi came up and knocked the two out as he said "Bring them to the villa so I can examine them. Irma I'll need your help."

As they walked off Cora looked into the forest and spread her arms out she tried to see if any creatures were around to help but they all seemed to have scattered afraid of something and that made her worry for she knew it was the boys they were all running away from.

Cora finally cried 'Echo now what's going on?' She felt an arm comfort her and looked back to see Irma was patting her back.

(Irma.)

She nodded and fallowed her back to the villa.

[Me 6]

"Yeah they're all acting weird." Irma watches as they scratch.

They came to the beach and the boys decided to start with a race. Bait said "First team back around the lake wins."

Heavy then said "Ha easy enough." Cutup then said "Get ready to eat sand you two." The two glared as they all got at the starting point. Rex would be refereeing the challenge at go they rushed.

They all felt their jaws drop.

Cora said "I've never seen them go so fast."

"What in the…?" Irma stares amazed.

Cora said "Guys is this possible?"

"Not that fast." Fives shakes his head.

Rex then said "Usually no, but some clones do tend to come out faster than others. Maybe they're just late bloomers or something."

Cora then said "You don't think the virus had anything to do with this or possibly the cure?"

"No. I think it's those bites." Irma shakes her head. "They'd been fine until then." She tries connects the dots.

'I just hope there are no other side effects.' Irma gulps at that.

Cora then said "Fives can you get Kenobi? We should check them when they get back."

"On it." Fives rushes off.

Cora then said with worry "I don't think they can."

"We have to stop them before this gets worst." Irma points to them.

At that the two got up and then rushed forward tackling them to the ground and a brawl began.

Cora shouted "No stop it!"

"Come on guys stop it!" Irma starts walking over.

Rex said "You two stay here I'm going out there to stop this."

"What are you four doing?" Fives rushes to help as he comes back.

Kenobi then said "Girls what's going on?"

They began to explain and he said "I'm going to knock them out with an old jedi trick you girls stay here."

As Rex and Fives where separating the two groups they had a hard time keeping them down. Rex said "Is it just me or are they stronger then I remember."

"No… they are." Fives tries to hold them down.

Echo then said "Let us go Fives. They deserve this."

Bait then said "Yeah, we've had enough of them pushing us around now we're pushing back."

"Not on your lives." Fives holds them down the best he can.

The girls where rushing up now Cora said "Where did they go?"

"You okay?" Irma helps Fives up.

"Yeah, but I don't know about them." Fives brushes it off.

Kenobi then said "Into the forest. I don't know how but they've vanished without a trace."

Rex then said "Their training and whatever's affecting them must have done that. For now we should get these two under control."

"Come on guys, time to get those looked at." Fives helps move them.

Kenobi came up and knocked the two out as he said "Bring them to the villa so I can examine them. Irma I'll need your help."

Cora finally cried 'Echo now what's going on?' She felt an arm comfort her and looked back to see Irma was patting her back.

"We'll get them back. But first we need to see what's going on. Okay?" Irma smiles assuringly.

She nodded and fallowed her back to the villa.

While the guys are out Kenobi looks them over. He sensed something was there causing them to be aggravated. Something upset their chemical balance.

"Irma can you have a jar ready?" Kenobi starts concentrating on the bite marks.

"Here." Irma finds a small jar.

Kenobi tells her to keep it close by. Both brothers flinch a bit from pain but some purple liquid is pulled out. Kenobi places it in the jar.

(Cora)

"Hopefully what did this." Kenobi looks at the strange liquid.

"What… what happened?" Heavy holds his pounding head.

"Did we drink again?" Cutup tries to keep the lights off him by covering his face with a pillow.

"You don't remember?" Fives looks at them confused.

"I remember we couldn't sleep after everything." Heavy begins.

"Yeah, so we went for a jog. Then we found a spot we thought Bait and Echo might like." Cutup thinks back sitting up.

(Cora)

"We were looking around and saw this weird spider." Heavy tries to recall.

"We wanted to make a note of it and ask the two if we should avoid the area. But then the thing jumped us." Cutup recalls the springy thing.

"After that?" Rex lifts a brow.

"Nothing." They both shake their heads.

"Why? What did we do?" Heavy looks worried.

"And does it have to do with these bruises?" Cutup flinches from them.

"I'll take care of those." Irma brings over the first aid kit.

(Cora/ most likely explaining)

Both hang their heads in shame. They wanted to cheer them up not tear them down.

"Can you remember the spider? If you do maybe we can catch it and make an anti-venom." Kenobi questions.

Irma asks them to wait and takes out her sketch book. The guys then tell what they remember as she draws the details.

[Partner 6]

When Kenobi took the poison out she said "Ugh what is that?"

Cora then said "What happened then?"

Cora looked over at he boys and began to tell them what happens. "You guys have been acting weird all day and well…"

After Irma drew the spider Cora said "Usually I wouldn't say this about most animals, even bugs, but that is one ugly looking spider."

(Irma.)

"I've never seen anything like it. What about you Obi-wan."

The said man replied "No never, something tells me we either have an unknown species or something that's not supposed to even be around. Either way we'll figure it out soon. I have to check this poison and see if we can find a cure for them."

Heavy was holding his head and said "What did we do."

Cora then said "That reminds me you guys didn't tell us everything." She looked at Fives who sighed and told them what happened.

The girls gasped at hat and Heavy and Cutup looked mortified. Fives also explained more on how Echo and Bait had been feeling since the incident with the virus.

Cora had to step out, those words aimed at Echo and Bait while in that state. Cora had to take a deep breath and go outside to cool down. Irma tried to fallow her but she said "No Irma, please just give me some time."

(Irma.)

(Fives.)

Rex then said "I'll keep an eye on here just in case you two should go see where the spider was and capture it." They both nodded and headed off.

Back with Bait and Echo.

The two were in a small clearing pacing about. Bait said "We almost had them. But those two and Kenobi just had to get in the way." Echo then said "We'll get them back don't worry. Ah the bite."

He scratched furiously as did Bait who said "I know I wish we had some of that aloe vera stuff Cora brought with her." Echo scuffed as he said "Wish I had Cora here. I don't want her near any of them. Those two and even Rex are probably trying to make a move while I'm gone." Bait then said "Don't worry brother she's too good for them. So is Irma. Fives should have let us deal with them like a good brother."

Echo then said "Well we only have one brother now, each other." They both nodded and held each other's arm as they smirked the purple liquid coming to mix in their eyes. At that hey began to plan and would soon be heading back to show them all who the better clone where.

Cora was in despair, she knew how worked like that could hurt, especially when you believed them yourself. How could she help them, she should have gone with the other to find the spider but she just couldn't she need to be alone she couldn't even look at Heavy or Cutup.

She knew it wasn't their fault but old wounds where coming up and she didn't trust herself to be around them. Suddenly she said "Rex I said I wanted to be alone." Rex came up and said "I know but it's best to have someone around especially with what's going on."

"I won't be much for conversation." "Don't need to be. But maybe talking about it will help." Cora looked down with a few tears and said "I, I know I should be over it by now but hearing others suffer the way I once did, it hurts. And Echo, hearing how he suffered that it's just I somehow felt his pain in a way. It's weird but that how it felt when I heard what happened and then when they rushed off the way he was acting. It scared me. That wasn't Echo. It never could be and seeing him like that it, it breaks my heart."

She began to break down and Rex frowned he wasn't used to comforting a girl he knew how to comfort brothers but, he sighed and put an arm on her and rubbed her arm as he said "Hey we'll find them. And we'll get them back. They're stronger then they know and then well I could distract the general so you two could get some alone time. I owe you two that much after the gala."

Cora laughed at that and said as she hugged Rex "Thanks Rex. I needed that." He felt a bit surprised but patted her back as he said "No problem Cora." What neither of them knew was that two pairs of eyes where glaring at them. Echo said "I knew it come to this. At least the captain's actual competitions." Bait then said "Not for long." And then they rushed to get to work.

[Me 7]

"It really is gross looking." Irma's repulsed by her own sketch.

"I've never seen anything like it. What about you Obi-wan."

Heavy was holding his head and said "What did we do."

Cora then said "That reminds me you guys didn't tell us everything." She looked at Fives who sighed and told them what happened.

The girls gasped at hat and Heavy and Cutup looked mortified. Fives also explained more on how Echo and Bait had been feeling since the incident with the virus.

"But Cora…" Irma looks after her.

"It'll be alright. She just needs to be alone right now." Fives takes her hand.

Rex then said "I'll keep an eye on here just in case you two should go see where the spider was and capture it." They both nodded and headed off.

The couple heads off to the spot the guys described. They wanted to come but were still out of it and they didn't need a second bite. Kenobi had headed back for a cure.

"So this is the spot." Fives looks around in the nice area.

"I wonder where it is." Irma looks around carefully.

"Maybe it's gone." Fives shrugs.

"FIVES!" Irma catches the spider in the air.

The creepy thing squirms in the air. Irma lowers it into a jar Fives takes out. She looks at the little thing. No life. It was a bot and from the tactic used she guessed one of Ivo's.

Rushing back they hear a struggle going on. Irma tells Fives it's the guys but they feel twisted. Coming in they see everyone with their hands bound behind their backs.

(Echo)

"Echo… I get. They're pains even without that stuff in them. They tease and make bad jokes…" Fives holds his hands up as he moves across the room.

"You trying to save us or speed things up?!" Heavy shouts with a blaster pointed at his head.

"Really!" Cutup growls.

"But there your brothers. Remember that? No one left behind." Fives keeps their eyes on him.

As he does that Irma sneaks behind untying Cora. She signals for her to keep down then whispers a plan to her to keep them subdued until Kenobi comes back.

"Wait… where's Irma?" Bait notices she's gone.

"Now!" Irma shouts.

The girls place a barrier around the guys. They hit it but it stays strong. Luckily their smart enough to know not to shoot inside it. After Fives frees the guys they tie those two up and give them a small sedative to chill out.

(Cora)

"He'll be okay. Kenobi should be back soon or in the morning at the latest." Irma hugs her.

[Partner 7]

As Cora let go of Rex she said "I'll be okay now thanks I…" "Didn't take you long to make a move captain." "Echo!" Cora called she wants to rush to him but Rex stops her. Echo glares and said "So I'm out for a moment and then you think you can come in and take my girl." He cracks his knuckles and said "Big mistake."

Cora said "Echo that's not what he was doing. I was upset for what the guys did to you and he came to check on me." Echo seemed to smile tenderly at her she gasped hoping that meant she was reaching him as he said "You always were sweet to me and you never treated any of us wrong."

Then he shot a glare at Rex and said "But I know any trooper in a higher rank would try to take you from me. And the captain's one of the biggest challenges."

Rex said "Echo you're not thinking strait. I wouldn't dare try anything with Cora. She loves you and…" they heard a scuffled inside and Bait said "Hey Echo I got our so called 'Brother' tied and comfy for their trail."

Cora gasped saying "Guys what are you doing this isn't you! Ah!" She felt something poke her neck and Found Bait had stuck some sort of needle in her. "What was…? Ugh…" Bait then said "Just a slight sedative to keep you calm babe. Now relax and enjoy the show." Rex then said "Why you little…"

Before Rex could do anything Echo rushed up and punched his jaw knocking him out. "Tie him up with the others Bait." Said clone nodded as he handed Cora off to Echo. She was still awake but she struggled as she saw Rex being dragged off to be tied up with the others.

"Echo don't do this please." Echo then said "Don't worry. They'll be out of our hair soon and then we can start making plans. We can desert. Forget about saving the galaxy. Just you me and Bait and well he might just bring Irma. We can get away from it all. We'll find a planet for us to control and you by my side. Where no one can hurt us."

Cora cried as she said "But Echo you're hurting me now." He raised a brow saying "I'm not being rough am I?" he was sure he was being gentle with her. Cora cried as she replied "No Echo. You're breaking my heart."

He seemed to frown at that and said "I'm sorry you see it that way. Maybe after this is all done I can make it up to you. But for now you can't get in the way."

She tried to struggle but her powers wouldn't activate and her saber was in her room. All she could think as he tied her up with the other was. He's acting like Anakin when he turned into a sith.

Echo and Bait grab some of their blasters they all looked shocked Cora saying "Guys no don't do this. This isn't you." Bait said "It's the new and improved us." Rex groaned as he said "What are you two planning?"

Echo pointed his blaster at Heavy while Bait pointed at Cutup as Echo said "A trial." The two who are being pointed at feel all the blood leave their face.

Suddenly Fives and Irma rush in.

Echo looks back with a glare and said "You're not stopping us this time Fives. We've had it with them. This time you can't save them. This time their getting theirs."

After Fives frees the guys they tie those two up and give them a small sedative to chill out.

"It was it was horrible he, they…"

"He'll be okay. Kenobi should be back soon or in the morning at the latest." Irma hugs her.

Cora then said "No Irma I. I need to talk to you alone."

As the girls walked off to Cora's room to talk Fives asks what happened, and Rex and the others explain.

With the girls.

Cora explained what Echo said and then said "He, he was acting like Anakin when he turned sith and I was so scared he'd hurt me. But I never sensed he would try to hurt me. But still, the way his eyes looked and the way he said all that it… it just…" She just kept crying still a bit woozy from the incident.

(Irma.)

"I know it wasn't really him but it scared me so much. I… I don't think I can face him Irma."

(Irma.)

[Me 8]

"It wasn't him. Not really." Irma strokes her hair as they sit on the bed.

"I know it wasn't really him but it scared me so much. I… I don't think I can face him Irma."

"You don't have to. Not right away." Irma holds her close.

(Cora)

"Yeah, we'll stay in here." Irma nods. "I'll just tell Fives that you need sometime and he can help you get your space. That okay?" She glances down at the emotionally tired Cora.

(Cora)

Irma does as she said. Fives felt bad for Echo but understood. Irma made the two of them something small to eat and went back to the room. Cora had passed out from it all.

"It'll be okay. You'll see." Irma whispers placing the covers on her.

Later on that night Kenobi came back and heard what had happened. After giving the guys the cure he peeked in to check on the girls. Cora hadn't finished crying in her sleep and Irma was sleeping sitting up with Cora's head on her lap.

'I really wonder which one will be more heart broken.' Kenobi sighs closing the door.

In the morning both brothers wonder why they're tied up. Rex explains what had happened.

(Echo/ most likely wanting to rush to Cora)

"Not a good idea." Fives stops him. "You really scared her. And… and she doesn't want to see you right now." He gives the message Irma had relayed.

Echo looked so broken. He stared at the door hoping it would open. When it started to he held his breath. But it was Irma.

(Echo)

"I just came out to get some breakfast." Irma shakes her head. "She doesn't feel like much but I convinced her to at least have some toast and juice." She starts heading over.

"We'll make it." Heavy stops her.

"Yeah we started this mess." Cutup agrees.

"Come on Echo. Let's go for a walk." Fives pats his shoulder.

(Brother time)

[Partner 8]

"Can we stay in here for a while?"

"Okay thanks." She lays on the bed hoping to get some actual rest.

When Echo woke up and heard what happened "What? Oh no. I have to check on Cora. What was I thinking?"

When Irma came out he asked "Gulp, where's Cora? Is she okay? What's wrong?"

As Echo and Fives head off for a walk he asks "What did I do? Please tell me all of it and don't hold back."

Fives sighed and told him what the others said. Even what Irma had told him, without the Anakin part, just that he reminded her of a sith and how he broke her heart with how he acted.

Echo felt his heart shatter. He stopped to lean against a tree and said "I, I can't go near her. What I did…"

(Fives.)

"No it doesn't matter if I was being controlled. I hurt her I… I broke her heart. I can't just apologize and think everything will be okay. How can I ever face her? How can I even face the others?"

(Fives.)

"I don't think I should even be on this team anymore. Of course she doesn't even want to look at me after that. I'm going to ask Rex for a transfer."

(Fives.)

"What should I do then? How can I ever gain her trust back and you and the others. Fives I'm so sorry I can't believe what I…"

(Fives.)

Echo just slid down the tree to cry. He had finally had the confidence to be more honest with her, they had finally kissed and then this. How could he ever make it up to her?

With the girls.

Cora was taking in some breakfast, but her stomach felt turned. She sighed as she said "Is there a back way out of here? I want some fresh air."

(Irma.)

"Not just yet I, I just need to think."

(Irma.)

"I know I have to face him at some point but right now I just can't."

(Irma.)

Irma went to tell Kenobi what they were doing and then headed off into the forest. Cora was feeling somewhat better by the nature around her and lost herself in the beauty of the flowers, she stopped as she came to a certain type. 'Guiding stars.' She then thought of what Echo said 'You are my guiding star.'

She began to cry at that. Irma came up asking what was wrong when she saw the flowers and understood.

(Irma, probably thinking of a plan.)

[Me 9]

Echo felt his heart shatter. He stopped to lean against a tree and said "I, I can't go near her. What I did…"

"Echo it wasn't you?" Fives shakes his head.

"No it doesn't matter if I was being controlled. I hurt her I… I broke her heart. I can't just apologize and think everything will be okay. How can I ever face her? How can I even face the others?"

"What are you saying?" Fives looks worried.

"I don't think I should even be on this team anymore. Of course she doesn't even want to look at me after that. I'm going to ask Rex for a transfer."

"Echo that's way to rash." Fives shakes his head again stepping closer to him.

"What should I do then? How can I ever gain her trust back and you and the others. Fives I'm so sorry I can't believe what I…"

'Echo…' Fives simply looks at his broken hearted brother.

Echo just slid down the tree to cry. He had finally had the confidence to be more honest with her, they had finally kissed and then this. How could he ever make it up to her?

With the girls.

Cora was taking in some breakfast, but her stomach felt turned. She sighed as she said "Is there a back way out of here? I want some fresh air."

"Thinking of talking to echo?" Irma looks hopeful for the poor guy.

"Not just yet I, I just need to think."

"Cora…" Irma sighs but is stopped by her.

"I know I have to face him at some point but right now I just can't."

She began to cry at that. Irma came up asking what was wrong when she saw the flowers and understood.

'This really needs to be stopped.' Irma hugs her close.

Irma knew Cora wanted to be with Echo. But the thought of facing him scared her. She figured poor Echo will try to avoid her now anyway.

They walk back and Cora fall asleep again exhausted. Echo had passed out in a room himself, too tired from the emotional and yesterday's physical blows.

"Poor guy, he has no idea what to do. And I don't know how to help." Fives sighs as they sit on the beach.

Kenobi wasn't letting anyone go too far now. Safety issues and all.

"Cora's the same. She wants to see him but she's scared." Irma sighs.

"Well we could always trap them in a room together." Fives laughs.

"That's not bad." Irma perks up pondering.

"I was joking." Fives turns to her worried. "Those two would both have heart attacks if you trap them in a room with each other." He imagines what would happen.

"In ROOM yes. But what if they met OUTSIDE." Irma smirks.

"That could work." Fives ponders the idea himself.

The two talk for a while figuring out where to do this. It had to be today since they'd be leaving tomorrow afternoon.

(cora)

"Kenobi said it was okay to walk around a bit deeper as long as we're in com range." Irma walks backwards talking to her.

With the guys.

(Echo)

"Come on, a walk will help clear your head." Fives tries to keep Echo going.

(Echo)

'And hopefully settle this.' Fives sighs.

With the girls.

"Oh! You know, this would be a perfect spot for photos. I'm gonna run back for my camera. You stay here." Irma heads off.

(Cora/ calling after her)

Just then the guys show up. Echo tries to turn to run but Fives stops him.

(Echo)

"Here or locked in a room. Either way you two are talking this out." Fives cuts him off. "The others know about this and aren't letting you in until at least two hours have passed." He starts heading back.

Back at the Villa, the others try to keep busy. Irma is really the one making them tense watching for the two of them.

"They haven't tried to come back. Is that good or bad?" Irma stares out the window as Fives comes up behind her.

"I think it's a good sign." Fives sits next to her. "Come on, I still need to beat you again." He takes out some cards.

A few hours later.

"Come on! Who taught her how to do that?!" Rex scuffs as she's tied with him in darts.

"Like I told the guys. I'm good." Irma goes to throw when…

(Cora)

(Echo)

The two were holding hands which everyone took as a good sign. But then Irma realized something.

"No! I was so close!" Irma pouts realizing she just lost.

"Maybe next time." Rex chuckles taking the win.

"I was five points away from beating him." Irma pouts.

(Cora)

"Not mad at me are you?" Irma looks over at her friend. "I just… I didn't know how else to help." She plays with her hands nervously.

(Cora)

[Partner 9]

As the girls walked through the forest Cora said "Um… Irma isn't this a bit deep? Kenobi said to stay close by."

With the guys.

"Fives what are we doing out here? We should be getting ready to leave tomorrow."

"Fine a guess it couldn't hurt."

With the girls.

Cora shouted "Irma wait we shouldn't split up!"

Just then the guys show up. Echo tries to turn to run but Fives stops him.

"Fives what are you doing let me go…"

As they see Fives walk off. Echo looks back to see Cora looking down, she can't even look at him. He looks down saddened and said "I know no amount of apologizing can fix what happened. But all I can do is say I'm so sorry. I never wanted to hurt you. If you want me to leave I will if you want me to never see you again just say the word and…"

Cora felt herself gasp at that 'No she didn't want that. She didn't want him gone.' She rushed into him making him gasp as she cried into him and she said "No I never wanted that. I was just scared. I was just so scared. A didn't know how to face you after what happened. And in a way you held back with me. You never hurt me, I was just hurt and what I saw made me think so many horrible things. I… I couldn't face you when I was feeling like that. But don't go, never go. Please I can't imagine you being gone. I can't stand the thought of you…"

Cora was crying into his chest and Echo felt the air get caught in his chest. She was crying again because of him, but it was because she wanted him here. "How can you still want me here after… after…"

"It wasn't you. I can see it, feel it, it wasn't you but please don't leave me." Echo looked down at her and was about to hug her back when they heard something. Was that…

Echo covered her as they hit the ground. They looked up to see a droid. Cora said "How did we miss one?" Echo glared at the droid as he said "I don't know. But stay down, we don't have any weapons on us and your still weak from what happened."

Cora then said "Echo we have to get to the others and…" She was silenced with a kiss as Echo looked in her eyes and said "I love you." At that she knew what he was up too "Echo no!" Echo jumped up and rushed at the droid and body slammed into a tree. The droid struggled as the blasters went off all over the place.

Cora could only hear the noise and duck as she thought 'Echo no!' As the silence grew she couldn't dare get up, she didn't want to see if… if… Then she heard something. Shrubs moving. She got into a battel position, if it was the droid, but instead it was Echo, a bit roughed up as he said "Are you okay?"

She gasped as she launched into him, shocking him slightly as she said "You idiot! You scared me, I thought you were dead!" She was crying once more and this time he did hold her as he said "Cora it's okay. I'm right her see? I'm not leaving you, not now not ever. I'm sorry for what I said. I should have never thought of leaving."

"And I shouldn't have avoided you. I never wanted to make you think you had to leave. Never leave me, mi protector." Echo felt the air caught in his lungs at that. He knew what that meant it meant protector in Spanish.

He brought her face up as he cleaned the tears and said "Your protector, that's what I am to you?" Cora grabbed his hand to her cheek and said "If I am you're guiding star then you are mi protector. You have always tried to protect me from others or from my own sadness. To me you are no trooper or warrior but a man who protects and my heart has been protected by you so many times. How could I have forgotten to protect yours?"

He looked down sadly and said "You didn't forget. We were both in a state, no one is perfect but from now on I'll always be your protector." This time he leaned in to kiss her and she did not back away, she deepened it.

As they parted they got up and she said "The others will probably be worrying." Echo then said with a smile "We have time. Let's enjoy this." She smiled as they began to walk about; they found the guiding star flowers Echo picked one to put in her hair. She smiled as she snuggled up to him.

As they went in deeper they came to a water fall. They sat there for a moment till Cora said "Dance with me?" Echo looked down, there was no music to dance to but he smiled as he nodded.

They held on to each other and as they swayed a song did come to both their minds.

'There you stand, opened heart, opened doors. Full of life with a world that's wanting more. But I can see when the lights start to fade. The day is done and your smile has gone away. Let me raise you up. Let me be your love. May I hold you as you fall to sleep. When the world is closing in. And you can't breathe here. May I love you, may I be your shield. When no one can be found. May I lay you down…'

At that moment they knew something had changed, their relationship had strengthened in a way. They knew they would fight for each other, they would never let each other go and they would try to protect each other as they had tried to do so all this time.

They never said it but they thought it 'I want to be like this with you forever.' At that Echo felt his eyes widened but then smiled as Cora felt herself gasp at the realization but also smiled as they hugged closely at the end of their dance.

Their thoughts were interrupted as they looked up at the sun getting ready to set and knew it was time to get back.

As they returned they heard the commotion and laughed Cora said "What's wrong, Irma beating you all again?"

Echo said "I'm surprised you all are still trying."

When Irma exclaimed Cora said "You'll get him next time."

Cora went up to hug Irma and said "No of course not. Sometimes I guess a push from a friend is just what we need."

They all seemed to laugh at that. Then the two looked at each other and told them about the droid. They all gasped at that.

(Irma.)

Kenobi said "Where there anymore?"

They both shook their heads as he said "Good, but I may have to send some other troopers around the planet to make sure no others escaped from the lab just in case. How did you two handle the droid without any weapons?"

They both seemed to blush at that as Echo said "I just slammed into a tree I think it was already malfunctioning cause all I had to do after was just slam it once more into the ground and it shut off."

Cora then said "Is that why none of the lasers hit you? It was shooting those out like crazy."

"What?!" they all said in shock.

They sighed as they then explained what had happened with the droid. They didn't get into details just that they got caught in the cross fire and how Cora thought Echo was dead till he came back. Echo was blushing at that part his brothers raising a brow wondering what happened.

[Me 10]

They all seemed to laugh at that. Then the two looked at each other and told them about the droid. They all gasped at that.

"You two okay?" Irma's eyes widen.

Kenobi said "Where there anymore?"

Cora then said "Is that why none of the lasers hit you? It was shooting those out like crazy."

"What?!" they all said in shock.

"Leave him be." Fives stops the double trouble.

'At least for now.' Fives smirks planning to get it out of him later.

"Well then I say we have dinner and call it a night. Though a petrol might be needed this time around." Kenobi rubs the back of his head.

"These two will take first shift." Rex volunteers Heavy and Cutup.

They wanted to argue. But after everything they did kinda owe everyone.

"He what?" Irma explains as the girls have another girl's night.

(Cora)

"Go Echo." Irma giggles for the bravery on all fronts.

(Cora/ asking how things are with them most likely)

"W-we're alright." Irma flushes remembering what happened when she woke up.

(Cora)

"Well you see…" Irma buries her red face into the pillow.

With the guys.

"Well that was daring." Fives stares at Echo unable to proses that.

(Echo)

"No I think it's a good thing. You're figuring out what you're fighting for." Fives assures him.

(Echo/ asking about the wound most likely.)

"Doesn't hurt, hasn't since I talked with Rex and Irma." Fives smiles a bit.

Then he remembers the feeling of her tracing her fingers over it. His face turns red at that. It had felt good and woke him up. Then there was that moment before Kenobi…

(Echo)

"I don't think it's good for me to be alone with Irma for a while." Fives mutters trying to his overheated face.

(Echo)

[Partner 10]

With the girls

"He shielded me from the droid, took it out so I wouldn't get hurt and then kissed me."

"So how are things with you and Fives?"

"What's wrong? Come on dish it out."

With the guys.

"What you think I was too rash?"

"So how's your wound, still bothering you?"

"Is something wrong? You're blushing almost as bad as I have."

Echo raised a brow and said "Okay what happened?"

With the girl

Cora was wide eyes as she said "Okay no more sharing nights together. You don't want that leading to something else. Then we'll have a whole no problem."

(Irma.)

"I didn't mean to embarrass you, but we have to be careful. I know it's hard but the jedi are barely able to cope with the idea of connections. If something like that happens or a pregnancy comes up…"

(Irma.)

"Okay, okay I'm just saying. Maybe from now on it's best we do have a chaperone. If anything happened with me and Echo before marriage my parents would freak."

That's when she realized it 'Marriage oh no no no not yet but then at the water fall… No it's too early.'

(Irma.)

Cora sighed and said "At the waterfall Echo and I where dancing and then I thought how I wanted to just stay that way with him forever. Something happened at that moment. I think we realized that our relationships changed, that it's grown into something more. And I don't know how to deal with it but I just want to take it one step at a time even if I feel like I never want him to part from my side again. I couldn't take it."

She was deeply blushing now. What had changed? Will she knew what had changed? But was she ready for it?

(Irma.)

With the guys.

Echo had his eyes wide at that as he said "I think your right about that. If you ever got caught Lock would… and her family… Fives you think it'd be better if we had a general around from now? You know just to keep things under control."

(Fives.)

Echo then said "I think I'd feel better about it, not because of you and Irma. I just. Sight, when Core and I where dancing at the water fall I realized something. I realized I never wanted to part from her, that I wanted us to stay in that moment forever. I realized something changed between us. I don't know what but it's strong."

(Fives.)

"I just hope I can be the man she needs me to be. I think back to the moment and I feel like I'm supposed to know something yet I feel like I don't want to know what that is yet. I guess I just still want to take it slow even if my heart is telling me that I should never be away from her."

(Fives.)

They all fell asleep with much to think on that night, but sleep did come. They all felt glad to be heading back to Coruscant but also sadden at the same time. A lot of things happened on Naboo that changed them even if a lot of bad had happened.

The couples weren't the same, they had changed and they knew it. The others could somewhat sense it as well. So did Obi-wan as he said 'I better talk to master Lock about all of this. He needs to know he needs to keep a better eye on Irma and Fives. As for Cora and Echo, somethings changed but I can't put my finger on it. I'll have to tell Lock to talk to them.'