A few of the 501st get some R snd R but not in 79's.
Thanks to all my readers and reviewers.
Enjoy.
CHAPTER Nineteen
Coruscant
GAR Medical facility - Treatment Room
Coric's palms were sweaty as he felt the grip of apprehension pooling in his gut.
Like a shiny on his first mission.
Why did I fekking agree to this?
Weeks ago, Ryssa asked where the clone troopers went, now they were allowed to leave the Barracks, officially. He agreed to take her, never thinking it would happen.
He supposed she was lonely going back to that apartment; she told him her friend, who had been staying with her, had moved to her Mother's and would be leaving for Alderaan soon. Coric had never experienced loneliness, he always had his brothers, but he had nodded, as if he did. He noticed she had been more tired than usual and had some stomach upsets.
She had not been the same since that 'fall.'
He hoped this would help her feel less lonely.
So here he was, in the Treatment Room, waiting for her to change into something more appropriate for a bar, she said. He was worried now as some of the clothes that he had seen the civvies wearing, in 79's were so, not appropriate.
He put on the only set of civvie clothes he possessed, he had never had much need of them but had won this set off Chek, in a game of Sabacc, so he thought he may as well use them.
Where Chek had got them from was anybody's guess.
His palms were sweaty again; wiping them on a piece of the flimzi roll, he sighed impatiently.
Kriffing hell, how long does it take a fem to get ready?
He heard the door open and close, and turned; he had only seen her out of uniform a few times, in a plain tunic and trousers and they were not exactly flattering. She stood in the doorway looking at him.
"You look good Coric, that colour suits you."
He knew he was staring but couldn't help himself and was vaguely aware that his mouth had dropped open, he pulled it shut. She had taken her hair down, from scraped Up double braid or tails looped around at the back. He had never realised how silky and shiny it looked, and how long. It was totally straight, she must have done something to it, he didn't understand what and now he just wanted to touch it. He could imagine…
"I had wondered, if you would go in your fatigues?" she joked.
His eyes dropped further down, to the rich maroon blouse she was wearing that skimmed her hips.
Fek! You could see through it!
He was going to say something but realised she was wearing something underneath, he wasn't sure what, but it matched the colour of the blouse. He daren't linger too long looking; below that were dark blue skin tight trousers, that grazed her ankles and the shoes. Maroon with gold, thin high heels, so shiny, so dainty...
He started breathing again.
She walked towards him talking; how in Haran did she manage to actually stay upright in those heels.
"Are you OK Coric?"
She came nearer, he backed away, nodding.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. Yes. Err.. you look good too."
Dikut!
"Thank you, you're very kind. Shall we get a speeder taxi? Or is it near enough to walk."
He looked at her shoes.
"Speeder Taxi."
"Good idea!"
He opened the taxi door and let her get in first. Bad mistake. Kix had always said he bet she had great shebse under the uniform and Fek was he right. Coric got an eyeful and didn't quite know where to put his hands.
She was talking all the time but he didn't hear a word she was saying. He was just happy to be with her; he was hers, had been since that first day when she laughed at his jokes and bought him a Caf and cookies.
Perhaps even before that.
His dream.
.
Ryssa put her arm through his, and walked in with him; they received some appreciative and enquiring looks. But if anyone asked, they were friends, and as far as she was concerned they were, but he was lost to her.
His squad brothers were gathered around a couple of tables; word had spread got that she was coming to the bar with him and some lewd comments were made but he sorted that. The men should know better, she knew most of them, in fact she had treated most of them at some time, so very few introductions were needed, except perhaps the newwr ones. He went to get drinks for them; he got some fizzy, fruity Coruscanti, 'mocktail', they called it, for her.
When he returned she was sitting squashed up to Fives, he might have known it would be him, and he looked well oiled already; Echo obviously trying to ignore him, was being a gentleman and attempting to talk to Ryssa about the medical regulations. She was nodding politely at him, probably bored out of her mind. Hardcase sat opposite ogling, he had had so many 'injuries' since he realised the medic was female, it was a standing joke.
He paused for moment, looking and committing the scene to memory; all his friends were happy, together and away from the war. He'd been feeling discontented with the way they had been treated since Teth and then JanFathal, when they lost Vere and Ince. They hadn't even been allocated bunks before….He looked around, yes, there was Joc and Hil, he was glad they came.
And then there was Denal; he should have been here, he would have enjoyed this. He'd told him about Ryssa, said he wanted to see her; said she must be something, if Coric kept talking about her. He hadn't realised, he spoke about her so much. Denal had kept ribbing him about her, even on the last mission and then that bastard Cad Bane…..
Fives voice rose above the general hubbub.
"Hey, slowcoach, bring the drinks over here the lady's thirsty."
They all laughed again, there were some dirty jokes flying around and he even heard Ryssa telling one, he could see her hands moving. The one about calibrating Deeces, then a light sabre and two flash bangs. He closed his eyes, hoping it wasn't the one he thought it was; he often wondered where she heard them.
She understood clone humour.
He slid into the booth and found himself squashed up to her, thigh to thigh, hip to hip; so near he had to put his arm across the top of the seat and was touching her shoulder. She turned and smiled at him. He was suddenly and inexplicably very warm and it wasn't the temperature or the ale, as he had hardly drunk his. Every time he turned to talk to her, he could smell the heady aroma of her Perfume and caught the silky strands of her hair, as she moved her head.
He had an urge that he kept tightly under control. He realised the garment, under her blouse, was actually some fancy kind of underwear. Several of his brothers had already worked that out and he could see them ogling her, he glared at the worst of them and they backed off, but not Fives, no he was right there, next to her and he had the audacity to touch her hair, twirling it through his fingers, asking how she managed to make it so straight. Coric wanted to do that, so he gave Fives an extra hard glare.
Ryssa gave him another brilliant smile before whispering something to Fives, who rose and walked towards the freshers; he followed him, weaving between his vode standing in the bar. He stormed in and moved straight behind him.
Fives knowing who it was commented,
"She's great, Coric, a real laugh, you should hear some of the jokes she tells. You just don't expect anything like that from her, not in that accent, just like Kenobi's. You should have brought her before."
His head hit the wall with a crunch, as Coric caught him by surprise, pushed him, twisted him around and pinned him back against the wall, his forearm across his neck.
"You keep your filthy hands off her, Vod."
Joc and Hil walked in and backed out immediately, Coric was an experienced soldier and had a reputation of not suffering fools gladly. If he had someone pinned against the wall they were not going to get involved.
Fives could barely speak but managed to mutter.
"Ok, ner vod, I'll keep away but I thought...never mind."
Coric paused, "She's my friend and I'm looking out for her. OK?"
"Yeah." grumbled Fives, as he walked out of the head. Looking around, nobody seemed to have noticed their altercation, even Echo was still talking regs; he headed out for some fresh air, a grin flashed across his face, as he exited the bar.
Ryssa bought everyone, mostly from the 501st, several rounds, just as she had promised; everyone else was on missions. She knew they didn't get much in credits.
Coric noticed that she was keeping to the fruit juices or fizzy drinks; He was happy and proud that she kept to the plan, their plan. He had been propositioned by some very good looking young women, in the past, who had been very drunk, and he just didn't like to see that.
Fives reappeared, he had been to the bar.
"Fruit juice as requested, Ma'am." And bowed.
"Thanks, Fives, it was very kind of you to get it for me."
Little things like that impressed Coric; she always thanked them for any thing they did for her. Not many people did that; most people barely noticed a clone.
The crowd had started to get a bit rowdy, but this was nothing, compared to what it would be like at '79's by now, bottles and glasses flying, if he remembered the last time, it was lucky they were here.
"They seem to be getting a little boisterous now."
"I'd say."
"Think it's time I left?" She laughed and got up from the table and swayed a little.
"Oops, got up a little too quick there, I think. It is definitely time for me to go. You all enjoy yourselves."
The clones all waved back, except Fives, he had an odd look on his face.
"I'll see you home." Offered Coric.
"Thank you, Coric, that's very kind, you don't have to, you know, I can get a taxi."
"No, it's time for me to go also, so I will see you home."
"You are a gentleman you know but I just need to use the refresher."
On getting to the door she swayed again. He was right behind her and held her shoulders, so she didn't fall.
"I'm fine, I'll just be minute but definitely think I need some fresh air, and to get these tortuous shoes off."
She headed inside, while Coric waited patiently.
.
The coolness of the fresher, was a relief as the bar was getting warmer and warmer; she popped another antacid. She had been suffering from indigestion for over a month now and was feeling quite light headed, just after that last drink; it was a good idea that Coric was seeing her home. He was a good man and she heard that he had lost yet another close brother.
At least five minutes had elapsed and he saw Hil and Joc coming towards him; he nodded to them, as they approached.
"You on a promise, Sarge?" Jic winked.
He had kept an eye on Hil and Joc, since JanFathal.
"Don't even think that Trooper." He growled and they walked off sniggering and muttering.
Seconds later she came out, minus the heels, she was smaller and wore a pair of gold flat slippers. With the change of shoes they were able to walk quite fast, although he had to shorten his pace so she wasn't skipping to keep up. She still kept having the dizzy spells and they had to stop occasionally, while she clung to his arm quite tightly and fought back the nausea.
"I'm sorry Coric, I swear I only had a couple of fizzy drinks and juice."
"I know you did, perhaps its a stomach bug."
"Mmm, perhaps you're right."
.
Hardcase sat on a stool at the bar nursing the last drink that Ryssa bought him; he didn't feel like going back to the Barracks yet, so it would have to last him a while. He was staring into the bottom of his glass, contemplating what his Sergeant was probably doing at this moment. There was a great deal of speculation in the squad, as he talked about her a lot when they were on Coruscant and he was back in the Treatment Room and now how he was with a few of the brothers tonight, Hardcase thought it was a certainty.
"Lucky Chakaar," he muttered to himself, when he heard a yelp behind him, he turned to see a small female twi'lek server being jostled, albeit drunkenly by two pilots.
"Hey, leave her alone."
The words were out of his mouth before his brain engaged.
"What's it to you, grunt?"
Hardcase tensed.
"I really wish you hadn't used that word."
Hardcase didn't like the word grunt, it implied that he could not speak and he was as eloquent as the next clone, perhaps more so. He thought these Pilots, particularly, were Ori'buyce, kih'kovid.
He slipped off his stool and squared up to them, sensing some brothers move in behind him. He didn't know exactly who but it was, probably Fives and Echo and he could see Kix, coming out of the fresher, he'd arrived late and was heading towards them.
Five minutes - it was over.
He wasn't sure who had thrown the first punch but he had definitely thrown the last and the bar owner agreed; it was the pilots who started it, so they were the ones thrown out and he and his squad mates received an extra drink, on the house.
At least they didn't have to call out the guard; Rex was still fuming after the last altercation outside '79's, when Fox had commed him personally. Hardcase had beaten his record of sit ups, pull ups and push ups, with a full pack, on that occasion. He liked to think Rex eventually got bored with him.
He looked around for the Twi'lek, felt he should enquire after her, how she was but he couldn't see her. Eventually, they had to return to the Barracks or the Captain would throw a hissy fit. He liked that phrase 'hissy fit', he liked using new words and Coric's friend, Ryssa, had used it.
He always thought of her as Coric's Friend.
As he walked out of the bar, the cooler Coruscant air hit him and that made the alcohol he had consumed appear more potent; standing on the walkway, he inhaled deeply.
Inhale, exhale.
Inhale, exhale.
He heard a soft feminine voice through the background of the night time sounds,
"Sir, sir?" He looked around, it must be someone else, they were looking for.
"Sir, sir?" The voice was more insistent, he looked again and saw someone in the shadows of an alley. It was the little Twi'lek; he approached her and could see her looking around.
"Sir...thank you for what you did."
She was looking straight up at his face now.
"Are you hurt?"
She went to touch his cheek. He hadn't even realised that one of them had got a lucky blow in.
"No ma'am, it's nothing." He moved away.
"It doesn't look like nothing, let me clean it."
She went into the little bag she had on her shoulder and took out a small cloth and wiped his face with it. Hardcase had felt nothing like this. Even the touches of Coric's Friend had been nothing like this; they had been cool and clinical, just like Kix or Coric. This was like fire, like being in the middle of a battle you were winning with no casualties. He opened his mouth and nothing came out, it was dry. She spoke instead,
"Is that Ok? I just wanted to say thank you. They always try something."
"Perfect, Ma'am." He finally managed in a voice huskier than normal; he cleared his throat.
"L'leth." she corrected him and gave him a small smile.
"You?" She prompted him.
"Oh, Hardcase, Ma'am." He finally managed a reply.
"Call me, L'leth, please." She asked him and smiled. He felt like a five year old cadet, not a battle hardened veteran.
"Yes, m….L'leth." He managed this time. "It's a beautiful name."
She smiled at him again. Hardcase took the lead now, after seeing what his sergeant had done.
"Could I walk you home?" He asked, not daring to hope for a positive reply.
"Thank you, that would be very kind."
He realised he had held his breath and then released it. He offered his bent arm for her, just like Coric had done and L'leth, she had said to call her that, put her arm through his and walked along with him
She didn't live far from the bar and it didn't take long for them to get there; when they reached the door she turned to him, put her hands either side of his face and pulled it down, kissing him gently on his lips, just fleetingly.
"Thank you again, Hardcase." She flashed him a brilliant smile and went inside. Hardcase was struck dumb, he had been kissed, by a beautiful female. He couldn't wait to get back and tell his brothers what had happened after the fight. It would be a better story than Fives could muster.
As he walked back, through the brightly lit city, his boots felt like cushions on his feet and then he suddenly stopped.
He decided he wouldn't tell them, not everything.
This feeling was his and his alone.
.
On another walkway.
Coric thought that they were making good time, when he felt it, her hand. He was sure it was her hand. They turned to face each other and he was surprised when her hand didn't move but squeezed him several times.
She smiled and was looking at him from under her eyelashes, that she had obviously darkened, it looked good on her. Then he saw it, her eyes had pupils like pinpricks.
Drugs?
Fek! He pulled them to a stop.
"Ryssa have you taken any drugs?"
"Course not, why would I need drugs, when I have you?"
She smiled sweetly, innocently but he couldn't forget the hand on his butt. He removed it and kept hold of it. She squeezed his hand.
Osik! How could that feel almost as good?
They continued to walk slowly to her Apartment; he kept hold of her arm, it felt good and helped her keep upright. It probably wouldn't happen again. He was sure she was under the influence of something, she had never acted like this before, so he needed to get her home asap.
The medic in him had kicked in.
They continued walking until they stood outside her door; she pressed herself against him.
"Den", she murmured, put her arms around his neck, looking straight in his eyes; he couldn't pull his gaze from her and leaned down to meet her lips. They were full, soft, yielding; her tongue traced his lips and gently forced his mouth open. He pulled her closer not wanting to take a breath; it was all he had imagined. His mouth followed hers not wanting this to stop.
The medic in him kicked in again.
He pulled them apart.
This was wrong.
Ryssa finally opened her door, she had some impressive security on her Apartment and then, and he wasn't sure how she managed it, as she was so small, he was underneath her on the settee with her mouth on his.
He rushed back to reality; she wasn't normally like this, had never given him any indication before. He grabbed her face and looked into her eyes; her pupils were still like pinpricks. He forced himself to pull away.
This wasn't right, this wasn't her, this wasn't Ryssa. She'd said something, a name, not his. Someone had obviously slipped something into her drink to make her lose her inhibitions and it had worked. But they had misjudged the dose. He watched as she became more and more drowsy and finally her eyes closed.
Thank the Force.
He checked her vitals, pulse and breathing, was able to lift her easily and carry her to her bedroom, where he put her in the recovery position, in her bed, ensured that she was covered, safe and left her there.
He needed a cold shower but first he had to make a visit to the vod who he was certain had something to do with this. He remembered him leaving the bar, then giving her a drink.
.
"Fives!" The name echoed through the Barracks.
Coric stormed into his squad's barracks; they had returned from the club earlier and some were obviously the worse for drink but they usually metabolised it quickly, so force knows how much they'd had if they were still drunk.
"Keep it down Coric." Someone muttered above the snoring and groans from the others.
He went straight to Fives bunk and dragged him off by the collar of his fatigues; Echo was up immediately to protect his squad mate and best friend and the resulting noise woke the others who gathered round.
Fives was grinning. "That was a quick one, Sarge." He smirked. "I thought you older men could last longer."
Coric's fist smacked into Fives jaw, with a resounding crunch and Fives not anticipating it, hit the floor with a groan, a glob of blood and spit landing next to him.
Echo seeing his friend attacked, put Coric in a loose head lock; Coric twisted and both hit the floor, grappling with each other. Coric's head emerged and he managed to say.
"Echo, I don't have a problem with you, it's that Chakaar, Fives."
Fives sitting, wiped his mouth and shrugged his shoulders; he held his hands out palms forward, in surrender, but Coric was having none of it. As soon as Kix had helped him up, he shoved Echo aside with a shoulder tackle and headed for Fives again.
Echo turned on Kix with a right hook and Jesse seeing that went to help Kix and then Hardcase piled on everyone, jumping from the top bunk.
At that point Captain Rex came into the squad room to see a mass of struggling bodies, fists and feet flying.
"What the f…. ATTENSHUNN!" He bellowed, if the Barracks hadn't heard Coric before, they would definitely have heard Captain Rex now.
His soldiers obeyed, instantly.
He stood and surveyed his troops who had been in various stages of unauthorised hand to hand combat.
If they'd been in battle he'd have been proud.
"Report Sergeant!" He demanded of Coric, who straightened further to attention, showing off a blossoming shiner.
"It's personal, Sir" The captain gave him a withering stare.
"Fives? Can you add anything to this conversation."
"It's personal, Sir."
The captain sighed and looked around, they were usually so focused and cohesive that they were one of the best in the battalion. They were truly brothers and he didn't like what was happening to them.
"Coric, Fives, Kix and Hardcase with me."
He turned to the remainder of the squad.
"The rest of you, get this place cleaned up for inspection in the morning. Echo make sure it'll pass."
"You four, gym, now, double quick time!" and he marched them to the Gym.
Once there he separated Hardcase and Kix out saying "Kix, stay close, we may need a medic."
"Hardcase." He stood to attention. "Nobody gets near this gym, understand?"
"Sir, yessir." He saluted turned and positioned himself outside the gym door; happy for once that he was not the one inside.
"Ner Vode, talk to me. What's the problem between you two?"
"It's personal, sir." they chorused.
Captain Rex sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. It had been a long day, this was just the icing on the warra nut slice.
"I know it's personal, it's between the two of you."
Silence.
"I'm waiting."
It was Coric that broke.
"It concerns a third party, who is not here, sir."
"And?" Pushed Captain Rex.
"Fives did something stupid and dangerous to them."
"I did it for you Vod!"
Coric turned on him again, fists raised but Rex stepped in his way.
"Details!" He demanded. "Now!"
Both troopers practically jumped at that but then Coric shut down again and looked at the floor. It was Fives who explained, with Coric glaring at him when he said who it was he had drugged.
"I only did it because I could see how Coric really fancied her but she had no idea and he wasn't going to tell her. I even tried to make him jealous and he punched me out, when we hit the head. Then he still didn't go on to make a move. So...I was approached by a dealer when I went outside and got some fresh air, and I thought why not help the Sarge."
It all came out really, really fast.
Captain Rex stared in disbelief at Fives and at the same time kept a hand on Coric, who was ready to pounce at him; Coric was normally a good trooper, a leader, a role model for the shinies in the squad. He'd taken the survivors from JanFathal under his wing and they'd survived further engagements.
"What did you give her and how?" The Captain said this very slowly.
"Dozpil."
"What?"
"I thought it would...loosen her up ...a...bit..." his voice tailed off as, he realised the stupidity of his actions.
This was why you did not let troopers out in Corrie.
"So you thought it would be a good idea to 'JMT' her?"
Rex sighed.
"How the Kriff did you come to that conclusion?"
Fives opened his mouth but Rex put his his palm up to him.
"No. I really, really don't want to know."
Not only was she a member of the GAR and in theory a superior officer to Fives, but he had heard rumours from Cody about her, with one of the Null ARCs, and that would be some Osik you didn't want to get involved with, no matter how friendly she was. Clone Intelligence, they did a good job but you just didn't mess with one of them or theirs.
Fives looked at the ground now.
Rex stood, feet planted shoulder width apart and hands on his hips, glaring at them both.
What on earth were they thinking about, Coric, getting involved with a woman and Fives, what to do with Fives?
Osik! I haven't had any training on this but with down time it was bound to happen. This is why you kept troopers busy.
"Fives!" The trooper came to attention.
"06:00 hours, today, parade ground, full kit." It was already 01:00.
"Fives this stays in the gym. Dismiss."
Fives saluted and scuttled off.
"Kix, none of this goes anywhere outside this gym. Dismiss!"
He turned to Coric and in a lower tone, more brotherly.
"Vod, talk to me. Do you have feelings for her?"
Coric cleared his throat several times before he said anything, and yet he knew this was to his friend, his batchmate from Kamino, they went that far back.
"Yeah, Rex, I have feelings for her but she doesn't know and…...I don't want her to come to me because of some drug. I want her to be with me, willingly. She comes to me of her own accord or it doesn't mean osik, does it Rex?"
Rex couldn't answer that. He didn't know, never been in that situation but he did know his oldest friend was hurting and he couldn't do anything about it.
"Are you sure she doesn't know? Have you told her?"
"No."
"Kriffin hell, Coric, fekking tell her! Instead of moping about, do something."
It was the only advice he could think of.
Coric looked at his brother and commanding officer; he'd always been able to rely on him. He'd always been there for him.
"You're right. I'll tell her, tomorrow."
They clasped each other's forearm, the Mandalorian salute, Rex had been taught on Kamino and passed on like so many of his cohorts, it permeated down the ranks.
"Sergeant Coric?."
"Yes sir?"
"Guard duty for thirty days."
.
Coric went into the med bay next morning and she wasn't there. Good. He needed Kix to put some bacta on his back first; Hardcase had given him a good kick on the back and a boot shaped bruise was filling out nicely in the middle of it.
He removed his armour and body suit down to his waist and waited for Kix. He heard the door and was just about tell Kix to get a move on, when he smelt it, the lingering scent of her Perfume, the one she used last night. He dare not turn round.
"Coric, what on Corrie happened to you?" She put a cool hand on his back.
"Let's get some bacta patches on that it looks painful."
He heard the ripping of the flimzi plastic covers, felt cool hands moving on his back and wished she would stop; she did but her hands were still on his shoulders, closing his eyes he let his head fall slightly back and then felt the cool bacta start working, as the pads were fixed in place.
He heard her sigh and felt her breath on the back of his neck.
When she's finished with the Bacta I'll tell her, I'll tell her how I feel about her.
"If I did anything to embarrass you last night, Coric, I am so, so very sorry. Forgive me."
She whispered in his ear and was gone.
####
Dozpil - anti stress and tranquilliser drug.
JMT - Jedi Mind Trick - Coruscant slang for spiking a drink with drugs.(my version)