The 212th and 501st get to try their hand at babysitting. What could go wrong? ;) Featuring soft!clones, kissing owies, and cuddle piles. Pure fluff here, peeps! Enjoy this because next chapter we get some dramaaaa *evil smirk*
Mando'a translations in the end notes.
GBR (Grand Babysitters of the Republic)
"I'm really sorry, Obi-Wan. If there was anyone else available I wouldn't be coming to you about this. Plus, they requested you," Mace said.
"They requested me by name?" Obi-Wan asked, cocking an eyebrow.
"No, not exactly. They asked for our best diplomat and negotiator."
"I'm flattered," Obi-Wan replied, deadpan.
"It wasn't meant to butter you up. It's a fact. There are few who have the skill to get this planet into the Republic and calm both sides of the faction," Mace said.
"It will only be for a few days, Obi-Wan," Plo reasoned. "They're holding a meeting and they're on a time constraint. Their government has given them a three day period over which to come to an agreement. You really are the only one who can help them come to a decision in so little time."
Obi-Wan folded his arms and sighed. He knew they were right. It wouldn't be the first time he'd brokered an agreement between stuffy politicians in just a few days. He didn't like the idea of leaving Iyla again though. The first time had mostly gone well, thankfully, but she'd been clingy and needy when he got back. He knew she'd been anxious while he was gone but wanted to be brave for him. He didn't like the thought of putting her through that again.
But, he was a Jedi and it was his job to go on missions and help planets and worlds seek peace. He couldn't shirk his duties forever. Plus, it was only a few days and the Council had been very lenient so far on passing him up for missions. They'd been very respectful of his and Iyla's need to adjust and integrate themselves into their new lives. Now would be a good time to go. Iyla was thriving in the crèche and had found safety in routine and comfort in her friends and Crèche Masters. She was confident and blossoming and he knew that taking a small and short mission wouldn't crumble the stability they'd found in each other.
There was just one problem.
"I understand what you are saying," Obi-Wan began. "And I would like to agree to go on this mission, but the problem is that my normal babysitters are currently on Naboo visiting Senator Amidala's family. Ahsoka is responsible and capable, but I'm not comfortable leaving a child in the care of another child for three days."
"I'm sure Master Alann wouldn't mind keeping Iyla in the crèche for a few days," Plo said.
"There's no room for her though. She stays with me and has no room or bed in the crèche," Obi-Wan answered.
"The crèche is a bit overcrowded at the moment. The first initiate trials after the war are coming up in a few weeks, but until then, space is limited, I'm afraid," Mace agreed. "Perhaps another Master, such as Kit or Depa? Or even you, Plo?"
"I'd be delighted, as would the others but I know Iyla would probably do better with people she is most comfortable with, that she trusts. Not that there isn't trust between us. I'm just afraid that a lack of experience with each other would cause hardship for both parties," Plo said.
"Exactly my thoughts, Plo," Obi-Wan agreed. "There aren't many options, unfortunately, for people Iyla trusts enough to stay with."
Plo looked thoughtful then a spark appeared in his eyes. "What about your Commander? Cody, isn't it? And the Captain? They were with you when you went to get Iyla and she seems to be very comfortable with them. Their fellow brothers were at her party as well. They were wonderful at caring for the younglings."
"Have Iyla stay with the 212th and 501st?" Obi-Wan asked looking thoughtful. "That might work, actually. Iyla has said the vod'e are like her family and she adores them. They've also been begging to see her since her lifeday. This would be a good way for them to spend time with her."
"So, are you settled then? Iyla will stay with the troopers and you'll go on the mission?" Mace asked, looking hopeful.
"Alright, yes, it's settled," Obi-Wan nodded at a grateful Plo and Mace.
"Good. Mission details will be sent to you this evening. Thank you, Obi-Wan. May the Force be with you," Mace nodded and bowed.
Obi-Wan bowed back to the pair of Masters and headed down to the crèche. He had a little one to break the news to.
Obi-Wan called Cody and Rex to ask if they were alright with watching Iyla for him, and he received an enthusiastic yes, mostly yelled by Fives and Waxer in the background. Obi-Wan chuckled and thanked them. To his surprise, Iyla was delighted with the idea of spending a few days with her vod'e. She'd been missing them since her lifeday and wanted to see them again.
Once again Obi-Wan helped Iyla pack her things for a few nights away from home then they took an airtaxi to the brothers' apartment. Immediately upon entering, Iyla was taken off and occupied with one brother or another. Obi-Wan was grateful to them for taking his advice of keeping her distracted. Padme and Anakin had discovered that distraction had proven to be the best strategy for keeping iyla's thoughts from homesickness or anxiety.
There were no teary goodbyes this time as Iyla was too overjoyed to be with the vod'e that her mind didn't remember to be sad. Obi-Wan wasn't sure if this was a good thing or not. Would a melt down come later that night, or would there be none at all? This thought left him apprehensive so he pushed it away and focused on Iyla's hugs and kisses instead.
"Wuv you, Papa. Miss you!" she whispered in his ear.
"I'll miss you too, my love. Be good for the vod'e and have fun, ok?"
"Ok, Papa! Bye-bye!" she said then bounced away to Echo and Fives.
"Be safe, General," Cody said as he and Rex walked Obi-Wan to the door.
"We'll take good care of the little one," Rex assured him.
"Thank you," Obi-Wan replied. "Send the rest of the vod'e my thanks as well."
Cody and Rex nodded and gave him their goodbyes.
Everything seemed to be going well so far, Cody mused. Perhaps too well though. They were playing hide and seek and having a great time. That is, until not one of them could find Iyla anywhere in the apartment. After 30 minutes the panic began to set in and some of the vod'e had even started to search outside in case she managed to leave out the front door. Cody was frantically checking every corner, closet, bed, and small space he could think of. They even tried calling out for the girl but got no answer. By then Rex looked like he was about to have an aneurysm and Fives was on the verge of tears.
A victorious cry from upstairs brought them all running to the tiny linen closet that they had checked multiple times already. Echo was on his knees with a finger to his lips, pointing at a small bundle of blankets with the faintest bit of strawberry blonde curls sticking out from under it. He pulled back the blankets to reveal the peaceful face of the 4-year-old who obviously had gotten bored while waiting to be found and decided to curl up and fall asleep. Rex nearly sank to the floor in relief. Cody chuckled and directed Echo to carry Iyla to the small couch in the corner of the living room so she could continue her nap. Echo gently set her down and rearranged the blankets she'd tangled herself in to make her more comfortable.
The nap seemed to give Iyla even more energy than she had before. The vod'e took a moment to simply stand and marvel at the little blur of a child that was skipping and hopping around their apartment at high speed. Boil looked slightly horrified and retreated to a chair a safe distance away. Waxer managed to wrangle the girl and it was decided that venturing outside might be a good way to burn off the excess energy.
Rex and Cody were aware of Iyla's love for plants and gardens as she'd spent many comm calls telling them all about the courtyards on Mandalore and the Room of a Thousand Fountains. She'd also raved about the small playground Ahsoka had played with her on. With this in mind, they decided to take her to the park in their neighborhood. There wasn't a lot of play equipment, since most of the people in their neighborhood were vod'e but it did have nice trees and flowers as well as a set of monkey bars and some rubber rings in the ground that were often used to workout. It was really more of an outdoor gym but Cody and Rex figured they could make it work.
As it turned out, Iyla loved the park. She explored the flowers and trees and ran around with Echo and Rex playing tag on the large patch of grass. Kix and Boil helped her walk through the rubber rings, which proved to be very challenging since they were spaced apart for people with much longer legs than hers. She didn't get frustrated though and just laughed when she'd trip or miss one. Kix ended up carrying her the rest of the way and Iyla squealed happily as she was bounced up and down in his arms while he jumped from ring to ring.
Waxer and Fives saw her eyeing the monkey bars with interest and decided to help her swing on them. Iyla was a little apprehensive and scared and nearly cut off the circulation in Waxer's arms as he climbed the platform to get to the bars. Fives showed her where her hands were supposed to go and then demonstrated the swinging motion to get to the next bar. Both vod'e decided that she was too small and inexperienced to go at it alone, so they took turns holding her legs and waist while she swung her arms from bar to bar. This was quickly declared a favorite by the 4-year-old and soon every one of them had taken a turn helping her go back and forth on the bars.
After a while their arms got tired though and it was back to exploring the garden part of the park. Cody, the unofficially declared 'mom' of the group for the afternoon, eventually called Iyla and the rest over to take a break. The little one might not be tired but the rest of them were drooping a bit. They took some time to rest in the grass and talk. Iyla was very patient and kind in her waiting though it was obvious that she was bored and wanted to get back to playing.
Everyone was content to sit for a bit until Waxer called out Boil and challenged him to a race through the rubber rings and across the bars. Boil of course jumped up and rose to the challenge and the rest of the vod'e followed, excited at the prospect of a little healthy competition. This soon turned into a team competition and Rex chose to be the judge and sit out to make the teams even. Iyla sat next to him on the bench and watched the game with interest. But the friendly competition then dissolved into an argument with teasing and taunting and Rex had to step in to restore order. Cody, of all people, had Echo in a headlock and was shoving Fives away with his other arm. Rex rolled his eyes and moved to separate them.
With all of their attention on hurling insults at each other, none of them noticed Iyla climbing up the platform to the monkey bars. She decided that it looked like fun when her vod'e were doing it and she felt confident that she could do it on her own too. Her short arms caused her to have to jump to reach the first bar. She just barely grabbed on and smiled widely at her accomplishment. But then her grip started to loosen and she scrambled wildly to keep hold of the bar. With a panicked cry she slipped and fell, hitting the ground hard.
A loud wailing cry rose up from the girl and the troopers fell silent and turned their alarmed eyes to the monkey bars. A split second of shock and confusion rippled through the vod'e before Waxer started swearing and running to the crumpled form on the ground.
"Iyla!" He yelled as he approached her. "Vod'ika! Are you ok?"
Iyla continued to wail and sob as she clutched her wrist and rubbed her head.
"Oh, osik! Kix!" Waxer called. "She's hurt!"
This sprung the rest of the vod'e into action and they all raced to the bars. Kix immediately got down on the ground and started checking the little girl over.
"Udesiir, little one, it's alright," Kix soothed, trying to calm her down. He tried to take her wrist in his hand but Iyla cried out and pulled it away. He cursed under his breath.
"Kix needs to look at your arm, vod'ika," Waxer said as he held her in his lap. "He's a healer so he can help."
"It huwts!" Iyla sobbed. "Vewy b-bad!"
"K'uur, sweetheart. I'm sure it does, Iyla, but I can't try to make it better if you don't let me see it. I'll be very, very, gentle, I promise," Kix said.
Iyla whimpered and sniffled but held her arm out to Kix. The healer gently prodded and examined the small wrist while Iyla winced and cried silently.
"You're being so brave, vod'ika," Fives praised, moving to sit on the ground next to Waxer.
"Yes, very kotep, little one," Kix replied.
"S'at mean b-bwave in M-Manlowan?" she asked.
Kix nodded and she gave him a teary smile.
"I don't think it's broken, thank the stars. Just bruised pretty badly. She'll need a few rounds of bacta patches and to ice it for a bit. We can wrap it when we get back," Kix announced, much to the relief of the rest of the troopers.
"She was rubbing her head too, vod," Boil spoke up. "Might want to take a look at that," he said, his cheeks coloring. He was always embarrassed to show his softer side.
"Is Boil right, vod'ika?" Echo asked. "Did you hurt your head?"
"Uh-huh. It hitted the gwound when I falled," she said.
"Haar'chak," Rex cursed. "Head injuries are no joke."
"Well, luckily there doesn't seem to be any signs of concussion. No slurred speech or unfocused eyes. Not vomiting or loss of consciousness. Another thing to thank the stars for," Kix said.
"I can see a bit of a bump though, Kix," Cody said, crouching down in front of Iyla and Waxer. He gently reached out to the girl's head and ran his finger under her hairline. "Does that hurt, little one?"
"Y-yes C'ader C-Cody," Iyla hiccupped.
Kix appeared next to him and looked at the spot that Cody had rubbed. "Yeah, there's a bump there. It will probably turn into a pretty good sized goose egg by the time we get back. Looks like it's more bacta and ice for you, vod'ika," he said, looking apologetic.
"S'ok," she replied sadly wiping her teary eyes with her good arm.
"You're going to be alright, vod'ika," Waxer soothed. "Your ori'vod'e are all here to help you."
"Yeah, and Kix is one of the best healers in the GAR. He'll have you feeling better in no time," Fives added.
"It still huwts, Kiss," Iyla said turning to the healer. "Can you kiss it bettew pease?"
Kix stared at her almost dumbstruck. Never in all of his years as a GAR healer had he ever been asked to "kiss" anything better. The very thought made his cheeks red and he awkwardly looked around at his brothers who looked awkwardly back at him.
"Vod'ika…I…uh…" Kix started to say.
"Papa always kisses my owies bettew and it helps lots. Acause you a healer, you can kiss it even more bettew than Papa," the 4-year-old explained.
Her big teary puppy eyes felt like they were boring into his very soul and Kix knew he could never deny this little one her request. Before he could change his mind or think about how much his brothers were going to tease him, he leaned over and planted a gentle kiss to her brow. Iyla held out her wrist and he smiled then brought it to his lips as well. She rewarded him with a bright smile and a kiss of her own on his cheek.
"Fank you, Kiss," she said.
Kix blushed and stuttered a bit. "You, uh, you're welcome, little one."
Fives watched them and decided that he was jealous of Kix for getting a sweet kiss from their vod'ika.
"Hey, Iyla," he said. "You know what's better than one kiss from your ori'vod'e?"
Iyla shook her head.
"Two kisses from your ori'vod'e," he smirked. Without any embarrassment or care about his reputation, Fives leaned over and kissed her wrist and her head just as Kix had. Iyla giggled and smiled then kissed his cheek too.
"Or what about three?" Waxer asked, wanting to get in on the kisses as well.
Iyla nodded and held out her arm and brought her head closer to his lips.
"Hey, I want to kiss vod'ika better too," Echo said, quickly taking his turn.
Rex and Cody shared a look and a shrug before they moved to give kisses of their own.
Boil stood awkwardly by and watched with a mixture of confusion and interest. Waxer cleared his throat at him and tilted his head toward the girl in his lap. Boil looked torn between giving in to peer pressure and maintaining his stoic detachment from all things sentimental. He looked at the little one staring up at him with some apprehension and nervousness. He watched as she bit her lip and blinked her big blue eyes. Something caved in him in that moment because damn wasn't she just the cutest thing he'd ever seen (besides Numa) with her dirty tear-stained cheeks and messy curls. With a small chuckle and a smirk he got down on his knees and kissed her head and her wrist. The blinding smile she gave him brought a smile of his own to his face and he laughed as she kissed his cheek.
Rex smiled slyly at his moustached brother and patted him on the back. "Well, now that our vod'ika has had seven times the kisses, I think it's time to head back," he said, standing up.
"Yes, I agree," Cody said, standing as well. "And as we walk back, maybe vod'ika can tell us how she hurt herself."
Iyla avoided his eyes and clung to Waxer as he picked her up and settled her on his hip.
"I falled off the bars, C'ader Cody," she said shyly.
"Why were you on the bars by yourself, little one?" Rex asked as they started walking.
"I...I fought I could do it wifout any help, Cap'n Wex. You and the vod'e was doin' it and I wanted to twy."
"You're not old enough to do it on your own, vod'ika," Waxer said. "It's very dangerous to be on those bars without one of us to help you," he hugged her tighter to his chest as if to keep her from falling from his grasp and getting hurt even more.
"I just wanted to be a big girl," Iyla said quietly.
"You can still be a big girl and need help on the bars," Rex replied. "None of us were good at the bars when we first started and we all needed a lot of help. It didn't mean that we weren't big and brave. We just needed time to learn, as you do, vod'ika. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Cap'n Wex," Iyla said.
"You can just call me Rex, little one. The captain part doesn't matter much anymore. Same for Cody. He's no longer a commander, so just Cody is fine too."
"Ok, Wex."
"You know, Iyla, you're very lucky you weren't hurt worse. A fall from that height should have caused a broken bone at least. I'm not sure how you managed to avoid that but you're very fortunate, little one," Kix said.
"I feeled somefing from the Fowce, Kiss. It helped me not huwt too much," she said, playing with Waxer's sleeve.
The brothers all looked at each other in question. None of them were very familiar with how Jedi used the Force and especially not ones so young. If Iyla said the Force protected her then they were just going to have to believe her.
"While we're all very happy that you're not hurt worse, we do want to make sure you understand that going on the bars without a grown up is very dangerous, Iyla," Cody said.
"Yes, Cody. I unnerstad. And I'm sowwy. I be bettew at being safe next time," Iyla replied, looking ashamed and apologetic.
Cody smiled and tilted her head up to him. "All is forgiven, vod'ika," he said, running a hand through her hair affectionately.
The rest of the walk back to the apartment was quiet. Iyla was dozing in Waxer's arms while being entertained by Fives who pointed out various things he saw and made up silly stories about them. By the time they got home her tired giggles had turned into yawns. They all did their best to keep her awake through the ice and bacta treatments and the wrist wrapping, trying to prevent her from falling asleep before dinner was even served.
Dinner caused Iyla to perk up a bit and she was relieved that she could still eat on her own, her hurt wrist thankfully not her dominant one. To her excitement, the brothers put on a holofilm after dinner to wind down from their day. Iyla hadn't ever seen a holofilm before and she was enraptured from the very beginning. This particular film, which the vod'e had clearly gotten just for her, was a kids' story about family and friendship told by talking animals and animated characters. Iyla loved it and couldn't take her eyes off the screen and even the troopers seemed content to watch the children's film.
Towards the end of the film Iyla started to nod off. The vod'e watched in amusement as she valiantly tried to stay awake and finish it, even as her head was bobbing and her eyes were half closed. Clearly the excitement of the day and the whole monkey bars ordeal had zapped her energy and tired her out. Despite her best efforts, the 4-year-old fell asleep, slumped over on her side against Rex's arm. Cody moved to turn off the film but received protests from his brothers who wanted to see the end. He rolled his eyes and chuckled but let them finish.
After the film, Rex carried Iyla up to their bedroom. Even though there were a few rooms in the apartment, the vod'e felt more comfortable sleeping in the same room close to their brothers, as they had done their whole lives. Boil gave up his bed for Iyla and bunked with Waxer instead. It wasn't the first time the brothers had to share. Rex gently laid the little bundle down and went to tuck her in before Cody stopped him and asked about getting her into her nightclothes. Rex frowned and this started a discussion and conversation about whether or not they should change her or leave her as is. Was it appropriate for one of them to dress her when they aren't her father? Are there rules about little kids and grown-ups and getting dressed? Should they wake her up and have her do it? The last one was ruled out because no one wanted to wake up the sweet little vod'ika when she was sleeping so peacefully.
In the end, Kix got her into her nightclothes while Rex and Cody were still going back and forth about it. Both men looked at Kix in confusion and the healer shrugged and mumbled something about not being worried about modesty as a healer and that he used it as a way to make sure she didn't have any other hidden injuries from her fall. Everyone seemed to accept this and soon Iyla was tucked in with Barney and completely dead to the world.
Cody woke up suddenly with the feeling that something was not right. He's no Jedi and he might not be able to use the Force but he could tell that there was something wrong with someone in the room. He continued to lay still and listened carefully for any clue as to what might be happening. He could barely hear a faint crying sound coming from the bunk by the door. Boil's bunk. But why was Boil crying? That thought alarmed him. His stoic brother would never just lie in his bed and cry in the middle of the night. What was going on?
With a jolt, Cody remembered that Boil was bunking with Waxer for the night in order to give Iyla somewhere to sleep. He rolled his eyes at his own stupidity. Of course it wasn't Boil crying. It was Iyla. Cody frowned to himself at the thought of the little girl crying alone in her bed and the fact that she didn't try to wake anyone up to seek comfort. Perhaps she didn't feel comfortable doing so. Well, he decided, if she wasn't going to seek out comfort, then he'd just have to bring the comfort to her.
Slowly and carefully he made his way across the room to the girl's bed, not wanting to wake his brothers. Iyla was curled up on her side with her face buried in Barney's fur while quiet hiccups shook her shoulders as she sobbed.
"Iyla?" Cody asked to get the little one's attention.
Iyla squeaked and gasped. She turned her red puffy eyes to look at him. "C-Cody?"
"Yes, little one. Is everything ok?"
"I…I dunno," she said, looking truly confused about her own emotions.
"Ok, well, why are you crying?" Cody asked.
"I m-miss my P-papa," she hiccupped.
"It's alright to miss your Papa, Iyla," Cody soothed. "Did have a bad dream about him?"
"No. I waked up to go potty but it was dawk and, and I forgotted where I was. It was scawy and I not see my Papa so I got sad."
"That's perfectly understandable, little one. I'm sure you were very confused, huh?"
"Y-yes. I not like it."
"Do you remember where you are now?" Cody asked, taking a seat on the end of the bed.
"Uh-huh. I'm stayin' wif you and the vod'e acasue Papa is on a mishin."
"That's right, dar-"
"Cody?" Rex's voice spoke up sleepily. "Vod, what's goin' on?"
"We heard crying. Is everything ok? Is it vod'ika?" Fives asked.
"What? What's wrong with vod'ika? Is she hurt? Sick? Is-" Waxer's voice was cut off.
"Relax, Waxer. She's alright. Just some homesickness," Cody told him.
"I miss P-papa," Iyla sniffled.
"Aww, vod'ika. It's ok," Waxer said, nudging Boil to let him up out of the bunk so he could go to Iyla.
"I got scawed acause I not know where I was and Papa not here and it's dawk. I not like the dawk."
"Are you afraid of the dark, little one?" Echo asked.
"A little bit," Iyla replied, ducking her head in embarrassment.
"No need to be embarrassed, vod'ika. I'm just sorry we didn't know. We could have left on a light for you," Echo said.
"S'ok, Ek-o. I can be bwave."
Rex chuckled and got up to walk to the small bunk that was now surrounded by all of his brothers. "You are very kotep, vod'ika. But you don't have to be. We won't think any less of you if you need a light to sleep with."
Iyla nodded and hugged Barney tight to her chest. "I…I gotta go potty. I didn't go afore bed. That's why I waked up. Can…can you take me, Cody?" she asked. "I not wanna have a assident in Boil's bed."
"I appreciate that, vod'ika," Boil said sleepily but gave her a smile.
"Sure, little one. I'm sorry we didn't show you where it is. But I'll take you now, come on," Cody said standing up and offering his hand. Iyla took it and let him lead her across the hall.
They returned quickly from the 'fresher and Cody helped her back into the bunk to go back to sleep. Echo turned on a lamp in the corner while Fives picked up Barney from the floor and handed it to the little girl. They all started heading back to their beds when Iyla started crying again. The brothers looked at each other in confusion.
"My…my arm huwts and I…I not like to seep all 'lone. I'm scawed wifout Papa," she said quietly.
"I'll get you another bacta wrap, sweetheart, ok? That will help with the pain," Kix replied, leaving the room to go get his supplies.
"And as for the sleeping alone, well, I think we might have a solution to that too," Fives said with a grin.
"You see, vod'ika. Back when we were in the war together, we often didn't like to sleep alone either. Sometimes we were scared and wanted to have a brother close by to make us feel better," Waxer explained.
"You gots scawed, Wasser? But you grown-ups. Grown-ups not get scawed," she insisted.
"Oh, that's not true, little one," Rex said. "Grown-ups get scared too. Everyone gets scared."
"Even Papa?" Iyla asked with shocked wide eyes.
"Even your Papa," Cody answered. He remembered the look in Obi-Wan's eyes when he'd let his defenses down after a difficult battle and the bundle of nervous energy he was on the way to Stewjon to get Iyla.
"Wow," Iyla breathed.
Rex chuckled. "Anyways, we sometimes got scared during battles and we didn't want to be alone when we slept, so we would sleep all together in a big pile of brothers on the floor to make us feel better."
"You seep in a pile of brudders? On the floor?" Iyla asked with the patented Kenobi eyebrow raise.
"Yep. It's actually quite comfy, little one," Kix said as he wrapped her wrist in a new bacta bandage. "How's that feel, vod'ika?"
"Bettew, fanks, Kiss."
Kix ruffled her hair and smiled.
"So, what do you think, Iyla?" Echo asked. "Do you want to sleep in a big pile of brothers so you're not alone?"
"We promise not to snore," Fives joked. "Well, except for Boil."
Boil smacked him on the back of the head and muttered di'kut.
Iyla giggled. "It's ok, Boil. Papa snores sometimes too. I not mind."
Boil looked like he just won the lottery. That was valuable information on his general that he'd be sure to use later on. "Thank you, vod'ika," he nodded at her.
"So it that a yes?" Waxer asked, already setting up blankets and pillows on the ground.
"Yes, pease!"
"Excellent! Grab Barney and bring your blanket over here," Waxer instructed.
Iyla scrambled to do as told, excited to sleep with her vod'e. The brothers all took their spots on the ground, where they usually slept when they had their cuddle piles. They left a small space in the middle for their vod'ika, mostly between Rex and Cody, but also making sure that each brother was somehow touching and comforting the little girl. Iyla curled up in her spot and settled down with a happy sigh.
"Jate ca, vod'e bal vod'ika," Rex mumbled. A chorus of sleepy "jate cas" rose up from the brothers around him.
"Jah-tay kah, ori'vod'e," Iyla replied. "Wuv you," she mumbled around the thumb in her mouth.
A warm feeling surrounded the small room as each brother smiled at the sweet little girl's words.
"Kar'taylir darasuum gar balyc, vod'ika," they whispered back even though she had already drifted off to sleep.
Echo elbowed Fives who was sniffling slightly and told him to pull himself together for stars' sake and go to sleep. There was a smatter of chuckles at Fives' expense before the rest of them drifted off as well.
Obi-Wan returned two days later looking worn and exhausted but smiled widely when he saw his little light "playing" cards with her brothers. She was sitting in between Waxer and Boil who were playing with Echo and Kix. He couldn't quite tell who was winning but he could see that Boil was becoming increasingly frustrated.
He listened with amusement as he heard Iyla's voice. "But you not gots any red ones, Boil. Why you tell Kiss you do?"
Boil closed his eyes, clearly trying to keep a hold of himself. "That's how you play the game, vod'ika," he said.
"You 'sposed to lie?" she asked with wide eyes.
"Yes. That's the whole point. To try to trick your opponent."
"Ohhh. Is that why Wasser not telling Ek-o that he gots a K? I know what a K looks like. Acause it's in my name. Kemmobi," she said.
Boil threw down his cards and buried his face in his hands. Waxer patted his arm and tried to console him while Kix and Echo laughed heartily at their brother's pain.
"I think that's enough card playing for you, my darling," Obi-Wan said.
"Papa!" Iyla shouted and ran to greet him.
Obi-Wan caught her and chuckled as she gave him kisses all over his face. "I think someone missed me," he joked.
"Lots and lots, Papa! But I not cwy too much. Just one night but the vod'e letted me seep wif them in a brudder pile. It was fun and helped me not be scawed. And we watched a holofilm about fam'ly wif some talking banfas and tooka kitties. But it's just petend acasue banfas and tooka kitties not really know how to talk. I falled aseep and missed the end though," Iyla rambled.
"You can take the film home, little one. We don't mind," Rex offered.
Iyla looked excitedly at her Papa and he nodded his acceptance. She cheered and ran off to put the film in her bag.
"I hope she wasn't too much trouble for you," Obi-Wan said, addressing the vod'e. "She can be quite energetic."
"No trouble, General," Cody was quick to reassure him. "No trouble at all."
Obi-Wan looked skeptically at his commander and narrowed his eyes. "You're sure?"
"Yes, of course. There weren't any incidents at all. Everything was perfectly fine," Fives replied.
"No incidents?" Obi-Wan asked. "I didn't ask about incidents, Fives. Why would you bring that up?"
Rex closed his eyes in exasperation at his absolute or'dinii of a vod and sighed heavily.
"What happened?" Obi-Wan asked warily.
"Uh, there was a small accident at the park, General. Nothing serious. Just a little fall," Waxer spoke up, trying to play it off.
"I falled off the bars, Papa," Iyla said as she came back in the room.
"The bars? What bars?" Obi-Wan asked.
"The monkey bars at the park, sir. She slipped off of them and fell," Cody answered.
"She fell off…" Obi-Wan trailed off, eyes wide. He immediately started looking Iyla over for injuries.
"It's ok, General. Kix fixed her up. She's alright," Rex assured him.
"Fixed her up? How badly was she hurt?"
"I hurted my arm, Papa, and my head, but Kiss putted ice and baga badges on it and it feeled lots bettew."
Obi-Wan took the arm Iyla was holding out and prodded it gently, then ran his hand over her forehead looking for a gash or a bump.
"I'm ok now, Papa. The vod'e even kissed all my owies bettew," Iyla told him.
"Well, Kix is the best in the GAR, so I trust his healing abilities. And I'm sure there is scientific evidence to back up the positive effects of a kiss to an owie. But I'd still like to know why you were on the bars by yourself, darling," Obi-Wan replied.
"I sawed the vod'e doing it and I wanted to do it too. But Cody and Wasser tolded me that was not safe and I not 'sposed to go on the bars by myself. It huwted lots when I falled but the Fowce made me not get huwt too bad acause Kiss said I not got any broked bones when I shoulda. So the Fowce helped me!"
"Accidental Force protection at four standard years? You never cease to amaze me, little one," he said with a smile. "Well, I'm grateful that you're not badly hurt and that your vod'e took good care of you."
"We're really sorry, General. We shouldn't have taken our eyes off of her," Echo said.
Fives spoke up as well. "It's just we were having a little friendly competition with the equipment and well, it kinda turned into a wrestling match and Rex had to step in because Cody was trying to choke Echo and was hitting me and-"
"Oy! I was not trying to choke, Echo. Echo went after me first and then you tried to-"
"Stop lying vod, they all saw you put me in a headlock like some kind of-"
"Ne'johaa!" Rex shouted. "Biggest bunch of di'kuts I've ever seen. Stop. We're all to blame for vod'ika getting hurt. Sorry, General."
Obi-Wan smirked and sighed in mock exasperation. "It's fine, Rex. I know how the vod'e can get during friendly competitions. I've seen it first hand. And while I am a bit disappointed in the lack of supervision that caused Iyla to be on the bars by herself, it appears that you did a wonderful job comforting her and helping her heal. So, thank you for that. Plus," he said, turning to look at the little girl. "Iyla does have some responsibility for not waiting for an adult to help her. Right, dear?"
"Yes, Papa," she said. "Sowwy."
"All's forgiven, love. You too," he addressed the brothers.
"Thank you, General," Cody bowed his head, clearly embarrassed that his general found out about his part in the childish wrestling match.
Obi-Wan chuckled and squeezed Cody's shoulder. "You can't be perfect all the time, Cody. Don't worry."
"Is this one of those instances where I should talk about a pot and a kettle?" Cody teased.
Obi-Wan shot him a glare and dutifully ignored him in favor of helping Iyla gather her things.
"Where's Barney, dear?" he asked as he dug through her bag.
"Oh! Haar'chak! I forgotted him in the room!" she said, bringing a hand to her forehead and running upstairs.
The whole room fell silent and the vod'e all stared at each other with wide panicked eyes. Obi-Wan's mouth fell open in shock. Did his sweet little girl just curse in Mando'a?
When she came back down Obi-Wan turned to her. "Darling…where did you hear that word?" he asked, although a quick look at the white faces of his troopers pretty much answered that question.
Iyla looked around at her nervous brothers and her shocked Papa. "Vod'e gots each uvers backs, Papa," she said simply.
Obi-Wan, knowing that that was the equivalent of an 'I'm not telling,' decided to let it go.
"All right, I won't make you rat out your vod'e, little one. Even if they are di'kuts," he smirked.
The offended looks on all of his troopers made him laugh out loud. "Say goodbye to your brothers, Iyla. And tell them thank you."
"Vow ent yay!" she exclaimed, running to give each of them a hug.
"You're welcome, Iyla. We're happy to have you," Rex replied.
Iyla came to stand by her father's side and waved to the troopers smiling at her. "Ray-tow-shay mee, vod'e!"
"Ret'urcye mhi, vod'ika," they replied and waved back at her, grinning at her cute speech impediment.
"Vor entye, ner burc'yas," Obi-Wan said with a bow. "Ret'urcye mhi."
"Anytime, General," Cody answered as he showed them to the door.
Next up: Drama. *evil laugh* ;)
Thanks for reading, commenting, kudos-ing, and bookmarking. You all da best!
Mandao'a translations:
vod/vod'e—brother (singular)/brothers (plural)
vod'ika—little sister
osik—crap/sh*t
Udesiir—relax/calm down/be at peace
K'urr—hush/shhh
kotep—brave
haar'chak—damn it
ori'vod('e)—older brother(s)
di'kut—idiot
Jate ca, vod'e bal vod'ika—Goodnight brothers and little sister
Kar'taylir darasuum gar balyc, vod'ika —Love you too, little sister
or'dinii—moron/fool
Ne'johaa—shut up
Vor entye—thank you
Ret'urcye mhi—goodbye
Vor entye, ner burc'yas—thank you, my friends