A/N - Thank you to everyone still reading and to any newer followers.

Sued13

Coruscant

GAR Treatment Room

'Annual Rotation For Medics'. Ryssa read the notification.

"Fek!" she exclaimed.

'Once a year Coruscant based medical staff will serve 3 months in the field to update on their trauma qualifications.'

'Proclaimed by Senate Decree.'

She wasn't a soldier, wasn't trained; she didn't want to be a liability to the soldiers she'd been treating for the last couple of years. She'd heard troopers talking about 'shinys', about how they had to be looked after, until they built up their experience. She would be even worse than that, no training, no experience at all, nothing.

"Are the Senate mad?" She muttered to herself.

Tod looked up at her words and she pushed the datapad in his face. He took a few seconds to read it.

"Fek! Are we that desperate? Sorry, no offence."

"None taken."

"I'll check with Cahu."

.

Dr Cahu, was old school, but had been supportive.

"Sorry, Neryssa, but as it's been passed by the Senate to cover all staff, everyone has to go, including me."

"You. But …you're…" she looked at the slim, grey haired man, with the twinkly eyes, sitting in front of her. He had come out of retirement at the request of the Chancellor, after Dvorkin had the freak accident.

"Old?" He laughed "you've got that right. Believe it or not, I was quite athletic in my youth but that was a few decades ago." He sighed. "I'm sorry, Neryssa, but you're on the first wave and you're booked in for the induction next week, at Arca Barracks." He watched her for a few seconds, "And I have some more bad news. The Treatment Room, It's being closed."

"What but I thought it had been a success. Once Dvorkin had left."

"It's been decided that it's served its purpose and will relocate everyone to the main Med Centre, so clone medics will still rotate in and out but in that Centre."

"Oh." She knew something had been on the cards, they didn't get as much traffic as they used to; most of the troops were now occupied with long sieges in the outer rim. It had all been decided, no consultation but they never did. She wondered if Tod knew.

She walked back to the Treatment Room in a daze, there was only Tod left; Kix and Coric hadn't been on Coruscant for months. There'd been a few shiny medics pass through, like Scratch but Tod had been here with her from the beginning, apart from a few times off planet. He was waiting for her and while she was gone, he'd organised the supplies yet again, and taken the droid off line. They were not busy. She understood the logic for the decision.

"He said you had to go didn't he?" Tod read her like a flimzi book.

"Yes. I have an Induction next week."

"Kriff! That's not long." He was still doing his checks. "This induction, how long is it for?"

"Two weeks."

"Two karking weeks." He exclaimed. " That's nowhere near long enough." He took a breath. "You won't be able to learn any blaster or on board etiquette in that time."

She gave him a blank look, as if he were speaking a foreign language.

"See. You don't even know what I'm talking about."

"There's something else."

"What?" Tod raised an eyebrow.

"The Treatment Room's closing."

"I know. I've had my orders."

"And when were you going to tell me."

"I had my orders not say anything to anyone. And you know me I'm a good little soldier."

He was trying to make a joke of it.

"Let's just ...not talk about it. Any patients today?"

Subject changed.

"Have you told A'den?" All of the Clone medics, who she'd worked closely with knew about him, she remembered when she first told them and when he first came to the Treatment Room.

You had to bring it up, didn't you.

"Not yet." She was terse.

"He won't like it."

Which is why I didn't want to think about it.

"And how would you know?"

"The Republic has an army already, us. It's what we were made for...and ...I wouldn't like it."

"You don't have to it's none of your kriffin' business!"

An uncomfortable silence descended on them and they completed their tasks without speaking about it again.

A'den was back on Corrie today, training new ARCs for few weeks, promoted from ordinary troopers. He had said he was coming home.

Coming home.

He called it home now and he was coming home to a difficult situation; she knew exactly what Tod meant. A'den wouldn't like it. As she put the finishing touches to her report and sent it on to Dr Cahu, Tod finished up.

"Doing anything tonight Tod?" She attempted to mend bridges. Tod accepted.

"Thought I'd go for a cheeky ale at '79's." He laughed gently at himself.

"So, should I get the pain tabs ready for the morning?"

He snorted, shaking his head.

"I'm sorry, I was snappy earlier."

"No problem. We'll get some more training for you. Help get you ready."

"Thanks. I'll need it." As she walked to the door, she shouted over her shoulder. "Enjoy yourself tonight."

.

The market was busy, although it was near to closing; Ryssa wandered through, picking up the fruit, cheese, bread and the stodgy fruit cake that A'den liked. A couple of the Boys in Red were there; one had a Massif on a lead. She hadn't seen one up close before and it wasn't going to happen now; turning quickly she put some distance between them. She had initially dismissed what A'den said about them but now; she looked backwards towards the Massif again. Not looking where she was going, and neither it appeared was the petite, dark haired, young woman, who she bumped into. Bread was squashed and fruit sent rolling everywhere. Under the fruit stall, chasing the Meiluran and Muja, they bumped into each other again.

"Sorry." They both said in unison, smiled at each other and retrieved the offending fruit.

She looks familiar.

They backed out from under the stall and the woman was helped up,by a rather tall young man, with a scar running over his eye. As Ryssa stood, she turned to look where she was going, and then she saw it. The light sabre attached to his belt, he quickly covered it up.

"Ani! Help her." The woman's voice said and a strong arm pulled her up.

"Thank you, that's very kind, especially as it was my fault, I do apologise."

I need to get out of here, Skywalker and Amidala. A Jedi and Senator, shopping…..together?

"Thank you again, I really must go." She slipped into the crowd.

.

A'den let himself in, two whole days on furlough, the GAR had become more generous with R and R recently but he still hadn't seen his brothers Kom'rk and Jaing for some months. He missed them, they had never been separated in ten years. They had never met Ryssa and he knew he would come in for some ribbing, especially from Kom'rk. He stopped, the smell coming from the kitchen was amazing.

What is she cooking? She's getting better.

He followed his nose.

Is this some kind of Aruetii anniversary that he had missed?

Osik.

Kal said they were really into those kind of things, Life days etc.

Osik.

He didn't even know Ryssa's Life day date. He didn't have one, he didn't think. He'd make it up to her in some way. He walked up behind her at the stove and put his hands on her waist holding her, whilst he gave her the gentlest of kisses on the back of her neck. He felt her sink into him before she turned, pulling him back to her, in a long, deep kiss, to which he couldn't help but respond. He'd missed her. Eventually they pulled apart.

"You okay?"

"Yes." Her head rested on his chest, as he stroked her hair. "Just missed you."

"Smells good."

"New recipe, so we'll see." She knew her limitations.

"How long?"

"Hour or so."

"That long?" His eyebrow raised, as she pulled him down into another kiss.

"I'll just get a shower." A'den murmured and turned into the bedroom.

Ryssa leant against the counter; she picked up the datapad and read through the notification again. It didn't give her much time. She sighed, put it onto the side and turned off the heat on the meat. She was going to make the most of this time together.

.

He breathed in the steam; the damp warmth helping him relax. He felt the effects of the war being drawn out of his pores, temporarily. The change in temperature, told him she was here, as she opened the shower door and closed it behind her.

"Glad you joined me."

"Didn't like to waste an hour. Turn around."

"Yes sir." He saluted, lazily; she snorted, as she squeezed shower cream onto a pad. Facing his back she gently scrubbed circles on it. He leant against the wall, his forehead resting there, as she worked the soap into the powerful muscles rippling underneath the dark skin of his back; he hummed in appreciation, as she worked her way lower, reaching his buttocks. She gently tapped one side. He turned, his eyes a dark velvety brown; they didn't waver as he pulled her up to him in a deep kiss; his tongue telling her exactly what he wanted to do.

He felt her reach for him, as she trailed kisses down his chest, following the rivulets of water, caressing his skin. He knew her intentions and the anticipation built up; being with her this long she knew exactly what he liked. Her hands moving slowly down his back to rest momentarily on his buttocks, then to his thighs, holding him. She sank to her knees and the next thing he knew, was sheer unadulterated pleasure. He dropped his head back to rest against the shower wall. Languishing there, he savoured every feeling, until it became too much.

"Fierfek Ner!" He exclaimed and pulled her up. "Shab, I want you." His mouth covered hers as he pushed her against the wall. His fingers found her, pushing in, taking only seconds to get her ready. Pulling first one leg over his hip and then the other he entered her and she hit the wall. He felt her arms surround his neck, as she bit the skin there, his rhythm keeping her from doing little else. Her gasps, fed his arousal, he felt her shudder, as his own rhythm became more erratic until a final guttural groan, as he found his release. He held her still against the slippy shower wall, forehead resting next to her, until he felt steady. He slowly let her down and slumped over her listening to her ragged breathing interspersed with his.

This wasn't what he had been expecting when he walked in; he thought they had been together far too long for their need to be this desperate, yet every time he came back, they still wanted each other.

Mereel would never understand.

.

Ryssa reheated the meal; it was all the better for standing, the flavours matured. They ate, then sat together, with a Caf each, finally relaxed. A'den's arm draped across her shoulder, his thumb tracing patterns on her cheek; she turned, brining his palm to her lips, when she saw yet another scar, in the webbing between his thumb and forefinger. It looked like a star.

She turned to him.

"Piece of molten metal pierced my glove. Wasn't bad enough for bacta."

Ryssa kissed the scar, her mood subdued.

"You okay, cyar'e?"

"Tired."

"You work too hard."

"Fi…."

"Is getting better, and you're helping…..still."

"I have to."

"You don't have to try and do everything."

A'den's Com pinged, "Buir." he greeted Kal and moved to the kitchen. Ryssa assumed it was something she wasn't supposed to hear and sat rubbing her temples, trying to ease the pressure building there. A'den returned, an odd look on his face.

"Has something happened?"

She saw his internal debate, "Etain, medical problem."

He watched her reaction, worry, fear crossed her face.

"You know something don't you?

"I can't…"

"You knew, didn't you? Knew that Etain was pregnant."

She nodded.

"Darman's the father but he doesn't know."

He watched her reaction or lack of it.

"You knew that as well?"

"Is she okay, the baby?"

"She's fine. Now. Somewhere safe."

"I examined her, as her Doctor. I couldn't say anything."

"They're both fine. A healthy boy."

He saw her swallow hard and bite her lip. He hadn't meant to tell her, not yet.

"Already? She wasn't due yet, unless..."

He nodded, Buir hadn't been specific about what happened but he would get the back story from Ordo. He didn't tell her the rest; that the baby was here on Coruscant. He didn't want to upset her.

Then there was Ko Sai. Just the name put him on the edge. Mer'ika told him what happened. He had an Appointment at Kyrimorut now, with his brothers; it was a reckoning that had been a long time coming but even that had been taken away from them. Yet...there was still something they had to do. He and his brothers were — inventive.

Her Datapad pinged. A'den automatically picked it up to hand over, until he saw the heading.

"What's this?"

The reminder was headed up in large letters; she hadn't confirmed it yet, she had been distracted.

"I have to serve a few months off world, on a Destroyer, RIMSOO or medical frigate."

It took milliseconds before it hit him what she said; it was bad enough here but he would never be able to protect her out there.

"When?"

"Soon."

"When were you going to tell me?"

"Tonight."

"Like you told me about Etain?"

"No."

His mouth set in a straight line.

"You can't go"

"What?"

"You can't go."

"I'm sorry, what do you mean 'can't'. It's not up to you." Her eyebrows creased together in a frown.

"It's too dangerous."

She smiled, her hand reaching towards his cheek. "I know you want to protect me and that's….and I love you for it but this is my job. I have to go." He batted it away.

"No you don't, you could resign." There was an edge to his voice now.

"I can't just resign because I don't like one part of my job. I'm qualified now, so I have go as part of my commission.

"You're commissioned?" He queried.

"Yes. Captain. Surgical staff."

"Cyar'ika, you don't understand, it's dangerous out there."

"I know, that's why I'm needed there." She paused. "For your brothers."

"Not every Clone is my brother." He spat out.

Couldn't she understand that, only Buir's squads were his true brothers, the others just looked like him.

"They still deserve the best treatment, and I know I'm good." Her voice raised, head pushed forward.

.

He cleared the plates away and for once wasn't sure what to say; he was angry and whatever came out of his mouth would be wrong.

"Did you think you were going to distract me with all…..this?" He waved his hand and then easily ducked the flying glass that headed towards him but he was struggling to keep his temper, as was she. "You haven't seen what I've seen; you haven't had the training and it's not just the droids…"

"So you think I'm not up to it, that I couldn't cope, that I'd be a liability." She retorted.

He opened his mouth, to reply and ducked; this time from a flying mug, her aim was getting better.

"I'm doing this, so that's the end of it." Snapped Ryssa, flouncing off to the fresher.

They were both furious.

She's not listening to me, I know what it's was like out there, the droids, the seppie wets, the stupid aruetii, the incompetent jetii. I won't be able to protect her from wherever I am. Can't she just listen to me!

But that look on her face, that stubborn set look, he'd seen it before when she was determined to do something. But this was stupid.

She returned from the fresher, her face flushed red. "It's only three months. It'll be over quickly. "

"It's dangerous out there."

"Don't you think I know that. I wait for you all the time." Her voice raised an octave.

He looked away for a moment trying to control his increasing anger and when he turned back, it showed.

It's like talking to a Durocrete wall, Ryssa thought, why can't he just listen to me.

"I'm going!" She said again, lower.

"So am I." Stated A'den. "I can't argue with you, you've made your mind up."

He got up and put his coat on.

She glared at him.

"Where….."

"Anywhere….. somewhere I don't have to argue with you." He stormed out.

Another mug smashed in the sink.

.

02:00 flashed on the chrono—Ryssa stared at it, willing him come through the door but he still hadn't returned. She had been so sure he would come back within the hour; he had before. He stormed off, walked round the block, came back and they made up. Now her bed was empty. She turned over, her hand dropped to where he should be, closing her eyes, she tried very hard to sleep.

04:00 flashed on the chrono—His space was still empty and cold, and her stomach was churning.

Have I pushed him too far? I can't leave it like this.

Pulling on clothes, she grabbed her ID and set off for the Barracks; she wasn't sure where else to go. Apart from Laseema's Apartment and she didn't think he would go there.

If the troopers were surprised to see her out of her medics uniform and entering the building at 4:30am, they hid it well. She walked quickly through and on into the Mess Hall hoping to find him, somewhere; she was so intent on that, that she hadn't noticed four RC's sitting at a table.

"You lost Ma'am?" a gravelly voice called out. She jumped, surprised. She didn't recognise the voice but saw four RCs, with cups of Caf. Not anyone that she recognised. she helped herself to a mug; it was standard GAR issue. like hyperdrive fuel. She was surprised there weren't more clones with digestive problems.

Taking another drink, and thinking where he could possibly be, she noticed that their eyes veered to the door, she turned and looked. It was A'den, his shoulders leaning on the wall and bent leg braced. He still looked angry.

"I'm sorry…." she started.

"Scram!" He addressed the Commandos.

Their Sergeant bristled.

"Sure, Sergeant, whatever." His reply was sarcastic but fell on deaf ears and, as they left the mess hall, she rushed at him. "Fekking Mando boys." he muttered as he and his team left the room. As they walked out the RCs watched them closely; A'den turned again and gave them that look, warning them off.

"Cyar'ika…, I… wasn't listening to you."

"No, you weren't and I wasn't listening to you. But your aim was getting better."

The door closed and their foreheads touched, and stayed.

"I don't want to lose you."

He had never said that before; never really opened up like that.

"I know but...nowhere seems safe anymore."

She's right. I can't keep her safe. Not even here, at the so called heart of the Republic.

His eidetic memory went to the Zillo Beast and its after effects; he tensed in anger.

"Den?" she sensed it. He breathed, forcing himself to relax.

"When do you have to go?"

"I don't know the exact date but training starts next week."

"Hmm. That gives us a little time to get you up to speed."

"Tod said that."

"Good Vod." He would have to speak to Tod again and talk to Jaing; there had to be something they could do.

Pulling apart, he took her hands and enclosed his around them and they sat, hands entwined, with her head leant against his shoulder until the Coruscant sunrise finally lit up the mess hall.