"Feeling Like You Don't Belong"

Set sometime before "Battle Scars" when we meet Rex.

Echo has been feeling unwanted on the team and accidentally lets it out leading to the whole saying how they feel.

After getting off the moon Tech was busy checking other ships' systems and he had Wrecker doing an inventory check. Tech was forming a list of all the extra parts and supplies they will need to buy at the first spaceport they land at.

Hunter sat down in the co-pilot seat next to Echo who nodded and went back to the controls. "You seem happier than you've been for a while now."

Echo looked surprised and turned to Hunter with a smile. "I guess I am."

Hunter waited, hoping Echo would continue with the reason. His second in command noticed Hunter was expecting clarification. He looked over again, "Cut said that Rex had been there just a day before us. That means he's alive."

He looked down and the same sad expression he'd had for the last few days returned. Hunter realized he must have checked up on some old friends. He could imagine that after Order 66 some of the 501st were lost. "You thought he was dead after the fall?"

Echo nodded, "Yes, the Imperial files said half of the 501st were lost trying to kill Commander Tano aboard their cruiser." Then he smiled again, "But if Rex made it then likely she did too."

"And the rest of your friends?"

"Almost everyone I care about was on that ship or is right here. Rex, Jesse and the Commander. I don't know, maybe Jesse escaped too? General Skywalker and General Kenobi might have made it too? If they were wrong about Rex, there could have been other survivors, but even if there weren't..."

"You know you still have Rex."

Echo smiled again and relaxed against the chair, "I thought I was alone again, but now I know I'm not. I still have one brother and friend."

"I'm also glad that Rex is alive, but you were never alone Echo. You have us and now Omega too."

"I know, I didn't mean..." Echo realized he'd accidentally started a conversation he'd been wanting to have now for months but also really didn't. He tried to joke it off hoping that would be the end of the uncomfortable topic. "Don't worry I'm not looking to leave the team, I'm just relieved Rex is alive and would like to see him again."

"Usually when someone makes a comment like that, in jest, it means they had actually been thinking about it for a while." Tech appeared and typed a code into the console next to Echo and stood back to look at both surprised men.

"I did not mean to interrupt, but I was standing by the door for a while waiting to start that scan." He turned to leave, but looked over his shoulder quickly, "For what it's worth, I knew you have been unhappy for a while. I, for one, wish you to stay with us. I find your knowledge, conversation and versatility enjoyable."

He walked out and left an uncomfortable silence in the cockpit. Hunter saw Echo confirm the code Tech had just input and allowed the diagnostic to continue. Hunter hadn't realized Echo was that upset about their arrangement.

Rather than let Hunter stew Echo answered first, "It's true that I had been keeping up with Rex in case I needed a place to go."

"Why would you think you needed a place to go?"

"I know after Anaxes you asked me to join this team because you knew I'd have trouble going back to my old life with all these changes done to me. I have skills and abilities now that are useful to a commando team. Over the time I've been here I haven't helped you with plans or done anything but scomp into things and speed up work that Tech normally does. Which is fine, if doing droid work is all you ever intended me to be for this team."

Hunter sighed and seemed to deflate in his seat. "I guess Omega is not the only one I've let down."

Echo knew he was talking about deciding to leave her with Cut without talking to her about it first. He knew it wasn't his place so he hadn't spoken up, even though he didn't agree with leaving her. "Look, I owe you guys for helping Rex free me from the Techo Union and bring me back home. I really enjoyed working with you all and when you asked me to join I jumped at it. Over time... it just seemed to me that you eventually started regretting your decision but were too polite to ask me to leave. So I started checking in with Rex asking if there was anything I could do to help him out. He told me to talk to you but..."

"You thought if you brought it up I might finally ask you to leave, so you avoided it."

"I guess, yes. Now that the army and the Republic are gone and we're all on our own..." He paused. "I thought you might want to cut your losses. I thought Rex was gone and I felt alone and didn't want to lose you guys too. When I first woke up and saw the world and my family had moved on without me, I didn't know how or even if I could fit in somewhere again. I know that my nightmares and mood swings are annoying and likely drive you all nuts. "

Hunter took a breath. "I know that things were a little tense for a while there and I should listen to you more than I do and that bothers you. I'm sorry. I guess I'm just so used to always making the decisions for us that I never realized I do have help now in you and your ARC training. I know being with the 501st you've seen things we haven't. I never meant to make you feel like I don't appreciate you."

Hunter remembered the mention of the dreams. "As far as the dreams and moods. If I'd been through as much as you have I don't know if I'd still be standing. You are one of the strongest people I've met. Even as soon as we woke you up, you started helping. You were so weak and confused and overwhelmed but took care of us all. You even cracked jokes to help with the tension. You barely get out of the tank after healing and you had already made a plan to retake Anaxes by taking a huge risk going to an enemy ship."

Hunter saw they had an audience know but continued, "I saw what kind of man you were, your dedication and determination and love for your duty and your brothers. I don't know how to help your dreams. I do know we all want to be there any time you want to talk or just sit together until you feel better. I didn't ask you to join this team to be a droid, I knew you could help us. I hoped we could help you."

"You have helped me and I do like it here, as long as I'm wanted." Echo slightly turned away.

Omega burst into the cockpit and jumped into Echo's lap. She wrapped her arms around him and he could feel her crying. "I don't want to leave us Echo."

Wrecker peaked around and looked at them, "I'm with the kid and Tech on that. I like having you here Echo."

Omega pulled back and smiled through her tears, "I'm so glad you two finally talked about this. I could feel there was a problem between you. I'm always here if you ever need to talk, you're my brother too." She buried her face against his shoulder and hugged him again. Echo wrapped his arm around her and smiled at Wrecker and Hunter.

Tech looked up briefly when Omega nearly tripped running into the cockpit and went back to his work. He was looking at his datapad as he walked toward them. Hunter's amazing hearing allowed him to instinctively called out, "Tech."

Tech looked up before nearly running into Wrecker, "Ah! Thank you, Hunter." He looked at the hug and realized what was happening. "I see everyone is part of this conversation now. Well, I have already expressed my opinion. I want Echo to stay."

Echo smiled and tapped a button on the console sending the diagnostic to the datapad. Tech saw it arrive and quickly read it over with a quick smile and nod of acknowledgement.

Hunter smiled seeing how in-tune Tech and Echo had become. He leaned towards Echo and pretended to whisper. "Part of the reason I wanted you here was to give him," he nodded to Tech, "someone to talk to and be friends with. Wrecker, Crosshair and I have never been able to connect with him like you. I saw you two seemed to read each other's minds after a while. Tech engaged more with you in a few days than he has with the rest of us in months."

Echo laughed and also continued pretending to whisper, "Maybe guys shouldn't always tell him to shut up and just give the quick version of data. He needs to be busy and talking makes him feel connected to you. I just listen and ask questions. He loves being able to fully explain things. He's very interesting if you let him just vent."

Tech didn't notice at first they were talking about him but eventually started listening. When Echo finished his explanation he tipped his head to the side and noticed the others were all watching him. "I believe this conversation was to convince Echo to stay with us, not how to handle me."

Hunter nodded to Echo, "He's right Tech. I guess I sometimes take you for granted. You've always been amazing at your job and you keep our ship running and look after inventory and things we wouldn't normally think of. You're an amazing pilot and a great friend."

Tech just blinked not knowing how to react to the praise but he did slowly straighten up. Echo noticed that when Tech was feeling underappreciated he slouched as he walked around people to be quick and not in the way. Next to Wrecker, he was the tallest but seldom stood his full height outside of battle.

Hunter realized he needed to look at team morale and how they all treated each other. "Echo, you're right. The Republic is gone and we are on our own now. More than ever, we need to take care of each other and keep our family safe and happy. I'm glad we all got to speak..." He trailed off when he realized Wrecker hadn't said how he feels.

"Wrecker. You haven't said anything. Is there anything we can do to make you happier?"

During the talk about Tech Omega had crawled out of Echo's lap and Wrecker had picked up the little girl and was holding her against his hip. Omega cupped his large face with her tiny hands and smiled, "Are you happy Wrecker? You know we love you, right?"

Wrecker smiled and hugged her closer, she put her arms around his neck and closed her eyes. "Aww, I'm happy when you guys are all happy and safe. And if I get to blow something up, now and then."

They all laughed, even Tech, who now looked at Echo. "So, has this changed your opinion on leaving us?"

They all looked at their brother and Echo looked at them all, "I never wanted to leave at all. I just didn't want to be a burden to you, so I was trying to see if I had any other options."

Tech spoke before anyone else could, "You don't ever need "other options", you have us and we want you with us."

Hunter and Echo looked shocked and Wrecker and Omega even exchanged a look. Tech normally didn't wade into emotional waters, let alone summing up perfectly what they were all trying to say.

Hunter looked at Echo again, "You have been a good influence on him."

Echo smiled, "I guess so."

Hunter put a hand on Echo's arm to pull his hand off the yoke and took his hand. He waved for Wrecker, Omega and Tech to join also. Omega had to pull Tech over and put his hand on top of the rest before placing her small hand top.

Omega summed it up this time, "We are a family and we need to take care of each other's needs and safety."

They all smiled and then Wrecker's stomach growled. "Ahhh, can we eat now? I'm starving!"