Howdy! Stopping in to drop of the next installment of Commander, Meet the Cat while I'm on a more or less hiatus due to school. Hope you enjoy it! ^^

CW: Sexual references, references to Trust Shattered, unbeta'd content

Gotta getcha, getcha head in the game.

Ya gotta getcha, getcha head in the game.

Fake right.

And brake left.

Watch out for the pick.

And keep an eye on defense.

Ducking and dodging around Wrecker then Crosshair as they tried to block my shot, I aimed and tossed the ball.

No dice.

Scooping it up, Crosshair smirked at me. "So close, kitten."

"Shut yo cornstalk ass up and play ball, Twiggy!" I retorted, tail lashing side to side as Crosshair jogged to the far end of the court.

"Over here, Cross!" Wrecker called from behind me, waving his arms.

"No. My shot."

I cursed aloud as the ball swooshed into the net. "Oh, you son of a-"

"Language," Tech interrupted from the outdoor garden a few meters away, having returned with groceries a few minutes ago.

Flicking my tail at him, I rolled my eyes.

"Here you go, sweetheart," Crosshair said, tossing the ball my way. A teasing smirk followed. "Since you need a little hand."

"All I need is one finger for you, mister," I retorted, dribbling the ball as my eyes darted between the sniper and demolition expert crowding around me.

Our games never really were super formal, since none of us knew the true rules, but it was a fun time nevertheless. Especially when we started playing dirty.

Which both men, I quickly found out, loved to do. So, I just had to beat them at their own game.

"You cheated with your ability," I accused, hoping the sniper would take the bait.

"Not cheatin' to use what skills you have."

Hook, line, and sinker.

I grinned mischievously. "All I needed to hear." Launching myself with a telekinetic boost, I dunked the ball over Crosshair's head. "Ha ha!" I cackled, flipping him off after I landed. "Get rekt, scrub!"

I didn't hear his response as my eyes locked onto our… audience.

Cody!?

This certainly wasn't Clone Wars animation Commander Cody standing beside Hunter. Not by a longshot. This was live-action Commander Cody. Temeura Morrison Cody.

Intimidating?

An understatement.

Oh this man is definitely a top.

Tail bushed and finger still raised towards Crosshair, I continued to stare wide-eyed at the marshal commander.

Until, of course, Wrecker playfully slammed into me from the side and sent me flying across the court into the bushes.

"Freight Train!" he laughed.

"Stars," Commander Cody exclaimed, voice muffled from my leafy landing zone. "Are they ok?"

Surely he didn't think a little yeet from Wrecker could rattle me?

"Yeah, they're fine," Hunter chuckled. "Watch."

That's my cue!

Shaking myself off, I gathered up another telekinetic boost. Screaming like a banshee, I laughed myself over the shrubs with a flying side thrust kick. Sending the demolition expert to the ground, I pounced and managed to wrestle him under me only for Crosshair to catch me with a rear choke hold and drag me off.

"Two against one, kitten," he purred in my ear.

Child's play.

I knew I couldn't go for the rear leg pinch, he'd expect that. Luckily, he had a lovely bit of fluff atop his head.

Grabbing some hair and yanking it back, throwing him off balance, I knocked his leg out from under him and sent him to the floor.

Mindful of Wrecker coming up from behind for an attack, I dove into a shoulder roll away from him.

And came to a stop at Commander Cody's feet.

Arm tingling from slapping out to break the roll, I threw up a peace sign. "Commander."

"Shadow," he greeted, an amused smile creeping across his face as he offered me a hand. "See why the boys took a likin' to you."

Letting him pull me to my feet, I brushed hair out of my eyes and flicked my tail at the duo behind me. "It's funny. One of my main phobias is clowns yet I'm datin' four of 'em."

Hunter squinted at me.

The mature and composed person I was, I stuck my tongue out at him.

"Clowns?" Wrecker exclaimed in mock offense, coming up from behind and throwing an arm around my shoulders. "You know you love us, Squeaky!"

I cursed silently as Commander Cody's brow quirked up. Great, now he knew that nickname.

"I'll admit no such thing, Scruffy," I retorted, elbowing the demolition expert in the gut. "I'm here for the entertainment aka all y'all's shenanigans."

"Bantha shit," Crosshair said, slipping up on my other side. Snaking an arm around my waist, he pulled me close. "There's plenty else you get from us that you love."

Trust Crosshair to make it suggestive. We hadn't even gone that far yet!

"Let's not forget, Twiggy," I retorted, playfully jabbing a finger into his chest. "That this romance thing ain't one sided."

The sniper hummed in mock thought. "Never would have guessed."

Commander Cody, silently watching our banter, glanced at Hunter.

The sergeant laughed. "Yeah, Shadow's always like this. Threatened to shave my head once."

Commander Cody stifled a laugh. "You did?" he asked me.

I shrugged, tension fading quickly. I'd certainly gained more confidence since I joined up with them. Whether that was good or bad remained to be seen. "Tatts was being a di'kut."

"They do have a rather vulgar vocabulary," Tech said, joining us. He smiled fondly at me. "But they make up for it with their intellect and ingenuity."

"Aw, thanks, Techie!"

"Can certainly see they are right at home," Commander Cody agreed, smiling as he glanced at Hunter. "And I suspect how they ended up with you lot is an amazing tale as well."

"Boy, is it!" Wrecker shouted. "It was awesome! Adventures with 'em are the best!"

"Have to agree, they're our ace in the hole," Hunter said, winking at me.

I gave them both a lazy smile and waved my hand dismissively. "Oh stop it, y'all gonna make me blush."

"We're very proud of 'em," Crosshair said, hand slipping down tugging me closer. "Even if they like to be difficult."

"You're one to talk, ya abrasive anchovy," I retorted, jabbing his chest with a finger

Commander Cody stifled another laugh. "So, Shadow. Hunter here tells me you're a shapeshifter."

I glanced at the sergeant. "Been braggin', Shaggy?"

"What can I say?" Hunter said innocently. "You're worth braggin' about."

I squinted at his sling. "Praise all you want, I'm still pissed at you for tryin' to show off and breakin' your wrist in the process."

"Hey, you like it when I show off."

I shrugged. "Guilty." My ears twitched as I looked back at Commander Cody. "Er, didn't mean to ignore ya, Commander."

He shook his head. "No worse than the 501st boys sometimes," he assured me before looking me up and down. "How many forms can you shift into?"

"I'm not Clawdite level if that's what you're wonderin'," I replied. "Just different feline species from my planet."

"Should see their battle form!" Wrecker laughed. "It's awesome!"

Commander Cody tilted his head in interest. "Battle form?"

"So you uh…" I frowned, unsure how I could explain Kelusines when their species were so different from Earth's. "It's an anthro feline with big muscles, thick fur, and small mane that stands around Wrecker's height. Got saber teeth too."

Commander Cody blinked. "That's… impressive."

Wrecker laughed. "Oh yeah! They're kickass with their lightsabers too!"

Commander Cody's eyes flew wide. "Lightsabers?!"

I looked at Hunter. "You didn't tell him about the sabers?"

He shrugged. "Never came up."

"You're a Jedi?" Commander Cody demanded.

"No. Not Force sensitive and they'd never take my emotional and angry ass. I do got telekinesis though!"

To my immense surprise, the marshal commander seemed to struggle for words. He didn't just look shocked he looked… rattled?

"You ok there, Commander?"

He blinked rapidly a few more times before adjusting his posture and clearing his throat. "Yes, I'm… fine."

You don't look fine.

I didn't say it aloud, but a glance from Hunter told me the sergeant had the same thought as me.

Commander Cody straightened. "May I see the sabers?"

"Sure." I jerked my thumb at the cabin. "Hungry? We got non-rations."

"Sounds like a welcome break from those tasteless bars," Commander Cody joked dryly as we went inside.

Inherited Kenobi's wisecracking habits I see.

"I could never get used to those things," I said. "Sure you get your calories and nutrients, but at what cost?"

That got another chuckle out of the commander. Eyeing Crosshair, who stayed close to my side, he remarked, "Never thought I'd see the day Crosshair went soft."

My ears twitched, a sharp retort on the tip of my tongue, but I withheld it. I just met the man. I couldn't be snapping at him quite yet.

But I did not appreciate that comment.

If you knew what I went through, what we both went through, to reach where we are now, you'd know he's anything but soft.

Crosshair, picking up on my unease, stopped and wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me close. "Wouldn't trade 'em for anythin'. Shadow worked hard and earned their place within my shields."

Damn right I did.

Commander Cody held up his hands. "Didn't mean anything by it, Crosshair," he assured the sniper.

Crosshair, to my surprise, glared at Commander Cody. "Shouldn't have said it then."

Hunter stepped in. "Cross, why don't you go with Shadow to get their sabers?"

Crosshair nodded and tugged me inside. "C'mon, sweetheart."

I forced my fur to lie flat. "Right behind you, Twiggs."

nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

Hunter watched Crosshair and Shadow disappear down the hall, tension still prickling his skin. That was way too close for comfort. While he knew Commander Cody hardly meant any harm, he should have known that would rub Crosshair the wrong way. He knew what the other regs were like.

"Still touchy, huh?"

Hunter tried to keep the glare from his face. "Shadow's worked with 'im, but it's hard to shake what the Regs did to us."

Commander Cody didn't get it. Didn't get the trauma and insecurity that haunted them all. Followed them like a relentless, starving hound. Always snapping at their heels, ready to drag them into the shadow at any moment.

He just didn't understand.

How could he? How could he know what it was like to be scrutinized every waking moment? To have your life completely reliant on the whims of some mad scientist? To be bullied and tormented by those who were supposed to be your brothers?

To be looked at as less than?

Faulty?

Defective?

Broken?

He didn't know.

He never would.

"He does seem better than when I last saw you," Commander Cody said slowly. "But I'm still curious as to how exactly you met."

"It was…" A fond smile spread across Hunter's face, the memory of their first interaction filling his chest with warmth that quickly spread through his entire body. The chase, the banter, the challenge. "Interestin'."

"Mister Sergeant decided to play cat and mouse," Shadow called from the loft.

"Only because someone bolted," he retorted, glancing up at Shadow.

"Well someone," Shadow playfully mocked, leaning on the rail. "Decided to give me a headstart after almost catchin' me the first time."

"I did catch you."

"False," Shadow said, waving their hand about as they disappeared again. "You never actually grabbed me."

Rolling his eyes, Hunter chuckled. Damn, he loved it when they bantered like this.

Commander Cody raised an eyebrow at him. "You really let a target go?"

"Less of a 'let them go' and more of a 'gave them a head start'," he defended.

"Whatever you say, Sarge!" Wrecker laughed as he flopped on the couch. "Shadow's been bestin' you since day one!"

"Because I let them," Hunter growled, but there was no true anger there. How could there be?

Playful ribbing was something he deeply valued amongst the team, especially given the horrors they went through day in and day out. If that meant occasionally getting his pride hurt, he'd gladly take it.

"They stayed ahead of you during the Anthill chase and freed themselves from your grip when we cornered them," Tech pointed out, sliding past them into the kitchen to wash his hands.

"Because you tried to sedate them," Hunter retorted.

"I still maintain it was a safer option. Especially now since we know what they are capable of." A mischievous smile appeared. "But, Shadow did go easy on you."

"See, Commander?" Hunter exclaimed, gesturing at his team in mock anger. "Mutinous womprats, all of 'em."

"Womprat yourself, Shaggs!" Shadow retorted, jumping down as Crosshair remained on the upper level. Lightly landing in front of them, they straightened with a swish of their tail and presented Commander Cody with a saber.

The man looked from the saber to them and back again. "What color are they?" he asked, oddly… interested? More so than the regular curiosity Hunter would have expected. Almost as if he was… waiting for something?

But what information would he be waiting for?

Glancing at Hunter, Shadow took a step back and ignited their blade.

Commander Cody's eyes widened. "Purple?" he asked, eyes shifting from the blade to Shadow's… tail? Why had his heart rate changed as well?

What are you thinking about, Commander?

Shadow nodded. "Aye, both purple."

"Most of the time," Tech added, raising a finger.

"Most?" Commander Cody asked, very interested now.

"Yes," Tech said simply, oblivious to the commander's interest. "They oddly seem to be aligned with Shadow's emotions. Anytime they exhibit a negative emotion, they will change. They remain purple for a majority of the time, but they do turn red on occasion."

Commander Cody stayed silent, yet Hunter could see him thinking. Judging from the glances shared by Crosshair and Shadow, they could too.

"Interesting," was all the commander said after a rather long pause.

Yes, but why? Why was it interesting?

Had they been recorded at some point? Had the commander seen footage? No, he couldn't have. Whenever Shadow's blades turned red, their only audience was droids. And the team never left any of them standing.

So when could he have possibly seen them turn red?

And, even if he had, why didn't he just say so? Why be so… reserved about it?

As Shadow would say, two plus two was not equaling four.

The commander knew something. Something about Shadow that was linked to their sabers and tail.

The only question was… what exactly did he know?

Exchanging a glance with Crosshair, Hunter rested a hand on the commander's shoulder. "Everything alright?"

Commander Cody, deep in thought, took a moment to respond. "Yes. Just interesting, that's all."

"Quite!" Tech agreed. "Never before had I heard of traditional kyber crystals that changed back and forth constantly. Bleeding a crystal results in a permanent change until repurification, which only a highly skilled Force Sensitive can accomplish. But as a Realm Walker, Shadow often breaks the established laws that govern our galaxy. It's all quite fascinating!"

"It is," Commander Cody replied, still recovering from his shock. "I would like to speak with you about that, Shadow, after we eat if possible."

"Reckon we could swing that," Shadow replied, sheathing their blade and tossing it up to Crosshair.

"Would you be comfortable speaking with me alone?"

"There's no secrets here," Crosshair growled, grip tightening on the saber.

Hunter shared his sentiment. Secrets had nearly ripped their team apart once, and he was not keen on letting it happen again. Commander or not, Hunter didn't feel comfortable with the proposition.

"It is nothing secretive," Commander Cody assured the sniper.

"Then you should have no problem askin' all the questions you want right here," Crosshair retorted.

Shadow's ear twitched. "Commander, what is it you're wantin' to talk about?"

"Just things concerning you being a Realm Walker. I'm not here to pry into your team or break you apart."

Hunter didn't miss the way Shadow's fur bristled at the last words, nor the way Crosshair gripped the banister tighter with one hand and Wrecker looked away. Even Tech seemed subdued, holding his arm closer.

But could they really refuse Marshal Commander Cody? The highest clone in the entire GAR? Hunter and his men certainly couldn't.

Shadow could, in theory, but they were still working on setting boundaries. It was definitely easier to use "percussive maintenance", as they called it, to get their point across when it wasn't an ally. That's always where they struggled. Burning bridges only worked if you didn't care that the other person hated you.

After a long pause full of exchanged glances, Shadow looked up at Crosshair. "I'll tell you everything he asks me afterwards."

Crosshair narrowed his eyes, looking from Shadow to Commander Cody. However, he just growled and turned away, disappearing deeper into the loft.

Hunter breathed a sigh of relief, slipping past Shadow into the kitchen to grab some plates.

Crisis averted.

He eyed Shadow's bristling tail, unease gripping his stomach with merciless claws.

For now.

Special thanks to patrons Jesse and Lil!