Something is wrong.
Something is wrong with Omega.
She knows this.
She's a smart kid who spent years as Nala Se's medical assistant. She knows something is wrong, she just doesn't know what to do about it. Headache and light sensitivity could be a sign of any number of things ranging from minor to life-threatening, and the young clone really does not want to add to her brothers' stress, right now.
The mission on Torque had been a success, but just barely. Tech had to drop out of hyperspace somewhere in the Yavin system and perform an emergency landing on one of the gas giant's moons. The Marauder was in bad shape and Omega could tell neither Tech nor Echo were in the mood to turn the extensive repair job into a teachable moment.
Instead, Hunter let her tag along as he and Crosshair scouted the surrounding jungle. Omega was teeming with questions about the local flora and fauna, but tension radiated off her squad-mates like heatwaves, so she opted to keep quiet. It was dark by the time they returned to the ship and Tech informed them that he'd need at least half a day to finish the repairs.
Needles to say, everyone is in a pretty bad mood when they finally make it back to Cid's place. It's early by standard time, and the only patrons there are Bolo and Ketch, the latter strewn across his partner's lap in their usual booth. Cid's restocking the bar, yellow eyes narrowing when the Batch enters.
"You're late." She growls.
"You're welcome." Wrecker shoots back. He drops the payload in his arms, the resounding bang making Omega's head pound.
She fights a grimace as Hunter steps forward. On the miserable flight back from Yavin IV, the team had discussed pushing Cid for a 60/40 split in their favor, given that the "simple pick up" had turned into a "kriffing shitshow." As Hunter and Cid disappear into her office, Cross, Echo, and Tech head to the bar where a bottle of Deep Core rum has been left out for them.
Wrecker sighs and rolls his neck. "Well kid, I'd say we've more than earned some Mantell Mix, eh?"
Omega's stomach churns at the thought of the sticky, sugary treat, and she mentally adds nausea to her list of symptoms. She tries to force the feeling down, breathing carefully through her nose.
"Sounds good." She says tightly. Declining Mantell Mix would be a dead giveaway that something is wrong, and Omega refuses to make a big deal out of what's probably just a stomach bug.
The last time she'd complained about feeling sick, Nala Se had put her on bed rest for almost two weeks. They took her blood, her urine, her spit, nasal swabs, spinal taps, and those were only the tests they did while she was awake.
"You okay, kid?"
Omega blinks. They've only made it a few blocks from Cid's Parlor. Wrecker's stopped in his tracks and is looking down at Omega with furrowed brows, no doubt suspicious of her uncharacteristic silence. Blasted.
"Mhm." She hums. "I'm good." Though she can't help but squint at the barrage of streetlights and neon signs that flash all around them.
Wrecker's frown deepens. Hand on her back, he gently steers her away from the flow of traffic and under a shop awning where he kneels and places both hands on her shoulders.
"C'mon. Out with it."
Stars, her head hurts. Her head hurts and her stomach is in knots and the look on Wrecker's face makes her want to cry, for some reason. She feels so stupid.
"It's nothing." She says, suddenly a little breathless. "Just not hungry."
Just as she suspected, Wrecker reels back in shock. He puts a hand on her forehead and she doesn't point out that he can't take her temperature while wearing tactical gloves.
"You feeling alright, Meg?" The concern in his voice plus the use of her new nickname makes Omega want to cry again but she muscles past it.
"Yeah, 'm okay. Just tired."
That isn't a lie. All she wants to do is close her eyes and stop the world from spinning. The worry in Wrecker's eyes softens into sympathy. "I'm not surprised after that mess."
Omega bobs her head in agreement. This is the out she needed. Wrecker nods once and stands up, one hand remaining on her shoulder.
"Alright," he says as they start back the way they'd come. "Let's head back to the Marauder."
Omega stiffens. "No, Wrecker. You can still get the Mantell Mix, or head back to Cid's. You don't have to come with me."
Wrecker shakes his head. "I'm at least walking you back to the ship. That's non-negotiable."
Omega sags with guilt. After only a few minutes of Wrecker obviously curbing his stride, the older clone simply asks if he can carry her and Meg pitifully agrees. She's dead weight in his arms, head curled against his shoulder instead of taking in everything the city has to offer. She can feel Wrecker looking down at her with concern and she's furious at herself for being so dramatic.
She doesn't mean to let him carry her onto the ship, but by the time they make it to the dockyard her head feels like it might explode. Wrecker lets her down at the base of the gunner's nest and unclasps her bow and utility belt before she even realizes it. The Marauder sways in her vision as her brother reappears with their precious Lula and her trooper doll.
"Get some rest kid." Wrecker says as he hoists Omega and her friends into her room.
The usually soothing fairy lights are like knives against Omega's skull and she quickly shuts them off. Wrecker doesn't mention this, only reminds her to comm if she needs anything. As he turns to leave, Omega can't help but call out.
"Um, Wrecker?" She regrets speaking almost immediately but presses on. "Can you not mention this to Hunter? Please."
Wrecker eyes her suspiciously. "Why?"
Omega takes a few deep breaths and admits, "I don't want him thinking the mission was too much for me and leaving me behind again."
After her infuriatingly close but ultimately lost game of dejarik against Hunter, she's been extra careful not to give him any reasons to think of her as a liability. Well, until today, apparently.
Omega spaces out for a moment before realizing that Wrecker hasn't responded. When she manages to focus on him, the expression on his face is soft yet unreadable. He pulls himself up onto the edge of the ladder, running his hand gently through her hair.
"You sure you're just tired?"
She is. She's just tired. She has a stomach bug and it's just making her a little tired. When Wrecker's gone, she'll grab some painkillers from the medkit, she'll go to sleep, and in the morning everything will be fine.
" 'm fine, Wrecker. Promise."
The clone seems unconvinced but kisses her temple and pulls her curtain shut without further comment. It isn't until she hears the bay door shut behind him that she realizes he never gave her an answer.