Preface
Set after the first season of the Bad Batch.
The ever widening celebrated Empire! Which for Crosshair had been a place, he reluctantly returned to after the reunion with his former team on Kamino. The city, the home they all knew as it was being destroyed by the very same fraction. And, despite having the chip still very much in place, despite the deception to his former Batch, and the same chip now also working on and off after the blast Crosshair had endured while on Bracca. He had started having his doubts about the very Empire he had served so diligently in the beginning. Being proud back then.
But the betrayal which he saw leaving him behind by his team mates right after Order 66 had been implemented still stung. Like a fresh venomous snake's bite. Even if they had asked him to come back, to join the team. Even the heartfelt pleads from Hunter still fresh in his mind. Crosshair had rejoined the Empire who had finally retrieved him on the landing pad in the middle of the ocean of the bombarded Kamino. He was angry of his treatment by both his old team and the Empire. Even if he continued working for the Empire, he had started hating the job as the days went on.
Then there was the jealousy thing. Something which Crosshair did not want to admit, but the undivided attention Hunter was giving to Omega was also an issue. At least a very solid reason Crosshair had made up in his mind. The twisted mind as it seemed to be these days. All due to the chip he now was well aware of thanks to his continued mood swings. The chips mode turning on and off sending him spiralling ever deeper. He had even lied about removing the chip long ago to his former team mates to make them leave him behind. To hate him perhaps. To think of him as the traitor he was. even if he felt they were the ones who were the traitors. Sometimes. Then again, perhaps they all were in a way. And because of all this, the lies the jealousy. All of it. they would never again ask him to come back, would they?
Whatever the reasoning had been back then, Crosshair regretted his very decision every passing moment. And now, trying hard to forget it all. His past, the team, Hunter, all of it. He continued repressing his memories of them all, of Hunter especially. The one person he thought would have come after him in the end. But nobody came. Not even Hunter. They had believed him when he had said he wanted to stay with the Empire. And so, here he was, all alone in the galaxy. The bitter solemn clone whom nobody understood and nobody really wanted anymore. Not even the Empire. As clearly, Rampart was beginning to have his doubts about Crosshair's loyalties lately as well. Something which Crosshair had felt as his own slack on the job had started to falter. His attitude for the man, the Empire, all of it.
Perhaps it was time for Crosshair, to disappear from the world, from the very galaxy, completely. After all, he had no place in it any more. No reason to exist.
But then, it all changed. The Batch had found out of a mission where Crosshair would be on and setting the trap for his capture. And then, they had managed to retrieve Crosshair from the Empire. Bringing him back to them, back home where he belonged. Or so, they had thought.
Chapter One
The stretch of silence was palpable in the room. As everyone had been looking at the monitors only. Not daring to say anything and practically holding their collective breaths in the process. The life signs were faint at best and the expectation of survival had been a big question mark. But, they were all hoping for a full recovery, naturally. But, since there had been so much damage, the removal process had been a more difficult one than it had been for the others. But somehow, they had managed to remove the remnants of the scattered chip from the brain and patch the wound. After that, all they had been able to do, was to wait patiently for their patient to start the healing process. And to wake up.
After some time had passed, the scanners finally chirped and the monitors blinked. Indicating new information was available. Tech who had been monitoring the status with a keen eye, read the message and turned to the others.
"He is stable now."
Hunter stood up from his seat and stepped closer to the clone lying on the medical bed. "When will he wake up?" He asked somehow expecting it would be right then.
"Well, if I was guessing, which I am not, but if I was, I would say, soon." Tech glanced at the small handheld device which he had just ran over the patient.
Hunter simply nodded and kept looking at the familiar face of the man who had once been as much a part of their small team as the rest of them were. He had not wanted things to happen this way, but there really had been no options left for him either. Not in his mind anyway. As Hunter had expected Crosshair to return to the fold. If not while on Kamino, where they had last seen him before now, then at least some time later.
But there had been no word, no sight, not even a chase for them from the sniper. Hunter had grown impatient and then deciding to take matters into his own hands and get Crosshair back no matter what. And so, here they were, after some cunning work. Chasing down Crosshair's whereabouts and then setting the trap and capturing him, Crosshair never even knowing what hit him. And then bringing him here to remove the chip. Something which Hunter knew he still had no matter if he had straight on lied to them about removing it. But Hunter knew Crosshair. Quite well. And knew there was more there, behind his actions and the tells he had been spinning to them while on Kamino.
As Hunter watched on vigilantly, while the rest of the team having fallen asleep in waiting. Crosshair stirred on the med bed. He opened his eyes slowly, trying to adjust to the low light of the room. As his eyes focused, he could see Hunter hovering above him. He was about to say something when he felt the pain slicing through his head. Touching the side where it hurt the most, he felt a medical patch there.
"What have you done to me?" Crosshair then spat in anger holding his head. Which was hurting rather badly now. Even more so than it had done after he had been in the explosion while going after the Bad Batch on Bracca.
"We removed your chip." Tech replied in his factual way as he had woken up after hearing Crosshair talking, already being in the ever vigilant mode he usually was.
Crosshair tried to glance around but he could hardly move. "Where am I?"
"You are in a secure location, in a med bay." Hunter replied rather vaguely, his voice still soft. "We brought you here after we captured you. This, place," Hunter motioned around him. "is the only place with functioning med bays. We needed one to remove the inhibitor chip." Hunter enlightened Crosshair, as this had been the primary goal. That and bringing Crosshair back to the fold if he wanted to.
"Where exactly are we?" He snarled wanting to know and then only realising what Hunter had just told him. "You had no right!" Crosshair tried to shout. But the words were lost somewhere inside of him as the pain was so bad he could not even hear his own voice anymore. He held onto his head with both hands.
"Hold him." Tech ordered Hunter as he was about to give Crosshair a dose of the painkillers. This time it was a more potent amount as he had not dared to give too much before due to the state of Crosshair's chip and the knock out drugs they had shot to him during his capture.
Hunter did as ordered and despite the trashing man on the med bed, Tech was able to inject Crosshair whom was quickly subdued to the affect of the medicine. Closing his eyes and falling into a light slumber.
"He is in much pain." Tech stated the obvious. "The damage was quite severe and so, now, this dosage is heavier than the one I gave him earlier."
"We'll let him rest then." Hunter simply said. "How long are we secure in here?" As there were always the option there would be someone lurking about the discarded facilities of the former Republic.
"We are secure for now." Tech then said. "The force field myself and Echo erected is still holding and hiding our life sings."
"Good." Hunter simply stated. "Then we will stay here until he is better."
It was an order really from the Sergeant. Tech knew that and also that there was no arguing about it as clearly Hunter had made his mind up. This was the way they would do things. So, simply nodding his response to his team leader, Tech joined the rest of the still sleeping crew. As it was, the waiting, was probably going to continue for a while.
As Hunter seated back on the chair close to the med bed, he kept on watching the sleeping man. Hunter could only hope that after the removal of the inhibitor chip, Crosshair would be back to himself and would listen to reason. But most of all, he wanted Crosshair to rejoin the Batch. But he could not be sure of course what Crosshair wanted to do.
Still, Hunter knew this had been the right thing to do, even if he himself felt guilty about the whole mission itself. Bringing Crosshair here by force was not something Hunter had wanted to do. But, that was all moot now. They had done the deed and so now they could only wait for their missing team mate to wake up. And to hope, that Crosshair would see this as more than it looked like, a kidnapping to be exact. And come back to the fold.
The squad was en route on the Marauder. On their way back to their current base on Ord Mantell. Hunter was in the rear with Crosshair who was still sleeping it off. After the potent dose of Tech's pain medicine while still on the remote facility, where he had only half regained his consciousness. Hunter had decided to err on the side of caution and leave before they were found out by whomever might have been lurking around, despite being at the very remote corner of the galaxy.
Hunter had half dozed off himself after trying to remain alert while waiting for Crosshair to wake up. He felt the slight move on the bed he was seated opposite of. As Hunter opened his eyes, he could see Crosshair staring right at him. The man clearly being more alert and awake now after the medicines injected during the surgery were staring to wear off. Neither man spoke for a moment as they just looked at each other. A stalemate, both of them assessing the opponent. Which they seemed to still be, even now.
"You did not even try to come after me." Crosshair stated in a low and possibly even more coarse voice than before.
It was the one thing he really had thought about. A lot. Having asked himself many times over, the reasons why his Batch had forsaken him. Thinking of the reasons why they were not coming for him. Even if he had wished for them to do so. Despite the chip's constant control.
"Not one, single time, did you try to rescue me." He added solemnly, clearly playing the victim card here as if he had not been the one to leave the squad, as least the second time around.s
But then again, not all of it had been his doing.
"You left us." Hunter emphasised the word.
As it had been Crosshair's choice to join the Empire in the first place, even if Hunter knew better now. But, he had not heard the words Crosshair had spoken to him. That of a choice not being really Crosshair's at all.
"You were shooting at us." Hunter's voice low, speaking out a half truth.
But still, shots had been fired. On both sides. And it was once again, the exact same answer he had already given Crosshair. But it all seemed so inadequate right now. This arguing about it. Who was one the right and who was on the wrong. They both were.
"You were hunting us." His voice almost a whisper.
Hunter wondered why he was still defending himself at this point. It was as if reading from a list he seemed to have been keeping. As if that would somehow miraculously make his claim more valid. But the ugly truth was, he had not really gone after Crosshair. Not really. Not until now.
"And you seemed hellbent on being a part of the Empire." Crosshair had spoken the words last they've met, wanting to be a part of something bigger.
Something which Hunter suspected was mostly the doing of the chip. Even if Crosshair had most likely enjoyed being part of the faction, at least for a while there. Being the mighty clone commander. The one in charge. Something which he clearly wanted to be. And from what Hunter had seen and heard, he was quite capable at it too.
"Why now? Crosshair's voice breaking.
Crosshair sounded raspy, teary even and seemingly in loss of the will to fight. Not at all his usual behaviour. He was of course still under the influence of the pain killers, at least partly. But it was unusual for the mostly argumentative man.
A brief moment of silence fell around the space the two of them occupied. But it was Hunter who finally responded after a some time of thought.
"Because," He paused, fighting back the lump in his throat. "I could not leave the one person in the whole wide galaxy who means so much to me, behind. No matter what." He finally managed.
Hunter was tearing up himself as this whole situation was way too emotional for both of them to handle and the confession itself had somehow slipped through Hunter's guard too.
"You mean, me?" Crosshairs voice rose on octave as he was clearly surprised to hear, well, a confession of sorts coming from Hunter. Still, he had to be sure.
"Yes, you Crosshair." Hunter spoke in a low tone now, swallowing back his tears. "I," Hunter paused as he was not really able to speak out the words, not the ones he meant to say anyway. So, being the chicken he seemed to be playing the part of right now, he simplified things. "Because you are part of the team, the family unit that we all are. Always have been and I hope you always will be."
Hunter's eyes found Crosshair's. Even if the words were not the right ones. Not really the ones he wanted to say despite being true, he could see Crosshair was waiting for him to finish what he was saying without any snide remarks whatsoever forthcoming.
"Truth being told we, I have missed you. And nothing really is the same without you."
Hunter was using all kinds of blatant euphemisms instead of really telling the reason why he had gone after Crosshair and brought him back, hopefully for good. Still, he wanted to say more. To really pour his heart out on what and how he felt about Crosshair and having him back here on their ship. But for now, no more words were emerging from the depths of what was Hunter. Even if he tried. Hard.
Crosshair was silent for a moment, contemplating the words Hunter had spoken. He knew them to be true of course. There had really never been any doubt the others and Hunter did not care for him. Not really. Even if the chip had caused him to sometimes doubt and act like nobody cared for him. At all. Well lately yes, as the chip had malfunctioned. It was then, when he had been more on the dark side than anything else really. But there was something else Crosshair felt as well. Something, which Hunter was not telling him and he wondered what it was. But, if Hunter did not share what was on the inside of him, then there was little anyone could do to make him. Something which Crosshair had found out a long time ago.
Still, Crosshair thought it would have been nice to know what Hunter had really meant with his 'the one person in the galaxy' comment. Something which did not seem to fit the whole 'you are part of the team and we all missed you' part. But now was not the time to press on. As they were both still feeling very raw of everting which had happened between them. Crosshair was still recuperating from the surgery. And Hunter, well, clearly, the whole rescue mission had been more of an emotional journey for him than he had led on. But, as soon as the time was right, Crosshair wanted to know the real reason, the real meaning of Hunter's words. As as of now, he had decided to stay. Right here where he supposedly belonged. With Hunter and the team. Of that much Crosshair was sure of at least at the very moment. It was the last thought before he fell into a light slumber.
Chapter Two
"Hey, you're awake!" Wrecker greeted Crosshair.
It was in his usual chipper and 'could not care less what happened before but you are here now' kind of attitude as he burst in to the sleeping area where their lost and found team mate was recuperating. From a surgery of actually removing his inhibitor chip this time around. As it had pretty much still been there, in a not a surprise for the others kind of way despite Crosshair having lied about it.
"Wrecker." Crosshair greeted him in his usually snide manner.
Because as annoying as the big man could be, it was still nice to feel wanted. Even loved by his family no matter what he had done. As clearly, at least this one was glad he was back.
"I see you still are your usual self. Cheerful to the point of being annoying." Crosshair did not mean it of course, but it was the way he was, sarcastic as hell and always complaining.
"Yeah? That's a good thing, right?" Wrecker never had understood the snide remarks Crosshair had made, only taking the compliments where he found them.
"That, is a matter of opinion." Crosshair did not want to sound too grateful of all this enthusiastic loving coming his way after all. "But to answer to your question, I am wide awake as you can see." Crosshair stated with a hint of a smirk on his lips.
The expression soon to be removed by the large size man accosting him in a bear hug. It was the way Wrecker was. And Crosshair would have to accept that too, if he was to stay with the team. And he did as he would, stay.
The others followed suit. Tech, Echo, Omega and the last one to step into the room was Hunter. They all gathered around to the bed where the recuperating man was lying on. Mostly with grins and smiles on their faces. All of them clearly happy to see Crosshair alive and well and most of all, with them. After all, Hunter had warned them earlier, that even if the chip was removed, Crosshair might not want to stay and could easily leave them at the first opportunity.
As they were now back planet side, having brought Crosshair to the medical area of the complex the rest of the team was staying in while on the planet. As it was, the ship could become somewhat cramped. And so having the luxury of staying in rooms of their own was something the team had been glad to accept. As curtesy of an influential Ord Mantellian whom the team had helped some time back. So now, they always had a place to stay in while back "home" as the team liked to call this place now. There was a fully setup med bay in the complex as well among other things. So deciding to take Crosshair there while he was still recuperating had been a good decision as the surgery had taken a toll on the man.
"What?" Crosshairs snidely asked the gawking team.
"It's so-oo good to have you back." Omega was the first one to tell him so as they had had little if no conversation after his capture and the following surgery. She moved closer to Crosshair and took his hand in hers. "We have all missed you." She said honestly and more seriously to Crosshair. "A lot." Keeping his hand in a tight grip, afraid of letting go.
It must have been somewhat of a first for the clone at least in a while to hear this, as Crosshair looked absolutely stunned at Omega as the words hit home. He finally managed to tear his glare away and he could see the nodding of the others around him as he let his eyes wander from one to the next. All of them agreeing wholeheartedly to what Omega had just now voiced.
"I second that." It was Tech's turn as even if he was alway the most factual person of their small unit, this time he sounded and looked more personable than usual. "We all are glad to have you back." Patting him on the back gently as Crosshair had made it to a seating position on the bed after the crowd had entered the room.
"Hear, hear!" Echo piped in as there were no further words needed to add to the sentiments said by the others. He then made his way to sit beside Crosshair on the bed, followed by Omega flanking the other side.
Hunter was standing there rathe quietly at first, observing the others, letting them get reacquainted with Crosshair. Even if he had already said to Crosshair what he wanted to say, well, some of it anyway. He knew he needed to voice his feelings too.
"We all truly hope you will stay with us." Was all he managed for now, as the words he really needed to say, needed to be said in private, just him and Crosshair.
Crosshair did not respond. Or rather could not respond. It was getting far too emotional for him again, all this happening now after their separation and the hurt feelings. Besides, he was not the only one in the room who had to choke down their lumps forming in their throats nor the would be tears in their eyes.
No, the whole family unit of a team felt the emotions and feelings running rampant among them all in the small room of a med bay. Where this clone, the prodigal one had finally returned to them. Even if nothing was not set in stone, as Hunter had warned them all, at least Crosshair was there now and they could all convey their deepest. Well, if not deepest then at least their feelings of wanting him very much to stay.
"Aw!" Wrecker then whined. "You are all going to make me cry now!" And he was not lying either as he swiped away the few errant tears off his cheeks, as the always emotional Wrecker he truly was.
The rest of them were not far behind with their tears either.
Omega sniffed then as she was overwhelmed and only too glad to have Crosshair back. It was a big deal for her, as she had suspected for a while that Crosshair harboured some jealousy for her position in the team. As piecing two and two together after having heard Crosshair's complaints of them not going back for him before. And well, she knew they had all come back for her. So, she guessed on some level, she was also the reason for Crosshair not wanting to come back. She could not be totally sure she was on the right track of course. But she was not dumb about such things as she could sense the others emotions and feelings when she really wanted to.
And Crosshair? Well, at the moment there were a lot of emotions there present. Even jealousy, but that thankfully was subsiding now.
There was a moment of simply existing there for Crosshair and each other. None of them saying a word. Then the moment was over, as Hunter wanted Crosshair to get well. And so, he needed his rest to do just that.
"Alright, everyone. As great as this all has been, we need to let Crosshair get his rest." He kindly ordered them all out in a way. "You can visit him later today." He then promised them.
As they all started moving out. Waving and assuring Crosshair once again to feel better and that they were going to come and visit later. And also that they were very happy he was there with them. Hunter remained behind. As the others were gone, he turned to Crosshair.
"There is something I would like to talk to you about." He paused not sure as to how to put his thoughts into words. "But I think it can wait until you are feeling better." He then turned and left the room, leaving a totally emotional, a tad confused but mostly happy Crosshair to rest and get better.
"So, yet another one of you?" Cid stated snidely.
The fearless owner of the Parlour was now privy of the very secret mission the Batch had gone on without telling Cid as to the where and the why. Meanwhile, she had a job waiting for them to go on as the team had been off world for several days without any hint as to where they had gone. But as it had turned out, they had brought in yet another clone. And, as Cid now knew, another rescue no less! Unbelievable!
But, as Hunter had explained to Cid, Crosshair was a part of their crew, always had been and always would be. At least that was the wish for them all. As it was, the lodging house they were staying in was nothing off Cid's pocket so there was no reason for her to complain. Then again, if she did not, there most likely was something totally wrong with the Trandoshan barkeep. And so, having her behaving in her normal way was all good for everyone else. Besides, the Batch had learnt to filter most of the remarks she was making anyway.
"I've told you all before and I am saying it again, that I am not running a clone club house here and yet you keep adding more and more of you into the mix!"
She was of course referring to Rex, who had visited the place several times. And then there had been Gregor. Whom they had literally dumped on her during a mission the team had pulled to rescue the man himself, then leaving him all wounded and needy at Cid's. Well, not needy as Gregor had been a rather fun person to hang around with in Cid's opinion after the brief time he had been around before heading off to Force knew where. But Cid was not letting the others on she had actually got into liking one of them. Well, she liked the Batch plenty as they were doing a good job after all. But she was not the one to tell them that, ever!
"He is in the med bay of the Complex." Tech then piled on. "So, he won't be disturbing your," Tech turned around seeing the only two patrons there, the two regulars who always hung around the bar, kind of being part of the furniture by now. "clientele." Tech stated matter of factly, even if it was a rather Crosshairesque tone to use of him.
"Don't you get smart with me Goggles!" Cid warned him. "Now, back to business as I assume you don't need to be sitting by the bedside and hold hands!"
How wrong was she in her comment! As it was most likely they all wanted to do it at this point. As it was, after getting Crosshair back was a big deal for them all, but mostly for Hunter. Still holding their tongues, not wanting to argue with their 'kind' provider after all. Even if they all knew both sides needed each other. Cid for the missions as she trusted the Batch to do their thing. And the team in earning their keep. But, Omega was not as smart at the moment as to what Cid's remark had really been about and what it was meant as.
"I could hold Crosshair's hand." Omega simply stated wide eyed and sounding earnest, eliciting a few snorts from the rest of them, as the pun had kind of been lost on the young clone.
Cid's eyes widened also as clearly, her jab had missed the mark. "So, the mission." She quickly changed the subject. "Do you think you are able to put your emotions and feelings aside and go and do the job?" Getting another try at her familiar snide remarks.
But, they Batch was unaffected. They were all much too happy about Crosshair being back and nothing the woman could say, could touch them. Not today at least.
"We will go." Hunter then said and waited only for Cid to give him the chip where on the intel was.
"Here ya go Bandana!" She tossed the familiar looking data chip Hunter catching it without trouble. "And don't mess this up. There are a lot of credits on the table for all of us if you manage to pull this through."
"Don't worry. We can do anything." Wrecker was stating out loudly, which was mostly the truth. Even if they sometimes messed things up. But mostly, the gigs they had done for Cid had worked out just fine in the end.
Cid did not reply rather waited for the team to take off. As they were on the clock from now on after all. Her clock and credit. Not entirely true either as she only paid them upon delivery.
"Alright team, better get going then." Hunter told the others. "We need to check the Marauder and refuel her before we can take off." As always, this was standard procedure when they were taking off on any mission. The team simply nodded and started heading for the bar's exit.
"Don't take too long!" Cid reminded them. "Remember that you are on the clock." Which was not really true either as Cid had not given her client any kind of exact delivery time. Then again, most of her clients were really impatient and wanting things to be done yesterday. And Cid did not like to deal with client complaints so there was that.
As the team was on their way out, Omega pulled Hunter aside and contrary to anything she had done before, she asked. "Hunter, would it be okay if I stay behind and you know, stay with Crosshair?" She asked timidly as clearly, the girl was as grateful of Crosshair's return as the rest of them.
Hunter could not help but smile and was only too glad one of them was keeping an eye on Crosshair as he was still pretty much a flight risk. "Of course you can." Hunter told her then. "I am glad actually that you offered." He then patted Omega on her back.
Omega simply smiled widely and as they reached the outside, she watched and waved to her brothers as they headed to the hangar while Omega slipped into the Complex to go and spend some time with Crosshair. After all, she and Crosshair never really got the chance to bond before he took off and Omega saw this as a chance to do so. As it was, she loved and admired all of them dearly. And now, that the pack was complete again and she could not have been happier.
Chapter Three
While the team was on the brief mission for Cid, Omega had made her way to the medical bay of their housing complex, or the Complex as it was aptly called. They had been lucky while landing on this arrangement with the owner of it. Not just for their living arrangements but all the amenities included in it. Then again, the Bad Batch had gone to hell and back, literally it had seemed at the time, to retrieve the missing child of a highly influential member of the ruling party on Ord Mantell. So now, while planet side, the Batch members would have a sense of home rather than staying in the cramped ship all the time. As Cid had not offered them any place to stay either. Then again, they all suspected Cid lived in the Parlour, so that would not have been a great arrangement for them. Still, this had all come at a great time now that they had gotten Crosshair back and having a medical facility to monitor his well being. And having all kinds of treatment options there as well was a good thing.
As it was, the operation to remove the inhibitor chip had been a more difficult one for Crosshair. More so than it had been for the others due to the injury sustained while being on Bracca with the unfortunate incident with the blowing up of the hyperdrive engines. It had been when the Bad Batch had made their escape after being chased by the Empire and well, Crosshair. They had found out only during the removal of the chip in the medical facility, that the inhibitor chip had not only been damaged but had caused some other issues inside his brain as well. And so, only after several delicate operations, had they managed to remove all of the of fractured technology. But that meant that Crosshair would be out of commission for a while and the way to recovery was a long one. Which for a soldier like Crosshair, always ready for the action, would be a great difficulty to adjust to. But there were no shortcuts in getting better. And that was something the others had finally managed to convince him of. Well, after some debate upon arrival to Ord Mantell on the benefits of remaining in the med bay and under his teams care for the moment.
Omega was careful while entering the room, as she suspected Crosshair would be sleeping still. So not wanting to disturb him she moved stealthily, the way the others had taught her to do. As she approached the med bed the area dimly lit, the only sounds being the beeps of the monitoring devices hooked up to the patient. Omega could see the outline of the sleeping man on the bed. Thankful only that he was still there and not having fled. As it was, despite his promise to stay with the Batch, Omega had been concerned this was not the case. And that Crosshair could easily leave. It was a gut feeling Omega had. A concern she had also voiced to Hunter, who had actually validated her suspicions. Telling the girl it was not something they could force on Crosshair. Force him to stay with the family, even if the Batch had saved him from the Empire and himself in a way. But, that did not mean that his path was now the same as the rest of theirs.
As Hunter had also explained to Omega, was that Crosshair wanted different things that they did. Something which had been obvious even without the chip. As clearly, being a soldier for a cause, any cause apparently, seemed to suit him better than a somewhat of a free life without a dictated structure or a real cause other than ones own survival. As it was, the Bad Batch was a renegade group with really no other goal than to survive themselves and perhaps in the process help others in trouble where they could. And even if they constantly got mixed up in the rest of the galaxy's fight, thanks to their friend Rex, they did not consider themselves fighting in the war. A civil war as Saw Gerrera had called it. And as Hunter had told Omega, this was most likely not the life Crosshair would want to choose for himself. Besides, he had told Hunter as much during one of their encounters while still serving with the Empire. And even if the inhibitor chip had influenced his thoughts and ideals at least partly, Hunter suspected some of what he had done was the real Crosshair underneath it all.
Omega stood there for a while, looking at the sleeping Crosshair. As there was no indication he was waking up, she decided to take a seat and sit with him. Having brought her a data pad for reading, she had no problems in waiting for Crosshair to wake up, as the rest of the team would not return any time soon from their mission. And besides, she was dead set on getting to know Crosshair better. And if luck would have it, maybe even convince him into staying. Really staying and not just saying it to please the others, while plotting his getaway when he would be feeling better. Making herself comfortable, she opened the pad and started reading. A book which had been suggested by Cid. As despite the barkeeps hard exterior, she was a great fan of literature and apparently read a lot too. The topic which had come up by accident as Omega had walked in on the woman while on a slow day.
Cid, had retired to her office and Omega had found her reading there. The two of them had then gotten into talking about the subject. And as Omega was interested in many things. And she was learning much from the books, or all as she had put it, all of the things of the galaxy. The comment which had elicited a hardy laugh from Wrecker who had simply told her nobody could learn it all. But Omega was adamant she could. And so, trying on many things for size and learning at least the basics was her thing. And so, reading the giants, as Cid had put it, was a must on Omega's list. So, here she was, furthering that goal of hers as well. She kept on reading, but not really submerging into the tale itself as her thoughts were on Crosshair.
She kept on listening to Crosshair's steady breathing and the sounds coming from the devices around him. This went on for a while, before Omega finally fell asleep herself. Lulled into her dreams by the soft rhythmic sounds of the combination of both sounds. She was dreaming soon enough. The same dream she usually had. Of all of them living together happily somewhere peaceful in a permanent home, without a care in the world. Something a small child could only want for her family. Because even if more often times, she seemed like an adult, she was very much a child still. Despite being the oldest of them all, at least when counted in regular human years.
He had been dreaming. Or more like it had been a nightmare than a dream. The same reoccurring state of being he knew so well by now. It was always the same one. He was falling, fast and hard into the deep dark abyss. His body flailing uncontrollably as he fell in deeper and deeper. No matter how much he tried, there was really nothing to get a footing of. It did not matter how hard his fingers kept on clawing the flat surface, trying to stop the decent. There was nothing there to latch on to. As he fell, he looked up into the fading light. And there, high up, he could see his family members standing above, all of them looking down on him.
But none of them doing anything to stop the fall. None of them trying to help him out of the darkness. Giving in, he then simply closed his eyes and yielded to the situation. Of being doomed to fail and fall into the black hole of a pit with no return. For all eternity. But then, just as he was about to hit the bottom like all those times before, he was woken up with a start. It felt like something or someone was pulling him out of the darkness. As if guiding him back up. If not to the light, then at least somewhere safe for him to be. Able to stand on this own two feet without the constant fear of falling in again. At least for now.
His breathing was quite uneven, half gasping for air even if there was really no need to as no one was trying to choke him. At least, there was nothing on his throat or chest that he could feel. The rather annoying beeping sounds close by were becoming more and more rapid. Trying to control his breathing he managed to bring it down to a controlled level finally. He then tried to see what was going on and where he was as his memory was not accessible at the very moment. But it was too dark to see as his eyes could still not focus like they used to be able to. He felt himself lying down at least and not falling. So on some kind of solid ground.
When he tried, he could move his body as well, Always a good sing too. As he clearly was not tied down either as there were no distinguished binds felt over his body anywhere. A memory all too familiar and uncomfortable from the not so recent past. He felt the panic starting to subside and as he calmed down the things started to make more sense in his mind. He was not a captive after all. And this was not the past any more. Just then, he felt a warm touch on his arm. As he blinked once, twice, and then his eyes finally came to full focus. He could see the small size figure standing so close to him. Holding on to him in the total darkness. Not letting go of him, not that he wanted to either.
"Omega?" Crosshair's voice whispered the one word hoarsely into the cool air of the med bay.
"Yes Crosshair, it is me." Omega replied softly to the upset man on the bed. "I am here for you."
Omega had felt it. It was as clear as it had been hers to be in. The dream, the nightmare, the memory. All of it combined into the same mix of a sensations and feelings of total and utter loss. Of failure and regret. A place filled with evil so pure there seemed to be no way out. No other option but to yield and surrender to it, completely. The surroundings ominously dark and threatening around her. She had heard the screams and calls for help too. First ever so loud and then fading away. But she could not see who it was and what was really happening to them. But she knew she wanted to know and help. Badly so. She had no time to think, only to react. And she had then pushed herself, hard. Finding herself inside of it.
While inside, she managed to finally look over the edge. It was then when she had seen him. Crosshair. He was falling, getting farther and farther out of reach. She was shocked and scared. Very much afraid she could not reach him in time. But Omega had pushed herself beyond her own abilities. Her own powers. Her own self. She held her arms out. Stretching them as far as she could even beyond the human abilities. And then, with the pure force of her own will power, the want and need to save her lost member of her family, she was finally there. Feeling her finger tips touching him, she the managed to grab a hold of Crosshair somehow. And then slowly but surely be able to pull him back up and into the light.
"You are safe now with me." She assured him, holding onto him for dear life, not letting go. Not now, not ever if she could help it. "I've got you, brother. I've got you."
Chapter Four
Crosshair had come out from his nightmarish state Omega having reached out to him inside of his mind. He had looked into very scared eyes of hers at first. But that fear had soon dissipated as she had held onto his hand with comforting thoughts being relayed to Crosshair the process. And so, without further words spoken, Crosshair had fallen back to sleep. Only this time, the dreams were more peaceful under Omega's watchful eye. She did not yet know the reason she had been able to tap into Crosshair's unconscious mind and how she had been alerted to his distress in the first place. But she had done it and she had managed to aid him in away, which most likely nobody else could have. Keeping him safe from the bad memories of his recent past was the way to help him get over this. This was Omega's belief at the moment. Whatever it was drawing him back to the dark abyss Omega had seen him in. And it had been so clear so real, as if she had witnessed it with her own eyes. Even if she knew it had only been a dream of sorts, a manifestation of what Crosshair had gone through while under the influence of the inhibitor chip and doing Force knew what. As not all the things had been spoken out loudly.
But Omega also knew, that most of it had not been his doing. Even if Crosshair had claimed, that it was who he was, at least to some extent. It was also something Omega could sense from him and knew to be only partly true. As if Crosshair had simply wanted to lash out to his siblings who had left him behind. And it was the truth, no denying it. As even Omega could see it now, that they really had not made any good effort in getting him back. And then, time had passed and then, well, the rest was history now. It was something which Omega regretted herself as much as she knew Hunter and the others did as well. They should have pushed harder, to get to their lost sheep. But, that could not be helped right now. He was back now. And the only thing they could do from now on, was to make sure Crosshair would get better, physically and mentally. And that would be with the longer term treatment in the care of his family. To make sure they aided him in getting through the even visibly emotional trauma he had endured during his time with the Empire. Still, Omega also knew how stubborn Crosshair could be. A personal trait as Tech had put it. And even if he was subdued for now, sleeping away the medical treatment he had undergone, Omega could only hope that with her help, Crosshair would be having better dreams from now on. It was the only thing she could do for him at the moment. And she would try her very best to be successful.
But, there was an underlying resentment Crosshair possessed for his family. As they had not cared for him enough in trying to save him. Not sooner anyway. At least that was how it looked like in Crosshair's somewhat scrambled mind still. And knowing that now, it would take some time before he and the rest of them would be at peace. And then there was the other thing which Omega worried about. What if Crosshair could never be able to forgive them and then simply leave? For good this time? It was the biggest fear for Omega if there ever was one. Part from losing all of her family of course. Continuing to sit at the bedside and keeping Crosshair's hand in hers, she felt the connection between them, still quite strong. And it was only due to her resilience which held the nightmarish memories of her brother's at bay. But she would keep doing it, her one job she could do for Crosshair until he was mended. Physically, as it was her goal of course. And nobody could tell her to stop either. Not Hunter, not the others, not even Crosshair himself. Of this fact Omega was quite determined as she kept on watching the sleeping man on the bed. Sending heeling thoughts his way.
Omega had fallen into a deep sleep. There had been no interruptions though. No nightmares of her own or Crosshair's either. She felt a tug on her arm. And as she cracked her eyes open, she realised she was half laying on top of Crosshair. Using him like a pillow while holding onto him with both hands. Clearly, a protective measure she had adapted in her sleep state on an unconscious level. As Omega looked up, she was eye to eye with Crosshair, looking both amused and annoyed back at her.
"Omega?" He sounded a tad more like himself now. "Why are you here?" He asked, not accusingly by any means. Rather sounding confused and perhaps, felling a little glad about her being there for reasons still unknown to him.
"Crosshair." Omega simply stated. "Sorry, I must have fallen asleep." She looked at Crosshair who was clearly staring at her hands still wrapped around Crosshair's arm.
Omega then quickly straightened herself and yawned. "Sorry." She said again. "I was sleeping quite soundly now that the nightmares were over." She then glanced at Crosshair who had a surprised look on his face. "I assume you slept better as well?" Omega asked him then.
"Nightmares?" Crosshair was surprised to hear that Omega too was having bad dreams, that it wasn't just him.
Omega blinked realising her faux-pas and then said. "Your nightmares." She replied softly.
It hit him then, the realisation. The memory of the one person being there for him when he had been falling into the abyss once again. The one person who had helped him and pulled him out of the darkness when it seemed like he would remain there for good. He was silent for a moment and then turned back to Omega now knowing the truth.
"It was you." His voice was almost inaudible. "You were standing there. And then you helped me out of the pit." He could not be sure of the how or even the why. But it had been his little sister, Omega. The most likely reason why Hunter had not come after him rather wanting to protect the girl in favour of one of his own? After all, the kid was not part of their squad, their collective, their, family, was she? But now, here she was. Saving him from his seemingly eternal torture. "Why?" He simply asked his voice soft and low as he was at a loss of figuring it out by himself. After all, there was no reason for Omega to help him. Was there?
It was Omega's turn to glare at Crosshair with her eyes wide, before she was able to give an answer. "I did it because you are my brother and you were in distress." She then told him. It was a simple answer but the only one she had for now. It was because of those simple reasons, not for any other purpose or agenda. She loved Crosshair, unconditionally and wanted him to be better and most of all to stay with them for good.
Crosshair stared at Omega for a moment longer. Not really sure as to the how she even had been able to help him. But, he felt better and the nightmares had not returned since Omega had been there to save him. Something which he was thankful for. But he wondered why Omega had stayed with him though, afterwards. "Not that I am not thankful for you, helping me." He was not about to go to the questions of the how's right now as he was still rather groggy of the medicines. "But why did you stay?" He paused. "I mean afterwards."
"Because I needed to be here, to keep you safe." Omega simply said to him. "From falling back into the abyss."
It was a simple answer, granted. But somehow Crosshair knew it to be true and accepted that answer as it was. At least for now. He only nodded and then, the two of them remained in comfortable silence. Neither of them speaking. But both of them dwelling in the closeness the other one was giving and the second one was accepting. It was a start after all, for mending fences for them both.
Crosshair had been laying quietly not really sure on how to react to this, sudden new and well apparently friend of his popping up by his bedside. And she was clearly not leaving either.. After all, he and Omega had not really bonded on any level. As there really had been no time for that while mostly having met on the opposite side of things until now. At least that had been the case before. All of that had changed now. Crosshair had no idea on how to interact with kids and being honest about it, he really did not care to either. But, he also knew whom Omega was. To the others and well, him as well. Their sister. And besides that, from what he had come to understand, a very resourceful and insightful young woman at that. Even if Crosshair would never admit to such things out loud, it did not make them any less true. The one thing he knew though, was the one simple fact. That Omega had been there for him when he was trapped in the abyss. Pulled him out of the darkness. And that meant more to him than anything else anyone could even start and try to help him with their words, with their assurances things would be alright again. Not that anyone had, not yet anyway.
But he knew those words would soon be thrown his way, his team mates, his family, his so called brothers. Only now coming to his rescue. He had actually thought the kid had sided with the others. Sharing in their opinion of him. That he was beyond rescue perhaps? But, the more he realised and thought back about it, it had been Omega who had told him it wasn't his fault. Back there, in the brig where they had all been held. She was the one who had remained behind in the falling corridors and she was the one who had saved him from drowning. Crosshair had tried to deny these facts of course. The jealousy taking priority. Because Hunter, had chosen her over him. All those months ago, they had left with her, instead of him.
But then again, Hunter had insisted Crosshair to be the most important person for him, at least now. Was it true or something simply thrown up in the air for his benefit? Still, there was more there, behind the words of Hunter's. Something which Crosshair had not dared to even consider, being too scared about to do so, as then if they were not true, those dreams would have been shattered. His hopes, his very wishes. They would all turn out t be a mere unobtainable fantasy if he really started to think about it. So, pushing all those thoughts aside, for now at least, Crosshair was trying to fall back to sleep. But the kid was still there, right beside him. Holding onto him as if being as afraid as he was. That if she let go of him, he would most certainly fall back in again. Or something worse he had not even considered, but Omega clearly had. And that could most likely happen too.
Omega had been the first one to pull him back. The first one to realise what he was going though. Deep inside of his twisted mind, because that was what it still was. Twisted, tortured, faulty, wrong, not if his own, not at this moment. Not that he knew how either. But she had and she did. And so, Crosshair felt he owed her a great debt. Still, this was a kid, someone he hardly knew. Confiding in her on any level, seemed so, difficult. But she now knew the one thing about him he had not been able to share with anyone. Especially not Hunter. The fear, the guilt, the lies. But also the more. The thrill of doing what needed to be done without consequences and remorse. But there was remorse there. So much of it that it felt like a heavy weight squeezing on his chest whenever he was left alone with his thoughts, his memories.
Crosshair admitted as much. That on some level, serving the Empire had been a good for him. At least for a while there. Then it had all gone to hell rather quickly. His conscience had started to act up. Fighting against the orders. Then there was the constant suspicions of his crew, his superiors. Well, it had all become too much for him to handle after the initial thrill had subsided of being the "enhanced clone commander". A glorified puppet was the term better suited for his position. Then there were the tests, the probing of his abilities, what made him tick. Even if it had all happened while under the influence of the inhibitor chip and drugs they had given him, he knew it was torture at best. But those were not the worst things happening to him by far while serving the Empire. No, he knew better now. The fact that he had been a slave, a mere number to be catalogued as nothing more than simple property to be discarded at the first moment of inconvenience for the all might Empire.
And so, as to his own doings, despite the influence of the chip? Having giving the order to kill the innocents without hesitation. Watching as his squad had fired on them. His own betrayal of his Batch, his squad and the kid while ordering for them to be killed on Bracca? Despite his anger for the others not coming for him sooner, his own accusations of them not being loyal to him.? Well, he knew now, that the betrayal had happened both ways. Still, he was afraid the time for forgiveness had past, for either side. And perhaps, it really was time for him to move on. From the Batch, from the civil war. From everything and everyone he knew and go some place far where no one really knew him for who he was or had been. Make a new start for himself maybe? Of course there were other options for him to consider as well. But the one more permanent solution? Well, Crosshair considered himself way too proud and self-serving to actually consider such a final fix for himself and his many problems. After all, despite his creation of being a soldier and ready to die for the cause, he still very much wanted to fight for his own survival. And being alive.
He felt a rather huge headache coming on. Nothing of course like the ones caused by the chip. No, this was something caused by all the things rattling inside of his mind. The thoughts, the memories and the ever elusive solution as to what to do. As he sighed. His breath hitching, he felt the kid again. Sitting there, right by his bedside. Her touch comforting and calming the more he let himself feel it. There was no denying that Omega was the one. The only one who could help him to put his life back together again. Just because she had dwelled into the deep dark pits of his mind and never judged him. Only helped without asking the why's, despite the way he had treated her before. So, this was it, he needed to decide if he wanted to live with the past or let the girl help him. As clearly, Omega was willing. He could feel it through their connection. A simple touch was all it took. Crosshair debated it all for a moment longer and then, opening his eyes he glanced sideways finding Omega glaring back at him wide eyed.
"Omega." Crosshair sounded hoarse still. "Why are you helping me?" He asked softly.
Omega blinked and then a small smile emerged on her lips. "Because you deserve a new chance in life." She simply said and squeezed Crosshair's hand where she had been holding onto him for all this time.
Chapter Five
Crosshair knew he should say something as the kid was looking at him expectantly. But this, thing, talking, and with kids? Well, it simply was totally out of his element. He did not converse. Period. Sure, he made snide remarks to the point of being offensive. Most of the time. But he did not hold conversations with anyone. Well, maybe a few with Hunter. At least in the past. But those had been short and well, to the point. Mostly. Hunter and Crosshair had really not needed words to understand each other, not really. And the others had let him say his bit in a way he needed to and understood him just fine. But that was all in the past. Before the chip, Order sixty-six and the Empire. Now, he had no idea whether the others understood him or not. But this kid here, this girl of a thing, his sister as they all insisted. Well, she was clearly of some impression of him and his recent actions. And for the life of it, he could not fathom why. As to Omega, a few words came to mind for him. Such as stubborn and adamant. But then also attentive and caring. Words Crosshair did not like to use. Not in a sentence and certainly not describing himself. Then again, he had heard those words been spoken of to him, the first often, the latter two, none so. But that too, was all in the past.
Every single thing which had any kind of good* attached to it seemed to be resonating from somewhere in the very past. Because nothing he had done lately could be put in that category. No matter how hard he had tried to tell himself that. Such ideals as 'good soldiers follow orders' or 'doing it for the good of the empire'. All the good in there really had been a ruse. A blatant lie for both the soldiers doing the Emperors bidding and the following masses out there. There was nothing good he had done while being a pawn of the Empire at all. And that was what he had been. A pawn, a number, an automaton, with blind alliance covering his eyes. Hunter had been right about the one thing there. Even if he had been wrong about everything else. At least in Crosshair's mind. The most of it culminating to one simple thing. He had not come after Crosshair. None too soon anyway and that whole situation stung him still like the venom of a vicious snake. Even now, after having gotten rid of the chip and his mind getting more clearer each passing moment, he still felt the betrayal of his own squad, because that was how he still saw them as, his.
But Omega? Well, at first, he had blamed her on some level, for taking his place in the Batch. He had been jealous of her. Over Hunter's protectiveness over her. But, she was not to blame for any of the actions of the others, was she? She had only shown her caring over to him. Several times even if Crosshair had not listened to her before. How could he have? The chip was a powerful tool and having it enhanced even made it so much more effective. There simply was no resisting the chip and the power it could have on the person wearing it. It may not have seemed at the time, like he was on a tight leash. But now, Crosshair with his clearer mind could see it. Could see how he had been used and for what? Even if it had all made perfect sense at the time, and perhaps having some enjoyment of the several kills he had made. But now? It all felt like a really bad tasting long festering lump of bile in his throat. And the worst thing about his whole experience? He remembered it all. And so, he found himself at the cusp of the abyss whenever he closed his eyes. Not sure whether he ended up in there out of his own accord or if he was pushed in there. It really did not matter either way. As he was the literal bad guy in all of this.
"Crosshair?" He heard his name being called out again.
It had been a while since he had spoken a word to the kid. Crosshair turned his head back to Omega, still feeling the sting of a headache even if he was on the heavy meds still, at least he thought it was the drugs causing the fatigue and drowsiness.
"Omega." Crosshair acknowledged her. "Why are you still here? Really?" He tried to make sense of it all. Even sound a tad on the venomous side hoping that perhaps that would change the kid's mind of him and then wanting nothing to do with him at all.
Omega blinked, once, twice. The ever wide eyed glare present she was only looking at him, straight in his eyes. It was uncanny, but Crosshair was sure he could feel the kid reading him, as if she was in his mind on some level.
"I know what you are trying to do." Omega then finally said and a small smile emerged on her lips. "But, I know it's all an act." She wasn't budging from the side of Crosshair's no matter what, that much was sure to Crosshair in the very moment. Playing the evil card had failed him. It seemed to happen often and usually with this kid. Uncanny indeed.
Crosshair raised an eyebrow. Yeah, clearly this kid was psychic or something, he thought. But, if she insisted on hanging around him? Well, guess it was acceptable for Crosshair after all. He actually liked that someone was there for him. And Omega? Well she had gotten him out of the abyss, at least this time. But would she do it again? Maybe. It was odd though, that the only one of the Batch, Omega was the one who made the effort to help him. Sure, the others had come for him, finally. Removed the chip. And Hunter had made some lame remarks of Crosshair being important and all. But honestly, as soon as they were able, they had all gone on a mission. Just because their new boss, Cid, beckoned them to do so. And once again, leaving him behind. But Omega? Well she was here with him. Making the effort even if Crosshair had been reluctant to except whatever she was offering. Still, he felt better with the kid by his side. Of course he would never admit it out loud. Ever. Crosshair suspected though, that the kid already knew what he was thinking of her. The young clone was starting to grow on him. Kark! What the Sith had happened to him?
"Kid." Crosshair decided that perhaps, he could at least be courteous to the girl. "Since you will be staying here for a while with me?" He found himself hoping this was the case and it was more of a question really, giving Omega the option to consider one more time, staying or not.
"Yes?" Omega totally perked up of this clearly change of heart sounding comment coming from Crosshair.
"Do you think you could get us something decent to eat?" Crosshair found himself hungry all of a sudden as it seemed to have been a while since he had had anything solid to eat as the effect of the liquids having been shoved down his veins were starting to wear off.
Omega was up without a moments notice half saluting Crosshair. "I will be right back." She told him and disappeared from the med bay, leaving a small grin on Crosshair's face in the wake of her rather swift action.
Omega was back in a jiffy. She was carrying a tray filled with an assortment of consumables and a few drinks as well. She placed the tray on bedside table first. Then, she sorted the selection on it. Eliciting a curious glance from Crosshair as he had no idea what the kid was doing. But clearly, she had some sort of an agenda for doing what she was doing. Crosshair shuffling on the bed while trying to get into a sitting position caught Omega's attention.
"Wait!" She exclaimed and rushed to Crosshair's aid. "I can help you." She then placed her arms around the man. Then carefully and with some effort she managed to aid Crosshair into a more comfortable position so he could eat but still be resting on the bed.
"Thank you." Crosshair simply said as he was still not sure what to make of Omega's attentive disposition for him. He then patiently waited for Omega to divvy up the haul she had brought.
"So, I have divided the food to what I like the best and what I think you might like the best and the third pile is neutral territory." She then explained.
Crosshair listened to her explanation with mirth, even cracking a small smile as it was so totally absurd, but also very logical at the same time. And even if he could not care less of what he was eating, he was touched on some level of the kids efforts. He glanced around the tray and then pointed at the side of choices for him.
"This one?" Omega asked to be sure.
"Sure, kid." Crosshair replied. "Looks okay to eat."
Omega handed over the package and even opened it for Crosshair, playing the nurse part really well. "Do you want the drink as well?" She offered.
"Sure, why not." Crosshair felt totally out of element here. But if the kid wanted to mother him, then why not?
Omega handed one canister to Crosshair and took the other one for herself and then took the seat right next to the bed again, her favourite place at the moment it seemed. She started munching her portion immediately. Leaving Crosshair to observe her for a moment, before he too dug into the food. After hearing the complaints his stomach was sending his way for not paying attention to its need he was only to eager to dig in. The two of them ate their food in comfortable silence. Omega taking a few glances on her patient to make sure Crosshair was good and did not need anything else. Only standing by to aid him the moment he needed anything at all.
After half of the food had been consumed, Omega having picked seconds even, while Crosshair really did not have much of an appetite and was happy with the portion he had already eaten. Omega took the plates and empty canisters for both of them and laid them on the tray. Then checking up with Crosshair, making sure he was still comfortable. Fluffing up his pillows and tucking him in the blanket, she then returned to her seat. Crosshair had a hard time holding his smile. This kid was a true professional, clearly. Making all the right moves and having a great bedside manner, always alert. With just about anyone else, Crosshair would have found this rather annoying and most likely had made the caretaker leave him alone with any of the hundreds of snide remarks he had in his arsenal. But with Omega, it was somehow different and he actually liked being pampered by the girl.
With a soft sight, Crosshair leaned further into the soft pillows and closed his eyes. There was something more he wanted to know. So, deciding that this was the time to ask. "Omega, how were you able to…" Pausing for a moment, he was thinking of how he wanted to ask the question and he opened his eyes and turned his head to look at Omega. "How were you able to help me? Before I mean?"
Omega was not surprised at all of the question and seemed to be contemplating her answer. "I simply looked into your mind when I felt you were in trouble." She did not have a better answer to give. Because truth being told, she had no idea how she could feel the others. Especially her the Batch members, her squad as she thought them as. But it was a constant for her. And for her looking into Crosshair's mind like she had, was even a new thing for her. At least on this level. And as she had heard him calling from the abyss, she had simply answered his call. "I can't explain it really. Guess it's something I have always been able to do?"
Crosshair seemed to digest this new bit of information for a moment. He was of course aware of such powers, mostly due to the Jedi. But there were others than the Force users possessing such traits. But Omega was supposed to be a clone like himself and the rest of them. Then again, the Kaminoans might have enhanced her in more ways than one. Still, it was neither here nor there for Crosshair to speculate as to the who or why. Guess he had just wanted to make some small talk with the girl, getting to know her. And simply because if, and it was a big if, he would actually let her help him with the nightmarish dreams he now endured frequently. If he really was honest, even if he felt he deserved those nightmares, he much more preferred to rid of them for good.
"I see." Was all Crosshair managed then. "Guess the Kaminoans gave you special powers too?" He then suggested somewhat jokingly.
Omega thought about if for a moment and then finding Crosshair's suggestion a good one, she eagerly nodded and said. "That sounds like a really cool thing they did." She smiled as she liked the idea of having super powers. Who wouldn't want them?
There were a few more other general questions and answers from both sides, building a rapport between them. Something which Crosshair had not expected. At all. But as it looked like now, he was right in it. A conversation. And to top it all, he was actually bonding with the kid.
"So, if I am to help you with your, you know, your situation." Omega motioned at her own head to make her point. "Then all I am asking is for you to trust me." It was a simple thing to do, right? Trust the kid?
Crosshair was silent. After all, it was not a big deal to ask, right? In exchange for him to rid of his nightmares, those haunting memories of his past? He looked right at Omega for a moment before he spoke to her again. "I trust you, kid." Pausing. "But, I want you to promise me something too."
There was a pause again with Omega waiting patiently for what it was. "Promise me in turn, that you won't tell the others about the nightmares nor that you are helping me with them. Agreed?" As it was there was already too much bad blood between him and the others. Adding this one to the seemingly growing large size pile of things to sort out would be just one more something he really was not prepared to explain to the others. At all.
Omega had no trouble in keeping Crosshair's secret at all. She was only too happy that her lost brother was finally found and back in the fold and was able to trust her. "I promise." Omega replied. "Your secret is safe with me." She then did the bold thing and took Crosshair by his hand, holding it in hers. Neither of them speaking, only feeling in the moment of bonding between brother and sister.
Chapter Six
He was falling again, into the deep end of the abyss. He felt the darkness envelop him completely once again. The familiar setting if anything he had come to know in the past months. But he could never get used to it no matter how hard he had tried to yield. He tried to shout out, but no voice was found. He tried to claw the walls on his way down for any kind of support to stop his fall. But it was of no use as nothing stuck to the teflon surface inside the well like vortex leading to the bottom of the pit. So, he kept on falling. The pace quickening the more he tried to struggle. In the end he stopped the struggle and let it simply happen like so many times before. Closing his eyes, accepting the inevitable until… Something or someone grabbed his wrist. It felt light and small in touch.
As he opened his eyes, the familiar face was hovering above him. The eyes much like his own looking right at him. Keeping him in a tight grip, not letting go. Just like promised. The voice speaking softly. Cooing words of comfort until he felt the weight of the darkness which had been dragging him down, slowly fade away. He was floating now and feeling totally weightless. And soon, he felt the pull as the grip around his wrist was elevating his body. Reaching the top and the light once again. The soft words spoken to him with the tether of the helping hand. He knew he was safe again and would always be that way from now on. And with that single thought in his mind he was roused from his nightmarish dream. Seeing with blurry eyes the one who had once again pulled him out of the abyss.
"Omega?" A soft questioning whisper escaped his lips.
"I am here for you. I will always be here for you, Crosshair." The voice repeated, like a mantra making him believe everything would be alright.
"Thank you." As that was all he needed to know. To survive and to move forward with his life despite the past still haunting him. But now, he had a tether to make sure he would never again fall all the way in. "For being there. For me."
"It's alright Crosshair. I would do anything for my family. And you are part of my family, Crosshair." The promise repeated, once again. If for nothing else, then for assurance of the fact he already knew to be true.
The Bad Batch was back from their most recent mission. After leaving Cid's to get their payment of the successful job, they all decided to check up on Crosshair. After all, despite his current condition and mainly his mood, that of being totally sour and uncooperative, they were all still exhilarated to have him back. The missing piece of their small puzzle now complete as their prodigal member of the family had returned to the fold. Of course there was still much work to be done on either side. And they all knew now, what had really happened to Crosshair. The inhibitor chip having been reinforced and enhanced by the Empire several times over, making it impossible for the clone to resist the orders given to him. Even if it was in his nature to be more susceptible to do some of the things he had done. And then the damage done to it while they blew up the engines on Bracca. Well, it was enough to send Crosshair's wiring into a mess of conflicting glitches in his brain. Only thanks to the cooperation of Tech, Echo and Azi, had they managed to remove the broken chip and its parts from Crosshair's brain. And now, he was in recovery.
But, that was only half of the process. As there was the mental component and putting that back together was a far more arduous task than fixing something physically broken. They all knew how the Empire treated the clones whom were still in their ranks as so many of them had deserted. With thanks to Rex and the Bad Batch, the recruiting of those wanting to defect the Imperial Forces were also given a choice to join the ever growing army of clones willing and able to fight against the Empire. There were more and more of the clones leaving and even joining with the newly created forces each and every day. And thanks to Rex and Tech's improved method of identifying and removing the inhibitor chips, they would all be free from control. Of course there were those who wanted only to live their own lives without fighting for any more had all deserved that too after their service. As Rex had put it, nobody was forced to join as this wasn't the Empire. None of them were slaves. Still, the old saying 'everyone chooses a side in the end' still very much applied as some clones changed their minds after seeing how the Empire really treated their subjects on their home worlds.
But for Crosshair, there was a lot of mental trauma to overcome. As he could remember everything he had done. Even if he had not told the others much about his time being under the Empire's leash. But they all knew, sensing their Crosshair's guilt and sadness. And they had seen him suffering. Of nightmares, even after the heavy sedation during the surgeries, the PTSD was strong in him. For now, Crosshair was not talking. Not revealing what he felt about it all. And all the others could do, was to wait for Crosshair to come to them. Letting him know they were there for him when he was ready. It could take a long time before he would be fully present. But it did not matter as Hunter had said, there was no hurry. The only worry which Hunter and the rest of the Batch members shared though, was the question whether Crosshair wanted to stay with them or not. After all, there had been betrayal on both sides. Mostly perhaps, the blame was on Hunter's side as he had not immediately tried to rescue Crosshair. There were explanations, excuses mainly, as to the why not. But also, a whole lot of misunderstandings and then, the clear lies. Whether they could sift through them all now, after all that which had happened and build up their relationship again? Well, it was another matter. Before, they had been a tight night group of soldiers, brothers, family and even more. And now? Well, whether those past relations could be mended? Only time would tell.
As the group entered the med bay, it was dark and silent. The one lights on were the small lamp beside the bed and the blinking dots of the computers monitoring the patients condition. Hunter, leading the team inside, raised his hand with the sign to halt their movement as he scanned the room first. Crosshair was sleeping and he did not want to bother the man any more than necessary. Rather letting him sleep to off until he was better. The surgeries had naturally taken a big toll on the clone and recovery would take some time. Hunter turned to the others and without words using only facial expressions and moving his eyes and tilting his head motioning for the rest of the team to leave. Eliciting several questioning looks from the other three. But Hunter was adamant not to wake up Crosshair as they could all visit him at a later time. Finally getting his command through, the others left the med bay leaving Hunter standing there alone as he still wanted to check on Crosshair. With stealth he moved towards the bed and what he saw made his heart palpitate. The scene there in front of him was not something he had expected to see. Not for a while at least and perhaps maybe never.
Crosshair was lying on the bed, looking more peaceful than Hunter had seen him in a long while. And there, curled right into his side was Omega. It was a surprising turn of events, something which Hunter could only thank the Force for. As clearly, the angry man who had forcefully been removed from the Empire. With his dignity taken away from him, at least on some level and now a husk of his former self. Injured on the med bed, had finally given in to the lure of the young clone, Omega. The child he had been reluctant to rescue and take with them while escaping Kamino. The kid he had on several occasions tried to remove from the Batch's care. But now, here they were. Sleeping soundly together like there was no ill will between them. Hunter was contemplating for a moment, that perhaps he needed to take Omega with her as Crosshair was still in pain and needed to recuperate. He did not want Omega to unwillingly hurt him in her sleep. Not that Crosshair had other injuries to his body other than his head, thankfully. As Hunter reached for Omega to gently shake the girl awake to remove her, the familiar voice spoke to him.
"She can stay." Crosshair sounded coarse. But somehow, there was no ill will or malice in his voice as gone was the venomous wiper whisper of his usual pitch.
Hunter's lips curled into a small smile as things were even better than he had hoped. Clearly the young clone had finally bonded with his lost and now found, something Hunter was grateful for more than anything. "Are you sure?" Hunter whispered as he did not want to wake Omega up. "You are not uncomfortable with her hogging the sheets?" Something of which Crosshair had complained Hunter of doing several times in the past while the two of them were sharing a bed.
"She is fine with me." Crosshair simply stated wanting Hunter to know in not too many words he did not want Omega to leave his side. "And she is not a hogger of anything, unlike you." There was a hint of mirth there in his tone as he said it. Making Hunter think, that maybe, there was hope for them after all.
"Well. Only if you are sure?" Hunter gave Crosshair a last chance to change his mind in regards of the sleeping girl, knowing how clingy Omega could be when she wanted to. Sometimes having found the girl curling up to himself in the middle of the night for comfort. But it seemed that there was no issue whatsoever for Crosshair as it never really was for Hunter either.
"I am." Crosshair sounded sure but also sleepy as clearly the groups arrival had woken the man from his sleep anyway. There was a moment of silence between them, Hunter simply standing there watching the two sleeping members of his family. "Was there something else?" Crosshair asked, sounding still rather polite, again. Something totally out of character once again, making Hunter realise that Omega was having a really good effect on the clone. Something which Hunter had not even dared to hope when Omega had offered to stay and watch over Crosshair before.
"No, it's just… No." Hunter then said and then he asked the question which he had been unsure of asking ever since Crosshair had first opened his eyes after the surgery. But now, after seeing this unexpected display in front of him, he decided to ask anyway. "Are you alright?" It was a loaded question of course, that much he knew, but he needed to know.
A brief silence filled the room again. Then, Crosshair sighed rather heavily after having some time to think whether to simply lie about it and be done with it or tell Hunter the truth as he said. "No." He did not continue right away. "But I will be." He sound honest and he felt relieved too, on some level after saying the words a loud.
That was all Hunter really wanted to hear. For now at least. He then leaned over and placed a soft kiss on Crosshairs lips and then a chaste one on the top of Omega's crown before he uttered softly. "That was all I really needed to know." And for now, it was enough.