Chapter Eighteen
"I'm going to miss you so much!" Ella exclaimed as he and Fives stood on the platform, their duffle bags sitting beside them as they stalled, listening anxiously for the order for Ella and the last remnants of the 501st to board the ship.
"I'm going to miss you, Ella," Echo said, kissing her nose softly. "You will call me. And when I get back there'll only be a few weeks before the wedding."
"And then you're mine."
"All yours," he vowed.
Fives cleared his throat, winking at them. They both knew he didn't care that they were so absorbed in each other; he just liked to tease them.
"I'll miss you too, Fives," Ella said. "I know you and Echo will do great."
"I'll kick him into gear if he starts slowing," Fives promised.
Echo rolled his eyes and looked around. There were no bystanders that would see. The swarm of boys in blue hid them from prying eyes. He had to taste those candy lips. Just once more before he wouldn't kiss them for a whole month.
He slipped his hand behind her neck and pulled her close at the waist. She hummed and kissed him back clutching at his shoulder bells.
Not wanting to press their luck, the kiss was short. Short but poignant and full of promise and deep love. Echo heard everything she didn't have time or vocabulary to express, and he answered in kind, pouring everything he couldn't say into her lips.
A short eternity later, they pulled away. Ella rested her hand above the mark Rex had made on his chest. Just to the right, his heart hammered against her thumb.
"Come back to me," she whispered, looking up at him through her long eyelashes.
"I promise," he replied, leaning his forehead against hers. "Oh, Ella... ni kar'tayl gar darasuum."
"Hmm?"
He chuckled breathily, holding her closer, almost protectively. Time was stealing her away, the fading seconds before the Resolute would take off and whisk her off into another star system feeling like some heinous kidnapper, wanting to step in and wrench her from his arms forever.
Who will make sure she makes it through battles uninjured and alive when I'm not there? Who will look after her and protect her?
The sensible part of him remarked that she was a grown woman and could handle herself. A good-sized pile of droid bits was evidence of that. You're being too protective. She'll feel like you're trying to control her, it reasoned.
But his heart knew nothing of these facts. He only knew that skilled warriors who grew up and were trained their whole lives to be droid-shredding machines were felled so quickly that they had no time to fight back. He knew that even Captain Rex was vulnerable to these attacks. He knew he wasn't immortal, but he'd gladly lose his life if it meant taking a blaster shot for her.
Echo knew that there were several others in Torrent Company who shared that sentiment, but they weren't him. They didn't make a habit of checking her every five seconds on a battlefield and targeting the droids that started to notice her, letting himself be open to attack so that she could be safer. They weren't thinking like a soon-to-be husband. While he was grateful for their willingness, actions and intentions were two different things. They might intend to be caring for her, but leave her open accidentally, and get there too late to save her.
There are some things you just have to do yourself, he thought.
"Echo?" Ella asked, "what does it mean? What you said?"
He smiled, and kissed her one more time before the speakers crackled to life and stole her away.
"I love you."
•~§~•
Ella sighed as she walked back to her room. The Resolute felt empty and hollow again without Echo here. She shivered and wrapped her arms around herself. Why did everything seem so much colder now?
Punching in her code, she quickly retreated into her room, slumping against the door when it shut behind her. She groaned and sank to the floor, rubbing her eyes. How on earth was she going to cope without him here?
Relax, Ella. He's only going to be gone a month. It's not a year or anything like that. He's just at ARC training. And it's a huge deal for him! Don't mope.
Kicking herself, she stood up and walked over to her desk. There must be a report or something that she could drag out so she'd have something to focus on besides Echo's suffocating absence.
Of course there were no reports due when she checked her datapad.
Ella banged her forehead in the table repeatedly.
Come on! You lived for 19 years before you met him. You can handle a single month without him here. Tough it up!
Why should I? her less-reasonable side dared. Echo makes me happy. Why should I 'tough it up' when there is legitimately nothing to do right now that doesn't remind me of him, and everything else that I could do isn't needed?
Come on. What about reading?
Echo reads with me all the time.
Ok how about you go make some tea?
He likes tea.
Stang it, Ella! Okay, go blow off some steam shooting targets.
But Echo taught me to shoot!
Ella sighed. She had to figure something out. There was an entire month between her and Echo and she couldn't just avoid doing the things they did together because he wasn't here.
Then an idea came to her.
Ella shuffled through the contents atop her desk and found her hologram device.
It took a few moments, but her brother appeared on the other end.
"Ella!"
"Hey Amon! How are you sweetheart?" she replied.
"I'm ok. Hey do you wanna talk to everyone? We're all here right now."
Ella nodded, "Yes please. I have something exciting to tell you. Well, two exciting things."
"Where's Echo?"
Ella laughed to herself. Her fiancé was quickly becoming the family favorite.
"That's part of what I want to tell— hey Mama! Hey Daddy! Thalis, Olvet, what's up?"
"Hey Ella!" they chorused.
"Ella has something exciting to tell us!" Amon exclaimed.
"Well, let her tell us!" Thalis chided.
Ella smiled, and held up her hand.
They all gasped.
"ELLA!"
She giggled, beaming so wide her cheeks ached. "I hope you're okay with him being in the family."
"Echo proposed?" Amon squealed.
Ella nodded, "He did, just a week ago. I wanted to tell you but couldn't get away from the medbay long enough. There was a really bad hit in Kamino. A lot of people were seriously injured. A lot of kids were seriously hurt."
"Oh no!" Mama said. "Well it's a good thing they had you."
Ella flushed.
"How did he propose?" Daddy asked.
"He brought me to one of the landing platforms at night after the battle was over, and we were looking out at the stars and the ocean. Then he wanted me to look at something, and when I turned to look he was on one knee."
"He took a big risk doing that for you there," Daddy said, shaking his head with a smile on his face that hinted that he liked this boy who loved his daughter.
"I know. After he proposed and I said yes and we went back inside, I kinda elbowed him and told him he could've gotten caught and then where would I be?" Ella said.
"That's all true," Daddy said, "but I meant you could've waved your hands out of excitement and sent the ring into the ocean."
Everyone laughed.
"So Echo is gonna marry you?" Amon asked, practically vibrating with excitement.
"Yes, Amon," Ella said. "I hope you don't mind another big brother."
"Are you kidding? YES! I love Echo! You're the best sister ever!" the boy cheered.
Said sister giggled, "Because I'm marrying Echo?"
"DUH! Wait. There was more news, right?"
She nodded, "Yes there is."
Daddy scowled. "Ella Grace Starrow, what have you two been doing?"
Ella snorted on a laugh, "Daddy, no. It is not that. It's about Echo though. Why he isn't telling you this news with me. I'm so proud of him."
"Oh?" Olvet prompted.
"Echo is back on Kamino with Fives right now. They've been promoted to ARC Trooper rank!" Ella cried excitedly.
"WHAT?" her family exclaimed.
"No way!" Thalis declared.
"What's an ARC Trooper?" Amon asked.
"Like the best of the best. Like a super trooper ninja one-man-army guy. He's training for it now with his friend Fives. That's why he isn't with Ella," Olvet explained.
Amon's mouth dropped open, "Stang! SERIOUSLY? I'M GONNA HAVE AN ARC TROOPER FOR MY BROTHER-IN-LAW!"
Ella nodded, "I'm so proud of him. I'm going to miss him, but I'm so proud."
"How long will he be there?" Daddy asked.
"Through Christmas," she replied. He'll come home a little before New Years, and we're going to be married a few weeks from then on Naboo."
"Well thanks for the invitation," Olvet grunted, crossing his arms and glaring indignantly.
Ella shrugged, "We had to plan ahead so... the 501st is on the front lines almost one-hundred percent of the time. Getting enough time is hard, and I didn't want to tell you anything until we had a good plan. This is, of course, confidential intel, however, so you have to pretend to know nothing. I won't risk losing him."
Mama nodded, "We love your man too, honey. We're all good on keeping him safe."
Ella sighed, "Well, I should probably go see if Rex needs someone sane to help him corral the crazies. Though, to be honest, I think it will have died down a little since Fives is on Kamino. He, Hardcase, and Jesse are the pranksters around here. Hardcase got his rear end plate attached to the ceiling somehow. I think it had to do with jet packs."
"Um, what?" Daddy asked, confusedly.
"I know!" Ella laughed. "He's the wildest card of all. Jesse is the tamest compared to him and Fives. He actually has some brain cells left and wants to keep them. Fives is kinda in between."
"And Echo?"
Ella smiled, "Echo is his voice of reason. But he likes having fun too, so long as it won't hurt anyone."
"He's a wonderful man," Mama said proudly.
"Yeah. He really is," Ella agreed, wondering what he was doing now on that sterile planet.
•~§~•
Echo gasped for breath as they exited the simulator. He felt like he was going to die; he could feel all the bruises he'd just acquired smarting and his back was practically on fire.
This is what Rex meant when he told me not to thank him until it was over.
It was strange to be here again, sleeping in tubes and squeezed out every morning like toothpaste.
Fives groaned as he sat on the bench, "How're you hanging in there, vod?"
Echo shook his head and shrugged, wincing when something in his back was strained at the movement. "I'm fine."
Fives laughed, lifting a bottle of water to his lips. "'Fine' he says. 'I'm going to die,' he means."
Echo chuckled. "This is why no one talks about ARC Training."
A medical droid came over to inspect them and they struggled to take off their armor. Echo tried to lift his arms to remove his helmet, but couldn't. It was as though his arms were being kept from lifting above his shoulders. He tried and gasped when a fiery band of pain landed through his back.
"Echo, what's wrong?" Fives asked.
"I don't know," he strained, "I can't lift my arms!"
"Let me help. Can you tell me what's going on?"
He sighed, "I can lift my arms to shoulder level, and then they stiffen. I try to go higher and my back, through the middle, flares up."
Fives quickly unbuckled his breast and back plates, and lifted his helmet off. "Does it hurt when you don't move your arms?"
Echo turned slightly and hissed, "Yeah. I don't know why."
"What's going on here?" a commanding voice questioned. Echo couldn't even move his neck without the pain in his back flaring. His eyes barely caught the orange of Commander Blitz's armor.
"Echo can't move his arms above his shoulders, and when he moves at all, his back hurts right across the middle," Fives explained.
"Can you move your neck, son?" the commander asked.
"No sir," he replied.
He frowned. "You're not a sissy. If you were you wouldn't have made it this far. Did something hit your back during training?"
Echo tried to shrug but was stopped by the same burst of fire.
"Don't move. I have an idea. Can I see his back plate?"
Fives grabbed it and handed it over.
"There. See that?"
"No sir."
"The horizontal line here. See?"
"Oh. What's that from?"
"Remember the third level of the sim? Dodging the whip cords?"
"Yeah?"
"Well he wasn't hit hard enough to make him drop. This happens sometimes, where it gets through the armor and across the skin, and doesn't really sink in for a long time. When it does, it half-paralyzes."
"Will he be alright?"
"Yes. Just use the cream on it and rest for a few hours, and he should have full mobility back in no time."
"Cream?"
"Did neither of you get bruise cream when you arrived?" Blitz asked.
"No sir," Echo replied.
He chuckled, "You two are impressive. You've been here two weeks and haven't used the cream once. Didn't anyone tell you there was bruise cream?"
"No sir," Echo answered. "We just thought it came with training. We don't use it much in the 501st anyway, so… it wasn't the first thing on our ask list."
"What is?" he asked curiously.
Echo hesitated, "Is it possible to write to people off-world?"
Blitz looked surprised, "Yes. It is. And they can write to you or send a package. I suppose it's a civvie?"
Echo nodded.
Blitz lowered his voice, "It's a girl, ain't it?"
Echo straightened in surprise and moaned.
"Fives, help me get him to your room."
Fives slipped one arm around his brother's back and helped him stand. Echo waved them off.
"I can walk. It's just from my back up and my chest."
Blitz nodded and they all walked out and down the hall to the bunk room assigned to Fives, Echo, Optom, Stoop, and Piker. The other three were studying tactics when they came in, and hastily leapt to attention upon seeing their commander.
"At ease," Blitz said. "I'd like to ask you some questions, though."
"Yes sir," Piker replied.
"Do any of you have bruise cream?"
They nodded, "Yes sir."
"Did you know that these two didn't have any since they first arrived?"
They looked shocked. "No sir," Stoop replied. "You didn't get any?"
Fives shrugged, wincing. "No."
"That explains your restlessness," Optom remarked.
"Alright," Blitz said. "Echo, lie down on your stomach. Fives, help him get out of the blacks. Can one of you go get them some of the bruise cream?"
Piker nodded and jogged out.
"Here," Stoop said, "it'll take him a while to get back. Use some of mine."
"Thanks brother," Echo murmured, wincing as Fives removed the shirt.
"Come on, vod. Lie down."
Echo complied and moaned at the feeling of the cool lotion on his abused back.
"Stang, you look like someone ran you through a meat grinder every day for the last two weeks," Optom hissed.
"That's why we hand out bruise cream. You get so many hits during the day that only get layered as it goes on, and you get stiffer and stiffer," Blitz explained. "Bruise cream is an ARC's best friend."
Echo gasped, moaning softly in relief before answering, "You can say that again."
"It also helps to keep muscles from pulling. Another reason why it's so helpful for this type of training."
Echo sighed blissfully.
"Here, sit up and let me get your chest and stomach," Fives said.
"Echo needs to rest after that. One of you, help Fives with his back. Make sure you all have enough."
"Yes sir," Fives answered. "Just relax now Echo. You'll feel better in no time."
"Fives," he mumbled, "The question about holos."
"What question?" Blitz inquired.
"We wondered if it was possible to call a friend of ours."
His eyebrow raised. "Friend?"
Fives shifted uncomfortably. "Yes."
"Your friend or his friend?" the commander interrogated.
"Well, he's closer to her than me, but—"
Blitz laughed, "Say no more. Unfortunately we aren't permitted to holo. We are, however allowed to write."
"Thank you, sir," Fives said.
Blitz looked around, saw the others were busy with something, then whispered, "It's a dangerous place for a secret like that, but no one will know about her."
Fives nodded, "Thank you sir. She... he means a lot to her. I think it would crush her if something happened to him."
"Liking this girl already. Has she come here?"
"Starrow. Civvie medic from the 501st. She was here during the attack."
"Hmm," the commander stroked his chin. "Wasn't she the one who saved a squad of cadets and got them all safely to the medbay, and doctored the older one who'd been injured?"
"That's her," Echo murmured. "Sweetest ever. Brave and gentle."
"And has you wrapped around her little finger no doubt," the commander smirked.
"In more ways than one, sir," Echo replied.
"They're getting married after we get back," Fives explained.
"Congratulations, vod."
Echo smiled. "Thank you."
"You two get some rest. Training is over for today. Tomorrow we're focusing mainly on tactics and strategy."
"Thank you, sir," Fives muttered, then gasped in shocked awe at the wondrous sensation that was bruise cream on repeatedly belabored skin.
Blitz chuckled at the reaction, "Thought you'd like that. I'm sorry you got this far without it. Sorry and impressed." Then he nodded and left.
"Echo?" Fives murmured as he snuggled in next to him, careful not to jostle him.
"Hmm?"
"When you're married," he started, "you'll still hang out with me, right? I mean, things won't change too much...will it?"
Echo groaned and turned on his side to face him. Fives wasn't normally one to ask such meaningful questions. At least not often. Whenever he did, Echo knew to really pay attention. They were a clue into his heart, and he never wanted to hurt his brother by ignoring those vulnerable moments.
"Fives," he said, "you're my brother. The one I chose. That means something. I'm not just gonna cast you off like an old glove. Or... I don't know. Clothes aren't a good analogy for this. Let's see. There are different rooms in my heart. Some are communal, some are private, some I share with just one person at a time. Like on the Resolute, we like the mess, and our bunk, and Ella's room. Let's say the mess is communal. That's where I love all my brothers and Ella and everyone I've ever met and care about. Then there's Ella's room. It's magical and a space that's her that she makes me welcome to. I have a room for her in my heart, and she has a room for me in hers. I know because I'm home with her."
Echo paused to see if he was following.
Fives nodded, knowing what he was waiting for.
He continued, "But then there's our bunks. You have mine. I have yours. And we're home together too, just in a different way. Ella will be the bride, and you'll be the best man. She'll have her best friend there. I'll have mine. You both made us who we are and we couldn't be us without you. So yes, things will change. But our space won't diminish. If we do things right, it will only get better. One day, you and I will have the same conversations about your girl as we have had about mine, but if you want, Ella can give advice."
Fives seemed placated by this and smiled at him, leaning their foreheads together. Echo shut his eyes and smiled. A hundred different moments from his life rushed back to him in that moment.
This had been their way to show they needed one another ever since they saw Boba and Jango do it one day and asked what it meant.
'Affection to a loved one, a fellow soldier, a friend, a brother or sister.' Jango had replied.
"Vode darasuum," Fives murmured.
"Vode darasuum," Echo replied.
•~§~•
Ella twirled before the mirror, unable to quell the bubbling excitement and girlish giddiness that split her lips in a rapturous smile.
"Ella, you look like a princess," Padmé exclaimed.
"You really look amazing!" Ahsoka agreed.
"Just think how he'll react when he sees you!" Riyo sighed, leaning her chin in her hand.
"Oh, y'all are the sweetest ever!" Ella exclaimed and gathered them in a hug. "And just look at you! You look absolutely gorgeous as well!"
She'd chosen to let them each pick a shade of blue in a certain dress for their own bridesmaids outfits.
Padmé's dress was a pale blue, like morning sky just when the sun is leaving the red and pink embers of night. Riyo was clad in a misty grey blue, like a stormy evening. Ahsoka's was a deep jewel of navy blue, which highlighted her chevron lekku quite attractively.
"I can't wait for the wedding! I can't believe it's only a few weeks away!" Riyo rejoiced.
Padmé nodded, "It's going to be beautiful. You just wait. Everything will be wonderful."
Ella blushed, "I hope so. I think it will."
"Come on," Ahsoka said. "Let's get you out of your dress. No more of wearing it until the week of!"
Ella squealed in delight, twirling in front of the mirror just one more time before letting her friend help her remove it and step back into her soft blue sweater and leggings outfit.
"Oooh, I'm so excited! I've never been in a wedding before!" Ahsoka confessed.
"Well you'll get the chance now!" Ella beamed. Then she sighed. "I have to get the package shipped or it won't reach Kamino in time. Do y'all wanna get lunch?"
"Yes!" Riyo cheered. "How about the Alderonian place at the corner of Epic Avenue and Con Street?"
Ella nodded, "Sounds great!"
"May I come?" Ahsoka begged.
Ella linked elbows with her and picked up the box, heading to the landing field.
There was Axe, waiting as he'd promised to. He smiled and waved her over when he saw her.
"How did the dress fitting go?" he asked.
"Oh, so well!" she sang.
He chuckled, "I'm glad. Ready for me to take it?"
She nodded. "Yes. Be... be careful with it."
He nodded, "Cross my heart, Ella. And then I'll bring you back whatever he wants to send, whether it's his love or something tangible ."
"Thank you, Axe. You're a gem," she breathed, hugging him.
"Anything for you, Ella," he said, then said goodbye. Moments later, he lifted off and took to the skies.
Ella sighed and trudged back to the bus stop with Ahsoka.
"Why the long face?" the padawan asked.
She sighed again, "I miss him. It'll be weeks before he's back, and I miss him so much."
"I understand. But just think," Ahsoka consoled. "When you see him, you and he will get married, then nothing will be in your way!"
Ella grinned at this heavenly prospect and hugged her friend. "Thank you for putting up with my dismal attitude. You're such an encouraging person to be around."
Ahsoka blushed, "Thank you. And you don't have a dismal attitude for missing your fiancé and being sad for a few minutes."
Ella smiled and climbed onto the bus with her, taking a seat in the back. She shut her eyes and pictured him, his hair damp and his face blissful as he tried his first cinnamon muffin.
She stifled a giggle, remembering that amusing introduction to breakfast foods.
Merry Christmas, Echo, she murmured in her heart. Come home soon, my love.
•~§~•
"Well open it!" Fives exclaimed as soon as they got back into their barracks and away from the few Kaminoans' prying eyes.
Axe had carefully protected this precious package and kept it from inspection, letting the couple tell each other of their love without fear of being torn apart forever.
Echo chuckled as he gently opened the special delivery, then smiled when he saw his beloved's handiwork.
It was decorated with green and red and golden stars. White and blue tissue paper mantled the real contents.
First was a little scent bottle that simply said, 'smell me.' He obeyed and sighed in pure bliss.
"What?"
Echo smiled dopily and replied, "It smells like her."
"Look at this," his brother said. "She sent you a tune pod!"
Echo picked it up and turned it on, sticking one earpiece in his ear. He pressed play.
"Hey Eyayah," her voice lilted through the little device. "God, I miss you, Echo. So much. A lot happened today and I just wanted you here. I want you to know that my family is ecstatic about our engagement. When I told them, they flipped out. They're also very proud of you for being promoted. I wanted to tell you I love you as well. I might write it a million times but I thought you might like to hear it. So... yeah. Here it is. I do love you. So much. And I can't wait to be yours. Come home soon, love. Merry Christmas!"
Echo smiled and then chuckled, humming along as Earth Angel played next.
"There's more," Fives said.
Echo continued to unpack, and found some socks, a journal, a bunch of writing paper and envelopes, and pens and pencils.
Then there was a picture of them. He didn't know how she'd gotten it since she was asleep in the picture. But it was perfect and beautiful.
"That's her, commander," he murmured as Blitz entered.
The ARC Commander looked at the picture and smiled. "She's beautiful, Echo."
Echo smiled, "Yes. She is."
"You going to write to her?" Fives asked.
Echo nodded and grabbed the supplies she'd sent, sitting down to scribble a letter.
Dear Ella,
I cannot begin to tell you how deeply your sweet package touched my heart. How on earth did you manage to get that picture? Do your wonders ever cease?
It's been difficult. Of course. It's ARC Training - difficulty is a precursor. It's been life-changing, though. I never knew I'd develop an affection for bruise cream. That stuff is amazing. If you haven't used it for the heavy gunners or any of the men with horrible bruises, please see that it's implemented. Rex always says he just has bruises after battles. Bruises can be wounds of their own. Make him use the bruise cream. Tie him down and tickle him if you must. He'll thank you - begrudgingly - later on. I guarantee it.
Every day now, we're closer to the one we both knew was coming. I think we did. I did, at least. From the beginning, I knew it was you that I'd do anything for. Live and die for. I cannot wait to see you, my angel. I know you'll be spectacular. You always are. I don't know if I'll be able to take much more of your loveliness. Kix may want to be on standby with a defib.
I love you, Ella. I won't ramble on, but I hope you know that. You're my home and my everything. I miss and love you very, very much.
I'll see you again soon, love. I promise.
With love,
Your Echo.
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Mando'a Translations
Ni kar'tayl gar darasuum - I love you. Literal 'I know you forever.'
Vod - brother
Vode - brothers
Vode darasuum - brothers forever
Stang - dang
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