Chapter Thirty-Six
"Do you think you would want to if you ever got the chance?"
Jesse shifted a little uncomfortably, a bright red tint staining his tan cheeks. Then he sighed, "I won't lie to you. I've wanted to be an ARC since I met Rex. I wasn't here during his first campaigns. Chopper was. He told me once that the 501st suffered a little when he went in for training. I met him about a month after he returned. You should've seen him in action that day."
He smirked, shaking his head.
"Pretty cool?"
He scoffed, "Pretty cool doesn't begin to come close! That man was wild on the field. I think I heard General Skywalker complaining that he didn't get to touch more than ten clankers thanks to his 'showing off.' He took out three canons, seven spiders, fifteen rollies, and almost one-hundred and fifty B1's. I think he got around sixty SBD's too. All single-handedly."
Ella had to pick up the slack in her jaw before throwing a glance over her shoulder at the captain who was currently drinking iced green tea in the corner while he and Vaughn, who'd been recently promoted to Lieutenant and was basically shadowing him, watched some superhero show together.
"I know," Jesse chuckled. "He kinda liked showing off occasionally. He was like Fives once. But I think that disappeared after Teth." He shook his head. "A good third of us were all wounded from Christophsis. I had a bad leg and was stuck in bacta. Kix was one of the two medics who were told to stay behind on the Resolute and watch the injured. He lost one of his squadmates there. Firm. That was actually when we became better friends. Kix threw himself into work, getting lost in it. It was easy since none of the medics that had left survived, except for Coric, and he transferred soon after. Hornet was killed a week later en route to Kamino on a medical frigate, leaving him alone."
"That must've been terribly difficult for him," Ella sighed compassionately, wondering how her friend was enjoying his honeymoon to Alderaan.
Jesse nodded. "He was miserable. We all knew it, though he soldiered on and hid everything."
"What happened?"
/ He didn't want to care so much about the snippy medic.
He barely even got along with him when they pulled him out of bacta and cleaned the slick off his shivering body, then wrapped him in a heated blanket.
He didn't give him much warning about the stims, making him jump with surprised pain. And he didn't even say he was sorry either!
But he had to admit that he wasn't being healthy.
Every night, Jesse waited until late to see if he would come into the barracks. He fell asleep without seeing the man pass by or hearing him enter and quietly strip off armor or clamber up onto the third bunk down from him.
He barely left the medbay. He barely ate. There were empty mugs of caf accumulating on his desk.
Sure, Coric had left three weeks ago and last Friday Hornet's transport to Kamino was added to the ships taken by the seppies' new weapon, but that was no reason for him to turn himself into a zombie.
"Hey Jesse! I was thinking we should try that prank on… oh. Not a good time?"
Jesse looked up from his anxious brooding to see that Hardcase had taken a seat beside him. He felt his heart lift a little.
Losing his squad had been difficult. Pace and Roci had been the victims of SBD's on Christophsis, and Trio and Obed were culled on Teth.
His eyes watered as he thought of Obed - his brother-by-choice. He'd always been steady and sunny. Not unreasonable but daring enough to dream.
His loss left a hole that the trooper doubted any time would truly repair.
But Hardcase hadn't let him have too much time to himself, dragging him off to 79's and letting him drunkenly sob his woe on his shoulder in a back alley on the way back when they'd definitely had too much. The monster of a hangover from that night was enough to remind him that it had really happened. Ever since, he and Hardcase were hardly apart.
"What's on your mind, vod?" his friend asked now, then followed his gaze at the medbay doors. "It's the medic, isn't it? I'm worried about the kriffing di'kut too."
"You've noticed?"
He blew out scoffingly, "I think everybody has. He needs an intervention. I have a good mind to go and deliver one myself."
"I think that's a good idea," seconded a commanding voice behind them.
The two jumped in alarm, unaware that their CO had been listening in on their conversation. Snapping to attention so quickly they nearly keeled over, they addressed Captain Rex.
"Sorry sir! Didn't know you were there!" Jesse exclaimed.
But the captain shook his head, "None of that now. You're formulating a plan to intervene on that medic's workaholism, right? Well, I'm in. That boy has been suffering since he lost his brothers and hasn't given himself a moment to breathe. It's time that stopped and he took a break. He's barely even been out of the medbay in two whole weeks."
"Won't he be needed?" Hardcase pointed out. "He's the only medic we have at the moment, sir."
"Correct, Hardcase," the captain agreed. "But I happen to know that he cleared the last injured an hour ago and hasn't emerged simply because he's stubborn. I think we should pay the lonely fellow a visit, don't you agree?"
The boys looked back and forth to each other, mischievous grins spreading across their faces.
Oh, this was going to be interesting to say the least.
•~§~•
The medic was staring blindly at his hands when they came upon him, leaning back against a wall.
It was scary how empty and blank his eyes were, dark circles drawn like faded warpaint beneath them outlining the bags of exhaustion. His skin was pale and sallow. His lips were cracked.
He looked so tired.
"Hey vod, you hear me?" Hardcase asked lightly, though Jesse could hear heaviness hanging from his normally buoyant tone.
He didn't move or reply.
The three shared a concerned look as Rex sunk down in front of him. "Hey vod'ika. It's Rex. Can you look at me?"
Still no answer.
Jesse sat beside him, shoulders barely brushing, studying him more clearly.
The medic's eyes were slowly moving back and forth, veins frozen behind a bloodshot glaze. He doubted that they saw the three men gathered around him in an anxious huddle. His breathing was uneven, though almost inaudible, and sawed between his just-parted lips raggedly. His gaze travelled to his hands, and he realized they were trembling.
"Come on, brother. You're alright," the captain sighed, taking off his own gloves and working his brother's hands. "Maker, you're like ice!"
His breathing suddenly became louder and the shaking harder. Glacial eyes squeezed shut then fluttered and fixed on his brothers. Panic and shame swirled in as slight color rose in his cheeks.
It struck him then, as he looked at the man who shared his face, just how young he was. How young they all were.
But especially him.
The first time he'd seen him had been the same week he got assigned to the 501st, and they'd run into each other in the hallway as Jesse was heading to the mess hall and the medic was going to meet the senior medics.
That had been the week before Christophsis. Just a little before Teth.
He'd never considered how the medic must feel, being so shiny and so responsible for so many people - especially now that all his comrades had either been killed or transferred to another battalion.
He's so kriffing young! Jesse thought to himself as he watched him hide his face in his hands, humiliated at the position he'd been found in and no doubt overwhelmed with ten million other stresses.
Maybe that was what possessed Jesse to wrap his arms around him and draw his head to the crook of his neck.
He expected the medic to stiffen or try to pull away. To his surprise, he immediately leant into the embrace, as if he had no will to resist anymore. Jesse realized that he was too drained to argue or try to act tough anymore.
After he acted Hardcase and the Captain followed suit, and suddenly they were all clustered together in a giant embrace around their vulnerable brother, a protective barrier between him and all threats, whether from the outside or within.
Freezing hands fisted in the thin material of Jesse's blacks, shallow breathing finally slowing but sounding a little wet. The icy glaze over his eyes was melting, sheening them with restrained confusion and sorrow.
"You with us vod'ika?" Rex asked gently. Jesse had never heard him speak in that kind of voice before.
The medic nodded mutely, shutting his eyes and releasing a shaking sigh.
"We all know what you've been doing, and I'm pretty sure I understand why," Rex continued. "But it needs to stop now. Drowning the pain in work and not allowing yourself to rest or process is not the right way to go."
He curled into a tighter ball than he was already in, sniffling, lower lip quivering.
"You know this, vod; I know you do," the captain sighed.
"I-I do," he whimpered ashamedly, tears rolling down his cheeks as he fixed them with a tortured gaze. "It's just, it's so hard!"
"I know, brother. I know," Rex whispered as he started to sob in earnest. "It's gonna be okay."
"There's so many!" he gasped. "And I'm j-just one medic! I c-can't do it on my own! I'm not enough to save them!"
"I know, I know, vod'ika. You've been very overworked and that's not okay. We're going to get you a team again. You won't be alone."
"I w-wasn't even-even there when they n-n-needed me! He's g-gone!"
He lost his brother-by-choice on Teth too, Jesse thought, and wanted to ask to be sure. "Your brother?"
The medic nodded, voice breaking as he bawled one name. "F-Firm!"
He couldn't speak anymore after that, too overwhelmed by the stifled grief, stress, and exhaustion that took this opportunity to attack him all at once.
Time passed by in a cadence of shattered cries and gut wrenching sobs that rose and fell until the assault was through, having wrung him dry of any tears he could pay his pent up sorrow.
They didn't get up from the floor, but simply all remained in a pile, arms and legs tangled together in a net around their friend.
Around midnight, the medic chuckled softly. "I'm Kix."
The other three saw the humor in the situation, strange as it was. They'd intervened on someone
"You know me already," Rex pointed out.
"Of course I do! I had to stab you with THREE sedatives to keep you from escaping!" Kix chided, annoyed.
"I'm Hardcase," their heavy gunner friend announced in a chipper tone.
"I'm Jesse," he ended.
"Well, I guess we all know each other then," Kix said rather obviously.
"Well, I guess we do," Hardcase mocked.
The medic rolled his eyes. "I could seriously go for a drink right now."
"At 79's?"
"Where else? You have to know a civvie to get into one of the nat bars," Kix sassed.
"That would be fun, wouldn't it?" Rex admitted slowly, as if it were a sin for the high and mighty captain to dream of fun.
"I suppose so. But I'm not sure. You'd have to actually go to know, ya know?" Hardcase said sagely.
"Yeah," Jesse agreed. "We should do that sometime. Maybe pick up some chicks and go with 'em to one of those club places. See if it's all it's cracked up to be."
"If you could pick up a chick," Kix scoffed.
Jesse smirked, "What? Like it'd be hard with these muscles?"
"I think I could get ten!" Hardcase voted confidently.
"Yeah, and why's that?"
"Heavy gunners have the biggest arms so they can use the Z6's!" he stated. "Broadest shoulders, biggest biceps: all the girls."
Kix rolled his eyes, "You have to be able to talk to one though, vod. To make them feel like a lady. You gotta know how to dance too. It's impressive."
"And you know how to dance?" Jesse scoffed.
Kix looked him dead in the eye, "I could sure as hell beat you on the dance floor. Just pick a place. I dare you."
"Okay, simmer down guys," Rex groaned. "I think it's about being trustworthy. Sure, nice words and moves and a good physique will get attention, but to keep them, you need to be loyal and honorable. You have to listen to them and save them from embarrassment. Never let them feel like they aren't special."
"Okay, Mr. Perfect. When did you start taking relationship counseling courses?"
"Oh, I just know stuff," Rex smirked. "I pay attention."
"Not this again!" Hardase moaned.
"Can you guys just shut up and go to sleep already?" Kix whined.
"You do realize… we're on the floor. In the medbay," Jesse pointed out.
Kix shrugged, yawning. "I can fall asleep…. anywhere."
"Okay. You know… sleep does sound… pretty nice," Rex said, eyelids drooping.
"You haven't been sleeping much either, have you?" Jesse guessed, leaning his head against Hardcase's shoulder.
"New troop reviews. New armor. New supplies. Signing off files. Stuff. Lots of stuff. I hate paperwork," the sleepy captain grumbled.
"I don't know why you guys are so tired. I could stay awake all night!" Hardcase boasted.
A collective groan bounced off the metal flooring.
"That's because you were in a leaky growth jar, you hyperactive di'kut," Rex mumbled. "Please just sleep. For my sanity. Please."
Hardcase huffed, "Fine. I'll try."
They all snuggled closer, sighing contentedly. Rex closed his eyes, reaching over Kix to pat Jesse's shoulder. The younger boy smiled and shut his eyes as Hardcase burrowed his head into his shoulder from his other side.
All was quiet, peace descending and pulling them into comfortable, restful sleep.
Then,
"I tried. I'm still wide awake. Can we go prank someone?"
The three other troopers groaned. \*\
•~§~•
Rex listened to the retelling, only half focused on the show.
The conversation had him thinking.
Jesse was more than qualified to be an ARC Trooper. Why it hadn't occurred to him before now was a mystery. Was he getting that lax at noticing the improvement and skills of those around him?
I'll tell Cody I want him promoted ASAP. He deserves some good news after all he's been through, and he's definitely earned it.
"That was fun, Cap. Thanks!" Vaughn exclaimed as the credits rolled.
Rex had to smile at the boy. He'd changed a lot from the scared shiny Echo and Ella had rescued on Malastare. Much of the inexperienced fear was definitely gone now, leaving a well-seasoned trooper with scratched, nicked, dented, but well-tested armor and a smart mind.
Vaughn was quick on his feet, and quicker in wit. He'd surprised Rex with some of the plans he'd been storing up in a ratty journal he'd found in a giveaway basket outside a credit store. Each was unique and brilliant.
When the captain had caught him drawing up another on his bunk one day after drills were completed, he'd immediately asked him to join him in his office.
Poor Vaughn thought he was in trouble, but quickly realized that his captain was impressed with his brain.
Ever since, he'd been included in the strategy conferences that Rex went to with Yularen and Skywalker. One of his plans had been a lifesaver to the 501st, helping them to take Orlop II.
When Rex raised the notion of a promotion to the General, Skywalker had quickly agreed.
"I'm glad you're taking people under your wing. I think it'll do you and the others some good," he'd said, smirking when his captain rolled his eyes jokingly.
Vaughn had been more than astonished at the promotion, and had struggled to keep himself from the indignity of tackling his captain in an overjoyed hug. He'd managed to stay stoic until the others left the room, then embraced him, thanking him over and over.
"I have to start my shift in five minutes, sir. See you later on?" he asked, pausing as he stood.
Rex nodded, smiling fondly and ruffling his hair. "See you then, Vaughn. Now get your shebs moving!"
He saluted playfully then obeyed, scurrying out the door with more bounce in his step than he should for someone going on a six hour patrol shift.
The captain shook his head, smirking as the youngster disappeared. I wonder if I was ever like that? he wondered seriously.
Now wasn't the time for such thoughts, however. He needed to go and talk to the General about an ARC to be.
•~§~•
Jesse was just minding his own business, tidying up his drawers when the call came in, nearly making him drop a shoulder bell when the chirping shattered the silence of the empty barracks.
"Jesse, this is Rex. You copy?"
He quickly stuffed the remaining pieces of armor into the drawer and toed it closed. "Yes sir! Just finishing cleaning armor. How can I help?"
"There is a serious matter I must discuss with you, trooper. I need you in my office."
Jesse's stomach dropped.
The captain must've figured out it was me who stuck the 'poke me' sign on the back of his blacks.
He almost laughed at the memory of a whole bunch of people coming out of nowhere to poke their unsuspecting CO. It had been priceless. Rex had been completely frazzled. Even Anakin had poked him!
"Yes sir. I'll be there shortly," he replied, immediately beginning to formulate a quick and efficient escape plan.
"I have everyone ready to bring you in if you don't get here within the next ten minutes. Clear?"
Oh kriff! He's madder than I thought he'd be!
"Yes sir. I'm on my way now," Jesse sighed, realizing it was better to just go in and take whatever curious and unique punishment the captain had come up with.
It was strange how empty the halls felt. Maybe he just felt like a kid going to be lectured by their parent. Oh well. Rex wouldn't be unreasonable… right?
Don't forget the time you put a bag of dye in his shoes and he had purple feet for a week. He would've traded you for a Senator Binks that time.
Sighing deeply, he prepared himself and opened the door to his office.
His eyes widened when he saw Ella, General Skywalker, and Commander Cody standing behind the desk with Rex.
I am in deep osik.
"Come on in, Jesse and take a seat," Rex ordered, all business.
Gulping and praying his doom would be painless, he forced his feet to move him to the chair across them. He looked to Ella, hoping she could explain what was going on. She just smiled and winked.
Like that did anything to solve the mystery.
"How long have you served with the 501st, Jesse?" Rex asked.
They're kicking me out? Oh, what have I done! "Three years, sir," he answered meekly.
The captain folded his hands behind his back. "A long time, isn't it?"
He nodded.
"You've enjoyed your time here?" Skywalker asked.
"Yes sir. I really have," he responded, hoping his answer was stronger than it sounded to him.
"You've moved up in rank as well, haven't you?" the commander noted.
"Yes sir. I was promoted after Umbara to the rank of corporal." He swallowed, then whispered, "Am I being transferred?"
Did I mess up that bad?
The captain looked at the commander, who nodded and took a breath.
"Corporal Jesse?" Commander Cody asked, his voice powerful and full of authority.
"Yes sir?" he answered, waiting for the hammer to drop.
"How would you like to be an ARC Trooper?"
For a moment, he thought he'd misheard him or imagined hearing the words.
"What? I-I… s-sir I think I-"
"Heard me correctly, Jesse," and his voice had taken on a playful and proud note. "How'd you like to be an ARC?"
Jesse was so glad he was sitting down or else he'd have keeled over right then. It was still all he could do not to pass out from shock.
Me? An ARC Trooper? They think I have the stuff?
"Th-This is real?" he asked wonderingly. If this was a prank, it was a really cruel one. He'd dreamt of being an ARC since he was a cadet.
Rex nodded, smiling at him with a gleam in his eye. "No tricks. Dead serious, Jesse. I think you have what it takes. You have for a while now… I was too blind to see it until a few days ago when I finally realized how much of a disservice it was not to promote you. So, what do you say? I got a place reserved for you on the next flight out to Kamino if you're willing, and Commander Blitz is ready to train you, if you're willing."
Jesse chuckled, still feeling like a train had just hit him. "If I'm willing? Kriff, sir, of course I am! I just… I gotta take it all in! This is… really, sir?"
General Skywalker laughed then, "If I could show you how awestruck you look right now, Jesse! Yes! Really!"
Jesse knew his smile was cheesier than Onderonian fifty-cheese fondue, but he couldn't for the life of him wipe it off his face. Nor did he really care.
"Yes! Yes sirs, thank you!" he cried, jumping up and practically crushing the captain and commander in a bone-snapping hug. He pressed a kiss to Rex's cheek which was immediately scrubbed off as a playful swat was applied to his bicep.
"What did you come in here for, looking like you were being convicted of first degree murder?" Ella giggled.
Jesse blushed and cleared his throat, squirming uncomfortably. "I… I thought I was in trouble."
Rex rolled his eyes, "Why would you be in trou-!" then he gasped, face twisting into a scowl. "YOU!"
Jesse scrambled out the door in a nanosecond, shrieking fearfully as his dignified captain tore down the hallway behind him.
"I'LL TEACH YOU TO POKE ME, YOU KRIFFING DI'KUT! WHEN I GET YOU YOU'LL WISH I SENT YOU INTO FELUCIA WITH NOTHING BUT A PIXIE STICK!" Rex bellowed.
"HELP! THE CAPTAIN'S GONE CRAZY!" Jesse screamed.
Cody groaned and shook his head, muttering something to himself about self-control and whether or not he needed this.
But Anakin and Ella were too busy losing themselves in laughter to care that the soon-to-be ARC Trooper Jesse was in imminent danger of being duct taped to the ceiling of the hangar and left there for an undisclosed amount of time.
ARC training might have to wait for a livid captain's patience and good-humor to return.
•~§~•
"I'm surprised he escaped alive!" Kix chortled, tucking his wife further into his side as they listened to the entertaining story.
"So am I! I think poor Jesse was begging him for mercy and telling him he was on the edge of wetting his pants when he finally let him go," Ella remembered.
"It sounds like you kept busy enough in our absence," Galene noted.
"We did. But I'm so glad you're back. It wasn't the same without you," her friend confessed. "And it'll be fun to have another female on the Resolute too!"
"You really overdid yourself with decorating this place," Kix said, looking around at the room.
"I didn't work alone. Rex helped me make y'all's bed frame, Rogue and Charge worked on assembling the dresser and vanity, and our medic boys and Chopper did a lot of moving and lifting and the decorative details," Ella explained.
"Well, thank you anyway. Galene and I appreciate it greatly," Kix replied.
"I'm glad you enjoyed the honeymoon! It's something you'll always remember," Ella exclaimed sweetly, her smile bright in the dimly lit cabin.
"So are we!" Galene giggled, grazing her fingers over her husband's fuzzy head.
"I noticed you're growing your hair out, Kix. New trend?"
He shrugged. "My buzzer broke when we were there and I was gonna buy a new one, but this little vixen was a bit disappointed. I agreed to grow it out to the full GAR- approved length and see what she thought about it. Who knows? I might even like it myself!"
"I think you're handsome either way, cyar'ika," Galene purred.
"Hmm. Why thank you, beautiful," Kix growled back.
The room seemed a lot more heated than it was just a second before, and Ella cleared her throat, accomplishing nothing except for making up her mind.
"Well, I'll see you later! Maybe. Not likely. Okay… I'll just… let myself out."
Breathing a sigh of relief as she turned the corner, she put on a sunshiny smile and headed to the mess hall.
It was peaceful here, despite the constant chatter of the men. It was a restful, homelike buzz of voices. When they noticed Ella and where she was headed, the men began to shift in their seats, the noise quieting and shushing escalating as the room fell to silence.
Ella's fingers settled over the ivory keys, and she let out a sigh as the beautiful instrument seemed to reach deep into her soul, steadying and stirring it all at once.
The music started out soft, almost unsure. Then it grew like waves of light climbing higher and higher until it breached clouds and atmosphere, soaring from the heavens to paint over the sleeping world, splattering angel dreams upon the quiet lives.
When it ended, thunderous applause rose, bouncing off the four walls and almost drowning out the whistles as cheers.
"That was amazing!" Vaughn exclaimed, coming up to pat her shoulder affectionately.
She smiled, pink tinting pleasure in her cheeks as warmth filled her heart at their admiration. "Thank you!" Her voice was a murmur, hardly audible amidst the crashing symphony of her friends.
"What was that?" Rex asked, taking a seat between his trainee and Charge.
"Clair De Lune by Debussy," she answered.
"It was marvelous!" Rogue breathed. "I felt like I was under a night sky!"
"Good! I did it right then! It means 'light of the moon' in basic," she informed.
"Please play another, Ella? Please?" Wander begged.
"Are you sure?" she asked.
A chorus of yes's prompted her to spin a tale of memory by enchanting them with another of Debussy's classics, Reverie.
It was much much later when the group disbanded for bedtime, leaving her to her music and solitude.
Almost.
She would've thought she was alone, had an armored elbow not leant upon the side of the piano as she played Sheep May Safely Graze.
"Would you be willing to teach me?" Rex asked softly, a little hesitantly.
She looked up, finishing the piece abruptly. "You're sure? I've never taught before."
"I… I'd like to try, if you'll let me. It seems so peaceful. And it sounds beautiful. You just sit down and you play, and it comes to you as if you were born with it flowing out of your fingers."
Ella smiled and scooted over on the bench. "I'll teach you. But you have to start with the basics. It takes time and patience. Lots of practice and perseverance. Take off your gloves and feel the keys. After a while, it'll feel like greeting an old friend."
He obeyed, smiling widely.
"Now there are eight keys in an octave: A through G. After G it repeats. There are these black notes. Depending on the direction you play, they'll either be called sharps or flats. This right here," and she placed her finger on a white key, "is middle C. For now, I want you to get acquainted with the natural notes - the white ones. Sharps and flats make it a little more complicated, but they'll come soon. Can you show me all the C's?"
And so they continued into the later hours of the night. If someone passed by on patrol or just because they were curious, they might hear sighs of frustration or long suffering laughter from the student and encouraging remarks and guidance from a patient teacher.
It was around midnight when they realized how late it was and parted ways with a hug.
Rex's dreams were chock full of giant keyboards and huge notes that looked like a road set before him, each note a melody as he continued on his way.
Ella's were simply a duet with her favorite - and only - pupil, spotlights staining their faces and shoulders stark white as if a star had been captured and was blanketing their shoulders with a milky mantle. There was no audience but loved ones, and no competition but their own playful aspirations.
•~§~•
Jesse traipsed up the ramp with a swagger in his step and a ready smile on his face as he led the new recruits off Kamino's tarmac and into the Resolute's hangar.
"ARC Trooper Jesse; welcome back!" Anakin exclaimed, resting his hand on his shoulder and giving him a respectful nod.
"Thank you sir," Jesse replied, standing at attention beside his captain as the Resolute left the atmosphere and jumped into lightspeed.
"Gentlemen!" the General addressed the ranks of white-armored shinies standing at rigid attention. "Welcome to the 501st. I'm General Anakin Skywalker, and this is my second-in-command, Captain Rex, Lieutenant Vaughn, and our senior medic, Kix. I wish we had more time to acclimate you before racing off into a war zone, but we must head to Anaxes immediately as Admiral Trench and a Confederate Fleet have launched an attack on our base there. There are a few things I wish to tell you before you are dismissed."
He smiled winningly at them, kindness in his gaze.
"You are all valuable to me. Valuable as soldiers, yes, but valuable as people first. You may meet others who will not share this point of view, but rest assured that I am not one of them. The second thing goes almost hand in hand with the latter statement. You are allowed to have names. As sentients, though not yet given the legal right, it is your human right. So by all means, find a name, or ask for help finding one. The last is most important. Mingle. Make friends. Strengthen the bonds you already have. These are what helps us to survive."
Anakin looked them over once again, then sighed and nodded. He was about to dismiss them when Rex jumped in.
"Excuse me sir, I believe we've left out a critical introduction," he whispered.
Anakin squinted then gasped and smacked his hand to his forehead. "Thank you, Rex. Forgive me, Ella, I haven't had nearly enough coffee this morning."
Ella waved him off with a smile. "It's alright."
"One more moment, sorry," he apologized. "I'm afraid I neglected to introduce the person who has, to many, become the heart of the battalion. We've got Rex: the spirit of the 501st. We have our men: the soul. And me, the comic relief."
At this the seasoned troopers laughed heartily, which allowed the newbies to comfortably join in.
"But our heart is this woman right here who tirelessly works to show everyone some sunshine, whether it's by being a friend or holding their hand as they pass away." He patted the brunette's shoulder gently. "This is our volunteer medic, Ella Starrow. She's been with us for three years now and I believe has completely won everyone's hearts. Many of us who stand here today would be missing if not for her actions."
Ella was shocked when Winter, who'd been sitting in the crowd of veterans, raised his hand, "General Skywalker, may I add a few words?"
He looked surprised but nodded. Winter came forward and stood next to him.
"Thank you sir. There's something that I want to say that should've been said a long time ago, and I know every man here agrees." He looked out on brothers, familiar and new, and smiled, "I'm one of those people who wouldn't be here. I'm gonna tell a little story, because I want you who are newcomers to know just how much she has sacrificed - how much she understands the price of war and the cruelty of the enemy. And how special my
He glanced at Ella, and she nodded her assent.
"Before I was assigned to the 501st, Ella was once married to one of us. He was killed in an explosion to save information vital to the Republic, almost a year ago. When I met her, she stood up for me and refused to allow a traitorous general who was assigned one mission to cull me, since I couldn't walk and he was determined for us to march double time. This man was several feet taller and much stronger than Ella, who was heavily pregnant with our fallen brother's child. Despite all this, she stood him down and made him wait so she could treat me and the others. He tried to abandon or end the wounded multiple times during the campaign before he revealed his traitorous nature, but she was unswerving. Her bravery and unwavering resolution to stand up for us cost her the life of her child who was brutally murdered while in the safety of her own womb, and nearly took her as well in the aftermath."
He turned to check on Ella, his gaze concerned. She simply nodded, giving him a reassuring smile.
"After all of this, she could've walked out, been done with all the pain she'd endured. But she didn't. She stayed here with us and continued to risk her life to heal us and keep our brothers safe. Through all of her sorrows, she has never changed the kind and loving person that she is. This is why Ella is my inspiration; my secret weapon. When things get tough, I just think to myself, 'If Ella can do it, so can I.'"
He hugged her to his side.
"Never look at her and think to yourself that she doesn't understand, or that she doesn't value our lives, because you'd never be more wrong. Ella Starrow proves every day that people in this galaxy are capable of seeing us as precious, as worth fighting and sacrificing for. She's the reason people have faith. She shows us the Maker's love through actions and words. So I just want to say thank you to her, and I think that if those who know her could, they'd say the same—"
The boys in blue were on their feet in an instant, and began clapping and cheering. The new ones joined in a split second later. Then came the admirals, the pilots, the naval officers.
Tears of joy rolled down her cheeks, and Ella covered her mouth in amazement and gratitude as she listened to the unneeded but greatly appreciated affirmations that she had really made a positive impact on those around her. Her knees felt weak and she might have collapsed had Rex not halted his own applause to wrap an arm around her shoulders, steadying her.
"You deserve it, Ella. You've done more than most civvies would to make us feel human and priceless. Aw, don't cry! Here," he hugged her tightly. "Gosh, we should've told you sooner!"
She shook her head, whispering between sniffles, "I… I really—"
"Yes. You have."
The grafted ins from Krell's division were the last to stop clapping, and Shy even went so far as to call, "That's our grayi'r'ika!"
When the noise finally died down and they were dismissed, those closest to her all joined the embrace around their favorite nurse, who just nodded and said she was fine, just very touched.
As one, they turned on Jesse.
The ARC's eyes widened, then he braced himself for the stampeding friends that landed him on the duracrete faster than he could even blink.
"You di'kut! We missed the hells out of you!" Rogue exclaimed as he hugged him.
"Nice pauldron, ARC boy," Kix teased, patting the new armor proudly.
"How's that kama feeling, shiny?" Rex joked, nudging his side with his elbow.
"I missed you guys," Jesse said, hugging them back. "I trained hard but the whole time I was just so excited to get back home and be with my aliit again. Ella!" He grabbed her tight. "I missed you too, you know, grayi'r'ika."
She giggled and returned the embrace. "I missed you, Jesse! Come on, let's go to the kitchen. I made muffins!"
The group scrambled up and raced back inside the destroyer, dragging their eager friend with them.
It didn't take long before they were all sitting in a warm corner, chatting and munching.
Ella sighed contentedly as she petted Vaughn's head which rested upon her shoulder as he snored softly. She looked around at her friends, all dozing and leaning on one another like sleepy and well-fed puppies.
She closed the book she'd been reading them and winked at Kix, who got to his feet and cradled his wife in his arms, pressing a kiss to her messy auburn locks that draped over his shoulder. He smiled and mouthed, 'need some help?'
She shook her head and mouthed, 'all good. Go sleep.'
He nodded and left, yawning as he stumbled toward their room tiredly.
Ella sighed and lay her head on her vod'ika's, kissing his temple and grinning when a dopey smile settled on his face.
Warmth and peace rolled over her and took her away to a temporary heaven when she closed her eyes.
