Chapter Thirty-Nine

Echo could hardly breathe. Any moment now, his wife would come out of those doors at the far end of the airfield and see him. He didn't know how she'd react; didn't know if he could take her rejection.

But he had to know.

So he stood against the Havoc Marauder, body so tense it could've been stone, eyes never leaving the door she'd emerge from.

"Are you okay?" Rex asked beside him.

He nodded tautly.

"Good. And how are you really feeling?"

Echo sighed. He should've known he couldn't shake Rex off his case so easily. But how could he tell him everything racing through his mind?

How could he tell him that he was terrified, and how his heart was beating so violently against his chest that he worried it would just break free and desert him? How could he admit that he wasn't half so fearful of droids or Separatist torture as he was of his wife realizing she didn't love him anymore? And that was saying something.

"Hey," the captain whispered.

Echo tore his eyes from the end of the runway to meet those of his brother. They were such kind eyes; so gentle but fierce all the same. Just like him.

Rex lay a hand on his shoulder and squeezed for emphasis. "It's gonna be okay. She won't do what you're so scared she'll do. She has wanted you back since before you left, and will be so happy to see you she won't know what to do with herself."

"But what if I'm not the man she married anymore?" he sighed.

"That's impossible. Sure, you might've changed a little. Everyone does in their life. But Echo, who you are hasn't changed. It only got stronger. She fell in love with you because of who you are. Something deep to your soul. That kind of thing doesn't change just because some clankers rough you up. Now tell me," he urged, "you love her don't you?"

Echo nodded, biting his lip. How could he not?

Rex grinned that devious smile of his. "You think she's the most beautiful girl in the whole galaxy?"

Again he nodded. "Of course!"

"Good. Because she looks gorgeous this morning," the captain informed, glancing back at the base meaningfully.

Echo's eyes moved of their own accord, quickly finding the only female on Anaxes. Ella was glowing in the pale morning light, which reached out and caressed her like a kiss from the rising sun.

Oh Maker! he thought to himself.

She was so beautiful. Just like always.

That's my wife, his heart squealed exuberantly.

As she drew closer, her feet slowed to a stop. Her eyes grew wide, filling with tears, and her mouth dropped open, hand slowly reaching up to cover it in shocked disbelief.

"Go to her," Rex encouraged.

Echo's feet moved cautiously in her direction, heart pounding like a sledgehammer with every step.

"Ella." Her name left his lips before he even realized he'd uttered it. Nothing else mattered now. He just had to get to her.

•~§~•

The sunrise was just peeking from beneath midnight bedsheets when she stepped out into the morning chill. She was instantly grateful for her sweater, which staved the little cold there was away from her and kept her in a warm cuddle as she walked towards the distant Havoc Marauder.

It was too far away to see yet, but someone was with them that hadn't been before. Someone wearing her husband's pajamas! How he got them, she was unsure of. And why was an even more interesting question.

After walking closer, she could make out that Rex was talking to the man, who looked deeply concerned. The captain said something and he whipped his face towards her, his eyes widening as they followed her every move.

Ella's heart shuttered to a standstill, matching her feet that took to a particular spot as if they'd been glued.

She knew those eyes. Knew them intimately. How they softened when they looked at her and squeezed shut in the night when they told each other how much they adored one another without words. How they'd filled with happy tears a year ago and shone with joy the night after the Third Battle of Kamino when she said yes and kissed him in the drenching rain, laughing because who cared that they were soaking wet if they were together?

It can't be! she whimpered internally, covering her gaping mouth with a shaking hand.

Rex said something and the man came forward hesitantly, his expression so unsure but full of hope.

Oh Maker! Is it really…? she prayed. Is it really him?

No words came to answer her. Only a feeling that she couldn't explain for the sheer joy and wonder that filled her heart, so achingly overwhelming that it hurt.

He's here.

"Ella," he called to her, and her feet suddenly came loose and stumbled forward as tears blurred her vision, melding with the first ray of golden sunlight and almost blinding her.

"Echo?" she mewled, then her feet finally moved, finding speed and clumsily skidding in his direction, stumbling over each other in a frenzied race to get to him.

He nodded, his lower lip trembling as he too felt the pull and quickened his pace.

Soon, they were full on running at each other, not caring how a crowd was gathering, or how people were whispering and gasping amongst themselves. Nothing mattered. Nothing but getting to each other. Nothing but staying that way, even if the stars fell and the galaxy itself was flooded to the brim of heaven.

Ella hesitated for one split second, not knowing if her husband was injured and not wanting to cause him pain. Then she flung her arms around him and sobbed into his shoulder, hands fisting in the material of his shirt so tightly it was in danger of ripping.

Echo's hands hovered over her back for a minute before tentatively resting one in the middle. The other he hooked behind her shoulders, anchoring her against his chest, his masterpiece heartbeat in her ear.

"Echo… is it really you?" she bawled, lifting her face to look into those eyes that held her heart in the balance. "Is this a dream? Please… please tell me it's not a dream!" she wailed before hiding her face in his shoulder again.

His embrace tightened minutely, and he shuddered, "It better not be. It really better not be. Oh, Ella…"

"Echo… don't you ever kriffing do that to me again!" She cried, an edge of fear to her plea.

"Never," he swore. "Never again."

"How…? You're alive! How did you…?"

"I made you a promise," he sniffled into her neck. "I said I'd come back to you. No matter the distance. No matter the time. No matter the pain or hardship. I'd never stop fighting to return to you."

She sobbed harder, clinging to him with everything she had, terrified that if she let go that he'd fade away and she'd lose him forever.

"I missed you! I missed you so much!" he whined, his hand leaving her back to caress her face. She leant into his touch, gasping deeply.

"I missed you too! You don't know how much I missed you! Echo, I can't—"

"I love you. I'm here. I'm not leaving you, I promise. I've got you. I've got you now," he comforted through his own tears.

"Oh, Echo..." she sobbed. "I love you. I love you so much!"

"Oh, Ella!" came the broken reply.

She lifted her face and looked at him intently, cupping his cheeks in her hands as she took in what she could of the vandalism done to him.

He was so pale and thin. His cheekbones were much too visible, much too sharp. And his hand… oh, God his right hand was gone, a droid computer socket in its place. His hair was just peach fuzz, barely there. The sides of his head were pebbled with computer nodes and there were wires coming out of him and bolts in his neck, anchoring Maker only knows what.

And that was just what she could see.

Ella could only imagine the damage beneath the clothes, or the deeper hurts beneath skin and bone that delved into his very soul.

"Ella?" he asked, nervousness overtaking the hope that had been blossoming.

She shook her head, "Oh, Echo, they hurt you! How could they?"

His lips drew into a thin line and sorrow shone in his eyes. "It doesn't matter, Ella."

She shook her head, "All this time they've been hurting you! Oh, Echo, I'm sorry! I should've known! I should've gone after you—"

"No!" he refuted sharply, shaking his head. "No, they would've hurt you too and I couldn't have done anything to protect you! No, I'm glad you didn't know. I didn't want you to end up like this. You don't deserve that."

"Neither do you," she murmured, wiping moisture from her eyes.

He didn't answer, just squeezing her tighter.

Then she smiled, "You remember what we agreed when you left?"

He shook his head.

"You owe me a kiss."

Light cascaded from his eyes and he smiled bashfully, "Just one?"

"Hmm. Maybe more," she whispered, then stood on her tiptoes and pressed her lips to his.

Yes.

This was right.

This was safe, and good, and everything she'd lost and more all wrapped up into one moment. This was 'praise the Maker,' and 'I can't believe it,' and 'I missed you so much, don't you ever go anywhere!' The hole that had been bludgeoned into her heart was being repaired, and he was here. In her arms. Safe and sound.

"Ella…" he murmured as the kaleidoscopic sunrise painted the peace and majesty of their love for all to see. "I'm here. I'm home."

"Me too," she whispered, kissing him again. "We're home."

•~§~•

Ella's head was pillowed on his bony shoulder as she slept, unwilling to leave his side. Echo pressed another kiss against her cheek.

He'd had her wrapped up in his arms, his lips on her delicious mouth. Then Kix and Jesse ran over and practically tackled him, asking a million questions and hugging him between them.

Rex and Tech came forward and the genius explained that he needed a medical exam and likely reconstructive surgeries.

Kix's medic hat immediately was donned and he escorted them all to the back of the medbay where he set up a screen between them and the other occupants.

/ -/ "Strip. All the way. I need to do a full exam and see what we're working with," Kix ordered emphatically.

"Everyone's so eager to get me out of my clothes these days," Echo joked, causing Rex to roll his eyes, but inside his stomach was churning. Ella was right there. He didn't want her to see all of the disfigurement that had been done just yet.

"Come on, brother," Kix snorted. "Into your vat-day suit."

Echo glanced at his captain uneasily. Rex caught his gaze and gave a tiny nod of understanding.

"Let's leave Kix with Echo for a minute, Ella. I'll explain some things in the meantime," he said.

Ella looked confused, but nodded and followed after kissing his cheek and squeezing his hand. "I won't be gone long. I promise."

"Okay. I love you," he murmured.

She gave him a trembling smile, "Love you too!" Then she stepped out, sliding the curtain shut behind her.

"Okay, vod. Need help or can you do it yourself?" Kix asked.

Echo reddened. "I… I can handle the pants. The buttons… they're a little much right now."

Kix nodded. "I'll just get those and let you do the rest then while I read the report Tech gave me. There. Just let me know if you need help, okay?"

Echo nodded and shrugged the shirt off.

Kix hummed constantly as he read the documentation of the damage he'd sustained. His eyes widened and he looked up abruptly as Echo shrugged the last article of clothing off. "Kriff! Echo, is there anything they didn't mess with?"

He nodded, "Uh… the more… you know… that. They didn't take it, at least."

"That's a mercy," Kix sighed, running his hand over his head.

Echo envied the thick hair that sprouted so lushly from it. Ella used to run her fingers through his hair, fingernails gently scraping over his scalp. He missed that.

"Okay. So I think a dip in bacta for your lungs and some bone-strengthening stims for a little while will benefit you. We'll have to do some bone density tests. You've got a bunch of nerve damage. Maybe some anti-inflammatory supplements until your scans are healthier? I don't think I need to tell you that sunlight would be great for you right now," he deadpanned.

Echo nodded, staring at the floor. He didn't need to be told that his skin was so pallid it almost blended in with the stark bedsheets.

"You also really need to eat. It'll be good. Help you get color back and give your body nutrients to strengthen itself," Kix sighed. "Then we need to talk about getting you better prosthetics. You don't deserve to have those attached to you," he eyed the mechanical pieces with some abhorrence.

Echo nodded again, shame burning him like acid. He was so deformed. "I'd like to get better legs at least. These are kinda brittle. What… what about my head?"

Kix nodded, "We'll do some neurological scans and see how easy it would be to compact the Seppies' work. Can any of that be removed completely?"

"Maybe," he considered. "Most of it was a brain investigator. Maybe it can be… I don't know."

"Hey," the medic murmured, taking his hand. "This isn't going to be like this forever. It will get better. It's just gonna take a little time and some effort."

Echo nodded, unable to meet his eyes. "I… I wish…"

"I know. But that can't change things now. We just gotta pick a path and walk it, and things will turn out right."

He set the data pad aside and gently pressed his chest so he lay down on the cot.

Echo stared up at the ceiling, the fluorescent lights that examined every square inch of him. He tried not to think about the examination when it was possible. But that meant dissociating and he didn't want to make an opportunity to remember other times he'd been laid out on an exam table under lights like these. Those were hellish memories that he wished to high heaven that he could zap from existence.

"Okay. You can put the boxers back on," Kix sighed. "It looks like the legs won't be too difficult to replace. If you can wait a few days or so, you can have flesh and bone legs with a regrowth treatment some scientists on Naboo came up with that's had pretty marvelous success. I can guarantee full mobility and you'll be able to feel again."

What a privilege that would be.

"We'll have to remove the current ones, but that will be pretty easy. They're kinda… bolted into your femur. Yikes."

Echo nodded, "Yeah… I know."

"You… remember that?"

He nodded soberly, "I was awake for all of it, Kix. The Seppies aren't really generous with their supply of anesthetics."

"Even…?" He gestured around his head.

"Everything, Kix."

He looked incredibly sad. "Echo… that's awful."

"It was. I… I thought I was going to die," he admitted. "I was stuck in a stasis chamber right after that, which is why the wiring. I didn't spend a lot of time in Purkoll. Most of the time, I was on Lola Sayu. They wanted information and just sought that until a couple months ago, according to Tech. I… I lost track of time. It was always dark there. I didn't see the outside at all. Just the cell. And the… the other room."

Kix lay a hand on his shoulder, "I'm not gonna lie to you, Echo. The stuff you've been through is gonna take time to recover from, only a small portion being physical. You're gonna struggle some - a lot. But that's just part of the process."

The ARC nodded. "I had a feeling."

"We'll deal with whatever happens when it comes to us. Meanwhile, let's focus on getting you to a more stable place body wise. Here. Put your shirt on and I'll button."

He sat up and took the shirt, sliding his arms through. The point of the computer input didn't even make it to the wrist. The sight did funny things to him.

"I'll get Ella," the medic said. "She's probably anxious to be back in here. Did… did Rex tell you anything that has happened since you were gone?"

Echo shrugged, "Not very much, and none of it in detail. I… I know Fives is gone. He would've been there otherwise."

Kix swallowed and came back to sit next to him. "I'm sorry, vod. I know how close he was to you especially."

"H-How did it happen?"

"He discovered something when Tup had a mental breakdown which caused him to murder General Tiplar. The information was classified so much that not even the jedi knew about it. Personally, I think that someone didn't want that information to get out."

"So… they killed him?" Echo's throat was scratchy with grief.

He nodded somberly. "Yes. Commander Fox was sent to arrest him and had orders to shoot if he obtained a weapon and was intending to use it. Rex and the General went to rendezvous with him in an abandoned warehouse on Corrie when Fives trapped them in a ray shield so he could tell them what he knew without being taken in and questioned formally. Rex had acquiesced with his plea to put down their weapons, and left them on a crate outside the shield. When the Guard arrived, Fives panicked… Rex begged him not to grab his weapons, but it was too late. The shot went right through his heart."

"Fox… but… it's standard procedure to go for non vital areas even when they're armed and dangerous! Why…?" Echo asked, shaking his head.

"I don't know. But I did hear from a very reliable source that Fox was dragged down from the ledge of a skyscraper the next day and Thorn is having a difficult time getting him to come out of his office. And Rex mentioned that he was carried from the warehouse after passing out."

"So it was accidental," Echo deduced. "At least there's that. But… I don't know. I just… why?"

"He… Echo, I'm gonna tell you something I haven't told anyone yet," he whispered.

Echo nodded. "Alright."

"Galene and I have been looking into the evidence that Fives gave me before he died. I can't say for sure, so I won't name names, but… Echo, I have reason to believe that someone prominent from within the Republic is responsible for Tup's outburst, and it may have a wider-reach than just him."

"You mean… he was engineered to attack a jedi? Against his will?"

"Exactly. I don't want to blow things out of proportion until I know without a shadow of a doubt who is responsible, and understand if my assumptions are correct. But… this conversation never happened. Got me?"

Echo nodded quickly, "Of course, Kix. I get you. Not a word."

His friend smiled, "I know you do. Now, I'm gonna get your wife back in here before she breaks down again, then I'm gonna go and get my own wife and tell her the good news."

Echo's jaw dropped, "You… you're married?"

Kix smirked, "Yup! We tied the knot shortly before this incursion."

"Who?"

"Galene."

"That's wonderful!" he exclaimed, stupefied.

"Thanks vod. Now get some rest."

"I will," Echo promised as he exited.

Two seconds later, Ella pushed past the curtain and curled up at his side, pressing a tender kiss to his lips.

"How'd it go?" she asked sweetly.

"Pretty well, I guess. I have plenty of procedures in the near future to look forward to. Leg regrowth stuff. Probably arm too. And I'm envious of Kix's hair. I almost didn't recognize him with the new look. Also, you neglected to tell me that your best friend actually said yes to our favorite medic! You'd think that warrants some explaining!" he teased.

She gasped, "I thought I was your favorite medic! I will never recover from this shocking newsflash!"

"I meant our favorite!" he chuckled. "Unless you're your own favorite medic? And besides you should've told me when you saw me before!"

"Well excuse me, Mr. Fancy Pants, but I was much too busy at the time!"

"Doing what exactly?" he retorted.

"This!"

Ella launched herself at him and caught his lips up in hers, the kiss so heated and intense that he thought he'd burn alive.

When she pulled away, leaving him breathless and wanting more, she smiled, "Does that suffice for a good enough reason, my darling?"

He managed a slow smile, "Maybe… I might need a refresh though. I seem to be having trouble remembering my own name or what it was you need a reason for."

Giggling she obliged. \-\

It was late. Very late. But he couldn't seem to attract sleep. Maybe it was his anxieties that he'd be thrust back into his memories and relive them when he closed his eyes. Maybe it was how he still wasn't sure if this was real, and if he let himself sleep, he might be back in that horrible chamber again, giving away his beloved angel.

Maybe, and most likely, it was the angel herself, sleeping so peacefully with her luscious head of curls pillowed on his chest, a serene smile on her face. She was so mesmerizing to watch. Even though she barely moved at all, and her soft breathing continued at a silent but normal rate, he found himself completely in awe of her.

Ella… beautiful angel. Sweet love.

"I missed you, Vheh a'oatr." His voice was mellowed as he spoke to her. "I can't believe it's really real. You're here. I'm here. We're together again like we always should've been. If this is a dream…" he trailed off and shook his head. "If this is a dream, I never, ever want to wake up again. I just wanna be here with you."

Movement behind the curtains suddenly drew his attention, and Echo stiffened, his body locking up and readying to fight to the death to defend the woman in his arms.

"It's me, Echo!" a familiar voice hissed before Wander stuck his head inside. "Just came to check on you. Why aren't you asleep?"

The ARC dropped his steady gaze flickering down to the bed linens. "Can't."

Wander sighed long-sufferingly. "Come on, vod. You know you have to get some rest. What's on your mind?"

Echo shook his head. "Too much. Not enough. Don't want to talk about it but… Wander? I'm really here… right? I mean," he rambled, "I'm not gonna…. I'm still gonna be here if I sleep, right? Not gonna wake up and be back… back there?"

Wander came closer with a look of pity on his face. "You're really here, brother. You're safe now. I understand how hard that is to believe, and honestly, after reading that report, I can't blame you. You've been through a ton of osik. But nothing is going to make you go back there ever again. I swear."

Echo nodded hesitantly, then continued, "I… I had a nightmare on the way here. Rex. He helped me. But… I'm in the medbay, Wander. I don't wanna wake up everyone here if, or when, I do." Especially Ella.

"I understand," Wander agreed. "I can… I can sedate you? Just until you aren't in here anymore. But no more. Got it?"

Echo nodded. "I got it."

He loaded the hypo quickly, and came over, gently dispensing the drug into his shoulder. Echo bit his lip. The sting of a hypo was familiar. Too familiar. It used to be the relieving kind of normal. Now it brought memories of fire and long needles and bonesaws and no painkillers when they—

No! No, don't think of that. Don't go there. You're not there anymore, you're not, you're not, you're not! Get ahold of yourself, Echo, come on! Don't wake Ella up!

That seemed to help slow the spiraling thoughts enough for him to hear someone's voice.

"Hey, easy brother. You're all locked up!" Wander soothed. "Can you take a few deep breaths for me?"

Echo tried his best and eventually the tightness that had grabbed his chest began to dissipate. Why was he suddenly so exhausted? Was it the stim or the trauma, or maybe even both?

"That's it, Echo. Just sleep. You'll be fine. Just rest now," Wander's voice lullabied as the medic took his leave.

His eyes were too heavy to keep open anymore, and he just managed to turn and press a soft kiss to his wife's hair before darkness rolled in, intoxicating whatever foul dreams that would've tried to persecute him and wiping them away.

•~§~•

Ella didn't know where she was, but didn't care. The arm draped over her waist held her against a beating heart, the rhythm ingrained into her memory as if she was born knowing it. She'd recognize this heartbeat anywhere.

Blinking her chocolate eyes open, shesmiled at the sight of the sleeping face on the pillow just a breath away. Echo had always looked so adorable, sleeping or waking. A warm fuzzy feeling filled her heart as she watched him.

A minute later his eyes fluttered open, squinting at her sleepily. A squished smile played across his lips that contorted in a yawn as he stretched out. "G'morning."

"Morning, Echo," she whispered, her smile goofily wide. Those were two words she never thought she'd say again just yesterday morning. "How'd you sleep?"

"Like a baby," he replied, though she detected a strange note. He wouldn't lie to her, would he?

No. He wouldn't.

"You hungry?" she asked, pushing away the silly thought.

His stomach growled it's answer, heartily welcoming the idea of food.

She giggled and stood up. "I'll go grab something for us. Want some coffee?"

"Good morning, Ella!" a chipper voice announced as Kix slipped inside.

"Kix!" she squeaked. Then she noticed the chrono above the cot and facepalmed. "Oh, gosh! I'm sorry! I've been… and there are so many injured and so few of us! I should've been with—"

"—right where you are with your husband, Ella," her friend soothed. "Don't worry. We're not swimming in as many wounded, thank the Maker. Most of them are mobile enough now to go to the barracks. Rex and Jesse have sworn to make sure everyone's taking care of themselves and not overdoing it. There's only a few people who need serious attention now."

"How's Edgewise?" she asked concernedly.

Kix bit his lip, "He's the most serious. His back hasn't healed like it should. Poor Vutyc is killing himself over it, saying he should've done this or that. You and I both know—"

"—that that's osik and he's the best shrapnel surgeon we have, save you. He's the definition of precision and attention to detail." She shook her head. "So what do we do? Has the infection gotten worse?"

"No," he said slowly. "Which is a mercy. But it hasn't improved either. I'm going to ask General Kenobi if he's willing to take a look at him. He has some background in force healing. I figure if nothing we're doing is helping, maybe he can."

She nodded. "How is he?"

"Lot of pain," he sighed. "We've been keeping him on a steady morphine drip but it doesn't do much. I'm worried about the affects it'll have on his liver too, if this infection doesn't… yeah."

Ella sighed and shut her eyes, praying silently that they'd find a way to heal the poor boy soon and relieve him of his suffering. "I was about to get Echo and myself some food."

"Good. I can wait until you get back to brief him on the surgery," he offered.

She nodded, "Whatever he wants, but I'd appreciate that." Then she moved back to Echo's side and pressed a kiss to his cheek. "I'll be right back, love. Don't go anywhere."

He just shook his head, "And leave this bed? Not likely!"

She giggled and stuck out her tongue playfully, then sauntered away.

Her feet practically skipped to the mess and back, and the men smiled when she passed by. A few even waved at her, asking how Echo was and exclaiming that they still couldn't believe he was alive.

"Neither can I!" she responded chirpily.

Kix was studying her husband's back when she returned. Ella froze, only just biting back a gasp of horror.

She bit her lip and stepped back where the curtain hid her from their view, then turned and quietly walked back out into the hall. Leaning against the wall, she shook her head, unable to accept what she'd just seen.

A huge metal spine thing ran from the back of Echo's neck all the way to his tailbone, where it was bolted through a metal belt thing into his pelvis. His legs were gone too. At least from just above the knees to where his toes would've been. Wires branched from his hips to the cheap droid parts fused into his knees. And his other arm - the one with a hand still attached - had wires too. Painful, puckering scars veined out all over his skin, weaving a tapestry of suffering and resilience.

She knew it was bad. She was positive of it. But… that bad? They'd done so much to him - so much to hurt him. And he hadn't given in. They wouldn't have needed the mind investigator if he'd been pliant.

He's so strong. So strong and so brave, she thought, eyes prickling with tears.

Kix's voice was heard chuckling as it approached her.

"I'm gonna go see if I can find her then before you eat the bed!"

Ella had just enough time to wipe her face roughly before her friend stepped out of the medbay and saw her. His brow furrowed.

"Ella? What's wrong?" he asked. "Did someone say something to you?"

She shook her head. "N-No."

"Then what is it?" he asked worriedly.

She sniffled, "Kix, please don't tell him! I don't want him to think I…"

"Tell him what? You mean about trying to move on?" He shook his head, "That's not my story to tell. Neither is the one about Ayah."

She shook her head, "They really hurt him!"

Understanding seeped into his eyes and he nodded grimly. "You saw."

"The curtain was open," she informed. "I didn't want him to mistake my reaction for something else, so I came back out here."

He worried his lip, "Are you… disgusted?"

She shook her head emphatically, "No! Not with what he looks like or anything like that at least! If I'm disgusted it's because there are people who would actually do that to someone, and hurt them so horribly with no remorse. But… oh, Kix, is he gonna be okay?"

He nodded. "He'll be just fine. The legs will be restored and if he wants, so can the arm. That's up to him, though. He's going to have a few scans of his head to determine what can be safely removed, and the braces and back stuff will be removed or restructured."

"What about… there was a lot of scarring. Does it hurt him?" she asked anxiously.

"It probably does," he guessed. "He's gonna be going through a lot of treatments soon. I'll prescribe a vitamin E based lotion he can put on it. Or you can, since he'll have a hard time reaching his back."

She nodded. "Kix, I want you to know I'm not repulsed. I'm just… I'm upset because they hurt him. And I don't want him to be hurt."

He just shook his head dismissively, "I know, Ella. I just asked because I wanted to help you think out loud. I won't tell him that you saw, if you'll feel better that way. The sooner he lets you, though, the better. I have a feeling that intimacy will be the key to helping him feel more human."

Ella cracked a smile, drying her tears, "That, and maybe some food." She held up the basket she'd brought.

Kix chuckled. "That too. Are you okay now?"

She nodded.

"Wanna bring this to him then? His stomach was waking up the heaviest sleepers in there!" he complained lightheartedly.

She giggled and walked back in with him.

Echo's clothes were back on and he was under the blanket when she saw him. He gave her a strained smile. It faded as he studied her face.

"You okay?" he asked, staring intently when she came to sit beside him.

"Yeah, I'm fine," she replied cheerfully.

He narrowed his eyes, "You've been crying."

Stang it.

"I'm fine, Echo," she repeated. "Just can't believe you're really here… and a little upset that they hurt you still."

His eyes saddened, "I'm sorry, Ella."

"What on earth are you apologizing for?" she asked bewildered. "I'm upset at the Seppies, not you!"

"I made you cry," he whispered in a small voice.

She grabbed his hand and kissed it, holding it to her chest. "They made me cry. You make me feel safe and whole and happy again. I feel truly alive for the first time I can remember." She kissed his lips softly. "That's what you do to me. You make me feel better. I'm just ultra protective of you, and I love you, so I'm gonna be upset and I'm gonna cry because I care."

He nestled his face into her neck and kissed it gently. "Maker, I love you, Ella."

"I love you too," she hummed. "Now let's eat! I'm starving!"

"You? Starving?" he drawled amusedly against her skin.

She tickled his side gently in retaliation. "Yes! Absolutely famished. So let's not let the food I have go to waste."

•~§~•

Ella paced outside the OR nervously, biting her lip and sighing every few seconds.

Crosshair turned another page of the book he'd brought. Rex shifted his position again. Wrecker and Hunter declared another thumb war, and Tech showed Jesse some pictures of things he'd seen on different planets.

Ella sighed again.

A clapping sound made her jump and she turned to see that Crosshair had slammed his book shut and was on his feet.

"Ella, you're not helping the surgery go any faster this way. In fact you're doing nothing but wearing yourself out worrying," he declared.

Jesse bristled but a look from Rex backed him down before an altercation could occur.

Ella wrapped her arms around herself, the image of helplessness. His heart went out to her. No one could really blame her for being so scared.

"Why don't you come sit down here?" the sniper suggested.

"I can get you some tea?" Tech offered.

"How do you know she likes tea?" Jesse asked.

The genius just sparkled with joy, "I didn't. I just usually drink tea to calm myself down."

Ella hesitated, then nodded, taking the seat between Crosshair and Rex. "I'd appreciate that, Tech. Thank you!"

"I'll get it for you!" Tech exclaimed, jumping up excitedly, eager to please the girl.

"I'll come. I know how she likes it," Jesse said. "That way you won't have to guess."

Ella turned to the sniper who'd reseated himself and picked up his book again. "I'm sorry, Crosshair. I just… I don't know. I'm so anxious."

"Don't bother, miss. He's your husband. It makes sense," he replied nonchalantly.

Rex patted her shoulder. "Do you want to talk about something to get your mind off things for a while?"

She nodded, then hesitated.

He smiled, "Ask, Ella. I promised I'd explain."

She nodded. "Why didn't you tell me you thought he was alive?"

Rex sighed, "I didn't know for sure, and didn't want to get you hoping and then return without him."

She was quiet.

"Are you… upset that I didn't?" he asked nervously.

She shook her head and squeezed his hand reassuringly. "No. Of course not. You made the right call. I just… I can't really wrap my head around it just yet. It feels like a dream."

"I know," her friend agreed. "I… Ella, I hope you know that I want you to do whatever it is you need to."

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"You're a married woman," he said, smiling whimsically.

She had to join him. That felt amazing to hear. She was married. Her husband was alive.

"You and he have to put what's best for your marriage first. And I want you to know that I support that," he continued.

She frowned, confused. "Rex, I don't under—"

The door of the OR opened and Kix stepped out, Wander close behind. Whatever she was about to say was entirely forgotten.

"Is he okay?"

Kix nodded tiredly. "He is. He's still under right now and will probably be unconscious for a while, then will need rest."

"How's it go?" Rex asked.

Kix sighed. "It was tough. Very tough. But we successfully removed the spinal contraption and the guards around his neck and waist. He's gonna be pretty sore, but I think he'll feel a lot more himself." He beamed at his patient's wife exhaustedly. "The mess around his head is all gone. That was the hardest part because of how tangled everything was into his nervous system."

"You mean to say the entire thing was the brain investigator?" Rex asked, horrified.

Kix nodded. "That thing was pure evil. I'm letting Charge take a look at it, but I'm pretty sure most of it was made to punish him if he tried to put up any resistance."

The room fell silent for a minute as they all pondered the weight of that statement.

Then Wander spoke up, "The nodes couldn't be removed, but we cleaned up around them a bit. The medical droid helped with that bit a lot. The wiring and stuff. We also removed the droid parts from his legs. The arm will take longer because of how it was attached, and we didn't want to overtax his body until it was a lot stronger. We… also had to do a bit of respiratory surgery as well."

"Because of the device on his chest?" Rex asked.

Wander nodded. "According to what I read, they used it to control his ability to breathe, making it easier for them to get intel from his mind. I don't want to go into it too much, but it was really awful. The little discs on his stomach were connected to the nerves there which would… electrocute them if he tried not to dispense information."

Wrecker stood abruptly and ran to a bathroom. Hunter stood and followed, having seen the sickened hue his brother's face had taken.

Crosshair surprised them by speaking up, "What about the arm? The one with wires sticking out of it?"

"Another one," Kix growled. "Almost every mutilation they did to him was just to make him suffer. Nothing was reconstructive but the dinky little legs. I'm honestly surprised they held up. And even they were only added because Tambor was curious to see if they'd work. The artificial arm had wires connected that would do the same thing as the wires on the other side. Basically, they wanted him to feel like he was being fried from the inside out if he did anything to prevent them from getting information."

Ella's soft sniffle alerted them to her distress. Rex turned to see tears running down her face, which had gone almost as pale as her husband's.

"He's gonna be okay now, Ella," he comforted, holding her tightly. "He's gonna heal and get better, and gain more weight, and get nice and tan, and his hair will grow back in."

"They hurt him!" she sobbed. "I want to kill them!"

"So do we, Ella. So do we," Wander agreed.

•~§~•

Echo's healing was slow. Almost unbearably slow. He was kept unconscious for three days while his legs received treatment. The procedure would've been too painful otherwise, as bones, muscles, and nerves were being regenerated at a very rapid speed.

"It's like growth pains on steroids," Winter said. "I know. I tried to tough it out when I got the treatment for my leg. Didn't even make it five minutes before I tapped out."

He and Ella were getting ready for her appointment with Kix.

Yesterday, they'd taken scans of her to make sure she was doing okay, and to see if she needed to be taking the pill since her husband was back now.

Ella was nervous. Krell had done damage to her when Ayah had been so ruthlessly killed. Damage that might prevent her from ever being able to have children again.

What if I never get to have that with him?

Kix came in and sat beside her. "Hey. You doing okay?

She nodded, "Just anxious. I'm okay though. Can we look at the results?"

He nodded and opened his data pad.

Ella's heart leapt to her throat.

"I'm…"

He shook his head, "It's hard to tell. There's damage, sure. But it might not mean that you can't, Ella. It's just kinda impossible to read."

She swallowed, "How will I know?"

"If you get pregnant. That's basically all we can do to figure it out now," he sighed. "Hey. This isn't the news we hoped for, but it isn't the news we feared either. It's uncertain. That's all. Everything's uncertain until it's certain. If you can, don't focus on the negative until we know for sure."

Ella nodded jerkily. "How am I gonna tell him about Ayah, Kix? Or about what I did that night when I thought—"

"—Ella, he's not gonna be angry with you. This is Echo, we're talking about. You know how you're angry at the people who hurt him but definitely not at him for being hurt? For losing pieces of himself? It's the same. Don't be afraid. He loves you."

Ella nodded, but her heart wasn't in the agreement. Instead, it felt heavy, pulling down on her and making it harder to breathe.

What if you're wrong, she worried. What if this makes him hate me?

•~§~•

He opened his eyes to be blinded by bright lights, his head swimming and sound coming to his ears as if through water.

Why did he feel so exhausted? His body ached like he'd been through ARC Training all over again.

Where's the bruise cream when you need it?

"Hey, Echo, you waking up? I think he's waking up!" a chirpy voice exclaimed.

"Course he is, di'kut! He's been off of the sedatives for a good forty-five minutes!" another voice snarked.

"Ok, sourpuss, drink your chocolate milk," a sweet voice shot back, feminine where the others were masculine.

"Heh! She called him a sourpuss, Sarge!" a loud rumble voice laughed.

"I heard. Now hush all of you before you give me a headache!" came another.

What's going on? Where am I?

"Easy there, Echo. You're alright. Just take it slow. Wander, can you turn the lights down a bit so it doesn't blind him?" the smooth, familiar voice of a medic requested.

Too late, Echo thought as he watched the colorful spots the bright lights had created swirling around his eyelids.

"Thanks. Now Echo, it's been four days since your initial surgery, and we let you rest a bit before going onto the leg treatment, which is now complete. I think you'll be pretty happy with the results."

Echo squinted and blinked. This time it was much easier and the lights were not so harsh.

Looking to his left, he smiled a little as he saw a beautiful girl with dark brown hair falling over her shoulders in soft ringlets. Her chocolate eyes watched him with adoration in their depths. Her pink lips were turned up in a sweet smile that sent warmth burning pleasantly in his heart.

She kissed his cheek. "Hey there, sleepyhead."

The hand he hadn't realized was held in hers squeezed gently. "Hi."

She beamed, "Hi."

Echo looked around. There were a lot of faces in here that he knew and had missed greatly. Jesse. Rogue. Vaughn. Chopper. Charge. A fourth medic he hadn't met before.

Then there was the Bad Batch and Rex, Kix, Wander, and Vutyc. Even the General was there.

"Welcome back, Echo," Wander said warmly.

"Have a nice rest, Sleeping Beauty?" Crosshair teased.

"That's Princess Aurora to you, vod," he shot back easily, smirking.

This caused a few guffaws of laughter and Ella giggled and nudged his side.

Then he felt something. Something was brushing against him at the bottom of the bed. He felt cold down there, and it tickled. Tickled! Like something was wisping over the bottoms of his… feet.

I… I have feet? I can feel my feet?

His eyes widened and he looked to Kix in near alarm. "K-Kix… I… I can feel!"

The senior medic smiled bittersweetly. "I know, brother. I hoped you'd notice that. Wanna test your legs a little? Don't worry. You're fully dressed so there will be no flashing involved." This was said with a teasing note and a wink.

He nodded quickly, a funny, exhilarating feeling bubbling in his chest and making his eyes feel stuffy. His hand moved of its own accord and folded the covers back to let the air meet his skin.

And there they were. Two legs with two feet, each bestowed five perfectly formed toes that wiggled when he moved them. That felt the cool air prickling on them. They were whole and without blemish, unlike the rest of him from the knees up. But none of that mattered right now. He had legs again. He would be able to feel the sand beneath his toes and the moist earth, and stub his big toes and actually feel it.

"You okay, vod?" Jesse asked.

Echo sniffled and nodded, pressing his fist before his mouth to try stopping the amazed and grateful tears. A few quiet ones escaped anyway, but honestly, he couldn't really find it in him to care. He had legs and feet and toes! All of which were fully flesh and blood.

"I know, vod," the fourth medic sympathized. "I cried too."

Echo looked up at him, nodding his thanks. Knowing that maybe someone understood even a tidbit of the overwhelming emotions that were coursing through his veins gave him hope. If this man had been an amputee too, and was qualified to be a medic of the 501st, maybe he wasn't so broken after all. Maybe even he could figure out something to do with the shambles that remained of his previous life.

Ella wrapped her arm around his shoulder and pulled his head to rest against her neck, muffling the sound of his joyful tears in her deep red sweater. It felt so good to be held now, covered and hidden by her love. An affectionate kiss was pressed against the seam of his neck and jawline.

A consoling, safeness settled his queasy embarrassment at the knowledge that he'd burst into tears in front of so many people whom he respected.

It just didn't matter; no one in their right mind would look down on him for his all-consuming joy. The people here were there because they wanted to be; because they each cared about him.

Even gruff Chopper and snark-master Crosshair.

He looked up from his wife's homey sweater and smiled at Kix and the others.

"Thank you!" he whispered.

Kix just smiled, "Welcome home, brother. Regardless of what lies ahead, welcome back."


He's back!!!

It's happy and they're together again! Yay!!!!

Enjoy the moments of sunshine. There's trauma ahead to deal with and healing isn't pretty most of the time.

Regardless, I hope you liked this chapter! I know I had a great time writing it.

Love, Peace, and

LittleBitOfGrace