Sorry it has taken so long to update. I just keep forgetting. I really should just post the entire story online...

It had been a long battle, and the general was exhausted. Cody didn't think it was a problem standing next to him on the gunship. Until the Jedi had conveniently fallen asleep… on his shoulder.

The clone had to wonder how he got into these situations time and time again. It didn't help that Waxer and Boil were standing across from them, trying to contain their laughter. The other brothers very quickly discovered the plight of their commander and the whole gunship was soon filled with smothered giggles and conspiring whispers.

Cody could only wish the Jedi wouldn't wake up anytime soon.

Another thought unpleasantly presented itself in his mind and he had to force himself not to jolt in horror and risk waking the Jedi. Waxer is going to have a hayday… Please don't let General Skywalker call right now…

Luckily for Cody, the Jedi had already called one another before they took flight so neither clone or Jedi were in any danger of relentless teasing. At least from the younger Jedi. The 212th...that was another story...

When the gunship landed on The Negotiator, all the clones filed off… or at least all but Cody, who was stuck. And of course Waxer and Boil stayed behind to offer their 'assistance' to their commander. The older clone knew better, but he let them stay. He couldn't tell them off like he wanted to because of a sleeping Jedi.

Eventually, with Boil's help (Waxer just stood there grinning), the two clones managed to move the General to a sitting position, leaning him against the back wall of the gunship. He was still using Cody as a pillow and Cody sat down right next to the general. The commander then ordered the two outside to make sure no one disturbed the Jedi. Waxer left with Boil's… persuasion (he held a blaster to his side and shoved him out of the ship before shutting the door).

That left Cody to try and get comfortable… again. Most people count sheep when they fall asleep. He counted how many times he had been used as a pillow.

One, the first time Obi-Wan fell asleep on his back. Two, that strange time Rex ate one too many melilooruns and basically crashing on Cody's shoulder. Three, one of the first times out in the field when everyone was sleeping on the ground and a few shines couldn't get comfortable, so Cody volunteered to help (two used his back while two were on his legs). Four, the time a clone who had recently lost a brother he had known since training was suffering nightmares and couldn't sleep.

After that incident, Cody unofficially signed up for something the 212th called, 'Pillow Duty'. Whenever one of them needed help sleeping, (sometimes asking a brother to do it for them) they would approach Cody and ask if they could 'have the Pillow tonight'. The first time it happened, Cody felt very awkward about it, as did the trooper in question, but slowly it spread around and Cody found that he enjoyed comforting his brothers via 'pillow'.

Cody wasn't sure what that said about him.

He continued counting. The practice certainly did its job. He fell asleep after getting to 36, leaning against the wall and slightly slipping down to lean against his general. Cody slept so deeply that he didn't even here a click of a holocamera and muffled laughing 30 minutes or so after he fell asleep.

The next morning, Cody groggily woke up and wondered why he was sitting on the hard ground instead of a sleeping pad. He shifted slightly and felt something to his right. Memories of the previous mission came flooding back and he groaned slightly.

General Kenobi mumbled something and shifted his body. As gently as possible Cody shook the Jedi, "General… General, wake up."

"...mmm… five more minutes, Qui-Gon…"

Cody raised an eyebrow at the name, not recognizing it. He made a mental note to ask around about it later. "General Kenobi… General…." the Commander shook the Jedi again, "Obi-Wan!"

The Jedi jolted awake and looked around, as if expecting a giant creature to jump out and kill him. As he saw no danger, the General calmed down and began to take in the situation. When his gaze finally found Cody, he relaxed slightly, but still looked confused. "Commander… What are we doing in a gunship?"

"You fell asleep, sir. We didn't want to wake you."

"That's very thoughtful, but-" he stopped talking suddenly. Obi-Wan's eyes narrowed slightly before finally saying, "I don't need a guard, Cody, and you know that. So why are we…?" The commander honestly wasn't surprised the man knew about Boil and Waxer standing guard. He was a Jedi, afterall.

"You may have… fell asleep standing next to me… and you may have… used my shoulder as a pillow."

The Jedi's eyes widened a fraction. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to-"

Cody shook his head, interrupting the man's words. "No, it's fine, General. Everyone does it, and, to be honest, I'm used to it now." He wasn't going to mention that he actually enjoyed being a 'pillow'. It was comforting to know that his brothers trusted him and physical contact was something he felt he needed. It could get lonely sometimes being a clone, one of a million men who were trained for combat and nothing else. Cody pulled himself from his thoughts and focused back on the Jedi.

Obi-Wan looked skeptical. "Are you sure?"

The commander nodded. "Yes sir."

The ginger glanced towards the gunship door and, standing and helping the clone to his feet, he gestured towards it. "Shall we go?"

Cody simply saluted and responded with a "Yes, sir!", at which the Jedi gave the clone a stern look.

"Obi-Wan, Cody. We're still off duty." Cody didn't respond. It would still be inappropriate to call the general anything other than his rank or sir, off duty or not.

The two walked out of the gunship together and quickly made their way through the hanger activity without an incident, the clone realized gratefully. He wasn't in the mood for the ribbing and teasing from his brothers today, much less in front of the Jedi general. Cody hoped this silence would continue throughout the day.

Just before he and Obi-Wan got to a hall leading out from the hanger to briefing rooms and tactic room, Cody spotted a certain clone grinning at him. He immediately recognized Waxer, who was holding something in his hand, waving it teasingly. Squinting his eyes, Cody caught sight of what the younger clone was holding. It was a holo. A holo depicting the general and him leaning against each other, sound asleep, in the gunship no doubt.

Oh, he was definitely putting Waxer on cleanup duty for a week.

Cody told his treacherous brother so with his eyes, glaring doom and gloom for him in the near future. The commander turned back to the hall, and caught up with his general, hoping that Obi-Wan hadn't minded his brief absence.

Back in the hanger, Boil warily approached Waxer, keeping an eye out for their commander. "He gone?" He asked under his breath.

Waxer turned towards his older brother, grin full force. "Yep."

Boil shook his head at his crazy brother. "Did Cody see the holo?"

"Oh, you bet he did."

"Well? What'd he do?"

Waxer's grin grew larger, if possible. "He gave me his 'commander glare of doom'."

Boil wasn't sure who was more scarier- Cody when he was angry, or Waxer when he had a 'great' idea. He would have to go with Waxer this time. That clone would get himself into big trouble one day…

"You're happy about this?" Boil asked, incredulous.

"Oh yeah. I've got Codes right where I want him."

Waxer practically skipped off, holo firmly grasped in his hand. Boil was left to follow, hoping that Cody wouldn't maim their brother too much…

Afterall, Waxer couldn't do much damage...right?

He had been wrong.

So very wrong.

Apparently Waxer had another one of his 'fantastic' ideas and decided to enlarge the holo and post on a wall in the barracks. Cody's barracks. With 40 other men from the 212th.

The clone commander had walked in, spotted the holo, and immediately thrown it in the trash and stalked out. Boil had the feeling that he was looking for Waxer, and wisely followed to ensure his younger brother wouldn't be killed by the hand of the commander.

Boil was sure that Cody was about to explode. The commander was completely red faced and couldn't even sputter out a coherent word. The only other time Boil had seen his older brother this mad was...well, never. That was a frightening thought.

Waxer didn't look to concerned. He was simply smiling calmly, paying no heed to the commander's poor attempts at saying something. "I can't even...you...don't even think…" Cody stammered, finally giving up and pointing rigidly towards the direction of the mess. "Cleanup. For a week." Waxer still retained his smile as he walked towards the room. Right before he walked around the corner, he said, "So, Commander, did you enjoy being a pillow for Kenobi again?"

Boil had to bodily hold back Cody as he launched himself at the cheeky clone and yelled, "WAXER!" The clone in question bolted, giggling all the way. The general, of course, chose this opportune time to appear from around the opposite corner, looking slightly confused and marginally shocked at the scene. Neither the clones or Jedi said a word. Finally, Obi-Wan turned and simply walked away. He probably thought it was best not to ask, and Boil couldn't help but agree looking at Cody's face.

The commander went slightly limp under Boil's grasp and he groaned audibly. "Great. Now the general thinks I'm crazy. He's probably going to comm the Admirals and ask for me to be reassigned."

The other clone let go of Cody. "C'mon, it's not too bad. I don't think you'll be reassigned. General Kenobi likes you already." The commander's head snapped up. "What makes you say that, Boil? You can't tell. The man's a Jedi! You can never tell with them!"

Boil patted Cody's shoulder reassuringly as the older clone dropped his head into his hands again. The clone hummed absently, thinking of what he could say to reassure his commander. "Well, for one thing, he hasn't gotten mad over the whole 'pillow Jedi' nickname. He actually seems ok with it, after getting past the shock factor."

Cody nodded slightly. "I guess you're right. He didn't reassign me for that." Boil grinned. "And why would he? General Kenobi's already settled in to having the 212th. I may not know him very well yet, but he doesn't seem like the person who gets upset over small things like a nickname."

The commander took a breath and nodded again. "Ok. You're right." Cody straightened up, calm again. He smiled. "Thanks vod." Boil returned the smile. "Anytime, Codes."