Hey all! First off: NO SPOILERS FOR NINE. Haven't seen it yet and I want to be spoiler-free, thank you very much. The same goes for 'The Mandalorian'. Only seen up to Chapter 3.
However, if you want to talk about Jedi Fallen Order? I'm all ears. BD-1 is my new favorite droid and I will not let anything change my mind on that.
Anyway, in celebration of this week/last month or two of Star Wars, I thought I'd update this with part 2! Hope y'all enjoy it!
Commander Pillow: Slaves of the Republic: Chapter 2: Need a Stitch?
It had all been just wishful hoping in the end.
The next day, General Skywalker contacted him again, this time bringing news that he would be accompanying General Kenobi over to The Negotiator. Cody judged by the younger Jedi's annoyed tone that Kix had indeed lost the fight and that the reason his general was coming to his flagship with his former padawan was probably so the other man could ensure that the elder went straight to the medbay.
Cody waited rather impatiently until a gunship landed and both Jedi stepped off. This time, he was prepared to see General Kenobi looking like he did. Cody had seen that his general was hurt pretty badly and that the Jedi was obviously too thin from his conversation with him yesterday, but seeing the way every step was painful and the way the man's too grey eyes watched warily for any signs of danger made Cody's heart clench.
General Skywalker hovered by Obi-Wan, blue eyes watching for any sign of his former master stumbling or falling, arms at the ready to steady or catch the older Jedi. Obi-Wan obviously noticed but had evidently decided to ignore it.
The pair stopped in front of the clone, and Cody snapped off a formal salute and said, "Sirs."
General Skywalker nodded, still watching his former master carefully.
Obi-Wan nearly sighed and said, relief coloring his hoarse voice, "Cody."
The clone almost flinched at the way his general sounded.
The Jedi was never too open with his emotions, except for his expressive colored eyes, but now he had said, with complete relief in his voice, his commander's name. The fact that his general was utterly relieved to see another familiar face was enough to determine that the Jedi had suffered and was still suffering.
Cody was brought back to the present by General Skywalker saying, "Master, I know you just got back, but you need to get into the medical bay."
The commander expected Obi-Wan to put up a fight, but he merely sighed tiredly and nodded. "Alright, Anakin. Cody, you may come along if you like."
The clone saw the way a pleading gleam glinted in the Jedi's grey eyes and knew it wasn't a suggestion.
He nodded. "Of course, sir." Cody easily fell into step on Obi-Wan's right side, so the Jedi was now flanked by two pairs of watchful eyes and steady hands.
They arrived at medical relatively quickly. Cody called a medical trainee over to help the General to a table, before hunting down the head medic.
Stich was currently in the middle of a standard check-up. He scribbled something down on his datapad, before reaching up to brush his brown hair out of his brown eyes. It allowed Cody to see the three scars that stretched across Stitch's forehead until his hair fell back in place. "Your eyesight matches up to standard. Now I need you to put these in your ears-"
"Sorry to interrupt," Cody cleared his throat. "But General Kenobi-"
"Say no more," Stitch held up a hand to stop him. He apologized to the waiting brother, ordering him to return tomorrow morning for the rest of the check-up, then followed Cody.
"What happened this time?" Stitch asked, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. The various injuries of Obi-Wan and how he acquired said injuries were often some of the strangest stories he'd ever heard.
Cody didn't smile back. "Well…"
Stitch's smile died and his pace increased. "How bad?"
"It would be better if you just saw it."
Curses in Mando'a, Basic, and, strangely enough, Twi'lek slid out of the medic's mouth the moment he saw his General. Cody felt like joining him.
Obi-Wan was sitting on the medical bay, several medics already checking his vitals. He was strangely quiet, not even trying to voice protest as the men poked and prodded, asking questions every now and then. His answers were soft and short as possible, eyes never meeting any clones.
Stitch ordered some room for him, pulling out a small flashlight. "What do we got?"
Someone started listing medical terms Cody didn't understand, but Stitch nodded along, tilting the General's head up. He flashed the light over Obi-Wan's eyes, adding another term to the list that was already much too long for Cody's taste.
Off to the side, Anakin seemed to decide his master was in good hands. "Master, I need to get back to the Resolute. Coric needs to brief me on Ahsoka and Rex's conditions and I can see you'll be fine here."
Obi-Wan managed to nod to his apprentice, mumbling something about wanting those briefings as well. General Skywalker promised to send them at a later date, nodding a silent thanks to Cody, then left.
"General, I'm going to move your right arm," Stitch told him as gently as possible. "Tell me if you feel any kind of pain… and please do tell. I don't need to find you passed out on the floor later." He smiled, to show he was joking.
Obi-Wan didn't say anything. He instead closed his eyes tiredly, finding no energy for the usual banter with the medic.
Stitch glanced worriedly at Cody, the question in his eyes clear. The commander sighed softly, saying with his eyes he would explain later.
Stitch nodded acknowledgment, turning back to the still, quiet Jedi. There was a quick check for infections, with no more attempts at small talk. Just questions. Can you move your legs? Is there any pain? How many clones do you see in front of you? What year is it? What is your full name? Does this hurt? Can you count backward from ten? On and on, the questions came and went.
When that was done, Stitch gently tapped his General on his shoulder. "General, I'm going to have to put you in a bacta tank. Those cuts need full immersion."
Obi-Wan nodded and allowed himself to be led through the process of immersion. Right before he was lowered into the tank, he felt someone press a sedative into his neck, and he gladly succumbed to the dark.
Cody watched as his general slipped into unconsciousness, floating calmly in the sickly sweet bacta. The medic sighed, rubbing his hands on a clean rag before turning to the commander. "Alright, Cody. Spill."
Cody took a breath and began to talk softly. "General Kenobi was on a mission to Kiros to rescue Togrutan colonists from the Seppies with General Skywalker, Commander Tano, and Captain Rex. The mission took them to Zygerria where he and the others attempted to free the Togrutans from slavery."
Stitch raised an eyebrow. "Attempted?"
Cody nodded. "General Kenobi was captured and tortured. Later the others were captured, but only Captain Rex and General Kenobi were enslaved and put to work at Kavado.
The medic sucked in a breath. "That explains the whiplash wounds…" he muttered, his eyes narrowing. Stitch scribbled something down on his datapad, brushing his bangs out of the way. Again.
Cody smiled despite the situation. "You can always cut your hair, you know?"
"I do cut my hair," Stitch shot back.
"Then you can cut it shorter."
Stitch gave him the familiar look of annoyance whenever this topic came up. He pointed at the datapad, indicating the change of subject. "General Kenobi has some pretty nasty wounds and bruises. He's also been severely malnourished and dehydrated."
The commander blinked. "He was starved?"
Stitch nodded, the anger clear in his eyes. "From the looks of it. Either that or the food was bad or deliberately poisoned. Either way, it is bad news for the recovery time." Stitch shook his head, already imaging the trouble his General would try and get into.
Cody tightened his lips and narrowed his eyes. "I'm going to have to kill some Zygerrians now."
The medic grinned grimly. "Don't forget to bring me."
The Commander shook his head, but there was a smile on his face. "The last time I took you out to shoot something, you didn't fare so well." He motioned at the scar currently covered by hair.
Stitch motioned back at Cody's own face, "Need I remind you that you didn't fair so well yourself." His expression softened, "It is nice to see you for longer than a briefing meeting, Cody. We haven't been able to talk since-" he motioned at his face again.
Cody felt a stab of pain deep within, but he swallowed it down quickly. "Well, you've been busy with-" he motioned at the medical bay, "And I've been busy with-" he stabbed a thumb at the General.
"I know, I know," Stitch brushed his bangs out of his eyes. "I just hoped you'd have some time to check on your batchmate." His voice was light, but Cody could hear the silent accusation.
"Well," Cody motioned at the General, "As I don't have to worry about him at the moment, maybe we can grab a bite in the mess. If you can step away, that is."
Stitch called over one of the medics, handing him the datapad, "Instructions for the General. Call me if there is an emergency."
"Yes, sir."
Stitch slung an arm around Cody's shoulder and steered him towards the door. "Let's go before the General starts asking for his Pillow."
Cody shook his head, sighed, and rolled his eyes to the ceiling. "What am I going to do with you?" He wondered aloud.
"For starters, you can claim one of the shinies contraband of candy," Stitch grinned. "I need something sweeter than Republic rations after you brought the General in looking like bantha-fodder."
"It's not my fault he's a trouble magnet!"
"No, but you're the Commander. Which means I can blame you for almost everything."
Cody let out a heavy sigh. Stitch laughed, "Come on, vod. We can tell the latest batch of shinies scar origin story number thirty-two."
"I used thirty-two last week on some 501st boys."
"Then I guess we need to come up with thirty-three! Let's see… how about a freak speeder accident in the middle of a sandstorm?"
"That's fifteen," Cody reminded him gently.
Stitch frowned. "Oh. Right."
The next morning, Cody woke to his comm beeping. He answered it, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. "Wha' is i'?"
"Well, that is a very professional way to answer your communicator."
Cody shook his head, blinking rapidly. "What is it, Stitch?" Half-way through "Stitch" a yawn burst through.
"Well, Pillow, I'm calling for Commander Cody. Have you seen him this morning?"
"Seriously?" Cody pushed himself out of his bed. He stretched his arms out, sleep being particularly clingy this morning. "What is it, Stitch?"
"It's about General Kenobi."
Now he was awake. He didn't even bother to respond, hanging on his batchmate.
Five minutes later, the commander was skidding to a halt in front of the medical bay. He quickly walked in, hazel eyes scanning the bay for his General. Cody's gaze located the medic in the far corner of the bay and he hurried over.
The commander sucked in a breath as he drew closer. Stitch was sitting next to General, his datapad in hand. He looked exhausted as he scribbled away. On the bed lay General Kenobi, looking worse than he did last night.
He was paler, with an unhealthy flush coloring his cheeks, indicating the Jedi probably had a fever. The ginger-haired man shivered slightly, even though he was covered in a blanket and his breath was slightly labored as he slept restlessly.
Hesitantly, Cody slipped off his glove and gently slid his hand over Obi-Wan's forehead.
Cody hissed and pulled back from the heat radiating off the Jedi. He hadn't been expecting that… The commander was pretty sure a fever shouldn't be that high. "Why didn't you call sooner?"
Obi-Wan shifted, moaning softly before pulling the blanket tighter around him, shoulders trembling.
Stitch pulled out a thermometer, checked the temp, scribbling away. The strings of curses that followed painted a very bleak picture indeed. "Shut up and help me get his temp down."
Cody tried to pry the blanket from Obi-Wan's hands.
The Jedi moaned again, tightening his grip on the soft warm object. He clearly didn't like the idea of giving it up.
"General, let go," Cody encouraged as Stitch ran off to get something.
The Jedi furrowed his brows and shifted restlessly. Blurry fever clouded grey eyes blinked open as the medic slid a cold hand over the man's hands.
Cody smiled slightly, seeing the man was somewhat awake. "You have to let go, Obi-Wan." He said softly, coaxing the hands open again.
The Jedi blinked again, clearly trying to figure out where he was and what was going on. After a little more soft-spoken, gentle coaxing from Cody, Obi-Wan finally let go of the blanket. He lay shivering on the bed as Stitch arrived with wet rags.
The General started mumbling something, shifting around.
"Shh, General. You're fine. You're safe." This quieted the Jedi, but he still shifted restlessly.
Stitch shoved a few rags into Cody's hands. "Here," Stitch said shortly, beginning to spread the rags over Obi-Wan.
The feverish Jedi furrowed his brows and squirmed, weakly trying to fight against the cold, wet objects.
Cody rubbed Obi-Wan's trembling shoulder and softly reassured the man again. "It's okay, General. We're just trying to help you…"
General Kenobi's eyes blinked open again and he whimpered softly as another wet rag was put on him. "...c-cold…" He mumbled, teeth chattering.
Cody nodded. "I know, I know. But this will help. I promise. You'll be okay…"
The Jedi closed his eyes again, shivering and occasionally flinching and keening at the cold water.
Finally, after the medic and commander had reapplied the cold rags over and over, Stitch sighed. "Ok, Cody," He said, a bit breathlessly, "I think he's going to be fine now. His fever is down to a healthy level. Or healthier."
The clone commander sighed too, relieved. "Good."
There was silence between the two clones before Stitch tiredly sighed again. Cody glanced over at his brother, seeing his exhausted state. "I take it you didn't get any sleep last night?"
The medic groaned and rubbed his face. "No. The General has been pretty restless. I ordered everyone else to bed but… well, I needed some help when this happened." He rubbed his eyes, brushing the bangs away. "Thanks."
Cody put his hands on Stitch's shoulders, "You need sleep too. I'll watch the General."
"Cody-"
"No arguments," Cody put his foot down. "I'll wake you if I need you." He had no such intention. Unless it was a full emergency, a medic trainee would do.
Stitch knew it too. But the yawn that escaped his mouth convinced him. "Alright." He handed Cody the datapad, "Basic instructions for basic scenarios."
"I think I've been around you enough to know what to do," Cody teased.
"Just take it, you Pillow."
Cody did as he was told. He watched Stitch head to the back of the bay and disappear behind a corner. The commander turned back to the bed where his general was sleeping. There were a few softly murmured incoherent words, undoubtedly stemmed from his fever. Cody sighed softly, then took his place in the chair beside the sick Jedi.
He pulled out his own small portable pad and began to type up reports to pass the time, still keeping a close eye on Obi-Wan. He was nearly done with his 3rd report when the Jedi gasped out rather loudly. Cody placed a hand on the man's arm, gently murmuring, "General, you're ok. You're safe here. You're going to be fine."
This seemed to do nothing to affiliate the Jedi's restlessness and he shifted uneasily, trembling. He moaned again. "No...no...don't hurt them..."
Cody unconsciously tightened his grip on Obi-Wan's arm. His general was probably dreaming about Kavado. The clone grit his teeth angrily. He was really going to hunt down the Zygerrians who hurt his brother and make them pay.
Cody's hand was instantly and weakly shaken off, as Obi-Wan thrashed feverishly on the bed. "No...no...don't...please…"
The commander stood up, gently and firmly grabbing onto the Jedi's arms. "Obi-Wan. It's just me. Cody. No one is going to hurt you." Nothing seemed to help the general now, who was too far gone in his fever dream to hear anything Cody was saying. The commander let him thrash around under his grasp, heart growing more and more heavy at the Jedi's pleadings and quiet screams.
Finally, Obi-Wan settled down a bit, still muttering, but not thrashing any longer.
Cody sighed, relieved, and let go of his general's arms. He took his place back in the chair just as the Jedi said something that made his heart freeze.
"...Jedi only make things worse…"
Cody sat stiffly in the chair, staring unbelievingly at the feverish man.
Obi-Wan said it again, head shaking back and forth as he restlessly dreamed. "Jedi...make things...worse…"
The commander, back ramrod straight in shock at the words, blinked as Obi-Wan suddenly opened his eyes.
Obi-Wan's blurry, fever filled gaze landed on the clone and the Jedi blinked slowly and a bit owlishly at the still shocked commander.
Cody shook off his shock as Obi-Wan trembled and quietly and hoarsely asked, "C-Cody?"
The clone leaned forward and gently stroked the shaking Jedi's shoulder. "General. You're going to be fine. I promise."
Obi-Wan blinked his eyes again and he leaned into Cody's soft touch, surprising the clone slightly. The Jedi reached out a hand and latched onto the commander, holding onto the man's hand tightly, as if he thought he would disappear.
"Cody...d-don't let them...hurt them...th-they didn't do an-anything...al-all my fault…"
The commander stiffened slightly again at Obi-Wan's words.
The Jedi was clearly not in reality, but at least he recognized Cody. Even if his broken sentence had made the commander feel like he had been punched in the stomach.
Cody put on the most reassuring smile he could muster and said, "Don't worry, sir. I won't let them get hurt."
Obi-Wan nodded and sighed, quietly laying still for several minutes. The commander thought that the general had fallen asleep until the grip on his hand tightened.
"...c-cold…" Obi-Wan muttered softly, trying to burrow down into his blanket further.
The clone didn't say anything until the general addressed him directly.
"C-Cody...s-so cold…" There was a soft tug on his hand as the Jedi, still holding onto his commander, shifted under the covers again.
The clone gave a small smile. "I know, General. But it's ok. You won't be cold soon."
The Jedi shifted again, this time tugging harder on the clone's arm. "Don-don't want...you to go, Qui-Gon…"
Cody blinked, somewhat startled at the rapid name change, but not at all surprised. Obi-Wan had a fever high enough to cause his lucidness to slip at any given time. He still needed to ask his General about that name though...
The clone was again startled as his general tugged on his hand again, pulling him forward a bit. The Jedi clenched the commander's arm, gently hugging it close.
"...Sir…" It was pointless to try to talk the feverish Jedi, but Cody did anyways. "General, let go of my arm." He shook the appendage a bit, quickly stopping when Obi-Wan made a low sound of discontent. Cody sighed. "I guess I'm stuck like this then…" The clone stayed still for another 5 minutes until his arm started to fall asleep and he had to shift positions. He thought through how he should try to maneuver out of the Jedi's hold when a thought hit him.
Maybe the general needs physical grounding.
Cody blinked. That actually made sense. He had dwelt with several younger brothers who, when sick, became extremely clingy and needed physical touch. The Jedi was acting the same way right now. It was a little strange for the man to cling to anyone though. He seemed to hate physical contact… or at least steered clear of it.
Cody shook his head to clear those thoughts away. He would deal with that at a later date. The clone then gently shifted the Jedi on the bed, moving him further to the side. He pried his arm away, then quickly settled down on the space on the bed, letting the feverish Obi-Wan curl up next to him, using his chest as a pillow. Cody wrapped his arm around the slighter man protectively when he shifted and moaned softly.
"Shhh. You're fine, Obi-Wan. I've got you." He gently rubbed the Jedi's back until the man relaxed, falling into a deeper sleep. Cody sighed and let himself relax too, drifting asleep ten minutes after his general. Both were sound asleep when Stitch reappeared several hours later.
The medic grinned and softly laughed at the scene. Honestly, this was just priceless. He snagged a holo camera and snapped a few holos of the sleeping pair. He would save those for a day when he needed a laugh. Stitch quickly checked over his Jedi after safely putting away the holos, gave him an administration of medicine, and then went about his work, letting the commander and Jedi peacefully sleep.
You know, I think medics are my new favorite characters to make. Seriously, Stitch is one of my new favorite Clone boys... even if he isn't canon.
Also, anyone know if Cody's squad/batchmates were ever mentioned? Because I didn't find anything and somehow came up with a backstory... Which may or may not be built upon. (Padawan, what have I done? Why do you do this to yourself, Master? It was an accident, I swear!)
Anyway, all reviews are welcome, tell me what you think about Obi-Wan's reaction because... I don't think I love it, but I don't think I hate it either. Help.
May the Force be With You!