This wasn't part of the story, originally. But writing Stitch and Cody's interactions made me wonder about the rest of their squad and then... well, this happened. Not sure if I should apologize or be proud of myself.

On the bright side, origin story for Cody's scar! Hooray!

Squad names were important to cadets. Although the war hadn't started yet, the cadets knew it was coming. And of the cadet squads, only a few would become legendary and kriff, everyone wanted a good name.

Which was why CC-2224 found himself a little exasperated at his fellow squadmates. They just needed to agree to a name. "Come on, all of the good names will be taken if we don't decide."

CT-2543 grinned at his older brother. "Well, I still think Batch Squad is a good name."

"Absolutely not," CT-2197 growled. "I don't want to be remembered for being made together. My vote is with CT-2790. Freefall Squad."

CT-3000 shook his head furiously. "You know how I feel about heights! Why can't we just be Zeta Squad or something? It shouldn't be this hard to pick a name! I mean, vods unite!" He punched the air. "Right?"

They ignored him. On and on the bickering went between the five clones so much so that no one noticed when their trainer appeared to get the squad name. This particular bounty hunter had no patience for bickering and wasn't about to waste his time on a squad that couldn't decide on something a simple as a designation name. He was only here for the money.

So he typed onto the datapad, "Blank Squad", and moved on to the next group of cadets.

When they found out, CC-2224 decided he didn't mind the name, if he was being honest. Most everyone else hated it and several attempts to change it were made but Kaminan's were not necessarily known for being understanding or changing.

And so Blank Squad they remained.

When he was younger, CC-2224 hadn't noticed as much. The extra 'C' in his number had meant nothing to him. But has he aged (quite quickly) he began to note a few things. The instructors always expected him to perform differently than his brothers. He was the spokesman for the group and was also the "fall guy". If his squad failed the simulation, he was lectured. He was expected to plan and execute all mission simulations with his squad.

His brothers noticed too. None of them really minded. "CC" as they called him, was expected to do these things. Every squad had a leader and CC was a good one.

At least that was the idea until a new training regime was introduced. Squads were paired up to take on harder challenges and simulations on a weekly basis. Each team-up was with a different squad and every time, CC-2224 was put in charge. He was reprimanded for two squads actions, planned and ordered the brothers about.

He didn't mind it. At this point he expected it. But it was still strange. What made him different?

It took CC-2224 meeting another CC to understand. This clone, CC-1004, was physically older than him by a year or so. CC-1004 explained to him. "Most of our brothers are designated as a Clone Trooper. They have the chance to earn the title of Lieutenant, Captain and so on. We have been designated to be Clone Commanders. You'll be reassigned soon to a squad made up of these designated brothers to get more specialized training."

CC-2224 had taken the information with a stoic face. It was expected. What no one saw was the single, tiny crack that appeared under the surface.

A few weeks later CC-2224 found himself in training with several other CC's, his own squad left to themselves. The weeks turned into months. Blank Squad became distanced from CC-2224, with the only time they saw one another in person was in the morning and evening mealtimes. CT-2543 started to write messages on the holopad and sending them in an attempt to keep CC from falling too far out of the loop. CC-2224 found himself very grateful for those little notes.

The single crack was joined by another.

Their mealtimes together became far and few between as tensions in the galaxy rose and CC-2224 found himself thrown into even more specialized training, this one dealing with Jedi. The letters from CT-2543 became his only consistent link to his old squad.

The next crack was a little bigger, but not by much.

Then Geonosis happened. The now dubbed "Pillow" was whisked away to the last of his training, preparing for the new responsibilities that were to follow. Cody couldn't remember the last time he saw his old squad in person. Time passed quickly until Cody found himself standing on Kamino, waiting for his General.

And then he left, leaving Blank Squad to the last of their own training.

The cracks now numbered in the dozens, growing bigger and bigger with each one.

Blank Squad hardly spoke to him anymore. CT-2543 still wrote to him, but the letters were mostly left unread or vague. He did learn that CT-2197 had started going by Jun. CT-2790 was now Merrt. How they got the names, Cody didn't know. CT-2543 hadn't said.

The first large break appeared.

Cody had been sent to greet the new troops to the 212th only a few weeks later. And that was when he found himself facing his old batchmates.

Jun and Merrt were arguing about which lightsaber color was better; blue or green. CT-3000 was shaking his head exasperated and trying to understand why they couldn't just get along ("Whatever happened to united vods?"). None of them had noticed Cody walk in, despite the fact that all of the other soldiers had straightened into perfect attention.

Cody found himself smiling for the first time since the war started. "Troopers! What is the meaning of this?"

All four of them froze turning their attention the clearly marked Commander whose painted helmet seemed to glare menacingly. Jun and Merrt immediately tried to apologize, blaming the other for the situation. CT-3000 stood in stiff attention, looking embarrassed.

CT-2543 did a once over of the commander before grinning like a maniac. "Hello, Pillow!"

Cody rolled his eyes, pulling his helmet off. "Hello, 2543."

"Stitch, Pillow," the clone smiled even bigger. "I'm Stitch."

The cracks inside started to seal together.

It wasn't the same. Cody didn't expect it to be, but it still felt weird. There were some things that hadn't changed. Jun and Merrt still argued with one another non-stop but the moment you tried to get involved they would join forces, defending the other. CT-3000, now dubbed Slate, was as sweet as ever. And Stitch… well, he hadn't changed a bit.

But Cody was a Commander. He was constantly in meetings with the General, inspecting the troops, training the men in situations and updating handbooks with new codes and regulations. Seeing Blank Squad was something that wasn't a regular occurrence.

But Stitch, bless his heart, made it a point to hunt down the Commander for regular check-ups. Apparently, Stitch had somehow found himself roped into medic training on Kamino and for reasons Cody never understood, had failed to tell the Commander this. Or at least he hadn't until Stitch grabbed him by the arm and dragged him into the medical bay. The rest of the squad was already there. With so many troops in the 212th it was easier to do group check-ups on the men. And Stitch happened to be in charge of scheduling these mandatory check-ups.

Cody would have been exasperated by his brother but he was too caught up in the idea of seeing his batchmates once a month. It wasn't ideal. But it was an idea that he found great comfort in.

Stitch even got himself quickly promoted to head medic (not by Cody but by General Kenobi of all people) and then Cody got to see his brother at the after-battle meetings. Again: not ideal. But still, seeing one batchmate was better than none.

It was supposed to be a scouting mission. That was all.

Cody had volunteered for it because he wanted to see the terrain and judge it for troop movements. Scouting was Slate's job so he was there as well. Stitch had heard there were herbs on this planet that the natives used for pain killers and since he was running low (and the next shipment had been blown up by the Separatists), he was also coming. Force knows why Jun and Merrt were there. Maybe they just didn't want to be left out. Slate had found the entire situation quite exciting, doing his classic fist punch in the air and crying, "Vods unite!" He always expected the squad to answer. They never had before, but this time, they decided to humor him.

All Cody knew was that it was supposed to be a scouting mission.

They hadn't been foolish. Blank Squad was many things but fools were not one of them. Cody had traveled with Slate up front, the two being careful to not be spotted. Stitch had trailed behind with Jun and Merrt, the three of them quietly collecting the herbs he needed.

There had been no chatter on the coms unless it was an order to lie still or move up. There had been no messing around with one another. They were in unknown territory and all focus was kept on incoming danger.

The ambush had come from behind. Cody had no idea what happened but he did know that someone's gun went off and the coms were jammed. Slate and he had hurried back as fast and quiet as they could, but the bounty hunters must have known. Somehow they had known.

Cody registered a sharp pain in his neck before his vision swam, then went black.

A scouting mission. That was what it had been. That had been the plan. The plan hadn't involved bounty hunters hungry for Republic movement information.

Five unarmed clones chained up by their wrists in a cave. Two bounty hunters armed to the teeth.

Cody knew how this war worked. Five clones go missing on patrol. Send out a search party. Find evidence that they were ambushed and drug off. Report back. Weigh five clones lives against the entire battalion. Leave the area immediately and consider all plans and positions compromised.

In other words, all five clones were dead men breathing.

These hunters were smart. They knew who the highest-ranking officer was. They knew who had the most detailed and complete information they needed. They knew who needed to talk to get the best pay.

Which is why they cut down Slate first.

Cody found himself unable to breathe, let alone protest. The cracks that had begun to heal over the past preciously few weeks were ripped open, leaving tears on cuts.

Jun and Merrt screamed abuse at the two bounty hunters as they beat Slate mercilessly. The leader questioned the man with each punch, cut, shattered bone, and burn. These men were experts, drawing out pain and blood in ways that would keep their victim alive long enough to get the information.

In this situation, they didn't do it well enough. Slate's only words in the sea of screams would echo in Cody's dreams in the weeks to come.

"CT-3000. Slate. Blank Squad."

After several hours of horror, Slate finally stopped screaming.

One of the hunters took the body away. Cody never knew what happened to it.

It was like someone had shredded his very soul into a thousand pieces.

The night that followed consisted of the hunters sleeping despite Jun and Merrt growling threats at them. Cody remained silent, unable to speak. It was Stitch that made Jun and Merrt stop as he began to hum. The tune was unfamiliar to Cody but it felt right. Soft with unnatural cords and long beats of silence. But maybe the beats were on accident because based on Stitch's labored breaths, the man could hardly breathe through the quiet sobs.

When the sun rose, the hunters rose, sharpened their weapons and went to pick their next victim. Jun and Merrt screamed abuse, the insults and swears steadily growing worse. Finally, the chains on Merrt were released.

Merrt stopped the insults as soon as he hit the floor. He sent a triumphant grin at Jun, his voice ringing with something akin to pride. "I win."

And for the first time since Cody could remember, Jun was unable to find a comeback.

Merrt was dragged to the center of the room, his last words seared into Cody's mind for eternity.

"CT-2790. Merrt. Blank Squad."

He lasted longer than Slate had. The hunters must have learned from the previous day. The questions were now asked to both Merrt and the men who were forced to watch as their brother was literally broken into pieces.

As far as Cody could guess, Merrt died at the nine-hour mark.

The hunters went to sleep a few hours later.

He was able to speak for the first time a few hours later. "I'm sorry."

Jun looked over, "This ain't your fault, Codes."

"No," Cody shook his head, "I'm sorry that… I… I'm sorry I wasn't there."

"We never blamed you," Stitch spoke softly. "You had a job. We all did."

Jun nodded, "We were proud of you, vod. Look at you. Commander."

"But-"

"Hush," Stitch whispered. "It doesn't matter now."

Jun's face turned solemn. "Don't worry. We'll be okay."

No one believed him, but no one contradicted him.

The next morning Jun was taken down with little prodding.

"CT-2197. Jun. Blank Squad."

He lasted until the sun sank below the horizon.

Cody had a vague thought that Jun and Merrt would have made excellent ARC troopers.

The cracks grew, covering everything in a shattered glass design. One tap and the walls would come tumbling down. Not that he'd be alive for that little tap.

That night, Stitch hummed his song again. Cody drew what little comfort he could from it, knowing that this time tomorrow he'd be alone.

Imagine his surprise when the hunters decided that one wasn't enough. They kept the two tied up, one standing in front of each of them. Each had access to the various tools they had been using for the past three days.

The one in front of Cody asked the first question. Cody didn't speak.

The other guard drew his knife, drawing a deep, long cut across Stitch's forehead. The medic bit down on his lip to keep from crying out.

Another question to Cody. This time he managed to grind out, "CC-2224. Cody... Blank Squad."

Another cut, just below the first. Stitch hissed, blinking through the dripping blood.

Stitch's guard then asked a question to his prisoner. Stitch spat at him, hissing out, "I'm kriffing CT-2543 but you can call me the man who is going to rip your throat out."

Cody's guard didn't seem to like that answer. The knife was drawn and Cody closed his eyes as it came up to his face.

Pain flared above his eye, scraping down clumsily and around leaving a trail of blood.

"I'll take his eye out next so I suggest you give a proper answer," the guard hissed.

Stitch spat towards him. His mouth was pretty dry so it was more of air than anything. "Go kriff yourself."

What happened next Cody had difficulty seeing through one eye.

As far as he could tell, one moment his guard was ready to gouge out his eye. The next thing he realized was his captor was on the ground, a blaster bolt through the head.

The sound of trudging footsteps came followed by a bright blinding light.

"Hang on, Commander. We'll have you down in a second." The familiar voice of a brother, along with the helmet came into view. He pressed on his com, "This is Wolley. We found two of them. Clear to advance."

Cody felt someone cut his arms free and his body fell limp. The soldier caught him half-way down, carefully laying him on the rough terrain. "Easy, Commander. You're going to be alright now."

There wasn't a bone in Cody's body that believed that lie. But he nodded, laid back, and closed his eyes. The darkness was a welcome change to the red he had endured. He didn't understand how he was alive. And to be honest, he didn't care. He never asked why they came when they did. Or why they came at all.

The cracks lined Cody's soul but he held them tightly together. A Commander didn't break; he couldn't cry; he had to be strong. Having Stitch had kept the pieces together. He hadn't failed all of them. Stitch was still there; still holding him together.

And then someone had ripped the thread away leaving nothing but a blank shell.

Cody always did like the squad's name.

Cody gasped for air, eyes flying open. His face was wet, tears streaming freely down. He found himself looking at his General, straight in the eyes. Obi-Wan's eyes had turned into the familiar gray color, the shock and sorrow clear.

"Cody…" Obi-Wan whispered, "Why didn't you tell me?"

Cody blinked, uncomprehendingly. "Sir, you knew about my capture."

"You never said they were your squad, Cody," Obi-Wan shook his head. "I knew Stitch was but… you never mentioned it. I don't remember seeing that in any report-"

"I… I had two squads. My batch squad and my Commander squad," Cody wiped at the tears, trying to make them disappear. "My personal file focuses on the latter with only a brief mention of… them. There was no way for you to know."

"Cody-"

"I'm fine, sir," Cody grit out, furiously rubbing at the tears that just. Wouldn't. Stop.

"You're many things, Commander. Stubborn, kind, loyal, a brilliant fighter and strategist, and a good brother. But you are not fine."

"I'm-"

"Cody," Obi-Wan pinched the bridge of his nose, "For the past month or so you have made sure that I was okay, even when I said so. It's only fair for me to return the favor."

Cody wiped at the tears. "Sir? What- what does th-that mean?"

"It means I will be sitting next to you during meals to make sure you eat. It means I will be helping you with your paperwork, no matter how boring. It means I will be taking you to the training room to make sure you are keeping up with drills and battle skills. It means I will be making sure you get to sleep every night and helping you fall back when nightmares come." Obi-Wan smiled. It was small but it was definitely a smile.

Cody couldn't help but laugh. He laughed and laughed until he was suddenly sobbing into his hands. He felt Obi-Wan drape an arm over his back and pull him against his side. "I've got you, Cody."

"I… I know, sir. I know."

Okay, so I realized the only way Obi-Wan was ever going to fully recover from his experience as a slave would be to have him take care of someone who needs his help. And that person gets to be Cody because reasons.

Also, the name of his squad was kind of funny because I couldn't think of a name at first. So I just put "Blank" squad and started writing and then got to the end and realized: "Actually, that works." So whoops.

I know this feels like the end but there is one more chapter after this and then it is the end. Dun, dun, dun.

Please favorite, follow, and review and as always, May the Force be With You!

SpencerBrown: No, I have never heard of Threepwood. Who the kriff is Threepwood? And he survived? Well now I'm just calling him Wood and I'm gonna say he got his name because he ran into a tree with the same name. Don't know if that's what happened but that's my idea and I'm sticking to it. Also, thank you for the review!