Echo took a deep breath and continued," I remember climbing the ramp and looking back at you guys. Then there was a flash of light and then nothing. I woke up and found myself lying in the middle of the burning ship. My armor was pretty scorched but I was only a little crispy. I got myself out and went in search of you guys. I showed up just as they were loading you up, sir."
Cody blinked, trying to think. The ship had been blasted and somehow Echo had survived. His helmet had somehow ended up outside of the ship while he remained inside. It just wasn't possible. Obi-wan must've been thinking along the same lines because there were deep frown lines on his forehead, "That is quite interesting, Echo, but I still don't understand how you survived."
"Master Piell," Anakin murmured and they all turned to him. He continued, "Master Piell must've tried to save him and didn't realize he had. That's why he never said anything about it."
"A Force Push would explain it or even shielding through the Force,"Obi-wan nodded. "Its just good to have you back. Both of you."
"I wasn't going anywhere," Cody growled, which earned him a glared from Obi-wan.
"Don't push it, Cody."
"Yes, sir. Not pushing anything, sir."
"Cody."
"I wasn't pushing it."
"Cody."
"Meds drugged me, didn't he?"
"Yes."
"Kriff."
Everyone else laughed, earning a glare from Cody. Echo shook his head, "Sir, I think you need to rest."
"I'm not hurt that bad," Cody growled, trying to push himself up and failing.
"Right, boss man, not that bad," Fives shook his head. "I'll believe that in a few hundred years or so."
"Is he being difficult again?" Meds sauntered in at that moment, hands in his coat pockets as he moved to stand by Cody's bed, raising an eyebrow. "You're suppose to be lying down, not sitting."
"I wanted to sit up," Cody growled stubbornly.
"I'm sure you did, but you really should be lying down and resting. Ever heard of that?" Meds shook his head.
"Resting? Yeah, its what everyone else does while I work," Cody shrugged then winced. "How's the kid?"
"Really? Fine, I humor you. Echo is a little burned and bruised, but he should be good to go in a day or so. You, on the other hand, are staying here where I can keep an eye on you. I don't care what you say, either," Meds shot Cody a glare, shutting him up. "You've got severe bruising and burns up and down your right side. You fractured quite a few ribs and have a few nice cracks in your shoulder region. You bruised your collar bone and don't even get me started on your arm. You'r lucky its not in a cast, mister."
"When can I start training again?" Cody asked, as though he hadn't heard anything of what Meds had said.
"When I say you can, which is when I clear you, which will be in at least two weeks. And that maybe for light training, not active duty," Meds growled.
"Ok, so tomorrow I can go to the shooting range," Cody nodded and Obi-wan noticed he was trying not to smile. So, he was just pissing Meds off for fun.
"NO! You can not use or move your right arm at all! And that is FINAL!" Meds hissed, rounding on the others. "OUT! My patients need to rest, not encouragement."
"Lets go, Fives, before we get eaten," Anakin laughed as he threw an arm around Fives and they both sauntered out together.
Obi-wan focused on Cody, who nodded. Obi-wan helped Cody ly back down before giving him a hard look, ignoring Meds' glare at his back, "Listen to him, Cody, or I will make you."
"Fine," Cody huffed, nodding. Obi-wan turned to Echo.
"Make sure he does what he's told. You're his offical babysitter till he's released," Obi-wan gave Echo a small smile. "Report to me if he starts to throw a fit."
"Yes, sir," Echo smiled as Obi-wan left the room.
Meds let out a sigh, "Please, both of you, just rest for now. That's all I ask."
"I'll make sure he does," Echo nodded, noticing Cody's eyes starting to droop.
"Thanks, kid," Meds rested a hand on Echo's shoulder. "It's good to have you back."
"Its good to be back," Echo nodded and Meds left. He looked over at Cody, who was struggling to keep his eyes open. "Sir, just pass out already."
"I will, don't worry, "Cody focused on Echo. He looked at him long and hard, making Echo want to fidget. He finally spoke, his voice soft, "You scared me today, kid. I'm not gonna lie, I was terrified."
Echo blinked. His commander actually feeling fear? Cody continued, "You and Fives, you've become as much a part of my squad as any of my men. My squad isn't just a bunch of men, kid, its a band of brothers and somehow I got the lucky job of being sort of a...a father to all of them. Losing even one of them hurts...a lot. Obi-wan can tell you its hard on me. When I thought you had died...it was harder than any of the others because you weren't just a son to me, you were...are my little brother, Echo. You and Fives both. I don't want anything happening to either of you. But you proved something today, Echo."
"What?" Echo asked softly.
"That you and Fives don't me protecting you. You both can take good care of yourselves. I've been...a little overprotective of you two and I need to pull back a bit. You two are good soldiers, Echo, and good men. Don't let anyone tell you differently," Cody laid his head back, letting his eyes close.
"Thank you...Cody," Echo spoke softly as he heard Cody's breathing even out. Ok, so the man was certifiably insane, but he was one hell of a brother and nothing would ever change that.
Well, this is for sure the end of this one! I hope you liked it. If anyone has any requests for any future stories from me or any suggestions for any of my other stories, I will gladly take them into consideration! Thanks again for reading!