After Felucia III

Both destroyers returned to Coruscant after the retreat from Felucia. Jester was in a bacta tank on General Kenobi's ship, Negotiator, as was Coric. With the exception of the men still in bacta tanks, all troopers had returned to their proper ships. As someone severely wounded but not in danger of dying while being moved, Chopper had been shipped to the Coruscant Guards for a bacta tank planetside. He'd seen the commander while waiting to be transferred via gunship.

Kev had been talking with him, keeping Chopper company in the hangar as he waited for a transport and updating him about Sergeant Zeer's squad. Zeer was in a tank; the other three wounded though only Marker was in line for a tank. Kev himself was on a pair of crutches and applications of bacta four times a day; he'd be good before the tanks were empty.

"No one lost, Chopper," Kev was saying as he glanced up then smiled. "It's a good squad, Zeer's a good sergeant." He touched Chopper on the shoulder. "Commander Tano's making her way over here."

When the commander moved toward them, a bandage over one shoulder and the wet gleam of bacta on that side's montral, Kev had stood, nodded his respects to her and grabbed the bottle of water to refill. "Can I get you some water, commander," he asked in a low voice. He limped away to give them solitude as she shook her head and came over to Chopper's side. She put her hand in his, her forehead against his shoulder and tears in her eyes.

He curled his big fingers around her small hand. "It's ok, commander," he'd softly said.

"No it's not, Chopper." Her lips trembled.

Chopper couldn't reply to that because, in his deepest soul, he knew she was right; so much death was not ok, even if they were only clones, even if so few citizen care. The commander cared, Senator Amidala cared. His lady Riyo cared. So Chopper had only leaned his cheek against her. When she left to continue speaking to her men, Kev returned with the water. Chopper took a drink and gestured to the commander. "While I'm gone, Kev, I want you to second the commander. Will you do that? Will your sergeant allow you?"

"Yes, Chopper. Zeer always wants us to learn more, he'll approve an extra assignment." Kev had looked over to where Ahsoka was speaking to another wounded trooper and nodded. "I'll second the commander like you would. Like she's my little sister."

"Thanks Kev." Chopper had watched as Kev moved painfully to follow the commander, taking a second's position a step behind her and to her right, then he leaned back and let them carry him to the medical transport.

An unknown trooper was waiting for Chopper when he staggered out of the bactatank, reaching out a hand, and Chopper felt an unaccountable pressure in his chest. A brother had waited for him.

"I'm AllBall," the trooper was saying as he unpacked Chopper's armor. "Sketch has duty but asked me to wait for you, make sure you got your armor." AllBall looked at the solid white in his hands with a frown. "It's plain but doesn't look like..." he glanced at the scars on Chopper's body, "a shiny's armor."

Chopper grunted in amusement as he pulled on a new body glove. There was no way he could ever be mistaken for a shiny. "Sketch has a special process; takes the shine but leaves it," Chopper rubbed his finger over the muted gleam of his new thigh plate, "lustrous." Chopper chewed his lip just a moment. "I think he invented it or researched it for me because I don't want any design; any marks on my armor."

"Not even.." began AllBall but Chopper cut him off with a shake of his head.

"No. I prefer it plain." He gave a small smile. "Some of the men in the 501st call me 'hard worn' and I'm never sure if they're referring to this," he gestured at the scars, now hidden, that covered his body, "or simply to the armor."

AllBall gave a lopsided grin as he held onto Chopper's backplate. "Maybe both?"

Chopper nodded slowly, turning to let AllBall help him with the armor. "Maybe both."

After his final check and receiving transmittal orders to report to the Senate Apartments from the Resolute, Chopper paid his courtesy call on Commander Fox of the Coruscant Guards. Chopper came to attention in front of the desk where the commander was working on his data pad.

"At ease, trooper. Chopper, isn't it?" The commander pushed aside his data pad and gestured toward one of the chairs in front of the desk.

Chopper glanced at the chair then at the commander. It was a kind invitation or perhaps merely to have an unofficial version of Felucia but Chopper had other things on his mind. "Yes, sir. From the 501st. I will be quick. The 501st is here for," Chopper gave a slight shrug, the commander knew who was here and why in far more detail than Chopper. "Meetings. Would Sketch be available for some down time today?"

Commander Fox pulled his data pad back in front of him and checked the schedule board. He shook his head. "He's got back to backs for the next couple days."

Chopper grimaced. "Can you spare him for the next quarter-day? We've got an old squad-mate coming out of bacta on the Negotiator."

Commander Fox looked hard at the schedule board and looked forward and back a few days on the calendar function. "Technically, no. But if you can find someone to trade forward, I'll accept that."

With a frown, Chopper shook his head and looked at the floor. He didn't know anyone in Commander Fox's company; he didn't know who was a friend of Sketch or who might owe him a favor.

"Ask around," suggested Fox as he leaned back in the chair, understanding now Chopper's desire to be on his way. "Look for a trooper with painted armor," advised the commander of the Coruscant Guards. He smiled knowingly. "Any… trooper in painted armor."

Chopper chuckled with understanding. "Yes, sir. Thank you, commander."

The only reason Chopper didn't get three volunteers from the first three troopers he asked to take a shift for Sketch was because one of the men had his own duties at that time but he had sent Chopper to his barracks; apparently Sketch had helped the entire squad with marking their armor. Two troopers who shared his barracks had traded forward for Sketch.

They were met on the Negotiator by Commander Cody. Both troopers saluted sharply then dropped into parade rest.

"Our respects, commander," said Sketch hesitantly.

Chopper remembered that Sketch hadn't seen the commander since they'd been interviewed after the mess with the traitor on Christophsis. He, at least, had worked with Cody on Ryloth and Felucia. Commander Cody had been in charge of the 501st for several days; he'd seen Chopper aid Kix and then approved Chopper's command of the infirmary while Kix was in a bacta tank.

The episode with the traitor might have made Commander Cody wary of Chopper, but he hadn't held on to his distrust.

Chopper gave a sharp nod to the commander with the salute. "Commander Cody."

"I thought I might see you here for Jester, Chopper." Commander Cody nodded back. "Still hard worn armor, I see." He turned his face toward the other trooper. "But you are a surprise, Sketch."

"I thought he'd want to know, sir." Chopper admitted. "We weren't the best squad at the time, but..." His face twisted as he couldn't think of what he wanted to say. Commander Cody waited.

"But we always tried to be good troopers, sir," added Sketch softly.

Chopper nodded. Sketch knew what to say; he usually knew what to say. Sketch had been the only one to tell Sergeant Slick he was wrong.

The commander looked from one man to the other. "I'll remember that." He gestured toward a corridor and fell in step with them. "Jester is in Med Unit 4B-36. The Negotiator is laid out very similar to Resolute, Chopper. You shouldn't have any trouble finding it."

They moved down the corridor, their boots hard against the metal deck, and Cody spoke again. "Should I ask the 41st if Gus is free?"

Once the question would have scared Chopper, because it would mean that his brothers had noticed, that they were watching. Now he simply realized the squad was memorable for what had happened.

"Thank you, sir," replied Sketch for both himself and Chopper. "It's a kind offer, but he's got his own wounded at the moment." He glanced at Chopper who gave him a small nod. "We'll be meeting planetside if everyone has a similar off shift."

"When I can, I give my men a full day after a stint in bacta. Jester will have the time." Cody gave a short laugh though his eyes were worried. "You've all got a bit of down time at the moment, use it wisely." For just a moment, Commander Cody's expression was distant then he shook his head to bring himself to the here and now. "Jester's squad is waiting in the med unit for him as well." Cody smiled absently and Chopper could see he was pleased with his men; perhaps with Jester's leadership or the squad's concern. "Medics may kick you all out."

"No, sir." Chopper spoke confidently. "Medics don't care how crowded it gets so long as you give them room to move."

Cody glanced at Chopper, his eyes following the curve of the scars on Chopper's face. "You would know, Chopper." He spoke kindly

Chopper shook his head. "Only by observation, sir. There was never any of my squad left to wait for me." It had hurt then; to come out of the bacta tank and discover your brothers weren't there. Worse, to find out you were the only survivor. It had happened twice to Chopper.

"I'm sorry, Chopper." Commander Cody frowned. "That was thoughtless of me."

Chopper shrugged, chewing his lip as he suddenly wondered who waited when Commander Cody or Captain Rex was in a bacta tank. He, Coric and Jester had waited for Rex on Kaliida Station but only because they'd also been wounded; because they'd been the only 501st troopers there. Who waited for Rex on the Resolute? Commander Tano, of course, but did anyone else wait? He eyed Commander Cody thoughtfully. Who would wait for him? General Kenobi? Who waited in brotherly love for the command group when they'd been wounded nearly to death? He decided he'd check and, if need be, he'd wait for them in the future.

He noticed Commander Cody was staring at him with his brows up in question. Chopper flushed and returned his mind to the matter at hand. "No one's fault, commander." He shrugged. "Simply the way things turned out." Chopper glanced toward Sketch. "I've got brothers," he suddenly realized he had more than brothers, "people who'd wait for me now."

Commander Cody nodded. "Very good." He gestured toward a door. "The mess is at your convenience. Drum told me that Jester still had a little time remaining so you might want to grab some caf."

"Thank you, sir." Sketch saluted.

Chopper nodded and saluted as well. "Thank you, Commander Cody."

Thank you for everything. He didn't say it, but he hoped Cody heard it anyway.

There were four troopers waiting for Jester and they turned to the two men striding towards them. One of the troopers strode over to greet them as they came through the door, helmets in hand. "Chopper," he said and Chopper realized it was his scars that made him memorably identifiable. "I'm Speed." He gave a smile as he extended his hand to clasp Chopper's arm. "Your captain named me,"

"On Orto Plutonia," nodded Chopper. "I remember. It was a good plan you gave Captain Rex."

"This is Coop," Speed gestured to a trooper standing at parade rest in respect for another company coming to wait. "Sergeant's second. Also on Orto Plutonia. Cal and Tek have been with us since Ryloth."

"Did your man make it?" Coop asked as he relaxed and sat on the bench, a signal for the others to relax as well, then glanced down with a sharp grimace. "I was in another gunship, but I heard you'd spliced your air supply into his and increased his oxygen, heard he was close to dying. Our medic wasn't optimistic about his chances, said brain damage was… I'm sorry. If he didn't…"

"He made it." Chopper nodded absently as he glanced toward Jester, floating in the bacta tank, his eyes open and bubbles swirling around him and through the breather. He'd been hit sidewise with something a lot larger than a blaster; healing scar tissue was laced up his left side from just below his ribs to just below his hipbone. It could have been fatal; someone had gotten to him fast. Chopper thought he saw a smile crinkling Jester's eyes. "Kev's in training for commander's second." He turned to Sketch at his side. "This is Sketch, from the Coruscant Guards. He was also in Jester's first squad."

"Sketch?" Speed's voice went high in surprise. "Who can draw?"

"501st and Coruscant Guards? That's two companies visiting," said Cal with the beginnings of a smile curling his lip. "I knew Jester was a good sergeant," he added under his breath.

"Jester's told us about you," Tek added to Sketch. "He said you were the absolute best at armor marking."

Sketch grinned shyly and nodded. "I've done a bit of armor."

Chopper sat back and relaxed, no longer the bridge between Sketch and Jester's squad; no longer even part of the conversation. Oddly, he still felt included.

Coruscant

Chopper glanced around the Senate Apartment grounds. Something big was coming up. Once again they were being housed in the Senate Apartments but this time there were more troopers in evidence and their quarters were smaller; more in keeping with a squad of men. They'd only come in this morning and already Chopper had seen evidence of three different companies. There'd been a lone trooper, probably an ARC, in the colors of Saurent Company doing a kata in the garden and a five-man squad from Lightning coming back from a run. Commander Gree from the 41st had called out to Rex in the lobby as they moved across the room. Chopper noted that and wondered if Gus might be around.

Most of the 501st was still on the Resolute but, as usual, General Skywalker had brought a squad of men with him. There was Captain Rex, of course. Himself as the commander's second, with barely enough time to grab his gear from the barracks and still make the transport with General Skywalker. This time it was Sergeant's Zeer's squad – Kev, Kru and the new guy, Torque. Chopper had asked if Kev could learn a command's second's duties and Commander Tano had agreed.

Kev had been on Coruscant before, of course, but this time he was going to enjoy it, he'd said, instead of looking for trouble – that with a nod to Chopper.

Hardcase had taken on five extra duties in order to trade with Marker. "Just for a bath," Sergeant Jesse had laughingly quipped as he traded a few words with Zeer. Hardcase merely grinned, his face turning red, as he entered the ship with his duffel over his shoulder. He stood out in Zeer's squad with his shaved head and tattoos. Zeer's squad, in respect and emulation of their sergeant, had knuckle-deep hair and double-cut sideburns.

Kru, walking near Kev and next to Sergeant Zeer and Torque, had grudgingly given a nod to the medics, standing with Chopper, as he entered the Twilight. As usual, he had ignored Chopper. Chopper didn't laugh. Kru had yet to acknowledge his presence or sit at his table even when Kev and Marker sat with Chopper. Perhaps he didn't realize there'd be only one table in the Senate Apartments. Chopper didn't plan to spend much time there anyway. Torque was new to Zeer's squad and appeared to be torn between Kev's stories and whatever Kru was telling him.

Coric, as the second in command of the 501st, had been ordered to attend; another clue something big was being prepared and he'd brought Kix as his own second. "Not that it's a hardship, Chopper." He'd said quietly to Chopper as they waited on the ramp of the Twilight. "Civilian food, civilian company at times, different faces, different people, different ways to observe. Did you bring the deck of cards?"

"I've got them, but I may not be around a lot." Chopper smiled to himself. He'd also brought his harmonica and several new tunes for his lady.

Coric nodded, but didn't ask any questions. Of all of them, he suspected Rex and Chopper would be the most comfortable in civilian settings, the most likely to explore the city. And himself, of course.

Ash...

Coruscant was a big port. Athualla Shipping was a comparatively small family-run company and Ash was usually looking for some problem, minor to Coruscant Port but potentially major and expensive to Athualla. There was always something; someone wanting to take shortcuts or a piece of some authorizing flimsiforms missing. She found the first problem in the paperwork and turned to Gajer with a smile.

"Here's your paperwork, pilot. Find me the problems." It was always better to make pilot apprentices work. Gajer frowned, but his blue eyes were bright with hunter awareness and he took the flimsis in his hand and sat at the table. Ash ran her fingers through his fine brown hair and he blushed, vaguely waving her away as he ducked his head. She put a hand to her back and waddled – there was no other word for her walk these days – to the counter for a cup of caf.

Ash sighed and decided that Knaps had too much time on his hands. Though where he found it between working at the office, working at the mechanic shop and studying for the engineer's certificate was a mystery. He'd also been reading about pregnancy and fetal development as well as child psychology. Knaps had come across some study of the effects of some minor chemical from caf on some tiny percentage of babies somewhere and had asked her to limit her intake of the beverage. She was down to a single, miserly cup a day. He'd taken over her diet as well and half the time she took a contract simply to get some food not approved by his perfectionist nature. He knew, of course. She smiled as she poured her first, last and only cup of caf for the day.

He knew she knew. She knew he knew she knew and he knew she knew he knew she knew. Ash laughed softly, the words running around her head. He knew. She knew.

She turned and leaned against the counter. She wasn't comfortable standing and she wasn't comfortable sitting; but getting up or down was far and away the most uncomfortable so she did a lot of leaning. Ash held the cup to her face, closed her eyes and breathed deeply the crisp scent of caf.

There was sudden silence in the room; Gajer no longer reading the flimsiforms and grumbling under his breath. Her eyes opened.

Chopper was standing in front of her in dark fatigues, his mismatched eyes round and large as he stared at her belly, at the way her shirt came up revealing the smooth skin of her lower abdomen as she absently tried to pull it down with one hand. His eyes moved to the heavy roundness of her breasts then up to the silken thickness of her dark hair.

"Chopper," she exclaimed in delight turning slightly to set her cup on the counter then she had her arms around his neck.

"Are you sure, Pilot Ashwaeen," Chopper said slowly then gulped as her soft flesh pressed warmly against him, as her body seemed to mold itself to him, "that your husband is taking care of you? Should you be piloting?"

Or was it his body molding to hers? He put his arms around her and buried his face in her hair. She heard him inhale deeply, and another sound, lower in register, an almost inaudible groan.

She laughed softly, drawing only her face from him, giving him a kiss on his scarred cheek but keeping her arms around him. "Yes, Chopper. My husband is terribly worried and would like to pull me out of the sky until his Bolo is safely in his arms. He complains to the Patri and Matri every time I take a contract. He monitors my diet with all the exactitude of a biochemist and my exercise with the finesse of a pod racer mechanic." She grinned triumphantly. "But I will fly as long as I still fit in the pilot's seat."

Chopper chewed his lips for the barest moment then tilted his head down to her. "Just so." He said. "Just so." She wasn't his to protect, but Ash saw he'd do so anyway. She smiled softly in recognition of that fact; of his possessiveness for her in his brother's place.

She turned and inspected the other trooper, also in fatigues, for only a moment then smiled as she recognized him. "Sketch," she held out her hands to him and, as curiosity overcame reticence, he took her strong, slender fingers into his hands and she brought him closer into a hug and a soft kiss on his cheek. He blushed and trembled slightly in the curve of Ash's hug.

"Ash, it's good to see…" he stepped back, his eyes on her belly and gulped as Chopper had done, "both of you."

"Are you leaving immediately? Like last time?" Chopper asked as he moved to her side. His hands didn't seem to know what to do. They reached for her then hovered aimlessly near her waist without touching her. Ash reached and pulled one of his arms around her back. His touch was tentative until she leaned into his strength enough for him to actually hold her. He kept his face stern, but his eyes sparkled and he shifted his hand and arm to hold her steadier. "Is that comfortable, Ash?"

She laughed and tossed her hair, pushing it back with her fingers. Really, she had to do something about it soon, it was getting long. "Very comfortable, Chopper." Knaps often held her like that. "We're not leaving immediately and I can delay for a day or two." She gestured her fingers to the youngling boy who was watching them patiently, his mouth open in something between a grin and a question. "I'm taking Gajer on his final clearing run. Why?"

"We're having a sabacc game tonight, Ash, and I'd like you to be there. We're in the Senate Apartments again."

"New troopers?" She asked with a grin. "Someone to surprise?"

"Some new," he nodded. "Kev will be there and has asked me to politely ask you to be there. The new guys are mostly his sergeant and squad. He'd like to impress them. Jester will also be there, but I haven't told him you might be there." Chopper shrugged diffidently but his arm tightened around her. "In case you weren't."

Her grin softened at the thought of Jester and she nodded. "Of course I'll be there, Chopper." Ash turned to the youngling. "Would Gajer's presence be an imposition?"

"Bring him if he wishes." Chopper lifted a shoulder in a shrug and was rewarded by an excited whoop from the boy. His expression was curious about why a youngling might wish to visit some troopers then he shrugged and turned back to Sketch.

Chopper caught sight of the grin on Sketch's face and wished for a moment that he could draw.

Chopper...

Chopper had left the cards on the table for the others when he'd gone to Riyo's apartment late in the day. The others had all gone out in small groups and pairs to explore the city, Kru making a comment when Kev invited Chopper to go with them. Chopper had shaken his head in the negative, saying he'd stay at the apartments, there was plenty to do in the luxury building.

He stood at the door for a moment, then ran his palm over the lock and keyed in the code. There was a pause then the door opened and he stood in the doorway, his eyes moving around the apartment.

Home.

Chopper stepped inside. She wasn't there, her schedule had her at one of the budgetary meetings, but there were small differences from the last time he'd been in her apartment. She had told him she would bring some things from Pantora; that the new chairman insisted she remain senator and the apartment would be her home for some time to come. Chopper was proud that the first thing she had done was to key him into the system; the second thing was to record his harmonica music.

"So I can listen to it, Chopper," she said, blushing softly in his arms. "If you're not here, then at least something of you is home."

Home.

A painting of a castle overlooking an ocean was on the wall. A brightly colored rug covered part of the entry way floor. Absently he reached down to where a coat was draped over the back of a chair. Before hanging it up, he held it to his face and breathed deeply. Her scent surrounded him. He hung up the coat and moved toward the kitchen. He set his harmonica on the table to let her know he was in Coruscant; to let her know he'd be there. As he left the apartment and keyed the door closed, he put a palm against the door. "Home," he murmured softly to himself in wonder, his eyes moist.

Kev…

Coric, Kix and Kev were pulling the table and chairs into place for the sabacc game.

"How many people, Chopper?" asked Kev eagerly, hopeful of Ash's presence, as Chopper entered the door.

Coric laughed at Kev's eagerness; you'd think something special was going to happen the way he was acting. "There's us, Zeer and Torque. Kru if you're not playing," Coric frowned then shrugged. "Hardcase says he has better things to do and closed himself off in the larger bathing room."

"Three more then, Kev. Sketch from the Coruscant Guards and Jester from the 212th. Maybe Ash." Chopper looked at Kev. "Maybe. She said she'd be here, but I don't know for certain. If she comes, she'll be bringing her sister's son. Gajer but he won't be playing."

For a moment Kev inspected the scarred trooper, his face unreadable. "May I flirt with her tonight, Chopper?" It was a solemn question and a solemn tone. It was a warning to Coric and Kix that Ash was Chopper's guest and Kev would back Chopper in all ways. Coric and Kix would let the others know.

Chopper grunted softly as he looked toward the floor, his thumb rubbing his lower lip. "I think she would enjoy flirting with everyone, Kev. Even Kru. I think she's closer friends with Jester. She's very pregnant and that appears to cause emotional distress. Last time I saw her, she burst into tears. This time she was." Chopper chewed on his lip, trying to figure out how to explain it but couldn't. He shrugged. "Euphoric. Easy to make laugh." He shrugged again. "The best part of Ash is she will tell us what is bothering her and if we can do anything. She's not like most civilians."

Kev nodded. "Understood, Chopper. Low-key and gentle." Then he gave a sigh. "Kru still doesn't believe I know any civilians. Still says you're deficient, still calls you three-quarter man, like Boomer."

Chopper shrugged and Coric moved to get some more chairs from against the wall with Kix's help. They'd both heard and taken note of Chopper's evaluation of Ash's emotional state but the conversation was drifting to more private matters between Chopper and Kev.

"I tell him he's wrong…" Kev shook his head at the obstinacy of his squad brother.

"Don't," said Chopper lightly as he sat the sabacc deck at his place. As though it wasn't important.

Kev paused, frowning. "He's wrong, I was wrong but I've learned better, Chopper. It was a hard lesson for me to learn but there's no one I'd rather have at my back than you."

"It's between him and me, Kev." Chopper sat at a chair, his back to the wall. "If I don't care what he calls me, what he thinks of me, then why should you?"

For a moment Kev was silent, thinking. "Because he's wrong, Chopper. Because you're one of the best troopers in the 501st. Because you're my friend as well as my brother." Kev ran his fingers through his hair with a frown. "If he thought that a droiddeka would go down with one shot, I'd correct him about that. If he thought a captain outranked an admiral, I'd correct him about that. He believes something that, by experience, I know is not true."

Chopper looked up at Kev, his face soft with sudden surprise. "Thank you, Kev. Sometimes I forget what it's like to have a brother." He ducked his head then looked around, noticing a lack of the other troopers. "Where is Kru? The others?"

"They went down to the mess to bring back some food." Kev looked at Chopper knowing Chopper wanted to drop the discussion. He sighed. "I asked them to bring some back because I wasn't sure if anyone would deliver food this time."

"Good idea, Kev." Chopper shook his head. "I don't know either. Though the Guards mess is unlikely to serve chocolate."

Kev grinned then laughed. "Not likely at all."

Tomorrow - A Night of Sabacc...

Enjoy, read and review...