Twenty Seven
He watched as his large hand ran up the length of her thigh. The contrast of alabaster against his brown, calloused skin still fascinated him.
He never thought his hands, that were bred to kill, would ever feel such tenderness.
Breathing in slowly, he continued up to where a small patch of hair began and moving in cautiously, he kissed the area just under her naval.
She let out a long, satisfied sigh.
His hand followed his lips and gently cradled the slight swelling at her abdomen that was usually svelte and flat.
"Hello in there," he muttered into her naval.
She let out a small laugh.
She had finally gained the courage to tell him about the pregnancy.
It was unexpected and unplanned and he hadn't minded in the slightest.
A feeling of immense power and pride had filled him as he accepted the enormity of her admission.
"I'm your buir," he continued.
"What does that mean?" she asked, "bour?"
"Buir," he corrected her pronunciation, "it means father."
"Hmm, I like the sound of that," she replied smiling, content for the first time in her life.
He then placed his weight carefully over her and moved up to her breasts.
"I suppose I should make the most of these while I can," he mused nipping one gently between his teeth.
She sucked in a breath and pushed her pelvis up against his thigh as she felt the growing urgency between her legs build.
They made love.
Slow, deliberate, passionate.
Then the moment when neither of them could hold back.
Their time together as precious as the life growing inside her.
She screamed his name over and over again.
Her voice echoing loud throughout her apartment.
"Freya," he murmured satisfied into her ear, "my Freya."
###
Jesse stood up, tapping his plastimug with a knife.
The table full of soldier's immediately stopped eating and waited.
Hardcase pushed into Kix and stopped the medic from finishing his mouthful. "Here he goes again," he said smiling.
He knew Jesse loved an audience and would always come up with something to entertain them during their cool downs back at the barracks.
The two had made a deal to never discuss with anyone the antics from the other evening, or the dressing down they had received, again, at the hands of their Captain.
It was humiliating enough having to describe the events leading up to their incarceration to Commander Fox.
Hardcase still laughed heartily to himself on the odd occasion remembering the chance encounter. Jesse would look over at him and wink, their friendship sealed, and going way beyond the identical DNA they shared.
Jesse cleared his throat.
"I'd like to make an announcement; Echo and I are getting married."
"What?" The ARC lifted his head up from the plate of food in front of him. "We are not Jesse!" Echo was horrified.
"Oh come on ner vod, it's time to tell everyone."
Jesse had him. Hook, line and sinker.
"Stop it Jesse, I'm warning you!" Echo was turning every shade of red as he spoke.
"Alright go ahead and have the baby alone," Jesse was in his element.
"Is it a boy or a girl?" Coric asked straight faced.
"What the – right that's it!" Echo stood up, his plastimug of caf spilling in front of him. "Jesse, you're the limit." His chair falling behind him as he awkwardly attempted to get out of the Mess Hall.
"Don't leave me this way brother." Jesse pleaded.
"Oh, go salute yourself," was all Echo said as he left the room alone.
The other soldiers at the table fell about laughing.
They all loved Echo, but he was a walking target for ridicule.
Fives stopped laughing long enough to get up and follow the fellow ARC out.
"Echo, wait up, they're just blowing off steam. You know how Jess gets. Come on, wait up will ya?" A broad smile crossed his perfect jaw line.
Echo stopped, not turning around and waited for Fives to join him. He then continued on his way, head down, nowhere in particular, not saying anything.
He swung around a corner and turned quickly to face Fives.
"She pregnant."
"What?" Fives couldn't believe his ears. His smile immediately replaced by surprise.
"Freya. She's five months along." He looked at his large hands and began to smile. "I love her Fives. If anything happens to me, promise me you'll take care of her?"
"Echo, me`ven?"
"Promise me ner vod." Echo pleaded the identical man facing him. He needed Fives reassurance that he would look after her and the child if he wasn't around to do so. Echo loved Fives as much as he loved Freya, and he was the only person he trusted with the information. Echo knew there were no rules about a clone having a child, more of an oversight by the Kaminoans in not thinking they would fraternise with non military personnel.
But they were modelled on Fett; a notorious Mandalorian bounty hunter and one, on all accounts, who lived his life to the fullest.
"Of course, but Echo, when?" It was the first time Fives was at a loss for words.
"We've been seeing one another since the assignment on Concord Dawn. No one knows, except her family, but they are on Corellia."
Clarity returned to Fives and another smile crossed his face.
Slapping his brother on the shoulder he nodded, "I'm going to be an Uncle!"
###
The relative peace and quiet of the barracks was disturbed by the sudden sound of sirens blowing and red lights flashing.
They were under attack.
The men knew the drill.
Rex slowly got up and holstered his two hand pistols and grabbed his helmet and left his office.
Soldiers were scrambling to their posts as he deliberately walked through the GAR, unfazed and prepared.
Focused.
His wrist comm demanded his attention.
"Captain," it was General Kenobi, "we seem to have a little situation unfolding here concerning our friend from Malastare."
"Understood General. My ETA is approximately three standard minutes. Will meet you at the rendezvous point. Rex out."
'Kriff'
"Torrent Company, call in," he quickened his pace as he mentally accounted for each and every one of his Troopers.
Walking out the main entrance of the barracks he stopped and took in the carnage.
The beast had managed to escape the science building and was wreaking havoc on the populace of Coruscant.
As the gun ship swept in with the bay doors open, he stepped effortlessly onto the running board and took up position beside General Kenobi.
"Sir."
"Welcome aboard Rex.'
###
"Men," he was on closed comm to the rest of his company, "don't waste gun fire on this thing, just keep your heads down and help any civilians in trouble. Got that?"
"Sir," it was Jesse, "it's making its way towards the Senate building!"
Rex looked over his shoulder and saw that the soldier was correct.
"Copy that Jesse, Commander Fox is more than capable of evacuating the building. Focus on keeping yourselves alive," he grunted out annoyed.
Obi-Wan turned slightly to look at the Captain, and following his line of sight realized what had briefly distracted him.
Rex immediately tried to contact the Representative to no avail. All non military communications to the Senate headquarters were currently down.
"Commander Fox this is General Kenobi, report in on your situation."
"Sir. We're in a hell of a mess here. Currently evacuating all members to the lower levels."
"Keep me informed Commander," he replied.
"Sir. Fox out."
###
Dr Boll increased the dosage of the anesthesia, knowing it would be ultimately lethal.
She was instructed to do so after all.
The Zillo beast would be dead, extinct forever. All they had to do was figure on a way to administer the massive dose without compromising the city's atmosphere and water supplies.
Loaded into bombs and transferred onto awaiting gunships, she sadly looked at the men taking off, knowing full well she was playing a part in the destruction of another species.
The electro-proton bomb was a resounding success, but the effect of the victory on Malastare would always leave a bitter taste in her mouth.
She swore from that moment on, she would dedicate the remainder of her life to saving rather than destroying.
She crouched down to the young soldier lying in front of her, critically wounded by the animal's rampage, "starting with you," she whispered as she cradled the dying man's head in her arms 'starting with you.'
###
On a whim she went to The Bunker alone that afternoon. Gem knew there were soldiers that played in a band, and had heard from Vail that they often jammed throughout the day depending on their leave schedules.
She was happy to see some brothers on the make shift stage fooling around with their guitars and they stopped when they saw her approach.
"Can we help you Ma'am?" a cocky looking trooper asked, looking past her to the instrument she carried.
"I hope so," she replied, herself looking at her wooden friend. "I need a new set of strings, and was wondering where I could get some?"
"Hand it over Ma'am," another clone offered, wearing the colours of the 41st Elite Corps. Placing the cigarette on the side of his lips he squinted past the smoke and looked at the two remaining strings that had survived the ordeal two men had not.
"I have a full set you can have Ma'am," he said as he rifled through a bag at the back of the stage. She knew they were a luxury and would have cost him something to acquire them.
"How much are they, I intend paying for them?"
"Nothing Ma'am, the bar keep gives them to us so the men stay in here drinking. The Republic pays him for the amount we consume."
"Some nights that can be a lot," another soldier, sitting at the drums added. "I remember a certain night not so long ago we tipped the scales. You were here that night I believe Ma'am?" He winked at the woman.
Gem smiled, "that was quite a night."
In more ways than one.
She watched as the man pulled off the remaining worn strings and began to thread new metal ones into place.
"Ma'am, here," another guitar was handed to her. "Practice on this."
She held the guitar and placed the strap over her shoulder. It felt lighter than hers, the wood warm from being held, loved, played.
Gem strummed it slightly and the beautiful tone resonated throughout the room. The sound grabbed the attention of a table of men in the corner.
"Go on Ma'am, give us a tune." The drummer was incorrigible, leaning into his snare and egging her to play something. He had his hair cut in a Mohawk and was dark red in colour. He was a character, twirling his drumsticks effortlessly around his fingers as he spoke.
Gem familiarised herself with the strings and looked around the room. There was only a handful of troopers relaxing and the bar staff were busy wiping down tables, getting ready for the evening shift.
"It's been along time since I played anything," she said, looking at the soldier wearing the green on his armour. He smiled, "give it a go Ma'am," he encouraged.
"For my Father," she stated as she began plucking at the guitar strings and moving towards the microphone.
"For you, there'll be no more crying,
For you, the sun will be shining"
To the men's delight she began singing.
"To you, I'll give the world
to you, I'll never be cold"
"We've hit pay dirt gentlemen, I believe that's the young Representative singing." Atin remarked as he finished his drink. They were back on Triple Zero, for the time being anyway.
Fi couldn't contain his excitement at seeing her again, let alone the little performance she had inadvertently begun. Brothers from all over the bar were watching, relaxed and happy to listen to a voice other than their own.
And the songbirds are singing,
Like they know the score,
And I love you, I love you, I love you,
Like never before."
Niner quietly took in her appearance. Boots, beige pants and a large blousy white tunic, her hair out, slightly curled and draped down her back. He couldn't take his eyes off her. This time however, there was no Captain, no hero waiting for her, no five hundred and first brother watching her back. She was free. Free and happy and singing, to them.
And I wish you all the love in the world,
But most of all, I wish it from myself.
And the songbird keeps singing,
like they know the score,
And I love you, I love you, I love you
Like never before, like never before
Like never before.(2)
There was silence as she finished.
She swallowed hard.
The men aware of the emotion attached to that song.
She took a breath and turned, lifted the shoulder strap over her head and handed the guitar back to it's owner. He stood and moved forward and grabbed the neck of the instrument. Together the guitar joined them. "You're not alone here Ma'am." She looked up into his brown eyes and nodded, sniffing back the water running through her sinuses and wiped her cheek with the back of her hand.
Again, the sense of family struck her. Here, in the middle of the universe, on a foreign planet, she had found a group that accepted her. Her own mother had deserted her, and now her father was gone. In their unique way, they were all the same, orphans. No mothers or fathers to look after them, she now understood the bond of brotherhood.
And she wanted in.
She looked over to the table and smiled to the men seated. She had seen them when she entered.
Fi was the first to stand.
"Please, I think we are way beyond formalities Fi." She held out a hand that he shook and replied.
"You remembered my name! See what'd I tell you," turning to Atin, "it must be love," he beamed.
"Fi, you di'kut," Darman chimed in.
Gem smiled, ignoring their banter. "How have you all been?"
"Well as can be expected Ma'am," Niner answered. He too couldn't hold back the smile. He had let his guard down momentarily. Atin noticed his Sergeant and raised an eyebrow curiously.
She asked questions about their previous mission and seemed genuinely concerned over the injury that Niner had received, although he bore no remnants of the encounter. The bacta had seen to that. The soldier wearing dark green on his armour brought her beloved guitar, restrung and ready to use back over to her. She noticed how he avoided eye contact with the larger men at the table.
"Well, if you all would excuse me, I better head back to work before the Fun Police catch me out."
"You must be talking about Fox Ma'am?" Fi laughed.
"Shh. I won't tell if you don't." She gave him a quick wink.
They all stood to attention and as she headed over to the boys on the stage, quickly thanking them before leaving through the exit and heading back to work in the Senate.
The wrist comms on the Commandos went off simultaneously.
Gem stepped out to sirens blasting and people rushing in every direction. Something unimaginable was happening, and she was instantly dazed by the chaos surrounding her.
"Ma'am," It was Fi who placed a firm grip on her shoulder, "please follow me back inside. We have orders to stay put on the lower levels." She was immediately struck by the tone of his voice.
"The Senate building is under attack." He gently took a hold of the instrument's strap and guided her back inside the Bunker, aptly named for the next three standard hours.
Niner moved the wrist comm up to his mouth. He began scanning all the military channels until he reached the one he was looking for.
"CT-7567 this is RC-1309. Over."
"Copy that RC-1309."
"Sir, Omega have Representative Gem at a safe location."
He heard a long breath of relief. "Copy that RC-1309. CT-7567 out."
Darman yawned and stretched his arms up behind his head. "Leave it to the meat-cans to figure out I say," he said before he noticed the reaction written all over the young woman's face. It was too late to explain the off hand comment, and he instantly regretted saying it.
Gem had heard the term slung loosely around the Senate chambers during question time. It was derogatory towards the regular troopers.
"Excuse me Gentlemen," she said as she stood up and moved over to the other men at the bar, all watching the ancient animal wreak havoc on the levels above them on the holovid.
"Good one Dar," Fi said annoyed, "now she'll think we're all di'kuts."
###
The battle against the raging beast was exhilarating, and Rex completely forgot about everything other than the enormous animal taking on the Jedi and the populace of Coruscant.
He swallowed hard when he saw the beautiful Senator fall from the halved larty, sighed relief when young Skywalker pulled her to safety and marvelled as Windu and Kenobi caught the falling aircraft using the Force. Kriff, he had never laughed so hard when he saw Grand Master Yoda and General Secura dance on the animal's scales, the green and blue light sabres flashing as they masterly diverted the beast's attention away from the escaping politicians.
Then it was all over and the creature was dead in a haze of toxic green gas.
The city was in a mess.
Hundreds dead.
Buildings destroyed.
Rex accounted for all his men before he turned and headed towards the Senate Buildings, watching as the smoke billowed skyward.
###
Fox was in his element. This was the job he was bred to perform. He was chosen to lead the Coruscant Guard for his ability to think quickly under pressure, to remain calm in the face of danger and his unique talent for protocol, perfect for dealing with off world dignitaries.
Tower One had been compromised structurally and he had managed to successfully relocate most of the politicians to the safe lower levels under the building. This was as close to live fire action he would ever see and he was enjoying every second of it.
"Vail, grab a unit and head over to Tower Two. Take some engi's and report in on the damage to the building. Also, check in on all levels for survivors. I want to account for everyone, got it?"
"Sir."
Vail turned on his heels. "You, and you!" He pointed at two guards, "You're with me." They took off at a fast pace, picking up a couple of Clone Engineer's as they ran. Fox watched them disappear as he looked around at the mess that would now consume his life for the next several months.
###
The men in front of the holovid let out a loud cheer as they watched the animal succumb to the effects of the poison. Gemma laughed heartily as she joined in with their reverie. It was over, and she could go home, if it still existed.
"I'll help out here," Darman said as they alighted at ground level. "Wait up Dar, I'll join you," Atin nudged past Niner and bumped into him deliberately. The two locked eyes for a split second, and Atin smirked before he jogged over to a civilian.
Fi looked around, the medic in him taking precedence and looked over at Niner. "Sarge, I had better stay here and help," he said looking at the people strewn, broken and bleeding. Niner looked at his men beginning the task of helping the wounded. He turned to Gem, "I can help too," she said and moved over to a woman clutching a small child. Niner went with her and lifted the crying baby from the injured woman as the politician spoke quietly to the obviously distressed mother.
"Hey, it suits you Sarge," Atin watched as Niner looked down and smiled at the child cradled in his arms.
###
It was hours before they got her back to the Senate building. Tired and covered in other people's blood, Niner escorted her into the foyer. Off world politicians stood around in small groups. The building had been given the all clear, and she saw Vail standing on a crate, directing people and allocating new accommodation to dislocated members from Tower One.
It was ordered chaos.
Gem desperately wanted to get to her apartment and shower.
That's when they all saw him. People parted and amongst the colourful gowns and robes of the Senators stood a figure in white and blue.
"Rex!"
He turned in the direction of her voice, and Niner could see the visible relief on the Captain's face.
She ran into his awaiting arms, and he lifted her up, burying his head into the crook of her neck.
The commando turned to leave, when he heard him yell, "Sargent! That's two I owe you."
"Sir," Niner nodded, turned and left the building, and her, in his mind, forever.
###
(2) Songbird - Fleetwood Mac
An episode of MASH inspired Jesse's commentary with Echo.
###