How did Fox get his name?

Padme had been feeling bored as of late when an Idea struck her. She calls up Senator Chuchi, "how would you like to play a game of sabacc tonight?"

"I don't know... there's a bill that I've been working on..." she says.

"well, I think it'll be a good diversion. We need a break from work anyway."

Chuchi thinks about it for a moment, "alright. Have you asked anyone else?"

"you were the first. How about I have everybody bring snacks."

"very well, I have a fried cake recipe I could try. See you at seven." Chuchi says, hanging up.

The guests sat around the table, Chuchi, Bail Organa, Mon Mothma and her husband, Orn Free Taa, and Senator Farr. Sir Mothma divides the cards as Taa raids the snack table.

The game had been going for ten minutes before they all heard a clang from the vent. They watch as Commander Fox opens the vent and climbs out. He looks at them quizzically before checking the walls for something.

"Commander, what are you doing?" Senator Farr asks.

"Routine bug check."

Some nod in understanding and they get back to their game. He makes his way to the end table. They all jump as a blaster shot sounded.

"you're clean." Fox says, standing beside a smoking hole in the floor.

Padme covers her mouth in laughter, "please don't destroy my furniture."

"Sorry Ma'am"

"Commander, " she says standing up, "would you like to take a break for a few minutes?"

He stares at the food before nodding, "I can spare six."

she smiles and waves towards the food. Their game resumes as he piles a plate with food. He pulls up a chair and watches next to Farr and Mon Mothma. He eats by lifting his helmet just high enough to shovel food into his mouth without revealing his face.

Farr turns and asks, "why do you not take off your helmet?"

"I don't want to ruin the mood, Sir." Fox says.

"please, when off duty, call me uncle Farr."

Fox shakes his head.

"very well. There is a great deal we do not know about you, Commander. For instance, why do you eat as though you are in a hurry?"

"I forgot breakfast again."

Mon Mothma pats his shoulder sympathetically. She thinks for a moment then asks, "which of your men was it that started calling me "Mom" Mothma?"

He pauses before answering, "I think it was Beez, he said that he cut his hand and you kissed it better."

Everyone giggles. She smiles at him, "please make sure they continue."

Sir Mothma laughs, "and I have no objections to being called "dad". It's only fair."

Fox continues eating as Orn Free Taa asks, "my food tends to disappear when your men are in the room, could you perhaps explain why?"

"your medic says you're on a diet." Fox says with his mouth full. He swallows and adds, "we're just doing our duty."

"could you stop please? It always leaves me very hungry."

he shakes his head and finishes off his plate. As he got up to get a second helping Chuchi speaks. "Fox, do you remember the conversation we were having the other day?"

he looks at her, "which one?"

"how you got your name. You never did finish telling me that." she smiles at him. Orn Free Taa mouths "oh laa laa" and bounces his eyebrows at her. Her smile doesn't waver as she kicks him under the table.

Fox grabs the chip bowl and coats it in bean paste before sitting back down. He eats as he tells the story, "when Jango was training us, he got frustrated having to call out our numbers every time. Between the length and having to remember them, he decided to give us names. He named us after the first things he noticed. My name was tens. I didn't like it so I snuck into his room and stole his pillow. I said that I wouldn't give it back until he gave me a different name. He took back the pillow and named me pain. I didn't like that one either. So, I had to find something more valuable.

A few days later, I stole Boba."

all their mouths dropped open. The girls covering theirs.

He continued, "I found a really good hiding spot. I left a note saying "if you want him back, you'll give me a better name". Jango stormed up to me, yelling "you sneaky little thief..." then something occurred to him and he smiled at me, going, "alright, you win" and then he named me Fox. I spent a few hours in solitary, but it was worth it."

"where did you hide Boba?" Bail asks.

"With the other babies." he looks up at the clock, "I better get going now. Senators." he nods at them, takes the caff pot, and climbs into another vent. He calls back, "I'll bring this back later."

they smile in amusement and return to their game.

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