Epilogue

Author's Note: And this is the end! I can pretty much guarantee that it's not the end of their journey or story because the Empire WILL come looking for them, but it's the end of THIS story. :) Thank you all so, so much for your support! You have no idea how much it means to me to see how many people have enjoyed this fic! :D

I am not planning a sequel. I've done sequels to things in the past, and they're never as interesting to me as the first fic. Lol. I prefer doing things entirely new, so instead of a sequel, I'm... just gonna work on drafting my Imperial!Hunter fic which I'm planning to start releasing during S3 if y'all want something new to look forward to. ;) The title is Miles Away From Yesterday, and yes, it'll be a mammoth, but writing Hunter with his chip activated is SUCH a fascinating concept that I didn't get to explore in detail in here. So. ;)

~ Amina Gila

They decide to go to Pabu. It's a simple decision, really, since they were planning to go there in Hunter's time, and it's easiest to go to a place where the people were open and welcoming. It's rare for them to ever be treated as people by the natborns, but Phee and the others did there, and they – Hunter wants to be there, with people he can trust. He wants somewhere that will be safe for his squad, his family, somewhere where they can be free and happy and protected.

Once they've left Ryloth behind them and made the jump to hyperspace, Hunter pulls Wrecker aside to talk to him. Knowing how hard it had been for Wrecker in the past, after his chip activated on Bracca, he needs to make sure that he's okay this time, too, especially since it lasted for so much longer.

"Are you alright, after everything with… the chip and all?" he asks.

Wrecker nods, hardly even hesitating. "I – I'm not sure what was me, and what was the chip, either," he admits, "But I didn't hurt any of you. I'm fine."

"You can talk to me, if you're not," Hunter tells him, because it needs to be said. He owes Wrecker that much, and besides, they're brothers. Hunter will always look after his younger brothers. He'll always try to protect them.

"I will," he assures, reaching out to pat Hunter's shoulder.

"What's it like on Pabu?" Omega queries curiously once they rejoin the others.

"It's an island," Hunter answers, and he notices the way everyone else moves closer to hear. "There's a relatively small population there, and the people are good. They… They accepted us quite readily before. They didn't treat us like most natborns do." He pauses, glancing at Wrecker. "And they have plenty of food."

Crosshair snorts when Wrecker cheers.

"It'll be a very different kind of life than anything you're used to, but I think you'll like," he adds, looking between his siblings.

"Can I keep training with my bow?" Omega questions, hopefully, "And training, in general."

"Yes, of course," Hunter promises. "There's a lot of things you haven't learned, and before, Tech… designed lessons for you, so you'd catch up. Practical things. He taught you to fly the Marauder."

"She already can," Echo says, a hint of pride in his voice, and Tech looks scandalized.

"Do you know all the ship's specifications?" he asks, just as Hunter knew he would, and he laughs before he can stop himself.

"… No? But I know some of them!" Omega insists.

"Some isn't good enough," Tech huffs, already reaching for his datapad.

"Don't worry," Hunter says dryly, "In no time, you'll have everything memorized. Tech will see to it."

"We're not gonna stay there forever, are we?" Omega queries after a pause. "The clones still need our help."

He looks away, uncertain how to respond to that. He… doesn't know what he wants or what the best option is. Ideally, that would be staying hidden indefinitely, but… Echo won't want to do that, and Omega doesn't either, it seems. Which isn't surprising, really, given that she's been helping Rex and Echo with the network. "We'll see," he settles on finally. "I think we all need some time right now, and we'll take it as it comes."

"The Empire will keep looking for us, too," Crosshair points out, leaning forward.

"And Omega will need to be trained for the day when they catch up," Echo finishes grimly.

Yeah, but that's not something Hunter really wants to think about right now. "We'll take care of her," he states, "And each other." And they're together. That matters more than anything, but it's not something he needs to say. They all know it.

**w**

They arrive on Pabu, and it feels like walking into the future. The last time they were here, they were all together, minus Crosshair, and coming here now, with him, feels like – it feels like a victory. It feels like they won, even if the universe is different now, and it feels like all the pain and grief might have been worth it now that they've reached this point.

Luckily for them, Phee is there when they arrive – and that leads to them, well, Hunter rather, having to explain, very awkwardly, how he knew to come here. She listens, expression becoming increasingly incredulous as Hunter tells her about the time travel. But it must be obvious to her that he knows her, and he would have no reason to lie, no matter how far-fetched and wild the story must sound to her.

Phee stares at them all for a long moment when Hunter finishes explaining, and then, she laughs. "Well, that's one of the most outlandish stories I have ever heard, but you're welcome to stay… for a price, of course."

Hunter sighs. "What is it?" he asks, though he thinks he already knows.

She grins at him brightly. "I want you to come with me on some of my expeditions. It's always more fun to have company, and the more the merrier."

"… Most of our expeditions together did not go very well in my memory," he points out dryly.

"This will be different!" He just looks at her, and she chuckles. "Well, if we're lucky," she amends, waving them along to show them around the island.

"Please?" Omega asks hopefully, giving him her best pleading look.

"Could be fun!" Wrecker agrees, and Hunter shakes his head with a sigh and a fond look.

"We'll see." It's basically a yes, and Crosshair snickers next to him, probably laughing both at him for giving in, and at Wrecker and Omega who cheer.

They spend the rest of the day looking around the island, and Hunter takes the time to enjoy watching his siblings taking everything is. He knows this place, and it's beautiful here, peaceful, but seeing the way the others are reacting to the sights is… fulfilling. It's soothing to him to see them like this, intrigued by the new world around them, free of the burdens that have plagued them all for so long.

It – he could really get used to this, even if it'll take him some time to accustom himself to a life outside of war or missions. They've only ever been soldiers and putting that life behind them for good will be… challenging. But if they're together, it's a challenge that they can and will tackle as a group, as a family.

Omega and Lyana hit off instantly, just as they did in the past, and Hunter just… watches them playing around, having fun like children are supposed to. Wrecker joins them, after a while, and Hunter just lingers, watching, while Tech, Echo, and Crosshair alternate between hovering nearby and exploring on their own.

Pabu will do them good, Hunter thinks. They're all carrying scars from what happened, from being separated from each other, from working for the Empire for so long, and here, they have the chance to let go, to be free.

Shep invites them to eat with him, and together, they watch the sun set on the balcony overlooking the city. Omega is in front of him, elbows on the railing, and he has an arm loosely draped on her back, hand on her shoulder. Crosshair is leaning against him, far closer than he normally would stand, but Hunter has noticed that ever since the emotional moment they shared on Ryloth not very long ago, he's been unusually… clingy. Maybe he's just going through another phase again, not that Hunter has any objections to it; having Crosshair nearby at all times is comforting.

Wrecker, Tech, and Echo are clustered around them, and Hunter feels settled, with his family clustered around him. Sure, this peace won't last forever, but right here and right now, it's enough. He doesn't feel the need to worry about the future, and he's willing to just take things one day at a time.

One day at a time as they navigate a life that they've never had before, a life as civilians, a life where their training is a thing of the past.

It won't last forever – nothing does – but it's enough to know that they're safe for now. It's enough that they have a chance to heal, a chance to reforge the bonds that have bound them together. They're free of the Empire, and Hunter will learn to be free from the things he went through in the once future, even if the scars remain.

"I can't believe I'm saying this," says Crosshair, sounding vaguely amused, "But this will be a good place to stay."

"So glad you approve," Hunter teases, and Crosshair elbows him. Hunter shoves him back, and after pushing each other back and forth for a few moments, Hunter traps Crosshair under his arm, pinning him against his side. He could pull away if he really wanted to, but he only grumbles theatrically and leans into Hunter's side.

That lasts until Wrecker unfairly captures them both in a giant hug that they really can't escape from. His strength is such an unfair advantage sometime. "Group hug," he says gleefully, and Omega squeals, tackling Hunter from the side. He wiggles in Wrecker's arm to tug her in closer, while Echo nudges Tech in to join them, and soon, they're all squished in a group hug.

"If I die here from being crushed to death, I'll haunt you for eternity," Crosshair growls.

"I'd want you to haunt me anyway," Hunter answers, smirking, and Crosshair groans, mumbling under his breath about regretting all his life's choices.

Yeah, this is what it means to be happy, to have a family.

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