Last time: Sasha and Kyr got Cordova to squeal on information involving Jiardon's fleet.

Now: Kelce has a very important question for Kyr.


Chapter 8- With Your Permission

After successfully pulling off the Citadel Switch, Cordova was returned to his cell in a less than pleasant mood, at least according to Nova. Kelce had been restocking the medbay at the time of the stunt and had gotten the details from Nova later during a late lunch between the two of them. He was relieved to hear that they got information out of that ISB scumbag that could lead to Cien's whereabouts and now they were currently en route to Entando.

After they got that information, and little to anyone else's knowledge, Kelce started preparing supplies and equipment in the medbay for Cien's rescue as he guessed that might be soon. He figured he might need the usual supplies of bacta and bandages, but he also got a series of equipment and items out that were hardly, if ever, used on the Defiant that were meant for expecting mothers. Equipment that could monitor the unborn baby's health, that could help both mother and children if they were injured, and so on. He was preparing for every scenario just in case. And he hadn't told a soul he was doing that. His fellow medics had noticed, but he expected them to. However, not even the Admiral, Scamp or the rest of the Coppers knew. But Kelce felt like he should inform Colonel in the very least about what he was doing for the man's wife. He thought that might reassure the man at least a little bit knowing that she would be in good hands the moment she would arrive aboard the Defiant.

However, there was another reason he wanted to talk to Kyr of all people. He had been considering doing something very important with his career and life, but while everyone else would be super supportive of his decision, he felt like he needed Kyr's advice in this as the man did have experience in this category of life.

So once they were underway to Entando, Kelce went off to find the Colonel and check in with him. It didn't take him very long to find him as he had a good guess where the Mandalorian would be and he was right. He found Kyr in the shooting range in the second to last aisle next to the aisle that the ship knew belonged to Wynnie. He was intently firing with his carbine, shooting off quick bursts of precisely aimed fire at little targets that looked like Stormtroopers peeking out from a forced perspective distance. Kelce walked over and leaned against the wall that separated the range next to Kyr and the one he was using.

"Thought I'd find you here. Mind if I join you?" Kelce asked at the first opening he had.

Kyr dropped his weapon to his chest and looked down, not at Kelce. "You here to cheer me up too?" He asked with a defeated and tired tone, his face hidden under his buy'ce.

Kelce shook his head. "No. Only came to talk if you wanted to. Maybe do a little shooting," he said, looking down range. "But if you'd like to be alone then, I can save the talking for another time."

"No, I'm sorry Kelce." Kyr said, "I'm happy to talk with you. I can't remember the last time I saw you shooting though." He commented.

"Well I don't usually come down here for leisure," Kelce chuckled. "That's more Nova and Wynnie's thing. But it's been a while. So forgive me if I'm a little rusty." He said as he pulled out the small side arm he had holstered to his hip. He turned and aimed down range in the space next to Kyr. He hit the button to set up the target and then took a couple of deep breaths. He then fired a few shots off, hitting the torso of the target. "So how are you, Colonel?" He asked as he lowered his pistol.

"Impatient." Kyr replied as he took out his own side arm and fired off several quick bursts down range that hit their targets.

"That's understandable," Kelce agreed before firing off a couple of shots. "Sadly, the ship's hyperdrive isn't fast enough. So I guess we can all be impatient together."

"Yep." Kyr agreed.

Kelce nodded. "So I'm guessing you've got a plan? For when we get to Entando?" He asked after a moment.

"Not really." Kyr admitted. "Depends on if we find a little unmanned relay station, or a huge shipyard base with a Golan-III Defense Platform." He said. "I guess we'll just wing it like we always do." Kyr said with a sigh. "Unless that has changed with the Coppers. It's Scamp's call now, I guess."

"I can assure you nothing has changed," Kelce said, smirking. "Scamp may have taken over, but he still runs the Coppers the same way you did. He said once to us, 'why fix what isn't broken?'" He lowered his pistol. "However, no matter what, the Coppers will be here to back you up. You're still part of our family and team, Kyr."

"Well I knew that." Kyr said with a ghost of a smirk in his voice. "I just figured Scamp might have implemented some 'shiney' new ideas."

"No, not really," Kelce chuckled. "But he has brought Troy in on more Copper missions. The kid is really proving to be an excellent part of our team. He, however, is still 'shiney' though."

"Troy makes me feel old." Kyr groused, in a somewhat good natured way. "Glad to hear he's doing good, though. Wynnie noticed him yet?"

"Nope. She is still as clueless as ever," Kelce told him. "But they have been spending more time together. Like training and missions, but no other progress."

Kyr sighed. "I think that might be a bit of a curse among the Copperheads. Great at blowing stuff up or shooting things or patching people up, but that's one area where we all seem to have a terrible time trying to work through that. I guess I started that tradition back in the day. Hell, it's the reason the Coppers even exist."

Kelce chuckled. "Well it's not a long term curse. You proved that by marrying Cien. Scamp and the Admiral too. And now with me and Nova getting together. At some point, the curse will lift and Wynnie will realize how Troy feels about her," he said, wistfully.

"I hope that does work out, she deserves that." He said as he settled onto one of the benches that lined the back wall opposite the shooting aisles. "Still not sure about Troy though." He admitted, but with a little humor to his voice.

"He's a good kid. Just give him some time," Kelce said, smiling. "But I agree. I hope it does work out." He then cleared his throat. "Also that was something I wanted to talk to you about."

"What? Is Troy gearing up to make a move?" Kyr asked, looking up at Kelce. Even if his face was hidden by the buy'ce, the doctor could hear the glare in Kyr's voice.

"No, it has nothing to do with Troy and Wynnie," Kelce said with a shake of his head. "It's about me and Nova."

"Oh?" Kyr asked.

Kelce swallowed as he blushed. "I have been thinking about something for a while. And I was wondering, with your permission," he paused, "if I could propose to Nova?" He said quietly and sheepishly.

Kyr looked at him for a moment from under his buy'ce before he slowly reached up to remove it. He carefully lifted the beskar helmet off of his head and set it on the bench next to him while he followed it with his eyes. Once it was safely set aside, he looked Kelce in the eyes before he spoke. "I think she's the one you need to ask?"

Kelce, who had tensed up in fear of how the man before him might react, blinked at him, not expecting that response. "I-I know that. B-but you're like a pseudo big brother to her. You always have been," he explained with a slight stammer. "I just wanted to see if it would be okay with you if I did ask her to marry me." He clarified.

Kyr stood up and approached Kelce, who was still standing near the entrance to his aisle. He glanced down the other aisles, there were a few others in the shooting range but they were all engrossed in their activities. "Thane." Kyr said quietly and gently. "You don't need my permission to ask her anything. But I appreciate it. For what permission I have to give on the matter, you have it with all the sincerity I can offer."

Kelce sighed in relief and smiled at Kyr. "Thank you. It's relieving to hear that," he said as he rubbed his neck. "I've been so nervous about this since I started thinking of my future with her. I love her so much and I want to make her happy for the rest of our lives, but," he swallowed, "this is a huge step for us to take. And seeing what your family has, I realized how much I want that too. And so does Cyrinity. I just don't know if she is as ready as I am for marriage at the moment." He looked away. "You're also the first person I talked to about this. I'm too nervous to mention it to the others."

"Thane, do you remember her at all when you first joined us Rebels?" Kyr asked.

Kelce thought for a moment then shook his head. "Sadly, not. I was still busy with the head medic at the time and getting settled with them. I hadn't really spent much time with the Coppers at that time," he remembered.

"When I first met Nov- Cyrinity," Kyr corrected himself. "She was this little spitfire that was pretty hardened by her life. I first met her when she saved us by blowing up a crew of stormies that were setting up an E-Web to hammer our position down. Nearly blew herself up with it, but it saved our shebs in that little encounter. She didn't start to soften into the kid we both love now until you came along, and she's only grown brighter and happier as she spent more and more time with you. Especially after you two finally got together. You changed her life for the better in a way I don't think she ever expected, especially after you said yes. She's more ready than you are for that, I suspect." Kyr said, with a small smile playing at his lips.

"I guess I never knew that, but I'm happy to hear it," Kelce smiled at that. "I guess now the only question I have is when do I ask her? Because I already got the ring," he said as he reached into his pants pocket and pulled out a small box. He popped it open to reveal a small silver ring with a purple and bluish stone that looked like a galaxy trapped in a small crystalized form. "I'm just not sure on the protocol for asking." He chuckled nervously.

"That I'm not quite sure about vod." Kyr said, "the only person that can know that is you. Sport might be able to help you out with that a bit, though." Kyr mused.

"Okay, I might go ask him for some tips," Kelce said. "Thank you, Kyr, for letting me talk to you about that. I know with everything going on, I wasn't sure if now was the best time to bring it up with you. But I thought it might make you feel better in some way. However, please know that I am here for you right now. I just hoped of potentially talking about this if it came up." He explained as he tucked the ring back into his pants pocket.

Kyr stepped forward and pulled Thane into a hug. "I'm happy for you guys." He said with a pat on his back. "I really am."

"Thank you, Kyr," Thane said as he hugged Kyr back, patting his back too. "This means a lot." He then pulled away, smiling at him.

Kyr took a step back. "I think more than anything the thing that defines the Coppers is that we've all lost something," He said, "but that we found something in each other that could heal that loss. We are a family united by something deeper than just blood. And I really mean it when it does make me happy to think of you guys taking that step."

"Well, like you said, we are family," Thane said. "And I want… we would want you guys to be a part of that. That includes your actual family too." He then frowned softly. "But we need to get the rest of the family back together first. Cien is one of us too. We don't leave one of our own behind when they need us. So you have our support."

"I know." Kyr said, looking away. "Sasha senses that she's okay, she's not… under duress. But she hasn't been able to reach out to her. I don't know what all this is about, but I…" He paused, "I'm really glad to be back here with you guys. With both my families." He paused, "with our entire family here to handle whatever has happened."

"And we always will be here for you," Thane said then looked away. "And that's good to hear that Cien is okay. I was worried. We all are." He admitted.

"Yeah..." Kyr said, trailing off, at a loss for anything else to say.

Kelce looked at him for a moment, frowning slightly before looking back down range. "Do you want to keep shooting? Maybe play a game?" He suggested. "I'm sure you'll cream me, but I'm down for something fun for a while if you are interested."

"Just shooting stuff together might be fun." Kyr said, and he paused slightly. "And not because you asked about marrying Nova or anything." He clarified with the shadow of a smirk.

Kelce laughed at that. "Well I'm glad that's not the case then," he said as he turned his attention back down range fully and prepared to fire off a volley of shots at the target still hovering down range before him.


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