Hello everyone and welcome to the third and final section of Across the Stars: Restitution!

The last Bad Batch episode was incredible and SO TENSE! (Yes I still believe Tech will be back no I will not be taking questions) But seriously I'm in an abusive relationship with the Bad Batch at this point. It's so stressful watching it right now. And waiting a week is TORTURE.

Anyway, back to the fic.

Zabuzasgirl: Thank you!

Guest: Why thank you!

Mando'a translations at the end!

TW: non graphic talk of pregnancy

RESTITUTION: Chapter 1

Days after the Battle of Coruscant

Colors. Blurred colors made up the being's world. Blurred colors and beeping and noises like the ones it made. And pain. In its insides and outsides.

Other things came into its world. Things it could feel were part of it, but it couldn't control. When things touched those, it knew. Then there were things inside itself. Pain, discomfort, things it did not understand.

Then-

Cold. So cold. The colors became dark. There were sounds like it made, but grating. The being made its own noise. It wanted the dark and the cold to leave.

It didn't.

Tiny pains, all over the being. Then a sharp pain in its head. Cold cold cold cold cold cold cold-

The cold faded. The pain faded. Not gone, just- less. More noises like the ones the being made.

Time passed. The blurred colors sharpened into vague shapes. The things that were a part of the being flashed in front of its view. A round shape the same color as the being's parts was often there too. The being realized that the noises like the noise it made came from that round shape. Different from the other like noses.

It liked that shape.

Four months after the Battle of Coruscant

Explosions ripped through the air.

The sky was smoggy with blaster smoke.

Rex barked orders to his brothers.

Just like old times.

Except this time, they were fighting for something better. A home. Their home and the homes their brothers and their equals. And- well, the Pykes were a far cry from the clankers. Rex never thought he'd appreciate the competence of B1 battle droids. The tinnies at least knew how to fight on a battlefield.

The Pykes- didn't to say the least. Rex would feel bad, if the Pykes weren't trying to subjugate Ryloth.

"Captain!" Jesse called through Rex's comm. Rex gestured for Fives to continue the forward assault as he ducked into a nearby doorway to take the call.

"Sir, we've gotten into contact with Captain Howzer and Cham Syndulla."

"Excellent." Rex said. "Can you patch me through to Howzer?"

"Standby." Jesse said.

Just a moment later, Howzer began speaking.

"So you finally made it, Rex." He said. "I have to thank you for the tip about the chips. Otherwise, most of my men would have left with the Empire."

"Glad to help." Rex said. "We'll send you the coordinates to our basecamp. Get your men there and resupply. I can't imagine you've been getting supplies from Taa."

"No." Howzer growled. "The bastard disavowed us the second the Pykes arrived."

"We'll be ousting him soon enough." Rex promised. "It's good to hear from you, brother."

"Thanks for coming, Rex." Howzer replied.

The comm clicked.

"Jesse, escort them to base." Rex ordered.

"Yes sir!" Jesse said.

Rex rolled his shoulders to loosen them and rushed back into the fray. He shot a Pyke taking aim at Fives from a rooftop. Fives gave him a nod and they charged forward together.

Not five minutes had passed before the noise of a lightsaber cut through the sounds of fighting.

For a moment his heart stopped. Ahsoka?

No. She was on Ossus. Safe.

"General!" Rex shouted.

General Skywalker had joined them, deflecting blaster bolts even as he turned to grin at Rex.

"I'm here to relieve you, Captain!" He said.

"Sir, is this the time?" Rex replied. He dodged two blaster bolts and fired six off in return. "We're approaching the capitol-"

"I promised your wife that you wouldn't miss your call times." General Skywalker said. "I think it's about time I cover for you for a change of pace."

"Yeah, Captain Buir!" Fives added. "Can't keep the Commander and Commander Jr. waiting!"

Rex smiled slightly as he remembered Fives and his other brothers' reactions to learning about the baby. Wide eyes and grins, claps on the back, and now constant jokes and questions about Rex's upcoming parenthood.

"You want to tell me why my child outranks me?" Rex asked dryly, even as he backed from the front line.

"You're a Commander at heart, Rex." Fives said. "Tell Ahsoka I say hi."

"Will do." Rex said. "Thank you, General."

Rex made his way past his advancing men- and women. He'd been surprised with how many nat borns had stayed in the army. The senators had managed to instill pride and loyalty in their Democratic Alliance of Planets in its citizens in just a few short months.

Rex finally made it to the back line, where speeders and medical transports waited.

"Hapa, are you heading back?" He asked.

The Nautolan nurse looked up from her ministrations to a burned trooper.

"In a minute." She said. "Need a ride?"

Rex nodded and Hapa returned to her work. He was proud that she'd braved the grave world of field medicine. Though, Rex suspected it was to keep a better eye on Kix.

"Ready." Hapa told Rex after she'd loaded the injured trooper.

Rex swung into the passenger seat as she started the transport. The sounds of battle eventually faded away.

"Captain, can I ask you a question?" Hapa asked. They were now moving through abandoned streets of half destroyed buildings. "Of a personal nature."

Rex nodded, curious.

"How did Ahsoka ever get you to tell her about your feelings?" Hapa said, a sudden annoyance to her voice. "Because Kix-"

Rex raised a hand to stop her.

"No need to go into detail." He said. "I know exactly what you're talking about."

With more and more clones getting into romantic relationships, he'd noticed a common complaint from their partners: the clones bottled up their feelings. No wonder, after a partial lifetime of being told the mission came first over everything.

"Ahsoka had the advantage of having a direct line into my head." Rex said. "I didn't have much of a choice. Give Kix some time. And I'll talk to him."

Hapa let out a sigh.

"Thank you." She said. "I love him, but-"

"I know." Rex said. "Trust me. I know."

Hapa laughed, but Rex thought she still sounded stressed. It was probably due to it being her first mission as a field medic. Rex didn't know any medic that wasn't stressed out of their bucket.

It wasn't far to the base camp and soon Rex was bidding Hapa goodbye. He moved through the tents, checking his chrono. He had five minutes until the appointed time. He'd thought he'd have to miss this meeting.

Finally he slipped into his tent and took out his long range holo. He removed his helmet and then clicked the indicator that showed he was ready. He only had to wait a minute more before the holo beeped and the shimmering blue form of his wife appeared before him.

He couldn't stop a grin from spreading across his face. Ahsoka's expression mirrored his.

"Hello." Rex said.

"Hi." Ahsoka replied.

Rex greedily took in the sight of her. She was a little different than his memory of her. For one, her stomach had grown and rounded since he'd seen her last. Her lekku seemed a little stiff. And her markings- she'd warned him that they'd change, but seeing the white seem to billow out from her cheeks and forehead was odd.

But despite it all-

"You're beautiful." He told her.

Ahsoka laughed.

"Bloated lekku and all?" She teased. "You should see my feet. I can't wear shoes anymore."

"I didn't marry you for your boots." Rex said.

She laughed again.

"How are you?" She asked.

It was odd for her to not know automatically. She'd been cautious with her use of the Force, for the sake of the baby.

"I'll be a lot better once Orn Fre Taa's fat shebs are kicked from Lessu." Rex said. "Kriffing traitor. We've found Howzer and his men and Cham Syndulla's people. Shouldn't be too long before the Pykes retreat."

Ahsoka cocked a cloudy eyebrow.

"Good to hear." She said. "But I asked how you are doing, not the campaign."

Rex flushed, reminded of his conversation with Hapa.

"Sorry." He said. "I'm- okay. I miss you. But I'm doing a lot of good here and I'm with my brothers."

"I miss you too." Ahsoka said. "And so does the baby."

Rex blinked.

"They do?"

"He-" Ahsoka started.

"He?" Rex asked. "It's a boy?"

Ahsoka smiled.

"He hears you every time you call." She went on. "And he knows you from my memories."

"Kriff." Rex said, filled with wonder at the thought.

Then he immediately regretted cursing in front of the listening child.

"Sorry, kiddo." He said.

"Speaking of which, any more name ideas?" Ahsoka asked.

Rex smiled.

"I've got practically every brother telling me to name the baby after them." He said. "Especially Fives."

"I'm not naming our child a number." Ahsoka said flatly.

A part of Rex was- bemused by the idea of naming a child at birth. The day he'd chosen his name was a special memory to him. But- he also knew that he didn't want his ad'ika to ever think he was just a number.

"Tup actually had a nice idea." Ahsoka interrupted his thoughts. "Something to do with birds, like your jai'galaar."

Rex ran his thumb over his jaig eyes.

"It's worth a thought." He said. "Better than every other suggestion. Can't we ask him if he likes the names?"

Ahsoka furrowed her brow in consideration.

"Maybe." She said. "We can try. He definitely has opinions."

They looked at each other for a moment.

"How much longer?" Rex asked.

Ahsoka sighed and ran a hand down one of her lekku.

"The medical droids aren't entirely sure." She said. "Togruta-human hybrids are rare and I'm messing up the timeline with meditation. We're having weekly checks to see how his lungs are."

Rex fiddled with his helmet. It would be difficult to be there for the birth in any case, but without a confirmed date range, it became a faraway dream.

"Maybe he'll tell you." Rex joked, trying to push down his sharp disappointment.

Ahsoka cocked her head.

"He might, actually."

A tiny doubt wormed its way to the surface.

"Ahsoka," Rex said. "I- don't have parents. I've only ever been a soldier. How am I supposed to be a father?"

"I have parents either." Ahsoka said.

"General Plo doesn't count?" Rex asked.

Ahsoka smiled.

"True enough." She said. "But Rex- you're a good person. You already love our baby so much. And you're willing to learn. I'm sure there's something out there about being a decent parent. I'll ask Tech to take a look."

Rex felt warmth spread through his chest at her words.

"Thank you, 'Soka." Rex said softly. "Speaking of the Batch, how's training going?"

Ahsoka put her hand to her chin in an uncanny imitation of General Kenobi.

"Well, define training." She said. "We've started some meditation but- I want to give them both time. Omega's been through so much and I think she needs to feel safe again. She thinks too much about Tantiss. She keeps asking about finding it and saving the clones there."

Rex raised an eyebrow.

"I don't blame her." He said. "They need help."

"But she's not the one to do it, not right now." Ahsoka said. "It's hurting her to think of it so much. I need her to focus and be an example for Crosshair. He won't do anything without her."

"That man is one of the most stubborn I've met." Rex said. "And I know Fives and General Skywalker."

"And yourself presumably." Ahsoka said with a smile. "I can't get him to join in on the meditation. He just sits to the side, listening."

"If Omega asks enough, he'll break." Rex said.

"Hopefully." Ahsoka replied.

They chatted for a while longer, about how the community on Ossus was growing, how the DAP was spreading its influence, the odd pregnancy symptoms Ahsoka was experiencing. Rex didn't really care what they talked about. He was content to listen to her voice and share time with her.

"I can't even get near the Marauder because of the smell." Ahsoka said with a sigh. "At least Crosshair and Omega bathe-"

"Captain!"

Rex closed his eyes at the trooper's voice. He turned to see a younger clone peeking into his tent.

"Yes, Ray?" He asked.

"Captain Howzer and Cham Syndulla have arrived." Ray said, glancing between Rex and Ahsoka.

"Tell them I'll be there shortly." Rex replied.

He turned back to Ahsoka as Ray withdrew.

"I'm sorry." Rex said.

"It's all right." Ahsoka said. "I love you. We love you."

"I love you both." Rex said. He reached up, his fingers hovering over her blue cheek. "Urcye mhi."

"Urcye mhi."

She flickered away. Rex sighed and got up, putting his helmet on. Captain Rex was a good leader, a good soldier. How would he fare as a father?

Crosshair lay in darkness. Omega was sleeping, so the lights on the ship were dimmed. That meant the scant input of light Crosshair could still see was taken from him. This was the worst part of his day. Trying to sleep.

During the day his brothers would take him outside or help him practice moving around the Marauder. It was frustrating, humiliating, and stressful, but it was something to focus on.

He shifted on his bunk. The sound of fabric on fabric and a quiet plop made him pause. He reached down and fumbled his fingers around. They brushed soft cloth.

Lula.

Crosshair scowled. Omega was supposed to have Lula. She needed the doll more than he did. He picked it up and opened his mouth to call one of the others to give it back.

He didn't. He ran his fingers over the worn fabric. He remembered the times that Wrecker would tuck the tooka doll into their bunks when he thought they needed it. He was usually right.

Omega was so much like Wrecker: kind and giving. She was so much like all of them. Focused, intelligent, strategic, loyal. But she'd managed to avoid their worst parts. Except stubbornness. She was as stubborn as any of them could be- and then some. At least- she had been. Crosshair didn't know if that remained after everything.

He pet Lula. It was more soothing than he'd care to admit. Soothing enough to help him drop off-

A cry slapped him awake.

Omega.

Crosshair fumbled in his darkness, but froze when he heard Tech's measured footsteps.

Omega's strained wails and strangled gasps were overlaid with Tech's quiet reassurances. Eventually the first faded away into quiet sobs.

"Tech." Crosshair hissed.

A few more footsteps and Crosshair could hear Tech's breathing. He held out Lula. The stuffed animal was tugged from his fingers and Tech seemed to move away. It was still for a while, save for the occasional whimper from Omega and whisper from Tech.

Then finally Crosshair heard the metal creak slightly as Tech likely retreated. He seemed to pause by Crosshair's bunkside. Then a light weight fell onto Crosshair's chest.

"She requested Lula be returned to you once she fell asleep." Tech said quietly.

Before Crosshair could protest, Tech's footsteps told him his brother had returned to the cockpit.

Crosshair felt at the stuffed animal. Omega acted like he was the one who woke up every night with night terrors. He wondered if Omega had picked up on the pattern their brothers had established. Tech had gone to her tonight. Next time she had a nightmare, it would be Wrecker there, and the next, Hunter. Then it would cycle back around to Tech. They didn't give Crosshair the chance to join in. They treated him like he was cracked and fragile, unable to comfort their sister from her demons.

Maybe they were right.

"Crosshair."

Crosshair groaned as someone nudged him. It was Omega, by the voice. Kriff. That meant he couldn't curse at her for waking him up.

"We have to meet Ahsoka in an hour." Omega said. Her voice sounded stronger than usual. But then it faltered. "Did- Did I wake you up last night?"

"No." Crosshair lied.

It wouldn't do her any good to beat herself up about having night terrors. And it wasn't her fault that he hadn't been able to sleep long after she'd quieted.

Omega was silent.

"I can tell you're lying." She said.

Crosshair blinked his sightless eyes.

"It's rude to look in other people's heads." He muttered.

"Sorry." Omega said.

Crosshair winced at the guilt in her voice. When she reached for his hand, he took and squeezed it.

"I don't sleep well anyway." He told her.

"Do you need some caf?" Omega asked. "There's a fresh pot."

Crosshair hesitated.

"Who made it?" He asked.

"Wrecker." Omega replied.

Crosshair nodded. Wrecker made good caf. Omega's hand slipped from his. Heavier footsteps replaced her.

"Morning." Hunter said.

Crosshair grunted in reply. He could tell that Hunter was forcing himself to sound casual, but his brother was likely here to snoop. To prove that he was fine, Crosshair sat up. As he did so, the remnants of his burns complained.

"They're still bothering you?" Hunter asked immediately. Crosshair didn't bother asking how he knew. He probably heard Crosshair's breathing change as he moved. "I'll get the bacta. When's the last time you changed your bandages?"

Crosshair shrugged. Hunter sighed.

"Guess I'll get the bandages too."

Crosshair wanted to snap at him that he shouldn't bother. Instead he waited for Omega to return. He heard her careful steps approach a moment later.

"Careful, it's hot." She said.

She reached for his hand and guided him to the warm cup. Crosshair wanted to scream. He was trapped, confined to his bunk or a sibling's arm.

He tried to push his frustration and anger aside, mainly so that Omega wouldn't kriffing feel them. He thought that it was unfair that she could know his mind so well when she hadn't been trained. He managed a thankful nod. With his other hand, he searched his bed until he grasped one of Lula's ears. He thrust her towards Omega.

"She's yours." He said. "I don't need her."

"You do." Omega said. "You sleep better with her."

"And you can't sleep at all without her." Crosshair shot back. "The next time I find her in my bunk, I'm throwing her away."

He was bemused, and pleased, to hear her give a snort. She didn't believe him, but she took Lula. Crosshair started sipping his caf. He nearly spilled it across his chest when Hunter spoke.

"You wanna wait til you're done with that to change your bandages?" His brother asked.

"Give me the bacta." Crosshair said, holding out his hand. When it remained empty, Crosshair scowled. "I can do it myself."

He could imagine Hunter's concerned face and if he could be sure of not hitting Omega, he would have smacked the look off. Thankfully, a smooth tube and a rough roll was placed in his palm.

"I would like to examine your injuries." Tech's voice suddenly cut in. Crosshair bit back a curse. He had thought he'd gotten better at listening for movement. "They are healing slower than anticipated."

Crosshair gritted his teeth.

"Fine." He spat. "The rest of you leave. I don't want to be gawked at."

He chugged the rest of his scalding caf to give them time to get out.

"They are gone." Tech said.

Crosshair would have once mocked him for stating the obvious, but now Tech was stating the helpful, which infuriated him.

Crosshair finally shucked off his shirt, his burns protesting, and fumbled for the end of his bandages. Once they were off, he moved to squeeze out some bacta. Tech caught his wrist.

"I need to examine them before you apply the bacta." Tech said.

Crosshair pressed his lips to a line, but stayed still.

"You are not applying it as often as you should." Tech said in a disapproving tone. "I had hoped to trust you with this."

A flare of anger lit inside of Crosshair. His instinct was to shout hurtful words, tell Tech they had trusted him to not fall apart in Omega's absence. But Omega would hear and more importantly feel. So he snatched up the bacta again.

"Go away." He said to Tech.

"I am not-"

"Now." Crosshair growled. "Tell Omega we'd better get going."

He slathered the bacta on himself, not waiting for a reply. It took a moment to bandage his chest and arms again, but luckily no one reached out to help. By the time he pulled his shirt back on, Omega knocked softly on the side of the bunk to let him know she was there.

"Let's go." Crosshair said.

He reached out for her and she obligingly settled herself under his arm.

"We'll be back later!" Omega called out to brothers Crosshair had to assume were listening.

Omega liked Ossus. She hadn't been on many forest planets before, and this one was particularly nice. And- something about the planet connected to the new part of her. She guessed that was probably why there used to be a Jedi temple here.

The bones of a new temple was the center of their community on Ossus. All the Jedi here, and Ahsoka, lived close to it. Hunter had chosen to keep the Marauder on the outskirts of the community. Omega had a feeling it was because he was uncomfortable with the temple.

That meant Crosshair and Omega's walk to Ahsoka's house was as long as it could get.

That could be good- and bad.

Crosshair's grip was a vice on her hand as they walked. He hated the walk every time. He thought everyone was staring at him.

He wasn't wrong.

Some of the nat borns here acted like they'd never seen anyone need help. They stared at Crosshair and Omega like they were rancors in the street. Omega wanted to explain, tell them that Crosshair was a hero that saved her and that's why he had such bad burns. And she could, to some of them.

But others-

Omega paused on the dirt path into the community. A couple of humans had been chatting under a tree when they caught sight of Omega and Crosshair.

"What's wrong?" Crosshair asked sharply.

"Nothing." Omega said too quickly.

One of them was a pale man with dark hair.

Omega went rigid.

"Omega!" Crosshair hissed, but she couldn't move.

"Excuse me, are you all right?"

The man was walking towards them now.

"Omega!" Crosshair sounded scared.

She needed the man to step away. Could she see a notch in his eyebrow? An overwhelming urge to push hit her. She tried to swallow it, but he was getting close-

Another person came into view, one with familiar brown eyes. He met Omega's gaze and immediately changed course towards them.

"Little girl-"

"Hang on there." The clone said. "These are my siblings. I can take over."

"Are you sure?" Hemlock- the man said.

"I can handle it." The clone said firmly.

The man and his companion looked at each other and, to Omega's eternal relief, they left.

"What the hell is going on?" Crosshair demanded.

"Your sister here got spooked, it looked like." The reg said. "You okay, ad'ika?"

Omega swallowed and nodded.

"I'm okay." She said for Crosshair's sake.

The reg ran a hand over his hair, which was as long as Hunter's.

"You're our sister, right?" He asked. "Omega. I've heard about you."

"Yes." Omega said. "Thank you for your help."

The reg smiled through a thick beard.

"No problem." He said. "Where are you headed? I'll make sure you get there with no more hiccups."

"We don't need help from a reg." Crosshair said.

Omega nudged him, but the reg laughed.

"Prickly, aren't you?" He said. "What's your name?"

Crosshair surprised Omega by straightening.

"Crosshair." He said.

"Mayday." The reg replied.

"Well then, Mayday," Crosshair said. "We know where we're going."

"Great." Mayday said. "You'll be able to lead the way."

Omega smiled at Mayday, who winked. Clones were safe. Not everyone here was, at least not to her.

Mayday helped with that as they walked through the settlement. He asked questions and prompted Omega to ask her own. He was cheerful, though Omega could tell from his skinny frame and lines on his face that he had gone through a lot.

"The Commander's house!" Mayday announced when they arrived.

"Thank you, Mayday." Omega said.

"Anytime, vod'ika." Mayday said. "Til next time, Crosshair."

Crosshair didn't reply, but Omega noticed he wasn't sneering. That was- impressive. As Mayday left, Omega turned to the door in front of her and knocked. It took a moment for Ahsoka to answer the door, but she smiled at Omega and Crosshair when it opened.

"Going to join us today, Crosshair?" Ahsoka asked as she ushered them in.

Crosshair snorted and turned his head away. Omega helped him to a chair, trying to ignore the anxiety swelling in her chest despite Ahsoka's warm smile.

She was afraid of so many things now. Pale, dark haired men and brunette women. Blood tests and needles. Cold, clinical walls.

But this thing in her now, the Force, scared her the most.

Mando'a:

Buir: parent

Shebs: butt

Ad'ika: little one, child

Jai'galaar: shriek hawk

Urcye mhi: we'll meet again

Vod'ika: little sibling

Hmm, what's this? A strange POV?

Back on the battlefield! I imagine the Pykes aren't prepared for a full on assault. And aren't good at it. And deserve to be shot in their dumb fish faces. (This is what you get for killing Boba's Tusken family in a different timeline)

Yay Howzer! I hope he's been able to maintain his sick hair while in exile.

I love the idea that Rex's kid outranks him.

I know most of us would date (and smooch) a clone, but have you considered how emotionally constipated a majority of them would be? Where is the space therapy to help them get over this?

Coming up with fake pregnancy symptoms for Togruta has been fun. I'll try to fit some more in, because pregnancy is WHACK. (source: living with multiple pregnant people)

Force sensitive baby! Who can communicate his gender! And then I proceed to info dump. Ah well.

Traumatized children must be daunting to train. Luckily Omega is the purest soul.

Blindness does not make Crosshair very happy.

Once Omega started having night terrors, Tech one hundred percent drew up a schedule. No point in all of them converging on her when one brother will suffice.

I looked it up, and it can take YEARS for large third degree burns to heal all the way?

Omega tries her best to be her friendly self but humans that aren't clones maaay freak her out now.

HI MAYDAY! Prepare yourself, Crosshair, you WILL be befriended. I imagine that Mayday is a lot more friendly when he's not being beaten down by a terrible snow hell. But he always has the desire to connect with his siblings.

Careful, Omega. Fear isn't a great thing to have with the Force.

Anyway, that should be everything!

Stay safe, remember to review, and I'll see you AFTER MY LIFE HAS ENDED (I mean the Bad Batch has ended)