The moment the Marauder touched down on Anaxes, Anakin had been swept away by Obi-wan, no doubt to an immediate meeting with the Jedi Council. The Jedi Knight had little doubt he would be grilled for his actions and once again disobeying direct orders, as was the norm when he found a loophole. However, this time would be different as he had defied the order for any reason other than to help friends. Rex had told him of the theory Echo was still alive and brought his evidence, he couldn't turn his back on one of his closest and most loyal friends. (Y/N) too had been a reason. She hadn't been herself since Fives' death. She become far colder than before and determined to prove his innocence. Plus she all but rejected love from those around her, especially those who wanted to pursue a romantic relationship. He wanted to help Snap remember who she had been before Fives' died, before Echo had been lost at the Citadel before her heart had been shattered.
Rex, on the other hand, had simply led the way to Snap's medbay, suspecting she'd be there caring for the troopers injured in the battles while they were away. The members of the bad batch followed behind quietly, the only sound escaping the group was the light tapping from Tech fiddling with his datapad and the subtle clunking from Echo's prosthetics. Nonetheless, the silence to settled over them was a comfortable one, it allowed them to find some sort of peace in the war raging on around them and truly allowed them to hear their own thoughts. Some of them thought about what their next mission would be, Would they be thrown in the jaws of doom again or be sent on something considered softer than normal? Rex on the other hand could only think of Snap and her reaction. He'd not told her when leaving for the mission to retrieve Echo if only to spare her the heartbreak, should it be a cruel trap by the seppies. The great captain knew for sure either Gregor or Wolffe would be around somewhere, keeping an eye on her as the senate had declared for all civvie medics in the field.
Echo on the other hand thoughts had turned to all the things he'd missed. Gregor had apparently been found on the backwater planet known as the void, apparently with no recollection of how he ended up there. Fives, Tup, and Hardcase were gone as were many others he'd once called friends and brother. Soon enough his thoughts rallied to the impending reunion with (Y/N), he knew she'd changed, everyone in the war had. But still, he questioned if she would be happy to see him or even care for his return. He felt his nerves begin to rise, as his mind clouded with fear of rejection once more. Especially now when she was so different from his brothers and had done so much against those he once fought to protect.
Before Echo really knew it, the group of troopers were passing over the threshold of Snap's medbay, Much to the surprise of Rex the area was completely empty besides (Y/N) and Gregor, the commando preoccupied with winding Snap up. Although he stopped the moment his honey eyes found the group, specifically the once missing arc trooper. After which his only action was to draw her attention to the group, even if that meant hiding her datapad for the time being.
Snap had been about to reach for her datapad again when Gregor pointed to the quiet group. Upon turning to them she paled, so many emotions passing over her tired features. Slowly she stepped around her desk, trying to will her brain to catch up and to determine if she was seeing things or if her Echo was there. Rex and the members of the Bad Batch didn't say a word as they got comfy on the beds in the room waiting for their mandatory check-up before being released back into the field or receiving any treatment necessary.
"Hey, Snap" voiced Echo, mentally berating himself for saying something so stupid. They'd been separated for almost two years at that point, she deserved more than just a simple hey. He'd been about to say something else when he felt a hand collide with his cheek, sending his head whipping to the side with some force. His honey eyes were wide with shock as he turned to face her once more. (Y/N) seemed just as taken aback by her own actions, but there was also something else alight in her eyes now, something that hadn't been there before. Hope.
"Sorry, had to make sure you were real" commented Snap, before repeating her actions, this time to Gregor chuckling and Crosshair making a snide comment. "That was for leaving without telling me the truth" she added before directing him over to one of the empty beds, a small grin coming to her lips although sadness was still present in her eyes.
"Please spare us the drama and do him last" voiced Crosshair, wishing to be anywhere but there when the inevitable display of affection occurred. Even more so when it was obvious Echo was trying his hardest to stay still and do as Snap had commanded. (Y/N) simply nodded before starting with Wrecker, knowing the human wrecking ball hated medical checkups, probably more so than the needles that normally accompanied them. The moment she gave the lovable soldier his clean bill of health he practically jumped off the bed and ran for the exit, as if on the verge of achieving victory and escaping a prison.
Crosshair had volunteered to be the next one, as per usual making comments, he didn't go far when Snap was finished with him, instead waiting for Tech and Hunter to be cleared or given any treatment needed. Once again Hunter was given something for his sensitivity and Tech flirted with (Y/N) even if he did so unknowingly, complimenting her work and skills as a healer. Rex too was released after a small dose of Bacta gel and a thank you from Snap. Gregor left with him, although he mentioned he'd be just outside the door should Snap be in need of him.
Silence once again fell over the medbay, from a distance (Y/N) assessed what she'd need. Quickly determining she'd need to do both a physical and mental assessment on the man she still had the urge to call her Arc Trooper. At the same time, she came to the conclusion she'd have to look over all the prosthetics and implants the Techno Union had put in place.
"Sorry about whacking you earlier. Almost two years ago I lost you, then without any warning you were here. I thought I was losing my marbles again" started Snap, admitting her reaction had been more from questioning her own sanity than punishing him for leaving her behind. Echo's eyes shone with surprise, Had he really affected her that much? What else had she been through for her to question the reality surrounding her? "Get comfy Mr. Arc Trooper, it's gonna be a long one. Gregor may as well go get some caf and enjoy a game of Dejarik with Wolffe" she continued, catching Gregor's salute from the door and leaving with Rex.
"Thank you" blurted Echo, before he could truly grasp what was happening or the words to fall from his lips. Snap glanced at him in confusion, but there was no judgment as the Arc Trooper had convinced himself there would be, instead Snap looked at him as if he was the regular trooper he'd been before as if nothing at all had changed. When in truth everything had. "When I was ... when I was a ... alone. They probed my mind, you kept me company. Became my defence against them. Without you, I wouldn't have gotten through the isolation or the torment of being a weapon against my brothers, against the republic" whispered Echo, admitting she'd helped him even when she didn't know it. But refusing to admit the isolation had coursed far more damage than he would ever admit. Just as he wouldn't admit the other things he'd suffered through at the hands of the Techno Union or the thoughts of betrayal and abandonment his desperate mind had created.
"Thank you for coming back" whispered Snap when she drew close enough. Her words served as a way to distract him from the injection, she caught him with. "Mental assessment is complete for now, your words gave a fair bit away" she calmly elaborated, making notes on her datapad, while resisting the urge to throw it aside and forget her manners. The man her heart set itself on was before her now, different yet still somehow the same, while her mind screamed at her to remain professional until her duties were done, her heart was yelling at her to give in and embrace him, to finally allow herself to feel the love she had forcibly shut away at some point.
"You haven't changed a bit. Exactly the way I remember" warmly spoke Echo. After all the time to have passed and everything to have happened, the words others had spoken. He'd expected even prepared himself for Snap to be a different person. Yes, she was colder towards the Jedi and some other Civvi Medics, but she still had the same warmth and caring towards the troopers. She still accepted each as they were and called them by the names chosen. The only difference was, now she had an army of big brothers, and her bright smile had dimmed a little.
"Save us the torment already and kiss" came a voice from the entrance. Snap could only chuckle as Jesse quickly dogged back behind the door, or rather was yanked back behind it by someone, there was little doubt in (Y/N)'s mind it was a member of the famed Wolf Pack or perhaps even Cody.
"They haven't changed much either. Jesse's still one of the biggest flirts I know and Cody is still Obi-Wan's biggest fan" laughed Snap, letting a small yelp escape her lips when she felt arms wrap around her waist, pulling her in a warmish embrace. Echo was gentle not to hurt her with his scomp link or the implants scattered across his body. His left hand brushed through her silky hair, as he breathed in the familiar vanilla, jasmine, and peppermint scent. His only wish was to do as Jesse had suggested and kiss her, but somehow found his body wouldn't respond to his wishful command. Instead, the pair stayed in the locked embrace.
As if on cue, Echo could hear Fives' voice ringing in his ears, a simple yet sarcastic "finally" on repeat, along with the normal grin Fives would have given and no doubt followed by a sarcastic comment on waiting far too long. Shortly after Echo's mind came up with the scenario of being chased around the base by Wolffe, acting as the big brother Snap never had and being overly protective of her. Rex following along behind with the simple request of keeping Echo in one piece, with Gregor near Snap and the many Jedi Generals being confused for the most part.
"Sorry I waited so long" whispered Echo, before releasing her, at least allowing her to return to her duties before giving into the temptation of pulling her to him once more and finally kissing her. By the time the pair separated, Anakin had appeared from the Council Meeting, where his brows had once been creased, and anger had been displayed on his features. A sense of peace and a rare smile had taken over him the moment he entered Snap's medbay, finally, the pair had been reunited, finally, Echo was home again and finally (Y/N) was allowing herself to truly feel again, rather than locking all her emotions and feelings away in a durasteel box. Finally, there was a sense of love that had been missing for so long.
Finally, Snap had more than friendship to fight for.
