Chapter Text
It had been a miracle of the Force that Fives had survived. A wound that should have been fatal, he had survived. Somehow Kix had saved his life, somehow, he was alive.
It was a miracle, even just the possibility that Echo was alive.
Since Echo was recorded MIA from the Citadel, Fives had spent any extra he could looking over any reports of the mission he could find. He had even managed to get ahold of some Seppie reports, although most of them were classified.
As long as the reports said MIA and not KIA, there was always the hope that his ori’vod was still alive.
When Rex shared with Fives his suspicion that Echo had survived the Citadel, it was like a wave of relief crashing down.
“How can we get him back, Rex? They’re not going to let us go out on a non-military mission, especially with how bad our progress here is.”
Rex smiled. “But maybe it is.”
****
“Are you sure that it’s not the only reason?” Jesse asked, smirking.
Fives and Rex had decided to tell Jesse and Kix about Echo. They had deserved to know. Now he was regretting telling Jesse. “Yes Jesse, I’m sure.”
Jesse snorted. “First, you’ve always preferred front lines to intel missions, and second, we all know about your huge, obvious crush on Echo.”
Fives slammed his helmet onto his head to hide his blush.
That just made Jesse grin evilly. “You can’t hide under your bucket, Fives.”
“Ne’johaa, vod!” he growled at Jesse, then turned and walked away.
When he was out of earshot, Kix turned to Jesse. “Don’t do that again,” he warned, “ Ever .”
“But it was really funny and-”
He was cut off by Kix’s ‘medic glare.’
“Okay, okay, fine! I won’t!” Jesse grumbled. He probably meant it.
Probably .
****
It was late and Fives couldn’t sleep.
The Bad Batcher, Wrecker, had lifted Jesse by his throat, and Kix had gone into full medic mode and had basically babied him. Now, even Kix was sleeping, curled up with Jesse. Fives wished he had something like that.
He sat up and rested his forehead on his knees, drawing the attention of Rex, who was on watch.
The captain walked over and sat down next to him.
“Have you slept yet vod?”
Fives shook his head.
“We can’t help Echo if you’re half asleep.”
Fives sighed. “Yeah, I know. I just can’t stop thinking about him.”
“I know, but we’re gonna find him. I promise.”
“I hope you’re right. I’ve been looking for him for the last few years and I haven’t found anything, and just…. I don’t even know….”
“Fives, I know there’s so much uncertainty in this war, but I know we’re gonna find him. I just know, okay? All I can give you is my word, but I’m asking you to trust me on this. We will get Echo back.”
Fives lifted his head to look at Rex. “You shouldn’t make promises you’re not sure if you can keep.”
“Well, I promise we’ll get Echo back.” He stood up. “Now get some rest or I’ll get Kix involved.”
Fives sighed and laid back down, clinging to every bit of confidence Rex had. Rex would never lie to him.
Finally, he succumbed to sleep.
****
They had to hold off the droids. They had to give Tech more time.
A voice coming from behind him made him freeze.
“CT-1409.”
Echo . It was Echo’s voice.
“CT-1409.”
“We gotta go!”
“CT-1409.”
“Fives, move your shebs!”
“CT-1409.”
“Fives?”
“CT-1409.”
“Fives, can you hear me?”
“CT-1409.”
A slap brought him back to reality. Jesse.
“Fives, vod, we gotta go.”
He nodded and followed Jesse out of the Cyber Center, Echo’s voice still ringing in his head.
Rex was right, Echo was alive.
****
“You should get your ARC trooper looked at, captain. It seems to have malfunctioned.”
“Crosshair, don’t ,” Hunter warned.
The sniper rolled his eyes but didn’t push any further.
“The CT number?” Tech asked.
“Echo’s,” Rex confirmed.
“Echo’s alive.” It was barely a whisper, but Rex still heard it.
“Yeah, vod. He’s alive. A promise is a promise."