Work Text:
ON THE FIRST DAY OF CHRISTMAS MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME…
A TOOKA IN A CHRISTMAS SWEATER…
****
A knock came to Commander Fox of the Coruscant Guard’s door.
Fox sighed deeply and shoved back the datapad of paperwork he had to read through and fill out. Being the Chancellor’s personal guard was not an easy task.
He was more a glorified secretary than the Commander he was trained to be.
“Sir? There’s… There’s something for you in the barracks. A Quinlan Vos dropped it off for you. I… uh… I think you should see this.” The vod backed hastily from his desk and hurried down the hall.
Fox dropped his head in his hands and groaned loudly. He did not need this right now. There was a major holiday in a little over a week and a half. Quinlan Vos was a menace. He always caused Fox extra work and messes to clean.
Fox stood up and headed down the hall to the barracks. He better go see what Vos got into now.
Fox pushed through the crowd of troopers gathered around his bed. Once people saw who he was, they cleared a path.
Fox stepped up to his bed with shock coursing through him. Sitting on his bed were bags of things and a small white tooka kitten asleep on his pillow. What was the most shocking thing... The kitten was wearing a red sweater with a one styled as a Christmas tree on its back.
“What’s this?” Fox stepped closer to the bed. The tooka opened its eyes and yawned a toothy yawn.
“There’s a note, sir.” One of his vode handed him a piece of flimsy.
Fox opened it up. He read it and sighed through his nose.
To my dear Commander,
This is Meeka. She is a tooka kitten. Obviously. In the bags are a month’s worth of supplies for her. She was found near the temple. She was abandoned for being the runt. We nursed her back to health and she needs a good home. I thought of you. Take good care of her Commander. She is a special little lady.
Merry Christmas, Fox.
Sincerely,
Quinlan Vos.
“She’s staying.” Fox bent down and looked through the bags. Sure enough, there was litter, food, and everything they needed to take care of her for a month. “At least for a month.”
Fox reached out and picked up the Tooka kitten. Meeka stared up at him with intelligent eyes before she nuzzled into Fox’s cheek and licked his chin.
Fox smiled at her. He ran his hand down her soft back and a low purring started up.
“Aw.” A trooper cooed.
Fox’s smile dropped and he scowled at his men. “Back to work. You all can visit Meeka later if she wants.”
The troopers scattered.
Fox looked down at his newest charge with a soft look. He looked back over Quinlan’s note and then down at the sweater, Meeka was wearing. What did the one stand for?
*****
ON THE SECOND DAY OF CHRISTMAS MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME…
TWO LIGHTSABERS…
*****
It’s only been a day since Fox got Meeka and the kitten was unusual. She attached herself to Fox and rarely liked anybody else.
When Palpatine called, Meeka hissed and yowled so badly, Fox had to shut her in the closet. When he got off the phone with the Chancellor and let Meeka go, the tooka was practically attached at the hip to him.
Around three in the afternoon, another package arrived for Fox.
“Sir, this came for you. A Jedi dropped it off.” The trooper dropped a medium-sized rectangle box wrapped in red paper with a green ribbon on his desk. The red paper was decorated with the number two with bells at the bottom. The trooper scratched Meeka under the chin before leaving Fox’s office with a casual salute.
Fox stared at the box. There was a card in an envelope on top of it. Fox opened that first.
He sighed harshly. Vos. Again.
To my dearest Commander,
This is a gift for you. We recently got intel that a Sith has infiltrated the Senate. We don’t know who and we don’t know where. I will be coming in to work with you guys on this as a little extra precaution. I’ll be there at the end of the week. In the meantime, please accept this gift for protection. I communed with them and they agreed to work with you. Please take good care of them. I will be there to teach you the proper maintenance soon.
Don’t worry. I got permission before I did this. Sort of. Obi-wan is a council member. He was drinking when he agreed to this, though.
Anyway, Merry Christmas, Fox.
Sincerely,
Quinlan Vos.
Fox felt a weird mix of horror and fascination well up. He carefully opened the box, setting aside the paper and ribbon. Nestled in the box among copious amounts of tissue paper, was two lightsaber hilts.
Fox touched them reverently. Were these actually for him? Fox felt a hum under his fingertips when he picked them up. Another note was at the bottom of the box.
Fox reached down and opened it.
Oh, I almost forgot. I will also teach you how to wield them. Keep them hidden unless you need them. Obi-wan let slip something Cody told him about training and how you were best with two in your hands. Since you don’t have a Jedi to protect your men, I thought you would need these.
Merry Christmas Fox. I hope you enjoy them.
Quinlan Vos.
Fox tucked both notes into his desk. Fox stood up and moved into the open part of his office. He hit the switch for both blades. Two white beams of light shot from the hilts and bathed the room in bright light.
Fox smiled and turned them off. Quinlan did say he got permission and if the Jedi agreed then Fox would happily accept Quinlan’s gift.
Fox tucked the lightsabers back in the box and locked them in his desk. Only he had the key to this drawer.
Meeka jumped up on his desk and laid down over his workspace.
Fox sat back and stroked his tooka kitten. “Come on, Meeka. I have to get back to work.”
Fox wondered what the end of the week would bring.
****
ON THE THIRD DAY OF CHRISTMAS MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME…
THREE ROASTED PORGS…
****
Fox was working late. There were reports to read about an operation that Thire led on a trip with General Yoda. Thire came back injured and Fox wanted to know why.
Meeka was curled up in a blanket that Fox had brought in his office for her.
Fox was getting a little hungry. He knew Meeka had to be, too. He would finish this last report and then feed Meeka before heading to the mess for some food.
Fox was getting to the part where Thire got injured when a knock came at his door.
“Come in.” He called out, setting down the datapad.
“You seem to be popular, Commander. Someone likes you. There’s food here for you. Someone dropped it off. They said it was already paid for and trust me vod, I think you have an admirer because it smells expensive and amazing.” The trooper brought in a bag with the name of an expensive restaurant several senators ate at. “Here you are, sir. Also, the guy said to give you this.”
A note in a green envelope was placed on his desk.
The trooper backed out with a smile. “Enjoy, Sir. If there are any extra, please know that I bring you things every day.”
Fox glared at his vod until he left with a wink.
A cooked meat smell rose from the bag when Fox opened it. He pulled out three cardboard containers with a drawn three on each one. All of them were the same. The three took up one side of the box and had a plant with red berries drawn at the middle.
Fox’s mouth watered as he opened up the first box. Inside was a roasted small bird. It was sitting on a bed of a white/yellow mush with a long green vegetable tucked into the side.
He quickly opened the other two. They all had the same thing in it except for the vegetable. The second had a short bristly green vegetable almost like a tree. The third had sliced rounds of orange pieces. All looked and smelled delicious.
There was one more box in the bag. Fox pulled it out. A paper was placed on top that had For Meeka written on it.
Fox opened it up to some small pieces of meat. “Meeka. Dinner.” Fox got up and dumped the pieces into her food bowl in his office.
Meeka purred and rubbed up against his shin before she lowered her face to her bowl.
Fox sat down behind his desk. He reached for the first container with the long vegetable. The note from Vos caught his attention. He sighed. Better see what he had to say first. Fox ripped open the flimsy envelope. He pulled out a card and began to read.
To my dear Commander,
Hopefully, these reach you still warm. There are three of them so I hope you like porg.
I don’t really know what to say. I got you these because I was talking with Senator Amidala and she mentioned the place so I thought, why not? I bet he will like it.
I got into slight trouble and Obes isn’t exactly happy with me at the moment. I’m hiding from him somewhere in the city at one of my hideouts. Please, if he stops by asking about me, tell him you have no idea and never spoke with me.
Apparently getting a council member to drunkenly agree to something is not exactly fair. Don’t worry, they can’t do anything about it and they won’t take them away. See you in two days.
Merry Christmas Fox,
Sincerely,
Quinlan Vos
Fox set down the card with a worried frown. Was Vos going to be okay? Fox shook his head. He had to stop worrying. Vos could take care of himself. He was basically the Jedi equivalent to ori’ramikad. Special forces.
Fox pulled the first box to him. Time for dinner.
*****
ON THE FOURTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME…
FOUR UJ CAKES…
****
Four days have passed since Fox got Meeka and he was getting used to having the tooka around.
The problem was with his bunkmates. Meeka was nocturnal according to a site he read on the holonet. That would explain why she liked to run around the barracks at night and sleep most of the day.
Fox tried to explain to Thire, Thorn, and Stone but they didn’t get it and cursed out Vos for giving her to him.
Fox was enduring a tired fueled rant from Thire when a knock came at his office door.
“Sorry, but you have yet another delivery, Sir. This time from a bakery in the Mandalorian sector here on Coruscant. I think our dear Commander has an admirer. This is the fourth gift in four days.” The vod dropped a bag on his desk with a familiar logo on it. “I’m begging you, Sir that I work tirelessly day in and day out delivering your mail and paperwork, I deserve a treat.”
“Out.” Fox raised an unimpressed brow at the trooper. “Find your own person to give you things.”
The trooper sent him the stink eye and a sarcastic salute before leaving. Fox heard him muttering about stealing and it not being fair.
“What is going on, Vod? A tooka, roasted porg, pastries, and what was the other thing?” Thire stared him down. “Is someone secretly courting you? Do I need to call Kote?”
Fox shook his head. “No. No one is courting me. It’s Vos. What I say does not leave this room, understand?”
Thire nodded. He slipped into being a commander. “What’s going on Sir?”
Fox filled him in on the situation with the Jedi and intel about a Sith in the senate. Vos was coming in to work with them on this. Vos was communicating through the gifts.
Thire motioned to the bag on the desk. “You better open that then. He might have some new information.”
Fox pulled open the brown bag and pulled out a box. A note fluttered out with the number four on it. Candy canes were drawn hanging from the bar on the number.
He set the box down and opened the flimsy.
To my dear Commander,
I bought these at a bakery in Little Keldable. I bought five because I had to try one of my own. I went back and bought three more for myself. They are to die for. Please don’t kill your brothers over these. I have plans to give them all at least one for Christmas. Shhh. Don’t tell them. It’s a surprise.
I will see you tomorrow. We don’t know who the Sith is so I’m going undercover as your assistant. Anywhere you go, I go.
Wow. I just realized how creepy that sounded. Don’t worry Fox. I’m not a stalker.
Obes caught up to me and I might have a black eye. I’ll be fine. I heal fast.
Merry Christmas, Fox
Sincerely,
Quinlan Vos.
Fox tucked the flimsy into his desk with the others. He opened up the box and he had to choke back a gasp. He definitely will be fighting off his vode for these.
He quickly closed the lid.
“What did he get you?” Thire’s eyes were calculating.
“Nothing special.” Fox tried to hide the box in his desk.
Thire snatched it from his hands and opened it up. He stared for a long time. “Is this what I think it is?”
Fox took the box back. “Yes, and they are all mine.”
“Better hide those. Once word gets out you will have a lot of vode looking to steal them.” Thire stood up. “Vos really is going all out to get you information. What did the note say?”
Fox filled him in on Vos’ cover.
Thire stretched his arms over his head. “I have to get back to work. Maybe you should leave Meeka in your office tonight. Stone looked ready to commit murder if he doesn’t get some sleep soon. Hide that vod. I’ll bring by the completed reports in a few hours.”
Fox watched his vod’ika leave. Once his door was shut, he opened the box again.
Sitting there were four little uj’alayi cakes dripping in a syrupy glaze. Fox took one and popped it in his mouth. The taste of the sweet spiciness from the sauce followed by a burst of nutty flavor made him hum.
He tucked the box back in his desk, determined to savor them. He wondered what Vos would send him next.
*****
ON THE FIFTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME…
FIVE CORTOSIS RINGS…
****
The day dawned sunny and cold. Fox was outside the barracks waiting for Vos to show up.
Meeka was tucked in a blanket in his arms. Her little nose was wriggling like crazy as troopers passed in the hall. It was really telling that she didn’t jump out of his arms. Most tookas were not this well behaved.
People passed and Fox started to get worried. Where was Vos? Was he hurt or lost or...?
“Hello, Commander! This must be Meeka.”
A figure appeared from the crowd. A humanoid carrying a stack of datapads stumbled up to him. His light-colored hair was either cut short or tied up. Fox couldn’t tell because the humanoid also wore a triangle of fabric tied around his dreads. His face was clear of the kiffar’s yellow markings. A pair of thick black-framed glasses rested on his nose, giving him a nerdish look.
It must have been Vos because Meeka perked up and poked her head out of the blanket, braving the cold, all to meow at the humanoid before him.
Fox raised an eyebrow. “Vos? Looking… nice?”
“Shh. Hello Commander. I’m Vox. Your new assistant. I have some work sent over from the Senate. And a gift for you that was dropped off by Quinlan Vos.” The undercover kiffar handed him a small box.
Fox shifted Meeka and took it a little confused. Vos was here. Why was he still giving him presents? Maybe it was to maintain his cover?
He shook it and a rattle came from items being bounced around inside. “Right. Well, Vox. Let’s get started.”
Fox led Quinlan through the barracks to his office. He unwrapped Meeka and set her down on the floor. The tooka immediately headed for Quinlan and wound around his ankles. Scent marking him if Fox remembered right.
Fox sat down at his desk. He opened the green paper-wrapped box that had the number five all over it with wreaths decorated in red bows. He opened the box to reveal five rings made from some kind of grey metal. Not beskar he knew that much.
He took them out and studied them intently. Something about them seemed familiar…
“I believe it’s cortosis. Forged correctly if a lightsaber hits them at the right angle it disrupts the beam, temporarily shutting it down. Those look to be incredibly well done, sir. Whoever gave you those must care an awful lot about your protection.” Quinlan shot him a smile. “I’ll just be outside at my own desk. Someone has to sort through all this paperwork. Before I go, there is a card left for you too.” The kiffar dropped a white and red striped envelope on his desk before disappearing out the door.
Fox was horribly confused. He felt off-balance like someone pulled a beskad in a no weapons fight.
Meeka brought him back. The tooka jumped up on his desk and nosed at the paper like she was going to take a bite out of it. Fox knew from previous experience that she could and would do it. Fox had several napkins and papers with bite marks taken out of them as evidence.
Fox scooped up the kitten with one hand and rescued the paper with the other. Fox set Meeka on his lap. He stroked her ears for a few seconds before opening the paper. Maybe Quinlan will explain in his note.
To my dear Commander,
We have reached a big one. Five. The rings should be worn one on each finger on whatever hand you prefer. I had them specially made. There’s a trick to them I think you will like. Click all five together and a small shield will encase your hand. They should fit over your gloves when you wear your armor.
I apologize for the way I am acting. My cover has to be air-tight so no one suspects me. I can’t use the Force while I’m around others. I can’t be Quinlan Vos when I’m here and working. So I am Vox. My advice… just roll with it.
Merry Christmas Fox,
Sincerely,
Quinlan Vos
Fox set down the paper with a sigh. Just roll with it? He was adaptable. Not as much as Kote or Rex, the vod’ika Kote adopted. But still adaptable.
Fox opened up the box with all five rings tucked inside. He slipped each one on his fingers and knocked them all together in a fist. A small, red, ray shield formed around his hand, bathing Meeka’s white fur and his armor in red light. He clicked his rings together again and the shield faded out.
It was a cool gift. Any help in protecting his men was greatly appreciated. Fox slipped the rings off and placed them in the box. He unlocked a drawer and tucked them inside. A different drawer than the one holding his lightsabers. The warning from Vos about the rings temporarily shutting off a lightsaber echoed in his head.
Now that Quinlan was here, the presents would stop, right?
Fox found that he felt a little sad at that thought. Just how long was Quinlan going to do this?
A holiday song came up in the back of his mind but a knock on the door came. Quinlan was at his door.
“Sir, there’s someone here to see you.”
Fox sighed. The workday never ended.
*****
ON THE SIXTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME…
SIX PODS A RACING…
******
Fox sighed deeply and dropped his head on his desk. He just needed a break. Just for a couple of hours? If he saw any more paperwork, his eyes were going to swim right out of his head. Everything already was a little blurry.
“Commander?” Quinlan popped his head in the door.
Whatever he was going to say he kept to himself.
Fox lifted his head. “What is it Vox?”
“Right. You are getting the afternoon off. A Quinlan Vos dropped off something for you and I think you need it now. Come with me.” Quinlan held out his hand.
Fox just now noticed it was covered in a black leather glove. Fox groaned and stood up. He stretched his arms over his head. “What did Quinlan get for me this time?”
Quinlan looked at him with a weird look on his face.
“What?” Fox swiped his hand over his chin. “I don’t have drool on me, do I?”
Quinlan barked out a laugh. “No, Sir. But good to know for future reference that you drool.”
“Can I see this gift, Vox?” Fox tilted his chin at Quinlan.
Meeka lifted her head when Fox headed for the door. With one hand movement from Quinlan, the tooka curled back up in her nest of blankets and closed her eyes.
“You have to teach me that.” Fox looked between his kitten and Quinlan.
“Mmm. Maybe. It’s good that she looks out for you.” Quinlan led the way through the barracks to the outside hangar. “Hop in Commander.”
Fox climbed into the speeder Quinlan gestured to. “Where are we going?”
“My place to get you some regular civilian clothes and then to someplace where you have to promise me that you aren’t going to be a Commander of the Coruscant Guard at.” Quinlan started the speeder and drove it out into traffic.
Fox watched the scenery go by. Quinlan came to a stop in a garage for a block of apartments. He unlocked one of the apartment doors.
“What are we doing, Quinlan? Why do you keep giving me these gifts?” Fox turned to look at the kiffar.
“I’ll answer all your questions later. For now, pick something from my closet, while I take off this wig and makeup. You do not understand how itchy all this is.” Quinlan headed for the bathroom.
Fox went into Quinlan’s bedroom and felt overwhelmed with all the choices. He settled on a pair of thick black denim pants and a black thin-looking long sleeve shirt. His boots seemed okay so he left those.
He stepped out into the main living area. Quinlan was still in the bathroom. Fox was about to look and see what kind of stuff Quinlan had on his bookshelves when the kiffar poked his head out from behind the door.
His long dark dreads were tied in a knot on the back of his neck. His face was scrubbed clean of whatever makeup he used on his face to hide his markings.
“Hey, I need to take a quick shower. Make yourself at home. I’ll be out in five minutes. Your present is on the counter and is where we are going next.” Quinlan shut the bathroom door. Soon, the sounds of water running echoed through the apartment.
Fox entered the kitchen and found an envelope with the number six on it. Six little weirdly drawn soldiers were standing along the edge. It took a second but Fox realized they were nutcrackers.
He carefully opened the envelope and out fell two tickets and a piece of paper. He picked up the piece of paper first.
To my dear Commander,
I was going to save these for another day but you looked like you needed them now.
A couple of things first… One… please don’t arrest anyone or come back and tear the place apart. It might be cheating but this is how a few of us Jedi actually make money. We might get paid a little more than you do but not by much.
I don’t know how you feel about this but several Jedi will be there. You won’t know who they are, well, maybe one of them but you can’t tell anyone. Not even the council. That’s two. Please keep what you see a secret. Obi-wan doesn’t even know.
Okay, now that I’m done with the warnings, let’s just have a good afternoon.
Merry Christmas Fox,
Sincerely,
Quinlan Vos.
Now his curiosity was peaked. Fox picked up the tickets and his jaw dropped. Well, that certainly is cheating.
Written on the tickets were two seats for a pod race here on Coruscant in the lower levels. Fox flipped over the tickets to see who was racing.
He snorted loudly.
Definitely cheating.
Written on the back was the name Nik Starkiller.
Rex told him that was a name his General went by on a few undercover missions.
General Skywalker does illegal pod racing?
Fox shoved that thought to the side. It wasn’t his jurisdiction. Fox would just go and enjoy an afternoon off. Maybe he might even bet a few credits on this. Surely Quinlan can let him borrow a few?
Jedi doing illegal pod racing.
Fox shook his head. He really didn’t want to know what else the Jedi got up to, to earn money.
Fox reminded himself to never play cards with any Jedi.
Looks like he is off to the races.
*****
ON THE SEVENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME…
SEVEN PURRGIL A SWIMMING…
****
Fox felt much better after his break than he did the other days of this week. The Chancellor wasn’t happy that he was out of the office yesterday but Fox didn’t care. He needed that break.
The Chancellor actually having to do his own paperwork for once really made Fox’s day a little brighter.
It was bright all the way up until his lunch when the Chancellor stormed into his office sparking mad. Fox’s only saving grace was that Quinlan had stepped in with their lunch from the mess. Quinlan played his part perfectly. The Chancellor went still as a statue before leaving in a whirlwind of rage and hate.
Quinlan placed his lunch on his desk silently. “Did you feel that?”
Fox opened up the box of rations. He took a bite, chewed, and swallowed before answering. “He’s always like that. Sometimes it’s worse and he calls me and my vode a few names. Sometimes I think it’s going to get a little physical but something always interrupts. Thanks for the save by the way.”
Quinlan just stared off into space for a long time.
“Vox? Are you alright?” Fox set down his lunch when Quinlan seemed to shake for a few seconds.
“I’m fine. All that hate and anger… that can’t be normal.” Quinlan shook one last time. “Are you okay?”
“I’ll be alright. It takes me a couple of hours to get back to normal after the Chancellor visits. Meeka’s been a big help with that.” Fox picked up his food. “Is there anything else you need?”
“Yeah. Quinlan Vos dropped this off for you.” Quinlan pulled out a green envelope from his pocket. He dropped it on his desk. “I’ll be at my desk if you need me.”
Fox picked up the envelope. It looked about the same thickness as the last one. A seven was drawn on the corner with a strand of Christmas lights wrapped around it.
He lifted the flap. Two tickets and a piece of paper were inside. He pulled out the tickets first. They were for a showing at a theater. The Life of A Purrgil was what the show title said.
Fox gave a small smile. He remembered yesterday when he told Quinlan that he was curious about the huge star whales. He honestly paid more attention to Quinlan and their conversation than Skywalker winning a rigged race.
The crinkle of paper caught his attention. He looked down and pulled the paper from Meeka’s mouth. “No, Meeka. You will get sick and I am not cleaning your puke out of my bed again.”
He unfolded the note to see what Quinlan had to say.
To my dear Commander,
I know this is kind of last notice but I enjoyed our previous afternoon off and I wanted to have another like it. The show starts two hours past lunch today. You mentioned you wanted to hear more about purrgils and this show was on.
I won’t be here tomorrow. I’m doing a little investigating tonight and then reporting to the council tomorrow morning. Just tell everyone it’s my day off. I’ll try and contact you after my meeting.
Let me know if you want to see the show today. We can sneak out later and go if you want.
Merry Christmas Fox,
Sincerely,
Quinlan Vos
Fox sighed as he tucked the paper away. He didn’t understand this. Why was Quinlan doing all this? Was it just to communicate while he was undercover or was it something else like his brothers seem to think?
Fox was so confused.
He… he really liked this side of Quinlan. The caring, concerned, almost affectionate side. Okay, the chaotic, annoying, happy side he liked a little too. Some of his antics made him laugh when he thought back to them.
The question was… Why was he doing this? All the presents and all the notes and the lightsabers and the cortosis rings and… Just… Why?
Questions burned in his mind. Would he ever get any answers?
*******
ON THE EIGHTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME…
EIGHT VODE A WORKING…
*****
There were five more days until Christmas, counting today.
Quinlan wasn’t in the office.
Fox hated that. He was jumpy, nervous, and couldn’t stop thinking about the Sith hurting Quinlan.
He had to remind himself, several times that Quinlan was a Jedi Shadow and capable of taking care of himself. He didn’t need a clone commander to look after him.
The memory of his afternoon yesterday calmed him down. His wonder at the show when the lights went down. The image of the huge purrgil flying over their heads like he was really floating in space with a pod of the star whales.
It was an incredible experience.
Quinlan didn’t even make fun of him for his childlike excitement after it was over. He just watched him with a smile on his face. He steadied him when Fox stumbled after coming out of the dark theater into the bright light of Coruscant.
A loud knock at his door had Fox perking up before being reminded that Quinlan was at the temple.
He steadied the two huge towers of datapads on his desk. He was a little behind from taking two afternoons off in a row.
“Come in.” He called when he was sure they wouldn’t fall over.
Eight of his brothers stepped into the room. It was packed in here.
“Can I help you vode?” Fox raised an eyebrow. These men had unpainted armor and were fairly new.
“Yes sir. I’m CT-8990 and I’m with the 104th under Commander Wolffe.” One stepped forward.
Fox looked surprised at him. “What can I do for you?”
“Well, uh…” The trooper looked away.
“We got in trouble. General Koon let General Vos decide on our punishment and we are here to help you with your paperwork.” Another shoved his way forward. “We were told to give you this.”
Fox accepted the paper marked with an eight and snowmen. He opened it up. He was a little uncomfortable with this but hopefully, Quinlan had a good explanation.
To my dear Commander,
I know. I know. It makes me a little uncomfortable too, but it was either this or some serious punishment by the Kaminoans and I thought you would like this more than sending these men back to Kamino.
Their crime was not listening to command and they nearly got themselves killed in an ambush. Too eager. Commander Wolffe was furious and Plo had to calm him down. I offered a suitable punishment in their eyes.
It seems someone is spreading rumors about your nightmare of paperwork and Plo actually thought it was a good idea to teach them some patience.
So… feel free to impart any knowledge onto these men. They could use it.
Merry Christmas Fox,
Oh, did you know that Wolffe calls Plo buir? It’s quite funny because Obi-wan was there when he did and nearly choked to death. I think that means Dad right?
Sincerely,
Quinlan Vos.
Fox set down the paper calmly. “You realize how much trouble you could have gotten into, right?”
“Yes sir.” The troopers looked at the floor.
Fox handed out datapads. The less important ones. The ones for the Chancellor he kept for himself. “Fill these out but don’t sign them. Give them back to me to be signed. There are empty desks down the hall.”
The men filed out of the room with a handful of datapads in their hands. Once the last one left, Fox dropped his head into his hands to muffle his laughs.
Wolffe called his general Buir? Someone was spreading rumors about all the paperwork he did and now it’s considered a suitable punishment for disobeying orders?
Fox couldn’t help but laugh. His life was a nightmare. But… not quite. Quinlan was the dream among the terrors.
Hmm. Maybe he should tell him that.
Fox pulled the closest datapad to him. He had work to do and signatures to forge.
****
ON THE NINTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME…
NINE KIDS A PLAYING…
*****
Quinlan was back. He wasn’t the same though. He showed up all bright smiles and happy nods but something had changed.
Fox didn’t know what it was. Could he have found the Sith? Whatever it was, the instant Fox saw Quinlan he had pulled out the cortosis rings and put them in a pouch on his belt.
Quinlan knocked on his door. “Commander Fox, your presence is being requested by the Jedi Council at the temple. You have been excused of all work for today.”
Fox shoved aside his growing pile of datapads and stood up. “Let’s not keep the generals waiting.”
Quinlan drove them to the temple.
What followed was something out of any vod’s worst nightmare.
“Commander Fox, it has been brought to our attention that you have regular meetings with the Chancellor?” General Windu leaned forward in his chair.
“Yes, Sir.” Fox slipped into parade rest. Almost the whole council was here. Not in person, a few like General Kenobi and General Ti were blue-tinged holograms.
“Violent these meetings have been, Commander?” General Yoda eyed him with curiosity.
“Of a sort, General Yoda.” Fox debated on how much to tell them. He shot a look around the room. He saw out the doors. Quinlan was sitting in a chair with a notepad in front of him writing something intently.
That made him think of all the little notes and gifts Quinlan had given him. It made him remember the warmth in his chest he felt when he thought about Quinlan. Fox knew it was impossible but he wished he could have more with Quinlan. At the very least Quinlan had his trust. Fox would be happy to have Quinlan watch his back as much as he would his vode. Quinlan would watch out for him.
With that thought, Fox took a deep breath.
“To be completely honest, Generals there have been a few times I thought he would kill me or seriously injure me. Something would always happen to stop it. Someone would come in, something would fall, an emergency would happen. He would leave but I would feel off-balance and sick for a few hours after.” Fox stared at the wall while the generals murmured amongst themselves.
“A grave error we have made. A part of our men, the Coruscant Guard is. Looking after them, we should have. Assign someone to you we will.” General Yoda looked like he was about to dismiss him.
“May I make a suggestion.” He blurted out. He winced when all eyes turned to him.
“Continue, Commander Fox.” General Kenobi rubbed his hand over his beard. “You are not in trouble here.”
“General Vos is already working with my men. They have a good rapport and system going. It’s from my understanding that Qu- General Vos has no battalion. He’s an adept Jedi and it only makes sense that he continues with us.” Fox forced himself to stop talking.
Fox couldn’t read General Windu.
“We will take your suggestion under consideration, Commander. For now, we wish for you to speak with one of our specialized members for a more complete report. Master Nell is a little backed up at the moment but she will speak with you sometime today. Please remain at the temple. Master Vos will accompany you.” General Windu dismissed him.
Fox turned and left the council room with a relieved sigh. Quinlan met him out in the hall.
“How did it go?” Quinlan closed his notepad. Fox saw a brief glimpse of a sketch of Santa hats before it was hidden in his pocket.
“Alright, I guess. They want me to stick around to meet with someone named Nell?” Fox shrugged. “I don’t know what to do other than wait here.”
Quinlan winced. “Master Nell. Our chief mind healer. Not a good sign. Come on. I know a better place to wait.”
Quinlan stood up and led the way to the turbo lift. Fox followed him down through the various paths and halls of the Jedi temple. The sound of children laughing reached his ears.
Quinlan stepped into a room to cries of Master Vos.
Fox entered hesitantly. He didn’t exactly have a lot of time to spend with cadets. The last one he had interacted with had been his brothers on Kamino before the war started two years ago.
“Hey, troublemakers. This is my… friend Fox. He’s had a bit of a rough day so why don’t we give him a proper Bear Clan cure.” Quinlan nudged a few Jedi cadets over to him.
Fox was soon the focus of nine pairs of pleading eyes. “Hello, cadets.”
“Come with us!” One of them cried out, tugging on his hand.
“No! He has to take off his shoes. That’s the rules.” Another pointed at Fox’s boots.
“Mr. Fox? Can you please take off your shoes? Then we can color. Coloring always makes me feel better.” A Nautolan pulled at his thigh armor.
Fox crouched down and pulled off his boots. He set them neatly by the door. The group of nine cadets pulled him to a low table that he had to sit on the floor to be at.
Fox soon had cadets piled into spaces next to him. They pulled out paper and colored pencils and crayons and markers. Quinlan was on the opposite side of the table with a cadet in his lap and two more pressed to his sides.
Fox spent the afternoon with the cadets coloring. About two hours later they put on a children’s holovid. Fox soon was piled under nine sleeping kids.
Quinlan was pouting because all nine kids had decided that Fox needed them more to recover from his bad day.
“Here. I’m sorry I didn’t get you a gift.” Quinlan handed Fox a white envelope with the number nine on it.
Fox looked at it and then down at his arms holding two cadets close. “I can’t exactly take it but… I’d say you did get me a gift. That’s number nine and coincidently there are nine cadets here. I’d say that cadets are a gift especially nat borns right?”
Quinlan smiled. “I guess so.” Silence fell as the holoscreen showed a bothan sneaking into homes to steal trees and presents. “I can read it to you if you want?”
“Alright.” Fox relaxed into the bean bag chairs the kids had pulled around him.
“ To my dear Commander,
I’m sorry I have no gift this time. I just wanted to say thank you for bringing forward what you did. I know it’s not easy to talk about things like this. But every little thing helps. I wish I could help you with this. We have a good suspicion on who the Sith lord is and if we are right it could lead to a massive attack that some of us might not survive.
So… thank you. For coming forward. For being there. For not turning me away. I know I can be a bit much. Obi-wan complains enough about me and my antics.
Merry Christmas, Fox,
Sincerely,
Quinlan Vos.”
Quinlan’s voice trailed off when he was done.
Fox watched as the mean bothan’s heart grew two sizes bigger.
“You’re not too much,” Fox spoke into the quiet. “Yeah, you find trouble easily but you are a jetii ori’ramikad. That occupation is a given for trouble. Besides, General Kenobi is not one to talk. I’ve seen a few reports from Cody. His missions go haywire as much as General Skywalker’s missions. You find less trouble than them. I…” Fox swallowed harshly at what he was about to confess. It went against every regulation he was taught but Fox couldn’t stand the dismay in Quinlan’s voice as he read that. “I like your troublemaking nature. It’s always good to stir up the pot occasionally.”
Quinlan smiled softly. “Thanks, Fox.”
Fox turned back to the movie as the last scene played. Maybe his feelings were returned.
He could only hope.
****
ON THE TENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME…
TEN BOTTLES TO DRINK…
****
It was back to work the next day. Quinlan was there but he was edgy the whole time. Fox got a small explanation at lunch but what was told worried him greatly.
Fox had slipped Quinlan the cortosis rings. Going up against a Sith Lord was not going to be easy.
All Fox could do was give Quinlan his best chance and prepare for the fallout from this.
Fox was anxious as the time rolled near for their confrontation. Just before the time where they told him it would start, a knock rang on his door.
“Commander. I have a present for you. You are one lucky vod let me tell you.” A trooper came barging in with ten bottles crammed in a box. “Here you go. Ten bottles of some quality ne’tra gal. Please feel free to share.”
Fox just glared at his vod. He reached across and grabbed a bottle popping the tab and swallowing a big gulp of the dark sweet beer.
“Okay. Drinking on the job. Rough day?” The trooper took the hint and fled from the room.
Fox stared down at the note tucked in with the bottles. He picked it up and tore it open. The bright number ten with the little hot chocolate mugs were along the bottom.
To my dear Commander,
If you haven’t guessed it by now, you are really important to me. I hope that one day you will feel the same as me.
I got you this in hopes that it will calm your nerves. We will fight and win this because we have more to lose than him. Be strong Commander and don’t give in to your fear and anxiety.
If I make it out I owe you quite a few answers. I apologize in advance for all the work you are going to have to do.
Merry Christmas Fox,
Love,
Quinlan Vos.
Fox snorted bitterly and drank another mouthful of Mandalorian beer. If Quinlan made it out alive and in one piece, he owed him more than answers.
Merry Christmas Fox,
Love,
Quinlan Vos.
Fox glared at the note. He wanted to crumble it and throw it at the wall.
Love,
Quinlan Vos.
He couldn’t get away with that. He can’t just tell him he loves him in a note. Not for the first time. Damn that Jedi!
Fox smoothed it out and lowered it on his desk. A slow purr met his ears before he had a lapful of white tooka. “That bastard, Meeka. He can’t do this to me. He better make it out alive. If he doesn’t I’m gonna…”
Fox shoved his face in Meeka’s fur and breathed deeply. Quinlan had to make it through this. Fox didn’t want to believe otherwise. Because… Because Fox loved him and he had to tell him.
Fox loved him.
Merry Christmas Fox,
Love,
Quinlan Vos.
Fox choked on a hitching breath. “He has to make it out alive. He has to.”
Fox held tight to Meeka and hoped that this Christmas he would have a miracle.
****
ON THE ELEVENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME…
ELEVEN QUESTIONS ASKED…
****
Fox hurried through the Jedi Temple. It was night time and he was heading for the Healing Halls. The war was pretty much over once Palpatine was outed.
From the few reports that Fox read, the Chancellor was dead. Killed by a betrayed General Skywalker. Fox knew that General Skywalker had months of mind-healing sessions to look forward to. Being manipulated like that was never easy.
Men were finishing a few final skirmishes before being recalled back to Coruscant. Senators Amidala and Organa were pushing for clone rights. A few Jedi had been killed in the battle but none were saying Quinlan was one of them.
Fox hadn’t heard from Quinlan since before the battle. Fox hoped that he was just injured and forgot to com him. If he was actually…
Fox swallowed harshly. No. Quinlan was still alive. He had to be. No thinking of death.
Fox came into the busy Healing Halls. He was stopped by a Jedi Commander. A padawan they called them?
“Can I help you?” The small Jedi wrung their hands in nerves.
“Is Quinlan Vos here? I’m looking for him.” Fox tightened his jaw at the padawan’s look of sympathy.
“Yes. I’ll show you to him. He just came out of a bacta tank so he’s still under.” The padawan led him through the twisting halls full of vode and Jedi alike.
Fox entered the quiet room.
Quinlan’s dark hair was wet and lying limp on the bed around him. His skin was pale making the yellow marks stand out on his face even more than usual. His hands were carefully wrapped in gauze from fingertip to wrist. He was dressed in a blue hospital gown with a stiff white blanket tucked up to his torso.
Fox stepped closer and sank down in the chair by his bed. He swallowed harshly. “Is he going to be okay?”
“Are you Fox?” The padawan asked curiously.
“Yes.” Fox didn’t take his eyes off the Jedi in the bed.
“We found these on him. They are for you.” The padawan pressed two envelopes into his hands before leaving the room.
Fox looked down at his comlink where the time was. Almost midnight. Christmas was officially here in about ten minutes.
Fox pressed his hands to his head. He softly began talking about how he felt about the presents. How Meeka was a surprise and how he had come to anticipate the next one and then the next one. His voice broke slightly on his feelings and how he felt warm when he thought of him. How Quinlan was his dream among the nightmares.
Time slowly shifted closer and closer to midnight.
Fox began asking all the questions burning on his mind. Why did he do this? Why him?
As the clock hit midnight, Quinlan’s eyes opened…
****
ON THE TWELFTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME…
TWELVE THINGS MADE CLEAR…
****
“Because I love you, idiot.”
Fox jumped at Quinlan’s hoarse words. “Vos you absolute shabuir,” Fox swore. “You karking di’kut’la utreekov jetii.”
“I don’t know what all that means but if it means sexy, handsome Jedi I can take that.” Quinlan winced when he went to sit up.
Fox placed his hands behind his back to help him. “You dumbass.”
“Hey. I thought we were past the name-calling-”
Fox shut Quinlan up by pressing his forehead to his. “I thought I lost you. The reports came in but there was no word on you. You leave me that kriffing note and then swan off to die.”
“Fox, I-” Quinlan began.
“No. It’s my turn to talk. You owe me that much.” Fox pressed harder on Quinlan’s head. “You can’t say that in a note and then leave me wondering. What is all this Quinlan? Why the presents? I mean uj cake? Ne’tra gal? Meeka? The lightsabers? Which you still haven’t taught me to use yet. Why me?”
“Can I speak now?” Quinlan brought his hand up to cup Fox’s cheek. “I was trying to court you. The uj cakes and the ne’tra gal was because despite what those bastards say, you are Mandalorian and I thought you should have a piece of your culture. Meeka is because I adore her and wanted her to have a good home. The temple was going to put her in a shelter. The lightsabers because I want you to be able to protect yourself and everyone you care about. Sorry for not teaching you yet. That might have to wait for a while for me to recover. As for why you… because you are strong, you care, you are a warrior and I love you.”
Fox hoped he wasn’t dreaming. “And the trips out? Saving my vode from decommissioning? The rings? The notes?”
Quinlan huffed. He leaned forward and pressed a kiss to Fox’s cheek. “All of it was because I love you and want you safe.”
Fox knew he was trembling. “What about the Jedi? You can’t have relationships.”
“Wrong. We can’t have attachments. We can have relationships. I know three people off the top of my head that are married. Two of them involve your brothers.”
That made Fox choke. “My brothers?”
“Yep. Cody and Obi-wan and Bly and Aayla. Not happy about that one when I found out. Aayla was my padawan. I practically raised her.” Quinlan laughed. “I made him work for it. Don’t worry.”
“And what about us?” Fox stilled when Quinlan pressed a kiss to his chin.
“That was thirteen. But I’ll give you that one. That’s up to you. Do... do you love me-”
Fox leaned forward and kissed Quinlan properly. “I love you, Quinlan Vos.”
Fox pulled back and reached for Quinlan’s hand. Quinlan flinched before letting their fingers intertwine.
“Merry Christmas Fox.” Quinlan laid back in his bed with a groan.
“Merry Christmas, Quinlan.”
Fox stayed by Quinlan’s bedside all night. Yes, this Christmas really did bring a few miracles.
Fox’s comm rang. “Hello?”
“Vod I swear. Come get your demon tooka before she somehow gets killed.” Stone growled into the device.
Fox laughed. “I’ll be right there.”
He had to go rescue his tooka.
****
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!