Work Text:
– CORUSCANT –
OK’SANA RUE’S QUARTERS
– 1526 –
“Kriff!”
Ok’sana felt her breath rush out of her, the carpet scratching against her cheek.
Karking hell.
Three sharp raps came from the door. She brushed the hair out of her face, glancing towards the window and noting that there was still daylight behind the skyline. The door beeped as it slid open, bringing in the cool air and the scent of smoke and-
Tech.
“I sent you messages," Ok’sana blinked.
“I’m sorry?”
“About the texts… The Jedi texts about the-” Tech narrowed his eyes, “You were asleep.”
“I- perhaps I was. I’m sorry, Tech. I must've dozed while reading Wolffe's report and-”
He held up a gloved hand, “Don't apologize, I understand completely. Commander Wolffe and General Plo checked into the hangar at 1308, if you were wondering. No extreme injuries were reported.” He’d been moving away from her and back toward the barracks, and the relief she felt for Plo was set aside momentarily.
“I sensed they’d returned. Thanks Tech,” a nod, but his body still indicated he was going to leave.
“I found some of what we were looking for, actually, before my little nap. Unless you’ve got something else on.” He shifted his helmet into the other hand, walking back slowly. She took a tentative step into the hall, like someone approaching a skittish animal. Ok'sana informed him she’d found both online articles and physical books including some accounts of Jedi healing and it’s miraculous results, gesturing with her head for him to follow. Tech trailed in after her, seeming almost forcibly nonchalant. He was sure many clones had found themselves in close quarters with their Generals before. Rex and General Skywalker certainly seemed to be friends. This was of course, nothing more than professional courtesy and sharing research amongst friends.
“Unfortunately some of the material is for Jedi eyes only, but I see no reason I can't describe what it feels like to heal someone the way I did for Baz- oh, you can set your helmet there. So as I was saying, the meditative state is something all Jedi are taught. I thought could demonstrate and maybe you can sc-”
“Scan your physical state with my helmet?” Tech seemed almost giddy, “I was thinking the same. Perhaps I can detect a heat signature.” Ok’sana had to smile at the rise in Tech’s tone. It was nice to see someone interested in something other than battle plans these days, plus she herself was interested in things like this. When she was in trouble with the Council for letting her temper get the better of her (which did happen rather often, she was sad to admit), they usually sent her to the Temple library for research projects. Ok'sana may have found it a tad boring at one point, but her love for reading and knowledge had begun there.
The two of them grabbed books and datapads that she’d haphazardly thrown onto a small table in her quarters, and read in almost complete silence. Every once in a while one of them would find a relevant passage to read aloud, and Tech would take the opportunity to type notes into his tablet to read over later.
At one point she sat up from the curled position she’d been in on the couch and looked at the trooper sitting in her armchair.His eyes didn't glance up, but Tech could feel her eyes on him. There was no way sitting in that armor was comfortable, it had to pinch a bit- especially because he'd been sitting ramrod straight the entire time. She's always known him to have some of the worst posture when relaxed.
“You can sit back, you know,” Ok'sana teased, “I’m not going to file a report for misconduct if you actually let yourself loosen up.”
He almost smiled, “I am alright.”
“You look tense.”
“Is that an observation, or are you reading my mind?”
Ok’sana snorted, “Common misconception, though we can read minds, I find it rather rude. I can sense you’re not at ease,” at that, Tech did look up and smiled shyly.
“I am sufficiently comfortable in my armor, Ok’sana. To tell you the truth I usually sleep in it on the ship.”
“Really?”
"Yes.”
“Is that something they taught you on Kamino?” Tech said nothing.
Tactless as always, Ok'sana. Tactless.
“I’m sorry, Tech. I only meant- actually I don't know what I meant. I guess I wondered if the Kaminoans taught you to do that so as to always be ready for battle.”
Tech cleared his dry throat, “It was mentioned, however as cadets we- that is to say Hunter, Crosshair, Wrecker, and myself- found it was easier to defend ourselves if we were already armored,” his voice took on an almost bitter tone,
“And the Regs did love to catch us off guard.”
Ok’sana closed her book, “Youre saying the Regs attacked you? When, Tech? Was that reported?”
“I’m sure any report we could have made would just escalate the issue.”
“What issue?”
Stop talking, Tech thought, Stop talking now. So he did.
However she had latched onto the tiny snippet of information she was given. None of the boys talked about Kamino, about the training they'd been put through since infancy. Not that she had ever had the gall to ask until now, but she had always been curious. The clones were people like any other, and Tech and the boys of the Batch seemed to catch her special interest. Ok'sana had wondered more than once what they'd been like as children.
When did Cross decide to be a sniper? How had Hunter chosen his tattoo? Was Tech near or farsighted?
She wanted to know what shaped them to be the men they were today. The tension between the Batch and other clones on missions was plain to see, but now she knew why, at least in part. Ok’sana waited a moment before she spoke again, this time there was something else in her tone. “I can understand why Cross has issues with Corvis and the "Regs" in general now.” Tech’s eyes landed back on the stack of files in his lap, and he finally relaxed his posture and slouched forward, elbows resting on his knees.
“Crosshair has an issue with most authority figures, as you've seen, even Hunter sometimes.”
“Not that Corvis is an authority figure.”
“Most certainly not,” Ok’sana grinned widely. Tech fought another smile, and he didn't look up again- but she saw it anyways. Another small victory.
“Cross seems to be fine taking orders from me in the field,” she dropped the book on the table and picked up another and mimicking Tech's position, duxking her head down to read. Tech exchanged his papers for a tablet, trying to ignore the way Ok’sana's hair had fallen into waves around her face. The way the setting sun from the window shone almost like a spotlight on the birthmark under her eye. He didn't look away from her when he spoke again.
“That’s because he trusts you implicitly, though I’m sure one day he’ll find a reason to question you. Besides you're dif-” Tech’s head almost reflexively tilted down to the pad in his hand.
Not my brightest moment, he seethed, trying to ignore the blood rushing to his neck and face.
“I’m different?” Ok'sana teased, and to her surprise Tech nodded. She waited until her heart was no longer pounding in her ears, “I bet you say that to all the Generals.”
Tech let out a noise that sounded like he was choking, and it took her a moment to realize it was laughter. She had caught him off guard.
He ought to do that more often.
Ok’sana just started to laugh alongside him when his wrist comm beeped, “Tech, where are you? It’s nearly dark. Get back to the barracks, we’re shipping out at first light,” it was Hunter. Tech stood up, the tablet falling in his haste and too quickly for him to grab- Ok’sana held up a hand and caught it, floating it gently to her hand.
“I- I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to impose for such a long time, and I can help clean up.”
“Tech, It’s alright, I didn't notice the time either, and it sounds like you have somewhere to be.”
His head bobbed, “Yes. Thank you for all this,” he was moving quickly towards the door, “the research and for your help, it was kind of you.”
“And it was fun.”
“Yes. It was fun,” he smiled, then turned to open the door.
“Tech.”
“Yes?” When he turned around, Ok’sana was standing almost right in front of him, holding his helmet. Maker, sometimes he wondered how he accomplished anything around her. Tech really needed to run a diagnostic on himself when returning to the Marauder, perhaps it was merely a neurological disorder he was developing. A problem with his eidetic memory would be very disconcerting for someone so relied upon as the brains of the squad.
“You didn't get your scan.”
“I-my what? Oh! No, but that's quite alright-”
Ok'sana arched an eyebrow, “Or you could do it now.”
“Or I could do it now, of course.”
When Tech took the helmet from her, their fingers brushed. Ok’sana was almost embarrassingly flushed at this point, but then again so was Tech. She didn't know why she was telling him to do the scan right this very second, or why she had decided to stand so damn close to him. He put the helmet on and pulled the visor down, switching on the infrared sensors. Tech instantly felt more at ease with it on, however his hands where they'd touched Ok’sana’s were still tingling. He wondered if she could sense that.
She closed her eyes as soon as Tech slipped the visor down, trying to drown out everything- especially the man in front of her. It was surprisingly difficult given how often she practiced meditation. Some unseen force seemed to possess Tech for a moment, and with confidence he didn't know he had off the battlefield, he reached for her.
“You're not standing close enough for the scanner,” Tech lied, as he tugged harshly on the side of her robes and all but threw her against his chestplate. Her palms reflexively came up to press against him, but she didn't push him away, nor did she open her eyes. Ok’sana felt her breath catch, and her focus broke for only a moment before she forced her mind to go blank again.
Focus damnit. You’ll ruin the experiment. Her mind went blank for all of ten seconds before she heard Tech say it was done. Ok'sana opened her eyes and looked up at him. He had removed his helmet, and it was dangling in his hand at his side. Tech’s other hand still gripped a handful of her open robes, and heat radiated from him through the armor. The goggles were still in place, and she had the sudden urge to remove them. They were both jaggedly breathing in the darkness of the room. Neither had noticed the sun setting completely earlier, so there were no lights on, and Ok'sana's small quarters seemed to disappear. All they could see was each other.
Tech’s helmet beeped twice, and they both stepped away as if the contact burned. His backpack bumped into her door, and Sana pressed the button from where she stood, making sure to wait till Tech was standing upright so he wouldn't fall. Neither spoke, afraid to break the silence. Appalled at themselves and one another's behavior.
But she had to. Ok’sana had to make sure she hadn’t ruined one of her friendships by being such a complete and total nerfherder.
I mean he’s the one who practically threw me on top of him. Not that Sana had done much to stop him. Not that she had wanted to, and that in itself was a terrifying thought. It was a loose thread that if tugged on would send her into a spiral of doubt. She would not be so weak again.
“I’m sorry,” they both blurted, and Tech grinned a little shakily.
“I didn't mean to- uhm- grab you in such a way..” he trailed off.
“It’s okay.”
“It isn't." She smiled, still a little dazed,
“You have somewhere to be, soldier. We can talk about it when you get back. Or ignore it altogether," her laugh sounded forced, and Tech hesitated.
Not that Ok’sana was an issue but the whole paradox of the Jedi’s strict “no attachments'' rule was one he’d admittedly been trying to untangle recently. Most of the GAR was well aware of General Skywalker’s attachment to Senator Padme Amidala of Naboo, however nothing was confirmed. Tech also needed to acknowledge the fact that Ok’sana Rue was a leader in the Republic forces, a Jedi and keeper of peace across the galaxy, and he was the brains of Clone Force 99. The last thing either of them needed to undertake was a romant-
She can’t get involved, you know that, Hunter had said.
The last thing Tech wanted to do was be irrational and put Ok'sana in an uncomfortable position like that absolute rancor, Corvis.
“Tech.”
Tech blinked, “Uhm, yes?”
“The mission?” He cursed, slipping on his helmet and walking away brusquely,
“Of course, I should get to the barracks before they-”
“Mess up your ship?”
“I do think you read my mind sometimes,” Tech said dryly. They were in the hallway now, the fluorescent lights were harsh on Ok’sana’s eyes after being in the dim for so long. She faked a gasp, “I would never.” He didn't move further away, just stood there looking down at her- tapping his fingers against the side of his gear. Right when she was about to make another wisecrack, Tech surprised both her and himself for the second time that day. Ok'sana blinked as she felt heat envelop her.
Tech was hugging her. She wasn't new to the concept, having shared hugs with Soka plenty of times, but this felt different. This hug she felt in the depths of her stomach. A roiling heat that crept along Ok'sana's skin and threatened to bring ruin to everything she as a Jedi held dear.
You’re doing great with the No Attachments rule, Rue. Just great.
Tech pulled back and awkwardly patted her back, where his hands rested on Ok'sana's lower waist, “I will inform you when we arrive back.”
The steadiness in her voice shocked her, but while this whole encounter left her heart racing and her skin buzzing- Ok'sana couldn't help the small voice in her mind that insisted it was all just so easy with Tech. “I expect a full report.” His comm beeped again, this time incessantly, so she gave him a little shove to the chest and her most Ok’sana Rue smirk,
“Get moving, Trooper.”
Tech’s face wasn't visible, but she heard the smile in his voice, “Yes, General Rue.”
She didn't correct him this time.
I am in such deep bantha shit.
END OF PART 3