Work Text:
Thorn stood in front of the bacta tank, watching the figure inside float. His eyes were blank, and his mind empty. It was hard to believe that these past few hours were spent trying to save someone the Guard considered invincible. Of course, Thorn, Thire, Stone, and Tonic knew the truth; this person was far from invincible. This person did everything they could to hold the guard together.
Thorn wanted to put a hole through the wall. It just wasn’t fair. Fox did everything for the guard, and this was how fate treated him. One hurdle after another. Thorn wished that Coruscant would stop moving. He wished it would stop hurting. Maybe then Fox could catch a break; maybe then Thorn wouldn’t have to see him floating in a bacta tank.
“Fox will pull through, Thorn.” Tonic interrupted Thorn’s thoughts as he approached the bacta tank.
Thorn looked over at Tonic and nodded. “I know, but….”
“He won’t react well to these new circumstances.” Tonic finished Thorn’s thoughts, his gaze piercing the tank.
Thorn blinked; Tonic was a hardass when it came to everyone’s health, and he was sterner with Fox. It came with being the Senior Medic; Tonic despised seeing Fox work himself into the ground. So Thorn wasn’t that surprised to see the gentle worry hiding behind Tonic’s stern eyes. Everyone worried about Fox, even if the Commander didn’t want to accept the help.
Turning back to the bacta tank, Thorn watched Fox float, hooked to the machine working to keep him alive. Thorn’s eyes feel to Fox’s legs, or where they were supposed to be, as one had been amputated. “Who would take losing a limb well?”
“No one,” Tonic whispered. “Which is why we have to keep him calm when he wakes. Fox will work himself into a panic….. Or he’ll be resigned to his fate; he’s always waiting for the moment Chancellor Palpatine deems him unfit to serve.”
“And just how will we keep the Chancellor from decommissioning Fox? We can’t demand that he hooks Fox up with a prosthetic.”
Tonic and Thorn made eye contact, anger and hurt circling Tonic’s eyes. “That’s for you to figure out.”
Thorn nodded and turned away from the bacta tank and Fox. “I have some calls to make,” he informed Tonic, walking away.
“Thorn.” Tonic quickly stopped the Commander. Thorn paused and glanced back at Tonic. “I’ll make sure he survives; you and the others make sure he stays alive.”
“Of course. The Guard can’t survive without him.”
~*~
Thorn paced the small office, his fingers anxiously tapping his armor. Stone and Thire were sitting on the small couch, Stone keeping Thire from punching a hole in the wall. They were waiting for two people who could help Fox. At least Thorn hoped they could help him.
“Thorn.” Stone’s sharp tone startled him. “Sit down, please. Or at least stop pacing.”
“Sorry, just anxious,” Thorn muttered, and he leaned against the desk.
“We are all anxious, Thorn. If this doesn’t work, then I don’t know what we’ll do.” Thire replied, glaring at the ground. “It has to work.”
The three commanders fell silent; no words needed to be spoken anymore. A sharp knock at the door had Stone and Thire shooting to their feet. “Hello?” a soft voice asked.
Thorn walked over to the door and opened it, revealing their guest. “Senator Chuchi, General Vos, come in.”
“Please, this isn’t a formal setting. Just tell us what happened.” Vos jumped straight to the point. Stone allowed Riyo and Quinlan to sit on the couch and joined Thorn by the desk.
"A bombing." Stone sighed. "There was a bombing in the underground. Fox was too close to it."
Thorn looked at Riyo, her eyes wide and tears welling up. He felt bad for the Pantoran Senator. She loved Fox with every fiber of her being, and now she's hearing that he may not live. Quinlan looked shocked at first, but anger was beginning to encompass his eyes. The Jedi was a pain to deal with, but Thorn had to admit, he was a great friend to Fox.
"We were able to pull him out of the rubble." Thorn continued, "But Tonic was forced to amputate his right leg. Fox is still in a bacta tank."
"Okay, so get him a prosthetic," Quinlan stated like it was the most obvious answer to their problem.
Thorn shook his head dejectedly. "We can't. We don't have that ability."
"Bullshit." Quinlan snapped, "The GAR provides their injured troopers with prosthetics."
"We aren’t the Gar." Stone looked away. "The GAR has the backing of their Generals and the entire Jedi order. If they can save a vod's life, they will."
Thorn tapped his foot anxiously, he hoped he didn’t anger Riyo with what he was going to say. "The Guard has the backing of a corrupt Senate. Money and power-hungry fools who could care less if a clone died or got decommissioned."
Riyo looked down in shame, unable to deny what Thorn was saying. "If Fox has the backing and support of the Jedi Order and a Renowned Senator, he could get him a prosthetic. We could save him from being decommissioned," Thorn whispered.
"I'll talk with Healer Cho, and ask her to help. They can't stop me from helping him if I just take him." Quinlan leaned back in his chair.
"The Chancellor would be livid if we went behind his back and didn't tell him." Stone sighed.
"Then I'll tell him." Riyo stood up, folding her hands together and speaking for the first time. "I'll tell him that I asked the Jedi to save Fox for all that he's done for the Republic."
Thorn watched a lone tear fall down her cheek, and he smiled softly as she continued. "I'm sure Senators Organa and Amidala would back me up also. If you don't mind me telling them."
The three commanders met eyes, silently communicating with one another before Thorn nodded. "Do it." He replied. "Anything that will help him. Do it."
~*~
Fox groaned as his body and mind slowly returned to consciousness. The first thing he put together was the pain. His entire body felt like it was on fire. He tried to open his eyes, but his body protested the small movements. Eventually, he managed to blink his eyes open and was met with harsh lights. whatever he was lying on was rough but familiar. He was in the medbay.
"-nic." Fox tried to speak, but his voice refused to cooperate. "Ton-."
"I'm here, Fox." The commander sighed in relief hearing his Senior Medic. "Welcome back to the land of the living. Did you enjoy your nap?"
If Fox glared at Tonic as he came into view. If he could flip the medic off, he would, but it hurt too much to move. Tonic chuckled and started checking Fox's vitals.
"You almost died, di'kut." Tonic half-heartedly scolded. "I'll give you some more painkillers, but try to get some more rest."
Fox could do that. Rest sounded amazing right now. A small prick to his arm told Fox that Tonic had administered the painkillers, so he allowed his eyes to slip close. It wasn't long till sleep welcomed him.
The next time Fox opened his eyes, he was more lucid. The pain was still there, but it wasn't nearly as bad as before. He blinked open his eyes, wincing at the intensity of the lights. Why did those blasted things have to be so bright? Fox turned his head, hearing someone move silently.
His eyes widened as warm brown met soft golden eyes. "Riyo?" He asked, voice hoarse.
Riyo smiled, a tear falling down her cheek. "You're awake."
"Please don't cry, Riyo." Fox sat up with the help of the Senator. "I'm okay, or I will be."
"Fox…"
"What?"
"Fox, you…." Riyo took a deep breath and took his hand, and held it tightly. "You lost a leg in the blast."
Fox blinked in confusion. He remembered the explosion or part of it, but for him to be close enough to… looking down, Fox noticed the dip in the blanket where his right leg should be. He blinked again before smiling sadly. He would be decommissioned for this.
"Riyo… I…"
"We're getting you a leg." Riyo interrupted, staring at him determined. "Master Vos is working with the Jedi healers to get you a prosthetic, and I'm basically telling the Chancellor that he has to accept it cause no one can do your job as well as you. So…"
More tears flowed down Riyo's face as she shook her head. Fox quickly cupped her cheek, not wanting her to cry. "So don't say goodbye; you aren't going anywhere." Riyo held Fox's gaze stubbornly. "Master Vos, and I won't let you. Your commanders won't let you."
Since when did Fox deserve such amazing friends and a beautiful girlfriend? Fox nodded slowly and brushed away Riyo's tears. "Okay. Okay, I won't say goodbye, and you'll be stuck with me forever."
Riyo smiled and leaned into Fox's hands. "I wouldn't have it any other way."