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Quinlan landed on Umbara, humming cheerfully.
He was keeping his promise to Cody.
He was coming back alive, and going right to meet Cody, as soon as he could.
Of course, it seemed he got the wrong coordinates so he would have to walk, but Quinlan didn’t mind that.
The mission had been extremely dangerous and risky. Almost so much so it was a suicide mission.
But Quinlan had pulled it off. He had succeeded. He had the information needed, and despite the risk, he hadn’t been discovered.
If he had been, he wasn’t so sure he would have made it out.
That was one reason he made the promise to Cody. Such promises could be hard to keep, but Quinlan needed the extra incentive to avoid notice.
Sometimes on the risky missions he made decisions based on the fact it was risky, so he might as well, but that was a foolish way to decide, as he could always see when he was not in the situation.
Promising Cody he would come back alive meant that he couldn’t be an idiot. He had to think things through, and not take the fastest option.
Quinlan stretched and started walking.
The advantage of coming back now meant that he could help out with Umbara. It was supposed to be a tricky one.
Considering how many battalions and Jedi were involved, and the last update had sounded like things were moving slowly… yeah, they could use all the help they could get.
And Quinlan always enjoyed getting to work with people he loved. His family, the Jedi, close friends, and of course, Cody.
He followed the Force across Umbara, still feeling cheerful.
Until the Force pushed him forward urgently.
Quinlan took off, ready to find out just what was going on.
He arrived to find the 501st and 212th shooting at each other.
He didn’t let the rush of confusion deter him. He leapt into the middle of the fight.
“STOP!” He yelled, holding his hands.
The shooting stopped a minute too late.
Several blaster bolts slammed into him.
Quinlan had a moment to be stunned as he staggered and then toppled over. He rolled over onto his back and stared at the sky.
.
Cody had been a bit confused by the conversation with Krell. Something didn’t seem right. Why would droids go around as clones? It happened, but it was rare.
It wouldn’t really get them anywhere.
Cody confided in Obi-Wan his concerns but continued on.
When they came across a squad of the 501st, Cody went to ask them questions, but they started shooting immediately.
Droids, then.
Good thing they were prepared.
They had only been shooting at each other for a few seconds when Quinlan Vos came out of nowhere and shouted at them to stop.
But with the adrenaline caused by the shootout, everyone turned and aimed at the sudden potential enemy, and stopped shooting too late.
Quinlan fell.
Cody dimly registered that the droids, 501st? Stopped shooting.
He was too busy rushing to Quinlan’s side.
He dropped down to his knees next to Quinlan, ripping his bucket off. “I am so sorry I-“
“Always a risk…” Quinlan tried sitting up and winced, dropping back down. “I came back alive at least. As promised.”
Cody snorted. “You’re really thinking about promises right now when I was one of the people that shot you?”
“Yep. You know me. Anyway, I’m sure Obes will understand when you talk to him. I don’t want any of you in trouble.”
“We could have killed you!”
Quinlan shrugged, then winced. “Yeah, well. I’m alive. I’m not dead. I’m not bothered, promise.”
“General Vos?” Rex asked, “Cody?” He was pale like he’d seen a ghost. “General Krell said that droids…”
“That’s what he told us.” Cody said grimly.
Quinlan groaned. “Krell is the worst. He wasn’t the best Jedi before the war, though he never did anything he could get in trouble for, and he’s only gotten worse in attitude since. I am not surprised.”
Cody swallowed. “Any dead?”
“No, just injured. General Vos is the worst.”
Cody nodded, looking back at Quinlan.
Quinlan gave him a cheeky grin. “I still came back alive even if I die here.”
“Don’t say that!” Cody protested, looking over the wounds again.
Some of them were near fatal, just barely missing arteries or vital organs.
Quinlan could still die, easily.
“Let’s get you to the medics,” Cody said grimly.
Quinlan nodded, eyes sliding closed. “If you have to kill Krell, do it. He pitted you against each other for fun. If he won’t be arrested for treason, or whatever it is you come up with, Captain Rex,” he emphasized Captain, “Kill him. That’s an order. He can’t be allowed to kill anyone else. If you successfully arrest him, but he fights back, Obes and I won’t let anyone question the decision, got it?”
“Yes, sir.”
With that, Quinlan passed out.
Cody almost panicked but kept his cool as medics ran up.
.
Quinlan woke up slowly. “Ugh… What hit me?”
“That’s what happens when you jump in the middle of friendly fire.”
“Oh. Ow.”
“I’m not surprised, Quin. Good job, though. Giving Rex the order gave him peace of mind for what he had to do.”
“Krell’s dead?”
“Yes. He Fell.”
“…Kriff. How many Jedi are going to Fall before this war is over. He had a poor attitude but he was still a Jedi…”
“I don’t know.” Obi-Wan sighed. He squeezed Quinlan’s hand. “Looks like Cody is waking up. He’s been a wreck since we wrapped things up on Umbara days ago.”
“Days?”
“You needed multiple surgeries. It wasn’t pretty, Quin. You almost died. I had to use the Force to keep you alive long enough for the medics to stabilize you.”
“…Oh. Ow.”
“Yes, ow. Now, I have a meeting to attend, but Cody’s still here, so you won’t be alone.”
“Alright, do what you gotta do, Obes.”
Obi-Wan smiled and with affection in the Force, left.
Quinlan shifted, and found Cody asleep bent over the bed, holding on onto Quilnan’s hand.
Cody looked to be a wreck, his curls in disarray, and he hadn’t shaved in days.
Quinlan wiggled his fingers.
As he expected, Cody shot up.
“Hey, Codes.”
“Quin!” Cody hugged him carefully. “Thank the Force… I thought I lost you.”
“I know.” Quinlan smiled at him. “But I’m alive. It’s okay.”
“I shot you!”
“You weren’t the only one and it was an adrenaline fueled moment. If I’d taken a moment to think I would have taken out my lightsaber, but the moment I recognized everyone involved I jumped in to stop it.”
“Thank you for that… we had no idea.”
“I figured. You’d never shoot on Rex, and he’s even less likely to shoot on you.”
Cody nodded. “How are you feeling?”
“Pain’s starting to get worse, but otherwise, I’m okay. Cody, have you been sleeping?”
“I made a promise that I was going to stay at your side until you woke up once you got out of surgery, and I had no intention of failing.”
“You didn’t have to do that.”
‘“I wanted to, Quin. You deserve better. I shot you.”
“It was an accident. I don’t blame you.”
“You should.”
“Come here.” Quinlan gestured at him to get closer.
As soon as Cody did so, Quinlan kissed him. “I don’t blame you, Cody,” he said softly. “I’m just glad you’re okay, and that I wasn’t too late. That you hadn’t killed your brother.”
“But I almost killed you.”
“I know. But I don’t blame you. I know it’ll take you a while to stop feeling guilty, but I want you to know it’s okay, okay? Promise.”
Cody nodded and then to his embarrassment, he started crying as he hugged Quinlan.
As Quinlan had promised long ago, he would always comfort Cody when he needed it.