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"Wrecker are you listening?"
Wrecker's head popped up from inside the rather large tub of mantel mix in front of him, "Yep Sarg!"
Hunter looked unconvinced, "I said I need you to stay here and watch Omega and the ship, this mission doesn't require all of us"
Wrecker gave a rather large smile, and thumbs up, "Think we can entertain ourselves kid?"
Omega smiled, sneaking her hand in the side of the large snack tub, "Absolutely"
Hunter breathed sigh, "Alright Echo, Tech, let's go"
The three clones headed into the streets of Ord Mantell, not the usual location for their jobs from Cid, but the most recent instructions were to infiltrate a local fight ring and steal a data card with valuable intel from one of the attendees. Not the kind of location they wanted to take Omega, and Wrecker was the natural choice to stay back with her as quieter intel missions were not his forte.
They were wearing slightly less full armor as to attract less attention, despite Tech's snippy complaints of needing all of his gear at all times ("all of the items within my gear are required for emergencies, Hunter" "there will be no emergencies if we don't stick out in the crowd immediately because you've filled your thousands of pouches with things we don't need!").
Stalking through the streets they slipped down an alley, providing the password to a surly bouncer outside the hidden clubs entryway.
"Alright, Echo, Tech, we need to be in and out as quickly and quietly as we can, ready?"
Both clones nodded affirmatively and all moved into position, Hunter on watch, and Echo and Tech moving towards the targets table to cause a mild disruption when the next fight starts, allowing them to steal the data card.
Hunter took a seat near the back of the ring, watching his brothers, as the announcer called out the next fight.
"You'll never believeeeeeee for our headline fightttttt, that our next fighter has neverrrr lost, despite being much smaller than her opponents, she will surprise you!! Our other fighter is…."
Hunter tuned out, as the first fighter appeared in the ring. It couldn't be…
But it was, it had to be. Although she was wearing a beaten up clone helmet to obscure her face, the visible familiar tattoos on her bare arms and blaster scar through her left shoulder meant it had to be her. Hunter tuned in through the loud screaming crowd to her heartbeat, recognising the steady thumping, right as she peered up in his direction. If he hadn't had enhanced senses, the little glimpse probably would have gone unnoticed, but the slight change in her heart racing indicated that their old Jedi General had likely seen and recognized him.
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The last time they had seen their General, you, was when Order 66 had been called.
You were with them, on Kaller. The sound of blaster fire rang out in the distance, and you froze.
"Crosshair" the air went quiet, as the snipers rifle was aimed directly at your chest.
"Good soldiers follow orders" he snarled, finger pressing against the trigger.
You wrapped your fingers around your lightsabers.
"Crosshair, I don't want to hurt you.…"
"CROSSHAIR, NO", Wrecker yelled, smashing into his side at the same time Crosshair pulled the trigger, the wet sound of the blast smashing through your shoulder and your piercing scream was something none of them would ever forget.
Hunter, Echo, and Tech wrestled Wrecker off of Crosshair, holding Crosshair, as Wrecker moved towards you.
You stared at him, pressing your hand to the wound, as your blood dripped into the snow, staining the pure white. You took in Crosshairs snarl, as his helmet had been knocked off in the scuffle, seemingly desperate to get to you and finish the job while being held.
"No no no, Sparks… it it'll be ok, you'll be ok!!", Wrecker pulled himself up slowly, moving towards you as you stepped back.
"I can't" you whispered quietly, looking into his eyes, span on your heels and ran.
In that moment, Caleb Dune ran past you, clones in pursuit and you sped up, sprinting behind him clutching your arm to your chest.
You disappeared before Hunter watched Caleb jump over the waterfall, but the blood dripping at only one side of the ravine was enough for the official mission report to note that you were deceased. Crosshair was skeptical, but had focused his blaster on the Padawan, assuming there was better chance you had died rather than Caleb, given your injury.
During the trip back to Kamino, Wrecker had been icy towards Crosshair, but had relaxed slightly with Echo's reassurance that they would find out what was going on. You and Echo were old friends, since you had been with the 501st for some time before Clone Force 99, and Wrecker trusted Echo to know you well enough that you would work it out.
Once the Batch had managed to leave with Omega, Wrecker had mentioned trying to find you many times - but in the struggle to remain alive during risky jobs, making enough credits to get by, and keep Omega safe - there had not been much time to search for any signs. For all they knew, you had died of your injuries, bleeding out under the waterfall, never to be seen again.
Wrecker had never lost hope, however, telling Omega stories of your bravery, warmth, and kindness, and that he believed one day you would come back to them. None of his brothers had wanted to crush this hope, but the chances of meeting again were slim, even if you were alive.
Omega had quietly asked Echo one night, when she crept out of bed to see him still awake, if you were Wrecker's girlfriend. She had learnt the concept from a holo film they had watched, and the way he described you she thought fit the description. Echo had explained gently, that Jedi and clones were not allowed to be together, and that you and Wrecker cared deeply for each other but you couldn't have been his girlfriend. She had asked what if they found you again? Could you be his girlfriend then? Echo had smiled sadly, and confirmed that although that would be up to the two of you, he thinks you would be, yes, making sure he clarified that the chances of finding you were very small, and you may be dead. Omega just smiled, that little smile that seemed to imply she always knew more than they did, and went back to the bunk room, squeezing herself onto Wrecker's bunk to be lulled to sleep by the sound of his snores.
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Back in the crowded underground fight venue, Hunter grabbed his comm, whispering close to his face, "Boys, get the data card but… look at the fighters…. I think after we're done…. we have to speak to her"
He could see Tech and Echo simultaneously turn - he could see the surprise under Tech's goggles, and Echo seemed to recoil in shock.
"Kriffing hells", he heard Echo whisper at the other end.
Hunter turned his attention back to the fight, where their former General was absolutely crushing her opponent, to none of their surprise. No lightsabers of course, these clubs didn't allow weapons, but her skill was evident as she wiped the floor with the large creature he didn't even recognize.
A small commotion in Tech and Echo's direction turned Hunters attention back to the job. As planned, Tech and Echo appeared behind Hunter, data card in Tech's hand and signaled they leave. The cheering from the crowd indicated their former General had won the fight, her opponent unresponsive and laid out in the ring.
"Let's head out back, see if we can intercept her in the alleyway before she leaves"
They slipped out of the room to the sounds of the crowd, heading around the back alleyway to the back door of the club.
They waited in anticipatory silence, watching a few staff come in and out, until a figured covered in a cloak with a duffel bag slipped out. She slipped right past them, and ran.
"Wait!! Sparks!" Echo called after her.
"Follow her!" Hunter called, and the three of them made chase, ending up caught in a dead end street, alone.
"Where…", Tech began.
They heard the telltale sound of a lightsaber unsheathing behind them. Hunter turned, and found himself face to face with the weapon.
"I won't go with you" you said, flipping the hood of your cloak down. Hunter noted that you looked the same, maybe more tired, older somehow despite it not having been that long since you'd been separated, "I don't want to hurt you, but if you take me, they will kill me."
"We don't want to hurt you", Hunter raised his hands, pleading, "We're not with the Empire, we didn't even know you were here."
You looked shocked, "What?"
"We had implant chips… look it's a long story but we rescued our little sister and left", Echo piped up.
"…sister?", you lowered your lightsaber slightly, confused.
"Omega", Hunter explained, "she's an enhanced clone too."
"It is a long story, and this location is not ideal for a reunion", Tech noted, "plus we need to get this intel back to Cid".
"You're working for Cid?"
"Another long story", Hunter said, dropping his hands, "look, we were as surprised to see you as you are to see us, we thought you were most likely dead. But Wrecker, he never gave up hope that one day we would find you, even when things seemed hopeless. I would really like to reunite you both, if you'll come with us. Plus, we could really use your skills, it's a long story."
You looked hopeful at the mention of Wrecker, and brought your lightsaber down, closing it, "You promise"
Hunter raised an eyebrow, a smile quirky up the side of his lips, "You know I would never lie to you"
"Only when you wanted to do something stupid", you teased. Echo huffed a quiet laugh from behind his brother.
"I trust you, Hunter" you smiled, stepping closer to him, "please don't make me regret that."
You took a final step, closing that gap and throwing your arms around him in a tight hug. He huffed and hugged you back, whispering in your ear, "we missed you too."
You turned to Echo, crushing him in a hug which he returned, and even Tech who despite his reluctance to engage in much physical affection did provide you with a small pat on the back as you hugged him.
"Ok, we can go", you paused for a moment, "…but you didn't mention Crosshair, is he back at the ship with Wrecker and Omega?"
The clones exchanged a look.
"He decided to stay with the Empire", Hunter clarified.
"Oh" you said, rubbing your shoulder over the blaster scar, a nervous habit you developed while healing the wound.
"We think his chip activated at first, but now… he seems to want to stay."
"I suggest we move and discuss the details at a later time" Tech cut in, "these alleyways are not exactly the safest locations"
Hunter paused, turning to you, "will you hear us out?"
You nodded, "I'm staying in a rented place just outside the city limits, you can bring the ship. I think it would be best we talked over dinner."
"Tech, you said you need to take something to Cid, why don't you deliver that, meet Wrecker at the ship, and meet us at the location", you reached for Tech's data pad, and he nodded, allowing you to enter the coordinates.
"Hunter, Echo, let's stop at the market on the way back to get something I can put together for dinner - I was not prepared to feed extras"
Echo and Hunter agreed, and you set off on your separate missions.
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While shopping, Hunter and Echo filled you in on some of the details - the inhibitor chips, how they left Kamino with Omega, the Empire looking for her, their encounters with Crosshair, their relationship with Cid and how they were doing jobs for her. You listened intently, understanding their challenges but feeling immensely proud of your squad for choosing what they felt was right, however, a wave of sadness hit you realizing that so many clone troopers, so many of your old friends, did not have that same choice. Plus, although Crosshair had hurt you, you shuddered to think what he was being asked to do by the Empire, and how betrayed he must feel that his brothers left him, even if it was the right choice to protect Omega.
You filled them in on what you'd been doing, taking transports across planets when they became unsafe, either fighting in clubs or singing in bars for credits if you needed them. You were aiming to make enough for a small ship, and go into hiding properly. You'd been on Ord Mantell as a favour to the club owner, as you'd fought in his clubs on other planets and his headline fighter had gone suspiciously missing last minute, needing a replacement.
You insisted the boys take some of the credits from your winnings, Echo and Hunter pulling away for a few minutes to grab a couple of items Echo recalled Tech had been complaining about for the Marauder. You took the moment to make a small detour of your own.
Feeling the street beneath your boots, your mind wandered to the thought of seeing Wrecker again. Before the Empire, you had become close friends, his silly nature blending well with your relaxed leadership style, and your mutual love for blowing things up had helped ("How did you think we decided on her nickname?" Echo had laughed at the Bad Batch's surprised faces the first time they watched you get over excited at an explosion). However, your friendship had always bordered more. You had known how each other felt, but also known that your relationship would never have been able to be more, a Jedi and a clone would always be doomed. But now, with the Jedi order all but extinct and most of Clone Force 99 having left the Empire, it seemed there may be some hope for you together yet.
Your rented lodgings on the outskirts was a bit of a walk, but you made it in good time, not quite dark out yet. The ship was yet to arrive, so you checked the perimeter and set Hunter and Echo to preparing ingredients with a recipe ("It'll be fine, I promise you can't mess it up that bad") as you insisted on a shower, to wash the grime of the fight off your body.
You heard the ship land while in the refresher, and stepping out you heard the boisterous sounds of three more clones entering the house. Your heart started to race, standing in a towel in the reasonable twin bedroom, wiping a little bit of bacta on your scraped knuckles, staring at the back of the door. Slipping on some clean, casual clothes, you took a deep breath to steady yourself, and opened the door almost stepping straight into a small, blonde child.
"Hi!", she said, waving her hand. You squatted down, taking her in.
"Hello, you must be Omega"
She grinned, "and you must be Sparks, you're Wrecker's Jedi girlfriend"
You felt your face get hot, and refused to look up and make eye contact with any of her brothers and the sounds of their quiet amusement. Although, you hadn't heard anything from Wrecker yet, and the fear of seeing him uninterested or indifferent kept you glued to Omega for the moment.
"And what exactly have they been telling you about me?", you asked, quietly, the side of your lip quirking up.
"Well Tech just told me you were fighting in a club, which sounds so cool and I want to hear all about it, but mostly Wrecker talks about you all the time", she said thoughtfully, "he said you're a really good fighter, and you're very kind and always do what is right"
You heart was thumping out of your chest, and you heard the noise of his footsteps before you saw his feet enter your eye line.
"And he says he misses you a lot, all the time", you looked into Omega's smiley face, not seeing a hint of deception. He really must have told her he missed you often.
You heard his feet shuffle forward again, and took a deep breath, standing to look up directly into Wrecker's face. He looked, the same, but more tired. For a man who rarely thinks before he acts, you had never seen him look more uncertain on what to do, seemingly waiting for you to break the tension. You noticed he was wearing almost civvies, blacks on the top and cargo pants on the bottom, which was unusual especially given his brothers were wearing most of their armor. You figured watching Omega was a more comfortable mission than stealing information from dirty fight clubs.
"I missed him too", you looked back down to Omega for a moment, and she stepped away slightly to give you both room. A tentative grin broke out on Wrecker's handsome face, crinkling the corners of his bright, hopeful eyes.
He moved to step towards you, but you made a move first, throwing your arms around his neck as he caught you at your waist, spinning you around as you laughed lightly. Feet back on solid ground he continued to hold you close, steadying hand on the back of your head tucking you into the crook of his neck and stroking your hair. You breathed in the warm comforting smell of him. You weren't sure how long you stood there, but you heard Hunter quietly showing Omega how to prepare ingredients, and Tech start to lecture Echo on the recipe, and assumed the others were giving you as private of a moment as they could.
"You saved my life, you know", you pulled back slightly to slip your jumper down your shoulder to show him the blaster scar, "any further to the right and I would have been a goner."
He paused, looking serious, running his fingers over the scar, cataloguing it. He ran his hands down your arms to hold your hands, pulling you close again, running his fingers over the scrapes and tattoos on your knuckles. You felt small in his grip, but safe. Nostalgia hit you like a warm wave, recalling how he always treated you as someone competent and strong, but also like something precious to be protected.
"I love you", Wrecker said like a prayer, quieter than you'd ever heard him, pressing his forehead into yours, steadying himself, "I always have, sweetheart."
"I love you too" you confirmed, "so much it hurts"
You suddenly noticed your cheeks were wet. Wrecker caught the tears with his thumb, also welling up in response to your reaction.
He slid one hand into the back of your loose hair and cupping your cheek with his other hand, he leaned in, pressing your lips together gently. You leaned up, and pressed closer, deepening the kiss. He felt like coming home, like peace after the horrible last few months of running on your own. You stayed like that for a few moments, moving your lips together until he pulled away for air, barely separating, smacking messy wet kisses all over your face as you squeaked and giggled.
"We are never leaving ya again if I have any say in it", he said through his kisses, "I'll keep you safe forever."
You smiled back, "Not going anywhere."
The spell was broken as you heard Echo, "come on you two, dinner is ready"
You peeked around Wrecker to see Echo and Hunter pointedly avoiding looking at you both, dishing up bowls. Tech was quizzing Omega on something to do with ship engines, but she was clearly distracted, eyes wide and excited watching you and Wrecker.
"Mmm dinner, can't argue with that, I'm starving"
You shook your head humorously. Some things never changed and this mans black hole of a stomach always was a constant.
Wrecker leaned back down, pressing one last kiss to your lips, and then suddenly scooped you up to deposit you next to Omega at the small table. He slid in next to you, pressing the side of his body close, still smiling unbelievably widely. His radiating joy seemed to spread to his brothers, Echo and Hunter shaking their heads, clearly amused. Tech seemed quietly pleased, turning his focus from Omega and his datapad to to bowl in front of him.
"Alright Omega" you said, turning to the small clone to your side, passing her a spoon, "tell me about your adventures with your brothers - I want to hear all about it"
Her little face lit up, and she started to animatedly tell you all about their escapades. Her brothers joined in, to give her a moment to eat mid story, telling you all about their adventures. You felt Wrecker's arm snaking around your hips, holding you firmly against his side.
You quietly thanked the Force, leaning into his body, as you finally felt like you were back in balance, back with your family, back where you belonged.