Work Text:
Razor was one of the best medics in the GAR. He could look at a wounded man and know the extent of the injury, what needed to be done, and in what order. The problem was Logo wasn't a Clone.
He'd treated Nat-borns before, but not like this. Not when they were hit by multiple stun blasts and had a violent head injury on top of it.
Logo had taken a turn for the worse. Within minutes of departure. She lost consciousness and was only responding to painful stimuli. Razor knew by looking at her that she'd been stunned at close range; he estimated two or three hits over a short period of time. She had a concussion. The result of being struck in the head with a blaster pistol. It was why she was delirious. Her pupils were uneven, which meant increased pressure in the brain. She also had a high fever, which was not consistent with her injuries. Unless her brain stem was injured too. He reviewed her medical records. She had skipped her post-mission physical, but he could tell as he lifted her onto the stretcher that she was almost four kilos lighter. It was not uncommon for a Trooper to lose weight during a mission, but...
The biggest issue was that the normal range of neurological readings for a Clone was not the same for a female Nat-born. A Clone's nervous system could handle multiple stun hits and fully recover in a few hours. It was extremely rare for a Clone to vomit or have a fever. His Vod'ika was sick and hurt, and he didn't know enough of non-Clone medicine to treat her.
He called up to the driver. "Divert to the Nat-born hospital. Then comm the Guard to let them know."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
They pulled into the emergency bay and were stopped before they could open the hatch. An ancient security guard in an oversized uniform was baring their way.
His hand was on his sidearm. He shouted and spat on the ground, "No Clones."
Razor opened the hatch. "I'm Senior Medic Razor of the 104th Battalion. This woman is wounded and needs immediate treatment."
Puffed up with his own importance, he had the nerve to say, "We don't treat your whores either."
Razor walked up to him. In a voice so cold that the guard was sure to suffer frostbite, he said. "Move."
The guard visibly shrank a few inches and moved out of their way.
The Chief Resident had spotted the commotion and was making her way to the emergency bay as the team entered the facility. She looked Razor in the eye. Then turned her attention to the patient.
He was afraid she'd turn Logo away. He was in the middle of preparing his argument when she spoke.
In a clear professional voice, she stated, "Report, Trooper." As he was giving his report, she put her hand on the stretcher and pulled it into a room. Medical staff appeared out of nowhere and transferred Logo onto a Bio-bed. She began ordering tests, scans, and evaluating the patient. "Anything else?"
"Yes, Ma'am, Logo is a member of our unit. We'd like to stay."
"Logo? Is she a Clone?"
"No, Ma'am. She's Nat-born like you. But... She's my Vod'i... My friend."
"I understand. We'll take good care of your little sister. The family waiting room is down the hall to the left. You'll find some very bad coffee and a few snacks; help yourself. I'll see that you're kept informed." He paused and looked at her. She whispered. "My boyfriend's in the Guard. Maybe you know him, Thire. He's the handsome one." She winked at him, turned, and left them standing in the hall.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Wolffe watched the emergency transport leave. Fox was by his side. It was the second time he'd seen her wounded and taken to a med bay while he stood by helpless, watching her go. He realized that he had to call her parents and tell them she'd been attacked on base. Attacked and wounded, not on the battlefield, but in a place she should have been safe.
Fox knew what Wolffe was thinking. "Do you want me to make the call?"
"No." He walked into an empty office and closed the door behind him. Wolffe commed his General first to report the incident, then her parents.
General Plo made a call. Robert and Beeha were picked up from their home, brought to the spaceport, and were on a ship to Coruscant within an hour.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Zahara woke up 3 days later.
She tried to move, but something heavy was weighing her down. The last thing she remembered was being in the warehouse. She thought she was restrained, but she wasn't on the floor. It was a bed. Suddenly, the weight shifted, and something was slobbering on her face. Opening her eyes, she saw, "Baby Girl?" Grizzer was licking her face and snuggling against her side.
A familiar voice said, "It's about time."
"Hound? What? Where?" She was trying to sit up.
"Knew it. I told them you had brain damage." He gave her a cocky smile and looked relieved at the same time. "Hey, slow. I'll raise the bed. What do you remember?"
"Um. A bunch of civvies where they shouldn't be. That micro pee -a... sleemo that grabbed my... my person was there. A flash of blue light and you had wings, and someone was sick, and Baby Girl could talk and Wolffe he... Oh..." Had he kissed her and held her hand? Probably not. "No, nothing else. Is this a civilian hospital?"
"Yeah. You were hurt pretty bad, concussion, skull fracture, busted ribs. Not sure what else. You were in bacta for a while. You're mostly healed up. We've just been waiting for you to join the conversation."
"We?"
"Lads from logistics, the 104th, 501st, and half the Guard looked in. Your folks are here. General Koon flew them in. Wolffe's here too. He hardly left your side.
Told them I'd stay with you so he and your folks could take a walk and get some food. They'll be back in a few. Fox put a guard outside your door just in case. So I'm on duty." Hound pulled out a deck of cards. "Want to lose at Sabacc."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Blast and Gayle had come to visit the next day, carrying a lilac bush in a large pot. "To plant in your parents' yard." She and Gayle talked and cried. Blast blushed and looked guilty. Zahara couldn't let that go. "Blast, I'm happy for you both. Honest. I hope I'm lucky enough to find a love like yours someday."
Gayle shook her head. "What about you and Wolffe? He's crazy in love with you. You can't tell me you don't see it."
Blast looked from Gayle to Zahara and back to his beloved. "Cyare, yeah, he's her friend, and when she told him we were... He shook my hand and... Looked at me... And never mind. Yeah, he... Kriffing hells. Why didn't he? "
Gayle kissed him. "Cyare, men are idiots. Especially Clones. They think nothing of jumping from a ship without a jetpack and still be too shy to ask the girl they like on a date. You, my dearest man, are the perfect example. Zahara, Blast walked back and forth in front of my shop for 11 days, staring at me through the window. I was so frustrated, I walked out, pretended not to see him, and 'accidentally' bumped into him so hard I bounced off his armor."
Blast looked at her in surprise. "You did that on purpose! You could have broken something."
She smiled at him. "It would have been worth it. So, what are you going to do about Wolffe?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was discharge day, and she couldn't wait to get out. Her parents were bringing her things and the dozen vases of flowers down to the transport.
Her mother had brought her a simple, soft yellow eyelet dress to wear home. "It will make you feel better. Now jump in the shower and wash this place off your skin."
She'd just stepped out of the shower and began to dress. When she heard arguing on the other side of the door. Fox and Wolffe were going at it.
Fox was upset. "You've been here most every day, and you still haven't said anything!"
Wolffe was angry. "Let it go!"
"You finally got the balls to man up, and now that she's awake, you're playing like it never happened!"
"I said, let it go!"
"Either you tell Zara, or I will!"
She opened the fresher door. Both men jumped, the tiniest bit, stopped arguing, and looked at her.
Zahara looked from Wolffe to Fox. "Tell me what?"
Fox took a breath. Looked at his Twin. Ignored the death stare and said. "Wolffe is in love with you."
Zara looked at Wolffe and waited. He was silent. "Wolffe, is it true? Are you in love with me?" He didn't answer. He opened his mouth, and nothing came out. She looked at Fox. Her voice shook with rage. "Not funny." She stepped into his space, staring up at him. "You know he... Isn't... So you mock him and throw it in my face. I would never have believed you were such a cruel man."
She turned to leave. Her parents were standing in the doorway. They'd witnessed the entire interaction. Without a word, she walked past them and didn't look back.
Robert and Beeha stood and looked at the men. Beeha turned and followed her daughter. Robert shook his head. "Son, I thought better of you." He pulled the door closed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Zahara was sitting at her kitchen table reviewing paperwork. She couldn't put it off any longer. In 19 days, her 24-month contract with the GAR would be fulfilled. She made a note of her four options:
1- Extend her contract for 12 months,
2- Reenlist for another 24.
If she chose to stay, it would be on the condition of a transfer to another base, somewhere in the Outer Rim past the east end of beyond.
3- A Military discharge. An honorable discharge would look good on a CV.
4- A Military discharge and then continue as a civilian contractor. She'd been courted by several companies that had contracts with the GAR. Much better pay and no away missions.
Logo still had 5 days before she would be officially cleared for duty, then only 14 days to transfer all of the official codes and credentials to Stella and Bing. She'd been training them for this from day one. They'd slide seamlessly into the position. Just like when she was transferred from the 501st.
Her thoughts wandered back to her time at school and her favorite instructors, Madam Plante and Master Harris, who gifted her with two of life's most important lessons. The first from Madam Plante: "My little Princess, there is a difference between what is necessary and what is important. The trick is to recognize the difference. Most people can't. The Second from Jedi Master Harris: No one is irreplaceable; only a fool fails to train others to succeed with hopes that they exceed them in every way.
While she was struggling with her decision, the doorbell chimed. She opened it to find Jesse, her closest friend from the 501st, leaning on the doorframe and smiling at her.
First thing out of his mouth was, "Heard you got hurt. I'm hungry, what's for dinner?" He walked in, kissed her on the forehead, and headed straight for the kitchen.
Her parents left her well-stocked. While she was pulling things out of the fridge, he noticed the paperwork and notes on the table. He didn't say a word. They talked about this and that, laughed, and caught up. As he was leaving, Jesse said, "Vod'ika, Torrent Company is on base. We're hitting 79's tomorrow night after the final debrief. I'll pick you up at 20:00 hours. Wear your dancing shoes. No. Disregard the last. Steel-toed boots. Fives and Hardcase are dangerous on the dance floor."
"Tomorrow 20:00 hours. I'll be ready."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
At 19:45 hours, there was a knock on the door. She opened it to find Rex, flowers in hand, looking as handsome as ever. To say she was surprised was an understatement. "Captain! It is so good to see you. To what do I owe this honor?" She stepped aside. "Sir, please come in. Welcome to my home. Can I get you something to eat or a drink?"
It took a few beats to notice he was in civvies. A button-down shirt in 501st blue, top two buttons open, cuffs rolled, showing off his muscular forearms perfectly. Charcoal grey slacks, black belt, and highly polished black boots. He looked fine!
Rex walked in, handed her the flowers, and looked her over as she walked to the kitchen to put her gift in a vase. She was wearing a short-sleeved, bias-cut dress in 501st blue. The fabric shimmered and flowed around her body like water when she moved. "Wow, guess I can't call you kid anymore."
"Thank you, and thank you for the flowers. Sir, please don't misunderstand me, you are very welcome in my home, but I thought Jesse was coming by. Did something happen?"
"You could say that. When Jesse mentioned you were joining us, there was, what you might call, a disagreement. Not about you coming. They were thrilled. It was about who was going to pick you up. Result, it was either the entire Company knocking on your door, or me."
She laughed at the image. "I'm glad it's you then."
"Ready to go?"
"With you, Sir, always."
To say he was proud of her would be an understatement. It was almost two years ago now that he'd first spotted her and her parents, wandering around the base, lost. He offered assistance and ended up giving them a tour.
She was shy. Other than asking questions, she barely said two words. For some reason, she chose to enlist in the GAR if she could serve under Rex in the 501st. She'd become an invaluable asset. It was only because she trained her logistics staff so well, that when the 104th needed an Logistics Officer cause they were in such bad shape, that he agreed to the transfer.
He gave her a dazzling smile. "Off duty, it's not Captain or Sir. The names Rex. Understood."
She returned his smile. "Yes, Rex. Understood."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Zahara didn't know that Boost had talked to Jesse about what was going on, or not going on, with Wolffe. "He needs to step it up or let her transfer out of the 104th."
Jesse happened to mention to Rex that her enlistment was up and she was about to leave the GAR for the private sector. Rex commed Cody and filled him in. They both knew what happened when Fox put Wolffe on the spot. They had less than three weeks before she was gone. Cody commed Fox. They had a meeting.
They all knew how love-sick Wolffe was, and how miserable he was cause he fucked it up again. How could a man who led thousands of men into battle be too afraid or too stupid to tell the woman he was in love with her?
The three made it their mission to slap some sense into their brother, one way or another. They liked the kid, and she was a first-class logistics officer. If worst came to worst, Rex would invite her to transfer back to the 501st, that is, if Cody didn't steal her first. They all knew that there would be no way she'd agree to work for Fox. She wouldn't even look at him.
Wolffe was off base but due back that evening. Fox and Cody messaged him, inviting him to 79's. Told him Rex couldn't join. Something about a girl he was trying to impress. The plan was simple. Make it look like Rex was interested in Zahara, so Wolffe would be jealous and get off his ass and do something.
Whether it worked or not, the brothers knew, there would be blood.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Everything was going as planned. Wolffe walked in and joined his brothers. He noticed a woman sitting with Torrent company, but he couldn't see her face. Someone was always blocking the view. He saw Rex dancing with her. Again, the floor was so crowded he couldn't make her out. He didn't understand why Fox and Cody kept trying to draw his attention toward Rex. Not so much Rex, the girl he was with. The not-so-subtle comments were getting annoying. "She's really pretty." "They look good together." "Look at her move." "He's a lucky man."
Wolffe didn't care who Rex was fucking and couldn't understand why Fox and Cody were so interested. He finished his drink and was calling it a night when he noticed a scuffle near the bar.
Some Nat-born had hold of a woman. Wolffe recognized the man immediately. It was the Twi'lek delivery driver he'd had a run-in with months ago. He'd knocked the guy out cold for messing with his Mesh'la, then forgot about him.
There was a crowd gathering. The guard was trying to talk him down and get her away from him. The Guy turned, and the woman's face was reflected in the mirror. It was Zahara. The bastard had a virbo-knife to her throat. Blood was dripping down her neck onto her dress.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Twi'lek had been banned from the bar for assaulting a woman and fired from his job for being drunk. It was the last straw for his wife. She left him and took the children with her.
He'd blamed everyone but himself. He blamed "that human slut" most of all. He started hanging around the outside of the club waiting for her, the one who ruined his life. Barracks bunny's always came back, eventually. Finally! He saw her walking in with some jacked-up blonde. Probably about to do the same thing to him. Well, it was his duty to save the guy and rid the world of females like her.
She had gone to the bar to get a round for the table when the man came up from behind her, grabbed her by the hair, snapped her head back, and held the knife to her throat. He was very strong and angry, which meant his actions were unpredictable.
She felt the knife slice her skin; it stung. He held her tight against his body. She held absolutely still. Panic was not an option. She would either die in the next few seconds or be rescued by one of the men around her. Her life flashed before her eyes. Two things stood out. The second was that her death would upset her family. The first, she never told Wolffe she loved him. Tears of regret filled her eyes.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Corries couldn't approach and couldn't stun him. There was too great a risk of the knife slipping, seriously wounding, or killing the hostage.
Wolffe didn't wait. He jumped the railing down two levels and started his approach. A stealth approach wouldn't work. With the placement of the mirrors, he had a 360-degree view of the club.
The crowd parted as Wolffe walked to the bar.
Zahara watched him approach. She looked into his eyes, trying to say all the things she wanted to, but didn't have words for. Her right hand was over her heart. She didn't know why; it was just there. He'd taught her military hand signs and sign language. She signed 'W' for his name. Then, closing her fist, she raised her thumb, index, and pinky, signing 'I love you'. She closed her hand and made tiny circles around her heart. "I'm sorry."
Wolffe raised his hand over his heart and returned the sign. "I love you." Then patted his hand over his heart. "Breathe. It will be alright. Watch for my signal."
The Twi'lek was watching him and pressed the knife harder into her throat. The cut was deeper. Wolffe was using every ounce of energy to remain focused. He stopped two meters in front of the man who was holding the woman he loved and said loud and clear. "Remember me? I'm the guy who broke your jaw for grabbing my woman. And now you're touching her again. If you want to live past the next 60 seconds, I suggest you drop the knife, let her go, apologize for your behavior, and surrender."
The club went silent. It wasn't just because of the hostage situation, 'Commander Hit it and Quit it,' was telling the guy to let his woman go, HIS WOMAN, and apologize to her. A few of the men wondered if someone had made another Wolffe Clone and replaced the Commander.
The sheer power emanating from Wolffe was incredible. Everyone in the club felt it, especially the Twi'lek. He knew the man in front of him was extremely dangerous. His jaw started to ache.
Wolffe looked him in the eyes and growled. "I suggest you choose to live."
The man pulled the knife away from her throat. Loosened his grip, backed away from her, and placed the knife on the bar. He raised his hands. In a trembling voice, he said, "I'm sorry, ma'am. Please ask your husband not to kill me."
No one moved until Wolffe stepped forward and guided Zahara away from her captor. He spoke quietly to her, inspected her neck, lifted her into his arms, and walked into a room behind the bar, closed and locked the door.
It was the manager's office. He placed her on the old couch. She sat stiff and tall, looking up at him. The adrenaline high was starting to wear off. She was trembling. Wolffe was checking her neck. The wound was long but not deep. Bacta would take care of the bruises that were sure to be painful. "Did he hurt you? Stupid question! Of course, he hurt you. I saw Kix out front. I'll comm Rex to get him in here to check you over."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kix examined her and treated her neck and visible bruises. "Commander, I'll leave the tube with you. You'll need to treat her ribs and shoulders."
Zahara didn't move or make a sound while Kix treated her. Wolffe was begging her. "Mesh'la, talk to me. Please, Love, talk to me. Kix, why won't she talk?"
"Commander, her physical wounds are superficial, but what he did to her. She's not trained to... She's in shock. Best thing is to keep her warm and safe till it starts to dissipate. I think Jesse knows where she lives. We'll take her home and stay with her till this passes."
"No." The word came out louder than he intended. She flinched. He lowered his voice. "No, I'll take care of her. I want a transport out front in 15 seconds."
"Sir?"
"Do it."
Wolffe lifted her in his arms and carried her out. He stepped into the transport and sat with her on his lap. He carried her into her building. Rode up in the elevator, walked the short distance to her door, and keyed in the code to open it. It was his CC number, 3636. It was almost funny. She had laughed the first time he saw her enter it. "So I won't forget it." He placed her, sitting up, on the couch and knelt in front of her. She hadn't moved or spoken once during the journey. "Love, please talk to me." He kissed her cheek, then rested his forehead against hers. "Please, my sweet Love, talk to me."
Zahara felt a tear that wasn't hers on her cheek. She wrapped her arms around him and whispered. "Al'verde, don't be sad. It will be alright. You're too good for her anyway."
Wolffe pulled back to look at her. He needed to get her to the med bay and get her checked for a concussion.