His voice was calm as it called to him, “Crosshair-”

“Shut the fuck up-” Crosshair rasped, inhaling deeply, the voice coming from him sounded wrong. Nasal and stiff.

He was in Pabu. In his bed, home with his family.

But this wasn't his room. Nothing was familiar. Even the bed felt wrong.

When had he been taken?

And by who?

Hemlock was gone.

He was safe.

Wasn't he?

It didn't even have to be the Empire that found him. He had wronged so many people.

Killed so many people.

But there was a copy of him standing there. What other explanation could there be?

He inhaled.

Hands took his face and he fought harder.

“It is me, Tech-”

Crosshair barked out a wheezing laugh in disbelief.

His copy continued undeterred, “I believe an item Phee brought back-” He paused, “Crosshair you are going to pop my shoulder-”

“I'M NOT YOU.” Crosshair roared, well tried to but the words were quickly muffled by his dobbleganger's hand.

His copy sighed, looking annoyed then blinked as if realizing something. With his free hand he dug into the bedside table making a satisfied sound and held up what he retrieved.

It was one of Crosshair’s reflector pucks.

“Look.” he said, shoving it under Crosshair’s nose.

Crosshair eyes took a moment to focus before

“What the fuck ?”

Staring back at him in the tiny circular reflection was Tech.

He squinted and so did the image of Tech.

He glanced up.

The copy of him raised a thin silver eyebrow.

Crosshair shoved his chin up sharply and the hand left his mouth.

“Are you fucking serious?!” He hissed.

His face pinched as it looked down at him, “Stop being so vulgar . I do not like the way it sounds coming from my mouth.”

Crosshair rolled eyes but relaxed against the bed, that was definitely something Tech would complain about. The way he said the words even sounded uptight.

Crosshair blinked as something clicked, “Is that why everything is blurry?!”

Tech paused, “Ah yes my apologies. Here.” He pulled a familiar pair of goggles over Crosshair's eyes.

The view shifted into sharp focus. Not nearly as well as Crosshair's normal vision was, but clearer than the fuzzy outline it has been.

“Next question.” Crosshair said, “Why did you fucking cuff me?”

“Language.” Tech sighed as he lent over and began to unclip him then froze, “You will not attack me when I uncuff you?”

“Still haven't decided.” Crosshair muttered as Tech finished. He sat up, rubbing at one wrist. It ached. And now that he was calmer so did his shoulders.

But the worst of it was his back and even more still: his lower back, it pulsed with an ache that was unfamiliar. The best way Crosshair could describe it was that it felt as if the bones had been put back wrong- or if he'd broken them all.

The suddenly crashing realization that he was in Tech's body- someone who had fallen, barely survived and had just barely recovered had him closing his eyes in anger.

“Do you require a stim for your back?” Tech asked, gently.

Crosshair turned at him, his own face staring calmly back at him. It was unnerving but Crosshair couldn't look away.

“Is it like this all the time?”

Tech pulled away, “Some days are better than others, the bones have healed neatly but there is… scarring.”

The look of slight embarrassment, edging into sadness, had Crosshair reaching under the thin shirt at his back, his fingers ran over the beginnings of a thick ropey layer of skin before Tech's hands closed over his wrist.

“Please.” His voice sounded tired.

“Is this from the fall?”

Or Hemlock?

Tech didn't answer and that was enough. Crosshair let his hand fall away.

“The best I can do is offer you a stim. It usually relaxes the muscles.”

Crosshair moved to wave him away but paused.

This wasn't his body.

“I'll take it.”

Tech didn't even argue, merely reached into the same drawer as the puck and gave him the stim. Crosshair took it, stabbing it easily into his neck. The relief overall was immediate and he sighed leaning back against the headrest.

“So what are we doing now?”

Tech hummed, bringing a hand to his chin. His trademark pose in Crosshair’s body had Crosshair’s lips twitching upwards.

“Ah.” Tech said then.

“No.” Crosshair sat up, “That's your ‘ah’ of ‘this is not good’.”

Tech looked sheepish, “Phee may have taken the artifact to be examined off-planet. So she can return it to its proper owner.”

“Comm her-!”

Tech looked down at himself, then back to Crosshair.

Crosshair growled, ignored the way it sounded with Tech voice and said, “We need it-! Just comm her and explain-!”

Tech pulled up his comm, clicking into it, after a minute a small hologram of the woman appeared.

“Well this is…a surprise,” Phee sounded amused, “Never thought you'd comm me for anything Slinky.”

Crosshair sighed at the over-familiar nickname and stood up next to Tech. Phee’s look turned softer.

“Heya Brown Eyes.”

Crosshair opened his mouth but Tech beat him to it.

“Crosshair and I have switched bodies.”

The small blue hologram flickered as Phee blinked.

“Come again?”

“Tech thinks whatever thing you found last did it. Bring it back.” Crosshair said, Tech sent him a glare - the first natural look of Crosshair's he'd given.

“Crosshair is correct, however rude he is being. The device was said to be a holy relic that brought understanding to two people who are divided.”

Phee hummed, “That sounds….wild but I believe you.”

Crosshair sent her a tired look, “Really?”

Phee shrugged, “The galaxy is a crazy place. I've found stranger things.”

“Have you really?” Tech's eyes sparkled and Crosshair elbowed him.

Phee hid a smile, poorly. “I can bring it back. It will just take a few days.”

“Days?” Tech's voice almost sounded normal as Crosshair said the word. Uptightly.

“There's a crazy storm here and the people looking at it have a backlog of items to inspect. I was expecting to be here at least a day waiting.”

“That is fine.” Tech said.

“Fine?” Crosshair parroted.

Tech ignored him, “We will be fine Phee. Thank you.”

“Anything for you Brown Eyes. See you soon Slinky.” Phee sent Crosshair a cheery wave and a wink before the hologram dissolved.

“What are we going to do for days?” Crosshair threw up his hands, wincing at the pull of his back.

Tech cocked his head pondering, “I have always been curious about sucking my own cock. I could never quite manage the correct angle.”

Crosshair choked on the saliva that flooded his mouth as his eyes flew to his own face.

“Are you fucking with me?” he wheezed, still in shock.

Tech pushed him gently back into the bed, Crosshair fell back, eyes wide as he watched himself get on his knees.