The vibroblade was light in your hands as you dodged, the force powering you to wave between shots, soldiers. You seethed and easily cut through another stormtrooper’s weak point, where the joints of their armor met and the black glove underneath was exposed. You grabbed a blaster from the fallen troop, turning and blasting behind you. The force was still strong in you, unfortunately, and you had to use it.

You may not be a jedi any more, but you still had an oath- you had to protect those who could not protect themselves, even if it involved killing these guys. They weren’t droids this time. They were living and breathing creatures.

You had a vow, you remembered, turning and sprinting down the hall, tucking the blaster onto your belt, vibroblade slick with blood, and made your way towards the database room.

___

He had never seen anything quite like this, quite like her. He knew how Jedi fought and he knew that Jedi were extremely skilled in hand-to-hand combat. She wasn’t wielding her lightsaber as she sprinted down the hall towards the data room.

Tech cursed softly to himself, lowering his datapad. Hunter and Wrecker had gone off to handle small rebellions off-planet. Tech was here, on Naboo, to inspect and upgrade the former GAR base to the standards to the new Empire. He appreciated the beauty of the planet, the art and culture of it all.

Freedom, he recalled, Freedom was what the Empire gave him. He had a higher rank, an actual wage, and commanded respect. He paced towards his commlink, picking it up, running his thumb over the signal dial.

"Hello, Rebel." Tech's voice was calm, flat. She froze momentarily, hand raising to her ear, and she looked around for the invisible eyes on her. "I'm afraid to say it, but what you're looking for is not here."

Her eyes raised in defiance to the camera. That fire, that life in her eyes with a vibrancy he could not look away from- he grabbed his Holopad, skimming through it. "Or, if I must say, the person you're not looking for is here."

"Impossible," She rasped, running down the hall. "You can see me."

Tech shrugged, walking to his chair. "Anyways, I digress. Do you know how odd it is to come to a seemingly abandoned base and find it teeming with soldiers? Yes, a couple here and there- but as many as I have placed?"

"You're here." She snarled. The depth, the heat of that hatred sent a shiver in his throat. "I know you are."

"It's because I knew you were coming." He said, calmly, still watching the figure on the screen. It was all bantha fodder- he was still in the facility. His eyes followed her, sprinting through the halls. “We have a spy on the inside.”

“Liar.” She hissed. Shivers raked down his spine.

Tech sighed, happily, watching her. “So, you want to tell me about yourself? No? Or do I want to tell you about you?” There was a space of silence as she moved through the halls. “Hm, fine. I suppose I should.” He picked up the holopad, smiling at the file it pulled up. “The names that the Rebels assign are a little... overboard. But I believe ‘Ghost One’ is a fantastic name for you.” 

On screen, she froze. Her fingers tightened around her blade before pressing on. 

“Hm, so I got it right, my Ghost?” Tech’s lips twitched, watching her stalk the halls like a cat, ready to pounce. How unfortunate it was that he was not the mouse, but she didn’t seem to understand that. “You certainly aren’t new to the rebellion, you’ve been spotted in several other imperial locations. So young but so skilled.” He mused, aloud, murmuring into the commlink. “What was your life before this... silly insurrection?”

He could practically hear her heartbeat. Watching her sprint, run, dodge, seek him- it was exhilirating. “I’m flattered you’re seeking me this hard, darling, but honestly, I’m not there. I can come find you, instead, alone.” He purred. “Honestly, darling, that doesn’t sound like a bad option.”

“Bite me.”

“Just say where, and I will gladly follow through.” 

She snarled something into the comm, shoving her shoulder against a door. “Shut up.”

“Maybe I don’t want to.” Tech pulled his hand off the speaking button, watching her enter the room from the hall camera before quickly reemerging into sight. “Maybe I like the thought of it. Biting you, I mean.”

“Hey, go back to guessing about my life instead. I really hate this conversation.”

“I’m just now getting into it, dear.” Tech purred again. His blood ran hot, watching this warrior move through the hallway, sleek and quick. “I love watching you, you know.” His tongue probed his cheek, and he hummed. “Now, is this your personal comm channel?”

There was silence.

Tech laughed, shaking his head. “Oh, beloved, you have made a grave mistake.” His voice darkened, lowered. “I’ll be watching you with great interest, darling. And the next time we talk, perhaps I’ll have an offer for you that will be too good for you to pass up.”

She swore, hissed, snarled at him in the comm. Her eyes, they burned at the cameras as she passed by them, making a beeline for the exit. Her venom only made his blood boil, heart flutter. “Don’t talk to me again, or I swear I’ll-”

“Oh, you’ll come hunt me down?” Tech rose, pacing his darkened office for a moment. “That sounds absolutely exhilirating. Just let me know ahead of time so I can make proper arrangements.”

“You- you’re getting off on this.” She sounded shocked- a squeak raised in her voice, ebbed with disgust. “You motherfuc-”

Tech tsked, lowering the comm. Yes, she was right, at least a little right. “Run home, my sweet. Expect to hear from me soon.” He turned off his comm, tossing it onto his bed, watching her from the screed that was channeled to the outer-facility camera, her form running into the night.

Oh, the chase! His heart thrummed thinking of it, cornering her, getting close and even hand-to-hand with her. Maybe, even better, he could convince her to join the Empire- her skills would be needed, valuable. Then she could be his. Begging for him, the hatred giving way to lust-

Tech sat up and grabbed his glasses (which he had, it was a relief from the goggles) and tugged them on. He stood, the civvie pants loose and comfortable. He ran a hand in his curly hair and yawned, slugging into the bathroom to brush his teeth and freshen up. His hair was unruly, in disarray, and he frowned. Tech kept his toothbrush in his jaws and scratched his head, finally giving in to the chaotic Fett gene hair.

Padding to the bed, he grabbed a shirt and tugged it on, rolling the sleeves up to his elbows, and he scratched his forearm. Softly, he moved down the hall, feet brushing on the carpet. The living room was empty, but from the caf on the stove he knew she had been through here. Tech smiled quietly, walking over and pouring himself a cup that she had left out.

He slid open the door to the porch, stepping out. The Republic Rec houses for the troops were always out of the way, somewhat isolated, just so the troopers could have a sense of normalcy, clean air. Tech inhaled the caf, smiling softly- it wasn't nearly as bitter as the GAR stuff they handed out.

She was lingering on the porch. A leg was dangling off the deck, into the water, toes skimming the surface. In one hand she clasped her holopad and the other clutched her caf.

Tech took a small sip and sighed happily, as her eyes ran over the screen. She was reading intently, so intently she didn’t notice his presence until he was closer.

She glanced up and smiled, shifting to the side. "What?"

"Hm?'

"You're staring." She giggled, leaning her head back on the post. "You dork."

Tech laughed softly, feeling his brow crease, with his affectionate expression. "Oh, my love, I fear it's you that is the dork."

She laughed and shook her head, lowering her caf and patting the peir next to her. "Get over here, you doofus."

"Why should I?" Tech raised his brow, adjusting his glasses. "You called me two mean names."

"I meant it in a nice way." She laughed, reaching up and lightly tugging on his pants leg. "Come here, please?"

"If my lady insists." Tech chuckled and lowered himself next to her. He leaned his head on her shoulder, fingers gently wrapping in the loose fabric if her shirt. She smelled clean, soft, like the cotton she was swaddled in, and the caf lingered around them from their cups.

Tech turned his head, bumping his nose lightly to hers. "I love you today," He mumbled, fingers moving up her arm.

His lover gently set the holopad to the side. "Kiss me again? Like last night?"

"Oh, that's a dangerous request, my darling." Tech bumped his nose to hers again, rubbing his against hers. She laughed, warm breath fanning his face. "Based on the past, every time I have begun, I cannot stop."

"Maybe that's what I want," She giggled and leaned up, allowing Tech to close the space between them.

Her lips were warm, soft, passive under his. There was no rush or desperation as his lips felt against hers, lazily, and he leaned in more. She sighed against him, content, and Tech felt her hand move up to his chest.

Tech was greeted with her lips, more and more, showered by them repeatedly, and he laughed gently. "My most perfect of hearts," He squeezed her fingers, tugging her hand to his lips. "I hope this stipend never ends.

You stared down at him, the armor not at all doing him a disservice, aside from hiding certain parts from view. You leaned forward, watching him, his legs adjusting as he scooted under the dash.

His arms moved, fingers peeking out on occasion to pull or activate or rewire something; the motions were fluid, smooth, hypnotic. You chewed softly on your lower lip, eyes trailing to his hips, his hands again. Quickly, you glanced back into the rest of the ship- alone. At last.

"Mind if I take a seat?" You purred. You leaned on the dash, beows raised.

Tech grunted in affirmation. He shifted, torso twisting as he reached for something. He was oblivious to your movements.

Calmly, you stepped over him, plunking down onto his lap, picking up the nearby wrench. You sat back on your knees, straddling him, watching him calmly. "So, whatcha fixing?"

"The navigation drive. It was, as Echo says, on the fuzz earlier, so I'm trying to get it back on track." His voice was flat and easy, even as he worked.

You shifted a little, waiting for Tech to notice- perhaps jump up, blush, babble, but he sat still, calmly working. Your lips pursed together in frustration and you leaned more on him. "So, how are you doing that?"

"Hand me that wrench in your hand, cyri'ka, and I'll show you." 

The sheer calmness in his voice startled you, even as he picked his head up and took the wrench you offered. “So you did notice,” You whispered, watching him work calmly. 

Crosshair killed- all of the men in this facility killed. You knew that. Even your own hands had blood on them, but it was the blood of men on the table- not right, not wrong, but it was how things were. People died under your hands.

You were a doctor. That was how it was.

You wrapped your arms closer around you. It was cold, you realized in a dawning thought. Despite the storms above and seas below, you had never felt so cold here before. Maybe because it used to be so much warmer here. Life on Kamino was never perfect, but being surrounded by the troopers had always been a joy to you.

You heard football slow as they approached you from behind. They paused, and then the armored boots continued. You heard Crosshair's frown in his voice, and you shuddered.

"You're up late."

"Can't sleep," Was all you said.

Your eyes darted into the reflection of the dark glass, where his dark eyes pinned you into place. He has healed up quite nicely, aside from the scrapes on the back of his head. He looked older, more tired, like every trooper here. But it hurt the most.

He walked around to stand beside you, toothpick dangling out of his mouth. After a moment, he asked, "You're quiet, doll."

"Did you kill those refugees?"

"They were rebels, dear." He said, an edge in his voice. "Looking to fight."

"Harper told me everything." You hissed, shouldering asay his touch. The woman felt a bond with you- there were so few women here and especially when you helped patch up so many wounds, you kind of became "their" doctor. So people talked. A lot. Harper had spilled what had happened on her first mission.

Crosshair killed one of their own men and then the "rebels", among which a majority of them were refugees. And Crosshair knew.

He'd never been an empathetic kind of guy, but... He had never- Cross would never-

His hand pressed to your back. "Darling, listen, I understand you're an empath, it's in you. That's why you're a good doctor." You felt his arm wind around you and he tugged you against him, turning his face into your cheek. You leaned into him for a moment, closing your eyes as he said in the soft hiss he had, "But good soldiers-"

You broke away. You snatched yourself away, abruptly. His eyes widened in shock, the below stirring with hurt. Giving him a once over, your stomach boiled.

"Don't you dare talk to me," You snarled, tucking your arms to yourself again.

He blinked, the pain abruptly breaking out over his face. You turned and walked away, ignoring the eyes pressing your back, shuddering, but saving your tears for your own room.

You exhaled quietly and shut the door, to lock it, before turning and glancing at your dark room. The promotion to head of the medical health facility came with perks- better wages, a better room, and you got to keep your job as the not-so-quiet transition of Empire was rattles into effect.

You smacked the chair at your desk and watched it fall, hand stinging satisfactorily as the chair crashes on the floor. You were right after it, slumping against the wall and sliding down, pressing a hand on your mouth to stifle your sobs.

Nothing was the same, but you needed it to be. You wanted it to be.

Hunter mumbled and looked back at the poorly knotted bandage. “I’m trying, cyar.”

The medic sighed, reaching down and gently tugging at the knot. “Look. You’re gonna take two steps out of here and the whole thing is gonna fall off.” He bundled up the wad of bandages, reaching for a new roll. 

Hunter shook his head. “Doc, I’m fine. I can-”

“You’re so stubborn.” The medic shook his head, taking Hunter’s arm. “Let me- no, sit still- Hunter.” The medic’s hands were shockingly strong, an unrelenting storm of medical and healing touches. “I have to patch this up for you. This is a two handed medical job.”

Hunter mumbled, half-slumping over. “Fine.” He hissed.

The doctor beamed, his hands finally met with no resistance. “Thank you. You know, you should really be more careful with that knife.” The doctor’s tone was gently, not chiding. Hunter only grunted in response and shifted uncomfortably, looking down at the medic’s shoes. After a silence, a taut silence, the doctor chuckled, voice easing Hunter’s wary soul. “You know... It beats telling Wrecker he can’s punch droids with his bare hands.”

Hunter felt a grin climb up his lips, despite himself. “Yeah, he busts up his hands doing that.”

Snorting, the doctor closed off the bandage, trying it securely. “Trust me,” He leaned down, gently pressing a kiss to Hunter’s forehead. “I’m surprised we haven’t had to replace his knuckles.”

Hunter closed his eyes and sighed, leaning into the medic, who softly wrapped his arms around him and tugged the sargent close. “Thanks,” Hunter mumbled. 

“You’re welcome.” The medic smoothed a hand in Hunter’s hair, voice warm, soft, unlike how it was in most medical wards, which were cold and sterile. 

After a moment, Hunter pulled back, glancing up at him. “You smell like bacta.”

“Bacta has a smell?”

“Yeah.” The sargent rotated his arm, still adjusting to the bandage. “Like... sweet. Sticky sweet, almost.”

The doctor laughed, gently, leaning down and pressing a light peck to Hunter’s chapped lips. “How about I go change? Then I can come back here.” He stepped away, letting Hunter’s arms fall down to his sides. “Being held and watching holomovies makes for great recovery.”

Hunter smiled, leaning back on the cot. “That sounds like a plan.”

Tech’s walk slowed down for a brief moment, the hesitancy giving him away. "Seeing whom?"

Omega turned, beaming. "The bounty hunter. Our friend."

His heart pounded against his armor, and he didn't have the courage or brainpower to lie. He ducked through the door, glancing around, skimming for her. He gave a soft sigh as he spotted her, leaning on the bar, taking a drink. Her eyes were placid, laid over with bordem, hair disheveled from running her hands in them. She always did that, he noticed, when she was tired or worried.

Tech moved towards the bar, tucking his helmet under his arm. "Hey, I know you."

She turned from the bar, eyes lighting up as if she was revived by the sound of his voice. Tech fought off the warm sensation as she hurried over, stopping short of throwing her arms around him. "Tech, hi!" The sun shone in her eyes, and the sheer sensation that washed over him was exactly how he thought the ocean felt on a leisurely day.

He leaned on the bar, a smile drifting easily to his face. "How was it?"

"Boring." She smiled at him, sliding him a drink. "More boring than you, believe it or not."

Tech laughed and picked up the drink. "Interesting, so you would have rather been with me?" He raised his brows, watching her laugh behind her drink.

"Barely." She glanced down at the drink, eyes flickering to him, and his knees went weak, his only savior being the arm already on the counter. "Only sometimes, though." She leaned over, a gleam in her mischievous eyes.

He chuckled and shook his head, ignoring Hunter's disapproving gaze. "Good to know. I need help patching up my ship."

"Not yours!" Wrecker yelled as he practically rumbled his way in.

The former bounty hunter laughed, and she set her cup down. "Only if Hunter will be so kind to let me board your ship." She raised a brow, an aura of challenge radiating off of her.

"No one tells me who to let on my ship." Tech laughed, picking his helmet back up. "No one but me, at least."

Cid made a sound behind the bar, a disapproving noise. "If Ya want a room, the inn down the street is open," She snorted.

The hunter laughed, pushing off the bar. "No need, Cid. Besides," She winked at Tech and strides to the door, inflated with confidence. "He couldn't keep up."

Tech watched her, the snark peircing him, and his chest inflating with joy as Cid imitated gagging. He couldn't care less, he decided, grabbing his helmet and running after her out the door.

He chased her to the ship, laughing as he wove through the crowds and alleys, catching sight of her on occasion, a fleeting glance of her. Every gaze, her laughter floating, Tech's exhausted legs revived. Her tongue, her mind, her eyes, it haunted him every moment he was off the planet, and when he was back all he could do was be near her.

He caught up with her as the Maurader came into view. Tech watched her with fascination as she leaned on the ship, her lips twisting into a grin and the world standing still around her. "Slow poke. Good thing your mouth works faster than you do."

She leaned off the ship and grinned at him, turning her attention to the ship. "What needs fixing?"

Tech moved towards her, pointing. "The undercarriage. We need to get under there and patch up the coolant and drive systems."

She nodded, tugging her disheveled hair back behind her head. "Gotcha." Her upper lip twitched in determination as she approached the ship alongside him, tugging herself under with him. Tech handed her goggles, reaching up and working. As he worked, he spoke, talking about everything and nothing and all of anything that came to his mind. She listened, hands working alongside his, grunting and responding, and commenting.

"Oh!" She reached up, grasping a pipe. "I'll hold this. Don't want your pretty little face to get busted."

Tech's ears felt warm as he reached up, wrapping the pipe up. "You think I'm pretty?" His laugh was light, and he felt his jaw tighten as he worked, a bad habit.

"Yeah. Of course." Her hands, now coated in oil and space dust, drifted away. "You're pretty." She sucked in a breath, fingers yanking back.

Tech rolled to her. "You okay?" He slid out with her, back into the sun, and he opened her hands. He gently examined them, holding them gently. "Oh, that was still warm."

She grimaced, sucking in a breath. "Not the worst thing I've had to deal with."

Tech tugged her wrist gently. "Come on. We have some medical supplies. I'm no doctor, but I bet I can patch you up."

___

Her hand would be fine, Tech figured, applying the last of the salve. He tightened the bandage and stepped back. "Alright. You're all set." He smiled at her, not realizing why she was giggling. His grin dipped into a frown. "... What?"

"Tech," She chuckled. "You're still- my hand."

His eyes darted down, face only warmer. "Oh, my." He dropped his hands from hers, which had still been massaging them tenderly. "I," He inhaled. "I am sorry."

"Don't be," She smiled, sauntering last him towards the exit. She paused and glanced back, the warm sun outlining her figure, gold melting against her shape in the darkened ship. Even so, he could feel the warmth of her smile, chuckle light. "I'm not sorry."