#continued series

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Star Wars: The Bad Batch (Cartoon), Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008) - All Media Types, Star Wars - All Media Types Rating: General Audiences Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: CT-9904 | Crosshair & Clone Trooper Tech Characters: CT-9904 | Crosshair, Clone Trooper Tech (Star Wars) Additional Tags: Inspired by Fanart, Inspired by TBB S3 Trailer, S3 Speculation, Ficlet, Part of Series, Family Reunions, Tech Lives, Fluff, Feelings Series: Part 11 of Pre TBB S3 Jitters Shorts, Part 2 of Crosshair/Tech

Summary: They’re reunited, the Bad Batch, Crosshair and Tech. It has also been far too long to dwell on the past, the mistakes made, right?

Part of the Bad Batch S3 jitters / Cross/Tech series

Here is a Wild Blue Yonder update for you all!! 

It is rated M....

Tails and Adventures of Aquamarine and Starlette

Chapter 4: I Am Groot?  (Be with Me?)

Chapter warnings: Cursing, self hatred, Angst, Mentions of "Meaning of Aquamarine"

Aquamarine POV

I awoke with Groot sleeping upright in a chair, holding my hand...when did I get to my intensive care...? Was I moved here...? I carefully look around and see very ameature work on inserting a feeding tube into my mouth, a heart monitor set up keeping track of my health, and my machines quietly humming displaying my vital signs and health. I look at the patient history section seeing that apparently something knocked me into a coma. According to the readings, I've been out for almost a month now. I look back at the sleeping giant tree beside my bed, he had a deep frown set in place and worried lines were etched into his face and posture. He almost look scared of something... I quietly yawned and realized I was still sleepy so I drift back off, not realizing there was a countdown that was about to hit zero...

Starlette POV

Everyone was worried, everyone was scared, for Aquamarine. She went to lay down and when she fell asleep some guys who had it out for Rocket (he stole something of theirs) began to attack us, I had just entered the room and I saw one of her more bigger, heavier, trinkets fell and hit her so hard in the head during the crazy moves we had to pull to escape flying bullets that she was bleeding heavily. I began to mentally freak out and dragged her the best I could into intensive care. I was sure I was leaving a trail of blood but I didn't care at the moment, I had to get her into a stable condition while the others dealt with the assholes who were attacking us. I quickly scampered around the room throwing books around looking for the book about head/brain damage, once found I carried the heavy book over and flipped it open to the needed chapter. I gathered the necessary items and bore my foot claws into the material of the seat I was in as we made another sharp turn that could've knocked me over. What the fuck are those idiots doing over there?! Trying to get me killed?! Ok, deep breaths, follow the guidelines...steady...

When the chase was over I heard them asking why there was blood from Aqua's room leading to the intensive care, they tried opening it, but I had locked it, I need to focus.

"Aqua?!" Starlord shouted through the door. "No!!!" I yelled louder at him, but I pause then reply, "But Aqua is hurt! She got hit by one of her heavier trinkets, I'm trying to preform surgery here so if you dolts don't mind, I NEED FUCKING SILENCE SO I DON'T HURT HER ANYMORE!"

I was shaking so badly, but I refused to let that effect my work. I didn't know what I was doing, I didn't know how I was doing, all I knew, was that no one on this flargging ship knew how to do this, I had a little knowledge due to all the time I spent around her, but that doesn't amount to much. When I finally finish I let out a sigh of relief and began to read through the book for additional information and care. A coma...that's what its called...dammit...she taught me how to deal with people with comas, a few of Yondu's men had gone through comas and I was her assistant at the time, doesn't mean I'm an expert though. I switch on the machines just in case and had them scan her, they came up with the same result, coma. I kewed in saddness, I was steady enough, maybe I wasn't fast enough, maybe it was because I wasn't experienced, but whatever the reason, I hadn't prevented it. I hooked her up to the necessary machines and looked sadly at the machine with a timer on it. Occansionally Aqua had to put some of those men down since they were showing no signs of recorvering, she told me that if someone had gone into coma without her being there, to set a timer that when it hit zero, it would cease their heart, clog their lungs while being paralyzed from the head down so they wouldn't feel a thing. I had to, I promised her I would. I walked out drying off my paw hands with an old towel, there was still bits a blood dying them even after washing them, but that would come off in its own time. I was bombarded with questions from everyone, I tried to calmly answer every single one then ended... "She's in a coma, she made me promise years ago that if someone went into a coma without her, I set up a machine where once the timer hits zero, it'll kill them...she's hooked up to said machine, she has a month to show improvement otherwise I will have to keep that timer on. I'm sorry..." I walked away knowing I dropped a huge bomb on them. Everyday everyone visited her, whether to refill the feeding bag, change out the urine or poop bags, or even just to check in on her, but I was there all the time until something required my attention. Groot refused to leave, he grew flowers for her, hoping to trigger something, but he got no response, everyone got the same still faced, the heart break was evident in all their faces... The days were the same cycle, Peter would wake up and bring in his music, and would play her favorite tunes, he'd sing along sometimes, other times he'd talk about Earth, the crew, other times he'd talk about the dream he'd have. Gamora would meditate next to her, she did the most care needed like changing sheets and such. She'd always be silent, no matter what. It was like she was listening for a change... Drax would come in next and talk about his war stories, how he'd slay each and every one of his foes, sometimes he'd talk of his family how Aqua would have loved them. He'd even talk about his life when he was younger. Mantis, she'd just care for Aqua then leave, she didn't have much to say to her, they weren't very close from what I could tell... Kraglin would go on about the stories and adventures when Yondu was around, even tell stories of when she was younger and of her mother. I could only smile at him. She loved to hear those stories. He'd go on about how Yondu and ____ were meant for each other, that nothing in the galaxy could seem to seperate them and if it did not for long. Rocket was the biggest talker though, he'd fix or make something in the room with her, try to explain what he was doing, he talked about Starlord and how he was doing since he knew Aqua would be most worried about him. He talk about how his cybernetics were treating him...then he'd start crying. He'd would talk about how much everyone missed her, how she better wake up or show improvement before that timer hit zero or he'd never forgive her. Groot would be with him the entire time, staying silent, hugging the intellegent fur ball. - - - It was almost time...I awoke the on day the timer was suppose to go off. Everyone other than Groot was waiting outside Intensive Care, I knew Groot was already inside, possibly asleep. I sighed, and unlocked the door. I quickly went over to a computer and looked at the information that was being thrown at me. My ears slowly drooped as tears began to fill my eyes, no difference...no improvement...nothing... Groot awoke right then and there and let out a questioning noise. I just looked down then looked at the timer. "Nothing..." Was all I could respond with, everyone then seemed to understand what I was trying to say.

We were waiting for the timer to end... This would be her end...

Aquamarine POV

Ugh...someone turn off the lights... I feel really uncomfortable...I bearily opened my eyes and see Groot staring at the what looked like a timer...wait...timer...and I was in a coma right? So that means...OH SHIT! I jumped up to a sitting and regretted it since I was sore and my brain went a bit fuzzy for the sudden blood flow. My fins were ringing so I couldn't exactly hear what everyone was saying and I was holding my head from the pain so I couldn't see what was going on. But I assume everyone was yelling that I was awake and trying to turn off the timer. I felt everyone hugging me tightly after a while, ugh...everything hurt.

"Someone get me some coffee...everything hurts and my mind isn't exactly clear right now..." I explained when I recompose myself as I then heard foot steps scrambled to the kitchen which my headache echoed painfully with every throb. "I am Groot!" "Yea, I'm glad I'm alive too...spirits...my head...what happened? I laid down and then I wake up to this..." I groaned painfully as I felt a certain raccoon hand me some coffee which I thank him for. I moved my hand and see everyone basically hovering over me. I just sighed and let it be, they were worried about me. Star fills me in and I just sit there quietly sipping my coffee. Its no surprise that Rocket would make enemies stealing stuff, I mean I have plenty, though most of them don't know who stole their stuff. I just nod and hummed in thought when she finishes.

"Seems like everyone just decided to go crazy while I was out huh?" I smirked at Star as she shakes her head and leaves, she looked like she starting to go crazy from staying in the same spot for so damn long. I don't blame her. "Well I'll be recorvering for a while and need lots of bed rest for a head injury. So I won't be joining for any missions anytime soon. Sorry guys." "Just glad you're ok doc." Rocket mumbled and left.

Everyone went back to their normal routine but Groot would still visit me, and always bring me my meals. He was oddly silent around me, almost too much. He's usually talkitive around me so this made me raise a brow.

"So why have you been so silent recently?" I asked on morning, blowing on my hot coffee.

No answer, he just stares at my sheets as if in deep thought. I take a small sip and decided to let him answer in his own time, he'll tell me eventually what's bothering him. He's my best friend, I'm gonna just demand an answer, this might be something embarrassing or-!

"I am Groot?" ("Be my mate?") I spittook at that while coughing uncontrollably, "U-uh you know what you're asking right?!" "I am Groot!" ("Of course I do!") "Then don't be so light when asking such a thing! I mean I don't even know you romantically! I don't wanna get involved then find out that romantically that you're not what I want!" "I am Groot!" ("Then I will prove to you I am what you wish for!") "GROOT!" I blushed heavily. "What's going on in here?" Peter asked popping his head in and seeing me a blushing mess. "Did you finally ask her out?" "PETER!!!" "Did Groot finally do it?!" A smiling Star asked while jumping onto Pete's shoulder as a snickering raccoon also climbed up. "ROCKET!!! STARLETTE!!!!" My face was definately purple by now with how hard I was blushing. I cleared my throat, "Well Groot asked me to be his mate...so not necessarily asking me out..." "Look, Groot," Peter looked dead serious at Groot, "cultures are different if you want her to be your mate, that's like six hundred steps away, you should ask her if she wants to be your girl first, then date her, kiss her, cuddle her, and then you-!" "FINISH THAT SENTENCE QUILL AND I WILL HANG YOUR HEAD ON MY ROOM'S DOOR AS A WARNING!" "I am Groot.." ("I see...") I sighed and began to nibble at my toast... "I am Groot!" ("Please be my 'girl!'") I coughed on my toast and just sat there listening to Rocket cackle at my expense. "Listen guys, could you give Groot and I some alone time...?" Star just smiled and grabbed Rocket and raced out the door, dragging a reluctant human male behind her.

"Groot, listen, being your girl definately would make me happy but...there's complicatations that come with being mine..." I explained. "I just want you to know most people aren't going to treat you the same, they're not act the same, my burdens will become yours...are you sure you want that? Are you sure you want to be with a halfie who is blamed for the mass genocide of my people who are near extinction now? Do you really want to be looked down upon, to be told your love isn't real...? That my feelings towards you are fake...? That this is only for repopulation...? Groot you'll be charged with seduction! One of the greatest sins that can be caused by an outsider of my people! I will charged with unlawful mating! A few hate me already but this will make them all turn their backs on me, they will see me as worthless! I'm already considered ugly due to my half blood, and no one really wants to be with me anyways so I never saw a problem until now. Groot this is going to upset the few civilzations we sirens are friends with, I'll be no longer allowed to see my home planet, no longer able to walk among them without being beaten or stoned. Do you really want that in your life Groot? Cause I don't want you to! You deserve someone better, you deserve someone who shouldn't have to carry all this, you don't deserve any of that, I can't just bring you into that without you knowing and not feel guilty! Once I be with you, I am no longer allowed to mate with someone of my kind, I will no longer have a chance to redeem myself, are you absolutely sure you wanna be in a mess like that?" "I. Am. Groot."

I just stared at him teary eyed. He wanted to be with despite the consquences...despite the hate...despite how others may treat and see us...

"I am Groot?" ("But what about you? Do YOU want this despite everything that will happen?") I sniffled and just jumped into his arms, "Of course I want this! I just didn't want you facing what a halfie has to face without knowing you'd be okay with it! I love you for you no matter what age you are, you always were there, you always made my life seem less miserable, I just want you to be happy! That's all I've ever wanted from you, I could've gone an entire life time without your love if it meant you lived the life you always wanted! No matter what life that is!" "I am Groot..." ("I've been living the life I wanted and now it's more complete than ever...")

3 It may be late but it is not impossible to fall in love with your own eyes. The time of year is broken. Fresh air becomes torture, Gravity is war on the body, my callous feet stand on the cold, bleached wall. I am looking at a portable mirror thinking about what I’ve spoken.

I think of outside. The angles of branches blocking out the blue infinite. I am lying on density. Let’s all go where the wild things grow between stiff fingers while cut grass makes us sneeze

let’s all go to the structure drinking dreams off yellow hues clinging to the sidewalk, the murdering hues in the life of this cherry blossom.

Most people don’t talk like this. Too stupid. Mouth clap like the jaws of termites. The breeze is neutral, and goodness is cracking.

4 Sleep often when long walks herald wakeful space.

Alphabetic strokes on her, breathing at night, standing up—adept enough.

Moonless calm, bypassed, restless to the point of spirals.

Wildest theory aside, I can sleep, finally, and lay completely still.