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danceswithsporks · 1 year ago

Text

Warm- Part 7

Part 1 of 6 in the Complete Series!

Parts 1 2 3 4 5 6

Tech x Reader

Warnings: Mentions of Order 66

About: Cal and Ahsoka help Tech retrieve his memories where he meets someone unexpected.

Authors notes: Thank you everyone for your continued support! So sorry this took so long but I wanted it to be perfect! So much work and emotions went into this! I really hope y’all enjoy it!

Warm, the feeling of Ahsoka's hands on Tech's face as the clone laid on a pillow in her lap. His brown eyes looked up at the young Jedi as she spoke with the redhead next to her. She was going over the plan once more with the younger Jedi, a plan that Tech still didn’t fully understand, nor did Echo and Kix.

“Rex, are you sure this will work?” Echo stood with his back against one of the walls in your room. Ahsoka and Cal had been clear that your room was the best place to attempt this. The scent of you that hung in the air would work as a guide to get your memories back.

Rex nodded carefully as he moved to the side of your bed and passed Tech the thermos now filled with one of your teas. “You know as much as I do that the force does some amazing things. The Commander was able to find the chip using it. If it can find a small chip in my brain, then I trust that it can put his memories in order.” Looking at Tech carefully, Rex motioned for the spectacled clone to take a sip. “Drink, it’s the same one she made for you the first time you went to her shop.”

Ahsoka looked down at Tech and smiled softly as Cal spoke. “My Master and I did a lot of research on memory recall for those with amnesia. He’d hoped my sense echo could be used as a healing ability. We found that important memories hold the most power. So something like your first date with her could be enough to trigger the dam to finally break.”

“Recreating the Tea she first made you, her scent, anything to help stir that memory will be our starting point.” Ahsoka watched carefully as Tech sipped the tea before laying back in her lap. “I’ll be working as an amplifier for Cal. This could take more force ability than even he has.”

Tech swallowed the tea carefully and savored the familiar taste. It was delicious and cooling, a nice hint of citrus dancing on his tongue. First date? Was that what it had been? His mind wandered to the video on the datapad, you and him kissing, how you told him you were just friends. “I’ll do whatever it takes to remember everything, to remember her.”

A hum came from Ahsoka as her hands returned to the clone's face. She’d helped so many clones escape the empire with their beloveds. Watched as families were formed and saved. Cuts' family had been one of the first ones she and Rex had helped. After the Batch helped them leave their home planet they’d found their way to the Path. Seeing a clone with a wife and children renewed something within her and helped to drive her efforts. Now they’d assisted more clones than she could count. Helping Tech, the clone that had found Echo and freed him from the stasis chamber, return to the one that made his heart happy would be an honor. “She’s stunning. I hope we can help you.”

“And if it doesn’t then you just start over with her.” Echo watched as everyone’s eyes shifted to him. Letting out a breath he decided to elaborate. “ Think about it, you two were brought together for a reason. If it’s meant to be then you two will end up together again.”

“So we were together then? I asked her what we were and she told me we were friends.” Tech closed his eyes and let out a defeated sigh. “Why would she lie?” A tap on his cheek from Ahsoka made him open his eyes and look at the young Jedi.

“She probably wants you to remember on your own. From what she told me, your relationship was unique. I think remembering on your own would be a good thing and if you don’t then you make new memories with her.” You’d told her everything the moment you met her. The air of comfort she gave off was enough to get you talking.

Tech chewed his lip as she spoke. How special had your first meeting really been? “She told me she’d tell me how we met after five months if I couldn’t remember.”

Ahsoka smiled softly as she ran a hand over Tech's eyes, closing them. “Then let’s get to work.”

A nervous breath was released from the clone as he nodded. “Tell me how this works one more time.”

“Sure.” Cal rubbed his hands together before taking Techs in his hand once more. “Ahsoka will help me focus on your memories that are still blocked. The goal is to open them slowly and methodically. We do this too fast and you could go into total shock. Be down for weeks.”

“What should I expect?” The last thing Tech wanted was to be surprised and go into shock that way.

A hum came from Cal as he thought back to his studies. “I’ve only tried this one other time with a clone who had been hit on the head with a crate back when I was with my Master. The clone said it was like being in a long hallway with a lot of doors. Doors that were locked and light guided him to each important memory.” The ginger shrugged carefully. “According to the ancient texts, it could be different for each person though.” Who knew what it would be like for Tech?

Tech opened his eyes and glanced at the child from the side. He’d only done this one other time? “Did it work? Did he get his memories back?”

Cal looked away from them and towards his lap, a dark memory pulling its way to the front of his mind. “Yeah, just in time for him to try and kill me.”

Everyone in the room froze at the child’s words. A dark memory for every one of them. Rex had taken the bullet in the group and sat Tech down to explain what had happened. This wasn’t a memory the clone should remember suddenly. It was only right he understood what was truly happening in the galaxy and what had happened to so many of their brothers, and the Jedi.

Tech gave Cal's hand a gentle squeeze. A silent apology for the trauma they all lived through. Hearing what had happened, what his brothers had been forced to do, had been heartbreaking for Tech. The clones had given their lives for the Jedi and had stood on the battlefield beside them as friends, as family. Now they’d all but been wiped out, because of the clones. Very few Jedi remained now, somehow surviving the purge, Cal and Ahsoka being prime examples. It made him happy to know they’d survived and he hoped that countless more were out there.

Cal appreciated the silent apology. He’d heard so many apologies over these last few months on the run. It was odd. Like the more time passed, the more the chips began to wear off and more clones understood what had happened. He’d heard so many apologies now. The words became hollow after a while. But coming from Tech, a clone who didn’t remember the event, it meant more. “Just promise not to attack me.”

“Heh, I won’t.” The dark joke made the clone smile, glad to know the kid didn’t hold it against them and was able to joke about the event.

“Then let’s begin,” Ahsoka spoke softly as she closed her eyes and began to focus. “I am one with the force and the force is one with me.”

-*-

“Hello?” Tech looked around the calm and empty island. It was like a tropical getaway. A name flitted across his tongue carefully and a breathy “Pabu” left his lips as he turned in place. All the doors to the homes were closed tightly. Locks hanging from their doors in an almost comical way. When was the last time locks like these were even used?

“Tech.” Your voice was airy and danced across the wind to him.

Tech spun on his heels and looked at you quickly. The same gown you had worn in the video from before now on your lovely body. There was an almost glow to you as you moved down the cobbled path toward him. He watched as you smiled softly at him, happiness in your eyes that he hadn’t seen before, or maybe he had but couldn’t remember. “W-what are you doing here?”

The sound of a ceramic spoon spinning in a teacup filled the air as you laughed softly. “I’m here to guide you, of course.”

“Ah, you are my mind's representation of a guide then?” Of course, you weren’t actually there. He watched as you shook your head before stopping in front of him.

“I am not your mind, sweet Tech. Your friends, the Jedi, know me as Ashla, the force.” The force bowed its head carefully, your eyes twinkling back at him.

“I thought the force was a Jedi-only thing. Why are you appearing to me?” Tech was barely wrapping his head around Order 66 and having amnesia. Now he needed to figure this out?

A light chuckle came from Ashla as it motioned to a house at the base of the hill. “The force is within everything. Some are just attuned to me more than others. They are called Jedi.” It began its walk down the path and toward the structure. Time was of the essence. “Come, we have minimal time.”

Tech followed behind obediently, more questions than he could handle filling his mind. “There’s a time limit to this?” He honestly thought he’d have all the time he needed.

Ashla hummed softly as your fingers danced across the lock. After a moment a quiet click could be heard and the lock disintegrated into stardust. “We have until the sun rises. You must remember everything by then, or risk never remembering.”

“So if I don’t remember now, I’ll never remember?” That wasn’t exactly what he wanted to hear. His hand ran through the mess of curls on his head and he let out a long sigh. “I just want to remember you, her, you know what I mean.”

A hum came from Ashla as Tech neared. “The longer it takes for the memories to return, the more likely they will never return. Our time together is limited but important.” Its hand raised and ran across Tech's cheek. “Allow me to give you some hope.”

Your hands, its hands, this was getting confusing for Tech, felt like Karlini silk as it glided across his cheek. Tech's eyes fluttered shut and for the briefest of moments he had a memory of you flit across his mind and for once he was able to pinpoint it, feel it, and remember it.

***

“Here, I brought some water, kinda hot today.” You stood next to him with a flask of water in your hand. On the pier next to your feet was a basket with a few sandwiches inside. One of the boats had broken down and Tech had been sweet enough to offer his skills with fixing it.

“Ah, thank you.” Tech took the container from you and drank from it. After a moment he pulled the bottle away and raised an eyebrow. The water was…sweet.

“Do you like it?” You smiled brightly at him, your lip between your teeth as you waited for him to reply.

Tech looked at you carefully as he mulled the taste in his mouth. He saw the way you anticipated his response. How you bounced on the balls of your feet in excitement. “I do. It is a unique taste.” Resting his hand on the mouth of the bottle he slowly unscrewed it. “May I take a peek inside?”

You nodded excitedly. “It’s water with a mix of berries. You said you didn’t find the appeal. So I wanted to test if that was true.” Shrugging playfully you took the water from him and took your own sip, putting the feelers out to see his reaction. Another experiment of yours. But he didn’t need to know about that one.

He watched as you sipped the drink before returning the original mouthpiece. The way your plump lips wrapped around the top of the bottle made something stir in him. It wasn’t right for him to have these inappropriate thoughts about you. Not when he wasn’t sure about your feelings for him. “A-are you saying that you experimented on me?” You smiled at him slyly before nodding. A laugh left him as he shook his head. “Did you perhaps pick that idea up from me?”

With a shrug, you took a seat on the pier next to him and dangled your feet towards the water below. “Maybe I took a note from when you tested Wrecker's sense of taste last week. Or maybe I’ve been doing some of my own research.” A smile played on your lips as you looked at him. This was nice, relaxing.

Tech really liked how you were currently looking at him. How the glow of the setting sunset surrounded you in a warm hug. Sitting back he hummed softly as a breeze hit you both. “ I must say, I was surprised that he did not notice the Trandoshan spice pepper in the macaroon you prepared.”

“You’re telling me. My brother tried one and started crying they were so spicy!” You laughed brightly, your hand coming up to cover your mouth as you did so. Beside you, Tech smiled softly at you, living the way your laugh sounded. Clearing your throat, you hummed softly. “Thanks for letting me be a part of that.”

Tech nodded as he looked down at the space between you two. If he moved his fingers just a little to the right he’d be able to touch your hands. Hunter's words rang in his ears once more and carefully he adjusted himself. “Of course. You make exceptional pastries and I knew he would not suspect anything if you offered them up.” His hand moved carefully and rubbed the side of yours. When you didn’t move it, he felt wings flutter within him once more.

“Anytime you need help with another experiment, just ask.” You smiled at him and the feeling of his hand next to yours. If you weren’t so much of a chicken then perhaps you’d snake your fingers through his and get it all in the open. But that’s what you were, a chicken. So instead you reached into the basket and pulled a sandwich out for Tech. “Here, eat up before you get too focused on that engine.”

***

Tech felt something within him lighten as the memory fizzled away. That memory had happened a few days before he left. A sigh left him as he finally remembered something that you were a part of. “I never realized she had listened when I mentioned not eating when I worked on projects.” Another sigh left him as the memory of him explaining how he tended to hyper-focus hit him. Another memory was back. Already he could feel more small ones hitting his body. Behind his eyes, the pain began to form once more and he found himself worrying that he’d collapse again.

Ashla reached forward and placed a delicate finger between his eyes. “Calm yourself, as we traverse larger memories, smaller ones will fill in the missing pieces. Do not worry. You will not go into shock, I will not allow it.”

The pain that had begun to form behind Tech's eyes dissipated slowly. As it did more small memories danced their way through his mind. How you liked your tea, the way you always hummed when a breeze went by. The smell of the ocean air and the smell of your perfume. This was a start. There was still something pulling at Tech though as Ashla moved its hand away. “I still don’t understand why you are helping me, a non-force sensitive.”

“Because.” Ashla moved its hand in a circle, stars spun around its fingers for a moment before an image of you sleeping formed. “Across the Galaxy, on a warm paradise planet. A pure heart is reaching for you with more strength and love than I’ve ever felt. I am inclined to see that heart not break any more than it already has.” Ashla wasn’t one to normally step in with these matters. But the way your heart begged and pleaded was enough to move its own heart if it had one.

Tech reached his hand out and hovered over the sleeping image of you. His brown eyes took in the way your brow was furrowed, how you tossed and turned in your sleep. Were you having a nightmare? Or were you just restless? He wished he could help you, calm you, or at least wake you up from whatever was distressing you. “Is she ok?” His voice was soft as he tried to remember the feeling of your hug.

“She has many nightmares, her mind is constantly filled with worry and fear. Though she puts on a warm smile and a brave face, within her is a cold fear that binds her heart.” Ashla could see the way Tech worried for you.

“I wish I could help her. Fix everything quickly so she could be happy once more.” Seeing you like this and hearing how hurt you were was painful for him. To his surprise, Ashla took his hand and pulled it toward the image. His fingers were pushed into the cool image and he watched in surprise as you woke up.

With a gasp, you shot up in your bed with your hand over your heart. The nightmare already becoming a distant memory for you as your hand ran over your face and through your tangle of hair. You couldn’t believe you’d woken up so quickly. Usually, the nightmares plagued you all night and held onto you tightly. But this time it was like someone had forcibly pulled you from your nightmare. A sarcastic laugh came from you as you moved the blankets on your bed around as if someone could forcibly wake you up while not being there.

“What just happened?” Did he have something to do with you waking up suddenly? Tech watched as you moved blankets around before letting out a sad sigh. “How long has she been having nightmares? Why is she having nightmares?”

Releasing Tech's hand, Ashla hummed softly before ending the image and instead replacing it with an image of him on the bed in your room. The others were now gone and he laid in a peaceful sleep on your bed. “When she left you and returned to her family, she left behind an item of importance that assisted her in handling her grief.” Tech gave it a confused look and Ashla decided to continue. “I believe you call the device a datapad.” With a spin of its hand, the image moved to you with Techs datapad in your hands.

“My datapad?” Tech watched as multiple images of you with the datapad flashed in Ashlas hand. “She spent every night with it, didn’t she?”

“Indeed.” Ashla willed the image back to your room. “The device was left behind when she left. Without it, it seems that the nightmares she kept at bay have returned.”

“But why did she leave it behind?” None of this was making sense to Tech. If the datapad had been helping you, why did you leave it behind? You didn’t seem like someone to forget something so important. While Tech pondered why you’d leave it behind, Echo's voice caught his attention. Turning towards Ashla, he found another image playing out.

***

“Cyare, are you sure you have to go? I’m sure your brothers are more than capable of taking care of him.” Echo watched as you moved around your room, packing everything into a small bag as quickly as you could.

“My brothers need to focus on the shop and honestly, I need space from all of this.” You sighed as you took the datapad in your hands and sat on the edge of your bed. Echo took a seat next to you and looked at Tech's datapad. “I thought I could handle this, work through all of this slowly and rebuild what Tech and I had. But after last night, I just…I think I still need time to process him being alive.”

A sigh left your lips as you passed the datapad to Echo. “When he remembers enough, make sure he gets it. There’s…some files on there I made for him.” Your hands shook slightly as you passed the datapad over. It felt like a part of your heart was being given away.

Echo nodded and carefully took the datapad, his hand resting on yours as he did so. “Will you come back?” When you shook your head he sighed while placing his forehead against your shoulder. “What do I tell the others?” You were the heart and soul of this place. Your warmth and caring smile helped all those that came through feel safe.

“For now, tell them I went home to help my dad. Then in two weeks, tell them I’m not coming back.” Your head tilted to the side and you rested it on top of Echos. “I’m sorry, Echo. I guess I’m not as strong as you all thought I was.”

Echo squeezed your hand gently. “Don’t say that. You’re stronger than any of us.”

“Thanks, Echo.”

***

“She’s not coming back?” No, you had to come back. You being around was what he needed. The memories were coming back finally. “I need to wake up. I need to get to her.”

Ashla closed the image and placed both hands around Techs. “Remember, if you wake now. You run the risk of losing all the memories.” Tech let out a long breath. “Stay and retrieve your memories. It will be worth it. That I can guarantee.”

Tech stared at Ashla in silence for a while as he tried to make a decision. Leave and possibly lose all memories or stay and get them back. If he left now he could hopefully build new memories with you. Start fresh and make something new for you both. But his mind went back to the night with you in front of the window and how hopeful you’d seemed. Looking at the door in front of him, Tech swallowed and stepped forward. “Let’s begin.”

-*-

“It’s been two days. When do we start to worry?” Echo chewed his lip as he stared at Tech's sleeping form on your bed. One of your blankets had been pulled over hun to keep him warm.

Kix checked Tech's pulse once more, as he did every hour, and shrugged. “He’s not in distress. I think it’s safe to say things are fine…for now.” Moving across the room, Kix sat in a chair and wrote his notes down quickly. He was anything if not diligent when he came to his medical notes and research. “Have you heard from her? How is her father doing?” His eyes never left his datapad. It wasn’t like you to not check in with everyone, he was beginning to worry.

Echo swallowed at the question. “Uh yeah, she’s been a bit busy with her family's shop. She sends her love.” Nope, he couldn’t tell any of them you weren’t coming back. He couldn't destroy all of their hope like that, not now at least.

-*-

Tech was tired, oh so tired. He’d experienced so many memories, so many moments in his life that made him think about everything. He’d relived order 66, Cross turning on them and leaving. Meeting Omega, the fall of Kamino, and the discovery of the chips. He remembered Cid and all the hard work the batch had done for her and how she’d left them stranded on that damned planet. Almost everything was back now, all that was missing was his time with you.

Over the course of getting his memories back, he’d slowly made his way up the large hill of Pabu. Now the top was in sight. Behind him, the night sky was beginning to brighten as the sun began to rise. Time was running out. Above him, Ashla sat on the stonewall near the top of the island. Feet dangling over the side, it watched as Tech wiped his hand across his forehead. “Time is almost up, I still need to remember her.”

With a wave of its hand, a rope fell from the top of the mountain towards Tech. Beside him, a barrier blocked his path up. “Then climb.”

A tired hand ran over the rope carefully. It wanted him to climb a rope the rest of the way. Tech's eyes shifted to the barrier and with a defeated sigh he began to climb. “Why am I climbing?”

Ashla hummed in thought, going over all of Tech's memories in its head. What was blocking the rest of his memories from coming in? Below it, the sound of Tech slipping and gasping showed what was wrong. “Your final memories of your beloved are blocked by a memory you refuse to remember.”

Tech clung tightly to the rope as it swayed back and forth above the island below. What did Ashla mean? How could something block his memories? “What is it?” He could see something shift in Ashlas eyes as it looked down at him. After a moment of silence, a dagger appeared in its hand and before he could react or say anything, the rope was cut.

And he fell.

-*-

“No!” Tech sat up with a gasp. His hand held his chest tight as the memory of him falling finally finished. Tears threatened his eyes as he tried to handle seeing his supposed death all over again. A shaky breath left his body.

“Tech, I’m here.” Echo rushed to his brother's side and wrapped an arm around him, letting him know he was safe. “You had us worried.”

Across the room, Kix moved to grab Tech a drink and inform the others that the clone was finally awake.

“How long was I down?” It felt like simply a day. But something told him it had been far longer. The sound of the door opening drew his attention. Kix, Ahsoka, and Cal all stepped into the room. Relief on all of their faces.

Kix crossed the room and passed Tech the thermos as he began to take the clone's vitals. “A week.”

Tech began to open the thermos but stopped at Kix's words. “A week? It felt like a day.” Sighing he took a drink and hummed at the taste of your tea. It wasn’t exactly like how you made it, maybe something was missing, but it was still good enough to trigger the rest of his memories of you. It all rushed back to him like the tsunami wave that hit your village. He could remember you holding onto him tightly as the waters pushed you two around. The look on your face as he kissed you to force air into your lungs. The way you looked at him after he kissed you a second time. “Where’s my datapad?” Tech looked around the group. He needed to see what you’d left him.

Echo placed a calming hand on his brother's shoulder. “Calm down. One thing at a time.” How did Tech know about the datapad? “What do you remember?”

He didn’t have time for this. “Everything. I remember everything. Now please, my datapad”

Sighing softly, Echo stood and moved to your dresser. He carefully slid the top drawer open and pulled out Tech's shirt. “Here.” He passed the shirt to Tech who unwrapped it carefully. Inside was the datapad that Tech was so desperately in search of. “There’s something you should know Tech, that all of you should know.” He looked at the group now assembled in the room.

“She’s not coming back.” Tech tapped at the screen and watched it prong to life. Instantly he began to search through the programs for anything you may have left behind.

“What?” Kix looked at Tech and Echo quickly. “Is this true, Echo?”

Echo ran his hand over his face. “It’s true.” His eyes shifted to Tech. “How did you know that though?”

There was something here in the messages section that he hadn’t seen before. Echos question reached his ears and nonchalantly he replied. “Ashla told me.”

Ahsokas head whipped away from Cal and to Tech. “What did you say?”

Tech fought the sigh that struggled to escape. He needed to focus on the current task. Placing the datapad down he looked at the ex-Jedi. “Ashla, the force, told me. Well, she showed me actually.”

“The force talked to you?” Ahsoka struggled to believe this. But only Jedi knew the force's ancient name.

“It did.” Tech quickly explained how it had taken on your image to speak to him. How it guided him through his memories and kept him from going into shock. He explained how Ashla had only appeared because your heart begged for help.

“I need a moment.” Ahsoka sat on the edge of the bed with her fingers against the bridge of her nose.

He really wanted to look through his datapad in peace, find what you left behind and then find you. “I understand your surprise on the matter. But I must request that I have some time to catch up on things I have missed.”

A chuckle left Echo as he motioned for the others to leave. “Glad to see you’re almost back to normal.” Only once the room was cleared, to the argument of the others, did Echo close the door and look at Tech. “So you’re back to normal?”

“As normal as I can be, Echo.” Tech could now see the message log between you and him, the missed messages sent after the mission. Placing the datapad down he decided to get questions answered before delving into the datapad more. “Did you find Cross? Is everyone ok?”

Echo nodded as he sat on the edge of the bed. “Yeah, Cross is safe. He’s on Pabu with the others.” He watched as Tech visibly relaxed at the information. “Tech, things didn’t go so well after you fell.”

“I had a feeling. Where’s Cid?” He watched as Echo visibly made a face of disgust. “That must explain why Phee owns the building now.”

“After you fell, we crashed into the terminal. No one was seriously injured, but it was enough that we were down and needed a place to lay low. The tracker? It didn’t hold. Cross blames Saw Gerrera.” And so did he. “We came back here to rest up and think of a new plan.” Echo felt venemon begin to rise in his throat. “Cid turned us in. Because of her, we lost Omega.”

Tech's fists tightened as he continued to listen to Echo explain what happened. How they managed to get a tracker on Hemlocks ship as the scum left with their precious sister.

“With the help of Rex and Gregor, we were able to infiltrate the base.” Echo shuddered as he thought about Mt. Tantiss. “The things we saw there. It was like walking into hell. Clones were being experimented on in the worst ways possible. That’s where we found Omega and Cross….and Cody.” A defeated sigh came from Echo as he remembered the state Cody was in. How Omega looked when they finally found her cell. The way she’d sobbed finding out that Hemlock had killed Nala Se because the Kaminoan had refused to experiment on Omega. “We got everyone out. But Hemlock had already evacuated his more top-priority experiments. A program called the Dark Trooper. We’ve been trying to work through those files. But the encoding is trickier than I expected.” With Tech back though, maybe they’d have better luck.

“So Hemlock escaped?” That was disappointing and concerning to hear.

“Tried to. Cross took care of that problem.” Echo had wanted to be the one to do it. Hell, there had been a line of people ready to do the honors. But Cross was their sniper for a reason. One shot was all it took to bring his shuttle down and into the side of the mountain.

Tech made a face before nodding. “Good. And Cid?”

“Hemlock had her assassinated shortly after he got Omega. Didn’t want any loose ends. Honestly, she got lucky the Empire did it. Hunter was out for blood. I honestly don’t know what would have happened if Hunter had gotten to her instead.” He sighed as he fell back and laid across the bed. “That’s the long and short of it all. Omegas on Pabu with the others, she’s doing better. Hunter says she still has some nightmares here and there. But she’s getting better.”

“Wow.” That was all Tech seemed to be able to say. A lot had happened while he was…gone. “Do they know about me?”

Echo turned his head and looked at his brother carefully. “Cross and Hunter do. You know Wrecker can’t keep a secret to save his life and we didn’t want Omega finding out before you remembered everything. The last thing the poor kid needed to know was that you didn’t remember her.”

It made sense. Omega had been through so much in her young life, it was only right to keep him a secret. At least now they’d be able to let the child know. “You should probably contact them then. Let them know I’m back to myself.” Or as close as he could be. He felt different, looked at things differently, and even thought differently.

“Yeah. That will definitely brighten her day.” Echo tiredly moved his body off the bed and stretched his arm above his head. Perhaps he’d do it in the morning after he finally got some decent sleep. Over the last week, they’d each taken turns staying by Tech's side. Too many nights he’d fallen asleep in the chair. Even with his enhanced body parts, he was getting too old for this. “I’ll drop some food off for ya in a bit, Tech.” He stopped by the door and looked at his brother who was already buried in the datapad. “Tech? It’s good to have ya back.”

Tech looked up at Echo and nodded. “It’s good to finally be back.” He watched as Echo smirked before closing the door.

-*-

It took Tech time to actually read through the messages. For the time being he took in being in your room. The way your perfume hung on the pillows and blankets. He could make out the little trinkets you’d acquired scattered across your room. An old clone doll rested on the table beside the bed and Tech wondered if you cuddled with it every night. His fingers ran over the material of his old shirt and he realized it was the only thing in the room that didn’t smell like you. It had no smell at all. Did you never wash it? He recognized it as one of the shirts from his laundry pile, he knew it hadn’t been cleaned before the mission.

Taking a deep breath, Tech pulled the datapad back into his lap and opened the screen to his messages.

“I hope the mission is going well.”

“My dad is cleaning up the boat. I think he’s more excited about our date than we are.”

“You’re never gonna believe what my brother just did. He left a pack of condoms on my bed with a note saying ‘Make sure your soldier puts a helmet on his soldier.’ I’m gonna kill him.”

“It’s been a few days. Are you ok?”

“I hope your mission has been a success so far. That tea I was telling you about is finally here. I’m waiting for you to get back so we can try it together. I was thinking about trying to learn mando’a. There's a protocol droid here that knows over fifty thousand languages. I asked and he knew Mando’a.”

“I miss you, Tech. Come home soon.”

Tech wondered if you ever tried that tea. He could tell you’d learned mando’a. You spoke it wonderfully, as did the others. He thought about what Kix had said to you his first night there.

“It’s ok, my angel. I’m here.”

It hadn’t seemed like you and Kix were an item. But maybe the emotions of everything had covered that? Had he taken too long to find you? Had he lost you to one of his brothers?

“Angel, please, get some sleep. For me?” Echos words played in his mind from when he’d overheard the two of you from his room. Hopefully, the nickname was just that, a nickname they all used for you and nothing more.

Tech scrolled through the programs on the datapad as he tried to find what you’d left for him. It couldn’t have been the messages, those were old and it seemed like you had something to say to him.

-*-

It took Tech hours to find the files you’d interacted with the most. He knew about the videos you’d repeatedly listened to. Those were still cued up in a playlist you’d created. His fingers hovered over a private file and he wondered if you’d found it. Opening it he sighed at the realization that you had. There in the margins of the file where your notes.

‘I always had a feeling they didn’t survive.’

‘I can see why you spared me the truth.’

‘They didn’t deserve to die.’

‘I wish I could have thanked them one last time.’

It was a file he’d hoped you hadn’t found. A file that laid out the last mission of a unit of clones known for their pink and white armor that was completely wiped out on a rescue mission for an outer rim planet. Tech wondered about your state when you found it. Were you mad at him at first? Were you scared? Were you distraught? It was hard to tell from your notes. Pulling up the file information he saw that you looked at the file multiple times. Perhaps it helped you somehow?

It was only a few moments later that he finally found what you had left for him. A video in a private file that you’d hidden. Something he’d taught you how to do. He chewed his lip as he wondered if he should watch it. The date on it was days before he’d returned. Back when you thought he was dead. What if what you had to say didn’t matter anymore? A shaky breath left Tech's lips as pressed play and watched your face fill the screen.

“Kix said I should record a goodbye message. Help me get closure. I don’t know. It feels wrong doing this. Like if I do then that means you're actually gone.” A sigh left as you ran a hand through your hair. “Maybe that’s why I’m avoiding this. Tech…I didn’t expect to fall for you the way I did. I knew that if I ever fell for someone I wanted it to be like my parents. That seemed impossible to me. What they had was one of those one-in-a-million kinds of love. Where you felt a warmth through your fingers and toes and to the tip of your nose. My mom used to say she could almost feel my dad's emotions before he even entered the room. That they could just look at each other and know what the other was thinking. I envied them for that love but I was also jealous. I knew that the chances of me finding that would be impossible.” You chewed your lip carefully. “But then I met you. You came into my life and swept me off my feet.” A little laugh left you. “Literally. Ever since that moment, I’ve had this feeling inside me. A feeling that made me warm all over. It made my fingers and toes tingle and even my nose. I never thought I’d feel that.” A smile spread across your face as you fought back tears. “I thought about you every night and when you started coming to the shop. Stars. It made me excited every morning. But I didn’t think you actually felt the same. But then as we spent more time together I began to second guess that feeling.” Your face dropped slightly. “Then you kissed me…again and everything felt…warm. So unbelievably warm. You did that to me and I couldn’t believe it. And then you died. It felt like a bucket of ice water was dumped on me.” Tears pulled at the corners of your eyes. “I’ve been trying my best to stay strong. Put on a face and keep everyone around me happy and safe. Guess I’m not the best at hiding it though. Kix noticed pretty fast and while he’s been helping me try to work through this, I still just…miss you so much Tech. If I could go back in time I’d tell you sooner how I felt. Let you know how wonderful I found you and how you made my entire body feel warm. If you were to walk through the door tomorrow and apologize for being late it would be the happiest day of my life and I’d never let you go again.” You wiped your face of the tears that had begun to run down your cheeks. “But I know that’s impossible. So this is goodbye, cyare. Maybe we’ll meet again in a future life.”

Tech watched as you leaned forward and ended the video. Your lips pursed in a blown kiss as you did so. Warmth ran down his cheek and he quickly wiped at it. Pulling his hand back, he realized he’d been crying. Your words had confirmed the feelings he’d been struggling to understand himself. You made him warm. You made his fingers and toes tingle. When you looked at him and smiled it made his ears heat up. For so long he’d tried to figure out how to describe what you did to him and here you were, naming it perfectly.

You made him feel warm.

-*-

Cool, the feeling of the evening sea air on your skin as you moved around the tea shop. Ever since you’d come home the shop had been chaos. It felt like everyone on the island wanted to be there and to see you. The children always followed you around, asking for stories of the world outside their little island. Women asked you about the latest fashions, though you had to constantly break their hearts by informing them that you didn’t go to any of the wealthier planets. And of course, the men just wanted to see you. You’d lost count of the number of times you heard “You look good.” Or “Wow going off the planet really worked for you.” It was draining.

But because of everyone’s curiosity, the shop stayed open later into the night. You’d just returned from your break where you had run home to pull on a soft pink sweater over your cream dress when you heard the gate bell ring. Looking over your shoulder you nodded to Phee, glad to see the woman was back on Pabu. You sent her a nod before turning back to the table you were currently at. Even with your brother's help, it was hard keeping up with everyone’s orders. You were behind at least three tables. In the kitchen, your eldest brother tried his best to make the pastries your father usually made, but you always found yourself being the one to get the batters done.

“Baby sis? I think somethings burning?” Your middle brother moved by you with a bin in his hand, ready to clean up a table that had just emptied.

A sigh left you as you finished taking your current tables order and shoving your datapad into your pocket. “On it.” It was most likely the cookies you’d put in the oven. No doubt you’d spent too long at this table and now they were burnt. The sooner your dad healed up the better. As you walked towards the kitchen, a shuttle flew by overhead and towards the top of the island. Perhaps a new shipment was finally in? It was a bit late but who knew what problems they most likely faced coming in? With a shrug, you continued into the kitchen while your youngest brother went out to take more orders.

-*-

By the time you’d cleaned up the burnt mess of cookies, remade the batter, and personally watched the cookies bake until completion, the shop had cleared out a bit. No longer was every table packed and the overflow of people lined up against the wall. Now only a few people filled the tables. The air had become cooler and one of your brothers had lit the fire in the center of the patio. It was the calm nights like these that made you happy to be home. Did you miss the boys? Of course. The amazing street food and the unique vendors? No doubt. But being home had given you that clarity you had needed after the interaction with Tech.

You’d realize that even if Tech did remember you, you wouldn’t force him to be with you. A lot had changed for you both during those six months. Even with his memories back, would he still feel the same way? Would he want to be with you still? Or did he already find himself in a different place mentally?

Walking to a table that needed clearing, you found yourself lost in thought. So many different scenarios began to run through your mind. Tech never remembering you and you both moving on. Him remembering you but no longer feeling the same way. More and more scenarios like that continued to run through your mind as you stacked the plates and cups into your arms.

*ding* *ding*

The sound of the gate bell drew your attention as you placed the dirty dishes into the wash bin. “Be with ya in a minute. Go ahead and take a seat wherever.” You’d mentally taken count of how many people were currently in the shop and where each one was sitting. It wouldn’t be a problem figuring out who the new person was.

Moving quickly, you made your way to the kitchen to wash your hands and grab a tray of cookies. The least you could do for the new customer was give them some warm cookies while you made the wait. Looking around the darkened patio you noticed a new figure sitting against the wall overlooking the sea. So many times you’d sat there with Tech during your breaks and chatted. Seeing someone else there was always hard.

“So sorry about the wait.” You pulled your datapad out of your pocket while placing the cookies down, your eyes focused on the datapad that was snagging your apron. Warm calloused hands ran across yours as the person took the tray from you and placed it down carefully. You hummed thanks as you finally managed to get the device free. With a tired smile, you looked at the customer finally.

“What can I get yo…” Your words trailed off as you took in Tech sitting in front of you. He’d cleaned up a bit and it looked like his goggles had been fixed. “Tech.” His name left your lips in a breathy sigh. “It’s good to see you back on Pabu.” The way he was looking at you was making that warm feeling spread inside you once more.

“Cyar’ika, I’m so sorry I’m late. I hope I didn’t offend you.” The way your eyes widened at his words, how your bottom lip began to tremble and your hands squeezed the datapad tightly, made Tech lose his breath. You were as gorgeous as the day he’d left you behind.

Words failed you as you understood what he was referencing. Your eyes burned as tears broke through like water being freed of a damn. “L-like you could ever offend me.”

Then his lips were on yours.

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