I am Leal

Faith, Honor, Trust, Loyalty and Truth

I stood outside of the barracks and waited for the arrival of the 212th. I tapped nervously with my foot on the ground. The 501st was already back and Naz had told me a little bit about the mission.

But I was so curious about their report on all the things they had experienced as well. Cody had contacted me a few hours ago that they were on their departure. The conversation was short and I could hear loud noises in the background. But he seemed a little on edge and I hadn't dared to ask him what was going on.

And now I stood where he had stood when I had come home. A few had already arrived and I greeted the boys as they walked past me. Some looked curiously towards the package in my hands. I had spend my lonely days with putting their present together.

And then I saw my batch closely followed by Cody. I walked up to them cautiously and stopped in front of them. "What is in the box, Sir?" Impulse asked curiously. I look at the package in my hands with the orange paint in it and grin. "Your surprise!" I say. Their eyes brighten and they beam at me. "And what's the surprise?" Link asks curiously. Crash tries to grab the box from my hands but I pull away.

"You will know when you tell me how it was without your favorite sergeant." I grin and Cody walks up and takes a look insight of the box. "Boring!" Impulse exclaims and I shake my head.

"You sure they are ready to have this honor?" Cody grins and looks sharply at them. I nod. "Only if you approve!" I say and lay my hand on his arm. He raises an eyebrow and grins. " Only if you keep an eye on them from now on." He says. "Does that mean I'm back?" I ask hopeful and he nods. "Another day with them and the general would have demoted me." He growls and I furrow my brows.

"Do I need to know?" I ask and Cody shakes his head. "It's better not to." He says and takes the box from my hands. He walks over and hands over the box to Link. He grabs my hand and pulls me with him. I look over my shoulder. They look at us startled but then Impulse opens the package.

"It's paint!" He grins and high-fives Catcher.

"I wanna see the results!" I yell and Cody grins. "You won't have time for that." He says so that only I can hear him. I grin and turn around again. "Did you plan something?" I ask innocently. He raises an eyebrow and grins. "When I'm through with you, you won't be able to go anywhere!" He says smugly and I roll my eyes.

"Don't you overestimate yourself there a little bit?" I mock him and he acts offended. "I'll remind you when you moan my name." He grins and my mouth drops. "Close your pretty mouth or I need to close it for you!" He says and I punch him on his arm. My cheeks redden and I look everywhere but him.

"By the way shouldn't you wait in my bed?" He asks and I roll my eyes and try to punch him again but he sidesteps and I punch into the air. He chuckles. We enter the barracks and walk through the corridors.

But suddenly my batch runs past us. They laugh like little children and yell through the corridors. I chuckle but Cody growls. I tuck my arm into his as we walk and watch as they run away. He presses my hand. "Tell me! Were they very stressful?" I ask and look up to him.

"We didn't do much. General Skywalker saved the day. The mission was kinda boring." He chuckles and stared into the distance. "What are you thinking about?" I ask curiously. He laughs. But before he can answer me Waxer and Boil come our way. I step away from my boyfriend and straighten myself. Cody watches grimly as his brothers approach him.

"Leal, what's up?" Waxer asks and watches me cautiously. I raise an eyebrow. "Not much. Was really boring without my favorite scouts." I declare and wrap my arms around him and Boil as if nothing was wrong.

"Where were you? You didn't say goodbye." Boil asked. I smile softly. "I had a surprise to organize!" I say cryptic. "Has it something to do with your men running around screaming?" He snickers and I grin and nod.