SWTCW Oneshots (Mainly Clones) part 2

Unexpected Return (part 2)

Rex was laying down, trying to get rid of the worsening ache in his head. Maybe pushing himself further than he should was not such a good idea.

The cool cloth Fives had offered to lay over his forehead was helping a lot.

That was when Jesse walked in, talking with Kix. It was clear he was confused about what was going on, and he knew that once he spotted Fives, he'd lose it.

The ARC looked up, a knowing smile on his face as he waited for the other trooper to notice him.

"I don't know why you dragged me all the way back down here," Jesse was saying. He turned his head, expecting to only see Rex laying there. "Couldn't you see I was--"

His eyes landed on the newcomer and Rex couldn't help the smile that worked its way onto his face at his brother's reaction.

Fives got himself to his feet. "Hey, Jesse.."

"Fives?" Jesse croaked. He walked toward him, grabbing at his arms for a few moments before wrapping his arms around his middle. "Fives!"

The ARC, who had just recently stopped crying himself, held his brother close. "Rex was telling me how he had you promoted to ARC," He rubbed a hand over Jesse's bald head. "I'm proud of you."

Jesse sniffled. "Y-You should be dead! Rex--He said-"

"I know," Fives whispered. "I know I've got a lot of explaining to do.."

"Like hell you do."

Rex smiled, closing his eyes and letting himself relax. He could faintly hear the remnants of the conversation going on around him. Well, most of it was probably just Jesse sobbing and Fives reassuring him, but for some reason it was still soothing, knowing Fives was actually still alive and back to his normal self.

Though he hadn't mentioned the chips yet, which he figured he'd do later.

There was a sudden, sharp pain in his head. He twitched, squinting even in the dark light. There were no lights on at all. Not to mention he really felt like he was gonna-

Kix rushed over to him, practically shoving a bucket in his face. Fives and Jesse both whirled around, rushing over to him as he turned and puked into said bucket.

Fives rested a hand on his back, him and Jesse both sharing a sad look.

Kix wiped the vomit from his mouth, going to re-dip the cloth in cold water. When he came back over, he looked really worried.

As soon as Rex went to throw up again, the medic shook his head. "He's showing some signs of a brain aneurysm," He said. "Well, brain bleed. Which, might I add is life threatening."

Fives swore. "Well, can't you do something about it?"

"Surgery," the medic said. "But even that is risky."

"It's better than nothing," Jesse said. "So just do it. He'll die anyway won't he?"

Great. Rex hated surgery.

After a few moments of silence, Kix nodded. "Alright. Sorry, sir. I know you hate this but it's for your own good."

Rex was out before he could even completely take in what was happening to him.

When he started to come to again, his head ached. It was pretty obvious he's been operated on. But nonetheless it still hurt.

He groaned, lifting a hand to rub at his head, but someone grabbed it and pushed it back down.

"I wouldn't touch those if I were you," Kix warned, in an oddly quiet tone.

He cracked open his eyes, only to see Kix watching him from above with a smile on his face, and Fives' head laying across his chest, sleeping. Jesse was on his other side, snoring softly like he always does with a contented smile on his face.

The anesthetic was also not pleasant.

"They asleep?"

"Yep," Kix replied. "Didn't take them long, honestly."

"'tle'st 'ey don't 'ave to see me..act'ng like..this.."

The medic snorted. "It'll wear off soon, no worries."

Rex laid his arms out over Fives and Jesse's backs, his eyes slipping closed automatically. And then he was asleep.

When he woke up he was much more clear headed, thank god. Fives was now sprawled out halfway across his chest, hand over Jesse's shoulder while the trooper hugged Rex's arm.

Kix must have went somewhere else, leaving him with these two demons.

"Hey," He rasped.

When there was no answer, he prodded Fives in the face, getting him to stir. "Fives."

The ARC yawned, blinking up at him.

"'ey Rex..how you feeling?"

"Sore," He muttered.-

Fives rubbed a hand over his chest. "Eh, so am I.."

Rex stared at him. "You still owe me an explanation."

"It's not really an explanation," Fives said. "It's just I died and Kix got down there once you and Skywalker left. Managed to, by some miracle, stabilize me until he got me to a medical bay," He shifted. "Which is where I've been the last few days until I discovered that you had fallen off a cliff."

"That's over exaggerating it."

Fives waved a dismissive hand. "Whatever. It is what it is."

He snorted, then sighed. "I'm..sorry about Tup, by the way.."

Fives' eyes slid downward. "Yeah, I know. Me too.."

A few minutes later, Kix came in, woke Jesse up, and sent him to do some chores, then turned to Rex.

"Alright, sir. Up you get."

He grabbed Rex's arms and helped him sit up. His head swam and he groaned.

"Why..?"

"You need some physical exercise before you end up bound to a wheelchair," Fives went to the Captain's other side and helped support him as Kix did the same on his left.

Once Rex's feet touched the ground, he realized how long he's actually been laying there. His joints were so damn stiff.

"There you go, Rex," Fives said. "You'll get the hang of this in no time."

"Still hate it," He murmured. He stumbled on his feet, but both brothers caught hold of him.

"It's alright, we've got you," Kix reassured him. "Not gonna let you fall. You need to sit down?"

Rex nodded, and managed to sit himself back down on the edge of the bed, massaging his temple.

"When can I get out of here?"

Kix snorted. "When you can walk straight."

Fives chuckled into his hand, which Rex quickly grabbed. "Don't think I didn't see that."

"I enjoy watching you stumble around like a drunk man," Fives told him. And force, if Rex weren't stuck in this bed Fives would be taped to the floor.

"Shut up.." He laid back down, wincing at the pain in his head. Kix nodded. "I know you've slept a lot, but you still need some more."

Sounds good to him.

Fives helped him get comfy, then sat down, resting his hands on his arms and watching him until his eyes slipped closed and he fell asleep.