A Sacrafice of the Heart (HunterxCrosshair) Book 1 - COMPLETE!

Chapter 53

The flight back home was ever so silent in one of the two ships while the other occupied excited new parents. The other held two separated parents with one having lost their own child. 

"Go and comfort him" Rex whispered to Hunter who nodded, the captain and sergeant stood in the doorway watching the marksman of the group stare at the two bodies entangled together across the medical bunk. Crosshair had purposely put them like that due to Marcus' insistence in being able to hold his husband close. Crosshair made sure their last wish was sorted. He was dreading telling Doom he had failed. His own son in Crosshairs hands had died protecting Crux. 

Hunter moved silently over to Crosshairs side, he didn't expect much but he certainly didn't expect to be pushed away with words, 'Leave me alone'. It was said in a harsh sad tone that couldn't be helped, Hunter couldn't blame his partner. He had hurt him deeply and now Crosshair was alone in his mourning.

The two ships silently landed beside the palace walls in the rebel base. Doom had sent coordinates to make sure they remained out of sight. Down on the landing pad itself were Cody, Obi-wan, Shaak Ti, Kix, Doom, Gregor and Thorn. 

Tech and Wrecker had rushed off to the medical bay with Kix, Thorn and Gregor leaving Echo and Fives to wait on their teammates. Blackout stood off to the side with Deadshot wondering what had happened. After a long five minutes, Jango and Rex emerged from the ship looking defeated and sad. Their behaviour put everyone on edge. Doom, despite being warned, entered the ship only to frown at the marksman who sat opposite his son's body. 

"What happened?!" Doom demanded looking at Crosshair who whispered, "Soul bond". Doom groaned, he knew Marcus never listened even when he warned him. Reaching over carefully, Doom wrapped a gentle arm around the marksman's neck and whispered something that made Crosshair freeze up. He only nodded when Doom let go, the man walked over to his son and picked him up in a bridal carry. Crosshair glared at the man's retreating back, he knew the two were emotionally compromised however he had feeling there would be bruises on the back of his neck from Dooms tight grip. Yes he knew it was his fault, if everyone kept reminding him. It was going to lead to something worse. Crosshair had signed a death contract. 

Hunter was still standing in the doorway, his narrow eyes had seen the way Crosshair flinched in Doom's hold. The sergeant wanted nothing but to have a word with Doom, however he even knew mourning made people do things they regretted. 

It was seen instantly the way Doom walked out with his son in a bridal carry. Outside there were gasps and tears which only got worse as Crosshair emerged fully clad in bloody armour with his own son in his arms. The marksman pushed himself past his limits as he ignored everyone and proceeded into the palace where Kix was waiting for him with a bed. The medic took one glance at Crosshairs armour and made sure not to allow the marksman out of his sight even when they all stood in the command room. Doom and Thorn were absent but that was to be expected. 

Everyone expected Crosshair to be but no one had the guts to say anything as the bloody Imperial armoured marksman entered and continued to stand listening to the conversation. No one knew what he was thinking or how he looked due to the helmet hiding his expression. He was standing a little away from the batch almost like the time on Kamino where he was the odd one out. The rest of the batch were back in their original armour as was Rex. The captain was glad for the sudden wardrobe change.

Blackout and Deadshot introduced themselves via their code names. Deadshot was currently with Doom and Thorn looking over Marcus' body who still lay with Crux.

Jango took one look at the room and sighed, alerting everyone, "I think it's best we halt this meeting until further notice and discuss our next moves tomorrow after some of us get a good night's rest because in reality some of us deserve it and need silence" He explained. Everyone knew who the words were directed at but no one had the guts to look at the silent glaring marksman in the corner of the room.