A Pain Lost In The Stars - Complete

Chapter 11

96 hours later…

He felt like he was drowning, he couldn't breathe. What was…oh. Opening his eyes, Kix found himself staring up at the top of a bunk. He glared at it and let out a small groan.

"Oh, look who's awake and in trouble, once Boss and Coric get back" Sev's annoying tone broke through his train of thoughts. Kix moved to sit up when he felt hands around his waist. Looking beside him he noticed a sleeping Jesse. 

"Where are we?" Kix asked quietly, trying to ignore his hoarse voice. His throat felt like it was on fire.

"With the Empire, Kix. You know this. Do I have to report you to medical again?" Sev said with a stern expression. Tears flooded Kix's eyes as the world began to spin and he looked across the room to see Dove hanging by chains. He tried to move but found himself unable to, he was sweating. What was going on? His thoughts all over the place.

"Kix! Wake up! Kix!!" He heard the faint whisper as something creaked in the corner revealing a door and…

Kix sprang awake with a start as arms wrapped around him, pulling him into a hard chest. He was panting heavily as he listened to the strong reassuring words coming from someone. Pain spread through his throat and chest.

"No, don't speak. It seems you have done more damage to your throat. The water has clogged it and it needs time to dry". He recognised the voice as Fixer who smiled down at him. 

"Shh, it's alright. You're safe now" another voice broke through his chain of thoughts belonging to Boss who wrapped him up tightly allowing Fixer to get up. Boss continued to run soothing circles on his back. It even helped his pulse and made him feel more like himself. 

It took another twenty minutes for his breathing to settle back down to normal. He moved his head from where it rested against Boss' shoulder only to groan seeing Cut and Suu staring back at him in concern. Suu looked furious but she kept her mouth shut. Allowing Boss to deal with Kix while Coric remained above them. Kix smiled at his buir who sent one of his own back. The two were basically his 'parents' in a sense. Not that it bothered Kix, it was more the problem of them being overprotective.

"Where's…" he coughed violently into his hand earning himself a few glares. 

"The Jedi and 501st are in the barn. Fixer has just gone to tell Sev and Scorch you are awake. Dove is sleeping with Shaaek and Jek, your daughter certainly knows how to put kids asleep. The bad batch are asleep in the Havok Marauder, they are leaving in the morning but wanted to stay and see how you are doing by Crosshairs insistence. Even though he would never admit it" Cut explained with a grin while passing some soothing tea over. 

"Since it is morning now, I'm off to do my normal rounds and I suggest you get some food in you" Cut added before walking out of the room with Suu who went to wake the kids. 

"Come on you, get up. We have work to do" Coric said in a more annoyed tone. Kix looked back at him in concern when Boss shook his head signalling he was more annoyed at someone else than Kix himself. The medic nodded knowing it was probably someone out of their control. He accepted their helping hand and together the three left the small house where they found Fixer and Sev upgrading the ship to meet standard protocol according to Tech who was standing beside them.

"Good morning, buddy! Sleep well" Scorch greeted with a smile, he wiped his hands and pulled his brother in for a hug. Kix only nodded, he signed something that looked like morning but it was half done as he was tired. 

"Kix!!" The cry of his name had him whipping around to see Fives running for him. He looked at Scorch with pleading eyes but when his brother ignored him he found himself face to face with the 501st with the exception of Jesse.