The Bad Batch: One Shot Collection

BBAW Day Two

Author's Note: Basically, what I really wish had happened in A Different Approach. <3

PS. This is for the Bad Batch Appreciation Week Day 2. :)

~ Rivana Rita

They made it all the way off Tantiss. They're finally ready to come home, but for the first time since their escape attempts started, Crosshair and Omega finally stop to ask themselves if their brothers will really be waiting at the end.

"The Empire will be able to track this vessel," Crosshair announces, returning from finally ditching the stupid clothes he didn't need to wear, but – okay, it was cold on that planet, and they did do well in hiding his identity. "We need to ditch it."

"We will," Omega answers immediately, and he's impressed she's already thought that one through. His brothers trained her well. He's... impressed.

Genuinely.

She's brilliant, gentle, kind, infuriating, loyal in a way Crosshair himself never has been.

"I'm heading to a remote location, and I sent a coded transmission for Hunter and Wrecker to meet us there." She sounds so certain, so cheerful, and Crosshair's heartbeat picks up just a little. He's coming home, but – but – Tech...

"Omega," he tells her quietly, because he has to, even if he hates to burst her bubble. "It's – it's been months. You don't know if they're still aliv–"

"They'll be there," she replies fiercely, cutting him off. He admires that, that she's been so strong and steadfastly loyal, always waiting and guiding him no matter how he felt or lashed out at her. He knows he hasn't been nice to her, really, this entire time.

He wants to believe her, but he thought his brothers would be fine, too, and – and then Tech...

His heart aches and he wants to cry again. He's about to see his brothers, the ones he lost, the ones he hurt and left and it was all for nothing. Hunter must be so disappointed in him. Wrecker was so angry. Wrecker him back and he refused.

Crosshair has no idea how to make it right.

Omega's quiet, some of the certainty falling away from her face.

The cockpit is dark, and he thought for a millisecond he imagined the wetness on her face, but she sniffs a moment later, and Crosshair panics.

His brothers never cried. What in the stars is he supposed to do when Omega does?

Hunter's not going to murder him, will he?

Well, he'd have a right too.

"Omega?" he questions softly, hesitantly worried about getting something thrown in his face again.

She sighs. "They have to be there," she whispers, "I – I counted on them... All that time in prison, I never thought about what would happen if... something happened." She wraps her warms around herself.

Crosshair has. After Tech, it's all he's been able to think about. Tech was the only one who accepted what he did, no matter how much it must have hurt him. Hunter was hurt and angry and he's the one Crosshair held captive and – he hit him. Hunter was limping and Crosshair ignored it just because he wasn't shot.

Wrecker was his best friend. Wrecker, who was so, so angry and hurt and betrayed and desperate for him to come back. Wrecker, who he shot. His twin brother – Wrecker when they were supposed to be two haves of a whole.

He never got to make it up to Tech. He never got to make it right, and now he never will. He has to for the others. Somehow, but if they're not even there, he'll never see them again, and that will be his fault, just like all of this.

"They'll find a way to be there," Omega whispers, sniffling again. "They have to."

Crosshair wishes he knew what to say to her. He doesn't. "Omega," Crosshair ventures finally, "Hunter's strong. He'll find a way to find you."

Omega nods, sliding off her chair, and Crosshair clasps her shoulder in a way he hopes is reassuring. She wraps her tiny arms around his waist, and he pulls her tighter, letting himself feel the warmth of her touch against his legs. It's been so long since he's felt contact for a reason other than pain. It's relieving enough to bring tears to his eyes.

He strokes her hair gently, and Omega sniffles again.

Hunter and Wrecker are strong, and Crosshair knows how reasonable and levelheaded his eldest brother is. Hunter will always protect them, even if he doesn't have the same belief in him that he once did.

Stars, he's hurt them all so much.

"They'll be there, kid," Crosshair whispers, "They'll be there."

He crouches in front of her, taking an idle notice of how messy her blond curls are. She had it mostly covered, but it's still all messy and she half looks like she needs to hit the showers. Well, she washed her face off, but her hair's messier than Hunter's on his worst days, and that's as good as any way of distracting anyone.

He brushes her hair back, reaching to untie her sloppy ponytail. Crosshair works his gloves off to comb her hair out with his hands – they don't have anything else aboard here.

He wonders if his brothers got Omega a comb of her own.

"I used to do this for Hunter sometimes," he mutters, "His used to be longer."

Omega laughs, though it's a little broken and shaky. "Really?"

"Mmhm. He looked so stupid."

Omega giggles. It sounds real this time, nearly, and his heart warms and throbs at once.

He loves her. It's so strange to remember what that felt like.

He pulls it back into a tiny ponytail again, turning her around.

"Thanks," Omega tells him earnestly, smiling, her eyes still wet.

It's so jarring and awkward that Crosshair just grunts an agreement, avoiding her eyes.

The control beeps, announcing their exit from hyperspace, and Omega moves back to her seat.

Crosshair himself is firmly determined not to cry, but that doesn't stop the tears in his eyes when their vessel finally touches down, and he lays eyes on a very, very familiar small, gray shuttle.

Home.

He's wanted to see this place again so long. He thought he would never make it.

Omega goes down first.

Crosshair watches, the sudden anxiety back in full force as he watches Wrecker come down the ramp and scoop up their little sister, spinning her around and embracing her tightly.

Hunter comes a minute later, kneeling and welcoming her with open arms.

They're both here, just like she promised.

Crosshair wishes he could be welcomed the same, could be whole and one with them, the way he always used to, but this was his choice. This – is a gap he has to fill.

Somehow.

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