Unexpected

chapter twelve: recovering

Two days have passed since Elara practically kicked Fives out of her room. Since then, Echo has been sneaking over there to keep her company whenever he's not busy training. The clones have just finished their training for the day and are finally heading back to their quarters.

"Was it just me or did training end really early today?" Tup asks.

"It did." Fives agrees. "Maybe the Captain has plans."

"Who's up for 79's tonight?" Jesse asks, his arm slung across Tup as they walk.

Hardcase shouts in excitement. "C'mon boys whaddya say?"

Jesse quickly agrees, being the one who suggested going in the first place. Dogma obviously disagrees as he walks ahead of them. Tup also agrees, not having anything else to do.

"You know me, I'm always in for a night on the town." Fives nudges Hardcase.

Jesse looks to the two undecided brothers.

"I'll go if Echo goes." Kix states, causing Hardcase to groan.

All eyes fall to Echo.

"I don't know, guys. It's not really my scene." Echo says.

They all roll their eyes, knowing the reason behind his decision is Elara.

"We'd better head straight there before Dogma has the chance to tell Rex." Jesse points.

The other three agree and head to the hangar as Echo and Kix meet Dogma in the barracks. As the door swings open, a wave of savory aromas rush to meet them. Echo and Kix exchange a glance as they hear talking further inside. They spot Dogma sitting in their small kitchen as he talks to someone.

"Guys! You won't believe it." Dogma smiles.

The two step into the kitchen to find Elara at the stove and Echo drops his helmet.

"Elara? How did..? What?" He asks.

Elara smiles at the two who just walked in.

"You shouldn't be on your feet." Kix says. "How did you even get in here? Where did all of this food come from?"

"However it happened, it's a miracle." Dogma hums as he helps himself to what Elara made.

"Dogma, how nice of you." Rex says as he joins the group. "Honestly, I'm flattered."

"Captain?" Echo asks.

Rex chuckles. "Don't worry Kix, I carried everything here. Including Ellie."

Kix crosses his arms.

"Where are the others?" Elara asks.

"Uh.." Echo scratches the back of his neck.

"They went to 79's." Dogma rats them out. "Good thing too, more food for us. I'm tired of that slop in the mess hall."

Rex and Kix stifle a laugh. Outside food is against the rules, so seeing Dogma in his glory with it is strange for them. Knowing that Rex is behind it doesn't make it as bad, he guesses.

"Well dig in, don't waste my hard work." Elara says.

As they eat, Kix constantly scolds Elara for disobeying orders between his praises of how good the food is. She just chuckles at him.

"I helped too." Rex speaks up.

Elara raises her eyebrows. "Did you?"

"Yeah." He points. "I brought you here didn't I?" He winks at her.

Dogma's questions about their next assignment pull Rex and Kix into a long conversation, one that Elara doesn't care to hear. Echo stands from his seat and takes Elara's hand to lead her to the bunks, away from all their war-talk.