"Hey. Just relax and talk to me Fox'ika," Wolffe said gently, grabbing his vod'ika hand. Fox squeezed his eyes closed and drew a deep breath.

"I need it out Wolffe. I-I can't keep it in. I'm going to hurt someone," Fox said quietly.

"He's gone Fox, he can't make you do anything anymore," Wolffe said in reassurance.

"I know that, but it still doesn't change anything. I keep having these dreams, last night was the worst," Fox said, dropping his head down and grasping his hair tightly.

"What was it about," Wolffe asked with a frown.

"He was there at first. He called Thire over and order me to kill him. I did, I shot him in the heart without even hesitating," Fox said, making Wolffe wince.

"Okay, that's not good but it's just a dream Fox. We all know you wouldn't hurt him, not Thire," Wolffe said.

"I killed him twice Wolffe. I-I thought I had woken up the first time and Thire was there. He was comforting me after a nightmare where I had killed him. I thought I was awake Wolffe and we were hugging but then I heard this voice in my head. It was telling me he was a traitor, that I needed to eliminate him. I a-attacked him again. He was so confused b-but I wouldn't stop. I ch-choked him to death," Fox whispered hunching over and curling up slightly. Wolffe stomach dropped even further in horror. He could not imagine the feeling if he actually thought he killed Cub.

"I'm sorry. That sounds horrible," Wolffe said quietly.

"I thought I killed him. I felt it, I felt my hands around his throat as the breath left his body. I killed him," Fox said with a shiver.

"Okay. I will talk to Buir and maybe Fives because I know he had his removed. He should be back with Rex soon," Wolffe said, placing a reassuring hand on Fox's shoulder.

"Until then, I shouldn't be around anyone," Fox said.

"You can be around our vod Fox. I know those dreams have unsettled you and you feel like you might end up hurting someone but it's just the dream okay. You're not going to hurt anyone," Wolffe said firmly.

"I don't care. I'm not going to risk it. I was around Palpatine the most, he used so many orders on me that it's possible there's side affects. He may be dead but I can still hear him, I feel like he's in my head still," Fox said, shaking his head.

"If you feel more comfortable, you can stay here in my quarters until we work something out," Wolffe said. Fox frowned and shook his head slightly.

"What if I hurt you," Fox asked and Wolffe scoffed.

"I would like to think I could hold my own in a fight against you, enough to not, you know, die," Wolffe said, making Fox look up with a frown.

"Are you saying Thire can't," Fox asked.

"Well no, not exactly. I'm not sure how good of a fighter he is compared to you but if I had to guess, I would say you've trained him over the years," Wolffe asked.

"Of course I have. Thire is probably the best fighter out of any non-Command trained trooper," Fox said firmly.

"But despite all of that training, you are his Buir. He wouldn't be able to find it in himself to fight you, even if you were attacking him. Sure, I love you as well but I grew up with you, we grew up sparring together. If it came to it, I could fight and stop you, or at least get away and get some help. I'm pretty sure you would beat me in a fight," Wolffe said and Fox chuckled.

"I always beat you. The only one I occasionally lost to was Kote," he said with a grin.

"I know that, I was there," Wolffe said, rolling his eyes. Fox let out a breath and relaxed, laying back down on the bed, resting his head on the pillow.

"Why don't you relax for a bit okay, get some sle-."

"I'm not sleeping di'kut. I literally just told you how traumatised I was when I killed my ad'ika," Fox said with a frown.

"Right, makes sense. I can get a sedative though. You could get some rest but it should be dreamless. It isn't the best way to go about it but it's better than nothing," Wolffe said with a sigh.

"No, don't waste supplies on something as silly as that," Fox said, shaking his head.

"Fox'ika, we have more than enough supplies, remember. You don't have to worry about running out," Wolffe reminded him.

"I still don't think we should waste supplies," Fox said quietly.

"Hate to break it to you vod'ika but you look like the walking dead. How long have you been having trouble sleeping," Wolffe asked.

"I don't know, a while," Fox said with a shrug.

"Well, the bags under your eyes are massive so you definitely need some sleep," Wolffe said, patting Fox's head. Fox huffed but didn't move away.

"Fine. Just talk to your Jedi and get this thing out of me as soon as you can please," Fox whispered.

"I will. I'm going to head to the medical bay and get a sedative, I'll be back soon," Wolffe said. Fox didn't reply, just curled up and turned to face the other way. Wolffe sighed and glanced at him one last time before leaving the room. He moved quickly through the halls to the medical bay, looking around inside to find who he was looking for.

"He's in the back room going over some flimsiwork." Wolffe grinned and thanked the trooper before hurrying over to the back room, slipping inside and closing the door behind himself.

"How's it going vod'ika," he asked, making him look up from the flimsiwork.

"You are the hardest person to get rid of, you know that right," Helix said with a sigh as he leant back in his chair. Wolffe grinned and walked over, resting against the edge of the desk.

"You trying to get rid of me," he asked.

"You couldn't tell," Helix said blandly.

"Come on, you know you love me," Wolffe said, nudging Helix's shoulder with his foot. Helix frowned and shoved Wolffe's foot away, making him unbalance and almost fall off the desk but he managed to stabilise himself.

"Rude," he scoffed.

"Why are you here? What do you want," Helix asked.

"What makes you think I want anything," Wolffe asked, raising an eyebrow.

"You wouldn't be here otherwise. You either want medical advice, medical supplies, or you just want to annoy me," Helix said.

"Okay, so maybe it's all three," Wolffe admitted and Helix smiled softly.

"What's happened now? You know, you're almost as accident prone as the Guard," Helix pointed out.

"Well it's not me, it's Fox," Wolffe said, making Helix frown instantly.

"What happened? Is he okay," he asked quickly.

"He's fine Hel'ika, I promise. Well, as fine as he can be really. He's been having nightmares and last night he had a really bad one where he thought he killed Thire. He hasn't been sleeping properly and he's scared to sleep now but I got him to agree to take a sedative cos he looks like kark," Wolffe explained, holding up his hands placatingly. Helix narrowed his eyes in suspicion and frowned.

"Fox agreed to use medical supplies on himself when it wouldn't technically be needed," Helix said slowly.

"It's definitely needed, he's got massive bags under his eyes, worse than my medics during a battle," Wolffe said quickly.

"Yeah, I know, he's been like that for ages. But he wouldn't see that as a necessity," Helix said.

"He didn't agree straight away no, and then still didn't agree when I told him we had plenty of times but I managed to talk him into it," Wolffe said with a grin.

"Hmm, fine." Helix went over to his bench and rummaged around for a few seconds before producing a vial and syringe, handing them over to Wolffe.

"Thank you very much," Wolffe said with a grin. Then his arm shot out and he wrapped it around Helix's shoulders, tugging him into his side. Helix grumbled for a bit but gave in, knowing Wolffe likely wouldn't let him go unless he let him finish the hug. Wolffe gently knocked his head against Helix's before letting him go and leaving the medical bay. He made his way back to Fox's room, unlocking the door with the keypad and stepping inside. Stone was now inside with Fox and they were chatting quietly but glanced up as Wolffe walked in.

"How's he feeling," he asked, looking at Stone.

"He's ready to get some rest, did you manage to get a sedative," Stone asked.

"He is right here," Fox grumbled but both ignored him.

"Got it right here. Lay down vod'ika, we don't want you falling back and hitting your head," Wolffe said.

"Maybe that will make sure this stupid chip doesn't turn me into a mindless killing machine," Fox huffed, laying back on the bed.

"You're fine Fox, I promise you aren't going to kill anyone," Wolffe said as he sat down on the side of the bed, unwrapping the syringe.

"You don't know that. You can't know that, none of us can. We don't know how this works, its something embedded into our head and designed to make us hurt people, it has made us kill people Wolffe," Fox said with a frown.

"I know, and I'm sorry that you and the Guard went through that, I wish it had never happened. Like I said, I will talk to Buir and he might discuss it with Skywalker and we'll work to safely remove them from all clones, starting with the Guard who had the most exposure," Wolffe said softly, plunging the syringe into the vial and pulling up. Stone reached out and rolled up Fox's sleeve gently, turning his arm so it was facing the roof. Wolffe cleaned a small area on Fox's arm and delicately inserted the syringe before pressing the plunge and removing it. Fox immediately started blinking heavily, his body unconsciously relaxing back into the bed.

"I don't. I don wanna be lone," he mumbled as the sedative quickly took affect.

"I will stay with you Ori'vod, the whole time but right now you just need to get some rest," Stone assured him, slipping his hand into Fox's. It only took a few more seconds before Fox's eyes slipped shut fully and he drifted off.

"How long will the sedative last," Stone asked quietly.

"Should be at least 8 hours, sufficient rest. I'm going to talk to my General, get those chips sorted out straight away. Fox doesn't deserve to be going through that, none of you do," Wolffe said with a sigh.

"I'll stay here and keep an eye on him, he'll be fine," Stone promised. Wolffe nodded and stood up, leaving to go find the Jedi and discuss the pressing issue of the chips still implanted in their heads.

~~~~~

"Kark you, you such a kriffing sheb."

"Thire, calm down and stop acting like a crazy person," Thorn said with a sigh.

"I am not acting like a crazy person, he is trying to bankrupt me," Thire said indignantly, pointing at Jesse.

"You're already bankrupt," Jesse scoffed. Thire made to lunge for him over the boardgame but Thorn stuck his foot out, catching Thire in the chest and pushing him back into his seated position.

"Whoever invented this game just wanted carnage," Tup said as he rolled the dice and moved his playing piece.

"It is pretty fun though," Dogma said quietly. Tup smiled and ruffled Dogma's hair softly. Thire went silent and started glaring daggers at Tup, only stopping when Thorn whacked him in the back of the head.

"Boost, your turn," Kix said and Boost grabbed the dice. Before he could roll them though, the door slid open and Bly walked in looking off.

"What's wrong," Thorn asked with a frown, immediately tense. Bly glanced around the room before stretching out his neck and sighing. He grabbed a nearby chair and sat down in it.

"This is going to be heavy for anyone from the 501st, past and present," Bly said. Jesse's eyes narrowed, Tup tensed, Dogma looked worried and Kix just continued to watch with a raised eyebrow.

"Fives, Rex and General Skywalker just returned from their mission to Fort Anaxes," Bly said.

"Was anyone hurt," Jesse asked worriedly.

"No, with the Chancellors death, the separatists are in shambles, the war is basically over. But they went Anaxes for a reason, they were looking for something, someone," Bly said.

"Who," Kix asked.

"Arc Trooper Echo," Bly said softly. His tone of voice didn't matter however as it still hit them like a tonne of bricks. Dogma gasped and shuffled close to Thire who frowned and wrapped an arm around him. Tup's eyes went wide and his mouth dropped open slightly though no sound came out, even Kix's eyes went wide, shock flitting across his face. Jesse however, went tense as a wire, his jaw tightening and his eyes hardening.

"Don't even karking joke about that, it's not funny. Echo died, he was lost at the citadel, Fives was traumatised for months," Jesse spat out angrily.

"Fox was talking to Fives the other day and Fives mentioned Echo. Apparently it triggered a memory for Fox and he remembered hearing something a while back while he was in the room with Palpatine. He had mentioned CT-1409, which is Echo's number. Rex and Cody investigated some of the files recovered from Palpatine's room and found mention of an intelligence on Anaxes, a way to counter our attacks. It mentioned CT-1409," Bly explained.

"Did they find his body," Kix asked quietly.

"The found him. He's still alive," Bly said. The room went dead silent, everyone processing Bly's words.

"He's hurt and he's different but he's alive and being treated in the medical centre, Fives is with him. Rex is gathering the 501st on one of the Resolute where Echo was taken," Bly explained.

"How badly is he hurt," Thorn asked.

"I don't know, I only know what little information Rex told me. He wanted me to come get you three and let you know so we could get you back to the resolute," Bly replied.

"What about Dogma, he knew Echo too," Tup said and all attention shifted to look at Dogma who was curled close to Thire's side.

"It's up to Dogma if he would like-."

"I'm staying with Thire," Dogma mumbled, turning his head into Thire's shoulder. Thire wrapped his other arm protectively around Dogma.

"Dogma will stay here, but the rest of you should follow me," Bly said. The 501st troups got to their feet, the board game now long forgotten as they quietly followed Bly out of the room.

"That's wild," Sinker said quietly as the door slid shut.

"What actually happened at the citadel? From what I know everyone seemed to be sure he was dead. How does he just show up alive after all of this time passed," Boost asked.

"He tried to get on a ship to protect the other men but it was blown up as he was getting on board. Fox looked at the mission report. As far as anyone knew, getting blown up meant you were dead," Thorn said with a sigh, leaning back against the wall.

"Well clearly that was wrong," Thire said.

"He's likely got some catastrophic injuries from the explosion. Not to mention I highly doubt the separatists kept him in ideal conditions," Thorn pointed out.

"At least he's still alive though, that counts for something," Boost said quietly.

"How are you feeling D'ika," Thire asked softly, rubbing his hand up and down along Dogma's arm. Dogma shifted, peaking up at Thire and Thorn. Boost and Sinker quietly got up and left the room.

"Echo was nice to me. He always treated me like a vod, not a burden, even when everyone thought I was weird. No one understood me but Echo did and he was always so smart. It annoyed the others but I thought it was cool," Dogma whispered.

"I'm glad he treated you well Dogma, it's what you deserved," Thorn said, leaning forwards to squeeze Dogma's shoulder.

"I want to see him but I don't think I'm ready to face everyone at once. Does that make me a hut'uun," Dogma asked with a small voice.

"Of course it doesn't Ma. Echo probably isn't even awake and if by some miracle he is, I doubt they will be letting many people in to see him. He's been captive for so long and likely tortured. It's going to take some time before he recovers and gets back to normal, though the new normal will not be like the old normal," Thire said. Thorn shifted, moving to sit down on the ground with the other two.

"You need to understand something D'ika. The Echo that you knew, might not be the Echo that you get to meet again someday. People change, war changes you, many things change you. Whatever he went through, it will have definitely changed him," Thorn explained softly. Dogma was quiet but he nodded into Thire's shoulder. Thorn let out a soft sigh and stood, holding out his hand.

"Come on, let's get you over to Fox. He's still in a sedated sleep at the moment but it would be nice for him to have some more company other than Stone," Thorn said. Dogma grabbed Thorn's hand and allowed himself to be pulled up to his feet, Thire following quickly.

"The halls should be empty, no one around but you can put on your helmet if you'd prefer," Thorn said. Dogma slipped his helmet on and the three of them left the room, walking through the halls until they got to Fox's room. They went inside to find Fox asleep in the bed with Stone sitting on a chair next to it, his feet propped up as he scrolled through a data pad. He glanced between the two of them before frowning as Dogma removed his helmet.

"Who died," he asked.

"No one died," Thorn replied, rolling his eyes.

"Then why does Ma look like that," Stone asked.

"Echo was found alive, apparently he survived being blown up and the separatists had him all this time," Thire explained.

"Echo, 501st Echo," Stone asked.

"I don't think there is another Echo Ori'vod," Thorn pointed out.

"Well that's, something. 501st will be ecstatic. You doing okay Dogma," Stone asked. Dogma nodded and crawled onto the bed, curling up beside Fox.

"How much longer will Buir be sleeping," he asked quietly.

"Another few hours hopefully. He was pretty freaked out about whatever happened last night so Wolffe grabbed a sedative to help him sleep. They're going to talk to Fives and that about how to remove the chips safely. Though I'm guessing that might end up taking longer than expected given recent events. Fives and Rex will be busy with Echo," Stone said with a sigh. Thorn frowned, gazing at Stone for a few seconds before frowning.

"He's likely been through a lot Stone, he needs support right now," Thorn said.

"Yeah I know, I get it and I feel bad for him but so have we Thorn. So has Fox, he's been through more than anyone. I'm just sick of us always being an afterthought, he deserves to finally have some peace of mind," Stone said in frustration.

"It sucks, but we're used to it. Things are starting to get better, we just have to give it time," Thire said, glancing at Fox still sleeping peacefully.

"I'll do some research, go through records. Maybe if I can find something on how they removed Fives chip, I can work out how to get Fox's out safely. Are either of you having any issues? Nightmares, voices, paranoia," Thorn asked, looking between Stone and Thire.

"Nah, I barely had any blackouts. I'd be more concerned about you Buir," Thire said, shaking his head.

"I haven't noticed anything. I struggle sleeping sometimes but I that's normal," Stone shrugged.

"Alright, good. We need to keep an eye on things, make sure everyone is okay. Things are changing around here but we need to remember, the Guard comes first. We protect our vode, we make sure our health and morale is good," Thorn said firmly.

A/N

Hey guys, so yeah it's been like almost an entire year since I last posted on this fic, which is wild, I didn't realise it was that long. Right around the time I stopped updating this fic, I started reading DC fics and didn't have much motivation to write so I spent a lot of time just reading other peoples fics and didn't write too much of my own. Then my friend introduced me to Formula 1 and to my shock, I absolutely loved it and I've been been really into it all year. I still haven't been writing a whole lot but I all of my writing has been focused on my most recent oneshots fic. So yeah, this kind of got put on the backburner and I haven't had the motivation to really write more of it much. I still absolutely love Clone Wars, I will never stop loving it. That being said, once I got a few comments recently about this fic, I brought up the document and read through the last few chapters and there was this one still half written. I've changed my writing style for the newer oneshots, trying out something new but it only took like an hour for me to get back into this style because it's more comfortable for me and I was able to finish the chapter.
So yeah, long rant here but I figured I owed you awesome readers a bit of explanation. I'm honestly not sure how many people would still be reading it but I know for sure at least one or two people are interested and that's more than enough, so here you go, I hope you enjoyed this chapter that technically took me a year to write lol
Edit to add: It has been a year since I've been writing this and though I've read through some, if you notice anything that contradicts something that was written earlier, let me know cos I likely forgot

(Side note this A/N was written for my AO3 which had up to chapter 24 posted before the year break, compared to chapter 7 here but most still applies here lol. And if you're wondering, wait a minute, you don't have any new oneshot fics, yes I do, I just never posted it on wattpad, which I shall be doing now to bring wattpad back up to date on my writing :)