Summary: You spent years living out your peaceful life as a doctor on Pabu but when the bad batch shows up, you are reminded of the life you left behind, and the men you left behind too...
Pairings: TBB Echo x Fem!reader (Medic reader)
Warnings: Slow burn... (I am so sorry I promise it's worth it), angst, reader has anxiety, mentions of panic attacks, mentions of injuries, fluff, friends to lovers, happy ending
Words: 7.1k (I know I'm sorry!)
A/N: Oh my god I am so sorry this has taken so long! I went through about four mental breakdowns and two rewrites but I finally have it finished. I REALLY hope y'all love it because i sacrificed my mental health for this fic! I promise the slow burn is worth it alright!
Summer on Pabu masterlist here
Omega's Log #3
Main masterlist here
“And then he stabbed me right there in my shoulder! Not before I blasted him though, which is how I got the statue and the knife in my back!”
You chuckle as you continue to stitch up Phee’s wound, always enjoying her dramatic story telling, “well be t-thankful he didn’t aim any lower or else you may not have been able to tell me about your latest adventure.”
“You know by now that I’m always lucky!” she laughs as you finish up the stitches turning to look back at you with a mischievous smile.
She shrugs and then winces, “I was gonna ask how my boys are adjusting to the island. Have you seen them? Talked to any of them...?”
You sigh not wanting to have this conversation again, “As a matter of fact, they had all come in earlier this week because of a boating accident. Omega and Wreckers girlfriend were on the water when a giant squid attacked the boat.”
“Girlfriend huh? Good for him! Was... Echo here?” she asks with a coy smile.
At the mention of his name your face goes bright red, and you look away adjusting your glasses, “n-no. He hasn’t visited the island since the last time you seen him here...”
Phee is one of the only people who know about your republic days, which means that she knew what bringing the clones to the island all those months ago would do to you and she did it anyway. To her credit, she was just as surprised as you were when Echo walked by you and you fainted in shock. For years you thought he was dead and yet there he was, walking on the island with his brothers, half robot half man, but still the regulation arc trooper that stole your heart all those years ago. Too bad he doesn’t remember you though, but to be fair he hardly knew you during his 501 days, nobody really did outside of Kix and Fives.
“You need to talk to him, even if he doesn’t remember you,” she says as she puts her coat back on, “fate gave you a second chance. Don't waste it.”
You sigh looking down at your feet, “What am I supposed to say Phee? Hey Echo, I know you don’t remember me, but I used to work in the med bay and was in love with you even though you didn’t know me!”
“I wouldn’t be so up front about it but teach your own...”
Your hands start to shake at your sides, and you look up at her in frustration, “Phee! I can barely have a normal conversation with my patients. I’ve spent years trying to battle my anxiety because I want to help people! But to talk to the one man I’ve never been able to? The one man I never thought I’d see again? It's impossible!”
Phee walks over to you and puts her hand on your shoulder, “nothings impossible if you give it a try. If you love him the way you say you do, are you really gonna let this second chance go?”
You look down again not able to give an answer. Phee just smiles, “Just think about it alright? You’re braver than you realize...” Then she waves and heads out the door while you stand in your office conflicted and anxious.
“What am I supposed to say Phee? Hey Echo, I know you don’t remember me, but I used to work in the med bay and was in love with you even though you didn’t know me!”
Omega stands outside your office door in shock with AZI right beside her. You used to work for the republic? You know Echo? You love him?! Do you know the other batchers? The boys haven’t said anything about knowing you, although you all technically had your first real meeting when everyone was here comforting Wrecker after the accident. Is that why you were so nervous around them?
AZI looks over at Omega in robotic confusion, “Why are we just standing here? Shouldn't we inform the doctor that were here?”
Omega hears the door opening and grabs AZI, both huddling behind a corner just as Phee leaves your office. When Phee is gone Omega turns to AZI, “Did you hear their conversation?”
“Of course. My audio receptors are in perfect working order!” AZI says matter of fact. “Is there a reason we are hiding behind this wall when we should be informing the doctor of our visit?”
Omega had come to the medical center with AZI to offer his services. The boys would never say it out right, but AZI does tend to be overbearing and while she enjoys having him around, her brothers have hinted that they don’t. Since AZI is a med droid, she thought bringing him here to work for you would be good for the both of you since you don’t have a med droid of your own, and Omega could still come and visit AZI whenever she wanted.
“We are going now but I have a secret mission for you, and you can’t tell anybody! Got it?”
AZI hovers closer to her, “A secret mission... for me?”
“Yes. Do you think you can do it?” Omega asks eagerly.
After explaining to AZI her plan, the two of them came out from their hiding place and walked to your office, knocking on the door. You opened the door in surprise, “Oh h-hello Omega. How can I help you?”
You move out of the way and let the two of them inside, heading to your desk to grab your data pad, “are you alright? Have you had any pain since the boating incident?”
“No, I’m all good. I actually came here to offer AZI’s services!”
You look at the both of them in shock and confusion, “You want... AZI to work for me?”
“I am still in perfect working order and can offer all my medical services to you and your center! I even have-”
Omega cuts him off, “My brothers have hinted that maybe AZI would do better in an environment that he’s used too... And since you don’t have a med droid of your own, I think it’s the perfect arrangement!”
Having a med droid would be a weight off your shoulders. You haven’t been able to afford your own, so you’ve just been doing everything on your own but with a droid you’d be able to free up some time for yourself, something you haven’t been able to do since you opened the medical center. “Okay! That would be wonderful.”
“Great! Can I come to check on him sometimes?” she asks you excitedly making you chuckle.
“Of course you can Omega. Thank you for offering his services. Is there anything I can do in exchange?” you ask as you take a deep breath trying to calm your racing heart.
Omega just shakes her head, “No that's okay. As long as I can visit him, I don’t need anything!”
AZI hovers over to you stopping directly in front of your face, “Your heart rate is elevated doctor are you alright?”
You blush and push your glasses up as you look away quickly, “I’m alright AZI. Nothing to worry about!”
Omega’s comm beeps and she looks at it with wide eyes, “Oh I gotta go! I forgot I promised Hunter I’d help him today! I’ll come back to visit AZI tomorrow! Thanks again doc!”
She ran out of the room hurriedly making you giggle, and then it was just you and the droid.
“Alright AZI let’s get to work!”
Omega runs into their small Pabu house slightly out of breath as Hunter, Wrecker, his girlfriend and Crosshair are all at the dining table. Wreckers girlfriend showing them how to make her fish sticks recipe.
Hunter looks up at her with a smile, “You didn’t have to rush kid. Dinners not for a while anyways.”
“I promised you I’d help with dinner today, didn’t I?” Omega says as she sits beside Crosshair and grabs some of the vegetables from the bowl to chop.
Crosshair raises a brow looking at her, “where’s the med droid?”
“I asked doc if AZI could work in the med center with her. She seemed eager to finally have a droid working there...” she explains as she continues to chop.
Wreckers girlfriend smiles and nods, “I bet. She's been saving up for a med droid since she first came here a few years ago. There not cheap, even a used one is pricey, so It's nice of you to offer AZI to help.”
“Yeah... Did you know that she used to work in the GAR?”
Her brothers all stop and turn to her, looks of confusion on their faces. Hunter leans back in his chair, “no I didn’t know that.”
“Would explain a few things.” Crosshair chimes in.
Wrecker looks at Omega, his brows raised, “how’d you find out that?”
Omega’s face flushes which doesn’t go unnoticed by everyone at the table, “I... may have overheard a conversation between the doctor and Phee...”
“Omega...” Hunter scolds leaning forward in his chair, “what have we said about eavesdropping?”
She looks down embarrassed, “it wasn’t intentional! And besides had I not heard I wouldn’t know! Do you guys know her?”
“There were a lot of civies working in the med bay. Can't remember them all...” Crosshair says as he twirls his toothpick.
Omega’s shoulders slump, “Oh... I just thought... because she said she knows- oop!”
“Knows who?” Hunter asks. Omega doesn’t answer, just avoids her brother's gazes while chopping more vegetables. “Omega. What aren’t you saying?”
Crosshair hooks his foot under her chair and turns it toward him fast before she can react and looks her in the eyes, “Omega...”
“Alright!” she sighs wringing her hands nervously, “she said she knows Echo!”
Crosshair leans forward, his pearl necklace swinging against his chest, “that’s not all. Or else you wouldn’t be so defensive.”
As she looks around the table at all the raised brows, she realizes she’s gonna have to spill what she heard. “Okay... she said... she’s in love with him!”
Omega swore she heard their neighbor sneeze from how silent it suddenly became in there. All the boys looked at her in disbelief but to her surprise Wreckers girlfriend just chuckles, “well that makes sense now.”
“What? Did you know sweetie?” Wrecker asks still shocked.
She shrugs as she finishes the last of the fish to be fried, “she’s always been an anxious person, that’s no secret, but since you all came to the island it’s more noticeable. If she knows Echo and has feelings for him like you say Omega, then it must have been quite the shock seeing him again.”
“Huh...” Hunter looks at Omega again, “if that’s the case I don’t want you getting any ideas Omega. Don’t go meddling in other people's business.”
Crosshair gives her a glare, “stay out of it kid. She hasn’t said anything for a reason.”
“Omega!” all three of them say in unison.
She sighs slumping into her chair, “alright alright...”
What they don’t know is, she’s already in stage 1 of her plan, and she doesn’t plan on backing out now.
Echo sits in the co-pilot seat listening intently as Omega explains her mission success with Wrecker and his girlfriend and her current progress on Crosshair, “But since the Pabu festival has been announced she has been working nonstop in her shop sewing dresses. I don’t think she’s been going to the beach for her early morning walks because Crosshair has been grumpier than usual...”
“Omega you really shouldn’t meddle in people’s love lives. Especially Crosshair.” he scolds while holding back a laugh. Rex pilots the ship beside him while also listening to Omega’s report chuckling quietly to himself.
Omega just sighs, “he needs to make a move! The festival is the perfect time to do that but he’s so stubborn...”
“Crosshair’s been through more than most of us. Give him time, he’ll come around.” Echo states with a smile then raises a brow, “usually by now that droid of yours interrupts us. Did Crosshair finally dismantle it?”
Omega laughs, “No! I took him to work in the medical center. The doctor there doesn’t have one of her own so I thought it would be good for the both of them...”
“Well that was thoughtful.”
“Hey, did you know the doctor used to work for the GAR?” she asks casually trying not to give herself away.
Echo tilts his head, “Oh yeah? Guess you're not the only republic refugees on the island.”
“She uh... she said she recognizes you. Do you know her?”
“Uh... I don’t think so... What’d you say her name was again?” He asks curiously.
Rex snaps his head in their direction, “well that’s a name I haven’t heard in a long time. Glad to know she’s living a better life for herself, especially after... how she left.”
Echo turns to Rex and Omega looks at him with an excited expression, “You know the doctor captain?”
“Yes. Back during the republic days she worked in the med bay under my medic, Kix.” Rex explains. “She was very quiet and shy, very anxious too. But she did her job flawlessly despite all her nerves. She got really close with Kix and... Fives.”
Echo looks stunned at his captain, “I didn’t know that.”
“Yeah well. Like I said, she was really shy, kept to herself most of the time. Her only friends were Fives and Kix as far as I know and well... she didn’t take Fives death well... She quit that day. It was the most I've ever heard her talk.”
Echo raises a brow, “Were they...?”
“No!” Rex laughs, “it wasn’t like that. Best friends nothing more. He always said she was in love with someone else.”
Omega chuckles quietly to herself, “You don’t say...”
The Pabu festival was in full swing, and everyone looked like they were enjoying themselves. Echo was hiding off further down the path waiting for the right opportunity to surprise Omega, while watching his family. He hadn’t been back since before Wrecker had confessed to his now girlfriend, so this was his first time seeing them together, they looked happy. Crosshair surprised everyone showing up with the woman that Omega was telling him about and the love in his eyes when he looked at her was something none of the batchers thought they’d see from their brother. Whatever Omega did during her ‘love mission’ seemed to work surprisingly well.
Echo trailed his gaze through the crowd till it landed on you and he froze in utter awe. You sat quietly at a table by yourself, your hair was down and the simple red silk dress you wore made you look like royalty, he’s never seen someone so beautiful. He understood what Rex meant when he said you were anxious, your hands were shaking in your lap and anytime someone came up to talk to you, you wouldn’t look directly in their eyes.
When the slow song ended Echo walked up the path standing behind Omega with a mischievous smile. Hunter spun her around and she squealed so loud multiple heads turned as she ran into his arms, “Echo you came! I missed you so much!”
He grins and hugs her back, “missed you too kid.” Then he leans down and whispers in her ear, “looks like your love missions are a success.”
She turns and looks at Crosshair and his girlfriend with a big smile, “He just needed a push. I knew he’d confess!”
Hunter walks over to them both, patting Echo on the shoulder, “Glad you could make it.”
“Me too.” Echo says as his gaze travels to you and snaps back to Hunter when you meet his eyes, which doesn’t go unnoticed by Hunter or Omega.
Omega grabs his hand and starts to pull him towards you, making you panic, “I don’t think you’ve officially met the doctor yet have you?”
“Omega...” Hunter warns but that doesn’t stop her from pulling him over to you. Hunter hears your heart racing in your chest and sees the panic written across your face, making him follow behind to make sure Omega doesn’t push too far.
You stand as Omega and Echo come over to you, your cheeks a bright red as you look up briefly before looking down again, “H-Hello Omega... H-Hello Echo...”
“Ma’am.” Echo holds his hand out to you, his cheeks a slight pink, “nice to meet you. Though I guess you already know who I am.”
Your hand freezes just above his as you look up in horror, “H-How do you...”
“Omega said that you used to work in the med bay. I’m sorry I don’t recognize you but I’m glad you found a way to a peaceful life here.”
You feel like your gonna pass out, this is too much. Omega must have overheard your conversation that day with Phee, she must have heard your confession... What if she told him? No, if he knew he wouldn’t be so casual with you right now, would he? Hunter feeling your pulse race and your breathing shallow, decides to step beside you and take over the situation, sending a glare to Omega, “Hey Echo. You haven’t met Wrecker’s girlfriend yet. Omega you should go over and introduce them.”
“Oh but I-” Hunter gives her a deeper glare which Echo notices, “Okay... Let’s go Echo.”
Echo looks back at you then, noting the way your hands are shaking, your cheeks are bright red, and you're staring very intently at the ground. He nods, “Alright. Nice to meet you ma’am. Have a good evening.”
“Y-You too...” you say not looking up as they walk away.
Hunter stays beside you carefully putting a hand on your shoulder making you jump and look up at him, “I’m sorry about that doc. Omega means well even if she doesn’t understand the whole picture.”
You take a deep breath, “t-that’s alright... It’s honestly my fault. I can’t even... have a conversation with-”
“Don’t do that.” Hunter says gently squeezing your shoulder. “Everyone is allowed to feel fear...”
You take a few more deep breaths and nod, trying not to go into a panic attack while Hunter stands beside you making sure you're okay. “Doc... maybe we should go for a walk down by the beach? Away from everyone where it’s quiet...”
You look up then and smile at his kindness, “N-No that’s alright Hunter. You go back with your family. I’ll go on my own...”
“I don’t think you should be alone right now-”
“I do this all the time.” you cut him off looking down. “This is nothing new for me. I’ll be fine.”
He debates for a moment and then sighs, “Okay... but if you need help, please just call. I’ll hear it.”
You nod, running off down the stone path through all of Pabu till you hit the beach. Hunter stands in the same spot watching your figure run into the night when Echo comes up and stands beside him. “She alright?”
He just nods and walks back to the others while Echo continues to stare at the path.
The moment your feet hit the sand, you kicked off your sandals and headed straight for the water. The oceans gentle waves cascaded over your legs, soaking the bottom half of your dress but you didn’t care, instead you walked further into the water. The ocean always had a way of calming you down that you never could explain to others, and as you matched your breathing to each wave, you felt calm once again.
You feel like such a fool. Phee told you not to waste your second chance but the only thing you could say to Echo was hello before going into a near panic attack! How are you supposed to take this opportunity when you can’t even have a conversation with him?
From the shore Echo watches you curiously as you stand in the ocean, a content smile on your face. He felt bad when he seen you leave so suddenly, and he knew that you were most likely on the verge of a panic attack. He’d experienced them himself and knows the signs, so he decided to follow you and make sure you were okay.
Slowly he walked to the edge of the shore, “You alright ma’am?”
You freeze and whip your head around to see Echo standing on the shoreline watching you. You looked down into the water and take a deep breath, you can do this, just stay calm... “I’m alright.”
“You know I’ve heard of a few ways to deal with panic attacks but standing in the ocean in party attire wasn’t one of them.” he chuckles to himself.
You look up at him now, your cheeks a bright red, “How did you know that I was...?”
“I’ve talked a few of my brothers down from panic attacks, and I’ve dealt with them too. It’s completely normal to feel all that pent up anxiety.”
You sigh, “it’s not normal to feel it all the time though...”
He smiles and your breath catches, “maybe you were just meant to feel more than others.”
You watch him, a pang in your chest at the familiarity of this moment, “You know... this isn’t the first time you’ve seen me like this...”
“Standing in the ocean in the middle of the night?” he asks confused.
You laugh, “No! I mean... the first time we ever met you found me mid panic attack...”
“Really?” he asks stunned. “I don’t remember that.”
You walk back to the shore, your body shaking from the nerves and the cold but you force yourself to hold eye contact, “It was a long time ago but I... Never forgot your kindness.”
He stares at you silently, taking in your beauty under the moonlight. You were completely soaked from your head to toe, your dress now not leaving anything to the imagination and Echo couldn’t be more grateful, your giant glasses reflected the moon and underneath them he could see the flush of your cheeks, you were stunning. “I wish I remembered...”
You just smile and take a deep breath, “maybe you will one day... but even if you don’t that’s okay too.” He continues to watch you, his face growing hotter and you become self-conscious of how you look completely soaked in front of him, “Ummm you don’t have to stay you know. I-I'm alright now...”
“I don’t mind. The view is beautiful.” he says looking at you and not the ocean scenery behind you. Then he seems to realize what he said and clears his throat embarrassed, “Umm can I walk you back home? It’s cold out here and I don’t think the islanders want their doctor getting sick.”
You look down at your feet with a smile, “I’d like that...”
Then the two of you walk together quietly all the way up the path to Upper Pabu, enjoying each others company without words. Echo watches you out of the corner of his eye, feeling a flutter in his chest he’s never felt with another person... he wishes he remembered you.
You stop in front of your home and turn toward him, “t-this is mine.”
He nods looking at the house and then back to you, “alright... Good night.”
Then he starts to walk away but you grab his arm quickly and he turns around to your blushing face, “T-Thank you Echo...”
He smiles and squeezes your shaking hand, “You’re welcome y/n.”
Then he walks away and heads back to the festival leaving you standing there, your heart hammering in your chest and a smile on your face. You spoke to him...
You just finished with a patient when Omega strolls into the medical clinic with a bright smile, “Hello doc! I came to visit AZI!”
You smile and nod as AZI comes whizzing out of the exam room, “Hello Omega!”
“Hi AZI! How’s your new job?” she asks.
AZI spins around her, “Satisfactory. We have updated a lot of the current systems and are working on integrating new equipment!”
Omega smiles and looks between you and the droid, “looks like you two have been busy!”
“AZI insisted that we upgraded a few things...” you chuckle as you continue to type on your data pad.
AZI nods, “Now with the proper equipment we can perform all procedures efficiently.”
Omega just chuckles and then she walks over to you hesitantly. Hunter had given her an earful after the festival a few days ago on boundaries and she felt bad that she had pushed yours. She really just wanted to get you and Echo talking but she didn’t consider your anxiety and how that may have not been the best approach. “Doc... I want to apologize for the other night...”
You sit down and point to the chair across from you, and she sits hesitantly while AZI hovers behind her, “I overheard your conversation with Phee about knowing Echo and I... Well, I just wanted the two of you to talk. I didn’t think about how that would make you feel and I’m sorry...”
“It’s okay Omega,” you say softly, “You actually helped me be a little brave. I wouldn’t have been able to do it had you not helped the way you did, so thank you.”
She looks at you stunned, “really? I helped you?”
“You did.” you smile looking down with red cheeks. Since that night Echo had been coming to the medical center every evening asking you if you’d like to go for a walk along the beach with him, and with every encounter that claw of anxiety that holds you eases a little more.
“Can I ask you something?” she hesitates but you just nod with soft smile. “Do you really love him?”
You look up at her then, “I do.”
“Even after all these years? He’s not the same Echo from back then...”
“He may not look the same but he’s still Echo. His kind heart, his need to fight for others, to do the right thing, that’s what I fell for. And he’ll always be that Echo no matter how he looks or how much time has passed.” you explain softly.
Omega smiles, “I think he likes you too you know. He's been smiling more since the festival...”
You blush and before you could answer another patient knocks on your door. Omega stands and quickly runs to you and gives you a hug, “I hope it works out for both of you.” Then she runs out of the room waving to AZI as she goes.
That evening Echo once again comes to ask you to walk with him but this time there’s something different in his eyes, a sadness that you can’t place. “Is everything alright?”
He stops and looks up at you with a sigh, “I’m leaving tonight...”
He puts his hand out and you take it hesitantly, “I’d like to keep in touch with you... if you want...”
“You do?” you ask surprised.
He smiles and nods, “I do.”
“I want that too...” you whisper as your hand shakes in his. He squeezes it, rubbing his thumb in soothing circles. The two of you spend the remainder of the evening walking along the beach hand in hand, not really speaking just enjoying the quiet company of each other. He walks you home just like he did that first night but this time he does something that surprises you. He leans in and hesitantly kisses your cheek before backing away quickly with flushed cheeks.
You stand there stunned as he clears his throat, smiling sheepishly, “H-Have a good evening y/n...”
“Y-You too.” you whisper. “Stay safe...”
He winks and walks back to his ship. You stand outside and watch as his ship flies away, still holding your cheek where he kissed you.
It started simple. A few messages whenever it was safe for him to do so.
E: Hope you’re doing okay.
Y/N: I’m okay. I hope your safe.
Then as the weeks went by the messages started getting deeper, more intimate.
E: I was thinking about you today
Y/N: Oh really? Good things I hope...
E: We infiltrated a base that overlooked the ocean. Made me think of that night at the festival
Y/N: That’s a good memory?
Then one evening after a few more weeks of anxiety filled silence you got another message.
You were sitting in your chair by the window watching the ocean when the call came through. Echo stands there, looking tired but smiling his beautiful smile you fell in love with.
“You look cozy.” he smirks making you blush as you look down at your nightgown.
“Why is it every time we see each other I look ridiculous?”
He just chuckles, “ridiculously beautiful.”
You roll your eyes covering your face with your hands, “Echo did you call me just to flirt?”
“May have been part of the reason...”
You laugh, “and the other reason?”
He looks down wringing his hands nervously, “Were about to go on another mission. Riskier than normal and I just... wanted to see your face.”
You took a deep breath, holding back the tears that were starting to pool in your eyes, “H-How long?”
“A month at least... maybe more. We have to go completely dark for this one.”
You nod looking down at your clenched fists, “I see...”
“But when were done I’m coming back to the island for a while. I’ve been missing the kid...”
You look up hopeful, “Just Omega?”
“No. Not just her...” he says with a smirk. “And while I’m back I’d like to take you out to dinner...?”
You lean forward excitedly, “Are you asking me on a date soldier?”
You smile brightly, “I’ll wait for you then.”
“Echo. Time to go.” You hear from the background. He nods and then turns back to you, “I’ll see you soon.”
You nod and before he hangs up you shout, “Echo wait!”
He freezes and looks at you with conflicted eyes. You have so much you want to say, so much you NEED to say, years of feelings that’s never been spoken, but in that moment, you knew that would only hurt the both of you. “Please stay safe...”
He nods, his eyes full of understanding like he knew what you really meant. “I will. See you soon.”
Omega and batcher are sitting with you on your porch drinking iced tea while AZI hovers around your yard happily. You had been trying really hard lately to be brave and do more things that you normally would never do. You’ve been going on walks after work and talking with the locals, walking along the beach with batcher and Omega and occasionally her brothers, You even started doing home visits which is something you never used to do because the thought of practicing medicine not in the comfort of your med center always scared you, but that wasn’t you anymore. You were really trying, and even though you still had your bad days, still dealt with your constant anxiety, you felt more like yourself the more you put yourself out there. A big part of it was you knew that waiting for Echo without any means of distraction would send you into a downwards spiral of your mental health, so you and AZI created a program for you to help with the anxiety that's plagued you your whole life, and it's been working.
“Have you heard from him yet?” Omega asks as she sips her tea looking out at the ocean.
“No, I haven’t.” you sigh. “Have you?”
“No but Hunter says to give them time. It’s technically only been a month yesterday so... he’s only a day late...”
You smile at her, “He’s right. I guess we just have to have patience...”
Omega watches you curiously and you raise a brow, “What?”
“You’ve changed.” she says simply. “Calmer. Happier too.”
You lean into her slightly, “Yeah? Well, I feel calmer and happier. Which is something I thought I’d never say.”
AZI hovers over to the both of you, “The mental health program we have created for you has proven to be 76.8% beneficial to your overall health and wellbeing.”
“I like those statistics.” You laugh and Omega giggles with you.
She gets a comm and you both jump as she hurriedly looks at the message but, instead of excitement her shoulders slump, “sorry. False alarm. Crosshair says I have to head back now.”
“No worries, Omega. Maybe tomorrow we can go down to the beach with your brothers?” you suggest warmly.
She nods happily, “sounds like a plan! Bye y/n! Bye AZI! See you tomorrow!”
You send the rest of the evening sitting on your porch watching the sunset, thinking of Echo. Praying for his safety when your comm beeps and the joy when you see his name is instantly replaced with pure panic when you answer to not find Echo on the call but Captain Rex.
“C-Captain? Where’s Echo?!”
Rex looks pained as he speaks, “y/n. I need you and the droid to be ready in a few hours. Our mission went south, and Echo needs medical attention.”
“How serious are the injuries?” you ask as your hands shake.
He sighs, “It’s not good. We have him stable for now, but we don’t have the resources to repair him. There’s an old, abandoned republic base close by but we need a medic and... Echo needs you.”
“I-I’ll be ready!” you stutter as you try to hold back your tears.
Rex nods, “see you soon.”
You quickly run into your home and start packing your emergency med bag while AZI follows you. “Get ready AZI! We're leaving...”
“The first time we ever met you found me mid panic attack...”
Fives and Echo had just gotten back from their first mission as arc troopers, and they were oozing self-confidence from their successful first mission. Fives was heading back to the barracks and Echo was heading to find Jesse to report in, when he seen you. You were carrying a large pile of data files, your cheeks were flushed, and he could see the tears falling from behind your giant glasses. You looked down avoiding eye contact from everyone and went into the first supply closet you could find closing the door quietly.
Echo looked around confused at what was happening and why you were hiding in a closet. Thinking maybe you needed help he followed you and when he opened the closet the scene before him broke his heart. You sat on the floor of the closet face buried in your knee’s, your hands pulling at your pigtailed braids as your muffled sobs filled the tiny space.
He shut the door and crouched down in front of you, “Hey. Hey. You alright there?”
“Leave me alone!” you whispered as your hands pull harder on your braids. He can hear you start to hyperventilate and leans forward grabbing your hands from your hair.
You look up at him, your glasses foggy, your lips pouting and your eyes scared but as he took your hands and placed them on his chest plate you felt a strange sense of calm wash over you. “Just follow my breathing alright. In... and out... In... and out...”
You sat like that for a few minutes on the floor of this tiny closet holding hands with a trooper you’d never met while he talked you down from a panic attack. He looks at your uniform and sees the med patch on your shoulder, “Your one of the medics?”
You nod and slowly move your hands off his chest, your face burning in embarrassment, “I-I’m sorry. Your probably busy and I-I'm just causing p-problems I-”
“Hey its alright. No harm done.” he gives you a soft smile, noting the way your hands were shaking, “everyone struggles sometimes. Nothing to be ashamed of.”
You sigh looking down, “I struggle a-all the time...”
“If you struggle with this then why are you working here? No offense but nothing about the GAR is ever calm.” he asks you a little confused.
You take another deep breath and look up at him with a twinkle in your eye that makes his heart flutter, “because I want to help people.”
He pauses and then smiles, “Fair enough.” the two of you then realize that you are very much inside a closet in the middle of the GAR where anybody could walk in and see you both. He stands up abruptly with red cheeks, “Umm if you're alright now I-I'll uh... leave you too it.”
“Wait!” you say as he goes to open the door, “What's your name?”
“My names Echo.” he salutes and then opens the door walking out waiting for you to come out as well. You gather your data files and follow him closing the door behind you.
He winks and then heads down the hallway but not before a fellow trooper with double pauldrons and a big smirk yell at him, “Were you just in the closet with that cutie!?”
Echo wakes up inside a med bay and looks around confused as to where he is and how he got here when he feels someone shakily squeezing his hand. He slowly turns his head wincing at the pain, “Y/n? What are you doing here? Where am I?”
Your swollen eyes snap up and fresh tears start to roll from your eyes, “You’re awake!”
Rex walks over, “Hey brother. Glad to see you made it.”
“What happened?” he asks as he tries to recall the last thing he remembers.
“We made it to the ship with all twenty refugee’s when a clanker we missed threw a grenade to which you stupidly jumped on to save the group.” Rex explains hitting his shoulder. “We got out of there and I called your girl here to come and save your shebs and put them back together!”
Echo blushes at the comment and then sits up looking down at his legs. He could see the welds and the spare parts that had been used to put them back together, but his legs still looked good despite that. “You did this?”
“AZI and I actually.” you say as the droid hovers over him scanning him closely.
Rex smiles, “That’s not all. She's been treating all the wounded as well.”
You blush, “I wouldn’t be a very good doctor if I let anyone die on my watch!”
Echo looks down at your hands intertwined and then up at you. Your hair was braided in two, just like when you first met and you were wearing a simple body suit with a utility belt and a pair of leather boots. He could see the tear streaks on your cheeks and the red of your eyes, bringing that memory he had forgotten back. “Rex, can we have a minute?”
“Of course.” Rex nods winking at you.
When he’s gone Echo grabs your other hand with his metal one squeezing both of yours while looking into your eyes, “I’m sorry I scared you.”
You lean forward your foreheads touching as you let out a shaky breath, “No you're not.”
He laughs and then looks up slightly, “I remember now...”
“You wore your hair like this when we first met.” he comments gently stroking one of your braids and you look up at him in shock.
“I remember...” he whispers. “If I recall correctly Fives had told the entire 501 that he saw us leaving the closet together...”
You laugh, “Yes, he did. Made my life a living hell after that, telling every soldier in my vicinity that I was taken.”
He leans forward his breath hitting your lips, “Oh yeah?”
“Yeah.” you whisper. “He was right though. I loved you since that day even after we lost you...”
He leans forward and kisses you deeply, dropping your hands so he can cup your cheeks. You kiss him back pulling at his chest plate until you pull back for breath.
You wrap your arms around him, “so what now?”
“I don’t know.” he says honestly. “What do you want to do?”
You had spent the few days that Echo was unconscious working on a plan, hoping that he would agree, “H-How do you feel about having a partner in this fight?”
“Really? You’d leave the island?” he asks stunned.
You look at him confidently, “If it means getting to be by your side, I’ll gladly leave.”
AZI who you both forgot was there speaks up, “Omega will be very pleased operation heartbeat was a success!”
You giggle into his chest and Echo sighs, “I don’t even want to know...”
You sat inside your office on Pabu for the last time, shadowing the new doctor that would be taking over the medical center. A young woman with a baby boy that Phee had rescued a few weeks ago and brought to the island were currently getting a checkup.
“Baby boy looks good! You are both free to go!”
The mother sighs in relief and nods, “Thank you doctors...”
As she leaves you see Hunter who was sitting in the waiting room get up and follow her out. He looks at you with a sheepish smile and a wink as he leaves and you just chuckle to yourself. Shortly after a knock on the door pulls you out of the last of your work and you look up to see Echo with a cheeky smile.
You smile back at him running into his arms, “Hey you.”
You nod, “Yeah, I’m ready.”
Together the two of you leave the med center hand in hand. At the ship you give all the boys a hug and an extra tight squeeze to Omega, while holding back tears. “Thank you for everything Omega. We’ll see you soon.”
She squeezes you back, “Keep each other safe.”
“We will.” you promise as Echo grabs your hand, and Omega looks at them in shock. You wink and wave goodbye to everyone, only Omega noticing the silver band on your fingers glinting in the sun.
dividers by @saradika-graphics
