Work Text:
Cody carefully stretched in the hard, uncomfortable seat he was sequestered in, extending his legs under the dinged metal table in the common area with a grimace. The area, thankfully, was quiet; giving him a rare spot of peace.
Dull pain radiated up his left leg, the muscles shaking with effort as he pushed through the stretch.
PT is a bitch, but an unfortunate necessity if he ever wants to get back to peak usefulness. Can't have a bum leg if you're an active rebel agent, after all.
The former Marshal Commander of the GAR shuffled through Imperial activity reports, cross-comparing data from various scouting missions. They each had a slightly different objective within their rebel cell's assigned sector, but put together they helped give direction for their next hits.
Cody's train of thought was interrupted as footsteps sounded in the doorway. Lifting his head, Cody blinked away the words that still swam across his vision, recognizing Rex.
Rex, who had clearly skipped return procedure to seek out Cody.
Raising an eyebrow, Cody regarded his younger brother with curiosity that was quickly stained with dread at the expression on Rex's face.
"Hey, Codes." Rex began, trying—and failing—to look casual. Rex had gotten better at muting his expressions from his time as a headstrong cadet, but Cody knew his vod'ika and could instantly tell something was up.
Standing, Cody suppressed a wince as his ankle jarred, the healing fracture protesting from its confines of a boot.
"Let's go somewhere private," Cody sighed, already moving past his brother.
Rex slumped, a mulish expression flickering across his face at Cody's confidence in the face of his deception, before the seriousness of whatever news he had caught up with him and it disappeared.
It didn't take long for them to reach their shared quarters, Cody leaning against their bunks to face Rex with crossed arms.
"Well?" he prompted.
Rex took a breath, about to settle into giving a report, when he sighed and slumped down to sit on the lower bunk instead.
Clasping his hands in his knees, the blonde captain looked to his older brother.
"You know the Kaminoans like perfection. That they like to push the limits to biology, no matter what it takes—as long as it isn't their own kind, anyway." Rex began.
Cody nodded to prompt him to continue, wondering just what Rex had found on Kamino. He, along with most of the other Rebel leaders had thought it had been converted to an Imperial training facility while they were cycling out the last of the cadets from their growth chambers and finishing their training.
"We found... they were trying to make Force-sensitive cadets. Using Jedi DNA and clone DNA, to make the perfect soldier."
Cody held Rex's gaze, while dread slowly pooled in his gut, heavy as a stone in molasses.
"We looked at the records. They showed several failed attempts at cloning General Ti—" Rex growled and Cody hissed through his teeth, both men knowing exactly what that meant, "—so they decided to terminate the project and try again."
"We decided to expand the mission from destroying the last traces of Fett's DNA to include the General's DNA so they couldn't keep trying. It was then that we realized they also had caches of clone sub-strain DNA. They were using various CC-class DNA samples to supplement clone production, since Prime's material had degraded." Rex leaned back, pressing his lips together in a fine line.
Cody fought to keep his face from twitching. Force, no wonder Rex had come to him first. The officers of the Rebellion, though passionate they may be, were prone to overreacting to these types of situations if they weren't framed carefully. It was usually why Cody was the one to give bad news, since he had seen the most diplomatic missions with Obi—
Cody cut off his train of thought, forcing himself to focus back on Rex.
"We brought back some cadets, as many as we were able—" Rex raised his hands, pre-empting Cody's response, "—I know, it wasn't the mission, but we just... couldn't leave them there. We took as many as we could without compromising the mission." Rex said firmly, backing his words with the experience of his captaincy, a rank forged in the fire of war.
Cody set his jaw, but found he couldn't argue. He would have done the same, in that situation.
"And where are our vod'ike now? How many?" He asked instead, mind already filing through their options to sustain a sudden influx of people on the base.
Rex shook his head, standing to place his hands on Cody's shoulders, bringing his ori'vod back to the conversation.
"We brought back a tubie. The Kaminoans had gotten ahold of Kenobi's DNA, probably after the battle of Kamino while treating his injuries. They combined yours and the General's DNA. She's in the ship we came in."
Cody just... stopped.
Staring at Rex, the former Commander tried to make sense of it all.
"What?" he rasped, unable to choke out any more words, despite the hundreds of questions on his tongue.
"She's been seen by the medics, she's healthy. I know... I know how much Kenobi meant to you. I figured that you should see her." Rex offered softly, hands gently squeezing Cody's shoulders.
"I... I have an ik'aad? From mine and—and Obi-Wan's DNA?" Cody stuttered uncomprehendingly.
"Yes. She's Force-sensitive."
Rex didn't have to explain that the little tubie—his daughter would never have a normal life while the Empire still existed. Cody, and perhaps some of his brothers would be all she has to protect her.
"I need—" Cody swallowed, gripping Rex's vambrace.
"Let's go." He said firmly, already turning to the door, dislodging his brother's grip on his shoulders.
~*~
She was so small.
The first thought he had upon laying eyes on his—his daughter, was that she was so, so very small, dressed as she was in a little brown onesie.
Her fluffy red hair lay gently against her forehead, just barely starting to curl at the ends. Her rounded features were soft as she slept, held in a makeshift cradle in a hamper basket and blankets.
Cody felt warmth on his cheeks and tasted salt on his lips. He didn't bother to wipe his tears as he gently grasped her hand between his calloused thumb and forefinger, almost worried his hands would be too rough for her delicate skin.
Her little hand instinctively tightened around his finger as she let out a big, toothless yawn, her big eyes blinking open sleepily to stare up at him.
At seeing his face leaning over her, she gave him a wide, gummy smile.
Cody was forced to lean forward slightly as an invisible hand yanked on his shirt, causing him to let out a surprised laugh.
She was Force-sensitive, just like—
Cody stopped, looking down at her, forcing himself to finish the thought.
Just like Obi-Wan. Like her father.
She deserved to know who her other parent was. How good, and brave, and kind he was. A prickle of sadness and regret suffused through his chest.
"Hello, ad'ika. I'm your buir. I know I'm not the parent you deserve, but I swear by the Manda, or the Force, or even the memory of your father that I will do my best by you, even if you come to hate me for taking our better half away."
The ik'aad's face scrunched, and Cody felt another tug on his shirt.
"Alright, alright." The former commander murmured, reaching down to cradle her against his chest, her head safely resting in the crook of his arm.
His child just looked up at him, her brown-flecked eyes drooping once more.
Cody looked back to the doorway and out to the ship's hallway, to Rex leaning against the wall with a small, knowing smile on his face.
"Does she have a name?" Cody whispered, swiping a gentle thumb over her brow. She let out a sigh, one that Cody couldn't help but be amused at how it seemed to take the effort of her entire tiny body.
"She doesn't. We thought you should be the one to do it," Rex answered, shrugging a shoulder sheepishly. "We've just been calling her "vod'ad" while we've had her.
Cody hummed, his heart feeling at peace as he held her.
"Mara. Mara Jade Kenobi." He murmured, looking on his daughter's face with nothing but awe and wonder.
Her delicate eyelashes fluttered and closed under his gentle ministrations, stroking a thumb over her cheek reverently.
Turning, Cody looked back to his brother, a stricken look on his face.
"I... What am I going to do?" he whispered hoarsely, "This changes everything. She... I've never done this before, Rex. She deserves my entire effort—but what if it's not enough? I'm a deserter, and working with the Rebellion. I may be a clone but even I know that's no life for a child—"
Rex stepped forward, placing his hands firmly on Cody's shoulders to look him square in the eye, effectively cutting off the former Commander's ramble.
"Vod. You're not alone, we'll help you work something out. For now, just be here for her. We'll handle things as they come."
Cody nodded, throat tight with gratitude for his younger brother. Some of it must have shown on his face, as Rex gave him a gentle smile and nod.
"Come on, let me grab her stuff, I'll help you set something up for her in your quarters."
~*~
Bail Organa was not one to slouch or slump, as he was the prince consort of Alderaan and its senator for the galactic Empire. Yet, here he was, back bowed in exhaustion in the creaky seat in an office with no windows. His dark eyes strayed to a mysterious stain in the corner of the room near the ceiling—just to give his eyes some variety from the pages upon pages of datawork open in his work queue. Alas, it was the consequences of running a planet and a rebellion. This was one of the rare times Bail was even on-planet for rebel activities, instead of calling in via holonet.
A sharp knock had his posture straighten, the dark-haired man happily shutting off his datapad in favor of calling out a welcome.
The prince consort is stunned when a new—or perhaps old—face was revealed behind the opened door, instead of Mon Mothma or Admiral Ackbar as he had anticipated.
No, it was a clone. Not just any clone, but Marshal Commander Cody. Bail couldn't help his slightly widened eyes at the appearance of his friend's former second in command, not having realized he was even free of the Empire—much less on a rebel base. The cellular structure of rebel command certainly had its benefits, but also its detractors, Bail lamented silently.
He was quick to stand and greet the commander, extending a hand that was grasped with equal firmness.
"Commander, it's good to see you. I hadn't realized you were here—I'm glad." Bail offered with a warm, yet sad smile.
Cody nodded, though his gaze was distant in a manner Bail had rarely seen from the focused, competent Marshal Commander.
"Yes, sir. I came here on a bit of—personal business, I suppose. Though, of course, it will affect the Rebellion as well." The man replied, falling into parade rest.
Bail was quick to motion him to be at ease—they weren't at war anymore. And even when they had been, he still found the clones' automatic deference uncomfortable.
"No need to stand on ceremony. What can I help you with?" Bail offered, beginning to round his desk to sit once more.
"Well, sir, I just found out I have a daughter. Only a few months old. She was found on Kamino during a mission aimed at destroying Fett DNA-"
Bail immediately stopped in his tracks, turning to face Cody, mouth opened in uncharacteristic surprise.
"—and it turned out the Kaminiise had been trying to make Force-sensitive clones to make even more dangerous soldiers. She—my daughter was the only one that was successful." The Commander spoke in a rush, anxiety clearly coloring his words.
Bail nodded, trying to formulate a coherent response beyond "what" and, "how?"
"If I understand this correctly, the Kaminoans used Fett DNA to try and make Force-sensitive clones? But I thought he was Force-null, yes?" He asked, smoothing a hand over his jet-black goatee.
"Ah, not entirely, sir. They used my DNA specifically, as Prime's had been too deteriorated. You are correct in that he was a Force-null, however, the Kaminoans had gotten ahold of Jedi DNA as well." Came the response, his words as tight and tense as the flattened corners of the Commander's mouth.
"Jedi DNA?" Bail breathed, "from a live Jedi?"
Cody swallowed, and shook his head minutely, amber gaze hitting the floor.
"From who?" Bail probed gently, brows furrowing in a mixture of disgust at the memory of a Jedi being dishonored by the Kaminoans in that way, as well as the implications at several failed attempts at cloning.
"General Kenobi, sir." Cody's voice was practically a hoarse whisper, jaw faintly trembling.
Bail sat down with a flump in his chair, staring at the Commander.
Obi-Wan was dead? How? When? He had just talked to the man only—
Oh. Oh no.
Cody didn't know, how could he?
Bail swallowed as realization dawned on him. He hadn't known Cody was still alive, much less part of the Rebellion. The poor man didn't know Obi-Wan was still alive and well.
The Prince Consort stifled a grimace as he then thought how close the two were—Obi-Wan had seemed uniquely devastated when he told Bail of his battalion's betrayal, even more so when he learned of the inhibitor chips. While Bail hadn't known the full extent of their relationship, he knew there was an undercurrent of something more to the General-Commander duo.
Bail was quick to rally, noticing Cody's growing anxiety in his rigid posture with each silent second that ticked by. With a resolute nod, the Alderaanian leaned forward to brace his hands flat on the wooden desk, every inch the firm, confidant, and reassuring Prince Consort.
"Commander. Cody," he amended, knowing there was no place for rank in this conversation, "Obi-Wan is alive."
~*~
Alive.
Alive.
Alivealivealive
Alive.
The word kept ringing in his mind, even as Bail gives him the details. Later, he will think back on that conversation and fume about his reckless General's actions and the Prince Consort's avoidance of certain details, but for now all he can do is numbly follow Organa as he is given a ship and a bag of baby supplies—perhaps snagged from his personal cache for his newly adopted twins—and told a set of coordinates.
While used to working under high stakes and great unknowns, even Cody was having difficulty maintaining his composure--fingers tapping against his vambrace or standing up from the pilot's chair, only to wince and sit back down when he remembered his injury.
He was grateful, then, for Mara, who brought him welcome distraction. Though, it did little to dull the aching bruise in his heart when he remembered that what he had learned of taking care of ik'aade, he learned from Obi-Wan while visiting the Creche.
Still, through the cycles they spent confined in the walls of the borrowed ship Cody rocked his daughter through her tears, and bounced her gently until she laughed.
It was during one of the rare quiet moments where Cody was snagging some much-needed sleep in a nap between his little Jade's bouts of wakefulness that the proximity alarm went off.
Quickly slapping out a hand to silence it, Cody paused as he waited to see if his ik'aad had been woken from the noise. Thankfully, the ship's humming hyperdrive went unbroken by a shrieking wail, allowing the former Commander to bring them out of hyperspace and study the coordinates they were given.
Just as he was bringing the ship out of autopilot, a stab of anxiety slipped behind his sternum, squeezing tightly.
It struck him, just then, how close they were again. Not just physically on the same planet, but both still alive. Cody had thought he would only reunite with Obi-Wan in the Force--had never considered the possibility that their meeting again might be sooner than after his own death.
Looking out of the cockpit windscreen, Cody drew a few deep, steady breaths to force his muscles to unclench themselves.
The planet they were arriving at--Yavin IV--was a beautiful, lush green forested planet. It was an hour 'till dusk where he was going, becoming more evident as they breached atmo and could see the bending hues of a painted tropical sunset glide its way across the sky.
His hands remained steady on the yoke, even as his spirit felt shaky as Cody guided the ship smoothly above the trees, before finding a clearing in the forest where he could dip under the canopy.
Miraculously, Mara only gave a squawk of surprise from deeper within the ship as she woke from the atmospheric pressure changes as they slowed.
Flipping the landing gear switch, they at last set down in the thick fern-covered undergrowth.
Standing, the former Commander felt his limbs buzz with energy and anticipation as he stepped out of the cockpit and made his way to Mara's crib, mounted in a modified bunk cubby across from his own.
As much as he didn't want to leave her alone, he didn't want to risk taking her out of the ship until he knew what they would find.
"I'm not going far, I promise you," Cody assured Mara, though it felt as though the words were for the both of them, not just his wide-eyed daughter.
The former commander didn't know what he had expected, but a cloaked humanoid figure meets him as Cody descends the ramp, hydrolics hissing quietly.
For a moment they stared in silent stand-off, before the low hood fell back.
Before he had time to process, the being became a blur of movement as Cody was slammed into bodily and knocked flat on his back. Cody's entire body tensed as he prepared to throw off his attacker, when he realized he wasn't being restrained, or put in any kind of hold at all.
But what really caused him to freeze was the face that came into focus, haloed in golden light filtering through the deep green canopy of the forest.
A familiar red hair and beard threaded with Grey, tired blue eyes and dots of freckles that Cody once knew more intimately than the backs of his own two hands.
"Obi-Wan?"
His beloved Jedi bowed over him, touching their foreheads together. This close, it wasn't hard at all to see the crystalline tears welling in those blue eyes.
"Cody, oh Cody. Ner kar'ta," Obi-Wan gasped wetly.
"Cyare," Cody stammered back, raising a hand to stroke over his love's cheek.
"I, can I—" Obi-Wan tried, ghosting a thumb over Cody's lips.
"Yes," he breathed, nearly cut off as lips met him in a kiss.
Reigniting muscle memory, it was all too easy to fall into it, even through the tears messily sliding down both of their faces, making the kiss taste like salt.
They broke apart briefly, the former commander having sat up slightly from under the former general, a hand braced behind while the other stroked Obi-Wan’s ginger-beared jawline.
Knocking their foreheads once more into a mir'murecya Cody stumbled out apologies.
"I'm so, so sorry. Ni ceta, Obi-Wan."
Obi-Wan shook his head, jostling Cody's from where they stayed connected.
"I forgave you a long time ago. Moreover, it wasn't your fault. I know about the chips, my darling. I know."
Obi-Wan leaned back, at last letting Cody get up with an extended hand. Neither let go even as they were back standing on their own, not yet willing to give up the contact just yet.
"My love, oh how I missed you so. I had heard about your desertion but trying to find you was difficult. Something I was both frustrated with and glad for, because being hard to find meant you were keeping safe." The Jedi murmured, blue eyed gaze tracing over Cody's features.
He did the same in return, of course, mentally noting what had stayed the same and what had changed.
They were both older, a little more wrinkled and a little more haunted, but they were still themselves underneath that.
Squeezing his hands, Cody took a breath to steady himself, knowing that he'd need to tell Obi-Wan about Mara sooner rather than later, else she make herself known.
"I... have some news. It's a lot," he warned, watching as Obi-Wan pulled his features into a serious furrow in response.
Deciding to rip a page out of Rex's book—because what were brothers for if not to shamelessly plagiarize—and began with the explanation of the mission to Kamino.
"—and so I flew straight here," Cody finished.
There, in the small clearing sequestered away on a small forested moon, silence filled the air like lead as Obi-Wan processed the story.
Cody could see by the rigidness in the Jedi's shoulders and the perfectly even breathing that Obi-Wan was battling with strong emotions, most likely passing them into the Force to retain his calm.
The former commander watched Obi-Wan's throat bob with a rough swallow, waiting patiently for words to come from someone who wasn't often struck silent like this.
"...Setting aside the ethical decisions made—or lack thereof—by the Kaminoans, I..."
The redhead trailed off. Cody squeezed their joined hands again, gently bringing him back after more long seconds of quiet.
"We have a daughter? Truly?" He asked finally. Cody hesitated at the question, but couldn't help but smile when he saw the awe and budding hope in his cyare's eyes.
"Yes," he grinned, face pulling with muscles he felt he hadn't been given the opportunity to use since the end of the war.
"She was sleeping, when I first saw her. She was so small, but when she saw me she reached out, both with her tiny little hand but also with the Force. Grabbed my shirt, practically demanded me to pick her up." Cody described gently, sweeping a thumb over the back of the former Jedi's hand.
"What... what does she look like?" Obi-Wan asked, a thousand emotions flickering over his expression.
"Come see for yourself," Cody tugged at their hands, nodding behind him to the ship.
His Jedi followed slowly, grip tightening ever so little as they entered the ship.
It was the matter of only a few steps before Cody let go of their hands in front of the sleeping cabin door, instead putting his palm flat and reassuringly on the small of the former General's back.
The door hissed open, and Obi-Wan—not one to hesitate in the face of uncertainty—stepped into the darkened room.
Cody heard a small gasp from the man in front of him as soon as they entered.
"Oh, she's wonderful, Cody. She's so bright in the Force," his Jedi whispered in awe, slowly stepping forward to approach with the utmost reverence.
"Hello there," Obi-Wan whispered, gently reaching out to their little girl.
"Her name is Mara Jade Kenobi," Cody supplied softly, hanging back only slightly to give Obi-Wan time to meet the ad.
"Hello there, Mara," the Jedi murmured, reaching down and pulling her gently to lay in his crooked arms against his chest.
The little girl looked up at them with wide eyes, glittering with an innocent hope in their blue and brown-flecked depths.
She let out a humming grunt as her fine red brows scrunched.
Cody frowned. "Need something, ad'ika?"
At first, Cody thought she might need a change soon, but then he felt the familiar tug against the front of his shirt. He couldn't help but laugh, remembering their first meeting.
Smiking, he took a few steps to join his beloved, reaching a hand for Mara to grip on to.
It was only then, with Cody's finger in her little fist, and her cheek pressed against Obi-Wan's chest that she relaxed, doe-like lashes fluttering closed.
Cody smiled, looking to his love whose eyes had drifted closed, his expression peaceful as he basked in their daughter's bright little presence in the Force.
Seeming to feel his gaze, Obi-Wan opened his eyes to meet Cody's, a gentle smile full of love and wonder and joy lighting up his expression.
Neither man was in any hurry to move. They had spent years believing they had lost one another.
Now, at last, they were home.