A returning Echo

Chapter Eight

Despite telling him you would talk to him the next day, you hadn't seen Echo in two standard weeks. He was beginning to really think that he had done something to make you not want to see him. Fives kept telling him that it was fine, and you were probably just busy. Even Anakin didn't know what happened to you, so he was left in the dark about what where you had been. Your star fighter and royal transport hadn't moved since you returned after helping the 501st, so he assumed you were still on Coruscant. Could you really be avoiding him?
He was chatting to Rex in the hanger when you suddenly flew in on a smoking speeder. You looked like you barely had control of it before it crashed into the ground, sending you flying through the air and into the wall. The speeder erupted in flames and your body fell unceremoniously to the ground. You groaned and held your head as you lay in a very uncomfortable looking position on the floor.
"Y/n?" Echo said while he and Rex approached you.
"Remind me to never agree to going undercover for Obi Wan again," you grumbled while standing up. You were the image of exhaustion, clothes ripped and face dirty.
"You were undercover?" He asked, relief flooding through him.
"Yeah, ever since the day after we got back." You looked at him before your eyes widened. "Oh, maker! I'm so sorry, Echo! I know I said I'd talk to you but Obi Wan came to me first thing in the morning and I didn't have time to find you," you scrambled out.
"It's okay, darling," he laughed. "I knew something probably came up."
"No you didn't, you were worried that she was avoiding you," Rex said. "We all had to keep telling you everything was fine and that she was probably busy."
Echo felt his cheeks flush in embarrassment, looking at his captain.
"Echo," you said shaking your head with a grin. "How many times am I going to have to tell you that I enjoy your company and that I like you?"
"Until I believe it, I guess," he laughed.
"I'll leave you two alone," Rex said while walking away.
"You look like a mess," Echo stated, causing you to give him a questioning look. You saw Rex face palm as he was still within hearing distance.
"That's not exactly how you flirt," you replied, playfully glaring at him.
"Sorry, I'm used to being blunt with the boys," he said feeling slightly bad.
"Don't worry," you giggled. "I know I'm a mess. Come with me. You can wait in my room while I clean up. I want to take you somewhere to make up for disappearing on you."
He nodded and followed you to your room.
"I'm just going to take a quick shower and change clothes, it shouldn't be long. You can watch a holovideo if you like," you said while walking in. Echo sat on your couch and turned on the viewscreen. He tried focusing on the holovideo, but his mind briefly went to the thought of you in the shower.
Stop that, he thought to himself, shaking his head. From your spot in the shower, you sensed his brief thought and bit your lip, cheeks flushing at his thought. You quickly finished up washing and decided to have a little fun. You grabbed your towel and tied it around yourself before walking out into the living room.
"Oh, I forgot to tell you," you said, gaining his attention. You saw him freeze when he looked at you, unable to control his eyes from roaming over your figure. Your hair was wet and dripping on the floor. A drop of water ran down your neck to your chest. He watched it closely before he peeled his eyes away from its trail to meet your gaze.
"We're going to a restaurant, so if you want we can stop by your barracks to get you something else to wear. It's nothing fancy, I just thought you might want to be more comfortable than in your armor."
He took a second to regain his composure before he responded.
"Y-yeah, we can do that," he stammered out. You bit your lip and grinned at him before nodding your head and walking into your bedroom. You sensed him through the force again and giggled to yourself at his reaction. Sure, you were playing with him now, but he looked so cute all flustered over your image. You put on a simple but cute top that was somewhat revealing and a nice pair of form fitting pants.
"Okay, I'm ready," you said as you walked back into the room. Echo nodded and stood up, following you out the door.
"Are you going to go change or stay in your armor?" You asked as you walked towards the elevator.
"I don't think I really have anything else to go out in," he said after thinking for a second.
"Really? You just always wear your undersuit and armor?"
"Well, I like to always be ready to be called into action," he explained. "And, most of us don't usually go out to the city often, unless we go to 79's."
"We should go there sometime, I've heard it's a fun place."
"Yeah, Fives drags me out every so often, but I usually just watch over him and make sure he doesn't get into trouble," Echo said while rolling his eyes.
"At least he's got a good brother to watch over him."
"Yeah, but I wish I got paid. Babysitting isn't fun." You laughed at his comment, leaving the elevator and heading into the hanger.
"So, where exactly are we going?" He asked as you walked over to a speeder.
"CoCo Town," you replied. You hopped on the speeder and he climbed on behind you. He hesitated for a second before he put his arms around you and asked, "is this alright with you?" Though he couldn't see it, the feeling of his hands on your waist had made you blush furiously.
"Yeah, that's fine," you replied, trying to focus on starting the speeder instead of his warm touch. You were still slightly distracted when you began to fly, so the speeder jumped forwards, causing you to slide back into Echo. Your back was now pushed against his chest, and you tried to move up quickly.
"Sorry," you said, slightly embarrassed though he couldn't see your red face. He chuckled from behind you before replying, "it's fine. I don't mind." You secretly wished he would wrap his arms tighter around you and rest his chin on your shoulder, maybe give you a little kiss on the cheek. You knew it was silly to think of such things, but you couldn't help yourself.