She was currently standing on her tippy toes trying to hang an ornament at the top of their tree to decorate.

Omega, who was sitting on the ground, petting a Tooka cat who their family had adopted (more like the cat just liked the group so decided to live with them). Wrecker and Omega had affectionately named her Karrie.

(My sister named the Tooka cat!)

"Yep!" The young girl jumped up and ran to the storage room.

(Y/N) smiled to herself. She was excited to show Omega what Life Day was all about. The little girl had asked her why there were so many people decorating the streets. (Y/N) had then realized that Omega had never celebrated Life Day.

Granted, (Y/N) wasn't a huge celebrator of the holiday, she was always preoccupied with training or the war for that matter. Growing up at the temple, her and some of her friends would exchange presents. She remembered her first Life Day where Obi-Wan had shown her the true meaning of the holiday. The two had the day off and just wandered around Coruscant. Then they exchanged presents with each other. Ever since then it had been a tradition of theirs, even with the addition of Anakin, Ahsoka, Rex, Cody and (Y/N)'s squad.

The first year (Y/N) had introduced the holiday to the Bad Batch, they seemed unsure of how to reciprocate the cheer since they had never celebrated. Of course (Y/N) understood, but it was cute to see the squad try to understand. Especially Tech, since he had researched the holiday excessively. Ever since then, the squad had celebrated the holiday in small special ways, including spending one year with other friends.

The Bad Batch were currently hiding out on Chandrila, waiting for the Imperial occupation to die out a little more before returning to Ord Mantell. It was a lovely and beautiful planet, (Y/N) had spoken to Mon Mothma during the Clone Wars and she spoke highly of the scenery and hoped she would return to her home planet one day.

"I see you are having trouble getting the ornaments on the tree." Tech said, amused.

"Yeah, I'm not exactly a very tall person compared to the tree Wrecker picked out." (Y/N) grinned.

"Allow me." Tech stepped forward.

(Y/N) handed Tech the ornament, and he took it gently before hanging it on the tree with care.

Suddenly, the two heard a couple crashes and whipped around to find Omega chasing Karrie, who had the lights in her mouth.

"Karrie! We need those!" Omega laughed.

(Y/N) smiled as Omega gleefully chased her mischievous Tooka cat, the lights strung around the room got tangled. With every darting movement of the cat, the lights began to wrap around Tech and (Y/N), drawing them closer with each passing second. They found themselves entwined in a mess of shimmering holographic lights, their proximity closer than they had ever been.

Caught up in the tangle, (Y/N) and Tech looked at each other, their cheeks flushed with a sudden rush of warmth. Their eyes met, sharing a moment of unexpected closeness amidst the chaos. A hint of a smile tugged at Tech's lips, his usually confident demeanor momentarily replaced by a shy and endearing expression.

"I... uh... sorry, this wasn't... I mean, the lights," Tech stammered, trying to untangle himself from the holographic mess without much success.

(Y/N) giggled softly, finding the situation amusing yet strangely heartwarming. Especially with the strange butterflies in her stomach.

"Seems like we've got ourselves into quite the predicament."

Omega, oblivious to the situation she inadvertently caused, continued chasing her furry companion, weaving through the room and leaving a trail of tangled lights in her wake.

With a gentle tug here and there, (Y/N) and Tech attempted to disentangle themselves from the lights, their hands brushing against each other as they worked to free themselves from the shimmering trap. Each accidental touch sent a spark through them, igniting a subtle yet undeniable connection.

Tech, usually composed and confident in his technological prowess, found himself at a loss for words. His cheeks flushed, mirroring the subtle blush that adorned (Y/N)'s face. Tech was rarely flustered.

His usually composed and confident demeanor, found himself inexplicably flustered around (Y/N). Whenever they exchanged words or shared a glance, an unfamiliar rush of nervousness enveloped him, painting his cheeks with a faint yet unmistakable blush. Butterflies fluttered in his stomach, an occurrence utterly foreign to his usual demeanor.

Finally managing to unravel themselves from the twinkling chaos, (Y/N) and Tech shared a sheepish grin, their eyes lingering a moment longer than necessary before turning back to the unfinished tree.

"Maybe we should try decorating without the help of adventurous Tooka cats next time," Tech suggested, attempting to lighten the mood, his voice slightly softer than usual.

(Y/N) nodded and said shyly, "Agreed."

The two spent the next hour carefully picking up the lights and placing them on the tree along with some ornaments.

Suddenly, Hunter came back with Echo. The two had been out running errands, picking up Force knows what, most likely some gifts for Omega.

Hunter beamed at the tree as he set down his bag.

"You two did a great job, the tree looks nice, I'm sure Omega will love it." He commented.

"Hey Hunter?" Omega asked as she came back into the Marauder with Karrie in her arms.

Hunter motioned for Echo to take the bags they had brought and put them somewhere Omega couldn't reach.

"Yeah?"

"Can we go out to town? Pleaseeee? I wanna look at all the decorations!" Omega begged.

Hunter's face was thoughtful for a moment before answering.

"I don't know, it's not really safe with all the troopers out there."

"Please, Hunter?" Omega gave Hunter her best puppy-dog eyes.

Hunter looked conflicted. He turned to (Y/N) for help.

"Let her go, I'll take her to town, it'll give you more time to... y'know, do what you need to do." (Y/N) said, referring to Omega's presents.

"Alright. Have Tech go as well, he could use some fresh air and a break." Hunter said.

Tech looked as if he was about to retort, but (Y/N) interrupted him.

"Sounds like a plan. Omega, why don't you grab your coat and disguise and we'll get going."

The girl excitedly put Karrie down and went to her room to grab her things.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Tech questions.

"It'll be fine. We'll look like any other civilians checking out town." (Y/N) assured the engineer.

Wrecker came bolting into the room, looking cheerful as ever.

"I got some food for tonight!" He yelled happily.

Karrie went over to the giant and began rubbing her head against his leg, begging for attention.

"Okay! I'm ready to go!" Omega back out.

She was dressed in a heavier coat, with her hood up so the Empire wouldn't recognize her.

"Tech, you ready?"

"Affirmative."

"Then let's do this."

XXXXX

It was cute. Watching Omega run to each stall, looking at the merchandise people were selling. Tech and (Y/N) walked side by side looking at the stalls as well. Omega had stopped at a jewelry stall with lots of extravagant items for sale. Her curiosity getting the better of her.

The person running the stand was an elderly lady, who let Omega try on all sorts of things. Smiling and complimenting the little girl every time she tried a new piece.

(Y/N) began to admire the beauty of the jewelry. In Mirkwood, their jewelry was always elegant yet simple unless you're royalty. But they were all ancient jewels prized by the elves. (Y/N) looked to her left and saw a beautiful yet simple bracelet.

(Let me know if the image isn't showing up!)

She felt drawn to the intricate bracelet, touching it gently as if she were to buy it.

"I handmade that bracelet myself. Some of my finest work if I do say so myself." The elderly lady said.

(Y/N) startled out of her curiosity.

"It's very beautiful." (Y/N) comments.

"Gem of the Luminous. Most commonly found on Ryloth, these gems supposedly have magical properties to them, which is why they have the blue hue." Tech stated.

The elderly lady smiled, "Yes, these are very hard to come by."

(Y/N) turns to find Omega, but the girl is already at another stall, trying some samples from a food stand.

"Your daughter seems like a wonderful girl. The two of you did well raising her." The elderly lady gestured.

(Y/N) blinked, momentarily stunned before composing herself.

"Thank you. We appreciate that. We're very proud of her." (Y/N) smiled.

Tech seemed confused, but caught on very quickly. Stepping closer to (Y/N) so they could seem more intimate as husband and wife.

"She takes after her mother. Kind, selfless, beautiful, and caring." Tech said.

(Y/N) was a little surprised at how good Tech was at playing the role of her husband. His words seemed so genuine. Like he actually meant it.

"Ah. Young love. He's a keeper, daring." The lady smiled at (Y/N).

"Thank you very much. We'll just be on our way. Our daughter wandered off." (Y/N) gestures to the stall Omega went to.

"Why, aren't you gonna buy the jewelry? I can give you a discount." The lady asked, confused.

"Oh no, give it to someone who needs it more than I do." (Y/N) laughed nervously.

"Are you sure?"

"Of course. I-"

(Y/N)'s ears twitched as she heard commotion to her right. She looked in the direction and saw Omega stubbornly standing over a Rodian family of 6, while arguing with a pair of Stormtroopers.

"It was lovely meeting you!" (Y/N) said before rushing through the crowd, leaving Tech behind.

"But they weren't doing anything!" Omega cried.

"I said, move girl, or I'll kill all seven of you." The Stormtrooper replied coldly.

Omega's protective instincts surged, and before anyone could react, she lunged forward, ready to defend the helpless family.

The stormtroopers, taken aback by Omega's fast reaction, snapped back angrily, their harsh words and menacing stances sending shivers down the family's spine. The children whimpered in fear, and the parents desperately tried to shield them from the looming threat.

Sensing the escalating tension, (Y/N) swiftly intervened, stepping between Omega and the stormtroopers. Drawing upon the Force.

"You will leave these people in peace," (Y/N) spoke in a firm tone, channeling the Force through their words.

The stormtroopers hesitated, an unseen force compelling them to reconsider their aggressive stance. Confusion flickered from them, conflicting emotions battling within them.

"We...will leave these people in peace." One of the troopers stuttered, his voice strained as if resisting an invisible force.

As the stormtroopers reluctantly retreated, (Y/N) turned their attention to the shaken family, offering a reassuring smile.

Meanwhile, Tech, having lagged behind to investigate another section of the market, caught up with the duo, observing the aftermath of the tense encounter.

"What happened here?" he inquired, noting the lingering tension in the air.

Omega recounted the confrontation, her voice still laced with wonder for (Y/N).

"(Y/N) did something to the stormtroopers to back off. It was incredible."

"A mind trick, harmless yet effective." (Y/N) didn't elaborate further since they were still in a public space.

Tech nodded, impressed by (Y/N)'s adept use of her abilities.

"A strategic move. Resolving conflict without resorting to direct confrontation. Clever."

"Would it work on me?" Omega asked.

"It's only effective on the weak-minded." (Y/N) smiled, then turned to the family of scared Rodians.

The eldest looking one stepped forward to (Y/N), speaking in Rodese.

"Tech, translation?" (Y/N) inquired.

"They are thankful for your intervention. They are not from this area, and did not understand what the stormtroopers were saying." Tech said, his visor now down.

"Tell them it was no problem."

Tech spoke in Rodese to the family. To which, the father figure spoke up, asking a question.

Tech turned to (Y/N).

"They are in need of a ride to their village, their families are waiting to celebrate Life Day with them."

(Y/N) frowned. But before she could reply, Omega piped up.

"They're away from family? On Life Day? But (Y/N) said Life Day is all about spending time with family and loved ones! We have to get them home!" Omega insisted.

(Y/N) bit her lip, and turned to Tech, who was equally as torn as she was. They turned back to Omega, who was reassuring the three children that they would make it home to their village in time.

(Y/N) sighed and brought her comm to her mouth.

"Hunter, we're gonna have some company."

XXXXX

"So let me get this straight, you found this family, told them we'd take them to their village, and we don't know where their village is located?" Hunter asked, an edge to his tone.

"But Hunter! They needed help! And (Y/N) told me Life Day was all about-" Omega began.

"Family and friends, I know." Hunter sighed.

"And to be fair, they know how to get there, we just need to follow their instructions." (Y/N) said.

"And Tech can translate for us!" Omega added.

Hunter sighed once again, and turned to the family of six. Wrecker was playing with the children, laughing with them as they attempted to climb up on the giant. The parents were looking at the tree that Tech and (Y/N) had decorated earlier.

"Alright. Tech get to the cockpit, (Y/N), take whoever has the directions. Echo and I will get everyone strapped in." Hunter orders.

Tech spoke in Rodese to the family, the tallest Rodian (presumably the father) stepped up, volunteering to give directions.

(Y/N) and Tech led the Rodian to the cockpit, the Rodian strapped into the seat behind (Y/N)'s (copilot's seat).

Tech turned to (Y/N) and held out his helmet to her. (Y/N) looked down at the helmet in his hands and back up to Tech's face, confused.

"I'll need you to inform me which direction we are heading in." He said, gesturing to his hands.

(Y/N) nodded, taking the helmet gently from Tech. Though she had handled Tech's helmet on many occasions, she didn't want to break anything.

Tech took to his seat, preparing to take off, while
(Y/N) placed the helmet on her head, strapping into her seat.

Tech's helmet was impressive to say the least. An excessive amount of buttons and controls were all over the visor. Sure (Y/N) always saw Tech working on his helmet, but she never really thought about how many modifications were made.

The Rodian would say something in their language, and (Y/N) would tell Tech the direction thanks to his built-in translator. All was going well until-

The tranquility of their mission shattered. Four TIE fighters seemingly materialized from them, streaking towards them with aggressive intent.

"Incoming fighters!" Tech yelled to the squad and family.

"The hell are they doing out here?" (Y/N) asked.

"I do not know. This is not any Imperial territory."

"Tech, evasive maneuvers!" (Y/N)'s voice rang out with determination.

(Y/N) threw off Tech's helmet, placing it on the seat behind the trooper as she bolted towards the gunner's nest.

"Echo, copilot!" (Y/N)'s command echoed through the ship, and Echo swiftly took his place at the controls, assisting Tech in orchestrating the ship's erratic course.

Tech's fingers danced across the controls, the Marauder jolting and swerving, a dance with danger amidst the chaos. His mind raced, calculating trajectories and angles to give (Y/N) a clear shot at the TIE fighters. The cockpit rattled as debris from the dogfight littered the space around them.

As (Y/N) passed the family, who were strapped in, she couldn't help but feel bad, the Rodians were holding hands, communicating with each other in Rodese.

The TIE fighters, relentless and precise in their assault, weaved through the debris field, closing in on the Marauder with lethal precision. (Y/N)'s senses are in tune with a connection to the Force, a channel of power and focus surging within her.

"Tech, keep them steady!" (Y/N)'s voice cut through the chaos as she tapped into the Force.

Her eyes narrowed in concentration. With unwavering focus, she synced her mind and reflexes with the ship's weaponry.

The first TIE fighter surged closer, its menacing silhouette filling the viewport. (Y/N)'s hands moved with grace. Blaster bolts came from the Marauder's guns, peppering the TIE fighter in a display of fiery defiance. With precision honed through years of Jedi discipline, (Y/N) guided the bolts towards their target, the Force guiding her aim.

(Y/N) was vaguely aware of Hunter saying something over comms.

One by one, the TIE fighters closed in, their onslaught unyielding. The cockpit echoed with the roar of the Marauder's guns and the screech of the pursuing fighters. (Y/N)'s connection to the Force intensified, a radiant aura enveloping her as she focused her mind and channeled the energy needed to repel the attackers.

With each passing moment, her maneuvers became more intricate, her shots more precise. The second TIE fighter spiraled into some nearby wreckage, followed swiftly by the third.

As the final TIE fighter loomed, (Y/N)'s eyes glinted with determination. She stretched out with the Force, a surge of energy around her. With a serene yet forceful gesture, blaster bolts erupted from the Marauder, guided by the power she channeled. The TIE fighter, caught in the storm of the Force, met its maker in an explosion.

Breathless and adrenaline-fueled, the cockpit fell into an eerie calm, (Y/N), her (H/C) hair tousled from the exertion, sank back into her seat.

(Y/N) sighed in relief. The threat was gone for now. She made her way out of the gunner's nest, seeing Wrecker and Omega trying to calm the Rodians down.

(Y/N) got back into the cockpit, Hunter was standing behind Tech, while Echo was in the copilot's seat with the father Rodian behind him.

Tech glanced over, a mixture of admiration and respect evident in his gaze.

"That was... impressive."

"Not as impressive as your flying." (Y/N) teased.

"Our flying." Echo smiles cheekily.

Hunter rolled his eyes fondly.

"Great work all of you, now let's get to the village before we're attacked again."

XXXXX

The group exited the Marauder, the moment the Rodians left, many aliens of all species came forward embracing the family. The village was simple, many teepees surrounded the area with a large and decorated tree in the very middle.

Omega was currently playing with the children, giggling at the small frogs they were feeding.

The eldest Rodian that the group had helped, came over to (Y/N), eyes full of warmth and wisdom, and took (Y/N)'s hands in theirs. (Y/N)'s eyes filled with confusion but kindness as the