Astrid attentively scrolled through her datapad, momentarily losing awareness of her surroundings. When Tech's voice called her name she startled in response but quickly regained her composure.

"Hmm? What was that?" She asked.

"I said the surgical pod is now prepared for my operation."

She breathed in deeply. "Right. Let's get started then, shall we?"

Tech took note of the reluctance in her tone and offered helpfully, "Would you like me to review the surgical methods of the operation for you before we begin?"

The duo locked eyes. "Yes. Yes, that sounds like a good idea."

Tech explained the procedure to Astrid with patience. Seeing as Astrid was a skilled medic, he knew she was fully capable of successfully completing the task without his assistance. However, if it put her at ease in the slightest bit, he would explain it to her a dozen times.

"Are you sure you trust me to do this?" She blurted, unable to stop herself from asking.

Tech appeared surprised at her honest outburst of anxiety. "Of course," he answered straight away, "There isn't a shadow of a doubt in my thoughts - and since I was born with an exceptional mind, you may find comfort in my saying so."

Astrid couldn't help but smile at his endearing boast. "Thanks, Tech." 

Finally, Astrid had gained an ample amount of confidence from Tech's medical review and she was prepared to perform the surgery independently.

Tech settled his armored body onto the medical pod and relaxed his limbs.

"I'm ready when you are." He informed Astrid.

The medic nodded in reply. " Okay, let's do this."

As she watched the cot move into the surgical pod, she whispered encouragement to herself.

"I can do this. I can do this. I can do this." She inhaled the stale med-bay air until she wondered if her lungs might implode. Astrid moved to the control panel and watched the current surgical display closely, waiting for her queue to begin.

The minutes following the procedure whizzed by with surprisingly less anxiety than Astrid had originally expected. It felt as if she were watching someone else's body function, for she worked with utter diligence and expertise.

At last, the surgery was complete.

Since the others had gone topside a bit ago, Astrid was left with the company of her thoughts. The medic had faith in her medical ability, however, she couldn't be certain if it was a success until her patient woke up. Minutes stretched into an hour and Astrid grew more worried with each passing second. In hopes of calming her spiraling thoughts, she rhythmically tapped her slender fingers against Tech's cot. She focused on her breathing to steady her jumpy heart.

A gloved hand grasped her elbow startling the medic. Astrid whipped her head around to find the source of the hesitant touch.

She beheld Tech's wonderful brown eyes.

"See? You didn't kill me." He praised her.

Astrid laughed breathlessly from relief. In an act of pure spontaneity, she threw her arms around his shoulders. Upon realizing the awkwardness of her action, she hastily removed herself from the puzzled clone.

With heated cheeks and downcast eyes, Astrid strung together a stuttered apology. "S-Sorry! Sorry. I was - uh - excited is all." She cleared her throat and then repeated for good measure, "Sorry."

Tech, whose own face was a pinkish shade, also cleared his throat. "It is alright."

"I . . . Am glad you're okay, Tech." Astrid risked a glance at those beautiful brown eyes only to find them already locked on her own hazel orbs.

"So am I." The corners of his mouth quirked upward by the smallest degree - a rare occurrence to witness. Then, his gaze fell to her cheek.

Subconsciously, Astrid raised her hand to feel her cheek. "What is it?"

"There appears to be a few specks of dried blood on your face."

"Oh." Astrid wiped at her face now feeling slightly embarrassed. "I must've missed a spot from earlier . . . " Her voice trailed off as she continued to rub her wrist across her cheek. "Did I get it all?"

Tech tilted his head in examination. "Not entirely. Allow me."

In a single fluid motion, he swiped the pad of his gloved thumb over the stubborn flecks of blood, successfully removing them.

"Your injury seems to be healing nicely," He commented motioning at the faint cut on her cheek.

"Oh, yes! The salve has done its job."

Before Astrid could thank him, Tech pointed out with a quirked-up eyebrow, "You have some blood on your hands as well."

"Hmm, I didn't realize that," She said as she reached for a spare cloth to rub at the smears of scarlet liquid staining her pale hands. Unfortunately, the blood had dried to her flesh thoroughly and refused to come off - no matter how aggressively she rubbed.

"May I?" Tech asked. Astrid was puzzled at his request but nodded and handed him the rag. Tech then moved to his med pack and retrieved a bottle sloshing with strong-smelling liquid. He moistened the cloth and returned to his place beside Astrid.

"Hold out your hands." He instructed his patient. Though wearing a confused expression, Astrid complied. 

What happened next was not on the mental list of possibilities Astrid had thought up for that moment.

Gingerly, Tech held up Astrid's bare hand with his own and began to lightly smear the damp cloth over her stained skin.

Astrid's breath caught in her throat. Though, Tech didn't seem to notice.

Abruptly, the sound of static filled the air nearly making Astrid jump out of her seat.

"Astrid? How are things with Tech? Is he awake yet?" Hunter's smoky voice inquired through the comm channel.

Tech momentarily set the cloth down and answered the sergeant. "Yes, I am awake. Do you require my assistance?"

"Affirmative. Head topside as soon as you're able."

"Copy that." The connection was severed. Turning to the medic, Tech said, "I can help pack everything up before I head over."

While the goggled clone didn't seem affected by their recent "moment," Astrid was, on the other hand, affected. She cleared her throat for what felt like a full minute before finally finding her nonchalant voice. "No, no, don't worry. I can manage on my own. But thanks for offering."

Subsequently, she picked up the rag he'd been using to clean her hands and rubbed away the last of the dried blood.

"If you are sure . . . " Tech said with a slight crease forming between his brows.

"Of course," She insisted, "It'll only take a moment to pack up. And thanks for all your help today," She smiled shyly. "I'm glad I didn't have to perform every surgery alone."

"It is my pleasure to be of assistance." With that, he smiled lightly and took his leave.

✵ ✵ ✵

Annika glared at her distorted reflection in the murky green water, cringing at herself.

Why did I act so irrationally? She interrogated herself. Just because he reminds me of Wolffe, doesn't mean I can cry on him! The Jedi screamed inwardly. I actually allowed myself to cry in his arms!

Annika gripped the sides of her head and groaned in immense frustration. I've never been an overly emotional person! What on Coruscant came over me?

She loudly kicked a wall of debris, hoping the action would bring some relief. Oddly, it worked. So she kicked it again but this time with more force. She glanced down to discover that her boot left a dent in the rusted metal.

Huh. Then, a slightly psychotic idea blossomed in her mind.

Annika reached for the saber latched to her waistbelt and studied the weathered weapon for an intense moment. She held the saber in front of her, angled it away from her face, and swiftly struck the hunk of metal before her.  Then using less grace and more vexation to fuel her actions, she slashed her saber across the debris until her arms began to ache.

By the end of her physical outburst, Annika was panting for air and was clutching her weapon with a vice-like grip. In an act of finality, she sunk her blue blade into the thick wall. Only when she heard the satisfying sizzle of the metal melting from the laser heat did she retract her weapon.

With the self-therapy session now complete, she smiled at her work - a lovely picture of bright molten scars running in jagged slashes.

The sight made her feel like a weight had been removed from her shoulders. That is until she thought of her master. No matter how good it felt, he would be appalled by her irrational episode of aggression. 

He had taught her better than that.

Guilt bloomed in her gut and a headache began to take form. She rubbed her temples in hopes of easing the oncoming throbbing that was bound to torment her.

"Annika. Are you there?" Hunter's voice claimed her attention.

"I'm here." She responded like she hadn't just annihilated a wall of debris in an episode of self-loathing over acting "weak" in the midst of a stranger.

"We're gonna scavage the starship for anything valuable. You can join us whenever you're ready - that is if you're comfortable with that."

Annika couldn't help but smile at his awkward yet caring tone. "Thanks, Hunter. I'll head over now."

"Are-are you sure? If you don't - "

"Hunter," She said keeping her tone light, "I appreciate your concern but I'm okay. I'll see ya in a bit, alright?" With that, she severed their connection and began her trek to the starship.

While still keeping a decent pace, Annika glanced back at her scene of therapeutic destruction.

"Yeah." She said aloud to herself. "I needed that."

─── ❖ ── ✦ ── ❖ ───⋮✧