Disclaimers and ratings in part one All of Danae's friends and other original characters are inspired by my close circle of XF friends, ADP. Special thanks to Courtney "Tallis" Lancaster, Denise "Aini" Gilliland, Tammy Aiken-Phillips, Sarah Neilson, Ashley Williams, and Kristy Anderson. Without your support, I would have never grown as a writer. Love y'all! On to the story! ---------------------------------- Obi-Wan knew he was dead. Being in this much pain *must* warrant death. He tried to shift in the narrow cot he was placed in back at headquarters, but realized he was completely immobilized. He craned his head to check for signs of life, but found none. Resigned to solitary bedrest, he flopped back onto the pillow, hoping that the searing pain in his thigh would heal quickly and he could get back into action. "Feeling better, General?" A redhead poked her head in between the privacy curtains surrounding his bed. He smiled weakly and noticed that she was really a beautiful woman, albeit stressed and distracted. "Yeah, I just want out of here. What exactly happened?" Danae sighed and decided to give him the bad news already. No sense in dancing around the issue. "Well, sir, the injury you sustained was the result of a rocket tearing your flesh. As much as I'd like to say you can leave, you can't. The healers have done all they can, Master Healer Tallis even worked on you personally. Obi-Wan gulped. If Master Healer Tallis hadn't been able to heal him immediately, then no one could. Corvia Tallis was the strongest healer the Temple had, and would be on the Council if she hadn't turned down Windu's nomination. Truth be told, she was much happier in the Healing Temple, being with her not-so-secret lover, Wil Straylighter. "So I'm left here to convalesce under the care of a Padawan?" He watched as the woman's smile faded. He hadn't meant to be snippy, but somehow his voice came out that way. He was frustrated and ready to get back to the field. "For your information, I would be in the Trials right this moment if I hadn't insisted overseeing your care. I'm the best healer the Temple has had in a while, Master Tallis included." Her blue eyes began to flame with righteous anger and she placed a hand on her hip, challenging Obi-Wan. "Sorry...uh, I didn't catch your name." Obi-Wan felt himself blushing, knowing that this woman, although younger and smaller than he, had put him in his place. "Danae," she said icily, "Danae Thracia. Apprentice to Master Aini Dee. Anything else?" Obi-Wan felt her anger with him, knowing he'd offended her earlier. He grinned and was secretly satisfied when she grinned back. He liked how she didn't take anything off him, even though he was a revered knight and a general. She treated him like anyone else who came under her care, and it warmed his heart. He was sick of the burecracy, the sucking up because of his rank or looks. He then felt her hands probing under the gauze over his leg. She was trying to see if infection had set in, but somehow it seemed more of a friendly touch. He watched enraptured as her deft fingers poured healing energy into his wound, willing the jagged edges to knit together with no more than a touch and a thought. Healers were often overlooked in the general view of the Jedi, most people looking to the warriors as the important figures. But, healing was a talent that many weren't able to master...the ability to be so in tune with someone else's midichlorians to instruct them in the repairs of the wonder that was the human body. "All done, for today at least. Looks good. I'll see you tomorrow morning bright and early for some physical therapy." Danae turned to exit, her chin-length hair spinning in a flaming whirl. "I'll be glad of the company." Obi-Wan called out behind her. "After your first session, you won't be." --------------------------------------------- Danae met her friends and fellow padawans in the makeshift cantina the brass had set up for a couple drinks. The group was carefree and uninhibited, knowing that with each dawning day new threats arose. For now, however, they discussed Danae's new patient. "So, what's it like, treating the General?" Ana Thamsd flipped her auburn hair back behind her shoulders and got a feral gleam in her eye. The General was one piece of prime meat. "Well, he seems nice enough. Basically he's stuck on himself, thinkin' he's the Force's gift to women." Danae took a sip of her Coruscanti rum runner, thinking that she might need something a little stronger after her first therapy session with the General. She was patient, but she wasn't *that* patient. "Isn't he?" Cerie mused breathlessly. She'd had an intense crush on the man ever since he gave her extra help in sabre practice. Being a Healer, she didn't necessarily have to be the world's best in fighting, but Cerie had no talent whatsoever. The only way she'd passed the trials last week was through Obi-Wan's hours of training. "No, I mean, I suppose he's marginally attractive..." Danae mumbled noncommittally, not wanting her friends to have the satisfaction of teasing her. "Oh hell, Danae, even your MASTER has a crush on the man!" Sarie Sarahmn slammed her hand on the small table and looked to the other two members of their little club, Ashlana Willows and Kristla Kayan. Both agreed fervently that yes, Danae was an idiot, and yes, the General was the Force's gift to women. Danae shot them all a look of disgust and stalked to her room. The healers all exchanged glances and shrugged, collectively thinking, "She wants him. Bad." ------------------------- "Begun, this Clone War has."--Yoda, "Attack of the Clones"