Healing

***

When I opened my eyes, there was a face smiling at me like he had known me all my life. It was a face that looked like it had seen a lot, but hadn't lost its heart.

"Hello Hungry Flame," he said warmly, his silver eyes sparkling. He used my full name without hesitating; I felt instantly comfortable with him. Nobody since Icefire had done that.

"Hi," I said uncertainly, trying not to sound both pleased and confused. Had his hand really been caressing my hair? He drew back a little, resting his elbows on the edge of my bed and his head on his fists, still watching me. I became aware of the rest of the room. Healing Centre. Well that explained why I was alive. He picked up my hand and examined the bruises healing on my wrist and forearm, his touch gentle and warm.

"My name's Falling Smoke," he said, "I'm a Healer." Obviously, I thought. "Your healer," he continued, stealing a glance at my face. I was blushing and I had no idea why.

"Okay," I said, looking at his face more closely. Just an ordinary human face. Apart from the eyes. "Do I know you?" I asked finally, perplexed. His smile widened into a grin.

"Apparently not," he said, "but everyone knows you. Quite the intrepid adventurer. Fearlessly goes where no Soul has gone before... and lived to tell the tale," he put his eyebrows in a daring twist and made me laugh. He was referring to the Human Voice Project.

He pulled gently on my arm.

"Sit up?" he asked, and I obliged, swaying a little with the sudden dizziness of being upright. He caught my shoulder and steadied me, then lifted my top and examined my back.

"Leaps humans in a single bound…" he went on.

"Alright, enough!" I protested, unable to wipe the smile off my face. Man, how much No Pain was I on?

He let go of my shoulder and moved down to examine my legs.

"You must have some stories to tell," he said, lips pursed at the bruising still evident on my legs.

"I'm not much of a storyteller," I replied, but his attention was already elsewhere.

"Post surgical bruising is always a challenge," he murmured, "Unavoidable with such traumatic injuries, but still… not my best work," he frowned, and massaged a nasty purple welt, "Can you feel this? Are you in any pain?"

"No," I said.

"You will tell us if the pain breaks through, won't you?" he asked seriously, leaving my legs alone and resting his hand on my arm, "Pain is very bad for the healing process, you know."

I gazed at his warm hand on my arm and wondered if all doctors touched their patients so much. Was it a just Soul thing? Was I hyper sensitive?

"I promise." I said sincerely. He shook his head.

"No, you're one of the strong ones, I can tell. I'll have to check on you regularly." He gave me a mock severe look, patted my arm and left me to my burning cheeks.

Of course, as soon as he left, I had a thousand and one questions. I wondered at my thoughtlessness. Healers did not usually have me gazing at them and giggling. I must be on a lot of No Pain.

I lured the next nurse that passed over to me.

"I'm sorry to bother you, but can you tell me how long I've been here?" I asked.

"It's no problem," she said, smiling and checking my chart on a screen by my bed, then twisting it over to me on its long retractable arm.

"You can see here. You came in 2 days ago, brought into emergency, went straight to surgery, 8 hours of surgery – that was Healer Falling Smoke, the surgeon, his work is excellent -"

"Yes, I just met him," I interjected. 2 days! The others would be frantic! Did they even know where I was? That I was alive? Had they left already? I had a sudden fear of being left behind.

"Lovely man, isn't he? Must be the most eligible Soul still single," she laughed at my scandalized expression, "Then you've been here in recovery ever since. Did you just wake up?"

"Uh huh," I said, exploring the computer records, "Thanks for that."

"No problem. Your clothes, well, what's left of them, will be in a bag in the closet there," she said, pointing.

"Ok great," I said, not looking up.

"You rest up and let me know if I can get you anything?"

"Sure." I replied distantly. Give me back my son. The thought came unbidden, and I squashed it firmly.

The healing centre's computers were linked to the central network and soon I tracked down the Seeker report for the accident. No mention of humans, good. I thought of Eddy sadly as I downloaded the report to my message file and sent a quick sms to my mobile, letting them know I was alright. Don't forget, I typed as if in a memo to myself, package from Main Healing Centre, slightly damaged but still workable. Will be delivered to hotel. I added a flame symbol so they would know it was me.

"Now that's quite enough of that," another nurse said, pulling the screen away from me and shutting it down. "You should be resting, not working!"

"Sorry," I said meekly, "I just needed to check the number for my hotel. All my stuff is there. When will I be able to get up?"

"You've only just woken up, dear," she said, adjusting the blinds to cut the blaze of sunlight to a trickle. "We'll need to monitor you for a little while. The final decision will be Healer Falling Smoke's."

"Could I just make one quick phone call then? I need to extend my hotel booking."

"Of course," the nurse said, bringing me a phone, "But quickly please, and then rest. If you need some help to get to sleep-"

"No, thank you, that won't be necessary," I pretended to yawn. She stayed by my side, watching me as I called. I extended the booking and handed her back the phone, lying down. Closing my eyes I listened to her leave.