Hi all,

here is the next installment! Things are looking a bit brighter for Sunny!

Thank you for taking the time to read and leave reviews! They appreciated and always welcomed! =)

As always I own nothing of Star Wars

Sunny tried to sleep but he was too nervous and when the next day came for him to be transferred, his heart was pounding all the way to the new facility. He tried to concentrate on anything other than what was going on around him. Sunny thought of past missions, jumping out of transports and of his brothers. He wondered what was happening to them right now and if they had been reassigned to a new squad.

Quicker than he thought, his eyes became heavy and he once again joined the familiar world of darkness.

Behind his HUD he could see Ajax and Buddy free falling next to him. He knew that they wore the same silly grin he always wore during their exhilarating tumbles toward the terra below. With each jump Sunny found it liberating. There was nothing but him, sky and air and if his chute wasn't going to cooperate then well, he died doing something he loved.

Sunny looked to his other side to see his other brother Boomer and captain Metric falling next to him. Wait! Didn't they die?

"Pull your chute Sunny," he heard Metric say calmly though his helmet.

"What?" Sunny answered dumbly.

"Pull your chute," this time it was Ajax and Buddy. Sunny looked down as the ground was quickly approaching him.

"Can't we just keep falling? It's so much more peaceful way up here," Sunny exhaled contentedly.

"If you keep falling," his commander's voice echoed, "you'll never get up. Pull your chute, land and walk away."

Walk away…I can't walk. "Wait! Commander!" The images of his brothers started to blur and disappear as he began to reawaken.

"Ajax, Buddy…" Sunny mumbled softly. Sunny felt light caresses on his face as if someone was wiping his forehead and then running their fingers through his hair. Why would one of his brothers run their fingers through his hair?

Oh yeah…not with my brothers.

He fought the familiar struggle to open his eyes and was rewarded with a silhouette bent over him. At least this time the lights around him were dimmed and a bit more soothing.

"Metric?" Sunny said.

"Who?" the voice questioned. Blinking his eyes to get them focus, it took Sunny several minutes before he could start putting an image to the voice.

"Easy there, don't strain. You have just been through some major surgery and need to rest," she soothed and pressed her hand against his chest as Sunny began to sit up.

"Did it work?" his voice was raspy and he desperately wanted some water. "Do I have legs?"

There was a pause and Sunny's heart leapt into his throat. "You have legs, CT-0426. The grafting was a success. I'll have the doctor who is assigned to you come in and explain everything. I'll also grab you some water. You're probably parched."

"Okay, thank you." Sunny licked his dry lips and for the first through this whole accident he felt a little bit of hope. "I have legs."

"The grafting was a remarkable success and the attachments took right to your skin, muscle and bones. It will take some time before the flesh has completely covered the bionics so we will fit you with special coverings so the sensitive skin won't be damaged. You will have all the same sensations you had in your legs and feet before your accident and sometimes especially in the beginning the nerves will be more sensitive. We are going to be putting you into physical therapy so you can learn to walk using these prosthetics.

"CT-0426, if you make a full recovery which we have every intention of you making…"

"So do I Doc and its Sunny by the way," Sunny grumbled.

The doctor blinked at Sunny. "Yes good." The doctor shifted down toward Sunny's legs to look at them. Sunny was appreciative with the fact that he was getting another chance at life, but also was starting to feel a bit guilty. How many brothers, men, soldiers had been "reconditioned" on account of some injury in some cases less severe than his?

"What?" Sunny said to the doctor.

"I said, wiggle your toes," the doctor instructed.

Sunny tried. He glared at the robotic foot and willed it to work. He could see all the blinking lights and electrodes working but his toes would not move. Work dammit!

"That's to be expected at first," the doctor explained. "Your brain is still in a loop and trying to figure out what the heck these things are. A few more days and it should be able to start connecting the impulses your legs are sending."

"So when do I start PT?" Sunny was eager to start. The less he had to stay in bed the better. And the quicker he could rejoin Ajax and Buddy.

"Let's see first if you can wiggle your toes. But I would say in a couple weeks."

Couple of weeks! A man could go crazy! "Okay, thanks Doc."

Focusing on his new legs and trying to get them to work while stuck in bed and having different nurses and doctors come in at all times of the day and/or night kept Sunny very distracted in the following weeks. Tests were run to see how everything was progressing, if it was at all. Sunny was starting to feel the sensations come back into his legs and feet and the tingling soon became a nuisance to him.

"This is fantastic," the doctor, Banner was his name Sunny learned, "you are healing at a remarkable rate. The skin is knitting better than any bone knitter we have and obviously the electrodes are acting like nerves and have finally connected to your brain."

"That's great and all, but it constantly feels like my feet and legs are asleep and are trying to wake up. Will it stop?" Sunny was able to move his feet and legs a little bit but it brought no relief. In fact, seeing the gears move and make a light whine sent chills up Sunny's spine. No matter how many layers of skin in between the gears, he would always be reminded that he was half a droid.

"With time, but at least Sunny you are regaining feeling. I believe you are ready to start physical therapy. Don't get discouraged if it goes slow; think of yourself as an infant learning to walk."

"Doc, I was never an infant. I was born running," Sunny said grimly.

Sunny had never been around a woman the exception a civilian or two and maybe a Jedi general, but he had never personally engaged in conversation with one. When she walked in the room the first thing he was drawn to was her long hair. He had never seen hair as gold as hers. It was like the wheat fields he had landed in once on Anobis. Sunny had stopped for a moment to admire the sea of dry gold as the wind blew waves casting a scene of peace and serenity. That's what he associated her hair with as absurd as it sounded.

As she approached closer Sunny could feel himself tense. Bring on the air raid, the dangerous drops, but women? Um…no.

"Good morning CT-0426," her voice was like buttermilk, soft and comforting. Sunny found his body relaxing on its own accord even though his mind wasn't.

"It's Sunny," he said tersely.

"Sunny," she smiled. "I'm Julie and I'm your physical therapist. Doctor Banner has filled me in on your case and I have to say it's quite remarkable. Falling from a LAAT transport at that distance and speed, you must be a super man."

Sunny was impressed though kept in check. He eyed her over. Average height, skin as smooth and pale as the lighting above him, she seemed too delicate to be a physical therapist. It looked like if someone touched her she would fall to pieces. But looks could be deceiving as he and brothers found out constantly.

"I've worked on many broken bones, spinal cases and head injuries just to name a few. I've never worked with a clone before, but it shouldn't make a difference. We're all human after all right?" She laughed.

Are we? Sunny was confused. Most doctors and nurses excluding Doctor Banner had treated him like a unit, a droid and while yes it frustrated him, Sunny learned to accept it. It was just the way the GAR wanted the public to perceive them so they did. So why didn't this lady?

"So what I want to do today Sunny is getting a feel of where you are at. How much movement you have in your legs and feet, how much feeling you have and how sensitive you are to touch."

I bet pretty darn sensitive if you touch me, Sunny snorted inwardly.

"Let's start with the toes; can you wiggle them for me?" Julie moved to the foot of his bed and examined his bionic feet. The skin had only made progress down to his knee so the rest of it was exposed. Banner had not covered them up in the wraps just yet since Sunny had not started the PT, but promised he would tomorrow. Sunny was slightly grateful since he now Julie wouldn't have to look at the ugly electronics.

Sunny moved his toes and they made the same whinny sound he hated.

"Good Sunny, now can you move your feet side to side?" She continued to watch his feet. Sunny did, but started at the woman at the end of the bed. Something was definitely different about her.

They went on like this for another hour, Julie telling him what she wanted to see and he responded. He told her that he was starting to get feeling and it was like a never ending tingling sensation. She made a note of it and then went on to do some leg exercises.

"Lay back against your bed, I am going to bend your leg and you need to tell me if it hurts too much okay. No being the big brave commando." She placed his metal foot against her shoulder and he wondered if it felt hard and heavy against her.

She put her weight against him and started to bend his leg toward him. The grind of gears could be heard once again and Sunny suddenly yelled, "Stop!"

"Sorry!" Julie apologized. "I didn't mean to hurt you." She gently put his leg back down.

"You didn't." Sunny took a breath. "It's just, nothing never mind. Keep going."

"No, Sunny please tell me. Part of healing is talking," Julie made her way up to his side and pulled up a chair. "If you need to talk please let me know. I'm a very good listener."

"I don't want to talk; I just want to get better. We should continue," Sunny said sourly. He had a moment of weakness in front of a woman and hated himself for it. Never again. Just grind your teeth and get through it.

"Okay Sunny. Just let me know if you want me to stop." Julie continued with a few more stretching exercises which caused his legs to whine and groan. Sunny pinched his eyes shut at the sound which did not go unnoticed. Julie looked upon him concerned but did not say anything else to provoke him. Clones were a strange people and she would just have to learn as he would.

After another hour she put his foot down and made a few more notes to herself. "So you'll be back tomorrow?" Sunny asked.

"I'll be back every day until you are walking right," Julie promised. Sunny again noticed how gaunt she looked but didn't know why. Maybe that's how she was supposed to look. He shrugged it off.

"Rest well. If you are in pain call me immediately. I left my comm number on your stand," with that Julie waved and left the room.

"Thanks Julie," he called out to her. Putting his hands behind his head, Sunny already started to think about the therapist. Soft hands wait…she was there when he woke up! She was the one who ran her fingers in his hair and that buttermilk voice. He would never forget a voice like that. He was so sure of it. The girl was different but Sunny decided he liked it. Liked her.

"You were there when I woke up weren't you?" Sunny asked as Julie bent his leg to his knee. She had him sitting up in bed this time and one leg was straight out while the other was folded up. She would make him hold the position for thirty seconds and then release and then repeat with the other leg. Sunny could feel the pins and needles of his nerves strain and protest but he had to work through it.

Julie didn't answer and diverted her eyes away from him clearly embarrassed being caught.

"I actually don't mind," and he didn't.

"Everyone should have someone at their side," Julie finally raised her hazel eyes to meet his own dark orbs. Sunny slightly blushed and went to take his eyes off hers when he noticed a dark spot on her collar bone peeking out. Her shirt was loose enough to hang off her frail frame and the dark spot was like a blemish on her porcelain skin.

"What happened to you?" Sunny pointed at her shoulder. Julie let go of his shin and straightened his leg. She self-consciously moved her blouse to cover the spot.

"It's nothing Sunny," she slightly frowned. Evidently it wasn't nothing.

"Hey, talking goes two ways you know. You can tell me. I'm born to keep my mouth shut with top secret information," Sunny made a motion as if buttoning his mouth shut. For some reason this made Julie laugh hard.

"Maybe some other time," she said when she finally stopped laughing. "When you are able to share with me, I'll share with you. Deal?"

Sunny chewed on his cheek. He held out his hand to her. Her hand was so small compared to his big paw, but was cool and silky to touch. "Okay deal."

They went on like this for two more weeks making light conversation, some about him and some about her. Sunny told her a little about Parjai Squad and the type of drops they had to do and he could hear the gasps she let out.

"I'm afraid of heights," she admitted.

"Well then Parjai squad is definitely not for you," Sunny smirked. "Julie, can you do me a huge favor, if it is at all possible?"

Legs now covered by special leg wraps so the skin would not get torn or bruised in the recovering stages, Sunny was now sitting up right with his legs hanging over the bed.

"What's that Sunny?" Julie had one of his legs resting on her shoulder as she lifted it up, stretching the muscles.

"Is there any way you can find out what happened to the surviving members of Parjai Squad?"

Wincing as she put his leg down which again didn't go unnoticed to Sunny, Julie rolled her shoulders and looked at him.

There was a tiredness to her and a slight shadow had cast itself under her eyes. "I shall try my best Sunny. I don't have any military clearances other than the one to see you or connections, but I'll see what I can do."

"You're looking more tired than usual Julie," Sunny bit his tongue. That was rude and he knew it. "Sorry!"

"It's okay." Julie sighed as she stood up. "I am feeling a bit more tired than usual. If you don't mind Sunny, we'll call it a day. Tomorrow I would like to attempt to get you on your feet. I believe you are strong enough for the next step."

Sunny relied on his instincts to survive. They hardly let him down and right now they were telling him something was very wrong with his friend. As she helped him get comfortable in his bed though time after time he tried to wave her off telling her that he could do it, Julie always made sure he was comfortable so finally he gave up.

"Julie, do you see me more than just a clone?" Sunny asked. She furrowed her tired eyes at him.

"Of course I do Sunny. You're made of flesh and blood."

"Would you see me more than just a patient?"

"Like what?" She asked.

"Would you see me as a friend some day?" He asked cautiously.

"Why wait for someday? I see you as my friend now," she smiled. "Good night Sunny."