A/N: I got this chapter out a little faster! Yay! I also made some head way on this story! Yay! I can't wait to finally see the finished product! As always, let me know what you think! Review please!

Chapter 9

As he walked across the room, I seemed to forget how to breathe and I started to shake.

"Breath K'agan!" my sister ordered, as she leaned towards me and rested a hand on my leg. I looked at my twin with my panicked eyes, seeking some kind of reassurance. She seemed to sense it and said, "Remember, no matter what happens I will always be here for you!"

Somewhat comforted, I took a deep breath and released it, preparing to hear what was to come, hoping that everything would turn out for the best.

With a sigh he plopped down in the remaining chair, next to Elara and across from my couch. Leaning back, he closed his eyes and seemed to relax for a moment.

"Doctor," I prompted after a long, tension filled few seconds.

"It was touch and go in there," Dr. Jeffre answered, "I almost lost him."

I grabbed Elara's hand and squeezed it. Corso stepped up behind K'eegan and laid a hand on her shoulder in comfort. I saw her reach up and gently squeeze it.

"He's in critical condition," the doctor informed us, "And it's still touch and go for the foreseeable future," he continued, "but he made it." The room seemed to release a collective breath at the positive news.

"When can I see him?" I asked urgently. I needed to see him with my own eyes, see that he's still alive.

Scanning a pad he had with him, Dr. Jeffre replied, "He's in recovery right now. They're prepping him for the kolto tank. You can see him when they're done."

"Thank you," I whisper, relief that we made it this far washing over me.

"He's not out of the woods," the doctor started, before I interrupted him.

"I realize that," I said, looking across at him, "Just thank you for getting him this far. Without you and Elara," I broke off with a catch in my voice.

I don't miss the questioning look my sister shoots me and I know there will be questions about my relationship with Aric later but luckily for now she says nothing for now.

"You're welcome," Doctor Jeffre replied, before continuing, "Now, the surgery went well enough. I repaired most of the damage to his chest. As we suspected he was still bleeding internally. Both lungs were burned and damaged, causing them to collapse." I'm sure the doctor could see the fear written on my face and continued, "I stitched up any bleeding blood vessels I could find and treated his lungs. I left a chest tube inserted to drain off any excess fluid. If I missed anything the kolto will take care of it."

"Long term prognosis?" I was aware that the damage to his heart and lungs could have future implications.

The doctor shook his head, and replied, "I can't say for sure. His lungs will be scarred and that may give him problems down the road. It could be as simple as making him more susceptible to illness and disease or it could be much worse, I just don't know at this point."

I nodded my understanding and wait for the doctor to continue.

"His arm," he started, "I know I said just plate and screws but the damage was worse than I suspected." I sucked in a startled breath and prayed to the gods he didn't cut off my mate's arm.

"Don't worry," he quickly attempted to reassure me, "I didn't amputate it. Instead I replaced the bone in upper arm. The blaster bolt went through, tearing a gaping hole in the humerus, vaporizing it in the bolt's wake and damaging the surrounding muscles. There was nothing left to work with, so instead, I replaced them with cybernetic replacements. Once it heals, externally you won't be able to tell the difference, though that arm will be noticeably stronger than the other."

'That works,' I thought, though I was still worried about his back and spine. I didn't say anything and allowed the doctor to continue.

"Now his back," he continued, "That's where things got tricky."

My breathing catches at those words and my anxiety ramps up. Noticing my distress, my sister reached over and grabbed my hand, holding it and offering some comfort.

The doctor ran a tense hand through his hair, before saying, "I'm not sure how he stayed on his feet and made it back to the rendezvous point. At best, I'm positive he couldn't feel his left leg after the hit, and more likely he couldn't feel either one."

My tears started streaking down my cheeks afresh. K'eegan squeezed my hand and said, "He's still alive. It's okay."

"If I may sir," Elara said, from her place on the other side of my couch.

"Go ahead," I managed to whisper.

"He didn't walk back, Fourex carried him," she explained. "Captain Jorgan was working to get the data out of the computers. He was leaning over a terminal when reinforcements arrived."

"He holo'd me and said they were about to be overrun," I added.

"Yes sir, I remember," Dorne agreed, "Apparently, according to Fourex, right after that holo the Captain was struck in the back by a blaster bolt at short range. The force of it spun him around and he was hit twice more."

My tears start to fall harder, as I start to imagine it in my head, seeing my mate shot each time.

"Fourex added that Captain Jorgan didn't go down. Propped against the data banks, he returned fire, not giving up his share of the fight and killing his attackers."

Noting my distress, my twin shifts and moved closer to me on the couch. She pulled me into a tight hug. "Stop it! He's alive," she whispered in my ear. I slowly calmed down and my medic continued her explanation.

"Before the Captain could slip to the floor, Fourex picked him and slung him over his shoulder," she said, "the droid returned enemy fire while carrying his squad mate to safety."

I owed Fourex more than I had even realized. "I'll be sure to thank him again later. Maybe get him a new Republic issued blaster rifle." Seeing the quizzical look on the doctor's face, "He's a unique gung ho bot."

That caused everyone in the room, who had ever met Fourex to smile.

With a matching grin, the doctor said, "I'll have to meet this droid sometime." Flipping through some pages on the tablet, he continued, "The blaster hit to his lower back did some internal damage to his organs and it also damaged the nerves in his lower back."

Looking at him urgently I managed to ask, "Will he be able to walk?"

"I don't know for sure," he explained, "the kolto should repair the damage but only time will tell for sure."

Paralyzed. My mate could be paralyzed. I keep trying to tell myself that there are worse things that could have happened, for instance he could be dead but it isn't working. If he couldn't feel his legs, he couldn't stay in Havoc squad and he couldn't have my back. I'm so used to having him with me I'm not sure what I'd do. Aric is always the one I lean on, my strength. I close my eyes and lay my head on K'eegan's shoulder. She pulled me closer and runs a hand across the rows in my hair.

Seeing my distress, the doctor says, "Let's not borrow trouble. That is only a possibility. Let the kolto do its work. We'll know more down the road."

"Only worry about what you can control K'agan," my sister whispered in my ear.

I know they're both right but it still takes me a few minutes to get my emotions back under control. Finally I take a deep breath, sit up and wipe the tears off my face. Just as I am about to speak a beep sounds.

Looking down at the pad, Doctor Jeffre checks something, flipping through a couple pages on the tablet. After finishing, he says, "Everything is ready. Captain Jorgan is in the tank, you can head back and visit him." When he sees everyone excitedly start to stand, he adds, "Just two at a time."

Corso squeezes my sister's shoulder and looks at Elara. I almost miss the imperceptible nod of her head, before he starts, "You too head back first and see him. Elara and I will wait out here."

Looking up at my sister's crewmate, I said, "Thank you," and he smiles at me. Glancing over at my medic, I add, "Thanks both of you. I need to see him."

"I know," she replies. "I'll stay here with Corso."

"If you don't mind Elara," the doctor interrupts, "I haven't eaten in hours and I was wondering if you'd accompany me to an early lunch." Suddenly unsure he rapidly says, "We can discuss Captain Jorgan's ongoing medical treatment."

I can't help but smile at the light blush covering the pair's cheeks. "Go ahead," I urge my medic, happy for her.

"Go," Corso encourages her with a grin, "I'll be fine here by myself."

"I would love to, Jayd," Dorne agreed with a happy smile. I couldn't help remembering how my medic looked at the doctor when we first met him and I am so excited for her.

"I'll take Major Kazik back to see Captain Jorgan and then we can head out," Doctor Jeffre said.