After Crash, Cutlas and Dral left, I returned to my usual work that day. I visited the part of the medical center where the clones who had infections or horrible bullet wounds were currently being treated.

I always did my best to visit once a day, and do as much good as I could manage before my energy was wiped. Thus far, I'd kept my healing abilities as discreet as possible around the rest of the medical staff, since Ace had felt it wiser not to go flaunting my force using skills around for the public to see. He didn't want any chances taken, now that the Empire were the ones running the show, and I couldn't agree more.

Only... every time I saw a sick or critically wounded soldier, it was getting harder and harder not to use my healing for their benefit... Knowing that I could help them, yet was consciously refusing to do all that I could for the sake of saving my own skin was beginning to wear me down. Especially now, when I entered into the particular wing of the medical center to see all the troops in pain and lying on their medical beds, I felt my heart ache.

"Hello..." I said gently to the nearest clone who I approached. He was unconscious but that didn't keep me from talking, "What have we got here?" I inquired, looking over at his files to see the damage. The report said that the man had a horrible lightsaber wound that had nearly cut strait through to his heart. I grimaced. A jedi had done this...? I let out a long shaky breath and swallowed.

"Let's see if I can make you feel any better..." I whispered to him, and slowly placed my hand out over his wrapped chest wound, careful not to physically touch it. Concentrating, the familiar warmth returned to my hands, and I could feel the powerful energy of the force moving rapidly through my body. A steady flow of healing power surged into the clone's body until finally I felt the release in my spirit to stop. When I brought my hands away, I heard a soft moan issue from the clone's mouth, and I smiled.

Before he could wake, I hastily moved away and onto the next clone. Maybe I could heal a few unconscious soldiers before anyone noticed? It would make absolutely no sense to the nurses who would check on them later, but that wasn't important. At least a few troops would be healed. They could call the unexplainable phenomenon a miracle for all I cared! I had worked my way around to the third clone, and was just finishing up on him when Ruben suddenly walked into the room with his holo pad. I snapped my hands away quickly from the clone I'd been meditating on, hoping Ruben hadn't seen.

His eyes snapped up to lock onto me a split second later, keeping me pinned with a critical stare.

"What are you doing in here?" he demanded.
"Just checking on the troops, as is my job," I replied with a bit of attitude and my hands on hips.
"This isn't your station," he retorted, "You're supposed to be on level 5 helping with the gas victim department," he snapped, pointing upwards.
"I was on my way up and wanted to check in on these guys," I retorted sharply.
"None of that lip, get up there now, before I report you for insubordination," he demanded.

I glared but turned out of the room, frustrated I'd been caught and was being treated in such a rude way. I was a nurse and I was getting in trouble for helping people! The idiocy of it all! Truth be told, I couldn't wait till I didn't have to be here taking orders from grumpy doctors and nurses anymore. Maybe, some day, I would open up a hospital somewhere, and I'd be making the rules!

I was fuming, stomping my way down the hall and had just crossed an intersection to the elevator when I felt a hand grab me and whip me around. It was Ace.
"Ace!" I scolded, "What are you doing?"
He gestured behind him to the hall I'd just passed.
"I finished all the friggin floors so you better be happy now," he stated.

I looked past him and perceived the smooth, sparking surface, as well as the "Caution: Wet Floors" sign he'd put out. I couldn't help but grin in entertainment at the thought of seeing Ace mopping the floor like a house wife.
"How many men saw you working?" I inquired, raising a curious brow.
"Seven..." he mumbled.
"Did they laugh?"
Ace just looked at me, eyes darkening slightly. I took that as a yes.
"How many did you hit?"
"Three..."

I struggled not to laugh, reigning it in to keep my serious "you've been a bad boy" face.
"And have we learned our lesson about not acting like a jealous monster when friends come to visit?"
"Yes," he said in exasperation, "Now can I have a kiss after all that torture?" he inquired hopefully.
I laughed but didn't give in.
"Not here," I answered. As much as I was eager in discovering how fun the world of physical affection could be, I wasn't stupid enough to let my guard down where we could possibly be seen.
"I was on the way to the elevator before you caught me," I informed, now continuing to walk.
"You looked a bit hacked too," Ace commented, following me.

"It's getting harder and harder for me to not use my healing abilities when I see sick, wounded troopers... I just... I know they are in so much pain and the fact that I have the power to help them, but am holding back for my own safety.. it just sickens me..." I replied in a huff.
"There will always be people who are sick and wounded. You can't save them all," Ace responded softly.
"I know that, but the people right in front of me? I can at least help them," I argued.

"At what cost? Someone may see you and turn you in," Ace reminded, "I wont have that. Nala Se has agreed to keep silent about your force abilities only because she knows you are truly not a threat and would dislike seeing one of her innocent medical staff imprisoned. But the others? Ruben for example? He'd call the authorities in a heart beat," Ace practically growled.

We then entered inside the elevator I pressed the floor number. After the doors shut, he cleared his throat and continued.

"Which leads me to another reason to be careful..." he hesitated and I stared at him until finally he spoke, "I was reading up on force abilities out of curiosity, and I found out that the ability to heal is an extremely rare and life draining power," Ace stated seriously.

I blinked then stared at him in understanding. He was worried about my health? I could see where he was coming from, but I simply smiled and put a hand on his arm.
"I see now why you have been so concerned, but let me assure you, while yes, the average jedi healer does loose energy each time he uses his abilities, I do not. My life force is not draining away..." I promised.

Ace gave me an uncertain look. Clearly, I owed him some explanations.

"What do you know of my past?" I inquired.
"Only what you've mentioned to me before about being an ex-Knight Sister," he admitted.
"Well, I'll make this short," I sighed, "Knight Sisters are manipulators of the Force. While some have extreme skills in using the Force the way the Jedi do, we mostly create spells for our advantage. There are many... many dark spells that the Knight Sisters can use... some good, some potentially bad. One of these many spells they used on me. It enhanced by healing abilities and lessens the amount of energy that leaves my body each time I use them," I explained. Ace simply watched me for a long moment in deliberation of what he'd just learned.

"How is that possible?" he questioned eventually.
"They are spells... Ace... there's not much I can explain about them. Besides, I wasn't a Knight Sister very high up in rank or power in the cult. I didn't do the magic spells that the great Mother did... It wasn't until my healing powers were discovered that their interest in me began. They wanted to make the best use of me they possibly could, which was the reason they subjected me to their witchcraft. I... I know at the time I was eager for the enhance of my powers because I was selfish and wanted my abilities to be awed, but now, I'm just glad I can use my past doings for the good of others," I explained, "And that's why I'm having a hard time not helping these troops... I never again want to go back to the same self centeredness I used to be," I finished with a final exhale.

Ace had listened intently, his eyes soft and understanding. The elevator was coming to the correct floor now, but just before it halted, Ace hugged me in his strong grip. I returned it and sighed when he followed up by giving me a couple kisses on my cheek. Apparently, he had really been worried. It made me feel very... loved.

"I'm fine... I promise," I whispered.
"I've never met a more selfless person than you..." he declared softly, a statement I didn't at first believe but then he continued, "My clone brothers fight and give their lives, but that is only because that is what they are trained to do from birth. The jedi fight with us and lead the battalions because they have an agenda of their own for the end of the war. But you... you have no agenda of your own, and you simply spend days and days amidst those in pain for the sole purpose of trying to make them better... You have no idea how much I admire you for that," he declared tenderly into my ear. His words made my chest thrum with warmth, hot tears coming to my eyes as I embraced him even tighter.

"I thought with how much time you spend helping others and how tired you get... that the use of your abilities was causing you to drain away..." he mumbled against my hair, "But I understand now, and I see it was wrong of me to try and keep you from doing what you honestly feel to do. So I won't anymore. You can help those you wish, and I'll continue keep a close eye on you. The chances of you getting caught is still high, but I will protect you no matter what," he vowed, squeezing me one last time before the elevator door slid open.

When we separated I was practically crying with how touched he'd made me feel. I smiled and wiped my tears away hastily, feeling ridiculous for falling apart like this in front of him, but he was only looking at me kindly with those big brown eyes.
"Thank you," I replied at last, stepping out of the lift.

"Do what you have to do. We can talk later about our future plans," he smiled warmly and then the elevator door closed, robbing him from my sight. For a long moment all I could do was stand there, marveling in wonder at how good Ace was to me. However, a nurse quickly spotted me and called me by name, zapping me from my thoughts. Today's work was not yet over...

...

It was the next morning and Ace was dressed from head to toe within his clone armor, having spent good time cleaning every piece of it that morning and finally now thinking it worthy of being displayed. He was after all, the Commander Ace and despite how his pride in that title had slowly become less of a priority to him, he still felt it was important to continue playing his his role to avoid too much suspicion.

The rumors that ran through the hospital about him were many, some good, some bad, but he couldn't have it being said that he was getting soft and had fallen hopelessly in love with a nurse. As it was, the night before they had almost been seen together heading to his room. Vee had had to fake it for him like he was having trouble seeing again and she was having to guide him.

Once they'd gotten into his room and closed the door things were fine and they laughed it off, but still, it was becoming more clear to him that he and Vee simply could not be unguarded when around each other.

They'd talked the night before about their escape plans and Ace had decided that he would be in charge of making a certain few traveling arrangements the following morning, which was what he was off to do now. The commander was nearly out of the hospital's main floor when he saw Dr. Ruben striding up to one of the counters and say to the lady behind the desk,

"I want you to do an extensive search through our computer files and gather all information regarding Miss Vee Yue Kaveechee. Send whatever it is you find to my personal email," he ordered to the woman, tapping impatiently on the counter top, "I want to know who she is, how she got here, everything,"
Ace frowned behind the mask of his helmet. What did this jerk want with Vee's personal files? Whatever it was couldn't be good and Ace had to get to Vee right away. However, before he turned to find her, the woman typing at the counter, in whom Ruben had addressed, now responded.

"I'm sorry but all information regarding those who worked under Nala Se on the Kaliida Shoals medical center requires a clearance code," she spoke.
"What?" Ruben barked, now coming around behind the counter and boldly moving the woman away from the computer himself. From what Ace could see, Ruben was typing furiously away on the keys but getting no where, if the increased look of agitation on his face was anything to judge by.

"Why would there be such a security fuss over an employee's information?" Ruben growled angrily, "It's supposed to be accessible,"
"Perhaps you should ask Nala Se?" the woman at the counter suggested. Ruben's sharp eyes stabbed at her for a moment before he removed himself from behind the counter.
"Just forget it," he hissed, striding away down the same hall he came. Ace watched the doctor go with a suspicious glare. What was Ruben up to? Ace determined he would have to keep a closer eye on that snake after he returned from making his travel arrangements in the city...

...

Doctor Ruben was a highly paranoid man. He reveled in his work, excelled in his reputation, and took pride in the thorough, clean efficiency of the hospital in which he was in charge. Never before had there been any mishaps, any who dared appose him, outshine him, or been subjected to humiliating treatment. All that had changed when she had come...

Vee Yue Kaveecee had been a thorn in his side ever since the two medical centers had merged together. While in the beginning he had merely tolerated her attitude and her sloppy routines, he was quickly realizing that he could put up with her no longer. She was a clear favorite with the patients, even to the point of her services being asked for, since any and every trooper she tended to would mysteriously find that his recovery time was faster than expected. Faster than what he, Doctor Ruben, had assured with utmost confidence that recovery time would be! And to top it all off... there had been a number of explainable occurrences where fatally injured clones were being found completely healed from their injuries.

No one knew exactly how it was happening, but the talk among the patients was that Vee Yue Kaveechee was some sort of miracle nurse, and that all who she cast her sweet gaze upon were divinely healed by just her very presence.

It was utter nonsense!

One thing was for sure, and that was that Doctor Ruben would not have his lime light taken away, nor would he have any more talk of this "miracle" nurse! He was very well known for his expert practices and the successes of his medicines and treatments. He would not allow one of his own medical staff to snuff out his reputation and make him look like a fool! However, he could not properly dispose of Miss Kaveechee from the ranks of his employees unless he had ligament reason in which to do so. And this, had been his dilemma. At least... until now.

Dr. Ruben was a busy man, and as such he did not have much time to snoop around and keep hidden tabs on the Zabrak nurse, but it was after he had by happen chance caught sight of her with her hands hovering strangely above an unconscious patient, that he decided it was time to keep a couple spies around.

He made a special, secret request to a couple of the other nurses as well as one of the doctors to keep their eyes on Miss Kaveechee and report to him if she was seen doing anything suspicious. With that done, all that Ruben had desired was to gather some back ground information on the female Zabrak, in hopes that something within her past would be incriminating.

Now, Ruben had come to find out that he was not allowed instant access into Miss Kaveechee's personal files! It was absolutely infuriating! There was a way he could get into the files, yes... through Nala Se of course, but the Kaminoin always wanted an answer for each question, and she would no doubt inquire as to why Miss Kaveechee's files were so important for him to see. No, Ruben wouldn't risk the Kaminoin catching on to his plot. If he was going to pull this off, he had to pull it off in his own way, and involve as few people as possible.

As Ruben walked the halls, his spotless white doctor's jacket trailing behind him and his feet thudding along the pristine white marble floors, he racked his brain for some sort of idea. If he could not get to Miss Kaveechee's information on her past through the computer there had to be another way.

All medical staff when first inducted had there history questioned and documented, then upon becoming hired, their personal belongings were taken and they were given proper clothes, equipment, a room to stay... wait. Ruben suddenly stopped his marching in the hall and stood stock still, a thought having burned like a light bulb within his brain. Miss Kaveechee had to have had some sort of personal belongings once being admitted as a nurse, and that meant that they were being kept inside the hospital's personal staff vault for safe keeping.

Now THAT he had access to!

Taking a sudden turn in direction, Ruben stalked off towards his new destination, a ray of wicked hope flickering inside his heart. The staff vault was in a private storage room past the break lounge and the employee cafeteria where most of the nurses and doctors ate, when they didn't go out into town for meals anyway.

There was no one present currently, since it was only 10 am Corscaunt time and he doubted anyone would be here for a good while. Grabbing his pass card, Ruben let it be scanned by the storage door's security system. It blinked green, and the door slid open for him.

The lights flickered on simultaneously and revealed a large locker room. Each of the lockers were glass cases with names displayed on the window. They were all in alphabetical order so Ruben strode down the locker row until he reached "K" and sure enough, "Kaveechee" was found.

Standing with his arms comfortably locked behind his back, Ruben peered into the glass case. Indeed, it was not empty, and its contents evoked a show of shock from the Dr...

Lying within the glass case labeled "Kaveechee" was a matching pair of saber swords...

My goodness... It's been WAY too long since I've last written for this story! I sincerely apologize to those who have in fact been following this fan fic and pray to God you are not furious with me!

As is the case with most stories that I drag on and on... I am very prone to growing bored with a story plot when giving it too much time and attention, and therefore, I was in need of a major long break before I kicked myself back into gear with some fresh enthusiasm!

I hope you enjoyed this chapter and the next one shall be up soon! :D

Believe it or not, I have only two more chapters to write before this story is finally over with. So thanks for sticking with me and I pray you enjoy the rest of the ride!