Jennet
We decided the garage was the best place for operations. I needed a place Kex could be restrained easily, and I figured it would take all the males present to do so. Zuka and Tagren had been released from duty after escorting the Elders back to camp. That left four honor guard who could help, plus Canderous, Atton, Disciple, and Bao Dur. Mandalorian males are on the big side; only Bao Dur stood taller and wider than any in camp. Atton and Disciple, while not small men by anyone's standards, looked almost short; I was a midget. Hence, a place at least eight large men, and me, Ladria, and Visas could fit. Mira tagged along, staying out of the way.
I signaled Bao Dur to me. He strode over, a concerned look on his face. "Yes?"
"I need something like a hammer, but broader," I said. "About this wide, and solid." I held up my hands about ten centimeters apart. "Preferably something that I can grip comfortably."
"Jennet, I can do the breaking part for you," he said quietly, his blue eyes gentle. "You don't have to. Any one of us would spare you that, or one of the Mandalorians. I'm surprised Canderous hasn't offered."
"He did, just not out loud," I said, looking Bao Dur in the eye. "I appreciate it, honestly, but this is my patient. He's trusting me to make him better, in the end. It's my job - to give it to anyone else would be wrong. But thanks for offering," I said sincerely.
Unexpectedly, the big Iridonian picked me up and gave me an almost smothering hug. "You're braver than most Zabrak and Mandoa put together," he said, soft enough that only I could hear. "You'll do." He put me down, touched my cheek, then said in a normal tone, "You sure a hammer won't do? You can swing that easily enough."
"I could, but it would take at least five or six blows per hand and three on the knee to do the job," I said grimly. "I'd prefer to make this as quick as possible."
"I'll see what I can come up with," he promised, and went off to look.
Meanwhile, Atton had helpfully found a few bottles of whiskey for Kex, who was drinking it like water.
"We're going to need more of that," I said.
"Oh no, lass, three will do," Kex assured me.
"Sure it will…if you want to take the second hand and the knee sober," I informed him. "The healing will take away the drunk too."
"Ah," Kex said, disconcerted.
"I'll go raid the galley," Atton said, and disappeared into the interior of the 'Hawk. He came back shortly with the Juma Juice and the vile bottle of rotten kolto stuff. I hoped it was enough.
"Give him something to bite," I ordered, and Canderous whipped off his belt, doubling up the leather. He handed it to Kex, who eyed it dubiously.
"Do it," I snapped, "or we stop here."
"Waste of a good drunk," Jarxel said helpfully.
Kex glared at him, but put the leather strip in his mouth, biting down firmly. He got it comfortable, then spit it out to take a few more healthy swigs of whiskey. I waited for Bao Dur and for Kex to be sufficiently hammered. I winced at the choice of words.
It's going to be all right, Wildcat. You can do this. Canderous's voice in my mind was warm and encouraging.
I just never thought I'd have to torture someone to heal them, I thought back grimly. Mandalorians are more trouble than they're worth.
Probably, Canderous sounded amused, but underneath, I could feel his concern, not just for Kex, but me as well. I would have talked him into taking the hypo if I could have. I can't expect him to go the painless route if I wouldn't.
What IS it about doing this awake, anyway? It can't just be macho banthashit.
Why don't you like kolto tanks or clinics?
Because kolto doesn't do as good a job healing as I can, given time, and clinics are a place that they might figure out I'm not physically what I seem. I answered.
And because you're not in complete control of yourself. Am I right?
I didn't answer right away. He was right; I just wanted him to be wrong. All right, I see your point. But it's still crazy.
Maybe. But it is what it is. I'm just glad that you don't have to do this to me, this time. And I'm glad that if it ever came to it, you WOULD do this for me.
I would, damn you. I thought back.
Bao Dur returned, carrying a smallish sledgehammer sort of instrument. It was only a little smaller than I would have liked, and the handle fit my grip. I gave it a couple experimental swings, then nodded.
"All right," I said, looking at the crowd of concerned faces. "I need all of you," I pointed to each of the men, "to hold him down; I can't heal him if he accidentally knocks me out, and I'm going to be too busy to get out of his way. Bao Dur, you're the strongest; I need you to hold his arm down. Make sure it doesn't move. Canderous, you hold his right shoulder. Kex, time to bite down on that belt."
I had put Canderous between me and my patient, partly so Kex wouldn't see the blow coming, partly because I needed Canderous to help center me. I was functioning fine, but I was more frightened than I was about to show to anyone. I took a deep breath, and prayed to the Force I would aim true. Then I smashed the hammer down on Kex's hand.
I ignored the muffled scream of agony, concentrating on the damage. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Mira, who was proving to be an excellent orderly, shoving a basin at Kex; I smelled vomit. I blocked the sounds and smells, and suddenly I felt a perfect detachment come over me. I calmly tuned in to the shattered hand in front of me. This was my task. I had hit perfectly; every bone was broken, some more than once, the whole thing a pulpy mess. I carefully traced the paths of the bones with my fingers, regulating the healing so it flowed in at a steady but controlled rate, mending bone, tendons, and tissue slow enough to allow the damage to heal in its ideal state. About five minutes' concentration, and I looked up to nod at Bao Dur. He let go of Kex's arm, and the rest of the men followed suit. Kex sat up slowly, flexing his now healed hand.
"There's no pain at all," he said wonderingly. "Look." He balled it into a tight fist, and unclenched it again, offering his hand to Canderous. With a smile, Canderous gripped it, and winced as Kex squeezed as hard as he could.
"Good grip," Canderous said in his deep voice.
"Better than it was before, I think," Kex said happily. Then he looked thoughtful. "More whiskey, this time," he said, and proceeded to drink.
I kept the cloak of detachment around me. Once Kex was sufficiently drunk, we repeated the procedure with the next hand, paused, then the knee. At last I sat back, drained, and gestured at a bottle, which Mira handed to me. Kex had drunk all of the nasty kolto stuff; I was grateful for that. There was about a half a bottle of Juma Juice left. I took a large swallow, and felt the warmth spread over me.
Kex was on his feet now, exclaiming over the absence of pain and bragging that he could fight better than ever now. He swept me up in a huge hug, spinning me around and kissing me on both cheeks.
"Thank you lass! If ever you need anything, just ask old Kex now, you hear?" he said, grinning all over his face. "If the Mandalore is ever too stupid to keep you happy, you know where to find me," he added with a roguish grin.
"Glad I could help," I said sincerely. "He's a bit of a pain, but I think I'll keep him," I added with a grin of my own.
"Good girl." Kex said, ignoring Canderous's half hearted scowl.
"Now, don't go entering the battle circle or otherwise try to fight for at least two days, understand?" I said sternly. "Your body needs some time to adjust, and trying to push it too soon might foul things up. I do not want to do this again, okay?"
"Anything you say, darlin'" Kex said cheerfully.
Please, I thought pleadingly, get rid of them. I need to fall apart now.
Canderous sent me an understanding noise and shooed Kex, Xarga and Kelborn out of the Ebon Hawk, telling them to meet us back at camp. He got back to me just in time to catch me as my legs gave out.
"Basin," I said, and Visas had it in front of me. I lost everything I'd eaten in a week, it felt like. Then I shook for about five minutes, Canderous holding me while I went to pieces. I could still feel the crunch of bones being crushed as I smashed Kex's hands and knee, and hear his agonized roar, muffled by the leather strap, smell the pain and vomit. Gradually, I stopped trembling, and leaned against Canderous, taking deep breaths.
"You were magnificent, cyar'ika," he said admiringly. "Brave as a Mandalorian."
"Very impressive," Jarxel said sincerely. "Not a flinch from you."
Dax just looked at me, eyes shining, and patted my shoulder. Mira touched me too, and he put his arm around her, almost unconsciously. They made a beautiful couple, both tall and strong. I smiled shakily.
"So brave I lost my breakfast," I said a touch bitterly. "Some healer I am."
"Being brave isn't lack of fear," Ladria said softly. "It's being able to act in spite of being afraid. You did what needed to be done."
"Thanks," I said, looking around. I smiled, still a little wobbly. Atton handed me the Juma Juice again. I took another swallow, and felt steadier.
"Good job, gorgeous," he said, giving me his special rogue grin. I gave him a hug, despite Canderous's glower. The rest of the crew followed suit, and Dax, and I felt better.
"I'm glad you were all here." I said. "It would have been a lot harder otherwise. You too, Jarxel," I added. "Thanks for helping talk Kex into it."
"I did nothing," he said gravely. "But I'm very glad he's healed. And I'm very glad you're here. Canderous is fortunate in his Mate."
"Thank you," I said, touched. "I'm fortunate in mine, too," I said with a smile.
"Hungry, Wildcat?" Canderous asked, eyeing me.
"Amazingly, yes." I said with a laugh. "Let me brush my teeth first."