Cora POV

Beep.... Beep.... Beep....

A sound pierced through the fog of sleep. It was steady and constant, seemingly never ending. More garbled sounds followed suit along with the strong smell of anti-bacterial cleaner filled my nose. I wanted to scrunch my nose but seemed to lack the will to do so. Then I slowly lifted my heavy eyelids and glanced around. The room was bright. Light from the window reflecting off the white walls, making me want to close my eyes again. I felt like I had slept for years, but I was still tired. Struggling to focus on what was goin on around me I was reminded of that incessant beeping and slowly turned my head towards the source of the noise. The muscles in my neck were stiff and sore.

As I straightened my head I became aware that someone was in the room with me and I saw it was none other than my master, sitting in a chair beside me. She hadn't realised I had woken yet and was staring off into space. Despite my slightly blurred vision I could still see that Alexa had been deprived of sleep, dark circles and bags under her red tinted eyes proved that and I wondered how long she had been there.

I soon became aware of the acute pain in my stomach and couldn't stop the groan that escaped my lips. This must have alerted Alexa to the fact I was awake because her gaze immediately shot to me and her lips slowly curled up into a smile.

"Cora...?! You're awake! Oh thank the Force!" She leaned over and quickly, but still gently, embraced me.

"H-Hello master." I croaked. My mouth was dry and I ran my tongue over my lips a few times.

"I've been so worried about you! There was a time where everyone was worried that you weren't going to make it...! But I never gave up on you, I refused to think that you would.... I just knew you'd get through it!" I could hear her voice was thick with emotion and as she smiled at me I twitched my lips up in a smile back.

"How.... How long was I out for....?!"

She didn't answer straight away, seeming a little nervous to tell me jus how long I had been unconscious for, however she sighed softly and told me. "14 days."

"What?! I was unconscious for two weeks?!" To stay I was shocked was an understatement. I had been asleep for the last fourteen days, that's a fortnight and that is an awful lot of time to be knocked out for! "Hold on.... To be asleep that long I must've been in a comba!" Alexa nodded and my jaw dropped.

"You were.... I'm sorry Cora I should have been there with you, I should never have let you and the others go on that assignment alone. I should have assigned some clones to go with you or gone myself. I just never thought Grievous would do what he did and now you're hurt and it's all my fault! I'm so so sorry!" Tears collected in her eyes and she began to cry.

I was shocked, I had never seen my master cry! Not once! I almost thought she never cried, but now I knew different. I slowly reached out and took her hand, trying not to think about the ache in my arm as I did so. "Master.... Alexa.... Please don't apologise. What happened wasn't your fault."

"Yes it was."

"No it wasn't." I insisted. "The only person to blame is Grievous. Please don't beat yourself up over this when you are not at fault. Instead why don't you tell me what I missed while I was unconscious?" I suggested when suddenly I remembered I wasn't the only one injured on the mission. "Where's Maya? Is she ok?!" Images of the last time I saw her before Grievous got me raced through my mind, I was worried about her, she had been hurt pretty bad.

"Fine. She's just fine." Alexa reassured me and I sighed, happy that she was alright. "She has a broken arm along with some cuts and bruises but for the most part she's ok. You got the worse end if the stick so to speak."

"Just as long as she's alive and well."

"That she is and she's been making sure to give Anakin lots of headaches." My Togrutan master smirked and I managed a hoarse laugh, making my throat hurt more.

"Well not much has changed then."

"No, not really. However now that you've woken up I need to call a droid to come and take a look at you to make sure everything is ok, after that I'm sure Maya, Jay, Rendal and Anakin will be eager to see you." She stood up and after giving my hand a gentle squeeze, released it. "I'll be back soon, I promise."

"Ok." I replied and she left.

I sat in silence for what seemed like forever, looking out the small window into the corridor trying not to think about the pain in my stomach or the strange foggy feeling in my head. It made thinking a little difficult and I started wishing my master would come back faster so I could ask her or the droid about getting some kind of pain relief. I was about to call for Alexa when she came back in, accompanied by a medical droid.

"I sensed your distress and just got the closest droid I could find." My master said and she sat down beside me. The droid came over to me and began to examine me, checking my temperature, blood pressure etc. before slowly pulling down the blanket and asking me to pull up the hospital gown I was wearing. I was nervous about seeing what exactly was under it and how bad the damage was, but taking a breath I slowly and shakily pulled it up exposing.... A bandage. My middle was wrapped in a large white bandage which concealed the wound. I breathed a small sigh of relief, I didn't have to see it.

I spoke too soon.

The medical droid found where the bandage was taped to itself and pulled off before beginning to cut through it. I felt myself beginning to panic, I didn't want to see this, if it looked anything like it felt then it would be horrible and I couldn't stand the thought of seeing it. I put my hands on the bandage and tried to stop it.

"Please don't! I don't want to see it."

"I'm sorry but I need to check your wound and change the dressing." It replied.

"B-But-"

"Hey." I felt a gentle hand on my shoulder and I looked to see Alexa staring back at me with concern shining in her blue eyes. "I know you're frightened, but you don't have to look if you don't want to."

"I don't?"

"No. You can close your eyes if you want or you can look at me." She pulled a face and I found myself able to give a short laugh, only to stop when sharp pains came from my stomach.

"Ok." I watched her face and the droid continued to cut carefully through the layers of bandage until it all fell away and I gasped as I felt the cold air it my now exposed stomach.

Alexa tried to keep me preoccupied by talking to me but resisting the urge to peak at the wound was starting to become difficult. Suddenly I felt pain erupt in my stomach and I jumped, my eyes snapping down to see the droid had poked me. I doubt it had been hard but gosh it felt like it! My eyes widened when I spotted the larger reason for my pain and sensitivity, underneath the bandages and bacta patches was a line of stitches. I could see the white lines which stood out from my blue skin, I knew despite the bacta it would turn into a scar, although unlike humans it would be a light blue on my skin rather than pink. I stared at the sutures which were pulling together my skin to close the hole that had been but there by Grievous.

Ah General Grievous. The inhuman cyborg who had tried, albeit unsuccessfully, to kill me in cold blood. Strangely, or perhaps not so, I wanted to face him again. I wanted him to see me, alive and well so he would know that his attempt on my live had been in vain. I wanted to show him that I wasn't just a scared little girl, that I could and would take him down the next time I had the chance. The next time we met he would see me as being a dangerous foe.

My thoughts were then interrupted as I saw my friends looking in through the small window into my room. I wanted to flash them a smile but they entered before I could, it was probably better that way anyway, I think smiling would use up most of the energy I had.

"Hey Cora." She murmured softly and flashed me a smile I wished I could return with such ease.

"Maya?" I looked up at her, still feeling rather surprised to see her in such good condition as opposed to how she had been the last time I saw her. "Hi."

"How are you feeling, sleeping beauty?" A small smirk tugged at her lips.

"As good as I can be at this time." I replied honestly. "What about you?"

"My arm still aches and this cast is a pain, but aside from that I'm fine." I watched as she came and sat carefully on the edge of the bed.

"Well we're glad you're awake now." My gaze wandered to Jay when he spoke and I could see what almost looked like a glint of sadness in his eyes, making me a little curious. What was going through his mind as he looked at me? I wasn't one hundred percent sure I wanted to know. Still his concern was touching.

"Thanks Jay." I gave them both a weak and tired smile. "So you did miss me then?"

"Of course!" They both nodded. I managed a soft giggle at their enthusiasm.

"Thanks guys."

"You're welcome." Maya gently took my hand in hers and held it. I could feel the warmth of her skin against mine and it made me feel better despite the pain in my stomach and the grogginess I still felt.

As I stated at them I felt my eyelids starting to get heavier and they began to drift closed. I battled to keep them open and looked at my friends through hooded eyes, though despite my determination to stay awake I could tell my tiredness was winning.

I heard one of my fellow padawans ask me a question, but all I really got from it was that the question had something to do with Marcus. "Huh? Marcus.... Marcus he.... Hmm...." I yawned and rested my head back into my pillow.

"You should get some sleep. We'll let you get some rest and come back later, ok?" Maya said and she slowly got up.

"Ok." I nodded wearily.

"Bye Cora, sleep well." I heard Maya's voice again and not a minute after that I was asleep and wandering through the land of dreams.

Maya POV

I opened my eyes and I turned my head only to find that Anakin wasn't beside me, instead it was Chancellor Palatine.

"Chancellor?" I asked shocked before blinking several times to make sure I wasn't seeing things.

"Hello Maya, it's good to see you're awake." He smiled at me.

"W-What are doing here sir?"

"I heard about the mission to Agamar and came to see you. I wanted to see for myself if you were alright."

"I see... Well thank you for your concern, your excellency, but as you can see I'm fine." I said casting my gaze downward.

"From what I heard, you are very lucky to be alive Maya." I just gave a smile, I already knew that and I was grateful for my luck. "So how are you feeling now?"

"Better sir."

"That's good."

It's strange that the chancellor came to to visit me, I mean, why would he? I'm nothing more than a lowly padawan. There's nothing about me that's special and my wounds weren't all that bad. If the Chancellor should come to visit anyone here he should have come to visit Cora. Then again she is still in a coma.... I could feel tears come to my eyes at the thought, but I blinked them away. She would be fine. I was sure of it.

"How did you get out that storage room in the Separatist base?" I was shaken from my thoughts by the Chancellor's voice.

"Huh? Oh well Anakin and Jay got me out."

"Who is Jay?" The man asked looking surprised when i mentioned Jay's name.

"Jay is one of my friends, he came on the mission and him and Anakin got me out from underneath the metal shelves. His full name is Jay Corsh and he is Master Plo Koon's padawan." I explained.

"I see."

I must admit I don't feel entirely uncomfortable with being alone like this with the chancellor when I'm not at full strength. I don't know why, but something about him just makes me nervous and I almost wish that Anakin would come.

Then door was flung open and someone burst in! "Maya! Cora is-" Well well, speak of the Chosen One and he shall appear. It was Anakin, but he didn't finish as he saw the Chancellor sitting down next to me. His firefly eyes went wide in response. "Oh hello Chancellor, I didn't know you'd be here."

"Hello Anakin, I was just checking to see how one of our brave young heroes of the Republic was." He flashed a smile at me. My jaw nearly dropped, but I managed to keep it shut. His excellency thought I was a hero?!

"I should go then, I'll leave you two alone." Anakin was about to walk out.

"No, no stay Anakin. I was just about to leave anyway." The Chancellor stood up. "Goodbye Maya, I hope your arm heals quickly.

"Goodbye sir and thank you."

"Goodbye your excellency." Anakin bowed.

"Goodbye Anakin." The Chancellor nodded and left.

"You came just in time Skywalker."

"What do you mean? Why was the chancellor here?"

"I don't really know, he said that he wanted to see how I was after what happened on the mission."

"I see...."

"Anyway, it sounded like you had something to tell me when you came in."

"Yes, I did. I thought you'd like to know that Cora is awake." My eyes widened as I stared at him.

"Really?"

"Yes really."

"I have to see her! Can I go see Cora Anakin? Please!" I was willing to beg for this, after all I hadn't seen her since before she slipped into the coma and now that she was awake I just had to see her! Anakin merely chuckled and nodded.

"Of course you can, why do you think I came and told you?"

I grinned and threw back the sheets and swinging my legs out I got out of bed. I was excited to see Cora. However my happy mood was soon dampened when I saw that someone else was waiting with Anakin just outside the door. It was Jay. He murmured a hello but I pretended not to hear it and refused to make eye contact with him.

"Jay make sure Maya gets to Cora's room safely." I glared at Anakin, telling him I didn't want Jay to come with me, but he merely ignored me. Jay nodded to my master.

"Will do Anakin." I growled and walked out of the room in a huff and I heard Jay move quickly and try to keep up with me. I speed walked through the corridors, eager to get to where I needed to be without having to talk to Padawan Corsh. "Maya slow down!" I heard him call after me, but I just ignored him and kept speed walking "Maya stop!" Jay shouted. With an annoyed sigh I stopped and waited for him to catch up.

"There happy now?" I snapped. "I don't need you to come with me, Jay, I want to see her on my own." I crossed my arms over my chest in defiance.

"You are not going on your own, Maya. Anakin told me to go with you and that's what I'm going to do." He looked at me determinedly only to shake his head and sigh. "Maya I know your mad at me but I am really sorry for what ha-"

"I don't want to talk about this now. Let's just go and visit Cora." I started to walk again and it wasn't long before

I heard another set of footsteps following along behind me.

We got to Cora's room and I looked through the little window, my heart nearly jumping out of my chest when I saw she was awake. I quickly moved to the door and Jay and I walked into the room.

"Hey Cora." I spoke softly and flashed her a small smile.

"Maya?" She looked up at me in what almost seemed like disbelief. "Hi."

"How are you feeling, sleeping beauty?" I couldn't help smirking a little at my own question.

"As good as I can be at this time. What about you?"

"My arm still aches and this cast is a pain, but aside from that I'm fine." I tried to down play the pain the past experience bought me as I went and cautiously sat on the edge of the bed, wanting to be closer to my friend. "We were all worried about you." It was true, I'm sure we had all wondered if she was going to make it through this terrible ordeal. I know I had.

"I was worried about you too... Well at least I remember I was before Grievous decided to put my lights out temporarily."

"Well we're glad you're awake now." I heard Jay speak but I didn't turn around to face him.

"Thanks Jay." Cora smiled at the both of us. "So you did miss me then?"

"Of course!" I nodded and I had the feeling Jay did too. It made my heart sing to hear her giggle softly at our answer.

"Thanks guys."

"You're welcome." I slowly reached and took the Pantoran's hand in mine, treating it as though it was made out of glass.

She looked so fragile as she laid there and she only looked more so as her and eyelids began to flutter while she fought to stay awake. I smiled softly as I knew it wouldn't be long now before she fell asleep and was about to carefully let go of her hand when my all too stupid boyfriend spoke and broke the comfortable silence.

"Hey Cora, did you get to say goodbye to Marcus?"

What kind of a question was that? Why did that matter now? Oh why couldn't he just keep his mouth shut? She was almost asleep! I glared at him only to have my anger washed away as I heard Cora mumble something.

"Huh? Marcus.... Marcus he.... Hmm...." She yawned and snuggled down into her pillow.

"You should get some sleep. We'll let you get some rest and come back later, ok?" I said and I slowly let go of her hand and rose from the bed.

"Ok." She nodded.

"Bye Cora, sleep well." I smiled then Jay and I silently slipped outside when I couldn't resist peaking back in to watch her fall asleep before allowing the door to close.

As we stood outside and peaked in through the window I couldn't help glancing at Jay, but as I looked at him I saw he wasn't himself. It kinda looked like he was anxious about something.... I don't know why.... Maybe it was because Cora had fallen asleep, not that it should upset him.

"Jay?" I asked, but this time it was him who ignored me and he began to walk away. "Just wait a second, please." The boy paused and looked at me.

"Now what do you want Maya? I thought we weren't speaking to each other."

"Well.... I want to know why you are upset Jay." He shrugged.

"There's nothing wrong Maya." I growled punching Jay in the chest. "Ow! what was that for?"

"You know what it was for Jay, don't lie to me."

"I'm not lying and I'm not upset." I punched him again.

"Will you stop that?!"

"Only if you stop lying to me! Cora was falling asleep and when I looked at you I could tell you were getting anxious, why Jay? Tell me why." He sighed and bowed his head for a moment before answering me, keeping his voice soft.

"It just reminded me of how she looked when she was stabbed and it made me think... What if she doesn't wake up? What if something bad happens to her again like it did when she went into the he coma? What if she dies?!" He raised his voice and I saw his eyes started to get teary. I walked over to him and stood close to him like I did before we had that stupid fight.

"Jay, Cora will wake up again. She will not die on us, everything is going to be ok. I promise that Cora is going to wake up again tears ran down my boyfriends face and my heart went out to him. "Please don't get upset Jay." I put my hands on both his cheeks and wiped the tears away. "It's going to be ok, Cora will be fine and she will wake up." I then hugged him and he returned it so the two of us stood there holding each other tightly in a loving embrace.