Taking a deep
breath, Obi-Wan looked between the healers as they looked over the
readout of the brace he was now wearing. “I seem to be breathing
fine.” Obi-Wan offered warily from where he stood in his boxers
between the rails he was leaning on, glancing at one of the straps of
the brace that went beneath his arm to fasten it to his body.

The gray brace
covered his upper back, giving him support until it cut off at the
mid of his back into what looked like gray thin stripe of fabric that
traced the spine and continued down to the tailbone where it split
into two even thinner ‘fabric’ lines that lined down on each side
of his hip down his legs to his knees.

These were
neurotech that was providing internal support for the damaged tissue
inside and maybe, just maybe they could aid Obi-Wan into walking and
even running now that he was healed enough from the initial damage.

“Yes, that is
what we are registering.” Terza said calmly. “How is it working
with your legs and spine though?” She asked.

Giving her a tense
smile, Obi-Wan shrugged. “No time like the present to figure it
out.” He offered up and let go of the rails he had been using as
support.

Anakin, who had
been watching quietly until then, sat up sharply and looked ready to
spring from his seat to catch Obi-Wan should the other fall without
the support of rails or his cane.

Taking a slow but
full step, Obi-Wan held his breath.

But his legs still
carried him, he was standing securely between the rails without their
support.

He took another and
then several more until he got to the end of the rails but by then
his legs were shaking from the strain and he quickly grabbed them
while breathing hard, feeling exhausted but elated.

It was working.

He could walk
without the cane though it would take time for him to manage longer
periods without his cane but Obi-Wan could actually manage to walk
with the brace!

He looked up even
as Terza and the farghul healer spoke hurriedly about the resulted in
excited tones, meeting Anakin’s wide blue eyes. “Well, that’s a
start.” He panted happily.

A grin growing on
his face, Anakin approached. “It is. That’s wizard master.” He
agreed, resting a hand on Obi-Wan’s bare arm carefully. “Maybe
once you worn it for a few days I could modify it a bit? Its a bit…
bland. Maybe paint some designs on the brace?” Anakin said quietly.

Normally Obi-Wan
would say no to it but…

Well he knew how
bad Anakin felt about the entire thing and the blond just wanted to
do something nice for Obi-Wan.

So with a small
smile, he gave a nod. “That would be nice Anakin, we can talk about
it later once we’re sure this brace is mine to keep.” Obi-Wan
said softly, watching how the blue eyes perked up at the acceptance.

All four of them
jumped a bit when the door slid open however though Obi-Wan relaxed
when he saw Mace there.

“Apologies for
interrupting.” The Korun rumbled, rubbing the back of his neck a
bit. “Master Yoda was looking for Healer Terza and would not take
no for an answ-” His eyes landed on Obi-Wan, filling with surprise.
“Obi-Wan, you’re standing on your own!” Mace exclaimed as he
stepped into the room.

Smiling shyly,
Obi-Wan nodded even as he grasped onto one of the rails for support.
“Yes. Healer Terza and Standa thought that maybe a neuro-brace
might help me stimulate the nerves and improve my ability to walk.
And they were right. I may even be able to run eventually if this
continues though I will be grateful to settle for walking.” He
laughed lowly.

Mace nodded,
smiling a bit before gesturing to Obi-Wan’s face. “I see you got
my gift too.” He murmured more quietly.

Smiling more
genuinely in return, Obi-Wan lifted a hand to his face, touching the
embroidered leather strap covering his empty right eye socket. “Yes,
the eyepatch was delivered today and… well thank you, its very
pretty.” He murmured softly.

And the eyepatch
was indeed very pretty, in a dark red leather with silver stars
stitched onto it varying sizes, the biggest one in the middle.

Rolling his eyes,
Anakin watched his master and Windu flirt, wondering how in the Force
life had come to this. ‘Well, at least its easier to watch those
two flirt then it is to constantly try and amuse Obi-Wan.’ He
sighed.