ladyofleithian | Too Good Is True, Part Fourteen: Look, writing's better than brooding, k? :)

Disclaimer: I don't own any of this. I mean the author no discomfort; this is purely meant for funzies. Oh, and guys? Please leave concrit. ^__^

[INT. COLONEL TOBIN'S QUARTERS -- NIGHT.

Everyone sits around the table, continuing to read the fic.]

Desiree - "I'm here to see Prudence Dunn.''

Nurse - "Just minute.'' She went into the back and came out a couple minutes later with Dr.

Redding.

Desiree - "When can I go see my mom?"

Dr. Redding - "In a couple minutes, a nurse is tending her right now." At that moment a nurse

came out of the room. "Could I have a word with you, Dr?" The nurse asked.

Dr. Redding - "Do you mind?"

ANAKIN: What, they need permission to do their goddamn job? *Double facepalms* What is this universe coming to?

TERRI CLARK (teasing): Annie, do you need some more caf?

ANAKIN: Yeah. Thanks.

(He pours himself another cup of caf)

ANAKIN (contd): Oh, caffeine...I drink to your health.

(And he drinks)

Desiree - "No, go ahead." I sat down, wondering where the heck Joe don was.

ANAKIN (mockingly): Where is Joe Don? I demand to speak with Joe Don! The goddess demands it! (Snorts) Seriously, I hate this fic.

OBI-WAN (gently): We know, Padawan. We know.

Dr. Redding

MIRA: Ouch. I wonder if he ever got teased at school for his last name.

came back with a grim look on his face.

PALPATINE (as Dr. Redding): Dr. Insano is trying to use kittens as atomic ordinance. We need to stop him.

TERRI CLARK: Dr...who?

ANAKIN: Bad joke, crazy mad scientist, long story.

ARAWN (playful): Hey, Anakin -- stop stealing my lines!

At that moment Joe don walked in.

ANAKIN (sarcastic): Shame. I was really hoping that Our Lord and Savior Jon Stewart would come in and put an end to this stupidity.

TERRI CLARK: You and me both, Annie. You and me both.

I turned to Joe don. "Where were you?"

ARAWN (as Joe Don): Nowhere.

ATTON (as Desiree): Oh, Tatooine then? (Beat) No offense, Annie.

ANAKIN (lightly): No, it's fine. I know my homeplanet sucks. Honest.

TERRI CLARK (teasingly): It's the Florida of the GFFA, eh?

Anakin chuckles.

ANAKIN: Something like that, yes.

Joe don - "I got stuck in traffic. I tried calling you, but you didn't answer."

Desiree - "Sorry. Well it doesn't matter."

PALPATINE (wry): Well...he was forgiven pretty quickly, wasn't he?

Dr. Redding - "I have some very bad news.'' Joe don put his arm around my shoulders.

Desiree - "Okay."

MIRA (as Desiree): Hey, Joe Don; dial down the groping, please? Thank you.

Dr. Redding - *clears his throat* "Your mother...she...she passed way right as you were

coming in. I'm really sorry."

(Beat)

ANAKIN: Well...gee, that's a bummer. (Beat) No, really. I mean...(sighs) Let's just carry on before our audience finds new reasons to hate me, okay?

OBI-WAN (lightly): They do not hate you.

ANAKIN (amused): Sure they do.

OBI-WAN: You don't know that.

ANAKIN: I do.

OBI-WAN: You don't --

ARAWN: Anakin has a point. Let's carry on before you guys slow it down via your Seinfieldian bickering, okay?

(Beat)

ANAKIN (embarrassed): Okay.

~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~**~*~~*~* (a week later)

ANAKIN: For the love of the Force, would you give the poor girl more than a paragraph to grieve?! She lost her mother , dammit --

OBI-WAN: I'm going to have to take Anakin out of the room for a bit. He (whispers to Terri) He has...issues regarding dead mothers in fiction.

TERRI CLARK (sympathetic, to Anakin): I know the feeling, buddy.

ANAKIN (to Terri): Thanks. (To Obi-Wan) Master, I'm fine. I'm still up for the MSTing. Really.

OBI-WAN: Right. Right.

He pats Anakin's shoulder awkwardly. Anakin smiles.

"I think that's everything." Joe don said, setting down the box he was carrying.

Desiree - "Did you check the back seat and under the tool box?"

Joe don - "Yep. I double checked."

Desiree - "Good, then that's the last box."

ANAKIN: So...maybe it won't be too bad, right? Right? (Beat) I probably shouldn't have said that.

OBI-WAN: We'll see, my Padawan. We'll see...