Daniel frowned at the sensation he felt running down his left leg. "Phantom pain" it was called. Pain that lingered in the brain from a time when he was whole. A time that seemed so very long ago.
He hated this world. He hated this reality. He hated his situation. And, most of all, he hated the loneliness that had crept back into his life. His friends were miles away, and talking with them, even if it was just on the phone, was strictly forbidden.
He had only one saving grace.
He wasn't allowed to see Sam or Mitchell, but they didn't know about her. Even she didn't know how important she was to him. After all to her, he was just one of many patients, an amputee, someone in need of care.
But to him, she was everything.
He hated his injury, but even so he was glad for the excuse to see a familiar face.
"Hello, Dr. Jackson."
A familiar pain filled him as she spoke his name. It happened every time he was here, and for a moment Daniel wondered if it was possible that his heart was also suffering from phantom pains.
"Hello, Dr. Fraiser. It's good to see you."
Probably so.