Title: Changes

Rating: K

Disclaimer: Characters not mine

Spoilers: None, this is totally AU.

A/N: Sorry about the delay but my computer's acted up and put in me in panic mode! Egads! Thanks to everyone for reading and being so patient.

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Chapter 4

Two weeks later

Positive attitude, that's what Dimitrius said she had. Well, she really needed that positive attitude during today's session. After the trace of a smile the first day, Sue thought her patient was thawing just the tiniest bit—she was wrong. In fact, she thought the wall he'd built around him was even higher.

After the examination on Tuesday, she'd contacted the previous therapist to make sure she hadn't missed anything. He'd warned her that Mr. Manning would be far from the ideal patient. The remarkable progress he initially made was due to his excellent physical condition prior to the accident and his desire to get out of the wheelchair.

But once he had achieved some measure of independence, it appeared apathy had set in. The therapist had shared it had been a struggle to get the patient to do the exercises during his sessions. Sue suspected from the minimal progress that Mr. Manning hadn't been doing the exercises as faithfully at home either.

During the second session, she could understand why the previous therapist had cautioned her about getting frustrated.

"Try it again, Mr. Manning," Sue urged. "Eight more repetitions and you'll be done."

"I'm done now," he declared, facing away from her. He sat up.

"What are you doing?" she demanded. "You need to do eight more repetitions. Then you're finished."

"I said I'm done."

He started to get off the table when he felt two hands placed squarely in the middle of his chest stopping him.

"You're not done until I get eight more repetitions," she said clearly with a steely glint of determination in her eye.

"I'm leaving," he growled.

"You're staying and doing eight more lifts even if I have to sit on you," she warned.

Bobby glared at her.

She refused to be intimidated and glared right back. "You cannot bully me, Mr. Manning," she declared. "I want eight more repetitions—now!"

Suddenly the image of a terrier ferociously barking at a Great Dane popped into his mind. In spite of himself, Bobby could feel the corner of his mouth twitch.

"All right," he acquiesced grouchily, refusing to give in to the temptation to laugh. "And only eight more."

"Fine," she answered. She spotted the small movement of his lips before he reined it in. Something had tickled his funny bone, but what?

Within two minutes, the exercise was done.

"Now that wasn't so bad, was it?" she asked when he sat up. "Wait here."

He watched her as she walked to her office and returned with a sport drink.

"Drink this," she ordered him as she handed him the bottle.

As he hesitated taking it, she told him, "I don't want you cramping up again. Drink."

When he didn't, she looked at him. "Do I have to open the bottle for you? You're not leaving until some of that is in you."

He surprised her by asking in a mild voice, "Is this how it's going to be every session?"

"What?"

"You bossing me around."

"Yup," she admitted.

"You're pretty bossy," he remarked.

"If that's what it takes…"

He handed her the half empty bottle. "Thanks."

He slowly got off the table, gingerly putting his right foot on the floor and stood. He took a couple of steps while Sue silently watched.

"Seems your treatment worked," commented Bobby as he walked a few more steps. "Look—no cramping."

"Everything okay? No twinges?" she asked unaware he had just spoken to her since he was facing away from her.

He turned to her with a faintly puzzled expression. "I said your treatment worked."

"Good," she smiled. Quickly, she walked over to get his crutches and handed them to Bobby. "I'll see you on Tuesday," she reminded him. "I expect you to do those exercises at home. There'll be a pop quiz when you come back." She opened the door for him.

He shrugged noncommittally.

Jack was waiting. "No cramping today?" he asked as he stood up.

"Nope."

"Good." Jack glanced at Sue and saw her watching them as the next patient entered. He lifted his hand in acknowledgment. She smiled and nodded before she closed the door.

The two men walked to the car.

"Very attractive," Jack commented.

"Who?" Bobby responded.

"Sue—your therapist. And she seems nice."

Bobby snorted. "She's bossy."

Jack eyed his friend. "Do you do what she tells you to do?"

Grudgingly, Bobby nodded. "Pretty much."

Eyebrows raised, Jack looked at Bobby before entering the car. A smile and a show of appreciation on Tuesday, doing what the therapist ordered today, I have got to meet this woman, thought Jack. That's more progress in two sessions than the past two months.

"How 'bout we celebrate with a beer?" suggested Jack as he started the engine. Stony silence greeted his idea. After a swift glance at Bobby's face, he quickly added, "I have a six pack chilling in the fridge as we speak. Thought we could have one with dinner. But now we have a better reason."

"Celebrate what?" asked Bobby relieved they wouldn't be going anywhere.

"Your PT could actually smile when you left," teased Jack. "Your other one always looked like he was the one that could use a beer after a session with you."

Bobby glared.

"C'mon, Bobby," said Jack, "lighten up. You know it's true."

"Have I been that bad?"

"Worse," answered Jack cheerfully.

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Sue was writing comments in her patient log when a folder was dropped on her desk.

"Hey, Myles," she greeted with a smile. ""What brings you here?"

He settled himself on the corner of her desk. "Just wanted to check how your newest patient was doing and to invite you and Jonathan to dinner tomorrow night. Tara is complaining she doesn't see anyone. D and Lucy already said yes."

"I'll check if Jonathan is free tomorrow," answered Sue. "He said something about having to take a trip for a deposition. But I'll be there in any case," she said with a bright smile. "As for Mr. Manning, all I can say is that he's not the friendliest patient but he's doing what I tell him and that's the bottom line."

Myles nodded. "Just what I expected after discussing the case with Tom Mitchell. He was concerned since Manning's attitude clearly deteriorated within the past couple of months. I told him we have a secret weapon here."

Sue looked puzzled. "Secret weapon?"

"Our own Pollyanna—you."

She looked a little bothered.

"What?" asked Myles. "Don't you like being a Pollyanna? She was a spunky little thing who always looked on the bright side of life making lemonade out of lemons. Isn't that you?"

She looked at Levi. "He called me spunky, Levi. That's almost as bad as perky."

Myles grinned as he stood up. "Face it, Sue, both describe you to a T." His eyes widened. "Ooo, that's good. That would be a T for Thomas. Very good Leland," he said complimenting himself.

She whacked him on the arm.

"Whaaat?"

"I don't know how Tara puts up with you," she retorted.

Smugly, he adjusted his tie. "Because, my dear, she has exquisite taste in men. Don't stay too late."

A grinning Sue returned to the paperwork on her desk. Myles could be exasperating but he was a good doctor and an even better friend. It would be fun tomorrow night.

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