Chapter 11

After that, things settled into something of a routine again. Princess never went back to Ward 9, and was given back her old room next door. Since her bed was along the same wall as Jason's (only on the other side), they were able to continue their nighttime conversations. This turned out to be a good thing, because they were almost never alone during the day. Dr. Myers, Nurse Gorilla, Tiny, Keyop and Chief Anderson were constantly coming and going, performing tests, visiting with the patients, and checking on Jason's progress.

And Jason was making remarkable progress. It seemed that he had tipped some kind of scale in his head and his recovery began to accelerate. Within a few days he was speaking aloud almost as well as he did in his head. He was able to chew and swallow, and the IV was removed. He could now raise and lower his own bed, and use a bedpan instead of a catheter.

One morning about a week after Jason's birthday, Princess slipped into Mark and Jason's room.

"Anyone here?" she asked, looking around.

"Nope. It's empty!" Jason said. He was speaking aloud. The doctors had recommended that he do so, even when speaking with Princess or Mark. He kept his implant conversations to nighttime chats with Princess, when she wasn't in the room.

"Oh, good!" the Swan replied. "I'm happy that everyone believes me now, and is working so hard toward your recoveries, but all the same, I sometimes miss the privacy we all used to have."

Jason nodded, and Mark voiced his agreement.

"Anyhow, since we have a moment alone, I brought you something, Jase."

"What is it?" he asked.

"It's your birthday present! The one I promised you!" Princess smiled.

"I told you, Prin, the only present I wanted was you. And that's the present I got." Jason replied.

Mark made gagging sounds. Jason ignored them.

"Anyhow… a belated Happy Birthday, Jason!" Princess said, depositing a small package onto his lap.

Jason carefully unwrapped the gift. It was a pair of driving glasses.

This time Princess wasn't crying when she said, "You can use them when you are able to race again."

The Condor, however, felt something in his eye. Blinking rapidly, he spoke.

"Thanks, Prin." he said. "You always come up with great gifts. I never told you how much I appreciated the pillows you got for us at Christmas. Mark likes his too."

"I'm glad to hear that." Princess smiled. "I hope they make you both more comfortable."

"Now," she continued, "Since Nurse Galt seems to have taken a holiday, I guess it's up to me to start your morning routine." With that she busied herself getting various hospital supplies together. It was just like old times.

Except that now, Jason could speak with her as she worked.

Princess met Mark's needs first. She brushed his teeth, combed his hair, shaved his face, gave him a bath and replaced his IV. The entire time she chattered away to him, just like she had done before. Jason just watched her and grinned.

It was good to have Nurse Swan back. He knew from occasional comments Mark was making that he was glad too. Princess was a significant improvement on Nurse Gorilla… in more ways than one.

When she was finished, Princess turned to Jason.

"Now it's your turn, Condor." she said with a grin. "Do you need me to help you or can you do any of this by yourself?"

"I can do it!" Jason exclaimed reflexively, before realizing that he was going to miss being waited on hand and foot by Nurse Swan.

Princess watched him perform his basic hygiene tasks, helping only when absolutely necessary, which wasn't often. Jason was actually pretty proud of himself.

But when it came time to shave, he asked Princess to help him.

"I'm a little nervous with a blade close to my face." he explained.

Princess nodded, and began to shave him. Slowly and gently she pulled the razor across his skin. Jason reveled in her close proximity. They had had virtually no time alone together since she had been released from Ward 9, and he was enjoying her attentions.

"This was a lot easier when your face didn't move." Princess murmured.

"Then let me help you." Jason replied, softly putting his hand over hers and guiding it along his face.

"Wait a minute!" Princess exclaimed. "You're better at this than I am! You could have done this yourself!"

"Perhaps…" Jason grinned, "But it's much more fun being pampered by you."

"Well, I guess you deserve a little pampering." Princess admitted. She ran her fingers lightly across his skin. "All smooth, now."

Jason caught her hand and held it, looking into her eyes. Slowly, he raised his other hand and ran his fingers through her hair. Eventually, he cupped the base of her skull in his palm and drew her in for a kiss.

This kiss was not soft, or slow. It was hard, and bold. It demanded everything… and they both gave everything in response.

"Uh… Jase… remember me?" Mark said in the Condor's mind.

Jason ignored him.

Princess wrapped her arms around Jason's neck, pressing her body against him. Jason's arms slipped around her waist, drawing her deeper into the kiss.

"Jason… you have a audience! This isn't really what I need to see right now…" said Mark uncomfortably.

Jason shut off his connection with Mark. The Eagle was going to mess up his concentration.

The Condor and the Swan took their time, seeking out each other's wants and desires, and fulfilling their needs. It was a long moment before they breathlessly came apart.

"Jason…" murmured Princess seductively, "that was definitely worth waiting for."

"I told you that the real thing was much nicer." he said, a wicked gleam in his eyes. "Was it everything you thought it would be?"

"Jason, my expectations were blown away." Princess replied. "I don't remember ever feeling…" as she spoke her head turned slightly and her gaze fell upon the Eagle.

"Oh, Mark!" she exclaimed, startled. Quickly sitting up, she straightened her clothes.

"Mark, that's not to say that you weren't…" she grew quiet, her cheeks rosy from an oncoming blush. She looked back and forth from Condor to Eagle, an unsure look upon her face.

"Damn." she said after a long moment of silence. "This is embarrassing."

Jason laughed aloud, and Princess gave him a despairing look.

"This isn't funny, Jase!" she said in his mind. "I can't believe we just did that in front of Mark! It was pretty insensitive of us, don't you think?"

Jason could see that having the Eagle as a roommate was going to cramp his style.

"Sorry, Prin." he answered in her mind. "I hadn't thought about that."

"Well next time, make sure you do!" Princess admonished.

Jason grinned to himself. She had said 'next time'…

"Okay…" she said aloud. "Moving on… it's time for your bath, Condor." Nurse Swan had returned.

Suddenly, the thought of Princess giving him a sponge bath in front of Mark was not so appealing to Jason.

"Man, I wish I could take a shower." he muttered.

"Do you think you could?" asked Princess, hearing his comment.

"Well, I haven't gotten out of this bed in almost a year." Jason replied, "But I have been able to move my legs."

"The bathroom is only a few steps away," Princess gestured, "and there's a bath chair in the shower. If you could make it there you'd be fine. Do you want to try?"

Jason thought about it, and then nodded. No time like the present.

He nearly reconsidered his decision when Princess brought out a wheeled walker from the closet.

"Sheesh, I'm going to feel like an old lady on that thing!" he exclaimed.

"Only until you don't need it anymore." Princess replied sensibly. Slowly she helped him swing his legs over the side of the bed. Then he shuffled down to the end of the bed. It was only a couple of feet to the bathroom door from there.

"Okay." she said. "I want you to put your feet on the floor and slowly place your weight on them, leaning on the bed for support. If you can do that, I'll help you transfer your weight to the walker."

It took a couple of minutes, but eventually Jason had his feet on the floor and was leaning against the bed. Princess took his hand, and with surprising strength supported him until he was able to grasp the edge of the walker.

With excruciating slowness, Jason pushed the walker forward an inch, and took a step. It was a painful process, but with Princess helping him he was able to make it the three feet to the bathroom. She opened the shower door and helped him step in.

Leaning heavily on the Swan, the Condor collapsed into the bath chair. It was made of sturdy metal and plastic, and had holes to let the water run through. He had made it.

"Okay, Jase, here are the controls for the water temperature and angle." Princess explained, showing him a panel on the wall within easy reach. "I'll be sitting outside in case you need any help." She loosened the ties on the back of his gown and left.

Jason sighed. He was frustrated at how weak he was still. Here Princess was, exhausting herself taking care of him, but what he really wanted to do was take care of her.

Still, now that he had gone through such an effort to get here, he was going to go through with this. Carefully he pulled off his hospital gown, set the shower controls and turned on the water.

As the warm rain hit his skin, Jason felt himself relaxing. The chair was actually quite comfortable, and he was enjoying the sensation of the water sluicing down his body. He washed himself carefully, then closed his eyes and just let the shower flow over him. His thoughts began to drift.

With his eyes closed, the water felt like fingers massaging his aching limbs. He imagined that they were a massage, and felt the tension ease from his body. The thought crossed his mind that a massage would be even better if it were Princess who was massaging him. She was just outside the shower, after all…

In a dreamy, relaxed, state, the Condor began to fantasize. He could just see the Swan standing up and slowly removing her clothes. Then she would step into the shower with him, drenching herself in the spray before straddling his body and sliding onto his lap…

He vaguely realized that he was beginning to breathe more heavily. His Swan was beautiful… she was sexy… she was… embarrassed?

With a start he opened his eyes, then chuckled softly to himself. It seemed that the mere thought of her opened a connection between them. He was fairly certain that Princess had been a witness to his fantasy.

"I'm just thinking, Prin." he said softly in her mind. "Just something fun. It doesn't mean that I expect this to happen."

"Well, no one would ever accuse you of lacking in imagination, Jason." Her voice gently chided him inside his head. "But it certainly made for interesting… viewing…"

"I live to please you, Princess." He intentionally laced the words with double meaning.

"Unfortunately, I think it's time for you to get out of there." Princess replied. "You've been in there for 15 minutes already."

He hadn't realized that it had been that long.

"Okay…" he said. "I… I think I'll need some help though." He grinned saucily.

"Whatever you need, oh Great Condor." Princess laughed.

She entered the shower, hanging a clean hospital gown on a hook, and carrying a towel. Jason couldn't help but grin as she looked at him sitting there. He didn't have his usual physique by any means, but the implant had restored enough of his muscle tone that she seemed to like what she was seeing. His suspicion was confirmed when an appreciative whistle echoed through his head.

"You certainly look relaxed, Jason." Princess said in his mind.

"I am." Jason replied in hers. He looked at the towel in her hands. "Is that for me?"

The Condor was finding that this silent, yet face-to-face, communication between them was intoxicating. It was so… intimate…

"Don't let me disturb you…" Princess whispered. She swallowed hard and began to dry him off, with long, slow strokes over his body. When she reached his hips his desire for her flared, and he could tell by the blush on her face that she had felt his arousal as well. Shyly, she stood up and looked at him.

"All finished?" she asked flirtatiously.

"Not quite…" he grinned, and reached for her wrist. When she didn't protest, he pulled her into his lap, where she landed, giggling up at him.

Her bottom wiggled on his bare lap, and Jason found himself drawing her close. Princess' lips found his, and their bodies pressed together. Her fingers began to trace the skin on his chest. One of his hands slipped up to hold her thigh, while the other found its way under her blouse to caress her back. She sighed, and the kiss deepened.

Damn, this felt good. And this time, there was no Eagle to observe them.

"Oh no! The Condor!" a voice exclaimed, interrupting their interlude.

It was Nurse Galt. She was in the room.

Princess looked up at Jason in a flash of panic. She leapt to her feet and tossed the clean gown into the Condor's lap.

"Get dressed!" she hissed.

She exited the shower, and Jason could hear her greet Nurse Gorilla as he donned his fresh clothing.

"The Condor wanted to try and take a shower." she said.

"I see…" Nurse Galt replied. "Did he walk, then?"

"I helped him use the walker." Princess explained.

"Ah." the nurse paused. "You realize… I have to report this development to Dr. Myers and Chief Anderson."

"Yes." said Princess quietly.

"But…I suppose I could wait for five minutes." the nurse continued. She paused again.

"Five minutes." she repeated.

"Thank you." Princess whispered.

Jason heard the door to his room open and close again. Princess appeared at the shower door.

"I guess she's human, after all." she smiled, straightening her rumpled clothes.

"Yeah… who would have thought it? " Jason smirked.

Princess helped the Condor back to the walker. They were just exiting the bathroom when Dr. Myers and Chief Anderson entered the room.

"Jason!" Anderson exclaimed, "I heard that you were walking!"

"I see that the Swan's presence has inspired you." remarked the Doctor dryly.

"Jason decided that he didn't want another sponge bath." Princess grinned, "So I helped him into the shower."

"That was quite a long shower…." Jason heard Mark's voice in his head. "What exactly was happening in there?"

"A Condor doesn't kiss and tell." Jason smirked back to the Eagle.

"It's going to be a long and painful recovery with the two of you carrying on like this." complained Mark in a disgruntled voice.

"Well you'll just have to hurry it up, then." Jason remarked, unruffled.

By this time Jason had made it back to the bed. He fell down somewhat heavily. The effort of walking had exhausted him.

Dr. Myers and Chief Anderson discussed this latest physical development while Princess moved off to the side. She smiled at Jason.

"It seems that you're going to have to recover quickly," she said in his mind, "if we want to find someplace where we won't keep getting interrupted."

"You can count on it." Jason winked at her.