Jack was smarter about getting the Doctor into the SUV this time. Though he still had to put him in first, he waited until he had got in on the drivers side to buckle him in. Then he he held the Doctor's hands tightly as the Doctor tensed, ready to go into a panic attack. Jack was worried that he wasn't going to be able to handle being buckled in again so soon after panicking for nearly a half hour the day before because of being restrained. Holding his hands though was allowing the Doctor to focus on something besides the belt across his waist. He still didn't like it, regardless of whether or not it was necessary.
"Breathe sweetheart, nothing is going to hurt you," Jack reassured him as he waited for the Doctor to calm down. The Doctor closed his eyes as he continued trying to breathe. He managed not to go into a panic attack as he held Jack's hands tightly. He was just reluctant to let them go even as he calmed down. Jack had to drive though and couldn't just hold his hands the entire time. He left his eyes closed as Jack released his grip and pulled out of the hub. Once on the road, Jack took his hands again, using one hand to drive and letting the Doctor hold onto him with the other. It took him longer to get to UNIT then normal because he made sure to drive slower and not stop fast or do anything that would cause the belt to tighten and send the Doctor into panic. The Doctor's eyes remained closed the entire ride, but he didn't sleep as he held on to Jack.
"We're here," Jack told the Doctor softly when they stopped. The Doctor opened his eyes as Jack unbuckled him. The familiar place was in front of him and he was relieved to see it. Even though he wanted to come to UNIT he didn't like the ride up. Jack left him alone in the SUV for a moment to get his wheelchair. His door was opened and Martha smiled at him.
"I didn't expect to see you so soon," She commented as Jack came around with his chair.
"He has his speech therapy today," Jack informed her. The Doctor nodded.
"Well since you are here, we can see about getting you standing with the walker today," Martha commented.
"No," The Doctor answered as Jack lifted him out of the SUV. He looked around for his computer. Jack pulled it out of the back seat, setting it down on his lap. He tapped the keys for a moment before looking up at Martha. "I don't need the walker."
"You do if you want to walk again. You aren't going to be able to use crutches at the moment because of your motor control and the longer you fight using the walker, the longer it is going to take to get you on your feet again," Martha explained. The Doctor made a rude noise at her with his mouth.
"Oi, be nice," Jack scolded him. "Now you have your speech therapy first and then I am sure that the Brigadier will want a cuppa with you. After that we can discuss your willingness to use the walker."
"K," The Doctor sighed loudly. He didn't look at Martha as she walked beside them to Jame's office. James was finishing up with a patient so they had to wait a few minutes for the Doctor's turn. Martha didn't push him or talk about using the walker again. Instead she bid them fair well, leaving them in the waiting room.
"At least try the walker Doctor. If you don't like it, or can't use it at least you tried," Jack told him. The Doctor glared at Jack.
"I don't want a walker," The Doctor argued. He was obviously becoming angry and with his willingness to come to UNIT in the first. Jack dropped the subject as well as the door opened.
"Welcome back Doctor. How are you doing today?" James asked him happily. The Doctor glared at Jack again then turned to James.
"G-g-ood," He stuttered slightly but got the word out cleaner then the last time. He smiled proud of himself. James went around the chair to push him into his office as Jack made no move to stand or follow. The Doctor noticed and tensed slightly. Despite his willingness to talk to James he didn't want to be without Jack. "Jack?"
"Yes," Jack asked still not moving.
"P-p-ease Jack," The Doctor said. Jack stood and followed them into the office. Despite his irritation with the Doctor at the moment, he wasn't going to make the Doctor suffer. He sat in the back of the office listening to the Doctor and James talk and the Doctor trying to say the letters James wanted him to. They focused on the letter t for the day with the Doctor relearning to make the different t sounds. The Doctor did well not arguing with James once as Jack listened. He even laughed as he tried to over pronounce the TH sound and made a rude noise with his mouth. About five minutes prior to the end of his session it was James who called it to a halt early.
"You have done very well today Doctor. I want you to keep working on the T sound this week and next week we will focus on a new letter. Now before you go I understand that Martha has given you a computer to help you talk. Is that correct?" James asked. He wasn't told why the Doctor had received it only that he had been given it.
"Yes," The Doctor answered slightly hesitant to tell him.
"I am not going to say you can't use it. I do want you talking when you can say the words and not relying on the computer to talk for you. Also I want you to practice saying words you have trouble with. You can practice with Jack or in front of a mirror but I want you to practice at least a half an hour a day. Can you do that for me?" James asked him. The Doctor nodded that didn't sound to hard.
He was in a better mood again as Jack took him to the Brigadiers for tea and lunch. The Brigadier made sure to have sandwiches and crisp waiting for them this time rather then just Jammie Dodgers. The Doctor happily made his way through two sandwiches as he joined in the conversation. It took him longer to reply but the Brigadier was patient with him as they joked about the last time he had worked for UNIT. Jack almost hated to take him to Martha afterwards but he had to be the bad guy if he was going to help the Doctor. He gave the Doctor as long as he could before wheeling him out of the Brigadier's place and to the hospital.
Once in the hospital all illusions of a happy, compliant Time Lord were gone. He crossed his arms and glared at the two of them with all the anger of the Oncoming Storm as Martha approached with the walker. As Jack tried to pick him up, he went limp in Jack's arms, making it hard for Jack to hold him.
"You need to put your feet down Doctor. You will see that using the walker isn't that bad if you at least give it a shot," Jack informed the Doctor. The Doctor though wouldn't put his feet down and he closed his eyes tightly refusing to look at the walker.
"Stop being silly," Jack scolded him, sick of the game. The Doctor stayed as limp as ever not giving in. Finally Jack had enough. He sat the Doctor back in his chair, turning and leaving the office. He closed the door behind him loudly causing the Doctor to jump.
"Jack?" The Doctor questioned opening his eyes.
"He left," Martha answered. Grabbing his computer, she set it down on his lap before she pulled up a chair so that she could look the Doctor in the eyes. "Why don't you want to use the walker?"
"I hate it," The Doctor replied. "I hate all of this. I want my life back."
"I know you do and the walker will help you to achieve that. I know it may seem horrible but if you give it a chance you will be back on your feet," Martha informed him. He glared at the walker again, kicking at it. "If I thought you could handle crutches we would use them or if you can tell me another option you can try we will go with it." Martha waited but the Doctor had no reply. As much as he hated it the walker was his best option and he could either use it now or he could keep fighting them and use it in a few weeks. Either way he was going to end up needing it before he could walk without it.
"I will use it," he told her.
"All right. I am going to get one of my doctors in here to help you stand." Martha went to the door and grabbed one of the doctors who wasn't busy. The Doctor glared at him as he entered. "Doctor I would like you to meet doctor Cooper. Now Adam can you please assist me in getting the Doctor to his feet with the walker. We need to take it slow and you have to watch your grip as he is subject to panic attacks if he feels restrained."
"Jack?" The Doctor questioned as Adam went around him to help him up.
"I don't know where Jack is at the moment," Martha replied. He fought Adam slightly as he was helped to his feet and then took hold of the walker. He was able to hold himself up with it, with Adam helping to support him. Even if he didn't like it, he did feel more confidant with it. "Good job. Do you want to try to take a step?"
"No," The Doctor answered.
"I think you could," Jack told him as he came back into the room. The Doctor brightened as Jack came up to him. He took over where Adam was standing, supporting the Doctor's waist as he stood. Feeling more confidant with Jack back, he took a tiny step forward then dragged his right foot to meet his left. He smiled as Jack kissed him on the back of the neck, proud of his progress. "I knew you could do it."
"Good job today Doctor. I am going to let you take the walker back to the hub with you so that you can stand with Jack's help. I don't want you using it on your own yet. Do you understand?" Martha told him.
"Yes," The Doctor replied. He sat down in his chair again as Jack loaded up the walker. The Doctor now had daily stretches, speech therapy and he was going to have to use the walker. For the last two years Jack's life had revolved around the Doctor but now it didn't seem as though he was going to have time for anything else with also having to help the Doctor eat, bathe and general daily care. Still they were on the right track so he was happy with the progress even if he felt a little overwhelmed. Taking the Doctor to the SUV, he loaded him in the passenger side to begin his trip back to Cardiff.