Nat: Thank you! :)
Guest #1: Thanks! Read on to find out :)
Guest #2: Thank you! I guess with the quarantine here in our country, I have more time to write this super long overdue story of mine (really sorry about that)
WinchesterGurl1967: Hey! I forgot that I also posted that story in KSite! I'll update over there as well. Thanks for reminding me and thanks for leaving a review!
Thanks guys! And I really really wish that every one of you (and your loved ones too) are all right. We can beat this virus, let's just be compassionate, considerate, and let's help each other :) Here's the next chapter! It's kinda short but it sets up the next chapters :)
Chapter 12
"Please give me some good news, Lucy." Lois said as Lucy entered her room, noticing the smile on her sister's face.
"Well big sis, I called around, and I finally found you a private facility who will take care of you and provide you therapy."
"Finally!" Lois shouted as she welcomed Lucy's hug. "Thank goodness, Lucy. I'm going to go crazy here."
"You'll be proud of my investigative skills, I may give you a run for your money." Lois welcomed Lucy's statement with a laugh. "I've conducted an intensive research of this facility. Made calls, visited the location, talked with the doctors. It's top notch."
"I'm kinda excited." Lois said with a smile, but then was quickly replaced with a frown. "But wouldn't a facility of that calibre would be expensive? Can we cover it?"
At this Lucy visibly balked. "The Daily Planet agreed to shoulder all the expenses for your recovery, Lois."
"Damn it! I will not take it if it's from the Luthors. I'd rather rot in this bed than accept anything that came from them."
"It's already done with!" Lucy contested.
"Then undo it!" Lois said.
"I love you too much not to!" At Lucy's declaration Lois fell silent.
As the quiet stretched on, Lucy sat down on Lois' bed and grabbed her free hand. "Lois, please." She lifted it to give it a kiss. "I love you and it breaks my heart seeing you like this. Believe me, if I know of any other way, I would take it. But I want the best for you, and this is the best. I don't care where the help came from, because I want you to live your life. I want you to walk. And you know, I would be the happiest once I see you walking away from that facility on your own."
"So please, Lois. Please." Lucy kissed Lois' hand again, and it stayed there, as if begging Lois to agree with her.
Lois felt the wetness on her hand, and realized that Lucy was crying. Lois sighed. She pulled her hand and wrapped it around Lucy, giving her sister a hug. "Damn it, Lucy. Stop the waterworks." She tightened the hug. "I will do this for you, but just this once."
Lucy returned the hug, grateful that she had come through. "No. This is for you Lois. Only for you." She pulled back, deep in her heart hoping that she made the right decision.
Lucy left the room after ensuring that Lois is already asleep, even before seeing Clark she knew that he was waiting outside for her.
They both just stood there, waiting for the other to speak. Lucy sighed and gave in. "She said yes."
Clark gave out the breath he didn't know he was holding. "You won't regret it."
"I better hope not." Lucy said and sat down on the bench just outside Lois' room. She will be discharged tomorrow. Everything's in place?"
"Yes. A van will be waiting for you tomorrow to bring you to the mansion in Smallville. The doctor and the therapist will be there waiting for you to discuss the sessions. Do you want to stay in the same room as Lois?"
"No." Lucy said.
"Alright, I'll have adjoining rooms prepared so you will be near Lois."
"No. I won't be staying in Smallville. Maybe a couple of nights, but that's it. I have to go back to Switzerland or else I'll lose my scholarship."
"You know money's not an issue, Lucy."
"I know." Lucy said, standing up. "I still don't want to lose it though. I don't want to be dependent on anybody."
"Well, you sure are Lois' sister." Clark said.
Lucy shrugged and extended her hand. Clark shook it. "Take care of my sister, Clark. Don't make me regret this."
Lois awoke with a start when the vehicle halted. "We're here?"
Lucy smiled. "Yup."
The driver immediately went down and opened the door. With a press of a button, the platform where Lois' wheelchair was locked onto during the trip moved and was slowly lowered to the road.
Lois looked up at the imposing building. This was huge, both the building and the hurdle that she needed to overcome in order to walk again. Rarely has she relied on anyone, and it will be daunting for her to put her trust on others to heal her. But she knew that regaining her ability to walk would be the first step in obtaining justice for the all the atrocities Clark Luthor has done to her.
Two people emerged from the building, and introduced themselves as her assigned doctor and physical therapist. "Good morning, Mrs. Luthor." The doctor greeted her extending her hand.
"It's Ms. Lane." Lois replied icily.
The doctor just nodded. "Ms. Lane. I am Dr. Rubio and this is Tom, your physical therapist." At the correction Lois extended her hand to shake the doctor's and the therapist's hands. "If we're not waiting for anyone, would you like to come inside so we can discuss your current situation?"
With a nod, she wheeled herself towards the mansion. That she even has to fight Lucy on wheeling her inside earned a chuckle from Lucy. Looking around the empty foyer, she looked quizzically at the doctor and she pointed at the door to which they will hold her orientation.
Settling down, the doctor started explaining Lois' schedule.
"We will be aggressive with this. For the first couple of weeks, you will have 4 sessions per week, each session lasting anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hour. Tom and I will assess your progress after the second week, and see if we can incorporate additional exercises and sessions, add more sessions or lessen them."
"You will also have pool exercises, as the water reduces the effects of gravity, meaning less stress on your body."
"On your own, I want you do to stretching. But don't overtax yourself. Ten to fifteen minutes are enough."
The doctor then handed Lois a folder with several pieces of paper tucked in it. "What you have there is your primer, and I would like you to read it carefully. Our numbers are listed in that primer. Also, there are orderlies assigned to monitor you 24 hours a day, so if you need anything just alert them. Any questions so far, Ms. Lane?"
"Will I be able to meet other patients? Maybe a weekly gathering or some sort?" Lois asked.
The doctor and the therapist looked at each other curiously, appearing as if to not understand the question. "Other patients? Ms. Lane, you are the only patient here."
"What?" Lois asked. "What kind of facility is this?" She then turned to Lucy. "You said you had thoroughly investigated this. What's this?" She answered, her voice rising at her every word.
Lucy sighed and was about to explain, when the one person that Lois wouldn't want to see made himself known to the group. "Don't get mad at Lucy. I put her up to this. It was my idea."
What do you think? Hopefully I have the new chapter up in a couple of days. Love lots!
