Chapter 40

Steve managed three fourth of his dinner, had a good and dreamless night – thanks to the meds – and he also ate all of his breakfast.

All of that made him feel pretty good and he was looking forward to his next PT session.

He got up a few times. The dizziness and the nausea at first as well were still there but not as bad as the day before. He even managed to stay for almost a minute. Still with Danny's and Connor's support, but he was standing. Connor was impressed – Steve was not.

He took another nap. Thankfully, Danny stayed this time and when he saw Steve's fingers twitch and heard him moan, he started to talk to him immediately and prevented the next nightmare.

In the afternoon session Steve managed two minutes on his own feet.

Dr. Lexington came in about an hour later and told Steve that he wanted to do another blood and urine test in the morning.

"Why?"

"I need to know if your kidney is still working like it should. If it does, you can have whole food. We will do tests every day for a week, then every other day for a month. Then every month for about a year. Just to be safe. With all the drugs and abuse you endured I don't want to take any risks. You okay with that?"

"Sounds good to me."

"Fine. Then I put it in your chart. I heard your PT sessions are going quite well these days. You are making great progress. If you continue in that pace, we need to make plans for your discharge in a few weeks and about your after care."

"It's too early."

"I didn't say tomorrow, commander. But you are doing great right now. And we will definitely need to organize some things before you can leave here."

"'kay."

When the doctor had left, Danny asked "Hey, what's up? "When can I go home" is usually your first question after waking up for the first time. Now it looks like you are not looking forward to it."

"Not exactly. I can't do anything. I can't even stand without you two holding me. I can't use my hands. How am I supposed to live at home – alone…I can't even use my bedroom, because I can't go up the stairs – I can't walk at all. I can't do that right now Danny."

His eyes welled up with tears.

"It's hopeless. I can't leave."

"Hey! Steven!" Did you even listen to the doc? He said we have to make plans. That means we have to talk about how it could work. We need to arrange things. And he said it won't be tomorrow. I am sure it won't be the day after tomorrow either. Actually, I heard him say "in a few weeks".

And you won't be alone. The team is there for you and I'll make sure you'll get everything you'll need as well. That's what making plans means. Don't panic. We'll discuss everything with the doc. As far as your bedroom goes: you can use the guest room until you can make the stairs. And we'll find some solutions for every other problem that might occur too. You are not alone. Ohana, remember?"

"Yeah, okay. Sorry. I mean…I just…I don't know…I…"

"I know."

They fell silent.

"Danny?"

"Yes, Steve?"

"Do…do you really think I can live in my house again?"

"Yes, why not?"

"Not…not sure. What if I can't? I don't want to lose it. It's…it's my home Danny. I love it there."

"I know you do. And you will make it back and you won't lose your home. I promise."

Steve spent the rest of the day in pondering silence. He ate his dinner just because he needed the food not because he was hungry.

Danny tried to cheer him up a few times, but noticed that it didn't work.

Helen noticed something was off as well and appeared more often than actually necessary, but wasn't able to enlighten the mood either.

When Steve asked her for his sleeping pill an hour earlier than usual, she brought it in and made a last attempt to make him smile, but he just thanked her for the medication, took it and fell asleep ten minutes later.

The next day his spirit was up again. He joked around with Esther while she took the blood sample and was excited for his next PT session.

He stood up several times and managed to stay for almost five minutes. Connor even let go of some of his support without Steve noticing.

When the SEAL started to sway on his feet, he tightened his grip again.

Connor liked Steve's new spirit and energy, but he told him to not overdo and to not try to stand alone.

"I won't do that."

"I hope so. But I had to remind you. I know people like you."

"People like me? What is that supposed to mean?"

"People who are very determined, who are putting everything into achieving their goal. I know you were a SEAL and I know they have to push themselves to their limits and beyond, but that is counterproductive in PT. It should be strenuous, nothing more."

"I keep that in mind."

Steve's nap went by without incident. Danny stayed by his friend's bedside reading a book. He left for his date with Samantha when Steve woke up.

"Have fun Danno."

"I will. How about I set that next date here?"

"You sure?"

"Yes, I am. If you have reservations or don't want…"

"Hey, Danno! I've already told you I'd love to meet her. I just thought we can do that outside, you know. Sunshine and stuff, but it is okay to do it here."

"You sure?"

"Yes, Danno. I am. Just go before she thinks you forgot about her."

"She would never do that."

"I know. Especially after that kiss."

"You are an idiot."

"I know that too. That's why you love me."

"No, I love you, despite of it."

Danny left the room smiling to himself.

Dr. Lexington came into the room ten minutes later carrying Steve's lunch tray.

"Hey, doc. You got demoted?"

"Very funny, commander. No, I didn't get demoted, but your blood and urine test results just got back. They are both looking very good and I took the opportunity to serve you your last diet lunch. As promised, we'll set you on whole food, starting tomorrow morning. Someone will be in later to go to the menu with you. Enjoy your lunch."

"Hey, Danny."

"Hey, Samantha."

They kissed each other.

"Sorry I am late."

"You are here now and you are only five minutes late. Hope everything is okay with Steve."

"Yes, he is fine and he agreed to meet you."

"Wow."

"What? You hadn't expected that?"

"I wasn't sure. I mean from what you've told me, he seems to be an open person. But he is still…not doing so good. I mean you know his left side and all."

"No problem with that."

"Really?"

"Yes, really. He actually said that he would love to meet you."

Danny returned to the hospital just in time for the next PT session.

"Danny! I already thought you are going to miss this one. And that would have been a pity. For sure."

"Yeah? Why is that?"

"Because I brought something for Steve. And I think he is going to love that. But we'll make him stand first. I just put the brace on. How about you two work on the standing part and I go outside to get my "present"?"

When Connor came back in Steve asked "a wheelchair? That is your present?"

"Yes, but the best part of that present is that you will have to come here and get it."

He placed the wheelchair four steps away from his patient and put the brakes on.

"You ready to walk?"

"No. What…what about overdoing?"

"You make four steps. Then you'll sit down in that chair."

"How?"

"I'll show you. Come on."

He positioned himself beside Steve to assist and told Danny to stay on the SEAL's other side – just in case.

"When I tell you to start, you put your good leg forward, then I'll help you to move your other leg, showing you or better your muscles and nerves the motion sequence – make them remember.

While I am doing this, I will also support you and adjust and correct malposition.

Start…now."

Steve felt unsteady, but did as he was told. It felt and looked awkward, but he managed the four steps.

"Now we turn and then you sit down. Same as before. I help with the coordination. And be careful when sitting down. The wheelchair is lower than your bed."

It had been only four steps, but sitting down again felt like heaven to Steve.

"You good?"

"Yeah, just feeling a bit...weak."

"That is normal and the reason we only make four steps. We'll make a small break and then you go back. And we will do that every day now, increasing the distance when possible. But the wheelchair will always be in your sight. It is your safety. If you feel like you can't make it, say it. We'll bring the chair to you so you can sit down.

Okay. Enough talking. We are going back now. I'll help you to stand up, because it is more difficult to stand up from the lower position. It will get easier when you can use your hand. But the technique we use is the same. Come on. On three."

Steve made it half way back when his left leg started to tremble.

"Danny. I need you. Support Steve's other side."

They helped him back and sat him down.

"What is happening?"

"You are just using your muscles again. It is just normal that they react like this. Another reason we are going small distances in the beginning."