Chapter 38

Some of Steve's blood levels still showed deficiencies in one or the other category, but nothing was so out of the ordinary that it would cause his fatigue and weariness.

Over the next two days they made another chest x-ray, urine tests, an EKG and a brain scan, but nothing came out of it.

But the long sleeping phases without any kind of nightmares or other interruptions were doing him good. He started to feel rested when he woke up and another two days later, he even managed a full session with Connor without having the feeling to pass out any second.

It was still straining, but he didn't feel that beat anymore and that is why they decided another two days later to try to sit him up on the edge of the bed again for the first time after his failed attempt over two weeks ago.

"Stop," Connor said. "Just a moment. You are doing correct with the leg, but don't forget to take your arm with you."

Steve did as he was told and after some grunting, he was sitting on the edge of the bed.

"That was good work. Now try to hold yourself upright. I know your wrist isn't still fully healed yet, but you can use your fingers for at least a little support on the bedrail. And tell me if you get dizzy."

"I am good."

"Great. Try to sit for another minute. Then you lay back down. Then you pause a minute. Then you sit up again. If you can manage three times you are my hero. Come on show me what you can do."

Steve managed the three times, but he was spent afterwards.

"You did good. Really good. Relax now. I am going to work with your legs for a few minutes and then we start another sit-up-session in the afternoon. Try to rest until then."

It still took Steve a lot of effort to get into a sitting position and to stay that way, but he did it – every day, two sessions a day, sometimes even a third with Danny.

They increased the number of "sit-ups" as well as the "sitting-time" every other day.

Steve was now very familiar with the techniques of getting in and out of bed and he felt much more confident when sitting on the edge of the bed than seven days ago when they had started the new therapy plan. That's why Connor decided to take the next steps: Standing and walking.

"How can I walk? I have practically no control over my leg."

"Don't worry, I'll show you. As I said before thousand of stroke patients do that. But the first step is standing. We will train that first. When you feel confident enough, we'll start walking – just a few steps.

I am going to put that brace on your ankle to stabilize it and it can't twist.

Okay now, Danny. Look how this works, because I assume you are going to be his aid in a few days.

Steve, you will most likely feel dizzy. Danny and I support you. That means you can't fall, but if it is too bad, we'll sit you back down. You haven't been standing for about two months now. That is a long time.

We trained your legs and rebuilt some of the muscles and they will support you without question, but the change in position might bring some difficulties.

You ready?"

Steve who had both his feet on the flour took a deep breath "yes".

Connor took his position in front of the SEAL, one of his feet between his patient's. He ordered Danny to Steve's side and said "Okay, on three. One, two, three," he pulled Steve up, holding him in a firm grip.

"You good?"

"Yeah", Steve squeezed his eyes shut…"no, 'm dizzy man."

"That's okay. Breathe. Just breathe…very good. Now open your eyes…you good?"

"No. Dizzy. Sick."

"Okay, let's sit you down again…better?"

Steve took a few more deep breaths until the nausea subsided.

"Yeah. That didn't go very well. Sorry."

"No, it's fine. It was to be expected. We'll try again in a minute."

They made a few more attempts that morning, but Steve felt dizzy every time.

Thankfully, he didn't get nauseous anymore on the last two tries, but due to the extreme dizziness he couldn't stand longer than a few seconds.

He was a little disappointed about that, but Connor still called it a success.

"We'll continue in the afternoon. I can't promise that it is going to be better then, but we are still on our first day. I think tomorrow afternoon or the morning after that your body will be used to that new position.

Don't rush your fences. You are doing good even though you don't see it that way once more."

After Connor had left, Steve felt wiped out and wanted to sleep for a while, but Danny stood beside his friend's bed with a huge smile on his face.

"What's so funny?"

"Nothing is funny. I am happy. You just made it out of bed and stood on your own two feet."

"Yeah, sounds good. But it wasn't exactly standing. I was held by Connor and a few times additionally by you. My world was spinning and I didn't even know where my bed was. It if weren't for you and Connor I would have crashed to the ground."

"I always thought I am the negative guy here. You stood on your own two feet. Outside of bed. That is great Steve."

"I know. You are right. I am sorry. I just had expected it to be a little more enjoyable, you know. Maybe I am doing better in the afternoon. I am tired Danny. I'll take a nap."

"Do that. I am going to meet Samantha later for lunch. We'll see us after that."

"Sure. Say hello and have fun."

Danny watched his friend sleep for an hour before he went out to meet with "his girl". Coffee and malasada were out, they were meeting for lunch now almost every day.

Samantha's daughter was doing great in school so far and her psychologist had set their meetings back to once a week instead of two or three times. That meant Danny and Samantha had some more time for themselves. Sometimes they even took a walk after lunch. They were sitting on a bench enjoying the sun when Samantha said "Can I asked you something?"

"You just did," Danny answered smiling.

She smiled back "very funny. You are in a very good mood today. I really like that. Does that have something to do with Steve? – that wasn't the question I wanted to ask by the way."

"Yes, I am in a very good mood and yes, it has something to do with Steve."

He told her about the therapy session and asked "What was your question?"

"Your friend – Steve – it looks like he is improving a lot and…and you've told me so much about him and right from the start I had the feeling that he is very special to you. And we two got to know each other very good now. Do you…do you think you can introduce us?"

Danny was surprised by that question and he must have looked a little shocked, because Samantha said "Sorry, I…I just thought…"

"No, it is okay. I would love you two to meet. I'll ask him."

On his was back Danny thought about Samantha. She had become important to Danny. And he had been honest with what he had said. Actually, he was even looking forward to it. And if he told Steve what just happened his friend would…"

"Detective Williams," Dr. Lexington called. Danny's smile faded when he saw the doctor's expression.

"What happened? Don't tell me he had tried to stand up alone and fell?"

"No, nothing like this. He had a severe nightmare. Esther was about to bring him his lunch when she noticed his distress. She started to calm him, but he was too deep into his dream. He begged to not do this, then he screamed and started to hyperventilate. Nothing we've tried worked. He had his eyes open, but they weren't focused and I think he was only semiconscious. In the end we had to sedate him to prevent him getting a heart attack or something else. We've also put him on oxygen. I am sorry detective. The mask is still on, but he is resting now."

"Why…why didn't you call me?"

"Because we knew you've left the hospital. It would have taken too long for you to get back here in time. We needed to help him asap."

"I understand. But please call me next time. I mean, I hope there is no next time, but we all know this wasn't the end, right?"