You've lost it

by The Graphite Centurion

For most of his life, Arthur Abrams has been in a wheelchair. But that hasn't stopped him from achieving his dreams. However, when he's given the opportunity of a lifetime, will he take it or will he play it safe? Mostly Kartie but there's a fair bit of Finchel and Quick too.

3. Dreams do come true

Hey there Terrans, welcome to the final chapter! That's right, we're officially done after this. But don't worry, this chapter isn't exactly short.

Please enjoy!

It had been a week since Artie had agreed to go through with being the test subject, and he was nervous to say the least.

He had put on a brave face, but it wasn't fooling his girlfriend in any way. She saw right through him. He was nervous. If the implant worked, he'd be able to walk again, if it didn't, he may lose his ability to move at all.

Kitty knew the risks, and even though she told Artie she was ok with it, she was still worried. He was the love of her life, he saw through the cynical sociopathic cheerleader guise and found the true her. It was honestly one of the things that made her fall for him in the first place.

This fear and panic was especially evident right now, during the monthly Glee lunch. This month it was being held at Ryder and Marley's townhouse.

In recent years, after the Jake incident, Ryder had practically begged Marley to give him a shot, eventually wearing her down.

Despite her original singer ambitions, the young brunette had eventually settled on becoming an RN whilst Ryder pursued a career in, oddly, special ed therapy. He was pretty good at it too. Having struggled with dyslexia, the young man had made it his mission to make the kids he saw with it, much less stressed.

'' You've lost it, the Bengals totally have a shot at winning conference this year.''

'' Please Ryder, I've seen yer team's stats this year. Its kinda sad really.''

'' Rory, you live in Belfast, how do you know anything about American football?''

'' Yer forgetting Ryder, I lived here for a year. I know a thing or two.''

Ryder looked at his friend. Despite having a sweet and innocent appearance, Rory Flanagan, through being bullied as well as dating Sugar Motta, had made him quite sly.

'' Ok before this turns into a rumble, lets change the subject…to Artie's operation'' Puck piped up.

'' Yeah man, you given any thought to it. Last I heard from Finn you were considering it'' Sam added.

'' Actually, I spoke to Kitty about it and I'm going through with it-

'' Yes!-

'' After, a consultation'' Artie interjected. '' Kitty doesn't know though, I wanted to surprise her.''

'' How's that consultation going to work, isn't he in Switzerland?'' Rory asked.

'' He is. But they do have Wi-Fi there. Also, I want to make sure I know what I'm going to be going through before I commit.''

Ryder took a swig of his beer before speaking. '' Well good for you man, always remember to be smart before doing anything-

'' Oh who am I kidding, I've lost it!'' Artie sighed.

'' Wow, where'd that come from?'' Finn asked, surprised.

'' Finn look at me, I'm broken. I'm half a man. I might not be a robot like Brittany thought I was, but this is always going to be my life. I'm always going to be that guy in a chair.''

'' What happened to taking the shot? I thought you were all for it?''

'' I am. But I'm scared. What if the worst happens, what if I end up like your friends Shawn? I couldn't deal with that being my life.''

'' Then don't. Look, we're your friends no matter what happens, besides, those German guys who made the implant must be pretty smart if they're onto human trials'' Finn snapped.

Whilst this was going on, Kitty herself wasn't exactly in a calm state of mind either.

'' I thought you were all for Artie going through with this?'' Marley asked, putting her arm around her friend.

'' I am, but I'm also nervous, like, Rachel, when Finn first went to the army, you were scared right?''

'' Yes? But I don't think the two are comparable to one another. Your boyfriend is going through an experimental procedure, Finn, can walk.''

'' You get the point, I'm scared. My Artie could end up as a quadriplegic. I mean, I'd still love him, but it wouldn't be the same.''

'' Look, I don't know what your going through since my Rory can move and everything, but I think you should totes stay positive'' Sugar added.

'' Why? Things could go wrong-

'' What if they don't? Kitty, I'm an RN, let me tell you that there's a pretty good chance that nothing is going to go wrong.''

-x-

Later that day, Kitty shut the door behind her as she entered her and Artie's apartment.

Artie had gone home from the lunch early as he '' had a surprise for her''.

'' Hello'' Artie smiled, frightening his girlfriend.

'' Gah! Artie, you scared me!''

'' How?''

'' You just appeared. I've had cats who make more noise when they move than you do.''

'' What's wrong Kitten?''

'' Well, I'm having second thoughts about this thing. I know you want to go through with it but I don't know if I could handle you not being with me.''

'' Well then, I think…this might help'' Artie wheeled himself over to his laptop and turned it on, Kitty subsequently sitting down in front of it. An image of a balding ginger man with a large beard came on the screen.

'' Hello there Arthur, this must be your lovely girlfriend Katherine, no?''

'' Hi Doctor, yes, this is Kitty.''

'' Hiya doing?'' Kitty smiled, not sure who he was.

'' Very well thank you madam. Now, I must say, you have a very caring boyfriend here. Not many people are willing to have procedures explained to them.''

Kitty looked at Artie, confused. '' Is this Christian Hans, the researcher you were talking about?''

'' Yep. Knowing you, you'd want as much information as possible, so, I organized a consult with him in Zurich. Since I couldn't get a flight, I guessed Skype would be the next best thing.''

'' You really are the sweetest'' Kitty said, pecking Artie on the cheek.

'' Aww, how sweet, you two remind me of my wife and I. So, Ms. Wilde, I assume you want to know exactly what's going to happen to your boyfriend?''

'' Yes, I do.''

'' Well then, let's get started. Naturally Arthur over here is going to be going under anesthesia for this treatment. Once he's asleep, we'll be opening up his back and once we have a clear view of his spine, the implant will be attached to the small of his back, where the most damage is.''

'' What exactly is the implant, like stem cells?''

'' No actually. This is it'' Dr. Hans reached down and pulled out two small black metal squares.''

'' What are those?'' Artie asked.

'' An excellent question dear Arthur. That is the implant itself. These two will be attached to the lower part of the spine and once we seal you back up, within 5 hours we should have results.''

'' What exactly are the chances that the implant doesn't work?'' Kitty asked, a catch in her throat evident.

'' Low. You see, we have done numerous tests on them prior, and they show signs of promise. Best case scenario, Arthur has full control of his lower body and can walk again, worst case scenario, he has no improvement to his condition at all.''

'' So, I won't lose any more body functions?''

'' Nope. Not one. So mister Abrams, care to be part of history?''

Artie looked at Kitty for a god 4 minutes straight before responding….'' I'm in.''

Kitty squealed with joy as Dr. Hans clapped. '' Mr. Abrams, prepare for Zurich. You leave in one month's time.''

-x-

1 month later

Artie found himself being wheeled by Kitty into the airport blindfolded.

'' Alright, alright I give, what's the surprise?'' Artie laughed.

'' Hey robot'' came a familiar voice.

Kitty removed the blindfold. Artie was shocked at what he saw. Almost every New Directions member was right there. From Finn to Joe.

'' Guys, what're you all doing here. Don't you all have jobs to get back to?'' Artie laughed.

'' Remember all those years ago when I said I'd be there for your first steps when they found a cure?'' Brittany asked.

'' Yes?'' Artie raised an eyebrow.

'' Well, when word got out about your procedure, Britt created a New Directions WhatsApp group so we could all be here for this'' Santana smiled at her wife.

'' But, how? None of us are poor but Swiss currency isn't cheap, also plane fare and accommodation-

'' Kurt called in a favor'' Blaine interrupted. '' In exchange for doing a show for Vogue in Geneva while we're there, they're willing to fly all of us.''

'' Dude, who'd you call?'' Finn laughed.

'' Trade secret big brother. Now, our flight leaves in 6 hours and I hear there's a gourmet place here, who's in?'' Kurt asked giddily.

'' Gourmet, babe, after last week's dinner, I really just need something more lowkey'' Blaine sighed.

'' Like…Subway?'' Artie cocked his head in the direction of the sandwich shop.

'' Exactly'' Blaine said, dashing away.

-x-

'' Welcome Katherine and Arthur, I trust your flight was satisfactory?'' Dr Hans smiled, a few days later at a local hospital. Despite being based at a university, Dr. Hans had reserved an operating room as it had better facilities for the procedure.

'' Hello Dr. Hans, wow, you're a lot…shorter than you looked on Skype'' Kitty pointed out, looking at the 5'2 researcher.

'' I get that a lot. Thankfully, it has no impact on my medical skills and- oh my, I see someone's popular'' Dr. Hans marveled at the New Directions members.

'' Dude, you're seriously short'' Puck pointed out.

'' Noah…'' Quinn growled.

'' Its fine dear lady, now then, I'm assuming you're all his friends?''

'' We are'' Rachel nodded.

'' Well then, I assume Arthur and Katherine have informed you of what's going to happen no?''

'' Actually…he hasn't'' Tina looked daggers at her ex-boyfriend.

'' Sorry, basically Dr. Hans here, is going to be putting me under anesthesia for this treatment. Once he's asleep, He and his team will be opening up my back and once they have a clear view of his spine, the implant will be attached to the small of his back, where the most damage is.''

'' So, how does this thing work? Is the implant like some metal rod or something?'' Sam asked.

'' Nope. Its two black squares that're being attached to the small of his back, if it works, My Artie's going to walking in no time'' Kitty beamed.

'' And if it doesn't-ow!'' Mike said, subsequently getting elbowed by Tina.

'' If it doesn't, he'll stay the same. But that doesn't matter to me, I love my little cyborg either way.''

'' Little? Kitten, I'm 5'7.''

'' Pfft, details. So, Artie, are you ready?'' Kitty asked, wheeling him into the operating room.

'' Its now or never right?'' the young man smiled.

-x-

'' Alright, Arthur, are you ready?'' Dr. Hans asked, putting on a pair of surgical gloves.

'' Let's do it'' Artie smirked.

'' Wait!'' Kitty burst through the door.

'' Katherine?'' Dr Hans furrowed his brow.

'' He's not going through this alone. I'm doing this with him.''

'' But you can walk-

'' I meant, I'm going to be here. Scrubs are in the corner right?''

Dr Hans glared for a second before sighing, shrugging and looking at his test subject. '' I can't stop her can I?''

'' Nope. She's unstoppable.''

'' Well in that case. Scrub up.''

Doing as she was told, Kitty put on surgical scrubs and stood in the corner, watching as Artie's eyes shut, her boyfriend subsequently falling asleep.

For the next hour, Kitty watched anxiously as the team fished into Artie's body cavity, it was like the world's most graphic game of operation.

What was weirder is how she was currently feeling. She was sweating, despite the room being at a mild 68 degrees. Her heart was also pounding a mile a minute. Not only that, but her surroundings didn't feel real to her and her eyes seemed to be tunneling. TO the point that she couldn't see clearly.

'' Ms. Wilde, are you ok?'' a Bulgarian member of Christian's team asked.

'' Yeah, but uhm, can you come closer to the tunnel'' Kitty asked, as she fell down with an audible thud.

-x-

'' Wake up Kitty cat.''

Kitty opened her eyes slowly, as she sat up in her hospital bed.

'' Artie, what-what happened?'' she asked, slowly coming to.

'' Well, this is what Dr. Hans said to me. You had a pretty bad anxiety attack and passed out. Apparently you also have a bit of a tendency to cry when you're unconscious. You lost a lot of fluids.''

'' Anxiety, but I'm not an anxious person.''

'' Well, according to your chart, you are'' Artie held up a clipboard to her face.

'' Damn. Stupid Swiss doctors'' the pretty blonde pouted.

'' Hey, those Swiss doctors are pretty good. And their research team aren't too bad either.''

'' Yeah, they are pretty good aren't they?''

'' You have no idea'' Artie smiled, as he walked closer to the bed.

'' Artie how did you-'' Kitty gasped at what she saw. Her boyfriend was walking, easily. He had easily stridden over to her. She couldn't believe it. Part of her thought this was just a fever dream, Artie couldn't be walking could he? The procedure worked?

'' Dr. Hans declared it a success. Those implants really worked. According to him not only can I walk, but I can run and even…dance.''

'' That's always been your dream.''

'' Wrong. That was my dream. I'm now a happily devoted video/photographer. But now that I can walk again, I realized something.''

'' That this is probably the only hospital in the world who's food doesn't taste like raw sewerage?''

'' That, and also, things only happen once if they mean something. Like my operation, I had one chance and it worked. So, I know I'm rambling here, but hopefully…this speaks for itself.''

Artie did something, he'd been dreaming of doing ever since he first met Kitty all those years ago.

The man got down on one knee, for real this time, not like the many 100s of times he'd done it in his head.

'' Oh my God, really?'' Kitty gasped, looking at her boyfriend, who was now holding a silver mesh band.

'' Absolutely. If this is the new world I'm going to live in, you're the first person I want in it. So… Katherine Martha Wilde, will you marry me?''

'' Absolutely!'' Kitty jumped out of the bed and embraced Artie in a passionate kiss.

'' Did she say yes?!'' came a call from outside.

'' She did!'' Artie laughed.

'' Wait seriously?'' Puck asked, as the New Directions alumni walked in.

'' I know right, on some level I thought she'd say no'' Finn muttered.

'' Well, she didn't'' Kitty smiled.

'' Well then, in that case'' Tina pretended to raise a glass. '' To Artie. We always knew you'd walk again.''

And, scene. Thanks so much guys for reading, this was surprisingly interesting to write.

So, until next time, stay safe and stay…amazing!