Janet smiled down at the sleeping figure. She hadn't missed the purr. Reassured that Sam was adjusting as well as could be expected, Janet left her to her slumber.
Chapter 12
An hour later, Sam woke as she heard footsteps stop nearby. Blinking and yawning Sam uncurled and stretched, rising as Janet approached. Janet smiled. "Have a good nap Major?" Janet asked, all business. Sam nodded and meowed. "Everything feeling ok, no pain or cramping?" Janet asked, a practiced eye looking her over for any signs of discomfort. Sam shook her head no.
"Would you like some more food?" Janet asked. Sam thought about it, than shook her head. There was something else though. A sensation of fullness inside, which would need relieving soon. Sam realized what it was, and her ears flattened as she tried to think of some way to communicate her need to Janet. Janet quickly picked up that Sam needed something and she frowned as she looked down at her "patient." "What is it Sam?"
Sam looked up at Janet, than she looked off behind her pointedly, than back to Janet, before looking back over her shoulder. What was she looking at.... Or was that where... suddenly Janet realized that Sam was staring in the direction of the infirmary lavatory. Smiling in relief that there was nothing wrong, Janet's mind latched onto the new problem. Obviously, "You wouldn't want to use a litter box I imagine." Sam's flattened ears and a look of utter disgust confirmed her suspicions. "Ok, well we need a new plan. Wait right here I think I have an idea."
Sam wondered what Janet was up to. She didn't have much time to wonder as Janet returned after only a few minutes. Janet gathered Sam up in her arms before she had time to process anything and carried her towards the bathroom. Well at least they were heading to the right place, in Sam's mind at least. She was glad Janet wasn't going to make her use a litter box. That would have been just too embarrassing. She wasn't sure how she'd use a toilet though, she'd heard of people training their cats to do it, but Sam wasn't all that confident of her balance yet. It would almost be better to use a litter box than to have to be rescued after falling in the toilet. Eeew. Sam's musing cut off as Janet carried her into the bathroom and Sam saw first hand what the doctor had been up to.
The toilet seat had been raised up and covering the front half of the bowl was a tray that had been taped in place. Sam regarded the changes quizzically. She thought it just might work. Janet deposited Sam on the tray and Sam was able to study the setup more closely. The tray would give her a place to keep her unsteady feet, and the opening in the back looked more than adequate. Hearing the sound of gloves being snapped on, Sam whipped her head about to stare at the doctor in surprise. Janet was holding an empty specimen cup in her hand, identical to one that Sam had filled on many occasions during physicals.
Janet grinned at the look of consternation on Sam's face. "We decided to forgo getting a sample from you in the usual fashion." Sam wasn't sure if she should be relieved or disgruntled that she wouldn't be getting any privacy while she took care of business. As she rose to her wobbly feet however, Sam realized that this maneuver would be a bit trickier than she was used to. Sam was suddenly grateful for the sure hand that Janet provided her to help her get into the proper position. With Janet steadying her, Sam was quickly able to provide Janet with her desired sample, and get some much-needed relief.
Sam watched as Janet quickly capped the jar and dropped it in a bag. When Janet picked Sam up though, intending to carry her back to her bed, Sam squirmed, clearly indicating that she wanted down. Janet glanced at her. "You want to try walking back?" At Sam's nod, Janet set her down on the floor, making sure Sam had her balance before letting go. Janet watched appraisingly, following behind Sam's slow progress. Very unsteady at first, Sam's movements became more practiced and sure. While far from graceful, she didn't look like she was going to take a tumble every other step.
As she gained confidence in her ability to stay upright, Sam moved faster and with more surety. She soon reached her bed, and looked up at Janet and away from the bed, indicating she wanted to walk a little bit more. At Janet's nod, Sam continued, picking a path towards the door. She didn't think she'd get out of staying in the infirmary tonight, but maybe, just maybe, Janet would let her take a little walk... Sam was so intent on her thoughts and on where to place her feet she missed the approach of two sets of feet. Suddenly coming nose to boots, Sam jolted, saving herself from landing in an undignified heap by sitting back on her rump quickly. Sam blinked, and looked up, directly into the Colonel's grinning face and Daniel's sheepish grin.