A/N: THIS IS A LONG CHAPTER, LAYING THE GROUNDWORK FOR THE BIG ENDING. HAVE FUN READING, AND PLEASE REVIEW. I WOULD IF I COULD, OWN 'EM THAT IS.
CHAPTER 37: STANDING TALL
For the next two weeks, the fantastic five hatched a plan that would keep the therapists news and Woody's surprise from Jordan and Cal. Max would be in on it when he came back from Ireland. Bug, Nigel and Garret would keep Jordan occupied while Max and Lily would take turns helping Woody with his therapy sessions. It wouldn't be easy though, Jordan is a very perceptive woman who loves a good mystery to solve. They would have to be extra careful to make sure there were no holes in the plan.
It was a Monday morning,Woody was excited, his braces would be ready on friday, so he came to talk to his friends about their plan. He had made his way through the morgue without being seen, or so he thought."Hey Jordan, your boyfriend is here.", Sidney said, walking into trace. "Where?", Jordan asked looking into the hall. Sidney followed her. "I don't know, but he should be easy to find, he left tracks.", Sidney laughed as he pointed to the wheel marks on the floor.
Jordan followed the tracks to Garret's office, where the five were in a heated discussion. Jordan knocked on the door. They all turned to look. "Did I interrupt something ?" she asked inquisitively. Woody looked at Garret, not being able to lie to her. "Not at all, we were just making plans to meet at that new place two blocks down.", Bug suggested. "Yeah, on Friday. It's opening night.", Nigel added. "I was on my way to ask you and Sidney to go too.", Woody offered, taking her hand. "Can't, I'm working 'til nine Friday night, come to think of it so is Sidney. But you guys could go and try it out, and if it's good, we can go back.", Jordan said, squeezing Woody's hand. She sat down on Woody's lap, "You better not blow off therapy after work to go out on Friday.", she warned Woody, then kissed his cheek. "I won't, I promise.", he replied, giving the others a smirk.
Lily went to Woody's therapy session that Friday afternoon. Mike the therapist, worked with Woody for well over an hour, then said, "Let's get you up." Mike took out the specially made braces, and helped Woody into them. The metal braces made his already heavy legs, even heavier. Mike pushed Woody over to the parallel bars, Lily followed. "Ms. Lebowski, you stand over here.", Mike said as he pointed to the other end of the bars. Lily nervously grabbed them for support. Mike bent down to lock the breaks of the chair. "Alright Woody, your going to lean forward and push up with your arms. I've got your feet.", Mike explained from his position on the floor.
Mike looked up at Woody, "Ready.". Woody gripped the bars. "Set.", he closed his eyes and leaned forward. "Go.", he pushed up. "Okay Woody, you can open your eyes now.", Mike ordered. Woody slowly opened his eyes, he looked down at Lily, who had tears in her eyes. "Hey big guy.", she joked, letting the tears fall. His mouth fell open in disbelief. "Woody you're standing.", Lily exclaimed as she walked closer. Then he looked down at Mike in amazement. "Um Woody, you can breathe now.", Mike said laughing. Woody let out a huge sigh. "Okay, that's enough for today.", Mike stated, lowering Woody back into his chair. Lily took his hand, his knuckles were still white from his tight grip on the bars. "You did it.", she said triumphantly. Woody just nodded, wiping his eyes.
That evening at the resturant, the group was toasting Woody's momentous event. "It was only for like a minute, maybe.", Woody said shifting in his chair. "Does your back still hurt?", Lily asked concerned. Woody nodded, uncomfortably. "How am I supposed to walk if I can't even stand for a minute without aching, burning muscles?", he asked his doctor friends. "Patience Woodrow, these things take time.", Nigel said with a smile. "Don't forget Woody, you haven't stood in over eight months.", Lily added, sympatheticly. "It'll get easier.", Bug encouraged.
"Uh oh, Cavanaugh tweleve o'clock.", Nigel stated, pointing at the door. "What is she doing here? She is supposed to work until nine, it's only 6:20.", Lily exclaimed, looking at her watch. "Hey guys.", Jordan called out. "Hello Luv, playing hookie?", Nigel asked with a chuckle. "No, Garret wouldn't tell me what you four were up to, so he let me leave.", Jordan smiled. "He just let you leave?", Bug asked, unconvinced. "Well not exactly, I kinda told him I was leaving. It was really slow.", she added. "Which means it will be even busier tonight when I'm on. Great.", complained Bug.
"So what's up guys?", Jordan questioned as she sat down next to Woody, kissing him on the cheek. Then she noticed the look of pain on his face and quickly forgot about the question she had just asked. "You look awful, rough day at therapy?", she asked rubbing his arm. "You have no idea.", Woody sighed, shifting again. "You should rest, why don't you go home, I'll meet you there. You okay to drive?", she said, helping Woody with his jacket. He nodded, " Goodnight everyone." They all replied in unison, "Night Woody." As Woody left, Jordan sat down again."Hey guys, I want to do something special for Woody's birthday, it's next month, the seventeeth. I need your help, I want it to be a surprise.", she happily explained. But all they could do was look at each other in disbelief.
By the time Jordan got to Max's, Woody was finished getting ready for bed. He came out of the kitchen with a pop-tart in his mouth, a can of pop in one hand and pushing his chair with the other. "That's your dinner? Let me make you something to eat.", she chuckled. "No really I'm fine.", he replied, yawning. He reached around to rub his back. "Are you sure you're okay? Did you take your meds?", she asked, concerned. "Yes and yes.", he answered, sarcastically. "Hey Woody, my dad will be home tomorrow, and you don't move into your apartment until next week. This is our only chance for a night alone. What do you think?", she asked, suggestively. "Jordan, I'll be unconcious within the hour.", Woody replied, unamused. "Ooh, then I can take advantage of you.", Jordan tried some humor as she helped him into bed. "Promise?", Woody chuckled back. They laid there and snuggled together, talking and laughing, until they fell fast asleep.