Fic 10 chapter 7

The drama and pain of the previous day led to a mellow followup. Justin slept on and off all the way through to the next day. He finally had a chance to do some work with the physical therapist in the morning and the occupational therapist was scheduled for the afternoon.

Brad commented that a lot of the strength he had noted the day before was still there, but with the workout his pain had caused him, Justin was unable to perform even minimal exercises. He left with words of encouragement to Justin, but it did not help, Justin was already down on himself with his poor effort before Brad was ten steps out of the room.

"You know Justin, you can't expect to have a full range of motion with typical strength when you spent all day yesterday straining every muscle you can control. Go easy on yourself." Brian spoke as he stood by the window looking outside into a small courtyard. "You know the leaves are really changing, I need to drag your ass out of here to get a look at them."

"I don't want to go." was the only thing Justin said.

"Well, I don't give a fuck what you want at this point. You aren't sitting here wallowing in this for too much longer. You are cleared for small rides at this point. We can even go outside if the weather permits, and today it is permitting. So with Brad gone and lunch about an hour and a half away, we're going outside. No arguing. I'm going to get Pam to help put you in a chair." With the last sentence Brian was moving towards the door. He came back pushing a chair that was more bizarre looking than a regular wheelchair. It had more padding all around, with hard support for both arms and legs. The seat was elongated, almost as if the occupant would recline rather than sit for the ride.

"I don't want to ride in that fucking thing."

"Like I said Justin, I don't really give a fuck what you want. You're going out."

Pam entered the room, followed by two candy strippers. They made quick work of rolling/sliding Justin into the chair. There was only one point when he barked obscenities at them for the way they handled him. His legs and arms were secured in place, and he was strapped at the chest and waist. His cath bag was attached to the back of the unit. Pam sent one of the girls out to get a blanket, which she then tucked in around all of Justin's lower body. Brian produced a flannel shirt that slipped easily around Justin.

"Where the fuck did you get flannel? Brian Kinney does not do flannel." Justin almost had a smile on his face with the comment.

"It's amazing what a store will bring to you when you buy all of Armani's winter line from them. It was delivered to the house a few days ago with the rest, I picked it up at the house yesterday. I knew I wanted you out of here as soon as possible and I knew your delicate frame would get cold." Brian smiled and buttoned the shirt. He gently touched Justin's outer fingers, knowing these were the ones with the most feeling, and gave him a kiss.

"Oh hell, I can't bother with arguing anymore, let's go out." Justin's mood immediately improved/

Pam spoke to both of them, "Brian, don't keep him out too long, he'll get tired quickly and he has OT this afternoon. Justin, breathe out there, get some real air."

"Here we go, Sunshine." Brian had not used the term of endearment for a long time, but it seemed to fit.

It was hard to ignore the stares and sympathetic looks everyone gave as they made their way to the courtyard. They had to ask for help getting in and out of the elevator, and Justin yelped when they bumped over uneven sidewalk segments. When they reached the quiet courtyard, Brian found a small niche over near the south side of the building that was bathed in light. He parked Justin by a bench, locked the brakes, and sat down next to him. He quickly noticed Justin squinting from the bright October sun. He took his own sunglasses off his face and put them on Justin.

"I forgot your glasses, just use mine." He smiled as he closed his eyes and raised his face to the sun. Justin smiled and banged his fingers on the support boards until Brian reached up and held on to them.

"It feels good to feel you and the sun, to breathe in the crisp air. And the colors on that tree alone makes it worth all the work to get out here."

"Damn artists, they bitch so much about change at times...but then become inspired when they finally arrive in their new surroundings." Brian smirked and Justin rolled his head again, to face the sun and the view.

They stayed in the park for about forty five minutes, Justin drifted off to sleep, but kept the small smile on his face the entire time. Brian secretly thought to himself 'This is what he needed, we have to keep him out and alive.'

Lunch and Occupational Therapy went over without a hitch. Justin was pleased with himself when he was able to grasp small things at therapy. He could almost feel his middle fingers, and he did not seem to have the pins and needles he complained about in prior days.

The day ended quietly and for the first time since the accident, they both agreed that Brian would go home to the loft to sleep. Saturday would bring more visitors, and most importantly, Gus and Jenny were coming from Toronto with Mel and Lindsey, so they wanted to be well rested and prepared for their invasion.