Chapter 8

The rehabilitation program would consist of active strengthening and stretching for Don's upper body, and passive exercises for his lower body, as well as electrical stimulation of his muscles. The upper body exercises he could do on his own, but he would need someone to manipulate his legs for the others. Much to Don's chagrin, Dr. Smith had appointed himself as the supervisor of his program and had drawn up a rigorous schedule of exercises to be done throughout the day. He had even devised a way to include aerobic exercise so that Don wouldn't lose his stamina by having Will attach a motor to the stationary bike.

He and Dr. Smith were running through the passive exercises so they could get an idea of how difficult it would be to do them when they heard a growl. "Well, Major, my stomach tells me that it is time for another meal. I'm sure Mrs. Robinson will be along at any moment to deliver your tray. You have earned the break. I will see you in the morning."

As he was about to open the door, Don called out to him, "Hey, Zach."

Steeling himself for a jibe, he turned and replied, "Yes, Major?"

"Thanks."

Dr. Smith was startled for a moment, but recovered quickly. "Never fear. Smith is here."

As predicted, Maureen was coming up the hall with the tray as Dr. Smith was leaving. He leaned towards her before she reached the door and whispered, "I believe we are out of the anger stage, thank heavens. I don't think any of us could have withstood another moment of his ire."

Maureen rolled her eyes and continued into the med bay. They went through the usual routine, but, before she left, Don asked her to tell Judy to come see him when she was ready. He wasn't sure what he was going to say to her, but he realized that keeping her away from him was just making the situation more difficult for both of them.

It wasn't long before she came knocking at his door. She peeked her head in and saw that he was moving the food around his plate rather than putting it in his mouth. "You haven't eaten very much these past few days. How are you going to keep your strength up?"

A rueful smile appeared on his lips. "Oh, I think Smith will find a way to do that. He's become my own personal trainer."

"Can I come in?"

"Sure."

He ached to take her in his arms, but he had no idea how to get past the wall of awkwardness that stood between them. Judy stiffly lowered herself to the edge of the bed, afraid to touch him. He looked everywhere but at her face, and then his eyes settled on her hands.

"You're still wearing the ring."

Without missing a beat she replied, "I still want to marry you."

"No… Judy, I can't hold you to that promise… especially if I don't recover."

Angered, she jumped up and exclaimed, "Oh, I knew you were going to say that! You stubborn… idiot! Your pride is more important to you than I am!"

His reply was just as forceful. "It's not about pride! You don't know what you'd be getting yourself into. Look at me, Judy. Take a good look."

He threw back the covers to reveal his frail lower body. Gesturing towards his legs, he told her, "Go ahead and touch them, poke them, scratch them. If I'm not looking, I won't know you're doing it." He pulled his sleep shorts open as far as he could. "See this? This tube goes all the way through to my bladder. I have to clean it out every few hours. You don't even want to know about the other stuff. Everything below my waist is useless. And I mean everything. And the thing that's killing me the most is," his voice broke, "is that I might never be able to make love to you."

She stood motionless through his exhibition. It was true. Once they had gotten him back to the Jupiter and into the medical bay, she hadn't been allowed to see his body at all. She had been dismissed when the medical procedures were started, and her father and Dr. Smith had performed all of the necessary medical tasks. Don himself had not wanted her near him, all in the name of protecting her.

Without saying a word, she leaned down over his body. She kissed his left hip, then his right.

He froze and whispered, "Please don't do this to me, Judy. Don't do this."

Gently, she placed one more tender kiss below his waist before closing his sleep shorts. She continued kissing his right leg down to the toes, then up his left leg. She kissed his stomach, his ribs, his heart and worked her way to his neck. She took his face into her hands and stared into his eyes. Silent tears were streaming down his face. She wiped them with away with her thumbs and kissed him softly on the lips, on his left cheek, his right cheek, and then back to his lips. She stared into his eyes and accepted the vulnerability that lay there. She kissed his lips again, more insistent this time, and he responded, despite his misgivings. His right hand covered the hand on his cheek and he kissed her palm and then brought it around his neck. She climbed onto the bed and took him into her arms, holding him close, allowing him to cry his silent tears, adding more than a few of her own.