Let's start working on getting Chris back on her feet.
Over the next two weeks, Chris worked with her physicians to figure out a game plan to get her back into fighting shape. But there were multiple challenges in her way. Even with constant breathing exercises and slow and very short walks from the bed to the sink and back, she felt her energy draining with every step. Her legs were feeling like led and Chris is all but certain that without the support of the physical therapist she'd never even make it out of bed at all, or found herself on the floor in a puddle.
She tries hiding her struggle from her friends for a little while but they all, especially Street, know her better. He still comes by each and every day to keep her company.
"Okay, Chris one more step," the therapist encourages her and lifts his arm from under her elbow. Chris can see the bed and yes, it may only be that one small step but the second she lifts her left foot Chris feels herself falling to the right. She braces herself for the fall but two arms hold her up and gently guide her down into the bed.
Her heart is racing and her eyes sting with fresh tears of exhaustion and frustration.
She swipes at those tears angrily. "How long until I can go home?"
"You're asking the wrong person. It's not my decision," the man replies with a kind smile.
"But you have to make a recommendation, right?" Chris inquires and tries to push up a bit to take a sip of water. "Yes, and if you have someone staying with you all the time, you may be able to go home and do the exercises there," her expression must've betrayed her sinking heart as he continues. "I can ask a colleague, she usually works with firefighters but she does home care,"
"Thank you, Nick. That would be great. I just want to get out of here," Chris smiles weakly but now looking ahead a little more optimistic.
Yes, it would suck to have a stranger staying with her, what probably will be 24/7 but everything is better than being stuck in this damn hospital for too much longer.
Chris is still smiling at the thought when Street walks in later in the day.
"You're in a good mood," he remarks and drops a kiss on her lips. "Nick might have an idea to get me out of this place quicker!" she smiles just a bit more while Street pulls up the chair.
He furrows his brows. „How?" to say that he is confused is putting it mildly. He can't comprehend where that therapist gets the idea. „Chris you're getting winded just by having a conversation, yesterday your heart started acting up sitting up in bed," he can't stop himself and the fear behind his words.
The memory of yesterday is still too vivid in his recollection.
"I'd be having a 24/7 home care therapist living with me. I'd still be under observation and not alone," Chris explains but that doesn't really help at all.
"But what if something like two days ago happens?" he brings up the incident where Chris's throat had closed up after taking a step and she had collapsed and started seizing.
She sighs. "Street I don't have all the answers. Nick suggested it only today,"
"So Nick would be living with you?" Street raises an eyebrow prompting Chris to wave her hand in an attempt to swat him.
"No, he is asking a friend of his. She is working with firefighters usually, but maybe she can fit me in," Chris explains slowly and articulates every word with care. She can feel her energy draining fast but this conversation is important.
"I still don't like it," Street reaches for her hand and carefully laces their fingers. Ever since she woke up he needs that reassurance she is still here with him. Every incident threatens that connection.
"What if…." He wants to list other problems but Chris squeezes his hand.
"Stop worrying. Let me just meet with her, and see if it really is a possibility," she pleads burrowing deeper into the pillows.
Street lifts their hands up to his lips and presses a kiss to her knuckles. "Okay, deal. And now sleep. I'll stay until you're asleep," he playfully orders with a caring voice.
Chris closes her eyes and minutes later when Street feels her grip loosening he quietly gets up and leaves for work.
Around noon Chris gets startled awake by Nick sauntering into the room. She sits up too quickly and starts coughing immediately.
"Okay, we gotta work on that one," Nick is immediately by her side and supports her back, counting out breaths for her. His voice is soothing and Chris comes out of the fit quicker each time.
"Did you," she tries to change the subject while still catching her breath, "did you talk to your colleague? Will she help bust me out of here?"
Nick chuckles at Chris's hopeful eyes and nods with a smile. "She'll come by later, during our session to observe and talk to you about her process," he starts and holds up his hand to stop Chris from interrupting. "But this is just a first assessment. You'll have to meet certain criteria and there has to be trust. She'll explain later. Now let's get those lungs working under control."
Nick turns back to their planned session and gently guides Chris upright and to the edge of the bed. It's her job to find the right moment to get up and stand. And if she masters that, she'll be allowed to move further and further.
"You know you could bring me a walker, and we'd get more distance in me," Chris grins while scooting forward and carefully placing her feet onto the ground.
"Let's master standing on two feet for a second first, and you can use me as a walker," Nick replies and watches her every move.
"But you're not always here, and the nurses…" Chris retorts and then just pushes off the bed impulsively. She starts wobbling immediately and feels herself being guided back to the bed by four hands.
„You really haven't changed one bit, well besides making SWAT I hear," a very familiar voice to her left mumbles prompting Chris to whip her head around.
Chris's eyes widen in shock at the image. Leaning against the wall with her hands loosely hanging at her side is none other than Hazel. The girl she never thought she'd see again after she'd decided to join the police academy.
"Oh my god, what are you doing here?" Chris asks slightly confused. „Ehm," Hazel hesitates and exchanges a glance with Nick, who nods and excuses himself. "I'll give you two some time,".