Recovery
A/N: The continuation of Old Wounds.
As always, your support and reviews are greatly appreciated. Enjoy.
Chapter 1
It had been 6 months since Trip almost lost his leg. The physical therapy had been grueling, but he was getting better and stronger as each day passed. No longer needing crutches, he had been "downgraded" to a cane and able to put some weight on the leg now, although there were times his leg reminded him that he wasn't at a hundred percent yet.
Jon had kept his word, taking care of him, and participating in the therapy sessions with him, even though Trip told him that he didn't have to. Jon would simply smile and say 'I don't have anything better to do at the moment, so why not?'
Trip was on his way out to yet another session when he startled at seeing Jon standing on the other side of the door, looking like he was debating with himself. "Uh, hey Cap'n, something I can do for you?"
Jon shifted a moment. "No, not really. Just stopping by to see if you needed help with anything before I head to the bridge."
Trip smiled. "Well, I've gotten pretty self sufficient over the last couple months. I was on my way to PT again."
Jon nodded. "Yeah, an hour every other day. Phlox going to ease up on you anytime soon?"
"He said he might be able to cut back to 3 times a week if my progress keeps going this well." Trip noticed how uncomfortable Jon seemed to be. "Hey, you ok? Anything you need to talk about?"
Jon shook his head. "No, not really. I, uh, well… I, uh, I wanted to see if you might be up for an early dinner tonight. I got a copy of last week's polo match, Stanford versus Texas, I'm pretty sure my boys will whip your guy's butts this season. And maybe after, we could take a walk, you know, get your leg some exercise? That is, if you're up for it."
Trip chuckled. "Jon, are you trying to ask me out on a date?"
Jon shyly looked down as he felt the heat to his cheeks rising. "That obvious, huh?"
Trip smiled. "A little. I would love to. Your mess, 1630?"
Jon shrugged. "I was actually thinking we could have dinner in my quarters while we watch the game? But if you'd rather eat in the Captain's mess, I'm ok with that."
Trip shook his head. "Actually, I think having dinner in your quarters while watching the game is a great idea."
Jon's smile grew wide. "Great! I'll have one of Chef's stewards bring our plates there then, and I'll have the beer on ice for us."
Trip gave Jon a stern look as Jon put up a hand to stop Trip from whatever he was about to say. "Non-alcoholic beer."
Trip still gave Jon a firm look. "Jon, you know the taste will make you crave the real thing. You've slipped once and I'm not going to let that happen again, we can watch the game without beer. Soda or tea will be fine."
Jon frowned. "Fine, I'll have tea, but I know you like to have a couple beers while you watch a game. It's not fair for you to have to change because of me, I'm the one with the problem, not you."
Trip reached out, putting his hands on Jon's shoulders. "I'm not going to drink in front of you while you're still struggling with this, it would be rude. Besides, I'm still taking mild pain medication and Phlox says I shouldn't mix it with alcohol anyways. I'll survive with tea."
Jon smirked. "Liar. I know you had some beer last week. Just like I know you hurried up to hide it before letting me in your room to help you with your stretches. I appreciate the effort you're making to keep any alcohol away from me, but it's not necessary, Trip. I've got this under control now."
Trip let out a small huff. "What did Phlox tell you about that?"
Jon rolled his eyes. "Not to get over confident. It's going to take a long time to really get control of this addiction, to expect stumbles along the way and when I do stumble, not to be so hard on myself, recognize my mistake, how and why it happened so I don't make the mistake again. I should do whatever I can, when I can, to not be in any place where there is alcohol so that I won't be tempted."
"Exactly. So you'll have tea on ice for us then?"
"Yeah, yeah. Tea it is. So I'll expect you at 1630 then, I'll have the game cued up and a comfortable pillow for your hip ready."
Trip smiled at the thought. "Sounds like a date. Hate to cut this short, but I need to get to the exercise room. If I'm late, Phlox will make me walk an extra mile on the treadmill."
"Well it wouldn't hurt to get some extra time in y'know." Jon gave a playful backhanded slap to Trip's stomach. "You've been laying around too long."
"Hey!" Trip called out as Jon walked away laughing.
§§§
Trip was working his leg reps on one of the weight machines when Malcolm took the one next to him, starting with chest compressions. "So? Did the Captain ask you yet?"
"Ask me what?" Trip grunted out as he extended his leg outward.
"On a date." Malcolm smirked.
Trip lost his concentration on the downlift, causing the weight to take his leg back faster than what was comfortable for him, making him wince. "How the hell did you know about that? What did he say to you?"
Phlox scowled at Malcolm. "Mr Reed, I need Mr Tucker to focus on his therapy right now so he doesn't injure himself. Now if you wouldn't mind."
Trip waved a hand at Phlox in a shooing motion. "No, I need to hear this. What did he say, Mal?"
Malcolm gulped. "Nothing, I swear. He's just been acting weird all week, preoccupied, daydreaming. I mean… it's kind of obvious what he's thinking about."
"Obvious? How so?"
Malcolm bit at his lip. "Well… um. Ok, the other day we were going over some schematics of the core, trying to figure out ways of making the engine run more efficiently. Hess had a good thought, the next thing the Captain blurts out, and I quote, what do you think, Trip."
Trip shook his head. "That doesn't mean anything, he's just accustomed to having my input."
"Ok, so he jumped through hoops to get a copy of that bloody water sport he loves so much so he could watch it… with you. And he asked Hoshi to compare some cologne fragrances asking her which one she thought you might like better."
Phlox let out a hmm. "Well that explains his odd question. I told him it will be fine as long as he's careful… and to use a pillow."
Trip's jaw dropped in shock. "Pillow!? Seriously, he did not ask you what I think he did!"
"Well I did tell him to be careful. Now, if something bothers your leg, don't be afraid to let him know, hmm." Phlox gave a wide smile at Trip.
Trip sat stunned, eyes wide and mouth gaping for a moment before he finally stood. "I don't believe this! I can't even… are you serious!"
Phlox hollered out as Trip headed towards the door. "You're not finished with your physical therapy session yet."
"Yes I am!" Trip yelled back as he stormed out.
Phlox turned to Malcolm with an angry scowl. Malcolm shrugged. "I was just wondering if the Captain finally got the spine to ask him."
