Doctor Compton re-fastened the removable casts on Jacks legs.

"Oh, I don't know, all in all you are in good shape."

"I'll trade places anytime you want to, Doc," Jack said sarcasticly.

"Jack." Sam said, her tone a warning.

"I'm just saying--"

"It seems bad," Doctor Compton smiled, "but it really could be a lot worse. I've seen people much worse off than this walking in as little as there months."

"Unaided? No cane or crutches?" Jack asked doubtfully.

"Yes, it depends on how fast you heal. Does that reassure you somewhat?"

Jack just grunted.

"Thank you Doctor Compton," Sam said as the older man turned to go. He just smiled and tipped her a wink.

"I know you've never been fond of doctors and needles, but Jack, you need to work on your attitude a little."

"I swear if anyone tells me that again, I'll scream."

"And if you don't, the rest of us will scream."

"I just hate this, Sam. I don't think anything worse could have happened to me."

"You don't think dying would be worse? Or being paralyzed, or losing your legs would have been worse?"

He sat as silent as the sphinx.

"My God, Jack, just listen to yourself. For days all you've been doing is wallowing in self-pity. The staff has bent over backwards to help you and all you do is snap at everyone."

"I think under the circumstances--"

"That everyone should just overlook it. I know. I'm going to get a cup of coffee, do you ant one?" Sam said with a note of aggravation to her voice.

"Yeah."

"I'll be back," she leaned forward and kissed his cheek.

Jack sat alone in the room and brooded over his predicament. He was beginning to think she had gotten lost when she finally returned smiling broadly.

"What took you so long?"

"Busy place."

After drinking their coffee Sam talked him into a game of gin rummy. Which he won easily. Jack was an avid card player. It effectively took his mind off things for a while, and he knew distractions of any kind would be short lived soon enough.

The next morning dawned bright and sunny, unlike Jack. He woke in pain as usual and feeling mad at the world. By the time Sam woke, he was almost furious.

"I see you're feeling chipper," she said when he started snapping at her yet again. "Jack, why don't you get a pain shot and just relax."

"Oh, I'm getting on your nerves now, is that what you're saying?"

"Pretty much, I just can't take the Jekyll and Hyde routine anymore. I don't know what to expect from you."

"Expect me to be miserable! Expect me to hurt! Expect me to wish that this had never happened!"

"And expect all that from me too, but don't take it out on me. I am miserable because you are. I hurt because you do and I wish to God this had never happened."

She was crying by then which made Jack feel sorry, but pride and anger wouldn't let him apologize right now.

Dolores came in just then carrying a large foam wedge and being trailed by two nurses aids.

"What are you doing?" Jack asked her his snippy tone of voice.

"Well good morning to you too, sunshine," she gruffed back at him.

"What are you doing?" Jack asked again, eyeing the wedge wearily. "We can't let you lay in one position for another week you'll get bedsores. We have to roll you slightly."

"You have got to be kidding me."

"Yes, I am kidding you, and the wedge is simply a prop. Do you want a pain shot? We can wait for it to take effect before we do this," she offered.

"No, I--"

"All right," she said, directing the two aids to one said of the bed while she went to the other.

"Onto your left side on three, one, two, three."

Jack tried to bite back the scream that was escaping him as on three the aids rolled Jack slightly and Dolores put the wedge behind him so he couldn't roll back.

"Want that pain shot now?" She asked him again.

"Yes," Jack gasped, sweat popping out on his forehead.

She was back in minutes and shot the needle straight into Jack's IV.

"It will feel cold in your arm for a second or two," Dolores said, then it will hit you pretty quick."

She left them alone and Jack called out softly to Sam.

"You still there?"

"You know I am," she came around to the other side of the bed so he could see her, her face still damp with tears.

"I'm sorry, Sam," he said, his face contorted with pain.

"It's ok. Don't worry about it. You'll get back to your usual self eventually."

"I hope so," Jack muttered.

Sam took his hand and held it, brushing the back of it with her thumb until he relaxed and fell asleep.