My note….this next chapter is sort of a jumpy one, each section is meant to fill in the gaps in time, in the two or so months, since Jimmy first stood. There will be a lot of info thrown at you, without going too far in depth. I hope it's not too confusing. Oh and the first part of the chapter will make more sense if you've seen the mini "Jimmy Walks!", from last season.

ONE SMALL STEP

CHAPTER 5: OPERATION RISE AND SHINE

Jimmy had the dream again….the same one he'd been having almost every night for the past three weeks. It always starts out the same…exactly the same as that day at the beginning of the school year, when he and Spinner were sitting in the caf talking about relationships. Although, this dream doesn't end anything like the daydream Jimmy had that day.

Ashley walks from the food line, over to the steps she'd need to take down to the tables….tray in hand. Derek throws the banana peel and it lands on the second step, right in Ashley's path. Jimmy wants to warn her, but there's no time, he needs to do something. He stands….but doesn't move. Ashley's falling. He looks down to see the braces on his legs…but he's stuck there, just standing while Ashley is falling.

He almost always wakes up at that part. Once though, after spending the evening with the gang, Spinner caught Ashley in the dream, and they started kissing….luckily Jimmy never had that one again. The ending to the dream last night, however, was more than disturbing.

This time Jimmy didn't wake up as Ashley fell, he could only stand there and watch helplessly as she hit the ground, head landing hard against the edge of the step, bright red blood seeping out from under her long brunette curls….and all he could do, is stand there.

"Hey you", Ashley greeted cheerfully as she walked up behind Jimmy and threw her arms around him. She squeezed hard and planted a firm kiss on his cheek.

"Hey", he returned weakly, still uneasy about the previous night's dream.

"I called to see if you wanted me to give you a ride this morning, but your mom said you'd left already", Ashley said, taking a seat on the cafeteria bench, to the left of where Jimmy was seated.

"Yeah...got up early...caught a ride with dad on his way to the office", Jimmy answered evasively.

Ashley nodded. "Oh okay...", she paused momentarily. "I was wondering if you wanted to come over tonight and watch a movie or something, we haven't done that in a while and I...".

"I thought you had voice lessons on Tuesday nights", Jimmy cut in quickly.

"I usually do, but Cheryl had some dental work done so we rescheduled for Friday", Ashley explained. "Why do you already have plans for tonight?".

Jimmy thought of using Spinner or Marco as an excuse, but figured that would back fire if the subject ever came up during a conversation. "Ah yeah, I...".

"Are you planning my surprise for the Valentine's day dance tomorrow?", she teased playfully.

Jimmy shrugged slightly. "Somethin' like that", he replied vaguely.

"Then I guess I can let it slide...just this once", she quipped flirtatiously and ran the back of her fingers across Jimmy's cheek.

Jimmy took a deep breath and forced a smile. He hated lying...especially to Ashley.

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Jimmy breezed through the doors of the Ryan Recovery Center lobby and into the room he knew Lana would be in, dropping off the files from todays clients and picking up the ones for tomorrow. "I need to walk", he blurted as he pulled up next to her.

"Excuse me?", she questioned cautiously.

"I want to be able to walk", he repeated, irritably.

"I got that", Lana nodded agreeably. "In time and with a considerable amout of practice, I fully expect you to eventually, be able to take a few steps", she worded carefully.

"Good", Jimmy blew out a relieved sigh. "So what...you can have me up and walking across that stage to get my diploma on graduation day, right?", he asked eagerly.

Lana cringed internally. She didn't want to disappoint Jimmy, but she needed to be straight forward and honest, "Jimmy, it's great to have goals...".

"But?", he cut in, sarcastically.

"But, they need to be realistic", she replied frankly. Jimmy looked up at her expectantly. "Graduation is less than four months away...you, most likely, will probably be able to transverse the distance of the parallel bars in about three to six months, and possibly the same distance with crutches, in about six months to a year", Lana explained truthfully. Jimmy clentched his jaw and shook his head dejectedly.

Lana moved closer and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Jimmy, you've made great strides in the last few weeks...you're up to standing for over three and a half minutes now, you know how to get in and out of the braces yourself, you're working on getting up on your own without us right there to spot you...".

"I know all of that...", Jimmy sighed frustratedly. "...I-I just want...I really want to do this. I want to try to walk by graduation", he added desperately.

"I understand Jimmy, I really do...", Lana paused momentarily, before procceding cautiously. "...I just don't see how...".

"What if I add a few more sessions a week...and train longer with Boris...I could come every day if...".

"Hold on Jimmy", Lana stopped him, her hand held up for emphasis. She was a little worried with this sudden and extreme change of heart. Not even six weeks ago, Jimmy bolted when she had only just brought up the issue of standing...now he wanted to jump right ahead and just start walking. Lana still had some reservations, "I give you two extra sessions per week, so that'll be three total ambulatory sessions in addition to your regular physio schedule and one additional session with Boris.".

Jimmy nodded his head in agreement. "You need to stay on a strict schedule. I don't want you to push yourself too hard and get hurt. And I don't want you to burn out either", Lana added sternly. "We'll take it slow and gradually work up to see where we can get you by graduation. I'm not making any promises...".

Jimmy grabbed Lana around the waist and squeezed tightly, "Thanks".

"Your welcome", Lana chuckled as they broke the embrace. "Now go home, get some rest and meet me back here Thursday after school", she ordered and grabbed her things to leave.

"Someone's sure in a hurry to make use of his new found talent", a soft voice called out from behind Jimmy. He snapped out of his reverie and swiveled around to find Anya smiling shyly at him.

"Yeah I guess", Jimmy smiled back. "It's just nobody else is in much of a hurry".

"From what I know, it's not a very fast process to begin with", she replied factually.

"Yeah...and what else do you know?", Jimmy questioned with a playful smirk.

Anya stepped forward until she was standing in front of Jimmy. "Well, I know that you have to listen to your therapist, and do whatever she tells you to do". Jimmy's pout made Anya smile.

"Is that all the advise you can give me?", Jimmy asked incredulously. "Because that's already a given".

Anya giggled. "Lana's so awesome", she praised sincerely.

"I know", Jimmy sighed in agreement, pretending as though it was reluctant. "She did give me two more sessions a week...Tuesdays and Thursdays after school", he added positively.

"Really?", Anya tried hard to hold back her excitement. "I work with my dad on those days in the pt room...if you want, I could propbably help you guys out".

Jimmy gave Anya his trademark grin and nodded. "Sure...I'd like that".

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"Your dad is great", Jimmy told Anya, as they sat in the cafeteria before school. They were beginning to spend more and more time together...outside of art class and pt...in the few weeks they'd been working together.

"I think so too...but maybe I'm just a little biased", she smiled in agreement. "Ya know, he's got that tough exterior, but he really is just a great big teddy bear inside".

"A huge great big teddy bear", Jimmy joked playfully as he thought of the intimidating amount of bulk Boris possesed. Anya laughed along. "I'm really surprised with how much he knows about physiotherapy, for a strength trainer and all".

Anya wasn't sure if she should be divulging any family secrets, but she felt so comfortable when she talked with Jimmy...more comfortable than she felt with anyone. "Well actually...he was trained as a physical therapist, back in Russia". Jimmy's eyes widened with curiosity. "He worked for the men's gymnastic team there, for ten years".

"Wow, I never knew that", Jimmy replied, surprised at this new found knowledge. It was then that Jimmy realized that Boris had never once mentioned his life back in Russia.

"Yeah, he doesn't talk much about it", Anya added sadly. "When they first moved to the U.S. from Russia, my dad was told that he couldn't practice because the curriculum and regulations were so different in the two countries. They said if he wanted to work as a therapist again would've had to go back to school and take the entire course over again to get recertified. My parents couldn't afford it, so he got a job as a trainer. Then my last two brothers and I were born and then we moved here...".

"And the rest is history?", Jimmy finished for her.

Anya smiled and shrugged. "Life just kinda got in the way...he makes really good money, and he loves doing what he's doing", she explained with a shrug. "He always says he'll go back to school some day, but..".

"Well it's worked out for me though..., Jimmy deduced. "...it's like having the benefit of two therapists and two trainers". Anya looked at him quizzically and Jimmy's grin widened, "Lana's as fierce as any Russian trainer".

Anya had to cover her mouth she was laughing so hard. "Somethin' funny?", Ashley inquired as she walked up behind Jimmy and placed her hands on his shoulders. The laughter immediately stopped at the sound of her voice and both Jimmy and Anya, turned around to look Ashley's way.

"Ash", Jimmy sounded both surprised and thrilled, at the same time. He grasped her hand gently and lifted it up to his lips, in what was probably the most romatically genuine gesture Anya had ever seen. "I'm so glad you're here".

"Me too", Ashley replied, caressing the hand she held in hers and offered a sincere smile to Jimmy, but eyed Anya somewhat suspiciously.

Jimmy noticed Ashley's gaze. "Ash, this is Anya...", he was about to say her last name, but stopped himself just in time. Ashley would definitely make the connection. "Anya this is my girlfriend Ashley Kerwin".

Ashley held her hand out for Anya to shake and smiled. "Nice to meet you", she greeted kindly.

Anya nodded in ackowledgement. "Jimmy and I are in the same art class", she blurted, apparently feeling the strong need to be completely frank with Ashley.

"That's nice", Ashley stated, somewhat cautiously because of Anya's awkwardess. She looked from Jimmy to Anya and back again. "Is that what all the laughing was about...something funny, only an art student would get?", she quieried, in reference to the conversation between the two, that she had inadvertently interrupted.

Jimmy shot Anya a conspiritory look. "Oh yeah...that...", he stammered, at a loss for words.

"Yeah, we were just discussing a project we're working on", Anya broke in, saving the day...and Jimmy's ass.

"A...project", Jimmy parroted hesitantly.

"Like an art project?", Ashley stated questionably. The two looked at the other for help. "Are you two like partners or something?".

Anya's eyes locked with Jimmy's. He shifted uncomfortably in his chair and directed his gaze down to the floor, guiltily. "Um actually, it's more of a collaborative group effort", was Anya's quick come back.

Ashley nodded believably at her explanation. "So that's what's been taking up so much of your free time", Ashley deduced, turning her attention back to Jimmy and placing a soft kiss on his lips.

"Yeah, it's a really important project that we're hoping to get done by graduation", Anya added, freezing up when she saw the horrified expression on Jimmy's face...she knew then, she had said too much. Graduation...why did she say graduation? Of course, any real art project would have to be completed well before the seniors graduated, so they could get credit for it.

Ashley just smiled at Jimmy, seemingly unaware of the slipup Anya had just uttered. Worried that she might accidently divulge more information than she should, and getting the distinct impression that Ashley wanted to be alone with her boyfried, Anya grabbed her bag and excused herself from table. "I've gotta get ready for class", she said softly. "Ashley, it was nice to finally meet you...", she added sincerely, then mentally kicked herself in the ass, for putting her foot in her mouth again. "Um, Jimmy...I'll see you...around?", Anya blushed as she stammered through her sentence, and covered her face with her hands as she walked away.

"She seems nice", Ashley commented once Anya had left.

"Yeah, she's a sweet girl", Jimmy replied noncommittally, looking up to see Ashley mulling over his words. Eager to get off the subject of Anya and foget about all the secrets he was keeping and the lies he was telling...Jimmy pulled Ashley onto his lap and kissed her passionately. "But not nearly as sweet as you", he added, taking her lips with his, once again.

Anya looked back over her shoulder to see the couple, she's just left, kissing and laughing. With a heavy-hearted sigh, she walked through the doors, thinking that Ashley Kerwin was one lucky girl.

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Okay, I don't want you to get the wrong impression and think that Anya's after Jimmy. She has a crush(I mean, who wouldn't?) and that's all it is...for right now. Kelley(lilfiftyfour) had asked me if I knew how long this story would be...and I don't. I know for sure there will definitely be two more chapters...possibly three. I have the bad habit of editing/adding/deleting...while I'm typing the chapter up, which is why it usually takes me a week to update.

Next chapter will be a little more involved and have some of that drama/angst I've been talking about. I'll be really busy this weekend(yet another dance competition), so I'm not sure when I'll be able to get the next one out...plan for next Tue. or Wed.

Thanks to the wonderful, awesome, fantastic(have I left anything out?), Kelley(lilfiftyfour), Heather(havocmangawip) and NickiHartistheName422, for their amazing(see, I forgot one) reviews...super big hugs to you guys.

Usual disclaimer...Degrassi is not mine.