Chapter 4:

Alan pulled back Megan's blankets, and Megan screamed in horror.

"NO! NOOOO!!!!!!!!!!" Megan screamed, and started to sob. Don pulled her into his chest, holding her tight, while he rubbed her back. Megan clung to Don tightly. Alan slid onto the bed, and wrapped his arms around her shoulders, so that Megan was almost cocooned by Don and Alan. Alan rubbed Megan's shoulder, and rocked her, as Don let her wail into his chest. 20 minutes later, Megan was calming down, and weakly slumped against Don. Alan pulled away, and she tugged at his arm. He pulled her close again.

"They're not real" Megan cried

Don sighed, and turned to Megan.

"No, sweetie, they aren't. But, you know what? That doesn't matter. Just because some part of you isn't real, doesn't mean you're not real. Okay?" Don looked at Megan.

"I'm never gonna be able to walk again."Megan whimpered

"Yes you will, don't think like that, okay?"Don reassured Megan

"Oh my god! What about my krav maga class? I won't be able to teach ever again! NO!!!!" Megan screamed again, and Don and Alan cuddled her close yet again. She sobbed for what seemed like centuries.

At least she cried less this time. Don thought.

Megan's nurse Rachel, walked in.

"I have to change some bandages, Megan, so you can either have both Don and Alan get off your bed, and stand next to you, or one of them can get off the bed, and you can sit in the other's lap. Okay?" Rachel informed Megan as she sat on the bed, and took off Megan's temporary prosthetic legs.

"Can I sit in your lap, Don?" Megan asked

"Sure, Megan." Don helped Megan into his lap, and Rachel smiled at Megan. Rachel started to unwrap one of Megan's stubs, and reached around for the kit she had brought.

"Are your stubs hurting alot, Megan?" Rachel queried

"No. Will I ever be able to walk again?" Megan questioned hesitantly

Rachel looked at Megan, and sighed.

"Well, by the condition of your stubs, I think that you will be able to walk again. But you also have to work hard, and really want to walk again. Do you want to walk again?" Rachel responded

"Yeah." Megan answered

"In that case, if you work hard, you'll probably walk with prosthetics." Rachel empathized

Rachel finished, and stood up.

"All finished. Would you like me to send Doctor Webb in?" Rachel suggested

"Sure." Megan responded, and Rachel left. Dr. Webb walked in, and smiled at Megan.

"Hi Megan, I'm Doctor Webb, your doctor. How are you feeling?"

"Okay, I guess. Are those legs" Megan questioned, pointing at her temporary legs "my permanent legs?"

"No, they aren't. They are called IPOPs, or immediate postoperative prosthetics. In about 3-5 days, you will start some light physical therapy in your bed. The first thing you will do there is work to strengthen your stubs and your knees by doing things like stretching. Then, you will start some more rigorous therapy where we will help you regain strength in your stubs and your arms. When we are sure that your stubs have shrunk enough, we will measure you for permanent prosthetics. Those will take anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months to be made- and depending on your condition, we will either release you or keep you in for a short time longer." The Doctor concluded, and looked at Megan.

"Okay."

"One person can stay with you overnight."Dr. Webb responded, and Megan turned her head to look at Don.

"I know you haven't slept in days, Don, so I think you should go home." Megan thought

"Are you sure, Megan? I mean, it's fine with me, but is it fine with you?" Don asked

"Yeah, it's fine."

"I'll see you tomorrow, then." Don waved as he left the room.

"I'm going to see where I can sleep tonight, Megan. I'll be right back." Alan said

"Okay."

Alan walked out into the waiting room, and approached Doctor Webb.

"Excuse me, Doctor Webb, but I was wondering where I should sleep." Alan spoke

"Um, there's a chair that turns into a bed in Megan's room. I will have a nurse bring you a pillow and blanket." Doctor Webb responded

"Thank you."

Alan walked back into Megan's room, and found her reading the Patient Guide he and Don had gotten her.

"I'm going to be sleeping right here, Megan. Okay? Do you need anything?"

"No." Megan paused.

"Could you- could you help me get under the covers? I can't pull the covers up very far if I'm laying down."

"Sure. Here you go." Alan smiled as he lifted Megan's blankets up with one hand, and helped Megan lay down with the other. He started to rub her back gently,

soothingly easing Megan to sleep. His intentions were successful as Megan quickly passed into oblivion.