Chapter 23: Road to Recovery

2 more days had passed of Lexie getting in as much R & R as she could. They had been long slow…maybe even a little bit torturous of days. All of Lexie's friends had come to visit her and wish her their condolences. And working in such a big hospital there was plenty of guests to go around. The room exceeded its limits from time to time. In the meantime, Mark had finally gone home to get some rest and didn't return to work either after Chief Hunt ruled him unfit to perform surgery. Thatcher was still admitted in the hospital and unable to make contact with either of his daughter's until Lexie gave the okay. They decided to wait as long as possible to bring up that painful subject though.

Derek had waited patiently to give Lexie recuperation time but now he had to start getting her better…And that would take treatment, therapy and rehabilitation. Some might argue that it was too soon, but he knew her. And he knew it'd be best for her to get back into the groove of things as soon as possible, or she'd get mighty depressed.

"Morning Lexie. How you feeling?" He asked upon arrival into her room, bright and early in the morning.

"Good." She said, sitting up in the hospital bed. "Better at least."

"That's great…Whattaya say we try getting up from the bed today?" He asked her opinion on the matter.

"I'm ready for anything," Lexie smiled as Derek opened the blinds, letting in the light of day.

"Perfect because I'm sure you're getting sick of lying around all day,"

"You've got that right," She assured him.

"I'm going to call the rehab center to get them down here to help us. Meredith and Cristina are on their way too. They both weaseled their way out of rounds this morning to be with you for fifteen minutes before their work day starts." Derek informed.

Derek helped prop Lexie up even more, and used the remote on the bed to lift it so it was no longer flat but bent at an angle. He then put a pillow behind her neck to support it and took the covers off her. Just at that moment a Doctor Goldman from the center tapped on the side of the door and said, "knock knock,"

"Oh come in Doctor G," Derek said to the man he'd become familiarized with after he'd been shot. He knew this man well and knew that he was the best one for the job. He was not only kind, caring, gentle, patient and coaxing. He was also dedicated, smart, and fun. He makes each trip down to his facility worthwhile and even enjoyable. He'd been on the job for thirty years and was over-qualified for this case, but after Derek told him it was his sister-in-law he was more than willing to take her in. "Doc G is gonna help you stand-up Lexie. Me and Doc go way back. He was the man that helped me get through after the shooting."

"Oh please, call me Randall." He said in his gentle and smooth voice. Randall Goldman walked inside and up to Lexie. He placed one hand on her shoulder as he used the other to shake her hand and properly introduce himself. "It's very nice to meet you Ms. Grey, we're going to get you up and running as soon as possible Sweetheart."

"Please, call me Lexie." She answered with a smile.

"Alright then!" He exclaimed, clapping his large black hands together, "Now that we're on a first-name-basis we can get started,"

"Oh, just one moment. My wife wanted to be present for this." Derek cut in.

"Oh of course. Moral support is an import key to recovery. And we've got a long road ahead of us,"

"Here she comes." Derek informed as Meredith Cristina appeared, speed-walking their way to the room.

"We're here. We're here," She interjected upon arrival.

"And just in time," Goldman added. "We're about to get started. Derek, get on side of her, gently. One arm on the waist and one under the arm and we'll lift her at the same time. Lexie try to put a little force into it too."

"Alright," Lexie answered unsurely.

As both men began hoisting her up from the bed Lexie tried as best as she could to lift herself as well. Unsuspecting of how painful it would be she began to whimper but as the pain excelled she gave a squeal of pain and began to tear up as she clenched her teeth together and squeezed her eyes shut.

"That's good. Just a little further. I know it hurts. I know. I've been in your place before. Just keep fighting it and try to place your mind on something else….On something you're glad to have, or something you love. Think about something real good, to ward off the bad."

Lexie took his advice and couldn't help as her mind drifted to Mark. She hadn't seen him in almost two days. Apparently he had to take off work and everything, and Hunt was forcing him to stay out of the hospital for at least 40 hours or something like that. She screamed as her leg shifted off of the bed. She was very close to the ground now. She was about to stand up. For the first time in so long. Her butt was about to leave the seat now. Her feet were both planted on the ground and both Derek and Randall were holding her up as Meredith and Cristina stood by and watched, casually saying some supportive words from time to time.

"That's real good Hun. Now comes the hardest part. Standing up. After were down for so long it seems impossible, but all ya need is a little strength. And I know you got it. You've made it this far. You can make it to the end."

Lexie nodded, taking in his assuring words. Derek was right…He was good at his job.

"1,2,3…" Derek and Randall said in unison. And on count four Lexie slowly began to rise all the way to her feet with their help.

"excellent!" Randall exclaimed. And Meredith and Cristina clapped and cheered. Lexie smiled, but her feet began to wobble. Derek and Randall kept her steady but the pain began to increase again and her entire body started shaking. Not only did her legs hurt, but also her feet, and her arms and her surgical wound.

"Ow, set…Set me down. I can't" Lexie cried.

"Just a little longer," Randall pushed.

"No…I can't," Lexie said through her tears of pain. "I can't. It hurts too much. I need to sit,"

"Alright," Randall gave in. Him and Derek set her down gently in one of the chairs. "We'll try again later,"

"Okay," Lexie agreed, still crying as the pain continued to emanate. And that moment, Meredith who'd been watching the painful sight stood up from her seat and stormed out into the hallway before bursting into tears herself.