Tegan Chronicles

Intuition and Lies 20

After another untouched lunch, General Hammond stood at the foot of her bed trying to look the part of commanding officer.

"You're going to learn to use that arm." General Hammond knew he should go easy on her. But he really wanted Senator McKenzie's mole to have some good news on Tegan's behalf to report. "The government has put too much money into that arm for you to let it go to waste."

Janet looked at General Hammond as if he'd lost every last one of his Texas marbles, but to her credit she kept her mouth shut. The more time that passed the more she realized that Tegan needed a swift kick in the ass or two. So far nothing was working and Janet still hadn't gotten her to eat.

For all the times Tegan had joked about losing a limb being the only way she would ever get out of the military before her commission was up, she realized that even that wasn't the case. The new arm she was sporting was further proof of the expense they would go to, to keep her. Of course on the flip side it also showed the lengths in which her team was willing to go to help her out as well. Still the government owned her until her commission was up or she was dead, which ever came first. She continued to stare through General Hammond until his shoulder's sagged a bit.

He sighed, "It's not just that. I want you to get better."

She closed her eyes, the dozen yellow roses on the table behind him had been his offering of get well wishes earlier. Sam's arrangement of wild flowers had fit her personality better, but it was the thought that counted.

"Tegan?"

She couldn't open her eyes. She couldn't bare to see the hurt and fear in Cassie's eyes. It was easier to press the button on her PCA pump and let the Demerol dull her senses. It did little, but she used it as a refuge.

"Tegan?" Dana ran over when she saw her trying to get out of bed by herself. "What are you doing?"

Tegan jerked on the side rail that was blocking her way.

"You can't get up alone." Dana reminded her. "You could barely stand when we got you up to walk yesterday remember?"

After General Hammond's pep talk they'd try to get Tegan up and moving without much success. It was one of the side effects of brain surgery, some people had to completely relearn to talk, eat, walk. Currently they weren't sure if Tegan's was a result of the time she'd spent in bed, the lack of proper nutrition, the surgery, or a combination.

"I had brain surgery, my brain wasn't removed."

"So you can talk."

"When there's something worth saying."

"Why do you need to get up?"

"I need to go to the bathroom, and I can walk just fine thank you."

"You've got a catheter in." Dana pointed to the tubing and bag hanging on the side of the bed.

"I just want out of the damn bed ok?" She jerked the side rail again.

"Fine." Dana looked around. "Let me get some help and a chair for you. Promise you won't try to get up without me."

Tegan locked eyes with her and after what seemed like ten minutes but was really only one, she spoke. "I promise."

Dana watched her fall back on the pillows, cursing under her breath as one brushed her stump. She picked up Tegan untouched breakfast tray and shook her head as she walked away.

When Dana returned a few minutes later Tegan was laying pretty much the way she'd left her. "Julie's coming with a recliner and is going to help."

"Sergeant Copley can get me up by herself." Tegan informed.

"You think?"

"Yup, she's taller than you. Besides if you put the chair right here," Tegan pointed to the area beside the bed, "I can get in it by myself."

"We'll see."

"Major Kiser." Julie smiled as she moved the chair as close to the bed as she could. "How are you this morning?"

"I want to get up." She growled.

"Ornery." Julie looked at Dana. "That's a good sign."

"Don't forget I'm still a Major."

"Not when you're a patient in my infirmary." Janet announced her presence.

"Would someone put this rail down so I can get up?"

Julie looked at Janet who gave a single nod.

"Thank you." Tegan barked when the rail finally went down. She pushed her gown between her thighs to give her a modicum of modesty as she scooted to the edge of the bed.

Julie offered her, her hand.

"I don't need any help." Tegan pulled away and stood. She stumbled forward a step and managed to turn a quarter turn. "Head rush."

Julie quickly grabbed Tegan under her right arm and turned her the rest of the way. "Sit before you fall down Major."

A few seconds later Tegan looked up at Janet. "I want this catheter removed."

"When I deem it's safe for you to get up and go to the bathroom on your own I'll think about it." She wasn't about to let Tegan start dictating her care when she was in her current frame of mind.

"Fine, then I'll just pull it out myself." She reached for the catheter with one purpose.

"Stop." Janet caved falling right into Tegan's manipulation but having no other choice then to let her tear her urethra up pulling the balloon tipped Foley cath out. "Sergeant, will you please get a 10 cc syringe and help Major Kiser."

Tegan knew from the use of her rank Janet wasn't happy. Currently she didn't care.

Janet turned to Dana. "I'll be in my office, until my next scheduled physical, if you need me."

Dana nodded.

"So how'd you get stuck with Tegan duty?" Tegan asked when Janet was out of ear shot.

"We flipped a coin and I guess luck just wasn't on my side." Dana winked.

"Whatever." Tegan held her hand for the syringe as Julie pulled the curtain.

"Afraid not Major. You're down an arm at the moment."

"I don't need to be reminded." Her voice fell.

Julie squatted using the arm of the chair to balance for a second. She looked up into Tegan's face. "No, I'm sure you don't; But you do need to be reminded that I'm on your side, we all are."

"I don't need another pep talk."

"Alright." Julie conceded. "How about I empty the balloon and you can pull it out?"

"Fine."

"Look who's up." Jack walked into the infirmary and made a b-line for Tegan.

She pushed the button on her PCA pump and closed her eyes.

"You could just say you don't want to talk Kiser."

Tegan opened her eyes and glanced at him. She knew he was being his sarcastic self. "My arm hurts sir."

"I'm sure it does Kiser." He nodded solemnly. He hooked his thumb over his shoulder. "Look, I'll go and let you rest."

"You don't have to sir, but I'm not much company right now."

"That's ok." He pulled a stool with rolling wheels over and sat on it.