Author's Note: I know there was a delay in posting this chapter, and for that I apologize. Holidays, coupled with end of the semester work, caused me to be a little backlogged. Anyway, I hope all of your enjoyed your holidays, and that your new year is off to a great start.
There's a little bit of movement in this chapter, though it might not seem significant now. Reviews are welcome and as always, they are very much appreciated! I should have another chapter up by the end of this week if all goes well, and then I hope to have one up a week.
"How are you feeling today, Temperance?"
Wincing a little, Brennan worked as she moved her leg further, exercising her muscles. "I'm fine, actually. Better than yesterday." She said, turning to look at the other woman. She'd only known her for a short amount of time, but felt no need to use formal titles. "Mindy?"
"Move just a little further to the left," Mindy said. "Yes?"
Brennan did as she was told, repositioning her leg and moving her foot, flexing it back and forth to get an idea of how much movement she had. "I remembered something today."
Mindy's eyes lit up. While she had nothing to do with her patient's actually remembering her past, she still had an interest in her gaining back that piece of her life. "That's excellent. I assume you've spoken with Doctor Weston about your progress?"
"I have an appointment with him later today. I'm fairly certain my progress will only continue from here, but I have to accept the fact that I might never fully recover everything." Brennan replied with a sigh. While she was gaining back her physical strength, the memories were still managing to escape her. She wished there was a way to speed up the process, and the thought of how it could happen kept her entertained for a while as she went through several exercises with Mindy. Since Brennan would be going home within a matter of days, Mindy had given her a few simple procedures she could perform by herself at home that would help her gain strength.
"Have you practiced walking at all? I realize how hard it must be, up in your hospital room, but I'd still like you to try within the presence of someone else." Mindy spoke calmly, helping Brennan stand from her position on the floor.
Brennan nodded and thanked her for the assistance. "I've been able to walk some, thought not nearly enough as I'd like."
Mindy gave her a look of understanding. "Yes, I'm sure that's true. All of that will change once you're released, though I'd like to remind you...you're going to have to take things easily for a while. You won't be able to just get back into the swing of things right away."
As much as Brennan wanted to deny it, she knew it was true. She hadn't given much thought to what she'd do once released, but as the day grew closer, she couldn't help wondering what exactly would happen once she was free. Though she'd still have to come back to the hospital periodically for appointments, almost everything was settled. Not knowing where she stood in terms of her career was what she now found to be unsettling.
"Don't worry," Mindy laughed, seeing the far etched clearly on Brennan's face. "you're an exceptionally strong woman, and your desire to grow stronger will only further your progress." She said, hoping to calm her. "Now, I'd like to try walking just a bit. Feel free to hold on to my arm if you'd like, but-"
"I'm perfectly capable of walking on my own." Brennan interrupted, thought it wasn't entirely the truth. Her mind went back to the way Booth had to help her get to the window that morning. Smiling, she remembered the way he'd been nothing more than happy for her as she remembered something from her past. Regardless of how minuscule it was in the grand scheme of things, the look on Booth's face was nothing but pure joy. Then, as if that weren't enough, the way he'd held onto her. Brennan couldn't remember ever feeling so safe.
Mindy nodded again and stepped aside. "What I'm trying to say is that I'll be here for assistance if it's needed, but part of my job in helping you is to make sure you're able to walk on your own."
Mindy's voice broke Brennan from thoughts of Booth, and she sheepishly smiled. Of course, she reminded herself, her focus should be on recovery, not on what happened that morning. But something about it, about the way everything about that moment with Booth seemed to make perfect sense, struck Brennan in a way she'd never experienced before. "Of course," She said, still trying to keep her attention on the task she needed to complete. "Which way would you like me to go?"
Gesturing to the room around them, Mindy smiled warmly. "Whatever direction you'd like; my goal is to see that you recover. Part of that is making sure you're comfortable with your progress."
Brennan drew in a breath, her eyes scanning the room. She saw the window in the corner, and she nodded in confirmation. Closing her eyes, she hoped her legs wouldn't betray her. Letting out the breath she'd taken, she put one foot forward and watched as it settled on the ground firmly. She cast a glance in Mindy's direction before moving forward with the other foot. Though her stance was a little less firm, she'd managed to move successfully. Her attention was diverted due to something-a bird, she assumed- flying past the window.
"Go on," Mindy encouraged. "I know you can do this."
"I'm certain that I can, I'm just-" Brennan spoke, and just as her right leg moved forward to take a step, her balance faltered.
Afraid that she would fall, Mindy reached out for her arm, but Brennan shook her head.
"I need practice, I realize that." Brennan spoke, mainly for her own benefit. "As an anthropologist, I realize that certain things take time. Certain processes can take more time, years before they're completely finished." She said, laughing a little nervously. "Though I admit I'd like my progress to move much quicker, I know I won't be able to gain all of my strength back in a matter of days."
Reluctantly, Mindy pulled her hand away, though she still kept it within a fair distance."That's very good, Temperance. Some people aren't able to be as realistic as you regarding their recovery. I've had people expect me to make miracles, getting their full movement for them back within two or three sessions." Mindy replied, shaking her head as she thought of previous patients. "While some people are quicker than others, no two people are exactly alike in terms of their abilities."
Brennan heard everything Mindy had said, but chose instead to focus on her walking. While she knew it was important, it somehow held more importance now that she knew she'd be getting out sooner rather than later. Taking another step, Brennan was proud of her own progress. It was as if she was experiencing something entirely new, something she'd never known before. That happiness faltered the second she took her next step. Just as she set her foot down, a sharp pain shot through her knee, coupled with a sudden loss in balance, and she nearly fell.
"Are you alright?" Mindy asked once she'd caught her. She caught the defeated expression on Brennan's face. "Are you having any pain?"
"Only slightly, it's nothing I'm not able to handle." Brennan replied, her hopes suddenly defeated by a faltered step. "I do think that our session is over for now. If you don't mind?"
Knowing that progress could only be made in increments, Mindy nodded. "Of course. I'll check with your other doctors to set up a time that would be appropriate, perhaps the day before you leave?"
Brennan nodded, feeling weakened by the fact that she'd nearly fallen. It wasn't supposed to be like that, she thought. "I'm sure that will be fine."
The hospital cafeteria was bustling with the typical activity of lunch time. Nurses and doctors bustled through carrying trays with coffee, salads and sandwiches on the little bit of free time they managed to have. A few plain dressed people, family or friends of patients Brennan assumed, also sat around the area. There was a skylight above which brought in a fair amount of light and the tables were arranged in such a way to allow for comfortable movement around the room. Looking up from her salad, she gave the woman sitting across from her a curious look. "Are you sure this is alright, Ange? I mean, I know the doctors said-"
Angela wiped her mouth on a napkin and shook her head. "No, I don't want to hear excuses. You've been ushered around from room to room, tests being done...all of that. I figured you needed a nice little break. So," Angela said before gesturing to the plates in front of them. "we're having lunch. And don't worry, I've already checked with your doctor. He seemed to think it was a pretty good idea, so long as we stayed within the hospital grounds."
Brennan smiled before piercing a peice of tomato with her fork. "I suppose you're right."
Angela nodded and unscrewed the cap from her bottled water. "Oh, and by the way...Booth told me the good news. Congratulations, Brennan."
Nodding enthusiastically, Brennan swallowed a bite before speaking. "Yes, I was excited. However, I'm not entirely certain of the significance."
"What do you mean?" Angela asked with a frown.
There was something there Brennan still couldn't place. She knew it was only a piece of the puzzle, a small fraction of what she still had to gain, but she couldn't help but feel like there was something she was missing. Brennan told Angela the story of how she had remembered and what happened afterward, searching her friend's face for any sign of recognition. After she finished, she couldn't help but ask. "Don't you think it's a little insignificant, though? I'm not disappointed because it obviously means my brain is healing, that the medication I've been given coupled with a process that can only happen naturally is working, but-" Brennan lowered her gaze to the table, her hands reaching for a napkin. "I don't understand why that single event, why Booth remembering some stupid password, would hold any importance to me."
Angela's eyes softened and she reached out to grab Brennan's hand. "Maybe it isn't just about the passwords, Bren. Maybe it isn't about you guys sharing drinks after work, talking about the day." She shrugged, the slightest hint of a smile playing on her lips. "The mind works in mysterious ways, things can trigger a memory, or maybe you remember on your own. But Brennan? It was important. It's a part of your life. More importantly, it's you and Booth."
"Why would the fact that it's Booth and I have any significance?" Brennan asked, thinking that yet again her friend was trying to pressure her into a relationship with her partner.
"Because-" Angela paused, stopping herself from what her obvious answer would have been. She would have said it too, except for the fact she was pretty sure she'd have a couple of people hounding her about it afterward. "Booth was...and is...an important part of your life. You guys were partners, he was important to you then just as he is now."
Brennan nodded in understanding until something clicked in her mind. Of course. "Yes, of course. Booth will always be important to me. Are you suggesting he could possibly be the key to helping me recover my memory?"
"Well, I guess it's possible." Angela replied, hoping she didn't skirt the subject too far. The last thing she wanted was to upset Brennan or make her feel like she couldn't trust her at all. "I mean, he's Booth. But you've gotta be careful here, Sweetie. Rushing this could give you something you're not ready for."
Brennan furrowed her brow and shook her head. "I don't know-"
Angela's phone rang, and seeing who the caller was, she answered. "Hello?..." Her eyes found Brennan's. "Oh. Well, that's just-" She sighed, her head slowly hanging. "Fine, I'll be there. Thanks."
"Was that Cam?" Brennan asked, recognizing the look of defeat.
"Yeah, it was. I guess Booth and Zack are out recovering a body. Booth called and said the remains were in pretty bad shape, which means I'll probably have trouble with the facial reconstruction." Angela replied as she slipped her phone back into her purse. "Anyway, I guess that means lunch is over. I'll help you back to your room, but then I've gotta run."
Though a hint of sunlight broke through, the sky was still overcast. Trees surrounded them, and Booth was pretty sure he'd felt a mosquito bite his neck more than once. He'd listened to Zack inform him about the details of the victim-female, aged late teens to early twenties, probably of the causcasian race-and proceeded to write everything down. He called Cam to tell her they were headed in and to make sure everyone was there. It wasn't pretty at all. He'd been doing the same thing for years; recovering bodies and making sure they were safely carried back to the lab. Despite doing the same thing with Zack for the majority of the past year, he couldn't help but feel like something was missing. It wasn't the same.
"I'd like to get a sample of mud from the surrounding area, the samples closest to the body resemble something that does not match with the rest of this area. Hodgins will need to examine it for further confirmation." Zack said as he stood, moving his hands to rest at his back to stretch the muscles that lay there.
Booth nodded at one of the men who stood close to them. Knowing he was the one who would be gathering all evidence that would be sent with the body to the lab, he directed his comment as him. "You heard the guy," He said, shoving his jacket back to poise a hand at his hip. "I want everything packed up and sent to the Jeffersonian."
