A week had passed. Both Root and Shaw were progressing nicely. While still confined to the hospital, both had given up riding in wheelchairs and, as a result, Dr. Tillman was ready to release them with a few restrictions.
"No running, fighting, rescuing or killing for the next four to six weeks for you, Ms. Shaw and six to eight weeks for you Root." The doctor was proud of how Root slipped naturally off her tongue after days of practice.
"You will both be in my office twice a week until you get completely cleared. Ms. Shaw, you'll be seeing Dr. West once a week until cleared and Root will be with me on a teleconference with Drs. Brady and Ryan once a week until cleared.
"Neither of you will work with your team on any numbers until given complete clearance by all doctors involved in your treatment and care. I need to repeat that- you will not, I repeat NOT, work any numbers until you treatment is complete and you've been released. We all made the mistake of believing Root was ready to resume her normal activities before we did a complete review. And before we realized what normal is for her… for both of you.
"I'm in the uncomfortable position of telling both of you something I normally would never say to a patient- I can't lose either of you. You're way past patient status, passing friend and headed toward family. Harold, John- whom I'm currently in the process of clearing with both Drs. West and Ingram, and Elizabeth are all onboard with this.
"We don't want to disable your implants, but we will if you two don't agree to our restrictions. Then you'd lose access to the Machine for the foreseeable future. I know you don't want that Root and I suspect Ms. Shaw, you feel the same."
Root's face was a mixture of disappointment and pique.
"How come she gets off two weeks before I do? Not fair."
"First, fairness isn't how we make medical decisions. Second, her surgery was slightly less invasive than yours and her recovery slightly faster. Thirdly, I can even it up, but it would involve extending Ms. Shaw's release to coincide with yours, not the other way around. If you want to try to explain how she's restricted just so you can feel better, be my guest."
Root's eyes fell to her lap as she refused to meet Shaw's glare.
"Never mind, doctor, I'll be a good girl."
"What about you, Ms. Shaw?"
"I don't like it, but I'm going to follow doctors' orders. Let's face it, how can I nag Root if I won't follow my own recovery? I'll behave, but I don't have to like behaving."
"You never liked behaving Sam." Root winked at her, and Shaw reacted as she always did to Root's attempts at winking.
"We will discuss some of this further." As both got up to leave Dr. Tillman's office, the doctor stopped them.
"Oh yes, and you can resume normal physical activities as far as everything outside of your work for the Machine goes."
She blushed slightly. Both Root and Shaw stared then, as realization set in, both smiled at each other.
"And Root could you stay just a minute longer. I have something else to talk to you about."
Shaw tilted her head, then shrugged.
"I'll be outside."
After the door closed, Dr. Tillman walked around to Root's chair. She stared at her briefly, then cleared her throat.
"You know…. Root…. I don't know if anyone's talked to you about this, but when you attempt to wink it resembles something almost… almost… well I don't know how to describe it but it's not normal. We have Physical Therapists that could help you with that."
"Normal, doctor, you mean like this?"
And Root winked- just like everyone winks. As Dr. Tillman stared, confusion on her face, Root smiled, then winked (normally) again.
"I do it because it makes Sam crazy. I noticed it before I was shot- while everyone else snickered and made fun of it, for some reason it got to her. So one of the things I taught myself to do her after I woke up was wink like everyone else.
"But if I can make her feel I want to do that because I think it helps her progress down that road toward feeling like the rest of us do. And I never cared what others thought, only Sam. So I still wink like someone with a deformity- for her."
"You never cease to amaze, Root. I'll see you later."
When Root walked out, Shaw looked at her.
"What was that all about?"
"Just gave me some ideas on how to make you crazy sweetie."
"Like you need any help in that area, nerd."
"Let's get Gen and head home. I'd like to start on some 'normal' physical activities- ASAP."
Shaw smirked.
"Me too."
….
Later that evening, Shaw and Root were relaxing in their room. The lights were off, the room only illuminated by two candles. Shaw had some music playing softly on her blue tooth speaker. As a piano played softly in the background and a raspy voice came through the speaker, Shaw turned and stared at Root.
Root, still recovering from 'normal physical activities' looked over.
"What is it Sam?"
"I've always thought of this as our song."
"Really? I like this, but I don't even know it's name, or for that matter, who's singing."
"It's 'Darlin Be Home Soon' by Joe Cocker. My parents danced to this at their wedding. My dad told me. He's a big reason I like some of the artists I like. He was constantly playing classic rock songs, and I suppose a shrink could make the case that I got into that genre to compensate for losing my dad so young.
"Anyway, the first verse started sticking in my mind when we were first past the 'I hate you and want to kill you' phase of our relationship.
"Come,
And talk of all the things we did today
Here
And laugh about our funny little ways
While we have a few minutes to breathe
Then I know that it's time you must leave
But Darlin be home soon…
"Because you were always running off around the world doing her bidding, and I was obviously dealing with feelings I fought admitting to myself were real.
"Then, the Stock Market happened, Samaritan happened, and the night in the park happened… oh and of course you died. I had a hard time listening to this song after that, but then of course you came back to me… and all during that time, the second verse took on more meaning.
"And now
A quarter of my life is almost past
I think I've come to see myself at last
And I see that the time spent confused
Was the time that I spent without you
And I feel myself in bloom
But Darlin be home soon…..
"Because you managed to take a sociopath and turn her into something resembling a feeling person. It never would have happened without you. Hell, Root, I hit the jackpot when this happened, I don't know how or why I got so lucky."
Root's eyes shimmered with unshed tears.
"I hope you realize that you're not the only one who feels like they got lucky. I never felt anyone could or should get into my heart after Hannah… of course who would have known I could meet someone like you- hot, dangerous and willing to put up with me.
"We are perfect for each other…. hey, would you play that song again…. and dance with me?"
"I thought you'd never ask."
