Bianca couldn't help but give Frankie a wide grin.

"You're serious. You're really serious?"

"Yep." said Frankie, returning her grin. "David has given me the all clear and I think it will help with your muscle development to get you into the hydrotherapy pool as soon as possible.

"I finally get to get out of this bed." sighed Bianca. "I don't suppose we can take a detour to my mom, or maybe Marissa's room?" she added hopefully.

"I'm sorry, Bianca. I have strict instruction to take you there and back only."

"Not even just passed their doors so I can see them?" Bianca asked giving him her best puppy dog eyes.

"I'm sorry," was all Frankie would say, but then she noticed a twinkle in his eyes.

Bianca sighed. She was still excited – she was going to get out of this bed at last, and that was wonderful.

…

She chatted eagerly with Jean and Brittany as they dressed her in her swimming costume. She barely contained her giggle of delight as Frankie and the two nurses moved her onto a hospital trolley. She joked with the porter as she was wheeled to the elevator and along to the hydrotherapy pool. She felt like she was going on a grand adventure after all those long day in her hospital room.

The pool was small and the room painted a cool blue. Cara and Frankie were there in their swimsuits waiting for her.

"Hi." said Cara coming closer. "We've got a special lift to get you into the pool and we are going to put a floatation jacket on you and then you can splash about to your heart's content."

Bianca smiled. "Who would have thought I'd be so happy to be playing in the pool."

Cara laughed.

Frankie helped Bianca sit up while Cara put a life jacket on her and then together they settled her onto the lift. She felt a bit like a beached dolphin being put back out to sea, but refused to let her self feel self concious about it. Frankie pressed the button that lowered her gently into the warm water; Cara was already in the pool waiting to receive her.

It took Bianca a moment to get used to the sensation of the water around her. Cara supported her shoulders and Frankie slid into the water with them and began to get Bianca to work through some physio-exercises. Bianca was a little alarmed how unbalanced she was. Her left side seeming to drag her down but the jacket kept her buoyant and she gradually found she could turn herself in slow circles with the movement of her right arm and leg. It took her a while to master it but eventually she could choose the direction of her movement left or right and got enough confidence to ask Cara and Frankie to let go.

Cara laughed.

"You're a natural." She said. "I'm amazed at how far you've come in such a short time."

"Speaking of time." said Frankie sadly, "I'm afraid ours is up."

"Just a little longer." begged Bianca.

"I'm afraid there is another patient needing the pool."

Bianca didn't want to go. Here she had freedom, freedom to move. As soon as she was out of this pool she would be back trapped in her bed.

Bianca reluctantly let Cara and Frankie float her back towards the lift.

"Dr Castillo." a voice called, another porter had come in with the next patient sat quietly in a wheel chair.

Bianca's heart almost stopped. It was Marissa.

"I'll be right with you." Cara called, and now Bianca understood all the secret smiles that had been passing between the two doctors all session.

Marissa was already getting herself out of the chair and moving towards the steps to the pool, forcing Cara to rush to her side and help her down.

Bianca was stunned into silence. Marissa was dressed in the blue bikini that had so taken Bianca's breath away in St Barts, but now she looked so very pale and thin, all that time in the coma had robbed her of her stunning muscle tone. Her long red hair was gone as well, shorn short; a red scar clearly visible, running through her hair like a parting across the left side of her head. She looked so very different but to Bianca, Marissa would always be beautiful.

"Hi." Bianca managed, giving Marissa her biggest smile. She was suddenly very aware about how alarming she must look, the brace still clamped to her shoulders and head, floating uselessly in the pool like a broken rag doll and wearing a less-than-glamorous, orange life jacket.

Marissa replied with a polite smile, and Bianca's heart broke. There was nothing in Marissa eyes, no recognition, no warmth, no love. If anything Marissa looked uncomfortable and embarrassed for her.

Frankie noticed Bianca's distress and got the porter to help him activate the lift, while Cara stayed with Marissa.

Bianca managed to hold in her tears until they reached the seclusion of the elevator. All she could see was the blankness in Marissa's eyes. It had been like looking at a stranger.

...