Author's Note: Important transitional chapter here, might be a tiny bit boring. Big changes coming for Annie in the next few chapters! :)

Chapter 18

"Preparations for Change"

Days seemed to fly by once Annie got into the routine of rehab. Each morning, she and Auggie went to the gym to work out. He helped her with self-defense techniques, which was a learning process for both of them. Afterwards, they would go back to Annie's room to shower and prepare for breakfast. After breakfast Annie would either have a therapy session, driving lesson, or meet with her real estate agent, depending on what day of the week it was.

After this morning's activity, Annie had physical therapy. This was every day. She worked hard to rebuild muscle, work on posture, flexibility and balance, and learn different transfer strategies. She also enjoyed the days she got to stand. Standing now was a lot different than before because she was now surrounded by a machine with cushions that held her up, but looking Auggie in the eye at her previous height always made them both smile. Auggie particularly enjoyed being able to put his hands on her shoulders as he always used to.

Next, Annie and Auggie would go grab lunch. When lunch was finished Auggie would usually go back to the room while Annie would spend time with Danielle practicing her cooking skills, or if Danielle didn't come that day, she borrowed one of the facilities cars to practice with. Danielle had stayed in DC after her initial visit and now was making arrangements to move the family back to DC so that they would be closer to Annie. No amount of protest from Annie changed her mind. Danielle simply could not be swayed on the need to be closer to her sister.

Danielle now knew everything she could about what had happened to Annie there and understood Annie's hesitance. Annie had told Danielle one day after lunch during one of their weekly visits. That day they had opted not to practice cooking and just to relax. Annie took the opportunity to have "the" conversation with her sister.

"Danielle, I think I'm ready to explain to you what happened the day I was shot." Annie started one Tuesday when she and her sister were in her room. Today Auggie had left for part of the day to help with a mission back at the CIA. He had planned on being back before dinner, but the sisters were happy to have some extra time together though.

"Are you sure, Annie? I don't want you to feel pressured to tell me. I can wait until you're ready." Danielle said surprised at the suddenness of Annie bringing up the topic. It had only been about two weeks since Danielle had found out about Annie's situation. It was difficult for her to accept, but she was slowly coming to terms with it.

"Yes, I'm ready. I'll be honest with you though, it is going to be hard to hear." Annie said positioning her wheelchair directly in front of the couch Danielle sat on and transferring to sit beside her on the couch.

"Annie, you were through it, if you can experience it, I can hear it. I don't expect it to be easy." Danielle told her.

As Annie went through the story, she told Danielle about Simon, getting shot, calling Auggie, surgery, hospital, being suspected of a major crime, and the beginning of rehab. Danielle sat quietly as Annie talked and just listened. Afterwards, she asked a couple questions, but otherwise stayed quiet. Annie understood that hearing all of this would need time to process. That day, Danielle left promising to bring the girls on the next visit.

Thinking about the girls visiting made Annie very nervous. She did not want the girls to feel uncomfortable around her, but she knew they would eventually have to see each other. Annie didn't want added stress right now, but after talking to Auggie that night, he convinced her that seeing her nieces would only have a positive impact on her recovery.

With thoughts of seeing the girls, finishing rehab, buying a home and moving to it, Annie spent every night discussing options with Auggie and seeking his opinion on everything that was happening. She needed Auggie-more than she could express right now and in more ways than he knew. Right now her biggest worry was having a place to live when she left the rehab center.

Danielle, of course, said she could stay at her house and promised they would have everything moved back to DC by that time so she didn't have to stay there alone, but even the thought of going into that house again made Annie cringe-living there would be a nightmare.

Annie knew her sister just wanted the best for her so she promised to consider staying at her place if she needed to. Finally being able to talk about being shot made her therapist think that Annie was finally ready to join the real world again. Now only seeing the therapist once a week, Annie prepared to find a therapist around where she lived so that she could keep up with the counseling she would still require after leaving rehab.

Annie still enjoyed driving, but she had to admit her confidence was significantly lower using hand controls than petals. It simply came less natural to her, but she was getting there. So far she had only driven short distances and never off the facilities' grounds if she was alone. She had gone with one of her instructors one evening to pick out a new car. Much to Annie's dismay, yet another thing had to change because of her disability. She could no longer use either of her cars, not her red VW or Auggie's blue '67 corvette. Both had manual transmissions, which apparently were not recommended for use with hand controls. Her new car, a silver Toyota Corolla, would have hand controls installed and ready for her by the time she was ready to leave the rehab facility.

After a couple hours of doing her own thing, Annie would go back to the room where she and Auggie participated in activities with other patients. Around 6 each evening, Annie and Auggie could be found eating dinner in the cafeteria. They always sat at the same table for each meal, but who ate with them always changed. Annie never turned anyone away who offered to sit with them. Of course, everyone questioned Auggie's presence there and he usually simply said "I'm here for moral support." Neither ever minded answering other people's questions. But the one that always threw them was "So how long have you guys been together?" Both nearly choked each time it was asked. Just saying they were "just friends" rarely satisfied the person asking the question, but it also never satisfied Auggie. He wanted to tell her so bad how he felt, but he couldn't bring himself to add one more stress to Annie's plate. She was already trying to learn how to deal with her disability, look for a place to live, figure out what to do about a job, and relearn how to do almost everything in her life. It seemed selfish to Auggie to even mention the mere possibility of a new relationship in her life.

However, two weeks before it was time for Annie to leave, Auggie decided he needed to at the very least tell her how he felt. She was making remarkable progress in all aspects of her rehabilitation. She and Auggie were going that weekend to look at houses. She had already narrowed down the selection on paper and now had five she wanted to see in person before she decided. Auggie was nervous for her, he had been lucky in one aspect of his life when he came back from Iraq injured, his home only needed some adaptations and minor renovations to fit his needs. Annie had to uproot her whole life because of her disability. She was most anxious about the timing of everything. She was struggling to find a home to purchase that she both liked and met her new needs as a wheelchair user. It seemed impossible that anything could be found in time, let alone, have it renovated and moved into as well. Auggie had said he would go along for the ride and give his opinion where pertinent. He wasn't sure he could really be that helpful, but if his presence made her feel better, he would be there. He would do anything for her.

Author's Note: Just like you'd clap or boo for the concert you just sat through, please review my writing as you read it. I'm not above saying, I really do NEED to hear from you. Each review is like a piece of chocolate rewarded to me for my hard work. Do you think I deserve that reward?