Chapter 7

Steve's fever broke almost two days later. His vitals had stabilized 18 hours prior and the doctors were confident that he had finally taken the path of healing.
But the infection had taken a toll on him. He was weak and barely able to communicate. He understood what people wanted from him but it either cost too much energy – like keeping his eyes open for longer than a minute – or his answer came in such a low voice that he was barely audible.
He was still very tired and slept a lot but he was also very thirsty. Too weak to hold the cup not to mention bring it to his mouth, Danny was more than willing to help him with that.
"Thirsty," Steve croaked when waking up.
Danny upped his friend's headrest and put the spout cup to his mouth.
Steve began to drink greedily.
"Hey, easy," Danny said and took the cup away. "What did I tell you about that?"
"Thirsty," came the same silent spoken word as before.
"I know you are. But you have to drink slowly. I don't want you to throw up again. There is enough water and nobody is taking it away from you. You can have it all. Okay?"
"Yeah," Steve replied.
"Okay, here we go." Danny brought the cup back to Steve's lips. This time he drank slowly and emptied the cup completely.
"More," he said.
"No problem. Just let me refill."
While Danny did, Steve was licking his lips. He could hardly wait until the cup came back again.
"Slowly," Danny reminded as he put the cup back to Steve's lips.
The latter drank another ¾th of the offered water before he turned his head away.
Weary eyes were looking back at Danny.
"'m tired."
"Then go back to sleep. Doc said you still need that a lot. I'll be here when you wake up."
Steve's eyes closed and he was out again.

Another two days later Steve started to become more and more alert.
That was good because it meant he was making progress and the next surgeries could be planned but it also meant he would learn soon how bad his whole leg really was.

The doctor had wanted to wait another day or two until Steve could really comprehend what had happened, what had been repaired and what still needed to bed one and what all that would mean for his near and probably far future. But in the meantime, Steve was aware enough and long enough awake to notice that something was very wrong.
"Danny?" he asked.
"Hey, buddy. You with me again? How you feeling?"
"My foot…that…that wasn't a dream was it?"
"No, it wasn't. I am sorry. I wish it had been."
Steve closed his eyes took a deep breath and asked "How…how much did they take? Just…just the foot or…or…?"
"Babe," Danny said softly and took one of Steve's hands. "It's okay. Everything is still attached. They "just" removed tissue and a few bone parts. But the doctor said the infection is gone and you can concentrate on healing."
When Steve neither opened his eyes nor said anything, Danny asked "Steve? Did you hear me?"
"Yeah…I…I just can't believe it. My foot…it…it…the pain…my leg…I…" Then his voice broke and tears were pooling out from under his closed lids and pouring down his cheek.
"Steve, please look at me," Danny said. The SEAL didn't do it, he continued to cry silently.
Danny was at a loss for words and just squeezed his friend's hand and held it tight until Steve got a grip on himself again.

"How bad is it?" he asked.
Danny explained to his friend what the doctor had told him.
"If you have questions about that, I can call the doc. He can tell you more details."
"No. It's okay for now. Thanks Danny – for everything."

"What do you mean there might be a limp?" Steve asked upset. "I am a Navy SEAL and a Task Force leader. I can't do that with a limp."
"I know," the doctor replied. "But first of all – like you just said yourself – I also said there might be and second, whatever the outcome will be, chasing criminals is something you can't do for at least a year anyway. So, please concentrate on your healing, go step by step and don't overdo. Don't think about what you can or can't do in the future. We won't know anything about that until in a few months anyway.
Put your energy into listening to the doctor's and therapist's orders instead."
Steve nodded "I'll try."
"I know you can do it but I don't want to lie to you either. It's going to be hard. PT will demand everything from you. You will be frustrated at times because of the lack of progress. You will be fine one day and in pain the next.
But it's worth every effort because you might be able to get the full use back and…"
"Why do you always say "might"?" Steve interrupted. "That already is frustrating. Or is there anything you are hiding from me?"
"No, I am not hiding anything from you. But your leg got badly hurt. The problem is that not only your leg is severely injured from foot to your thigh but more so because there is damage to everything you need to stand walk or bend: tendons, sinews, bones, ligaments…we would usually start with slight movements a day or two after surgery to make sure the parts of your body that can shorten when not in use do not. But due to the amount in severity of the fractures you have to be in a cast until those breaks have healed. You can't start PT until then."
Steve wanted to interrupt again but the doctor held up his hand. "I know you don't want that. But it is necessary. And you don't have to stay here the whole time. You can go home in a few days with a wheelchair and crutches.
But you must not put weight on your leg. If you do it, it can rebreak. If you stay to the orders, you increase your chances of a full recovery.
And I said "might" because not all depends on my orders and your will. There is also the great unknown: your body. Not every body heals the same way. That means I can't guarantee anything. But the conditions for a full recovery are there:

1. The surgeries went well

2. Like you just stated you are a Navy SEAL which means you know pain, patience and how to deal with setbacks. And

3. Should everything become too much for you, the last point comes into play. You have good friends who are willing to help you and detective Williams here is ready to support you in everything at any time. A good support system is half the battle."