Please enjoy.

California. Charley was visiting Modo in the hospital. She noticed that Modo's left arm was no longer in a cast or in a sling. His legs were also out of casts, too. She was glad.

"Hey big fella."

"Hey beautiful."

"I see they finally took the casts off. How you feeling?"

"They're having me go through physical therapy so I can learn to walk again. I talked to Throttle earlier today."

"And?"

"He apologized for what he did to me. I told him I need to think about it. He did a number on me."

"I know he did, but at least he finally admitted it and he plans to get help for his problems."

Charley grabbed a chair and set it next to Modo's bed. She sat down and grabbed his left hand.

"Modo, sweetie. What I have to tell you could make you mad, but I also think you'll understand. At least, I hope you'll understand."

"I know you still love Vinnie. I'm not mad. Can I ask why you broke up with him and decided to date me?"

"After Vinnie landed in the hospital with food poisoning, you were there for me. The longer Vinnie was in a coma, the more I realize that he would put me in an early grave. I don't want you to think that you were my second choice, Modo. I had been developing feelings for you since you guys first arrived. I just didn't know how to tell you since Vinnie had asked me out a month after you guys got settled in."

Modo reached over his chest with his right arm and held Charley's hand between both of his and smiled at her.

"Charlene, my love. I don't care if I was your 2nd or 3rd choice. I love you for you. I don't care about your past relationships, including the one with Vinnie. I just think that over time, he would have done to you what he did to Harley. I don't think I could see you get hurt like that."

Charley reached up with her other hand and stroked Modo's cheek.

"You are so sweet, Modo. I was worried that you'd be upset, but you're not. I don't know why I was so worried."

"I could never get mad at you, sweetheart. Having you in my life makes me complete. I can't imagine life without you, my darling wife."

"And I can't imagine my life without you, my darling husband."

"When I get out of here, we're going to go on a long overdue vacation. Just you and I."

"Let's wait 'til you can walk first. That should be the main concern first. I hope you 2 patch things up."

"I think we will be patching things up, Charlene. Throttle and I have been friends for a long time. If Vinnie were still alive, he'd want us to stay friends."

"So, you're going to do it for Vinnie or cause your friendship is more important than anything?"

"Both. I was glad that you knew how to disengage my right arm when the Drs. needed to do x-rays on me. They wouldn't have let me in there otherwise."

"I'm glad, too. You know, I could probably make it look more normal with some synthetic fur."

"There's no need to do that. I know you're trying to help, but I've grown accustomed to what it looks like. Just like how your hair is growing out more. Yes, I noticed."

"Took you long enough."

"I noticed, but was in too much pain to say anything. I think the longer hair looks good on you."

"You think so? I thought about getting cut shorter, just hadn't had the time to get to a salon."

"Keep it long, Charlene."

Charley smiled. "Ok, Modo. I'll keep it long."

Just before Charley moved closer to give Modo a kiss, the Dr. walked in.

"How's our patient doing?"

"I would like to move around, doc. Tired of sitting around."

Charley looked at her husband. "Modo, sweetie. Relax."

"That's quite alright, Mrs. Maverick. Your husband is just anxious. I can't blame him."

"He still shouldn't act like this. He's a grown mouse. He needs to act like it." She looked at Modo when she said that.

Just before Modo said anything, the physical therapist came in. "Hello, Mr. Maverick. Are you ready for today's physical therapy?"

"As long as I can move around."

"That's the idea. We need to get you back on your feet."

The physical therapist brought the wheelchair closer, then helped Modo into it. Charley went with them so she could help if needed. The Dr. also followed them out, but finished his rounds with his other patients.
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Physical therapy building. All 3 of them walked into the building and headed for the area that helps you walk.

Modo was wheeled up to the bars. He grabbed them then tried pulled himself up. Charley was surprised that he had strength in his left arm after getting the cast off. He was determined to walk again. No matter how much it hurt to move, he braved it out.

Both the physical therapist and Charley were surprised that he was doing so well on his own.

"Don't overdo it, sweetheart. I know you're determined to walk, but…."

Modo looked back at his wife and the physical therapist.

"She's right, Mr. Maverick. You shouldn't overdo it. You're making great improvements, but don't try to do it all at once. Learning to walk again takes time."

Modo knew they were right, but he wanted to get out of there soon. He continued to the other end of the bars, then turned around and tried to walk without holding the bars coming back. He surprised himself, his wife and the physical therapist. He walked all the way to them without holding on to the bars.

"Let's try something. Walk to the other end of the room and back." Then he looked to Charley. "Walk with him in case he needs some help."

Charley nodded and walked with her husband. They walked to the other end of the room and back. Modo had no problem walking.

"I think you're done with physical therapy, Mr. Maverick. You seem to heal rather quickly. I would like to talk with your Dr. about one more x-ray on your chest and legs. I would like to see how well your bones have healed."

"Of course, John. I'm sorry for being rather rude. I don't like being laid up like I was."

"That's quite alright. I was in your position about 3 yrs. ago. I had been in a bad car accident and had to learn to walk again. I understand your frustration."

"Modo, I'll have to disconnect your arm before you can get your x-rays."

The physical therapist looked at Charley strangely. "Disconnect his arm?"

"His right arm is bionic. He was experimented on many yrs. ago on Mars. They tried to turn him into a super soldier but failed. He came out of it with a bionic arm. He doesn't like to talk about it."

The physical therapist looked to Modo. "I understand. I can see if they will do the x-rays without having your arm disconnected."

"That would be great, John. Thanks."

"No problem. Let's get you back to your room for now."
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Chicago General. Throttle and I were waiting in the lobby of the hospital emergency room. The nurse had just came out and noticed that I was in a wheelchair. She walked up to us and asked why we were there.

"My wife can't walk but she can move her legs for everything else. Neither of us can't understand why."

"We'll get you back there and find out what's going on, ma'am." Then she looked to Throttle. "Please stay here 'til we need more information."

"She's pregnant, ma'am."

"That's good to know." Then she wheeled me to the back. Throttle watched me 'til the door shut. He pulled out my cell phone and called Carbine. He needed someone to talk to.

"Hello?"

"Stoker? Where's Carbine?"

"Her and Morgan are out for lunch right now. What do you need, Throttle? Sound upset."

"More like worried, coach. Michelle can't walk. I'm afraid that she may try to leave me again cause she can't walk."

"That woman of yours is strong-willed, Throttle. She'll do anything and everything to do things on her own. She probably thinks that you helping her with everything is making her feel worthless. Reassure her that she's not helpless."

"Thanks coach. I love her dearly and will do anything for her. I've already put my life on the line for her when I donated blood."

"If you'd like, I can come by and keep you company?"

"I'd like that, Stoke. I'm at Chicago General in the emergency room lobby. They wouldn't let me go back there with her."

"I'll be there soon, Throttle. Just stay positive." Then Throttle ended the call and put the cell phone away. He sat there, waiting for Stoker to show up.
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After about 30 mins., the nurse came back out. Stoker had shown up before then, too.

"Mr. Thornboy? The Dr. would like you to come back to talk to him and your wife."

Throttle looked to Stoker. "I'll wait here, Throttle. Keep me updated, ok."

"I will, coach. Thanks for being here."

Then Throttle followed the nurse to where I was.

Exam room 1. I had been sitting on the bed talking with the Dr. about my problem. We stopped talking when Throttle and the nurse walked up.

"Hey babe."

"You ok, honey? You sound upset."

"You probably will be too when you hear what the Dr. has to say. Better sit down. He also knows I'm pregnant."

Throttle sat down in the chair that was next to the bed I was sitting on.

"Something tells me this is bad news."

"I'm afraid so, Mr. Thornboy. This also means that if we do this procedure, she'll never walk again. She'll be in a wheelchair for the rest of her life."

"She's pregnant, Dr. I don't know if we can do this, considering that we want this baby."

I looked at Throttle. He looked back at me, then back to the Dr.

"We need to think about this, doc."

"I understand your concern, Mr. Thornboy. Take all the time you need. If and when you 2 come to a decision, please let me know." Then he handed Throttle a card with his name on it.