~~~~Just To See Her~~~~

Chapter 17


Nick had just been returned to his room following the removal of his two casts. He was eager to try walking, but was unsure if he should try with no one there to help him. He tensed his leg muscles. It felt alright, it was probably a little weak, but that was to be expected. His arm was fine. He curled his fingers into a fist and then flattened his hand on the armrest of the wheelchair. That felt so good! He took a few deep breaths and pulled himself into a half standing position, still holding tight to the wheelchair.

"Okay Carter, you�re up. Now let go!" he ordered himself.

He slowly released the chair and stood up fully. The leg wobbled a bit but it held him. Nick smiled to himself and held his hands in front of him.

"Now, you can stand, let�s see if you can walk without killing yourself." He tentatively took a tiny step, and then another.

Kathy and Bob watched from the doorway, both smiling widely and trying desperately to stay quiet. Nick was moving around the room pretty smoothly, all things considered, his arms were flailing in front of him, reaching for objects in his way. He had bumped into a few things, but for the most part he had navigated himself well.

Bob tapped Kathys arm. "He�s heading for the bed, should you let him know?"

Kathy shook her head. "Let�s see what happens, he can�t hurt himself."

Nicks feet shuffled closer to the foot of the bed until he hit it with his knees.

"Ouch!"

He moved his arms around and grabbed the footboard.

"Dammit!"

He maneuvered himself to the side of the bed and sat down.

Kathy and Bob entered the room, clapping. "Nick, that was wonderful!"

Nick scowled. "I almost fell!"

Kathy laughed. "You did fine! You only bumped into the bed, you�ll bump into a lot more things before you get used to getting around on your own."

Bob sat beside him and put his arm around him. "I�m proud of you son. Kathy said most patients in your position wouldn�t even try to get around on their own this early."

"Thanks Dad." Nick ducked his head down and smiled slightly.

"Your mom and I have all the arrangements ready for going home tomorrow. Is there anything you need?"

Nick shrugged. "Maybe some clothes, shoes? All my luggage was lost, wasn�t it?"

"Okay, we�ll pick up some traveling clothes for you."

"And a hat." Nick added, running his fingers through his hair. "I think I need a haircut."

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Early the next morning Kathy tapped on Nicks door. "Hey, are you awake in there? Time to get ready to go." Nick grunted in response and pulled the blankets over his head. Kathy smiled and pulled the covers down again. "Let�s go, buddy! They�re kicking you out today!"

Nick sat up and smiled sleepily. "What time is it, anyway?"

Kathy glanced at her watch. "6:30 am"

"What?" Nick pulled the covers over his head again.

"Get out from under there!" Kathy reached her hand under the blankets and tickled his neck.

"Hey! Stop it!" Nick laughed and finally emerged from the nest of bed coverings. "Okay, you win."

Kathy pulled his new clothes from the shopping bags and set them beside him on the bed. "Here�s your clothes." She took his hand and placed it on the stack of clothing. "Do you want to shower or have a bath today?"

"I�ve had enough of the sponge baths here, I think I�ll try the shower."

Kathy helped him into the bathroom and showed him where everything was, taking his hand and placing it on the soap, the towels, and the shampoo.

"Okay? I�ll just be in the other room getting your things together for you. Call if you need any help at all." Kathy turned and left the door open a notch. She gathered the backpack that his parents had left and started to empty out the drawers of the bedside table.

She piled the few items on the bed as she removed them from the drawers. A couple pairs of pajamas, underwear and socks, courtesy of Kevin, since Nick had lost all of his things in the crash, his Gameboy, and that was it. She turned the small machine over in her hands. Amazing that this thing was found and not any of his other things. Kathy tossed it back on the bed before standing up again. She checked the closet and the back of the door for any other items before she started placing things in the backpack. Just as she set the last pair of socks in the bag, Kathy heard a howl of pain from the bathroom and a loud thud.

"Nick? Are you alright?"

When she got no answer she rushed into the small room. Nick was sprawled out on his stomach, his legs still in the showers enclosure.

"Dammit! I forgot the ledge for the door!" Nick cursed.

Kathy bent down, checking for any injuries. "Let me see your arm!" she ordered. She flexed it back and forth, satisfied that he had caused no further injury to it. She lifted his head and gasped. "You�re bleeding ." The wound on his forehead had reopened and blood was flowing down the left side of his face. "Lay still while I go get some supplies to cover that!"

Kathy returned quickly, her arms full of gauze, tape and ointments. "You may need a stitch or two. Let me get it cleaned up and see." She helped him to turn onto his back and she lay a folded towel on her lap for his head. As Kathy cleaned the wound, she asked how his leg felt. "Do you think you hurt it again?"

Nick bent it and winced. "Yeah, I think so. Maybe I just twisted it or something. I didn�t hear any crack."

Kathy smiled. "Well, that�s good." She expertly applied the ointment and covered the cut. "It seems okay, I don�t think you need stitches. You just re-opened a spot that hadn�t healed completely, it looks like." She finished covering the cut and moved the excess supplies out of the way. "Ready to get up?"

"I think so. Just don�t go away, alright?"

Kathy reached for his arm to help him up and her hand accidently brushed against his rather obvious erection. "Oh my God! I�m so sorry Nick! What am I thinking?" Kathy shut her eyes and reached wildly for a towel. "I don�t know what is wrong with me! I�ve made you lay here soaking wet and na...." The words tumbled out of her mouth. Kathy dropped the towel over his mid-section and finally opened her eyes. She looked down at him, trying to avoid staring at the tented material near his waist. "Can you wrap the towel around yourself and then I can help you get up...I mean...you can rise...oh God, I�m so sorry!" she stammered.

Nick laughed and sat up slowly. He moved the towel as best he could to cover himself and held it in place as he offered her his other hand. Kathy helped him stand and held out his robe for him.

"Thanks Kathy." Nick said, as he tied the robe.

"I�m sorry Nick, really." Kathy said weakly. It seemed she couldn�t take her eyes off his "problem" now and, even though he couldn�t see her staring, she had to make herself stop. "I'm so sorry."

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