Physical Therapy

Jayme was seated at the universal weight machine, working on her shoulder, arms, and chest muscles; trying to build them back up after the dislocation that happened in the cave during the snow storm.  When the door opened and in walked a trim woman wearing green marine tee and shorts.

Aidan had to admit any break from her parent was a relief, even if it meant more rehab time in a gym.  Honestly she looked forward to the day she could get out of the hospital and back to duty.  "Hope you don't mind some company."

Jayme dropped the weight and picked up her hand towel and wiped the sweat off her face and neck and said, "no problem.  I wonder where our keepers are...your mother and my counsellor???  Probably have their heads together trying to figure out how to make us tow the line and being model patients.  "How about we spot each other."

"Sounds good to me. And yeah Captain Makan and I are due for a serious talk about his calling my parents on this one. Believe me any chance to get away from my mother right now is worth it."  Aidan approached Jayme as she spoke.

Jayme looked Aiden over with a physician's attentive evaluation and saw that she was still moving a little stiffly with her leg that was repaired, but the rest of her looked pain free and easily mobile.  "How about we both start this workout over, and start with fifteen minutes on the elliptical trainer to straighten and warm up our legs. 

Storm,  brushed her hair behind her ears and noticed that it was a dirty blonde about the same length as her own.   "I was actually hoping to run into your mother .  I was going to see if I could get her to do an independent physical exam on me and get me the hell out of here.  Any chance she'd be willing... or would I be asking for more trouble then by just waiting?"

"Physical isn't something you should worry about.  My mother will do that no problem.  Psych well that’s another story but again Hali has connections aboard the Hades.  That ship staffs a full time marine Psych staff because they wouldn't be able to keep one for very long otherwise..“ Aidan replied as she stepped over to the elliptical trainer still frustrated by the stiffness in her leg.

Aidan nodded, "Yeah she was otherwise its very safe to say I wouldn't be the same person you see standing here today.  Long story but yeah my mother chose to be a career marine just like my father. Though both my sisters joined up as well.

"If I wasn't married to Dr. Fletcher--I'd sign up to work under your mothers command and finish my medical training and command training on the Hades..."

Jayme kept pushing forward on the trainer and then added, "I don't think I have what it takes to run the base, finish my training, and have this baby.  Do you understand?"

"I think from what I've seen so far you underestimate yourself.  Certainly I've never been faced with finding out I'm pregnant unexpectedly or with family I'd plan to have.  Heck I'm not even married.  But let me tell you something very few people know simply because my parents wanted to protect me.    During a rather unintended stay in a Romulan prison my mother had been to put it mildly assaulted by one of her guards.  I'm the result of that.  Yet I had the chance to grow up safe by two parents who loved me in spite of that, wanted to make my life something not related to that horrible day.   She managed to survive that, advance her career and raise a family.  You're lucky you have someone who loves you and can help you with this."

The timers on the machines went off and Jayme hopped off and went over and helped Aiden from hers.  "Take a seat on the mat and let me see if I can work on some of the stiffness you are feeling in that leg!"  Jayme turned and walked to a counter and found some ointment and a towel and put a heat pack in the heater for when she was finished with the stretches and message.  She walked over to find the Major standing at the edge of the mat, arms crossed, frowning.  "I can't help you unless you help me.  --and I figure we have about fifteen minutes before the pair of them descend on us."  Jayme knelt at the edge of the mat and waited.

Aidan finally complied and did her best to lower herself to the mat, "Sorry frustration is getting the better of me lately.  I know you can understand that.  Ironic our first meeting had to be while we're both trapped in this place."

"Normally, it would have been in my office arguing over space, equipment, protocols and basically having a pissing contest over which of us was the biggest 'bitch'."  Jayme slowly worked her through half a dozen stretches and then slowly started rubbing in the ointment and when that was soaked in she went and got the hot pack and laid it long the back of the leg.  "Have they talked about doing anymore Interosseos injections...to help strengthen the break?"

"Hmm?  Inter...what kind of injections.  At least not that I know of my last conversation with you husband consisted of when where they going to finally consider me mobile enough to release me even if I'm not to a point of passing a flight physical yet. I'm not exactly an expert when it comes to medical lingo.  When I'm not totally at my wits end over being trapped in a place I don't want to be I can be reasonable.  Its also safe to say you're one of the few that truly understands me so that’s why I cooperate with you."

Metropan is an osteoregenerative medication to accelerate healing of bone fractures-- 200 mg IO into the bone.  It's not pleasant but it cuts weeks off of healing time."  Jayme did some stretching of her own and felt Storms hand take her right arm and increase the stretch.  "I'm surprised Nathan hasn't suggested it.  I can do it if its something he think it  is beneficial."  Jayme sucked in a quick breath and tensed....then blew out the breath as the other woman let up on the stretch.  The door opened and in  walked Hali Danar, and Counsellor Bentera.  "Oh hell, "  Both women said at the same time, as Aidens mother pulled her medical tricorder from her belt and approached both women.

"I'll take you up on that offer.  Honestly I think he hasn't suggested it yet because he knows all to well I'd go for it.  My feeling is he wants to make sure everything else is healing the way it should.   No I don't make a career out of crashing fighters or subjecting myself to unnecessary pain but in this instance I'd say lets try it, if he approves."  Just then Aidan Danar glanced up an blew out a clearly annoyed sigh,  "I'm due for daily rehab," she replied to her mother's inquiry.

Jayme stood and looked at Karissa and then saluted Hali.  Permission to continue working with Aidan, Ma'am.  We will both be discharged back to our base and I will be responsible for continuing her care---I'd like this opportunity to work with you and talk to you about some other issues."  Karissa cleared her throat and said, "you aren't to be doing strenuous workouts..." 

Jayme turned at looked at the counsellor and said, "Yes, Ma'am...you may check the rooms sensors and know exactly what, how long, how much weight and what my heart rate was..."  Permission to work with you Doctor Danar?"

Hali nodded,  "Go ahead.  I don't want Aidan overdoing it but you're right you'll be the one in charge of her case once you two are released back to the SAR base."

"What have you been doing during your rehab, Aidan?"

"Only what the Major here and Dr Fletcher have prescribed." That was the truth.  Aidan looked at the others and waited for their response. 

"I understand there is a nice pool here that we can workout in...to help build up strength and flexibility.  There is the Metropan OI injection we could add, but you should continue to use the cane until you have the ability to stand on that leg unassisted."  Jayme said.  "Maybe your mother can evaluate and do something for my shoulder?"  Fair was fair in Jayme's mind but she hoped the other woman wouldn't decide a full marine physical was necessary.

Aidan nodded willing to deal with the blasted cane and the pain associated with a Metropan injection if it would speed her healing at all.  "Understood." Directing her attention to Hali only to receive a nod and a smile in response.  The rest was up to Jayme for the moment.  All too well Aidan knew her time for a full flight status evaluation would come.  Determined to pass it with flying colors. 

Jayme nodded and smiled back at Aidan, and knew the pilot would be back on duty before she herself would.   Jayme saw Karissa motion her to the far side of the room where she turned her back to the other women,  Jayme listened, shook her head angrily, started to walk away only to turn back and yell, "That's it!  I've had it with this whole mental health hand holding.  I'm going back to base!"  Jayme stormed out of the gym and ran down the hall.

Aidan didn't know what had transpired but she had her own demons and obstacles to overcome.  Shaking off Hali's gentle desire to assist her daughter, Storm made her way back to her room.  She had to get out of this place, back to base. Somewhere where it wasn't a constant, vigilance prompted by over protectiveness.  As much as Aidan loved her mother, she was a trained marine who could handle this herself

Jayme grabbed up her few belongings and went to open the door of her room to leave only to find it locked and two Marine guards standing armed watch just outside.  Jayme picked up a mug that was on the bedside table and threw it with all the force she could generate at the small window in the door and saw both marines jump in response.  She paced her room until the door opened, and Doctor Hali Danar entered with a silver haired Marine wearing the collar rank of Colonel and Psych corp.

"Oh damn, not more of them, and you're on their side."

"Listen, " Hali replied calmly,  "I have nothing to do with your disagreement or ongoing tiff with Counsellor Bentara.   Every case I treat has the right to a second opinion.  You're willing to help Aidan and I can see right now that she's not going to listen to many people, myself included.  Major you on the other hand happen to have found a way through to her.  If you want me to look at that shoulder I can do that, but the Colonel here has agreed to take your case as a second opinion.  I'll leave that up to you."

Jayme took and released a deep breath and sat on the edge of her bed and thought about the offer.  "This is going to piss everyone off...but  can we do this on the 'Hades',  I doubt they're going to release my records from here to you...  I'm willing to let you examine me--both of you.  I can't help Aiden from here."

"That I think I can arrange," Hali replied,  "Besides I have all my supplies aboard the 'Hades',   Aidan can be hard headed but she's not stupid when it comes to her career.  I'll let you know as soon as I have it arranged that shouldn't take long."  

"Can you transfer her there too...so that she and I can continue her Rehab?  And someone should talk to Nathan  so he doesn't think that  I've flipped out again."

"Consider it done.  I have a deep debt of gratitude I owe your husband Major.  He's an excellent surgeon.  Not many could pull off what he did  and allow someone in a similar condition to Aidan to have a full chance of recovery."

"He's been involved in some of the counselling sessions.  I know he's concerned.  "I just want to go back to doing what I do best...being a marine." 

"I want to get Aiden on duty to and she probably needs some counselling..."

"Well part of her eval is Counseling related and I want to get an opinion from our head of Psych even though Counselor Bentara is fully qualified.  Call it something that Aidan isn't happy with me about but I just want her to have every chance possible just like you should have.  If you want Nathan to be there I can arrange it or just let him know what you asked.  Doesn't matter to me which way you decide to go there.  Yes my daughter gets antsy easily as you've probably noticed.  I'll admit this wasn't the reason I had in mind for visiting Serenity but I'm glad to know there are people looking out for her welfare here."

"I would like to have Dr. Fletcher present for the exams, and I am a lot like your daughter, antsy about getting back to work.  Karissa is good, but holding me in patient isn't working out.  But if your psych says I need to continue working with her as an inpatient then I will.  But hopefully--we can move to out patient."

"I'm ready to start now."  Jayme said standing and meeting Hali's eyes.  The door opened and Aidan entered.

"Hey, want to go with me to tour your mothers ship?  See if she can get us   out of this hospital and back to base?  What do you think Aidan?"

Hali nodded then exited the room briefly to make the arrangements for both Aidan and Jayme.  While they waited Aidan looked slightly suspicious,  "Are you kidding me if that happens I'll owe you one. I can walk and I can move about pretty much on my own now.  They aren't letting me back in the cockpit yet but, I'll take the base any day over this place."  It wasn't long before Hali returned with Nathan Fletcher.

"I know you'd prefer not to go up to the Hades, but there we can do some advanced treatments on your leg, your mother can work me over--there’s issues from being assaulted on the McCoy, and my shoulder as you noted--from our workout.  Don't know how long we'll be on the Hades?  You?"

"At this point a change is as good as a rest I'm sure you've cleared this with my primary physician or my mother has?"  Aidan inquired.

Dr Fletcher wrapped his arms around his wife, and said to Aidan, "I've cleared it with your mother and I'm accompanying both of you up and through what ever treatments are necessary."

"We aren't hurting Karissa's feelings are we, Nathan?"

"She's concerned, about you and doesn't think this is a necessary move at this time."

"Nathan, I can't stay here and nightmares aren't enough to make me..."  Jayme said taking a step to follow Hali and the Colonel  out to the transporter pad.

Aidan followed them thankful that she wasn't going to get busted again even though she had enjoyed their unauthorized trip to play in the snow.  "I hope this works.  This stiffness in my leg is growing old far too quickly for my taste." She made the comment with a smile for a change at least the 'Hades' would be a change of pace if only for a time.

Hali took Jayme and Aiden by the elbows and walked the corridor with them leaving the two men to follow.  They entered the main trauma bay--Dr. Danar's territory.  Hali's husband entered moments later and several nursing staff waited discretely near by.  "Every one gets fifteen minutes to visit and then I'm going to throw everyone out... except for Jayme.  Honey, arrange accommodations for our daughter and Dr. Fletcher and his wife." 

Good to her word, fifteen minutes and she was ushering everyone out.   For the next three hours Jayme was examined, probed, and treated for scaring from the assault, and she'd also used a deep tissue regenerator and an IO injection of Metropan on her shoulder.  It was immobilized and she was given pain meds and was personally escorted to the chambers she and Nathan were assigned.  "Nathan can work on Aidan tomorrow with your supervision.  Keep the splint on for a week!  Good night." 

She left Jayme and walked on down the hall. Inside Nate fed her and tucked her into bed.

It gave Aidan a chance to visit with her father once a again.  However she figured Dr Fletcher would stop by at some point since he was there to oversee her treatment aboard the 'Hades'.  At least for a short time Aidan could enjoy some peace and quiet and the comforts of a place she'd called home.  "Its good to see you again, Dad." Aidan finally replied as she was shown to the temporary quarters she'd be staying in.

Aidan spent time conversing with her father over dinner then it was time to call it a night.  In the interim several other crew members she's known since childhood stopped by to give her their best wishes for a speedy recovery.  Things seemed normal again until she work alone with a nightmare.  It was the first but probably not her last; however Aidan wouldn't let that stop her from getting back into a cockpit as soon as reasonably possible   Part of it revolved around the fact she had far too much time to think.  When her mother stopped by earlier Aidan had learned of the mandatory counselling sessions. Just one more hurdle to cross on her path back to full active duty.

Jayme woke several hours later with a start and while trying to roll out of bed she jarred her shoulder and sat on the edge of the bed trying to control her breathing.  Nathan sat up and rubbed her back, "It's okay Jayme.  Slow deep breathes."

After awaking with the nightmare Aidan searched for her cane then decided to leave it by the wall for a short trip to the replicator for some water.  It stayed within fairly easy reach but she was angry at herself for the moment and that's what prompted her to get bold and stubborn for one brief moment.  

Nathan stood and went to the replicator and got a glass of water.  He also stopped by his med gear and grabbed some pain meds.  "Jayme take these," he said handing her the meds and water.  She refused the pain meds but took the water.  "Just hold me."

While Aidan knew her attempt was pushing things a little too far she needed something to keep her mind occupied on other matters.  Taking a drink of water but ignoring her pain meds.  On some level Aidan had to wonder what prompted that nightmare yet she knew.  Heck she'd defied the odds and survived when more than likely others wouldn't have and didn't.   Risk happened to be a common element in her career so that wasn't an answer.  It happened to be the key one Aidan needed at the moment.

The next morning Jayme joined Nathan and walked back to the medical bay where Jayme would supervise Nathans treatment of Aidens leg and would assist with her physical.  Both women locked eyes as they entered the medical bay an said, "you too, probably not the same one but similar?"  Jayme said taking a seat on a stool next to the bio bed as Aiden changed in to a patient gown.

Aidan simply nodded,  "Yeah unfortunately that demon hit last night.  Be grateful you have someone around to comfort you when that happens. " She changed quickly then made her way back to the bio bed.  "Time to get this over with."

Jayme watched as Nathan numbed up the area of the break with a topical anesthsia, then he prepped and sterilized the skin and with Hali assisting he used a scalpel to knick the skin and then worked with the IO needle and drilled though and into the marrow.  The medication was slowly injected into the area of the break.  Nathan removed the IO needle and sealed the skin and applied an ice pack to that site.  He moved over and found the right wrist and after several detailed scans and decided, "I'm going to repeat the IO on the wrist."  Nathan said as he started prepping her wrist.  Fifteen minutes later he was done and treating her for the pain and some Nausea that she'd complained of.  Jayme nodded and held a cold wet cloth to the other major’s head and coached her through her breathing.

"Going to what?" Aidan interjected but wasn't in time after having to avert her gaze from the previous procedure.  Neither of them was fun and honestly left her feeling slightly worse than her nightmare had.  Beside the nausea she was aching good, no really it was probably more than just that but she refused to say so.

Nathan rechecked a scan of the wrist and the femur and nodded, "Osteo growth has increased ten percent already.  Major you're going to have quite a bit of pain for the next few hours."  He held up the hypospray and said, "this will make it all go away until dinner time.  Until then you are on bedrest.  Jayme will be here with you.  I'm going to consult on some other patients for your mother."  He hit her in the neck with the hypo before she could object.

As much as Aidan wanted to object what she didn't want more than that was a return of the nightmare.  She had a feeling those would haunt her for a while anytime sleep entered the picture.  Either way it didn't make much difference once she felt that hypo spray hit her neck.  It was already beginning to take effect as Aidan attempted to reach for Jayme.  "Please no...." was all she managed before she felt far too groggy to think clearly.

Jayme spent the next several hours studying on her PADD and watching Aidan's vital sign.  The door to the bay opened and in walked Caid Makan, and Lt. Sara Sidle.  "Hey guys,"  Jayme put her finger to her lips and made shusshing sound.  "The major's sleeping."

Caid had convinced Sara it would be a good idea to pay a short visit to the 'Hades'.  Besides it hadn't been hard to get the approval of Aidan's parents or Jayme's husband.  Figuring some friendly faces would do both Majors a world of good.  "How's she doing?" Captain Makan inquired quietly.

"She's going to be fine in another week--back to kicking all of our asses.  Caid she's been medicated from the procedure--but you should be able to get her to talk to you.  If you'll sit here Sara and I are going to go have a cup of tea and catch up on things that need done on base.  Okay."

Caid simply nodded his thanks.  "Hey Storm I just stopped by to see how you're doing.  I know you're not feeling the greatest right now but you'll be good as new in no time."  After several long moments Aidan finally mumbled a thanks.  While this wouldn't exactly be the most coherent conversation but it was better than nothing.   Captain Makan didn't want to overstay his welcome.  "I won't stay long."   For a brief moment then it appeared as if she really looked at him as she replied,  "I appreciate you and Sara visiting...." another long pause,  "Still very sleepy from the medication." Caid gently brushed a stray hair out of her face.,  "Rest I'll be right here."

Jayme sat off to the side and talked with Sara.  "Jayme, what are you doing here?"

"Getting a second opinion from the counsellor on this ship and hopefully a pass back to base.  They can't keep me locked up forever on Paladin...Karissa is good and a friend...and I'm not sure that wasn't affecting her decisions."

Sara brushed a lock of hair behind her ear and frowned, then said, "I understand that...  Are you still having nightmares?"

"Not all the time."  Jayme admitted and walking back to Caid as he stood .

"Just make sure she's not tricking us all into thinking she's ready to come back too soon.  I know Storm will want to help with  the ongoing accident investigation but I don't think that’s wise,"  Caid admitted to both Jayme and Sara.  "Thanks for letting me sit with her for a time." 

"No problem."  Jayme said taking the seat he vacated and went back to watching Aiden nap.  Finally, Jayme raised the head of the bio bed and wafted some coffee under her nose.  "Want some?"   Jayme handed her the cup when she opened her eyes.  "I know, I'm not suppose to drink caffeine...here you drink it before Nathan catches me with it."  Jayme winked.