Jennifer Hart awoke feeling as if she had been tossed randomly and helplessly amongst an untamed, savage current of unforgiving logs. She guessed that it seemed fitting because it was precisely what happened. Everything was sore – everything ached. ‘Lord, even my hair hurts.’ she thought. ‘Well, maybe this is a good thing. If I hurt… then I must be alive. Right?’ At least that was her theory at the moment.

It took some effort on her part to find the strength and coherence to open her eyes. Correction, open her eye. She managed to open her right her, albeit just slightly. Her left eye was completely uncooperative. It displayed nothing but darkness, and it hurt too. Hmm? Maybe she was dead after all. No, she wasn’t dead. Jennifer had never been dead before but she was fairly certain that heaven maybe, didn’t look like a hospital room. And if she was dead, and it hurt this much – then heaven was definitely overrated.

She forced her right eye open and tried to survey the room. Yes, it was a hospital room. She could see several machines and monitors, most of which were on. And most of which were attached to her. Her eyes moved over the railings that surrounded her from both sides. ‘Hey, where’s that little button that calls the doctor?’

The call button was nowhere to be found. ‘Okay, new plan. I wonder if my voice works.’ A quick attempt not only confirmed that it didn’t, but she also had something in her mouth. Let’s recap; she had something uncomfortable in her mouth, every part of her body ached, and she couldn’t move to do anything about it. Jennifer didn’t know if she was more frustrated or frightened.

The door to her room opened and an unfamiliar man walked in. He was wearing a white lab coat and holding a clipboard, so maybe he was a doctor. He looked very tall, with a thin build for a man. He wore prescription glasses over his hazel eyes and had very short salt and pepper hair. ‘Will he see that I’m awake? Will he talk to me? I wonder if he knows where Jonathan is?’ Jennifer thought frantically.

The man looked up from his clipboard and noticed that his patient was finally awake, and he approached the bed. "Jennifer. My name is Louis Shearer, I’m the doctor that was on call the day that you were brought in." He explained as he flashed his penlight in her eye. "You can’t talk right now because you have a tube in your throat that was helping you to breath, and everything probably seems kind of fuzzy too. Well, that’s because you have been heavily medicated over the past few days. Things will begin to become more clear in a little while."

Jennifer saw the man, Dr. Shearer, turn away and tap some buttons on one of the machines. He picked up and pressed the earlier elusive call button before turning back to her.

"Jennifer, a nurse is going to come in and get you extubated. You’ll able to talk then. In the meantime, I’ll go and get your husband."

The doctor saw an emotion he couldn’t identify flash in Jennifer’s eye so he explained further, "Jonathan is fine, your regular doctor, Elaine… She sent him down to the cafeteria to get something to eat. I’m also going to call Dr. Starner, Elaine, so she can explain to you exactly what’s happening. All right?"

Jennifer gave her best try at a nod.

Dr. Shearer nodded back and smiled, "You gave us quite a scare Mrs. Hart."

A nurse entered the room and Dr. Shearer stood and spoke to her. Jennifer couldn’t make out what they were saying but the woman nodded a few times and moved over to one of the cupboards in the room.

Dr. Shearer turned back to Jennifer and smiled, "This is Madeline, and she’s going to get rid of that tube for you. She knows that you’re thirsty, and will take care of that too. I’ll see you in a little while."

The doctor dipped his head before turning and exiting the room.

Madeline came back into view and approached the bed. "Hello Mrs. Hart, my name is Madeline, and I’m going to get rid of that annoying tube in your throat for you."

The nurse touched a few buttons and gently pulled at the tape surrounding Jennifer’s mouth that held the tube in place.

"You look so much better then when you first came to us." Said Madeline as she worked on removing the tube. "You’re still a little banged up, but not nearly as bad as the day they brought you in. No offense, but you looked horrible. I couldn’t believe it when they told me what happened. It’s a good thing that you were relatively close to the city."

Madeline finished removing the tube and Jennifer started coughing against a dry and agitated throat. She felt the nurse hold on to her until the coughing fit had passed. When she was finally able to breath again Madeline reached for a paper cup and held it to her lips.

"Jennifer," she said warningly, "You have to drink this slowly or you’ll start coughing again."

Jennifer nodded and had to force herself to drink slowly. The cool water was a balm to her Sahara dry throat and she drank eagerly, if slowly.

"Thank you." Croaked Jennifer.

"You’re welcome." Answered Madeline. "Now tell me, did you really try to wrestle a giant bear to the ground?"

"Not exactly." Jennifer replied trying to get use to using her voice again. "Where am I?"

"Cedars Sinai."

"How did I get here?" Jennifer asked as she rubbed her throat and idly noted the IV wire in the back of her hand.

"Helicopter. After your accident, you were taken to Bear Valley Community Hospital. They sent you by air to us." Said Madeline as she was working on other machines surrounding her patient.

"Jennifer," came a new, oddly accented voice from the doorway. "It’s about time you woke up."

"Elaine," breathed Jennifer with relief.

"Well, I’m finished here. I’ll be by later Mrs. Hart. Call me if you need anything." Said Madeline. She dipped her head to the new visitor before exiting, "Dr. Starner."

"Thank you Madeline." Said Jennifer.

Jennifer turned her full attention to her regular doctor, Dr. Elaine Starner. Dr. Starner was a short, slim woman with long brown hair, with streaks of gray that she always wore up in a loose bun with a pencil stuck in it. She had soft brown eyes behind her glasses, thin lips, and perfect teeth.

Jennifer’s mother used to baby-sit Elaine and had made a lasting impression on the young woman. Elaine was in her teens when Jennifer was born and had been present for the first few years of her life in Maryland. Elaine moved away to attend college abroad and she and Mrs. Edwards continued to stay in contact. Elaine completed school and resided abroad, only coming back to attend the funeral of her friend. Jennifer had been inconsolable then so she didn’t really have a chance to speak to the woman. Years later however she joined her friends practice in California and she sought out the younger woman when she moved to Los Angeles. A beautiful friendship had bloomed and the women had been friends for just over a decade now. Although there was only fourteen years between them Jennifer still saw Elaine as some sort of mother figure and would often seek advice and guidance from the women.

Elaine also had an odd, but very charming accent that came from growing up in a rural area of the east coast in the States, and then living abroad and speaking foreign languages for so long. All in all it was a very unique accent and it always made people stop and listen extra closely to try and pin down its origin.

"So what’s my prognosis?" asked Jennifer.

"You’re going to live." Said the doctor as she approached the bed and picked up Jennifer’s chart.

"I feel very heavy."

"That’s because you’ve been in that bed for a week."

"So when do I get out of it?" asked Jennifer.

"You’ve only been awake ten minutes, and you’re already worried about when you’re going to be discharged. I can see that you’re going to be an absolute joy in recovery."

"What do you mean ‘in recovery.’ What do I have to recover from?"

Dr. Starner shot her an incredulous look.

"That I can’t recover from at home." Jennifer clarified.

Before Dr. Starner could answer the door to Jennifer’s room opened and Jonathan walked in. He immediately noticed that Jennifer was awake and he rushed to her side. Jennifer didn’t have time to say anything as she was practically smothered by her husband.

Jonathan took her face gently into his hands and placed soft butterfly kisses all over her bruised features. He was especially soft when he reached her still battered left eye. They both had tears in their eyes when he finally pulled back.

"You scared me, love." He said.

Jennifer tried to blink away her tears so she could see, "I scared me too."

Jonathan brushed his knuckles along her cheek, "How do you feel?"

"I’m not sure." Jennifer looked past her husband and at Dr. Starner, "How do I feel, Elaine?"

"Like hell." Answered the doctor as she returned Jennifer’s chart to its place at the foot of the bed. "But, you are going to live."

"So I’m all right then?"

Dr. Starner had a somber expression and Jonathan couldn’t meet her eyes. His gaze was locked on her neck. Jennifer felt the panic rising up within her and she fought to squelch it. Her good eye swept over her body searching for some insight as to what it might be.

"What?" she half asked, half demanded.

Jonathan still wasn’t meeting her eyes, but Elaine had moved to the other side of her bed and sat down. She picked up Jennifer’s hand and looked her at her intently. "Jennifer honey, I need for you to do three things for me."

The redhead nodded and the doctor continued, "First, I want you to understand the severity of the situation. We are dealing with something very serious here. Possibly life altering."

‘Life altering. Not life ending.’ Thought Jennifer. ‘At least I’m not going to die. Right?’

"Secondly," Elaine continued, "I don’t want you to think that everything I tell you is carved in stone. We haven’t discovered anything to lead us to believe that this will be permanent."

"Okay." Said Jennifer with forced calm.

"And lastly I want you to know that I love you and Jonathan dearly, and I will do everything I can. Regardless of the outcome, we’ll get through this." Elaine stood up and placed a kiss on Jennifer’s forehead. "Let me show you what’s going on." She said as she pulled away and moved to the foot of the bed.

The doctor pulled Jennifer’s sheet off to the side, leaving her clad in only the thigh length hospital gown. Elaine reached down and began to rub Jennifer’s right foot. "Anything?"

"Anything what?" asked Jennifer blankly. Elaine didn’t answer, she just continued her ministrations to her foot and it took Jennifer a moment to realize that she couldn’t feel the touch. Jennifer immediately tried to move her legs – only to find them completely unresponsive. When her legs failed to respond immediately looked to Jonathan, who was looking at her with teary eyes.

"Jennifer," called the doctor, pulling her eyes away from Jonathan’s. "How about now?" asked Elaine as she prodded her way up Jennifer’s calf and knee.

Jennifer felt a lump form in her throat and her eyes clouded over with tears. Tears of fear, sadness, and uncertainty. She felt Jonathan squeeze her hand in silent support and she blinked, this time allowing the tears to roll freely down her cheeks.

Elaine saw the tears and the flash of emotions in the hazel eyes of her friend and patient and quickly moved back to the head of the bed. She took Jennifer’s face in her hands and wiped away the tears with her thumbs, "Jennifer listen to me. There is nothing to say that this is permanent. Nothing. Right now there is some swelling around your spinal cord making it hard for us to be able to tell anything for certain. The swelling alone could be what’s causing the paralysis."

Jennifer threw her arms around her friend and mother figure mindless of the wires and held onto her tightly, "Oh Elaine, I’m so frightened."

Elaine returned the tight embrace, more mindful of the wires then Jennifer. "Don’t be honey. Whatever happens, we’ll all deal with it together." When she finally felt Jennifer start to pull away, she helped to extricate herself without dislodging any of the wires attached to the younger woman. "But right now, I need your help. Okay?"

Jennifer nodded as she wiped away the remnants of her tears. Jonathan moved his mouth next his wife’s ear and whispered, "I love you darling. I love you and we’ll get through this together… no matter what."

"I love you too." She said wistfully as he pulled back.

Dr. Starner moved back to Jennifer’s leg and began to prod around the knee. "Close your eyes and let me know if you feel anything, if you even think you feel anything."

"Alright." Answered Jennifer as she reclined in the bed and closed her eyes.

"Jonathan," said Elaine. "Why don’t you start on the other leg."

"Of course." He was quick to agree, glad for something to do, to help. He shot a look of gratitude at Elaine as he wrapped his hands around his wife’s foot and began prodding like had seen the doctor do only minutes before.

Jonathan felt helpless, useless, and another emotion that he couldn’t quite identify. He was beyond grateful that Elaine was there. He didn’t know what to do for his wife right now. Not that there was anything he could do. Helpless was not something that Jonathan Hart did well, especially when Jennifer was concerned.

Elaine worked her way up from Jennifer’s knee to her thigh, across her hips, and to the top of her other leg where she noted that Jonathan was more massaging then prodding. Elaine noticed the troubled look on his face and sent a silent prayer for her friends to come through this ordeal unscathed.

Elaine sent Jonathan out to find the nurse in order to get Jennifer something to eat. In the meantime she continued her examination of her friend. She knew that Jennifer had suffered several lacerations including a severe one across her abdomen that required quite a few stitches and she was extremely careful around them, she just didn’t want Jonathan to have to see them. She replaced the blanket around Jennifer before peeling back the gown to reveal the well-toned midsection that sported a thick white bandage.

Jennifer felt Elaine’s hands on her abdomen, "I can feel that."

Elaine carefully stripped off the bandage, "I know, I just wanted to make sure you didn’t start bleeding."

"What do mean you know? How do you know where I have feeling?"

"I don’t really," said Elaine as she replaced the bandage. "But you sat up and hugged me before which means that you’re able to control your lower back and abdominal muscles."

"Oh yeah."

"It’s good that you can. It means that the injury was sustained in the lower thoracic vertebrae as I suspected. The higher up the injury the more paralysis."

"I guess it could have been worse." Said Jennifer as Elaine folded her gown back into place and pulled the sheet up to rest loosely across her hips.

"It could have been fatal Jennifer. You got very lucky." Said the older woman gravely as she moved to sit on the bed beside Jennifer, "Are you in pain?"

Jennifer looked uncertain, "No. I’m fine. I’m not in any pain. Not that kind anyway."

Elaine felt for her younger friend. She knew how hard the adjustment was for people learning all of the constraints of paralysis. The beginning was always fraught with pain, humiliation, and countless difficulties. It was always hard for the patient to learn to adapt, as well as their spouses and families. And more often then not it put a severe strain on the marriage. She just hoped that this would only be temporary for her friends.

"I guess I’m going to have to get used to needing other people to help me with everything all of the time."

"You’ll need some help initially, everyone does." Elaine answered honestly.

"Yeah, I suppose they would." Replied Jennifer as she rested her head against her pillow. "I’d do anything for a nice, hot bath right now."

Jonathan pushed the door open and walked in with a tray.

"Let’s get you fed first, then we’ll see about getting you that bath." Said Elaine. "I have to go and take care of some things. But for now, I’ll leave you in Jonathan’s capable hands. I’ll stop back in a little while."

"Thanks Elaine. It means everything to us that you’re here." Said Jonathan as he set down the tray of food and gave her a quick hug.

"Nothing could have kept me away." Said Elaine as she moved towards the door. "But just wait until you get my bill."

Jennifer laughed and Elaine winked at her before exiting the room.

Jonathan leaned down and kissed her on the head, "It’s so good to hear you laugh."

"It feels like I haven’t done it ages," said Jennifer as she eyed the tray Jonathan brought in with him. "What did you get me? Anything edible?"

"I don’t know about edible. More like drinkable." Said Jonathan as he removed the cover. On the tray was juice, Jell-O, and a bowl of soup.

Jennifer scowled and looked up at her husband. "Some maître d' you are."

Jonathan laughed, "I’m sorry darling. Liquid diet, doctors orders."

"Thanks a lot Elaine. All right, let me have it."

"Darling," began Jonathan as he unwrapped her silverware and handed her a spoon.

"Yes?" prompted Jennifer as she accepted the utensil.

"How are doing? With… all this?"

Jennifer took a drink of her juice and set back down before answering, "I don’t know. I really feel like crying, but I don’t want to do that. Not yet. I don’t know… I don’t know what I’m supposed think or feel about this really. Elaine said that it might not be permanent. But then there’s the flipside, which means that it might. I suppose I’m trying to stay focused on the here and now, and not the ‘what might be’."

"I think that is a very strong, very brave way to handle it." Agreed Jonathan.

"Of course it is. Would you expect anything less from the woman who wrestled a giant bear to the ground?"

Jonathan laughed, "No I wouldn’t, ‘O Great Forest Warrior.’"

Jennifer started laughing too, but her mirth quickly gave way the stronger feelings that she was trying to suppress within herself and her laughing gave way to sobs and she started to cry.

Jonathan moved the tray of food from her lap, sat down next to his wife, and gathered her up in his arms as she cried. His hands slid up and down her back in an attempt to help soothe and comfort her. Jonathan placed kiss after kiss on Jennifer’s forehead trying to relay his support.

Jennifer huddled in her husbands embrace feeling the need to be protected, to be secure. She buried her face into his chest, almost in an attempt to hide and escape the difficulties that waited outside of the loving embrace. Jennifer knew she was close to breaking down completely when she heard Jonathan start singing.

He repeated the same small verse over and over, and continued to sing it even after Jennifer had stopped crying. She had stopped crying but didn’t move, she remained curled up against her husband.

Jennifer pulled back a couple of minutes later and spoke, "I didn’t think that you cared for country music."

Jonathan reached up and brushed stray locks of hair away from his wife’s face. "I don’t really. But I care for you. That verse made me think of you the first time that I heard it."

Jennifer closed her eyes and leaned back against her husband and sighed, "Oh darling… what are we going to do?"

"I’m not sure about what we’re going to do. But I know what we’re not going to do. Elaine told me that it would take about six to eight weeks for the swelling to go down. So, we’re not going to worry about anything beyond that. We’re not going to believe that this is permanent until Elaine tells us it is. We’re not going to quit trying. And we’re not going to give up." Said Jonathan as he held his wife in his arms and rested his chin on her head.

"But what if it is permanent?"

"And we’re not going to do that. Six to eight weeks remember?"

Jennifer nodded, "You’re right, those kind of thoughts won’t help any. This is going to be a long two months."

"Maybe… try to think of it as a two month vacation. We’ve certainly had worse."

Jennifer laughed, "We sure have. At least this time there won’t be any murderers, thieves, or secret agents involved."

Jonathan was about to respond when the door to Jennifer’s room opened and Madeline walked in.

Seeing the couple in the loving embrace caused the nurse to smile softly, "Hey you two… break it up will ya? Dr. Starner will have my head if she found you two necking on my shift."

Jennifer pulled back from the embrace and smiled at Madeline, "Sorry."

"No you’re not." Teased Madeline causing the couple to smirk.

"Jonathan looked at Jennifer, "Busted."

Madeline laughed and then asked, "Dr. Starner sent me in regards to a hot bath?"

"Oh yes," said Jennifer. "But I didn’t think that she would have it arranged so quickly."

The fresh tear tracks on Jennifer’s face and the almost untouched tray of food hadn’t gone unnoticed by the nurse.

"That’s okay, I have a break coming. I was going to take it afterward but I could take it now. I can come back in about 45 minutes, an hour? How’s that sound?"

"That would be perfect, thank you Madeline." Said Jennifer very sincerely.

"No problem… I’m famished anyway. I’ll see you in little while." Said the nurse as she slipped out of the door.

Jonathan and Jennifer waved a goodbye to the nurse and Jennifer sunk wearily back against the bed as Jonathan replaced the tray of food on her lap.

Jennifer sighed, "I hope I’ll still feel up for that bath when Madeline gets back."

"You’ll have more energy after you eat. And then you should probably take a nap. You know if Elaine doesn’t think that you’re getting the proper rest she’ll prescribe a sedative… or come in and shoot you with a tranquilizer dart." Said Jonathan.

Jennifer covered her mouth as she yawned, "A nap does sound good."

"Well here," Jonathan handed his wife her spoon and slid the soup closer to her, "Eat the soup at least and then you can take that nap."

Jennifer silently took the spoon and began slowly eating the soup while Jonathan kept a watchful eye on her. She had finished most of it when she set the spoon in the bowl and pushed it away. Jonathan handed her the small carton of juice and took the bowl from her lap. Jennifer took a few small sips of the drink before handing it back to her husband.

Jennifer settled further back into the bed and her eyes started to slide shut. "I love you darling." She murmured before falling asleep.

Jonathan touched the controls on the rail of Jennifer’s bed and lowered the mattress into a more reclined position. He then reached down and pulled the covers up to his wife’s shoulders and gently tucked her in. He leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her forehead before retreating to the chair beside the bed to keep watch over his beloved.

While Jonathan kept watch over his wife, he forced all negative thoughts about the accident out of his mind and decided to keep himself busy with work until Jennifer woke up. He reached down and picked up the briefcase that Deanne had dropped off earlier that day.

He opened the case and decided to take care of the first order of business – hiring an exec. There was no doubt that he would definitely need to bring someone in now. He took out the applications that he had passed over last week and began reviewing the possible candidates. Every résumé was impressive to say the least but Jonathan had finally narrowed it down to seven applicants, two of which stood out beyond the others.

The first was a middle-aged man, Carl Delano. He had a strong background from prestigious schools in business and literature. He had worked for several respected and well-known businesses. His personal comments on his résumé however seemed flat and somewhat tentative. Jonathan also frowned on Carl’s working for several tycoons that had no regard for the people of the companies that they demolished.

The other was also middle-aged, although a woman. Cammi Nysedi also had strong schooling in business, amongst other things. The woman was trilingual, had degrees in psychology and mathematics, and had only worked for more empathetic companies. Cammi’s résumé also boasted more initiative and daring personal comments.

Jonathan decided to call them both in for interviews to see if either one of them would work out before he had to call in the other five prospective applicants. He hoped that Miss Nysedi would be as great personally as she was professionally.

Jonathan intended on staying by Jennifer’s side and planned on spending little to no time at Hart Industries for the next several months. He desperately needed to hire an exec and he hoped beyond hope that Cammi Nysedi would be that person.

Four days later Jonathan and Jennifer were preparing for Jennifer’s departure from the hospital. Jennifer, in a pair of gray sweats and white sneakers, was sitting in a wheelchair near the large window in her room looking out at the view. Jonathan was packing the few things that belonged to Jennifer and some of the things that the hospital had given her to take home.

Elaine was supervising Jonathan’s work while she continued her ranting.

"I cannot possibly tell you how difficult you’re being. I can’t believe that you’re going home. And I can’t believe that I’m letting you. Have I mentioned that I don’t like this at all?"

"Yes you have Elaine, and we appreciate your concern. But… we agreed that Jennifer would be more comfortable at home." Said Jonathan.

"Yes she would," agreed the woman in question. "And she misses her baby too."

Elaine looked at her patient, "You’re as stubborn as your mother."

Jennifer smiled.

"Fine, but I’ll be over to move my things into the guest house tonight." Said the exasperated doctor.

"Elaine, really… you don’t have to-" started Jennifer.

"Ah ah," Elaine interrupted and raised a finger. "It’s not up for debate."

"You tell her Elaine." Teased Jonathan, who wasn’t thrilled with the idea of Jennifer leaving the hospital early but was supportive nonetheless.

Jennifer shot him a look, "Traitor."

Jonathan just laughed as he closed up the duffel bag he had been packing.

"Yeah, well it’s good that he’s on my side." Said Elaine. "I need all the help I can get when it comes to you."

"All set." Announced Jonathan as he slung Jennifer’s bag over his shoulder. "The van is waiting for us out front."

"I’m ready." Said Jennifer as she started to wheel herself towards the door.

Elaine moved behind Jennifer and grabbed the handles to the wheelchair, "No patient escorts themselves out of the hospital. Besides, you start wheeling yourself around everywhere and you’re going to end up with arms like Jane Fonda."

Jennifer rolled her eyes at her friend, "When should we expect the physical therapist?"

"Tomorrow." Answered Jonathan as he pressed the button for the elevator. "His name is Justin Narvel, he comes very highly recommended."

The elevator doors opened and Elaine guided the chair in carefully, "He’s very good. He used to work with for the Tennessee Titans."

"That’s all right, we won’t hold that against him, will we darling?" Asked Jonathan.

Jennifer looked up and smiled at her husband, "No we won’t. But I couldn’t say the same thing if he had worked for the Cowboys."

Jonathan grinned, "We certainly couldn’t."

The elevator reached the ground floor and the doors opened. Elaine pushed the chair out and towards the front door. Jonathan had rented a large van equipped for transporting wheelchairs so that it would be easier to get Jennifer from place to place.

"I want you take it easy. More then easy." Said Elaine as she maneuvered the chair onto the electronic ramp on the van. "If I even think that you’re overdoing it… You’ll find your little butt right back here. Understood?"

Jennifer gave her a mock salute as she and the chair were raised into the van. "Sir, yes Sir."

Elaine pointed at her friend as the driver of the van strapped the chair down. "Keep it up and I’ll prescribe Richard Simmons as your trainer."

"I like Richard Simmons."

"You should, you used to have hair just like him. Now get out of my parking lot." Said Elaine as she closed the sliding door to the van, stalling any reply from Jennifer.

Elaine turned to find Jonathan standing next to the van with a hand over his face while he shook his head back and forth.

He pulled his hand away and looked at the doctor, "I am so glad that you two found each other again. I’m beginning to think that some of those stories that Steven told me about you two are true."

Elaine winked at him, "I’ll never tell. Remember, try not to treat her any differently." She turned away and waved goodbye to Jennifer through the window. She pointed to the driver and yelled, "You drive safe with my favorite kids in the van." Then she turned and strolled back into the hospital.

Jonathan shook his head before slipping into the passengers seat.

"I never had hair like Richard Simmons." Came a petulant voice from the back.

Jonathan pushed back his smirk before turning around to face his wife. "Of course you didn’t, darling."

Jennifer smiled crookedly, "I owe her one."

"What’ve you got in mind, my devious little wife?"

She looked thoughtful, "I’ll have to give it some thought."

The driver chose that moment to slide behind the wheel. "Ready to go?"

"All set." Said Jennifer from the back while her husband replied with an affirmative nod.

The driver nodded and put the van into gear before driving off.

"Oh, it’s so good to be home." Said Jennifer as her husband wheeled her through the front door and into the large foyer. "Freeway?"

Almost instantly, a little bundle of black and gray fur came barreling out of the kitchen and rocketed towards Jennifer’s chair. The dog moved without pause and jumped onto Jennifer’s lap. He planted his two front paws on her chest as his tiny pink tongue attacked his mistress’s face. His long tail was moving so fast and so hard the little dog almost tipped himself over.

Jennifer turned her head to avoid some of the slobbery onslaught but the little dog would not be deterred and he continued to kiss her.

Jennifer finally managed to get him to calm down and even though the kisses stopped his tail continued to shake vigorously. After a few more minutes he settled himself on her lap while Jennifer ran one hand up and down his back while the other scratched behind his ears.

She as she glanced up at Jonathan who was looking on with a bright smile. "I think he missed me."

‘It’s so good to see her smile like that.’ He thought.

Jennifer returned her attention to Freeway, "Did you miss me baby? Where you a good boy?" More doggie kisses. "Yes, I missed you too."

"Are you hungry darling? Tired?" asked Jonathan.

Jennifer continued to pet Freeway while she thought about it. "I’m not tired, but I could use a snack. And one with taste." She added wryly.

Jonathan smirked, "Does that mean that you’re not going to miss the hospital food?"

"Oh, is that what that was? I wasn’t sure if something without flavor could be considered food."

Jonathan grinned, "What do you want darling? What are you in the mood for?

She leaned back in her chair and considered it for a moment. "How about something Grecian? Gyros? Baklava sound good?"

"Whatever you want. But are sure don’t want something a little lighter? Chinese maybe? Or how about some good ole home cooking?"

"Whose home?" she asked carefully.

"I was thinking of calling Marie’s Kitchen." He answered wryly.

"It’s nothing personal darling." Said Jennifer sweetly.

"Don’t worry about it sweetheart. I know the feeling." He replied equally sweet.

Jennifer opened her mouth to respond and then closed it. She thought about it for a second, "What’s that supposed to mean?"

He grinned, "Nothing darling. I was just teasing, you know I love your cooking."

"Better then Marie’s?"

"Better then everyone’s." He answered in a matter of fact tone before kissing her on the forehead. "Should I call Lan or Marie?"

She eyed him for a minute. "Marie. I’ll take the specialty of the day and a piece of today’s pie for desert."

"Sounds good." Said Jonathan as he slid behind her and grasped the handles of the chair. "I’ll get you settled in the living room and then call in our order."

Jonathan pushed the chair into the living room and her heard Jennifer gasp when she saw the large assortment of flowers littering the room.

"Get well wishes from a few friends." Jonathan explained from behind her.

"More then a few." Said Jennifer as she looked around. "There must be three dozen arrangements here."

"The rest are in the kitchen, and on the patio."

"The rest?" asked Jennifer incredulously.

"So there are more then a few." Said Jonathan and he moved to the desk and retrieved a large pile of cards and notes. He handed them to Jennifer, "Here, you can look over these while I call Marie."

Jennifer accepted the cards with amazement in her eyes. "All right."

Jonathan leaned down and brushed his lips over his wife’s, "I love you and I’ll be right back."

"I love you too." Said Jennifer as her husband stood and then retreated into the kitchen to make that call.

Jennifer had read about five of the cards when Jonathan came back in from the kitchen with a glass of orange juice and two bottles of her medication.

"Here you go," he said handing her the glass and then twisting off the top of one of the bottles.

Jennifer accepted the glass and sighed, "Darling, these make me tired. And I really don’t want to go to sleep. It’s not even six o’clock yet."

Jonathan shook his head back and forth, "Not these, Elaine lowered the prescription. The muscle relaxors however, you still have to take at full strength."

"They make me moody."

"You’re cute when you’re moody. Here," and he handed her the twin sets of pills. "Marie said that it’ll be about a half an hour. I’m going to run upstairs and change. Will you be okay?"

Jennifer swallowed the pills and used the juice to wash them down, "I’ll be fine darling, go on ahead and change."

"I’ll be right back." Said Jonathan as he walked out of the living room and toward the steps.

Jennifer watched him go and then turned her attention back to the cards and notes that still sat on her lap. She had gone through two more when the telephone rang, interrupting her. She put the card back down in her lap, grasped the wheels to the chair and wheeled herself over to the desk in range of the phone and answered it.

The call was from one of the secretary’s at Hart Industries and Jennifer took down the message from Jonathan office. She had just hung up the phone when her husband walked back into the living room.

"Who was that darling?"

"Your office. Someone by the name of Cammi Nysedi is in town and would like to arrange a meeting with you regarding a job. She’s only going to be in town for a short while and would like to arrange a meeting tonight, if that’s possible. They left a number to her hotel room."

"Damn," cursed Jonathan.

"Jonathan, what’s wrong?"

"Nothing’s wrong darling, I just really wanted her for the position."

"What position?" asked Jennifer.

Jonathan perched himself on the ledge of the desk next to his wife, "An exec position. She comes very highly recommended and has a very impressive background."

"So call her and set up a meeting."

"Darling, I’m not going to leave you home alone right now."

"So invite her over here. I can camp out in the kitchen while you two have your little meeting." Said Jennifer easily and she reached up and held her husbands hand that was sitting on his thigh. "And Elaine will be here later anyway."

Jonathan squeezed her hand lightly, "Are you sure? Wouldn’t you rather have a quiet evening just relaxing?"

Jennifer smiled, "It’s fine darling. Elaine is probably going to send me to bed early anyway. You should set up the meeting."

He dipped his head in acknowledgement and smiled, "Okay, I’ll set up the meeting, but, it will be after I have seen to all of your needs."

"All I need is you." Said Jennifer seriously.

Jonathan leaned down and brushed his lips over hers, "The need is very, very mutual my love."

Jennifer kissed him back, "I love you… so much."

"I love you too darling, more then anything."

The doorbell rang interrupting the couple and with a sigh Jonathan released his wife’s hand and moved to answer it. He reappeared a minute later with two bags of containers containing the best home cooking in Los Angeles.

"Where do you want to eat darling?" he asked.

Jennifer considered it, "How about on the patio? I could use some fresh air."

Jonathan nodded, "I’ll get us set up and I’ll be back in a minute." He then disappeared through the kitchen door and Jennifer could hear him preparing for their meal.

Jennifer moved the large pile of cards and notes from her lap to the desk before she placed her hands on the wheel of her chair and wheeled herself into the kitchen. Jonathan was standing at one of the counters in the large kitchen and was transferring the food from the ‘to go’ containers to regular tableware. He looked up and smiled at her when she came to a stop across from him.

"What would you like to drink, darling?" he asked.

Being seated in the chair Jennifer noticed that the counter was nearly eye level with her new height and she frowned. "How about a glass of wine?" she asked already knowing the answer.

Jonathan gave her a sad smile, "Sorry darling, nothing alcoholic with your medication. How about juice? Iced tea maybe? A glass of milk always goes good with home cooking."

"Milk sounds fine." She replied knowing it was the answer he wanted. "I’ll be on the patio. Don’t forget to call the woman about that exec position." She threw over her shoulder as she wheeled herself out the back and onto the patio. She noticed the wide assortment of flowers that were obviously sympathy gifts disguised as get well wishes and she pointedly ignored them as she wheeled herself to the table. She didn’t want sympathy. Aside from the use of her legs again, she wasn’t sure what she did want – but she knew that it wasn’t sympathy.

Jennifer parked her chair and locked the brakes to keep it from moving. She sat facing the large backyard and gardens that sat behind the house. But her eyes were not on the greenery of the yard – but looking down. She was looking down at legs that no longer obeyed her commands, legs that defied the task that they had always performed and it was painfully obvious how easily one could take advantage of something so valuable.

She took her arms from the armrests and ran her hands up and down her legs. Nothing. Her hands felt the warmth of the skin underneath, but her legs gave no indication of being touched. She continued to look at her legs – willing them to move again… but nothing.

"Jennifer?"

Jonathan’s voice pulled her from her musings and she looked up to see her husband standing beside her as he placed her food on the table next to her.

"Yes?" she asked.

"Are you all right? You looked like you were a million miles away."

‘Well if I was I certainly didn’t walk there.’ Thought Jennifer sullenly as she looked back her legs. Her eyes then moved up to the meal in front of her and she realized that she wasn’t hungry after all - but she knew that she would have to eat. If not for herself then for Jonathan.

"Did Marie send along an appetizer?" she asked.

Jonathan looked at her for a long moment before nodding, "Yes, we have soup and salad. Do you want some?"

Jennifer pointed to her plate with her chin, "I think that might be a bit much. I wouldn’t mind the soup though. Please."

"Sure," said Jonathan easily. "One bowl of clam chowder coming right up." He picked up the plate and moved back into the kitchen.

‘Come on Jennifer.’ She chastised herself inwardly. ‘You agreed not to do this until after you found out if it was permanent or not. You’re only going to drive yourself crazy and upset Jonathan, who is just trying so hard.’

Jennifer sighed and ran her hands over her face. She pulled her hands away and took a deep breath. "I can do this. One day at a time… I can do this."

‘But why does it have to be so hard?’ she asked herself. ‘Stop it! You have two month’s to go. It hasn’t even been one week and you’re already giving up.’

"Here you go." Came Jonathan’s voice from behind her as he approached with bowl and set it on the table next to her. "One bowl of homemade clam chowder with crackers. Just the way you like it."

Jennifer looked up at her husband and saw the worry in his eyes and she forced a smile, "Thanks. It looks good."

Jonathan breathed a sigh of relief when Jennifer smiled, "I’ll go get your milk and then call Ms. Nysedi about that position. You sit here and relax and I’ll join you in a couple of minutes."

"All right." Said Jennifer as Jonathan moved back into the house for her drink. He reappeared a moment later and sat the glass on the table. He gave her shoulder a quick squeeze before going back into the house.

Jennifer turned her head and watched him walk away. ‘I wonder how he’s really taking this?’ She sighed and turned back around and looked at her soup. It certainly looked good and she decided that she’d give it a shot. Jennifer unlocked the brakes on her chair and repositioned it so that she was facing the table.

She picked up her spoon and tasted the chowder. It was delicious and her mouth practically watered at the second bite. She was halfway through the soup when Jonathan emerged from the house with a plate in one hand and a drink in the other.

"Well?" prompted Jennifer.

"She’ll be here around eight. I also called Elaine and she said that she’s on her way. So that works out pretty good." Said Jonathan as he sat down at the table across from his wife. "Do you have room for more or are you good with the soup? Marie’s special was chicken and dumplings with all of the trimmings."

"No thank you, this is fine." Said Jennifer and she put down her spoon and picked up her milk.

Jonathan regarded her intently and asked delicately, "Are you all right?"

Jennifer looked away and seemed to study her milk, she sighed and then looked up. "Yeah, I am. I’m just a little… bummed… I guess." She gave him a lopsided smile, "The pills don’t make it easy. I’m sure I’ll be fine as soon as Elaine gets here and gives me a good, swift kick in the pants. In the meantime, I think I’ll go and return the calls to some of my get well wishers."

"Okay darling," said Jonathan as he watched Jennifer wheel her chair through the backdoor and into the house.

He leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. ‘How are we ever going to get through this one?’

Continue on to Part Four

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