She's Coming Home

PT

Kate- ok, let's start by just seeing what you can do on your own.
I move my head a bit and try moving my arms again which is the same as earlier, my whole body tenses and my arms pull up to my chest.
Kate- ok so you definitely have high muscle tone. We're going to do some stretches now.
They start stretching out my arms and moving them around, then start trying to move my wrists and open up my hands which are really tight and only open a bit. It's really uncomfortable and a bit painful when they're pulling on my tight muscles and when they stop I'm sore. They move on to my legs which I haven't really been able to move at all. My ankles have been bent so my toes are pointed and when they start trying to get them straight it hurts. By the end of the stretches I'm crying.

Liam- ok, that's all the stretches for today, I know it's hard but if we don't do it you'll just get tighter and it will hurt more.
I glare at him, ya right he knows. He has no clue what it's like to go from being a first responder to being unable to move or talk or breathe or the pain of all your tight muscles being pulled on.
Kate- we're going to take measurements now so we can set up a wheelchair for you to try and we're going to measure your wrists and hands so we can get you fitted with some braces to keep them in a better position.
They get all the measurements and then finally leave me alone. I close my eyes as soon as they leave.

Nat POV
I walked by Gabby's room and saw about to start PT. I was surprised there was no one with her but then I got a text from Antonio "Gabby kicked us out for PT, can you keep an eye on her and let me know when she's done". I told him I would and went to check on some patients.
I walked by Gabby's room again later and saw the PTs trying to get her ankles to bend and then saw Gabby start crying. I left, she didn't want people watching this, that's why she made everyone leave. The next time I checked her therapist we're just leaving and she had her eyes closed so I went in to check on her.
Nat- hey Gabby, how are you feeling?
She opened her eyes and looked at me, I could tell she was still in pain but trying not to cry in front of me.
Nat- Gabby, it's ok to cry, it's ok to struggle and be in pain. Recovery is hard, no one is going to think you're weak, you're the strongest person any of us know.
She started crying again.
Nat- Antonio wanted to know when you were finished, are you ok with him coming to back?
She looked away, which seemed to mean no
Nat- ok, I'll tell him you're finished but need to rest. Is there anyone you want to see.
She looked at a toy Shay had left and at the 51 symbol on her bag
Nat- I know you miss Shay and want her here but is there anyone else I could call for you?
She looked away then back at me
Nat- want me to stay?
She looked at me again
Nat- ok, I can stay as long as you want.
Eventually she fell asleep. I texted Antonio
N- "PT didn't go well, she was really upset and didn't want people to see her, I just got her to sleep again. I don't think she's up for any visitors"
A- "what happened?"
N- "I don't think she'd want me to tell you, she didn't even want me here. She's wanting Shay again, she seems to think that's the only person who'd get it."
A- "ok, thanks for the update"

Antonio POV
I decided to text the chief and then head over to 51.
A- "hey, Gabby's not up for any visitors right now, I'm coming by the house to talk to everyone"

All the rigs were there when I got to 51, good everyone should be here. I head inside.

Antonio- hey guys
Sev- hey! What are you doing here! How's Gabby?
Antonio- come on, I want to talk to everyone, they'll all want to know.
Severide called everyone to the common room.

Antonio- hey, Gabby's doing alright, she's been awake quite a bit today. She had more tests and scans and then PT today. She's already doing a bit better on her neuro checks, she's still on the vent but she can breathe on her our for a few seconds before her SATs start dropping. She can't talk or move yet but it's definitely the same Dawson we all know, memory and personality are fine, she's perfected the Gabby Dawson glare and was rolling her eyes at her doctor this morning.
Hermann- that's our girl!
Antonio- apparently PT did not go well and she's been really upset since. She misses Shay and thinks she's the only one who'd understand so I'm on a mission that I hope you can help with
Sev- what do you need?
Antonio- I'm trying to find a firefighter, preferably a woman, who had a brain injury who will come talk to Gabby. I think it would help her a lot to talk to someone who understands.
Stella- I'm on it, I've got lots of connection to female firefighters and I can get girls on fire to help.
Brett- I'll help too
Sev- we all will, but I think the girls will be the most successful!
Antonio- thanks everyone
Brett- when can we see her
Antonio- I don't know, probably not today. Nat said she didn't want to see anyone and wouldn't tell me much else. I'll let you know. Matt could I talk to you alone for a minute before I leave?
Matt- sure
Antonio- bye guys
(Everyone says bye or waves)

Matt- what?
Antonio- she can't talk and probably won't be able to for a while still and I haven't had a chance to talk to her about how she wants to introduce you but I think they're going to try some sort of communication system so I'll let you know what happens.
Matt- ok, thanks.
I understand why he's mad but I hope he doesn't freak out at Gabby, she doesn't need anything else to worry about.