One Day At a Time ✔️

Ch. 66 Another Day At The Pool

Sideswipe’s P.O.V.
I don’t know why they’re pissed I don’t stay in the medbay. Jamie is not happy with the situation and they’re struggling to keep her relaxed. Add trying to avoid the tubes being ripped out. I’m hoping my idea to approach therapy as play will work now that Jamie isn’t terrified of the pool. Other than that, this is a challenge. 
“Where have you been?” Sunstreaker scolds.
“Getting dinner and cookies. Seriously, not like I’m going to do better than her guardians.”
“I’m not sure how much help this has been, but I’m thinking more friends supporting her recovery could help,” Drift explains, “even if it’s already been four months, and Jamie is agitated.”
I know Drift didn’t like saying ‘four months’. Realizing how long it’s been since Jamie awoke from the coma, and it’s been six since we found her.

Jamie likes what I got for dinner, and that I got cookies. I know this isn’t helping her mood much, but it’s something. I also have my PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch in my subspace. Hoping to keep her busy until bed. Watching T.V. also works, which is why I don’t understand why art with Sunstreaker isn’t working.
I suspect she’s thinking we’re supposed to be training together. Sunstreaker says through the bond.
She’s not liking how long recovery is taking. Though she should know the state she was in takes time to get to full health. I don’t know if talking to her will do anything.

“I’m not sure if that’ll do anything,” Ratchet says, “she’s tired of not being able to do any training. Knowing how weak she is.”
None of us like this. We’re going to have a problem if she’s going to refuse to do any therapy. After we deal with Jamie being sick again. Ratchet isn’t sure if Jamie can recover sooner than a month this time.

Drift’s P.O.V.
“Second-guessing the medic?” Crosshairs jokes, seeing me listening to Jamie’s breathing.
“Of course not. I just want to hear for myself.”
He also wants to listen.
“It’s clearing up, but I worry...”
“When do we not worry about her? Crosshairs asks, “but not like this. I hope never to see her put through this again.”

Even with the immune boost infusions, Jamie still struggled with pneumonia for a month. Ratchet noticed the infusions helped, but not enough with how Jamie’s health is. He wants to continue the infusions. Jamie isn’t thrilled with the central line, but we can’t continue the current infusion schedule with a typical IV.
Ratchet let us take Jamie back to our room a week ago, which helped her mood a little.  She’s still struggling with how quickly she tires. For now, Crosshairs and I believe she’s still recovering from being sick, but we know she’s still underweight. Sideswipe has been coming to our room to play video games with Jamie.

Sunstreaker has been trying to figure out how to make the pool fun.
“It’s easier than trying to make the training room fun,” he explains, “but I don’t know how successful this will be.”
He shows us what Ratchet gave him. Janie could get a workout as she would in the training room and build strength.

Sunstreaker’s P.O.V.
I wish there was something else we could do. Part of the issue is Jamie is underweight, but getting to her proper weight will not be enough for her to get back to training like she was. She has to start over. Years of training gone. There’s worse, like the scientists’ invention not working and Jamie being weaker than she is. Ratchet has told us without the invention, Jamie would be in a wheelchair for months before walking again rather than the decision it’s better for her with the trach to limit walking. She was walking all the time after the trach removal, but has been stuck in bed for the past month..
“I think we can go to the pool today,” Drift tells me, “though we might not be in the pool for long.”
We decide now is a good time. The three of them will be down in the pool room in twenty minutes. Hopefully, Sideswipe will come with me.

Crosshairs’ P.O.V.
I can’t believe Sunstreaker hasn’t left to find Megatron. I’m about ready to find that fragger myself, but I need to stay here for Drift and Jamie. Jamie is getting more agitated with her recovery. Now the damn central line.
Hopefully, the pool will make her feel better.

Sideswipe got some pool noodles and a lounge float. Ratchet got some pool physical therapy equipment from the hospital. We have a plan, but aware this will not work if Jamie is not happy with this, and that we are still working on her fear of being in the deep water.
“That’s fine, there are still exercises we can do,”
Sunstreaker comments.
Few, though. Sunstreaker knows this will turn into getting Jamie deeper into the pool without the lifejacket.

I didn’t think Drift would actually carry Jamie into the pool without putting the life jacket on her. I don’t think this is wise even if it’s showing she can trust us and the pool is safe. Jamie isn’t panicking, but once Drift lets go.  Even the twins look at what he’s doing, worried.

Drift puts Jamie on the lounge float Sideswipe got and goes deeper into the water while holding Jamie’s hand.
“Look, I’m safe,” he tells her as he goes deeper into the water.

Drift waits a few minutes to hold Jamie in the deeper water. She doesn’t panic as the two are in the water up to their shoulders.
“I’m hoping we were dealing with the fear of the first time, you know?* Sunstreaker whispers.
“Yeah, but it’s different because she remembers what those so-called doctors did. This could be easy now that she understands she’s safe, or we’ll have to go slow.”
I’m not sure what Drift is planning, I just hope this doesn’t result in Jamie being afraid of him, the twins, and me.