The Altruistic Pilot: A Jake Seresin TopGun fan fiction

Chapter 18

The next morning, I'm slow to get up and ready. I had sat up all night going over the events of the previous day, unable to decide if they improved my mood or worsened it.
      Jake was back in my life and that was cause to be happy and grateful, but now I had to learn a whole new Jake. He isn't the same guy who I loved long ago. He's not even the same guy who came back a few months ago prepared to give it his all in a suicide mission. This Jake was completely new; it's going to be difficult to discover how to earn his trust all over again.
      It takes longer then I'd like, but eventually I get myself into a clean pair of leggings and an old baggy shirt. I pull my dirty hair into a bun on the top of my head and forgo putting on any makeup. Jake has seen me without it enough times, and right now, looking nice for him is low on my list. By the time I make it downstairs, Bob is already moving about the kitchen pouring himself a cup of coffee.
"Morning, want some?" He asks, about to pull a clean mug down from a shelf. He's only wearing a white t-shirt and a pair of Navy sweatpants, definitely not his usual attire when he goes out.
"Are you not going to the hospital today?" I ask, regretting the slight panic that strikes me at going to see Jake alone. Unsurprisingly, Bob picks up on it instantly.
"No, figured it would be good for you and Jake to have some time alone. I think you guys could really benefit from it." He says as he fills the second mug.
I didn't want to consider if he is right or not. All I know is that Jake is more comfortable with him there. I start to shake my head, but before I can say anything, Bob is holding up his hand to stop me.
"I'm just saying, I think it would be best if you guys spent some time one on one to rekindle your relationship. If things aren't going well or if you need to tap out for a little then feel free to call me." He walks past me, giving my shoulder a quick reassuring pat.
      I wish his words reassured me more then they did. At least he was available to call if I needed him.
     "What are you and Nat going to do today?" I ask, whirling around, attempting to keep the conversation going a bit longer.
      "Probably not much. We've been pretty busy recently, so a day to sit at home and relax is exactly what we need I think."
      I nod, agreeing. They really did deserve a day to just be with each other and relax. It wasn't fair that I was already plotting when exactly I would be calling Bob in to take over.
      Truthfully I had no idea why the idea of going to see Jake again was fueling me with so much anxiety. We had talked things through. Things were better now. But that was last night, and this is today. My heart rate picks up slightly.
      Bob, who I had momentarily forgotten was standing there, clears his throat.
      "Just do exactly what you did last night. You don't have to go back to being his girlfriend, just start with being a friend and go from there. He just needs support right now, and frankly you are the best one to give it. So take a deep breath, go get yourself and him some breakfast, and try to have a nice day." He placed his hand on my shoulder again and gives it a reassuring squeeze before turning around, two coffee mugs in hand, and disappears upstairs.
      I force myself to move. I feed Dax, take him for a short walk, then gather my things and head out the door.
      For once, I was hoping to be stopped at the hundreds of stoplights I pass, but of course, every one of them remained green my entire drive. The drive to the rehab center was the quickest it had been. Maybe it was the universe's way of telling me things were going to be okay today. At least I prayed that's what it meant.
      Once inside, I headed to the front desk to check in. The pen shook slightly in my hand as I struggled to write my name down.
      "Lieutenant Seresin is currently at his physical therapy appointment. You're welcome to meet him there, as he should be done soon, or go wait in his room." The lady behind the front desk tells me after reading the name for the person I'm here to see.
      "Uh, can you tell me which way it is to his physical therapy?" I ask awkwardly.
      "Sure." As she explains the path I need to take to get to the gym, I try and calm my nerves further. I'm almost to where I'm feeling normal, but there's still a fluttering in my stomach that's making me uneasy.
       I give the lady a quick thanks before venturing off down the path she instructed.
      The gym isn't what I had expected. Instead of a wood floored large room, this gym was a large open area with various workout equipment grouped around. There was an entire row of tables to my left with various people laid on top while doctors worked around them. To my right there was several large open areas sectioned off by tiny cones on the floor. Each area had different equipment like yoga balls and foam blocks at various heights. Overall the gym didn't seem very crowded, making it easy to spot Jake towards the back.
      He wore a pair of black joggers with a plain grey shirt. His hair looks like it hasn't been washed in a few days, but his face also looked to be freshly shaven. His wheelchair was placed between two hand railings that were a little further then shoulders width apart. He was deep in conversation with a man in black scrubs that stood in front of him, also between the railings. While the man talked, Jake kept his head down. As I moved closer, I could see the sweat that dropped down his red face. He looked completely exhausted.
      By now, I was standing almost completely beside them. The man gave me a quick acknowledging nod, before turning back to Jake. Jake followed his gaze until his eyes met mine. He was breathing too heavily to say anything, but he managed a tired half smile before dropping his head again. My heart still clenched slightly at his effort. At least he wasn't ushering me away.
      "Just one more Jake, I know you're tired, but let's just do it one more time, come on." The man encouraged. Jake looked to me again.
      "You can do it," I tell him, my voice barely a whisper.
      He seems to hear the words regardless.
      I watch as his arms reach up to either side of the railing; already they seemed to be shaking from the overexertion.
      "Good, feet flat," the man instructs. He kneels down in front of Jake's chair and grabs hold of what looks like a belt around Jake's waist. " On three." His instructor starts to count. After the countdown, Jake uses all his strength to pull himself into a standing position. The therapist pulls the belt on his waist to help, but once Jake seems more steady on his feet, he lightens the amount of support he's offering.
       Jake keeps his eyes focused straight ahead as his face grows more and more red.  His arms shake with the effort of holding his body weight up. His legs, while unsteady, seem to be providing some support.
       "Good, now breathe," the therapist demands. Jake seems to realize he's been holding his breath and exhales. More sweat beads on his forehead.
       Seeing him there, standing, is almost surreal. It's frustrating how surprising I find it. We had all become so used to seeing him confined to a chair that to see him actually standing on his own felt wrong. I couldn't be happier to see it though. He looked like the Jake I remembered and my heart swelled. The effort was exhausting to him, that's for sure, but it seemed to be paying off as his legs finally supported his weight.
       "Good, really good Seresin. Let's have a seat now, nice and easy." He grabs a hold of Jakes belt tightly and guides him back down. Jake hits the chair with a thud as his arms finally gave way from the effort. I wonder how long they've been at it to make himself this exhausted.
       Jake leans forward to catch his breath, leaning his shaking arms on my his knees. His therapist claps him on the shoulder.
       "That was really good work today, keep up this new found attitude you got and you'll be back on your feet in no time. Need me to get someone to help you to your room?" He asks Jake.
      "I've got him," I say quickly interjecting.
      "Alright then," he claps Jake's shoulder once more before turning and walking away. I take a few steps closer.
       "Hey," Jake says. He's covered in sweat and panting, but he looks both happy and surprised to see me.
       "That was amazing Jake." I tell him, unable to suppress my shock. "I can't believe you've made that much progress."
       "Not as amazing as walking would be, but I guess it's a step in the right direction." He tosses a water bottle into his lap, then moves to grab the wheels of his chair. He stops short the minute his grip fails to grab the wheels. I can tell his exhausted arms don't have the strength to propel him forward. "Um could you... ," he trails off uncomfortably.
       I walk behind him to where I can grab the handles of his chair and start pushing him out of the railings. I let him direct me on where exactly to go to get back to his room.
      By the time we make it back, his arms have regained enough energy to move himself about the small space. He makes his way over to the dresser and pulls out some clean clothes before wheeling over to the bathroom.
     "You care if I shower? I'll be quick."
      "No, go ahead, I'll just hang out here," I tell him awkwardly, sitting down on the ugly green couch. He gives an uncomfortable smile before closing the bathroom door behind him.
      Things felt odd. His entire personality had made a complete flip. We had just been called in here because of how depressed and worried the staff was about him. Either his therapist had exaggerated how bad he was, or me being here truly helped. I took it with a grain of salt though. I had thought I was helping before when in reality all I had done was cause more damage. This time I had to be careful. He had already made such an improvement overnight, I didn't want that ruined.
      After a few minutes of sitting there in silence, my phone dinged. I grabbed it quickly, grateful for the distraction it gave me from my thoughts.