Willow woke up the next morning, well, afternoon really. She slept in super late. Three visitors had stopped by to see if she was okay, only to find her asleep.
Only one visitor refused to leave until she woke up. And he was there when she did. Her eyes fluttered open and she looked around the room, then slightly smiled.
She tried to talk, remembering that she can't. Then she wrote on her notebook.
Hi, Jake.
Jake smiled. "Hey, willow. How ya feeling?"
Okay... my throat hurts a little, but otherwise okay.
Jake's smile faded. "It really sucks about your leg."
Willow looked confused. Tony and Ziva's eyes widened. Jake put a hand over his mouth. "You didn't know?" He looked at tony and ziva. "You didn't tell her???"
Willow wrote furiously, tell me what?!
Tony took willow's hand, which she quickly snatched away. "Willow, don't you feel it?"
Willow was confused, then she understood. She could feel anything on her right leg. Anything and everything. But when she tried to notice things touching her left leg, she was surprised to feel nothing.
She flipped the blankets up. Her foot was there, but she couldn't feel it. She looked at jake, panicked and confused. Then she tried to talk again.
If you've ever heard a deaf-mute person trying to speak as they communicated, that's what she sounded like. Only certain syllables came out.
It sounded more like, "Uh oh nnn aw"
Willow obviously hurt as she spoke. Her throat was so sore and scratchy. Jake tried to read her lips. He saw what he thought was 'what's going on?'
"Your left leg is paralyzed. The nerves in it were damaged... there's no hope for recovery..."
Willow leaned her head back. Her heart rate monitor sped up as she felt panicked. She worked out saying, "nnnnoh!"
Ziva put a hand on hers. "Don't try to talk, honey. You'll only hurt yourself more."
Willow started to cry. Jake held her hand and kissed it. "I'm so sorry..."
Willow shook her head as if to shut him up. Her whole life was going to change.
~~~~
Three weeks later
~~~
Willow was given a brace and took physical therapy to learn to use it better. She could walk about normal speed but no faster. And the brace was bulky and uncomfortable unless it had a special sleeve on her leg.
She went back to school, but still hadn't said a word. Her throat hurt and she didn't want to try to use it. The doctor was surprised it was taking as long as it was. She should've gotten some back at least by now.
Jake walked next to her on the way into her therapy office. They held hands with interlocked fingers. Willow leaned on his shoulder a little.
Tony and ziva couldn't always make it to the sessions, so Jake would substitute, being there for support. They walked into the office and sat in the chairs.
Dr. Schemas walked in and clears his throat. "Ah, willow. Is it time already?"
Willow nodded. The doctor moved closer and removed the brace. He removed the sleeve too, examining the bare skin.
He tested a few things. Miraculously she had gained a little bit more feeling in her knee. since only the bottom half of her leg was paralyzed, it was easier to make a brace for it.
The doctor put the sleeve back on. Then he took the brace into another room. Willow looked confused. He returned with it.
"I tweaked it a little. It will be harder to walk on, but it will train your muscles. Not to worry. I am sure you'll be great."
Willow wasn't sure as he strapped on the new brace. Them he leaned back. "Willow, before we try this, I'd like to focus on why you aren't talking a little yet."
Willow shrugged her shoulders.
"Does it really hurt?"
Willow motioned a "so-so" motion.
"Are you afraid?"
Willow clearly hesitated, then shook her head.
"Willow, I need you to focus on your voice. Try to speak for me. Say your name."
Willow looked over at Jake, unsure, then back to the doctor. Her lips pressed together to.make a 'W', but it hurt a little when she put pressure on it, so she stopped.
She took out her little notebook and scribbled.
I can't.
"Yes you can, willow." She didn't respond well the the doctor's pushing, so he stopped. "All right... we will try again another time. Practice for me. Alright, let's try your leg."
He helped willow to stand. As soon as she put weight on her leg, her knee bent and she grabbed on to the doctor's arm. Jake ran to her side.
She made a grunting noise in pain. Her knee was feeling pain. The doctor rubbed willow's hand. "It is going to feel a little sore.."
Willow felt hot tears burning at her eyes. She tried again, but fell down completely. She looked to Jake with pleading eyes.
Jake looked at the doctor "make it like it was before. Loosen it or whatever."
"Look, sir, she needs this. She needs to get stronger."
Willow grabbed Jake's hand. He looked at the doctor. "Now."
The doctor sighed. He fixed the brace. So much for Willow's Recovery.
