Return to sender

Baby steps

Sitting in the soulless canteen in the middle of a snowy night, two men shared a tea and discussed the harsh reality of your condition, what to expect and certain important pieces of information. Given the length of time you'd been laid down, despite the regular flexing exercises Levi had administered, your physical strength would be weakened, a small percentage of your muscle mass having been diminished and it would take time and energy to build that up once more. The mental side was less predictable, bouts of confusion and anger likely along with flashbacks and perhaps depression over your altered state, uphill struggle on the horizon to return you to normal and even 'normal' may not ever be attained in the end.

"So what next?"

"Well Levi, she's being taken for a scan as we speak so I need to assess any damage from the accident. Once I know that, we can move on."

"I see." Sipping his drink as if just chatting about the weather, the pale man used his coping method of affected lethargy to get through this, distancing himself with a look of pure disinterest in the hope it may calm his racing heart and soothe his troubled mind. "And when will that be?"

"I think..." The doctor checked his watch, frowning down. "...she'll be out now so I should get the results in less than half an hour."

"How long to make a prognosis?"

"Same time again, give or take. I'm good but not that good." Trying to lighten the atmosphere, the medic sighed. "Put it this way, (F/N)'s coherent enough to hold a conversation so at least you won't have to sit there alone and talk to yourself anymore." Silver laced with white glared over, joke considered and digested before responding in a deeper way than he'd imagined possible.

"I've been talking to (F/N) for three weeks. I wasn't alone."

Silence descended and the two males absorbed that last declaration, quiet and respectful moment shared before more knowledge was imparted.

"She might not be the same, Levi."

"I realise that." Enough of his own research had been carried out and in the end he'd stopped reading it all, dire tales of failed recovery weighing heavy on his mind. Of course the internet was a great place to find the worst possible scenarios - no one bothered posting a tale that was pretty much vanilla, it was always one extreme or the other and he tried to keep that in the fore. Sensing unrest, the doctor spoke softly.

"Want to go back?"

"Please."

On returning to what had been both of your homes recently, Levi was pleasantly surprised to see you upright, padded pillows propped behind your head to angle you like a conscious person should be. Smiling gently, he watched you sleeping and gave a small huff - napping already after such a long slumber. This was to be expected too, frequent energy saving instances as your body regained strength, filed and categorised what had gone on and set you on the road to making sense of it all. The read-outs on the machine were steady and full of activity, your flickering lids telling of a deep dream and he frowned, speaking to Hange who had been finishing off perfunctory duties.

"How do we know she's just asleep? Not slipped back again?"

"Good question! Here." White lines that peaked and troughed were tapped. "Remember before, these were less spiky?"

"Mmm hmm?"

"This shows increased brain functions that we see in REM sleep so it's just a light one, she'll be awake soon."

Trusting the professional, he nodded and stroked errant hair away, slight twitch from you in response to the gentle action.

"When can I take her home?"