When We Were 'Us'

Getting Schooled- Percy POV

"Are we sure she's qualified?"

I shrugged. "She's got two PhDs. I don't, neither do you, I'm not gonna question it."

Luke eyed the little girl looking over the files on her desk, and raised his eyebrows at me.

"With your injuries and the power we have behind us, this should be completely do-able." Valerie spoke up. "The question will become whether or not it will work fully. From what I see it's a surgery that has never been performed on spinal nerves."

"Right. Hidgens and I found a couple cases of it being used on people's hands or feet, but nothing with main body nerves. I figured if I got the information then you would see what could be done."

"That is extremely dangerous in surgical situations." Valerie said flatly.

Luke sighed, leaning on the arm of his wheelchair. "Really, what's the worst that could happen?"

Valerie shrugged. "The paralysis moves up your back a few inches. Haley was very insightful to bring you here for this procedure, the other doctors at Camp Jupiter are extremely well-versed."

"Whatever you say, Doc."

She didn't seem amused by the response. Shuffling the papers, she stood and walked to the other side of the room.

"We do have to discuss side effects, and what the surgery will do."

Luke looked like he was going to make a smart-aleck comment, but I caught his eye and shook my head sharply. Not the time. He grumbled to himself under his breath.

Valerie turned around, holding another sheet. "We're going to be keeping you at least a week after the surgery. We need to make sure that the connection we are going to remake with the torn nerves stays."

"Wait, you're saying it could undo itself?"

She shrugged. "The human body is tediously stubborn. With how long you have been paralyzed, the nerves in your back might have moved elsewhere and they won't like being put back into the place they should be."

Luke grunted.

"In the week you are here, we will be using a nectar infused medication mix that should speed up the healing process just enough to get you on your feet once or twice before you leave. In that time we will also be training Will Solace in the specific physical therapy you will need to do."

Valerie set the papers she'd collected on the desk. "I don't think you'll ever be able to get your full range and capability of motion back, your nerves have been damaged for a very long time, but you will be able to walk. Maybe to fight. It is all going to depend on how badly you want it."

"Well I really want it." Luke sat up. "I'd like to be able to walk again."

"This isn't a matter of what you're thinking. The rehab is going to hurt. You are retraining the entire lower half of your body. You are going to be in pain more often than not and it will take a lot of effort for you to even be capable of crossing a room."

"That's fine. No one is new to excruciating, torturous, ungodly levels of pain here."

I snorted at the comment. Still don't miss that feeling.

Valerie nodded and consulted another folder on her desk. "Once we find a donor we should be ready to go."

I raised my eyebrows. "A donor?"

"With as long as the surgery is going to take, we'd like to have a blood donor on site in case something goes wrong."

I nodded. "Okay... can I help?"

"Do you know your blood type?"

"Um. No."

Valerie rolled her eyes. "Then no. Unless you are the universal donor or Mr. Castellan's blood type, it wouldn't help. Speaking of which, Mr. Castellan, do you know your blood type?"

Luke snorted. "Hades no. Why would I know that?"

"I figured as much." Valerie sighed.

"Considering-"

"What needs to be done about it?" I interjected, cutting off the no doubt stupid pun that was about to be made. I wasn't sure how I knew it was coming, I could just feel it.

"Well, we'll run a test before starting the surgery, in this large a camp we should have a surplus of every blood type..."

"It will be a matter of whether or not they like needles." I chuckled. Valerie nodded absentmindedly and I stood up. "Is there anything else I can do to help?"

"No. You can go, and take him with you to the main desk." She waved a hand at Luke. "Tell them we need blood tests done for the Greek surgery, they'll know what you're talking about."

[A/N I HAVE NO CLUE IF THIS SURGERY WOULD ACTUALLY WORK ON SOMEONE'S SPINE, I JUST KNOW IT'S BEEN DONE ON HANDS]