Levi's POV...

I'm feeling quite motivated after our love making this morning. I was feeling brave and a bit proud of myself after showing her how capable I am of pleasing her the ways I know I can. More like the ways I used to be able to easily before my accident. These pills are working, which makes me feel somewhat confused and angry as to why Charlotte is so against me taking them. If they are going to make me better, why would she want to let me suffer.

Lance understands how I feel, I need to find him before my therapy today. He lives up on the 7th floor of this apartment building. One day I saw him struggling to carry grocery bags into the elevator with a pair of crutches and full leg cast on his right leg. I decided to help him and he in turn decided to help me. Come to find out, he couldn't tolerate the Oxycodone his doctor prescribed him for pain, so he gave the bottle to me. Said he would refill it for me too if I need it. He must've noticed how pitiful I look trying to maneuver around half paralyzed.

The door across the hall opens at the same time I step out of my apartment. Shit!

"Hey, Levi! Where you headed this morning?"

"Morning Jake," I nod at him. "On my way to therapy, you?"

"I'll walk there with you. I have a session this morning as well." He smiles at me and begins walking down the hall, thinking I'm going to follow him.

"Actually, I need to meet with someone first, but I'll meet you there in about an hour?" It comes out sounding more like a hopeful question. I'm not ready to tell him about Lance yet.  Jake would disapprove as much as Charlotte would.

"Ya man, sounds good, see you soon," he says while continuing down the hallway.

I walk much slower than usual, making sure that Jake has rounded the corner before I get into the elevator to the 7th floor.

Instead of knocking on door number #701, I trip on the floor mat and fall into the door with a loud thud. Dammit, I didn't pick up my leg high enough. I need to be more careful.

Lance opens the door. He's unable to hide the surprised look on his bearded face as he watches me scramble to stand up straight. "Lance," is all I manage to say as I adjust my left leg.

"Levi," he retorts while giving me a look of concern.

"Would you like to come in before you try and break down my door again?"

"Ha, Ha, Ha," I smile at his banter and make my way inside.

Lance crutches his way over to his kitchen counter to retrieve an orange pill bottle. I reach into my pocket to pull out some cash.

"I'm sorry man, this is the last time I'm allowed a refill. My doctor put me on a pain patch. Fentanyl." He lifts up his sleeve revealing a small transparent patch on his upper bicep.

"Seems to be working," he shrugs.

"Thanks Lance. I should be good after this bottle. The pain is gone and I'm having very few spasms. I'm getting a smaller brace today, so you've been a great help."

He's staring at me like he's not convinced.

"I'm doing great, really! Things are moving along much easier now."

"Sure, looks it the way you tried barreling into my apartment moments ago," he tries joking with me again. I appreciate his humor.

I hand him the cash and he hands me over the bottle. "We'll go out for a few drinks as soon as you get that cast off," I tell him, focusing on lifting my left foot high enough so I don't trip in front of him.

"Looking forward to it," he says just before I get out into the hall.

Feeling relieved, I quickly dry swallow a pill before shoving the bottle into my pocket. The distance to the rehab center isn't far but it sure does feel far when I have to step with a straight leg.

Halfway there I decide to unhinge my brace so I have full range of motion. Why the hell not right! Charlotte's giving me a new brace today anyway. I slowly straighten myself up, making sure my leg can hold most of my weight but still leaning heavily on my crutch. So far so good, I think.

Moving my crutch forward, I pick up my left leg, bending at the knee and swing my foot forward in an awkward manner before planting it down on the ground. My right leg catches up and I take another equally awkward step with my left.  My left arm beginning to spasm now from trying to hold myself up with the crutch. "Fuck!"

A few people stop walking and look at me. They're unsure of what to do after my outburst. I'm sure they want to help, but I don't need the pity.

"Move on," I blurt out without thinking. I know that was rude and uncharacteristic of me. Right now, I don't care.  I take a deep breath and then sigh. Running my hand through my hair a few times realizing that my leg isn't ready for a short brace yet. "Ugh!" That comes out loud, earning me a few more stares.

With my head hanging low from defeat, I lock my brace to keep my knee from bending and continue the rest of the way to therapy. I don't greet anyone when I arrive. I head straight to the gym. Derek is following behind keeping quiet. He's assessing my mood and contemplating his next move...smart.

Deciding that stretching would be the best option for me at this time, I plop myself down onto the cushioned floor mat and remove my leg brace completely. Derek kneels beside me and places one hand under my left calf and the other hand gripping my heel. I lay with my back against the mat while Derek proceeds to move and stretch my muscles.

"What's got you all fired up today?" I ignore his question.

"Ah, so that's how it's gonna be today. Okay." He continues to stretch my leg and I inhale a painful breath when he pushes my knee up towards my chest.

"Damn Levi, your muscles are tight. Did you stretch this morning?" I don't answer. Did I stretch...ha! I laugh to myself. I stretched alright...my manhood. I smile thinking of the great morning I had with Charlotte and replace it with a frown as soon as I notice Derek staring at me.

Derek moves to my right leg which is even tighter than my left for who knows what reason. "You're putting too much pressure on your right side, over working those muscles," Derek answers my thoughts. My eyes meet his and I don't even have to question.

"Listen. You've been working hard, and I know you say you're not having any pain, but your rigid muscles are telling me otherwise." I feel myself glare at him. "I'm not in pain," I flatly state.

"Alright, then we need to change up your strength routine. Charlotte's bringing in a short brace for you and you can't be relying on your right side to carry all the weight." I roll my eyes, I figured that out on my walk here.

He gets up to retrieve an elastic resistance band so I can stretch my ankles. "Here." I sit up and grab the band from him. "Do you need help?"

"Nah, I got it," I mumble.

"Okay, I'll be back in a bit. Keep stretching."

I figure I'll start with my better ankle because I really don't want to deal with my left one right now. With my right leg out straight, one part of the band on the ball of my foot and the other part in my hand, I point my toes towards the floor then point them straight up again. I repeat the process ten times before placing the band around my left foot. I already dread what's going to happen next. I barely hold the band, leaving as little resistance as possible so that my foot maybe has a chance. All of my energy is focused on getting my ankle to move forward and my toes to point. This is mentally agonizing for me knowing I can't do this simple task. I'm convinced this leg is never going to be normal again. My ankle moves slightly as my toes ever so slowly point downwards. I sigh and release the tension on the band at the same time. I internally curse at myself knowing that's the only one I can do with this foot.

"Do it again," I hear Charlotte's sweet voice. I don't look at her, I only continue to stare at my foot. My calf muscle's starting to jump around. "I can't," I tell her.

Charlotte kneels behind me and wraps her arms around the front of me, hugging me while she places soft kisses on my neck, she knows how I love when she does this. "Yes, you can, I know you can," she continues to kiss me. I inhale the scent of her strawberry vanilla shampoo and try to relax. Gripping the band in my hand to create slight tension, I turn my focus back to my foot. It doesn't move, instead my muscles start bouncing rapidly against my skin even more. Thankfully it doesn't hurt, but this usually happens because I'm anxious or overworked and Charlotte knows that.

Charlotte squeezes her arms around me a little firmer. "How many have you done today?" She asks me, her tone remaining calm and encouraging at the same time. "One," I grunt. "I've always only ever been able to do one." My head automatically drops from embarrassment.

Her hand reaches under my chin, and she gently lifts my head. "Today you're going to do two," she surprisingly says and kisses me on the cheek this time. "I'm right here with you and believing in you, every step of the way, now point those toes." Those infamous words get me to smile every time. I'll try anything for this woman, even if it involves failing.

With my muscles twitching while sending tingling sensations up through my knee, I inhale a deep breath and hold it. My toes start to move but do does  my knee, jerking up and down with a mind of its own. "Breathe," charlotte whispers in my ear, so I do. Just as she places her hand on my knee to stop it from moving, my ankle moves forward while my toes gravitate to the ground, and I burst out laughing. I actually did it. Why I'm laughing, I don't know, maybe I'm going crazy.

"You amaze me every day," she says to me and hugs me one more time. I can't help but smile at her. Such a small accomplishment amazes her... I amaze her which is ironic because she is the one who amazes me. She stays with me like she promised, every step of the way. That in itself is amazing.

My smile remains fixed on her as I watch her move in front of me to massage my leg, easing the spasms. "Are you in pain?" she asks. "No, it's not painful," I tell her.

"I know that took a lot, but are you ready to try on the short brace?" She fetches the brace and brings it back to me.

"Yeah, sure, I'll try it out."

She secures the brace to my lower leg and foot. It reaches all the way up to just under my knee, allowing my knee to bend. I should probably tell her what happened earlier today before I go getting either of our hopes up.

"Hey Love?" I pull her back down to sit next to me. She waits for me to speak again. I sigh before continuing. I feel like I sigh too much lately. She holds my hand and intertwines her fingers with mine. She is so patient with me, I love her.

"On my walk here, I decided to unhinge my brace to bend my knee, but I wasn't able to walk. My leg felt weak, and I couldn't control how I planted my foot. I don't think I'm ready."

She moves our connected hands towards her lips and kisses my knuckles. "I'm impressed you tried that!" That is not the reaction I expected from her.

"That brace isn't meant to be unhinged for walking, that's why you had difficulty trying to walk. I promise this brace will feel easier even though you'll be working your muscles more," she smiles at me. Don't I feel like an idiot now.

"Come on, let's give it a try," she stands and offers me assistance so I can stand up too. She offers me my crutch and then grips onto my hips until I feel steady. Once I'm ready she moves to my side and holds my other hand.

"Move your crutch and step forward at the same time," she instructs. I should know this by now, but I know my mind is going a mile a minute, so reminders are good.

"Good! How does it feel?" It feels strange, but I don't want to admit that. My legs are wobbly, and I have a death grip on her hand, so I'm sure she knows the real answer.

The silence from me is a dead giveaway. I've conquered  this once before, so I can do it again.

"Levi." I gaze towards her. "Do you want to use both crutches for a few days until you're used to this brace?"

I really want to say no. I really want to tell her she can just hold my hand and walk with me everywhere like she did with me so many months ago. That wouldn't be right though. I need to do this for myself and for her. I feel her waiting for my answer and see the apprehension in her eyes.

"Sure, I'll use both crutches for a few days," I completely surprise her and myself.

"I'm really proud of you," she says and lifts up onto her toes to kiss me on the lips.

"We are still going on that date tonight," I kiss her back.

"Dessert after too," she giggles.