That Wasn't So Bad... Was It?

They'd had time to rest, now. Thankfully... Duo was especially happy he hadn't had to go back to Sally just yet. Mia was, too. She didn't want to hear him keep whining. However, he had to go this morning.

Jess had gone into school for a SIFE meeting and to catch up with Barbara on what she had missed while she was gone, so Mina took him in. He wasn't allowed to drive, yet, not that he would have wanted to.

"I take it you guys are glad to be back," she said. She had talked to some of the others, but hadn't heard it from him, yet. Duo nodded.

"You could say that," he said, giving her a small smile. "It was a rough few days. I kinda wish I had been able to do more." Mina smiled.

"I'm sure everyone understood," she said.

"It's not really that, Mina... I just..." He shrugged. "I hate not being able to do anything." She chuckled.

"I know the feeling," she said. "If it makes you feel better, once you're ready, I'll even go the court with you." Duo chuckled as well.

"Yeah... and I know you hate basketball."

"I always was more of a volleyball girl." She shrugged, giving him a quick grin.

"Mr Maxwell?"

"That's you." He nodded and got up, a lot steadier now than he had been. Mina picked up her book as he followed the nurse into one of the exam rooms.

She helped him up onto the table and then placed his chart in the little bin outside the door. Duo propped his crutches up in front of him, folding his arms and leaning his chin on top of them as he stared off at nothing. After a few moments, he closed his eyes.

"Tired?" He looked up as Sally came in.

"I guess," he said as she closed the door behind her.

"Alright... let's take a look at you. Lay back." She took his crutches from him as he laid back on the table. He was thankfully no where near as stiff as the last time. Having a few days to rest up after the trip had helped, too, that was for sure. Sally noticed the difference right away.

"Well, you're improving pretty quick," she said, sounding pleased.

"Yeah... I guess so," he said.

"Those bruises will be there for a few weeks, yet," she continued, "but I'm hoping to get you off the crutches by next week. I want you to start trying to move around with just one."

"One?" He sat up and looked at her. She nodded.

"Opposite side, since that's how arms move for walking anyway," Sally explained. "If you're comfortable with it. If it's too much, don't do it. But... don't overdo it." Duo frowned. "I know you too well. Take it easy, and listen to what your body's telling you. If it hurts too much, or if you feel unsteady, go back to two. Only put as much weight on it as you can handle." He nodded. "In the meantime, I'm going to put you in an aircast for support. I don't want you walking on it without it, alright?" He nodded again.

"Alright."

"I see the swelling's gone down nicely," she continued. "You've been icing it like I told you?" He nodded. "It'll probably get swollen again as you put pressure on it... that's normal. Just keep putting the ice on it. If it gets really bad, then back off." She made a few notes on his chart.

"What's really bad?" he asked.

"If it gets as big as it had been when you first hurt it," she said. She smiled at him. "Don't look so nervous. You'll be fine soon enough." He gave her a sheepish smile. Sally chuckled. "It's going to take some time," she told him. "And it'll probably seem like a really long time for you... but you will get better. I promise." Duo nodded.

"Okay..."