Determination {William}

[emma]

30th June, 2009

It had been six weeks since Emma had her accident, and she had been home for two weeks, after a month of hospitalistion. She was still having problems with her leg, despite the physio she had been getting over the past couple of weeks. However, one of the things which was annoying her the most, was not being able to get intimate with Jackson, and she was determined to find out at the clinic today if it was now possible for them to resume their intimacy. Alright, so, she was still recovering, but as far as Emma was concerned the toughest part of her recovery was over with, she wanted her independence back, she loved her parents looking out for her, and even having Marcus around had been great, but even he had got himself an apartment now.

So, today she was going to find out about being allowed to be intimate with Jackson again. The hugs, kisses and affection were all good, but she just wanted to be close to him again. Marcus had dropped her off at the clinic she attended for her physio, which was in Brooklyn. Her physiotherapist was William Moore. She knew he was the older brother of the girl who had got herself into trouble, she had been in The Chronicle. And even though it hadn't been made public knowledge, she had heard a rumour she was pregnant through a sexual assault. It seemed a shame to Emma, because William was such a sweet, caring guy, it must have been horrible for him to have his younger brother be killed and then watch as the brother's twin spiralled out of control.

Of course Emma never spoke to William about it, it wasn't any of her business, but he knew she was there to listen if he ever wanted to get anything off his chest, just like he listened to her every single time she had a physio session with him. Before going straight to William however, she asked if she could speak to one of the doctors, when she had got into the reception area. After waiting for about five minutes, her name was called out. So, she wheeled herself into the doctors office.

After about ten minutes she had the answer she was looking for, and left the office with a smile on her face. Now all she needed was to get this leg into full working order. She knew her 21st was approaching, and she wanted so much to be able to walk for it, but she had a feeling it was still a long way off yet. Which upset her slightly. She now made her way into the reception again and within a few minutes the girl at reception said William was ready for her now.

So, she then wheeled herself into the physio room, with a bright smile on her face, something she hadn't shown too much of when she arrived for her sessions, "Hey William, here for another round. How've you been keeping?"

[william]

It had been just over a month since William had met and fallen in love with Debbie Harris. Since that night, he had gotten a nice job as a physiotherapist. He wasn't really able to help people the way he would have liked to, but it was still something. The people he was helping, were trying to help themselves in a way, but he was just giving them a helping hand and guidance in doing that safely.

So today he was working alongside Emma Woods, a young woman who had been hit by a car. Though during his time working with her, she had been doing very well, but sometimes pushing herself too hard. He had to keep telling her that she had to somehow just keep at a steady pace, and not overdo anything. All he could suggest for her was to come in maybe four times a week at the most, and he also gave her exercises to do at home. William even suggested that Jackson, Emma's boyfriend, could help in a way with that, if she didn't want her mum to do anything.

He was just putting away a couple of things from the last session that he had with another patient, when Emma came wheeling into the physio room. William turned around and saw her. She had a very bright smile on her face, which was a change. Normally she never smiled. But normally there wasn't much to smile about. William didn't like to push, but sometimes the session would get a bit too much for both of them. He knew how determined she was, and hoped that each session there was some progress. Today was the same, but it seemed that she was in a good mood.

"Hey Em. And I can see you brought your happy face with you today. Something you have to tell me?" He smiled broadly at her, and contined. "I am great, thanks. Ready for another hard working session?"

[emma]

Emma was a very stubborn young woman, her mind was set on being able to walk for her 21st, and despite the constant warnings of slowing down from William, she was still determined to do it. At least having found out the good news from the doctor about being able to get intimate with Jackson again had put a huge smile on her face. Which obviously hadn't gone unnoticed by William since he was asking her about it.

She playfully poked her tongue out at him, "Yeah, I guess I've brought my happy face with me today." She shook her head, laughing slightly. She wondered if she should tell him why she was so happy, or if it would just embarrass both of them. But she figured they were both adult enough to be able to talk about it.

"Well." She grinned at him, biting down on her bottom lip slightly, before continuing, "Just found out, that I can resume intimacy with Jackson again. So, yeah, bloody right I'm happy." She then laughed again and smiled when William told her he was great. "Glad to hear you're doing great." He then of course asked if she was ready for another hard working session. In a way she was ready and in other ways, she just wanted to give up as it all seemed to be for nothing. But she knew deep down it wasn't for nothing.

She made a bit of a sad face, but kept smiling anyway, "Yeah, I guess I'm ready, I know, I know, I'm pushing myself too much, blah, blah, but I want to walk again for my 21st, you can't deny me that much?" Emma grinned at him then, knowing full well he'd probably tell her off, saying she knew what he was saying made sense. Joking aside, she knew it made sense, but it didn't stop her from being determined to get back on her feet.

[william]

William had to laugh as Emma poked her tongue out at him, saying that she guessed that she had brought her happy face today. He smiled as she laughed, shaking her head. It was nice for Emma to be in a brighter mood. But he did wonder why she was in a good mood. William was going to ask her again, if she had something to tell him, but she got in first. He listened to her, as she spoke about finding out that she can resume being intimate with her boyfriend, Jackson.

"Well that is a very good excuse for your happiness Emma. I hope that you don't overdo anything that will hinder your recovery though. But I know that you wouldn't, as I know that you are very much determined to walk soon, on your own." William knew what Emma's expectations were, as soon as they had started the sessions with him. This was a good thing for William to work out what she was to do, when, at each session, in order for her to reach the point of walking.

After William had asked if she was ready for another hard working session, Emma had made a sad face, but was still smiling, leading to William know that she was just playing. She soon spoke, saying that she was ready, and then she went on about knowing that she was pushing herself too much. Emma also reminded him about how she wanted to walk again for her 21st. "Of cause I can't deny you that Em. But you have to put in the hard work for anything to pay off. But I have to say, you have been putting in 110% each session."

William then walked over to the bars, which they used for Emma to work on her walking, at the beginning of each session. Placing a hand on the bars, he again told her. "So we will start with the bars again, to see how you are progressing with that walking." William walked away from them, and went over to Emma in her wheelchair. He took a hold of one arm, helping her up into a standing position. William then stood in front of her, and held both arms, placing her hands on his waist, and walked her over slowly to the bars.

[emma]

When William laughed at her poking her tongue out, she just grinned back. It felt good to be in a playful mood at this session, considering how she normally acted. She realised she liked being happy, and decided that William would see a lot more of her happy face from now on. She wanted him to see who she really was, not the sad shell she had become since the accident. She had then told him why she was so happy.

William seemed happy at her news, which was good for Emma. Of course he had went on to say that she would have to be careful not to hinder her recovery. As if she'd let that happen. He had then answered what he said himself, so she didn't really need to say anything, but rather than ignore him, she decided to reply back to him anyway. "Don't worry William, I've worked bloody hard thus far, you can be assured I won't be doing anything to set myself back." She gave him another bright smile.

When Emma had mentioned that he couldn't deny her the chance to walk for her 21st, she was glad of his answer. She had expected him to tell her off for being too pushy, but instead he was more or less praising her on her efforts so far. "I've been putting in extra effort because I want my independence back William, I bloody miss being in my own apartment, as much as I love my parents, they're suffocating me." She laughed, because she really did love her parents, but if they could just give her a bit of breathing space. Alright, so they were busy working during the day, but the soon as they came home, it was non stop fussing. It was driving her insane.

Emma watched as William made his way over to the bars, she used to help with her walking. She was so used to seeing them now, she stood between the bars with her hands on them, and pulled herself along, the first couple of sessions, she fell a few times, but more recently, she was able to make it along the bars without falling, it just took her a while to do it.

"Alright William." She grinned again, yes, smiling was making he feel a lot better about being here, no more sad faces from Emma. This was the start of a new her, and hopefully with that, along with her determination, something might pay off by the end of this session, or at very least the next one. William then came toward her, helped her up, and then put her hands on his waist, with his own hands on her arms and began walking her slowly to the bars.

She reached them within a few minutes of walking slowly, she didn't care if she had to take five minutes to walk toward Jackson when she stood up from that wheelchair at her 21st, if that's what was to happen, so long as she could do it unaided. That was just how determined she was. She put her hands on the bars and began to walk along them, using her hands and upper arms for support when required. Which, didn't seem to be as much as she'd needed them in the past few sessions. So surely, something was improving? William would be the judge of that.

[william]

When Emma had replied to his words about being careful now that she was able to be more intimate with Jackson, William should have known her reply would be that. "I know that you have worked hard all this time, so far. And I am proud of you for it." That bright smile of Emma was a reassurance for what she had said.

William understood about the whole independence thing. Though for him, he didn't get a lot of that when he was younger, probably around her age. After his parents were killed, William looked after his siblings. But he would never have taken back those moments, because he loved them so much. He wouldn't want it any other way. William laughed when Emma said that she loved her parents, but they were suffocating her. "Well, don't really remember much about that, personally, as my parents are dead, but I will give you the benefit of the doubt."

After William helped her up, and walked her over to the bars, Emma reached for the bars, and held on. William then walked beside her, on the outside of the bars, while she held on and started to walk, using her hands and upper arms for the support she needed. He always put his hands out in the air, near her waist, just in case she seemed unsteady, or it looked like she was about to fall.

To William, Emma looked like she had been putting in that extra effort. Maybe it was the sessions at the hospital, or maybe the sessions she had been doing at home. But she was looking good. As Emma walked to the end of the bar, William had to comment. "Well, I see that you may have been working hard at home. Maybe I should be giving you more difficult exercising to do at home then?"

[emma]

When William replied and said he was proud of her the work she had put in up to this point, she gave him a warm smile. It was good to hear that from William, after all, he was the one who was helping her through this. "Thanks William, and I'm really sorry for being such a bloody pain in the ass to you in the past." She meant it, because she knew she hadn't been the best patient in the world. Yet he had put up with her all that time, she really appreciated it. Maybe now, she'd be a lot more happier when she turned up for these sessions, or at least that was the plan anyway.

When William told her he wouldn't remember much about having his own independence because his parents were dead, Emma's heart felt heavy. When she thought about it like that, she wondered what she would do without them in her life. Even if they were suffocating her at the moment. "Sorry to hear that William, maybe I should learn to be grateful for what I've got." She wasn't being bad by saying that, just, that they might be driving her insane with suffocation, but she knew how she'd feel if they died, and it wasn't a good feeling.

Emma walked along the bars, as far as she was concerned, better than she ever had before, although it was still a struggle. She knew that William was always there for support, should she get tired or fall. But as she reached the end, she felt good about herself. Maybe she'd finally get to try and walk without the bars soon. Even though she knew that was part of the whole physiotherapy thing.

When she did reach the end of the bars, she laughed lightly when William mentioned that she must have been working hard, and maybe he should be giving her more difficult exercises to do at home. She looked up at him then and smiled brightly, "Really? You can see an improvement? I felt better, but I know you're the one who can really see improvements. And why not give me more difficult exercises, you know I'm determined to get better." She laughed again after that, even though she'd only been coming for a couple of weeks, she knew that William would know she meant it when she said she was determined.

[william]

William just waved his hand at Emma, when she said that she was sorry for being a pain in the ass to him in the past. "It's okay. I get it from time to time with patients, don't worry. I know that you all have one thing on your mind, and that is to get everything back the way it was. And I am happy to be a part of that." Emma was nothing to what William had to deal with in the past. Some patients were just over the top, and some even tried to tell him how to do his job. That he didn't appreciate.

William never wanted pity off anyone, if and when he mentioned the fact that his parents were dead. Emma had said sorry, and that she should be grateful for what she's got. "It's okay. It was a while ago, and I have learnt to be grateful for my brothers and sister, who depend on me. I suppose I am like their father figure, and also a brother. I know that Katie is definately depending on me now, since she is pregnant. I know that I wouldn't change anything, except that night when that guy raped her and got her pregnant. I would change that in a second if I could." William could erase the memory from Katie, but he didn't have the ability to turn the clock back, and stop the events, that led to that night, to never happen.

"Yes, there is significant improvement Emma. It is great to see a patient so dedicated to her reabilitation." He then wondered if he should give her harder exercises to do. "Well, I think you have been using the exercises I gave you for the last two weeks now, so why not. I will just have to remember to give them to you before you leave." He smiled at her, feeling really happy with the progress she had been making over the two weeks he had worked with her. But now her mood was quite bright now, probably due to the news she had been given, in regards to her being more intimate with Jackson.

"Okay. So let's do a few more laps of the bars, and then we will go and sit on the mats, and I can show you through those new exercises." So for the next thirty minutes, William helped Emma continue on the bars, and then he helped her over to the mats, where he demonstrated what would have to be done at home, in regards to the new exercises. William went through the set once with her. "So, how does that feel? Not too much?" William never persumed that the exercises felt okay, he always asked the patients he was working with, just in case they were too much for them to handle.

[emma]

When Emma had apologised to William for being a pain in the ass to him previously, he just waved his hand at her and told her it was okay, and that he got it a lot from patients, because they all had one thing in mind, and that was to get better. She gave him a warm smile then, "Well, I'm glad you understand. But I am going to try and be the model patient from now on." She laughed, she was determined to get back on track, and now that the doctor had given her the go ahead to resume intimacy with Jackson, she was even more determined.

When conversation had got onto Emma's irritability over her parents suffocation, William had said he wouldn't know because his parents were dead, Emma had said she was sorry and should be grateful for what she has. She could only give him a weak smile as he spoke of his siblings, being father figure as well as older brother, and the fact his sister was pregnant through being raped. Emma put her hand up to her mouth then in shock. "That's terrible for her William, it must have been an awful for her, I mean, being raped, not the being pregnant, although it's a shame she conceived that way. Is she happy with the pregnancy? I'm not sure if I would be in that circumstance."

Although, giving it more thought, it wouldn't be the baby's fault they were conceived. But just that whole, looking at the child and thinking about how it happened, over and over. Emma felt herself shudder a little. She was glad she had a loving man in her life, and was quite happy to have his children. Not that it was going to happen any time too soon, what with her current situation. Well, maybe now she was able to be intimate with Jackson again, but, she shook her head mentally, it wouldn't happen while she was recovering.

"I'm sure Katie knows, if you could change what happened, you would." Emma said in a soft voice. When William said there was a significant improvement, Emma grinned at him. She was really happy to hear that. At least she knew all her hard work and determination was paying off. "Well all my hard work had to pay off some point. I've been working bloody hard." She laughed again, knowing that all the American's loved when she spoke like that, because it was what made her so typically British.

She gave him a bright smile when he agreed to give her more difficult exercises before she left. "Thanks William, I appreciate it. Just want to get back my Independence and freedom so much." She knew she didn't really have to say that to William again, because he knew how much it meant to her, but sometimes it was just something she couldn't help but say.

William then mentioned about having a few more laps of the bars and then he'd show her the new exercises on the mats. She smiled brightly, she really was feeling much better than she had in the past week. "Sure thing William." So they worked on the bars for the next half hour. Each round Emma was certain she was getting better and better each time. But as much as she felt that, it was still William who knew just how much better she was getting despite how she felt herself.

William then helped her over to the mats to go through the new run of exercises with her. When he had finished going through them with her once, he then asked if she was alright with them. She shook her head, "No, not too much, I'm ready for this William." She grinned at him, the day was going from good to much better than she could have anticipated, maybe, just maybe, she might be able to walk for her twenty first. Never mind a gift for her, it would be a gift for Jackson, but, still, she didn't want to think too soon, anything at any time, could set her back.

[william]

"Okay," was all William said, to when Emma said that she would try and be the model patient from now on. He didn't really worry, but knew that she would definately be in a better mood now, what with finding out that she could go back to normal with Jackson. Hell, if he was in her shoes, he would also be like that too. Just knowing that something like a car accident could stuff your personal life around so much.

He didn't want pity from Emma, in regards to the whole family situation he just spoke of, but he still listened to what her reaction was. Out of all the things he had said, Emma had picked up on the whole situation with Katie. The way she reacted, and then the look of shock was what he had kind of expected. Then she said that it was terrible, and asked him if Katie was happy with the pregnancy. "She doesn't like how it was conceived, but she knows it is not the baby's fault, so this is the reason she has decided to keep it. In a way, I am glad that she is keeping it. I am not sure how I would have reacted if she had told me that she had done away with it, before telling me the whole story. I am just glad that she did in fact tell me, and that now I am there for her to help whenever I can, and be a supportive ear."

William saw that smile of Emma's, when he had said that there had been a significant improvement. When she had told him that all of her hard work had to have paid off some point, he nodded. William then burst out laughing, when Emma said that she had been working bloody hard. He hadn't heard her say that in a while, well, in a happy tone anyway.

He was glad that Emma wanted those harder exercises to work through. William knew that she wanted her freedom back, after hearing alot about what her parents were doing to her. "Well, hopefully you will be up and around with no one's help. But maybe you might need Jackson's help now and then." He smiled, knowing that maybe Emma might like him saying that.

William waited for Emma to tell him if the new exercises were too much for her or not. He smiled at her then, as she said no, and that she was ready for this. "Great Emma." Looking up at the clock, William saw that the session was pretty much finished. "Well now, everything that I have seen today, I am very proud of. I believe that you are right on track for those new exercises. But, if you feel that they are getting too much at the beginning, don't continue them. Just go back to what you were doing at the start, and then slowly ease back into the new ones. If you body isn't ready for the new ones, don't force it, because you just go back to square one again."

William then helped Emma up, and walked her over to the wheelchair. Once she was settled, he turned to her. "So, I will see you same time on Thursday. Don't go and push yourself with those exercises, start out easy, and then just go at your own pace." William knew that he shouldn't have said that, as he knew that Emma was very determined, and would go a bit harder. He wheeled her out near his office, and went in and got the exercises, handing them to her. William then wheeled her out the door, and then stopped, in order for her to be away from the electronic doors. "I will see you in a couple of days, Emma." He gave her shoulder a sqeeze, and then headed back inside.

[emma]

When William told Emma about Katie being pregnant because some guy had raped her, Emma had been in a bit of shock, when she had asked about Katie and her reaction to being pregnant, Emma hoped she hadn't come across to pass remarkable, as she certainly hadn't meant for that to be the case. She was just interested to know how his sister had coped with the situation, because Emma didn't think she'd be that brave if it had to happen to her. As William told her how Katie wasn't happy with the how the baby was conceived, but knew it wasn't the baby's fault, Emma began to nod her head, understanding a little more. "When it's said like that, I can understand. She's lucky she's got you for support then." Emma wasn't sure what she would do without Marcus in her life now. She had her other brother, but he wasn't in the country with them, he was overseas.

Emma couldn't help but laugh along with William when he began to laugh at her typical British saying. She loved saying it, and when she did, it made her remember that she was indeed British and not American. Having lived here for a short while now, it was sometimes easy to forget, until she spoke and then came that unmistakable accent.

When William said that hopefully she'd be up and about with no one's help soon, she couldn't help but give him a bright smile, that's what she was aiming for naturally. He then added, that maybe she might need Jackson's help now and then, she gave him that look of determination, but laughed a little after it. "Well, it's not really such a bad thing, getting help from Jackson." Now that she had this news she wanted to hear, getting help from Jackson might very well lead to other things, which would be just great, in Emma's opinion anyway.

After Emma told William the exercises were fine, he said great, and then told her that he was very proud of what he had seen today and he believed she was on the right track. He also said if the new exercises became too difficult, to go back to the old ones and ease her way back into the new ones again. She began to nod her head enthusiastically, "No problem William, I swear I wont push myself, much." It was a slight lie, because she was determined to walk sooner than she probably should, and William would know that, but she just smiled sweetly at him. "Promise." Well, now she'd done it, Emma wasn't one for breaking promises. She would push herself, but she wasn't stupid, she knew her limits, and she wouldn't do anything which could set her back. There was being determined and being stupid, and Emma knew she wasn't stupid.

William then walked her over to her wheelchair, and helped her in, he turned to her and told her he would see her on Thursday and again told her not to push herself with the exercises. She just rolled her eyes, but smiled at him, and did the little talk sign with her hand. Then she got serious, because she knew William was only doing his job. "I promise to behave." With that William then wheeled her out to near his office and handed her the exercises after he got them. He then continued to wheel her to the door, saying he'd see her in a couple of days and she felt him squeeze her shoulder.

"Thanks again William, bye." She left her session with a much happier heart than she'd had for some time.

{ooc - you can either have William reply - or that one could have ended it, up to you}