Ashes

under the knife

Kelly sits on the couch mournfully as carter makes herself a coffee.

"When's the appointment?" carter asks, "later today" kelly says, "and then how long did the first doctor say that you'd be out again?" carter asks, "six months" kelly says as carter joins him on the couch, "remember when I said I did cheer and a bit of dance for a bit when I was younger?" carter asks, "yeah, must be where you got your flexibility" kelly muses, "well remember when I said the cheer team won regionals so they were invited to nationals it was a big thing" carter asks, "yeah" kelly nods, "well I was practicing alone without any safety mats and bam I slipped and badly dislocated my knee and tore some tendons in it" carter explains, "I remember you saying that and how when your dad came to see you in the hospital, you were mega high on pain meds" kelly says, "I was walking fine without crutches and the support brace within 3 and a half months" carter clarifies, "you said you never re-joined cheer though" kelly points out chuckling, "I know I was terrified, but look at me now I'm a squad lieutenant without any issues, I can still stunt and luckily the injury hasn't posed any issues, I know it's not the best pep talk but i'm trying to be supportive" carter explains with a smile, "I appreciate the support you're giving me, I really do" kelly muses, carter sits herself on his lap facing him, "now tell me this, does being on squad involve doing a back handspring into a rewind then into a twisting release?" carter asks, "yes" kelly confirms jokingly, "oh! well you'll be just fine if capp, hadley and tony can do those" carter chuckles as she presses a kiss to kelly's lips, "when you gonna see if you can go back to work?" kelly asks as carter cups his face in her hands, "tuesday" carter says, kelly looks down, "I can push it" carter offers, "no, no, no, no, go see about your job don't hold back because of me" kelly warns, "tell me you're gonna come and visit me at work if I get to go back" carter asks, "yes, at least for lunch and dinner anyway" kelly confirms, "I'm calling it right now, two months latest, a month at best" carter declares, "I'll hold you to that but I'll take it" kelly agrees leaning up to kiss carter the couple pull away and carter wraps her arms around kelly's neck hugging him as he brings her closer to him.

Carter knocks on the door of the consulting room kelly was sat in, she pokes her head round the door.

"Boo" carter announces softly, "Carter" kelly greets as the woman enters the room, "what are you doing here" kelly asks, "I thought you could use some support" carter admits as she greets kelly with a kiss, "mm hi" carter greets properly rubbing her thumb over kelly's cheek, "hi" kelly greets back, "oh didn't realise you had a guest" the doctor says as she enters the room, "Dr. Kessman, this is my girlfriend, Carter" kelly introduces proudly, "It's good that you could make it" the doctor muses as she places the x-rays onto the light box, "so today's CT scan shows that the hairline fracture on your C-5 here extends further than we thought" the doctor explains, "so surgery?" kelly asks, "yeah, as soon as possible" the doctor confirms, "and the recovery time, that's the same six months?" kelly asks, "unfortunately not, um, forget whatever you were told before, It's a year at best" the doctor reveals giving kelly a moment to digest the news, "look, some guys who come in here on the job, they're rolled out in the chair they're gonna live in the rest of their lives, you're lucky, everything I see tells me you should make a full recovery" the doctor explains, "a year?" kelly questions, "a year if you hope to return to squad, I'll be honest, I've never seen anyone return to full duty after this surgery, much sooner, though, four or five months, you can come back in an administrative capacity, so you may want to set your sights on that, that's much more realistic, I'll give you two a minute" the doctor explains as she exits the room, kelly turns to look at carter who strokes his hair comfortingly.

Carter stands in the kitchen wearing kelly's shirt as she makes a cup of coffee when shay walks in.

"Hi" carter greets, "hey" shay greets back, "you must be even more worried about how he's taking this than I am" shay admits, "yeah he's been so quiet, it's unlike him" carter explains, "is he here?" shay questions, "yeah, he was just upstairs taking a shower" carter explains, "how's he doing?" shay asks, "honestly shay, not good he's trying to figure it out" carter muses, "yeah, I was worried, I've been trying to get a hold of him" shay explains, "I had no idea, I think he's shut his phone off to avoid talking to anyone" carter explains, "I'll just have him download me on it later" shay nods, "text me when you're coming back, I'll make sure he's around" carter instructs, "thanks, I mean we just want him to know that he's got both of our full support but I do think he needs you with him more than anyone, so when do you check if you can come back to work?" shay asks, "In a couple days, but between me and you I think I'm gonna push it" carter explains, "I'd definitely try and push it, he's been telling me he didn't realise how much he needed support until you showed him you're with him every step of the way" shay reveals, "I just don't want him to feel like he's alone" carter shrugs, "but you're doing more than that, which most girlfriends wouldn't do" shay muses, "I can't help but feel like I'm not doing enough" carter admits, "you're doing more than enough" shay reassures, "I promise I'll take care of him, I'll keep you updated don't worry" carter assures, "I'm gonna head out, I'll see you later" shay bids her partner in crime goodbye, "bye" carter says.

Kelly and Carter sit in a local bar frequented by the crew often as they wait for matt.

"Hey" kelly greets, "hi" carter greets offering matt a smile, "hell of a day, huh?" matt asks, "yeah" kelly agrees, "tell you what, after surgery, forget rehab, park it down at the house, I'll put you through truck drills, carter can put you through squad drills, we'll make a firefighter out of you yet" matt declares, "yeah, about that, listen, just to let you know first, Carter and I were doing some research to see if there were any alternative options and we found a great rehab unit in spain" kelly explains, "well, great, how long you both staying?" matt asks, "we're moving there" kelly clarifies, matt chuckles, "you're both messing with me" matt shakes his head, "I'm not, bought our plane tickets an hour ago" kelly explains, "this isn't a practical joke we're serious, matt" carter adds, "well, I guess cheers to that then" matt toasts raising his shot glass kelly and carter follow suit and the three clink their shot glasses, "cheers" kelly repeats throwing the shot back.