After a couple hours of reading and taking notes, Dana had taken a much needed break to call her brother. 

“Dane!  School’s school so basically it sucks.  Otherwise I’m good.  How’s it going on the west coast?”  Howie asked sincerely.

“Not bad.  I have my first actual rehab session with my doctor in a couple hours and I met that writer who’s doing that documentary book on me yesterday.  Other than that, not much else is new.”

“That’s great!  Hey, I know you’re probably nervous about the rehab…” 

“What?!  NO!  I’m fine, really! I just…”  Dana stuttered over the phone.

“Shut up Dana, I know you.  Just remember that you’re related to me so it’s impossible for you to not be amazing.  ‘Kay?” 

Dana couldn’t help but laugh at her brother’s comments, knowing that her response was exactly what he’d been aiming for. 

“Thanks How.  Every once in a while you say something that makes me appreciate that mom and dad ignored my pleas for a dog instead of a brother.”

Howie snorted.

“Not bad big sis.  I knew all that hanging out with me would eventually pay off in the comebacks area.” 

“Alright, I’ll let you go.  Just wanted to check in and make sure you’re staying out of trouble for the most part.  Love you!” 

“I love you too Dane.  Take care of yourself and kick ass at your appointment.” 

Hanging up with her brother, Dane felt a much needed burst of confidence.  Getting up with a grimace she limped, without the use of her cane, to her room’s bathroom.  With her hands clutching her sink counter, Dana stared at her slightly pale and sweating face.  What confidence she had gained in her conversation with her brother was gone as she considered the pain she was in just from walking from her desk to the bathroom without the aid of her cane.  Granted, she was supposed to be using her cane at all times, but Dana didn’t think twenty feet should have left her as breathless and pale as she was at the moment.  Feeling her leg start to shake, Dana eased onto the closed toilet seat and leaned back to rest her head on the wall.  Closing her eyes, Dana willed away as much of the pain as she could.  After half a minute of regulated breathing, Dana felt much steadier.  Clenching her jaw, Dana stood up again and slowly made her way to the bathtub to turn the water on in preparation for her bath. 

Once the tub was adequately filled and Dana had poured some of her shampoo in to make some bubbles, Dana climbed in herself and settled into the soothing hotness of the bubblebath.  Closing her eyes and leaning back, she took a deep breath as her sore muscles slowly began to relax. 

As Dana drifted between consciousness and sleep a certain blonde with a smiling face and fantastic boobs filled her thoughts and a smile lighted her tired face.