5.
Nola dreamt of rain in the jungle. She could smell the wild green, and hear the water running. But she wondered why she was still in her bed. She woke up and realized that she was hearing the shower and that Oliver was still here. She smiled to herself and stretched lazily. After a few minutes, Oliver emerged from the bathroom with just a towel around his hips and a big grin. She sat down on the edge of the bed.
And she saw the scars.
She had felt them under her fingertips the night before but she hadn’t imagined the number or the extent of them. His arms, his torso, there were marks everywhere. Her eyes filled when she imagined the pain he had been in. She put a hand on her mouth to muffle the sound of her distress.
Oliver realised why Nola was suddenly so pale. He kneeled in front of her and took her hand.
« I'm okay, Nola. »
She lifted her fingers and brushed his skin.
« My God, what happened to you on that island ? »
Oliver didn't answer. He took her wounded foot and stroked her scars. They looked in each other's eyes, both of them knowing what pain means, both of them feeling the other's aches.
« Does it hurt ? »
« Most of them are old scars. I don't even remember they're here. And you ? »
« I haven't set my foot on the ground yet, so, not really. It's mostly sore. It starts when I put my cast on. But I can't walk without it. »
« How is physical therapy ? »
« Going slowly. There hasn't been much improvement lately. I have an appointment with my surgeon this afternoon, he will tell me more. »
« Do you want me to come with you ? »
« That's nice, but I'm sure you have other engagements. »
« Today my only engagement is you. »
She felt so safe with him. His rainforest scent drowned all fears, all doubts.
« Thank you. »
Nola put her forehead on his and tried to draw strength and courage from him.
« What would you do this morning if I wasn't here ? »
« I'd go to the lab, lose myself in work and scents. But since you're here, I'm going to take the morning off and hang out with you. Could you hand me my phone, please ? »
Oliver came back with her phone, and her canes. Nola looked at them in disgust.
« I can carry you around if you want. »
« I'm not a damsel in distress, and you're not a white knight. More like a green hood. I can manage. »
« Then I'll get breakfast. »
« Deal. »
*****
At 3 o'clock, after a series of x-rays, they were introduced in Doctor Kellerman's office. Like every medical facility, it smelled dull and grey, with the shadows of pain and despair.
« Nola, good to see you. »
« Hello, Dr K. My friend Oliver Queen. »
« So, how are you ? »
« There are good days and bad days. I think I overdid myself a little in the last few days. »
Oliver had a flash of Nola trying to get up the stairs on the fire escape. Overdid was an understatement… The doctor sighed.
« I've studied your latest x-rays, and it's not showing the progress I wanted to see. When you got shot, your foot was placed on a concrete floor, the muzzle directly against your shoe. »
Nola shuddered at the memory. She grabbed Oliver's hand and squeezed it hard.
« The bullet penetrated your foot, breaking bones. But the main damage was done by the expansion gaz that reverberated against the floor and shattered the rest. »
Oliver tried not to show the shock he felt. He had been shot, stabbed and burned, but he had never received a wound that had done as much damage as this.
« As you can see in that picture, we have put wires everywhere in your metatarsus, but we can't replace bones where there are none. As far as surgeries go, another one wouldn't do any good, except make more scar tissue. You'll continue PT, of course, and it could improve your mobility, but you will always need canes. And since you won't take painkillers... »
« No painkillers ? Nola, this is insane! »
« You’re one to talk. They dull my senses. I can't work when I take them, I know, I tried. »
Nola shook her head and closed her eyes. Beside the dull grey and the rainforest, she could smell Dr K's grape scent, fruity and tart, full of concern.
« There is another solution. »
She sighed and looked at her doctor.
« Amputation. »
« Yes. We haven't talked about it yet, because I really wanted to save your whole foot. But it's time we did. You’re an excellent candidate for the procedure. »
He took out a drawing of a foot and explained.
« In your case, with the damage your foot sustained, a Lisfranc amputation would be the best. It would save your ankle and talus, removing only what has been destroyed, metastasis and toes. You'd be able to walk with a prosthesis, and lose the crutches. I know it’s a big decision to make, so take a little time to think about it. »
He wrote something on a piece of paper and handed it to Nola.
« Every Monday night there’s a support group for amputees at All Angels Church. This is Pierre Lassalle’s number, he’s one of my patients and he attends the meetings. May I suggest you contact him ? »
Outside the office, Oliver checked his phone, put it back in his pocket and turned towards Nola.
« What do you want to do now ? »
« If you don’t mind, I’d like to remain on my own for a little while. There’s a park a block away. I’ll get a cab to go home. »
« Are you sure ? »
« I have to mull things over, and your scent is distracting. »
Oliver smiled.
« All right. But I’m escorting you to the park. »
« With pleasure. »
At the gate, Nola said goodbye and stepped slowly to a nearby bench. Oliver watched her sit down, and took his phone.
« Felicity, I need you to do some research. Does the Applied Science Division work on prosthesis and artificial limbs ? »
« Hum… yes, they do. »
« Perfect. »
*****
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