Page 96 of Ranger's Rise

I walk faster.

~*~*~

Cort called the Badass President by name. For some reason I’m proud. Badass, Masons and the FBI. Ford was on the last Transport Team. Badass feels fucking good right now. I feel that hit deep and smile.

“Smiling while you’re alone in your office just looks weird.” Doc sits in the chair.

“I bet. I was thinking Badass feels good right now. Are you going for the kids tomorrow?”

He smiles. “Yeah. I keep thinking it’s crazy, but I’m so proud to help and see Web so happy about the kids coming in. Crazy feels good too.”

I hold my ear. “Don’t start me laughing again. Fucking VP is killing me.”

He nods. “They’re like Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin. I’m told that even happens on the job.”

“It’s true. Cort told the inmates they’d write books about him if he killed them all and saved taxpayers’ money. I agreed if I got a mention.”

He laughs. “You’re all fucking crazy.”

I don’t disagree. “I’m not late. Do you need me to come in early?”

“I came up about the flight tomorrow. It’s a little longer than your last, but I think the cans can be used. Do you think you’d be able to handle them on?”

“Is the skin going to hold? I don’t want to chance it if it’s going to fuck it up.” It looked like it could slide around when I saw it.

“If you’re not busy, I’d like to try it in the medic room. We can add padding to the side if it’s not too much pressure.”

I stand. “Cans would be good, but I don’t mind the padding.”

In the medic room he pulls the cover off my ear, eye and neck. “It’s amazing how fast the herbal is working,” he says as he uses the machine to do the test.

“Can I see it while you’re doing whatever on the computer?”

“Yeah.” He’s not looking at me.

I smile and go into the bathroom. Holy fuck. I have real skin, almost. It’s pure white, but not all wavy like it was. Around my eye and some of my neck is a little wavy, but the lid and just above is kind of smoothed out. I look at both eyes and smile. The lid isn’t as low as it was. Thisisamazing.

Doc is still doing his thing on the computer when I walk back in. “It looks so much better.”

He turns and smiles. “It does. We’re moving to just the herbal starting tomorrow.”

“There will be healers on the plane. The President said they’ll see me.”

He’s surprised. “Dakota said something about healers. There are some great stories about Indian healers. I hope that’s the kind he’s sending.”

I’m surprised he’d be open to shit like that. “I’ve heard the stories too. They’ll be helping the kids on the flight. He said they need major medical care.”

He smiles. “I guess we’ll see tomorrow. According to the progress, you’re at the two-week mark. It’s been days.” His smile says it all.

“Let’s try the cans. I’ve been holding my ear with no pain. The stretching is what hurts. I still can’t turn, but have been looking down more.”

“I saw you doing positions today in the Training Center. The stretching didn’t seem to bother your leg.”

“No. I can’t twist yet, but I’m doing what I can. It bothers the spot on my hip more.”

He starts spraying so I close my eye. “Keep doing what you’re doing. You push, but I don’t see it hurting you.”

“No, too many people are invested in this working. I’ll honor them by doing it right.”