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Doc and Marty had been fortunate enough to continue to remain sheltered in the U.N.C.L.E. safehouse for a few more weeks, and in that time, Doc had recovered significantly in regards to his surgery. His knee, however, was still in the brace, as the physician had predicted. At this point, Doc was focusing on practicing how to get around with the brace and cane—which, as promised, had a blade concealed within it, though Doc was certainly hoping he’d never have to use it.
Marty was determined to help where he could, which was more or less helping Doc walk by leading him by his free hand as Doc continued to practice.
“Kind of ironic, isn’t it?” Doc said, as he paused to catch his breath. “Here I am, being taught how to walk again by someone who just graduated the toddler phase.”
“You taught me ‘bout relatillily,” Marty pointed out.
“And there’s another irony,” Doc mused. “You understand general relativity but can’t even say it!”
Marty stuck his tongue out at him.
“Oh yeah? C’mere, you…!” Doc placed the cane aside to allow him to pick Marty up and give him a hug.
Marty giggled and hugged him back, and Doc found himself once again grateful to have made it through his ordeal alive so that he could enjoy this moment.
They were soon distracted, however, by the U.N.C.L.E. physician returning, and uttering a tsk of disapproval.
“‘Avoid all strenuous activity,’ I said,” the physician chided. “You shouldn’t be lifting anything heavy yet!”
“He barely weighs anything—this isn’t strenuous in the least,” Doc returned.
“Dr. Brown,” the physician said, firmly. “After everything you’ve been through, you are not in a position to test your luck—I’m convinced you’ve used yours all up.”
Doc’s mouth thinned, and while he did sit down, he still continued to hold Marty close.
“You’re not going to be able to return to the level of activity you were at before,” the physician stated, bluntly. “You’ve gone from a spectacular wreck to a weathered ruin, and that is a miracle in and of itself. And you can’t make ruins new again.”
“But you can restore them,” Doc said.
“And that requires proper maintenance,” the physician countered. He paused. “There’s… another matter to discuss, regarding your ward. Relinquishing your guardianship would eliminate a good deal of the extrinsic stressors that might impede your recovery…” He trailed off as Marty buried his face in Doc’s shoulder, and Doc just glared back at him with a piercing expression. “…Somehow, I knew you would reject that.”
“I’m more convinced that my stressors would increase without his presence,” Doc replied.
“Perhaps they would,” the physician conceded. “But there is one thing you need to ask yourself, Dr. Brown, and you need to give yourself an honest answer. Do you think you will be able to regain the strength and stamina to adequately look after a child?”
“I do think so,” Doc returned. “And I will look after Marty until I am physically incapable of doing so.”
He felt Marty’s hug tighten as the physician nodded in resignation.
“Very well, Dr. Brown; I would recommend a rest before you attempt any further mobility practice.”
Doc responded with a noncommittal grunt as the physician got up and left the physical therapy ward.
“…Doc?” Marty asked, after some time had passed.
“Yes, Marty?”
“If I didn’t use it up after all, I wanna make my birthday wish now if it’s not too late.”
“Well, it has been a few weeks, but I’ve never heard of birthday wishes having an expiry date. And your other wish was made before your birthday—I think you’ve still got one.”
“Then I wish we’ll always be together, no matter what.”
Doc tightened his hug, as well.
“I’d like that, too.”
The odds were against them, he knew. But, even if his luck had been used up, hopefully Marty still had enough for the both of them.