“Claire, I just thought of a question,” Zoe said as Doc Brown continued prepping for surgery. Zane was about ready to put Zoe under but stopped when she spoke.

“What question?” Claire asked.

“Will anyone be able to slice my spine and shut it down? I mean it is a cybernetic implant.”

“Not saying it can’t happen, but I haven’t ever heard of such an attack happening,” Doc Brown replied. “Why do you ask?”

“The thought popped in my head,” Zoe answered.

“Do you worry about your Kaisers being sliced?” Zane asked.

“Or your Subdermal Armor?” Claire added.

“No…”

“Your new spine will be the same way,” Claire said.

“Maybe I should worry about those things,” Zoe said.

“What brought this on?” Zane asked.

“Seeing a Dragon and Thunderbird while I was out with the crew last night,” Zoe answered. She explained what Lionel had said about collateral damage.

“Claire don’t look at me like that,” Zane said. “I haven’t given Zoe the sedative yet. Wait, is that the look that says I should have already given her the sedative?”

“You’re lucky I married you,” Claire replied. Zane smiled. “Zoe, a plane could land on your house, or you could be hit by a meteor. Yes, there are daemons that target our systems and implants. That’s why we have ICE, so don’t worry about it.”

“Love you too dear,” the big nurse said.

“Uh…can we hold off the operation so you two can do whatever?” Zoe asked.

“No!” Claire and Zane answer at the same time.

“I was just wondering,” Zoe said holding up her hands in surrender.

“See you on the other side,” Zane giving Zoe a shot.

*

“How do you feel?” Claire asked Zoe a few hours later.

“Sore and thirsty,” Zoe answered. “Even my feet hurt…”

“Drink this,” Sonya said holding a straw to Zoe’s lips.

“Thanks,” Zoe replied after sipping all the water the nurse would allow her. Then it hit her. “I can feel my toes!”

Sonya and Doc Brown exchanged a look and pushed down on Zoe keeping her from rising.

“Don’t try to get up. You’re not ready for that,” Claire warned. “Feel up to eating something?”

“Yes!” Zoe happily replied as her stomach rumbled and wiggled her toes.

“Sounds like it’s a good thing I brought you some chicken noodle soup then,” Sonya said. She picked up a spoonful and held it out to Zoe grinning evilly. “Open up! The choo choo is coming.”

“That’s not funny,” Zoe said turning her head away from the nurse. The other two women laughed.

“Fine. I’ll let your Nursebot feed you,” Sonya replied. The robot stepped forward and took the spoon. “I’ll be back for the bowl in a little bit.”

“Eat and get some rest,” Claire said. “We’ll start your physical therapy in the morning as long as everything checks out then.”

“Thanks Claire. You’re a miracle worker” Zoe said wiggling her toes again.

“Stop that and eat” Doc Brown replied. She started walking out. “You’re welcome by the way.”

*

“I don’t want you running or even jogging for another week. I do want you walking and doing those stretches we taught you though,” Doc Brown said.

“What about riding a bike?” Zoe asked.

“You don’t have one at the moment, but let’s hold off on that for a week as well,” Claire replied. “Motorcycle riding can be bad for the lower back, especially those that make you lean forward more. That’s one of the main reasons Zane and I love riding cruisers, roadsters, and standards instead of street bikes.”

“I just happened to love the look of the Triple Black and that growl it made. Riding comfort never occurred to me,” Zoe said. “But I was never sore after riding, so that’s a plus.”

“Going to get another GT4?” Claire asked.

“I think so,” Zoe answered. “It won’t be the same color, but I love the way they look.”

“Get it chromed out, and you’ll like that better than all black,” Claire remarked.

“Maybe,” Zoe conceded sending Claire a link. “The pictures and video of this blue one is nice.”

“Hmmm. I like red better,” Claire replied sending Zoe another link. Zoe smiled as she checked out the link. It was Claire’s new bike. A virtual messenger pigeon flew through the window to Zoe.

“Jimmy is here to pick me up,” Zoe said after reading the message.

“Bill is bringing him back here,” Claire said. “I’ll make your cousin carry your bag.”

“I can carry it,” Zoe said standing up and bending over to grab her backpack. She was wearing jeans, a t-shirt, and her ankle boots. The backpack was filled with a couple changes of clothing, toothbrush, and other things.

“Zoe…”

“Ok Doc,’ Zoe replied standing up.

“Bend over again,” a male voice said. Zoe spun around.

“Bill!” Doc Brown said.

“What? Zoe’s no longer a patient and Jimmy enjoyed the view of Zoe’s butt too,” the nurse replied.

“I…uh…I wasn’t looking,” Jimmy said. “Besides, Zoe was adopted.”

“See!” Bill said. “Wait, really? I never would have guessed.”

“Ha, you’re funny,” Jimmy replied.

“You’re both perverts!” Zoe exclaimed.

“Calling them perverts might be taking it a little fair,” Claire said. “Men are dogs after all.”

“It’s not like women don’t enjoy looking too,” Bill protested.

“I’ve given you nurses way too much freedom and that is unprofessional behavior,” Claire told Bill. He nodded in agreement making Claire shake her head. “We’ll discuss this later.”

“Yes Doc,” the nurse replied.

“We’re only looking and not touching,” Jimmy added.

“Jimmy, you’re not supposed to admit that” Bill whispered.

“Oh. Right” Jimmy replied gently slapping the side of his head.

“You’re digging a bigger hole Jimmy,” Zoe said as Claire walked out of the room. Zoe followed Doc Brown sending a message to her.

“Jimmy, get your cousin’s bag,” Claire said sending Zoe a reply. “Bill, give Jimmy a hand.”

“Sure Doc,” Bill replied picking up the backpack and handing it to Jimmy. Zoe turned to face the two men and made a few slicing hand gestures. “Zoe, what are you doing?”

“Just this,” Zoe answered throwing a Stinker at both men.

“Damn!” Bill exclaimed.

“Zoe!” Jimmy yelled before gagging. “That’s just wrong.”

Laughter was the only answer as Claire and Zoe headed to the clinic’s front door.