Wounded Warrior

Rob has developed the act of getting from a wheelchair onto the toilet into a work of art. He parks the chair facing the toilet, crossing his arms he puts his right hand on the left safety rail, the left on the right rail. He lifts himself from the chair with arms, turns to untwist the arms and lowers himself onto the seat. I wanted to watch him do that each time he had to go...but really it was just to see his 'dismount' not to catch a peek at his body. I've seen it all anyway when we shower.

On my way back from picking up some supplies and food I stopped by the mail room to check on Rob's mail and mine. I had a letter from the Amputee Center of the Hospital. His Prostheses are here!!! I broke into a run to get to Rob's apartment. I ran in the door shouting his name.

"ROB! ROB! THEY'RE HERE! THEY'RE HERE!

"Whoa...Chip! What's here...calm down man.

"YOUR FEET! The Prosthesis. You start learning to walk tomorrow!!!

"WHAT! FOR REAL! CHIP? Holy Crap, I'm gonna walk tomorrow, jeez Chip! We're gonna walk tomorrow."

I was taken back by that 'we're gonna walk tomorrow.' We're a team now. That's good.

I saw the tears welling in his eyes. I grabbed tissues and put them in his lap, and left him by himself for a bit. I'm fairly sure he doesn't need or want me hanging around while he cries. But I can't blame him. I cried too, running over here to tell him. Once he's up on his new 'feet' there'll be no stopping Sergeant R. Whitson.

In a moment he came rolling into the kitchen, he held up both arm and I leaned down for him to hug me. Still holding me he said softly...

"I owe you Chip, you've saved my life and my sanity. I don't have the words to express my thanks for all you've done for me."

"Thank you Robert. We've got a lot more to do now, we're ready for the next level. Walking!

There are more than 50 options for foot amputees at present. Varying from life like to bizarre like the flex feet blades made from carbon fiber that let a double amputee compete at the London, Olympics last Summer. ARGH! I did it again. the South African man who ran in the London Olympic is a rehabilitated amputee.

Robert had decided he wanted a set of them after seeing the guy from South Africa run in the olympics. He also selected a dynamic-response, articulated foot, one that stores and returns energy when walking, giving a sense of "pushing off," much like the human foot.

When I woke at 8am, Robert was in his chair rolling back and forth across the room, his version of 'pacing the floor'. I stumbled into the kitchen for coffee, I looked over to Rob and he was in another zone. He was zeroed in on something, he didn't even know I was in the room until I said

"Good Morning."

He turned to me and a smile spread across his handsome face.

"I guess you can tell I'm a little anxious about today. It's the big day Chippers, we're gonna walk again thanks to you. You're the best Chip."

I was touched that he would say that, just more fuel to the fire that is my obsession with Sergeant Robert Whitson, United States Marine.

Most of the morning was spent fitting the cups of the prosthesis to Robert's legs. He started with the dynamic-response foot and took his first steps on this new 'legs' at 11:42am EDT.

After an abbreviated lunch Robert was rushing everyone to get back to the lab and walking again. He strapped the prosthesis on himself with supervision of course and he was up and all over the place, I had trouble keeping up with him, his stride being 1 1/2 times mine due to our height difference.

Robert walked all afternoon. At one point after he had made his third trip around the gym he came over to me. He walked up and held out his hand to pull me to my feet. I rose and Robert engulfed me in his arms. I felt his body shudder with his sobs.

"You've saved my life Chip. I love you man!

He didn't let me go, he held me tightly to his body. I hugged him back.

"You the one who's worked his butt of to get to this point. I'm so proud of you Rob. It would have been so easy to give up, but you didn't and look what you can do now."

"You're wrong though, anyone thinking they can give up with you around is in for a big surprise. I'll never forget what you've given me Chip. I have my life back now."

Around 3:00 pm he went to the infirmary for the doctors to inspect his 'stumps' to be certain that the device was fitting properly with no blisters. Later, back in his apartment he was lost without the new legs. The made him leave them fearing that he would take off and try to run too soon' after they had seen him strap them on and walk. He more than tripled the length of time a patient had walked on a prostheses his first outing.

I fixed our dinner around 7:30, Chicken Piccata over linguine, English peas, caramelized carrots and crescent rolls with Moscato wine. There wasn't much talk as we ate. Rob seemed to have withdrawn into himself, he seemed pensive and caught up in his thoughts. I kept quiet, giving him the space he seemed to need.

I picked up the plates, flatware and glasses and rinsed them, then loaded them into the dishwasher. Without asking I fixed us both a coffee with Baileys and sat his in front of him and went to my room. About 20 minutes later there was a slight knock at my door.

"Come in Rob."

He wheeled his chair to the foot of my bed.

"Chip? what is it...did I do something to tick you off? What's wrong?"

"Relax Rob...We're good...You were doing some heavy thinking there at the table and I just got out of your way. This has been a huge day for you, we can start counting the days until you're discharged from this place now. You'll be going home in no time."

"Yeah I guess you're right. What happens with you then, when I go home I mean?"

I thought to myself. I'll go on to my next assignment, with a heavy, hardened and scarred heart. I can't ever let this happen again. Falling for a client is just about the worst thing a Therapist can do. Besides look at who a little runt like me fell for. A testosterone laden, burly U.S. Marine Sergeant nearly twice my size. A hopeless project from the start. To Rob I said...

"I'll move onto the next assignment after the lengthy critique we will give every phase of your rehabilitation. I hope I meet more clients with your attitude Robert. You made all this so easy. I'll never forget you. Uh...listen to me. We've got many weeks left before we say goodbye."

"Jeez Chip, I've never thought that we would have to say goodbye. You're a really cool dude and I want us to always stay friends. Without you I might not have walked again. I owe you Chip."

I couldn't talk about this with him. I changed the subject.

"Say Rob, I need a refill on the coffee, you ready for another? I'll put the pot on while you find a movie."

"Chip...uh...do you have any porn here in this place. I gotta bust a nut or explode."

"NO, supplying porn to clients isn't in the job description...besides I don't think you would want to see the porn I have."

"Oh yeah...I didn't think about that. I've never seen gay porn, I don't have a clue what guys do with each other."

"I'll pick up a couple of flicks for you. What's your pleasure, guy and girl, two girls and a guy, two guys and a girl, girl on girl, man on man?"

"Surprise me Chippers, but go now before my nuts explode."

I drove to the nearest Adult Book Store and grabbed up a couple of videos. Back at his place Rob had changed into very loose, baggy sleep shorts, no tee. I dug into my own bag and found a tube of lube which I took, along with a towel and placed them on the arm of the sofa nearest him.

"Dude, pick a film and I'll get it going."

He tossed the cassette to me and I got it going.

"There you go Rob, go at it Dude. I'll be in my room, call out if you need me."

"Oh...you're not gonna watch with me."

Laughing at his disappointed look I said.

"Rob...our sexual interest are 180 degrees apart. You enjoy and get your release. You don't want an audience for that I'm sure. I don't need to see you jacking off either. I already feel inadequate enough now that I've seen you naked. "

"Why? You've got everything going for you, you're smart, cute as can be, and you know your stuff. Are you intimidated by our difference in size? I've always wished that I was smaller like you. Your body is so perfectly proportioned, none of these lumpy grotesque muscles a big oaf like me has. I wouldn't want you any different than what I see."

I didn't reply to that last thing he said. It was too crazy. Him wanting a smaller body like mine. It's strange really, how different we all are while being basically alike in most every way.

"Go back to your movie Rob, get that nut and get in bed, and be ready to walk again in the morning."

He wheeled out of my room and closed the door behind him. I wanted to watch him, hell what I really wanted was his cock pounding my butt into his mattress. Completely hopeless, I know.

I was surprised when the team set the end of Robert's rehab for just two weeks away. I thought we would have more time. Finally the day came and inside I was in turmoil, he was done. Leaving to get on with his life. It seems that as quickly as it started, it was over. Robert was ready to go home to Pennsylvania. I bravely said my goodbye and hugged him tightly.

"Good luck my friend, live, love and be happy. There isn't anything that you cannot conquer with your attitude and determination."

"During all this time we've been together it never occurred to me that it would have to end. I'll miss you Chippers."

First he stuck out his hand then in a shuddering sob he grabbed me in a hug.

"This was suppose to be a happy time but all I feel is sad that I won't see you in the morning, or ever I guess. That hurts the most, not being near my friend."

I couldn't talk, it took every bit of strength I had to keep from breaking down. I couldn't let that happen in front of him. We straightened and stood apart. His eyes looked so sad as he whispered...

"So long Chippers, I love you and will never forget what you've done for me."

He turned and walked out the door to the waiting car. When he was gone, I sat on the floor and cried like a baby.

It took our rehab team three weeks to correlate all our findings into an official Paper on Rehabilitation of a Double Amputee. On the plus side, Our experiment with Robert Whitson will change the way all amputees are treated. Respect for our accomplishment was evident when the accolades started pouring in. After all the committees and hearings interviews I knew I had to get away. I had to find a way to get over the disappointment and pain with the loss of Sergeant Robert Whitson in my day to day life.

I took two weeks leave and went down to the Outer Banks on a R & R trip for me. I was burned out, temporarily, mind you, but still burned out. Alright, bummed out over Rob leaving is more correct. Fifty times a day it seems, I have to force Robert out of my thoughts. He's everywhere my mind wanders,

I had a Private Beach Cottage on Roanoke Island in Manteo. I loved the sleeping porch and slept there every night, lying still, being quiet and listening to the surf crash against the beach right outside my door, massaged my soul. The second day there I went down to the beach and walked nearly three miles down the beach and back

By the end of the first week I felt rejuvenated, I even went to the Brewing Station at Kill Devil Hills, from what I've seen since arriving, I'm the only single gay male around. I see plenty of gay couples, but that's the problem...they're all couples. To complete my misery, I looked at my ringing phone to see 'Rob' in the caller ID. While I did dread hearing his voice it turned out to be a good call. We chatted like we always did when we were together. I was reminded of just how much I like him as a friend.

When we were saying goodbye I heard him say softly. "I miss you Chippers."

There I stood on the boardwalk shaking like a leaf and fighting back tears. I quickly walked away toward the water to calm myself. His enthusiasm at first thrilled me. He's doing so well, the call went well until he said he missed me. Hell, I miss him too. But there's nothing to do about it.

After my peaceful, restful vacay, I was assigned to one of my company's Therapy facilities and worked with our clients there. I liked it here at the office. The randomness of the clients I work with ensures that there will no time to get too close with a client. I worked hard to overcome the bad habits I developed when I was working with Robert's rehab team.

Rob called again a week or so after the first call. We laughed together and had a good talk. I was beginning to think of him only as a friend and I came out of my shell a bit. His calls started coming more frequently until it was every other day. Today's call was a laugh riot for both of us, remembering all the crazy things when we worked together. Just as I said goodbye I heard a raspy "I miss you so much Chippers." then the line went dead.

The following Friday I had the late shift and it was eight pm before I began closing up. I was putting the equipment in order when I heard the door chime. I turned and walked to the lobby and saw a guy with his back turned to me.

"Hello, can I help you." I asked.

When the man turned I gasped out loud. "ROBERT! Why...what are you doing here. My heart was racing so fast I became afraid. I just looked at him, mouth hanging open, hardly able to believe my eyes. He walked to me and hugged me close. I felt a deep sigh escape from his chest.

"I know this is short notice but can I take you to dinner, Chippers?

"Yes! Rob have you checked into a motel? You can always stay with me, I would love having you in my home. There's lots of room.

"That's great, I had to come back to Walter Reed for my 10,000 mile check up. It seems I'm ready to run again, but I've gotta build up my miles gradually again. Jeez Chip, it's so good to see you, I've missed my friend."

He stepped in and engulfed me in his arms again and I melted against him. The way he was holding me felt so good. Robert couldn't keep his hands off me. It was strange, Nothing was sexual at all, just friends that had been apart and missed each other's company. I did feel his lips at my neck in his first hug, and I'm hoping he didn't notice my hardness at his hip.

When we entered my apartment in Arlington, Rob gave out a long low whistle.

"Damn Chippers! This is so cool. I need your decorator big time. This room is fantastic."

I showed him the two bedrooms and my office. When we walked in I was hit by the smell of my semen. This is the room where the computer is and porn needs the bigger screen. Politely, Rob never mentioned the sex smell and I rushed in to spray while he was in the bathroom, and empty the waste basket filled with cum soaked tissues.

Rob asked it he could get on the computer, he wanted to make reservations for dinner. I took him back to the office and he chuckled when we entered.

"What is it I asked?"

He grabbed me in a headlock and gave me 'noogies' then said.

"I kinda liked the way this room smelled the first time Chippers."

I know I blushed crimson, if he only knew all the cum that had been shed in that room was produced by thinking of him and I in all kinds of sex together. I felt my cock thicken. I moved quickly to turn on the computer and printer and pointed out the internet access icon, and left.

I showered and jacked off hoping to put an end to these random erections being near Robert kept producing. He's adapted so well to his prostheses. The Dynamic-Response Silicone Feet completely hid his amputations and the foot was designed to mimic one's natural gait. We both had a couple of drinks so I decided that we would travel by cab this evening. We dressed and were ready to go at 8:00 pm.

Robert surprised me when he came to the great room in a tan crewneck pullover, Cordovan accessories and a Navy blazer. I was nearly the same with gray top and pants with a black blazer, shoes and belt.

Dressed as he was, Robert looked smaller to me. I know it was because he was wearing more clothes than I had ever seen him in. I boned up hard looking at him, I silently gave thanks for the coat tails covering the evidence of my lust.

We went to the bar to await our table, Scotch and water for Rob, Gin on the rocks with a twist for me. Rob began telling me about how bored he was in his hometown, he didn't like running into the ex-wife either. He had applied to work in the Marine detachment at Walter Reed. I heard from a colleague that The brass running the amputee rehab agreed that having Rob to Counsel the newbies could be a great aid in getting them into the rehab faster. I hadn't heard that an offer had been made.

Rob was so excited, he's going to start the new job at the first of the month, he was reinstated to the Marines for limited active duty at first, but most importantly to him, he was back in military service, a Marine again. He was already more confident and assertive than when his rehab program ended.

I was overjoyed that he would be back here and we could maybe get closer as friends. That was all I dared to wish for.

"Uh Chippers, I need another favor, please!!!"

"Sure thing Rob, what's up."

"Will you help me find an off base apartment. You know the city and where I need to live to get to work quickly. Listen, Chip...uh ...I...er...I dreamed a few nights ago that I got the job at Walter Reed and you and I roomed together. We were pal's again, I was so disappointed when I woke up!"

"We've always been pals Rob!"

"I know, I know...it's just...Chip...I...I've thought a lot about you. Since I left the rehab program I've always considered what you would think of a idea or even a problem. Not just the sexual parts either, but remind me about that later, I've got some questions! I catch myself Wondering what you would think of something I read, or saw.

I've rented several gay porn videos, enough so that I now have a preference as what to watch and even maybe dream about doing. I've not had gay sex yet, I want it to be with someone special, not a stranger. I know I'm a pervert."

"First, yes I'll help find you a place if you want. Second, we should have a heart to heart talk before you sign for a place though. I've dreamed about us living together too...it is definitely an option Rob. We know we get along well at least for a short period."

"Really! You've thought about us living together?"

"Robert, you know who and what I am. I've dreamed about us doing just about everything possible two men can do. Your my friend now, before we were both trying to get you back into living again. Robert, I think about you more that I care to tell.

"Chip, since the end of my rehab, you're all I think about too. I've never had a gay thought or desire until I met you. Now I just wanna be where you are. I've no interest in anyone else."

"WHAT! Rob! Why are you doing this?"

"Please calm down Chippers! All I want is to be near you. We're great friends, but there's more there than the friendship, I feel it."

"WAIT!...WHOA! YOU'RE WANTING GAY SEX? when...uh...you're gay now?"

Our Cab arrived and we rode back to my place in silence. We both headed to change clothes, Rob came out to the kitchen in loose boxers only, no shirt, no shoes, his silicone feet and lower legs matched his skin tone perfectly. And at a glance most people wouldn't know he wore artificial legs and feet. It had been a while since I saw so much of him. I felt overdressed in a tee and boxers.

We settled in to watch TV but nothing on caught our interest.

"Chip, do you have any porn we could watch, I've never watched any with someone."

"In the cabinet below the TV, the bottom left drawer...uh ...I don't have anything thing but gay porn, regular movies are in the other drawers."