Title: Yesterday to Tomorrow: Chapter Twenty-two, Prickling Revelations
Rating: R [violence, swearing, nudity]

Summary: Alternative therapy helps Alyssa more than anyone expected.

Previous Chapter Fire in the Sky

Current Chapter Prickling Revelations

Next Chapter Baby Steps

After situating Alyssa in the guest bed in Brad's house, Chris sat on the patio with Brad, looking up at the stars.

"Alyssa okay?" his bandmate's voice came from behind him.

Chris looked over his shoulder, watching Brad pull a chair next to him, "Yeah. But I bet she never let's us do the firework thing again. I wouldn't even be surprised if she was against any kind of pyros in concert. She's a little shaken up about it. Only home a few days and once again something happens."

"I'm really sorry about that. I double- and triple-checked all of the rounds before lighting. I don't know what hap—"

"Don't worry about it, Brad. Accidents happen. They just usually happen to Tim," he chuckled.

"True, true," he nodded. "But really how is Alyssa? I mean truly, with the whole paralysis issue?"

Chris sighed, rubbing his face with both hands, "It's rough. She doesn't hardly smile anymore. And her frustration keeps increasing, since there's so much she can't do for herself. I can handle taking care of her, that's not an issue at all. I just want to see her happy again."

Brad sipped his glass of water, "Does she remember anything about the heist yet?"

He shook his head, "No. And I'm not sure if remembering will be a good or a bad thing. I've seen parts of the surveillance cameras from the bank. I'm not sure if she should remember what happened."

"I think it might be a good thing, Chris. She needs to remember to heal. Maybe her inability to walk is all in her head," he tapped his temple. "Maybe some meditation would do her some good."

"I'm open to anything, any suggestion. Whether or not she is... is another thing," Chris responded.

"I'll talk with her in the morning. Perhaps I can even talk her into talking to some of the monks," Brad stated. "Alternative theraphy can often do what doctors can't."

"Happiness. I just want her to be happy."


Looking sideways with one eye, Alyssa peeked at Brad. Mimicking his pose, her eye closed again. At breakfast he had convinced her of a number of things. Firstly, to not take her medications that day. Chris fought that one, but Alyssa agreed to it. Secondly to join him during his morning meditations. Alyssa used to do yoga thrice a week, so meditating with Brad wasn't that weird. His final request was a little harder to accept, at least at face value.

She wasn't entirely sure what to think about Buddhist monks. But she already hated being stuck in a wheelchair, Chris taking care of her all the time. So she was willing to meet with the monks Brad knew. Which was fortunate, as he had already asked them to come over later that day.

"Deep breaths, Alyssa. From deep within your soul," he stated calmly.

Focusing on where her breaths were orignating from, she did as he instructed. Slowly she willed all the tension away in her body a breath at a time. A warm feeling began to seep into her body, into her soul. Her skin tingled, all the way down to her toes.

Her toes. On both feet.

"Brad," she breathed, "my toes.... tingle."

"That's good," he commented, though said no more.

They meditated for a little over an hour, before they rolled out of it. Alyssa was a bit disappointed at the end of it, feeling she was finally getting somewhere. Sure it was just a tingle in both feet, she still couldn't move both of them. But it was something.

That and something else was teasing the edge of consciousness. She wasn't entirely sure what it was, but got the feeling it had something to do with... why she was in the hospital in the first place.

But none of these did she mention as Brad lifted her back into her wheelchair. Instead she focused on the positive, just as he instructed during their session.

"I... thank you, Brad. I don't know that I've felt so... centred in some time," she admitted.

"You're very welcome," he smiled at her. "You're more than welcome to join my meditations every morning if you like."

"Oh I most certainly will," Alyssa nodded. "I may not be able to yoga anymore, but this... this will be a good substitute."

"I didn't know you practiced yoga," he commented, pushing her chair down the hall, presumably where Chris was.

"Three times a week. At dawn," she stated. "For eight years."

"Wow. Chris never mentioned anything about it."

"Probably because he doesn't know," she shrugged.

"I don't know what?" his voice interrupted, his eyes glancing over the edge of the newspaper he was partially reading.

"Alyssa has practiced yoga for eight years," Brad answered, "so meditating wasn't all that foreign to her."

Chris nodded, "You're right. I didn't know that."

Alyssa chuckled, "Brad's helping me centre myself without the stretching. Though I do miss the stretching."

"Soon, love," he assured her.

"Oh definitely. I felt both of my feet when meditating. I think... I think in time I'll be...."

He couldn't help the grin on his face. Not entirely for her new discouvery, but rather the light he was seeing sparkle in her eyes. Maybe he should give the meditation thing a shot too.

"That's great, Lyss," he set the paper aside to lean towards her and kiss her softly. "A little positive thinking never hurt anyone. I don't doubt you'll be up and dancing in no time."

"Hopefully before our wedding," she commented softly.

"Did I just hear what I thought I did?" Brad spoke up, offering a bottle of water to Alyssa. "You two are getting married?"

Alyssa nodded, though her eyes dropped to her still naked finger. She didn't know why Chris hadn't returned her ring yet.

"Congratulations. I can't think of anyone who belongs together more than you two," he proclaimed.

Noticing Alyssa's down-turned eyes, Chris realized he had forgotten something in the excitement of taking her home. And from the way she wasn't bubbling any more, he knew it was a very big deal.

"Hey, Brad, you gonna hang around here for awhile?"

He nodded, "Yeah. Just have to go pick up the monks in a couple of hours. Why?"

"I need to run a few errands," he stood, motioning to Alyssa with his eyes.

"Ah. Right. Maybe you'd like to help me out in the garden, Alyssa?" Brad asked.

Her eyes rose to his, "Sure, but I don't see how someone in a wheelchair can—"

"Great," he turned her wheelchair towards the patio doors. "We'll be outside when you get back, Chris."


Her hand holding her stomach, Alyssa gasped for air. She hadn't laughed like that in some time. And not over something stupid as Brad making faces at her using vegetables from the garden as props. Oh but it felt good, really good.

Maybe Chris was right. It was a good place for them to be, opposed to a hotel. No. He was right. Alyssa was certainly feeling better than she had in a month. And she knew it was from the positive vibes of Brad's house.

"It's over then," Chris's voice interrupted Brad's routine. "You've succeeded in winning my fiancee over, Brad. She's yours now."

Still grinning, Alyssa turned in the chair, her eyes meeting his, "He may have made me laugh, but you're still the one who holds my heart."

His smile increased, "Good. Then this might be considered a fair trade."

Moving around so that he was in front of her, Chris held out a large velvet heart. Accepting it, Alyssa looked at him questioningly. He merely nodded encouragement to open it. At the tip of the heart there was a red satin ribbon, allowing access to the concealed interior. Opening the pretty box open, her hazel eyes looked inside. Her grin returned a moment later.

Inside was not only her engagement ring but a locket resting on the velvet. Chris's fingers reached into the heart-shaped box and he knelt before her, holding the ring out.

"Make me whole," he requested softly.

"Yes," her eyes sparkled, watching him slid the ring back onto her finger.

Chris kissed her hand softly before he reached for the locket. Closing the box and setting it aside, her undid the clasp of the platinum chain. Moving behind her chair without even a thought, he fastened the necklace around her throat, kissing the back of her neck after doing so.

"But, Chris, what's inside of it?" she asked, fingers moving to the platinum heart.

"Open and look," he returned to facing her.

Slipping her nail between the two halves, Alyssa opened the locket. Her eyes immediately went to the picture inside. Her grin returned, her eyes glittering.

"That's the first picture we ever took together. In a photo booth. In Seattle," she chirped, eyes going to his. "I didn't know you still had it."

"Of course. How could I get rid of something like that?" his green eyes flitted to the small picture of a very young Alyssa kissing Chris's cheek.

Not having the words to reply, she merely reached for him and kissed him softly, "I love you."


Closing her eyes, Alyssa inhaled deeply. Chris had told her before arriving at the Buddhist temple for her weekly session with the monks that the house was ready for them to move back in. She wasn't entirely sure if she was ready to do that. Living with Brad had proved to be very healing. While she still couldn't get her left leg to do anything she wanted it to, feeling had returned to the rest of her body. Her left leg merely taunted her with tingling toes every now and then.

Traditional physical theraphy hadn't been fun at all. Nor did Alyssa think she was getting much from it. Chris had convinced her to give it a chance, not give up after one session. So for the past three weeks she went to it twice a week. That day she had told them she would not be returning to their program, that she had a better alternative. The therapists and Chris hadn't been too pleased, but accepted her decision.

Funny how her decision lead to her laying on a table painted with healing symbols. Thirty-three long needles stuck out from her skin, a sight she was certain Chris would be nervous about. Even Alyssa would admit it looked funny the first time she had agreed to it. But now in her third session, she was certain it was helping re-route her energy. She could nearly feel her energy changing its flow. Though it still seemingly avoided her left leg.

However a little voice reminded her to not think of such things, to empty her mind of worries and let whatever her body needed to tell her. And so slowly she breathed, pushing thoughts and worries aside. A few more breaths and her mind was completely empty.

And that's when something played on the edge of her mind. Deeper breaths released that tempting thought... and so much more. Tears soon surfaced, running down her cheeks.

"Alyssa?" her acupuncturist spoke up.

Her eyes fluttered open, tears running down her cheeks, "I need.... I need Chris."

The needles were removed and Chris brought into the room. The monk left the room, closing the door securely behind himself.

"Lyss?" he approached her tenatively, unsure why she wouldn't look at him. "Did something happen?"

"He shot... he shot...." she sobbed, eyes going to him. "I remember."