"Alright, think you're jus' 'bout ready then." There's a grin partially hidden in his features — he wasn't particularly feeling the best today, probably the worst of the week actually...but her excitement proved a bit CONTAGIOUS. He made Lena a PROMISE. So long as she managed to pass her permit test today, he'd let her on the bike. And when Jesse makes a promise, he keeps it.
It wasn't exactly the class bike you'd expect to see her on, and it was definitely a bit overweight for her size — but if she learned to handle this thing, she could handle ANYTHING. So it's with that partial smile he stood at the front of the bike, leaning to the handlebars as he straddled the wheel in preparation for her to attempt a LIFT.
"That book I gave ya — you read it? Front t'back?"
Lena had worked hard at being patient.
The pair were in the midst of their training when his accident happened, Lena finally learning how to shift through gears without stalling and getting up to speed comfortable. Speed being, of course, a comfortable 30 miles per hour, but everyone had to start somewhere. Her graduation to solo trips and eventually, a bike of her own, lurked just on the horizon as their trainings progressed.
It had given a certain light to her, a purpose to keep fighting when everything seemed a little too dark. She treated each lesson as an opportunity for speed, a chance to press the miles between her and that wretched isolation chamber. So many nights were spent after dinner and the day's jobs were done, cruising around the flat lot behind the base with Lena becoming more and more confident every day.
But nothing good could last. Jesse's injury had interrupted everything, grinding progress to a halt across the board. Blackwatch had their own upheaval over the loss, and Lena's time switched from dutiful hours beneath the setting sun to rambling with Jesse about things that really didn't mean anything. Their roles switched as easily as anything, the diligent friend and the survivor, seeking out a reason to continue.
Neither spoke about his bike sat collecting dust in the garage.
He had finally made enough progress to escape the unending hum of the medical ward, cleared on low-activity leave for the time being. Lena had resisted pressing, the question clearly burning a hole somewhere between where her ribcage started and her lungs ended. But still, she stayed the angsty spirit, choosing instead to wait until the day of her permit.
The test had been easy enough - after all, Lena learned from the best - on a bike much smaller than Jesse's. Her trip back to base felt faster than life, watching trees fly by so the pair could celebrate the next win together.
"Front to back, three times!" The piece of paper announcing her status trembled with her excitement. His weariness was missed by the hyperactive woman, focused on her own success, her own mark of freedom against the world that dared to wrong her.
"Can't stop me now! Ha!" Wary of his arm - or lack thereof - Lena pulled him into a tight hug. The time for tears had passed, adrenaline sidling in instead, but her appreciation was there nonetheless.
The moment concluded, Lena pulled back with that contagious grin on her face. She rounded the bike, appreciating the smooth angles and glossy finish that had been scratched only a few times during the learning process.
The lift was touch-and-go for a second, Lena teetering against the weight of the bike. It weighed four times what she did, but that didn't stop her from hauling it level with a resolute expression. Once established, her balance maintained easily and Lena pumped her fist excitedly.
"Yeah! See, I knew I could do it!" Now all she had to do was ride it.