PH

The shock of the two bullets hitting his body overwhelmed him so much that he was oblivious to the explosion that soon followed. Landing back on the ground, his hands still caught in the rope around the ox yoke, Danny Walker could only stare up at the night sky in shock. Sound seemed to cease besides the roaring of his blood in his ears and even that was fading. And then a voice cut through that as a person suddenly knelt beside him.

Immediately knowing that it was Rafe, Danny couldn't help but let loose a pained groan, "Rafe…" Instinctively trusting and knowing from years of being with the other, that that tone of voice had always brought Rafe running to fix whatever was wrong.

Hearing and feeling Rafe's panicked motions, the dying man barely noticed as his hands were released and the yoke pushed back. But he felt the trembling in his best friend's body even as one of the steady hands moved underneath his head to raise him up.

"I'm… I'm not going to make it," he stammered out with his agony. At once, he was ashamed because he knew that the reality of him dying would shake Rafe up like nothing else could. Unable to hold in his pained gasps and moans, he completely missed his best friend's reassuring and encouraging words.

"I'm so cold… so cold," Danny said with his eyes closed, his teeth minutely chattering. But this time he couldn't miss Rafe's reaction. As Rafe brought him closer, Danny heard the hitch in the other's breathing and saw the anguish written into every line of the familiar face in front of him.

Seeking to comfort his friend, for he knew that it was always hardest on those who were left behind, he tried to joke. "Do me a favor… have someone else write my name on the tombstone," chuckling hurt and he stopped as his friend pulled away and grabbed his shoulders.

Leaning over, Rafe's eyes were fierce and his tone meant business. "You ain't gonna die! Look at me, listen to me! Danny, you can't die! You wanna know why? 'Cause you're going to be a father. I wasn't supposed to tell you." Tears fell from Rafe's eyes and landed on Danny's neck.

The dying man managed to latch his eyes on his friend as Rafe finished. "You're going to be a father, I wasn't supposed to tell you. You're going to be a daddy," more tears fell. Pleading entered his voice as he gave only one more word. "Please."

Feeling tears in his own eyes, Danny knew that Rafe was asking him for more then staying to be a father to the unborn child. Rafe McCawley was pleading with his little brother not to leave him behind. The pain of it was written in every line of the other's body.

Gathering his strength, wanting to stay with his friend but realizing it was impossible, Danny wrapped his weakening fingers in the other's flight jacket. Pulling Rafe down a little, he opened his eyes and locked gazes with his best friend. Having to take a few quick breaths before he spoke, the younger man knew it had to be said. "No, you are." Physically feeling his brother's pain over his own now, Danny wanted nothing more then to stop this agony for his friend.

But it wasn't to be. Managing to sit up, their foreheads met for the last time in shared brotherly love. However, it did not last long as all strength left Danny's body and the cold rushed in. His last, clear and unobstructed sight was of Rafe pulling back with a stunned expression filling his face.

Feeling the last of his tears running down his cheeks, Danny could only silently say good-bye.

THE END