How could Keith have been so damn stupid! Danny grabbed the axe and his hands began to shake. He knew that every strike of this axe against the seat has going to ripple through Steve's body causing him intense pain. But he could think of no other way to free him.
As Danny listen to the winds whipping outside the plane, the torrential rains began. As he moved back towards the front of the plane a new fear struck him. With the nose of plane going into the ground first the plane was angled slightly and the rain was pouring into the front of the plane. He had to move quickly or the water's could soon envelope Steve, drowning him.
His mind was racing as he tried to think of the best way to do this and minimize the pain to Steve.
His thoughts were interrupted by Steve's cries, "DANNO...DANNO !"
He was at his side in seconds, standing in shin deep water, "Hey I'm right here, you alright?"
"Gettin' wet Danno...get...meee out ...of here man..."
"Yeah, I know. I'm going to do this as quickly as I can. I don't know how many hits it will take brother"
A pained grin crossed Steve's face and he chuckled softly.
Danny looked down at him, "Can I ask what part of this you are finding funny?"
"All the crap I...give youuuu...now...you can ttorturee...me buddy"
Danny knelt in the rising water and took hold of his partner's hand, "I'm sorry Steve, I don't see any other way..."
"Danny...there IS no other way...now...do it, it's okay brother...do it"
After one final squeeze of his partners hand Danny moved behind the chair with the axe.
Without any further words Danny drew back the axe and with all his might he swung at the base of the chair.
As metal hit metal and water sprayed, the force of the impact reverberated through Steve's broken body. His screams stopped Danny cold and he moved back to his side placing his hands on the shaking man's shoulders, "Oh God I'm sorry Steve..." his voice choked with emotion.
"Dann...nny ...DAMNNNN...IT DDANNY...DO IT...don'ttt ss...stop...DO IT!"
The cockpit was filling quickly with rain water and it was almost to seat level. Danny had to get this done before he lost all visibility.
He struck with the axe two, three, four times. As much as Steve tried he could not contain his cries of anguish and they tore into Danny's heart.
He continued to strike, screaming and cursing with every swing of the axe.
Tears of anger, fear and frustration were stinging his eyes, "BREAK YOU SON OF A BITCH...BREAK !"
Finally on the eighth swing he broke through and the seat fell under the water to the left pulling Steve with it.
Throwing the axe to the side he had Steve's head above the water in seconds. Grabbing the knife from his pocket he cut the seatbelt releasing Steve from his trap and moving on pure adrenilain he lifted his much larger partner into his arms carrying him through the waist deep murky rain water towards the back of the plane.
Backing up against the side of the plane, Danny slid down dropping to the ground with Steve in his lap. He was constantly talking breathlessly as he did, "You're free partner, I've got you...I've got you babe...relax, I've got you" He held Steve tightly to his chest. Steve was coughing... his entire body shaking in pain as Danny held him, rubbing his back..."Relax Steven...slow down your breathing babe"
Danny was shaking as well as he looked towards the rising waters at the front of the plane. He had come very close to having his partner drown and the reality of that began to sink in.
The men sat like this for almost fifteen minutes as Steve fought the pain surging through every inch of his body. Danny leaned over and grabbed a sleeping bag. As he kept his firm grasp on his partner he struggled with one hand to untie and unzip the bag, tossing it over Steve's shivering body.
Thankfully the rains began to let up but the winds were still whipping through the trees outside the plane.
Steve broke the silence talking haltingly, "Danno...thank you..."
Danny ran his hand across his tear filled eyes and spoke in a hushed, calming tone, "Sure thing buddy...anytime you need someone to torture you, just give me a call"
A slight grin crossed Steve's face as Danny slipped out from behind him and as tenderly as possible he laid Steve onto the hard ground. Steve bit his lip and moaned softly trying to stay strong. He knew how much this was hurting his friend, "Danno...you did what...you had to...do man...thank you"
"Well you knucklehead, next time believe me when I tell you we should go the ballgame, a nice, peaceful, SAFE ballgame..."
"Okay Danny...I will..."
"I need to look you over now Steve. There's a backboard here so I'm going to move you onto that, but I've got to get you out of those wet clothes first, you're freezing"
"Uuuhh...huh...I can help"
"No, no you can't...you're going to help by just laying as still as possible babe...I'll do everything else you hear me?"
"Yes sir..."
Danny grabbed the backboard and then pulling the sleeping bag from Steve he began cutting his clothes away. As the shirt was removed he instantly noticed the bruising already appearing across the injured man's entire belly and lower abdomen. He could see the severe swelling of Steve's groin area through his khaki's and he gently removed his belt and cut away the pants and boxers. The swelling of the testicles was horrible and Danny grimaced at a sight which is any man's worst nightmare. This injury alone had to be causing excruciating pain. There was a large bruise on Steve's right hip and thigh and the knee was swollen. And then there was the left leg...he had a compound fracture of the tibula about half way between the knee and ankle. It was bleeding but Danny thankfully noticed no spraying indicating no arterial bleeding. He carefully removed Steve's shoes and socks and his ankles and feet did not appear to be injured.
"How do I look...Daaanno?"
"Well buddy, you're looking like you've just been through a plane crash" Danny knelt at Steve's head and took his face into his hands, "Listen close babe, you've got some broken bones, quite a few probably, and a lot of swelling and bruising. You've got a compound fracture of your lower left leg and I've got to set that and sew it up. Now I'm going to lift you onto the backboard and then I'll cover you back up"
"K Danny...I'm...thirsty"
"Okay, hang on" Danny moved to the cooler and grabbed a bottle of water.
Lifting Steve's head he helped him drink. "You can't have much buddy, just little sips" Danny was concerned about internal bleeding and giving someone water when they have a belly wound could prove fatal.
Once done, Danny got onto his knees and cupping his arms under Steve's shoulders and thighs he transferred the naked man onto the backboard and then covered him again with the sleeping bag. Steve moaned and bit his lip but he refused to cry out.