I just want to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to everyone who has read this story and reviewed or put it on alerts! As I have mentioned before I am a nervous poster so it really means a lot that you take the time to read and review. Because I have had such a good response to the story I am posting this chapter today (its Friday in UK) instead of the promised Saturday.
So much for a short story! Started as a one shot – became a two shot – now its 4 chapters long!
This is the final chapter – not a lot of excitement, just character stuff really - the pineapple element is revealed at the end – hope it's not too much of a disappointment!
Still don't own any of them – just dust them off now and again – usually to hurt them! Ha ha!
Pineapple – Chapter 4
Sunlight snaked its way through the slits in the blinds of the stark hospital room, heralding the start of another day.
Steve straightened up in his uncomfortable chair trying to ease his tired muscles. He stood up slowly and massaged his back as he took a step towards the head of the bed.
Danny was still out for the count, and had been all night. Steve knew this for a fact because he had barely shut his eyes all night.
He looked down at his sleeping friend, resisting the urge to move a stray lock of blonde hair that had fallen onto his forehead. He didn't feel as tense as he had done the night before, due to the fact that the doctor had assured them that none of Danny's internal organs had been compromised and that although he had lost a lot of blood, the wound had been cleaned and sutured properly so there was no reason why he wouldn't make a full recovery – although he would be very tired for a while due to the blood loss, "Come on Danny, wake up, it's not natural you being this quiet…"
A small smile graced his lips at the thought of Danny's usual demeanour. He couldn't resist the urge any longer and gently moved the lock of hair from is forehead, shaking his head as he did so, "If you could see this partner – I'm sure you'd have something to say!"
He left his hand on Danny's head for a fraction of a second longer than he should. He couldn't explain it but it helped him feel grounded when he could feel his partner, living and breathing.
Then he made his way to the window to catch a glimpse of the outside world. He had spent a lonely night by Danny's bedside after sending Chin and Kono home with a promise to call them if he woke up. After the doctor had shared the good news, Steve had immediately called Rachel, who was very happy to hear the news and promised she would tell Grace straight away.
He heard the door 'swoosh' open and the nurse who had been in during the night entered, "You still awake?" she admonished, just as she had done each time she'd been in to check on Danny.
Steve smothered a grin; "I'm making up for sleepy head over there…" he drifted off as he watched her administrations. When she had finished he knew he didn't have to ask, "He's doing great," She insisted.
"Why is he still asleep?" Steve sounded like a petulant child, even to his own ears.
"He lost a lot of blood. His body is resting while it replenishes – he'll wake up soon," she explained.
"I'm off duty now, so hopefully you won't be here when I get back tonight…you'll be sleeping!" She smiled kindly at the tall man.
He couldn't help but reciprocate, "Someone will be here!" He insisted.
"Oh I don't doubt that!" She chuckled as she left the room.
Alone again with the sleeping man, Steve took one last look out of the window then reclaimed his uncomfortable chair at the side of the bed.
"Hey you slept at all?" A voice from behind startled him. He spun around in defensive mode, "Easy tiger, it's only me."
He relaxed when he realised that it was his sister standing just through the door.
"What are you doing here?" He asked in surprise.
"Can't a sister look after her brother once in a while? I've brought breakfast…" She revealed a bag with two large cups of coffee.
"Just what the doctor ordered."
"Figured…bet you haven't eaten all night?" Steve looked sheepish, "You look like hell big brother, you ok?"
Steve sighed as he ran a hand through his dishevelled hair, "I'm tired – I couldn't sleep – I needed to be here when he woke up," he glanced towards his partner.
Mary caught a glimpse of something on her brothers' face – something she'd never seen before, but she couldn't explain what.
"How is he?" She asked as Steve turned back to face her.
"He's gong to be fine – just need him to wake up…" he finished quietly while removing the lid off his coffee cup.
Mary looked at him with surprise on her face, "You know I've known you my whole life, obviously, but I've never seen you like this about anyone before – not even you SEAL buddies."
"What do you mean?" Steve asked confused.
"I don't know what it is – I can't describe it – I mean I get that you're worried about him and all…but…" Mary trailed off as she tried to make sense of what she was saying.
"What are you talking about Mary?"
"I don't know it's like there's a really deep bond between you. You're not 'you' when something happens to Danny. Even with Grace, you're so good with her and you know nothing about kids! Chin and Kono told me how you helped her last night…I'm not making much sense am I?"
Steve suddenly found the floor very interesting. He couldn't meet his sisters' eyes, "You're right, I've never had a partner like him. He's such a good cop – a good father – a good man. He keeps me grounded, keeps me alive half the time…I can't imagine…" Steve stopped as he felt stinging in his eyes. Mary, who had pulled up a chair next to her brother, reached over and touched his arm. Steve did glance up at her then – a lone tear coursing down his cheek. Mary couldn't help but wipe it away. This is what Danny had done for Steve – made him human again after years of being told not to feel anything.
Steve cleared his throat, "When I saw him Mary…laid out on the floor…blood leaking out of him…" He put his head in his hands, "God Mary, I thought that was it! I thought I'd lost him…" He began to rub the back of his head in a familiar sign to Mary of the distress this was causing her brother.
"You don't get rid of me that easily Steven…" a voice penetrated that distress.
Steve spun round and jumped out of the chair in one movement, which caused the man in the bed to emit a small chuckle, "Super SEAL strikes again."
Both Steve and Mary, who had joined him, gazed down at the stricken man, "How you doing partner?"
Danny gave Steve a 'what a dumb question' look which Steve acknowledged with a nod, "Tired…" he managed.
"Doc says you'll be tired for a while. You lost a lot of blood…but it's all good now."
Danny smiled and nodded slightly as his eyes began to drift closed again. Suddenly he opened them looking straight at Steve, "Grace – Is she ok? Where is she…?"
Steve laid a hand on Danny's chest, "She's fine, worried about you, but otherwise fine. She called me …from the shop," he shuddered as he remembered hearing the little girl tell him that her daddy had been hurt, "Steve?" A concerned voice broke through his thoughts, "She was very brave…she told me to tell you that Grace loves her Danno…"
He stopped when he saw Danny's eyes fill with tears. He patted his shoulder gently in acknowledgement of his feelings.
When Danny got himself back together, he looked more exhausted that when he'd woken up, "You'd better rest now…" Steve advised.
Danny was mumbling something that Steve couldn't quite make out, "What? Danny what is it?"
Danny turned to his voice, his eyes half closed, "Grace wanted pineapple to put on her pizza – I'm sure she was doing it on purpose! Can you believe it? I was stabbed because I was shopping for pineapple! Another reason for me to hate pineapple!"
He closed his eyes as sleep reclaimed him – oblivious to the hysterical laughter that filled his room.
So that's it! The pineapple part wasn't very exciting – but you just know that if Grace wanted pineapple then Danny would get her pineapple and they ended up being in the wrong place at the wrong time! Do you think Steve was out of character there? Hmm I'm not sure!
Hope it didn't disappoint! Hopefully back soon with more stories – take care xx
