After following the Doctors instructions and washing thoroughly he entered the empty waiting room and grabbing a Coke from the vending machine he took a seat at a table overlooking the hospital courtyard.
His mind was a blur. It was not even noon and his head was throbbing from the stress of the last three hours.
He called Rachel and talked to Gracie for a few minutes, relieved that she sounded perfectly healthy. He had to hastily tell her good bye as his phone lit up showing that MaryAnn was returning his call.
"MaryAnn, Hi it's Danny. Thanks for getting back to me"
"Of course. Danny what's happening? What's wrong with Steve?"
"He contracted a virus and he's very sick"
"Very sick...how sick exactly?"
"He's in the ER now so I'll have to call you back"
"So you found him then?"
"Yes, we found him"
"Danny, I don't get it? If he wasn't feeling good, why did he go to the caves?"
"It's a long story and I can't tell you a lot yet, but I promise I'll call you as soon as I know anything"
"Do I need to fly out?"
Danny didn't know how he should answer that question...he looked up as Chin and Kono arrived and were moving towards him, "I don't think that's necessary MaryAnn. We can take care of him"
"Thank You Danny. Please tell him I love him"
"I will...I'll talk to you soon, bye"
He sighed deeply as he closed the phone and turned to his friends.
Chin inquired, "MaryAnn?"
"Yeah"
"What did you tell her?"
"As little as possible...hey before you guys sit down the Doc says you need to scrub down good, lots of lather. The bathrooms are down the hall"
"Okay, we'll be right back"
He watched the cousins as they turned and walked from the room. He had to make certain that they stayed protected from this crap. He moved to the vending machine, getting a Coke for Chin and a Diet Coke for Kono.
They returned a few minutes later, thanking him for the drinks as they sat. Kono spoke first, "So what do we know?"
"Not a damn thing sweetheart. He's drifting in and out of consciousness. He's burning up and he's bleeding internally. I don't know...I don't know how he can survive this...you saw him, he looks like shit"
"Don't count him out Danny. He's a Navy SEAL brother, they don't come any tougher than him"
"Sometimes Chin it doesn't matter how tough you are. The human body is pretty damn fragile"
Kono took his hand, "Danny, we have to stay positive. We have to be strong for him"
"I know. This one has me scared though...only a 10% survival rate"
"And that's all he needs Danny! You give Steve 1% and I'd bet on him"
Danny smiled at her and stood, "Come here, I need a hug"
She stood and they embraced, "Anytime bro"
Once they sat back down, Danny told them more about the symptoms and what Steve was facing.
They all looked up as Doctor Gallegos entered the room at about 1:30, and motioning for them to remain seated he joined them at the table.
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"Doc, I've filled them in on everything you told me...how is he?"
"I'm not going to lie to you, he's very critical. As I've explained there is no cure for the ebola virus. All we can do for him is make him as comfortable as possible and hope that he's strong enough to fight this off. You saw the bruising, and after undressing him it's covering his entire body"
Danny interrupted, "Even the soles of his feet are bruised"
"Yes, he had to be in excruciating pain walking through the wooded area back to his truck, so it's obvious that the man has a strong will to survive... so that's a very good sign"
Kono asked, "So the bleeding, what's causing it?"
"Hemorrhagic Fever interferes with the blood's natural ability to clot. The walls of tiny blood vessels are damaged, basically making them 'leak'. We'll be monitoring him very carefully. If the bleeding increases he may require surgery and in his weakened state his chances of survival would not be good. I've given him the first injection of Interferon which hopefully will help with clotting. He's severely dehydrated so it's important to get fluids into him. We have him on numerous IV's replenishing his electrolytes and pumping him full of high dose antibiotics. We also have him hooked to IV's with drugs to help stabilize his blood pressure which is very low. His fever is 103.8 and he's experiencing chills. I would have liked to intubate him to assist in his breathing but he is still vomiting and we would risk asphyxiation with the tubing in place. I have a nasal canula in place and I've placed him in an oxygen tent for the time being as well"
"Has he been awake at all?"
"A little bit. We need to watch him closely for symptoms of shock which is the cause of most deaths with Hemorrhagic Fevers. If he goes into shock, there can be vascular collapse and his organs would begin to shut down"
Kono then asked, "Is he in pain?"
"Yes, but hopefully the medications and fluids we are getting into his body will bring him some relief. I have inserted a catheter and we'll be watching both his urine and waste carefully for any signs of blood. This is going to be a very long process and he needs to be quarantined throughout it"
"Doc, I need to be with him"
"Danny, I strongly suggest against that. You know how contagious and deadly this virus is"
"He would not be lying in there fighting for his life if not for me. He set up the day with the monkeys as a birthday present for Gracie and now that act of kindness could kill him….I can't let him be alone, I WON'T let him be alone….."
Chin grabbed Danny's forearm, "Danny think about this, think about Gracie. Steve would not want you to risk your life. You know that Danny!"
The blonde detective's voice was soft, "He could die…..I'm not going to let him be alone"
Tears were welling in both men's eyes as Chin responded, "I'll go be with him"
"NO, NO you won't! Neither one of you are going in there. Chin….this is my fault…you two have already been put in too much danger"
"I don't have a child who needs me! Danny this isn't your fault! You're acting emotionally, you're not thinking clearly brother"
"I'm acting emotionally? Damn right I am! If he dies I'll never forgive myself….Oh God what will I tell Gracie?"
"You'll tell her that he's sick…..that's all you'll tell her. But if you go in there you may never see her again! Are you going to let that happen to her?"
Danny pushed up away from the table bringing his hands to his head. They were all quiet for a couple of minutes before Danny turned to face the others, "I don't have a choice…..I have to go be with him"
Kono stood, "Dan…."
He interrupted her, "Kono, Chin….no arguing…..he's my partner and I'm second in command. I need you two handle things at the office. Can you do that please?"
Chin stood and moved to Danny embracing him, "Take care of him bro"
"I will. I'll keep in touch"
Kono then hugged him, "Tell him we love him Danny. Don't let him quit"
"I'll tell him sweetheart"
Danny then turned to Doctor Gallegos, "Let's go"
