The men finished splinting Ty's breaks and after checking on the chest tube the young man was shaking with pain. Danny, JJ and two other men gently rolled him onto his side, wrapping two blankets snuggly around him and settling him back onto his Father's lap.

JJ and the others then moved over to tend to Owen as Danny knelt at Steve's side.
"How you doing partner?"
"It's so hard seeing him like this Danno…..he's in so much pain"
"I know. Nothing in this world hurts more than seeing your child in pain….but he's safe now and he's going to be fine. You saved his life Steve"

"No buddy…..WE saved his life. And you were a big part of it. You've saved my life twice tonight partner"
Danny grinned, "Didn't I tell you that you wouldn't be sorry I came?"
Steve smiled at his best friend, "Yeah you sure did….thank you Danny"
"I'm so thankful you're both alive buddy. He needs you now more than ever"

"I know D'…" The SEAL hesitated before adding softly, "I've been through this shit so many times. I've lost so many brothers, so may amazing men. I think about them all so often and I can't help but wonder how their lives would have turned out….." Tears welled in the man's eyes as he continued, "I would never wish this pain on anyone, and now my son…oh God Danny my son"

"Steve, right now you need to help him through the physical pain babe. Stay strong for him partner but don't forget you're not alone. I love you and I love Ty…..and every one of these brothers here love you both and we're all here for you. You're not alone Steven"

Ty moaned and Steve stroked his face, "Ssshhhhhhh sleep Ty…..I've got you….ssshhhhhhhhh"
Danny watched on until Ty was back under and then he inquired, "How are you feeling?"
"I'm okay buddy, don't worry about me"
"Don't worry…..don't worry….you know that it is my job to worry about you"
Steve grinned at his friend, "I love you too Danno. Would you go check on Sam?"
"Sure, I'll be right back"

He watched his friend walk away and he silently thanked God that Danny was there with him now. After his Mother was 'killed' when he was sixteen and his world was turned upside down, he had decided to pursue a career in the military. Back then, he had made that decision because he felt he was choosing a life of service…and solitude. He could push himself and be the best he could be and do all for himself, nobody else. Oh how wrong he had been. The SEAL's had given him his life back. They had become the family he was longing for and they had given him a renewed purpose. His thoughts drifted to the brothers he had lost. Twelve men…. twelve amazing men that he had loved and lost. A tear slipped down his cheek as he thought of Freddy. His best friend through all those years and hundreds of missions….and the final brother he had lost in battle. Within days of losing Freddy, he had lost his Dad and he had returned to Hawaii a broken man. Then he met Danny, and again he found purpose with his new Hawaiian Ohana.

He thought he would live out his days serving the great State of Hawaii. Over the last three and a half years he had found a peace with his 5-0 family, Gracie and Catherine that he had never before experienced. And then came Ty…..when he found out he had a son he had been overwhelmed and as he grew to know the boy, a love had developed that was so deep, so life altering.

He was so proud of Tyler, of the man that he had become and although he had been deeply concerned about his son's decision to become a SEAL, he had never tried to stop him from doing what he wanted to do. He had been totally honest with him….he had told him about the good times and the amazing camaraderie that would develop with his band of brothers, but he also told him of the bad, of the fears, the deaths and the nightmares….the God awful nightmares that would torment his nights. He had feared this for his son and now he knew that it would be a realty that Ty would have to face for the rest of his life, just as he did. He looked around the room at Danny, Sam, JJ and all the others and the love he felt for them was overwhelming. He would give his life in a heartbeat for any of them.

He grimaced as pain shot across his abdomen. Oh God he hurt, but Danny was right, he had to stay strong for Ty. He wasn't going to lose his son…he couldn't lose his son.

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Danny returned to Steve's side, "Sam's doing good partner. He's still sleeping and his breathing and heart rate are good. The ankle is still quite inflamed so I put an icepack on it. Tell me, how in the hell did you guys happen to have the anti-venom for that?"

"Planning 'D…I told you SEAL missions are different. We always try to be prepared for anything that the environment can bring us"
Danny spoke softly, "I tell you man….I've always respected you but seeing this…being a part of it. I'm amazed Steve"
Their discussion was interrupted as Owen's cries of anguish filled the room as JJ and Dominic worked on setting his broken arms and collarbone.
"OOOHHHH FFFFUUCKK SSSTTTOOP PPLEASSE…"
Ronnie was lying next to his buddy. Owen's head was resting on Ronnie's arm and he had his forehead resting against the injured man's head as he talked encouragingly to him, "Hey Owen, relax buddy…..we've got you, you're safe now"
"TY….….WWHEERE'SS TTY?"
"Ty's right here and he's safe"
"He's ssaffe? Okkay...good" Owen was quiet for several moments before he said softly "Thheyy killed DDave, ooohhh God Ronnie…"
"I know buddy. We got you all out and we're going home now"
Owen began to sob and that increased his pain level as Ronnie tried unsuccessfully to calm him, "Owen ssshhhhhhhhh"
"OHHH GGOD IT HHURTS"
Steve called over, "JJ, give him morphine man"
As Dominic continued tending to the wounds, JJ injected the injured boy and in moments he was under.

Danny then helped the others wrap Owen tightly in blankets as JJ sat next to Steve and chatted.
He filled Steve in on everything that Aaron had told him. They had been able to stop Javier's bleeding and it looked like he was going to make it. He also told Steve about everything that had happened above deck with Danny after he had been shot.

A short time later the boats arrived back in Bogota. They transferred the injured men into the vehicles and within the hour, everyone was loaded on the Military plane and soon they were in the air, making their way home with their precious cargo.

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Once they had Ty, Owen, Javier and Sam all settled and sleeping Aaron checked on Mike and Steve.
Mike had taken two rounds to his upper arm but the bullets had passed through and they had cleaned and stitched him up.
He then turned to Steve who was sitting on a bench a few feet from his son.
Holding out his hand, Steve grasped it tightly "How you doing Smooth Dog?"
"We're in the air brother"
Aaron smiled, "Yeah we did it buddy"
Steve glanced over at the two body bags lying a few feet from the injured men, "We didn't save them all though. Do you know anything about them?"

"JJ told me a bit. Dean had served with him for six years. He was married and had four kids. David was engaged and had no kids. Did Ty or Owen tell you anything about what happened to them?"

"No, not yet….they were in too much pain and we've got them both on morphine right now"
"But they're safe Steve"
Steve's voice was pained as he said, "They're safe…but they're never going to be the same again. They've crossed that line Aaron and I just hate the fact that anyone, let alone these boys, will go through the torture that we experience"

"They're strong buddy and we'll all be there for them, you know that"
"Yeah…..I know…I don't want this to sound bad Aaron…."
He hesitated and Marshack coaxed him, "Hey, come on…you can tell me anything, you know that"
"For twelve years I had the privilege to serve with and lead many amazing men. I love every one of them and I would die protecting them, but when it's your own son…God Aaron I've never been so scared"

"Jason is telling me he wants to be a SEAL"
"Really? How old is he now…twelve?"
"Thirteen, and Jordan's eleven. They're growing up so fast"
"I need to see them soon, it's been too long. How's Kim doing?"
"She's great. I know they would all love to see you…..are you still seeing Catherine?"
"Yeah. She's only got four more years to retirement"
"She'll have her twenty in before me, I've got six left"
"She enlisted at eighteen"
"She's so perfect for you, why haven't you married her yet?"
Steve smiled, "Have you been talking to Danny?"
Aaron chuckled, "No…..why?"
"He's always telling me I should be marrying Cath…..and I will. I'm just not ready yet"
"Just do me a favor Smooth Dog"
"What's that brother?"
"What you got with her is the real deal, try not to mess it up"
Steve couldn't respond to his friend as instantly a huge lump stuck in his throat. He had heard those same words spoken to him three and a half years ago from Freddy…..…only hours before he was killed. Several seconds passed before he said quietly, "I won't mess it up buddy"

Danny came back to their side and handed Steve a bottle of water, "Steve, are you okay? You're pretty pale"
"I'm good Danno….just tired"
"Well let's get you to lie down then, come on"
He extended his hand and helping Steve to his feet he guided him over to a make shift bed next to Tyler.
Steve took a long drink of water and then Danny and Aaron helped him lie down.
Danny asked, "Do you want any pain meds?"
Steve shook his head, "No….no drugs…'m good"
Before Danny even had the blankets around him, exhaustion overtook him and Steve slept. As he moved back to the bench Danny looked back at his partner noting that he had fallen asleep holding onto his son's hand.

A couple of hours later, most of the men were sleeping in the darkened back of the plane and Danny woke to his partner calling out to him softly, "Danno….Danno"
Jumping from the bench he was kneeling at Steve's side in seconds, "I'm here Steve, what is it?"
"Danno…I'm in…..iin trouble ppartnner"
Pulling back the blankets, Danny saw that Steve's hand was pressed firmly against his abdomen and that the blanket, his shirt and pants were soaked in blood.

******* So, are you still enjoying? Much, much more to follow and please remember every review is greatly appreciated! *******