Chapter 10:
It was several hours later when Steve opened his eyes. Dim lighting greeted his eyes as he panicked for a split second, not realizing where he was.
But then it came flooding back to him. The swords. . .the guns. . .the cabin. . .Danny. . .
He felt something in his hand. It was warm, soft but calloused. It felt like a hand as he brushed his fingers along it. It felt familiar. Steve gave a small smile when he realized whose it was.
"Steve?"
Steve turned at the voice and saw Danny, who was gazing at him, relief in his eyes.
"Steve, babe, you're finally up." Danny said with a weak smile and relief in his voice. Danny squeezed his hand lightly. "How do you feel?"
"Groggy. Tired."
"That's expected with the drugs they gave you."
Steve frowned.
"They took you to surgery as soon as we came through the doors. The bullet didn't go through. They had to dig it out."
Steve gripped Danny's hand as he felt fear flood through him. He brought his head off the pillow, noticing pain clench his body at his sudden movements. He winced slightly, but didn't ignore the terror that blazed through his mind.
"What did they give me? Wait! Where's Oshiro? They haven't found him yet, have they? This whole hospital is in danger because of me. It needs to be evacuated. Call SWAT-"
Danny placed his other hand over Steve's hand. Steve could feel his fears ease as Danny's hands encased his own.
"Babe, relax. . .Just relax, okay? We think Oshiro is still in the woods and they are looking for him. We have a squad spread out in the hospital in case Oshiro tries anything. And as for the drugs, it was just standard drugs they use for surgery, okay? So, relax. We need you to get better."
Steve eased his head back to the pillow, grimacing slightly.
"Sore?"
"As hell." Steve shifted in his bed as Danny chuckled. A silence fell between them but was soon broken by Danny.
"Steve, I have something to say." Steve tilted his head so he faced Danny. Danny started again. "Steve, when you got shot, I-" Danny looked away. He was hesitating. Steve could tell even through his grogginess.
"I don't know." Danny chuckled nervously. "I guess you could say. . .It was like my heart stopped." He shrugged. Steve smiled as he saw the familiar pink hue rise in Danny's cheeks. "And. . .I. . .I don't know. I guess to finish our conversation that was interrupted earlier, I-" He paused to look at Steve. "I feel the same way." Danny's soft gaze made Steve smile again. Danny smiled back at him and squeezed his hand. Steve knew Danny wanted to say more but just as he was about to, a technician walked in.
"So, our guy is finally up." The young technician said cheerily. He flipped open a chart on his clip board and walked to the machine Steve was hooked up to. He wrote down some notes on his rates and turned to Steve.
"How are you feeling, Steve?"
Steve kept his gaze on Danny even as the technician had walked in and spoke to him, but finally he looked to the technician.
"Pretty good."
"Glad to hear. How is the pain?"
"Not too bad. Only present when I move or laugh." Steve smiled.
The tech smiled at back at him. "That's expected for a couple of days, as is soreness. Doctor Lowry wants to keep you here 3 nights for observation as well as to check those wounds. And then again in a week after your last day here. She wants to make sure the surgery wound and the wounds to your arm and thigh are healing alright. "
"Okay." Steve said nodding and looking at Danny and back to the technician.
"Also, um, visiting hours are almost over. So. . ."
Danny shook his head. "No, sorry, I, uh, I'm staying."
"Danny-" Steve started.
"No, Steve." Danny said to him and turned to the technician. "I'm sorry, but I'm staying with him."
The technician nodded. "Alright, I will talk to some people and see what we can do."
"Thank you."
The tech left, leaving Danny and Steve alone again.
"Danny, you need your rest. You can't stay here all night with me. You've done enough and you look exhausted. How long has it been now, 50 hours without adequate sleep?"
Danny smiled. "Better reason for me to stay, right? So, I can get rest and watch you. I don't think I could make it home, being this exhausted."
"Call a cab."
"You don't want me here?"
"No, I do, it's just-" Steve saw Danny smile. "I know you're tired and staying here and sleeping away from home another night probably won't help you when you wake in the morning."
Danny simply kept his smile aimed at Steve. "I'm staying, babe. Whether you like it or not."
Steve smiled at his words. He was glad Danny was staying. He felt at ease around Danny. Danny made things better, easier to deal with. Steve scooted in his bed. "Come here. If you're staying, it's probably best you do get some kind of sleep."
Danny smiled as he sat next to Steve. "Even if it's on a hospital bed, with a patient already in it?"
Steve smiled slyly. "Yes, especially if it's this patient." He gestured toward himself.
Danny shook his head laughing as he put his arm around Steve, allowing Steve to feel that extra sense of security and safety. Steve snuggled in close to him and smiled as he set his forehead to Danny's chest, faintly smelling Danny's fresh scent as he closed his eyes. If this was how he felt being around Danny, he knew in his heart he wanted to feel this way, always.