Notes: Again sorry for the delay. Thanks as always to May, her insight and suggestions make me look good. Thanks pal! Thank you to all the reviewers that I couldn't respond to last time. Your reviews are so appreciated and keep me motivated!
"If the sky that we look upon
Should tumble and fall
All the mountains should crumble to the sea
I won't cry, I won't cry
No, I won't shed a tear
Just as long as you stand, stand by me."
CHAPTER 10
From the time he was just a little guy the importance of family had been instilled in Brian, the same as his brother before him and all those that came after. Family was everything. And while the normal sibling rivalries and adolescent clashes reared their heads from time to time, that seamless bond their parents had woven for them remained tight, unbreakable and all encompassing. It was what had held them together during those long weeks and months following the accident. They would get through this ordeal too. Together. Like always.
Still the freshness of this tragedy hit home as their band of brothers separated and Brian took a closer look at his traumatized siblings. Crane sat on the wet ground, his body rocking slowly, his hair a mass of dripping curls and face white beneath his beard. He clung tight to Daniel with one arm, the other hanging limp at his side while his eyes focused on something far off and unseen. Brian eased closer to him, fearing the wrong move or a sudden gust of wind would knock Crane over. There were no right words to say, nothing he could do to make things better.
The others stood in anticipation as the sound of the ambulance rolling up the drive penetrated the uneasy silence. The approaching siren unnerving yet calming too. It meant help was on the way. But Brian didn't move, couldn't let go of Crane, afraid that if he broke contact the kid might simply fall apart.
Adam patted Brian softly on the shoulder, the same desperation in his older sibling's eyes reflecting back at him.
"I'm gonna talk to Charlie, make sure everything's under control, okay?" Adam said, his voice quivering and Brian could sense his brother's reluctance.
"Yeah, I'll take care of 'em."
"I know." Adam motioned for Ford and Evan to follow him. "I'll be right back."
Brian knew those last words were for Crane, that Adam's conflicting duties were killing him.
As Adam and the boys disappeared into the chaos, Brian let his gaze fall on Daniel. The boy's unnatural stillness and hitched breathing terrified him. Still, as bad off as Daniel looked, it was Crane who needed him most right now.
A light drizzle continued to drop from the dark skies and Brian yanked off his yellow slicker, tucking it around Daniel. He shed his heavy coat as well and wrapped it around Crane's trembling shoulders. His younger brother's adrenaline rush from moments before had given way to a sickly shock and the blank stare on Crane's face scared the daylights out of him. Brian hooked the back of Crane's neck and pulled him into his chest.
"Help's coming, buddy. We got you now, everything's all right." Brian said, the tightness in his throat catching on the words. Brian rested his chin on the top of Crane's head, taking care not to bump his injured shoulder, although Brian doubted Crane was feeling much of anything right now. Brian let his other hand entwine in Daniel's hair, needing the contact as much as his brothers did.
"Brian." The familiar voice of Walt Meade made Brian look up. Despite the distressed tone and the worry furrowing the man's forehead as he knelt next to Daniel, Brian felt an irrational wave of relief wash over him. Walt would know how to help and do it much better than he could.
The doctor briefly examined Daniel's blood-soaked leg but his intentions quickly shifted. Experienced hands now traced the smattering of bruises forming along Daniel's face and around his neck. Bruises Brian had forced himself not to dwell on for fear he'd come apart too.
The ambulance pulled in behind the stranded get-away car, its siren winding down as the tires crunched to a halt. Brian stood up, waving the pair of medics past the fugitive still huddled on the ground where Crane had left him. Cold day in hell before that bastard took priority over his family.
"Let's get them out of this weather." Dr. Meade instructed as the medics deposited the gurney next to Daniel. The doctor cautioned for them to watch Daniel's leg, but a thin cry tore from the kid's throat anyway as he was transferred onto the stretcher. Brian snagged Crane around the waist as he toppled forward reaching for Daniel.
"Hey, hey." Brian soothed, tightening his hold on Crane as the medics pulled the straps across Daniel's body and wheeled him toward the ambulance. Crane briefly fought against the restraint, the effort proving too much and he slumped back against Brian in defeat.
"Take it easy, kid. You're goin' with him." Brian said, rubbing his brother's side, trying to keep him calm as Walt set his sights on helping Crane.
But Crane was having none of the doctor's attention, instead shrugging off his aid and trying to stand. His eyes fixed on the open ambulance doors where Daniel had disappeared.
"Wait a minute." Brian said, struggling to hang onto his determined brother while straightening his own tingling legs.
Dr. Meade joined him on the opposite side and together they ushered Crane into the shelter of the emergency vehicle.
Brian felt a warm hand rest on his neck and glanced behind him. Adam sighed tremulously as they met each other's gaze and he affectionately ruffled Brian's hair, like he always did when he was trying to convince him things would work out all right.
"Hannah and the boys are meeting us at the hospital. One of us needs to pick up Guthrie at school, tell him..."
Adam's words trailed off and Brian sensed the tension, knowing Adam's conflict: go with Crane and Daniel or be there for their youngest. Brian ached to stay with his brothers, make sure they were taken care of, make them realize they were safe. Of course he knew Adam longed to do the same and he willingly deferred that privilege to big brother.
"Go on, I'll get Guthrie." Brian said, patting Adam on the back and relishing in the relief in his older brother's eyes. "Take care of our boys."
Adam nodded and slapped him affectionately on the arm before climbing into the ambulance. Brian scrubbed a hand through his damp hair, blinking back the traitorous tears threatening to spill from his eyes. Seeing Daniel and Crane in such distress tore at every fiber of his soul and he knew Adam was just as devastated. Brian swallowed hard, refusing to give in to the overwhelming emotions just yet. This wasn't the time, he would grieve for what his little brothers had endured when this was over. He watched the vehicle doors slam shut and the sirens roar to life again, turning his head toward the heavens as it pulled away. Please let them be all right. A silent prayer the only thing he could do for them now.
That God damn mother-fucking bastard.
They were almost there. A few miles and a plane ride away from freedom. God damn you Tony. You stupid piece of shit. You screwed everything up, just like you always do. Why couldn't that damn bullet have taken out his shit for brains brother instead of the fucking car door? At least that would have given Ray a little justice.
Ray tuned out the chaos around him to make a mental inventory of his injuries. He was pretty sure his nose and probably a cheekbone were broken. Ole Slim had a vicious right hook when you riled him up. Ray smiled slightly and despite the pain the movement caused he couldn't help the thread of respect he had for the kid. He kinda reminded Ray of himself. A scrapper, a survivor.
But Slim had a fatal flaw. One that would sooner or later come back and bite him in the ass. A weakness of character that Ray had never been burdened with.
The kid loved things. Cared too damn much about people. Cared too much about family. Like Tony.
And that was a weakness Ray didn't have a whole lotta tolerance for. Especially in his own brother. Especially when Tony couldn't seem to stop spewing that family, brother crap he'd held onto since he was a little punk in junior high. You'd think their father would have beaten that stupid notion right out of his thick skull. Stupid idiot. Tony never learned.
Then again, maybe he had.
After all Ray was the one flat on his back with the ground sucking the heat from his aching body. And those damn kids were still alive.
God dammit.
But while he might be down, Ray Barker was certainly not out. He opened the one eye that wasn't swollen shut, blinking hard to clear his vision. A few uniformed men stood above him, distracted by the continuing chaos, He wouldn't make his move yet. He could wait. Despite the pain gnawing away at his face, Ray was certain the rest of him was just fine. Of course none of these idiot pigs watching him needed to figure that out.
Ray moaned loud enough to make sure they heard him, hugging his arms around his belly and rolling onto his side. He needed to get a better view of what was going on, 'cause he had an idea.
The sheriff's men had already handcuffed the driver and the other guy wasn't going to be doing any marathons anytime soon. In fact the deputies were just standing over him and Brian figured they were probably waiting for the next ambulance so they wouldn't have to touch him.
Brian stared at the bleeding man on the ground and fought the urge to take over where Crane had left off. If Ed and Charlie hadn't been a few feet away he probably would have. His younger brother might have regretted killing that son-of-a-bitch, but Brian certainly would not. Not after what he'd put Daniel and Crane through; what he'd put their whole family through.
He did silently promise both Barkers he'd see to it they were treated to a lifetime of meals on a tray, lights out at nine and roommates with bad breath and even worse dispositions. Of course, he would have much rather opted for a public hanging. Too bad they were about a hundred years too late for that kind of justice.
As Brian watched one of the deputies lead the driver toward the sheriff's car, a loud grunt redirected his attention toward the other. The older fugitive was on his feet now, blood covering one side of his face and even in the dim light Brian could see the discoloration and swelling in his eyes and cheeks. The deputy tentatively cuffed the convict's wrist, his eyes seeking out the other officers for approval. Brian figured he was afraid he'd injure the bastard further. Hell, Brian could have saved them all a lot of trouble if they'd give him five minutes with him. They wouldn't have much to transport to jail that's for sure.
The wounded fugitive must have sensed the lone officer's trepidation and seized the opportunity. He struck fast, slamming the young officer's head into the side of the station wagon and sprinting faster than should have been possible for a man that had just had the crap beaten out of him. Brian felt mired in quicksand, his brain refusing to believe what his eyes were telling him.
The thought of Ray back-tracking and stealing one of the vehicles parked along the road or vanishing into the thick woods around the ranch terrified him. How would he explain that to Adam, or more importantly, to Crane and Daniel?
The anger that had been simmering beneath the surface exploded and Brian scooped up the fallen rifle and rushed past the deputy with a ground eating stride. He followed the fugitive into the barn, fear and adrenaline pumping through his veins as his eyes adjusted to the dim light. Brian was going to make sure Barker had another, less restrained, dose of McFadden justice when he caught up to him.
Brian heard the rattle of handcuffs cut through the air and whipped his head to the side, the blow glancing off the side of his mouth. Pain exploded as the cold steel split his lip and Brian swung the barrel of the gun hard, catching Barker square in the ribs. The strike should have winded the bastard, at least slowed him down, but it seemed to only fuel his rage.
The man rushed him, this time his fist busting Brian's nose as the attached metal caught him along the side of the head. Stunned and dizzy, Brian fought to stay upright as the criminal took off again and disappeared into the shadows.
Shaking off the pain, Brian forced his wobbly legs to follow. He could hear Charlie shouting behind him and knew the officers were in pursuit too, but he needed to see this to the end. Brian needed to be the one that made sure his brothers' tormentor did not escape on his watch.
Light assaulted Brian's eyes as he left the darkness of the barn and he blinked hard to focus. Ed Sykes turned the corner rushing toward him and Brian whirled to see the escapee scaling the side fence into the bull's pen.
He knew in all likelihood Barker wouldn't make it to the other side of the paddock before the temperamental beast took the intrusion as a challenge.
Brian didn't have time to shout a warning, a part of him wasn't even sure he wanted to.
Brian jumped on the bottom rail and peered into the enclosure. The bull, already agitated by the noise and chaos around him, was about to take out his testosterone-filled frustration on the idiot that had invaded his pen. As much as Brian felt this criminal deserved to be trampled and gored, he couldn't stand there and do nothing. What kind of monster would that make him? Brian would make sure Barker was punished, but not like this.
The ground shook as the bull charged and Brian leveled the rifle against the railing. The fugitive reached the fence and stopped, pushing his back against the wood and closing his eyes. Brian had the animal in his sight, cold sweat trickling down his neck as rain slicked fingers squeezed the trigger.
Click.
Panic welled in Brian's heart and he forced the bolt, pulling it back and shoving it forward again. Click. Click.
The damn gun was jammed.
Brian froze in horror as the bull twisted his head, hooking Barker in the stomach with a single horn. The scene seemed to unfold in slow motion, almost a sense of déjà vu as the criminal's body was launched into the air, arching then falling to earth with a nauseating thud. A thunderous pop exploded near Brian's ear and the bull folded into a bellowing heap in the mud. The animal's moans fading into an eerie silence that seemed to engulf the entire ranch.
As much as Brian hated Ray Barker, hated what he was, what he did, watching him gored to death wasn't something he would have ever wanted imprinted in his brain.
He turned, his eyes resting on deputy Will Turner. Crane's former classmate looked pale, his hands shaking violently before the gun in his hand dropped from his grip and he turned and puked in the brush. Brian didn't blame him. He felt nauseated as well, but the sight before him was only a part of the reason.
"Ray?"
The heart-broken voice diverted Brian's attention and he raised his head. The other convict looked shell-shocked, his eyes wide and brimming as Charlie escorted him toward the pen. The fugitive's eyes fixated on the unmoving man in the paddock. Brian shook his head and the sheriff stopped his prisoner before he could take in the full view of the gruesome scene. Brian couldn't help the wave of sympathy that washed over him. The younger man may have had a part in what had happened to Crane and Daniel but his actions had also saved them.
Brian wiped the rain diluted blood out of his eye, the pounding in his head and the weakness in his limbs slowing his stride as he headed for the old International. He would have to leave this mess to the officers swirling around him. Right now he just needed to pick up Guthrie and get to the hospital and find his family. They needed to be together. Like always.
Hannah pulled the Jeep into the empty parking space near the emergency entrance, her heart fluttering with dread. She had no idea how bad off Daniel and Crane were, but thanked God they were alive and safe.
Evan and Ford stuck close to her heels as Hannah rushed inside. She appreciated their company, in fact the solemn boys had been the only thing keeping her sane during the drive. Their presence had forced her to keep talking, spitting out words of encouragement and conviction that their brothers would survive this ordeal. Hannah almost had herself believing it too until she saw the sterile white hospital walls and remembered just how bad they'd both looked.
Anger flared at the memory of Daniel in such agony and Crane in his own hell because of those men. Hannah hadn't thought it was possible to hate another human being with the intensity she felt burning through her gut. What kind of monster could do that to someone? To her family?
The whizzing of the electronic doors forced her back into a semblance of reality as she approached the front desk. A youthful receptionist greeted her cheerfully before asking who she was here to see. Hannah tried to return her smile, but the intention died long before reaching her lips. She tried to choke out the names, her voice faltering before she regained her composure.
"We're here for…we need to find our brothers, Daniel and Crane McFadden." Evan stepped up to speak for her, but his faltering tone exposed his panic.
The woman didn't have a chance to answer before Hannah caught a glimpse of Adam behind the set of swinging doors.
"You two wait for Brian." Hannah whispered breathlessly as she started toward the emergency entrance. Despite their obvious disappointment, both boys obeyed and Hannah shoved through the pair of doors, almost colliding with a nurse heading in the same direction.
"Ma'am, you can't…" The nurse started, but was cut short by a familiar voice farther down the hallway.
"She's with me."
Hannah let out a sigh of relief and quickly caught up to Dr. Meade as he and Adam all but carried Crane toward one of the empty cubicles.
Right next to where the paramedics were transferring Daniel.
Hannah watched as they slid the boy's limp form onto the bed, Daniel's head lolled awkwardly against the pillow as the emergency team moved in, attaching various monitors and beginning to cut away his bloody clothing. She couldn't tell if her young brother-in-law was unconscious or just incredibly weak.
"Oh, honey." Hannah whispered, her gaze settling on the bruises scattered along Daniel's face and neck that stood stark against the kid's too pale skin. She turned, looking anxiously at Adam, searching for answers in his distraught eyes. All she gained were more questions.
Adam and Dr. Meade had managed to get Crane onto the bed, but he had no intention of staying there.
Hannah moved in beside her husband, trying to place herself between Crane's line of vision and the sight in the station next to them. Apparently her strategy backfired. Crane struggled weakly against his older brother's grip, trying to get up, his voice strained and helpless as he begged Adam to go to Daniel.
"There's nothing we can do but be in the way." Adam said, attempting to sound stern, but Hannah heard the lack of conviction in his voice. She could see the turmoil in his face as he tried to talk himself out of doing exactly what Crane was asking. She knew how much they both longed to make sure their little brother was all right.
"He's in good hands, Crane. Let them do their job." Dr. Meade said as the nurse assisting him moved to draw the curtain.
The doctor had barely moved the stethoscope to Crane's chest before a scream echoed from the cubicle next to them, Daniel's panic unmistakable in the single "no" tearing from his throat. Crane sat upright, startling Dr. Meade and almost toppling over the edge as he tried to get up. Adam's quick reflexes saved him from hitting the floor, but this time it was the doctor who pushed Crane back onto the bed and pinned him with both hands.
"Crane, you need to lie still!" Dr. Meade's voice a mixture of annoyance and concern.
But Crane wasn't listening to anyone except his little brother.
"Daniel, it's all right! He's gone!" Crane shouted, trying to raise up again but too weak to break the doctor's hold. His voice cracking and fading as he whispered the last line.
She could feel Adam stiffen beside her, breathing heavy as he stared at the barrier that stood between him and Daniel as if he could somehow see right through it. Hannah wasn't surprised when her husband turned and touched Crane's arm before walking toward the curtain. A soft utterance of "I'll take care of him" echoing in the growing space between them.
It wouldn't have mattered if it had been a steel wall instead of a flap of fabric that separated them. Nothing or nothing or no one would keep Adam from getting to Daniel.
Crane knew it too and his eyes looked ready to spill as Adam disappeared around the curtain. Another agonizing cry from Daniel, this time it was Crane's name that echoed through the thin material separating them.
Hannah moved in Adam's vacated spot, tenderly smoothing Crane's hair and steadily repeating that Daniel would be all right. Dr. Meade spoke calmly to his restless patient and resumed his exam. Crane shut his eyes tight against the onslaught of emotions she knew he tried in vain to hide, his only reaction to the doctor probing his wounded shoulder was a subtle flinch and an almost inaudible gasp.
She feared he was shutting down or in shock when Crane didn't even react to the increasing struggle behind the curtain. Daniel's frantic cries, the sound of metal clanking, raised voices and scraping feet and furniture alarmed Hannah and she shared a frightened glance with Dr. Meade.
Hannah felt helpless. She could only hope her presence would be enough to settle Crane because lord knew she didn't have a clue what to say or do to ease his pain.
Crane's voice.
As much as Daniel longed to give in to the blissful numbness pulling at him, it was his brother's voice, Crane's strong presence that had kept him from giving up. The only link to Daniel's current reality that he cared to hang onto and now it was gone. It had seemed like forever that this unbearable pain and fear and cold invading his bones had taken hold but his brother's soothing tone had held him together. Even though most of the words had only floated past before melting into meaningless dust, a few of them had stuck. Given him strength and a little hope too. "Gonna be all right." "Hold on." "You can make it."
If Crane believed those words then he could too. But now he couldn't hear his brother anymore and the only voices were those of strangers, and the strength and hope Daniel had managed to hold onto dissolved into terror. Something must have happened to Crane. He wouldn't leave him, promised he wouldn't leave. What if…
Hands pulled at Daniel's wounded leg, igniting the fiery agony and Daniel's heart pounded hard against his chest. Oh, God. Not again. Not again!
The vision of that monster on top of him, holding him down and reopening the hole in his leg with his fingers appeared behind Daniel's closed lids and he kicked at his tormentor, trying to break his nose, his face, anything to make him stop. The strike found its mark and the voices grew louder but Daniel knew it wasn't over. He swung his fist wildly, connecting with someone or something before his arms were pinned against his heaving chest. Daniel screamed, or thought he did, his voice only seeming to reach his own ears.
Panic fueled Daniel's fight even as his precious strength waned. Another distressed cry arose from his throat, this time Crane's name echoed from his lips. The pain threatened to pull Daniel under and he knew that if he passed out he would die. He struggled to move, tried to catch his breath but he couldn't seem to accomplish either feat. He screamed again, desperation fueling his cries, but his ears only registered a strange whimpering. He had to get away, but he was too weak and too sick to put up much of a fight. He needed Crane. Needed him now. And most of all he needed to know his brother was still alive.
"Daniel!" The call sounded far away and he was afraid his own mind had conjured up the familiar voice. "Daniel."
This time he knew it wasn't his imagination. It was Adam. Daniel struggled to part his eyelids, bucking desperately to break free of the heavy pressure holding him flat. Damn it, they refused to let go and his energy was nearly spent. His brain screamed for Adam but his voice refused to cooperate. Frustrated and hurting, he gritted his teeth and forced his eyelids open, but his eyes refused to work too, the only vision coming through was in glowing streaks of white.
"Danny, settle down. You're safe. Everything's okay."
Daniel couldn't see his brother, but knew it was him. Not some vivid mind-bending dream, but the real flesh and blood Adam. He could feel the warmth of his guardian's hand on his shoulder, the touch of his fingers stroking his hair and hear the panicked edge to his voice. Daniel blinked hard, willing his vision to return until he could see Adam's worried face hovering above him.
"You're all right, Daniel. Just relax and let them help."
Relief flooded Daniel and he let his hand slip into his brother's, his eyes filling with tears until they blurred again. The panicked thud of his heart began to slow into a less frantic rhythm, secure in the knowledge that Adam would protect him.
But where was Crane? Did Adam being here instead mean something had happened to him? The anxiety began to build again and Daniel tried to sit up. He had to find Crane. Had to make sure there was someone to protect him too.
If the first scream had ripped open Adam's heart, the second one had completely shattered it. He was sure it had done the same to Crane and that tore at Adam too. As he shoved back the curtain that separated the cubicles he felt his temper flare. The doctors and nurses surrounding Daniel were holding him down, ignoring his cries and continuing to cut away the kid's bloody clothing.
"Get off him." Adam growled. The roar in his skull making his words sound deep and primal and not even Adam recognized his own voice. His little brother had been through enough. Daniel had already suffered for far too long and Adam would be damned if he let anyone else hurt his kid again. Even if they did have a row of fancy diplomas and good intentions.
Adam pushed through the crowd of bodies, forcing them to move so he could stand at the head of Daniel's bed. Instincts took over and he leaned in close, his fingers brushing through the kid's wet hair in a soothing rhythm as he tried to calm Daniel's erratic breathing.
"Daniel, it's Adam, listen to me. Daniel!" Adam fought to control the quiver in his voice, his heart breaking at the confusion and panic in his little brother's eyes. Daniel latched onto his arm, his fingers digging deep into Adam's flesh.
"Danny, settle down. You're safe. Everything's okay."
Adam let his hand rest on Daniel's cheek, his thumb wiping away the sweat and tears collecting under his brother's eyes. The bruising he'd discovered in the ambulance was darker and more plentiful under the florescent lights and Adam held back the rage building in his soul. Seeing those marks on his face and throat had destroyed any hope that the boy had been spared the kind of abuse Crane had obviously suffered. Taking a calming breath Adam rested his hand on the least marred side of Daniel's face, alarmed by the heat radiating from his flushed skin. Adam was fully aware of the medical personnel fidgeting behind him. He knew they were impatient to check out his brother, but Adam also knew the traumatized kid needed reassurance as desperately as he needed medical care.
"You're all right, Daniel. Just relax and let them help."
Daniel squeezed his hand and nodded. All the fight draining away as a trembling smile confirmed he'd understood Adam's words. Just as suddenly though, the kid's expression changed to panic again and he tried to sit up.
"Crane?"
"Whoa, hold on." Adam soothed, gently pushing his brother back onto the mattress. "Crane's right behind that curtain, he's safe, he's gonna be all right too."
"Sir, we need to get him prepped and upstairs." One of the doctors Adam presumed by the authoritative air and the way he pushed in beside him. Adam knew they only had Daniel's best interest in mind, so he held his tongue, turning back to his younger brother.
"They're kicking me outta here, kid, but don't worry, I'll take care of everything."
Adam fought to keep his composure as apprehension clouded Daniel's eyes and he gripped Adam's hand. "No, stay."
The fear in his brother's voice tore at Adam's heart, but he couldn't put off Daniel's care any longer. "I promise, Danny. It's all gonna be okay. These people are gonna take good care of you."
"We need to get him upstairs, sir. You'll have to move out of the way."
Daniel shook his head and gripped Adam's hand tighter. Painfully tight. "Please, don't leave."
This clinginess wasn't like Daniel. The boy's fear more testament to the trauma he'd suffered and Adam worried that abandoning him now, even though necessary, might cause more damage. He looked at the nurse across from him, only now noticing how pretty the young woman was. Her gaze was full of understanding and an idea clicked in Adam's mind.
"Daniel, listen to me. I've got to look after Crane, I figure he's pretty shook up too, and he needs to know you're okay."
Daniel's grip loosened just a little and Adam looked up at the nurse again, his eyes reading the name on the tag across her chest.
"Robin, here, she's gonna stay with you for me." Adam nodded toward the woman and to her credit she seemed to pick up on his plan.
"I'll take good care of you, honey." Robin said sweetly, placing a hand on Daniel's cheek.
Adam winked at his brother and leaned in close to whisper. "I don't know about you, but I think between my face and hers, you're getting a much better deal than Crane."
Adam planted a quick kiss on the top of Daniel's head before standing up and smoothing the kid's hair. "We'll all be here when you get back, kiddo. Crane too."
Daniel nodded his understanding, but apprehension still shone in the kid's fever glazed eyes.
"Promise?"
The single word tore at Adam's heart and he ran his hand through the kid's hair one more time. "Promise."
Willing his wobbly legs to hold him upright just a little longer, Adam watched as they wheeled the gurney down the hallway before disappearing into the elevator. The lump in Adam's throat grew larger and the weight of exhaustion and too little sleep were starting to take their toll. His concern for Daniel, the ranch and that damn bull had already worn him to a frazzle even before this addition to the nightmare. He stepped around the curtain, Hannah meeting him and drawing him in close.
"They're taking him upstairs, maybe back to surgery, I don't know..." The words caught in his throat as his eyes fell on Crane and the uncertainty slammed into him again. The events of the last few days had not only affected him physically and mentally, but had also shredded his faith. Deep down he knew they'd survive this, that the McFadden resilience would resurface and make them all whole again. He just had no idea how long it would take or how much it would change them.
Adam kept one hand firmly around Hannah's waist as they waited for Walt to finish examining Crane. Like with Daniel, Adam was getting a better look at Crane's injuries under the bright lights and the surge of anger flared again. He understood why the kid's hand was swollen but those other injuries, the bruises and cuts scattered over his face and around the misshapen knot near his collarbone, only raised questions. Questions Adam didn't think he could handle right now because they hinted at the hell his brothers had suffered through.
Dr. Meade whispered something to the nurse beside him and then motioned Adam and Hannah toward the hall. "Let's talk out here, please."
Adam paused, then stepped closer to the bed, his hand automatically carding through Crane's hair. "I'll be right back, just rest."
Crane didn't move, didn't react at all to Adam's words. The kid looked so distraught, so utterly spent that Adam struggled to hold himself together. He leaned over his brother, fighting to keep his voice steady. "Daniel is going to be fine. You hear me, Crane. He's going to be all right, and so are you."
"Adam." The doctor beckoned and Adam lightly rubbed his brother's arm as he reluctantly moved toward the hallway.
"How is he, doc?"
"His vitals look good considering. I'm fairly certain he has a separated shoulder and some fractures in his right hand, maybe a concussion too. I won't know the full extent of his injuries until we take radiographs and run a few tests."
Adam nodded. He felt numb and overwhelmed. Now he'd have two brothers trapped between these sterile walls. Two brothers who needed him and he would have to find a way to get a grip on these swirling emotions threatening to drag him under.
"Just wait in the lounge, I'll make sure you're kept updated on his condition. Daniel's too." Dr. Meade smiled touching Hannah's arm but he locked eyes with Adam. "And try not to worry, we'll take good care of them."
"I know you will. Thank you, doctor." Hannah said and Adam was grateful for her intervention since he couldn't seem to find his voice any longer. His legs had pretty much abandoned him too since he didn't even notice Hannah leading him toward the waiting room.
As they approached the waiting area they were quickly greeted by Evan and Ford, their faces worried and curious. Adam nodded toward them. "They'll be all right."
It was the best he could offer them right now. The weight of what had happened and what could have happened punched Adam square in the gut. His hopes that Daniel had been unaware through the ordeal had been dashed and Adam knew that the kid would certainly bear the scars of being sick and helpless and downright terrified.
Like Crane.
Adam especially identified with him. Not only did he have the burden of his own fear, but Daniel's as well. Adam knew without a doubt Crane had done everything in his power to shield his little brother from harm. From the looks of Crane he had tried to divert the madman's rage onto himself. The instinct to look after each other was as natural to the McFadden siblings as breathing and Crane was a master at it.
But for once Crane's unyielding devotion to his little brother couldn't protect Daniel. A truth Adam knew would devastate Crane. That much Adam knew even before seeing the evidence etched on Crane's face when they had exited the house. A feeling Adam could honestly say he shared with his younger sibling right now.
As did no doubt Brian and Hannah too. Hell, it was something they would all have to deal with.
Like he had told Daniel not so long ago, this family had always gotten through tough times by sticking together. And Adam knew that, more than any medicine or doctor's knowledge this hospital could offer them, his brothers' recoveries would depend on that bond.
To be continued…