As the group entered the hallway, Lynn let them know that Steve's room was ready and he could leave the ICU. It was eerily quiet as they made their way through the hospital, their minds all on Danny.
Entering the room Lynn asked, "Kono and Rachel can you wait outside while I get him situated?"
Kono nodded, "Sure, we'll be right here"
As Chin helped Steve out of the wheelchair, Lynn said "Let's get you into bed and I'll re-insert your catheter and the IV's"
Steve shook his head, "I don't need the catheter, I can get myself to the bathroom"
Before the Nurse could argue Chin added, "I'll be here to help him Lynn"
The Nurse replied hesitantly, "Okay...do you want to go now before you lay down?"
"No...I'm good. Thank you"
"Alright. I'm going to check your back and chest before you lie down. Do you think you can stand for a few minutes"
Steve smiled, "Yes...I'm fine"
"You're not too dizzy?"
"Not too bad"
Chin watched on as the Nurse untied the back of Steve's gown. As it dropped to the ground Chin noted that the bandaging on his chest and back were spotted as blood and fluids from the burns had seeped through. She dampened the bandaging and gently peeled it from the wounds. Chin noted how severely burned, raw and puffy his upper back, shoulders and chest were and he cringed as Lynn applied antibiotic cream liberally to the wounds.
Chin stood in front of Steve, grabbing the SEAL's forearms. Steve's eyes were closed as Chin asked softly, "Are you okay?"
"Yeah..."His eyes remained closed and his voice shook as he continued, "It's nothing...no pain baby"
Chin smiled, "That's right Steve, it's nothing...fight the pain brother"
Steve's cheeks puffed in and out silently and Chin knew he was in intense pain as his jaw clenched tightly and his arms shook every so slightly underneath his grasp.
"She's almost done, you're doing great Steve"
Chin talked to him softly while Lynn continued and when she was finished he helped his weakened friend back into bed. As she re-inserted the IV's of saline and antibiotics into the top of Steve's left hand Chin stepped out into the hall to get Kono and Rachel.
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After Lynn left them all alone Chin asked, "Steve, can you tell us what you remember?"
"We were nearing Las Vegas and Danny was so excited..." Smiling he continued, "We saw the truck and trailer pulled off to the side of the road and smoke was coming from the engine" Steve chuckled softly, "Danny didn't want to stop... he wanted to get here... but I told him it wouldn't take long..." His voice trailed off as he added, "I told him they needed our help"
Kono then spoke, "Steve, you couldn't have known what was going to happen"
"No...but I should have been more cautious"
Chin said, "These were two men stranded in the Mohave Desert Steve. You did nothing wrong. Why would you even think that there would be trouble, what were the odds?"
"Trouble seems to find me doesn't it? Danny does call me a danger magnet"
Rachel smiled, "But he also calls you Superman, and Steve...you saved his life. Gracie and I will be forever grateful and we are indebted to you"
Several seconds passed before Steve continued, "It all happened so fast. We didn't know there was a second man and as we followed the first guy towards the front of the trailer we heard the rifle cock behind us" Steve's eyes were closed and placing a bandaged arm across his face he went on, "Before we could even react, the guy in front of me turned and hit me in the head with a pistol. Danny was a couple steps behind me and as I went down...I heard the rifle fire and I heard...I heard Danny scream"
Nobody said anything as Steve paused briefly, "When I came to I was lying on the ground inside the trailer and I saw Danny unconscious and bleeding a few feet from me...my hands and feet were tied and I couldn't get to him" His voice was now shaking and Kono saw a tear slip down his cheek. "The man who had hit me was in charge..."
Chin interrupted him, "Their names are Robert and Leo Sanders"
"How do you know that?"
"We haven't had a chance to tell you yet Steve. They're brothers and they were involved in a shootout with Las Vegas Police Officers after robbing a convenience store and killing a clerk yesterday morning. Both men were shot multiple times and Leo died at the scene. Robert is alive but he's in a coma and they don't expect him to make it"
Steve then said, "Bobby appeared to be in charge"
Chin replied, "He's the older brother. I've learned some things about them. They had a tough life and both of their parents were killed in a home invasion when Bobby was twenty one. To keep Leo and their younger brother Josh, who were seventeen and fifteen out of the system he took legal custody of them. Unfortunately Josh got involved with a gang that was heavy into drug trafficking and two months ago he was killed in a altercation with undercover cops who had infiltrated the gang. According to the boys grandparents the publicity about Josh's involvement with the gang resulted in Bobby losing his job. He and Leo both had misdemeanors and they couldn't find work after this. They lost their home and they simply snapped. Their family hadn't heard from them in almost six weeks"
Steve grimaced as he pushed himself up and Chin asked, "Do you want me to rise you up a bit?"
"Yes please..." Once he was re-positioned Steve said softly, "Leo was the one who shot Danny. When we were lying on the floor of the trailer Bobby told me that Danny was dead and that they had killed a cop the day before. They had taken our ID's and they knew we were cops. Leo wanted to kill me right there but Bobby wanted me to suffer...to have me die in the heat of the desert"
Kono grinned, "Well he sure didn't know you did he boss?"
Steve continued, "When they dumped us in the desert, I freed myself and God...I felt such an unbelievable sense of relief to find Danny still alive. I figured no one was going to find us anytime soon...and Danny was bleeding badly. I knew I had to get him out of there fast. I had been through desert training with the SEALS and I knew which plants I could use to build a stretcher and which vines I could use for ropes. We were in a valley but there was no water...I picked grapes and I was able to get Danny to eat some. The juice was able to sustain us"
Chin saw the confused look come over Steve's face and he asked, "What is it Steve?"
"How did we get out of there? I can't remember?"
Chin smiled, "Thank God the military still uses the desert for training exercises"
"A unit found me?"
"Yes. Steve you were pulling Danny and when the unit found you they said you were delirious and 'talking' to Freddy and Joe"
Steve laid his head back against the pillow and again closed his eyes.
"Joe pushed me through... whenever I'm in a jam I take myself back to my training. It might sound crazy but it gives me strength"
Kono reached out and took his hand, "You're the strongest man I've ever known Steve and the fact that you can draw the strength you need from inward is not crazy at all"
While still holding Kono's hand he brought his other hand up and rubbed his temple.
Chin asked, "Are you okay Steve?"
"My head hurts a bit that's all"
"You have a concussion"
"I figured as much"
Kono gently rubbed the top of his burned hand, "Steve, the Doctor says you won't take any medication for the pain..."
Steve interrupted, "I don't need any meds guys...I'm fine"
Chin jumped in, "Steve, you have second degree burns on more than half your body. I saw your chest and back brah and they're raw and painful. Please let them help you"
"No meds Chin... I need to stay alert"
Kono stood and her voice shook slightly as she said, "No Steve, you need to rest...you need to heal"
Steve sighed softly, "After Danny's out of surgery, I'll think about it"
Kono replied, Steve..."
His finger's curled around hers, "Kono, I said I'll think about it...I promise"
The young detective stroked his forehead she said quietly, "Okay. Close your eyes though and try to rest boss. We'll wake you when there's any news"
As Steve's eyes closed we muttered, "Okay...Danno's gonna be okay..."
It didn't take long for exhaustion to overtake Steve and he slept as the others maintained a quiet vigil at his bedside.
****** More to follow - I'd LOVE to here your thoughts and thanks for reading ! ******
