The Doctor had noticed Danny's movements and once the Nurses were done changing him and new ice packs had been placed, he left them to tend to the patient and he moved to Danny's side.

"Are you okay son?"
The blonde detective was still shaking as he nodded, "Yes, I'm fine...how is he?"
"Danny, you're very pale..."
"Doc, I'm fine I promise. How is he?"

"His heart palpitations are concerning. We need to try to keep his anxiety in check. I know that's very hard to do when he's in a delirium. His heart rate is obviously too high and his blood pressure is still low but it is improving. But his fever is back up to a very dangerous level"

"What is it?"
He saw the concern in the Doctor's face, "It's up to 105.2"
"Oh my God, oh my God..."

"Danny, if you can't handle this..."
Danny interrupted him, "DOC, I'm not going anywhere...he needs me"
"You're right, he does and you're doing a great job with him but you need to rest. Doctor Gallegos told me you haven't slept at all"

"I can't leave...not now. If something...if something happens I have to be here"
"He's exhausted and he should sleep for a while. If you don't want to leave the room at least sit in the chair at bedside and sleep. We'll wake you if he needs you"

"Okay...yeah okay. With a fever that high...what kind of complications does he face?"
"Seizures would be our initial concern. Fevers this high are very rare and unfortunately they can lead to severe issues. He could slip into a coma and his organs could begin to fail. There is also the risk of potential brain damage"

Danny's eyes never left his partner as the Doctors words registered. He responded to Doctor Ross, struggling to calm his shaking voice. "I need to go use the bathroom and then call our team. I'll be back in a few minutes. Doc, thank you...thank you for all you're doing for him"

"Of course"
After a final glance at his partner Danny left the room.

Danny hurried, afraid to be gone too long. He returned to find everyone still in their same positions tending to his unconscious partner.
The Doctor had moved a chair close to the bed and still in his full protective gear, Danny sat. He reached over and took Steve's hand in his and a few minutes later he closed his eyes and gave in to his exhaustion.

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Danny slept for a little more than four hours waking to find the Nurses still diligently wiping Steve down.
The Doctor was out of the room.

Amy addressed him first, "Did you sleep well?"
Danny glanced at his watch, "Wow, I guess I did! Any changes with him?"
"His fever is down to 104.7 so it's dropping. He hasn't woke though"
Danny watched as Amy held an ice cube to Steve's parched lips, moistening them.

Nurse Janelle had never spoken and Danny was surprised as she stated softly, "Your friend here is a very strong man Danny. He's fighting very hard. You said he was a Navy SEAL?"

"Yes, he was. He is strong Janelle and if anyone can beat this thing it's going to be Steve"
"Well he's very lucky to have a friend like you. Did you serve in the SEAL's with him?"

Danny chuckled softly, "Me? God no. I was a cop and I met him while I was investigating the murder of his Father. He became the head of the Governor's 5-0 Task Force and he recruited me, I guess you'd say. We've been partners for the last six months. He's one of a kind. I could never do the things he's done. He's quite an amazing man"

He could see her smiling through from behind her mask, "Somehow Danny, I get the idea that he would say the same thing about you"

This moment of peace was interrupted as Steve began to cough and blood spewed from his mouth. Danny reached into the tent turning his head and shoulders to the side to stop him from choking as Amy wiped the blood away. "It's okay Steve, just breathe brother. Danno's got you" As Steve gasped, sucking air into his lungs, Danny gently rubbed and patted his back. "Breathe Steve...just breathe"

After several seconds his breathing eased and Danny gently eased him back onto his back.
Tears and blood fell from Steve's eyes and as Amy wiped them Steve struggled to speak, "DDann..no"
Running a hand through Steve's hair Danny responded quietly, "I'm here babe. Don't try to talk okay. You need to rest"

"DD'...Grracie...DDaanno"
"Gracie's fine partner"
"Nott ssick?"
"No buddy...she's fine I promise and you're going to be fine too"
Danny saw the relief in Steve's eyes as he sighed while softly saying, "She's finnee...Sshe's ffine"

"Now you've got these pretty Nurses giving you 'round the clock care partner and I'm not going anywhere so you sleep okay?"
"Okkkay...'D' Danny's gloved finger moved to his cheek and he gently rubbed it until Steve again slept.

As they wiped down Steve Amy asked, "Who's Gracie?"
Danny smiled broadly, "My daughter"
"Oh…. how old is she?"
"She just turned seven. Steve arranged with the zoo for us to hold and play with the baby monkeys for her birthday…..and look what it got him"

"Hey Danny, you couldn't have known about this. This virus is so rare, you know that. It sounds like he gave her an amazing birthday gift and I'm sure she was thrilled"

"Yes…..yes she was. It was a great day, and yet it led to this"
"He must love her dearly to have done something so special for her"

Tears welled in the detectives eyes, "Amy he's the strongest, toughest SOB there is but when he's with Gracie he's literally the other extreme. He is soft, gentle and sweet with her. Yeah, he loves her and she idolizes him…..if he doesn't…."

"Danny, don't go there, remember your own words. He's the strongest, toughest SOB there is"
"It's just so hard seeing him like this…..in so much pain….out of head with fever….."
"Don't give up on him Danny"
"Never….. Thank you Amy"

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There was not much change in Steve's condition over the next three days. Although it was extremely draining on Danny, he found comfort in the fact that Steve's temperature continued to slowly drop. He slept most of the time but his fevered dreams continued. During his rare waking moments he was lucid enough to answer the Doctors' questions and thankfully they were able to determine with a fair amount of certainty that no brain damage had occurred.

His body was extremely weak but the daily Interferon injections along with the numerous IV's appeared to be helping him and the Doctors were finally able to convince Danny to sleep in the room down the hall where could actually remove the protective gear. His body ached from catching cat naps crunched in a chair at Steve's bedside.

Once he was out of his gear and washed up he called MaryAnn and Chin with updates and then he phoned Gracie before lying down.
"Hi Monkey!"
"Daddy oh Daddy I've missed you so much! Is Uncle Steve feeling better?"
"He's still really sick Monkey but he's doing better. He needs a lot of rest, but the Doctors are taking really good care of him"

"Can I come and see him Danno?"
"Not for a while sweetheart. He has a really bad flu bug and if you see him you could get sick"
"But what about you Daddy? Are you going to get sick?"
"The Doctors have me wearing a mask and gloves and a dopey looking hat so that I can't catch Steve's germs. I'll be just fine baby"

"Why can't I wear those thing so I can see him?"
Telling a 'little white lie' to his child he responded, "They don't make them in little kids sizes and EVEN if they did, it's safer that you don't see him right now. You know that Uncle Steve would feel really, really bad if he made you sick. Do you understand?"

"Yeah I do...can you give him a big hug and a kiss from me then?"
"You know I will Monkey. He loves you very much and so does Danno. You be good for Mommy okay?"
"I will be. I love you Danno"
"Good night baby girl"
"Good night"

Danny smiled as he hung up the phone. For the first time in five days he actually believed that Steve would survive. He sent out a prayer of thanks and then pulling the blanket up to his chin, he slept.