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Chapter 13 - Hoping to Beat the Odds

Steve weakly sagged against the wall in Danny's new private hospital room where his friend couldn't see him. He had stayed at Danny's request while the surgeon inspected the healing injury and had readily agreed. But he hadn't expected the ugly extent of the harsh aftermath. A nurse was standing in front of Danny and literally holding him up in a seated position as the doctor removed the bandages and then gently prodded the scarred area.

"It's healing well. There's so sign of infection but you will have an impressive scar to tell your grandchildren about Detective." The words made Steve blanch even more as he choked back his dismay. The scar was long and deep running from Danny's shoulder and down through the underside of his arm towards his elbow. Seeing it for the first time, Steve believed the truth of the too low odds for a full recovery.

After being moved from the ICU, Danny had finally questioned the success of the surgery and extent of the damage forcing both Steve and the doctors to admit that he might not entirely heal. And with Grace still not willing to speak, the information was another devastating blow.

"Steve." The raw pain in Danny's voice was evident as the surgeon did his best to gently redress the injury. Pale and swallowing hard, he was panting through the painful examination. "How .. bad? Tell me."

The doctor glanced up and made a face at Steve before looking away. The Commander had been well-coached and also knew the medical prognosis. And though the physicians were speaking honestly, Danny only wanted Steve's opinion much like Grace often chose his presence.

"It's still healing Danno. But the doc isn't kidding about a legacy for your grand-kids."

"Steven." The tired warning was clear but Danny needed to stop talking to catch his breath while both the nurse and doctor helped him lean back gently into the deep pillows. And then Steve waited as the doctor took necessary time to inject pain medication into the IV line and re-adjusted the oxygen flow for the nasal cannula. The process to change his patient's bandages was agonizing and arduous and he well understood the spike in pain echoing through Danny's body.

Once he was settled, Steve gave the doctor an apologetic look as he answered Danny's demanding question. "It looks bad .. but keep in mind, you have a long way to go. It's impossible to know anything yet for sure." Danny closed his eyes as he massaged the nearly deadened fingers on his left hand. He listened silently as the surgeon agreed with Steve's words.

"In my opinion, it does look very good and it is healing nicely. But there's a great deal of swelling and Steve is right … it is too early to truly know if you will have any lasting damage. We'll schedule another MRI and at some point need to discuss physical therapy. PT will be critical in improving the chances of a full recovery and I'd like to start as soon as possible."

They watched as Danny continued to rub his fingers and his hand twitched in a sad attempt at making a fist. The doctor sighed in understanding as he got up to leave. "Get some rest before your daughter gets here. I understand she's coming after lunch."

Steve smiled as Danny's face eased behind his closed eyes and his body slowly relaxed. Before leaving, the surgeon made a few notes in Danny's chart and then quietly addressed Steve directly.

"I gave him a stronger medication .. what we just did was extremely painful. He should sleep peacefully for a few hours." He then studied the SEAL's own weary and stress-lined face before making a suggestion. "Go home Commander. Take advantage of the time and get some rest of your own."

His tone altered again as he tried to change Steve's already stubborn expression. "Steve. If you don't mind me saying it, you are well overdue for some R&R."

And Steve was about to automatically decline when he felt a strong hand on his shoulder and turned to find Chin staring at him. "He's right .. you haven't left in days .. except to cater to Grace, Rachel and Gibran. Danny's finally out of the ICU and he's sleeping. Take these next few hours and get out of here. Do something for yourself. Relax, put your feet up or go for a swim."

And he surprised himself by merely nodding and with a reassuring glance towards where Danny slept, Steve drove home. He suddenly needed to be alone and Chin was right .. he needed to do something else that would soothe his own soul. His next action was to change and walk purposefully out to the lanai, cross the hot sands and then dive directly into the depths of the ocean.

And as he swam with an automatic, practiced ease, no one could have guessed that he was allowing the water to cleanse a flood of tears from his face.

~ to be continued ~