Danny stood at Steve's side for a long time, rubbing his back and trying to calm him. He was bent over, his head resting against Steve's as he talked to him softly "Relax buddy, I've got you" Steve's entire body was tight with tension as intense pain coursed through his body. "Come on partner….relax…"

"Oh GGod Dannoo…I hhurt so bbad man"
"Steve you need the meds babe"
"NO! NO! Daanny I can't…the dreams partnnn…ner. I ccan't….."
"I'll be right there with you…every minute, I promise. Please Steve. You need to rest…you need the codeine"
"Oh God DDannoo, oh God…. I'm so ssorry"
"SShhhhhhh, relax..." Suddenly Steve pushed him aside and dropping from the chair onto his knees he vomited violently onto the sand.

Danny stood next to his fallen partner. He stared out at the Ocean running his hands through his hair as he listened to the sounds of Steve vomiting. Closing his eyes, Danny silently prayed for his dear friend.
Once the heaving stopped, Danny asked, "Are you done?"
"Uh…..huh, yyeaahh" Danny reached down helping pull Steve to his feet.
"Let's get you back inside, you've had a busy day"
Steve staggered as he turned to walk towards the house and Danny grabbed his elbow to steady him. Holding Steve's arm tightly the men made their way up the slight embankment and across the yard.

They entered the kitchen to find Kono and Chin sitting at the table enjoying the soup and bread. The smell of the soup caused Steve to turn a sickly green color.
Kono looked up, "You okay boss?"
Steve motioned to her but did not speak, the answer obvious. Danny guided him slowly through the kitchen and into the living room where he helped ease him onto the couch. Low, pained moans came from injured man as he spoke quietly "Danny…"

"Yeah, I'm right here"
"Please ssend them hhome"
"Kono and Chin?"
"Yeah…please ssend tthem hh….homee"
"They want to help you babe"
"D' please…." Steve's voice shook with emotion.
Danny pulled a blanket over him stating, "Okay buddy, okay…..close your eyes and relax"
"Oh sshit….."
Danny ran his fingers through Steve's drenched and matted hair, "Sssshhhhh…..you're doing great…..sssshhhhhh"
Once Steve had calmed down Danny told him he'd be right back and he went back into the kitchen.

Kono and Chin had finished eating and were visiting quietly as Danny pulled up a chair and joined them.
Kono asked, "Can I get him some soup"
Danny chuckled, "No, he just emptied his belly on the beach, I'm sure foods' the last thing he wants right now"
"Has he agreed to take the codeine?"
Danny ran his hands across his face before looking into the eyes of his friends, "No Chin...but guy's I need to ask you to go home"
Kono was clearly upset, "Why Danny? We want to help him"
"I know honey but in his current state of mind…."
She interrupted him, "You mean he wants us to leave?"
Chin spoke first, "Kono you can't take this personally"
The Jersey detective sighed deeply, "He's not thinking clearly. Kono he's terrified of taking the codeine. He's certain it's going to give him nightmares and he doesn't want everyone around. He's hurting bad and you have to remember he went to that shed because he wanted to fight this alone. He knows you love him and that you'll be there whenever he needs you, but we have to do this his way okay?"

She nodded and wiped a tear from her cheek, "Okay, but you'll call us?"
"Of course I will, and you can call or text me anytime to check on him. We have to take this a day a time. He'll have good days but he's going to have a hell of a lot of bad days, especially at first"
They all stood and moved into the living room where they found Steve sleeping. Kono knelt and kissed his forehead and then she and Chin left the two men alone. Danny glanced at his watch. It was six thirty and the Nurse would be arriving shortly. Turning the television on, he sat in the recliner next to the couch and watched the news.

50505050505050505050505050

The nurse arrived about fifteen minutes later. She was a young Hawaiian girl named Lilianna and as Steve slept, Danny showed her around the house and put her bag into the spare bedroom. Not wanting to wake Steve they talked at the top of the stairs about his condition before making their way back to his side. They chatted quietly getting to know each other and a little after eight Steve woke.
Danny looked at him, "Hey partner, we have company"
Steve turned to greet Lilianna and then he pushed himself into a sitting position.
The young woman moved closer asking, "How do you feel Steve?"
"Honestly? I feel like hell" He grinned weakly at her, "I'm exhausted"
"Well, let me take a look at you real quick and then you can go back to sleep"
She briefly examined him and then as he made his way to the downstairs bathroom Danny went to the kitchen to get his medication and a bottle of water.

When Steve returned and sat down on the couch, Danny handed him the meds.
Steve looked at him, "It's the anti-biotic and what?"
Danny responded firmly, "The codeine…we discussed this already buddy and you agreed…."
Steve interrupted him, "No, I did NOT agree. Let me try to sleep without it first"
"Steven, sometimes I think you are masochist"
The SEAL chuckled weakly, "I want to try without it first Danno"
Danny rolled his eyes stating, "Whatever you say babe"
Steve took the anti-biotic as Danny added, "Before you lie down, would you like some soup?"
"No thank you, not tonight…..I'm not hungry. You two go ahead though"
Danny turned to Lilianna, "Would you like some soup? We have Creamy Wild Rice or Broccoli and Cheese with bread bowls, or we also have Chicken Noodle"

She smiled, "No thank you Danny. I ate right before coming over"
Danny slapped his hands onto his thighs and then stood, "Well I'm starving partner so if you'll excuse me for a minute…."
Danny moved into the kitchen and after putting his soup in the microwave to heat up he cleaned the kitchen a bit. He put the others' bowls and spoons into the dishwasher and the soups into the fridge. He then went back into the living room with his soup and bread bowl to find Steve already sleeping.

The soup tasted wonderful and Danny and Lilianna visited until about ten o'clock. They decided to leave Steve sleeping on the couch and Danny would sleep in the chair next to him. Lilianna then went to the spare room for the night with the understanding that Danny would call for her if needed. Danny grabbed a pillow and blanket for himself and after tucking in his sleeping friend he reclined back in the chair. He turned a basketball game on TV, and he too soon drifted off.

50505050505050505050505050

Danny woke to Steve's moans at about midnight. Sitting on the edge of the coffee table he took hold of Steve's hand, squeezing tightly. The SEAL remained asleep but he mumbled softly, "Jack…you hhave ttoo do it…oh God….no, nno please no"
Danny felt Steve's grip tighten in his and he whispered encouragingly, "It's okay Steve, I'm here partner"

"No Jaack…..oh God I'mm so ssorry" Steve's breathing was becoming more rapid and he was sweating profusely, "I'm so sorry, ooh Jaack….it's mmy fault" His head was thrashing from side to side and Danny stood over him.

He placed his hands on Steve's face, "Steve, Steve…..wake up babe"
Steve's eyes suddenly jolted open and he gasped, trying to pull air into his lungs.
Still holding Steve's face, Danny spoke calmly, "Steve, relax babe…..it's Danny, I've got you"
"Jack…hhe's dead Danno…oh God, wwhat did I ddo?"
"I know buddy, I'm sorry…..I need you to listen to me now. Breathe slow…come on, relax partner…..nice and slow"
Danny continued to try to calm him, running his hand through his hair, "Relax Steve, close your eyes now"

It took several minutes for Steve to relax and then Danny asked, "Do you want to talk about it?"
"No, no…."
"It might help Steve"
"DAMN IT DANNY, I SAID NO! Please….please just leave me alone" Moaning as pains continued to wrack his body, he rolled onto his side, turning his back on his partner.
Without speaking, Danny squeezed Steve's shoulder and then he moved back to the chair keeping an eye closely on his partner.

Danny knew the edginess was a normal withdrawal symptom and watching Steve's body shake he now knew why Steve had wanted Kono and Chin gone…..it hurt like hell to watch him suffer like this, it hurt like hell.

Neither man slept or talked much the rest of the night. Danny went into the kitchen a little after five in the morning to put on a pot of coffee. As it brewed he stood looking out the patio window. After several minutes he went back into the living room to find the couch empty. His ears perked as he heard noise coming from the nearby den.

He stood in the doorway looking at Steve. He was disheveled and was sitting at his desk flipping through a photo album.
Danny asked, "Hey are you okay?"
"I need some time alone Daniel. I need you out of here! I need the Nurse out of here! I need to be alone"
Danny was scared. Steve was depressed and he knew that the SEAL kept several weapons concealed around the house. He knew about the gun in his nightstand drawer and he knew about the one in his desk drawer…..only inches from his grasp…..

******** MUCH MORE TO COME, hope you're enjoying ! *********