Chapter 26

Hey guys, here's chapter 26. I hope you enjoy and review. Stay safe.

Bad news?

Danny's felt heart fell. He looked at Catherine whose face was unreadable as her eyes brimmed with

tears.

"The bad news is his jaw will have to be immobile for a few days. Liquid diet until further notice and he

may need some restorative dental work. Furthermore, he'll have a hell of a headache for a few days. I

understand from smell of chlorine in his hair he likes to swim. That's over until further notice. "

"He's a blue water survival skills instructor for the Navy." Danny offered.

Dr. Charity smiled. "Not until his skin is completely healed he isn't. Chlorine isn't a friend to him now

and for the immediate future. Now, good news: He remembers what happened. He knows who he is

and he can move all his extremities. He has an amazingly strong heart and determination in his eyes. It

will be a few weeks of rehab but looking forward, I see him make a full recovery."

Overwhelmed, Catherine jumped up and hugged the petite African neurosurgeon. "Oh thank you, thank

you doctor…"

"Dr. Candace Charity, at your service. Would you be Cat?"

Catherine released her. "Lt. Catherine Rollins, U.S. Navy. Yes, I am Steve's Cat."

"I'm pleased to meet you. Come with me please, I know a man who would love to see you. Just don't

let him sit up. I'm sorry but you all will have to wait a few more hours to see him. But in spite of my 'no

visitors policy of 24 hours', he's asking, well more like demanding, for his Cat. You understand." She

smiled and then took Catherine by the arm and led her towards the recovery unit.

After Catherine left with Steve's doctor left, Danny looked at Lou and shrugged. "Well, shall we head

back and call Catherine in the morning and go from there? We know that Steve's okay and Catherine

will be here so he isn't alone. I'm sure she will let us now if she needs us. Besides, that Russian bear is

set to be arraigned in the morning. I want to be there."

"Okay, be YOU drive. I already drove today and I'm beat." Lou yawned.

Danny rolled his eyes. "Whatever."

"I must warn you, we have him somewhat sedated so doesn't move his head a lot. His jaw is wired in

place but he is understandable. He's got physical therapy tests to make sure he suffered no residual

damage ahead of him. I'm sure he'll fight me…"

"Oh, he will." Catherine assured her.

"You know your man well, don't you?" The doctor laughed. "When he arrived, he was out. Now that

he's awake, I can see he's a stubborn and determined man."

"Oh, that he is, too be sure."

"Just keep him calm and flat, please or we might have to sedate him for his own good."

Catherine laughed. "He'd just love that, I'm sure. He'll behave himself especially if you explain it like

that. He's a bit of a control freak. He'll behave just to be able to argue his interests."

They arrived at the recovery unit and entered. Most patients were asleep or still under the influence of

their surgical sedation. Most the beds were separated by curtains with a few beds for isolation. Steve

was in the farthest bed from the door but near the nurse's station. Even though he was laying on his

side and turned away from them, she recognized his silhouette under the thin hospital blanket.

Upon seeing the diminutive doctor, a nurse got up and made a bee line for her. "Doctor, you have to do

something about him. He's demanding, combative and overall ornery. I gave him an injection though

his IV line just to cut down on his agitation."

"Calm down, Jenny. I brought his kryptonite." She looked at Catherine. "Right?"

"Right."

Even though the women were talking in hushed tones, Steve could hear them talking. He thought that

nurse had given him something, sneaky female. But even in his hazy world, he knew Catherine's voice.

He gathered his strength and tried to yell but his voice came out as an enfeebled hoarse whine. "Cat!"

Catherine excused herself and went to his bedside. As predicted, he tried to get up but Catherine forced

the issue of laying still.

Dr. Charity looked at Jenny. "I know it isn't protocol but I'll have him moved A.S.A.P. to a private room

as soon as he's stable."

"I start on the fourth floor tomorrow." Jenny said hinted quietly

"Wonderful. Since you two have history I'll make sure he goes to your floor. Thanks Jennifer. Text me if

you need me. I'm sleeping here tonight. It's late, no point in going home when l have rounds in seven

hours." Dr. Charity said with bright smile. She left the recovery ward.

"Yeah, that's NOT what I meant! Thanks a lot, Doc." Jenny said under her breath to the doctor's

retreating back.

Steve heard foot falls coming towards him. He recognized the stride pattern and his heart rate spiked,

setting off his bodily function monitors. Still, he tried to lift himself up onto his elbow but found he had

no strength. "Cat!" He tried to yell again but his voice was even weaker the second time. He fell back

to the bed wondering if he was imagining hearing Catherine's foot falls. Overcome by pain and the

fatigued from the surgery, he squeezed his eyes shut tightly and felt hot tears fall. "Cat." He whispered.

"I'm here, Steve!" Catherine was coming around his bed. "I'm here, sailor. I'm here, my love." She

pulled the chair closer to his bedside. Taking his free hand, she kissed his hand. "I'm here, my love.

Please keep still. They don't want you moving too much."

Feeling her lips on the back of his hand and smelling her perfume, Steve gave in to the sedative the

nurse gave him. "Cat." He whispered as he surrendered to the calm grey void that was pulling on him.

He tightened his grip on her hand so he wouldn't fall too far.

"That's where we are right now Rachel. I think Steve will make a complete recovery, in time." Danny

sat on the bench outside the parking garage while Lou retrieved their car.

Lynn sat on the other end of the bench staring up at the stars. Just a few evenings ago, she was sitting

in the hotel garden with Steve, dreaming of him in her future. Tonight, so much if not everything had

changed. Meeting his girlfriend - his fiancée - took most if not all her hope for her future. She felt like

such a fool. How he must have laughed her attempts at seduction! Why order out for a hamburger

when you have filet mignon cooked to perfection waiting at home? After seeing the Navy woman, she

felt like a dope. She heard the detective end his call. "Did you know he was engaged" Her voice was

monotone, quiet.

Danny looked at the cell phone in his hand. "I did."

"Was it your idea?"

"The plan was both of ours, but mostly mine. I'm sorry Lynn. I had a murder to solve and Steve lost a

good friend. His Best Man actually."

Lynn nodded but it was clear that the explanation didn't sit well with her.

"Lynn, Steve was the one that put it all together. He figured out you were a virtual prisoner"

"So this was what, police deception?"

"NO! He genuinely was concerned about the situation you were in. He feared for your safety and

wanted to help. I'm the one that suggested to him to play an interested suitor to gain your confidence.

Him courting you wouldn't be appear unnatural. I suggested something that would appear organic. If

you're going to be mad at anyone, take it out on me."

Lou drove up with the car. He got out and walked around to the passenger seat and made himself

comfortable with a small smile.

Danny smiled, nodded and went to the drivers' side after opening the back door for Lynn. He put the

car in gear and headed back towards the coast.

George awoke handcuffed to the hospital bed's safety bar. His head throbbed with every beat of his

heart. He went to rub his head but the handcuff prevented it. Metal on metal scraped, he wasn't going

anywhere.

Chin Ho Kelley lowered the newspaper he was reading. "Good morning. You're not going anywhere."

He resumed reading then lowered the paper again. "Comrade."

George rattled his hand cuffs in frustration.

Behind his newspaper, Kelley smiled in spite of himself.

Danny dropped Lynn at the Traveler's Oasis even though his gut was telling him she might still be in

danger. Lynn insisted on going home so when they stopped for a comfort break, he took the

opportunity to post an unmarked car across the street from the hotel to keep an eye on things, to be

nearby in case of even more trouble.

Then he dropped off Lou at his car. Now, he pulled into his driveway and saw both his porch and

interior foyer lights were left on for him. Pocketing the keys after unlocking the front door, he yawned

as he shut door.

"Are you hungry, love?" Rachel asked softly.

"Yes, but I'm just too tired to eat. I just want to sleep. Thanks for waiting up."

"Of course. Now, let's get you into bed and I'll rub your shoulders."

"Thanks Rachel. Were the monkeys good tonight?"

"Disappointed you weren't home to tuck them in. But l explained Steve had to go to the hospital and

you went with him so he wouldn't be alone."

Danny grunted as he started to undress. He stepped out of his shoes and rubbed his overtired feet. "I

wouldn't have known how to explain the situation in a kid friendly way. God, l love you Rach.''

"Gracie got upset 'Uncle Steve' was in the hospital."

Danny stopped untying his tie. "'Uncle Steve?'" He stammered.

Rachel smiled sympathetically and shrugged. "Uncle Steve. He won her over Daniel."

Danny finished undressing. "Uncle Steve. That's just great."