Chapter 32

Steve did like it.

He still complained about the food, because it was still some kind of a diet to help his kidneys - his potassium and creatine levels were still too high - but he felt much better without all the wires and tubes and in his own clothes.

The nurses still checked his vitals a few times a day, but they took their devices with them again after it which makes Steve happy.

Connor had changed his training program. He had stopped trying to make Steve sit on the edge of the bed. Instead, he had started to try and strengthen his patient's abdominal and back muscles further and showed him how to change his clothes on his own. It exhausted Steve to no end, but at least he didn't refuse therapy anymore. They also worked on his limbs, but so far nothing had changed.

Grace was coming by now every other day for about half an hour or more – depending on Steve's constitution. It cheered him up every time, but he was exhausted after it nonetheless.

Six more pictures were on the wall now when Steve asked Danny

"Why have you been asking me all those questions this past week?"

"Because I want to know what had happened."

"No, you don't want to."

"You are right, because I've seen the results and it wasn't pretty. But I want to know what you know about all of this. I had hoped you hadn't been aware of most of it. Looks like you are after all."

"Yeah, the siblings were good at that. They wanted me to feel then and remember later. But there is more to it right?"

"Steve, I…"

"Danny, I've told you before. I am not stupid, just slow and now I am not even that anymore – well most of the time."

"That obvious, huh? I am sorry I haven't told you why, but I didn't want you to know, because you'd start to think about it, try to find out and stress yourself with it."

"Danny, please. Just tell me. I know you meant well. But now I found out and I want to know, because otherwise this would increase my stress level for sure."

"Okay. You've come a long way and there is still a long…"

"Danny!"

"Okay. Dr. Lexington thinks there has something happened that – his words "as bad as this sounds after everything you endured – had destroyed something inside of you". Something you don't remember, but your subconsciousness does, something that had been way worse than the pain."

"The drugs."

"What?"

"The drugs Danny. I can handle pain – a lot of it, but the drugs…I could never do that. I have no control over my body or my mind and being restraint didn't help either. Not that I've ever spilled any secrets, but it always does something to me."

"I can imagine that, but the doctor doesn't think it's that because you are aware of that fact."

"I don't know Danny. A lot of things had happened and I am sure I – thankfully – don't remember everything despite the effort of the siblings, but there might even be things that hadn't happened that I only imagine to have happened. I had a lot of trips – bad ones - at least I hope they just were hallucinations – so, yes there might be something. But I don't know what…I don't even know how they got me in the first place."

"I do."

"You do?"

"Yes, Michael told Chin during his interrogation. They tempered with your car while it was parked in front of your house. You wanted to drive to work alone that morning. When you touched the door handle, you got an electric shock. Before you could recover enough, they tasered your neck. And they gave you a tranquilizer on top as well, just to be sure."

"Still don't remember. But I've told you – they had made their homework about everything."

"I am sorry, Steve."

"It's not your fault – I've told you before."

"I know, but…but…if we had done more…if we had found you earlier…"

"Don't go there, Danno. Please. I know you all had worked hard and had done everything possible. There is no need to feel guilty. Even if we had gone to work together – they had waited and chosen another day to get me. And they had covered their tracks very well - I've told you. They had planned everything in detail – except the ending.

And I am glad they didn't had the chance to make that choice. I am glad you found me before that – even if I don't remember that either."

"Yeah, me too. Still wishing it had been earlier."

"Yeah, would have saved a lot of trouble for all of us. But you did and that is what counts."

"Yeah."

Both men sat in silence for a few minutes then Danny said "You okay if I leave you for an hour?"

"Another date with Samantha?"

"It's not a date! We are just having coffee."

"Sure…just go. I need a nap anyway."

"Good. Sleep tight," Danny said and waved his friend good bye.

When he had reached the door, Steve called "Danny?"

"Yes, Steve?"

"You might not know it yet, but you love her. I can see it. I hope it works out for you. You deserve some happiness."

"Thanks."

"And I still think it is a date."