Chapter 49

Steve was still a little tense through both the toweling and the creaming, but all in all everything went pretty well.

After that they watched some TV before calling it a day and going to sleep.

Just like the night before Steve dreamed about Sarah. He was tossing and turning, trying to get away from her teasing fingers. Unfortunately, it didn't work, he was caught in his dream which stressed him out and made him sweat.

When Sarah finally let go of his back, he stilled for a moment – just to jerk up and scream a moment later when the first lash of the whip hit him.

His scream woke him up and it took him a moment to orient himself and recognize his bedroom. He lay panting for a few minutes and tried to shake of the horror of the dream.

When his breathing was under control again, he stood up, put his brace on, took the cane and walked on still shaky legs into the kitchen. He poured himself a glass of water and drank it sip by sip. He was thankful that Danny was sleeping upstairs and most likely hadn't heard his scream – otherwise he would have been down by now – worried and asking him questions.

Steve went back to his bedroom, but after another three short but intense nightmares – thankfully without screaming – he knew he wouldn't get a decent sleep anymore that night.

He got up, sat in his wheelchair and drove out on the lanai.

Three hours later Danny found him still sitting outside and looking out at the ocean.

"Hey, how long have you been sitting here?"

"Don't know. And I wasn't sitting the whole time. Walked around a bit too. Can't sit that long."

"Bad night again?"

"Yeah."

"Why didn't you call me?"

"What for? Ruining your night as well? Makes no sense."

"We could have talked. Maybe you could have gone back to sleep."

"Don't think so. She would be in my dreams anyway."

"She?...Sarah?"

"Yeah."

"I am sorry. You want to talk about it? I am awake now anyway. Night is over…"

"Not your fault. And no, I don't want to talk. It was just about what she had done. I think I need to work that out. But if you don't mind, you can drive to Dr. Braddock this morning."

"Yeah sure. When is the appointment?"

"No appointment. But he said he'd prescribe me a sleeping pill if the dreams continue. Just for a few nights, so I can get some rest. We'll work something out during our next appointment."

"Sure. No problem…How about some coffee?"

"Sounds good. Something to eat would be great too."

They were halfway through their breakfast when Steve grabbed one of Danny's hands.

"What is that?" He turned Danny's hand slightly to have a better look.

"What happened to your knuckles? Haven't seen that yesterday. But the color looks like it is older than that."

Danny didn't answer.

"Danny?" Steve said demanding an answer.

"…I was mad – and…needed to vent." Danny reluctantly admitted.

"At me? You were mad at me?" Steve asked him a little surprised and looked a little sad

"No. It wasn't about you." Danny appeased the SEAL.

"What was it about?"

"Nothing."

"That doesn't look like nothing. You are talking – even ranting – and gesturing a lot when you are mad or angry, but if you needed to punch something – repeatedly – it must have been more than nothing," Steve said with determination.

"…Yeah, it was." Danny admitted.

Steve looked questioningly at Danny, then the look turned into a real stare until Danny finally said "Sarah."

"Sarah? THAT Sarah?"

"Yes Steve. THAT Sarah."

"Don't be. She is not worth it."

"I know. But what she did…I just couldn't help it."

"I will be fine Danny – someday. Don't hurt yourself again because of her."

Kono, Chin and Samantha arrived about an hour earlier than the other guests and arranged everything from chairs to plates, from drinks to preheating the grill.

When everything was set the other guests arrived as well: Duke, Kamekona, Rachel and Grace, Charlie Fong and finally Max Bergmann.

They were all happy to see Steve and he was happy to see them.

Chin and Charlie did the grilling while the rest of the guests talked to the SEAL or enjoyed the perfect weather.

When the first round of meat was ready, they all sat down to eat together. Grace wanted to sit beside her uncle and Rachel agreed after her daughter had started to beg.

When they had finished eating the guests stood or sat in groups talking to each other, walking to the beach or playing cards with Grace.

Steve alternated between walking around to talk to people and taking breaks in the wheelchair to do more or less the same. He had also thanked Kamekona for the ramp.

Danny was happy that Steve was happy and called the evening a success for everyone, but knew that he had to end it soon.

He had already noticed that Steve's movements had gotten stiff and uncoordinated.

Rachel wanted to leave, but Grace wanted to stay a little longer and Danny needed to settle thing between them. He had just explained his daughter that the "party" would be over soon anyway and she would be back in two days. He could see that Grace was sad that she had to leave, but was about to give in when Samantha approached and said in a kind of urgent tone "Sorry. Can I talk to you for a second Danny?...Now!"

He looked apologetically at his ex-wife and daughter and went with Samantha into the house.

"Sorry Danny. But I thought you would like to know."

They had reached the living room and Steve was lying on the recliner – his feet up and fast asleep.

"Yeah, thank you. He had gone the bathroom earlier. I think he had moved too much today and was too tired to make it back."

"Yes, probably, but I called you, because I think we should adjust his position a bit. Otherwise, it won't be funny for him when he wakes up. But I didn't want to touch him while he is asleep," Samantha said apologetically.

"You did the right thing. I'll do it." While he did what was necessary, Steve didn't even stir.

Danny went into Steve's bedroom, returned with a woolen blanket and spread it over the SEAL.

"Don't you want to remove his shoes first?"

"No. It is possible that he wakes up a little confused since sleeping here is quite new for him at the moment. If he does, he might get up and if he doesn't have the shoes on, the brace might shift, because a part if it goes under his foot – and then it won't support his ankle anymore and it is going to twist and Steve is going to fall. And…"

"Danny? I get it," Samantha interrupted, noticing that her friend was starting a little recitation.

"Yeah, sorry."

"Danno? Is uncle Steve okay," Grace asked with a worried voice.

Danny and Samantha turned around and saw Grace and Rachel standing in the doorway of the living room.

"Yes, monkey. Of course, he is. He is just sleeping."

Her face fell despite the good news that her uncle was fine.

"I wanted to say good bye to him. Can we stay until he wakes up again?"

Rachel sighed and Danny said "No, monkey. He will sleep for a few hours, but you can give him a kiss and whisper "good bye" into his ears."

"And he will know that when he wakes up?" Grace asked a little skeptical.

"I am sure about that. But you can call him tomorrow and ask." Danny said in a convincing voice.

"Okay." She went to the recliner, gave Steve a soft kiss on his cheek and whispered "good bye, uncle Steve. I love you. See you in a few days." Then she kissed him again, turned around and told her mother "we can go now."

Then she hugged and kissed her father and said "Good bye, Danno. I love you too."

When all the guests were gone, Danny opened another beer, lay down on the couch and switched the TV on. He muted it and looked over to Steve who was still fast asleep.

When the beer was empty, he got up and was about to bring the bottle into the kitchen when the SEAL woke up.

He had to orient himself at first, but thanks to the little lamp Danny had left on, Steve knew where he was after a few seconds.

When Danny noticed Steve was aware of where he was, he asked "Hey, you good?"

"Yeah, I am good. They are all gone huh? Sorry, I didn't want to fall asleep. I just needed to give my leg some rest."

"It's no problem. Everyone understood. They were all happy that they had seen you again and are doing quite good. Everyone had enjoyed the day."

"That is good. Thank you, Danny. I am still pretty tired though. I think I'll go to bed if you don't mind."

"No. I wanted to go too after I've returned the bottle."

Steve got up and was halfway through the living room when Danny asked "What about the cream?"

"No. Thanks. Not today. It was a good day and I don't want to ruin it with freaking out again. I think one day without it won't hurt. Maybe I can dream of today instead of…her. Good night Danny."

"Good night, Steve."