TENNESSEE, 9:56 PM
It was dark and Danny was no longer coherent to help her, causing CJ to run ashore with the boat. She had no idea where she was or how close any kind of civilization was. She took her blood soaked hands and pulled the boat half way onto to the land in case it drifted off without her, sending Danny down stream. CJ brushed the tears from her eyes as she entered the boat for Danny.
"Danny!" She yelled.
"I'm awake. I'm—"Danny wasn't looking good. CJ took his arm over her shoulder and helped him out of the boat. They walked a few steps, CJ holding most of his weight, when Danny fell to the grass and dirt below.
"Danny!" CJ yelled, falling to her knees. "Get up! You have to---"Danny didn't say anything. He muttered something incoherent as CJ pulled his body onto her knees holding him close. She felt the surrealness of the moment and the last three days. She felt like her life had suddenly turned into the pages of a gaslight melodrama. Would she have another man she cares about die? Would Danny really die right there in her arms?
"Nooooo!" CJ cried out, her tears flowing. You can't do this! Not like this!" She yelled out to the heavens. "Danny!" She shook him.
"CJ." He whispered.
"You have to stay awake. Danny!?"
"CJ." He whispered.
"Come on." She lowered her head and prayed, not knowing what to do next.
"Your hair looks great, you know that." He said with a smile, as it was obvious Danny was in another moment in time and not on the beach with CJ.
CJ lifted her head as she heard the sound of a helicopter. It was loud, it was deafening, it was piercing to the ears, but it was the sweetest sound CJ had ever heard. The searchlight ran past her as it flew overhead. She took her hand to her forehead and just when she wasn't sure if she'd have to get it's attention the helicopter flew closer in blowing her hair and shining the light in her face. CJ and Danny had been found.
CJ watched as the helicopter landed and a man jumped out and walked toward her. Only a shadow as he approached, CJ brought her hand to her forehead to force out the searchlight and see the man approach.
"Are you CJ Cregg!?" He yelled over the noise of the blades.
"Yes!?" CJ said wearily and bewildered as the wind from the copter blew her hair in her face.
"Staff Gunnery Sergeant Allen Wade United States National Guard ma'am! Are you all right!?
"Yes?" CJ moved her hair out of her face. She wasn't sure if she was more shocked that she and Danny had been found, or who had found her.
"Are you hurt in anyway?!"
"No!." She yelled sincerely. "He's been shot!"
"Don't move him. I'm going to go radio the medi-copter. I'll be right back."
"Ok?" CJ took a breath as the man walked back to the helicopter and returned her gaze to Danny. "Danny!?" She shook him. "Danny did you hear that—come on. Danny!"
"CJ?" He said in the softest voice she had ever heard, but he started to fade again.
"Danny, come on—I need you to stay awake---we're almost there—come on—Danny look at me—look at me Danny." She got his eyes and he didn't look good. "Come on you have to stay awake. For me. Stay awake for me." She took a breath. "Come one, talk my ear off—you're good at that--"CJ was wracking her brain for something to keep Danny talking. "Danny? Danny?"
"Yeah." Danny tried to listen to her voice as he spoke so softly he wasn't sure if he could even hear himself.
CJ looked up at Sergeant Wade as he hovered over her. "They're on their way Ma'am. Where is he hit.?
"The shoulder." She yelled through tears. "He's fading—He's lost a lot of blood."
"About what?!"
"Anything." He looked up and saw the chopper. "I'll be right back. Keep him talking, anything--lists...just keep him talking."
"Danny?" She shook him. "Listen to my voice."
"CJ." He was faint.
"You got to stay awake—"
"I have to get back to Washington—" He spoke in sleepy tones. "I have the link—the link is the pilot—I have to get back to Washington---"
"Come on Danny---"She tried to think "Name me all the Senators in Congress. Name them—come on-- I know you---you have that annoying dictionary of a brain—come on show me up---"
"Descending order?" Danny spoke, but CJ could hear him fading. Danny nestled his head into CJ.
"Yes---no resting---"She shook him. "Descending order---" CJ said gruffly.
"Avery, Bangart, Breech, Carrick----"
"Come on Danny!?" She begged him as he slowly repeated a name. "You're almost there," she said as the Sergeant walked toward her and Danny took a moment of rest. CJ could hear the second helicopter approaching. "They're coming. Danny?" She spoke as he continued the list. "Just a little more."