I just want to thank everyone for their kind reviews. I really appreciate all of them.

The Hostage

Chapter seven

"You stay with me partner, don't you go leaving me." Deaq said as he squeezed Van's hand harder.

Gibson walked over and looked down at them.

"He doesn't look too good does he? Yeah well, did you make up your mind, who's staying?"

"I'm staying." Deaq said.

"Okay, then you…." Gibson said pointing at Chris. " ….and the security guard are free to go, take that old couple with you. I don't want any of you to mention about the cop being hurt. It'll be our little secret." He said grinning. He didn't want them to attempt a rescue of their wounded officer.

"We won't." Chris said then looked down at Deaq. "You take it easy buddy."

Deaq nodded.

Command Center

Chris walked into the command center with the injured security guard and the couple, all of which were immediately taken away by another paramedic to be examined. Billie walked over to him.

"How's my officer?"

"Not good. He's bleeding to death. I don't think he has much time left."

"And Deaq, how's he holding up?"

Chris shook his head.

"He's about ready to blow. If his partner doesn't make it, I'm afraid he's going to crack."

Billie sucked in her breath. There was no way she was going to lose both of them.

"We've got to end this thing." She looked over at Hadley. "Is SWAT set up yet?"

"Yeah, everyone's in position…………Look, I'm sorry about your officer but you know we can't just bust in there, not unless the hostages are in immediate danger. As much as I hate to say this, your officer is expendable."

"Maybe to you he is, but not to me."

Bank

Deaq continued wiping the sweat from Van's face and then put his hand on his forehead, he was burning up.

"This man is going to die if he doesn't get to a hospital."

"If he dies, he dies. I'll send flowers." Clark said giving a sarcastic laugh.

"At least let me get some water to cool him down, he's burning up with fever."

"Fuck him!" Winston said walking over. "Let the pig die, I'll enjoy watching."

Deaq looked at Gibson.

"Look, no one has died yet. Let me do what I can for him……….please……. If he dies they'll go to the ends of the earth to hunt you down."

"Okay, you stay there." He ordered Deaq. "Clark, take that water bottle off the cooler and take it over to him."

"What! I'm not going to help him. That bastard shot me!"

"Just do it. I know how these damn cops are if one of their own is killed. If we get out of this they'll hound me the rest of my life."

Clark reluctantly got the bottle off the water cooler and took it over and put it beside Deaq, who immediately poured the cool water on a cloth and put it across Van's forehead. Next he poured the water on a piece of gauze and began sponging it on Van's chest, desperately trying to cool down his body temperature. Van began to stir a little as the cool water brought him around. He moaned and began to reach up toward his head for the cloth.

"No, no, just leave that there." Deaq gently grabbed his partner's hand and put it at his side.

Van's eyes slowly opened and he looked up into Deaq's face. It kept going in and out of focus. He couldn't think straight and had no idea where he was or what was happening.

"Deaq?" He asked confused.

"I'm Mike, I'm a paramedic, you've been hurt." Deaq said hoping Van would remember what was going on and not give him away.

"What……what's happening?... Deaq………what……….." He tried to get up then hissed in pain and fell back down. He lay on the floor staring up at Deaq, fear on his fever soaked face. Who was this guy, he looked like Deaq but said he wasn't? "God Deaq…….. what's going on……..why are you doing this?" He asked as he tried to push Deaq's hands away from him.

"You got to hold still buddy or you'll start bleeding again."

Van grabbed Deaq's arm.

"What's going on?...Why did you…….why did you leave me, partner?" Van's eyes were glazed with fever and Deaq knew he didn't know what he was saying, but still the words 'why did you leave me?' cut through him like a knife and brought all the guilt he had felt back.

Gibson walked over and looked down at them.

"Who's this Deaq he's talking about? And why did he call you partner?"

"This man is delirious; he has no idea what he's saying. The fever is making him see things and say things that don't make sense."

"Get………..get away from me!" Van tried to pull away as he looked at Deaq, his eyes wild with fear and pain. Why was Deaq hurting him? Why didn't he just leave him alone? "No more………..please just go away……!" Van began thrashing about, moaning in pain.

"Will you shut him up!" Clark said leaning down and pointed his gun at Van's head. "Or I will."

Deaq leaned over Van's body protectively.

"Look, the man's dying……….he's losing it. He doesn't know what he's saying."

"Well get him to shut up or he won't be dying, he'll be dead." Clark walked away.

Just then the phone rang and Gibson walked over to it. Deaq grabbed Van's hand and squeezed.

"Hang in there buddy……..I need you to stay with me partner. You gotta hang strong."

Tears of agony filled Van's eyes.

"Please………" He looked into Deaq's eyes, his own eyes pleading. "I can't……….I can't take this anymore." The pain was unbearable and he pressed his head back against the floor, his teeth clenched in agony.

Deaq glanced around, Gibson was on the phone and Winston and Clark stood next to him. No one was paying any attention to him. This might be the only chance he got. He opened the medical bag and picked up the morphine shot. He quickly stuck it in Van's arm and pressed the plunger then tossed the empty syringe back in the bag. The shot took affect almost immediately. Van's breathing improved and he visibly relaxed.

"Thank you……….thank you…….." Van mumbled softly as he shut his eyes enjoying the relief from the pain. He didn't try to fight it as he felt himself floating off, far from the pain of the last few hours.

Deaq put his hand on Van's shoulder and shut his eyes, glad his partner was finally at peace and away from the pain, at least for now.

"Hey paramedic………get over here! The cops are on the phone and want to talk to you." Gibson yelled over to Deaq.

TBC