Title: The New Monticito
Name: April
Danny McCoy and Ed Deline came from seperate directions, but met in front of the hospital room where Danny's old friend Lt Matt Astin stood. Both Danny and Ed seemed to have aged years with the stress of the past twenty-four hours and fear mixed with concern in their eyes.
"How is she?" Ed asked.
"She wants to see you both. You first, sir, and then Danny." Ed nodded, going in immediately, not knowing how much time they had left.
"Sam?" She looked so pale and still that for a split second he was terrified they'd been too late.
"Ed." Sam opened her swollen eyes.
"I'm here. Danny's outside."
She nodded, knowing they'd get there. "He gave me the Monticito...before he died. Take care of it...And Danny?"
"Danny'll take care of himself and I'll watch over the Monticito until you're better." He refused to allow himself to consider losing her like he'd lost Jillian only three months before and he didn't even dream of telling Sam there wasn't much left of the Monticito.
"Danny..." Ed left, allowing Danny to come in.
"Hey, babe." He kissed her head. "They're just going to get some of the swelling down. That's why you can't feel much right now."
"Where's Mary?" Danny's best friend had a habit of taking care of him, whether he needed it or not.
"Still in Hawaii. Don't worry. You'll be awake again long before the girls get back."
"Sleepy."
"I know. They want you asleep when they do the surgery." He gingerly brushed hair out of her face. "You want me to stay?" She carefully nodded and he held her hand until she was unconscious again.
He walked out in the hall with her, reluctantly letting of of her hand as they took her to surgery, then turning to Ed and Matt again. "What happened?"
"She was in Casey's limo with him; they were the only car involved. Limo driver was legally drunk; Casey was plastered...Sam didn't have a drop. We got to the scene; she was asking for the two of you and talking about the Monticito. I saw it on the news. I'm sorry." Ed nodded, more worried about DeLinda, Nessa, and Sam than he was the casino.
"She asked about Mary," Danny said.
"You want me to call her?" Matt asked. Danny hesitated.
"She needs to know about the casino and the girls," Ed told him. "It's up to her whether she wants to come home or not. Does you know where Mike is?"
"Last time I saw him he was with his aunt."
Ed nodded. "I'm going back, try to get in touch with the girls again. Call me if there's anything on Sam." Danny nodded, watching his boss walk away.
"I'll call Mary. You should stay around, wait for Sam." Matt paused. "Listen, Danny...I heard about your dad. I'm sorry."
Danny paused, everything coming back again. "Yeah. Listen, thanks for calling us."
"Don't mention it." Matt went to call Mary.