Chapter 6

Jack walked up to Martin who watched the ambulance disappear.

"How is he? Asked Jack startling Martin.

"He has a serious head injury, possible skull fracture, probably why he's having problems with his memory. Danny recognised both of us, so hopefully there's no permanent damage. He's been living around here for the last two days, he knew somebody was after him, just didn't know who." replied Martin

"So that's why he didn't call."

"I don't think he knew who or where to call. Just before we arrived he intervened in a dispute, he was knifed in the arm, lost a bit of blood." Martin looked totally exhausted. "He's had three days of hell, but at least we know he's safe."

"Come on, let's get to the hospital. Keep Sam company, she'll be wearing a track in the floor."

It was nearly an hour later the three agents were taken to Danny's doctor's office, he joined them a few minutes later. He motioned for them to stay seated, as he perched on the edge of his desk.

"He'll be fine, although he's very poorly at the moment. He's suffered several blows to his head in the last few days, and some injuries to his chest. He has a serious concussion and several infected cuts and grazes. He was well on the way to developing pneumonia, having been exposed to the elements, coupled with the lack of nourishment."

"He seems so confused, like he doesn't really know who he is." said Sam who was concerned about his friend's mental health.

"There is some slight swelling of the brain, but now he's getting proper medical attention and with your help, everything will pop back into place. I don't think he's forgotten a lot, it just got shuffled around." said Dr Marsh. "He's in a lot of pain at the moment and that's not helping. He'll probably have severe headaches on and off for the next few weeks, but he's conscious and he's talking."

"Can we see him?" Asked Martin. He wouldn't be satisfied until he had seen Danny for himself.

"Of course. He's totally exhausted, but we don't want to give strong pain medication because of the head and chest injuries. It may keep him calmer if somebody is with him for the next few hours..."

"We'll make sure he's not on his own for the next few days." said Jack. "I don't think these two will want to let him out of their sight anyway."

Martin laughed.

"Like you didn't worry about him at all." said Sam.

Jack pulled a face.

They were shown to Danny's room and from somewhere he found a smile for his friends. He still felt a little confused, but things were slowly falling back into place. He could barely stay awake, but wanted to see his friends, the only constant in his thoughts for the past three days.

"How d'you feel? Asked Jack.

"I'm just tired." said Danny, but his face was pale, bruised and grazed.

Jack grinned, he couldn't hide his delight at finding Danny alive, he meant so much to all of them. It was decided that Martin was stay with him overnight, the others left, but Viv joined them twenty minutes later. Danny was asleep, but shifted restlessly in the bed.

"How is he?" asked Viv, taking a seat on the opposite side of the bed to Martin.

"His temperature shot up just after the Jack and Sam left so they've uped his meds for the chest infection."

"I wish I'd been here, one of you should have called." she said sharply, immediately regretting her words when she saw the look on Martin's face. "Sorry." She added quickly. "It was just a shock, when Jack called, I think he was expecting to leave a message on my answer phone."

""We thought you were back on Friday."

"Reggie and his dad have gone camping, I'm not good in a tent." said Viv smiling.

Danny's eyes flickered opened and he smiled when he saw Vivien. She got to her feet and kissed his forehead, then ran a finger softly down his cheek, noting the grazes and bruising.

"Viv" He was grateful that he recognized another face.

"Poor baby." Viv said softly, and then she looked over at Martin. He was obviously tired, but she thought she saw something else in Martin's face. "Go get a drink, I'll sit and chat to Danny for a bit."

"Go." said Danny smiling at his friend, he was barely awake, but he thought Martin looked dreadful. "And get something to eat, you look hungry."

Martin grinned and nodded at Danny.

Danny drifted into an uneasy sleep within minutes. Viv left when Martin returned and he dozed in the chair until Danny woke up at 4am. It was obvious he was in pain and Martin fetched a doctor who administered more medication, he was soon asleep again..

When Sam returned to the hospital at 7am she found both men asleep, Martin was dozing, resting his head on his arms on Danny's bed. She shook his shoulder gently, he scrubbed his hands across his face, and smiled up at her.

She looked over at Danny. "How's he doing?"

"He's much more settled now, the meds helped, he woke up in a lot of pain in the night."

"You go home, you haven't had a good night's sleep for days. I'll stay here,"

Martin stood up, Sam leant in and kissed his cheek and hugged him. "I'm so glad he's safe."

Martin rubbed her back, remaining silent, not trusting himself to speak, he pulled away. "I'll see you later."

Before he went home, Martin looked for Danny's doctor, wanting more information on his condition. Dr Marsh reassured him that although Danny would suffer pain from the headaches for the next few weeks, he didn't think he would suffer any long term affects from the events of the last three days. Then he went home for what should have been his first decent rest in days. He didn't sleep well, relieved that his friend was now safe, but knowing how he had suffered after his parents died was playing on Martin's mind. When Danny had talked about his experiences in foster care, he had told Martin the sanitized version, although he didn't know if he could have found the words to describe his treatment during those years. He knew things about Danny's past he wasn't sure he wanted to know and he didn't understand how Danny had turned the caring, compassionate man he knew now.