Thanks so much for all the wonderful reviews. I was really nervous about posting my first fan fic, but with all of you wonderful readers out there, I may have found a new hobby!
Doug took one last desperate look around and realized that he didn't have any other choice but to put the gun down. Tom's life and possibly his own depended on it. So, with a feeling of defeat nagging at him, he tossed the gun over to Craig, where it landed by his feet. Doug hated the helpless feeling that began to take over him. How was he going to get Tom and himself out of this one?
Tom could hear voices ring through his pounding head. They sounded familiar and he fought his way back to the world of consciousness. His head hurt like hell, but he knew somehow that he needed to stay awake… he needed to stay awake and help someone, but who? Then it dawned on him who the voices belonged to: Doug and Craig. Tom needed to help Doug. He could feel the presence of someone kneeling down beside him and that's when he felt the cold hard steel of the gun pressed against his head. He heard the angry voice of Craig, "…why don't you put your gun down or I'll put a bullet in his head." Tom kept his eyes closed and took a moment to gather his strength. He heard something hit the ground near his feet. He knew that Doug was in trouble and needed his help, so at that moment he let out a vicious kick and caught Craig off guard, knocking the gun out of his hand and away from his head.
"What the…?" The sudden movement from the man whom he thought was unconscious surprised Craig. He tried to reach for the gun but was once again caught off guard as Tom landed a punch to his face this time. Craig sank to the ground, clutching his now bleeding nose.
Doug was also caught off guard by the sudden movement from his partner and watched as Tom landed one more blow to Craig's face which sent him head first, out cold, to the ground below him. This took the remaining strength that Tom had and he began to sway as the world around him became dark and foggy. Doug rushed over to him just as all the color drained from Tom's face and he sank into Doug's arms. "It's okay buddy, I've got you Tom." Doug carefully lowered Tom's body to the ground. He was already unconscious, so Doug took off his jacket and placed it under his head. He then walked over and slapped the handcuffs onto Craig. He picked up the guns and stuck them into his belt. Then he sank back down onto the ground beside Tom's body and cradled his head into his lap. "Tommy, can you hear me? Come on, open your eyes." Doug gently brushed his bangs out of his face and noticed all the bruises starting to form on his face. His stitches from his previous beating had been torn open and blood was seeping through. Doug took his jacket from the ground and placed it over Tom, trying to keep him warm. "Tom, wake up man."
Doug looked down and noticed a pair of soft brown eyes looking back at him. "D-Doug…" Tommy whispered. "Hurts… to … breathe." He was barely able to force out. Suddenly he grabbed Doug's arm and squeezed his eyes shut tightly, trying to stop the pain that was raging in his chest.
Doug held onto Tom as gently as he could and said, "Hang on Tommy. It's going to be alright, do you hear me?" He couldn't stand to see his friend in so much pain. "Try to take small breaths, that's it… breathe with me Tommy." Doug could tell that Tom was fighting back tears as he looked up at Doug with pleading eyes. "Help… me… please." Doug held onto Tom's hand as he was overcome with a coughing fit. He put his arm around Tom and helped prop him up a bit so that it was easier to breathe. Soon his coughing stopped, but Doug noticed a small trickle of blood escaping from the side of his mouth. Shit, he thought. He's probably got a few broken ribs and a punctured lung. Doug looked around for some help and said, "You've got to hang on Tom… I'll get you out of here, I promise."
Tom shifted slightly in Doug's arms and managed a weak, "Okay." Then he lost his battle with consciousness and slipped into the world of darkness once more. Doug shook him slightly and said with a panic in his voice, "No… Stay awake Tom" He tapped Tom lightly on the cheek, "Hanson, wake up. Open your eyes man."
Tom was fighting the darkness with all he had. He could hear Doug's voice calling him back to the world of the living. He slowly fought his way back and looked up at Doug. He wanted to say something, but could only manage a whisper, "Doug."
Doug saw Tom looking back at him and said, "That's it Tom. Stay with me man." He saw Tom's lips move but couldn't make out what he was trying to tell him. "Hey, shh. Just lie still and try not to talk." But Tom seemed to be insistent on telling him something so he leaned down and waited for Tom to try again.
Tom struggled for a breath and tried to speak again, "I know…" Once again the coughing started and Doug held him until it subsided. Tom could feel himself weakening and didn't know how much longer he could stay awake. He tried to take a breath again and said in a whisper, "Tom… Hanson."
Doug looked at him puzzled. Did he hear Tom correctly? Did he just say that he was Tom Hanson? "Tom, what did you say?" He waited anxiously for those words that he'd hope had indeed heard.
Tom held on tightly to Doug's arm and fought to remain awake. "I'm Tom…Hanson." Doug did hear him the first time. Tom had his memory back. His best friend and partner, Tom Hanson was back. "Yes, that's right. You're Tommy Hanson." He leaned in and gave his friend a gentle hug. "Good to have you back partner." Tom managed a weak smile. In the distance he could hear sirens. They seemed to be getting closer.
Doug heard them too and figured that someone must have called the police after the fight broke out in the park. Thank God, he thought. Tom remembers who he is and help is on the way. "Do you hear that Tom? Help is coming. We're going to get you to a hospital real soon buddy. Just hang on, ok?" When Doug didn't get a response, he looked down and found his friend had lost his battle with consciousness once again. "Hang on Tommy."