In the ambulance the EMT's hooked Steve up with fluid IV's and started a blood transfusion. Danny sat at his side holding his partner's cold, limp hand in his own squeezing it tightly trying to pass his strength on to him.
"Hang on Steve, you're going to be fine buddy"
Danny listened closely as they men rattled off Steve's vitals while they were on the phone with the hospital. They had placed an oxygen mask on him and suddenly without warning he bolted upright as he began to cough. Danny grabbed him around the shoulders ripping off the mask splattered with foamy blood as Steve gagged, choking and gasping for air.
"STEVE, I've got you…..breath baby just breath..."
"DDDaa...nnnn...yy...ccann'ttt bb...bbbbrrreaath..." He continued to cough and sputter, "OOOOHHHH GODDD….."
"You're okay Steve, relax..."
Then as Danny held him, he began seizing in his arms.
"Lay him down Danny"
"He's choking damn it!"
"Danny, you have to stay calm and let us do our jobs"
Danny did as he was instructed moving down to hold his partners hips and legs firmly onto the table. The seizure lasted about forty-five seconds and then Steve's arms fell limply to his sides.
Patrick was an EMT who had treated both Steve and Danny many times before and he checked the injured man quickly before calling out, "He's in cardiac arrest!"
The two men frantically began CPR as Danny stood off to the side whispering softly, "Come on Steven, don't you do this to me now…...breath babe, breath"
Tears welled in his eyes and Danny watched as the younger EMT performed chest compressions and Patrick began mouth to mouth. The next four minutes were horribly long and Danny let out a deep sigh as finally Steve responded, gasping for air.
He closed his eyes talking softly, "That a boy Steve…..just breath"
"Danny can you help me here?"
Danny ran the back of his hand across his eyes wiping the tears, "Yeah Pat, what do you need me to do?"
"I need to insert a chest tube, we have to drain his lung….he's drowning in his blood"
Danny knew that was happening but to hear the words spoken terrified him. "What can I do?"
"I need you to prop his head up to help ease his breathing while Lopaka and I get this done"
"Okay" Danny leaned in and lifted Steve's head resting him in the crook of his arm. Pat handed him an oxygen mask and Danny held it over his partners' nose and mouth.
He then watched on as the EMT's moved swiftly. Steve had a chest tube a couple of years ago after he had been shot in the chest in a raid but Danny hadn't watched the insertion process. Steve was unconscious and Danny spoke softly into his ear, "I've got you Superman. You're doing so great buddy" He continued to talk soothingly as he watched Patrick slice into Steve's flesh. The men worked with amazing skill and speed and soon blood was flowing from his lung and into a bag at his side. Danny was very alarmed though at the fact that Steve didn't wake, or even moan slightly, as the procedure was done. His skin was cold and clammy and Danny noticed his coloring was pale and grey. His hair was drenched in sweat and his body was shivering.
"Pat, he's so cold"
"He's lost a lot of blood and his pulse is too rapid. He's showing symptoms of shock Danny. We should be at the hospital in a few minutes. He's hanging on though"
Danny looked at the two dedicated men before him, "Thank you both" His voice shook as he continued to cradle his partner tightly.
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Chin and Kono arrived a short time later to find Danny pacing the floors of the waiting room.
"How is he Danny?"
"They have him in surgery already sweetheart. He…" Danny ran his hand across his face, "His heart stopped in the ambulance"
Chin spoke solemnly, "How long was it stopped?"
"Four to five minutes. He had a seizure too…..the EMT's put in a chest tube to drain his lung….guys….he lost so much blood"
Chin reached out and squeezed Danny's shoulder, "Hey brother you did everything you could for him. He's the toughest SOB we know, he'll make it"
Kono grabbed his hands, "Danny you saved all those hostages and you kept Steve alive. You were amazing"
Danny looked up and raising his arms the three detectives embraced.
The detectives moved to a table and sat to talk and wait. Danny told them what happened in the bank.
Chin looked at Kono seriously and Danny caught the look, "What's going on?"
"Danny, there could be fallout from the shooting"
"What are you talking about Chin?"
"Right before we left the scene Sergeant Fryer from Internal Affairs showed up. They're asking why you didn't give the HPD time to put a rescue plan into place"
"WHY? They want to know why? Chin, Steve was dying in front of my eyes"
Kono grabbed Danny's forearm. "Danny, settle down babe. You did what you had to do. We know that. You saved Steve's life, you did the right thing"
Chin added, "IA is always looking for opportunities to bring down 5-0 so this isn't a surprise. It will all be fine. We're with you brother, all the way. Just don't worry and let the process play out"
"This is bullshit Chin. The shooting was justified" Danny pushed away from the table and he staggered falling to one knee. Chin and Kono were at his side instantly pulling him back to his feet and settling him back onto the chair.
"Danny come on, I need to take you to get that arm looked at now"
"No I'm fine brother. I'm just a little dizzy"
"It's been about three hours, you've got to get this taken care of. Don't argue with me okay?"
"After we know how Steve's doing"
"DANNY STOP! Did the bullet pass through?"
"No, it's in there still"
"Then don't be stupid man, let's go"
Kono added, "Go with Chin, I'll be right here and I'll call you guys if the Doctor comes out"
Danny finally agreed and the two men left heading towards the emergency room.
Kono grabbed some coffee and a package of donuts and sat down to wait.
Once in the ER Danny's stubbornness hit a new high as he refused any medication.
"You ARE NOT going to give me ANYTHING that will knock me out, DO YOU HEAR ME!"
"Sir, you need to go into surgery…."
"NO I DON'T! Just get someone in here who will take this damn bullet out!"
Chin stood at the edge of the bed, "Danny, calm down!"
"I am not getting put under Chin"
Chin looked at the poor nurse who had been taking the brunt of Danny' tantrum, "Ma'am, would it be possible for you to send a Doctor in here?"
She smiled, "He'll be right in"
The Doctor arrived in just moments, "Detective Williams are you arguing with my nurses here?"
"They are lovely ladies Doc but they don't listen very well. I have a partner upstairs in surgery and I am not going to get put under. Just give me a local anesthetic and remove this bullet….please"
"Let me take a look here" The Doctor removed the bandaging and examined the wound. "Well young man, you have an infection set in here already but the bullet doesn't appear to be too deep. I think I can get to it with just a local and you'll need oral antibiotics"
"Thank You Doc"
Chin stood by watching as the Doctor administered the anesthetic and then removed the bullet. Once the wound was stitched and bandaged the nurse returned with prescriptions for an antibiotic, anti-inflammatory and pain pills.
After promising the Doctor that he would rest, Danny and Chin made their way back to wait on Steve.