Chin remained outside the shed as the others all moved inside.
Eric knelt down and the children both were in his arms in seconds.
"Hey kiddo's, are you okay?"
Colton asked nervously, "Uh-huh...who are these guys?"
"They're friends buddy, it's okay"
Lily then whispered to him, "What are their names?"
Eric said, "You guys remember Mike, don't you?"
Colton smiled, "Oh yeah! You took us on your boat!"
Mike grinned, "That's right buddy"
Steve smiled, "My name is Steve and this is Danny"
The little girl asked, "What happened to your head Danny?"
Danny grinned widely at the innocent child, "I just had a little accident sweetheart but I'm fine"
Steve had moved over and shut off the television as he scoped out the shed. Paper plates with half eaten sandwiches and bananas littered the mattress that laid on the hard ground. There were several pillows and blankets on the bed as well as coloring books, crayons and wrestling figurines. A small portable refrigerator was in the corner of the room as well as three bags of groceries and cases of bottled water. In the far corner of the room was a child's porta-potty and a package of toilet paper. Brock had drilled numerous holes into the walls of the steel shed allowing for proper ventilation and three fans were also set up in the room. Even though the man wasn't thinking clearly, thankfully he had left plenty of supplies which would have enabled the children to survive for a long time.
He turned his eyes to the kids and was greatly relieved to see them smiling and talking freely.
Eric was talking calmly as he asked, "Your Daddy left you here Colton?"
"Yeah. He came and got us from the back yard when Mommy went inside to get me some juice"
"Did he tell you why he took you from the house?"
"He said that we were going to surprise Mommy for her birthday and go buy a puppy. He brought us here and showed us the car he's working on and then he told us that he had to go to work for a 'mergency and he wanted us to wait here"
Lily added excitedly, "We're going to get a girl puppy and name her Nala"
Her brother countered, "UH UH…..it's a boy named Roscoe!"
Colton then asked, "Where is Daddy Uncle Eric?"
He hesitated for a second, "He's not going to be able to take you to look for puppies right now kids. We're going to take you to your Mom okay?"
The kids replied in unison, "Okay"
As they left the shed, Chin whispered "There's no news on Brock yet. Jenny and her parents are going to meet us in the lobby"
Steve nodded, "Okay, thanks Chin" The SEAL then turned to Mike, "Mike please lock the shed back up and don't touch anything. HPD will be contacting you"
"Okay Sir"
As the drove back to the hospital Steve and Danny couldn't help but smile as Eric and the kids chatted and giggled. Although it was clear that they had weathered their confinement well, both men were concerned about how they would recover from the pending separation from their beloved Father. Even if Brock were to live, he was going to need psychological help….his troubles, and theirs, were just beginning.
As they all walked towards the entrance to the hospital, Jenny Davis came racing out to embrace her babies.
As the little boy pushed away from his Mother's tight grasp he asked ""Mommy, why are you crying?"
"I'm sorry Cole, I'm just so happy that you're okay"
Looking confused the child stated, "Daddy was taking us to get you a surprise for your birthday"
Lily said excitedly, "A puppy named Nala"
Colton rolled his eyes, "It's not a SURPRISE now, is it Lily?"
Lily's smiled turned to a frown and she said, "I'm sorry Mommy"
Jenny kissed the little girl, "It's okay baby…that's a wonderful surprise and I'm very excited"
As Colton's grandfather picked him up, the boy asked "Is something wrong? Is Daddy okay?"
Jenny drew in a deep breath, "Kids, there's been an accident and Daddy's been hurt"
Colton's voice shook as he repeated, "Is he going to be alright?"
Wiping tears from her son's face she kissed him and said softly, "I hope so honey" After several moments spent comforting her kids, Jenny added "I need to stay here and wait for the Doctors. Grandma and Grandpa are going to take you two home now okay?"
As Colton began to voice his disagreement, Jenny's Father said, "Colton, you need to do what your Mom asks now. Grandma and I will stay with you"
The child nodded his understanding and after kissing both her children and her parents, she took hold of Eric's hand and watched them walk to the parking lot as tears of relief, mixed with pain streaked down her cheeks.
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Steve was able to convince Danny to leave the hospital and get some sleep. After Chin went to the pharmacy to fill his prescription for pain meds the two men left the hospital to head to Steve's place. They were going to stop and pick up some soup and sandwiches and Chin was going to stay and keep an eye on Danny until Steve returned home.
It was about nine thirty when Steve arrived to find Danny curled up on the couch and Chin watching television and sipping a beer.
Grinning at his sleeping partner he asked, "Do you want another beer Chin?"
"Sure, thanks"
After cracking open their beers Chin asked, "So?"
Sighing softly Steve said, "He didn't make it"
"Damn it" Looking at Steve he added, "You had no choice Steve, you do know that"
"Yeah, I know…but it doesn't make it any easier Chin. Brock wasn't a bad guy…..the meth really screwed him up, and that addiction combined with the depression over his failing marriage and the fear of losing his kids drove him over the edge"
"It's going to be tough on Jenny and the kids"
"She's strong….and she's got great family support. The kids are so young…I don't think they'll ever know the whole truth. She's going to do everything she can to protect them. He loved those kids very much and I don't think she'll ever let them know anything different"
Chin nodded, "That's good"
Looking at Danny, Steve asked, "How's he doing?"
"He's exhausted and he's got a headache"
"Did he eat anything?"
"Not really. He ate a little soup, then he took his meds and fell asleep quickly" Glancing at his watch Chin added, "He hasn't moved in almost three hours"
"He needs the sleep. Thanks for staying brother"
"No problem"
"This really hit close to home for him. Cases with kids are always so hard and then with Gracie's kidnapping still so raw..."
"I know but now that the kids are safe, he's going to be fine Steve"
"Yeah. I didn't like him leaving the hospital"
"There wasn't any way you were going to be able to stop him. He's almost as stubborn as you are"
"Come on Chin! He's way more pig-headed than I am"
Chin laughed, "I'd say it's pretty equal boss"
Steve smiled, "Well he sure is tough, I've got to give him that"
"Yes, he certainly is"
After Steve showered and heated up some soup, Chin left for the night.
It was about midnight when he curled up in the chair next to Danny and soon exhaustion overtook him and he fell asleep.
Danny woke a couple of hours later and after lying still for several minutes he decided he needed to use the bathroom.
Pushing himself to a sitting position he sat on the edge of the couch for several minutes...his head was pounding!
Steve was sleeping soundly and snoring loudly! The television illuminated the otherwise darkened room as an infomercial on kitchen gadgets was on the air. Danny lifted a hand up and gently massaged his injured head, 'Oh shit I hurt. I shouldn't have eaten that soup, I feel like I'm going to puke' Holding onto the arm of the couch he pulled himself up and closing his eyes he steadied himself. 'Oh fuck, I need to get to the bathroom'
Staggering forward he walked slowly up the steps and then turning on the light in the bathroom he grimaced as a sharp pain shot through his head and the next second he was on the floor.
Steve woke to the heavy thud on the floor upstairs and as his eyes fell on the empty couch he called out "DANNO!" as he raced up the stairs two at a time.
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"Danny, oh my God no!" He was terrified as he entered the bathroom to find his partner on the floor convulsing. Danny had fallen onto his side and his back was up against the vanity. His eyes were open but they had rolled back into his head exposing only the whites. He had vomited and his mouth, cheek and chin were covered with the a mixture of vomit and drool. The convulsions he was experiencing were causing the back of his head to bang up against the wooden cabinet door of the vanity and while one arm was pinned behind his back, his other arm was stiff and flailing up and down striking the ground over and over.
Steve had witnessed many dear friends in physical distress over the years and each time it terrified him. Fortunately his training and survival instincts kicked in instantly and grabbing towels from the nearby rack he dropped to his knees. Knowing he had to let the seizure run its course, he pulled Danny's head into his lap and leaning close he talked to him soothingly, "I've got you Danno, ride it out buddy…..I've got you" Cradling his partner he stroked his forehead and talked to him constantly, "You're doing great babe…..just breath Danno, just breath"
The seizure lasted only a few minutes and as Danny's body began to relax in his arms Steve pulled his cellphone from his pants pocket and dialed 911.
Then taking a towel he tenderly wiped the vomit from Danny's face, neck and shirt. When done he tossed the soiled towel aside and lifted his friends eyelids.
Danny's pupils were dialated and closing the lids he turned his attention to the wound. The impact to the ground had opened the wound and blood was soaking through the thin bandaging that covered the side of his head. Danny began to moan and move slightly in Steve's arms and the SEAL tightened his grasp on him. "Lay still Danno….I've got you. Slow down your breathing for me now, nice and slow…..nice and slow"
A few minutes passed and suddenly Danny's eyes bolted open and he cried out in pain, "OH SSSHIT MMY HHEAD HURTS!"
As he struggled against Steve trying to pull his hands up to his head, Steve spoke firmly, "DANNY, LOOK AT ME PARTNER, HEY...HEY, LOOK AT ME!"
Beads of sweat dotted his forehead and his breathing was rapid, Stteve...SStteeve sometthin's wrrong...fuckkin' hhurts mman"
"I know buddy, I need you to relax...the ambulance should be here soon" Smiling down at his partner he asked, "Can you tell me what you're doing up here?"
"I hhad to ppiss Steven"
Steve grinned, "Okay...fair enough"
Danny's body tensed, "OOH MMY GOD SSTEVE..."
Stroking Danny's cheek Steve lowered his voice, "Sssshhhhhhh, relax Danny...close your eyes"
As his eyes slowly closed, Steve continued, "That a boy...sssshhhhhhhhhh"
Moments later the the ambulance arrived and to Steve's relief, the EMT's entered the bathroom.
******** More to follow...and I WILL post more this weekend! Thank you for all the nice reviews, EACH AND EVERY one of them is greatly appreciated !*********
