***** WARNING - lots of Danno whump and SuperSeal angst along with lots of comfort ahead...proceed with caution! (LOL) *****
FULL DISCLAIMER, I will never kill off one of our beloved Core 4, but I will hurt them for a good story – I hope you enjoy and THANK YOU for all the wonderful reviews so far!
Steve pulled up near the walking path and screeching to a halt, both men ran towards their destination while the beams of their flashlights bounded in front of them.
As they drew near the scene they saw their bloodied friend lying horribly still.
Steve called his partner's name over and over again as he ran, "DANNY, DANNY...OH GOD DANNY!"
As Steve dropped to his knees at his partners side, Chin's eyes scanned the injured man's naked body. He was ghostly pale and his blonde hair was caked in dried blood and matted to the side of his head. The long gash down the entire length of his chest as well as four other 5-6 inch slices to his chest and abdomen had all begun to clot, but the long gash on his upper right arm was still bleeding. He was lying on the hard, rocky ground just off the path and his skin was raw and bleeding from where the straps had bound him. His feet were still tied tightly together as were his hands, which rested on his chest. His left hand, with every finger finger broken, was horribly bruised and swollen and Chin gasped slightly as his eyes then fell on the deep stab wound to Danny's lower abdomen.
Chin kept his flashlight trained Danny while Steve frantically felt his partner's neck for a pulse.
Glancing up Steve said, "He's alive but his blood pressure is really weak. Give me the kit buddy" As Chin handed him the first aid kit he had grabbed from the truck Steve added, "Chin, he's losing too much blood, we can't wait for help"
"I'll get the truck"
As Chin raced away Steve talked to his partner as he opened up the first aid kit pulling out a package of gauze, "I'm here partner, you're safe now buddy and you're going to be fine"
Steve had treated many men in the combat field but every time it was one of his brothers he had to struggle to stay composed and focused. Drawing in a deep breath he looked closely at the abdominal wound and he shuddered slightly. A small amount of intestine was protruding from the three inch gash and his entire lower belly was rigid and covered in dark bruising which were signs of internal bleeding. Taking a small bottle of peroxide from the kit he placed one hand firmly on his partners chest as he poured the antiseptic aid directly onto the wound drawing a deep moan from the still unconscious man. Steve talked non-stop to his dear friend as he covered the seeping wound loosely with gauze, "You're doing great Danno, you're so damn strong"
Chin arrived, backing the truck off the main road and onto the path a few from the men.
As he moved back to Danny's side he asked, "Steve are you sure we should move him? We can get a chopper here in minutes"
The SEAL's response terrified him as he said softly, "Chin, by the time they fire up a chopper and get it here, or even get an ambulance here...it could be too late"
Chin asked, "What do you need me to do?"
As Steve tightly wrapped the belly wound he instructed Chin to wrap Danny's arm to staunch the bleeding and then he said, "Chin go recline the passenger seat and then help me with him"
Chin did as he was instructed and when he returned Steve was cutting the ropes from Danny's hands and feet.
Steve never stopped talking to his seriously injured friend while, as gently as possible they lifted and carried Danny to the truck. Danny's head was resting on Steve's shoulder and he was in obvious pain as he mumbled incoherently, "Cccan'tt...nno mmmore...sssorrry Grr...rraciee"
Steve talked softly, encouragingly "I've got you buddy, sshhhhhhh, I've got you"
Once Danny was in the truck Steve moved around to the other side and Chin tucked a blanket tightly around him.
Steve climbed into the extended cab saying, "Okay, I've got him Chin, come on let's go"
Danny cried out weakly, "Ohhhh sshit...hhurrts..."
Steve was kneeling on the floor of the truck and as he tenderly stroked Danny's forehead he whispered, "It's okay Danny...ssshhhhhhh relax buddy...ssshhhhhhhh" Steve glanced up as Chin got behind the wheel, "Go brother...fast"
Turning back to Danny he saw that his eyes had opened and he spoke soothingly, "Hey Danno"
"Stteeve?"
"Yeah partner it's me and you're safe now"
"Marrk?"
"He's dead"
"Good...'m so ttired Stteve"
He stroked Danny's cheek and said softly, "I know you are but you have to fight babe, we'll be at the hospital in a few minutes"
"Yyyou should bbe ddrivin'..."
Steve grinned, "Oh yeah, why's that?"
"No one ddrives crazz...zzier than yyou Superrmman"
Steve chuckled softly, "Chin's got it all under control"
"I ffeel safer knowinng tthat"
Steve smiled at the knowledge that his partner still had a sense of humor, "Good buddy"
"Hey...ppromise me som...mmthin"
"Yeah, anything Danny"
"Prromise me yyou'll take ccare of Grracie"
"Hey, you're her Daddy and that's your job pal"
"Stteve..." Suddenly, Danny screamed in pain and his back arched up off the leather seat, "OOOHHH FFUUCK..."
Steve grabbed his hand and squeezed it tightly, "I got you buddy, ride it out...no pain remember? No fucking pain"
After several moments Danny's body relaxed and Steve gently pushed him back onto the seat.
Danny repeated the words, "Promisse mme"
"Danny, you're going to be fine"
"Prrommise me"
Steve's voice shook as he replied softly, "I promise you buddy. I'll always be there for Gracie, you know that. But you have to promise me that you're not going to quit, you hear me?"
"I heear you...sso tired bbabe...so ttired and so ccold"
As Danny's eyes closed and his hand grew limp in Steve's hand the SEAL squeezed harder and spoke frantically, "Danny! Danny, you stay with me brother. Open your eyes Danny!"
Chin had phoned Duke and Kono to let them know that they had Danny and as he hung up he cried out, "STEVE, IS HE OKAY?"
To the relief of both men Danny spoke weakly, "I'm with yyou guys...I'm wwith you"
Chin then said, "We're just a couple of minutes out Danny"
Steve squeezed his hand tighter, "You hear that partner? Just a couple of minutes"
With his eyes still closed, Danny replied groggily, "Coupple minutes...'k"
50505050505050505050505050505050505050505050
As they pulled up to the emergency room, orderlies raced out with a stretcher and in moments Danny was in the ER being tended to. Steve watched through the small window on the door as a team of Doctors and Nurses worked in unison and with amazing speed moving Danny onto a table and quickly inserting IV's into his right forearm.
Steve's heart broke as he heard Danny cry out in pain, "OOH GOD SSTEVE...STTEVE!"
One of the Nurses came to the door quickly asking, "Are you Steve?"
"Yes, and I'm his Medical POA"
"We need your help"
As the door swung open Danny's screams filled the room. His legs were flailing in pain and his broken hand was shaking uncontrollably as he cried out, "SSHIT, SSTOP PLEASSSE SSTOP"
One of the Doctors called out to Steve, "Please help calm him down"
Steve leaned in close and grabbing Danny's face in his hands he said firmly, ""DANNY, LOOK AT ME PARTNER! Danny...look at me"
Danny's breathing was rapid and his eyes were open wide as he said, "STEVE...HHHURTS SO FFUCKING BBAD"
"I know Danny, but I need you to relax for me now...ssshhhhhhh, relax"
"Stteve...I'mm ssorry"
"Ssshhhhhh, don't talk...listen to me, just listen to me. Slow down your breathing babe... ssshhhhh"
As the pain meds entered his system Steve kept whispering to him, "Relax now, that a boy...ssshhhhhh"
Once he was under, Steve stepped a few feet back and watched the medical staff work.
One of the Doctors asked, "Commander, do you know his blood type?"
Steve replied without hesitation, "B Positive"
Steve watched as the medical team started a blood transfusion and he listened as the Nurses barked out his vitals and the Doctors discussed their treatment plan. He was very concerned at how low Danny's blood pressure and heart rate were, and hearing the Doctors use words like hypotension, tachycardia, infection and peritonitis terrified him.
After several minutes one of the Doctors came over and introduced himself as Doctor Henry Jackson.
"Commander, his condition is very critical and we need to move quickly. He has suffered significant intra-abdominal and vascular trauma and we need to operate immediately. His severe blood loss is of great concern to us, and ideally we would like to replenish his supply before operating, but unfortunately we believe the internal damage is too severe and we cannot wait"
Steve nodded, "I understand Sir. Please do what you can for him"
Shaking hands the Doctor replied, "We will Commander. We need to prep him now"
"Okay...can I have a moment with him?"
"Of course, but just a minute"
Steve squeezed his partners arm and tears welled in his eyes as he bent over and kissing Danny's forehead he said softly, "I'm here for you buddy, you keep fighting...I love you"
Steve then turned and without looking back, he left the emergency room.
****** So, enough Danny whump yet? I hope you're still liking the story and there's more to come! As always, I'd LOVE to hear your thoughts! ******
