Before eating Danny helped Steve to the bathroom and then he ate a very small amount of broth and jello, skipping the tea. "You know brother, the burger would have been a lot better. Gracie's a very smart girl"
"My friend, if you're going to puke on me I'd rather it be green jello and not chunks of hamburger"
"Danny…I need you to do me couple of favors….I'm going to marry Catherine buddy"
"Are you sure about this man? Are you thinking clear enough to make this kind of decision?"
"I've never been more sure of anything Danno. I can't believe I almost lost her. I didn't tell you this but when we broke it off a couple of months ago, I had bought a ring earlier that week. I was going to propose to her and because of my selfishness I let her walk out of my life. She's back, we've talked and we're going to make this work. I'm going to ask her to marry me tomorrow and I'd like you to bring me the ring. It's in the drawer of my bed stand"
"Of course I'll bring it. I'll pick it up tonight and bring it to you in the morning on my way to the office. If it means anything, I think this is one of the smartest things you've ever done. She's beautiful inside and out man….what the hell does she see in you anyway?"
Steve smiled broadly, "I don't know…..but I need to correct my mistake"
"You had a couple of favors, what else do you need?"
"Danny, I've been thinking very hard about Julia…..how can I have had any feelings of love towards her when I have these deep feelings for Catherine?"
"Do you think you're the first man to be in love with two beautiful women at the same time, 'cause you're not. Steve….. when you and Catherine separated did you think your feelings would just switch off? You've been with her for almost three years. So you dated Julia, call it a rebound if you want to but your head was telling you to move on. I have no doubt that your feelings for Julia are real but I doubt you would have even been considering proposing to her. Follow your heart my friend, just follow your heart"
"Thanks Danny….I have made a decision about Julia though. I don't want to press any charges against her. I need you to let Governor Denning know that"
"No man…Steve please, don't make a rash decision about this. She betrayed you babe"
"I know that, but Danny if she hadn't of called you….I would be dead, and you know that. She lost her sister and she followed her brother's lead out of devotion. Jonathan lost his mind and he controlled her. Danny I can't believe that she wanted this…she made a mistake…..I can't have her go to prison. She's lost enough, can't you understand that?"
"Damn it Steve…." He stood and ran his hands through his hair and stood for a minute or so staring out the window. He then turned back to his partner, "This is crazy, you know that don't you? You are telling me that you think that two weeks in a county jail is enough punishment for a woman who plotted to have you killed?"
"No, but I think two weeks is enough for the role she played. She SAVED MY LIFE Danno…she saved….. mmmy….. life" Suddenly, Steve's breathing became very rapid and tears formed in his eyes.
Danny raced to his side, "Hey buddy calm down…Steve, listen to me, relax and slow your breathing down" Danny held Steve's hand tightly and pressed his other hand against his partners chest. He could feel Steve's heart beating rapidly, pounding in his chest, and it terrified him, "Come on babe, relax…you're alright now, relax" Danny leaned up and wiped the tears slipping down Steve's cheeks and then he leaned over and pushed the nurses call button. She was at the bedside instantly, "He needs more pain meds please"
"DANNO, NO…NO DRUGS MAN"
Danny looked at the nurse, "I'm his POA, please give him the drugs"
The nurse checked Steve's chart and then gave him the additional medication. "DDannyyy nnooo ddrugs man" Steve mumbled as the drugs took effect.
"Ssshhhh, just relax partner…sleep now…relax" In just minutes Steve was under. Danny kept his hand against Steve's chest, willing his heart rate to slow down. "That a boy, sleep now…just sleep" Once Steve's heart rate slowed and Danny was sure he was under he turned and went back to the window and dialed Chin.
"Hey Danny, is everything okay?"
"I blew it man. Jesus, Chin the man is fighting for his life and I egg him into an argument...can you tell me what the hell is wrong with me?"
"Danny slow down bro, first tell me, is Steve alright?"
"Yes...yes...no thanks to me though, but yes he's sleeping now"
"Okay, everything's fine then..."
"Oh no Chin...everything's not okay. The Docs may say our boys' brain is fine but no, no...he's crazy. I'm telling you he's crazy"
"Buddy you better give me some details, and quickly...you're driving me crazy"
"Get this...our boy wants to let Julia walk...walk free, NO punishment. I'm telling you he's crazy!"
"What are his reasons?"
"He's convinced that she was manipulated by her brother and that she just made a mistake"
"Well Danny, we both talked to her, do you really think he's not right?"
"Chin...a mistake is spilling your milk or forgetting someone's birthday. For God's sake she drugged him and tried to kill him!"
"Danny, calm down now and think about this. She called us, she saved his life"
"My God, you sound just like him...YOU'RE CRAZY TOO"
"So you told him he was crazy?"
"Yes, I did...and he's pumped full of drugs man, he's not thinking clearly"
"So what happened?"
"I got him all riled up, his heart was practically beating out of his chest. Jesus, what's wrong with me?"
"He's okay though?"
"Yeah, the nurse increased his pain meds and he's sleeping comfortably now"
"Okay Danny, do you want my opinion?"
"You pretty much already gave it to me, didn't you?"
Chin chuckled, "Yeah, I guess I did. I think when he comes to, just ask him to wait a couple days and think it through. If mind is still set then, well buddy we have to respect that. Steve's as smart as they come and you need to trust his judgment on this"
"You're right, that's what I'll do"
"Danny, promise me, no more arguments. Let the man recover okay?"
"Yeah, I'm sorry"
"You two have always egged each other on and that's never going to stop. It's just how you communicate. Just keep your cool for now brother, everything will work out. Do you want me to come up?"
"No, you've got the night shift tomorrow, get some rest. Thank You"
"Anytime brother, anytime"
Danny then took a seat next to the bedside and taking hold of his hand, Danny closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.
He woke a couple of hours later to Steve hand squeezing his, "Hey buddy, how you feeling?"
"I'm oka...y...just a litt..llle sore"
"I'm sure you're more than a little sore. Steve, I'm really sorry... I shouldn't be arguing with you"
"Don't be...ss...silly. I value...your oppin...ion. But...I'mm right and...you know it"
Steve smiled weakly up at his partner.
Danny squeezed his hand tightly, "Can you agree with me on one thing buddy? Just think about it for a couple of days. Then if you still want her released, you won't hear any arguments from me, okay?"
"Fair eenn..ough. I'm prretty tired bud..."
"Okay, if you're asleep when Kono gets here, I'll see you in the morning with your package. Do you need more pain meds?"
"No, no thanks Danno...Thirss..tty man"
Danny helped Steve take a few sips of water and settle back onto the pillow. The injured man was sleeping in minutes.