Redemption

Chapter Seventy-Four

There was something about hospitals that seemed ominous to him. So many people had died within these walls and yet, everyday a new life was born. With one person's sadness, came another's happiness and that just did not make sense to him as a nurse led him through the Intensive Care Unit and to Danni's bed. He'd been given a warning that she would not look like herself, the bruising upon her body would be more severe due to lack of blood, yet when his eyes set upon her he knew she was his Danni.

He was given only five minutes by her side with a promise of a visit once she was moved from observation and into her own room. The middle-aged woman with the graying, red hair obviously had a lot of faith that she would pull through. Of course, she would know a lost cause when she saw one, wouldn't she?

Bobby pulled a chair up beside the bed, his bones creaking and his muscles aching as he pushed them almost to the limit for today. He would worry about the torture he'd put on his body later, because all he could see now was Danni. He let his fingers trail down her slender arm—bruised from her fall—until he cupped her hand in his own.

Her fingers were cold to the touch and her entire complexion was as flaxen as Dr. Speller had warned when they last spoke and Bobby had to keep reminding himself that she was still alive. her chest moved in a slow rhythmic breathing and the twitch of her eyelids, which happened every so often, were the only indications.

More tears threatened to fall from his eyes as he smoothed her soft hair away from her face, willing her eyes to open just once so he could see those sparkling crystal-blue orbs looking back at him again. The lids twitched again, making his heart jump for only a second before returning to its normal rhythm. He knew better than to get his hopes up so soon.

"Hey, beautiful," he spoke softly, exhaustion settling into his voice, yet not yet in his mind. He wasn't sure what would happen if he tried to talk to her, but he'd always heard it was good for the patient's mind when they heard a familiar voice. "I don't know if you can hear me, but there's just something I have to tell you." He rested his chin upon her pillow, his mouth only an inch from her ear as he spoke softly to her. "I just want you to know that I love you and I'm going to stay by your side until you get better. There's still so much that you need to do—to accomplish—and I know you won't let something as menial as this get in your way." He tried to chuckle, but a snort exited instead as more tears built up behind his emotional dam, on the verge of spilling over. "And when you get better, I am going to marry you. I'll make sure you have the most beautiful wedding in the world if you want." He paused as more emotions ravaged him, his eyes blurring behind the pent-up tears. "Danni, I can't live without you; I don't want to. You make me whole and if you aren't there besides me, I am nothing.

"I don't want to lose you, Luv and I know you're a fighter. That's why you have to stay strong, because I'm falling apart, right now. I want to stay in control, but seeing you lying here, like this is torture for me." He sniffled loudly, still able to keep his tears at bay, yet that resolve wouldn't last much longer. His fingers continued to play with her hair, providing him with the comfort he sorely needed. It wasn't much, but just being able to touch her at this moment was more than he could hope for. Holding her could come much later.

"I love you, Danni. I've loved you since I first met you. You have an endearing spirit that others can't help but love and despite your past, you continue through life with a positive attitude. I can see how you and Sue are related; you both have the kindest hearts I've ever seen and you never cease to amaze me." A lone tear trickled down his cheek, falling onto her pillow and leaving a small, damp spot on the fabric. He'd promised himself that he wouldn't fall apart again, but that was before he sat next to her, seeing her in such a vulnerable position and unable to help in any way.

He took a deep breath, letting it out slowly when he met the eyes of her nurse. He noticed her sad expression and knew she'd hate to ruin such a beautiful moment. But, five minutes meant five minutes and his time was up. Visiting hours started early in the morning and he would be able to see her again,, then, but after that, he vowed that he wouldn't leave her side until she woke up.

Sniffling again, he place a soft kiss upon her temple before standing up. He winced as his joints protested, his knees popping loudly as he got his footing and stared down at her peaceful face. "I have to go, now, but I'll be back by your side in the morning," He paused as he let his finger glide over her smooth cheek and cup her chin between it and his thumb. "I love you," he whispered, leaning down and placing a soft kiss upon her lips.

The kiss wasn't the same as the others they'd shared, he noticed. Usually, his lips would tingle from the contact of her smooth flesh pressing up against his, yet he felt nothing this time. He missed that tingling feeling and couldn't wait until he could revel in that feeling again. Another sniffle emitted from him as he gave her motionless form one last, fleeting glance before he was led out of the room.

His friends' smiling faces were a relief to see. After having the unfamiliar doctor and nurses poking and prodding him for thirty minutes straight, he was glad to see some familiar faces. They were all smiling and he knew it was because he was okay, but there was still sadness visible within their eyes that told him that their hearts just weren't in to this visit. There was also the fact that one member of their team was missing, though he knew why. "How's Danni?" His heart would be torn to pieces if jumping in front of a bullet to save her life hadn't been enough and he knew Bobby would never be the same if she was never returned to him. Jack knew that if he was in the Aussie's position and it was Sue who'd been the target, he would just be a hollow shell.

His eyes trailed to the gorgeous blonde at his bedside, holding his hand, his heart swelling with all the love and passion he carried for her. He wished he could give Bobby comfort and tell him what he wanted to hear, like all the others wanted to do, but even coming from his best friend, it would be meaningless to the distraught man's ears. The only thing that could draw him out of the deep dark hole they all suddenly found themselves it was if Danni woke. And when that day came, that's when he knew the life would be brought back into the eyes of those he cared more for in the world.

Tara and Myles looked at one another as if trying to mentally decide how much they should tell him. They only knew so much from what Sue had told them when she reentered Jack's room—that she was still in critical condition—but they weren't sure whether that they should tell him that she could take a turn for the worse at any moment. the fact that they weren't sure how he would react to the news was troubling. Luckily, they didn't have to come up with an answer.

A tall form appeared in the doorway, making a wide smile form across Jack's lips. He didn't have to hear the voice or see the face to know that Bobby was standing there… or leaning against the doorframe, anyway. The injured agent noticed how rundown the Aussie looked and suddenly felt the news he had wasn't going to be what he wanted to hear.

"She's resting," Bobby said, his tired voice startling everyone and making them turn to look at him. With a heavy sigh, he pushed off of the doorframe and walked over to the bed. Smiling softly, he patted Jack lightly on the shoulder. "Even after almost getting blown to smithereens and shot, nothing can keep you down, 'eh Sparky?"

Jack's eyes were hesitant, as if wondering if it was okay to smile or not, but when he saw the slight hint of a sparkle in Bobby's eyes, he knew it was okay to laugh. "What can I say? I'm on the terrorist's Most-Wanted list. Everyone wants to get their hands on me."

"Including, the lovely Miss Thomas," Myles muttered to Tara and D, making the two of them laugh and Sue blush. She hadn't known why she had the inkling to look in Myles's direction, though when she read what he'd whispered to their teammates, she understood completely. It was coming slowly, but their family was coming back together in intervals. Soon, she was sure, everything would be just like it was.