**** PLEASE NOTE, I have no medical background, nor am I a chemist. I always try to be as accurate as possible so please be kind! As always, all reviews are welcomed and appreciated and I hope you're enjoying the story! Lots of Steve whump to come…so here we go! ****
Doctor Ian Gerhart entered the room about an hour later and they all moved to a nearby table to discuss Steve's condition.
Danny asked nervously, "How is he Doc?"
"He told me that you are all aware that he's been injected with ricin, and I'm sorry to tell you we have confirmed that and he is now symptomatic"
"What are the symptoms he's exhibiting?"
"He has deep muscle and joint pain and swelling, or arthralgia-myalgia, at the injection site and that has expanded to his groin area and down to his thigh and knee. The flu-like symptoms have also begun. He's vomiting and his temperature has risen to 103. The beating and electric shocks he endured are not helping in this as they're increasing his muscle pain and as the ricin moves though his body it burns and is very painful. He was given a shock directly onto the open wound on his back which burned the raw tissue and that's resulted in a severe infection. He also suffered two broken ribs and a mild concussion from the beating. We've cleaned and bandaged his wrists and an x-ray of his shoulder shows a muscle tear. We've immobilized his arm and once this is over we'll re-evaluate to see if surgery is needed on the shoulder"
"Can you tell how big the ricin dose he received was?"
"We're running tests but it's hard to tell with ricin and exposure by injection is very rare"
Catherine then asked, "Ian, what can you do for him?"
Lieutenant Gerhard and Catherine had served together on The Enterprise for almost four years and they had quickly become good friends. Ian and Steve had also met on several occasions and both men held great respect for each other.
He looked at his friend and asked, "How much do you know about ricin Catherine?"
Her voice shook with emotion as she said, "Not much…please tell me everything Ian"
"Cath, there is no cure for ricin poisoning. All we can do is make him comfortable and hope that he's strong enough to pull through this. Typically if people survive four to five days after symptoms appear they survive. We both know how strong Steve is but I want to be totally honest with you….. the infection and high fever he's already developed are very troublesome. What ricin does is it inactivates the ribosomes in cells making them unable to produce proteins causing the cells to die. As the poison works its way through the body, internal bleeding occurs and death can result from multiple organ failure, typically the liver, spleen and kidneys. Symptoms by injection typically mirror symptoms by ingestion and as they progress we need to watch him carefully for dehydration and hypotension, low blood pressure. We're giving him IV's of saline and ringer's lactate to keep him hydrated but at this point he's refusing any pain medication"
Danny mumbled under his breath, "That's typical…" His voice shook with emotion as he added, "Damn hard-headed SEAL"
Catherine reached out and took Danny's hand in hers as Ian asked, "Does he have any family?"
Danny replied, "His Mother is living, but they're estranged and we don't know for certain where she is. He has a sister in California, but no other immediate family…..…we're his family Doc. I'm his medical power of attorney"
"You may face some difficult decisions over the next few days Detective Williams"
"Please call me Danny"
"Only if you call me Ian"
"I'll approve whatever decisions you make Ian…..….whatever's best for Steve"
"And I promise you all that I'll do everything I can for him"
Danny nodded, "Thank you Ian. Can you tell us, as the symptoms progress what we can expect?"
"His fever could continue to rise and he could suffer hallucinations and seizures"
"Steve knows the symptoms Doc and that's probably why he's refusing pain meds. He has nightmares about his missions when he's on meds and when his body's weakened they get worse"
Doctor Gerhart nodded, "I figured that was it…I see a lot of that"
Looking at the military man Danny said softly, "I bet you do"
Ian then continued, "Along with the IV's we've begun oxygen therapy to help increase the oxygen in his blood and the saturation to his tissue. The oxygen will also help to reduce extra work on his heart. Once the internal bleeding begins I'll monitor him carefully for hypovolemic shock. There are four stages of shock and depending on his condition we may need to operate to attempt to control the bleeding"
"Can we see him now Doc?"
"Yes. I'm not going to sugarcoat this. He is in intense pain and it's going to get much worse before it gets better. Steve is in grave danger and even if he survives this, he may suffer permanent organ damage"
As Cath wiped tears from her cheeks, Danny squeezed her hand and said, "Please take us to him Ian"
Wade and Brad remained in the room while the Doctor led the three friends to Steve.
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Steve was in a small, private room and they were all alarmed at the rapid deterioration of his condition in just over an hour. His eyes were closed and he was sweating profusely. He had a nasal cannula and Danny couldn't take his eyes off his chest which was moving rapidly up and down as his heart pumped furiously. Both of his wrists were heavily bandaged and his left arm was strapped tightly against his body with his arm folded across his bandaged ribcage. The IV lines were inserted into the top of his left hand and ice packs were placed against his swollen hip, thigh, knee and groin area.
A nurse was at his side and she was dabbing his sweat-drenched head and face with a cool cloth. Catherine and Danny moved to his side with Chin standing next to Cath. She leaned over and kissed his cheek tenderly. The heat emanating from his body added to her fears and as she placed her cheek against his face she whispered to him, "I'm here baby….we're all here with you"
Danny was stroking his partners arm as he looked at the machines that monitored his heart rate and blood pressure.
His heart was breaking as he listened to Catherine's pleas to Steve to hold on and to come back to us…
After several minutes Steve's eyes opened and he said softly "Cath, it's okay. Please don't cry"
"I'm sorry honey. How do you feel?"
"I'm okay….I promise….."
As Steve spoke those words, Danny squeezed the fingers on his left hand and his partner turned towards him, "Hey buddy"
Danny smiled down at him, "Hey"
Steve then nodded at Chin and addressing them all he inquired, "Did Ian tell you everything?"
Catherine replied softly "Yes"
"Then you know I'm going to beat this thing"
Catherine's voice shook as she responded, "Yes, we know that"
Steve smiled warmly at her and he pulled her hand to his mouth and kissing it he said, "That's my girl"
Danny then asked, "Steve, can you tell us what he said to you?"
Danny instantly noticed the pain in Steve's eyes and his slight hesitation before he answered, "I told him that I didn't know where Doris was but that even if I did, I wouldn't tell him….and he believed me"
Danny then said, "We read the letter he wrote Steve"
"Read it to me will you?"
Danny pulled out the letter and read it as Steve listened. When he was done, Steve said "Well I'm not going to give him that 'comfort'. Danno, I need you to reach Joe and put him on alert. I don't know if they're still in Montana but if they are, they need to get out of there. Wo-Fat's not going to stop searching until he finds her, especially if he thinks I'm dead"
Danny nodded, "Okay, I'll call him"
As he turned to leave the room, Steve called out "Hey Danno…..I don't want her to know about this. And I need to know where he's taking her…...I HAVE TO know Danny"
"Okay partner, I'll take care of it….I'll be right back"
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Danny stepped out onto the deck of the huge aircraft carrier and looking up at the star filled night and bright full moon, he dialed Joe White.
"Hello Danny"
"Hi Joe…..I'm calling for Steve. He needs to know where you and Doris are. Are you still together in Montana?"
"What is this about Danny?"
The irritation was evident in Danny's voice as he replied, "Please answer my question Joe"
"Why isn't Steve calling? Is he okay?"
Danny gritted his teeth in anger, "JOE, please…... IS Doris still in Montana?"
"Yes, yes…..we're here and she's safe. Now tell me, what's this about?"
"Steve received a letter to Doris from Wo-Fat. He's escalating his search for Doris. He states that her remaining alive is bringing dishonor to his family and that she must die. Joe, he signed the letter 'Your Executioner'"
"Okay, so what is different now? He's been wanting her dead for more than twenty years"
"I know that Joe! Like I said he's escalating this and Steve thinks you should leave Montana"
"Alright, now let me talk to him"
Danny sighed, "Is she with you now?"
"No, I'm alone. Now tell me, has something happened to Steve?"
"Wo-Fat kidnapped Catherine. We rescued her but Steve was hurt. Wo-Fat DID leave a note threatening Doris and Steve wanted me to warn you"
"Is he alright?"
Weighing his words cautiously, Danny replied, "He's alive" and before Joe could respond he continued firmly, "Listen to me Joe and listen good. If you've EVER loved Steve you will do what he's asking and you will NOT tell his Mother about this! All he's concerned about right now is keeping her safe and he feels you need to move her NOW!"
Danny heard Joe sigh and then the older man replied, "Okay….I've always loved Steve Danny, and I always will…. we'll move and I won't tell her about Steve….I promise"
"Thank you Joe. Where are you going to go?"
"I'll call Steve once we're settled"
"He wants to know where you're going"
"You're both going to have to trust me. I'll contact Steve soon. Danny….please take care of him"
"I will….bye"
Hanging up the phone, Danny leaned against the side of the boat and closing his eyes he listened to the Ocean water crash up against the side of the ship. He stood alone for several minutes before he was composed enough to head back inside to his partner's side.
******* Next up, Steve's condition begins to deteriorate… ********