As Steve was taken from the room Ian told Danny and Cath that he would be back as soon as the test results were in.
After he left Danny noticed that Catherine was shaking.
He moved to her side and placing a supportive arm around her shoulders he guided her to a nearby chair.
As she sat, she looked up at him, "It's started Danny, oh my God it's started already"
"He's fighting Cath, he won't quit, you know that"
"But he's weakening so fast Danny…."
Danny didn't know what to say because he knew she was right. They had no idea how much poison that bastard had injected into him.
He took hold of her hands and said "Catherine, it's bad and we both know that but we can't give up on him. He needs us more than ever and we need to stay strong for him"
As she struggled to compose herself he said nothing, he simply held her hands, stroking the tops of them with his thumbs.
After several moments of silence she said quietly, "He asked me to marry him Danny"
He smiled at her, "Well, it's about time….but I think I need to talk to him about his timing"
"Oh Danny…."
She began to shake uncontrollably and he pulled her into his arms, "Hey, relax….ssshhhhhhh" After several seconds he pulled from her and said softly, "Why don't you go get a breath of fresh air. I'll come get you when Ian gets back"
She nodded, "Yes….okay, thank you"
She left the room and Danny sat running his hands over his face. Catherine was scared…and so was he.
Ian returned about half an hour later and the look on his face did nothing to alleviate Danny's fears.
Ian spoke solemnly, "The bleeding is bad Danny and I need to operate right away. Until I get in there it's hard to pinpoint if the bleeding is originating from his organs or is vascular but from what I can see it's probably a combination of both. I promise you that I'll do everything I can for him"
Danny extended his hand and as the men shook he replied softly, "I know you will Ian, thank you"
"This could take several hours"
"Catherine's grabbing some fresh air. I'll let her know and we'll be here waiting for you"
"Okay….I'll see you soon"
After he left Danny headed up to the deck of the ship…..unprepared for what he would find.
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Numerous sailors and officers were going about their daily routine and as a civilian, Danny found the scene fascinating. He looked into the faces of the mostly young, fresh-faced men and woman and he couldn't help but feel pride for his country and awe and gratitude for each and every one of these brave souls who put their lives on the line every single day.
His sense of pride and joy disappeared as Catherine came into view. She was about sixty yards in front of him standing near the ships railing but she wasn't alone. She was in the arms of a tall, handsome officer and as Danny watched on, the man leaned in close and kissed Catherine's cheek. Stunned, he moved towards them and as Catherine spotted him she pulled from the man's grasp.
Danny said softly, "They um….they just took Steve into surgery. I'll let the guys know and then I'm going back to the room to wait. Ian said it could take several hours"
Danny then turned to leave and Catherine cried out emotionally "Danny, stop please"
He stopped dead in his tracks. She watched him carefully and his body language spoke volumes as he shoved his hands into his pockets but didn't turn around. As the sailor left, Catherine stepped to Danny's side.
They were quiet for several moments before Danny said, "So when were you going to tell Steve?"
She was crying as she replied softly, "I was going to tell him when he came to visit"
"It's really none of my business Catherine"
"Yes it is…..you love him and so do I"
Danny smirked, "Really?"
As she wiped her eyes she said, "I do love Steve. I've loved him for ten years and I will always love him"
"So who is he?"
"Billy Harrington"
Danny turned to her, "I've heard that name before...he served with Steve"
"Yes…."
"Oh my God…this keeps getting better"
"It's not what you think Danny. I was dating Billy when they served together as SEALS. That's how I met Steve and that's how we became friends. Billy was severely injured on a mission and Steve saved his life. Billy suffered from extreme PTSD after the mission and things got really bad. You've witnessed the nightmares that Steve experiences, while Billy has them too. One night during his recovery I tried to wake him…..and he snapped. He beat me horribly Danny and he almost killed me. When I came to, I was bleeding severely and Billy was unconscious on the bed next to me. I was terrified Danny but I didn't want to call the police because I knew that he wasn't in his right mind. I snuck out of the room and called Steve. He raced to our house and after checking on me he woke Billy. Danny, he was so out of it…he was re-living the mission and it was like he couldn't even see me... like I wasn't there. Steve called Freddy Hart and he came over with another brother Grant Hickerson. Grant took me to the hospital while Steve and Freddy took Billy to a military hospital. He spent the next two months in the psych ward Danny and when he was released we tried to make it work but we ended up breaking up"
"And you and Steve started dating?"
"Not right away. We stayed in contact and we started dating a little more than a year later. Steve is an amazing man Danny and I love him dearly but a little over a year ago Billy was re-assigned to The Enterprise and we re-connected"
"Did Steve know about the assignment?"
"Yes, I told him right away. I NEVER expected for our feelings to be rekindled, it just happened Danny"
"Can I ask how long ago that was?"
"Three months ago….."
"You've spent quite a bit of time with Steve over the last few months Cath…..are you saying you were with seeing Billy that whole time as well?"
"No….I've been fighting my feelings for Billy the entire time. I haven't slept with Billy since we broke up. I would never do that to Steve. I feel horrible about this Danny and I don't want to hurt him but…...….my heart
is with Billy"
Danny shook his head, "I don't know what to say Catherine. I'm surprised…I never would have suspected. I always thought you two were so solid, but I learned the hard way with Rachel that you can't control another person's heart. This will break him and you know that, but I promise you I'll be there for him. I need you to promise me though that you won't tell him this until he's strong enough to handle it"
"Of course I won't" As tears streaked down her cheeks she added, "I will never stop loving Steve and Billy loves him…..Steve saved his life Danny. We've talked so much about this and we're tortured by it, my God Danny neither one of us want to hurt him….you have to believe me"
"Of course I believe you Catherine but that doesn't make what has to be done any easier does it?"
She was shaking as she said softly, "No…it doesn't"
"He's going to need both of us, so let's take care of him together, okay?"
"Yes….thank you Danny"
He reached out his arms and she gratefully accepted, and returned his embrace.
They then made their way back below deck to wait for Steve.
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After filling in the others on Steve's condition Danny and Cath returned to the room to wait.
Danny's mind was racing as he wondered how his partner was going to take this news. Catherine had been a rock for him for so many years. Even though they were forced to spend a lot of time apart due to their job responsibilities they had always seemed to be so steady as a couple and so 'right' for each other. Now she had made the decision that he wasn't the one for her, Billy was…..Billy Harrington…Steve had told him about Billy but he wasn't aware that Steve had saved the man's life. He sat forward in his chair and with his elbows on his knees he buried his face into his hands. His heart broke for his friend and he feared for him. He was he fighting for his life and now, not only had he lost his Mother, but the woman he loved was leaving him….for one of his brothers. Danny wiped the tears from his eyes as he cried for Steve.
Catherine watched Danny from across the room. She was terrified for Steve. There was no way she was going to end things with him until he was strong enough both physically and mentally to handle the news. She was truthful when she told Danny that she loved Steve and she would always love him, but Billy was her first love and after much soul-searching she knew that he was also her true love.
Lieutenant Billy Harrington stood on the deck of the Enterprise staring out at the vast blue sea. He loved Catherine with all his heart and yet he felt so guilty. When he lost her all those years ago it had hurt him horribly but he had needed the time alone to heal mentally. By the time he had recovered she was then dating Steve and he had made the conscious decision to move on with his life. Eventually he had become happy for both of them and he had dated again and even married, but it had only lasted a couple of years and then shortly after his divorce he was reassigned to The Enterprise.
On his second day on board, he ran into Cath and the sparks flew. He then understood why his marriage hadn't worked…he had never stopped loving Catherine Rollins. He didn't pursue her though….because of his love and respect for Steve. But being around each other felt so good and so natural that eventually they both realized that they were feeling the same thing. Even though neither one of them had meant for it to happen, they had fallen in love again and now they both were horribly guilt-ridden.
Steve's planned trip to Thailand had caused Catherine great stress as she had insisted on telling Steve about their rekindled feelings alone. She had gone into town to get away and clear her head, so when Wo-Fat had kidnapped her, he wasn't even aware of it. Now Steve had saved her life just as he had saved his. Truth be told, he may have sacrificed his own life in saving her. Steve didn't deserve to be treated like this, to be betrayed by two people he loved and who loved him. Tears dampened the tough SEALS cheeks as he tipped his head back and closed his eyes. He silently prayed to God that Steve would recover and that eventually he would be able to forgive them…...
****** Okay…I know some of you will love where I took this and some will hate it. To those who hate where I've taken Steve and Catherine, I hope you'll let the whole story play out. As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts and there's much more to come! ******