****** Steve is now recovering, and as his body heals…...he is confronted with an emotional turmoil that he never saw coming – I hope you enjoy and please remember, reviews are greatly appreciated!******

Doctor Ian Gerhart looked down at his patient and smiled, "Hello Steve, welcome back" Before the SEAL could speak Ian added, "Don't talk now, you've had trauma to your trachea so you need rest your throat. I need you to blink once for yes and twice for no, do you understand me?"

Steve blinked once.
"Good" Ian then told him of everything that had transpired, but added that his vitals were now vastly improving. He then lifted the oxygen mask and as he asked him to rate his pain level, Steve replied hoarsely, "Seven….. maybe eight"

"Okay, that's to be expected Steve, your body's endured a lot of trauma. Now I don't want you to argue with me, but I'm going to start an IV drip of pain meds for you. It's very important that you stay calm and let your body rest and heal. We have to continue to monitor you for additional internal bleeding"

Steve then said shakily, "No morphine Ian...….please, no morphine"
Ian shook his head knowingly and patting Steve's shoulder he said, "Okay, I promise….no morphine. Now, no more talking"
Catherine moved to Steve's side as Ian stepped back and Danny asked softly, "So Doc, what do you think?"
"He's doing great. He's not out of danger yet, and like I said we have to still watch him carefully and hope that he doesn't develop any more bleeding. I'm greatly encouraged by his progress though Danny and I think if we can get through the next twenty hours without additional complications, he should pull through"

As they spoke, Catherine leaned in and kissed Steve's cheek. His eyes were closed and the corners of his mouth turned up in a smile as she said softly, "You're beating this thing Steve…you're doing so well baby. Sleep now…"

Steve was sleeping again when the Nurse arrived a few minutes later to set up his pain medication.
To verify what Ian had told him, Danny asked "What are you giving him?"
"Percocet"
Danny nodded, "Okay"
She then asked, "Do you all know how the PCA pump works?"
Danny shook his head, "Yes, unfortunately we've had a lot of experience with him and pain meds"
She smiled and said, "He's been through quite a battle. He's certainly strong"
Danny grinned, "Yes he is…thank you for all you've done for him"
"The three of you have done much more for him than we have. You've brought him this far, so stay strong"
Danny responded, "We will"

Steve woke about five hours later as Danny was ranting, "Everybody's always asking why? Why do I let you drive all the time? And I don't have an answer"
Steve raised his hand up, shooing at his partner and Danny jumped to his side, "Hey, you're awake"
As Steve moved his hand up to his oxygen mask Danny grabbed it, "No, no…leave that on, it's helping you breathe babe"
Steve grinned weakly from behind the mask, "It's 'cause 'm a better ddrivver Danno"
Danny chuckled softly "Yeah…you keep telling yourself that brother. How ya doing?"
"'M okay.…kinda dizzy"
"That's the pain meds"
"Wwwhat are they ggiving mme?"
"Percocet"
"Okay" Suddenly the SEAL's eyes closed and as pain shot across his abdomen and chest his hand tensed in Danny's.

Danny leaned over his partner, "Squeeze my hand buddy, just ride it out….that a boy" Steve's grasp on his hand tightened and his eyes were closed. Danny continued to talk to him and with his free hand he reached up and opened the IV line delivering more Percocet into Steve's veins. He then stroked his partner's forehead as he said soothingly "I got you Steve, relax…take deep breaths…relax…ssshhhhh"

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Steve slept most of the next twenty four hours and then they took him away for tests.
A short time later Doctor Gerhart returned to let them know that he felt that Steve was finally out of the woods and that he had updated his condition from critical to serious.

"He's doing amazingly well. Five days ago I could never have predicted this, but knowing Steve I do, I probably should have. He's been through so damn much in his life and he always bounces back stronger"

Danny grinned, "That's why we call him Superman Doc"
Ian chuckled, "He definitely has super human qualities, that's for sure. His blood pressure is now normal and he's showing no signs of dehydration. His temp is continuing to drop but he still has a low grade infection and we'll keep him on the IV antibiotics and saline for at least a couple of more days. The wound on his back and the burns from the electric prod are healing well and I've removed the drainage tube. The swelling at the risen injection site and of his groin and leg have also decreased greatly. There are no signs of any additional internal bleeding and the swelling in his throat has also subsided. His heart is strong, his lungs sound much better and I've removed the chest tube. Most importantly, his liver and kidneys are functioning very well I can state with a fair amount of certainty that he will have no permanent organ damage"

Danny then asked, "What about his shoulder Doc?"
"The tear is healing well…once again, he's amazed me"
"So he won't need surgery on it?"
"I don't believe so. I've scheduled him for surgery to reverse the colostomy tomorrow morning and at that time I'll also remove the feeding tube and then we'll start him on clear liquids"

Danny inquired, "How long will he need to stay here?"
"At least another four to five days"
"Will he be able to fly home then?"
"I'll look into arranging a military flight home for him. He'll be able to fly at that point, but he'll need to be lying down"

The group of friends was greatly relieved at all the news and Danny responded emotionally, "My God Ian….thank you"
"Danny, he did this himself. His desire to live is great, but you should all know that the love and support you gave him has a great deal to do with his amazing recovery"

They all shook hands and embraced Ian and after he left it was decided that Chin would fly back to the US and inform Governor Denning of everything. Wade and Brad would accompany him, while Danny would remain in Thailand with his partner.

The morning after the other's left, Doctor Gerhart and Danny helped Steve get out of bed and with their aid he walked a short distance. The only tubing that remained was for the IV antibiotics and the pain meds and they had cut back on the Percocet making him much more coherent. He was also more talkative. His throat was still sore but he had lots of questions about what had transpired over the last couple of days and there was no way he was going to remain quiet any longer.

Danny was very patient with his partner, and unbelievably grateful.
As the day progressed Catherine became quieter and Steve was beginning to notice her solemn demeanor.
"Hey Cath, are you okay?"
She smiled at him and as tears welled in her eyes she said, "Of course….I'm just tired honey. I'm so happy you're doing better"
He looked into her eyes and turning to Danny he asked, "Danno, did she tell you we're getting married?"
Danny looked a bit surprised and said "No, really?" He then smiled, adding "That's great buddy" Moving over to Catherine, he hugged her and whispered into her ear, "You said yes?"

Her voice shook as she said softly, "No, I didn't" and they both turned back to the bed.
Catherine moved to the bedside and taking Steve's hand in hers she smiled and said, "Now we haven't finalized anything yet"
"No, but once I get out of this bed, I'm going to do what I should have done years ago. No more wasting time. I love you Cath"
Catherine didn't say anything but as she leaned in and hugged Steve, Danny turned from the bed and covering his face with his hands he thought to himself, 'Oh shit, this is not going to be good'

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The next two days went smoothly and Steve was regaining his strength. The plans were in place for a military transport plane to fly the two men back to Hawaii the day after tomorrow.

It was mid-afternoon when he woke from a nap, turning his head to see Danny and Catherine standing several feet away. Danny was talking to her softly and while he couldn't hear what he was saying, it was obvious that Catherine was upset about something. She hadn't been herself and he knew she was just trying to protect him, but enough was enough….he was recovering and she needed him now.

"Catherine…..come here baby"
His eyes turned to partner and he watched as Danny grabbed her arm and he heard him said softly, "You need to tell him now" As Danny walked past him he nodded and said, "I'll see you in a bit partner"

"K Danno...…thanks"
As Danny left the room, Catherine moved over and sat on the edge of the bed.
Steve reached up and wiped tears from his lover's face. She was shaking as she reached up and placed her hand on top of his.

He looked at her beautiful eyes that seemed so tortured, "Catherine, oh God what did that animal do to you? Baby please talk to me...….please let me help you"

"Steve….I'm so sorry….oh God I'm so sorry"
She was sobbing and gasping and Steve's words of concern, genuine concern for her, were not helping, "Cath…. you have nothing to be sorry about" Steve's struggled to keep his voice steady as he said, "Baby I was never so scared in my life. When I saw you sitting in that chair, stripped and injured….. God, nothing I've ever been through has ever scared me like that. You were there and you were being tortured because of me. I could never have forgiven myself if …..."

Catherine interrupted him, "Steve…..stop…" She sobbed, "Oh God please stop"
Steve was taken aback and he said simply, "Cath, talk to me"
She sat silently with her head down for several seconds before saying, "It's not what you think Steve"
He placed his hand under her chin, lifting her face, "Okay….whatever it is, just say it baby"
"Steve….I can't marry you…..I've fallen in love with Billy"
She watched as he closed his eyes and sighing he said softly, "Okay….well I didn't see that coming"
"Steve, I never meant to hurt you…...WE never meant to hurt you. We both love you"
Without opening his eyes Steve said softly, "I need to be alone Cath….….please leave me alone"
As she stood from the bed she reached out and gently touched his arm, saying softly "I'm so sorry"
As he heard her leave the room tears slipped from his still closed eyes.

Moments later he heard the presence at his bedside and he knew who it was. Without opening his eyes he said softly, "I need to be alone Danno"
"That's not going to happen partner. You don't have to say anything…..but I'm not going anywhere. Steve…I'm sorry"

Steve lifted his arm and as he draped it across his face, Danny sat in the chair at his side, saying nothing.

Steve's mind was racing, 'Catherine….my dear Catherine…...when did this happen? When did I lose your love? This couldn't have all transpired since we last saw each other ten weeks ago. When did you re-connect with Billy? When all the shit went down in Montana I called you so many times…..and you always took my calls. God, we talked for hours on end…all through the night. Had Billy been there with you? Billy, why Billy? Why couldn't it be someone I didn't know? Why my brother? Oh God my life is fucking falling apart around me'

The two men sat in silence for more than half an hour before Steve said quietly, "God I love her Danny"
I know you do buddy…..I know you do"

****** More to follow – I hope to hear from you, and I hope you're enjoying! ******