CHAPTER 10Phil watched as though he was in a trance as Jack fled the room. He wanted to yell out and stop him, but no words came out. He wanted to tell Jack that it wasn't his fault, but how could he when he also blamed himself. He wanted to beat the crap out of the people that put Danny in the hospital. But Danny really needed all of them, especially Jack. Out of all of them, Jack was the one that Danny trusted the most. He sighed, he had promised Danny that when he woke up he wouldn't be alone and he wasn't going to break that promise. He wanted to react, he wanted to run and catch up with Jack. He wanted to yell at Jack and try to get it through his thick skull that Danny needed him; that it wasn't his fault. But how could he do that when he still blamed himself?
"What the hell?" he ranted, not knowing what else to say. "He was all broken up about Danny's disappearance and now when the kid needs him the most, he bails!"
"It's just his way of dealing," Viv explained with a gentle smile. "He needs to feel like he's doing some thing. He needs to feel like he's helping Danny and, in his mind, that's avenging what happened to him."
"But it's not his fault!" Phil exclaimed.
"And it's not your fault, but you still blame yourself." Viv said gently.
"You don't understand; it is my fault!" Phil exclaimed. "There was nothing Jack could've done but…"
"But what Phil," Viv said cutting him off. "But what Phil?"
"I could've done something!"
"Like what? Sure you should have treated him better, but that's in the past. Anyway, with the childhood Danny had I doubt that would've made a difference."
"But…"
"But nothing, Phil. You said it yourself Danny needs us. What he doesn't need is a bunch of guilt-ridden people sitting around him. So goddamn swallow your guilt and do something constructive like support the poor kid," Viv said in a forceful tone.
Phil stared at his feet for a while before replying. "You're right." He was just about to continue when a nurse entered the room.
"Are you here for Agent Taylor?" she asked
"Yes, can we see him now?" Viv asked quickly.
"Yes, but only one at a time," the nurse replied.
Phil looked down, feeling uncomfortable under Viv's glare. "I'll go," he said as he finally found his voice. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath before he followed the nurse out of the door. The corridors seemed endless as he wandered down them. He wondered if they would ever end. Finally, after what felt like a lifetime, he arrived at his destination. He was vaguely aware of saying something before he found himself entering the room.
He took another deep breath before he walked up to see someone who was usually so full of life, look so pale and almost lifeless. He had never seen Danny look so young and vulnerable nor did ever want to again. Phil sat in silence for a while as he tried to collect himself. This was not the end. Danny was going to pull through. Danny was going to be part of the team. He just hoped that Danny would recover, and when he did, he would still want to be on Jack's team.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Jack rested his head against the steering wheel for a few moments before he started the engine. Part of him knew he should've stayed at the hospital to support Danny, but what good would that do? Viv and Phil were there, and besides he doubted Danny would like to see the ugly face that got him into this mess. No it would be best for Danny if he dealt with the people that hurt him. Then maybe he would be comfortable enough to visit Danny. Danny was a tough kid, he had survived worse. He was going to be fine and certainly didn't need him to achieve that. He sighed and started the engine as he headed back towards the office.
He was completely oblivious to time on his trip over to the office. The only thing that was charging through his mind was… revenge. No one hurt one his agents and got away with it no one. He didn't know what made the situation worse – the fact that the main culprit was Danny's father or that fact that he was dead. He closed his eyes as he stumbled into the elevator. He raked his hands through his dishevelled hair in an attempt to pull himself together. He didn't care if his anger was contained; those bastards deserved everything that was coming to them after what they did to Danny.
As he reached the interrogation room, he took a deep breath before he stepped in. In front of him stood one thick set man with a slightly amused expression on his face. He could feel his blood boil, but forced himself to show no outward signs – for the time being anyway.
"Look, I have been sitting here for several hours in this cold, damp room. The lighting is too bright and I believe my human rights have been infringed. So I was wondering if one of you could let me know why the hell I am here?" Carlos Rodriquez said.
Jack clenched his jaw as he tried to contain his anger. If he brutally beat the living daylights out of this scumbag, it wouldn't help Danny and that bastard would walk free. "You know exactly why you are here," he growled.
"No I don't and I am going to sue you for infringing on my human rights," Carlos said with a smirk.
Jack swung around and slammed both of his fists down on the interrogation room table, the sound echoing around the small room. "How about the kidnap, torture and attempted murder of a federal agent for starters," he growled, barely containing his anger.
"What?" Carlos exclaimed, suddenly nervously looking around the small room. "I didn't know he was a fed."
"Oh? That makes it okay then?" Jack growled as he kicked the chair that Carlos was sitting on, causing it to crash to the ground.
"No u-mm, I-I want a deal."
"So are you confessing to the kidnap, torture and attempted murder of a federal agent?" Jack asked coldly, as he clenched his fists.
"I-I, I-I didn't know he was a fed," Carlos stammered as he repeated himself again, as his tough façade began to rapid fall apart. "You have still infringed on my human rights!"
"Right now, I don't give a flying fuck about your human rights!" Jack yelled. He took a breath as he composed himself again. He felt a small, evil smile play on his lips. "But as you were arrested on terrorism charges, I did nothing legally wrong. In fact, I have several more hours before you are entitled to legal advice."
"Look I want a deal, I can help you," Carlos stammered as his eyes darted around the room.
"You can help me?" Jack said with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes I-I c-can help you," Carlos stammered with a terrified smile.
"There is no fucking way in hell I am going to get you a deal, when you put one of my agents in a critical condition. And you better start praying that he pulls through and makes a full recovery, because if he doesn't you will get the death penalty." Jack leaned forward and whispered in Carlos's ear, "and it wouldn't be humanly done by the state, it will be done by me."
"I-I I-I swear I-I didn't know he was a fed. I-I was only following o-orders. I-I swear I didn't know he was a fed," Carlos stammered as he looked for means of escape.
"So that makes it okay?" Jack growled.
"U-mm, I-I."
Jack looked at Carlos in disgust. He couldn't deal with this scum any longer. He couldn't stand to be in the same room a moment longer because he knew if he did, he would end up killing the bastard. He took one final disgusted look at Carlos before he stormed out. "He's all yours," he growled at one of the FBI counter terrorism agents.
As his felt his emotions begin to get the better of him, he quickened his pace. Once in his office, he collapsed on his couch and held his head his hands. He felt tears of guilt and emotion streaming down his face. Danny had to make in it, he had no idea what he would do if he didn't. He took a breath and rubbed his face. He had to do some thing. It was his fault that Danny was hurt and at the very least he could do some thing to help Danny's mother. After taking a moment to collect himself, he picked up the phone and began to make phone calls.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Phil didn't know how long he had been sitting, waiting for Danny to wake up. He figured that he must have drifted off for a bit. As he glanced at his watch, he confirmed his assumption. Eight hours had passed and Danny looked exactly the same, if anything he looked worse. He knew the next forty hours were going to be critical but how Danny looked now, he didn't think that Danny would be see another sunrise. He took Danny's hand and gently squeezed it. "Danny, come on kid you've got to wake up. Viv and I are really worried. Jack, well I'm really worried about him. He blames himself for everything that has happened to you. Oh, then there is your mom, she doesn't know anything about this, but she loves you. Please kiddo just open your eyes for me."
Phil looked at Danny for any signs of response but found none. He gently rested a hand on Danny's forehead. "Just keep on fighting Danny-boy, just fight."
He groaned as he stumbled through the inky darkness. Each step he took was more terrifying that the last. He heard a voice in the distance, he started to walk towards it but as he did, pain slammed into his body. He gasped as he tried to escape, but there was no escape. The sounds and light overloaded his senses. Even though the inky darkness was terrifying he wanted sink back into it – anything was better than this.
"D-Danny!" Phil stammered as he found two focused eyes staring at him. "Danny, Danny-boy its okay kiddo, you're safe. You're in hospital but you're going to be all right."
Danny blinked several times as he tried to make sense of his surrounding. He closed his eyes as the events of the last couple of days caught up with him. He had some how dragged the team into the mess that was his life. His mom was dead and to top it all, he'd most likely lost his job. But as he became more aware of his surroundings, he realised there was something down his throat that stopping him breathing. He tried to get at whatever stopping him from breathing, but something was stopping him from doing that as well.
"Danny, Danny, no, that's helping you breathe," Phil said as he gently took arm – preventing him from pulling the respirator out. "Danny, listen to me. You're in hospital and you're going be fine, but you just have to calm down."
Danny allowed himself to relax slightly. He tried to hold back the tears that threatened to escape, but he couldn't. He barely understood what was going around him, but what he did know was that he was unless. He looked away, he felt so ashamed he just wanted the world to open and swallow him.
"Danny, what's the matter?" Phil asked his voice laced with concern.
Danny looked away again. He couldn't face anyone. He had loved his job at the FBI; he had finally been respected. And now because his stupid mistakes, that respect had been taken away faster that he had earned it.
"Danny I can't help you if don't tell me what's wrong," Phil said gently as he took Danny's and squeezed it. "Danny I can help you, I want to help you."
Danny closed his eyes as fatigue began to set in once more, but tears continued to stream down his face. It wouldn't make any difference if he told Phil; he already thought he was the scum of the earth. He was vaguely aware of mouthing `Jack' and `job' before exhaustion took hold.
"Oh Danny," Phil whispered as he gently wiped the tears from Danny's eyes. He gently ran a hand through Danny's hair. "Danny, its not your fault Jack's just a little messed up at the moment. But I promise you, you haven't lost your job." Phil took a shaky breath as he tried to compose himself. He knew Jack had dealt with the scum hours ago but what he didn't understand was; why hadn't Jack visited Danny. But he was going to find out and correct Jack's errors.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Phil stormed through the bullpen and into Jack's office. "What the hell is up with you?" he yelled as he slammed the door behind him.
"What?!" Jack exclaimed, as he looked up from his paperwork.
"You know what I am talking about!"
"No I don't," Jack growled as he stood up and glared at Phil.
"Danny, that's who I'm talking about," Phil yelled.
"If you hadn't noticed I'm trying to help him," Jack yelled back.
"By what? Doing paperwork! Jack, the case is closed. Danny needs you."
"No, he doesn't. I am the reason he is in the hospital!"
"It's not your fucking fault. You were the one that bonded with Danny! And now the poor kid is all screwed up about it. He thinks you are going to fire him, he thinks it's his fault," Phil exclaimed as he picked up some of the paperwork on Jack's desk and threw it at the room.
"I can fucking suspend you for your actions," Jack yelled back as he looked between the scattered papers and Phil.
"I don't care. All I care about right now is Danny. You were the one that bonded with him, and now you're the one that's abandoned him. He's been through enough in his life, he doesn't need to go through it again," Phil continued in a much softer tone.
"I can't Phil, I can't. I should've protected him, I should've of helped him. I-I should've of see this happening and prevented it," Jack said in a small, lost voice.
"Jack it's not about you or I, or anyone else for that matter. It's about Danny and the support he needs," Phil said in a gentle voice. "Please visit him, tell him that it's not his fault. Tell him that he still has a job," he urged.
Jack raked his hands through his untamed hair, which matched his dishevelled appearance. "I-I don't know Phil, I don't know. I mean, I mean of course he has a job and of course it's not his fault. But-but I-I, but you're wrong Phil it is my fault," he stammered, as he looked around – avoiding eye contact.
Phil sighed; he knew what Jack was feeling all to well. "Jack, look I know it's difficult but put aside your feelings. Just go and visit Danny," he pleaded.
Jack slowly nodded. He slowly walked to his desk and grabbed his coat. It had felt colder since he had opened Danny's case. He didn't know if that was because of guilt or the actual temperature. He bid a vague goodbye and thanks to Phil before he headed out of the door. He knew he should have done this several hours ago, but he had been so riddled with guilt that he hadn't. He had been too weak, too selfish to visit one of his agents. An agent who has no one, Jack sighed that's where things got complicated. Danny did have a family member who he apparently loved – his mother. The complicated thing was that she believed Danny was dead and they hadn't seen each other in fourteen years.
Jack looked up and stared in disbelief as he found himself outside the hospital. He silently cursed for not asking Phil for a lift, he was obviously not in the right state to drive. He wandered as though he was in a trance through the endless cold, sterile, hospital corridors. He closed his eyes briefly as some how arrived outside Danny's room. He stared inside at the pale form as he tried to prepare himself, but he took a breath and pushed the door open. He grimaced as he noted the still vivid bruises and ghostly pale skin, that looked starkly white compared to the white sheets. He slowly sat down and took Danny's hand, being careful not to mess up any of the tubes or wires attached to his agent. He was glad Danny was asleep as it gave him a chance to continue to prepare himself.
Danny groaned as he felt the morphine wearing off. He would do anything to numb the pain or the endless thoughts and images running through his head. He would even have a drink, just to forget for a couple of hours. He knew he had to make a decision about his mother, but he didn't know what that decision should be. The team – well Phil and Viv had really supportive, but he still didn't know what to do. And then there was Jack and his job. Phil and Viv had tried to reassure him that he still had his job, but he didn't believe it – why else would Jack be avoiding him?
Jack blinked several time as Danny stirred. He reached forward and took Danny's hand. "Danny, it's okay. You are safe now," he reassured.
Danny slowly opened his eyes, but had to blink several times in disbelief. He couldn't believe Jack was there. He closed his eyes again without a word. The only reason Jack was here was to fire him.
"It's okay," Jack reassured. He clenched his jaw, Phil had been right. Danny was blaming himself. If he hadn't been so messed with his thoughts, he would've seen this and done something about it sooner. But he hadn't, just like he hadn't helped Danny before. He had failed him and he was continuing to fail. "It's not your fault, I don't blame you for anything."
Danny frowned and slowly turned his head to face Jack. "What?" he said in a small weak voice. "S-So you're n-not going to fire me?"
"No of course not, why do you think that?"
"Because of what I have done!" Danny exclaimed
"You did nothing wrong! You paid blackmail, which isn't illegal. You got shot, which isn't illegal. You were kidnapped! You did nothing wrong, so why the hell would I fire you?" Jack exclaimed.
Danny tried to concentrate on Jack's words but it was so hard. Everything was rapidly becoming one blur of pain. It was becoming increasing difficult to breathe. He tried to curl up into a protective ball, but something was stopping him. It felt like there was a lead weight on his chest. He started to cough and was vaguely aware of a warm liquid running down his chin. He didn't understand why Jack was looking so terrified. He closed his eyes as he gave into the darkness – away from the struggle, the pain and confusion.
CHAPTER 11
"Danny!" Jack screamed as he watched in horror as Danny started cough up a horrendous amount of blood. "Shit, shit," he swore. As gently as he could, he grabbed Danny's shoulder and rolled him on to his side, so he wouldn't choke on his own blood. He could feel his hands shaking as he furiously stabbed the call button. "Come on, Danny; please don't do this to me. Come on kid, just hang in there." Tears streamed down his face as he tried to remain calm.
"What the hell took you so long?" Jack yelled as various doctors ran into the room. "I've been hitting that call button for fucking hours." He stumbled as he was roughly pushed backwards.
"What the hell is happening?" Jack yelled. "I thought you said he was going to be okay!"
"Let's go!"
"What? Can someone tell me what the hell's happening? Where are you taking him?" Jack demanded.
"I don't have time. We've gotta to get him up to surgery. Now!" the doctor said in a quick, clipped tone.
Jack stood in a stunned shock as they rushed Danny back into surgery. This couldn't be happening. Why did it have to happen to Danny? After everything he had been through in his short life. The doctors said he was going to be okay. Or, did they say if he came through the first 48 hours he would be okay? Or, was it he maybe all right? He just couldn't remember. It had to be his fault. He knew that Danny didn't need to be stressed and what had he done? He had stressed him. He knew he should've stayed, but in his selfish pigheaded way he thought that he had been doing the right thing. But had he actually thought about Danny for a single second? No. He had only been thinking about revenge. And now Danny might die because of it. He collapsed against the wall and held his head in hands. Tears streamed down his face as he thought of Danny and what he had done. He thought of the hot-headed agent that everyone had advised him against recruiting, but from the moment he had met Danny, he knew he had made the right choice. Danny was the prefect addition to his team. With his connection to the streets and his warm, charismatic nature, he got witnesses to open up, who would've never spoken to him. Sure Danny took risks but they were risks that paid off. Jack closed his eyes as he thought back to a case a little over a week ago. Seven year old Jake Morgan had disappeared from his school. It turned out he had been kidnapped by his teacher, David Roberts. David had been on the sex offenders list for years but somehow, he had slipped through the system.
Flashback
"Thanks, we are on our way," Jack said as he quickly ended the call. "We've got a possible sighting at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge," he said as he turned to his newest recruit. Danny was a good agent, but he was hot-headed. He wished that he had been with Phil or Viv, as they would be more likely to keep a lid on their temper.
Danny's expression darkened as he hit the accelerator hard. In his opinion, nothing was worse than paedophiles. There was no way that was going to let his bastard spend a second longer with the kid. He barely slowed down for the corner, causing the car's back-end to kick out.
"Damn-it, Danny. Slow down!" Jack yelled, as he grabbed hold of the door handle and held on as if his life depended in it. "We need to get there. Not die!"
"I can handle it," Danny growled as he concentrated on the road, still not bothering to slow down.
"NO Danny! You need to slow down RIGHT NOW!" Jack yelled.
"No we need to get to the Brooklyn Bridge NOW!"
"STOP, stop the goddamn car right now!" Jack yelled. He slammed his hands against the dashboard as the car came to an abrupt and sudden stop. He turned and glared at Danny. "Look I know this case is affecting you. I know you want to get the kid back, but you have to put a lid on that temper of yours!"
Danny glared at Jack before he quickly looked down. "Fine! Can we go now?" He silently kicked himself, for how much he sounded like a little kid. But right now he didn't care, he just wanted get Jake safely back to his family.
Jack sighed and raked a hand through his hair. "Fine, but can you drive slower this time?"
Danny just glared at Jack, before he spun the wheels back on to the road. After a hair-raising journey, they arrived at the Brooklyn Bridge and Jack sighed in relief.
"Danny I want you to say here," Jack said as he glared at Danny before he got out of the car and slammed the door.
Danny glared at the retreating figure. He crossed his arms and sighed heavily. He couldn't believe that Jack didn't trust him and was forcing him to stay in the car. He could feel his anger begin to boil over and punched the steering wheel in frustration. There was no way he was going to just sit here when Jake was being held by some sick paedophile.
As he stepped out the car, he hugged his coat closer to his body as the ice cold wind bit into him. Danny was a good kid and a talented agent, but he just needed to control that temper of his. He knew that Danny would be pissed when he had forced him to stay in the car, but he would just have deal with it later. He sighed as he put these thoughts to the back of his mind and concentrated on the task in hand. But as soon as he walked towards the small group of police he knew something was wrong. It happened so fast, there was nothing that he could do to stop it. Robert stepped off the wall and into the icily cold depths of Hudson. He didn't know what exactly happened next but he saw a dark streak followed by a splash. He spun around and saw the car door was open and Danny was no where to be seen. "Shit," he swore. "Danny, Danny."
Danny opened the door and leaned against the car. He carefully watched the two figures on the waters edge. He saw it before it happened. He sprinted towards the river and dived in. The icy water caused him to gasp. But he continued to swim deeper - searching for any sign of Jake. He could feel his lungs burning as he fought against his body's need for oxygen. He saw a dark shape move below him, and desperately swam towards it. It grabbed hold of what he thought was Jake and kicked out at the larger dark shape. His lungs were screaming for oxygen now, as he rapidly kicked towards the surface. Finally after what felt like a lifetime, he made it to the surface. The ice cold air stung his face. He was just about to start looking around for any sign of land, when several sets of hands grabbed him and pulled him out of the mucky depths.
Jack rushed towards the water's edge, desperately yelling at Danny, even though he knew it would have no affect. He ran down the river, following the current, hoping that Danny would surface. His heart skipped a beat when he saw people ahead of him pulling something out of the river. He sprinted towards the group, not knowing what he would find. He smiled with relief when he saw a wet and cold, but very much alive Danny Taylor clutching 7-year old Jake.
"Danny what the hell were you thinking?" Jack yelled out of fear and concern.
"U-mm, I-I," Danny stammered as he looked down.
"You could've got yourself killed!" Jack said as he nodded at the medics as they took Jake towards the ambulance.
"U-mm, I-I, I'm really sorry."
"Stay there," Jack growled as he stalked off.
Danny drew his knees up to his chest and buried his head in them as he leaned against the wall. Why had he fucked up? Why was he always fucking up? He had finally got a good job, and he had screwed up - like he always did. He heard a voice, it sounded like Jack but it couldn't be; it was gentle and concerned.
As Danny leaned forward Jack gently draped a blanket around his shoulders. "Are you all right?"
"I'm really sorry, Jack. I'm really sorry that I broke protocol. I just, I just had to do something. I couldn't let that bastard kill Jake. I'm really sorry," Danny mumbled an apology.
"It's all right Danny; sometimes protocol has to be broken. You just scared the hell out of me. That's all. What you did was against protocol but still incredibly brave. But next time; tell me before you do it." He watched Danny slowly nod. "Right. Let's get you up; your ride awaits you."
"What? Why do I need to go to hospital?" Danny exclaimed.
"I dunno. Maybe it has something to do with that you took a dip in the Hudson in November. Also I think Jake would like some company," Jack said with a smile. He helped Danny up and walked towards the waiting ambulance with him. He found a huge smile as he watched Danny talking to the terrified looking Jake and before he knew it, Danny had Jake laughing. Yes, Danny Taylor maybe hot-headed, but he was really special.
End of flashback.
"Jack, Jack"
Jack shook his head in an attempted to clear it was he heard someone yelling at him. He looked up to see a confused and scared looking Phil standing over him.
"Jack, what's happened? Where's Danny?"
"U-mm, he, he was fine and then he. . ."
"He what Jack?" Phil said cutting Jack off. "What the hell happened?"
"He, I was talking to him and then he started to cough up blood. They took him up to surgery again. I-I don't want happened, they're not telling me anything," Jack stammered as he raked his hands through his hair.
"Shit!" Phil swore. "Okay you stay there and I will try and find someone that will tell us what the hell's going on." He was just about walk out, when the door was opened and Danny was wheeled in. He gasped at the state of his young colleague. The dark circles under his eyes stood out in stark contrast to his skin that was so pale that it looked transparent. "What the hell happened? Is he going to be okay?" he demanded as he rested a gentle hand on Danny's forehead.
"We thought that we had got all of the bleeding but we hadn't" the doctor started.
"Is he going to be okay?"
Doctor's expression turned grim. "I have no idea. He's on a knife edge, I really don't know," he sighed. "He needs some kind of a miracle. If he makes it through the night, I may feel a little more optimistic."
"So you're basically saying he's dying," Jack said in a small lost voice, as he bit back the tears that threatened.
Phil watched the doctor nod and leave. "You heard him Jack. Danny needs a miracle. He needs his mom. We have to tell her."
Jack sighed. He wanted to wait until Danny had improved enough to make the decision, but unless a miracle happened Danny would never see another sunrise. "Okay, but you stay there. Talk to him, make sure he knows he's safe and he's not alone. Make sure he fights. Make sure he knows that I don't blame him and still has a place on my team."
"Of course. Go, we don't have time to hang around," Phil said as he sat next to Danny.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Jack paced up and down outside the small Manhattan safe house that Danielle Alvarez was residing in. He tried to figure out what and how he was going to tell Danielle about her son. How do you tell someone who thought her son died fifteen years ago that he was alive but who could well die before the end of the day? He bit his lip and leaned against the wall. He had to do it. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes as he knocked on the door. He had only waited a few moments before the door was opened but as far he was concerned it felt like hours.
"Agent. . . sorry Jack what are you doing here? Did you find your missing agent?" Danielle said as she opened the door.
"U-mm, ehh yes, yes we did," Jack stammered. He silently cursed. He was already falling apart and he hadn't even mentioned Danny yet, what was he going to do when he eventually told her about Danny.
"Sorry where are my manners, please come in," Danielle said. She looked Jack up and down as she tried to figure out why he was here. She sighed. It had to do with Marco. There was no other logical reason. "Do you want anything to drink?" She forced a smile, as she tried not to imagine what that animal had done to an FBI agent.
"U-mm, no I'm okay thank you," Jack said as he forced a small smile. "Danielle, I need to tell you something," he managed to blurt out.
"O. . .Okay," Danielle said slowly as she sank down on the couch, her eyes not leaving his disheveled form. "Did Marco do something? Because if he did, I am so sorry and I will do anything I can to help you."
Jack slowly looked up before he quickly looked away. "Y-Yes Marco. U-mm I don't know how to tell you this but, Marco u-mm he's dead."
Danielle felt as though her heart had skipped a beat. She didn't know what to do. She had spent years sadistically praying, wishing for her husband's dead and now it had happened, she felt. . .. she didn't know how she felt. She felt happy, relieved but strangely lost and sad at the same time. "Oh." She managed. "How did it happen?"
"I'm so sorry but it couldn't be avoided. He was shot when we were clearing a building," Jack explained as calmly and gently as he could.
"So he shot at you first?"
"Not at me personally but at my colleagues, yes."
"It doesn't sound like you had a choice," Danielle said calmly. She bit her lip as she felt her emotions being to get the better of her. Despite abusive bastard he had been, Marco had still been her husband. She had someone and now she had no one. "Was this anything to do with your missing agent?"
"Yes," Jack replied simply, not knowing what else to say.
"Are they okay?" Danielle asked, she wasn't particularly interested but it was a way of making conversation and avoiding the painful truth that she was now alone in this world.
"U-mm, u-mm he's alive but I need to talk to you about this," Jack said as he looked around the room - looking anywhere but at Danielle.
Danielle frowned. Why would Jack want to talk to her about his missing agent and why was he avoiding eye contact? "Okay," she said slowly.
"He's, u-mm there is no easy way to tell you this but, u-mm he's," Jack stammered.
"He's what Jack?"
"He is a member of my hand picked team and he's your son," Jack blurted out. He took a breath after realized that he'd finally said it. He looked up to see Danielle in a dazed shock as she tried to comprehend what he had just told her. But how could blame her? He had just told her that his missing agent was the son, who she believed was dead.
"No you're wrong; both of my sons are dead!" Danielle explained as she suddenly stood up and walked towards the window. "I don't know what you are trying to do, but both of my sons are dead!" She stared out at the cold, grey Manhattan morning. Jack didn't seem like the kind of person that would joke around, but both her sons were dead.
Jack sighed, as he slowly stood up and walked towards the window. "I know this is hard, but DNA confirms it. Danny is great young man. . .a great agent."
"Why are you doing this to me? My baby died when that bastard got drunk and drove our car fifteen years ago. Why are you doing this to me, Jack? Danny was my whole world," Danielle yelled as tears streamed down her face. "He was my whole world, Jack. And there isn't a day that goes passed when I don't miss him. But he's gone, my baby's gone."
Jack bit his lip as he handed over the DNA test results and Danny's FBI ID. "I don't know what happened fifteen years ago, but what I do know is that Danny is alive. He's on my team."
Danielle wiped her eyes as she was handed two items. She stared at them for a while as she tried to work what they were. The man in the photo was about twenty-five years old, but he had. . . he had Danny's eyes. It couldn't be true; her baby was murdered by that bastard fifteen years ago. She stared that the DNA report. It compared her DNA to the DNA of a Special Agent Danny Taylor. "I don't understand, I don't understand," she stammered. "This is comparing my DNA with a Danny Taylor."
"Danny changed his name to Taylor when he was eighteen," Jack explained.
"What? I don't understand, are you telling me, my baby is alive and a FBI agent?" Danielle asked as she still tried to grasp an understanding of the facts.
"Yes," Jack said with a slight smile. But his smile soon faded when he thought of Danny and the condition he was in.
"So he changed his name and he's alive."
"I guess he wanted to escape and start fresh," Jack suggested.
"Wait. You said he was the missing agent and you had found him. What happened? Did Marco hurt him? Is he okay? Can I see him?" Danielle said as she rapidly fired off questions.
Jack sighed and raked his hands through his disheveled hair. "U-mm, I think you should sit down," he suggested.
"No, you said he was alive. I want you tell me what's happened to my baby," Danielle demanded.
"He-he's, he was kidnapped by Marco. We got him back but. . ."
"But what?" Danielle yelled cutting Jack off. "You said he was alive. What aren't you telling me?"
"I really think that you should sit down."
"No, I really think you should tell me what the hell has happened to MY SON," Danielle yelled back.
"He's been hurt."
"H-How bad?" Danielle exclaimed.
"He's in a critical condition and his doctors aren't optimistic," Jack said sadly
Danielle put her hand over her mouth and collapsed onto the couch. "What's wrong with him? What did that bastard do to my sweet angel?" she said as tears began to stream down her face.
"He's been shot and beaten," Jack said quietly, as he sat down next to Danielle. "But he's Danny, he will pull through."
"Oh my poor baby! I should've protected when he was younger. I should've left that bastard years ago and then maybe none of this would've happened," Danielle cried, not even trying to stop the tears that streamed down her face now. "How bad is he hurt? Please, Jack, I need to know. He's my baby; he's all I have in the world. I need to see him, I want to help, and I want to look after him."
Jack slowly nodded as he tried to figure out how to tell a distraught Danielle, how badly hurt her dying son was. "He's very sick. . ."
"Please, Jack, I need to know how bad he is," Danielle pleaded.
Jack sighed and raked his hands through his hair again. "He's got a least six broken ribs, a punctured lung, pneumonia, a broken wrist, concussion and possible internal bleeding," he said as gently as possible. "They thought that they had got all of the internal bleeding but. . . they hadn't and a few hours ago he started bleeding internally again. Now they think they have got all this time but the extra surgery and trauma has significantly weakened him."
Danielle swallowed hard as she slowly digested the information. "Can I see him?" she asked in a small, lost voice.
"Of course," Jack replied. He stood up and held his hand out as he helped Danielle to her feet.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Phil stretched as he tried to work the clinks out of his back. In the hours he had sat there Danny, had remained completely unresponsive. The only thing that happened was that he had continued to deteriorate. He wished Jack would hurry up, with Danny's present condition he didn't know if he would be alive when his mother arrived. This was so unbelievably unfair. Danny had spent his life, living through hell and when it finally began to take a turn for the better -this happened. Hadn't he been through enough without this happening? Hadn't Danielle been through enough without this happening? He didn't, none of them wanted Danielle to go through the pain of losing her son all over again, but she was Danny's only hope. He reached forwards and took Danny's cold, limp hand.
"Hey kiddo. I don't know if you hear me, but if you can you've got to fight. Jack's gone to get your mom and she loves you Danny-boy, she really does. You've got to fight kiddo so the two of you can be reunited again." He sighed as the pale, unmoving figure remained unresponsive. He raked a hand through his hair as he tried to bite back tears. But he couldn't as he felt tears begin to stream down his face. He couldn't fight the feeling that this was all his fault.
He stumbled through the darkness. Everywhere he looked seemed darker that before. All he wanted was to be at peace, to escape this dark, pain ridden hell. Some thing made him turn, he felt himself shake with fear when his saw the monster before him. It was something that was usually reserved for horror movies, only this monster had his father's eyes. He tried to run away from it, but the monster's powerful claws knocked him down. He saw a beautiful bright white light and tried to crawl towards it, but the monster started to pull him back into the cold, dark corridors.
"Danny?" Phil said as the monitors began to scream. "Shit! Danny, no. No, you can't so this to me. Please Danny, come on kid fight it," Phil cried as he repeatedly hit the call button. "Danny you have to fight." He was so wrapped with concern over Danny that he didn't notice the medical team and that had swarmed in, until they pushed him backwards.
"What the hell's happening?" he yelled as he was pushed backwards.
He tried to run from the monster that persuaded him, but it was no good. Each turn he made ended in a dead end. He saw the beautiful white light and ran towards it; maybe it would lead him to freedom - away from this hell. But as he ran into the open space it erupted into flames. The scorching heat burned him. He span around as he looked for a means of escape but all he could see was fire and the monster.
Jack stood silently next to Danielle as the elevator made its slow journey towards the top floor. They had barely spoken a word since they had left the safe house, apart from when Danielle had asked him to drive faster. But he didn't blame, if was his girls, nothing would stop him from being there for them. "Are you okay?" he asked as the elevator door slid open.
"No, but he's my baby. But are you ever ready to see one of your babies in ICU in a critical condition," Danielle said sadly.
"I guess not," Jack replied quietly. He quickened his pace as he saw and heard the fury of activity in the direction of Danny's room. He was frozen to the stop when he reached the doorway and saw the medical team surrounding Danny. This couldn't be happening, Danny couldn't die. He stumbled as he was pushed roughly aside.
As soon as Danielle saw the scene, she felt her maternal instincts rushing back -nothing was going between her and her son. She pushed passed a group of people, not stopping until she reached her son. Tears started to stream down her face when she saw how pale her baby was. "Oh Danny, its okay I'm here, I'm going to look after you," she said as tears streamed down her face.
He curled up into a protective ball as the monster bore down on him and waited for the monster to land his killer blow. But it never happened. He slowly looked up to see the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. An angel was standing over him, she was talking to him but he couldn't make out the words. She bent down and gently stroked his hair. He leaned into the touch; he thought he knew this lady. He closed his eyes as she gently held. It was over, it was finally over.
CHAPTER 12
"It's okay, baby. It's okay. I'm here, I'm not going to let anyone hurt you," Danielle said softly as she continued to stroke Danny's hair. "I'm so sorry that I haven't always been there for you, but I'm here now and I'm never going to abandoned you again."
The room became silent as Danny's heart rate returned to normal. "Can someone tell me what just happened?" Phil asked in a much softer tone than he had previously used.
"I don't know," the doctor started. "I guess, well my guess, is that he had some kind of nightmare or panic attack. But because of his current condition his body can't take it. It's imperative that he remains calm."
"I'm staying here, I'm not leaving," Danielle said in a determined tone.
"I'm sorry ma'am but…"
"I'm his mother," Danielle said fiercely. "And there is no way I am leaving my son."
"Okay but as long as you don't disturb him, he really needs to rest," the doctor said quietly as he continued to check Danny's vitals.
"I won't, I just need to be here for him," Danielle said in a near whisper. She took Danny's hand in hers and gently squeezed it. "Don't you understand he's been through hell, he doesn't need to be alone."?
Phil watched the doctor leave the room. "Is there anything I can get you?" he asked softly.
"No thank you. Everything I have in the world is here," Danielle said as she desperately fought back the tears that threatened. "He's my whole world." She bit her lip as she continued to stroke Danny's hair gently.
"Of course, but if you need anything, anything at all please phone me," Phil said as he pressed his card into Danielle's hand. "Don't worry about what time it is."
"Thanks," Danielle said quietly.
Jack nodded as he watched Phil leave. He turned his attention back to Danny and Danielle. He swallowed hard when he saw the pain in Danielle's eyes, but who could blame her? He tried to put himself in her shoes. What if it was Hannah or Kate lying so deathly still in that hospital bed not Danny? What would he being doing? He sighed; he would be tearing his hair out and hunting the bastards down. But he had done that for Danny, so why didn't he feel any better? Danielle was obviously a very strong woman, but after the last couple of days she had been on an emotional rollercoaster. First she had been held hostage, then she had been rescued. She had found out her husband was dead and then she had found out her son, who she thought had died 15 years ago, was alive. And now this…
"Danielle, as Phil said, if there is anything you need. If there is anything we can do for you, please just tell us," Jack said softly as he approached her.
"You know…he was such an energetic kid," Danielle said in a near whisper.
"That does not surprise me," Jack replied softly
"I don't think he ever sat still for a minute and he was always moving in his sleep," Danielle said as she tried to bite back the tears that threatened as she watched the still, pale figure. "Do you have children, Jack?"
"Two girls."
"How old are they?"
"Two and six months," Jack replied.
"Such sweet ages and so nice to have them so close together in age. But they will always be your babies," Danielle said sadly as a tear ran down her face. "He will always be my baby."
Jack stood back and nodded sadly. He felt as though he had suddenly become mute as he struggled to come up with some comforting words – but found none. He couldn't even begin to imagine what Danielle had gone through and what she was continuing to go through. He knew if it had been one of his girls, he would be an emotional wreck.
"What's he like now, Jack? I missed so much of his life," Danielle said in an emotional whisper.
"You'd be very proud of him. He's an exceptional young man with a heart of gold," Jack said proudly. He paused briefly before he continued, as he tried to sum up Danny Taylor in a nutshell. "I had about fifty applications for the opening on my team and I chose Danny." He walked forward and rested a gentle hand on Danny's forehead. "And I have never regretted that decision. I doubt I ever will."
Danielle found a soft smile as she looked proudly at her son. "Is he still…"?
"Madly energetic? Yes, he seems have an endless supply of energy, which is never a good thing when we are stuck in the office doing paperwork," Jack said with a smile. "But useful if we have to go door to door on a 10 storey walk-up."
"He's so still… He's so pale," Danielle said in a small, lost voice.
"He's tough, he's going to just fine," Jack finished in a determined voice.
"But you heard what the doctor said…" Danielle said as tears began to fall uncontrollably down her face.
Jack walked over to Danielle and put a hesitate hand on her shoulder. "In the short time I have known Danny, I have learn a few things about him, one of which is that is stubborn and a fighter. He won't let this thing beat him, just you wait."
"I hope so Jack, I hope so. He's all I have. He can't die, I don't know what I would do if he does," Danielle said tearfully as she leant into Jack's touch.
"He can hear you, Danielle. Just talk to him, it helped him before. He knows that you won't hurt him. I think somehow he even knows, who you are," Jack said as he swallowed hard.
"What shall I say? I have seen him in fifteen years!" Danielle exclaimed. "I abandoned him Jack, I abandoned him. He must hate me. And now in his time of need, I don't know what to do. How appalling is that? I should know what to say, he's my baby and he needs help, but I just don't know what to say."
"Tell him how much you miss him. Tell him how much you love him. Just…" Jack paused for a moment. "Just talk to him Danielle; he needs to know he's not alone and that he's safe. He needs to hear your voice."
Danielle quietly nodded, as she wiped the tears from her face. She reached out and took Danny's hand in hers and gently kissed. "Baby I know you're scared, but you're safe know. He can never hurt you again. Please baby you have to wake up, there's lots of people, who are really worried about you."
Jack shifted nervously from one foot to the other. This was obviously a very private moment between a mother and her long lost son. He hated to break the moment. "U-mm Danielle, I-I was w- wondering…"
"Oh I'm so sorry Jack, I was so caught up with Danny that I forgot that you probably want to go him to your family," Danielle said as she took her eyes off Danny for a moment.
"Not if you don't want me to go. Danielle if you want me to stay I will be more that happy to stay with you."
"No, its okay, should be spending time with your family," Danielle said as she returned her glaze to her son.
"Only if you are sure, but please if you need anything; just call me. Don't worry about the time or however trivia you think it is."
"I will Jack and thank you for everything you have done for Danny."
"I would like to think that I helped, but I didn't, it was all him," Jack said with a smile. He walked forward and squeezed Danny's good shoulder. "Hey kiddo, I'm going to leave for the night, but your mom is going to be here, so you're not going to be alone." He sighed, when he got no response for the pale, unmoving figure. "I will be back tomorrow, Danny, but before I go, I just want you to know how proud I am of you. I'm going to talk to Olcyck tomorrow and tell him that you are a permanent member of my team." He gently ruffled Danny's hair before he turned to leave. "Danielle please, if there is anything you need, do not hesitate to phone any of us, no matter what the time is."
"I can't thank you enough, Jack. You and your team have already done so much for me, there is no way I will ever be able to repay you."
"There nothing that needs to be repaid, Danny just needs to wake up and get better," Jack said in a concerned voice. "But he will, Danielle. Don't you worry; he will get better," he added quickly as he saw Danielle's downcast expression.
"Thank you," Danielle whispered to the retreated figure. A lone tear streaked down her face as she turned her attention but to her fallen son. "Danny-baby, everything's going to okay, but you just have to fight." She gently squeezed his hand, and hoped for a response but got none.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
A thick mist surrounded him, but in the distance, he could see a soft light and heard a familiar voice. He somehow knew that he would be safe if he went towards them. But as he went towards them, the pain and confusion increased. He wanted to turn and flee the pain and confusion; to go back to the darkness where there was no pain or confusion, but something was stopping him. Despite the pain and confusing place he was being pulled to, was strangely confronting. He slowly opened his eyes and was met with a stark white room.
Danielle looked sadly at her son again. He hadn't shown any signs of improvement, but at least she could be thankful of one thing – he hadn't deteriorated. But there was something different this time, for the first time in 15 years she saw those beautiful brown eyes that she has so missed over those dark filled years.
"Danny?" she said, as she gently stroked his hair.
Danny frowned; this was the angel in his visions. Only this angel was his mother and she was dead, so this only could mean one thing, "Am I dead?" he asked in a hoarse weak whisper.
"What?" Danielle said as she carefully leant forward.
"I-I, d-don't understand mom, am I dead?" Danny asked again – trying to be louder this time. But the effort caused tears of pain to escape from his eyes.
"No baby, you're not dead," Danielle said leant forward and gently kissed his forehead. "You're in Mount Sinai hospital in New York. But you're going to be just fine, you just need to rest."
Danny nodded, he tried to stay awake a little longer, but he could already feel his eyes closing. He some how knew that with his mom by his side, everything was going to be okay, as he sank into a peaceful slumber.
Danielle wiped the tears from her eyes, but she couldn't stop them from falling. Her Danny, her baby boy, her sweet angel was alive and he recognised her. She knew he was still very sick and that he would remain weak for a while. But he was alive, and there was nothing that was going to stand in-between her looking after her precious Danny-boy. She gently rubbed his arm and kissed his forehead again. Her Danny was a fighter; he would beat this. Her prayers had been answered – she had been reunited with her son.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Over the next couple of days, Danny was in and out of it, but Danielle had barely left her son's side. She had lost him fifteen years ago and she couldn't bring herself to leave him. He was all she had. She couldn't describe how proud she was of him. Despite everything going against him, he had beaten the odds and had climbed out of the hole that Marco had created for them. She sighed, part of selfishly worried that when Danny became more aware of her surrounds, he would reject her – he wouldn't want anything to do with her. A single tear ran down her face as she stroked his hair. Althout he had improved, he was still giving the doctors cause for concern.
"Sweetie, it's okay. Baby, you're safe now," Danielle said, for what felt like the millionth time, but the words still hadn't lost any of their meaning. She waited for a response, but didn't expect one.
Danny slowly opened his eyes when he heard a familiar voice. He hadn't heard it for a long time, but the visions of the voice where surrounded in happiness and laughter. There was no fear or pain related to these images, with some effort he turned his head towards the voice and frowned. It couldn't be – he had to be dead. The bastard had killed her, despite his best efforts. "Mom?" he croaked.
Danielle jumped when she heard the weak, hoarse voice and found a set of unfocused eyes staring at her. "That's right, my sweet angel," she managed to say as she leant forward and gently stroked his cheek.
"W-Where, u-mm w-what. I-I don't understand," Danny stammered.
Danielle frowned for a second, as she tried to work out what her son was so confused about. "You're in a hospital in New York," she explained.
"B-But, but I don't understand. He-he said…you were dead. He-he said he-he had murdered you," Danny stammered, as he tried to make sense of things in his confused state.
"Oh Danny! I think he was going to, but your colleagues found me," Danielle said gently as she kissed his forehead. "Do you need anything?"
"I-I don't know," Danny stammered in a small, lost voice. "Water?"
"Of course, I'm so sorry." She gently supported his head as she a cup of water with a straw up to his mouth.
Danny took a long drink and moaned as the cool water soothed his dry throat. "So what happened?"
"What happened when?" Danielle asked, slightly confused by Danny's question.
"After the car crash, what happened? I was told that both of you died," Danny said. As tired as he was, he needed answers. He had spent most of his life believing his parents were dead and then, when he had just turned eighteen his father contacted him. At first, he thought it was a joke but then his father showed up. He changed his name in attempt to escape, but it was no good – he still found him. Then the bastard showed him a photo of his mother bound and beaten. That's when it started. He had no one to turn to. The only person who had ever cared about him was the one in danger. What choice did he have? He had to save her and so his life of blackmail began.
"I remember waking up at the hospital and Marco telling me we had to go. He had been drinking and he was sure the cops were after him. Then-then he told me…" Danielle stopped and swallowed hard. Even though she knew she Danny was alive, talking about the worse moment of her life was like re-living it. "Then he told me that you were dead. It was the worst moment of my life. I was so wrapped up in guilt and mourning that I barely noticed the weeks or months that passed. I never knew you were alive or that bastard was blackmailing you, until your boss Agent Malone told me a couple of days ago."
"I'm sorry," Danny said, as he felt a new wave of guilt sweep over him.
"You did nothing wrong, Danny, you were just a kid," Danielle reassured.
"I should've got you out before. I should've done something other than just pay him," Danny said in a slightly lost voice.
"You did everything you could. You climbed out of that hole that he created for us, and became a success. I'm so proud of you," Danielle said as ran a thumb across his cheekbone.
"But I'm not going to have a job after what happened. I mean Jack is never going to trust me, I doubt he did in the first place."
"That's not the impression I got. I saw a man who really cares about his team, and he definitely still wants you on his team," Danielle reassured.
"How do you know that? I mean, I-I, u-mm seriously he won't want me on his team after all this… I really like working on Jack's team but… after this. No I've lost the best job I ever had… but I don't regret it. I-I just wish I had told him before so-so I would've never got so attached to this job. But I've screwed up now. I-I…"
"Danny, listen to me," Danielle said as she took his hand in hers. "Jack thinks you are great. He really wants you on the team, but he wants to make sure you are totally recovered before you return to work."
"But…" Danny started.
"Danny, Viv, Phil and Jack all want you on the team," Danielle reassured.
"Okay… but… I still abandoned you-" Danny started but he was soon cut off.
"You never abandoned me, if it was anyone that did the abandoning it was me. I should've left him years ago. I-I should've left him as soon as I knew I was going to have you. Then maybe none of this would have happened. I should've always been there for you when you were a kid. The first time that bastard laid a finger on you, was the day I should've left him for good. I-I'm so sorry Danny," Danielle blurted out. Tears streamed down her face as she confessed her sins of the passed. Her guilt of staying in an abusive relationship, when her son was being abused as well.
"It's not your fault, I don't blame you," Danny said tiredly, but he really meant it, as slowly moved a hand up to touch her cheek.
Danielle held Danny's hand in both of hers and smiled in between the tears. "I'm so proud of you, I'm so proud of you," she repeated.
Danny smiled as he leant in to touch that he had felt in years… a touch that he had missed… a touch that he needed through the darks days. But she was here now and somehow, despite the pain, confusion and uncertainly that surrounded him, for the first time in since his childhood he felt safe. He wanted to stay wake and talk to her about the past, the present and more importantly the future but his body wasn't co-operating. "I love you mom," he managed to say as he fought against his closing eyes.
"I love you too Danny, but you just rest, we have the rest of our lives to talk," Danielle said as she ran a hand through his hair. "Just rest Danny, I will be here when you wake up, I promise." She smiled as she watched him let his body give into the battle against sleep. "I will always be here for you Danny, I will never abandon you again," she whispered to peacefully sleeping figure.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Several days later
"So do you know when you're getting sprung?" Phil asked as he wandered into the room.
"No not yet, I think they are talking about sometime next week," Danny said with a bored sigh. "I mean I'm fine, I don't need to be in here for another week!"
Phil sat down in the chair next to Danny and smirked. "I know you think you're fine, but these doctors know what they are talking about. So, until you tell me you've graduated med school, I'm going to go with what the doctors are saying."
"No you don't understand, my mom is so worried. When they told us they wanted to keep me here for at least another week, she almost started crying. I can't do this to her, Phil I can't," Danny exclaimed as he raked his hand through his hair.
"Danny listen to me okay, this is not your fault. You mom is worried about you because she is your mom and you know what I think she would terrified if you discharged yourself only to pass out later," Phil said firmly.
"I-I wasn't going to discharge myself, I just don't want her to worry."
"Sorry kid, she is always going to worry about you, and there's nothing you can do about it," Phil said with a smile.
"There's another thing; I never thanked you for what you did for me that day. I never thanked you for saving my life," Danny said quietly.
"You don't need to thank me, I was just doing my job and anyway that's what partners do. We watch each others' backs. You would've done the same thing," Phil replied.
"I guess, it's just… I dunno," Danny said in a small, lost voice as he stared as his hands for a while. He swallowed hard as he tried to regain his composure.
"Whatever's bothering you have to talk to someone about it okay?" Phil said gently. "You don't want it to mess you up. Please promise me that, you will talk to someone."
"Yeah, I will," Danny replied with a slight nervous smile. He took a breath a he tried to process his thoughts and emotions. "You know that was the first time I've in a helicopter. In fact it was the first time I've flown," he said suddenly changing the subject.
Sensing that Danny didn't want to talk him or his emotions anymore, he followed Danny's lead and stayed with new topic. "Seriously? You've never flown before that chopper ride?" he exclaimed with a raised eyebrow.
"Yeah, I didn't have much when I was a kid and when we moved up to New York, Rafi drove us. It's just pity I will never remember that flight," Danny said sadly.
"I dunno if you're interested but I can fly. I have my pilot's license and one of my friends upstate has a plane, so if you're interested and when you are feeling up to it, I can take you up," Phil suggested.
Danny grinned, "That would be great!"
"How long have you had your licence? How many flight hours do you have? And how many times is that plane serviced?" Danielle demanded as she walked into the room. She crossed the room and laid a gentle kiss on Danny's forehead.
"U-mm, ehh I've had the licence since I was 21, I have several hundred hours flight time and my friend's plane is serviced every six months," Phil stammered nervously as he looked at his feet.
"Well I will see about that!" Danielle said sharply before she turned her attention back to Danny. "Is there anything you need?"
"No. I'm good."
"Well I'm going across the street to get some food, where I'm going to get you some food."
"Mom, I'm fine," Danny whined
"Don't mom me, you're too skinny and you need to eat if you want to recover," Danielle replied firmly. She squeezed his hand, before she headed out of the room. "Oh and Agent Glanville we will be talking about the flying later."
"Y-Yes ma'am," Phil stammered. He heard the door close and glared at the sniggering figure. "What's so funny?" he growled.
"Nothing, just I can't believe the `big scary ex-DELTA force, ex-SWAT Phil Glanville' is scared of my little mom," Danny chucked.
"Your `little mom' is one scary, protective lady; I wouldn't want to cross her especially if it has anything to do with you." Phil paused and smiled before adding, "I will have you know Jack is terrified of your mom. An official from DC tells him what to do and he will roll his eyes and say yes ssirrrrr. Your mom walks in, and he's almost standing to attention, `yes ma'am no ma'am'. It's quite funny."
Danny grinned. "So are you going take me flying, or are you going to run and hide from my mom?" he joked.
"Yeah I will, but I will just tell her about the time Jack didn't wait for backup a few weeks ago. You know the time when we stormed that building full of arms dealers, that should sort them for a while," Phil said with an evil grin.
"True but we may come back to find a barbequed Jack," Danny laughed.
Phil smiled, he was so relived to see Danny smiling and joking. "But seriously Danny if you wanna go up and have a buzz around, no problem, I will set it up."
"That would be really great," Danny replied. "That would be really great," he repeated in a near whisper. He didn't think Phil knew how much it meant to him. How much they all meant to him. For the first time in his life he had people that cared about him. He had people that actually give a shit about him. To begin with it, he didn't understand, it disturbed him. But now, he found it comforting.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Several days later
Jack leant back in his chair and smiled. He had finally, after dealing with too many pencil-pushing maggots, sorted everything out. Danielle was going to be allowed to stay in the US. She was going to be allowed to live a free life with her son. Danny was going to make a full recovery. In fact he was going to be discharged or `released' as he called it, from the hospital in a few days, he had a couple of weeks recovering at home before he was going to allowed back to work. It would be a while before he was fully fit again, but considering what could've happened… what so nearly happened, they were lucky… very lucky. He smiled again when he thought about the bond that had grown between Phil and Danny. He didn't know what had transpired in that warehouse, he was curious but he didn't really care. All he knew was that Danny and Phil had developed a younger/older sibling relationship. They joked around, but Phil was seriously protective of his `younger brother'. He sighed as he shuffled the paper together and headed out towards the hospital, this was one piece of news that he really wanted to give.
"Mom, I'm fine. I promise you, I'm fine," Danny whined at the hospital. Although he was being finally released from the hospital in a couple of days he was developing a serious case of cabin fever.
"I know you are, but I don't want to jeopardise that. I what to make sure you are as fit and healthy as possible," Danielle said in a slightly quiet and lost voice.
"Mom, what's the matter?" Danny asked as he picked up on the tone of her voice. She had become quieter and more reserved recently.
"Oh nothing, Danny nothing you need to worry yourself about," Danielle said as she forced herself to remain upbeat.
"It's not nothing, please tell me," Danny pleaded.
"I don't want you to worry."
"But I am, so please tell me, so I see if there is anything I can do."
Danielle sighed, but forced a smile. "Well you know I was never a US citizen, nor was Marco. I forced him to take me the states each time was due to give birth, just so you and Rafi could be American. So you could have a chance of life and not be trapped. I wanted to make sure that you were legal here and so they couldn't send you back. But now immigration are catching up with me and its only a matter of time before they catch up with me," she said, finishing in a near whisper.
"B-But there has to be something I can do," Danny said in a panicked tone. "There has to be… you can't go mom. I spent fifteen years apart from you, you can't go now."
"Danny, Danny take it easy, okay," Danielle said gently as she gently laid a hand on his arm. "I really don't want to go, but I don't want to jeopardise your career. So thing it would best for you in the long run, not to fight immigration and just go."
"No mom no, you can't. You can't leave me, please don't leave me," Danny pleaded as tears began to stream down his face.
"Danny it's going to okay, you're going to be okay. You have to believe me when I say this, but I really don't want to leave you, I really don't but I don't have a choice," Danielle whispered.
"Its just I thought that you would stay here. I thought that we could…. I dunno, I j-just thought that would get to know what it felt like to have a proper family. I-I don't, I'm there is something I could do, please there has to be something I can do," Danny pleaded as squeezed her hand.
"Danny you need to relax okay? This is not going to help your recovery if you get stressed like this."
"B-But how can I not, mom? You're being forced to leave, there has to be something I can do…"
"Relax," Jack growled as he walked into the room holding the file.
"How can I relax Jack, where my mom is about to be deported?" Danny shot back.
"Because she is not being deported," Jack counted.
"What?!" Danny and Danielle said together, in a mixture of shock and confusion.
"I have spoken to immigration," Jack said, "in Washington. Anyway I have sorted it, and you are free to stay in the US. You just have sign a couple of pieces of paper and you are US resident," he finished with a smile.
"What? I am sorry," Danielle apologised. "Thank you for all that you have done. But how did you do that?"
"I smiled," Jack said with a smile. "Seriously; you cooperated with the FBI and helped bring down a major terrorist cell operating in the US. You helped bring down a major drug trafficking outfit. You helped us find a kidnapped FBI agent, it's the least we could do. With a son as a FBI agent, myself and the rest of the team as sponsors, and your services to the US, citizenship will be fairly easy," he explained as he handed the papers over.
Danny looked between Jack and his mother. "I-I don't understand, u- mm thanks, I-I don't know what to say," he stammered.
"You don't need to thank me," Jack said as he continued to smile.
"I don't think I will ever be able to thank you enough," Danielle said as she handed the forms back to Jack. "I know what you said, but I can't thank you enough. I mean now I can spend time with Danny. I can, I can, I have freedom," she finished in near tears.
Danny took her hand in his and squeezed it. "Thank you Jack. Oh there's another thing, you know I am being released in a couple, well I really thing…"
"Forget it," Jack said cutting Danny off.
"But don't know what I was about to say," Danny started again.
"Yeah I do, something about – `I know more than doctors, I don't need those couple of weeks at home recovering, in fact I am so fine I can go to work now," Jack said with a knowing smile.
"But I am fine!" Danny explained as he rolled his eyes.
"Danny!" Jack warned. "Anyway, I've got to get these papers to immigration, but I will probably see you later. Danny – behave!"
Danielle watched the retreating figure close the room before she turned her attention back to her son. She was still shaking… it was dream come true. All she had ever wanted was to have to freedom for herself and Danny – and now it had finally been granted. "When we get back to the apartment, I'm going to cook you a decent meal and put some meat on those bones of yours. And then I'm going to find you a nice girlfriend, so you can a wife and I can have grandchildren…."
Danny lazily smiled as he listened his mom plan his future. Most people his age would hate it, but he, Danny Taylor loved it. He finally after a lifetime of dreaming and searching he had finally found his mom.
THE END