by Laura Acton
“I will always cherish you. If you ever need me, I’m only a call away.” Her own nightmare flittered back to mind. “We’re connected on a level I can’t explain. I dreamed you were in trouble, a black tentacle tried to overtake you. I’ll always be here to keep the chilling darkness at bay … to bring you light.”
Surfacing from quiet and pain-free oblivion, Dan drifted in a world of make-believe where his beauty sang to him and professed her love, promising to cherish him as her magic fingers reduced the throbbing in his head with a mere touch. Craving a glimpse of her lovely face, he blinked open his eyelids, only to have bright light become shards of glass stabbing into his brain. The intense wave of pain caused him to groan and squeeze his lids shut.
Startled by Dan’s distress upon opening his eyes, Lexa reached for the call button. “What hurts?”
“Head … migraine,” he ground out between clenched teeth.
Lexa flicked off the overhead lamp, recalling Dan occasionally suffered from trauma triggered migraines. That on top of the grade-three concussion from the blast must be compounding his agony. She lowered her voice to a whisper, “Lights are off now. Pain level? Nausea?”
“Ten, no,” Dan answered, in no shape to deflect and unsure if the voice belonged to Lexa or he was hallucinating again. Dan ventured to lift his lashes a fraction and focus on the woman beside him. “Lexa, is that really you?”
“Yes. I’m here. Close your eyes. Relax. Your nurse will be here soon.” Lexa continued to stroke his head, offering him minor relief.
Complying yet wondering how Lexa could be here when the image of Loki lying on the floor and bleeding out invaded his mind. His eyes shot open and locked on Lexa’s in the dim room. The agony of the migraine nothing in comparison to the excruciating grief filling his heart and soul. I lost another brother.
Reading the soul-deep sorrow in the sapphire orbs, Lexa understood Dan’s thought without him saying anything at all. “Loki is alive. He is down the hall. Ray is with him.” Lexa’s concern ratcheted up when Dan only stared. “Breathe. Dan, breathe.”
Dan inhaled a shuddering breath, unaware until that moment his lungs had seized. “He’s alive?”
“Yes. I wouldn’t lie to you.” When his nurse arrived, Lexa relayed, “Dan’s hurting bad. Level ten, migraine, but not experiencing nausea.”
“I’ll be right back with pain meds.” Stacy hurried out, returning a short time later to inject the meds into the IV port. “This should help. I’m going to take your vitals now.” Stacy moved with efficiency. A few moments later, she smiled at Dan’s teammate. “His temp is down another degree.”
Lexa massaged Dan’s scalp with gentle strokes, hoping to help him control his pain while waiting for the medication to take him into a cocoon of respite. When his breathing evened out, she released a long sigh as her thoughts returned to what she said before he woke. My heart is yours. It will never be anyone else’s … but I must release you because you deserve better than me.
Hospital – Scott’s Room – 8:25 p.m.
Zach propped his feet on the end of Scott’s bed and inhaled the aroma of the hot brew which every Broderick thrived on. As his older cousin continued to snooze, his mind swirled with what he overheard. He had gone down to grab a fresh cup when he caught singing emanating from Dan’s room. Though Mom would be upset with him for eavesdropping, he couldn’t bring himself to be sorry for his poor manners. Lexa loves Dan. There is still hope for those two.
Coughing pulled Zach out of his thoughts, he stood and poured some water for Scott, aware his cousin would need the cooling liquid to soothe his raw throat. He waited until the fit stopped and offered him the plastic cup. “Geez, you sound awful … maybe worse than yesterday.”
Scott scowled, but with no heat. “Thanks,” came out in a rough wheeze.
Zach took the glass and set it on the rolling table before resuming his seat. Comprehending Scott’s first question upon waking, the same one each time he roused, Zach preempted him by offering the latest news. “Dan’s fever is continuing to go down, and they’ve ruled out MRSA, but there is still the potential the Staph infection got into his bone. We’re in a holding pattern, and they’ll retest him in a couple of days. He’s sleeping, which is best for now.
“Loki is doing as well as can be expected, in guarded condition, and they are monitoring him closely since the weather is preventing me from flying anyone out. He has not woken yet, but Dr. Pastore isn’t concerned. His body endured significant trauma. Everyone got some sleep, and I even spoke with Lily a few hours ago.”
Scott grimaced and rasped out, “How much trouble am I in?”
Zach laughed at Scott’s expression of dread. “Not as much as you might think. I told her everything. How you had no choice but to go into the storm to save Dan’s life. That won you lots of points with her.”
“So, she is not mad?” Scott asked tentatively.
“Oh, I didn’t say that. You still gotta fix some fence posts yourself.”
Sighing, Scott pressed his head into the pillow and closed his eyes. “At least I still have a fence to mend. I didn’t like omitting things, but I didn’t want her to worry when there was nothing she could do.”
“You don’t need to convince me. I understand, but you should give Lily more credit. She’s strong like all Broderick women.”
After coughing a bit more, Scott said, “Yeah, but I’ve never been in a situation like this. Guess Dan’s methods rubbed off on me.”
Zach chuckled again. “Dan’s a master at deflection. The lengths he went to when he rehabbed his lungs initiated us to his penchant for downplaying his condition.” Zach dropped his head for a moment before raising it and meeting Scott’s gaze. “I also spoke with Uncle Will this afternoon.”
Scott eyed his cousin. Zach’s tone and expression implied he wouldn’t like what he would share. “And?”
Zach gathered the courage to speak. “I told Uncle Will and Lily that Dan thought Minna was Lexa and how Lexa broke his heart. I’m sorry I broke the confidence, but it made me so angry I almost yelled at Lexa for being an insensitive witch. I did realize I’d make things worse, so I talked to them to help me calm down before doing something I would regret.”
Scott’s first reaction was irritation, but as Zach explained, he understood why his younger cousin sought advice and appreciated his level-headed approach. “What did they say?”
“Uncle Will surprised me. He already knew they dated and broke up. Did you know Dan was recalled?
“No! When?” Scott’s eyes rounded with surprise.
“In late May right after Lexa called it quits, and the dirty cops beat the shit out of Dan. I thought he stayed with Aunt Yvonne and Bella at Lake Louise the whole time. But apparently, Uncle Will recalled Dan for a special assignment, and he spent several weeks in Kandahar.”
“Wow, Dan never said a thing about it to me.”
Zach continued, “Uncle Will suggested we bring Dan home to recuperate, particularly if he is hallucinating about Lexa. He’s worried it will cause problems for Dan if his teammates suspect he still possesses feelings for her. I found his demeanor strange, almost as if he was angry with Dan’s teammates, and detected bitterness in his voice when he said, ‘Daniel’s team.’ I asked him why, but he wouldn’t elaborate.”
Scott wondered too, but did not ask since Zach had gotten no answer.
“Your parents and Dan’s, along with my mom, Aunt Kim, and Lily, all discussed him coming home. It got rather loud. Dan’s mom thought it best if he went back with his team, but Uncle Will became adamant Dan stay at their place. Lily won out, though. She believes you two should recuperate together. When the weather clears, I’ll be flying you guys to Ottawa, and Dan will be staying at your house after you’re released from the hospital.”
“What about Loki?” Scott asked.
“My buddy Heath, the one who flew the medical team to the RCMP substation, will be taking Loki and the others back to Toronto.”
Scott began
another hacking session, which by the time it finished, left him wrung out and limp, like an old dishrag. “Okay.”
Zach rose and patted Scott’s shoulder. “Go back to sleep. I’m going to peek in on Dan before rechecking weather conditions to determine when we can blow this joint.”
“Don’t use that slang, Zach. This place has been blown up enough,” Scott quipped as sleep dragged him back down before Zach could respond.
Hospital – Hallway – 7:35 p.m.
Grinning, Zach entered the hall, glad Scott had not become upset with him for talking to Lily and Uncle Will. Lily’s advice to butt out of Dan’s love life had been quite helpful. Whatever might be between Dan’s heart and Lexa’s belonged to those two to sort out. They didn’t need, nor would appreciate, others sticking their noses into their relationship.
Lily also reminded him Lexa is a fantastic person, and if Dan and Lexa ever resumed dating or someday married, Zach wouldn’t want his actions to be an impediment or to cast a shadow over his relationship with either Dan or Lexa. He was thankful he pretended like he knew absolutely nothing of their involvement and treated Lexa as he always had this afternoon because his little eavesdropping confirmed both hearts still yearned for each other.
Stopping near Dan’s door, Zach listened for voices within, not wanting to disturb anyone visiting his cousin. Hearing soft humming, a grin formed, and he peeked through the slightly ajar door. Silently he backed away before heading for the stairs. He would give Lexa and Dan as much alone time as possible. Perhaps he might engage Bram, Jon, and Nick in a game of cards since Ray spent all his time in Loki’s room.
Hospital – Dan’s Room – 8:40 p.m.
Waking to the sound of Lexa humming softly, his pain not quite as intense as before, and his situational awareness much improved, Dan chose to maintain stealth mode, wanting her to continue. He soaked up her touch, embarrassed by his need, yet willing to do anything to receive something he craved. He listened as she began to sing an unfamiliar melody, and her hauntingly sad words went straight to his heart.
“Passionate sapphire eyes intrigued me from the start.
I never believed anyone would capture my heart.
You waltzed into my life, with all your charms.
Your tender smile drew me into your arms.
Coldly, I pushed you away, afraid you’d depart.
You did, now my world is broken, torn apart.
With you, the stars always shined so bright.
Without you, my soul yearns every night.
No matter the arrows or the sorrows.
I love you beyond all tomorrows.”
Though vague, things Lexa said when he woke earlier floated in and mixed with her lyrics. Hope flared in Dan’s heart but shattered when he recalled her remark about children. They never discussed kids. Their relationship had not progressed that far, and now he didn’t know what she meant.
Does she not want kids? The memory of Lexa being shot on the rooftop of the BCD hangout rolled in, bringing another possibility and a ton of guilt. One of the bullets hit her abdomen. The doctor wanted to talk to Boss in private after her surgery. What if it did more internal damage than she told us? If she can’t have kids now, it’s my fault. I failed to protect her.
The speed at which his emotions switched would’ve left him dizzy if he were standing. She still loves me and also believes we are connected? The last two lines of her refrain, as she repeated them, stoked the flames of his hope. Lexa isn’t abandoning me. If she doesn’t want children, I can live with that … and if she does, and can’t, we can always adopt.
Dan’s mind raced ahead at lighting speed until he slammed into a wall—the team and protocol. They were still barriers to being with Lexa. He recognized he was not ready to start over … at least not quite yet. A strategy began to form. Best friends would be a starting place. He would build on their connection, and be there whenever she needed him.
He had a new mission. One which required effort and making sacrifices for the love of his life, but he was willing to die for his beauty, so why not transfer teams. No matter the arrows or the sorrows, I’ll love Lexa for all my tomorrows.
She continued to stroke his hair well after her song faded away into silence. Dan relished her gentle touch, and it helped lessen the aching in his head. He wanted information on Loki, so he allowed his body to stir, alerting Lexa to his waking. Releasing a soft sigh, he blinked open his eyes. When she jerked away, he pleaded, “Please, don’t stop, feels good.”
Lexa stared down at Dan, wondering yet again if he overheard her. She searched his eyes and only noted pain. “How is your pain level now?” Returning her hand to his scalp, she combed through his golden hair.
“Bearable. Meds must be strong.”
“They are.”
“How is Loki? And Scott?” Dan let his lids to slide to half-mast since dim light still increased his pain.
Lexa launched into an update on all injured parties, with a slight smile on her face, happy Dan allowed her to offer him comfort her heart so desperately wished to give him.
Fully recharged, Brody floated beside Kaitlin wearing a broad grin. “The connection between their hearts is undeniable.”
Lexa’s mother smiled. “Yes. Their love will fill their tomorrows when both are ready to release past hurts.”
Brody recognized something in Dan’s eyes … a change when he gazed at Lexa when he woke. “I think Danny’s closer to that than Lexa.”
“Perhaps.” Kaitlin settled a hand on her daughter’s shoulder and whispered, “Believe in your heart, my girl. It will never steer you wrong.”
Dreams, Angels, and Reality
52
November 25
Hospital – Loki’s Room – 9:05 p.m.
Monstrous trees loomed above him, casting menacing shadows as Loki crawled through a knee-deep snowbank, desperately searching for Dan. He must find him before they both froze to death, but his limbs kept sinking into the freezing white powder. The non-stop snow from above piled on his back, threatening to entomb him. Adrift in the blizzard, his teammate nowhere to be found, Loki called for his brother, the man who he trusted with his whole heart in every situation, “Ray, help me.”
Bolting out of his chair at Loki’s hoarse and weak cry, Ray stood by Loki’s bedside, his heart beating a rapid tempo as he gripped his brother’s hand. “I’m here, Loki. Right here. You’re safe.”
With a herculean effort, Loki lifted ice-crusted lashes a fraction of an inch as his head turned towards Ray’s steady and smooth timbre. His voice rusty, Loki pleaded, “Find Dan. He’s hurt. Lost in snow.”
“Hey, bro, relax. You’re not in the storm. You’re in a hospital. Dan’s here too. You both are safe. The Bartons are dead.”
Realizing Loki might be confused, Ray slowed down and reiterated what appeared to be most critical to his best friend. “Dan’s safe. You saved him, and I’m here to take care of you now.”
The swirling tempest chilled Loki to the bone as he opened his eyes wider. He shivered as he struggled to focus on Ray through the whiteness. “Safe?”
“Yes, brother. Safe.” Ray pulled a second blanket over Loki’s shaking body.
Loki’s throat begged for moisture. “Water.”
“Um. I’m not sure you can have any yet.” Ray clicked the call button, remembering the staff wanted him to alert them the moment Loki regained consciousness. “Your nurse will be here in a moment, and I’ll ask.”
Befuddled by his incongruent surroundings, in the middle of a blizzard, yet not at the same time, Loki rasped, “Dreaming?”
“What?”
“You … here … ‘magin?”
Ray blinked but noted Loki’s puzzled mien. “I’m real flesh and blood, though a little less of the last. You scared the crap out of me. I thought I lost you, brother. It was close. Too damned close. We’re truly brothers now. My blood is flowing in your veins,” Ray rambled, thrilled Loki finally woke, but he halted as Tori and Yasmin entered.
“He asked for water,” Ray said as he moved to the foot of the bed, allowing Tori to take his place to do her checks of Loki’s vitals.
“He’s still nothing by mouth. I’ll grab some glycerin swabs in a moment. You’ll be able to moisten Loki’s lips, but nothing more.” Tori checked Loki’s TPR, noting his temperature, pulse, respiration, and O2 saturation.
“Are you in pain?” Yasmin examined the IV location.
Loki’s eyes followed Ray, noting the room’s features as swirling snowflakes dissolved. Craig Hospital. Noah tried to kill us. Fragments of memories began to coalesce, but before he formed an answer for Yasmin, the comforting embrace of his father’s arm around his shoulder drew him back into a world of respite. Together they walked through Donata’s family’s vineyards, the gentle breeze fragrant with grapes on the vine, sunshine warming him, and the soft grass and earth cushioning his feet … Heaven.
“Is that normal?” Ray’s worry spiked when Loki didn’t respond.
“Yes. Don’t expect him to be awake for more than a few moments each time. His body experienced massive trauma, and sleep is best for now.” Tori inflated the cuff to take Loki’s blood pressure.
Bram stopped in the doorway, having come upstairs to gather Ray and Lexa. Keeping his voice soft, he said, “Hey, Ray.”
“What?” He turned to Bram.
“Boss needs us downstairs for a meeting with Captain Tadman.”
“Do I need to go?
“Yes, sorry, we shouldn’t be too long.”
“I don’t want to miss the next time Loki wakes.”
“He woke before?” Bram moved into the room.
“Yeah, briefly. Mostly confused. He wanted me to find Dan in the snow. I told him everyone is safe, and I’m here, so I don’t want to leave him alone.”
