claimed

CLAIMED
part five
by Saimone

     How long the pair sat together in that room, they did not know; nor did they care. It could have been minutes, it could have been hours or any time in between. Darren cried himself dry, letting all the fear, grief, and stress of the day slowly seep out of him. Daniel cried a bit, too, as he continued to hold his sobbing friend close, grateful that Fate had not chosen to take Darren away from them. When there were no more tears to cry, Darren found himself too tired and weak to move from the protective circle of Daniel's arms. Daniel, sensing this, briefly tightened his hold on Darren before slowly letting go.

     Gently, Daniel eased Darren's tired body back to lie down on the bed. He could see that Darren was fighting sleep for all he was worth, struggling to keep his eyes open.

     "Go to sleep, ya fool. Stop fighting it..." Daniel told him, not unkindly. With a small smile, Darren settled back and let his eyes slip closed, finally giving into sleep's call.

     Daniel had just gotten up off of the bed when he noticed that Darren had started shivering in his sleep. Quickly, he grabbed and straightened the blankets, tucking them over Darren's trembling shoulders. "No wonder he's cold..." Daniel mused, "Paper-thin hospital gowns aren't exactly thermal."

     With Darren securely tucked in, Daniel walked over to a chair by the window and sat down. He alternated between watching over Darren's sleeping form and glancing out the darkened window. The darkness outside had surprised him. Daniel had expected it to be mid-afternoon, not late evening. He looked at his watch; it was already after 8 o' clock. He and the others had been at the hospital for nearly eleven hours. He sighed and settled back in anticipation of a long night. Daniel was about to drift off to sleep when Karl poked his head in the room and looked around cautiously.

     "Dan?" he wispered.

     Daniel immediately jerked himeslf awake. "Wha...?" he managed, his voice also low.

     "Are you two okay?" Trust Karl to be blunt.

     Daniel straightened in his chair and streched to loosen his stiff muscles--hospital floors and hard plastic chairs did not do wonders for the back and spine, he noted. Then he looked blearily at Karl and replied, "Guess so."

     Karl seemed satisfied. "Alright. Anna Maria wanted someone to come check on the both of you. With Daz asleep we're going to go out and grab some real food. You comin'?"

     "I don't think so, mate... I'd best stay here with him. You go on ahead, though."

     "You sure?"

     "Yeah."

     "Okay...Do you want us to bring anything back for you?"

     "That'd be great. Don't care what you get, anything'll do."

     "Sure thing. We'll be back in a bit."

     "Thanks, man."

     "No prob. Go back to sleep," Karl laughed, backing out of the doorway.

     Daniel chuckled lightly, then looked over to make sure Darren hadn't been awakened by the exchange. He hadn't. Daniel got up from his chair and wandered quietly over to the bedside, as if magnetically drawn. He stared silently at Darren's peacefully sleeping form. Reaching down, he gently brushed a few strands of Darren's hair out of his face.

     Darren seemed to sense the warmth of Daniel's hand because he stirred slightly and leaned into Daniel's palm. Daniel let his hand linger for a moment then withdrew. He smiled as Darren sighed in his sleep and slightly frowned at the loss. A small smile formed on Daniel's face, too--sometimes Darren was just too "Darrenish" for words. The smile immediately faded as he thought about the early morning accident. The outcome could have been so different...Losing Darren would have been so easy.

     Though, logically, Daniel knew Darren was a very strong person, there were times when the man seemed so breakable, as if he were made of spun glass. Delicate and beautiful...

     Daniel sighed and retreated back to his chair--he hadn't allowed himself to think like this in a long time. Once he got started it was generally hard to stop. Daniel knew he cared deeply for Darren, how deeply though, he found it hard to determine. There was a thin line between a friendship as close as the one he and Darren shared, and the feelings of something more. Something deeper. For Daniel, that line had blurred a long tome ago and he could no longer eaisly discern between the two; his love for Darren as a friend and his LOVE for Darren as a...Well, as a what he really didn't know, but he did know that he truly loved Darren. His best friend. His presumably straight best friend.

     Life was such an unfair bitch.

     Daniel flung himself down in the chair and silently cursed the day. The emotional turmoil that Daniel was feeling now was a direct result of the morning's near-tragedy. The mere thought of Darren dying loosened Daniel's tenuous grip on his locked away feelings, allowing them to rise to the forefront of his mind.

     He let himself dwell on his feelings for all of two minutes before viciously clamping down on his thoughts. Daniel forced himself to look out the darkened window then around the room to try and find something else to think about. His attention was immediately snared by the door of the room; it was slowly and silently opening. Quietly, Nurse Boyd silpped into the room carrying a blanket. She walked over to Daniel and draped the blanket over the back of his chair. He glanced up at her, questioningly.

     "For you," she said in answer to his unspoken question. "I figured that you wouldn't be leaving him tonight, after visiting hours are up, so I took the liberty and have arranged for a cot to be brought to this room. This may be a single room, but I think we can manage to squeeze the thing in here."

     "Thank you," Daniel replied. "I'm glad you did this, though I hope I'm not causing any problems."

     Nurse Boyd shook her head. "Don't worry--you're not." She glanced over at Darren, lying peacefully asleep. "Having him here has stirred up some trouble, though..."

     "What do you mean?" Daniel was alarmed.

     "There was quite a media lineup earlier today, after it was announced that he was brought here. They were insistant, but our staff--some of the burlier male portion of out staff--did an excellent job of getting rid of them."

     "I'm so sorry about that. The press is like that and Darren is quite the public figure."

     "So I gathered. Don't worry about it, or him; he'll be fine here. Safe, too, seeing as this is the VIP restricted wing."

     Daniel nodded. "I can't thank you enough for what you and the doctors have done for him. And for all you've done to help the rest of the group as well."

     "You're thanking the wrong person, but you're very welcome regardless, hon." Nurse Boyd replied as she went to give a cloce inspection to Darren. She looked back over at Daniel. "I'm glad he's sleeping. He'll need the rest for tomorrow, its going to be rough."

     Daniel was confused and more than a trifle worried by this unexpected prediction. "How so?"

     "He spent most of today unconscious, numb, and sedated. Tomorrow he comes off the sedatives in the IV. He's going to be stiff and sore and feel like he's one giant bruise. He'll be in no little pain and it wont be pretty."

     "That doesn't sound pleasant." Daniel agreed with a grimace. He joined the nurse by the bedside.

     "Its not going to be. Plus, the local police are going to want to get a statement from him. An officer was here around noon wanting to talk with him, but he hadn't regained consciousness yet."

     Daniel's brows creased in a worried frown. "Why do the cops want to talk to Darren?"

     "The taxi driver was killed in the accident and Mr. Hayes was harmed. The police will need his side of the story since he is the surviving, sober witness. He might even be needed to testify against the drunk driver in court when the time comes up, though I highly doubt it concidering your schedule. But it's best to be prepared."

     "What happened to the man that was driving the other car?"

     The nurse's calm features clouded over. "He escaped from the accident realitively unharmed. A medic checked him over and released him to the police on sight. It was mostly scrapes and bruises, that's it."

     The sparkling green of Daniel's eyes turned dark emerald with anger. "I should be glad that two lives were not needlessly lost today, I should be glad that there is one less patient in the hospital," he began. "But it seems so fucking unfair that the innocent one died and the other innocent wound up here. That man--that godddamn drunk bastard--killed someone and landed my best friend in the hospital and didn't even get a scratch on him!" By this time, his voice had lowered to a lethal hiss.

     Nurse Boyd put a restraining, comforting hand on his shoulder. "I know, we see it here everyday. Life doesn't play fair. But you should be thankful that your friend wasn't killed. Concentrate on that, not the bitterness."

     Daniel was seething. "Oh, I am thankful. I am grateful. But I can't stop thinking about the 'what ifs.' If that man had taken Darren's life..."

     "But he didn't. Your friend is alive Mr Jones. Alive. He could have been killed, yes, but he wasn't. He will be fine, but you are going to have to support and help him get better and you need to think positively for that. You can't be of any help to him when you are angry and bitter."

     Daniel didn't say anything, so Nurse Boyd continued, "What you are feeling is perfectly natural. You've all had quite a scare today, but the worst of it is over. So let the anger out and pull yourself together, for his sake," she gestured towards Darren then looked Daniel straight in the eyes and finished, "For his sake, and your own."

     She was right. Daniel knew she was right and he hung his head as he felt the anger slowly begin to drain out of him. It didn't completely leave, but it diminished enough to leave him tired and repentant.

     Though the entire conversation between him and Nurse Boyd took place in voices no more than whispers it seemed as if Darren, in his sleep, could sense something amiss. It was then that he began to move around slightly. The slight movement began to grow in intensity until Darren began tossing restlessly, frantically while uttering small whimpers. Trapped in a nightmare.

     Both Daniel and the nurse reacted instantly. Nurse Boyd began to talk to him in a calm soothing tone, but Darren seemed beyond hearing her. Instead of quieting, his thrashings increased and his whimpers grew louder. The nurse's calm countenance faded as she realized her attempts were having no effect on the panicked man. "Mr Hayes... Mr Hayes, please. Its all right. Calm down...please.....calm. Shhhhh...."

     Daniel saw that Darren's distress wasn't easing and that he wouldn't awaken. Carefully, he maneuvered Nurse Boyd out of his way and stepped over to grab one of Darren's thrashing hands. "Darren, c'mon mate, wake up. You're okay, Daz. I promise. Its alright, hush now. Its okay, Dazza, its okay..."

     Daniel repeated this calming litany and his low, familiar voice seemed to do the trick. Darren's struggles slowed as Daniel continued to speak softly and gently stroke his hand. Finally, after a few moments, Darren was still again, but not awake.

     "Why wont he wake up?" Daniel asked Nurse Boyd as he gently sat down on the bed next to Darren's prone form.

     "He was given one last round of tranqulizers and pain medication earlier, to make him sleep through the night. It'll be awhile before they wear off." she answered. Then said, "You handled that nicely."

     Daniel shrugged. "Old habits," he stated. "Stress-induced nightmares are common on tour. Darren usually gets them the worst of all of us, and most of the time I share a room with him, so its me that usually helps..."

     Nurse Boyd nodded, absently. "Luckily he responds so well to you."

     A knock on the door interrupted their conversation. It opened and Ben walked in accompanied by an orderly carrying a cot.

     "You guys back already?" Daniel asked with a look of puzzlement. "Already?" Ben repeated, placing a styrofoam container on the bedside table. "Man, its been over an hour! it's nearly 9:30 and visiting hours are about up."

     "Oh. Where are the others?"

     "They went back to the hotel; sent me to check on Daz and fetch you. I figured I'd bring you food while I was at it." Ben replied. "So, how's Darren?"

     Daniel shrugged and they both looked to Nurse Boyd for a professional opinion. She laughed silently at the identical looks of questioning on both men's faces. "He's fine, you two. Now that his nightmare has passed, he's resting comfortably." This was said as she assisted the orderly with the troublesome cot.

     Daniel's questioning look faded, but Ben's remained. He glanced over at the cot, then looked back at Daniel and asked, "You crashing here tonight, man?"

     "Yeah. Figured I'd better... Do you think you could bring Daz and me a change of clothes when you guys come back tomorrow?"

     "Course. Are they gonna let him out tomorrow?"

     "I think so. We'll just have to wait and see."

     "Well, I'd better go before the powers-that-be wind up kicking me outta here," Ben said with a wink in Nurse Boyd's direction.

     "Night Ben."

     "G'nite Dan. We'll be back by visiting time in the morning." Ben walked over toDarren's bedside, mindful of the cot in the way. Leaning down, he quietly told him,"Sleep well, mate. The rest of the group commands you to get better." He gave Darren's ggod hand a quick squeeze, waved goodbye to Daniel, and slipped out of the room. The orderly had left long ago, so now it was just Daniel, Nurse Boyd, and the sleeping Darren remaining in the room. But not for long because Nurse Boyd soon announced that she had to leave.

     "I'm afraid that my time's up today," she said. "I don't work the night shift, but I told Emilie Westbrook--the night nurse--to look out for you. I'll be back to check on you both in the morning..."

     "Thank you for everything, Ms. Boyd."

     "Call me Katie, please, Mr Jones." she replied. "And once again, you're welcome."

     "G'night, then, Katie."

     "Good night," she said, placing Darren's clipboard back in the holder on the open door. After a quick glance around the room she gave Daniel a small smile and shut the door behind her. Daniel stood, uselessly, in the middle of the now-quiet room. Darren;s heart monitor had been turned off earlier in the afternoon, as had the oxygen tube. The only sound in the still room was the quiet rhythmic sound of Darren's breathing. Daniel listened to the lulling noise for a little while then moved over to sit on the made-up cot that had been brought for him.

     Quickly, he removed his socks, shoes, and belt and placed them on the floor, next to the bedside table. He was aware that it was only 10:00 but decided to go to sleep anyway. It had been a rough day. Standing, he turned down the blankets of the cot then padded, barefoot, to use the bathroom and dim the lights of the room. He returned to the cot a few minutes later and settled down to sleep.

    For awhile sleep eluded him, so he lay in the cot and stared quietly at Darren. He watched the rise and fall of Darren's chest as he breathed and let the calming rhythm lull him to sleep...
* * * * * * *
     Only a few hours later Daniel was jolted from a troubled sleep. He sat up in bed (in cot, rather) disoriented, trying to figure out where he was and what woke him up. In a flash of insight, he remembered--he was in the hospital. In another flash, he realized the only thing that could have awakened him. Darren!

      He looked to the bed and, indeed, it was Darren, thrashing about, lost in another nightmare. Daniel attempted to untangle himself from his blankets so he could either sooth or wake up Darren. His efforts weren't needed.

     In that moment, Darren cried out, "No!" and sprang up in his bed breathing heavily, unsteadily.

     "Darren?"

     Darren's whole body jerked at the sound of his name. "Y...yeah?" he quavered. "Jonesy?"

     "Yeah, Dazza, it's me," Daniel was seated on the bedside again, drawing Darren into his arms. Darren stiffened at first, startled by the contact, then relaxed into the hug. Then the shivering began.

     Daniel re-wrapped Darren in the blankets and began to rub his back, soothingly. "Nightmare?" he asked.

     Darren nodded. "Of epic proportions..."

     "Want to talk about it?"

     "No."

     "Alright. Later then..." Daniel said. "Lay back down and try to go back to sleep." He guided Darren to lie back. Darren did so, but still trembled.

     "I don't think I can go back to sleep, Danny..." he replied.

     "Aren't you tired?"

     "Extremely. But that's not the point."

     "Try?"

     Darren sighed. "Okay."

     "Good..." Daniel released his hold on Darren and made to get off the bed.

     "Jonesy?"

     "Yeah Daz?"

     "I know this is going to sound really weird, " Darren began in a small voice. "But..."

     "Do you want me to stay?" Daniel finished for him.

     "Would you? Please?" Darren asked, a bit uncertain. "I don't think that I can go back to sleep otherwise."

     "Of course, Darren. Shove over a bit, then, would ya, mate?" Darren did so and Daniel got under the covers. "Is there enough room for us in here?" he asked.

     "I think we'll manage," replied Darren as they maneuvered to squeeze together in the rather small bed. "Thanks for staying..."

     "Sleep now, Daz. We'll talk in the morning."

     Darren nodded and closed his eyes. Soon, Daniel could feel Darren's body relax against his and he knew Darren was asleep. Gradually the shivering ceased as Daniel wrapped his arms around his dearest friend and held him while he, too, drifted off to sleep...