Two days later...

The machines beeped. The room was cold and sterile. And Colt lay lifeless hooked up to all the machines; a clear oxygen mask was covering his nose and face.

Dana took his hand, it was limp in hers. A tube went from Colt's inner arm to the IV hanging above his bed. She touched his cheek finding it cold. Dana pulled up his sheet and covers towards his neck, tucking them under his chin.

"How's he doing?" Jesse asked, coming into the room.

"Some improvement from yesterday. The nurse said he woke up for a minute this morning, but he just looked around and went back to sleep."

Jesse walked around to the other side of the bed and shook Colt's shoulder. "Time to wake up, cuz."

"I've thought about slapping him, but the nurse frowned on that idea," Dana told him seriously.

Jesse smiled lightly and looked back down at Colt. He shook his head. "I didn't realize it was this bad."

"He didn't say anything to you?"

"No," he said with a sigh. "Colt keeps to himself. He has issues with talking about personal stuff."

"I think he wanted to tell me. He told me he had something to talk to me about," Dana said, stroking Colt's hair. "It had to have been about the surgery. His nurse said it was scheduled for yesterday morning, so it had to have been what he was going to tell me after my birthday dinner."

"He..." Jesse started.

"What?"

"Nothing," Jesse answered, looking away.

"Damn it, Jess, you tell me right now," Dana shouted.

"It's not for me to tell you."

"Well, someone better tell me before I really get mad," she growled.

"Dana..." a weak muffled voice stopped her from going off on a tirade.

They looked down at Colt. His eyes were struggling to open. "Dana."

"I'm here, baby, I'm here," Dana took his hand and kissed his cheek.

Colt coughed fiercely and his hands came up to the mask.

"Leave it on!" Dana grabbed his hands and gently pulled them away. "Leave it on, it'll help you."

Colt's eyes opened. He looked at her, then to Jesse, and then looked around the room in confusion. "What happened?"

"You collapsed," Jesse told him.

He coughed. "Shit, Dana, I'm sorry I didn't make it to your party. I was coming..."

"I don't care about the stupid party. I care about you, silly. I love you." Dana leaned over and gently kissed his cheek, his forehead, his nose.

Colt reached out and touched her cheek. "I love you." He glanced at Jesse. "Someone got Buddy?"

"I called Rachel. Danny's mom. They took Buddy to their place and they'll get your mail, water your plants, and watch over things at your house. Your office is fine too. I called your VP, Tom. He'll take care of everything on his end. They all wish you a speedy recovery.

"Thanks, Jess."

Jesse stepped closer to the bed and lowered his voice. "Um, Colt, I have the... thing... you dropped."

"What thing?" Colt frowned.

Jesse patted Colt's left hand. "You know the thing."

"Oh...yeah...Thanks...just...hold on to it for me." He glanced at Dana. "Until I'm better," he said weakly and closed his eyes.

Dana kissed his forehead. "You just get some rest and get better, okay?"

"Jesse?" Colt asked, struggling to open his eyes.

"Yeah?"

"Will I get better?" Colt asked in an almost whisper.

"Yeah, cuz, the doctor said you'll be fine. It's just going to take a little time for you to recover from surgery." Jesse told him reassuringly.

Colt frowned. "He did this," he said angrily.

"Yeah, I know, cuz," Jess said, touching his shoulder lightly.

"Who?" Dana mouthed.

Jess shook his head and mouthed Later. "Get some sleep. We'll be back soon to check on you." Jess told him.

"Dana," Colt gasped.

"I'm here," Dana told him, touching his other shoulder.

"I'm sorry," he breathed through the mask.

"Don't be silly. You have nothing to be sorry about."

"I missed your party. I promised I would be there," he rasped, "but I ...I couldn't. I tried..."

"It's okay, Colt," Dana told him soothing, running her fingers through his tousled hair. "I just want you to be okay. That's all that is important."

Colt coughed. "I just need to sleep. So tired..."

Dana kissed his forehead again. "You go ahead. We'll be here when you wake up."