Chapter Text
Chapter One
Duke was on his way back from taking Ginger and her father to their new home when he got the call from Audrey. He pressed the speaker button.
“Audrey, I’m almost in Haven. What do you need?” He asked.
“It’s Nathan...come to the hospital,” Audrey replied.
“What happened?” Duke asked, fearing the worst.
“The theater is getting a new marquee and the scaffolding gave way. Nathan pushed a kid out of the way but it hit him. He’s unconscious. Has been for two days...” Audrey told him.
“Two days? And you just thought to call me now?” Duke demanded, stepping on the accelerator.
“Duke, there wasn’t anything you could have done. You had to get the Danvers out of town. He’s in good hands. Gloria has been consulting with the doctors here.” Audrey assured him.
“I’ll be there in twenty minutes,” Duke said, hanging up.
Duke resisted the urge to slam his foot on the gas and speed to Haven. It wouldn’t change anything and with his luck he’d get pulled over. He tried several breathing techniques to calm his nerves as he drove. Nothing was working.
Three days. He was only gone for three days, leave it to Nathan to get knocked unconscious.
Jesus, what was wrong with him? Why was he getting so worked up over this? Nathan was safe in the hospital. He’d been through worse before. Hell, they’d been through worse together as kids. Besides, by the time he got to the hospital he was sure Nathan would be wide awake bugging the doctors to sign him out so he could get back to saving Haven from the troubles and keeping Audrey out of that damned barn.
Duke clung to that thought as he pulled up in front of the hospital and parked his Landrover. He got out and made his way to the the room number Audrey texted him. He stepped inside and stopped short. Nathan was still unconscious.
Audrey and the Chief sat on either side of the bed speaking in quiet voices. The Chief looked up and scowled at Duke.
Duke raised his hands. “I’m not going to stay. Just wanted to see how he was doing. I see he’s still out, so I’ll go..”
The Chief stood up and gestured to the chair. “Sit down, Crocker. Keep Parker company. I’m going to get some sleep.” He turned to Audrey and addressed the rest of his statement to her. “Call me if his condition changes.”
Audrey nodded. “Will do, Chief.”
Duke waited to sit down until the Chief left. He looked at Nathan and felt a lump form in his throat. It looked like he was just sleeping. He guessed it was better than walking in to find him attached to machines with tubes sticking out of him. At least he was breathing on his own. The only thing to prove he wasn’t just sleeping was the IV coming out of his arm.
He took a deep breath and turned to looked at Audrey. “Were you there when it happened?”
Audrey nodded. “We were on our way back from lunch. We heard the workers outside the theater shout as the the scaffolding started to fall. There was a kid on a bike, before I knew what was happening, Nathan was pushing the kid out of the way. And then, he was on the ground under everything. He’s lucky he doesn’t have any serious injuries. He’s just been unconscious since it happened. Gloria is optimistic. She says there isn’t any brain damage. She says we just need to be patient.”
“Well, Gloria knows her stuff,” Duke said flatly.
“How did it go with the Danvers? Are they safe?” Audrey asked, trying to give them something else to think about other than Nathan.
“Yeah, they’ll be fine. Ginger will have a lot of new friends. Has he stirred or anything?” Duke said, bringing the conversation back to Nathan.
“No.” Audrey replied.
They both lapsed into silence, staring at Nathan’s seemingly lifeless form. Eventually, they both fell asleep.
*******
Garland walked into Nathan’s room the next morning and nudged Duke awake. Duke groaned and unfolded himself from the uncomfortable hospital chair.
He glanced at Garland warily, “Morning, Chief...”
Garland looked Duke over and shook his head. “You look like hell, Crocker. Go get some coffee. He’s not going anywhere. Take Parker with you.”
Duke nodded and shook Audrey awake. “Let’s get some coffee. The Chief is here,” he said when it looked like she was going to protest.
Garland sat down next to his son and shook his head. “Nathan, if you can hear me, snap out of it. I’m getting too old for this.”
He slumped in the seat and rested his head in his hands. It might not seem like it sometimes but he truly cared about his son. He was so lost in thought that he almost didn’t hear Nathan speak.
“Chief?” Nathan whispered his throat dry.
Garland’s head snapped up. “Son? You’re awake!”
Nathan struggled to sit up. “What happened?”
Garland gently pushed him back down. “Hey now, don’t try moving just yet. Let me get Gloria.”
Nathan grabbed Garland’s arm when he moved to get out of the chair. “Where’s Duke? Is he here?”
“Yeah, he’s getting coffee with Parker. I’ll get him.” Garland said, heading to the door.
Minutes later, he was back with Gloria. “Welcome back, Sleeping Beauty,” she joked as she walked to his bedside to begin her exam.
Duke and Audrey rushed in while Gloria was looking Nathan over.
“Duke...c’mere,” Nathan called softly.
Duke looked at Audrey and shrugged. He walked over to Nathan wondering why he was asking for him and not Audrey.
He jumped when Nathan grabbed his hand. He tried to pull his hand away but Nathan held on and pulled him closer.
Before Duke knew what was happening, Nathan brought his free hand up to wrap around Duke’s neck and pulled him into a quick kiss. “You look like hell. Were you worried?”
Duke looked down at Nathan in shock. Was this a trouble or had he hit his head harder than everyone thought. Duke couldn’t speak so he just nodded.
Nathan frowned, running his fingers through Duke’s hair. “Your hair...it’s long? How long was I out?”
Nathan glanced over to his father. He finally noticed Audrey and squinted at her. “Who are you?”