SN ficlet

Jul. 5th, 2006 11:23 pm
gothams3rdrobin: (eddy writing)
[personal profile] gothams3rdrobin
Okay, thought I'd post the little Sports Night fic I've been working on during bus journeys for the last couple of weeks. It's pretty obvious what was on my mind when I got the idea for this particular story *grins wryly*

Once again I don't have a title for it, so any suggestions would be welcomed. I'll probably post it to the fanfic communities over the weekend

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The first thing Dan was aware of was a strange noise – almost like sobbing. He wondered who was crying, but couldn’t get up the energy to find out. It occurred to him that he might be dreaming, but then noticed that his face felt wet.

‘Why am I crying?’ He wondered, and did his best to force his eyes open. He blinked against the bright lights directly above him, other strange noises beginning to register in his awareness. There was also someone sitting alongside him reading a magazine.

The stranger glanced over at him and put his magazine down.

“Still in pain, Mr Rydell? Let me give you something to help with that.”

‘Hospital’ Dan thought, ‘I’m in the hospital.’ Then the stranger – evidently a nurse – injected something into his hand and he knew no more.

Next time he surfaced it was easier to open his eyes. He was in a hospital room and Dana was hovering over him with a worried expression.

“Jesus, Danny, you scared the hell out of us!” she cried, seeing he was awake.

“Nice to see you too Dana.” He replied, but it came out more like ‘ice t’see ou oo ‘ana.’ She touched a hand to his cheek, which was comforting and he leaned into it.

“What happened?” he tried to ask. Thankfully she seemed to understand.

“You had appendicitis – it almost ruptured in theatre. Do you remember having bad stomach pains yesterday?”

Dan was pretty sure he did, though his brain was still foggy. It was an effort to nod his head.

“Casey?” he asked, pleased how clearly he managed to say that.

Dana’s eyes flicked to the side for a moment, “He’s been waiting around for you all night. He was really scared.”

Dan slowly turned his head and saw Casey, fast asleep in a very uncomfortable hospital chair. He smiled softly at the sight.

“He called me in a panic at about three o’clock this morning, saying they’d just brought you in here. I’ve never known him quite so frightened.”

“That bad?”

“That bad.” Dana nodded, “They almost had to sedate him. How’re you feeling?”

“Can’t tell.” Simple, short sentences were his friend right now it seemed.

“Of course – you’re probably still full of painkiller. I heard they had to top you up in Recovery.”

Dan nodded, remembering the nurse. Just then Casey stirred, grimacing in pain after having slept in such an awkward position. He looked over at the bed and was upright the instant it registered in his sleep-addled mind that Dan was awake.

“Danny!” he breathed, moving right up close and resting his forehead on Dan’s, “Oh god, Danny – I was so scared!”

Dan slowly lifted his left arm up to rest on Casey’s head, noting with detachment the IV connected to it. “M’okay.” He managed.

“I should have paid more attention,” Casey sighed, “I thought you’d simply eaten something bad, but then you were just in so much pain…”

“It’s no-one’s fault, Casey!” Dana spoke up, saying what Dan hadn’t the energy to yet, “No-one expects an adult to get appendicitis. If anything, you being there to look after him probably saved his life.”

Dan smiled in agreement. If he’d been alone…it didn’t bare thinking about.

“Love you.” He whispered, knowing Casey was close enough to hear him. The other man sat up a little and Dan could see tears in his eyes. Without thinking, he reached up and gently wiped them away. Casey squeezed his right hand in response.

“I thought I was going to lose you.” He choked, and Dan turned his hand over to squeeze him back.

“Show?” he asked Dana, ending this particular conversation before Casey broke down again.

“I’ve got replacements for you both,” she assured him, “I already had one lined up for you – you barely made it through last night’s show, you idiot.”

Dan shrugged a little. “Gonna sleep now.” He mumbled.

“Sure.” Dana nodded.

“I’ll be here when you wake up.” Casey told him, leaning down to kiss his cheek and Dan surrendered to oblivion with a smile on his face.

The third time he woke up, Dan felt much more clear-headed. As he opened his eyes he noticed Natalie and Jeremy watching him, a mixture of concern and relief on their faces.

“Hey guys.” He croaked, and then coughed a little. Natalie reached for a cup of water and brought it to his lips.

“Take slow little sips,” she cautioned, “It’ll make you feel better.”

Dan did as he was told, “Thanks Mom.” The joke came out much clearer now his throat didn’t quite feel like sandpaper.

“How’re you feeling?” Jeremy asked. Dan considered for a moment.

“Sore,” he admitted, “But better. Where’s Casey?” He looked around the small room, not seeing him.

“Dana dragged him away for something to eat. He’s been in here the whole time.” Natalie studied Dan curiously, “What was he doing at your place last night? You said you were going straight home to bed after the show.”

“Natalie!” Jeremy scolded, “Dan’s not up for Twenty Questions. And besides, it’s none of our business.”

“He stopped the night,” Dan shrugged, knowing Natalie would persist, “He was concerned about me. Good thing as it turns out.” They both nodded thoughtfully, but there was a gleam in Natalie’s eyes that told him she thought he was holding back.

Which of course he was, since he and Casey had been a couple for quite a while now. They just hadn’t told anyone yet, not even Dana.

Natalie excused herself to go track down Casey and Dana, leaving Dan alone with Jeremy.

“I’m sorry about that,” Jeremy apologised, “She’s gotten a whiff of a secret, and you know how she gets.”

“What kind of secret?” Dan asked, even though he knew the answer.

“When we got here, Dana told us how freaked out Casey was when they brought you in-”

“They think he was over-reacting?” Dan pretended to look offended, “His best friend was in excruciating pain! I think that counts as a good reason for panic.”

“I agree, but the level of panic was apparently a bit excessive for a platonic friendship. It got them thinking.”

Dan sighed, “What are you trying to get me to say, Jeremy? That I’m sleeping with Casey?”

“Are you?”

“Why is that any of your business?” he snapped, then sighed as Jeremy smirked in triumph.

“So it’s true!”

Dan rubbed his IV-free hand down his face in frustration, “Alright, yes, I am. Not like I’m ashamed about it. We were just keeping it quiet – you know what office romances can be like.”

Jeremy grimaced in complete understanding. “Like living in a goldfish bowl.”

“Exactly. Besides, can you imagine if the press found out?”

The other man snorted, “You better hope Casey didn’t make too much of a scene when they brought you in.”

Dan groaned, “Didn’t think of that.”

Jeremy patted his shoulder gently, “It’ll be fine.”

They shared a small smile of reassurance as the door opened, and Casey, Dana and Natalie entered. Casey went straight up to Dan and began fussing with his blankets.

“You okay?” he asked, “Do you need anything?”

Dan grinned up at him, “Now who’s the woman, Casey?”

Casey halted his movements in shock and coloured slightly.

“You guys want to give us a minute?” Dan glanced at the others. Jeremy nodded and ushered the two women out. Their protests echoed out in the hallway until Jeremy closed the door with a quick wave.

Dan grabbed at the front of Casey’s shirt and pulled him down for a kiss. He kept it light and affectionate, since he was in no shape for hot and heavy, but he didn’t let Casey up until oxygen was absolutely necessary.

“Thank you for being there.” He sighed when they finally broke apart. Casey rested his head on Dan’s shoulder.

“No place I’d rather be. I’m sorry I freaked though.”

Dan stroked his hair for a moment before Casey sat up, too tall to remain in that position long.

“I take it the cat’s finally out of the bag?” Dan smiled wryly. Casey nodded.

“Dana realised something was up because of the way I was acting. At first she thought it was just me, but the way you responded to me when you first woke up told her it was mutual.” He grinned, “Even spaced out on pain-meds you can’t keep your hands off me!”

Dan laughed, and then grimaced in pain at the pull on his abdominal muscles. “Ah! Please don’t make me laugh, Casey!”

Casey squeezed his hand, “Sorry,”

“S’okay. So, Dana knows – and now so does Jeremy.”

Casey frowned, “How does Jeremy know?”

“Natalie knew something was up from talking to Dana. She was grilling me-“

Casey scowled, “I’ll have to have a word with her – you’re in hospital for God’s sake!”

“It’s okay.” Dan soothed. “Anyway, Jeremy sent her away to find you. Then he and I talked, and I admitted it.” He shrugged, “We weren’t going to keep it a secret for much longer anyway.”

“True.” Casey agreed, smiling at him affectionately.

“So between Dana and Jeremy, Natalie should know the truth now. And by tomorrow so will everyone at work.”

“You okay with that?”

Dan grinned, “Very okay.”

He pulled Casey back down for another kiss just as there was a short knock on the door. Naturally Dana entered without waiting for a response and stopped in shock at the sight of her two anchors kissing on a hospital bed.

“Well, you’re obviously feeling better Danny!” she joked once she found her voice.

“Much better.” He agreed, chuckling at the slightly embarrassed expression on his lover’s face.

Natalie came up to the opposite side of the bed from Casey, and lightly slapped Dan upside the head.

“Natalie!” Casey exclaimed in shock.

“Hey, I’m a sick man – what was that for?” asked Dan, surprised.

“For not telling me about you and Casey.” She scolded. Then she leaned down and kissed his cheek, “And that’s because I’m pleased for you. Plus I’m glad you’re okay.”

Dan smiled and ran his left hand down her cheek, mindful of the IV still connected to it, “Thank you.”

Suddenly his eyelids started feeling heavy, “Anyone mind if I sleep again now? These pain-meds are really strong.”

“Rest, Danny.” Casey kissed his forehead, “I’ll see you when you wake up.”


Dan sent Casey home that evening, insisting he would need to get some proper sleep before going back to work the next day. Casey was very unhappy, but eventually caved in. He came back in the next morning to check on Dan before he went into the office. He didn’t look any more rested, but at least he no longer had a stiff neck from trying to sleep in the hospital’s chair.

Dan hadn’t slept very well either, from a combination of being in pain, trying to sleep in a noisy hospital and missing Casey. So the sight of his lover perked him up – especially when he saw what Casey brought with him.

“My mp3 player!” he grinned, “Dude, thank you! I thought I was going to be bored out of my skull in here.”

“I also brought the book from your nightstand.” Casey smiled back, looking pleased with himself.

“Thanks! When do you need to head to work?”

Casey checked his watch and grimaced, “Pretty much now. Traffic’s a nightmare this morning.”

“Okay,” Dan sighed, pouting a little, “Who has Dana got covering for me?”

“Bobbi.” Casey grinned wryly.

Dan chuckled, “Well, say hello for me – and tell her not to get too comfortable in my seat!”

“I will.” Casey leaned down for a brief kiss, but Dan insisted he extend it. When he eventually let him up, Casey sighed.

“I have to go. I’ll try and call you this afternoon, see how you’re feeling. Watch the show tonight if you’re awake?”

“Okay.” Dan nodded, releasing him with great reluctance. Once Casey was gone, he put on his mp3 player and dozed for the rest of the day listening to Tom Waits.

He resurfaced fully at five to eleven that night, almost as though some internal alarm had gone off. He reached for the remote to turn the TV to CSC, grateful that this particular hospital had cable. A few minutes later Casey’s voice began announcing the day’s headlines over the familiar theme tune. Then he and Bobbi appeared in person, looking cheerful and confident at the anchor desk.

“Bobbi looks good.” He noted absently, before turning his full focus on Casey. It wasn’t often he got to see him from the viewer’s perspective. He still looked tired, but was evidently in a reasonably good mood considering the events of the past forty-eight hours.

“Good evening! From New York City, I’m Casey McCall alongside Bobbi Bernstein, sitting in for Dan Rydell. Those stories plus…”

Dan was still watching the show about half an hour later when the phone in his room began to ring. He grinned as he picked it up.

“Hey Casey.”

“How’d you know it was me?” came the amused response.

“C-Break’s in thirty seconds and Bobbi’s reading the soccer highlights.” He couldn’t resist sounding a little smug.

Casey chuckled, “How’re you feeling?”

“Bored.” Dan sighed, “Think they’ll let me out soon?”

“Soon.” Casey promised.

Dan heard “Hey, is that Dan?” in the background and smiled. Then he laughed at the sound of the phone being wrestled from Casey’s hands.

“Hey Dan!” chirped Natalie, “Doing okay?”

“I’m fine Nat,” he grinned, “Show’s going well.”

She gave an irritated little snort, “We blew the cue at twenty-five.”

“Yeah, I saw that. I doubt anyone else would though.” Just then he faintly heard ‘Back in sixty’ over the PA, “Hey, put my boyfriend back on the phone before he sulks for the rest of the show, okay?”

Natalie laughed, “Night Dan!”

“Night Natalie.”

“Hey.” Casey came back on the line.

“Hey. Have a good show and I’ll see you tomorrow. Tell Bobbi ‘Hi’, and that she’s doing good.”

“I will. Love you Danny.”

“Love you too Casey. G’night.”

“Goodnight.”

The rest of the show seemed to go smoothly, and Dan was almost asleep when Bobbi began the sign-off.

“Well, that’s it from us for tonight. I’ll be with you for the rest of the week while Dan recuperates from an appendectomy so, for Casey McCall, I’m Bobbi Bernstein and you’ve been watching Sports Night on CSC. We’ll see you tomorrow.”

Casey grinned at the camera, “Sleep well, Danny!”

“You too, Casey.” He muttered as sleep finally overtook him.

Date: 2006-07-06 10:24 pm (UTC)
ext_3751: (Drunkhug)
From: [identity profile] phoebesmum.livejournal.com
Aww. That was really sweet. Plus I'm a hurt/comfort junkie from way back (and I've resigned myself, I'm never going to grow out of it), so finding poorly-Danny on my FL was an added bonus, on top of finding SN fic at all.

There's nothing quite like writing from experience to give a story verisimilitude, but I hope that'll be the last time you'll have to go that far.

Date: 2006-07-07 12:17 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] gothams3rdrobin.livejournal.com
Yay! I'm so pleased you liked it! *bounces*

The opening was based on my original operation experience six years ago - same procedure as I had yesterday, unfortunately, but at least I didn't wake up crying this time! *chuckles*

Date: 2006-07-07 01:21 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] suchthefangirl.livejournal.com
That was really lovely. It's so nice seeing the boys happy with each other, and like [livejournal.com profile] phoebesmum, I tend to be partial to h/c, so that was just perfect. I was in a really pissy mood, and you've cheered me up, thanks.

I hope you are feeling better soon.

Date: 2006-07-07 12:33 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] gothams3rdrobin.livejournal.com
*grins* Thank you - I'm glad you liked it!

I seem to be more in the mood for established-relationship Dan/Casey than the whole epiphany/first time thing at the moment. It's more fun *grin*

Thanks - I'm getting there.

Date: 2006-07-07 06:44 am (UTC)
catwalksalone: happy grey cat surrounded by flowers (Danny forgiven)
From: [personal profile] catwalksalone
Lovely! A little h/c never hurt anybody. Oh wait...

I love how Natalie still smacks Dan upside the head even though he's on his sick bed. She just can't help herself.

Date: 2006-07-07 12:34 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] gothams3rdrobin.livejournal.com
*grins* Gotta love Natalie!

Date: 2006-07-07 01:30 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] soundslikej.livejournal.com
Awwww boys! I'm such a sucker for the h/c. *love*

Date: 2006-07-07 03:39 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] gothams3rdrobin.livejournal.com
*grins* Yay, you liked it!

Date: 2006-07-07 11:11 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] out-there.livejournal.com
“Hey, put my boyfriend back on the phone before he sulks for the rest of the show, okay?”

Hee. As sweet as the rest of the story is, that's the line I like best. It seems very apropriate for them that it would only take them a day after discovery to start joking about it.

Profile

gothams3rdrobin: (Default)
gothams3rdrobin

December 2013

S M T W T F S
1234567
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728
2930 31    

Most Popular Tags

Style Credit

Expand Cut Tags

No cut tags
Page generated Aug. 30th, 2025 07:36 am
Powered by Dreamwidth Studios