Chapter Five

Daniel sat down at the kitchen table to count the take from the bazaar. He wrote the amount he'd used for change down on a tablet, then started counting the bills. First he sorted them by denomination, then wrote the amount of each. He finished with the coins and added the total up. His eyes widened in surprise - $3,906.27! He decided to count it again just to make sure. It came up to the same thing. He couldn't believe they'd made that much money from a bazaar and bake sale. He bowed his head for a moment to thank God for the largess. Surely it was enough for the supplies for the roof. Now, he just needed a generous roofer. He whistled cheerfully as he put the money away. He'd have to take it to the bank tomorrow if the weather was better. He called Ruby and Bonita with the good news, knowing that once they knew the rest of the congregation would hear the news.

The pot of soup on the stove filled the kitchen with a wonderful aroma. Daniel hummed as he fixed his dinner, happy and content. He had ventured out earlier to check on the church and found it remained tight and dry so far. He hadn't found any leaks or wet spots, except where he'd dripped that is. He'd been drenched to the bone just going that short distance. This in spite of the heavy rubber rain slick and hat he'd worn to get there. He'd been chilled when he got back inside his home and decided that soup was the order of the day. It would finish warming him up quite nicely. He pulled out the toast, poured himself a bowl of soup and said his blessing. He felt truly blessed and happy on Hope. The warmth from the vegetable soup spread from his stomach out to the rest of him. He felt warm and comfortable by the time he was finished.

The sound of the emergency siren shattered the stormy evening. Daniel jumped, almost dropping the dish he was washing. As the day had worn on, he'd gotten used to the mournful hoot of the fog horn. The emergency siren was an entirely different matter. He didn't think he would ever get used to it. Shortly after he arrived, Kevin had done a test drill, making sure that Daniel knew exactly what it sounded like. It had grated on his nerves then. Knowing this was not a drill made the sound even worse now. He went to get his rain slick and hat. Whatever was happening, he could help.

Daniel set off down the hill, his flashlight making very little dent in the gloom of the evening and the heavy rain. Flooding, it had to be flooding. He stepped carefully, having no desire to take a tumble tonight. He didn't need to add to those needing rescue and succor. He needed to help with them. He saw two headlights gleaming through the heavy rain and stepped to the side. He also didn't need to be hit.

The car crept on, its driver cautious. Kevin Mitchum pulled to a stop beside Daniel and rolled down his window. "Daniel?!"

"Kevin, I heard the siren. What can I do to help?"

"I'm going to move the people in the low lying areas to higher ground. The Perquinns have reported flooding. They'll just be the first. Can we use the church?"

"Of course! Can I help? You shouldn't be doing this alone, Kevin. It's dangerous enough tonight."

Kevin chewed on his lower lip, then nodded reluctantly. It was dangerous and he could use all the help he could get. Some of the fishermen were going out in teams to help the others. There hadn't been enough people for him to have a partner and he wouldn't let Molly or Father Mac come. The minister however was young, fit and willing. "All right, Daniel, get in." He regretted those words later.

They stopped to open the church and Kevin radioed out to his other helpers that it was open to any refugees. Kevin and Daniel stopped at each house that was situated in a low area prone to flooding. Most of the islanders were ready and waiting, the things that they needed beside the door. Family heirlooms and things that were precious to them had been moved as high as possible in their homes. They knew what to do and did it quietly, not arguing with Kevin and Daniel. You just didn't argue with Nature. She didn't give in like people did. Daniel prayed silently as he helped each family into the back of Kevin's police truck. He realized why Kevin had a covered truck now, instead of the more normal car. It was useful in such situations and seldom came close to getting stuck in the mud.

Daniel smiled at Katie as he carried her and Moss to the vehicle.

"Thank you, Bearand Cooper," Katie spoke quietly. She obviously didn't feel well.

"Ear ache?" Daniel asked solicitously.

Katie nodded and pulled Moss from under her rain coat. She cuddled the teddy bear close and started to doze in the warmth of the truck. Daniel watched the islanders in the back as they headed up to the little church. Once there, he looked around and realized it would soon be too full for more refugees. He smiled at Ruby who was helping the displaced families get settled in. He walked over and whispered in her ear. "Here's the keys to the parish house. It'll give you more room."

"All right, Reverend Cooper. Thank you. I'll send Bonita to get things ready there."

Daniel paused to stoke the stove that heated the church, then went back out into the wet, rain drenched night. He was wet and cold. He wished he could stop, if just for a little bit, but knew there were others needing help. He couldn't stop until they were all safe.

Kevin watched the tired man join him. He was tired too and cold. He knew Daniel must be really cold now. The man seemed to feel it more deeply than the residents of Hope. He should tell the minister to stay here and help Ruby and Bonita. He didn't though, because he knew Daniel Cooper would not stay put while people needed his help.

Daniel Cooper shivered in his bed, his body felt like one huge bruise, cold seemed to fill every aching bone. Every breath caused a throbbing. Broken ribs? Or was he just that badly bruised? He wasn't sure, he didn't remember what Doctor Watson had said. He sighed softly as he tried to sink deeper into his pillow and under the covers. The past filled his mind. He felt the thoughts and memories that that had been held at bay for so long to come to the fore. He remembered...

Rollie Tyler whistled as he unloaded the supplies from the pick-up. After Loubar, he possessed doubts that he would know happiness again. As weeks passed without incident or news, time seemed to be dulling the edges of the emotional hurts that the bastard had created. Angie and he were closer than ever. A true miracle of the depths of their friendship and love for each other. The happiness he now felt was cautious and new born. He had to tend it carefully if he didn't want to fall apart. He placed the box in his arms just inside the loft and turned to fetch the last one. Three steps and hell came to earth. Heat and sound slammed into him, the ground seemed to rise up and smite him. Pain and darkness filled Rollie Tyler's world and he knew no more.

Awareness came slowly, painfully. With it, The Nightmare came full blown and fully known. As Rollie had blithely gone on with his life, as Angie had picked up the pieces of hers and soldiered on, plans were laid. Six weeks after Victor Loubar had fled New York City, he returned to end Rollie Tyler's life once and for all. The murderous mercenary had decided to stop playing games with his arch nemesis and to be done with it. Tyler would never interfere with him again. He must have smiled coldly as he programmed the smart missile to strike the loft that icy January morning. It had destroyed the building and severely damaged the one next door. Three people died and one little boy faced life as a quadriplegic without his mother and grandparents. All because Rollie Tyler had to play Batman and stop Victor Loubar.

Tom Lewis.... Faye Lewis... Susan Rogers... Tommy Rogers... .... Angie Ramirez...

The names became a litany in Rollie's head as his body fought to heal itself. Tom and Faye, grandparents, kind, friendly, good neighbors. They should have died peacefully of old age in their bed. They had expected to die that way. Not in a world crushed and destroyed by a man like Loubar. Not in a ruin ablaze with the pain of their daughter, Susan. Susan who died of burns over eighty percent of her body. She had protected her son, Tommy, as best she could. His burns were minor, but his spine was injured right below his neck. He would never walk, never run, never play again. Tears leaked from Rollie's eyes. And Angie! What remained of his broken heart crumbled to dust with thoughts of what she went through that dark, terrible day. Because while the loft was destroyed, innocents were maimed and killed, Victor Loubar had paid her another visit. Chiops had died at his hands and Angie was raped again. This time brutally and repeatedly. The first time had been by treachery, but the act itself had been passionate. This time had been designed to hurt the most, to destroy whatever remained of Angie's innocence, her love, her spirit. The rape had almost killed her, almost but not quite. Victor Loubar had with cold calculation taken her to the edge of death and left her there. Somehow, he'd known she wouldn't be able to go over that edge and find release. Later, they found he left a permanent reminder. As if she needed a reminder. This time, Angela Ramirez was pregnant.

Rollie Tyler had wanted to die, he deserved to die. But his own heart and soul would not allow it. Rollie Tyler deserved to live in the hell he had created on earth. He would spend an eternity in hell, but for now, he must experience it on earth. Solemn men in dark suits, each one interchangeable with the other, nameless and faceless, came and spoke to him. He didn't hear them, not really, but his responses must have been satisfactory for them. He was moved, several times. Each move brought pain which he welcomed as his due punishment. Eventually, they left him alone. He was left in a bland, anonymous hospital room, alone with his thoughts and pain. Alone with doctors poking and prodding, nurses gently tending his injuries and cleaning him, therapists who tried to bring strength and ability back to his limbs and body.

Then one day, an eternity later, life returned to his lonely room. A man came. A man who looked so much like him, it made him ache. Especially his innocence. Oh how innocent was Daniel Cooper! He was shining and bright with love and hope and faith. His words to Rollie Tyler were gentle and encouraging. His belief in God and in life was strong and brilliant, vibrant. In spite of himself, something in Rollie responded and his aching spirit found relief in Daniel's presence. They became friends and, eventually, Rollie found forgiveness for himself.

Finally, one day, Daniel spoke of his own problems. He depreciated them, calling them minor, but Rollie could see how much they hurt this gentle, new friend. Daniel spoke of a father with no time for his son. Oh, how Rollie could relate to this! Vaguely, he wondered how Dingo had reacted to the news of his only son's death. A deep sorrow filled his soul, because he did love his father and did not want to hurt him. But there was nothing he could do about it. Rollie Tyler alive was a danger and a threat to those he loved. Dead, he brought pain, but it would heal with time. His loved ones' lives would continue and they would be safe from Victor Loubar and his vengeance. He focused on Daniel now, on his life, his problems and sorrows. Daniel spoke blushingly of the girl he loved. A woman really, Rollie thought, looking at her picture in his hands. She was pretty, beautiful in her own way. Small like Angie, but dark instead of fair. Daniel's father did not approve, would never approve. Kate was a faithful Jew and Daniel was to become a minister of the Protestant faith. His father was a minister, a televangelist. His son, his heir, could not marry outside of the faith! It would bring shame on their house, on his father.

Rollie found himself watching Reverend Cliff Cooper preach on the television. He found little comfort in the man's sermons. This man was nothing like his gentle son. Daniel would practice the sermons he had to write for his lessons on Rollie. They were filled with gentle comfort, with a strong faith and love, with belief in what was good and kind, with the need to help each other. Rollie, who hadn't attended a church since his mother's death save for funerals and weddings, found his faith renewed and growing as he listened to Daniel preach.

The day came when one of the faceless men came back, this one in a gray suit. He proposed a new life for Rollie Tyler, so far removed from the old, he would never be found. And if he was found, no one would believe he was Roland Tyler. He would just be a man who happened to look like Rollie Tyler. He proposed that Rollie Tyler take on Daniel Cooper's life. Rollie was shocked! He was horrified at the thought of it. Take over Daniel's life? He couldn't do that, could he? How could he?!?

But... He spoke to Daniel and found the reason Daniel considered it. The decision was Rollie's, naturally, but... With a new life, Daniel would be placed far from his father's shadow. He and Kate could safely marry, raise a family of their own. Rollie probed deeply, playing devil's advocate. He wanted to be sure Daniel and Kate knew what they were getting into with this choice. He didn't want regrets for any of them later, least of all for his gentle twin and his love. Daniel brought Kate to visit and they spent their time discussing it, all of the problems, the heart aches, the sorrows, the possibilities. Daniel and Kate could never contact their families or friends ever again. This was painful true, but their love was so strong, it seemed to eclipse the pain of that separation.

There was another problem though. Rollie was adamant. He would never, could never pretend to be a minister! Why that would be like him pretending to be a physician! He couldn't do that! The people he married would not be truly married. The people he buried would not be properly blessed by a preacher. Daniel's response to his worries was simple. Rollie could become a minister. He could be ordained. The only pretense would be his name, his identity. Rollie became silent and thoughtful. Wisely, Daniel left him alone to seek his own answer. Hesitantly, Rollie prayed to God for an answer. He listened as his mother had taught him, quietly and patiently, waiting for an answer, a sign.

Two days later, he agreed and a new life began. An elderly preacher came who taught and tested him. He learned the basics of counseling, to write sermons of his own. He was shocked to find how much of the Bible he already knew. Rollie as a child had voraciously read every thing he could find and in a small town in the Outback of the Never Never, there wasn't nearly enough to satisfy his appetite. One of the things he had read repeatedly had been his mother's small Bible. Apparently, it had sunk deeper into him than he had realized, because as he read now, it flowed back to him. He found himself reading different versions of the Bible deep into the night, only sleeping when his exhausted body forced him to rest. Daniel and he got into rousing theological discussions, each arguing a point passionately. These were occasionally watched, but never interrupted by the minister teaching Rollie. He sat back into a corner and smiled benignly as the twins thrashed out a point and finally came to an agreement and consensus. Unknown to Rollie and Daniel, these discussions were taking the place of classroom debates that Rollie was deprived of participating in due to his condition and the secrecy which hid him from the world.

While he learned each new lesson as a minister, Rollie also learned Daniel's life. The ministerial student shared every memory he could recall. He brought yearbooks and introduced Rollie to his childhood friends, sharing anecdotes and incidents. Rollie's head felt stuffed to overflowing, he was learning so much in such a short time. Never did it seem enough and there was always more to learn. Somehow, the Aussie found it fit inside his head without leaking fully out. Differences were identified and countered. Rollie felt like sulking when he found Daniel was allergic to blueberries. He loved blueberries and didn't really want to give them up. He would though if that was what it would take to make this friend happy and the others safe. Daniel introduced Rollie to a guitar once more. It had been ages since he played a guitar! He found it awkward at first, especially with his injuries, but practice improved his playing and soon his fingers moved in long forgotten patterns. An added benefit was that the practice brought back much of the dexterity he had lost. After the guitar came a piano. Rollie remembered his lessons from his mother and the quiet evening hours they had shared music together. It too flowed back into his life, including the one classical piece of music his mother had taught him. Daniel brought books of poetry, leaving his favorites with his twin. Rollie was amused to find himself absorbing poetry, but he found some that struck chords deep in his heart. He could see why Daniel loved the lilting words so often filled with truth.

Rollie inhaled the scent of the new day as he went through his stretching exercises in preparation for a run. He wondered how Angie was doing. It was the nine month anniversary of her second rape and his... fatal injuries. Officially, Rollie Tyler had died of his injuries about two weeks later. I died January 30th, 1998. It was an odd and uncomfortable thought. No, Rollie Tyler died January thirtieth. He wondered if she had the baby or not. He didn't know. They had been kept separate by the men in their suits. They probably let Angie think him dead as well, he thought sulkily and she would be glad he wasn't in her life. He frowned slightly and shook his head, ashamed of the thought knowing Angie would not think that, would never think that. It felt odd not feeling the weight or brush of his longer hair. He knew he would only receive silence if he asked any of the men. They didn't even give him his name any more. Only Daniel did that. To everyone else, he was 'sir'. Yes sir. No sir. You can't do that, sir. Try harder, sir.  Not one of these people called him Rollie or Tyler or even Mister Tyler. He wondered if they even knew his name. But surely they'd heard Daniel use it!

"Mister Cooper, we'll take the tree path," the man who stood beside him said quietly.

Startled, Rollie looked around for his twin. Not seeing him, he turned to speak sharply to the therapist. As he caught the man's eyes, his mouth snapped shut on the words, his throat closing. So, it was begun. The final phase of his training in Daniel Cooper's life. From now on, everyone would be calling him Daniel or Mister Cooper. Rollie Tyler would be no more. He wondered wistfully if Daniel and Kate would continue to call him Rollie. Oh well, it seemed it was time to think of himself as Daniel. My name is Daniel Cooper, he recited silently as he fell in beside his therapist to run the tree path, so called because it was lined with so many differing types of trees, each one carefully labeled, no two alike. I am studying to be a minister. My father is also a minister. His name is Cliff Cooper, my mother ... He ran on, his feet and thoughts matching strides.

The run finished, he walked to his room for a shower. His thoughts returned to Angie. He knew she had been entered into the Federal Witness Protection program. That was the only admission he'd been able to get out of his own 'keepers'. He wondered who they were. He didn't think they were part of that program. There were subtle differences between these and the Feds he had met before. Once he finished his quick shower and had dressed again, he found himself kneeling in the sunlight, praying to God to keep Angie safe. And if she had the baby, to keep that little one safe as well. The baby might be part of Victor Loubar, but it was also part of Angie Ramirez who he loved more than life itself. Victor Loubar. He rolled the name around his mind and waited, waited for the hate to fill him, to burn its way down his nerves and fill his body and heart. He was surprised when it didn't. He did not hate Victor Loubar. His eyes widened at the thought. He pitied the man who would never know the warmth of love, who would never feel safe, who would never admit God into his heart, who had lost his soul. He. Pitied. Victor. Loubar.  He drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. Rollie Tyler was dead. He was Daniel Cooper.

Daniel closed his eyes and prayed. He prayed for Angie Ramirez and her child, he prayed for his twin and Kate, for his family and friends... Finally, he prayed for Victor Loubar. He rose from his knees at peace with himself and the world.

Daniel, the original Daniel, reveled in his twin's newfound sense of peace. He basked in its light. They began to use his new name, Noah. They shared laughter when they spoke now. Every moment seemed somehow brighter and more alive. Sometimes, they would sit quietly side by side and just watch the world, appreciating God's work. Plastic surgery removed the scars that Daniel did not possess. Slowly, Daniel's records were changed so they matched his twin's. His previously broken bones became Daniel Cooper's. Rollie Tyler's life was changed. Fingerprints were replaced so they no longer matched. As Daniel's medical records were changed, so too were Rollie Tyler's. Subtly, they no longer matched what had been the truth. Just enough difference was created with each, that not even the examining doctors would recognize the modifications. Finally, they were ready. Daniel and Rollie were ordained on the same day. Daniel's ordainment was attended by his friends and family except for his father who was once more too busy to attend. Rollie's was attended by Daniel and Kate. Daniel's new ministry would give them the perfect opportunity. Plans were laid to switch the twins.

Four days later, less than three weeks before they were to do it, everything fell apart. Kate died tragically in a traffic accident. Daniel, full of an unbearable grief and pain, literally fell apart. He fought with his father and stormed out. Away! He had to get away! He forgot the carefully laid plans and fled on the first flight that became available. Unable to think past a life without his beloved Kate, Daniel found himself in a bar in Las Vegas and began to drink, steadily, methodically. He woke to the worst headache of his life, a nauseated stomach, thoughts of his twin and fresh grief for Kate. He had to call his twin! He would know what to do. He turned over to find the phone and met the eyes of a beautiful blonde he didn't remember. She was laying in the bed beside him without... Oh... Daniel Cooper blushed deep red.

"Hey hubby," she whispered seductively.

Hubby?!? What had he done?!? Daniel stumbled out of bed and to the safety and privacy of the bathroom. He locked the door behind him, then threw up in the toilet. When there was nothing left to come up, he sank to the cold tile floor and shook. What had he done? Bleary, bloodshot eyes landed on a phone and he picked it up with cold, shaking hands. He called his twin, then rested his head on his knees. He waited. Men came, strange men in dark suits. The woman was taken away. Daniel found out her name was Stella. He had married her during his drinking binge. He flushed at the thought of his unfaithfulness to Kate. His twin came and Daniel hung his head in shame unable to meet his compassionate eyes. He gathered Daniel in his arms. They wept together for Daniel's loss. They prayed. They talked. Finally, they told the men in dark suits that they were going to implement the plan now. The men took the grieving minister away.

One of them poured a vial into a cup of coffee and gave it to Rollie. Not realizing what had been done, he drank it. A short while later, his eyes grew heavy, he slipped into a deep sleep. Another man came and put a helmet on his head. He hooked it to a laptop, starting a program. He watched the readings on the computer. Satisfied, he nodded to his counterpart, removed the helmet and packed up his equipment. He left. The other man carefully checked the room, satisfied that there was no evidence of their visit, he left. Daniel Cooper, formerly known as Rollie Tyler, woke, took a deep breath and picked up the phone. He called his father's people and waited.

Stella returned. His father's people came. They took her away and chivied a chastened young man on to a private jet. He had a long, serious talk with his father. Or rather, Cliff Cooper gave a long lecture about responsibility and appearances. Daniel hung his head and listened quietly. He was secluded in his old bedroom at his father's house. He waited. Finally, he was rewarded with the news that he was to make his new ministry on a small island off the coast of Seattle. It was quiet and isolated there. He would be secluded from the prying eyes of the media. He was instructed to be quiet and stay out of trouble. He nodded acceptance. The aide left and Daniel prayed. He waited. Another aide came and gave him the history of his new church. Daniel swallowed hard after the man left. It would not be easy to make a new life with a church that had not seen service for thirty years. He wondered what condition it would be in. He wondered what it would be like on Hope Island. Hope Island. He rolled the name in his mind. He did like that name though. Daniel Cooper would make his new life on Hope Island. Hope had been missing from his life for too long. Now, it was here again.

The ferry trip had been rougher than he'd expected. He hadn't realized that he had a tendency to motion sickness. Sea sickness made him miserable. The newness of his life made him afraid and uncertain. The lack of welcome had been troubling. He'd been sarcastic with God. He hadn't meant to be, it just happened. Brian Brewster was a very unpleasant surprise. So was the condition of the church. Dylan was a better one, but he hadn't meant to get in trouble with his mother. Alex Stone had been firm and unyielding. He'd only been trying to help! Finding out the petition was a lie was painful. He knew he couldn't stay on the island, not if he wasn't wanted. That would cause suspicions and questions. He couldn't afford that. If it hadn't been for his own secrets, he might have stayed and fought for his new place as Molly had wanted him to do. Daniel also hadn't expected to have to leap into the cold water of the bay to try and save Jake Mitchum. He really wasn't a good swimmer, but he had to try. He rapidly reached the point where he needed rescue himself as the cold leeched away what strength he possessed. The hand clasping his and pulling him from the water had seemed a miracle. Mister Mitchum's rescue was another blessing. Then Dylan appeared and told him they were waiting. His congregation was waiting!!! A multitude of blessings!

Slowly, Daniel built his place in the community of Hope. As he built his place, he also worked on re-building the church to its former glory. He was extremely proud of his work on the neglected building. He didn't possess much skill with tools, but he didn't let that stop him. Stella's visit had been a surprise. Her knowledge of his life had surprised him even more. He had certainly talked enough during that short time they'd been together. Fortunately, she never mentioned Kate so apparently he hadn't talked about everything. Her leaving left him with memories of a life that had been submerged with his adventures and mis-adventures on Hope.  He was pleased to help around the community and proud of his church and congregation. He'd made good, solid friendships and was making a difference.

Daniel? Rollie? He didn't know who he was anymore. Thoughts of friends, gone now, stirred in his mind, memories of Rick Forsaythe, his fellow stuntman and good mate, of Manny Ramirez, Angie's father and his mentor. He'd been like a father to him. He had been blessed with a multitude of father figures really, perhaps to make up for Dingo's lack of paternal instincts. No, that wasn't fair. Dingo tried to protect like a father was suppose to, he just wasn't good at ... playing and having fun with his lonely son. He wasn't good at the little things. He did just fine with the big ones though. Still, Manny, Mangela, the aborigine who'd more than half raised him, Father Mac? Well, Father Mac was sort of a father figure to Daniel he supposed. He was certainly someone he could turn to for advice and comfort. That was part of what a father offered. Then there was Leo. Leo McCarthy, tough as nails NYPD detective and the best mate Rollie Tyler could ever have. He remembered the good times they shared together, deliberately steering away from his death. All the fun, the craziness of helping him with his cases... And there was Angie. Always there was Angie... Daniel? Rollie? The lines blurred. Who was he?

Daniel fell asleep, his memories still drawn to the past of another life. He didn't stir when Doctor Watson came to check on him. She slipped the bed warmer under the covers at his feet, concerned about how cold his hands and feet felt. Should she try to transfer him to the mainland? Her examination hadn't found anything broken. The worst of it was a mildly sprained wrist, severe bruising and the cold. He was borderline hypothermic and possibly slightly concussed. That tumble hadn't done Daniel Cooper a bit of good. She lightly rested her hand on his forehead. At least he wasn't running a temperature - yet. The cold, wet night had bit deep into the young man. She sighed and sank into a chair beside his bed. It had bit deep into all of Hope Island. She was so tired from running from patient to patient, making sure no one was severely hurt or harmed by the heavy rain and sudden cold. This storm had taken the whole island by surprise, except for Nub. She was going to have to find out how he did it. He was better than the official weather reports. It was very generous of Daniel to open the church doors to those displaced by flooding. They would find other spots once the sun came up, staying with their neighbors who weren't knee deep in water. For now, everyone was snug in blankets and quilts and sleeping bags, filling the old church to overflowing. She laughed silently, her eyes crinkling. Actually, the church had overflowed - right into the small parish house. It was a maze to weave your way between the people bedded on Daniel's living room and kitchen floors. She had insisted his bedroom remain his though. Daniel was the worst of her patients and she wanted him warm and comfortable, not bobbing up every minute to help someone else. It was a sign of how much he hurt that he hadn't protested her edict or tried to give up his bed to someone else.

Doctor Watson stood with a soft sigh, thinking that maybe it was time to find her own bed. She quietly wove her way to the door and outside. She looked up, thankful that the rain had finally stopped. Was that a hint of the moon peeking out from the clouds? It looked like the storm was finally breaking up.

Kevin stepped up beside her. "How's Daniel?" He spoke softly, not wanting to disturb the now peaceful night.

"He's asleep finally. He'll be fine, Kevin. He'll hurt for a while, but..." She shrugged. Daniel was going to be fine with rest and a little time.

Kevin nodded gratefully. Thank God! He'd been so scared when that bank had crumbled under Daniel's feet. He thought the minister had been killed when he hit the bottom, mud pouring over him. All he could think of as he slithered down beside him was that Daniel shouldn't have been there. That it was his job to do these things, not Daniel's! Molly was going to kill him for allowing Daniel to come to harm. Hell! He'd kill himself. He should never have allowed Reverend Cooper to join him! Oh God, Daniel wasn't moving and he'd been certain he'd killed Hope's minister, then Daniel had moaned and shifted a bit. Somehow, between them, they'd managed to get back up the hill, Daniel shaking like a leaf the whole time, limping slightly, his left arm cradled against his body and suppressing moans when Kevin gripped him too tightly. Daniel had actually smiled at him when he bundled him into the car. He'd used the siren on the way back.  The sound had attracted attention from the islanders still at home and not involved in the efforts to move the others from the flooded areas. They'd come tumbling out to find what the hullabaloo was about, certain that something terrible was happening.  Everyone milled about in the cold rain, waiting to find out how Daniel was. His whispered words that he was all right and don't make a fuss were totally ignored, of course.

Father Mac bustled up, looking worried. "How's Daniel?"

"He'll be fine, Father Mac. Bruised, shaken up, maybe a mild concussion. He has a sprained wrist. That means he isn't to be working on the church until I say so, Kevin. I expect everyone to help make sure he doesn't try. I think Daniel could be quite stubborn and I doubt if he's used to sitting back, letting others do the work."

"Oh, we'll make sure of that," the priest declared. "I brought a couple of quilts..."

The middle-aged doctor accepted them gratefully. "Thank you. Daniel's still cold and I think every other blanket and quilt is being used by his guests." She went inside to tuck them over her patient.

"I know. I just came from the church." Father Mac spoke softly after her. "Well, it seems there's one thing Daniel didn't need to worry about."

"What's that, Father Mac?" Kevin asked curiously as he stepped down to the yard.

"The church roof came through this storm just fine. It's in better shape than he thought."

Kevin glanced up at the old building. "Yeah. I guess it is."

"Good thing too. I have a feeling Daniel will be doing other things with the money from the bazaar."

"Like what?" Kevin asked as he followed Father Mac to the road.

"Families will be needing a bit of help recovering. I expect Daniel will be seeing to that first."

Kevin stopped by his car. "How can you be so sure?"

"It's what I would do. People are far more important than buildings, Kevin. Well, good night," he looked up, "what's left of it anyway."

"I, uh, I should make one more check. Make sure everyone is all right."

"As you wish. Godspeed."