Chapter 2: Bars, Beer, and a Stomach Pump Chaser...
Not only were the pair on the second round, but they were well into a pile of hot wings when Kono and Steve arrived, still bickering about who'd finished first. The two men managed not to laugh at the petulant, sulky faces.
"Hi Kono! Hi Steve!" Danny greeted them brightly, receiving non-committal grunts. He waved at the waitress and soon a beer and a mai tai appeared.
"Super nachos," Kono ordered then settled back to sip at the fruit-filled drink. Strained silence followed for a few minutes until someone fed the juke box adding a layer of driving rock. Glancing at her team mates Kono set down her glass and latched on to Danny.
"Come on, I need to work off some steam," she said dragging the unwilling man to the small dance floor.
"I would have been the best choice," Steve growled, still in competition mode.
"She would have stepped all over your boots," Chin pointed out amiably.
"Probably," he grunted. A twenty-something male tripped over Chin's feet causing both men to jump up. As they did, they grabbed their drinks but the other two drinks slid to the floor.
"Wow, I'm sorry, man!" the guy said. "I'll get you another!"
"That'd be good, bro," Steve said. "Mai tai and a Long Board."
"You got it," he said sheepishly. "I'm really sorry!" He wandered back to the bar and returned just as the song changed setting down a mug and a glass.
"On tap, suppose to be better," he said. Then disappeared into the crowd.
"Danny doesn't do draft does he?" Chin commented.
"He's always paranoid, like someone's gonna slip him something," Steve decided.
A third song began and still no Rookie or Haole. Kono was really burning off some energy! A huge plate of nachos was placed in the middle of the table and within seconds Kono streaked back, Danny walking at a more leisurely pace.
"Thank god the food came," Williams said as he accepted the mug of beer from Steve. He took a long swallow.
"Haven't done draft for awhile," he said glancing at the other two. "Why'd you get it for me and not yourselves?" He took another quick sip and snagged a chip.
"We didn't," Chin said. "Some dude knocked your and Kono's drinks onto the floor." The Haole looked at the mug suspiciously. Steve snapped at his partner.
"Oh, suck it up, princess," he bitched. "It's a beer, no one's out to roofie you!" He received a withering glare. But the blond took another drink. Kono, on the other hand, set her drink on an empty table next to them. Of course, nothing was said to her.
"Look, Danny, I have to agree with Steve on this one," Chin took up the fatherly lecturing tone, "You don't need to be so paranoid! No one's out to get you here. It's a good bar."
"Whatever," the blonde waved his free hand.
After a few more sips and several loaded strips, Danny blinked his eyes. Things weren't quite right; the table was shifting and the mug and nachos were not staying still.
"Ok, I'm paranoid," he slurred. "I prob-b-bably jus-t am over-rr-reac-ting." All three friends stared at the dialated pupils in the blue, blue eyes.
"Danno?" Steve put his hand on his shoulder.
"Why... why are you guys all... so... weird-lookin'?" his eyes rolled back and McGarrett had a good enough hold so he didn't hit the floor.
"Get his mug, and your drink," Steve directed. "After you call for medics, take 'em back to the lab. Chin, let's get him outside." They picked up the limp body and headed for the door, the way cleared by Kono and her phone.
"They said you have to get him to vomit," she relayed.
"Sorry about this, partner," Steve and Chin tipped forward and a blunt finger was used to cause a gag reflex. Beer, nachos and chicken wings made a reappearance on the sidewalk. Williams moaned piteously but made no attempt to move. One more tap, another round of heaving.
Kono held out a couple napkins. She'd snagged ziplocks from the kitchen staff and had the drinks contained with their glasses.
"Should I stay?" she asked nervously.
"No, we need to know what he's taken," Steve said. The sounds of sirens began to come closer. As Kono turned towards her car a college-aged man came up to her.
"Hey? You ok?" he asked all concerned. She glared at him.
"I'm fine. Who the hell are you?" she pulled back out of his hand that had grasped her shoulder.
"I thought you were having some trouble," he said smoothly, backing off.
"Police business, sir, excuse me," she growled like Steve. After loosing the lolo Kono jumped in her car and ran hot out of the lot.
Steve pulled the ill man away from his vomit, sat down and braced his trembling partner against him hoping to give him an anchor. Chin stood at the ready, scanning for any possible problems.
"Hurts," Danny managed. "Stomach, hurts."
"Sssh, it's ok, Danno," Steve held him tight, a large, warm hand splayed over his belly. "EMTs are almost here."
"I hate when I'm right," he twisted and moaned, pushing his sweating face against his partner's neck looking for relief.
"When they're out to get you, you're not paranoid," Chin stated wisely. Both Steve and Danny stared at him a long moment.
"Y-you got that off a f-fortune c-cookie?" the ill man snarked before leaning back into his partner.
The shaking increased and fortunately the paramedics pulled up at that time. Vitals were somewhat normal, but the severe cramping was bothersome.
"We need to take him in so they can rinse out his stomach," the paramedic explained. They'd lifted Danny onto the gurney and put a warm blanket over him. He was holding on tightly to Steve as strange images kept filling his head.
"Chin, bring the camaro," he tossed the keys to him and helped put Williams into the ambulance.
"Wha' what what's happening Steve? Where am I?" Danny clawed for his partner's hand.
"He's confused, it's a side-effect," the medic said patiently. Steve nodded.
"Hey, Danno, sshh, you're gonna be fine," he grasped the trembling hand while his other hand went up to stroke through sweaty hair. "We're in an ambulance and we're going to the hospital. The doctors will help you." Frightened eyes popped open when the siren started up. Dialated pupils completely absorbed the blue. Steve bent over him and pulled his chin gently until their eyes met.
"I'm right here, babe, right here," the Navy Seal's stomach twisted as he watched the terror somewhat abate, but still lingered. He felt guilty for making Danny drink the spiked beer. What if Kono drank that mai tai? Then both of them would be down. She was lighter, would it have affected her more? He forced all those thoughts aside and concentrated on keeping Danny's focus.
At the ER Dr. Lewis was waiting. The Governor had been adamant one physician be assigned to the team. Lewis wasn't sure he wanted the distinction at first, but the foursome had grown on him over the months and year. He sprang forward when the gurney came through the double doors.
"He's complaining of pain in his stomach; pulse is hovering around 70 and bp is 100/68," the emt noted. "Respers are shallow and fast."
Lewis could see the panic and knew why his breathing was so fast; fear pure and simple. The drug was depressing his heart rate and would need to be watched. It was fortunate that they'd made him throw up.
"Three," he said as he took up position next to his patient. He looked over at McGarrett and the white knuckle grasp Williams had on him. "You can come in while he's awake, make it easier for me." Steve nodded tersely and continued his quiet litany to his friend.
There was a flurry of activity, transferring Danny to the treatment bed, moving the IV to a pole. Clothing being stripped off and a sheet pulled up his torso, followed by a warmed blanket. A gastric tube was lubed up and before the patient could properly react it was slipped through his nose and down into his stomach.
Steve was basically leaning on Danny's chest and shoulder anchoring him to the bed. On his part the ill man was clutching at him, wanting no more than to hide in the only secure place he knew in this strange room.
Now that the tube was in position fluid was poured through into the stomach. Lewis carefully palpitated his patient's stomach. While all this was going on a phlebotomist came in and literally tied down an arm to fill tubes with blood.
"Ok, Danny, we're taking care of your stomach right now," Lewis said in as calm a voice as he could. "Do you feel the cool liquid? Is it taking away the burning sensation?"
"Danno?" Steve still had his partner's full attention. Frightened eyes bore into his.
"Yeah, yeah, I can feel it," he said. "'s good."
The treatment continued as Lewis decided how to treat his patient. Until he knew exactly what was on board he was reluctant to give any sedatives. Hopefully warmth and his friend's comfort would keep him settled for the time being.
He did know he'd need to clean the entire tract. Some of the drug had slipped beyond into the small intestines and needed to be flushed out. Calling to the nurse he had her get the requisite drug to purge.
"Steve, we need to clean all the drug out," he said. "It's going to get a bit... messy. If you want to step out." McGarrett knew exactly what had to happen.
"No, I'm good," he replied. "I promised Danno I'd stay with him." He watched as additional sheeting and towels were used to bolster Danny and a clear med put into his IV.
Williams had nearly dozed off when new cramping started. His eyes flew open and only the combination of one arm tethered and Steve on the other kept him from flying off the bed.
"You're fine, you're gonna be fine," Steve tried soothing him. He did not like the terror reflecting in Danno's eyes. He knew that his partner was very confused and had no idea what was happening to him.
The entire process did not take long; the nurses had the ill man cleaned up quickly and another bag was added to his IV. Lewis stood charting patiently.
"We'll get him settled into a private room," The doctor decided. "Depending on what he ingested and the concentration he should stay here a couple days."
"When will we know?" McGarrett asked as he continued to run his hand through sweaty hair.
"My panels will be back in four to six hours," Lewis said. "I don't know about the labs on the drinks."
"I will stay with him in his room," Steve stated. "Chin and Kono will come in and out." The doctor stared at him a moment.
"If Williams' has ingested what I think he has, rohypnol, he's not going to remember anything from today and probably tomorrow," Lewis asserted. "You don't need to hang around." McGarrett now glared at the man.
"He's my partner," Steve said, "he's scared and confused. How can I leave him alone?"
"Your choice," Lewis shrugged. "We'll get him settled and you can come in after."
McGarrett wasn't too happy about letting Williams out of his sight, but he watched as the gurney was pushed out while Danny was seemingly sleeping.
