Danny walked and walked. Tears burned his eyes and blurred his vision...his mind raced...Steve was going to die and there was nothing that could be done for him. This was his fault...when he came out of that bathroom and saw that punk holding a gun to his partners head his first instinct was not to fire. Steve was in grave danger and he needed to approach the situation cautiously but then he saw the second man out of the corner of his eye and instinctively he had drawn his gun and now because of his reckless action this great man and the best friend he had ever had was going to die. Danny Williams walked until he came to a park. He moved to a large tree and leaning against it he dropped to the ground sobbing uncontrollably.

He sat there for a long time, his knees pulled to his chest, his head resting on them, his hands clasped around his knees. He cried and he prayed and then suddenly he jolted back to reality...he had to get back to the hospital...he had to be there...in case...

Danny began running back towards the hospital, if Steve died he had to be there.

He arrived in the waiting room winded, his eyes red, puffy and frantic.
Chin stood, "Danny? Are you alright?"
"Can we see him yet?"
"No...take a seat bro"
Danny sat and Chin went to get him a bottle of water.
Kono took his hand, "Danny...this isn't your fault. You know Steve won't blame you"

"I know he won't blame me...but it is my fault...Steve is going to die and it's my fault"

Chin returned and handed him the water, "Danny, he's not going to die. We have to believe that. His life will change but he won't die" Danny rubbed his hands over his face as Chin continued, "This is going to be very difficult for him Danny and we have to be strong. He's alive and the Doctor says he can survive, but his mental state is going to be a huge part in that survival. We have to make him believe that his life is still worth living...that he can still make a difference"

Danny again felt the large lump form in his throat as he spoke softly, "Thank you"

Chin let Danny know that he had talked to the Governor and that he wanted to meet with them tomorrow. "Have you called Rachel yet?"

"No, I should though before I go in there" Danny moved to the window and hit the speed dial for Rachel.
"Hello Daniel"
"Hi Rach, I need to talk to you about this weekend" his voice was cracking with emotion.
"Danny...what is it?"
"Um...Steve and I walked in on a robbery, you'll hear about it on the news tonight ...Steve was shot Rachel"

"Oh Danny...is he alright?"
Danny had a hard time continuing, "He was shot in ...in the head..."
"Oh my God no" Her voice was shaking as well as Danny continued.
"They couldn't get to the bullet. It's too deep"
"What does that mean Danny? Is he going to die?"

"He could Rach...if the bullet moves he could...I...I can't talk...about this right now...I'm sorry" He was again sobbing.
"Danny...don't worry about Gracie. Just take care of Steve and call me when you can"

"Rachel...don't tell her how bad it is yet okay? Just tell her he was hurt...they're going to keep him in a coma for a few days due to the swelling. I need to be with him...just in case...he..."

"No, no Danny...he'll be okay, he's Super Seal right?"
Danny had to chuckle at her use of the nickname, "Yeah, that he is...thank you. I'll call you soon...bye"

A nurse came in a few minutes later to take Danny to the ICU.
He looked at his friends, "Go ahead and call it a day, get some sleep. I'll call you a little later and let you know how he's doing"
Kono embraced and kissed him and then Chin grasped his hand, "Give him our love and take care of him brother"
"I will" Danny then turned and followed the nurse to the ICU.

505050505050505050505050

The sound of the respirator filled the room. As he made his way to his partners side the sight before him made him gasp. Steve's head had been shaved. His head was propped on several pillows and tubing led from the back of his skull to a drainage bag at bedside. The fluid was greyish-white with a tint of blood to it. There was obvious swelling and bruising to his head and some of the stitching was noticeable. Danny looked at his partners eyes that before the surgery were moving frantically behind the closed lids, but now there was no discernible movement at all. He was as pale as the white sheets he lay upon, his dark hair a stark contrast.

Both hands had IV lines inserted into them, pumping fluids and antibiotics into his body. Another IV was hooked up to his forearm replenishing his blood supply.
Danny took hold of his limp hand and leaned in closely, speaking softly. "Steve, you're doing great buddy. You just hang on, Danno's with you buddy. You rest up and I'll be right here"

Danny pulled up a chair and held Steve's hand throughout the night, encouraging him to just hold on, that everything would be okay.

50505050505050505050505050

The nurse told Danny that Chin and Kono were in the hallway a little after seven in the morning and he went out to see them.

"Good Morning guys, he had an uneventful night...so that's good"
"Yeah, that's really good"
Danny explained to them the tubing and his appearance so not to alarm them and Chin went in first to see him.

"How are you doing Kono, were you able to sleep?"
"A little bit, exhaustion finally took over. It doesn't look like you slept at all?"
"No I didn't. I'm fine though sweetheart. As long as he keeps fighting, I'm fine"
"I'll stay here with him so you can go meet with the Governor, then why don't you go get some sleep"

"Don't worry about me Kono, I'll be fine"
"I know but you need to rest. We need to stay strong for him Danny and you can't do this alone. Chin and I want to help, we need to help. I'll call you if there's any change, I promise"

"Okay….I am pretty beat, thank you"
"No thanks needed, I you you Danny"
The two embraced, "I love you too sweetheart"

When Chin returned Danny went in to let the nurse know that Kono would be staying for a few hours and then the men left her with Steve and they headed to the Governors' office.

Kono stood at Steve's side brushing her hand lightly over his cheek as tears welled in her eyes. Danny could not have prepared her this sight and she sat unable to take her eyes off his chest. It was moving at a nice steady pace but the sound of the respirator was disconcerting. She talked to him quietly and held his hand firmly in hers.