Chapter 7

Hey guys, it's been a while but i am back! Thanks you'all for the reviews and favoring and reading. I really appreciate it. Here's another one. I hope you like and review.

...

So one hand is holding yours while
The other is waving goodbye
I love you, but it's your turn to fight...Sia

...

Kono helped drag one of Danny's bags out of her car and sighed dejectedly. She had so much wanted to blame Rachel for this but she could now see clearly that Rachel had no influence over this whatsoever. She had walked into her residence a few days ago, fuming, ready to lay it on Rachel but after a polite greeting and a cup of tea she had calmed down some. But that cup of tea did not stop her from confronting Rachel rather accusingly about the situation, only to find out that Rachel was worried too. Turns out moving to Jersey was not going to be such a good thing for their new fragile relationship. New Jersey held some bitter memories for her about her marriage since that was where they had broken up. There was history there and not all of it good. Coupled with the fact that Danny would always associate the place with Matt, she was worried suffice to say. She was worried that Danny was running. Running from one brother to another who was no longer there and being in Jersey permanently was going to hammer home the fact that Matty was no longer there. Hawaii had provided a sort of shelter for him from those feelings, and of course Steve had played a major role. Rachel was worried but she had to be the wife she had failed to be and stand by him this time. Whatever he needed.

Now Kono just dragged her share of the luggage inside, everyone had a bag or two they were dragging around. Conversation was flowing about any other thing but what was really going on here. She could see that Danny looked sad. He would just absent minded nod at some comment about something but his mind was miles away. Maybe he would change his mind. Kono crossed her fingers and prayed that maybe he would suddenly realize that this was wrong and turn back. Maybe, just maybe something. She wasn't ready to say goodbye to them yet.

...

He opened his eyes to a hospital room full of monitors and plenty of flowers and greeting cards. Suddenly his Ohana walked in with big smiles on their faces, so happy that he was alive and awake. They told him that he had been shot in an aircraft and Danny had to do a crush landing in order to save his life. He remembered being shot, he remembered Danny panicking and radioing for assistance to fly the plan. Then he didn't remember anything after that. Now he was awake and actually shocked that he was alive. He had actually thought this time he was done for. He had thought that this was it. He looked around now and could not find Danny among his Ohana. He asked for him, asked where he was and they told him that he was still in surgery.

"Surgery? Did he get hurt from the plane crush?" He didn't remember Danny getting shot.

"No he gave you half his liver. And he's still in surgery." He was told

Then a doctor came in almost immediately holding a chart.

"Commander Mcgarrett. Good to see that you're awake and well. You Sir are going to have a full recovery."

"Thank you Doc." He said. "How's ... how's Danny?" He asked anxiously

"Danny? Oh Detective Danny Williams. Well he's dead."

He felt his whole body going still and his horror must have registered on his face because the doctor just looked at him and shrugged.

"What, are you surprised? Danny knew what he was signing up for when he volunteered to give you his liver. There are always complications with surgery my friend and Danny knew that. I tell you one simple procedure like a dentist tonsil removal can end up in death on the OR table. It's the risk we all take when we're getting into surgery and Danny knew that. No need to beat yourself up for it. At least you get to live right?" The doctor said nonchalantly before moving out of the room whistling.

Steve still could not talk. His heat was now beating fast. The whole thing was weird to say the least and all the more frightening. The doctor's attitude for one. He looked around him and his friends were going on and on as if nothing had happened. Then they started laughing, chanting something or other. They were all laughing at him or jeering at him.

You get to live!

You get to live Steve!

At least you get to live!

You get to live!

You live!

He woke up heaving, drenched in sweat. He looked around him; he was on his living room floor which looked like a tornado had hit it. He must have fallen asleep here last night. Which meant, Danny was still alive, thank God. But it also meant Danny was leaving. Today.

He could not, would not let that happen. He couldn't do it.

...

Danny walked to the check in point with his family in tow. Rachel, Grace and Charlie. His friends, his Ohana were there to bid them farewell. They lingered a little at the check in not ready to say goodbye yet. He would come back this coming week to put some final finishing to their home, the paperwork and everything but he had to go and get his family settled in Jersey first. They didn't want to go but they were only doing this for him. Rachel was game for anything really but Hawaii had become home to her too somehow. And they would have made a nice home here with their Ohana. But to be honest this place ceased to be home for him the moment Steve stopped being home for him. He could not abide living here under these circumstances. He was worried. He was worried about leaving Steve alone in the state he was in but Steve had made it clear he didn't want his help. He had told him he was leaving and he had not so much as flinch at that idea. He had not called, he had not visited and it had been a week now since he'd told him. If anything could shout out 'get off my Island' that was it. He was sad to leave, worried about Steve even though he had berated himself many times not to. He was still worried. Even a million miles away he will still be worried, so there. There was no way around it. Then again going back to Jersey was going to bring its own unbearable memories about Matt. Yeah well, it was done. Time to move on. His heart was so heavy though he felt like he was forcing himself to breathe.

Then Grace gasped, "Uncle Steve."

They all looked up to see Steve jogging towards them. He looked disheveled and worn out. He looked so pitiful it was heat breaking.

Danny felt his heart soar with relief at seeing him, but he wasn't quite sure with the look in Steve's eyes.

Steve had been so afraid he was going to miss them he had barely taken a shower and rushed to the airport. He was so relieved to find them still at the check in but now here comes the hard part. Grace was the one who sported him first and she must have said something that caused everyone to turn towards him.

Then Grace started running towards him and dove into him. "Uncle Steve." She said as she clung to him and Steve hugged her tight.

"Gracie." He said brokenly. How could he have thrown all of this away? How could he have thought he could ever live without them? He could only pray that Danny would hear him out.

Then Charlie came running after him too, shouting, 'Uncle Steve, Uncle Steve!" He picked him up and hugged him. He searched for his father's eyes and found them. He locked eyes with him and his heart broke. He didn't know how he was going to fix this but if he had to grovel and beg he will.

He saw Danny walk towards him and he bent down to put Charley down. He braced himself. Not sure where to start. He waited until Danny was standing right before him and he could only bow his head in shame. He looked up and didn't see any reproach in Danny's eyes, only understanding.

Suddenly he could not find the voice to speak as his throat was now choked with tears. He could only mouth 'I am sorry.' And he could feel himself about to crumble again.

Suddenly he was engulfed in a hug, he was held up. His feet had found their anchor again and he wasn't going to go down anymore.

"I got you. I got you brother." Danny whispered soothingly.

Steve sagged into that embrace, letting that strength carry his weight. "I am sorry Danny. I am so sorry." He chocked out

"I am sorry too. I am sorry."

"I am a mess."

"I know, I know. We'll fix it ok? We'll fix it. Together. Alright?"

"I need you. I need you to stay."

"I am right here. I got you. I got you Steve. I got you."

He felt so soothed and so relieved it was like breathing fresh air. They held each other like that for the longest time. Forgiveness and comfort and love well communicated in that simple hug.

Then Danny started laughing as he came into awareness, "This is so unmanly."

Steve choked out a laugh too. "You said it. And at an airport? In public?"

"What say we get outa here?"

"Yeah let's get outa here." Steve agreed as he let go. They looked at each other, this time smiling. Funny how a feud between brothers can start and funny how easy it can be wiped away. No matter what. Now all that was left was them. Simple and true.

The Ohana now joined them, everyone laughing and happy at the outcome.

Danny glanced at Rachel, "Well I had asked Rachel to take care of the house, I hope you had not already sold the house." He said and everyone looked at her expectantly

"Well I never even started the process Daniel. I was hoping you two would come to your senses. I knew we'd be back." She said, and everyone laughed with relief. Danny took a relieved breath and gave Rachel a kiss. "Thanks.' He said.

Steve stepped in and gave her a hug. "Thanks Rachel."

They walked from the airport now, heading home. This part was over but there was still a lot to be ironed out. A lot to be said. A lot to explain and to apologize for. In their respective hearts they each held no residual bitterness towards the other, just relief that they had been forgiven. But how could they be absolutely sure that they had been forgiven by the other? Would they truly ever go back? There was a long journey ahead and it was just beginning.

...

So,do let me know what you think. I'll see you in a bit.