In and out of consciousness, the flight to Tripler was a bumpy blur of pain and voices. Danny tried to concentrate on Steve and Grace. Just the feel of them. He was too fuzzy to understand words but could hear them talking about him, around him, maybe to him. He couldn't be sure, didn't care.
And he kept his eyes squeezed shut. All the motion and concentration was making him nauseous on top of everything else. He couldn't win.
"Danny, we're landing. Might be rough for a minute."
"Kame." Danny mumbled, trying to smile. "Shrimp copter."
Steve smiled, eyes tearing up. "Yea buddy."
Steve wrapped his arm around Grace, holding her close. She had grown very still, shivering every so often. He knew she could tip over into hysterics at any second, so he held on to her.
She wouldn't let go of her father's hand even though he had long since lost the ability to squeeze her back. Repeating his name like a magic spell.
In a flash, they were on the ground and overwhelmed by hospital staff. Orders were given and they were all pulled out of the helicopter and quickly evaluated. A squealing Grace was separated from her father. And Steve had a choice to make. Danny or Grace.
"Grace." Danny's face was twisted with pain as the gurney was pushed toward the doors. He felt like he might puke any second as the world swayed with the sudden movement, and hearing his daughter cry did all kinds of terrible things to him. He couldn't take much more.
Steve reached for his best friend, just missing his outstretch arm. But he wanted to make sure Danny knew his Monkey was alright. "I got her, Danny. Okay? Don't worry about Gracie."
He hoped he'd heard him before the doors swung closed. Steve bent over, feeling like all the air had been sucked out of him. Someone bumped into him as they rushed into the hospital, bringing Steve back. Grace was trembling beside him. And Danny was gone.
/././
Through the maze of trauma bays, Steve trailed the gurney that carried such precious cargo. His partner. His best friend. Dad. Danno. It was tough to keep up. Grace had become so heavy. Exhaustion crept upon him now. So much was out of his hands.
He almost dropped Grace until she dug her fingernails into his back.
"Danno!" She pointed to an exam room ahead of them.
Danny could be seen through the windows. Steve wanted to cover Grace's eyes. She shouldn't see her father stripped so bare and helpless. Blood everywhere. Too many bodies in the way, arms and hands. Helping. Rushing to save a life.
The helpless pair moved closer, seemingly unnoticed at this point. So much of the focus was on that one room.
Danny.
Steve could hear them now. Yelling stats. Requesting meds and supplies. Danny's eyes were still closed. He looked terrible.
Lifeless.
And now Steve noticed the trail of blood on the floor. His world went instantaneously black and he stumbled, still holding Grace.
"Commander McGarrett. You shouldn't be back here." A strong hand gripped his arm, steadying him.
Steve was pushed away from the window. At that moment he was too out of it to stop the person. And Grace was screaming and shaking. It was all he could do to keep her in his arms.
The door to the trauma room flew open and stayed that way. Voices drifted into the hall, broken and disjointed shouts and demands. The words swirled in Steve's head and he tried to catch what he could.
I don't like those readings.
He's lost a lot of blood.
Start O2.
We have to get this bleeding under control.
Start a central line.
Blood pressure's too low.
We have to transfuse him.
Get an OR ready stat.
Wait, he's non responsive.
Sir, can you hear me?
Frantic attempts were made to rouse the dying man.
Danny! His name is Danny! Steve wanted to scream. He wanted to butt in and tell them all just how important their patient was. How badly he was needed.
Wait, we lost him.
And the hurricane began.
Steve felt his knees buckle and he somehow managed to set Grace on the floor before he collapsed. She hung onto him, still crying and calling for her daddy.
"That's enough." A firm hand pulled Steve to his feet. "You can't be here, sir."
Steve opened his eyes, catching himself before he sent a fist flying into the face of the man in front of him. A security guard.
Then a petite woman got between the two men. "Commander McGarrett! Look at me, sir. Stand down! Please."
"Okay, okay." He mumbled, wrapping his arms around Grace again. "I'm sorry."
"You can't be back here. I'm sorry. You both need to wait outside. Let me take you to the waiting area, please." She leaned in and whispered close to his ear. "This little girl shouldn't be seeing her daddy this way."
If you only knew what she'd seen today. Steve didn't say those words aloud but he squeezed Grace tighter. No amount of whispering would spare her in this moment.
"Wait! I need to know he's going to make it. I need to see him." Steve pushed against the well meaning nurse. "Please."
She turned back toward the crowded, frantic room. "They're doing all they can, Commander McGarrett. All they can."
Grace shivered in Steve's arms, every word a hiccup. But he knew what she was repeating ever so softly.
Danno.