Broken

(Steve)

A/N This story is based on the episode 'Ma Ke Kahakai' of season 1, because I can xD

"Andrea!" Andrea turned as Dr. Maria Wrote called out to her. Her friend had a pinched worried look on her face as she quickly approached her.

"What is it?" Andrea asked worriedly.

"McGarrett," Andrea was already walking with her. "They had to bring him in via helicopter."

"Any idea what happened?" She asked heart already starting to race with worry as they approached the elevator.

"No, sorry." Maria said as Andrea stepped into the elevator quickly joined by some nurses and a stretcher. She gave An a reassuring smile before the doors closed.

*5-0*

"Broken arm head trauma possible cracked or broken ribs." One of the men informed Dr. Ross-whom Steve McGarrett was surprisingly glad to see-as they tried to get him onto the gurney that had been wheeled out.

"I can walk." He'd protested but upon spotting Ross sporting a lethal 'don't' look, had swallowed any further arguments. Besides his arm and head and chest were killing him, sitting seemed like a pretty good idea right now.

"Ok, let's get some x-ray's take a look at the damage." Ross yelled over the sound of the chopper.

The sound of the chopper cut off as the elevator doors closed behind them.

"You do this?" He looked up into fierce green eyes-that he swore swam with worry-as Ross spoke gesturing at the makeshift splint on his arm.

"Yeah." He replied.

She pursed her lips, pulling out a pen light from her pocket, as a nurse inserted a needle into his arm.

He winced when she shown the light into his eyes, resisting the urge to turn his head away.

"Looks like you might have a concussion, order a CT scan as well Linnie." She said looking up at a blond nurse.

"Any dizziness, nausea?" She asked.

Adrenalin had kept most of that at bay when Steve had been examining the body. It's wasn't like it wasn't there, just that it had been easier to ignore.

"Little dizzy." He mumbled, hating to admit it but the inside of the elevator was starting to twist a bit unnaturally around him. Without even realizing it he'd closed his eyes, only opening them when he felt a hand on his shoulder.

Ross' hand.

"Easy." She said meeting his gaze a look of sympathy flashing in her eyes.

The elevator came to a halt, doors opening, and they broke contact as the nurses pushed his gurney out.

*5-0*

Andrea frowned at the x-ray.

Well, that was a fairly nasty brake, luckily it hadn't needed surgery, but it would take a while to heal.

She almost couldn't stand the pain she'd caused by examining the appendage earlier, even if McGarrett was good at hiding it, she knew. It was written in the way he'd squared his shoulders, intently staring at the wall or floor, not making a sound.

Sighing, An jotted a few things down in his file, before making her way towards the exam room he was currently occupying. She'd honestly feared something much worse had happened to him, coming in by helicopter and all.

"Where's McGarrett?" The nurse currently occupying McGarrett's room looked at her with surprise which quickly turned to an irritated frown tinged with worry.

"He's uh, checking himself out."

"What?!" Andrea immediately left the room heading towards the main desk.

"Commander!"

She spotted the ex-SEAL filling out some form, his left arm already casted and in a sling.

"What are you doing?" She demanded. He looked up as she spoke.

"He's signing himself out AMA." The nurse behind the desk informed. McGarrett gave her a look to which she merely shrugged."I did say I don't condone any of this Commander."

"And nether do I." Ross growled folding her arms and giving him a stern look.

"I need to get back to work." He insisted.

"You have a minor concussion two cracked ribs and a broken arm, you shouldn't even be moving around this much." She snapped gesturing at him.

"I feel fine."

"Because you're pumped full of drugs." She pointed out bluntly. The nurse behind the desk snorted and she gave her a look which quickly silenced her.

"Look, I have to go, I need to-" He picked up the pen to finish signing the form but she grabbed it. He gave her a startled look, that quickly turned to irritation, and he glared at her.

Andrea remained unaffected cocking an eyebrow at him."What in the world could be so important?" She watched him carefully for a response.

He seemed to hesitate, glancing at the nurse behind the desk.

"Joy, could you give us a minute?" Andrea asked and the nurse nodded, looking curious but left.

McGarrett was looking at her with curiosity now, seeming as if he wanted to ask why she was even bothering to give him an opportunity to explain.

"Me and my partner were out hiking when we came across a body at the bottom of a cliff." He said softly.

"And your team can't handle this without you because?" She pushed for a better explanation.

"It's not that they can't get it done its just...look doc I've just gotta see this through, the guy could have family looking for him."

Andrea bit back a sigh seeing the honest determination burning in his eyes. She know she could argue all she wanted but it would probably be futile. Unless of course he passed out, or she somehow managed to sedate him.

"At least promise me one thing." She said, not knowing for the life of her why she was allowing this.

He gave her an odd look, but said nothing and she took that as her cue to continue.

"Come back tonight, before my shift ends, regardless of whether or not your case is finished."

She met his gaze uncomfortably but steadily, as he eyed her for a long moment.

"What time does your shift end?" He asked.

"Eleven." She felt a small part of her grow a little more comfortable with the situation. But not by much.

"Ok." He said and she reluctantly put the paper down so he could sign it.

As he set the pen down and turned to leave Andrea resisted the urge to grab his arm, her heart clenching in her chest.

"Be careful." She blurted. Apparently her actions she could control, but her voice was another matter.

He paused looking back at her and she could see the slight surprise written on his features.

"I will."

That said he turned again and left.

Andrea knew, that until she saw him again, and was sure he hadn't hurt himself further she'd have a hard time focusing for the rest of the day.

*5-0*

Steve entered his home and leaned back against the closed door with a heavy sigh. It had been a long day, and though he had enjoyed getting drinks with his team, he probably should have just come home after it was all over.

His arm ached like no other, each breath sent a painful twinge out across his chest, and his head felt like it might reach migraine proportions if he didn't do something about it soon. He really didn't want a repeat of what happened last month.

"Crap." He grumbled as he looked down at his watch.

11:15pm glared back at him. He was supposed to drop by the hospital before Ross' shift was over.

He shouldn't feel this bad about going against doctors orders but...

"Be careful."

Ross had looked so worried though, and a part of him really didn't like seeing that. Now what part of him that was exactly he wasn't sure, it wasn't like they were dating or anything.

He grimaced pushing away from the door and made his way slowly towards his couch.

He'll just have to come in first thing in the morning...which so wasn't like him. He was fine after all, maybe a bit sore but he didn't need to go in, he could manage, right?

With a groan he collapsed onto his couch. Sitting hurt...he should have made a pit stop in the kitchen for some pain meds. He probably didn't have anything strong enough to put a dent in the throbbing anyway, but he still could've checked.

He'd been sitting there only a few minutes when there was a knock on the door. He frowned. Who would come around this late?

They knocked again a little louder this time, and he grimaced, irritation effort he stood. His head swam for a moment and he gripped the back of the couch for support.

Swallowing thickly against the pain-and after his head stopped spinning-he made his way slowly towards the door. They were still knocking.

At this point he wished he had the use of his left hand so he could open the door with one and have the other free to pull his side arm just in case. He settled instead for a different approach.

"Who is it?" He tried to sound strong, but he wasn't sure how well he pulled it off.

"It's Ross."

Came the muffled reply.

Steve frowned opening the door. Sure enough there the doctor stood a bag swung over one shoulder and a look of thunder in her green eyes.

"Forget to do something?" She demanded.

Steve sighed. "Look it's been a long day I-"

"You look like crap." She interrupted. Some of the thunder left her eyes, her features softening a little. Then a smirk graced her lips."If you let me in I'll give you something for the pain." She said gesturing at her bag.

"You..." Steve trailed off, blaming his weak resolve on the pain he was currently in.

She smiled her features softening further."I'm guessing you don't have anything strong enough to even take the edge off ?"

He had to admit, it was kinda surprising that he didn't have any strong pain killers left over from the many other times he'd been injured. Not that he would admit to being injured so often.

Sighing heavily-holding back a wince as his ribs twinged-he stepped aside to let her in. Smiling still she entered. As he closed the door the room tilted and he felt himself pitching slightly towards the door. Ross didn't miss a beat and she grabbed onto his arm to steady him.

"Come on, sit down before you fall down." Some of the irritation he'd heard earlier was back.

She led him back to the couch, thankfully allowing him to sit on his own. He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to get a handle on the pain. When he opened them Ross shown a pen light into his eyes.

"Gah-" Steve batted her hand away."Come on."

"Sorry but you still have a concussion, now hold still." She said, her voice professionally clipped. He grabbed onto her wrist as she tried once more.

"I'm fine, I just need some sleep."

The irritation was back full force, and her eyes blazed. "If you'd come in like you said you would, we wouldn't be doing this." she snapped.

Steve cringed inwardly but he managed to control his features. Why did he feel so guilty?

"Look I'm fine, really, you don't have to do this." He continued to insist.

"Do you want the pain meds or not?" She asked cocking an eyebrow standing over him.

Oh, she played dirty.

"If you let me do a physical, I'll give you the meds."

An ultimatum...his body was tried to proclaim its own reply, his arm throbbing sharply, the pain traveling up the broken appendage and to the base of his skull, striking like lightning and pounding behind his eyes.

Steve managed to turn the groan into a heavy sigh, but was unable to stop his eyes from closing for a moment while he tried to get a hold on the pain.

"Commander?" Her tone was tinged with concern, and he opened his eyes to meet hers.

There was a moment of silence then-

"OK." Steve said softly. He didn't know what made him say it, maybe it was the concern he saw in those green depths or the guilt he was feeling, probably a mixture of both.

Her features softened once more and she lifted the pen light."This'll only take a moment." She muttered.

*5-0*

Danny was concerned, ok, he'd admit that. Though Steve had joked around at the bar, he knew his friend was in pain. It was written in the way he avoided bumping his casted arm, the wince he was unable to hide completely when he turned his head to sharply, the subconscious placing of his other arm across his ribs.

He wouldn't be able to sleep until he annoyed the Neanderthal into telling him the truth about how he really felt, and if he deemed his condition worthy enough to go to the hospital...well he'd find some way to drag his ass down there. Steve sure as heck wouldn't go willingly...probably.

When the SEAL didn't answer the three times he'd called him, Danny grumbled under his breath put his shoes back on and hopped into the Camaro heading to the McGarrett house.

On his way, he contemplated calling Ross. The doc did basically say it was ok to call her if they needed another house call. Pulling up to Steve's place he frowned at the sight of the black GT Mustang parked out front.

Concern welled up in his chest and he pulled out the extra gun in the glove compartment. Approaching the house quickly and quietly, he scanned the area, and upon seeing nothing out of the ordinary-besides the unfamiliar car-he slowly opened the front door. Some day he knew Steve was probably going to kick his ass for doing this so often, but right now-

He froze at the sight he'd come upon. Ross was there, and she was touching Steve's chest the SEAL lifting the shirt up with one hand. At any other given time, Danny would have just left, but the way Ross was pressing on Steve's ribs he took a guess that she was checking them for damage.

"So-"

Ross jumped taking a step back nearly tripping over the coffee table behind her. Steve quickly reached out with his good arm grabbing onto her wrist to keep her from falling.

Danny saw him wince, face going slightly pale. He lowered his head cursing at him.

"Damn it Danny!"

"Sorry, sorry didn't mean to interrupt anything." He said holding up his hands as he approached.

Steve glared back at him while Ross looked only slightly uncomfortable.

"You left AMA again didn't you?" Danny demanded approaching the couch."That's why she's here? But you probably wouldn't call her so..." He contemplated aloud.

"I came over on my own Danny," Ross said."He promised to come by the hospital before my shift ended tonight but obviously failed to do so." She gave Steve a disapproving look.

Danny glanced at Steve a little surprised at the odd look he saw on his face. He couldn't quite place what it meant, but with the way he was looking from him to Ross, he had to assume that it had something to do with the fact that Ross had called him by his first name. He held back a smirk, a side of McGarrett he hadn't seen before, was there something going on here?

"Why are you here?" Steve demanded.

"Why weren't you answering your phone?" Danny countered.

Steve frowned a little at the question, then actually looked a little sheepish when he said.

"I, left it in my car."

Danny gave him a look, but decided to let it slide since Ross was here. It was nice to know there was a professional out there who worried about the SEAL's health as much as he did. Which lead him to believe that there maybe was something going on between the two.

He'd let that go too, for now.

"What's the verdict doc?" He asked looking at Ross. Steve glared at him, obviously not liking being talked about when he was sitting right there.

Ross smirked."Ok," She looked at Steve."But I think someone should stay here with you tonight."

Danny frowned. Rachel needed him to pick up Gracie early tomorrow, he didn't think he'd be able to-

"No one needs to stay." Steve grumbled.

"Unless you want me to admit you-" Ross started a look of pure irritation marring her features.

"I'm fine I don't need a baby sitter." Steve interrupted looking just as irritated.

Danny nearly smiled openly at the exchange. Yup, definitely something going on.

"Look," He said managing to get both their attention but really only needing Ross'."I can't stay, maybe you could call Kono or Chin-"

"We don't need to bother them it's been a long day, and you've got Gracie tomorrow right? I'm fine, really I don't need anyone to look after me." Steve said his eyes hard with determination.

Danny knew that look, it was going to be hard to argue with the SEAL on this one.

"Fine," They both looked at Ross. Danny was surprised she had given in so easily."I'll stay."

Then again, maybe not.

TBC...

A/N Another long one I decided to break into two parts, hopefully I'll have the next one up in two or three days, keep an eye out and feel free to review!

~Fire