The headache was no better in the morning and the stiff neck that Steve had from the whiplash didn't help things any. There was a small amount of relief from the painkillers, but Steve refused any that had a sedative effect or left him at less than full brain function. There was too much to do today. Yuri was not yet able to run Five-O alone, in Steve's opinion, and besides, he wanted to press charges against Lee Wing Po himself.
Before Chin arrived, Steve wanted to see how Williams was doing and at a little past 6 am he headed off on a clandestine visit to the younger officer. He had already managed to get the room number from a nurse the previous night during one of his neuro checks and he made his way along the corridor, glad that he didn't have to face climbing any stairs just yet.
The room was still darkened and Steve felt his way cautiously to the side of the bed and looked down on the sleeping young man. A nasal cannula provided him with low-level oxygen support and he was hooked up to an IV. A large dark bruise encompassed all of his left eye and part of his cheek and there was a large knot on his jaw just below that. Steve reached out and gently touched the knot, wincing as he felt how hard and sore it was.
At the touch, Williams roused, his one good eye shooting open and his hand shot out and grabbed McGarrett's wrist. "What…?" he gasped and began to cough.
"Easy, easy," Steve soothed. "I'm sorry; I didn't mean to wake you."
"Who?" Still keeping his death grip on Steve's wrist, Williams squinted at the man above him. His sleep-muddled brain took a few seconds to place the intruder and then he dropped Steve's wrist as though it had burned him! "Mr McGarrett! I'm… I'm sorry… I … I…" Williams stopped trying to say anything to get the coughing under control.
While the younger man did that, Steve switched on a lamp and took a closer look at the young officer. He sat down in a chair by the bed. "First off, I think you should call me Steve," Steve proposed. "After all, you have now saved my life twice."
Colour flooded the pale face. "I can't do that," Williams spluttered. "It's not respectful."
Slightly taken aback, Steve didn't know what to say for a moment. "On the contrary," he growled. "I would say that it's disrespectful not to do as someone asks you."
Williams gulped. "Yes, sir," he gasped. "I mean, yes, Steve."
"That's better," Steve nodded approvingly. "Now, despite what you have no doubt heard to the opposite, I am not in the habit of eating men alive. So far, you have proved yourself without question to be a very quick thinking and resourceful officer. I further expect that you have gathered more than enough evidence to rid us off Lee Wing Po, but I suspect that you don't believe that is the case."
"Um…" the younger man said and stopped.
"I thought so," Steve smiled, pleased with his deductions. "Now, where is the evidence?"
"It's at my place," Williams replied. "But you won't be able to find it without me, sir. I mean… Steve."
"You think not?" Steve was affronted by the idea that he would be unable to find what he was looking for.
"With all due respect, you don't know what it is you're looking for," Williams began. "And I don't really want to go back and find my place trashed."
He had a point, Steve thought, raising an eyebrow. In fact, he had two very good points. "So, when are you getting out of here?" he asked.
"Today?" Williams looked both hopeful and doubtful. "The doctor I saw – Bergman? – he said it probably wouldn't be today." He lifted his left hand, and indicated the IV. "I could pull this, I guess."
This really was a man after his own heart, Steve thought, but he didn't want to start Williams' relationship with Bergman with an unauthorised escape. "Better not," Steve mentioned, although he wouldn't have hesitated to do so himself. "Let me speak to him. Perhaps you can get out for long enough to show me where the evidence is."
"And once I'm home, I could stay there," Williams suggested. "Steve – is he really the coroner?"
"Yes, he really is," Steve laughed. "Don't worry, he's a first rate doctor. I'd rather see him than some of the others around. He tells me the unvarnished truth." He gave Williams a look. "I prefer to be told the truth at all times by the people I work with." He saw with satisfaction the message was received and understood. "Now, tell me. What do you prefer to be called? Dan, Danny, Daniel?"
"Not Daniel," Williams smiled. "That's what my mother called me when I was in trouble." For a moment, his smile dimmed. "No doubt she'd be calling me that if she were to come in here now."
Now was not the time to go delving into Williams' past, so Steve let the comment slide as though he knew nothing of the past tragedy. "So what do you prefer?"
"Danny, I guess. Or Dan. It doesn't really matter. I like either." Williams seemed to relax. "I didn't get the chance to ask," he went on. "How are you?" He peered at McGarrett with real concern. "They didn't hurt you too bad, did they?"
"No, I'm fine," Steve assured him. "Are you up to telling me what happened after I left?" He sighed. "I didn't mean to hit you that hard. I'm sorry."
"It's all right," Williams assured him. "I guess I was out for a few minutes. When I woke up, the two guys who brought you in were standing over me. They really let me have it for being stupid enough to get close to you and let you escape." Unconsciously, Williams touched his cracked ribs. "Then they set fire to the place so that there would be nothing to show that you had ever been there." He found a crooked smile. "I was really glad to see the firefighters. I wasn't sure I was going to get out of there."
"I'm glad you did, Danny," Steve replied. "Do you think your cover was blown?"
"No, I don't think so," Danny replied thoughtfully. He glanced at the glass of water sitting on his bedside table and started to reach for it, but Steve guessed his intentions and got there before him. Danny smiled his thanks and sipped a couple of times before going on. "Po wasn't big on people failing him," he explained. "The lower down the ranks you were, the faster you were out of the door if you messed up. Some of his ex-gang members were pretty badly hurt before they were turned loose and they all knew that Po would have eyes on you somewhere. Say one word out of place and…" He drew his finger across his throat with an eloquent noise.
"Nasty," Steve commented.
"And effective," Danny agreed. He raised his eyes, visibly tensing as the door opened and Dr Bergman came in.
"So here you are," Bergman commented to Steve. "I might have known. And where is your collar?"
"Collar?" Steve asked innocently, although he could barely turn his head.
"Don't come it," Bergman replied in a long-suffering tone. "I know you, Steve, remember? And don't go corrupting this young man, either."
"I won't," Steve promised lightly. "But, Doc, I do need you to let Danny here out for a few hours so he can give us his evidence for this case."
"Now, Steve…"
The Five-O chief held up his hand. "Just for a few hours, I promise," he interrupted. "This is really important, or I wouldn't ask. After all, Danny saved my life last night and I can't let any harm come to him." He winked at the younger man. "I wouldn't want to spoil a promising career in law enforcement, now would I?"
"Is it really that important?" Bergman moved so he could see Steve's face.
"It's that important," Steve agreed.
"All right, then he can do it. I'll give him something for pain beforehand and I want him back here as soon as possible. Is that understood?" Bergman fixed them both with a stern eye.
"Understood," they chorused and Bergman nodded. "I'll go and make the arrangements now," he agreed. "Steve, go back to your own room and I'll let you know as soon as Mr Williams is ready."
"Call me Danny," Danny offered. "Everyone else does. And Doc, mahalo for last night. I don't think I got the chance to say it then."
"You're welcome," Bergman said gruffly and hurriedly exited the room.
