I do not own Hawaii Five-0 or any characters. No copyright infringement intended.

Summary: Steve finds out that Danny likes deep sea fishing and used to go yearly off Long Island, NY with his father. For Danny's birthday, Steve charters a local sport fishing boat off Kona which is attacked by drug traffickers. Whump and fun ensues!

Notes: I know just about gee - "NOTHING" medical – so, thank or hate Google for the supposed following explanations on symptoms, problems and treatments. All have been borrowed, modified and made to fit the story. Again, don't try any of this at home folks! I'm also glossing over the "doctor-patient" HIPA privacy stuff since we all know that this is Ohana. Let's just all say that the team is Ohana and has access to doctors and some patient information. *please give me that little luxury!*

HAPPY FOURTH EVERYONE – HAVE A SAFE AND WONDERFUL HOLIDAY!

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CHAPTER NINE – A Birthday to Remember

Rather than trying to return to Steve's room, Kono glanced once towards the open door and instantly decided to go straight down to the ICU. Walking briskly to the elevators, she hit the down button with purpose. Getting off on the second floor, she immediately sensed the unit's almost palpable tension and that's when she doubted herself and nearly hesitated. But she wanted – no, she corrected herself, she needed – to speak to Danny's doctors. Maintaining her resolve, she went directly to the main nurse's station

Not feeling like explaining or dealing with bossy nurses, she felt almost guilty as she flashed her badge and asked to see Dr. Ramirez in an authoritative voice. She then paced impatiently as one of the three stationed nurses went to find him on his rounds.

Eventually, he came out of the ICU and he smiled briefly as he recognized Kono. But he seemed puzzled to find her in the area. "You do know that you can't see him yet." He stated candidly. By nature, Ramirez was typically gruff and succinct.

Nodding in assent, Kono apologized and tried to explain her rudeness. "I didn't mean to pull rank like that, but I really needed to talk to you about Danny. Is there any change at all?" He could see the plea in her eyes, but was slightly annoyed by her aggressiveness.

So his direct reply though honest, was very blunt. "No. No, not really. It took some time to cross match, but we just started his second unit. There's a possibility that he may need a third. And he's on a heart monitor."

Wide-eyed and apprehensive, Kono at first didn't comprehend what he meant. "I'm sorry. Second unit of what exactly? Why a heart monitor?"

As he noticed her puffy eyes and the few white tissues sticking out of her back pocket, he ultimately found himself softening. Sighing in resignation, he decided to take more time to explain his words and Ramirez escorted her to a small and more private sitting area.

"I meant to say that we just started his second unit of blood for transfusion and he may need a third unit. We're monitoring his heart and continually testing his blood chemistry to watch for renal failure. I've also started him on dopamine to support and improve his blood pressure. All of this is part of our standard practice to manage his condition." Pausing, he waited to see if she was following him so far, and she nodded solemnly in understanding.

"But there's no real improvement?" Kono struggled to ask the question and pulled another tissue from her jeans pocket. It didn't seem fair to finally get Danny to safety and yet still have so much to worry about - so many things to fix. Tolerant of her sadness, Ramirez tried to offer some soothing words.

Thoughtfully, he looked down as he contemplated what would be the best facts to disclose without creating a false hope or over promising. Placing a hand on her knee, he continued. "I wouldn't say no progress exactly. There's something encouraging to say about his blood tests thus far. He's still in critical condition, but he isn't any worse." Rubbing his face with his left hand, he sighed. "And god knows he could be."

Continuing, with just a hint of optimism he offered just a bit more that allowed Kono a brief smile. "Detective Williams has a long way to go and this infection from his wound could become troublesome down the road. But I will know more in a few hours after the second transfusion and as my team continues running tests. I'll have a better update for you later this evening."

Kono knew that Ramirez was being both cautious and as truthful as possible with her. He was likely saying more than he was comfortable with sharing. Standing, she gratefully shook hands with the doctor. "Thank you. I can deal with that."

Pushing her luck further, she couldn't help asking. "If there's any chance I could see him. Just poke my head in?" But she trailed off as she saw the pinched look Ramirez adopted. Finding herself apologizing yet again, Kono almost felt foolish.

"I'm sorry. It was his birthday you know. Today was supposed to be such a great day." Kono was on the verge of tears once more and she put a hand to her face as she turned away from the doctor. But before he could say anything, she sternly collected herself. Turning to face him again, she thanked him sincerely for taking time to speak with her. "I didn't mean to take advantage. I'll be with Steve if anything changes."

Ramirez nodded as he walked with her towards the elevators and before completing his rounds. "Either I or one of my team will come and get you. He's never alone and we're keeping him warm and quiet." Smiling her appreciation, Kono gave a short wave in thanks to the doctor. Though the news wasn't what she had wanted to hear, she felt that she could face Steve with more certainty.

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Chin looked up as Kono entered Steve's room and was relieved to see that she was now fully composed. Putting one finger up in the air, Chin indicated that Steve was sleeping. Rising from the chair he had placed near the bedside, he went to stand with his cousin by the window.

"He fought it, but he fell asleep just a little while ago." Chin explained quietly. "How are you doing?"

Gazing at Steve's bruised face and noticing the ice packs, Kono gave Chin a small smile and confessed "As good as can be expected, I guess. How's he holding up?" It was weird to see Steve in a hospital bed and she absolutely hated it.

"He's had the most to cope with and he's worried like we all are." Chin replied softly. "I had to tell him everything." Kono looked at Chin with some surprise. Raising both hands in a silent appeal, Chin almost chuckled. "Hey, it's Steve. I tried but there's no hiding anything from the man. He's like a dog with a bone."

"I can still hear you two, you know." And both started in surprise, as Steve opened his eyes. "Show some respect here."

Chin chuckled louder as he shook his head. "This is you not sleeping again, right?"

"Right. Exactly. Just resting my eyes a bit. Headache like I said before." Then looking at Kono, Steve was genuinely pleased to see her in the room. "Hey Kono, you okay?"

Her quick answer of "sure boss" made Steve raise his eyebrows. "What is it with the two of you?" he grunted in annoyance. "It must be some totally obnoxious family trait."

In confusion, Kono was taken aback and looked between her cousin and Steve. "What do you mean?"

Snorting, Chin pointed at Steve. "Case in point: he's a like dog with a bone. You'd better just tell him everything now. It will be easier on you." Indicating that Kono should take the chair closest to the bed, Chin remained standing by the window. Leaning back against the small ledge, he folded his arms across his chest.

Prompting her, Steve asked the question again. "So, where did you go off to?" Giving a weak smile, Kono explained her visit to the ICU in the hopes of getting more information.

"Ramirez shared what he could, but Danny's still critical. If there's any good news so far, it's that he isn't any worse. And Ramirez said that he'd keep us updated on any changes. He might have better - or at least more news in a few hours."

Intrigued, Steve shifted in the bed to sit up straighter and lost three ice packs that slid off his shoulder and onto his lap. "That's something." Wincing as he tried to regain them, Kono stood and gently put them back in place. Noticing that they were now warm, she looked at Chin. "We're going to need fresh ice packs."

Chin smiled as he left the room. "No problem. I'll go tell the nurse."

Still grimacing from the pain in his neck and shoulder, Steve let out a disgusted sigh. "And we still can't see him I take it."

Shaking her head, Kono confirmed that the doctors didn't think it a good idea. Her sadness breaking through again, Kono was apologetic. "Don't think I didn't try. Ramirez wouldn't even let me peek through the window."

Poking her arm, Steve tried to smile and lighten their moods. "Hey, it's fine. I can't tell you how glad I am that you went down there in the first place."

Getting up from the chair, Kono was unable to sit still and frenetically began to pace at the food of the bed. "I can't believe this happened. And I keep thinking about what else could have gone wrong if I hadn't gone down to the marina to meet you guys. We still may have not known anything was wrong." Teary-eyed at the thought, she looked at Steve with real fear on her face. "You both could have died."

"Whoa, wait a second!" Steve's face was incredulous as he interrupted her mid-stride. "What are you talking about? I thought .. " And he hesitated as he finally realized it and admitted. "Actually, I don't know what I thought." Looking back to Kono, he was exasperated with himself. "How did you find us?"

"Oh. Well I guess you wouldn't know would you." And Kono was briefly surprised to realize the same thing as Steve. Pointing to the chair, Steve motioned for Kono to take a seat.

With a dramatic sigh for having to sit once again, she slowly and carefully began to fill Steve in on every detail of her afternoon. She began by telling him of her spontaneous idea to greet them at the docks. But then she had seen Hito Matsui escorting a clearly distressed Captain to the charter offices.

Steve sat silently in rapt attention as he allowed her to describe and explain every aspect of what she had noticed and then had acted upon. And when she described her gut reaction that ultimately brought down Hito Matsui and saved two civilians, Steve was genuinely proud.

Closing his eyes, he breathed out heavily. Kono had no idea of the magnitude of her act, nor of the danger she had actually faced down alone. "He was so evil, Kono." He muttered softly. "I'm glad he's dead."

Opening his eyes, he held out his hand and she reached out to him. "You are something else, aren't you." He stated in quiet admiration. Embarrassed with the compliment, Kono's smile grew tenfold as Steve grinned up at her and once again had to say it with even more emphasis. "Just totally something else!"

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A few hours later, Danny began to awaken in the ICU. The first thing he realized was that he was finally warm. The second thing was the lack of movement. He couldn't feel the rocking of the boat in the waves under his back. "Thank god for small favors."

But he couldn't help the low moan that escaped him as he tried to shift his body in the bed. His shoulder ached and he felt miserably weak. Raising his good hand, he carefully felt his heavily bandaged shoulder and realized that he was wearing an oxygen mask.

Slowly, he concentrated on opening his heavy eyes. But bleary and unfocused, he couldn't make out the faces he was seeing. An unknown fear that he couldn't quite place began to rise in him. He heard a loud buzzing noise in the background from a monitor as his heart rate increased. The last shape that he couldn't quite make out had tried to kill him. He had fleeting impressions of white churning water and of not being able to breathe. Almost afraid, his breath caught in his throat and he began to cough weakly.

There was a gentle squeeze on his hand, and he turned his head blinking furiously to clear his vision. Squinting and slightly wheezing, he realized that a nurse was standing over him and that she was speaking. "Detective Williams. It's okay now. You're in the hospital. At Tripler. Do you understand?"

As the words slowly sunk in, Danny nodded faintly. Struggling, he tried to form one word and again coughed harshly. It hurt his throat, jolted his wounded shoulder and he couldn't help moaning again from the pain. The nurse disappeared from his view for a second and returned with ice chips. Gently spooning one into his mouth, she then put the cup down to regain his hand. He closed his eyes as the ice immediately soothed his sore throat.

Swallowing hard, he returned the nurse's gentle pressure and she gave him an encouraging smile. Trying again, he managed to croak out in question the one thing on his mind. The word was almost unintelligible though the oxygen mask. "Steve?"

But instead of getting answer to his question, Danny heard a strong voice slightly behind his head as Dr. Ramirez came into view. "You are going to make some people very happy, Detective."

Still troubled and confused, Danny could only look in askance at the doctor. Knowing that he wasn't ready for too much information, Ramirez was brief. "I'm Dr. Ramirez. A Kono Kalakaua has been a very persistent visitor to the ICU. But right now she's upstairs with Commander McGarrett."

As Danny made an inquisitive face that remained clouded with anxiety, Ramirez smiled and gave a brief perfunctory explanation. But it hit all the key points that Danny needed to hear.

"Commander McGarrett is going to be fine. Officer Kalakaua and Officer Kelly are with him now. What I'd like for you to do is simply sleep."

Hesitant, Danny searched the doctor's face with exhausted eyes. Resting a reassuring hand on Danny's arm, Ramirez could see the uncertainty and residual fear. The man had been through a terrible ordeal and was understandably apprehensive. The ICU team had finally been able to bring his vitals into more acceptable ranges. But, his temperature was still elevated and they had much to contend with.

"Relax and let us take care of the hard stuff. You'll have some visitors as soon as you regain some strength. And then we can talk some more. Okay?"

Finally believing him, Danny's eyes quieted and his respiration slowed to a more natural rhythm as he fell asleep. Ramirez remained downstairs an additional thirty minutes to check and recheck Danny's vitals and test results before keeping to his promise. Stopping at the ICU nurses station beforehand, he then went upstairs.

~ to be continued ~