Everyone expected the bad stuff to happen to him. Steve knew this. And he felt the same way. Knowingly throwing himself into dangerous situations. Because he could handle it.

Duty, Honor, Country and now Ohana.

He didn't expect anything like this to happen to Danny. Which was absurd because of the work they did.

Because Danny was careful. He followed procedure.

And then Steve realized something he already instinctively knew. It was the reason the pair had clicked from the beginning. They were basically the same. They sometimes employed different methods. With differing amounts of enthusiasm.

But they were the same.

Danny risked his life every day fighting for those same four things.

Especially Grace. And Steve had no doubt Danny would do the same for all of his friends.

But none of those words about doing one's duty and giving your life for your friends could take away the pain of seeing those solemn oaths in action.

And when things didn't go right. When someone was injured. Or worse. Words were just more white noise in your head. And right then, Steve wasn't sure which end was up.

It hurt to even think about his best friend. It didn't matter that there was a team of doctors and nurses working to save him. Steve could not get the last few hours out of his head.

Danny on the table, blood everywhere, his clothing stripped away. So vulnerable.

Flashes of Grace screaming.

Him losing his nerve and almost collapsing.

Steven J. McGarrett never lost his nerve. Never.

He pounded his fist against the cold, hard tiles, knuckles split open. His throat raw, eyes on fire. He'd already done some damage to the paper towel holder, almost knocking it off the wall.

He couldn't remember the last time he'd cried like this.

And it wouldn't stop.

Why wouldn't it stop?

Once Grace was gone, he had no reason to keep it together. Simple as that.

He couldn't help Danny either. He was useless. Impotent.

The door swung open, and for a second, voices from the outside world filtered into the cavernous bathroom. Reminding him how real this all was.

Danny could die. He might be dead right now.

Then the door closed and it was quiet again.

A warm hand grabbed his shoulder and pulled him backwards. Caught completely off guard and practically floored by defeat, he did not fight back. Shaking, he did nothing but stand there, arms at his sides.

Chin didn't bother to say anything. He just grabbed his friend and held on to him. Knowing too well that words mattered little.

After a breath or two, Steve pushed away, wiping his eyes. He splashed water on his face and just stared into the mirror at the ghost of himself.

"I can't do this, Chin."

Chin bowed his head and nodded. "I know, brah."

He let Steve have another minute or two and then he steered him back to the waiting room.

"Let me fill you in on what HPD found."

/././

Steve was suddenly hyper vigilant. Trying to slide back into his role as their leader. "Where's Kono? Is she alright?"

"She's fine, Steve. She needed to take a walk, clear her head. It's been a long day." Chin practically pushed him into a chair.

"Okay. Yea." He worked to steady his breathing. His heart was still racing. He felt like he was crawling out of his skin. But he pushed it all away. "Okay, tell me what HPD found. What do we know?"

"The guy's name is Bradley Cooper. You questioned him about some real estate holdings in the Castillo case a few months ago." Chin sat in a nearby chair, angling himself so he could keep eye contact with his friend.

Steve nodded. He remembered the case just not the man. Desperately wanting to occupy his mind with something other than his partner, he listened to Chin give him the run down about the man on the trail.

"Turns out we had it all wrong. He wasn't even connected."

"We turned him loose?" Steve shook his head. "I wish I could remember the guy."

Chin shrugged. "No charges were filed. He went back to his life."

"Doesn't sound like it turned out well for him." Steve closed his eyes, massaging his temples. He was still finding it difficult to concentrate.

"Our interest brought unwanted attention." Chin flipped through the info on his phone. "Turns out he was embezzling from his partner and cheating on his wife. Charges were filed by the business partner. Mr. Cooper went off the grid before his wife could serve him with divorce papers."

"Shit." Steve rubbed his knuckles. "And he blamed us for that?"

"Apparently so." Chin kept his voice soft and even. This was hard on all of them.

"And now Danny's-" Steve choked on his next words. Just the thought of what might come next strangled him. Closing his eyes, he rested his head between his knees.

Chin grabbed his shoulder and squeezed hard. "Danny's gonna make it, Steve. He's strong."

Steve nodded, doing his best to compose himself. But he couldn't stop shivering, so he grabbed the blanket, mind wandering for a few seconds. He could still smell Grace, a faint mixture of flowers and baby powder. His eyes watered again and he just let the tears glide down across his cheeks.

"Grace was so brave out there, Chin."

"Doesn't surprise me one bit, Steve. She's a chip off the old block in a lotta ways."

Steve smiled for a second, and then his face darkened. "She saw me kill that man."

Steve paused staring at his hands. And she then watched her dad die on the table.

Chin nodded. "Oh."

So much was said in that one short word.

"Danny will never forgive me for that."

"I think he'll understand considering the circumstances, Steve."

Steve half ginned, shaking his head. "Oh he'll find a way to blame this all on me."

Chin couldn't help but chuckle. "You might be right, knowing Danny."

Just then, the doors swung open and the surgeon appeared. Steve jumped to his feet.

"How is he doc?"

Yes...I did just leave it there.