Steve remained calm and quiet until they reached the Hospital and Danny had the driver pull up to the Emergency Room entrance.
"Partner, we're here. Can you help me?"
"Yeah, 'm fine Danny"
"You know pal, just because you keep saying that…it doesn't mean I believe you"
Steve chuckled, "I never can fool you Danno…"
"That's right you can't, so stop trying to okay? Let's get you inside now"
The SEAL grimaced in pain as Danny helped him out of the cab. As Steve leaned against the vehicle, Danny paid the driver also providing him a generous tip as thanks for having waited around. Then putting his arm around his ailing partner they made their way back into the Hospital.
The men were moved immediately into a room and within minutes a Doctor was at Steve's side cleaning and stitching the nasty six inch gash that ran across his temple. He then examined him, checking his eyes and his alertness. He then asked Steve questions as he briefly checked his other wounds.
"Are you dizzy or nauseated?"
"A little of both"
"You do have a concussion Commander. I hear this isn't your first time in the ER….uuhhh...today. Sounds like you've had a rough day"
"It's certainly been one that I'd like to forget Doc"
"I understand. Now it's suddenly become a very busy afternoon here and I need to tend to several other patients. I'm going to have one of my Interns come in to finish cleaning you up and tending to the rest of your wounds. We won't need to keep you overnight as long as you won't be alone at home"
Danny jumped in, "I'll be staying with him, I'll keep an eye on him Doc"
The Doctor grinned turning to address Danny, "Good. He can keep taking the pain medication he was put on this morning but he needs to be woken every three hour throughout the night. If he shows any signs of lethargy or confusion, I need you to bring him back in"
The Doctor shook their hands and then left the room. As they waited for the Intern to arrive Danny phoned Chin to both give, and receive updates.
5050505050505050505050
As he hung up he turned to Steve, "She's sleeping comfortably"
Steve spoke softly, his voice steady "Did she say anything else?"
"Steve, don't do this to yourself…..all she told Chin was that she couldn't see you right now. Remember what I said partner, she's in shock and heavily medicated. You can't get upset about things she's saying right now, she's not thinking clearly…And honestly buddy, neither are you"
"I'm fine Danno"
"You know what, if you say that one more time I think I'll smack you! Kono's not fine, Chin's not fine, I'm not fine and you're sure in the hell not fine either!"
A Nurse peeked into the room, drawn by Danny's raised voice. Steve motioned to her stating, "It's okay…..please give us a minute alone"
She nodded and Steve turned back to his partner, "Danny…..I'm sorry. This has been a tough day for all of us and…. I'm trying to be strong…."
Danny moved closer to the bed and looked directly into Steve's eyes, "ENOUGH STEVE, ENOUGH! Yes we have to be strong for Kono….but I'm trying to be strong for you too!" The tears began to fall down Danny's cheeks as he continued, "I'm worried about you. You're refusing to mourn Tony. Buddy…..you can't even begin to help her grieve for him if you refuse to grieve yourself. Damn it Steve…..he's dead, TONY IS DEAD!"
Those words cut through Steve and suddenly the floodgates opened. Danny moved quickly. Sitting on the edge of the bed he pulled Steve to his chest as the injured man sobbed uncontrollably. He cried for Tony. He cried for Kono and little Steven, for Chin, Malia and Danny. He cried for Kono's parents and for Tony's parents, his brothers and their families…..and Steve McGarrett finally cried…..for himself…..
Danny held him, "I've got you Steve, let it all out babe…..you need to cry for him. I've got you, it's going to be okay Steve"
"Tonny….ooh God nottt Tony…Why Danny…wwhyy?"
"I don't know why partner…..God I don't know why. I'm so sorry Steve. He was such a good man"
"Yes….yyes hhe was…he wwas my bbrotherr Danny…..I ll….lloveed him"
"I know Steve. He loved you too man, I'm so sorry"
"I should nnever have encouraged Kono to bbe with hhim…ttoo danngerrous…oh shit Danno…..I brought this ppain to her"
"Hey she's a big girl. They fell in love. Do you think you could have stopped that? Jesus Steve, not every fucking bad thing that happens is your fault! We didn't even have a chance to stop this. Those fucking animals killed him within an hour of taking him. There was NOTHING you could do to stop it, NOTHING! The bastards are all dead now and we just need to take care of Kono. She's going to need you my friend and it's not going to be easy on you. So cry for him now….get it all out partner"
Steve cried, and he cried. His ribs hurt and it was hard to breath but he could not stop sobbing. Danny held him, continuing to comfort him but not wanting him to stop. Steve needed this…he needed to cry and Danny would be here as long as necessary.
He saw the Nurses' peek into the room a couple of times but seeing the scene in the room, they turned and left, giving the men the privacy they needed.
It took almost an hour for Steve to calm down and relax enough to pull away from Danny.
"Are you ready for the Doc to finish up here?"
"Yeah….hey Danny…."
"You don't have to say anything. I'm here for you partner and I always will be"
Steve smiled, saying softly "Thank You"
5050505050505050505050
It took another hour for the Intern to clean and bandage all the cuts on Steve's face and arms. Bruising had developed on his face and he really looked like hell. Luckily his shoulder was only severely bruised and the additional damage to the ribs was only bruising.
He did end up requiring three to four stitches each on four of the cuts on his right forearm. When the Intern finished up, his arms and face were peppered with butterfly bandages covering three dozen small cuts. His ribs were bound tightly with tape and his shoulder had become quite bruised and swollen. Along with the pain medication they gave him an anti-inflammatory to help with the swelling.
After the Intern left, Steve remained seated on the edge of bed as Danny again called Chin for an update.
"Hey Chin. Anything new?"
"No. She's still sleeping"
"We're done here. I'm thinking SuperSEAL is going to rest a lot easier if he does it in the room here"
"That should be fine. She doesn't even have to know he's here"
"My thoughts exactly. He's got a concussion and he's pretty banged up. We need to wake him every three hours"
"Have you had a chance to talk to him about Tony?"
"Yeah, I did"
"Has he crashed?"
"Yes...it's good brother"
"Good, I'll see you soon"
Steve caught Danny's eye, "What's good Danno?"
"Steven...do you think I was the only one worried about you? Come on, let's get you dressed and let's start helping our girl"
The men smiled weakly at each other and Danny helped Steve as his aching body rebelled against each movement he made. Soon they were both making their way to the other side of the Hospital...to Kono.
