Chin had stepped out of the room to help Kono after making Steve promise to behave. He sat staring at his IV drip and willing it to move a little faster. When it only seemed to go slower he turned to the window instead. Feeling helpless and wanting to do something for Danny, he did the only thing he could think of to do from bed and reached for his phone.

"Hello...Mrs. Williams? This is Steve McGarrett...Danny's partner."

Danny felt sick...and it wasn't as a result of is injuries this time. Everytime he shut his eyes he saw Steve's face and it was tearing him up inside to know that was the only way he's ever see that face again.

His phone rang and he didn't have the strength or desire to answer it so he just let it go and contnued to wallow in his thoughts. But when the phone rang again five minutes later, and then another 5 minutes after that he finally reached over and picked it up. The screen read 'Mom and Dad' and his heart began to beat a little faster.

"Danny?"

"Ma...what's wrong...you and dad okay?"

"Oh yes...fine...just fine. It's you we're worried about...we just found out that you've been in the hospital."

"I'm okay, ma," he lied.

"Why didn't you call, honey?"

"I didn't want to bother you."

"Bother? Oh Danny...you are never a bother."

Danny could hear his mother's voice crack and he bit as his lip nervously. "You and pop have enough on your plate with...well...you know." Just mentioning his brother's name was painful these days.

"We always have time for you."

"Not anymore you don't." The words came out before he could stop them.

"Oh Danny."

"I…I'm…uh…I didn't mean…sorry," he immediately started to stammer. "I know you blame me for Matty…I should have done something…my fault…" He was cut off by the voice of his father.

"Dan?"

Danny gulped down the lump in his throat. "Hi, dad."

"Matthew's actions are nobody's fault but his own. We don't blame you, son…never have. You're a good man…and we're proud of you."

The detective was stunned speechless for a moment as his father was not one to be open with his feelings. Finally he choked out in a rough voice, "thanks, dad…that means a lot." His mother got back on the line.

"Steve told me how upset you were…I'm so sorry, honey, that we made you feel that way."

Danny couldn't hold back any longer; the dam broke and his tears started to flow. "Oh, ma…he's gone."

"Who's gone?"

"Steve…he was shot and killed late last night…and it's all my fault."

"That's not possible…I just spoke with him this morning."

That's when Danny dropped the phone.

Steve was about to go crazy when a nurse finally came in his room.

"Miss…can you tell me how my partner, Detective Danny Williams, is doing?" Seeing her look of confusion turn to one of panic he asked, "is he okay?"

"He's doing fine, in fact his fever broke."

"Then what is it…what's wrong?"

"I…I think I made a mistake." The nurse's cheeks turned a shade of red and she shifted uncomfortably on her feet. "I…um…well told him that you had passed away?"

"You what!?"

That was when Steve broke his earlier promise to Chin, ripped out the IV, and headed for the hall.

Danny didn't know whether or not he believed that Steve was still alive, but there was only one way to find out…and that way did not involve lying in a hospital bed.

It took all of his focus not to pass out from the pain as he swung his legs over the side of the mattress and for a moment his world went gray and out of focus.

By the time his vision cleared he was looking directly at Steve McGarrett standing in the doorway. Feeling lightheaded with relief he began to pitch forward.

Steve wasted no time running into the room and catching his friend in his arms. "We gotta stop meeting like this, Danno," he joked, but made no move to let go.

The two men stayed in the embrace for quite some time to come.

TBC…