The men found Kono sitting alone in the waiting room sipping on a cup of coffee.
She stood to greet them, "Hey guys, there's no word yet"
Steve looked towards the door nervously, "What's taking so long?"
Kono grinned softly, "It hasn't been that long boss. He had a lot of cuts to stitch up" She noticed Steve cringe at her words and she added softly, "Steve, I'm sorry"
He put his arm lovingly around her shoulder and grinned, "Why are you sorry, it's true. Oh God guys, I can't believe I did this to him"
Chin motioned towards the vending machines, "Let me get us some coffee. Kono, do you need another cup?"
"Sure cous', thanks"
They all moved over to a table and Steve told Kono about his revised plan to check into the Hospital immediately after getting an update on Danny.
The young detective reached out and grasped his hand, "That's good Steve. We all love you and we want you to get better…we need you"
"I'll do whatever I have to do Kono. I love you too"
They talked about what Chief Lucas had told them and then Steve requested that Kono remain at the hospital with Danny, which of course she agreed to do.
About half an hour after they arrived a Doctor entered the room asking, "Are you the family of Mr. Williams?"
They stood and Steve replied, "Yes Sir. Well, we're detectives and he's my partner. My name is Steve McGarrett and I'm Danny's Medical POA" After quick introductions, Steve asked "How's Danny?"
"He's a very lucky young man. He does have a concussion and the gash to the back of his head required more than thirty stitches, internally and externally. The cut on his forehead required twelve stitches as well, but the rest of his facial cuts were able to be closed with butterfly bandages so the scarring should be minimal. We also needed to stitch numerous cuts to his chest, abdomen and legs. I'm most concerned about his arm though. Keeping the glass in place was very smart as it was only centimeters from the brachial artery and I repeat what I said before, he's very lucky. The glass was jagged and very fragile. It had chipped off in his arm and I had to do a lot of digging but I believe I got it all out. His arm's going to be very sore for a while and he lost quite a lot of blood so I'm giving him a transfusion now, but I expect him to recover fully"
The sigh of relief from Steve was evident and Kono reached over and lovingly squeezed his arm as he said "Thank You Doc…..thank you"
The Doctor smiled at the trio, "Of course"
Steve then asked, How long will he need to stay here?"
"I'll check in on him mid-afternoon and if he's doing well I can release him then, otherwise he should be able to leave tomorrow"
Steve smiled at the news and asked, "Can we see him now?"
"Yes, I'll send a Nurse in to take you to his room"
Steve extended his hand and after the Doctor left he looked at his friends and stated softly, "Danny's not the only one who's lucky. I don't know what I would have done if…."
Chin interrupted him, "Don't think about the 'if's' Steve, they'll drive you crazy. You heard the Doc, he's going to be alright"
Steve smiled and nodded his head, "Yeah"
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A short time later they were all escorted into the small room.
Danny opened his eyes as he heard them enter and his goofy grin brought smiles to all their faces.
He said groggily, "Well partner, your 'Superman' nickname truly fits. Shit you threw me across that room like a ragdoll!"
Moving to Danny's side and placing a hand on his forearm the SEAL said softly, "Danny, I'm so sorry"
Danny chuckled weakly, "Hey, you did warn me you know"
Steve said emotionally, "Danny, this isn't funny...I could have killed you"
Danny pushed himself up and Chin asked, "Do you want me to raise the bed?"
"Yeah, just a bit...thanks Chin"
As Danny closed his eyes and rested his head back on the pillow, Steve asked nervously "Are you okay 'D?"
"Yeah buddy, my head just hurts a bit"
"I'm sure it does. Hey Danny, I've decided I can't wait to go into treatment...I can't risk hurting you...any of you"
Danny opened his eyes and reaching out he grasped his partner's hand, "Steve, that's good"
Tears welled in both men's eyes as Steve said softly, "I never meant to hurt you Danny"
"I know that...God, I know that. I love you buddy and all I want is for you to get help, that's all that matters"
"And I'll get it...I know that I need in-patient treatment and I'm going to check into the hospital at Coronado Naval Base"
"Do you know how long the treatments normally are?"
"I think thirty to sixty days is typical"
"I want you to promise me you'll concentrate on only you. I'm fine and we'll take care of each other and we'll take care of business. You do everything you have to do to come back to us healthy and happy because we love you and we need you"
Tears slid down Steve's cheeks and his voice shook, "I love you too...and I promise"
"Come here you animal"
Steve leaned over and the men embraced as Steve whispered "Thank You Danno"
As they separated Steve said "Kono's going to stay with you and Chin's going to work with the San Diego Police Chief on Michael's case"
"I'll be fine here Steve, Kono can help Chin. The Doc says I'll be released today or tomorrow"
"I'll feel better if she stays here with you"
Danny grinned, "You're such a mother-hen, you know that?"
Steve smiled, "No more than you are buddy"
Danny nodded, "I treasure Kono's companionship and I don't want you to worry about a thing"
Steve shook his head, "Okay" Glancing at his three team members he added, "I know you'll all handle everything, thank you"
They visited for a short time and then after Steve called Governor Denning with an update, he and Chin left the hospital and headed to the Naval Base.
After they had left the room Kono said quietly, "I hope he'll be alright"
Danny said softly, "He will be now sweetheart"
The men stopped by the Hotel to pick up Steve's bags and once they reached the base, Chin promised to keep Steve updated on Michael's case. As the SEAL exited the rental car he leaned in through the open window, "Chin, I care greatly about what happened with Mike, but please don't let Danny over-do it"
"Don't worry Steve, Kono and I will keep him under control and watch him closely. Like he told you, we need you to concentrate on getting better and we'll handle everything else"
"I know you will….thank you brother"
"You go now and I'll talk to you soon"
Steve grinned softly, "Okay, bye"
Chin watched as his friend walked to the gate of the military facility and once Steve passed through security, Chin sighed deeply and drove from the site, heading back to the hospital.
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A couple of hours later as Danny slept, Chin's cell phone rang.
Moving to the corner of the room he answered softly, "This is Kelly"
"Detective Kelly, this is Chief Lucas. Can you come to my office?"
"I can be there in fifteen minutes sir"
"Good, I'll see you then"
Kono was at his side asking, "The Police Chief?"
"Yes. He wants me to come to his office. I'll call you soon okay?"
"Okay'"
He smiled and after embracing his cousin he left the room and Kono returned to Danny's bedside.
A short time later Chin was led into the Chief's office.
"Have a seat Detective" As Chin sat the Chief continued, "I've talked to the Officers who initially responded to the Turner home. A call had come in from Wendy Turner's employer after she hadn't shown up for work for two consecutive days. Officer Darin Waipuna and his rookie partner Joel Casey were the first on the scene. Waipuna is a seasoned veteran but he's also a good friend of Jonah Lincoln's and because of that, I interviewed the two Officers separately...and I'm glad I did, because Commander McGarrett was right. Officer Casey told me that as they arrived on the scene he noticed Jonah Lincoln's trucked parked halfway down the block. He stated that he pointed the truck out to Waipuna but that Darin didn't acknowledge that he saw it and moments after they entered the home Casey said Darin received a call and went outside. Casey looked out the bay window and saw Waipuna talking to Lincoln on the front lawn. He couldn't hear them but he said their conversation was very animated and when Waipuna re-entered the house he told Casey to follow his lead and to not ask questions. Waipuna called another unit to come and secure the scene, telling them that he had a lead to follow up on, but that Lincoln had been driving by on this way into town and he would remain there until they arrived. According to Waipuna, Lincoln had been staking out the house knowing that the police would be called soon. Before Casey and Waipuna left, Lincoln entered and waited for the back-up to arrive"
Chin nodded, "So if ever questioned, he could answer why his fingerprints were in the home"
Lucas replied, "Exactly"
"The men then drove to seedy motel where Darin met with a drug informant while Casey remained in the car. A short while later, with the drug informant in the back of the squad, they came to the station. Waipuna had paid the informant off and the man stated on the record that he had witnessed Michael Turner leaving the home two days earlier, dazed and covered in blood"
"So why did Casey talk?"
"As I told you, he's a rookie and he felt pressured and threatened to do what Waipuna told him to do, but he's a good cop and a good man. He didn't hesitate to tell me the truth when I talked to him. Then I confronted Waipuna and he told me everything as well"
"I can assume that they'll both be reprimanded?"
"Absolutely. They've both been placed on administrative leave until further notice and I'm keeping them at the station and under watch until after we take Lincoln into custody. I thought you may want to accompany me"
"I certainly do, thank you Chief"
***** I hope you're still enjoying! Sorry for the delay in posting, but I should be able to get more up this week-end - (I might even finish it.) Thanks for reading and as always, A special THANK YOU to all of you who take the time to review! *****