Steve moved directly to her side and leaning down to kiss her cheek he whispered, "It's okay Kono, I'm here when you need me...I love you"
As he stepped away from the bed Chin embraced him gently, trying not to cause pain to his battered body.
"Boss, I'm so sorry about Tony. We all loved him very much"
Steve placed a firm hand on Chin's shoulder, "I know Chin...he loved you too...thank you. I'll stay out of the way here until she's ready to see me"
"Steve...you know that it's because you remind her of him. She just can't handle it yet"
"I know...I understand. Make sure she knows I love her"
"You don't have to worry about that Boss. I promise you...she knows. And she loves you very very much. Don't forget that for a minute"
Steve eyes welled with tears as he said, "I won't, thank you both"
Danny then spoke, "Why don't you do us both a favor now Steven and lay down for a while"
"I am pretty tired"
Danny added, "I'm sure you are, but for you to actually admit it, wow!"
Steve and Chin both said in unison, "Shut up Danny!"
After final embraces, Steve made his way to the bed in the corner of the room and after taking one of the anti-inflammatory meds he was asleep in a matter of minutes.
Chin and Danny moved to the table at the other side of the room and Danny filled him in on Steve's breakdown.
Chin eyes never left their sleeping leader as he spoke, "He needed to accept it"
"You know Chin, it's not that he hadn't accepted it...it was very real to him. He's just so used to being able to bury those feelings and emotions to get business done. His training since he entered Military School at sixteen has been to do what has to be done, no matter what. And in order to do that, he's created such a tough outer shell. But our boy there has a serious, sensitive side to him and I'm sure you'll agree with me when I say that he doesn't need to bury those feelings around us...we're family and we can share those burdens"
"Amen to that brother"
"So, she's sleeping comfortably? Here vitals are good?"
"Yes. She'll probably be out at least another three hours or so"
Danny pulled Steve's phone from his pocket, "It looks like Tony's brother called him. I better get back to him and I should call the Governor"
"Would you mind if I stepped out for a breath of fresh air Danny?"
"Of course not, I'm on watch" The men smiled and nodded and then Chin left and Danny dialed Carson Reddick.
Danny called Carson getting the information on their flights in and then he called the Governor and Rachel to update them on the days' events. Jamar had also sent a text to Steve with his arrival time as well. Danny replied to Jamar letting him know that they would pick him up at the airport the next morning and that Steve expected him to be staying at his place. The HPD had agreed to pick up the cost for Tony's family and friends to stay at the Hilton and Danny let Carson know that vans would be picking them up at the airport and transporting them to the Hotel. Steve had requested this from the Governor feeling that staying in Tony and Kono's home may be too difficult for the family emotionally. Plus, it would also be extremely crowded with his parents, his four grandparents, three brothers, two sisters-in-law and six nieces and nephews. Also flying in with them was Chief Corbett, Tony's boss with the SDPD and three fellow officers.
Chin returned a short time later with salads and sandwiches and the men ate as they watched over their sleeping friends.
Kono stirred about an hour later and Danny and Chin were both at her side in seconds.
Chin spoke to her lovingly letting her know that her parents would be arriving in the morning.
"Are you in pain Kono?"
"No Chin...it's not too bad"
"Good. You need to let us know if you need any pain medication okay?"
She nodded and tears slid down her cheeks.
Danny reached up wiping them away as she continued, "I need to see Steven"
Chin responded, "Okay honey, I'll go call Malia now"
As he stepped away from the bed she turned to Danny, "Where's Steve? Is he alright?"
"He's okay sweetheart. He's right over there, sleeping" He pointed to his partner as Kono turned her head.
She instantly noticed his bruised and bandaged head and arms, "My God Danny, what happened to him?"
"He's fine, he's just worried about you baby"
"I sent him away...I'm so sorry...Danny, everything about him reminds me of Tony...I just can't…"
He again wiped her tears tenderly, "Hey don't worry about him. He loves you Kono and he'll do whatever he can to help you, but it's on your timetable baby, he understands...he's okay, I promise you. We're all here for you Kono...we're all here for you and we love you"
She struggled, choking through her sobs "Than...nk yyou DDanny"
He leaned in and kissed her forehead, "Relax sweetheart...sssshhhhhhh...relax"
"Oh Daanny, I ccan't...dddo this aalone"
"You're not alone Kono. You'll never be alone. You have to calm down though or you'll hurt yourself...sssshhh"
She couldn't speak, her pain was just too great…..Not the pain from the bullets, but the pain caused by her breaking heart.
She held her dear friends' hand and closed her eyes listening to him as he soothed her fears, just as Tony would have done.
50505050505050505050505050
She fell asleep and Danny stayed at her side, holding her hand until Chin returned.
He then set her hand gently onto the bed and the men moved back to the table.
"How is she?"
"As good as can be expected I guess" He chuckled softly, "She's worried about Steve"
Chin smiled, "What are we going to do with those two, brother?"
"Love 'em…."
"Well, that's pretty easy isn't it?"
Danny smiled, "Yeah, it sure is"
They visited quietly until Malia arrived with a sleeping Steven. She moved to the table and Danny stood taking the baby into his arms as Chin and Malia embraced.
Danny cradled the sweet innocent boy and he moved to the window. Tears fell from his eyes as he looked at the baby who would never know his father. His mind was filled with memories of his daughter, his lovely Gracie Margaret. The day she was born was the best day of his life. He remembered every minute of that day as if it were yesterday. Every thought, every emotion…..every beautiful emotion…and he knew that only three short months ago Tony had experienced these same emotions. He had held his baby and he had dreamed of the joys ahead, his first smile, his first words, his first steps…..kindergarten, little league, cub scouts. And in one hour of madness all of that had been taken from him. God why…oh why…
His thoughts were interrupted as someone strongly gripped his shoulder.
He turned to face his partner, "Hey do you feel a little better?"
"Honestly, no….."
"Do you want to hold him?"
"Yeah, do you mind?"
"Of course not" He handed the SEAL the child.
Steve pulled Steven close, nuzzling him, his nose rubbing against the infants' cheek as he softly spoke to him, "Hey little man, it's your Uncle Steve…everything's going to be alright. I promise you I'll take good care of you and your mama…always"
About fifteen minutes later they heard Kono calling for her son. Steve kissed the sleeping child and then handed the boy back to Danny. "Take him to her Danno"
Danny nodded and moved towards the bed. Steve watched from the window as Danny joined Chin and Malia at the bedside. He watched as Danny placed her precious son into her arms. He watched as she cradled him and kissed him, and he watched as she cried.
He watched as she mourned and he turned to stare out the window as hot tears streamed down his cheeks. A couple of minutes passed and then he heard her calling to him, "STEV….VE….SSTEEVEE PPLEASE…"
He turned to see her reaching out to him, Malia now holding Steven.
"Steveee…..pplease" He was at her side in moments and sitting on the edge of the bed he held her as the both cried. "I'mm ssoo sorry…I'm so ssorry….."
"Kono, ssshhhhhhh….relax baby, I'm here. You have nothing to be sorry for…..ssshhhhhhh, relax now….." Steve rocked back and forth gently, rubbing her back and shoulders, "I've got you honey…...ssshhhhhhh"
Steve nodded in agreement to Chin as he reached up to open the IV drip, dispensing a dose of morphine into Kono's veins.
As the cold drugs entered her arm she spoke quietly, "Pllease stay….."
"I'm not going anywhere Kono…I'm right here and I love you…..you sleep now, ssshhhhhhhhh"
He cradled her in his strong arms until the drugs took her under.
********* I HOPE YOU'RE ALL STILL ENJOYING, MORE TO FOLLOW ********