Ma Ke Kahakai- 'ino
Danny held his daughter's hand as they stood with Chin and Kono during the memorial service for their Auntie Mele. He knew Steve wanted to be here to show his support, but it wasn't possible with the injuries he'd suffered in the fall. Grace had wanted to accompany him to the service and held Kono's hand while people spoke of the woman who had influenced so many lives.
Danny smiled at his daughter when she looked up at him and knew she understood some of what was going on. Grace was smart for her age, and had shown an understanding of things most kids her age didn't even know existed. He felt her squeeze his hand as Kono and Chin and the rest of the family began to sing in their native language, the sound soft and beautiful as if floating on an unseen breeze.
Since giving up his life in New Jersey, Danny was finding it increasingly hard to ignore the beauty of the Islands. It would never be New Jersey, but he was beginning to think he could find a place for himself here. He smiled at Grace when she tugged on his hand and knew she was trying hard to listen to the songs and to the people who were showing their respect for the family.
"Danny, thank you for being here for us," Kono said and smiled at Grace as she led them away from the service with Chin falling into step beside her.
"You're welcome, Kono," Williams answered.
"Are you going over to the hospital?" Chin asked.
"Grace wants to see Steve. She made him a card and some cookies," Danny answered. "You know he'd be here if he could."
"I know it's a good thing he's tied down or they'd be sending out search parties," Chin told him.
"That's for sure," Danny agreed.
"Listen, the family is gathering at Uncle Keako's home later this afternoon and we would like you and Grace to be there," Kono said.
"Thank you, Kono, but I think we'll ride herd on Steve or he's liable to find a new way to escape from the hospital," Williams told them.
"ll right. We'll see you later," Kono said and moved to her vehicle with a sense of sadness as she watched her uncle move to the car driven by his brother. She knew in her heart Chin was right, and that Uncle Keako would not survive a trail and a prison term that would only reopen old wounds. She looked over the roof of the car at her cousin and hoped he was strong enough to live with the choices he'd made.
5050505050
Wo Fat stood on the patio overlooking the breathtaking view of the ocean with a glass of white wine in his hand. Two beautiful young women, bought and paid for, were swimming just past the breakwater. The call from Raymond Bell had intrigued him, but he didn't trust any man who let greed run his emotions. There was no doubt that the man wanted to take the governor down, but he was not ready to kill McGarrett just yet. He'd given Bell permission to throw a scare into the team, but he forbid him from killing and member of the team.
Bell could be a valuable ally where the governor's office was concerned, but again it came down to whether or not he could be trusted. Wo Fat sipped at the cold wine and smiled as the women exited the water and walked seductively toward him. Perhaps he could use Raymond Bell to throw McGarrett off his scent until he was ready to act on his plans.
"Can we interest you in a game of chance?" the blond woman asked.
"It depends on the game?" Wo Fat answered.
"Oh, I think we can come up with something intriguing," the raven haired beauty said.
Wo Fat wrapped an arm around each woman and walked toward the door all thoughts of McGarrett dismissed as heat rushed to his groin.
5050505050
Steve watched the news reports on the television and ignored the aching pain in his body. The nurse had reprogrammed the pump so that he could decide when he needed to take the morphine. She'd explained that he could not overdose himself, but by pushing the button he would receive the medication Dr Onakea prescribed for him.
The reporter was live from the airport where a prisoner was being escorted from the plane and Steve sighed as the camera panned left and stopped on the couple standing nearby. He knew who they were and understood they were finally getting the closure they needed in their daughter's death. The woman clung to her husband's arm, unashamed of the tears that flowed freely down her face. The camera panned back to show Jordan Rutherford in the prison garb he'd been given and Steve hoped the man paid for his crime. A young woman died at his hands and he deserved whatever punishment the court decreed.
Steve shifted slightly, trying to find a comfortable spot, but it had been over six hours since he'd taken anything for pain and he was beginning to realize the doctor might have been right. He closed his eyes and tried to will the pain away as nausea built in his gut.
"Look at that face, Gracie, that's what I call his aneurism face."
"What's an an..aneurism, Danno?" Grace asked.
"It's..."
"Hi, Grace," McGarrett said, pointedly ignoring her father.
"Hi, Uncle Steve...Danno said you fell down," Grace told him as she moved closer and smiled when she w the cast on his arm. "Can I sign your cast?"
"Sure...Danny, see if there's a pen in the drawer or ask for one at the nurse's desk," McGarrett ordered.
"Cool, I got one right here," Williams said and produced a pen from his pocket. "You first, Grace, then it's my turn."
"Never said you could sign it, Danno," McGarrett said.
"Oh, so you'll let a little girl make smiley faces on your cast, but you won't let the man who saved your life sign it," Williams' griped.
"Danno," Grace said and frowned as she looked u at her father.
"Yes, Pumpkin?"
"You look like you have that an...an..rism face too," Grace told him.
"He does, doesn't he," McGarrett said.
"I do not!" Williams said.
"Yes, you do," Grace said and laughed when her father frowned and folded his arms across his chest. He watched his partner's face as Grace signed the cast and made a small smiley face below her name. There was no doubt in his mind that Steve was fighting to keep from showing just how uncomfortable he was feeling. "Okay, Pumpkin, I think Uncle Steve needs to rest now."
"But I brought him cookies," Grace said and looked up at her father.
"Did I hear you say cookies," Steve asked with a smile.
"Chocolate Chip Cookies. Danno and I made them last night. I hope you like them."
"Chocolate Chip are my favorite," Steve told her and smiled when she put the container on the table.
"Grace, why don't you go ask the nurse for some milk to go with the cookies," Williams said, he'd seen the tiny beads of sweat on McGarrett's face and knew the man was fighting to keep the pain at bay.
"Can I ask for milk for me too?" Grace asked.
"Sure," Danny told her and knew his daughter would go right to the desk and right back. It wouldn't take her long and he knew she was smart enough not to go anywhere else.
"I'll be right back," Grace said and skipped out of the room.
"All right, McGarrett, why do you look like someone just punched you in the gut?"
"I don't...don't know what you're talking about, Danno."
"Cut the crap. You're not fooling me," Williams said and noticed the small box near McGarrett's right hand. "When did they fix it so you take the pain medication when you want it?"
"This morning," McGarrett answered.
"And how often have you used it?" Williams asked moving closer to the bed.
"I..."
"It's there to help you rest, Steve, and you can't do that when you're obviously in a lot of pain," the New Jersey native explained.
"I know, Danny, but I don't need..." Williams hand moved so quickly Steve wasn't sure it had happened until he heard the click of the pump engaging. "Damn it, Danny..."
"Nurse Sheila is bringing...what's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong, Honey, I just told Uncle Steve to wait until you brought the milk before he had any cookies," Williams lied and hoped McGarrett would not say anything.
"Uncle Steve, Nurse Sheila is bringing milk," Grace said and moved closer as she whispered conspiratorially. "I told her we wanted chocolate milk."
"Chocolate milk is my favorite," Steve said and glared at his partner. He knew Williams could read the anger in his eyes, but for now he remained quiet because of the child.
"I hear tell someone made some cookies for you, Commander," the nurse said upon entering the room with two glasses of milk.
"Grace made them," McGarrett said as the child opened the container.
"Do you want one, Nurse Sheila?" Grace asked.
"I would love one," the woman said and took one with a smile. "I'll eat this with my tea on my next break. Commander, are you all right?"
"I'm fine," McGarrett lied.
"Well, if you need anything just push the button and I'll be right in."
"I will," the SEAL said and reached for a cookie. "Are Chin and Kono okay?"
"They're doing okay...they're at Keako's home," Williams answered.
"I should be there for them," McGarrett sighed tiredly as he felt the morphine ease the pain that had been running rampant in his body.
"And just how would you manage that?" Williams asked and motioned to the equipment surrounding his bed. "They would have had to empty the living room just to accommodate your bed."
"I hate it when you're right," McGarrett said and took a bite of the cookie.
"Get used to it...I'm right all the time."
"That's not what mommy says," Grace said, looking over her shoulder at her father.
"Yes, well your mommy is a different matter," Williams said.
"But, Danno..."
"Eat your cookie, Pumpkin, and then we should leave so Uncle Steve can get some sleep," the New Jersey native said when he noticed Steve fighting to sty awake.
"Are you sleepy, Uncle Steve?"
"A little, Grace," McGarrett answered honestly.
"Can I come back to see you?"
"Sure," Steve told her. "Thanks for the cookies."
"You're welcome."
"Come on, Gracie, we'd better go," Williams said. "Go to sleep, Steve, and I'll push that button again if I have to."
"You can try, Danno," McGarrett said, sipping the milk as he watched father and daughter leave the room. He lay back against the pillows and closed his eyes. He let his thoughts drift back to the envelopes that had been delivered to him since his father's toolbox had disappeared. Deep down he knew Wo Fat was involved, but until he had concrete evidence there was nothing he could do. He opened his eyes and silently cursed as sleep dragged him under.
"Sh, it's okay Commander, this will make you feel better."
McGarrett tried to open his eyes as the soft voice spoke to him and touched his shoulder. He felt something sharp enter his stomach and cried out weakly.
"Just relax, it's going to be okay."
"No...what...what the hell was...was..." McGarrett tried to reach for the button, but it was snatched from his hand as his body arched upward and he fought to breathe past the debilitating pain that raged in his gut.
TBC
Author's note...uhoh...evil Cliffie strikes again...More tomorrow...unless RL decides to throw me another curve ball...Winnie