Ka Hahai,'imi XI
Disclaimer: I do not own Hawaii 5-0. That is still CBS and so far they have been treating it well enough.
Thank you for reading my story. I have appreciated all the comments, they make my day.
Chapter 11
It was one of the longest rides Kono had ever endured. The trip back to the clearing in one of Hawkins' trucks was much faster than hiking through the jungle, but the speed of arriving back at their State Police SUV did not improve the drive time back to Hilo. They still had a drive just over an hour and that was with Chin driving as if he was trying to earn a spot on a NASCAR team. Once they were in cell phone range, Kono placed a call to the hospital that Capt. Brown said Steve and Danny would be transported to.
The hospital was cooperative; informing her that Steve and Danny had arrived safely and were now both in surgery. When he heard the news, Chin pressed the accelerator down further, speeding on with the lights flashing.
"Easy Cuz, I really don't want to join Steve and Danny in a hospital bed," Kono cautioned as he took one of the few curves very sharply.
"Sorry Kono," chin replied and eased up on the gas. "I need you to make a call for me Kono. Now that we have a signal, could you call Catherine?"
"Sure, give me the number," Kono said quickly, her hand paused over the phone. "We really don't have much to give her."
"We can tell her Steve was alive when we found him. She's waited long enough for some news," Chin answered.
"Okay, give me the number," Kono responded. She touched the screen as Chin recited the number. As it rang, Kono activated the speaker.
"Rollins, "a voice snapped out in concern. "Kono, what's the news?"
"Catherine, we found Steve and Danny," she told her.
"How are they?"
"They were injured rather severely. Danny was shot and Steve had a concussion along with broken ribs. They have been flown to Hilo and are in surgery at the moment. Chin and I are on our way to the hospital now. We'll know more later," Kono informed her. "The guys were conscious before the copter took them to the hospital."
"I bet Steve was telling you how to care for Danny," Catherine said, attempting to lighten the mood.
"You know the boss," Kono laughed.
"Catherine, they're in good hands and we'll call you as soon as we have further news," Chin informed her.
"Thank you Chin and Kono, I appreciate the update," Catherine's voice was quietly sincere. "Please let me know more when you know more."
"We promise to call as soon as we know anything further," Kono promised. "I'm sure they'll be fine, they're too stubborn to let their injuries win."
"I know," Catherine's voice answered softly. "Thank you."
"Talk to you later," Kono assured her and broke off the connection. "I can't imagine how frustrating it is for her to sit there at Pearl and wait for news," she added to Chin.
"I am sure she has been through this before," Chin replied. "After all, she's undoubtedly experienced this with Steve's SEAL missions."
"I hadn't thought of that," Kono admitted. "And here I thought it would be stressful to be married to a cop."
"Cops or military, you will find life easier if you pick a guy in a different field," Chin said lightly, then frowned. "Probably smart to avoid crime family members as well."
Kono frowned in annoyance.
"Chin, I know that you don't trust Adam but that is no reason to attack him all the time. I don't want to have this talk again," she sighed.
Chin nodded; sorry he had spoken without thinking. It was true; he still didn't trust Adam and he feared Kono would find herself in over her head. It worried him that she was so emotionally involved with the heir apparent to the Yakuza but continuing to pester her about him would only drive Kono away.
They finished the ride in uncomfortable silence until Kono had to give Chin the GPS directions to the hospital. Once the SUV was parked they hurried into the ER entrance and identified themselves. From there they were directed to the surgical waiting room where they settled down to wait for news on the two men. It was not lost on Chin that Kono chose a chair several places down from his but didn't comment on it.
Ten minutes later a nurse came out to speak to them.
"Lt. Kelly, Officer Kalakaua? I'm Sara and I've been assigned to keep you apprised of what is happening with Commander McGarrett and Detective Williams," the slender blonde in her mid-thirties addressed them. Both had risen to their feet at her greeting and she continued quickly before they could pepper her with questions. "Det. Williams has just been brought out of surgery and is in recovery. They have removed the bullet in his side and repaired the damage. He is being given transfusions of blood to replace what he has lost. The detective had developed an infection and is being treated with antibiotics while they attempt to bring his fever down. We will move him to ICU once he comes out of the anesthetic where we can monitor him and check his blood levels." She paused to let them digest that information, and then continued. "Commander McGarrett is still in surgery. When he came in the doctors confirmed that he has four broken ribs and one did puncture his right lung. They also discovered some internal bleeding which they are looking for the cause. There is a fear that with the lung compromised that the Commander may develop pneumonia so he will be sent to ICU once he is out of surgery and has regained consciousness in recovery. He may not be brought to the ICU unit for some time."
"What do they do for his ribs?" Kono asked curiously.
"Other than bandaging the surgical site it has been learned that they don't have to do much else except keep him quiet while the bones heal. They may do a light wrapping but it isn't a break you can put in a cast to immobilize the ribs. We will treat the pain he will have and monitor the lung function to keep pneumonia from setting in. The Commander will have to take it easy for some time."
"You may have to tie him to his bed," Kono chuckled.
"How soon can we see Danny?" Chin asked.
"I will let you know as soon as he's awake and settled in the ICU," Sara assured him. "Just relax and I will come find you when that happens. There are vending machines in that alcove if you are hungry or thirsty." She pointed across the room and then left to return to the surgical area.
"Thank God, it seems like good news," Kono sighted and rubbed her eyes wearily.
"Yes, good news," Chin agreed and watched her walk back to her original seat and sink down tiredly. He followed and sat next to her, taking one of her hands in his. "Kono, I am sorry about earlier, I shouldn't attack you about Adam. It's just that I worry about you and don't want you hurt if he doesn't live up to your expectations," he said gently. "I have lost Malia; I don't want to lose you too."
Kono looked at him sadly and nodded, gripping his hand tightly.
"I understand and appreciate the concern Chin but I promise you that Adam won't hurt me. He saved my life," she said quietly. "I swear that I won't forget my job or let this relationship compromise 5-0."
Deciding he didn't want to continue the argument, Chin smiled.
"I know you won't. Just know you can come to me with any concerns," he told her. "After all we are ohana, we shouldn't keep secrets."
"Of course," Kono quickly agreed.
Chin kissed her forehead and released her hand, settling back to wait on word about their remaining ohana.
Forty five minutes later Sara returned with a smile on her face.
"Det. Williams is awake and in ICU. He is demanding to speak to his team and wants to see Commander McGarrett," she announced.
"That sounds like Danny," Chin grinned. "How is he doing?"
"His fever is still high and he is getting antibiotics for that. He is receiving one last unit of blood and then we will watch him. He could be in a regular room but based on what he's been through the doctors felt it was best to keep him under closer watch," Sara told them.
"What about Steve?" Kono asked.
"The Commander is in recovery. He came through surgery very well and as soon as he's come out of anesthesia he will be moved into the ICU unit. We will keep a very close eye on him to see how his breathing goes and to make sure he rests," Sara explained.
"Has this been explained to Danny?" Kono asked, knowing how their excitable Jersey friend reacted to things.
"We have and that's why we think you should come in and see him. We would like to keep him calm but he is not cooperating with us at the moment. We do not want him to pull out those stitches in his side," Sara reminded them.
"No…Danny isn't easy to calm down. We will make sure he listens to you. I can assure you that once Steve is in ICU that Danny will insist on seeing him," Chin warned.
"We figured on that and it's another reason for keeping the detective in ICU, they will be closer together," Sara grinned. "From the minute he awoke he's been demanding information on the Commander and then asked for you two."
They had been talking as they walked along and Sara led them down a hall to double doors marked ICU. Inside was a central nurse's station with glass door cubicles lining the walls in a horseshoe shape. A loud voice came from room 5, clearly indicating where Danny was. A harried nurse stepped outside and relief flooded her face when she saw Sara and the two 5-0 members.
"Sara, I can't get him to calm down," she said anxiously.
"We'll take it from here Keiko," Sara responded. Chin and Kono exchanged amused looks.
"I am serious, I want someone in here to brief me on Steve or I am going to walk out of here and find out on my own," Danny could be heard complaining.
"We'll calm him down Sara," Chin said with a reassuring smile. "Danny will behave."
"Thank you, the rest of ICU will appreciate it." Sara went over to the nurse's station to talk to Keiko.
Chin and Kono went to the door to cubicle 5 and peeked inside. The man was trying to push his blanket away and swing his legs over the side.
"So, are we going to need the cuffs to keep you in bed brah?" Kono asked sweetly as she held up a pair of handcuffs and waved them around.
End chapter.
So the boys are patched up and now we just have to get them healed enough to head back to Oahu. We will see if Steve recovers without complications and if Kono has to use those cuffs on Danny next chapter. Thank you so much for reading.