Danny woke at a little after four in the morning slipping out of bed without waking Gabby. After using the bathroom he dressed, grabbed his cellphone and quietly put a couple changes of clothes and some toiletries into a duffel bag. He then moved to the bed, pulling the covers up to Gabby's chest and leaning over to kiss her forehead before turning and leaving the room.

He arrived in the ICU a little after five and was greeted by the head nurse, Melanie.

"Doctor Seiler told me to expect you this morning but I have to admit I didn't expect you quite this early"
Danny grinned, thinking 'I like this lady' before saying, "I couldn't sleep. How is he doing?"

She smiled at the young blonde man looking at her with such concern in in his eyes, "He's stable and resting comfortably. He's got a bit of a fever but we have him hooked up to IV antibiotics and fluids. We're also infusing him with an anti-inflammatory to treat the spinal cord swelling. We have completed his blood transfusions though. He's on a respirator to aid his breathing but I believe the Doctor plans on removing him from that this morning. He's really doing well Danny"

"How high is his fever?"
"102.6"
"And this is due to the abdominal infection?"
"Yes. I'm sure the Doctor explained that waste had entered his abdominal cavity?"
"Yes, but they were able to clean that all out correct?"

"They did, but infection had already set in and now the concern is to stop the infection before sepsis sets in"
"I know that's an infection right?"
"Sepsis is an infection in the blood. It causes inflammation and the immune system can attack the body's own organs and tissues"
"Jesus"
"He's not showing signs of this and the treatment for it is antibiotics and fluids, so we just need to monitor him carefully"

"Can I see him now?"
"Absolutely, you'll need to wear a gown, mask and gloves for his protection. We need to keep the germs away"
"Of course"

She guided him to a nearby sink where she had him wash up and then she led him into the room. The whooshing of the respirator instantly assaulted Danny's senses. God how he hated that sound! As he moved closer he began to shake. They had stopped the transfusions and he had expected Steve's color to be better, but he was still horribly pale.

He turned to Melanie, "Why is he so pale?"
"His body has been through a severe trauma. His coloring is improving"
"Okay" Danny watched his partners' chest rise and fall rhythmically with the respirator. His eyes took in all the machines and tubing attached to Steve's body pumping life-saving fluids into him. He noted the colostomy bag and the bag holding urine which had a disheartening pink tinge to it.

"He has blood in his urine?"
"Again Danny, his body has undergone major trauma. This is not unusual and we're monitoring it"

Steve was sweating as the fever raged through him and a younger nurse named Carley was wiping his head and face. Danny couldn't help but notice Steve's eyes darting from side to side behind his closed lids. In the three years he'd been this crazy man's partner he had stood over his injured body numerous times and every time he would notice the eye movement. After the second vigil he had endured, when Steve had taken a bullet to the shoulder, he had asked him if he remembered anything while he had been unconscious. That was after they had only been partners for about five months and Steve had surprisingly really opened up to him. He had confided to him about the nightmares he would have, about the men he had led and the men he had lost. Steve McGarrett was a natural leader and true leaders' take responsibility when missions go bad... yet they step back from the glory when things go good. But with that responsibility came self-torment, the blaming of himself and the guilt...He explained how the nightmares would come, at least once a week but more if he was over-tired. He had grown accustomed to them and simply accepted them as part of his job, albeit not an enjoyable part of his job. He explained that whenever his body was weakened, either by illness or injury, the dreams would be more frequent and much more intense. And when drugs were involved...the floodgates would open and his memories would torment him.

The other people in Steve's life were not aware of the details of these nightmares although they had witnessed their leader experience them in those rare moments of weakness when he was injured. He had promised Steve that he would never disclose the depth or the nature of his torment to anyone, and he hadn't. But Danny had also vowed to himself that he would always be there for him, always be there to comfort, always be there to listen. And this was one of those times.

Taking his partner's hand in his he leaned in close and whispered into his ear, "I'm right here partner. It's Danno and I've got you. You're going to be just fine Steve, rest now and I'll be right here"
Danny then felt the tightening, although weak, of Steve's hand in his.
"That a boy, you rest now Steve...Danno's got you, you're safe"
Melanie came up behind Danny with a chair and he looked to her, "Thank you"
"You're welcome. Carley will stay right here. You let her know if you need anything" As he sat holding Steve's hand, Melanie squeezed his shoulder and then left the room.

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Danny talked to his unconscious partner throughout the morning. He told him about how everything went with capturing the robbers and how they had recovered all the coins and jewels. He told him how Chin and Kono were scheduled to meet with Governor Denning this morning after they met with Duke at HPD headquarters. Duke had taken over the investigation and had interrogated and booked the robbers yesterday.

At a little before eight o'clock Steve started to gag slightly as the drugs began to wear off. Danny jumped to his feet, "Steve, relax buddy...you've got a tube in your throat. Relax Steve..."
Danny was running a hand through his sweat drenched hair as Steve's eye's slowly opened.
"Hey partner, don't try to talk. The Doc should be in soon to take the tube out of your throat. Blink twice if you hear me okay?"
Steve's eyes blinked twice prompting a smile from his partner.

"Good, good...now blink once for yes, twice for no babe...are you in pain?"
Again, two blinks.
"Good partner, everything went really well and you're going to be just fine"
As Danny chattered on, Nurse Carley continued to monitor his vitals and in just a few minutes, Nurse Melanie entered the room with a Doctor.

He introduced himself to Steve and Danny adding, "Doctor Seiler is running a little late this morning. It looks like you had a good night Steve so how about if we get this nasty tube out of your throat now. You just hold still for me. You're gagging reflex will kick in and Carley will have some water ready for you"
Danny stood next to Carley holding Steve's hand and smiling down at him as in one quick motion the Doctor pulled the long tube from his throat. Carley held the straw to his lips encouraging him to take small sips as she used the cool cloth in her other hand to wipe the tears that had slipped from his eyes.

The Doctor then checked Steve's vitals as he spoke with him, "I hope that feels better Commander McGarrett"
Steve cleared his throat and spoke softly, "It does. Call me Steve please"
"Okay Steve. I'm going to have you wait for Doctor Seiler to give you all the details of your surgery but your lungs appear clear and your vitals are good. One to ten can you tell me how bad your pain is?"

"About a six...seven maybe...not too bad"
"That's good to hear. I was part of the team that treated you yesterday and you had us quite worried for a while but everything seems to be progressing well. We need to keep working on getting your fever down so rest is the best thing for you. Do you have any immediate questions or can you wait for Doctor Seiler?"

"I can wait...thank you Doctor"
"You're welcome. You rest up now and if you need any pain medication you let Carley or your partner know"
"Okay"
The Doctor left and Steve looked up at Carley. "Can you please give us a minute alone?"
"I need to stay in the room Steve but I'll wait at the table"
"Thank You"

As she moved from earshot, Steve looked pleadingly at his partner..."Danno, I need to hear the truth. Tell me about my legs...please..."

********* More to follow **********