Ho'okahi, Chapter 11
Dr. Palakiko returned downstairs almost an hour later to find Danny and Chin drinking coffee while reclining in chairs on the lanai.
"Got a cup of that to spare?" she asked.
Chin got up and offered his seat to her. "Have a seat. Coffee's coming right up."
"We didn't hear any shouting," Danny began. "How'd it go?"
She dropped into the chair and leaned back, enjoying the sun on her face. "Relatively well. At least neither of us killed the other. I gave him something for pain and he's asleep for now."
"How badly did he hurt himself last night?" Chin asked, handing her a cup of steaming coffee.
"Not too badly," she admitted, wrapping both hands around the cup and savoring the aroma. "I removed some of the packing in his leg and added a couple of stitches and butterflies to hold it together. His arm had bled some, but no stitches were missing there and all the other various sutures seem intact. The combination of the ear injury and the concussion is causing his dizziness and nausea and that will be worrisome for a while. I would strongly encourage him not to come back downstairs today. And yes, I know he will probably fight you about that. If he feels up to it, he can move around more tomorrow."
"I'll be glad to cuff him to the bedframe," Danny offered.
"Guys, he's pretty freaked about being in his parents' bedroom. He kept looking at the furniture and things on the walls. I could tell he was nervous being there. While I feel certain his memories will return, if it doesn't happen within the next 48 hours, I want him to see someone."
"As in a psychiatrist, someone?" Danny asked.
"I have a psychologist friend I use from time to time," she replied. "He's based out of Tripler and is great dealing with post-traumatic stress. I think he and Steve would get along."
"I know he's seen someone in the past," Danny told her. "But I don't know who."
"Good. If the person is local, I can get the information. He also needs to eat something light. Soup, smoothie, something like that – even if he doesn't want it, he needs to eat. And if he doesn't eat, I'll have to threaten him with an IV."
"Anything else we should look for?" Chin asked.
"Not really, but call me if he starts throwing up or his headache worsens."
"He wouldn't tell us if his head was ready to fall off his shoulders," Danny told her.
"Yeah, you're probably right," she agreed. "Watch his facial features. I doubt he can hide the pain for long. Although," she paused for a sip of coffee, "he is probably the single most stubborn man I have ever treated."
"He would consider that 'determined', not stubborn," Chin told her with a smile.
"And he would also think you had paid him a compliment," Danny added.
"I don't doubt it," she agreed with a smile. "I left a bottle of pain meds and also an antibiotic upstairs next to his bed. I'll call tonight and make sure no one has killed or been killed yet. You guys have a fun job for the next few days. All I ask is that you try to keep him down for at least another 48 hours. Oh, and if he argues to go outside," she pointed upward, "you can open those windows or he can rest on the lanai upstairs. Under no circumstances does he leave the house."
"Yes, ma'am," Danny saluted her. "If he tries, do I have your permission to shoot him in the other leg?"
~~~H50~~~
Steve woke in stages. First, he knew he was somewhere relatively comfortable. He felt almost like he belonged there. Second, he realized he was in very little pain. Which had not been the case since the moment he awoke in the hospital. He lay there, unmoving, eyes closed, debating whether or not he really wanted to wake up.
Third, he realized he was alone, which, while it was a surprise, it was a somewhat pleasant one. He finally opened his eyes and blinked in the sunlight filtering in through the window. The back of the house faced west and pulled in the afternoon sun, so by the sun's rays shining across the bed, he deduced it was afternoon. He held up his left wrist, only to remember that his watch was still in that little baggie he brought home from the hospital. Somewhere.
Steve looked around the bedroom as if seeing it again for the first time. Other than the bed, most everything was how he remembered from when he was a child. After his mom died, his dad changed very little. It appeared he was following in his dad's footsteps.
He tried to remember the past few months that everyone says were missing. From the explosion that he did remember, up until present, he felt his life had been sucked into a huge, black hole. He looked at these people he was supposed to know… and know well, from all indications, and felt nothing. No recognition, no camaraderie. Nothing.
While they made him feel comfortable, the thought that he didn't know them made him feel sad. Like he was missing out on something very important.
He could only hope that whatever it was, he got it back.
And he couldn't do that lying in bed. Determined to explore, he managed to scoot to the side of the bed. Rolling onto his side, he propped himself up on his elbow and held his breath, waiting for the dizziness and nausea to pass. The roar in his ear and head was back, louder than he remembered since he had left the hospital. Eyes squeezed shut, he lay there, trying to decide whether to push himself up or simply collapse back onto the bed and forget it.
In the end, he didn't get a vote.
Kono pushed open the door to see her boss propped up on his elbow, looking as if he were ready to topple right off the side of the bed. She quickly entered the room, set down the tray she brought with her and moved to his side. She gently sat down and placed her hand on his shoulder. "Hey, Boss. How goes it?"
He managed a grunt in answer. "Come on, where you think you're going, huh? Let's get you comfortable here." She kept a running dialogue with him even though he didn't respond back to her. Kono pushed the pillows up against the headboard and then squeezed his shoulder. "Boss, can you hear me? Scoot up a little bit and we'll get these pillows behind you."
He opened his eyes and glanced at her, then did as he was told, pushing up with his arms.
"That better?"
He rubbed a hand across his forehead and then agreed. "Yeah. This sucks."
"I'm sure it does," she agreed, once again sitting on the bed.
"So, did you draw the short straw?" Steve asked, squinting at her in the sunlight.
She smiled. "Nah. It was my turn. Chin and Danny are at the office going over the case that goes to trial tomorrow. They're sifting through all the details once more before they testify."
"What kind of case?"
"No way, Brah. Doc said no work for you. But I did bring you some lunch. My auntie's famous chicken and rice soup."
He closed his eyes and quickly swallowed. "I don't think I can eat," he told her.
She left the bed and picked up the tray once again. "Come on, you need to eat something. Try a couple spoonfuls. I promise, it's good."
"One bite," he agreed. "On one condition."
"And that is?"
"Sit on this side of the bed so I can hear you better."
Kono smiled and immediately moved to the other side of the bed, setting down the tray while he sat up further in the bed. She set a napkin in his lap and held up a spoon. "You OK doing this by yourself?"
Steve tried to shrug, then grimaced at the movement, but took the spoon from her. But when he glanced down at the bowl, he squeezed his eyes shut and dropped his head against the pillows once again. "I'm sorry," he swallowed thickly, "but I don't think I can eat."
She took back the spoon. "That's cool. No worries, we can wait."
He sighed and opened his eyes to stare at her. "So. Chin said you're his cousin."
Kono nodded. "Yep. I've always had a case of hero worship with him. He has taught me so much."
"Tell me, how'd you end up on this task force? I know how Danny and I met, but that's about all."
She faced him, sitting cross legged on the bed and smiled. "It's a cool story," she promised, scooping a spoonful of soup and holding it in front of him. Subconsciously, he opened his mouth as she began to speak. "Well, to be honest, when my day began, I had no idea I would have a job interview. Especially wearing a bikini. When we met, I had just ridden a fantastic wave out on the North Shore, but this stupid haole cut into my path and ruined it." She grinned, spooning up some more soup. "When I reached land, I showed him my displeasure by decking him. Then I looked up and saw Chin on the beach with these two guys… you and Danny. You needed someone unknown to go undercover, so Chin thought of me."
Steve swallowed another spoonful of soup and then asked, "So, what was your background?"
"I was a week from graduating from the academy. After that first undercover job you offered me a place on 5-0." She grinned once again. "I imagine the people I graduated with are pea green with envy. Especially if they're still riding a beat."
"So, do you still go undercover?" he asked.
"Brah, I do it all." She grinned once again and added, "Thank you for never making me feel that I'm not a part of the team. You helped me work on my martial art skills, but I already had a wicked roundhouse kick," she added with a cheeky grin. "My sniper skills are good and I can also kick butt with the computer." With a final scrape of the empty bowl, she offered him one more spoon of soup. "I can assure you I didn't get this job on my looks."
"Never thought you did," he replied, leaning back onto the pillow, suddenly tired.
"You need to drink some water and take your meds before you go back to sleep."
He roused a little and took the bottle. "Don't think I didn't notice you were shoveling food down me," he told her, an embarrassed grin showing.
"Whatever it takes, Brah." She scooted off the bed reached for his meds, handing him the pills. She covertly watched as he took them, then picked up the tray from the bed and walked toward the door. "Get some sleep, Boss."
~~~H50~~~
He awoke sometime later upon hearing the front door shut. By the weak beams of sunlight splaying with the shadows on the wall, he realized it was much later in the afternoon. Steve also realized that nature was calling. That thought brought a blush to his face as he remembered the doctor in the bathroom with him the night before, making a joke about his 'shy bladder'.
Some things just weren't meant to be funny.
He could hear voices downstairs, but he was still alone. Determined to actually get up from the bed this time, he moved to the edge.
So far, so good.
Sitting up worked as well, with just a twinge of dizziness. The buzz saw began again deep in his ear, but he tried to ignore that and focus on the task at hand. His crutches were propped against the wall, just to the left of the bedside table. Using the table as support, he stood, surprised that the dizziness was passing. Steve reached for the crutches and made his way to the bathroom without incident, feeling quite pleased with himself.
"Hey, Kono," he heard Danny's voice as the man yelled down the stairs. "Your patient is AWOL. We leave you here for a few hours and you lose him… what kind of detective are you?"
Steve grinned and washed his hands before splashing some water on his face. He stared at the bruises which were as prominent today as they were in the hospital. The coloring had changed, but still just as noticeable. And once he started moving around, just as painful.
He opened the bathroom door and called to Danny who was now sitting on the end of the bed. "In here." Steve looked up when both Chin and Kono walked into the room.
"I didn't lose him," Kono defended herself. "Come on, Brah," she told Steve. "You're making me look bad."
He hobbled back to the bed and sat down on the side of it, breathing heavily after the short walk. "Seems to me," he began, "that the detective here didn't get all his facts before he acted."
"Yeah," Kono agreed, smacking Danny on the shoulder.
"How are you doing, Steve?" Chin asked while leaning against the bedroom doorway.
"Not so dizzy anymore," McGarrett told them. "Although," he grumbled, "walking to the bathroom shouldn't be such a chore."
"But you did it by yourself," Kono told him. "That should count for something."
Steve used the crutches and pulled himself up once more. "Let's take this downstairs, OK? I need some fresh air."
"Ah… no," Danny said. "Doc said you are grounded up here until tomorrow. She is supposed to call tonight and I, for one, don't intend to tell her you fell down the stairs."
"I'm not going to fall down—"
"I know you're not," Danny interrupted, standing in front of Steve, daring the taller man to move. "'Cause you're staying put. Capishe?
"Come on," Steve whined. "I've been cooped up all day. I need to go outside."
Kono walked to the balcony door and unlocked it. "Problem solved, Brah. You get comfortable out here and I'll bring up your dinner." She pushed open the door and crossed her arms, daring him to say no. "Chin, can you help me with our carryout?"
"Sure thing, Cuz. Danny, you got this?"
"Got it. Come on, McGarrett. No use giving me that look. Kono has spoken, so get your butt in gear."
~~~H50~~~
The team sat on the balcony quite a while after dinner was over. Kono was pleased to see that McGarrett apparently liked the chicken salad she had made just for him. The others had takeaway Chinese and even though he begged for some, she was adamant that he stick with the bland chicken, although she did share her fried rice with him.
After a lull in the conversation, Steve leaned back in his chaise lounge and asked, "So, tell me about this case you two are working on."
Danny glanced at Chin and hesitated before saying anything.
"Yes, I know the doc said 'no work'," Steve argued, "but I want to know what's going on. Who knows, maybe you will say something that will crack open my brain."
"Still no chinks in that hard head of yours?" Danny asked.
Steve shook his head and sighed. "Nothing, unless you count the fact that the bed feels 'right'. Like I'm comfortable in it. And that's certainly not much of a memory."
"It will come, Brah," Chin assured him.
"Yeah, keep telling me that."
To keep the mood from getting maudlin, Danny began explaining the case. "OK, here's the Reader's Digest version so follow along. Arms dealer Avery Makai… real bad dude. He's been dealing and running guns between Hawaii and Singapore. They moved in to the docks and we got him red handed in a stakeout a few weeks ago. Because he was considered a flight risk, he was held over in jail until the trial, which begins tomorrow."
"So, if we got him, what's the problem?" Steve asked.
Chin picked up the story. "While we got Makai, the guns had already been moved off the docks. We missed the shipment, and without it, our case could fall apart. We had a tip telling us the guns were in a warehouse, so we went to check it out. That was the warehouse that blew up… with us in it."
"A set up?" McGarrett deduced.
"Good observation, Sherlock," Danny deadpanned. "Crazy thing is that Forensics said if the bomb had been set closer to the front of the building, none of us would have survived. Said it looked like an amateur job."
"And Makai is a lot of things," Chin added. "But amateur isn't on the list. He has a record a mile long."
"So who sent us there?" Steve asked.
Kono replied, "I got a message on my phone, telling me to go there and find the guns. Funny thing… when HPD investigated, there were no guns in any of the crates."
"Did you trace the call?"
She shook her head. "Burner phone, paid for with cash. No trace."
"So, someone wanted us there," Danny finished. He pointed to himself, Steve and Chin. "The three of us are supposed to testify tomorrow, but we got you a pass, since (a) you are injured and (b) can't remember the explosion in the first place."
"What about Kono?" Steve asked, glancing over to her.
"I was being a techy that day and wasn't on the dock," she replied. "I was trying to find out where the guns were headed, but we finally decided they switched them to another boat before they even got to land. And we really could use those guns."
"What's next?" Steve asked.
"Well, Chin and I will testify tomorrow. Kono will stay here with you."
"Shouldn't I at least go to—"
"Ix-nay," Danny interrupted once again. "Doc made us swear you would stay at home."
"Come on, I can—"
"Sorry, Bossman. You and me are staying put tomorrow."
Chin added, "I'll stay the night and will go home and clean up in the morning after Kono gets here. Danny and I will come back here after court and fill you in on what's going on."
"I don't need anyone staying the night," Steve assured them.
"Really?" Danny asked. "Like no one needed to be at the hospital to keep you from playing Houdini? I think you'd better quit while you're ahead."
"You're stuck with us, Brah, whether you like it or not," Kono added with a grin.
"And even though you won't admit it, you look like you need to get back in there to bed," Danny said. "So, let's go McGarrett. It's beddy-bye time."
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't you say that *I* was the head of this task force."
"In name only, Babe. We're a democracy. Now get your keester out of that chair before we haul you up," Danny warned, holding out his hand to help pull up his friend.
~~~H50~~~
Steve sighed and dropped down onto the side of the bed, unconsciously rubbing the ache in his leg. He slid the crutches onto the floor beside the bed and leaned back against the headboard, using his hands to help pull his leg up off the floor. He would never admit it, but during the time he spent outside tonight, his leg had stiffened, making walking most difficult. Just moving from the lanai to the bathroom to the bed had wiped him out. In addition, he was sure he could feel every single bruise and cut on his body, all mocking him, saying, "Feel me, feel me."
Chin walked into the room and caught the look of pain on McGarrett's face as he settled his leg onto a pillow. "Think you might have overdone it a bit today?"
Busted.
"Nah, I'm good. Just a cramp." The fact that he spoke through tightly clamped teeth assured that he was lying.
"Right," Chin 'agreed' with him. "Here's a bottle of water. Kono said you had some meds to take before bed. And…" he hesitated. "As much as I hate to do so, she told me to make sure you took the pain pill. So… take the pain pill."
"Are you three always such bullies?" Steve grumbled, opening the bottle of pills.
Chin shrugged and leaned against the footboard of the bed. "We take care of one another, if that's what you're asking."
"It's damned annoying," Steve stated.
"Yeah, I guess it can be."
McGarrett swallowed his pills with a swig of water from the bottle. "See… you can tell Kono I know how to follow instructions."
Chin's phone dinged the same time Steve quit talking and he pulled it from his pocket to read the message. Grinning, he read it aloud. "Make sure he takes both pills."
"Tell her I said 'get a life'. I really don't think I need a sitter 24 hours a day."
"Yeah, well, humor us. Just a couple days ago, we were pretty sure we had lost you."
Steve stuck another pillow behind his head and leaned back. "And yet, here I am," he muttered. "At least part of me is here." He motioned for Chin to sit down on the end of the bed. "So, I've talked to both Danny and Kono and got their stories, and now I need your perspective. Give me your take on how all this came about. Did I 'steal' you from HPD like Danny said I did him?"
"No, Brah. HPD and me had already parted ways over a slight misunderstanding with government money. You saved me from dying of boredom as a rent-a-cop on the pier next to the Missouri."
"Ouch."
"You can say that again. But I have to admit, at first I wasn't too keen on helping. But when I realized HPD wouldn't like the idea of me back on the job, I think that gave me the courage to prove I could do something better."
"And have we?" Steve quietly asked. "Done better?"
"Yeah. Yeah, we have. And some on the police force are beginning to come around. We have good allies there. Although there are still a few who really hate 5-0. The governor pretty much gave you carte blanche and some officers view that as a slap in their faces. That we can come in and get the bad guys by not following the rules."
"Sometimes you can't get the results you need if you follow all the rules," Steve replied, then yawned.
"And the governor knows that," Chin agreed. "So far, she's pretty impressed with our work." He stood and rubbed his hands together. "So… if you don't mind, I'm going to crash next door. The house is locked up and unless you need anything, I'll see you in the morning. But call if you need me."
Steve gave him a half-salute. "I will. Good night." He grinned at Chin. "And don't worry, because as everyone keeps telling me, I suppose I'll be fine."
~~~H50~~~