Danny was nervously pacing the waiting room floor when his phone rang, "Steve….is everything okay?"
There was a slight pause before the SEAL responded softly, "No Danno…nothing's okay"
"I'm on my way partner. Hang on" Danny raced down the hallway and into the elevator punching the button for the third floor frantically.

He was winded as he entered the room and spotted Steve standing and staring out the window.
He moved towards his friend, his hands extended "Steve, hey I'm here partner. Talk to me"
"They both betrayed me Danno…."
Danny noticed that Steve was shaking, "Hey buddy, I need you to sit down okay and we'll talk" He pulled a chair over and taking hold of Steve's elbow he guided him into the chair. Moving to the bed he grabbed a blanket and covered his friend before pulling a chair over, facing him.

They sat quietly for several minutes before Steve spoke, "Doris and Joe are lovers Danno…they betrayed my Dad…"
Danny ran a hand across his face, "Ah fuck…Steve, man I'm so sorry"
Steve told Danny everything and as he spoke Danny's heart broke for him. No wonder Doris had been worried…what a fucking mess.

The men sat for a while without speaking before Danny asked, "What are you going to do?"
"I just couldn't take anymore tonight partner. I still have more to ask her though"
"What else do you need to hear Steve? How much more do you need to be hurt?"
"There's more Danno and I have to know it all…."
"Oh Christ…..okay, okay, so what do you still need to know?"

"Why did she let Wo-Fat escape at the safe house, and why come back now Danny? She was ill for the first six years she was in hiding, let's even say ten years. So after that she just starts a new life with Joe and to hell with my Dad?"

"Steve, I'm not defending her here, not at all. What she did was horrible but she told you they didn't want to leave any trail for Wo-Fat that could lead to you or your Dad. You know how brutal Wo-Fat is. So tell me, why do you think there's more to it than that?"

Steve's eyes glistened with tears as he spoke softly, "Twenty years Danny…..he spent twenty years trying to solve her murder and all the while she was alive and living a new life with Joe. They both betrayed him horribly…he didn't deserve that"

"No you're right, he didn't"
"How could they….how could they?"
Danny watched as Steve's defenses broke and he began to sob softly. Danny moved to the window giving his friend a few minutes before he moved back to him. He placed a strong hand on Steve's shoulder and squeezed. No words were needed as Steve took strength and solace simply in friends' presence. They sat quietly for about twenty minutes before Danny again said, "I'm sorry Steve"

"Danny, thank you for being here, for listening to me"
"Hey stop it….of course I'm going to be here. I just don't know what I can do for you"
"You're doing everything you can do…..thank you"
"You're welcome partner. So, do you want to see Catherine tonight?"
"No, I need to be alone….I need to think…I need to figure out what I'm going to say to her tomorrow"
"Why don't you let me help you back into bed and then I'll go call Catherine, Kono and Chin. They're all worried about you"
"I'm good Danny, I can make it. You can head out for the night, I'll be fine"
"You know damn well I'm not leaving you alone tonight, so don't even argue" Danny reached out and grasped Steve's hand before adding, "I'll be right back"
Steve watched his partner leave the room and he smiled softly, knowing how lucky he was to have Danny Williams as his partner.

50505050505050505050505050

The next morning Danny was fighting with Steve trying to get him to eat his breakfast when their attention turned to the voice at the door, "You need to eat to get your strength up son"
They two men turned to face Joe White. The retired SEAL advanced into the room his eyes never leaving Steve's steely gaze.

Joe asked coldly, "Danny, could you give us a minute alone please?"
Before Danny could answer, Steve stated, "No…..he stays. What in hell are you doing here Joe?"
Joe looked to Danny who spoke calmly, "You heard the man Joe. I'm not going anywhere. I think you should be grateful for that because honestly he wants you take your head off right about now. So I'll stay quiet here and keep him from hurting you and more importantly keep him from hurting himself"

Joe turned to Steve "Your Mother doesn't know that I'm here. There's something you need to know son"
Steve responded angrily pointing a finger at his mentor, "DON'T JOE! Don't you EVER call me son again, do you hear me you son-of-a-bitch?"
Joe held his hands out defensively, "Okay, I apologize"
The retired SEAL moved to the foot of the bed as Danny helped reposition the pillow behind Steve's head.

Steve's eyes never left Joe as he said, "So Joe tell me? What did my Dad….the man you call your 'brother'….what did he do to deserve your betrayal?" Steve's voice was quivering with anger and pain.

"He did nothing wrong. I loved your Father….."
Steve interrupted him, "YOU LOVED HIM! YOU LOVED HIM! You loved him so fucking much that you slept with his wife. You loved him? You've got a strange way of showing it pal"

"Steve, please hear me out"
Danny placed a hand on Steve's shoulder and said quietly, "Relax partner, slow down….."
Steve was shaking under Danny's touch. His eyes were closed as he struggled to compose himself.
After a few seconds Joe spoke softly, "I understand that you're angry but please let me have my say and then if you never want to see me again, I'll walk right out that door"

Steve opened his eyes and said coldly, "I'm listening"
"I know your Mom has told you almost everything so I'm only going to say Steve that no matter what you believe, nothing we did was ever meant to hurt your Dad or you kids. Everything was done to protect you. Your Mother was devastated at having to leave you, but she had no choice….please try to understand that. Put on top of that her illness. Steve for SIX YEARS she fought every day just to stay alive, and we almost lost her several times. I won't apologize for giving her comfort during that time. EVERY DAY we talked about you, Mary AND your Dad, EVERY SINGLE DAY! The hope she had that someday she could go back to you kept her fighting, kept her alive. Once the battle with the cancer was over we had many, many discussions about bringing her back to you but it wasn't something we could do safely. Steve you know how evil Wo-Fat is. I've always told you that everything your Dad did was to keep you safe, it was no different with your Mom….or me. None of us were willing to put you in danger"

"You know what Joe, when I was fifteen….that's okay. But when I was a SEAL…hell for the last fifteen years. How dare you Joe, how dare you not tell me. How dare you not tell Dad. He spent twenty years searching and his investigation got him killed. So why now? Why tell me now, what's different?"

"That's why I'm here Steve. Your Mom is dying"
Steve pushed himself forward, "What are you saying Joe?"
"The cancer is back and it's Stage 4. There is nothing they can do for her Steve. She stopped all treatments last week. She's made peace with her fate but she had to see you and Mary. She wants to die here Steve"

Steve spoke softly, "Is it another tumor?" Danny had moved close to bed and placed a hand supportively on his shoulder.
"No…the cancer started in her kidney but it's metastasized throughout her bones. It's in her hip, pelvis, ribs and spine. She's already in horrible pain Steve. I'm so very sorry

"Have they done chemo, radiation?"
"It's beyond that. She's tired Steve, she's ready to go. She wants to spend whatever time she has left with you and Mary. Can you give that to her"

Tears were streaking down his cheeks as he responded steadily, "Of course I can"
"I'll see you at the house later then?"
"Yeah"

With that Joe White turned and walked away from the young man he loved like a son knowing that their relationship would never, hell it could never be the same. He had crossed a line, broken a trust. It didn't matter though now, all that mattered was being there for Doris and he had no doubt that Steve would do everything in his power to bring his Mother peace. He was Steve McGarrett after all and no one was more decent or honorable than John McGarretts son. Tears slid down the older man's face as he left the hospital, hating himself for the pain he had caused the three people he cared most about in the entire world.

******** More to Follow ********