On the eighth day after he was hospitalized they removed the oxygen tent and his recovery really began to pick up on the tenth day. Danny was napping at his side when he woke to Steve's raised voice.

"AMY I am telling you that I want it off and I want it off NOW!"
Danny looked at the flustered Nurse and then to his partner, "What's the matter with you huh?"
"Danny...she's being unreasonable"
"Somehow partner I kind of doubt that. Now tell me, what's the problem?"

"Danny..."
He waited several seconds for his partner to continue, holding out his hands in a questioning gesture, "What Steven?"

Noting his partners' embarrassment Danny chuckled, "Are you kidding me Steve? You're bent out of shape because of the diaper?"
"I want it off now Daniel. I'm not helpless, I can get myself to the head!"
"Oh really? You think so Superman?"
"I KNOW so Danny"
Danny glanced at Amy and Janelle as he pulled back the blankets from his partners body.

"Okay you stubborn ass, look at yourself! Look at all the tubing and wires you're hooked up to!"
Doctor Ross had entered the room as he heard the men's voices rising. Danny lifted his hand up halting the Doctor.
Steve attempted to push himself up onto his elbows and the pain was evident in his face. Danny moved to his side and grabbing his shoulders he pushed him back onto the bed and Amy pulled the blankets back up.

Steve brought his shaking arm up covering his eyes not wanting anyone to see his tears of anger, frustration and pain.
Danny looked at the others, "Can you give us a minute alone please?"
Doctor Ross motioned to the Nurses and they left the room. Danny stood silently for several seconds before speaking, "I'm so sorry this happened to you Steve. You would never have been exposed to this if you hadn't of been so kind and thoughtful to Gracie, I'm sorry"

"Oh shit Danny, please don't do this...I can't have you feeling guilty about this..." He pulled his arm from his eyes as he continued, "I need you to tell me everything. What kind of virus is this?"

Danny took Steve's hand in his and sighed deeply, "Steve, you contracted the Ebola Virus"
"Are you serious?"
Danny's eyebrows raised, "I'm serious partner. But fortunately it looks like you're going to be one of the lucky 10% to beat this damn thing"
"Am I over the worst of it?"
"Well I sure hope so. The last ten days have been hell. You scared the shit out of me partner"
"Ten days...I've been here ten days?"

Danny told him everything that had happened since they had found him slumped against his truck. He told him of the symptoms he had suffered, of the high fevers, the delirium and the nightmares. He told him of the blood transfusions, the internal bleeding and the medications he had been receiving. He told of how they packed him in ice and how at one point they feared he may experience seizures, or worse.

Steve looked at his partner noting the weariness and concern in his eyes, "Danny, am I still contagious?"
"You still have a fever and until that breaks, yeah you're contagious and I get to keep wearing this fashionable get-up!"

Steve grinned, "What's my fever at?"
"They checked about an hour ago and you were down to 102.4, but it hasn't risen at all in two days. It's slowly decreasing. You're going to be fine partner, you just need to rest and get your strength back"

"I'm pretty damn weak, that's for sure"
"Yes you are. So stop giving the poor Nurses a hard time. You still need the catheter and the diapers because you've still got diarrhea and there is absolutely no way you can get to the head in time"

"It's embarrassing Danny"
"Steven they have had the same four Nurses tending to you and they have been wiping your ass for the last ten days. Throw your modesty out the window partner. There is nothing to be embarrassed about buddy, it is what it is. I promise, you don't have anything they haven't seen before"

"Danny, thank you...thank you for being here for me. I'm sorry for how I acted"
"You don't have to apologize to me partner, you can say anything you want to me. I'm not going to let you raise your voice to those ladies though. They haven't left your side for a minute and let's just say their job has not been easy or pretty"

"Got it partner. Hey Danny, no guilt here okay...remember how happy Gracie was that day? I don't have any regrets. This was a fluke thing, there's no way we could have foreseen this. So promise me, no guilt"
"Thanks buddy" Danny smiled at his partner now knowing that he was definitely going to beat this thing.

Danny motioned to Doctor Ross and the Nurses that it was 'safe' to enter again.
As the three approached the bed Steve looked to Amy, "Amy I am very sorry that I raised my voice to you. I truly appreciate everything that you, ALL of you have done for me. Please forgive me"

Amy smiled behind her mask, "It's alright Steve, we're happy to see you've got some spunk back"
Steve added, "Thank You but it's not alright. I promise I will not disrespect you again"

Doctor Ross then introduced himself to Steve and took his vitals.
"It's down a bit more to 102.1. This is very good news Steve, now tell me, how do you feel?"

"I'm very tired and I feel very weak"
"Do you have a headache?"
"A little bit, it's not too bad"
"Rate it for me"
"About a four I guess"
"That's good. Now I'm going to feel around your belly. It's going to be somewhat sensitive"

As the Doctor pushed around the bruised flesh, Steve grimaced slightly but no touch sent him through the roof in pain. "How bad Steve?"
"Oh...four, five maybe"
The Doctor then pushed on the area that caused him severe pain a few days before, "How about here?"
"Same...about a four...not too bad"

The Doctor nodded towards Danny before adding, "That's real good Steve, real good. I'd like you to try to sleep for a while now, can you do that?"

"Oh I promise you I can do that. Thank You Doc. Hey Danny, I'm feeling better. Why don't you take off and go see Gracie?"

The Doctor jumped in, "He can't yet Steve, there's still a slight chance that he was infected initially as you were. We have the zoo keepers, Danny and Gracie under quarantine as a precaution"

"How long do they need to be quarantined?"
"Gracie and the zoo keepers need to be isolated for twenty one days. That is the incubation period. So they have another few days to go. Danny on the other hand has been in close contact with you and even though we have done everything possible to assure he doesn't become infected he will need to stay here until we give you the all clear"

"And how long will that be?"
"You can remain contagious up to three weeks after the symptoms appear, so you'll be with us for at least another ten to twelve days. Then we will move you to a regular room for at least another four to five days before releasing you. It's going to take at least a month for you to regain your strength enough for you to be able to return to work"

"Are you kidding me?"
"Commander McGarrett you are incredibly fortunate to be alive. You're body has endured a virus that has killed thousands. You need to be grateful that you'll only be down this short time. You must rest. Sleep is the best thing for you at this point. You haven't beaten this thing fully yet and if you drain yourself you could very easily relapse. Do you understand me?"

"Yes, of course. Thank you all so much. I am very grateful and very thankful for all of you"

Danny placed a hand on his partner's shoulder, "Buddy, I'm going to go take a shower and check in with Chin, Kono and the Governor. You sleep okay?"

Steve reached up and patted Danny's hand as his eyes closed, "Thank you Daniel...send my love"
Danny smiled as he turned and left the room.

************* MORE TO FOLLOW ***************