He stayed with Steve for a little more than an hour before returning to the waiting room.
Chin had returned and they all moved over to a table, "How is he Danny"
"He's fighting….he's fighting hard"
"Is he conscious?"
"No….he's struggling to breathe. His fever is so high…...he's burning up"
Kono took his hand, "He's alive Danny and he's fighting"
Danny nodded, "Chin, are you okay?"
"Yeah. The bullet went right through, I'm fine"
"Did you get anything else from Morales?"
"He know's that Ocinico is coming and he gave us the name of several of his relatives here in Hawaii. He's agreed to the plea deal. He will testify against Ocinco and we will provide him with a new identity and witness relocation"
"Okay…..good" Danny put his face into his hands and spoke softly, "72 hours…."
Chin looked to him, "What do you mean Danny?"
"The Doctor said the next 72 hours would be critical. If he's like this for 72 hours…every breath is a struggle. They say he's not in pain, but…..."
Chin interrupted, "But he's not Danny….they'll keep him medicated. They know what they're doing bro"
Danny's voice was so soft, "I know….he's hooked up to so many damn machines, wires and tubes…..a respirator…"
Kono looked at him, "Danny…..this isn't your fault. You know that don't you?"
"MY brother is to blame for this. His stupid, selfish choices led to this. He's put all of us in danger. He's my baby brother and I love him but if Steve dies or if one of you get hurt...…I'll never forgive myself"
Chin spoke firmly, "Danny, stop brother…Steve knew the danger and he would do it again to keep Matt safe. He did it for you Danny and now you need to be strong for him. Kono and I will watch over Matt and coordinate the search for Ocinco. You just stay here and take care of him okay?"
Danny sighed deeply and looked at his friends smiling softly,
"I'm sorry, I've been very selfish and I've made this about me and my feelings alone. I know you both love him too. Thank you both and promise me you'll be careful, we don't know how the cartel will try to get to Steve. They could come after any of us. Watch out for each other"
Chin put his hand on Danny's shoulder, "You have nothing to be sorry for. Your brother shows up after a year and brings all this with him? I'd say you're doing pretty damn well brother. Just hang in there. It'll all work out. I'll keep in touch with the jail and the Governor, you stay alert, take care of Steve and keep tabs on your family"
The three exchanged hugs and as Chin and Kono left for headquarters Danny made his way back to the ICU.
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Danny re-entered the ICU and the nurse informed him there had been no change in his condition.
"When do you think he could wake?"
"Anytime. Due to the time his brain went without oxygen its important that he wake as soon as possible. The Doctor wants to be able to check his alertness"
"Will he be in pain?"
"His body is in stress right now. The infection is severe and he will be in pain. Once the Doctor evaluates him and removes the respirator we will medicate him to help control the pain"
Danny hated the thought of Steve being in pain but right now all he wanted was for his partner to wake, to show him those blue eyes and alleviate the fears that were deep in his gut...brain damage.
If Steve had a permanent physical injury he could figure out how to live with that and Danny could help him adapt. A brain injury, a brain impairment that...that was another story. Of course he would be with his partner and help however he could but the thought of Steve McGarrett living with a brain injury scared him to death.
He once again took over the vigil of trying to cool Steve's head and body as the fever continued to ravage him. He spoke softly to him the entire time trying to ease him back into consciousness.
He talked to him about only good things, of Gracie and his Five-0 team. Of Kamakona and Max. And of MaryAnn and Joe. He told him how much they all needed him and he continually assured him that he would be okay...that he was not alone and that he was loved.
Time passed and when he looked at his watch, three hours had passed.
He had the nurse take over so he could step into the hallway to make a few calls. He first called Chin.
"Hey Danny, any change?"
"No...his fever is still hovering between 104 and 105. They say he could wake at any time but I haven't seen any signs yet. How about you guys, what have you found?"
"HPD has the airport secured as well as the three private airstrips on the island. We've also got the ports covered in case he flew into a smaller island and comes here by boat. He could arrive anytime within the next two to three hours. Matt is doing well and the Governor is fully engaged in this. Just stay alert buddy"
"You do the same and keep me posted"
"Will do"
Danny then contacted Rachel and Gracie and was relieved to know that they were now safely at Jeremy's house and police protection was in place. Gracie rambled on and on about the puppies and Danny couldn't help but smile at the youthful innocence of his precious little girl.
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About an hour later he was telling Steve about Gracie and the puppies and of the plan she was hatching to get her Mother and Step-Stan to purchase not one but TWO puppies upon their return.
He first heard the low moan. He leaned close to Steve's ear and spoke softly, "Hey partner, if you hear me squeeze my hand. Squeeze my hand Steve"
And there it was! Very weak, but definitely a squeeze! Danny looked up at the nurse, "He's waking" She left quickly to go fetch the Doctor as Danny leaned back in, "Hey buddy, it's Danno. I'm right here. Can you open those eyes for me?"
Slowly the man's eyes opened. "Hey, don't try to talk babe they've got a tube in your throat" Steve's grip grew tighter in Danny's hand and a single tear slipped from his eye. Danny reached up and wiped it away with his thumb. "I know you hurt Steve. You have to keep fighting. You've got an infection. The Doc is coming in to take the tube out of your throat and then he'll give you something for the pain. You just squeeze my hand, I've got you"
Steve arched his back in pain and Danny continuing to hold his hand he placed his other hand across Steve's body holding his shoulder tightly. The man's chest was rising and falling rapidly and he was drenched in sweat, "I've got you Steven, relax"
The Doctor entered the room a few seconds later and moved to the side of the bed opposite Danny.
"Hello Steve, I'm going to take this tube out of your throat now. It may make you cough a bit" The Doctor moved swiftly and Steve fought the gagging reflex as the tubing was removed. His eyes watered and the nurse moved in quickly bringing a straw to his mouth. "Here you go Steve, take just small sips"
He was holding Danny's hand with a vice grip, his eyes were closed and his body was shivering.
After a few seconds the Doctor spoke, "Steve, I need you to open your eyes and look at me now"
There was no response from the man and Danny leaned in close, "Hey buddy, the Doc needs to talk to you. Open your eyes okay?"
Slowly his eyes opened and he struggled to speak, "DD...anno"
"Yeah, I'm right here partner. The Doc's got some questions for you now"
"Steve, it's Doctor Kini. You've had extensive abdominal trauma and you have developed an infection. We are giving you IV antibiotics and the best thing for you now is rest. Can you tell me how many fingers I'm holding up?"
"Four"
"Do you remember what happened to you?"
"Shot...Danny...Matt?"
"Hey, relax buddy. Matt's fine, I promise you. Chin and Kono are watching over him"
The Doctor continued, "Steve I need you to rate your pain one to ten, with ten being the worst"
"Hurts...I'm achy...eight...an eight"
"Do you have a headache?"
"Uhhhhhhh no...stomach hurts...I'm dizzy"
"Do you feel nauseated?"
"Yeah..." Steve again closed his eyes.
"I'm going to give you something for the pain"
"No….no drugs man"
"This is not up for debate Mr. McGarrett. This will help you sleep"
Steve tried to push himself up, crying out in pain as he did. "Oooohhhhhh God"
Danny had no trouble pushing his weakened partner back onto the bed, "Knock it off Superman, you hear me?"
"Danny…..ppleasee….Matt….."
The Doctor administered the pain meds into his IV. "Relax Steven….Matt's fine…sleep now, ssshhhhhhh"
In moments Steve was under and Danny moved to the side of the room with the Doctor.
"Doc?"
The Doctor smiled at Danny and squeezed his shoulder, "It's good….very good signs. Danny he's going to be in severe pain with the infection. I wanted to test his brain function. He did well. He was very coherent. He needs rest, we need to get that fever down"
"Thank you Doc"
"I'll check back in a couple of hours"
