How in the world did I get so lucky? Not only did Mitch fix the heat (by the way, a guy who can fix stuff is incredibly sexy), but he brought me Chinese for dinner and now he's giving me a backrub while I write this. Yup, he's a keeper! And I am also extremely lucky to have all of you guys! It's been a rough year and you've all been so sweet and understanding about it. I really can't thank you enough! So from me, Mitch, and Luke (our five month old German Shepherd puppy) Happy Holidays! Best wishes to you all and stay warm!

Hugs, Kisses, and Holiday Wishes,

Hipster & Mitch…and Luke. Can't forget our baby boy (:

Sighing softly, Kono tucked the blanket around Steve's shoulders. They had been in the waiting room for nearly ten hours. Frankly, she was surprised he had managed to stay awake as long as he had. She knew he needed to know how Danny was just as much as they did, perhaps more since he had seen the worst of the effects, but Kono was glad he had finally passed out, even if his position on the hard chair had to be beyond uncomfortable. He looked so exhausted. Even in sleep, his face was lined with stress and fatigue far beyond his years. She kissed him lightly on the top of the head, then went into the hallway to make the most difficult call of her life.

"I know. I'm so sorry, Rachel. We've been trying to reach you since it happened." Chin paused, two steaming coffees clutched in his hands. "I promise, I'll call you the moment we know something…I know. Can…can you just tell Grace that her Danno loves her? I know that's what Danny would want…Mmmmhhhhmm. Of course. Bye." When Kono finished the call, Chin set down the cups in his hands and pulled her into a hug. He knew how hard that phone call was. He himself had made it once before and it had broken his heart to hear Grace ask to speak to her father. They didn't say a word, just drew comfort from each other's embrace. When they were ready, they broke apart and walked back into the waiting room. Steve was still out for the count, but they saw that a kind nurse had taken pity on him and placed a pillow beneath his head. They each took seats opposite him, just watching to see if he was okay. He was still far too pale and an occasional tremor still coursed through his body. It seemed every hour that passed made the dark rings around his eyes stand out even more, like bruises.

"What if…what if this is too much for him?" Kono asked quietly, her voice hoarse.

"Danny's strong. He'll get through this." Chin promised.

"That's what I keep telling myself, but actually I meant Steve. Look at him, Chin. He's obviously not dealing with this very well. I know that if I was in his position, I would've lost it by now."

"We just need to give him time. He's been through a major shock. I mean, it's not very often that your best friend goes missing, nearly gets tortured to death, and an exact copy of yourself tries to kill you. He's seen a lot and we both know he hasn't been eating or sleeping right since he came back. Honestly, I think it's all just catching up to him."

"I know. It's just, I can't help but feel like this is the last straw. I mean, how much can he take before it's too much? Aside from all the things he saw and did in the SEALs, put in the death of his father, his kidnapping and torture in North Korea, his mom's sudden reappearance and all the lies that go with that, and now all the recent events, he's got to be cracking up. The PTSD from one of those events alone would be enough, but Steve won't talk about it. He just keeps it all in. The only one he talks to is Danny, and that's because he basically gives him no other choice. And now that Danny's not here to talk to…Chin, I'm really worried about him."

"Me too, but we'll figure this out. We always do." They hugged again, then turned to see a haggard looking doctor standing at a respectful distance. When they looked at him expectantly, the young man stepped forward.

"A nurse told me you were all here for Detective Williams." The man said with a slight English accent. He didn't phrase it as a question, but they nodded anyway. "I would ask if you wanted to wake your friend, but to be honest, he looks like he could use the rest." They nodded again in agreement and the man smiled. "I'm Damian Navarro, I've been treating Daniel since he arrived. Let me start by saying he did survive the surgery," at this, the cousins breathed out a huge sigh of relief. "but he is far from out of the woods."

"How bad is it?" Chin asked, almost fearing the answer.

"Bad enough. The damage to his lungs was extensive. The nurses said that Commander McGarrett, who I assume to be your sleeping friend, was not really in any state to give them much of any usable information besides the fact that he had been kidnapped. From what I believe to be the result of several beatings, all of his ribs were at least cracked and six of them actually broke. The broken ones shifted around in his chest whenever he took a deep breath or attempted to move. His right lung was the first to be damaged, but it was only a small hole that grew as he moved and deflated his lung relatively slow. The rip to the left lung happened much more quickly and violently. The paramedics believed that this occurred during his seizure in the ambulance."

"Were you able to fix them?" Kono asked.

"The right one was an easy fix, but we've only been able to put in a temporary patch on the left one. Think of it as an internal band-aid. It's certainly not as sturdy as sutures, but he was so weak and sick that, had we continued the surgery, he would not have survived. When he's stronger, we'll go in and fix it up for good, but for now this will hold and give it a chance to start healing."

"Were there any other injuries?"

"He had several badly infected burns and slashes, which we cleaned and bandaged. He also has a moderate concussion."

"Steve mentioned that Danny's fever was too high." Kono brought up. Navarro nodded.

"It is. We had him packed in ice all during his surgery and we're still trying to cool him down. Ideally, we would have put in into a bath basin full of ice, but his injuries prevented us from doing so. We're pushing antibiotics, but so far, we haven't narrowed down a specific infection. I believe there are a few at work here. I know for sure he has a pretty nasty one in his lungs. The fluid that got in when they were torn has caused pneumonia and the burns and cuts were all infected as well. He was also severely dehydrated. We have him on about four different IVs for antibiotics, sedatives, pain medication, and fluids as well as a respirator. I was hesitant to intubate since there is a high risk of developing dependency, but his body is just too weak to breathe for itself. I'm sorry. I really am. If it's any consolation, most people would have been dead hours ago, but Daniel is still very much in this fight. He's in bad shape right now, but we just need to give the medications time to work." They nodded.

"Thank you, doctor. Really." Kono said softly. Navarro smiled and nodded, then looked over at Steve.

"Is he alright? It looks like he's in shock to be honest." Navarro asked, his years of medical school helping him to notice the sleeping man's pale skin and shaking body for what it was. He slid over and gently began to examine Steve.

"I don't know. He's…he's had a pretty big shock today. Among other things, he and Danny are extremely close, like brothers, and he's the one who found him and was with him in the ambulance."

"Ahh, that'll do it. Lisa?" Navarro called as one of the nurses passed. A pretty young woman with dark brown hair came over.

"Yes, Doctor Navarro?

"Can you bring me a gurney and a saline drip for this man? He's in shock and should be lying down and receiving fluids."

"Yes, Doctor. I'll get some heated blankets too. Where would you like me to take him?"

"I know he's not critical or anything, but ICU's not full tonight and I feel this man needs to be close to his friend, the new arrival in two-oh-three. Can you arrange for that as well?" she nodded.

An hour later, Steve was settled more comfortably in a room directly across from Danny's. Chin and Kono would take turns watching over their downed team mates. It was all that could do. Wait, watch, and pray for a miracle.

Another short chapter, I know. I'm sorry! It's just getting so late and I'm so tired. Anyway, I know there was like no Steve or Danny at all, but there will be soon! And by the way, picture Navarro as super sexy and sweet, as I modeled him after my Mitch.