HAWAII FIVE-0
Blame my boss! Yes, the delay in posting this chapter is his fault. He decided I should be the one to cover for 2 co-workers taking vacations. Hence this chapter -which I had promised myself would get posted much sooner - being 2 weeks late. So, yeah, blame him.
Special Agent Thomas is back in this chapter.
Didn't mean to, but I kinda boxed myself into a corner on the dates of the events in this story. That is based solely on Adam giving Kono the hair clip as an early Valentine's gift, which caused Danny to remind him that Valentine's Day is 'next week'. So, if you keep things true to the calendar, that means this chapter takes place on Tuesday, Feb 12th and Wednesday, Feb. 13th.
"Mahalo Nui Loa"
Kono was glad for the sudden peace and quiet, and to finally be alone with Adam. "So, how did it happen?" She asked, gesturing to Adam's upper right bicep, where the bandage showed below his shirt.
"A lot happened during the three days, twenty-one hours, and four minutes you were gone."
"Tell me."
Late Tuesday afternoon...
Even before opening her eyes, Kono noticed the pleasant lack of pain. Then she listened for the birds outside the window. Then, a moment of deja vu, followed by sighed of relief at the memory of having been rescued. She wondered how many times she would wake up this way.
The antibiotics were making her tired, or maybe it was the pain meds, or... oh yes, it was probably the muscle relaxants that helped with the muscle spasms in her neck and back. Or, perhaps it was just her body needing to heal and the fact that she had not slept well while being shackled and cuffed to a metal pipe for three nights, or any of the three days, twenty-one hours, and four minutes - as Adam had phrased it - that she had been gone.
Although she was glad to be sleeping well - or sleeping at all, given the alternative - she was not glad that she kept dozing off. All these cat-naps she had taken throughout the day meant waking up the same way, every single time.
Kono finally opened her yes, glancing at the bandages around her hands and the secondary IV line above her bandaged wrists, then at the foot of the bed where her bandaged ankles and feet were still elevated due to swelling. Yep, definitely still in the hospital.
At least she had the comfortable shorts and t-shirt Malia had brought her, which were much better than a hospital gown.
Her gaze looked beyond, to where Adam was himself napping in a chair at the foot of her bed, the muted tv he had been watching still on. She noted the bruise on his left temple from where he had startled her previously and she had nailed him good. She felt bad and looked forward to whenever it would be that such things as being startled wouldn't garner such a response.
There was such a large bouquet of roses in the window sill, she was surprised she hadn't smelled them right away.
She was reaching for the button to raise the head of the bed when a muscle spasm wracked her neck and she cursed the two idiots who had used a stun gun on her. Or maybe she was actually cursing out loud, because suddenly Adam was awake and at her side.
"Easy, Kono." He soothed as the spasm slowly faded.
"Sorry I woke you." She eventually managed to say as she forced her muscles to relax and laid her head back into the pillow, then noticed she didn't have his full attention.
Adam found himself staring at the CVC line still in her neck. It didn't make sense to take it out only to relocate it somewhere else, so in it would stay until it had served its purpose.
"It'll be removed soon." Kono said, causing Adam to sheepishly look away.
"You hungry?" He asked to divert her attention, as he dug a hand into his pocket.
"Surprisingly,... no." Kono answered. The nausea was no longer a problem, but she was still on soft foods for the rest of the day.
"You need to get your strength back, Kono." He responded worriedly and popped a mint into his mouth. "What?" He asked at her smirk. "You're not the only one with morning breath, BO, and bed head, ya know." He said, causing her to laugh.
Then she wasn't laughing any more. "Turn the tv up, please." She requested with a hand gesture in the object's general direction.
Adam turned the volume up on the tv in time to hear a reporter talk about a Five-0 take-down that had happened just an hour earlier. They both sat in silence, watching the previously-recorded footage of Steve, Danny, and Chin exit a building in full tactical gear.
Adam muted the tv again before speaking. "You'll be back out there with them in no time, Kono."
"Who are they from?" Kono asked, trying not to think of her team fighting the bad guys without her as she gestured to the large flower arrangement.
"Lili," Adam began.
"That was so sweet of her." Kono responded of his housekeeper.
"Tadao," Adam continued, referring to his House Manager.
"Oh, he didn't hav-"
"Yoshio," Adam added, referring to his Office Manager.
"Oh." Kono raised a brow in surprise.
"And,"
"And?"
"Kenta." Adam finished listing off, referring to his Chief of Security.
"They're lovely." Kono observed, and for some reason a little embarrassed.
"They are among the many that were worried about you." Adam said.
"I appreciate that. It was knowing that everyone was looking for me that helped me get through it. Please, tell them 'Mahalo Nui Loa' from me." Kono requested. "The red ones are quite large." She added, referring to the two red roses in the center of at least a dozen white ones.
"I uh, I think that those are supposed to represent us." Adam added. It was his turn to be a little embarrassed.
"Knowing Lili, you're probably right." Kono agreed with a grin that was almost flirtatious.
A nurse neither recognized entered, obviously at the beginning of her shift. After introducing herself she checked Kono's vitals; pleased that the IV antibiotics had finished. "Your labs came back, and your potassium levels are now back up to normal. Just use the call button if you need anything." She said before leaving.
"I think it's time for me to go, too." Adam said, sitting on the edge of her bed.
Her response was to raise a bandaged hand and wiggle a finger at him. Adam got the message and moved in for a goodbye kiss.
"I'll be back in the morning." He assured her. "Hopefully to spring you from this place." He added before standing.
Kono's only response was a gentle smile that reminded him of the first time they had met.
Just a moment later Adam had a hand on the doorknob when he stopped and quickly spun around, "Hey!"
Kono couldn't help but laugh, then smiled enough to show the breath-mint now clenched between her front teeth.
Tuesday evening...
"How's dinner?" Danny asked, noticing the rolling table in front of his teammate as the guys entered Kono's room.
"I wouldn't know yet. I've only advanced from an appetizer that wiggles to one that's lumpy." She responded, as she let oatmeal fall from her spoon back into the bowl. "I'm still waiting for real food."
"Give it time, Cuz." Chin spoke up, knowing how impatient his cousin could be at times.
"How was the take down?" Kono asked to change the subject.
"Two perps down, one hostage freed, zero casualties." Steve supplied, obviously pleased at the event's outcome.
"How did you know?" Danny asked, taking a seat near the foot of the bed.
Kono gestured towards the tv hanging high on the wall. "That reminds me," She began, while looking at Steve. "Thanks for getting the Governor to cooperate about the media coverage. The last thing my parents need is for those leaches to be parked on their front lawn."
Steve just gave a nod. He didn't want Kono finding out where the perps were right now and all the reasons the press couldn't find out. Poole and Johansen's four days of Five-0-style 'interrogation' would be long over and they would be ready for sentencing before Kono would be back at work. He just hoped she would drop the subject and be content to let her teammates take care of things.
"Did you learn anything else from their interrogation?" She inquired.
Well, so much for her dropping the subject.
"Mmmm, no. Not really." Danny mumbled.
"They really haven't had much more to say." Steve added.
Chin was quick to come up with information that would hopefully satisfy his cousin. "It's not like the DA's office will need more than they've already got. In addition to their confessions, Charlie confirmed your blood in the back of the getaway van, as well as DNA matches for Johansen to a bloody glove print in the parking garage and Poole to blood spatter from your kick to his jaw."
"Kono's roundhouse strikes again." Danny added with a proud grin, hoping to change the subject, or at least distract her from talking about the perps.
"We also recovered the Baretta 90 they shoved down your throat." Steve added, also attempting to shift the focus onto Kono.
Fortunately the subject did get changed as Dr. Patterson entered.
Danny quickly getting to his feet did not go unnoticed by his teammates. It wasn't often that the Jersey Detective was introduced to another man shorter that himself. Dr. Patterson was 5'3" at best, and Danny wasn't about to let this opportunity pass without enjoying it as much as possible.
It didn't take long for Patterson to examine Kono's feet before having the nurse re-bandage them while he talked to his patient. "I'm pleased that all the shards were successfully removed when I was here last night, Officer Kalakaua." He began, gesturing to her left foot. "The sutures look good, no signs of infection, all the foot needs now is time to heal. Your right foot on the other hand, is a different story. There are still three shards embedded in the heel that will take time to migrate enough to be extracted without breaking them. You will definitely not be walking for at least a week."
Although Kono was expecting to hear the words, confirmation of her mobility - or lack thereof - did not make her happy.
Wednesday morning...
"Oh my God, Danny, did you really just say that?" Steve asked rhetorically - because he really did not want an answer, especially an honest one - giving the other man a sideways glance as they exited the elevator.
Fortunately there had been no one else in the elevator, as Danny's face was nearly as red as the sliding doors that closed behind them as they began their walk towards Kono's room.
"I mean,... that is waaaaay more information about Rachel than I ever wanted to know." Steve assured his colleague when said colleague remained silent for once.
Danny just kept walking. "Yeah. Uh, I know. Sorry 'bout that." He mumbled, still feeling flushed with embarrassment.
"Sometimes you really do talk to much, Danno." Steve stated with an exasperated sigh as he returned his partners car keys he hadn't realized he was still holding, then opened the door to Kono's room and got one foot in the door before hearing...
"What is Detective Williams' topic of conversation regarding this time, Commander?" Max asked of Steve.
Steve looked as much like a deer in headlights at the ME's request for more information as Danny did. "So, having a party without us, Kono?" He asked, while taking in the crowded room and avoiding having to answer the question.
"Of course, Commander McGarrett. After all, we're all very relieved to have Officer Kalakaua back safely." Was the response from HPD's Chief Mahaka.
"Detective Walton was just telling us all about being the stand-in for the take-down." Governor Denning added.
Charlie Fong, Duke, and several members of the SWAT team were also in the room - and it appeared they had all brought flowers - swapping tales and filling in the details for Kono.
It was a nice way for Kono to begin what would hopefully be her going home day. She appreciated what everyone had done to help get her back, and had even gotten to meet Kapana and Prichard, who had discovered her in the former school building.
"Mahalo Nui Loa,... all of you." Kono said from her bed while looking around at everyone gathered around her. "I realize that I could still be there, still chained up like that, if you hadn't all pitched in to find me." It was uncharacteristic to see the kick-ass Five-0 member in what could only be described as an emotional and vulnerable moment.
Steve was quick to add is appreciation to everyone gathered as well, but had to add just one more detail, "We all wanted nothing more than to find you, Kono. But in the end," He paused, pulling something from his pocket. "You saved yourself." He said, laying the eraser on the small rolling table in front of her.
After a brief explanation of the eraser followed by a few parting words of appreciation from the Chief and Governor, the crowd soon departed. They hadn't been able to stay long, as everyone had to get to work.
Soon after Catherine arrived with Grace. They visited with Kono while the rest of Five-0 met with Governor Denning just outside her door.
"Were you scared, Auntie Kono?" Grace asked as she hopped. After adding her flowers to the quickly growing collection that threatened to obscure any horizontal surface in the room, it hadn't taken her long to discover that the square tiles on the floor made for a good place for an impromptu game of hopscotch.
"Sometimes." Kono honestly admitted. "Not all the time, but yes, sometimes I was scared, Grace." She added, hoping to set a good example about being honest with those you cared about.
Grace stopped after landing on just one foot, then looked up. "But why?" She asked. "Didn't you know my Danno would find you?" She added another question without her first being answered, then took another hop to land on both feet, obviously waiting for an answer this time.
"Well, yes Grace, I did know that your Danno would be looking for me." Kono agreed. She wasn't quite sure what else to say, after all the little girl had herself been abducted and had to wait for rescue.
"When I was three years old," The nine year old began as she resumed her hopping. "I got lost in the grocery store,... and my Danno found me." She said between hops. "When I was five, I rode my bike further than I was supposed to and got lost,... and my Danno found me." She paused to turn around and resume her game. "Then that bad man from New Jersey came to Hawaii and locked me in that storage place,... and my Danno found me."
"You were very brave." Kono praised the young girl.
"That's what my mom said." Hop. "I tried to be brave," Hop. "But every once in a while I still got scared." Hop. "Then I would just remind myself," Another hop. "That my Danno will always come for me."
Steve thought Danny's chest would burst as it swelled with pride as they listened from just outside the door.
Twenty minutes later Catherine had left with Grace, as she had promised Rachel that she would make sure the little girl got to school on time. Malia was in Kono's room visiting, and Chin was in the hallway outside the room; leaning against the far wall and trying not to laugh at his two colleagues.
"What's the big deal, Steven?" Danny asked with the roll of eyes and waving of hands.
"I've told you before, Daniel; do not eat the Yorks in my freezer." Steve reminded his partner in a frustrated tone.
"Oh, this from the health nut who drinks some kind of green juice after his 5 mile morning swim and offers my daughter organic goji energy snacks for Halloween. You probably wouldn't even allow chocolate to invade that body of yours."
Steve just rolled his eyes, again. "Another thing I've told you before; they're not mine."
"I've been finding those in your freezer long before Doris arrived." Danny accused with a smirk, as if defying Steve.
"They're Catherine's." Steve stated as his arms crossed over his chest.
"Ca-" That's as far as Danny mumbled.
Steve just nodded at first. "So, if you wanna continue to take your life into your own hands, just keep helping yourself to her chocolates."
For some reason Danny looked over to Chin who was still leaning against the far wall.
"Don't look at me, brah. I'm smart enough to know better than to get between a woman and her chocolate." Chin said.
"Ooh, did I hear something about chocolate?" Malia asked from the doorway as she exited Kono's room.
Steve and Danny just looked at each other. Woman's intuition?
"Yes you did. I was thinking you might enjoy an iced mocha. Whaddya say?" Chin smoothly suggested, as if he'd been planning to offer his wife the beverage all along.
Malia smiled and quickly hooked her hand through her husbands outstretched arm, and off they went.
Danny and Steve just watched the couple depart towards some unbeknownst-to-them coffee vendor somewhere in the hospital. "No wonder he's the only one of us that's married." Danny said in a low voice before they headed back into Kono's room.
"You go ahead, I'll be right in." Chin said to his wife as they were returning to Kono's room another twenty minutes later.
"Good to see ya, Kelly." Special Agent Thomas greeted as he approached Kono's door from the opposite direction.
"How'zit, Thomas." Chin greeted in return with a hand extended to the man who was now standing in front of him.
"I hear you got Officer Kalakaua back." Thomas said while shaking Chin's hand.
"Yes we did." Chin confirmed with a single nod and a relieved tone in his voice.
"Good to hear. And I'm not even gonna ask why the media isn't covering it." Thomas said with a glint in his eye.
"Then I'm not even gonna ask how you know about it." Chin was sure the FBI Special Agent had plenty of connections to find out anything he wanted. He was also sure he would never be told what or who those connections were.
Thomas smirked at Chin's reply before speaking, "Now maybe I can find out what was in that envelope."
"Turns out, it's nothing." Chin replied flippantly.
"Nothing, huh?" Thomas questioned. "Well, Kelly, if it's all the same to you, I think I'll ask her that myself."
"Actually, it isn't all the same to me." Chin insisted, somewhat politely.
Thomas was silent for a moment before speaking. Whether surprised by his friend's words or measuring him, who's to know,... maybe both. "Look, Chin, I know she's your cousin, but-"
"Which is exactly why you need to take my word for it, Thomas." Chin insisted, still polite, in a zen-like way that only he could pull off. "The envelope means nothing. The pics you took mean nothing."
Another silent moment from Thomas before speaking, "If you're sure-"
"I am." Chin immediately insisted.
The two men shook hands and parted ways only a moment later. Whether that part was professional courtesy or friendship, neither were quite sure.
Adam showed up a short time later, right at 10:30, with a take-out box Kono recognized immediately from the Downbeat Diner & Lounge.
"For me?" She asked hopefully, even though she already had her bandaged hands held out, her fingers wiggling in anticipation of her favorite breakfast food... or any 'real' food for that matter.
I still owed you a breakfast." Was Adam's reply, but he refused to put the styrofome box anywhere but on the small rolling table where he also opened it for her. It was bad enough she would have to struggle with a fork, he wasn't about to have her deal with the container as well.
"Loco Moko. Well done, extra gravy on the side?" Chin asked rhetorically.
"Of course." Kono answered as she attempted to pick up the fork. "And the best part is; it doesn't wiggle, and it's not lumpy." She added, since she'd had to endure jell-o and oatmeal after being allowed what her doctors considered food.
Adam gazed around the room, taking in the large number of flower arrangements that had arrived since he had left, then realized Kono was talking. "Hmm?"
"I said,... and this wasn't even on my list." Kono repeated.
It was obvious by the three looks she received that she would have to explain. So she did.
"So, to keep from wanting to strangle yourself with your own chains due to boredom you made 'lists'?" Danny sought to confirm.
"Mhmm." Kono mumbled around a mouthful of loko moko.
"A list of things you were pissed off about, a list of your injuries, and then a list of food?" Steve ticked off on his fingers, with an emphasis on the last one.
"Mhmm." Came another mumble from Kono. She really was enjoying her loko moko.
"I'll be sure to tell Lili. It's safe to say she already looks forward to feeding you." Adam said.
"I'm pretty sure full solids isn't the menu I authorized for you, Officer Kalakau." Came Dr. Jacobs' voice.
Kono stuffed the loaded fork into her mouth and pulled the take-out box just a little closer to herself, almost protectively.
Dr. Jacobs was a wise woman and knew how to choose her battles carefully. So, instead of giving her patient a nutrition lecture she chose a different route.
"I'm very pleased with both your hydration and potassium levels." She redirected, leafing through pages of lab results. "Now all we need to discuss is your care arrangements."
"Care arrangements?" Kono asked after swallowing what she hoped wasn't her last bite of loko moko.
Jacobs set the paperwork on the foot of the bed as she stepped closer, "Well, let's see; first off, you will be in a wheelchair for about a week, or until your left foot heals enough that we can transition you to crutches, and you have only minimal use your hands for the next 3-5 days because of the bandaged blisters. So, yes, Officer Kalakaua 'care arrangements' are in order here."
Well, at least the doctor finished with a smile.
Kono let out a heavy sigh. She wasn't sure which was worse; not being independent or being a burden to others.
"I'd offer you my guest room, but I've got stairs in my house, so that doesn't sound too helpful." Steve said apologetically.
"I'd offer you my guest room, but, I don't have one." Danny said, also apologetically.
"Neither will be necessary, gentlemen." Adam spoke up before Chin even had a chance to chime in on the topic. "I've already made arrangements. That is if it's alright with Kono, of course."
"Adam," Kono began.
"Let's hear it." Jacobs requested before Kono could object.
"Well, I certainly have plenty of extra room."
"Adam," Kono attempted again.
"But I have a feeling she will want a little more independence than that," He quickly added.
Okay, that got her attention.
"... and since I have several hotels at my disposal..."
"But she'd be alone." Danny objected.
"Each hotel has handicapped units available... many of which are not in use." He quickly pointed out, knowing that she would not be willing to utilize one of the rooms if it meant it being unavailable to someone who genuinely needed it. "They are arranged to accommodate such things as wheelchairs, and you have 24/7 room-service any time someone isn't there with you."
"Sounds perfect." Jacobs announced with finality.
"Do I even get a say in this?" Kono huffed, feeling like the decision was being made without her approval.
"Depends." Jacobs said.
Kono just gave her a look as if to ask, 'On what?'.
"On if you want me to sign your release papers or not." Jacobs answered the unasked question, then continued. "A hotel room gives you some privacy, and a handicapped layout is ideal."
"I've got four hotels for you to choose from, and don't worry, I know what you're thinking,... if anyone needs the room..." Adam assured her.
It didn't take long for Kono to agree on the arrangements.
"Dr. Patterson will be in again this afternoon to check on the sutures in your feet, someone from Physical Therapy will be in to assign you a wheelchair, and a nurse will remove the CVC line. Then we can get you out of here before the day is over. How's that?" Jacobs said.
"I get out of here today?" Kono asked in return, but didn't wait for an answer, "Sounds perfect."
Later that day, about 4:30pm...
"Officer Kalakaua," Dr. Jacobs called to Kono as she sat waiting to get in Adam's car.
Kono looked towards the voice calling her, as it was just easier than attempting to turn the wheelchair with bandaged hands.
"I brought you something." Jacobs said, displaying a large pizza box.
"Ham and pineapple?" Kono guessed, and hoped.
"Just as I promised." Jacbos answered, handing the box to a man that she guessed was a driver.
Goodbyes were quickly said, flowers and patient were efficiently loaded, and soon they were off.
A short time later they arrived at the hotel, and Adam wheeled her into her room where her team was waiting.
Kono was glad to be out of the hospital, glad the hotel idea had worked out, and glad the people she cared about most were there with her.
After being wheeled into the center of the spacious living area, Kono just looked around at them all; Adam and her team. She smiled, and held out her hands.
They got the idea; group hug.
"Mahalo Nui Loa" She told them.
HAWAII FIVE-0
"Mahalo Nui Loa" = Thank you very much.
HPD's Chief Mahaka is from one of my previous stories.
In S1 E13, where Danny is getting ice from Steve's freezer, it looks like a York Peppermint Patty that Danny helps himself to. I could never figure that would have been Steve's, so in my story I decided that it was Catherine's stash, because that just makes more sense to me.
Downbeat Diner & Lounge is from S1 E23, when Kono tells Chin, "This place makes a kick-ass loko moko."
The next chapter is tentatively titled 'Venus vs. Mars' because Kono and Adam will each be recounting the same thing... obviously very differently, and the following chapter is the Winter Ball, which as already finished.
Please leave a review before you go!