Danny could hear the storm, but its rain and wind were muffled, much like his senses. He didn't know what time it was, let alone which day. Part of him wanted to pin this down, so maybe he could hold onto reality again. He'd been wrapped in a narcotic cocoon, and now as he emerged, he noticed a change in his room. One he could smell.

"Rachel." He said as he opened his eyes.

Still groggy and just beginning to feel the stinging tendrils of pain, Danny put on his best face for his ex-wife. Oddly comforted by her perfume.

He wasn't sure she heard him. Or if he had even spoken aloud.

"Hi Daniel." She gave him a smile that quickly faded to worry.

His heart raced a little. "Grace?"

"She's fine. Kono's with her." Rachel covered his hand with her own.

"Charlie?" His throat hurt but he had to know about the kids.

"Your friend Jerry is spending the night."

Danny chuckled and winced.

"Why is that funny?" She raised an eyebrow at him, but dropped it when she noticed the sweat beading on his brow. "Are you alright, Daniel? Because you don't look alright."

Smiling weakly, Danny tried to reassure her about himself and maybe about Jerry too, but he suddenly had such a scratchy-tickle feeling crawling up his throat that all he could do was growl and grunt. He reached blindly for a water bottle that had been there the last time he needed it.

"Here, let me help you."

"Thanks."

There eyes met. A genuine fondness between the two was evident yet a closer look belied the hard truth. It would never be easy between them again.

"Stop it." Rachel smacked his hand. "You don't need to thank me. Not for anything."

Danny blinked at her, confused as to why she now seemed cross with him and also feeling nauseous from a surge of pain that radiated down his left arm. He clutched his chest and struggled to catch his breath.

"Should I get someone?"

"No." He managed to grit out. "It'll pass."

"Do you have pain meds? One of those buttons?"

"Yea."

"Where? Why don't you use it then?"

"No."

"Daniel, stop being so stubborn. You're in pain."

She rolled her eyes and he thought of Grace. The apple didn't fall far from the tree. He couldn't help arguing with her. "No I'm not."

"You can't lie to me. You never could."

They stared at one another for a moment before Danny groaned, his face two shades of green. Rachel grabbed a small basin just in time.

Once the episode ended, Danny fell back against his pillow and stared at the ceiling. The boring white tiles allowed him to focus on something that wasn't spinning. He had one other concern.

"Steve, have you heard?"

"No. I'll ask Chin. He's out in the hall." Rachel felt sick for not having an answer. How had she not asked about Steve?

"It's ok, I'll-" He squeezed his eyes shut and blew out a slow breath. "S'ok. Just need a minute."

Rachel fluffed his pillows and rummaged around in the bedding, basically tucking Danny in for the night. She made sure he had the TV remote handy and his call button. Somehow he kept losing both of them.

"I should go. I need to get back to Grace." She smoothed a strand of hair from his eyes. "And you need your rest - not just a minute. Good night, Daniel."

He smiled, murmuring his good night as he drifted again. Rachel had pushed the pain button for him. He could feel it seeping into his blood, carrying him away like the ocean he kept imagining.

/././

Morning dawned on the hospital and still Kono stood watch. Stale cup of coffee long gone cold in her hand, she leaned against the window sill, feeling the warmth of the sun. She imagined her thoughts and prayers being carried away on the ocean breezes as she watched the trees sway gently.

The night had been long. There was no new information on Steve, except that he was out of recovery and on the same floor as Danny. Lou and Chin were with them. Apart from a few text messages, she'd heard from no one. Kono rubbed the ring on a chain around her neck between her fingers and thought of the love she was missing. In quiet moments like this one, she swore she could feel Adam with her - and that made her miss him all the more.

Rachel slept in a recliner pulled close to the bed, and Grace lay curled on her side facing her mother. Kono glanced their direction every so often, tempering her longing for a family with the sobering reason she was sharing this private moment with mother and daughter. Danger had found them with its tentacles of psychosis and violence, latching onto the team yet again. With a deep sigh, she pushed those thoughts out of her mind, picturing her niece and Danny's son. Both shining examples of hope and the promise that good things did happen, even if they came wrapped in sadness and pain.

/././

"Chin, look, I know how up in the air things are with Sarah right now. Go. Spend time with her. I've got this." Lou clapped his friend on the back, giving him the warmest smile he could muster.

"Are you sure?" Chin's stoic veneer slipped and he smiled for a few seconds, clearly eager to get back to his little girl. The brief flash of happiness vanished with his next dutiful words. "I can stay here with you. Or go back to the Palace. Jerry's been running down some leads."

Lou frowned. "Just stop. I'll hold down the fort. They're both still fairly out of it anyway."

"Have you heard anything new about Steve?"

"No. The doc has been tight-lipped. I don't think they know either. It's been 'wait and see' all day."

Chin nodded, stuffing his hands into his pockets. Neither man spoke for a breath or two. The hall seemed to be a space between worlds. Nothing happened there except movement from one place to the next. He felt a little lighter at the thought of seeing his niece, yet could not completely shake the weight of the situation.

"I'll be back first thing to relieve you, Lou."

"Don't worry, Chin. If I need anything, I'll call Jerry. He begged to help."

"I don't know if he's recovered from watching Charlie last night."

They both chuckled.

Lou straightened and pushed himself away from the wall he'd been leaning against. "Anyway, I have plenty of help, if I need it. Kamekona is upstairs with Grace and Rachel. Kono should be back before dark. There's nothing too exciting happening here. Except maybe Grace taking the big guy for a week's worth of grub. Kame should know better than to play Poker with her."

They laughed again. Both needing those moments of levity as much as air right then.

"Danny said Grace should be released in the morning. He was hoping to see her today." Chin checked the time on his phone. He could pick up dinner on the way home and be there to read Sarah a bedtime story.

"I heard the doc wants to make sure she can handle seeing her dad. Made some stink about her mental status. Kono just about punched him." Lou shook his head. "After what that kid's been through, I think she's holding up fine."

"Yesterday was pretty rough."

"Rough will be keeping Danny from his kids and Steve."

"Good luck with that." Chin shook his head. "You sure you don't want me to stay?"

"It's alright, man. Go. Spend some quality time with those girls of yours. I got this covered, no problem. Renee's bringin me over some dinner. I'll be all set." Lou puffed himself up just a little bit.

Whether it was for show or not, neither man questioned it.

/././

Lou strolled into the room, and his smile melted like he'd just eaten something sour. "And what is it that you think you're doing?"

Danny had turned himself in bed, feet dangling over the edge but still very much tethered. "What's it look like?"

"Well, it looks like you're being a damn fool. There's a reason you're still attached to all that stuff." Lou would manhandle his friend in a second if he thought he could do it without hurting him. "Lie back and stay put."

Trembling and sweating, Danny grit his teeth as he steadied himself. He eyed the wires and tubes with disdain. "You're not my father, Lou."

"Man, is that all ya got? That's pretty weak, Williams." Lou wrinkled his nose. "Not your father. I bet your old man would agree with me."

"This is nothing. I'm fine. It's not like I haven't been shot before."

"Danny, please, don't-" He cringed as Danny pulled out his IV. "God, would you let the professionals do that?"

"I need to see him, Lou. They won't let me see Grace yet. I'm going crazy just lying here."

"So that's what this is all about? I get it. Both Grace and Steve are in good hands. As are you-" They stared at one another as Danny caught his breath.

"I don't care about me."

"Steve is sleeping. There's been no change since last night."

"Last night? So he woke up?"

"Yes for a few minutes." Lou could have kicked himself for adding fuel to the fire.

Danny narrowed his eyes and studied his colleague before he pushed further. "What aren't you telling me?"

Lou had to look away for a few seconds. They'd been keeping the info shared with Danny to a minimum.

"Lou -" The glare made it clear Danny wasn't in the mood to play games.

"He was disoriented. Nothing unusual."

"Go on." Danny waved his hand.

Lou shrugged. "There's nothing more to say."

"There's something else."

"Alright, it's Dr. Gray."

"What about her?" And then Danny just knew. A chill rolled over him. "Where is she?"

"On this floor."

"Sonofabitch."

"She's circling the drain, man."

"Says you."

"No I saw her. There's not much left. I can take a picture if you need to see."

Danny didn't need to see what it looked like when Kono shot half your face off. All he needed to know was the threat had been eliminated.

"She's not coming after you again."

Nodding, Danny looked away, still not content with lying back in bed.

"I need to see him, Lou. I'm fine." His words were a little more forceful this time.

"I don't care how much of an act you put on. I'm not letting you out of this room. Not til you get an official okay."

Danny practically snarled and Lou chuckled.

"Please don't make me laugh. I bet you do a face plant if someone doesn't help you."

"Then help me."

"Not a chance."

"What's going on in here?" The nurse assigned to Danny for the day already knew but seemed to be amused. Five-0 were known to the staff.

Arms folded, Lou enjoyed the moment. "This one seems to think he's ready for a stroll."

"First things first, Detective Williams. Let's try this lovely recliner. Someone will be in to help."

Lou moved closer to the bed. "I can manage, if you want."

"Alright, you can assist, but a member of staff must be present. Danny here is still attached a few things." The nurse tapped a particular tube that snaked its way to a bag of liquid.

"Oh yea." Lou blushed.

"What's the matter, Lou?" Danny laughed and adjusted his gown. "Get more than you bargained for?"

The nurse laughed. "I think it's about time you lose that bit of assistance too. You're overdue for a trip to the restroom."

"Ah jeez." Lou shielded his eyes. "I did not need to know that. Warn a brother."

Do you like rollercoasters? I do. What's your favorite part? Can you guess mine?