The Doctor came in a couple of hours later to examine Steve.
Waking him he checked his vitals and his eyes and then asked him some basic questions. 'Do you know where you are? Do you know what happened to you? Are you in any pain?'

The Doctor stood back from the bed and smiled, "Steve, everything looks really good. Do you have any questions?"
"My legs Doc…"
"The day you came in, we ran a test on them. The swelling was down slightly"
"Okay"
"Steve the test on your legs is promising. I remind you, spinal trauma can take a long time to reverse itself. Your heart suffered very minimal damage and after seeing you now, I see no signs of any brain injury. Young man, you're very lucky to be alive. I'll stop back this afternoon to see how you're doing and I'll schedule additional tests on your heart and your spine for tomorrow"

Steve grinned and shook the Doctor's hand, "Thank you Doc"

After he left, Danny asked "So, how are you feeling?"
Steve was holding 'Stevie the Seal' as he smiled at his friend saying simply, "I feel grateful Danno"
Danny grinned, "Me too. I talked to Chin and he sends his love"
"Will they be coming up later?"
"Yes, they'll be up in a couple of hours"
"Make sure Gracie brings her book back up so she can finish it"
"You remember that?"
"I told you buddy, I heard everything"
"Everything?"
Steve smiled, "Uh huh…so I know where we're going camping"
"Great, I can't wait"
"It'll be a blast partner…..I promise"
Danny smiled broadly, "I said I wouldn't bitch about it, and I won't, but do we really have to eat hot dogs?"
"So you want Ham and Pineapple pizza instead?"
"Well I may have said that but can't we find something else?"
"Who doesn't like hot dogs roasted over an open flame?"
"ME that's who!"
Steve chuckled, adding "Okay, I think I can do something about that"
Danny paused, "So….what'll we have?"
Steve smiled, "You're gong to have to trust me Danno"
The Jersey detective chuckled, "Yeah, okay…."

Steve then grew serious, "Gracie said she was scared to go camping" Tears welled in the tough SEAL's eyes as he continued, "I don't ever want to see fear in that little girls eyes again Danno"

Danny reached over and took hold of his hand.
"Steve, she's doing great and that's because of you. When I think that my little girl was alone in a room with Wo-Fat….that that animal had his hands on her…..God Steve, this could have been so much worse. You handled my baby with such amazing compassion and love. You put her needs above everything else…"

Steve cut in, "I figured you wouldn't have wanted it any other way" His voice cracked with emotion, "Shit, I brought that bastard right to your door"

Danny squeezed his partner's hand tightly, "You're not gonna' start this bullshit again are you? This is not your fault Steve! I'm going to say it again…what kept me alive in that cave was not only that I knew you were looking for me and that you would find me, but I knew I didn't have to worry about Gracie. I KNEW that she was safe with you and I KNEW that you were doing everything you could to comfort her"

"I'll never forget that look in her eyes Danny. When I pulled that laundry basket away and saw her cowering on the floor and sobbing…"
The tears were now flowing down both men's cheeks as Danny responded, "But you did what you needed to keep her safe. She's okay now, because of you and how you handled everything. My baby girl is safe and she is happy now because of you and I am forever indebted to you. We both love you so much"

"I love you too Danny…..." As the words left his mouth his grasp tightened in Danny's and his shoulders suddenly arched up off the bed.
"Steve? What's wrong?"
"A sspasm…..….'m okay"
"Squeeze my hand babe, just ride it out….."
"Oohhh ffuck…."
"Relax Steve, it'll pass"
Several minutes later Danny felt Steve's body relax and he eased back onto the bed.
"That a boy…sleep now partner, I'll be right here"
Steve's eyes closed and soon he was snoring softly. Danny continued to hold his hand and leaning back, he too closed his eyes.

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A couple of hours later Danny woke as the rest of his Ohana entered the room.
Chin was carrying Gracie and as her eyes fell on her Uncle Steve a huge smile crossed her face. He had fallen asleep with her stuffed Seal Stevie in his left hand which was still secured tightly against his chest, protecting his injured shoulder and broken arm.

"Hey baby!"
Chin set her onto the ground and she raced to her Daddy's side.
He leaned over and embraced her as she said, "Hi Daddy"
Danny smiled and looked at Chin and Kono as they approached the bed. "He's doing great but he's tired"
Gracie asked, "How can he be tired? He's been sleeping a lot!"
Danny chuckled, "He's still healing honey, so his body is very tired"
"Oh…but he's okay right?"
"Yes Monkey, he's doing great"

Kono had moved to the bedside and was wiping Steve's face with a damp cloth as his eyes slowly opened.
She smiled down at him, "Hi boss, welcome back"
Her heart warmed as he smiled back at her, "Hi Kono"
She said softly, "How do you feel?"
"Good. I'm tired, but I feel good. Thank you sweetheart for being here, for caring for me"
She leaned down and kissed his cheek, "I'm so happy you're okay Steve"
Chin moved next to her and Steve held out his hand to grasp.

Chin smiled, "You're looking good brah!"
"I'm feeling good Chin, I really am. Can you raise the bed for me please?"
"Sure"
As the bed rose, Steve turned towards Danny and the smiling little girl at his side.
"Hi Gracie, it's great to see you"
Chin moved over to her and lifting her up, he set her on the bed next to the SEAL.
Steve lifted his arm, "Come here Gracie"
She leaned into him and he pulled her to his chest. He rubbed circles on her back tenderly as they talked.
"I'm so glad you're awake Uncle Steve, I missed you"
"You know what though baby? I heard everything you guys said to me when I was sleeping"
"You mean you heard me reading to you?"
"Yes, I did. You're getting really good at reading and I'm so proud of you. I loved Charlie and the Chocolate Factory! Violet turning into a blueberry was funny, but my favorite part was when Augustus Gloop fell into the chocolate river"

Gracie chuckled "I'd LOVE to fall into a chocolate river!"
Steve laughed and kissed her forehead, "Me too honey"

5050505050505050505050505050505050

Over the next three days, Steve slept most of the time as he worked on regaining his strength.
The entire Ohana spent most of their time in the small room watching television and visiting. Gracie also finished reading the story to Steve.

Both injured men received good news on their conditions and they were ready to be released.
Steve's tests all came back positive. The swelling on his spine continued to recede but at this point he still had no feeling at all below his waist.

He would need to be released being in a wheelchair, and that reality was hitting him hard.
In his waking moments even though he visited with the others, they saw the change in their leader. He was quieter than normal and at times he appeared to be more distant, more introspective.

Danny's results were more positive. They had removed both casts the day before to check his feet for nerve damage. Although the feet were still raw and tender the Doctor determined that there appeared to be no permanent damage. They re-casted the broken ankle after cleaning and re-dressing the foot. They cleaned and re-dressed the other foot as well and explained to Danny that he still needed to remain in the wheelchair for at least another four weeks. Once the feet had totally healed he would then transition to wearing walking-boots and getting around on crutches and eventually a cane until he regained his strength.

The men were transferred back to the McGarrett house by ambulance and followed by HPD security. Chin, Kono, Gracie and Janie were there to greet them, having festively decorated the house with Welcome Home banners, balloons and cake!

Once the medical personnel had helped the men into their wheelchairs and they were safely in the home, they left.
The smiles on both men's faces showed the pure joy they felt at being home. Gracie's artwork adorned the walls of the living room, and the little girl hugged and kissed the two most important men in her life. The house smelled wonderful as this time Kono had fixed Steve's favorite dish for dinner, Beef Stew, homemade biscuits with honey-butter and fresh fruit parfaits for dessert.
"Oh Kono, this place smells fantastic!"
Kono grinned, "Gracie helped me with everything"
The child smiled broadly, "Danno, Kono taught me how to make biscuits AND honey-butter!"
"That's great Monkey! Maybe you can teach me okay?"
She shook her head enthusiastically, "Uh huh, it was really fun!"
Steve then said, "Gracie, look at all these great pictures! They're beautiful honey, thank you"
She smiled shyly, "You're welcome"

Chin then asked, "Would you guys like to go outside for a bit?"
Danny added "You haven't even seen the ramp and platform yet Superman. HDP did a great job with it"
Steve said softly, "I'd love to get some fresh air"

Chin pushed Steve as Danny wheeled himself outside.
Once they were on the platform, they all sat and visited as the warm breeze from the Ocean blew over them.
Steve tipped his head back and drawing in a deep breath he said "It's so beautiful out here. God, it's good to be home"

They visited until it was dinnertime. The men were enjoying being outside so much that Chin and Kono moved the patio table down to the platform so they could eat outside. They ate and visited for hours.
As dusk was drawing near, Steve experienced back spasms twice in a twenty minute period.
Janie asked, "Would you like a muscle relaxant Steve?"
"No, no Janie….I'm fine"
Danny threw his hands in the air, "Janie, don't even try. He's too damn stubborn to take anything"
"I don't want to sleep Danny, they make me tired"
"Knucklehead, you've had two spasms in less than half an hour! Do you think that MAYBE your body NEEDS to sleep?"

Steve smirked, "Okay partner, I get the message" He turned to Chin, "Chin, would you mind taking me into the house now?"
"Of course I will"

A short time later, Chin and Janie had both men settled in their beds and Steve took the meds.
Kono had taken Gracie up for a bath and when they returned she lifted her up so she could say goodnight to Steve.
She kissed his cheek, "Goodnight Uncle Steve, sleep tight. I'm so happy you're home"
She handed him Stevie the Seal and he asked her "Are you sure you don't want Stevie tonight?"
She smiled at him sweetly, "You need him, I've got Danno"
"Thank you sweetheart, I love you"
"I love you too"

Kono then moved the little girl over to her Daddy's bed and she curled up in the crook of his arm.
"So Monkey, what movie are we watching?"
"Kung Fu Panda 2"
Laughter came from the other bed as the SEAL said groggily, "Watch close Danno. Maybe you can learn a few moves"
As Gracie laughed hysterically, Danny replied "Real funny partner….go to sleep will ya"
They all looked at Steve and smiled as the injured man's eyes closed and he chuckled softly.

They all enjoyed the movie, happy that their Ohana was once again home and together.

***** More to come - I hope you're still enjoying and I'd love to hear what you think! *****