Thank you to everyone reading and commenting! Isn't this so much fun?

Danny was genuinely surprised when they stopped. Dialing the phone and screaming at a 911 operator about a man dragging himself down the side of the road is one thing. Actually stepping out of your vehicle is another. His first thought – they'd be the first ones to die in any dozen bad movies.

"Sir?" The older woman studied him like maybe he didn't understand English. "Sir? Can we help you?"

Pausing, he wasn't sure he wanted to stop. He couldn't see the other person in the car clearly. Danny was so mixed up and turned around that a trap at this point wouldn't be much of a surprise.

"Please call 911." Catching his breath he added. "Thank you."

"Oh I can do much better than that." She tugged on his bloody shirt sleeve. "I can drive you to the hospital, young man."

He wasn't sure he wanted to accept her offer. Worrying more about her eyesight than her being in league with the lunatic Joey Franklin. She was not one bit phased by his appearance.

"Come on! Stop talking to that gentleman. He looks like he should be in jail." Another woman yelled from the car. "You promised me lunch. I'm hungry!"

Danny closed his eyes and sighed. The first woman grabbed his hand and smiled from underneath the brim of her very large hat. "Let's go before she decides to eat you."

And she laughed, long and hardy. He was convinced he'd stumbled out of hell into the twilight zone, but he followed. Danny just hoped Joey didn't show up.

/././

Chin froze in the doorway, Kono all but running into him.

"Steve." His name drifted into the room as she peered around her cousin.

He raised a hand at them and gave a weak smile. Then his face clouded over. "Danny?"

His friends could only look at him, both shaking their heads.

Steve closed his eyes and took a long, deep breath, obviously having some trouble. And the shudder that accompanied his subsequent exhale sent Kono to his bedside. "Steve, you okay? Should we call the nurse?"

"No, no. Give me a minute." He paused. "My lungs. Hurt. The fire."

"Max is checking the contents of the skillet we found in your sink."

Laughing and coughing, Steve reached for her. "Burnt hamburgers and Danny's pride."

Chin bit his lip and closed his eyes. He didn't know what to say, couldn't speak if he did know. His boss and friend was brave in more ways than he'd ever know.

Or he was oblivious. Or maybe in denial.

It didn't matter. It just was.

Chin could make himself believe things would work out just fine. That they'd find the substance. Save Steve. Find Danny. All would be well.

But he knew the other side. Right then, his thoughts were of Malia, and the sudden surge of loss he felt almost sent him crumpling to the floor. But he grabbed the end of the bed and steadied himself.

"How are you feeling?" Chin could think of nothing else to say.

"Tired. Tough to breathe."

Kono grabbed her cousin's hand along the edge of the bed and squeezed hard. They waited for Steve to finish his thought.

"Doc says I was poisoned. I may die."

Steve said it just like that. No fear, no anger. Just nothing. And then he fell asleep.

/././

It really didn't occur to Danny until he was limping through the ER doors how completely fucked up all of this was. He'd been so focused on escaping and getting help.

Where was Joey? Why had he disappeared? Why was Danny still alive?

Questions fluttered through his mind like paper caught in the breeze. And he let them go. Right then, his brain was too scrambled to chase after them.

He was stuck on one word. Luck. Danny could not believe his luck. He was alive. He escaped. More borrowed time.

But one thing squeezed his heart in his chest.

You killed my brother, so I killed yours.

His pulse raced, everything going all white and twinkling, and then, strong arms grabbed him. "It's okay, buddy. We've got you."

Danny nodded and collapsed. The feeling of being lifted made him a little dizzy, and part of him wanted to scream at them to leave him alone. He just needed a minute to collect himself.

But they insisted on bothering him, and soon he was rolling along, an oxygen mask on his face. Then everything stopped, and he was moved again to something softer. Lights in his eyes. Fingers running over every inch of him, tugging on his clothes. He tried to push those wandering hands away but a persistent voice in his ear told him to relax.

And Danny decided to do just that. Relax.

After all, he'd just survived being beaten by a madman and then practically tortured by the most argumentative women he'd ever met. The whole car ride was the two of them arguing over where to go to lunch. Hell if he cared. He just wanted to be dropped off at the police precinct or the hospital.

And his two elderly saviors had told him to shut up and mind his manners. Neither of them had a cell phone, so there was no help there. He had visions of them dumping him off out in front of the ER like a sack of potatoes so they wouldn't miss the early bird special.

He giggled at the memory, feeling really weird and out of control.

"Sir, can you tell me your name?" A face appeared above him, the loud voice pulling him back to the present.

He knew the answer but his throat was dry, so he whispered. "Danny Williams Five-0."

They looked at him for a second like they didn't understand. He was about to repeat himself when the face shook her head. "You're the second guy from Five-0 today."

Second guy? Steve.

He didn't know if he'd said his friend's name aloud but everyone immediately backed away from him. So this time he did repeat his thought, only out loud.

"Steve. McGarrett? My partner." He turned his head to look around the room even though it hurt to move. "My partner, is he here?"

/././

"Lieutenant Kelly?" A nurse appeared in the doorway.

He looked up from his perch by Steve's bed, nodding.

"I have a message for you, sir." She paused, glancing toward Kono.

"It's okay. We work together."

The nurse nodded at his comment and continued. "There's a man down in the ER claiming to be a member of Five-0. He doesn't have ID on him."

Chin and Kono both jumped out of their chairs. She was the first to speak next. "Describe him."

"Blonde, maybe 5 foot 6? We've also notified HPD to see if they can help. The man keeps asking about your friend there." She motioned toward the bed. "He's a little mixed up and keeps talking about burning dinner."

"Danny."

"You go ahead, Kono. I'll be down in a few minutes." Chin looked back at his sleeping boss. "I want to check in with the doc."

/././

"Oh my god, Danny."

"Kono. You're a sight for sore eyes. Or eye." He waved his hand at his swollen face with a groan. "I feel like I'm in some kind of catch and release program."

"It is so good to see you." Kono moved in to give him a hug.

"No, I'm fine." Danny batted away the concerned hands. "Please stop. It's just a few cuts and some bruises. I just need some stitches, maybe an aspirin and I'm outta here."

"You also have a nice knot on the back of your head, brah." Frowning, she looked him over, backing away for a better look at her friend. "And your knee is the size of a small melon."

"Comes with the psycho territory, alright? So he knocked me around. So what. I gotta get outta here to see Steve." He tried to stand. Tried because it was a failed attempt. The headaches and dizziness were back with a vengeance.

Kono rushed forward to steady him. "Whoa there, Danny. Take it easy."

"Please, let me go." His eyes pled mercy and then he blinked. Anger and frustration were back. "Since no one in this joint will tell me how he is. Or where he is, for that matter. I've gotta see for myself."

Chin appeared in the doorway. "Danny."

"Chin? What's the word? What happened to Steve?"

"He collapsed at the office, Danny. They don't give him much time." Chin knew he was skipping things but it's what came out when he opened his mouth.

"What?" Danny ran a hand through his hair, closing his eyes for a second. "What the hell are you talking about? What aren't you telling me? Tell me now. I am not a child."

Chin squeezed Danny's arm. "Sit back for me, okay?"

Danny nodded and obeyed. Scared to death. Chin had a way of freaking him out at times.

"Steve was exposed to some sort of toxin, Danny. The docs haven't been able to ID it yet. There was a small fire at his place. His body is basically shutting down."

"Shutting down? What do you mean shutting down?" The anger in his voice broke and a stutter escaped. His eyes searched their faces. Both Chin and Kono looked like they might cry. He couldn't take it.

"No way." Danny mumbled, again trying to get up. "No fucking way."

Kono squeezed his hand, hoping to ground him a little. "Danny, if they can't determine the poison, they're afraid Steve will die tonight."

"No, I refuse to believe it. Not on my watch." He sat back on the bed again, suddenly growing very calm. Danny turned to the physician's assistant and nurse who'd both been watching from the door. "Please, patch me up. Get me a pair of crutches. I don't have much time to waste. If you don't do it, I will."