Steve dialed Tani. His call went straight to voice mail. She was dodging him, and no doubt, Junior might do the same. After a concerning call, no less. This both infuriated and worried him.

Frowning, he took a breath to clear his head and assessed the situation. His gut wasn't screaming emergency. Something was up, though. That much he knew for sure.

He dialed Danny. He'd know what was going on with the kids. Steve smiled. He'd always see Tani and Junior that way.

Four rings and then voice mail. Danny's phone was on, but he wasn't picking up. This made Steve's stomach flip. Danny always answered. Even if only to yell at him for calling at an inappropriate time.

Next up was Lou. Steve scrolled through his contacts and dialed. A fire stoking in his gut.

/././

"Lou-"

"Yessss.." Lou stretched out the word, both trying to be funny and buying himself some time. He was punch drunk. Tired and hungry. So desperate he'd drink week old coffee if he could find any.

He could hear Steve's impatient exhale. It gave him a shiver.

"Why did Tani just hang up on me?" Steve asked.

The cat was out of the bag. Steve knew.

Replying with a pained laugh, Lou said, "I don't know. Did you ask her?"

"Lou."

He'd swear he could hear Steve's glare. Lou shrugged it off. "Ow man, stop using my name that way."

"Answer the question."

There was never any doubt who was in charge. Miles away, across an ocean, Steve still held the position. Lou was biding his time.

"Which question is that, Steve?" Lou asked.

"Why did Tani call me?"

Clearing his throat, Lou prepared himself. He wasn't sure how his friend would take the news he had to deliver.

"Steve," Lou began, "I'm gonna tell you something now. Promise you won't-"

"Spit it out, Lou."

"Or you'll what? Hang up? Because you wanna hear this from me."

"Lou."

"I'm not supposed to tell you, but - Danny's been hurt."

"How bad?" Steve replied, "How did it happen? He's not cleared for full duty. He still has two shrink appointments and an eval."

Lou smiled that Steve knew those details. Didn't make the rest easier.

"He's fine. Nothing serious."

Lou glanced at Danny who was sleeping a few feet away.

Insistent, Steve asked, "What happened?"

"He tagged along with Tani to get a witness statement."

"Tani." Steve said, a note of concern in his voice, "She okay?"

"She's fine, too. She called you, right?"

It was like Lou's assurance checked a box. Steve was stern again. "Why were they paired up?"

"Danny's bored, and Junior's on desk duty."

"What?"

"Damn kid pulled a McGarrett and took a swim in the canal. He's –"

"Fine, right?" Steve growled. "Lou, you're not doing a great job of running my team."

"Oh, so it's your team still?" Of course, he knew it was. Five-0 would always belong to Steve.

"Lou. Danny?"

He opened his mouth to protest Steve's tone, and it all poured out of him.

"Witness turned out to be our suspect. The guy rabbited. Tani gave chase. Danny followed. Pushed Tani outta the way of a car."

"Jesus," Steve replied, "He was hit by a car?"

"Yes. But he's only got a few bumps and bruises. A concussion. Tani's the same."

Steve didn't answer. Lou listened to background noise, trying to place his friend on a map, but he couldn't concentrate. He could feel Steve's eyes on him.

"Hey, I see that look."

"How do you know what look I have?" Amusement crept into Steve's words.

Lou's eyes watered as he chuckled. It felt good to talk to Steve. Even under these circumstances.

"I know you, Steve, that's how."

"Uh huh. Just what look do I have, Lou?"

"The one Danny calls Aneurysm Face."

Steve laughed and said, "Seriously?"

Lou dug in. He understood why Danny and Steve argued. It was fun and it bought time.

"You're still doing it." Lou replied.

"Fine, you wanna see what look I have?" Steve hung up and started a video call.

There was no time to quibble. Lou stared at his phone. He could either accept the chat request, or he could risk Steve harassing the hospital staff until he got Lou on the screen.

What caught Lou by surprise was how much he missed the man who materialized on his phone screen.

"Hey, you look better."

"No Aneurysm Face?"

Lou had to sit down. Seeing Steve knocked the wind out of him. It had been too many weeks. He'd been so busy taking care of the team that he hadn't dealt with his own pain.

"I miss you, man." Lou said.

Steve ran his hand through his shaggy hair and smiled before he answered, "Miss you, too, Lou."

He didn't ask the question. Lou knew better than to push. Try for too much, and he might push Steve further away. And he knew the real reason Steve had switched to video.

"Lou, I need to see him. Is he awake?" Steve asked.

"No," Lou replied, though he wasn't sure. From his present perch on the corner window sill, he couldn't quite see Danny's face.

"Great. So he won't know."

Lou frowned and said, "He won't know what?"

"Now who's making a face." Steve said with a chuckle.

It suddenly wasn't funny. A surge of heartburn made Lou press on his belly. This was Danny and Steve, and a moment which illustrated just how far apart they were. Mentally and physically. Lou was protective of both of them, but here, his job was keeping the team intact. Repairing the damage. Preventing further heartbreak. Steve wasn't there. He could offer only hollow comfort.

"I'm gonna say this once, Steve," Lou began. His chest tightened and his eyes watered. He had to dig deep to continue. "I hope you take it to heart."

"Go ahead." Steve said, eyes narrowed and hardened.

If they were in the same room, they'd be toe to toe. Steve didn't like being challenged.

"Don't come here."

Steve opened his mouth, but Lou held up his hand.

"No, don't speak."

Steve zipped his mouth shut. Like Danny.

"Cute." Lou cracked a little. "Where was I? Oh yea. Don't come here unless you're back for good. Cause if you come back to Oahu and you don't stay? If you leave again? You'll kill him. And maybe the rest of us, too."

Nodding, Steve looked off screen. He pressed his hand to his face.

Lou sucked in a lungful of air and made sure Steve got it. "You feel me?"

"Copy that." Steve answered, voice soft.

"Steve, I'm sorry, I am. It's been rough."

"I get it." Steve raised his voice. He cleared his throat and added, "It's better if I stay away."

"Hey, don't be like that. This isn't a pity party."

Steve rolled his eyes. "Funny."

"Wasn't meant to be, Steve."

"Ok then." Steve straightened himself and laid out his demands. "I need to see him, Lou. And I need to see him now. He's gonna lie to me. Tell me everything's alright. I need to see his chart, too. If you don't do this for me, I'll get on the next plane."

Lou shook his head and took a few steps toward Danny. He touched the screen to flip the phone view and said, "Be my guest. Just don't wake sleepy beauty."

/././

Steve swallowed hard.

Be careful what you wish for.

This was part of the reason he'd left. Seeing Danny like this. Steve wasn't proud. His knees went weak. He wanted to puke.

The lights in the room were dimmed. Steve knew that meant Danny had a monster headache. He got those easily – not to mention the concussion. An IV line was visible. He wondered if it was for meds or fluids. He itched to know more. Danny's eyes were closed. Bruises bloomed on his face along with a laceration closed with butterfly strips. Steve didn't buy into the whole he looks peaceful when he sleeps cliché. Danny looked drained. Still too thin. More prominent cheekbones told the tale. But he was tan, though. Which made Steve smile a little. Tan meant that Danny had been outside. Steve imagined them surfing in better days.

"Get enough?" Lou asked, breaking Steve's thoughts, startling him.

He answered, "Yea, thanks."

What Steve would never admit to anyone? He could look at Danny for hours.

/././

"Steve," Lou said, his voice soft. "He's gonna be ok."

Steve gave him the slightest nod as he fought to keep it together.

"Do you know how many times I've-"

Lou cut him off. "I've been with you guys for how many years now?"

He almost mentioned what a sad routine this had become, but Lou held his tongue. For a terrifying second, he wondered if Steve could read minds. They locked eyes, and boy didn't Lou feel naked in that gaze, but he held his ground. Steve looked away first.

"We all hurt, Steve. Watching you," Lou took a breath and swallowed back tears. "Watching Danny. We feel it. In our own ways."

A sharp reply was first response Lou got, and then Steve said, "Take care of him, Lou. I – I can't right now."

That simple statement floored Lou. He almost let it show.

"Steve listen. Forget what I said earlier. If you need to come home –"

"No Lou, you're right. I can't do that to him. To any of you."

Lou fought not to sound frantic. "Are you okay, man? Where are you? I can send –"

"I'm alright. I just need to – sleep, to process – I – I'm good."

"Liar." Lou replied with a loud guffaw.

Steve almost snorted with his returned chuckle. The charged moment evaporated, and they could breathe again.

"You're right." Steve said, "I'm not good. Not even close. But I have to believe I am right now."

Lou sighed, "Look man, I didn't mean to dump this on you. I think we'd all be better off if we stayed put."

"Maintain the status quo," Steve nodded. "I'm glad you told me. I get why Danny didn't want me to know. I'm gonna hit the rack, and then I'm traveling north in the morning. I'll call him once I'm settled."

"North? Where are you anyway?"

"Nice try." Steve answered, raising his eyebrow at Lou.

"Fine. Don't tell me. Can't blame me for trying. You head north. I've got the watch here."

"Thanks, Lou. I love you."

Lou dabbed the corner of his eye. "I love you, too, brother. Stay safe."

"I will."

Steve was gone.

Lou closed his eyes and collected himself. When he checked on Danny, he noticed the track of a lone tear running down his cheek.