CHAPTER 14

Sunday morning, TAMC:

Chin Ho Kelly stood in the doorway of his boss' hospital room. He was torn between entering the room and sitting next to the sleeping man, or walking away and coming back later. Instead, he just stood there, caught in a kind of limbo as his thoughts warred with one another.

"Chin?"

Chin started at the calling of his name. He looked over at Steve, not surprised to see him awake. The man was light sleeper, never truly awake. Or asleep for that matter.

"Are you going to stand there all day?" Steve asked as he sat up in bed with a barely contained wince.

Chin walked into the room and sat down on the same chair he had the previous night. He took a moment to survey Steve. The bruises on his face and chest were still quite prominent, but his eyes were clear.

"How are you feeling?" Chin asked.

"I have already decided that the next person to ask me that is getting thrown out the window," Steve answered with a smile to show he was only somewhat kidding.

"Noted," Chin said, holding his hands up in surrender.

"So, what are you doing here this early? I thought I told you to go home and get some rest. You look like you should be in a bed next to me."

Chin sighed. Steve was right. He hadn't slept at all since Steve had been rescued and it showed. He had looked at himself in the mirror before coming to the hospital. He definitely wasn't looking his best right now, that's for sure.

"Yeah, well. I had a little trouble getting to sleep," Chin answered.

There was a moment where neither man spoke.

"It's not your fault Chin," Steve said quietly.

"What?"

"I said, it's not your fault," Steve said.

"I know."

"Do you?"

Chin frowned. "Yes."

Steve looked at Chin disbelievingly. "That look you have on your face says otherwise."

"What look?"

"Guilt," Steve said bluntly.

"I'm not…"

"Yes, you are. Look Chin…I've seen that look on a lot of fellow sailors following a mission that went FUBAR. Sometimes, there are things beyond our control. The only thing we can do is try our best to overcome it and then move on."

Chin looked down at his hands in his lap. This is exactly what he didn't want; Steve trying to convince him he wasn't to blame.

"Look, I get why Danny feels guilty. He feels like he wasn't there to back me up, like a partner should. He would be wrong, because he did back me up. You guys found me and got the evidence to send Vivaldi away. But what I don't get is why you feel guilty," Steve said.

Chin stayed silent, refusing to look at Steve.

"Unless you tell me otherwise, I can only make assumptions here. I'm guessing you feel like because you worked on the Webster's case that you should have seen this coming. That it was your responsibility and you could have stopped it. I can tell you now that I don't blame you for any of this. This was out of your control."

"I failed," Chin muttered.

"No, Chin…"

"Yes, I did. I failed John…He didn't feel like he could come to me with this. What kind of partner does that make me?" Chin asked desperately.

Steve sighed. "Chin…My father and I, well, we didn't have the closest relationship, as you know. But there is one thing that I'm starting to learn about him. He had a wild protective streak. He sent Mary and I to the mainland to protect us. Isn't it reasonable to think he may not have told you about Vivaldi to protect you too? He thought of you as family. Only good, genuine people ever gained my father's trust. I know for a fact that you were the best partner he ever had. Don't ever question that about yourself."

Chin took a deep breath to get his emotions under control. "Thanks, Steve. Do me one favour, though?"

"What's that?"

"Don't ever leave me out of anything. Danny and Kono too. I don't want to have to break another wardrobe to find some cryptic clues again."

"About that…what happened to my wardrobe?"

"Your father hid the key underneath your wardrobe. Kono may have gotten a little impatient and cut a hole in the floor of it," Chin explained.

"Huh," Steve said. "I thought it sounded a bit hollow. I didn't think there could have been anything under it, though."

"Well, there you go. I wonder if he has any other pieces of evidence hidden in the house?" Chin said.

"I hope not," Steve cringed just thinking about all the damage that could be incurred searching for hidden things. "I still can't believe he had that all this time. I makes me wonder how many more secrets he had that I'm unaware of."

"Steve…your father was a great man. He had his faults, sure. But he loved his job…and his family. After Doris died…he wasn't the same. He was withdrawn, quiet. Sending you and Mary away was the icing on the cake. He didn't let many people in after that."

"I regret not spending more time with him," Steve admitted.

"He was so proud of you, Steve. He talked about you a lot, like a father should."

"Thanks Chin."

There was a companionable silence before Steve spoke again. "So, what had Danny so riled up yesterday? Was there something I missed?"

Chin snorted. "Oh yeah. Agent Weir—"

"Ah, say no more," Steve interrupted.

"Yeah. Weir didn't have his priorities straight and Danny ripped into him. Suffice it to say Danny wasn't impressed."

"I would have loved to have seen that," Steve said with a small smile.

Monday afternoon, TAMC:

Today was the day.

Steve was going home.

Finally. At least in Steve's opinion.

The fever had broken overnight and ever since Steve had begun feeling better, he had started demanding to be released from the hospital. Doctor Brunning had argued against the stubborn man and won, at least until late that morning, when Steve had become increasingly more persuasive in his arguments.

The team approached Steve's hospital room, stopping just outside when they heard Steve's voice. It took them a moment to realise he was talking to his doctor.

"…Doc, I promise to go home and rest—"

"Commander. This is not up for negotiation. You must wear the sling until the bone heals. I understand you feel much better, but don't push yourself too hard, too quickly. Give your body time to heal fully," Doctor Brunning said, sounding as though he was at the end of his tether.

"I hear you, doc. But what if I just rest it on a pillow or something?" Steve suggested.

"Did you not hear a word I just said? The sling is mandatory. Otherwise you can stay here for the next few weeks," Doctor Brunning said, exasperated.

"Weeks?" Steve asked.

"Yes. It will take a few weeks for the bone to heal fully. More than that without the sling."

"Knock, knock," Danny said as he entered the room.

Doctor Brunning turned around and his facial expression changed from irritated to relieved in a second flat.

"Thank goodness you are here. Perhaps you can talk some sense into him," the doctor said.

"Steven, are you not listening to the nice doctor?" Danny said.

"I'm listening," Steve replied.

"I'm serious about this, Commander. It goes against my better judgement to let you leave the hospital this early. You need to go home and rest. The sling must stay on, otherwise you risk your collarbone not healing properly. Your body has been through a serious trauma. Listen to it, please."

"Fine. I'll keep the sling on," Steve said.

"Good. And no work," the doctor added.

"I'll just be on desk duty," Steve argued back.

"No. You will not return to work at all until I clear you. Is that understood?"

Steve mulled it over for a moment before conceding with a nod. The doctor sighed and signed the discharge papers before handing them to Steve. He turned to the team.

"I assume you will make sure he follows all the instructions given in the discharge papers?"

"Absolutely," Kono said. "We'll make sure he rests."

Steve glared at Kono, who pretended she didn't see the heated look her boss was throwing her.

Monday afternoon, McGarrett residence:

Chin and Kono stood in Steve McGarrett's living room, watching the back and forth between the bickering partners. The drive from the hospital had been oddly quiet. As soon as everyone had entered Steve's house, Danny had begun his mother hen routine, which had, in turn, brought Steve to the limit of his patience.

"Danny, there is no reason for any of you to stay. I'm fine!" Steve growled.

"Someone has to make sure you wear your sling. Don't forget, we know you. As soon as we leave, you will go directly against all of Doctor Brunning's orders," Danny rebutted.

"I am a grown man. I can take care of myself," Steve said as he tried to cross his arms over his chest. The slight wince didn't go unnoticed by the team.

"See!" Danny said. "You're in pain. You need to sit down and rest."

"Enough!" Steve yelled, his voice echoing in the large room.

The silence that descended on the house was heavy. Steve had never raised his voice like that before. Steve took a deep breath before speaking.

"I understand you are all concerned. Thank you for looking out for me. Right now, however, I just want to be alone. I know my own limitations. I will be fine without an observer," Steve said. "I have been looking after myself for a long time. I think I can handle it from here."

Danny looked at Steve skeptically. "If we leave, are you going to follow the doctor's orders?"

Steve groaned. "No. I'm not. Like I said, I know my own limitations. I won't be going to work, but I'm not going to sit around at home and do nothing either."

Steve was still mad that the Governor had benched him until he was healed. Apparently Doctor Brunning had informed Governor Jameson of his injuries. The doctor had been very sneaky.

"But…" Danny said.

"I will not be wearing the sling because it makes me feel vulnerable. The immobility is constricting. I need to be ready to move at all times. It's how I've been trained. I can't just turn it off, okay? Besides, after everything that just happened, sitting still is not on my list of desirable activities," Steve yelled, finally losing his patience with his partner.

For the first time since the team had been created, Danny Williams was speechless. It was a rare sight.

"Okay," Chin said, breaking the tense silence. "We're going. Call us if you need anything."

Steve nodded tersely, too mad to speak. Chin pushed Danny out the door and towards the car. Kono, however, hesitated for a moment.

"We get it, Steve. I'm sorry we pushed…Just know we will be here for you when you are ready," Kono said before following Chin and Danny out the door.

Steve sighed as he sat down on the couch. He really put his foot in it this time. Never before had he had a group of people who cared for him like his team did. And this was how he treated them? Steve was ashamed of himself.

"I'm sorry," he whispered, knowing no one would hear his apology.

Outside, Chin was busy trying to stop Danny from running back into the house.

"Danny, just give him some space," Chin begged.

"Chin…he shouldn't be alone," Danny said.

"He doesn't want us right now. When he does, you can mother him all you want. For now, just let him do what he needs to do."

Danny sighed. "Yeah. I guess."

Tuesday morning, Five-0 Headquarters:

The team walked into headquarters early the next morning, having been called in because a new case required their attention. It was a robbery homicide case that the Governor demanded they work on. Danny, Chin and Kono knew it was just busy work until Steve was back on full duty.

It felt weird, investigating a case without their boss. It lacked its usual vivacity. The last thing anyone wanted to do was run down leads when their boss was dealing with the aftermath of a traumatic event. It didn't feel right, leaving him alone overnight, but the man was stubborn. He would open up when he was ready and not a minute before.

In the meantime, they had work to do.

"Alright, what have we got?" Danny asked.

"Meet Brian Miller," Kono said as she brought up an image of the deceased man. "He works, or make that worked, for a tourist company that took people on cruises. Divorced, no kids. No priors."

"So, this guy walks in to the petrol station with a mask on, and gets shot by another person who was also there to rob it? What are the chances of that happening?" Danny asked.

"Pretty slim," Chin said.

"So, what are we thinking? Rival robbers?" Kono suggested.

Danny shrugged. "It's possible."

"Nothing from the surveillance cameras?" Chin asked.

Kono shook her head. "No. The angle didn't allow us to catch anything of our other perp. They were smart enough to stay out of sight of the cameras. Unlike our dead guy."

"Did the owner see anything?" Danny asked.

"No. He said he was on the floor the entire time. Didn't see anything except two masked men entering his store from different entrances," Kono answered.

"Hmm. It sounds like they didn't know the other one was going to be there," Danny mused. "But why would one shoot the other?"

"Maybe Kamekona has heard something?" Chin suggested.

"Can't hurt to ask him," Danny agreed. "Kono, you stay here and search Miller's background for any acquaintances with a record. Chin and I will go and talk to the big guy."

"Sounds good," Kono said, immediately getting down to work.

Tuesday afternoon, Kamekona's Shave Ice Stand:

Danny and Chin found themselves in the same position they had last week; waiting in line to talk to the large entrepreneur. The afternoon sun was beating down on them as the queue continued to grow behind them. Danny glanced over a Chin, jealous of the fact that he seemed completely at ease in the oppressive heat. Before Danny had time to contemplate that further, they arrived at the front of the line.

Kamekona took one look at them and motioned them over to the same bench they had used last time they wanted information from the big man.

"What do you need?" Kamekona asked.

"We caught a case. There was a murder at a petrol station this morning. Two guys went to rob it and only one came out. Have you heard anything about rival robberies?" Danny asked, getting straight to the point.

"No, can't say I have," Kamekona said thoughtfully.

"Okay, thanks," Danny said, standing up and getting ready to get back to the car and out of the sun.

"Hey, how's McGarrett?" Kamekona asked.

"He's okay. He's out of the hospital now and resting at home," Chin said.

"Good to hear. I was worried about him. Vivaldi was bad news. You got him?" Kamekona asked.

"Yeah, we got him. He's not going to see the light of day again," Danny said, thinking about Reardon and the other countless people that man had murdered.

"Good…About that, I heard something yesterday," the large man said.

"About Vivaldi?" Chin asked.

"Not exactly. Remember the Russian guy I told you about?"

"Yeah?" Danny said.

"I heard there was a hit man after him," Kamekona supplied.

Danny frowned. "A hit man after a hit man?"

Kamekona nodded and pinned the pair with an intense stare. "I heard he got paid really well for being successful."

Chin glanced at Danny. "Kuznetov is in FBI custody. If he's dead, why haven't they told us?"

"I'm more concerned with why someone would want him dead," Danny said.

"Yeah," Chin said. The phone in his pocket vibrated.

Taking it out, Chin saw he had missed several calls from his cousin. He forgot that he had put it on silent for the meeting with Kamekona. He stood up and walked away from the bench.

"Hey cous," he answered.

"Chin!" Kono's frantic voice came over the line. "I've been trying to call you for ages."

"Sorry, I left the phone on silent. What's up?"

"Jimmy Russo was found dead yesterday morning. Apparently, he got stabbed by a shiv. The only thing is, no one knows how it happened. He was in solitary confinement until the feds could transfer him. They found his body outside his cell."

Chin's mouth dropped open, getting Danny's attention. He walked over to Chin.

"What is it?" Danny mouthed.

"Hang on, Kono," Chin said as he turned to Danny. "Jimmy Russo has been killed. They found his body Sunday morning."

"Why are they telling us this now?" Danny asked.

"I was about to ask Kono that."

Chin turned the phone on speaker. "Hey Kono. Danny's here too. Why weren't we informed of this earlier?"

"He was the only prisoner in solitary confinement, so they didn't check the cells that often. The medical examiner says time of death was Saturday night, between eight and ten o'clock. He was found down the hall, not in his cell," Kono answered.

"Hang on. Are you seeing what's going on here?" Danny asked.

Chin's eyes widened. "Oh no."

"What?" Kono yelled.

"Ivan Kuznetov was also killed. Well, Kamekona heard he was," Chin answered.

Kono paused. "Wait, if both Russo and Kuznetov are dead, does that mean—"

"—That Vivaldi is cleaning house?" Danny finished for her. "I think so."

"Steve!" they said in unison.

Tuesday afternoon, McGarrett residence:

Steve got up from the couch. He had spent enough time wallowing in self pity. It was time to get up and do something. He had followed the doctor's instructions to rest, but enough was enough.

He had started to make his way to his father's study when his phone rang. Fishing it out of his pocket, he glanced at the caller ID.

Danny.

Steve sighed. He knew he should answer it, but he really wasn't in the mood to listen to his partner's long-winded apology right now. He shoved the mobile device back into his pocket after letting it ring out.

He looked around, having forgotten what he was going to do before the phone rang. Before he had a moment to figure out what that was, his phone rang again.

He pulled out the phone and glared are the caller ID. Danny again.

Reluctantly, Steve answered.

"Yes Danny?" Steve asked, not bothering to hide his irritation.

"Hey, Steve. I'm just…checking in," Danny said, relief evident in his voice.

"I'm fine. Following doctor's orders. I was just about to take another nap," Steve lied.

"…Okay. Good," Danny said awkwardly.

"What is it, Danny," Steve said, knowing there was something his partner was holding back.

"Listen. The witnesses for Vivaldi's trial are being knocked off one by one and we think—"

"—That I'm next?" Steve finished.

"Yeah."