Warnings: Strong language throughout, canon typical violence

Disclaimer: I don't own Hawaii Five-0, or its characters they belong to CBS. Only ones I own are the ones I've stated I do (I created Jeff Taylor and his son Dominic), so all the bad guys except for the ringleader Georg Rutherford.

Author's Note: Five-hour time difference between Illinois and Honolulu, HI, I try and incorporate that as best I can hope it's not too confusing.

The spelling errors when it comes to Scott's speech are intentional in most areas to replicate slurred or mispronounced speech just fyi.

Navy Lingo

Brig: Military jargon for prison


Chapter 13

1600 Hours. Honolulu Police Department - 801 S Beretania St, Honolulu, Oahu.

After Havika gets the news about McManis' fugitive status, he immediately calls up the NCIS Great Lakes field office. Which just so happens to be where the other elite unit like their own is based out of. They have the additional task of dealing with cases at Recruit Training Command as well as the normal or general cases they deal with. That's an added 7,000 potential suspects at any one time if they catch a case involving a Navy recruit. Well not all 7,000, but a good 55 at the minimum and upwards of 88 maximum recruits per division.

Havika finds out what McManis is wanted for a string of unsolved murders in and around Naval Station Great Lakes. With his specific calling card. So McManis is deemed a serial killer even before he got to Oahu that's just wonderful. He somehow gets himself mixed up with Rutherford's fight club here on Oahu and now he's going to be extradited back to the mainland to Great Lakes. Where he'll face charges, a sentencing trial and indefinite prison time.

Or at least that's what Havika's been trying to do for the past two hours almost. Trying to get reasonable transport for McManis and his two agents to get off the island.

"No, no no." Havika is very close to losing his temper. He pinches the bridge of his nose to stave off the headache. "I need a flight out this afternoon ma'am it's a matter of national security." Havika is telling the ticketing woman over the phone. He, Brianna and Evan are at HPD in one of the empty interrogation rooms for privacy. With McManis in a holding cell secured he doesn't need to be watched.

"I understand that sir, but there just aren't any flights out that go directly to where you're needing to go. Perhaps try different airline?"

"I'll try that. Mahalo ma'am." Havika skids his phone across the interrogation room floor where he's been sitting with his back against the wall for the past two hours. Evan and Brianna watching from the corners of the room as their temp unit chief is fraying at the edges.

"No luck with the airlines boss?" Brianna asks.

"No, they don't have any direct flights. Great Lakes wants McManis back as soon as possible and he's highly grateful for us catching him. Though he's sorry to hear about the three other service members here who have died because of him."

"So McManis was a serial killer way before he even came to Oahu. Or fled to Oahu is more like it." Evan surmises.

"Exactly, now the SSA of the field unit over there didn't tell me much about the cases, just that they mirrored the ones we had here. I suspect you'll find out more when you get there."

"If a commercial flight is out of the question, what about a military transport flight. I'm sure there's got to be one we can get on." Evan suggests. "We'd just need to find the closest Air Force base to where we need to be."

Brianna looks up from chewing her nails at her partner. Something she does when she's thinking or nervous. "Scott Air Force Base." Brianna says suddenly. "It's the closest base and airfield that'll get us to North Chicago." Brianna states. Brianna sees the odd looks from both Havika and Evan. "I was born in Chicago, I think I should know my way around the city."

"But an Air Force base Brianna? That's a pretty specific area and populace." Evan starts to say.

"Isn't it enough that I had you shadowing me today. I don't need you prying into my personal life, Evan. Can't I just know something...couldn't I have had friends' whose parents worked on the base."

Evan rubs the back of his neck with his left hand a bit awkwardly. "Yeah I guess I mean I didn't mean anything by it Brianna I was just stating facts."

"Enough both you." Havika commands standing to his full 6'4" height. A full four inches taller than Evan and a foot and some change taller than Brianna. Brianna isn't the type of woman to back down just because someone is taller than her. "Clearly there's something going on with you two. I was going to have Lane volunteer Jackson to go instead of you Evan, but there's obviously something you two need to work out for yourselves. Maybe an eight-hour uncomfortable military flight will do that for you." Havika tells his two agents with no room for argument.

Before either younger agent can say anything Havika continues, "As our Boss Perry would say 'get your heads outta your damn asses and deal with your shit, outside not in my house.' we clear?"

Which in Perry translation means deal with your problems outside the office, don't bring them into the office and bring down the whole unit. Doing that promotes poor unit cohesion.

"Yes, Agent Kamaka sir." Both agents reply.

"Good, I'm going to work out the logistics with Hickam air base, and weasel you two and McManis on a flight out to Scott AFB." Havika says as he gets up from the floor to retrieve his phone from across the room where he's tossed it earlier. "And then I'm gonna book you three a flight from the base into North Chicago should be about an hour and twenty. Go home pack, for a least two days and a night, and make sure you've got your gun cases with you."

"Sir, if I may ask how are we going to get McManis from the base to North Chicago on a commercial flight?" Evan asks.

"US Marshals Service, I'm going to call their office here in Honolulu see if they can't help us out with the extradition process, it is kind of their job, fugitive capture and all."

"Understood sir, we'll head out and pack. Come on Evan, I'll drive you back to your apartment." Brianna offers. Doing as her temp unit chief says and letting her personal business with Evan go for the minute. Yeah, they've been working together for two years now, and their close as partners, but not as close as she's seen other partners in the agency or even in the unit. The SEAL partners, and Havika and Perry as prime examples. Even Kali and Jackson are close as partners, even though Brianna has seen how the younger woman acts sometimes, when it comes to mixing work with personal life. She likes to keep Evan at an arms' length distance. Keep her work life and her personal life, private.

Once the two younger agents are out of the interrogation room, and walking to Brianna's matte gray Jeep Wrangler Evan stops about halfway there in the middle of the parking lot. Brianna stops ahead of him and turns around to see why he's stopped. "You okay partner? Your arm hurting you?" Brianna gestures to Evan's right arm in the black sling.

"No, it's good. Look Brianna I'm sorry for what I said back there in interrogation and for dogging you today. I'm your partner though Brianna we work as a team. I can't help you if you won't let me. Let me in, you're not alone on this team, in this unit..."

Brianna goes to speak up but Evan holds up his hand to stop her. "No let me finish please. Whatever you're going through whatever's bugging you, you can tell me. I won't judge, I don't know if you've noticed but this unit it's not like others. There's a little thing a few of our teammates like to say, "We're Ohana", and to them to me, family means something. Family isn't always blood, it's about the people in your life who want you in theirs, love, support, trust, protection, security, loyalty, is what makes you family."

Evan doesn't say anymore, just let's Brianna think on that as he walks over to the passenger side of the Jeep. Brianna now behind Evan is speechless, those are more words, more deep and impactful words that she's ever heard Evan say in one conversation. Love and support, she has people around her now that actually want to care about her. A year ago, she thought she could only see Brett as the only family she had left. But then he committed suicide and she's lost all over again. Maybe now, she can start seeing her teammates as they all see each other. Perhaps she's not as alone as she thinks she is.


1634 Hours. Tripler Army Medical Center, Neuro ICU - Patient Room 646, Moanalua, Oahu.

Scott is surprisingly awake when Lane comes back to his room after his three hours of 'free' time. He would've been here sooner but Havika tells Lane about Calvin and having him extradited back to the mainland. Once the unit chief knows their unique situation he gladly says he'll do anything he can to help fellow agents. That settled and take care of Lane walks into Scott's room, he's pleasantly surprised to see him sitting up in bed with a book in his hand.

His book actually that he's been trying to read off and on for the past week, entitled Him, it's about this guy who coaxing his very straight friend into changing the boundaries of their relationship. It's also a coming out story. It's a pretty good read so far, but the last thing Lane thinks is that Scott would pick it up and start reading it. Or by the faces he's making trying to read it and clearly getting frustrated.

Scott looks up from the gay romance novel he asks Kami to get out of Lane's bag at seeing the man himself standing there. "Good book Lane, I wanna read when you're done."

Lane sighs in relief inwardly. He has no idea how Scott will react to the fact that he reads gay romance fiction. He's just glad he hadn't slipped one of his werewolf or shape shifter erotica books in his bag instead. "Yeah-yeah okay you can read it when I'm done." Than Lane looks from the book back to Scott and the strain on his face. "You really shouldn't be reading anything right now with your head injury you'll hurt your eyes."

Scott puts the book back on the side table to his right just as his room door slides open to reveal a guy wearing tan under armor pants and a standard hospital polo shirt. That says TAMC Physical Therapy in the upper left corner. He's also wearing black Adidas running shoes.

He's tall about Steve's height with dusty blond hair that's shaved on both sides and kept longer on top, and just brushed straight forward, and the bluest eyes Scott's ever seen. And he's smiling that smile oh my god it's like a thousand-watt mega smile. Scott doesn't until now but the man is wearing a metal name tag that says his name is Wade. Scott also sees he's carrying what appear to be clothes, that he sets down on the chair to right of Scott's bed.

"Afternoon gentlemen." Wade greets warmly. "Master Chief McGarrett I'm Dr. Wade Thompson and I'm going to be your physical and occupational therapist. For the foreseeable future, I may have doctor in front of my name, but that's just a title, feel free to call me Wade if you prefer."

"Nice to meet you, call me Scott please Master Chief McGarrett is a mouthful." Scott sits up just a bit straighter and shakes Wade's hand with his right one. Lane is stunned Scott just spoke without slurring his words not one bit, but he did see considerable concentration and face scrunching through it.

"Whose this a friend of yours?" Wade asks Scott. Scott almost forgets Lane's in the room with him.

"Yeah, that's my Sully, I mean my work partner Lane Sullivan." Scott introduces Lane. Lane walks over and shakes Wade's hand.

"Please to meet you Lane that's quite a grip you have there. Can I ask you to wait outside for me? I just need to have a little pow pow with Scott here." Wade asks moving towards the bed.

"The docs said I could stay for all procedures and that if you tried to kick me out to tell them, what they said. That I could stay, it's my right as his next of kin." Lane explains a bit defensively.

"Yes, I know that Lane and realize that, but there are going to be no procedures done. I'd like to talk to my patient in private." Than Wade turns and gathers up the clothes on the chair. "I was hoping to get Scott dressed in something a bit more comfortable than a hospital gown." Wade laughs at Lane's mortified expression. "And since I asked the nurse to remove the catheter before I came I'm sure you'd like to pee normally again."

Scott nods his head yes, yes, he would love it very much. "Lane ge-get out I'll see you in a bit." He doesn't hesitate to shoo his friend out of the room. "Go on shoo." He waves his right hand in Lane's direction.

Wade watches the two friend's interactions closely and smiles. He's read up on Scott's medical file and he knows both the men in front of him are former Navy SEALs. Now both NCIS federal agents. Scott's going to be a tough nut to crack in training once it really gets going. He's the one to deal with difficult patients always is, and there's a good reason for that.

"I'll come get you in a while you have my word. Maybe you could go raid the vending machines for protein bars and get your friend a Powerade. He might need it later."

Lane looks over at his friend, not wanting to leave him with his physical therapist. Scott sees the look Lane's giving him and looking at Wade too. "I'm good Agent Sullivan go." Scott tries to put some authority into his voice.

"You got it McG, Grape or Blue Raspberry?"

"Surprise me." Once Lane leaves Scott turns back to Wade. "Sorry 'bout him gets ov-overprot-tective."

"That's perfectly understandable my Connor gets the same way. Now are you ready to do this and get walking. We're going to take it slow, you let me know if you feel dizzy or nauseous. We'll stop and give you a chance to rest." Wade grabs a pair of black Rothco PT shorts that are long and go to the knee. Along with a gray under armour t-shirt. "Okay now Captain Carson and Major Shepherd cleared you for this little excursion, so if you're ready, we can get moving." Wade looks to Scott for confirmation.

"Hell yes, so ready, let's do this."

"Ok, the object of this all is to get you as independent as possible without being reckless. You're healthy and in-shape so it shouldn't be too difficult once you get your bearings. Sit up all the way and swing your legs off the bed." Wade stands near enough to catch Scott, but far enough away to make sure Scott knows he is on his own.

Once up Scott leans forward with his hands on either side of his legs. He concentrates on breathing through the nausea and dizziness. He nods to Wade once the room stops spinning.

"Ok I'm going to slip on a gait belt that will help me keep you from falling should you slip or something." Wade fits the black belt around Scott's waist and fastens the buckle. "Next thing I'm going to slip the shorts up to your thighs and than ask you to raise up your butt and than I'll let you shimmy into the shorts all the way."

Wade waits for Scott to nod and he does, Wade pulls up shorts as far as they'll go, and than he helps Scott shimmy into the shorts so they cover his butt. PT shorts now successfully on, Wade helps Scott out out of the hospital gown unsnapping the buttons and taking the gown off and away. Now leaving Scott shirtless and covered in gauze. There's a gauze patch over where his chest tube was also his low profile feeding tube that sits just at skin level is visible too, the port is covered with a cap now. He's still got the tape on the left side of his face with tube going up his nostril though. Not exactly flattering but he can't help it.

"That's an impressive collection of tattoos you have there Scott. I've got a few myself maybe I show you if we get in the pool later in your physio schedule."

"Thank you." Wade sees the look on Scott face. One he's seen numerous times on himself.

"You ok?" Wade makes sure Scott is comfortable on the edge of the bed before he sits down on the chair next to the bed.

"Yeah I'm good."

"Do you want me to go get Lane or...can I go on?"

"Don't bother took he took his keys with him, sides could do without se-seeing his face for a while."

"Well okay then, just know I can call him anytime you want."

Scott just shakes his head no he won't be needing him he can do just fine on his own. "Let me introduce you to your new little friend." Wade says holding up a cool looking gray and black material. "This is a shrinker sock or a compression sock. It'll help with the swelling and protection of your residual limb for now. I'll give you a few so that you can swap them out regularly. It's important to keep your stump as dry as possible."

Wade let's Scott feel the material before he puts the sock on after unwrapping the bulking white bandages around Scott's knee. This is the second time Scott's seeing his knee and really looking at it. It's odd that just half of his leg is just gone now. He quickly shakes his head to rid himself of bad thoughts and let's Wade pull the sock over his knee.

"Fit good not too snug there?" Scott shakes his head no. "I'm going to get two orderlies it's easier to do this with more people. DO NOT MOVE from that spot." Wade warns as he walks off out the sliding glass door.

Five minutes later Wade comes back with two dark and tan muscular Hawaiian orderlies. One of them their name tags says Tito and the other man's name tag says Tai. "don't worry Scott they're really just big teddy bears aren't you guys."

"Yeah brah doc T's right. We just here to help in case you need it." Tito the one on the right says he's got a little black slow patch on his chin. Scott looks between the two orderlies and Wade, isn't Wade supposed to be helping him?

He doesn't think on it too long before he says, "Let's get moving I got an urge I've got to take care of."

A few minutes later Scott is standing up right for the first time in six days. It feels good to be upright again. He's a bit dizzy but he just waits for it to pass. He's disconnected from all the tubes and IV pole for now for this little excursion. He isn't due to have his kidney meds until 1800. So he's good to be pole free.

Scott makes the slow shuffle with the walker to bathroom with Wade behind him holding the back of the gait belt just in case. Scott's got just enough of his left hand uncovered by the cast to where he can grip the left handgrip of the walker if a bit awkwardly.

Scott manages to get his shorts down, and do his business with his right hand and oh it's absolute bliss to be able to pee standing up. Then he has to get his shorts back up and that's a bit harder. "Uhhh, Wade coul-could you uh help me please?" Scott asks totally embarrassed that he's got to ask another guy to help pull up his shorts. And he's totally exposed too he doesn't even have boxers on. They just get in the way apparently that's what the doctors say.

"No problem." Wade braces himself on his left leg still holding Scott with his right hand and bends to pick up the shorts until they're within Scott's reach again. Scott shimmies his shorts awkwardly back into place. Hands washed and looking presentable even with the drainage tube sticking out of his head, he grimaces at that and sees Wade looking at his face in the bathroom mirror. "Don't worry about that I think I've got the perfect solution for that. Come on."

Once outside the bathroom and in the room again Tito and Tai are sitting on the couch with a duffel bag Scott hasn't seen before. Scott's immediately curious as to what's in the bag. "What's in the bag?" Scott asks.

"Why don't you take a look for yourself brah." Tai the lighter tanned brother of the two says. Because Tito and Tai have to be brothers or at least cousins they look alike. Scott moves a bit closer and looks down into the bag he sees what he thinks are surgical caps. Tai picks one out, it's black and white with prehistoric animals on it. "Surgical caps help keep your head clean and hide that tubing, plus they look cool yeah."

"I like that one." Scott juts his head toward the one Tai's holding in his hand.

"Dinosaurs, and Sabretooth tigers it is." Tai says with a smile on his face. "You can pick a few more after our walk so you have a choice. You can even wear one of them after you get out of your surgery tomorrow."

Oh yeah I'd almost forgotten about that. Cool that's one less tube in me.

Tai ties the surgical cap around Scott's head, in the back and there's a little bump from where the tubing is on the right side, but other than that he looks good. Scott feels happier too. Almost normal he sure feels it being in shorts and a t-shirt again. He almost doesn't feel like or look like a patient in the hospital. Except he is he's a patient with a severe traumatic brain injury, and amputation, that obvious, but to his mind's eye it still sees him with two working legs and not just one.

"Let's go now I wanna walk come on." Scott urges Wade and the two orderlies. He's been stuck in bed for six days in a coma he wants to be up and walking.

"Uh shoe brah." Tito says holding up a left blue Nike running shoe. "I think this is just your size."

"Oh yeah right." Scott levers himself down on the couch with Wade's help so Tito can put his shoe on and tie the laces. Scott doesn't even complain about that little task being done for him. His head would probably hurt bending down like that anyway.

All dressed and ready to go finally after having relieved himself and gotten properly dressed the quartet head out of Scott's room to go on their little walk.

Scott walks along outside his room slowly and steadily as he pushes the walker in front of him, Wade behind him holding a loop on the gait belt. Tito is walking backwards a few feet in front of Scott encouraging him and Tai is walking close to Wade's right side.

"You're doing great Scott look we've almost made it all the way around the horseshoe." Wade praises his patient. It's true they have, they started on the east side and now they're almost all the way back again they're just coming up on Isaac's room.

Scott looks up at the other side of the ICU where they'd been twenty minutes ago. He can't believe he's doing it he's walking. Well with assistance but still walking. Scott looks over to his left and sees Isaac's room and the no visitors sign is not up. But he hears voices, a female voice and Isaac's and the curtain is drawn for some privacy. Imani and Isaac are talking in hushed whispers to each other.

Guess I'll have to show Isaac what I can do later. Scott thinks as they near his room again. Here they stop for a little breather again. They'd stop every five minutes or so in the walk for Scott to catch his breath.

"Can we go down the hall this time to the en-entr-entrance?" Scott asks Wade sounding out the word in his head.

"I don't know Scott that's a lot farther than just a little jaunt around the nurses station." Wade tells Scott. Tai eyes Wade himself, but Wade quickly shakes his own head slightly. He's fine this is about this patient not him.

"How about I go get a wheelchair really quick just in case." Tito offers who's still standing in front of Scott and the walker.

Scott pulls a face at the wheelchair mention, he doesn't want to sit he wants to keep going, he doesn't want to go backwards. Now that he's up and walking. "It's just in case you need it Scott you're shirt's already half soaked in sweat."

"I can do it, Wade." Scott says stubbornly.

"I believe you can too let's do it." Scott lets out a small thank you and once Tito is back with the infernal wheelchair this time walking behind and to the side of Wade they set off again.

Scott is about halfway to the entrance of the ICU and comes upon the turn that leads them down to the Trauma ICU. He briefly thinks about stopping and asking if he can go see his brother, but he has a feeling Wade'll put his foot down at that. So Scott continues to slowly walk with the walker pushing it and placing his left foot in front of him, his right stump sort of just swinging there.

They don't even get five feet closer to the entrance when Lane comes around the corner from being buzzed into the ICU. He's been gone a little over an hour. He needed time to cool off after seeing Scott with Wade his new therapist. He feels guilty afterwards about feeling so jealous of how happy Scott looked with Wade. Lane realizes his friend isn't happy to be with a stranger a guy he just met, he's happy to be up and with someone who will allow him to move around.

Lane's got a backpack on his back full of his kids cards and picture drawings for their Uncle Scott that they mailed over on Friday and he's got a bag of light snacks and sports drinks in his hand. That he knows Scott'll be able to eat, he checked this time with Kami. She approves. All that happiness goes away when he sees Scott up and sweating bullets through his what Lane assumes is a light gray t-shirt and a heavy sheen of sweat is sticking to the black prehistoric animal surgical cap he's wearing. He sees the two muscular orderlies beside Scott and sees Wade behind Scott smiling and just loses it.

"What the hell are you doing to him?! Look at him?! Lane rages. "What kind of physical therapist are you? More like a sadist?"

Wade knows this could happen that his patient's friend could get the wrong idea. "No, you don't understand Agent Sullivan...here Scott sit down." Wade helps lower Scott into the wheelchair and puts the stump rest up for his right leg.

"Oh I understand plenty do you not see him how exhausted he looks, and you just pushed him past his breaking point." Lane continues on.

"Now hold on there brah that's not right." Tito interferes.

"Who are you two, and you two just let this happen? What kind of staff let's a brain damaged patient a patient with the mental capacity of a little kid walk this far? He doesn't know his limits."

Scott looks up from scowling down at his lap to look up at Lane at hearing his hurtful words. He's not a little kid. So he liked Lane and Kali reading kid books to him since he woke up so what. That doesn't mean he doesn't have the full mental capacity of the 40 year old adult man he is. Right?

"Now look 'ere brah that's not what happened kay. You takin' this way outta proportion." Tai backs up his cousin.

"I'm taking this straight to the patient ethics board. Scott's doesn't know what he's saying or agreeing to. He's different now, and doesn't understand..."

Scott has had just about enough of this, and he wants nothing more than to be able to stand up and whack his friend across his jaw with his cast. But he can't he's torn being crying and just sulking angrily what pitiful choices he has. He goes for some yelling of his own instead.

"Stop it! Stop it Lane. Go home Sully and don't come back!" Scott yells from his seat in the wheelchair. Lane looks and stares at his friend at his outburst. He doesn't know what to do. "Go home Sullivan." Scott orders him more forcefully. Scott knows he'll listen if he uses that commanding agent voice.

"Scott..." Lane tries to start. To argue.

With a shaky right hand, Scott points back to the entrance of the ICU. "GO! I do-don't want you here." Scott forces the words to come out completely and not slurred.

"I think it's time for you to go Agent." Wade says and steers Lane back to the entrance and out the door. "You were way out of line Lane."

"Me...I...you forced him to do something he isn't ready for." Lane's no doctor of course, but when Wade had said get him up and walking, Lane thought he meant to the bathroom and back which is easily just fifteen feet not walking all around damn ICU. That's usually all the 'walking' any surgical patients do after surgery. Let alone something as serious as an amputation of a limb.

Wade crosses his arms over his chest. "Leave before I call security." Wade orders in a voice he hasn't used in a long time. If he's a little pleased at the surprised look on the other man's face he doesn't let it show.

"Fine." Lane says with defiance in his voice. "Could you take this back with you?" Lane takes off the backpack and hands it and the bag of food and drinks to Wade.

"Sure have a nice evening Agent Sullivan." Wade says. He can't believe the nerve of that guy. He has no idea what they were doing. Or Scott's willingness and involvement in the therapy. When Wade gets back inside the ICU he sees Tai and Tito have taken Scott back to his room, and called for his nurse to hook him back up to all his tubes and lines.

"You did real good brah for your first day out man keep it up and you'll be running around in no time." Tai says and pats the man's shoulder.

"Tanks guys yo-you aren't so bad after all." Scott says. The two cousins wave goodbye just as Wade comes back into Scott's room with the backpack and the bag of nonperishable approved snack foods.

"Tai's right you did do really well today, you may have pushed yourself a bit too much, but I knew you could handle it." Wade says as he puts the backpack and food bag on the couch.

"Good first day, th-thank you Wade. I ne-needed that."

"No problem Scott I'm here to help you and get you back on your feet. Now rest you've earned it. " Wade tells him as he walks out of his patient's room and out of the ICU altogether to go home.


Thirty minutes later Danny, Mary and the kids show up to see Scott, but before they can go in, Kami stops them.

"Is something wrong Kami?" Mary asks. "We thought he'd be okay for visitors today?"

"He's healthy there haven't been any changes medically. Nothing to worry about there."

"Then what is it? Why can't we can see him?" Danny asks.

"Detective Williams, Scott had his first PT session about forty minutes ago. It went really well from what I heard from his therapist. It was the aftermath and confrontation with his partner that upset him. Now I'm not at liberty to tell you what was said, because that would be betraying my patient's confidence, but I can ask him if he'd like to have visitors?"

"Yes please can you do that, the kids have been really wishing to see their Uncle." Danny says.

"I'll be right back." Kami says as she heads into Scott's room. She's back within five minutes. "He says he'd love to see you guys."

"Great come on kids." Danny says.

"Danny you did tell them about his condition and how his speech will be a bit slow right?" Kami asks.

"Yes Kami I did they know they just want to cheer him up."

"Alright you can go head on in you guys."

Kami watches the two adults and three kids go into her patient's room.

In Scott's room he had Kami push a little pain medication so he could manage sitting up in his bed for a bit and not feel like he's going to hurl.

"Uncle Scott." Joanie and Charlie call out excitedly to their Uncle.

"Hey you two come here I've missed you guys a lot." He hugs both Charlie and Joanie as best he can with his right arm having an IV in it.

"We made you pictures and cards Uncle Scott, we made them for Uncle Steve too he liked his." Joanie says and shows him the hand made card she made with a picture of him and her on a beach with a surfboard.

"Ah, th-thanks J-Jo Joanie." He says struggling with the hard name. "I love it."

"Oh, this is for you too Uncle Scott. Mommy told me how much you like dogs and love Eddie. So here you go." Joanie pulls out a stuffed dog that's got soft smooth textured fur. "What are you going to name him?" The little girl asks her uncle.

"Hmm Buddy's a name I like." Scott says slowly after thinking for a bit.

"Me to Uncle Scott. "I love you." Joanie says.

"Me next me next." Charlie says and hands Scott two cards. He can see one is clearly written by a child and the other is from...Steve. Steve wrote him a handmade card. No don't cry don't bawl your eyes out not now. Scott tells himself.

"I love the card Charlie is that me you and Uncle Steve?"

"Yeah we're playing SEALs and I'm winning see I'm further than you and Uncle Steve."

"I can see that Charlie thanks little man. Is that little seal for me?"

"Uh huh, Uncle Steve says to remember you're a SEAL, an you can do anything. Even if your head did get hurt bad, or you don't have a leg no more. You're still my Uncle Scott and I love you no matter what."

"He say that did he Charlie?"

"Mmhmm, and he said he'd see you tomorrow morning to."

"Okay." Scott clutches the seal plushie closer to him subconsciously.

"I think it's time we let your sister have a minute with her Uncle Charlie go with Mary and Joanie okay we'll be out soon." Danny tells his young son. Once the younger two leave, Danny turns back his friend. "How are you feeling?"

"Re-really good, D, but like crap did it too much felt so good though."

Grace comes up to her Uncle's right side. "I made you a painting, it's the beach, I thought it would brighten up your room a bit."

"Wow. That's really good Grace, those profe-professional classes must be paying off."

"And costing me a pretty penny, but I'd do anything to make my little girl happy."

"Danno I'm not Joanie's age anymore." Grace whines as she ducks out from under her Dad's hold and goes to hang up the beach scenery picture on the bulletin board in front of Scott's bed on the wall.

"Grace you're hurt!" Scott exclaims from his bed just now realizing the young teen has her right arm in a bright purple cast. "What hppn'd to you?"

"I-" Grace looks up at her father for permission who nods. "I got hurt in a car accident with Jake, your son you know him right."

"Yes...yes a course I know my son. Is he okay?" Scott asks growing more agitated by the minute. His heart rate monitor going up.

"Easy there Scott, Jake is fine, he got hurt too like Grace but he broke his left leg really bad, and he's in a cast too, but he'll be right as rain in a few months."

"But training he's s'posed to go in a few months."

"He is, but Brooke talked to his recruiter and he'll be going in December."

"He's really okay Danny?" Danny nods in the affirmative to his friend.

"He is Uncle Scott he saved my life." Grace tells Scott. "I know it may seem silly but I got you stuffed animal too, Auntie Mary said you had one as a kid." Grace pulls a soft plush cream colored teddy bear with a big brown nose and those same brown hard eyes.

"Teddy!" Scott's eyes go wide as he sees a bear that's an exact replica of the bear he had as a kid. Grace gives her dad a look of 'I now know what you mean about him acting different at times' "Th-thank you Grac-cie."

"You're welcome Uncle Scott I hope you can get better soon."

"Much better now, I've se-en you guys. Thanks for bringing them Danny." Scott struggles with his words as he becomes more tired. "I needed that."

"Grace can you tell Mary I'll be out in five minutes, sweetie."

"Sure thing Danno, bye again Uncle Scott I hope we can see you again soon." Grace bids her Uncle goodbye and heads out the door. Danny turns back to his husband's brother and sits down in the chair next to the left side of his bed.

"Steve really wants to see you Scott, that's all he's been asking all day. He's actually really upset he's been pretty miserable." Danny tells Scott. Danny had gone back to visit at around lunch time and Steve had eaten, but not much the doctor threatened him with his own NG tube if he didn't eat and that got him eating right away.

"Not right now Danny please. I'm...I'm not up to it." Lane's words coming back harshly in his ears. Mental capacity of a child. Doesn't understand. Different. Those words even as simple as they were hurt, but Scott will never admit it though not to his face at least. If that's what Lane thinks what'll Steve think of him. Probably worse. No he can't handle that not right now.

Danny stands up from his chair. "Hey I didn't tell you before but I think that surgical cap is really cool Scott."

"Thanks Danny." Scott gets comfortable with his three new stuffies and settles in under the covers.

"I'll see you tomorrow morning Scott okay. We're all rooting for you man." Danny says as he exits the room. Just as Kami is going in to check Scott's vitals. "Good night Kami."

"Good night Detective headed off to see Steve?"

"Yes, I am not being able to see Scott is hurting him. But I think he can wait a few more hours until morning."

Kami is just going to check Scott's vitals and make sure he's comfortable for the night lowering the head of the bed so he's laying flat again, and than hand off his care to his night nurse, Mitch. It's only 1825 hours she's got five minutes before her shift is over and she hands care over to Mitch. She walks in and sees Scott's not asleep, well it is still early after all. He hasn't eaten dinner yet. Major Shepherd did say he can have dinner, just not anything past midnight because he's going to have surgery to remove the drain in the right side of his head tomorrow.

"Scott, are you awake?" Kami asks quietly. Scott is turned over facing away from his door seemingly snuggled up under the blankets.

"Hmmm, yeah Kami, just restin' my eyes." Scott turns back over and than tries to hide the three stuffed animals under his pillow and under his blankets. Not wanting his nurse to see them, and the comfort he's getting from them.

"Are you hungry Scott? Do you think you can manage some food? They serve breakfast until 2100 hours it's only 1825 hours right now. Or I see Lane's left you some snacks I approved for you with your how your stomach acted up today. Or I can plug the feeding tube back in if that'd be easier on you?"

"M'not too hungry now Kami actually. M'tired more than anythin'" Clearly, he took that PT session way too far today. Too fast too soon for sure, but he couldn't get that good feeling out of his body at the time. He didn't want to stop once he'd gotten moving.

"Okay Scott that's alright I'll note that in your chart right now. I'm going off shift now, but I'll make sure Mitch he's your night nurse knows to ask you about eating again maybe in an hour or two."

"Okay." Is Scott's one word reply. He really doesn't feel like eating he hasn't eaten anything besides whatever he got fed this morning in his NG tube. Seeing as how he threw up his lunch that afternoon. He doesn't dare try to eat anything else. He just didn't have an appetite for food, in any way shape or form.

After Kami finishes making that note about feeding tube vs eating by mouth. Kami turns to leave her patient's room for tonight. "Try to get some sleep Scott you had an eventful afternoon, and early evening." Kami has also made a note of recommending a sleep aid for Scott tonight. She puts the thoughts of her patient out of her mind.

As of right now he's no longer her patient, since tomorrow is Monday she's been given a new patient to take care of along with her teenage car accident victim. Both patients are in a coma, so it makes sense for their doctors to pull her off of her now awake and coherent patient to tend to sicker ones. Both of those patients came in right around the same time Scott did.

Scott's tries to do as Kami says even with the help of his new stuffed animals, but he just can't for some reason. He doesn't know what it is and it's frustrating, and making his head hurt. He curled into himself more if that's even possible and let's a few silent tears slip down his cheek. Scott's not the only one who's having trouble sleeping right now though. Sleeping on a military transport is something Evan will never get used to. He's been with NCIS for almost two years and has been on a total of now six of these flights.

Maybe I should have persuaded Havika to tell volunteer Jackson, my shoulder is killing me. Evan thinks to himself.


1855 Hours. Aboard a C-17 Globemaster - Enroute to Scott AFB, St. Claire, Illinois.

Evan can never sleep on these flights, that's why he volunteers to take the first watch with McManis and let Kali and the two U.S. Marshals that were accompanying them sleep. He doesn't know if it's the motion of the plane, or the fact he has to sit up to sleep or what. He can't even think of sleep right now. They're only about thirty minutes into an eight hour and fifteen minute flight. Evan decides to get up and go for a little walk about in the cargo area of the plane where their gear is stored. Maybe he can take a few pain pills and rack out that way.


2100 Hours. Tripler Army Medical Center - Neuro ICU Patient Room 646, Moanalua, Oahu.

Mitch comes in every fifteen minutes after the day nurse Kami left to come check on his patient's vitals. Each time he does he finds his patient not asleep. He even offers a light sedative to help him sleep, but Scott declines every time even as the hours tick on. Mitch walks into the room and flicks on the overhead light above Scott's bed, not surprised to find his patient not asleep though clutching stuffed teddy to his chest.

After noting Scott's vitals he walks over to the left side of Scott's bed and crouches down to be more at the man's prone height. "Are you hungry now Scott. Maybe eat or drink a little something. You don't have to have a full on meal just a little something. It'd do you good to eat you won't be able to eat tomorrow morning because of your surgery."

"No. Don't wanna can't eat sick." Scott moans.

"Okay if you don't want solid food or can't stomach that I'll put the feeding back in and you can eat that way. And I want you to take sips of one of the sports drinks your friend got you." There's a fridge by the nurses where the nurses can put perishable patient foods or drinks in, that are brought from home. All labeled with the patient's name and room number.

"Okay." Scott mumbles he can managing drinking at least he won't have to think about eating or rather the task of eating. Since it'll be directly pumped into his stomach. Mitch nods and stands back up to go retrieve the blenderized food and the feeding tube itself. Mitch is glad he can get his patient to eat. If he eats now, he won't be so hungry tomorrow hopefully when he can't eat in the morning.

Mitch comes back ten minutes later with the two choices of food he thinks Scott'll like and the feeding tube. "Alright Scott I've got two choices for you here, turkey, sweet potatoes and peaches, or orange chicken, carrots, and brown rice?" Mitch holds up both bags for Scott to see.

Scott peers up at the food bags from behind his blanket, they're both a caramel brown like color what's the point in choosing. Scott points with a left finger at the one in Mitch's right hand. "Good choice orange chicken and rice sounds delicious." Mitch inserts the feeding tube into the port and hangs the bag of caramel brown colored blenderized food.

Yeah whatever sure not like you've had a tube down your stomach before. Scott thinks bitterly. He actually normally doesn't mind the food in feeding tubes for the few times he's had to have them inserted. He's been too weak with low blood sugar before he needed tube feeding. With him unable to eat by mouth without throwing up and him having diabetes the doctors need to make sure he eats and gets the nutrients he needs so his blood sugar levels don't drop.

"Now what do you want to drink I'll even put it in this spill proof cup." Mitch holds up a tall clear 32oz cup with the hospitals crest and name on it. The cups even got two handles on either side and a straw in middle. Scott immediately doesn't like what it looks like at all.

Oh my god it's an adult fucking sippy cup hell no. Scott wants to smack the cup out Mitch's hands but he can show restraint he's not going to prove his friend right. His mind works just fine and perfectly adult as it should be thank you very much.

"I've got Mountain Berry Blast, Fruit Punch, Orange, Grape, Tropical Mango, Kiwi Pineapple..." Mitch lists off some of the choices in the cooler freezer bag he's brought in.

"Last one."

"Kiwi Pineapple okay. I want you drink 4oz every hour for the next three hours." Mitch instructs. "Just little sips I don't want you to try and chug it down okay."

Scott nods that's he's understood. Mitch fills the cup with lime green colored drink, and than puts the lid on it and capping the straw and places it in the bed with Scott. "I'll be back to check on you in a bit." Mitch walks out of the room and goes over to the nurses station to talk to another nurse. "There's no one in Master Chief McGarret's room doesn't he usually have a visitor stay overnight with him?"

"He does normally, but he told him not to come back after an upsetting confrontation after his first PT session." All the nurses' know about it and feel bad for the man lying in the bed in room 646.

"Oh that's a real shame."

"Some would say yes, especially with the Master Chief's brother in the ICU as well. Just keep checking on him as you've been doing and he'll probably nod off in a few hours after he's finished the feeding tube or from sheer exhaustion."

Mitch does just that as the older nurse tells him to. He checks on him every fifteen minutes. And at 2230 hours when he goes to check the feeding tube, he finds it empty. As well as more than half of the drink in the 32oz cup gone. Mitch smiles softly as he sees the slow but steady rise and fall of his patient's chest the man in question clutching a stuffed dog and teddy bear close to him. Mitch looks down on the floor and sees another stuffed animal a white and black speckled seal whose fallen on the floor. Mitch picks up the stuffie and places it under the blanket too with his patient.

Midnight rolls around Mitch is content to see his patient is still sound asleep. Looks like all he needed was a good meal in his belly to help him fall asleep.


0200 Hours Local Time. 24 June 2019 - Monday. Scott AFB, St. Claire, Illinois.

Finally, after a long eight hour and fifteen minute flight the two NCIS agents and the two Deputy US Marshals arrive in St. Claire Illinois on Scott Air Force Base with their prisoner. At two in the morning everyone is beyond exhausted but they need to keep their wits about them with McManis still with them. He hasn't tried anything yet, but it's still quite possible he might.

Once they've all deplaned they grab their bags and take a car to where their accommodations are for their stay. They've got a commercial flight leaving the base at 0800, and they need to be there an hour before. So, looks like only five hours of sleep will have to do. Five hours of sleep in an actual hotel bed is better than no sleep at all and just going straight through to North Chicago.

McManis is dropped off in his accommodations at the base security forces office and he's sleeping in a holding cell for the next five hours. Brianna and one of the Marshals leave the office and then back to their hotel to sleep the precious few hours they have before their flight.


0600 Hours. 24 June 2019 - Monday. TAMC - Neuro ICU, Patient Room 646, Moanalua, Oahu HI.

Scott is wide awake now and has been for the past five hours, he declines Mitch's offer of drugs to help him sleep. He doesn't want them. He's got at least two hours he thinks before the doctor comes in for rounds. He's been pretending to sleep ever since whenever Mitch comes in. Mitch comes in right at 0600 hours on the dot. His shift's not over for another thirty minutes. Scott suddenly feels a cool wet sensation down in his shorts. No, he can't have can he, no this isn't him he doesn't do this. He hasn't done this since he was five and had drank too much soda at a birthday party. Sure, he was embarrassed, but back then it was still somewhat acceptable or not unheard of for boys to have accidents still at that age. Even up to age eight. But that hadn't been the case for him thankfully. Now here he is thirty-five years later sitting in a bed in the hospital for who knows how long with cold wet urine smelling shorts. This can't be happening.

Scott knows he should press the nurses' call button but he thinks no he knows somehow that'll be too much. He can't he won't he also knows he can't stay like this. One its gross and two he can get a rash he's pretty sure of it. He doesn't want that. As if his nurse has a sixth sense he comes walking into the room, he goes over to wash his hands and then comes over.

"Good Morning Scott I see you're awake now. Did you sleep okay?" Mitch asks. No answer. Scott doesn't want to say anything he tries not to shift too much to draw attention to his problem but he can't help it. It's getting uncomfortable. "Scott, are you okay are in pain? If you are you need to tell me there's no need to be tough."

At that Scott just gives his nurse a look hoping it's one he'll figure it out without having to force it out of him he's already mortifying. There's no way this is leaving this room ever. Scott let's out a half annoyed half frustrated huff.

"Oh...Scott did you?...Did you have an accident Scott?"

Way to go give the kid a prize he figured out the forty year old ex-SEAL pissed himself. Scott tries to glower and than just drops it all and nods ever so slightly, hating his body.

"That's okay Scott it happens really you drank a lot more than I expected and I should've asked you earlier if you needed to go. Don't worry we'll get you all cleaned up and dry and fresh again in no time."

Mitch goes to the cupboard in the room and gets out a fresh sheet and double folds it putting the sheet over the reclining chair. Mitch than goes and gets a fresh gown out of another cupboard as well. Than he goes to get an orderly to help lift Scott out of bed. Once Mitch comes back with the orderly whose name Scott doesn't even bother looking at. He just sits in the bed like a wet blanket literally.

The orderly tells Scott when he's going to lifts him after he detaches Scott from his tubes and lines. He lifts Scotts carefully with dignity and ease and moves Scott over to the sheet covered reclining chair. Thankfully the curtain has been pulled around the bed area so no one on the outside can see what's going on. Soctt just sits and watches the two men, while the orderly strips the bed, he sees the three stuffed animals he doesn't say anything just puts them down on the couch on the left side of the room. He finishes stripping the bed just as Mitch finishes up setting up the bathroom for Scott so he can get showered and clean.

Again Scott is lifted from his spot on the chair and carried into the large handicap accessible bathroom. All the bathrooms in the hospital inside patient rooms are like he has to remember. It's not just him.

There are hand grips and rails within Scott's reach. Mitch makes sure to cover up and tape up and over Scott's IV, and his chest tube drain hole and and feeding tube port is closed and sealed off with tape. He also wraps Scott's casted left arm in a plastic wrap like covering taping it closed with medical tape. Than he puts an industrial size clear trash bag over the plastic wrapped cast, taping the top end with medical tape.

Mitch sets him up on the shower chair and has all necessary supplies close by. Since Scott's IV is taped up pretty damn well and he's capable of moving his right arm he thinks he can do this by himself. He's already taken off his under armour t-shirt one handed from last night and now he's half naked in front of his nurse. He's sitting on a towel on the chair and Mitch helps him out of the shorts and gives him another towel to cover himself with. "I bet this shower'll feel really good huh, just sit there and do as much as you can until you feel clean. Don't get your head wet. Okay?" Mitch has also removed Scott's surgical cap he slept in, last night for his shower.

Now completely naked under the towel and appendages neatly wrapped, his stump leg is unwrapped with gauze and left bare for the shower. Shower supplies and within easy reach now he turns the water on with his right hand. Scott picks up the towel over his lap and without looking back at Mitch holds it for him to take. The towel underneath him doesn't matter if it gets wet.

"I'll just leave you to it. I'll be just right outside if you need anything just yell and I do mean yell. Oh, and please DON'T try and stand up, the seat's there for a reason, okay? The pull cord is right next to you if you need it." Mitch shows Scott the red emergency pull cord.

Scott smiles genuinely when the door closes and he's left alone sitting on shower chair holding the detachable shower head water spraying on his back. He than moves the showerhead slowly down to his crotch and legs, he lets the water spray on that area while he uses one hand to clean himself up.

So he can have better access to his back and get all the suds off he decides he can try standing up. He edges close to the edge of the seat and leans forward and to the left so he's leaning on his intact leg. He levers himself up, he's standing in shower on one leg see he can do this. He suddenly feels dizzy and like he's going to faint. Getting up that fast made his head spin. He falls to his right not totally balanced or at all used to not having nothing there on right side. Without the aid of his left arm, Scott can't grab the rail before he falls and he falls good and hard on his right side jarring his shoulder and elbow in the process.

He doesn't think he's hurt anything that bad, but things are throbbing and places on his body aren't hurting even more now. Before Scott can even reach up to pull the cord or get his voice to yell, Mitch cracks the door open. Intending to ask how he's doing but instead sees his patient on the tiled shower floor in a crumpled heap.

"Scott!" Mitch rushes in at seeing him on the floor. "Are you okay? Did you hit your head at all when you fell?" Mitch has been told by Scott's neurologist about the concussion he suffered in the NCIS building explosion, and than the one when he fell in the ER leading to his current severe TBI. Which in all actuality should have killed him. The second fall should have been it done he should have died in the ER, but he hadn't he's a very lucky man. SIS or second impact syndrome is what it's called. It's a condition in which the brain swells rapidly after a person suffers a second concussion before symptoms from an earlier one have subsided. That can happen days, or just minutes after the first concussion.

"M'okay shoulder and elbow hurt. No I didn't hit my head." Scott tells Mitch.

"Good, anything else hurt your stump your side anywhere?"

"No."

"Okay I'm going to get a towel you stay put." Mitch orders and backs out of the bathroom to get the orderly. Mitch comes back with a towel and the orderly. He has Scott wrap the towel around his waist as best he can. Suitably covered Mitch and the orderly help Scott up and sit him down on the shower. The orderly goes to get another towel and helps dry Scott off, making quick work of his arms, his leg, thighs, and chest area. Mitch kneels down makes sure Scott's stump is thoroughly dry and free off any water.

Together with the towel still wrapped around his waist Mitch and the orderly help Scott sit in chair by the couch. Mitch goes to get the new hospital gown that he'd gotten out earlier and brings it over.

"Boxers?" Scott asks the simple question.

"You want to wear boxers?" Mitch asks.

"Yeah, please I have them in my duffel bag on the couch." Mitch walks over to the couch and brings the duffel over so Scott can look through it. Scott picks out a pair of red camo patterned Hanes boxers and gives them to Mitch.

"Can't I wear a t-shirt and shorts again like I did yesterday?"

"You're having surgery this afternoon to remove that drain in your head do you not remember?" Scott shakes his head no, and Mitch remembers the note about PTA or post traumatic amnesia in Scott's chart. "So wearing a gown is better and easier for the doctor to access your body if he needs to."

"Oh. Okay." Scott says slowly feeling dejected he doesn't like wearing the hospital gown even if he can wear boxers underneath.

A few minutes later Scott is dressed again in a clean hospital gown with his boxers underneath. He feels about ten times better having cleaned up and he feels more human like himself. It feels good to be sitting up in the chair. He doesn't even feel nauseous which is a great feeling.

"I hate to interrupt here, but oh Mitch you're still here I thought you'd be gone by now." A male voice interrupts as he enters the room.

It's Scott's new day nurse he's about 5'9 and of Asian descent with short cropped black hair. He introduces himself as Topher.

"Scott had a little accident about thirty minutes ago, but we're all good and cleaned up now. He was just taking a little break before he gets back into bed weren't you Scott?" Mitch gives Scott a look. Scott goes beet red from his neck upwards. He knows the nurses have to share information and incidents and such as they happen overnight. It's still embarrassing and Scott doesn't look at Topher at all through the whole explanation of his 'morning accident'.

"I see well we'll make sure doesn't happen again and you can stay dry. You should get going Mitch I've got it covered from here."

Mitch looks over at Scott. "I hope you have a good day today Scott." Mitch then walks out of Scott's room and towards the locker room.

Topher turns back his patient who's sitting up in the reclining chair a black duffel bag next to him. Topher looks back at the bed which now is neatly made and has the three stuffed animals atop the bed. All in order of height, the teddy bear, the dog, and the seal. Scott sees him looking at the bed and wants to cringe wants to beg them off and say they're not his, but he can't bring himself to say that. Can't bring himself to say much of anything right now.

"What do you say we get you back into bed and get a sock on your stump so you can rest."

"Can't I stay here for a bit long-er please?" Scott asks he's already sick of lying in that bed.

Topher looks back at his patient with a raised eyebrow. "I really should get you hooked back up to your lines and tubes."

"You're my nurse...yo-you can see me I'm fine I just real-ly don't want to lay down, p'ease."

Topher shakes his head at his patients stubbornness he's been told about his patient and how stubborn he can be. "Okay you stay put in that chair right, don't move. I'll be back in fifteen to check on you."

Scott nods his head and than leans back and closes his eyes. He pulls up the footrest and listens to retreating footsteps of his new nurse.

True to his word Scott doesn't move much except to lean over and get a book, he's not even halfway through it before he's fast asleep. Open book laying on his lap. Topher comes back fifteen minutes later and he finds his patient totally conked out on the recliner chair, a children's book resting precariously on his stomach. He removes the book IF YOU GIVE A PIG A PANCAKE, and than calls for an orderly to help move him back to his bed.

It's a true testament to how tired Scott must be as he doesn't even stir when he's placed back in bed stuffed animals tucked in and around him. Topher checks that Scott's lines and tubings are all properly hooked up and placed. He removes the plastic wrap and medical tape from Scott's IV and hooks him back up. His morning dose of his immunosuppressants is due at 0800 hours. Topher also unwraps the trash bag and plastic wrap from Scott's cast. He takes wrappings and tapes and trashs them in a nearby bin after checking Scott's vitals once he's all hooked up again before walking out.

Scott dreams of a simpler easier days. The training courses at NCIS that all CRT members have to go through. Pulling himself through the rain drenches mud in some backwoods forest area of Alabama. Even in sleep his dreams are of work, and than they turn to all the things he can't do won't be able to do. He's stuck in the office at his desk he's doing mountains of paperwork, it's overflowing and toppling down all over him.

He tries to get out from underneath the paperwork mountain, but he's chained to his desk he can't get free. He's going to stuck under there forever. Forever forever. There's a hand reaching out to him, a familiar hand, where did this water come from. There are more hands now reaching to him to pull him up. "I want to stop." He gasps as his lungs fill with water.

"You can't." The voices say one rising higher than all the others as they push him back down under the water.

"Wakey wakey Scott a rooni it's a new dawn a day." A familiar voice encroaches on Scott's sleep. The voice sounds close but it can't be, he's not here he can't be. He doesn't want to see me like this. Can't let him. "Come on now Scottie for Stevie?"

His body once again betrays his mind and instead of staying stubbornly shut, Scott blinks his open owlishly. There's even speech coming out of his mouth, "Mmmm five more minutes Mom."


0800 Hours. Neuro Intensive Care Unit - Patient Room 646, Moanalua, Oahu.

"I'm afraid sleepy time's over Scottie time to wake up and greet the day." The familiar voice says again overly cheery. "So the nice doc Shepherd can see how you're doing."

Scott opens his eyes again when had he closed them? To see the same blue hazel eyes of his brother Steve staring back at him. Scott's reaction is priceless Steve wishes he had a camera to document the moment.

"Steve! You're here, but-but you pushed back down even though I didn't want to. You're here." Scott exclaims again and practically flings himself at his brother.

"Whoa there careful Scott." Steve says as he comes closer in his jeans and white t-shirt. The only evidence he's even injured are the line of stitches up on his forehead, He's got gauze wrapped around his abdomen where he's been stabbed Saturday and stitched back together. His split lip is healing nicely. "We don't want you ripping out your I.V. that Topher here placed."

"What do you mean Steve pushed you back down even though you didn't want to?" Danny asks coming up to stand by Steve as well.

Scott bites his lower lip trying to find the words in his jumbled up head. "Uhhh..."

"I think you mean in SERE training right, did you have a dream about the training?" Steve asks and he gets nod back in return. "There's a portion of SERE school where students go through drown proofing training and are forcibly pushed back down under the water when they come back up for air. It's not pretty, but it's one of the milder sections in the training."

"Not nice other bad things too. Scary bat shit crazy things." Scott admits.

"Well you don't have to worry about any of those again while you're here you're safe here Scott." Major Shepherd makes his presence known and Scott looks over to man in the white doctor's coat. Than Scott's eyes flicker around to the other people in the room, Captain Carson, Mary, Danny, and his nurse Topher. There's someone missing, he's always there when he wakes up. Now he's not, he probably realized what a damaged helpless guy he is now and wants nothing to do with a partner like him.

"Are you okay Scott? Is your stomach feeling upset?" Captain Carson asks.

Scott shakes his head no, "Where's Lane?" Scott asks quietly. The others in the room all look between one another wondering what to tell Scott. It's clear now he doesn't remember what happened yesterday.


Lane's been sitting in the parking lot of Tripler for the past two hours. He couldn't sleep at all last night, and when he initially left the hospital he had to stop himself from turning around twice and coming back. When he'd actually gotten home, he again had to stop himself from even calling asking about his friend or just coming down there. It was clear in Scott's voice that he didn't want him there after what he'd said. He couldn't help but think about Scott lying there in his bed all alone probably not sleeping because there's no one there to read to him. He can imagine Scott asking for a book and trying to do it himself, but not having the same desired effect. There's no way in Lane's mind that Scott would ask whoever his night nurse is or have a volunteer read him a bedtime story. Because that's what they are. Bedtime stories, something he's done for all his kids when they were younger. Something he still does for Caleb and did do last night actually over FaceTime. A bedtime story, a story an adult or older sibling usually reads to a younger child or offspring to help them fall asleep at night. Scott didn't get that last night his night must have been horrible, and keep his nurse on his or her toes last night.

He feels like a total dick for what happened for his actions for what he let happen. Not necessarily for what he said about Wade the physical therapist from Hell. For what he said about his friend his brother in arms. They still don't know his mental capacity or what his capabilities will be yet. The doctors are waiting, a certain amount of days to be able to test him again and send him through the MRI and CT scan process to fully determine what parts of his brain are damaged. Then they'd move on to rehab from there. Not until his he's out of this PTA or post traumatic amnesia phase. With PTA Scott is having issues remembering to day to day things. The time of the day, what day it is. New people he's met. Things that are happening to him. So him starting any kind of occupational therapy and learning any new skills or tasks at the moment is pointless until he can remember day to day things again.

He's still apprehensive about whether or not he should go into the hospital. What if what Scott said he meant, and he didn't want him there. Not just yesterday or last night. But what if he didn't want him there period anymore. Who would be his advocate who would speak up for him if he couldn't. What with Steve going to spend an undetermined amount of time in Halawa. Mary is the other option, but than Lane's not sure if Mary'll be able to make some of the decisions that she could have to make if it came down to it.

Than there's Brooke Scott's wife and she's been pretty much MIA in Scott's care since the shooting. She hasn't been to see him not once. It pisses Lane off marriage is supposed to be about caring and loving your spouse or partner in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer and all that. Clearly there's something going on with Brooke and Scott that Lane doesn't know and it goes beyond Scott's sexuality and preference for men over women. He then realizes with a start that today is the day Steve's going away, his 24 hr hospital observation for that concussion he sustained is over.

Scott's going to need him there to help him through that process. Screw if he doesn't want him there. He's his friend and he's going to go up there and be by his side when whatever emotional state Scott turns to comes out.

Lane grabs his phone makes sure his Sig is locked up and safe in the gun case under his passenger seat and gets out of his Ford Expedition. Dressed in tan cargos and a green IZOD polo badge prominently displayed on his belt shining in the early morning sun he heads into the hospital.

Lane is now standing at the translucent door of his friend's hospital room in the ICU. His not so nice reception from the nurses all around is making him doubt again whether he should be here. He can see the backs of six people standing around Scott's bed.

He knocks on the door and Mary turns and sees who it is. It's Lane her brother's partner. "Figured you'd show up come to belittle my brother some more."

"No I...

"Sully!?" Scott calls out from the bed not being able to see his friend from his vantage point but he can hear him.

"Mary please I know you and everyone else in there have every right to be mad at me and hate me believe me. I feel like the absolute worst friend and partner right now. He's obviously happy to hear me."

Mary lets the other man through the door and into the room, though not before murmuring. "You're lucky he doesn't seem to remember what happened yesterday. Remember just because he doesn't, doesn't mean we do or that we'll forgive you that easily."

"Understood." Lane then turns his attention to the man in question in the bed. The first thing he notices besides his friend making come over here motions with his right hand is that he's back in a hospital gown. He'd been wearing shorts and a t-shirt yesterday at the PT session. He doesn't see why they couldn't get just let him sleep in that or get him a fresh pair of shorts and t-shirt from his duffel. Unless, unless something happened after he left or doing the night that warranted him being back in a hospital gown. All sorts of things racing through his mind, another seizure, was he sick did he have to have another test did something bad happen.

If something did happen Scott's doctor's would have called him despite what transpired yesterday he's Scott's next of kin.

"Now that everyone's here now I can begin." Major Shepherd starts. "Scott I'm going to ask you some questions the same one's I asked you yesterday do you remember that?"

"Yes, I do easy questions right?"

"Easy questions yes, are you ready to start?" Scott nods his head. "What is your full name and rank?"

"Scott Alex-ander McGarrett, Maser Chief Petty Off-icer."

"Good Scott next question what is your date of birth?"

"May 19, 1979."

"What month are we in?"

"June."

"What time of day is it?"

Scott purses his lips together. "Hmmm, morning."

"Good job Scott." Major Shepherd praises. He's doing well so far. Even if he gets a good outcome today he has to get three consecutive days of a full score of twelve to be out of the PTA phase. "What day of the week is it?" He asks knowing this is a question that tripped Scott up the first time.

Scott thinks for a minute looking around at all the smiling faces. "Monday."

"What year are we in?"

"Two thou-sand nin-e nineteen."

"What is the name of the hospital?"

"Tribler Army Med-ical Cener." Scott tries to pronounce the whole name but it comes out wrong and he frowns. Mark makes a quick note on his patient's chart and then asks Scott another question.

"Okay Scott I'm going to show you some pictures and I want you to tell me their names okay." Scott nods his head in understanding. Cole shows him the Wade's personnel file photo without his name on it. "Who's this?"

"Mmm, don't know." Scott says slowly.

"Ha yes." Lane exclaims. Everyone looks back at him. "Uh I mean sorry, I'll be quiet from now on." Shepherd goes back to testing Scott.

Colton shows Scott three more pictures, one of a bouncy ball, the other picture a shoe and the last picture a bunny rabbit. Scott can't remember any of the three names for the pictures. Colton tells him that that's okay, and then tells him what each of the pictures are and tells him to remember them for the next day.

Scott's got a total score of seven which would have been good if they were just going off of the seven orienteering questions at the beginning. But they're not, Scott needs a total score of twelve to be totally cleared of the PTA phase. To be fair it's only day two. Still three consecutive days could be hard for Scott. Scott could get all 12 questions right tomorrow and then have a spread scoring of seven or less in the next week. It's all up to him and what his brain can remember. That seems like quite a tall order right now.

"Scott did fairly well on the test, all things considering, he'll get better as the week goes along I'm sure." Major Shepherd says. "Though there is something I want to talk to you about Agent Sullivan."

Lane blushes bright red immediately thinking the worst of what the doctor'll want to talk to him about. And it's not about Scott. "Okay Major Shepherd."

"If you'll just step out for a minute Lane. I promise you'll be back in with Scott in no time." Lane and Major Shepherd make their way to a small family waiting room with a closed door.


Family Waiting Room

Have a seat Agent Sullivan." Major Shepherd instructs.

Lane sits down obediently. "Look Major Shepherd I know I screwed up yesterday with Scott's therapist it wasn't right of me to assume things about Scott's condition when we don't know everything. All the facts yet."

"Yes that is what I wanted to address with you Lane. You verbally assaulted three staff members of the hospital. NCIS' immunity or whatever it is you have with your Director doesn't apply here."

Lane looks down at his hands, ashamed of himself and his actions yesterday. Wade as much as Lane hates to say it. The other man both men are right and he was way out of line.

"I realize that now sir and I'm sorry really that's not the way I should've handled that situation. I just saw Scott and I thought the worst without getting all the facts."

"Myself and Captain Carson agreed to the physical therapy session because it's the best thing for Scott. The sooner he starts physical therapy the better. We should have been more forthcoming with what we were doing. Had we actually told you Scott was going to actually be getting up and PT'ing. Moving around we could have told you that the first PT is always rough on new amputees." Major Shepherd pauses in speaking.

Hell the first PT session would be rough on anyone who has gone through what Scott has. Let alone what Wade himself has gone through. That's not Colton's story to tell.

"We should have told you to stay away for about two hours, until we could get him recovered some and back in bed."

"So what I'm hearing is that my outburst is your fault yours and Captain Carson's for not properly informing me." Lane asserts.

"Yes it IS partially our fault. Though we don't take full responsibility, our duty is to the safety and wellbeing and care of our patients. You should have had better self control."

You're a goddamn Navy SEAL Colton wants to shout at the man. But than he'll be breaking some rules of his own. He makes it a point to not try and yell in frustration at his patients friends and family members.

"You're quite lucky Captain Thompson isn't going to press charges, if you'd even put a hand on him he would have pressed for assault charges federal agent be damned. Those are his words not mine, Agent Sullivan. You're also quite lucky Wade convinced his two colleagues to not press charges either for what you did."

"Wait wait, Captain? Did he serve? What branch, Marine Corps, Air Force, Army?" Lane lists off the three branches of services who use that particular officer rank. Or was he a police Captain somewhere? Lane wonders.

"I'm afraid I'm not at liberty to divulge that information Agent Sullivan. That's for Wade to tell you if he even wants to. Again his responsibility is to Scott his patient, not to you and whether or not your curiosity is satisfied with what branch of service he was with."

So he did serve hmmm you've already narrowed my options Major. Lane thinks to himself.

"Speaking of his responsibility to Scott he also would like you to know he has his best interest both as a patient and as a person in mind. To that he'd like for not be present during any of Scott's PT's unless Scott asks for you to be there going forward."

Lane wants to argue he wants to yell and shout and say that Major Shepherd can tell Wade he can't do that. He knows any ranting or raving he'd do will just dig himself a deeper hole with his Scott's doctor, physical therapist, and the man himself.

"Okay I guess I can work with that."

"You'll have to because that's what happening Agent Sullivan. Now I think we've been gone long enough don't you?"

"Agreed." Lane gets up with Major Shepherd and the two walk back over to Scott's room from the family waiting room.


When the two men get back to Scott's room they see the back of an HPD officer standing just inside the room. And they hear Steve speaking very tight lipped and almost hissing out his displeasure.

"I told you I'd come down by myself." Steve hisses. "Once I'd seen my brother."

The HPD officer looks at the man in the bed and then back at Five-0 leader and former naval officer. "You've seen him haven't you he looks fine to me. My partner's not waiting any longer."

"What's going on here?" Major Shepherd demands and he comes in white lab coat swooshing behind him.

"I'm here to take the Commander here into custody but he's not budging. It's time for him to go. I've got a job to do a schedule to keep."

Colton shakes his head at the officer's callous actions towards the former Commander. "Did you bother to ask him if he's ready to go?"

"No! He's a criminal who broke the law I don't go around asking if they're ready to go." The officer makes air quotes around the word 'ready'. "He doesn't get special treatment just because of who he is. If you ask me, he's a disgrace to that badge Williams is wearing. Not even a real cop. Never even worn the uniform or seen the inside of the Academy."

This time Captain Carson steps in, he knows a little something about how police are supposed to interact with those they take in. "Enough Officer, Kalima your disturbing my patient." Blake sees Scott's getting agitated in his bed not liking the raised voices or the officer's tone towards his brother. "You." he jabs a finger in the officer's chest region without touching him "Wait outside and stay there. He'll be out when he's seen to his brother and not a minute before."

"We'll be waiting outside too." Mary says. "Give you two some privacy."

Danny, Lane, Mary, Scott's nurse and two doctors follow Officer Kalima out of the room. Captain Carson pulls the curtain around Scott's bed area before they leave to give them more privacy.

Steve looks up and over at his brother where Scott has been worrying the edge of his hospital blanket ever since the officer came into the room.

"Scott I know Lane told you I got hurt, and that's why I'm here and had to stay overnight. But he didn't tell you why I'm here. The officer is right I did break the law. I did something I wasn't supposed to after the Governor told me not to get involved in your case. I have to go away for a little while to Halawa."

"No! You-you can't go. You can't leave. I don't want you to leave." Scott exclaims wishing he could get out of bed. Steve comes over closer to the bed and sits on the edge of Scott's bed making sure he's not in the way of his lines or tubes. "It's just for a little while Scott, I'll be back before you even get out of here." Steve tries to reason with his brother who's getting worked up his heart rate monitor increasing beeping becoming increasingly louder.

Steve doesn't expect what happens next at all, Scott literally lurches himself forward to hug Steve's waist. Steve has to brace himself against the foot of the bed so he doesn't fall off. "Stevie stay with me!" Scott cries tears already streaming down his face and seeping into Steve's plain white t-shirt. "Stay! P'ease don' go..."

All of a sudden Scott's body goes rigid in Steve's arms and Scott's eyes roll back in his head, and he starts seizing in Steve's arms. Steve yells out "Help!" Before Steve can say anything Scott's doctors and nurses from nearby are rushing in. Steve manages to get Scott on his side, so he can breath before he moved out of the way so Major Shepherd can take charge and help Scott.

"What was he doing before he started seizing?"

"I think he was starting to have a panic attack I told him I had to go away and he just lost it emotionally. His heart rate was through the roof."

"It's okay Steve we knew this could happen we just didn't expect it so soon." Captain Carson explains as he watches his colleague check their patient's vitals after Scott stops seizing. This seizure lasted just over two minutes.

"Did I cause it? Did my telling Scott the news cause him to have a seizure?" Steve asks worriedly.

Major Shepherd makes sure Scott is settled down again before moving over to Steve and his colleague. "No Steve you didn't there's no correlation between strong emotions and the onset of seizures."

"He'll wake up soon in twenty minutes or so, and he'll be okay, probably confused, possibility agitated, but we'll send him for some tests later to determine whether or not he has developed post traumatic epilepsy. I'm truly sorry and wish you weren't hearing this news under these circumstances. I don't think the officers are going to wait any longer." Major Shepherd looks out the door of the room and sees the two HPD officers waiting impatiently for Steve.

"You have to be able to do something Scott was practically bawling his eyes out when I told I was leaving. I can't go now. You didn't see him Doc he was so heartbroken. I can't possibly go. Not after what just happened. Can't you do something Doc?" Steve is practically begging now.

"I'm not the lead authority in this situation Steve. I'm sorry, I'll make sure you stay updated we'll find a way."

"Thank you Major." Steve says and walks over to his brother's prone sleeping form. He leans down and hugs him and whispers something soft and unintelligible to Colton's ears. Steve rearranges Scott's stuffies so they're closer to him. Then he steps away before he loses what little composure he has right now.

Steve walks out of the room head down and hands in his jeans pocket looking like he's walking towards a firing squad. As the two officers walk closely behind him escorting him out of the ICU and then the hospital to the awaiting squad car.

Lane walks back in as he sees one of Scott's doctor's exiting his room, its Captain Carson. "How's Scott doing Blake?"

"He's doing very well from my standpoint in things. I've put a shrinker sock on his stump. He should be wearing one whenever he can in these next few weeks. Major Shepherd wants to talk to you about Scott's minor surgery. He's in the room waiting." The black haired blue eyed doctor walks away to check on other patients in his care.

Lane walks into the Scott's room and sees Major Shepherd waiting for him. "You wanted to talk to me Sir?"

"Yes I did. I wanted to talk to you about Scott's plan for the day. There's quite a lot I want to get done today."

"That sounds good what did you have planned?"

"Even with the added speed bump you could call it with the seizure. I'd still like to go ahead with the drain removal surgery in about an hour. That'll be one less thing he has to be attached to and tethering him to that bed. After he's rested up for a bit after the surgery which shouldn't take that long hopefully, I like to get Scott scheduled in to see one of our onsite neuropsychologists."

"You want him to see a shrink, he's seen shrinks before doc for his PTSD, they just wanted to dope him up with pills. He didn't want that and he didn't want to talk about the helicopter crash even though it was mandatory for all of us he did though, didn't think it helped much." Lane tells Major Shepherd.

"No Lane not a psychiatrist although at some point I will like to get him in to see one here, that'll be once we've gotten all the initial diagnosis' cleared up and he's well on his way to going home. That won't be for a long while yet. I want Scott to see a neuropsychologist."

"Why what do they do?"

"A neuropsychologist can help diagnose a learning disability. It's okay if you didn't know or notice it. You're a very busy man, and adult onset learning disabilities are hard to diagnose."

"Actually doc if it's the learning disability is the one I think you're talking about. I have noticed I just thought it was his personality or one of his eccentricities. He's a very detailed orientated person. He's a perfectionist. He'd read our AARs multiple times before he turned them in. I also noticed he'd take longer to write his own reports he prefers to type them, and hates to read reports or statements a loud unless he's thoroughly memorized it beforehand. There are a few other things I've noticed too."

"Like what can you elaborate?"

"I noticed him trying to read one of my books yesterday and he looked to be having a hard time reading it I don't think he caught me, but I saw him trying to sound out words."

"Is he a visual learner or a kinesthetic learner he learns or thrives in an environment where he can see his objectives. Like in an investigation with with crime scene photos etc."

"Yeah he is. I never noticed that before."

"It's okay, adult dyslexia is hard to diagnose, if it wasn't diagnosed in childhood. A neuropsychologist will be able to make a definitive diagnosis of dyslexia with a few tests."

"Uggh."

"You're awake Scott." Lane looks over towards his partner's bed and sees him opening his eyes. Scott notices his doctor the brain one and fidgets again and tries to hide under his blanket. "It's okay to be embarrassed Scott. I know this must be difficult for you all of what's going on."

"Yeah sure what's going on?" Scott asks. "Can I sit up please?"

"Of course." Major Shepherd goes to raise Scott's bed a little so he's not completely sitting up but he's not completely lying down anymore.

"You had another seizure Scott, but everything's okay we're going to get this under control. The doc was talking to me about what we're going to do today. Or what you're doing today."

"Oh okay so Major what's on the agen-genda for today?" Major Shepherd relays what he told Lane to his patient. "Sounds fun." Scott remarks sarcastically.

"At least you get to get out of this room, it'll be good a little change of scenery don't you think?" Lane asks.

"Sure I guess. I have to pee can I do that?" Scott asks.

"I'll get your nurse." Lane starts.

"No...I mean can't you two help me you're already here doc?"

A few minutes later Scott is being held up Lane and Major Shepherd and walking towards the bathroom with the walker. Five minutes later the three men are stepping out of the large bathroom, Scott with a sheen of sweat on his brow. Major Shepherd is intent to get him to his bed, but Scott stops him.

"No please no bed right now I'm sick of it. Can I sit on the couch. You can move my IV pole over there can't you?"

"Of course I don't see a problem with that. You'll just have to sit up horizontally to keep your stump on the couch and not hanging down off the couch."

"Sit now hurry for I fall down." Scott says gets out. Lane and Shepherd get Scott over to the couch and than Shepherd calls in Topher to move the IV pole and get him hooked back up.

"I'll see you in an hour Scott." Shepherd tells his patient who is now situated on the couch by the window with a blanket over his lower half. Scott doesn't acknowledge his doctor as he leaves. Scott to Lane now seems more like himself if he can say that. Like he's suddenly realizes what he's up against and what he'll be facing.

Lane gets a book out of the duffel by the couch and comes to sit on the couch with Scott. "Do you want me to read you a story Scott?" Lane asks easily like it's the most normal thing in the world for a forty year old man to read another a storybook meant for little kids.

Scott looks away from the window and the beautiful mountain range he can see to glare at Lane. He looks mighty fierce with that NG tube taped to the left side of his face. "No, I don't I'm fine." Scott spits out. Then he looks down at his lap and then over at his bed where the stuffed animals lay. Despite himself at how bad he wants to get up and cuddle that damn teddy bear. He resists the urge to ask Lane to hand him the bear. "I didn't want you to find out like this, thought if I ignored it would go away. I could deal with it." Scott says suddenly.

"You knew you had a problem, a learning disability and you didn't bother telling anyone for nine years." Lane's voice gets a bit higher. Then he remembers how Scott's last seizure started. Probably due to extreme emotional stress. This is definitely leaning towards that territory. Lane takes a deep breath and starts again. "I'm sorry."

"What?" Scott looks up at his partner.

"I'm sorry Scott. I'm sorry you felt like you had to hide something like this from me. From all of us. We would have helped you. We can help you now."

Scott sighs tiredly he really didn't get a good sleep at all last night. He knows exactly why now that he's awake and lucid and he doesn't like that fact at all. That he actually felt at ease with his partner reading him a story at nighttime. This feels odd to say but he's actually looking forward to the simple drain removal surgery. 45 minutes of pure uninterrupted sleep. "What's the point it's not like I'll be going back to work anytime soon if at all. I mean if these seizures become a thing along with everything else I may as well become a hermit and just stay in my house all day. They've got apps for almost everything now, shopping, food delivery, ready made meals, I'll be fine."

"Scott you can't be talking like this already yeah you've been dealt a pretty rough hand and you've got a long way to go, but it's been six days since the accident. You've only been awake since yesterday. This isn't you man this isn't the Scott I know."

"Yeah well the Scott you knew is gone I'm different now brain damaged. Mentally have the capacity of a child right?"

Shit so much for him not remembering. And it does look like he's back to his normal self, also more aware of his actions. He doesn't want to act like how he was yesterday childlike and weak crying out in pain.

"Listen Scott I..." Lane's phone rings and he answers automatically.

Sullivan?" Lane answers.

"Agent Sullivan, Wilke's doctor wanted me to tell you he's ready to be discharged. I'm outside the room with one of the HPD officers. Wilkes doesn't know what's going on." Jackson replies.

"Good the less he knows the better. You know I'm not allowed anywhere near him. You should call Havika let him now when they're ready to discharge him."

"I will boss, I'll let you know when he's going to be transferred."

"Thank you for keeping me in the loop."

"Not a problem how's Scott doing?"

"He had another seizure this morning after Steve told him he was leaving. He's...well he's dealing with this as best he can right now. Docs have got him on a pretty full schedule today so I'm going to step out for a while, I have some personal stuff I need to take care of."

"We can handle things here. I heard about Evan and Brianna's little excursion I wonder how that's going?"

"You and me both Jackson. Tell Kali I said hi, and you'll both be off protective detail for a month after this."

"We really don't mind it's part of our job remember Sullivan."

"Right, you're right I'm gonna go now talk to you later."

Lane hangs up the phone, and then looks at Scott who's back to staring out the window again. "You okay here Scott while I go run a few errands."

"Yeah I'm good you go I'll be pretty busy being poked and prodded anyway. Don't want you to get bored sick here. Pretty sure you have the case to focus on."


1300 Hours Local Time. NCIS Great Lakes Field Office - MCRT Bullpen. North Chicago, IL.

"Twelve men, twelve decorated service members. McManis really got around." Evan comments as he looks up at the smart TV display that displayed all twelve dead service members at McManis' hand.

"Nine service members in the Great Lakes area right under our noses and we didn't even see the connection until it was too late." SSA Christopher Novak sighs heavily. "Nine families we failed."

"We got him now he's going away for the rest of his life. So young yet so stupid. He had to know it would catch up with him sometime." Brianna says.

"I have to agree with Agent Seeger boss." The only female in the Great Lakes unit says.

"I don't disagree Agent, I just wish we'd caught him sooner didn't let it get as far as it got." Novak explains. "Who the Marine off to the side?"

"Oh he's included because he's an attempted murder victim. He's actually a perp in a larger ongoing case we're working on." Evan supplies for Novak.

"I actually heard about that underground fight club on Oahu right?" Isabelle King the senior field agent of the MCRT says.

"Yeah tough case we could really use more manpower we're down three agents. It seems like every time we get ahead something else pops up." Evan tells the jet black haired Hispanic American woman. "I'm on medical leave til' this heals up and I go through some PT." Evan lifts his right arm up in the black sling.

"You are than how are you here?" Novak asks the younger agent.

"My temporary unit chief Agent Kamaka has some pull with my doctor back on the island and managed to convince him as long as I didn't get into any physical altercations I could come."

"Did you say Agent Kamaka as in Agent Havika Kamaka?" Izzy asks leaning back on her desk arms loosely splayed across her chest. "Former Navy SEAL turned federal agent, Hawaiian, super tall?"

"The very same one what's up what do you know about him?" Brianna asks suspiciously.

"I always wondered where he'd end up after what happened. Glad to know he's one of us now. I have a friend from the San Diego field office who caught a double homicide case back in '09 it was brutal."

Brianna and Evan look back between each other. "You mean you didn't know about what happened?" Novak asks. Now that McManis case is pretty much wrapped up the Great Lakes agents have finished the paperwork two hours ago with the help of Evan and Brianna. Now they are just decompressing from the case if you will. Unwinding. It's a simple hand over Brianna and Evan didn't really have much to do. They just helped the other team tie up loose ends.

"No we don't know." Evan says. He has a feeling he shouldn't ask that's it's personal so he doesn't.

"Evan you know that thing we have to do back at the hotel before we leave tonight." Brianna starts. "We should do that before we get stuck in traffic."

"Oh yeah, right we should get back." Evan agrees sharing a look with Brianna. "Glad we could help out. For what it's worth Agent Novak you didn't fail those families. Those families can have closure now their loved ones' killer is caught and isn't going to hurt anyone ever again."

"You're a bright young agent, Carson I think you'll go far with that Hawaii team of yours they're good people." Novak remarks. The two Hawaii based agents nod to their Eastern counterparts, and say their goodbyes.

"If you're ever in Hawaii and want a little R&R look us up. Or actually don't I suggest Maui or the Big Island less crazy firefights and shoot outs with a certain elite state government task-force." Brianna deadpans.

"We'll take your word for it Agent Seeger." Izzy replies.

"I'm kinda bummed we didn't get to see the other half of your unit I hear they're some pretty stand up operatives."

"It is unfortunate they missed you, but they're providing security to recruit training command, for a high profile visitor at the graduation and..." Novak's phone rings as in the middle of the conversation. "Excuse me."

Agent Novak walks off towards his desk to answer the call. "Novak." He answers.

"Boss it's McBride this graduation just turned into a murder investigation." McBride informs his boss.

"We'll be there in twenty." Novak replies. Then he hangs up his cell. "Sorry we're gonna have to cut this little meet-up short. Izzy call up the others, we have a dead RDC from Division 822. Let's go, I apologize for having to cut and run, but..."

"No, no we get it right Seeger. We've got to get going too anyway. Let's head out." Evan tells Brianna.

"Hope you catch your perp." Brianna calls out to the two Great Lake agents as they watch them grab their gear and head out of their office.


Driving in the car on the way back to the Navy lodge which isn't far thankfully from the Great Lakes NCIS office Evan and Brianna both thinking about what Agent Novak and Agent King said. Clearly there's more to this secret that Agent Kamaka is keeping about Scott. Is it really their jobs to find out what that secret is.

"I think we..." Brianna starts as she pulls into the parking lot of the Navy lodge.

"I know we..." Evan starts at the same time. "You go first Brianna."

"No you what were you going to say?" Brianna asks.

"Well..." Evan turns to face Brianna in the driver's seat. "I know we shouldn't go snooping but what if this is related to the case. I mean from the sounds of what Agent King said it sounds bad."

"I was saying I think we shouldn't go nosing around in Agent Kamaka business he's senior field agent acting unit chief he deserves his privacy. For once I think we should just let whatever this is play, out and maybe he'll tell us on his own. I mean if he sees fit to it being pertinent to the case."

"And if he doesn't? Then what I thought this team wasn't supposed to have secrets. That we're all supposed to be family 'Ohana' and be there for each other." Evan remarks.

"Sometimes Evan, some things are just too personal and you don't want to share with anyone else." Brianna unlocks her door and gets out of the rental. "Now come on we should probably call Agent Kamaka let him know we've wrapped things up here."

Evan gets out of the passenger side and shuts the door with a slam. "Right behind you partner." The two agents head back back to their hotel room and past the small playground that's in the courtyard surrounding the exterior of the building where the rooms are.


1419 Hours. Naval Station Great Lakes, Navy Lodge - Room 235, North Chicago, IL.

"We're really not going to go out? We've got like nine hours until our flight back to Honolulu." Evan says as he's looking up at the ceiling on his bed.

"You want to go out right now?" Brianna asks turning to Evan on her own bed and flipping the channels on the TV aimlessly.

"Well I kind of figured I mean we've got all this time and we've got the car for at least another six hours before we have to return it. Why not show me the city?" Evan asks.

Brianna sighs heavily flicking the TV to mute. "Alright you want to go out. Instead of sitting in this hotel room let's go. I guess I could show you around." Brianna pops up off the bed and hits the off button on the TV.

"So you did live here?" Evan asks a while later as he and Brianna are walking the streets of Chicago. They'd parked the rental car in a pay by the hour parking lot a few blocks and were just enjoying the afternoon sun. It wasn't like back in Honolulu with the sun, surf, and the sand, but it was a different location.

"I did for a while me my brothers and dear old dad. Until Dad decided he was too good for Chicago and his work needed to expand. So we moved."

"To Hawaii." Evan asks.

"No, to Miami, I was still a kid back then we all were. Didn't move away until I joined the FBI and the BAU in Quantico."

"Sounds like your old man got around. Criminal enterprise and all that."

"Yeah criminal enterprise or something is right. He's no Georg Rutherford, but he's bad enough to land his ass in Halawa for twenty to thirty."

Evan knows not to ask what Bri's father did. This is just like not asking a veteran if they killed before or how many they've killed. This is just a non starter question. He feels he's already on thin ice with her, but she seems to be opening up to him. Sort of she's being vague as anything, but Evan'll take what he can get.

"Must be hard for him to be in there and have you out here. Well I mean you know in Hawaii and and a federal agent. That's got to be a kicker."

"It's like that saying goes. If you did the crime, you have to do the time. And that's what dear old dad did committed a crime and now he's got to spend the rest of his life in jail. Probably not much longer being a federal agent's daughter and all."

"Harsh much I mean he is your dad."

Brianna scoffs a little at that. "Not all of us can have Navy Admirals as father's and get the privileges you do Mr. Only Child."

At first, Evan is going to stop and retort back until he sees the small smile on Brianna's face to know that she's kidding. Brianna knows Evan's and his dad's relationship isn't the best. It's a hey how are you. Or a Happy Birthday or Merry Christmas, but that's about as far as their relationship went. Evan always claiming to be busy with work.

"So two brothers huh. Older, younger?" Evan asks curious.

"One younger one older. The younger one...he was my twin brother my best friend. His name was Brett. We did everything together as kids. When we grew up and went our separate ways it was harder to meet up, but we made it work. My older brother Bryan he's Army he's two years older than me."

"I'm sorry Brianna really I had no idea about Brett I mean."

"It's okay Evan, nobody knew really until Wilkes came along and started screwing with all our lives."

"Does Agent Kamaka know?"

"Yes he knows. We should get back. We can stop at the NEX on base and get something for lunch if you want." Brianna easily deflects to avoid actually saying what happened to her brother Brett. She's already told one person and that's one person too many for her liking.

"Alright, but we have to stop off at a touristy shop and get gifts for the team."

Brianna raises an eyebrow at Evan as they're stopped in front of some random shop on the sidewalk.

"What we're in Chicago the windy city. Home of the Chicago Cubs, the Chicago Blackhawks. I say we get mugs, keychains, and magnets."

"You're from Brooklyn, New York don't New York and Chicago have some sort of rivalry or something?"

Evan laughs heartly. "Come on partner let's go and buy some souveniors at absorbentent touristy prices."


0900 Hours. Tripler Army Medical Center - Neuro ICU - Patient Room 656, Moanalua, Oahu, HI.

Major Grant Anderson walks into his patient's room with a smile on his face and tablet in hand. Hopefully the news he has for his patient will be news he'll accept and be happy about.

"Good Morning, Agent Perry, Mrs. Perry. How are you this morning?"

Isaac pulls himself up straighter in his bed at seeing his doctor come in. "Alright I guess doc pain's not so bad in my abdomen anymore still can't feel shit my below waist. You know same as yesterday."

"Isaac!" Imani admonishes her husband.

"Please Imani this kind of reaction and mood swings if you will is perfectly normal and accepted with the news your husband received. I don't take it personally." Grant tells the woman sitting next to her husband's bed.

"Still he has manners and he should use them."

"Hopefully this will lift your spirits Agent Perry. I've got news I hope you'll be appreciative of."

"What's that?" Isaac asks curiously.

"I'm discharging you Agent Perry you're..."

"Discharging me what doc I can't even walk how could you possibly discharge me?" Isaac asks frustration evident behind voice as he tries to make his toes move. Nothing they still don't fucking move.

Grant looks back apolegetically at his patient. "I'm sorry Isaac I should have phrased that better. I mean I'm discharging you from the Neuro ICU, not from the hospital completely."

"Oh...I'm sorry sir. I shouldn't have flown off the handle like that."

"No...no your reaction was completely normal appropriate even. You're paralyzed albeit temporarily we want to get you into the major trauma rehab ward as soon as possible. Now would be a good time for that."

"You need the bed space don't you?" Isaac asks knowing.

"I don't want to jinx the staff and yes I'm sure the staff be sad to see you and Agent McGarrett go, but in a good way, they'll be happy not to see again."

"Agent McGarrett's being discharged too?" Isaac asks. He's been getting updates on the team lead of the CRT ever since he woke up yesterday. Last he heard, he had another seizure just an hour ago and by now he should be going into surgery to remove the ICP drain in his head. Since the simple bedside procedure failed yesterday, something about Scott having a sensitive head. Though that's not something Scott probably wants him to know, and he could take it the wrong way. Isaac'll never repeat what the other man's doctor's told him.

"Yes he is, being discharged from the unit just like you are, and he'll be transferred to the MTR ward after he's recovered from anesthesia enough to be moved over there. He's got a full day ahead of him I've heard."

"MTR ward?" Imani asks.

"Major Trauma Rehab Ward." Grant supplies. "You're moving onto the next step in your rehabilatation Isaac you'll be one step closer to going home."

"That's good, I'm glad we're both getting out of here no offense doc, but all the intrusions don't exactly jive with getting a good night's sleep you know."

"I agree completely Agent Perry, now seeing as your injury is only temporary we still want to get you into PT to keep your core strength up and your upper body strength up and some occupational therapy to learn how to move around and adapt to life in a wheelchair as temporary as it may be."

"Sounds like a plan doc. I'm more than ready to get up outta this bed. That little excursion I had yesterday had me yearning to be outside more."

"That's good to hear Isaac along with the PT and occupational therapy I'd also like you to see a psychiartist here in the hospital. You've been through something traumatic and talking about it helps. The head docs or shrinks as you like to call them are good at their jobs. All they want to do is help you get better. Just like I want to help you physically get better and walking again."

"Okay, okay doc you don't have to sell me on the speech I'll see the psychiatrist."

"Good he's got an opening at 1600. I expect you to be there, on time Marine."

"Sir yes sir. So when are you springing me from here?"


1200 Hours. Medical Ward C Wing - Patient Room 515, Moanalua, Oahu.

Havika just off the phone with Agent Carson he says everything's wrapped up with their end in the McManis case and they're just back at the hotel now having an early dinner before their flight. They have to drop the rental car off in an hour. Then they're going to spend the next six hours in the airport waiting for their flight.

"Staff Sergeant Wilkes looks like today is your lucky day you're getting out of here." Agent Kamaka says making his way into the room seeing Agent Santiago and Agent Lahele stationed in the corners of the room watching Wilkes.

"I am, but how, why? I died yesterday you know I was poisoned by the nutcase McManis." Wilkes exclaims.

"Oh he's the nutcase Staff Sergeant." Havika folds his arms over his broad chest. Havika looks at Wilkes' shocked expression. "That's right Staff Sergeant we know all about your time in the Marines. You're a disgrace to the title, the eagle globe and anchor everything the Corps stands for."

"You...you have to know what he did then, what McGarrett did. You were there I remember you." Wilkes trails off slowly realizing who the agent standing at the end of his bed really is.

Havika walks up to Wilkes' left side of the bed close to his ear. "Good, then you..." Havika whispers the rest of what he wants to say in the other man's ear so his coworkers don't hear him. "That's right it's not either McGarrett, Sullivan, or Rutherford you need to be afraid of."

Wilkes gulps audibly. "I'd like to go to prison now please." Wilkes says looking at his two bodyguards in the corner.

"Well can't argue with that statement Staff Sergeant." Kali says. "Oh look who it is your doctor with your discharge papers." Kali comments as she see Wilkes' doctor coming in with a stack of papers followed by two HPD officers there are stationed outside his room.

"Get me outta here please officers." Wilkes is practically begging and wanting to be anywhere but near the 6'4 mass of a federal agent next to him. Havika sees the look in the man's eyes and it's pure terror. The McGarrett brothers aren't the only ones who can be menacing and terrifying.

"Oh quit your whining Wilkes and man up. Agent Kamaka's harmless he wouldn't hurt a fly would you boss?"

"Who me? Of course not Agent Santiago." Havika remarks as he watches a nurse unhook Wilkes from all his leads and wires. Fifteen minutes later he's all unhooked and wire free. "Here put these on." Havika throws a pair of jeans underwear socks and a black t-shirt at Wilkes. "We don't have all day."

The sooner we get you transferred booked and in the Brig the sooner we can all move on. Hopefully my nightmare will finally be over.

"Agent Kamaka are you okay? You seemed spaced out there for a minute." Kali asks him coming up next to him.

"Huh oh yeah I'm fine. Officers..." Havika turns to the two HPD officers. "This man is to be shackled in leg irons, waist chains, and handcuffed at all times in the transport van. You're to make no stops. If you have to make a stop he makes the stop chained up and with Agent Santiago by his side. Is that understood?"

"Understood Agent Kamaka." Officer Kekoa remarks.

"Look Wilkes your ride is here." Agent Santiago replies as he sees an orderly wheel in a wheelchair. "We'll take it from here man."

"Hospital policy I have to be with him."

"Oh goodie me. I get a big entourage for little ol' me. Oorah." Wilkes smirks up at Havika. He wants nothing but to wipe that smirk off his face.

God please just let me clock this guy one time. Havika thinks. He want to so bad. Wants to do so much worse. If he's being honest with himself sometimes it's warranted. Someone has to keep a level head though in this very delicate situation. He's temp unit chief after all and it won't look good if he loses his cool. Sullivan's already been barred from any and all contact with Wilkes already he can't add himself to that list.

"Shut up Wilkes no one wants to hear anything that comes out of your mouth." Havika tells Wilkes as he sits down in the wheelchair. Then Havika turns to the two younger agents. "Watch him like a hawk. He moves even an inch in a suspicious manner you have my permission to subdue him. Call me when you're on your way back." Havika orders.

"You want us to pick up anything for you on our way back?" Jackson asks he means in the way of food or drink.

"I'll let you know when you call okay." Havika tells Jackson.

"Alright Agent Kamaka." Jackson than turns to the orderly who's behind the handles of Wilkes' wheelchair. "Let's move'im out."

"On your six partner." Kali calls out as she and the two HPD officers Kekoa and Matua walk out of the hospital room.

Havika is left standing there in the empty hospital room. That's two down one more to go before big fish Rutherford makes a move. We've got to be ready before he makes that move. Before he has a chance to hurt anyone else. We've got to get this fight club shut down.

Havika walks out of the room and heads back up one floor to Isaac's room to give him an update on the case. They're getting closer he can feel it they're just that little bit further out of reach. With Wilkes and McManis especially Wilkes now out of the picture, families can get closure for their loved ones. Now hopefully Isaac, Evan, and Scott can start to move on past this accident.


1434 Hours. Enroute to Ford Island Naval Brig, Honolulu, Oahu.

It's quiet in the back of the prisoner transport van. No one is talking not saying a word. Both Kali and Jackson are seated opposite Wilkes on the bench seats. Wilkes is smirking seemingly pleased with himself.

"What are you smiling at Wilkes?" Kali asks the man a year younger than herself.

Wilkes continues to smile at both the two NCIS agents in the back of the van with him. He's been counting in his head how long they've been on the road and how many turns they've made.

"Oh nothing just how not special you two are. I mean you can't be if you're going to let this happen."

"What are we letting happen?" Jackson asks nervously getting closer on the edge of the bench to get on the offensive.

Before Wilkes can reply the van stops, and there's a whooshing sound and bang, and suddenly the van is filled with smoke, and both agents start coughing profusely. They're long out cold before they even realize what's happened.

Kali feels something hard connect with her head as well and she goes down hard on the floor of the van. She's barely conscious at this point she sees Wilkes jumping out of the van and rolling on the asphalt ground popping up and running before she loses consciousness completely.

"No..." Kali moans.

Five minutes later both Kali and Jackson are coming to on the floor of the van. "Agents are you okay?" The voice of Offier Kekoa calls. Kali shakes her head to clear it and looks up at the voice over her head.

"Ugh what hit him. Jackson! Jackson are you alright." Kali calls to her partner and sees him stirring awake as well.

"Agent Lahele you're bleeding." Officer Kekoa notes of the other woman blood running down her left temple.

"Kali you okay partner?" Jackson asks sitting up on the floor of the van holding his head and looking at the pile of metal that used to handcuffs, leg irons and waist shackles. "How in the world did he get loose? How did we let this happen?" Jackson berates himself.

Kali also looks at the pile of metal. "Agent Kamaka's not going to be happy about this."

"Gee you think?"

"We've got called for paramedics to get you two checked out." Officer Matua says to the two federal agents.

"Thanks but we don't need..." Kali starts as she sways when she tries to get up.

"Yes you do Agent." A male voice says that sounds like her boss. But it can't be, he's in the hospital. Kali blinks oh no it's not Scott it's their boss' boss SAC Blackburn.

Oh we screwed the pooch on this one big time.

It makes sense he'd be here first before anyone else. The office isn't that far away only about fifteen minutes. They haven't even made it to Ford Island yet and they've managed to lose their perp.

"You'll get checked out by these lovely paramedics here, before we start this man hunt that I'm already mobilizing with HPD." Blackburn orders.

"Yes sir." Kali answers. "We should call Five-0 sir don't you think, we could use the manpower and they already know who they're looking for."

"And sir if you ask the governor, she can't possibly say no, especially in this situation. I mean there's a serial killer on the loose on the island." Jackson agrees backing Kali up. "He's a threat to the whole island."

"You two go get checked out. I'll get on the horn with HPD and the Governor and see if I can't get her to liberate Five-0. Agent Lahele you call Agent Kamaka and update him. He's still at the hospital with McGarrett and Perry I take it."

"Yes he is sir." Jackson replies.

"Alright listen up any off duty agent is now on, we're calling HPD and Five-0 for backup. You got it. Deegan Wilkes isn't just any prisoner, he's is a soon to be convicted serial killer and he attempted to murder of one of our own. He won't hesitate to shoot you. If it means he can get away so you shoot him first. Though we need to him alive to be able to go to trial. So when you shoot DON'T go for the head or any vital organs." Blackburn tells his two agents and the HPD officers with them.

"We need to hunt him down and do it fast. He's looking to escape the island we need to get all ports closed, airports lockdown, he's not getting off this island. No less than three miles for a residential area, set up checkpoints on all major streets in the vicinity. I want birds in the air and I want canines on the ground."

"Understood we're on it sir." Kali tells her boss.


Back at the hospital Havika has stepped out of Isaac's room new rehab room which looks like a private hotel room to take his call. He's not happy with what Kali has to tell him at all. This is an all hands on deck situation. Perry's out in the hospital gardens enjoying the sunshine and Scott's being tested and seen to by a neuropsychologist after he's woken up from his drain removal surgery. Which has now been about five hours ago. Scott's neurologist says something about a possible learning disability and that's all Havika needs to know regarding Scott at the moment.

This is just what they need another escaped fugitive. As Havika sends a text to Isaac to let him know what's going on, and to keep Imani and his kids as far away from central areas as possible. Havika heads out of the hospital and to his car. He's going to meet up with Kali and Jackson where their transport went down. From there they'll all head up to a central point possible HPD headquarters to meet up with said police, NCIS agents, and hopefully Five-0.

First Havika's calling Lane to give him a heads up and what's going on. Hopefully his errands he's running are turning out okay. He knows the other man's kids aren't on the island they're in Maui with his ex-wife so that's a good thing. One less thing Lane has to worry about.

When Lane leaves Scott's room he decides to call and meet up with Allison Montgomery and her boys to see how they're doing. He's spent the last five hours with them going over next steps and tentative funeral arrangements. Lane tells Allison about Scott when she asks where he is and why he isn't there with him. She knows that'll Scott'll want to be there so they'll hold off as long as they can.

"Oh Lane I'm so sorry what you must be going through." Allison says as they are seated inside a cafe.

"No, Allison really it's not anything we can't handle or get through together. He's okay for now and recuperating in the hospital, he's been moved to a rehab floor now. I haven't told him about Brandon yet. I'm...I'm having trouble figuring out how to actually." The last thing Lane wants to do is be the cause of his friend having another seizure. He's already had three since he woke up.

"In my experience telling people slowly and in easy simple words and ways they'll understand is best." Allison offers. "The Navy'll take care of the funeral arrangements like you said, but Brandon wrote in his advanced directives that he wants a wake. A gathering of friends and family to meet up before the funeral."

"That can be arranged, have you called Brandon's parents, his sister, brother." Lane finds out about Brandon's siblings from his service record.

"I have they know and they want to fly out here as soon as possible, but I told them not too, until we've got a date for the wake and funeral finalized."

"That's good, how're the boys holding up." Lane looks over to a few tables away from them where Allison's son's are sitting talking quietly.

"As well as can be expected, their father was found shot dead in our home two days ago. I don't know if the house'll ever feel like home again." Allison says truthfully. "I think the wake should be at Scott's house. I hope I'm not being too forward with this but, with what you've told me about Scott's condition so far, I think it'd be best if it were at his house, if Brooke would be okay with that."

"I'm sure she'd be perfectly okay with that Allison. A church or other venue or gathering place probably wouldn't be big enough to hold everyone anyway." Lane speaks honestly. He knows there's going to be a lot of people that will want to come and show their support.

"You're probably right I haven't even called any of his SEAL teammates or even his former CO yet. I know they'll want to be here, I know how close all your SEALs are the brotherhood you share. I'm glad Brandon had that." Allison says. "I...I just oh god I just never wanted expected it to happen like this." Allison starts crying into her hands and Lane comes around to her side of the table with a hankerchief in his hand holding it out to her. Allison blows her nose and wipes her tears. "Thank you Lane."

"No need for thanks Allison we take care of our own. Brandon is one of us, and he'll get the honor and recognition he deserves. I'm here for you anything you need anything the boys need I'm there."

"Thank you Lane really I can't express how appreciative I am that you're here. The McGarretts are the only ones who really know us here. Brandon and Scott were like old long lost friends reuniting when Brandon called him that day five years to tell him where we'd moved. Even after five years of living here, Brandon the boys and I felt most welcome with the McGarretts. You will find who did this to my Brandon won't you?"

"You have to my word we'll find that S.O.B. and make sure he never sees the light of day again."

Lane's phone rings and he excuses himself to answer it. "Sullivan." Lane answers. He listens on the other end to what Havika has to say completely before responding. "I'll be there geared up and ready to go as soon as I leave here. Yes she'll understand it's part of our job. Any news on the perpetrator? No okay. I'll be over there soon, Five-0 in loop with us. Excellent the more people we have the better. Alright yeah I know don't worry about me. Bye."

Lane walks back over to his and Allisonn's table, and sits back down. "You have to go don't you." Allison realizes all too well with the look on the blond federal agent's face.

"Yes I'm afraid I do, work emergency."

"It's okay I understand Brandon he usually, I mean he left at a moment's notice too, having been a private investigator. Go on Agent Sullivan, it was nice talking to you get out for awhile. Before you leave can I ask you one thing?"

"Of course Allison anything."

"Whenever you decide to Scott and how you decide to tell him please make sure he knows that my husband's death is in no way shape or form his fault."

"I will Allison, now you and your boys should go do something with the rest of your day, it's still nice out." Lane bids the woman and the five boys a table over farewell before heading out the door to his car.


1603 Hours. TAMC - Major Trauma Rehab Ward 4th Floor - Patient Room 424, Moanalua, Oahu.

Today has been the longest Scott has been left alone. He normally would enjoy his time alone, but for some reason he feels vulnerable and even more anxious when he's alone for more than a couple hours, even when he is sleeping he notices the emptiness in his room. He's definitely been alone now for more than a couple of hours. Lane left his ICU room around 0820 hours and it's now 1600 hours. That's almost eight hours he's been alone, oh and did he forget to mention he's been moved to a new room, a much nicer room almost hotel like down two floors on the Major Trauma Rehab ward. Which Lane said he'd be there for, but he's yet to show up. He said he'd be there when he woke up from his surgery hours ago too, but he wasn't.

Then it came time to move him once he'd woken up from anesthesia and is with it enough to notice things going on around him. He asks Major Shepherd where Lane is and he says he's called and even texted, and left a voicemail, but he hasn't answered. He asks to wait ten minutes on the transfer to see he'll show up, but ten minutes come and go and Major Shepherd is back with two orderlies and a nurse to help get him unhooked and ready for transport with all his stuff.

All his things are transported with him own the gurney once he's moved from the bed. He see's thankfully that he's been redressed in shorts and a t-shirt and no longer in that offending hospital gown. This time he's in a red Nike dryfit t-shirt and his blue NAVY PT shorts. His duffel bag with clothes and books are put on the gurney next to him, but that's the only bag that's by his side. No plastic hospital personal effects bag, that he knows he should have from when he was admitted six days ago now last Tuesday. It should have the clothes he was wearing and his NCIS paraphernalia, his badge, his sidearm, his ID.

Okay maybe not his sidearm, but at least his credentials, right? He doesn't see his phone either. He bets he's got at least twenty or so texts and voicemails from Brandon. Asking him where his ass is. He always jokes about island time being super slow and how he's gotten way too comfortable with it. They're supposed to meet up this weekend to go on a father son fishing trip with their sons to the Big Island.

He supposes with Jake in a cast and on crutches he won't have much fun, and with himself stuck here looks like they'll have to cancel the trip. He should ask his doctor where his phone's disappeared too, come to think of it, he doesn't know he hasn't asked Lane where the hell his phone is and why it seems to be, being held hostage from him. Which is not cool by the way.

The three stuffed animals he's received from Grace, Joanie and Charlie are placed close by him too. All the cards and Grace's oceanic scenery painting are bagged up and placed in his duffel bag so they don't damaged in transport. He's got quite a few cards, not just from Grace, Joanie or Charlie, but from all five of Lane's kids too and Havika's, well all of the unit's kids actually. He's heard from Isaac that he got the same card and picture treatment too. Even his own kids took the time to write handmade cards. He hasn't read those yet. He hasn't read any of the cards yet besides the ones he's received from Williams' kids and his niece. He knows his kids haven't written handmade cards to him since they were little and they made him Father's Day and birthday cards or pictures. He feels all choked up and emotional at that, but he doesn't let any tears fall this time. He counts that as a small victory. It seems like anything slightly emotional in a good or bad way will set off the water works. Or worse a seizure, but he hasn't had another seizure since the one he had in the MRI machine after his surgery. That's before his neuropsychologist appointment to test and see if he has dsylexia and officially diagnose it and put it in his medical chart.n

All packed up and ready to go Scott is wheeled out of his room on the gurney and down to his new room for the foreseeable future. On the MTR ward on the fourth floor. He knows Isaac's already been moved there, as he asked where he'd been moved when he came back from his appointment with his neuropsychologist. Seeing Isaac's ICU room cleaned out and empty, ready for the next patient who lands themselves in here.

Scott has to say he's pleasantly surprised when he's wheeled into his new room on a gurney on the rehab ward on the fourth floor. The room looks nothing like an ICU room upstairs or even a private recovery ward room on a floor up. It really does look like a hotel room almost. For starters he'd got an actual door to his room that opens and shuts, and is wide enough for a gurney to fit through of course.

There's the single hospital bed in the middle of the room, but because of how the bed frame actually looks and the sheets on the bed it doesn't look like your standard curved rounded edged hospital bed. Not at all like the ones in the ICU and on the medical and surgical recovery floors. The bed frame is a dark mahogany and still on wheels so it can be easily moved if need be, and also the bed frame can be moved up and down as well. He guesses since most people on the rehab floor stay here for upwards of six months or more at a time. They ought to do it in style and comfort. There's even a small medium sized desk off to the left side of the couch if you're sitting on the couch facing outwards, with no chair underneath. So he can roll underneath it in his ugh wheelchair. Which he hates already the chair not the desk. He got his first taste of walking yesterday and now they expect him to sit and be taken to and from places again in that customized and personalized wheelchair. No thanks no siree bob he'll walk everywhere he can when he can.

It almost looks like his bed at home right down to the dark masculine colored sheets. But he knows they aren't his because Brooke hates green and has never allowed Scott to buy green sheets. She said green reminds her of her time in boot camp and than OCS or officer candidate school.

Around the room out of the way of the nightstands and monitor poles are comfy looking chairs, and a couch by the window that he can look out at the Ko'olaui Mountain Range still. There's also a vanity sink off to the right side in front of his bed. To the left of his bed, there's a door which he knows leads to the handicap accessible bathroom. Above and to the left on the wall is a flat screen TV that is said to have all the channels of home. As well as the few hospital mandated channels like hospital wide news and other things.

His walker and the infernal wheelchair have also been brought up and they're both within easy reach on his right side. Even though they're within easy reach his primary personal one on one nurse tells to hit his call button if he needs to get up out of bed for any reason. Scott still gets dizzy spells and headaches when sitting up. It's a side effect apparently of the brain surgery.

He really wishes he had his phone than at least he could text his teammates or hell text Isaac or even FaceTime him and see if he's just as bored as he is right now. He's been brought down to his new accommodations what feels like hours ago. Which in all actuality has only been three hours.

Within the first thirty minutes of him being in his new room, a whole host of people at least twelve came into his room and introduce themselves one by one they are his rehab team, and his physiatrist will be his main doctor or physician now aside from Major Shepherd. Of the twelve names and titles he can only remember two and that's because one of them is Wade and he's already met seen and worked with him once yesterday. The other is his new main physician his physiatrist which he explains his title as basically a doctor who studies physical medicine and rehabilatation and helps service members get back on their feet. Sometimes literally after a sports injury, an illness, disease or more often than not a traumatic accident. Like hiking, biking, climbing or a motor vehicle accident.

He tells all the nice smiling people as much that, hey no offense but I'll probably forget about half your names tomorrow. And he lightly taps the side of his right temple. A few laugh and smile at him as they leave. Wade is the only one to stay after they all leave and he apologizes for how he acted yesterday with Lane, that it wasn't professional, and it won't happen again. After Wade leaves Scott is alone and he flicks on the TV to some random channel he thinks the travel channel, which is where he finds himself currently.

He's currently sitting up at about a sixty degree angle it's high enough to where he can see the TV comfortable, but not fully upright and puking. And he's still low enough to where he can nod off and sleep for a couple of winks if he wants too.

"Ugh." He groans aloud in sheer boredom. There's only so much TV a guy can watch. Even now he's not really supposed to be watching TV, because of his head and concussion. To be honest he's not even really watching it, the TV's just background noise. He can't deal with the deafening silence of his new room otherwise.

Just as he's about to his nurse's call button on the remote on his right side of the bed, there's a knock at his door. Maybe Lane's finally shown up, or maybe Isaac or someone he can talk to. All of his new rehab team, say they'll start fresh in a few days at the end of the week. Funny to start Scott starting fresh at the end of the week, instead of at the beginning. That's what he thinks of when starting fresh doing something. Major Shepherd is hoping that Scot'll be out of the PTA phase by then and he can begin his rehab program in earnest.

The knock at his door sounds again and he's pulled out of his thoughts remembering someone's at the door. It's not his nurse because usually after a knock or two he comes in regardless if he answers him or not.

"Come in." Scott calls and no sooner has he utter those words does the door open and Cooper along with his other brother step into the room. Wyatt holding the door open for Jake and Tristan who both hobble in on crutches. The last person through the door that he expects the least at this moment is his wife, Brooke to come strolling through the door. She's dressed in green capri pants and a navy blue cap sleeved t-shirt that says 'NAVY WIFE I LEGALLY MESS WITH GOVERNMENT PROPERTY.' The last two words are in green with a green box border around them. Brooke's hair is also messy like she's just tied it up in a rush. He can smell her even from her she smells faintly of antiseptic and cleaning supplies. She's just gotten off work he thinks.

It takes Scott a minute to register the t-shirt his wife is currently wearing. "Brooke oh my god, you're wearing it, you're wea-ring the t-shirt I got you as a gag gift for Chris-t-mas two years ago." He hates his speech and how he's stumbling on the longer words.

"I am happy to see me sailor?" Brooke as a coy smile on her face.

"Oh my god mom dad stop you're in a hospital, a hospital that you work at no less Mom." David cringes.

"Best sight I've seen all damn day. I missded you a lot Brooke." Scott says he suddenly remembers the stuffed animals to his left and hopes his wife can't see them. Or his boys for that matter. "Why haven't, didn't you come and see me?" Scott asks quietly almost in a whisper, as if he's afraid of the answer. Actually he is kind of truthfully.

His boys take that as their queue to leave even though they just got there, and Jake says, "We'll be back in a little while Dad. We love you." Jake wonders if they can still get into the teen lounge on the six floor if neither him or Tristan are patients anymore. Probably not but he can always pull the 'my dad's a federal agent, and was in a coma' card if he needs to.

Once their sons are out of the room Brooke pulls over a chair and sits on her husband's right side, and begins to explain herself hoping he'll understand. That he can understand. "Scott babe the reason I haven't been to see you since your accident was because I was scared." Brooke starts. "I know, I know it seems like a silly excuse not to have seen you but please let me explain."

Scott nods his head in a go on gesture and he unconsciously starts worrying the top hem of his drab pale green hospital blanket. "I was scared of seeing you die up in that ICU again. I don't think I could have handled it a third time as strong as you say I always am."

"Wha-what you talkin' 'bout Brooke I no, dammit I didn't die." Scott's frustrated by his speech and also confused at where this conversation is going.

"No you didn't not this time Scott. You remember your accident at work five years ago. You came into the ER all bloodied and bruised a whole host of other injuries and with a collapsed lung." Scott nods again he does remember that. It was a CRT operation overseas and it had gone horribly wrong. "The doctors told me you may not remember all of what happened in those first 72 hours, and I made my piece with that, but Scott you almost died twice after your kidney transplant from Lane. The doctor had to resucitate you twice within those three days. I was so relieved when he got you back the second time I cry for twenty straight minutes. I couldn't sit up there in your room and wait around that first forty eight hours to see if you lived or died. It was too much too many memories, I'm so so sorry Scott will you ever forgive me honey."

Scott's blinking back tears of his own when had those started threatening to fall. He finds his voice a minute later. "Scott forgives Brooke you's is was scared."

Brooke notices the difference in her husband's speech pattern almost immediately, it's jumbled, slurred, and missing out words. And he's speaking in the third person.

"I was terrified Scott I didn't want to lose you. I don't think I could go through that." Brooke's tearing up now.

"S'okay. I'm good now. I'll get better now, not dyin' no time soon."

"Too stubborn to die huh."

"Yeah. Somefin' like that."

Brooke then gets up from her chair having said what she needed to say. "Well babe it's been nice talking to you, I'm glad you're okay and doing better. I should really be getting back to the house now."

"Okay you're not going to stay though we-we could have dinner later if you want?"

"No, I'm okay Scott you eat. Are you going to be okay here?" Scott nods his head yes, not like he has a choice. "Good, you'll be okay. Three square meals a day, therapies. You'll get back to your old self in no time. Running around chasing perps."

"I guess so..." Scott says slowly looking down at his his stump under the blanket and worrying the hem of the blanket. "Will you not stay though please just a little longer?"

"You'll be fine Scott you don't need me I'm sure Lane or someone else from your team will show up soon." Scott doesn't like her tone. It's like she's dismissing him like she's just leaving him so she can go on with her life. Like he's no longer her problem. He's still her husband, yeah they had issues before still do, but they have bigger things to deal with now.

She knows he's going to get out of here eventually right. He's going to get out of here and back to work. He may be a little different now, but he'll adapt.

"Yeah hey if you're going to leave can you text the boys and ask them to come over here from wherev'r they are."

"Of course I can Scott." Brooke smiles at her husband, as she turns to leave. Before she leaves she places a kiss on his forehead right below the bottom of his black solar galaxy patterned surgical cap.

Ten minutes later Scott's sons walk back or hobble and crutch their way into the room in Tristan and Jake's case and close the door behind them.

"Hey Dad's it's great to finally see you up and awake. And hey we hear you were up and walking yesterday that's awesome." Wyatt tells his dad.

"Yeah you're a step ahead of these two slow pokes here." David thumbs a finger at his two older brothers on crutches.

"Hey says you Wyatt. I fell down the Koko head steps, major injuries bro." Tristan calls.

"You...you fell down the Koko head trail steps?" Scott asks his oldest son.

"I did, hiking accident last week dad. It's not as bad it looks, I'll be healed up in no time." Tristan assures his dad. Knowing about his seizures and the trigger so far being extreme emotional distress. They don't want him to worry about not remembering. They all know that their dad doesn't remember anything from Tuesday last week.

"And I was in a car accident with Grace on Saturday, Wyatt. I'm gonna be stuck in a cast for eight weeks and then recovery for three months." Jake fires back at his younger brother.

Scott likes watching his sons banter back and forth it's almost like normal. If he closes his eyes he almost imagine them all around the kitchen table arguing over breakfast. Or who gets the downstairs TV with surround sound speakers.

"Hey Dad are you tired because we can go so you can nap if you want?" David offers. Huh when did I close my eyes Scott wonders. He opens them and looks back at his sons. Both Tristan and Jake have brought seat up over closer to their dad's bed. The three uninjured brothers all stand around their dad's bed.

"No. I'm good, I've been dying of bor-e-dom here, did you bring any cards by chance?" Scott asks.

"Got a pack right here bought them downstairs in the shopette." Cooper says holding up the stack of 52 playing cards. "What do you want to play?"

"Gather round get comfy. I'm bout to 'hool you boys. Name of the game 'Bullshit.'"

Scott and his boys play Bullshit for a few rounds, and play an assortment of other exciting fun easy card games. 'Slapjack', 'War', and a group favorite 'Go Fish, for the next four hours until Scott's nurse politely tells the boys they have to leave at 1900 hours.


2145 Hours Local Time. Chicago O'Hare Int'l Airport - Boarding Gate. Chicago, IL.

"Will passengers, Evan Carson and Brianna Seeger please come up to the boarding gate desk please. Passengers Evan Carson and Brianna Seeger to the boarding gate desk." A boarding gate attendant calls over the speaker in the surrounding area.

"You have an idea what this is about Evan?" Brianna asks curiously.

Evan shrugs his shoulders. "No, no clue, we identified ourselves as federal agents when we showed up. They know we're armed."

"Let's go see what they want."

Evan and Brianna walk over to the gate and identify themselves. "We're Evan Carson and Brianna Seeger." Evan points between himself and Brianna both have their bags at their feet.

"Good. I just wanted to give you two you're new boarding passes." The boarding gate attendant hands both agents their new boarding passes. "I'll take your old ones back and scrap them."

"Thank you sir." Brianna says.

"Not a problem agents, we'll be boarding in ten minutes."

Evan and Brianna walk back over to stand in line of where customers will start to board as they'll be boarding in ten minutes. Brianna looks down at her boarding pass there's a note attached to the back of it.

It says Hope Enjoy. Signed

"Evan look at this, weird huh, what's your note say?" Brianna asks.

Evan puts his note next to Brianna's. His note says. You Your Flight K. Brianna and Evan put their notes together to read out. 'Hope You Enjoy Your Flight Signed K.' Evan looks back down at his boarding ticket. It's a first class ticket. "This is strange, but I couldn't care less right now."

After the pre-boarding customers board the plane, the first group customers, which include first class ticket holders and active duty U.S. military board the plane. Brianna immediately recognizes the branch of service as US Navy from their NWU type III uniforms, they also all have varying degrees of facial hair growth. They're SEALs or SWCC or part of an SDVT (SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team). They're eight of them, all in varying heights and looking cautiously in their direction.

One of the sailors let's Brianna go ahead of him through the threshold. Brianna smiles at him, and as Evan passes the sailor in uniform he flashes his gold NCIS badge by lifting up his shirt and than putting it down. There's no doubt all eight uniformed men have seen the holsters both he and Brianna are wearing.

As both of them board the plane and find their seats towards the back of the first class section. There are three sections, right, left and middle, and each section as two seat luxurious seats. Evan sees that the group of sailors are seated in the rows in front of himself and Brianna. As Evan sinks into his cushy leather seat on the right side in the middle aisle, Evan can't think of why he should find the service members on their flight suspicious.

This'll sure be an interesting flight. Brianna thinks to herself. And we've got a seven hour almost eight hour layover in LAX, before heading on to Honolulu. If the service members follow us then, I'll be a little more apprehensive and wary. Brianna tells herself as she too sinks down into her seat and settles in for the long flight back home. Funny how just after three years now she's starting to see the island as home, more than the mainland.


1700 Hours Local Time. Halawa Correctional Facility - PC Wing, 99-902 Moanalua Road, Aiea, HI

"Chow time McGarrett, eat up." A guard knocks on his door and Steve's food tray is slotted through an opening in the door. Steve takes the hard plastic tray and puts it on his desk. Because he's in protective custody means he doesn't mingle with the general population inmates. He remembers the last time he was put in gen pop he got got shanked in the yard. Okay it was was a ploy to get him out of prison, but still. It hurt, and he'd rather not have a repeat performance of that. Except this time he feels it won't be on 'accident' to give him a way out if it does happen again somehow.

"Thanks." Steve mutters to the guard before he walks away. Steve looks at the 'dinner' he's being served if he can even call it that. It looks like mystery meat emphasis on the mystery, potatoes, and badly cooked steam veggies, oh look he's even got chocolate pudding and a carton of milk. He kind of wishes he'd eaten more of the hospital food. At least that was edible.

So far, he's soused out the PC wing and there's one other inmate in protective custody with him. He knows the other inmate is older about twenty years or so. He'd seen him when they'd both been escorted to the yard, for their one hour of mandated exercise time. He sure doesn't look like an ex-cop or snitch or former informant. Steve wonders why the old man is here in this wing then? It could be he has a mental illness or he's sick in some other way.

After finishing his evening calisthenics Steve with his orange jumpsuit top half tied around his waist, he sits on the metal stool and pokes around at his dinner. One thing's for sure if he's going to survive here he has to eat to keep his strength up. Another thing he's already figured out in the ten hours he's been here, is if he wants to find out about his brother's criminal record, he's got to find a way to get himself into gen pop. That's the only way he's going to get answers, and he'll do anything, go to any means necessary to get what he wants, no matter the consequences.


TBC...

Mahalo again and keep reviewing, favoriting and following. Till next time folks!

A/N: Just a heads up there will be a time skip of about two weeks into the middle of the next chapter. Beginning of the chapter will pick up during the next day after this chapter.