Chapter three

The nurse stopped in front of Steve's room.
"You can go in in a minute. Just some short instructions. If the commander is asleep don't wake him. He was awake when I left him, but he wasn't really aware. He is confused and groggy.
Don't switch the light on, don't speak all at once and keep your voices low. If there are any questions or you think he is in trouble press the call button."
It was a private room to give the patient the rest he was needing and the curtains were closed to keep the room as dark as possible.

Steve looked pale, almost ashen, which made the bruise, reaching from his left temple almost up to his hairline stand out even more. The side was also swollen as well as part of his eye. The lines of pain were visible on his forehead.
They had put a kidney dish beside his right hand and one was resting on his chest – just in case he needed to vomit again.
He was awake but had his eyes closed.
"Hey," Danny said in a low voice. "The team is here."
Even this quiet introduction had worsened the pain in Steve's head and he furrowed his brow even more.
Danny understood. Instead of talking he just grabbed Steve's hand and squeezed it slightly, wanting his friend to know that someone was by his side.
The head of Five-0 was actually happy that the team was there to support him and wanted to show his appreciation but his head was killing him. He knew the staff had given him something to help with the nausea and also against the pain, but while the nausea was down to a level where he didn't have the imminent urge to vomit any time soon anymore, the pain in his head was still too much for him.
The doctor had told that they can only give him Tylenol the first few days, but he hadn't understood his explanation. He couldn't comprehend anything of it – paying attention and concentrate on anything wasn't his strong suit at the moment, as well as finding words and forming them. So, he just squeezed back to let his friend know he knew the team was there – message understood.
Since Steve wasn't exactly up for conversation – or anything else – the cousins left about an hour after they had all been granted access to their friend's and boss's room.
Steve had grabbed one of the kidney dishes once and Danny had been ready to help his friend sit up, comfort him after the ordeal and bring him through the inevitable bout of pain, but then the SEAL relaxed again and let go of the bowl.
He fell asleep soon after. Danny got up and walked around for some time. He took in the interior of the room, 'a hospital room, nothing special' he thought, and looked out of the window. It was a warm and sunny day like the forecast had said it would be.
Unfortunately, it hadn't been in the forecast how this day would end. Danny was still wondering where that guy had come from that had injured his friend.
His thoughts were interrupted when a nurse came in to check Steve's vitals.
"How is he?" Danny asked when she had finished her examination.
"He is resting comfortably, his vitals are looking quite good, so I say he is okay at the moment. Don't worry. We have him under observation. It will take time, but he is going to be fine. Just let him rest and sleep and call me when he wakes up."
Of course, Danny couldn't stop worrying just like that, but what the nurse had said and especially how she had said it – calm, reassuring, confident and credible – made him feel a bit better.
He sat back beside the bed and took Steve's hand in his own, squeezing slightly he said in a soft and low voice "Hey, babe. Your night nurse seems to be nice. But there are rules and I think she's going to kick me out soon. I hope you gonna sleep well tonight. If you don't, please don't be stubborn, just tell the staff what is wrong. You don't have to play the tough guy for them, they already know you are, okay?"
Of course, there wasn't an answer. Steve was still fast asleep and somehow Danny was thankful for that. It meant that the pain his friend was in was at a manageable level for now. On the other hand, he had really wanted his friend to hear his words.
It actually took another three hours until the nurse told Danny that he had to leave now. Visiting hours had been long over. It was already dark outside and just a small night light was on, so you could see where you were going. Steve had been awake two times during this three hours, but he still wasn't able to comprehend much. He had felt groggy and had been in pain and nauseous when he had woken up the first time. After he had gotten some more medication, he had fallen asleep again.
The second time it had been confusion and disorientation that had had the upper hand and Danny hadn't even tried to ask his friend some questions after it had taken Steve way too long to answer the first time he had tried.
The nurse had tried though, but it had taken almost 20 seconds until she had gotten an answer to her question "Can you tell me your name".
"Danny." It was almost spoken in a whisper and neither the nurse nor Danny could determine if it was really an answer or a question. He fell asleep again shortly after.
Right before Danny left, he took Steve's hand in his once more and left another message for his sleeping friend.
"I am leaving now, but I'll be back tomorrow. Remember my words from earlier. I love you."
A final squeeze and Danny stood up and drove home.

PS: Appreciate your thoughts.