Chapter 5
"Did he say he can't see or he can't see clearly?" the doctor asked.
"He can't see…but…"
The doctor looked expectantly at Danny.
"…but maybe he wasn't done speaking. It…it took him some time to bring those words out. After he had already told me that his face was numb, I don't know, I think I kind of panicked when I heard "can't see"."
"Okay. He will be out for a while. When he is awake again, we'll see what is going on. I assume you are going to sit with him?"
"Yeah."
"Good. Just press the call button. The nurse will get me."
Danny felt Steve's hand twitching right before he woke up.
"Hey buddy, welcome back," he smiled at his friend who in return just stared at him.
Then he closed his eyes again, took a few breaths, reopened his eyes, squinted them and asked "Danny?"
"Yeah, babe. It's me. How's the pain?"
"…can't see right…'appened?"
"You took a hit to the head. How's the pain?"
"…'on't r'member…"
"That's okay. You have a concussion. How's the pain?"
"…'m tired…head…hurts…th…thirsty."
Danny pressed the call button.
"A nurse will be here soon and the doctor wanted to check you over anyway. You think you can stay awake for that?"
He didn't get answer to that question, but when the doctor entered the room, Steve still was awake.
"Commander McGarrett, can you tell me your first name?"
"…Steve."
"Right. Do you know where you are?"
…H'spt'l?"
"Correct. Do you know which year we have?"
"Commander?"
"…question…"
"Do you know which year we have?" the doctor repeated very slowly.
"…yes…"
"Can you tell me?"
"…no…'ords…can't…"
"That's okay. Do you know what happened?"
"…No…Danny…"
"I just told him, because he didn't remember. And I also told him that it is okay to not know." Danny explained.
"That is right. Commander, you still with us?"
"…'m tired."
"I know. Just two more questions. How's your vision?"
…g…good…"
"Good?"
"...No."
"Is it blurry?
"…yeah."
"I've heard your face feels numb. Can you show me where?"
After a few seconds Steve pointed to the left side of his face: upper jaw, temple, first part of the cheekbone.
"Okay. Don't worry. This is not unusual. You can rest now."
The nurse stayed in the room to adjust medication, to help her patient to drink something and to change some bags while the doctor and Danny left.
"You meant that it is not unusual or did you just say that? And did I make it worse?" Danny asked concerned.
"No, it is true. And no, you didn't make it worse. Actually, he improved a bit."
At Danny's doubtful look the doctor explained.
"He knew his name and where he is. I am pretty sure he knew the year too but couldn't find the right word to express it. Like you said it is not a problem to not know what happened. Especially not after a hit like that.
That was much more than he could do yesterday or this morning.
Also the rest of his answers showed that he was more aware. They made sense, they were the right answers to the questions, he was able to point at the numb parts of his face and he voiced that he was tired. That is much better than yesterday."
"If you say so," Danny answered not convinced.
"I know it is hard to understand because he still looks…" While the doctor was looking for the right word, Danny said "like shit."
The doctor chuckled.
"I was looking for a nicer word but yeah that's what I meant. Look, detective. I know you are worried but it only happened yesterday. The rest he is getting here and especially the fact that he can sleep is going to help a lot in his recovery. The slurred speech, the numbness, the difficulty finding words, the blurry vision, this is all going away soon. Just give him some time. And yourself too. From what I've seen you two are very close and I don't want to push you in any direction but I think you will be the one who will stay with him for the time being after he got discharged."
Danny just nodded and the doctor continued. "We will have a talk before this is going to happen – all three of us – but I want you to try and relax before this is going to happen. I know you are worried and I understand and it is okay to be to some level, but you are sick with worry and stressing yourself out and that is not a good thing.
"I am working on that."
"Good. If you need help my offer still stands."
"Thanks doc. I appreciate that. I think I will be better when he can communicate normal again."
"I am confident that he will be the case soon. Like I said, give him time and don't overstrain him…or yourself."
PS: Appreciate your thoughts.
