A/N First off I want to apologize for taking so long to update this story. Life got kind of crazy and I was buried with work and barely had time on my hands, I'm so sorry! But, I'm back and you're getting this new chapter! The story is almost done. I think there's 3 or maximum 4 chapters left. But, there's plenty of stories coming your way in the future! I'm thinking of ending this story in the next week –Hopefully-
A/N Enjoy reading and thanks for all the reviews! Appreciate it!
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Steve and Rachel were on their way back to the hospital. That encounter with Stan was pretty heated. Steve, on a personal level, never expected Rachel to actually file a divorce against Stan, he was surprised to be honest. Rachel, on the other hand, was very shaken up and in a fragile state. She never thought in a million years that Stan would do something like that. She was still in shock, but most of all, she felt betrayed and angry.
Steve glanced at Rachel, to be sure that she's doing fine. She clearly wasn't though. She hadn't said a word ever since they left HQ. She was also on the verge of crying, she wasn't fine at all. Steve felt the need to say something, maybe calm her down. It's true that he had hated Rachel at times, like when she wanted to leave the island with Grace, or when she lied to Danny about Charlie and made him think that he was his own son, but she wasn't okay at all and it made him sad to see Rachel like that. She still cared deeply about Danny. Steve then broke the silence.
"Rachel, are you okay? Do you want me to stop the car?" he asked, looking at her.
Rachel then glanced at Steve and sighed. She had so many things in her mind and some doubts, and Steve was the only one she could talk to right now, and she needed to talk. "I don't know, Commander. I… I just feel like I overreacted. Maybe I was too hard on him. I mean, he explained why he did it, and I barely gave him a chance, I feel like I may have said some hurtful things. I don't know."
Steve understood where she was coming from. It's normal to have doubts after an encounter like that. She was lost and confused, she just needs some help.
"Rachel, it's totally normal to feel like that. But what you did there was very bold of you. I mean, you stood up for Danny and actually faced the man who did this to him. I know that you feel confused and lost, but Stan had every right to hear those words, he'll come to terms that what he did was wrong and eventually he'll realize it. But he knows that there's no going back, and you showed him that." Steve spoke the truth. At least that's what he thought. It's hard to actually do what Rachel did from the first time and facing Stan the way she did, knowing that it's the man she's been living with.
Rachel looked at him and was appreciative of Steve's words. But she still felt lost and her face showed it. She wasn't so sure if what she did was right. "Thank you, really. But, I.. I just don't know if what I did was right. I mean I completely lashed out and I feel like I lost control of the situation and of my emotions. I literally told him that I wanted a divorce, I mean, I don't know if that's what I really want, he's my husband and I was too fast and inconsiderate, I should've given it more thought. It all feels wrong."
Now Steve understood what really bothered her. He knew that it was deeper and he got his answer. He waited for a couple of seconds before opening his mouth and looked through his car's window. He then went to the side of the road and stopped. This was a sensitive and serious topic, and he had to stop, just for a minute. He then licked his lips and started talking.
"Rachel, listen to me. I understand, I really do. But think about it, if you said it, it means that you thought about it, it had to cross your mind, and it also means that you felt the need to say it. Maybe that's what you want, because you know that he was wrong and you know that you can't trust him. Now you're having some doubts because you feel confused and lost. This whole situation is a mess. And also, Stan won't be getting out of jail for at least the next 10 years, even if he got a great lawyer, he confessed to the crime himself. And by 10 years, Grace would be already working and maybe even married, and Charlie would be going to college. In all cases he wouldn't be able to be their father. He has no choice, and I'm really sorry about that. And trust me Rachel, you said the right thing, and you're doing the right thing. You know that he can't be trusted and you know that you'll feel unsafe from time to time with him if you stayed together, it had to cross your mind, and that's why you told him that you wanted to divorce. It wasn't fast, you just wanted to get out of there because you were too angry, and it's completely normal, and you definitely weren't inconsiderate. You wanted to get it off your chest. That's it."
Rachel looked at him and smiled back. "Commander, I don't know what to say, but thank you" she then paused and sighed, "I just can't believe that Stan did that by himself, it's just so shocking."
That's when Steve remembered that he didn't actually do it by himself, he got help from some guy. "Actually, Rachel, he didn't do this by himself."
Rachel was stunned. "He didn't?!"
"No, he got help from another guy, he goes by the name of Pete Sanders. We tracked his cellphone and he's been following Danny for the past week, and just when Danny left HQ the day of the crash, Pete was also there waiting for him so that he could warn Stan. He was in the car Stan was going in when we caught him. But don't worry, he's behind bars now."
"My god… I.. I can't believe Stan actually planned this" answered Rachel.
Steve glanced at her and then turned the ignition of his truck on, and they both made their way back to the hospital.
H50 H50 H50
Steve and Rachel arrived to the hospital. One of the nurses told Steve that Danny was still asleep and nothing seems unusual. They then made their way to the floor where Danny was at, inside the ICU. Rachel had asked Steve if she could see him for a bit, and he obviously accepted.
While Rachel was with Danny, he sat down in the waiting area and called Chin to inform him on the things that had transpired in the past hour and a half. To be frank, Chin and Kono were both stunned by the news, just like Steve. They then talked for ten more minutes about work, and eventually they both hung up.
Steve put his phone back in his pocket and looked up at the ceiling, praying and hoping that Danny's recovery would be easy and peaceful. He had waited for 10 more minutes, and that's when Rachel got out. She looked tired.
"Commander, thank you for your help today, it truly means a lot" enounced Rachel, with a soft smile.
"Of course, Rachel, anytime" replied Steve.
"I think it's time for me to go, I need to pick Grace up from her friend's house. Also, do you mind if she comes to visit her father tomorrow night, she's been asking about him more and more, and I think she's becoming suspicious" said Rachel. She couldn't lie to Grace anymore, because she's been constantly asking about Danny and she wanted to see him so bad.
"Of course I don't mind, I just have to ask the doctor and see if he allows minors to visit, and I'll update you."
"Alright Commander, thank you so much" responded Rachel.
Steve nodded and smiled back. He pulled her in a small hug before she left the hospital. He then made his way back to the room and sat by the bed. He knew that Danny was still asleep, but he didn't want to leave his side anymore.
H50 H50 H50
Two hours had gone by since Rachel left the hospital, and a nurse came to check on Danny once. Steve sighed and closed his eyes, hoping to get some sleep. A couple of seconds later he opened them, he couldn't sleep. He tried switching positions but it didn't work. He did that for the next couple of minutes but eventually gave up, there's no way he could sleep. He looked at the time on his watch, it was 5:35 PM. Just then, a very familiar voice to Steve broke the silence.
"You're getting bored in here, huh?" voiced Danny. He woke up and his voice was a bit hoarse. He removed the oxygen mask so that he could talk properly.
Steve couldn't help but smile. He was happy to see Danny awake. "Hey buddy."
Danny looked at him for a couple of seconds and smiled softly. Just by looking at Steve he could see that something was wrong, "Are you okay, Steve? You seem very agitated and worried."
"You're the one lying on a hospital bed in the ICU Danno, shouldn't I be the one asking if you're okay?" responded Steve, with furrowed brows.
Danny simply nodded, the small smile fading away.
Steve noticed the change in Danny and instantly got worried, "Danny? Are you okay?" he asked, with concern.
"I'm fine, I just don't like to be reminded about my current situation, that's all. It's bad enough I can't even get up or even talk for 5 minutes straight before feeling tired again" retorted Danny.
Steve felt bad after hearing what Danny said and immediately apologized, "I'm sorry Danno."
Danny smiled back and stared at the wall for a sometime before he started talking again. He had a question for his partner. "Hey, Steve?"
"Yeah?" he replied, looking up at Danny.
"Can you tell me what happened to me? You know what I'm talking about. Please, I want to know." Danny couldn't resist not knowing what injuries he had sustained. It's his body and he feels like he has every right to know what's wrong.
Steve knew that he had to face telling Danny everything, and it happened to be now. He just hoped that they could talk about it later, because Danny was still very fragile. "Danny, I-"
Danny cut him off and spoke again, "Steve, please. No secrets, please."
Steve sighed and gave up. He had no choice but to tell him. He decided to keep the neck disc injury aside and start with the ones that aren't so critical. "Fine. Basically, you have a broken arm, and they had to operate it. There was also a piece of glass stuck in your thigh and they had to remove it but it's not something to worry about. The doctor also said that you suffered a brain concussion and you might face some temporary loss of memory or consciousness, some confusion, fatigue and dizziness. That's all, okay?" He hated himself for sort of lying to Danny. But he was just trying to help him, he didn't want ti upset him.
"What else?" replied Danny.
Steve looked up at him, "What do you mean what else, I told you everything."
"Steve, I know there's more than that, and I know that you're keeping stuff away from me, tell me everything, please." Danny was a trained detective, and he knew that there was more to the story.
Steve had to tell him, he had no choice, and he didn't want to risk fighting with Danny, especially at a time like that. "Okay Danny, okay" said Steve pausing and looking at Danny affectionately. He continued, "You have a Cervical Degenerative disease, which is basically a neck disc. It's a disc where the pain radiates from your neck to your shoulders, your back and sometimes your legs. But it's all good, Danno, trust me. Now put your mask back on."
Danny looked so lost and hurt too. He was taken aback and didn't expect to hear such news. He fought hard to hold the tears back but they started going down his cheeks. He wasn't crying, tears were just being shed.
Steve instantly noticed it and his heart broke. He hated to see his brother in a situation like that. "Damn it Danny, I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have told you."
Danny stayed silent for a bit. He then looked at Steve and spoke again. "It's fine, don't worry about it. Just… I.. I need you to tell me that it's going to be all fine, Steve."
Danny pleading Steve to tell him that everything was going to be okay broke his heart. He never saw Danny this sad and broken in his life. "Danno, listen to me, it's all going to be okay, I'm right here with you, I'm going to help you, I'm not leaving your side, alright?" said Steve. He then grabbed Danny's hand and held it in his.
"Is it a lifetime injury or not?" questioned Danny. He needed to know everything.
Steve felt like he had said enough already, but he can't just say half the truth. It would break Danny's heart and also his, but he had to tell Danny. "The doctor said that it's a lifetime disc, but with medication and physical therapy, the pain you get from the disc will become less frequent and less painful. Sometimes, patients go months and months not feeling any pain, and when they do, it apparently is way less painful that when they first felt it. And knowing you, I know that you'll overcome this Danny. And you won't be alone, Chin, Kono and I will be by your side, even Grace. Trust me."
Danny glanced at Steve and the n started staring at the ceiling above him. He was in shock because to him, what he just heard was life-changing. But now, he didn't have time to think about the future, he was already getting tired and he needed to clear his mind and try to stop thinking about it, if he can. He then shut his eyes and drifted back to sleep.
Steve couldn't do a thing. He saw how broken Danny was. Even at the mention of Grace, he didn't seem to be bothered. He felt guilty, he felt like he just broke his friend's heart and he couldn't do a thing about it. He saw Danny drifting back to sleep. His eyes became teary and he could feel the lump forming in his throat. Danny was visibly heartbroken and Steve was too, seeing his friend, his brother like that broke his heart and shattered it. He then laid his back on the chair, and hoped and prayed that Danny's recovery would go well, because if anything happens to him, he might lose it, and he's not ready for that.
A/N There it is, chapter eleven! What do you guys think? Also, I know I said that Grace would appear in this chapter but I started writing and that's what I ended up with, it wouldn't be logical to make her appear now, that bromance was needed ;) But, I can assure you now that Grace appears in the next chapter, and that you'll get a deeper conversation between Steve and Danno, so more bromance :) Anyways, thanks for reading and leave a review if you liked this chapter (if you want ;))