CHAPTER 37

Tuesday morning, TAMC:

Chin entered Steve's hospital room to find him sleeping. Chin examined his boss closely and decided he was looking much better than the last time he saw him. According to Danny, once the fever abated and the hard drugs were stopped, the nightmares became very few and far between. Which, in turn, meant Steve could rest peacefully and his body could heal.

Chin had heard about the discussion Danny had had with Steve and the doctor about Steve being discharged. Chin knew that Steve knew his own limits and wouldn't intentionally try to push himself. Danny, on the other hand, only thought Steve was being reckless. Looking at his boss now, Chin wouldn't be surprised if the man was discharged either today or tomorrow.

The bruises on Steve's face were fading to pale yellows and browns. The incision from the chest tube was healing well, as were the bullet wounds. The shoulder would take at least another month of physical therapy to start healing properly. Chin knew that would frustrate Steve more than his other injuries.

Chin sat down beside the bed wearily. It had been a long couple of weeks. Between Grace and Steve going missing, Fuentes threatening them and the FBI interfering, the team had had very little sleep. Then, with Steve in the hospital, they had slept even less. Now, however, knowing Steve was on the mend and the case was almost wrapped up, they could finally rest and start recovering from the whole ordeal. Chin, for one, couldn't wait for a break.

The door to Steve's room opening made Chin jump. He relaxed when he realised it was just Danny.

"Oh, hey Chin. I didn't realise you would be here," Danny said as he entered the room.

"Hey. Sorry, Yeah, I just wanted to see for myself how he was doing," Chin replied.

"Yeah, sorry about that. I guess I kind of took over for a while there," Danny said remorsefully.

"No harm done, Danny. We were glad he had someone looking out for him," Chin said with a smile.

Danny sat on the other side of the bed. Chin didn't miss the smile on his face.

"What's up, Danny?" he asked.

"Oh, nothing. I was just talking to Grace. She made me promise that she could come and see the big guy as soon as he was out of the hospital. She wants to throw him a big welcome home party, but I got her to hold off on that for a while," Danny replied.

"That's probably a good call," Chin said knowingly. Steve hated parties.

Danny sighed. "This whole thing, it really scared Grace. At first, I was so worried I would lose her. But Steve, he managed to make sure that would never happen. Ever since I told Grace Steve was in the hospital, she has been so worried. She didn't want to go to school or play with her friends. All she wanted to do was come here and spend time with him. If something had happened to him…I don't know. I'm starting to think Grace likes Steve more than me, her own father."

"Danny, I don't think anyone can replace you in her eyes. Not even Steve. You are her father, nothing will ever change that," Chin said sincerely.

"Thanks Chin. That means a lot," Danny said earnestly.

They spent the next few hours chatting intermittently and watching Steve. It was quiet and peaceful, like it hadn't been for weeks. Eventually, the pair fell asleep to the sound of Steve's regular breathing.

Wednesday morning, TAMC:

The sound of bickering greeted the cousins as they approached Steve's hospital room. The cousins looked at each other and smiled. Yeah, things were getting back to normal.

"Come on, Steve. You know what the doctor said…" came Danny's voice.

"How does he expect me to do this one handed? I'd have to be a contortionist," Steve responded.

"Come here. Let me help you…" Danny said.

There was a slight scuffle followed by a thud and a groan. The cousins rushed into the room, only to stop short and try not to laugh at the scene in front of them. Somehow, both men had ended up on the floor with Steve on his back and Danny leaning over him. Steve's sling had managed to tangle itself around Danny's head. Steve looked up at the cousins, grinning goofily. Danny, however, pushed himself off Steve while trying to get the sling off his head.

"I think I'm starting to believe you, Steve. This thing is a death trap," Danny grumbled.

Chin and Kono laughed as they watched Danny attempt to extricate himself from the contraption. When he appeared to be unsuccessful, Kono went to lend a hand while Chin pulled Steve up off the floor. Having gotten Steve situated back on the bed, Chin turned to look at Danny. Kono, having freed Danny of the sling, had moved to help Steve put it back on. Danny, however, looked like he had been caught in a tornado; his normally slicked back hair was sticking in about every direction possible.

"Yeah, yeah. Laugh it up," Danny growled as he tried to flatten his wayward hair.

The cousins just chuckled at Danny's expense.

"So, are we good to go?" Chin asked.

"Yes. Today is the day they let the animal out of the cage," Danny remarked, producing the signed release papers.

"I am officially a free man," Steve announced with excitement as he jumped down from the bed.

"Woah, hold on, Superman. Remember what the Doc said? No sudden movements," Danny said.

"Right. Sorry, I forgot," Steve said.

"Oh, he forgot," Danny face-palmed himself. "This is going to be a very long recovery."

"Hey, come on Danny. It was one thing…"

"One thing! Did you forget the graceful landing you had in the hallway yesterday?" Danny quipped back.

"What did he do yesterday?" Kono asked, intrigued.

"Oh, he elegantly tripped over the IV pole and landed flat on his face in front of the nurses station," Danny said, smiling indulgently as Steve's face turned flame red.

"Oh boss," Kono said, stifling a laugh with her hand.

"I'm not attached to the pole anymore, so that won't be a problem," Steve argued.

"Right, but I don't think your pride will ever recover."

"Very funny, Danny. Can we go now? I think I've outstayed my welcome. Sandra, the day nurse, is still giving me the stink eye."

"Probably because you called her a cockroach," Danny retorted.

"I only said that because there actually was one crawling up her arm. She didn't even give me a chance to explain…" Steve said miserably.

"Oh, sure. That's the explanation you're going with," Danny muttered. He turned to the cousins, "Also, hi."

"Hi Danny," Kono said with a dimpled grin.

"Yes, hello," Chin said. "I take it it's been an interesting morning?"

Danny sighed. "You could say that. First, Steve tried to leave before he was actually discharged. Then, the whole cockroach thing happened. Steve is actually telling the truth. There really was one on her arm. I saw it too, but the nurse won't believe either of us. Anyway, then the Doc had to check everything and make sure Steve had the correct appointment dates and times for the physiotherapist and his office. Now, here we are, officially ready to get out of here. Finally."

"Your chariot awaits, Commander," a young, blonde nurse said as she brought a wheelchair into the room.

"I can walk," Steve said, standing as if to prove he could.

"Steve…remember what the doctor said. If you are going to be stubborn, you could just stay here a few extra days and I'll let Sandra give you all your medications."

With that, Steve quickly sat in the chair and waited patiently to be wheeled from the room. Steve said farewell to all the staff as Danny collected all the medication that would be required. Doctor Palamo came to wish Danny good luck.

"Commander McGarrett, I expect you to listen to everything Danny says, otherwise you could be back here with an infection or worse. Make sure you follow all the instructions I gave you."

"Yes, Doc. I promise. And…thanks for patching me up," Steve said, shaking the man's hand.

"You're welcome," Doctor Palamo said with a grin.

The nurse wheeled Steve out to the front of the hospital where Steve stood and took a deep breath.

"Freedom," he muttered as he smiled, taking in the sunshine and fresh air.

"He's just like a dog," Danny said, approaching from behind. "Get in the car, idiot."

Steve turned and saw his own blue truck parked in front of the hospital.

"How'd you…?" he asked, turning around to look at Danny.

"You gave me the keys, remember?" Danny said, waving said keys in Steve's face.

Steve scrunched up his face in thought. "Oh yeah. Pancakes."

"Yep, and since you always drive my car, I thought it would be nice for me to drive yours for a while," Danny said smugly as he hopped into the drivers side.

Steve looked back at the cousins, who just held up their hands in surrender. They weren't going to admit to any part in it. Chin helped Steve climb into the passenger seat and the cousins watched as the truck took off. They shook their head and made their way to Kono's car. Things were definitely getting back to normal.

Three days later, McGarrett residence:

Danny sighed. His partner had woken up in the middle of the night for the third night in a row. Once again, he was sitting outside, watching the water as though it held the answers to all his problems. Ever since Steve had come home, he had been…antsy. Like he wasn't comfortable in his own skin, much less his own house. It was understandable, given his sanctuary had been invaded by Fuentes and his men.

Danny stood by the newly repaired lanai door, watching his partner. Danny wondered what was on his partner's mind. He knew his run-in with Fuentes had brought back some horrible memories. He wondered if there was more to it. After all, being taken from your own home and tortured for days could take its toll. Danny knew what Steve was doing; trying to compartmentalise and lock down anything he didn't want to deal with.

For some reason, tonight appeared to be the worse than the previous evenings. Instead of going upstairs to bed and then coming out to the beach in the early morning, Steve had gone straight outside after dinner. It was as though Steve knew he wasn't going to sleep tonight. The sound of the kettle boiling drew Danny back inside. He poured two cups of camomile tea and brought them outside. He approached the Adirondack chairs, noticing Steve hadn't moved at all in the two hours he had been out there.

Danny bumped Steve's shoulder gently, before standing out of reach of any swing the SEAL might deliver. Danny had learned his lesson in the hospital. Instead of jumping, Steve just turned to Danny and smiled, accepting the offered beverage.

"Thanks, Danny," Steve said quietly.

"Sure," Danny said as he sat in the vacant chair next to Steve.

There was silence as they sat and watched the waves lapping at the shore.

"Not just for the tea…" Steve said.

"Then what?" Danny asked.

"For staying here with me, while I recover. For looking for me when I was missing. For not giving up," Steve said sincerely.

"Of course…" Danny said, not realising Steve still hadn't finished.

"But above all, thank you for trusting me with Grace."

"W-what?" Danny stuttered.

Steve as quiet for a moment as he tried to think about how to explain it to Danny.

"I didn't think you would ever trust me with her again, especially after…"

"What are you saying, Steve?" Danny asked, perplexed.

"When Grace was taken the first time, I…failed to stop the men from taking her. They managed to find her and drug her before I could do anything. I couldn't even convince them to just leave her and take me instead…"

"Steven…"

"No, Danny. Let me finish…When we were in the basement together, she asked if they were going to kill us. To be honest, I didn't know what to say. At the time, they were still wearing masks and made promises not to hurt us. But that was before they figured out who I was. They came in to the room and asked Grace to go with them. I said she wasn't going anywhere. They held a gun to my neck as they dragged her from the room. There was nothing I could do. I had failed her for the second time. I couldn't protect her."

Danny remained quiet while Steve explained, knowing he needed to get it all out.

"I kept thinking about what you would do, the lengths you would go to, to protect your daughter. You would have probably risked the bullet. I didn't…"

"Okay. Let me stop you right there," Danny interrupted. "You did everything you could. I don't doubt that. Grace told me everything you did to protect her, including telling her that I loved her. I mean, in the moment when she was the most scared, you made sure my daughter knew I loved her. As for failing her, get that idea out of your head right now. She is still alive thanks to you. If you had acted in your usual reckless way, she wouldn't have an Uncle Steve. I always say that you are reckless and suicidal, but I've come to realise that it's alway calculated risk."

"Danny…"

"Steven. If anything, I trust you with her more than I ever could. I have always trusted you, but now I trust you even more. Thank you for that."

Steve took a sip of tea, contemplating Danny's words. "I was just going to say that having to think about Grace changed the way I acted. I knew I wouldn't be able to protect her if I got myself hurt, or worse, killed."

"Oh," Danny said, lost for words.

"Get me my calendar," Steve joked. "I need to mark this as the day Danny Williams was speechless."

"Very funny," Danny grumbled.

The two sat watching the water and sipping their teas, relaxing in each other's company. Even in the dark, the ocean was tranquil. The moonlight reflected off the water, showing the ripples that wove through the silky surface. Finally, everything had settled.

"What are you going to do about Grace?" Steve asked.

"What about her?" Danny asked.

"Didn't Rachel want to take her away to the mainland again? Because if she does, I can talk to her…"

"Woah, calm down. Grace is not going anywhere. The whole ordeal scared Rachel, and rightly so. She just wanted what she thought was best for Grace. We came to an agreement. Grace will stay here, unless she says she wants otherwise. Rachel is not contesting the custody arrangement."

"Right," Steve said awkwardly.

Danny smiled. He knew his partner was like caramel-centred chocolate; hard on the outside, soft and gooey on the inside. It was nice to know the otherwise Rambo-esque man was human from time to time.

"I'm sorry, Danny," Steve broke the silence.

"What are you sorry for this time?" Danny huffed.

"I'm sorry for all of this. I'm sorry about what Fuentes has done to your family. I'm sorry the FBI screwed up and brought Fuentes down on you. I'm sorry you had to worry about Grace and Matt, while also dealing with acting as the head of Five-0. I'm sorry that everything with Matt got stirred up again. I only wanted to help Matt in the beginning and somehow managed to further endanger him, while bringing you and Grace into it."

"Steve…none of that is your fault. You know that right?" Danny waited for Steve to nod before continuing. "It's because the FBI screwed up that this even happened. It's because my brother made mistakes. As for helping Matt, he's made his own bed and now he has to face to consequences."

"What are you going to do about Matt?" Steve asked.

Danny sighed. "Honestly? I don't know. We still need to have a talk. With Fuentes gone, there's no reason for him to be under protection any longer. It will all depend on the FBI…Look, Steve…"

"Yeah, Danny?"

"Thanks. For looking out for my brother. I had no idea how much you had been looking. I mean, those algorithms were something else…"

"Well, all my traditional search measures had yielded nothing, so I tried something a little different," Steve said, sitting up straight and resting his injured arm on the armrest.

"How's the shoulder?" Danny asked, not failing to notice the somewhat 'casual' movement.

"It's fine. Just gets stiff from time to time. The physiotherapy is helping, but it's going to take a while. I'm just sick of the sling," Steve answered.

"Well, maybe we should head inside?"

Steve shook his head. "I'm going to stay out here for a while longer."

Danny sighed. "Steve, you've been out here every night since you got back from the hospital. You need to get some real rest, otherwise you won't heal."

"All I do every day is rest, Danny," Steve said agitatedly.

"Which is what you should be doing, or did you forget you were shot? Twice?" Danny yelled.

"Yeah, Danny. I remember. It's kind of hard to forget the feeling of a bullet tearing through your flesh," Steve stood and turned away from Danny.

Danny watched Steve as he moved closer to the water's edge.

"Why are you really out here, Steve?" Danny asked quietly.

Steve hung his head. "It's tomorrow."

"What's tomorrow?" Danny asked, confused.

"My appointment…with the psychologist," Steve answered.

"Okay. And you are worried because?"

Steve ran a hand through his hair frustratingly. "I don't really know. I can't stop thinking about it. I don't like the thought of exposing my deepest, darkest secrets to some stranger."

"You told me…" Danny said.

Steve turned to look at Danny, anguish on his face. "That was different…"

"Look, all you have to do is show up. You just have to try. The fact that you even made the appointment says a lot. You know you need help. If you don't like it, you can try something else. Just remember, no matter what, your Ohana will be here for you."

"You're right. I just have to give it a go," Steve said with a smile.

'Exactly. See, you are learning," Danny said, clapping Steve on the back. "Can we go inside now, please?"

"Yeah, Danno. And…thanks."

"Back at you."