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Summary: A "what if" alternate story line loosely related to Season 1 Episode 20 "Ma Ke Kahakai". "What if" Danny had to walk back down alone after the EVAC got Steve off the mountain? This includes an assumption that the victim's body was simultaneously removed when Steve was rescued.

MY CONTINUED THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR READING AND FOR ALL THE FANTASTICALLY POSTIVE COMMENTS.

NOTE: The Koolau Mountain Range is about 37 miles long and its highest peak rises to 3150 feet. This is where the guys did their hike.

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CHAPTER SIX - SOLO

Danny had an itch on his nose and he frowned. Slowly reaching up towards his face with his left hand, he felt a tug and frowned again. Ignoring it, he weakly rubbed at his nose and then allowed his hand to move upwards to find a bandage on his forehead; his eyes were still closed and he was confused. He vaguely remembered feeling very ill and something else – snippets of a dead body, being so very hot and thirsty. And then a cartoon turtle? No, that didn't make sense… But Steve had been there. That almost made sense.

"Steve?" he whispered once. Surprised, the nurse who had been recording Danny's latest vitals on a clipboard whirled around. "Detective Williams?" She asked quietly, as she captured his hand and gently held it in her own. "You're at Tripler. Are you in any pain? Can you tell me how you feel?"

Rocking his head from side to side, he didn't immediately answer the nurse's questions. He had a vile headache and was bone-weary. "Shhh." She urged, as she held his hand and cupped his check. The nurse had seen many a person awaken confused and agitated. Taking some time to calmly focus the person could do much to ease fears and initial confusion. "Shhh. Take your time." And she used the call button to page Dr. Thompson, the attending physician, to Danny's room.

Back on her hawk-like perch, Kono had noted exactly when Danny had first been taken for the CT scan and was both people and clock-watching. Chin had taken up his temporary residence back on the short sofa and was dozing. Steve hadn't moved from the chair he'd been in, but was now cradling his broken arm in his lap. His eyes were closed and he would wince occasionally from a passing twinge of pain. She could tell from where she stood that his fingers were swollen. He was starting to look almost as bad as Danny when they first arrived at Tripler. Kono rolled here eyes and promised that he'd be next on the trauma room list come hell or high water. "Men. Actually no, just STEVE." She allowed herself a thin smile.

Watching the clock, Kono figured that Danny would be getting settled in a room just about now and hoped they'd be seeing him momentarily. But she slowly eased off the wall as she watched the attending physician talk on the phone, briefly glance their way, and then rapidly walk towards the elevators.

"Umm, guys." She said distractedly as she continued to watch the doctor enter the elevator. And as he caught her eye, he winked and gave a brief smile as the doors slid shut. "Guys! Guys!" she said louder and she inanely waved her hands in Chin and Steve's direction still looking at the now closed elevator door.

Shocked by the sudden outburst, Steve bolted off the chair. "What, what's happened?" He was wide-eyed and pale. Chin blinked, groaned and slowly rolled to his feet. "News?" he asked.

"Something's up." Kono was excited and began to smile broadly. "The doctor. He was just called upstairs and … well, he seemed happy. I think it's about Danny." She was virtually bouncing on her toes and couldn't stand still.

Having missed the moment, Steve scowled as he looked at her and then negatively shook his head. He sat back down hard on the chair in exhaustion and cradled his arm. "Kono, it could be anything." But Kono wasn't listening as she anxiously watched for the doctor's return with renewed interest and hope.

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As Doctor Thompson entered Danny's room, he was very pleased to see his patient awake. The nurse was still holding Danny's hand and though his brow was knitted in concentration and confusion, he was trying to answer most of her questions.

"So, Danny. Dr. Thompson is here." The nurse explained kindly, as she released his hand and backed away from the bed to allow the doctor room. "He's a little confused about what's happened, but he's feeling much better and answered all the tricky questions."

Bending over Danny, the doctor quickly rechecked his pupils and vitals. He took in Danny's improved complexion, but still somewhat confused expression. "You're looking much better. How do you feel? Any pain or nausea?"

Considering the question, Danny sighed and took a tally of his hurts. Softly he nodded. "My head. I have a bad headache. And the lights. They're are too bright." He winced and closed his eyes." But then he happily realized that no, he wasn't nauseous. And he sighed in relief. "No. Thank god. Not nauseous."

Smiling, Dr. Thompson nodded and had the nurse turn the lights off in the room. Only one small light was left on in the corner. "Your CT scan was clear, but you do have a severe concussion; plus still getting over the effects of heat exhaustion." Doctor Thompson further explained that Danny would need to stay in the hospital for at least two days for monitoring. "You're very lucky." He added.

Checking Danny's chart, Dr. Thompson read the recent notes taken by the nurse. "I see that you still aren't sure about what happened though. I'm not terribly concerned about that based on what you've been through. And some things will probably come back over the next few hours. But what's this about a turtle?" Looking from Danny to the nurse and then back again, the doctor was amused.

Danny closed his eyes, grimaced and then shrugged. "I have no idea myself, but whatever it is, it's bound to be Steve's fault."

Laughing, the doctor asked Danny. "You have three very anxious people outside waiting to see you. Are you up to it?"

Opening his eyes, Danny squinted through his headache to look at the doctor. And his eyes held an evil twinkle. "Sure. Everyone except for Steve McGarrett."

Startled, the doctor was caught by surprise for Commander McGarrett was undoubtedly the most distraught of all. "Excuse me? Why? And why single him out?"

Conspiratorial, Danny asked the doctor to come closer and the nurse leaned in as well. "I don't remember much, but he does have a broken arm .. does he not?" Nodding, the doctor agreed with the memory. "And I'm sure that he's avoided, argued, denied and essentially refused any and all medical care of said broken arm." Again the doctor agreed. And a small knowing smile slowly crept across his face. Doctor Thompson was most definitely on the same page as Detective Danny Williams.

"I see." The doctor said, rocking back on his heels. "Yes, I do see." And he chuckled. "He's not going to like this," he added. "In fact, I may have some real trouble downstairs."

Fatigued, Danny closed his eyes. "No, he won't. And I bet there will be some trouble. But I don't want to see him until he agrees to it." He added quietly and almost to himself, "Stupid Neanderthal fool."

And then, Danny added firmly. "You can also tell him that he needs to explain when and why he put a freaking turtle in my head."

Chuckling, Doctor Thompson patted Danny's arm as he left the room. He definitely liked Detective Williams' train of thought … and Danny grinned to himself, as he heard the doctor laugh even louder in the hallway.

~ to be continued ~