The gunmen followed the ridge scanning the river bank, Danny and Steve watched as both passed them by.

Danny looked to Steve "How long do you think it will take them before they come back this way? "

Breathlessly Steve answered "quarter mile down….the river gets rough….can't see them looking much past there"

"Great think we can make it back to the truck?"

Steve leaned his head back trying to get comfortable "can't….. we have to go farther down the river to get back up there….the rocks are too steep" he closed his eyes trying to mask the pain he was in.

"Well that's just great" Danny glanced along the ridge, they were well hidden within the tree line and if the rocks were steep chances were they wouldn't get spotted. Danny turned back to Steve, he had slumped sideways against the tree.

"Jesus McGarrett" Danny quickly moved next to him, carefully lowering him onto his good side. He got no reaction from the movement and that worried him. He gently undid the belt and lifted Steves t-shirt exposing the makeshift dressing. It was stuck in place and he chose not to disturb it in case it bled again. The crease further up was red and inflamed but it wasn't bleeding. Danny then pulled Steves t- shirt away exposing his side and stomach, he palpated both, feeling for anything unusual, he wasn't sure how close he may have come to an exit wound. Steve groaned in his sleep and instinctively tried to curl up.

Danny quietly whispered "Hey….hey its ok just relax "Steve settled at the sound of his voice. He pulled the t-shirt back into place and tightened the belt, Steve shifted and groaned under the renewed pressure "sssshhh its ok….just rest"

Danny pulled his phone out again, he could still shake water out of it. He patted along Steve's pockets til he found his, it too was water logged. He wondered if they might still be traceable, if they were, Chin would be on it. If not he would track the GPS on the truck, that's if it was still where they left it. Either way Chin or Kono wouldn't be missing them til morning, as they hadn't planned on returning to HQ tonight.

Danny pushed his hair out of his eyes, the only hope he had of anyone noticing them missing tonight was Rachael, since getting Grace picked up was definitely out. Rachael had Steve's number and the office, so if Chin and Kono stayed late, he and Steve might be in luck.

Danny glanced over to Steve, he was restless, even in his sleep it was obvious he was in pain. He reached out rubbing his hand down his arm, quietly letting him know he was there. The small gesture seemed to get through to him as the restlessness seemed to dissipate and he relaxed into a more peaceful sleep.

Danny was shook out of his reverie by the distant sound of voices. He scanned the ridge waiting to get a glimpse of the gunmen. Finally in the distance he made out their movement through the foliage, he was able to pick up some of the conversation as they walked. It was obvious that they both thought Steve and him were dead. The conversation carried on to the disposal of the truck and then slowly faded as they moved further along the ridge.

Quietly Danny pondered their situation, he couldn't leave Steve by himself in his condition. Neither had their guns or he would consider trying to make it to the road, although he wasn't' sure about having Steve move excessively in his state. The only good thing was they both were pretty much dry from their unexpected swim, but it would be getting dark soon and with that the damp air. Danny rolled his eyes "so much for paradise" he sarcastically said to himself.

The change in Danny's mood didn't go un-noticed, even by a sleeping McGarrett, he startled awake with a grunt, his hand grasping towards the pain it caused. The sudden movement caught Danny completely off guard. He nearly jumped to catch him before he moved too much, gripping his hand he pulled it around in front and hovered over him getting him to relax.

Steve's breath hitched and his eyes were squeezed shut as he fought the pain. Danny kept up a quiet litany of words while he kept one hand firmly pressed against Steve's chest and the other against his shoulder effectively anchoring him. "breathe McGarrett…just breathe nice and easy….that's it"

Slowly the pain released its hold and Danny could feel Steve's body relax beneath him. Exhausted blue eyes blinked open, trying to focus on the way too close Danny. Steve tried to shift but Danny kept his hold "No you don't lie still….ok?" Steve nodded

Danny released his hold when he was sure Steve opted not to move. He then shifted allowing Steve back his personal space and gave him the time he needed to recall what happened.

After a few minutes of silence Danny spoke "How are doing Partner? And don't super seal coat it"

Steve looked at Danny taking in his haggard appearance "Tired n sore"

Danny shifted back closer to him" you want to try and sit up?"

"Yeah I think so"

Danny caught a hold of him taking most of his weight while he shifted upwards, he carefully leaned him back against the tree. Danny then moved to Steve's right and sat with him leaning back too. He listened intensely to Steve's laboured breathing knowing well the Seal was trying to hide just how much pain he was in.

Steve spoke up first "the phones don't work?"

"No completely water logged"

"Those guys come back"

"Yeah …they think we're dead….mentioned something about getting rid of the truck"

Steve instinctively felt his pant pockets.

"Left the keys in it didn't you?" Danny sarcastically said

Steve just looked

Danny patted him on the leg "It's ok at least we won't have to get the ignition fixed"

Steve rolled his eyes "great" he then reached for his holster "what about the guns?"

"Lost mine when you jumped me and yours wasn't on you"

"Yeah I had mine" Steve started to think "When we were climbing out of the water onto the bank….I set it down"

Danny leaned forward "You did?"

"Yeah I know I did….it should be where we climbed out"

"Well that's the best news I've heard today…ok you stay put while I go get it"

Steve grabbed Danny's arm "Be careful"

"Of course idiot….think I'll be like you?" Danny said with a smile "Stay put be right back"

Danny followed the tree line until it came out by the river. He then slowly made his way along the bank towards the area that Steve and him had gotten out. He ran his hands through the longer grass pulling it back searching desperately for the gun, finally he spotted it, laying just in from the water's edge. Danny quickly picked it up, checked the clip and slid it into his belt.

He turned to make the trek back, when the silence was interrupted with the roar of an engine. Danny froze not knowing what to make of it, he scanned the ridge as the sound got louder. Soon the vegetation gave way to an airborne Chevy

"Holy shit!" as he scrambled to get out of the way.