Chin and Kono had arrived at HQ and thought it strange that Steve wasn't there yet. He usually was the first to arrive. The light blinked steady on the answering service so Chin hit the button fully expecting some message from Steve explaining his absence. What he hadn't expected was the messages from Danny's ex –wife. He quickly dialled both Steve and Danny's phones, both went to voice mail.

Kono came back in with coffees "what's up cuz"

"Danny didn't pick up Gracie…Rachael left a couple of messages here for him"

"That's not like Danny….did you try his phone?"

"Yeah his and Steve's, but both went to voice mail"

Kono moved to the computer typing in to trace the phones "Nothing they must be off"

"Try the GPS for the car"

"That's strange the cars at Danny's" Kono looked to Chin

"Try the truck "

"The truck is….Chin isn't that where Danny and Steve went yesterday?"

"Kono call HPD get them to meet us out there"

Danny slowly woke, he felt hot, the warmth making him uncomfortable as he shifted. His motion was hindered with a weight holding him in place, he shifted again trying to displace it when the clarity of his situation shot him fully awake.

Steve groaned at the sudden jarring movement and tried shifting to get more comfortable.

"Steve?" Danny grabbed him stopping his effort which produced another groan from the injured man. "Steve? …can you hear me?"

Danny slid his hand down pulling the blankets back exposing the wound, there was no fresh blood. He was still really hot but he wasn't shivering, he wasn't sure if that was good or bad.

"Steve?" Danny shook him "Steve?"

Steve shifted again, tensed and groaned "Da Dan Danno" as feverish eyes fluttered half mask seeking out the familiar voice.

"Hey sleepy head you going to wake up?"

"Danno? " Steve tracked his new surroundings and frowned

Danny picked up on the unspoken question "We're in the truck….it was raining"

He leaned forward snagging a bottle of water. He carefully shifted Steve more upright cracking open the bottle and pressing it to his lips.

"I need you to drink …ok? "

Steve took a few swallows before he moved his head away

"Hey you should drink more "Danny tried to entice him

"Don't feel so good "was Steve's weary response

Danny ran his hand across his brow "I know buddy…this fevers making you feel shitty" not to mention the bullet in your back he thought to himself…."I need to get you help"

Danny glanced out at the upcoming sun, he snagged Steve's wrist to read his watch"5:30" Kono and Chin wouldn't be at HQ for at least another hour and he was certain Rachael would have left a few choice messages by now.

Danny slowly slid out from under McGarrett, grabbing the pillow to place back under his head. Steve groaned from the movement and a warm hand snagged Danny's wrist, as tired blue eyes snapped open

"where….."

"Where?" Danny cocked his head to get eye contact, rubbing his loose hand across Steve's face "Where?...what?"

"going?.." Steve tiredly finished, still gripping tightly to Danny

Danny smiled "Not far….just relax" as he loosened the grip Steve had on him and tucked his arm back under the blankets.

Danny got out of the truck, stretching the kinks out in the early morning sun. He glanced towards the two bodies then scanned the ridge. He needed to get help, he just wasn't sure how far a walk that would be. He was concerned with leaving Steve though, but he wouldn't have much choice, the man was in no condition to be moved.

Danny moved back to the truck, if he was going to get going he needed to leave soon. The sun would crest the hillside soon and that would mean the truck would be in its path, he could just imagine how hot the interior would get. He debated on getting Steve out of the truck and laying him in the shade but the movement would probably aggravate the wound. He opened both back doors and a nice breeze blew through, he guessed he would have a little over an hour before the sun would directly hit the truck.

Danny climbed in pulling the blankets back, he gently pulled Steve's shirt up exposing the dressing as he double checked to make sure it wasn't bleeding. He pulled the shirt back and replaced the blankets, he ran his hand along Steve's shoulder stirring him awake.

"Hey buddy, how you doing?"

"mmmmm...tired" was the slurred response

"I know…..I'm going to let you sleep …..Steve?" Danny jostled him to get him to pay attention

"Yea…yeah sleep" was the drowsy reply

"I need to go get help or at least get to a phone…..I need you to stay here in the truck…..do you understand?...Steve?" Danny squeezed his shoulder

"Get help…k…stay put….sleep" as his eyes slowly closed

Danny placed the back of his hand on Steve's brow, the heat radiated off of him. He grabbed the cloth and wet it and wiped the sweat off his face and down his chest. He re-wet it and placed it on his forehead. Danny then worked both windows down so he could close the back doors, he felt it would be safer while he was gone. He then rolled the blankets down to allow the breeze to help keep him cool.

Danny did one last quick check not liking the idea of leaving him "Dammit McGarrett you better stay put or I'll kick your ass"

He then hastily headed off in the direction the two gunmen had come before he changed his mind.