Steve slept all afternoon and the three detectives took turns working on cooling him as they chatted quietly amongst themselves. The injured man would occasionally moan but for the most part he slept soundly until the Doctor arrived at a little after four o'clock.
"I'm sorry I got stuck in emergency surgery, let's check him out here"
He woke Steve and asked him a few simple questions before checking his vitals.
"Your temperature is down to 100.8 so this is good, let me check your incision now" He pulled back the bedding and removed the bandaging. Kono gasped slightly at the sight of the abdominal incision, the length itself a telltale sign of the severity of the injury.
"It looks good young man, very good. The nurse says that you are refusing all pain medication?"
"I don't need… it Doc"
"Well I want you to humor me and at least take the medication at bed time tonight. A good, solid night's sleep is the best thing for you"
"Okay Doc, ww….wwwill do"
"I'll stop up again around ten o'clock tomorrow morning, you rest now"
"Yes sir…thank you"
As the Doctor left the room Steve called out to his partner, "Dddanno….Dannno?"
"Hey I'm right here buddy" He grabbed Steve's hand, "I'm here"
"Chin told mmee everything….Steve closed his eyes, "I'm sorry Danno"
"Please don't…..my God you have nothing to be sorry for. I don't give a shit what happens with IA as long as you're alive. Steve, that's all that matters" Tears welled in Danny's eyes as Steve squeezed his hand with all the strength he had in him.
"Thank you…..Danno….yyyou saved mmmy life"
"I'm just so thankful I was able to get you out in time. God Steve I was so scared, you lost so much blood….. I knew I had to move quickly, I wasn't going to lose you…."
"Youu…wwere shot too Danno…..you okay?"
"Of course I am, you're the one in bed. I was hit in the arm. The stitches are already out. I'm fine, I promise you"
"Okay…good…..good" Steve closed his eyes, "Good Danno…"
Steve's grip tightened and his face contorted in pain.
"Relax Steve, squeeze tight babe…..ssshhhhhhhhhhh, relax"
"I'm ttired Danno"
"I know partner, sleep now. I'm right here"
Chin returned with the nurse who injected pain medication into Steve's IV port and in moments he was under.
Kono ran out and picked up dinner for the three of them and then they visited quietly. The cousins left about nine thirty for the night and Danny stood watching his friend, wiping his face and head with a cool cloth for several hours before he settled into the chair for the night.
Over the next three days Steve slept most of the time as his body battled the infection. He slowly began to regain his strength and the Doctor removed the drainage and feeding tubes, starting him on a diet of soft foods.
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The agents began rotating shifts at the hospital and Chin set up the appointment for Governor Denning to meet with Steve early one morning when Danny was at 5-0 headquarters with Kono.
They were just returning to the room after a walk around the nurses' station when Denning came up behind them. He looked on as Chin helped the injured man back into bed and gave him some water.
"Thank you for coming Governor"
Denning reached out shaking Chin and Steve's hands, "Of course Commander McGarrett, how are you feeling?"
"A lot better, thank you"
"Before we talk, I thought that you may want to hear the tape of the conversation between Detective Williams and Sergeant Fryer... Detective Kelly?"
"I'd like him to stay Governor"
Denning nodded, "That's fine"
Chin stood at the foot of the bed as Denning sat and started the recorder.
Steve held a hand to his face rubbing lightly as he listened intently to the recording. He heard the intensity, the anger in his partner's voice….. or as he liked to refer to it as 'his tone'
Chin struggled not to smile as he listened to his friends' defiant nature with Sergeant Fryer.
Once done, Governor Denning spoke, "Steve, I am very grateful that you are recovering. Your leadership and the actions of your task force over the last two years have been a huge reason for the decrease in crime in Hawaii. You have virtually been a given free rein on how to handle your cases and only occasionally have I determined that a line has been crossed"
Steve jumped in "With all due respect Governor, this is not one of those times"
Governor Denning looked into Steve's eyes, "You're right Commander, I agree. I listened to this tape and Sergeant Fryer has been reprimanded. He is good at what he does but he needs to handle himself more professionally while performing interrogations. He definitely showed a lack of compassion which put Detective Williams on the defensive immediately. As far as the investigation goes, once it was publicized that an IA investigation was being opened I was notified personally by all seven hostages who wholeheartedly defended every action that Danny took in the bank. Every one of them said the same thing. Danny took charge of the scene immediately and acted professionally and with great bravery. The robbers were tense and anxious and each hostage felt their life was in danger. Each and every one of them stated that after the robbers refused to release you it was Danny who convinced them to release the three women they did as a good faith gesture. He then acted with extreme bravery and skill in taking possession of your back up weapon and killing the two offenders thus preventing any harm being brought upon the hostages. From what they have told me, they all felt that time was of the essence not only to save your life but to save theirs as well. Not only will no charges or disciplinary actions be filed against Detective Williams but he will be awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery and heroism"
Steve held out his hand to the Governor who shook it enthusiastically, "Thank you Governor Denning. When will you tell Danny this?"
"I'd like to do it now if you can get him up here"
Chin moved to the side of room and called Kono, He then looked to the Governor, "He'll be here in about fifteen minutes sir"