AUTHOR'S NOTES;
A big mahalo (thanks) to everyone who reviewed this story and my other one on . I really appreciate your kind encouragement and will be happy to carry on with more stories including, I hope, sequels to both this one and What Will Be! Here (for now?) is the final chapter.
CHAPTER 16
"Sshh, can't you be more quiet, Danno's asleep!"
Steve McGarrett, on a rare whim of the hospital staff, was sharing a room with his second-in-command. Dan had been admitted for the gunshot wound and treated in ICU before being moved down to the recovery ward where the official Five-0 physician, Doc Bergman could keep an eye on both men, caring for each according to their needs.
McGarrett was acting like a Rottweiler whenever anyone came in the room and disturbed Williams' rest, insisting that his friend needed to recover in peace. This time it was the duty nurse he had the gall to bark at under his breath and she gave him her best impersonation of a feminist at a strip club as she fussed over the sheets on Steve's bed and pulled the blinds down ready for the night. He was sure she would lace his next meal with something disgusting in retaliation.
It wouldn't be long before the lead detective would be discharged (much to the relief of the nursing staff) and he was making the most of this precious time watching over his friend. He was torn between desperately wanting to return to work, despite Bergman's insistence that he wasn't ready, and wanting to stay at Danny's side. At least here he could be of some support to the man who had put himself in jeopardy to save his life.
The bullet had been removed from Dan's shoulder and his leg wound attended to but all told Williams was a mess and whilst lucky that the ambulance was on the scene when he was wounded, it was still very much in the lap of the gods as to how long it would take him to recover - but recover he would. The shock of all his injuries alone was enough to keep him there for a long time. At least here, six short feet from the bed next to him, Steve could watch his friend breathing; simply knowing he was alive was a tremendous comfort. He genuinely feared that he would never see Danno again and that was enough to make Steve turn on his aching ribs to lie awkwardly in order to continue his vigil. Each time it was suggested he would be better lying on his back he complied, but turned again as soon as the nurse was gone. It was like the IV tube leading from Danny's arm was linked to them both.
McGarrett found it hard to sleep with the noise of the machines beeping out their continuous signal, he tried pushing it to the back of his mind in order to relax as best he could. Too many things were bothering him about the whole incident. The explosion for one. They still hadn't discovered who killed Honu and planted the bomb that had almost taken their lives and, equally worrying, was the disappearance of the highly scented, Spatz-clad man at the bottom of the staircase; the man with the slobbering tone. Like trying to recognize Barlow before, it would come back to him eventually – if he had to go round personally and test every criminal's aftershave to do so!
Thomas Barlow was round the twist, according to Manicote he was claiming all kinds of harassment had taken place, not just because of Steve's attack after he shot Danny he also stated categorically that Williams was to blame for him losing a million dollars and that the State, being Dan's employers, should compensate him for his loss, no less. The DA and lawyers would have a field day with the case.
As soon as the nurse disappeared, Steve shifted painfully onto his side, tucked the hard pillow under his bruised head and studied the still, sleeping form next to him. It was hard not to like Dan Williams – intelligent, courageous, dedicated, hard working, loyal, kind, witty, good looking - he was every woman's dream but here, in the quiet moments when Steve was alone with him he had to admit he was over-awed at times by the selfless acts of bravery on his behalf. Friendship like theirs was a once in a lifetime affair and each time McGarrett came close to losing that it tore at his heart. Cop or no cop, a partner was someone you relied on to watch your back and help you out in a crisis and, yet again, Danny proved himself a partner un-equalled in Steve's books. He just hoped his friend knew how much he valued him.
"Hello, sleepy head!" Steve said, suddenly aware that Danny was looking at him from half-closed lids. "I was just thinking about you. How are you feeling Danno?"
Williams blinked rapidly, his eyes adjusting to the light. It was faintly unnerving to wake up and find your boss staring at you but inwardly it made him smile, with Steve there he knew he'd be fine.
"You need anything because I can call the nurse for you?"
Clearing his throat Danny tried to make sense of the waking world. "Hey… you okay?"
"Hey yourself! I'm not nearly as bad as you came off. How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine..I think. Have I been out long?" He asked, eyes roving over the tubing and paraphernalia.
"Maybe you haven't remembered but you've been conscious on and off for a day - you've been recovering. Barlow shot you – do you remember that?"
"He was going to kill you."
"Yeah Danno and that was some stunt you pulled! Nearly got yourself killed."
Danny forced a wry smile, "Worked though."
"Sure did, and another holiday off work because of it! If we put all your sick time end to end my friend I reckon you've only worked at Five-0 for a month since you joined!" Steve was trying to cheer him up but could see something was troubling Williams. "Is something bothering you?" He asked and shifted onto one elbow.
Dan couldn't think straight and, like the last time, his memory was hazy, "Am I on drugs?" he asked warily.
"You better believe it, that bullet went into your shoulder and tore up some muscle but luckily no nerve damage, the shrapnel wound opened up again and you still have busted ribs, healing burns and a concussion – anything else worrying you?"
"Oh!" was the hollow exclamation. "I just feel different somehow."
Steve pulled the covers from his legs and swung them off the bed, feeling carefully for the slippers he knew to be just out of reach. Slipping them on, he eased himself up and self-consciously pulled his pajama top closed over his strapped ribs. He walked slowly over to Danny's bedside and laid a hand on his friend's arm, looking down into the earnest young face.
"Different bad, or different ill?"
"Just different - not here."
McGarrett smiled, "Well that's a relief, if you felt different bad I'd have to call the duty nurse back and she doesn't like me very much! Are you in pain Danno?"
"Some. I can cope."
Steve patted his arm in a brotherly gesture, "Yeah, I'll bet you can but if you need something more I'll brave her wrath okay?"
"Okay." Danny looked perplexed as if suddenly remembering something. "Why are you here? Did he shoot you too?"
A shake of the head, "No, Doc just reckons I need some bed rest, nothing to worry about, you just concentrate on getting yourself better! You spend far too much time worrying about other people – about me. You have to preserve your strength."
"I'd like to do both." Dan smiled but it was spoiled by another concern. "Did we get the bad guys?" he asked and something indefinable crossed McGarrett's brow. Feeling dizzy he parked a hip on the side of Danny's bed, careful not to disturb the mattress too much. "Barlow and the others are in custody but there are some unanswered questions."
"Like?"
"Like who ordered the hit in the first place and killed poor Honu, also whose men laid siege to The Phantom and where is he now? Those kinds of questions."
"Barlow's not talking then."
"Apparently he's singing like a canary, he's just not saying anything. I think he's still shocked that you managed to faze him so badly."
"I'm glad, the man's a menace." Danny said and closed his eyes briefly, exhaustion catching up with him, "I'm glad you're okay Steve."
McGarrett laid a gentle hand on Williams' leg and squeezed it, "I have you to thank for that. Now you get some rest and I'll be right here when you wake up."
Dan's eyes flickered open again, barely able to stay awake, "Thanks."
"For what this time?"
"For not telling me how stupid I am." His eyes closed.
Steve smiled and tucked the blanket around his friend before returning to his own and continuing his reflection on the case. Waiting was the worst thing, he wanted to be doing something and although he promised Danny he would stay there he would have given anything to be back at the Palace and searching for clues as to the identity and whereabouts of the mysterious man.
Nights in hospital were the worst, the jaundiced light in the Spartan rooms so depressing and gloomy that it would not have surprised the detective if it was responsible for some patients giving up hope. Statistically he was willing to bet the environment was a big factor in their recovery which was why, if he had any say in the matter, he would insist that Dan be allowed to recuperate fully at his condo, where the ocean breeze and the sunlight on the lanai would help to build his emotional strength and, he admitted, where he could keep an eye on his second-in-command.
As an artist and someone who loved the colors and light of the Hawaiian islands, being cooped up indoors in artificial illumination stifled the optimism in him. Even with his colleague by his side he felt alone, Steve McGarrett was used to that – but only in his world, back at Five-0 – here it felt like he was lingering in a Lysol-permeated limbo.
The one bright spark to look forward to was the promised typhoon from Doc Bergman when Danny was well enough to be harangued. The doc told him how Williams had insisted on being discharged AMA from the hospital and the pressure exerted on Doctor Francis to acquiesce to Danny's request, including the unprecedented call from Governor Jameson. Even though the grizzled M.E. was exasperated there had been a hint of humor in his tone and McGarrett was going to enjoy the future spectacle. Chin Ho had already been verbally bullied by the good physician for letting Williams get injured again and it was a rare moment when Steve saw his oriental friend blush and stutter out an apology. It seemed to appease Bergman however and that time a satisfied huff accompanied his leaving.
Now all McGarrett had to do was wait but waiting was something he was never very good at.
-&-&-&-&
"Steve what a man wears or the length of his hair has absolutely no bearing on his ability to do the job in hand!"
McGarrett was pacing the empty room, snapping his fingers as he was prone to do when thinking – or irritated, "I know but even you said that Francis had wanted off Danno's case." The accusatory tone did not go unnoticed.
"That's true, I did and he did, but we're short handed. This is a hospital not the Five-0 private recuperation sanitarium! I might be Danny's physician but I'm also the medical examiner. Do you realize how many bodies I have stacked up and waiting for my attention in the morgue?"
"Oh don't give me that Doc, Danny's well being is my priority here, not a bunch of dead people – one live one – and someone who deserves the best!"
"And he's got it! Doctor Francis IS one of the best, in this hospital and on the islands." Bergman frowned, "Look, Danny's life is not in jeopardy, he's over the worst, all I'm asking is you let him treat Williams for the next couple of days, just until my work load is under control."
"Then what? You'll palm him off to someone else. No way…uh huh, I'm not having it. I want YOU Doc – not that hippie!"
"Don't I get any say in this?" A quiet voice said.
"Danno we were just…" Steve looked at his pale friend then the dark haired physiotherapist who wheeled him in. Neither man had noticed Williams' return until it was too late.
"Talking about me, yeah, I got that."
"How did physical therapy go?" Bergman said, trying hard to make out they hadn't been discussing him behind his back. The young detective looked pale and Doc knew from experience that therapy was sometimes as painful as being injured.
Hand on Danny's good shoulder supportively, the tall, lean therapist with broadly muscled arms replied as if the question had been directed at him, not his patient, "Mister Williams is doing fine, his shoulder is healing nicely and he'll be up on that leg in no time."
"That's great news Danno." Steve offered.
"Right." He replied dismissively, "So what's this about? Palm me off to whom?"
"Sorry Dan," Bergman said as he vacated the comfortable spot on his patient's bed. "McGarrett and I were just discussing that fact that I might have to leave you in Doctor Francis' capable hands for a couple of days. Any objections?" he asked before Steve had time to throw in his two cents-worth.
"Why should I? Unless of course he has any issues with that?" Bergman shook his head. Williams looked at McGarrett and saw his boss clench his jaw. "Steve – are you concerned about Francis? If so don't be. I knew the minute I laid eyes on him you wouldn't be happy, he's colorful alright but when all is said and done, he's a good doctor and it is only for a couple of days.
Ever since you were discharged you've been hovering around here like a mother hen over a chick. I'm fine, honestly. You don't have to worry about me. Go back to the office and when I'm ready, I'll join you."
McGarrett snorted, not pleased that his 2-I-C couldn't see his way clear to agreeing with him. "Well, if it's all the same to you Doc I want to know if there's any objection to Danno staying at my place until he's ready to go back to work. That way neither of us has to worry about being short-staffed."
Danny was stunned, once again the decision was being taken away from him. He knew Steve was concerned for his well being but he also knew that one-armed and limping he wouldn't be able to do much for himself without help and he wasn't sure he was ready to give his boss that kind of control, despite their close relationship.
"Well," Bergman began. "I suppose that could be arranged. He could continue the rest of his physiotherapy as an outpatient. Yes…I think that might work fine, so long as you follow my instructions carefully – both of you. I do NOT want a repeat of the last time you were released from here! Do I make myself clear?"
"Abundantly. So it's settled then…can I take him home today?"
"Hang on, I'm not a puppy you've just purchased in a pet shop…!"
"You're house trained aren't you Danno?" Steve asked with a half-grin.
Danny's mouth dropped open.
"Then that's settled. Oh and Doc," McGarrett added, "Thank Doctor Francis for us would you?"
"Sure Steve and good luck with the new pet!"
-&-&-&-&
"Big day tomorrow Danno." Steve said nonchalantly as he stepped over the crossed legs of his second-in-command and sat down heavily on the canvas sun lounger, making it whumpff' beneath him.
"Oh, and how's that?" Williams remarked as he sipped a beer and stared off into the middle distance eyeing a sea bird that was hovering on thermals.
"You know what – your first day back at work."
"Ah." Danny sighed, breathing in the scented air as he rolled the back of the chilled glass against his cheek, wetting his skin and cooling it. Since being kidnapped it had been a long three of weeks. As promised staying with Steve he had been pampered and spoiled, his friend enjoying the company.
Truly surprised McGarrett said, "Is that all you have to say? You've been bugging me these last few days to come back and now all you say is ah'!"
Williams turned to his friend, forehead wrinkled, "Sorry Steve, I was miles away. Of course I'm glad to be going back it's just, well, it's not like I'm on active duty. I'm not sure I can get all that worked up over sitting at my desk for the next month or so, you know?"
"Yeah Danno, I understand. I'd be the same but for now you have to let yourself heal,"
"And you can't risk someone in my condition out on the streets." Danny finished sullenly.
"Yes. I'm afraid you're right. You can't drive with your shoulder healing and Doc says you need more therapy on that leg. I don't need to remind you how difficult it is out there on the streets."
Another sip of beer and Danny resumed his search for floating bird life. Oh to be free,' he thought as he watched two gulls air dancing. "I know. I guess I just want to be doing something effective to end this case, it's bugging me Steve."
"Me too. But you can do a lot at the Palace. Whether you like it or not I can't do without your deductive reasoning and you can just as easily do that from the safety of your desk!"
That made Danny wince, use of the word safety'. Perhaps that was part of it. Behind a desk McGarrett didn't have to concern himself worrying about Williams' well being, he was safely tucked away in his office; but there was more to it than Steve understood, "And while I'm incapacitated who's watching your back?" he asked, staring now into the slowly rising bubbles in the glass then back at his friend.
"Ah, that's what's been bothering you." Steve nodded sagely. "You're worried that whoever started this will finish the job."
Danny shifted uncomfortably in his lounger, sitting up straighter and easing his cramped thigh muscles, "Of course I am! Aren't you?" Steve shrugged which only enraged his friend, "This whole thing started with a hit on you Steve, Honu died for it, you were kidnapped and auctioned off like a piece of horse flesh because of it, and we still don't know who it is! Barlow might be in prison but somewhere out there," he swept his beer across the expansive view of Honolulu, "are two men – at least – who want you dead. Now tell me I'm wrong to worry about you!"
"What can I say? I know the dangers, both of us live with that daily. It's not just Barlow and the likes of the men who were involved this time round, it's every criminal who doesn't want a cop breathing down his or her neck. You know we'd be rich if we had a dime for every threat ever posed to us. I can't stop doing what I'm doing because of it. That would be giving in and I NEVER give in to the scum living on this rock."
"I'm not suggesting you stop doing what you're doing Steve, I'm merely saying that I worry about you and until I can get rid of this damned cane I'm stuck with a permanent knot in my stomach every time you walk out of that door and I'm not with you!"
McGarrett smiled, "Mahalo for worrying Danno but I'll have Kono or Chin with me and since you insisted someone follow me to and from work I have an HPD officer stuck on my tail too!"
"You promise to keep that up?" Danny looked gloomy.
"I promise but don't think I won't make you pay for cramping my social life all this time. When you're well enough we're going to have that foursome weekend we've been talking about - if your current girlfriend is still current that is!"
"I'll drink to that!" Williams said, a little easier than before and up-ended the glass.
-&-&-&-&
Danny Williams, arm in a sling and walking stiffly with the aid of a cane, limped through the outer office of Five-0, accompanied by a piercing whistle announcing his arrival from the big Hawaiian detective ushering him. Flitting around him like butterflies anxious to land on the best flower in the park, were Jenny Sherman and the other secretaries. Behind him his designated driver for the day, Kono, shrugged and raised his eyebrows as Steve's amused gaze sought his.
Williams being injured brought out the nurturing instinct in everyone even, Steve reluctantly admitted, in him.
When McGarrett was injured the only person, other than his secretary, who was over-concerned for his welfare was Danno – but then Steve's bearing was such that no one dared treat him like he was anything but capable – all except Williams and Sherman and with her it was practically written into her job description.
Danny was doing his best to be polite as he was smothered by caring, concerned females, but when McGarrett caught his eye the look in it said get me out of here'. Steve took charge.
"Come on ladies, let Danno get to his desk, he has a pile of work waiting for him. Don't worry, he'll be fine." If they thought Steve harsh no one said anything.
As the staff returned to their work, Danny breathed an audible sigh of relief and mouthed the word thanks' to his friend. McGarrett smiled and took over guiding the younger man into the cubicle he hadn't seen for a long time.
"So let's make this clear, you are not to stress yourself out, you are still officially on the sick list so I'm not exactly popular by allowing you to come back so soon."
"I know Steve but being at home was driving me mad." He didn't add that being in Steve's home was actually what was driving him to distraction, with nothing to do but rest it was hard for him to stop his head from spinning.
"Okay, but if you feel tired Kono can drive you home."
The look on Williams' face was sheer horror, McGarrett could almost hear him reply over my dead body'. Steve pulled the chair out for Danny and Williams blushed. It was one thing for his friend to do little things for him like that when they were in private but for everyone at the office to see was more than the sandy-haired detective could bear. He did, however reluctantly, admit that even climbing the palace stairs had worn him out.
Just as he was about to sit down, Kono came into his office and delivered a large plastic bag that he dumped on top of Danny's desk, dislodging some papers that fluttered to the carpet.
"What's this?" Dan asked as Steve stooped to pick up the paperwork.
"Dunno, lab boys brought it up for you a week ago, been sitting in my office but I need da space now."
Peeling off the sticker with his name on it, Williams delved into the black plastic with a rustle and brought out something he recognized immediately as the suit he was wearing the day the bomb went off. It was in tatters, the smell of smoke hung around it and blood was visible on the pant leg and collar, Danny's blood. The aroma was potent.
"Well the least they could have done would be to launder it!" Dan commented as he fingered the material in disgust, "Just what am I supposed to do with this? I don't have a bin big enough."
"I would have thought Che would have got rid of it already Danno. Want me to ask Jenny if she'll mend it for you?" McGarrett teased.
"Oh very funny, no, I do not and I'll tell you something, if Barlow can sue the State for a million dollars, I am holding the department responsible for getting me a new suit!"
"Well then, how about you and I go out and buy you a replacement. My treat eh Danno?"
Williams glanced sideways at his boss, suspicious of the generous offer, "Sure Steve and you'll put it on your expenses later!"
"At least it saves you the paperwork to requisition one bruddah." Kono said and chuckled.
"Okay." Danny agreed reluctantly and narrowed his eyes at Steve, "But don't think just because I'm one handed you get to check my inside leg measurement!"
"I wouldn't dream of it Danno. We'll get Jenny and the office girls to do that before we leave!"
"Oh no you don't!" Came the panicked reply.
It was good to hear him laugh again.
-&-&-&-&
On the windward side of the Oahu, in his hideaway mansion, Doyle Weston, dressed in a black and gold silk Kimono with a menacing dragon arching across his rounded shoulders and two stylized copper colored snakes draped from shoulder to breast, was lying on a couch that could hardly be seen for the profusion of multi-colored satin cushions on it. A petite oriental girl, attired only in a turquoise bikini knelt before him and was painting his stubby toenails a shade of crimson. His face was powdered a grotesque white and another scantily clad female, who looked no older than fifteen, was massaging his temples with infused oil. He was on the telephone, talking business and obscenely oblivious to the women listening in.
"I see we have trouble. It's not like Wo Fat to use a method as pedestrian as an explosion, he's more cunning than that. Perhaps he has something else in mind; a grand plan for our Mister McGarrett? No matter, I don't feel like playing with the Chinese – it would have been far more patriotic, and likely to succeed, if we had done the job ourselves.
I've lost too much collateral on this one, I may have to re-think. In the meantime the word is that weasel, Barlow, is planning to spill his guts in return for a deal. I wish lawyers wouldn't interfere with our business! The man could so easily have saved his life if only he had decided to keep his mouth shut.
Deal with him. I want to read it in tomorrow's evening news. I don't care how or when, just make sure Rent doesn't live past the sailing of another harbor dinner cruise. Got that? Good. You will be rewarded.
As for the others; I have only two things on my Christmas list this year – Steve McGarrett and his shadow Williams. We can discuss payment and method later. when things calm down and Five-0 are off their guard, everything is too hot at present.
I think we need to be more inventive than the fat spy was. I owe them both a considerable amount of pain…."
PAU (for now)