Hawaii Five O
Ikaika
AN: I'm back! How much do you guys hate me? Read this chapter first and then decide, cause you just might hate me even more afterwords.
AN2: This is the important one! I'm sad to say that I've changed the story quite a bit, so it's a work in progress now. So sorry about that, but I think the story is going to be much better!
AN3: I desperately need a BETA! Please or even just someone who can throw ideas back and forth with me! I'm desperate!
Disclaimer: I still don't own them, Santa is apparently not very reliable when it comes to my wishlist.
On to the story...
The sun rose hot and early over the island of Oahu. In air-conditioned rooms tourists turned away from the windows and slept blissfully on. Locals were taking advantage of the early morning quiet as the jogged down the un-crowded boardwalks or stretched out on the white sand beaches.
Steve sat watching a group of surfers taking advantage of empty line-ups, when a nurses aid interrupted him.
"Commander McGarrett, I'm sorry to interrupt, but I have a message from the Governor's office for you."
"When did the call come through? Why wasn't I told?" Steve swivelled his wheelchair to cast an icy glare at the young woman.
"You had a rough day at therapy yesterday, and Dr Anders left notice that you not be disturbed. All calls to the phone in your room were diverted back to the main desk." The aid squared her shoulders, refusing to be intimidated by the moody Commander.
"Thank you, I'll phone them back. Please tell Dr Anders I'd like to see him." McGarrett said, easing up on his harsh tone.
The aid said nothing and turned around almost hitting Danny Williams on her way out.
"Steven, you really should start being nicer to the nurses. You're going to be relying on them for the foreseeable future." Danny joked as he walked into the room carrying two coffees, and a paper bag.
"Shut up Danny." Steve muttered turning back to the window.
"What's got your boxers in a twist? Mark said you were in a bad mood, I didn't think it was this bad." Danny said placing a take-away cup on the windowsill next to Steve.
"You're discussing me with my physical therapist now?" Steve grumbled.
"I ran into him in the hallway! Why are you so annoyed?"
"It's nothing Danny, just leave it alone ok."
"Listen Steve, I get it, you're going through a tough time. Just stop taking it out on the people around you. Were trying to help!" Danny said getting annoyed with his friend.
"You get it? You think you get it? Please stop saying that! I am so sick of hearing that!" Steve shouted dropping his head into his hands.
"Steve, I'm sorry, but I'm not exactly sure how to handle this situation!" Danny said sitting down on a chair opposite is friend.
"Maybe you could just give me some space for a change! I've hardly had any time alone. I am so sick of everyone crowding around me, treating me like I can't do anything alone!" Steve wheeled backwards heading towards the bed.
"Steve..."
"Don't Danny just don't... Leave me alone."
"Fine, call me when you're ready to see civilized people again!" Danny said as he stalked out the room.
The SEAL simply watched his friend leave through bloodshot eyes.
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Three hours later Steve was sitting in a private conference room in the administration wing of the hospital.
"Thank you for seeing me on such short notice Commander." Governor Denning spoke as he entered the room. "I hope I'm not late?"
"No Governor, you're right on time. I'm sorry I couldn't make it to your office." Steve had asked an orderly to wheel him down to the conference room, and had then asked him to remove the wheelchair once Steve was settled in a chair. He also kept his hand with the IV under the table. The last thing he wanted was to seem weak in-front of his boss.
"That's quite alright. Do you mind if we get to the point. I have a busy day ahead of me."
"I know why you're here Governor." Steve interrupted before Denning could continue. "I realise that this is a delicate situation and that your task force needs a leader. Your replacing me."
"Well if you want to be blunt about it, yes. I'm sorry Commander, but I have to think about the welfare of the island. Crime rates have risen quite extremely since you were injured. It seems criminals are crawling out of their holes now that you're out of the picture. I need to bring in someone that will send them running back to the hellholes they came from. However, there will always be a job available for you at Five-O should you decide to come back." The Governor leaned forward, as if to share something important with Steve. "This is beyond my control Commander, there are other people I have to consider."
With that Denning stood and looked down at Steve.
"I'm sorry it came to this. I am confident that your replacement, Vic Sanders, will fill your shoes. Especially when it comes to kidnapping cases." Denning turned around and walked out the room.
Steve leaned back with a sigh, and the news was like the straw that broke the camel's back. Usually composed and in total control of his emotions, Steve broke down in the privacy of the conference room. When the orderly came to collect Steve half-an-hour later, he pretended not to see the red eyes and dried tear tracks on the Commander's cheeks.
When Steve got back to his room Mark Anders was waiting for him
"I believe you wanted to see me? What was so urgent that it couldn't wait until this afternoon?" Mark said leaning against the wall as Steve got back in his bed.
"Yeah, since you're my primary physician now, I was hoping I could get my phone back." Mark had taken over Steve's primary care once the stitches had been removed and Dr Wright was no longer needed. Steve had also been transferred to the therapy wing in Tripler where he would stay until Mark deemed him fit for outpatient-care.
"What makes you think my answer would be any different than Dr Wright's?" Mark asked, raising and eyebrow.
"Maybe because you're a different person? I'm so sick and tired of having all my calls being transferred to the nurse's desk. Do you have any idea how many important calls I've missed? Come on Doc, I don't have control of anything in my life anymore, at least give me something. Besides I've heard and seen a lot of other patients with cellphones." Steve said matter of factly, hoping the guilt card would get him back his cellphone.
"Fine, I'll allow you a cellphone on one condition..." Mark paused until Steve gave a nod of consent. "I have the right to take it away when I think it's stopping you from getting proper rest."
"Deal." Steve said eager to make some long overdue phone calls.
"Was that all?" Mark asked as he watched Steve reach for the landline next to the bed.
"Yeah thanks."
Mark just smiled; glad that he could give his bad tempered patient something to smile about.
An hour later there was a courier standing in Steve's door.
"Commander McGarrett. As requested, your phone is fully charged and we installed all your back-up files on it."
"Thank you, please charge it to my personal account. This has nothing to do with Five-O." Steve said reaching for the clipboard to sign for the phone.
"As you wish Commander."
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Miles away Luitenant Catherine Rollins rolled over in her bunk when she heard her phone ring. All reprimands died on her lips when she saw Steve's photo flash on the small screen.
"Hey sailor. Missing me so much that you can't wait to see me tomorrow."
"Hey Cath. It's so good to hear your voice."
"Steve what's wrong?" Catherine sat up hearing the almost desperate tone in her boyfriend's voice.
"Nothing, I just miss having you here." Steve said, leaning back into the pillows as he listened to Cath's breathing.
"Well, luckily you'll see me tomorrow. It's been hell not being allowed any communication the last month." Cath said thinking of the training she had been part of for the last 4 weeks.
Steve chuckled. "You volunteered. Listen Cath, there's something I need to tell you and I need you not to freak out."
"Now I am freaking out! What's wrong?"
"It's not as serious as you think. " Steve cringed realizing his mistake. "I was in a training accident a little over three weeks ago, I'll explain everything to you tomorrow, I just wanted you to know to meet me at Tripler's therapy wing, not at home."
"You can't say it's not serious and then say you've been at Tripler for over three weeks! That's got to be serious otherwise you'd be home!"
"Relax Cath, please don't make me explain it to you over the phone."
"Ok, I'll wait till tomorrow. Just tell me you're ok."
"I'm not, but I will be."