Sorry for such a delay...not sure what is up with my computer but I've been having a heck of a time getting the chapters to upload on the site...only good thing is I've managed to get ahead with extra chapters instead of throwing my computer out the door
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The doctor had just finished giving Steve pain medication and he had slipped into a drug induced sleep. The doctor assured him he would be asleep for a few hours. Steve was critical and sleep is what he needed, the next 24 hours would be crucial. They had done everything they could for him, Steve needed to fight now. Danny watched his friend, Steve knew Danny was here for him, he hoped that alone would help him battle his way out of this.
"Rest partner" as Danny rubbed the wrist to the hand he had just recently held. He needed to find out what was going on, a meeting with the Governor was in order. He pulled out his newly acquired phone glancing back towards McGarrett . This was close….too close and according to Danny's watch another 23hours 20min and 15 seconds til he knew his partner was going to be fine. The Governor better have a dam good explanation, as he flipped through the already logged in contacts and pressed the appropriate number.
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Danny was picked up outside of what appeared to be a medical building. He was on some sort of base. From there he was escorted to another building, where he was guided to an office. He sat and waited, ten minutes later he turned to see who was entering. A couple of uniformed personal entered first, followed by the Governor, she moved slowly obviously in some discomfort. Danny stood
"Detective Williams" as she slowly lowered herself into a chair opposite him
"Governor" Danny said a little more sharply than he planned and sat.
"I am planning a meeting tomorrow with all of you…Kono and Chin will be here ….I have sent for them"
"What is going on?….and where are we? "Danny said looking around
"Firstly Detective we are on a Naval base….this is the Commanders people, for a lack of a better term" as she gestured towards the two officers " they have stepped up to ensure the safety of one of their own….which of course includes his team… Five O"
"We thought you were dead!….Steve is fighting for his life right now because he was blamed for your death" as Danny stood again reframing from slamming his chair into the wall.
"I realize that Detective, but this, as she gestured again, was a well laid out plan….i did not know Steve was going to show up in the middle of it, there was no talking him down….he was on a mission of his own. All I could do was scramble after the fact to protect him….."
"That's what you call that" as Danny's voice escalated and his arms went wild "Protecting him….they just about killed him at HPD lock up"
"Detective Williams!"
Danny stopped, glaring at her
"We don't know who is all involved with Wo Fat….I assumed Steve would have been safe at HPD til the following morning. Had I known he was in danger, arrangements would have been made to move him sooner. As it is, we have carefully covered our tracks so Wo Fat is under the assumption that Steve has met his demise along with myself. This alone will allow us to re-group and hopefully during this time Wo-Fat will let his guard down. This was carefully planned out Danny…"
"What!...framing Steve!….that was the plan?…you think we would sit back and let that happen?….you of all people Governor, you knew his father, you knew what that would do to him….you really thought he wouldn't show up? Danny laughed "Really Governor you …."as Danny shook his head
"Let me tell you something Ma'am….if my partner "Danny moved his hands to enunciate his words "actually let me rephrase that…. my friend, my Ohana…. because seriously he is almost tied for first why I stay on this pineapple invested hell hole….doesn't pull through, I'm holding you personally responsible"
"I understand how angry you are Danny….but you need to know I was looking out for Steve's best interest as well as that of the team"
Danny scowled "His best interest? He's in a hospital bed fighting for his life, that's what you call looking out for his best interest?" as Danny turned heading for the door, grabbing the knob he turned looking back at the Governor "and another thing…. I haven't even started to get angry yet!"
Danny headed out of the building, the anger dissipating as he waited patiently for his ride. He had a partner to get back to, he told him he would be there when he woke up, and it was a promise that he would keep.
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Steve had been moved into a comfortable room, all the monitors were still in place but there was more access to him. He was pale and his skin glistened with sweat, evidence to a rising fever. The nurse had assured him it was normal after surgery, his vitals were good and he seemed to be holding his own.
Danny finally got to relax, the room Steve was in had all the comforts of a small apartment, less a kitchen of course. The couch was even more comfortable than his own as he stretched out flicking on the television. He kept the volume down so he wouldn't bother Steve, although he figured nothing would wake him right now, the doctor had him heavily medicated despite his concussion. Danny kept glancing at him, it was disturbing seeing him so still, he quietly flicked through the channels til the humming of the monitors made him drift into a restless sleep.
Danny startled awake hours later, a blanket had been placed over him, the television was still on but the volume had been muted. He turned when he heard a soft noise, the nurse smiled at him
"Sorry didn't mean to wake you…..your friend is doing well, holding his own still" as she drew the covers back up Steve's chest "did you need anything?"
"No…No I'm good thanks" Danny tiredly said "What time is it?"
"It's 5….the doctor will be here in an hour to check on him….you should get some more sleep" as she smiled and quietly left.
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Danny stood hovering over Steve, for the last fifteen minutes Steve seemed like he was trying to wake up. He had moved once, groaned and hadn't moved since, the pain obviously keeping him still. Danny spoke quietly to him, the rhythm on the heart monitor had changed and he had turned his head in the direction of Danny's voice. Danny reached for his hand squeezing lightly, he was warm, too warm Danny thought.
"Are you even listening to me?"as Danny reached placing the palm of his other hand across Steve's brow frowning at the warmth he felt.
He smiled then as he felt Steve weakly return the squeeze "you are listening"
Danny turned at the sound of the door, the doctor walked in "Detective Williams…how's our patient doing?"
"Hi Doc….I think he's trying to wake up, he's still seems too warm though"
"Yeah we're going to clean and re dress his wounds….make sure nothing is infected" as he checked his temperature" the fever is low grade I expect it's just from his surgery" the door opened again as a nurse came in with a tray
Danny moved so he wasn't in the way.
"You can stay detective, he is semi-conscious…it'll make things easier if there is someone here he knows' as the doctor eyed Danny up "unless of course this will bother you" as he gestured to the tray
"ah…no I'll be fine" as Danny moved back beside the bed
The blanket was pulled back exposing the dressing on Steve's chest and stomach. What wasn't covered in gauze was bruised, decorating his upper body in several shades of purple and blue. A small tube drained out of his right side and several spots on the gauze that covered his stomach had blood stains.
The doctor carefully removed the surgical tape to expose the wounds. Steve flinched clearly in discomfort. Danny spoke softly to him, holding his hand, while his other was back across his brow, his thumb rubbing gently back and forth trying to distract him. Steve turned to the sound of his voice but his eyes remained closed.
The doctor and nurse worked quickly and efficiently cleaning and re-dressing his wounds "Relax commander…we're almost done" as the doctor finished taping up the last gauze. He pulled the blanket back in place. He took his pen light and lifted Steve's eye lids to check his pupils. Steve pulled away clearly agitated
"I know….. your head still hurts" as the doctor waited for him to relax "Nurse can you turn the light down …Commander I want you to open your eyes"
Danny watched "Come on Steven…enough of the Rip Van Winkle stuff" as he squeezed his hand again
The doctor looked at Danny and smiled
Some more encouragement from both Danny and the doctor and Steve finally complied, it was clear he was in pain as he sluggishly tried to follow what the doctor was asking. Steve's focus would shift to Danny as he tried to stay awake completely ignoring the doctor. Danny raised his eyes to the doctor shrugging his shoulders
"He never really pays attention…so this is nothing unusual"
"Well he is doing well considering…we're going to give you something for the pain now commander…you need to sleep"
Steve glanced to the doctor but re focussed back on Danny, it was like he thought Danny would disappear if he wasn't watching. The effort he was making seemed almost painful.
Danny rubbed his shoulder, one of the rare places that wasn't bruised "I'm not leaving…so relax…ok?...go to sleep McGarrett"
His eyes slowly blinked, Danny felt him lightly squeeze his hand, then his eyes closed losing the battle to the pain meds.
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Danny sat on the couch, head in his hands "when did everything get so complicated?" he glanced up at Steve's sleeping form "I feel guilty even thinking I should blame this all on you"
He leaned back staring at the ceiling when he heard the door open again. It stayed open, whoever opened it was still hidden behind it, Danny tensed reaching for his gun.