Steve finished dressing and sat back on the bed to wait for the orderly and thought about Danny Williams. The man was insufferable and argued over everything, but he knew how to do his job. He needed to know Danny would be all right in spite of how angry he felt over what the man had said. They'd need to clear the air, but it would have to wait until after Williams was taken care of.
Patience had never been one of his strong points and he thought about the man who'd trained him. Joe White would probably kick his ass from here to next week for being so damn stubborn when help was readily available. On more than one occasion White had told him anyone who refused medical treatment when it was there was just being an ass.
"Commander McGarrett, my name is Juan. Paulina told me to take you down to the ER," Juan Vasquez told him and motioned for the man to take a seat in the chair.
Steve moved off the bed, sat in the chair and maneuvered the pole so that he could hold it while the man took control of the handles.
"Are you set?"
"I'm good," McGarrett said and sat back as the orderly pushed him from the room. He nodded to the nurse at the desk as they passed by, and missed the look that crossed her face when Vasquez pushed him into the elevator.
"Paulina is upset with you for putting her on the spot," Vasquez told him.
"That's the story of my life," McGarrett said and closed his eyes as they started down to the main floor.
"You sure you wouldn't rather go back to your room and crawl back into bed?"
"There's nothing more I'd rather do, but I need to check on a friend."
"Must be a good friend to make you ignore your own health and test Paulina's patience," Vasquez told him.
"He is," McGarrett said, swallowing convulsively as their last meeting replayed itself in his mind. He wished the man would be quiet and was relieved when the man didn't say anything else.
Steve held tight to the IV pole as Vasquez eased the chair out of the elevator and along the corridor, passing several people who stared at them. He knew it was late and that most patients would be in bed, but right now he was where he needed to be. As the orderly pushed him toward the main ER desk the doors opened and Kono Kalakaua hurried inside.
"Hey, Boss, love the new fashion statement."
"It's the new look...what are you doing here?"
"Chin called and asked me to come ride roughshod over you," Kono answered.
"What the hell are you doing down here, Steve?"
"Hi, Keanna..."
"Don't hi Keanna me...you should be in bed."
"I needed...Danny's on his way in," McGarrett said and looked into her eyes.
"Damn...he must be the gunshot wound we're getting ready for," Wahine said and knelt in front of him. "Look, Steve, go back to your..."
"Not until I see him," McGarrett interrupted.
"I swear I've never met a more stubborn man..."
"I've heard that word a lot over the last few days," the injured man told her.
"I bet," Wahine said and smiled in spite of her worry. "Look, Steve, I need to finish setting up for Danny without worrying that you might just fall over and..."
"I'll stay right here, Keanna."
"No, you'll let Kono take you to the doctor's waiting room..."
"Dr. Wahine, the ambulance is just pulling in," a nurse called.
"Steve..."
"Go, Keanna, he needs you," McGarrett told her and watched as she hurried out the door. His breath caught in his throat as the gurney was pushed through the doors and he got a glimpse of a very pale Danny Williams. "Did anyone call Rachel?"
"I don't know," Kono answered.
"Do you have your phone?"
"Yes," Kono answered. "Maybe I should drive over there in case she wants to come in."
"It's late," McGarrett observed.
"Yes, it is, but I could stay with Grace if she's sleeping and Rachel could come over."
"Maybe...call her and if she wants to come in tell her you'll come stay with Grace," McGarrett said, his eyes never wavering from the room where Danny was being treated. He heard Kono move away and swallowed tiredly as his IV began to beep and a nurse moved to check the feed leading through the pump.
"Should you be here?" the woman asked with a frown.
"Dr. Wahine knows I'm here," McGarrett answered, relieved when Kono returned.
"I'll watch him," Kalakaua assured the nurse.
"Thanks, Kono, what did Rachel say?"
"She wants me to call as soon as we know what's happening. Now why don't we go into the waiting room and stay out of the way before they send you to your room."
"Thanks, Kono," McGarrett said and relaxed when she took control and pushed the chair toward the waiting room.
5050505050
Keanna Wahine looked at the man lying on the gurney and forced a smile as she spoke. "Well, Danny, so much for my nice and easy night."
"Sorry, Keanna, I wasn't really expecting to see you tonight," Williams said, moaning softly when the woman eased the bandage away from his shoulder.
"We're going to need to find out where the bullet is and get it out," Wahine told him as a nurse collected several vials of blood before hooking up a second IV line. "I'm going to get you something for pain in a second, Danny. You don't have any allergies do you?"
"Just to bullets and Super SEALs," Williams answered. "Did I see him out there or was I hallucinating already?"
"He's there," Wahine answered.
"Damn fool...tell him to go to his room."
"I would if I thought he'd listen," the doctor said. "Now instead of worrying about Steve, let's concentrate on you."
Danny sighed and closed his eyes, wincing when she prodded the wound. He felt someone at the IV line and opened his eyes as she finished injecting the medication Wahine had ordered. He also noted that the bag of blood running into his arm was nearly empty. God, he felt so damn tired, but he really needed to clear the air with his partner and apologize for what he'd said and done.
"Rest, Danny," Wahine ordered as Akoni Wilson entered the room.
"What do we have, Keanna," Wilson asked and listened as Wahine told him what they were dealing with.
Danny tuned them out as he drifted on a drug induced fugue that soon sent him into the world of dreams and nightmares that waited for him.
5050505050
Steve looked up as Keanna Wahine entered the waiting room and moved toward him. He knew she was still angry at him being there, but right now he wanted to know about Williams. "How is he?"
"He's lucky, Steve, but that doesn't mean he'll have an easy time of it. The bullet lodged against the collar bone, but didn't break it. It's a miracle he didn't damage the major blood vessel in the arm. He's on his way to surgery and his surgeon told me to give you a message."
"What message?" McGarrett asked tiredly.
"Dr. Wilson..."
"Shit!"
"That's right. He's pretty angry with you for being here and he doesn't want to see you in the surgical waiting room. He said surgery could take a couple of hours and that he'd come see you in your new room..."
"New room?" Kono asked.
"Yes, we figured it would be easier on the staff if we put them in the same room," Wahine answered and smiled at McGarrett. "You'll be on the same floor, but your room will be at the end of the hall."
"Thanks, Keanna," McGarrett said.
"Don't thank me yet, Steve, because I wanted to give you a shot to knock you out, but Akoni talked me out of it as long as you stay in bed."
"Can I see him?" McGarrett asked.
"Not right now, Steve, they're getting him ready for surgery and the faster we get it taken care of the better. Kono, would you take him back to his floor and check with the nurse for his new room?"
"Sure, Keanna," Kono agreed and again took control of the handles.
"Try not to worry, Steve, Danny's strong and in good shape," Wahine said and kissed him before watching as Kono wheeled him from the room.
The headache he'd been holding at bay intensified as they entered the elevator and he rubbed at his temples in an effort to ease the throbbing pain. By the time they reached his floor he was ready to admit that the trip to the ER had been a foolhardy one, but hoped no one would say anything.
"Commander, we're going to get you settled in your new room," Paulina told him and tried to take control of the wheelchair, a hint of anger flashing through her as the pretty woman refused to give up control.
"What room?" Kono asked.
"Follow me, but then you'll have to leave since visiting hours ended a long time ago," the nurse warned and led the way to McGarrett's new room.
Steve wasn't sure what it was about the woman's tone that set off alarms, but he was too tired to make sense of it as Kono pushed him into the room and over to the bed by the window. He waited until Kono locked the wheels and levered himself out of the chair, biting back a sharp curse when abused muscles in his side protested the newest abuse.
"All right, Commander, let's get you comfortable and I'll get a set of vitals before you go to sleep," Paulina told him.
Steve eased his aching body onto the bed and smiled at Kono when she lifted the blankets over him. "Thanks, Kono, make sure Dr. Wilson comes to see me when Danny's out of surgery."
"I will, Boss, now do like the nurse said and go to sleep," Kono said and left the room.
Steve closed his eyes and listened to the nurse as she took his blood pressure, but he could already feel himself drifting when she covered him with the blanket. "Thanks," McGarrett said softly.
"You're welcome, Commander," sh said and adjusted the flow of the IV before standing back and staring at the man. What was it about him that made her want to crawl into bed beside him and take care of him? Why did the though of someone else looking after him make her so angry she could scream?
"Paulina, Mr. Rawlings in 318 is asking for something for pain."
"'ll be right there, Diana," Paulina answered and silently cursed the old coot for being such a pain each night.
5050505050
David O'Brien knew he had to keep a low profile and was glad he had several accounts he could access without giving away his location. He'd set up the different profiles at small banks when he first arrived in Hawaii. Now he needed money and stopped at several ATMs to withdraw cash from each account before picking up a package at a post office that advertized 24 hour service. It held several passports and other pieces of identification that could get him out of the country once the heat was off.
David knew if he tried to leave he'd be caught because by now his face was probably plastered over the news and an alert had probably been posted to the airports. He cursed Danny Williams for making a fool of him and vowed to make the sonofabitch pay before he left the island. He had contacts, not good ones, but he had enough on them to make them work with him. Higgins and Sheffield would be his first call, and they would soon find out that he didn't make idle threats.
David turned the motorcycle away from the city and headed west toward a small hotel that would take cash and not ask questions. He'd stay there until he could get what he wanted before leaving for Rio or some other South American city where money could easily buy anonymity.
5050505050
Chin hurried toward the waiting room at the end of the hallway, not surprised to find Kono reading a magazine that looked like it had seen better days. "any word about Danny, Cuz?"
"Not yet. Keanna was here a little while ago and told me it would be another hour or so," Kono answered.
"How's Steve?"
"I checked on him an hour ago and he was sleeping. I have a feeling he'll be read the riot act when Dr. Wilson sees him."
"He might just find he's on the receiving end of the riot act. Steve knows his limitations and he's not stupid," Chin observed.
"We know that, but sometimes even Steve needs to realize all that training can't counteract blood loss and damage. I know he's trained to get past the pain and move, but he's human and he has human frailties just like the rest of us," Kono offered.
"I know that, and you know that, but sometimes a man who's been trained to move like Steve, finds it hard to admit when he's hurting or when he needs help," Chin told her.
"I think Keanna was ready to knock him on his butt if he argued with going back to his room."
"So that's where he is."
"Yes, but he's been moved into a double so Danny can be put in with him after recovery," Kono said with a smile.
"Oh, man, can you imagine the arguments between them after they've both been dosed with morphine?"
"I'd like to be a fly on the wall," Kono agreed. He took a seat next to her and looked at the television, but wasn't interested in what was on. There was no one else in the waiting room and he searched through the channels while Kono continued to read the magazine. He turned the volume down and sat back, waiting for news on Danny Williams.
5050505050
The room was dark, except for the thin stream of light shining through the partially open drapes. Soft breathing from the man on the bed reached her ears and she slowly made her way across the room. Once there she studied the face, enjoying the feeling that came over her at the thought of what this man was like and what he did for a living.
She reached out, but snatched her hand back when he moved as if unconsciously aware he was being watched. She injected the medication into his existing IV and knew there would come a tie when he would be at her mercy. His eyelids fluttered and she sighed contentedly when they opened, revealing eyes that were glazed with the effect of the drugs he was being given.
"Hello, Commander, how are you feeling?"
"Tired," McGarrett answered.
"I expect you are after the late night wanderings. I just gave you something for pain and it should help you sleep," Paulina told him.
"Is Danny...is he here?" McGarrett asked.
"They just called down to say he'd be here in an hour. Surgery went well, but he's going to sleep and you should do the same," Paulina said and tucked the blanket around him.
"Danny's okay?"
"Yes, he is," she assured him and wished she could stay right here, but there were other patients she had to attend to. "Commander, if you need anything just push the button."
"I will...thanks."
Paulina watched him for several seconds before leaving the room. The smile on her face was one of rapture, but it disappeared as soon as she returned to the desk and filled out the nightly report.
5050505050
"Detective Williams, we're going to transfer you to the bed now, so just relax and let us do the work," Paulina said as she helped the orderly maneuver the gurney up to the bed. She glanced at the occupant of the other bed, and knew the man was awake when he turned his head and turned toward them.
Danny mumbled something unintelligible, a soft moan escaping as they shifted him onto the bed. Whatever they'd given him upstairs must have been really good because all he wanted to do was sleep. He felt the nurse ding something to his arm, but his eyelids were so damn heavy he couldn't find the strength to open them.
"Detective, you're call button is beside your right hand. Just press it if you need anything," Paulina told him.
"Thanks," Williams aid and turned his head slightly. He blinked several times until the man in the second bed came into focus and closed his eyes with a heavy sigh. He heard the orderly take the gurney out of the room and thought he was dreaming when the nurse seemed to say something he couldn't quite grasp to McGarrett, but he drifted off before he could make sense of it
It was several hours later when he opened his eyes and licked at dry lips. He hated the taste in his mouth and looked for something to relieve the dryness in his throat. He turned to look at the other bed and noted that McGarrett was still sleeping and coughed, moaning when it quickly reminded him why he was in the hospital.
"Here, Danny," Rachel said and smiled at him.
"Rachel, when did you get here?"
"About an hour ago. You were sleeping," Rachel said and helped him drink the ice water.
"Are you all right?"
"Not really...I...Danny, we need to talk, but not here, not now," Rachel told him.
"Tell me what's wrong?"
"I don't think I can do this, Danny...I can't watch you get hurt again. I can't handle the late night calls or the fear that someone might knock on my door and tell me...tell me you were killed in the line of duty..."
"Rachel..."
"I'm sorry, Danny, I just can't do this again," Rachel said and hurried from the room.
"Rachel!" Danny sat up and fought the nausea the move caused, and lay back against the pillows in frustration. He slammed his right fist against the mattress and cursed David O'Brien for what he'd cost him.
"Danny, are you...all right?" McGarrett asked, his voice weary as he raised the head of his bed.
"I'm just peachy...another glorious day in pineapple hell," Williams snapped as a nurse entered the room.
"Good morning, Detective, Commander. My name is Alana and I'll be your nurse today. I'm going to get your meds and a set of vitals on both of you," the woman said and opened the drapes, allowing the sun to shine through the window. "Commander, you look a little flushed...are you feeling all right?"
"I'm good," McGarrett told her, but the truth was he felt lousy.
"Commander, if you were good you wouldn't be in here," Alana scolded. "I'll be right back."
Steve watched her leave and closed his eyes as he thought about Danny's answer. The man was still angry and they needed to clear the air, but right now he didn't feel like listening to one of Danny's rants. He turned and looked out the window, feeling Williams eyes on him, but unwilling to say anything right now.
"Commander, I'm going to get a set of vitals on you," the nurse said when she returned.
Steve waited for her to finish what she was doing and felt her hand on his arm.
"Commander, you're running a fever so I'm going to put in a call to Dr. Wilson and see what he wants to do."
All right," McGarrett said and closed his eyes. God, he really did feel like hell and the pain in his side seemed to be getting worse. He sat forward and reached for the basin as the bitter taste of bile rose in his throat.
Author's Note—-Thanks for all the wonderful reviews and comments...Winnie