Steve and Danny both looked up at the sound of footsteps and were surprised when Pat Jameson entered the room. They'd both been sleeping on and off for most of the day, and were anxious to get out and find out what was happening with O'Brien.
"Good afternoon, gentlemen," Jameson said.
"Afternoon, Governor," McGarrett said.
"Governor," Williams said.
"I must say you're both looking much better than you did yesterday. Did the doctors tell you how long you'd be here?"
"Danny was supposed to go home tomorrow, but he pushed himself a little too far and set himself back a couple of days," McGarrett said with a grin.
"What did you do, Detective?" Jameson asked.
"I sort of tripped over..."
"His own two feet..."
"I did not trip over my feet, Steven. I was holding the IV pole and it caught in the edging in the hallway. I tried to stop it from falling over and managed to pull a couple of stitches when I hit the corner of the wall," Williams explained.
"Ouch, well, I'm glad it wasn't too serious," Jameson told him and looked from one man to the other before settling on Williams. "I heard from Jake Partington, Detective, and wanted to update you on what was happening in Newark. There was an attempt on Johanna O'Brien's life."
"IS she all right?" Williams asked.
"She's frightened, but she wasn't injured. Jake said they were lucky because she called them to report a suspicious car had followed her home after picking up the kids. The man tried to run when the police arrived and was killed in a shootout. He's been identified as Carlos Montoya..."
"I've heard of him," Williams said. "He shot several people at a political rally a couple of years ago and then disappeared before we could catch up to him. It was one of the biggest man hunts in the city...glad they finally got him."
"That's what Jake said. He also said to tell you he's glad he was wrong in your case," Jameson told him.
"Governor, could I ask you for a favor?" McGarrett asked softly.
"No, I won't ask Dr. Wilson to release you until he's ready," the woman said with an easy smile.
"I doubt he's agree to that anyway," McGarrett told her. "I know I don't need to ask permission, but I'd like to keep you in the loop."
"This sounds serious," Jameson said and sat on the edge of the bed when McGarrett sat up and slid his legs over the edge.
"It is and it could end up pitting one department against another if we're not careful," Williams answered.
"I'm listening," Jameson said.
"Are you familiar with two IA agents named Higgins and Sheffield?" McGarrett asked.
"I am," the woman answered.
"What do you know about them?" the head of Five-O asked.
"I know they've been looking into your actions and I don't believe a word they put in the report they sent to the DA," Jameson said and saw the surprise on their faces. "You didn't know?"
"I knew they''d gone through my place and supposedly found street drugs, but I didn't know they'd talked to the DA," McGarrett told her.
"John didn't like their tactics and doesn't plan on pursuing their report," Jameson told him.
"I'd like to have Five-O look into their backgrounds and see just how dirty they are," McGarrett said.
"Are you sure they're dirty or is this about revenge for them coming after you?" the governor asked and saw the anger flair in Williams' eyes.
"No, they're dirty and I want to make damn sure they don't go after anyone else. IA has a bad rep and it's because of agents like Higgins and Sheffield," McGarrett snapped.
"I understand, Steve, and agree with you. I just wanted to make sure it wasn't a vendetta," Jameson said.
"No vendetta, Governor, I just want to make damn sure we send the right message to people like Higgins and Sheffield," the head of Five-O told her.
"That you don't mess with Five-O?"
"No, that you don't use your position to do the wrong thing," Williams answered before his partner could. "Higgins and Sheffield seem to think they can go after anyone they don't like."
"I'll agree that Five-O can look into their affairs, but not until you two are cleared for active duty," Jameson said.
"Chin and Kono can look into things while we're laid up," McGarrett told her.
"Good, just as long as you two stay out of it. I want you both to know I'm glad Five-O was able to find the missing women and am recommending commendations for the whole team."
"I didn't do anything," McGarrett told her.
"Don't sell yourself short, Steve, your team work well together and whether you're there or not they know you'll back them up. It's what makes Five-O work. I've already put in the request so just act surprised when it happens," Jameson said and looked at her watch. "Well, I've got a three o'clock appointment so I'd better get moving. You two behave and do as they tell you and, Detective Williams, please don't do anything else to set back your recovery although I'm sure the nurses appreciated the show."
Steve chuckled softly as the woman left the room, leaving his partner with a look of surprise on his face. He waited for the other man to recover and burst into laughter when Williams lifted his hands and shook his head in disbelief.
"What the hell did she mean by that?"
"I have a feeling the governor knew all about your little accident before she came into the room," McGarrett answered and stood up. "Feel like taking a walk?"
"Sounds good," Williams said and reached for the slippers beside the bed.
Steve waited for his partner to finish putting on the slippers and walked slowly toward the door. He knew Keanna would be there around five and spend a couple of hours with him before she had to report to the ER. He looked forward to seeing her and knew Danny would try to give them some time alone, but there wasn't much chance of that with them sharing the same room.
5050505050
Halina Senna looked at the papers in front of her and studied the pictures of the child. She knew her name was Grace Williams and that her father was a cop. She lived with her mother who drove her to and from school, but there were times when the girl was playing with friends in the park that bordered on the apartment building they lived in.
From the information she had from Sheffield she knew Williams would be in the hospital for a couple of more days and that would give her time to set things in motion. She had already been to the apartment building and school and taken dozens of pictures from every conceivable angle. She taken the time to check out the park by pushing an unoccupied baby stroller along the path. On at least two occasions she'd seen Grace Williams and another little girl playing together. A woman seemed to be watching them both, but she couldn't be sure who she was.
She checked the picture's she'd downloaded onto her laptop and studied the area closely. There were always children and parents in the area, and Grace was never alone. That could be a problem, but Halina was a resourceful woman, especially when there was a lot of money involved. Paul Sheffield had advanced her a thousand dollars and would give her five more if she delivered Grace Williams to an address he would supply her with when the time came.
Halina looked at the needle on the table and licked her lips before reaching for it. She knew the drug would make her high and had been an addict for several years. It was an expensive habit and one that had forced her to do things that went against everything she'd believed in. She'd lost her job with a high priced lawyer, but had learned quickly how to get what she needed by stepping outside the law. That was how she'd met Sheffield and been forced to do things for him, but never anything so serious as kidnapping a child.
She looked back at the pictures, but the drug called to her and she could not resist its pull. She injected it into her left arm and leaned back to wait for the familiar warmth to spread through her as she gave over command of both her mind and body.
5050505050
Steve smiled at the woman standing beside his bed and slid his legs over the edge so she could sit beside. Rachel and Grace had taken Danny outside for some fresh air, but he knew it was to give him time alone with this woman.
"Hello," Keanna said and kissed his forehead. "Feels like your fever's come down."
"Is this the new method of taking a patient's temperature?"
"Only special ones," Keanna told him.
"Maybe I'm selfish, but I'm hoping I'm the only special one."
"You are," she vowed and kissed him, unaware of the woman watching from the open door.
"Excuse me, but...oh, Dr. Wahine, I'm sorry, I didn't know you were here."
"Come in, Paulina," Wahine said.
"Thank you, Doctor, I just need to check the commander's IV and start his antibiotics," the nurse told her, and opened the package.
Steve watched as the woman hung the two bags and adjusted the flow accordingly. There was something about the way she glanced at him that unnerved him, but he marked it down to being in the hospital.
"I'll check on you in an hour or so, Commander." Paulina turned away, hiding the anger she felt at the intimate touch between McGarrett and the doctor and vowed she'd find a way to keep them apart.
"She's a strange one," McGarrett observed once she was gone.
"In what way?"
"I don't know, and right now I'd rather talk about you...about us. I seem to remember you promising to make me dinner."
"And here I thought you liked me because I have a unique way of taking your temperature."
"Oh, believe me I do...are there any other techniques you could use just for me?"
"Several, but I'm afraid they'll have to wait until you're released," Wahine told him.
"Is it safe to come in?" Williams asked.
"Uncle Steve, Danno said he's going to stay at your house when the doctor lets you go. Can I come see you and help take care of you?" Grace asked as she moved past her mother and father.
"Now that sounds like too good an offer to pass up," McGarrett said, smiling when Keanna stood up and allowed the child to sit next to McGarrett.
"Your own private nurse...not many people are that lucky," Wahine observed. "Well, I need to get to work."
"Already?" McGarrett asked.
"I'm afraid so, but at least I know I'm leaving you in the capable hands of Nurse Grace," Wahine said and looked at the smiling girl. "If they give you any trouble just send for me."
"I will, Keanna," Grace assured her and smiled as she looked at McGarrett and touched her fingers to his cheeks. "Danno said you had a fever, but you don't feel too hot now."
"Good catch, Nurse Grace," Wahine said and smiled before leaving the room.
"She's nice," Grace offered.
"I think so too," McGarrett told her and smiled at Rachel who seemed to be staying back. He knew Williams loved her, but as long as he stayed a cop, Rachel would keep her distance and he wished there was something he could do.
"You should see the new girl in my class, Uncle Steve. She can twirl a hula better than anyone," Grace said.
"I thought you were the hula hoop champ?"
"I an, but she's really good too. We're going to practice together at the park tomorrow if it's okay with Mommy," Grace told them.
"Ah, Detective you're back. I need to check your IV and it's time for your meds," Paulina said and glanced toward McGarrett. "Commander, you should be resting."
"I'm good, Paulina," McGarrett assured her and watched her leave again.
"I think she likes you, Steve," Williams said.
"But Uncle Steve doesn't like her, he likes Keanna. Right, Uncle Steve?" Grace asked unaware that her words reached the woman readying the medication just outside the door.
"Right," McGarrett told her.
5050505050
Paulina heard the words and silently cursed when she broke a syringe in her hand. She dropped it into the disposal container and leaned on the cart.
"Paulina, is something wrong?" Rose Miller asked.
"No, it's fine. I just broke a needle."
"Did you injure yourself?"
"No, it was just the syringe, not the needle itself," Paulina told her and readied Danny Williams medication.
"Okay...want to grab a coffee when you're done?"
"Sure, I'm due for a break in ten minutes so I'll meet you down in the garden," Paulina said and knew Rose would know she meant the one behind the cafeteria. She watched the woman go and heard laughter from inside the room and vowed she would be part of Steve McGarrett's life before long.
Author'sNote—- Thanks to everyone for the reviews... There re several that I tried to contact privately, but the function is disabled so I'll take the time to thank you now...Winnie