I do not own Hawaii Five-0 or any characters. No copyright infringement intended.
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Chapter Twenty-One
Completely flat on his back, Danny lay unconscious in the ICU with his neck immobilized. The brace was the first thing you noticed when you entered his room. Under a white bandage, part of his hair had been shaved off so that seven stitches could neatly close the gash in the back of his head. Between the overwhelming neck brace and large CPAP oxygen mask, all that remained visible were his eyes and deeply furrowed forehead. Despite the change of clothes to hospital issue and for being cleaned up, there was a residual odor of smoke lingering around him.
Warm blankets were pulled nearly up to his chin and his one visible arm sported a blood pressure cuff that was taking readings every fifteen minutes and no less than three I.V. lines which were dispensing both fluids and a cocktail of pain medications plus anti-inflammatories. His poor oxygen levels were constantly being watched, and under the blankets, leads connected to a heart monitor.
It was always what you couldn't see that seemed to cause the most problems though. Suffering from smoke inhalation, acute whiplash and a grade three concussion, Doctor Ramirez called him a 'veritable mess' who would thankfully heal with time and even much longer rest.
Chin was sitting with him, cognizant that it was the same room which Steve had once occupied so many weeks earlier. Distinctly dwelling on the fact that Steve and Danny might not be on the same page professionally. The altercation with Eric Jameson had been serious. No one yet really knew many of the details and Chin was concerned about each of those missing pieces.
"What the hell happened out there, Danny?" Except for Danny needing to return Grace to the Edwards' a full day early, the weekend had been fairly normal. Yet now, this had happened to leave both Chin and Kono worrying about the future of their team. One day had been so close to normal and another had taken it away from them.
Lapsing in and out of consciousness, Danny remained confused and agitated over what had occurred the prior day. Down the hall, Steve was also housed in the ICU. He too was bedridden and receiving a much similar battery of treatment for smoke inhalation as his partner. The difference being that Steve was quite aware of what was happening after awakening nearly ten hours post-collapse at the scene. But feeling ill and still critical, Doctor Ramirez had forbidden any stressful questioning until otherwise instructed.
"Steve's just down the hall." Chin whispered softly. "Doc's got him on every monitor in the hospital to make sure his lungs and heart are okay. So far, so good."
Basically, any responder knew no more than what they had heard on the police radios or witnessed themselves. Ed Harris wasn't talking and Eric Jameson was in the morgue. His son, Michael, was also in the TAMC ICU but in an induced coma and on life support for the foreseeable future.
Chin rubbed his eyes wearily. Both Steve and Danny had undergone a regimen of tests, scans, exams and then been sedated so that a buildup of mucus and inhaled debris could be gently suctioned through a fiberoptic bronchoscopy. They were each barely escaping being intubated with the aid of the CPAP device which helped each maintain positive air flow for their hyper-sensitized lungs; Steve more so the luckier one in that regard because of his past history and exposure to both heat and smoke. Ramirez was everyone's worst drill sergeant nightmare as he monitored each report, blood test, scan and x-ray.
"You're okay." Still whispering, Chin got to his feet just as Danny began to move. He leaned over the rail to the bed and hit the call button for the nurse. He was already an expert at reading the furrowed brow or the subtle twitch which would soon escalate to a more severe level of agitation or, if they ever finally got a decent break, a better return to awareness. The worst was that Danny always dissolved into a ridiculously painful bout of coughing that undoubtedly strained his neck and rattled his badly concussed head. At a loss of what to do, Chin could only stand back as Ponch or the on-call doctor came running in to sedate Danny from the serious level of pain and distress he was feeling.
"Danny." He heard Chin's voice as he slowly came awake. He heard him clearly, but Danny forgot when he felt it again. He tried to move his head, failed as pain erupted into his shoulders, and convulsively wrapped his hands around what seemed to be a bed-sheet or soft blanket. A hard 'something' enclosed his neck and it pushed uncomfortably into the top of his shoulders and jawline. He knew his breathing altered as a feeling of fear bubbled in his chest and he swallowed hard. But that just made him more aware of the deep-seated ache inside his throat and chest which complimented the throb in his head and neck. He inhaled a shallow breath and immediately coughed which burned everything from his throat down to the depth of his lungs and he moaned softly in pain.
"Hurts." He tried to talk and failed at that too as he screwed his eyes tightly closed through another rasping exhale.
"Danny. It's Chin. You're okay .. can you open your eyes for me?" He had said those words numerous times over the last many hours. Danny had woken before. Sometimes for only seconds and other times for a few minutes, but he was never wholly with them. Doctor Ramirez contributed the confusion to both the head injury and effects of the smoke inhalation. As the long twenty-fours progressed, Chin had found it easier to simply page the nurses in case things continued to take a deep dive south.
As the garbled cough eased, Danny managed to peel his eyes partially open. He blinked furiously at the white ceiling; utterly confused by the hazy view because he expected to see his friend. "Chin." He tried to whisper and coughed again around the jagged soreness in his throat. He was distinctly miserable and simultaneously worried about his inability to move his head. Reacting to another stifling pressure, Danny reached one hand up to brush off whatever lay across his nose and mouth.
"Hey, brah. Don't try to move." Glassy, unfocused eyes slowly opened to stare up at the ceiling. It was much the same as each previous time and Chin barely hid his unhappy frown as he anticipated trouble. He had to stand directly over his friend due to his immobilized neck. Of which, that restraint was what instigated the problem each and every time. Danny would wake, attempt to move his head and feel the thick heaviness around his neck. There would be a startled cough or raspy inhale. On its heels, would come the realization that his mouth and nose were encased by the bulky CPAP device. Flat on his back and feeling immediately trapped, Danny hadn't been able to make it past the confusion or systemic pain to a more reasonable state. Worried about a severe spike in blood pressure, a depression in his oxygen saturation, or even dangerous change in his heart rate, Ponch had actually sedated him twice. Any more similar events would lead the doctors to reconsider the intelligence of using the CPAP versus sedating him for placement on a ventilator.
Chin hadn't spoken to Danny since he'd arrived at Tripler. Actually, in twenty-four very long hours of time, no one had. "You're okay." Chin repeated lamely as he shifted his feet when he saw the rough swallow. He nimbly caught Danny's hand as it weakly flailed towards his face. "No. Don't touch."
It was a repetitive, tedious dance and Chin leaned closer and diligently got in his direct line of sight. "Danny. It's Chin. You're okay."
The dark head finally appeared and Danny gripped the hand back that clenched his so tightly. Still confused, he had so many questions to ask but Chin was already shaking his head about the idea. So this time, Danny swallowed a third time and clung to Chin's hand. Both responses gave Chin some hope which was compounded when Danny's eyes truly focused on his face. He smiled broadly and spoke quickly to take advantage of what might be only a shortly timed improvement.
"You're in the hospital and you're going to be okay." Chin started there and stressed each syllable carefully. "Doc has your neck braced because you got whiplashed in the explosion. I know you feel awful, but nothing's broken, brah. Promise."
He waited to make sure Danny was following him and smiled when Danny squeezed his fingers in understanding that he was in the hospital. He could see the budding confusion growing though, so quickly continued his explanation. "Don't try to move or talk. You're also being treated for a concussion and smoke inhalation. Doc says you'll be good as new in no time."
"Fire." Chin's steady commentary brought the memories forward and Danny's eyes cleared even more. He remembered the fire, the explosion and Michael Jameson. Steve. A heavy exchange of gunfire with the elder Jameson and his criminal crew. Danny frowned and squeezed Chin's hand harder. "Steve?"
Telling Danny not to talk was an open door invitation for him to do exactly the opposite. It was made worse by Danny's newly growing comprehension.
"No. I said to NOT talk." Chin squeezed his hand in warning as he saw the frown and even harder swallow before Danny's lips tried to move under the oxygen mask.
"Do you always have to be so contrary, Danny?" The friendly question brought on a weak smile which even crinkled his eyes this time and Chin softly laughed. The change was a huge improvement and he knew that Ponch wouldn't be the only happy friend to hear that Danny was more aware. Then he breezily hit the mark and Danny completely relaxed.
"Steve is here, just down the hall. He's being treated for smoke inhalation as you are. He's going to be okay. Doc says he had to be monitored for a few days, but there are no lasting effects."
Chin became serious again though when Danny grimaced unexpectedly and his fingers convulsed. With careful questioning that required Danny only squeeze his hand, Chin discovered that his head and neck were causing some discomfort by the time the nurse arrived a few minutes later.
"You need more rest. You get tired easily and that's to be expected. You're also do for pain medication." She was soothing and calm as she dispensed a particular medication and anti-inflammatory through his IV port with a practiced hand. His continued dry swallows had her wisely offering him something to ease the raspy pain in his throat, too.
"Ice? I can remove the oxygen for a second if you'd like to try some ice before you go back to sleep?" His face clearly agreed and she removed the mask for the few seconds it took for Danny to have some ice chips to soothe the damaged tissues. He closed his eyes at the sheer relief the cool liquid brought and obeyed Chin by squeezing his hand in thanks. Minutes later, Danny was sleeping soundly and Chin exhaled loudly that for once, things had gone very well.
"He should sleep for a while. But the Commander is awake if you want to tell him the good news? Please keep it brief." The nurse suggested with a smile of her own. She was checking Danny's readings and getting ready to change out the used bag of clear fluids. But it was clear that Danny was resting more comfortably. Chin readily agreed with a crooked smile as he disappeared quickly around the corner.
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Steve usually looked up as soon as he caught movement in the corridor or doorway. An ingrained habit in only ten short hours, he had been disappointed the last two times when nurses had entered his room to check his lungs and general stats. Each had reported the same, unerringly worrisome condition of his partner. Neither Chin nor Kono knew anything differently and he'd asked that they remain closer to Danny's room than to his.
Doctor Ramirez had seen both of them many times. He was uncharacteristically reserved about discussing Danny's condition. First he worried about the unknown extent of his neck injury. After learning the circumstances, Ponch had rounded on Chin for allowing him to be moved without proper care. The severity of the head wound followed and it had taken hours for Ramirez to be satisfied that Danny's skull was fracture-free. All of which, was exacerbated by smoke inhalation. As Ponch had stated in complete frustration, Danny was a "veritable mess" of physical issues any one of which alone could kill him. Chin understood the doctor's anxiety because it reflected his own. He took it all in stride. So, in his usual fashion, he absorbed the brow-beating and then had graciously accepted the heart-felt apology.
Doctor Ramirez was close to every member of the Five-0 team. However, he and Danny had hit it off the most and the older doctor felt almost fatherly towards the younger Detective. Danny had also become a stronger family friend upon the arrival of the doctor's brother to Hawaii. A mainlander like Danny, Mikey Ramirez was a single father with a daughter who was the same age as Grace. The families were close and the children had grown to have a similar friendship.
When Steve woke first, he'd been only briefly brought up to speed per Doctor Ramirez's strict orders to avoid undue stress. At first, that had been relatively easy since Steve was quite ill. Only able to digest the basics, he had nodded after being told that Danny was just a few rooms away. Being cared for and resting, Chin and Kono would take care of both their needs as well as any Five-0 responsibilities. At the time, that had been enough and Steve had drifted off to another fitful, uncomfortable period of sleep.
Now nearly eight hours later, Steve still felt sick. Dizzy, nauseous and wracked with persistent headaches, he definitely was more than under the weather. His blood pressure was not right, his oxygen saturation continued to be poor and his breathing was harsh and painful. Ramirez cautioned about the possibility of pneumonia or infection and was persistent in the management of his heart and lung care. But now Steve wanted to know more and was fast growing tired of evasive answers.
Steve knew that Ramirez was protecting him. However, that tact was a double-edge sword. He had been disappointed the last two times when nurses had entered his room. The never changing news delivered in the same quiet tones had been worrisome hour upon long hour. So this time when he sensed activity near his doorway, he didn't bother to look. Steve schooled his expression because he didn't want to see another nurse or doctor who had nothing beneficial to share. He leaned back into the pillows and studiously closed his eyes against the curiosity and hope. He didn't want to be disappointed yet again.
But lounging in the doorway, Chin was studying him with an educated eye. He watched each ragged breath, heard the congestion and saw the grimace as Steve tried to stifle a cough. His eyes were tearing from the stress when they opened but instead of looking at Chin, he reached for the cup of ice, pulled off the oxygen mask, and spooned himself a few chips. Chin watched him and wondered how the two men were going to work together after this latest fiasco. He wanted to ask but was almost afraid to; he would use the guise of the Jameson case, but Ramirez had forbidden any such topics until he granted permission.
Their relationship had improved since Steve's accident. Whatever had happened between them after Steve's migraine and over that following Saturday had been a healthy kick-start. For the value of that healing weekend, Chin knew that Danny hadn't forgotten Steve's close call. He wasn't sure what the two would do once they recovered and Chin worried about the pending fall-out.
Nervously he watched as Steve fed himself more ice and then closed his eyes in exhaustion. His bicep was wrapped in a clean, neatly done up bandage. The crease was deep and had needed to be debrided. It was painful like everything else seemed to be, but it would heal. The cup of ice fell sideways in Steve's hands and it almost appeared as if he had fallen asleep. Experience told Chin that he was far from that relaxed and he finally entered the room.
"How do you feel?" Chin casually whispered before striding in to confront the startled man. Before he could reply, Chin was fixing the oxygen mask and retrieving the cup of ice.
"How's Danny?' The question for a question was another almost irritating routine that Chin had learned since at least, Steve woke. Resenting the mask, Steve's hoarse voice echoed under the annoying device. There was no mistaking the ongoing worry as Danny's condition essentially remained the same each time, but he sensed something different in Chin. "Is he awake? What happened?"
"He looks pretty bad." Chin admitted quietly. Which was the truth and Steve would be shocked when he eventually was allowed to venture out of bed for a visit, but he couldn't stand the way Steve's face shuttered off and his eyes darkened.
"Danny does look bad, but he just woke for a little while."
"And?" Steve demanded softly. "What's the latest?"
"He was better." Unable to hold it back, Chin had to smile. "He knew where he was and what happened. He was due for meds and they're strong, so he just fell asleep. He was definitely better though this time, Steve."
Chin couldn't help grinning as Steve sagged in relief into the elevated mattress and plump pillows. With his eyes closed, he pinched the space between his eyes and coughed heavily behind the mask. "Good." He whispered with a hacking cough that he disgustedly frowned around. "That's .. good."
Leaning to fix the sheets over his friend, Chin sighed. He had to meet his cousin at the offices because a young woman claiming to be Michael Jameson's fiancee had unexpectedly shown up. She might be the last cog in the wheel and Kono needed his help in bringing the upset woman to terms with what was going on. There was a brief nod as Steve sank deeper into the bed at the words which acted as Chin's permission to leave.
"Get some sleep, Steve. Danny's doing better, and we'll both be back later." Steve was already sleeping though and Chin paused with a thoughtful expression. He remained concerned that two of his best friends might not redeem their friendship or working relationship after such a terribly unforeseen attack. He sighed with some final sadness before leaving the hospital for the day.
~ to be continued ~