A/N: This is the second to last chapter, so some questions will finally be answered. I hope you're not going to be disappointed. Thank you for reading and reviewing the last chapter!
Chapter 9
Danny hadn't realized it had been there, but when he saw Steve walk through the glass double doors of HQ, closely followed by Kono, it felt like a rock the size of The Big Island had just been lifted off his chest. He stood up from behind his desk and watched Steve head straight for the door to his own office. Behind him, Kono stopped half way across the main room, put her hands on her hips and puffed her cheeks as she blew out a long breath.
Danny could kiss her.
While he was still debating whether he should go over to Steve and try to talk to him again – maybe apologize for going to Denning without telling him about it – the entrance doors swung open again, and Kershaw came walking in.
"Commander McGarrett," he called across the room, making Steve freeze with his hand on the handle of the door to his office. "Just the man I was looking for."
Danny clench his jaw shut tightly. Kershaw had been here to talk to him a little over an hour ago, asking him the same stupid, intrusive questions he had already asked Kono and Chin. He was coming after Steve and Danny had no idea why. Probably because the man had some inferiority complex and wanted a big bust to prove himself in his new position with IA. Fryer had left some big shoes to fill after all. And how to better make a name for himself than by bringing down the head of the Governor's own task force.
But he had picked the wrong group of people to mess with.
Kono was the first to prove it. When Danny reached the door to his office, she had already planted herself in Kershaw's path. "What do you want from him?" she growled.
Kershaw smiled uneasily. "I just have a few more questions for Commander McGarrett."
"The hell you do," Danny cut in, stepping up next to Kono. "I thought I told you to stay away until you have some facts."
"I don't need you to tell me how to handle my investigation, Detective."
"He was released from the hospital just a few hours ago, he's not–"
"Danny, it's okay," Steve interrupted, his voice low and uncharacteristically soft, resigned.
"I'm glad to see you're doing better, Commander," Kershaw said with a faked polite smile.
Fighting hard to keep his temper in check, Danny ignored the man and instead turned around to face his partner. "Steve, there's gonna be a time to do this, but it is not now."
"I can handle it, Danny."
"Maybe you should listen to your partner, Detective," Kershaw suggested arrogantly. "He's a grown man and I really just have a few questions to clarify some things."
"Like what?" Danny snapped, sternly standing his ground between Kershaw and Steve.
"Like, for example, what happened on the roof of that warehouse?" The tone of Kershaw's voice had suddenly changed. The ever present politeness was still there, but was now joined by an accusatory edge. The man had probably realized that neither Danny nor Kono were going to back down any time soon.
"What does that have to do with anything?"
Kershaw ignored Danny's question and looked at Steve instead. "Just how hard did you hit Travis Dyer, Commander?"
"What?" Danny took a step forward, invading Kershaw's personal space.
But he still acted like Danny wasn't even there. "Hard enough to kill him?" Kershaw hissed at Steve, clearly no longer bothering to keep acting nice.
"Back off, man!" Danny yelled.
"Navy SEAL versus a nineteen-year-old kid. Doesn't seem like a fair fight to me."
"That's enough!"
"Did you let the kid get in a couple good hits just so you had an excuse to blow off some steam on him? Do you, what, enjoy it?"
"Stop it!" a female voice called. Danny's head snapped up to look to the doors. With her heels clicking loudly on the polished floor, Caroline Keahi came walking towards them, glaring at Kershaw. "You are out of control."
"What are you doing here?" he growled at her.
"I just received a phone call from Governor Denning," she said and then looked at Steve. "Commander McGarrett, he regrets not being able to tell you this in person, but – as Captain Kershaw here is well aware – Doctor Bergman's report clears you. You are in not responsible for Travis Dyer's death."
"What?" Steve whispered, staring at her incredulously – just like everyone else did. Except for Kershaw.
"Not so fast," he said, holding up a hand to Keahi. "That report only states that the kid was already a walking corpse when he was released from the hospital. But he is the reason why," Kershaw accused, pointing a finger in Steve's direction. "And trust me, Caroline, I'm not–"
"Your assumption is incorrect, Captain."
Again, everyone looked over to the doors. This time, it was Max who came walking towards them.
"Everyone," he said in a way of greeting, nodding to the group.
"What do you mean, his assumption is incorrect?" Danny asked, feeling slightly overwhelmed by the entire situation and the continuous stream of people joining them. "What's going on, Max?"
"Let me start at the beginning – or rather, at the end," Max said calmly. "The autopsy revealed that Travis Dyer died from a ruptured aorta. He bled out within minutes." He sighed and then looked up to Steve. "There was nothing that could have been done for him."
"But how did that happen?" Kono asked.
"It was your blow to his chest that killed him," Kershaw hissed at Steve before Max could answer.
"Shut up!" Danny yelled.
"Technically, the Captain is correct," Max stated matter of factly.
"Are you saying that–"
"Please, hear me out," Max cut Danny off. "The blunt force trauma to Mr. Dyer's chest caused his aorta to begin dissecting. This means that he started bleeding into the aortic wall. Unfortunately, this was not diagnosed when he was treated at the hospital. According to his chart, he only presented with moderate chest pain, which the attending physician attributed to the bruising of the ribs."
Max paused briefly, looking at everyone as if he was making sure they all understood what he was saying. Danny wasn't quite sure he did, but nodded anyway to encourage him to continue. "As far as I can tell from the surveillance footage, he continued to be asymptomatic until, eventually, the actual rupture occurred. And as far as your accusations are concerned, Captain," Max said, narrowing his eyes at Kershaw in a way that made Danny just a little proud. "While the initial blow to the chest is most likely what caused the aortic dissection, the minimal amount of injury done to Mr. Dyer's ribs and sternum does not suggest that excessive force was used. The blow to the chest only managed to cause the hemorrhage due to a preexisting thinning of Mr. Dyer's inner aortic wall. It was an unfortunate accident."
Kershaw just shook his head. "That's what you're saying."
"Governor Denning already made sure that my findings will be confirmed by an independent medical examiner," Max said, inching up his chin. "However, I can assure you that my report is without bias – in spite of my friendship with Commander McGarrett."
"Thank you for explaining, Dr. Bergman," Caroline Keahi said, smiling at him. She then turned to face Kershaw. "Captain. I think this means you're done here."
"Oh, I'm just getting started," he vowed, fuming with seemingly barely contained anger.
"Jack," Keahi warned sharply.
"He killed the kid," Kershaw insisted, pointing a finger at Steve again.
"It was an accident."
Kershaw just snorted at her and then turned to face Steve. "Why did you start a fight with him, McGarrett? The kid was half your size."
"He was a juicer, Jack," Keahi cut in. "He was hopped out on steroids at the time. If you had bothered to actually read Dr. Bergman's report you'd know that."
"Steroids. Well, that explains a lot," Danny said with a sigh, images of Travis leaping over trash containers and parked cars flashing through his head.
"You don't have a case, Jack," Keahi said, stepping into the man's personal space. "So I suggest you leave before you embarrass yourself any further."
"I'm warning you, Care, you don't wanna fuck with me."
"That's right Jack, I don't," she hissed and then quirked up an eyebrow. "And I haven't had that urge for a long time now, so I think it's time you got over that."
Staring at her for a long moment, Kershaw swallowed, hard, and – with one last glare in Steve's direction – he turned away and walked out of the room.
"I apologize for him. Again," Keahi said to the group. "And for myself, I guess."
"That's– Don't worry about it." Danny made a dismissive gesture with his hand. "Thank you for getting him to back off."
"My pleasure," she said, not able to keep a smile from spreading across her pretty face. "I'm sure Governor Denning will have the DA talk to him, make sure he lets this thing go for good."
Danny just nodded and shot a glance over to Steve. He just stood there, staring at the floor, looking like he was still trying to wrap his head around everything.
"So it's over?" Kono asked Keahi.
"I think so, yes," she said, smiling openly now. "At least for you guys. Dyer's parents might still sue the State for wrongful death, so . . . I should get back to work."
"Thank you again, Miss Keahi, I–"
"No need, Detective, I'm just doing my job." She turned to follow Kershaw out of HQ but then stopped half way to the door. "Ah, one more thing," she said, looking back over her shoulder. "Commander, the Governor wants to see you first thing tomorrow morning. And Detective Williams?"
"Yes?"
"I'm supposed to tell you to take the morning off."
"Right."
…
A hand touching his shoulder startled Steve.
"Hey, you hear that? It's over."
It was Danny, standing right in front of him, smiling and looking so, so relieved.
Should he feel relieved, too?
"Steve?" Danny asked, a concerned frown creasing his brows now.
It's over.
"He's still dead," Steve heard himself say, his voice sounding flat and hollow to his own ears. "I still left him in there to die. Alone."
"There was nothing you or anyone could have done," Danny said, looking over to Max for confirmation.
"Danny is right," he said, nodding. "Travis Dyer was misdiagnosed at the hospital. In order to save his life they would have needed to operate when he was first admitted. His chances of survival decreased with every minute he continued to bleed into his aortic wall. For what it's worth, by the time you and Danny left the interrogation room, it was already too late."
"See, Steve– I mean, I know, it's terrible that he died, but this was not your fault."
"You don't get it, Danny," Steve all but shouted, clenching his hands to fists.
"No, apparently I don't," Danny shot back, hands spread widely. He held Steve's gaze for a long moment and then it was like all the anger just disappeared. "Why don't you explain it to me?" he asked softly, his eyes pleading.
"I forgot him down there," Steve said hoarsely. It wasn't an explanation, but it was all he could do right now.
"We all make mistakes," Danny insisted. He didn't get it. "You're only human – and you're dealing with a lot. It's understandable that–"
"I don't understand it, Danny." Steve dropped his eyes to the floor, unable to look Danny – or anyone else – in the eye any longer. He swallowed hard in an effort to steady his shaky voice. "I just don't."
Because the job, Five-0, that had always been the one part of his life he felt like he was actually in control of – where he could see something good coming out of it. Everything else was chaos that left nothing in its wake but pain and suffering. And what happened with Travis Dyer – forgetting – it suddenly made him feel like that chaos was spreading, growing, threatening to bleed into that one thing in his life that actually made sense. And he didn't understand how that could be happening. How he could just let it happen.
Feeling everyone staring at him, their concern and worry, Steve just needed to get away from them. He couldn't explain this, didn't know what to do, almost couldn't breathe. He turned around, muttered a barely audible 'excuse me' and headed straight for his office, knowing Kono and Danny wouldn't be far behind if he left HQ again.
He shut the door and went over to the chair behind his desk, letting himself drop down into it heavily. When he looked up, he found Danny standing in the door.
"Danny, please–"
"No," he said firmly and shut the door behind himself. "I already let you go once today, I'm not about to make the same mistake again."
"I'm not going anywhere," Steve said tiredly, waving a hand at the chair he was sitting in. He knew it wasn't going to be enough to discourage whatever mission Danny seemed to be on, but it was worth a try.
"That's not what I meant and you know it. Talk to me. Please."
"I need some time to think, Danno." Vague, but it was the truth. He needed to think, figure out how to go on. Because he couldn't just let the chaos invade this part of his life, too. What if next time he did more than just forget something? What if next time he really got someone hurt?
"About what?"
"Everything."
Heaving a sigh, Danny walked over to one of the armchairs and sat down. "Travis' death wasn't your fault. He came at you, you were only defending yourself."
"I know, Danny."
"I'm sorry that I talked to Denning behind your back. I didn't think about how you'd feel about it, I just– From where I stood it looked like he was leaving you out in the cold . . . and after everything you've done for him–"
"It's fine, Danny," Steve said, meaning it. He knew his partner far too well to mistake his protective instincts for betrayal. "We're good."
Danny nodded, quickly flashing him a pained looking smile before he dropped his gaze. When he looked back up again, his expression was serious, his eyes heavy with unmasked concern. "Are you, too?" Danny asked quietly. "I mean . . . are you okay?"
"Danny, I–"
"Don't say you're fine," he said softly and then started to say something else, but it was like he couldn't quite find the right words. After a moment, he closed his mouth and shook his head slowly. "I just don't know what to do," he eventually admitted with a shrug. "Promise you'll come to me if there's anything I can do."
"I will." The answer was so easy, Steve almost managed a reassuring smile. Because there wasn't going to be anything Danny could do. And even if there was, Steve wouldn't drag him or Kono or Chin or anyone else into this. Not again. Not after what happened with Jenna, not after North Korea. He would make sure that none of them would risk their lives over this mess ever again.
"Good." Danny didn't look convinced, but he seemed to be satisfied for the moment. Standing up, he jerked his chin towards the desk. "Your badge and gun are where you left 'em."
"Thanks."
"I'm sure Denning will officially lift the suspension when you go talk–"
"Hey!" Chin said, sticking his head through the door. "Kono just told me the news. Sorry I wasn't here."
"And you shouldn't be here now," Steve said, frowning at the clock on his desk. "Don't you have to start preparing for that home-cooked meal you were planning for Malia?"
"I just met with her at the hospital. We rescheduled," Chin said with a rueful smile.
"But your anniversary is today," Steve insisted.
"I wanted to be here."
"Well, there's nothing to be here for now, so why don't you get out of here and work your kitchen magic for that beautiful wife of yours," Steve said, forcing a smile.
"Yeah, Chin, get out of here," Danny said, giving him a slap on the shoulder. "Cook, bring leftovers tomorrow."
Chin chuckled. "You sure?" He asked seriously, looking to both of them for confirmation.
"Go," Steve said.
Chin nodded, smiling gratefully. "You call if you need anything," he said, raising an eyebrow at Steve. "Any time."
"I'm good."
Danny tightened the grip of his hand that still lingered on Chin's shoulder and gently but firmly steered him towards the door. "Don't worry, man. I'll take care of him. Feed him a good meal, make sure he gets into bed early."
"Alright," Chin said and, with a soft push from Danny, walked out into the main room.
"You gonna tuck me in, too, Danno?"
"I'll even read you a bedtime story, if that's what it takes."
Steve huffed out a laugh, shaking his head. Danny was probably being serious. "I'm sure Gracie would appreciate that story a lot more than me."
"Actually, she recently informed me that she's getting too old for that kind of stuff."
"I'm sorry, man," Steve said with a chuckle. "Look, as much as I enjoy a good story, I think I really do need some time to figure some stuff out."
"Ah, you don't know what you're missing, buddy," Danny said and the smile on his lips looked like it was hard work. "I can do voices."
Snorting, Steve nodded. "Some other time maybe. Denning's probably gonna have some questions tomorrow, so I guess I should better come up with some answers."
"Right," Danny said and shoved his hands deep into his pants pockets, suddenly looking very uncomfortable. "Listen, about Denning. He said some things . . . That he might be facing some heat for this whole thing and that– that . . ."
"What?" Steve frowned. It wasn't like Danny to struggle with words like this. Whatever else Denning had said, it had to be bad.
Danny bit down on his bottom lip and then shook his head. "You know what, forget about it. I'm sure it'll be fine."
The assurance didn't sound convincing, not with the way the corner of Danny's mouth kept twitching nervously. But Steve just nodded, not wanting to pry. At least not now, not when he needed time to think. Figure out how to gain back control over his life.
- to be continued -