Danny could not remember returning to his room, but he did remember being read the riot act by Dr. Adamson when he found out where he'd been. He shifted on the bed, painfully aware of the wound in his side as he looked around the room. He smiled when the door opened and Grace bounded toward the bed. "Hey, Monkey."
"Hi, Danno," Grace said and climbed onto the bed. She kissed his forehead and frowned when she looked at him. "Mommy says that's how too check for temperature."
"Do I have one?" Williams asked.
"A little one, but I can get you a cold cloth and help it go away."
"I'd rather have a hug."
"But a hug won't help with your temperature."
"No, but it sure makes me feel better," Danny said and smiled when she hugged him.
"Did it work?" Grace asked hopefully.
"It sure did," Williams answered.
"I made you a card," Grace said and passed her father the envelope she'd decorated with get well stickers.
Danny opened the envelope and smiled at the picture Grace had drawn. It showed her holding his hand, Rachel holding Charles, and Steve standing beside them. He knew it wasn't Stan because Steve had a vest on and a gun.
"Do you like it, Danno?"
"I do, Monkey. You did a real good job with Uncle Steve's vest and gun," Williams observed.
"I'm going to make a card for him too," Grace said.
"He'd like that."
"Is Uncle Steve going to be okay?"
"Steve's going to be fine, but he's going to need Nurse Grace when he gets out of here," Danny told her.
"I need to get some more bandages and candy and chocolate. I'll tell mommy we need to go shopping," Grace said and frowned. "Maybe I should get two of everything."
"Two of everything?"
"I'm going to have to take care of you too," Grace said as her mother walked into the room carrying Charles. "Mommy, can we go shopping when we leave?"
"But we just went this morning," Rachel said with a smile.
"I know, but I need to get some things for my doctor's kit for when Danno comes home," Grace explained.
"Oh, yes, in that case we'll stop at the pharmacy on the way home," Rachel said and studied her ex-husband's face. He looked pale, but she could tell he was feeling better as she sat in the chair by the bed with the baby still asleep in her arms.
"How is Charles?" Williams asked as Grace began surfing through the channels on the television and put on the headphones so she could hear the cartoons..
"He's doing very well and has gained a pound and grown half an inch since his last doctor's appointment," Rachel answered.
"That's good...what about you?"
"I'm okay, Danny," she told him, but she knew he could see past her statement. When Grace was born she'd breastfed her like she did Charles and she had finally admitted to Danny that she was tired. He'd convinced her to get a breast pump so they could bottle the milk and he could take over some of the feedings. God, how she wished Stan would make that offer, but he was away more now than ever.
"You look tired," Williams observed.
"I am, but it'll get better," Rachel said.
"Does Stan help you?"
"He's...he's not like you, Danny," the woman answered and smiled thinly as the baby in her arms began to squirm.
"I need to get him home, Danny, but I wanted to bring Grace to see you first."
"Thanks, Rachel," Williams said and reached out to take her hand when she stood up. "When I get out of here I'll take Grace for a couple of days."
"That would be great...I wish...I know how hard this is on you, Danny, so I had the doctor take a sample. You'll be tested to see if your his father."
"Thanks, Rachel...what does Stan say about this?"
"He's angry and he said if you're Charles' father he'll file for divorce."
"That sonofabitch...I'm sorry, Rachel, I know you wanted to make this work out," Williams said and squeezed her hand before releasing his hold on her.
"If it doesn't then maybe it was never meant to be. My mother always told me that there are many roads leading in all directions, but the one true road always leads you home," Rachel explained and hoped he understood what she meant. Maybe it was time she faced her true feelings, and found that road back to Danny.
"I always said your mother was a wise woman."
"No, you didn't," Rachel said with a smile. "You called her many things, wise wasn't one of them."
"She was warming up to me though."
"Yes, she was and she was angry I gave up on our marriage," Rachel said before turning to her daughter. "Grace, we need to go home and take care of your brother."
"Can w come back? I want to visit Uncle Steve."
"Maybe tomorrow, honey. You father needs to get some rest."
"Okay," Grace said and placed the headset on the table before hugging her father. "I'll get the stuff I need to take care of you and Uncle Steve."
"Sounds good, Monkey, and remember Danno loves you."
"I love you too," she said and followed her mother out of the room.
Williams lay back against the pillow and closed his eyes. He thought about Rachel and how much he'd loved her. There were times when he still did love her, but there were also times when she infuriated him. She gave him one signal, then did a complete turnaround...he couldn't keep doing this because it was tearing him apart..
Danny heard the door open and turned to find Joe White standing just inside the door. He sat further up in the bed and waited for the other man to speak.
"I just wanted to update you on what;s happening with Wo Fat," White said.
"Tell me he's still under guard?"
"Of course, but they'll be transferring him to the prison infirmary in about two hours. I'm going with them," White answered.
"Make sure the bastard doesn't get away this time," Williams ordered.
"Wo Fat is going away for a long time."
"I've heard that before, but he has connections, Joe."
"He did have connections. The Yakuza wants nothing to do with him...if anything they want him dead," White explained.
"I want to see the sonofabitch."
"Why? Will it do you any good to face him like this?"
"Maybe not, but I'll be able to tell Steve he's suffering for what he did," Williams said and slid his legs over the edge of the bed.
"You sure you're up to it?"
"I'm sure," Williams said and put on the slippers and robe Kono had dropped off to him just before Rachel and Grace's visit. "Where is he?"
"If you insist on doing this then I'll take you there," White said and walked alongside the injured man as they exited the room.
Danny knew his visit with Wo Fat was for his own peace of mind. He needed to make sure the former head of The Yakuza was not a threat to Steve, at least not while McGarrett was unable to defend himself. They reached the room where two guards stood on opposite sides of the door and took a deep breath before entering the room.
Wo Fat lay on the bed with one hand cuffed to the rail while a third cop stood beside the window. He turned when the door opened and let a half smile form when he saw who was standing there.
"Cuffs are a good look for you."
"If it isn't my brother's pet puppy. Tell me does he have a special leash for you?" Wo Fat asked softly.
"I'm nobody's puppy, but you just might become a special pet to some big bastard in the pen. Maybe I'll call in a few favors and get you thrown in with someone who hasn't had a woman...or a man in several years. I know what happens when a new fish is handed over to the sharks...seems like a fitting punishment for you."
"Your threats do not scare me."
"They weren't threats," Williams said as White chuckled softly.
"Believe me, Wo Fat, he's not making a threat. He's telling it as it is," White observed with his hands folded across his chest.
"I grow weary of this conversation..."
"I don't," Williams said and moved to the bed. "You messed with my family, and that's not going to happen again."
"Steve McGarrett and I share the same father...does that mean you and I are also related?" the prisoner asked.
"No...and I thank God for that," Williams said. "Enjoy your ride to the prison...it will be the last time you breathe fresh air."
"I would not put money on that, Detective Williams," Wo Fat told him.
"I don't have to...Joe is going to be your own personal escort to hell," Williams said with a smile before turning and leaving the room. He could hear White talking to Wo fat, and smiled when White said something sarcastic before joining him outside the room.
"Come on...I'll help you back to your room," White said and walked alongside the injured detective.
"Did you know his mother?"
"Not really...but I know John McGarrett had feelings for her. They lost contact and he never knew about Wo Fat...she didn't feel she had the right to ruin his marriage once she found out he was married and had Steve."
"Do you think it would have made a difference if he'd known he had a son in Korea?" Williams asked.
"I think John would have done everything in his power to see that he was taken care of. He would have offered to bring her over here had he known she was pregnant. We're dealing with the would have, should have question and sometimes we don't like the answers we get. Maybe if Wo Fat had grown up knowing his father he might have been different, but that didn't happen and he is who he is," White answered and held the door so Williams could enter his own room.
"Make sure he get's to the prison, Joe," Williams said once he was seated on his bed.
"I will...you have my word on that, Danny," White assured him before leaving.
Williams moved to the chair beside the window and thought about what Joe had told him. Would John McGarrett have embraced Wo Fat or would he have pushed him away like so many others who were put in that position. Danny hadn't known the elder McGarrett, but he had a feeling the man would not have turned his back on his son. Things happened for a reason, but a man could choose whether to make them work for him or let them eat away who he could have been. With a heavy sigh, Williams knew Wo Fat would not be the man he was now if circumstances had been different.
5050505050
There were times when a man wanted to stay away from the voices, but more often than not they were too persistent to ignore for too long. There was something down his throat and although he understood what it was, he didn't like what it meant. He struggled towards consciousness, and his eyes shot open when he realized he couldn't move his hands to pull the tube from his throat.
"Commander, you're in Queens Hospital and there's a tube down your throat to help you breathe," a male voice told him as he struggled to get away from the feeling of helplessness. "Look at me and listen. Do you want the tube out?"
Steve nodded his head and kept his eyes on the man standing on his right. He felt someone removing the tape and tried not to struggle, but the feeling of being unable to breathe on his own. He stared at the man and tried to put a name to the face, but his mind felt laden down with the drugs he knew from experience they were giving him.
"All right, Commander, I'm going to pull the tube out in three and when i do I need you to breathe out or cough. Understood?"
Steve nodded that he was ready and as soon as he heard the number three he did as he was told. He coughed and cried out as it felt like something was tearing him apart inside. He looked at the man fearfully and thought he heard him order something as the nurse quickly placed a syringe into the IV line.
"Just sleep, Commander, everyone's fine and you will be too as long as you do what you're told," Carl Lewis ordered and watched as the eyes slid closed and his patient entered a drug induced sleep. "Keep an eye on his oxygen levels and call me if anything changes."
"Yes, Dr. Lewis," Nora Holt said and gently washed the sleeping man's face.
"Nora, how is Commander McGarrett?"
"Paulina, what are you doing here? I thought you were on vacation this week," Holt observed of the SICU nurse standing in the doorway.
"I am, but I came in to pick up some paperwork and heard Commander McGarrett had been injured."
"Yes, he was and although he's listed as stable we need to keep an eye on his temperature, urine output, and oxygen levels."
"What happened to him?"
"I'm not sure of the details, but it had something to do with another patient who's being transferred to the prison sometime today."
"I wonder if I should cut my vacation short."
"There's no need of that, Paulina, there are enough nurses to cover the shifts," Holt observed.
"Are you sure?" the newcomer asked, fighting to keep the disappointment from her voice.
"I'm sure. Go home and enjoy your vacation," Holt told her and frowned when she saw what looked like anger before she smiled.
"If I'm needed just give me a call and I'll gladly come in to help take care of Commander McGarrett," Paulina offered.
"That's very kid of you, Paulina," Nora said and smiled. "Is there something about him you like?"
"No, it's just he works so hard to keep the city safe for us I'd like to do something in return," Paulina said and looked at the sleeping man before leaving the room.
5050505050
Chin and Kono had spent the morning at Five-O headquarters, updating the files they would need when the time came for the trial. In exchange for dropping the charges against her, Melanie Taylor had agreed to testify to everything she'd seen Serena Lewis do where the cage fights were concerned. She had also given them information about Wo Fat, as well as several city officials. The bombshell had been when she dropped the names of two prominant senators who had frequented the cage fights. Melanie had even provided several photographs that had been taken during one of the events. Charges were pending, but they needed to compile more evidence before they tipped their hands.
Chin looked at his cousin when they reached the hospital and could see how tired she was. Truth was, he probably looked the same way and was looking forward to a good night's sleep now that arrests were being made. It would be some time before they sorted through the unofficial guest list provided by different members of Serena Lewis' consortium.
Chin and Kono hurried into the hospital and made their way toward the elevators in time to see several police officers enter one. He knew two of the three and quickly found out they were part of the official escort sent to take Wo Fat to the prison.
"Kono, why don't you go see Steve while I check in with Joe?"
"What about Danny?"
"I'll stop by his room and fill him in on what's happening," Chin told her.
"Okay," Kono agreed and watched as Chin and the officers walked toward a separate wing of the hospital.
Chin spotted Joe White and hurried toward him as the officers spoke with the man in charge of making the transfer.
"Are you here in an official capacity, Chin?" White asked.
"No, but I could be if you need me," Chin vowed.
"Between HPD and the FBI I think we're covered," White told him.
"How is he?"
"Quiet," White said and smiled. "He seems to be in a lot of pain, but refuses his meds."
"He does or you do?" Chin asked as Wo Fat was wheeled from the room.
"Would I stop a man from getting the help he needed?" White asked with a grin.
"I want to file a complaint! Joe White assaulted me!" Wo Fat told the man standing just outside the door.
"Tell it to someone who gives a damn," the man said.
"Chin, I need to go with them. I promised Danny I'd make sure the bastard didn't escape this time. Call me if there's any change in Steve's condition," White said.
"I will...thanks, Joe," Chin said and turned to find Danny walking toward him just as Wo Fat was taken toward the elevators reserved for medical staff only.
"Was that Wo Fat?" Williams asked.
"Yes," Chin answered. "Joe's gone with him...he'll make sure Wo Fat gets to the prison."
"I know," Williams said.
"Where were you headed?"
"To Steve's room. They were supposed to take him off the ventilator," Williams answered.
"Kono's already there," Chin told him and walked beside the injured man. "Did the doc say when he's going to release you?"
"Not really...although he did threaten to cuff me to the bed," Williams answered.
"Danny, you need to take care of yourself. Why don't I get you back to your room and I'll go check on Steve?"
"I'll head back as soon as I check on Steve," Williams said and continued toward the SICU. Once there they found Kono waiting outside McGarrett's cubicle with the door and curtains closed.
"Kono, what's going on?" Chin asked.
"They needed to do a few things for him and asked me to wait out here," Kono answered and looked at Williams. "How do you feel, Danny?"
"Tired, Kono," Williams answered honestly.
"Why don't you go back to your room," Kono suggested.
"I will...as soon as I see Steve. Did they take him off the ventilator?"
"Just before I got here," the woman answered as the door opened and the nurse frowned when she saw the trio waiting there.
"I'm sorry, but there's only one visitor at a time," Nora Holt told them.
"Danny, you go ahead and then I'll take you back to your room" Chin ordered.
Williams nodded and stepped into the room, relieved to see the tube had been removed. He could still see a small amount of residue left by the tape, but at least he was breathing on his own. "Was he awake at all?"
"Yes, he was, but Dr. Lewis ordered pain medication and he went back to sleep..."
"Dan...Danno?"
"I'm right here, Steve," Williams said and watched as McGarrett fought to open heavy eyelids. "How are you feeling?"
"Not much of any...anything...good meds," the SEAL told him and motioned to the IV in Williams' hand. "You okay?"
"Not really, but I will be. Grace is going to play nurse when we get out of here," the detective answered.
"Sounds good..go back to y...your room. I'm too d...damn tired to keep my eyes open."
"Go ahead and sleep...we have your back," Williams vowed as McGarrett seemed to be asleep again. He turned and walked out of the room just as the alarm sounded behind him.
TBC!