Steve knew he was being stubborn, but they'd removed the last IV the day before and he was finally up and around. Lewis had been in to see him that morning and told him if all went well over the weekend then he'd sign the discharge papers Monday morning. Mary had been in to say goodbye and was probably already on the plane...he missed her, but he knew she would be back.
Catherine had already been in to see hm and promised she'd be back before lunch. She had two more weeks and planned to spend the whole time taking care of him. He wasn't going to argue with that and had his own plans for his recovery. Who said that bed rest couldn't be used for other things besides sleeping.
Steve slipped on the hospital issue slippers and stood on his own two feet, but grabbed for the bed when a wave of dizziness washed over him. He closed his eyes and could hear Danny's voice in his head.
'What the hell were you thinking, Steven? You go falling on that pretty face of yours and the insurance rates go through the roof and the taxpayers have to foot the bill and since I'm a taxpayer I'd rather not have to pay any more than Uncle Sam already takes you moron!'
"Shut up, Danno," McGarrett whispered.
"Talking to yourself now, Steve?" White asked with a grin.
"Danny's in my head."
"Damn, glad I'm not in there with him."
"You could shoot him," McGarrett said.
"I don't think so...it's too much fun watching you two dance around each other. I swear you're like an old married couple," White told him.
"We wouldn't get to be old an old married couple," Steve told him.
"Why not?"
"If I just shoot him I'd be out in less than ten for good behavior," McGarrett answered with a grin.
"True, but let's not go shooting him just yet. I hear he's got good connections for pizza."
"He does at that," the SEAL said and grew serious. "Anything new on Wo Fat?"
"Nothing...he's still in his cell," White said.
"Make sure they stay on their toes. He's not going to be a model prisoner for long."
"They've got him in maximum security. He's not going to escape, Steve," White vowed and looked up as Danny, Chin, and Kono came into the room.
"Are we interrupting something?" Williams asked.
"We were just talking about Wo Fat," McGarrett said.
"Tell me that bastard didn't escape," the Jersey native spat and moved to sit on th bed beside his partner. "You okay?"
"Not really, but I will be once I get out of here. Did Mary get off all right?"
"She did, Boss, and she said to tell you to behave yourself," Kalakaua told him.
"Thanks, Kono," McGarrett said, grateful that she'd taken Mary to the airport while Catherine was busy at the Navy office. They'd called her to update her on several things and make sure they had everything they would need in case of an emergency.
"Any word on when you're getting out of here?" Chin asked.
"I'd like to go home today, but Lewis said if everything is good on Monday he'll let me go," McGarrett answered.
"Catherine still staying with you?" Kono asked with a hint of a mischievous smile.
"Yes, she is," the injured SEAL told her.
"Well, since there's supposed to be a limit on visitors I'll take my leave," White said.
"Thanks, Joe, see you later," McGarrett said.
"You will, Son, but it'll be a while. I need to finish a couple of projects I started so I'm catching a flight to the mainland tonight. If you need anything...anything at all you know how to contact me," White told him.
"Joe, be careful," McGarrett warned.
"That's supposed to be my line," White said and said goodbye to the others before leaving the room.
"Chin, has there been anything new on The Yakuza?" McGarrett asked and walked slowly around the bed until he reached the chair beside the window.
"They've been quiet, but there have been whispers," Chin answered.
"What kind of whispers?" Williams asked.
"Well, if the rumors are right then there's a contract out on Wo Fat," Chin told them. "The bastard is probably safer being in maximum security."
"Too bad we can't help them finish the job," Kono offered.
"Maybe someone will get lucky and find a way to gut him," Chin agreed and saw what he thought was sadness in McGarrett's eyes. "Steve, I know he's your brother, but..."
"I don't have a brother, Chin," McGarrett interrupted. "You guys and Mary are my family. Not sure if I told you this, but thanks for not giving up on me."
"You didn't give up on me...seemed only fair that we return the favor," Williams said.
Steve smiled as he glanced out the window, but it disappeared as a shudder ran down his spine. He stared at the parking area across the street, but didn't know why he suddenly felt like hell was going to rain down on all of them.
"Steve, you okay?" Williams asked.
"Think so...just a bad feeling," McGarrett answered.
"Hell, I hate when you get those because it usually means an all out war if about to start," Chin observed.
"Chin, do me a favor and check on Wo Fat," the SEAL said.
"Wo Fat's behind bars, Steve...maximum security and there's no way..."
"Never say no way where he's concerned, Danny," McGarrett whispered and listened as Chin did as he asked. One look at the man's face told him all he needed to know, but he waited until Chin finished his conversation.
"That was Duke," Chin said.
"Wo Fat?" Kono asked.
"Yes, there was a riot at the prison...five dead including two guards," Chin said. "Kono and I need to get out there."
"Was Wo Fat amongst the dead?" McGarrett asked.
"Unknown, they're still checking the prisoners. Duke is there, but right now they can't get in until the tear gas is cleared," Chin explained. "We'll call as soon as we find out anything."
"I'm coming..."
"No way in hell, Danny. You're still on sick leave and I'm not..."
"Chin, I'm going and that's final!" Williams said.
"Steve, tell him he's..."
"Danny, go tell the nurse I'm leaving with or without Lewis' signing the papers," McGarrett snapped.
"Like hell you are!" Williams spat.
"How are you going to stop me?"
"I'll sit on you if I have to!"
"Danny, make sure he stays put! We'll call you from the prison," Chin said and hurried out of the room with Kono right beside him. They could hear McGarrett and Williams arguing and knew both men were just stubborn enough to figure out a way to follow them. "Kono, call Gabby...I'll call Catherine."
"They're gone...go get the nurse, Danny."
"Steve..."
"I'm not going to argue with you, Danny...besides, Lewis was setting me free on Monday."
"He may have been cutting you loose, but that was from the hospital...not giving you the go ahead to go back to work. In case you haven't noticed...you're a mess!"
"Are you telling me you're going to wait here?"
"Yes," Williams said.
"Really?" McGarrett asked softly.
"Yes."
"My clothes are in the closet over there."
"Steve, we can't..."
"Yes, we can. I need to know, Danny. I promise I won't do anything stupid."
"Leaving the hospital AMA isn't stupid?" Williams asked.
"Maybe, but like I said...I was getting out on Monday anyway" McGarrett said as Williams made his way to the closet. It took some doing and not a small amount of cursing, but McGarrett was soon dressed in his own clothes. "Make sure the coast is clear."
"If Beulah is around...you're on your own," the Jersey native told him.
"Coward."
"Damn right...she's a mean SOB and I'm not going to get between you two if she's out there," Williams said and checked the hallway. "It's clear...maybe we should use the stairs."
"Good plan," McGarrett agreed and waited until Williams signaled the all clear before exiting the room and heading toward the stairwell two doors down the hall and on the right. They made it down to the main floor without incident, and Steve tried not to show just how much it had taken out of him.
"You sure you want to do this?" Williams asked.
"I need to know, Danny," the SEAL answered honestly.
"I understand," the Jersey native said as they exited the stairwell into the back parking area.
"How'd you get here?" McGarrett asked.
"I drove. My car's parked near the front. Come on, just try not to walk like a zombie, and once we find out you're coming back here even if I have to cuff you and throw you over my shoulder!" Williams told him and made sure his partner understood it was more than just a threat, it was reality. The sun shone down on them as a soft breeze caressed their cheeks. It felt like a normal, breathtakingly beautiful Hawaiian day, yet there was utter chaos in a nearby prison. God help them if people like Wo Fat had escaped. They reached his car without mishap, although Danny couldn't remember ever seeing Steve so pale before. He knew the man was calling on all his training to keep from showing just how much pain he was in.
5050505050
Chin pulled to a stop in the closest parking spot to Halawa Prison and exited with Kono hot on his tail. They hurried toward the main entrance in time to find the warden going over the list of names with the head guard and several police officers.
"Chin, Officer Kalakaua, it is good to see you, but I wish it was under better circumstances," Hal Brewster said and shook both their hands. He'd gone to school with Chin Ho Kelly and respected the man even with the charges he'd faced. He didn't know Kono well, but he knew she was quickly making a reputation for herself with Five-O.
"Anything new on Wo Fat?" Chin asked as a guard handed the warden a piece of paper.
"He's not in his cell and he's not amongst the injured or dead," Brewster answered.
"Dammit! I thought he was under maximum security," Kono snapped.
"He was, but if you know anything about government funding and prison resources you'd know we're understaffed at the best of times," Brewster told her. "I wish I had better news...I know what Wo Fat has cost all of you."
"Is he the only prisoner unaccounted for?"
"No," Brewster said and checked the sheet. "Sang Min is also missing."
"Sonofabitch!" Chin swore. "Was he close to Wo fat?"
"No, they were in separate cell blocks. Wo Fat was in maximum security while Sang Min could move around freely," the warden explained.
"Could he have gotten to Wo Fat?" Chin asked.
"It's possible," Brewster answered. "They could have seen each other in the showers or in the lunch room. I'll check with the guards and prisoners as soon as everything is in lock down."
"You mean it's not in lock down now?" Kono asked.
"Yes, Officer Kalakaua, it is in lock down, but there are procedures we need to follow before we can go back inside and question the other prisoners. Now if you don't mind I have things to do before I send my final report to the very same bureaucrats who seem to think we need more cutbacks," Brewster snapped before brushing past them and heading inside the building.
"Kono, he's doing what he can with what he has," Chin said.
"I know, Chin, I just...it makes me so angry that Wo Fat and Sang Min escaped."
"We don't know that for sure...sonofabitch!"
"What's wrong?"
"I knew I should have called Catherine and Gabby to ride herd on those two," Chin said, shaking his head when the newcomers arrived.
"What the hell," Kono said.
"What's the word?" McGarrett asked.
"Stupid comes to mind," Chin answered. "What the hell are you two thinking?"
"That's just it, Chin...they aren't thinking," Kono chastised both men. "I have a call to make..."
"Not yet, Kono, look, I know we shouldn't be here, but I need to know what's going on," McGarrett said.
"And you didn't trust us to update you?" Chin asked seriously.
"It's not that, Chin," the SEAL told him. "Wo Fat has hurt my family enough. I need to make sure he can't do that anymore. Now, what do we know?"
"Wo Fat and Sang Min are still un..."
"Wait a sec...Wo Fat and Sang Min?" Williams interrupted Kono before she could finish.
"Yes, they are unaccounted for," Chin finished for his cousin.
"They're long gone," McGarrett said angrily.
"We don't know that," Chin said.
"I know Wo Fat and he's going to leave...lick his wounds and come down harder than ever. I don't see any point in searching for him until he's ready to make his next move," the SEAL told them and felt what little strength he had leave in the wake of the news that his brother was out there again and could come after him or Mary at any time.
"Steve, you should be in the hospital," Chin said.
"I'm okay, Chin, think I'll head home and see if my bed is as comfortable as I remember," McGarrett said.
"Like hell you will," Williams spat. "I agreed to bring you here, but only if you went right back to the hospital once we found out what happened!"
"Danny..."
"Chin, give me your cuffs!" the Jersey native ordered.
"I don't need..."
"Yes, you do and right now I'm stronger than you and I have Chin and Kono to back me up...and Catherine," Williams said with a grin and motioned to the woman striding toward them.
"I hope you have Dr. Lewis' discharge papers because going AWOL has consequences, Steve and let me tell you I won't be the one sitting on you," Catherine vowed as she stared at the injured man.
"Come on, Catherine..."
"I believe Danny called her Beulah and she's waiting for me to bring you back. Oh, Dr. Lewis ordered a nice little shot to knock you on your proverbial ass for the rest of the day," Catherine told him.
"Cath..."
"Don't Cath me, Steve, let's go..."
"Better listen to her, Steven..."
"Don't you start, Danny, what the hell possessed you to help him escape and then bring him here?"
"Steve can be persuasive..."
"Go home, Danny...let's go, Steve," Catherine ordered and took him by the arm. She led him away from the prison and was surprised when he remained silent even when she opened the passenger door and waited for him to sit inside. She closed the door and quickly made her way to the drivers side.
Steve closed his eyes and laid his head back against the seat as he thought about his half brother. Wo Fat and Sang Min were out there, and when he was back on his feet, he planned to hunt them down. The problem was, people like Wo Fat had more money sequestered away than most people saw in a lifetime. They had power and people to do their dirty work and could lay low until the time was right for them. He knew he'd dozed off as Catherine's hand touched his arm and shook him.
"Let's get you to your room and in your bed," Catherine told him and a hint of a smile was born as he turned to look at her.
"Catherine, if we go to my home..."
"We will, Steve, but not yet. Not until the doctor discharges you, but I promise when he does you'll have some TLC waiting for you," Catherine said and moved around the car as he exited the passenger side. "Come on, Steve, it's only a couple of days."
"I know," McGarrett said and allowed her to lead him inside. They reached his floor and checked in with the nurse's desk before making their way toward his room. The bed was freshly made, with clean pajama bottoms laid out near the bottom.
"Come on, Sailor, I'll help you get comfortable," Catherine told him.
"In here...that's just not possible."
"I could get Beulah," Catherine teased and helped him change before turning down the blankets and helping him lie back. She kissed his lips, relieved to see there was no anger when she stared into his eyes. "We'll catch him, Steve."
"We have to, but it's not going to be easy."
"It never is where you're concerned. Now go to sleep and I'll..."
"Lay down with me," McGarrett whispered and shifted slightly so she could stretch out alongside him. She rested her head on his shoulder and ran her fingers through his hair.
"Go to sleep," Catherine told him unaware of the angry woman who was watching from the open doorway.
TBC!