Troubled Waters XV

Disclaimer: I do not own Hawaii 5-0. I may file adoption papers sometime in the future.

Thanks for reading the previous chapter. I am close to finishing this story but need to wrap up some parts.

Chapter 15

The group exchanged looks as they stood around Steve's bed.

"We are here to see how you are doing, you dope," Danny responded to Steve's greeting.

"You still mad Danno?" Steve asked, feeling a bit groggy as he was still coming out of the anesthesia. He blinked several times to clear his vision.

"Not mad….still worried," Danny huffed.

"Doc said I'm good, just need rest. So you don't have to stay with me," Steve frowned. "I'm not going anywhere, you can go home."

"Nice to see you are not fighting a hospital stay," Chin remarked with a smile.

"I'm tired Chin, I'll stay put," McGarrett promised with a yawn. "Really, you can all go home. Danny….you have Grace this weekend, don't let me mess that up," he urged.

"Grace knows why I'm here. She wanted me to make sure you're okay."

"And now you know. I'll be fine," Steve still continued to insist.

"Yes, we can go now that we know you are good," Lou said. "It was just that we needed to check for ourselves. You don't have to rush us out the door."

"We had to make sure that you were willing to listen to the doctors," Kono added with a grin. "You have been known to check yourself out against medical advice."

"I promise to behave," Steve said, a small smile on his face. "Thanks for caring and thank you for all you did today," he added seriously. He looked at Lou. "Sure didn't turn into the day of fishing that I originally planned."

"Hey…..no problem. It was great, I caught two great fish and put a drug ring out of business. I'd say all in all it was a successful day. You getting shot and kidnapped was the only stain on the day but since you are going to be fine, it's all good," Lou assured him.

"Steven it is all right. We have the bad guys in jail and the doctor says you will be fine. Now you just need to rest," Danny said. "We will be back in the morning to check on you."

Steve nodded, struggling to keep his eyes open. Seeing how exhausted he was, the group said goodbye and left the room with Lou lingering for just the moment. Danny halted in the doorway.

"As soon as you're up to it, I'm having a cookout and will grill those fish. Chin's uncle is taking care of them," he told Steve. A smile spread over McGarrett's face without him opening his eyes. Lou then followed Danny out of the room.

"Bonding moment?" Danny asked.

"Nope, just giving him something to look forward to. He's had a rough day on top of everything else that has been weighing on his mind. Let him have something good to anticipate," Lou replied.

"Do you really know how to grill more than burgers?" Danny challenged as they headed for the exit.

"Hell yes, I'm a grill master," Lou boasted. "I will have you drooling in delight when you smell them cooking."

"We shall see. Now, give me my keys, I'm not having you drive my car home," Danny said holding out his hand.

"No problem Danno," Lou grinned and slapped the keys into Danny's outstretched hand.

"Don't call me Danno," Williams growled as he kept waking but there was a lighter bounce to his step now.

*H 5-0*

The next morning, McGarrett was up and sitting on the edge of his bed, impatient for the doctor to stop by to release him. A good night's sleep and a replenishment of his blood had him feeling much better and anxious to leave. He was still running a low grade fever but since it wasn't above 100 degrees, Steve wasn't worried. He intended to go home today and if he had to sign out against medical advice, he'd do it. The ringing of his phone pulled him from his thoughts.

"McGarrett."

"Good morning Commander, I wanted to see how you were doing and thank you for going above and beyond the call of duty yesterday," Governor Denning's voice greeted him. "How are you?"

"I'm fine sir, thank you for asking. I fully expect to be released this morning," Steve replied.

"Has your temperature dropped to normal?" Denning inquired.

"Have you been checking up on me sir?" Steve asked in surprise.

"You are my task force leader so of course I've been briefed. While I have faith in your team, you are the reason this task force is in operation. I want you 100% before you go back on the job, understood?"

"So you are making decisions on my health for me sir?" Steve asked with some heat in his voice.

"No Steve, I'm not. I am pointing out that today is Sunday and there is no need to rush back to work. Rest, get healthy and report to work when you've recovered. Follow your doctor's orders," Denning said in concern.

"I will recover better in my own home. I do not need any special care sir. I'm sure the doctor will recommend desk duty for a few days," Steve said respectfully.

"Then listen to the doctor's advice. Please don't fight them Commander, you deserve time to heal. I will assume that nothing in the hospital will need your special skills in the meantime," Denning said lightly.

"I certainly hope not sir," Steve chuckled. "I promise I will follow Dr. Trang's orders."

"That is all I can ask Steve. And again, let me thank you for what you did yesterday."

"You are welcome sir. Thank you for calling."

"Goodbye Steve," Denning replied and hung up.

Steve turned off his phone and set it on the tray alongside the bed. He relaxed back against the pillow, swinging his feet back up on the bed. He knew he couldn't go anywhere until Dr. Trang stopped by to check him out and gave him the green light to go. Closing his eyes he tried to calm his impatience to be gone. The click of the door opening had his eyes flying open.

"Uncle Steve…are you okay?" Grace Williams' voice called out as she rushed inside.

"Gracie…..hi. I'm fine," he said happily as he sat back up.

"You look pretty good Uncle Steve. Are you able to come home today?" the young lady asked as she stopped at his side and took his hand in hers. Danny and Lou entered, grinning at the pair.

"I hope so Gracie. Seeing you makes me feel 100% better," Steve told her with a big smile.

"What has the doctor said?" Danny asked.

"Haven't seen him yet. I'm still waiting to get released," Steve answered. "I do feel really good."

"I'm sure Dr. Trang will be in soon," Lou said.

"Sure wish he would hurry. A man can grow old in here," Steve grumbled.

"Let's see if I can find him," Lou commented and left the room.

Steve looked at Danny and shrugged.

"They never seem to be in a hurry in hospitals. Oh…..Governor Denning just called. He wanted me to not rush back to work and be sure I was healed," he told Danny.

"So the big guy is worried about you, how sweet," Danny laughed. "Or is he worried that you'll check out AMA and make the insurance company angry?"

Steve didn't answer immediately and Danny shot him a suspicious look.

"You are considering that, aren't you?" he accused.

"What does AMA mean?" Grace asked innocently before Steve could reply.

"Uh…..that isn't important right now," Danny tried to cover up, not wanting to explain it to his daughter.

"It means leaving the hospital against medical advice," Steve said deciding not to avoid the subject. He knew the curious teen would just have more questions or google it later. "It would mean that I decided to not agree with the doctor and would leave the hospital on my own."

"Steve…." Danny warned.

"But Uncle Steve that would be dangerous. You're not a doctor, you can't decide you don't need more help," Grace argued, ignoring her father.

Steve squeezed her hand lightly and didn't look at his partner. He keep his attention fully on the girl beside him.

"You are right Grace, I am not a doctor. Sometimes doctors make safe decisions in order to protect us. They don't know me as well as I do. Unfortunately I've been shot before and I know the risks but I also know how I feel. Believe me honey, I would know if I needed to stay here but I am fine and it is okay, honest," McGarrett said sincerely.

"I get that Uncle Steve but you will listen to what the doctor says when he comes in…right?" Grace continued to press.

"Yes, if he has a strong reason for me to stay, I will," Steve agreed gravely.

"Good, that makes me feel better," Grace said happily.

"Smart move partner," Danny said. "That makes me feel better too." He stepped behind his daughter and placed both hands on her shoulders. "We can make sure that you follow doctor's orders."

"That sounds like a very good thing Detective Williams," Dr. Trang said from the doorway. Lou stood right behind the man and had heard the final part of the conversation. "From the reports I have received from the nurses this morning it seems that the Commander is doing much better than was to be expected. If he follows instructions I think we can release him today."

"That is welcome news Doctor," Steve said in relief. "I feel good, the fever is down."

"This news does not mean you are ready for action Commander. You still have an elevated temperature but I believe it will come down with medication. You must realize that your body has suffered a trauma and while I repaired the damage, you need to take time to heal," Trang stressed. "I want to see you on Friday to re-evaluate your condition. Until then you should be on desk duty only, no field action."

Steve considered protesting but the look on Grace's face stopped him. He would set a bad example to argue with the doctor and four days in the office was not such an awful thing. He was sure by Friday he'd be found ready for full duty.

"That sounds very fair Doctor," he agreed.

"And I think that we need to bring Grace to all your doctor appointments. You are far more accepting of doctor's orders when she's present," Danny said in amusement.

"He will do as you say Doc," Lou added.

"Very well, if the Commander doesn't follow orders he could find himself back in a hospital. I do not want him ripping out my stitches and starting to bleed again," Trang warned. He gave Steve a stern stare. "When I say desk duty….I mean desk duty."

"Yes sir. This is not the first time I have been shot," Steve replied.

"I understand that and I thank you for all your service Commander, both past and present. I would like you to remain healthy enough to continue that service. I will check you over for myself and we'll see about getting you discharged," Trang told him and proceeded to check him over. When he finished, he gave Steve a quick nod and promised he'd get the release paperwork processed. He stressed the need to see Steve on Friday and then left the room.

"Looks like I'm good to go," Steve grinned at the others.

End chapter.

One more chapter to go I think. Thank you for reading.