AN: Thank you to my readers and reviewers. The following scene was inspired by the Season 5 Episode #8 "Journey Out Of Limbo".
Chapter 5
General Hospital, Potrero Avenue, San Francisco, 1972
Leading the way, Dr Moore acknowledged the officer on guard duty and formally introduced McGarrett to him before he opened the door of the ward and gestured for the tall detective to enter. Once inside, McGarrett slowly walked toward the bed where Dan Williams lay beneath the white sheet that covered him from feet to waist. An IV tube had been inserted into his arm and a bandage was wrapped across his forehead and around his head. Complicated machinery sat on the other side of the bed, monitoring his pulse. Piercing blue eyes shifted to focus on the two visitors who made their way toward him.
"Danno?" McGarrett pulled a chair from the corner and dragged it closer to the bed. He sat down and gazed into the young man's face, taking in his pale complexion and the reddish hue of a bruise that peeked from the sides of the bandage near his left brow. God, Danno who did this to you?
"I'm sorry, do I know you?" The question escaped the young man's lips as he eyed the dark haired man who sat by his bedside. His voice was low and filled with uncertainty.
McGarrett searched Dan's azure eyes for any hint of recognition. "Danno, it's me Steve." Pausing, the detective waited for the young man to register the name he gave. He could see Dan studying his face as if trying desperately to bring forth a memory buried in his ravaged mind.
Dan opened his mouth to reply but stopped and he settled for licking the parched skin of his lips before swallowing. He drew in a breath as he continued to rake his brain. I know you. I must know you. But why can't I remember who you are? Dan knew he must have known this man by the way he looked at him. Danno? More confusion. The only thing he remembered was the doctor telling him his name was Danny Williams and that he was in General Hospital in San Francisco. How he got to be hospitalized and not remember who he was, was beyond him. "I'm sorry. I don't recall who you are. Are we family, friends or do we work together? I'm sorry, I just don't remember."
McGarrett felt a burning pain in the back of his throat as he looked his detective in the eye and saw nothing. No recollection in those blue orbs. Just a puzzled gaze and frustration beginning to cloud his features. Clearing his throat, McGarrett tried to display a calm demeanor as he said in a gentle tone , "Yes we work together. You're a detective from Honolulu, Hawaii. We both are. You're in San Francisco on an undercover assignment. The police found you unconscious in an alley not too far from here early this morning. Dr Moore tells me you sustained some serious head injuries and you have amnesia. I know it's difficult to try and gather your thoughts but do you remember anything at all about yourself? Do you remember me? Danno…"McGarrett stopped in his tracks and resolved not to add to the confusion by calling his second in command by his nickname. "Danny please tell me you remember something? Anything."
Dan could hear the deep concern in the man's voice but there was nothing about him that he could remember. His mind felt like a blank void and it was beginning to frighten him. He shook his head and turned his head to lay back into the pillows and stared at the ceiling.
"Danny look at me. Please, look at me." Steve placed a caring hand on the young man's arm. He'd never seen Dan in such a state of utter bewilderment.
"Mr Williams, please try to relax. Rest your mind and let it come back to you naturally." Dr Moore stepped forward and signaled for McGarrett to follow him out the door. "Mr McGarrett, may I have a word with you, privately?"
"Sure Doc. I'll be back, Danny. Take it easy." The detective sighed and gave Dan's arm a gentle squeeze before rising to his feet, dejectedly and followed the doctor out to the corridor.
Once the door was shut, Dr Moore faced McGarrett and spoke in earnest. "Mr McGarrett, Danny has suffered serious head trauma. He has a concussion and amnesia. He is very disoriented and distressed about not being able to remember who he is or how he came to be here."
"What I want to know doctor, is how long will his amnesia last? Are we talking about hours, days, weeks? How long?" McGarrett implored frantically.
"I honestly can't say." The doctor began then raised his hand to forestall the detective's oncoming appeals. "It varies from patient to patient. Given Danny's present state, I wouldn't expect him to recover his memory overnight. His condition is still listed as serious but stable. Does he have any family members you can contact? Sometimes it helps to see loved ones."
"He has an aunt in New York. They rarely see each other though."
"A wife or girlfriend, perhaps?"
"No."
"How about friends? Were you two close, Mr McGarrett?"
"Yeah I guess we're close. What do you suggest I do to help him remember?"
"Just keep talking to him about day to day things. Be patient with him." Dr Moore levelled with the detective.
"Isn't there more you can do for him? Danny is a victim and a witness to a serious crime. The longer he can't remember, the less chance we have of finding who did this and bring them to justice. Due the nature of his duties, he's become a target. Someone to be silenced, unless we find the culprits first." McGarrett's anxiety got the best of him as he pleaded for Dr Moore to speed up Dan's recovery process.
"Mr McGarrett, you care about Danny very deeply."
"Yes I do!" The urgency in the detective's voice was unmistakable as his brow creased in worry.
"Danny needs your patience right now more than anything else. He is scared and confused. I know that's not what you wanted to hear, but there is little that medicine can do to help treat the complexities of the human brain," Dr Moore calmly responded. He could see nerve twitch in the detective's cheek.
That's not very helpful Doctor! McGarrett wanted to shout the hopelessness that he felt but he thought better of it. "Alright Doctor. Can I at least say goodnight to him?"
Dr Moore nodded and re-opened the door to the ward.
...
The seasoned cop walked over to the table in the cafeteria and placed a steaming cup of coffee in front of the young inspector who sat quietly consuming a turkey sandwich.
"Here you go, buddy boy."
"Thanks, Mike." Keller replied gratefully between mouthfuls as his partner found his seat on the opposite side of the table.
"So you want to talk about what all that hollering was about earlier?" Stone asked expectantly.
"The guy was worried about his detective. I guess he was frustrated and angry that I couldn't tell him more about what happened or if Williams was going to be okay." Keller sighed and placed his half eaten sandwich down on his plate.
"You know, seeing that worried look in his eye got me thinking. If it had been you lying in that ICU ward, with no recollection of who you are, I don't know what I'd do." Stone revealed thoughtfully.
Keller smiled up at his partner, lost for words.
"My point is, don't let it get to you. You've done all you could today and you know it. McGarrett's reacting the way any normal person would when someone they care about is lying in a hospital bed and no one can tell them anything." Stone's words found their mark and he could see the young inspector's features relax.
"Thanks Mike. Here I was beginning to wonder if McGarrett was taking a personal dislike to me. I get what you're saying." Keller allowed a small smile to creep on his face before he continued to wolf his sandwich.
"Visiting hours are almost over. We'll get an update on Williams before we leave." Mike continued as he checked his watch.
The duo sat quietly deep in thought as they waited for the storm that was McGarrett to return.