AN: Another chapter dedicated to "Nadja". As always many thanks goes to my readers out there from all around the world! Special thanks goes to my beta.

Chapter 34

General Hospital, Potrero Avenue, San Francisco, 1972

As he walked down the bustling corridor of General Hospital, Stone looked for the examination room where he was told he could find his young partner. Cradling his arm in its sling, Stone thought back to last night's events. The last thing he remembered was being taken into surgery with only one thing on his mind – Steve Keller. The young man had come to mean so much to him, like a son to a father. When he awoke that morning, the first thing he requested from the doctors was a telephone call to his captain, Rudy Olsen. He needed to know what became of Keller as the last thing he heard was the young man heading into deep trouble. Olsen informed Stone that Keller had spent the night at General after he was found in Tate's dojo, with injuries consistent with a beating. According to Olsen, McGarrett had gone back to the Inn on Van Ness shortly after Tate's arrest to get cleaned up and get a couple hours sleep before heading to General to see Williams.

"By the way," Olsen added, "We picked up Cardenas this morning. Nothing I hate more than a crooked cop."

As soon as Mike got off the phone, he ignored the doctors' advice when he left his bed and demanded to see Keller. As he reached the examination room, he peered through the window in the door and swallowed at the sight that greeted him. There was his partner lying on the examination table with a doctor checking his blood pressure. Even from where he stood, Stone could make out the angry bruises marking Keller's face. Sighing, he knocked on the door and waited for the doctor on the other side. The door opened and Dr. Moore smiled at his visitor.

"Let me guess. You're here to see Steve?" Dr. Moore asked.

"How is he, Doc?" Stone responded with a question of his own. It almost frightened him when he could hear the worry in his own voice.

"He'll be fine. We kept him over night for observations but he should be able to go home once we're done." Dr. Moore replied then stepped back and gestured for Stone to come inside.

Stone nodded his thanks to the doctor as he stepped inside the room and walked toward Keller. At the sight of his wounded partner, Steve attempted to sit up too quickly and was stopped by Dr. Moore.

"Nice and easy, young man. Not too fast." Moore placed his hands firmly on either side of Keller's shoulders as he eased him back down.

"How are you feeling, buddy boy?"

"Like I just got hit by a train. How's the shoulder?" Keller smiled up at Stone.

"Can hardly feel it. These drugs work wonders." Stone let out a strained chuckle but cut it short when he saw the purple and reddish hues peeking out from Keller's unbuttoned shirt. "I'm sorry, Steve."

"What do you mean?"

"I should've known you were going to come after me. I should've warned you about Tate before we went in." Stone cast his eyes away from his partner and cleared the croakiness in his throat.

"Mike, you have nothing to be sorry for. I should've brought some men with me. I went in alone. If it was anyone's fault, it was mine." Keller's words were spoken with conviction and reassurance. "At least we'll catch a few games this season on TV," continued Keller. This time his tone was lighter and his face broke into a grin.

That's my buddy boy. You could be lying there in a full body cast and still have that silly grin on your face, telling me not to worry. Mike returned his gaze to Keller and patted his shoulder, shaking his head as he said, "you're unbelievable you know that?"

"What? What do you expect me to do with doc telling me I'm out of commission for a month? No girl in her right mind is going to want to date a face looking like this!" Keller quipped.

"Oh is that all you can think about? Here I was worried sick about you! Well I can think of a much better way to spend your sick leave."

"Really? What's that?"

"Reports."

"Now wait a minute Mike!"

"Well somebody's got to do it." Stone winked then turned to face Dr. Moore who had been watching the exchange with an amused look on his face. "Seriously doc, what's the damage?"

"A couple of cracked ribs, a minor concussion and some bruises. It could've been worse. It looks like he took a bad one to the jaw. He's lucky not to have broken it. Once I re-wrap those ribs we'll get him signed out of here." Dr. Moore detailed.

"Thanks, Doc," Stone replied as he gave Keller's shoulder a gentle squeeze. "Now how are you getting home? Is Tanner picking you up?" He better not think he's driving home like this!

"McGarrett." Keller said with an air of smugness in his voice as he smiled at his mentor and best friend.

All Stone could do was raise his eyebrows at the young man he came to know as the son he wished he had.

…..

The sandy haired detective stirred and opened his eyes. The sun shone through the windows, filling the room with its glowing warmth.

"Morning, Danno." A voice filled with uncertainty spoke aloud.

"Steve?" a bleary eyed Dan Williams looked up at the familiar figure seated beside his bed. He wondered if the doctors had told him yet. I can remember, Steve! I remember you.

"That's right. How are you?" McGarrett asked carefully. He had spent most of the morning with Dr. Fleming discussing Dan's condition. According to the specialist, Dan regained consciousness shortly after he was admitted last night and started remembering names and places. His questions and recollections were disjointed at first but after spending some time with Dr. Fleming, it became clear that he was pulling out of his amnesiac state. Not wanting to rush Dan's progress or overwhelm the younger man with his joy, McGarrett refrained from appearing he knew of this miraculous news.

"Okay. I don't know if Dr. Fleming told you yet but I'm starting to remember now. I remember you, Kono, Chin and Duke. I remember Jenny's smile. I even remember landing at the airport here in San Francisco. Some things are still a blur but mainly the last few days." Dan started then waited to see McGarrett's reaction.

"That's great!" For the first time since he sent Dan on this assignment, the detective's face broke into a smile that lit up his piercing eyes.

An awkward silence fell between them as both had so many questions to ask the other yet neither knew where to start. Soaking up the good news in each other's presence was worth more than words could ever tell. Finally Dan gave the man he saw as a brother a crooked smile and broke the stillness. "Aren't you going to ask me what I remember since arriving in San Francisco?"

"Not today, Danno. Maybe tomorrow." McGarrett reached out and patted Dan's arm affectionately all the while maintaining eye contact. "Doc said he'll get the TV set up for you in time for the game."

"Who's playing?"

"The Giants and the Dodgers."

The nightmare that threatened to destroy them had passed and the time had come for healing as the two detectives felt the shadows lift from their hearts. They knew the road to recovery was going to be a long winding path for Dan but it was one that McGarrett would travel with his protégé for as long as it would take them.