They were able to get Steve into a room quickly and for the first time they saw how truly lucky the SEAL had been. As he removed his vest and shirt the bruising was evident. He had been struck by four rounds in the mid chest and rib cage.
"Christ buddy, can you breathe okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine...just bruised"
"We need to report Hoapili and Norton. They were overzealous and trigger happy!"
"Hey Danno, bring it down a notch buddy. I'm glad they killed the bastard"
"Yeah me too but look at you! If you didn't have that Vest on we would be burying you too!"

"Danny...Norris was firing on you, they did the right thing. I'm glad they did it. We'll file our incident report but we're not out to destroy two good cops, do you hear me?"

Danny closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose, "Jesus Christ what a day"
"And it's not going to get any easier, but we'll get through it. We'll get Kono through it...together"
"What about you?"
"What do you mean? I'm here. They'll get the bullet out"

"That's not what I mean Steve and you know it. You haven't even shed a tear. He was your brother man"
"And I'll mourn him" Steve's eyes became damp but he refused to let the tears fall, "He's gone Danny and the only thing I can do for him now is what he asked me to do, take care of Kono and Steven. I can't break down Danny, I have to stay strong. I have to do this...for Tony"

Not wanting to push his friend past that emotional breaking point, Danny simply squeezed his arm and said softly, "I understand and I'm here for you"

Danny then turned from him as they both struggled to regain their composure.
A few minutes later a Doctor entered the room and after introductions he began to examine Steve.

"I'll need to operate"
"No Doc, I can't be put under. Just give me a local anesthetic and take the damn thing out"
"Commander McGarrett, the bullet is deep and it's lodged up against bone"

"Doc, please I'm fine. I've been through a lot worse. A member of my team is up in surgery and I need to see her as soon as she comes out. I can't have you put me under"
The Doctor looked at Danny who simply nodded to him.
"Okay, I'll be right back. Please lay down for me"
Danny watched Steve grimace in pain as he lay back onto the bed.

The Doctor returned a short time later and after applying the anesthetic to the wound he turned his attention to the bruising while the arm numbed. "It appears you have a couple of cracked ribs here. What caused this bruising?"

Danny had plucked the four bullets from the Vest and he held out his hand. "Four rounds to the chest Doc, Thank God for Kevlar"
The Doctor shook his head and turned back to his patient, "It looks like this is your lucky day son"
Steve responded somberly, "Not really Doc..."

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Within the hour the two men had rejoined Chin in the waiting room.
"So what's the news Boss?"
"He got the bullet, there are no breaks. I've got a couple cracked ribs, some bruising. No big deal"
Danny simply rolled his eyes, "Whatever..."
Steve waved a hand, shooing his partner as he continued, "Any news Chin?"
"A Nurse popped in a few minutes ago, she said they just finished up and the Doctor will be out in a few minutes"
"Okay, good"

The men nervously paced the waiting room floor until the Doctor entered about twenty minutes later.
After introductions they all sat at a table and Doctor Mathias began, "She came through surgery fine and she should recover fully"
There were sighs of relief from each of the men as the Doctor continued, "One bullet nicked her liver and that took the most time to repair. The second bullet hit no vital organs but lodged in her abdominal muscle so she will have some pain. We did have to give her two blood transfusions but there are no signs of infection"

Steve then spoke, "Thank you Doctor, um you need to know that she is a detective with the 5-0 Task Force, as well as her husband, and we all are. Her husband was killed today by the by the same men who shot her. She knows he was taken but is not aware of his death"

"Okay, this will definitely cause her much un-needed stress. Does she have any other family?"
"She has a three month old son. Her parents are on vacation on the mainland and Chin here is her cousin. She has us as well"

"Do you all plan on being with her when she wakes?"
They all nodded as Steve continued, "Yes, and we would like to stay with her"
"Good, she'll need you. If you wait here, I'll have them set up one of our family rooms for you and a Nurse will be here soon to take you there. She'll be in recovery for the next hour and then we'll bring her in. I'll be there when she wakes as well"

"Thank you Doctor Mathias" The men all stood and shook hands.

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After the Doctor left, the men chatted for a few minutes and then they all made phone calls.
Chin called Malia and then Kono's parents in Florida while Danny notified Rachel and Governor Denning.

Steve moved to the room's window and dialed Tony's oldest brother Carson in San Diego. Carson was an ex-Marine and Tony idolized him. Danny kept an eye on Steve as they both made their calls. His back was turned to him and he saw the SEAL's shoulders heave several times. Once he hung up Danny moved to his side and Steve spoke softly as tears slid down his cheeks, "I called Carson…..he's going to tell his parents and brothers. He'll let me know when they'll be flying in…oh God Danno…..I loved that boy"

"I know partner, and he knew it too"
Steve turned from Danny, "I can't do this now partner…I have to get a grip..."
"Let me make some calls for you man"
"No...I have to do this"
"No, you're going to let me help. I can call MaryAnn and Jamar, and give me the name and number of the San Diego Police Chief"
Steve shook his head, "Thanks Danno but I have to call Jamar…..it's just me and him now…"

Steve gave his partner Chief Corbett's number and then they continued the unpleasant task at hand.

Jamar was now a security guard at the Bellagio in Las Vegas and as he saw the name McGarrett light up on his screen he grinned.
"Steven how are you my friend?"
"Hey brother, it's good to hear your voice"
Jamar heard the tension in his Commander's voice, "Steve, what's wrong?"
"It's Tony…..he's dead buddy"
"Oh God, what happened? How?"
Steve told him everything, "I'll catch the first plane out Steve, hey…I love you man"
"I love you too brother"

As he hung up Danny was just finishing up talking to MaryAnn and Steve took the phone from him.
"Hi Sis…..yeah, I'm alright I promise you"
"Steve, I don't know if I can get away from my job right now"
"I know that sweetheart, I just wanted you to know"
"I love you Steve, I'm so sorry. Please send Kono my love"
"I will Mar, I love you too and…..I miss you"
"I'll visit soon, I promise. I miss you too big brother"

Danny watched his partner's body shake as he wrapped up the call. They moved back to the table and they waited for the Nurse to arrive and take them to Kono.

The Nurse arrived a short time later taking the three men to Kono's room.
"She should be brought up in about twenty minutes"
Steve thanked her and the men nervously paced the floor, not speaking as the all were deep in their own thoughts about the days' events and of what they now faced.

When she was brought in, the orderlies transferred her onto the bed and a Nurse named Jaycee stayed at the bedside monitoring her vitals.
"How is she?"
"She's stable. She should be waking in the next half hour or so. Doctor Mathias should be in shortly"
The men all thanked her and they moved to Kono's side.

For all she had been through, she looked pretty good. She was a bit pale and they had her hooked up to a heart monitor. She had a nasal cannula in place giving her oxygen, and fluids and pain medication were being pumped into her through IV's.

Chin stood on one side of the bed, running his hand up and down her forearm.
Steve and Danny stood at her other side with Steve taking her hand in his. His mind raced, 'Oh God how am I going to tell her that he's gone?'

******** More to Follow - please let me know what you think, reviews are GREAT motivators *********