***** Okay, there will be ONE MORE chapter after this….I actually found the words began to flow more than I thought they would – I hope you enjoy *****

He woke to her cries a little after three in the morning and he was at her side in seconds.
Her head was lolling from side to side as she sobbed, "Tony….OOOHHHH NNOOOO TONNYY…ddon't leave mme"
Steve leaned across placing a firm hand on her shoulder while talking softly, "Kono, baby wake up….wake up Kono"
"Tonny I ccann't…..OOOOOHHH NNOOO"
"Kono….Kono….sweetheart open your eyes for me"
"TONY…I'm shot….get Steevenn…don't let tthem hhurt Steveen"
He was having a hard time waking her and he knew it was because of the drugs. He had fought this battle between drug induced sleep and reality before and he knew how these damn drugs can make your nightmares worse, more vivid…more torturous.

Placing a hand under her shoulders he lifted her slightly and with his other hand he softly patted her cheeks, "Kono, wake up baby"
Her eyes opened as she again called out for Tony.
"It's Steve, I'm right here Kono, I've got you….."
"Steve…..Oh God…..Oh God why?" She began sobbing and he pulled her to his chest.
"You were having a nightmare sweetheart, I've got you" He held her as she cried, comforting her, "I've got you Kono…ssshhhhh"
He held her until she eventually relaxed in his arms as the drugs remaining in her system took her back under. As he gently placed her back onto the pillow he kissed her cheek whispering, "I'm so sorry Kono"

Pulling the blankets over her he pulled a chair up to her side and he watched her. He knew that this would be only the first of many nightmares she would face…hell they may never stop. He couldn't even remember the last time he went a full week without nightmares. He had grown to accept them as a part of his life and it saddened him greatly that Kono may now face that same torment. He rubbed his aching shoulder and leaning back in the chair he closed his eyes, but sleep would not come again tonight for Steve McGarrett.

505050505050505050505050

He was watching TV when Kono woke the next morning. "Hey, good morning. I hope I didn't wake you"
"You didn't…..Steve….I'm sor….."
He interrupted her before she could even complete her sentence, "Kono please…..I don't ever want you to apologize for mourning Tony. I love you Kono and I loved Tony very much. I will miss him every day" His voice shook with emotion as he continued, "I held him Kono …and I couldn't help him…..I'm so sorry Kono…I couldn't help him"

"Steve…..this wasn't your fault"
"I know... Kono, all I can do for him is take care of you and Steven. You're going to experience a rollercoaster of emotions for a long time sweetheart and you need to come to us, to me, Danny, Chin and Malia…..we're here for you. Please know that"

"I do know that Steve….thank you"
"I'm going to ask you one more time….to please reconsider seeing Tony this morning"
"I…..I have to see him….Steve, I have to see him"
He saw it in her eyes and knew that it had to happen. He took her hand in his, "Okay…I'll be there with you"
"Thank You"

The Nurse came in with her breakfast and the two chatted as she ate a few bites. "Kono, I know it's hard but you have to eat"
"I'm just not hungry. I feel nauseated just looking at food"
"I know…..but you have to get your strength back honey"
She nodded in agreement and ate most of her food, finishing up as Ken and Carson Reddick arrived.

They visited, talking lightheartedly about the kids and their antics at the pool the night before. At a few minutes before nine, an orderly brought in a wheelchair and Steve asked Kono, "Are you ready sweetheart?"
"Yes…..I'm ready"
Steve smiled at her reassuringly as he helped her out of bed and into the chair.
Ken leaned over and kissed his daughter-in-law, "You don't have to do this dear"
"No papa…..I have to" He stroked her cheek lovingly and he and Carson followed, as Steve pushed her towards the elevators.

Max met them at the entry of the morgue and he addressed Kono, "I am so terribly sorry for your loss Kono"
"Thank you Max…. thank you for taking care of Tony for me"
Max nodded to her and after shaking hands with the men, he led them into the room and to the body that lay covered with a sheet in the middle of the room.

Steve helped Kono to her feet and he held her steady, feeling her body shaking in his grasp. Ken stood at her other side and Carson moved to the other side of the table standing next to Max. Steve nodded to Max and he pulled the sheet back exposing only Tony's head and neck. If Steve had not been there to hold her up she would have collapsed in a heap on the floor at the sight of her beloved husband. After glancing at his brother on the table, Steve turned his full attention to Kono. As he held her he whispered encouragingly into her ear, "I've got you baby" Her breathing was very rapid, "Slow down your breathing Kono, relax…"

Carson reached out and ran his hand through Tony's hair. A few seconds later he turned away and Ken leaned over kissing his son's forehead, saying softly through tears "I love you Tony. I'm so proud of you son"

A couple of minutes passed before Carson moved to his father's side grabbing his elbow, "Dad, come on….." Ken stroked his son's bruised cheek and then moving with his oldest son they left the room.

Steve held onto her firmly, "I've got you Kono" Tears welled in his eyes but he had to stay strong…

Kono's voice was so soft, so tortured "Tonny…..oh babbyy…" Her hand was shaking uncontrollably as she tenderly touched his face. Steve watched as she ran her fingers across his face, gingerly touching the numerous cuts and bruises. She touched his eyes, his nose…..his lips, "I love yyyou Tonny…." She leaned in and kissed her lover's cheek, her arm draping across his chest. She dropped her head against his shoulder and sobbed. Steve kept a firm grip on her as he ran a hand through Tony's hair.

He waited for several minutes as she continued to sob and then he leaned close to her, talking in a soft, calming voice, "Kono, baby we should go now"
It took a couple of minutes before she pulled away from Tony's shoulder, and kissing his cheek one final time she then turned collapsing into the SEAL's strong arms. He held her tightly, eventually easing her back into the wheelchair and wheeling her from the room.

When they returned back to the room Kono's parents were waiting there with the baby and after Steve helped her into a chair her Mother kissed her and placed Steven into her arms.