I do not own Hawaii Five-0 or any characters. No copyright infringement intended.

Notes: so I did my best researching law here and then describing what I understand the process to be. Hopefully, it's nearly right at least! I tried to have this make sense. It's the reason this took longer to massage and get posted.

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Chapter 13

"You get him well, Ponchie. You fix him." Fervently desperate, Mike was standing in the corridor of the ICU outside Danny's room. And 'standing' was a generous description as he swayed into the wall. He had one arm wrapped around the painful healing wound in his side. He was up too soon, trying to walk too soon and much too irate for his own negligible condition.

"You can't ..let him .." Mike lost his voice as he refused to finish the sentence. Sweating from exertion, he wanted to hit something, but didn't dare let go of the wall as he swayed again and the big doctor grabbed his arms. "Not now .. not after what he did for us." Rather than answering, Ponch pulled his brother into a warm hug which caused the other imposing man to completely break down in tears.

"He's not going to die, Mikey. And I swear that I'm doing my best, but I need you to rest and sit down for me .. then get back into bed. I can't take care of both of you like this." Riddled with fatigue, Ponch was almost mumbling through the coarseness in his voice. He also hadn't found the courage to tell Mike that he'd been suspended from Tripler for the foreseeable future until the mess he'd caused by killing Frank Curtis had been properly sorted out. The fact was soon to be put into place that very hour: Doctor Ramirez could not personally take care of his brother or the detective on hospital grounds.

"No, no, no." In his arms, Mike was already shaking his head before pushing roughly away and staggering into the wall. "It's not good enough. You do more than that .. more than your best. You get him through this, do you hear me?"

Steve stood idle and at a loss as the two brothers went head to head over the man who lay so ill in his silent struggle. Danny looked bad. Danny looked very, very sick and though Ponch was mostly optimistic, Mike was verbalizing his own very real fears. With a deep sigh, Steve knew full well what the doctor really needed to tell his brother, but the current scene would probably prevent that from happening. Tears pricked his own eyes as he listened to their words and dropped his gaze to Danny's fevered face.

"Fight this, Danno." A too high fever gripped his partner as trembled under a pile of blankets that would likely soon be changed out for ice-packs. Each breath rattled harshly under the oxygen mask and his nonsensical ramblings rarely stopped unless the scheduled pain medication or a sedative had been dispensed. Worse than then the concussion, he had lost a fair amount of blood from the gunshot wound and a deeply seated infection had taken hold despite surgical debridement and placement of a drain.

"You've managed to get four Ramirez family members peeved with you this time, pal." The snicker failed and Steve's voice broke as he took up his partner's limp hand, mindful of the bruises that traced across his knuckles. That comment was far from the truth because Danny had given them back their family by keeping Rebecca whole and safe. Miscellaneous, cuts, scrapes and bruises seemed to pop up nearly hourly as Danny's body weakened more instead of strengthening. It was an entirely different experience than that at the remote house and even after just a few hours post their arrival at the hospital, Steve was at a complete loss to understand the change.

The rain had stopped and the clouds had dispersed scarcely twelve hours earlier. Becca had woken, excited not only for her first helicopter ride, but to simply come home and be done with the terrifying experience. Danny had been almost fine .. almost. Rousing for the move and brief stretcher ride to the landing site, he had become confused and had soon lapsed into longer periods of silence as the transport seemed to take what little energy he'd stored out of him.

"Tired." It was the only excuse Steve had gotten as Danny closed his eyes and his fever rose. By the time he'd gone through the emergency room and been properly assessed, he was stubbornly non-responsive.

"Becca's so good .. she's so good, Danno. You did that .. now let Doc help you, buddy." Steve pleaded with him before sinking into the chair next to the bed. Fluids, pain medication and intravenous cocktail of antibiotics were constantly being fed into his veins. Weakened beyond belief by stress and blood loss, infection and now the resulting fever which had taken up a firm residence, Ponch refused to say more about it. Only that everything was being done, Danny was in the best of hands and simply needed time for the medications to kick in and work.

But to make so many matters worse, the big doctor was leaving TAMC and so in reality, the other fine ICU doctors would be stepping up in his stead.

With a great deal of difficulty, Steve listened as Mike Ramirez demanded nothing short of life. Mike thought it was his fault for everything that happened to his daughter as well as to Danny. And then, little Rebecca Anne had defiantly announced the very same thing much to the shock of all the adults present. Somewhere maybe not so deep inside a scary glimmer of Kasey Pearce still burned brightly tasked with keeping her mother's demands alive.

Regardless of Mike's stunned diatribe to prove her wrong and her Uncle Ponch's angry insulted fury, it was almost twelve hours later and Becca was stubbornly holding firm. Evidently, this stubborn streak was a Ramirez family trait according to Ellen, who smiled tiredly while cuddling her exhausted niece. So both Steve and Ponch knew that Mike's demands now were not only for him, but for his daughter who needed her Uncle Danny to heal.

Steve finally left Danny's bedside when he heard Mike's muffled voice again. "You get him through this, Ponchie." Only his brother could render the doctor speechless and it had finally happened. Intervening on both of their behalf's, he retrieved the wheelchair first.

"Mike. That's enough." Joining the two men, Steve wrapped his arm around the taller man's broad shoulders and gently aimed him for the discarded wheelchair. Where Ponch had failed and likely only because Mike had officially run out of steam, Steve won the short battle of wills as the man finally stumbled over his feet. "Sit down, before you rip something open or fall down."

He didn't bother saying another word as he anchored a hand to each of his friend's shoulders to keep him seated. He watched as Ponch wearily rubbed both hands over his face and through his badly graying hair. Under his fingers, Mike was equally trembling from the rush of emotions and fatigue. The last thing any of them needed was for Mike Ramirez to suffer a relapse.

"We all need to take a break." None of them wanted to, but Steve knew they had to. Another twelve-hour block was a long period of time, made longer by a clear lack of progress on Danny's part. Behind Ponch's back, Kono and Ellen Ramirez were striding their way over.

In the hospital lobby though, both HPD officers and Special Agent Jim Marcus of the FBI waited for Alphonse Ramirez. Chin was there as well to ensure that there were no unforeseen issues or questions for their friend. In fact, he was anxious to guarantee his own report was shared and accurately transposed into any discussions.

HPD and the FBI had coordinated their resources to permit the doctor one final day at TAMC before returning to bring in him in for questioning and a date with the District Attorney. The short delay was orchestrated though because Steve had once again intervened to at least allow the man to settle particular family affairs and ready himself for the coming work-related suspension. Of which, that was predictably immediate once the hospital's Board of Directors learned of the pending action.

As word got out, people were stunned and whispers were already heard in pockets throughout the hospital. Those close few that knew the circumstances were not surprised, though. In fact, they congratulated the man privately and held him in an even higher esteem. Many were angered by the legal review that would be coming down on the man's head and they took it personally, with a great deal of disgust.

Even though charges had yet to be defined by the D.A., they soon would be and the team feared voluntary manslaughter. Then the feds could have a run at the aged doctor, too. Rumors were already circulating in the hospital about a petition to save the doctor's fine reputation and bear strong witness to his character. However, what could or would happen next would be decided by the D.A.'s office and a host of lawyers who would prepare for a coming judicial hearing and sentencing.

The only one taking the coming legal battle well was Ponch, himself. Oddly, then perhaps Ellen because she trusted her husband and stood behind him one hundred percent. She alternated between tears and then swearing that they would get through it for Rebecca's sake. Other than the emotional worry for his family and Danny, Ponch had retained an excellent lawyer and had continued to maintain a stoic and determined lack of remorse for his actions. His family was safe and that part of Rebecca's frightening life was now officially over. He could cope with being suspended from Tripler. He would deal with the legal ramifications and duly accept the fallout as it occurred.

Believing the two brothers had spoken about the legal issues, each face was wracked with concern for the three men outside in the hallway and Steve took advantage of the momentary silence. His pointed look confused Ellen though Kono easily understood that the challenging conversation still remained open.

Before they could say anything, Steve was pushing the wheelchair beyond them and hooking a finger in the doctor's lab coat to pull him along. His request was for all three and they lingered before going to sit by their friend.

"Can you stay with Danny? We're going to settle Mike back in bed. He's tired." Steve kept moving, relieved when Mike said nothing and Ponch silently followed in kind.

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Surprisingly, Ponch did decide to speak to his brother after he'd managed to get him situated again in the ICU. As gently as possible, he began to break the news about whom had actually shot and killed Frank Curtis. Steve stayed for as long as he was needed and long enough to see the strong emotional changes that contorted Mike Ramirez's face.

Steve's quiet support and added explanation regarding those who waited for Doctor Ramirez in the lobby might have been appreciated by the doctor, himself, however, Mike was stunned and plunged at first into a dark silence. His reaction and resulting readings earned him a sedative which his brother dispensed to his further annoyance.

"What are you doing, Ponchie? Do you plan to sedate me every time something goes wrong. But ... jail?" He could barely get the word out of his mouth as Ponch readjusted intravenous lines, oxygen and then for lack of things, the very bedding.

"It's part of the process. And we are all going to do our best to help Doc get through this .. even Jim Marcus here at the FBI has stepped up. But the actual charges are going to be up to the District Attorney." Steve cringed as Mike's face lost even more color.

"Lawyer? Who's representing you?" Mike's next blurted question was reasonable and this time Ponch nodded to signify he'd already reached out to two of the best and since then, had already selected one. "You will have qualified help?"

"Yes, her name is Anna Graves. It will be fine, Mike." But Ponch's voice dwindled away as his shocked brother interrupted once more.

"What were you thinking?" There was more though and even though he was still recovering and disbelieving of what was unfolding, Mike narrowed his eyes at his brother. With relief, Steve could see the effects of the sedative working as Mike's voice at least dropped to a more normal level.

"You could lose your job. Everything. You could really go to prison because of all of this … because of me and my responsibilities."

"You are my brother and this is not because of you or anything you did or did not do!" Utterly offended, the tables nearly turned and Steve found himself trying to soothe the big doctor as Ponch nearly lost his temper at Mike's final comments. "If you think I'd want this any other way … you're a fool. It will work out and I'd do it again."

"Commander, if you don't mind please." Ponch glanced just once at Steve with a grateful expression and it was Steve's clue to leave the two alone. Which he did, but only to march immediately to the hospital's lobby to advise Chin and the waiting officials that the doctor would be out shortly.

Allowing Chin to manage the situation, Steve cut across the lobby to intercept both Rachel and Grace when he heard the shout. Due to delayed flights and the timing of the rescue mission's return, Ellen had been left to juggle both Grace and then her own niece. At least until Steve had gotten his act together to collect Grace himself so that Ellen could focus on her family. Over much of her fright, she was relieved to see everyone coming back to the hospital only to become upset as she was prevented from seeing her father.

Out of breath and worried, Rachel had arrived within hours of Danny being placed in the ICU; just in time to escort Grace in for her first visit as short as it might have been. Now they were back and clearly hoping for an improvement.

"Hi, Uncle Steve." Even though she ran to him now, Grace was quietly subdued as she gave him a quick hug. "Is Danno better yet?"

His barely muffled sigh and serious expression were duly absorbed as a negative and Grace frowned unhappily. "He's still very sick, Grace. His fever is high and he's taking medicine that the doctors say will help him fight the infection."

"Can I see him?" The next question was a whisper as her eyes widened worriedly.

"I think so, but he's sleeping so you can't expect too much yet." Steve shared hesitantly as Rachel caught up to them.

"What's with all of this?" Rachel murmured as she eyed the HPD and FBI presence. "There's not more trouble with these people, is there?"

"Not exactly." As Steve was about to explain, Doctor Ramirez and Ellen showed up and without hesitation walked directly to Chin Ho and the rest of the gathered officials. A short hushed discussion ensued with Chin most angrily adamant until a particular uniformed officer backed away. Even Jim Marcus seemed put out as he seconded whatever Chin had denied or demanded of the one HPD officer. There was no doubt of Chin's disgust or of Jim's equal level of annoyance as they flanked the doctor. But whatever had happened was soon over and the doctor was leaving with Chin, Jim, and two different HPD officers without so much as another word or fuss. Ellen was left alone in the large lobby watching the group leave en-masse to waiting HPD cruisers or official FBI vehicles.

She was slow to turn around, but when she did, Ellen joined Steve, Rachel and Grace. "Becca's upstairs sleeping in the nurse's lounge; I don't think she's ever been this tired but neither of us were quite ready to go home, yet."

Trying to smile, Ellen couldn't quite get past the lump that was taking up a solid residence in her throat. Her eyes flew to the lobby doors where she could just see the last FBI SUV pulling away from the curb. Her arms flapped uselessly at her sides as she half pointed to it. "So ... there we have it. An officer wanted to use handcuffs. Can you imagine?"

"Unbelievable. The intent of this was to be discreet." Angrily, Steve shook his head since that was now the obvious reason for Chin's disagreeable demeanor. "There's always one in the bunch."

"I'm sorry. What exactly is going on?" Completely in the dark, Rachel was utterly confused by the odd situation. "Are you implying that Doctor Ramirez was just arrested?"

Looking up at the adults in surprise, Grace's mouth dropped open. "Really? What did he do?"

Placing a hand on her head, Steve sighed deeply as Ellen battled another bout of tears and hugged her arms tightly around herself. "He .. uh .. he shot and killed the man who was responsible for all of this with Danny and Rebecca."

"How could that be bad?" Rachel unexpectedly blurted in a small fit of anger. "After all this time and what he did ... I fail to see how this is bad." Thankful for the support, Ellen tried to smile again but failed as a tear escaped down her cheek.

"You sound like Alphonse." Ellen gave out with a weak sound that should have been a short laugh. "However, it seems that Frank Curtis was technically in custody when it happened; or at least possibly in the process of maybe surrendering." Ellen offered quietly as Rachel pulled her into a hug. "He did have a weapon but .. what Alphonse did was very wrong. Very, very wrong. He shouldn't have even been there in the first place."

Looking at Steve's pensive face over the nurse's bowed head, Rachel silently asked for confirmation about what the doctor had done. She grimaced unhappily when he nodded. "I'm sorry." Rachel whispered into her hair as Ellen's shoulders began to tremble.

"Grace. Go with Uncle Steve to see your father if you can?" Under her arm, Ellen nodded yes and Rachel smiled softly. Physically turning the nurse away to a private corner, she watched as Grace willingly took Steve's hand. "I'll be there in a few minutes."

Grace remained silent as she entered the ICU and then only stared at Danny. Sweat dotted his forehead though he still trembled under the blankets. "He's cold." Grace finally whispered.

"He has a high fever, Gracie." She was getting big, but Steve swung her up so she could see Danny better over the side rail. "Each one of these special machines and the medicine will help him get better. It's only going to take some time."

Her only response was a quick nod to mean that she understood, but there were wheels churning in her head. Actively churning and ready to spit something out as she fidgeted a bit in his arms. Steve felt the change as she rested her head on his shoulder while watching Danny mumble and then twitch unconsciously in the hospital bed.

"What are you thinking about?" He prompted softly. While in his arms, Steve couldn't exactly see her face. He heard the unexpected words very clearly though and had no verbal reply even if he wholeheartedly agreed. However the real truth of it was very complicated.

"I'm glad that Doctor Ramirez took care of that bad man. He shouldn't have to go to jail for it."

~ to be continued ~