It was slow going down the darkened path and when they reached the shed they gently placed Steve on the ground.
"Danno? Whhere are wwe?"
"We're back at the shed partner. We're just going to rest for a few minutes and then we'll get you to the truck"
Steve was moaning softly as Chin and Kono went into the shed to pack up the drugs as well as the other items Steve had brought.

Danny knelt next to Steve placing a hand on his shoulder, "Ssshhhhh babe, I'm right here"
"Danny…llisten please…no hospital okay. Take me hom…me"
"Steve you need to be checked over and then I'll take you home alright?"
"I just need tto get hhome"
"Steven we need to make sure you're not bleeding internally and we have to get that hard head of yours checked out. Please buddy, I need you to trust me"

'TRUST ME….TRUST ME'… the words from Danny's voice mail flooded Steve's mind, 'Partner'…that's the problem….you don't know what that word means. Well let me tell you Steven, it means friendship and love and loyalty and you're great with all those things….in your own unique way. But it also means trust, and our problem is that you just don't trust me'

Steve looked into his partners eyes and he saw the hurt…"Okay Danno, whatever you say. I trust you"
Danny squeezed his friends shoulder reassuringly, "You're going to be fine buddy. Keep fighting"

He watched as Steve's eye's closed and tears slid down his battered cheeks. The words came out so softly that Danny barely heard him, "He's dead Danno…Jack's dead because of me"

Before Danny could even respond, Steve was pushing himself up. Danny grabbed his shoulders, "Whoa! Where are you going?"
"Help me outta this thing, will you"
Danny unzipped the bag and pulled it down around Steve's waist. Steve sat, pulling his knees up. He tipped his head downward and clutching his hands behind his head he placed his elbows on his knees and he sobbed. Still kneeling, Danny inched closer and reaching out he grabbed Steve's arm. The SEAL kept repeating through tortured sobs, "He's dead…Jack's dead….it's my fault…..oh God, it's all my fault" Several minutes passed until Steve fell towards his partner and taking his cue, Danny pulled him to his chest.

"Oh God Danny….he's gone"
"Ssshhhhh babe, it's going to be okay….ssshhhhh" Danny wanted to shake sense into the SEAL but he knew that wasn't what Steve needed right now. In his depressed state of mind he just needed comfort and that was what he would provide. A short time later Chin and Kono returned from the shed. Chin knelt opposite Danny and placed a hand on Steve's shoulder and Kono knelt in front of the men reaching out and taking Steve's bandaged left hand into hers.

As she squeezed his hand he cried out in pain and she responded "Oh Steve, I'm sorry"
Danny then spoke, "I assume your hand went through your bathroom mirror, am I right?"
"I always said you were a great detective Danno"
"Okay smartass!"
They all chuckled softly and Steve added, "Sorry buddy"
"It's all good babe. Let's take a look at that hand though okay?"
"Uh huh…it hurts a bit"
As Chin held a flashlight Kono sat on the ground and holding the hand in her lap, she gently unwrapped the wet and bloodied gauze bandaging.

Steve's gaze turned to the man holding the flashlight, "Chin…how are you feeling buddy?"
Chin smiled down at him, "I'm fine, thanks to you. You saved my life Steve. Mahalo"
"No partner, God saved you and the Doctors"
"Don't think I haven't thanked them and God as well, but I never would have even made it to the hospital alive if it hadn't been for you"
"Danny had a lot to do with it too you know"
In typical Danny Williams 'ranting' form he threw an arm into the air, "My God McGarrett! Can't you just say 'You're Welcome'?"
Steve looked at Danny incredulously before looking back to Chin and stating simply, "You're welcome"

"Boss, it looks like you've got quite an infection here" The men all turned their attention back to the crudely stitched hand which Kono was gently cradling in her hands. The hand was swollen and red. The gash was oozing pus and blood in several places.
Danny grimaced, "Jesus Steven, you say it hurts 'a bit'?"
"Yeah, just a bit"
Danny chuckled, "You're unbelievable, you know that?"
"But you love me"
"That I do partner, that I do. Let's get you to the hospital now"
"I can walk"
"Are you sure? How's your head feel?"
"It hurts…...just a bit"
They all smiled at the brief moment of levity as Kono re-wrapped his hand. The men then helped Steve to his feet and after wrapping him in a blanket, he leaned on Danny for support. Then with Chin and Kono leading the way they began their final trek from the forest.

505050505050505050505050

It took a long time to make it out of the forest. They had to stop twice as Steve doubled over with abdominal pains but he refused to be carried.

Once at Chin's truck they settled Steve on the backseat with his head in Danny's lap. It was almost midnight when Chin pulled onto the Pali Highway with Kono following in Steve's truck.

Halfway to the hospital Steve grew restless and Danny grabbed his upper arm tightly, "Relax Steve…..Chin how long?"
Chin glanced back at them, "About twenty minutes. Do you need me to stop?"
"Steve are you gonna puke? Should we stop?"
"No…..nno ….ooh sshit…hurts so ddamn bbad"
"I know babe, I know. Try to relax….slow down your breathing now….slow babe, in…out…in…out…relax…."
"Oh God…"
"I got you….nice and slow Steve…nice and slow" Eventually Danny felt Steve's body relax, "That's it partner…relax"
"Danny….'m sso sorry"
"Stop buddy…..ssshhhh, relax now. Don't talk…..ssshhhh"
Steve's eyes closed and he continued to mumble softly, "'M so ssorryy Dddanno"

Once they arrived at the hospital, Steve was brought into a room immediately and they let Danny accompany him. The Doctor came in a short time later and after a brief examination the Doctor sent Steve upstairs for a CT Scan and the he stayed to speak with Danny. Danny told him everything about the Meth addiction and his symptoms of paranoia and depression as well as of the intense physical pains and vomiting he'd been experiencing. He told him of the beating he'd endured at the hands of the cartel thugs and of the cuts to his hands. And he told him of Steve's issues with nightmares.

"Doc, I had a hard time convincing him to come here at all and I'm sure he won't agree to stay long"
"Well I'm glad you got him here. Are you going to want to stay with him tonight?"
"Yes, absolutely"
"They're going to clean him up. If you can wait in the first floor waiting room, I'll send the Nurse in to get you once he's settled"
"Thank you Doc" Shaking hands, Danny then left to re-join his teammates who were already in the waiting room.

Chin and Kono stood as Danny entered, "How is he?"
"I don't know Chin. They took him for a CT Scan and then they'll get him into a room"
"Danny, he took a hell of a beating"
"I know but that's not what's worrying me. The damn meth is pulling all kinds repressed memories to the forefront of his mind"
Kono stated softly, "Oh God"
"Kono, we just need to be here for him. Whatever he needs, we need to be here"
Kono looked into Danny's eyes, "So you're okay? You've forgiven him?"
Tears welled in his eyes as he said softly, "No, I…..I can't, but I owe him this much. Once this is over though and he's strong enough, I'm done"

Danny turned from his friends and walked over to the table. Pulling out his cellphone, he called the Governor, Duke, Joe and Rachel giving them all the news that Steve was alive and safe but in rough shape physically and emtionally. He and Rachel agreed that he would be at her place when Gracie came home from school so they could give her the great news together.

Several minutes passed before Chin approached, setting a steaming cup of coffee in front of him.
Danny placed his hands on the hot styrofoam cup, "Thank you brother, where's Kono?"
"She just took a little walk"
"I didn't mean to upset her Chin"
"Hey, we're all on edge and not thinking clearly"

"Chin I'm thinking very clearly and I mean everything I've said. He told us he was DEAD for God's sake! DEAD Chin! You can't be alright with this?"
"No, no I'm not but I don't think you should act impulsively either. You said you owe him…...well at least give him the chance to explain his actions. I'd say you owe him at least that"
With no further words Chin stood from the table and left the room leaving Danny quietly staring out the large window into the blackness of the Hawaiian night.

******* MUCH MORE TO FOLLOW *********