Danny sat for several minutes before picking up his phone and dialing Rachel again.
"Danny, are you alright?"
"Rach, I need to know something. Are you still sure…about us?"
"Daniel, why are you questioning that? Of course I'm sure….aren't you?"
"Yes, of course I'm sure. I'm sorry honey. It's been a rough few days. I guess I just needed to hear you say it again"
"Sweetheart, I love you with all my heart and I cannot wait until we are living together as a family, all four of us"
"Thank you dear. I can't wait either. Rachel….what would you think about moving back to Jersey?"
"What are you saying Danny? You're leaving 5-0?"
"Rachel…I can't do it anymore. Steve is a great man, an amazing man….but he doesn't trust me"
She interrupted him, "Baby you know that's not true, you know he trusts you and he loves you"

"Not only did he take off on his own to find Matty, not the first time he has done that either, but he made us believe he was dead? Rachel, you saw how that news tortured Gracie. She's had nightmares over losing him. How could he do this?"

"Daniel, I will go wherever you decide to go as long as we're together but I need you to promise me something"
"What is it?"
"You love him don't you?"
"Of course I do. That's why I'm here"
"Well Danny, you're not the only one who loves him. Gracie adores him. Do you really want to take this wonderful man from her life? Talk to him, listen to him. Don't make such an important decision hastily"

Danny chuckled slightly, "Did Chin call you?"
"No…..why?"
"He pretty much told me the same thing"
"I would say he's a pretty smart man"
Danny sighed softly, "Thank you sweetheart, I love you"
"I love you too. Take care of him and I'll see you tomorrow"
"Get some sleep now, bye"
He hung up the phone as his two colleagues re-entered the room and moved towards him. They were carrying sodas and sandwiches from the cafeteria.

Kono set the food in front of him, "Gourmet baby, turkey, bacon and cheddar"
"Sounds great! Thank you"
Chin asked, "Any word yet?"
"No. I wonder what's taking so long?"
Kono responded, "It hasn't been that long Danny. He had a lot of wounds to dress"
"Yeah, you're right. Hey, with everything that's been happening this week I didn't get a chance to tell you guys my news. Rachel and I are back together. She's filed for divorce from Stan"

Kono smiled as Chin stated, "We're very happy for you Danny"
"There's more. Charlie might be mine"
"What?"
"Rachel thinks she might have been wrong with the dates. We're going to have a DNA test done"
"Wow, what a week"
"Yeah, it sure has been. I talked to her about Steve while you two were gone and she told me the same thing you did Chin. I am upset with him but I do owe him the opportunity to tell me his reasons"

Kono reached over and squeezed Danny's forearm, "That's good Danny. Whatever decision you make you need to be certain about it"
"I agree"
Chin then added, "If you want to talk about it Danny, we're both here for you. We're Ohana brah...always"
"Thank you both. You're right Chin, we are Ohana and for now he needs us and nothing else matters. Any decision I need to make can wait"
Kono motioned to the doorway, "Danny, the Doctor's here"

505050505050505050505050

They all stood and shook hands with Doctor Elijah Kam.
"Sit, please"
Danny spoke for the group, "Doc, how is he?"
"He's a tough young man. We stitched his eyebrow and cheek and set his nose. He does have a concussion and that combined with the Meth in his system is troublesome. We need to make sure he stays coherent. He also has two broken and two cracked ribs but there are no signs of internal bleeding. His hand is infected and it took a while to clean it out. Due to the Meth we could only give him a local anesthetic to numb it. There were several pieces of glass deeply imbedded in the wound but I believe we got it all out. He's going to be very sore for a while. The good thing is that I did not see any damage to the nerves or ligaments, it appears to be all tissue damage. I have prescribed him oral antibiotics for the infection and codeine for the pain. Meth can intensify pain and the codeine will help him sleep. He's in his room and he's insistent on leaving now. I would love to keep him at least until morning. He's dehydrated he really needs saline IV's for several hours at least"

Chin asked, "Doctor, the withdrawal from the Meth…can you give him anything to ease the symptoms?"
"Not the way he's doing it. We never recommend stopping Meth cold turkey. It's much easier to ease off it, but he's being quite stubborn and insisting on taking no more. I'll tell you now that he has not even begun to experience the worst of this. From what you've told me he's experiencing pains and cramping as well as paranoia and depression, but it will get much worse. The blood tests show a large amount of Meth in his system. He's in the 'tweaking' phase right now and this could last a few more days. It's very important that he's not left alone during this time. Many abusers experience a complete psychotic state and they can be dangerous to themselves or others. Then he'll crash for two to three days, sleeping most of the time. The next phase, the 'hangover' could last up to fourteen days followed by the actual withdrawal phase which could last up to ninety days. He'll experience depression, energy loss and the ability to experience pleasure. When the craving for more Meth hits, the abuser often becomes suicidal. I'm sorry to be so blunt about this, but your friend has a very tough road ahead of him. I will give him a prescription for low dose meth tablets so he has them available if he changes his mind"

Danny responded, "Thank you Doctor Kam. I'll talk to him about all of this. Unfortunately in our line of business we know the horrors of this drug all too well. It's awfully hard watching one of our own go through it though. And don't worry, he WILL be spending the night and I'll stay with him at his home through the whole process"
"Good, he will need the support. We've set up two cots in his room for you"
"Perfect. Can we see him now?"
"Absolutely. I'll take you up there"

They all followed the Doctor and as they exited the elevator they heard the noise and commotion coming from room 247.
"COMMANDER McGARRETT PLEASE, YOU'RE GOING TO HURT YOURSELF!"
"I'M NOT STAYING HERE ANY LONGER…"
The Doctor and three detectives entered the room to find Steve halfway off the bed as two Nurses struggled with him.

Danny hollered, "STEVEN! KNOCK IT OFF! What in the hell are you doing?"
"Danny, I want you to get me the hell out of here! They did their tests, now please take me home"
Danny and Chin moved to their leaders side and the Nurses gladly stepped aside. As Chin lifted Steve's legs back onto the bed Danny held his shoulders firmly while leaning close to his ear and talking calmly, "You said you trusted me, now I need you to listen. Lay back and relax so we can talk okay?"

Danny felt the tension ease in his partner's shoulders as he did as he was instructed, laying his head back on the pillow. The Jersey detective then pulled the blankets up to his chest leaving his arms out above them. A Nurse stepped in and took a quick look at his IV line, "It's good, he didn't pull it out"

Danny looked at her nametag and responded, "Thank You Maria. Can you give us a minute with him?"

She gave them a sweet smile stating, "Just ring if you need us. His medication is on the tray"
Danny smiled back, "Thank You"
Dr. Kam left as well letting them know that he would return before nine o'clock in the morning to check on the patient.

Danny took Steve's bandaged right hand in his and stood looking down at the SEAL, lying still with his eyes close. Chin and Kono stood at his left side. His injured left hand was heavily bandaged and mobilized by a brace. Kono placed her soft hand on his forearm, tenderly stroking the bruised flesh which was covered with track marks from the numerous Meth injections.

Several minutes passed in silence before Steve spoke, his eyes still closed, "I want to get out of here Danno"
"I know you do but you're dehydrated and you need the IV fluids at least until morning"
"I feel fine and I want to go home"
"Steve…babe you ARE NOT fine. One night of following the Doc's orders is not going to kill you. Please do this for us"
Steve's eyes opened and he looked at Danny, then Chin, and finally his gaze fell on Kono. What he saw in her eyes tore at his heart. He saw fear, concern and love but worst of all, he saw disappointment. He looked back to Danny and said softly, "Okay…..I'm sorry"

Danny took the pills and a glass of water from the table, "Here partner, you need to take these?"
"No, no…what are they for?"
"An antibiotic for your hand and codeine to help you sleep"
"No codeine Danny, I don't want it"
"You need to sleep buddy. It will help you relax, please take it"
"It'll give me nightmares Danny…..I can't….." His voice cracked with emotion, "No nightmares…..I can't"
"Okay babe, I hear you…..no codeine, I got it"
Kono lifted his head off the pillow and Danny put the antibiotic into his mouth and then brought the straw to his lips. Kono then placed his head gently back onto the pillow and she leaned in and kissed his cheek. She then stroked his forehead and whispered encouragement to him softly. Danny and Chin pulled chairs up to the bedside and watched as Steve closed his eyes.

****** MUCH MORE TO FOLLOW – please let me know what you think, I hope you're enjoying! *******