**** I reference a vacation to New Jersey that Steve took with Danny and Gracie in this chapter - it is from my story Sharks vs. Bears if you'd like to give it a try ****
They all stood as the Nurse asked, "Are you the family of Ms. Kalakaua?"
Chin spoke nervously, "Yes Ma'am"
Catherine reached over and took hold of Chin's hand, squeezing it encouragingly.
The Nurse identified herself as Mickie, "Doctor Clark wants you to know that he has successfully repaired Kono's lung"
Steve asked, "So she's going to be alright?"
"He's suctioned the lung and repaired it. I really have no other details, but he should be out to see you within the hour"
Chin nodded, "Thank you Mickie"
Catherine squeezed Chin's hand as Mickie left the room and Steve looked to him, "Hey Chin, she's going to be okay buddy"
"She didn't say that Steve"
Danny added, "Hey Chin, come on brother…..you have to stay positive. She's alive babe"
Chin couldn't speak, the lump was so large in his throat that it hurt to even swallow. He nodded to his friends and sat back down at the table.
Danny went to grab them all coffee and they sat at the table to wait for the Doctor.
Danny moved to the side of the room to call Rachel and his Dad while the other's visited.
Chin inquired, "Steve, how are you feeling?"
Steve grinned at his friend, "Don't worry about me"
Chin smiled weakly, "Are you kidding me? If I stopped worrying about you, Kono would kick my ass"
The SEAL smiled broadly at the response, "God I love that girl"
Danny joined them about twenty minutes later, "Well….Rachel and the kids are at my folks place now. Gracie's having a good time with her cousins"
Steve asked, "How are Mom and Dad?" Catherine smiled at her man. Steve had gone to New Jersey on vacation a couple of years ago with Danny and Grace and he had been injured severely in a bear attack. Maggie and Bob Williams had taken an instant liking to the SEAL and had been by his side with their son and granddaughter as he recovered. By the time the men had returned to Hawaii, Steve McGarrett was unofficially their adopted son.
Danny grinned at his partner, "Dad's holding up but Mom's having a really hard time with it"
Steve said quietly, "Danny, you need to leave. Denning's plane is here….take Matty home. Your family needs you"
Danny spoke softly, "I can't leave until I'm sure Kono's okay. You're my family too you know"
Chin added, "Danny, he's right. I'll stay with her"
"Guys, I love you…and thank you, but a couple of more days is not going to be a problem"
Their attention turned as Doctor Clark entered the room and approached the table.
He motioned to them saying, "Sit down" He then pulled a chair next to Chin.
He smiled, "She came through surgery well. She's a very strong young lady"
The relief on Chin's face was obvious, "Yes she is Doctor…Oh God, thank you….thank you. When can we see her?"
"She'll be moved to her room in a couple of hours. You can all see her briefly but only one of you can remain overnight. I was able to suction most of the blood from her lung but I will keep a drainage tube inserted for a couple of days. The bullet caused quite a bit of arterial damage around the lung as well so I have inserted a chest tube. Infections are always a high risk with wounds like this so we'll be watching her very closely. The next forty eight hours will be crucial. Do you have any questions?"
Chin responded, "Not right now. Thank you for taking such good care of her Doctor"
"You're welcome Mr. Kelly" Doctor Clark shook their hands and after explaining that a Nurse would come and get them once Kono was settled in her room, he left them.
A short while later Steve stated, "I'm going to go get a breath of fresh air if you guys don't mind"
Catherine added, "I'll go with you"
They were all a bit taken aback as Steve responded, "No….I need a few minutes alone alright?"
Cath responded though clearly hurt…"Okay"
As Steve exited the room, Danny said "Catherine, don't take it personally…he gets a little edgy when one of us is hurt"
Chin added, "It doesn't help that he isn't feeling his best either"
Catherine smiled, "I know. I'm just worried about him, that's all"
They would all have been even more worried if they knew why Steve needed to be alone…...
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Steve had noticed it when he and Catherine had entered the Hospital and he decided he had to do this.
As he exited the elevator he walked straight into the hospital's pharmacy.
A pharmacist came to the counter, "Can I help you Sir"
Steve pulled out his wallet and took out the two prescriptions that Doctor Ramerez had written for him. He handed them over along with his insurance card, drivers' license and Police ID.
"I'll fill these right away Mr. McGarrett. It should only take about ten minutes"
Steve nodded, "Thank you" He moved to a chair and sat. He hated doing this but the pains had been so bad. He didn't want anyone to have to worry about him. Danny needed to worry about his family, not him…and now Kono…He needed something to help him with the pain. He needed to get through these next few days. He had to be there for Danny, Chin and Kono…he just needed a little help, nobody needed to know. He had told the Doctor no drugs, but this morning when Cath was in the bathroom and he was getting clothes together for Danny and Chin, he saw the written prescriptions on the dresser and he made the decision. He needed the pain medication…just for the next few days.
Once he had paid for the medication and a bottle of water he went outside. The rain had let up but it was still misting. He sat on a bench beneath the canopy overhang and he sighed deeply. With a shaky hand Steve opened the bottle, popping two pain pills. He then put the bottles into the pocket of his cargo pants, tipping his head back and closing his eyes. His abdomen was cramping and he felt horribly nauseated.
About fifteen minutes passed before he sensed a presence next to him. Without opening his eyes, he knew it was Danny.
"Sorry partner"
"What are you sorry for?"
"I haven't been much help lately"
"Are you kidding me? Steven, you've been through hell….you've got nothing to apologize for. You've helped me every step of the way, just by being here brother"
"Thanks Danno"
"So tell me…and no BS….how bad is your pain?"
"Don't worr….."
Danny interrupted him, "No bullshit Steve. I can get meds to help you"
"I'm good Danno, don't worry about me"
"You're really full of shit McGarrett"
"Now that's not a very nice thing to say partner"
Danny chuckled, "But it's the truth babe. Are you ready to go back inside?"
"Yeah, let's go"
Soon they were back inside. Catherine had gone to the cafeteria and picked up sandwiches, milk, fruit and chips for them all.
As he sat next to her, Cath asked "Are you okay?"
"Yes…..…sorry. I just needed a few minutes. I love you"
"No problem, I love you too"
After eating Steve called Governor Denning to fill him in on the capture and deaths of the Washington drug agents.
It was after five o'clock when the Nurse came to take them to Kono.
She was very pale and was hooked up to a ventilator to assist her breathing. Along with the drainage and chest tubes she had wires attached to her chest monitoring her heart rate. She had IV needles in her hands pumping saline, antibiotics and pain medication into her body. She was also still receiving another blood transfusion.
Chin stood on one side of the bed, gently rubbing his cousin's arm. Her eyes opened slowly and Chin leaned in close to her, talking soothingly, "Hey cous' we're all here with you. Don't try to talk….you've got a tube in your throat to help you breathe"
Her eyes turned and locked on Steve at her other side. "Hi sweetheart. You're doing great" A tear slid from the corner of her eye and Steve tenderly wiped if away with his thumb. "They're not going to let us all stay so Chin is going to take care of you. We'll be back up in the morning, so you sleep now. I love you" He leaned in and kissed her cheek and then stepped aside so Danny could talk to her.
The blonde detective smiled down at her, "You sure know how to scare us Kono. The Doc says you're going to be fine though. You just need to do what the boss man says and sleep" He also kissed her cheek and said softly, "I love you"
Kono's eyes closed and after Chin promised he would call if he needed anything Steve, Cath and Danny left for the night.
****** Sorry for the shorter chapter but I didn't get as much time to write this weekend as I had hoped - thanks for reading and I'd love to hear what you think ******