The three men sat and chatted for several minutes before Jessup stated, "I should have known that Dern was still using, God how did I miss that?"
Danny shook his head, "Trust me Chief….it's easy to miss. I worked with the drug unit in New Jersey for seven years and I can tell you that addicts have different tolerance levels. I guarantee you he did everything he could to hide his addiction from you and from his team. It makes sense as to why he jumped at the chance for a big payday here…...coke addiction isn't cheap"

Steve added, "Chief, you couldn't have known"
"He became addicted because of me"
Danny watched as Steve spoke to the clearly distraught man "No Chief….he became addicted due to the hazards of his job. He accepted that position and that assignment, you weren't holding a gun to his head. We all have to live with our choices Chief. He became addicted and that's horrible….I know. But you did everything you could for him, you got him help. He wasn't honest with you about his problem….and Chief, that was HIS choice"

Chief Jessup looked at the two men, "Thank you both. What are your plans?"
Steve replied, "Once we're certain Kono is out of danger, Danny, Catherine and I will take Matt back to New Jersey. Chin will stay here with her. If things go okay, I figure we'll leave day after tomorrow"
They visited for a few more minutes before the men all shook hands and as they left, Jessup promised he would contact them if anything new came up.

As Danny pulled the SUV from Police Headquarters he glanced over at his partner. Steve's words from a few minutes ago raced through his mind, 'you did everything you could for him, you got him help. He wasn't honest with you about his problem'
"Steve….."
Steve waited several seconds, "Yes, Danny?"
"How are you doing?"
"What do you mean? I'm fine"
"You know what I mean Steven. A few days ago I was planning your fucking funeral and trying to come to grips with losing you. Then you're back and I'm wading through a brook in Hawaii looking at you bleeding and thinking you had put a damn bullet into your brain!"

Tears were streaking down Danny's cheeks and Steve said softly, "Pull over Danny"
"No, no…..I'm fine"
"Pull the fucking car over Danny NOW!"
Danny did as he was told and then he turned to face the SEAL, "I'm sorry Steve. I haven't been there for you"
"What are you talking about D? You've been with me every minute"
"Physically, yes…..yes, I have been but….damn it Steve, why are you so damn stubborn. You need help and I should have insisted on you going into treatment. You've been through so much pain..."

"Danny, I need you to listen to me and listen good. I would have to go through the pain either way. Going into treatment doesn't make the pain any less, you know that! Withdrawal is hell and treatment gives you a support system, but it's only an aid" Steve's voice shook with emotion as he added, "I don't need treatment Danny, I've got the best support system ever…..I've got you"

Danny Williams couldn't talk…..something that didn't happen very often with him.
Steve continued, "I'm okay buddy, really I am. We need to concentrate on Kono now and….and Matt. Now tell me, are YOU okay?"
Danny nodded, "Yeah…yeah I'm sorry babe, I'm just worried you know"
"I know, and hey….thank you"
Danny pulled back onto the road and as they drove back to the Motel, Steve phoned Chin.

"Hey Steve, how did it go with Jessup?"
"Good man, things are wrapped up. How is she?"
"She's sleeping comfortably, no problems"
"Good…we sure deserved some good news didn't we?"
"That's for sure brother"
Steve then filled his friend in on the details of their meeting with Jessup and Riley. After agreeing that Chin would call if her condition worsened they said their goodbyes with the understanding they would be up at the hospital around nine o'clock in the morning. They then stopped at a grocery store to pick up deli meats and cheeses along with coleslaw and pasta salads for dinner.

When they arrived at the Motel Steve excused himself to go take a shower as the others ate. He stood at the kitchen sink looking into the mirror. He could understand why Danny was concerned. He still looked horrible. The bruising and swelling from his beating had improved but the bruising around the head wounds was still raw and colorful. But it was his eyes that looked so bad. They were bruised and still sunken…..God, he LOOKED like an addict. Taking his hand, he ran it across his injured shoulder. He looked closely at his injured hand which was healing well. He hated himself for not being totally honest with Danny, but he was suffering too much right now. He didn't need any extra burdens right now.

Oh God he hurt! His gut hurt so fucking bad. Picking his pants up off the bathroom floor he pulled the pain pills from the pocket and popped two more pills saying to himself...….'it's just too get me through the next few days, that's all' He then jumped into the shower and as the hot water pelted his aching flesh, he sobbed.

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When they arrived at the hospital the next morning Kono was still sleeping. Danny handed Chin a bagel, cream cheese and coffee as Steve moved to the bedside. He stood looking down at his beloved Kono tenderly stroking her cheek. A few minutes passed before her eyes slowly opened. "Hey good morning bright eyes" He could see the pain and confusion in her eyes as he added, "You're okay baby, relax. Don't try to talk, you've still got a tube in your throat to help you breath. We're all here and we love you. Blink twice for me if you're in pain Kono"

Chin had moved to the bedside and as Kono blinked twice indicating pain he spoke, "I'll get a Nurse"
Steve continued to stroke her cheek while holding her hand tightly with his other hand, "Squeeze my hand baby, we'll get you something for the pain. You're doing so great, close your eyes and relax…..relax"

Moments later the Nurse was releasing a dose of morphine into Kono's arm and as the she felt the cold liquid enter her veins she was comforted by Steve's soft voice, "I'm here Kono, sleep now….ssshhhhh, sleep….." Moments later the drugs took her under and the four friends moved to the side of the room to visit.

The Doctor came in, mid-morning to examine her and remove the breathing tube. Chin stayed in the room with her as the others stepped into the hallway. They were chatting quietly when the Doctor exited the room.
Steve inquired, "How is she doing Doctor?"
"Good, excellent actually. She's breathing on her own. She is in pain, but that's normal. She'll sleep a lot for the next couple of days and I'll keep the chest tube in place for now"

Danny asked, "How long do you figure she'll be here?"
"At least a week, maybe ten days. I need to insure that no infection settles into her lung or chest cavity but for now, she's doing well"
Steve let out a deep sigh of relief, "So she's going to be okay?"
"She's young and very strong. My only concern would be infection but there are no signs of that at this time"
The three all smiled broadly and after thanking the Doctor they made their way back into the room.

As the Doctor stated, Kono slept most of the day. Steve and Danny used the time to make arrangements to fly to New Jersey the next day. Chin would stay with Kono and after four days in New Jersey Catherine would fly back to Hawaii in time to catch her flight back to the Gulf. Depending on Kono's condition, Steve and Danny would fly back to Washington, or if she was doing well they would first fly to San Diego so Steve could see Emily.

At about four o'clock Kono was awake, coherent and talkative.
They all sat around the bed and visited, explaining their plans to leave for New Jersey in the morning.
A tear slipped from Kono's eye as she said, "Danny…..I'm so sorry that I can't be there for you"
Danny stood and leaning over he kissed her forehead and brushed the tear away, "Hey, no tears sweetheart" He smiled as he continued, "We're just so grateful that you're going to be okay Kono….I'm sorry that I need to leave. I'm trying to convince Superman to stay here with you…"

She interrupted him, "Danny, please….I'll feel much better if Steve's with you….I'm fine"
"You're fine huh? You sound more like him every day you know that?" Steve grinned as they both glanced at him.
Kono then added, "I don't remember much about what happened but Chin tells me you saved my life Danny…..thank you"
He smiled saying softly, "You're welcome, I love you"
"I love you too Danny"

They visited for a couple of hours with Steve filling Kono and Catherine in on everything that happened with Luke Riley.
Catherine looked at Danny asking in amazement, "How could you do that Danny? He was responsible for Matt's death. I would have wanted him to rot in prison for the rest of his life"

Danny sighed, "A part of me wanted that Catherine, but my last conversation with Matt…..he was depressed. He was tired of living on the run, tired of paying for his mistake. I looked at Riley and saw my brother in him. Matty made a mistake but he didn't deserve to die because of it. Riley doesn't deserve to pay for this mistake forever. Ten years in virtual isolation is plenty long"

Cath shook her head, "You're an amazing man Danny Williams"
Steve squeezed her hand adding, "Yes he is. And he's a hell of a partner and friend"
Chin added, "Amen brother…Amen"

A short time later they all said their goodbyes to Kono. Chin was leaving for the night as well so he could drive them to the airport in the morning.
Steve was the last to talk to her. She looked up at him saying emotionally, "You take good care of him Boss"
"You know I will honey. I'll call you every day. You just need to do one thing….rest and get better. That's what we all need. I love you"
He leaned over and kissed her cheek tenderly as she said softly, "I love you too"
He ran his fingers across her forehead, "Sleep now Kono. I'll talk to you tomorrow"
She closed her eyes and Steve lingered at her side for several minutes before turning and leaving the room.

******* More to follow…. *********