In response to the following review from 'Guest' - if you feel my story is so 'lame', no one is forcing you to read…
'From: Guest
:Billy, are you crazy, that better get sorted straight away, kill billy off, this has ruined a great story and is so predictably lame'
****** As someone who writes purely for the joy of writing, I appreciate and thank all of you who read and review (constructively) – I have written 26 stories on 5-0 and the majority of them are well received, but I have to admit that snarky comments like the one above can be very discouraging. Not every story is going to appeal to everyone…...I only hope that most of you enjoy what I write and, as always I would love to hear from you. Reviews can be great motivators as well! ******
The men sat quietly for a long time before Steve opened his eyes and started to push himself up.
Danny stood, "Hey, what are you doing?"
"I need to use the head Danny"
"Alright, well let me help you"
"I can go to the bathroom by myself Danny"
"Oh you can, can you? Don't be such a stubborn ass! You've been poisoned…you've had two major surgeries, you've had two organs removed and you've been tortured and beaten. You're still weak Steven"
Steve shook his head and mumbled under his breath, "Whatever…."
Danny bit his tongue and didn't say anything else as he helped Steve stand and then holding onto his elbow to support him they made their way to the bathroom and back.
Once he was settled back in bed, Danny handed him some water and then as he sat back down he asked, "Do you want to talk about it?"
Steve closed his eyes and Danny waited.
After several minutes of silence Steve said softly, "I'm blown away brother….I never suspected any of this. I thought she was as happy as I was"
"I don't know what to say Steve, other than I'm so very sorry. I'm very surprised too. I mean, I don't know Billy but I can't even imagine that he's a better man than you are"
Steve's eyes opened and he grinned softly, "Thanks buddy….but Billy's a great man….he really is" A few seconds later Steve asked, "When did she tell you?"
Danny sat forward in his chair and folded his hands in front of him, "The day after we got here. When you were out of the room having tests done she went up on deck. When Ian came back in I went to get her and I found her in Billy's arms" Danny sighed deeply and continued, "I told her they were taking you into surgery and as I turned to walk away she stopped me. She told me a bit about them and their past. She feels horrible about this Steve, I can tell you that. We almost lost you buddy and these last few days have been very hard on all of us. We all love you very much, and I include Catherine in that 'we'….. She's just not 'in love' with you and I know how much that fucking hurts. I've been in your shoes and I KNOW how you're feeling. You're not alone Steve, I'll be here with you every step of the way"
Steve placed his forearm across his eyes and with his voice choked with emotion he said quietly, "Thank You Danno"
50505050505050505050505050505050505050505050
Billy was able to leave the ship with Catherine and he took her to a park in the center of town.
They were both dressed in civilian clothes and they sat on the grass under a large shade tree. Billy took hold of Catherine's hand and she leaned up against his shoulder and sobbed. They didn't talk for a long time as Billy simply held her.
Eventually, Catherine spoke softly "He doesn't deserve this Billy. He's such a good man…how can we betray him like this?"
Tears were falling from his eyes too as he replied, "I don't know Cath….all I know is that I love you and I've never stopped loving you. I hate hurting Steve like this" His voice cracked as he added emotionally, "I hate this….."
They sat comforting each other as they watched couples walk by hand in hand and they both thought of Steve.
50505050505050505050505050505050505050505050
Back on the Enterprise Danny helped Steve out of bed and into a wheelchair. Covering him with a blanket he then took him up onto the deck.
Wheeling him to the railing overlooking the Ocean Steve smiled softly, "God it's a beautiful day Danno. The water smells great"
Danny took out his cellphone and asked, "Would you like to talk to Gracie…she asks about you every time I call her"
"I'd love to talk to her"
Steve listened on as his partner talked to his beloved 'Monkey'
"Hi Sweetheart…...He's doing much better, do you want to talk to him?"
He smiled and handed Steve the phone, "Hi Gracie…...Thank you baby, I feel a lot better. Danno's taking great care of me….yeah…..I'll be ready for the hike, I promise you…...I can't wait either…...I miss you too…. We'll be home in a couple of days…...I love you too Gracie Margaret, see you soon…..here's Danno"
As he handed the phone back to Danny a breeze kicked up and Steve closed his eyes and took a deep breath as the cool, salty mist sprayed over his face. After finishing his call Danny leaned against the railing next to him.
They were quiet for a short while before Danny asked, "Steve…..there's something I need to ask you"
Opening his eyes Steve said, "What is it?"
"Something about Wo-Fat's letter to Doris is bothering me…..He talks about killing your Dad and then he makes reference to her actions in the years that followed. Oh shit, what were his words?...…." He pulled the letter from his pocket and read, "'Every time you think of Steve I want you to know that your actions and your cowardice resulted in his demise'" Danny sighed and then asked, "Steve do you know what he's referring to? What actions in the years that followed? What cowardice?"
Steve ran his hand across his face and he said softly, "It's so fucked up Danno…" He paused and took a deep breath before saying, "He told me some thing's...…oh fuck, I can't man…..I can't talk about it right now…." His voice cracked as he repeated "Not right now, I can't…..."
Danny placed a hand on his shoulder, "Steve, it's okay…...I'm sorry I brought it up"
"Just not now buddy okay? God, everything is so fucked up"
"Hey, we'll deal with it later, when you're ready"
"Yeah" He then added, "Danny, I need to get the hell off this ship"
"The day after tomorrow babe"
"No…..now Danny….I've gotta get out of here"
Danny sensed the tension and panic in Steve's voice and he responded, "Okay, we'll check into a hotel. Let's go find Ian"
Ian Gerhart was a little leery about Steve leaving and he voiced those concerns.
Steve shook his head, "Ian, I have to do this….thank you for all you've done for me…you saved my life"
"Steve, YOU beat this and I'm so happy that you did"
The men embraced and after removing the final IV's, Ian went to fill Steve's prescriptions as Danny helped him dress.
The SEAL was winded and definitely in pain as Danny eased him back down into the wheelchair. As he knelt down to put Steve's shoes on he looked up at him, "Are you sure about this Steve?" As their eyes met Danny saw the pain, both physical and emotional in Steve's eyes and before he could respond, Danny said, "Okay partner….I'll get you out of here"
Ian returned with oral antibiotics, Percocet and Vicodin for him. He arranged for a Navy medical van to take them to a nearby hotel with the understanding that he would accompany the van to pick them up in two day so he could examine him once more before they boarded the flight for home.
A few minutes later Danny sat in the back of the van watching Steve closely as it moved through the winding roads of Phuket. It was less than a fifteen minute drive and no matter how hard Steve attempted to mask it, his pain was obvious. A few minutes into the ride, Danny reached over to the ambulance stretcher and grasped his partner's hand clutching it tightly.
50505050505050505050505050505050505050505050
When they pulled up in front of the hotel, Steve began to push himself up and Danny placed his hand on his shoulder, "Relax Steve….let me go get us checked in and then I'll come back for you. Just close your eyes and relax"
Steve's voice shook in pain as he laid back onto the pillow, "Okay…thanks Danno"
After pulling a blanket back over his partner, Danny headed alone into the hotel.
As Danny closed the back door of the van Steve gasped and struggled to pull air into his lungs, 'Oh shit McGarrett…breathe…...just breathe' His lungs and ribs ached and his abdomen hurt like hell...…..damn it.
Danny returned about ten minutes later. The two sailors who drove them helped Steve from the van and into the wheelchair. Danny couldn't help but note how terribly pale his partner was. After draping their bags over his shoulder and thanking the sailors, Danny wheeled Steve into the hotel.
As soon as they entered the room Steve spoke haltingly, "DDanno….'m ssick…"
Danny wheeled him to the bathroom door and then he quickly helped him to the toilet bowl.
Steve dropped heavily to his knees and he began vomiting violently. Danny grabbed a wash cloth and after wetting it he knelt next to his partner and placed it onto the back of his neck.
The vomiting went on for several minutes and once his stomach was empty, painful dry heaves continued.
Danny talked soothingly to him throughout the ordeal, "Get it all out babe…."
Once Steve was done Danny handed him a glass of water and after he rinsed his mouth out and spit into the toilet, Danny reached over and flushed it. He then helped Steve slowly to his feet and the SEAL stumbled. Holding onto him firmly, Danny guided him slowly to the bed.
After stripping him down to his boxers and getting him into the bed he said, "Let me get you some pain meds"
"No meds Danno"
"Now you listen to me Steve! I'm doing things your way but not on this…...the meds will help you sleep. Please don't argue with me"
Steve closed his eyes and said softly, "Okay…okay"
After taking the Percocet, Steve closed his eyes and Danny sat on the other bed. He watched as his friend's face twitched and contorted in pain and his hands clutched at his injured abdomen. Danny couldn't help but wonder if he had done the right thing in backing his decision to leave to medical facility. Steve was still so damn weak physically and now he had to come to grips with losing Catherine and whatever Wo-Fat had told him about his Mother. Whatever it was, it had obviously shaken him. He was relieved to see Steve's hand drop to his side as his breathing settled and the drug took him under.
******* More to follow – I'd love to hear what you think, and thanks for reading! ********