Williams sat in the chair by the window with his injured leg elevated. He would be released in two days and would be using crutches until the leg healed. He was also going to need physiotherapy and Rachel had offered to drive him to and from his appointment. She'd left with Stan and Danny knew the man was angry at what happened, but Rachel had already told him he had no right to be angry for what happened.
Danny smiled at the thought of Rachel making her husband back down. God, help him, but he still had feelings for her, but it was time to get past it and start seeing others. When he finally got out of here he was going to call Gabby and see if she wanted to take in a movie. She was a beautiful woman and Grace liked her, and to be honest, so did he.
Williams thought about the night at the beach and how he'd joined Gabby and Grace while they were making a butterfly in the sand. There was something about that first real meeting between gabby and his daughter that made him realize he could move on.
"Detective, they are bringing your new…or should I say former roommate up now," Leanne Barker said as she pulled back the blankets on the bed and made sure she had the equipment they'd need in place.
"How is he?" Williams asked.
"He should be fine, as long as he takes it easy this time," Leanne told him.
"That'll be the day," the Jersey native observed as the door was pushed open and an orderly maneuvered the gurney into the room. He stayed where he was while the pushed the stretcher up against the bed and expertly transferred McGarrett onto it.
"Commander, your call button is right next to your left hand if you need anything," Leanne said once she took a set of vitals and made sure he was comfortable.
"Thank you," McGarrett said tiredly.
"Don't go trying to get out of that bed on your own," the nurse ordered before leaving the two men alone.
Danny waited to see if his partner was going to sleep, but knew that wasn't happening as McGarrett pressed the button and raised the head of the bed. "You're the reason they want to put in a revolving door, Steven."
"Sorry, Danny, I didn't think she'd go after Rachel and Grace," McGarrett said and swallowed convulsively as he met the other man's eyes.
"Don't even go there. You're not to blame for what she did…if you were then we'd all be guilty no matter what we did. Rachel and Grace are fine and I owe you for that. If you hadn't gone there they might not be here now. Thank you," Williams said and grabbed the crutches next to his chair. He managed to get on his feet and covered the short distance to the other man's bed. "I mean it, Steve. I don't blame you for what she did."
"Thanks, Danno…"
"Hell, now that I can do without. Why is it so hard for you to call me Danny?"
"Oh, I don't know…you just look more like a Danno than a Danny," McGarrett answered, relieved that Williams didn't blame him for what happened.
"Really, Steve…"
"Hey, Brah, how goes it?" Kamekona asked as he stepped into the room, followed closely by Chin and Kono.
"Kamekona, are you all right?" McGarrett asked.
"I'm fine….they hit my head…"
"And that's the one part that can't be hurt on you," Williams teased.
"Keep it up, Jersey, and I'll eat your share of dessert," Kamekona told him and produced a white box tied with red and blue ribbon.
"Dessert? What have you got in there, Big Guy?" Williams asked.
"It is a cheesecake like nothing you've ever tasted. Mama said to tell Steve he should just ask her to make it instead of getting himself admitted to the hospital," the big Hawaiian stated.
"I have a theory about that," Williams said. "If he's in here she sends it to him free of charge…he goes to her he's got to pay like the rest of us."
"Wrong, she's never charged me for anything," McGarrett said with a hint of a smile.
"Why not?" Kono asked.
"Steve's dad saved her family from being deported," Chin answered. "She vowed never to charge any of his family for anything. That's why Steve rarely goes to her little café."
"I don't feel right taking it," McGarrett said as Kono sat in the chair Williams had vacated. "Kono, you look like you should be in bed."
"I'll be taking her home in a couple of minutes, but we wanted to see if you needed anything before we leave," Chin said.
"A ride home tomorrow," McGarrett answered and heard their laughter.
"I don't think that's going to happen, Commander," a familiar figure said as he entered the room.
"Governor," McGarrett said and tried to sit up further.
"Relax, Commander, I'm here to make sure you and your team take the time you need to heal. Lieutenant Lukela is spearheading the investigation and it looks like Anna Borchevsky was stopped before she could take you out. There were several files found on her laptop that confirm she was trying to kill you and everyone you cared about…including your sister…"
"God, Mary!" McGarrett snapped and tried to get out of bed.
"She's fine, Commander. Lieutenant Lukela called her and had the New York Police check her home and vehicle for any kind of explosive device. There was none and according to her notes, your sister wasn't at the top of the list. Now, I know Dr. Lewis wants you resting, so I'm going to order the rest of you out of here. Oh, Commander, Dr. Lewis is going to let me know when you and the rest of your team are fit to go back to work. Until then, do as he says and our lives will be a whole lot easier," Denning said before leaving the room.
"Steve, I'm going to take Kono home…but if you or Danny need anything just call me," Chin said.
"I should go too…"
"Not until we cut that cake," Williams said.
"Are you sure?" Kono asked.
"I'm sure…Steve's asleep so we'll save his," the Jersey native told them. He'd watched McGarrett's eyes close and knew the man had finally given in to the rest he needed.
"The cake does look good," Kono said and reached for the plastic knife Kamekona brought with him. There were several plates and forks and it wasn't long before the four friends were eating the cake and watching over the sleeping man.
5050505050
McGarrett knew he was supposed to be resting, but he was anxious to go home and waiting had never been one of his strong points. Danny had been released the day before and Lewis had already signed his discharge papers. Chin had called to tell him he'd been delayed in the morning traffic, but should be there within the hour.
Steve stood at the window, his overnight bag on the bed as he watched the people come and go. The last few weeks had been hard, and the list of people dead or injured weighed heavily on his mind. Mana Kāne wasn't one of his favorite people, but he'd helped them on several occasions when Max had been unable to identify certain explosive devices, especially those of the liquid variety.
Kamekona was already talking about buying a new truck with the insurance money. It didn't surprise Steve when he said he might start making his own version of Malasadas. McGarrett just hoped they did not contain shrimp or tofu. The big man had also told him he'd made a date with the pretty Dr. Jareau and they were going to some fancy restaurant where they used three forks. Steve hoped the doctor understood Kamekona was a good man.
Max had swung by a couple of times; apologizing for not being there, but Steve quickly told him that everyone deserved a vacation. Max was back at work now, and already sifting through the evidence they had so that they had a better idea of the explosives. That was as important as knowing the identity of the designer of the device.
"Sorry, Steve, but traffic was heavy," Chin said and walked over to the bed. He picked up the bag and looked at his friend. "Do you have everything?"
"I do…even have the scripts and appointments in the bag," McGarrett said. He pressed his arm against his abdomen and followed the other man out of the room.
"Take care, Commander, and please don't take this wrong, but try the visitor's entrance instead of the ER next time," Leanne told him.
"Only if he promises to visit us and show us how hospital gowns should be worn…or not worn especially by men built like you," a second nurse added.
"Oh my, yes," Leanne readily agreed and knew McGarrett would not report them for their teasing remarks. They'd been doing it since the patient had been allowed to roam the hallways.
"Thanks, Ladies," the SEAL said and smiled once they were out of earshot.
"You know they should bottle you up and sell it," Chin said.
"I have no idea what you're talking about," McGarrett observed.
"Really…all you have to do is smile and they'll be at your beck and call. Most men would pay to be in your shoes."
"Only if they take the dangers we face too," the injured man said.
"I don't think that's going to happen," Chin advised.
"Probably not, but ti would be nice to wake up one day and not have to worry about where the next shot might come from," McGarrett told him.
"I don't think that'll happen in our lifetime."
"No, it won't, but as long as we remember the things we're fighting for then it's worth getting shot at…we just need to duck faster."
"Why don't you wait here and I'll go get the car," Chin offered.
"I'm not an invalid, Chin, besides I need to work on my tan," McGarrett said and walked toward his truck. He'd told Chin to use his vehicle because riding the man's bike was out of the question for now. He got into the passenger seat and leaned back, basking in the sun as Chin rolled down the windows. He felt his mind drifting back to the day he'd been forced to kill Anastasia Kwiatkowski and how many lives he'd touched because he chose to do what was right.
"Steve, we're here," Chin said and waited for the injured man to wake up. McGarrett had fallen asleep shortly after leaving the hospital and Chin knew it would be some time before he was fully recovered.
"Sorry, guess I didn't sleep much last night."
"I don't see why not. I mean you got uncomfortable beds, nurses waking you up to take vitals or ask if you need something to help you sleep. Those soft soled shoes that sound like trip-hammers at two in the morning. Now tell me why you'd have trouble getting some sleep," Chin said with a grin.
"You summed it up perfectly," McGarrett told him and exited the truck. He spotted Chin's bike parked near the door and reached for his bag, but had his hand pushed away from it.
"I got it…just relax and I'll get you settled before I leave," Chin told him and closed the door before making his way to the house. He opened the door and waited for the injured man to enter before following him inside and placing his bag on the bench beside the closet. "Do you need anything before I head out?"
"No, thanks, Chin, I'm good," McGarrett said and moved to the sofa. He sat down and leaned his head back. God, it felt so damn good to be home, but there was something…or someone missing and a hint of a smile formed as he thought about Catherine Rollins. He knew she was deployed at sea, but he would have given anything to have her here…right now.
"Steve, there's food in the fridge, but if you need anything give me a call."
"I will…go home and get some rest," McGarrett ordered.
"Could tell you the same," Chin said and left the injured man alone.
Steve had no idea how much time passed before he heard someone at the door. Chin would have locked it and only one man had a key to his home. The telltale sounds of crutches told him exactly who his guest was. He heard the fridge door open and a soft curse before Williams made his way into the living room.
"Did you take any pain meds?" Williams asked as he sank down on the sofa with a beer under each arm.
"No…should I ask you the same question?"
"No, I was hoping I could deaden the pain with a couple of long necks," the Jersey native answered.
"I don't know about you, but a couple of dozen might be more like it."
"That would knock you out."
"No, it might make me…"
"A little loopy?"
"That's not what I was going to say. I would have said…"
"Easier to get along with…maybe a Super-SEAL with creeping numbness in the extremities?"
"Funny," McGarrett said and took a long drink of the ice cold beer. He hadn't taken anything for pain in the last 24 hours, but he would limit the amount of beer he drank because he didn't want to end up back in the ER.
"Are you all right, Steve?"
"I think so, Danny, but sometimes this job can wear a man down."
"I know what you mean, but don't worry I'll be here to help Mr. Super-SEAL up on his feet," Williams said.
"If I'm not mistaking it's you with the bum leg so I'd be the one responsible for getting you up on your foot," McGarrett told him with a grin.
"Why don't we just call someone and have them bring us a dozen?"
"Not a bad idea," McGarrett agreed and leaned his head back. If he had to take some downtime, and Catherine was unavailable, then who better that Danny-Danno-Williams to keep him from going stir crazy. "Thanks, Danno."
"Anytime, Super-Seal," Williams said and reached for the remote. It wasn't long before the two men were arguing over which show to watch, and comfortable in the fact that their friendship had grown stronger through their shared experiences with the Black Rose Bomber.
The End!