Wānana Pū – Recollect
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Hawaii Five-0 or the Characters.
A/N: The story is set somewhere in season 7. I'd like to thank julieb716 for becoming my beta reader for this story. I really appreciate that you offered to help me. I know you said my gratitude means more than credits, but you deserve it anyway. Thank you for your input and corrections. I really love the collaboration. If there are still some grammar of spellings issues left, they're all mine.
Thank you for the reviews, the favs and follows. You guys rock! Also the guests who are reviewing, thank you for your kind words! Mahalo for your support.
Chapter Nine Part I
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"Danno, you're bleeding." Grace pointed towards the crimson stain that enlarged through the bandage on Danny's head. Steve noticed the bloodstain on Danny's forehead as well. He hoped that Danny had just pulled some stitches, but until the doctor confirmed it he would still worry.
Steve needed to get Grace out of the room. "Grace, go ask for Doctor Reid at the nurse's station? Please?" Grace nodded and ran out of the room.
"She can stay." Danny tried to get back up to stop his daughter from leaving. "It's just, argh..." Danny grunted in pain and fell back into his pillow.
"Danny, what's the matter?" Steve's eyes scanned his friend.
"My head. It feels like a full-blown timpani orchestra in there." He paused, not wanting to look at Steve. I didn't take my pain meds," Danny confessed.
"You didn't take your pain meds? Of course you didn't. The doctor is coming, okay?" Steve shook his head. He should have known Danny would pull a stunt like this. Doctor Reid came rushing in. She assessed Danny immediately.
"Commander, I need you to step out for a moment." She asked as she pulled the dressing off Danny's forehead.
Standing in the door opening, Grace fidgeted and stared at her father with frightened eyes. "Is he okay?"
"Grace, let's wait outside." Steve took Grace gently by her shoulder and they walked together into the hallway, closing the door behind him.
Grace sat in a chair, while Steve tried not to pace through the corridor. As a nurse went back in Steve glanced inside, curious to find out if his friend was okay. Steve turned to Grace. She hadn't said a word. She looked down at the floor, fiddling with her skirt.
'You know your dad can overreact sometimes, right?" Steve sat down in the chair next to Grace.
"He had no idea what I was talking about Uncle Steve." Grace looked up at Steve, fear crossing her face.
"I know." Steve placed his hand on the back of her head. Sadness clouded her features. "C'm here," Steve said softly as he pulled her into a tight hug.
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Ten minutes later Doctor Reid came out of Danny's room. "Everything is fine. He tore a couple of stitches, but I already closed them back up. Just to be sure I'm taking him up for a CT scan. After that I suggest he rest for the remainder of the day." She gave the both of them a reassuring smile.
"You must be Grace?" Reid looked at the still worried girl in front of her. Grace nodded. "Your father is fine okay, don't worry. He actually asked for you, so why won't you go back in and I'll be back in five to take him up for the CT scan." Grace stood up slowly, looking for reassurance from Steve, not wanting to go in all by herself.
"It's okay, I'll be right behind you Gracie. I just need to speak with the Doctor, okay?" Steve jerked his head towards Danny's room. Steve waited for Grace to go in and close the door behind her.
Making sure that Grace couldn't hear him, he addressed Dr. Reid. "Doc, he just yelled at his daughter. I've never seen him do that." Steve shared his concerns.
"It's one of the possible complications, Commander." Doctor Reid tucked both of her hands in her lab coat pockets.
"So he'll have outburst to his kids from now on?" Steve didn't understand why the doc would be so calmly about it.
"That's possible, but it's also very possible that with time those episodes will diminish and eventually disappear altogether." She assured, but Steve wasn't that easily impressed or reassured. "If you ask me, Commander, he's been extremely lucky. He speaking, walking around and he hasn't had another seizure. The only problems that have seemed to occur are headaches, changes to his moods and some memory loss. He's perfectly capable to living with that. It could have been very different."
"He uh he had trouble reading earlier today." Steve didn't want to snitch on Danny, but he cared about him and he wanted to help him.
"I would've been worried if there weren't any problems with certain brain functions. It's only been four days. Give him time. He'll need it."
"There must be something else I can do. I just can't hang around, doing nothing." Steve solicitously placed his hands on his hip and one on his holster.
"I get that. It's hard to see someone you care about struggle, but he has to do this on his own. You can help him remember things if he doesn't. Write it down or tell him. And if he acts different than usual, you can point that out to him. He'll calm down as he realizes it," Doctor Reid explained patiently.
"Okay, I'm just worried that's all." Steve scratched the back of his head.
"I understand," the doc nodded. "I was actually planning to discharge him tomorrow morning, but considering he just pulled his stitches, I'm going to keep him a day longer. If you can find someone who can take him home and stay with him for a few days, I'll discharge him Thursday morning."
"That's great!" Steve was amazed by the good news. "I'll bring him home, no problem."
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THURSDAY - 11:30 AM – RECOVERY WARD KING'S MEDICAL CENTER - HONOLULU.
Steve had parked his truck in front of the main entrance and gone up to Danny's room on the 4th floor. He was glad Danny could go home, but he was still worried about his well being. He had already packed some stuff for himself, because he planned on staying a few days at Danny's place, whether Danny liked it or not. Steve had to work during the day, but he would stop by Danny to check on him anyway, so why not stay? Steve marched in as Doctor Reid was giving Danny some post-op instructions. Steve leaned against the wall; arms folded and listening to what the doc had to say.
"While you are recovering, it is important to take things easy and not to do too much, too soon. Make time every day to completely rest your brain from any kind of distraction, such as the radio or television. You may feel ready to return to work in a few weeks and if you do, please come back in and we'll see if you're ready or not. It's important that you follow my instructions. The better you follow them, the quicker you'll be able to get back to work." Doctor Reid handed Danny his discharge papers and a pen, so he could sign the papers.
"I got it." Danny signed the papers quickly and handed them back.
"And your medication, keep taking the recommended doses. Regarding the anti-seizure meds, we'll see in a couple of months if we can reduce them. If the headaches become more severe, try resting first instead of taking more meds."
"I got it doc. Are you planning on letting me go or not?" Danny joked.
"All right, you are officially ready to go home." The doc helped Danny to his feet. Steve was immediately at his side to offer support.
"That's what I wanted to hear, thanks doc." Danny carefully sat in the wheelchair that the doctor brought with her. It was hospital policy after all.
"Commander you're driving him home, right? Because I'm sorry, Detective, but you're not allowed to drive for another 6 weeks," Dr. Reid mentioned.
"I've not driven my own car in the last seven years; so what's six more weeks? Besides after six weeks I still won't be driving my own car," Danny said sarcastically
"He just likes to be chauffeured," Steve interjected.
"No. No, that's not true, you're a control freak," Danny stated emphatically
"Oh my, not again," Steve grunted as he rolled his eyes. "You drive the damn thing every day."
"Yes, when you're not in it. That's like 30 minutes each day." Danny was in true form, talking widely with his hands going in all directions. He was finally able to do so without pulling out the IV, since it was no longer in his arm.
"It's just six weeks." The doc tried to settle the argument. Steve let out an evil snort.
"What are you laughing at?" Danny jerked his head towards Steve.
"It's a dream. I get to drive your car and you for once cannot argue about it. Those are going to be the best six weeks of my entire life." Steve sounded delighted and a broad smile appeared on his face.
"Oh I'm sure they will be, because you will be paying for the gas, instead of me. Six weeks long. That-that indeed does sound like a dream, doesn't it?" Danny grinned and turned his head towards Steve.
"That's low." The smile on Steve's face disappeared instantly.
Stifling a laugh, the doctor interrupted the two men. "Remember, Detective, rest is key to your recovery. Get adequate sleep at night, and rest in the daytime when you feel tired. Ease back into your normal activities when you feel stronger. Don't participate in contact and recreational sports until you get my approval. Now please, the both of you get out of here." Doctor Reid pointed towards the door, while she shook her head to suppress the smile on her face.
To Be Continued…
As always, love the hear what you think of it. Part ll will be uploaded tomorrow.