CHAPTER 13

Two chapters in two days? Who else is happy about that?

A little note before you read the chapter: I have absolutely no medical knowledge so whatever I describe in this chapter is totally made up. I just needed facts so my story could make even a bit of sense; I hope my explanations aren't too crazy but, if so, try to go with it for the sake of the story!

Thank you so much for your reviews and I'm really glad you enjoyed all the action and drama of last chapter. I can only hope you enjoy this one as well.

Steve had known something went wrong with the operation the moment he heard the HPD alert about shots being fired inside a University. What he could never have imagined was the extent of the damage.

Fortunately no civilian had been injured, apart from Keoki Aikasu who he later found out had been reduced by his partner, but considering the guy was a psychotic serial killer, he decided not to dwell too much on that; focusing instead on the road in front of him that was currently guiding him to the hospital. When his partner had called him to let him know what had happened and where they were going, Steve had been rationally concerned. Hearing that someone got shot on the job wasn't uncommon and he had thought that maybe Annabeth had gotten hit on a shoulder or a leg. Something simple like that. But when Danny's tone of voice turned from worried to defeated saying that 'it was bad', extreme fear had gripped him from the inside and it refused to let go until he knew that his sister was alive. That she would be coming out of this okay.

Unfortunately, when he saw his partner sitting on a chair on the waiting area of the emergency room, his hopes dashed down in a pour.

- Danny! – there was blood, a lot of blood, covering the bottom half of his shirt and although he had obviously tried to wash the blood away from his hands, there were still pink splotches here and there. His face was set and his eyes looked haunted.

- Steve! – Danny said, getting up from his position and both partners embraced in a quick but tight hug.

- Are you okay? Were you hit? – Steve asked in concern, fearing that some of the blood covering his friend might have been actually his.

- No, I'm fine.

- Brah! – Chin and Kono were the next ones to burst through the doors and join them on the waiting room – what happened.

- Are you okay? – Kono asked.

- YES! I'm fine! – Danny answered agitatedly, rubbing his hands together. Instantly noticing his own outburst, he quickly apologized – sorry. I'm sorry. I'm okay, I didn't get hit. It was just her.

- What happened? – Steve asked – I thought we were gonna wait to take him outside.

- I don't know what happened, alright? One second we were talking on the phone and the next I hear gunshots being fired. The guy was screaming at her; I'm not even sure what it was all about, I just ran as fast as I could but...

- But what? – Chin prompted and Danny looked up to see three set of eyes fixed on him.

- There were three shots before I managed to reach them. I don't even know how many she actually took but she was losing too much blood and way too fast – Danny finished, still rubbing his hands and passing them through his hair every few minutes.

- I need to talk to the doctor – Steve stated, walking over to the reception desk intent on using every bit of intimidation he could to get what he wanted.

- Steve wait! – Kono tried to reason with him but there was no stopping him now. They could all hear clearly his demands even if they weren't standing mere footsteps away.

- The girl that was just brought in with a gunshot wound? I need to talk to the doctor in charge now – the nurse behind the desk, used to distressed family members and friends, answered in a calm voice.

- I'm sorry sir, I'm sure she's being treated right now but you can't talk to the doctor now. He will come out and answer your questions as soon as he can.

- No, you don't understand. I need to talk to him now! I have to let him know something about her. I'm sure she's gonna need a transfusion but her blood type is rare and she has history of rejecting blood even if it's her same blood type – the rest of the gang looked curiously at him after hearing this troubling news, but even more so at the nurse who didn't seem to understand the severity of the situation.

- This facility is equipped to handle this kind of incidences so...

- Damn it! Would you just fetch the doctor!? – Steve yelled and Danny had to put a hand on his shoulder to warn him to bring it down a notch.

- Excuse me? – came a deep voice from somewhere to their left. There was a middle age man in a white coat walking towards them – are you here for the GSW patient? Annabeth? – Steve immediately forgot about the nurse and went to meet him half way with the rest of his team following behind.

- Yes! I'm Lieutenant Commander Steve McGarrett with the Five-0 task force. How is she?

- She's not well – the man responded gravelly and cutting right to the chase – she almost bled out on the field and we've barely managed to keep her alive by pumping fluids into her. What was that you were saying about her blood? Because we've already tried to administer a first bag of her same blood type and she's not taking it very well – Steve sighed and tried to remember everything the doctor on the base had explained when Annabeth had started rejecting the blood of another sailor that had volunteered to donate.

- She underwent some major surgery about five years ago and I and another guy in my unit were her same blood type. We both donated our blood but the only one she rejected was his. I don't understand why exactly, it has something to do with genetics but I didn't really understand the specifics of it all – he finished.

- I don't get it – said Danny – does this mean she can't get a transfusion from anyone? Is she going to die then? – the doctor lifted his hands as if to stop him from continuing down that path.

- Let's not go there just yet – he stated and then turned to Steve – if what you're saying is correct and genetics are involved, then yes, the situation is worse. She will react against any blood even if it's the same type unless it shares a series of genetic common threads with hers. Normally I would ask a family member to be tested but, as I understand from the information given to us when you brought her in, that she doesn't have any family. Now – he hurried to add when he saw the commander about to interrupt – the transfusion is still possible if we find a donor that shares even some of the similarities within their DNA. It's a long shot and it will take a lot of time to test every available blood in search of those common links and I'm not sure if she has that kind of time.

- She can take my blood. Her body's accepted it before – Steve said determined.

- Please understand that just because it happened once, it doesn't mean it will work again. For all we know, her accepting your blood could have been a medical coincidence. I agree though, that if she once accepted it then you will be the most likely candidate to get tested.

- Let's do it then. You don't have to test it – he was getting impatient.

- I'm sorry but we need to perform the DNA test in search of those common links before I can authorize the operation. It's standard procedure.

- But we're gonna waste too much time and you said it yourself, she doesn't have much! – Steve was beginning to feel like a deer caught on headlights, like a scared animal trapped into a corner. He knew what was going to happen now and he needed to gather his wits about it. Right now, all that mattered was saving Annabeth's life; he could deal with the aftermath of his secret later. Taking a huge breath and releasing it loudly while running a hand up and down his face, he said as calmly as he could – there's no need to test my blood. I know we share all the genetic links you need – the doctor stared back at him in confusion.

- What are you talking about Steve? – asked Chin from behind him.

- My DNA has already been compared to hers and it's the same. Well, not the same, same – he added to further explain himself – but almost the same... – he then looked back at his team because he felt like he should confess the truth to them – she's my sister – everyone stayed silent for a minute trying to process what he had just said and, as always, Danny was the first one to get out of his stupor and voice his thoughts.

- What? – he asked, not entirely sure that what he was hearing was right – are you serious right now?

- Commander, I understand you want to do everything in your power to help save your friend but if you're saying that to get me to give the go ahead on the procedure, you could be further endangering the girl's life – Steve then turned to him with fire and determination in his face.

- I wouldn't be making this up if it meant putting her at risk. I'm telling you something I hadn't told anyone before because we don't have more time. She's not just my friend – he spat – she's my sister and my blood matches hers. It's worked before and it'll work now – seeing the intensity and sincerity behind those words, the doctor nodded.

- This changes things. Alright; if you're willing then come with me, we'll get you ready to donate – the man turned around and started to walk away. Steve turned to look at his team, noticing the shock and surprise evident in their eyes. He unstrapped his vest and handed it to his partner.

- Whoa, whoa! Are we not gonna talk about what just happened here? – Danny asked, clearly frustrated by the fact that he couldn't get an answer to the millions of questions running through his head right away.

- There's no time now – Steve said, already backing away from them – I promise I'll explain everything later.

- Yeah, you better! – Danny yelled after Steve had crossed the doors in search of the doctor. He glanced at the cousins and asked – did either of you know that?

- How are we going to know something like this? – said Kono – I mean, we've joked about it before, given how alike they actually are, but we never really considered it might be true.

- It's just too bizarre. If they're actually related... She's too young – commented Chin with a pensive look.

- I swear that man is going to be the death of me. One day he's gonna give me a heart attack with the amount of surprises surrounding his life! – Chin and Kono knew there was no real heat behind those words, it was just Danny's way to cope with things. If they looked at him closely, they could see that the man was a mess: all jumpy, covered in blood and full of anxiety.

- Brah, why don't you head home and change? Freshen up? This thing's gonna last for a while – Danny actually considered rejecting the idea but one more look at his clothes and he knew he'd do it. He just couldn't keep wearing Annabeth's blood because it was starting to feel too heavy on him. With a deflated sigh he agreed, stating that he wouldn't be away for more than half an hour and that he would be right back to yell at his partner demanding some answers.

- I'm sure you will – Kono said while Chin gave him the keys to his car since the camaro was still at the university's parking lot.

- Thanks – Danny said greatfully and then headed towards the exit. Chin and Kono just sat down and prepared to endure what they were sure would be a very long wait.

Well the first part of the confession has happened! Now the team knows the truth. Did you like the chapter? I hope you did because I had a really good time writing it. I've already started on chapter 14, which I hope to be able to post sometime tomorrow. Maybe my muse will keep ignited!

Until next chapter then!