Summary: I'm back. Yes, I know most of you spent the weekend hating me for the last chapter and I'm sorry. Well, not really but I'm here with a new chapter to make up for the hardships I put you through. It's the least I can do after the wonderful birthday I had yesterday. Another year older and wiser. Thanks to all the birthday wishes and I hope you guys enjoy this chapter . Now read and Enjoy!

Disclaimer: This show, not mine and when I say not mine I mean I didn't create it and when I say I didn't create it I mean it was not my idea and when I say that, you get what I'm saying.

Author's Note: Since this is AU there are no spoilers. And just to let you all know this piece of work is being beta'd by the lovely Megan Mirs who is taking time to turn these words into a masterpiece. She is a beta pro. Awesome.

Chapter 13 - Keep Holding On

The room was covered in a blanket of silence as Steve paced across the floor, eyes shut tightly. He didn't want to look at anyone in the room because if he did, he couldn't convince himself it was a dream. That Danny was indeed safe and unharmed, instead of lying in a hospital bed being operated on. That his hands weren't covered in blood, which poured from his boyfriend's body, after he was struck by a car. But the sound of an intercom broke him out of his thoughts and forced him to open his eyes. He was in the hospital, surrounded by people, who were all worried about the blond. Catherine, Kono, and the rest of their friends filled the chairs of the waiting room or stood leaning against the wall for support. His mother sat next to Katlin and Matt, arms around both children, holding them close.

"Steve."

Turning around he saw Danny's mother standing behind him, hands clasped together, as she stared at him. He could see tear stains on her cheeks, her eyes blurry and red. He opened his mouth to respond, but found himself unable to.

"Steven, are you okay?" she asked him softly as she took a step forward.

A startled choking sound ripped from his throat as he shook his head no and tears began to fall rapidly down his face.

Evelyn shot to Steve's side and pulled him into a very tight hug. She wanted nothing more than to comfort the young man, but the words she wanted to use refused to come. So instead, she simply held him close and let him cry, crying along with him.

"I'm sorry."

"Steve, you have nothing to be sorry about.

"I should have been with him," stated Steve as he continued to cry. "If I would have just gone with him, none of this would have happened."

She shook her head in disagreement. "You didn't know that boy would be there and do what he did."

"Still I-"

"No Steven. What happened was not your fault and I refuse to let you say otherwise," she stated sternly, pulling away slightly so he could see her face. "The boy responsible is in custody and the police will deal with him. What we need to do right now, is focus on Danny and be there for him when he wakes up."

"I'm scared."

"I know you are baby, but you have to remember Danny's tough, he's a fighter, and has too much to lose to just give up. Everything's going to be fine, but you have to believe that it will. You have to believe."

"I will."

"Good. Good."

Evelyn directed Steve towards a free chair and sat down next to him. Without saying a word, she grabbed his hand and clasped them together, each silently praying for Danny to be okay. After what seemed like hours, the doors burst open and a doctor briskly walked towards them.

"I'm looking for the family of Daniel Williams," he asked, looking around the room.

All three Williams, plus Steve, immediately stood up and made their way over to the doctor. "I'm his mother," Evelyn stated with a slight nod at the doctor.

"Hi Ms. Williams, my name is Doctor Pike and I am the one who operated on your son," he politely said with a soft smile.

"How is he?"

Anxiously his eyes swept around the room as he took in all the people that were present. "Maybe we should go somewhere more...private to speak," he suggested in a courteous manner.

Shaking her head, Evelyn denied the offer. "No," she said, reaching next to her and wrapping her arm around Steve, pulling him close. "Whatever you have to say to me, you can say in front of them. We're all family here."

"Very well."

"And I want the truth," she continued, her voice stern and strong. "Don't lie and sugarcoat anything or try to confuse me with big fancy medical terms. Just tell me what's wrong with my son and if he is going to be okay."

Doctor Pike gave her a simple nod. "Alright then Ms. Williams, I won't lie to you. The truth is, your son received three broken ribs, one of which punctured his right lung and caused it to fill up with blood. We were able to repair the damage and re-inflate the lung, but as of right now, he needs a ventilator to help him breath." He paused for a moment to allow everyone to understand the information he was giving them before he began speaking again. "While the ribs and the lung were major injuries, Danny also suffered a few minors ones as well. He received a tear in his spleen, but we were able to fix the tear without removing the organ. He also broke his right ankle and sprained his right wrist. Right now, your son's condition is listed as critical."

"Is that all?" asked Katlin in a shaky voice.

"Because of the impact, there is a possibility your son could have a head injury, but we were unable to perform an MRI because of the immediate need for surgery. We are prepping him now for the procedure and then we'll know more."

"What happens next?"

"Well, if the scan shows there aren't any head injuries, he will be moved to ICU and you will be permitted to see your son," Dr. Pike answered. "If the test shows otherwise, then we will take the necessary steps needed to help Danny make a full recovery." Reaching out, he gently squeezed Evelyn's shoulder and gave her a smile. "I need to head back up to complete the MRI scan, but I wanted to give you an update first before I did that. Please know, I am doing everything I can to make sure your son receives a full recovery."

"Thank you Doctor. I appreciate everything you're doing for my boy."

"You're welcome Ms. Williams. I will be back as soon as possible with more news."

Thirty minutes later Doctor Pike returned with a small smile on his face. "The results have all come back negative, meaning there isn't any damage of any kind."

"That's good news right?"

"Yes, it is. This means Danny can be moved to ICU as soon as possible and once he's settled in, he can be allowed visitors two at a time. A nurse will let you know when he's ready."

"And when will he wake up?" asked Steve eagerly, happy from the good news.

Dr. Pike sighed apprehensively and shrugged his shoulder. "That I can't tell you, I'm sorry. His body is slowly repairing itself, so it may take a while before he is well enough to wake up. We just have to be patient."

Another thirty minutes passed before Steve finally found himself in Danny's room. Overwhelmed by the sight, he immediately rushed to his boyfriend's side and gently placed their hands together. He was the last to visit, wanting to spend time with Danny alone, without the presence of anyone else, in case he broke down in tears once more. Slowly he brought Danny's hand up to his lips, giving it a chaste kiss, before pressing it against his forehead.

"I don't know what to say," he began softly and slightly nervous. "I really don't know if you can hear me, but I believe you can, just like I know you're going to wake up and get better real quick. You're going to get better because I need you to. I need you like I never needed anyone else before or ever will. Just like I know you're it for me Daniel Williams. No matter where I go or what I do with my life, I will never meet another person like you, ever. I need you, I will always need you, and when we're old enough, I am going to marry you. I know some might think what I'm saying is foolish, but they don't know the love I feel for you, the connection we have. We're soul-mates and I'm going to do whatever it takes to make you happy for the rest of our lives. That's a promise."

He waited with anticipation to hear a response from Danny, but all he heard was the sound of the machine attached to the blond instead. Not trusting himself to say anything more, he simply let out a deep breath and continued to hold Danny's hand in his.

Before anyone knew it, visiting hours were coming to an end and the nurses were alerting them they had to leave. Evelyn refused to leave her son's side and after a hefty argument, she was granted permission to stay. Everyone else, however, had to leave. Evelyn was in the middle of asking Vivian if she could take Katlin and Matt home when Steve walked over to them.

"They could just stay with us tonight," suggested Steve. "That way they don't have to be alone tonight."

Eve shook her head. "No, that would be too much trouble," Eve responded, smiling softly, as she grabbed her purse and pulled out her wallet. "I don't want to be a burden."

Vivian snorted playfully. "Nonsense. You Williams' are like family now and John and I will be more than happy to help."

"If this was a one night deal I would say yes, but it's not, and I wouldn't feel right leaving my children with you."

"They're coming home with us Eve and that's final," the booming decree coming from John McGarrett, who arrived a few minutes before. He wanted to come as soon as he heard about the accident, but he was needed at the station. He was grateful when the captain allowed him to leave a few hours early to go to the hospital and see his family. "Katlin can sleep in Mary's room and we'll put Matt in with Steve. It'll be tight, but we'll manage. You just focus on Danny and let us take care of everyone else."

Laughing, Vivian leaned against her husband's arm and nodded her head slightly. "Once he gets like this, there is no changing his mind."

She let out a sigh, finally conceding by nodding. "Alright, they can stay with you until Danny's well enough to leave," she replied softly. "At least let me give you some money, for food and such," she offered, opening her wallet to pull out some money when her hands were pushed down gently.

"Don't need it," replied Vivian with a smile.

Smiling back, Eve let out a light chuckle. "You McGarretts' are really good people you know that? Not many people would do this for my family like you."

"Like you wouldn't do the same for us if our roles were reversed."

"Thank you."

"You are so very welcome."

"Is it okay if I come back tomorrow and sit with him?" asked Steve hopeful.

"Steve, I would be more surprised if you didn't. You can come any time you want," Eve answered, pulling the young man into a warm embrace.

"I'll be here as soon as they let visitor's come. I'll even bring you some breakfast."

"Thanks kiddo." Pressing a kiss to his cheek before doing the same to her children, as well as Danny's other friends. She watched everyone leave the waiting room until she was the only one left. As she made her way back to Danny's room, she finally let all the tears she had been holding in fall freely down her face.

As she made herself comfortable in the reclining chair next to the bed, the night nurse came in with a pillow and blanket to help her sleep. While she graciously took it, she knew it wouldn't be used, not believing she would be able to sleep at all. Letting out a deep sigh, she leaned back in the chair as her eyes drifted towards the ceiling.

"Okay," she whispered softly. "So listen, you can't do this. You can't take Danny away from me. Do you hear me Nathan, you can't. Losing you was hard. Knowing I would wake up every day and not see your face hurt me deeply, but I got through it because our children needed me to be strong. And I've been strong Nate, I've been so strong, but if you take Danny, I know I won't survive." Tears were falling down her face as she grabbed the pendant inside her shirt and held it tightly in her hand. "So that means you can't have him. Do you hear me Nathan Prescott Williams? I will not let you take my son away from me." Her face wet with tears, she lifted the pendant and gave it a chaste kiss before slipping it back inside her shirt.

I know it's short but the next chapter will be longer I promise. Hope you guys like what you read and if you did, let me know. I love each review I receive and you readers really know how to make me happy. Until next time,

Fruits make the best juices,

LadyCizzle

P.S I am not a doctor so all the medical terms I used stemmed from years of watching House, Scrubs, ER, and the first few seasons of Grey's Anatomy