Wrong Place, Very Wrong Time XIV

Disclaimer: I do not own Hawaii 5-0. That doesn't mean that my muse accepts that reality.

Thank you everyone. When I said I would not be posting until Saturday I did not know that my daughter and granddaughter were paying us a visit this weekend. Let's see if I can get this posted before they show up.

Chapter 14

"I do hope you aren't expecting me to leave," Catherine said softly as Steve urged everyone to go home. He smiled up at her.

"Of course not, I know you better than that," he replied. "Besides, you are my ride home."

"Damn straight," she quipped back.

Chin and Kono exchanged looks.

"I'm definitely ready to go home. If you hand over the Silverado's keys Boss, I'll make sure it gets home," Kono suggested holding out her hand.

"Sure, first tell me what I missed at Angelo's house," Steve said seriously.

"Tomorrow is soon enough," she said shaking her head. "It's enough for now that we've got the bad guys and you and Danny will be okay. Everything else will keep until tomorrow," she insisted firmly.

"I'm too tired to argue," Steve sighted in surrender. "I think the keys are with my clothes in the closet."

"Danny, I can give you and Grace a ride too," Chin offered.

"Sounds good," Danny agreed smiling at his sleepy daughter.

"You will call us as soon as you get home, right Uncle Steve?" Grace asked in concern. When he promised he would, the girl then went to hug Catherine. "Thank you for taking care of me," she told her.

"I enjoyed spending time with you," Catherine responded. "It was fun."

"I will make sure Danno calls you first when he can't come get me," the little girl said earnestly and hugged her a second time. "Take care of Uncle Steve."

"I will take very good care of him and make sure he calls when we get back to Honolulu," Catherine promised as she returned the hug. "You can call me anytime you need me Grace."

"Come on Monkey, time to go," Danny said holding out his hand. She went to him and put an arm around his waist protectively. They followed Kono and Chin out of the room.

Catherine went back to Steve and kissed him gently.

"You are looking tired Sailor, get some sleep," she instructed. "I'll be right here when you wake up."

"That's good to know," he smiled. "What about you? Where are you going to sleep?"

"That chair reclines, I'll be fine," she answered, indicating a chair on the other side of the bed. "I will be fine with that."

"Okay," Steve responded, his eyes all ready beginning to close.

With a second kiss, Cath went to the chair and wearily settled in. A half an hour later the nurse found them both sound asleep and she carefully slid a pillow under Catherine's head and tucked a blanket around her.

*H 5-0*

Saturday morning sunshine lit the room as Steve McGarrett paced the small space in a state of frustration. He was ready to be released but the hospital moved at its own pace and the doctor had not arrived to clear his release just yet.

"Just how long does it take to stop by and sign some paperwork? I've got things to do, I can't just sit around waiting all day," he complained. "I should just leave."

"You are forgetting that I am your ride home and I'm not letting you leave without a doctor's clearance," Catherine commented from the chair where she sat sipping some coffee. "For Pete's sake Steve, it's only nine A. M."

"I thought doctors did their rounds early. I feel fine, I'm good to go," he said waving his left arm and wincing with the effort that the movement produced. He tried to cover his reaction by moving away from Catherine and hugging his arm to his side. Cath smiled at how obvious he was.

"Sure you are. Relax; the case will still be there when we get home. None of the players are running free," she reminded him.

With a huff, Steve sat at the foot of the bed and gave her a sheepish smile.

"Sorry…..I just hate waiting. I want to be updated on what all went down at Angelo's place. I also want to question Kapono Lee and his nephews. Those boys are the reason this all went sideways," he said with some heat in his voice.

"They made a very foolish mistake," Catherine agreed as she set her coffee down and went to sit beside him. "You will get to do all that but not at this very minute. Remember that you have been shot and operated on and that means you need to heal. Steve, you know better than to push too fast," she added, taking his right hand in both of hers.

"I hate being injured," he mumbled as he stared at the floor. "I slipped up and gave Angelo a chance to surprise me. I gave him the upper hand."

"Excuse me?" Catherine said sharply. "As I understand it from what Kono and Chin told me, you put yourself between Danny and a bullet that would have killed him. Danny lived, you lived and Angelo is dead. Just how did that give him the upper hand?"

"I put my weapon down."

"You were freeing your partner from his prison and you thought Chin had your back. You believed Kono and the locals had the inside secured," Catherine argued and leaned forward to catch his gaze. "Steve…you were not negligent. You saved Danny so he could go home to Grace," she added softly. "You can only do so much."

Steve sat silently, considering her words and evaluating how he felt about that. He could see she made sense and he hadn't been able to free Danny and be prepared for Angelo's attack at the same time. No one expected the drug dealer to charge back out into the garage after the gunfire they'd exchanged minutes earlier. His thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door and the doctor entering the room.

"Commander McGarrett, I understand you are eager to leave us," the older man said with a smile.

"Yes sir, I have a case to wrap up," Steve said as he rose to his feet, carefully withdrawing his hand from Catherine's grip. "I feel good, very good."

"I'm glad to hear that and I admire your dedication Commander but my job is to make sure you are healthy enough to leave here. It will not help if you collapse once you are back in Honolulu."

"I understand that and I promise that won't happen," Steve said earnestly.

Doctor Okena chuckled at Steve's words. He had learned about his patient and was prepared for the strong-willed Commander. He would not be intimidated.

"Commander, if you pass my exam, I will release your immediately. Cooperate with me and I assure you this will be quick," he instructed.

"Yes sir," Steve answered and sat down.

Catherine got up and moved out of the way so the doctor could go to work. After giving Steve a thorough going over, he pronounced Steve fit to leave.

"You are looking good Commander but let me stress that you must take it easy for the next few days. Please remember that your body was violated by a foreign object and recovery does not occur in 24 hours. I will sign the papers if you promise me that you will follow my instructions," the doctor stated.

"I will make sure he follows orders," Catherine spoke up from the chair she had returned to.

"Good…good," the doctor nodded. "Give yourself 24 more hours Commander. Let that incision heal. Take it easy, those are my orders."

"That is a tall order for him Doctor," Catherine chuckled. "I'll see to it that he does as you say."

"Young man, take my advice…..do not make this lovely woman worry about you. Follow instructions and you will be fine," Okena advised.

"Yes sir," Steve promised. "There really is only some desk work to do and some interviews to conduct. None of this is very physical work."

"Commander, I understand the nature of your job so I know that situations change at the drop of a hat," the doctor said kindly. "I also know that you didn't achieve your rank by being an idiot and you more than anyone know your own body. Listen to it! If the pain becomes worse, if that incision site becomes red or exudes pus, please get to doctor immediately. Don't push yourself beyond your limits. You know what you are capable of, so please don't undo all my hard work."

With a respectful nod and a slight smile, Steve agreed with the doctor.

"I understand and I promise I will do as you say."

"Ms Rollins, please take him home so my staff can relax. I have a very great respect for the Honolulu hospitals and how they deal with 5-0."

"I will do as you say Doctor. Thank you for everything you have done for both Steve and Danny," Catherine responded. She was ready to get Steve out of this hospital and on the way home before anyone changed their minds. With paperwork in hand they left the building.

End chapter.

So we managed to get Steve released. I will proof read this and send it out tomorrow. Thank you for your attention.

I managed to get this finished so thank you for your patience.