I do not own Hawaii Five-0 or any characters. No copyright infringement intended.
Notes: this may be it before vacation. My apologies in advance since I had anticipated being done before leaving; but I have to complete this when I get back. I am NOT taking a computer on vacation either! It will "kill" the muses to not have the ability to "poke online" however ... there's always the trusty notebook at least! Packing NOT done - errands NOT done - and I'm at work - NOT done. GRR ...
Chapter Eleven
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It was barely Saturday afternoon and Steve had only left Danny's room to speak with Chin and then Kono. Both were planning to swing by the hospital now that the bulk of tests had been done. On his way back through the main ICU doors though, Steve was accosted in the hallway by Mark Paquin's father. The man was ashen, shaken leaving Steve to be on guard as he wondered how the earlier altercation might now play out with a second go-round.
"Do you want to explain this?" Paquin thrust the purple fisted object into Steve's chest, the thump of knuckles connecting with his breastbone. "We thought … no, I thought … the nurses brought it in for Mark as a type of trigger or a what would you call it? A stimulus. Anyway, I just found out that your partner's kid did it."
Scowling in confusion, Steve reactively clutched the toy only to realize it was the same purple dolphin he'd bought with Grace from the hospital's small gift shoppe. She had wanted it for Danno as a type of joke-gift to make him laugh. He'd completely forgotten about it until that very moment, more than shocked to find it in Mark's father's calloused hands.
"I'm not sure I can." He fumbled the soft beanbag when it was so quickly released, nearly dropping it in the process. As he got a better look at the purple body, registering its heated warmth and damp state, Steve wasn't sure how long Paquin might have been angrily waiting for him in the hallway. Steve's next comment was cautious and very careful, with consideration only for a 12-year old's concepts of right and wrong. "I guess Grace wanted to do something nice for Mark."
Paquin's jaw clenched at that, evidently unsure of what to say because it was much too simple. He was conflicted, confused and stuck in an ugly frame of mind as he searched for ulterior motives. Steve waited for a fraction of a second before asking a very important question. "I'll get to the bottom of this but tell me right now, how big of a problem are we going to have? They're just kids."
"She doesn't know." Paquin ground out through his teeth. "At least not yet." There was no doubt that he meant his wife and that he was uncertain if she might even find out as his jaw continued to work behind clenched teeth in a grinding fashion. The implication of his wife's anger still loomed, too, yet Paquin's attitude seemed slightly less heated. Wondering if what was happening was indeed another threat though, Steve held his ground. He merely waited Paquin out to hear what might come next.
"She shouldn't have been in Mark's room." Now referring to Grace, Steve was stunned when the highly emotional father yanked the almost bedraggled toy out of his fingers. It was unexpected and Steve let go just as he felt a few stitches strain and then pop deep in the toy's already limp neck. For an instant, he wondered if he was going to finally see if actual beans were really sewn into beanbag toys of if the gravelly stuffing was more plasticine man-made pellets of some unknown origin.
Still, Steve remained quiet because Paquin was changing subjects at a near startling rate. Stammering second by second over his tongue in a hop-scotched pattern which only proved his fragmented mental state. "Mark woke up … about an hour ago. They're taking him for tests. He hasn't spoken yet, but he likes this damned ... toy. He likes to hold it."
He regarded Steve for a long silent moment as if attempting to string together thoughts that might become sensible words. But he was wholly unable to do more than turn on his heel with the beanbag fisted in his left hand. There was nothing else. No actual attack or added threats of one and certainly no thanks as the man walked away with the purple dolphin toy; only a few odd but highly emotionally charged sentences.
"So, he woke up." Steve whispered. Deep in his throat, he grunted then in exasperation as he watched the big man devour the ICU with ground-consuming steps. Far down the hallway, he watched as a medical contingent crowded the area to what was likely Mark's room. He watched as the white-clad coats parted like the sea for Mark's father, allowing him to lean down over the bed which was being wheeled away. There was a hesitation, a moment in time when no one moved. But when the man backed away, the toy was no longer in his hand and Steve chuffed a confused sound before running his hand clear over his face.
Before re-entering Danny's room, Steve stood in the doorway. Rather than choosing a chair, Grace was now sitting on the floor, knees drawn up while leaning against the wall and rereading one of the magazines they'd bought. Danny was sleeping after having had a bedside ultrasound which would hopefully confirm that the hemopneurothorax was continuing to resolve itself as they all hoped. A technician had done the test, seemingly pleased that results looked alright but advising that Doctor Webber would be the one to provide the full readout. They were all anxious for the doctor to arrive that afternoon. In fact, Webber had plans to move his partner out of the ICU and to a regular room once the results confirmed an anticipated favorable status.
Danny had suggested that Steve and Grace might leave before lunch, but Grace had opted to stay. Her plea to stay was plainly simple in that they could have a late lunch together and maybe too, the test results might be available. She and Steve would leave though after lunch so that Danny could continue to sleep and heal. The time would also give them a necessary break in the afternoon to regroup and relax before returning in the evening. But now, Steve mentally juggled a new issue which he wasn't entirely sure how to handle or frankly, if he should even be the one to try. The latter solution meant telling Danny about the Paquins though; a risk that Steve wished to avoid this early in his own friend's somewhat dubious state of recovery.
Steve entered the room, ignoring Grace where she sat reading to study his partner's face. There was no doubt that the chest tube was a constant physical and mental sore point. With luck though, it might even be removed within the next 24-hours. Webber continued to be pleased with his patient's progress as each hour passed. In fact as Danny continued to sleep, Steve acknowledged the healthier complexion, the lack of oxygen mask for a more basic nasal cannula, and the sheer lack of stress in his face.
The indicators were clear and with Mark Paquin awake, Steve's new conundrum seemed more obvious. Loathe to cause Danny a setback of any kind, Steve made up his mind. He could at least begin the delicate conversation with Grace because what she'd done in a spontaneous burst of generosity, would become a factor with the elder Paquins. Because the world of adults was more complicated than that of children, Danny would need to know and they would all need to be on the same page once Steve officially handed Grace back to her father.
"Grace?" Steve walked to the foot of the bed, whispering and beckoning to her so they could leave the room. "While Danno's asleep, let's get a snack. I'd like to talk to you about something, too."
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Grace had no idea what she'd done wrong. So her response to Steve's comments was at first an uncomfortable silence during which she tried to consider his advice. But after, she found herself angry and even more defensive for not understanding what was so wrong in seeing Mark.
"I asked, and the nurse said it was okay." She was almost defiant now sitting across the cafeteria table as Steve returned an appreciative look. "He was alone, too. Why would they leave him alone like that when he's so sick? It's not fair ... it's not right."
"Don't feel too badly, Grace. What you did was meant well. It's only that none of us really has any idea what they are dealing with right now. So all I'm saying is that we give them space because maybe it's best if we leave them alone for the time being." Softening, Steve reached across the table to warmly squeeze her fingers. His only goal was to keep her away from any potential confrontations with the volatile parents. Shaking his head in disgust, Steve blew out a maddened puff of air about the Paquins because Grace had a great many good points.
"Mark's father said his son really liked the toy though. I think he even took it with him for the tests he has to have." His gentle observation brought back her smile. The couple was problematic and he was struggling to do his best in order to protect both Grace and Danny until his partner might be well enough to be brought into the loop. Duke Lukela and the rest of the team were doing precisely the same thing should any other diversions be required. Steve was only moderately pacified because Mr. Paquin had waited for him in the hallway; he hadn't simply waltzed demonstratively into Danny's hospital room.
"Maybe they needed to talk to a doctor or make a phone call. They could have just gone for a cup of coffee but the truth is, it's none of our business, Gracie. They're Mark's parents and they don't want any unannounced visitors right now." Steve squirmed suddenly in his seat. Being thankful that Mr. Paquin had confronted him brought the wife to mind. It caused an unsettling edgy premonitory twitch to his fingers as he wondered if the woman might dare do something unprecedented while her son was in whatever tests had been scheduled. Something untoward and very unwelcome while Danny was alone, unsuspecting and supposedly resting.
"I'm glad Mark woke up, but his parents aren't very nice." Grace muttered under her breath. Even though Mark wasn't even one of her best friends, she didn't understand anything that had happened, least of all his mother's fury. She couldn't digest why his parents still seemed to remain so dreadful now that their son had also finally woken up. Secretly, she was even happy that he wanted the silliest of toys; the tiniest of impulsive, ridiculous things.
Though he agreed with her assessment, Steve certainly couldn't verbalize that fact as his mind became distracted by running the most unpleasant of scenarios should Mrs. Paquin in particular, take it upon herself to castigate his partner personally. Other than agreeing not to discuss the Paquins or Mark with Danny, Steve felt that had resolved very little with Grace. But it was a start and would have to be enough in the short term. His mood continued to sour though and he nervously changed gears to tap Grace on the hand to indicate his growing desire to leave.
"We've been gone a long time, let's go back up to see Danno." Steve suggested. Agreement was swift as Grace fairly beamed in happy reply. But the respite was short lived as soon as they returned to the intensive care unit.
A welcoming smile glimmered than fell from his lips at the same time Grace's fingers groped reassuringly for his hand. Turning the final corner on the approach to Danny's room, Steve heard the rush of angry voices before he saw Kono first ... just before he recognized the woefully familiar splotchy reddened face. His immediate reaction was abrupt and meant to take control in order to begin mitigating the issue. To initiate proactive countermeasures which would deflect or quash the enemy in their tracks.
"Kono, I got this. Take Grace for a walk and come back later." There was no bargaining, only a command of which Kono accepted with a certain gravity. He was not put at ease when he noticed the curtain drawn around his partner's bed. The flimsy material provided much too little in terms of any actual protection.
"She wants to speak to Danny. He's still sleeping." Kono murmured as she took Grace's hand. "I stalled for as long as I could ... and Danny's nurse is calling security ... but she's determined to talk to him."
"It's not going to happen." Where Kono was barely audible, Steve's voice was normal and meant to be heard. It was laced with anger as he inserted himself between Danny's room and Mark's mother. Her reaction mirrored his as she drew her own shoulders back indignantly. Neither said a word until Kono had removed Grace from the vicinity. Steve waited longer still, folding his arms while assuming a broad-shouldered immovable stance. "Like I said to Officer Kalakaua and I know you heard me; it's not going to happen. Especially not today; especially not now."
If possible, Beth Paquin's rigidity increased ten-fold. Anger rose as a rash from her neck upwards to her cheeks. "The emotional trauma he's put us through ... this terrible psychological suffering is something that my family will never get over. In just twenty-four hours, his negligence has caused us to suffer from depression and anxiety. And Mark is incapable of speech ... my son is already suffering from post-traumatic stress!"
"Where exactly do you get off with these threats? What negligence other than your own?" Steve spat the words out, aggressively conquering his desire to shout by calling upon years of ingrained negotiation skills. However, his actual comments were far from wanting to entertain a common deliberation. "Who even managed to spoon-feed you these obscene concepts of psychological suffering? Of post-traumatic stress? Do you think that any of this is really going to stand up in a court of law?"
His voice dropped considerably when he heard his name called faintly from behind his back. Hands clenched, Steve forced his voice even lower though he knew that Mrs. Paquin would not follow in kind. While he was hopeful actual words weren't reaching his partner's ears, Danny heard the heated debate occurring just outside the room. The volatile atmosphere had woken him and based on the confused tone, he was already concerned.
"I'm no longer nicely asking you to leave, Mrs. Paquin." Danny's nurse had returned. Her own agitation perched precariously on the sleeve of her uniform. Taking Steve's side and that of any patient in the vicinity, she boldly flanked the incensed woman raising her hand to point imperiously to the exit. The nurse glanced worriedly towards Steve when she too, heard his name being called from the hospital room. "I'm telling you to leave. Security is on the way. It would be easier if you met them outside the ICU before they remove you entirely from these premises."
"Really?" Leveling an incredulous look towards the nurse and surprised as two orderlies joined their small group, Mrs. Paquin refused to back down as she snorted under her breath. "You'd have me suffer from even more emotional trauma? More stress? What kind of hospital is this? The school did not provide a safe environment for my son. This special event was conducted in an inappropriate location," the woman stated, her voice rising as dramatic excitement got the better of her. "The Honolulu Police Department and your partner are completely incompetent! I will also be suing the County for failing to maintain the beach proper; for failing to provide signage and adequate safety prevention tactics to keep children off those dangerous rocks!"
"Sue the State for all I care. All you're after is money," Steve smirked as the laundry list of complaints grew. Inside though, he was now deeply anxious as Danny tried harder to get his attention. A breathless, thinly clad voice that was desperately louder now. Barely a second after, something also clattered to the floor and Steve hoped it was nothing more than the bedside remote. However, Beth Paquin heard the questioning call and then the subsequent noise.
"Don't even." Slamming his hand into the airspace between them when she had the gall to attempt to peer around his body, Steve hissed his warning. He then leaned backwards into the room as far as he could manage without giving way, satisfied when the nurse continued to bolster their position. Refusing to take his eyes off the cagey woman though, Steve calmly aimed his voice over his shoulder. "Danny, everything's fine ... just hang on one minute and I'll be right there."
There was a brief window of silence and then the faintest of uncertain acknowledgements before Steve entirely challenged Mrs. Paquin's nasty bluff. "This is all about money and what you can gain from a terrible accident. You want to profit from all of this. But do you seriously think that you're in pain? What about Detective Williams ... he nearly died protecting your son. Where were you during all of this anyway? Where exactly were you while Mark was off wandering by himself when every other child was with his or her parent?"
Beth Paquin rudely smirked, though she didn't answer. But that wasn't out of guilt. It was only a strange sense of self-righteousness. She also had no reply to Steve's final comment which was intended to be as equally rude. "If you're so worried about Mark, why aren't you with him right now when he needs you the most?"
Then it was too late for anything more to continue as two Security guards purposefully entered the ICU, beckoned instantly by Danny's nurse. "Go check on him. I'll be right there." Pushing Steve backwards, she took his place solidly in the doorway as the two guards descended upon Mrs. Paquin who had begun an entirely new tirade now against the hospital.
~ to be continued ~