Flicking disinterestedly through the TV channels before finally settling for on an old movie, Steve sighed as he dropped the TV remote beside him on the bed and tiredly leaned his head back against his pillows. Staring up at the flickering screen, it took him a few minutes to realize that the movie scene he was now watching was about an alien giving birth. It was the same scene that he had seen reduce Danny to tears several years ago when Danny was watching it.
The thought of his partner caused his chest to tighten and he swallowed hard, blinking back the hot, scalding tears that threatened to fall. He knew that his actions over the last few months had hurt Danny but today when Danny had turned away from him when he had tried to apologize made him realize just how much damage his good intentions had caused to their friendship and how much pain he had accidentally inflicted on his closest friend. Maybe Danny was right, it seemed that when it came to dealing with the people he loved and relationships, he really was a Neanderthal! He had accidentally pushed Danny away and now he wasn't sure if Danny would ever forgive him. This time he had really screwed up and he wasn't sure if he could fix things.
"Commander?"
Steve jumped in surprise and quickly brushed the tears from his eyes as before he turned towards the door and watched the surgeon enter the room. "Doc, how is he?" Steve asked anxiously before Mullins even reached the side of his bed.
"He's still a very sick young man but he is definitely improving, the antibiotics are doing the job," Mullins smiled as he reached for the remote and turned the TV off before he looked back at Steve, the expression on his face looked serious as he added, "but Commander, that's not the reason why I am here. The nurses in the ICU have approached me about how much time you have been spending in Detective Williams's room and not the fact that you, yourself, have just undergone a liver transplant and you are not giving yourself the chance to rest and heal. And quite frankly, I fully agree with their concerns. You have already collapsed once from exhaustion and we were lucky that time that you only tore out a couple of external stitches, next time you may not be as lucky-"
"But Doc-" Steve began, only to be silenced as Mullins held up his hand to forestall any arguments.
"As I said, I agree with the nurses' concerns and that's why I am here." the surgeon continued firmly, as if he had not been interrupted, "and It seems the only solution that will suit everyone is that you and Detective Williams share the same room again. That way you are able to stay with Detective Williams and you won't be upsetting the nurses both on this unit and the ICU with your continuous requests and escaping to spend time next to your partner's bed, and we are able to ensure that you are also able to get the rest you need. The best of both worlds for everyone, don't you agree?"
Without giving Steve the chance to answer, Mullins stroked his short beard as he stared ahead, appearing to contemplate the conundrum that he now found himself in, "The problem is that Detective Williams is far too ill to even consider moving from the ICU… which means if this solution is to work, you will have to be moved back to the ICU which means that your visitors would be restricted. And of course, it also means that if you are moved back to the ICU to share a room with Detective Williams, you will have to remain in bed and rest."
"I will, Doc," Steve nodded eagerly as he readily agreed.
"Well then, I guess all that's left is to transfer you back to the ICU," the surgeon smiled as he turned back to the nurse who was waiting near the door, "Nurse, can you take care of Commander McGarrett's transfer back to the ICU? The paperwork is already done. They are expecting him."
"Yes Sir," the nurse smiled as she hurried into the room to prepare Steve for his transfer back to the ICU.