Author's note: I know it is not Monday but the last chapter was a bit short, so I thought I am going to post the next a little earlier. I hope you don't mind. ;)

Chapter 4

The first time Steve woke up without agony was a relief for both men.

Danny had noticed a difference in Steve's breathing pattern right before the latter was waking up and was ready to squeeze his partner's hand to guide him through the pain but Steve only blinked his eyes a few times before letting a small smile appear and said "Hey, Danny."
"Hey," Danny smiled back. "How you feeling?"
Steve listened to his body, checking everything over.
"Good, I guess," he finally answered. "Probably not so good without this," he pointed to his IV line "but I think we can talk about going home."
Danny huffed.
"I don't think so baby."
They sat in silence for a few minutes.

"You know I hate hospitals and can recover much better at home, right?"
"I do and I want nothing more than to see that but you just said it yourself you only feel good because of the meds." Danny stated.
"I can take them at home too," Steve argued.
"Yes, you can. And you will. But not today…nor tomorrow. And you know it."
"Yeah, I know," Steve said sadly. "It was worth a try though."

But the day Steve got released from the hospital came 2 days later.
The doctor told him, no ordered him, to take it easy the next few days and to rest if he felt like it.
"And please, continue to wear the sling. It is important to avoid further injury and as a result possible surgery."
"I actually hate to ask this," Danny said "but what about the pain medication?"
"He can lower it in the next few days but," the doctor looked intensely at Steve "don't stop it completely. You may feel good now but without the medication you will still be in good amount of pain. This is neither necessary nor useful because it will not help the recovery."
"But it makes me feel dopey…strange…out of control."
"I know about your issue. But it is just a feeling. And believe me, you wouldn't be in control without the meds either. This is all going to need some time to heal. You have to give yourself the time and you need to stay to the protocol. If it was only the bruises, everything would not be a problem but the shoulder injury and the concussion must not be underestimated. Especially when we consider all your previous head injuries.
And this is not meant as an insult, but you are also no longer 20 and should pay more attention to your health."
"I am glad you are saying this," Danny said "but that's a wasted effort. I am trying to tell him that for years. He doesn't listen, thinks he is indestructible."
"That is not true," Steve argued.
"Maybe not," Danny gave in "but the truth is that you never take care of yourself. If you are on a mission or get an order it always comes first to complete this task."
"Because that's my job, that's what I've learned. And I am good at it."
"You are. Still, you are not a SEAL anymore." Danny saw Steve's face fall but before the latter could say anything, Danny raised his hands placatingly and continued "And I am very sorry for that. I know how much you had loved it and how you had suffered after being medically discharged. I just wanted to point out that there is no longer a need to risk your life unconditionally "to die trying".
There is such a thing as self-protection and you should use that sometime."
"Like you do? You let people cut half a vital organ out of you without asking questions or considering the consequences." Steve said angrily.
"They weren't just people," Danny bit back. "They were qualified doctors and I have thought about the consequences. If I hadn't done it, you would have died. There hadn't been the need to weigh the options because there was only one."
"No, there had been at least one more. And…"
"No! It…."
"Gentlemen, please," the doctor interrupted. "Would you stop arguing here? We are talking about the now.
I had agreed to let commander McGarrett go home if he sticks to the rules and you make sure that he really does.
If it looks like this, I am going to revise my decision."
"You can't do that." Steve stated.
"I can and I will. You are my responsibility and I am telling you that you still have to take it easy. Arguing and agitation is counterproductive.
Can you two promise me that you can make this work?"
Both friends looked at each other before answering simultaneously "Yes, sir."

It was a quiet drive to Steve's house.
Right after their arrival, Steve felt wiped out and went for a nap.

"Hey," Danny said two hours later when his friend entered the living room after he had woken up. "Feeling better?"
"Yeah, I do. Never thought the short ride from the hospital would do that to me. On the other hand, I think I've never had such a severe concussion.
But I am really glad I am at home now. Thank you for staying with me the next few days."
"Like I've said no big deal. I know that being at home is much more effective than staying in a hospital."
"Yeah, definitely. Starts with the bed, ends with the food," Steve smiled.
"Speaking of food. You have something special in mind or do we want to order something?"
"Let's order something. Not in the mood for cooking and I am positive you aren't either."

"Something on your mind?" Danny asked after they had ordered. "You look a little lost."
"Not exactly. I just thought that I would be back at work after the sling comes off in a week or maybe a few days after, getting it a bit more mobile first.
Hadn't expected to be out for another two to four weeks."
"Be glad he said you can do desk duty."
"Thanks for small favors, huh?" Steve huffed.

"Good morning," Danny said when he heard Steve coming into the kitchen the next morning.
"How are you d…" he started while turning around. "You got to be kidding me!" he continued angrily.
Steve knew what was coming and defensively raised his good arm but that didn't stop Danny.
"You agreed to this Steven and I trusted you. It's your first day and you are already violating protocol! Tell…"
"It's not what it looks like," Steve interrupted, trying to stop his friend before the latter would work himself up even more. Just calm down."
"Oh! "It's not what it looks like!" Then tell me do you have your bandage or not?!"
"No. But…" Steve started.
"No! So, it is exactly what it looks like! If you think you can use me like that to get out of the hospital you are wrong! I'll bring you back in! I'm…"
"Danny!" Steve shouted.
"What?!" Danny shouted back but stopped his rant.
"I can't get it on," Steve said calmly.
"What?" Danny asked again.
"I said I can't get it on."
"I've heard that. You put this thing on and off at least…the last three days. You know how it works. Don't use that as an excuse."
Steve sighed.
"It's not an excuse. Yes, I know how it works. I did at least 10 times but I can't do it today. I don't know why. I tried it six times and decided to ask you for help before I get agitated."
"Then why didn't you call out?"
"Because I know what you would have thought if I had called "Danny! I need help!" or "come up. I need you" or…"
"Okay. I get it. I am sorry. Just…just why didn't you bring it downstairs? That way I would have seen something is up."
"I wanted to concentrate on the stairs but would have needed my bad arm to hold the bandage. I was afraid it would slip out of my hand on the way down."
"Sounds plausible. Come on, let's get that thing on."

It was their only argument.
Steve was true to his word and stuck to the rules – put his bandage on, took his meds, let the therapist do his work which wasn't much anyway and he didn't try anything alone either.
He rested when he felt his head needed it and he never complained to anything not even about Danny's question if he was following orders.

Danny even had to smile a bit when he came home early to surprise his friend and found Steve on the couch.
The smile was short-lived though when Steve silently groaned and didn't react to Danny addressing him.
"Steve? You okay?"

He was immediately by Steve's side, kneeling down beside him.
"Talk to me. What's up?" he asked in a soft voice.
Steve jerked slightly, hadn't heard his friend neither coming in nor talking to him the first time.
"D…Danny?" he asked without opening his eyes.
"Yes. I am here. Tell me what is wrong," he said with concern in his voice.
"Hit head. Hurts. Pain…Dizzy…couch."."
"Okay. Let me see.
When Steve didn't move, Danny tried to pry the SEAL's hand away from his forehead.
"Don't," Steve mumbled.
"Don't be stupid. Just let me see."
Steve didn't take his hand aways but he gave up resistance, so Danny could remove the hand which the latter carefully did.
"Damn," Danny said seeing the large bump visible on the left side of the forehead.
"I'll get you some ice."

Danny had wrapped the ice in a towel and carefully pressed it against his friend's head. A small hiss was the answer.
"I know. This hurts. Just hold it yourself."

"Where did you get that from?" Danny asked when Steve had taken over and seemed to be in less pain than before.
"Opened Clothes closet door. Dropped fork. Forgot door still open. Coming up. Hurt. Made it to couch. Lay down."
"No passing out or anything?"
"No."
"Good."

"Okay," Danny said after Steve seemed to relax a bit more. "Come on. Get up – slowly – I'll drive you to the hospital. Get you checked out."
"Why? I just hit my head."
"And you just hit your head a few days back and got a serious concussion which hasn't completely healed yet. So, get up."
"No."
"It's either that or I am calling an ambulance. Your choice."
Steve put the ice away and tried to pull himself upright.
When he was, he closed his eyes and groaned.
"Just take your time," Danny said. "Don't want you to get dizzy or nauseous."
"Already am. Don't worry." Steve said pushing himself up.
Danny didn't comment on that. He just shook his head about such stubbornness. But he was ready to jump forward if Steve would need any kind of help.
"You are driving," Steve said when he had reached Danny.
"Of course, I am driving. If you think I'll let your drive there is definitely more damage to your brain than before."
"No, I meant no ambulance. You are driving."

PS: Appreciate your thoughts.