The cold neon lights in the hallway cast a white, antiseptic glow on the walls, a brightness that seemed to make the air heavier with every step. Steve, lying on the stretcher, stared vacantly at the overhead lights passing above him as he was moved toward the operating room. Beside him, Dr. Sheridan walked at a calm pace, his hand resting gently on Steve's shoulder, a measured gesture but one full of human attention.
Arriving at the swinging doors of the operating room, Dr. Sheridan paused for a moment, leaning down to catch Steve's gaze. "Steve, are you okay?" he asked in a measured voice, giving him time to collect his thoughts before entering what he knew would be a long battle.
Steve swallowed hard. "As good as can be," he murmured, although his voice betrayed a certain weakness. Every movement, every breath seemed to exacerbate the persistent pain in his chest, and even speaking was becoming a struggle.
Dr. Sheridan gave him a reassuring smile before taking a professional breath. "I'm going to explain what's going to happen. Before the operation truly begins for you, we need to prepare your body to accept the graft. The first step will be to stabilize your rib cage as much as possible to avoid any movement that could disrupt your sternum injury. That means we're going to immobilize you gently so that each breath remains minimal, almost imperceptible. It may feel restrictive, but it's essential to minimize risks during the operation."
Steve nodded, trying to calm his heartbeat, which seemed to echo like a drum in his ears. The doctor continued in his calm tone. "Initially, we'll sedate you slightly to help you relax. You'll be conscious, but everything will feel blurry, like a half-sleep. This will allow us to monitor your vital signs without causing you additional stress. Once Danny has finished his part of the procedure, the graft will be harvested, tested, and stabilized, and we'll move to the second phase of your anesthesia."
Steve felt strangely relieved hearing each detail, as if every word from Dr. Sheridan was an anchor in the midst of this sea of uncertainty. The doctor continued, observing his reactions. "At that point, Steve, you'll be completely asleep, and the surgery will begin. You won't be aware of anything."
A silence filled with gravity settled, broken only by the steady hum of machines and the distant murmurs of medical staff. Steve took a deep breath, aware that these were probably the last words he would hear before descending into the medical unknown where his body would be at the mercy of science and the care of his team.
Finally, as he passed through the doors of the operating room, he let his last thoughts go to Danny, to this sacrifice, to that part of humanity they would share in a way that would bind them forever.
Dr. Sheridan watched carefully as Steve lay on the operating table. The harsh fluorescent light illuminated every detail of his tense face. Around them, the medical team silently took their positions, each person adjusting equipment and preparing every step of the forthcoming procedure with meticulous care. Sheridan took a moment to murmur to Steve, his voice calm and reassuring, as he placed a hand on Steve's shoulder.
"Steve, we're going to take care of you, okay? I know it may seem overwhelming, but you have nothing to fear. From now on, let us guide you through every step."
Steve responded with a slight nod, visibly tense but determined.
The first step, Dr. Sheridan knew, was crucial: ensuring almost complete immobilization of Steve's rib cage to prevent any involuntary movement that might worsen the pain or the already fragile injury to his sternum. With great care, Dr. Sheridan placed lateral supports around Steve's rib cage, applying gentle pressure to keep the sternum as stable as possible. These supports were adjusted to restrict movement without compromising his ability to breathe. He took care to explain each gesture to calm Steve. "It may feel a bit tight, but it's necessary to prevent pain and ensure your safety."
Steve breathed in slowly, as if testing this newfound immobility, and Sheridan noticed the subtle tension in his eyes. "Everything's going to be fine, Steve. I'm here for you, every step of the way."
The doctor signaled for a nurse to bring the first syringe, a light sedation to help Steve relax while keeping him conscious but calm.
In a soft, encouraging voice, he explained, "We're going to give you a light sedation now. This will help you relax and stay calm. You'll still be able to hear me, even though everything might seem a little blurry." He locked eyes with Steve, trying to transmit a sense of serenity. "If you feel disoriented or start to drift, don't worry. I'll stay here, I'll talk to you, and you'll always have my voice to guide you."
With care, he injected the sedation, and within moments, he saw Steve's shoulders relax slightly. Sheridan stayed close, watching every reaction. On the monitors, Steve's vital signs displayed in regular rhythm, showing his body's gradual response to the sedation. With each beep from the machine, Sheridan assessed the readings, noting each change in heart rate and oxygen saturation with meticulous rigor.
The team adjusted the supports and sensors, each item being checked to prevent any interference with the readings. Sheridan's hands gently brushed Steve's forearm, reinforcing his constant presence. "Everything's under control, Steve," he murmured. "Soon, you'll feel everything fade away. Relax, let go."
Finally, Dr. Sheridan turned to his team, confirming that all protocols were in place. Once the procedure on Danny was completed and the graft was deemed ready, Sheridan would move on to the general anesthesia phase for Steve. But until that decisive moment, he would stay there, ready to watch over his patient.
/
With heavy eyelids, Steve felt himself slipping into a strange state of semi-consciousness. His vision blurred and melded into an unexpected scene: he found himself on a familiar beach, the one near his house, facing the deep blue ocean of Hawaii. The sun was slowly setting, bathing the entire landscape in a soft, golden glow. By his side, Danny, relaxed with a beer in hand, watched him silently, a peaceful smile on his lips.
Steve felt an unusual calm wash over his mind. Everything seemed so real, yet a strange blur made the scene almost unreal. They were there, the two of them, as they had been so many times before. Steve took a sip of his beer, watching the waves gently crash onto the shore, then turned his head to Danny.
"Have you ever thought about retirement, Danny?" Steve asked, his voice tinged with melancholy.
Danny looked at him, slightly surprised, before laughing softly. "Yeah! Since the first day we met! You, Steve McGarrett, talking about retirement? Pinch me, I must be dreaming!" He shook his head. "Why? You want to spend your days surfing, swimming, and waiting for the sunset? Do you really see yourself doing that, Steve?"
Steve raised an eyebrow, almost amused. "Why not? A simpler life, away from fights and death. We could live like old men… Surf, swim, wait for the sunset." He took a long sip of his beer, his gaze lost in the horizon. "Not bad, huh?"
Danny stared at him for a moment, thoughtful. Then, in a more serious tone, he replied, "You know what? I might actually like that. But I'm not sure it's my reality." He let out a little laugh. "You see, I think I'd be one of those guys who, after a week, would already be looking for action again. Maybe I'd get bored." He paused before turning his gaze to Steve. "But I get what you're saying. Maybe a simpler life, without all this chaos, would be what we need."
Steve smiled, his eyes shining with a light not often seen. "Sometimes, I think I could really do that. Just enjoy the moment... But I've always been afraid of losing everything, Danny. Of losing the people I love."
Danny looked at him intensely, a glimmer of understanding in his eyes. "I get it, Steve. I understand what you're saying. But... I think you're fighting demons that are stopping you from seeing the beauty of what's around you." He paused, searching for words. "I think we should never hide from how we feel. You have this need to protect others, to carry all the weight on your shoulders. But sometimes... sometimes, you just have to let go."
Steve looked at him, almost incredulous. "Let go, huh?" He shook his head, smiling faintly. "I don't think I know how to do that."
Danny nodded. "It's not easy, but maybe we just need to allow ourselves to feel vulnerable. Look around you, Steve. Do you see all this? The sea, the sky, it's beautiful. We have to enjoy these moments. Because you never know what's coming next."
Steve stared at the waves crashing on the sand, his mind overwhelmed with conflicting thoughts.
"Yeah, you're right. Maybe I should let go a little... But I don't want it to make me feel even more alone." He sighed. "I have this fear of losing everything, Danny. And sometimes, I think that if I'm not around, the people close to me will be better off."
Danny turned fully towards him, his voice firm but gentle. "You really think that? Because I believe there are a lot of people who see you as more than just a colleague or friend, Steve. You have no idea the impact you have." He placed a hand on Steve's shoulder, a reassuring gesture. "You're not alone. You never have been. And you know what? Even if you think you're going to lose everything, you don't have to carry it all alone. We're here, all of us. We always will be."
Steve felt his heart tighten, a raw emotion flooding his chest. He lowered his eyes, as if to hide this weakness he wasn't used to showing. "You're really a good friend, Danny. I swear, sometimes I wonder what I'd do without you."
Danny smiled, a sincere smile, full of that silent understanding they had built over the years. "Well, you'd probably do a lot worse than you imagine." He paused, slightly pinching his lips, as if holding back another thought. "But don't forget, man. We're in the same boat. If you're going somewhere, I'm going too. And if it means sharing a beer at sunset, then I'll be there, by your side, for that too."
Steve gave a faint smile, but this time, it was a smile of acceptance. "Thanks, Danny. Really."
Their gazes met for a moment, then Steve felt the scene fade away, like a warm Hawaiian wind slowly faded in his mind, and he was once again overwhelmed by reality. A distant murmur reached his ears, the voice of Dr. Sheridan, soft but determined. "Everything's ready, Steve. Danny did it. The graft is stable and viable."
Reality sharpened, and Steve understood that he was back on the operating table. Dr. Sheridan's comforting voice continued, "We'll start the transplant now. You'll be fully anesthetized in just a moment. Hold on, Steve. We'll see you on the other side."
And with those last words, Steve let himself be carried away, peace filling him as the anesthesia took him into a deep sleep, carried away by the hope of a second chance.