Chapter Text
“What are we doing here, again, exactly?” Danny’s displeasure is clear.
“The Governor thinks, given the high-stress nature of your work at Five-O, that there might be some utility in having regular sessions.”
“Utility?... Wonderful…” Danny snorts.
“Come on, Danny…” Steve starts.
But Danny cuts him off. “Oh, you’re Mr. Voice-of-Reason now? Don’t sit there and pretend that you aren’t as annoyed about this as I am.”
Steve just gives Danny a look.
“All right – where would you like to start?”
But neither Danny nor Steve says anything.
“OK… I am here mostly to help facilitate discussion between the two of you. Commander, you’re on crutches… why don't we start with that."
“Uh, I got shot.”
A dark look flashes across Danny’s face, but is gone in an instant.
“How did it happen?”
“Well, I guess you know what happened yesterday… so, we were trying to draw the drone out so we could get control of it, but we noticed a homeless man asleep on a bench. When I left the car to wake him up and try to get him inside to safety somewhere, the drone showed up and started firing.”
“Were you OK with that Detective? You’ve accused Commander McGarrett of being reckless in the past.”
“No, that was not reckless – that was part of the job - someone had to help the guy… I was trying to give them cover…” Danny stops abruptly and another dark look flickers across his face.
“What? … Detective Williams…? Is there something you want to say?”
“Uh… yeah… uh, I’m sorry I didn’t do a very good job of covering you…” Danny glances at Steve and quickly looks away.
“What? What are talking about, Danny? You did the best you could under the circumstances. That thing was all over the place – and I’m sure that if you weren’t there, that guy and I would be in a lot worse shape now.”
Danny doesn’t respond to that.
“Danny…” Steve says gently.
The room falls into silence.
She opens her mouth to probe further, but before she can Danny jumps back in and deflects.
“What was reckless, was you running after a criminal with a bullet in your leg. That was just stupid. You could have bled to death.”
“Someone had to go after him Danny – there were only three of us out there. What did you expect me to do, sit in your car while you and Lou tried to get them all yourselves?”
Danny ignores Steve’s comment and looks at the therapist. “Well, on the bright side, I got to actually drive my own car yesterday – of course that was only because Steve had a bullet in his leg, but still – baby steps, right? And, by the way," Danny looks at Steve, "I noticed that you somehow managed to overcome your terrible car-sickness problem and not lose your lunch on my passenger seat.” The comments ring with sarcasm.
“Yeah, well, I actually was a little nauseous, but I had some other more pressing concerns at the time.”
“Yes, like bleeding to death.” After a pause, Danny adds, “Thank you for not doing that, by the way.”
“You’re welcome. And, nice piece of driving, on your part… by the way.” Steve is smiling a little.
“Thank you!”
“I’m still going to need to drive though, once my leg is better… on account of the car-sickness thing.” Steve gives Danny the fakest look of sincerity known to man.
“Of course you are,” Danny says with a deep sigh.
Silence falls in the room again.
“Detective Williams, you seem a little distracted today. Is there something else on your mind?”
“What? No! There’s nothing on my mind,” Danny says a little defensively.
“Yeah, Danny, you’ve been awfully quiet this morning. Is everything OK?” Steve is half-sincere and half-teasing at the same time.
“Yes, everything is fine. Will you let it go already?” There’s sharpness in his voice now.
“OK – fine, relax!” Steve raises his eyebrows at the therapist, then looks back at Danny.
“So, where were you last night?” Steve continues. “I thought you’d come by for a beer or something… you know, end-of-case ritual…”
“I had something to do.”
“What?”
“Jesus! Can’t a guy have any privacy? I was busy, OK? Maybe I was with Grace.”
“Were you?”
“Really? How is that any of your business – or any concern for this session? I will come here if the Governor says I must, to make sure our work stays on track. But I think I have a right to a life outside of work that doesn’t include you knowing every single detail!” Danny’s voice is rising.
“Sorry, Danny… you just seem a little off today.”
“Wha..? I seem a little off? This coming from you? Are you kidding me? You live your whole life being more than just a “little off”. I am just fine, thank you.”
Danny stands up. “Are we done here yet? ‘Cause I really feel like I’m done here.”
“You can leave, but I'm not sure that there aren’t some things that could use some further discussion.”
“Nope, I’m good. See you back at the office,” Danny says to Steve and walks out the door.
Steve watches him go, his eyes lingering on the door. When he turns back, the therapist is looking at him quizzically.
“That seemed like uncharacteristic behavior for Detective Williams, even with his somewhat mercurial nature.”
“Yeah…” Steve replies distractedly.
“Would you attribute it to anything in particular?”
Steve shrugs. “I’m not sure. Like I said, he’s been a little off today.”
“How was he when you last saw him yesterday?”
“Fine... Ok… you know, normal – for Danny anyway. He wheeled me out of the hospital. I thought he might come back to my place, but he begged off and said he was taking the scenic drive home.”
“Were you surprised at that?”
“Maybe a little. But yesterday was rough, you know. Sometimes we need a little space to decompress.” Steve seems to be trying to find reasons to give Danny the benefit of the doubt, rather than worry.
“You said something about your ‘post-case ritual’?”
“Uh, yeah. Usually Danny, and sometimes some of the others, will come over for a beer, maybe some steaks.”
“But Danny didn’t show up this time?”
“No… I texted but he didn’t respond. It happens…” Steve shrugs again.
“Given the context of the events of yesterday, do you think that was strange?”
“Maybe… I’m not sure.” Steve says; he seems preoccupied. “Uh, I should probably get back to work myself.”
“Are you sure there isn’t anything else you’d like to talk about? Perhaps I’m misinterpreting, but you seem a little worried about your partner.”
“No, I’m sure he’ll be fine… Look, I really gotta go now. I guess I'll see you next time.”
“OK, Commander. But please feel free to call if you think there’s anything I can help with.”
“Sure… thanks,” Steve answers distractedly as he leaves the office.