Work Text:
Get You Feeling Better (2x01)
Ha'i'ole (Unbreakable)
The day felt endless, in all actuality the last few weeks had, but the only thing good to come out of the day was that Steve was officially cleared of all charges including murder in the first degree. Slowly everyone left the office one by one until it was only Steve, Danny and Joe left.
“Where’s our boy?” Danny asked as he returned from the bathroom only seeing Joe, and he was unable to keep the worry out of his voice.
Joe frowned as he looked up from the file he had been reading as he had not even realised Steve had wandered off. “I don’t know. Last I saw him he was talking to Kono.” He closed the file and dropped it down on the table in front of him then pushed himself out of the chair he had taken.
Danny’s frown deepened as he had expected Joe to know where Steve was, and he quickly began looking for him. “Where the hell have you gone now?” He muttered to himself as he checked Steve’s office only to find it empty which did little to dampen his concern before he started to move through the rest of the office in search of their wayward SEAL.
“Danny.” Joe called softly as he spotted Steve then pointed to where Steve was which was back in Danny’s office sprawled across the small couch.
There was only a miniscule loosening of the knot in Danny’s stomach as he got to where Joe was standing and looked into his own office to see that Steve had his eyelids closed and was resting. He was glad to see that Steve was resting and there was something kind of sweet about Steve being in his office instead of his own. However the concern returned almost immediately as the events, the details, of the day rushed back to him, and he took a closer look through the glass at Steve. “We need to get him checked out.” He paused to rub his hand across his forehead for a few seconds. “He did get stabbed less than twelve hours ago and escaped from the ambulance that was taking him to the hospital to be treated, and then had the M.E. treat him in less than ideal conditions and without any proper tools like x-rays or a scan or an ultrasound, or medication for that matter.” The thought of antibiotics entered his mind at the last minute as prisons and prison shivs were not known for their sanitary qualities and an infection was the last thing Steve needed. “I should have thought… no insisted… earlier.”
Joe chuckled softly even as he shook his head. “You and I both know that Steve would not have gone even if you had attempted to drag him there with all that has gone on today.” And it certainly had been one hell of a day. “Stubborn son of a bitch.” There was a fondness to his words as he looked on at Steve.
It was hard to argue with Joe’s logic, Danny thought idly through his own exhaustion but he certainly was not going to ignore the voice in his head telling him that he needed to get Steve to the hospital to get checked out before taking him home. “With everything that has happened, with all he has been through in the last few months, the last thing he needs is to get sick… and I would feel better knowing that a doctor who doesn’t spend his day working on dead people has examined him.”
“Fair enough.” Joe could not disagree but he also knew that Steve would protest that he was fine despite his bloodied and bandaged abdomen. He was interested to see how Steve would handle Danny’s insistence or how Danny would deal with Steve. “So are we going to stand here all night watching him or…” He figured he would let Danny go in first while he stood back and watched.
Danny huffed and glared at Joe for a few seconds before he softened as he saw Steve move stiffly and his face contort in pain and it propelled him forward into his office. “Hey babe.” He kept his voice soft as Steve’s eyelids popped open in a fraction of a second highlighting his hyper awareness.
“Easy. Stand down son.” Joe stepped into Danny’s office as he had not missed the way Steve tensed as if he was preparing to defend himself.
Danny saw the moment Steve unwound as recognition of his surroundings came, and it reminded him that Steve had been in prison when the day had started. “There you are babe.” He moved over to Steve and crouched down at his side. “How are you feeling?” He laid his hand on Steve’s wrist subtly fingering his pulse and was relieved to find it strong and steady although it was slightly weaker than he would have liked.
Steve pushed himself up lethargically then knuckled at his eyes wiping away the sleepiness and he winced as the pain flared in his abdomen although it certainly was not limited just to one part as his entire body ached. “Is it time to go home?” He asked shifting, squirming, in an effort to get comfortable although it was pretty much impossible.
“We’ve got to get you checked out first babe.” Danny decided it was best to say it rather than dance around it as he absentmindedly let his fingertips rub along Steve’s wrist. As much as he would have liked to give into Steve’s request to take him home he could not without knowing that he really was alright.
“Max patched me up.” Steve laid his hand over top of the bandage covered wound but he did not miss the heat that was radiating from it which his haze filled brain recognised as the start of an infection.
Joe shared a look with Danny as neither one of them had missed the way Steve’s face dropped as if there was something wrong. “Steve, son, is there something you want to share?” He was quick to ask as he could see that Danny was working himself up.
“Max patched me up.” Steve reiterated not wanting to admit that he most definitely had an infection setting in as he really just wanted to go home, have a long hot shower and crawl into his very large, very comfortable, bed and sleep for the next week.
“We all love Max, we do, but he works on dead people all day, and I would hazard a guess that before today it had been a long time since he worked on anyone who was breathing, who was alive.” Danny explained diligently as if it was new information not missing the way Steve continued to protectively cradle his stomach with his hand. “I am sure a course of antibiotics wouldn’t go astray babe.” There was a feverish flush to Steve’s cheeks.
“Danny’s right Steve. You need to get checked out.” Joe intervened seeing that Steve was ready to protest despite how unwell he looked.
Steve huffed as he looked between Joe and Danny knowing when he was defeated but he was not quite ready to admit it. “I’ll go in the morning.” He tried to compromise as technically morning was only a few hours away and he really just wanted to go home.
Danny glanced over his shoulder at Joe for a few seconds before he turned back to Steve who looked as defiant yet as resigned as one could be which was an odd mix. As quick as he could he raised his free hand up and laid it across Steve’s forehead while ignoring the glare that was levelled his way until he retracted his hand. “Sorry but you can’t wait until morning. You have a fever babe.” He softened his voice as his concern notched up. “We’ll get you to Tripler and get you checked out then I will take you home.” He let his fingertips continue their ministrations across Steve’s wrist that he still had a hold of as he did not want to pressure Steve but he did not want to get any sicker either.
“I’ll go and call ahead.” Joe was not above forcing Steve into getting checked out as he knew how stubborn he could be, and he stepped out to make the call.
Danny was grateful for the reprieve that was provided by Joe stepping out of his office nor did he miss the minute way Steve relaxed. He shifted as the crouched position was killing his knee and pushed himself up to sit on the edge of the couch next to Steve. “You and I both know you have an infection babe.” He stopped as there was the faintest recognition from Steve. “Is there any other reason that you don’t want to go to the hospital?” The question was asked delicately as he hated to ask but he had too.
Steve’s frown turned into a look of surprise as his sluggish brain took a few more seconds than it should have to work out what exactly it was that Danny was asking. “No, no, nothing like that.” He answered adamantly before he exhaled softly. “I’m… I’m just so tired… and I want to have a long hot shower and sleep in my own bed.”
“Okay, I can understand that babe.” Danny knew that Steve was being completely truthful and he really could understand the desire for an indulgently hot shower and his own bed. “But I would also like you to wake up in the morning with the infection you have being treated. And Grace wants to have brunch with her Danno and her Uncle Steve tomorrow as we are taking the day off.” Grace, any mention of her, always made Steve perk up and smile.
“Gracie’s home?” It had been a whirlwind of a day and there had been very little time to discuss let alone process everything that had been divulged.
“Rachel and Grace arrive in early tomorrow morning, and Stan’s driver is going to bring Grace straight to yours from the airport… I’ve already promised her pancakes.” The promise of Grace and pancakes was endearing, and Danny wanted to spend the time with his daughter and best friend as he had missed them both dearly. “And I am not about to tell my monkey that Uncle Steve was too stubborn to go see the doctor when he got hurt hence why we aren’t all having pancakes together.” So he was not above blackmailing Steve and using his precious monkey to do so.
“Only you.” Steve relented as he did not want to worry Danny or Gracie, and he did not need a lecture from Joe.
Danny didn’t quite understand Steve’s request or the reason for it but he certainly was going to respect it. “Of course I will take you to Tripler.” He confirmed with ease as he was just pleased that Steve had agreed to go to the hospital. “Think you can get up? The sooner we go then the sooner we can get you home.” He detached himself from Steve, pushed himself up off of the couch then turned around and held his hands out.
Steve slid his hands into Danny’s and allowed himself to be pulled up with an audible wince escaping him as moving hurt a lot more than it had when he had first eased himself down with the intention of just resting for a few minutes.
“Lean on me babe.” Danny had not missed the wince or the pain etched temporarily into Steve’s facial features as he tucked himself into his side.
Joe stepped back into Danny’s office somewhat surprised to see Steve up and leaning against Danny. “Tripler is expecting you. They are going to treat you straight away.”
“Thanks Joe.” Steve’s voice wobbled as he absentmindedly leaned a little more weight against Danny. “You should go and get some sleep.”
“Alright Steve.” Joe knew when he was being dismissed. “Get some rest, and do as the doctor tells you.” He moved to hold the door open so Danny could guide Steve through.
It took several pained minutes for Steve and Danny to make it downstairs and out to the Camaro, and as soon as they pulled out of the parking lot Danny flipped the lights on as he considered Steve’s deteriorating condition as an emergency. The traffic was light given the late hour but Danny was not taking any chances as Steve had paled further and the toll of not just the day but of the past few months was evident.
“Steve, babe, talk to me.” Danny reached over and knuckled Steve’s sternum causing him to groan and slap at his hand. “I know, I’m sorry babe.”
Steve shifted in an effort to ease the pain although it did nothing but cause the pain to flare. “I’m ‘wake.” He was hurt and exhausted, and he knew the penetrating wound needed to be treated.
Danny let his hand drift down to Steve’s wrist and he found his pulse again. “We’ll be at Tripler in a few minutes babe.” He told him even as he accelerated a little bit more. “And they’ll get you feeling better.”
Steve hummed softly and let his eyelids slip closed again while swallowing thickly as he could not tell if the infection was spreading or if he was getting a bout of car sickness on top of it.
Abruptly Danny skidded the Camaro to a stop in front of Tripler’s emergency room entrance seeing that a team was waiting for them. “We’re here Steve.” He hurried to get out of the car as the medical team helped Steve out and onto the awaiting gurney.
It was a flurry of activity as Steve was rushed into one of the trauma bays and stripped out of his shirt wile Danny stayed as close as he could without getting in the way. Blood, vials of it, were taken and rushed for testing. An intravenous cannula went into Steve’s right forearm with a bag of saline and a bag of broad spectrum antibiotics hung and flowing wide open. A culture was taken directly from the red, swollen and leaking wound that caused Steve to groan before that to was rushed for tested. And despite Steve’s objection an injection of pain medication, toradol (ketorolac), was injected into the I.V. before the doctor performed an ultrasound and an x-ray then very thoroughly cleaned and re-stitched the wound.
Danny hovered restlessly hating that he could not move to and stay at Steve’s side as he could see the flurry of activity was making Steve stressed and anxious, and in all fairness it was making his own stress and anxiety rise substantially.
As quick as the flurry of activity had ascended it left leaving a sole nurse with Steve and Danny in one of the trauma bays, and the moment there was the space Danny closed the gap between himself and Steve.
“I’m sorry, forgive me, but... ah... could you please explain what is happening?” Danny asked as the medical team had only really spoken amongst themselves and not to Steve or him, and he laid his hand on Steve’s shoulder letting his thumb rub gracefully over the length of his collarbone.
The nurse whose nametag read Ruby paused as she had been diligently bandaging the inflamed stab wound.
“It’s fine, he’s my next of kin.” Steve informed the nurse sensing the hesitation as he had Danny listed as his medical proxy and emergency contact alongside Mary.
“Sorry. Sometimes the doctor forgets to inform the patient and their family what is going on.” Ruby, the nurse, apologised. “You got lucky Lieutenant Commander. No organ trauma or internal bleeding but given the day you have had and the conditions as explained by Lieutenant Commander Joe White, you do have the beginnings of an infection.” She paused allowing the two men to process it. “While we wait for the results of the blood tests and the culture, we have you on an intravenous drip of fluids and broad spectrum antibiotics. We have both set at a rapid infusion rate so they will be done by the time the results are back... in approximately forty minutes.” She paused to glance up at both bags to estimate how long was left.
“Am I being admitted?” It was the last thing that Steve wanted but with the word ‘infection’ he had an inkling he would be.
Ruby carefully laid the bandage down and made sure it was adhered to his skin. “Admitting you is not our intention or plan.” She moved beginning to clean up. “You came in at the right time Lieutenant Commander McGarrett. We will get your results so the doctor can prescribe the correct type of antibiotics and then you will be discharged.” She stripped off her gloves and disposed of them. “For now just rest and we will be back as soon as the results are back.” She pushed a rolling stool into Detective Williams’ direction before she slipped out of the trauma bay.
Danny sat down on the stool at Steve’s bedside and let his hand slip down to his wrist. “What are you thinking babe?” He asked knowing that Steve would not relax while in the hospital and he figured they may as well use the time to talk as Steve looked as though he needed too.
Steve tilted his head to the side so that he was facing Danny. “Everything.” He admitted tiredly as he let his eyes drop to the cannula in his arm and to the liquids that were flowing through the tubing freely. “Thanks for everything Danny.”
“It’s alright to need some time to process everything that has happened babe.” Danny felt Steve needed a reminder. “It’s been a hell of a day.” Months actually.
“And I am sorry about you and Rachel, and the baby.” Steve could not help but feel guilty because he had no doubt that he was partially at fault as his incarceration kept Danny from going back to New Jersey to be with Rachel and Gracie.
Danny shook his head and waved his free hand about in a dismissive gesture as he was not ready to discuss his failure with Rachel and that he was not going to be a Dad again. “I’m just glad we get to see Grace tomorrow.” He really could not wait to see his monkey and a lazy day was in order for the three of them.
Steve grinned but it quickly disappeared and was replaced with a wince as he shifted and inadvertently tugged on the fresh stitches in his abdomen but he had not missed Danny’s avoidance of the subject however he could understand that Danny was hurting and did not want to discuss it. “I made such a mess of things, and I have got to get Kono her badge back.” He did not know how and he was too exhausted to figure it out in the moment but he knew he had too.
“We are going to figure it all out but we are going to take the next twenty four to forty eight hours off first because we all need it babe.” Danny tried to be as firm as possible as he knew how antsy Steve could get when he was idle. “We are going to have pancakes with Grace, listen to her tell us all about New Jersey, and all snuggle on the couch while we watch a movie of her choosing. And you are going to take your antibiotics as and when prescribed like the good SEAL I know you can be.” He bopped Steve on the nose quick as a flash making him glare for a few seconds.
Steve could not argue with Danny and he had to admit that he needed to rest, to heal, as he was already exhausted without the added strain of an infection. “I like the sound of that.” He slurred slightly as he nuzzled his cheek against the thin pillow while stifling a yawn as the injection of pain medication was working a little to well.
There was a hint of the little boy that Steve used to be, Danny thought as he watched Steve fight against the pull of exhaustion and pain medication. “You can go to sleep if you want and I can wake you up when the doctor comes back in.” He offered even though he doubted Steve would.
“No, no, I’m good.” Steve winced as he pushed himself up. “You are going to put banana slices and chocolate chips in the pancakes, right?” He was almost salivating over the thought of Danny’s pancakes not only because he was starving as he had not eaten much in weeks but because he generally loved them.
Danny grinned even as he rolled his eyes fondly knowing it was Grace who had introduced Steve to that particular combination. “I’ll even put extra of both in babe.” A little indulgence never hurt and he wanted to spoil Steve and Grace.
“How are we doing in here gentlemen?” Ruby asked as she stepped back into the bay then grabbed a pair of gloves and pulled them on.
“Fine, thank you.” Steve answered wanting to go home.
Danny frowned as he glanced up at both intravenous bags seeing that the antibiotics had finished far earlier than expected while the saline still had a quarter to go. “What’s going on?” He questioned unable to hide the concern or the alarm in his voice.
“Danno...” Steve did not miss the stress in Danny’s voice.
Ruby held her hands up in a placating manner as she looked between the two men unsure of what to make of them. “We are getting the two of you out of here. The doctor is preparing your discharge orders, and the pharmacy will have your prescription filled and here momentarily. The doctor has prescribed a course of antibiotics for two weeks, three times a day, and a mild pain medication to be taken morning and evening, all with food.” She informed them with ease. “We have also included an antibiotic cream and several waterproof bandages just like the one you have on now so you are able to shower as normal. The cream needs to be applied at each and every bandage change, and that needs to be done morning and night.” By the time she had finished giving instructions the cannula was out and a small bandage applied to the bruising site.
“Thank you.” Danny gently squeezed Steve’s wrist as he was relieved to be taking Steve home.
“It won’t be much longer.” Ruby told them before she disposed of her gloves and left the room.
Steve grunted as he pushed himself up then swung his legs over the edge of the gurney and he immediately pressed a hand to the wound for a few seconds before he grabbed his t-shirt and pulled it on gingerly.
“Easy babe, easy.” Danny moved to stand in front of Steve and placed his hands on his shoulders to keep him both steady and still. “I know you want to get home and have a shower before you crawl into bed and get some well deserved sleep but we have got to wait just a few more minutes.” He understood Steve’s impatience especially with how confined he had been but there was no point in undoing the medical staff’s work or causing himself pain. “And I am crashing on your couch tonight babe.” Although there was not much of the night left.
Steve nodded his head although he was happy for the company as he was not sure that he could cope with the silence of his empty house. Not to mention it made sense considering the plan for Gracie’s arrival that was in place. “There is a spare bedroom upstairs you know.”
“I know.” Danny did know but he was resistant to moving off the couch. “Let’s just work on getting you home and settled babe.” He absentmindedly fixed the hem of Steve’s t-shirt just as the nurse stepped back into the bay.
“Right all I need is your signature Lieutenant Commander McGarrett and then you are free to go.” Ruby held out the clipboard with the discharge paperwork and a pen to her patient as she had already handed off the large pharmacy bag.
Steve took the pen and signed the paperwork without even glancing at it as all discharge papers were pretty much the same and he had seen plenty in his time before he handed both back to the nurse. A shockwave went though him as he slid off the edge of the gurney onto his feet before Danny was able to stop him from doing so. “Thank you.” He glanced at the identifying bracelet that had been put on his wrist during his admission and quickly decided not to worry about asking for it to be taken off as it would only prolong things and he wanted to go home.
Danny had peeked into the heavy pharmacy bag that had been thrust into his hand to see that everything including the aftercare instructions were contained inside and he closed the bag just as Steve pushed himself up onto his feet with a grimace. “Impatient animal.” He muttered under his breath even as he moved to tuck himself into Steve’s side as he wobbled. “We’ll cut it off at yours babe.” He did not miss the way Steve eyed the hospital issued bracelet around his wrist.
It did not take long for Danny to get Steve out of the hospital and settled into the passengers seat of the Camaro despite the token protest that he grumbled. “It won’t be long babe.” He stated as he got into the driver’s seat and patted Steve’s knee before he started the engine and pulled away from the hospital. It had been a very long day at the end of a few very long weeks and it was nowhere close to being over as there was a lot to figure out but first Steve needed to get the infection he had under control and get some rest and they both needed the day with Grace.