I know this ending took forever...sorry guys...RL can be a pain and then I couldn't decide where to go with it...hopefully this turned out ok

5

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Someone kept saying his name…it sounded muffled and as annoying as it was he just wanted to sleep.

"Steve!" Chin had been trying to get Steve to answer for the last 15 minutes.

Sudden clarity made Steve startle awake, the movement made him instinctively tighten his hold on Danny which in turn made Danny groaned from the unexpected grip.

"Danny?" Steve breathed out as he loosened his hold glancing at his partner. Then Chins voice came across the head set again gaining his attention.

"Chin?"

"Steve?…finally brah…we got a problem"

"What! "as the last of his confusion dissipated. "What's wrong?" as Steve moved more upright scanning his surroundings for any danger.

"The shooter on the roof apparently has the place wired….we couldn't get near him brah, he has explosives strapped to him, says he has explosives ready to detonate around the containers as well as the van, he appears to be holding the trigger, we need to get you and Danny out of there " Chin hesitated "we had to move back Steve"

"The boat?…..the hostages? "Steve worryingly said.

"Coast guard has them as well as the gunmen that were on the boat….they've moved back….the warehouse is empty, so we have the van occupant and the shooter"

"So you have everyone clear?"

"Everyone but you brah" chin quietly said

"Ok we're going to move"

"Steve?"

"Look I'll let you know when Danny and I are clear and…."as Steve shifted

Chin heard Steve grunt "Steve?"

"Soon as we're clear….I'll let you know"

"Got it brah"

5

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Steve shifted Danny, easing him off of him so he could get upright "Danny?" Steve kept up his one sided conversation as he pulled the blanket back checking Danny's side. The bleeding had stopped but the wound was becoming inflamed, the obvious sign of infection setting in. He placed his hand gently against his partner's side by the wound, and felt the heat emanating from the exposed skin. The touch, although gentle seemed to rouse his partner. Steve glanced up at the subtle movement to find two fever bright eyes regarding him. He smiled then "Hey you with me?" as he brushed his hand lightly across Danny's brow.

Danny blinked, groaning he slammed his eyes shut as he brushed the offending hand away "Don..don't paw me"

"Danny?...stay awake" as Steve gently jostled him.

Danny grunted as he blinked open his eyes taking in Steve's worried features. "Wh…what?" Danny tried to sound annoyed but failed.

"We need to move….I need to get you up…think you can give me a hand?" Steve hurriedly said

Danny frowned trying to catch up with Steve's train of thought "What?" came out a little stronger.

"The shooter on the roof is wired with explosives, apparently we're in the middle of it" as Steve locked eyes with Danny making sure he understood the urgency to get moving. "I have a plan, but we need to get moving"

"Terrific….." as Danny tried to shift forward with Steve's help but pain flared a crossed his mid-section causing him to gasp and nearly doubling him over.

Steve caught him, helping to steady him as he rode through it. "Better?" as Steve leaned in close.

Danny nodded "ju…just give me a sec"

Steve kept him supported with his good arm, his own shoulder burning from the sudden movement to hold Danny steady.

"Ready?...on three we'll stand…ok?"

Danny nodded his mind too occupied trying to grasp some control to answer him.

Steve lifted on three and as much as Danny tried to help, the change in position sent him spiralling, he landed back on his knees as a wave of nausea overwhelmed him.

"Breath Danny….just breath nice an easy….you're going to be ok…." Steve continued his litany of words til he caught the look he was getting from his partner "What?" he frowned

"Sh…shut up…ok?...I…am….breathing….you….moron…I…I'm trying not….to…puke"

Steve grinned, trust his partner to try and rant "Oh….Sorry" as he shifted slightly out of the line of fire just in case "you ready?" Danny glared at him then, so he took it as a yes. He hauled Danny back onto his feet, keeping him steady against his side as Danny fought to get his balance.

"Can you put any weight on your leg?" as Steve kept a solid hold til Danny seemed to get himself balanced. "I'll try and take most of the weight…but you need to help hold on…ok?"

"Ok…ok but can we just get moving….before I change my mind….be….because I have a feeling I'm not going to like your plan" Danny puffed out as he tried to override the pain.

5

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It took longer than Steve expected. Keeping Danny upright and steady was difficult despite how much he tried to help. Steve was concerned the bullet may have lodged itself within Danny's hip joint or at least had caused damage as he was barely able to put weight on his leg. When they finally reached the end of the dock, Danny was barely able to stay upright. Steve scanned the docks edge seeking the best spot to get Danny lowered into the water. They both needed to get into the water away from the dock, it was the safest place for them to be if there was an explosion.

Danny seemed to rally a bit, his brain catching up to Steve's plan "Water…we're going swimming?" Danny turned his head to catch Steve's gaze "Th….that's your plan?...didn't you swim already today? Or did I sleep that long?"

Steve smiled "you said you can swim"

"this….this" as Danny waved his one arm towards the water "is insane…we….we're bleeding and in case you didn't remember there is sharks in there"

"No sharks Danno…..promise"

Danny looked at Steve suspiciously "you….you think I'm so out of it ….I'm going to believe that!"

Steve gave his best innocent look as Danny rolled his eyes "fine" he huffed out.

Steve managed to get Danny lowered into the water"just hang onto the side til I get in"

"Jus….just hurry up…k…if I'm going to get ate…you're coming too" Danny weakly said past a grimace.

Steve got Chin on his ear piece, giving him an an approximate location where he and Danny were going into the water "Give us ten….then call his bluff"

"Steve?" Chin worryingly sounded.

"Just do it…..we'll be far enough away from the dock just in case" as Steve lowered himself into the water "Gotta go brah….just remember we'll lose contact if this ear piece gets wet"

"Got it brah"

Steve reached around Danny pulling him against his chest as he treaded water. He adjusted his grip as Danny let go of the dock "just hold on and I'll get us away from the dock….Danny?...you with me?" as Steve shifted slightly to get a look at his partners face.

Danny wearily acknowledged him, his eyes dipping closed. He was fading and Steve needed to get this over with now. Steve pulled him tighter against him "Stay with me buddy….we'll be out of this soon"

5

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Chin made the call, he could only hope Steve and Danny had enough time to get clear. The explosion was enormous, the van was the first to erupt and then there was a chain reaction that rocked the dock sending containers crashing into one another. The last explosion sent a flurry of debris out across the water. Chin and Kono wasted no time regrouping, the shooter was still on the roof, and there were no explosions close to him. Chin called his bluff and had Swat take him out. Chin fired orders to get the scene secured, his number one priority was getting to Steve and Danny.

5

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The last explosion blew out across the water giving Steve little time to react as he pulled himself and Danny under the water. When he resurfaced Danny had sputtered and gone limp in Steve's grip. "Danny?" as he pressed his fingers against his neck feeling the steady pulse beneath his tips. Steve glanced behind him towards the shore, he had a better chance of getting himself and Danny to the shore then trying to get them both back onto the dock. There was a small section of beach that extended out along the one side of the dock and Steve slowly kicked backwards, using the surf to help propel him til he felt his feet touch bottom,. He rose up pulling Danny, mindful of his leg as he maneuvered both of them onto the sand. Steve sat leaning back into the bank pulling Danny up against him. "We need to work on your stamina partner" as Steve splayed his hand across Danny's chest feeling the steady rise and fall. He glance down at the wound on Danny's side, it was hard to tell how much it was bleeding, or if it was really bleeding at all, as blood mingled with water. Steve patted Danny chest " just hold on….help will be here soon partner" as he scanned the smoking dock listening to the flurry of activity. Steve leaned his head back, the adrenaline wearing off, as his eyes began to dip.

5

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Something was placed against his face as he slowly breathed in. Warm hands pressed against his neck and then pulled at his shirt, he grunted moving his head away. Then there was tapping against his face and the voice was back again. Steve tried to brush it off, only managing to take whatever was on his face with it. The pain in his shoulder spiked with the abrupt movement causing him to gasp and instinctively tighten his hold on Danny. The urgency in the voice made Steve's eyes flash open.

Chin was in his line of vision, a hand holding him steady "Steve? You with me?... let Danny go…we got him brah"

Steve glanced to Danny, now noticing the EMTs working on him despite his hold "Danny?"

"He's going to be fine Boss" he followed the familiar voice to Kono "they need to get him moved….we need to get you both to the hospital."

Steve leaned back releasing his hold on Danny as the EMT's carefully moved him, Danny was still unconscious and they had already started an IV and had an oxygen mask over his face. Kono went with them, as they lifted the back board and headed in the direction of the ambulance.

Another paramedic came back to Steve "I'm….I'm good just get me up "Steve puffed out as he tried to get his feet under himself, pushing his back against the bank to get some leverage.

Chin gave the EMT an apologetic look as he helped Steve to his feet, he hesitated as he steadied himself.

"You ok?" Chin asked worryingly pulling Steve's right arm over his shoulder to help support him.

"Yeah "came out a little too quick as Steve swayed unsteady leaving Chin grabbing for his belt to help hold him steady.

"Steve?"

"Give me a sec….dizzy" as he tilted forward.

The medic stepped up "here this will help" as he held the oxygen mask back to Steve's face "just breathe in deep….you want to sit down again?"

Steve shook his head in the negative "No….." as his eyes focussed passed the medic towards Kono's retreating form. Worry for Danny evident on his face as he pulled the mask away again and stepped forward heading in the direction of the ambulance, Chin helping to keep him steady.

5

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"The shooter?" Steve's mind suddenly jumping back into gear.

Chin caught Steve up on what had taken place as they walked to the ambulance. "The shooter on the roof is dead, he wouldn't give up for nothing…you were right he only had some explosives set up…the stuff he had strapped to himself was fake. The total count so far is four dead…the shooter, the officer, the homeless guy and the one you took out".

"Hostages?"

"A little shaken….but all good"

"The van driver?" Steve said not missing a beat.

"Still not sure if there was anyone in the van "Chin said as he helped ease Steve up into the ambulance "We'll meet you at the hospital" as he passed Steve off to the waiting EMT's.

Steve hesitated "we got it covered brah…go ….go with Danny….you need to get checked out too….Kono and I got this".

Steve acknowledged Chin then turned his attention back to his unconscious partner, the EMT shifting him towards the front of the ambulance to sit as a blanket was wrapped around him.

5

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The ride to the hospital was a blur, the medic poking and prodding and asking him questions. Steve's sole concern was his partner, he lay motionless and pale, the medics assured him he was stable but were unsure of the severity of his gunshot wound. Steve leaned back, the events of the day catching up to him as he fought the urge to slip back into sleep.

5

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The arrival at the hospital was a flurry of activity, Steve's sluggish brain trying to keep up. He caught bits and pieces of the conversation around him as his wet clothes were removed.

"Get an IV started….dehydrated….blood loss…shock….Commander McGarrett?...can you hear me?"

Steve's eyes drifted to a familiar voice as something warm was tucked around him, a doctor that he recognised, he had been under his care before, and if he could remember right, so had Danny.

"We're going to get you to the OR…get you fixed up here real soon"

"Danny?" breathlessly came out as a mask was place over his face, Steve went to swipe at it.

The doctor caught his arm holding it firmly while he grasped Steve's shoulder holding him in place, he made sure he had Steve's full attention as he leaned into his line of vision "your partner has already been taken to the OR….we're taking you now….you'll see him when you wake up" with that the doctor nodded towards a nurse who pushed a syringe into Steve's IV port "you're going to relax now so we can do our job"

Steve nodded his eyes starting to slip closed as he was pulled into unconsciousness.

5

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He hated the cotton feeling, the after taste of anesthesia, he shifted and groaned.

"Boss?"

He frowned, did he just make that noise? He blinked open his eyes letting them focus on a very concerned looking Kono.

"K…kono?" roughly came out as he swallowed to soothe his throat.

A cup and straw appeared as he drank to wet his dry throat, he nodded his thanks as he took in his room, Kono one step ahead of his lethargic brain.

"He's still in the OR…we haven't heard anything yet"

The door swished open revealing Chin with coffees in hand "Hey you're awake….how do you feel?"

"Good…." Steve grimaced as he tried to shift upward.

"Hey Hey….don't be doing that" as Chin handed off the coffees to raise the bed. "Better?"

"Yeah" as Steve shifted slightly to get more comfortable, or as comfortable as he could with his arm strapped firmly to his chest to keep it immobile.

Kono reached pressing the call button as Steve gave her the eye, she shrugged "we're supposed to let them know when you woke up Boss"

Steve relaxed then letting his brain catch up to all that had taken place. Soon there would be the inevitable poking and prodding that would take place when the nurse and his doctor showed up.

Twenty minutes later Steve was resting with the knowledge all was fine and they would release him the following day if everything looked fine.

5

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An hour had passed before they had any news on Danny's condition. His doctor had come by Steve's room to update them. The bullet had penetrated at an angle and had lodged itself close to Danny's hip socket. There was some muscle and tendon damage that they had repaired and with time to heal and physio the doctor felt Danny would regain full use. He was mostly concerned with the infection that had set in and was fairly confident that Danny would start to respond to the antibiotics within the next 12 hours. Danny was in recovery now, and as soon as he woke from the anesthesia, they would assess his condition further, baring no further complications, he would then be moved to Steve's room. Steve, Chin and Kono thanked him and waited for Danny's arrival.

5

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Danny's arrival was a flood of activity as he was carefully maneuvered within the room, curtains were drawn as he was settled. The last nurse to leave drew the curtains back, checking the monitors as she moved back over to Steve.

"How is he?" Steve asked as he looked to see any movement from the other bed.

"He's probably going to sleep for the next couple of hours….you should get some rest too" as she patted Steve's arm and left.

5

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Chin and Kono had long left, needing to finish filling out reports with a promise to return later that evening. Steve had fallen asleep, he had tried to stay awake in case Danny woke, but the day's events had taken their toll and he had drifted into sleep.

A soft groan had Steve blinking open his eyes staring at the ceiling. Another groan drew his attention to Danny's bed. "Danny?" Steve leaned forward to get a better look.

Another groan, more pain filled sounded again.

"Danny?" Steve swung his legs off the bed, grabbing his IV pole he moved towards Danny's bed. "Danny….you're ok…you're in the hospital" as Steve grasped his forearm giving it a gentle squeeze.

Danny groaned again this time shifting, he grimaced and the groan turned into a gasp of pain. Steve reached for the call button, pressing it he then caught Danny's shoulder squeezing.

"No….no …no don't move….lay still…the nurse is coming she'll get you something for the pain"

Danny's head turned towards the sound of Steve's voice, the door to the room swishing open at the same time "He's waking up….he's in pain" Steve said as his attention returned to his partner.

She checked Danny's chart "He's not due for pain meds yet…and you shouldn't be out of bed Commander" she reprimanded.

Steve glared at her "He's in pain." effectively stopping the nurse in her tracks.

"I'll...I'll make a call to his doctor" as she quickly left.

Steve turned back to Danny "Relax Danno…you're going to be ok".

Danny's eyes wearily blinked open, he grimaced and groaned slamming them shut he turned his head away from Steve.

"Danny….relax"

"W…wh…why do …do I always get the u….ugly nurse?" Danny weakly puffed out.

"What?" Steve made a face as Danny looked back at him.

"It….it's creepy…wa…waking up…with you staring at me "Danny wearily said.

Steve laughed then reaching up brushing his fingers across Danny's brow "I'm going to blame those comments on your fever…..how do you feel?"

"Sore" as Danny's eyes dipped.

"Yeah well the nurse is working on getting you some of the good stuff" as Steve squeezed his forearm again.

"Mmmm" as Danny blinked his eyes back open, he gestured towards Steve's arm.

"I'm good" Steve said as Danny rolled his eyes " I get to leave tomorrow….and then you can have all the pretty nurses to yourself " Steve said around a smile.

Danny smiled, then grimaced closing his eyes.

"Hey you're going to be real sore Danny….that bullet wreaked havoc on your side and hip….but you're going to be ok" Steve worryingly said.

Danny nodded opening his eyes catching Steve's worried gaze "thanks" he said around a smile and Steve knew exactly what he meant. Patting his shoulder he shifted out of the way as the doctor and nurse arrived.

5

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Ten days later Danny was released from the hospital into his teams care. He still had trouble managing his crutches, it was more the getting upright part that he struggled with. Once up and mobile he seemed to manage fine. It was still painful putting too much weight on his injured side, Steve worried, but the doctors assured him that Danny would be fine as he healed more.

They wheeled Danny out of the hospital into the bright sunshine. Chin and Steve helped ease him upright out of the wheel chair while Kono stood in front to pass him the crutches. Once steady everyone moved back to give Danny the room he needed to maneuverer to the truck on his own steam.

Danny shifted getting comfortable on the crutches as he glanced towards the truck to gage the distance, then he froze staring.

Steve frowned "Danny?" worryingly came out thinking his friend was in pain. Steve followed his gaze to the truck and then instantly realized his mistake. The doctor had stated Danny need to get in and out of something that was more level, stooping in and out of the Camero for instance would be hard on him so Steve opted for his truck. He thought nothing of by passing the Camero and grabbing his truck to pick Danny up, he never got into the passenger side, so never gave it a second look. But now….he turned to look at Danny waiting for the explosion.

Danny swiveled on his one leg, turning…well Steve thought pretty gracefully considering, as he swallowed waiting for the first eruption…and then he silently counted, and on three, raising his eyes to face the storm.

"ARE YOU INSANE?..." as Danny's voice lowered sounding even more menacing "you expect me to go home in that" as Danny let go of the one crutch to waive in the direction of the truck. Chin catching it before it hit the sidewalk as Kono turned covering her mouth to hold back a laugh. Steve looked in their direction for back up and realized he was so on his own. "You are an insane neanderthal…it's bad enough that you go around this god forsaken, pineapple invested island, scaring the living crap out of every living and breathing thing on it ….without.." as Danny waived "THIS!"

"Ahhh…" Steve went to speak, looked to the truck and slammed his mouth shut, he really never gave it any thought…it still worked… and it wasn't like he even used that side. He rubbed nervously at the back of his neck eyeing the truck. "It's really not that bad Danny….the glass isn't even broke." As he glanced back at Danny to gage his reaction. " and besides….it kinda took one for the team " Steve said with a nervous smile. "and…and I'm not really good at all that paperwork stuff…you know" as Steve shrugged "to get it fixed" he looked back to Danny trying for his best needy look.

"Don't give me that look…" as Danny deflated some "just…just take me home" as Danny moved towards the truck.

Steve helped him in, and buckled him up as he settled" See everything works just fine and the …"

Danny held up his hand "Shut up Steven….your truck looks like swiss cheese….so I suggest you take a more scenic route home" as Danny pressed the recline button on the seat so he was no longer visible through the passenger window " and let me know when we're there."

Steve shut the door and turned to the cousins as he rounded the truck , he pointed to the truck and mouthed "paperwork my house" and smiled.

Chin and Kono laughed, they could only imagine the conversation in the truck on the way back to McGarrett's house.

The end