A/N: So here is my attempt at writing 'comfort' part of the H/C. It came out as short scenes, all happening after chapter 11 and before the epilogue- from Steve's arrival to Texas until he is being sent home.
I'm glad I left it as a separate part from the main story, I think it's different in pace and style. I hope it didn't come out too tedious and you will enjoy it.

Here Goes!

Danny stood on the edge of the paved platform, watching the Helicopter approach. He was nervous. He told himself he shouldn't be, the hard part was over, Steve was out of the woods, and the jungle, he cannot be worse than when they found him.

He was Steve's friend for a long time, he saw him at his best and at his worst. Hell, he even had a memory of a very similar situation, waiting for a helicopter to bring a battered Steve to safety. It was much worse back then- he had no idea what had happened to his friend, how bad he was hurt after being held by the Taliban. Now he gets him back after several days being held in a medical center on-board a navy carrier, and after the doctors decided he was well enough to travel.

So it really can't be worse than the last time he saw him, several days ago being carried to the Medevac, shivering and groaning, bruised and feverish, pupils wide and glazed.

Danny just needs to breath and calm down.

He ran after the doctor and two orderlies rolling the gurney towards the Helicopter, trying to stay out of their way but fighting to get a glimpse of his friend.

Steve's eyes were closed, but he was frowning slightly as they worked on transferring him to the gurney. His face pale between the colorful bruises, his cheeks looked hollow, dark marks under his sunken eyes. He could not see more of his body as it was hidden under a sheet, but Danny felt that the difference from the last he saw him, was not noticeable enough. Less sweat, less dirt, same miserable condition.

He stepped beside the gurney as the doctor was being updated by the medics that accompanied Steve. He wanted to hear what they had to say, but he wanted to hear Steve even more.

He laid his hand a top of Steve's arm through the sheet and leaned close to him, debating between shouting in his ear so his voice would carry above the helicopter roar, and speaking softly as to not startle his friend. The result was him frozen awkwardly next to Steve's ear and saying nothing.

"He's been mildly sedated for the duration of the journey," He heard the doctor explaining behind him. "So he is probably still a bit groggy."

Danny straightened and nodded, strangely, somewhat relieved. But Steve's arm moved beneath his touch, so he gently fumbled under the sheet and took his hand. He received a light grip in return, and finally said "I'm here, buddy." It was more to himself than to Steve, there was no way the guy heard him, but it really didn't matter.

They allowed him to stay in the room as they settled Steve. The silent, efficient bustle around his partner, serving to calm him down somehow, but it was short lived as his mind insisted on going over the last two weeks in his mind.

It seemed that this was the only thing he was able to do in the couple of days since they were out of Colombia. Tracing the events since the moment he got the news. All a blur of despair and hope, fear and relief. Fighting the thought of Steve being dead, the feeling of helplessness and loneliness as he tried to figure out what to do, the short relief in the news of Steve being alive, then the horrifying knowledge of him being held and tortured. The short relief of seeing him alive then the agonizing realization of the state he was in. seeing him injecting drugs to himself, not being able to help. Then, even after they were out of harm's way, the thought of him all alone, dealing with the aftermath of the torture and drugs.

"You OK, Danny?" The question breaking the silence, being spoken in the voice he waited to hear, brought Danny back to the here and now. Steve was no longer dead, captive or alone.

"Am I OK?" Danny moved closer to Steve's bed, the hospital staff that surrounded him was replaced with IV lines, machinery and the contraption holding his left leg up. "Yes, I am. No thanks to you. No more than bruised ribs and a few stitches. Probably enough nightmares to last a lifetime, of me being dragged under the undercarriage of a truck then trampled under its wheels. Not to mention several hundreds of exotic jungle bug bites all over my skin. No infection luckily, so I guess it could have been worse."

Steve half smiled, it was a tired smile, not reaching his eyes and not doing anything to soften the beaten look. He leaned his head back and closed his eyes, a shiver went through his body. The pain seemed to be etched in his features, staying there even after he opened his eyes again and focused on Danny.

"How are you doing, buddy?" Danny inquired.

Steve didn't answer immediately, he looked around him for a few seconds then asked "Are we home?"

That took Danny by surprise, he followed Steve's erratic gazes trying to figure out what evoked that question. "No, no. We are in Brooke medical center...Texas." Steve frowned, his focus turned to the ceiling. "Didn't they tell you that they are sending you here?"

"Yeah...Yeah, I...forgot." Steve kept his eyes on the ceiling.

"How's the pain?" Danny tried again.

Steve closed his eyes again. He shifted uncomfortably in his bed, wincing, but kept silence. Just as Danny was about to give up getting an answer came a whisper "Manageable."

"They gave you something on the way over here. Does that mean you can have some pain meds now?"

Again, prolonged silence. Then a soft "Maybe, I don't know."

Danny blinked. His partner looked like himself, his battered self anyway, but he was definitely not himself. So much not himself, that Danny almost walked out to see maybe they returned the wrong guy. Instead he reached to grab Steve's hand again, but this time Steve pulled away.

"You should go home, Danny. You've done enough." the words were spoken with such detachment, Danny could not understand the meaning. Was Steve worried about him? angry at him?

"More than enough, actually" The retort was instinctive "I am truly glad you noticed. But it will all be pointless if someone here screws up and I get you back broken. I need to keep my eye on you."

Steve release a sigh, lifted his hand to his face and stopped half an inch before actually touching it. His hand fell back to his side, causing the IV line to jingle against the poll it was connected to. When it settled, the room fell into silence.

Danny busied himself with watching the vitals monitor next to Steve's bed. It wasn't producing any sound, just a visual, but he felt like his own heart was providing the missing audio with every jump on screen. He knew it would not be easy, but he did think that the worst was behind them. That he got his friend back. Now it felt like he was as far from him as ever. When Steve seem to sink into an uncomfortable sleep, unable to swallow his groans, to hide his labored breathing, Danny suddenly couldn't take it anymore and stepped outside.

The first of several surgeries, designed to save Steve's left leg, were a success according to the doctors. It took three long hours though, and Danny was anxious to see Steve, even as the doctor tried to explain to him in length what was done. It sounded to Danny like the doctor was parading himself, and he had little patience for it. The word 'success' was enough.

So when they finally let him into the recovery area, he stormed in and stopped dead in his tracks at what he saw.

Steve was intubated. Wide green tube crawled out of his mouth and a hard, mechanical whooshing sound accompanied every rise and fall of his chest.

"What happened?!" He exclaimed, his eyes fixed on his partner "I thought everything went well! Why is he on a respirator?!"

The nurse that accompanied him to the room looked at him "Don't worry, Commander McGarrett is fine. It is a common complication in addicts…"

Danny's gaze shot at her, flashing with anger "He is not an addict!"

"Yes, I know, I'm sorry." the nurse squirmed "Bad choice of words." She tried an apologetic smile, but it was too late for her. Danny hated her already. "What I meant to say is that during detoxification, heavy sedatives such as these required in surgery, may cause respiratory failure. It is not uncommon that mechanical ventilation is needed. Once the anesthesia will begin to wear off, it is most likely he will not need it anymore."

As if on cue, Steve started to make choking sounds, and the heart monitor beeped slightly faster.

Danny tensed, and the nurse laid a hand on his arm, but he flinched

"It's OK," she said, obviously trying to use her voice after the touch failed "It's a good sign, I'll get the Doctor."

Danny placed his hand carefully on Steve's shoulder. "Easy buddy, you are fine. Just relax."

"Commander, please, you are hurting me." The nurse's voice was calm and soothing despite the obvious death grip on his wrist.

Steve's gaze was focused on the syringe he was holding in that hand. "I don't know you." He said in an equally calm voice, but the sweat beading on his forehead and the slight tremor in his jaw were enough for Danny to see through it.

"Hey, Steve, it's fine…" Danny tried to defuse the situation

Steve ignored him, eyes piercing the nurse "What are you... trying to do?"

"You discussed it with the doctor earli..." the doctor. The poor nurse had no idea how bad his choice of words was. He cried in pain as Steve twisted his wrist and the syringe fell from his grip.

"Steve!" Danny laid his hand on top of Steve's "Come on, release him, it's fine…"

"Danny...he tried to... inject this thing..." Steve was breathing hard, chest heaving, but it seem to have no effect on the hold he had on the nurse

"It's fine, Steve, come on, look at me." he applied slight pressure on his hand "We talked about it this morning…"

"But...I don't...I don't...know him...and I...I can't brea…"

"Yes, that is why you need this, babe, it's antibiotics, they worry you might developed pneumonia…"

Steve was finally looking at him, Danny put his other hand on his shoulder, at the base of his neck, his fingers squeezing lightly, "Trust me, buddy. It's the drug, it still messes with your brain. It's fine, you are safe, this guy is Lieutenant Tusan, OK? He is from the hospital staff." Steve's hand was still tense, but Danny felt the grip loosen. The injured SEAL blinked a few time, His gaze wandering between Danny, his hand and the nurse.

"I thought...Duarte..."

"Duarte is dead." Danny's statement came a little more harsh than he meant, but it seemed to pull Steve's attention again. "The Doctor is dead. You killed them. You are safe. Let the guy treat you, buddy. OK?"

The SEAL finally released the nurse, who pulled back and hissed. Steve Looked at Danny for a few seconds, the confusion in his eyes settling "Yeah...Yeah…" he leaned his head back, looking at the nurse who was now picking the syringe off the floor "I'm sorry... Lieutenant…"

"It's OK, Commander." Lieutenant Tusan smiled kindly, "I should have introduced myself, I thought you were sleeping." he held the syringe and looked at Steve. "May I?"

Steve nodded, and swallowed. Danny kept the reassuring touch on his shoulder, as the medicin was injected to his IV line. When the nurse left, and Steve's eyes began to flutter, he sighed in relief.

"Well, That went much better than our first meeting. At least you didn't get punched."

Danny really thought it was safe to leave Steve's room for just a few minutes. Steve actually encouraged him to do so. He was in a good mood, which was rare and fickle these days, and since no surgery was planned until the day after tomorrow, Steve practically begged to have some real food, and lots of it. Safe, right?

He really should have known better.

As he approached the door, he could hear that Steve was no longer alone. Doris's voice came out reproachful and too loud.

"You could show some gratitude, honey."

"I am!" Came Steve's annoyed voice. Danny stood just outside the door, he could imagine the face his partner was wearing right now and couldn't help the wince "I am grateful you found this important enough to clear your schedule! I just can't help wondering about your motives to drag my team into this."

"Oh, for god sake, Steven! I didn't drag anyone, why can't you just believe that we were all worried…"

"I believe you, Doris," Steve sounded as if he was at the end of his rope. Danny wasn't sure if he should come in or not. "I know you were worried. I just...I don't know why are you here."

"Really? You don't know why I'm here."

There was silence. Danny used it to as a sign to come in. He didn't really want to but he braved it.

Doris stood in front of Steve's bed, her hands crossed on her chest, her lips pursed to a thin line, her eyes brimming with tears. Steve was looking at his hands, his face pale and strained. Both McGarretts looked at him as he came in, their expression changing from miserable to hopeful. Danny had no idea what was expected of him. He just mourned the loss of the good mood.

"Ready for some food?" he presented the bag he was holding, took a deep breath, stepped into the ring and started pulling packages out of the bag. "Or do you want me to leave so you may continue….whatever it is you were doing to help in the speedy recovery of superSEAL here." He had no intention of leaving of course. In fact, if he wasn't dealing with a slightly leaking soup box he would probably physically drag Doris out of the room.

He was grateful, she was very helpful in the take-down-the-bad-guys part, more than could be said about most mothers, but right now her unique motherly skills were not helpful.

"No, no. I'll let you eat." Doris picked her bag and leaned down to kiss her son's cheek. "I'll see you later, honey"

When the door closed after her, Steve let out a long, noisy breath. At least Danny thought it was meant to be long, but it was limited by the partial capacity of the injured man's lungs.

"You know," Danny started as opened few containers of food "my mom once infiltrated the principal's office and took him down to get me out of unrightful detention. It was really embarrassing, I know how you feel."

Steve looked at him, a strange expression on his face. But then a slight smile was tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Yeah, I bet." he answered and moved his attention to the food. "You are doing it wrong, you should put the spice after you mixed in the sauce."

Steve was taking short labored breaths through his nose, like he was gulping the weak stream of oxygen supplied by the nose cannula. His eyes were shut, jaw clenched, brow creased.

It was obvious to Danny that he was fighting. Maybe the pain. Maybe something else.

He approached Steve's bedside. The question 'you ok?' was already so worn, so used, so pointless at this time that it didn't even make it all the way to his lips and got stuck like a lump in his throat.

Danny swallowed, grasped his friend's hand, letting Steve curl his fingers around his. Steve turned his head towards him and opened his eyes for a second, as if reassuring himself it was Danny by his side. He closed them again, but left his head turned.

"Rachel sent me Grace's video from her cheerleaders' show." Danny started casually, "You know, the one I missed while you were being an army man?" Steve grimaced. "Yeah, navy, I know. Anyway, I must tell you that it's absolutely ridiculous, the outfits they are putting these girls in. I mean, you know they are hanging around these teenage hormone containers, right?" Steve eyes moved beneath his closed eyelids "I am not overreacting here, you remember how it was being a teenager! Or do they condition the hormone distraction out of you in SEAL school? I am seriously considering five-0 sponsorship to the team, that way we get to design the uniform…

"I thought you were dead, Steve. They told me you were gone." Mary seated herself on Steve's bed, facing her brother, one leg pulled beneath her, the other dangling from the bedside.

"I know, Mare, I'm sorry, I'm fine now, very much alive."

Danny thought that it was the fifth time that Steve said that in the last ten minutes. Not that he was counting.

"And you know, I kept thinking how unsurprising it was, it seem I keep losing everyone close to me, why would it be any different when it came to my big brother?"

"You are not losing me, Mary, I'm here"

"Yes, now, but what if Danny didn't…they gave up on you, you know? And I did too. I'm so sorry Steve, I gave up on you, I thought…"

Danny grimaced in empathy as she leaned forward, placing herself on Steve's bruised chest. But aside from a brief frown passing his features, the SEAL seem to swallow his pain. He Hugged his sister, kissed the top of her head, and said nothing.

Danny didn't understand this, not one bit, but the Navy SEAL accepted it, so he felt he had little choice but to comply. Then as if the concept of questioning Steve in his current state was not enough, Danny was pushed out, almost literally. No one, including Steve, bothered to look even remotely apologetic. He was there. He knew what happened, he knew how, why, and where. So why the hell did they insist he should leave?

It's been almost two hours. The damn super sailor must be exhausted by now, he needs to rest, yet they are forcing him to relive this nightmare. Why did it have to be now?

The door to Steve's room finally opened. One might think that two hours would be enough to subdue at least some of the anger. It wasn't. He managed to keep his fists at bay as the three officers left the room, having the audacity to give him a courteous nod, but he regretted it once he entered the room and saw Steve. A few hours later Danny promised himself he would find them and beat them senseless, as he woke to the unsettling sound of the SEAL whimpering.

It was a dream. A nightmare. Steve was breathing hard, coughing lightly between moans and... begging.

Danny's own breath hitched as he approached the bed, placed his hand on Steve's shoulder and pressed lightly. "Steve? Hey, buddy, wake up."

Steve tensed under his touch, hand clutching the sheets and pressing against the bed. His eyes flew open, he tried getting up, fighting against Danny's hand. "I need…!" he started, looking around in confusion. Then, when his darting eyes met Danny's, he took a deep breath and groaned painfully as he sagged back.

"What do you need, buddy?" Danny asked gently, but he knew the answer even as the question left his mouth, and he regretted articulating it.

"Nothing!" Came Steve's abrupt, almost panicked answer. Then another, soft, tired "nothing…"

"Are you in pain? You want me to get the nurse?"

"No. They can't give me anything that would help." He avoided Danny's eyes, and there was so much anger in his admission, like he was reflecting Danny's own state of mind that was temporarily buried under the concern.

"They can keep those damn Navy inquisitors off your back." Danny huffs in anger

"What?" Steve turned his head, finally looking at him.

"I said that they could have kept those Navy SOBs off your back."

"Yeah, I heard that." Steve's voice almost sounded normal again "They were just doing their job, why are you angry?"

"Why am I…" Danny cackled "I am angry, Steve, because we are talking in zero-one-hundred" he spat the the navy-style time description as if it was a curse "instead of sleeping, because you were visiting that place in your head again, because after a good couple of days you were again wishing for that drug." Danny's hands were flying, he could see Steve's expression changing back to shameful, his eyes leaving Danny and searching the ceiling, but the frustrated, furious detective could not stop. "Because all of the above, with no doubt, has something to do with the two hours of grilling you had to go through today!"

"Danny…"

"What did they do? Did they ask for every little bit of gory detail like it was a horror movie?"

"Dann…"

"Are they planning to reenact the atrocities to be documented on videos? Because I am telling you right now," His finger pointed repeatedly to the floor "I am not going to let them into this room. ever. Again."

The door opened, and the night nurse stepped in, hurrying to Steve's bed "What is going on here?" she demanded in a hushed voice "You should be resting, Commander" she used her hands to check all the lines connected to Steve's body, but her eyes were bent on Danny

"It's OK," Steve reassured her "I just...woke..."

She continue to ignore Steve completely, keeping her attention on Danny, "You were allowed to stay here under the assumption that you will not disturb the Commander, Detective Williams. I will ask you to leave if you can't control yourself.."

"Oh, that's…" Danny threw his hands in the air, but he lowered his voice to match hers "That is fantastic. You want to kick me out. Where were you this morning?"

flights always seem longer on the way back.

Danny was anxious to get home. he missed his kids, his work, his bed, his coffee machine, the annoying screeching sound the kitchen window made when it was opened, he even missed the combined stench of heavy traffic and the ocean. And he missed Steve.

It was stupid, his friend was beside him almost twenty-four-seven in the last few weeks, he was beside him right now, dozing on a very uncomfortable seat that he chose to occupy instead of the cosy bed they've set up for him in the military cargo plane.

But he still missed him.

And he hoped that getting home would also mean getting him back.

Steve suddenly opened his eyes, jumping back to complete awareness in no time, just as his old self. He looked at his right wrist, probably at his watch that wasn't there, and then at Danny.

"How long?" He asked, yawning.

"About three more hours." Danny answered. "And if you are not going to use the bed, I will"

"Go ahead." Steve answered grumpily "Just remember to fasten the restraints."

"It's not restrains, it's a seatbelt, Commander," Protested Lieutenant Tusan from his seat "to keep you from falling off with every jolt of the plane. And I really think you need to use the bed."

Danny didn't think Steve would answer. It seemed that he made a point from ignoring the nurse that accompanied them on the trip. But Steve snapped. "I don't care what you think."

Tusan huffed and looked at Danny.

"I bet you regret volunteering for this right about now." The Detective told him, and smirked.

"Are you kidding me? I've never been to Hawaii. As long as the commander keeps his ninja routine to himself, I'm good."

It was Steve's turn to huff, and Danny chuckled.

"Just...keep out of his personal space." Danny advised

"That would make my job much more difficult" the nurse contemplated

"Personal safety first!" Danny stated. "What are you doing, babe?" the SEAL suddenly fought to get up. Both Danny and Tusan shot upwards, forgetting all previous talk about Steve's personal space when he swayed dangerously trying to balance himself on one leg.

"Hopefully, shutting the both of you up." Steve declared angrily, tilting his head towards the bed.

By the time they reached it, all three were drenched in sweat. Steve lay back closing his eyes, Danny could see he was tired, probably in pain. But when the nurse moved to secure the straps around his chest, the SEAL's hand caught his wrist. Danny silently commended the nurse for not flinching. "Wait...just...give me a second." Steve breathed.

Tusan stood frozen for few seconds. When the grip loosened and he nodded, the nurse took Steve's left hand in his and guided it to the buckle. "You can leave your hand here, Commander." he guided Steve's fingers "you just pull that back, like this, and the belt is released."

"I know how to work a belt, Tusan" Steve answered, but without heat. And he kept his hand where Tusan left it.

"That's a relief." Tusan answered with a slight smile. He fixed the second belt around his thighs "I'm gonna keep that one loose. Can you get to it with your right hand?" Steve stretched his fingers and touched the buckle. "Good. Now, I think you should take something for the pain."

"Oh, gees, just, stop thinking, Lieutenant." Steve ordered.

Danny smiled at the nurse reassuringly "Not long, buddy." He comforted all three of them "we will be home soon."

A/N: As always, reviews would be appreciated. thanks!