Vengeance Will Be Mine XVII

Disclaimer: I do not own Hawaii 5-0. I am so happy that I can play with these characters and enjoy making them do what I want.

Thank you so much for reading this story and giving me so many kind reviews. I hate ending my stories but it is time.

Chapter 17

"Steve, are you still with me?" Catherine asked in alarm. She could see that he was having trouble focusing on things. Carefully she shifted so she was able to hold him closer, keeping the pressure on his wounded side. "Talk to me Steve."

"I'm here," Steve mumbled. "Sorry."

"The ambulance should be here in less than ten minutes," Adam told them as he walked up to join them. "Officer Cheng just confirmed it."

"Adam, are you considering joining the HPD?" Danny asked as he eyed the man. "This would be an interesting development."

"No but I promised Kono I would have her back until the threat was over," Adam answered and looked at Salter's body. "It looks like it is finally done."

"It is definitely over," Kono agreed.

"Thank goodness for that. Oh before I forget, there's a guy trussed up in the other building," Danny announced and looked down at Catherine. A shiver of dread ran down his spine as he saw the distress on her face. A glance at Steve, held in her arms, explained everything. McGarrett's eyes were closed and his breathing was labored, he looked ready to slip away. Thankfully the ambulance sirens could be heard out in the yard. "Get those EMTs in here pronto, Steve needs help!" he shouted to the officers near the door.

*H 5-0*

"So you are telling me that after all that drama, he just fainted," Danny exclaimed as he sat on the ER exam table. "He had me believing he was about to check out." The bullet had been removed from Danny's shoulder, the wound bandaged and now he was ready to get out of the room.

"To be fair, he was weak from the blood loss and he is in surgery at this very moment," Kono responded from the doorway. She was enjoying watching his awkward attempt to put his shirt back on with one hand. "I think Steve would prefer we say he passed out. Here…..let me help you with that," she offered and came forward to assist him with the shirt. "It's funny but because of Salter, the whole team is operating one handed," she chuckled.

"Very funny. At least we are all alive," Danny answered. "What is the word on Amoy?"

"Still in surgery but the doctors were thinking he has a chance to survive," Kono replied as she held his shirt in place while he slid his arm into the sleeve.

"How is Catherine holding up?" Danny asked as he slid off the table.

"She is worried about Steve but doing okay," Kono said surprised by the question. "She told me how Salter lured her away from Pearl. I'm willing to bet it was the same woman who called Steve."

"We'll have to see if Mac Balino can supply us with her name," Danny responded. "She did quite a number on Catherine, told her that Steve was dying. Maybe we should turn Catherine loose on him in the blue room; my money would be on the Lieutenant."

"You and Catherine certainly connected," Kono observed.

"She's a smart, capable woman," Danny said as he reached the door. "You two have a lot in common. Now let's see if Steve is out of surgery, shall we?"

"Sure thing Danny," Kono chuckled and followed him out of the room.

When they reached the surgical waiting room, they found Chin sitting with Catherine and Adam. His arm was in a sling but his bruises were looking better and he didn't have a wheelchair near him.

"What are you doing out of your room Cuz?" Kono demanded as she hurried over and dropped into the seat next to him.

"I will have you know that I have been cleared to leave my room and get some exercise," Chin replied. He nodded towards the nurse's station where a familiar nurse's aide was speaking to the woman on duty at the desk. "Nani offered to escort me here."

"Ah, Steve's little candy striper groupie," Danny smirked.

Catherine looked up from her study of the pattern on the floor that had occupied her for the last fifteen minutes. She glanced at the nurse's station and a ghost of smile flitted across her face.

"So that is Nani? Steve said she was very sweet," she commented.

"He told you about her?" Danny asked incredulously.

"Of course," Catherine said mildly. "I am aware that Steve attracts pretty young things, it's always been that way. I trust him."

Danny flushed for a moment but didn't have a chance to reply as the OR doors pushed open and a man in scrubs marched towards them.

"Lt. Rollins?" he enquired as he stopped before them. "I'm Dr. Tanner, I operated on Commander McGarrett. Is this the 5-0 team?"

"Yes sir. 5-0 and friends," Danny answered quickly. "How is Steve?"

"Commander McGarrett should make a full recovery," Tanner told them. "We removed two slugs from him, one in his thigh and the other from his right side. We also extracted numerous shotgun pellets from his right shoulder and the back of his right leg. We are giving him some blood to replace what he lost and he will have to go through some therapy for his leg once we are sure that no infection sets in to his wounds." He smiled at Catherine. "He will recover with time and care, don't worry."

"When can I see him?" she asked.

"I will have a nurse let you know as soon as he's out of recovery and moved to a room. I've been told that with this team we would be wise to put the Commander in the room next to Lt. Kelly," Tanner chuckled. "The nurse's were quick to enlighten me on how to best deal with 5-0."

"Thank you Doctor," Catherine said rising to shake his hand. The others added their thanks and he headed back to the OR.

"That is good news," Kono said in relief.

"Yes, it is," Catherine agreed running her hands through her hair. She stretched, trying to loosen her cramped muscles after sitting for so long.

A half hour later a nurse came to direct them to McGarrett's room. He was indeed in the room next to Chin's, much to Nani's secret delight although she kept that thought unspoken. The nurse at the surgical waiting room had told her that Lt. Rollins was the Commander's girlfriend and Nani felt a bit disappointed that McGarrett was spoken for. But at least she would get to care for him until he was released.

When they entered Steve's room, they found him resting with his head raised slightly, his eyes popping open when he heard the door open. With a slight smile he raised his left hand in greeting, his right shoulder wrapped in bandages. His other injuries were hidden under a blanket. Catherine hurried to the left side of the bed and took hold of his good hand.

"You had me worried," she told him quietly and placed a light kiss on his cheek.

"I'm fine," she replied. "I'm sorry Salter hurt you. And I'm glad you're okay."

"I'm perfectly all right Steve," Catherine protested. "You were the one who got shot."

"I'll live," he said gazing into her eyes.

"Hey…we'll all live, thank you for noticing. You weren't the only one shot babe," Danny spoke up.

"Didn't I tell you to be careful?" Steve asked Danny with raised eyebrows.

"I was careful…..Salter was sneaky," Danny protested. "However, if I had to be held hostage after being shot, I couldn't have picked a better person to be held captive with. Catherine is a very handy woman to have around."

Steve looked from a grinning Danny to back at Catherine.

"It tried to tell him you were capable of taking care of yourself," he said to her.

"Well I would really prefer not to be kidnapped to prove a point," Catherine said with a soft laugh.

Steve nodded and looked at the others in the room. He beamed at Chin.

"Good to see you up and around bruddah."

"Good to be up and around. I'm going to be discharged either tomorrow or the next day. And trust me, it can't be too soon," Chin responded.

"That is good news," Steve agreed.

"Yea, we can use the help at the office," Danny said indicating his arm in its sling. "And preferably someone with two functioning arms. Catherine, are you interested in joining the team?"

"No," Catherine said quickly. "I have a job working in Naval Intelligence."

"Don't look at me," Adam said as he noticed Chin frowning at him. "Now that Kono is safe, I'm going back to my own business. I am aware that my girl is capable to take care of herself."

"That is my guy," Kono said with her dimples deepening. "We'll hold the fort for you until you return Boss," she assured Steve.

Danny looked around the room at those standing there.

"Do you think the hospital gives discounts for multiple team members patronizing this place?" Danny asked, his eyes twinkling. "We don't want the Governor popping a blood vessel when he sees our insurance bill."

"We'll let you handle that negotiation brah," Kono laughed.

Catherine noticed Steve's eyelids drooping and knew he was fading fast. She ran one hand gently over his forehead.

"You need to rest Steve," she said quietly.

"I'm good," he protested and tugged on her hand to pull her close. She leaned in and kissed him lightly. "Stay a bit," he urged and she nodded.

"I would tell you two to get a room but this is your room," Danny snarked. "Please don't beg us to stay, we'll see you tomorrow."

The others bid them goodbye and left the room. It was time to move past the event of the last few days and heal. They were all eager to get back to normal.

End story.

Thank you everyone for reading my story. I am always grateful for the support you give me. You are too kind. My muse has an idea but so far nothing is on paper so it may be a bit before I can post it. Thank you for all the reviews.