Taken

Chapter One

Zebraboymom

Disclaimer: They do not belong to me. I've heard it all before.

Author Notes: Steve and Kono go out on a routine check and find themselves caught up in an international crime ring. This time they will only have each other to rely on as Chin and Danny search frantically for them before it's too late.

Steve McGarrett scrubbed his hand down his face and then crossed his arms. He stood with his legs apart and just stared at the evidence. The rest of his team was getting ready to go home. Chin took off with a slight wave and then Danny and Kono walked out together.

"Hey, fearless leader. It's time to go home, Babe."

"Boss, it will be there tomorrow."

"You guys go ahead. I'm just going to make a couple of stops on the way home and check out two more of these places."

"By yourself? At night? Come on Steve. Give it a rest. I know you want to find the little girl and her brother, but we followed up, what twenty of those today? Besides, I can't go with you. I have Grace tonight and I don't like the idea of you going alone."

"I'm not doing anything tonight Boss. I'll go with you."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, it'll be fun. I don't get to play cop with you very often."

Kono was just as upset about the kidnapped kids as Steve was. They both had a thing about cases with kids. A brother and sister had disappeared over a week earlier and the FBI had just about given up. They had finally asked the governor for more assistance and Five-0 snagged the case. Kono was worried they had been given the case too late to do any good, but she was determined to help the parents find closure. Besides, she would love to spend some time alone with Steve. She liked him and wanted to get to know him better.

"You two are nuts. Okay, have at it. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Okay, Kono, it's just you and me. Thanks for doing this. I feel bad. We already put in so many long days as it is. I hate cutting into your social life."

"What social life?"

"Yeah, I hear you. Come on, we'll take my motorcycle if that's okay."

"Now you're talking."

Kono loved sitting behind Steve with her arms around his waist as they flew down the highway. There was just something about this guy that drew her to him. Everything she had seen over the last year impressed her. He was a good leader. He was not afraid to go off grid if that's what it took. He never stopped. He was so compassionate with the victims. Watching him a few weeks ago before he got his cast off as he carried that little boy away from his mother's dead body…well, she had wanted to cry, but she kept the tears at bay. He had basically stolen her heart that day too. She couldn't let him know that. He was her boss and she was sure he wasn't the least bit attracted to her. Besides, he had a girlfriend. Okay, Kono, this isn't a date. Focus on the case.

The first place was empty, no signs of life. They both sighed at the same time and Steve ran his hand through his hair in frustration.

"You want some ice cream? I want some ice cream. No, I need some ice cream."

"Sure. I can always eat. You buying?"

"Of course. You're not going to like order three scoops are you?"

"I might. This is really hard work riding on the back of a motorcycle while I'm ushered around. A girl builds up an appetite."

Steve laughed as they hopped back on the bike and drove down the highway to the ice cream stand he had seen on the way there. Kono did order two scoops and Steve ordered the three scoops he had teased her about. She got chocolate chip and he had pistachio. Kono sat on the bike sideways and he stood in front of her while they devoured the treats.

"So, were you serious when you said you had no social life? I always pictured you with a ton of surfers swarming all over you."

Kono grinned up at him.

"You did huh? I did date a guy I knew on the circuit for a while, but when I went to the police academy like Chin and my uncle he was very unhappy. When I joined Five-0 he said he was done."

"I'm sorry Kono. You don't deserve that. Any guy that doesn't see how great you are at it and how much you love what you do is an idiot."

Steve spoke with such conviction that it made her feel really special.

"What about you? How are things with you and Catherine?"

"Not good. We broke up. I asked for her help one too many times and she started to feel like I was only in the relationship for what she could do for me."

"Then she didn't know you very well. You would never use somebody like that. That's not who you are."

"Oh really. You know me that well?"

Steve was smiling broadly at how quick she had jumped to his defense. He had to admit, it made him feel really great to know she knew he wouldn't do that. Kono was special. He locked eyes with her and they had a brief staring contest.

Kono blushed.

"Boss…"

"Steve, Kono. You don't have to call me boss all the time."

"Okay then. Steve I have worked for you this whole year and I have nothing but respect for your drive and your leadership. Besides, you hold yourself to some uber Seal code. It just isn't in your nature to use someone like that. If she can't see that, then she doesn't really know you or deserve you."

"Remind me to take you with me the next time I have to face the governor."

Kono laughed. She couldn't look up at him in that moment.

"I meant what I said Steve."

Steve ducked his head down and tried to find her eyes.

"Thanks Kono. It means a lot to me that you feel that way about me. Only now I have to live up to that trust and respect."

Kono finally looked up and met his eyes in a steady gaze.

"I'm not worried. Are you?"

Steve felt something move in his gut. This girl was starting to become more important to him every day. He had to watch himself. He was her boss after all.

They finished up their ice cream and Steve tossed her his extra helmet. They got back on the road and headed towards the last place on the list. If this didn't pan out, they were back to square one. Steve liked it when he felt Kono slip her arms around him again. He wanted to reach down and cover her hands with one of his and hug her to him, but he held back. Focus, Steve, this isn't a date.

They arrived at the address, which turned out to be an abandoned storefront. The sun had just set completely. They took one look at it and knew this had probably been a wild goose chase, but neither one would call the night a lost cause. They had connected tonight on a new level and truth be told, both of them were a little bit excited about that.

They grabbed their flashlights and started poking around the front and side doors trying to find a way in. When they reached the back door, Steve tried the handle, but it was locked too. Steve gently pushed Kono back and kicked it breaking the lock. He shrugged in the moonlight and grinned at her. They stepped through the doorway and walked forward shining their flashlights around the empty back room of the store. Kono saw a few old crates, but it didn't look like it had totally been abandoned. Someone had been in here and recently. Her flashlight landed on a table covered in take out bags. On the floor nearby were a blanket and some pillows. Kono's senses went on high alert.

"Steve someone has been here and not too long ago. I can smell food and it isn't rotten food either."

"You're right. Do you see any signs that kids were here?"

"Maybe…"

Kono started to move forward when she heard Steve grunt and then his body fell heavily into hers and they went down. She dropped her flashlight and then strong hands were pulling her from under Steve and tying her up. They taped her mouth and a bag was thrown over her head. She was taken kicking and fighting out of the building and tossed into the back of what felt like a big SUV. She could feel Steve's body being dumped beside her. Was he alive or dead? Kono was so scared. She twisted her body around until her head was lying on Steve's chest and she pressed her ear against him. She heard a steady heartbeat and relaxed against him. Thank God. She couldn't bring herself to move. Instead she scooted closer and snuggled up to him as best she could given her hands were tied. She kept her head on his chest listening to his heartbeat. It reassured her. The fact that they hadn't killed them yet made it obvious to her that the only reason they were keeping them alive was to find out who else knew about the place. She had to hope Danny and Chin would realize something had happened when they didn't show up to work. The idea of being interrogated frightened her, but she was more worried about Steve. He was still unconscious and that couldn't be good. It was less than ten minutes into the ride that Steve stirred. Kono was so grateful. She wished she could talk to him, but the best she could do was press into him and let him know she was there.

Steve groaned and tried to shake himself the rest of the way awake. His head was killing him and he had no idea where he was. He lay there for a moment and then he realized Kono had her head laying on his chest. He could smell her coconut and vanilla shampoo. They were obviously in a moving vehicle. Kono stirred and moved her head up near his. Thank God she was still alive. Was she hurt? He needed to know. They rolled to face each other and she pressed her forehead to his. They lay there breathing and even with the bag over his head, he tried to nuzzle her with his nose. He tried to mumble, "You okay?" and hoped she knew what he meant. She mumbled back to him.

"Mmmhm."

Steve relaxed then and they lay there. Kono moved her head and nuzzled up under his chin. They stayed that way for what felt like a very long time. Steve was sure it was almost an hour. The vehicle left the highway at some point and was driving on gravel and finally dirt. When it came to a stop, the back of the car was opened and the night air hit them. They were pulled from the vehicle and Steve could hear a large wooden door being pulled open. They were shoved roughly onto a dirt floor as the door was slammed and bolted. Kono lay there listening for Steve's breathing when hands started pulling off the bag. A small hand patted her cheek and pulled the tape off her mouth. It was dark, but she could see a small boy staring into her eyes.

"Are you okay lady?"

"Kevin?"

"How do you know my name?"

"We've been looking for you. Where is Sarah?"

"I'm here."

The little girl scooted over to her. Sarah tried to untie Kono, but she couldn't get the knot loose.

"I'll help your friend."

Kevin moved away to Steve who was lying nearby and pulled his bag off. He removed the tape from Steve's mouth.

"Kono, you really okay?"

Kevin got Steve loose in no time. He scooted over to the girls and started untying Kono. Once he had her untied he rubbed her hands trying to get the circulation going again. Kono loved that he knew she was hurting from the ropes. She reached up and ran her fingers through his hair looking for where they had knocked him out. He had a goose egg near his temple and there was dried blood in his hair.

"You need an icepack."

"No time for that. We have to get out of here before they come back. Are you two okay?"

"Steve turned to the two children."

"We're all okay."

"All?"

"All seven of us."

"Seven?"

Steve tried to adjust his eyes to the dark. As he looked around what looked to be a small shed with no windows he saw several pairs of eyes blinking back at him. My God, they were all children!