The interview

Chapter 1- Changes and Changing rooms

Steve Mc Garrett patted the large pile of folders on his desk and sighed loudly. He'd known that the opportunity to join the 5-0 team would attract alot of applicants. But he hadn't thought there would be this many. He would have to begin to thin the candidates down and offer interviews only to a select few that had the qualities he needed.

A knock interrupted his thoughts and he forced a smile upon his lips for the arrival of Chin Ho , Kono and Martin Miles. Marty was the reason for the vacancy on the 5-0 team, he was retiring in a few weeks.

The three detectives arranged themselves in their usual places around Steve's office. Marty's eyes widened at the huge pile of files, "they all want my job", he exclaimed. Steve nodded slowly

"They have some very big shoes to fill Marty", he replied softly . Martin grinned at the complement, "I'd stay Steve", he stated," but I've been looking forward to the day I can actually spend some time with Michelle and Carrie for a long time".

Even though Steve was a bachelor himself he understood how much family meant to his officers.

Marty had a lovely wife and a young daughter who deserved to see more of him. His selfish thoughts of asking Marty to stay longer washed away. He'd just have to get through the interview process.

Steve briefed his team on their current cases then dismissed them. Finally he returned his attention to the pile of files.

His office Manager May arrived with a huge cup of steaming coffee not long after he'd opened the first file. Steve offered her a grin," Thanks", he stated warmly," just what I need to get through this lot".

"Well as you know your day is relatively clear of appointments", May reminded her boss. "You just have to see Mr. Montague about the suit you're wearing to the Governor's function".

"Right I'll go about 2pm", Steve affirmed, "in the mean time", he glanced rather harshly at the pile of files. May nodded soberly, "I'll let you get back to it boss", she remarked as she departed.

Steve placed the first two applicants on a 'maybe' pile, both were good but not outstanding detectives. The next applicant he placed in the 'interview pile. He sighed, three down.

Taking a sip of his coffee Steve opened the next file, the candidate was detective Danny Williams of HPD. Steve forced his mind into thinking up what Williams looked like. As he continued to think he scanned down the file stopping at the entry stating 'age', Danny Williams was only 28.

Yes, now he remembered him all curly golden hair and big blue eyes, why did an exuberant spaniel dog suddenly spring into his mind. Steve shook his head; Williams may be young and keen but perhaps not 'seasoned' enough for a 5-0 position. He placed Danny's file on the 'no' pile then continued on through the candidates.

Time seemed to blur with Steve eating lunch at his desk. The applicants under consideration were slowly dwindling. Steve so far only had 4 definite 'interviewees with about 10 in the maybe pile, the rest were nos. A knock interrupted his perusal of the next file and May stuck her head in the door to remind him about his appointment. Steve was grateful for the break quickly stretching his tall frame out of his chair and strolling down to where he'd parked his Mercury.

Mr Montague's small tailoring business hand made some of the finest suits in Hawaii and Steve would not think of going anywhere else for a suit to wear to one of the Governors functions.

Sometimes Steve reflected he felt like some ornament the Governor displayed to people. Certainly the Governors guests reactions on meeting "the head of our state police', were certainly interesting ranging from indifference to almost fear. He was quite aware that both his friends and enemies saw him as tough cop and a no nonsense man. He was always relentless at tracking down criminals and expected hard work and dedication from all those around him. He knew even a few of his colleagues were wary of him. That reputation may have even stopped a few people applying for the job vacancy. But then if they were afraid of him they probably had no place in 5-0.

Thoughts whirling Steve smiled to Charles Montague as he came out to serve him. "ah Mr Mc Garrett , I need to take some more measurements, this way please".' Steve followed the man into the changing rooms.

"Why does it always happen to me", Danny Williams pleaded to his partner as they escorted two

handcuffed suspects back to their car. Lance Frazer bit his lip to try to stop a laugh escaping but did not quite succeed. A sound rather like a snort escaped his lips as he regarded his mud splattered partner. "I think it has something to do with… ",Lance began then stopped as he realized Danny might not want to hear the rest. "With what", Danny demanded firmly. Lance sighed, "well with your umm size Dan", he blurted. Danny coloured and Lance regarded him apologetically. "Your legs are not quite as long as ours so you cannot always outrun the suspects. So you have to resort to jumping on top of them at the first opportunity. Sometimes though a big muddy puddle gets in the way", Lance concluded as he gave in to laughter. Danny blushed almost scarlet, "come on Lancelot', he rebuked , "using the nickname the HPD officers called his partner, "it's not funny when you have to pay out lots of money to purchase new suits".

Lance looked somewhat ashamed of himself. "We'll get these two booked then you can go home and change", he told his filthy partner. Danny sighed, "this was my last suit, Lancelot. So I'll have to go to Montague's in my lunch time to get some new ones".

Lance raised one eyebrow, "don't know how you can afford his suits Dan", he stated. Dan scowled at him, "I can't afford his specially made ones Lance. He uses cut rate cloth for my suits. "

Lance pulled the car over to the curb and both detectives got out and escorted their suspects into the HPD building. Everyone stared at Dan as he passed. A few also wrinkled their noses and Danny began to wonder if that puddle had contained more than just mud. The lieutenant came out of his office as they passed, "Williams", he bellowed. Danny stopped his heart beating rapidly as he waited to see what his superior would say. "Don't tell me you fell over again", he stated. There was a little chuckle from onlookers. "Yes sir, this one here decided to make a run for it", Danny nodded toward the suspect. "Well if Frazer can check them both in I think you can attend to some more pressing matters like getting yourself cleaned fast", the Lieutenant shouted. He did not want HPD to be laughed at because one of his detectives looked like he'd been cleaning a drain. Danny blushed, "I'll got to Montague's to get a new suit straight away", he told the Lieutenant. "You do that Williams", the Lieutenant acknowledged. Danny turned away, "oh by the way Williams, well done,"the lieutenant grinned briefly at Danny as he departed.

Danny drove to Montague's and entered through the back door knowing the owner would not want him dripping mud all over his carpet.

Hearing the buzzer Charles Montague came out, a tape measure draped across his shoulders, "my, my, Mr. Williams another calamity I see", he shook his head at Danny's mud splattered form.

"Yes, I need another suit", Danny acknowledged." Strip off and I'll go and get you one". "You can use my store room as a changing room", Montague remarked. Danny took off his gun and placed it carefully outside the store room. Then entering the darkened space he turned on the small light and began to strip.

Steve Mc Garrett was already stripped down to his underwear and was waiting for Charles Montague to return with a partly finished suit. He was just getting bored with waiting when he heard some shouting.

Putting his head out the door Steve was surprised to see three men with guns walking across the store. One of them had Charles Montague firmly in his grip. Steve reached for his gun before he remembered he'd placed it in Charles's safe while he was getting changed.

So here he was the chief of 5-0 facing armed men in his underwear. Hmm bit of a problem!