****** This is just a short teaser chapter. I hope you'll let me know what you think! ******

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'We are only as strong as we are united, and as weak as we are divided'

It was early afternoon on Friday and as the Camaro pulled out onto the highway leaving the crime scene, Steve glanced over at his silent partner.
He said softly, "We can't win them all Danny"
Danny sighed, "I know….she was just so young"
They had been searching for fourteen year old Hailey Morrison since she went missing from her home four days earlier. They had come to the conclusion early on that her boyfriend, gang member Caleb Balais had somehow been involved in her disappearance. Yesterday they had both figured they would not find the child alive, but they had still held out hope.

They received the call from Duke an hour ago telling them that a homeless man had contacted them after finding Hailey's body in a muddy ravine. From the preliminary view of her body, Max had determined that she had died within hours of her disappearance and it appeared to have been the result of a drug overdose. Track marks covered both her forearms and Steve had watched the blood drain from Danny's face as he had viewed the body.

Danny continued softly, "Drugs….God damned drugs"
"Balais will go away for this Danny. He's eighteen years old and he pumped that little girl full of that crap. We'll see to it that he never sees a day of freedom again"

"That's all good Steve, but it doesn't give the Morrison's their baby girl back does it"
Steve sighed, "No….no it doesn't"
Danny shook his head, "She was fourteen years old Steve. Don't get me wrong partner, I feel horrible for her parents and I can't even imagine the pain they're going to endure but what were they thinking letting her date an eighteen year old...and a drug dealer at that!"

Steve spoke softly, "I don't know Danno...unfortunately not all parents are good parents"
"Well I tell you this, Gracie isn't going to be allowed to date until she's twenty-five, maybe even thirty!"
Steve smirked, "I'll call Denning Monday about your big raise"
Danny squinted his eyes and asked, "What are you talking about?"
"If you're not going to let Gracie date until she's twenty-five..."
Danny cut him off "Or thirty..."
Steve shook his head and continued, "You're going to need a lot of extra money for her therapy bills buddy"
Danny said solemnly, "Maybe so, but at least she'll be alive"

They drove a few minutes in silence before Steve added, "You want to go grab a few longboards?"
"On you?"
"Aren't they always?"
"Oh please Steven!" Danny grinned weakly, adding "Yeah buddy, that sounds good"
"Why don't you call Chin and Kono. Have them knock off for the day and meet us at Manny's"

Chin and Kono joined them just as the appetizers of chicken wings and fried calamari were arriving at the table.
They sat chatting about the Morrison case and Steve brought them up to date on a new case that Denning had notified him of a few hours earlier. They would have to work this weekend, starting that case tomorrow morning.

Several hours passed as they sipped on their beers and then Kono said, "Danny, do you know that girl at the bar?"
Danny glanced over and his eyes connected with those of a beautiful, shapely brunette. They smiled at each other and Danny replied, "Uhhhh no, I don't know her…at least not yet"

Steve chuckled, "You go partner!"
Danny glanced at his friends saying, "Will you all excuse me?" He made his way to the bar as the others returned to their conversation.

About half an hour later, Danny and his new friend approached the table.
"I'd like you all to meet Tracy Fletcher. Tracy, these are my teammates Kono Kalakaua and Chin Ho Kelly and this is our boss, and my partner, Steve McGarrett"
They all stood and greeted her and Steve asked, "Can you join us Tracy?"
She smiled at them all warmly, "I'd love to, thank you"

They all ordered burgers and visited until about eleven o'clock before Steve announced that he needed to head out.
Danny replied with a smile, "The night is young Steven, come on"
"We've got to work in the morning D'"
Kono and Chin both stated that they needed to head out as well and Danny inquired, "Yeah, okay. What time do you want us in?"
"I'll get in early and review everything. Why don't you guys try to be in about ten"
Kono excused herself to go use the restroom and Tracy whispered quietly into Danny's ear.

As Kono returned, Danny asked "Hey Steve, why don't you just take my car home and pick me up in the morning. Tracy and I are going to stay for a while longer and she'll drive me home"
Steve smiled, "I need to be in the office by six Danny"
Chin grinned, "I'll pick you up at nine thirty Danny"
Danny was beaming like a child as he responded, "Thanks Chin, I'll see you then"

As the three left the bar Steve said, "I like her"
Chin laughed, adding "So does Danny"
Steve smiled, "I'm glad….he's been alone too long"
Kono chuckled, "What's with you two! He's known her for about four hours and you sound like they're getting married or something!"
Steve grinned slyly. "You never know Kono…."
As they reached the parking lot and all headed in different diections, Steve grinned as he entered the Camaro. It was good to see Danny happy. He knew that the Jersey detective still loved Rachel and it was nice to see him show an interest in another woman. Even if it didn't go anywhere, it was just nice to see him enjoying himself.

If Steve could have looked into the future he would never have been smiling about Tracy Fletcher.
The woman had done her job well. She had stopped here several times over the past few nights looking for Danny and finally her persistence had paid off. She had peaked the man's interest and that was the first step in the plan…the plan that would not only put an end to 5-0, but would also destroy Danny Williams…..

****** So, any interest! MUCH, MUCH more to follow…I hope you enjoy ******