Author note:

Hello, everyone. English is not my first language, so be easy on me. Please review if you have time, all feedback are appreciated.

Have a nice day.

23 August 5.30 pm Los Angeles Time

Good evening passengers. This is the pre-boarding announcement for Hawaiian Airlines Boeing 767 from Los Angeles, California to Honolulu, Oahu. We are now inviting those passengers with small children, and any passengers requiring special assistance, to begin boarding at this time. Please have your boarding pass and identification ready. Regular boarding will begin in approximately ten minutes. Thank you.

Mary smiled when she heard the announcement. She turned to her side and smiled broadly when she saw her almost four years old daughter bouncing happily in her seat at Gate 7.

"Jonie," Mary chirped animatedly. "You're excited?"

"Yes!" The little girl jumped to her feet as she thrust her fists in the air. "We gonna surprizze Unca Steve."

Mary giggled when she saw the excitement her daughter was in. Asking Joan to sit quietly was like asking a fire not to burn. Her eyes are alight with excitement, every inch of her muscles was move, dancing, jumping. Honestly, Mary was pretty excited as well. They were on a mission. Joan had even named their mission.

Mission: Operation Birthday Surprise

To do: Board plane to Hawaii on Steve's birthday eve

Mary checked her watch, as she mentally studied their plans. It's 5 hours and 50 minutes non-stop flight to Honolulu. If the flight stick to the timing without any delay, they will touch down at 8.55pm. Then, perhaps a quick dinner, relax a bit before taking a cab to Steve's house and bust him just a few minutes before midnight so that they could be the first one to first wish Steve a happy birthday.

A small smile played on her lips as she thought of the shock about to register on her brother's face when he caught glimpse of them standing in his doorsteps. Mary's grin now had lessened down to a smile. A lot of things had happened in their life, she had missed half of her brother's life, they never tried to have a normal brother and sister bond before this, but she wasn't let that to be a reason anymore. Sometimes she longed to go back in time and take a different turn in their relationship but she knew it was impossible. There was no way, she can't turn back the clock. She knew she had to go on with what she had, perhaps make better choices in future. After all, it was not just about her anymore, it was about Joan having an Uncle she could rely on in her life.

"Come on, pumpkin. Let's get going." Mary stood up, rolled up her small hand luggage on her left hand and took Joan's hand with her right hand before she walked to the security check.

"We go Hawaii!" Joan squeaked happily yet again which earned another giggle from Mary.

-H50-H50-H50-

6 hours and 30 minutes later

23 August 9.15pm Hawaiian Time

Steve woke up suddenly. His eyes strained into the utter darkness of his living room, his breathing rate beginning to find its own steady beat. As he was roused from his slumber, Steve realized that he was still in his working clothes, his gun still pressed into his legs. He frowned a little as he allowed his mind to jog down his memories. They called in the day earlier after solving a long and tiring case. Steve just didn't expect that he would dead tired that he was out a like a light the moment he crushed his couch two hours ago. Now even after two hours of sleep, he was still exhausted, too tired to even think about what to eat. Perhaps it was one those days where the tiredness comes in both forms, physical and mental.

Steve sink further into his couch, finally reached out, pulled his gun out of his its holster and lay it on the table in front of him.

Steve literally rolled his eyes when he felt his phone buzzing his pants pocket. That could mean another case to deal with instead of a delicious dinner, warm bed, and soft blanket. Steve confirmed that there was indeed another case waiting for him when he saw the caller ID.

"Governor." Steve tried his best to be as chirpy as possible but he knew he was falling miserably.

"Commander."

The instant he heard the tone in her voice, he knew something was wrong, or it must one hell of an emergency. He jumped to his feet, his free hand already reaching for his gun. "Yes, Governor." His work instinct took over.

"Commander, I need you and your team at the Inouye International Airport's traffic control tower ASAP."

Steve was already half way to his truck by then. "What happened Governor?"

"A Hawaiian Airlines from Los Angeles with 234 passengers on board had been hijacked."

-H50-H50-H50-

Flashing his badge, Steve walked past several dozens of securities before he reached the traffic control tower. One of the HPD officers escorted Steve to the main room where the Governor and her team was waiting for him.

The moment Steve walked into the room, he could feel the tension and he didn't miss the sudden change in Governor's face.

"Steve." She addressed using his first name. Steve frowned, she never addressed him using his first name in any official meeting before, but he decided to let his minor concern to slip out at that crucial moment.

"Governor, my team are on their way."

"Steve, about that." Governor Keiko walked closer to Steve, slightly touched his right arm before she gently ushered him over to the corner of the room, away from a group of people sitting immersed in discussion. She stopped and turned to Steve. "Steve, I know I'm the one who called, but right now, I think would better to let my crisis management group to deal this case."

"Okay." The word escaped his lips but mentally he was not even a bit convinced, let alone leave the scene without any appropriate explanation.

"Okay." The Governor nodded. Steve could feel that somehow she was relieved with his response. That was when Steve decided something was odd with the Governor's behavior.

"I should probably leave then," Steve said, try to play along with this situation although his sixth sense wouldn't stop bugging him.

"Yes." She quickly said.

Steve took in a deep breath as he finally made up his mind. He knew he needed to find out. "Governor, I'm not at all feeling offended that you suddenly pulling a high priority case off my sleeves barely after 15 minutes you assigning it to me nor I'm feeling hurt by you indirectly trying to tell your crisis management team is better than Five 0, but what I'm more curious is that, 15 minutes earlier the urgency in your voice clearly pointed out that me and my team was needed. So, what changed in 15 minutes? Judging by your drastic change of behavior the moment you saw me, I can say there is something seriously wrong that you feel that I shouldn't around here. So, am I right or wrong?"

Governor Keiko closed her eyes for one moment as she shook her head. "One of the things I hate about you, Commander."

"One of the things why I'm good at my job."

She pressed her lips together as she came up to a decision. She sighed. "Okay, fine. I will tell you, but I need our word that you will follow exactly what I say.

Steve lifted an eyebrow, it was indeed getting weird. "Governor, we have 234 passengers' life at stake. Whether or not I follow what you say, whatever I will do will not put their life at risk."

"I'm not …" She stopped for a moment. She handed over the few papers that she was holding to Steve as she spoke again. "I just got the list of the passengers' name on board. Turn to economy class, check the seat 23A and 23B."

Steve quickly flipped the pages and his eyes scrolled down the seat number.

23A Mary McGarrett.

His heart skipped a beat and the name took his breath away. He didn't even have to look the list again to know the name of the passenger sitting in next seat. He already knew that particular name by heart. A name that always brings joy to him. His little niece Joan.

Steve's expression dulled as realization dawned on his face. His sister and niece are being held hostage on a hijacked plane.

Sincere apologies for the mistakes if there are any. Thank you for your time. See you next week.