Author's Note: This story has taken me much, much longer than I thought it would but real life obligations, priorities and anxieties have no regard for the way I think things should go. This story is set some time before the end of Season 7 since that's when I started writing it with Chin and Kono in it. I was too far along to change characters when the actors left the series so here we are.

I also did not use my betas on this one - my apologies to them. I just want to get it out there, and I'm trying to practice patience and editing/revising since I don't usually do that well. All mistakes and glaring plot holes are mine and mine alone.

The cars were found quickly but with no sign of the drivers.

Kono's car was found just a block from her house. It had a flat tire and was found with the driver's door still open, cell phone in the cup holder.

Chin's car was halfway between his house and the Palace. It looked like he had simply pulled over and parked. His cell phone was lying on the pavement in front of the car, next to an oil stain and a screwdriver.

Lou's truck was found in the parking lot of a gas station, cell phone on the dashboard and doors locked.

Danny's Camaro had crashed into a pole a mile from his house. There was paint transfer down the driver's side. His cell phone was found lying on the floorboard next to two spent shell casings, blood on the driver's seat.

At the same time that HPD realized something was wrong, Steve, waiting in the Five-0 offices for the others, received a phone call.

"McGarrett... What?!... Who is this?... Wait.."

Steve slammed his fist onto the Smart table as the call disconnected. He glanced at the clock. It was only 8:00. How could the day have gone this terribly wrong already? He knew it was useless, but he tried calling Danny's number. No answer. Kono's, same result. He tried them all knowing it was pointless.

The voice had said he would call back in 20 minutes. Steve paced the offices and glanced at the clock every thirty seconds. The voice had also said he was being watched, but he saw no overt signs of surveillance.

Steve thought about using the Smart table to access traffic cams but again, surveillance. Dammit! What was going on?

8:05: Steve circled the offices. Again. He paused at Danny's door for a moment. If Danny was in trouble, what about Grace and Charlie? What about Lou's family? Sara? Adam?

Steve started to make a call and thought of the mystery voice. He squeezed the phone wishing he could throw it at the wall.

8:15: Steve sat at his desk, back rigid. All sorts of horrible scenarios flashed through his head. Nothing good ever came of mysterious voices on phones. Especially when they lead off with threats and have you under surveillance.

8:18: He looked at the time once again, phone squarely in front of him ready to be answered. There was a sudden commotion in the outer office. He jumped up, hand on gun.

"Steve! Steve, are you in here?"

"Yeah, Duke, right here." He took his hand off his gun and emerged from the office.

Duke waved off the two junior HPD officers with him who retreated to the door but didn't leave. "Everything okay? Have you heard from the others?"

"Yeah, everyone must be running late." Steve glanced at the time. 8:19 now.

"Steve, we've found..."

"We're good, Duke." Steve's gaze never wavered as he looked at the older man. His phone rang.

Duke glanced at the ringing phone.

"Just a minute," Steve answered. His eyes never left Duke. "Duke, thanks for checking. We're good, but we've implemented Five-0 protocol so... you know how it is."

Duke nodded and backed towards the door. "Of course, sorry to disturb you, Commander. We'll go now."

"Okay, they're gone." Steve concentrated on the phone call, barely suppressing a sigh as he watched Duke leave.

"Very good, Commander. You didn't try to contact anyone, and you got rid of HPD. But you know I have to ask what 'Five-0 protocol' is."

"It's nothing," Steve told him. "It just tells HPD not to bother us. They'll think we're working on something big. They'll leave me alone until I tell them otherwise."

"You better be right, Commander. Your friends will be better off that way."

"What did you do to them? If you hurt any of them..."

"Relax, Commander. They'll be fine if you do what you're told."

"I need to know they're okay. Let me talk to them."

"I'll do you one better, Commander."

The large computer screen sprang to life and Steve gripped the edge of the Smart table, knuckles white. "Danny, you okay?"

Danny's face filled the screen, gun pressed to his temple. Dried blood covered the left side of his face. "I'm good, babe. Yeah, real good. How 'bout you?"

"If you want him to stay good, Commander," the voice interrupted. "You'll listen very carefully."

Steve gritted his teeth and nodded. "What do you want with us?"

"I want you to do what you were planning to do today. The prisoner transfer. Once you have Baker and Castro from Halawa, I'll let you know where I want you to bring them."

"They'll be expecting my whole team," Steve pointed out.

"I doubt they'll expect your whole team, Commander," the voice answered, "but you will have some of your team. My men will bring Kelley and Grover to a meeting place of my choosing for the transfer. I will keep Williams and Kalakaua with me as collateral. Once our business is finished, I will release them, and we'll all go about our lives as if nothing happened."

"And how do I know you'll keep your word and release them safely?"

"You don't."

The screen went blank leaving Steve with Danny's image seared into his brain. He slammed his hand on the Smart table and groaned. He hung his head and tried to think. Then his head snapped up, and he practically ran over to the equipment locker in the corner.

Within five minutes, Steve was striding out the front door of the Palace, backpack slung over his shoulder. He reached his truck and paused. He shook his head and then looked around. He headed to a nearby HPD van. Steve's phone rang almost immediately. Steve had thought it would. Definitely under surveillance. He answered the phone.

"What are you doing, Commander?"

"I can't use my truck for the prisoner transfer." Steve tried to spot his watchdog. No luck. "I'll take this and have room for everyone."

There was a brief pause on the other end of the line. "Fine, but you do not need that bag you're carrying. You will give it, and your keys, to the officer. He can hold them until we're finished. If you do not comply, your partner gets another hole in him."

"Okay, okay." Steve knocked on the van window and gestured to the officer to step out.

"Commander McGarrett? Can I help you?"

"I need your van. Here are my truck keys." He tossed them to the officer and pointed to the other side of the parking lot. "It's over there. Put this bag in it, and I'll be back for my keys later."

"No problem, Commander."

Steve watched the young, blonde officer walk away and turned his attention back to the phone.

"Very good. Now, drive to Aiea. I'll call you with further directions when you arrive."

The call disconnected and Steve sighed with relief as he started the van. That had been easier than he thought. Now he had the upper hand.