When Ghosts become Reality Chapter 2, a hawaii five-0 fanfic

I want to thank everyone for their reviews,favorites and followers...I know I still haven't responded back to all the ones that left reviews but I will make time, and as always I greatly appreciate them. Hopefully this chapter will give you an idea where I'm going...if not you can remain lost with me til we find our way.

The following week had been grueling, there had been 3 murders within a 20 mile radius. There appeared to be no motive, nor were the victims related in any way, a waitress at a local bar, a clerk that worked at one of the malls, and a retired electrician. The team was baffled, using all their resources available to gain leads without any success. The only thing that it did, was split everyone up. Each member tossed ideas and tried to pool evidence revolving around all of the murders. In the end it left them, individually at times, pounding the pavement with little or no back up.

Finally back at HQ they tried to put their thoughts together and voice their opinions.

Steve leaned heavy against the computer table, both arms rigid and hands pressed flat against the screen, his eyes scanning the numerous photos, willing them to make a connection.

"Look Boss" as Kono's fingers skimmed across the table " other than these two are around the same age, ….we've found absolutely no links between them…not even friends, places they hung out…nothing"

"The only similarity so far…." As Chin slid three pictures up onto the screen "is these three framed photos of the victims pictured with family members, each photo was left on the passenger seat of their vehicle.

"Now other than all the killings happened in a vehicle, the framed photos were from each victims home" as Danny gestured towards the screen "It's not like they're wallet size…so whoever this is…." as Danny glanced back towards Steve's rigid form.

"Knew where they lived too" as Steve finished Danny's sentence pushing away from the computer screen "the killer is the only other connection" as he ran his hand tiredly down his face. "There's no motive, there's no ties, these people didn't even know each other…" as Steve started ticking off what they did know on his fingers….there's only this" as Steve fingers splayed across the photo that was found with one of the victims. "There is nothing else…." Steve stretched locking his fingers behind his head staring at the photos that lined the screens on the wall "what are we missing?" he mumbled quietly to himself. "What are we missing?" he repeated as he took in the just as baffled looks of his team mates.

By weeks end they were no further ahead, they were exhausted. They all needed the break the weekend would give, come Monday morning they could give everything a fresh new look.

Steve was just shutting down his computer when a knock at his door drew his attention. He looked up taking in Joe White. A smile spread across his features…it had been a long time.

The commotion from Steve's office drew the rest of the team's attention. Danny was the first to finish up heading to Steve's office followed closely by Chin and Kono. Steve was quick to introduce Joe to the rest of his team.

"So what you're saying is you…" as Danny pointed his finger at Joe "are responsible for creating this?" as Danny flapped his hand up and down the length of Steve.

That got a laugh from everyone.

Joe spoke then to defend himself "not entirely responsible…."as he smiled at Steve "I would say he came by most of it naturally."

"Ah ha so what you're saying is we should never let him reproduce….or we'll have little versions of him " as Danny pointed back to Steve "running amuck all over this island"

"That wouldn't be so bad" Kono said with a mischievous smile.

"Are you insane?" Danny turned to Kono "we'd have a mini army of rampant little animals"

"Navy" Steve and Joe said in unison.

Danny scowled and then smiled at Steve "fine Navy" as he rolled his eyes.

Steve smiled slapping Joe on the shoulder "beers?...my treat for everyone"

"I'll pass I have Grace, so I'll be seeing you guys Monday" Danny said to Kono and Chin "and you Sunday" as he pointed to Steve " since my daughter thinks you are some kind of super hero" Danny turned to Joe shaking his hand " and it's nice to finally meet one of the people responsible for creating him " as he slapped Steve on the shoulder "Later guys I have a date with my daughter" as Danny headed out he turned back to face the group "hey you better make sure he has his wallet" he laughed as Steve instantly started patting down his numerous pockets and then triumphantly raised his wallet for Danny to see .

Danny laughed waving him off "later"

Joe's arrival had at least side tracked Steve for the weekend, catching up on lost time and reminiscing about his family had kept his mind off of the week's murders. Joe hung out at the McGarret house for the weekend, Danny had arrived with Grace later Sunday afternoon, letting Grace spend a couple of hours with one of her favourite uncles, and giving Danny the opportunity to find out more about Joe.

Not that Danny was worried or suspicious, O'Riley had been great, but Steve's first Navy buddy, Nick, didn't work out too well. Joe seemed to be just what Steve needed, he seemed more relaxed and Danny finally spotted that long overdue, genuine smile plastered across Steve's face. Apparently Joe would be around for a while, from what Danny could see, it looked to be exactly what Steve needed.

An early Monday morning call had the team out at the crack of dawn. The call was a possible murder scene, lots of blood but no body to be found. The man who owned the car had been reported missing by his wife. A framed family photo was found on the passenger seat, but now the M.O. had changed…where was the body? Or was there a body? maybe he was still alive.

Max had quickly eliminated the likely hood that the victim was still alive, the amount of blood loss could only mean one conclusion and that he was missing and presumed dead.

The team needed to get a handle on this, the Governor was already breathing down their necks. They needed to eliminate the idea that they had a potential serial killer on the loose that apparently was randomly picking people to kill. But after three murders and then a change of M.O., the team was wondering what they were dealing with. No news had been released to the public in regards to the photos, so it had to be the same person.

Steve scanned the outskirts of the crime scene, the change, in what Danny referred to as 'Seal Mode', didn't go unnoticed.

Danny moved up alongside of him letting his eyes wander over the same area "what do you think? We might find him close by?" Danny waited for a response that never came "Steve?"

"Mmmm" as Steve finally responded looking at Danny as if he had just realized he was there "What?"

"Come on…you miss your morning workout and your brain can't function appropriately? "as Danny caught him by his arm steering him towards the car "HPD can finish up here…Kono and Chin are going to talk to the wife….you my friend need a coffee"

Steve frowned "What?"

"Seriously McGarrett do I need to drive too"

"No…." as Steve gave Danny a confused look as he tried to catch up to the conversation…..this case was distracting, he needed to focus. Steve scanned the area one more time as he pulled the driver's door of the camero open. He shivered in the warm morning sun….something was wrong and he just couldn't put a finger on it.

On the way back to HQ Danny caught Steve checking his mirrors again "Will you quit that…..this is already weird enough without you adding to it. "

"What?" Steve gave his innocent… I don't know what you are talking about face.

"That" Danny said flicking his hand towards the window "you keep watching like we're being followed or something" Danny huffed then checked his own mirror and then looked back at a smirking Steve. "What?" as he rolled his eyes leaning back into the seat just to ignore him.

"What are you looking at then?" Steve raised his brows.

Danny turned to look at him, opened his mouth to say something, decided against it and crossed his arms and turned to stare back out the front window "Just stop talking McGarrett until we have coffee"

Steve nodded then glanced out his side mirror again, frowning he just couldn't shake the feeling.

The call came in about two hours later, a body matching the description of their missing driver. By days end they were no further ahead with a mountain of paperwork and dead end leads. Dennings expected some results by mid-week, until then he would hold off on any type of public announcement.

Danny leaned into Steve's office, the man sat unmoving staring into his computer screen "Hey….were calling it a day…it's late and we all need sleep and a fresh start tomorrow"

Steve glanced up rubbing his hands across his face "Yeah good plan….I'm beat"

"I'm leaving in five….I'll drop you off" as Danny headed to finish up.

Steve had gotten up early the next morning, he managed to get in a run and was just finishing up his swim, he slowed mid stroke as he noticed a familiar figure standing on the beach. He hurried his strokes til his feet touched bottom and he waded back into shore. Grabbing his towel he ran it through his wet hair drying as he walked back up the beach.

Danny stood with his hands pushed deep into his front pockets, a serious expression on his face "Come on Super Seal shake it off…we have another body"

Steve pulled the towel away from his face, a look of shock as he caught his partners gaze "Another?"

"Yeah and you've probably missed about twenty calls from all of us including the Governor, so hurry up aqua man we need to get to the office"

Kono, chin and Danny stood at the smart table going over their most recent evidence. Steve stormed in, barely casting them a glance as he headed into his office slamming his door.

Kono and Chin both looked at Danny.

"What?" Danny shrugged going back to reading a witness statement.

"You should go find out what Dennings said to him" as Kono motioned towards Steve's office.

"Why me?" as Danny gestured to himself.

"He's your partner brah" Chin pointed out as Kono nodded in agreement.

"Hell no…" as Danny waggled his finger at them "he is our boss" as he circled his hand to include them all "key word here…Our!...and besides I would guess it wasn't good…look at him" as Danny cast a wary look in Steve's' direction.

"Well I vote you go" Kono said with a mocked serious face as she raised her hand.

"Yeah and I'm with you Cuz" as Chin raised his.

Danny scowled "What is this?...you can't vote, since when did we start a voting thing."

Both Chin and Kono stared straight faced til Danny gave in. Danny pointed his finger at both "This is a conspiracy and I will get even with both of you"

Danny quietly swung Steve's door open "Hey...how'd it go?"

Steve slammed his laptop shut, rubbing his face in frustration as he made eye contact with Danny. "The man is a royal pain in my ass…what does he expect from us?" as Steve lurched out of his chair starting to pace. "He wants answers….answers!" as Steve's voice rose. "It's not like we've been sitting around on our asses doing nothing" as Steve slammed his fist down so hard on his desk his poor lap top bounced to attention, beeping erratically as the lid flipped open. Steve stopped frowned at the small device then turned to continue his rant but stopped short when his eyes met his partners.

Danny stood stock-still, his eye brows raised and a sincere look of concern plastered across his face.

"What?"

"We all know how serious this is….and we'll figure this out together and besides…." As Danny waved his hand towards him "You're starting to remind me of someone"

"Who?" Steve said as he got a face trying to figure it out.

Danny turned waving him along "Come on Rambo let's figure this out before you hurt yourself or blow something up"

Steve and Danny rejoined Chin and Kono at the smart table.

Steve took charge with new determination "Ok let's re-group and start from the beginning….we need to get every bit of information about our victims...Kono I need you to go back to the day they were born if you have too" Steve then turned to Chin "Chin I need you to check with Max…..go back over the causes of death, see if we missed anything….even something that doesn't seem important…we're missing something and it has to be there…..Danny?"

Danny held up his hand to effectively stop Steve from speaking as he continued to read the statement he held in his hand.

"We need to go talk to this person" as Danny pointed to the paper "I think she may have seen something"

"Ok you go…." Steve said

"Alone?" Danny gestured

Steve snatched the papers "it's a 72 year old woman Danny…I'm sure you'll be fine with no back-up"

"Very funny McGarrett…..what are you going to do?"

"I'm going to get a hold of Joe…see if he'll come in…..we need some fresh eyes on this" as Steve scanned the screens one more time.

"Got it…keys?" as Danny held out his hand "Can't believe I get to drive my car"

Steve laughed "call me with any news"

"Yes dear" as Danny snatched the keys from Steve's hand.

Steve was back at his desk sorting through the evidence that they had while he waited for Joe's arrival. He had the names and pictures of all the victims up on his laptop and was sifting through some more statements matching them up to each.

Dawn Stedman a 24 year old female waitress.

Adam Dalton a 25 year old male clerk

Nate Johnson a 64 year old male retired electrician

Nick Fergussen a 37 year old male construction worker, father of 3

And then their most recent victim, Owen Williams a 27 year old student.

Steve was staring at the screen when Kono came back in.

"Ok got one hit so far that is the same for all of them."

"What!...you did?" Steve said glancing up from his computer as she gained his full attention.

"All of them were born in New Jersey"

"What?" as Steve looked back to his computer "Nick Fergussen looks local?"

"Yes technically he is but" as Kono flipped the paper she held " his parents made a trip to New Jersey when his mom was 7 months along, she went into labour early, Nick was born premature in New Jersey" as Kono tapped her paper .

Steve looked back down at his computer screen, the names of the victims jumped out at him, it all started to come together as Steve moved his hand down the screen highlighting the letters. His stomach twisted at the realization "Danno…." came out quietly.

Kono frowned "Steve?"

Steve looked wide eyed to Kono "Danny!" as he pulled his phone out hitting the familiar number as he quickly rose from his desk spinning the small lap top for Kono to see.

Kono's eyes grew wide as she caught what Steve meant.

"Come on! Come on! Come on! Danny! Answer the damn phone" as Steve headed out of his office Kono right behind him.

Steve started to jog towards the exit "Kono send me the address Danny went to…..get Chin, fill him in and get the GPS on Danny's car and send it to me too" Steve was now cursing the unanswered calls as he hit the exit doors with a bang , his heart racing, he could only hope he was wrong.

Kono scrambled making the call to Chin and getting the info Steve needed for Danny, this was already bad and now it may have just gotten worse.