Disclaimer: Sadly, H50 is not mine, sigh. Belongs to CBS
A/N: Thank you all for reading this story. Thank you to those who have reviewed and to those who have put this in their alert and favorite lists.
Payback's Even Better
Two weeks later Steve was quietly leaning against a wall in a dark office. From what he could see, it was classy, intending to impress. Steve wasn't impressed. His mark should be here any minute. The idiot made it easy for him by working several hours on Saturday when the office building was empty since the cleaning crew worked at night. Steve had already searched the office late last night finding what he needed and making copies for himself. Steve shook his head wondering how someone could be such a smart businessman, but still be a moron.
Steve's reverie was interrupted by a key opening the door. Steve quietly moved to a spot where he would not be easily seen. The door opened, the lights were turned on and Stan Edwards strode into his office without a care in the world.
Stan was lost in his thoughts and didn't notice that he had company. Williams had found another place to live and he needed to make sure that this one was "lost" to him too. Stan sneered as he thought about Williams sleeping with his wife and nearly ruining his marriage. He would show that deadbeat cop that no one messed with Stan Edwards.
Stan nearly had a heart attack when a folder was unceremoniously tossed onto his desk. His heart stopped when he spun around to see Lt. Cmdr. Steven McGarrett standing in his office dressed all in black. "Wha—how did you get in here?" Stan's mind whirled reminding him about something Danny had told Rachel; McGarrett could kill you and nobody would ever know he did it.
Steve smirked. "They money you must pay for the security here is not worth it. It was easy to get in here, twice. As for why I'm here, I think that file says it all."
Stan looked at the file Steve indicated and paled farther. It was the file he had been keeping on Williams and the methods used to keep him homeless. He had been so sure that no one would figure out he was behind Danny's troubles that he had kept a file of his actions. He now realized that he had underestimated McGarrett.
Steve's smirk grew. "I bet you believed that I was just your typical military grunt didn't you? It's the same thing that Danny believed when we first started working together. I still drive him crazy because I don't think like a cop, though I am learning to follow the rules. It's times like this when the rules I worked with in the Navy are more relevant."
Stan tried to bluster. "I'll have you up on charges of breaking and entering, trespassing and whatever else my lawyers can find. You'll lose your position at the head of Five-0 and your precious Navy career."
Steve smiled. "And how do you intend to prove that I was here today?" He held up his hands. "I'm wearing gloves, all of the security cameras are 'fixed' so there is no visual record of my being here. It would be your word against mine and a few of my old Navy buddies who will swear I am with them right now. I'm afraid there will be no charges to be brought against me Stan. Besides, I have a few copies of that file. I wonder what it would do to your image of an up and coming businessman if it was revealed that you were taking some kind of petty revenge on the Second-in-Command of Five-0, Hawaii's top notch task force. I wonder what Rachel would think?"
Steve made a direct hit with that and Stan hesitated before replying. "Believe what you like McGarrett. I'm not afraid of a little scandal. So, tell me what are you doing here?" He hoped McGarrett was bluffing.
Steve's smile disappeared and a menacing stranger faced Stan. "You will leave Danny alone. You will cease this vendetta you have against him or you will have to deal with me. Danny would tell you that you would be way out of your league. I can guarantee that I won't pussyfoot around. I can be a nasty underhanded bastard when someone threatens my ohana."
Stan scoffed, trying to be unaffected by the menacing quality of Steve's voice and demeanor. "What could a Navy grunt possibly do to me?"
"You mean besides kill you and hide the body where it will never be found or traced back to me? I could call some friends who could make sure that every business deal you are part of will fail spectacularly. I could have you put under the type of scrutiny that would have made Capone sweat. Maybe I could have your financial portfolio become less than nothing. I think perhaps a demonstration is in order. Turn on your computer and check your portfolio for a taste of what I could do to you without laying a finger on you."
Now Stan was getting scared. He had been a businessman long enough to know when someone was and wasn't bluffing. McGarrett wasn't bluffing. He turned on his computer. He checked his portfolio and sat down in his chair as his legs turned weak. His international stocks were plummeting; a few were in the negatives. How could this be happening? He looked at McGarrett to see him smiling maliciously. He had read McGarrett's file, or what he could of it and still dismissed the man as no threat, a military grunt playing at cops and robbers. Stan really had no idea what a Navy SEAL was capable of doing, especially one who had worked in the intelligence field. He now realized that he made the mistake of underestimating a potential opponent, something even rookie businessmen learn to avoid.
"I see that my little surprise has impressed you. Once this conversation is over, I'll make sure that what you are seeing is not a reality. Now let's get back to Danny and your interference in his housing situation. You will cease this petty little vendetta. You will also come clean to Rachel about your actions against Danny. I think that she should know what a petty man she married and expects to be a good role model for Grace and her future child." Steve's smile had morphed into his cold and menacing look again.
"B—but Rachel will leave me for that deadbeat….."
Stan trailed off when Steve moved like lightening to loom over him. Steve spoke quietly but with obvious menace. "Frankly I don't care. Simply put, you have no choice because if you don't I will. Yes, Rachel may choose to leave you, but I doubt Danny will take her back after what happened when I was arrested for Governor Jameson's murder. You have one week to tell Rachel the truth. Do you understand?"
Stan nodded knowing he was beat. McGarrett was right, he held all the cards.
"Good." Steve straightened turning to the door before turning back. "I almost forgot." He grabbed Stan by his collar lifting the man easily before pulling back and hitting Stan in the jaw as he let go. Stan fell to the floor as his chair rolled away from his falling body. Steve checked to be sure that he hadn't hurt Stan too badly before heading for the door saying. "That was for Danny. Don't try to put off telling Rachel, or give her any half truths. I'll know if you do." Steve left as quietly as he had entered.
Stan groaned barely remaining conscious. He had been punched before, deciding that had been child's play compared to McGarrett. As he regained his senses he realized that he would lose Rachel, Grace and the baby. Even with his money, all Rachel would have to do is tell the judge what he had done to a law enforcement officer. Why hadn't he left Williams alone? After all, the man had lost Rachel and Grace twice now. Why hadn't that been good enough? Now he would lose his wife for good this time and he had no one to blame but himself. He slowly picked himself up off the floor making the only decision he could after that little display. He would stay out of William's life for good. He was now thoroughly afraid of Steve McGarrett.
Steve smiled as he slid into his truck which was located a few miles from Stan's office. He grabbed his phone typing in a now familiar number. "You can undo your little trick. It worked like a charm. Thanks Toast."
"No problem man. Danny's good people. I gotta go."
"Don't inhale too quickly Toast, you won't be able to enjoy it as long." Steve hung up chuckling. He started the truck heading home. Now it was time to tell Danny about Stan.
Steve found Danny at the kitchen table working on his laptop. "Hey partner. What are you working on?"
Danny looked up shrugging. "I'm just reviewing some paperwork that didn't get finished."
Steve nodded as he sat next to Danny. "I found out who was behind your recent problems finding housing."
Danny tried to joke. "Okay. So who had it in for me? Was it one of your old buddies trying to get to you?"
Steve sighed. "Before I tell you, I want you to promise to stay as calm as you can."
Danny now studied his friend carefully. Steve looked worried and smug all at once. Who can look both Danny wondered briefly other than Steve. "This can't be good. Okay, I promise."
Steve had debated how to tell Danny on the way home when he decided that being straight forward was the best way to go. Nothing would soften the blow to Danny no matter how Steve hated hurting his friend. "Stan has been using his contacts to make sure that you remain homeless because you had an affair with Rachel."
Danny stared at Steve trying to process the revelation that Stan was behind his recent housing problems. Once it started to sink in, he did his best to remain calm. He had promised. "You mean that schmuck has been making calls and business deals just to keep me from finding an apartment? All because I slept with Rachel?" Danny's voice had risen by the time he finished. Danny stood up and began pacing using his hands to express his feelings. "He didn't think that loosing Rachel and Grace for a second time was enough punishment for letting my libido rule over common sense? Wait till I get my hands on him!"
Danny stopped when he hit the wall known as Steve McGarrett. Steve grabbed his shoulders gently but firmly. "Danny, please calm down. Stan won't interfere with your life ever again. Trust me."
Danny took a deep breath trying to regain some control. He wanted to know what Steve had done and if it would be enough. He placed his hands on Steve's arms when he was calmer. "Okay. I want to know what you did to old Stanley. Did you hit him?"
Steve looked in Danny's eyes making sure his friend was calm. Once he was satisfied he smirked. Steve led Danny back to the table so they could sit down while talking. "I did hit him before I left his office. I didn't break his jaw, but he'll find talking very difficult for a few days." Steve then relayed his entire conversation with Stan and all the help that Toast had provided. "I thought that Stan would faint when he saw his international stocks taking a nosedive thanks to Toast's little virus. Don't worry, Toast will have cleaned it out of Stan's system and nothing will be traced back to Toast or me." Steve watched Danny quietly as he waited for his friend to process his words.
Danny stared off into space thinking about what Steve had revealed. Part of him wanted to be angry with Steve for going after Stan without telling him. He didn't need Steve to fight his battles for him; he was capable of handling himself. To his surprise, Danny found that he wasn't mad but grateful that his friend cared enough to go after Stan for trying to hurt him. Danny also realized that it was probably better this way. He knew that he had a temper and might have done something stupid giving Stan more ammunition to use.
So he wasn't angry with Steve but with Stan. The question now was what he felt about Rachel possibly leaving Stan for good? He realized that he felt nothing. There would be no getting back with Rachel this time. Danny surprised himself when he realized that he didn't want Rachel back and he didn't want her running back to New Jersey. He wanted to stay in Hawaii with his ohana. Besides, Grace loved living here and he would make sure that she was happy. That was what mattered most to him anyway. That meant he would have to make sure that Rachel couldn't leave Hawaii with Grace. Steve could help with that he was sure.
Danny focused on Steve who was waiting patiently for Danny to render his verdict. "I have a question. Why did you handle Stan before telling me?"
Steve replied seriously. "I didn't do this because you can't take care of yourself; I did this because you're my kaikua'ana. I also used some contacts and resources that you aren't supposed to know anything about. I'm sorry if I stepped on your toes but Stan hurt you, and so did Rachel. Finally, I was afraid that you might do something rash and lose your right to see Grace."
Now Danny knew why he hadn't gotten angry with Steve. He had known that Steve did it with the best intentions. Steve also had a point about his visitation rights for Grace. "Thank you. I should be angry with you but I'm not because I knew you were doing it to help. You have also never doubted my abilities on the job."
Steve leaned forward speaking earnestly. "Danny you are one of the most capable people I have ever worked with, and I include the SEAL teams I have worked with. This was never about what you can or can't do. I needed to help you like you have always been there to help me. I just don't do things the way you do most of the time." Both men smiled at the truth of those words. Steve did have a question. "What about Rachel? She'll probably leave Stan over this."
Danny answered knowing Steve was worried about him. "We will not be getting back together. My affair with her was a mistake right from the beginning and not just because she is married. As much as a part of me still loves her, we don't work. I just wish it hadn't taken the whole fiasco over your arrest to make me realize it. As for what she will or won't do? She won't be leaving Hawaii for New Jersey if I have anything to say about it. There is no way I'm going to let her drag Gracie around because she can't 'deal' with Stan or me. Do you know someone who can help me?"
Steve stared at Danny surprised at the request. Danny very rarely asked for help, especially when it came to money or lawyers. "I do know someone who can help. I know a very good family lawyer. She can make sure that you get joint custody of Grace, not just visitation rights. That way Rachel won't be able to take Grace away from Hawaii without getting your permission."
Danny nodded grateful. "Sounds good. I think that I would like to do that no matter what Rachel decides to do. She may decide to stay with Stan. Either way all I care about is Grace."
Steve nodded understanding. "Then I'll help you stay in Grace's life and that she stays here with our ohana."
TBC
A/N: Most of you guessed it was Stan who was behind Danny's troubles. I might have left this story here but it wouldn't let me. So there are two more chapters to come. What will Rachel do? Hmmm.
