Saving Five-0

Chapter Two

Zebraboymom

Disclaimer: I don't care that I don't own them. I write about them for fun.

Author Notes: If you thought things were bad now, you haven't seen anything yet.

For the next two days Steve and his team checked every restaurant and every lead they found in Laura's book. None of the restaurants led them to Wo Fat. They set up surveillance teams at a couple of the ones the two had frequented a lot, but nothing so far. It was maddening. Steve hoped the forensics on Laura's car would give them some clues.

The funeral for Laura was today and the whole team was going. Kono wished she had something to tell Laura's parents about her killer, but they were still drawing a blank. Steve pulled the car up to the graveside and the five of them climbed out. Kono got out and slowly started up the hill lagging behind the rest of the team. Steve waited for her to catch up and took her hand as they walked up to the top where it looked out over the ocean. They took their places across from the family and Kono saw the Hills smiling sadly at her. She looked down at the casket in front of her and gripped Steve's hand tighter. He leaned into her and felt her lean back. The ceremony was sweet, but very sad. Steve kept looking down at Kono. She stood ramrod straight and he could tell she was putting on a strong front. He could feel her trembling hand and felt her swaying slightly. She was anything but okay. If she passed out he knew she would die of embarrassment. He rubbed his thumb across the back of her hand and pulled her closer into his side. She gratefully leaned against him and the trembling stopped. When the funeral was over Kono slipped her hand out of Steve's and crossed to the Hills. She spoke to them softly and then turned to look at Laura's casket one more time. The rest of the team came over and spoke to them as well. Steve again told them he would do whatever it took to find her killer. The five of them stood looking down at the beach for a second. The view was amazing. It was nice to think that Laura's final resting place was in such a beautiful place. Steve slipped his arm around Kono's shoulders and walked with her back down the hill to their car.

When they arrived back at HQ everyone was uncharacteristically quiet. Kono stood looking out the newly repaired windows. Steve knew she was looking down at the spot where Laura's car had once been. The burn marks were still clearly visible from the intense heat and fire. No one spoke until Steve looked up to see the governor and several FB agents enter their offices. She had been at the funeral earlier and they had spoken, so he was curious why she was coming to see them now.

"Commander, I never thought I would have to do something like this to one of my own, but the forensics are back on Laura's car. Steve McGarrett, you are under arrest for the murder of Laura Hills. Officers take him into custody."

The whole team stood frozen in place as Steve was handcuffed right in front of them. Danny stepped up to the governor.

"You know this isn't right, don't you? There is no way Steve did something like this."

"I'm sorry, Detective Williams, but the bomb used to blow up Laura's car was the same type of bomb Steve used when he was in the SEALs. It was his signature bomb. Every SEAL has one. We found all the materials in his home."

"You went through my house and you didn't even tell me?"

"We had a warrant. I had to be completely sure before I took any action. I can't believe you did this Steve. Part of me still thinks you didn't, but the evidence doesn't lie. Take him into custody."

Kono argued with her.

"Governor you know he's being framed. Steve is the most ethical person I know. He just would not do this."

"You people have done things that color outside the lines for over a year. Maybe I gave you too much freedom. I don't know, but the evidence is overwhelming. I'm sorry."

Kono caught Steve's sleeve as they started to take him.

"Governor, don't do this. Give us a chance to prove his innocence! Danny. Chin. Do something!"

Steve leaned back into Kono holding her eyes with his for a few seconds and whispered.

"It will be okay Kono."

The agents wrenched Steve from her grasp and shoved him down the hall.

Jenna stepped up to put her arm around Kono as they disappeared into the elevator with Steve. No one said anything. They all stood dumbfounded. The governor looked at all of them like they were somehow involved too.

"Agent Kaye, you are no longer welcome at headquarters. I suggest you make arrangements to return to the states. Your coming here has only helped to unravel this team. Danny, Chin and Kono, Five-0 is dissolved. It was a bad idea in the first place and I never should have put you all together. If I hadn't maybe Laura would still be alive. I don't want to suspect Steve any more than you do, but again, the evidence doesn't lie. Please have your things out of here by noon tomorrow."

That said. The governor turned on her heels and left.

No one spoke as the gravity of what just happened settled down around him or her. Kono hung onto Jenna for dear life. She was starting to have a panic attack and Jenna was the only thing grounding her. She looked around at everyone else and finally Chin spoke.

"Let's get all our stuff and set up headquarters at my house. It has the most bedrooms. We are not going to stop until we free Steve."

The team silently worked to copy files and Kono put everything they had learned about Wo Fat on a thumb drive. Jenna copied the important pages from Laura's book. It crossed her mind that the governor had deliberately left the evidence in their care and allowed them ample time to copy everything. Why would she do that unless in her heart she knew Steve was innocent? Jenna couldn't help but smile as she stood at the copier. When she returned to the group she blurted it out.

"Steve is innocent and the governor knows it."

"What?"

"If she really thought he was guilty she would never leave us for almost a whole day with all the evidence that could clear him. Right?"

The truth slowly spread across all their faces. Hope sprang up in Kono. She cared so much for Steve and hadn't until this moment realized it. At some point along the way he had become more than just her Boss. He had become her friend and now she found herself feeling deep affection growing for him. Was this a crush or was she falling for him? She wondered if he only felt protective of her like a little sister or if he felt it too. She would do everything in her power to protect him the way he always did her.

It was almost 7:00 when they finally finished and loaded everything up in their cars. The four of them looked up to see the lights still on in the governor's office, so they went together to turn in their code keys. She looked up from her desk as the four of them entered her office.

"Did you get everything?"

"We did and thank you for giving us time."

"It's what Steve would have wanted. I owe him that much."

Her words were carefully chosen as they were probably on camera, but the look she gave all of them spoke louder than words.

"Governor, I hope you know we plan to do everything we can to prove Steve is innocent."

"I wouldn't expect any less, Detective Williams. You are a resourceful group of young people. I know you will try your best. I can't tell you how sorry I am that it's come to this."

"Good night Governor. We all liked working for you, but this puts a rift between us until this is solved."

"I know. Good night and good luck."

She stood then and shook each of their hands, holding on a little too long and making eye contact with each of them in an attempt to convey her support. By the time they all left, they knew the governor was on their side.

They grabbed a pizza on the way to Chins and sat eating in silence. They all felt it. Steve wasn't there. It felt wrong. It felt all wrong. Without anyone saying a word, they began to set up a base operation. Kono started downloading the files to Chin's computer. Jenna sat out each of the evidence boxes on a table Chin set up. Danny got the huge white board they had bought on the way there out of the car and set it up. They were ready to go in an hour. They worked until midnight and then everyone agreed to sleep for at least six hours before they started again.

The next morning Kono left the three of them at Chin's. It was decided that she would go and see Steve in custody and convey to him their plan. She drove so fast there that she was worried she was going to get a ticket. After going through an extensive search, she was allowed to sit at a table in a room with several other family members seeing other prisoners. Kono's face lit up when she saw Steve coming through the door. It immediately fell when she saw his face. He had been beaten and had a cut over his eye that had stitches. As he sat down, she reached across and touched the cut gently.

"What happened?"

Steve shrugged.

"Boss, what happened?"

"Do you have any idea how many guys I've put away in here? Don't worry about it. Talk to me."

Kono held his eyes for a minute. She shivered at the idea of prisoners coming after Steve. He could handle himself well; he was a SEAL after all, but a gang of them? They had to get him out. Steve saw how concerned she was and smiled at her. He reached across and held his hand palm up. She placed hers in it and he closed his warm fingers around her, stroking his thumb over her wrist.

"I'm okay, really."

"For now. When's your arraignment?"

"Ten o'clock this morning. Will you be there?"

"Wild horses couldn't drag me away. All of us will be there. The gang says hey. They are busy at our new headquarters: Chin's house."

"What happened?"

"After they took you, the governor dissolved Five-0 and gave us the rest of the day to "gather" our things. She's on our side Boss I know it."

"Did you get everything?"

"Yeah. Watch yourself Steve. These attacks might be guys you've put away, but there might also be some of Wo Fat's men in there."

"Don't worry. I think Wo Fat wants a very public display of my demise. He wants to rub my face in it."

Kono looked down at their intertwined hands and tried not to cry. Steve reached across with a finger and lifted her chin. She tried to blink back the tears."

He spoke softly to her.

"It's okay. I'm going to be okay."

"I know, but it's hard."

"How are you doing?"

"I'm a mess. I miss you…the team misses you so much. This is so unfair Boss. You're the best man I know. You would never do anything like this."

"Want to be my lawyer? Just kidding. As soon as they set bail, I'll be back with all of you and we'll solve this, okay?"

"Okay."

"Time's up."

Kono reluctantly let go of Steve's hand and stood. They looked into each other's eyes for a moment and then Steve was led out.

Two hours later the four friends walked into the court room and took a seat behind Steve and his lawyer.

"The state verses Steve McGarrett. You are accused of one count of murder. I have to say I'm shocked to find one of our own in front of me today. How do you plead Commander?"

"Not guilty your honor."

The ADA stood up.

"Your honor, we are asking you to suspend bail. We consider Commander McGarrett a huge flight risk. He's an ex-SEAL and has the means to escape."

"Unfortunately, I have to agree with you. Bail is denied. Trial is set to begin in three weeks."

Steve was pulled towards the door as the four of them looked on. Jenna was stunned.

"What just happened?"

Danny huffed in anger.

"Steve just got screwed. Come on, we are going to figure a way to get him out of there."