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"I had hoped you'd live," Spenser McCann's tone did little to soothe Danny. "I was pleased when my informants shared the very happy news. You're tenacious to the best of all faults. But, you look … thinner … gaunt, though. Is it your bad arm? I do seem to recall that it was giving you some trouble the last time we saw each other."

Danny didn't know what to say as McCann studied him from head to toe. As far as he knew, no one knew the man's whereabouts. Even INTERPOL had pegged him last in Dubai; certainly nowhere near the shores of Hawaii. His mind was racing though, seconds ticking in his head as he thought about Steve. He dwelled nervously as he prayed an ambulance would arrive in time; he prayed that the volume of blood leaking through Steve's shirt looked worse than it really was. He knew without a doubt, too, that any such disparate 911 call from the Commander's home would also result in a flux of well-armed HPD responders.

"Why are you here?" Danny finally asked. His mind doing double-time between thoughts of Steve and his own predicament.

"Truth be told," Spenser answered with a smug, self-satisfied smile. "The second half of our mission is now in play. You remember my Dylan? He'll be joining us at some point along the way … I'm sure you missed him as much as he, you."

"Your Dylan? Hardly … I didn't quite miss either one of you," Danny retorted. "I'm sure he didn't miss me at all. Especially with the … games … you like to play."

"Games? Hmmm, maybe to you they're games … but, no not so much." Spenser lifted one side of his mouth into a pleased grin.

"I am sincerely glad that you lived, Danno. But this McGarrett? Your Commander is quite … resilient. My sources say that young Kalakaua managed to get him to safety."

"I swear to God you're going to die," Danny hissed, his anger and worry breaking loose despite his best efforts.

"It's really very simple," Spenser McCann grinned contentedly as he stretched his legs, long and arrogantly out in front of him. He was sitting in Steve's favorite chair, turned just so on an angle where he could watch the ex-SEAL slowly bleed out and garner amusement from Danny's growing desperation. Four of his men ranged around the room, also watching. Feasibly waiting for their commander's direction.

"First, you'll hand your weapons over, along with your cell phone and badge," McCann said, his eyes narrowing as his body stiffened in readiness. He leaned forward, eager and ruthless with his next limited compromise. "Secondly, 911 gets summoned for your partner here … if and only if, you come with me. Willingly, Danno. Now and with no questions asked; no fighting or arguing – no complaining. I really don't have the patience to deal with your mouthiness right now."

Simple and yet in reality, not so much. Danny didn't want to ask what the outcome would be if he didn't agree to the terms. Spenser would still get his way. Spenser McCann would still force him to go along; but only after they'd all watched as Steve quite literally … died. Danny was already drenched in sweat and beginning to shake from both a pent up rage, as well as fear for the unanticipated return of this particular person.

"Okay," Danny whispered. He had no choice but to accept as he looked down at Steve already slumped so lifelessly. Fingers trembling he thumbed the safety on his weapon, released the clip and handed both to McCann's nearest man. His cell phone and badge followed next, falling in a tidy pile into the black-gloved hand.

"Phone?" Danny asked, a nervous nod towards Steve as his hands clenched and unclenched repeatedly. With every fiber of his being, Danny wanted to go to him, but he didn't dare move. As for making a call to 911, they'd taken his phone, so what was he supposed to do?

"I'll do it; but I obviously need a phone," Danny said, his heart thudding so loudly in his ears that he was sure McCann could also hear it. And if he didn't hear it, the leader could certainly sense it as Danny's complexion paled and he wondered if this was already the start of a frightening lie.

Spenser smiled coyly. "What? You don't trust one of us to do it?"

"I trust any one of you about as far as I could throw you - why would I?" Danny replied, worry becoming anger as Steve quietly moaned in pain. "I'll go with you, but I make the call. So ... like I said, what phone do I use?"

"Use this," McCann ordered blithely, his words prompting another of his men to idly toss a burner his way. The doctored cell phone hit Danny square in the chest and his fingers fumbled for it at first, nearly dropping the small device in his haste. "Short and sweet now, Danny. No names either … you're an anonymous caller requesting an ambulance to this address. No more, no less. It'll be enough for them to figure it all out."

"Yeah," Danny rasped. He swallowed hard, tears pricking his eyes as he dialed emergency services. His request was succinct and provided the barest of essentials, except for the grievousness of the victim having sustained a gunshot wound. Spurred on by a flux of boldness, Danny never lost eye contact with McCann as he dared to leave at least that critical information with the dispatcher. He didn't miss the look of disapproval in the man's face for his first act of real defiance when he quickly ended the call. There would be a consequence; one that Danny would shoulder, though he felt a spike of fear as McCann's gaze lingered briefly over Steve's bloody torso before settling piercingly back to him.

The man's eyes were sharp and briefly angry. Danny's heart nearly stopped at the unspoken depth of the warning so silently shared in that instance. He wavered wondering what he'd so stupidly brought down on Steve until McCann smoothly got to his feet.

"Let's go," McCann said. Danny was propelled forward to land in the midst of the small group. The burner subsequently removed from his hands. Moments later, they had all disappeared together with Danny reluctantly trailing behind Spenser McCann, leaving Steve unconscious and alone.

~ to be continued ~