Okay, here we are with chapter two! I hope you enjoy!
Allies And Enemies – Chapter Two
Friend Or Foe?
Until a few days ago, Steve McGarrett had opened his mail without a second thought. But not now. With all the threats facing him, so many doubts over who he could trust, he wasn't taking any chances. So the parcel he'd just found on the front stoop was viewed with as much suspicion as curiosity – especially when Danny's quiet question caused him to frown back at his partner, and shake his head.
"More parts for the Mercury?"
Still studying the parcel in front of them, it took Steve several seconds to realize what he hadn't said. A slight smile thanked his friend for not referring to his father's pride and joy as that piece of junk.
They'd enjoy that ongoing joke between them later, when this damn mess was over, but right now – no, as they continued to warily study the package in front of them, neither of them felt like laughing. There was no postage stamp. No return address. And no clues, at all, as to what was parcelled inside it.
Instincts told them both not to touch it. Practical necessity didn't give them much else of a choice. If it was a bomb, and if it went off now, it would destroy the house, and kill everyone inside it.
But then Danny noticed a tiny scrap of paper tucked under one of its corners, and knelt to pick it up – easing it clear, studying it for a moment, before passing it up to Steve with a slightly easier shrug.
"It says whatever's inside belongs to you. But it's typed, so we can't identify the sender."
"But they've signed off with 'from a friend'. Oh yeah, that's original," Steve agreed, still frowning. Taking a deep breath, he gingerly ran his fingers over the parcel's smoothly wrapped sides.
"I can't feel any wires, or anything to suggest any kind of timer."
"Yeah, the one on the boat had wires all over the place, you could see everything," Danny recalled, wincing at the memory, then staring in puzzled surprise as Steve drew out his phone and hit speeddial five.
The inevitable question was barely halfway through before he smirked in mischievous realization.
"Ah, you're phoning another friend! The one you still haven't introduced me to."
Pulling a suitable face back at him, Steve then grew serious again, confirming the house's co-ordinates. After several seconds that felt like hours, he finally relaxed, ending the call with a heartfelt promise.
"Thanks, Cath, you're the best. When you're next in town, I'll thank you properly."
He'd said that last part tactfully quietly. Judging by the broad grin beside him, not quietly enough.
Knowing he was fighting a hopeless cause, Steve turned and strode back into the kitchen – the world's most annoying little brother hot on his heels, running his latest risk of Dannocide.
"So if she's coming here on her next shore leave, I might finally get to meet her! Right?"
Still sizing his partner up against the capacity of his freezer, Steve continued to ignore him – fighting back an affectionate smile as Danny hovered at his elbow, teasingly snapping his fingers.
"Aw, c'mon, you lovesick lump! I'm your partner, right? So that gives me certain rights."
'Okay, I'd have to bend him a bit. Maybe truss him up with that damn tie, but… yeah, he'd fit.'
So tempted to try out his theory, Steve just grinned instead as he finally turned to face his friend.
"Never gonna happen, Danno, 'cos I know what would happen if you did meet," he said at last – pausing for effect, taking his time to cut open his parcel, while enjoying the reaction beside him.
If there was one thing guaranteed to push his partner's buttons, it was to be left dangling like this. Danny was bouncing around him now like a kid on Christmas morning. A few seconds later, the vein in his left temple started to visibly beat, and… yeah, that should do it.
"Trust me, buddy, I'm doing you a favour. I know what she'd do when she saw you."
Ten more wickedly enjoyed seconds, while Danny fought the greatest curse of his character. Finally, though, that damn curiosity proved too much for him, and he sniffed in sulking defeat.
"Well, if she chose me over you, she'd show excellent taste."
Laughing openly now, Steve had to admire his theory. Damn, it was almost a shame to shoot it down.
"Actually she'd be more likely to adopt you. You know, like a little cuddly puppy. Or, you know, one of those little lapdogs that she could fit in her purse."
The reaction was all he'd hoped for. A paint peeling glare. And a growl of heartfelt frustration.
"I hate you. I hate you so much."
Before Steve could retaliate, and with the patience that only big brothers could find, Don beat him to it.
"Jeez, kids, you're at it already? We haven't even had breakfast yet!"
Then it was his turn to find himself on the receiving end as Colby chose that perfect moment to come in from his morning swim.
"Yeah, now you know how your dad feels," he sighed through a wickedly smirking grin – wisely retreating into the towel around his head to escape his boss and friend's withering glare.
Once it was safe, several headrubs later, he tortoised his head out again, joining in the puzzled frowns on the faces beside him.
"Hey, that's some weird kind of parcel. Stacks of old photos?"
"Not just any photos, Colby. They've been sent to me on purpose," Steve replied quietly, totally serious now as he showed a handful of crumpled photographs to his equally puzzled partner.
"Danny, they're from the box! This is part of my father's missing evidence!"