Part 02 - AN in Prologue

Five-O Headquarters, Aliiolani Hale Building, Downtown Honolulu, Hawaii

Kono organized the collected data on the smart board as she kept a surreptitious eye on Steve who was agitatedly pacing back and forth in his office as he waited to be connected to Leon Vance, the NCIS Director.

Chin stepped up to the table and with a casual nod asked, "How's he holding up?"

Kono replied, "I haven't seen him this fidgety since we went after Hesse and the asset forfeiture locker."

Chin agreed, "Yeah." He looked over the data and asked, "Cuz, why'd you add Taylor and Hart's death?"

"Well, we know Taylor had turned to mercenary but Hart died in a campaign against this guy," she quickly tapped several keys on the table and a picture of an older Korean soldier flashed up beside the two former Seals.

Chin responded, "Han Ji Woon."

Kono nodded, "Han Ji Woon came up in the ranks under Colonel Change Hai before his alleged death."

Chin mused "Coincidence?"

Kono smiled, "Not likely. What was it you always say about coincidences Cuz?"

Steve interrupted as he came over, "They usually take a lot of planning." He turned to look at Kono, "What are you thinking?"

Kono answered, "What if your friend Hart was the first and not just an op gone bad?"

Steve stared at the board in contemplation. "It's possible Woon was still working for or with Hai." He fell silent as Chin and Kono exchanged a concerned glance.

Chin asked, "What about Vance? NCIS gonna cooperate?"

Steve absently nodded as he tapped keys on the screen, "Yeah, he said he'd have someone from his office that is familiar with the case courier the files here."

Chin's eyebrow climbed as he questioned, "And he didn't have a problem with giving us the information. Navy usually like to police their own." Kono agreed with his assessment.

Steve looked over at his teammates as he calmly replied, "He did till I let him know that Ms. Lange would be here in a few hours and that she had already promised NCIS's full co-operation."

Kono whistled, "Good use of resources Boss."

Chin asked, "Is NCIS taking the lead?"

"No. Both the Governor and Ms. Lange felt that 5-0 would be the better choice for lead since we have all the connections and authority on the island. Vance and Special Agent Gibbs weren't happy with the decision but have chosen not to fight it yet," answered Steve.

Kono commented, "Well that's something at least. Is the Special Ops group already on their way?"

Chin replied, "They called in when they arrived in Santa Monica and are supposed to check back in as soon as they get a hold of Sheppard."

Steve nodded, "In the meantime, Chin I want you to go meet up with Kawica and see if the Kapu have reported seeing a group of strangers hanging in or around the forestry areas."

Chin nodded as he grabbed his helmet, "On my way."

After Chin left, Kono looked to Steve, "You gonna have a problem with Sheppard?"

Steve replied, "No. We cleared the air years ago. How about you?"

"No way. John and I never had a problem," replied Kono with a smirk.

Steve growled playfully, "Smartass."

Kono laughed at his irritation even as she asked, "What do you want me to work on Boss?"

Mind back on the case, Steve replied, "Keep digging. See if Taylor and Woon are connected or if there is a hint that he may have worked with Hai. Then call Kamekona and tell him to set up a buffet dinner in the break room. I've a feeling our guests will probably be hungry by the time they arrive."

The elevator dinged before Kono could reply, a little girl ran from the elevator and straight to Steve, "Uncle Steve, Uncle Steve where's Danno?" An attractive brunette followed close behind.

Rachel Edwards gave a nervous smile as she stated, "Sorry Steven. Grace was watching television when a special news report said he and a federal agent had been kidnapped from a restaurant downtown."

Steve looked shell-shocked at the sudden appearance of Danny's ex-wife and child.

Unidentified location in Hawaiian Jungle

Danny questioned, "You see anybody since you've been conscious?"

Kensi replied, "There's a guy staked to the ground about a hundred yards behind us. But other than that no."

Danny squirmed to look behind him causing the cage to rattle precariously and a bolt of pain to shoot through his shoulder, "What? Where? Who is it?

Kensi yelled, "Jersey stop before you cause that teeny tiny rope holding us up to snap and we crash to our certain deaths."

Danny froze and gulped, "Sorry." He held himself stiffly as he waited for the cage to stop swaying and the pain from his shoulder wound to subside.

Kensi replied, "It's okay. Just don't do that again. Let me be the eyes for awhile. Okay."

"Alright. Okay," mumbled Danny.

Kensi eyed the growing red stain on his shirt with concern. "Hey Jersey. I don't wanna be the bearer of more bad news..."

"Really," he interrupted sarcastically. "Go ahead lay it on me."

"You're bleeding again. Looks like the bullet wound has opened back up," replied Kensi in a whisper.

"Well isn't that wonderful. Don't worry I'll probably die of lead poisoning before I bleed to death," he answered fatalistically.

Ignoring his pessimistic attitude, Kensi commented, "We need to find some way of slowing or stopping the blood flow."

Danny replied, "Only way we're gonna be able to do that is to get these ropes off."

Kensi looked around as she absently agreed, "Yeah."

NCIS Headquarters, Russell-Knox Building, Quantico, VA

Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs stomped down the steps leading to the bull pen as he called out to his team. "Conference room in two." That would give him just enough time to get a cup of coffee for what he knew was going to be the beginnings of an annoying case. Nobody usurped his authority and got away with it.

Special Agent Anthony Dinozzo looked over to his partner and sometimes sidekick, Special Agent Timothy McGee and rhetorically asked, "What did you do McBluff?"

Special Agent Ziva David replied, "Perhaps it is you that have enflamed Gibbs this afternoon."

Tim interjected, "I think you mean enraged."

Ziva responded, "Enraged... enflamed... means the same thing."

McGee replied, "Eh... huh."

Tony interrupted, "Forget it McGee. Doesn't matter. Something's got the Boss knickers in a bunch."

Ziva stood, "Then I guess we better get to the conference room. Wouldn't want to be late and make him angrier than he already is."

Tim nodded, "Absolutely." He scooped up his I-Pad and headed up the stairs not looking back to see if the rest of his team was following.

Five minutes later, Gibbs strolled through the conference room door as he took a sip of his coffee. His team was already seated at the table looking around in curiosity.

Tony spoke up, "Did we catch a case Boss?"

Gibbs carefully placed his cup down on the table before he replied, "No. But the Scott case appears to be heating up."

"That the cold case of the Staff Sgt. suspected of going AWOL but no clues Boss?" asked Tim as he tapped on his I-Pad to bring up his notes on the Scott case.

"Yep, seems the Staff Sgt. was on loan a few years ago to a Navy Seal team and team members have been dropping dead over the last few weeks," replied Gibbs.

"So maybe he didn't go AWOL after all," injected Tony. "We just haven't found the body."

"How many have died?" asked Ziva.

Gibbs opened a folder and replied, "In addition to our vic, I've got one natural cause, two behind enemy lines, one by a drunk driver and one killed by federal authorities in Hawaii."

"Federal authorities?" asked Tim with renewed interest. He was always looking for new plot lines for his L J Tibbs book series.

"Former Seal Nick Taylor was shot and killed by the head of the Hawaiian Governor's task force when he apparently went rogue and laid siege to this guy's house. Ironically, the guy that shot him is also a member of the Seal Team," responded Gibbs.

Tony commented, "Sounds like a movie of the week plot."

Gibbs glared at him as he responded, "I have been informed by Director Vance that we are to turn over all our files on Staff Sgt. Scott to the task force."

"We're not gonna do it are we Boss?" asked Tony.

"No Dinozzo, we're not. Vance may have agreed to it but I have no intention of just turning our files over and walking away. Which is why I have arranged a flight out within the hour. I need everyone to pull their to go bags out and we need to move out now. We'll discuss the particulars on the way," replied Gibbs.

"Vance agreed to let us fly to Hawaii? Wow, I'm impressed," commented Tony as he closed his eyes and pictured a bevy of Hawaiian babes hula dancing. His musings came to an abrupt halt as he felt a wrap to the back of the head.

"Get your mind out of the gutter Dinozzo. We're going to Hawaii on business not to get laid," growled Gibbs in irritation.

"Sorry Boss," mumbled Tony contritely. "Won't happen again."

Ziva snorted in disbelief.

Gibbs turned to McGee, "Pull full jackets on the remaining members of the team. Get everything you can find in the next fifteen minutes on former Lt. Samuel Hanna, Staff Sgt. Michael Scott and Naval Reservist, Lt. Commander Steven McGarrett."

"On it Boss," replied Tim as he rushed from the room.

"Hanna's with the Special Ops branch in LA ?" asked Ziva.

"He is. Ziva, I want you to grab McGee's bag and then you and Tony head to the air strip. McGee and I'll be right behind you. I wanna check in with Abby before we leave," continued Gibbs.

Tony and Ziva nodded as they headed out of the room, just as Vance walked in the door. They hesitated a moment before continuing on their mission. Gibbs didn't need their help to handle the Director.

"By the way McGee rushed by me, can I assume you aren't going to follow my orders?" asked Leon as he shut the door behind the two departing agents.

"Sure I am. I'm going to courier the files over to Hawaii just like you ordered and then I'm gonna offer up my team's services to the task force," replied Gibbs.

"Did you tell them about the incident in Hawaii a few hours ago where a NCIS Agent Blye has been kidnapped along with a Honolulu Police Detective?" questioned Leon. He didn't bother to object to Gibbs plan since he knew it was futile.

"Not yet. I plan on giving a full briefing on the flight over," said Gibbs.

"I'll give your team a week and you are to report directly to Henrietta Lange," answered Leon.

Gibbs nodded as he headed out of the room. With Blye's kidnapping he wasn't surprised Hetty had already been called in. He needed another cup of coffee.

Shutters on the Beach, Santa Monica, California

Dr. Elizabeth Weir-Sheppard watched as a heavily muscled bald African-American picked up her husband in what could only be referred to as a bear hug. She smiled at the spectacle they made till her eyes fell on the women standing off to the side... Henrietta Lange. She immediately stood and asked with a frown, "What's going on?" She directed her question to the woman she presumed to be in charge of the group.

Sam put John back down with one last hug, "Man it is good to see you. You're looking good. Still a little underfed."

John laughed, "Good to see you too Sam." He then glanced at Elizabeth and seeing the seriousness of her gaze followed her eyes to Hetty. "Hetty, what are you doing here?"

Hetty grimaced, "Looking for you. I'm very sorry to interrupt your honeymoon but we need your help." John and Elizabeth shared a knowing glance before Hetty continued with a brief smile, "Not that kind... we need your help John with a rescue mission."

Sam interjected, "Someone is targeting my old Seal Team. Could be they're after you too since you used to fly us around."

John turned serious, "What's the damages?"

Callen replied, "Five dead, one missing, two civilian hostages."

Elizabeth murmured, "My god. Who's left?"

Sam replied, "Mikey is missing. Steve, me and you are the only ones left standing."

Marty interjected, "I hate to be the one with common sense but do you guys think we can take this too a less public venue... the locals are starting to look a little concerned."

Without looking around, Elizabeth replied, "Of course, we'll meet you at the hotel in a few minutes. We can talk in our room. We're staying in the penthouse suite."

Approximately ten minutes later, Elizabeth apologized, "Forgive me. I think we skipped a step on the beach. I'm Dr. Elizabeth Weir and I guess you know my husband, Colonel John Sheppard."

John said, "No, I only know Sam and Hetty."

Hetty spoke up as she pointed to the individual's of her team, "This is Martin Deeks and Callen. They work at NCIS with myself and Mr. Hanna." The men exchanged brief handshakes.

John replied, "Pleased to meet you both. Do we know who is doing this?"

Sam answered, "Colonel Chang Hai."

John grunted, "He's dead. I'm pretty sure I witnessed McGarrett putting a round in his head."

Elizabeth asked, "McGarrett? Whose McGarrett?"

Sam responded, "The LT who was in charge of the mission. He's moved over to the reserves now and heads up a task force in Hawaii. Lt. Commander Steve McGarrett. That's where we think Hai is now."

"Steven...Steve McGarrett. Navy Seal McGarrett?" questioned Elizabeth. John glanced over to her catching the slight tremor in her voice.

Callen answered, "Yes, that's him. Do you know him?"

"We've met," she caught John's eye and with a minute shake of the head he understood that they would talk about it later in private. "It was many years ago, I was working a peace treaty summit for the UN."

"We need to head to the airport as soon as possible. General O'Neill has arranged a flight to Hawaii," stated Hetty.

"O'Neill! How did he get involved?" exclaimed John.

Hetty replied significantly, "Under the circumstances. I called him. He thinks a snake may be loose in the garden of Eden."

Elizabeth and John paled as he murmured, "Damn. When it rains it pours."

Marty, Sam and Callen exchanged looks of confusion.

TBC