A/N: Thanks again for the reviews, favs and follows. They are all very much appreciated. A huge thank you to Phoebe Miller for editing this. Yes I know you said you don't need thanking. Tough I need to say it. You are the best, my friend.

Disclaimer: I do not own Hawaii Five-0 or any of the characters.

Chapter Four

Kibale struck Danny hard. The attack was a shock to his system, and he lost all control, slamming into the ground without even an attempt to stop his momentum. Everything blanked out for a few seconds, as the wind was knocked out of him, and he landed face down in the dirt. The dropped tranquilizer gun lay just feet away, completely useless to him now.

Danny's mind swam with half-formed images of wild animals and a red-haired boy. He could feel his heart pounding against his abused ribs as he gasped for breath. Strange fingers wrapped around his wrist with a bone crushing intensity. His arm was wrenched behind him, jerking him upwards before smashing him back down again. Pain erupted in his right shoulder, but instead of screaming out Danny coughed violently, almost to the point of choking, as dirt stuck to the inside of his mouth like peanut butter.

He battled to turn over, but Kibale held him down. His powerful hands pushing down on Danny's sternum. The chimp cocked his head to one side and sniffed the air, intrigued by his new toy. Tears pricked Danny's eyes as this new reality hit him. He was going to die here. He was no match for Kibale's superior strength.

Thoughts of Grace and Charlie made his heart ache as his body weakened, and just as he was about to pass out, the beast released him. It was as if he sensed his prey was about to lose consciousness. Danny immediately twisted onto his side retching and spitting the little moisture he had from his mouth.

He gulped down several lungfuls of air, the nauseating pain making itself known once more. Danny glanced up, making eye contact with the chimp. In desperation he stretched his hand out hoping upon hope Kibale would back away, instead he opened his mouth and bared his teeth, letting out a guttural scream.

Trapped by his failing body Danny could only watch in horror as sharp teeth sank into his arm. The sight of his own blood oozing from the animal's jaws was blurred by his own tears. He wanted nothing more than the darkness to take him, to end the excruciating pain, but some cruel fate kept him very much aware as the flesh was ripped from his body. Giving no reprieve Kibale came at him again, this time his teeth raked down Danny's neck and chest tearing the skin away. White hot fire ran the length of Danny's torso like napalm, but thankfully this time he escaped into oblivion.

H50 H50 H50 H50 H50

By some miracle Jess had managed to load the second dart. She closed the gap between herself and Kibale. Her first shot still protruded from his back. It had done no more than distract him. When Kibale loosened his grip she expected Danny to move but instead he lay motionless.

"Hey! Kibale." Jess raised the weapon and took aim. She needed to make this shot count. Before today she'd never even fired a gun. Her only knowledge was gleaned from watching the zoo's firearms guys on their practice drills. "Come on, boy. Come to Jess."

Jess knew in all likelihood he wouldn't just stroll over to her, all jovial like her best pal. She was taking a big risk. If the two hundred pound alpha male came at her, he would do so to defend himself and she wouldn't stand a chance. However, Jess was on a mission - save Danny and Joe whatever the cost to herself.

Kibale turned to face her. Stretching to full height with his hair standing on end making him look bigger than he was. He stamped his feet and looked poised to add another human to his prey tally. However a slight movement and a muffled whine from Joe momentarily distracted Kibale. With her next breath, Jess pulled the trigger, hitting the chimp in the neck. She prayed he'd leave the boy alone. But that meant only one thing.

Jess froze, anticipating an attack. Those eyes focused on her were filled with anger. Surely, she'd just killed herself. There was nowhere to go, no way she could out pace him. Kibale moved toward her with what she could only describe as a very human frown - like she'd disappointed him. Of all the things to think about right before her impending death.

But he didn't charge. Instead, his movements were slow and deliberate. His knuckles dragged along the ground, and he stumbled a little. Jess trembled as she realized the first dart appeared to be working. This wasn't over yet. They still had a chance.

Before Kibale hit the ground, Jess was moving, fueled by the sheer power of hope and headed straight for Joe, sidestepping the stricken animal and then crouched beside the boy even though she was well aware of Danny's potentially life threatening injures. The child had to take priority. She took comfort in the fact that Danny wouldn't want it any other way.

"Joe, honey can you hear me?" He was lying on his side in a fetal position. Both hands covered his face, muffling his sobs.

Jess eased one hand away revealing a large purple blue lump on his forehead. "Does your head hurt?"

He slowly nodded in response one hand still clamped tight to his face, the one eye she could see was still squeezed shut.

"Hey, little guy. I need to check you. Will you let me do that?" After seeing another slight nod of his head Jess ran her hands over his slender body and along his arms and legs. Happy she'd taken an intense first aid course only recently. "Do you hurt anywhere else?"

Joe slowly opened his eyes. "My ankle."

Jess carefully felt around both ankles one at a time. Joe flinched when she touched his left one. "Sorry. Sit up for me."

Without answering, Joe pushed himself up into a sitting position. As Jess guided him, she noticed him cast a fearful glance toward his dad. Dominic lay face down in the dirt next to them.

"Is my dad alright?"

Jess reached over and snagged Dominic's wrist, letting out a relieved breath when she felt a pulse. "Yeah, he's gonna be fine. He's just sleeping."

A single tear tracked down Joe's cheek as he pointed at Danny. "Did that man shoot him with one of those special darts?"

"Yeah, Joe. He was trying to keep you safe. The medicine in them will make your dad sleep for a while."

"He dead?"

"No, but he needs my help, and I need you to watch the chimps. Can you do that?" Jess rubbed circles on Joe's back trying to keep him calm.

"Yeah." Joe studied her face, eager to help.

They both looked at the three animals huddled together on the other side of the enclosure. The chimps had grown eerily quiet. Somehow the sudden silence unnerved her more than the violent attack. She didn't know what to expect next, but she took a deep breath and willed herself to remain focused. "They're scared just like you and me, but I want you to be brave now. If they come towards us, tell me. Can you do that?"

"Yeah." Joe never took his eyes off them.

"Good boy, Joe." Jess kissed the top of his head before leaving him.

H50 H50 H50 H50 H50

Danny lay only a few feet away. Whilst Jess had been tending to Joe, she'd noticed him moving, slowly becoming aware.

"Danny, can you hear me?" Jess leaned in close. She could feel the warmth of Danny's blood wetting her knees as she knelt by his side. A pair of pain filled eyes looked up at her.

"Joe? Is he..." His voice trailed off as he tried to lift his head.

"He's good. A few bumps. Maybe a sprained ankle, but he's alive." She suddenly felt out of her depth as she was now confronted with Danny's injuries up close.

"That's good."

"I need to take a look at your arm. Stop the bleeding." She stripped off her T-shirt revealing a lacy pink bra. "Keep those baby blues on my face, Danny."

"I'll try." His smile melted into more of a grimace.

Jess used her teeth to tear the material. She inspected the wound, blanching at what looked like bone exposed by the torn flesh, blood steadily seeping out.

"I'm not gonna lie to you. It's bad, and this is gonna hurt."

His eyes met hers, and they flickered with understanding. He was tough, and god she hoped she could do this. Because in this moment, with blood smeared on her hands and under her fingernails, she didn't know if she could do anything.

"It's ok. Do it." He whispered so softly she thought the words were inside her head.

She lifted his arm just enough, and he cried out, like he was surprised by the intensity of the pain. Gritting her teeth, she pushed forward with her task and wrapped the wound on his forearm. The pale green shirt quickly changing to a deep crimson.

"Sorry. Help will be here soon. You need to hang in there."

Danny eyes began to slide shut.

"Hey, don't you dare. You stay awake. I'll let you look if it keeps you awake."

"'k, pretty. You have pick..." He slurred.

Jess used what was left of her shirt to put pressure on the lacerations running along his neck and onto his collarbone. This time Danny simply groaned. His glassy eyes meeting hers. She saw a mixture of fear and pain.

"Pretty? You talking about my bra?" She struggled to maintain her composure. Unshed tears blurred her vision.

"You. Pick of the boys?" His breathing had become labored.

"No, no boyfriend." She blushed.

Jess focused on the wad of material in her hand. Unsure of what to say next. She was losing him and felt helpless to stop it.

"You're wrong about Steve. He's..." His words ended on a raspy cough.

"Save your strength. No more talking."

To get her to look him in the eye, Danny reached up with his good hand touching her bare shoulder. "My best friend."

She smiled in understanding. "What did I say? Now shush."

"Roscoe!" Joe yelled.

Jess turned to glimpse a wide-eyed Joe with his shaky hand pointing across the enclosure. Panic flooded her senses as she watched the chimp run towards them at a frightening pace.

~ to be continued ~