Disclaimer: I do not own Hawaii 5-0. I have no hope of even renting the rights but I trust the real owners will take good care of it.

Thanks to everyone who has read, especially the ones who reviewed. To those who are guests or do not have the reply function working, I appreciate your comments very much as well and wish I could respond.

Chapter 4

"Catherine don't worry, we will get to Steve," Chin said far more calmly than he actually felt. "Kono and I have the State Police with us, we will find them."

"Of course you will. Thank you so much Lieutenant and please keep me informed," she said formally, telling Chin there must be a higher ranking officer in close range. A minute later she spoke again in a much less formal tone. "Please Chin. Let me know as soon as you have something."

"I'll have Steve call you as soon as we get to him," Chin promised quietly.

"Thank you and good luck," Catherine added before hanging up.

Chin lowered the phone and looked at Kono and Brown in concern.

"Catherine says that Hawkins' men are moving in on the crash site. She could see them leaving the road and heading into the jungle in the direction of where the helicopter went down," Chin informed them. "She could not see Steve or Danny near the copter."

"Then let's get moving," Kono said urgently. "We have got to find them first."

"It looks like this Hawkins character isn't big on loose ends," Capt. Brown commented. "He even took his dead with him. He isn't letting anything remain behind that can connect to him. Knowing that Steve or Danny can identify him will make him hunt them more diligently."

"Chin, Steve won't leave Danny if he is hurt. We need to get down that road as quick as we can and help them," Kono reminded him.

"They'll be watching the road," Chin replied.

"So will McGarrett sit tight waiting for a rescue? He'll be a sitting duck for that group," Brown observed.

"Not the Boss, they won't take him by surprise," Kono said confidently. "He'll figure out that Hawkins is after them and he will get Danny to safety."

"So where will he go for that safety?" Brown questioned.

"Steve will head back here," Chin said with certainty. "He will know that we will begin our search right here and he'll try to get to us."

"Then what do you suggest we do?" Brown inquired. "We don't know if they can make it here to us. We're going to have to go in there after them," he added motioning to the jungle.

"That's our only option," Chin agreed. "We need to work in teams of two to cover the most area. And bear in mind there are others out there who will shoot first without question."

"That's a lot of ground to cover. Maybe I should call in for more help."

"We don't have time. They'll take too long to arrive," Chin argued. "We'll have to do this with the team we have."

"And we have to move now," Kono said urgently as she headed back to the SUV. Chin and Brown hurried after her as the captain whistled for his men to join them.

"We are going to begin a search for Commander McGarrett and Detective Williams. We have received confirmation that their helicopter was brought down to the northeast of here. We will be going into the jungle in teams of two and keep in radio contact," Brown announced. "Now we have a suspicion that one of the 5-0 members may be injured, so first and foremost this is a rescue search. Roger, you are with me. Any sign of 5-0 or Hawkins and his men, you will radio in to me or Lt. Kelly and Officer Kalakaua. Is that clear?"

A chorus of "yes sir" rang out and the men went to supply themselves from their vehicles. Chin grabbed his shotgun from the SUV as Kono took her rifle from the backseat along with extra ammo. She secured her vest as Chin did the same. Double checking the backpack, Chin noted that there was some water and snack bars along with some dried fruit pouches. The satellite phone was there and Kono was getting the handheld radio out of the front seat.

"Grab the flashlights too," Chin called out.

Kono nodded and took one and clipped it to her belt and then brought the other one to Chin. He placed it in the pack and then glanced around at the others. The State Patrol was ready to go.

"I guess we are going on a hike," Chin observed.

The teams of law enforcement spread out and after a radio check they all disappeared into the overgrowth. Chin led the way as he and Kono headed on the most direct route towards the crash site. The two cousins plunged ahead through the underbrush, trying to make the best time they could knowing that Steve and Danny were being hunted. Around twenty minutes into the brush, Chin halted with Kono stopping beside him.

"How far do you think Steve and Danny could get from the crash site by now?" Kono asked as she caught her breath. They had been walking as rapidly as they could over the rough terrain. That only emphasized how difficult it would be for their injured teammates.

"It depends on how badly hurt Danny is," Chin replied. "It would be slow going if Steve has to carry him. And we have no idea if Steve was injured in the crash."

"I was really hoping that wasn't' a possibility," Kono sighed. She peered into the brush ahead of them. "At least we haven't heard any gunfire. That means that Steve and Danny are probably still free."

"If we find them we will have to approach them carefully," Chin reflected thoughtfully. "Steve is going to be on alert, expecting trouble."

"The Boss won't shoot us," Kono said lightly. "He is cautious but he's not reckless no matter what Danny thinks."

"But he will be more desperate if he's worried about Danny," Chin reminded her. Kono instantly sobered.

"Okay, okay…..we will approach carefully. Now let's move," she admonished. "They don't have all day." With that she took the lead deeper into the jungle.

*H 5-0*

Steve had been leading the way through the undergrowth that led back towards the original clearing at a cautious but steady pace. They had made some good time until Danny staggered and fell.

"Danno!" Steve exclaimed as he swung around to see his partner all ready pushing to his feet.

"I'm okay Steven…..I just stumbled," Danny protested as he wrapped one arm around his middle and blinked the sweat out of his eyes. "Let's keep moving Rambo."

"We can take a breather Danny. Sit down for a minute and I'll check to make sure we don't have anyone close," Steve ordered.

"I think you should sit for a minute too," Danny stated. "You are looking a little green around the gills my friend," he urged. While he knew that he felt lousy he was aware that McGarrett was not in as great a shape as he claimed. There was no ignoring how shallow Steve was breathing or how often he rubbed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"I'm fine Danno."

"Sure you are. I dare you to take a deep breath without passing out," Danny challenged.

"Danny….."

"Admit it big guy, you are hurting. There is no shame in acknowledging your injuries," Williams pressed on.

"I will get you out of here Danny, just let me do my job," Steve growled in exasperation. He stalked off to check the ground they had just covered.

"If you collapse in the jungle I'm in no condition to drag your butt out of there," Danny called after him as he seated himself on a rock to wait. No reply came from McGarrett.

Danny propped the gun butt on the ground and gripped the barrel with both hands. He closed his eyes in weariness and took several deep breaths. His side ached unmercifully and he hated the weakness that had invaded his whole being. Danny had every intention of going on but he needed Steve to be beside him. If McGarrett collapsed, Danny was not sure he could continue on. The sound of Steve returning through the undergrowth made him open one eye to observe his partner gingerly taking a seat on a fallen tree trunk nearby.

"Are we safe?"

"For the moment," Steve replied. He dug a water bottle out of the duffel bag at his feet and took a small swallow. Then he leaned forward to hand the bottle to Danny.

Williams accepted it and drank deeply, then handed it back to McGarrett, who began to recap the bottle.

"Take some more Steven," Danny scolded. "That little swallow wasn't enough."

Instead of arguing, Steve did as he was told and drank a bit more before storing the bottle safely away.

"Can we really make it back to the clearing?" Danny asked. "We have a lot of ground to cover."

"We have to," Steve said shortly. He looked at Danny inquiringly. "Can you go on?"

"I'll keep going as long as you do Superman," Danny stated firmly. "And how is your headache? If you can walk out of here, I can walk out of here."

Steve smiled at him grudgingly and nodded slightly.

"Okay, we keep moving," he said getting to his feet slowly. The pain in his chest was not improving. Danny had gotten to his feet as well and he gestured to the jungle growth.

"Lead on McGruff."

"Really…you are quoting Tony Archer now?" Steve asked with raised eyebrows.

"You can call me Muscles," Danny offered with a shrug.

"Shut up Danno," Steve growled and walked away. Grinning, Danny followed. His side hurt but if Steve could keep going so would he.

They had not gotten far when Steve took a misstep and his right foot went into a hole hidden by some sticks. A cry of surprise escaped him before he could stifle it and he fell forward, arms outstretched. He held himself off the ground, his head hanging as pain washed through his whole body. Slowly he took in a shallow breath, waiting for the pain to subside.

End chapter.

There you go; this isn't going to be an easy rescue. Thanks for reading.