I like to thank all of you again for making this little story such a great experience for me. I never would have thought it would evoke such emotions in all of you. Thank you for all your thoughts and ideas. I really love how you feel for Steve and how much you all wish for him to get his memory back.

Will it happen in this chapter? Will it happen at all? Will someone (you know who I'm talking about) finally find the right arguments to convince me to make Steve all better?

I have to especially thank Cokie for her input, she makes a darn good case for Steve. I can tell you she's coming up with really good reasons for getting the old Steve back. You will later have the pleasure of reading her work. And I can tell you, she almost made me cry.

We tried something new here. Steve (me) and the rest of the bunch (her) have a conversation, and really, she is darn good. Almost made me run out of arguments. LOL But, that is not for today, but later. So, as you now know this is not the last chapter. I hope that is in your interest.

Thanks again for reading. I hope you will enjoy where I'm taking this story. And please keep the reviews coming, I really take a lot out of them. There wouldn't be this kind of story without your input.


All Clear – Chapter 04

Two more weeks passed without Steve recovering any other memories. His friends slowly started to believe him when he said that he wouldn't get his memory back.

Five-0 had fallen into a routine with Steve mostly staying in the office; only on occasion did he get out. He only went out with Danny when it was fairly certain they would not end up in any kind of 'action'. His doctor had warned him that even though he was making progress the skull fracture was still not completely healed. And therefore he was still on restricted duty.

Even after two months he still suffered from the attack. At least the migraines had stopped a few days ago, and it had been weeks since he had felt nauseous or dizzy. He still had one or the other headache, but nothing that required any kind of medication.

Steve sat in his office, which he now occupied full time, and looked over at Danny. He smiled when he saw him chatting away on the phone with what he knew was Danny's daughter. Steve had spent more time with Grace and they had been to the museum, the aquarium, the Missouri and they had been hiking. Very much to Danny's dismay as Steve had soon learned. His partner hated being out in nature.

Steve had taken father and daughter to see the petroglyphs, only to learn that he had done that with Danny before and it had ended in disaster and a dead body on the cliffs. But they also learned that day that Grace would always chose hiking with her Uncle Steve over any pedi-something.

During his days in the office, when they were not working on a current case, Steve went through old cases and tried to learn everything there was about Five-0. He was by far not done with it, but already knew that they had done a darn good job so far.

Steve looked at his watch and decided to call it quits for today. He wanted to check out an address he found in the files of their current case, but since he couldn't go alone he needed to wait for Danny to finish his call.

The case they were working on at the moment was nothing spectacular, a simple robbery. But the victim had been an old friend of the Governor, so Five-0 had been asked to look into it and support HPD in their effort. At least as long as nothing more important came along.

When Steve read the HPD report he had remembered one of the old cases he had read up on just the day before, and found that one of the stolen goods had been stolen before. The painting had been put up for auction back then and was now stolen again from the new owner.

Steve thought it rather odd that one painting would be stolen twice in such a short time. He thought the robbery might actually be about the painting, not just now but also back then. In the file it was indicated that the painting had only been part of a bigger selection two years ago. But now it had been one of only two articles stolen.

Two years ago they had discovered all the stolen goods in a warehouse down by the harbor, and as Steve had found out after calling the manager of the company renting out the warehouses, that same warehouse had just been rented a few days ago.

Steve didn't really believe that anyone would be stupid enough to almost reenact the robbery from two years ago, down to using the same warehouse. But he had seen stranger things happen and thought it was worth checking out.

He powered down his computer when he saw Danny ending his call and stood up to join the detective in his office.

"Hey, Danny, are you ready to leave? I'd like to check something out."

"Don't tell me you want to go down to the harbor and take a look at the warehouse?" Danny asked.

"Eh…well, I think we don't have anything to lose by taking a look," Steve defended his idea.

"No, but you don't really believe that we will find anything down there, do you?"

"No, probably not. But looking can't hurt. Don't you think it's too much of a coincidence that the same painting was stolen twice? In almost the same manner?"

"Yeah, I'll give you that. But really, Steven, in the same warehouse? That is ridiculous."

"That might be, but I still want to check it out. If you don't want to come, I can go alone." Steve knew he had Danny with that argument. Danny would never let him go without back-up.

"We don't even have a warrant. And before you ask, no judge will issue one just because you have a hunch, if I even dare call it that," Danny informed him.

"I just want to take a look at the premises; I don't plan to go into the warehouse."

"Yeah right. I know you, Steven. You will not just take a look from outside," Danny said.

"Now, are you coming or not?" Steve asked impatiently.

"Yeah, yeah, but I'm telling you this is a waste of time."

H50 – H50 – H50

Steve looked at his friend sitting in the passenger seat throwing glances his way since they had left HQ. "What?" Steve finally asked.

"What 'what'?"

"Why are you looking at me like that, Danny? Something on your mind?" Steve glanced at the detective and wondered about his strange behavior.

"Well, if you ask me like that, yeah, something's on my mind," Danny began. "You had a visitor today."

"So?"

"From the Navy."

"That is a very astute observation, Detective. And here I was thinking you didn't know the difference," Steve said.

"I'm serious, Steven, what did he want?"

Steve took a moment before he answered, "He brought some papers."

"What papers?"

"Administration and insurance stuff, just some papers I have to read." Steve's answer was rather evasive.

"Is this about your medical bills? I thought you were covered by Five-0's insurance?" Danny wanted to know.

"What? Yes, I am. No, it was just… stuff, you know."

"Are you going back to active duty?" Danny bluntly asked.

"What? No. I mean… maybe. I really don't know, Danny."

"When were you going to tell us?" Danny asked and Steve could hear his anger mounting.

"There is nothing to tell, Danny. I haven't decided anything. I really don't know what to do."

"I thought you liked working with us? Why do you want to go back?" Danny still didn't want to let that go.

"Danny, I just told you I don't know if I'm going back. I really don't," Steve said and paused for a moment, thinking that this was really not the time or the place to have this kind of conversation. "I don't have any memory of what I have done in the last three years. Can't you understand that? All the experiences you had with me? They don't exist for me."

"I get that," Danny almost yelled. At least it sounded rather loud in the confines of the car. "But your life is here now, Steven, when will you start to accept that?"

"How can my life be here when I remember nothing of it?" Steve simply asked. "I remember my life back in the Navy. And I was happy there. I loved my job. I worked damn hard to get to do that job, and now I'm suddenly sitting behind a desk stuck with a job I know nothing about," Steve again paused and quietly continued. "I just want to be happy again."

"And going back to being a SEAL would make you happy?" Danny reluctantly asked.

"I don't know. Somehow it doesn't feel right to go back… or to stay here," Steve finally admitted. "I feel like I don't belong anywhere, you know? But I promise I will talk to you before I sign any papers, or resign from Five-0."

"Good," Danny nodded at his partner, obviously satisfied with that answer. At least for the time being. "So, tell me again why are we going down to the harbor?"

"Seriously?"

"Yes, Steven, seriously. Because frankly, I don't see any connection between the robbery two years ago and the one now. Yes, the same painting was stolen, but that was bound to happen when it hung in an art gallery that was robbed."

"Danny, dozens of paintings were there, but why did they steal this one and the bronze sculpture?"

"Maybe they liked it. According to the experts from HPD the robbery was not a very elegant one; it looks pretty much like an amateur job," Danny explained what he had learned from the larceny department.

"I think it was a paid job, just like last time. And our thieves are no geniuses; that's for sure. It might be a long shot, but maybe we will get lucky, you never know," Steve told Danny.

H50 – H50 – H50

Catherine Rollins wasn't sure what to think of the visitor she just made a cup of coffee for. Captain Don Draper came by unannounced and was now sitting on their couch waiting for Steve. Cath filled the cup with fresh coffee and walked back into their living room.

"Captain, here you go. Can I get you anything else?"

"No, thank you. I'm sorry I stopped by like this, but I need to talk to Commander McGarrett, and I though it be better in person," Draper said and took a sip from his coffee.

"Can you tell me what about?"

"I'd prefer to talk to McGarrett first," the captain told Catherine.

"Is this about him going back to active duty?"

"You know about that?" Draper seemed surprised.

"I know that Steve is thinking about it," Catherine told Captain Draper in the hope he might reveal a little more. "We talked about all his options."

"I have a concrete offer on the table for him. Until now it was all just talk about the possibility for him to come back. But I'm here to offer him a post overseeing team operations. It would include a promotion to full commander."

"A promotion?"

"He was close to promotion when he left for the reserves. I think it's not just for his services but also to give him a little push to take the job."

Cath had to smile at that. They obviously didn't know her man. Steve was not in the Navy to get to the top as fast as possible, he was not in it for the career. Getting a promotion would not be an argument for him to take the job or leave it. "I'm sure Steve will think about this opportunity. But honestly, I don't know if he will take it or not."

"I think he's not sure himself at the moment," Captain Draper said. "I have talked to him a few times and have the feeling he is warming up to the idea of staying in Hawaii. I'm sure that your retirement from the Navy will play a factor in that," he said without any accusation in it.

Catherine didn't know what to say to that. She hadn't even talked to Steve about that yet, sure they had been living together for quite some time now, since long before Steve had been injured, but she wasn't sure she would be a factor in his decision. "I don't know about that," she honestly said.

"Don't underestimate your influence. I had the feeling you were the only one he had has a real connection to. And it's understandable if you think about it," Draper continued. "He only has memories about his life before he returned to Hawaii, for him it's like he met all these other people just two months ago. You are the only one he has known for many years. He trusts you."

Catherine smiled at Draper, "Yes, he does. Captain, do you want me to try calling Steve again and ask when he will be here?"

"Nah, I'll come by again another time. Please give him the documents and tell him to give me a call please," Draper said while standing up.

"Of course," Cath took the sealed envelope and led the captain to the door.

"Thank you. I hope I didn't keep you from anything important?"

"No, that's fine, Captain. I will tell Steve to give you a call" Cath told him while letting him out the door.

H50 – H50 – H50

Honolulu Harbor Piers 31 – 35

"What are you doing?"

"Getting my vest," Steve answered as he opened the trunk of the Camaro.

"I thought you only wanted to take a look from a safe distance? Like from outside," Danny said sarcastically, but also put on his vest.

"Yeah. But safety first, Danny." Steve grinned at his partner.

"Uh huh. But remember, you are only cleared for desk duty, Steve. You shouldn't be here if there was the chance of you getting involved in any kind of action."

"Danny, what are the chances that anything will happen?"

"With you? High, my friend, very high," Danny answered with a smile.

"Very funny." Steve had to admit that he liked to banter with Danny. Sometimes he still thought Williams went too far with his ranting, and he had called him on it a few times. When he had strongly objected the first time, Danny had actually been speechless. It was obvious that he was not used to Steve calling him on his shit.

"Are you ready?" Danny asked and looked his friend up and down.

"Whenever you are. Lead the way," Steve called out and motioned for Danny to take the lead.

"What do you mean 'lead the way'? This was your idea—"

"You've been here before; okay, we've both been here before, but you are the one who should remember the layout. So, it makes sense for you to take the lead," Steve explained and wondered why he even had to explain that.

"That was two years ago. You honestly want me to remember a warehouse I saw once for a few minutes?" Danny grumbled and it was obvious that he thought his partner was out of his mind.

"Are you saying you don't?"

Danny only threw his hands in the air and shook his head. Very much to Steve's amusement, who ever since not getting a headache from his partner's antics anymore, liked to rile him up like that.

The two made their way to the front of the three-story warehouse. It was one of the few warehouses that were built during WWII and were still in use. It was built directly on the edge of the pier, something that was not done these days. It was also built to withstand the ravages of time, made out of red bricks with old, high windows.

"I read in the report that this building* is listed in the historic register. A lot of money went into its preservation."

"That's interesting, Steven," Danny absentmindedly said.

"You're not even listening," Steve scolded. "What?" Steve asked when Danny had stopped and Steve bumped into his partner.

"Door's open." Danny motioned to the door and for Steve to stay behind.

Steve only snorted at his partner's protectiveness, but obediently stayed behind him. He knew that he was neither cleared for duty nor in any shape to be involved in any 'action' as Danny called it. He would risk serious consequences if he received a blow to the head while his skull fracture was still not completely healed.

"Stay here," Danny said and moved closer to the door, gun drawn.

"You've got to be kidding me," Steve muttered and stayed close to his partner. It was one thing to stay behind his partner and not storm into the warehouse upfront, but a totally different thing to let Danny go in alone. That was not going to happen.

"What did I just say?" Danny turned and glared at Steve.

"Get a move on, Williams," Steve demanded and gave Danny a nudge to go on.

Danny gave the door a little push and they cautiously entered the small lobby. The careful restoration of the building had also found its way to the interior. The walls were beautifully decorated with Hawaiian themes. Old black and white pictures from the islands of 60 years ago hung framed on the walls.

Three doors lead into the inner part of the warehouse and to the right was the wide staircase leading to the upper floors.

Steve motioned to the stairs, "I'm going upstairs, you look down here?" Steve asked, already knowing the answer to that.

"Dream on," Danny said and hurried to get in front of Steve.

Again shaking his head at his partner, Steve followed Danny up the rest of the stairs. At the top they stopped again and listened for any noises. "Hear anything?" Steve whispered.

"Shhhh." Danny had his ear against the door and shook his head at Steve's question.

They carefully opened the door and stepped into another small lobby, this time it was enclosed with glass walls that let them see into the two offices to the left and the main hall of the warehouse.

Steve and Danny could see stacks of boxes of different shapes and sizes. The offices were both empty though. They moved into the main hall and called out, "Hello? Anyone here?"

Steve motioned for Danny to go left while he went to the right. He saw Danny hesitate for a moment but then he moved to explore the left side of the warehouse.

Steve made his way to the right and looked in every corner and behind every stack of boxes in this maze. Steve listened for any sounds, but could only hear Danny making his way toward the other end of the main hall. He couldn't see him but could clearly hear Danny. Steve suddenly stopped when he heard a scraping sound to his right. He swung around only to be confronted with nothing but thin air in front of him. But he had been sure he heard something, so he slowly moved closer to the next stack of boxes towering over him.

But a moment later it was clear that no one was there lurking in the shadows, waiting to jump out. Steve could still hear the strange noises, that varied in intensity and moved away from him. He moved around the last stack of cargo and stood in front of a high, narrow shelf with dozens of cans filled with all kinds of paint.

The noise was still there, and it sounded like someone was scraping along the boxes. Steve turned and saw something flying at his head before he stumbled back with a surprised shriek dying on his lips.

Steve lost his balance when he stumbled and fell against the shelf, knocking it over in the process. The paint cans crashed to the floor, some of them springing open and spilling their contents all over the floor, the shelf and, of course Steve.

The Five-0 leader lay dazed among the colorful mess and glared at the green-eyed cat sitting on the overturned rack glaring right back at him.

"Steve!" His partner called out, alarmed by the loud crashing sound and stormed around the stack of boxes only to stop short and look at him in bewilderment. "What the…"

Steve now also glared at his partner, but had to admit that he was probably a pretty funny sight amongst all the cans of paint.

He felt a bit lightheaded from the paint fumes and thought he should get up, but that was easier said than done. Everything was slippery with paint and he was also covered not only in paint but also buried under a few of the cans and shelf boards that had come loose when the rack fell.

"Are you hurt?" Danny asked but didn't step closer and stayed away from the paint covered floor around Steve.

"Don't think so," Steve muttered. He was sure he hadn't hit his head, but his vision was graying. It was time to get away from the paint. Who knew what kind of chemicals were in that stuff. It really smelled awful and Steve wondered if one could pass out from it.

"Steve! What are you doing? Get up!"

"What?" Steve had obviously just sat there and not done anything to actually get up from his place on the floor. He looked up at his partner, who was wavering in and out in a very strange and kind of funny way. What the heck was in those paint cans? Steve wondered and had to grin at the contoured figure of Danny. It now occurred to him that the paint was also rather strange, it was really thin and not paint-like at all. And it smelled kind of sweet.

Steve looked at his hand, covered in red, blue and yellow, but couldn't bring it into focus. "Danny?" Something was seriously wrong; Steve thought before he fell back and stared at the ceiling wondering how he landed himself in this mess.

Suddenly Williams' face was in front of him, and Steve thought that he would be pissed that his new shoes would be ruined by the paint. "Steve? Come on, you need to get up," Steve heard him say, but he was barely able to keep his eyes open at this point.

"Explosive, Danny."

"What?" Danny asked as he hauled his partner to his feet.

"Ether, air and metal, not good," Steve mumbled and leaned heavily on Williams as he slung his arm over his shoulder.

"In the paint?" Danny panted out as his partner grew heavier with every step they took away from the end of the warehouse.

"Not… paint… bomb components…" Steve stumbled along, but wasn't sure he'd make it outside. "Call fire department, or… Danny… sick," Steve said and fell to his knees, taking Danny down with him.

He felt himself being held up while he lost not just today's lunch but everything he ate in the last week. When he was done, Steve was totally spent but was hauled back to his feet and the partners stumbled down the stairs.

Steve had no idea how they made it, but suddenly he was breathing in fresh air, and was lowered to the ground behind the Camaro. "Stay put," Danny demanded and Steve could hear him on the phone calling for help.

Next he knew, Danny was pulling him out of his soiled clothes. At first he had fought him, but then he realized that his clothes were still covered in the contaminated paint. The fumes were still making him dizzy and disoriented, so they had to go.

Soon Steve was only glad in his tee shirt and boxer briefs. Not the attire he thought he would end up in while taking a look at the warehouse in the hope to find a stolen painting.

"Only you!"

"What?" Steve asked and looked at Danny who was pacing in front of him. Waving his hands at him.

"Only you can come looking for a stolen painting and find a terrorist cell or whoever was using all that stuff," Danny called out exasperated.

"It's a gift, Danno." Steve grinned at his partner and watched the fire department stop in front of the warehouse.

"Yeah, some gift." He grinned back. "You okay?"

"Uh huh. Feel a lot better," Steve added. He wasn't dizzy anymore, but didn't dare stand up. He still sat on the ground with his back against the Camaro's back wheel.

"The paramedics need to take a look at you, probably take you to the hospital for blood work, or something."

"I'm fine, Danny. I just breathed in some of the stuff. But I'm good," Steve told the detective.

"That's not gonna fly, Steven. You're not even supposed to be here," Danny reminded him of not being cleared for field work. "You're going."

"Fine."

Steve had to grin at the surprised look his partner gave him after giving in like that. But it couldn't hurt to get checked out, if it made Williams happy.

Three hours later Steve was released from the ER and they were on their way home. Danny had waited for him and while he had gotten his tests, had talked to Denning. Danny had told him that they were still without the painting, but had taken a huge amount of drugs and explosive material off the market. They still needed to take a closer look at all the boxes, but it was already clear that they had stumbled over an elaborate distribution center for drugs and other illegal material. The ether cans only one of them.

"Is this how we normally work?" Steve asked as Danny pulled into Steve's driveway.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, it was for sure a lot more interesting than sitting behind the desk all day. I mean, not that there is anything wrong with paperwork, that also has to be done," Steve paused when Danny stared at him wide-eyed. "What?"

"There is nothing wrong with paperwork?" Danny repeated. "You know, I think I'm starting to like this new version of you," he said with a grin.

"Ha, ha. I'm serious here; do we work like that out in the field? I mean… it was… fun," Steve didn't really know how to say how much he had enjoyed the afternoon.

"You think this was fun? There is something seriously wrong with you, my friend."

Steve only smiled and opened the door to get out of the car. "Pick me up in the morning?"

"Yeah; breakfast's on you."

"Okay," Steve nodded and watched his friend drive off.

He made his way up to the house and never even realized that for the first time, he had thought of Danny as his friend.

H50 – H50 – H50


*Don't go looking for the warehouse on Google/Bing maps, you won't find it. The place is real, but the warehouse is just an ordinary new building. Too boring for my taste. I love old buildings and cemeteries, so if I can't find a historic building when I need one, I make it up.