Joe drove to a suburban split-level in a quaint neighborhood of Yokohama, Japan. He parked his car in an inconspicuous place a few yards down from the house and walked the rest of the way, careful to spy any unwanted prying eyes before making his way up to the front porch. He inserted the key in the lock and walked in.

"Joe?" Adam exclaimed in shock as he came into the living room. "What are you doing here? Better yet how did you find me?"

"I have my sources," Joe deadpanned. He could sense that Adam was growing nervous. "Relax, I'm here alone. I just want to talk to you."

"Sure Commander. What's up?"

"Where's Kono?"

"In the other apartment. Why?"

"Why did you do it?" out came the curt query.

"Beg your pardon?" Adam was baffled.

Joe produced a Manila envelope from underneath his jacket and handed it over to Adam and said crossly. "Take a look."

Adam stared quizzically at Joe before pulling the incriminating evidence out of the envelope. Eyes widened in shock. "Where did you get those?"

"Not important. Why did you do it? And worse, why did you frame your girl?"

"Delano's gang wanted to get back at her and they used me."

"Why you?"

"I was once part of his team."

"Shit! Did he make you waste anyone?" Adam hesitated. "Come on, it's just you and me. Besides I'm the only one who can help you now."

Adam closed his eyes in shame before uttering the name. "Malia Kelly."

Joe was shellshock by the revelation. He ran a hand across his face and look away to get his bearings back. "Why?"

"Why? Because he would have killed me if I didn't go through with it, that's why. Another incentive was that I hated her cousin. He kept trying to convince Kono I wasn't good enough for her," Adam spewed out viciously, finally releasing his hostility.

"Well can you blame him?" Joe was visibly peeved. "So you murdered Kelly's wife out of petty revenge?"

"No not just. I told you, Delano had me in his crosshairs. They were eyes all around, watching my every move."

"Well they can't touch you anymore. Delano's gang is behind bars now."

"Not all of them."

Joe's head jerked up at this revealing piece of information. "Do tell."

"Only if you help me."

"These pictures will go to Internal Affairs, you know that."

"Who could have taken them?"

"Probably Delano's men. Wanted to have proof or perhaps even blackmail you with those eventually if you broke your contract with them."

"Is that where you got them?"

"No. A different source altogether."

"I can't tell Kono."

"You won't have to. I'll make you disappear, tonight. No goodbyes. Anyhow she'll be on the warpath once she finds out. Better you not be here when she does."

"Thanks Joe."

"This is the last favor, kiddo," Joe hissed a warning with a finger thrust at Adam's face to punctuate his intent. "I'm thru with your family."

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Days later, Danny met with Joe on the same beach bench. He sat next to Danny and discreetly handed him the Manila envelope.

"What's this?"

"The proof that Kono didn't kill that cop."

Danny hurriedly opened the envelope and took out the pictures. He took a few seconds to study them. "Adam?"

"You were right. He did frame her."

"Where did you get these?"

"I called on a favor."

"Not fake are they?"

"I can assure you they're not. You can have Fong run an analysis."

"Who gave them to you? Who took those pictures?" Danny was keyed up at the priceless items and yet, had reservations about their authenticity.

"Don't ask questions I cannot answer."

"The guys at IA are going to ask me where I got them."

"You reply it was from a reliable source."

Danny snorted. "How can you be so sure…wait a minute? You wouldn't have gotten them from a mole inside the organization, now would you?"

"No I didn't. You see McGarrett asked me if I could get someone trustworthy to conduct a shadow investigation of Adam. Says he didn't trust him."

"I thought he asked Catherine to do that."

"He did but he was becoming more wary of her lately. Doubtful of the information she was feeding him."

"Yes he told me. But that doesn't tell me who gave you those incriminating pictures."

"Danny the less you know, the better you'll be."

"Where's Adam now?"

"Gone."

"What do you mean gone? Where?"

"It's better you don't know."

Danny huffed out in frustration. "Does Kono know?"

"She knows he framed her, but she doesn't know where he is, no."

"Where is she now?"

"Still safely hidden until you can clear her name. Shouldn't take long."

"Why do I feel like you're ensnaring me into a trap?"

He turned to stare the detective square in the eyes. "Look Danny, do you trust me?"

Danny replied snappily with a steely stare. "No."

"Smart boy."

"Why didn't you come forward before with this evidence? Why did you let Kono become a fugitive and having to hide?"

"I didn't have them before today. You asked and I delivered."

Danny paused to come down from his high horse and gather his thoughts. "I think you should know that for lack of evidence to the contrary, the boys at Internal Affairs are ready to charge Steve with aiding a prisoner escape."

"I'll take care of it. There won't be any indictment."

Danny pushed out a long, drawn-out sigh and looked away. "You are one insidious man, Joe White."

"Just be thankful that I'm on your side."

"I'm beginning to wonder if that's a good thing."

"It's a corrupted world, Danny. Play by their rules and they won't bother you."

"So I've heard."

"Look the sooner you bring those pictures to the Fed, the sooner they'll absolve Kono and then she and McGarrett can..."

"She and McGarrett can what?" Danny interjected.

"Come on Danny, I'm sure you're not that blind?" he hinted with a grin, tapped his knee and stood. "See you around, kiddo."

Danny cast one last look at the pictures and signed thoughtfully. "No, I'm not that blind," he mumbled to himself. "Joe?" Joe stopped and turned to Danny, waiting for him to speak his mind one last time. "For what it's worth, thanks."

"Anytime. Take care of Steve, now. He needs your friendship more than he cares to admit."

"Wait!" Danny stood and walked over to him. "Do you want to see Steve before you leave?"

"I'd like that."

"I think I can arrange it. Come with me."

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They both made it to the hospital in their own car. Danny brought Joe to Steve's room where the guard flashed them a suspicious look. "It's okay. He's with me." Danny assured before leading Joe in the room where Steve lay unconscious.

Joe took a quick gander at the apparatuses hooked up to his young protege before making his way to the bed. Danny remained in the background to give the atypical emotional Joe all the space he needed.

Joe ran his hand against Steve's slightly feverish brow. "Hey kid. I can't begin to tell you how sorry I am for what happened. But you're a tough stubborn mule. If anyone can beat this, you can. I know you'll get through it and come out even stronger than before." Joe bit his upper lip in an attempt to keep the unshed tears from spilling out in front of Danny. He leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on Steve's forehead. "Goodbye, son."

He stole a few seconds to regain his composure before facing Danny who wore a deep frown. He didn't bother to ask and instead, just left the room.

He was quietly walking down the hall when Danny called out to him. "Joe!" he slowed to a stop and waited for Danny to close the gap between them, his back still to him. "You're his father, aren't you?" Danny managed gently.

Joe closed his eyes and sighed inwardly without making eye contact. "Do you care for Steve?"

"What kind of stupid question is that? Of course I do," Danny rebuked indignantly.

Joe craned his neck back to look at Danny. "Then forget what you just said; otherwise you'll wind up hurting him more than he has been in his lifetime." On this revealing thought, he continued toward the exit.

"I'll take that as a yes," Danny muttered to himself.