Disclaimer: Ideas are fictional; not making any money on this. Hawaii 5-0 belongs to CBS. That's okay because none of this would work on TV.

Family Life Continues, Chapter 8

August 2022

The group assembled back in the living room and Steve called the meeting to order. "Okay, I'd like to think that you're all here to wish Jack well, but I'm pretty sure that's not why we're here. Who wants to tell me what kind of hell broke loose after we left?"

Since Chin was left in charge for the afternoon, he rose to brief his boss. "After you and Danny left, Lori received photos taken over the weekend." Chin turned his tablet around to show the pictures.

"Lori has verified that the photo with Cliff was taken Friday night while the boys were here. The other photo was taken Sunday afternoon. I brought the rest of the team in on this. Kono called Finn and he has also offered to help."

Finn didn't usually get involved in 5-0 business but he was very pissed off that anyone would threaten a child. He was also concerned because he knew that Cliff had grown very fond of Lori in only a few weeks. Steve was very interested to hear what Finn had in mind.

"Finn, you've always been a big help to us when you were involved in the past. What exactly are you thinking?"

"I know that 5-0 has been given special means to pursue the bad guys. I'd like to come on board as a consultant. Before you ask, you can't afford my normal rate. I'm giving 5-0 a special rate of a dollar a day. I wouldn't ask for that but I need to be officially in the employ of the state to protect me from liability."

"Okay, I'm sure that we could have a bake sale if the governor can't find the extra funds. Why do you want our special powers?"

"From what Kono has told me, the phone calls and pictures started after Thomas was killed. Lori, did you ever learn what case he was working on?"

"No, I was told the investigation was on-going. His boss refused to answer any questions."

"Did you push for more information?"

"Of course I did. You know me. I was doing a little snooping at Homeland Security to see if anyone there could pull a few strings. That's when things got ugly. I decided that discretion was the better part of valor. I couldn't put Mike in danger."

"No, you couldn't. What I want to do is search SPD's files. Your team can run down the other leads, but the answer is in the Seattle databanks."

Steve was mulling over Finn's offer when Kono crashed the party. Her doctor had a cancellation and was able to see her this afternoon. She knew that Steve would need to brief the governor on her status ASAP, and the threat against Lori and Mike only exacerbated the need. Kono went over to Finn and whispered something to him. Finn flashed a grin and hugged Kono. Kono realized that she had interrupted the meeting and offered an explanation.

"Sorry for interrupting Boss. You know that thing we talked about this morning. I just left the doctor's office. You can spread the news."

Steve walked over to offer his congratulations to the happy couple. "It's your news. You should tell."

Danny already knew what was coming. Ed, Clara, and Lori were a little puzzled.

"It's good news. I'm pregnant!"

While the others were busy congratulating Finn and Kono, Steve stepped out to make a phone call to his boss.

"This is Steve McGarrett. I'm sorry to interrupt your day but there are a couple of personnel matters that need your attention." Steve never enjoyed calling the governor but he respected the importance of keeping his boss in the loop.

"I'll go with the good news first. Detective Kalakaua is pregnant and has requested low risk duty. We were able to work with her before and I don't anticipate any problem doing so again."

Steve paused to let the governor digest the information. When no objections were made, Steve pressed on to the more delicate matter. "The bad news is that threats have followed Detective Weston to the island. She received photos today at work."

"Commander, you know that I take a dim view of threats to my people. What do you intend to do?"

"Well, mostly I intend to have my team do their job. Danny and I were out this afternoon because Jack was injured at school. He's now the proud owner of six stitches. Detective Kelly was in charge and he already has the team on it. He came over to the house to brief Danny and me; Finn is here too. He's offering to consult for us on the case. He's mostly waiving his fee; I could pay it out of petty cash. Sir, you'll need to extend special means to him. I can bring the paperwork by in the morning, but I would like to get him started on it immediately."

The governor trusted Steve's judgment and he was well aware of Finn's reputation. He may have gotten rich buying failing companies and turning them around, but his real genius was at the keyboard.

"If that's what you recommend, then you have my approval. I'll expect to see you first thing in the morning for a little more information but you can proceed as you see fit. Steve, take care of your people. And be sure to congratulate Finn and Kono."

Steve walked back into the living room to address immediate needs. "Listen up people. I spoke to the governor. He wanted me to pass on his congratulations to Finn and Kono. I also briefed him on your situation Lori. It's now officially our top priority. We have his full support. Finn, that means that you're part of the team at least for now. I have a meeting with him in the morning. I'll have your paperwork signed then."

Finn promised to have the contract to Steve later in the evening. He had another concern. "Lori, we need to upgrade your security system. You'll be safe enough at work, but I'm worried about you and Mike at night and on weekends."

Steve was worried about Mike at school. "We also need to make sure that Mike is safe at school and when he's here. Mom and Dad, you realize that there's a certain amount of risk if you continue to provide after school care."

Ed looked to Clara for her approval and stood to address the group. "Mom and I trust that you'll keep us safe here. We're in for the duration."

Finn had more to say. "Steve, I can provide private security for the school. In fact, I may already have a couple of people already on site."

It was Steve's turn to be surprised. "You what?"

"You and Danny and the boys are my family. The same goes for Malia and Chin and Kekoa. I'm not as close to the rest of the team, but they're ohana too. Ed and Clara, you're the parents I always wanted. Cliff is the closest thing I have to a brother. I protect what is mine."

Everyone except Kono was stunned. Kono knew that although Finn never lacked for friends, it wasn't until he fell in love with Kono that knew that he was with people who didn't care what he could do for them. They folded them into their ohana and gave him the family he never had.

Lori was too choked up to say anything at first. Finally she pulled herself together. "Finn, thank you. I know that's not enough, but thank you."

Finn came over to give Lori a reassuring hug. "No, that's more than enough."

"Before Steve and Danny got here, Cliff asked me to stay at his house until this is over. He's got the room, and he's got Finn's best security system. As much as I hate the disruption for Mike, I'm going to take Cliff up on his offer."

Finn was relieved to hear the news. "That will take care of nights and weekends. Steve, I'd still like to put extra security on. I can have my people keep an eye on Cliff's house, and I'd like to have some people on surveillance during work hours. I'll vet them with you, of course. I also want personal locator devices on Lori and Mike."

"You're going to Lo-Jack me?"

Danny remembered when Steve did the same thing after Grace's kidnapping. "Actually that's not a bad idea. Most of us have worn something similar since Grace was kidnapped. It's not anything that we talk about but it does give us a little piece of mind."

"Lori, it will make it easier to track you by satellite if necessary."

"You're going to commandeer a satellite?"

"Well, it is my satellite."

Lori just sat and buried her face in her hands. Steve came to sit next to her. He knew that she was on overload. "Lori, we need to find out who is behind this but keeping you safe is equally important. You have my promise that we will keep you safe."

The meeting broke up when the boys came in hungry again. Finn was anxious to get started on his project. There was nothing he loved more than hacking, and the fact that this would be legal didn't diminish his enthusiasm. Besides, he planned a private celebration with Kono. Finn stopped only long enough to let Cliff know that he would have men watching his place.

Chin was anxious to get home to his family. The threat to Mike made him want to check on Kekoa, even though he knew that his son was home with Malia. He left shortly after Finn and Kono.

Steve knew that he was exhausted after the emergency with Jack, and he guessed that Danny wasn't doing much better. "I think that we need some food. I'm going to order pizza and salad. Mom and Dad, you'll join us?"

Ed and Clara agreed that it was a good day to let someone else cook for a change.

"Lori, I know that you need to get home and grab what you need for a few days. I'm going to have a HPD unit follow you and Cliff to make sure that you get settled in safely, but it will take a little time to set it up off the record. I will probably have it in place by the time that we finish our pizza. Why don't you and Mike join us too? Cliff, that includes you."

Both nodded their concurrence. Danny called the order in while Steve attempted to get the boys settled down. He had Jack sit with his knee propped up so he could ice it down again. The local anesthetic had worn off and Jack was feeling some pain. Clara and Ed set the table and refilled glasses.

The pizza was hot and dripping with cheese. It was just the way that Danny liked it. The boys accepted a little salad and pizza. The adults finished the salad and had their share of pizza. Just as the meal was finished, there was a knock at the door.

Steve pulled his weapon and checked the peephole. It was the police escort Steve had requested. Cliff, Lori, and Mike departed for the evening. Clara and Ed left as soon as the kitchen was squared away.

Danny gave Jack children's Motrin for the pain and helped him up the stairs. He wrapped Jack's knee to keep the stitches dry. He had a lot of experience from his years with Steve. Jack accepted help with his shower; he was also exhausted from his ordeal. Jesse showered quickly and donned his sleep shorts and t-shirt. Danny settled the boys in on the big bed and showered while Steve secured the house for the evening. Steve took his 3-minute shower when Danny was finished.

The family needed some quiet time together. It had been a terrible Monday, and Tuesday wasn't promising to be better. Steve and Danny debated whether they should tell the boys and decided against it. They had been instructed against going with strangers and to be aware of their surroundings. Steve was sure that Finn's people would be discrete enough that the boys would be unaware of what was going on.

The boys made it to bed on time, but Jack woke up during the night when his knee started to throb. Danny went downstairs to get an ice pack. He stayed with Jack for a while until Jack was more comfortable.

"Danno, I'm okay now. You can go back to bed."

"I'll stay a little longer if you don't mind. How many times did you do this for me over the last few years? And I know that you brought me a fresh pack at least twice a day after my surgery. It's the least I can do."

"Thanks. Danno, can I ask a question?"

"You just did, but fire away."

"Is there a problem with Mike and his mom?"

Danny remembered how Jack didn't buy their story when Jesse was in trouble. The kid had killer instincts. He and Steve had a tell-the-truth policy with the boys. He knew that he would have to give Jack at least some of the story.

"There were some people who were bothering them before they moved here. Lori hoped that it would stop when she moved here but it didn't. We're taking care of it. The team will find out who it is, and Uncle Finn is helping us too. We won't let anything happen to our ohana."

Jack was satisfied with Danny's answer and drifted off to sleep. Danny checked on Jesse and dropped a kiss on his forehead before going back to bed.

Steve roused when Danny crawled back into bed. "How is Jack doing?"

"His knee was bothering him but the ice pack helped. He asked about Lori and Mike. I told him that some people were bothering her and that everyone was going to keep them safe."

"He's scary."

"He's you babe."

"Well you can't say that I didn't warn you."

"I wouldn't change a thing about him."

"Me either. Goodnight Danno."

"Goodnight Steve."