I watched as Steve moved carefully around the kitchen looking from the broken glass to the surveillance pictures. I wasn't sure what I was more nervous about. The fact that Steve was going to make a beeline straight into big brother mode, or that Danny currently had all of my sleeping pills in his pocket.
I was silent the entire time Steve searched the area surrounding the break in point. He had already found a boot print, but nothing else to speak of. He sent the boot print back to the lab for Kono and Chin to dig up anything they could find, but it wasn't much to go on. They probably weren't going to find anything. The fact that I was standing here, while I should have been helping was grating on my nerves. Danny insisted that I let them deal with this because of protocol. Protocol, my ass.
"Steve, I'm fine," I muttered as I leaned against the kitchen counter.
"That's debatable," Danny muttered, sending me a look.
I glared at him before looking back to Steve who was sifting through the photos. He had gone through all of the ones of Danny, Grace, Chin, and Kono. Now, he was focusing on the shots of the two of us, and the ones that focused on me alone. With every new photo, I could see his jaw clench and unclench. His steely eyes were laser focused on the images in front of him, and that made me nervous.
"No more lies," Steve read off the manila folder. "What does that mean?"
"If I knew I would tell you."
He set the file down before picking up a single photo, showing it to Danny and I. The photo was taken six months prior, when Wo Fat had kidnapped Steve in North Korea. Standing outside a large cargo plane were Chin, Kono, Danny, Joe, and myself. Right before we boarded the plane on a mission to get Steve back. In red marker, a messy circle surrounded me and Joe.
Threatening someone close to a SEAL was a bad idea. Threatening someone close to Steve McGarrett...that was a death sentence. The relationship between Steve and I since the whole Shelburne scenario came to light has been strained, but we were still family. I had known him most of my life, and we would do anything for each other, that's what family did.
Six Months Earlier
I walked quickly across the tarmac towards the large cargo plane that was being loaded with several pallets of medical supply crates. That's not what was on my mind though. Steve had gone missing deep within enemy territory in North Korea. He had gone on an ill advised personal mission with Jenna Kay to bring back her fiancé. What little information we'd garnered before he left was all we really had to go on, and now we were chasing a ghost into a hot zone. That was an issue, Steve trusted Jenna and he chose to keep us pretty much in the dark because of some misguided need to protect us, even though he knew he was putting himself in grave danger. Of course, the biggest problem was that Jenna had manipulated Steve, because right now he was on a familiar path. A path that I had taken with Carson, and I knew it led directly to Wo Fat. Maybe Jenna had decided that this was the only way, but it was clear that she had offered Steve up to save her Fiancé...A Fiancé, who I was certain was already long dead. No one lasted long in enemy territory, let alone months. Especially someone who had landed on the wrong side of Wo Fat, I knew that better than anyone.
Now Steve was missing and it was pretty clear to everyone, Wo Fat had him. I wasn't sure what hurt more, the betrayal from Jenna, or the fact that Wo Fat had the one person I cared most about in the world. Steve, along with Joe were the last bit of 'family' I had left in the world, and I wasn't going to let him take either of them from me. Not after everything we had been through together.
Steve had saved me from North Korea, possibly from the very same bunker if everything went as planned. Now, it was my turn to return the favor. I'm not going to lie and say I wasn't nervous. This would be the first time I had set foot in North Korea since I had lost Carson several years before. My heart was beating like a hummingbird's wings, and my stomach was twisting itself into knots. Getting Steve back was our priority, despite any uncertainties I had about the country.
"Jules!" Danny called out, as I neared the plane.
Before I could reach the plane where Kono and Chin were standing with Joe, Danny stopped me a look of concern on his face. I knew what was going through his mind. He was worried not only about Steve, but about how I was going to handle this emotionally. Danny knew better than to try and stop me from going, but that wasn't going to keep him from watching out for me. Ever since I first met him, he had been protective towards me when it came to putting me in stressful situations.
"What are you thinking?" Danny asked watching my face closely.
"I'm going to kill him."
"You cannot go in there thinking that, you are going to get yourself killed," Danny snapped, keeping his voice low. "We're going to bring Steve back alive. When we get him back, then and only then do we even consider going after Wo Fat."
"If I have the chance, I'm going to take it," I growled before pushing past Danny towards where Joe was standing.
"Nice of you to join us," Joe stated, watching me and Danny as he chased after me.
I could see the concern in his eyes, but he had it under control, unlike Danny who was just radiating nervous energy. Nodding was the only thing I could do. If I said anything, I knew I would be benched, and arguing orders from Joe just wasn't an option. It never had been, what Joe said was what we did, no questions asked.
"So what happens when we hit the ground in Seoul?" Chin asked breaking the silence.
"We're on our own," Joe responded as he grabbed a black bag and held it open before glancing into each of our eyes and saying, "I'm going to need your badges and IDs. The minute this plane leaves the ground, we're just civilians. That means no military supplies, fire support, or friendlies in the area. If the mission is compromised, we go on escape and evade, and in the unlikely event that we pull this off, we could be charged with espionage, face federal prosecution, and prison time for what we are about to do. That is, of course if any of us make it back."
I looked down at the badge in my hand before setting it in the bag along with everyone else's Five-0 badges. I looked over at Danny who was standing next to Joe and Kono. I don't think I would have been able to do this if he wasn't there making sure that I was okay.
"I've done worse," I responded causing everyone to look at me momentarily as my words sunk in.
"So, if anyone wants to back out, now's the time," Joe looked straight at me as he said this. "No shame in it. Go with God, and wish us luck."
I stood there silently with my arms across my chest. The strong wind on the tarmac sending strands of my hair in front of my face as I stared back at Joe. I tried to keep my face as impassive as possible in light of the current situation, but I knew my eyes would betray every emotion I was feeling. Steve had always said he could read how I was feeling just by looking into my eyes. This was for Steve. We were going to get him back, I was so determined that we would not be returning without him. I would have given my life for his, and I wouldn't have a life without him, either.
"All right that settles it then. We come back with Steve, or we don't come back at all." Joe said reiterating the thoughts that were already rattling around in my head and my heart.
I nodded adjusting the strap of my bag over my shoulder when the sound of an approaching vehicle caught my attention. I turned and watched as several men, including Commanding Officer Wade Gutches stalked towards us carrying some bags like they were preparing to take a trip. I recognized one of the men as a part of SEAL Team Nine, the same man Steve had saved in an air rescue, after an assassin had drugged him and threw him out of a plane.
"All right," Wade clapped his hands together as the SEALs gathered behind him. "Who's ready to kick ass and take names? Got room for some members of SEAL Team Nine on this little...What are you calling it?"
"Humanitarian mission," Joe supplied, a grin on his face.
"Right...That's what I thought. Load it up, ladies," Wade ordered the SEALs behind him. The men grabbed their bags, and began to haul the items onto the cargo plane.
This was going to be one hell of a ride.
"You can't stay here," Steve stated, tossing the photo down onto the table with the rest of them.
"Thank you, Captain Obvious," Danny responded before I could say anything.
"So she'll stay with me. She'll be safe I can keep an eye on her-"
"Would you like to take away all her freedom?" Danny retorted, crossing his arms over his chest.
"How is that taking away her freedom?" Steve's face fell into a state of confusion.
"Living with you is like living in a prison."
"Oh and living with you is any better?"
"Yeah, actually it is," Danny retorted.
Their argument faded as I stared down at the picture of me with the team before we left for Korea. Joe and I were circled. This was about us. This wasn't about Steve, or Danny, or anyone else. This was about me and Joe.
Six Months Earlier
Danny and Joe had left the group in order to find an old buddy of Joe's. Something about him being able to supply us an arsenal. They came back with an older fellow named Frank, who led us to what looked more like a graveyard of rundown military grade equipment. Climbing into the helicopter, so lovingly named "Tangerine" seemed like a death sentence, but for Steve it was worth the risk.
Danny made a few smartass remarks before we decided it was time to kick it into high gear. The SEALs that had joined us on the trip were loading weapons and ammo, and making sure everything was working well enough. Kono was going to be left at the bungalow, in order to run satellite interference and to survey the area. She was going to have to be our eyes and keep us apprised of what was going on from the ground. I would be going with the SEALs, Chin and Danny, but instead of being in the combat zone where I wanted to be, I was to stay in the helicopter with Frank and provide air support.
Was I pissed about this decision? Hell yes, I was. It seemed like Danny and Joe had made the decision without me and before I could confront either of them about it, we were strapping into the bucket of bolts that Frank so affectionately called 'Tangerine'.
I was positioned up front, right next to Frank while the men were situated in the back, with weapons in their hands ready to go.
While we were sitting there waiting for Frank to fire up the helicopter, I couldn't stop my hands from shaking. The severity of the situation was kicking in, and it felt like old wounds were being ripped open a little bit more for each second we were in Korea. Maybe Danny and Joe made the right call making me stick to the helicopter. I knew my nerves were nearly fried, when I jumped as Joe rested his hand on my shoulder.
"You okay?" he asked as softly as he could.
"Yes sir," I responded trying to keep my voice steady and confident.
Joe nodded as he studied my demeanor for a few seconds, from the way Joe parted his lips I knew he wanted to say something else but he refrained. I could see it plain as day on his face though. He was doing this not just for Steve, but for me, too. He was worried about me being in Korea again after everything that had happened, but in the end he knew it was better to have me here near the action than driving myself crazy away from it.
Joe squeezed my shoulder just before he leaned back into his seat, placing the headset on and checking his weapon.
A moment later, Danny leaned in and said, "I know you want to be on the ground, but Steve would kill us if we let you get within fifty feet of Wo Fat again, besides we need a good set of eyes in the air in case the shit hits the fan. You cover us from above, any movement that could put us in harm's way you shoot, okay?"
"Got it," I nodded glancing over my shoulder at him as I put the headset on positioning the microphone in front of my mouth.
I tried to keep my hand from shaking as Danny watched me, but clearly he'd noticed as his hand closed over mine and pulled the headset away from my ears to whisper, "We will not leave without him."
I don't know why those words had such an impact coming from him, but for whatever reason they were all I needed to settle into my role.
The flight didn't start out the best. Frank got the motor going before it died. Of course, the fact that it started at all was a feat given his methods. He hit some control panels with the butt of his gun until the engine kicked on. I could feel the nerves twisting in my stomach, but after years of Naval training I kept my face as impassive as I possibly could. Frank managed to get us up in the air and hold us steady before heading in the direction of the compound where we thought Steve was being held.
"Can I ask you a question?" Danny called out through the headsets over the whirring of the engine. "Does this guy ever fly this thing sober, or no?"
I couldn't help but smirk at Danny's uneasiness. He and Chin seemed to be the only ones who were outright nervous about it, and of course Danny was the only one who said it out loud. The SEALs onboard were either hiding it, or really couldn't care less. They were trained for any sort of scenario. Flying with a drunk in a helicopter wouldn't faze them in the slightest.
"All right, listen up," Wade commanded control of the men onboard. "This compound is basically a bunker surrounded by tunnels. Frank's going to insert us six clicks to the south, we patrol in on foot from there."
"Frank will circle the LZ with Lieutenant Koehler, and provide cover fire for the extraction," Joe added.
"Any contact with the opposition you will eliminate the threat," Wade continued. "Any questions?"
The entire helicopter was silent, meaning there were no questions as to the mission plan. We were going to get Steve back, or we were going to die trying.
I sat silently in my seat waiting for Frank to give the go ahead for the drop point. I wanted to be going with them, but I also knew that wasn't the best option and I could be useful if an air strike was needed.
I watched as Frank lowered the helicopter into a field just shy of six clicks out from the bunker.
"Bring Steve home, gentlemen," I called out, before they began filing out of the chopper.
My gaze locked with Danny's just before he jumped out. He nodded showing he heard what I said before climbing out. I could see the worry in his eyes, but the determination was there as well. He wasn't going to go down without a fight.
I watched as they made their way into the thick brush before Frank pulled the chopper back into the air. I tore my gaze from where the men had just disappeared turning my focus back to scanning the area around us for any sign of hostiles.
"How long you been in the service?" Frank asked as he scanned the area as well.
"Fourteen years," I responded bitterly. "Seven active duty Navy, while the other seven were spent in the reserves."
"What made you change?" Frank's innocent question caused a twinge of pain to shoot down my arm.
"I got someone killed."
The bitter tone to my voice silenced Frank for a while. I hadn't meant to cause any discomfort, but that was still a sore topic. Especially being in the country that played a role in the incident. There was no reason to give the long version. I wasn't a victim, Carson was. He was the one that died for nothing.
"Blackbird," Kono's voice came over the radio. "I have movement north of you. A convoy of trucks heading west towards the river."
"Copy that," I responded. "We'll relay that to Red One," I cut the connection before looking to Frank. "Let's get eyes on that convoy."
Frank nodded before the chopper tilted dramatically allowing us to turn in the right direction. There was a chance that Steve could be in the convoy. Maybe Wo Fat caught wind that we were on our way, and they had to move him. We needed to make sure the convoy didn't have any extra members before we cleared them to pass.
"One O'Clock," Frank stated as he pulled the chopper up behind the convoy. I could see them through a break in the tree line. "They're headed for Kaesŏng. We gotta hold 'em. Get the others and tell them to catch up."
I nodded before changing frequency to reach Joe. "Red One, come in. We've got eyes on the convoy. They are a mile northwest of your position heading deeper in country."
I watched the convoy carefully as I waited for a reply.
"Better slow 'em down," Joe's voice crackled through the headset.
"We've got the green light," I told Frank as we moved over the convoy.
"There's a bridge about a mile up the road. How about we put that RPG there to good use?" Frank gave me a devilish grin nodding to the weapon in the back. "You ever shot one before?"
"I grew up military, what haven't I shot?" I grinned before pulling the headset off and tossing it to the side.
I quickly undid the buckles that were holding me down before I climbed over the seat and into the back where the weapon was sitting in its case. I yanked it open quickly, while being careful to maintain my balance as Frank maneuvered the chopper given the fact that the doors haven't closed on this thing for decades.
Pulling the launcher out, I quickly set to work making sure the scope was on, and tight. I reached into the box pulling out the warhead with a wicked smirk on my face before inserting the grenade into the launcher.
I maneuvered myself down to the deck of the chopper making sure to hook my ankle around one of the seats so I didn't accidentally fall out, I placed the launcher against my right shoulder holding on tightly. I placed my eye near the scope, so I could see into it. Once I had the bridge in sight on the scope I carefully aimed for the center of the bridge where the convoy would hit any second. Without another thought I pulled the trigger.
I braced myself for the kickback from the RPG before set the weapon aside to watch as the bridge erupted into a mixture of fire and stone. I couldn't help the triumphant shout that left my lips as the convoy began backtracking across the bridge to find a new route.
I quickly put the launcher back into the box before reaching for the headset I had discarded earlier.
"Red One, convoy is heading your way. I repeat, convoy is heading your way. Meet at extraction point in T-minus four minutes."
I set the headset down glancing over at Frank who had a grin on his face. He nodded to me before I let a grin slide onto my face, my shoulders shaking slightly. I didn't bother to climb back into the seat, instead holding tightly onto the rail next to the open doors looking for any sign of the group or hostiles. My heart pounded in my chest as Frank turned the chopper so we could met the guys at the extraction point.
As we came up over the trees, I caught sight of the men coming out into the clearing. My heart raced wildly when I noticed they weren't alone, Danny and Chin were carrying Steve between them. Once the chopper hit the ground, I jumped down onto the grassy plain before hightailing it towards him.
He looked beat to hell, his shirt was torn open revealing deep bruising along with several gashes and burn marks across his abdomen. Dripping down the side of his face was both fresh and dried blood, his lip was split and his cheekbone bruised and swollen, yet he wore a look of pure determination.
"Steve!" I called out.
"Jules," he called back pulling his arms away from Chin and Danny as I reached him.
I wrapped my arms tightly around him, relieved when I felt his arms tighten around me, too. One arm circled around my waist while the other rested gently on the back of my head. I felt him place a quick kiss to the side of my head before Wade's shouting broke up the moment. Pulling away, I watched Danny and Chin help him back to the chopper.
The feeling of triumph sat in my chest as I raced back to the chopper, too. I pulled open the door and climbed in, placing the headset back on my head before pulling the door shut. Glancing to the back, I noticed all the men were accounted for, Steve included. There was a sense of relief flooding the chopper as Frank lifted off the ground, taking us into the air to head back to a safe zone.
"Blackbird, your airspace is clear," Kono's voice came through my headset.
A smile rested on my face before I looked over at Frank, "It's clear."
Frank nodded before taking a sharp turn flying good old Tangerine back towards his own compound. The chopper was silent as everyone took in what had just occurred. The sound of the engine and rotors, the only thing making any sound.
"No, don't," Danny called out over the loud noises. "You can thank me when we get back to Oahu."
The conversations rolled on and laughter rumbled through the cabin, but my focus was only on Steve.
I watched him as he looked around at each of the men who had aided in his rescue before his gaze landed on me. The usual tough, older brother stare was gone, instead replaced by a more thankful, happy look. He nodded in understanding at how tough it was for me to come back to North Korea, but I did it for him. Given the same choice, I would do it again. In a heartbeat.
"I owe you one," he called out to me.
I shook my head before saying, "We're even."
Present Day
"I need to find Joe," I raised my voice cutting the two of them off.
I crossed my arms over my chest, turning to face the two bickering men. Steve was standing there, hands on his hips, and a stern look on his face while Danny simply looked confused. Both men had been so absorbed in fighting over where I was going to stay, they hadn't given me the chance to voice my opinion.
"What?" Steve broke the silence.
"I said I need to find Joe. This is about me and him."
"What, so you're going to jet set halfway around the world to look for him?" Danny snapped sarcastically.
"If that's what it takes."
"If that's what-" Danny cut himself off. "You're delusional, you realize that."
"There are only two people who know what this is about. One is currently under protective custody, and the other is MIA. I'm not going to risk Doris' safety. I have to find him, Steve," I spoke to him, knowing Danny wouldn't be able to fully grasp where I was coming from.
Joe was the last parental figure I had left. Both of my parents and John were gone, and Doris's foray as Shelburne kind of took her out of the running. I had to find him. Things had reached a boiling point and I needed to know what else he was hiding, and why he disappeared after Steve brought Doris back instead of coming back. More than that, I needed to know he was alive.
Hey y'all! Thanks so much for the kind reviews and all the adds and favorites. It really makes my day! Sorry for the delay in the chapter but I hope you guys like this chapter. Leave a review or send me a message and let me know how you feel about the story.
