To the new followers, I thank you for checking out this story. To the others who have been here from the beginning, I thank you for your support.

This chapter is fairly telling as far as story direction goes, so keep your eyes open.

Buckle up and enjoy! :)

Chapter 9

"What do we know?"

An HPD officer gave Five-0 a quick rundown of what they knew about the situation. "Male, around six foot, walked into this bank at a quarter till five. He didn't make any demands, just took hostages. We've been at a stand off with him ever since."

Danny, Chin and Kono had arrived at the scene fairly quickly. When Williams heard that his car was at the scene, common sense (and hope) told him that Steve would be there as well. He just wasn't expecting things to be like this.

"How many hostages?" asks Kelly.

He and the others took in the sight of the scene. The front blinds of the bank were drawn tight and the lights were turned off. The only door that they could see in or out was in a position that didn't give the snipers already across the street a clear shot.

"Unknown. The woman, a clerk, who made the call said that they were getting ready to close when an armed man opened fire."

Danny nodded in understanding then began to give off instructions. It was strange being in charge like this, without Steve, but he pushed the thought to the back of his mind as best he could. "Okay. I want this area sectioned off three blocks back. Someone get me a line to the snipers; I don't want them taking a shot without my say so."

Kono looks over to a nearby officer. "Has anyone tried to contact the suspect, yet?"

"We've tried calling the bank phone. No one answered."

"Someone bring me a damn bullhorn." Danny adjusts his bulletproof vest and waits for his requested item. When he had the bullhorn, he clicked it on and spoke to the armed man. "This is Detective Danny Williams with Five-0! Surrender now and come out with your hands up!"

Everyone on scene held their breath. Time moved slowly, almost as if it didn't move at all, before a single gunshot sounded loudly and chaos broke out.

The front door to the bank burst open and out poured the hostages. Danny had the mind to tell the snipers to hold fire-though he likely didn't need to-and ordered officers to make sure the the victims got to safety.

He then led Chin and Kono into the bank, weapons drawn and bodies ready.

"Clear!"

"Clear!"

"Damn," Danny let his arms fall limply to his side as he took in the sight of a masked figure laid out in the middle of the bank, a pool of blood still forming around their head. At first glance, the figure appeared to be the same height and build as Steve.

He couldn't look anymore.

Chin, noticing Danny's hesitation and knowing what the detective was thinking, knelt beside the body and with a gloved hand removed the mask. "It's not him." he declares. "It's not him."

Danny holstered his weapon. "Kono, go back to HQ. I want to know who this man is yesterday. Chin, talk to the witnesses and get any information you can from them."

"What are you going to do?"

"I am going to find out the reason why my car is here and why Steve and Taylor aren't."


"What's your favorite color?"

"Blue."

"Favorite car."

"Ford Mustang."

"Any tattoos?"

"Yes."

"How many?"

"Steve," Taylor fights the urge to lash out and instead sighs deeply. "why the 20 questions? You know theses things all ready."

"I've only asked you four." replies McGarrett as he glances up from the map on the phone The Serpent gave him. "Plus, I'm trying to get you to relax. You're hands are turning white from gripping the steering wheel too tight."

She takes her eyes away from the road for a second only to see that he was right. Taylor relaxed her grip but not her body. Not yet.

"Okay, pull over here."

Taylor eases the sedan over to the side of the road and puts it in park. The sky had grown dark since they left the bank and started their journey to the location in the jungle. Now it was Steve's turn to drive the rest of the way. "How much farther?"

"According to this, a few hours." Steve sighs. "Go ahead and get some sleep in the back. I'll wake you when we're close."

"Steve, I don't-"

"I'm not asking, Taylor. You're exhausted, I can see it in your eyes." McGarrett reaches out and cups the side of Taylor's face with his hand. It went without saying that he was doing the best he could to look out for her, in spite of the events that have all ready happened. There was no telling how long it would before either of them would be able to rest again. "And if this map is right, we'll have a bit of a walk to get to the location. So, please, just rest. For me?"

The words were on the tip of her tongue, she was close to saying that even though she didn't want him to be awake alone, he was right. She was tired and sleep called out to her. But they never came, instead a sickening feeling that rose up from the depths of her stomach.

Taylor reached out and opened the door hard before running to the side of the road as fast as she could. She doubled over as the little bit of food she managed to get down that morning forced its way back up. She gagged and coughed until the dry heaves shook her body to the core.

It was all to much for her to handle; she felt herself falling towards the ground, when strong arms caught her before she could land.

"Easy, I got you. I got you." Steve's soothing voice broke through her hazy thoughts, a sound that she wanted to latch on to but couldn't find to hold.

"S-Steve,"

"I'm here, Taylor. You're gonna be okay."

"Its c-cold."

McGarrett looked around the empty road. There was nothing but trees for miles and going back to the Main Land wasn't an option. It was dark. He had six hours left to deliver the money. Six hours until Taylor would get another "lifesaving" shot.

After he opened the back door, Steve carefully lifted Taylor up into his arms. He walked the short distance back to the car, laid her down on the seat and covered her arms with his jacket. "Hang on, babe. Just hang on a little while longer." he whispers with one last look.

Going to the driver's seat, he starts the vehicle again and races towards the location.


"So, McGarrett it headed this way with the money, eh?"

"Yes, he is. I never doubted that he would pull it off."

"What about Five-0? Won't they run start to put two and two together? Try to find the Commander and that chick?"

The Serpent backhanded his lackey, sending the man reeling to the floor. "Do not think for a second that I haven't considered that! Why do you think I sent Zi instead of your incompetent self?"

The lackey wiped his bloodied mouth and stood to his feet. "How am I suppose to know? You don't tell me nothin'!"

"I guess you're more incompetent than I thought. No matter; contact the men in the jungle and let them know that McGarrett is headed their way. They should be here in three hours; have Doctor Marks work up a new batch of Venom for the woman."

The lackey spit out a spec of blood and murmured a "yes, sir" before taking his leave.

The Serpent was now alone. He walked down the long hall of his jungle hidden home to a back room. He went to the bathroom and removed his shirt, revealing a long, jagged scar across his side and abdomen.

It was red around the edges and hurt to touch, still healing.

It served as a reminder of what he went through.

Of the suffering he endured to get where he is now.

Of why he was doing the things he did.

There was no going back, not now. Not when he knew the truth. Not when he needed revenge. Not when his very being craved to see a life, her life, end by his hand. The way it was always meant to be.

And if Steve McGarrett, the former commander of Five-0, died in his efforts for revenge, then so be it.

Whoa...I love writing bad guys but I scare myself sometimes. (I'm kidding. Sorta.)

I'm not going to give things away, but, if you have any guesses about something in this chapter let me know along with your thoughts in a review!