Ok, first off, I'm back! And I am sooooo sorry for all the typos in that last chapter. I know I usually have typos, but I've been trying to remember to look them over before I post them and I totally forgot when I asked Mitch to post chapter 9. Oh, and that's another thing. You guys are so kind and accepting of Mitch, I really can't tell you how much that means to me. All of your kind words and reviews literally make our day. I think God really did hear all your prayers for me, because I'm feeling so much better. I still can't go back to work for a while, but I'm used to that. So thank you so so much! I really hope you enjoy chapter 10.
He knew he was dying. He was broken, both physically and mentally. Even if by some miracle he survived this, Danny knew he could never recover. What he had done to Steve was unforgiveable. Although he was in an excruciating amount of pain, Danny didn't care. In fact, he was glad for it. He deserved it after what he'd done. Steve's pleading and hopeless eyes would be forever burned into his consciousness, a reminder of what he had sentenced his closest friend to. Danny coughed again, noting wearily that blood was now dribbling down his chin. It was cold in the room, or maybe it was just the life leaving his body, but he pushed away the chill with thoughts of his Grace. Innocent and beautiful, his daughter was the warmth that kept him alive. He knew he didn't deserve to think about her, but he just couldn't help himself. It was all he had left. She would be dead soon anyway, he thought, the ice returning to his bones. If he was being honest, Danny wasn't sure if he could stand to watch them torture his little girl. In fact, he knew that his confession was inevitable, making Steve's death all the more cruel. However, Danny also knew that no matter what he said, Grace would die. He would have to look into his daughter's lifeless eyes, and that was almost more than he could bear. Danny hung his head, waiting for death to take him. Maybe if he was gone, they would be merciful towards Grace…
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As Steve checked his weapon once more, he felt a chill creep up his spine. Danny was here, he could feel it in his gut, but there was no telling what condition they'd find him in. Steve already had an ambulance on standby, knowing that someone was going to need it when this was over. HPD had been instructed to wait outside until they were called in case there was a delicate situation. He just prayed they weren't too late. Nodding to Chin and Kono, he moved forward, the cousins flanking him on either side. With one quick look back at the peaceful day around them, they picked the lock and entered the building. It was dark inside and they were blind. Thermal imaging had failed due to some sort of interference, no doubt an intentional security measure. With skill born of years of training and combat, Steve led his team onwards. The building was old, built just before World War II, so the blueprints were on file at the Honolulu city archives. Steve had studied them carefully on the drive over, knowing that this knowledge could be useful. They rounded yet another corner and saw a light, glowing from behind a closed door. Motioning the others to stay put, Steve approached door. Using a technique he had learned from a friend on the bomb squad in Afghanistan, he carefully slid a dental mirror under the door. Seeing no one on the other side, the picked the locked and they continued onward. As the moved down yet another hallway, voices drifted towards them. They spoke German and Steve, being the only one who understood the language, quietly translated for Chin and Kono.
"I think we should bring her in. Just to be sure. If he didn't break when we tortured McGarrett, then who's to say he'll talk for his daughter?" Tortured McGarrett? What the hell?
"No, Brooker. Müller was very specific. He said only Williams was to be brought in. Besides, the girl Kaufmen brought in will more than suffice." Brooker? Hadn't Catherine mentioned a Hans Brooker? Since she hadn't called him back yet, he assumed she hadn't found anything on him.
"Williams is going to die soon if we keep him here much longer. Will Kaufmen have the girl ready by then?" Steve couldn't take it any longer. This was confirmation that Danny was here and it was all he needed. With a vicious kick, he knocked the old door off its hinges and burst in. He found himself face to face with a tall man, with classically Aryan features, down to his white blonde hair and strong jaw. On the other side of the room, another man sprinted out a door. The Aryan tried to raise his gun, but Chin shot him in the shoulder before he could fire. Steve didn't see that, though, as he took off after the second man.
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A gunshot. It was a sound Danny knew well. Too well, he thought cynically. Only one, but it meant something. Had they shot Grace? No. They would use her first. Danny hardly dared to believe that help had arrived, but the sound of angry and surprised voices were all around him. Danny coughed again, more blood flicking his lips. Didn't they know they were too late? Suddenly, a man he hadn't seen before burst into the room. He was nearly identical to Weider, aside from a jagged scar running through his left eye, making it milky and blind. He ran over to Danny and raised his gun.
"Auf Wiedersehen, Herr Will-" With one last burst of strength, Danny kicked the man in the groin, doubling him over. As the man bent over to heave, Danny landed a vicious blow to the man's temple, knocking him out. As he fell, objects came tumbling out of his pocket. Keys, a lighter, and a pocket knife. Gathering up all of his remaining energy, Danny grasped the knife in his bare toes and brought it up to his hands. As he moved, he felt bones shift in his chest and grunted in pain, but Danny pushed it all away as he was filled with a new purpose. There was no forgiving what he'd done, but Steve deserved a proper funeral. Danny could at least give him that much. Opening the knife, he cut the leather straps around his wrists, only realizing that he had cut down to the skin when he felt blood run down his arm. He fell to the floor in a heap. Though the room swam sickeningly around him, he made his way shakily to his feet, grabbing the downed man's gun.
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Steve caught up to the fleeing man and tackled him to the ground, but his opponent was quick and agile. The man managed to slide out from under him, but not before turning to face his attacker. Steve couldn't hide his shock as he stared into his own blue eyes. It was like looking in a mirror. Before Steve could process what he was seeing, the man, Brooker maybe, ran. Shaking off his surprise, Steve took off after him into another room only to see Brooker stop. Turning to look at what Brooker was seeing, Steve stopped too. There stood Danny, barely on his feet, with his gun pointed forwards and a look of utter shock on his face.
"Danny!" Steve yelled, but so did Brooker. They both rushed forward at the same time, Brooker only a half-step behind. The son of a bitch is copying me, Steve realized. As they got closer, Steve nearly recoiled at the sight of his partner's battered body. It was awful to look at, yet he couldn't tear his eyes away.
"God, Danny. Hey, it's okay, buddy. I'm gonna get you out of here. I'll get you home." Steve said gently, momentarily forgetting Brooker.
"Don't listen to him Danno. This guys an imposter. I don't know how, but they cloned me or something." Brooker said, his voice sounding exactly like Steve's own. Danny raised the gun higher and both men raised their hands in surrender.
"How…? Steve, you're dead! Two…but, no. Saw…saw you d-die…" Danny said, his thoughts disjointed. Steve could see the impending collapse and stepped forward slightly.
"Danny, I know this is hard, but you've got to listen to me. I'm Steve. I'm your partner and I am not dead. They're playing mind games. You have to believe me."
"Danny, you know me. Come on, man. Put the gun down and we'll take this guy into custody and get some answers. We'll go see Grace. How 'bout that? She misses you." Brooker lied easily. The gun waivered as Danny became wracked with indecision. One of them had promised he could see Grace, but something he had said was nagging at him. He had never known Steve to pass up a chance to say 'book 'em Danno', even in the face of danger. But then again, he could just be under stress. But, how was this even possible. He had watched Steve be tortured and die for Christ sake!
"If…" Danny began timidly. "If you are g-going to be…the sh-shoot first and ask questions l-later type of a g-guy…" Danny said, leaving it open. The one on the right spoke first.
"Danny, I promise. I'll stop shooting first. I'll be more careful, I swear. Just let me get you home." He pleaded seriously. The one on the left smiled and shook his head.
"I'll consult you, so you know when to duck." He finished. Danny looked at both of them, then shot Brooker in the chest, sending the man to the ground, dead before he hit the cement.
"Steve…" Danny whispered weakly, then crumpled to his knees, avoiding falling completely to the ground as Steve darted forward and caught him.
"Danny…God, Danny. I got you, brother. I'm gonna get you home. Chin and Kono are here with HPD, taking care of everything. There's an ambulance outside." Steve assured Danny, who was trembling violently in his arms. The fingers loosely grasping his own were ice cold, but the rest of Danny's body was radiating heat. As Steve took in Danny's injuries, he had to resist the urge to pump Brooker full of hollow points.
"Steve…how? Watched…watched y-you die." Danny whispered.
"No, no you didn't buddy. It was all a trick. That man on the floor? That's Brooker. He's been pretending to be me. They were trying to get to you. I'm okay Danny. I'm not going anywhere, so you just stay with me, okay? Help's comin'."
"Sorry…so sorry Steve." Danny whispered as his eyes rolled back in his head.
"No, Danny! Hey, come on man, open your eyes!" Steve begged as he checked Danny's pulse. It was weak, but there. In the silence of the room, he could now hear the ragged whistling of Danny's chest as he struggled to suck in the tiniest of breaths. Jamming his finger to his earpiece, he pleaded for help.
Don't worry, I'm not wrapping up the story just yet. As I'm sure you know, there are still a lot of loose ends left and action to resolve them with! I hope you guys liked this chapter! If so, please tell me. I like to hear from you guys. You're all such awesome people.