Chapter 10- battling the doubt

"Even if you do shoot me, Steve and Chin are just outside and won't hesitate to take you out", Kono told Sang Min as she watched his finger resting on the trigger and tried to judge whether it was goingto make a shot. "So you are not worried about dying then", Sang Min countered, "I'm sure Mc Garrett, Kelly and Williams will be upset." Kono felt a sharp pang deep in her being but tried not to outwardly react but the sneer on Sang Mins face indicated she had not quite been successful. So far he was winning this battle but she had to turn things around or die trying.

"Yeah but they are strong and it won't stop 5-0 carrying on their work,"Kono finally threw back at him. "Yeah but they still have to prove you were a screw up, but hey maybe they can't because it's true". You still had a choice when facing May and made the wrong decision", Sang Min watched her face and again saw a muscle twitch. This cop had not yet learnt to hide her emotions from those she was trying to take down. It was a huge weakness in his book and he was determined it would prove to be her undoing.

Kono felt like she was under siege as she recognized at least part of what Sang Min was saying was true. May had set up actions that maneuvered her into letting him go but she still could have made the other choice, shoot him. Then when Steve had asked her if she'd seen May she could have said yes. It might not have changed what had happened but she knew she'd feel a whole lot better than she did now.

"I think you know you don't belong in 5-0 surfer girl. Maybe they will be a whole lot better off if you are dead", Sang Min curled his lip up. Kono could feel herself shake but did not want to give him the satisfaction of seeing this. He seemed unaffected and unafraid that Steve was right now probably on the way to kill him. His finger seemed to stretch and curl near the trigger and Kono began to believe that she had literally moments when she could turn this around to her advantage. What could she do or say to shake him up a little. ""Well your son will probably be better off with his loser father being dead as well", Kono threw back. "What would he think about you standing here taunting a woman. Would he be proud, I doubt it, he'd be ashamed . If you kill me you may feel satisfied but how will your family feel about you. They will make sure you never hear the words, "I love you daddy on your sons lips". Kono felt bad bringing Sang Min's family into this but recognised she was fighting for her life and if he played low tricks then she had to as well. She watched as her words began to sink in and Sang Mins face face contorted and his body movement started to change with his finger moving ever so slightly away from the trigger. It was just a slight movement but Kono knew that she had to act now or lose the opportunity. So she fired hitting him in the arm holding the rifle.

He immediately dropped the weapon and Kono stretched her foot out and kicked it away. "You are under arrest", she told him firmly. Sang Min seemed to be debating about what to do next turning his head to look back over his shoulder. Noting that he seemed to be staring behind him for longer than necessary Kono remarked, "that old trick won't work on me". Sang Min's head snapped back forward and he sighed and held out his hands. Kono was just snapping on the bracelets when she felt the presence of someone else. Looking up she saw a now fully clothed Danny with a knife in his hand coming up to her position. "How long were you down there", she asked. "Long enough to recognize the moves of a good cop", he told her with a smile. Walking up he tapped Sang Min on the cheek, "they'll be no getting away this time babe", he stated. Sang Min scowled at him. Kono and Danny both grinned when they heard the splintering of wood below, "our seal never even checked to see if the door was open", Danny remarked with a head shake. Taking Kono by the arm and with a mischievous grin on his face Danny and Kono arranged themselves as they waited for their bosses arrival.

Steve raced up the stairs with his gun out knowing that Chin was right behind him. They hurtled up each stair at breakneck speed and around each bend onto the next lot of stairs. Chin was so focused on what was going on checking every little corner that he ran into Steve who had come to a standstill in front of him, "sorry", he remarked as he bounced off his boss. Steve said nothing just staring at what was in front of him. Chin had to push himself in front to get a clear view at what had made Steve Mc Garrett stop dead in his tracks. Feelling his face curve up into a smile at what Danny and Kono were doing Chin dared to look at Steve's face . What he saw was incredible as the former seals face twisted and contorted as it struggled to settle into one expression. Danny who was lounging back casually against the wall with one foot resting upon Sang Min's back flicked a wicked glance at Kono. She was also leaning casually with one foot resting on Sang Min but had also added the artistic flair of manicuring her nails to the scene. '"Gee about time, I was just planning to order a few pizzas", Danny teased. Steve shook his head at Danny, "you should not be here", he remarked. "Hey we are a team aren't we and standing firm beside our team mate is where we need to be", Danny countered firmly. Steve looked back at Kono and for the first time in a while smiled at her, "yeah we are a team", he agreed, 'well done Kono". Kono broke out in a smile. She knew part of Sang Mins words about her having a choice in letting May go would haunt her. But she had turned things around by not letting Sang Min get the better of her . She fell a new strength and purpose. Danny threw her a wink, "you can thank me later for backing you up", he suggested. Kono gave him a grin, "okay pizza is on me".

Danny grimaced, "hey that's not what I mean't, he groused. Chin watching the two of them and noticing some sort of chemistry between them asked, "what did you mean". Chin had his arms crossed over his chest and had this no nonsense stance happening. Looking at his face and thinking about how much he actually like being part of this team Danny made a quick decision, " that I wanted a cream donut instead', he remarked. Steve totally missing the play that was happening between his team mates shook his head, "Don't know how you can eat that junk Danny", he stated

"Yeah but he likes sweet things", Kono told them with a smile. Danny looked her straight in the eye and grinned, "Yes", he agreed. Kono knew he wasn't referring to his food and smiled. Danny could certainly be charming. But he was a team mate and that was dangerous ground. Yes she had kissed him but that was because she'd been so greatful for what he'd done. Well she'd tell herself that anyway.

"Hey lets get Sang Min settled then go out and celebrate", Chin suggested. "Yeah lets celebrate 5-0 getting cleared because that is what I'm going to do with yours truly", Steve jostled Sang Min.

Sang Min hung his head knowing he'd lost. This was a close knit team and while he might have shaken them he could not pry them apart. Dammit.

The end