Seated in his office back in Five-0 headquarters, Steve was lost in thought about the precarious situation Kono was in. He exhaled and ran his fngers through his hair as he study Wo-Fat's possible hiding places. They couldn't afford a trial and error operation as the possible areas were hours apart from each other and time consumed moving from one place to the other may result in Kono's demise.
It felt good to be back to his office but he couldn't relish the triumph of clearing his name and being back in position, right now he would have given up his freedom for Kono's safe return. He knew he couldn't afford to be emotional. He had to remain objective.
Mary couldn't stand it. She was drinking a glass of ice cold water to expel the heat of this warm night and she thought of bringing some to his brother and found him oblivious of his surroundings, his eyes were bloodshot, clouded with something dark and heavy. She'd never seen him looked so vulnerable. It had been a long day and it's almost daybreak but her brother remained vigilant and diligent as he painstakingly plan his rescue.
She looked around and found more than a dozen police officers around the headquarters and none of them could do something to alleviate her brother's burden.
"What the hell are you guys sitting here for? There's a whole lot of you and you can't find my brother's girlfriend? What's the state paying you for?" she blurted out.
The whole room fell silent at her outburst. She was suddenly ashamed but she didn't like his brother looking like hell.
"Shut up, Mary! You don't know what you're talking about. There are a lot of things in our hands without you losing it. Now, seat down and finish your drink," replied Steve.
He exhaled and walked towards his sister who sat in a corner near Danny's desk and engulfed her in a big hug, and in a nicer but more hopeful tone he said before kissing her on the cheek, "Don't worry. Everything's going to be fine and then I'll take you to that nice long vacation you always wanted in Galapagos."
"Will we take your girlfriend with us?" she insisted.
Steve smiled sheepishly at his sister. She could really make him smile when things go rough.
"Yes. I'll find her and we'll take her with us."
Joe White suddenly arrived and purposefully approached Steve with the Commissioner, Gov. Denning, and Fryer's boss Gen. Wade.
"We're glad you've recovered the key. May we have it now?" requested Joe.
Steve stood before them in all his 6 feet 2 inches height and replied firmly.
"I'll give it to you, Joe. But not a minute before I find Kono. The key may be the only way to get her back safe."
The other officials were furious. "That key belongs to the state. You have no right to keep it."
"The hell I have no right. My life was endangered by this key, and now my agent is in danger and I'm going to use it to save her even if it means I'll be sent to court marshal."
"I can put you to prison in an instant," said the commissioner.
"I've got news for you, commissioner, you already have and I'm not scared to go back," he replied sternly.
"Perhaps if you convince Wo-Fat that despite the tattoo on Agent Kalakaua's back, she is not the McGarrett Woman. You don't need the key," suggested Gen. Wade.
"There is no reasoning with Wo-Fat. It's an eye for an eye and I want to hold the ace in this fight, and none of you can do anything about it," said Steve
"Please. No need for us to lose our temper. Steve's father was a big help to our government and Steve himself is a respected officer. I understand where he is coming from. Perhaps we could buy him sometime…I'm sure he'll surrender the key," explained Joe White.
"I have no intention to get the diamonds for myself. I'll give you the key. I just want Agent Kalakaua saved first," he said in a more diplomatic tone.
"Very well, three days," said the commissioner.
Steve nodded to acknowledge his thanks but replied solemnly, "I'm afraid we don't even have three days…"
Kono was slowly regaining consciousness, the throbbing pain in her head and her aching limbs were beginning to sink in. Her head felt so heavy she couldn't bring herself to lift it up. She couldn't remember this kind of throbbing pain in her head except during the time one of her schoolmates spiked the student punch on promo night.
She was a junior then, and everyone at the prom began singing to "Hello Dolly" and dancing like CanCan dancers around the gym and the next day she was so blasted she couldn't get out of bed. For a moment she thought she was 18 again and blasted from the spiked punch but her aching limbs and bruised wrists reminded her she was standing up, her two hands chained apart from heavy chains hanging from the ceiling, her dead weight leaning on them.
She thought of straightening up to relieve the strain for her wrists until she felt warm breath on the side of her cheeks, it was so close she could feel them on her neck, her ear, and her face. She felt a strong hand caressing her bare back until it reached the waistband of her khaki shorts, and she realized she was relieved of her white shirt except for her brassiere. She felt like crying as she remembered the sight of Wo-Fat's triumphant smile and Chin and Danny's horrified expression before she lost consciousness.
She must not show any indication that she was awake. Who knows what Wo-Fat might subject her to. She could feel him so near, his fingers suddenly tracing her jawline and the contours of her face. She almost kneed his groin to keep his hands to himself but she resisted the temptation as she remembered the thick, heavy chains binding her. If she kicks him, what then? She'd be defenseless afterwards. It would be wise to feign unconsciousness… but for how long? Wo-Fat was not an idiot, it would not take long for him to realize she was awake. She prayed he wouldn't attempt to relieve her any more of her clothing.
But her resolve to feign unconsciousness was short-lived when suddenly she felt his lips touch her neck. Panic shot through her and with all her might she kicked his shins and swung herself to deliver a flying kick to his chest. He staggered backwards but caught his balance. Her successful attempt to defend herself made Wo-Fat smile. Her kicks left him unperturbed.
"I can see you still have your spirits, Kono," he laughed in amusement before slowly approaching her and capturing her face in his hand.
"But you ought to know by now, your struggles are useless. I can kill you in a snap," he warned.
"I don't care if you kill me. Just keep your hands off me," she yelled.
She braced herself as she saw the rage in Wo-Fat's eyes. She didn't care. She'll fight him to death but their confrontation was interrupted with loud bang of the door.
Kono gasped. It was a familiar face. Suddenly she felt hope surged within her at the thought of being rescued.
"General!" she exclaimed. "Please help me," she cried.
"Damn! McGarrett didn't want to hand me the damn key! I have to get those diamonds before the government does," vented the general.
"Perhaps, you weren't persuasive enough, general," said Wo-Fat.
Kono felt all her hope crushing down as she realized that Wo-Fat and Gen. Wade were in it together. Instead of breaking down, she felt all her anger rising up.
"I can't believe this! How could you, General? We all looked up to you. You give officers a bad name. You're a disgrace to your uniform!" she spat.
He tried to hit her but Wo-Fat was quick enough to catch his blow before it could touch Kono's face.
"Don't try that again," warned Wo-Fat.
The general was stunned by his words but chose to ignore it.
"McGarrett wanted the woman. He said he'll give-up the key after he gets her back," said the general.
Wo-Fat smiled diabolically. "Then you must find another way to get us the key because I'm not giving her back."
"What do you mean? You can't kill her…not until we get the key," protested the general.
Wo-Fat smirked. "I don't intend to kill her…but I intend to kill you."
And with those words, before General Wade could react, Wo-Fat shot him on the stomach. General Wade fell back on the floor.
"I'll send them a video of the bleeding 4 star general, my hostage. And there's no way they won't hand me the key. And when I get the key… good bye general."
The general clutched his stomach in pain. Kono felt sorry for him despite his wrong doings and treachery to the government.
Wo-Fat laughed diabolically. "At least you will die with your dignity, general. They would never know your treachery."
He slowly walked back to face Kono, his dark eyes glinting with malevolence and lust, facing her, he touched her face, slowly drawing it closer to his, "And you my dear will come with me to the ends of the earth after I get the pink diamonds…"
Before Kono could react and attempt to kick him once more, a single shot rang through the air and Wo-Fat suddenly slumped on his knees to the floor.
"Not if I can help it…" uttered Steve.
Relief surged through Kono as Steve rushed to her. She was finally safe. Steve took off his shirt and draped it around Kono's back as he covered her with his embrace. Both were silent for a moment overwhelmed with emotion until Chin came to them with a key to unlock Kono's shackles.
As soon as Kono's hands were free. Steve slipped his shirt on her and cupped her face in his hands to pepper her with little kisses before engulfing her in another tight embrace.
"Thank you," Kono managed to whisper.
Both were lost on their own world, oblivious to the chaos around them as the police exchange fires with Wo-Fat's men. When all their enemies have been defeated, Chin approached the pair.
"Are you alright, Kono?" he asked with concern.
Kono managed a smile. "I am now."
With his arms around Kono, Steve approached Captain Fryer.
"Just as I have promised, here's the key," he said giving it to him.
"How'd you know where to find me?" asked Kono.
Steve smiled in amusement. "General Wade spoke of the tattoo on your back. Nobody could have known about that except us because you only got it from the kids the other day…unless he saw you just recently. Then he must be in it with Wo-Fat. I had my suspicions and I followed him. Danny and Chin thought I might need assistance and called Fryer and his men."
As they neared the car, Mary ran towards them to give them a big hug.
"I stayed in the car just as you told me, Steve," she said proudly.
"Very good," he smiled.
"Now, can we have our Galapagos Cruise?" she asked earnestly.
"of course," he replied.
"Can your girlfriend come too?" teased Mary.
Steve grinned from ear to ear as he looked at Kono. Kono blushed, unable to meet Steve's eyes.
"She'd better," he uttered somewhat hopefully.
Kono finally met his gaze and returned his smile. "I'd love to."