Test of Will XII

Disclaimer: I do not own Hawaii 5-0. This is the last time I have to state this on this story.

Well we have made it to the end. Thank you to everyone who has read this. Those who have commented, you have my deepest appreciation. Enjoy the last chapter.

Chapter 12

"You know, he was worried about you," Lou spoke after Danny disappeared from sight. "We know you felt you had to protect us and our families but we could have been told some of the plan."

"I know. I wanted to keep some distance between you and these jokers," Steve replied getting to his feet. "They weren't above using families to get what they wanted…I just couldn't take the chance. And Danny worries too much about me. He's going to give himself an ulcer."

"I'm not sure he can stop himself."

"Maybe not but he had better try. I'm not sure how long I can tolerate his mother hen act," Steve sighed.

"You two need a long talk, one with a referee who won't be me," Lou chuckled. "How are you feeling?"

"I've been better but I will survive. I'm sure that isn't good news to Leon, right Leon?" Steve said looking at Falcon. "You made a major mistake underestimating a Navy SEAL. I'm sure you will enjoy your stay in Halawa until the Feds decide where your permanent home will be. Your cartel is finished."

Leon just glared at McGarrett from his spot on the floor. He knew it would be a difficult fight in Federal Court to beat the charges he would be facing. He wasn't sure how to save his skin or Orlando's for that matter but there were more of Navarro's family in Mexico that could revive the cartel if willing. It would take time but McGarrett could find himself fighting a new face and his luck might not hold a second time.

The sound of footsteps drew Steve and Lou's attention to the corner where Danny appeared herding a much larger man before him. Jay's wrists were still tied behind him and Danny hadn't removed the tape across his mouth either. Jay came to an abrupt halt, his eyes wide and fearful when he saw Kala's body on the ground. With a nudge of his gun, Danny got him moving forward again.

"Found him right where you left him," Williams announced.

Having had the chance to see the ugliness of the interrogation room, noticing the blood splatters on the floor by the chair and the remaining strips of duct tape lying about had caused Danny to alter some of his annoyance with Steve. He wasn't sure how Steve had managed to free himself and then subdue the big kid before him but clearly Danny did underestimate McGarrett's ability to take care of himself.

"Good," Steve responded upon hearing Danny's announcement. "Just have Jay take a seat next to Diego. Let's keep them right where we can see them."

Jay hurried to obey without more prodding from Danny. After being taken down by McGarrett, he didn't want the Commander any angrier with him. He had no clue how McGarrett had freed himself and now seeing Kala's body, he wasn't going to push his luck.

From outside the bunker they could hear the sound of approaching vehicles. Steve went to the door, followed by Danny, hoping it wasn't additional members of the cartel arriving. Two black SUVs with government plates stopped just short of the entrance. Rob Terkel exited the lead vehicle and headed towards them.

"McGarrett, glad to see you upright," he greeted them, then took a closer look at Steve's face. "Well don't you look like hell?"

"What took you so long? You were the one that assured me the chip would work," Steve shot back, keeping a straight face.

"Hey…it did work. We learned the general location you were at," Rob countered. "After all, your team found you, right?"

"Only after he had secured the place," Danny grumbled as they went inside. Terkel shot Steve a surprised look and then grinned.

"Well, well…you netted Leon Falcon and Diego Sanchez. That is a nice day's work Steve," Terkel said in respect. "Morrison is going to be very pleased."

Tani and Junior entered the bunker shortly after.

"The Marshals have taken possession of the prisoners outside," Tani informed them. "We could hear sirens close by so I imagine the ambulance and HPD are almost here."

"Good, you can get yourself checked out," Danny told Steve.

"They can look me over but I'm not going to the hospital. That is Sanchez' ride."

Danny chose not to argue in front of Terkel. He would make sure Steve got looked at once the EMTs arrived.

On Steve's part, his aching body was only too happy to let Terkel and his team take charge at the bunker. He intended to let the EMTs check him out and then go home. Motioning Junior over, Steve stepped away from Rob and Danny.

"Did you bring the truck?" he asked the young man.

"No sir, I rode with the Captain. The truck is at 5-0," Junior informed him.

Steve glanced around the room. The ambulance had just arrived outside and now the EMTs were bringing in the gurney. Lou was directing them to Diego as one of Terkel's men along with Tani escorted Falcon and Jay outside after separating Diego's cuffs from Leon. Once Diego was treated and then secured to the gurney, they prepped him for transport, Danny made sure a medic looked at Steve.

Lou had brought a chair from the office and some more ice while Steve waited and that is where the EMT looked McGarrett over. Steve answered all the man's questions and smiled when the man decided that nothing was broken. Steve was told to see his doctor on Monday morning or go to the ER if the pain got worse. After assuring the medic that he knew what to watch for and having been given a cold pack to replace the ice, Steve was ready to go home.

"So, ready for me to take you home?" Danny asked from his position behind Steve where he had been watching. "Junior can bring your truck home from headquarters later."

Recognizing that his partner was not going to take no for an answer and appeared to have something on his mind, Steve agreed quietly. He knew Grover was right, he and Danny needed to talk, there was something brewing just under the surface. They needed to come to some sort of compromise or Danny would continue to try and control how Steve lived his life. And perhaps he didn't need to reject all his partner's concerns, he just was accustomed to going his own way.

Danny was surprised but made no objections to Steve agreeing so easily. It was his intent to make McGarrett realize he was taking too many foolish risks.

Junior requested staying with Grover and Tani and with Lou's approval, Steve said yes. He figured working the scene with Grover and the Marshals would be a good learning experience for the kid. He and Danny walked away from the bunker after the ambulance left, heading to where the Camaro was parked. With muscles protesting and his head still aching, Steve was happy to see the Camaro sitting behind Lou's Suburban.

To Danny's surprise, Steve went immediately to the passenger door and carefully sank into the seat. New concerns arose in Danny as Steve secured his seat belt and rested his head against the seat back, the cold pack pressed to his eyes.

"You okay?"

"I will be," Steve said, not moving.

Danny started the car and pulled out for the drive back to Honolulu. There was several minutes of silence before Steve finally spoke.

"Okay…tell me what's bugging you," he said.

"Bugging me? You think it's that simple?" Danny asked heatedly. All the feelings came rushing back to the surface. "You kept things from me…..your partner! You could have mentioned the chip….the whole plan!"

A deep sigh escaped Steve.

"I'm sorry but I kept that from the whole team, not just you, for the reasons I've already explained. This was between me and the Marshals so you would all be safe," he answered in a quiet voice.

"You knew I was worried," Danny pointed out.

"You are always worried lately. I did what I thought was best for my team," Steve responded. He wasn't sure that anything would get through Danny's hurt feelings. He lowered the cold pack to look at his friend. "Would you have worried any less if you knew the whole plan? This obsessing over my health is not good for you."

"This isn't about me. Of course I would still worry. You take too many risks," Danny stumbled over words trying to explain. "You didn't trust me with your plans."

"So that's what this is about? You think my shielding you and the kids as well as Lou's family and Tani's brother means I didn't trust you? Danny I trust you with my life every day on the job. Trust isn't the issue here. The cartel had people watching us, it's how they planned this kidnapping today. I couldn't risk them suspecting we were setting a trap for them."

"So you just let me worry about you," Danny said in irritation.

"Is there any way to stop you from worrying?" Steve enquired.

"You could have been killed Steven. It was a huge risk being the bait," Danny continued doggedly.

"I chose the risk, it comes with the job. I can't stop your worry but that's on you. I'm not going to continue this argument. I will live my life the way I choose. Accept that fact and let this go," Steve said as patiently as he could. He replaced the cold pack and rested his head once more.

Silence again descended on the car for a bit and Steve began to think that the discussion was over. Finally Danny spoke in a very low voice.

"Okay, I get it. I'm a worrier, a pessimist. I couldn't save Grace on 9/11. I was unable to save Matt…my own brother. I let him leave…..if I had stopped him, arrested him, he would be alive today," Danny said brokenly. "I just can't fail a third time."

"You aren't going to fail me Danny. I'm still here and I do know what I'm doing," Steve said lowering the pack again. "I am going to live my life the only way I know, you have to trust that I know what I'm doing. You can't control what happens with nagging, it is too heavy a burden for you to carry."

Danny stared at the road, not looking at Steve and digested his words.

"I'll try," he said grudgingly.

"So are we good?" Steve asked.

Danny nodded slowly.

"Then let's move on. Tell me what went down after I was grabbed," Steve requested, willing to change the subject.

For the rest of the drive, Danny brought Steve up to speed on how Junior noticed he was missing and how they figured out where he was. By the time they reached Steve's house, he had the whole story.

"Do you want me to come in?" Danny asked when he stopped the car.

"Thanks but I will be fine. Uh…I don't have my key on me, can you give me your copy?" Steve asked.

"Sure," Danny said removing it from the key ring. He paused before handing it over. "I will get it back…..right?"

"We'll see," Steve grinned and took the key. "I'll be fine Danny. Junior will be home soon and Eddie is waiting inside."

"Okay….and listen to Eddie, he's got more sense than you do," Williams instructed. He didn't leave until he saw McGarrett safely step inside.

*H 5-0*

The next day Steve was very aware of the price he'd pay for bringing down the cartel. He made use of an unfinished prescription for pain and discovered the recliner was the perfect place to recover. Junior insisted on waiting on Steve while trying to not look like hoovering. Eddie had attached himself to Steve from the minute the man had walked in the door and hadn't left his side since.

Later that Sunday afternoon there was a knock on the door. Junior let in Danny, Lou and Tani.

"You certainly looked relaxed. How're you feeling babe?" Danny asked as he walked over to Steve. Eddie immediately lifted his head and checked out the guests.

"Okay," Steve said looking at him through puffy eyes that were becoming quite colorful. He gave everyone a lopsided grin. "I'm good as can be expected and I found some meds. Thanks for all you did yesterday. Are you checking up on me?" He sat straighter in the chair.

"Now why would we do that?" Lou asked, settling his bulk on one end of the couch. Tani claimed the other end and Junior brought a chair over for Danny.

"I wanted to know you were okay," Tani admitted. "Are you going to see the doctor tomorrow?"

"Yes, but I am fine. Sore but fine," Steve insisted.

"Duke called," Danny spoke up. "The body of Rico Cruz was found in a dumpster behind a shopping mall in Waikiki this morning. He matches the description of the guy who handed you the drugged water at the race."

"So they didn't even trust their own people," Steve reflected. "Pretty cutthroat. That had to have been carried out by someone not at the bunker."

"The Feds raided the Navarro compound last evening. They arrested everyone inside and believe they got everyone of any importance. No one inside was prepared for the raid," Lou told him, having spoken to Marshal Terkel earlier that morning.

"Perfect," Steve approved.

"Looks like you shut the cartel down as you expected Steve," Danny said acknowledging what Steve had set out to do.

"Until another pops up….but yea, this is good," Steve said with a nod to his partner. He was finding that everything hurt less when you knew it was for a good cause.

"Randall Morrison is very pleased," Lou said. "With you and Harvey Wong he has a slam dunk case. I did hear that Navarro blew a gasket when he learned what went down. Halawa had to put him in solitary."

"Maybe more of them will cut a deal…..make this even easier," Tani said hopefully.

"We can only hope," Danny replied. "No one is getting off the hook here."

"Tell me Steve, just what did Falcon hope to accomplish? Did he really think you'd give up Wong?" Lou asked.

"He thought all SEALs have a breaking point."

"And he was wrong," Junior said proudly.

"I'd say he just ran into a bigger brand of stubborn," Danny stated. "By the way, the Governor also called and said she would like to meet with you tomorrow if you are able. I guess I am your secretary now, I said you would call her."

"Thanks Danny, I will."

Tani gave Junior a devilish look.

"I guess I'm off the hook for the fifty bucks. You never finished the race," she gloated.

"I would have if the situation hadn't changed," Junior protested. "I don't think the charity should suffer because the cartel grabbed Steve." He looked at the others to back him up.

"He has a point girl," Lou said with a nod.

"While I hold to the general rule that a bet is a bet…I can see what Junior is trying to say," Danny added. "After all he did help us a lot in finding Steve."

"So everyone is on his side, I should have known. Okay…..I'll pay up," Tani gave in. "What about your pledges Boss man?"

"We have gotten some calls today. The charity coordinators had explained the circumstances and most of the Commander's sponsors said they would honor their pledges," Junior answered before Steve could.

"Then it's all good," Lou smiled. "So what does a guy have to do to get a beer around here?"

"Junior, please see to our guests needs. I'll take a bottle of water. And get Eddie a treat," Steve requested as he scratched the dog's ears as he lay by the chair. He agreed that the successful finish to this case deserved some celebration.

End story.

There you have it, another story finished. Thank you to everyone, especially those who reviewed. Thanks for the support.