Note: Last flashback for a bit. I have to toss out another thank you to sockie for her help on this chapter. :)
Disclaimer: I do not own Hawaii Five-0 or any of its characters.
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Chapter Thirteen
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Steve was physically and emotionally drained, having not slept the past several nights due to the constant worrying about Kono and the guilt about Chin. Two days ago, he'd been fired by the Governor. No, he thought, not just him. But the entire Five-0 team.
After leaving Governor Akina's office, and after several Longboards, Danny and Steve had mused about what would happen next. What once had been just theories and speculation had become reality. They had often tossed around ideas of what they would do after they were done with Five-0, but the conversations always ended early... none of them wanting to ever really think about life after the team. But last night, the inevitable had occurred, and they were forced to face their future.
A future without Five-0.
Eventually, Steve and Danny came up with a plan to go after Wo Fat on their own. Danny was even considering going back to HPD and seeing if he could use their resources in their investigation. But that was contingent on HPD accepting him back.
Steve worried about Danny. He had a family to take care of. But Danny was insistent. And Steve ultimately relented.
Steve had spent yesterday avoiding going in to Five-0 headquarters to clean out his desk. He just couldn't fathom going in there, knowing it would be for the last time. So instead he had worked out, called his sister and checked-in on Chin's funeral arrangements. He tried calling Kono, but she never answered. He even went over to her apartment, but she never answered the door. Steve thought she was home, but didn't want to push her. He just hoped she would come around eventually. He didn't want to lose her too.
Chin's funeral was in three hours and Steve wanted to get in another workout before he'd have to leave. Changing into some shorts and a faded Navy t-shirt, he stepped out into the early afternoon air. A few quick stretches later and he was off on a run, heading around his house and down to the beach.
The sun was beginning to disappear behind the growing clouds and the breeze was warm, but Steve couldn't enjoy it. Not when he knew that he would be burying a friend in three hours. He steeled his mind and focused on the run, efficiently pushing down the emotions that threatened to overwhelm him.
An hour later, Steve made his way across the beach, across his property and into the backdoor of his home. Heading directly for the fridge, he yanked out a bottled-water, unscrewed the cap, and drained it quickly. Shutting the fridge door, he turned around to throw out his empty bottle when he saw something on the table. Walking closer, he could see a cell phone and a manila envelope.
He only had a moment of confusion before everything hit him at once. Someone had been in his house when he was gone.
Steve quickly opened the bottom drawer of the kitchen cabinet to his left, pulling out a spare weapon he kept hidden there. He swept his house quietly and swiftly, but there was no sign of anyone. He returned to the kitchen, set his gun down on the table and reached out for the envelope and phone.
Suddenly the phone rang. Startled, he picked it up and answered it.
"Good afternoon Commander McGarrett. I told you I would be in touch. Did you enjoy your run?"
Steve's blood ran cold. It was Wo Fat.
Steve stood stock still, not trusting himself to say anything. He looked again around the kitchen, out his windows and down the hall, then slowly made his way out into his living room. Though he had made certain no one was currently in his home, Steve was unsettled at the thought that the man had been here while he was gone.
"I have a proposition for you," Wo Fat continued. "One that I advise you take seriously."
"Oh really," Steve seethed through clenched teeth, his eyes still darting around the room in search of anything unwelcome. "You will forgive me if I don't accept."
"I believe you will."
The calm overconfidence of Wo Fat's voice only fed Steve's anger. Steve barely kept his cool, the desire to understand the man's intentions just slightly outweighing the urge to hang up.
"You have a lot of nerve coming to my home," Steve said, sick of this game of cat and mouse. "What do you want?"
"Simply put, I want you to leave Hawaii."
Steve humorlessly laughed. "You've got to be kidding me."
"I am not. You will leave the island immediately."
Steve didn't reply. He attempted to put together the missing pieces, trying to understand the game Wo Fat was playing. What would be gained if Steve left Hawaii? He must know that Five-0 had been disbanded, meaning Steve no longer had the same resources at his disposal. But HPD was handling the investigation. Was Wo Fat so smug to assume he had more free reign on the island? Surely Steve leaving would not give Wo Fat a bigger advantage?
Steve made his way back to the kitchen as he spoke. "You listen to me, you son of a bitch. I'm not going anywhere. You can't get rid of me that easily."
"I assure you I can."
"Then why don't you, huh?" Steve shouted, his anger boiling over now. "What's this all about? What's your end game here?"
"Come now, Commander McGarrett. You truly do not expect me to monologue about my plans, do you" Though Steve could not see him, he could hear the smile in Wo Fat's voice. "However, I believe it fair to reveal my reasoning behind my request."
"I have long-term plans, Commander. And I intend to see them through. Killing you would be easier, I suppose, but this way I get to continue on with my work knowing you are out there somewhere, helpless to do anything about it. I want you to live, Commander, knowing that I killed Chin Ho Kelly. I want you to live without ever seeing your family and friends again. There is nothing you can do, and so I offer you this chance to leave Hawaii before other members of your team get hurt."
Steve suddenly lashed out, sick of the superiority and smugness of Wo Fat. He shouted obscenities and threats of his own, all while pacing in his small kitchen.
"I have left a package for you," Wo Fat continued, as though their conversation had not been interrupted by Steve's rant. "Inside you will find everything you need to persuade you to leave the island. I trust it will be enough. You will be on a plane in three hours. You will not alert anyone of your departure. You will not leave instructions on how to find you. You will leave and not pursue me, Commander. If these instructions are not followed precisely," he paused, "well, there's no need for any further threats, is there?"
And with that, Wo Fat hung up.
Steve walked over to the table, cautiously picking up the manila envelope and throwing a quick glance around his kitchen before he opened it. Inside there were two large, crisp photos. He turned them over in his hands, the gravity of their meaning sinking in.
He knew what he had to do, though the thought made him sick to his stomach. He wasn't the type to simply disappear. Not once had he ever taken the easy way out. Never had he considered walking away. But now… holding these two pictures in his hands… he was unsure he had a choice. He had no fear of dying, but he couldn't say the same for those he cared for most.
He crumpled the photos in his hands in defeat and looked at his watch. He didn't have much time.
He knew how to pack in a hurry. He'd had plenty of experience with it while he was with the SEALS. Quick and unexpected deployments were common. With one duffel bag full of necessities, he ran to the kitchen, tossing out food and other perishables. He made a quick phone call to a local landscaping company, requesting they come take care of his lawn once a week, just until he would be back.
Thirty minutes later Steve was hopping out of his truck at Five-0 headquarters.
He ran up the stairs two at a time, ignoring the odd looks visitors to the building were throwing at him. Once inside, he sprinted to his office, taking out a flash drive and shoving it into his laptop. A few keystrokes was all it took to start copying all of his files to the device. He stood there, practically bouncing on his toes, waiting for the transfer to complete.
He checked his watch again. Chin's funeral started in 15 minutes. He was supposed to be on a plane in just over an hour.
Steve looked away from his laptop to look around the office. It didn't look like Danny or Kono had been in yet to clear out their stuff. A quick idea formed in his head, and Steve yanked open his office door, running into Danny's office. He turned the desk lamp on and snatched a piece of paper and pen from the drawer, quickly scrawling out a note to Danny. He knew he couldn't say much, but there was no way he was leaving without saying something.
'Forced to leave Hawaii. Hope you understand. Stay away from Wo Fat… NOT SAFE!'
Steve placed the letter underneath a framed photo of Grace on Danny's desk, hoping that it would be enough. Just until Steve felt it was safe enough to contact Danny again….. maybe in a month or so when he could be certain that Wo Fat was no longer tracking him.
Running back to his office to see that the file transfer was complete, Steve grabbed a few more things then headed toward the door. He paused only a moment, stealing one final quick glimpse of the offices behind him, and then he left.