Margot Atwood had never been so frustrated at her inability to make her legs work. Her throat was raw after calling for help over and over, yet no one had come to her rescue. She managed to look at the distance between the boat and the main boardwalk, but aside from a barking dog she was on her own. Margot knew she needed to get help and wished she had a cell phone, but she'd never seen the need for one up until now.
She looked at the gangway leading down to the wharf and slammed her arms against the arm of the wheelchair in frustration. She could wheel herself down, but the problem was getting through the gate that was not even close to wide enough for the chair. She turned and looked around, but saw nothing that would help her and knew there was only one way to do this.
Calling on everything she'd learned over the years, she used her arm strength to lift herself from the chair. There was no easy way to do this and Margot knew when she landed that the pain would be debilitating. She landed with a solid thud that made her cry out as tears filled her eyes and she clenched her fists while waiting for it to end. She had no idea how much time had passed, but she was finally able to breathe without feeling like her heart would burst from her chest.
Margot dragged herself to the gate and pulled herself into a sitting position before pushing against it. The gate didn't move and she cursed until she remembered the safety latch that kept it from opening without assistance. Using her right hand she shoved the latch up, relieve when it opened an she could pull her body through the opening.
"Please, help me!" Margot called, but again there seemed to be no one around to hear her. Struggling to keep her balance on the uneven gangplank, she made her way down toward the dock. She heard the sound of a dog barking and wished whoever it belonged to was close enough to hear her call. Pain, cause by lifting herself from the chair and hitting the deck made her queasy, but she ignored it as she tried to get to the dock and find help.
Margot had no idea how long it took her to reach the bottom, but as she shifted from the gangplank onto the dock the last of her strength left her. She laid on her side, breathing through her nose as she tried to calm her nerves. She knew she had to move before it was too late to help Steve, but it hurt so much just to open her eyes. Darkness wavered at the edge of her vision until someone touched her arm.
"It's okay, I'll help you."
"The voice seemed familiar, but she didn't have the strength to acknowledge the newcomer as she lost the fight to stay conscious.
5050505050
Steve knew he was dying, and although he wasn't ready for it, he knew there was no way to stop the inevitable. He had no idea how long he'd been in this hellhole, but it was long enough for his body to become accustomed to the constant pain. It was at the point where there was no distinguishing one pain from another as shock waves erupted throughout his body. He no longer tried to move, hoping the torment would stop if he could just get past the physical pain. Whatever as in the syringe that had been plunged into his shoulder was making him nauseous, and he welcomed the sensation of gagging because it kept him from feeling the guilt that gnawed at his gut.
Steve understood what he was going went against everything that was drilled into him during his training, but he just didn't want to face what he'd done. He'd cost so many people so much, and he knew he could no longer expect them t forgive him. How could he when Rachel, Grace, Kono, Mary, and countless others were dead because of him.
His thoughts drifted as he shifted his body in an effort to relieve the pressure on his bladder. He knew he should just let it go, after all he was dying and in so much pain no one would blame him. No one, but himself, yet that was enough to keep him from letting go.
Steve thought about Chin Ho Kelly and how long he'd known the man. He trusted him and knew from the start that Chin was not a thief in spite of the evidence against him. As soon as he governor had given permission for him to pick his team, Chin was put at the top of his list. The man was loyal to his family and to Steve and the rest of the team and Steve knew he could trust him with his life. There were those who were angry when he'd chosen Kelly, but Steve didn't give a damn what anyone else thought.
The urge grew worse and his mind turned to the rookie on his team. Several officers had been angered at his choice of Kono Kalakaua, spitting their objections to anyone they thought would listen, but Steve wasn't one of them. Kono had earned her right to be part of Five-O, but what had that gotten her? She was dead now, her body savagely beaten by the bastards who worked for Marquez. Deep down he knew he wasn't to blame, but that didn't matter because Kono was dead because he'd given her a chance to work at Five-O. How could he ever make Chin understand how saddened and angry he was at her loss, especially when he was the one behind her death.
"I'm sorry, Chin, I didn't mean for her to die," McGarrett whispered to the cloying darkness surrounding him as again he tried to get comfortable and cried out as he jarred his upper body and awakened the nerves hat ran along his bound arms.
Steve could picture Danny's ex wife's face on the day he'd first met her and how she'd helped them in spite of her protests. She was beautiful and Steve had sensed there were still feelings between her and Danny, but she had remarried and seemed content to be with Stan. Now her body lay on a cold slab in the morgue and she could never tell Danny her true feelings. Her death was one more nail in his coffin, and he trembled uncontrollably as he thought of the pictures he'd been shown.
Steve swallowed convulsively as he thought about the little girl who'd managed to worm her way into his heart. Grace Williams was so much like her father both in looks and actions. He though about the first Christmas they'd shared and the love so easily seen between father and daughter. Danny had allowed them to get close to Grace and now she was dead. Danny would never for give him for the death of his little girl, and Steve didn't blame him. She was such a beautiful child and he could almost hear her laughter and excitement when she'd seen her father dressed as Santa. There was no way he could ever hope for forgiveness. Danny Williams loved his daughter, and now he would be burying her alongside her mother.
His thoughts turned to his sister, Mary, and tried to remember whether she was dead or had she escaped this madness because he'd sent her home. God, he hoped so as again he shifted, this time crying out as the raw wound in his side rubbed against the cold floor. He felt something warm and wet and knew he was bleeding, but it didn't seem to matter anymore. Too many people had died because of him and maybe it was time he just let go. He closed his eyes and allowed his mind to drift, welcoming the pain that would somehow enhance his guilt and tear away any pit he might have felt for himself.
5050505050
Jonathon Marquez sat back in the chair behind the desk and smiled as he lit the expensive cigar. Thing were going far better than he thought possible and if it continued then Steve McGarrett would soon be dead. Before that happened he needed to drive home the fact that the SEAL was responsible for the deaths of everyone he ever cared about.
Marquez drew in a deep breath and held it in his lungs for nearly thirty seconds before releasing it in a puff of dark smoke. He knew his men were enjoying their time with Melina Collins, but it was time to end her life now and he knew just how to do it. He took several deep drags on the cigar and thought about his life and just how much McGarrett had cost him.
He'd been forced into hiding until the people involved died, of course most of them had died because of his orders. The problem was that Anita Morales was the one loose end that he needed to tie up before he could go on with his plans. It still pissed him off that he'd allowed her to get so close that it could have cost him everything he had. Now there was only one man who knew where she was, and he was proving to be just as stubborn as his reputation said he was.
Marquez finished the cigar and placed it in the ashtray before standing up and walking toward the door. He spotted one of his men leaning against the wall while toying with his gun and motioned for him to follow. "Tell Alejandro I'll need him to bring his kit and have Marco bring the woman."
"Yes, Sir," Johnson said with a grin.
Marquez knew McGarrett was in bad shape, but he also understood the kind of training he'd been given. There was no doubt in his mind that if he let his guard down, the SEAL would tear him apart. There was no way he could do that, not after the beatings and the drugs, but he'd learned long ago not to leave anything to chance. He cautiously opened the door of the cell where they were holding McGarrett and wrinkled his nose t the smell that assaulted him. He heard soft sobs from behind him and turned to see the semi nude woman being dragged toward the cell.
Melina Collins had been beaten, and he could tell his men had been enjoying their time with her. Perhaps he could let her live and make sure she received medical attention before sending her to Wo Fat as a gift for one of his Asian whorehouses. She was beautiful, even now her ripe breasts peeked between the rumpled garment she wore.
"Keep her here, Marco," Marquez said and spotted Alejandro coming toward hi carry a black briefcase that held his collection of drugs. "Ah, Alejandro, I believe the time has come to send Steve McGarrett to hell, but first I want him to know that he has killed everyone he was supposed to protect!"
"I have several drugs that will help in your plans, Jonathon," Alejandro said and entered the room. He spotted the near naked man curled into a ball near the bed and wondered just how much life he had left in him.
"Don't get too close to him, Alejandro," Marquez warned ans signaled for two of his men.
"You don't really think he can do anything with his wounds and his arms tied behind his back do you?"
"Steve has played possum before and I have seen him kill when his arms were tied behind his back," Marquez warned and turned to one of his men. "Bring a chair and make Steve comfortable before we bring Melina Collins in here."
5050505050
Margot had no idea how long she'd been unconscious, but she knew it was too long as she shifted and tried to sit up. She was on the floor in the back of a van and understood that it didn't bode well for her. Whoever had come to her rescue hadn't taken her to a hospital, instead they'd thrown her into the back of a vehicle and at the rate he was driving she knew the were outside the city.
Margot tried to sit up, but a voice from the front of the van made her jump.
"You might as well stay where you are. We'll be at the warehouse in a few minutes and I\m sure Mr. Marquez won't be happy to hear you were trying to escape from the boat."
"I just wanted to see him," she tried.
"That's not what you were saying a few minutes ago. Talking in your sleep is quite revealing and I\m sure he'll be angry that you wanted to get help for McGarrett."
"I was asleep...I was dreaming," Margot tried.
"Tell it to Mr. Marquez, but I doubt he'll listen to you," the man told her.
Margot let her head rest against her arm and tried to figure out how to get out of this mess, but there seemed to be no way out. The Van continued on its journey to the warehouse and she silently prayed she would at least get a chance to ask Steve to forgive her. She would understand if he refused, yet somehow his forgiveness seemed to be the only thing that might help her forgive herself. The van crunched on gravel and she held her breath as it pulled to a stop.
5050505050
Danny prided himself on his ability to be laid back when he needed to be, but right now he wanted to tar something or someone apart, preferably Jonathon Marquez. While waiting for the ambulance he'd promised to make sure Kale Aneko could stay with his wife until the baby was born, after that they would both be placed in protective custody.
Kale Aneko had been very talkative once he was sure he could be there for his wife and he'd told them everything he knew about the man who kidnapped Steve McGarrett. He'd also given him the news he hadn't wanted to hear. Toni Mitchell had been a distraction, one designed to keep Danny from seeing what they were really up to. Melina Collins was also involved and Danny wanted a chance to question her himself.
Williams drove along the main street leading out of the city, hitting the steering wheel impatiently when and elderly couple stepped off the curb. He glanced sideways at the woman seated next to him and listen to Kono explaining everything they'd found out to Chin and hoping they could find the warehouse before it was too late. Kelly would meet them there and they'd agreed to go in without backup in hopes they could rescue their boss before Marquez killed him. Danny could almost hear himself ranting at Steve for doing the exact same thing, but right now he didn't give a damn because he was doing what he had to do to save one of his Ohana. He could berate himself later for going against his own rules.
Danny had also placed a call to HPD and had them send several cars to the yacht moored at the docks, but Kale had told them they wouldn't find McGarrett there.
"Come on! Move it!"
"Easy, Danny," Kono told him and placed her left hand on his right. "We'll find him and get him out."
"I know, but...I just can't help feeling I let him down, Kono. I let Toni blind me t everything that was happening. She was damn good at it too and now Steve's in trouble."
"Trouble is part of who we are and what we do, Danny. We put our life on the line every day and most of the time it's worth it because people understand we're there to help them," Know explained as the couple finally reached the opposite side and Williams sped through the intersection. "People may not say thank you, but I like to believe they appreciate what we do."
"Keep thinking that, Kono, and just maybe you'll always believe it," Williams told her.
5050505050
Steve knew when the door opened and soon felt his arms grabbed as two men pulled him to his feet. He could see Marquez framed in the light spilling in from the hallway and knew the time had come. He breathed through tightly clenched teeth as the men shoved him into a chair and fastened metal clamps over his wrists and around his ankles.
"Well, Steve, I hope you've been having some pleasant dreams because I know you've caused Danny Williams and Chin Ho Kelly some nightmares. They'll never forgive you because your reckless behavior cost them so much. Imagine Danny having to live with the deaths of not just his first love, but also his daughter."
Steve gasped as a pictures was dropped on the floor in front of him and a bright spotlight illuminated everything within a ten foot diameter. The pictures told a story that cut though his heart. Danny Williams knelt on the ground with his daughter's lifeless body cradled in his arms. His face was turned up and tears fell from his eyes. Steve could just imagine the raging pain his partner felt and shook with the raw emotional power of that single picture provoked in him. He swallowed convulsively as several more pictures were dropped on the floor in front of him. There were shots of the mutilated corpses of Kono and Rachel followed by pictures of his father's dead body riddled with bullets.
"You see, Steve, that's why you're alone in life and why you'll be alone in death. You kill everyone who cares about you because you think you can protect people lie Anita Morales who doesn't deserve to be protected. She betrayed everyone including you, Steve...she told me where you were and then she helped me take Margot from you. Did you know Margot still loved you even after you left her to die in that fire. Isn't that right, Margot?"
Steve was shocked when Margot Atwood was dragged into the room and dropped at his feet. She cried out as someone kicked her in the back and lifted her head so that he could see her eyes. He opened his mouth to speak, to tell her he was sorry, but Marquez knelt beside her and caressed her cheek with the blade of a knife that reflected the tears streaming from her eyes.
"Mar...got," McGarrett managed and closed his eyes as Marquez slit her throat and blood spattered his face. Steve shook with sorrow and felt something jabbed into his shoulder. He knew it wouldn't be long before the debilitating pain hit, but he lifted his head and stared int Marquez's eyes. "I'll kill...kill you."
"Oh, Steve, don't you see that this is all your fault? You don't kill people like me...you kill people like Grace Williams..."
Steve felt his heart skip a beat as the picture of Grace's dead body was shoved in front of his face.
"And what about her mother...what did she do to deserve to die?"
McGarrett fought against his restraints, ignoring the blood pooling at his wrists when a third picture was placed in front of his eyes.
"Oh, Kono was such a beautiful woman, but she's also dead because of you."
"No...God, no," Steve managed as shock waves of pain twisted through his gut.
"What about Melina, Steve? You could still save her."
"Melina...can't...works...works for you," McGarrett said, fighting to breathe through tightly clenched teeth.
"Are you sure?"
"...no...not sure...can't...God..."
"Steve, please...hel...help me..."
"Mel...Melina?" McGarrett lifted his head and stared at the woman who was shoved roughly at his feet. He tried to speak, but it seemed like there was nothing left for him to call on as Marquez grabbed her by the throat and caressed her cheek with the same blood covered knife he'd used on Margot.
"Should I kill her now, Steve, or will you tell me where I can find Anita Morales?"
"...go to hell..."
"Please, Steve, I'm sorry..."
"Get her out of here," Marquez ordered and waited for his men to do as he ordered before returning his attention to the captive. Steve McGarrett was proving to be a lot stronger than he'd given him credit for, but he could see the man was fighting just to stay conscious. He reached out an grabbed the man's chin and forced him to look into his eyes.
Steve wanted to spit in the man's face, but there just didn't seem to be enough moisture left in his mouth. Marquez's face was so close to his own that he could smell the stench of tobacco. He wanted so badly to wipe the smile from the bastard's face, but wasn't sure how he could accomplish that as the man held tight to his jaw. It shocked him when Marquez released his hold and without thinking, Steve did the only thing he could think of. He called on every ounce of training he had and drove his head forward. He knew he'd connected solidly when a strangled cry of pain escaped from Marquez and he staggered backward as blood spilled from his nose. A smile formed, but was short lived as something connected with the right side of his head and darkness dragged him into hell where horrid pictures flashed across his mind.
5050505050
Chin arrived at the warehouse and parked his bike far enough away that no one would see him approach. He knew Danny and Kono would soon be there and hoped he could give them some solid intel on the location of the people inside the warehouse. He gazed at the parking lot and counted five cars parked near the main door. There were two guards standing under a window, one smoking while the other seemed engrossed in something inside.
Chin heard the sound of movement behind him and whirled with his gun drawn, relieved to find Danny and Kono had arrived as he put his weapon away.
"Anything?" Kono asked.
"Not much...we need to find out how many people are in there and where they are," Chin told them.
"I might be able to find out," Williams said and pulled out his cell phone. He held up his hand and motioned for Chin and Kono to be quiet while his call was connected. "Catherine, it's Danny Williams...I'm a friend of Steve McGarrett."
*"Steve's told me about you, Danny...is something wrong?"*
"Steve's in trouble and we need your help."
*"Tell me what you want me to do."*
"There's a warehouse..."
*"I'm triangulating your location from your cellphone...got you...now tell me exactly what you need."*
"We need to know how many people are inside and where they are," Williams said.
*"Hold on."*
"She's checking for us," Williams told Chin and Kono."
*"Okay, I've got the location...there are five outside the warehouse...three in one grouping...two in close to the structure."*
"The group of three are me, Chin, and Kono. The two are part of Marquez's group. Is there anyone close to them?"
*"Doesn't look like it."*
"What about inside?" Williams asked.
*"It looks like the building has a main room...it's empty, but there are six other smaller rooms. Four are unoccupied while two on the right side have people in them. Okay, now I've got four people near the main door...close to the two you just told me about. There are two more in a room not far from those four and then you've got five in a room at the back of the building. They're clustered together and it looks like one of them could be restrained in a chair."*
"Thanks, Catherine."
*"Danny, do me a favor...get him out of there and I'll by you dinner."*
"You're on, Catherine, and I'll make damn sure Steve buys you that steak dinner next time you're in town. I gotta go get his sorry ass out of there."
*"Be careful, Danny, and let me know what happens...I'll be waiting."*
"I will," Williams said and turned to Kono as she hung up her phone.
"I called for back up, but I told them to wait for our signal," she told them. "How do we play this?"
"We need to take care of the two by the door before we go in there," Williams explained and smiled at Kono. "We need a distraction."
"So, I'm must a distraction now?"
"Now, Kono..."
"I'm kidding, Chin," Kono said and stood up. "I'll distract them, but you two better be fast or you'll miss the action."
Danny and Chin couldn't help, but smile as Kono made her way back to the main road. They worked their way closer to the building and waited for her to make an appearance.
TBC
Author's Note—- Sorry for the delay...broke my right wrist and find it hard to work one handed...thanks for all the wonderful reviews...Winnie