DISCLAIMER: I do not own "Hawaii Five-0" or any of the characters. Emily Burns is my OC.
Author's Note: Thank you to all that are reading my story and thank you to those who have left reviews. It's been a huge encouragement to me. This chapter is a short one. Hope you like.
Danny Williams is exiting his office in 5-0 headquarters, in search of Chin. He needs to ask him a question related to a case, some paperwork that needs to be filled out. As he leaves his office, he glances over toward Steve. He can see Steve sitting at the desk in his own office, talking on the phone.
It's been a quiet three days since Emily Burns took her flight back to Los Angeles. Danny has not convinced Steve to tell him anything about what went on when Steve caught up to Emily before her flight. This lack of information is annoying. Expected, but annoying nonetheless. Danny has at least been able to figure out that whatever happened, it had to have been pretty good. In the few years that he's known Steve, he's never seen him in as good a mood as the last few days. He's been smiling, often actually, which is outright strange.
The meth distribution case has gone nowhere. They haven't been able to find the two men identified as leaving the warehouse. Nor have they located any additional meth. But at least the drug importation has been stopped. He guesses they can take some comfort that they accomplished something in that regard. Also, the District Attorney's office has all of the evidence for Emily's attack and will be prosecuting John Lincoln. So that's another victory.
He's standing in the middle of the empty 5-0 headquarters, empty save for Steve still in his office, when the glass entrance doors open. Through the doors walk Chin and another unidentified man. From what Danny can see, this other man is in his early to mid-thirties, above average height with brown hair, dressed in slacks and a button down shirt with a tie. He supposes the man would be classified as handsome, if he were in the habit of classifying men in those terms, which he's not. Lawyer or something along those lines Danny assumes based on his appearance. His clothing looks too expensive to be a cop.
Chin is crossing the office with the stranger close behind him. When he stops near Danny, Chin turns to the man and points in the direction of Steve's office. "You'll find him in there," Chin says.
The man looks toward Steve, then back at Danny and Chin. "Thanks for your help," he tells them. Chin nods back and the man starts walking toward Steve's office.
Danny watches him walk away and then turns his attention to Chin. He hooks a thumb over his shoulder. "Who was that?" he asks.
Chin shrugs, "He was downstairs at the front desk asking for Steve. They were going to call up here, but I said I'd walk him upstairs. Jason something or other, last name began with a T. Said he was a friend of a friend and needed to talk to Steve."
"Hmm… okay." Danny looks over towards Steve's office and watches as Jason something or other opens the door and goes in. Danny can see Steve getting up from his desk and walking around it.
Danny looks back over at Chin, and his eyebrows narrow trying to work out a puzzle.
"What?" Chin asks him.
Danny looks over at the office again. Steve has held out his hand to the stranger in his office, offering to shake it Danny thinks. "What was the name of Emily's boyfriend in L.A. again? Wasn't that guy's name Jason?"
Chin's eyes widen a little but he shakes his head. "Okay, yeah it was, but you don't think that guy would get on a plane and…"
At that moment Danny and Chin turn to watch the interaction in Steve's office. As they're watching the stranger named Jason halls off and clocks Steve, cocking his right arm back and releasing so that his right fist connects with Steve's jaw. They can see Steve stumble backward. Danny and Chin are both in motion, running full speed toward Steve.
Oh shit, this guy obviously has a death wish, is Danny's first thought.
Chin flings open the office door and flies through it. Danny is close behind him. Chin moves rapidly to block Jason, standing in front of him with both hands on Jason's chest. Danny directs his energies toward Steve.
Surprisingly Steve has not responded by pummeling the crap out of his attacker, an action which Danny knows full well Steve is very capable. Steve has just taken a step back from Jason, leaning back against his desk. He is rubbing his jaw with his left hand.
Yeah, I bet that hurt.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Let's calm down now," Chin is telling Jason. From the glances Chin has shot in Steve's direction, he must also be waiting for Steve to explode on the guy and is wondering why it hasn't happened.
Maybe it's a delayed reaction thing? Danny turns his head toward Jason then back toward Steve. Jason is glaring silently in Steve's direction, but has made no move toward further violence.
Steve is shaking head, and raises his right hand toward Jason. "Hey man, look, I understand you're pissed. I get it. I would be too, but I didn't twist her arm."
Danny draws his head back a little to regard Steve suspiciously. "Twist her arm to what exactly?"
Steve's eyes narrow in Danny's direction before he locks back in on Jason.
"This isn't about her sleeping with you," Jason tells him.
Okay, now he has Danny's full attention. He raises his eyebrows at Steve in question.
Steve's eyes flick over to Danny.
"Did you…?" Danny starts.
"No…" Steve tells him quietly. "Well, I mean yes… but no…."
Danny shakes his head, confused. "Excuse me?"
Steve is looking back at Jason. "So what is this about then?"
Danny can see the muscles in Jason's throat working as he swallows. He looks away from them out the window. Chin is still standing nearby. Danny guesses that this is in case Jason has a change of heart and decides to launch himself back at Steve.
Jason's eyes are back on Steve's face. His face is less angry now, more sad. "She deserves better than to have you break her heart again."
This time Danny can see Steve take in a breath and let it out. He looks down at the floor of his office for a long moment.
Eventually he raises his eyes back to meet Jason's. "I know she does," Steve tells him.
Jason regards Steve silently for another minute. At last he nods his head, as if satisfied with something. He gives a look to Chin, who backs out of his way, but is still blocking his access to Steve. With a last glance in Danny and Steve's direction, Jason turns and leaves the office.
Danny and Chin watch Jason as he keeps walking, straight out through the doors, leaving headquarters. They then turn their attention toward Steve.
Steve is still staring out towards the glass doors.
"Well yes… but no?" Danny parrots back to Steve. "What does that mean?"
Steve's eyes dart back towards Danny briefly. "What… what was that?"
"Did you sleep with her?" Danny asks loudly and slowly.
Steve turns his head to stare at Danny. "Seriously? That's what you want to know right now? Really?"
Danny takes a step back and raises both hands, palms facing Steve. "Hey, that guy," Danny points out toward where Jason had exited, "got on a plane, and took a long flight, all for the pleasure of punching you. And not that I don't understand the temptation to do so, but please tell me that you at least got something out of it."
Steve is just staring at Danny in irritation. Danny can hear Chin give a small chuckle, and looks over in his direction then back at Steve. "See, Chin agrees with me."
"Hey man," Chin interjects, "leave me out of this." But he's still laughing a little. "You want some ice for that jaw?" Chin asks Steve.
Steve scrunches his face then flexes his jaw open, as if testing it. A loud crack can be heard as he does so. He shakes his head a little. "No, that's okay," Steve responds. "I'll live."
"Yeah right, Mr. Tough guy, of course," Danny says then looks over at Chin but doesn't say anything. Chin nods back at Danny.
"I'm going to get you some anyway," Chin tells Steve before leaving the office.
Danny continues to stare at Steve without speaking. Finally Steve rolls his eyes and looks back at Danny. "No I didn't sleep with her okay. We slept together, as in slept, unconscious but nothing happened," Steve tells him. "And why the hell are you of all people giving me shit about it? Really?"
"I'm not giving you shit." Danny responds. "I'm just surprised actually. Why didn't you?"
"What do you mean why?" Steve gestures with his right hand. "Because of her boyfriend with the temper, that's why."
Danny smirks at Steve. "Temper? Honestly? You're going to criticize other people for their tempers?" He raises an eyebrow.
Steve looks back at Danny, and manages a small smile. "Hey, I didn't hit him back did I?"
Danny shrugs his shoulders, he has to concede Steve's point there.
Steve reaches into his pocket to pull out his cell phone. He looks up at Danny. "Do you mind?" He flicks his eyes toward the door.
Danny laughs, "Oh hell no. I want to hear this."
Steve shakes his head, but continues to punch the phone's screen. He lifts the phone to his ear and waits, not looking at Danny.
"Hey Em? It's Steve."
A pause while she responds to him.
"Yeah, I know. We can still talk tonight, I just needed to ask a quick question." Steve's eyes flick over to Danny then away. "Did you talk to Jason yet?"
Steve waits, then nods his head.
"And what did you say?"
Danny cannot hear Emily's answer, but he can guess at the gist of it based on the small smile that has broken over Steve's face. He looks relieved.
"Okay, well that explains the visitor I just had then."
Another pause.
"Jason paid me a little visit…. Yes he's in Hawaii…. Well I guess he decided to get on a plane and come see me…" Danny can only laugh at Steve trying to keep up with Emily's questions. "Well he didn't say very much." Steve shifts from his left to his right foot, looking uncomfortable. "He just hit me."
"What? Why?" Steve sighs, "Yes hold on, he's right here."
Steve holds the phone out towards Danny. "She would like to talk to you."
"Me?" Danny asks pointing to himself. Steve shrugs and nods, but he doesn't look bothered. "Umm, okay." He reaches out and takes the phone from Steve and raises it to his ear. "Hello Emily, how are you today?"
"I was doing pretty well until a few minutes ago. Is Steve okay?" Danny can hear a hint of anxiety in her voice.
Danny glances over at Steve who is watching him intently. "Yeah, I think he'll be okay. That Jason of yours didn't look like he could throw much of a punch."
Danny can hear her sigh in relief through the phone. "And Jason? Did Steve hurt him?"
Danny laughs at her question. Steve's eyebrows narrow in irritation. "What?"
"He was fine when he left. Believe it or not, Steve didn't hit him back." Danny tells her.
Steve throws his eyes up to the ceiling and lets out a groan. "Why does everyone think I'm a lunatic attack dog? He hit me…. "
"Really?" Emily's voice is surprised. "Alright well, thanks Danny. Can you put him back on?"
"Sure, no problem." Danny tells her. "You take care of yourself."
"I will Danny, you too," she responds.
Danny hands the phone back to Steve who takes it looking grateful and raises it to his ear.
"See, everyone's fine. Feel better now?" Steve asks into the phone, amused.
Danny catches Steve's eye, and tilts his head back toward the door indicating that he's going to leave now. Steve gives him a quick nod that he understands and mouths the word thanks.
Danny smiles back at him. "Any time." He turns and heads toward the door. As he grabs the handle to push the door open he can still hear Steve talking to Emily.
"Yeah babe, I know. I need to get out there and see you. Sooner rather than later, okay?"
Danny chuckles under his breath and the door swings shut behind him.