Happy New year everybody. Thanks again to all that reviewed. You know you are so sweet to support me with your kind words. Thanks & hugs!

We have had a few horribly hot days which make working with a laptop torture, hence the slight delay as I usually aim for an update by Saturday.

Anyway, this chapter has left me somewhat upset and I hope you guys forgive me but I had to shake it up... ;)

As usual please review because I live for that! (sad but true *lol*)

Divide and Conquer

'Yes Pumpkin, Danno is fine…' Danny sighed softly as he listened to his daughter on the phone. 'Now you go and get ready for school and I'll pick you up later to drive you home. You can then see for yourself…Yes, Danno loves you, too'

He broke the connection and slipped the phone back into his pocket.

'Stupid news reporters! Poor kid is sitting over her cornflakes only to hear a report on the TV that her dad was blown up… Do you mind taking me to her school this afternoon …?' he asked Kono who had volunteered to drive Danny to work.

'As long as our new boss hasn't got other ideas…you know I'll do anything for Grace and she really needs to see you're okay.'

Danny pulled a face when Kono mentioned the new boss and Kono bit her bottom lip. Dark shadows under his eyes and the tightness around his mouth indicated that something was wrong.

His mood had been black when she arrived at McGarrett's place to pick him up. Cath had quietly told her that he had been up most of the night, pacing the hall way. McGarrett hadn't been much better and only after Cath had dosed him with a sedative did Steve sleep. Due to his concussion slipping Danny a sleeping pill wasn't an option and so Mary and Cath had taken turns keeping an eye on the New Jersey detective.

Kono merged her car onto the freeway throwing the occasional glance across to Danny who was deep in thought. They drove in silence for fifteen minutes before Kono couldn't stand it anymore.

'I'm going to report you for cruel and unfair treatment of a rookie if you don't speak to me soon'

Danny shifted his weight in his seat and turned to look at Kono who smiled, hoping that some light hearted banter may pull him out of his funk.

'Rachel will have a field day with this.' Frustrated he slapped his injured leg 'my job being so dangerous and all was one of the major stressors in our marriage and now since Five O I have certainly upped the stakes. I doubt I have ever been so often in and out of hospital in so few months. It's taking its toll on Grace and I hate to have her worry.'

Kono was surprised by Danny's outburst as he was usually guarded about the details of his marriage.

'This is neither the first time nor will it be the last time you are injured in the line of duty. What do you want to do?' she asked licking her lips nervously. His words from Friday threatening to transfer back to HPD were etched in her memory.

Danny threw his hands in the air.

'What can I do? I'm a cop, it's my life. I'm good at it. If I was able to turn my back on it don't you think I would have done it to save my marriage?'

'Easy there, I'm not the enemy…' countered Kono flinching at Danny's hostile tone.

'Sorry, you're right and I shouldn't have started' he replied apologetically '…I have had this discussion too many times with myself.'

Bitterness crept into his voice as he continued 'I'm a selfish dad that puts his daughter through hell. Maybe I should have stayed in New Jersey; phone calls on weekends and visits for the holidays and she would never be the wiser about the dangers of the job. And if something happened to me, well, she's hardly seen me, so why should she miss a phone call, so much easier for her to continue her life…'

'Stop that, Danny Williams!' dismayed Kono interrupted his rambling '…the explosion yesterday must have warped your brain for you to talk like this. Grace adores you. How could you ever think she would be better off without you in her life?'

Kono left the freeway and pulled over while Danny was pressing the palms of his hands against his eyes fighting for control.

The moment the car stopped Danny swung the door open and launched himself out of the car. Kono clenched the wheel in frustration and took several deep breaths.

A hundred feet away was a small community park with a playground and Danny hobbled to a park bench where he sat down, absentmindedly rubbing his injured leg as he stared into the distance.

He barely turned when Kono sat down next to him. She reached for his arm and laid her hand gently on him, feeling the warmth of his skin under her fingers.

'Talk to me Danny. Cath told me you hardly slept last night. What's on your mind?'

Danny sat up straight with a tired look on his face and ran a hand through his hair.

'Chin found something in the archives yesterday. John McGarrett lodged disciplinary action against Makuakane's father in 1992 and a few weeks later Makuakane left the police force.'

'Disciplinary action…you mean McGarrett reported him for misconduct? Do we know for what?'

'No, Chin couldn't find the official paperwork just a reference to it. It appears it has vanished but Chin has a lead: a police officer who worked internal affairs around the time Makuakane and McGarrett served. He's retired but lives only an hour outside of Honolulu.'

'But that's good news, so why are you upset?'

Danny miserably shook his head, his jaw working as he searched for words.

'There is something Steve is not telling me, I can feel it.'

Kono's surprise was evident on her face. Danny's instinct was impeccable but just the same it was unimaginable McGarrett would keep important information from his partner.

'Danny, Steve McGarrett trusts you with his life. I cannot imagine why he would keep anything relevant to this case from you.' Kono tried to infuse her voice with reassurance but Danny jumped up and shook off her arm.

'No, you don't understand…I asked him if there was something he was keeping from me and he answered no.'

'Well, there you see…' interjected Kono relieved.

Danny lifted his hand to silence her.

'Kono, he lied…he sat there and lied to my face. I could tell and he knew it, too.'

The emotion in Danny's words tore at her heart. She opened her mouth, desperate to refute Danny's claim but was at a loss. Danny towered over Kono, his hands on his hips waiting for her response.

'Okay…' she finally said 'then we will have to trust he has a good reason to keep what ever it is from you. This is not the time to let doubts tear us apart. We would play right into the hands of whoever out there is after Five O.'

Danny blinked several times as Kono's words sunk in.

'We better get going, Danny otherwise we will be late…wouldn't make a good impression on the new boss' a wry smile played around her lips.

Kono stood up and walked back to the car sliding into the driver's seat and inserted the ignition key. A few minutes later Danny joined her and although he didn't talk for the rest of the trip the tension had left his body and Kono knew that he would be alright for now.

Fifteen minutes later they arrived at Five O Headquarters. Chin had pulled up on his motorbike in front of HQ at the same time, so they entered together to find Kai Makuakane already in McGarrett's office, sitting at his desk and talking on the phone.

Danny bristled when he saw a large box full of McGarrett's personal items standing on the floor. His dislike for Makuakane was clearly displayed on his face earning him a swift elbow jab from Kono.

'What…?' he twisted around.

'Poker face, Danny!'

'He'd better watch out I don't strangle him!' grunted Danny as he stuffed his hands into his pockets.

Makuakane had heard them enter and briefly looked up while he continued his phone call. The withering expression on his face did not bode well and the team threw each other a concerned glance.

Kono and Chin headed into their respective offices and got busy with paperwork while Danny folded his arms in front of his chest and stayed standing outside of McGarrett's office watching Makuakane. He didn't have to wait for long. Makuakane finished his phone call and waved Danny inside the office.

'Close the door, Williams and take a seat.'

Danny followed Makuakane's request and sat down across from McGarrett's desk. He had wiped any emotion from his face and stared at Makuakane, his blue eyes never wavering. His new boss held his gaze for several seconds before he spoke.

'That was the governor on the phone, Williams. Seems your little stunt yesterday is causing quite some distress and the press is having a field day with it. I want your report on my desk in the next hour.'

Makuakane shuffled some papers in front of him and Danny started to get up.

'Hold it, Williams, I haven't dismissed you yet…' Makuakane's voice dripped with condescension.

Danny groaned silently biting his tongue as not to fire off an acerbic remark.

'The hospital report outlines your injuries: the aural trauma from the explosion and your leg injury put you on restricted duty for the remainder of the week. You will have therefore ample time to put together a run down of all the recent Five O investigations that are still pending. I also expect you to liaise with the governor's office on the memorial service for McGarrett. Has Miss McGarrett expressed her wishes on her brother's funeral arrangements?'

'No, the grief over Steve's death so soon after her father's death is overwhelming her. I assume McGarrett will want to be buried with his father here in Hawaii, though' answered Danny in a flat voice.'

'I'll ring her this afternoon to discuss it. Now, call the rest of your team into my office…'

Danny stiffly walked to the door and opened it catching the eyes of Chin and Kono. He waved them over and turned back to face Makuakane who had left his desk and was now standing in front of Danny. Chin and Kono entered the office looking expectantly at their new boss who cleared his voice.

'The governor has asked me to lead Five O and has given me free rein to organize my team as I see fit. Although I appreciate that McGarrett picked you, I do not have to accept his choices…'

Danny's eyes widened in alarm at Makuakane's words. Chin straightened his shoulders in preparation of what he knew must come while Kono shifted her weight nervously from one foot to another.

'Chin Ho Kelly…you are currently under investigation by internal affairs over the shooting in the hospital. I want you to clear out your desk. You are finished with Five O.'

'Now wait a minute!' interrupted Danny 'that was a rightful shooting…'

Makuakane lifted his hand to silence Danny who ignored him and soldiered on.

'The doctor's and McGarrett's life were under threat…'

'Williams!' thundered Makuakane 'This is not up for debate.'

Danny stepped towards Makuakane, fists clenched, his patience at a breaking point.

Chin reached out and touched Danny's arm steadying his friend who was about to commit career suicide. He shook his head and mouthed silently 'No, Brah…'

Danny sucked in a deep breath and held Chin's gaze. The gamut of emotions battering Danny reflected in his eyes and touched by what he read, Chin smiled back.

'There is no room for a man with your reputation at Five O.' concluded Makuakane with a cold voice.

'It was never proven that my cousin did anything wrong…' agitated Kono waded into the conversation.

Makuakane turned to face the young rookie officer with an arrogant smile.

'There was also no proof refuting the allegation, the money is still unaccounted for…and if I were you I wouldn't remind people of your family connections to Kelly.'

Kono pressed her lips together in frustration and turned to face Chin. Tears were pooling in her eyes at the injustice but Chin just inclined his head as a sign of defeat.

'By the way, Kalakaua, I have arranged a transfer for you back to HPD. Task Force members will be invited due to their skill set and experience. This is no place for a rookie. You'll finish up the week and report to HPD next Monday.'

Kono's breath hitched as she threw a glance to Danny who was starring at his feet as his mind worked feverishly. He knew Makuakane needed to impose control but had never thought he would go so ruthlessly about it.

The tension in the office was palpable. Makuakane stepped back behind his desk.

'Dismissed'

He sat down and busied himself with a file in front of him ignoring Danny, Kono and Chin.

Danny nodded at his team members who filed out of the office closing the door behind them.

'That included you, too Williams'

Danny stepped up to the desk placing his hands on each side and leaning over, his face less than a foot from Makuakane's. He spoke with determination.

'I don't know what your game is, Makuakane, but it won't work, so much I promise you. The governor…'

Makuakane laughed out loud.

'The governor stands fully behind my decisions. You're welcome to call her.' He indicated to his phone, inviting Danny to place the call.

Danny's eyes narrowed as he remembered the words of the governor:

'It was all I could do to keep Five O alive. I had to make concessions…and don't even think on resigning Williams as it took all my influence to keep you in Five O!'

He dropped his head and slowly pushed away from the desk.

Makuakane's eyes lit up as he saw Danny back off sensing victory.

'I will overlook your behaviour for now, Williams. I accept that the last few days have been trying. But understand me clearly, not even the governor can save your ass if you don't follow my orders. You will run everything by me first, understood.' The threat in Makuakane's voice was unmistakable.

Danny glowered at him.

'The governor told me I had full operational command in the field.' Defiance reverberating in every word he spoke.

'Yes, true but only after you have run your plan past me!'

Danny wished he could wipe the smirk off Makuakane's face.

'You have fifty minutes left to complete that report. I suggest you get started, Williams!'

It took all of Danny's will power not to slam the door shut behind him. He strode into his office closely observed by Kono and Chin. He felt their eyes on him and he lifted his head from his chest, slowly shaking it. He was powerless to protect his friends and it was killing him inside.

The report was quickly written and forty minutes later he slapped it on Makuakane's desk.

'Thank you. I will read it and we will need to review it together this afternoon. I have emailed you a short list of HPD officers to replace Kelly and Kalakaua. Pull their files and give me your opinion.' Makuakane hadn't even bothered looking up from his paperwork.

'I consider Chin and Kono the best for the team. Our arrest record speaks for itself!' replied Danny, his resentment easily heard.

'I'm giving you the courtesy of input into the selection of the new officers to join the task force. If you decline that's fine by me.'

Makuakane shrugged and Danny grimaced at his stupidity. He was playing right into Makuakane's hands. In future he would have to rein in his temper until he could nail the bastard. For his mental sanity he hoped that day wasn't too far away.

'I took the liberty of putting McGarrett's personal items in this box. You are still staying at McGarrett's house…?'

A tightlipped Danny bent over and lifted the box up, bracing it against his hip. He turned and left the office fortunately not seeing the satisfied smile on Makuakane's face.

Chin was waiting for him with his backpack. Danny placed the box on the table and walked up to him.

'I'm off Danny. I put my files on your desk and Kono has my personal notes on our cases.'

'See you at the house tonight?' Danny asked as he walked with Chin to the door.

'Not sure. I want to follow that lead but I'll be in touch.' Replied Chin with an evasive air. 'Don't let him get to you, Brah'

Danny wordlessly shook his head. Chin turned and made his way to the exit never looking back at Danny who remained standing at the door until Chin vanished from his sight. The familiar roar of Chin's motorbike finally ripped him out of his stupor and he grabbed the box heading towards his office.

The day can't possibly get any worse he thought miserably as he slid onto his chair.

He felt his phone vibrate and pulled it out of his pocket half expecting to see Rachel's name flash on the display but when he saw who it was he swore under his breath: Lt. Cat Rollins. He'd never thought the day would come he would actually prefer the call was from his ex.

'It just keeps on coming…' he whispered as he braced himself. He touched the talk button and forced his voice into a neutral tone 'Hi, Cat…'

Mh, I fear Cat may have had a few choice words for Danny...Quite some drama at Five O. Makuakane doesn't take any prisoners. Can Danny save Five O?

My cruel Muse is promising that things will have to get worse before they can get better-evil, evil!

So you know the drill, guys: reviews please and see you soon for another chapter