Danny had calmed down by the time he pulled into Rachel's driveway. Before going inside he phoned Duke and after giving him a brief explanation of what had occurred, Duke agreed to meet him at the air strip in an hour with a team of men who would accompany him to Washington to search for Steve. He entered the house grateful to find Kono and Rachel both in the living room with Charlie, and Gracie nowhere in sight.

"Good Morning Rachel. Is Gracie still sleeping?"
"Yes. The poor little dear is exhausted"
"I'm glad she's sleeping…I have some news…" A huge smile crossed the man's face and tears fell from his eyes as he gave the ladies the wonderful news, "Steve….he's alive…he's alive"

Kono jumped off the couch, "WHAT? How Danny?" They moved quickly towards each other and embraced, "Oh my God Danny, oh my God!"
They parted and he took her face in his hands. His voice was shaking and he smiled as tears of happiness streaked both their cheeks. As they moved to the couch Rachel stood and hugged Danny stating softly, "This is wonderful sweetheart, I'm so happy"

Danny sat between them on the couch and as Charlie played at their feet with blocks. He told them of everything Denning had shared with him, and of their plans to leave within the hour.
Rachel squeezed his hand tightly, "Should we go tell Gracie?"
Danny looked at her seriously, "Not yet Rach…."
"Danny she's so sad, she needs to know"
"Honey we haven't heard from him and until we have him back…..until we're sure he's okay…..we can't tell her"
She shook her head slowly, "You're right"
Kono then added, "Danny, how about if I stop by the hospital and fill Chin in on everything. Then I'll stop by my house and pack a bag"
The two agents stood and embraced and Danny added, "I'll pick you up at your place in about forty five minutes"
After quick goodbyes to Rachel and Charlie, Kono left.

Danny smiled at the little boy and then turned to his ex, "I love you Rachel"
She leaned in and kissed him tenderly, "I love you too Danny. You go now. Take care of Matthew and bring Steve home. We'll be here waiting for you"
After peeking in on his sleeping daughter and a final hug and kiss from Rachel, Danny left, praying that they would not only find Steve and Matt alive….but also praying that he could find a way to forgive Steve, his partner…his best friend.

As he raced home to grab a duffel bag he called Denning to let him know they were running about twenty miles behind schedule. Denning let him now that they would be met in Washington by WitSec and CIA agents who were mapping out their rescue plan. Danny looked down at his phone and he dialed Steve's cell. As it rolled straight to voice mail the sound of his partners voice sent a shiver down his spine. His voice quivered as he spoke, "Steve…..partner I don't know what to even say to you. These last few days….. thinking you were dead…." His voice choked with emotion as he continued, "God Steve…why?" He paused for a a few seconds composing himself, "We're coming for you Steve. If you need help, you hold on babe….we're coming for you….." He hung up the phone as he pulled into his driveway and wiping tears from his eyes he raced into the house.

After getting a few things into a bag he was back in his Camero and driving towards Kono's and as he drove he dialed Joe.
"Danny…I'm sorry I haven't been able to locate Doris yet"
"That's good Joe. If we're lucky, you won't need to deliver that news"
"What are you talking about Danny?"
"He's alive Joe"
Danny heard the older man sigh deeply, "Oh thank God. What happened?"
As he pulled into Kono's driveway he explained everything to Joe and promised to keep him updated.

As she pulled the door closed Danny asked, "How's Chin?"
She smiled at him, "He's doing a lot better now"
Danny grinned back at her, "I'd say we all are"
Soon the two detectives were at the airstrip and boarding a private plane along with Duke Lukela and four of HPD's finest.

50505050505050505050505050

Steve held the gun while watching the clearing, listening intently…waiting. Every so often he glanced over at Matt. His mind was hazy and he felt sick. He needed another fucking hit and he was fighting the urge with everything he had…..but he had to be ready. He had to be ready or they would both be dead. "Damn it…..God damn it….fight it…." But he couldn't fight it and in his tortured mind where one minute he was with Matt Williams and fighting a drug cartel and the next minute he was in the jungles of South Africa struggling to keep Jack Lynch alive. Setting the gun onto the ground he reached a shaking hand into his pocket and pulled out the meth and needle. "Just one gram more…..one gram" His hand was shaking horribly as he drew the meth from the vial and then breathing heavily and sweating profusely he plunged the needle into his arm. He was on his knees with his head tipped back, his eyes searching the skies for guidance. Steve's entire body quivered as the drugs coursed through his veins. Oh God he hated this…..

About forty minutes later Steve heard them coming… he glanced over at Matt and then took up his position. He had a rifle and an AK47 at his side and leaning up against the tree he steadied himself aiming the rifle at the clearing. As the jeep pulled up and came to a stop, the SEAL waited…..Cordoba was driving with Moreno next to him and Alvarez behind him. Alvarez stepped out first and Steve waited, patience…..patience…. he waited until Cordoba exited the vehicle and luckily Moreno was coming towards the others from around the front of the jeep as Steve fired. His first two shots caught the captors off guard and the SEALS shots were literally 'dead on' Cordoba and Alvarez both dropped to the ground, dead…. as bullets ripped into their heads.

Moreno was able to get several shots off and the bullets hit the tree that concealed the SEAL. At the moment the return fire stopped Steve grabbed the AK47 and quickly stepping from the tree he fired rapidly, cutting Moreno down in a hail of bullets. He then moved cautiously towards the men and after confirming they were all dead he ran to check on Matt. The injured man was still unconscious and his breathing was rapid. Steve moved quickly placing the guns into the jeep. Going back to the tent he threw a first aid kit and some food and water into a back pack and then grabbing another sleeping back he moved back to the vehicle setting up a makeshift bed for Matt on the back seat. At one point he moved too quickly and a sharp pain shot across his abdomen and he couldn't breathe. He dropped to his knees on the hard ground and grabbed his ribcage gasping for air. The drugs constantly pumping through his system had succeeded in keeping his pain level down from the beatings he had endured but as he sucked air into his lungs he knew his ribs were more than bruised. He would have to be careful not to puncture his lungs or other organs.

Due to the drugs he didn't realize how severe his paranoia was becoming. In his mind he was thinking fairly clearly right now as he was just as high on adrenaline now as he was on the damn meth. He sat back, leaning against the jeep as he went over his plan in his mind again. He needed to get Matt help and fast but he couldn't go into the hospital himself….he couldn't be seen by a Doctor or his drug use would be exposed. He needed to get back to Hawaii and get to the shed. It was the only place he could go…he had to get there. To get Jason Korry so he could fly him out of here he was going to have to think of something to tell Denning. 'Damn it McGarrett, you sure got yourself into a fucking mess this time' 'Pushing his battered body up from the ground he grabbed another duffel bag from the tent and he descended down into dungeon where they had been held and tortured. It was hot and sticky and the smell of death enveloped the room. Steve pulled the front of his shirt up over his mouth as he made his way across the room to the table…to the drugs. His jaw was clenched tightly and he hated himself for the weakness that he felt. The craving for this drug was overwhelming and he had to get out of here. Placing about half the drugs and paraphernalia into the bag he moved quickly back up the stairs to the jeep.

After setting the bag on the front passenger seat Steve made his way back to Matt.
He knelt at Matt's side placing the back of his hand on the man's forehead, waking him. "Hey kid, how are you doing?"
"Not fffee….ling too ggood"
"It's time to get you some help okay?"
"Yeah…..we got…..tta get Coordob….bba"
"I took care of them partner"
"They'rre ddead?"

"Yeah, so just let me take care of you now" He pulled the sleeping bag and blanket aside, "Okay Matt let's sit you up first"
Matt moaned loudly as Steve sat him up leaning him against the tree. "OHHH SSHHITT…."
Steve held his shoulders firmly, "Relax buddy…take deep breaths, relax….."

Once his breathing settled, Steve helped him to his feet and holding him tightly they slowly made their way to the jeep. Matt looked down at the three dead men lying within feet of each other next to the vehicle, quietly stating, "Jesus Christ Steve"
"Don't worry about them Jack, I'll get you out of here kid…..I promise"
"Steve? Hey buddy…it's Matt…Matt Williams…..….you okay?"
"Yeah, yeah…..sorry man. I'm good"

Matt looked into the SEAL's eyes. He knew enough about drugs and addiction to know that Steve was in trouble. The man's face was swollen and bruised from the beatings and his pupils were severely dilated. His confusion was obvious. Steve was going to need a lot of help. With Steve's help moments later he was laying on the back seat of the jeep, his head resting on a soft pillow and blankets were tucked firmly around him. He hurt…..God he hurt, but he was alive…..thanks to Steve. He closed his eyes and surrendered to the darkness that enveloped him.

Steve leaned against the side of the vehicle trying to catch his breath. He had to keep a clear head. He was in Washington and he needed to get help for Matt and then get back to Hawaii….A short time later, he was behind the wheel and driving away from the bloodied scene.

******* MUCH MORE TO FOLLOW - please let me know what you think ! *********