Danny moved back into the room and woke Duke explaining everything to him. He then called the hospital as Duke started a pot of coffee. As he hung up the phone Duke inquired, "How's Matt?"
"He came though surgery well and he's in recovery. He was lucky. There was no organ damage but he lost a lot of blood. He was lucky Duke"
"He was lucky he was with McGarrett"
Danny nodded his head, "Yeah…he was. I'm going to shower quickly and then I'll call a cab"
"I'll go let everyone else know what's going on and I'll send a couple of the guys over to pick up Jason"
Danny grinned weakly, "The poor guy, he's not used to our boys tactics is he?"
Duke laughed, "No he's not. McGarrett always seems to get the job done though doesn't he?"
Danny couldn't respond as suddenly a lump filled his throat and tears welled in his eyes. He nodded his head in agreement and walked into the bathroom closing the door behind him.

Duke noticed the young detective's emotional reaction but figured it must be due to the stress and pressures of the last few days. He had watched the four members of this elite unit since the day they came together. The four of them were much more than co-workers, much more than a team…..they were a family and they all loved each other deeply. They had been through many emotionally difficult events together over the past three years, but they were always there for each other. When one was weak, the others were strong and protective. And the bond between Steve McGarrett and Danny Williams was a special one. They were brothers and he knew that each one of them would die to protect the other. They would get through this just as they always did, he knew it.

As he heard the shower turn on in the adjoining room, Duke left to wake Kono and his men.
Danny stood under the steaming water as the emotions of the last days overwhelmed him. Tears fell down his cheeks as he thought about what he had said to Steve on the phone. Duke was right, Matt was lucky that Steve had been there for him…again. God knows he loved the SEAL, he really did but things had to change. His Gracie, his dear sweet Gracie….. Steve loved her, hell he ADORED her and yet he had hurt her so deeply… but never again. He could never let this happen again and as much as he loved Steve he had to think of his baby girl…he could never, no…..he WOULD NEVER let this happen again.

When he emerged from the bathroom Duke, two of his men and their pilot were in the room. Duke handed him a styrofoam cup of hot coffee saying, "I've called a cab for you, it should be here any minute. Kono is washing up and once the others get back here with the Jason we'll all meet you at the hospital"

Danny shook hands with Duke, "Thank you Duke" Nodding to the other men he left the room and headed downstairs.

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Steve reached the shed when it was still dark. As he entered he was overwhelmed by the musty smell and extreme heat. As his eyes adjusted to his surroundings he made out the table in the corner of the room and moving to it he set his bags onto it. He was tired, actually he was exhausted. After slamming a bottle of water he grabbed a sleeping bag and pillow and moving over to one of the bedframes he laid down on top of the sleeping bag. He figured he could get about three hours of sleep before sunrise. His body ached horribly as he streached out and reaching into his pocket he pulled out his cellphone. Putting the phone to his ear he pressed play and listened to his partner's message. He listened to it over and over again as tears dampened his battered cheeks. It had all been for nothing…..the beatings and the drugs. Didn't Danny know he had done this all for him, for his family….for THEIR family. After several minutes he set the alarm on his phone and placed it onto the ground, then rolling onto his side he closed his eyes.

50505050505050505050505050

Danny arrived at the hospital and was brought to Matt's room. Once Governor Denning had contacted the hospital he had also taken the precaution of having policemen posted outside his room. Danny stood at the bedside and looked down at his younger brother. He had looked down on Steve and most recently Chin so many times….too many times, yet every time he was amazed at how the scene would affect him. All the tubes and machines, the oxygen and fluids being pumped into the injured, weakened body. Every time he stood like this he was overcome with thoughts of despair at the realization of the true frailties of the human body. The Doctors had told him that he expected a full recovery for the kid but that his pain would be pretty severe for a few days. Pulling up a chair he took Matt's hand in his and squeezed it tightly saying softly, "Hey little brother, I'm here…Danny's here"

He stroked his brother's hand and arm as he talked to him about their family, their parents and sisters….nieces and nephews. About two hours after he arrived, Matthew began to stir. Pushing up from the chair he continued to hold his brother's hand while running his free hand through Matt's hair.
"Matt….Matt, it's Danny brother…..can you open your eyes for me?"
Slowly the injured man's eyes opened and he looked up at his smiling brother, "DDanny…"
"Yeah buddy. I'm glad to see you…..not under these circumstances though. How do you feel?"
"I've felt bbetterr…how's SSte….evve?"
"You don't worry about him okay. You just rest and get better for me alright?"
"He ddid sso much for mme…he ssaved my ass aagainn Danny"
"Yeah I know. You relax and sleep now, the Doctor says you're going to be just fine. You need to rest"
"I nneed to see Steve….."
"Not now okay"

Matt looked into his brother's eyes and what he saw terrified him. He tried to push his body up and Danny grabbed his shoulders pushing him back onto the bed, "Hey, hey stop now. What are you doing?"
"What hh…happ….pened to Stteve?"
"Nothing! Matt you're hurting yourself, RELAX!"
"I need tto ssee ….him NNOW!"
"MATTHEW, relax and I'll tell you everything. I'm not keeping anything from you…..relax buddy…relax"
After several seconds Matt continued, "OOkkay….ookkay I'm ggood…..now where iis he?"
"He's in Hawaii"
"WWhat? Have yyou talked to hhim?"
"No, Kamekona called me and Steve called the Governor saying he needed 'time' away"
"Oh shit…..yyou've got to ffind him…..he's in ttrouble Danny"
"Trouble? What are you talking about? Is he hurt? He said he took out all of them?"
"He ddid but the ddrugs…..the ffuckking ddrugs"
"Matt, I don't understand. What are you saying?"
"They ppumped hhim full of meth DDannyy…hhe's hooked mman"

Danny's heart was pumping wildly in his chest as he was instantly overcome by fear for this partner.
"Matt are you sure?"
"They injeecttted him every ttwo hours…..hhe nnever slept and he was hallucina…..aating"
"Hallucinating?"
"HHe kkept calling me Jack…ttalked about ssavving me and that thhe tteam was looking ffor us. They bbeat hhim"
Danny was sweating profusely as the words his brother spoke sunk in. Steve was in trouble, deep trouble. He was hooked on meth and searching for a dead brother. A shiver ran the length of his spine as he thought about the voicemail he had left. The thought of how Steve would react to it in his altered state terrified him.

He had to remain calm for Matt, "Hey Matty, we're talking about Steve here. He's strong, so strong. I'll find him and get him help, I promise. But Matt, I need to leave now. I hate to leave you brother…"

Matt interrupted him, "DDanny….'m ggood…..go, find him pleassse. He saved mmmy life"
"I'll see you when this is all over brother, both of us will….me and Steve. I love you Matty"
Danny leaned down and kissed Matt's forehead as the younger man stated, "I love yy…you too ….ggo now"
Danny turned and without looking back he quickly left the room.

They others were all in the waiting room and Danny pulled Kono off to the side to inform her of Steve's condition. As he spoke the blood drained from Kono's face and Danny took her hands in his attempting to assure her, "We'll find him Kono"
"I know…..we should call Chin"
"Let's wait until we get home. In his condition we don't need him heading off on his own looking for Steve. He was going to be released today, right?"
"Yes, this afternoon. He'll want to help us search Danny"
"Picking him up will be the first thing we do" They embraced and then as Danny called the Governor to fill him in, Duke asked to pilots to take a cab and get to the airstrip to prepare the plane.

As the agents and officers headed back to get their bags from the hotel, Danny let them know that the Governor was contacting the CIA and WitSec officials as well as the local Police Chief again to make certain that Matt was safe. With Steve unavailable they would talk with Matt about their ordeal and for information on where they had been held.

Danny tried Steve's cellphone several times but it continually rolled to voicemail. Within the hour the plane was airbourne and heading back to Hawaii.

******** And the hunt moves to Hawaii – hope you're enjoying. Much more to follow *********