Ma Ke Kahakai- 'ino
Danny had never been so frustrated in his life and he knew it was getting him no where. So far they'd gotten nothing from their sources and it looked as if Steve had disappeared in thin air. He was pretty sure Wo Fat was behind the kidnapping, but proving it was another thing. Chin and Kono had left for home an hour ago, but he wasn't ready to give in to the exhaustion that plagued him.
There had to be something they were missing, but for the life of him he couldn't figure out what it was. He looked at the jumble of papers strewn across the desk and knew it was time to give it up and go at it with fresh eyes in the morning. He left the files where they were and looked longingly at the sofa, but he needed to go home and get some real sleep, not the broken rest he'd get sleeping on the uncomfortable couch.
Danny stood up and walked out of the office, locking the door behind him and nodding to the guard before leaving the building and heading for his car. He got behind the wheel and rubbed at his side before driving home. His window were dark and he thought about his home in Jersey and how Rachel and Grace would be waiting for him. It had given him such warmth when his daughter had opened the door and raced out to meet him. Those days seemed far away and this home felt cold to him, except those times when Grace stayed with him.
Williams knew there was no going back and that he had to make the best of things and when Grace visited he could pretend things were normal. The problem was it was hard to do that when you were in a state where hot was the constant temperature. He'd come here because of Grace and was surprised to realize Steve, Chin, and Kono had become something of a family to him. Now one member of that family was kissing and he'd be damned if he'd let it go. He'd find Steve-Super-Seal-McGarrett even if he had to explore every cave, every building, and every inch of beach.
Danny entered his home, locked the door behind him and made a beeline for his bedroom, but his stomach rumbled loudly, reminding him that he hadn't eaten since breakfast. He walked into the kitchen without turning on the light and opened the fridge. He could almost hear Rachel complaining about the take out cartons and smiled in spite of the weariness that washed over him. He checked the nearest carton and wrinkled his nose before dropping it and several others into the trash bin.
Danny closed the door and found a package of crackers and ate several before heading back to the fridge and finding a package of aged cheddar. He ate several more crackers before cutting off a chunk of cheese and moving into the living room. He turned on the television, not surprised to find the top news story was still the disappearance of Steve McGarrett.
Williams ate the crackers and cheese and knew he should turn off the television and go to bed, but he didn't think he'd have the energy to move. He listened to the reporter as she talked about McGarrett and Five-O and how they had the governor's backing. His eyelids grew heavy and he gave into the fatigue that plagued him.
5050505050
Steve knew he needed to rest, but the throbbing of his arm had grown worse and breathing while lying down was another problem altogether. It was damp in the cell, or else he was running a fever because he felt chilled right now. He had no way of knowing how much time had passed since they'd brought him a tray, but if he each meal was meant to be at an interval that would simulate breakfast, lunch, and dinner then at least 18 hour had passed. During that time he'd tried to sleep, but only managed a couple of quick naps before the pain brought him awake. He'd spent the last hour going over the cell, searching for anything that might help him escape. The search hadn't turned up anything, and Steve knew he would have to try something when his captor came again.
McGarrett knew his team was searching for him, but the man who'd taken him didn't seem the type to make any stupid mistakes. He sat on the cot and unconsciously rubbed at his injured arm, wishing he had one of the Percocet, and could almost hear Williams soft laughter and an irritating 'I told you so'.
"Shut up, Danno!" McGarrett snapped softly and hoped he would silence the voice. He leaned back against the wall and cradled his injured left arm with his right as he fought to get past the pain. He closed his eyes and listened to his own breathing as he called on his training and could hear the man who'd rode him and the others until it was drilled into their heads.
'Push past the pain, McGarrett! Don't let the bastards win because if you do all is lost and hell just opened it's doors and you're going to get your sorry ass burnt to a crisp! Don't fight the pain! Use it and let it make you strong enough to defeat it! You hear me, Boy?'
"I hear you, Sarge!" McGarrett whispered and opened his eye when he heard the door being opened. He wasn't all that hungry, but he'd eat because to do otherwise was not an option, especially when it could be his last meal. His captor stood framed in the doorway, but there was no tray in his hands as he stepped into the cell.
"Well, Commander, it seems you have a visitor," the man said.
Steve stood up, ready to make his move, but was deflated when two men entered and moved to either side of his captor. He thought about trying it anyway, but the gun that was trained on him put a damper on any thoughts of escape for now.
"Smart, Commander, if you'd tried anything stupid I would have put a bullet in your leg. It wouldn't kill you, but it would definately hamper your pacing of this cell," the man said."Now, I'm afraid your visitor doesn't like to be kept waiting so you either walk or we drag you to the main house. Your choice."
"I'll walk," McGarrett said and walked purposefully toward the open door of the cell. He steppe outside and breathed deeply of the warm night air, and glanced around.
"No time for sightseeing, Commander," the man said and shoved him forcefully toward the path that ran the length of the steep cliff.
Steve could hear the waves breaking against the rocks far below, and again thought about launching an attack, but his captor seemed to be reading him as if he was an open book.
"You might manage to push one of us over, but the others will put a bullet in your leg. I'd rather not have to explain such happenings to your visitor."
Steve knew the man would do exactly that if he tried anything, so he continued to search the surrounding area for anything that could tell him where he was. The pathway was well kept and he could see a two story house built further along the trail. It was well lit, which meant they were either on one of the main islands or this place had a generator that supplied it with power.
"Move it, McGarrett, he doesn't like to be kept waiting," the man said and shoved the captive, smiling when the man stumbled, but managed to stay on his feet.
"Do that again and I'll kill you," McGarrett warned.
"I wish I could take that chance, Commander, but as I said he is impatient to see you."
Steve didn't bother to answer as he sought out and found several places where men watched over the compound. That's what this place reminded him, especially once he spotted the snipers nests at different intervals.
"It won't help you, Commander, there s no escape. It's like Alcatraz and I'm your own personal warden...try anything..."
"And I'll get a bullet in my leg," McGarrett finished for him.
"You learn quickly," the man said as they reached the main house.
McGarrett waited while one of the men opened the door and blinked rapidly to adjust his vision before stepping inside. He was led down a sparsely furnished hallway and out onto a deck overlooking the cliffs far below. A lone figure stood at the edge, a drink in his hand, but Steve could not make out anything else because he was standing in the shadows.
"I have Commander McGarrett for you."
"Thank you, Tomas, tell Salina to serve dinner out here for myself and Commander McGarrett."
Steve knew that voice, but did nothing to give away that fact as the man turned toward him. There was no mistaking the face that was now bathed in the light and he wondered why Wo Fat had suddenly decided to take this to the next level.
"Sit Down, Commander!" Wo Fat ordered.
"I'd rather stand!" McGarrett stated, cursing when a hand clamped on his right shoulder and forced him to sit at the table.
"I insist, commander," Wo Fat said, a hint of a smile on his face as he sat opposite his 'guest'. He poured two glasses of wine and handed one across the table. "I'd like to make a toast."
"Too bad!" McGarrett spat.
"I assure you it isn't drugged and is a wonderful vintage from France," Wo Fat said and took a sip, swishing it around in his mouth before swallowing it. "You see I am a man who enjoys the finer things in life."
"You're a bastard who deals in human trafficking, illegal weapons, and drugs. That's three strikes..."
"This is not baseball, Commander. I will soon have more power than you could possibly dream of..."
"It won't be enough," McGarrett said softly.
"Was that a threat, Commander?"
"No, it was a promise," McGarrett told him and stood up.
"From where I sit you are in no position to make threats," Wo Fat said and nodded to the man standing behind the head of Five-O
Steve felt something strike him in the lower back just before he was forced to sit down again. He stared at the man seated across from him and knew Wo Fat was dangerous and as deadly as any enemy he'd ever had. He would not underestimate the man, and Wo Fat would do well not to underestimate him.
"Now, Commander, you have been cooped up in that cell for nearly 24 hours and I assure you it will be your home for the near future. I am not the man who arranged for you to be taken, but rest assured I am the man who holds your life in my hands. I can make this as uncomfortable for you as I see fit. In essence I own you just as i own the wine in your glass," Wo Fat told him.
"No one owns me," McGarrett said.
"Perhaps that was true in the past, Commander, but now you are a prisoner in property owned by The Yakuza, and therefore it is mine. You are property and I shall treat you as such. You see there are things in both our pasts that make us deadly enemies..."
"You're a petty criminal who hides behind The Yakuza," McGarrett said and smiled when he saw Wo Fat's smug look slip at his choice of words.
"I am well educated and have earned the right to lead he Yakuza into the future. I have the approval of The Old Man and those who oppose me will find they no longer have a place in the organization."
"Nice way to say they'll be murdered," McGarrett told him.
"You call it murder...I call it taking out the trash," Wo Fat said as a woman pushed a cart out onto the patio and placed a tray of food before both men.
"I'd rather eat in the cell," McGarrett said.
"It does not matter what you would rather do, Commander," Wo Fat said and cut into the juicy steak. "While I am in residence you will eat with me or go hungry. Since I have no pressing business for the next week I will be spending some time on this island. I know I don't have to tell you how important it is to keep up your strength if you are to survive your incarceration...or plan a successful escape."
Steve watched the man eating and knew he was right about keeping up his strength. It was going to be hard enough to escape, without having to fight hunger and thirst. His arm and ribs would also give him fits, so for now he would simply concede to Wo Fat being correct. When the time came, he would need every ounce of strength he had just to get off the damn island.
Wo Fat watched his hated enemy and knew this was the one man he should fear. He knew all about Steve McGarrett's training and background and understood the man would take him down if given the opportunity. His father and grandfather had a history with the McGarrett family and both had died because of this man's relatives. It seemed that fate had deigned it a necessity that they would meet, but this time, unlike his deceased relative, he would be the victor, and Steve McGarrett would die as a prisoner, locked up like a diseased dog.
Steve watched the other man and knew Wo Fat was watching him like a lion watched its prey. The problem with that, was that he had never considered himself prey and would not start now. That was something Wo Fat would find out when the time came because Steve would never give up, no matter what the bastard did. He awkwardly managed to cut into the steak, and realized the blade was sharp, but there was no way for him to hide it with Wo Fat and the others watching him. Now was not the time, but sooner or later they would make a mistake, and that mistake would be fatal, Steve only hoped that it didn't backfire on him.
Tomas Sullivan watched the two men seated at the table. He wasn't sure who was stronger, but he'd heard stories about both men. He'd been a mercenary most of his life, but also had medical training that had saved his own life on more than one occasion. Wo Fat was dangerous, with a dark side he liked to keep hidden until he wanted others to see it. Steve McGarrett also had a dark side, but he used it to protect people from Wo Fat, and from people like him. He was a hired killer and made a good living at it, even if there were times when he wished he had chosen a different lifestyle. He briefly wondered who he'd rather meet in a dark alley, but both men seemed to ooze danger and it was obvious they could hold their own in a one on one fight. Maybe, he'd be lucky enough to see just such a thing, but for now he had a job to do.
Steve ate the meal without really tasting it as he listened for anything that might help him understand where he was. So far Wo Fat had said very little except that this place was owned by The Yakuza. Whether it was a new acquisition or one they'd held for years, he didn't know, but when he got back to HQ he'd dig into whatever records they had and find out when this place had been purchased and see to it that Wo Fat understood he would never just lay down and die. He finished the food on his plate and reached for the pitcher of ice water at the center of the table. He filled his glass and drank half of it before leaning back and watching his nemesis.
"Do you know why you were brought here, Commander?" Wo Fat asked.
"No, why don't you enlighten me," McGarrett answered.
"Let's just say someone made a mistake, but it is one that I will take advantage of since our families have a history, although I doubt you were ever told the truth about it."
"The truth...or your version of the truth, Wo Fat?"
"My version is the truth. My family and yours have been enemies for many years and as we are both the last males in our bloodline it is fitting that you and I should meet o equal ground."
"You call this equal ground? I'm a prisoner, Wo Fat, I'd hardly call that equal ground," McGarrett said as a woman cleared the dishes from the table.
"Perhaps not, but you trained with special forces and I believe you to be a dangerous adversary, Commander. You're a SEAL and that alone should be heeded as a warning not to underestimate you," Wo Fat said.
"So what was it my family did to yours that make us enemies?' McGarrett asked, leaning back as Wo Fat reached for his cell phone. Steve watched as the man walked to the edge of the deck and spoke softly, yet he understood some of the words. He thought he heard the name Raymond Bell and wondered what the hell the man had to do with Wo Fat.
"Tomas, take Commander McGarrett back to his cell and see that he gets a good night's sleep," Wo Fat ordered and walked past McGarrett into the house.
"You heard him, commander, let's go," the man ordered.
Steve stood up and walked past the man whose first name he knew was Tomas, a fact that he filed away for a later date. He walked back through the house and down along the trail, searching for anything he could use to help him escape. There was a path that diverted from the one he was on and seemed to lead away from the house and he would lay money on the trial would end at a pier.
They reached the building that looked like an old bunker and Steve was roughly shoved inside. He stumbled toward the cot and sat down as Tomas entered with his two helpers.
"Now, Commander, he said he wanted me to make sure you had a good night's sleep so just lay back and I'll make sure it happens," Tomas said and reached for something in his jacket pocket.
Steve recognized it for what it was and fought the urge to lash out. He could probably take one of them down, but the man Tomas could easily make good on the threat to shoot him in the leg. Right now that was not a good idea, at least not until he found out more about the layout of the area and maybe something of his and Wo Fat's history.
"Lay back, Commander," Tomas ordered.
"I don't need it," McGarrett tried hopefully.
"Do you think that matters?" Tomas asked and motioned for his men to take up places on opposite sides of the cell. He placed his weapon near the open door and uncapped the syringe before moving toward the prisoner.
"Don't," McGarrett said.
"Now, Commander, if you manage to break this then the next syringe will not be filled with something to help you sleep. It will be a mixture of drugs that will make you very uncomfortable and very ill. On top of that you will have to deal with a bullet wound."
"But you'd be dead," McGarrett warned.
"Perhaps, but at least I would not suffer the dame way you would," Tomas said and motioned for the captive to lay back on the cot. "This will simply help you sleep and perhaps after a good rest you will come up with a plan of escape, although I should warn you I am not going to give you an opening, because something tells me Wo Fat is not someone I want to make an enemy of."
Steve could see the two men across the room and knew there was no way he could win this one. He could almost hear Danny telling him to go along with this until the odds were better and he didn't have two guns pointed at him. He sat where he was and glared at the man as he reached for his arm and injected the drug into the vein.
"That should keep you down for at least eight hours, Commander, but I will check on you long before then," Tomas said and walked across the cell while motioning for his men to follow him out.
Steve heard the door close and the locking mechanism engage as he struggled to stay awake. His mouth was suddenly dry and he licked at dry lips before laying back on the cot. He lay on his right side and felt chilled as he tried to breathe past the pain in his ribs and lower back. It wasn't long before whatever was in the syringe worked its magic and he gave into the enforced sleep Wo Fat had ordered.
TBC
Author's Note—I'm still getting that wonderful error sound and can't figure out why. Anyway, if I don't answer you it's not because I don't want to, but because the link to do so doesn't work and your private message function isn't turned on...Thanks again for all the wonderful reviews...Winnie