Chapter 25: Things Come to Those Who Wait

Distant figures, unfocused images against a backdrop of rapidly darkening skies, squall whipping foam into a bubble-bath nightmare, flashes of sickly yellow light shooting across the horizon and all, it seemed, in slow motion. Like a scene from Shakespeare's `Tempest', the ocean before them was becoming increasingly disturbed making it hard to see just what was taking place on the smaller boat currently trying to out-run the patrol vessel.

McGarrett stood his ground, a lonely figure balanced against the elements and felt he was witnessing his prey. When the sound of gun fire reached his ears there was no doubt left in his overcrowded mind – the scene playing out before him was just as tragic as the Bard had penned for his own play; death and mayhem were on the menu today. Had he just witnessed the sound of his friend's demise?

"Boss! I'm pretty sure it's Danny!" Kono's said excitedly from his own precarious perch above. Like McGarrett, his eyes had never left the growing pinpoint speckle as they gained on it, heart pounding he was sure he recognized the second-in-command on deck.

"I know!" Steve shouted half-buoyed, half-terrified. He knew Danno's outline as

intimately as the lines on his own palm. He just needed to be closer to him, faster. "Tell the Captain we need top speed! He's in danger! Also radio Chin to abandon his search and make sure an ambulance is standing by at the dock. Thank God we've found him!"

"Will do!" Kalakua took no time in obeying but navigated his way to the bridge with some difficulty, the increased movement under him making his stomach flip-flop unhappily as he took to the slippery, spray-coated rungs.

"Come on, come on!" Left alone McGarrett slapped the damp metal behind him and urged the cutter on, "Stay with us Danno, we're coming for you."

********

Mano Kaika was not prepared for the force of the blow that connected agonizingly with his sternum, nor the fury of the flesh and blood whirlwind that delivered it. In his mind they had done their job, stripping the cop - the enemy - down to the basics of humanity and robbing him of his will and manhood before snatching away his very existence. The fact that the man was now standing before him, seemingly unbowed, wielding an everyday object with such accuracy and determination gave the elder brother pause to reflect on everything that had happened since the day Dan Williams strolled into their lives.

In that brief moment he questioned their fleeting victory over one of Hawaii's most respected cops. Deep down he had known they were treading close to the edge; that the cost might prove too high; Koa, Lupe, Sammie – all had paid in some form. He had felt the hairs rise on the back of his neck well before Ratchet ever brought their human albatross aboard. Now it was too late to run, for here in a bloody typeface, delivered by a half-naked madman, was the bill. And the price? Quite possibly his life or liberty.

To his surprise, Mano noted no pleasure in Williams' face as he let go of the makeshift weapon lodged deep into tender skin, just a resigned disgust at what he had to do. Mano recognized his haole enemy's humanity and loathed him for his weakness. He looked to where his brother stood, stunned into inaction as the scene played out before him and at that moment hated him too.

After his initial burst of energy, Danny swayed inelegantly and sighed with a mixture of relief and regret when the boat hook struck its target. He never got used to hurting people; part of his job that didn't sit well with his morals – cops saved lives they didn't take them. As much as he hated these men, revenge was never further from his mind – he simply needed to continue living and to do so meant incapacitating by any means necessary in order to preserve his own life. He would survive – he had to; Steve would expect no less of him. The fact that he was still in grave danger barely registered in his befogged mind, he was so tired that only the adrenalin cocktail kept him from falling flat on his face.

Struggling against the pain and madder than a volcano, Mano grabbed a revolver from its resting place by the helm and, hand shaking, loosed a shot at his nemesis, aim wavering badly as water vapor draped across his eyes and the shock of his wound began to register.

Williams ducked automatically as a bullet whizzed past his right shoulder narrowly missing him but his gaze never left the man he had so grievously wounded.

Gritting his teeth Mano sneered, "You're pathetic Williams, can't even finish da job properly! You're a weak whore, only good for screwing. Ratch… kill him!" he urged his lamentable brother and, clutching his bleeding chest with one hand, aimed again with the other, intent on drilling a hole into McGarrett's boy. "Slaughter the pig or I will!!"

Danny tried to make some sense of the spinning heat of his mind, his sole purpose now was to remain upright and stop this seemingly endless nightmare. Thinking the next ballistic would find its mark he shook his head and pleaded, "NO! No more…no more!" before doing the only thing he felt he could; conjuring up a Herculean reserve of strength, he ran straight towards the gunman and shoved him with all his might toward the edge of the Aloha Malu, heedless of the agony he inflicted upon himself as a result.

Arms wheeling in surprise, Mano Kaika dropped the gun and yelled out as the small cannon ball detective hefted his solid figure across the wooden planks like a line backer. The momentum carried both men hurling across space but only one went overboard. Gripping onto the side of the boat to prevent himself from following, Dan had the dubious satisfaction of seeing the man's face one last time as the rapist hurtled into the water many feet below and disappeared from sight with a geyser-like splash. As he fell, Mano cursed his assailant to his last breath, swearing revenge from the afterlife.

"JESUS MANO! MANO!?" Ray screamed and, despite the threat of the steadily closing Coast Guard, turned off the engine before frantically checking for any sign his brother had survived the plunge into the rolling depths. "What have you done you bastard?" He panted out, "You killed him! MANO!? MANO!?"

As Ratchet ran up and down studying the water and calling out to his brother in ever more anxious tones, Dan, grateful for the small respite, sank shivering to his knees. He blinked exhaustedly, unable to stop himself from reliving the look on the big Hawaiian's face as the shock of his impending death became clear to him. He knew that look, had worn it when the other man, the one they called Koa, had shot him in the cane field – the look of despair and disbelief; that your life had come to such an untimely end, cut short by another's hand. He fell forward onto his hands, crying and retching from the emotional and physical anguish he felt. Behind him Ray Kaika, convinced his brother had gone, spat like a rabid dog at the ocean and began searching for the gun.

He would finish this once and for all.

********

Never in his life had Steve McGarrett urged something to go as fast as he did today, despite reaching their top speed of twenty-nine point seven knots he spurred the CG vessel to even greater speed as they plowed through the waves like a breaching whale to reach their target. It was all the Five-0 Chief could do to stop himself from piloting in her Captain's stead.

Aware of the urgency, preparations were made to board as they approached. At McGarrett's request Kono and another officer had rifles trained on their target. Kalakua grew visibly pale as he looked through the sight line at an increasingly rocking horizon; he wasn't sure he could shoot the side of the hull let alone anything as small as a man without throwing up.

Whilst Danny was fending off his kidnappers, through a temporary eery wind-scourged silence McGarrett watched in horror as a man fell overboard. He literally stopped breathing until, managing to focus the lenses of his fogged binoculars he saw, to his intense relief, that Williams was not the victim. His heart stopped pounding as he concluded one of the brothers had gone over the side.

They were gaining swiftly, aided by the fact that the Aloha Malu had stopped dead in the water but from the look on Danno's face it wasn't fast enough. It didn't appear that his aikane was even aware they were on their way to help as he rocked on his knees. McGarrett's heart went out to him, so close but still so far. Williams may have disposed of one of the criminals but there was still one more to reckon with and by the looks of it they would be too late.

Shouting out an ineffectual warning to his young officer, McGarrett's stomach knotted as he saw the remaining kidnapper creep up on his friend unawares.

"Sir, they're preparing a boat." One of the regular volunteers advised and Steve rushed to the port side whilst donning a life jacket. He just hoped they would be in time.

***********

One by one, like cars zipping past on a freeway, reasons vied back and forth in Ratchet's mind for, and against, slaughtering the cop at his feet. He understood that no matter his decision, today was the last day of his freedom. He had lost his only brother and that was reason enough to commit Williams' body to the deep but still he hesitated. There were witnesses approaching and he knew all eyes were turned his way, he could see light reflected off twin glass circles as they swung to face him.

The last surviving Kaika's palms were sweating, making it hard to grip the gun and, as a consequence, the barrel danced tiny circles in the air barely five feet from the detective's damp curls. It would be so easy, his victim looked half-dead already in the fading light; all he had to do was squeeze and the man was gone. Clouds were crowding around them, like balls of malignant fungus they pressed in from all sides, dark gray layered on dove - merging into one another with thunderous results. These colliding giants on the horizon made Ratchet's head ache with their constrained electricity as they smothered what little remained of the sun. It was hard to think.

It was just like the last time Ratchet held a gun in his hand – common sense made him question the shooting of a lawman in front of people, this time fellow officers, but he was in for a very long stretch as it was after having killed Koa and assaulting a cop. Perhaps he could win points in prison with a big blue notch on his belt, he figured there would be plenty inside willing to cut him some slack and give him a pat on the back for wasting Five-0's second most important pig.

Ultimately what had he to lose? He could avenge his brother's death and rid himself of the person who had ruined his life. How sweet was that!?

If he was going to do it, he would have to do it now, so little time was left before they over-ran his position. He felt strangely comfortable with his decision. "We had fun while it lasted cop." he laughed.

Dan Williams turned around, half-expecting to see the grim reaper hovering over him, instead it was Ratchet Kaika, pointing a gun at him and his skin crawled within the inadequate robe he wore. This time he couldn't see a way out.

"THIS IS FIVE-0, DROP YOUR WEAPON!" The order boomed across the void like the voice of a vengeful god to spoil Ratchet's composure and give Danny a few precious seconds.

"MCGARRETT I PRESUME? WE ARE HONORED!" The Hawaiian shouted back gleefully, he was skirting close to euphoria with such an important audience to witness Williams' extermination.

With the brief distraction, Danny clambered with difficulty to his feet, ropes hampering him and managed to limp to some inadequate cover, but on a boat so small the reality was that he could never evade his murderer for long. After pushing Mano over the side he had considered following him, at least that way he would be free of it all – the pain, humiliation and memories. Incredibly though he had heard Steve's voice. Steve had found him and that warmed his soul more than anything he had experienced in the past weeks, he had been lost for so long that simply having his friend close made him feel like he had come home; gave him hope that the nightmares would end.

"LET DAN WILLIAMS GO, DROP YOUR GUN NOW!"

A small craft had been launched from the cutter and it was from there that McGarrett now directed the conversation on a bull horn. It was clear that Ratchet wasn't happy to comply with any request that didn't involve drilling a hole in Williams' hide and Steve tensed, knowing instinctively what the outcome of this showdown would be.

"YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING ME MCGARRETT – YOU AND I BOTH KNOW THERE'S NO GOING BACK. HE KILLED MY BRUDDAH, I HAVE NO REASON TO LET DA MURDERER GO!"

Raymond Kaika always believed in his ability to treat the world and everything in it according to his law, his and his ohana's. They used and abused, giving nothing in return. One of life's takers, he had no idea that for once the world would take back with interest. He laughed as he made a move towards Danny's hiding place; laughed and at the same time steadied the gun on the sick man hunched down against the locker with nowhere to run. Like a pinned butterfly, the sandy haired cop was his for the taking – again. He was sure that Williams' death would benefit him during his incarceration, a long stretch could be made bearable with a reputation to precede him. He never figured on the man behind the rifle just across from where he now stood, the officer whose eagle-eyed gaze had kept Ratchet planted within the cross hairs this whole time. As a consequence, when the Hawaiian announced cheerfully that there would be one less pig to squeal come sunset and unwisely began to squeeze the trigger, he was more than surprised to see a red hole bloom in the center of his chest, bubbling forth rich fluid like the overspill from a corked Champagne bottle. He felt nothing, shock separating him from his nerve endings until, with one last lopsided leer at a stunned Danny Williams, he crumpled onto the newly scrubbed deck with a resounding thud and a bloody gurgle - and died.

"What a waste." Steve commented without true emotion, he was too busy feeling relief that it wasn't Danno he would be mourning as night fell.

Anxious to see how Danno was, McGarrett was the first to secure the line and climb aboard the ill-fated vessel when they pulled alongside.

As men came to rescue him, Danny simply stared at the sightless body before him. He wasn't sure if he dreamed the whole thing or if he was truly safe. He was almost too scared to believe it was real, that two of the men who had dealt with him so brutally were no longer alive to concern him. He had slipped out of there `here and now' some time ago, but one thought did cross his mind as he barely registered movement beside him – just how much of what had happened would he tell Steve?

********

"Kono get these ropes off him!" Crouching down beside his fallen friend, Steve gently touched Danny's forearm as Kono, unfolding a knife, sliced through his bonds with an "Awhue!" comment. Williams appeared to be burning up – white pallor, flushed cheeks and washed out blue eyes with dark circles under them but that wasn't all, he had a line of dried blood that appeared to run down his breast bone beneath the flimsy gown he wore and a number of nasty looking bruises visible. "Danno?" No response. Steve feared the worst, despite the fact that Williams was conscious, he had only just begun reconstructing his aikane's memories and cursed this set back in his recovery. Doc had said Danny's mind was delicately poised on the edge of remembering and any trauma could send him spiraling back into even worse memory loss. Bergman had spoken briefly to him after Williams' recent kidnapping and reminded him how sick the young man was and now, with Dan unresponsive, McGarrett thought he may have truly lost him. "Danno, can you hear me?"

"No more..please." Came the softest of pleas. Steve almost cried.

"It's okay my friend, you're safe now."

Gradually the glassy eyes turned to face McGarrett and with a heavy sigh Danny slipped down onto one elbow, his friend automatically reaching out to prop him up, "Steve?" It was as though he had only just realized someone was with him.

"Yes I'm here." McGarrett offered gently,

"Did…did you…get them all?" Dan asked, barely coherent. McGarrett wondered vaguely what was meant by the question since to his knowledge there had only been two kidnappers on board. Did Danno recall his other assaults? Reassured that Kono was now checking out the quarters he offered his best guess and decided to worry about his friend's memory after he got him back to hospital, "I think we got them all." Dan sighed with relief.

"Hey boss!" Kono said peering out of the hatch at McGarrett with a funereal glance, "You need to see this!"

Nodding, Steve turned back to his first priority, "I'll be gone for just a minute or two, hang in there kiddo." To the medic attending his friend he ordered, "Stay with him." And squeezing Williams' shoulder reassuringly went below deck.

It was difficult to maneuver around his Hawaiian' officer's bulk in such an enclosed space but Kono stepped aside to indicate the crew quarters beyond the small galley kitchen. McGarrett ducked his head as he stepped through the darkened doorway and Kalakua heard a sharp intake of breath as he surveyed the scene. The remnants inside told a tale that Steve did not want to read; checkered sheets badly ruffled and wet with tell-tale blood drops, a broken ceiling plank with a brass ring and frayed strands of rope attached, what looked and smelled like bile on the floor next to pajama bottoms Steve recognized as Danny's, and a bucket and mug. "Salt water," Kono commented sadly after examining the contents, "Looks like they forced him to drink it before or after they..," He couldn't finish the shocking sentence he had in his head.

Steve gave an anguished roar that could be heard by all above and kicked the bucket hard, spilling the contents across the floor. He swore colorfully as he sank his hands into the sheets, flinging the bed clothing off the bunk. Kalakua understood – he wanted to do that and more. If one of the men who had hurt their kaikaina was still alive his knuckles would be bruised and bloody right now from beating them to a pulp. Stepping out of the torture chamber, McGarrett held onto Kono's arm briefly and gasped back the sob searing his throat, "Say nothing of this until I tell you." He ordered. Kono agreed, aware they were on delicate ground. From what he knew Danny was still suffering from amnesia and if they were correct in their assumptions, this latest abuse could have pushed him further into his shell or brought back hideous memories of what he had already been through. Either way it was a tragic outcome.

The Five-0 Chief gripped the rungs, sighed heavily and hefted himself back up to the fresh air and Danny's side. From a short distance away he studied the injured man. To his credit Dan seemed to be more aware of his surroundings than before but McGarrett could see he had come to the end of his strength, he was shifting his leg as though he were uncomfortable and Steve thought it must be to do with the lengthy gash along one side but as his eyes traced the dribbling scarlet he noticed William's big toe was bruised and at an odd angle, "My God!" he breathed, surprised that none of them had noticed the break before.

The medic was delicately unwinding hemp from Dan's torn wrist and the other broken one and Steve heard his friend quietly thank the man. "Danno, what happened to your toe?" McGarrett asked, more harshly than he meant, as he came closer.

Williams looked up wearily at the question, "I shouldn't have been sick." He said matter-of-factly and shrugged his shoulders. Steve felt ill; that they should have done this on top of everything else made him glad they were both dead but sorry he and Danno wouldn't have the satisfaction of seeing them brought to justice. They only had the sentencing of Lupe Tanilofa to bring some sense of peace back to Danny's life. Still the vengeful part of the Irish cop's mind couldn't help a small frisson of pleasure at seeing his best friend's rapist lying dead at his feet.

Finally the threatened rain began to fall and McGarrett was transported back to that day in the cane field when they found Williams near death. The similarity wasn't lost on him and he wanted to get his friend out of the cold before he caught his death, Danny was already shaking like a leaf. "Let's get you out of here aikane," He and Kono helped to lift the sadly quiet Williams to his feet, taking care not to jostle him as they wrapped a blanket around him and McGarrett hugged him close, wanting to protect him from even a breeze.

Dan turned his head to look at McGarrett, eyes watering with relief at the face he now recognized, "It's good to see you Steve, I missed you. Mahalo for finding me."

Just as McGarrett was digesting that heart-wrenching comment, a roaring sound from beside them diverted their attention to a dripping red blur as it rose from the side of the Aloha Malu with a wounded cry. Something swooped down on top of them and Danny yelled out as he felt a sharp pain between his shoulder blades and found himself yanked backwards by his skin - ripped away from Steve's protective embrace.

Fingertips desperately touching but unable to pull him back in time, McGarrett lost his friend a third time. Williams reached out to him but instead of salvation saw the sky fall and rain clouds tip towards him as, with an agonized gasp, he fell overboard into the churning water, gripped from behind by he knew-not-what.

"What the Hell just happened!!?" Steve said, shocked as his friend was torn from him and pulled over the side by an apparition. Not waiting for an answer he stripped himself of his life jacket, jacket, holstered weapon and shoes, dropping them where he stood and without further hesitation clambered carefully onto the side of the boat and dove straight into the water after Danny.

Disbelief surrounded the men left behind, it was unclear if they had witnessed a denizen of the deep like some monstrous squid steal someone from under their noses, or the ghost of a man back from the dead. Only one person guessed what had really happened. "STEVE! DANNY!" Kono shouted in blind panic as he peered over the edge, but all he could see beyond the shifting waves was his boss' pale socks as he kicked into the depths.

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