Danny bent over and put two fingers against Wo Fat's neck. The bullets had gone straight through his body and were lodged in the ground behind him, but they weren't taking any chances. They wanted to make sure he was dead.
Steve gripped the gun in his hand and looked at Danny as he nodded his head, indicating what they both already knew. He held up the picture of Lexi and crumpled it, making a tight fist. He felt no regret and not an ounce of compassion for the body lying at his feet. The image of Lexi in the photo lighted the fire inside of him, but the threat to his baby is what made him explode.
The others came running up, each one stopping and looking down at Wo Fat. They'd heard the shots, but weren't sure who had fired their gun.
Jake walked over to Steve, noticing the crumpled up picture in his hand. Kono had explained the contents of the photo after Danny had made the quick pursuit into the tunnel. He put a hand on Steve's shoulder, patting it twice, showing his approval. "How do feel?"
Steve looked at him and then at the picture in his fist, "Justified."
"Good!" Jake said and then looked back down toward the compound, "We have to get out of here, now!"
Steve looked down one more time at the lifeless body of Wo Fat as the others moved past him and followed Jake to where Eun Mi had parked the van.
Danny walked by him and pulled on his arm, "Let's go." He looked over his shoulder and Steve hadn't move. He stared down at the corpse almost mesmerized.
Danny went back and stood next too him.
"Are you sure he's dead?" Steve asked again.
Danny moved in front of him, blocking his view of the body. "Look at me!" he said forcefully, getting his attention, "Its over, Steve. Come on, we have to go." He put his hands on his shoulders and turned him around in the direction that the others had fled, shoving him. He went freely this time and they both sprinted up the hill.
Jake motioned from inside the van with his arm for them to hurry. Danny jumped in first and Steve took the seat next to him. Jake slid the van door closed as Eun Mi sped off, gravel flying.
"What the hell were you guys doing?" Jake scolded.
Steve and Danny looked at each other, but neither one said a word. A big grin slowly spread across Danny's face and he cupped the back of Steve's neck, squeezing it and shaking him, until he smiled too.
"We did it," Steve said, still a little in shock over the last fifteen minutes.
"You did it," Danny corrected him, patting him on the shoulder, "it's been a long road, buddy. I guess persistence pays off."
Steve huffed, "That and having a great team," He turned in his seat so he could see everyone. "You guys were like the Magnificent Five down there! I don't know why I was so worried about you."
"Because you're Steve McGarrett," Danny teased, "fierce Shepard that needs to lead his flock and not watch them from the hill."
"It's a good thing that I was in the right place at the right time though."
Chin acknowledged him with a fist bump, "Because you're a bad ass and you know your place."
"Ninja in disguise," Kono added, giving him a high five.
"The Shepard always slays the big bad wolf," Jake chimed in.
"Superman in sweat pants," Kyung blurted out, feeling the camaraderie.
The van erupted in laughter as the tension eased. They had made a clean get away.
"Let's just hope I can get the girl too," Steve said uneasily, "I have some serious groveling to do when I get back." He thought of Lexi and let it soak in that for the first time since knowing her, there was no threat for her safety. He didn't have to look over his shoulder anymore, they were finally free. He felt an overwhelming sense of peace overcome him and he slouched in the seat letting his head lay back. He felt like a thousand pound weight had just been lifted off his chest.
The photo was still in his hand and he spread it out on his leg and held it up, looking at the grotesque picture, but he was surprised he didn't feel angry anymore, he only felt relieved. He swore to himself at that second that he would never put anything before Lexi or his family ever again.