This story has given me fits for months. It's huge and complicated, so many oars in the water. Or so it seems to me, the weaver of this tale. I have pages of handwritten sections yet to be typed, tons of notes. The muse fizzled because the Doubt Monster reared its ugly head. Is this good enough? There's tons of stories out there already...what does this have to offer? Many of you are probably, sadly familiar with the madness of second guessing. This chapter and the rest of the story are dedicated to all of you. Readers and Writers alike. Enjoy!
/././
"Hey, hey." Danny appeared out of nowhere. He limped toward them, raising his voice. "That's enough. This isn't helping."
No response from either man. The shoving match continued.
Then he reminded them. "Come on, my baby is in there. She's already scared to death."
His precious cargo had been safely secured, but was most likely sucking up every word, watching every action. She didn't need to see her uncles behaving like schoolyard thugs. This fact, however, was not getting through their thick skulls.
Steve gave Chin another push. Hard. Chin set his stance, and for a moment, it looked like he might just launch himself at his boss.
Though they were both aware of the fact that they needed to shut this shit down, they were still under an adrenaline fueled spell. Both of them zeroed in on the other, ready for a fight. Almost begging after it. Longing for the release. They were like wild dogs circling each other.
"Yo! Morons!"
Danny placed himself between the two men and gave each of them a look which stated in no uncertain terms that whatever was going on between them was over. He wasn't sure how long he could hold his ground, but he hoped he'd get his point across before more blood was shed. Chin recovered first, putting space between him and Steve.
Ignoring his partner for a second, Danny focused on Chin. He needed to assess the situation, and he knew from the murderous look on Steve's face that he would be of no help. They needed the entire team to pull off the rescue.
"Chin babe, are you the only one here?"
"Yes." Chin answered. "Lou should join us soon. He needed to secure Renee and the kids."
"That's smart." Danny shot a quick glance toward the house. He really wished he had a better plan for Grace. Having her this close to the action drove him nuts. Her presence was a definite distraction. He worried about her safety and maybe a small part of him wondered what she'd think of him after this was all over. Would she forgive him? Would she think less of him? He shook off those thoughts best as he could. "It's gonna be a long night."
"The sun hasn't even gone down, Danny." The sarcasm in Steve's voice softened the mood ever so slightly.
"No shit. Thank you for joining the conversation, big guy." He smacked Steve's back, eyeing his friend's arm again. Making note of blotches of blood curling down the torn shirt sleeve like tentacles. He'd deal with that in a minute.
Chin folded his arms over his chest and sighed. "So, what's the plan?"
Danny shot Steve a quick glance. Hell if he knew. Wait for the call. Set the meet. Go get the money. Rescue Kono. Take down Kipton. Was there an actual plan? No.
The SEAL straightened and another compartment slid shut. "We take whatever we need, and we make the switch. Weapons. Ammo. Grab the money tonight. Then we get Kono. And we end this thing once and for all."
"You know it won't be that simple, Steve." Chin was not convinced.
"I know. I don't care. We're ending this. The money for Kono. If they want to bring more to the table, that's up to them. We'll be ready for war."
/././
Danny pulled Steve aside once Chin stepped away to make some phone calls. They had a few favors to cash in.
"Hey, you're bleeding again."
"Just a scratch." Steve shrugged off his friend's concern. "Let me finish this text."
"Who are you texting, babe? Aren't you worried about-"
"No, these guys aren't that smart. No one is tracking our phones."
"What about Doris?"
"I don't give a shit about her. She didn't take Kono."
Danny nodded. He wasn't sure about anything, but he trusted his best friend. Except where his health and well being was concerned.
And Steve could read his partner's mind. "I said I was fine. Stop looking at me like that."
"I can look at you however I like." Danny growled at Steve. "Stop being a baby and let me check your arm."
He turned without another word so his partner could examine him. May as well get it over with. Danny carefully rolled up Steve's sleeve, hissing as the fabric caught the dried blood. The wound wasn't deep, more likely the result of a ricochet rather than a defined graze.
Steve remained stoic, letting Danny do the emotional work. He didn't have room in his head to worry about such a superficial injury.
"See? I told you. It's nothing."
"You need to get cleaned up. At least put a bandage on it, so you stop leaking all over the place."
"I'm not worried about me. I - we - need to find Kono."
Danny closed his eyes and nodded. He'd been trying to focus on what was in front of him while they waited on the phone call. He couldn't dwell on Kono now. Because then he'd fall into the guilt. He'd get so wrapped up that he'd be no good to anyone.
This was all his fault. Not Steve's fault. Chin had been wrong on that one. If Danny had been a better brother to Matt all those years ago, this wouldn't have happened.
"Hey." Steve's light touch startled him and he dumped the first aid kit on the floor. "You okay?"
"Yea, I'm fine. Just need a second."
"Let me get this." Steve knelt beside him, gathering the assorted bandages, gauze and tape. It was tough to miss the unsteady gaze of his partner. "Now who's the liar, huh Danny?"
"Seriously, I'm okay. Besides a few new bruises courtesy of Doris." He winced. "Sorry I didn't mean to-"
Steve held up his hand, cutting off his friend. "I'll have Max check you out."
"Max?"
"Yea, he's coming over to help watch Gracie."
"Watch - what? When did this happen?"
"I just shot him a text." Steve pointed to his phone on the table. "We have to get the money."
"Yes, I know that, Sherlock."
"Someone needs to watch Gracie."
"Yea, right, okay. I didn't think about-"
"Leaving Grace again?" Steve gave Danny's shoulder a squeeze.
"Yea."
A half grin and a nudge. "Don't worry. Jerry's coming, too."
Danny laughed at the mention of Jerry. "Don't color me impressed. You think Lou can handle all of them?"
"They'll be fine." Steve cleared his throat. "Kipton and his men won't make a move tonight. They want the money."
"What about Doris? Or the others she keeps talking about?"
"I don't think there are others, Danny. And she won't harm Grace."
"She drugged you-"
"Don't remind me." He gave Danny a quick pat on the back. "Grace is different. Doris won't hurt her."
/././
A special thank you to Tracey450 for pushing me to work on this story. You definitely can reach me from across the ocean.