Chapter 13- tying up loose ends
Steve Mc Garrett was surprised when his cell door was opened and Addison approached with a smile. "Steve your colleagues have arrested the man who was really responsible for Detective Crocker's injuries. He in turn has informed on his accomplice and provided enough evidence to put you in the clear", Addison remarked in satisfaction.
"Thank you", Steve sighed. Addison nodded, "not everything is good news though", he continued, "it looks like the main perpetrator has gotten away".
Steve nodded soberly, it was a bittersweet victory .
Strolling out of his cell Steve was greeted with many handshakes and "welcome backs".
He noted the absence of any 5-0 staff but assumed they were busy trying to stop the flight of the perpetrator. "Can I get a lift to 5-0 HQ", he asked one officer. It was time for him to get his team back and go back to work. When he thought of his team he thought of Danno. That was another bittersweet moment, he may be back, but Danny would probably leave for New York with Lt Kojak.
Trying not to think about that too much Steve climbed into the patrol car and began his journey back to 5-0.
Danny was busy trying answering calls about the whereabouts of Lisa James.
Although he received many 'possible sightings' nobody seemed to have a clear idea of where she'd gone. As time went by without this definite answer Danny feared that Lisa might have found a way off the island.
He was about to re ring the airport when the trilling of the phone interrupted him yet again. "Williams", he answered. "Danny, I have her", came the familiar voice of Aaron Crocker. Danny began to get excited, "good, why don't you….", "I will deal with her Danny", Aaron interrupted smoothly. "She thought I was just another man to con, but will find out how wrong she is"." I will inform the other services that she is in federal custody and that will save you making any type of explanation. Don't you worry Danny, I make sure she gets what she deserves for her part in hurting Bobby", his voice sounded grim and actually chilled Danny. "You won't take the law into your own hands", Danny asked." I'll do what must be done Danny, don't interfere", he hung up leaving Danny speechless. He really should do something about that call as he had this feeling Aaron was going to do something unpleasant to Ms James. However he couldn't exactly do anything against the feds. So he decided to leave it alone.
He could reassure Bobby that justice would be done. With that in mind he left the office telling others what he'd just heard and where he was going. He just missed Steve Mc Garrett arriving.
Chin and Kono gave Steve warm handshakes and even Theo Kojak ventured a small smile but once again there was no Danny.
"Where's Danno", Steve asked. "He went to the hospital Steve, he's gone to tell Crocker that Lisa James is in federal custody", Chin reported. "Federal custody, I never even knew the feds were interested in this", Steve mused. Chin shrugged, I guess there must be some reason", he stated. "Do we know why Lisa James did these things" Steve asked. Chin was about to reply "no' when Jenny entered with a piece of paper and handed it to Steve. He read the details, "It seems Lisa James is related to Polly Jenkins", Steve told the others. Chin and Kono looked somber, why did the good guys always seem to have to pay a heavy price for dealing with law breakers.
"Well I guess I'll be booking a flight back to New York", Theo Kojak remarked.
"For you and Danny", Steve stated somewhat angrily
Theo looked at Steve, "he's a good officer and will be an asset to my team."
Steve gritted his teeth, and scowled. Theo looked unfazed, "Perhaps you need to sort things out with him before he leaves", he suggested bluntly.
"Right I'll be at the hospital", Steve told everyone before storming off.
Theo Kojak looked at Kono and Chin Ho. "Lets hope those two sort out their differences", he told them
Chin and Kono glanced at each other both feeling that it may be extremely difficult for Danny and Steve to repair their tattered friendship.
At the hospital Danny told Bobby about the phone call from his father. Bobby looked surprised, "do you think he'll kill her", he asked his brother worriedly. "I fear that is a strong possibility ", Danny remarked. "I thought about reporting him, but I'm not even sure who to speak to". Bobby was quiet a few minutes,"I'll call him see if I can convince him to let Lisa James stand trial". Danny nodded, he wasn't going stop Bobby doing that, he just had doubts he'd be successful.
Feeling he really should not say any more Danny redirected the conversation, "I guess you'll be looking forward to going home."
Bobby didn't say anything and Danny began to get worried about the silence.
"Is something wrong", he quickly asked. "Not exactly Danny", Bobby replied hurriedly." It's just that I'm facing a long road of recovery. I won't be bouncing back to work quickly , it'll be a process of physical and emotional therapy." Doc Bergman is a little worried about me travelling at the moment and thinks it would be better if I start this process in Hawaii. Liz and I talked about this and have agreed to stay here for a least a couple of months".
Danny had never suspected Bobby would stay in Hawaii. He know found himself facing a dilemma as he'd been counting on the fact he wouldn't have to work for Steve for too much longer. "I guess I can delay my transfer ", Danny mused quickly not wanting to upset Bobby with his own problems. Bobby smiled warmly at him, "oh by they way", Bobby continued," Liz and I have a dinner planned on Saturday to thank everyone for their support. We expect you to be there".
Danny nodded but knew he'd have to ask Steve before he could go.
He hoped the 5-0 boss would agree. Just then the subject of his thoughts walked in. Steve seemed a little uncertain as he approached. "Good to see you looking so well", he said to Bobby. Bobby smiled slightly but kept his eyes on Danny who appeared tense. "I just came to tell you both that we've found the motive for the stabbing', Steve told them. He went on to explain to them both.
Danny and Bobby both looked bleak and didn't make any comment. Steve figured it might take them awhile to absorb and understand Lisa's motives.
"Well I dearsay the federal agency will contact you both in due course to get your statements about the case. I can't really understand why they got involved but perhaps Ms James has other outstanding warrants that get precedence."
Danny didn't dare make any comment and Bobby was also silent.
Steve eyed the two of them thinking for a couple of seconds that they both knew something about the federal involvement and weren't going to say anything. He was about to put the pressure on when he stopped himself. It was being suspicious of Bobby that had got him into this mess. So Steve decided to take the wiser course and say nothing.
"Danno I'll give you some time to get your things together for the move to New York", Steve said instead. Bobby stared at Danny who was silent. Seeing Danny's worried look Steve asked "Is there a problem". Danny still said nothing and it was Bobby who told Steve he had to stay in Hawaii for awhile. Steve looked at his second,
"Danno if you are planning to stay with 5-0 longer then we need to have a talk", he said seriously.'
Danny didn't look happy at the prospect but nodded. "I'll leave you both then, we'll have a chat when you return to the office", Steve told Danny. Both of them watched him walk away.
Bobby studied his brother for awhile, "things seem a little tense between you and Mc Garrett", he observed softly. Danny nodded, "this case showed me a side of Steve I didn't like. I'm not really sure that I can continue to work with him for even a short while longer, he explained. Bobby took a deep breath and said, "he said something indiscrete about me, and you found out". Danny's mouth dropped open, "how'd you know", he asked. "Even when you're unconscious you can hear Danny and Mc Garrett's comments were part of my guard's gossip", Bobby remarked quite calmly
Danny frowned at Bobby's tone, "aren't you angry", he asked in astonishment.
Bobby looked seriously at his brother, "I might have been Danny. But think clearly about this case. Lisa James tried to hurt the three of us, not just you and me. Why did she do that Danny", Bobby asked. "It was because she thought there was a bond between us and she wanted to destroy all parts of that bond. If you walk away from 5-0 now feeling angry about one stupid comment then she has partly succeeded", Bobby's voice held a passion that surprised Danny. It also made him think.
Steve was also thinking as he walked down the hospital corridor. He was thinking about what he was going to say to Danno and wondering if he could possibly repair not only their working relationship but their friendship. The thoughts distracted him so much that he bumped into Doc Bergman. The Doc looked at Steve seriously, "I don't think I've ever seen you looking so bleak Steve. I thought the case was over," Bergman remarked. "It is over Doc but left behind is this rift between Danny and I. Because you said Crocker can't travel for awhile, Danny may stay longer with 5-0. But he can barely even speak to me and that is going to create a problem. I'm not sure what to do", Steve remarked stunned a little by his own admission. Doc was staring, "what do you mean Crocker has to stay, he asked." I told him he'd be okay to fly in about 1 week. He's made a remarkable recovery", doc stated with a smile.
Now Steve frowned, "why would Crocker tell Danny he can't travel", he mused.
Doc shrugged, "you'll have to ask him that one", he stated
Steve looked reflective, "I think I'll do just that", he decided.
Steve hid quietly a short distance from Bobby's room and waited until Danny had said goodbye and walked down the corridor. Then Steve opened the door and went to Bobby's bed side. He looked rather surprised. "I came to ask why you lied to Danny about not being able to leave for awhile", Steve asked. Bobby looked directly at him, "It was a way to force him to sort things out with you", Bobby replied. Steve's mouth hung slightly open. "Why would you do that", he remarked, "I thought you'd be happy that Danny is coming to live in New York and want to leave straight away."
Bobby held Steve's gaze, "he doesn't talk much about you", Bobby stated quietly, "but I know he has not only a great respect for you as a boss but a friendship as well.
Things changed when he found out I was his brother and I'm sorry about that. He desperately wanted the three of us to get on. I think things started to go wrong when he realized that wasn't possible. But things are quite irreparable yet. I guess I'm giving you both a chance to put things right. If it doesn't work, then I'd be sorry."
Steve found himself sinking onto Bobby's bed and looking at him with new eyes, "I was wrong about you", he told Bobby. "Maybe you should tell Danny that", Bobby remarked slowly. Steve smiled, "I will and thank you". Bobby smiled now, "I do have one little favour to ask in return", Bobby stated. Steve's eyebrows lifted but he started to smile when Bobby told him what the favour was, "I think I can manage that Bobby and don't worry I won't give the secret away."
Bobby smiled wider, "I know I can rely on you", he said confidently.
Steve thought there was a double meaning in there.
1 hour later Danny sat in the familiar chair behind Steve's desk. Usually though he looked comfortable, today he looked stiff and awkward.
The others had all exited Steve's office quickly when he'd requested this private meeting with Danny. He knew they were all hoping for the best outcome.
Steve settled his thoughts, "I believe I apologized once for my words about Bobby Danny and I can only sincerely say once more that I had a totally selfish moment.
I never realized what a good person Bobby actually was, just let jealousy cloud my thoughts. I want the opportunity to start again with both of you. But if you can't forgive me and trust me again, then I think you have to consider working somewhere else until Bobby is ready to return to New York", Steve rushed on hurriedly.
Danny sat for awhile not saying much but thinking about many different things. If Bobby felt able to forgive Steve then surely he should also.
"Bobby said that Lisa James wanted to break the bond we have and that if I walked away now she's won", Danny told Steve. Steve nodded feeling grateful once again for Bobby's wisdom. "I guess he's right. It just hurt so much that you couldn't get on with Bobby," Danny said honestly. "I didn't know him Danny but would like the opportunity to change that. I can see a glimpse of someone who would have made a supportive co worker. I know Theo Kojak has a lot of praise for Bobby. It's taken me all this time to see why.
"I'm not saying that I expect you to change you mind and stay here fulltime just that I don't ever want us to part as anything less than friends and that also includes Bobby."
Steve wound down his speech, he'd never felt so vulnerable saying such emotive words. But perhaps if he'd opened up long ago none of this would have happened. He waited quietly for Danny to say something.
Danny stood up and held out his hand. Steve grabbed it and held it. He didn't shake but pulled Danny forward and gave him a brief hug.
Danny was smiling as he pulled away. "Let's get back to work Steve", he said to his boss. Steve's grin lit up the room. "you said it bruddah, invite the others in and we'll plan out our day". Danny nodded and walked to the door, he decided to say nothing about Saturday, he wasn't going to break the new found warmth between him and Steve by asking for a day off.
However once the others were seated and Steve began to issue orders Danny found himself being excluded from the weekends activities. "What do I get to do Steve', Danny asked tentatively as his boss issued commands. "Go to your brothers dinner and have a good time", Steve stated with a slow smile. "You deserve it after all your hard work". Danny smiled back.
Saturday rolled around quickly and Danny dressed in his best suit and drove in his mustang to the location he'd been told .
He entered a beautifully decorated restaurant with the outer doors open toward the beach. Slow music was playing. Danny hadn't realized things were to be this fancy and began to feel he was under dressed. When Bobby greeted him minutes later dressed in a tuxedo the feeling intensified. "You didn't say it was a fancy event', Danny protested. Bobby grinned a really soppy grin and said "Liz deserves to see me looking good on our wedding day". Danny started, "what", he remarked stunned.
"Liz and I are getting married today Danny". We decided that since all the family and friends are here why not go ahead and do it. "Bobby handed over two rings, "now are you going to be a good best man and hold me up". Danny grinned, "it would be my honour", he said simply. "I brought a tux for you", Bobby nodded toward the outer room and Danny hurried off to get changed.
What followed was a beautiful ceremony that brought tears to the eyes of everyone present even the tough Theo Kojak. Danny was amazed that the family had come together so well. Clara and Harriet Crocker mingled together and seemed relaxed in each others company. After the ceremony concluded Danny decided to be the first to give his sister in law a congratulory kiss.
"Welcome to the family", he told Liz fondly, kissing her cheek. "Thank you Danny", Liz replied giving him an extra hug. danny noted Liz was alone and looked around for his seemingly absent brother.
At first he could see no sign then behind some bushes he caught sight of Bobby talking to an older man. He saw the hug they exchanged before parting. Minutes later Bobby joined him. "Was that who I think it was", Danny asked. "Yeah it was dad", Bobby replied. "He said Lisa James is pleading guilty so none of us have to rehash event for any trial". I think that was his wedding present."
Danny thought it was a good present as none of them particularly wanted to go over recent events. From now on all he wanted to do was a Bobby had said not too long ago "live happily ever after 'with friends and family by his side.
The END