Shortly before daybreak, Steve stood on the helicopter pad at the Coast Guard station. A small Coast Guard cutter had already left filled with Chin, Lori, Officer Robertson, a handful of HPD SWAT officers, Karen and Dr. Malia Kelly on board. When Chin had asked his wife about accompanying them in case she was needed to help Danny, she joked about being Five-O's personal doctor. When Chin didn't laugh but kissed her and told her to get some supplies, she realised that when she married him that was precisely what she had become.

When working out the rescue with the Coast Guard, it had been decided that the cutter would leave with the bulk of the rescue force while Steve and Kono would leave a little later in a helicopter. The cutter could sneak up on Cooper's boat in the early morning dark, but the helicopter would be heard before it was close enough to effect a rescue so Steve waited. Steve was not good at waiting.

"Hey, Boss," Kono approached with her sniper rifle slung over her shoulder. "Almost time."

Steve nodded and attempted a smile. His gaze returned to the ocean where the first hint of color was starting to seep into the sky. His eyes scanned the skies as he spied some clouds building as well, "When is that storm front expected to hit?"

"They're still saying mid-morning," the life-long surfer looked at the waves and shrugged. "I don't think it's going to wait that long. Looks like the waves are starting to break harder."

Steve nodded, "That's what I was thinking. We have to get this bird in the sky before the pilot grounds us due to weather. That is NOT an option today."

Kono nodded. She was almost as anxious to get moving and find their teammate and friend. She was about to ask if he wanted her to go find the pilot when she noticed two Coast Guard figures coming their way.

"Commander McGarrett, I'm Captain Lewis and this is Captain Smith," he shook Steve's hand. "We're going to take you out to find your man."

Steve nodded crisply and hopped in the back of the helicopter with Kono. They adjusted their headphones and clipped their safety lines to the rings next to their open side doors while the two pilots prepared the chopper for takeoff.

"You guys set?" Captain Lewis asked.

"We're ready," Steve informed him.

"Good. Let's go. We're not liking the looks of that storm that's building."

Steve nodded, "I know, but we have to get our man."

Captain Lewis glanced over his shoulder, "I'm not ending this unless absolutely necessary and that won't be before we get you to your man."

Steve smiled at the man gratefully, "You help me find him, and I'll swim back if I have to."

"I don't think it will come to that," Lewis shook his head.

Steve adjusted his kevlar vest and gripped the bar by the open door tightly as he peered out over the water hoping and praying they'd get to his partner, his friend, in time.

Kono keyed her mic, "Hey, Chin, you out there?"

"Right here, Cuz."

"We just took off. Any sign of them?"

"None yet, but we just got to the start of our search perimeter. We'll keep you updated. Stay safe."

"No worries, Cuz."

Steve listened to the quick exchange between the cousins and was grateful, not for the first time, of his team. Now, they just had to get Danny back and make the team complete once again.

Several minutes passed in relative silence considering they were in a helicopter before Captain Lewis informed them they were over the start of their own search coordinates.

"Kono, any luck narrowing down that position?" Steve pointed at the pad she was using to track the video signal.

"Nothing yet, Boss." Kono's eyes darted from the pad to the open expanse of ocean.

"Not to alarm anyone," Lewis chimed in over the headset. "But winds are picking up and that storm is moving in fast. HQ is reporting lightning in the area and are threatening to pull us back in."

"We need more time," Steve urged. "We're close. I can feel it."

Lewis nodded, "No worries, Commander."

Chin's voice broke through Kono and Steve's headset, "We've got movement on Danny."

Kono quickly switched views on her pad and brought up the still transmitting video feed. Steve leaned over Kono's shoulder to see what was going on.

"We have to be close," Steve realized as he watched Cooper rush towards Danny and quickly undo the restraints, freeing him from the pole. "He's heard us coming. We have to find him. Now!"

Steve turned to look back out his door, straining his eyes to catch any glimpse of a boat that contained his partner.

"We just lost video feed," Kono informed him. "Cooper knocked it over when he went by with Danny."

Steve nodded without turning around. "He's probably taking him topside."

It was Kono's turn to nod, "He had a knife on him, Boss."

Steve turned and looked at her and gave her a curt nod as she readied her sniper rifle and then turned back to searching.

"There!" Captain Smith pointed. "I saw something at 3:00."

Without a word Captain Lewis banked the helicopter to check out what Smith had spotted.

Steve leaned over to get a better look. Pretty soon, they were close enough to see the figures on the boat, "That's him! Kono, you ready?"

"Ready, Boss," Kono calmly hefted her sniper rifle.

"Don't take the shot unless you get a really clear shot. With these winds and the chopper downdraft, it's going to affect the shot."

Kono nodded, "Gotcha." She knew her boss had confidence in her, but right now all he could do was give orders - even unnecessary ones she already knew.

"Chin, how far out are you?"

"Captain says seven minutes."

Steve hoped they had that long as he watched Cooper push Danny across the deck. Danny was limping heavily and not moving well. His hands were still secured behind his back and Cooper had an arm looped around the detective's neck while the other hand held a large knife to his neck. If not for Cooper supporting him, Steve was pretty sure Danny would collapse.

Lewis brought the helicopter closer to the boat and around so Kono's side was facing the boat. Kono was kneeling at the edge of the door with the sniper rifle aimed towards the boat.

"Kono?" Steve asked.

"No shot yet, Boss. That boat is sure getting tossed in these waves. Danny's going to have to be well clear for me to get a shot."

Steve grimaced. He'd been afraid of that. "If Danny gets clear, you take the shot. Got it? We can't let him run."

"Right, Boss."

Steve watched as Cooper started to walk backwards, dragging Danny with him. He was waving the knife and shouting though no one could hear him over the helicopter noise and thunder from the approaching storm. Steve noticed that Danny's face was pinched with pain but he could see his eyes roaming the area to see if there was anything he could do.

"Steve, we're five minutes out." Chin's voice came over his earpiece. "What's going on?"

Steve didn't answer Chin. He was watching Cooper drag Danny and finally realized what was going on. "Damn! Get us as close as you can." Steve ordered as he threw off his vest and started to undo his shoes.

"Boss, what are you doing?" Kono asked. "You're not..."

"He's going to throw him overboard," Steve said as his gun and badge joined the pile of discarded clothes. "Kono, you take that shot as soon as you have it. Chin, make sure you guys have a life boat ready for us.

"Are you nuts?" Captain Smith wondered from the front of the chopper. "You can't jump out of a helicopter into these waters."

"You're gonna what?" Chin's voice was shrill in Steve's ear.

"Chin, just make sure you get that boat here." Steve ordered.

"I can't let you do this." Smith turned and looked at Steve.

Steve returned the Coast Guard officer's gaze. "This is the only way. I've done this before. Get me closer."

"Be careful, Brah. We got your back."

Steve removed his earpiece and watched as Cooper succeeded in dragging Danny to the back of the boat and to the edge. Danny struggled but after two days of physical abuse and no nourishment, he was no match for Cooper, especially when Cooper knocked him upside the head with the hilt of the knife. It was enough to stagger Danny and before anyone could do anything, he was heaved over the side of the boat and into the turbulent water.

Steve didn't hesitate as he watched his partner tossed overboard and very calmly stepped out of the helicopter and dropped into the ocean below. As he fell, he heard the crack of Kono's rifle.

"Well, damn," Lewis muttered, "I didn't think he was serious about swimming back."

When Steve's head broke the surface, he drew in a deep breath and searched for his partner. The waves were getting stronger and light rain was starting to fall, making visibility difficult. After what seemed like an eternity, he caught a flash of white and started swimming towards it.

When Danny hit the water, he had to fight down a surge of panic. The shock of the salt water on his injuries helped clear his head even as the pain increased. As he managed to roll onto his back and attempt to stay afloat, he could have sworn he saw someone jump out of the hovering helicopter. He didn't take the time to contemplate it as all his energy went into keeping his head above water and keeping himself from sinking beneath the waves while his hands were still secured behind his back.

Steve kept his eye on his target as he swam. Thankfully, he was going with the current rather than fighting the rough waves and it took him just under a minute to reach Danny. It was perfect timing as Danny started to sink under the water just as Steve reached him. Steve grabbed his partner and got an arm around him to support him. He leaned in so he could talk into Danny's ear, "I gotcha, Partner. Just let me do all the work. You're okay."

Danny opened his mouth to respond but got a mouthful of saltwater instead. He settled for nodding and relaxing into his partner. He was too exhausted and sore to do anything else.

Steve realized they were drifting away from the boat which would make it difficult for Chin and the others to find them so he tightened his grip on Danny and started to steer them back to the boat. He grabbed a hold of the ladder on the aft of the boat and looped an arm around a rung to keep them in place. He didn't want to drag Danny back on board if Cooper was still a threat.

Kono barely registered Steve's departure from the helicopter. She hesitated to shoot Cooper as he threw Danny overboard, but as soon as he straightened she took the shot. She meant it to incapacitate not to kill, but it was hard to tell where her shot hit as the helicopter was buffeted by the wind just as she squeezed the trigger.

"Whoa," Lewis exclaimed from the front. "We're gonna have to head back to base. We're not going to be able to keep this bird in the air much longer with winds like this and that lightning is getting worse. Sorry."

"Can you drop me off on the other boat?" Kono wondered with urgency in her voice. "I have to help my team."

Lewis and Smith exchanged glances, "We can try to get you close enough to our boat. That will be easier than trying to get you on this one, and they'll be others there to help you."

"Let's do it." Kono decided. She could see the Coast Guard cutter approaching and could see activity on the deck as they prepped a lifeboat.

Chin watched as the helicopter approached and saw Kono in the open door. He saw her unhook her lifeline and knew she was going to be joining them. He motioned for the nearby officers to look sharp and watched as the helicopter hovered as close as it dared and she jumped off. He shook his head at his cousin as she regained her feet and waved at the helicopter which promptly headed towards shore.

Kono looked around and soon found Chin. "Hey, Steve's in the water with Danny. Last I saw they were swimming towards the boat."

Chin nodded, "Captain says we'll be there in three minutes. What's the status on Cooper? Any idea?"

"I took a shot after he threw Danny over," Kono shook her head. "But I don't know where I hit him. The helicopter got jostled and I didn't see the shot hit home."

Chin nodded, "I'll take a couple of the SWAT guys with me in the boat to get Steve and Danny just in case. We'll have to board and secure the boat anyway. It hasn't gone anywhere so I'm betting you got him."

One of the Coast Guard crew came over and motioned towards the life boat, "We're ready to go when you are."

Chin motioned for three SWAT officers to join him as they boarded the life boat and started towards the other boat and the Five-O pair hanging on to the back.

Kono and the rest of the SWAT officers along with Officer Robertson, took up position at the front of the cutter, weapons ready.

Steve readjusted his grip on both the ladder and his partner. "Hang on, Danny. Help is on the way." When Danny didn't respond, Steve tried to get a better look at his partner. "Danny? Can you hear me? Danno?"

Danny jerked and slid a little in Steve's arms. His head briefly ducked under water before Steve hauled him up so his head was resting on Steve's shoulder. Danny coughed and moaned as the movement caused a fresh wave of pain throughout his body.

"Sorry, Danno," Steve soothed. "Hang in there. Chin's coming. He's going to get us out of here. Just hang on." Steve hoped it wouldn't take long; he was wearing out quickly fighting the waves and supporting his partner, but giving up was not an option so he continued to hold on and wait for his backup.

As the Coast Guard rescue boat came alongside Cooper's boat, the pilot gently steered it in front of Steve and Danny. Chin quickly tied the two vessels together. Two SWAT members focused their weapons on the hostile boat while Chin and the other SWAT member leaned down and gently lifted Danny into the boat. They then helped Steve into the boat before the SWAT team carefully climbed up the ladder and onto the boat.

Chin leaned over his friends, "Steve, you okay? Danny, how you doing, Brah?"

Steve nodded and moved to kneel next to Danny. "Hey, Babe, how you doing?"

Danny opened his eyes and looked at his two friends. He gave them an exhausted smile, "Better now."

Chin squeezed his shoulder, "Sure you are." Chin put a hand to his ear and nodded. "Copy that. You guys okay to bring that boat in?" He nodded and turned to Steve, "SWAT just checked in. Cooper's dead. They're going to bring that boat in. Let's go get Danny to Malia and Karen."

As the rescue boat turned to return them to the Coast Guard cutter, Chin took a look at Danny's hands still bound behind his back. He shook his head and dug in his pocket for his handcuff keys. "Hang on, Brah, let me get these."

Danny hissed as Chin unlocked the cuffs. His shoulders screamed in pain as he moved his hands in front of him for the first time in two days. The handcuffs had bitten so deep into the flesh on his wrists that Chin was afraid to totally take them off. "Let's wait until Malia can take a look at those."

Steve's eyes hardened as he saw his partner's wrists and started to size up his injuries. He wanted to punch something and without realizing it, his hand balled into a fist. He felt a hand close around his own and he looked down to see his partner staring at him.

"Do I look that bad?" Danny tried to smile.

Steve took a moment to consider his response and then went with a teasing, but truthful, "You look like hell."

"Good. I'd hate to feel this bad and no one noticed."

Chin put a hand on his shoulder, "We got you now. Malia is going to do what she can while we're on our way back to shore."

Danny nodded and closed his eyes while they made their way back to the cutter. Several minutes later, he was being carried on a stretcher down to the very small first aid station.

Whew! We finally got Danny back.

I live in the Midwest so I'm about as land-locked as you can get it so I don't know surfing, boats or weather patterns in Hawaii. Hopefully, what I've written is believable and not glarinly wrong. Hopefully I'm not asking you to suspend belief any more than the show asks us to do on a weekly basis...