A/N: Well, here goes. A little romance/comfort/friendship and a little torture. What a combination!
Chpt 6: Dead End
"Okay, thank you," Kono said and hung up her phone.
"That's not a happy face," Danny commented. They were all gathered in Steve's office waiting on the results of Kono's search.
"No, it isn't. Will Aronson was a cash only employee. No address, no phone number. Auto Mart owner sent me to the manager. He said Aronson was a good employee, kept mostly to himself. Came to work on time everyday. Never caused any trouble."
"You said he was a good employee?" Lori asked, already certain as to what that meant.
"Yeah," Kono sighed. "He stopped coming to work six weeks ago."
"He would have known the warehouse was going out of business. He would have known too about the engine block hook in the back," Steve conjectured.
"The perfect place for him to do his dirty work," Danny said.
Steve caught the quiver in Lori's lip before she silently turned away from the group toward the window overlooking the parking lot.
"All right," Steve said and clapped his hands in front of him. "Let's get out of here. Everybody get some rest and we'll start fresh in the morning".
One by one, the team trickled out of Steve's office, each one somber with disappointment. When the room cleared, Steve moved quickly to Lori. She stood at the window, arms crossed over her chest, staring at nothing. He reached for her tentatively, placing his hands lightly on her arms. This time, surprising them both, she didn't stiffen under his touch. Encouraged, he gently ran his hands up and down her arms offering her much needed comfort. "I'm sorry," he whispered.
Lori closed her eyes and leaned back into his touch. Steve reached across and cupped her chin in his hand. Turning her toward him, he caught a tear with his thumb and gently wiped it away. She shook her head trying desperately to hold back the tears. Steve pulled her to his chest and she collapsed against him finally letting go. He held her wordlessly, stroking her hair while she cried. Tears gave way to exhaustion and she pulled back from him while she still had the will to do so. Unwavering, Steve lowered his hands to hers, but he didn't let go.
Lori opened her mouth to speak, an apology on her lips, but hesitated. Something in his eyes made it suddenly hard to breath. He gently tucked a stray hair behind her ear letting his hand come to rest on her neck. He slipped his other hand around her waist and his eyes flicked to her lips. He leaned closer and felt her shutter in his arms. His eyes drifted back to hers. They beckoned him closer. His lips parted as he closed the distance between them.
"Hey Steve, what do you want me to... Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean..."
"You didn't," Lori said as she skirted around Steve. She gathered her keys and her notebook from the table. "Thank you for the help," she said quietly, eyes trained on her belongings. She steadied herself with a deep, cleansing breath before speaking again. "I'll see you tomorrow." Cheeks flushed, she headed for the door.
Reluctantly, Danny faced Steve. He looked murderous. "I... I, um," was all he managed. He pointed toward the empty hallway. "I'm sorry. I didn't know..."
"Don't"
"What? I didn't mean to interrupt, I just."
"It's fine," Steve assured him with a sigh.
"It looked like the two of you were getting pretty close," Danny ventured.
"Yeah, we were until somebody came barreling around the corner."
"I said I was sorry."
"I heard you."
"So you think the two of you might try to make a go of things?"
"I don't know. This case has her pretty torn up. I may have just overstepped my boundaries."
"Um, I don't think so. I've seen the way she looks at you. She's fighting it, but she's still got a thing for you. Just be there for her. Everything else will work itself out."
H5O
8AM, Lori pulled into the parking lot of the federal building after a much needed good night's rest. The big blue Chevy caught her eye while the man leaning against it stole her breath. She felt that familiar flutter low in her gut. It had been well over a year since any man had stirred those butterflies. A year and a half worth of work burying those feelings was gone in less time than it takes to carry on a decent conversation. Just seeing him again was enough to set her down that road once again. Somehow though, things were different this time. She found herself doing less pining and more hoping. And after what happened last night, more contemplating. They had been mere centimeters from a first kiss. On her way home, she had wondered if their closeness was a product of Steve's need to protect and comfort or if they were truly moving toward something she had so longed for, not all that long ago. Now here he was walking toward her in her parking lot, a smile on his face and a coffee in each hand. She tried to temper her smile when she met his eyes, but it was no use. She was happy to see him. Steve stopped an arm length in front of her and held out a cup.
"Thank you," she said sincerely, but questions played across her face.
"I just wanted to make sure you were okay."
"I'm good, thanks," she said.
"How did you sleep?"
"Like a rock."
"We still on for tonight?"
"I'm game if you are," she challenged.
Steve chuckled, glad to see her back in fighting form. "I'll see you tonight, then."
He paused before turning away, holding her gaze a touch longer than was necessary. She watched him walk away hoping that extra swagger in his step was her doing.
H5O
Lori walked into the war room and flipped on the lights. She cleared a space on the dry erase board and added her new discoveries along with a to do list.
Black Ford Taurus: check registrations
Scranton B&E's : call Detective of record
University of Scranton: Talk to profs in chem. eng & computer tech
University Police: Markus Aaron Williams
Inciting Event: WHAT SET HIM OFF?
She looked at her watch. "9AM here. That means it's already 3PM in Scranton," she thought. She eyed her board. A wild thought ran through her head. Licking her lips, she considered the possibility. Without any further hesitation, she picked up her phone.
"McGarrett," said the voice on the other end of the line.
"Have you ever been to Pennsylvania?"
"No, why?"
"There's a six hour time difference between here and there. I think ultimately, this investigation will move quicker if I go to Scranton; ask my questions in person..."
"Sounds reasonable. You want some company?"
"I could use your help. Besides, there's no way Amari let's me go by myself. He doesn't generally travel so that just leaves Jenkins and..."
"When do we leave?"
"I have to check flights, but I was hoping we could leave as soon as possible."
"I can leave in an hour."
"I'll call you back."
Lori knocked on Amari's door. "Hey, Chief."
He smiled at her greeting and motioned for her to enter. Everyone called him Chief. He was one of the seasoned, still active agents and everyone admired his work. He was a mentor and a friend.
"I found something," she said, "a name. Markus Aaron Williams."
Agent Amari listened while Lori recounted her findings from the previous day including the dead end they hit last night. "I need to go to Scranton. There's something I'm missing. Maybe I'll find it if I'm there to dig in person."
Amari sat quietly for a moment mulling over her request. "I don't think so."
"What?" she retorted, shocked at his denial. "Why not?"
"I'm just not sure a trip to Pennsylvania is warranted."
"But...," she stuttered.
"Look, I've given you a lot of leeway here lately. I've allowed you to work with Five-O on this because, one, I think they could be a great alli in the future and I'd like to keep a good repor with Commander McGarrett and his team. Two, I know you used to be one of them. I repeat, you used to be one of them. You work for the bureau now. You would do well to remember that."
"I know where my loyalties lie. And since when did this become a competition. Isn't our single, common objective stopping this guy?"
"Yes, of course it is."
"Then authorize this trip to Pennsylvania. The investigation is at a stand still here and this guy is gonna' get really desperate, really fast. We could lose him."
"Or he could make another mistake."
"Chief, please. The answers we need are in Scranton."
Agent Amari sighed. "Let me think about it."
"There's no time..."
"Agent Weston! You have been given an answer."
She eyed him through a hard stare, eyes on fire. "Fine. I would like to request a few days vacation time please, starting tomorrow..."
"Lori"
"I've been hear a year and a half and have yet to even take a sick day."
Amari chewed on the inside of his lip. He knew she was serious. "You know I can't let you go alone. That means it's you and Jenkins all the way to Pennsylvania."
"Commander McGarrett already volunteered to go with me."
"Is that a professional or a personal favor?"
"Professional, of course," Lori said through her teeth, yet her face remained a mask of unreadable emotion. "Five-O is actually vested in this investigation."
Her unspoken accusation came through loud and clear.
"Make your phone calls. Set up your meetings. Leave as soon as you can. You get your business done and you get back here ASAP, understand? I'll clear it upstairs."
She nodded once and released a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.
She stopped in the hall to text Steve. "Got the OK. We leave ASAP. See you tonight."
H5O
Steve was looking over Kono's shoulder at the list of registered Ford Tauruses in the Honolulu area. They were attempting to narrow their search by color and year when he received Lori's text. Kono caught his smile. "Good news?"
He grinned coiley, but didn't offer a reply.
Kono returned his smile in kind. "Where did you send Danny and Chin?"
"I've got them in the industrial district, looking for the Taurus. Lori said this guy is a creature of habit. Maybe his new digs aren't far from the warehouse."
"Did the FBI get any hits on the medical equipment we found at the crime scene?"
"No, nothing traceable... Lori and I are going to Pennsylvania. Track down a few leads, see if we can get a better handle on who this guy is. I'll only be gone a few days, so... what?"
"Nothin', Boss," Kono replied shaking her head, all smiles.
"She has questions that need to be asked in person."
"I didn't say anything."
"You didn't have to."
"You know I think she kind of liked you when she worked here."
"Why do you say that?"
"Um, let's just call it a hunch?"
"A hunch."
"Yeah. For what it's worth, I like her. I think she... suits you."
"Well, this trip is about the investigation, nothing more."
"Sure thing, Boss."
Steve opened his mouth to say what, he wasn't sure, when his phone rang. "McGarrett," he answered grinning at Kono through a mock scowl.
"Hey, I booked our flight. We leave at 7:58 tonight, arrive in Scranton tomorrow at 2:20PM. It's a sixteen hour trip. We have a meeting with University Administration at 4:00. She said she would line everything up from there. Whatever we need."
He looked at Kono who had returned her attention to her search and silently excused himself from her office. "So, I'll pick you up at 5:00. We'll get something to eat on the way to the airport."
"It's a long way to go. You sure you want to do this?"
"I'm game if you are."
He could hear her smiling into the phone. "I'll see you at 5."
H5O
Kerrie's feet throbbed. She didn't know that pain like this existed. Blood seeped from under the duck tape around her wrists and ankles. She was sitting in a small folding chair in front of a TV tray, trying to keep the bottom of her feet from touching the floor beneath her. She started to shake involuntarily when he entered the dusky room. "I brought you your favorite desert. Chocolate covered strawberries". He knelt down beside her eager for her to see. "I remember how your face lit up at Christmas when I got you that box. You asked me how I knew they were your favorite. I don't know how I knew, I just did. Just like I know you and I are meant to be together," he said as he stroked her silky blond hair. He looked into her eyes searching for approval, longing to be loved. "Rachel, don't you know that I would do anything for you? All you have to do is ask". He brushed away a tear as it streamed down her face. "Don't cry, sweetheart. Everything is gonna' be fine. You'll see. I know things are a little rough right now. This place isn't as nice as what you're used to and the food isn't as fancy, but things will get better. I promise. All we really need is each other, right? Rachel? All we really need is each other, right?" She nodded and closed her eyes as more tears ran in tracks down her cheeks. She knew he wasn't really seeing her when he spoke. He was with someone else entirely, someone named Rachel. "You hardly ate a thing. Here let me help you". He stabbed at the microwave dinner with a dirty fork and brought it to her chapped lips. She pulled away. "If you don't eat, you'll get sick. I can't let anything happen to you. I won't... not this time. We have so much to talk about, so many things left to do. Tell me you love me, Rachel. Tell me that I'm the one that matters most in your life. I can forgive you, Rachel. I know you didn't mean it. I know you didn't mean to hurt me. Just tell me you love me. Make me believe it."
Kerrie tried to speak, but her throat was so dry. Her mouth felt like it was stuffed with cotton. "I love you," she squeaked.
"Say my name, Rachel," he said as he placed one gentle kiss on her forehead. "Tell me you love me. Say my name. Say it on a whisper or a giggle. Say it the way you used to." He placed another soft kiss on her cheek.
"I...," she hesitated. "I don't know your name," she wanted to scream, but the last time she had admitted such, he had become enraged. The bottom of her feet felt like pulverized hamburger meat from the beating they had taken. It had taken him hours to calm down. She could see the anger building now behind his eyes. He grabbed the back of her hair and yanked on it, hard. Her head snapped back and she screamed as her knees hit the tray sending the frozen dinner flying. He covered her mouth with his hand and forced her to the floor, landing on top of her. "Why do you do this to me, Rachel? Why," he wailed. He could see the terror in her dilated eyes. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry," he begged as he brushed her hair back from her face. He laid his head on her chest and moaned into the crook of her neck. Lying underneath him, she could feel his entire body shake under the weight of his sobs. She prayed he would, once again, cry himself to sleep the way he had done after her beating. Within minutes, her prayer was answered. His breathing leveled and his hand slipped from her shoulder. Trapped beneath him, she turned her head and watched a roach crawl across the remains of her frozen dinner.
A/N: Too graphic? I'm wading into new water here with this torture stuff. That's about as bad as it's gonna' get. I much prefer writing the action and romance, but I feel like insights into this guy's world are pretty necessary. Let me know what you think. Constructive criticism and any and all story suggestions are always appreciated!
Ren