Steve's had a lot of bad days. Listening to his father being murdered over the phone is among the worst days of his life, in fact, it's at the tippy top of his list of Bad Days. But getting his ass thoroughly kicked by his (ex) boyfriend's not-so-little brother is definitely in the Top 5.
His morning started off normal. He got up, went for a run, took a shower, made breakfast, ate the recently made breakfast, changed into his work clothes, put on his badge and gun, opened his front door and got punched in the face before he even registered who was standing at his door. The punch was quickly followed by some gut punches, a kick to the knee, and a quick combo to the face. And just when it finally registered that it's Sam currently kicking his ass, Sam brought his foot up and did a combo kick to his face and chest.
It took everything in him not to fight back, to not hurt Sam. Not even in self-defense would he hurt Dean's beloved baby brother. He might never get Dean back if he did.
Where in the hell did he learn to fight? Was his foremost thought as he spat out blood. Everything hurt. He wasn't sure if he should move.
Sam kicked his ass, quite literally at one point, and seemed to delight in punching his face, like he was trying to bash it in. And the scary thing? He hadn't said a word. He didn't even grunt or make a noise. The entire attack was soundless. That'll stick with him for a long, long time.
Once Sam seemed to finish with his beat-down, he just left. Steve has no idea where he is or when he arrived on the island. Chin should have notified him of Sam's arrival, but if he didn't, then Sam must have gotten on the island some other way. That means Sam is probably already gone. There would be no point in going after him. Once Sam hits the mainland, he's as good as gone. Steve'll never find him. Just like he didn't find Dean.
That whole family can teach a course of disappearing without a trace.
Actually, scratch that.
Steve hopes his enemies never learn of this. They'd track down Sam and ask just how he managed to get the upper hand on Steve. Hell, Sam would make a shitload of money teaching courses on How to Kick a Navy SEAL's ass 101.
He groped around for his phone and sent a text to Chin and Kono to come to his place, and for them to not tell Danny. Not that Danny'd come if he knew.
Or actually, he might come just to make fun of Steve for getting his ass handed to him by a 20 year-old.
Chin appeared like an angel of vengeance, gun drawn, eyes sweeping over the room as he looked for the threat that had Steve looking bloody and broken. Kono appeared from the kitchen, gun also drawn, looking like a Valkyrie ready for war.
Once they deemed the house safe, they checked in on Steve, assessing the damage of Steve's beat-down. Chin winced when he saw the lovely shades of purple on his body, hissing when he found a footprint on his back the exact size of Sam's shoe. He can even make out the ridges at the bottom of the younger man's shoe in perfect detail. Sam must have used all his strength when he kicked Steve.
Kono had a hard expression on her face when she took in the full extent of Steve's injuries. It's been a long time since she's seen Steve this beat up. She liked Sam, and he hurt her friend and left without any of them knowing he was even on the island.
"How long ago did he leave?" Kono asked Steve, her voice neutral. It spoke volumes of just how pissed off she is. "When did he leave, Steve?" she demanded. "Tell me!"
"Kono!" Chin chastised. "Not now. We need to get Steve to the hospital, and we need to call Danny and tell him what happened. We'll also need to find a place for Daniel to stay at while we look into finding Sam."
His cousin didn't look happy about it, and he understands her anger, he does, but helping Steve right now is more important than revenge.
"And what about Grace? After the fight Steve and Danny had, I don't think Danny'll come to Steve's aid," Kono said the last part softly, like she didn't want Steve to hear. "I think we should handle this on our own, Cuz."
Chin didn't like it, every instinct is screaming at him to circle the wagons and for him to call Danny - it'd be wrong not to tell Danny about Steve's attack - but Kono is right. After their fight yesterday, Danny might not come.
This whole thing is a mess.
"Fine," Chin conceded. "We won't call Danny. But we are taking him to the hospital."
"You'll get no argument for me."
Steve listened to the cousins figure out what to do next. A part of him wanted to order them after Sam. He can't get away with this. He assaulted an officer - sort of. He assaulted someone of law enforcement. Not even for Dean's little brother can they look away from such a blatant attack on Steve. But another part of him thinks he deserved the beat-down. That it's punishment for unintentionally hurting Dean and driving him away, and for threatening - friggin' threatening - Danny that he'd make sure he wouldn't see Grace anymore if he brought her near that Thing.
He knew as soon as the words left his mouth that he just did (hopefully almost but not quite) irreparable damage to their friendship, let alone their partnership. Steve has no idea how to even begin to repair the damage he's done.
He allowed the cousins to gingerly carry him to Kono's car and drove him to the hospital where he the doctor ordered him to remain there for a couple of days to heal without interruption. Oh, the joys of being Five-0 and being recognized by everyone on the islands. Steve didn't even try to fight the doctor's orders. That spoke volumes of how not-very-right Steve is.
"Find Sam," Steve ordered Chin and Kono. They nodded and took off to do their job.
Steve didn't even know when he fell asleep but he woke up very suddenly. He's not alone in his room. Whoever's in his room, they're not hospital staff. They would have told him who they were as to not to startle him.
"You know," a familiar voice started, "it took a lot not to keep beating your ass. I wanted to. I really did. It's not like you don't deserve it," Sam said, unknowingly echoing Steve's earlier thoughts. "But I know Dean still cares about you and I didn't want to upset him anymore than he already is and will be after he finds out about your beating."
The fact that Sam is saying all this in a bored voice, unnerves him.
"Why didn't you fight back?" Sam asked. "Why would you allow me to kick your ass? You're a SEAL. I was taught by a former Marine sergeant. There is no way in hell I could have gotten as many hits in as I did. So, McGarrett, care to share your kink of masochism?"
Steve didn't want to answer. He didn't.
But...
"You're Dean's brother," he answered honestly. "Hurting you, hurts him. I'd rather take beating than hurt Dean any more than I already have."
Sam stared at him with an unreadable expression.
Steve stared right back.
Minutes ticked by but neither of them would give ground by looking away. It was a battle of wills that Steve didn't want to lose. Mainly because he was so fucking sick of losing. He lost Dean. He opened his big mouth and he might have lost Danny and Grace. He's losing his team because he just can't let Dean go.
Sam seemed to sense this somehow for he looked away to stare out the window. The sky is starting to lighten. The birds are already heralding the coming sun and the start of a new day.
"I'm leaving," Sam told him. "Please don't embarrass yourself and try to follow me."
Steve watched the young hunter walk out the door before turning back around and saying softly, "If you really, really want to get Dean back. Come after him again. We'll be hiding out in Minnesota till the end of the month." He turned and pinned Steve down with a harsh glare. "I hated you at first, you know? I thought you weren't good enough for my brother, but I never saw him that happy. Ever. Not in all the years I've known him, I've never seen so happy, and it was because of you. I want him to be that happy again. Even if it's with you, McGarrett."
And with that, Sam walked out the door without making a sound. He heard no one stop him in the halls. Dean taught him well.
Steve laid in bed for hours, accepting any medication the nurses brought to him without complaint, his mind whirring.
Minnesota.
Dean will be in Minnesota until the end of the month. That gives him two weeks to find him and convince him to come home. He'll have to truly think of something romantic that'll sweep Dean off his feet and onto a plane and back to Hawaii. The thing though, he has no idea if romantic would work on Dean. Maybe if he did something so badass that Dean'll gladly come back with him. He really likes it when Steve shows off his prowess of his years of military training.
Danny'd know what he should do. If he were talking to him, that is.
Of all the times to get into a horrible fight with Danny, it had to be when he just thrown a life preserver by Sam Winchester, and he got Sam's blessing. He thinks. Danny'd know if he did or not.
Or maybe their fight came at an opportune time. It's not Danny's job to help him get Dean back. It's not Danny's responsibility to fix his relationship. Plus, if he does this on his own, he won't feel like Dean only came back home because someone else gave him a reason to take Steve back and forgive him.
He can do this.
On his own.
He'll allow himself to heal before he takes off to Minnesota. Steve needs to be at full capacity when he tracks down Dean and his family.
A family full of hunters. Yeah, that'll be fun.
ALK
Sam let his head thunk against the steering wheel of his rental. Kicking McGarrett's ass wasn't as fun or as fulfilling as he thought it would be. He just feels empty. And guilty. Like he did something bad because he listened to his dad and got revenge for his hurting brother. He should have no reason to feel guilty.
None at all.
...And yet.
Whatever. He still has a shapeshifter to take care of.
Sam drove to Detective Williams' residence, hoping only the 'shifter was there. Williams' house came into view and saw no car in the driveway. Maybe the gods are looking out for him, Sam thought as he parked a couple of houses down. He knows he should park further away but Sam is too lazy to be thorough.
Digging through his duffle, Sam grabbed the silver dagger Mamo provided for him. He has a feeling the Hawaiian will not be happy with him when he finds out Sam gave McGarrett a beat-down.
"He let me kick his ass," Sam huffed to himself in disbelief. "I can't believe him."
Shaking his head, Sam got out of his rental and strode towards the detective's house. A quick look through the windows revealed the 'shifter and Grace were the only ones in the house.
Okay, one, what the hell is wrong with Williams leaving his daughter alone with a monster? And two, how the hell is he going to get Grace out of the house so he can take care of the 'shifter? Because there is no way he can kill the creature in front of Grace, mainly if he did, Dean would find out and he wouldn't help him when Williams comes after him.
"What to do? What to do?" Sam mumbled out loud. He looked around to find something to lure Grace out while he took out the 'shifter. All he found was gnomes in various position. Does Williams have a gnome fetish?
Kicking at the dirt, Sam stomped his way back to his rental.
Okay, new plan. Operation Get Grace Out of the House needs to be enacted.
...Now how does he do that?
ALK
Grace watched Daniel putter around the house, picking up random knick knacks and inspecting them before putting them back in the exact spot he grabbed them from, in the exact way they were. He's been doing this since Danno left to go help track down Sam Winchester. Danno wouldn't tell her why they're trying to find Dean's little brother or why Uncle Steve isn't helping them track down Sam.
Danno woke them up before the sun and told her he was going into work, after he yelled at Uncle Chin and Auntie Kono for something. She really wishes her Danno wouldn't keep things from her. She's not a little kid anymore.
Grace sighed loudly, startling Daniel from his inspection of the Father's Day frame she made for Danno when she was 5. He fumbled with it like he was in a slapstick comedy before he managed to capture it and place it back where he picked up from. Daniel shot her a sheepish look and resumed his inspection of Danno's house.
"Is it like a nervous tick or something?" Grace asked Daniel. When he shot her a confused look, she elaborated. "You pick up stuff and look at it before placing it down exactly where you grabbed it from, in exactly the same position."
Daniel blinked at her. "Uh. I dunno," he shrugged.
He felt stupid he couldn't answer her.
"Is Sam as scary as Dean?" Daniel asked.
Grace tapped her chin in thought. Is Sam scarier than Dean? She doesn't think so but Grace really doesn't know Sam all that well. She knows Dean, and the only person more dangerous and scary than Dean is her Danno and ohana. But then again, they are the scariest in their own worlds. No one beats her ohana in law enforcement but Dean battles monsters and demons and everything else that goes bump in the night. He's like the Scooby Gang but without a talking dog and a, well, the "gang" part of the Scooby Gang.
Jinkies.
Snorting to herself, Grace moved over to the couch and fell back asleep.
Daniel continued looking through Danny's various odds and ends, his mind in turmoil and panic. Sam Winchester is here. Detective Williams and Five-0 are looking for him but McGarrett isn't for some reason. He is touched, however, that Danny trusted him with his daughter.
He needs air.
Checking to make sure Grace was truly asleep, Daniel walked out onto the lanai, his gaze unfocused as he tried to figure out what to do next. He could just leave. Danny's not here and McGarrett seems to be in the wind. All Daniel has to do is pull out his wallet and pick a picture and he'd be home free. There's really nothing keeping him here. Dean's gone. McGarrett isn't here to threaten him with a painful death.
But there is Danny. There is some guilt there. If Daniel takes off like he desperately wants to, Five-0 would blame him. The detective did a lot for him.
"I'm sorry, Danny," Daniel whispered. He took one last look at Grace before walking down the street. There's some old lava tubes a few miles south that he can hide in and shed his skin without anyone finding it. He's thinking about choosing a female image. He hasn't been a woman in a long time.
Was he born female? Does it matter? Not really. It's all the same to him.
It took Daniel over an hour to find the nearest lava tube opening, he made sure no one saw him enter the cave-like system. He ventured far enough down the tube to find an intersection, he took the left one and walked for another half mile before he deemed it far enough away from the opening. He took a deep breath and followed through the painful transition from Matthias Envers to Emily Harris, a plain looking woman in her early twenties. He should be able to get off the island and find Dean on the mainland unseen.
He almost slipped on his own skin. Rookie movie. He hasn't done that since he was a kid.
...She hasn't done that since she was a kid.
Right. Switching pronouns now.
Emily, she likes that name. She'll by it from now on.
Emily carefully navigated her way back to the opening of the lava tubes. She needs to find some clothes to change into. Mathias' clothes are big on her. She can barely walk without tripping over too long pants legs. It'd be nice to wear dresses again. More breathable but no pockets.
Sunlight beckoned her and she strode forward without thought, only to be get hit on the back of the head. Emily was out before she even registered she got hit.
ALK
Sam couldn't believe his luck. The 'shifter walked out of the house on its own. It stupidly walked away from safety for some damn reason, and Sam isn't one to look a gift horse in the mouth. He followed the stupid creature to some lava tubes. Okay, so it's not completely stupid but it is stupid enough to leave a safe place.
He had no problem following it unseen.
The idiotic thing only checked to see if it was being followed when it was right outside the labrythine network of tunnel. Killing this thing will be too easy.
Sam silently followed the 'shifter into the tubes, taking left and hiding behind another bend until the 'shifter came back to the entrance. He's not so good at patience, not like Dean is. His older brother has a lot of practice with Sam and their dad on keeping patient because his blockheaded, stubborn family likes to dig their heels in, and Dean always, always had to keep the cool head as he long-sufferingly talked them out of their asses and found common ground between them.
There was a reason Sam chose Dean as his hero for a paper his English teacher assigned in his sophomore year. His paper also brought up questions about his home life that made his dad withdraw them and bug-out two months before they were supposed to.
Dad and Dean were mad at him, but Dean took him out driving, gently teaching him how to drive.
Sam still has that paper stashed away at Pastor Jim's. He should give it to Dean. His brother would love it.
Shaking his head, Sam stared down at the 'shifter, who's now a woman. Smart. No one looks at a woman who is mousy in appearance. People's eyes would glide over her. She'd be able to get off the island or make a new life here, right under the island protectors and Five-0.
Whatever. It's going to die. He just needs a few answers out of it.
Why would McGarrett have a shapeshifter living with Williams? Why didn't his dad take care of it if he knew it was here?
...Did Dean know about it? If he did, why didn't he kill it. Dean hates shapeshifters. He doesn't like how everything about them is a lie. Hell, even their DNA is a lie. Can shapeshifters even remember their original visage? Is it inherent? Like a permanent memory they can never forget? How do shapeshifters recognize their young? Is there a smell they give off that marks off a child as one of their own or do they just care for any 'shifter kid that comes around and pretends its their own?
Okay, so maybe Sam veered off in his outline for the upcoming interrogation. He will not be asking those questions. The scholar in him really got away before he could reign it back in. Although, it would be interesting if the 'shifter actually answered any of his questions about its biology and psychology and shit.
He'd really love to write all this down for future hunters. Just in case some other hunter would like to actually study the creatures instead of killing it.
It's really doubtful that a hunter would actively study shapeshifters, and if they did, they would only read as far as the information about its weaknesses and how to kill it. It's the extent his father and brother research creatures. Why would he think there would be others out there who are curious, at least intellectually, about the creatures they hunt?
There has to be a sect of hunters out there that are intellectuals and scholars who study monsters and demons and ghosts just for the pursuit of knowledge. There just has to be.
Maybe Pastor Jim'll know.
So, interrogate the 'shifter about its relationship with McGarrett and Williams, kill it once it answered Sam's questions to his satisfaction, burn the body, fly out to Stanford where Dean and his dad are picking him up, and then he'll question his family about the 'shifter. If their answers don't match the shapeshifter's, Sam'll raise holy hell and leave them for Stanford again, and this time he won't be brought back into the "Family Business".
Not even Dean, pleaing for him to come back, will sway him in his decision.
But first, interrogation time!
He totally feels like he should be rubbing his hands and muwhahahaha-ing.
Note to self: Don't tell Dean about that impulse. It'd be nothing but jokes and teasing until one of their dying breath. Dad might even find a way to get the last laugh in by coming back from the dead temporarily to make fun of him before going back to whatever afterlife he's residing in.
The 'shifter moaned before receding back into unconsciousness. Right. Interrogation. Time to put on his game face... which Dean says makes him look like a constipated Labrador puppy.
Whatever. Game face is game face. The 'shifter will be intimidated no matter what. He's Dean Winchester's little brother and John Winchester's youngest son. If the 'shifter is smart, she'd 'fess up and admit everything honestly.
"How do you know McGarrett?"