David O'Brien looked around the main office, but eventually his gaze settled on the door to Steve McGarrett's office. He walked toward it and pushed the door open, a smile on his face when he saw his objective. This was why he'd chosen to come to Hawaii, being partnered with Danny Williams again was a fringe benefit.
"Can I help you?" Kelly asked from the main door, relaxing when the man turned toward him. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm joining your team," O'Brien answered.
"Since when?" Kelly asked suspiciously.
"Since I met with Governor Jameson and Commander McGarrett this morning," O'Brien answered.
"Where is Steve?"
"Didn't Danny call you? I thought he was going to leave a message for you. Commander McGarrett had a run in with some guy named Jacobs at a gym."
"Hell...is he all right?"
"Last I heard he was at the hospital and that's where Danny was headed."
Chin pulled out his cell phone and realized he'd missed three calls from Williams while he was checking with a couple of his sources. It never dawned on him to check his phone before heading for the office. He listened to the latest message and shook his head before hanging up and looking at O'Brien. "Steve's been admitted, but Danny says he should be fine and it's just for observation."
"That's good news. Is there anything I can do to help while he's out of commission?"
"Not really, unless you've got some sources in Hawaii we don't know about," Chin said as Williams and Kono came into the office. "How's Steve?"
"Concussion and bruises. He should be out tomorrow," Williams answered and turned to his friend. "Sorry, you had to wait here, David."
"That's okay, Fish bait...I know what it's like when a partner is hurt," O'Brien said. "We've both been there a time or two."
"That we have...but I think Steve's got us both beat," Williams told him and walked over to the computer desk where Kono was already keying in the information they had on the case so far. Images flashed as she quickly inputted the data.
"What are we working on?" O'Brien asked and smiled when Kono turned toward him in surprise. "Didn't Danny tell you?"
"Tell me what?" Kono asked.
"Damn, sorry, Kono, guess I forgot to tell you the governor asked David to join Five-O," Williams answered.
"Surprised, Kono, I know I was," Chin said sarcastically.
"What's that supposed to mean, Chin?" Williams asked.
"Nothing, really, it just came as a bit of a surprise. The governor never mentioned adding to the task force," Kelly answered.
"Maybe not, but we shouldn't argue with her decision to bring us more manpower," Williams said.
"True, but why not pick someone from HPD?" Kelly asked.
"Oh, so only someone from Hawaii is good enough for this job? Wonder what you thought when Steve chose me for the team?"
"Danny, I don't think that's what they meant," O'Brien observed.
"Wasn't it? I don't know how many time I've heard people talking behind my back. They think Steve should have chosen someone from HPD. It doesn't seem to matter that I'm damn good at what I do..."
"Have Kono or I said anything like that, Danny?"
"Not out loud, but I'm sure you've thought about it."
"You'd be wrong," Kono told him.
"I wish I could believe that, but your reaction to David is proof that you're not willing to accept him as part of the team."
"We never said that," Kelly said. "We simply said we were surprised that no one bothered to tell us. Did Steve know?"
"He found out this morning and I bet that's why he headed to the gym and got into the ring with Jacobs," Williams snapped.
"Danny, Chin and Kono are right. This was sprung on them pretty fast and without warning. Maybe it'd be better if I didn't accept the offer," O'Brien observed.
"What would you do instead?" Kono asked.
"Probably go back to Jersey," O'Brien said.
"I thought you wanted to get away from there?"
"I do, Danny, and I love it here..."
"Did you hear that? He loves it here...probably got brainwashed and even puts pineapple on his pizza now," Williams said and shivered at the thought.
"Have you even tried it?" O'Brien asked.
"No, and I don't plan on it," Williams said. "And since we skipped lunch why don't we order a normal pizza with pepperoni and extra cheese?"
"Mushrooms and peppers?" Kono added.
"And onions," came from Chin as he reached for his phone and placed the call to his favorite pizzeria.
"And David, I hate to tell you this, but the newbie gets the bill," Williams said with a grin.
"That's low, Fish bait," O'Brien said, but opened his wallet to make sure he had enough to pay for the bill.
"Same rules here as back home," Williams said once Kelly hung up and told them how much the pizza would cost. "We might as well go over what we have so far. Kono, would you fill Chin and avid in on what McMillan told you?"
"Kevin McMillan?" O'Brien asked with a frown.
"His wife is one of the missing women we're investigating," Kelly told him and waited as Kono brought up the relevant information.
"How many women are we talking about here?" O'Brien asked.
"Six that we know of so far," Kono answered and brought up the pictures of the missing victims.
"They all look alike," O'Brien observed.
"Yes, and until Sandra McMillan they were all single," Williams offered.
"Then what makes you think Sandra McMillan is a victim of the same perpetrator?" O'Brien asked.
"Look at her coloring and I can't believe her disappearance from The Outrigger is a coincidence. There's a pattern...two women from each of the hotels all matching the same description," Kelly said.
"Do we know why these women were targeted?" O'Brien asked.
"Not yet, we're still working on a profile," Kono answered.
"Could be someone just likes a certain type of woman," O'Brien told them. "Are we working this as a disappearance or possible serial killer?"
"It's too early to put a label on it," Chin answered. He looked at the information and wondered why O'Brien seemed so quick to bring up a serial killer when there was no evidence that the women had been killed. There was something about the newcomer he wasn't keen on, but right now there was a case to concentrate on. More importantly there were six women they needed to find.
5050505050
Steve heard footsteps approaching the bed and opened his eyes, smiling when he saw the woman standing there. "I thought you'd ave gone home by now."
"Didn't Danny tell you I would come see you before going home?" Keanna asked.
"Not sure...guess my head's not on straight yet," Steve said, raising his head as she sat on the edge of the bed and ran her fingers through his hair. He sighed at the tenderness of her touch and knew he could sleep without medication as long as he knew she was there.
"How do you feel?"
"Better, now that you're here," McGarrett said.
"You want me to stay?"
"Do I really need to answer that?" Steve asked and pulled her to him. He kissed her, relishing the softness of her lips and the feel of her hands against his skin.
"No, but you really should be resting."
"I am...just having you here helps me relax. I'd be climbing the walls already if I was alone."
"Did they give you anything for pain yet?"
"Yes, and Dr. Hong told them to watch the nausea," McGarrett told her.
"Are you still nauseous?"
"Not so much, but don't mention food okay?"
"I won't, but you'll have to eat before Lee releases you," Keanna told him.
"I was afraid you'd say that," McGarrett said.
"Oh, I'm sorry, Dr. Wahine, I didn't know you were here. I'll come back in a little while," Dianna Tyrone said upon entering the room.
"That's okay, Dianna, I was just leaving," Wahine said.
"Already?" McGarrett asked.
"You need to rest. I'll come by before my shift starts in the morning," Wahine said and kissed him before leaving him in the care of the nurse.
"How do you feel, Commander?" Dianna asked and adjusted the flow of the IV.
"I'm okay," McGarrett said and closed his eyes. The headache was returning and with it came the nauseating dizziness that made him queasy. He knew he was being stubborn in not asking for anything, but months of training to be on the SEALs kept him from saying anything. He knew the nurse thought he'd fallen asleep and remained still until she left the room.
Once he was alone, Steve relaxed against the pillows and let the pain show as he shifted his legs over the edge and sat up. He knew he should have asked the nurse for help, but his stubborn pride was strong as he landed on the floor.
'It's just a little pain...get past it ladies!'
Steve could hear those words as if the man who uttered them was standing in front of him. The man had worked them to the bone and still wanted more before he'd certify them fit for the TEAMS. He remembered training for days on end with little sleep and even less food and still he'd stood tall when his trainer told him he was just getting started.
McGarrett walked slowly toward the bathroom, maneuvering the pole so that he could leave it outside the door. Once inside he looked at his image in the mirror and touched his fingers to the white bandage covering the wound above his right eye. He took care of business and slowly made his way back to his bed and thought about sitting in the chair, but decided on the bed as a wave of dizziness washed over him.
Steve lay back on the bed and closed his eyes, but sleep was a fleeting thing as he thought about the governor's surprise. Why she'd decided to put another man on the task force was one question, but even more than getting an answer to that question, he wanted to know why she'd picked David O'Brien. The man was a newcomer to Hawaii, and aside from his friendship with Danny, they knew very little about him.
Steve knew he should give the man a chance, but he didn't like surprises especially when it involved his team. Danny, Chin, and Kono worked well together and Danny was a good influence on his own need for action. With O'Brien joining them it changed the team dynamic, and meant that one member of the team would always work alone.
"Steve, are you up for some company?"
"Sure, Chin, come on in," McGarrett answered and sat up, sliding his legs over the edge of the bed before reaching for the glass of ice water on the table.
"You look like hell...tell me Jacobs looks worse?"
"Wish I could, but I'm betting he'll be limping for a while," the head of Five-O answered with a hint of a smile.
"Good," Kelly said and sat next to his friend. "So, want to explain why the governor decided to throw a wrench into the mix?"
"I have no idea," McGarrett said, frustration evident in his voice. "I was supposed to have a meeting with her this morning and she sprung it on me. I wouldn't mind, but I don't understand why she didn't say anything before and why the hell she chose O'Brien."
"Well, he has the credentials, but so does half the Honolulu Police Department. You know there's going to be repercussions when the official announcement is made."
"Yeah, I know," McGarrett observed."Have you met O'Brien?"
"I have."
"What did you think, Chin?"
"I can't really make a judgement call where he's concerned, but my first impression was that he's a lot like Danny," Chin offered.
"How so?"
"He huffs and he puffs about everything, but he's doing that to hide something."
"You think Danny's hiding something?" McGarrett asked with a frown.
"I'm not sure, but my mother always said anyone who has to rant about everything has to be hiding something. She was usually right," Kelly told him.
"Do you think Danny is happy with Five-O?"
"Not at first, but I think he realizes he's damn good at his job and more importantly he knows you respect his abilities...we all do," Chin offered. "Never thought I'd say that after those first few days."
"Danny does like to rant," McGarrett offered. "Truth is sometimes I give him a good reason to."
"Did you just say that or is it the head injury?"
"I said it, but if you tell him I'll deny it," McGarrett said and sighed tiredly.
"I should let you get some rest."
"Anything new on the missing women?"
"Kono spoke to Kevin McMillan..."
"You found him? The man's alive?"
"He's alive, got beat up pretty bad, and he's not clear on everything," Chin said.
"You might want to put someone on his door."
"You think whoever is behind this could come after him?"
"If they find out McMillan is alive they will," McGarrett told him.
"I'll talk to Duke and see about making arrangements," Chin said and stood up. "You take it easy and don't worry about the job until you're cleared for duty."
"I'll see you in the morning," McGarrett vowed and lay back. He waited for the other man to leave before rubbing at his head and was shocked when he opened his eyes to find the nurse standing there.
"Commander, I know you don't like to admit when you're hurting, but if you want to get some sleep tonight you should let me give you the medications Dr. Hong ordered."
"I guess," McGarrett said and shifted on the bed while she readied the prescribed dosage and injected it into his IV. He sighed as she adjusted the blankets and smiled when she finished taking his vitals.
"Just hit the call button if you need anything else, Commander."
"I will...thanks," McGarrett said and closed his eyes. The throbbing pain continued for some time, but the medication finally worked its magic and he slept.
5050505050
Cole Howard reached into his pocket and pulled out his cell phone. He looked at the number and recognized it immediately as he put it to his ear. "Howard."
"We have a problem...McMillan is alive."
"Are you sure? My men said they made sure he was dead."
"Your men need to take a refresher course in how to tell the difference between life and death. Make sure you deal with them. How soon can the women be moved?"
"A week," Howard answered. "The buyer wants them well versed in the trade and he won't take delivery until he sees video of the merchandise."
"We might not have a week. Five-O has taken over the case and they've already put two and two together and come up with the right answer. I need you to get rid of Kevin McMillan."
"What about the woman?"
"It's too late to get someone to replace her and my client wants six. Make sure you deal with your men and with her husband."
"I will," Howard said, not surprised when the phone went dead in his hands. He walked back to the bed where Sandra McMillan lay on her back. Her hair was spread out across the pillow, her eyes closed, and the makeup that was applied earlier made her look almost angelic. He knew what she was being groomed for, and thought it was a waste, but the money was too good to refuse. He kissed her full, ripe lips and stroked his hands down her body enjoying the soft moans that escaped from deep in her throat.
Author's Note—-Surprise, here's another part...hope you enjoy...Winnie