Paul Sheffield looked at the man seated across from him, shocked at the difference a week could make in O'Brien's appearance. He actually looked worse than some of the homeless people he'd once harassed in NYC. He'd called and arranged to meet him at this bar to discuss how the plans were proceeding and get an advance for Halina Senna.
"Tell me what you've done before I hand over the money," O'Brien ordered.
"My contact has done her research over the last few days and she's ready to kidnap Grace Williams as soon as I give her the go-ahead," Sheffield answered.
"Any news on when they'll be released from the hospital?"
"Possibly as early as tomorrow depending on what the doctor says. According to rumors they'll be staying at McGarrett's house," the IA agent told him.
"I want this done fast, but it has to be done right. Make sure your contact knows where to bring the girl and that she's unharmed," O'Brien said.
"I told her to be careful with Grace, but kids can be as dangerous as an adult when cornered and I have a feeling this little girl is a lot like her father," Sheffield observed.
"But unlike her father she's not big enough to be a threat," O'Brien told him.
"Did you find a place to hold her?"
"What better place than the two bit hotel I'm staying at?" O'Brien suggested. "Contact me as soon as McGarrett and Williams are out of the hospital and I'll tell you where it is."
"Paranoid?"
"No, cautious. I don't trust you or Higgins," O'Brien said.
"That goes both ways."
"I'm glad we understand each other," O'Brien told him and lid an envelope across the table. "Tell your contact that if she completes her part there'll be an added bonus for her."
"She'll be glad to hear that," Sheffield said and stood up. "I''ll be in touch when they're out of the hospital."
"I'll be waiting for your call," O'Brien said and watched the man leave. People like Sheffield and Higgins had no idea what it was like to work the streets. They policed the police, and lately it seemed like they went after the officer like blood hounds. These two made IA look worse than they were, and for that O'Brien would gladly see them dead.
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Kono knocked on the door and entered to find Kevin and Sandra McMillan were surrounded by family who cared about them. She was quickly introduced to Kevin's parents, Andrew and Cheryl McMillan. The couple's daughter, Janet, and her husband, Randy Barnes were also present and Kono felt as if they really cared for Kevin's wife.
"Officer Kalakaua, we owe you so much for finding Sandra," Cheryl McMillan said and took Kono's right hand in her own. "We would have been here sooner, but we were out of the country with no means of communication until yesterday."
"It wasn't just me, Mrs. McMillan. Five-O and HPD worked together to find them and I'm glad Kevin and Sandra has such a great support system. I just wanted to stop by and see how they were doing."
"Thank you for your concern. We're making arrangements to take them home by private jet," Andrew McMillan told her.
"We'll take care of them," Janet vowed.
"What about the other women? Are they getting the help they need?" Sandra asked softly.
"Their families are with them and arrangements have been made for counselling," Kono assured her.
"If they need help paying their bills please have them contact my office," Andrew said and passed her a business card.
"Thank you. I'll make sure they know help is out there," Kono said and looked at the couple. She knew they had a long road ahead of them, but they had something a lot of people in their position didn't, an extended family who cared what happened to them.
"Officer...Kono, thank you," Kevin said and held out his hand until she shook it.
"You're welcome...take care of each other."
"We will," Sandra said before hugging Kono and turning back to her in-laws.
Kono smiled before leaving the family alone and felt as if Kevin and Sandra had a good chance of making a new start and putting this behind them. She walked slowly along the corridor and headed for McGarrett and Williams' room. She knew Chin was already there and it would be up to them to get the injured members of Five-O home if the doctor discharged them.
5050505050
Akoni Wilson folded his arms across his chest before dropping the two charts on the table between the two beds. The day nurse was busy taking the IV out of McGarrett's hand. He wanted to keep the head of Five-O for one more day, but something told him he'd lose that argument before it even started. It was better to make the two men think they had him fooled and then spring his conditions on them.
"All right, Detective, let's talk about you," Wilson said.
"Hell, what did I do to be so lucky?" Williams snapped.
"You got yourself shot and I was saddled with your sunny disposition," Wilson said and heard McGarrett chuckle softly. "Now, I've looked over your test results and your numbers are good, but you need to take the antibiotics I've prescribed."
"I will, Doc."
"You better or you'll find yourself back here on IV antibiotics and I'll make sure you stay put for the full course. I'm also prescribing pain medication and please use them if you need them," Wilson told him. "You'll also need physiotherapy on that shoulder so my office is making arrangements for you. I want to see you in one week."
"So I can go?" Williams asked.
"Yes," Wilson said and signed the papers before turning to the second man. "That brings me to you, Commander. Now I know you've had extensive training in how to manage pain..."
"He's a super SEAL, Doc," Williams interjected.
"Yes, well, that may be, but even a super SEAL needs to take medication to fight off an infection. Now, I know you've been on IV antibiotics and your wound looks good, but you've had a serious infection and fever and I want to make sure we stay on top of it. Like Detective Williams I'll be sending you home with a prescription for antibiotics and pain medication and I want to see you in my office...that's my office and not the ER," Wilson said and this time his words drew a chuckle from Williams.
"Shut up, Danno," McGarrett snapped and returned his attention to the surgeon. "So I can go?"
"Yes, but there's one more restriction for both of you," Wilson said as the nurse removed the IV supplies and poles. "Neither one of you are to return to work until I clear you and since I've already discussed this with Governor Jameson I'm sure you'll both do as you're told or she'll make things difficult for you."
"Hell," McGarrett cursed softly.
"Yes, that's exactly what she'll give you if she finds out you're disobeying our orders. Good day, Gentlemen," Wilson said and left the two men alone.
"What did the doctor have to say?" Chin asked when he and Kono entered the room.
"We've been paroled," Williams answered and moved to the closet where Chin had placed two overnight bags belonging to him and Steve.
"I got them, Danny," Kelly told him and brought the bags to the beds as the nurse came in with their discharge papers and scripts.
"Detective, Commander, take care of yourselves," Alana told them; leaving the paperwork on the table before leaving the room.
"Kono, would you mind waiting outside while we change?" McGarrett said.
"Don't tell me you're shy?" Williams teased.
"No, but I don't see you getting changed either," McGarrett observed.
"Hey, don't sweat it. I'll be right outside," Kono said and left the room with a grin on her face.
"You need any help, Danny?" Chin asked.
"No, thanks, I got it," Williams said and opened his bag. He looked at his shirt, then his arm, back to the bag and sat on the edge of the bed.
"You might want to rethink that answer, Danny, unless that shade of pale is your natural color," McGarrett said.
"You're one to talk...I've seen corpses with better color," Williams said.
"Well then you two should fit right in with the Halloween crowd next weekend," Chin said. "Zombies are us has a nice ring to it."
"Funny, Chin, and what are you dressing up as?" the Jersey native snapped.
"I'm not...I already have my treat set up and didn't have to do a trick to get it," Kelly answered with a mischievous grin as he helped Williams into his shirt while McGarrett reached for the khaki fatigues.
"Who is she?" McGarrett asked.
"An old friend," Chin answered.
"Uh oh, Maria might be a little jealous if your not careful," Williams observed.
"Maria and I are friends..."
"With benefits," McGarrett finished. He knew Chin and Maria weren't dating exclusively, yet he knew if Chin asked, the woman would jump at the chance.
"I'm not ready to settle down yet," Kelly said honestly.
"Are any of us ever really ready," Williams offered and wished he could take the words back when he saw the sympathy in his friend's eyes.
"You okay?" McGarrett asked.
"Not really, but I'm dealing with it," the Jersey native answered and knew both men understood what he meant as Chin helped him with his pants.
Steve watched his partner as Chin helped him dress and wished there was something he could do to ease the other man's pain. There was no doubt in his mind that Danny still loved Rachel and he was pretty sure she felt the same way, but she seemed unable to live with the choice he'd made. Maybe some day she'd realize Danny's job was what made him the man they all knew and respected and that he did it to make the world safe for the people he cared about most, his wife and daughter.
"Steve, are you coming or you want to spend another night in here?" Williams asked.
"No, I think I've over stayed my welcome," McGarrett said and shook his head when Chin took both their bags and led the way out of the room.
5050505050
She stayed back in the shadows and watched as the four people left the room. How could he leave without saying goodbye after she gave him such personal care? She saw the other nurses watching him and silently cursed them for even looking in his direction. He was hers, hers alone, and eventually he would come to realize they were meant to be together. She wouldn't make the same mistakes she'd made with the other two, this time she would wait for the right time and make sure everything was in place before offering her gift to the Gods and reaping the reward she deserved.
"Soon, Steven, very soon," she whispered as the four people walked past the alcove. She felt a tingle of excitement at the thought of lying next to the virile man. She moved into the room he'd been in and walked over to his bed. She lifted the pillows and drank in the scent of him before removing the pillowcase and leaving the hospital. Tonight she would call in sick and sleep with the heady sense of intoxication his scent gave her.
5050505050
Steve relaxed in the passenger seat as Kono drove toward his home. Danny and Chin followed behind in Danny's car, but Chin wasn't driving. The trip to his home was a short one, except for the stop they'd made to fill the prescriptions and pick up Japanese take out from a little place near Chin's home. It had been opened by an elderly couple nearly 30 years ago and was now owned by the couples only child, a woman whose husband enjoyed cooking as much as she did and kept to the 'old ways'.
"Is there anything new on Higgins and Sheffield?" McGarrett asked.
"They're keeping a low profile and as far as we can figure they've stopped investigating you," Kono answered.
"I don't believe they've given up, but right now we need to concentrate on O'Brien," McGarrett said and sighed tiredly. He couldn't believe how easily he tired and smiled when Kono glanced worriedly at him, but returned her attention to the road when the light turned green. "We'll get Sheffield and Higgins, but we'll do it so that they don't know about it."
"So it'll be like the old cloak and dagger shows?" Kono asked.
"Exactly, but I didn't know you were a fan of those," McGarrett commented with a grin.
"What better way to spend a Saturday night than with an old movie and popcorn?" Kono said.
"Alone?" McGarrett asked and laughed when Kono raised her eyebrows and smiled mischievously.
"No, usually I'm curled up against a lean chest," the woman answered.
"Nice and cozy," McGarrett told her as they turned into the driveway of his home.
"Always," Kono said and pulled to a stop in front of the house. She opened her door and took McGarrett's bag from the back seat as her boss slowly exited the car. She watched as he made his way toward the front door as Chin stopped Williams' car behind her vehicle. Danny looked like hell and she knew both men needed time to heal, she just hoped they'd get that time before O'Brien decided to make his move.
"They look like a strong wind could knock them on their ass," Chin observed when he joined Kono at the car.
"I know...I don't like the idea of leaving them alone even if it is only a few hours during the day. O'Brien's out there and he didn't strike me as the type to forgive and forget. Something tells me he's close by...waiting for a chance to make his move," Kono said.
"Danny's holding it all in, but I know this is tearing him apart," Chin said.
"You two going to stand there and make the place look untidy or are you coming in?" Williams asked fr the open doorway.
"Real funny," Chin said and carried Williams' bag as Kono walked ahead of him.
"Kitchen or patio?" Kono asked once she'd dropped the overnight bag and held onto the food.
"Patio," McGarrett answered, his arm held against his wounded side as he slid the door open and stepped out into the bright sunshine. He breathed deeply of the fresh ocean air and the scent of wildflowers. He moved down the beach and stood looking out, fighting the urge to dive in and go for a swim.
"You do that and Keanna will have your ass..."
"Now that's something I could live with," McGarrett told Kelly.
"Probably, but the rest of us would be read the riot act by both her and Wilson and that's something I don't want to do...not even for you," Chin told him.
"It's good to be out of there," the head of Five-O told him.
"I bet it is. Come on before Danny eats all the food," Chin said and walked beside his friend.
"Come on you two...the foods getting cold," Danny said and helped himself to rice and dumplings. Once they were all seated around the table, the conversation quickly turned to O'Brien and what they could expect from the man.
"I know we already talked about this, but if O'Brien is as smart as Danny says he is then setting you two up could be playing right into his hands," Kelly told them.
"He's going to come after us, Chin, it's only a matter of time, but if we stay ahead of him then we'll be ready for him," Williams observed.
"We're not going after him, Chin, we're giving him an opening and when he takes it..."
"The insurance rates will go up," Kono interrupted with a hint of humor.
"Through the roof," Kelly added and was glad to see a smile form on his friend's faces and knew they understood it was just light teasing and nothing malicious.
"Okay, why don't we talk about the best way to get David to come after us and let the department worry about insurance premiums," Williams suggested.
"Well, the news station already reported that you've been released from the hospital and will be recuperating here," Chin offered.
"How long do you think it will be before O'Brien makes his move?" Kono asked.
"David was never known for patience...I'd say he'll make his move in the next day or two," Williams answered.
"Maybe we shouldn't leave you two alone," Kono said.
"That's the whole point, Kono," McGarrett observed. "If O'Brien suspects someone is here he's not going to make a move. We give him enough rope and he'll..."
"Tie you both up with it," Chin said seriously.
"Not if you two are watching," Williams said.
"We'll be watching, Danny, but you and Steve are hurt and O'Brien is desperate. He won't hesitate to take you down," Kono said.
"Maybe not, but he's want to look me in the eyes before he kills me."
"And that's supposed to make us feel better about leaving you alone?" Chin asked.
"Not really, but it give us a shot at him," Williams answered tiredly. He looked across at McGarrett and knew the man felt the same way he did. One way or another this would be over in a few days. He just hoped they both lived to tell about it.
Author'sNote—- Sorry for the delay in posting...Several things happened at once including my getting my black belt on Sunday and my birthday yesterday. So hopefully now things will slow down and I can find more time to write...Thanks again for the reviews...Winnie