Danny's frustration was evident to anyone who entered his room and he knew he needed to get it under control. He doctor had come to see him and warned him that he needed to rest and give himself time to heal. The fact that Rachel had not returned made him angry, and he knew he needed to have it out with her. If the baby was his, he had a right to know and to be a part of his life.
Danny turned to gaze out the window and thought about the man who had given himself up for him. Did Steve do it out of guilt or was it because he thought his life was worth less than those around him? When they found him, and by god they would find him, then Danny was going to have a long talk about putting his life on the line.
Williams knew he'd probably do the same damn thing if the roles were reversed. It seemed to be part and parcel of what made them who they were. Could he live with himself if someone kidnapped Steve to get to him? He could live with it, but he knew the guilt would eat at him until he found a way to correct the situation.
Danny glanced at the clock over the door and heard movement in the hallway. An orderly entered the room carrying a tray and placed it on the table. "Thanks," he said disinterestedly and heard the man leave.
"Danny, I know you're worried about Steve, but you need to eat," Chin said upon entering the room a few minutes later.
"I thought you were checking on Steve?"
"I did," Chin said as Williams sat up in the bed, wincing as the move tugged on the wound to his side.
"Do you have a read on his whereabouts?"
"I wish I could tell you we do, Danny, but the tracker Danielle placed stopped working a couple of hours ago."
"Sonofabitch! We need to..."
"You need to leave this to us, Danny," Chin warned and easily pressed the injure man back on the bed. "Catherine is keeping a watch for the signal and Danielle is trying to figure out what went wrong."
"Wo Fat might have found it and had it removed."
"Maybe, but I doubt it very much. Danielle's been working on this for a while and she's damn good at what she does. If there's a glitch she'll find it and call me right away."
"Jesus, Chin, I feel so damn helpless," Williams snapped.
"I know, Danny, but right now there's nothing you can do. Kono is at HQ correlating the data we have through several databases to see if we can find anything that might point to Wo Fat having holdings in the area where the signal disappeared," Chin explained and watched Williams pick at the food on his tray. "Is there anything else you remember about where you were held?"
"Don't you think I'd tell you if I did?" Williams snapped and apologized immediately. "Look, Chin, all I remember is that it was hot."
"What kind of hot?"
"What do you mean what kind of hot...hot hot!"
"Was it dry or humid?"
"Humid most of the time, and lots of insects," Williams answered, slapping his hand on the bed in frustration. "A lot of good that does us...I mean how many places can you describe as hot and humid with lots of insects? Most places in the southern hemisphere fits that description."
"Maybe, but at least it gives us some reference points," Chin said.
"I know," Williams said. "Chin, what about Mary?"
"I was hoping to wait until we had some information to give her, but I don't think I should wait any longer. She should be told."
"What about Wo Fat? Do we tell her about his claim that they are half brother and sister?"
"No, I don't think it would do any good to drop that bombshell on her right now," Chin observed. "She's going to want to come back here."
"I know," Williams said tiredly.
"Look, Danny, get some sleep. I'll call Mary and let her know what's happening," Chin said and watched as the injured man nodded once before pushing the table away. He wanted to ask about Rachel, but something told him that would only add to Williams' worries and the man had enough on his mind right now.
5050505050
Catherine Rollins stood on the deck of the Enterprise and leaned heavily against the railing as she thought about Steve McGarrett. The man had gotten under her skin, in more ways than one, and she knew she could happily spend the rest of her life in his arms. She thought about the last time she'd been to Hawaii and the way he looked in a tuxedo. God, the man was so damn sexy and didn't even realize the effect he had on women.
Catherine admired a man in uniform, especially one who wore it proudly like Steve McGarrett. She'd seen his record, knew several of his missions backward and forward because of her position, but now, when she really needed to find him, she had nothing. There wasn't even anyone she could talk to in an official capacity without revealing what she'd been doing. Use of the equipment she worked with would be frowned upon by her superiors, even though she had used it to help bring several criminals to justice.
Catherine stared at the water and hoped she'd have the chance to share another steak on the beach with Steve. The last time had been wonderful, even if the steak was a little too well done for her. Sex with Steve had more than made up for that and her body tingled with the thought of how well the man could play her body.
Catherine thought about Wo Fat and how the illusive sonofabitch seemed to be able to manipulate everyone around him. Steve had told her about him and she knew in her heart the man was hurting him. Wo Fat was the head of The Yakuza and had ties in more countries than she wanted to think about. Very little rattled him, yet there was something about Shelburne and Steve McGarrett that had become personal to him.
Steve didn't know what Shelburne was, although he seemed to have some sneaking suspicions and thought it tied in with his father and Joe White. So far all she could find was that it was a little village in North Korea. If you could call it a village, it had stood out when she did a check because the name was not Korean, and she wondered where the name had come from. It was something she wanted to share with Steve, but he was in Wo Fat's hands now and they had no way of knowing where he was.
Catherine knew her break would be over in five minutes and looked at the empty coffee cup in her right hand. She didn't remember drinking it, and knew she should have eaten something, but her stomach churned at the thought of food. With a last look toward the night sky overhead, Catherine turned and reluctantly went back to her post.
5050505050
McGarrett felt the familiar pull on his arms and felt the tips of his toes on the hard surface beneath him. He'd been stripped of all his clothing, except what covered his groin area. Wo Fat wasn't taking any chances that he had hidden something he could use to unlock the cuffs around his wrists. He thought about the tracker in his arm and wondered if it was still working, but couldn't check it's location because of the darkness surrounding him.
Steve shifted slightly and wondered how long he'd been unconscious, but the only way he could judge it was the ache in his shoulders each time he shifted his weight. His wrists were rubbed raw, and he tried to pulled his hands free, but whoever had secured the cuffs made damn sure he couldn't slip them off. His thought drifted to Danny, but he couldn't go there. Not right now...not without feeling the loss of a man he respected as both a fellow cop and friend.
McGarrett let his mind drift over the conversation he had with Wo Fat. Was it possible that he was telling the truth? Were they half brothers? Had his father known about Wo Fat? If so why hadn't he said anything? No, there was no way in hell John McGarrett would have abandoned a woman and child to a life of hardship had he known she was carrying his child. He couldn't have known about Wo Fat.
Steve shifted his weight slightly and waited for the needles and pins to subside before allowing himself to breath through tightly clenched teeth. He licked at dry lips and wondered how long Wo Fat would keep him alive. A sound from his right brought his head up and he gasped when bright light stabbed at his eyes. He waited for his eye to adjust, but couldn't see who his visitor was because he stood behind the bright light and kept flashing it in his eyes.
"Glad you have finally decided to rejoin us, Brother Dear," Wo Fat said from behind him and Steve realized the man had not entered his prison alone. He refused to acknowledge the sonofabitch and soon felt a finger tracing down his spine. "Did you know that there are many ways to cripple a man? I have studied the art of torture and know many ways to cause pain on so many levels. I could sever a number of nerves or simply cut the hamstring. Perhaps I could simply break your legs and keep you from escaping that way, but for now I believe I will leave you whole."
Steve didn't say anything as Wo Fat stepped in front of him and wrapped long, slender fingers around his throat. He tried to breathe, but the man put just enough pressure to keep him from getting enough oxygen into his lungs. The pressure remained constant and the edges of his vision wavered as darkness slowly descended, bringing with it little pinpricks of light that never quite solidified until the fingers relaxed and he took a deep breath. The respite lasted only a few seconds before the fingers tightened again, even as Wo Fat pulled him closer.
"I could easily snap your neck if I so desired, but there are still questions I need answered," Wo Fat said and released the captive's neck, smiling as he heard the heavy wheeze of breath being drawn through a ravaged throat. "Tell me about Shelburne."
"Go...to...hell," McGarrett managed.
"Hell is a place of your own making and since I am your own personal devil I will continue to make your life miserable. Who are you trying to protect, Brother? Our father is dead...your partner is dead...who does that leave? You and me and since I own you body and soul..."
"Not fucking likely," McGarrett snapped and stared at the hated man as he tried to make sense of what he was saying.
"Perhaps it would be more fun if I brought our sister..."
"Don't...she knows nothing about Shelburne!"
"Perhaps not, but I am sure she would be more fun to question than you," Wo Fat said.
"Touch her and I'll tear your heart out and shove it down your fucking throat!" McGarrett snarled and thought he saw a chink in Wo Fat's armor when the man turned and walked away before facing him again.
"Tell me what I want to know and I'll leave Mary alone," Wo Fat said and smiled at the silent captive. "Tell me...does she look like your mother or our father?"
McGarrett didn't bother to answer as Wo Fat circled him. God, he wanted to wipe the smirk off the bastards face and somehow he would do it, even if it took his dying breath to do so. Steve knew the man was baiting him, but that didn't make it any easier as Wo Fat struck his lower back with something that he hadn't seen. The pain was instantaneous and spread out across his hips until he shook with the force of a second blow that left him fighting for air.
"I will get my answers, Brother, even if it takes your last breath to give it to me."
"F...fuck y...you," the SEAL managed and laughed when the man struck him again. "Bring it on you twisted sonofabitch!"
"My mother was not a bitch in spite of how our father treated her." Wo Fat moved around in front of his captive and stared into the eyes that seemed so filled with hatred. "John McGarrett raped my mother and left her to raise me by herself..."
Steve heard the words and shook his head at how Wo Fat repeated his accusations without proof. He knew his father and there was no way in hell John McGarrett would rape a woman, let alone turn his back on her and their unborn child. Steve remembered the look on his father's face the day he'd held Mary and told Steve how important it was for him, as a big brother, to look after his baby sister. The pride in the man's face was enough to drive home the love he had for not only Mary, but their mother and him as well.
"I will leave you to think about what I said, Brother..."
"I'm not your brother."
"As you wish, but the truth is there and I know what my mother told me..."
"Your mother lied, Wo Fat..."
"No, she did not. Too bad Detective Williams is dead...he believed what I told him," the man snarled and struck out once more before striding out of the cell and closing the door.
Steve breathed through tightly clenched teeth as the door closed and he was left in absolute darkness. He tried not to dwell on what Wo Fat had told him, but relived the sound of the gunshot and the sight of Danny in the ocean with sharks circling ever closer. Had Chin made it or...no, he couldn't think about that or the images would drive him insane. He needed to believe Chin made it to Danny and that Williams was safe with his family.
McGarrett shifted slightly and felt the throbbing ache in his lower back. Whatever Wo Fat had done, it was enough to make it uncomfortable no matter what Steve did. He allowed his head to drop forward and knew he had to find a way to escape, but not before he killed the bastard. If that was to be his final act, then so be it. He sighed tiredly and wished he could lie down and let it all go away, but that would make him a quitter and that was something he couldn't live with.
5050505050
Danielle Marceau cursed herself for not being able to figure out where she'd gone wrong. So far they'd been unable to reestablish the connection with the tracker in McGarrett's arm. She'd run diagnostic after diagnostic, searching for anything that could tell her what went wrong. Chin had called her several times, hoping that she had good news for him, but each time she'd let him down.
There were several things that could have caused a malfunction and she'd warned them it hadn't been tested, yet that didn't ease her mind. There could be several things that had caused the tracker to malfunction or it could be some sort of natural or man made interference. It would take time to figure it out, time Steve McGarrett might not have according to Chin.
"Danielle, is it possible that it's just the distance?" Callie Smith asked.
"Right now I can't rule out anything," Danielle answered.
"There was nothing that would indicate mechanical failure. It just stopped transmitting," Paul Anderson said.
Danielle looked at her assistants and knew she'd chosen well. They were both top of their class in computer technology and had volunteered when she'd asked the Dean for permission to take a couple of students under her wing. She just hoped they were as good as she thought because a man's life depended on them finding and ultimately fixing the problem.
5050505050
Danny knew he should sleep, but there seemed to be no way of shutting down the rampant thoughts running through his mind like a runaway locomotive. How the hell was he supposed to sleep when Steve was at Wo Fat's mercy, especially knowing what he now knew? Could John McGarrett really have fathered a man who valued money and position above family? How could Wo Fat and Steve McGarrett possibly be brothers when they were opposite ends of the spectrum?
Danny shifted his body and sat up, sliding his legs over the edge before easing himself onto the floor. He stood for several long seconds, waiting for the room to right itself before reaching for the IV pole and making his way to the window. He sat in the lone chair and looked out of the garden at the back of the hospital. It was empty now, except for a lone couple sitting at a table near the back and he wondered whether they were staff or visitors. More than likely it was the latter because visiting hours had ended several hours ago.
Williams thought about Rachel and the baby, but he knew there would be no answers there until he was out of the hospital and able to fight Rachel for a paternity test. If the baby was his, then he planned to be a part of his life whether Rachel agreed or not. No way in hell would she keep him from his son any more than she could keep him from his daughter. They were and always would be his life.
Danny took a deep breath and thought about the choices he'd made and knew there were times when he regretted the decision to become a cop. That feeling didn't last long, not when he looked at Grace and realized he was doing his damndest to make the world a better place for her and children like her. God, how many bodies, young and old alike, had he seen after people like Wo Fat or Victor Hesse or some other sonofabitch got through with them? How many more would have died had it not been for the people who chose to go after the bastards who killed little children and abused them in ways too sickening for some people to comprehend?
Williams knew he'd make the same decision no matter what other people thought. Rachel was wrong when she tried to keep him from his family and he'd make damn sure she knew that even if it meant a long drawn out battle. He'd just make damn sure Grace and the baby weren't hurt in the process.
Danny ran his fingers through his hair and briefly wondered how long it had been since he'd showered. How many days had passed since he'd fallen into Wo fat's trap? Hell, he couldn't even remember much about how he was caught off guard. He just remembered coming home after a long swim in the ocean and tossing his stuff on the table or counter...God, he couldn't even be sure of that. It was as if several days were missing and somehow he needed to get them back.
Williams glanced at the clock over the door and knew the night nurse would soon be there to check on him. She'd probably read him the riot act for being out of bed, but he needed to think and he did his best thinking when he wasn't half asleep under the influence of the heavy IV pain medication. He also realized that without the drugs he'd probably be in a hell of a lot more pain than he felt right now.
Danny leaned forward, cursing the weakness of his limbs as he tried to stand. He needed to find out what was happening in the search for Steve, but right now he doubted he had the energy to make it the few feet to his bed, let alone out of the room.
"Detective, I have your...what are you doing out of bed?" Miwa Akita said and shook her head. She placed the medications on the table and moved to help back to bed. "You could have fallen and broken that pretty face of yours."
"Where are your glasses?" Williams asked when she eased him onto the bed.
"What makes you think I wear glasses?"
"You must...called...me a pretty face," Williams answered.
"Oh...sorry, I should have said handsome. At times you're language is so hard."
Danny chuckled softly as she tucked the blankets around him and efficiently set up his antibiotics and IV solution before checking the PCA.
"I do not understand why men like you choose not to use the help when they need it. You cannot over-medicate, Detective, so use it when you need it."
"I'm okay," Williams said and smiled when she placed her hands on her hips and looked at him, disbelief easily read in her dark eyes.
"there's a song for men like you."
"There is?" Williams asked.
"Yes, I think it goes something along the lines of Macho, Macho Man...I wanna be a Macho Man," Miwa told him.
"I haven't heard that one in ages," the Jersey native told her and sighed before pushing the button. He knew it wouldn't be long before the medication took hold and he'd be asleep.
"Would you like me to turn off the light?"
"Yes, please," Williams said and watched her leave. He knew he needed to sleep, but his mind was working overtime with the events of the last 24 hours.
5050505050
Chin and Kono were at the office before the sun was up the next morning. Chin had already checked in with Danielle and knew nothing had changed since he'd last spoken with her. Kono had updated Mary McGarrett and would be picking the woman up at the airport later in the day. Governor Denning was also given a report with everything they had so far. That didn't amount to much, but that had never stopped them before.
"Kono, bring up a list of Yakuza holdings within a one hundred mile radius of where we lost Steve's signal," Chin said and watched as his cousin manipulated the simple commands and brought up a map of the area. Four places lit up, including the island where Wo Fat had held Steve the last time. Now they needed to find out if Wo Fat was using any of these places, or did he have other holdings unknown to The Yakuza.
"Chin, he could have brought him back to North Korea," Kono observed.
"I know. I'm going to contact Joe and see if he can look into it from his end," Chin told her. The truth was he'd been trying to contact the man, but so far he'd come up empty.
"What about Catherine?"
"I spoke to her last night, but she's come up empty. She feels helpless and she's worried about Steve," Chin offered.
"Aren't we all?" Kono asked and continued to work on the overhead display. "Kamekona is keeping an ear open for anything that might give us a place to start."
"Good, if anyone can get us a lead it's him," Chin said. "Danielle's kicking herself for what's happened."
"It's not her fault."
"We know that, but she's angry that she lost the signal."
"Didn't she warn you and Steve it wasn't fully tested?"
"Yes, she did, and I reminded her of that, but she still takes it as a failure on her part and she'll keep working at it until she finds a way to rectify the situation," Chin said and frowned when he looked at the map. "We should expand our search to include any island large enough for Wo Fat to use as a base."
"We should check to see if anyone in the outer islands saw anything out of the ordinary," Kono said and saw Chin nod in agreement. She knew the man was worried, they all worry, especially where Wo Fat was concerned. The man had a reason, albeit a personal one, for his dislike of Steve McGarrett and made no secret of wanting him dead. They were going to make sure Wo Fat would not get what he wanted.
TBC!