A/N: Sorry about taking forever to update, kinda hit a rather large wall. Teetering a bit on the top ." Not beta-ed any spelling/grammar mistakes are my own and I apologize.

Chapter 4

7.24 a.m

Danny kicked off the bed sheet, he was uncomfortable and covered in a thin layer of sweat. He swallowed a few times and slowly became aware his mouth was parched and tasted sour. Moaning quietly he rose through the last few layers of sleep stopping short of the surface. He shivered, the cogs of his mind began to rotate, things weren't adding up and why the fuck was the room spinning when he hadn't even opened his eyes yet?

"..."

"..."

"Danny?"

His moaning morphed into groaning as the night previous began to intermittently piece itself together. He could tell he was in his apartment by the smell and in his bed as it comfortably held his dead weight. How he got home he did not know. How he got undressed and into bed, he did not know. How he was still in one piece he did not- wait? Was he actually in one piece?

"Babe?"

'Whoa fuck!'

Danny cracked a bloodshot eye open, his face still half buried in his pillow. Yup the room was spinning and super SEAL was planted firmly in the middle of it making the effect even more nauseous as his stomach match the spinning of the room. He remained fearful, unmoving, his arm draped over the side of the bed.

"Uhhh."

"Mornin' sunshine! At least you're still alive. Coffee?"

"Nnnhh."

"Basin?"

"Mmm-nnnhh."

"Cool, hangover probably hasn't kicked in yet."

"..."

"Gotta love Monday mornings eh? Ready for work? Shower, big plate of eggs, bacon, sausage, oj, coffee, sunshine you'll be as right as rain yeah!?"

"Uhh...nnnhhh"

"'Cause you know a hangover is very unprofessional should you need a day off work. What is it you said to me last week, hmmm?" Steve feigned ignorance, holding his chin in deep thought, "Oh yeah!" he chirped up clicking his fingers, "Do me a favor. Go get a coffee, some painkiller, get over your hangover quick." his voice lowered as he finished.

Steve hunkered down so he was level with Danny, his expression and tone serious.

"But your hangover won't kick in for an hour or two when you take into account the drunken mess you were last night, when I picked you up off the street of which you were staggering down. So if you can drag yourself into the office for lunch, as your boss, I'll overlook this, yeah?"

"Uhhh."

"Great and I'll even do you one more, I'll check in on your crazy-assed sister and make sure she didn't die of alcohol poisoning either." he slapped Danny on the shoulder heartily before departing.

Steve pulled into Claire's driveway and hopped out. He frowned at the taxi parked on the street. It was just before eight and he was sure Claire was worse than Danny, at least he was somewhat coherent last night. He set his jaw and banged hard on the door, loud enough he hoped, to wake the dead.

Silence.

He allowed himself a quick smirk. A small part of him enjoyed this, a form of payback. His smirk was quickly wiped away when he went to pound on the door a second time and the door flew open.

" 'the fuck do you want?"

"Huh? You're not dead?" Steve pointed out slightly disappointed.

"You are weird, you know that?"

"And you're dressed?"

"And a fucking pervert at that! Of course I'm goddamn dressed why wouldn't I be?" Claire snapped.

"Well you were very drunk last night and Danny..."

"A twelve year old could drink Daniel under the table."

"But-"

"Get over yourself just because that idiot is going to die for the next two days does not mean I would." Claire gestured for Steve to leave, taking a gulp of coffee. She was getting uncomfortable at his close proximity. Glancing over his shoulder she spotted the taxi.

"Damn I'm going to be late!"

"Work?" Steve admonished.

"What? Here hold this." She rushed, shoving the coffee mug into his hand so she could grab her heels and bag, slipping into the former.

Steve blinked and held the mug closer sniffing its contents.

"You've just reached a new level. My friend is a physiologist. I think you should pay her a visit." Claire sighed.

"Funny, 'cause my friend works for the AA, I definitely think you should pay him a visit." Steve replied frowning, "This isn't just coffee is it?"

Claire stared at him for a moment before snatching for the mug that Steve kept out of reach. She smiled but it never reached her eyes.

"It's an Irish coffee."

"It has whiskey in it!"

"That's what an Irish coffee is you uncultured baboon."

"It's ten to eight...in the morning!"

"Yes we already established you can read the time Steve, we covered this last night."

"Claire-"

"Since when did you become Daniel hmm? Get in here!" she growled gabbing him by the shirt front and pulling him inside. She waved at the taxi that honked in annoyance and tore off.

"Great, have to knocked him off the list. Listen numb nuts, I'm not an alcoholic and I am not going to work. I'm not stupid enough to get wasted if I have work the next day, that's totally irresponsible. I have a meeting, which you will now have to drop me to and it's called the cure, eases the hangover, you should try it or do SEAL's ever get hangovers?" she glared at him.

"Why did you-?"

"Bring you in? Because I want to know what your deal is."

Steve rubbed his shoulder absently, shifting his weight as Claire disposed of the last of the coffee.

"I don't-"

"Did Daniel put you up to this?"

"No."

"Are you doing this because you think he will ask you to do this?"

"...no."

"Then why?"

"I was just checking up on you?"

"Right. Well let me make this clear. I have been here for seven months. I have gotten wasted in those seven months and lived to tell the tale. I do not need nor want you or Daniel of any of your cop friends checking up on me. I have been here before and I am not going back there. You got that solider?"

"Yes."

"You sure you've got it."

"Yes!" Steve replied slight exasperated.

"Good. Now you cost me my taxi so you can drop me on your way to work.

9.34a.m

Danny sat up slowly clutching his throbbing head. He wasn't breathing at this current time. Every intake of air was met with discomfort and every exhale was a self-sympathetic moan. His head thumped loudly and painfully in time with his heart beat and his stomach sloshed about like the rising tide. Even sitting on the edge of his bed the muscles quivered like jelly. It was easier to sit there with his eyes closed. The world didn't seem to spin as severely. His mouth watered with the stale aftertaste of scotch. Feeling out he located the large glass of water and brought it to his dry lips. Who knew the smell of water could turn ones stomach as he forced a mouth full of room temperature water down his throat. It hit his stomach like a rock been dropped into a puddle. He moaned louder this time and the bile churned higher in his esophagus.

No Advil for him.

His mouth watered again. It was going to happen.

"Sweet mother of divine." he whispered. Cracking an eye open he slid off the bed onto all fours and crawled to the bathroom. He clung to his porcelain toilet bowl and puked. Puked like he never before. After emptying his stomach contents he lay on his cold bathroom floor. Hygiene was not of concern, exhausted he dozed.

1.00p.m

Steve drummed his fingers restlessly on his desk. Another quiet day but his mind was pre-occupied. He had been watching the clock all morning. Danny had yet to show but as the clock turned one Steve hit speed dial on his phone.

"Danny?"

"Fuck me seven ways till Sunday." came the whispered reply.

"What?"

"Jesus Steve stop shouting!"

"I'm not shouting, THIS IS SHOUTING! Now where are you?"

"Where do you think Sherlock?"

"You're a mess you know that!?"

"Screw you asshole, just because super SEAL never get hangovers-"

"Deja vu, you and your sister are scarily alike. By the way, had a riveting conversation with her this morning. If you want to know about it get your hungover ass into work! NOW!" Steve slammed down the phone with more force than necessary. Looking up he caught Chin's cocked eyebrow. He waved him off when his phone rang.

"Did you just hang up on me? Did you just shout and hang up on me!?"

Sighing Steve lightly banged his forehead off his desk repeatedly as he held the phone receiver at arms length. He was trying to knock some sense into himself as Danny roared down the phone at him. Apparently he was feeling slightly better.

Chin slipped into his office, not much fazed by the sight before him.

"Boss I'm not sure if it is significant but I was following up a case but- well it's about Claire."

Steve held up a finger,

"Babe you know what, there isn't much happening here and you're up to speed on your paper work so you know, take the rest of the day off." Steve hung up immediately. "Talk."
"It could be nothing...but I seen Claire emerge from one of Noshimuri's office buildings, with Adam. They um, well they met with a few of his known associates and she left in a car with them."

"When was this?"

"About an hour ago. I tried to follow but lost them in the traffic. I ran the plate but the car is registered to Adam with no outstanding warrants."

"Did you ask Kono?"

"Yeah she doesn't know anything about Adam's day and says Adam doesn't talk about work. She's pretty upset and offended."

"Why the hell would she be dealing with Noshimuri?" Steve mumbled to himself.

"Should we tell Danny?"

"No...I don't know...he'd flip."

"Maybe you should talk to Claire boss?"

"Ah no, no."

"It's that or Danny finds out and...does a you...no offense."

"And that'll just end badly on both fronts."

7.12p.m

Claire moaned rolling herself into a ball on her couch.

"That's it, I'm taking the pledge. I'm never drinking again." she said sighing to herself rubbing her back. "There there liver, I will stop abusing you so."

She had just closed her eyes when the pounding on the door started. She paused. She had no tv or lights on.

'Nobody is home.'

"Claire open up I know you're in there!"

"Oh you have got to be shitting me!" she whispered.

"Claire!" the banging started again.

"I'm COMING!" she roared launching herself to quickly off the couch, making the room spin as she wobbled to the door. She flung the door opened but didn't have time to say anything as Steve barreled his way in practically picking her up and shutting the door in the process.

"How's the head?" Steve enquired without much feeling.

"It would be better if you weren't here...again!"

"Funny, do you know what is also funny?"

"What?" she was too tired for these games.

"The Yakuza."

"What?"

"Noshimuri, Adam Noshimuri to be exact. You know the meeting you had with him today and his buddies?"

"Excuse me?"

"I know all about it Claire, furthermore Danny will find out and when he does, you thought been fined was bad!"

"Whoa whoa whoa just hold on a minute there!"

"Why were you meeting him Claire, what for? How long has this been going on?"

"Shut up, just shut up! Who are YOU to be sticking your nose in to my business all of a sudden?"

"They. Are. The. Yakuza."

"Listen I don't know what you're talking about-"

"YOU were seen with Adam today. I dropped you to your meeting with the Yakuza. Me. What was it about!?" Steve was getting frustrated.

Claire paused. She could see by Steve's posture he meant business.

"I don't know anything about the Yakuza-" she started quietly.

"Claire-"

"I don't! Yes I had a meeting with Adam today. It was a referral from another client but it is not some sordid business deal that you are obviously referring to! I had no notion that they were or are tied to the Yakuza, as far as I am concerned it is legitimate."

"What business deal?"

"That is none of your concern McGarrett!"

"Yes it is!" it came out angrier than he wanted and he didn't mean to grab her arm but it did. He instantly regretted it went he saw the fear flash across her face.

"I'm sorry but you have to understand the gravity of the situation."

"I don't even know what the situation is and apparently neither do you!" she replied shakily.

Steve sighed. This was bad.

"Adam Noshimuri is tied to the Yakuza. He himself may be legitimate but his business is not, not fully anyway. They are tied to a man called Wo Fat. Wo Fat is tied to Five-0, tied to Danny and myself. Can you understand now? If Danny hears you are doing business with Adam or if Wo Fat learns of who you are, it is dangerous."

Claire sat down heavily on the armchair.

"I filed for divorce." Claire started.

"...I filed for divorced and I moved down here to get away from Casey. My solicitor is one of Adam's associates. I didn't know they were Yakuza. I was- my case was referred to him from Jersey as I couldn't find somebody locally. I needed it do be done quickly and quietly. Christ is it legit?"

Steve was stunned into silence. He watched with a growing sense of foreboding as Claire trembled from her perch on the armchair.

"From my understanding parts of the business are legitimate but other parts are not. If you were referred..."

"I think I'm gonna be sick." Claire gasped, her hand over her mouth.

"Look don't panic-"

"Don't panic! Are you fucking insane! I got those papers served the other day! Casey knows, he knows where I am and now you fucking tell me that they might not be legit. That the divorced won't be legal! Don't fuck with me!" Claire half choked, half sobbed. " Oh Jesus! She repeated over and over rocking herself back and forth.

Steve ran his hands through his hair. Talk about the shit hitting the fan and Danny wasn't even in the picture yet. Chin was right, Danny would go SEAL on him, even worse Danny would go Rambo on him.