Chapter 27

Johnny and Roy were lounging by the pool while the kids played. They were reading a couple books they'd picked up at the Pearl Harbor Memorial. It had been a very somber morning, taking a boat out to the Arizona which was still resting on the bottom of the harbor.

The entire visit was silent. No one could speak. To see the stack just peeking out of the water, to know that men were trapped and alive days and days after the attack and died horrible deaths, it was absolutely gut wretching.

Since Cap, Roy and Chet all had experience in Vietnam, the memorial held more of an emotional impact, bringing back memories of their own war. The others weren't untouched by the bittersweet pain; all of the adults had lost family and friends in the Vietnam, Korea and WWII.

Chet had gone off with Hank, Mike and Marco for a drink in the bar. The women were relaxing in the Desoto's room. That left Roy and Johnny with all the kids. For them the loud, boisterous sounds of life did more to soothe their souls than anything else.

Setting his book aside Gage pulled his legs up and reached over for his mai tai. He carefully took count: the teenagers across the pool sunning themselves, Chris enjoying the diving board, Becky and Jenny sitting on the pool steps busy with Barbie dolls.

The feeling of contentment seeped into his melancholy and warmed him. He sat there, soaking up the children's life force, as he sipped.

Desoto looked over at his friend. He could see that the tight, pained lines that had taken over his eyes were gone and Gage was relaxed once more. He looked over at the pool to see what had caught his attention. Hmmm, no pretty girl in a bikini. Just the kids.

The kids. He watched his daughter as she giggled at something Becky had said. Saw his son try a spinning dive off the board. Watched Jake smooth a little lotion on his sister's back after she'd turned over.

The peacefulness of life settled on him and the painful memories started to slip away. The horrendous loss of life in all the wars fought came down to this: the loved ones were protected and happy. The blackness, the evilness, did not come here.

Tossing his book aside Roy reached over for his own drink. Mimicking his best friend, he sat up a bit and pulled knees up, enjoying the frolic in the pool.

"Hey, I'm gonna get something to eat," Johnny said. "Think the kids'll want a snack?" Roy chuckled.

"I'm sure they will," he said. "Me too, for that matter!"

"Any preferences?" the younger man asked.

"Surprise us," Roy smirked. The lanky paramedic stretched as he stood up then headed off for the snack bar.

"DADDY! WATCH WHAT I CAN DO!" Chris bellowed. For such a small kid he could definitely up the volume. Roy waved at him, indicating he had his dad's full attention. Frowning in concentration the tow-headed blonde leapt off the board and managed to turn a somersault before going feet-first into the pool.

Of course his dad clapped and whistled his pride, and a couple other sun-bathers added their own applause. Face reddened with embarrassment Chris swam over to the steps by his sister.

"I did it, Dad!" he crowed, not as loudly as before.

"You sure did, Chris!" Roy praised him. "That was a great somersault!"

"I want ta show Uncle Johnny!" he proclaimed.

"He'll be back soon, he went to get something for us to eat," his father replied. All three children on the steps grinned.

"Yay!" Becky and Jenny cheered. "We're hungry!" They hurried out of the pool and went to find towels. The quick movement out caused the teenagers to look over. Roy had to smile.

"Johnny's getting us a snack," he called over. Brother and sister got up and gathered their things returning to the 'adult' side of the pool.

"Great!" Jake said. "I'm hungry!"

"What's he gonna get?" Ruthie asked as she tossed down a towel on the lounge.

"Don't know," Roy admitted. "I asked for a surprise." They didn't have long to wait. Johnny returned with a full pitcher of juice and a waiter carrying glasses on a tray. Two new mai tais were ready for the adults; 'virgin' mai tais for the younger group.

"It'll be over soon," Gage promised as he began pouring out the juice. He set the glasses on a picnic-type table and soon had all five kids sitting and sipping. Roy joined them but was pleased to have another rum-fortified juice.

The kids became excited when three waiters came out carrying trays. One held a pile of fresh fruit, a staple of their meals since they'd come to Hawaii. The second held small rolls stuffed with various meats and cheeses. Small crocks of mayonnaise, mustard and ketchup accompanied them. The third tray held...

"FRENCH FRIES!" excited voices called out. They'd been bereft of the deep fried treats because the mothers felt they needed to eat healthy.

"Man, am I glad Joanne isn't here!" Roy groaned as he snagged a couple hot fries and stuffed them into his mouth. Jake and Ruth quickly began splitting the outlawed treat between the plates. They knew that Becky and Jenny were more interested in the fruit and gleefully took the extras.

Soon the mini sandwiches and fruit was passed around. The contra-band plate was covered with the fruit platter. Even though lunch had only happened three hours before the assembled ate with gusto.

"Hmmm, anything left for a starving doctor?" Kel Brackett asked as he leaned between Chris and Jake. He snagged a french fry and slid it into the ketchup. With a put-upon sigh the teenager shifted some of his fries onto an empty plate. With a matching sigh Ruth did the same. Roy and Johnny added a few more and another chair was pulled up to the table.

"So, the women are letting you guys bach it?" he asked as he latched on to several meat-stuffed rolls. He happily spread condiments on and snagged his room mate's mai tai. Rolling his eyes the younger paramedic stomped off to the bar for more refreshments. This time he returned with two pitchers of juice. One had several decorative umbrellas.

"Adults only," he huffed as he poured out a glass for himself.

"Kids only," Ruthie smirked as she snagged the other decorated with small plastic monkeys. They continued to happily eat their way through the 'snacks'.

After a bit Gage noted Becky was droopy, nearly asleep over her plate. Nudging Roy he nodded towards an equally sleepy Jenny. The two men got up and bundled the little girls in comfy dry towels and soon they were napping on a nearby lounge.

"How was Dr. Hu today?" Roy asked with a grin. Kel poured some more adult juice into his purloined cup and took a sip.

"Lousy," he replied. "But Karina and Dr. Choi were very happy to see me. We set up the communications board. The maintenance crew will hang it tonight."

"Great," Johnny said as he speared some more pineapple. "Now all three hospital ER's have one. Make things a lot easier."

"Yep," the doctor agreed. "Spoke at length with the administrator over at Castle as well. He was very interested in the community projects we discussed with Chief Kimura. Looks like Choi's going to be put in charge of the paramedics and ER coordinator leaving Hu tacitly in charge of the ER. She will not be pleased." Gage snorted.

"If you can't change with the times," Roy waxed philosophic, "you get left in the dust."

"Oh, your friend Williams came in with an injured suspect," Kel related. "He wanted to know if you'd like to go out to dinner at the Shen's." Johnny raised an eyebrow.

"You going, too?" he asked.

"Yep, have to meet the creative genius behind that food you brought back," Kel nodded. Johnny's face frowned.

"The last two times I went out with you in Honolulu at night it was a disaster!" he exclaimed catching both Roy and Brackett by surprised.

"Hey, it wasn't my fault!" Doc protested. "I mean, yeah, we went to Puni's 'cause it was recommended," he began, "and we went to the country club because, uh..."

"Because it was recommended to you," Gage finished as though he'd made a point.

"But William's suggested Shen's and I know that you haven't had any trouble with his choices!" Kel affirmed.

"I don't know," Johnny muttered. "Nightlife, Honolulu and you just don't go well with me!" Roy rolled his eyes.

"Well, when you've gone out with Detective Williams you didn't have any trouble," the senior paramedic pointed out.

"Yea-ah," his partner grudgingly agreed.

"The three of us went to Kelly's together and there was no problem," Bracket pointed out.

"Well, yea-ah," Gage again ground out in agreement.

"So the three of you going to Shen's should be no problem as well!" Desoto declared.

"Ok," Johnny finally agreed. "I guess were going earlier since we're heading out to the North Shore tomorrow morning."

"Yes, Danny said he'd be here around six," Kel stated. "He's off early and doesn't have to go back until Saturday."

"His hours are worse than ours!" Roy decided. "We may go 24 or 48 at a time but he seems to always be on."

The table crew finished off the rest of the food an the teens decided to check out the beach. Gage, always full of energy, bussed the table returning the plates to the stand. Brackett wandered off to shower and change for dinner.

When the wives appeared Johnny made his escape. He liked the smell of the tanning lotion but he felt a bit greasy and sticky. Add to that the light layer of gritty sand and it added up to needing a shower!

About an hour later there was a knock on the door and Doc ushered in Danny Williams. There was some light bantering as Gage put on the 'finishing touches', finger fluffing his hair a bit in the mirror. Once more he grouched at his room mate.

"It doesn't matter what Roy said," he complained. "You and Honolulu night life does not go together with me!" Kel just snickered with Danny.

"Aw, don't worry, Johnny," the detective placated. "I'll protect you!" They started out the door and down the hall. There were a couple men waiting for the elevator and they joined the queue. As the doors opened several things happened.

One, the larger of the two men grabbed Danny from behind and forced a white cloth over his face and dragged him into the elevator. Guy number two suddenly flashed a gun and herded the other two men into it after them.

"Oh geeze!"Johnny complained. "I told you! Didn't I tell you?"

"Shut up," Mr. gun said. Johnny glared at Kel and crossed his arms in a sulk. For his part Kel couldn't believe how stupid the younger man was. There was a gun on them and he could see whatever was on the cloth had subdued Danny completely.

The elevator dropped to the fifth floor.

"Carry him, now!" Williams' limp body was heaved onto the two men and they managed to drag him off the elevator. A gun was pressed into Brackett's back with a whispered warning. He nodded his understanding as they moved down the hall.

"Just a little too much to drink," Mr. cloth said to a passing couple. The adults chuckled, some a bit forced. A door was opened and they tumbled inside the lower rent room.

"Put 'm on the bed," Mr. C directed. "I'll get the cuffs." Soon the detective was handcuffed with his own cuffs still out cold. The other goon had waved the two medical personnel towards the small table and chairs against the window. Brackett took the clue and sat down, hands in his lap. Johnny refused, leaning against the wall as far away from the doctor as he could.

"I told you!" he hissed angrily. "I am never going out with you again!"

"Johnny..." Kel tried to placate the huffy young man to no avail. The paramedic just looked away, crossing his arms in a classic, childish sulk. Mr. C found this amusing and snorted.

"Temper, temper!" he chided, then turned serious. "Better watch that trap of yours, John-ny. We don't need either of you." He turned to his partner, still holding the gun on them.

"I'm gonna contact 5-0," he said. "You keep 'em here. Any problems, aim for a leg."

"Don't worry, fellas," Mr. G. said as he brandished his gun. "Got the silencer on so we won't wake Williams. Remember the knock," he told the gunless man as he left the room.

"Ya, three pause three," came the reply. Johnny turned his glare on the doctor.

"I can't believe this! Wasn't it enough to get pummeled at that... that bar then get doped up at the club?" Kel was flummoxed. Why the hell Gage was pulling this whiny act was beyond him. Mr. G looked at him with a curious smirk.

"What bar?" he prodded.

"Well, genius here," Gage latched on to the topic, "takes me to this dive called Punni's. I try to get him to leave as soon as I see the joint, but does he listen? Noo-ooo. He just goes in as quick as you please and pisses off the regulars." The gunman's eyes rounded.

"You two went into Punni's?" he slightly gasped. "Damn, that takes guts. Plenty mokes there make pilikia!"

"You got dat right, bruddah!" Gage slipped slightly into pidgin. "The doc's pupule! I ended up with a bum shoulder and tossed on da pool table!" The gun barrel started to go down as Mr. G was caught up in the story.

"What happened?" he asked.

"Tore my shirt off and were making pretty friendly," Johnny continued, still darting angry glances at Kel. "I managed to grab a pool cue and went snap, ya know? Took a couple of 'em down before the cops showed up."

"Man, that's soo bussed up!" the gunman said in admiration. "I never go to that dive and I'm kamaaina!"

"Yeah, well the second time I go out with this lolo," Gage jerked his head towards Brackett, "we go to this fancy-shmancy club on the beach. Ya know, the new one with all the snotty people."

"Hoo, yups, know that place," he agreed. "Can't get in 'cause I don't got the bucks, ya know?"

"Yups, I'd never have gone in, neither, but Mr. doctor over there has some uppity friends that got membership," Johnny continued. "Some fancy tables, bad lighting and a bar with those foo-foo drinks."

"Eh, give me a beer any day!" Mr. G shrugged.

"Anyway, I get slipped a mickey! Start barfing all over the nice manicured sand!" he complained. "Stupid security dragged my sorry butt out o' dere and tossed me on the steps. Said I couldn't come back or dey'd have me arrested. And it wasn't even my fault!"

Now Kel figured it out. Johnny was talking up the gunman in hopes of making him slip up. He just hoped his friend wasn't foolish enough to try for the gun.

"Bruddah! You are so right! This haole has it in for you," he gestured toward the doctor. "After dis is all over you just forget him!"

"I just get so habut! He's so irraz, ya know?" Gage settled a little more against the wall.

"Yups, I got it," Mr. G said. They sat/stood in silence for a moment.

"Hey, bruddah? Can I use the john?" Gage asked. "Gotta take a leak or I'm gonna get messed up."

"Yeah, go ahead," Mr. G said. "I'll just watch the haole." Johnny went into the bathroom and closed the door. Just like his own room there was a phone on the wall. It seemed so weird when he first saw it, but now he was glad. He quickly dialed for an outside line and contacted 5-0.

Flushing, washing his hands and making a show of zipping up as he left the bathroom Johnny re-entered the main room and nodded at Mr. G. He didn't return across the room but elected to sit on the bed next to Williams' lax body. Discreetly he checked for pulse and was rewarded by a twitch. Danny's eyes opened slightly letting him know the detective was awake.

"So, what else you do?" Mr. G asked hoping to pass the time. Johnny talked a little about surfing but didn't pursue that topic when it was apparent that the man didn't care for it. Next he launched into the reason he was even in the islands and started talking about the different rescues he'd been on. This was acceptable to the gunman and the paramedic began regaling him with tales of danger and daring.

About 45 minutes later there was a knocking at the door.

"He's back!" the gun man pulled up the weapon and pointed it at the doctor. "No funny stuff haole! You'll be the first." Without caution he swung open the door and came face to face with two large guns.

"5-0," growled Steve McGarrett. "Drop it!" Poor Mr. G looked pathetic as the gun slipped to the floor and he raised his hands. He was quickly cuffed and put into the other chair by the window. Chin closed the door as McGarrett unlocked the handcuffs on his friend.

"I'm glad to see you, Steve!" the younger man smiled as he rubbed his wrists. "What happened?"

"Got a call from your surfing buddy," the older detective said. "Thought you'd like some backup." They both grinned at the paramedic.

"We know you want to go grind, Danny," Chin said. "But if you'd give us a couple minutes Maxwell will be back."

"Maxwell?" Brackett asked. Johnny suddenly looked embarrassed and looked over at his friend.

"Doc, sorry about what I said," he apologized. "At least for most of it." The doctor chuckled.

"I wasn't so sure at first what you were up to," Kel admitted.

"What happened?" Steve broke in. "I have to get a statement anyway." Their conversation was interrupted by knocks on the door. This time a very surprised Maxwell was manhandled and cuffed.

"How?" he sputtered.

"Let's go," Steve turned him around as Chin gathered up the gunman.

"Think you can find the Palace?" Danny asked Johnny as he held out his keys. "I need to back up the guys."

"Sure," Gage agreed. Two more officers entered the room with camera and an evidence kit. It was a relief to walk down the hall and take a separate elevator to the lobby.

"You know, Johnny, maybe it's YOU who's the disaster magnet for ME," Kel teased. With a snort and toss of the head the paramedic sauntered out to the bright yellow convertible.