In moments the paramedics were there and they had taken over the scene. Duke Lukela came to their side and handed them another bottle of water and some towels and as they watched the care being provided to Chin they washed their bloodied hands and arms. Kono wet a towel and moving to Steve, she wiped her cousin's blood from his face and neck.

Steve asked Duke, "Did we get Suarez?"
"Yes, he's dead. We killed eight and injured four. We lost two of our own though and three more besides Chin are injured"
Danny asked, "Who died?"
"Rey Taketa and Kevin Rogers"
Danny ran his hand through his hair, "Shit, Rogers has three little kids"
Duke added, "Yeah, and Taketa just got married two months ago" He looked down at Chin, "How is he doing?"
Steve didn't hesitate in responding, "He's going to make it"
"I've got to get back to processing the scene. I'll check in on Chin later"
Steve nodded, "Thank You Duke"

The paramedics worked with amazing skill and efficiency. Within fifteen minutes of arriving and with the help of Steve and Danny, Chin was lifted onto the stretcher and was being wheeled across the pavement towards the waiting ambulance. Steve spoke as they walked briskly behind the stretcher, "Kono, ride with him. Danny and I will follow you" Glancing into Chin's truck Steve moved over to the Camero. "He left his keys in the truck, I'll follow you" Pulling off their blood soaked vests and tossing them on the floor off the backseat of the Camero, Steve then ran to the truck and followed Danny as the ambulance pulled onto the busy Oahu streets.

Once in the parking lot at the hospital, Steve and Danny grabbed their go-bags from the vehicles and raced inside just as they were wheeling Chin through the doors of the emergency room. Steve put an arm around Kono's shoulder and whispered, "Come on Kono. Let's go to the waiting room"

The three grabbed coffee and sat at a table to wait. One by one they went to the nearby bathroom changing into clean clothes and washing up. They talked little, their thoughts all on their teammate who was fighting for his life.
Kono spoke softly, "At least we killed Suarez, the filthy son of a bitch"
Danny grinned, "We chopped the head off the snake"
Steve added, "From what the intel reports say, that should put the ring out of business. They weren't large enough yet to survive without him"
Danny leaned back, closing his eyes "I sure hope you're right partner"

They had been waiting for a couple of hours when Steve's phone vibrated with an in-coming text. Glancing at his phone he read,"I need to see you right away. Don't let ANYONE know and meet me in Room 622 at the Hilton – URGENT – Governor Denning"

Danny looked at him, "Who's that?"
"Huh…..uh Duke. He needs to see me"
"About what?"
"I don't know. I'll be right back. Call me if there's any news"
"You want me to come along?"
"No, no you stay with Kono, gimme your keys though okay"
"Again, WHY do you always drive MY car"
"I've told you….I like to drive"
The men exchanged keys and moving over to Kono, he gave her a hug and kissed her cheek "Hang in there, he'll be fine. I'll be back soon"

As he hurriedly left the room Kono asked, "What's that all about? He seemed nervous"
"He sure did, didn't he….."

50505050505050505050505050

Steve drove across town with his stomach in knots. What in the hell did the Governor want that entailed this amount of secrecy? He hated leaving Chin. He was so worried that his friend wouldn't make it. He had lost so much blood and he hoped the tracheostomy had helped. But just as much as Chin's physical wounds terrified him he was just as concerned about his mental state. A lot had happened to Five-0 over the last five months since that horrible day when Frank Delano had murdered Malia Kelly. Chin had seemed to be recovering, but he knew better…..Chin seemed good…too good, and it was just too soon for him to be doing this good. Just this past weekend he had gone over to Chin's on Saturday night to check on him. His truck was in the driveway but the house was dark. He rang the bell and knocked but received no answer so using, as Danno would call them, his 'Ninja skills' he had entered the house through a living room window.

He had found Chin sitting on the floor just outside the dining room area staring at a large portrait of his beautiful Malia on the wall. It was taken on their wedding day and she was absolutely stunning.

Chin was stone cold sober and that fact alone had alarmed Steve. He would have understood fully if the man had been in a drunken stupor.
Chin eventually spoke first, "You know, I could arrest you for breaking and entering"
Steve snickered, "Guilty as charged. Are you okay?"
"No Steve…I don't think I'll ever be okay again"
"You will….it just takes time"
"But you don't understand my friend…..I don't want to live without her. All those years we wasted not being together…..all those wasted years"

"But you found her again and you had that special love. You were given a second chance"
"I wasn't ready for it to end Steve….Oh my God why? Why?" The tears fell. They fell as they hadn't since the day of her death. Steve knelt next to Chin and held him for a long time as they both cried for Malia.
Eventually Chin pulled away, "I'm sorry brah"

"Don't be sorry. I'm here for you, we all are…..you know that. You're not alone Chin. Let us help you. Can you tell me how often you sit here in the dark?"
He hesitated slightly before responding, "Every night. It's the only way I can sleep….I just look at her. I can't sleep in our room, on our bed…..what's wrong with me?"

"Nothing's wrong with you Chin. You're grieving and like I said, it takes time" He sat there, on the floor with Chin for hours as they talked through the night about loss but more importantly they talked about love and the joys that it brings.

Suddenly out of the blue Chin stated matter-of-factly, "I murdered Delano Steve. He was injured and I chose to kill him instead of bringing him in"
Without hesitation Steve responded, "I know"
Chin turned to look at his leader, his face unable to hide his shock "You know?"
"Yes…..of course I know. How long have we worked together Chin? Three and a half years? I know you very well my friend"

"So you know then that I'm…..I'm a dirty cop"
"No, no I know that you're a damn good man and a hell of a good cop. You're a man of honor and distinction and I am unbelievably proud to serve with you"

"Thank You Steve….as much as I appreciate your kind words and your support, I crossed that line. I crossed that line that a GOOD cop can never cross and I became not only his Judge and Jury, but his Executioner….and I can't take it back"

"He had killed your wife and you reacted emotionally…as any man would. You are NOT a dirty cop Chin, you KILLED a dirty cop. No one else ever has to know about this, but you're going to have to learn to deal with it because like you said, you can't take it back"
"I don't know if I can ever learn to live with it Steve"

A few moments passed before Steve said softly, "Richie Gregory…."
"What? Who's Richie Gregory?"
"Richie Gregory was a special kid Chin…a really special kid. He was part of my SEAL Unit back in 2008. He was twenty four and had been with us for two years when we undertook a mission in Serbia. Two American diplomats had been kidnapped and we were sent in to rescue them. It was a heavily wooded area and Richie was bringing up the rear after we had stormed the camp and were making our escape. My Operations Officer was out front leading four of our eight member team along with the diplomats. They were about forty feet ahead of me, Richie and Simon Dow who were each about ten feet off to my sides and slightly behind me. It was getting dark and I heard Richie cursing under his breath. I stopped and looked back asking him what was wrong….."

Richie had responded with a hushed voice, "My tags fell"
"Leave 'em Richie, keep pace"
"I heard them hit the ground a few feet back Sir"

"Chin, I should have known he'd go back for them. He had a picture of his fiancé attached to that chain and he kissed that picture every night…."
"So he went back?"
"Yes….a few seconds later I heard a ruckus behind me. I turned just in time to see Richie's throat being cut and him being tossed to the ground like a fucking ragdoll. Simon ran to Richie and I chased the son-of-a-bitch through the woods. He didn't run far though and a few moments later I was facing him as he stood a few feet ahead of me with his hands in the air. He was surrendering Chin and he had no weapon but all I saw in that moment was Richie's face. His eyes huge with fear as he realized he was dying and that he wasn't going to make it to his wedding day. I moved slowly towards the man and I swear Chin with every step I took my anger grew. Then when I was just a couple of steps from him…..he smiled. He smiled Chin. The bastard had killed Richie in cold blood and he was smiling. I snapped, and in that moment I too crossed that line and became that man's Judge, Jury and Executioner. I plunged my knife into his chest" Steve paused and ran a hand over his face, sighing deeply, "I hit him with such force that I couldn't even pull my knife out. I've never told anybody about this Chin and it's not something I'm proud of, but I've learned to deal with it"

"You're human Steve…"
Steve interrupted him, "So are you my friend"

Now as Steve pulled into the parking lot of the Hilton he hoped that Chin had the will to fight for his life.
He took a deep breath and exiting the Camero he walked into the Hilton unaware of how much life was about to change for the entire 5-0 Ohana.

**** I hope you're enjoying, please let me know! Reviews always provide encouragement to continue writing! ****