Steve had lost track of how many injections he had been given, he figured it was about five. If he had asked Matt he would have known it had actually been eight. Eight injections of that poison into his blood and with each one the SEAL was becoming more and more agitated and confused.

"MATT, MATT what in the hell is going on here? I thought you said these bastards would feed us?"
"Steve, calm down man"
"What time is it?"
"I don't know. With them coming in so often I've kind of lost track. I'm hungry too though. I figure it's Wednesday morning"
"Well I've just about had it with them…"With that, Steve began screaming, "HEY YOU MOTHER FUCKERS COME DOWN HERE AND FACE US!"

"STEVE, STOP! All they'll do is beat you more. Keep your mouth shut!"
"They can't hurt me. I'm going to tear their heads off Matt"
"That's good, but you have to be patient…wait for our moment. Be smart about this buddy. Remember tomorrow morning is our best shot"

"Tomorrow morning? What are you talking about?"
"Remember tomorrow morning is Thursday?"
"Oh yeah. We're getting out of here tomorrow morning Matt"
"Have you figured out how we're going to do that Superman?"
Steve's voice lowered, "Superman…that's what Danny calls me…..."
"Hey, no getting sentimental on me okay. I need you to stay focused. Now tell me, how are we going to get out of here?"
Before Steve could respond, the door opened and their captors descended the steps as Matt Williams pleaded quietly with Steve to stay quiet and keep his cool.

Daniel Cordoba was carrying a tray of food which he set on the table next to the drugs.
Sebastian Cordoba stood in front of Matt, "Williams this is how it's going to work. We will untie you and allow you to eat. If you choose to share your food with your friend you may but you will need to feed him…..he will not be un-tied"

"What, six of you can't handle me Cordoba?"
Matt hollered at the SEAL, "Jesus Steve, STOP"
"THESE GUYS ARE PUNKS MATTHEW! Each and every one of them!"
Sebastian Cordoba was not a stupid man but there was a reason he had been number two man in the cartel. Felipe Ocinco was the brains of the organization while Cordoba was the muscle. According to everything Steve knew about the man, his ego was huge and his temper was an issue. In order for he and Matt to survive this the SEAL knew he would have to take physical punishment, but hell…..he'd been there before…

Steve continued, "So Cordoba, what do you say? Are you man enough to take me on? One-on-one?" He saw the anger building in Cordoba and he continued, "You're the leader of the cartel now? You're too weak to lead!" Steve turned to Pedro Ocinco, "Pedro, your Father was a smart man and the smartest thing he did was keep your Uncle close to him and under his control. Why aren't you in charge Pedro? You've got the brains. This is your Father's organization not his!"

Matt looked on terrified, 'what in the hell was Steve doing?'
Cordoba was shaking with anger as he addressed his men, "Pedro, we're family. I treat you like my third son. The organization Felipe and I have built is for you boys, all three of you! We must stick to the plan! We've got the 500K and we're getting revenge for your Father, as I promised you" Cordoba turned to his two muscle men and added, "Take him down…..he's all yours"

Matt watched as a strange smile of satisfaction crossed the SEALS face.
Daniel and Mateo Cordoba stood on either side of Steve, their automatic weapons trained on him as Alvarez and Moreno released him from his bonds and he dropped to his knees onto the hard dirt packed ground.

Steve's head was spinning as he tried to stay focused, his mind racing, 'Don't retaliate McGarrett…you can take it…..tomorrow is Thursday'

The beating was brutal. Both men were close to 300 lbs and their punches were solid. They pummeled Steve's face, chest and midsection with blow after blow and as the naked man eventually curled into the fetal position in an attempt to protect himself from further damage, they resorted to kicking. Their steel-toed boots struck Steve's ribs, back and legs several times before Cordoba called them off.

Tears streaked down Matt's face as he watched the beating and his fear rose. This could be it. He may not live through this. Steve was after all a man, flesh and bone just as he was, and a body can only take so much. He wasn't Superman, or SuperSEAL…..he was simply Steve McGarrett, a special but still very mortal human being.

Cordoba moved over to Matt and untied him while stating, "There's a sink in the corner over there by the cot. Go ahead and treat your friend and I would suggest that you tell him to watch his mouth…next time I may not stop them"
Matt nodded understanding and then he watched as five of the six men went upstairs leaving Daniel Cordoba to stand guard on the now unrestrained men.

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As the door slammed shut Matt raced to Steve's side, "Steve, Steve….." He brushed at the injured man's bruised and bleeding cheek, "Steve…..can you hear me?" He only received weak moans from the unconscious man. His eyes scoured the room for any supplies that he could use. Keeping his hands open and out in front of him, Matt moved past the armed guard to the sink and cot. The mattress on the cot was severely soiled and musty but it was going to have to do. There was a pile of blankets and towels on a nearby metal shelf. He also found a small bowl and buried under the blankets, a small first aid kit. After covering the mattress with a blanket he moved back to Steve's side.

"Steve, hey come on man…" He softly patted the SEAL's cheeks attempting to rouse him.
Several moments passed before Steve's right eye fluttered open, his left one was swollen shut and bleeding heavily from a gash to the eyebrow. He spoke softly, "Matt…"

"Yeah, I need you to listen to me Steve. Can you help me get you over to the cot so I can clean you up, you're a mess"
"Yeah…..no problem…."
Steve coughed and moaned as Matt pulled him into a sitting position, "Oh…ssshit"
"You okay?"
"Give mme a minute, okay?"
"No hurry…relax"
Steve battled to suck air into his lungs, as his ribs throbbed horribly. He mumbled softly as if trying to convince himself, "I'm good….I'm good"

Matt helped the injured man stand and draping Steve's arm around his shoulder the men staggered over to the small cot. Steve glared at Cordoba as they passed him. Matt eased him onto the edge of the bed and he went to work cleaning up his face. Matt talked to him softly as he dabbed at the cuts and bruises. "Your pretty face sure ain't too pretty now buddy. How are you doing?"

"I'll be fine. Just a little sore" He cringed as Matt worked on his injured eye.
"Sorry Steve, this cut's pretty deep and it's bleeding bad. I found a first aid kit….."
Steve cut him off saying quietly, "A first aid kit?"
"Yeah…..why?"
Steve whispered, "Are there a pair of scissors in there?"

Setting the kit next to the injured man, Matt opened it and there they were….scissors, a small pair….but scissors.
As Matt moved slightly to block Cordoba's view Steve took the scissors from the box and slid them underneath his leg to hide them.
After glancing at the kit and not seeing anything else that could help him he stated, "Matt, I need you to stitch this eye for me"
"Yeah, okay. I don't know how good a job I'll do and it'll probably hurt"
Steve grinned, "I can handle it Matt"
Matt blushed sheepishly, "Yeah, I guess you can" He then added, "What the hell were you thinking man? It was almost like you wanted that beating"

Steve responded so softly he was barely audible, "It's all a part of my plan Matt"
Steve felt awful, the high from the meth masked some of his physical pain but he had taken quite a beating. Glancing down at his body he noted severe bruising on his right thigh and the right side of his ribcage. The worst pain though was in his shoulders and wrists from being hung. He tipped his head back as Matt stitched the eyebrow as well as the three inch gash across his cheekbone.

Once finished he helped Steve lay back onto the cot, keeping the scissors hidden under his leg. He then covered him with another blanket. There were some expired aspirin in the first aid kit and he moved over to the table where they had left a bottle of water along with the food. He knelt next to Steve giving him several aspirin and the water.

"How are you doing Steve?"
"Good Matt….thanks. I think I should try to rest for a bit now"
"How about trying to eat something first. Looks like a tasty bologna with cheese sandwich and an orange"
"With cheese huh, they go all out don't they. No, I'm fine, you eat though, keep your strength up…I've got a plan Matt….."
Steve's voice faded as his eyes closed and in moments he was sleeping.
Matt sat with his back against the cot as he ate half of the sandwich and orange setting the rest off to the side for Steve. He watched the SEAL sleep, his face horribly bruised and swollen. Steve had a plan…Matt just hoped he would have enough strength to pull it off.

********** More to follow – hope you are all enjoying and HAPPY NEW YEAR ***********