Mateo had left the door wide open. Steve moved cautiously letting his eyes adjust to the sunlight before stepping outside. They were being held in what he would describe as an underground bunker. If they had been locked down there and left, they would never have been found. It must have taken months of steady work to build this. Off to the right in a small clearing in the woods were two tents and a campfire. Tire tracks led from the camp and there were no signs of anyone. He took a deep breath and his body shivered. It was a nice day but certainly not the same warm weather as in Hawaii. He closed his eyes and focused on what he needed to do. He wasn't going to get far on foot with Matt injured. He was going to have to wait for the others to return and ambush them. He would pick them off as they returned. After scoping out his surroundings he decided to take cover in the heavily wooded area directly across from the campsite. He figured that would give him the best view and good access to the vehicle when they returned. First he went to the tents and dumping one of the men's duffel bags he filled it with bottles of water, some food and medical supplies. In the second tent he hit the jackpot, finding three AK47's, two shotguns, six pistols and an ample supply of ammunition for all of the weapons. Moving quickly he transferred everything over to his spot in the forest and then raced back down to Matt.

He was awake and coherent as his hand grasped the bandaging covering the wound.
Steve knelt at Matt's side placing a hand on his shoulder, "How you doing partner?"
"'M okay…doesn't hurt too bad"
"Good" Steve moved down checking to make sure the bandaging was still tight while explaining his plans.
"Steve, are you sure about this? I can walk"
"You can walk, but you're going to be slow and I promise you won't get too far. I was knocked out when they lugged me back here. How about you? Do you have any idea how deep we are into these woods?"

"Ummmm yeah, I was blindfolded but we drove about twenty minutes off-road"
"There's no way you'll be walking out of here. I'm pretty sure I've got some broken ribs and I don't think I could carry you the whole way. Our best shot is for me to take them out and then we can drive out of here"

Matt grinned adding, "Whatever you say boss. Hey….how are you feeling?"

"You're worse than Danny you know that? Here take another drink" Steve lifted his head and helped take a few sips of water and then asked, smiling "Are you ready to get out of here?"

"Oh yeah"
Steve moved him slowly, first to a sitting position "We've got some time Matt, take a few breaths" As his breathing eased Steve talked to him quietly "Matt I'm going to need you to help me with a cover story once we're out of here. Will you do that for me?"

"Cover story? What the hell are you talking about?"
"The drugs….no one can know what happened down here. I need you to promise me that you'll tell nobody, not even Danny"
"Steve…..this is crazy man. It's not like you took that crap by choice and I'll tell everyone that"

"NO, NO, you don't understand. I'm one of the leading law-enforcement officials in Hawaii. If anyone finds out about this I'm finished! Everything I worked for will be gone….." Steve's voice cracked with emotion as he continued, "Matt, please… it's all I ask"

"Steve, you're going to need help…."
"No, I'm fine…I'll be fine. I can beat this on my own"
"Steve, you're smart enough to know better. You're hooked"
"No, I'm going to be fine….I can do this myself, I have to do this myself"
"Damn it McGarrett…."
Steve interrupted him, "Matt, I need you to trust me. NO ONE can know about this!"
Matt shook his head, "Let Danny help, at least let Danny help you"
Steve looked into the injured man's eyes as he spoke softly, "No one Matt…..we have to move now"
Matt responded quietly, "Fine…..we'll talk about this later"
Steve slowly helped Matt up to his feet.

His breaths were pained and Steve held him firmly, keeping him steady. "Deep breaths buddy, take your time" They stood quietly for several minutes before Steve asked, "Are you ready?"
"Yeah…..let's go babe"
Steve chuckled, "You sound just like Danno" Flinging Matt's arm over his shoulder and holding him tightly around the waist the men moved slowly across the room towards the stairs.

As they reached the stairs they paused for a moment, "Catch your breath Matt, you're doing great"
"Okay…'m good, 'm good''

50505050505050505050505050

Back in Oahu, Danny woke and turning his head he looked at his two girls. Gracie had requested to sleep with both her parents last night and there was no way for them to refuse her. She was curled up on the bed, her Mother's arm protectively wrapped around her. It had been a long night. Gracie woke three times with nightmares, screaming and crying for her Uncle Steve. They had comforted and calmed her, together. He turned and propped himself up on his elbow and he watched them sleep. After a short time he heard Charlie's babbling coming from the baby monitor on the nightstand next to Rachel. He rolled out of bed, threw on a t-shirt and after shutting off the monitor he left the room closing the door quietly behind him.

Moving across the hall he grinned broadly at the beautiful little boy standing in his crib, bouncing up and down and calling out happily for his 'Mama'. As he neared the crib, Charlie giggled and held out his arms. "Good Morning little man" Danny picked him up and carried him to the changing table. After changing his diaper, he cleaned the boy up and dressed him before taking him downstairs.

After feeding Charlie he made a pot of coffee and then they moved into the living room. As Charlie played on the floor, Danny called Kono.
"Danny, good morning"
He sensed a tension in her voice, "Good Morning, hey are you okay?"
"Danny, I'm being followed"
"Are you sure?" He responded as he moved to the blinds and looked outside.
"Yeah, I'm sure"
"There's an SUV out in front again here too. Where are you?"
"I'm actually only about half a mile from Rachel's"
"Drive here Kono. Pull into the driveway. I'm going to find out what in the hell's going on here"
"I'll be there in a few minutes"

Unsure as to who these men were, Danny quickly carried Charlie upstairs placing him back into his crib. He kissed the baby's cheek, "Hey buddy can you stay quiet for me and let your Mama sleep?" Charlie was cooing and playing with a stuffed Tigger as Danny closed the door and raced back down the stairs.

Grabbing his gun he opened the security gate and moved outside into the front yard. Moments later Kono pulled up. As she pulled into the driveway he quickly moved through the gate. The SUV that was following Kono pulled up along side him as he drew his gun.
"STOP, DON'T MOVE YOU SON-OF-A-BITCH!"
The driver stopped and raised his hands, "Hey there Williams, be careful with that gun"
"How do you know my name. Who in the hell are you?"
"We're just doing our job"
"Your job?" Who sent you?" He was met with silence and he again asked, "WHO IN THE HELL SENT YOU?"

At this moment the two men who were in the vehicle that had been parked in front of Rachel's, exited with their hands raised. Kono held a gun on them as Danny continued with the others, "NOW TELL US, WHO IN THE HELL SENT YOU?"

"Governor Denning. We're on assignment to protect you"
Danny glanced at Kono, a look of shock on his face. "Get out of the vehicle and keep your hands where I can see them"
The men did as instructed and then Danny asked, "Protect us from who?"
"I don't know"
Danny then addressed all four men, "Nice and easy now, show us your badges"
They did as requested and then Danny pulled out his cell phone and dialed the Governor.

"Officer Williams?"
"Governor, the games are over! What in the hell is going on here? Why are you having us followed?"
There was a slight pause before the Governor responded, "Danny….listen to me. I need you to come in and I'll tell you everything, but those men need to stay on their assignment. Believe me Danny, this is no game"

Danny took a deep breath before responding, "I'll be right there Sir"
Kono moved closer, "What's going on?"
"Just a minute Kono" Then turning to the men he stated, "Please continue your assignment unless you hear from the Governor. Thank you men"

Danny then turned and walked towards the house with Kono following him closely.
As they entered the house she asked, "Danny, what's going on?"
"I don't know yet. The Governor wants to see me"
"Why are we being followed?"
"I'll find out. Kono, can you stay here until I get back"
"Of course"
He excused himself and after using the bathroom he retrieved Charlie and still hearing no sound coming from the girls he made his way back downstairs.

The little boy squealed at the sight of his Auntie Kono and she gladly took the child from Danny's arms.
"He just ate. Rachel and Gracie are still sleeping"
"How's Gracie doing?"
"It was a long night…..she's taking it hard"

"She'll be okay Danny, we'll all see to that. Charlie and I will play here, go ahead and go"
"I'll be back soon"

Danny looked at the men in the SUV's as he drove from the house and one of them peeled away and followed him...….'what in the hell was going on?'

***** Much more to follow – hope you're still enjoying – Thanks for reading and reviewing, it is greatly appreciated *****