It was a little after ten o'clock when Danny's phone rang, waking him from a deep sleep.
Sitting up in his sleeping bag he took the phone from his pocket and answered groggily, "Williams"
"Detective Williams, I need you to listen carefully"
"Wo-Fat?"
"We don't have time for pleasantries. You will find your partner in the root cellar at 722 Fishers Drive and I suggest you hurry"

Brad had woke and he asked, "What did he say?"
Danny responded as he was unzipping the sleeping bag, "Steve's at 722 Fishers Drive, we've gotta go"
Catherine woke, "What? What's happening Danny?"
"Wo-Fat called with an address. Let's go get Steve"

Moments later their belongs were packed into the back of the SUV, and after plugging the address into the GPS, Chin was racing them towards the address.
Catherine asked nervously, "How many miles Danny?"
"Seven"
She then asked, "Is it an address we checked?"
Danny replied, "No, it's not a rental home. We'll have to run a check on the owner later"
Wade was loading weapons and handing them to the others as he said, "We have to approach the house carefully. This could be a set-up"
Catherine was sitting between Danny and Wade in the back seat and Danny took her hand in his, "Relax Cath, we're going to have him back soon"

"I know…oh God Danny, what's happened to him?"
"I don't know, but we'll handle it. He's going to be alright"

A short time later, they were driving slowly up the long, winding driveway. They stopped about a hundred feet from the darkened home and Brad pointed the heat-sensing equipment at the home.
"I only see one heat source"
As he opened the back door Danny called out, "Good let's find him"
With their guns drawn, they all moved cautiously towards the large home. As the two SEALS approached the home, the 5-0 team moved to the root cellar off to the right side of the property.

As Catherine and Danny stood with their guns pointed at the door, Chin pulled it open.
Danny was the first to descend the stairs with the other two right on his heels.
As Danny reached the bottom step and his partner came into view, his heart sank. He heard Catherine gasp behind him as she said softly, "Oh my God"

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Danny's eyes' scoured the room and as he called out "ALL CLEAR" both he and Cath moved to Steve's side.
Chin called out, "I'll go get the first aid kit!"
They both knelt at Steve's side and as Catherine touched his bruised face she spoke softly, "Steve, Steve baby can you open your eyes for me?"

Danny looked at his partner's battered body and as gently as possible he worked on untying the ropes that bound his hands, and were soaked with blood. Steve moaned loudly and Catherine continued to try and pull him back to consciousness.
"Steve, come on…..come back to me honey"
His eyes flickered open and he smiled, "Hi baby"
As Catherine's tears fell onto his bruised cheek she choked out the words, "Hi, I love you"
His voice was pained as he replied, "I love you too Cath…don't cry"
Danny then leaned in, "Hey partner, how are you doing?"
"I've been better D'….hey…..umm, we've got a problem buddy"
Danny looked down at him nervously, "Okay, talk to us"
"I've been poisoned"
Catherine asked, "What are you talking about?"
He looked at them both as he replied, "He injected me with ricin"
Danny dropped his head and Catherine said, "No…oh God no"

Opening his eyes, Danny said firmly "We'll get you to a hospital and you'll be okay"
Steve smiled weakly, "Danno, we can't do that"
Cath cried out emotionally, "What are you talking about? Of course we're taking you to the hospital!"
"Cath, we can't…..and it doesn't matter anyway"

The three friends were silent for several seconds before Danny said quietly, "Catherine, there's no cure for ricin poisoning"
Steve had reached his right hand up and as Catherine held it she said, "What are you saying? We can't just give up?"
Steve squeezed her hand, "Hey, I'm not giving up. I'm going to fight this with all I've got but we can't risk going to a hospital"

Danny had taken off his shirt and he was holding it tightly against Steve's raw and bleeding left wrist as he replied, "He's right Catherine. If we take him to a hospital there will be too many questions. We have to get him help elsewhere"

Without hesitating Cath stated "The Enterprise"
Danny nodded, "Go call your Commanding Officer Cath"
She kissed Steve's hand, "I'll be right back Sailor"
Steve replied weakly, "I'm not going anywhere"
As she walked up the stairs Danny took his hand, "Okay babe, no bullshit now…..tell me, how are you?"
"I'm scared D'. We both know what ricin does"
"And we both know that ricin poisoning is not always fatal"
"And I'm going to beat this but it's not going to be easy"
Danny grinned, "Since when do you ever make anything easy Superman?"
"Yeah…"
Danny saw the fear and pain in his friends eyes, "Hey, I'll be with you every second partner. We all will be. Now tell me everything you can about your injuries"

"I was hit in the back of the head and I'm pretty sure I've got a concussion. He zapped me a few times with an electric prod and he cut the tracker out of my back…."
Steve's eyes closed and as he sighed Danny saw his lips quiver, "It's okay Steve, stay with me babe"
The SEAL's eyes remained closed as he said softly, "He had me hanging until he left. My shoulder was dislocated but I set that"

Danny looked at his severely bruised left shoulder and upper arm, "How did you set it?"
"The ground is plenty hard Danno"
"Christ, you're an animal you know that?"
Steve chuckled, "So you've told me…"
Danny then added, "You're really bruised up, you've probably got some broken ribs. Can you breathe okay?"
"Yeah…...…I can breathe"
"So when did he inject you?"
"I'm not sure how long I was out, but when Wo-Fat left he told me he was going to call you in about half an hour"
"Okay, so that means you probably were exposed less than two hours ago"
"So I probably won't be symptomatic for another couple of hours"
Danny nodded, "You're not feeling any symptoms yet?"
"No...but the shit is burning up my insides man"
"I'm sorry buddy"
"I'm really tired and cold Danny"
"Chin will be right back with a blanket, just relax"
As Steve closed his eyes Danny did the same, as he silently prayed for his partner.

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Moments later the others had all rejoined them and as Wade grabbed the letter and key, Brad grabbed Steve's clothes.
After unlocking the leg iron from Steve's ankle, Danny and Chin helped the injured man to his feet.
Steve gasped in pain and Danny talked to him softly, "It's okay babe, take your time. Do you want us to carry you?"
"No, no...I can walk"
They bundled him up in a sleeping bag and moving slowly he walked up the stairs and to the SUV with Danny and Chin's help.

Wade drove as they moved through the streets of Phuket towards the American Naval Base and Steve's head rested on Catherine's chest. His eyes were closed and she talked soothingly to him the entire ride, encouraging him to hold on.

When they reached the Base, the ship's Captain and Commanding Officer along with medical personnel were there to take the group on board and soon they were all waiting in a small room while Steve was being examined in the ship's medical bay.

The group was quiet and they were all obviously very nervous.
After several minutes Danny asked Wade, "Can I see the letter?"
Wade pulled the letter from his back pocket and handed it to Danny.

Enfolding the letter, he read it out loud

'Shelburne,

For years you have been able to stay one step ahead of me, and of justice.
You killed my Father and you will pay for that action with your life. I have allowed you to live and by doing so I have brought dishonor to my family.

I have been weak but I promise you that I no longer am.
I will find you and I will kill you.

Until that day arrives though, I will take comfort in knowing that you are now experiencing the greatest heartache possible…..the death of your son.

Steve is now dead because of you….just as John is.
You know what you have done Doris. By killing my Father and with your actions in the years that followed, your fate has been preordained.

Every time you think of Steve I want you to know that your actions and your cowardice resulted in his demise. You will spend every day for the rest of your life looking over your shoulder and wondering when I will be there to end it. Until that day arrives, I hope you find no peace.

Until we meet again,
Your Executioner'

Folding the letter and putting it into his pocket, Danny turned from the group blinking away tears.

****** I hope you're still enjoying and I'd love to hear what you think! ******