As Chin sped down the Pali Highway Danny grew more frantic as each call to Steve's cellphone went unanswered.
"Damn it, damn it..."
"She's going to be okay Danny. You know he'll keep her safe"
"I know he'll do everything possible to keep her safe..." His voice lowered, "He would die to keep her safe Chin"
Chin glanced at him, "That's not going to happen"

To the relief of both men Danny's phone rang moments later.
Putting the call on speaker, he answered, "Steve? Steve can you hear me?"
"Yeah Danny, I hear you"
"Steve listen to me, Wo-Fat is after you"
"I know….Gracie's fine partner"
Danny sighed deeply, 'Okay, okay thank God. Are you okay?"
"I'm pretty sure I've got a concussion, but I'm fine Buddy. I could use some back-up though"
"We're about half an hour from you. Do you have any weapons?"
Steve responded, "Yeah"
Danny knew that Steve would not say much, not wanting to scare Gracie, so he asked, "Just answer yes or no, are you really okay?"
Steve hesitated slightly before replying, "I'm not sure partner"

Chin watched as Danny's eyes closed and he responded, "Okay...how many men are there Steve?"
"At least two"
"Have you seen anyone else?"
"No"
"But you think there might be others?"
"I don't know"
"Did you kill the two men?"
"Yes"
"Okay, where are you now babe?"
"Do you remember where my Mom used to take me and Mary?"
"Yeah, by the water?"
"We're almost there Danny"
"Okay, go there and wait...Chin and I will be there soon. Lay low and do what you have to do to stay safe"
"You know I will partner, see you soon. Here's Gracie"
He smiled as he handed the phone to the little girl, "Hi Danno"
"Hi Monkey, are you okay?"
"Yeah I'm fine but Uncle Steve is hurt"
"I know honey. Uncle Chin and I will be there soon"
"Okay Danno, I love you"
"I love you more baby girl. You go with Uncle Steve now and do what he tells you okay?"
"Okay, bye"
Hanging up the phone Danny turned to Chin, "Hurry brother"

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Gracie handed the phone back to Steve and he slipped it into his pocket.
She held out her hand and he took hold of it as she asked, "You have a concussion Uncle Steve?"
"I think so. Do you know what that is?"
"It's a really bad headache right?"
Steve smiled down at her as they walked, "That's basically it sweetheart"
"Where are we going?"
Steve pointed to a nearby path, "Right down there. My Mom used to take me and Mary down there all the time. There are caves and a stream down there. We would go on hikes and then have picnics by the water"
"Oh it sounds nice"
He squeezed her hand, "It is...come on, let's go"
They were half way down the path when Steve staggered. He stopped and bent forward placing his hands onto his knees. His head was bowed and Gracie stood in front of him, placing her tiny hands onto his shoulders, "Are you okay?"

Steve's ears were ringing, he was dizzy and his head was throbbing horribly. Not wanting to scare the child he took a deep breath and looking at her he smiled softly, "I'm fine honey, I'm just a little dizzy that's all" He reached up and taking her hand from his shoulder he stood upright. After taking a moment to regain his balance he said softly, "Are you ready Gracie?"

"Uh huh"
Hearing the fear in her voice he squeezed her hand, "You're going to love this place Gracie, it's beautiful"

A few minutes later they were standing at the edge of the flowing stream and Gracie said, "Wow, this is great"
"Mary and I used to fish here all the time. Maybe we can come back later, would you like that?"
"Yeah! Danno loves to fish"
Steve chuckled, "We'll bring him back her then baby" Opening the backpack he handed her a bottle of water and asked, "Are you hungry at all?"

"No" Taking the water she added, "Thank you"
"Your welcome" He took several small sips of water as well. His hand was shaking and he grasped the automatic weapon tightly to his side. 'Damn I'm dizzy and I need to puke...hurry Danno...'

They stood quietly for a few seconds before Steve said "Honey we need to go over to the cave and wait for Danno and Uncle Chin"

Together they walked to the nearby cave. The entrance was well hidden by overgrown brush and if Wo Fat or his men were nearby they should be safe until the guys arrived. As they entered the dark cave Steve encouraged Gracie, "Don't be scared sweetheart, we'll be safe here"
"It's so dark"
He squeezed her hand and leaning against the wall he slid down onto the ground. He said soothingly, "Come on Gracie, sit"
She sat down and he pulled her close, his arm protectively around her. He set the bag and gun next to him and asked, "Hey kiddo, can you do me a favor?"
"Sure"
"Can you practice your lines from the play for me? I'd love to hear them"
"Okay"
In the darkened cave Steve closed his eyes and listened as Gracie recited her lines. His head hurt like hell and he was exhausted but he needed to stay awake and alert...just in case. As she spoke he stroked her arm with one hand, while laying his other hand on top of the automatic weapon at his side.

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Chin pulled up behind the thugs car and Steve's Silverado.
The men quickly checked the vehicles and the surrounding area before making their way towards Steve and Gracie.

As they reached the water Danny called out, "GRACE! STEVE, GRACE!"
In the cave Gracie said, "Uncle Steve, Danno's here!"
As she stood the SEAL called out, "I hear him, hold on though"
He gasped as he pulled himself to his feet and pain shot across his forehead. Holding the gun he told Gracie quietly, "You stay right here until I call for you"
She nodded her understanding and Steve moved swiftly towards the cave's entrance.

Danny and Chin were approaching the cave as Steve emerged with the gun drawn.
Danny held up his hands, "Hey buddy, it's us...it's us"
Steve lowered his gun and turned his head, "Gracie come on out sweetheart"
In seconds Gracie was in her Daddy's arms and Chin was at Steve's side.

Taking the gun from him, Chin asked softly, "Are you okay?"
"My head's throbbing and spinning. I'm dizzy and my vision's blurry. I've got a concussion, that's all"
Chin smirked, "Oh that's all huh?"
"Yeah, that's all" Steve rubbed his head as he asked, "Did you find anyone else?"
"No. It looks like it was just those two"
"Who told you guys that Wo-Fat was involved?"
"Ricky Norman"
"Norman?"
"Yeah...he overheard other convicts talking about it in the yard and he's looking to cut a deal by giving us the info"
Steve shook his head slightly, "Great..."
Chin took hold of Steve's arm saying, "We'll talk about that later. Let's get you to the hospital now"
"No, no hospital...I'm fine"
"You're not going to win this fight brah, so please don't even try"
Steve paused briefly and then said softly, "Okay...thanks buddy"

The two men then moved towards Danny and Gracie.
Danny looked at his partner. His cheek was bruised and the small gash on it had clotted. His lip was split and dried blood caked the side and back of his neck. He was also terribly pale. "You don't look too good partner"

"I've felt better Danny"
Danny stepped forward, "Let me take a look at that hard head of yours"
Both Steve and Gracie chuckled and he asked, "What's so funny you two?"
Steve smiled, "According to Gracie, you talk about my hard head alot"
Danny laughed softly, "Well you do have a hard head! And thank God for that. Now sit down for me, will you?"
Chin kept his hand on Steve's arm as he led him to a nearby rock where he sat down.

Following Danny's instructions Steve tipped his head forward.
He winced as Danny touched the wound, "Ouch, be careful Daniel"
"Oh knock it off Superman" He felt around Steve's scalp, "Your hair is really matted, and you're still bleeding"

Steve said, "I've got an extra t-shirt and a bottle of water in my pack"
Danny asked, "Where is it?"
Gracie bolted away, "It's in the cave, I'll get it"
Steve cried out "No Gracie...STOP" She stopped and he looked at Danny "I put the other gun in the pack"
Chin held out his hand, "I've got her" He took Gracie's hand and they moved to the cave.

With the child out of earshot Danny asked, "How are you? Really?"
"I'm dizzy and my vision is blurred...I'm so fucking tired D'"
"We'll get you to the hospital soon" He placed a hand on Steve's shoulder and added, "Steve, thank you for taking care of Gracie"
"I'll never let anything happen to her Danny...I'm so sorry she was put in danger because of me"
Danny squeezed his shoulder, "This was NOT your fault Steve. We're going kill that son-of-a-bitch and we're going to do it together"

Steve couldn't speak, tears welled in his eyes and God his head hurt. Gracie and Chin returned and after cleaning the head wound Steve held the shirt to it as they group began their slow walk back to their vehicles.

By the time they arrived, Captain Grover was on site along with two HPD squads. Danny sent Gracie to Steve's truck to wait as the men filled Grover in on the details of what had happened.

Steve looked at his men, "Chin can you lead HDP up to the site for me?"
"Absolutely, you guys be careful...Norman said Wo-Fat was going hit you this weekend, he's not going to quit"
Grover then said, "I'm going to send Jankowski and Natua with you"
Steve replied, "We don't need security Grover"
"You know what McGarrett, this isn't about you alright? It's about that little girl and if she's going to be around, a little extra security isn't a bad idea is it?"

Without hesitation Steve replied, "It's a great idea...thank you Lou"
Captain Grover accepted the SEAL's extended hand, "You're welcome Steve, now get to the hospital"

******* More to follow, I hope you're enjoying! ********