Jax was suddenly and uncharacteristically quiet on the drive in to Five-O headquarters.
"Hey, ku'uipo, what's up?" Steve asked quietly.
"I need you to promise me something," Jax said seriously, staring at the stopped cars ahead of them.
"What?"
"If it comes down to it, Danny goes home to Gracie," Jax said. She turned and looked at Steve, her green eyes sober. "If there's ever a situation, and you have to make a choice; Danny goes home to Gracie."
"Jax, I - "
"Steve. Just . . . please. Promise me, that you'll at least try. You, the team . . . it's already more than I ever thought I would have in life. You've already made me happier than I ever imagined I could be. So, please, if it comes down to it, I want you to give Gracie the chance to be as happy as I am, right now, this morning. So you choose Danny."
Steve took a deep breath. "You're serious."
"Very."
"I can't - Jax, you can't ask me . . . "
"But I am, Steve. I'm asking you to at the very least . . . don't ever give up a good chance on Danny for a bad chance on me. Can you at least promise me that?" She was turned toward him now, her hand rubbing circles on his knee.
Steve thought about that; a scenario in which saving Jax was highly improbable, but saving Danny was a possibility. His training would demand that he try to save Danny. He looked at her, his eyes troubled.
"Yeah, Jax, I can agree to that," he said slowly. "But why . . . why are we having this conversation?"
She shrugged; an eloquent lift of one shoulder, and Steve smiled because it was so much like Danny.
"I just want you to know, it's what I would want. Okay?"
Steve nodded slowly. "Okay, Jax." He fell silent, trying hard not to think about what it would mean if he were ever in that situation. They were at the palace, and he parked the truck and turned off the ignition. "Why today? Why did it come up today?"
"Until last night, it never occurred to me that you wouldn't choose Danny," she said simply. "I didn't think it needed to be said. Oh, look! The Camaro is back!" She hopped nimbly out of the truck, looking back curiously at Steve as he sat, in shock, staring at her.
#*#*#*#*#
"Boss, nice of you to join us," Kono teased, as Steve came off the elevator.
Steve ducked his head sheepishly, and Kono burst into peals of laughter.
"Oh, brah, remind me to invite you to poker night. You've got no game face," she said. "I would have assumed traffic if you hadn't turned six shades of red. Speaking of, where's Jax? Don't tell me you trusted her to go shopping for clothes for this security detail without me; seriously, boss, that's not her skill set."
"Jax went to sign out a smaller handgun from the armory," Steve said. "And I don't see a thing wrong with what Jax wears."
"That's because she mostly wears either cargoes or your old t-shirts," Danny pointed out.
"Yeah," Steve said, unable to keep the fond, goofy grin off his face.
"Wait. What is that face?" Kono demanded, whirling on Steve and pointing a finger at him.
"What? You're as bad as Danny. I don't have a face," he protested.
Kono looked at Danny, who just beamed at her and nodded.
"No way," Kono said.
"Yep," Danny confirmed.
"I'll be back," Kono said, skipping to the elevator.
"What just happened?" Steve asked, looking in confusion between Danny and Chin, who had come out of his office to see what was going on between his teammates.
"Steven, have you not learned yet - nothing gets past Kono," Danny said, shaking his head. "Nothing."
Chin started to ask a question, but as Grover came off the elevator, he simply narrowed his eyes at Steve, and thought better of it.
"Mr. Kantaro's first security team should be arriving within the hour," Chin said, pulling some files up on the plasma. "I took the liberty of running complete background checks, and since Malia had the evening shift last night, I went over them with a fine tooth comb. There's nothing that stands out." Chin paused.
"You don't sound entirely pleased," Grover noted.
"You would expect people who have worked their way into this field to have left some sort of trail," Steve said. "I mean, tell me that we don't all have some misdemeanor assault charges on our records, if you look hard enough."
"My thoughts exactly," Chin said. "They've sent ahead Kantaro's itinerary, so as soon as Kono and Jax come back from the armory," he paused, arching an eyebrow at Danny, "we'll go over it."
Steve nodded and started studying the schedule.
"Looks like mostly meetings; a cocktail party this evening, and an art exhibit opening tomorrow evening," he pointed out. "Everything in typical locations. I think we should be able to provide adequate coverage, between six of us and six of his own people." He frowned, reading the explicit instructions that local police officers were not to be visible.
"I don't like the exclusion of local PD," Steve said.
"No HPD backup?" Jax asked, coming off the elevator, accompanied with a smiling Kono. Chin and Grover looked at both of them suspiciously, but then looked at each other and decided they probably didn't want to know.
"No, apparently Mr. Kantaro thinks it would be bad for business," Chin said. "And, I suppose, he does have a point, to an extent. If they're not really expecting trouble, why give the impression that they are?"
"I guess," Steve said, "but I don't understand people who ask for protection and then get picky." Steve paused as his phone indicated an incoming call. "Yes, send them right up. Okay, the forward team is headed upstairs as we speak. Chin, as soon as we've made introductions with the team, go ahead and work on getting twelve radios set up - if we're cooperating with Kantaro's security, everyone is going to be on the same channel. Danny, work with Chin so that you can take over comms when we need to be actively securing locations."
Chin and Danny nodded as three men, dressed in impeccable suits, exited the elevator.
"Commander McGarrett," one of them said, taking the lead and walking forward. Confident, bordering on arrogant, the finely cut suit hinted at powerful muscles beneath. "I am Mr. Mutsu; these are my associates Mr. Hike and Mr. Asari. I assume, of course, that you have run background checks on us, so you know our first names, but we find that it is often difficult enough for Americans to manage our surnames."
"Not a problem, Mr. Mutsu," Steve said, shaking his hand. He introduced the team, ending with Jax and Kono.
"Ah, I assume that Officer Nolan will be Mr. Kantaro's escort," Mutsu said, openly appraising Jax.
"Officer Nolan is assigned as Mr. Kantaro's security detail for social events," Steve said, trying to keep his voice even.
"She will do quite nicely," Mutsu said, waving a hand dismissively. He turned his attention to the plasma screens. "I see you have a copy of the itinerary. I go where Mr. Kantaro goes. Mr. Hike goes where Mr. Kantaro's computer goes, and Mr. Asari monitors his hotel suite at all times. You will find that we are quite competent in our roles, and content to stay out of the way of yours."
"And what about the other security team?" Steve asked, "The one arriving with Mr. Kantaro this afternoon?"
"Other team?" Mutsu said, his face a nasty scowl. "There is no other team. The men traveling with Mr. Kantaro are his business associates."
"Okay, well, that changes everything," Steve said, pulling himself up to his full height and crossing his arms over his chest. "Because we were told that there were six security team members, and that we would have twelve people working security to cover one man. Now you're telling me we have nine people to cover four."
Mutsu waved his hand again. "Mr. Kantaro is the only person with whom you need to concern yourself, Commander. What is the American saying . . . ah, yes: too many cooks spoil the broth. I would think you'd prefer to have things your way."
He snapped his fingers and his two associates moved ahead of him to the elevators.
"We'll convene in Mr. Kantaro's hotel suite this evening at 7 pm, just before the cocktail party. Whatever measures you deem appropriate to put into place upon his arrival and transport, I'm sure will be adequate. You'll find, gentlemen, that Mr. Kantaro is a consummate business man; we don't anticipate any problems. No threats have been made; not in Okinawa and not here. Still, one does not hold a position of such wealth and influence without incurring some jealousy and unwanted attention." He turned to head to the elevator which was now being held for him. "And I trust," he added, waving a hand at Jax, "that the officer will be in suitable attire for this evening's event." He looked at her boots in disgust. "The foot, after all, is such an erotic sight. Pity to cover it in . . . those."
While the team stood in shock, Mr. Mutsu swept into the elevator and disappeared.
There was a beat of silence in the squad room.
"What. The hell. Just happened," Kono said, her eyes wide in disbelief.
"That's it, I'm calling the governor," Steve snapped. "No one comes in here and talks to my team that way."
"Don't, Steve," Jax said. "From the sounds of it, we're not in the best position to bargain with the governor. It's just a couple of days, and it won't be that big of a deal."
"Jax, the way he spoke to you was completely inappropriate," Danny protested.
"And disgusting," Kono added, placing a hand on Jax's shoulder.
"So he insulted my boots," Jax laughed. "Look, I can handle some asshole being rude. You think I haven't dealt with worse?"
The silence that fell over the room was stifling. The team was well aware of the "worse" that Jax had dealt with.
"Guys," she said, putting her hands on her hips. "Come on. The guy was a jerk. Please . . . don't do this to me. Give me enough credit to let me do my job, like a professional. Like one of you. Not like the weak link that you have to protect."
Grover was the first to nod. "That's right, that's right - just because we're SWAT doesn't mean we can't finesse," he said, winking at Jax. "Though maybe I better give you some pointers. What if you have to dance? What then, Nolan? You know you've got no rhythm."
Jax grinned broadly. "Maybe I just pretend not to know how to dance so I don't get sent into clubs undercover. Ever think of that?"
"Sadly, no one is that good of an actor," Danny said. "No, the horror that is you on a dance floor is genuine. Our only hope is that Steve will threaten the DJ by hanging him over the edge of a building, in order to ensure that only slow dances are played."
The tension broken, Chin spoke up. "Look, it's not like she's going undercover. We will all be in constant radio contact and Kono, at the very least, with have a line of sight at all times."
Steve took a deep breath. "Yeah, yeah, you're right. But say the word, Jax, and any one of us will come back you up if you need to put someone in their place. Same goes for you, Kono." Steve sighed and rubbed his hand over his face. He couldn't wait for the next few days to be over.
"Okay, Chin and Danny, go set up comms. We'll work on security for transport between locations, meetings, and the social events." Steve looked down at Jax as everyone started working on their assigned tasks. "Ku'uipo; you're sure?" he asked quietly.
"Positive," she said, smiling up at him. "It's like Grover said; this isn't undercover. I just have to suffer through wearing dress up clothes while you guys get to be comfy. That's my only objection."
"That's it, hunh?" Steve said. "Okay, then let's do this and get it over with."
#*#*#*#*#*#
"Okay, we're ready to leave for the airport; we'll go from there straight to the reception at the Halekulani," Steve said, knocking on the door to Chin's office, where he and Danny were putting the final touches on the radios.
"And the radios are ready for you," Chin said, holding out four elegant looking earpieces.
Steve whistled. "Chin, my man, these are a work of art. These are top-notch," he said, sliding the earpiece into his ear, and looping the discreet microphone around.
"I'm sure the governor would agree," Chin said, smiling. "I requisitioned them from her own security staff. I figure, if we're going to be playing security to the governor's guests, we should be equipped."
"Chin, I like the way you think," Steve said, grinning.
"We'll be able to monitor everything from here," Chin said. "No following you around in a shrimp truck. That was the real reason for justifying the tech, by the way. I didn't think that's what the governor or Mr. Kantaro had in mind. We'll be able to communicate with you, and each of these babies has a built in GPS, so we'll have your location at all times."
"You know, life is definitely simpler without having to manage another team," Steve said. "I'll take it."
"You just watch my girl's back out there, Steven," Danny said, soberly. "I did not like the way that Muttso guy looked at her, or talked to her."
"I will not let her out of my sight, Danny," Steve said.
Chin whistled as Kono and Jax came out of Kono's office. "I don't think you will have any trouble keeping that promise, Steve."
They were both dressed in simple, elegant cocktail dresses, with smart cap sleeve jackets. Kono looked stunning, as usual, in red, with her hair in an elegant updo, while Jax took Steve's breath away in a fitted dark royal blue, cut short enough that her legs looked miles long despite her petite frame.
"Wow," Danny said, "you ladies look beautiful. Remind me that Kono will not take Gracie shopping for a prom dress, ever."
Chin handed each of them a radio. "I assume the jackets . . . "
Kono and Jax each lifted one side of their jackets, revealing snug shoulder holsters.
Steve's brain went through the word-a-day calendar like an old fashioned animation, and once again, settled unoriginally on holy shit.
"Let's roll," he said, his voice strangled.
#*#*#*#*#
Mr. Kantaro's private jet had just touched down and was taxiing to the gate when the team arrived in two government issue SUVs.
"A touch of armor plating never hurt," Kono murmured appreciatively as they stood, waiting for their passengers.
"Commander McGarrett," a voice called out, as Mr. Kantaro strode toward them. His demeanor, and his handshake, seemed genuine and friendly, unlike Mr. Mutsu's. "I can't tell you how much I appreciate your team providing assistance for our first visit to your beautiful island. It's a tremendous relief not to have to worry about getting lost. Or driving on the wrong side of the road."
"We're happy to help, Mr. Kantaro," Steve said, feeling a bit relieved. "Part of my team - Captain Lou Grover, Officer Kono Kalakaua, and Officer Jacqueline Nolan."
There were handshakes all around, and Kantaro's eyes lingered on Jax. "I'm sure you must think I am very vain to have made such a specific request for personal security. The Japanese culture adds its own unique burdens to the already typically fragile male ego. Although, having been assigned such a stunning security officer, I can't bring myself to apologize."
Steve fought the urge to lay a possessive hand on Jax, and instead, turned and opened the back door of the SUV for Kantaro. "Mr. Kantaro, I believe we are taking you directly to the Hakekulani."
"And I believe that was a subtle indication that perhaps I was being less than professional," Mr Kantaro said, smiling and bowing his head toward Steve in a manner that suddenly seemed condescending. "My apologies."
"Just trying to keep your itinerary," Steve said mildly, closing the door.
Jax smirked and climbed in the passenger side. She watched in the side view mirror as Kono and Grover waited for Mr. Kantaro's associates, who had remained silent during the entire exchange, to get into the vehicle. When the doors were closed, she nodded to Steve.
"Clear, Grover?" Steve said quietly.
"Affirmative," Grover answered, and they were driving away.
After a few miles, Mr. Kantaro spoke up from the back seat. "You're exceptionally quiet, Commander McGarrett, Officer Nolan."
Steve glanced into the rear view mirror.
"I'm not sure what your understanding was with the governor, Mr. Kantaro, but my understanding was that my team was providing security for you. Perhaps some other time you might like to come on a vacation, and enjoy a guided tour."
The ride passed awkwardly for the remaining miles to the exclusive hotel. While they were dressing for the event, Kono had given Jax a quick background on the hotel - enough to make her feel a bit nervous and out of place. They proceeded through the hotel lobby, flanking Mr. Kantaro discreetly. Mr. Mutsu was waiting for them outside the private elevator, and they stepped on to ride up to the Halekulani Suite in groups; Steve and Jax with Kantaro and Mutsu first.
"Mr. Kantaro," Mr. Mutsu said. "I believe you will find everything here to your satisfaction." He leered at Jax again.
"Excuse me, what was that?" Steve demanded, crossing his arms over his chest. "My team is here for Mr. Kantaro's security, not his satisfaction."
Mutsu held his hands up in mock protest. "I was referring to the suite, Commander. Forgive me if we're violating some sort of American protocol."
The four of them stepped into the shockingly spacious suite, easily as large as Steve's house. Mutsu positioned himself, once again, just by the elevator door, while Kantaro gestured for Steve and Jax to follow him into the suite.
"If you'll just wait here, and let us clear the space," Steve said, gesturing pointedly.
Kantaro looked mildly amused, but did as he was told, and stood at the entrance, while Steve and Jax cleared the rooms. Steve scowled as he cleared the huge bedroom and en suite: two of everything was on obvious display - fluffy robes, wine glasses, even toothbrushes. He pointed silently at the set-up to Jax, who just shrugged.
"It doesn't mean anything," she said. "It's probably just how the hotel sets up."
Steve said clear - more loudly than was reasonably necessary - and went back to Mr. Kantaro. "Are you expecting a guest tonight, Mr. Kantaro?" he asked, his voice bland. "If so, we will need to make that part of our security plan."
Kantaro looked at Jax. "I assumed that my private security officer would be staying with me."
"Oh, you assumed incorrectly," Jax said, sweetly, before Steve could start. "If you're genuinely concerned about your safety, however, then our entire team would be glad to stay over. These sofas look plenty comfy enough, don't they, sir?" she said, turning to Steve.
He wasn't going to deny it; already feeling jealous and possessive, her slight emphasis on sir sent a chill up his spine, and if the sparkle in her green eyes was any indication, she knew it.
"I've slept in trees for forty-eight hours straight," Steve said, throwing Kantaro a challenging stare. "I could manage a sofa."
"Ah, that won't be necessary," Kantaro said. "My most sincere apologies. Clearly, I should have done more cultural preparation before coming to Honolulu."
The rest of the evening went by in an uncomfortable blur of polite mingling, with Jax and Kono sipping on endless glasses of sparkling mineral water. By the end of the night, Steve was practically praying for some sort of altercation to alleviate both his boredom and his jealousy.
"He hasn't laid a hand on me, Steve, relax," Jax chided, not caring that the entire team could hear her comment, spoken quietly into her microphone.
Finally, blessedly, the party ended, and Mr. Kantaro was safely deposited in his suite. He had assured the team that between hotel security, and Mutsu, Hike, and Asari, their services were not needed overnight, and after what seemed like forever, Steve and Jax were finally on their way home.
"It's ridiculously late," Jax yawned. "Is this how rich people live? That was more exhausting than an armed robbery. What's the appeal?"
Steve glanced at her. "Power. Control. It was obvious, Jax, that Kantaro thought you were going to be his escort for the duration of his visit. Round the clock. Damn it, there was a toothbrush there for you."
"Okay, maybe," Jax said, "although I think you're reading a lot into a disposable toothbrush. But I'm not there, in that ridiculous suite, am I? I'm riding in your truck, with you, and we're going home."
"Yeah," Steve muttered, but his face was dark.
"You're the one who's taking me home," Jax repeated. "You're the only one who's taking me home."
Steve relaxed a little, pulling into his driveway. "Every night?" he asked, reaching out and covering her hand with his own.
"Every night," she confirmed, as he leaned over and kissed her, tangling his hand in her hair. "If you stand between me and my gym shorts for one more minute, though, sailor, I'm going to have to break your neck."
#*#*#*#*#
The team assembled the next morning, all looking a little the worse for wear.
"For an evening of doing absolutely nothing, that was exhausting," Kono said, yawning as she stood at the smart table. She looked up as Chin came off the elevator, bearing a tray of coffees.
"Cuz, you are the best, the absolute best," she said, kissing him on the cheek.
"Well, Danny and I could practically feel the tension over the radios," he said, "and the evening did seem to drag on. I figured we all deserved a shot of the best Kona on the island to get us through the day."
"And what do we have to get through today?" Jax asked, taking a sip of the coffee and sighing appreciatively, causing Steve to absently rub his hand across her lower back. He loved that little sound; had, since the first day he handed her a cup of coffee.
"Closed door business meetings all morning," Steve said. "Grover, Chin, Kono and I will cover security. Jax, you and Danny work on digging into this mysterious not-at-all-an-accident of his. Kantaro doesn't need a date to sign contracts, and I'll be damned if you're forced to interact with Mutsu." The rest of the team nodded heartily in agreement.
"Not gonna argue," Jax said. "Death by small talk and sparkling water? No thank you." She reached out to fist bump Danny, who grinned and returned the gesture. "Williams and I will blow this accident set-up wide open while you all play banker."
"Fine by me," Steve said. "Can you handle comms while you're at it?"
"We can multi-task," Danny said, laughing.
"I sure hope so," Grover said, coming out of his office, suddenly sober.
"Grover?" Jax said, alarmed at his demeanor.
"Guys, one of my buddies over at HPD just gave us a heads up. IA is on the way over here right now. They've been given an anonymous tip, and they've got a warrant for Kono and Chin's financial records, their offices, their houses . . . everything," Grover said, in utter disbelief.
"What the hell?!" Steve exploded. "What kind of anonymous tip? What are they looking for? What's the accusation?"
Grover looked at Chin and Kono apologetically. "Taking bribes. From the Yakuza."
Kono's eyes filled with tears and she looked at Chin helplessly.
For once, Chin was so overwhelmed that he couldn't even comfort her. He simply took his badge and gun and held them out to Steve. "I can't live through this again," he said quietly.
Steve held his hands up. "No. No way, Chin. You don't have to live through this again, because this is nothing like last time. You've got ohana backing both of you up. You got that? Both of you. Grover," Steve said, turning to him. "How can IA even do this? Chin and Kono work for Five-O, not HPD."
Grover shrugged. "That's what I said, right away, but the DA says that Five-O would never investigate one of their own, so HPD gets jurisdiction."
"We voluntarily called HPD in to investigate Danny's accident . . . " Steve said, thinking aloud.
"You're thinking there's a connection," Danny said, quick to pick up Steve's line of thought.
"Yeah. Yeah, I do," Steve said, pacing in front of the plasmas. "Danny, what's your absolute worst nightmare? I mean, aside from something happening to Gracie."
"Hurting an innocent child," Danny said.
"Right. And Chin, what was the single worst experience of your life, the one thing you would never wish on anyone?" Steve asked, pointing at Chin.
"Being accused of being a dirty cop," Chin replied, without hesitation.
"Someone is setting up the team," Jax said. "Danny's worst nightmare; the one thing Chin fears the most, both for himself and for Kono. She told me that you weren't even willing to risk coming to her graduation," Jax added. "The things we fear most . . . "
"This is personal, very personal," Steve said. He glanced down at his watch. "Damn it. Okay, we have to take care of security to and from these business meetings, and then the art exhibit. Change of plans. Grover, Jax, and I handle the security detail. Danny, you're still comms, but mostly I want you keeping an eagle eye out on everything that comes in and out of here today. Chin and Kono, you stay here in your offices - cooperate with HPD but only to the extent you absolutely have to, and don't let anyone go through your stuff without you looking over their shoulders. We are going to get to the bottom of this, I swear."
#*#*#*#*#
"Your security team seems smaller today, Commander McGarrett," Mr. Kantaro noted, as they made their way to the late afternoon art exhibit. Jax looked simply stunning in the black sundress she'd worn undercover with Danny, and Kantaro didn't bother to try to disguise his appreciation. Steve wondered if it would be terribly obvious if he switched to combat breathing.
"Would you like to inform us of any particular threats that we don't know about?" Steve said impassively. "Otherwise, the three of us are more than capable of ensuring your safety at this particular venue."
"Oh, I believe you are quite, quite capable," Kantaro said, his eyes lingering on the line of Jax's collarbone.
It was another insufferably long afternoon.
#*#*#*#*#
"Thank goodness Kantaro anticipated jet lag this evening," Jax groused, as she piled into the SUV with Steve and Grover. They'd safely deposited Kantaro at his hotel, back into the hands of his own security team. Before Steve had the opportunity to strangle him, which, if you asked him, was a damn shame.
"Are you ready to admit the man is a giant asshole sleazebag?" Steve demanded. Hostility and frustration rolled off him in waves. Chin's acquisition of sensitive high-end radios meant that he'd had to listen to Kantaro's suggestive comments and off-color remarks to Jax all afternoon.
"Yeah, okay, he's a jerk," Jax said, wrinkling her pert nose in distaste. Kantaro had been careful not to put a finger on her all afternoon, but that hadn't kept him from leering at her, and making the most inappropriate comments about the art. "I don't get it; what's his play?"
"What do you mean?" Grover asked.
"I mean, what's his end game? He's clearly trying to accomplish something, keeping us off-balance." Jax said, cracking her neck. Tension and stress had her in knots.
"Jax, he's . . . okay, you don't get that it's possible that he's just hitting on you?" Steve asked.
"You think it's a distraction? Maybe it's a cover-up for something." Jax wondered.
Grover shook his head. "No wonder you went SWAT. You never woulda made detective."
"What?" Jax demanded. She was pretty sure that was an insult; she thought it was fairly good detective work to try to figure out what Kantaro was really trying to accomplish.
"Jax. You are -" Steve broke off and made an all-encompassing gesture. "Kantaro is being a jerk and hitting on you, because you are a beautiful woman. It's that simple."
Jax tilted her head at him, perplexed. "Nah," she laughed. "You're funny. Seriously. What's his angle?"
Grover threw his hands up in the air, exasperated, and Steve looked at Jax with a mixture of fondness and wistfulness.
"Ku'uipo," he sighed. "What am I gonna do with you, hunh?"
Jax twitched her eyebrows and smirked, making Steve laugh.
"People are unbalanced, is what I'm saying," Grover muttered.
#*#*#*#*#
"Anything, guys? Any leads on anything?" Steve said, as they rushed back into the office.
"Yes," Danny said. "Remember on 9/11, we went and donated blood?" He leaned over the table and slid some files and photos up onto the plasma.
"Yeah," Steve said, leaning against the table. It had been a rough day for all of them; the one idea that seemed to bring Jax some comfort had been following her usual routine of donating blood, and she'd been turned down because she was underweight. He absently glanced in her direction . . . good. She looked good, healthy . . . really good . . . he jerked his attention back to Danny.
"Blood collection station was robbed. That night," Danny said, jabbing a finger toward the screen, "before the Red Cross could even process."
"Oh, hell no, that's no coincidence," Steve said.
Danny was pacing in front of the table. "Someone is trying to set up the team. And they're either doing a half-ass job of it, or . . ."
"What do you mean, half-ass job?" Jax asked. "I'd say it was a pretty whole-assed job. Danny, you could have been killed; and you spent twenty-four hours in agony."
"Yeah, but whoever did this . . . they had to know that the lab would find out that the blood was Steve's. And they had to know we would realize that the blood collection station had been robbed. It wasn't exactly stealthy. And now, trying to set up Chin and Kono? I mean, it's ridiculous. Who would believe that Chin and Kono were on the take?" Danny ranted.
Kono's eyes filled with tears, and Chin looked at Danny with a soft smile on his face. "Everyone, Danny. At HPD the last time this happened? Almost everyone. Except for Steve's dad."
"Well, you're at Five-O now," Steve said firmly. "And no one in this room believes it. Not for one minute. Danny's right; someone is working very hard to set us up, get us off balance. And it's very, very personal. Okay, Danny, you said they were doing a half-ass job, or . . . Or what?"
"Or they're doing an excellent job of being deliberately half-assed. They know we're going to only be a step or two behind them . . . they're . . . they're -" Danny broke off, snapping his fingers. The word was on the tip of his tongue, he just couldn't get it.
"Gaslighting the team," Grover suggested.
"Psychological warfare," Steve said quietly. "Someone is trying to destroy the team. They're going after us individually, playing on our worst fears. This is just the beginning."