Hi everyone,
Here is the next chapter.
This is the second part of Season 3 episode 12 collaboration. Like I said in Chapter 35 there are spoilers in this chapter as well.
Enjoy.
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Chapter 36
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"Want to know who's cheating?" Erik asked as he walked over toward them at the computer table.
"What'd you do? Did you get some scoop from the sorority girls?"
"No. I was just gonna say, you could check the transcripts. See whose grades spiked the most. Chances are, they're cheating."
"Kid's got a point."
"This better not be something that you have done because I will certainly be speaking to your mother."
"No. A friend was caught because of doing just that. He went from failing to acing his exams and they figured it out because he was bragging about it to some other friends and the teachers overheard."
"Hmmm."
"Honest. Besides I really don't need to do any of that."
"Well let's go and speak to the school and gets the transcripts for Prof. Cutler's class and see if we can find anyone that is cheating." Steve said before he turned and started to leave while Danny and Erik caught up with him.
"Hey slow down! We do not need to rush around." Danny said as they approached the elevator as Steve pressed repeatedly on the button.
"Danny, we need to find out who was cheating so we can get them to tell us who sold them the exams."
"Yes, and we don't need to hurry around. They have gotten away with it for this long, so they won't be nervous about it."
"But…"
"No, no 'but's'. We don't need to rush around. Relax and no driving like a maniac."
"Hey, I would like to see that." Erik said from behind them in the elevator.
"Don't encourage him." Danny said as he pointed at Erik.
"Kid will find out sooner or later."
"No, no he won't because there is no need to speed. You are supposed to be encouraging good behaviour not teaching him to drive like a lunatic."
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They had been through the transcripts with some people from the university admin and found some records of people whose grade had suddenly spiked. They then looked at who might already be at the university today before looking up their addresses if there weren't there. They found one student who was in doing an exam for one of his subjects and got the room number. Steve, Danny and Erik arrived at the room and went to open the door.
"I'll wait out here." Erik said as he waited opposite the door.
"This is, uh, college. It's not a virus, you cannot catch it." Danny said amused.
"Go."
"Okay."
Steve opened the door and lets Danny though first before following as he sent a small smirk to Erik. Steve and Danny nodded to the teacher sitting at a desk supervising before standing in front of the room full of students.
"Hey." He said as he clapped his hands to get their attention. "Tyler Brown, come on down. Let's go."
The guys led Tyler out into the hall before he threw an empty can into the bin and walked a few more steps away.
"All right, stop." Steve says.
"I'm in the middle of writing a midterm, what's this about?"
"What's this about? I'll tell you what it's about, it's about your grades. All right, one day, you're about to drop out of this place, the next day you're gunning for the dean's list. What's your secret?"
"Just started applying myself, I guess." Tyler answers getting very nervous.
Eric had seen Tyler toss something into the bin when he walked out and got an idea. Erik walked over and goes through the trash trying to find what he threw out.
"Oh, yeah?" Steve says not buying his story.
"Well… whoa, what are you doing?" Danny says as they hear and then catch Erik rummaging through the trash. "You need a nickel that bad, I'll lend you one, okay?"
Eric stands up and reads the can before smirking and looks at Tyler before walking closer to them.
"Your boy here chucked this can on the way out. Look at this. Drinks." He says before handing it to Steve when he indicated to hand it over. "One of the few things you can take into a test. See, you mock-up a fake label with an answer key on it, no one looks twice."
"That's good. Nice catch, E-Train." Steve says as he fist pumps with Erik.
"Thanks." Erik says happy to hear his nickname and actually do something right.
"Please, Steve." Danny says not happy that he is using that name for Erik.
"Look at that." Steve says as he hands the can to Danny.
"Okay, dopey, who'd you buy the exam from?"
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Steve and Danny chased after the T.A as he fled the building and raced across the lawn. Steve ran along side the bike racks opposite their suspect and quickly jumped over them while Danny ran behind on the other side the bikes. Steve quickly grabbed the T.A and body tackled him to the ground. The kids all around were shocked and surprised to see the tackle and where quickly getting out their phones as Danny took Steve's place and handcuffed the T.A's arms behind his back.
"Uh, uh. I think my ribs are broken."
"Yeah?" Steve said.
"Uh-huh."
"Well, next time a cop calls your name, don't run."
"Seriously… it hurts when I breathe."
"Then breathe less." Danny said as he starts helping him to his feet. "Come on, get up. Turn around."
"A little excessive don't you think, guys? I mean, all I did was sell some exams."
"Oh you forgot about the part where you brained your boss and dumped his body into an acid bath."
"What? You guys think I killed Professor Cutler?"
"Yes, we do."
"No. Look, I'll admit, Cutler was not my favourite person. I mean, he was so wrapped up in his research, I was basically teaching the class for him. I gave his lectures, graded the papers and exams, I figured for all that extra work I was due some compensation."
"Right. So, you hacked his computer for the exams. He finds out you're selling them, then you kill him. Huh?"
"No, I didn't kill him. And I certainly didn't hack his computer, because I wrote all those exams myself. Cutler was so checked out, he never even asked to see them."
"Fine, we will verify all of this but for now how about a change of venue till we can confirm your story." Danny said as he led the TA towards a squad car that was just pulling up, since he called for them when they realised who they were going after.
Steve let out a breath and reached for his ribs that were a little sore after the tackle. He looked around as the students started to go back to what they were doing and he saw Erik standing off to the side watching him.
"Come on let's go." Steve said as he followed after Danny who wasn't far away.
"That was an awesome move."
"Thanks." Steve said with a slight smirk.
"But are you ok?" Erik said.
Steve internally cursed as he saw Danny instantly stop and turn to him with calculating eyes. Steve really wished he had check who was watching before he reached for his ribs now. Danny looked Steve up and down before settling on his face before grumbling to himself and pushed the T.A along. Steve knew now that once they got to the car Danny was going to rip into him about not being more careful.
"I'm fine, thankyou Erik." Steve said tersely.
Steve arrived at the car as Danny shoved the T.A to the officers that they had called before they went after the T.A. Danny then turned to Steve with a glare on his face.
"What have you done?"
"Why do you make it sound like I did something bad?"
"Why else would Erik be asking if you are ok? You are still supposed to be taking it easy. Jumping over bikes and tackling suspects is not taking it easy. I didn't say anything before because you seemed fine, and we had to find out what he ran. But of course, you hid your injuries like normal. So, I will ask again, what have you done?"
"Nothing Danny it's fine. It's just a small ache from the tackle against my ribs."
"Fine. I want to check when we get back to the office."
"Alright. Can we go now?"
"Yes. I am going to see if we can confirm the T.A's story." Danny said as he opened the door and let Erik climb in before getting in himself.
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After finding the leaf in a hidden room in Culter's house they headed over to the crime lab to find out what the leaf was exactly.
"And, of course, this is Charlie. He's a crime scene technician. He uses science to provide our investigations with new and helpful leads. Just like he's about to do now. Right, Charlie?" Danny said as he explained to Erik as they walked into the lab.
"That's the idea." Charlie said as he worked on the computer.
"Oh, sweet thermal cycler, dude." Erik said as he walked over and saw the device.
Danny and Steve looked confused that Eric knew what that was. Danny stumbled over his words for a second before being able to get them out.
"How do you know what that is?"
"Duh. Discovery channel. You can learn a lot from TV." Erik said as if it was the most known thing ever.
"That's weird. DNA analysis matched the sample to a species called Kawaihea hibiscaldelphus." Charlie said as he read the results.
"What's so weird about it?" Steve asks.
"Well, what's weird is, it's been thought to be extinct for about 200years. Which means your victim either found a very rare specimen, or he brought it back to life."
"It's pretty cool, right?" Erik said.
"Yeah now we have to figure out where he got the plant from. Do we know where they were known to originate from?" Steve said as he looked at Charlie.
"No, there is nothing listed."
"Great." Danny said.
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They stood around the computer table back at headquarters after going through Cutler's financials Chin discovered that he had made regular hunting trips to Niihau. After thinking that's where the plant was found they decided to check it out and see if this is exactly where he found the plant.
"Okay, owners have a foreman who oversees operations. I'll call ahead and get us cleared for helicopter transport." Chin said.
"Alright."
"I get to ride in a helicopter?" Erik said excitedly.
"No." Danny said even as Erik continued talking.
"Finally, something cool happens."
"No, no, no, you're not… You're not riding in a helicopter. I apologize." Danny says making Erik very upset at this. "We will stay here. Uh, I'll do some work on Cutler's computer. We find out who hacked it, maybe we'll get our killer."
"Wait a minute. Crime lab said that was a dead end." Steve says confused as to why Danny was trying something that they crime lab had already done.
"I know. I got a guy."
"Why don't you just admit, you don't like flying with me?"
"Okay, I don't like flying with you. But before you leave, I want to check those ribs of yours." Danny said as he grabbed Steve's upper arm and started for Steve's office. "Erik, wait here and when I get back, we can go."
"Yeah ok."
Steve followed as Danny led him into his office and proceeded to shut all the blinds, so they had some privacy in case someone other than the team and Erik walked into the ballpen.
"Alright let's take a look at these ribs of yours." Danny said as he turned to Steve.
Steve sighed good naturally and took his shirt and t-shirt off so Danny could inspect his ribs. He knew they were sore but they were fine. They were just a bit tender. Steve winced slightly as a particular push against a spot but other than that it hardly hurt. Danny let out a 'hmm' before stepping back.
"Alright. They look ok. But that one spot I don't like but I think you just bruised them with that flying tackle move of yours."
"Danny, I told you they were fine. Please stop worrying."
"Sorry Steve, but as you should know by now, I am a worrier."
"That I know particularly well Daniel. But I am fine. The doc cleared me remember."
"He also said to ease into your hard-core physical activity Steven. That includes flying tackles."
Steve sighed and stepped closer to Danny and wrapped his arms around him and pulled him in close. Danny let out a huff before looking up at Steve and wrapping his arms around his neck. Steve leaned down and kissed Danny softly before resting his forehead against Danny's.
"I know and I promise to try and be more careful." He said softly.
"I guess that's all I can hope for with you." Danny replied making Steve laugh. "Come on. I have to go see Toast and you have to go fly a helicopter and trapse through the jungle like an animal." Danny said good naturally.
Steve chuckled and shook his head as he pulled his t-shirt back on and slipped on his shirt. Steve followed Danny as they headed back into the ballpen where Erik was still waiting for them. Danny walked with Steve over to the table to before turning to him.
"Have a safe flight." Danny says and gives him a hug and quick kiss on the cheek, so Erik didn't see, since they agreed to keep PDA's to a minimum in the office.
"Always do."
"No, no you don't." Danny said before they broke apart. "Come Erik. I have to go see someone." Danny said as he walked towards the exit while Steve went over to the gun and ammunition rack and started to pack a bag with what they might need.
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"You okay?" Danny asked as they stood outside the hospital room watching Steve interact with Brian and his son Avery.
"Yeah. I think I know what I want to do with my life."
"Want to be a cop?"
"No! Your job is way too stressful."
"Oh."
"I want to work in a crime lab."
"That's a very good career, Eric. It'd be nice."
"You need some sort of degree to do that?"
"I don't think so. You watch the discovery channel, right? Should be ok. You know?" Danny said making Erik laugh. "Mm-hmm, that's good. Come on. I'll buy you a loco moco." Danny said as he leads the way from the hospital room knowing Steve would catch up with them when he was ready.
"A what?!" Erik said totally confused on what Danny was suggesting.
"You'll like it. I promise. Come on."
"What about Steve?"
"Steve will catch up with us when he is ready."
"Ok."
Danny led Erik out of the hospital and to the car. Danny unlocked the car and sat in the seat waiting for Erik to climb in. Danny sighed and turned to Erik making him frown at Danny thinking he had done something wrong again.
"Look, Erik, I know I am hard on you and that it hasn't been easy being away from home. But I hope you know that I am only hard on you because I believe that you can do anything you want, and I truly only want what's best for you."
"I know Uncle Danny. So, when are you sending me home?" Erik asked after a pause and Danny turned the car on and pulled out of the car park before answering.
"Well it's really up to you? If you want you can stay another week. We could use a little more help with a few things but you can also have some fun (within reason) as well."
"That sounds good. I guess I should find out how to go about working in a crime lab."
"Why don't we ask Charlie the best way to get you started?"
"Yeah sounds good."
~~∞∞Ω∞∞~~ End of Chapter 36 ~~∞∞Ω∞∞~~
Hope you liked it. Please review.
