5-0 First Dates Part 2
Title: 5-0 First Dates
Paring: Steve/Danny
Rating: R
Warnings: AU
Summary: Short term memory loss makes falling in love with a loud mouthed Jersey boy all the more complicated for a former Navy SEAL
“Alright I'm heading out,” Chin said.
“Okay,” Jack nodded, this mind still on the sound of running water upstairs where his son had gone earlier to take a shower.
“Night cuz,” Kono gave Chin a hug.
“Goodnight, Jack “ she said as she turned down the hallway.
“Hang on!” he called after her.
She turned.
“Your classes are off tomorrow right?” he asked quietly.
“Yeah, why?”
“I want you to go with Steve.”
Her eyebrows knitted in confusion, “Go where?”
“Wherever he goes,” Jack answered.
“How do I do that?” she asked.
“Get him to take you along with him.”
“How?” she asked.
“Be creative,” Jack answered, “Think of this as practice for your first undercover assignment.”
She looked at him incredulously, “Babysitting Steve? No offense, Jack, but that's hardly a practice level assignment! Besides, why do you want me to do this anyway?”
“I want to know where he was tonight.”
“Is that really necessary?” Chin finally stepped in.
“He disappeared for five hours.”
“Yes, but he's here now. We know he's fine-”
“We don't know anything, and he hasn't said where he was.”
“Steve's never really forth coming, Jack,” Chin pointed out.
“Which is exactly why I need you to find out if he's gotten into any trouble,” Jack said.
“Even if he did we don't know he'll do the exact same thing tomorrow,” Kono added.
Jack couldn't argue with that, but he finally answered, “That may be true, but I'd feel better at least checking.”
The two cousins were still uncertain about the idea, but neither were willing to argue with Jack McGarrett.
Kono finally nodded, “Okay.”
00000000000
Kono opened her eyes the next morning to the barrel of a gun in her face.
'Not again,' she groaned internally.
“Who are you?” A familiar voice growled, “What are you doing in my father's house?”
“You wanna not point that thing at me before I've had my coffee, brah?” she asked.
“I asked you a question!” he snapped.
She sighed, “Kono Kalakaua, I don't know if you remember me, but I used to see you sometimes when you hung out with my cousin?”
“Chin-Ho?” he asked, his grip on the gun loosened slightly, “You're Chin-Ho Kelly's cousin?”
“Yep,” she answered pushing herself into a sitting position, “I would say 'the one and only' but we both know that's far from the truth!”
He studied her and finally commented, “Wow, you look...different.”
She chuckled. He didn't know it but Steve pretty much said that to her every morning.
“Likewise,” she said.
“What are you doing in my dad's house?” he asked.
“I kind of live here,” she answered tossing to covers back and getting up out of bed.
“What?”
“It's a long story, but I found myself in between apartments a little while back and your dad took me in,” she lied.
He looked doubtful, and, not for the first time, Kono reminded herself that Jack was ohana. That was the reason she put up with waking up every morning to his subtle as a foghorn son who never bothered to hide the fact that he wondered if she was playing sugar-baby to his father.
She waited for the next question-
“How did I get here?”
“You don't remember?” She asked and went on without waiting for him to answer, “I'm not surprised, you got in super late last night.”
He looked confused.
“Jack said you were on leave?” she said as if it were a question, “That you were coming here for a day or two?”
“I did?” he asked, “Why would I do that?”
She looked at him as if he were slow, “His birthday, brah?”
She saw the moment he remembered, “It was tomorrow.”
“Now today,” she said as she walked past him to the kitchen. Once there she found that Jack had left her a pot of coffee already made, thank God for small blessings.
“So where is he?” she jumped at Steve's voice behind her. Damn she'd never gotten used to how he could sneak up on people.
“Jack?” She shrugged, “At work would be my guess.”
Steve snorted, but didn't make any comment.
He watched in silence as she made up her coffee and put some toast on for breakfast.
Kono didn't even have to look to tell the moment he'd accepted the story. This had become a well honed routine. The first several weeks after Jack brought his son back to Honolulu were rough, but, through trial and error, and fair amount of luck, they'd learned what worked.
It was always best when Steve didn't see Jack until the evening. Also, for some reason, he accepted the story best when she told it to him...her or Kamekona. They didn't know why, although, if Kono had to guess, she might think it was because his memories of them weren't as emotionally charged as those of Jack or Chin.
He was pensive for a while before the tension finally left his body, and a few minutes later he asked, “So how's the surf forecast for today?”
“Pretty good,” she smiled, “I was going to go up to North Shore myself. Wanna come along?”
She could tell he didn't particularly love the thought of having company, but agreed to be polite.
00000000000
“So, Steve, what did you want to come in here for again?” she asked gently. The day had been pretty normal at first, they caught the waves at the north shore and then, after a mention that she was in the police academy, went to target practice at Cousin Kai's range.
On the way back into town she was mentally preparing to report to Jack that nothing was out of the ordinary when Steve abruptly decided to stop in at some sporting goods store.
“I don't know,” he said, “I just wanted to.”
“Is there something you need to buy?”
“Not that I know of,” he said
“Okay...” she answered, “...well why don't we go back to your dad's? I'm sure he'll be home soon.”
“No! Not yet!”
Kono paused and looked at him. He was definitely acting strange. He seemed almost frustrated as he stalked through the various racks intently.
“Steve,” she followed cautiously, “What exactly are you looking for?”
“I don't know!” he answered gruffly.
With that he turned away from her and bumped into a blond man carrying a large box. He stumbled and caught the box awkwardly on his knee wincing as he did so, with his sharp reflexes Steve righted the box and caught the one carton of bullets that tumbled out before it had a chance to spill all over the floor.
The blond guy swore, his head snapping up. His mouth was already open to yell and Kono mentally prepared for herself for the fact they were about to get kicked out when, to her alarm, the rant seemed to die on his lips and recognition crossed his features.
He sighed heavily, but then said in a welcoming, almost gentle tone, “Hey.”
“You okay?” Steve asked.
“No thanks to you,” the guy snapped, but his tone was good natured, “It figures. Should have guessed the moment I bumped into you.”
Kono gulped. If there had been any doubt before that this wasn't the first time they'd met it was gone now.
“What?” Steve asked with an odd look that melted almost instantly as if he found the fact that the guy was making no sense amusing, or even...charming.
He rolled his eyes and answered, “Nothing.”
She couldn't help the fact that her mouth fell open as she watched Steve set the carton of bullets back inside the box the guy had cradled in his arms. They held eye contact the entire time and it felt like they weren't aware that anyone else existed in the world. A feeling that increased the moment the blond guy noticed her presence.
His attention instantly shifted to her.
“Hello,” he said, “I'm sorry, I...can I help you find something, Miss?”
She was completely unprepared for the question so she had no response other than a very intelligent, “Uh...”
“She's with me,” Steve jumped in, looking awkward.
“Oh,” the guy answered, equally awkward with a few parts confused and suspicious mixed in, “Well is there anything I can help the two of you find?”
“We...we just came in to look around...I guess,” Steve answered. It was obvious he was becoming confused, realizing something wasn't right.
Instinctively Kono stepped in, “We should actually be going. Kamekona is coming over with the grill to have the birthday dinner ready when your dad and Chin get off work.”
Steve studied her, thinking over what she said. Finally he nodded, though still hesitantly, “Right.”
“Birthday dinner?” the blond guy suddenly asked, suspicion now completely coloring his words.
Before she had time to even think Steve answered.
“My dad's 60th.”
There was a dead look in the guy's eyes as his lips twisted into a mirthless smirk and he said flatly, “Yeah...right.”
Kono swallowed hard. He knew! He knew everything! Well okay probably not everything considering how pissed he looked, but obviously he'd heard this story before...maybe a lot before. Oh God, this was bad.
She put her hand firmly on Steve's arm and tugged him toward the door, “Come on, Steve, lets go.”
They were mostly silent on the drive back. Kono was still shaken by what she'd witnessed, and Steve seemed very guarded, almost as if his body language was daring her to bring up what had happened.
She was happy enough not to
00000000000
“Kono, you have to tell him!” Chin hissed at her.
“But I don't know what he knows or what interaction he's had with Steve.”
“You said you were certain there had been some though, and that he was suspicious?”
“Yeah,” Kono admitted reluctantly.
“If someone is catching on that, right there, is enough!”
“But, if I tell Jack he'll confront the guy, and what if...what if he inadvertently tells him something?”
“What do you mean?”
“You know what I mean!” Kono hissed, “I told you what it looked like when I was watching them!”
“You don't know for sure that what you saw was anything-”
“I'm sure enough, Chin,” she said firmly.
Chin thought this over for a moment and then sighed, “I think you still have to tell him.”
She shook her head, “How can I do that? I mean if I'm right, I'd basically be outing him to his father! I may not have known Steve very well from before, but I still don't know if I feel right about that!”
“Maybe he already knows?” Chin suggested.
“Has he said anything that makes you think so?”
“Well...no,” Chin admitted, “but maybe he doesn't talk about it much? I mean it'd make sense if both of them were secretive since Steve was in the military.”
Kono sighed. She'd been desperately hoping his answer would be 'yes', and he'd provide some very convincing evidence.
“I don't think he knows, Chin.”
Her cousin looked about as happy with the situation as she felt but the still said, “Still...with Steve's condition...even with what it might mean I think Jack needs to know.”
“I need to know what?!” Jack voice came from behind them suddenly.
Kono swore under he breath. All this time she thought it was SEAL training, but apparently the ability to sneak up on people was genetic!
“What do I need to know, Kono?” he asked.
She sighed and answered, “Okay, you have to promise me you won't freak out...”
Even as she said the words, she didn't have much hope of the promise being kept.
00000000000
The three walked through the door to Big Maleko's Sport and Surplus.
“Aloha,” a voice called from the register. It belonged to a rather rotund man around Jack's age who was ringing up a customer.
Jack fixed Kono with a doubtful glare and asked, “That's who you were talking about?”
“Obviously not!” she snapped back before turning to pass on the glare to Chin. If she had to go through this hideousness, she was determined to take it out on him.
They brushed past the customer on his way out the door and approached the register.
“What can I do for you folks today?” he man behind the counter asked.
Chin took out his badge, “We're looking for someone whom we think might work here.”
“Not very likely, brah. I own the place and only other employee is my store manager.”
Jack looked at Kono expectantly.
“Blond haole,” she described, “30 to 35. Kind of on the short side, about 5'5, 5'6?”
Maleko crossed his arms over his bright purple shirt, “Yeah that's my manager. What's he done?”
Before either of the men could answer Kono jumped in, “Nothing. Someone matching his description came up as a possible witness to a hit and run we're investigating.”
“He's not here right now-”
“What's his name?” Jack asked.
Maleko looked hesitant.
“Look,” Kono leaned forward giving him gentle smile, “This case is pretty cold so we just want to ask him a few questions see if he can help us out. You'd be doing us a really big favor here.”
He softened under her gaze, “Danny Williams. He's off today, though, so I really don't know where he is-”
“That's fine,” Chin jumped in, “Mahalo for the help.”
The three left the store and got into Jack's car.
“Okay,” Jack said as they pulled out of the parking lot, “You did good, Kono. Chin and I'll drop you off at the academy...think you can get a ride home?”
“Yeah,” she answered uneasily, “Look um, I have to ask, now that we've found out this guy's name, what are you guys going to do with it? I mean...we really can't do anything. I mean we're cops we can't do anything like...illegal.”
Jack didn't answer immediately, so she asked.
“Right?”
Seeing that Jack was not going to answer Chin jumped in, “No, of course not. We're just going to talk to him. Tell him something that'll make him want nothing to do with Steve. Y'know, highly contagious disease or something like that.”
He was joking but Kono could only manage a weak smile.
They dropped her off at the police training facility about 20 minutes later, and with a final wave Chin asked, “So what are we going to do now, Jack?”
“Find out if there's any information about him in the system,” Jack answered as he pulled the car back onto the road.
Chin plugged the guy's information in to the on board computer, “Okay, found two Daniel Williams' with Honolulu addresses in the system. One matches the description Kono gave.”
“He have a record?”
“No, actually,” Chin answered, “His information is in the system from a state job application.”
“With who?”
“Us,” he responded.
Jack turned to his partner, “He applied to the academy? Why was he rejected?”
“Actually it wasn't to the academy. He applied about six months ago, and before that was a detective with the Newark Police Department in New Jersey,” Chin read off sounding vaguely impressed, “The application mentions several commendations...good solve record. The department wasn't doing much hiring six months ago, maybe that's why he didn't get in.”
“Maybe,” Jack said flatly, “It list a current address?”
00000000000
Danny hugged Grace tightly, she squeezed back and said the words that always sent his heart soaring, “Love you, Danno.”
“I love you too, Monkey,” he kissed her forehead before standing up and acknowledging his ex-wife.
“Rach.”
“Daniel,” she nodded back, “I'll call you about scheduling our next visitation day.”
He gritted his teeth and forced a civil response. Once back in his car he left Rachel's neighborhood behind and decided to take the scenic route on the way home. He drove for about 15 minutes in quiet contemplation before he heard the siren and flashing blue lights appeared in his rear-view mirror.
He groaned as he pulled to the side of the road. However, he realized that it wasn't a patrol car that had pulled him over, and the two men getting out of the car weren't uniforms.
He rolled down his window slightly when they stopped beside the car, “There a problem here?”
“Please shut off your engine and step out of the car, Sir,” the older of the two instructed.
“Show me a badge,” Danny demanded.
Both men produced identification, and seemed content to let Danny get a thorough look at them. He could see that they were real shields.
“Shut off your engine and step out of the car!” the older cop instructed again, more forcefully this time.
With a sigh Danny did as he was told.
“Turn and place your hands on your vehicle,” he cop said once Danny shut the door behind him.
“Look, what's this about?”
“I said turn and place your hands on your vehicle,” he repeated. Danny knew where this was going, though he had no idea why, and he wanted to demand to know but....he couldn't. He was a civilian now. There was nothing he could do other than what they said.
Grudgingly he turned and put his hands on the windows of his car, slightly wider than shoulder width apart so that they were in plain view.
Almost immediately the older cop grabbed one forearm and wrenched it behind his back. Danny instinctively fought back causing the other to shove him into his car, his head held down.
While the young cop help him down the other cuffed him tightly behind his back.
“Ah! Shit! Alright, what the hell is this about?” he demanded as he was spun around and pushed back into the car again. Neither of the two said anything, “What's going on?...Hello?! You wanna me my rights? Tell me why I'm being arrested?!”
“Who says you're being arrested?” the older cop asked.
“Oh, wow, I'm sorry. How stupid to assume that because I was pulled over and handcuffed I might be under arrest! You're right that was just downright fucking moronic of me!”
“Are you through?”
Danny knew he should shut his mouth but his temper was too up for that, “No, I am not through! I will not be through until you tell me what the hell is going on!!! Did Rachel do this? Did she have Stan grease some palms to-”
“No, Mr. Williams, this isn't about your ex-wife,” the cop answered, “This is about you.”
“What about me?” Danny asked feeling like he wasn't going to like the answer.
“About what you're going to do,” he said before going on, “And what you're going to do is stay away from my son.”
That was definitely not what Danny was expecting. He was so surprised a bark of nervous laughter actually escaped his lips.
“Okay...okay,” he spoke in a calm voice, “I understand now. I understand what you're feeling. I really do, but I'm being completely straight with you when I say that you've got the wrong guy! Okay? I have a kid myself. She's 9 years old. I would never hurt a child.”
He saw surprise flash briefly across the cops features before he said, “I'm not talking about a child.”
“Well then I don't know what the hell you are talking about!” Danny yelled.
“Steve McGarrett,” he said calmly causing Danny to completely freeze, “Know what I'm talking about now?”
“You...” he started, “You're...”
“Telling you to stay the hell away from him,” Jack stepped forward two steps.
“Um...” Danny thought, “...he comes into the store where I work. I don't know why...”
“Well figure something out then!” he snapped, “Understood?”
Danny studied the man before him for a second before noding, “Yeah...yeah, understood.”
“Good,” he nodded, “Glad we understand each other on this.”
With that the younger cop pushed Danny forward to undo the cuffs, and the two quickly strode back to their car leaving with a spray of dirt.
00000000000
Chin sat silently as Jack drove them back into the city.
“What is it?” Jack asked.
“I didn't say anything,” he answered flatly.
“I've known you since you were 15, Chin,” his partner answered, “You got something you want to say to me just say it.”
Chin sat up straighter, “You're right we've known each other a long time. You're like family. Kono is family too, though, and...if I have to lie to her to protect her it's one thing, but it's another if you make me have to lie to her when it could be avoided!”
“I never said you had to be with me-”
“That's just the beginning of the problem, Jack!” he said scrubbing a hand over his face, “Jesus, that was a former cop we just roughed up!”
“We never laid a hand on him. He should be able to handle that-”
“That's not the point! I mean you were the one who taught me why we give professional courtesy-”
“This is a unique situation,” Jack argued.
“And why exactly is that?”
“If I could have avoided it I would have, but I was protecting my son-”
“You went about it the wrong way,” Chin said.
“I don't care about the right or wrong way! If the wrong way was the only way to protect Kono or anyone in your family would you do it?”
Chin didn't respond but they both knew what his answer would be.
“If you want to report me I won't try to stop you,” Jack said.
Chin sighed, “I'm not going to report you, Jack.”
His partner softened, “I appreciate that. And um, we'll figure out something so that we don't have deal with anything like this again.”
Chin nodded, “Okay.”
00000000000
“Get the fuck out!”
Steve knitted his eyebrows at the small blond man who was currently stalking towards him with a murderous expression on his face.
“What?” he asked.
“You heard what I said!” he snapped, “Get out of here and don't come back!”
“Look I don't know what the hell your problem is-”
“You! You, Steve McGarrett,” the blond sneered his name, prodding a finger into his chest for emphasis, “You are my problem! You and your entire psychotic family! I don't know what kind of shit you're into, and I don't want to! I just want you gone, so march your ass right out that door,-”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa!” Steve grabbed his hand and twisted it slightly to hold him still.
“Ah! Let go of me!”
“What do you mean my family?” he demanded, “How the hell do you know my name?!”
The man growled in frustration and yelled, “Why don't you ask for father? You know, the one who has a birthday every damned day?!”
“My father?” Steve repeated, scowling at the rest of what the guy had said.
“Yeah! Your father! Maybe he'll pull you over to the side of the road for nice little secluded chat in handcuffs. That seems to be his preferred method of communication. Which, in case you were wondering, is illegal. Some cop he makes! You must be so damned proud!” he ranted.
Steve let go of the guy and considered him for a moment.
“I have to go,” he abruptly turned and shoved his way through the front door.
Danny rubbed where his arm had been twisted and hoped that was the last he'd see of this McGarrett guy.
00000000000
Steve sped across town intently.
His mind was racing and he could feel the anger coursing through him. He wasn't sure why felt included to believe what a stranger had said about this father, but...somehow, he did.
He'd known something wasn't right from the moment he woke up. He hadn't been back to Hawaii in 20 years and he just up and decides to now? I didn't make any sense. Hell the truck he was driving he only knew was his as far as the woman living with his dad had claimed it was. That his father specifically said he should drive it while on the island.
He turned into the parking lot of HPD headquarters and saw that, to his luck, his dad and Chin were stepping out of their car. Probably coming back from lunch.
He threw the truck into park and jumped out.
“Steve?” Jack asked in surprise when he saw him, “What's-”
“What are you involved in?” Steve demanded prodding his father with a single finger the way the man at the store had earlier.
“Wha...Steve I don't know what you're talking about-”
“Oh no?” he asked, “Then why exactly am I getting thrown out of stores by shop keepers who know me by name, and know exactly who my father is? Huh?”
Steve caught onto it as realization dawned on Jack.
“Is it going to be like this all over the island?” he demanded, “What is it an old fashioned police shake down?”
“Steve, no, it's nothing like that,” he answered gently, “If you'd just let me explain.”
“No,” Steve stepped away, “You know what? I don't even care!”
With that he climbed back into the truck and tore out of the parking lot.
He reached his father's house in no time. He scaled the stairs two and a time, and set to work gathering up the stuff in his old room. Luckily, most of what he'd need to take with him was still in his rucksack.
Steve tossed it into the back of the truck. Got onto the highway and turned in the direction he wanted to know
He didn't know where he was supposed to be, but Pearl-Hickham would be the best place to find out.
He parked in the visitors lot, he retrieved his ruck, and dropped the keys to the truck into the driver's seat through the open window. He didn't figure he'd be coming back for it.
Steve walked around to the front gate and stopped at the guard shack. He dropped his ruck and stood up straight, “Lieutenant-Commander Steve McGarrett reporting. I am unaware of my status or that of my unit. I need to speak to someone at Pacific Command.”
The soldier on duty looked at him in surprise, “Lieutenant-Commannder McGarrett, you said?”
“Yes,” Steve answered.
“Do you have identification, Sir?” he asked.
Steve took out his wallet, but found it only contained a few large bills and the civilian driver's license that he got at his last assigned post in California.
“I seem to be missing my identification at this time,” he answered.
“Please wait one moment, Sir,” the solider stepped inside and picked up the phone. Steve listened as he explained the situation, was put on hold, explained again, and then paused to listen to instructions which he finally answered with “Yes, Sir.”
He stepped out of the booth to stand in front of Steve, “Sir, you are to go through to the main administrative building. First floor lobby. Someone will be there to meet you.”
Steve found the orders mildly strange, but he followed them as he was supposed to.
In the building he looked around for the person who was supposed to be meeting him, and found him quickly enough. Lieutenant-Commander White. His old training officer from BUDS.
Steve snapped to attention, “Sir!”
“Hey, relax, Steve, relax,” he set a hand on his shoulder.
“Sir, may I ask what's going on here?”
“Why don't you just come with me?” he lead Steve back into a comfortably furnished conference room, “Have a seat.”
Steve did as he was told, though this entire situation was making him, frankly, nervous.
There was a knock at the door and Joe opened it to let in a familiar person.
“Cath?” Steve asked before he thought to stop himself. He had been friends with Catherine Rollins years ago before he went to BUDS, and before she transferred to reserves to begin medical school. He vaguely remembered her saying in an email a few years ago that she lived Hawaii, but he did not expect to see her.
“Hey, Steve,” she said with a small smile. She nodded respectfully to Joe, “Lieutenant-Commander.”
He nodded back, “Captain, thank you for coming on such short notice.”
She nodded though her voice was unhappy, “No problem. Luckily I didn't have any surgeries scheduled for this afternoon-”
The informal way that they were speaking to each other, and him, made Steve feel bold enough to forcefully ask, “What's going on?”
“We'll explain everything, Steve,” Joe said, “We just need to wait a minute-”
He was cut off by the phone ringing. He answered it and gave the instruction, “Send him in.”
Joe opened the door and lead in his father.
“Steve,” Jack said, “I'm glad you're okay.”
Joe shut the door behind them, and Steve looked at the three people standing over the table where he was sitting.
“What's going on?” he repeated, though his voice felt much less strong this time.
TBC...
A/N: Aww, poor Steve. Yeah, I wrote him into this situation but I so want to give him a hug right now!
I know I treated everyone kind of badly in this installment, but 50 First Dates had some angst in it too (it's kind of innate due to the main plot device). I promise I'll fix things for Jack, Danny, and Steve.
I'm trying my best to incorporate elements of both Hawaii5-0 and 50 First Dates, and really flesh out the relationships that we saw in the movie to apply them to Steve and how he's different than Lucy.
Paring: Steve/Danny
Rating: R
Warnings: AU
Summary: Short term memory loss makes falling in love with a loud mouthed Jersey boy all the more complicated for a former Navy SEAL
“Alright I'm heading out,” Chin said.
“Okay,” Jack nodded, this mind still on the sound of running water upstairs where his son had gone earlier to take a shower.
“Night cuz,” Kono gave Chin a hug.
“Goodnight, Jack “ she said as she turned down the hallway.
“Hang on!” he called after her.
She turned.
“Your classes are off tomorrow right?” he asked quietly.
“Yeah, why?”
“I want you to go with Steve.”
Her eyebrows knitted in confusion, “Go where?”
“Wherever he goes,” Jack answered.
“How do I do that?” she asked.
“Get him to take you along with him.”
“How?” she asked.
“Be creative,” Jack answered, “Think of this as practice for your first undercover assignment.”
She looked at him incredulously, “Babysitting Steve? No offense, Jack, but that's hardly a practice level assignment! Besides, why do you want me to do this anyway?”
“I want to know where he was tonight.”
“Is that really necessary?” Chin finally stepped in.
“He disappeared for five hours.”
“Yes, but he's here now. We know he's fine-”
“We don't know anything, and he hasn't said where he was.”
“Steve's never really forth coming, Jack,” Chin pointed out.
“Which is exactly why I need you to find out if he's gotten into any trouble,” Jack said.
“Even if he did we don't know he'll do the exact same thing tomorrow,” Kono added.
Jack couldn't argue with that, but he finally answered, “That may be true, but I'd feel better at least checking.”
The two cousins were still uncertain about the idea, but neither were willing to argue with Jack McGarrett.
Kono finally nodded, “Okay.”
00000000000
Kono opened her eyes the next morning to the barrel of a gun in her face.
'Not again,' she groaned internally.
“Who are you?” A familiar voice growled, “What are you doing in my father's house?”
“You wanna not point that thing at me before I've had my coffee, brah?” she asked.
“I asked you a question!” he snapped.
She sighed, “Kono Kalakaua, I don't know if you remember me, but I used to see you sometimes when you hung out with my cousin?”
“Chin-Ho?” he asked, his grip on the gun loosened slightly, “You're Chin-Ho Kelly's cousin?”
“Yep,” she answered pushing herself into a sitting position, “I would say 'the one and only' but we both know that's far from the truth!”
He studied her and finally commented, “Wow, you look...different.”
She chuckled. He didn't know it but Steve pretty much said that to her every morning.
“Likewise,” she said.
“What are you doing in my dad's house?” he asked.
“I kind of live here,” she answered tossing to covers back and getting up out of bed.
“What?”
“It's a long story, but I found myself in between apartments a little while back and your dad took me in,” she lied.
He looked doubtful, and, not for the first time, Kono reminded herself that Jack was ohana. That was the reason she put up with waking up every morning to his subtle as a foghorn son who never bothered to hide the fact that he wondered if she was playing sugar-baby to his father.
She waited for the next question-
“How did I get here?”
“You don't remember?” She asked and went on without waiting for him to answer, “I'm not surprised, you got in super late last night.”
He looked confused.
“Jack said you were on leave?” she said as if it were a question, “That you were coming here for a day or two?”
“I did?” he asked, “Why would I do that?”
She looked at him as if he were slow, “His birthday, brah?”
She saw the moment he remembered, “It was tomorrow.”
“Now today,” she said as she walked past him to the kitchen. Once there she found that Jack had left her a pot of coffee already made, thank God for small blessings.
“So where is he?” she jumped at Steve's voice behind her. Damn she'd never gotten used to how he could sneak up on people.
“Jack?” She shrugged, “At work would be my guess.”
Steve snorted, but didn't make any comment.
He watched in silence as she made up her coffee and put some toast on for breakfast.
Kono didn't even have to look to tell the moment he'd accepted the story. This had become a well honed routine. The first several weeks after Jack brought his son back to Honolulu were rough, but, through trial and error, and fair amount of luck, they'd learned what worked.
It was always best when Steve didn't see Jack until the evening. Also, for some reason, he accepted the story best when she told it to him...her or Kamekona. They didn't know why, although, if Kono had to guess, she might think it was because his memories of them weren't as emotionally charged as those of Jack or Chin.
He was pensive for a while before the tension finally left his body, and a few minutes later he asked, “So how's the surf forecast for today?”
“Pretty good,” she smiled, “I was going to go up to North Shore myself. Wanna come along?”
She could tell he didn't particularly love the thought of having company, but agreed to be polite.
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“So, Steve, what did you want to come in here for again?” she asked gently. The day had been pretty normal at first, they caught the waves at the north shore and then, after a mention that she was in the police academy, went to target practice at Cousin Kai's range.
On the way back into town she was mentally preparing to report to Jack that nothing was out of the ordinary when Steve abruptly decided to stop in at some sporting goods store.
“I don't know,” he said, “I just wanted to.”
“Is there something you need to buy?”
“Not that I know of,” he said
“Okay...” she answered, “...well why don't we go back to your dad's? I'm sure he'll be home soon.”
“No! Not yet!”
Kono paused and looked at him. He was definitely acting strange. He seemed almost frustrated as he stalked through the various racks intently.
“Steve,” she followed cautiously, “What exactly are you looking for?”
“I don't know!” he answered gruffly.
With that he turned away from her and bumped into a blond man carrying a large box. He stumbled and caught the box awkwardly on his knee wincing as he did so, with his sharp reflexes Steve righted the box and caught the one carton of bullets that tumbled out before it had a chance to spill all over the floor.
The blond guy swore, his head snapping up. His mouth was already open to yell and Kono mentally prepared for herself for the fact they were about to get kicked out when, to her alarm, the rant seemed to die on his lips and recognition crossed his features.
He sighed heavily, but then said in a welcoming, almost gentle tone, “Hey.”
“You okay?” Steve asked.
“No thanks to you,” the guy snapped, but his tone was good natured, “It figures. Should have guessed the moment I bumped into you.”
Kono gulped. If there had been any doubt before that this wasn't the first time they'd met it was gone now.
“What?” Steve asked with an odd look that melted almost instantly as if he found the fact that the guy was making no sense amusing, or even...charming.
He rolled his eyes and answered, “Nothing.”
She couldn't help the fact that her mouth fell open as she watched Steve set the carton of bullets back inside the box the guy had cradled in his arms. They held eye contact the entire time and it felt like they weren't aware that anyone else existed in the world. A feeling that increased the moment the blond guy noticed her presence.
His attention instantly shifted to her.
“Hello,” he said, “I'm sorry, I...can I help you find something, Miss?”
She was completely unprepared for the question so she had no response other than a very intelligent, “Uh...”
“She's with me,” Steve jumped in, looking awkward.
“Oh,” the guy answered, equally awkward with a few parts confused and suspicious mixed in, “Well is there anything I can help the two of you find?”
“We...we just came in to look around...I guess,” Steve answered. It was obvious he was becoming confused, realizing something wasn't right.
Instinctively Kono stepped in, “We should actually be going. Kamekona is coming over with the grill to have the birthday dinner ready when your dad and Chin get off work.”
Steve studied her, thinking over what she said. Finally he nodded, though still hesitantly, “Right.”
“Birthday dinner?” the blond guy suddenly asked, suspicion now completely coloring his words.
Before she had time to even think Steve answered.
“My dad's 60th.”
There was a dead look in the guy's eyes as his lips twisted into a mirthless smirk and he said flatly, “Yeah...right.”
Kono swallowed hard. He knew! He knew everything! Well okay probably not everything considering how pissed he looked, but obviously he'd heard this story before...maybe a lot before. Oh God, this was bad.
She put her hand firmly on Steve's arm and tugged him toward the door, “Come on, Steve, lets go.”
They were mostly silent on the drive back. Kono was still shaken by what she'd witnessed, and Steve seemed very guarded, almost as if his body language was daring her to bring up what had happened.
She was happy enough not to
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“Kono, you have to tell him!” Chin hissed at her.
“But I don't know what he knows or what interaction he's had with Steve.”
“You said you were certain there had been some though, and that he was suspicious?”
“Yeah,” Kono admitted reluctantly.
“If someone is catching on that, right there, is enough!”
“But, if I tell Jack he'll confront the guy, and what if...what if he inadvertently tells him something?”
“What do you mean?”
“You know what I mean!” Kono hissed, “I told you what it looked like when I was watching them!”
“You don't know for sure that what you saw was anything-”
“I'm sure enough, Chin,” she said firmly.
Chin thought this over for a moment and then sighed, “I think you still have to tell him.”
She shook her head, “How can I do that? I mean if I'm right, I'd basically be outing him to his father! I may not have known Steve very well from before, but I still don't know if I feel right about that!”
“Maybe he already knows?” Chin suggested.
“Has he said anything that makes you think so?”
“Well...no,” Chin admitted, “but maybe he doesn't talk about it much? I mean it'd make sense if both of them were secretive since Steve was in the military.”
Kono sighed. She'd been desperately hoping his answer would be 'yes', and he'd provide some very convincing evidence.
“I don't think he knows, Chin.”
Her cousin looked about as happy with the situation as she felt but the still said, “Still...with Steve's condition...even with what it might mean I think Jack needs to know.”
“I need to know what?!” Jack voice came from behind them suddenly.
Kono swore under he breath. All this time she thought it was SEAL training, but apparently the ability to sneak up on people was genetic!
“What do I need to know, Kono?” he asked.
She sighed and answered, “Okay, you have to promise me you won't freak out...”
Even as she said the words, she didn't have much hope of the promise being kept.
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The three walked through the door to Big Maleko's Sport and Surplus.
“Aloha,” a voice called from the register. It belonged to a rather rotund man around Jack's age who was ringing up a customer.
Jack fixed Kono with a doubtful glare and asked, “That's who you were talking about?”
“Obviously not!” she snapped back before turning to pass on the glare to Chin. If she had to go through this hideousness, she was determined to take it out on him.
They brushed past the customer on his way out the door and approached the register.
“What can I do for you folks today?” he man behind the counter asked.
Chin took out his badge, “We're looking for someone whom we think might work here.”
“Not very likely, brah. I own the place and only other employee is my store manager.”
Jack looked at Kono expectantly.
“Blond haole,” she described, “30 to 35. Kind of on the short side, about 5'5, 5'6?”
Maleko crossed his arms over his bright purple shirt, “Yeah that's my manager. What's he done?”
Before either of the men could answer Kono jumped in, “Nothing. Someone matching his description came up as a possible witness to a hit and run we're investigating.”
“He's not here right now-”
“What's his name?” Jack asked.
Maleko looked hesitant.
“Look,” Kono leaned forward giving him gentle smile, “This case is pretty cold so we just want to ask him a few questions see if he can help us out. You'd be doing us a really big favor here.”
He softened under her gaze, “Danny Williams. He's off today, though, so I really don't know where he is-”
“That's fine,” Chin jumped in, “Mahalo for the help.”
The three left the store and got into Jack's car.
“Okay,” Jack said as they pulled out of the parking lot, “You did good, Kono. Chin and I'll drop you off at the academy...think you can get a ride home?”
“Yeah,” she answered uneasily, “Look um, I have to ask, now that we've found out this guy's name, what are you guys going to do with it? I mean...we really can't do anything. I mean we're cops we can't do anything like...illegal.”
Jack didn't answer immediately, so she asked.
“Right?”
Seeing that Jack was not going to answer Chin jumped in, “No, of course not. We're just going to talk to him. Tell him something that'll make him want nothing to do with Steve. Y'know, highly contagious disease or something like that.”
He was joking but Kono could only manage a weak smile.
They dropped her off at the police training facility about 20 minutes later, and with a final wave Chin asked, “So what are we going to do now, Jack?”
“Find out if there's any information about him in the system,” Jack answered as he pulled the car back onto the road.
Chin plugged the guy's information in to the on board computer, “Okay, found two Daniel Williams' with Honolulu addresses in the system. One matches the description Kono gave.”
“He have a record?”
“No, actually,” Chin answered, “His information is in the system from a state job application.”
“With who?”
“Us,” he responded.
Jack turned to his partner, “He applied to the academy? Why was he rejected?”
“Actually it wasn't to the academy. He applied about six months ago, and before that was a detective with the Newark Police Department in New Jersey,” Chin read off sounding vaguely impressed, “The application mentions several commendations...good solve record. The department wasn't doing much hiring six months ago, maybe that's why he didn't get in.”
“Maybe,” Jack said flatly, “It list a current address?”
00000000000
Danny hugged Grace tightly, she squeezed back and said the words that always sent his heart soaring, “Love you, Danno.”
“I love you too, Monkey,” he kissed her forehead before standing up and acknowledging his ex-wife.
“Rach.”
“Daniel,” she nodded back, “I'll call you about scheduling our next visitation day.”
He gritted his teeth and forced a civil response. Once back in his car he left Rachel's neighborhood behind and decided to take the scenic route on the way home. He drove for about 15 minutes in quiet contemplation before he heard the siren and flashing blue lights appeared in his rear-view mirror.
He groaned as he pulled to the side of the road. However, he realized that it wasn't a patrol car that had pulled him over, and the two men getting out of the car weren't uniforms.
He rolled down his window slightly when they stopped beside the car, “There a problem here?”
“Please shut off your engine and step out of the car, Sir,” the older of the two instructed.
“Show me a badge,” Danny demanded.
Both men produced identification, and seemed content to let Danny get a thorough look at them. He could see that they were real shields.
“Shut off your engine and step out of the car!” the older cop instructed again, more forcefully this time.
With a sigh Danny did as he was told.
“Turn and place your hands on your vehicle,” he cop said once Danny shut the door behind him.
“Look, what's this about?”
“I said turn and place your hands on your vehicle,” he repeated. Danny knew where this was going, though he had no idea why, and he wanted to demand to know but....he couldn't. He was a civilian now. There was nothing he could do other than what they said.
Grudgingly he turned and put his hands on the windows of his car, slightly wider than shoulder width apart so that they were in plain view.
Almost immediately the older cop grabbed one forearm and wrenched it behind his back. Danny instinctively fought back causing the other to shove him into his car, his head held down.
While the young cop help him down the other cuffed him tightly behind his back.
“Ah! Shit! Alright, what the hell is this about?” he demanded as he was spun around and pushed back into the car again. Neither of the two said anything, “What's going on?...Hello?! You wanna me my rights? Tell me why I'm being arrested?!”
“Who says you're being arrested?” the older cop asked.
“Oh, wow, I'm sorry. How stupid to assume that because I was pulled over and handcuffed I might be under arrest! You're right that was just downright fucking moronic of me!”
“Are you through?”
Danny knew he should shut his mouth but his temper was too up for that, “No, I am not through! I will not be through until you tell me what the hell is going on!!! Did Rachel do this? Did she have Stan grease some palms to-”
“No, Mr. Williams, this isn't about your ex-wife,” the cop answered, “This is about you.”
“What about me?” Danny asked feeling like he wasn't going to like the answer.
“About what you're going to do,” he said before going on, “And what you're going to do is stay away from my son.”
That was definitely not what Danny was expecting. He was so surprised a bark of nervous laughter actually escaped his lips.
“Okay...okay,” he spoke in a calm voice, “I understand now. I understand what you're feeling. I really do, but I'm being completely straight with you when I say that you've got the wrong guy! Okay? I have a kid myself. She's 9 years old. I would never hurt a child.”
He saw surprise flash briefly across the cops features before he said, “I'm not talking about a child.”
“Well then I don't know what the hell you are talking about!” Danny yelled.
“Steve McGarrett,” he said calmly causing Danny to completely freeze, “Know what I'm talking about now?”
“You...” he started, “You're...”
“Telling you to stay the hell away from him,” Jack stepped forward two steps.
“Um...” Danny thought, “...he comes into the store where I work. I don't know why...”
“Well figure something out then!” he snapped, “Understood?”
Danny studied the man before him for a second before noding, “Yeah...yeah, understood.”
“Good,” he nodded, “Glad we understand each other on this.”
With that the younger cop pushed Danny forward to undo the cuffs, and the two quickly strode back to their car leaving with a spray of dirt.
00000000000
Chin sat silently as Jack drove them back into the city.
“What is it?” Jack asked.
“I didn't say anything,” he answered flatly.
“I've known you since you were 15, Chin,” his partner answered, “You got something you want to say to me just say it.”
Chin sat up straighter, “You're right we've known each other a long time. You're like family. Kono is family too, though, and...if I have to lie to her to protect her it's one thing, but it's another if you make me have to lie to her when it could be avoided!”
“I never said you had to be with me-”
“That's just the beginning of the problem, Jack!” he said scrubbing a hand over his face, “Jesus, that was a former cop we just roughed up!”
“We never laid a hand on him. He should be able to handle that-”
“That's not the point! I mean you were the one who taught me why we give professional courtesy-”
“This is a unique situation,” Jack argued.
“And why exactly is that?”
“If I could have avoided it I would have, but I was protecting my son-”
“You went about it the wrong way,” Chin said.
“I don't care about the right or wrong way! If the wrong way was the only way to protect Kono or anyone in your family would you do it?”
Chin didn't respond but they both knew what his answer would be.
“If you want to report me I won't try to stop you,” Jack said.
Chin sighed, “I'm not going to report you, Jack.”
His partner softened, “I appreciate that. And um, we'll figure out something so that we don't have deal with anything like this again.”
Chin nodded, “Okay.”
00000000000
“Get the fuck out!”
Steve knitted his eyebrows at the small blond man who was currently stalking towards him with a murderous expression on his face.
“What?” he asked.
“You heard what I said!” he snapped, “Get out of here and don't come back!”
“Look I don't know what the hell your problem is-”
“You! You, Steve McGarrett,” the blond sneered his name, prodding a finger into his chest for emphasis, “You are my problem! You and your entire psychotic family! I don't know what kind of shit you're into, and I don't want to! I just want you gone, so march your ass right out that door,-”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa!” Steve grabbed his hand and twisted it slightly to hold him still.
“Ah! Let go of me!”
“What do you mean my family?” he demanded, “How the hell do you know my name?!”
The man growled in frustration and yelled, “Why don't you ask for father? You know, the one who has a birthday every damned day?!”
“My father?” Steve repeated, scowling at the rest of what the guy had said.
“Yeah! Your father! Maybe he'll pull you over to the side of the road for nice little secluded chat in handcuffs. That seems to be his preferred method of communication. Which, in case you were wondering, is illegal. Some cop he makes! You must be so damned proud!” he ranted.
Steve let go of the guy and considered him for a moment.
“I have to go,” he abruptly turned and shoved his way through the front door.
Danny rubbed where his arm had been twisted and hoped that was the last he'd see of this McGarrett guy.
00000000000
Steve sped across town intently.
His mind was racing and he could feel the anger coursing through him. He wasn't sure why felt included to believe what a stranger had said about this father, but...somehow, he did.
He'd known something wasn't right from the moment he woke up. He hadn't been back to Hawaii in 20 years and he just up and decides to now? I didn't make any sense. Hell the truck he was driving he only knew was his as far as the woman living with his dad had claimed it was. That his father specifically said he should drive it while on the island.
He turned into the parking lot of HPD headquarters and saw that, to his luck, his dad and Chin were stepping out of their car. Probably coming back from lunch.
He threw the truck into park and jumped out.
“Steve?” Jack asked in surprise when he saw him, “What's-”
“What are you involved in?” Steve demanded prodding his father with a single finger the way the man at the store had earlier.
“Wha...Steve I don't know what you're talking about-”
“Oh no?” he asked, “Then why exactly am I getting thrown out of stores by shop keepers who know me by name, and know exactly who my father is? Huh?”
Steve caught onto it as realization dawned on Jack.
“Is it going to be like this all over the island?” he demanded, “What is it an old fashioned police shake down?”
“Steve, no, it's nothing like that,” he answered gently, “If you'd just let me explain.”
“No,” Steve stepped away, “You know what? I don't even care!”
With that he climbed back into the truck and tore out of the parking lot.
He reached his father's house in no time. He scaled the stairs two and a time, and set to work gathering up the stuff in his old room. Luckily, most of what he'd need to take with him was still in his rucksack.
Steve tossed it into the back of the truck. Got onto the highway and turned in the direction he wanted to know
He didn't know where he was supposed to be, but Pearl-Hickham would be the best place to find out.
He parked in the visitors lot, he retrieved his ruck, and dropped the keys to the truck into the driver's seat through the open window. He didn't figure he'd be coming back for it.
Steve walked around to the front gate and stopped at the guard shack. He dropped his ruck and stood up straight, “Lieutenant-Commander Steve McGarrett reporting. I am unaware of my status or that of my unit. I need to speak to someone at Pacific Command.”
The soldier on duty looked at him in surprise, “Lieutenant-Commannder McGarrett, you said?”
“Yes,” Steve answered.
“Do you have identification, Sir?” he asked.
Steve took out his wallet, but found it only contained a few large bills and the civilian driver's license that he got at his last assigned post in California.
“I seem to be missing my identification at this time,” he answered.
“Please wait one moment, Sir,” the solider stepped inside and picked up the phone. Steve listened as he explained the situation, was put on hold, explained again, and then paused to listen to instructions which he finally answered with “Yes, Sir.”
He stepped out of the booth to stand in front of Steve, “Sir, you are to go through to the main administrative building. First floor lobby. Someone will be there to meet you.”
Steve found the orders mildly strange, but he followed them as he was supposed to.
In the building he looked around for the person who was supposed to be meeting him, and found him quickly enough. Lieutenant-Commander White. His old training officer from BUDS.
Steve snapped to attention, “Sir!”
“Hey, relax, Steve, relax,” he set a hand on his shoulder.
“Sir, may I ask what's going on here?”
“Why don't you just come with me?” he lead Steve back into a comfortably furnished conference room, “Have a seat.”
Steve did as he was told, though this entire situation was making him, frankly, nervous.
There was a knock at the door and Joe opened it to let in a familiar person.
“Cath?” Steve asked before he thought to stop himself. He had been friends with Catherine Rollins years ago before he went to BUDS, and before she transferred to reserves to begin medical school. He vaguely remembered her saying in an email a few years ago that she lived Hawaii, but he did not expect to see her.
“Hey, Steve,” she said with a small smile. She nodded respectfully to Joe, “Lieutenant-Commander.”
He nodded back, “Captain, thank you for coming on such short notice.”
She nodded though her voice was unhappy, “No problem. Luckily I didn't have any surgeries scheduled for this afternoon-”
The informal way that they were speaking to each other, and him, made Steve feel bold enough to forcefully ask, “What's going on?”
“We'll explain everything, Steve,” Joe said, “We just need to wait a minute-”
He was cut off by the phone ringing. He answered it and gave the instruction, “Send him in.”
Joe opened the door and lead in his father.
“Steve,” Jack said, “I'm glad you're okay.”
Joe shut the door behind them, and Steve looked at the three people standing over the table where he was sitting.
“What's going on?” he repeated, though his voice felt much less strong this time.
TBC...
A/N: Aww, poor Steve. Yeah, I wrote him into this situation but I so want to give him a hug right now!
I know I treated everyone kind of badly in this installment, but 50 First Dates had some angst in it too (it's kind of innate due to the main plot device). I promise I'll fix things for Jack, Danny, and Steve.
I'm trying my best to incorporate elements of both Hawaii5-0 and 50 First Dates, and really flesh out the relationships that we saw in the movie to apply them to Steve and how he's different than Lucy.