The airport seemed to be more crowded then normal, Dan noticed. A swarm of reporters were pressing around a well-dressed heavyset woman. He figured her to be in her late forties or early fifties. There was something familiar about her he noticed. Dan was sure he had seen her picture before. He saw how the woman had to push herself through the mass. The reporters kept shoving their microphones in front of her. They were trying to get any response to the multitude of questions being asked. The woman was doing her best to ignore their efforts. The impatient look on her face showed she wasn't going to give them any information.

Soon the crowd of reporters became so great; the airport security finally had to come to her aid. A path now cleared for the her, she never looked back as she boarded the plane. When she went down the ramp leading to the plane, Dan lost sight of her. Now busy himself, he didn't think of her again as he proceeded to board the plane.

Now able to relax, she took the seat assigned and prepared for the flight to Hawaii. Once there, she was hoping to get away from her problems. Her life would never be the same again, she knew. She knew she should be happy now, but the memories of the past few months were still to fresh in her mind.

These last few months had been the reason reporters were after her today. They were trying to get the story of the year, the death of two of the world's biggest crime bosses. Shuddering at the memories, wishing she had been born into a family, which had lived on the side of the law instead of against it.

Deep in thought she didn't see Dan as he sat down in the seat next to her. Startled somewhat, she looked at him and nodded a hello. She saw that the man was about her own age. Dan smiled back. She saw he had beautiful blue eyes, his sandy colored hair was evenly mixed with gray and very wavy. His frame was lean and well muscled and he had a deep tan as if he spent a lot of time in the sun.

Soon everyone was on board and the plane was ready for take off. Once they were in the air, the stewardess came around and offered drinks to the passengers. The woman ordered a coke, which the stewardess asked Dan to pass to her. Blushing a bit, the woman accepted the drink from him. She smiled again to the man sitting next to her.

After receiving his own drink, Dan turned to her smiling, "I see they've got us packed in here like sardines, don't they?" The smile on his face made his blue eyes sparkle even more, or it seemed so to her.

After taking a sip of her drink, she looked at him. Smiling back to him, she murmured, "Yes, I guess this is the only way they make the flight pay for itself." She couldn't help thinking, Does he knew who I am? Has he read the newspaper completely that he had brought with him? If he has, is he just being nice or is he really a nice and friendly person like his face is showing to her?

"Are you going to Hawaii or traveling on across the ocean?" Dan asked. He still had the smile on his face.

"Just to Hawaii," she replied. The woman didn't look towards him but looked at the tray where her drink was. She wasn't use to people being so open and friendly towards her. Afraid of what he must be thinking of her, she couldn't bring herself to talk to a complete stranger.

"Is it a business trip or are you on a vacation?" Dan asked. Dan thought to himself. Either she's afraid of something, or she's very shy or has a lot on her mind.

The woman's face showed fear on it as she looked at him before answering. "I'm sorry. I'm not use to talking about myself to a strangers." She quickly turned her eyes back to her drink.

Dan could now see she was afraid of something, but wasn't sure what it was. He was sure his questions were not that personal. "I didn't mean to ask you any imposing questions. I just thought since we're going to be sitting next to each other for several hours we could be brief friends or so."

She looked at him again. The fearful look gradually started to leave her face. After a bit a slight smile came onto her face. "It's just that I've been through such a bad time the last few months that I feel threatened by anyone I do not know."

"Well then, let me introduce myself. I'm Danny Williams. My home is on Oahu, Honolulu to be exact." Dan had to turn slightly so he could offer his right hand in friendship and smiled.

Dan's eyes sparkled with friendliness when she looked over to him. The slight smile appeared again on her face as she responded, "Hi, I'm Kathy Tamaira." She took his hand and shook it.

"Aloha, Kathy Tamaira. Aloha, you know, means hello in Hawaiian."

"Hi," Kathy smiled again. She was starting to relax more. Thinking to herself, Maybe this man, with the beautiful blue eyes, isn't going to be the same as those I have had to deal with lately.

Feeling more at ease now, Kathy looked at the man sitting next to her. Kathy replied, "I'm going to Hawaii for a vacation, Mr. Williams."

Once more Dan turned in his seat to face her more directly, "You can call me Danny. May I call you Kathy? It's not so formal as using last names you know."

Smiling again, Kathy nodded her acceptance. Taking a sip of her drink, she thought, Maybe he could be a friend. He seemed honest enough to her. She sat there looking ahead into space. She still didn't know if she wanted to talk about her troubles to a complete stranger. He did look though like he could be trusted.

Sighing, Kathy readjusted herself in her seat. She started telling Dan about herself and her plans. "I've had such a horrible time lately, what with the murder of my parents by my brother and then with my brother trying to kill me. I don't know if you've heard about it. It's been in all the papers and on TV. That's why I've decided to come to Hawaii to think and to regroup my life. I guess I'm just not wanting to trust to many people right now."

"I understand, and, yes, I have heard and read about your story. I'm sorry to hear you've had such a bad time. You were cleared of your brother's death, right?" asked Dan.

"Yes" Kathy replied, looking down at her drink. She paused, remembering what had happened to her in the past nine months. Kathy told Dan of how she was found at the scene still holding the gun in her hand and standing over her brother's body. She told of how she was arrested, had her hands handcuffed behind her back and taken downtown to be booked for murder. "Oh God, how I was scared." Kathy looked at Dan once again. He could see tears building up in her eyes as the memories came flooding back to her.

"Your lawyer apparently was able to prove it was self-defense, right?" Dan looked at her now with interest. Here was a person who has gone through a living hell. Dan could relate to most of the feelings she was experiencing now. He remembered what it felt like to be charged with murder, knowing your private life would be torn apart and exposed to the public. He also knew the feeling of hopelessness she had felt when she was arrested and, though cleared of the crime, he knew what it felt like to have the press continue to try to force themselves upon your private life.

"Yeah," she replied, "actually, it was two friends of mine who are detectives. They were able proved that I was the victim and not the criminal. They were able to prove that, in the struggle for possession the gun, he shot himself. They also proved my brother had been planning on killing me." Tears were starting to running down her face. Several soft sobs now escaped from her. Kathy told Dan of how her brother had came to her apartment, of their argument and of the fight for the gun.

Tears were now running down Kathy's face. An attentive stewardess came by to see what the problem was, Dan told her it was OK. The stewardess left Kathy in the care of Dan. Dan reached into his pocket and offered his handkerchief to her. Kathy accepted it. Dan didn't say anything, he just waited for Kathy to continue. Kathy had opened the window cover and was now looking outside the plane. The only thing in sight was deep blue ocean and a lot of puffing clouds. Taking a deep breath, Kathy continued.

"As you probably have heard, my father was the head of one of the largest syndicates on the West Coast. He was into all sorts of criminal activities such as, drugs and prostitution, into the protection rackets, and into smuggling all types of things."

"I was told later he was even involved with selling top secret information to Russia at one time. The FBI had been involved in those investigations. They never arrested him though because they never could get any evidence against him.

"The authorities told me he had been doing this for about 25 years. I had left home when I was 18, so I didn't know of any of this was going on. That was some 30 years ago."

Kathy stopped to blow her nose and recomposing some more before continuing. She told Dan about her brother having stayed with her parents until he was 25. It wasn't until then that her brother set out on his own. She explained how she found out he was into selling drugs and thought that this was why her brother started his own group just two years ago. Her brother apparently thought he could do the same things as his father did. She'd always had a suspicion that this was how he had made all of his money.

"I never thought I was close to my parents." Kathy told how her father had tried to butt into her life, but she had always told him to stay out. She always insisted she could and would make it on her own. She told Dan how she found out her father had arranged for several of her jobs. Her father did this by threatening those companies with harm if they didn't hire her. "If I had known he had done this, I never would have accepted any of those jobs." Kathy's tears had stopped. She sat there thinking of the hurtful past events.

Sighing, Kathy took a break from her story. Sipping her drink, she thought to herself. Why am I telling this stranger my life's story. She continued though, as if getting the story out seemed to help with how she felt. Besides, Mr. Williams appeared to really care and was listening without asking any questions.

Dan, remaining silent during this time, could see Kathy had been hurt to the soul by these events. He also knew what it was to loose a member of a family or close friend.

"Then as I said, two years ago, my brother started his own syndicate. Only his was mostly of drugs. I knew he had had a history of drug usage from when he was younger. I'm pretty sure my parents knew of his involvement, but they never said anything to me about it if they did. I didn't think too much about it then because my brother and I were not very close. Even when we were young, we never got along together. I didn't like any of his friends and he didn't like any of mine. Most of mine were detectives or cops of some sort."

"I do remember one time," Kathy sighed, "he asked me if I would like to earn some extra money by cleaning up his apartment. I was very short of money at the time and needed the money. He was moving from the apartment into a new house. Boy was I surprised when I found out he paid cash for it. Anyway, I found some drugs in the apartment. When I asked him about it, he replied 'Don't be stupid Sis, everyone is doing this now. Get with the times'."

The stewardess came by now to take their request for lunch. They had the choice of chicken or fish. They both chose the chicken. The stewardess handed them their lunch and then left. As they ate, Kathy continued her story.

"As I said, I have several detectives who have been my friends for several years. They came over to my apartment on the night my parents were killed. They had received a tip about the murders and that the word was now, my brother was going to be coming after me."

Dan had stayed quiet during this time. He knew there was more of the story coming and wanted her to tell it at her pace. In a soft, concerned voice, he asked her, "Were these officers the ones who arrested you at the scene?"

"No, but they were the ones who worked with my own lawyer to clear me. Sgt. Reilly and Sgt. Cleaver have known me for quite some time. Both of them did some investigating on their own time about my past. They were able to proved I never had anything to do with any of my parents or brother's activities. Sgt. Reilly was positive I wasn't the type of person, who would kill anyone on purpose, even if I got mad at them. Both of them also knew how I hated drugs. I don't even like taking the prescription drugs which are given to me by my doctor."

The stewardess came by again and got their empty lunch containers. She then came back and offered them both warm wet towels to clean up with. The warm moist towel felt good to Kathy's face. She placed it over her eyes for a while letting the warmth take the sting of the tears away.

"It was shortly after the trial that my parents and brother's wills were read. I was shocked when I learned my parents had excluded my brother in their well, completely except for one dollar. My friends and I were even more stunned when we learned I was also named in my brother's will. I was to receive everything he had. He had apparently written this will over 9 years ago. This was before he started his group. He never bothered to change it. I think he named me because he was mad at his son from his previous marriage and current wife. He left them totally out of it. Not a penny was to be left to them. That's not right, he should have put them in the will. I wouldn't have minded if he left me out, they were the ones who should receive it. I didn't want his money or property." Crying, Kathy turned her head and looked out the window again.

Neither talked for awhile. The stewardess came by and offered them the earplugs needed to hear the movie being offered. Both of them declined them.

"If you don't mind my asking, do you have any idea as to how much they have left you?" Dan asked. He took a sip of his drink. "I mean, you don't have to answer me, if you don't want, but I was just wondering. Maybe your brother found out he wasn't going to receive anything in your parents will and thought if you were out of the way, he could then inherit everything through the probate courts?"

Still looking out the window, Kathy replied, "I don't know, maybe that's what he was thinking. Anyway, the lawyers told me they're not completely sure yet of how much I will receive. But I was told it would be an extremely large amount of money. They thought it would be several millions or so."

"So you thought, if you went to Hawaii for awhile, you could forget some of it and start your life over again?" Dan asked.

Before Kathy could answer, it was announced the plane was getting ready to land and to please fasten their seatbelts.

"I’d like to continue to talk with you, Kathy. A friend of mine is picking me up at the airport. We could drive you to your hotel where you're staying, if you'd like."

"Maybe I'll take you up on it. If your friend is anything like you, I'd feel very at ease talking to you about it." Kathy was now feeling comfortable talking to him. The talking so far was helping her more then she thought. Maybe this is what I need. Someone to talk to, someone to listen and not judge.

"I wouldn't say Steve's a lot like me, but he's one of the most honest persons I've ever met. He's also one of the best listeners around." Dan smiled thinking about how Steve McGarrett was going to react knowing that Ms. Tamaira was going to be visiting the Islands. Steve and he had talked about both syndicates and compared them some to the Kumu syndicate of Hawaii. Boy, was Steve going to be in for a surprise when he heard about a family member of these syndicates was visiting the Islands and when he heard Kathy's story.

"By the way Mr. Williams, what do you do for a living?" Kathy asked. She was getting a little afraid again. Thinking, What am I doing? I don't really know this guy and here I've accepted a ride with him and his friend who I know nothing about. Boy, am I being dumb. Maybe I'd better to say I'm sorry but I've changed my mind about the ride and take a cab as I had planned.

Dan knew this was going to be asked sooner or later. "I'm retired now, but I use to be a detective working for Hawaii's State Police special unit, Hawaii Five-0. Steve McGarrett is the head of the unit was my boss and he's my best friend."

Her eyes opened wide. "A cop!" Shaking her head, she thought to herself. Can I pick them or what?

"Yeah, but a retired cop," Dan smiled. "Does that make a difference to you, now that you know?"

Taking a moment to think about it, Kathy let out a big sigh, smiled and laughed lightly. She shook her head and said, "Boy, I sure can pick some good friends. No, it doesn't make any difference to me. Like I said, most of my friends are detectives or cops. Maybe that's why I feel so comfortable talking to you. Maybe deep down inside me, I knew you were trust worthy."

Having exited the plane, Dan and Kathy were walking to get their luggage, when a tall, older, handsome man in a black suit and tie approached them. Dan extended his hand to the man. "Danno!" the man said smiling. The man took his hand and shook it, grabbing him at the elbow with the other.

"Hi, Steve." Dan put his hand on Kathy's shoulder and introduced her, "Kathy Tamaira, this is Steve McGarrett."

Steve smiled and turned to her, extending his hand. He looked her over as they shook hands. "Aloha, Kathy." His eyes were a deeper blue then Dan's. They held a look of honesty in them. His handshake was firm yet very gentle. His dark brown hair was being tossed lightly onto his forehead by the breeze. Here, Kathy thought, was a man who I can totally trust. Here was a man of honor, a man who would move heaven and earth to defend those from the evil intentions of others.

"Hello," Kathy said taking Steve's hand. "Danny sat next to me during the trip over. I'm afraid I did all the talking, he didn't get a chance to tell me much about himself or his friend."

"I've offered her a ride to her hotel, Steve. Kathy and I were going to continue with our conversation. I told her you’re a pretty good listener yourself," Dan explained. He knew Steve would also be asking her some questions. He only hoped Steve would be easy on her. Dan didn't feel Kathy could take much more and being questioned by a strange cop in a strange land might prove to be too much.

Reaching the luggage area, they claimed their suitcases. Kathy had two large ones. Steve offered to carry them for her. Kathy offered him one. "Thanks, I can carry this one OK myself."

They put the luggage in the trunk of Steve's car. Steve then helped Kathy into the front seat. Dan got into the back. Steve looked over at Kathy, "What hotel are you staying at Kathy?"

"I'm suppose to have a room at the Waikiki Outrigger. It's suppose to be on the beach."

"It is. It's right on the beach. Go out the side door and you're on the beach," Dan said.

Arriving at the hotel, Steve and Dan walked with Kathy to the front desk. Kathy registered and was given the key to her room. Once in the room, they put the suitcases on the bed. Steve then asked if they were hungry.

"You buying?" asked Dan. Steve didn't offer dinner to often and Dan wondered if Steve was picking up the feeling that Kathy was in need of some friends here in the Islands.

"Yeah, today I'll buy. You said Kathy and you wanted to talk more and I thought over a meal it would make it easier for Kathy, less formal, you know." Steve turned to Kathy, he smiled and shifting his weight to his right leg. He didn't want Kathy to have the feeling she was being trapped into anything and would be more at ease. Steve was still checking her out, trying to figure out for himself if she had the nerve to answer more questions.

"How about it, Kathy? Are you hungry?" Steve asked Kathy. Dan then knew Steve had picked up the feeling that Kathy was still shaken from what she had gone through.

"Yes, I am hungry. Some dinner sounds good. I'd like to unpack first and freshen up before we eat. How about picking me up in say…two hours?"

"OK, in two hours then. I hope you like Japanese food?" Steve turned to the door; "Danno let's go and give the lady some time to herself."

"I should be ready in that time. And Mr. McGarrett?" Kathy started to say. "Thank you for wanting to help me."

Smiling, Steve told her she was welcome and they would pick her up at her hotel room in two hours.

Once they had left, Kathy walked over to the lanai doors and opened them. She took in the sight of the Waikiki strip. A breeze blew gently on her as she sat on one of the chairs. There, she leaned forward, putting her head in her hands and cried. All the pent up agony now coming out. She was alone finally and it scared her.

Danno's Return

Steve drove to his apartment after they left Kathy in her hotel room. Dan was going to stay with him until he found a place for himself. Glancing over, he looked at his friend. Steve knew Dan still had needed time, time to heal and time to forget. There had been some hurt feelings between them when Dan left. He wasn't sure how Dan now felt about their friendship. He hoped there was still a friendship between them.

Steve had kept in touch with Daniel Kulani, a childhood friend of Dan's, during the year Dan was staying with him while he was away from the Islands. Daniel, a doctor now living on the mainland, had told Steve of how Dan had several sleepless nights due to nightmares. These nightmares would awaken him in a cold sweat of fear. Steve had been told how close his friend had come to a complete mental breakdown. Steve thought to himself how fortunate Dan was to have a friend like Daniel who could help his friend.

"How was your visit with Daniel and his sister-in-law's family?" Steve asked.

"Daniel's doing pretty good there. He's homesick some, but he's doing great at the Boston Medical Center and doesn't want to leave it. But he says he's going to use the homesick reason, though, as an excuse to come back to Honolulu to visit as often as he can" smiled Dan.

"His sister-in-law, Naomi, lives there with her husband and family, right?"

"Yeah, that's were he's living right now. They have an apartment over their garage. For a small apartment, it's pretty good size. The rent is cheap for Boston," laughed Dan, "his sister-in-law only charges him for food and electricity."

"Sounds like he's got it pretty much made then," Steve said. He looked over again at Dan. Dan looked to him like he had a pretty good time while he was away. "So you got a taste of high living then, what with Time Square and all."

"Yeah, I was taken around, at first, to all the normal tourist sights, like the Empire State Building. We even went to several baseball games and a couple of concerts. The thing that impressed me Steve, was the amount of people in such a small place. There are far too many people there for me, Steve. Even at our busy time of year here, we don't have half the amount of people as I saw in New York City. No, I like more room."

"Well, I'm glad you decided to come back." Steve put his hand on Dan's shoulder, "You were missed, my friend."

"Thanks Steve. It's good to be back," smiled Dan.

Dan thought back to reason why he decided to leave his Island home. He had been tired, dead tired. He had been seriously injured in the last case he was on with Steve. But it wasn't only the injuries to his body, but a lack of faith in himself, which caused him to decide not being a cop anymore. Dan also remembered how it seemed he and Steve had clashed lot more then normal during their last case together. Some very angry and hurtful words had been exchanged between the two of them during that case.

So when Daniel had offered him a place to stay for as long as he needed, Dan had decided it was time to leave Five-0. Both of his friends knew he needed some time to get better in both mind and body. Now, Dan felt he was ready to come back to his home state.

Steve had also taken some time off. It was during this time off, Steve finally realized just how deeply Dan had been hurt. He knew the heated words they had said to each other had caused their friendship to be put in jeopardy. This was a wound that needed to be healed if their friendship was to saved.

Steve pulled up in front of his apartment. He turned the engine off, but didn't open his door to get out neither did Dan.

"Steve, look…" started Dan. "Sometimes two people who work so close together as we did, well, feelings are sometimes overlooked."

"I know what you mean, Danno. I value our friendship too much to allow this problem come between us. Some very hard, very heated words were said between the two of us. So while you were gone, I did some deep thinking. These bad feelings and heated words were caused by the extreme workload we had been experiencing. With only three on the team, we had stretched ourselves to thin. We were all tired and that's when people get hurt and deadly mistakes are made. It was one of those mistakes that almost caused me to lose my best friend. This increased workload is why Five-0 needs to get a new member or two for the team."

Steve saw how this surprised and yet pleased his friend. Steve was still amused at how easily he could read Dan's facial expressions. Duke and he had been trying for over the past year to carry on as best they could. They have been working short staff since the death of Chin Ho Kelly. Steve hadn't replaced Chin yet and this had caused the three of them to work beyond reasonable limits. It was now time to add to the family of Five-0 once again.

"Did you look at any of the resumes I had left on your desk before I left?"

"No, not yet, I thought I'd wait until you returned, before I did, so I could get your feelings on them."

"One of them is a cousin of Kono's you know?" Dan said. Maybe this time apart was what was needed. Dan knew, even with new team members, it would be still some time before the unit could work as a team, like it did when Chin Ho was there.

"That's what I've been told before, by a friend who just finished a very long vacation," teased Steve.

Smiling, Dan looked at his boss of 11 years. "I retired, remember."

"I know, but I was hoping to talk you into coming back."

Dan didn't answer immediately. He looked out the car door for a moment and then opened the door and got out. Steve also got out of the car. He went to the trunk and opened it. Dan removed his suitcases and closed the trunk lid. Steve picked up one of the suitcases and let the way to the elevator. Neither had spoken during this time.

"I could use you on the team again, Danno. Even if it's only for a short time, it would help us out, until I can hire the new members."

The elevator door opened and they took it to Steve's floor. Dan still didn't answer yet. Steve could see that Dan was listening, but he didn't want to answer for some reason. Maybe he should just back off the questions for a bit and let Dan think more about it.

As they got out of the elevator, a young Hawaiian boy came out of one of the apartments. "Hi, Mr. McGarrett and Mr. Williams."

"Hi, Yoshi. How was softball practice?" Steve asked the young boy.

"I hit a homerun in the last game."

"Great, Yoshi. You know Danno use to coach the team."

"Yeah! You left though before I could join the team. Are you going to coach us again, Mr. Williams?"

"I don't know yet, Yoshi. But I'll let you know if I do."

"OK! I've got to go. Mama wants me to get some bread. Would it be OK if I came over later?"

"Not today Yoshi. Dan just got in and I'm sure he wants rest some."

"OK, Mr. McGarrett. I'll see you later. Bye, Mr. Williams."

"Bye, Yoshi."

Opening the apartment door, Steve helped Dan bring in his suitcases. "I've got the closet cleaned out for you, as well as the dresser here." Steve leaned against the doorframe of the spare bedroom watching Dan while he unpacked. "You know, Danno, you're welcome to stay as long as you want."

"Yeah, I know and thanks for the invitation. I can see I'm going to need to get some new clothes for this warmer weather. All the clothes I brought are for a bit cooler weather then it is right now. I'm already getting warm and you've got the air conditioning on." Dan said looking at the clothes he had packed. The clothes he'd brought with him were OK for New York but much to warm for Hawaii even in the winter.

"Yeah, it looks like you'll be busy getting yourself a new wardrobe," Steve said looking at one of the shirts Dan had brought with him. "How about a drink before we go back to pick up Kathy?"

"One of your fruit drinks sound good to me."

McGarrett drove back to his apartment. Once inside, he and Dan went out onto the lanai. A cool breeze was coming off the ocean and the night sky beheld a full moon, which highlighted Diamond Head in the distance.

Walking over to the edge of the lanai, Dan stood looking out at Diamond Head. Putting his hands on the rail, Dan said, "I'd almost forgot how beautiful a night here could be, Steve. I really missed the place while I was gone."

"Yeah, I know what you mean." Standing next to Dan, McGarrett looked over the railing at the moon. It seemed to him that the moon was extra bright tonight. The night sounds of Waikiki hadn't yet toned down. They could still hear the traffic down below. Every so often they would hear a car horn or a siren.

"What are your plans for tomorrow, Danno?" Not knowing for sure how to proceed was an uncomfortable feeling for him and McGarrett didn't like it. McGarrett was use to being in control of situations a lot more then he was in this one with his friend.

"I thought I'd go shopping for some lighter clothes so I won't roast during the day. You're not my size, so I can't borrow any from you," teased Dan.

Shaking his head, McGarrett laughed. He was glad to see that Dan hadn't lost his sense of humor. "How about meeting me at the Palace for lunch. I know of a person who would like to see you."

"You mean Duke, don't you? Yeah, the three of us have some talking to do, don't we?" Dan didn't want to be pushed into making a decision yet, but he did want to see his other friend. There were times when the talks he had with Duke helped him see another side to a problem. "OK, then I'll meet you for lunch. The three of us can catch up on what's going on."

McGarrett hadn't informed Duke Lukela about his asking Dan Williams to return to the team, but he was sure that Duke would follow his lead during lunch and encourage their friend to come back. "After you get your new clothes, you can met Duke and me over at Lee's for lunch. I'll even buy."

Resting an elbow on the railing of the lanai, Dan smiled. "Whoa, now I know something is up. You still owe me on lunches, you know," teased Dan.

Still looking at the night sky, McGarrett had an idea that he already knew the answer to his next question. "How are you going to get around today? You don't have a car yet?" McGarrett asks him.

"I talked to Suzie Kelley before I left San Francisco. She's offered to take me around. I was thinking of renting a car for now though," Dan told his former boss. "I don't really want to bother anyone. If I got a car, then other's wouldn't have to re-arrange their day to accommodate me."

"I don't think anyone would mind taking you around town for a while, or until, as you say, you can get your own set of wheels. By the way, what's wrong with having free taxi service and someone coming along to share the fun with?" McGarrett asked, smiling as he turned to face his long time friend.

"Ok! Ok! I get your point. What did you do, check out who I talked to before I arrived?" smiled Dan. Dan was always surprised at how McGarrett was kept so well informed.

"A little tip Danno, my informant is very loyal to me and is a very close friend of yours. You might even say, she still has a huge crush on you," a still smiling McGarrett.

"You're not playing fair Steve, using my friends to keep tabs on me." Dan knew McGarrett had meant that Suzie Kelley had informed him of their conversation.

"Just some of the tricks of the trade Danno," McGarrett said as he walked back into his apartment. "How about something to drink?"

"Sounds good. You don't happen to have a beer in there do you or do you just have your favorite fruit drink already made up?" Dan asked doubting that McGarrett would have anything with alcohol in it.

"No, I don't have any beer. I just have fruit juice or I can make some coffee if you'd like," McGarrett told him. Reaching up into the cabinet, McGarrett pulled out two tall glasses. Filling them with ice and juice, he walked into the livingroom where he handed Dan one of the glasses. Sitting down, McGarrett thought back for a moment to the day Dan had left Five-0.

Neither one said anything for a bit. McGarrett was the one to break the un-natural silence. "Danno, you know your welcome to stay here for as long as you want. If I can help you out in any way, please, don't hesitate to let me know."

"Thanks Steve. I don't know how long I'll need to stay here and I'll do what I can to find my own place. I know you value your privacy and I don't want to be a burden to you."

"Danno, you never have been a burden to me nor will you ever be. I'm just glad to be able to help you and to have you here."

Yawning, both men agreed it was time to call it a day. McGarrett had previously cleared out his spare bedroom ahead of Dan's arrival.

"Danno, if you get up before me and want some coffee, my coffee maker is ready to be turned on. You just need to push this button," McGarrett told him pointing to the red button on the machine. "The cups are in the cabinet overhead. I'll fix us a good breakfast tomorrow. How about some eggs and sausage for breakfast. The sausage is homemade by a friend of ours."

"You've got some of George's sausage? Great, I can't wait for tomorrow. See you in the morning," Dan told his host.

"Night Danno."

*****

Dan Williams woke up late the next morning to the smell of fresh brewed coffee. Normally an early riser, Dan was surprised he had slept in for so long. While he was showering, the smell of cooked sausage wafted in and mixed with the other aromas so familiar with a Hawaiian morning. Refreshed, Dan put on the polyester shirt and pants, which were the lightest clothes he had. These clothes would have been fine in Boston, but the morning already proving it was going to be a warm and humid day.

"Morning, Steve. Umm, smells good," Dan said.

"Help yourself to the coffee. I put out a mug for you. You still take it black, don't you?" McGarrett said as he was working with the pan containing the sausage.

"Yeah, thanks," Dan said as he poured the coffee. Walking back to the bar separating the kitchen from the dining area, Dan sat down on one of the barstools. There, he took a sip of the coffee. "I don't remember you making this good of coffee. When you made it in the office, it was like battery acid. Umm, really Steve, this is good coffee."

McGarrett stopped turning the sausage over to point to a clear glass container filled with dark coffee beans, "That's fresh ground Kona coffee. What we use to get in the office was the pre-ground stuff sold in the stores. I travel over to the Big Island about once a month now to bring back some fresh beans, right from Sammy Alpo's. He retired two months after you left, you know." McGarrett turned back to the sausage, "How do you want your eggs, Danno? I usually have mine scrambled."

"Sounds good enough for me. Do you have any hot sauce for them?"

"Hot sauce! Boy, you must really hate your stomach," McGarrett teased.

"Hey, after eleven years of drinking your coffee at work, I don't think some hot sauce will do much damage to it," Dan laughed. It seemed odd to see McGarrett working over a stove instead of looking at police reports.

"Yeah, that coffee did get strong at times, especially when it was on the hot plate all night."

Having finished the eggs, McGarrett handed Dan a plate. While they ate breakfast, Dan and McGarrett reminiscence about meals eaten out of cartons and of re-heated cups of coffee.

Dan told his friend how Daniel and his wife had breakfast almost every morning at a restaurant because they didn't have time to fix one before they left for work. Dan picked up both plates when they were finished and cleaned up the kitchen while McGarrett showered and prepared to go to work.

McGarrett came out of his bedroom dressed in his grey suit with a dark blue tie setting off from the light blue shirt. Seeing his friend dressed in a suit brought back memories of what his own wardrobe use to be when he lived here in Hawaii. "I guess I might look into getting me another suit. I haven't had to wear them in a long time," Dan told McGarrett.

"Do you mind telling me then, just what did you wear when you went out to all those fancy restaurants? Surely, you didn't wear a T-shirt and blue jeans all the time," asked McGarrett.

"No, I bought a leisure suit for those times, but it's far too heavy for me to wear here. It was made for a lot cooler weather," Dan told him. "Daniel, if you remember, is the same size as I am, so if I needed a suit and tie during the summer, he loaned me one of his. The only thing I really needed to buy there was a heavy winter coat." Dan remembered how the last winter was so cold he though he might have to put on every piece of clothing he had when he had to go outside.

"When is Suzie going to pick you up today?" asked McGarrett. He knew Suzie Kelly, the late Chin Ho Kelley's second oldest daughter, still had an infatuation for Dan Williams. Suzie had told him she had written to Dan several times while he was gone.

"She said she would come here about nine this morning. We're going to the Ala Moana Shopping Mall first. Then a few other shops," the retired detective told his former boss.

"Suzie's still thinks a lot of you, you know. Is she the only woman who kept in touch with you? I would like the Post Office must have been doing overtime with all the love letters you must have gotten from your lady friends you left behind," teased McGarrett.

In mock surprise, Dan countered back, "What you didn't go after them yourself? After all, I didn't take my little black book with me and you and Duke were the ones who packed up my apartment, right?"

Laughing at himself, McGarrett conceded to the bait laid out for him. "Danno, I could never fill your shoes here with the ladies. Besides, most of them are too young for me."

"Oh, you're finally admitting you're getting too old now. Maybe you should check into a Senior Citizens home," laughed Dan.

"Watch it, Danno! You're not much younger then I am. We'll see who's the first to check in," McGarrett told his friend.

"It's time for me to get going, Danno. Do you think your shopping will be done by noon?" McGarrett asked.

"I'm pretty sure we should be. This afternoon we're going to get me a rental car until I can buy myself one. That way I won't be dependent on others to get around."

"What you really mean Danno, you're need for a car is so you won't need a chaperone on your dates," McGarrett said as he walked over to the door of the apartment.

Dan gave McGarrett a dirty look but laughed, "You're just afraid you can't keep up with me, so I'm taking it that double dates are out of the question."

McGarrett had his hand on the doorknob, laughing. "It's good to have you back Danno. You have my extra key, right?"

"Yeah!"

"OK, then I'll expect the two of you at the Palace around noon or so," McGarrett said as he opened the door.

"We'll be there. Bye, Steve."

*****

Suzie Kelley arrived at McGarrett's apartment a short time later. Knocking on the door, she thought back to when she was very young and how much she had idolized Dan Williams. She knew in her heart back then, that Dan would never consider her as any thing but the daughter of one of his best friends. She doubted if Dan would ever consider dating her. She was looking forward to today though, and in a way, considered this to be something like a date with Dan.

Opening the door, Dan was surprised how much Suzie had changed in appearance. She was no longer a young girl who had wished so much to be able to play baseball on the team he had coached when he was with Five-0. Here was now a mature woman who had decided to take a similar path her father had taken. She had joined HPD two years before he left the Islands. Still with HPD, she had earned the reputation of being one of the best investigative officers on the squad.

"Aloha Danny," she said as she placed a pink lai around his neck and then gave him a giant size hug.

"Aloha yourself, Suzie. Hey! Watch it, you're crushing the flowers."

"That's OK, I'll buy you another one if I crush it too much," Suzie said with a smile. She pushed the lai out of the way this time and gave Dan another hug. "I'm so glad you're here."

"I am too Suzie. It's great to be back. Steve wants us to meet him at the Palace about noon for lunch. He's buying."

"Hey, then we better get going and get you some new clothes. You stay too long in those heavy clothes you'll swelter. It's suppose to be fairly humid today," Suzie informed Dan.

"Well, I'm ready. Let's go!" Dan said as they left the apartment.

*****

They had parked their car as close to the end of the building as they could get. By having the car so close, their get away could be faster. They figured that everyone would have to go through the entire Mall to follow them as they left.

"Are you sure this is going to work? You're positive they will have the money ready and in the bags?" the woman asked nervously. They had been sitting in their car now for some time, planning and talking about how to get the moneybags from each store.

"I told you, all the stores there have arranged for an armored truck come early in the morning to pick up the proceeds from the day before. The truck gets there by 9:45 AM. So all the stores will have their bags ready before then. Since the stores don't open until 10 AM, and they have to have their store fronts open to admit employees, it will be easy to get in and get out before there are too many people in the Mall," the man told her. "Come on! It's time! Let's go! The sooner we get this done and get the money, the sooner we can get off this prison of a rock."

Suzie parked her car close to the middle of the vast shopping mall parking lot, this way they wouldn't have to walk very far from either end at the end their visit. They were early that morning; most of the stores still hadn't opened up for business as they walked down the Mall.

"You know Danny, I wasn't really sure you were ever going to come back home. I missed you more then you will ever know, so did Mr. McGarrett," Suzie told Dan. "He had a real hard time adjusting to your absence. I didn't know, at times, if I was going to lose both of my father's best friends or not."

Dan had his head down as they were walking. He hadn't stopped to really realize that his leaving had effected so many people.

"My Dad told me once that you were part of Mr. McGarrett's personality and that Mr. McGarrett was part of yours. I didn't really understand what he meant until you had left. I was in the Five-0 office when Mr. McGarrett had learned that you had left. Danny, I saw Mr. McGarrett age ten years right in front of my face," Suzie told her childhood idol.

Danny didn't say anything for a moment. He was experiencing some feelings he didn't really like and he wasn't sure how to handle them. "Suzie, since you're like family to me, I feel you have the right to know the reason why I left." Dan continued to walk down the Mall, not looking up as he continued his explanation to his young friend. "I know you've heard several stories, and a lot of them have some resemblance to the truth." Pausing for another moment, Dan went on, "I left because I was tired, mentally and physically. I had began to truly doubt myself and my abilities."

They had walked to one of the stores that had opened at 9 AM. Dan didn't continue with his story as they looked at some of the Aloha shirts on sale. After about ten minutes, Dan had purchased some shirts, shorts and several pairs of lightweight slacks. Dan even found a pair of swim trunks and some denim blue jeans.

Walking out of the store, Dan continued. "On my last case with Steve, my nerves were so tight and on edge. I even had thoughts of taking my own life. Steve had pointed out several times how my drinking had become excessive. And when Steve discovered that I was taking pain pills along with the alcohol, a very dangerous combination mind you, some very angry words were said between us. Emotions and feelings were drawn about as tight as they could get without having them turning into something very physical. Feelings had been hurt and neither of us knew back then how to mend the tear which had developed in our friendship."

They had walked into a shoe store now. A few moments later, Suzie had bought a pair of sandals for herself and Dan buying a pair of deck shoes with thoughts of maybe spending some time on McGarrett's boat. Since it was still to early for the other stores to open, they decided to take their current bags back out to Suzie's car. This way they would be less impeded as they continued their shopping.

Dan continued as they walked back to the car. "As you know, Daniel Kulani and I grew up together. The Kulani's had adopted Daniel and then took me into their home. They raised us as their own after both of our parents had been killed in the attack on Pearl Harbor. Daniel went into medicine and I went into criminal psychology and later into law enforcement. Daniel was offered a position at Boston Medical Center and as you know, he moved there several years ago. He is living with his sister-in-law Naomi and her husband while he is trying to patch up his marriage and so he can still see his son. I've kept in touch with him through out all these years."

*****

Once Dan and Suzie had reached the car they put the packages into the trunk. While they were at the car, Dan continued to explain, "A long time back, Daniel had offered me a place to stay should I ever chose to visit him. It was right after Steve and I had wrapped up our last case that Daniel had called me. I had made up my mind then that I needed time away, time away from Five-0, Hawaii, my friends here and from Steve."

"That's when I packed up a small bag, called the airlines and caught the first flight out to Boston. I didn't leave a note nor did I tell anyone that I had left. I found out later that Daniel had called Steve once he knew I was on the plane. He told Steve that he would keep him informed about me. Steve told Daniel that he would pay for any medical treatments I might need, but that Daniel was not to tell me of this. I found out later about it by accident."

Suzie hadn't said anything while Dan explained his absence to her. They had walked back to the Mall during this time. There were only a few visitors to the Mall as yet; it was still very early for the regular crowd to form. Dan and Suzie continued to do some window shopping, talking about what items he would need to get when Dan finally got his own place once again. They were walking towards The Men's Shop at the end of the Mall. Pam Sterling, one of Suzie's best friends, worked there and had arranged for Dan to get a discount on a business suit there.

"Pam said the store will open at 10 AM and the fitter will be in no later then 10:15. That will give you a chance to pick out a suit before having it fitted," Suzie told Dan. After they had walked into the shop, they heard a commotion behind them.

Both of them turned and looked back to the Mall just in time to see a man and a woman come into the store with their guns drawn. "Everyone, get over to this side wall," the gunman said pointing to the wall to his left, his gun making a sweeping motion also. "Either do as I tell you or you're dead. I'm not joking! Now move!" The tension in his voice told them he meant what he said. The man had his gun pointed toward the other two customers, along with Pam and Beth Meyers, the assistant manager whose job was to open the store every morning.

"Do as you're told and no one will get hurt," yelled the woman. She had walked up to Dan and Suzie and pushed them toward the small group of people gathered along the wall. "Everyone sit down on the floor and put your hands under your rear end palms up. Do it!" the woman yelled again.

"Who's the manager of this store?" demanded the gunman. He was trying to open the register and the machine was not co-operating with him. No getting an answer from their prisoners, he fired his gun at them, the slug hitting the wall just above Suzie. "I repeat my question, who is the manager of this store?"

Suzie and the others ducked, putting their hands above their heads to ward off the flying plaster coming from the wall. "The manager doesn't come in this early," Suzie told him.

"Who are you? Do you work here?" the gunman asked.

"No, my friend works here. My friend and I are customers," Suzie told the gunman.

Walking over to the huddled people, the gunman grabbed Pam by the arm and forcing her to get to her feet. "What about you? Are you just a customer?" the gunman demanded.

"I'm a sales person. I work here," Pam said terrified.

"Then you would know. Where are the cash bags you've prepared for the armored truck pick up?" the gunman said as he put the barrel of his gun against her temple.

"They've already been taken to the pick up area where the truck will pick them up," Pam told the gunman.

"What do you mean? They weren't suppose to do that until the morning," the gunman told her.

"I thought you knew the exact time they picked up the cash bags, Bill. Those bags aren't here. Now what are we going to do?" the woman screamed at her companion.

Twisting Pam's arm behind her back, Bill said between clinched teeth, "When were the cash bags taken out of your store?"

"Oww! Last…last night some time. I'm…I'm not sure exactly when. I wasn't here when they did it," Pam told him. Her voice was breaking from the strain she was under. Pam felt like she was going to be sick. 'My God, he's going to kill me because the money isn't here,' she thought.

"Oh, great! Any other great ideas?" the woman said to Bill.

"Oh, shut up and let me think for a moment," Bill said as he shoved Pam back towards the other hostages.

"Well, while you're thinking you'd better think about how we're going to get out of this. You also didn't think about how many people would be in the shop when we came in. What are we going to do with them?" the woman said motioning to their captives with her head.

"Shut up, Katie! Just shut up for a moment," Bill yelled back to Katie.

"Look, Bill, we could just tie them up and leave. You know, we could lock up the store, stuff them in the back and get out through the service door," Katie suggested. She was getting nervous. "What if someone came in right now? And what if someone heard that shot and has looked inside the store and saw what was going on? What if someone already did and has called the cops? Bill, we've got to get out of here now!"

"Yeah, let's get out of here, but before we do, I'm not going to leave without some sort of money. Some of these people are customers, which means they have money on them. We'll take that from them and the money from the cash register," Bill said walking up to the group. "Keep the others covered while I gather what money they are carrying, Katie." Bill bent over and grabbed Pam by the wrist forcing her to stand, "I'll start with you. Get over to that register and open it." He stuck the muzzle of the gun in Pam's back as he followed her to the obstinate register.

Pam's hands shook from fear as she opened the register. Bill grabbed a bag at the counter, "Put everything in here, coins and all."

Terrified, Pam did as she was told. Bill then shoved her back to the group. "Here, you're to gather everyone else's money," he told her. Pam took the bag from him and held it open so the others could place their money in it. Pointing his gun at Lorrina, the other store worker, "You get up. Empty pockets and put the stuff in there."

"I don't have any pockets," explained Lorrina.

"Don't play stupid with me. I know you have to have brought some money with you, for lunch or something. Where do you keep it?" demanded Bill.

"It's in my purse which I keep in my car. I only carry my car keys while I work," Lorrina said.

Angry that she didn't have any money, Bill backhanded her with his gun. Lorrina fell back against the wall and collapsed to the floor next to Suzie. The remaining victims gasped at the violent motion. Suzie cradled the unconscious woman in her arms.

"Hey! You didn't have to hit her like that. She was just telling you she didn't have any money with her," Dan told the fuming gunman.

"You think your going to stop me from doing whatever I want. If I had wanted to I could have just shot her," Bill told Dan, there was a sick grin on his face as if he had enjoyed hitting the woman. "The rest of you, remember this, or you'll get the same treatment or worse if you don't do as I tell you. And since you're so big a defending this woman, you're next. Empty your pockets, and don't try to tell me you've got your purse in your car," he told Dan.

*****

Katie's fears had been right more then she knew. Upon hearing a loud noise coming from the store as they passed it, a man and woman had glanced into the store. It had been for only a brief second, but it was long enough for the two of them to see that the store was being robbed. Hurriedly, but as silently as they could, the couple left the immediate area. As soon as they were far enough away, they ran for the phone near the middle of the Mall.

"Operator, I'd like to report a robbery happening at The Men's Shop in the Ala Moana Mall," the man said excitedly.

"One moment please. I'll connect you with HPD. Please stay on the line. They will take your information," the operator told him.

"HPD, how can I help you?"

"My wife and I were passing The Men's Shop in the Ala Moana Mall and heard what sounded like a shot. When we looked in we saw a man and a woman holding up the store," the man said.

"Can I have your name please?" the desk clerk said.

"Mr. Palacio, Bruce Palacio. My wife's name is Connie," Mr. Palacio informed the clerk.

"Please hold the line Mr. Palacio while I call dispatch," the clerk said.

"OK! OK! But hurry! There are six other people in there and they could get hurt," said Mr. Palacio.

*****

Dan reached into his pocket slowly. He was trying to think of a way to disarm this guy before someone else got hurt. As he dropped the coins into the bag, he gave Pam a wink and a slight smile. He was hoping to help bolster her courage. Pam's face was white with fear.

"Come on, come on. Empty the rest of your pockets. Hurry up," demanded Bill.

Reaching back to his back pocket, Dan withdrew his wallet. As he went to put it into the bag, Dan acted as if he fumbled, which caused the wallet to miss the bag and fall to the floor.

Bill reached down to get the wallet. This was the opening that Dan was hoping for. Dan pushed Pam out of the line of his attack as he tackled the gunman. Hitting the wrist of the gun hand, the gun fell from Bill's hand. Screaming in pain and rage, Bill swung at Dan's head. Dodging the blow, Dan landed a blow of his own to Bill's stomach. Bill, bent over from the blow, straightens up quick enough to try to hit Dan with the back of his arm. Dan grabbed the arm but was off balanced from avoiding the blow. So embraced, Dan and Bill fell to the floor.

Katie couldn't believe what she was seeing. Seeing Katie momentarily distracted, Suzie also saw her chance. Suzie sprang from the floor, grabbing Katie's gun hand and wrist. The two women fought for the control of the gun. Katie tried to pull the gun barrel around to face Suzie. As her hand was being twisted, the gun went off. As both women fell to the floor, Katie grabbed her stomach area. Suzie knocked the gun away from Katie as she rolled Katie over to her back. Looking down at Katie's hand, Suzie saw the blood seeping from between the fingers.

Hearing the sound of a shot, Bill turned his head towards the fighting woman leaving himself wide open. Dan, seeing the chance, hit Bill on his jaw with his fist. Stunned by the blow, Dan was able force Bill onto his stomach and grab Bill's arm and twisting it behind his back as he straddled the downed gunman.

"Suzie, do you happen to have your cuffs with you?" asked Dan.

"No, I didn't bring them today. Didn't think I'd need them," she laughed lightly. "Pam, do you have anything Dan can use?"

"Yes! Here use this," Pam said as she handed him a tie from the sales rack.

"Thanks, Pam," Dan said as he prepared to tie Bill's wrists together. Hearing a commotion in the front of the store, Dan looked up in time to see McGarrett and five HPD officers rushing in.

"Dan! Are you OK?" McGarrett asked as he and the officers ran to assist him. Two of the HPD officers grabbed Bills arms and placed a pair of cuffs on him. Taking control of their prisoner, the officers escorted Bill out to the squad car.

"Yeah, but we need an ambulance immediately. We've got two people who've been hurt," Dan told his former boss.

"Kimo, get on the horn and get an ambulance here quickly," ordered McGarrett.

"Right Mr. McGarrett," Kimo said as he grabbed the phone behind the counter.

Dan rushed over to Suzie who was holding as blouse to Katie's stomach area. The pressure was preventing the wound from bleeding any more. Katie face was pale and tears were running down her face. "I'll take it from here Suzie. See if you can comfort Pam and tend to her friend," Dan told her. Dan then slipped into the spot where Suzie had been, cradling Katie's head on his lap while holding pressure onto the wound.

"It wasn't suppose to go this way. He told me no one would get hurt. How is the other woman?" cried Katie.

"Easy, easy. Help is on the way. How come you two decided to rob this store?" asked Dan, trying to keep Katie's mind on something other then the pain.

"Bill had worked for the Mall as a security guard for awhile. They let him go when a customer complained he didn't stop a fight a few months ago. He knew that the stores had their money picked up by an armored truck every morning before the stores opened for business. He was going to go to each of the stores and rob them of the bags before the truck came for the pick up," Katie said between spasms of pain.

"We didn't know they had changed the pick up procedures. Bill got mad and I guess he thought he could get enough for his trouble by robbing the people we found in this store," Katie continued.

As a big spasm of pain racked her, Dan cradled her more tightly. "Easy, take slow deep breaths. Try to relax if you can. Help is on the way," Dan told her. "How much longer Steve?" Dan said as he turned toward McGarrett.

"The ambulance is on the way, not much longer," McGarrett informed him looking at the wounded woman lying in Dan's lap.

"How's the other woman Bill hit? I hope she'll be OK. No one was suppose to get hurt," she repeated.

Looking up for a moment, Dan glanced toward Suzie and Pam. Lorrina was sitting up. Pam had gone to the bathroom and got some cool wet towels, which Lorrina was holding to her head.

Suzie nodded her head to Dan and smiled. "She'll be OK. Looks like she's got a cut on her head, but its not to bad," Suzie said.

Lorrina smiled and lightly nodded her head. "I'll be OK. Thanks Mr. Williams," Lorrina said. "How is she?" she asked.

Dan gave her a light smile but his face disclosed the concern he felt for Katie.

Before Dan could reply, the paramedics arrived. They quickly took Katie's vitals. After calling the hospital to inform them of the injuries, they gently lifted Katie and placed her on the gurney.

"Is she going to be OK?" Dan asked one of the paramedics as they secured Katie to the gurney.

"It's serious but I'm sure she'll get through it. I've seen worse and they've made it. Come one Mike. We've got to get rolling," the paramedic said to his partner.

"Mr. Williams!" screamed Katie as she struggled against the straps holding her. "Mr. Williams!"

"Hold it a minute guys will you?" Dan said as he rushed up to Katie. Dan laid his hand on Katie's shoulder to help quite her. "Take it easy. I'm here right now, but they've got to get you to the hospital."

"Can you come with me? I'm scared," pleaded Katie.

Looking at the paramedics, Dan's eye's asked the question. Getting an affirmative nod, Dan turned to McGarrett, "Steve, I'm going with them. I'll meet you both at the hospital."

"OK, Danno. Suzie and I will meet you there."

*****

Dan was in the visitor's area looking out at the Hawaiian spring day. Clouds had formed over the mountains and brought the promise of a rainy afternoon. 'What a typical Hawaii day. God, how I missed it,' Dan thought to himself. 'How many times have I waited here in this room? Waiting to hear if Steve, Kono, Chin Ho or Kono were going to make it. And how many times did they have to wait to see if I was going to make it.'

As bad as those days were, Dan never expected to have those same types of feelings while waiting for word about the injuries of a criminal. Dan had talked with Katie more on the way to the hospital. He had learned how she hadn't wanted to rob the stores but how Bill had talked her into being, as she explained, a look out. Bill had told her she wouldn't be involved with anything inside the store but only had to warn him if someone came in the store.

After they had arrived at the hospital, Katie was taken into surgery. While he waited for word from the doctors and for McGarrett, Dan had remembered the offer of help Kathy Tamaira had she would be willing to give to those in need of help. Maybe Katie was the type of person Kathy could help. Going to the phone in the waiting room, Dan called Kathy's number. After a brief conversation, Kathy agreed to meet Dan at the hospital.

It had been several hours since Kathy and Dan had started talking about how best to help Katie. They were waiting together for word from the doctor. Hearing footsteps coming their way, they both turned hoping it was the doctor. The footsteps belonged to McGarrett and Suzie.

"Hi Danno. Aloha Kathy, it's good to see you again. I take it that Danno called you," McGarrett said. "Any word yet from the doctors, Danno?"

"Nothing yet Steve. I called Kathy because I think Katie is just the type of person that could use her help. On the way to the hospital, Katie and I talked some more. She briefly explained to me how she didn't want to help Bill but how she needed the money. She hasn't been able to find any work for awhile and she was about to be kicked out of the place she's living at," Dan told his friends.

"Mr. McGarrett, I'm sure I can help her. I know she has to face what she's done, but what she needs right now is a friend to help her through this rough time. So when Mr. Williams called me, I told him I'd be there for her," explained Kathy.

"She's going to need a lot of help. Are you sure you want to take this on?" Suzie asked her. Suzie didn't know whom this woman was that Dan had called and taken into his confidence, but she was feeling a protective feeling towards Dan and she was a little bit jealous that another woman was talking to him.

"Please, call me Kathy. Yes, as I've told Mr. Williams before, I want to help in any way I can," Kathy told Suzie.

"Excuse me, I should have introduced you two to each other. Kathy, this is Suzie Kelley, a friend and the daughter of a really good friend of mine. Suzie, this is Kathy Tamaira. She and I met on the plane. We were sitting next to each other during the flight. Kathy's story is unique in it's own right Suzie. You'll have to ask her about it some day," Dan said.

Both women looked each other over. Each wanted to make sure the other was worth the trust and confidence Dan was giving to the other.

McGarrett had stood there silent during this time. Amazed once again how Dan always seemed to have women wanting to help him in any project he may offer them. Smiling, McGarrett shook his head.

Looking over at McGarrett's amused face, Dan smiled and shrugged his shoulders.

Just then the doctor came into the waiting room. "It looks like she'll be OK. She was extremely lucky. The bullet didn't hit any vital organs. She'll be in ICU for a brief time, but I expect her to make a complete recovery. She did say one funny item though just as we were preparing her for surgery," the doctor said.

"Yeah, what was that?" McGarrett asked.

"She said 'I finally found some true friends.' When I asked her who they were she said 'The two who held me close during my pain.' I guess she meant you two," the doctor said pointing to Suzie and Dan.

Suzie and Dan smiled at each other. "How long before we can see her?"

"She's going to be out for a while longer. You can visit her later this evening. She should be awake by then," the doctor said, with that the doctor left.

"Well, it looks like we've got some time before we can talk to Katie. How about you two going and getting cleaned up and join Kathy and I for dinner?" McGarrett said.

"What you offering to buy dinner again?" Dan asked his friend.

"No! I'll pick up the ticket this time Mr. Williams. It will be my treat," Kathy told him. "Besides, you have all those new clothes you've still got to put away."

"And it wouldn't do, to have you two come to eat dinner with all that blood on your clothes. You'd give the restaurant a bad name if customers saw you coming out of their place after you were done eating," teased McGarrett.

No sure how to come back at that statement, both Dan and Suzie looked at each other and then lifted their hands in a sign of surrender.

"OK! OK! We surrender. We get both your points. We'll meet you two at Lee's say about eight or so," Dan said grabbing Suzie by the elbow to escort her back to the car so they could go to McGarrett's to clean up.

Smiling to himself, McGarrett watched the two leave. Turning back McGarrett looked at Kathy a moment, noticing that Kathy hadn't taken her eyes off Dan all the while he was there. 'The two were about the same in height; they both had graying hair. No!' he thought to himself, 'It would never work out. Too much of an age gap. It's a shame, too as they both are of that same caring personality, but then, who knows. Maybe?'

"Well, Kathy, what shall we do for the next two hours or so?" ask McGarrett.

"I don't know. Do you know of any nice secluded beaches we can take a walk on?" Kathy asked.

"Come on. I can think of a few."

McGarrett drove to a beach he knew wouldn't be to populated at the moment. Parking his Lincoln near the path, which led the way to the beach, he walked around to open the door of the car for Kathy. He extended his hand to Kathy to assist her as she stepped out of the car. "I think you'll find this beach meets your requirements of seclusion. Not to many people come to this beach," McGarrett told her.

Getting out of the car, Kathy paused. 'Such beauty,' she thought to herself as she looked out at the ocean and the beach. McGarrett closed the car door behind her. "You weren't kidding when you said you knew of a spot," Kathy said smiling.

"You said secluded and this is just about as secluded as a beach can get here on Oahu," McGarrett said smiling back at his guest. "Let's take a walk," McGarrett said as he took Kathy's hand leading her to the beach.

They walked silently for a bit, enjoying the scenery. The waves were gently lapping up onto the beach. The fall winds were still very warm and the mist from the waves was adding to the humidity some.

"Well, how do you like it here, now that you've been here a full twenty-four hours?" McGarrett asked.

Kathy stopped walking for a moment to think about the last twenty-four hours of her life. She looked out at the ocean and listened to the endless noise of waves breaking and rolling up onto the beach. The noise was soothing in a way and made her more relaxed then she thought it would. Finally she faced the fact that here is where her life was going to change and change for the better. "To tell you the truth Mr. McGarrett, I was at first very scared, much more then I've ever been. Starting out on a new life style isn't as easy as some people make it seem to be."

"And starting over in a new state with such cultural differences, you're going to find it's not as easy either," McGarrett confided with her. McGarrett looked first at Kathy and then followed her gaze to the ocean. He had known how scared Kathy was, but he also saw that this woman had nerve. He also knew that she had nerves of steel. Anyone with less nerve would have become a basket case after going through what she had already experienced.

"So I'm finding out. But like I said last night, with having found some supportive new friends, I'm sure I'll make the change without too much trouble," laughed Kathy, as she continued their walk down the beach. "When I first met Mr. Williams, I was extremely apprehensive, but he has a way of making you more at easy. He's really a good listener, which is what I needed right then."

"Have you decided yet what you're going to do here?" McGarrett inquired.

"I really hadn't thought to much about it yet, but now that I've been, I'd like to help Katie. So, I guess I'll go into some sort of counseling. I'll need to find out just what type of help she'll need if I'm going to assist her."

"Well, the first thing she's going to need is a good lawyer. She's facing some serious charges as soon as she's out of the hospital."

"I know. As soon as I can, I'll be giving my own lawyer a call and ask him if he could handle the case for her or maybe suggest a lawyer here. And of course, there are going to be the medical bills. I'll need to find out what type of medical coverage, if any, she has, and just what they do cover. If she doesn't have any, then I'll need to find out if the State of Hawaii has any programs that would cover her. If Hawaii doesn't, then I guess I'll pick up the cost for her."

Kathy continued to walk as she thought back to her last several months of her own life, of the experiences she had with the law and the different lawyers, and with her own medical bills incurred during that time.

"Well, I'm sure you'll do fine. Last night Danno told me more of what you two talked about as you were flying over. It sounds to me like you're a survivor."

"If being a survivor is getting up each day and facing it as best as I can, then, yes, I guess you could call it that. I do know, Mr. Mc Garrett, if it wasn't for one of my friends, I don't think I'd be here today. I leaned on her a lot during the hardest part of the trial," Kathy told McGarrett. "The ironic part of it is, I had been very satisfied with my lifestyle before I got all this money. But, I guess now I'll have to do some real thinking on just what to do with my life and all this money. This is why I thought I'd try to help those headed for trouble or are already in trouble."

"That's a big order. There are many organizations already out there designed to help people in trouble."

"I know, but what I'm wanting to offer is to help those who are in trouble, maybe say for the first time. Those who, like Katie, got themselves in trouble because of reasons that might have sometimes beyond their control." Kathy stopped once more to get more of her thoughts in order before continuing. "What I'd like to do is to help a few get back on the right road."

"So the type of people you want to help are the ones who resorted to doing a crime after trying to figure out how to solve their problems in other ways, then?" asked Mc Garrett.

"I guess you could say that. That's a fairly good description of the type of person I want to help. A lot of people who've I've seen who got themselves in trouble were really good people. What I want to offer is, like I told Mr. Williams, the legal help in a form of a lawyer, medical help if it is needed. You know, like for those who are hooked on drugs or alcohol and really want to quit the stuff. I was also thinking that if they need more education, I'd like to help them get it," continued Kathy.

McGarrett had walked along without saying anything for awhile. 'How many people do I know that could have used this type of help to keep them out of trouble and out of prison.' McGarrett thought to himself. "How would you determine which person you would choose to receive this help?"

"I was thinking maybe if the police would help me on this. They are the first ones, sometimes, to come across this type of person. I was also thinking of contacting the various church groups here on the Islands. I'm sure they know of some also," Kathy said.

"HPD wouldn't be able to do it directly, but I'm sure if you contacted the Public Defender's office they might be able to help you out. You do know what you're wanting to do will cost you a lot of money?" said McGarrett.

Nodding her head in agreement, Kathy thought of the time when she was worried just about paying her monthly bills. Kathy stopped walking and turned to look as the ocean. She was thinking of how she would have liked to have found someone that could have helped her when she was in need. Turning back to her walking companion, "Mr. McGarrett, from what I understand about my money, I don't think I'll need to worry about the costs. The interest on the principle alone will be more then enough to allow me to help them. I can tell you this, Mr. McGarrett, I never thought having so much money could cause so much trouble," Kathy said.

"It sounds like you've found yourself a job then. I'll do some checking also for you, if you want, and see if there are other departments you could go through," McGarrett said as he took a look at his watch. "Looks like its time for us to go and meet up with Danny and Suzie."

*****

Kathy and McGarrett met up with Dan and Suzie and Uncle Lee's Japanese restaurant for dinner. Dan had on one of his new aloha shirts. Suzie and he had arrived some time earlier.

"Hi Steve, Kathy," Dan said as he rose to greet them. He sat back down as his friends took their seats. "Suzie and I have been waiting for you. We didn't order yet, we thought we'd wait until you both got here."

"How long have you been here?" McGarrett asked the duo.

"We arrived about ten minutes ago. So where have you two been?" Suzie asked them.

"Mr. McGarrett took me to a beautiful beach where we walked for awhile, "Kathy told them. "We talked about Katie and how I would like to help her out."

"So you think you can help her?" asked Dan.

"I don't know. But I'd like to see if I can."

"I told Kathy I'd check to see if there are any departments she can get some help from. Kathy's going to call her lawyer and ask him to represent her," McGarrett added.

"Kathy, Dan was telling me a little bit about you. From what he told me, it sounds like you've had a hard few months lately yourself," Suzie said.

"Yes! I have," Kathy said half-heartedly, "But thanks to some friends, I got through it. This is one of the reasons why I want to help Katie."

When they were all seated, Uncle Lee came and got their orders. The four of them talked more of what had happened at the Mall and of Katie's injury. When they finished, they went to the hospital.

*****

McGarrett led the way down the hall to the nurses' station. The doctor was filling out some paperwork as the group walked up.

"Doctor! How is she?" Dan asked.

"She's awake. She asked if you were here. I told her you would be back tonight," the doctor told Dan. "You can go in an see her, but don't stay too long. She's still very weak."

"Thanks, Doc!" Dan said as they walked over to the door.

Knocking softly, Dan pushed the door opened a bit and stuck his head just inside. "Hey, I hear there's someone in this room waiting to see me."

"Hi!" said a sleepy Katie. There was an IV line running down from a bottle above her head and she had an oxygen tube just under her nose. Katie was still a little pale but her color was better then the last time Dan had seen her.

"How you doing?"

"I've been better. The doctor told me I was lucky. The bullet didn't hit any organs. I shouldn't have to be in the hospital for very long."

"That's good."

Dan saw a concerned look come to her. He though he knew what her next question was going to be.

Looking down and in a low tone Katie asked the next question. "What's going to happen to me now, Mr. Williams? Am I going to have to go to prison?"

Dan hesitated before answering Katie. "I won't lie to you Katie, you're in big trouble. I can't tell you what the courts will do, but I'll help you as much as I can."

Katie's lower lip started to quiver a bit. A tear ran down her cheek. "I didn't really want to rob the stores, but Bill told me he knew we could do it. He was so positive about where and when the money would be before the armored truck came to pick it up. I didn't know how else to get any money."

The tears were running down Katie's face now. She looked away from Dan, out at the tops of the trees and the sky outside her window. "I've never been in trouble before." She paused again to wipe some of the tears from her face. "Why did I listen to him?" The tears once again flowed down her face.

Dan stepped over to the head of the bed and held her. He could feel the sobs running through her body as she cried. After a while the sobs lessened, and Katie's breathing became more controlled. Dan helped ease Katie back onto the bed more. He adjusted the pillow a bit for her and pulled up the sheet a bit more to cover Katie's upper chest more. Reaching around he grabbed a chair and pulled it next to the bed to sit in.

"Katie, I've asked a new friend of mine to help you, if you want her to. She's been through some of what you're going to be going through. My boss will help too. He can open some of the doors for you so you can get the type of help you need. Will you let us help you?"

Katie nodded her head in agreement.

"Good. My friends are outside right now. Let me go get them." Dan got up and bent over to give Katie a kiss on the forehead before he left to get the others. "I'll be back in a moment."

The others walked over to Dan as he stepped out of the room.

"How is she?" Suzie asked.

"Scared and sore. More scared then anything else though. Steve, what if she turned State's evidence, can the charges be lessened?" Dan asked his friend.

"That will be up to the D.A., Danno. I can put in a word for her, but it depends on how much she's willing to testify against her accomplice. Thankfully, for her, no innocent by-standers were hurt," McGarrett said.

"Can we see her Danny?" Suzie asked.

"Yeah, she's tired and worn out, but alert enough to have a conversation with her. Come on in," Dan said as he led the way back to the hospital room.

Dan stood next to the head of the bed with McGarrett standing next to him. Suzie and Kathy stood at the foot of the bed.

"Hi Katie. Remember me?" Suzie asked.

"Yeah, I didn't really want to hurt you, you know," Katie told her.

"I know that. I'm sorry you got hurt though," Suzie said.

"Katie, this is Kathy, Kathy Tamaira, and she'd like to help you," Dan told Katie.

"Hi Katie," Kathy said smiling. "I hear you need some help. I'd like to help you if you let me."

"Yes! Yes, I'd like that. I need help. McGarrett, what will happen to me now?"

"That will be up to the D.A., Katie," McGarrett said softly.

"Mr. Williams said something about me turning State's evidence against Bill." A scared look once again appeared on her face.

"Well, yes, if you will testify that he was the one who was behind the robbery attempt. The D.A. might offer you immunity if you give them all the facts to this case. I'm not going to say it will clear you of any of the charges, but I'll put my word in for you if you do," McGarrett informed Katie. "Are you willing to testify against him?"

Without hesitating Katie said, "Yes, I'm willing to do that."

Smiling McGarrett turned to Kathy, "It looks like you've got your first case Kathy."

"Yes, I guess I do," Kathy smiled, looking first at Katie and then she turned to the others. "Can you given me a few moments alone with her right now. I'd like to talk to her for a moment."

"Sure," McGarrett told her.

"M