THE LAST DRAGON

by

Peggy Hartsook

September 1976

Steve McGarrett jerked himself awake for the fifth time in the last two minutes it seemed. The plane ride from Hong Kong to Honolulu was long and monotonous and reaction was setting in with a vengeance. For this time McGarrett's archenemy Wo Fat had struck hard. He had not only stolen U.S. government toxins out from under Five-O's protection and taken them to Hong Kong; he had very nearly pulled off his own personal political coup in China. And Wo had done the unthinkable --he had broken Steve McGarrett

The Five-0 leader physically shifted his aching body in his seat, as if to turn the unwelcome thought out of his mind. His hand clutched the small box containing the toxins by his seat. He had won, he told himself hollowly, had retrieved the toxins. Wo had been thwarted in his power grab. And no one would ever see that horrible film again.

No one except himself, Danno. Chin and superintendent Slake of the Hong Kong CID even knew it existed. McGarrett forced his eyes open again, keenly aware of the sympathizing stares he was receiving from Danno and Chin across the narrow plane aisle. What must they be thinking of him now? For Wo Fat had broken him in the space of a mere forty-eight hours. Oh, Dan Williams and Chin Ho Kelly had been commiserative and understanding -- and shocked. He could see it in their eyes and their pity seared his soul and somehow made his own disgrace complete. They knew -- and the fact that either of them would die before telling anyone else didn't seem to matter. The facts could not be changed; Wo Fat, through the use of drugs, torture and brainwashing had broken Steve McGarrett and had a film of McGarrett denouncing his country to prove it.

Steve's jaw clenched and he passed a hand wearily over his eyes; once again he saw himself on that crude black and white movie. Clad in Chinese peasant garb, woodenly accusing the United States Government of crimes that were of Wo Fat's doing. HOW could he say those things? Drugged, tortured or whatever -- how could he do Wo's bidding and in such a short time? He had been a prisoner of war during the Korean War for six months and not once had they managed to break him -- and they had certainly tried enough when they had found out he was a Naval Intelligence officer. Even though he had been the one to spot the clue in the film Wo had made of him, it didn't assuage his feelings any. In truth he had been looking for absolutely anything, anything at all to avoid watching or thinking about that film again.

Steve McGarrett's brilliant deduction had been made because Steve McGarrett was reaching out wildly to divert attention from himself and that damned film. Wo Fat had outsmarted him all along in this case and but for the fact that an Oriental film lab technician had made an extra copy of the treasonous American's film, Wo would've gotten away with it.

Steve felt his eyes begin to close again of their own volition and like so many other things lately, he was powerless to stop it. If he could just hang on until he got back to Hawaii and safely deliver the toxins, then he promised himself he would sleep. Sleep and try to forget about the Hong Kong nightmare.

Danny Williams sneaked another glance across the aisle and was relieved to see McGarrett leaned back in his seat eyes closed. At last, he sighed in relief, but Williams knew better than to think it would last for long.

"Asleep?" Chin Ho Kelly's voice inquired softly in his ear.

Dan turned to the seat next to him, occupied by Chin.

"Yeah."

Chin paused to light his pipe. "I don't know what's kept him going this long."

Hours, even days, of sleep deprivation were etched on McGarrett's face, compliments of Wo Fat no doubt, but Danno knew what drove the Five-0 chief. "Our friend Wo Fat and the toxins, Chin," he told his friend, surprised to note he was even reluctant to admit to Chin the real problem.

Williams had ended up watching very little of Wo Fat's little home movie of McGarrett; instead his attention had been centered on Steve himself, who had been seated a couple of chairs away while they watched. McGarrett had literally crumbled while watching the film, sometimes unable to even look at it. He had put his hand to his eyes a couple of times and Danny knew him well enough to realize he was near tears. Steve's collapse under the filmed onslaught had shocked his second in command like nothing before. Danny had felt every word McGarrett had been forced to say as keenly as his boss himself and he felt utterly powerless to help. Oh, he'd tried to point out that circumstances were beyond Steve's control and he'd tried to help soften the blow, but most of the words died stillborn on Danno' s tongue. This was something he'd never had to face before and in truth, he had no idea what to say to the suffering man. Physical wounds they had dealt with before, both of them, but neither had ever counted on anything like this.

Danny faced a dilemma; he was afraid of saying the wrong thing. If he made a great fuss, would Steve take it as a diplomatic way of saying he had no more confidence in the Five-0 chief? Would McGarrett want to talk about his ordeal? Unlikely if past experience meant anything, Steve would clam up and hope everybody else would forget it. Or was Danny looking for problems that didn't exist? Steve had certainly grasped the plan of Wo Fat's domination scheme before anyone else and on the ensuing search he was his old, determined, tireless self even if he was running on nerves and adrenaline.

On the plane McGarrett was fairly relaxed with only an understandable exhaustion, his only sign of agitation was his insistence on keeping the box of toxins with him. After what he had been through to get them, Danny could identify with the feeling. But, deep down, Williams still felt their problems were not over yet. For one thing, Steve had had only a cursory examination by the Hong Kong doctor, who had pronounced him 'well, except for physical and mental exhaustion.' But the man hadn't even done a blood test to find out what sort of drugs Wo Fat had used on McGarrett. Danno made a mental note to get with Doc Bergman as soon as they landed and get a real examination done. Steve wouldn't like it, but as soon as Doc heard what had happened, Williams felt confident that Steve would lose a round in that battle.

And in the back of his mind lingered superintendent Blake's veiled warning, his British voice quietly speaking privately to Danny, as Steve and Chin headed for the boarding gates at the airport.

'You might want to keep an eye on him for a few days, you know. I saw this sort of thing in Korea all the time -delayed reaction, stress, guilt and all of that. He may need a bit of time."

"He'll get it."

Danny's attention was snatched away from his own thoughts when Steve McGarrett suddenly snapped awake, rising with his hands outstretched as if ready to strike someone, stopping only when the seat belt restrained him. He gave Danny and Chin a small sheepish smile when he met their concerned stares and subsided quietly, holding a hand over his eyes.

Dan Williams and Chin Ho Kelly glanced at each other in apprehension. No, their troubles weren't over yet. They each had the uncomfortable feeling that the hard part was just beginning.

*****

A day later when he walked into Five-O's temporary headquarters in the Territorial Building a feeling of unreality still persisted in Danny Williams' mind. Five-0 had been moved out of their long time offices in the Iolani Palace for restoration purposes. The new secretary, Lani, greeted him from her desk and that only added to Danny's sense of time out of kilter. The long time Five-0 secretary, Jenny Sherman, had just resigned before this Hong Kong fiasco. She was sorely missed by everybody already and Dan knew Steve had personally tried to talk her out of it, but she was adamant. The official reason was that she had decided to retire early and spend her time travelling, but privately she had confided to Chin Ho Kelly that she just couldn't take the pressure and the stress anymore. Especially when it seemed that all Five-0 men were nothing but targets. In one way Danno was glad she had been spared this ordeal, but selfishly perhaps he wished she were here now; he had the feeling Steve and the rest of them would need her mothering more than ever.

Duke Lukela and Chin Ho Kelly arrived together, looking somber. After the good mornings were exchanged, Chin asked, "Did Doc find anything yesterday?"

Dan shook his head. "Not yet anyway. He called me late last night, fussing around with some of the blood tests. Seems there's traces of some powerful, unknown hallucinogenic drugs still in Steve's system but he wasn't sure. Also, Doc said Steve's got a hell of a lot of bruises. I think Wo knocked him around more than we first thought."

"That bastard Wo Fat," Duke cursed softly.

Steve McGarrett stiffly walked in and conversation halted immediately. Steve looked terrible; pale, drawn and haggard, like he'd had no rest at all. He murmured a general good morning to everyone and immediately disappeared into this office.

Dan turned to the concerned stares of Chin, Duke and the new girl, Lani. He sighed; nothing was easy anymore. Thinking aloud, he said slowly, "What would you guys think of the idea of us handling the case load today?"

"I think it'd be a good idea," Chin agreed heartily. "I don't think he should even be here today."

"Today or this week?" Duke inquired.

"Maybe this month," Chin replied grimly.

Dan crossed over to Lani's desk. "I used to have this arrangement with Jenny when Steve was not feeling well, that I'd handle most of the phone calls. Can you do that?"

"Certainly." Lani voiced a world of apprehension in one word.

Probably wondering what she'd let herself in for, Dan thought briefly. Well, that was her problem. "Let's get to work," he told Chin and Duke.

*****

Steve McGarrett sat alone in his big office, marveling at how time drug along when you had nothing to do. It was a new sensation for the Five-0 leader and he didn't like it. He had heard the phone ring several times through the heavy door, but none of the calls seemed to be for him. There had been one early call from the Governor, partly to welcome him back and partly admonishing him for going back to work so soon. But after the horrible time he faced last night in his apartment. coming back to work had seemed to be the only option.

His body ached so badly just lying in bed was agony. His sleep, if you could call it that, had been haunted with nightmares of a gloating Wo Fat, endless parades of hypodermic needles, painfully bright lights and a succession of people meeting him with expressions of pity and shame across the faces -- Danno' s topping the list.

McGarrett had not really wanted to come to work this morning, but found he really had no other place to go either. When he'd entered the office all he wanted to do was retreat to his own private sanctuary and be left alone. But after having been left alone all morning, Steve found that he missed the others, even though he dreaded facing them. The war stories around the coffee machine; griping about crooks, judges and the world in general. Listening to Danno's tales of romantic conquests and Chin's grousing about his kids. He missed Jenny's fussing over him - no one had brought him anything to eat this morning.

A feeling of sadness and guilt washed over him; he knew well why they were keeping their distance. He was Steve McGarrett -- a man who had always asked the impossible of his men and the super human of himself. And he had failed ignominiously this time and it was quite understandable why everyone was keeping their distance. Danno had tried all right -- making a couple of half-hearted attempts at sympathy in Hong Kong. But it was obvious he was embarrassed by what he had seen in the film and would prefer to keep above the whole mess. And Steve didn't blame him. Danno was right to get on with life. Five-0 couldn't stop because the top man had broken. He had to admit though, Danno's rather distant attitude had both confused and hurt him. McGarrett supposed he had been rather cavalier through the years with Danno's concern. It'd always been there and Steve had taken for granted that it always would. He sighed. The brain accepted the logic, but the heart still felt the hurt. Spying the couch against the wall, he decided to try a quick nap -- anything alleviate the fatigue and depression he felt. This office had always been home and if Steve could sleep anywhere in peace, it would be here.

*****

The morning passed quickly for Danny Williams who was fielding not only his own calls. but McGarrett's as well. Thankfully no major cases had shown up and so everyone stayed in their offices with the never ending paperwork to occupy themselves. Williams went out to the coffee machine to get another cup when Chin and Duke emerged from their offices.

"You want something from the take out place?" Chin inquired.

"What, lunch, already?" Dan was amazed to find out he'd completely lost track of time.

Duke looked toward the closed door bearing the sign: Five-0, S. McGarrett. "You think he'll feel up to something?"

As Danny opened his mouth to reply, a thud hit the floor and a muffled scream came from McGarrett's office. Dropping the coffee cup from suddenly nerveless fingers, Williams ran toward the door, ignoring Lani's shocked look. With Chin and Duke on his heels he burst into the Five-0 leader's office.

Steve McGarrett lay on the floor, his eyes wild and unfocused, feet lashing out in every direction and his hands clawing the air in pursuit of some invisible demons only he could see. He had evidently been laying on the couch and had fallen off, for his tie was loosened and his jacket was off, caught underneath him, as if he had been using it as a makeshift blanket.

Shaking himself from the terrible scene, Danny said hoarsely to Chin, "Get Doc Bergman!" He rushed to McGarrett's side and kneeling down, tried to capture the flailing hands. "Steve! Steve! Wake up -- it's me, Danno. You're in Honolulu now! You're safe, Steve. For God's sake, please wake up!"

Williams was pleading, dimly aware that Duke was attempting to hold McGarrett's feet. Momentarily, Chin joined them and together they pinned Steve down, trying to prevent him from hurting himself while he fought God only knew what.

At last the fit subsided and Danny found himself looking down into Steve's eyes and finding awareness there. He released his hold on the body that had suddenly stopped struggling and Chin and Duke did likewise.

Steve's blue eyes were haunted and confused as he looked at Williams. "What happened?" he whispered.

Danno's heart wrenched at the sight of Steve McGarrett looking totally lost and vulnerable. "You had a nightmare," he said, hoping his voice held steady. "Just relax, it's all over now."

"Doc Bergman is on his way," Chin added gently.

"Bergman?" Steve was totally bewildered and, Danno suspected, only now beginning to have a clue as to where he was.

"Let's get him on the couch," Duke suggested.

Steve groaned as Dan and Duke each took an arm to help him up onto the couch. Doc Bergman hustled in, trailed by a concerned Che Fong, the police lab expert.

Bergman took in the situation at a glance, already reaching into his bag for a stethoscope. "Let's have some time alone here, boys."

Danno was reluctant to leave, but felt the firm pressure of Chin on one arm and Duke on the other. They joined Che and Lani out in the hallway, with Duke closing the door behind him. They milled around, saying nothing and feeling absolutely useless

It seemed like an eternity but in reality it was only a few minutes when Bergman joined them in the outer office. He glanced at the circle of caring and somber faces around him. "Well, it's not life threatening, so you can all relax a little. It's what I suspected: it's these crazy drugs in his system. The Chinese must've come up with some doozies, because I certainly can't identify them and neither can some experts I've sent the blood teat results to."

"What are you saying. Doc? In plain English," Danno demanded impatiently.

Bergman almost smiled at Williams's subconscious imitation of McGarrett's can't wait for explanations attitude. "What I'm saying is this; until these drugs clear Steve's system we're just going to have to ride this one out. I don't dare give him anything, not even painkillers, because I don't know how it would interact with what's already in there. Steve's having a harder time throwing off the effects because he's so run down and exhausted. He was beaten and starved while in captivity, as well as tortured, drugged and brainwashed. He needs time, gentlemen. Time to throw off these drugs and time for the body to heal. These flashbacks will taper off soon, I'd guess, as long as we don't add any more problems to what's already there."

Danny scanned the faces around him when Doc concluded. Che looked as inscrutable as ever, but the lab report he'd came in with suddenly didn't seem so important and he tossed it on Lani's desk. Chin shook his head sadly and reached for his pipe, seeking solace in an unjust world. There was nothing sad about Duke Lukela though; fire flashed in his eyes and Danno knew he would love nothing better than to wrap his hands around Wo Fat's throat.

Williams tore his thoughts away from warm ideas of revenge and turned to Doc Bergman. "Shouldn't Steve be in a hospital?"

"Right now, I think that would do more harm than good. Physically, he's not that bad off -- just damned miserable, I'd imagine. And mentally, I'd prefer that he not think of himself as a invalid. He's got to face what happened sometime and the quicker he realizes he's not a traitor, nor an embarrassment to the team, the faster he'll get over this. But, some time off is definitely in order; he's too wrung out physically and emotionally to deal with Five-0 at the moment."

Dan glanced around the room and saw assent in every face. "We can handle it,' he said confidently.

"Good. Now, I think we'd better get him home," Doc replied.

"I'll drive him," Danny volunteered before anyone else could. He had a sinking feeling that perhaps leaving Steve alone all morning had not been the greatest idea and he wanted to do something, anything, to make amends.

"We'll take his car home tonight after work." Chin said and Duke nodded approval.

The group headed in different directions and Dan Williams rather tentatively entered the big office to take his boss home. McGarrett sat listlessly on the couch, staring dully into space. Guilt flashed across Danno's face as he gently touched McGarrett's arm. how could he let things get to this state? He was supposed to be trained in observation, for God's sake! Instead, his boss and friend had fallen to pieces before his very eyes and he had done nothing.

He tried to lighten the atmosphere a bit, so Steve would not be any more shocked by his flashback than he already was. "Well, it's a hard way to go about it, but you finally got some time off, Steve. I'll give you a lift home." He knew it sounded lame, but sometimes Steve used to respond to some of Kono's dumbest remarks, so anything was worth a try.

The dull look in McGarrett's eyes was replaced by a glint of anger. "You gonna take the name off the door too, Danno?"

Dan Williams stood with his mouth open and a stunned expression on his face. He simply could not believe what he had just heard. "You know that's not true," he protested, but to his own surprise, his words lacked conviction to even himself. What the hell was this? All he wanted was for Steve to take some time off to heal and return to work his old self.

"Oh?" McGarrett refused to meet his eyes and his voice was ragged and hoarse, although the tone was impossible to mistake. "I've noticed how the guys have kept away from me. And I've seen the film, Danno. God knows, I've replayed it in my mind a hundred times. And I don't blame you for backing off, but I thought you'd at least ease me out, not throw me out!"

"Steve, that's not I meant. I mean, I didn't know how --" Danno broke off, at a total loss.

The fire suddenly went out of McGarrett's eyes and he simply looked sad and very, very tired. "It's all right, Danno. I know I've become a liability and I've no right to take it out on you." He rubbed a hand over his eyes. "I don't know what the hell to think anymore."

Williams noticed Doc Bergman and Chin Ho Kelly standing in the doorway. Chin started forward, a depressed look on his face. "Maybe I better take him home. Danny."

Dan offered no argument and stood by mutely as Chin gathered Steve's jacket and briefcase together. Kelly took McGarrett's arm and helped him up, but Steve gently shook off the support and walked to the door unaided, never saying a word to anyone. Chin shook his head in a what-can-you-do motion and followed.

Doc Bergman had heard part of the previous conversation and judging by Danny's ashen face, he could guess the rest. "I wouldn't take what he said too seriously, Danny. Those drugs are probably still raising havoc with his system and causing mood swings like crazy. I'm sure he didn't mean it."

"You think so, Doc? I'm not so sure. What would you think of a friend who'd left you alone when you needed him the most and went out of his way to ensure you'd know that you weren't needed anymore." Williams stalked out before Bergman could say anymore.

Wonderful, Bergman thought sourly. As if one patient weren't enough!

*****

Wo Fat stood over him, grinning evilly. 'You've been a good boy, McGarrett You've done everything exactly as I've told you to do."

Steve flailed wildly, yearning to reach the gloating face and smash it in, once and for all. "No, I'll never do it. Never!"

'My dear McGarrett, you already have. I have the film. Soon everybody will see it."

"No . . . ." the Five-O chief whispered brokenly. "It's been destroyed."

"My dear sir, I made copies; hundreds of them. Soon everyone will know about McGarrett the traitor. And no one respects a traitor, do they? Your own countrymen will be ashamed of you. As you are of yourself, now. "

McGarrett struggled, even though his hands and feet wouldn't respond and the pounding in his head increased in tempo with his racing thoughts. Somewhere in the maelstrom, a voice came to him: Danno's, he realized with a start. 'You had no control, Steve. ' He clung to the thought like a drowning man to a piece of driftwood. That's right, I had no control, he repeated, but somehow the words didn't come out. He felt his lips move, but there was no sound. But the pounding continued and he heard his name shouted, somewhere in the far off distance. Wo Fat continued to dance just out of reach, laughing as he taunted him. Just as McGarrett was about to catch him, there was a jarring crash.

His eyes suddenly opened and McGarrett realized he was in his own apartment, entangled in a light blanket Chin had spread over him on the couch. His attention was drawn immediately to the doorway, where Duke Lukela raced toward him. "Steve, what is it? You all right?"

Still in his world of unreality, Steve looked past Duke toward his door. "You kicked in my door," he said wonderingly.

Duke looked sheepish. "Well, you didn't answer the door." "Yeah." Steve struggled to sit up.

"You okay?" Duke helped him win the war with the uncooperative blanket.

With an effort, McGarrett tried to pull himself together. "Yeah, just a bad dream," he replied, partially to reassure himself, as well as Duke. "What time is it? What are you doing here?" He spied a small overnight bag in Duke's hand. His tone became hard before he could stop himself. "What happened, you get the short straw?"

"We didn't draw any straws," Duke said quietly. "And I'm staying tonight, even if you make me sleep in the hallway. Doc Bergman will be around later to check on you. He wanted to call a couple of specialists first."

Steve nodded, unable to meet Duke's eyes. He felt himself choking up. He had been the picture of churlish ingratitude yet again and the open loyalty and caring in Duke's face was hard to take. Vaguely, he wondered what was making him say these things, lashing out at people who only wanted to help him. It had always been hard for him to accept anybody's help in any circumstances.

Instead, he gripped the Hawaiian's shoulder tightly. "Thank you, " he managed softly.

"No problem."

Duke admired Steve McGarrett more than any other man he'd ever met before. He knew before he'd come over that he might be pushing the walls that always seemed to surround McGarrett, intruding on the personal space that Steve prized so highly. He had so little of it.

The Five-0 chief was a public servant and the press was interested in everything from his cases to his women, although the grueling office hours precluded any kind of a social life anyway. The Five-0 staff had always tried to shield him, to leave him his time alone whenever they could. But this was one time Duke felt Steve needed to be with someone, an opinion loudly seconded by Doc Bergman. Normally, it would be Danno who would be staying tonight, but Danno had problems of his own to work out and Duke knew Chin was still tired from the long flight from Hong Kong, so Duke volunteered. He wasn't sure how Steve would react to a 'babysitter', but he was determined to stay no matter what. The fact that Steve had allowed him, even clutched at him, both cheered and upset him. He was gratified that McGarrett thought of him as a true friend, but, on the other hand, it showed clearly how much he needed a friend. a really close friend, someone like Danny Williams.

*****

Danny Williams paced alone in his apartment, tired yet far too restless to sit. He'd stayed behind in the office today after Chin had left with Steve, ostensibly 'working' for someone at least should man the phones of Five-0, if nothing else. But his mind was hardly on his work and instead he spent his time unprofitably reviewing where he had went wrong.

Williams had composed a couple of resignation letters even though he knew in his heart that Bergman was right about the drugs and the mood swings. But it still hurt, hearing Steve accuse his second in command of kicking him out.

Dan tried to sort out his own feelings about Wo Fat's movie, for he was positive now that there was something in his actions that made McGarrett think Williams thought he was no longer worthy of Five-O's high standards -- standards Steve himself had set. But Danno had never held Steve responsible for those words he had been forced to say in the film. He didn't think any less of his boss. Indeed, Williams could only shudder when he thought of the methods the Chinese agent must have used on McGarrett to get him to say those things. Being honest, Danny realized he never really gave a damn about the film and it's contents at all, only the effect it had on Steve. And perhaps that's where he had gone wrong. Williams had been so concerned about McGarrett's reactions it had never occurred to him that his friend and boss would be watching him, trying to gauge his feelings toward the debacle in Hong Kong. When Dan had failed to react, McGarrett simply assumed his friend was ashamed of him. Instead of offering support, Danno had withdrawn, thinking Steve would prefer to be left alone to work it through himself. McGarrett, in his confused and exhausted state of mind, had misinterpreted the silence and now a gulf lay between them that Steve was unable to bridge and Danny, quite frankly, did not know how.

Williams sighed and went into the kitchen to get his third can of beer for the evening. Now that he had identified the problem he was still no closer to a solution. Maybe it would be better to wait a day or two, until Steve felt better. Part of his conscience chided him for procrastination, but Danno felt he couldn't deal with McGarrett's emotional problems just now. He had to resolve his own guilty feelings first. For he prided himself on not only being Steve McGarrett's second in command, but his best friend as well. And Dan Williams felt he had failed miserably, on both counts.

*****

Two days later, Steve McGarrett sat on the beach in the early morning sun, soaking in the heeling warmth. It had been rough suffering through the flashbacks and countless nightmares, but somewhere a turning point had been reached and both nightmares and flashbacks were beginning to subside in intensity and duration.

Chin had stayed with him the night before, over McGarrett's protests. But last night he had sent both Chin and Duke home. They had lives of their own and could not spend all their time babysitting their boss, although secretly Steve had been very grateful to them both.

Doc Bergman, making a early morning call, had been pleased with his progress, but a return to Five-0 was still too early to forecast. Of Danno there had been no sign. Not that McGarrett blamed him any. He'd bitterly regretted those words in his office the other day, the moment they'd left his lips. But it was the pity he'd seen in Danno's eyes that made him want to lash out. He didn't want Williams' pity, nor did he deserve it. Danno had always stood by him loyally through the years, above and beyond the call, and to be repaid by watching his boss docilely parroting Wo Fat's treasonous words and then being tongue lashed by his boss's rampant paranoia was unforgivable. What next, he thought wearily? Maybe he should've accused Chin and Duke of mounting a palace coup while he was at it that day.

He became aware of a shadow standing across him and Steve could not repress the reflex of flinching as he looked up, almost expecting to find Wo Fat standing there. Instead, Dan Williams stood nearby in casual clothes, looking almost afraid of approaching or speaking.

"Danno," McGarrett greeted him, unwilling to say anymore, fearful of saying the wrong thing.

"Steve. Mind if I join you for a few minutes?" Williams asked tentatively.

Steve was pained. Danno acted like a thoroughly cowed cadet, afraid of being hazed. "Danno, you're always welcome, you know that."

Danny sat down, his blue eyes locked earnestly on McGarrett's face. "We need to talk," he said simply.

Steve studied the horizon. 'I know," he sighed. "Danno, I want you to know how sorry I am about the other day. I never meant those things and I don't know what I was thinking of when I said them. Everything's been so -- out of control lately." That was certainly true enough. he thought bitterly.

"I won't deny that I spent the first day you were gone composing and then tearing up resignation letters," Danny admitted ruefully. "But that's not why I'm here today." He paused to gather courage. "I want to talk about the film."

McGarrett froze, his jaw clenched. Strange how even the mere mention of it could turn his heart to ice. It was bound to happen though there would be accounting -- people would want answers. People like Danno deserved answers. "All right," he answered stiffly.

Danny watched the conflict of emotions on McGarrett's face, stifling a sigh of relief when McGarrett agreed. Don't blow it now, he admonished himself silently. "Steve, I want you to know something. Know it and believe it. No one, absolutely no one thinks any less of you because of that film. And it's not because we're blinded by loyalty either. You're being way too hard on yourself -- the situation was totally out of your control. I know I compounded the difficulty by being so distant, and for that I apologize. I -- " he groped for words, " -- I just didn't know how to approach you. I knew you were suffering, but I guess I thought if I ignored the problem it'd go away. You know, everything will be better tomorrow and all that jazz."

While Danno was speaking. McGarrett eventually took his eyes off the horizon and began to look at Danno. Waves of regret were coming off the younger man and Five-0 chief was amazed at how deeply Danno felt his supposed failure. For the first time in several days, Steve reached out to someone else.

"Danno, none of this mess was your doing. You're blaming yourself for my shortcomings. I'm the one who made the film and I'm the one who accused you of some totally unfounded motives. I owe you the apology and not the other way around."

Dan leaned forward intently. "No, you don't . You owe Steve McGarrett an apology, not me."

Steve turned back to the horizon. "Yeah, right."

'No, I mean it." Danno latched on to McGarrett's arm, forcing the other man to face him. "You've been so hard on yourself, ever since we watched the damn movie. You had no defenses, Steve. You were drugged out of your mind! Wo Fat had every advantage; he had the toxins, he had the drugs and he had you on his turf, with no one to back you up. He even had Carter on Blake's staff, dutifully reporting everything he heard to Wo. And yet, even with all these advantages, he still didn't pull it off. You escaped and you stymied his power grab in China and possibly headed off a nuclear war. I don't call that a bad day's work for anyone, not even the head of Hawaii Five-0."

Steve stared down at his clenched hands, too overcome with emotion to speak. Only Danno could take a debacle like the film and make it sound like a triumph -- and be totally sincere about it. "Danno," he said in a choked voice, "you amaze me."

Warily, Dan asked, "How?"

McGarrett dredged up a small smile. "You make it sound like I saved the universe. "

Danny grinned widely, vastly relieved. "That's next week."

"Yeah, sure." Then, sobering, Steve said softly, "Danno. thank you." With a start of surprise, McGarrett realized perhaps he could start to, if not forgive himself, at least work his way through it, with the help of Danno and his guys. Maybe they really weren't as ashamed and disgusted with him as he had originally thought. And perhaps, please God, they weren't just being kind.

"No problem." Williams sat back on the sand, totally relaxed for a change. It felt so good to just sit with Steve, without the burden of wondering about the right thing to say, or the strain of a case to keep them both running.

Steve looked at him with amazement, surprised and humbled that just a few words from him could make Danno look so happy. he made an abrupt decision to say some things that should've been said long ago.

"Danno, I want you to know that I've always been proud of you. Not only as a cop and a good second in command, but as a person. And right now, I feel very fortunate to have you as a friend."

Dan Williams could hardly believe his ears -- emotional declarations about his feelings were as rare as fine diamonds from McGarrett He felt a warm glow spread over him.

"You know," Danny said slowly, "Wo Fat could have truly claimed victory if he'd broken up this team. Sometimes I wonder if we give him an edge by personalizing our encounters with him, instead of treating him like the international criminal he is."

The concept was a novel one for McGarrett, and the wounds were still too raw for him to accept it right now. Maybe later, though, he would give it some thought. Instead, it finally dawned on him that Danno was wearing casual clothes.

"By the way, is anybody minding the store while you're philosophizing at the beach today?" he asked in mock anger.

Danno grinned. "It's Saturday, in case you hadn't noticed. Crime and Five-O have taken the day off."

McGarrett gave him a veiled look. "Oh, really?"

"Chin and Duke are on call," Danny added hastily.

"Sounds to me like everyone's slacking off," Steve grumbled. He hesitated for a moment, then took the plunge. He really did not want to be alone today with just his thoughts for company. "You doing anything today?" he asked casually.

"Yeah," Danny replied, "I'm helping a guy with his boat today. I personally don't think the thing will ever see the water, but the guy insists on working on it every day off he gets."

Steve couldn't help it, he laughed. "This guy probably hopes you know something about boats. He's liable to be pretty upset if you mess something up."

"He's got nothing to worry about." Danno rose and extended a hand down to help a still-stiff McGarrett rise. "You sure you feel up to this?"

"More now than I did a few minutes ago." They walked down the beach together, just grateful to have each other's friendship. Danno was thankful that Steve was indeed here -- alive and finally on the mend. It had been so close this time.

McGarrett walked along, marveling at how a loner such as himself had managed to win the friendship and loyalty of someone so personable as Danno. Maybe they were living proof of the old adage; opposites attract. But no one needed to tell them blended metals were nearly always stronger than single ones.

PAU