I do not own Hawaii Five-0 or any characters. No copyright infringement intended.

Notes: The muse grabbed the first episode, flipped it on its proverbial head and decided to spew forth "a what if it were Danny" scenario. There are references which may be taken as spoilers for the real written episode, S09.E01: KA ʻŌWILI ʻŌKA'I (COCOON) which is a retelling of the Original Series' Pilot Episode. I own NONE of that (then or now) - characters or otherwise.

As inspiration and after much debate, the muse insisted this AU flip be part of the Patterns of Warmth series.

Sometimes relationships need a catalyst and this has become that within the Patterns of Warmth Series. Since it was thrown together rather quickly, I hope it makes sense and I hope you enjoy this inspired story and possible AU version of an already perfectly wonderful episode.

Many many thinks to Phoebe and Swfiters who didn't laugh their noggins off at this concept.

H5O* H5O* H5O* H5O* H5O

"I don't like it. It's too dangerous," Steve insisted. "Detective Williams is not available. I am."

He ignored Danny's laden expression, as well as the strong hand on his arm which begged calm. It was far too late for Steve to maintain his calm if the CIA thought Danny might be a suitable faux-target for their dangerous cat and mouse ruse.

"Too many people know you, Commander," Agent Jonathan Kray explained. The head of the CIA's Pacific contingent was personable, but definitive as he paced the small office. "Your reputation precedes you and doesn't borrow well to espionage. It would take too much time to build the right level of, let's say, doubt within the community. Besides, you're too close to the investigation. Tom Hennessey was your good friend," he dared glance towards Greer, his expression meaningful and Steve glowered angrily from one to the other.

"What?" Steve all but snarled out when Greer folded her arms across her chest.

"If I may be blunt: your prior work with Agent Greer is of issue — she's admitted to having had a relationship of sorts … with you - true, it was a long time ago, but we just can't take any chances. You're too connected to the CIA; you might as well be one of us when it comes to this particular mission."

"You told him that?" Steve was stunned as he glared at Greer who hadn't even the decency to look away. There was no fathomable reason for her to have mentioned their two-night tryst to her superiors. None whatsoever. He had a difficult time ignoring the way Danny fidgeted by his side, knowing what Greer rightly assumed when she noticed his partner's discomfort. Her face changed just enough for her to communicate her intrigue related to that particular fact to Steve - that she knew the two of them were more than partners - and he wanted to rip the growing, cat-like smile from her face.

"It's me or no one," Steve said as he angrily pushed his emotional reactions to the side. Of course Danny knew all of this anyway; he'd figured it out all by himself in Hennessey's apartment. That he and Greer had had a fling years earlier. But hearing it validated out loud publicly and understanding that others also knew, added a layer of intricate reality. Once they got home, Steve would have some additional and very eloquent explaining to do. With an effort, Steve refocused his attention back on what Kray was saying.

" ... it's too close and your intentions might be of the very best, but - even if you're not directly pegged as a plant - there is a significant conflict of interest here with members of my team."

"There's another conflict here too … with Detective Williams," Steve practically growled out. He was treading a fine line as Greer's sardonic smile grew and Steve inhaled sharply, forcing his brain to change tactics. He needed to settle.

"Why him? He's got a stellar career, too. An exemplary file; there's nothing which besmirches his name," Steve said, going for reason. "Not a damned thing!"

"Really?" Kray queried in surprise. He leaned forward, his hands placed comfortably on the back of the chair in front of him. "What about his brother, Matthew Williams? Mis-placed funds? Murder? The Colombians … that no so little issue of an extradition?"

"You son of a bitch," Steve hissed dangerously through his teeth, needing to hold Danny back as his partner surged forward this time. "That was put to bed years ago!" Leave it to the CIA to have done their homework well in advance to get their way. All of their buttons were being pushed, one by one. Done in such a way as to manipulate a situation to their liking. Steve's ire rose as he began to feel an uncomfortable itch inside his very being. If this meet and greet felt bad before, it smelled ten times worse now.

"But how?" Kray purred back just as threateningly. "How was that put to bed, Commander? Exactly?"

"Steve, stand down," Danny said as he interrupted the contest of wills between the two men. "I'll do it." He waved his hand towards Kray, acquiescing in an attempt to end the argument. "Fine. I'm in. What do I have to do?"

"No! No, you're not in," Steve insisted. He pushed Danny forcibly backwards, his tone now desperate. "You have absolutely no idea what you think you're getting yourself into with these people! They can't even take care of their own!"

"So you tell me," Danny replied softly. Using the breadth of Steve's body to hide the gesture, Danny covered Steve's fingers with one hand. "Calm down. You show me … you prep me … we have twenty-four hours. Besides, I don't want or need them to take care of me. I just need to know that you're there. Just you."

"Daniel," Steve said as he shirked out of Danny's grip and turned back towards Kray and the small team of agents. He looked at each one of them, his gaze landing lastly on Greer. His anger warred with worry. Even fear. But his ongoing attitude was merely providing them - Kray and his damned CIA team - the provocation they sought to select Danny.

"It's too dangerous for a member of my team," Steve repeated, speaking now directly to Kray. "You've lost five agents. Five. You've admitted that you failed at taking care of your own. Well, you can't have one of mine!"

"I can and will contact the Governor and explain that his special task force is refusing to assist a government agency which puts at risk hundreds if not thousands of innocent American citizens." Suddenly, Kray was playing hardball and his entire demeanor had changed yet again. His tone was silky smooth and his arrogance worn on his sleeve. Even as Steve continued to shake his head, he knew that his argument was lost.

"Part of this is your doing, Commander. Your dissembling of the Russian cartel was key in creating this ... problem. Do I have to remind you of that? While I commend your efforts, it did make room for the Chinese to stake a claim," Kray continued. "We have no other options; Detective Williams is the perfect choice. He's associated to you and that association is also ... well, can be played up as more of a question mark much faster than trying to spin a leak around you," the man said. "He's an outsider ... a relative unknown. We can leak just enough and he'll be out before he's even put his feet up to get comfortable."

"Bullshit," Steve said in one last ditch effort to win some kind of latitude. "He's not going in …." He turned to Danny, towering over him, his face stern. "You are not going in."

"Commander? We'll send you and Detective Williams instructions by this evening," Kray said to Steve's back. There was a lull and then one final parting comment from Kray.

"Thank you for your cooperation."

"Fuck you, Kray" Steve said, refusing to turn around. His eyes stayed on Danny's face and as the door closed to the office, Steve shook his head again, his voice pleading. "You're not going in, Danno."

~ to be continued ~