Disclaimer: Hawaii Five-0 and its characters belong to CBS. I just enjoy putting my own twist to this universe.

Summary: Would things be different if Steve was more proactive in helping Danny deal with the disaster known as Matt Williams? Steve is worried about what Matt Williams has gotten himself into and what affect this will have on Danny. So he contacts an old friend for information. When he receives the information he knows that he will have to help Danny and make sure that Matt Williams stays alive. This is part of my Kokua Ko'u Hoaloha verse where Danny has custody of Grace and Steve has opened his home to Danny and Grace. This was written for H50 Big.

A/N: This will start after Steve and Danny confront FBI Agents Kipton and Markowitz at the Hilton. Stan had taken some time off so that Matt could spend time with Grace. So we have Stan instead of Rachel sitting with Matt. I'm only going to focus on the things that will be changed.

A/N: This was written in 2012 and published on AO3. A reviewer recently pointed out that I didn't publish this here on FFnet. Sorry about that, I do hope you enjoy this regardless of the snafu.

The Truth About Matthew Williams

Steve watched Danny leave after they had talked about Matt. He was worried about Danny. Something about Matt had bothered Steve all afternoon, the man was too something, slick maybe. Steve wasn't sure but he needed to know more about Matt and the investigation if for no other reason than to protect Danny. To that end he pulled out his phone to make another call. He needed more information on Kipton and Markowitz as well.

"It's Steve McGarrett…..I'm good. I need a favor….Could you look into two FBI Agents Kipton and Markowitz for me...Yeah, they're investigating my partner Danny William's brother Matthew….You will? Thanks." Steve hung up. It was time to get back to work. He and Danny shouldn't have spent the afternoon with Matt, but he had enjoyed learning more about his friend. He also knew that he could count on Chin and Kono's work on the investigation.

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Steve and Danny were sitting in his truck watching Matt enter the fancy, well guarded house. They had just watched Matt being frisked and talked about who would need to frisk a stock broker when Steve's phone rang.

"McGarrett….What did you learn?" Steve rubbed his face as he listened. "I see. Thanks for checking." Steve hung up looking at Danny. "Any luck?"

"No, the signal's being jammed. So who called? Was it about the judge's daughter?" Danny asked.

Steve started his truck as he answered. "No, it was an old friend."

Danny looked at Steve, his friend was being evasive. The news hadn't been good, he could tell from Steve's voice. "Are you going to tell me what the call was about or was it classified?"

Steve sighed. He pulled the truck into a park near HQ. "We need to talk Danny. Let's walk." Steve climbed out of the truck to meet Danny at the front.

Danny met Steve agitated. "What's going on Steve? What don't you want to tell me?"

Steve stopped looking up at the sky for inspiration. How did you tell your best friend that his brother is dealing with drug dealers and that the agents after him won't hesitate to kill Matt if he runs? Steve looked Danny in the eyes hoping his friend wouldn't hate him. "I called a friend of mine in the CIA. I wanted to know more about Kipton and Markowitz. They're decent agents with some questionable methods. My friend also looked into their investigation of Matt. The evidence against Matt is rock solid; he embezzled money from his company. The only reason they haven't picked him up is because Matt contacted a drug dealer and planned to meet him here in Hawaii." Steve gestured vaguely in the direction of the house where Matt had his "business" meeting.

Danny stared at Steve trying to comprehend what he just heard. He didn't want to believe it, this was his brother Mattie Steve was talking about. "No, no, you're wrong. Mattie wouldn't, he just, no. The FBI is wrong." Danny turned away from Steve. Funny, Danny never doubted Steve's word just what he had been told. "Matt wouldn't do that to our parents."

Steve wanted to believe Danny, after all Danny had been right about his late partner Meka and Steve's "old buddy" Nick. This time though, Danny was too close to the issue and Steve's instincts were screaming at him that Adam was right. "Danny, I wish my friend Adam was wrong. He's very thorough, and he's never lied to me before. He told me something else that you need to know. If Matt runs…"

Danny turned and yelled. "Matt wouldn't run! He didn't do anything wrong!"

"Then why was he frisked Danny? Legitimate businessmen don't need to frisk their associates."

Danny slumped. Steve was right about that part. "Okay, maybe you're right. Matt made a mistake, he's always been impulsive. He's never shirked responsibility though, he'll face this problem. I'll help him."

"Danny…"

"Don't Danny me! You don't know Matt. You have a bad record in judging people. So don't tell me about my brother!" Danny was panting.

Steve closed his eyes, hiding the pain from Danny's direct hit but continued needing to tell Danny everything. "Kipton and Markowitz are suspected of killing runners rather than apprehending them, even if the person's knowledge would be valuable to the FBI. If they even think he's running..." Steve turned and walked away from Danny, giving him time to think instead of react.

Danny's thoughts were swirling in his head. Why would Steve say that about Matt? He didn't know him. Matt was a good guy, he had been there for Danny when Rachel left him. Steve just didn't understand. He would make Steve understand.

Danny looked over to where Steve had walked to see his partner sitting on a bench with his head in his hands. His body language practically screamed misery. Danny's thoughts stopped. This was Steve his partner and best friend, who he trusted with his life. More importantly, he trusted Steve with Grace's life. He'd helped him get custody of Grace, gave him and Grace a home. Steve would never deliberately try and hurt him. Even when they had disagreed about Meka, Steve had tried to help him. Steve had listened to him at the prison finally understanding Danny's position and did everything he could to help prove Meka innocent after that discussion.

It was time to give Steve the benefit of the doubt this time. Danny reran what Steve told him about the two agents and Matt. This time he heard more than just Steve's words, he heard the concern in Steve's voice until Danny had brought up Steve's history of judging people. He remembered seeing Steve close his eyes and when they opened all emotion was gone from his face and voice. Danny felt shame for bringing up Steve's past, he hadn't even realized what he was saying at that point. The information on Kipton and Markowitz chilled him to the bone.

Danny thought about seeing Matt be frisked for his "business" meeting. He remembered how Matt would do impulsive and stupid things as they grew up. Danny sighed. He realized that he needed to help Matt get out of his latest act of stupidity.

Danny rubbed his face with both hands. He'd done it again. He took his anger and fear out on Steve. Maybe he should see the shrink to find out why he kept doing it. It was time to face the music and apologize to Steve and hope he would be willing to help his idiot of a partner.

Danny joined Steve on the bench. Before Danny could say anything Steve spoke. "I'm sorry Danny; I just don't want you to get hurt."

Danny now felt even worse than he had moments ago. He placed a hand on Steve's arm interrupting him. "Don't, I owe you an apology, you don't owe me one. You were being the man I respect and call friend. I reacted badly, I'm sorry."

Steve raised his head looking at Danny carefully. He was sincere, Steve nearly slumped in relief. "No apology needed Danny. I knew you wouldn't like what I had to say."

Danny interrupted Steve again. "No, don't do that. I had no right to attack you yet again. You were being a good friend. I'm sorry, especially for the crack about your history with Nick."

Steve placed his hand over Danny's that was still on his arm. "Apology accepted Danno. What do you want to do about Matt?"

Danny smiled sadly. "I want to talk to him, give him a chance to turn himself in. First we are going to make sure he isn't planning on running. Can your friend Adam help if he does try to run?"

"I think so. You should be the one to check for Matt's escape route. You and I both know that most inexperienced runners use a familiar name as an alias. I'll work with Chin and Kono on the judge's daughter's case. Once we know how he plans to run I can give Adam the details, meantime he can have Matt watched." Steve stood up dragging Danny with him. Now that there was a plan he wanted to get moving.

"I'm coming you Neanderthal. No need to drag me!" Danny groused trying to reestablish the norm with Steve, grateful that he still had his friend. Steve's answer was to chuckle.

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Steve and Danny were sitting on the curb outside the school after catching the bomber. Danny sighed. "I need to go pick up Matt. Is everything in place?"

Steve nodded. "Yeah. Why don't I drive you to the Hilton? The Feds might be there."

"Okay, thanks." The two men headed for the Camaro.

The partners watched Kipton and Markowitz leave on Steve's wild goose chase. Once they were gone, Danny looked at Steve who nodded. Danny left the room as Steve pulled out his phone. "It's McGarrett. Williams rabbited. Give Danny a chance to talk his idiot brother out of running. If he can't, Williams is all yours…Thanks."

Matt refused to let Danny talk him out of running. He entered the plane to find that he wasn't alone. A man dressed in a nice suit was sitting facing the doorway. "I think there's been a mistake. I chartered this plane."

The man stood up. "There's been no mistake Mr. Williams. My name is Adam Pierceton; I'm a friend of Commander McGarrett's. He suspected you would run despite the pleas of your brother."

Matt interrupted him. "I knew McGarrett would be trouble. What are going to do?"

Adam smirked. "Why, I'm going to arrest you. Better me than Kipton or Markowitz, they would shoot first ask questions later. Put the briefcase down slowly Mr. Williams, keeping your hands where I can see them."

Matt knew he had no choice but to comply. This wasn't his older brother; this man meant business despite his casual demeanor. Matt found himself handcuffed, rights read to him and led off the plane in a matter of moments. He could see Danny standing by his car being hugged by McGarrett. When did McGarrett get here?

As Adam and Matt approached the duo, Matt opened his mouth to speak stopping abruptly when McGarrett turned to glare at him. He shivered involuntarily, the man looked menacing. He remembered Danny saying that McGarrett could kill with his bare hands and no one would find the body. Matt was placed in the back of a black sedan next to another agent.

Once they were on the way Adam turned to look at Matt. "You may not think so but you're a lucky man. Kipton and Markowitz would have chased you down and killed you rather than try and take you alive. Nobody has been able to prove that the last few deaths were deliberate, but my agency is sure they are. McGarrett saved your life by calling me." Adam turned back to the front finished with the idiot.

Steve had gotten a ride from the car that was going to pick up Adam and Matt. He arrived just as Matt walked into the plane. Stupid, fucking idiot thought Steve. He reached Danny wondering what the damage was to find his friend crying. Steve carefully took Danny's gun laying it on the hood of the Camaro before pulling his friend into a tight comforting hug. Danny hugged him back as if his life depended on it. Steve rubbed his back saying nothing. Things would not be alright, they would get better, but it would never be alright.

A short while of holding Danny Steve heard Adam and Matt approach. He turned noticing Matt opening his mouth to say something. Steve glared at him; he wouldn't let Matt hurt his brother any more than he already had today. He smirked internally noticing Matt shiver. Good. He wanted the jerk to be afraid of him.

Steve held Danny until he felt his friend begin to sag. "Hey, still with me?"

Danny nodded into Steve's shoulder.

"Let's go home. Do you want to get Grace or let her stay with Lani tonight?"

Danny pulled back as Steve led him to the passenger side of the car. "I don't want Grace to see me like this."

"Okay Danny, I'll call Lani. Grace will be okay." Steve made sure Danny was settled in his seat before calling Lani as he walked around the car picking up Danny's gun along the way.

Danny spoke as Steve sat in the driver's seat. "I need to call my folks, tell them about Matt." He had an air of defeat.

Steve reached over placing a hand on his shoulder and squeezing gently. "Call them after we know what's going to happen to Matt. I'll call Bill when we get home; Matt's going to need a lawyer."

"Okay." Danny said no more.

TBC

A/N: Bill Houseman is a lawyer friend of Steve's who helped Danny keep custody of Grace. Lani is the person who cares for Grace while Danny works. She is related to Kono and Chin.