Disclaimer:
Unfortunately I don't own anything of Hawaii Five-0, it all belongs to CBS. But I wouldn't mind at all to share my couch with the Five-0 team – feel free to come around whenever you like ;-)

Notes:
"E kala mai ia'u" means (at least according to my internet research) "I'm sorry".
English is not my native language, so please forgive me my mistakes.

Thanks:
A great big thank-you to the wonderful montez for betaing – thank you so much for all the time and effort you have put into my story, you are truly amazing!
Oh, and not to forget special thanks to Keanu Reeves for the "speedy" plot bunny ;-)

E kala mai ia'u
(I'm sorry)

An apology is the superglue of life. It can repair just about anything.
Lynn Johnston

"Drop the knife!"

Steve shouted, pointing his gun at one of the two men who stood on the other side of the room. "Drop the knife and let him go! Now!"

"I don't think so, Commander." A malicious smile crept across Hank Philips' face as he pressed the butterfly knife tighter against the other man's throat. Slowly raising his right hand Philips held up a small black device, his thumb firmly pinched on one of the buttons. "I guess you're familiar with C4 explosive?" He didn't wait for Steve to answer, "Well, you see, I have enough of this stuff on me to not only blow up the people in this room but the whole building as well. All I have to do is let go of this little button and," he made a small gesture with his right hand, "boom! Is it that what you want?" The smile on his lips grew bigger and he nodded a few times when he saw the look on Steve's face. "That's what I thought. So I think that you will be the one who will drop his weapon and step back."

Danny looked at Steve but didn't dare move, he could feel the cold sharp metal against his throat and he had absolutely no intention of making better acquaintance with it. He saw Steve's gaze travel over him and the expression on McGarrett's face told him that his partner was barely able to fight back the anger that was welling up inside of him. Danny supposed that he wouldn't win any beauty contest right now either with a heavily swollen eye and the nasty bruises on the left side of his face. He carefully licked his lips and sighed quietly when he tasted fresh blood. His split lip had started bleeding again; a fact that obviously didn't help to calm down his partner.

Steve narrowed his eyes, shifting his gaze to the device in Philips' hand. Danny could almost see the wheels turning as Steve's mind was no doubt running through all the possibilities and Danny wasn't sure if he really wanted to know which crazy option Steve would settle on in the end. With a partner like his it always seemed to be the choice between bad and worse. Danny himself had pictured every possible scenario he could think of since Hank Philips had taken him hostage and to be honest he couldn't see any safe way out. Philips had proven that he was not only completely crazy but also dangerous, after all he had already killed two innocent people in cold blood. Danny knew that one false move could mean the end and he prayed that Steve wouldn't try anything stupid.

"Drop your weapon and let me go!" Hank's voice was clear and cold. He made a few steps back toward the door and Danny was forced to follow, the knife still too close to his jugular for his liking.

Steve didn't try to follow but he hadn't lowered his gun yet either. Danny watched as his partner slowly blinked once, the look in his eyes changing drastically. Danny had seen this special look a few times before as a cold shiver ran down his spine. He was not sure where that thought came from but suddenly he just knew what was going to happen.

"Nononono, Steve! Hell, no! Steven, don't you dare to do this!" He said raspy, there were so many undertones in his voice that even Danny himself didn't know which one was dominant, yet in that moment he felt both anger and astonishment, but most of all he was scared. He was scared because the look in McGarrett's eyes told him it was too late, his partner had made a decision and he could do absolutely nothing to stop him. He took a deep breath, at least as far as the knife at his throat allowed, feeling a slight burn when the blade cut into his skin. Danny tried feverishly to prepare himself for the inevitable.

But how do you prepare yourself for being shot at?

Or to be more precise: how do you prepare yourself for being shot at by your best friend?

Danny took another deep breath, not caring that a few more drops of blood trickled down his neck, as he looked up to catch Steve's eye. If Danny's voice was full of emotions that was nothing compared to what Steve's eyes were revealing. Danny could see grim determination however he could also clearly see remorse and guilt… but more than anything he saw fear.

Danny knew that time was running out. They had almost reached the door and there was no way that Hank Philips would allow him to stay alive once they had left the building. After a third and final deep breath, Danny locked eyes with his partner and slowly blinked once.

There was a loud bang and Danny's whole world exploded into pain.

(tbc)