This story popped into my head as I was watching Friday's episode. I watched for about 30 minutes and then tuned out. Instead I started writing this little story, which will read like an episode. I hope it'll appeal to some of you who were kind of upset by Danny's absence, though it is common for episodic series actors to negotiate time off.
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Danny parked his Camaro in the Palace parking lot and made his way up to Five-0 headquarters. Steve had called earlier asking that the team gather at the office to discuss a new case that the governor had assigned to the task force.
"I hear we have a new case," he asked casually to Chin and Kono who were already hard at work gathering data on the smart table.
"Yeah. Did Steve give you the details?"
"Only that it involved the murder of a notorious arms dealer."
"Marco Ramirez. Wanted in ten states was found dead in an alley trash bin early this morning."
"Well he won't be wanted anymore," Danny joked.
Chin grinned at the sarcasm. "Indeed. But whoever killed him wasn't affiliated with a government agency."
"A gangland killing?"
"I tend to concur and whoever did it will likely become the new leader of the crime ring."
"Any leads?"
"I checked with HPD. A young couple reported what sounded like gun shots late last night in the vicinity where Ramirez's body was found. They dispatched two officers out to comb the area. They didn't see anything unusual," Kono informed.
"Did they bother to check that alley where the body was found?" Danny asked.
"They did. There was nothing. It's fair to assume the body was hidden from sight and once the cops checked the area, they dumped it in the trash can," Chin surmised.
"Max is performing a post-mortem. Among other things to determine whether or not the time of death occurred when the shots were heard," Kono said.
"Catherine may already have a lead in the case, guys," Steve announced as he and Catherine walked up to the group.
Danny's expression sagged upon seeing the girlfriend arrive with his partner. He liked Catherine but somehow her involvement in the latest cases made him very uncomfortable. The queasy feeling in the pit of his stomach would grow in her presence but he kept stifling it for the sake of the team and especially Steve, who appeared to like this new arrangement.
"Ramirez's killer is most likely Sang Min," Catherine said.
"How do you know that?" Chin queried.
"Navy Intel has been tracking his whereabouts for quite some time. He was last seen dealing with Ramirez and they were reports of a fall out between the two when Min tried to take over the business by inciting the members to revolt against their boss."
"It could have been anyone inside the ring, not necessarily Min," Danny issued his own theory.
"Min was the second in command and rumor has it that he wanted to be the top man."
"But that doesn't..." Danny started but Steve cut him off.
"That's good work, Cath," Steve praised.
"Thank you, Sailor," she said lustily and reached to steal a kiss from Steve.
Danny turned away from the sight of the lovebird, his stomach churning. Kono frowned as she discerned a slight disgust in Danny's eyes while Steve and Catherine both continued to elaborate on a plan to go after Min.
"Catherine, you and Danny will ride with me and go see the couple that reported the gun shots."
Danny cringed and turned to Kono who wasn't happy about the boss's decision. After all she was the one who came up with this lead and hoped that he would send her instead.
"Why us three?" Danny bluntly challenged Steve's orders. "Why not just Kono? After all she's the one who dug up the info?"
Steve straightened up and crossed his arms against his chest in annoyance. "I think we need to go as three on this one. While Catherine interrogates the pair, you and me will poke around to see if we can pick up anything that might lead us right to Min. Besides I want Kono on another lead. Yang Chen. Catherine says he was working very closely with Min. Kono see what you can gather on Chen."
Kono simply nodded in acquiescence.
"Chin, I'd like you to ask Kamekona to put out feelers for Min and Chen, see if he can get a bite that could put us on a trail."
"You got it."
"All right. Let's go!"
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On the ride to the couple's house, Danny grinned and bore the conversation between Steve and Catherine about the romantic getaway they were planning. Danny merely looked out the window and tuned off to their exchange as he felt like he didn't belong.
"Hey Danny? You're listening?" Steve called to attention.
"What?" Danny answered with a tinge of petulance.
"I was telling Catherine that after she takes the couple's deposition about the shooting, we should visit neighbours' homes to see if we can get them to corroborate their story. Perhaps they'll tell us if they saw or heard anything odd last night."
"Yeah. Sure. Whatever you say, Commander," Danny replied sarcastically.
"You okay?"
"Yeah, just a bit tired," Danny fibbed to avoid a grilling. "I didn't sleep much last night."
Steve let it go at that, but was convinced that his partner was holding something back. It was atypical for Danny to be so quiet.
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Once the interrogation over, Steve dropped Catherine off at his house and he and Danny made it back to HQ to compare notes with Chin and Kono.
Toward the end of the day, Danny ambled into Steve's office as he was sitting behind his desk engrossed in his laptop.
"Say babe I was wondering if you'd like to come over to my place tonight?" Danny invited tentatively. "There's a game on and we could order pizzas and I'll have plenty of Longboards in the frig."
"Ah thanks Danny but tonight Catherine and I have something planned." The news drove a stake through Danny's heart. "Maybe some other time?"
"Yeah, sure," he answered apathetically. "Next time."
"Besides you said you had trouble sleeping last night. You'll need your sleep tonight."
"You're right, as usual."
Steve frowned at that last remark. "Danny what's the matter?"
"Nothing. I told you I'm just a bit weary."
"Is that all? I'm your partner you can tell me."
"Are you sure?" Danny needled in spite of his better judgment.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Never mind. I'll see you tomorrow." On that chilling note, Danny walked out of the office, leaving a baffled Steve in his wake.
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The next day at lunchtime, Danny drove to HPD to pick up an old acquaintance.
"Hey Danny!" Officer Carl Monsoon hailed as he noticed Danny walking up to him. "Good to see you, buddy. It's been a while," he greeted while giving Danny a hearty handshake.
"Yes it has. I'm sorry about that."
"Don't be. I must say your call last night took me by surprise. Don't get me wrong I was thrilled that you'd want to hook up again. I figured that with your work at Five-0 and all you wouldn't have time."
"I realized there are some things I needed to put into perspective. I had lost track of what was important to me. And you're on my list."
"I'm pleased to hear. Say, give me a few minutes to wrap things up here and I'll be with you."
"That's all right. In fact I need to speak with Captain Grover. Is he in?"
"Yeah. He's in his office."
"Okay take your time."
Danny walked over to Captain Grover's office and knocked on the door.
"Come on in Detective," The daunting man waved in. "What brings you to our HQ?"
"Came to pick up Officer Monsoon. We're going out to lunch together."
"What's the matter? Your little buddy McGarrett ditched you?" he said with cynicism as he didn't hold McGarrett in his esteem.
"Something like that," Danny chuckled at the irony. "Captain, do you have a few minutes? I'd like to speak to you about a matter."
"Sure," Grover frowned at the unusual request. "What's on your mind, Detective?"