Judgment Call

Short coda to 8.18. Overall I liked the episode. Not crazy about 3 stories in one and would have liked more to Danny's story, but Alex did an outstanding job as Director.And, Scott?Well, I always love anything Scott does.And I understand completely what happened when Danny was a young cop.

*** Hawaii 5-0 ***

He rested his head against the back of the sofa. Exhaling slowly, he rolled his shoulders, releasing the tension of the day. There were good memories, bad memories and sad memories all combined. He liked her, he really did. Glad to be a support now and in the past, he only wished her the best. Maybe today she finally got closure from a horrible time in her life. He knew he had closure, especially since the repercussions of that time almost cost him his life not so long ago.

Breathing deeply, Danny still felt a twinge or two from the chest wound every now and then. And he felt it now as a reminder. He wished she hadn't had to leave so soon, but knew she had to.

Danny's compassionate nature had taken over his senses. He knew that now. Not so much in his youth though. A woman in distress always got to him. Even still. Actually anything in distress – women, children and animals especially – got to him. Something in him made him want to save the world. Steve would call it his sensitive nature. His family would call it his good heart. He would call it his inability to turn away from anyone or anything in trouble.

Smaller in physique than the gargantuan ex-SEAL he partnered with, he chuckled when he imagined himself as Robin to Steve's Batman. The dynamic Hawaiian 5-0 Duo. Yep, that was them. He wished Steve could have met her. He would have liked her.

And even though he had crossed a line in his impetuous youth and not used the best judgment, he was glad he saved her from the abuse she had suffered at the hands of that insufferable bastard. And maybe, just maybe, he had made her feel loved and cared for and ultimately that helped her heal. He sincerely hoped so.

She seemed at peace once she scattered Ray's remains in the wind over the ocean. That made Danny happy.

He smiled as the fond memories washed over him. Of their short time together 20 years ago. Twenty years. He couldn't believe it had been that long.

The outcome of that time made him grin. Meeting Rachel. Two beautiful children later, Hawaii, and oh yeah, an impossible, but loveable partner. Even with the divorce, he couldn't ask for more.

"Thank you, Brooke," he sighed as he closed his eyes and drifted off to happy memories.

~ Pau ~