A/N: I'm back. Sorry it took so long to start posting again. Since I went back to work after my Christmas Break I have come home just about every night completely wiped out. And of course my one year old's new favorite game is "Let's Pull All the DVD's Off the Shelf". I have to say how ecstatic I am that Danny won the custody thing on the show. It almost makes up for them killing Malia. Almost. I was so excited that I had to rewatch the episode because I missed half the dialogue that ended the show. How sweet was it to see Danny say that Hawaii was now his home. And Steve in dress blues. So HOT! By the way anybody else think it was a bit weird that Rachel was not at the hearing. I mean it is only the custody of her kid. Kind of important isn't it? If I was the judge I would be a bit miffed about that. Can't wait to see what is going to happen next. Anyway I hope you enjoy this story. Please be nice because this story is kind of my baby. It was the first one I wrote out on my computer back last September when I got into writing fan fiction for H50. As always reviews are welcomed. By the way this is the semi sequel to "Time Moves On". The only connections between the stories are in this first chapter. Honestly the only reason this is a semi sequel is because I was too lazy to create another teacher character. Plus when I started writing it I wanted Danny to have custody.
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Sorry no smart ass remark tonight. I am too tired to think of one.
Danny pulled into the parking lot and brought the Camaro to a screeching halt. He ran towards the building hurrying inside.
He now had full, not temporary, custody of his ten year old, daughter Grace, and he was late picking her up from school. It was the first time since she had come to live with him 3 months ago. Usually he was able to get someone if he wasn't able to be there when school let out.
Danny raced down the hallway.
"Sorry, sorry, sorry," he huffed as he entered Grace's classroom.
Grace was sitting at her desk reading. Her teacher, Miss Kendal, was writing on the whiteboard.
"You're late, Danno," Grace said flashing her big brown eyes at him.
"It won't happen again", Danny said apologetically to Grace and her teacher.
"It's alright. . . .Grace why don't you go get you make sure you have your homework." said the teacher and then she turned to Danny, "May I speak to you for a moment, Mr. Williams?"
Danny nodded.
"In the hallway?"
"Oooohhh!" said Grace holding back a giggle.
"What?" Danny said holding up his hands in mock confusion, "Should I be worried monkey that your teacher wants to talk to me out in the hall?
"She only takes kids into the hallway when they are in trouble," Grace said laughing.
She found the whole situation hilarious.
"Almost always," Miss Kendal chimed in.
The two adults left the room.
Miss Kendal closed the door.
"Mr. Williams," she started.
Danny held his hand up to stop her.
"Danny" he said putting his hand on his chest.
"Alright," said the teacher, "Danny how has Grace been at home. . . emotionally. I mean there have been a lot of changes in her life and I am wondering how she is dealing with it."
"Fine," he said wondering if this teacher was going to start questioning his parenting. "She misses her mother, but that's to be expected. What are you getting at?"
"I started our afternoon lesson when we got back from lunch. . . . A few minutes in I looked over at Grace and saw some tears on her cheeks. It was apparent that she was trying hard not to cry. So I put the others to work on a few problems and invited Grace into the hallway. At that point she didn't hold back. I sent her down to the water fountain for a drink and to give her a break. I got her some tissues. She told me she had talked to her mother on the phone last night and that she had felt sad ever since they hung up."
The teacher stopped talking. Danny had listened closely and was now processing all of the information.
"It was the first time since Rachel had left for Las Vegas last week that Grace was able to sit and talk with her for more than 5 minutes. Rachel has been awfully busy with the baby, organizing their new place, and of course the time change between here and Vegas."
"Well I just wanted to make you aware of the situation here at school. Grace is one of my best students and I want her to be happy."
"Any suggestions?" Danny asked.
The teacher took a deep breath. "Now Mr. . . . I mean Danny you have a high stress and risk job. I see news reports and read articles about the great things your task force has done for Hawaii. In fact it is a privilege to have your daughter in my class. I admire and respect the work you do, but. . . …"
"Ah of course there is always a big hairy but," interrupted Danny.
Miss Kendal gave Danny a teacher look, and he apologized for his choice of words. He was in his mid thirties and the "teacher look" still startled him.
"What I was about to say," said Miss Kendal jumping back in, "Is spend some quality time with Grace away from your office and stress of your job. I think it might help."
"I'm doing my best," Danny whispered.
"I know that. Being a single parent is not easy, but it is not impossible. I grew up in a single parent home. . . . . Grace loves you, and it seems to me that for the first time in the past two years you get to have some real time with your daughter and now it is your ex wife's turn to be on your time schedule as far as visits go."
Danny smiled at the young educator and nodded.
"I'll do that," he said. "Anything else?"
Miss Kendal thought for a moment.
"If you ever repeat this I could into trouble, but here goes. . . . I was hoping you would get custody so Grace could finish out the year in my class."
She winked at Danny.
"And about being on time for pick up. . . ."
Danny put up his hands to stop her.
"I had someone and they cancelled on me an hour before school let out. I didn't realize I had a message until I got your call. It won't happen again."
Miss Kendal smiled.
"Keep in mind that I am here and hour before and after school. Grace is always welcome to be here for that time," Miss Kendal said as she reached into her pocket. She pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to Danny.
He opened it and saw a phone number.
"My cell. . . I always have it on me and unlike the children I can keep mine on during school hours."
"You giving me your number?" Danny asked.
"Only if you need to call me if you are going to be late," she repeated.
Miss Kendal turned to open the door and stopped.
"Danno?" she asked pointing at the man.
"It's what Grace called me when she was little."
"Oh I see. Well, I thought it had something to do with you."
"What's 'it'?", Danny asked wishing the teacher wouldn't beat around the bush and get to the point.
"You should ask Grace about the story she is writing in class. The main character's name is Danno and he solves crimes."
Danny grinned and nodded his head flattered at his daughter's choice of inspiration. Miss Kendal opened the door and called to Grace. The young girl hurried to her father's side and slipped her hand into his.
"Have a good weekend honey," said Miss Kendall.
Grace waved and she and Danny turned to walk down the hall.
"I am so sorry monkey," Danny said as the two headed toward the front doors.
"It's ok, Daddy."
Grace knew that her father was still getting used to picking her up or arranging for someone to pick her up from school each day.
When they reached the Camaro Danny opened the door for his daughter.
"Are we going back to your office?" Grace asked as she climbed into the car.
"Just for a little while," Danny answered shutting he door.
He still had some work to do before he could call it a day. It had been easy to get permission to have Grace in the building so he could finish up daily jobs. All he had to do was ask Steve.
Danny drove out of the school parking lot.
"Do you have any homework this weekend?" he asked as he drove along the highway.
"Some math and reading," Grace answered, "I can get it done when we get to your office."
"How about writing?" he asked hoping she would tell him about her story.
"I left that in my desk. Besides I am not done with it yet?"
"Your teacher said that your main character's name is Danno and he solves crimes."
"Just like you."
"That's right monkey just like me . . . .so tell me more."
"Alright, but not too much. I'll let you read it when I am finished."
Danny nodded.
"Go ahead."
"Well it's about Danno. He's an alley cat who catches bad guys."
"I'm sorry an alley cat?" Danny asked completely taken by surprise.
Grace continued, "Yeah and he has a partner a bull dog named Mac."
Danny thought for a moment.
"Mac as in McGarrett?"
Grace nodded.
"So how come I am an alley cat. . . .why not some jungle cat. . . a tiger or panther for instance?"
"Cause then Mac the bull dog wouldn't be able to be his partner because bull dogs don't live in the jungle."
"Oh of course they can't. What was I thinking?" Danny flashed an amused smile to his daughter.
"Besides they live in New Jersey. There aren't any jungles in New Jersey," Grace finished.
Danny chuckled and reached over to squeeze her knee.
"I shouldn't be long, I just need to take a look at a few case files."
Danny paused for a moment.
"You know everyone has really enjoyed having you at work this week. Your smile sure brightens up the place. And I think Uncle Steve would love to hear about your story too."
At that moment a huge jolt ran through the car. Both occupants heard the crunch of metal on metal as they were hit hard from behind. Danny struggled through the surprise, shock, and fear to keep his car from swerving off the road. He managed to get straightened out when a second jolt moved ferociously through the vehicle. This time he couldn't keep the Camaro on the road, and it crashed into a tree.
It took Danny a moment to compose himself. His first instinct was to make sure Grace was okay. He unbuckled his safety belt and reached over to his daughter grateful that Grace would scold him if he didn't put it on.
"Grace, are you alright?" he asked.
"What happened?"
She looked over at her father with fear in her eyes.
"I don't. . ." Danny started until he remembered that he had been hit twice from behind.
This had been no accident. He quickly unbuckled Grace's seat belt.
"Run Grace," he said urgently, "Run and hide."
When she didn't move he reached across her to open the door. He then heard the sound of glass breaking on his side of the car. He turned around to look only to be met with the butt of a hand gun. It hit him square in the face and knocked him unconscious immediately.
Grace watched in horror and screamed as she pushed the car door open and jumped out.
"Grab her!" she heard a voice on her father's side of the car yell. She had only gone a few steps when someone grabbed her arm and pulled her back.
"No!" she screamed, "Let me go."
She struggled as hard as she could but her efforts were met only with cruel laughter. The person holding her was a large man with about a day's worth of scruff on his face. He picked her up and put one arm around her waist. Grace continued her struggle. She saw the man that had hit her father with the gun. He was still on Danny's side of the car. Two other men had joined him and were pulling Danny out of the car. One man heaved the unconscious blonde over one shoulder and proceeded toward the van that had hit their car.
The man holding Grace began walking towards the vehicle as well. Grace saw some damage to the front end of it. Grace started to scream for help, but was soon silenced by her captor's large hand.
The man with the gun walked toward the pair. He put the gun away and reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small bottle and handkerchief. He put some of the bottle's contents on the cloth. The hand pulled away only to be replaced with the handkerchief. Grace smelled an odd odor that made her feel dizzy and then tired. After a several moments she couldn't fight anymore. Her eyes closed and her body when limp.
"Let's go," the man who had just drugged her said.
The large man put Grace in the van next to Danny. The man then felt around in Grace's pockets. No cell phone. He leaned over the girl and felt the detective's pockets. Bingo, they couldn't have their hostages calling for help. He tossed the phone next to the crashed car, shut the back doors of the van, and joined his companions up front.
A/N: I KILLED THE CAMARO! I am not a car person, but man I love that car. Hope you liked it. Please review and let me know what you think.