Mai Poina (Dont Forget)
By Shaz
Disclaimer- unfortunately the characters recognised still don't belong to me, even though I would treat them well (mostly), take good care of them (mostly) and leave them unharmed (mostly) and so alas I will borrow them for the purpose of this story and then give them back to the rightful owner :-(
Thank you so much for all of your wonderful reviews of the prequel to this story, this one will only make sense if you have read A hui hou kakou, so please read that one first (oh yeah and leave a review!) I hope that this is not a disappointment in any way and that you will enjoy it and please leave me reviews!
Mai Poina
Daniel Williams whistled as he mixed up an omelette for lunch. He had been pottering around his friend's kitchen all morning, bored of daytime TV, but not really fit enough yet to do anything energetic. He had been staying with his friend and colleague Steve McGarrett ever since he had been snatched and viciously beaten to within an inch of his life. It had taken him weeks to even gather the strength to fight against his injuries and even then he had struggled beyond belief to get where he was today. He was stood under his own steam, he was eating solids and he could stay awake for more than four hours at a time- so he was genuinely getting there and at the moment he could hope for nothing more. He knew that he still had a long road ahead of him, but somehow it didn't matter so much now, tomorrow he was going apartment hunting with Kono which would hopefully show the beginning of the next chapter of his life. Sure from time to time he found himself dwelling on what had happened to him, the significance of his attack stamping itself on every avenue of his life, but he had learnt to not let it define him- he could not spend every second of his time worrying about Simon Turner appearing before him and throwing him back into the nightmare that he had so desperately ran from. With a shuffle to his left Danny transferred his lunch to a plate, and hobbled to the nearby chair to eat it. He still couldn't manage the portions that he had been able to previously, but it was still progress- plus his friends now managed to leave him at home without a constant chaperone, which made Danny feel like a dog finally let off of his leash.
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Steve sighed as he pushed yet more paperwork around his desk, he really missed his partner. He really really missed his partner when it came to paperwork. He hated paperwork, it was his least favourite part of his job full stop. He just didn't understand all of the protocols, all of the legislation and all of the jargon that went into police reports. If he was completely honest he thought that eighty per cent of it was a complete waste of time and utter rubbish. Thankfully he usually had his partner to deal with said paperwork- the detective was practically OCD in relation to such things, which is why they made such a good dynamic- they balanced each other. He was still worried about his partner, although the younger man had come on in leaps and bounds, he was still recovering both emotionally and physically from his ordeal. He was also awaiting his ACL surgery, which in itself filled the seal with dread, it just seemed that every hurdle his friend leapt another one presented itself. He rubbed his hands over his suddenly tired face. It had been eight weeks nearly to the day since Danny had been taken by his apparently arch nemesis, and every little bit of progress since had practically been a miracle, granted a miracle that he thanked every god known to man for every single day- but it still left him worried at how quickly all of the progress could be lost. Danny would soon be finding a place of his own again, and moving back out from Steve's house, and somehow it made the seal feel almost like a father whose child was leaving home for the first time, worried, concerned and not a little anxious.
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"Come on bruh, we don't anyone else to get there first" Kono taunted her friend, who was hobbling behind her- complete with the new set of crutches that he had finally been issued now that his chest and wrist had more or less healed.
"I'm coming, jeeze woman don't start nagging already- you're worse than my mother" he replied good naturedly. Kono chuckled to herself she had arranged six different properties for the Jersey native to view, and timed them to allow them to grab lunch as well. She reached her car first and opened the passenger side to allow the detective to carefully ease his way inside, as he did so she took the crutches and stowed them across the back seat as well as she could, before she moved around to the driver's seat and the two friends set off. "Where are we going first?" he asked her, he had seen photographs of most of the places that they were going to look at, and he was keen to have somewhere to call home again.
"We have got three to see in Hawaii Kai, so all three of those are this morning, and then it is lunch time. After that we are heading across towards HPD HQ, there are a few for sale on South Beretania Street that might not be as far out of your range as you thought" Kono told him. Danny nodded, taking her word for it- he knew that Kono wouldn't let him down. It had been a huge decision for Danny to decide to buy, not to mention a rare one in his line of work- but somehow he had decided that he was a father and he should have somewhere suitable for his daughter to come and play and be safe- time for him to put down roots of his own. He was using the savings that he had cobbled together throughout his entire police career and he was getting a loan for the rest- all in all it worked out about ten dollars a month more than his rent had been on his old shoe box of a home. He tried to suppress a shudder at the thought of his old apartment- where he had been taken from, his neighbours had not even batted an eye lid, for it was expected in that neighbourhood. He watched his surroundings as Kono drove through the bustling city that had begrudgingly become his home. Within ten minutes Kono was turning into a new looking housing estate, the houses all looked to be of medium size, with enclosed gardens.
"I can afford to buy on here?" Danny asked his friend incredulously. Kono smiled in response.
"Yep, I have found a two bedroom on here with an enclosed garden- perfect for you and Grace" she told him gently knowing that the little girl really was his life. He smiled in gratitude, surprised at how nice the area appeared. "This is a really nice area Danny, no real issues. After this one there is a three bedroomed just around the corner as well, and an apartment across the road" she told him, satisfied that he was happy with her choices. Within minutes the two 5-0 officers were parked on the drive way of a very traditional looking detached house, Danny nodded in approval before they entered the property. He barely listened to the real estate agent as she told them all about the property. He was already charmed by it, the garden itself wasn't huge but it was well maintained and had a charming patio that would be perfect for barbeques. The bedrooms were bigger than the whole of his last apartment had been, and the kitchen was perfect for him. He smiled to himself trying to not get too attached before he had seen the others.
"You love it don't you?" Kono whispered to him softly, having seen the enthusiasm written all over his face. He grinned at her and nodded in agreement. "Wait until you see the slightly bigger one that is only two grand more expensive" she told him. She had known that he would like this little house, but she just felt in her heart that he would love the next one even more. She considered even calling to cancel the afternoons appointments. The two continued to look around the house, before thanking the agent and moving on to the next one. Danny gasped as he saw the stunning house in front of him. A garage and a driveway and beautiful stonework making the house seem older and full of character. Kono instantly saw his reaction and smiled in response to it. They entered the house behind the agent and Danny was instantly smitten, the lounge was decorated in neutral beige, with solid wood floorboards and heavy drapes. The kitchen behind had slate floor tiles that reminded him of Rachel's mother's house back in England. The kitchen had large patio doors that opened up to reveal a good side garden that had a swing, a paved patio area and manicured lawns- just big enough for him to manage. As he hobbled back inside and through sheer stubbornness made it up the stairs, the three good sized bedrooms and two bathrooms confirmed to him that this was his home. Gracie would love it and for the first time since he had been on the Islands his daughter could have her own room at his house, and be able to bring friends back with her. Kono saw the look of wonder on her friend's face and discreetly took out her cell- instantly cancelling the rest of the viewings, she was certain that Danny had found his home.
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"So how long until it's your's?" Steve asked his best friend as he handed him a beer. This had become routine for the two men pretty quickly once Steve had returned to work. He would arrive home and the two would sit and have a talk and drink their beer, then they would eat dinner before watching whatever was on the television and retiring to their individual beds. Steve generally assisting his still weakened friend up the stairs.
"Said that we are looking at eight to ten weeks for everything to go through- which should fit in well with my surgery and getting back to work" Danny replied, Steve raised his eyebrows in response.
"D I doubt you will be back at work in ten weeks bruh" he commented.
"You just wait and see Steven" Danny replied in a tone that allowed no arguments. "Is it cool for me to stay here until my place will be ready?" Danny asked, suddenly fearful that he would have outstayed his welcome.
"You know you are welcome for as long as you need man" Steve replied, not verbalising his thought that if he had his way Danny would stay with him for forever- for that was the only way that Steve would know that he was safe.
"Thanks man, I cant wait to show you the house" Danny replied, he had instantly told the agent that he wanted to buy the house, and everything was now in place- it was merely a case of waiting for all the legalities to fall into place and then he would have his own home. He knew that Grace would love it, especially the residents pool that she would have access to, hell he might even go in it himself of a morning, swimming had helped him greatly the last time he had surgery for his ACL- not that he had shared that information with Steve.
"I can't wait to see it" Steve replied, although he would miss his friend greatly when he moved out, he was pleased to see him looking so enthusiastic. "What time is your appointment tomorrow?" Steve asked, remembering his friend's check up with the friendly Dr David Hamilton was in the morning.
"9am unfortunately" Danny replied, he hated doctors as much now as he did before, although on a personal level David Hamilton was now considered very much a friend by all of the 5-0 officers he still hated being poked and prodded. Steve chuckled at the response from his friend, who looked very much like a small sulking child at that moment in time.
"It will soon be over with" he commented with a smile. He couldn't wait for this ordeal to finally end for his friend- although he knew that it would only really end when Simon Turner was where he belonged- behind bars or dead after suffering a long and painful death for what he had done to Steve's favourite Jersey native.
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Chin tapped furiously into the computer in front of him. He had finished his shift hours ago, but this work was personal, this was his family and he would do anything he could to solve this case. He sighed in frustration, still no clues as to the whereabouts of Simon Turner- no movement on his bank accounts and no usage of his own passports, if only he could find out the man's alias then he might have a shot at finding him and making him pay. He couldn't give up, as frustrating as it was he had to do it for Danny.
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"Well what's the verdict doc?" Danny asked softly at the end of his examination.
"All looking very good Danny" David replied with a smile, he had become very fond of the detective and was glad to see him healing. "I think it is time to schedule your surgery now Danny, everything is healing nicely so lets get the ball rolling on the final step" he continued. "Come in on Friday morning at 8.30, no eating or drinking after 6pm tomorrow" he told him.
"Wow" Danny commented having not expected it to be quite so soon. David chuckled at his reaction.
"No time like the present is there?" he replied with a smile, and handed the detective a pamphlet for surgical patients. "See you then" he bid the blonde man.
"Thanks doc see you on Friday" he replied and made his way back to where Steve was waiting for him.
"Friday" he told Steve with a grin.
"What's happening Friday?" the seal asked in confusion.
"My knee surgery" Danny replied with a grin.
"Wow!" Steve replied, shocked that his friend would be having the surgery so soon.
"That's what I said" Danny commented with a smile as the two men headed towards where Steve had parked his truck. Danny missed his Camaro, but at the moment he struggled to get in and out of the low seats. "Come on take me to my new home" Danny continued, he had arranged to show his best friend his soon to be new house as soon as they finished at the hospital, and he was excited at the prospect.
"This is beautiful Danny" Steve commented as he parked his truck on the driveway to his friend's new place.
"Thanks man" Danny replied as he lead the seal into the property itself. He loved it just as much this time as he had the first time he had seen it.
"Danny, no offence bruh, but are you sure you can afford this?" Steve asked, the house was lovely and would be perfect for his partner, but he guessed it was close to 250k to buy it. Danny chuckled in response.
"Don't worry Dad!" he replied with a smile, at seeing his friend's genuine concern he continued" My ma gave me a hundred grand when I moved here, it has just been in savings as I wasn't sure I wanted to buy here. I also have fifty grand that I saved up when I worked in Jersey, so it is only a small loan- hardly anything more than my old rent" he replied to reassure the navy seal.
"You have had that much in savings and just sat on it?" Steve asked incredulously.
"How do you think I bought the silver bullet?" Danny asked with a chuckle.
"I assumed it was on loan" Steve replied shaking his head in amazement.
"As if I would let you drive a loan car!" Danny commented with a twinkle in his eye. "Do you like the place?" he asked his friend, unsure when in time his friend's opinion on his life decisions began to matter so much. Steve smiled.
"Yeah bruh, I love it" he replied with a grin, for he truly did love it. He also liked that it was so close to his own house as well, not that he wanted to keep an eye on his partner or anything. Danny took one last glance around, thrilled with his choice. As soon as he moved in he would arrange for a burglar alarm to be fitted, get the decorators in and then be good to go. He actually felt excited about his new life, and the fact that his knee surgery was so much sooner than he had thought it would be was even better. After the few moments the two men left and headed back to Steves place for some lunch, Danny was planning a big meal the following day to tide him over until his hospital appointment and then fingers crossed the last hurdle of his recovery would be overcome.
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Steve couldn't help but pace up and down the small waiting room, he had left his partner in the hands of the surgeons a mere thirty minutes before, but he hated waiting. He had spent far too long in recent times waiting for updates on Dannys condition and he couldnt help the small ripple of fear that ran through him as he waited. He took a sip of the coffee that Emily Hamilton had given him wordlessly with a small grin. He knew that his friend was in the best possible hands, and in his head he knew that his partner would be fine, but he couldn't help but worry.
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"Are you sure?" Chin asked, his full concentration on the phone call he was in the midst of. "You have been a big help, I owe you one" he told the person he was speaking to and grinned as he hung up- finally he was getting somewhere. He took out his cell planning on calling Steve, and remembering just in time that the seal would be at the hospital with Danny so he would have to wait until the boss contacted him with news. Now having some vital information he turned back to the high tech computer system in the main room of the palace and set about searching for the name he had just been given, everything crossed that something would come back on it.
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"Everything went exactly to plan Steve" David Hamilton told the 5-0 commander in front of him with a smile. "You should know that I would never let anything happen to Danny on my watch" he continued teasingly. Steve grinned in response.
"Thanks doc" he replied, relieved that his friend was finally on the end section of his road to recovery.
"My pleasure, he is just being settled into recovery and then you will be able to see him" the doctor told him, pleased that he had brought good news. He had met the somewhat motley crew of 5-0 members in rather unusual circumstances, but somehow he had grown very fond of each one of them, and was incredibly grateful to have met them all.
"Thanks man" Steve replied, sitting back and waiting to see his friend.
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"So you do have a record of them?" Chin asked seriously pursuing his most positive lead yet. "And when did they fly out?" he clarified, rubbing his hand over his face in frustration at how close he had come initially. "Any record of what they did after that?" he asked. "No, that's good. Thank you" he finalised, hanging up the phone before grabbing his gun and heading out of the door to go to the hospital.
End Chapter One