Danny awoke the next morning to the sound of his alarm going off, and as he stretched, he was greeted by stiff muscles and sore body parts. He took a look at his wrapped wrist and remembered his game of football and visit to the hospital the day before.

The fact that he'd gone to the hospital reminded him of his guest, and Danny looked over at the small body laying next to him, still asleep.

Danny ran the fingers of his good hand through the boy's black hair.

"Daniel," he said softly. "Daniel, it's time to wake up. Come on, buddy. Open your eyes."

A few seconds passed before Daniel's eyes flickered open. For a moment he looked as though he had no idea where he was, then reality set in as a look of recognition crossed his face.

"Good morning. Would you like some breakfast?" Danny asked. "I'm not much of a breakfast person myself, but I can fix you a couple eggs, and I've got some juice you can have."

The cop eased himself out of bed and groaned in pain as he stood. "I'm never playing football with Kono again."

He limped into the kitchen and reached into the refrigerator for a pair of eggs. He passed the coffee pot and cut it on as he walked to where he kept his frying pans.

As he placed the pan on the stove, Danny wondered how Daniel ate his eggs, or if he even liked them. He turned and saw the boy sitting at the kitchen table, still holding his teddy bear.

"How would you like your eggs - fried, scrambled, poached?"

The only response Danny received was a yawn.

All right, then. "Okay…well, why don't I scramble them for you? Go get dressed and put your pajamas away. I'll call you when breakfast is ready."

Just as quietly as ever, the boy stood to do as he was asked. Danny watched him leave the room and sighed as he thought, This is going to be a long day.

He reached into a cabinet for a small bowl and cracked the eggs into it. Swiftly beating them with a whisk, Danny poured them into the pan. Next he opened the refrigerator and pulled out a carton of orange juice. Reaching into another cabinet, Danny pulled out a plate and a glass for the boy and a coffee cup for himself.

He checked the eggs, then poured some juice into the glass. Glancing at the coffee pot, he saw that it wasn't quite ready yet. He went to the silverware drawer and pulled out a fork.

Five minutes later, Danny called Daniel back into the kitchen. As the boy sat down, Danny placed the plate, the fork, and the glass on the table.

"Be careful. The eggs are hot, so be sure you blow on them to cool them off," Danny stated as he walked over to the coffee pot to fill his cup. He then joined Daniel at the table.

"How did you sleep?" he asked.

No answer.

"Did you have any dreams last night?"

Silence.

"Yeah…me neither." Danny sat quietly as he sipped his coffee and watched the boy eat his breakfast.

Danny soon stood and walked to the sink where he placed his empty cup. He said, "I need to get dressed for work. When you're done eating, you can put your dishes in the sink, okay? I'll be ready in about fifteen minutes, then we'll leave."

xXxXx

Danny soon reentered the living room and saw Daniel waiting on the couch. "So…do you have any books or toys to take with you? I don't want you to get bored today."

He watched as Daniel reached into his bookbag, pulled out some papers and crayons, and put them back after Danny nodded his approval.

Danny couldn't help but smile at the sight of the crayons. He was taken back to his own childhood; he'd loved to draw as a kid. The crayons gave him an idea for another attempt to get Daniel to talk.

"I take it you like to draw."

Nothing.

"What's your favorite kind of picture to color?"

Still no response.

Danny sighed. "Maybe after supper tonight, we can draw together. Would you like that?"

For the first time since meeting Daniel, Danny thought he saw a hint of a smile cross the boy's face.

He smiled back as he briefly placed a hand on Daniel's shoulder. "We'll plan on doing that. Zip up your bag and let's go."

Living around the corner from where he'd met Kono, Danny hadn't bothered to drive the night before, so his car was still in the parking lot. As he made his way to the vehicle, with Daniel following along behind him, Danny's thoughts turned to that glimpse of a smile he saw on the boy's face.

Maybe I'll get him to talk after all.

xXxXx

Until Mr. Williams had offered to draw with him, Daniel hadn't been really sure how the adult felt about having him around. Daniel had figured Mr. Williams was being nice because he had to be. But how many grownups offer to draw with a kid they hardly know, just to be nice?

He really wanted his mom and the baby to come back from wherever they were, and he also wanted his dad to come home again. But Mr. Williams wasn't so bad. Daniel kind of liked staying with him, and even though he was still too shy to talk, maybe he could find another way to tell Mr. Williams he wanted to be friends.

xXxXx

Danny and his tag-along shadow soon entered the front office for Five-O, and he greeted the secretary.

"Good morning, Jenny. Steve and Kono in yet?"

"They're both in Steve's office, waiting for you." Jenny responded. "Boy, I thought Kono was only joking about giving you a black eye. Those scratches on your cheek just make it look worse."

"Thanks, Jenny; I appreciate your sympathy," Danny said wryly. "Listen, did Steve fill you in on my…situation at home?" He turned so she could see Daniel standing behind him.

"Yes, he did. This is the boy that's staying with you?"

Danny nodded. "His name is Daniel Yamauchi, and he won't be in trouble. He's brought some things to keep himself entertained, and" - Danny lowered his voice - "so far he hasn't said a word."

He turned his gaze to the little boy. "Daniel, this is Miss Jenny. She's going to keep an eye on you while I'm working today. If you need anything, let her know, all right?"

Danny smiled and mouthed a quiet "thank you" to Jenny before going into Steve's office.

xXxXx

Steve and Kono both turned as Danny entered the room.

"Morning, Danno," Steve stated. "How are the injuries?"

"Well, they're not gone yet. I'm still pretty sore, but I'll survive. Kono, have you heard anything back from Sgt. Yamauchi?"

"Not so far. How's Daniel?"

"Quiet," Danny stated matter-of-factly. "I feel so bad for this kid; he ended up sharing my bed last night, and he cried himself to sleep. I wish I knew what I could do to help him."

Steve said, "Danno, you're giving him exactly what he needs right now-a place where he can feel safe and cared for until his father can come home again. I know it's not easy, but don't give up just yet. Keep trying to get him to open up to you."

Danny nodded. "Got it. So, what's on the agenda for today?"

Just as Steve opened his mouth to respond, his phone buzzed.

He punched the intercom button. "Yes, Jenny?"

"Telephone for Kono, Boss."

"Thanks, Jenny," the big man responded as he reached to take the call.