A/N So in the last chapter I had planned on using the whole Shark Week "cargument from the original episode, but as I was writing the Jaws theme got stuck in my head and I had to go with it. By the way Danny's fear of shark attack in a swimming pool comes from personal experience. My advice is don't watch that movie and swim anywhere. Thanks for all the reviews.
Disclaimer: I own nothing. But I can dream.
Steve reached out and grabbed the back of the boat. Up close the two men could see that the boat was a fancy yacht. Danny didn't care what it was as long as it got them out of the small, cramped, leaking dingy. While Steve held them in place Danny turned around and took Grace's small hand. She clutched Steve's sleeveless shirt in her other hand. Carefully, the two stood up. Steve steadied the boat as Danny placed his hands under Grace's arms and lifted her onto the back. He then climbed on himself glad to be out of the dingy.
"I think this dingy belongs to this yacht," Steve commented as he climbed aboard.
"Why would anybody leave this. . ." Danny pointed to the nicer ship, "For that." He pointed a hateful finger at the dingy.
Steve looked around the boat. Most of it was nice, clean, and white which is why the brownish stain at the top of the stairway stood out. Danny couldn't keep Grace from seeing it.
"Daddy what is-" Grace started to say.
Danny cut her off by turning her away from the stain and getting down eye level with her.
"I need you to stay up here. Okay, Monkey?" Danny said in a gentle voice.
Grace wanted to argue. She wanted her daddy to stay with her, but the look on his face stopped her.
"Come here," Danny said lifting her up into a big hug.
Danny kissed the side of her head as he set her down in the passenger chair. Steve walked over and put a hand on Grace's head. The little girl handed him back his shirt. She figured she didn't need it now that they had some shade. He took it and slipped it over his head. She next started to take off her Danno's shirt. Danny stopped her and pulled it back up over her shoulders.
"I'll take it back when we get back to the island."
Steve pointed out to the open ocean.
"Can you be the look out and tell us if you see anything on the water," said Steve.
Grace nodded and then watched the two men descend the stairs into the lower part of the boat.
Danny and Steve cautiously walked down the steps seeing a trail of blood lead to an unmoving figure at the bottom. Steve felt for a pulse even though he knew the man was already dead. Unbelievable, how had their relaxing day of fishing turned into a stressful day of work? Danny saw a bullet shell lying on a near by cabinet top. He walked pass Steve to pick it up.
"Hey Danny, this is an active crime scene put that back."
Danny put it down. "Sorry, Mr. CSI. Next time we're forced off a boat at gun point I'll be sure to grab my rubber gloves in case we come upon a floating crime scene."
He then looked at the row of cabinets that stretched across the wall. His throat was dry from his ranting and the never ending sea air. He was certain that if he felt that way then so did Grace and Steve. Well maybe not Steve. He was probably part camel and could go for weeks without water.
Danny stepped over the dead body and started opening up the cupboards. Most were empty to his disappointment except one. He found an opened case of bottled water. Danny said a silent thank you to whoever might be listening and pulled out three bottles. Steve was about to reprimand Danny for yet again disturbing the crime scene until he saw the water. He gratefully took the bottle. Danny had been wrong about his camel theory.
The blond detective took the two remaining bottles and the stairs two at time up onto the deck. Grace turned from her lookout position glad that her dad was back. She licked her dry lips at the sight of the bottle. Danny pulled the lid off and handed it to her.
"Don't drink it too fast," he cautioned not wanting her to choke as she put it up to her mouth. Danny unscrewed the final lid and took a grateful gulp. He filled his mouth and swished it around before swallowing. He took a few deep breaths before taking another swallow. Steve came back up the stairs, empty bottle in hand. He went over to the steering wheel and started to examine the radio and other instruments.
"Radio's not working, but it looks like the rest of the boat has power," he said as he tried to start up the engine. Nothing.
"So are we still stranded?" asked Danny even though he could see as well as Steve that the boat was not starting.
Danny felt a small hand slip into his. He looked down and saw that Grace had joined him by his side.
"Are we going to die out here?" Grace asked in a tiny melancholy voice.
The words broke Danny's heart. The thought had passed through his mind, but hearing his daughter say it was gut wrenching.
"No honey, we're just stuck still," said Steve coming to Danny's rescue, "I'll go take a look at the engine and see if I can fix it, and if nothing else someone is bound to come looking for this boat. Right?"
Grace nodded. Danny had been at a loss for words and was grateful to Steve even if he was an ass sometimes. Danny took Grace over to the passenger chair. He sat down and hoisted Grace onto his lap. He wrapped his arms around her waist and she leaned her head against his shoulder. Danny winced a bit as his shoulder stung with a sunburn. Grace put her hands on top of her father's. The pair watched as Steve disappeared down below.