Disclaimer: Hawaii 5-0 and characters belong to CBS, only the story is mine.

Thoughts: italics

Hihia Hopena

It was one o'clock and court was back in session.

Judge Keahi began. "Call your next witnesses Mr. Houseman."

"I call as my next witness Dr. Kalea Tam the court-appointed child psychologist."

A lovely Hawaiian woman of indeterminate age walked from the back of the courtroom to the witness stand to be sworn in. Bill had assured Danny that Dr. Tam was very good as well as very fair. Her only concern was the welfare of the child, not social standing or wealth of the parents.

Once she was seated Bill strode up to the witness stand ready for questioning. "Dr. Tam, you were asked to speak with Grace Williams recently. Could you tell us why you were asked to speak with Ms. Williams?"

"I was asked to speak with Grace Williams by this court to determine whether or not Detective William's right to see his daughter should continue. The mother felt that Grace was in danger when she spent time with Detective Williams."

Bill stepped back a pace before posing his next question. "Would you please tell this court your findings Dr. Tam?"

Dr. Tam inclined her head as she spoke. "I found Grace to be a well-adjusted child considering her parent's divorce and mother's remarriage. Detective Williams dotes on his daughter. She displays no fear of her father, as a matter of fact she chatted quite animatedly about the time they spend together. Grace looks forward to the time she spends with just him or when they do things with his teammates. She is also very confident in the knowledge that her father loves her, and would do whatever he could to protect her. This is in spite of misleading information given to Grace by Mrs. Edwards. I found no evidence in her behavior or words that would indicate that Detective Williams has ever tried to harm his daughter. On the contrary, he seems to be a loving and devoted father. It is my professional opinion that it would be detrimental to Ms. William's emotional well-being to keep father and daughter apart indefinitely."

Bill asked for clarification. "So, Mrs. Edwards attempt to make Grace think Detective Williams no longer wanted to see her seems to have been negated. She still believes that her father loves her. I'm curious, did Mrs. Edwards effort have any impact on Grace?"

Dr. Tam nodded her head as she answered. "Yes. Mrs. Edwards attempt had the opposite effect of what I believed she intended. Grace does not trust her mother anymore. Her mother lied to her. Something both her mother and father have told her is wrong. Now Grace wonders what else her mother may have lied to her about. Grace told me about the conversation she had with Cmdr. McGarrett who tried to explain why her mother lied to her. He did a remarkable job giving Grace an explanation, of a difficult concept, that made her mother seem human rather than cruel. As a result, Grace understands that her mother wasn't deliberately trying to hurt Grace. Nevertheless, in the end Mrs. Edwards did hurt Grace deeply. As I said earlier, the result of the hurt has caused Grace to lose trust in her mother." Rachel listened to the woman in shock. She did what was best for Grace, why would Grace not trust her anymore?

Bill pursed his lips when she finished. "Thank you for that explanation. Moving on, I would like your opinion on something Dr. Tam. The reason behind this custody suit is that Mrs. Edwards believes that it is dangerous for Grace to be around Detective Williams. Not because he is personally a danger to Grace but because he is a police officer, an occupation which is dangerous for him and possibly his family. She also maintains that danger follows him around. Such as the situation at the football game discussed in this courtroom. Which would be more harmful to Grace, having her father taken out of her life while he is still alive, or the possible dangers that his work might present to her?"

Dr. Tam thought about Bill's question a moment or two before responding. "Police work can be dangerous; however, one could be hit by a car when crossing the street. My father died of Pancreatic Cancer. Life is unpredictable and taking Detective Williams, a devoted and loving father, away from his daughter because of what ifs would damage Ms. Williams emotionally. Damage from which she might not recover."

"Thank you Dr. Tam. No more questions Your Honor."

Judge Keahi looked up from his notes. "Thank you Mr. Houseman. Your witness Mr. Blakely."

Blakely stood up. "No questions Your Honor." He sat back down knowing the case was lost. He knew Dr. Tam's reputation was one of the best in her field. She had also destroyed Rachel's argument by simply stating that Grace would be destroyed by losing time with Detective Williams, which outweighed the what ifs of Detective Williams work. It had also become apparent to him that Houseman's witnesses were better than his and he had been unable to trip up their testimony. Unlike Houseman who had been able to turn Rachel's testimony against her.

Rachel stared at Blakely in shock while Stan continued to look forward. She couldn't believe that their lawyer was giving up. He was being paid good money to make sure that Danny would lose his visitation rights. Rachel had refused to believe Cmdr. McGarrett's and Blakely's warnings that she had a very slim chance of winning. Couldn't anyone understand she was trying to protect her daughter from being hurt?

"You may step down Dr. Tam." Judge Keahi waited until Dr. Tam had returned to her seat. "Do you have any more witnesses Mr. Houseman before I have Grace Williams brought forward?"

Bill stood up before answering. "No Your Honor."

Judge Keahi looked around the courtroom before he spoke to the bailiff. "Please bring Ms. Williams to my chambers so that I may talk to her in private. Ms. Kahele, would you please join me so that Ms. Williams will feel more comfortable speaking with me?" The bailiff moved to comply with the order.

Ms. Kahele stood up. "I would be glad to Your Honor."

"Thank you, Ms. Kahele. Court will be in recess for 30 minutes." He banged his gavel and headed to his chambers followed by Ms. Kahele.

Danny looked over at Rachel's table to see her having a quiet but heated argument with Blakely. Danny looked over his shoulder when he felt a familiar hand land on his shoulder.

Steve smirked and said quietly. "I bet she's telling him off for not cross-examining Dr. Tam. I get the impression that she refuses to believe that she's in the wrong and that she can still win full custody."

Danny looked at his friend, he was still afraid. "You really think that I've won this case?"

Bill answered. "You have Danny. It could have gone either way until the judge learned about Mrs. Edward's lies to Grace. He's a tough judge to read, but I definitely saw a brief frown form on his face. He definitely did not approve of Mrs. Edward's actions. I think speaking to Grace is a matter of formality. Personally, I think that the only thing that Judge Keahi will be thinking about tonight is at least an increase in your visitation rights. My opinion is that you will win joint custody, giving you more say over what happens to Grace and more time with her."

Steve squeezed Danny's shoulder. "Listen to the man Danny. He's been doing this for several years now. Besides he would never lie to a client, especially a friend of mine. I'd knock him on his six if he did." Danny laughed in spite of himself. "I'm going to get you a bottle of water. You try and relax Danny." Steve headed out of the courtroom leaving room for Danny's parents to speak with him quietly.

Thirty minutes later, Judge Keahi returned and court was back in session.

"Mr. Houseman, do you have anything further to add?" Judge Keahi asked.

Bill stood up. "I don't have any witnesses, but I do have a letter that I was asked to give to you which is pertinent to this case." The judge nodded at the bailiff who moved to take the letter from Bill and give it to the judge.

Judge Keahi read the letter. He looked faintly surprised as he did so. When he was finished he looked at Bill. "Do you have your copy of this letter Mr. Houseman?"

"I do Your Honor."

"Please read it to the court." Judge Keahi sat back in his seat so that he could watch the reactions of the plaintiff and defendant.

Bill pulled out his copy and stood up. The letter reads as follows:

To the Honorable Judge presiding over the custody of Grace Williams:

My name is Patricia Morgan. I am the mother of Rachel Edwards, nee Morgan. Unfortunately, due to illness I am unable to speak to you person. Therefore, I wrote this letter and had it notarized. I will be honest with you, Your Honor; I do not like my former son-in-law Daniel Williams. I did not think that he and my daughter were right for each other. Yes, Daniel, I said each other. Rachel was not cut out to be a police officer's wife, and Daniel is too good at what he does to be forced to change careers. As it turns out I was right. But that is not the matter before this court today. Despite my dislike of Daniel Williams as a son-in-law, I have never been in doubt that he is an excellent father to my granddaughter Grace. I believe my daughter is making a mistake in trying to take Grace away from Daniel, and I told her so, more than once. Therefore, I urge this court to keep Daniel in Grace's life. A child needs both parents, and Grace, who is definitely a daddy's girl, needs her father. I hope that I did not shock you too much Daniel. You are a good father. Take good care of my granddaughter for me, please.

Sincerely,

Patricia Morgan

A cricket noise maker would have been loud in the shocked silence that greeted the end of the letter. Steve looked at Rachel and wanted to laugh at the ugly scowl on her face.

Judge Keahi spoke into the silence. "Thank you Mr. Housemen. Do either of you gentlemen have anything else to add?"

"No Your Honor." Answered both lawyers.

"Very well. I would like to hear your closing argument Mr. Blakely."

Blakely stood up as he addressed the judge. "Thank you Your Honor. The sole concern of my client is the safety and well-being of her daughter. Mrs. Edwards firmly believes because Detective William's line of work is highly dangerous, it places their daughter in harm's way. Therefore she maintains that her daughter would be safer if interactions between Grace and Detective Williams are severed, or subject to court approved supervision when father and daughter get together. Thank you Your Honor." He returned to his seat ignoring the glare he was receiving from Rachel Edwards. She still did not seem to understand that the case was lost, and no amount of money would change that fact. Denial, even the smart ones can be victimized by it. Stan, a good businessman, on the other hand knew that it was over.

Judge Keahi made some notes before turning his attention to Bill. "Please present your closing statement Mr. Houseman."

Bill stood, straightening his jacket. Thank you Your Honor. I cannot dispute the dangerous nature of Detective William's work; nor have I tried to do that in this courtroom. The danger inherent to police officers can be directed at an officer's family, it has happened. I have not contested this fact either. However, I believe I have shown that Grace can face danger from being the step-daughter of a rich man. Cmdr. McGarrett's testimony demonstrates that extortionists will kidnap family members in order to demand money for their safe return." Bill paused for a moment to let that statement settle. "So the danger presented by Detective William's profession is similar to that of people with money. Therefore, Mrs. Edwards's argument against Detective Williams seems to be moot. I believe that the focus should be on Detective Williams ability as a father, and whether he should remain in his daughter's life." Bill paced a few steps before continuing. "I believe that the testimony provided during this case demonstrates that Detective Williams is a devoted and loving father. He will do what it takes to protect Grace. Most importantly, it would be detrimental to Grace Williams to take away her father's visitation rights. In conclusion, I ask that this court rule in Detective William's favor. Thank you Your Honor." Bill returned to his seat.

Judge Keahi looked at Detective Williams and Mr. and Mrs. Edwards after completing his notes. "We will recess until tomorrow at 9 AM. I will render my decision then. Court dismissed." He banged his gavel and left the courtroom as everyone rose.

Danny slumped into his seat with a groan once the judge left the room. He was utterly exhausted. He looked over at Rachel and could see that she and Blakely were having another argument. Stan was staying out of it. Smart man, he thought.

He looked up when Steve put a comforting hand on his back. "How are you holding up Danny?"

Danny's hands moved in agitation as he spoke. "I think I'm still in shock over the letter from Rachel's mother. She absolutely hated me when we met. She didn't hide it either. Now she sends this letter urging the court to let me stay in Grace's life. I don't get it."

Steve patted his back in understanding. "You weren't the only one shocked. You should have seen Rachel's face when Bill finished. Wish I'd had a camera." He snickered.

"Was it that good?" Danny asked, a small smile forming.

Steve laughed. "I think it was a cross between shock and anger. It was ugly. I've seen animal butts that were pretty compared to her face."

Danny choked on air before laughing with everyone else. Once Danny's laughter subsided to chuckles he said. "Thanks partner. I needed that."

"Anytime, kaikua'anna, anytime." Steve replied, still snickering.

TBC

A/N: I had the judge meet Grace in a separate room. If I remember correctly, this is done to prevent either parent from applying pressure on the child. I wasn't sure if the lawyers had to be present, but I felt that Grace should have someone there with her. That's why I picked Julie Kahele, someone Grace knows and has demonstrated that she has Grace's best interest at heart. If I'm wrong please let me know and if I can I'll fix it. Thanks for reading.

Hopena: ending