A/N: I really really really didn't intend to go so long without posting, but anyone else out there who has chosen a profession in education knows that this time of year can be really difficult discipline wise in the classroom. Think of it as spending around seven and a half hours trying to herd a bunch of cats. I have been completely wiped out every day after work this week. Three weeks to go. Needless to say I am still going to try to post another chapter later this week. Thanks to all who have read and enjoyed the story thus far.
Disclaimer: I don't own H50.
Day 4: Evening
Danny waited anxiously as Grace, still unconscious, lay unmoving in the MRI machine. Danny nervously tapped his foot as he watched the large machine take images of his daughter's brain. Steve was with him for moral support. Chin, Kono, and Catherine were all out in the waiting room. They were happy to let HPD take and book Erika Turner. An HPD detective was going to interrogate her about all the crimes she was thought to have committed including attacking Danny, kidnapping Grace, killing Jason Cortman, and attacking members of Five-0 with a baseball bat. If nothing else she would be going away to a prison or mental institution for the rest of her life.
When Danny had arrived with Grace at the hospital he had talked to the doctor about what had happened at Erika's house and Steve's theory about the taser causing her memory loss. After the doctor assured him some research would be done Danny brought up his second concern about his daughter waking up suddenly and having a fit because she wouldn't know what was going on and wouldn't recognize anyone around her. The doctor offered to give her a little something to help her relax. One side effect is that she would remain asleep for several more hours. Danny agreed knowing it would be easier for the doctor and his staff to examine her. Later on when the doctor requested that Grace have an MRI Danny was confident that he had made the right choice. The detective didn't want Grace to wake up inside the machine. She would probably end up hurting herself and have to be restrained. The last thing Danny wanted to see or that Grace needed right now was to be strapped down to a bed.
A little while later Grace was wheeled out of the room. Danny hurried to her side while Steve took a position on the other side. As the bed was wheeled down the hallway Grace's doctor came out to join them.
Danny stopped and turned to Steve.
"Will you go with her?" he asked.
Steve nodded and accompanied the gurney down the hallway.
"So I had my staff do a bit of research and we couldn't find anything that links being hit with a taser to memory loss," the doctor said.
Danny nodded his head, but said nothing as he sensed the doctor had more to tell him on the subject.
"However we also couldn't find any accounts of a child as young as Grace being hit with one either so I suppose the possibility is there there that the taser caused your daughter's memory loss. We've run what tests we can on her head and will discuss those results with you as soon as we can."
"Thanks," Danny said looking from the doctor to where Steve and Grace had disappeared to.
The detective reached out his hand and shook the doctor's. Danny gave the doc a grateful smile and took off down the corridor.
Grace had already been moved into a bed when Danny walked through the door. Steve was sitting in a chair next to her and holding her hand. He got up and joined Danny at the door. Danny requested that he go and get the rest of their friends from the waiting area. Steve complied and left.
Danny walked over to his daughter's side and looked down at her. She seemed to be resting comfortably thanks to the senitive she had been given. Danny couldn't help, but remember how upset and confused Grace had been before she had fainted. He wanted her little body to rest. He also felt like he needed to try and sort things out in his own head about what he should say and how best to interact with his child when she woke up.
Danny's team arrived and he filled them in on what the doctor had told him. All listened quietly and waited for Danny to tell them what he need them to do next. Danny looked at his team with tears in his eyes trying to form the words that he wanted to tell them. The other four members of Five-0 surrounded their friend and wrapped him up in a supportive group hug.
"Thank you," Danny finally managed to choke out, "Thank you for everything."
They pulled apart after a minute.
"I think now what I need. . .well what Grace needs is me. And for now only me while she and I try to figure all this out. I don't want to scare and overwhelm her more than she already is," Danny said quietly.
He hated asking his friends to leave. They had been just as worried about Grace and worked hard to bring her back to him. To his relief he saw nothing, but support from his team.
"Is there anything we can get for you?" Catherine asked as Steve put an arm around her shoulders.
Danny thought it over for a minute.
"A change of clothes. . .for both of us?"
Steve and Catherine nodded.
Danny then turned to Chin and Kono.
"When Grace gets discharged I would really like to take her home. Can you find out the status of my house?" he requested.
Chin and Kono both nodded then walked over to say good bye to Grace. Both bent down and gave her a kiss on the forehead as well as telling her to feel better soon. Steve and Catherine would be back in a little bit with what Danny had asked for so they would save their final farewells for then.
Danny took in a deep breath as the door to Grace's hospital room closed. He turned slowly and walked over to Grace's bedside. He took the seat that Steve had occupied just minutes ago.
Hesitantly, Danny picked up Grace's hand. Part of him was worried that the action would wake Grace up. His heart clenched as he remembered the terrified look on her face when he had approached her earlier in the day. Danny never wanted to see an expression like that on Grace's face ever again. How was he going to keep that from happening? How was he going to convince his daughter to trust him?
Danny knew that when he became a parent over eleven years ago that his child wouldn't come with a guide, but he had managed. He had gotten through his divorce, survived a move across the the country, and had done well as a single parent. But this? He never imagined he'd have to convince Grace of who she was and what she meant to him.
Danny stroked Grace's hand as his mind contemplated his predicament. A thought crossed his mind as he watched Grace's chest rise and fall with breaths. Danny began talking to Grace as though she were awake and listening. He told her how much he loved her and how he couldn't imagine his life without her. He reminisced about the day she had been born and tried to put into words how he had felt when he had held her for the first time as a tiny baby. It had been a long time since he had thought about that himself. As nervous as he was about becoming a father he couldn't believe how completely in love he was with the baby girl that lay in his arms. He told her about every memory he could conjure up.
After a little bit Danny felt his eyelids begin to grow heavy. He hadn't had a full night's sleep since he had been at Steve's place. He had caught a few hours here and there, but it wouldn't be long before he would wake with fear and worry of not knowing his daughter's whereabouts. Now that she was here in front of him and safe he could feel his body begin to relax a little bit. Although, he had a new set of problems to deal with now she was back where she belonged. Danny finally gave into his fatigue and closed his eyes with Grace's hand still in his.
H50
Steve and Catherine hated to wake the exhausted man, but thought he might like to catch a quick shower before they left for the night. After stretching his stiff body he thought the suggestion was a good one and disappeared into the bathroom leaving Grace with Steve and Catherine. Steve took over Danny's chair and holding Grace's hand. Catherine watched his interactions with the little girl closely. She knew Steve cared for Grace almost as if she were his own daughter. The pair sat in silence and watched over the sleeping girl.
Danny emerged from the bathroom with wet, but slicked back hair wearing the clean clothes. He looked refreshed as well as if some of his burden had been lifted. He reached into the bag and pulled out a cute yellow and orange sun dress for Grace. Danny gave Steve and Catherine a look when he saw that the garment had a tag on it. Steve held up his hands defensively and pointed his head in Catherine's direction. She gave Danny a smile and told him she had had a lot of fun shopping for it.
"Erika didn't leave much at your house and what was found at her place had been taken as evidence in the case. Steve and I will do what we can to try and get some of it back for her," Catherine said, "If not I would love to take her shopping. . .you know if she feels up for it."
Danny gave Catherine a warm smile and thanked her. The dating couple then got up. Catherine leaned down and stroked the side of Grace's face before kissing her cheek.
"Feel better soon, Gracie," she whispered.
Steve brought Grace's hand to his lips and kissed the back of it. He then stroked the side of her head and told her that he loved her. Steve then turned to Danny and wrapped him up in one more hug.
"If you need anything, please call," Steve said, "And if you want to bring Gracie over to the house for whatever reason you are both welcome for as long as you need to stay."
Danny thanked his friends one more time for everything they had done. The pair then turned to leave.
"Whoa, Steve hold up," Danny said when they got to the door.
The SEAL turned and faced his friend to see what he needed. Danny held out his hand.
"Keys."
Steve gave Danny a half smile as he fished the Camaro keys out of his pocket.
"It's in the parking lot brah," Steve said.
With that Steve and Catherine walked out of the room leaving Danny and Grace alone.
A/N: So I actually did do some research to see if I could find any young kids who had been hit with a taser before. The youngest I found was 14 years old. So I don't know if a taser could cause loss or not, but the idea of it has made this story possible. As I said I hope to post again this week before the weekend. There is a good possibility. I am taking Friday off for a doctor's appointment so that will lessen the stress load a bit. Thanks for reading and please review.
