I know. It's Tuesday, not Monday. Have a good excuse for not posting yesterday. The Muse. That's it, just the crazy muse.

There just wasn't a good place to break this chapter, so you get a long one for your reading pleasure. It's time to find out what Derrick's been upset about and what they're going to do with Wendy!

Thank you, Phoebe, for your fantastic suggestions. I love my beta... :-)

***H-5-0***

Wendy stood there terrified. Commander McGarrett was even more intimidating than Captain Grover. She literally shook. Her father had his arm around her, providing some support, but he knew his daughter needed to face this and 'fess up'.

"Ms. Walken, you have exactly one chance, and one chance only, to make this right. If you lie now or try to be evasive, I will not give you any breaks. Do you understand?" Steve focused solely on Wendy, his face stone cold, eyes digging into her soul.

"I'mmm nn…ot surr…ee… whh…tt… you… mean," she stammered. Her father's grip on her arm tightened, sure to leave bruises.

"Ms. Walken… you are a smart girl. You know exactly what this is about. I'll repeat. You have one chance and it is here and now." Nodding at Chin, Steve called Renee on his cell phone as he waited for Wendy's answer. Everyone in the area stood completely still, watching and wondering what she was going to do.

Wendy thought about her options quickly. She couldn't bolt – there were too many people AND her father. Wasn't going to happen. Tell another lie? No, that wasn't going to work either. Cry? Maybe that would buy her some sympathy votes. Yeah, she could try that.

In the few seconds she took, Steve had talked to Renee and sent Chin to bring the video to the hospital. Nobody but Steve and Lou knew about the contents of the video quite yet.

Starting to cry, Wendy began her confession. Even though she twisted some facts to make it appear more like Luvie's idea to go near the ski boat, she did admit they caused the accident. Starting out with a fake cry, by the end of her story, she was bawling. And it wasn't fake. She was scared out of her mind.

Kono took Wendy into custody, placing her in handcuffs and reading her rights to her. This was Steve's idea. Wendy needed to understand the seriousness of her actions and he was going to make her sweat. All of this intended to make an impact, it did. Grace and Derrick, stunned to say the least, were very, very quiet. Wendy, not only scared, was embarrassed and uncomfortable in the cuffs. Her crying, probably for the first time in her life, was real.

Crestfallen, Mr. Walken had agreed to meet with Steve and Lou privately to discuss Wendy's situation. He had eschewed getting his lawyer because he wanted to avoid that if he could. Instinctually, he knew Steve to be an honorable man and he decided to trust him. Afterwards, walking out of the conference room, the three men approached Kono and Wendy.

"Kono, please take Grace and Derrick to the cafeteria. We have some important things to discuss with Ms. Walken." Steve's demeanor serious, his voice was firm.

Robert's face displayed a variety of emotions, not the least of all regret. He spoke softly to his daughter and rubbed her arm in an attempt to calm her. He knew she was going to be more than a little upset at what he and the Commander had agreed to.

"Ms. Walken, please come with us." Steve treated her like he would treat any criminal. No nonsense. Here was one man she wouldn't be able to manipulate. He led the way to the private conference room, grateful the hospital allowed them to use their premises for police work.

Sitting at the large table, a cuffed Wendy next to her father and Steve at the head of the table, Steve laid out the consequences of her actions. Turning on a portable tape recorder provided by hospital personnel, he began.

"Ms. Walken, I am going to ask you some very specific questions about what happened on the afternoon of Saturday, March 21, 2015. This conversation will be recorded. Do you understand?"

"Yes." Wendy responded. No evasion, no superlatives, no exaggeration. She finally understood she wasn't getting out of this.

Steve proceeded to expertly question her about the specifics of the accident. A few things changed in her story as she realized she needed to be honest. She acknowledged she was the one who made the decision to check out the ski boat. She admitted she did not have a certificate to jet ski, although she stated she had no idea she needed one. After 30 minutes of intense questioning, the facts of the case documented, the recorder turned off, she sighed in relief. Her father's tension subsided, just a little. He knew what was coming and he was afraid for his daughter.

"Okay, Wendy. May I call you Wendy?" Steve asked. Wendy simply nodded, feeling that the worst was over.

"Here are the next steps in your arrest." Wendy's face blanched. Mr. Walken showed no reaction.

"Because you are under 18, you will be incarcerated in the juvenile wing of Honolulu's jail until tomorrow morning, when you will appear before the magistrate. Based on your statement and the recording taken just now, he or she will make a judgment as to whether to prosecute or not."

"Buttt… whhyyyy… doo… I have… toooo… go… to… jail?" Now stuttering, Wendy clung to her father in absolute, total fear. He wanted to hug her so badly and tell her everything was going to be okay, but he had agreed to Commander McGarrett's suggestions to get Wendy to understand the seriousness of her actions.

"Daddy?"

"Sweetheart, there are no other options. Because you lied, Commander McGarrett doesn't trust that you won't try to leave the house if he allowed me to take you home. I'm afraid you're going to spend the night in jail. It's just one night, if everything works out tomorrow morning."

"What do mean if everything works out tomorrow morning? What if it doesn't? Dad?" Sweating, face white as a sheet and lips quivering, Wendy didn't know what to do. She was even more scared when two police officers knocked on the conference room door.

"Hello Officers Kanaki and Jones. Please escort Ms. Wendy Walken to the HPD jail and have her processed as a juvenile. She will be spending the night and will appear in court tomorrow morning." Steve showed no emotion, no sympathy, no nothing.

"Daddy? Daddy?" Wendy was nearly crying again as Mr. Walken watched his daughter being taken away.

"I'll be there in the morning, Wendy." Robert desperately tried to hold it together. He heard her sobbing as the officers escorted her out.

Sitting down at the table and putting his head in his hands, he let out an anguished sound. Steve, no longer in 'intimidating Commander' mode, went to him and placed his hands on his shoulders.

"I'm sorry I had to handle it this way, Mr. Walken, but I don't believe Wendy would get the message any other way. It also gives me time to put my suggestions together for her punishment before court tomorrow. I know who's on the bench and she is excellent with youth. I will make sure she gets my notes ahead of time. I believe she'll accept the deal we propose." Steve felt badly for the man, but he felt worse for Danny and Luvie.

"Go home and try to get some sleep. Your wife is going to need your support, too. Trust me. Nothing bad is going to happen to Wendy, but she does have some lessons to learn."

Nodding, Mr. Walken pushed back from the table, locked sad eyes with Steve briefly and walked slowly out the door to the passenger elevators.

Watching him, Steve felt a pang of sympathy for the man.

/*/*/*/

During the short ride home, Derrick was quiet, thinking. Lou kept stealing surreptitious looks at this son while he drove. What a day! I'm giving Renee the biggest kiss she's ever had when I get home. So grateful that she found the definitive video proving that Wendy and Luvie lied about the accident gave him some peace. He knew the rest of the team felt better, too. They were all still worried about Danny, but at least they didn't have the accident hanging over their heads anymore.

When he got home, the first thing he was going to do, after kissing his wife, was back up that video. After viewing it with Steve, Chin and Mr. Walken at the hospital, he had agreed to take the original to Duke in the morning. Rightfully in charge of the investigation, HPD could wrap this up in no time. Looking at his son again, he was surprised to see a very serious expression on his face.

"Hey, you… what's going on in that head of yours?"

"Huh?" Derrick startled, bringing his gaze back from looking out the window to his dad's face.

"What are you thinking so hard about?" Lou asked.

Only briefly pausing, Derrick said quietly, "Dad, can we stop somewhere and talk? Maybe a restaurant or an overlook or something?"

Lou's expression immediately changed to one of concern. "What's wrong, Derrick?"

"I just need to talk to you. I don't want anybody else there. Okay?" Derrick's sad face made his dad's stomach flip flop.

"Sure. Let's stop at the Coconut Head Diner. Is that all right?"

"That'd be great, Dad." Derrick smiled at his father. Lou knew that the Coconut Head was a favorite of his son's and it was on the way home.

Pulling into the parking lot of the small restaurant, Lou turned off the engine, hesitating before getting out of the SUV. Reaching over to his son, he put his hand on his arm. With a sixth sense, he knew Derrick planned on telling him what had been bothering him. Lou was glad they were alone and it would just be father and son.

"Come on, Mr. Grover, let's go grab some grub." Lou jovially joked with his son, patting his arm as he climbed out of the vehicle. He pushed the key fob to lock the doors, Derrick joining him as they sauntered into the restaurant side by side.

/*/*/*/

"Dad, I know I've been acting weird," Derrick started as the waitress brought their drinks to the table. Stopping only for a second, Derrick cleared his throat.

"I'm not sure where to start," Derrick stumbled. Lou once again reached over and placed his large hand on his son's arm.

"Don't try to be perfect, just let it roll. I'm sure I'll figure it out as you go," Lou smiled at him.

"I don't want you to get mad at me," Derrick stated looking down at the table.

"Derrick, you are my son and I love you. No matter what, you can always talk to me, okay?" Lou gently encouraged him.

Taking a deep breath, Derrick started again. "Okay. Here goes. You know when Sam was taken and put in a cage by that guy? And then she saw him get killed?"

Lou nodded his head, not sure how Samantha fit into this picture, but he patiently waited his son out.

"Well, she was a mess when you brought her home. Remember?"

How could Lou forget? The worry and stress of what happened to Samantha almost killed him. He remembered crying, slumped against a car and Danny consoling him. One of the worst moments in his life.

"Yeah, she was," Lou admitted.

"She still is," Derrick once again looked down at the table.

"Really? What makes you think that?" his father stared at him.

"She goes crazy over the littlest things – like seeing a spider." Derrick paused, taking a sip of water, and continued, "When I fell skiing… when I got on the boat after, she was totally out of it. She was spacey and shaking."

"Well, it was a pretty traumatic accident, Derrick. Not the least of which, both she and I were worried about you."

"Yeah, I guess," Derrick sighed.

"What do you mean, you guess? Of course we were worried." Lou tried to stifle his burgeoning anger. How could his son think he and Sam weren't scared for him?

"Dad, I was the one in trouble. I'm the one who fell. Not her. You ran to her and hugged her. Always her. She stubs her toe. You run. She has a pimple. You run. She's like the only person you pay any attention to." The words came tumbling out. It had been building up for so long, he just had to let it all out. Damn the consequences of what his father thought.

Lou sat in stunned silence. He had no idea his son felt this way. Deep emotions skirted across his face.

"Oh, Derrick. I never wanted you to feel like I didn't care. Sam went through something awful that most people will never have to face."

"I know," he sighed. "That's why it's hard to talk about this. I feel bad for being so mad." Hanging his head, Derrick poked at his food with a fork. Neither he nor his dad had looked up when the waitress delivered their plates.

"Why are you mad?" Lou asked.

"Because you care more about her than you do me." Fighting tears, Derrick avoided his dad's eyes.

"I am so dumb," Lou sighed. "So, so dumb."

"What? No you're not, Dad. You're one of the smartest guys I know," Derrick challenged him.

"Not in this instance," Lou said shaking his head. "Ah, Derrick, I'm so sorry. I never meant for you to feel left out or that I didn't love you as much as Sam. That's the furthest thing from the truth. Sometimes I forget that you're only 11." Lou smiled at him. "You are so mature and I am so proud of you." Near tears himself, Lou silently berated himself for being so oblivious to his son's needs.

"Ah, geeze, Dad. Now I've upset you. I knew this was a bad idea." Derrick pushed away from the table, distraught and started to get up.

"No, no, no. Sit down. I'm not upset with you. Not at all. I just can't believe how blind I've been, Derrick. In trying to protect Sam and to make her feel better, for something that I felt responsible for, I forgot that you need me, too.

"Dad, this isn't going how I planned at all," Derrick sighed. "I've been mad for months since what happened to Sam. Mad at her. Mad at you. Just mad."

Lou held his tongue, wanting to reach and comfort, but instinctually he finally got it that every time he did that, Derrick backed off. He needed to let his son talk. So he silently and patiently waited for him to continue.

"That day we were skiing… Detective Williams told me to stay in the wake. He said the waves are rougher outside. Just going over the wake's ridge could cause a fall." Taking a deep breath, Derrick finally pushed out what he had wanted to say since the accident.

"I did it on purpose. I thought I could do it." He stopped, looking up at his father. "I wanted to impress you. I wanted you to pay attention to me. So, I DID cause the accident because I didn't do what Detective Williams told me to. All because I was mad at Sam and you." Tears were streaming down Derrick's face now. Lou's eyes were misty and he immediately went to sit by his son.

"Oh, Derrick. I can't tell you how sorry I am. Ah, man. So much for me being a sensitive guy, huh?" Lou was hugging his son from the side. An emotional, caring man, the guilt almost swallowed him.

"Even though you decided to do your own thing out there, it doesn't mean you caused the accident. Those girls were in the wrong and now you know that, too. Derrick, you are so incredible, you know that? I love you so much. I am so proud of how you stood up to Ms. Walken, proud of how you handle yourself in general. "

Lou leaned his head against his son's in a show of support. Derrick sobbed quietly. The waitress came over to check on them and Lou shook his head. She took the hint and left them alone.

Derrick choked out the rest of his confession. "Everybody saying how proud they are and me being a hero, just makes me feel worse. Detective Williams wouldn't be in the hospital if I hadn't fallen and panicked. He wouldn't have jumped in the water to help me."

"Derrick, it was an accident. You didn't run into him. The jet skiers caused it. Without them in the picture, no one would have been hurt. You understand?" Lou was quietly crying, tears running freely down his cheeks.

Derrick nodded, still cradled in his father's sideways hug. They sat like that for a good five minutes. Derrick finally finding some peace. And Lou, too. Their food cold, they could have cared less.

/*/*/*/

Leo dozed, snoring softly in the lone recliner, Leilani cuddled in his arms and resting her head on his chest. Time stood still even as it hurtled along in their world. Luvie had not improved much since the night before. Even with the doctors having more information on the bacterium and positive results from her MRI, her temperature still hovered between 103.9° F and 104.2° F. At least it wasn't rising anymore, but it wasn't coming down either. Of course, the doctors had only implemented the new antibiotic combination an hour ago and it was too soon to expect results.

Not surprisingly, her parents maintained a bedside vigil and refused to go home. Their daughter's night nurse had been kind enough to bring in an additional comfortable recliner, but Leilani needed her husband's physical contact. She didn't really sleep. Continually crying, she just couldn't close her eyes for very long. She didn't know if she'd be bringing her daughter home alive. That thought just devastated her.

/*/*/*/

Steve forced Grace to leave with Kono hours ago. Glancing at his watch, he couldn't believe so much time had passed since she left. He sincerely hoped she was able to get some sleep, though he doubted it. Lying on his side in the recliner, a pillow under his head and a light blanket covering him, unable to sleep, he stared at Danny. Grief consumed him. He hoped, he prayed, he begged God that the doctors would come up with a treatment that would beat this bacterium and bring Danny back to them. He couldn't believe this is where they ended up after such a promising weekend.

Reflecting back to a few hours ago, he tried to force himself to relax and be more optimistic.

In a private family room, Dr. Liu and Dr. Mahalika had informed both Steve and the Carminskis about what the CDC had told them. Steve had suggested Max consult with the hospital's lab personnel and the CDC. Max had an uncanny knack at finding things that others didn't. His help certainly couldn't hurt. Everyone had readily agreed.

Dr. Mahalika had laid out the initial proposed treatment plans for both Danny and Luvie. The CDC recommended a broad-spectrum antibiotic combination. Even though there were possible complications, this appeared to be the best approach. The CDC had labeled the bacterium a 'super-bug' which meant it was resistant to treatment. The antibiotics they suggested to start with, considered 'last resorts' under other circumstances, had shown to be most effective against this strain.

Both Danny and Luvie would receive the antibiotics intravenously through central lines. To avoid bacterial related sepsis or septic shock, they needed to be treated as soon as possible. While Dr. Mahalika and Dr. Liu spoke to Steve and the Carminskis, nurses were already prepping both patients.

Steve remembered her words.

"It's going to take a few days for things to get better." Noticing the panic on all of their faces, Dr. Mahalika had quickly added, "That does not mean that it won't get better. We firmly believe it will. We may need to introduce another antibiotic or two to the equation to eradicate the bacterium altogether from their systems. The CDC has a few suggestions that will be tested first."

"Working directly with the CDC, our lab and your Max, Commander, will work hard to find a complete solution. Max and our lab are conducting tests separately and together to identify a possible third antibiotic to introduce to the mix."

"As you know, the timeframe is short. We have to get the detective's and Ms. Carminski's fevers down as quickly as possible. So, everyone is working around the clock. I know it's hard, but try to stay positive. We will do everything in our power to keep both our patients stable, and, hopefully, improving soon."

Remembering the Carminskis in that room hurt Steve to his core. Seeing Leilani's reddened and puffy eyes, Steve could only imagine what they were going through. His own grief over Danny was overwhelming. Steve knew if the situation were reversed and Danny was the one keeping watch, he would be devastated for them. His thoughts about what a great father Danny was just made Steve sadder.

Steve and Dr. Liu were glad that nobody else of the 5-0 team or 'ohana were there. The fewer people privy to the diagnostic tests, lab results and treatment plans the better right now. Steve could control the dissemination of information better. As it was, he really was the only one who should know the medical details outside of the doctors. As Danny's medical proxy, he would be the one to make any decisions should Danny not be able to. Steve's initial pride in Danny asking him to be his proxy, became an unwelcome responsibility at the moment. Steve's stomach clenched. What if the doctors didn't have good news? What if there was no positive outcome for Danny? Or Luvie, for that matter? Terror filled him.

So, now he waited. Waited for news from the doctors and Max.

/*/*/*/

"Auntie Kono?" Grace's soft voice drifted into Kono's ear. Dozing, Kono opened her eyes to see Grace staring at her, holding a pink bunny stuffed animal. In that moment, Grace appeared more like a young child than the strong young adult she was becoming, the stress of the day written on her face.

"Can't sleep, keiki?" Kono sat up and patted the bed for Grace to sit next to her.

"No. I'm so worried about Danno. He looked so bad. I hope he heard me." Grace looked exhausted, totally wiped out from an eventful day. Kono had taken her home from the hospital after Lou had left with Derrick. The Walkens long gone, Grace did not know what happened to Wendy and she hadn't asked. That alone let Kono know that Grace was worn out.

"I'm sure he heard you, Grace. Uncle Steve said your dad calmed down while you were there. You are your dad's angel. You know that, right?" Kono rubbed circles on Grace's back. Grace relaxed into Kono with a sigh.

"I know. I'm scared." Grace quieted for a moment, allowing Kono to hold her close and continue to rub her back. "What if Danno doesn't get better? What if he dies?"

Taken aback, Kono pulled Grace closer, kissing the top of her head. "He's got the best doctors, Grace. They'll find a way to make him better. I'm sure of it."

Kono tilted her head to get a better look at Grace's face. "You know, the best medicine your dad has is you and Uncle Steve. He loves both of you with all his heart; he'll fight with everything he has to get better."

Grace sat quietly. "I hope so. I love him so much."

Kono felt Grace's fear and wished she could take it away. "Come on, come cuddle with me. I need some hugs and I need to give some. The quicker we sleep, the faster we can get back to your dad in the morning." Kono hugged Grace and then made room for her in her bed. Grace crawled in, pink bunny and all, and snuggled up to her Auntie Kono, falling asleep to her soft snores.

/*/*/*/

The door to Danny's room squeaked softly as Dr. Liu walked in. Steve sat up immediately, knocking the pillow and the blanket to the floor.

The doctor motioned to Steve to come outside. He didn't want to disturb Danny, who appeared to be sleeping somewhat peacefully. Finally.

Once outside, Steve bounced on his toes nervously. "Dr. Liu?"

"Dr. Mahalika will be here in a minute. We need to talk to both you and Ms. Carminski's parents together. Max found an additional antibiotic that may be the answer to eradicating this bacterium. What we have to tell you affects both Danny and Luvie."

Not missing the Commander's anxiety, Dr. Liu put a hand on Steve's shoulder and continued, "I've reserved the conference room near the Visitor's Lounge. Dr. Mahalika is getting Luvie's parents and will meet us there."

/*/*/*/

~ to be continued ~