I do not own Hawaii Five-0 or any characters. No copyright infringement intended.

Summary: Post E Malama. Season 1 Episode 16. Housing Commissioner Bruce Hoffman goes after Danny with a vengeance after Danny threatens him over the Stan issue. Hiring professionals to first obtain Stan's tapes which Danny now has and then to dispose of Danny.

NOTES: I know I say it a lot, but I really do mean it. Thank you to everyone for enjoying this story so much - and for your comments, positive advice and very kind words.

And thanks for your patience in waiting for this next chapter, the muse was befuddled! This was supposed to be the final … but 'best laid plans' .. and all of that! There will be more ….

H5O* H5O* H5O* H5O* H5O*

Chapter Twenty-One – Under the Island

Kamekona was the party's early bird bringing an enormous tray of his specialty gourmet garlic shrimp and rice. With Steve on the grill and Danny camped out on the Lanai, Grace was in charge of answering the door and ushering everyone in through the house.

Carrying the obviously hot and awkward tray, Kamekona carefully dodged around Grace and made for the yard. "Hey short stuff. Howzit? Howz your daddy?"

"Good. He's resting though." Opening the door wide for the big man, Grace was already having a good time with her official job of Uncle Steve's party hostess.

Pausing by Danny where he was laying flat out on a deep lounge chair, he studied Danny's somewhat tired but mostly very content face. "Look a little pale, even for a Haole, brah." Kamekona noted as he swung past with his prized shrimp. "Howzit? I have some tasty shrimp to make you feel better, bruddah. Only the best of course."

Interrupting as she skipped behind him and he carefully balanced the hot tray, Grace was more than helpful when answering for her father. "We went for a walk on the beach and Danno's tired now. Uncle Steve said he needed to sit for awhile."

Grinning, Danny rolled his eyes and pushed himself up off the chair as he simultaneously tickled Grace into silence. "Yeah, but it's all good. Commander Control-Freak is by the grill no doubt killing our lunch." Raising his voice for Steve's benefit, Danny also spoke more loudly and the distant but clear retort of "I heard that!" had him smirking.

But Danny had to admit that the odor wafting from the shrimp laden tray smelled fantastic as his stomach rumbled. "If you need a taste tester, I'd be happy to sample a bit now. You know, before anyone else gets here. Make sure it's palatable."

Smiling grandly and very pleased with the request, Kamekona found space on a table for the tray and quickly dished Danny an overflowing plate. But he'd barely had time to say hello to Steve when Kono came sweeping in, followed soon after by Chin and Malia. And within the hour, Duke and his wife arrived bringing along both June and her mother, Loni.

The boisterous group didn't take long in getting settled comfortably both inside and outside the home, with Danny sitting comfortably with Kono until he checked the time and realized he was late for his afternoon medication. After walking with Grace on the beach and now looking forward to a busy afternoon, he definitely wanted to stay ahead of the pain from his still ailing ribs. Glancing to Steve who was still at the grill, he held back a grin since avoiding Nurse Rachet's wrath would be an additional reward.

Rounding the corner into the kitchen for a glass of water, Danny found himself stumbling head-long into June Pane'e. Coming in last from the car, June was well behind everyone else as she carried a large bowl of fruit salad for dessert. Taking extra time to find room for the bowl in the over-flowing refrigerator, she had just slammed the door and was on her way out to the Lanai to catch up to her family.

Hitting the doorframe to the kitchen with his right shoulder, he jarred his ribs and gave out with a startled, "Ow!", as he simultaneously grabbed for June's arms to steady her rebounding sideways lurch into the kitchen counter.

"Easy!" Recognizing her from the restaurant, he quickly searched his memory for her name as he hesitatingly asked, "You're … June, right? Is it June? Are you okay?"

Flustered and with color rising, June nodded as she straightened and took a step backwards. "Yeah. But I should be asking if I hurt you. I seem to do this all the time. I'm so sorry again." She gave an embarrassed laugh but was also very worried that she'd hurt him.

"You look so much better than the last time I saw you in the hospital. How are you doing?"

"Fine." Already confused, Danny didn't remember ever meeting her before that same week at the restaurant with Steve, Chin and Kono. "You were at the hospital? I hate to say it and now I'm sorry, but I don't remember seeing you there."

"Wow." She breathed out as she studied his face to make sure he was really alright. "I feel like we've known each other forever." Feeling more awkward than ever before, June didn't know what to say and neither did Danny.

Racking his brain, he was coming up empty on ever having actually met the woman. In fact, it had secretly disturbed him that while Chin, Steve and Kono had mentioned June's help on the case, Danny was still in the dark about the connections. He found their easy familiarity with June about his own welfare almost offensive. Lost in thought, he hadn't moved from the doorway, and so was effectively but unconsciously blocking her exit out of the kitchen.

Taking a deep breath and smiling, she held her hand out to start over from scratch and re-introduced herself. "Well, okay then! My name is June Pane'e and it's very nice to officially meet you! I'm Duke's niece. And you're sure that I didn't hurt you just now?"

"No, it's okay. I'm fine." Quiet and distracted, in truth he was back to dwelling on the splintered memory losses which left him uneasy and almost depressed. Moving to the side as they formally shook hands, he then made room for her to pass. "It's good to meet you too. But you obviously know who I am." Smiling politely but sounding just a little sad, Danny held up his medication. "Anyway, I just came in to take these."

Walking around each other neither one wanted to or knew how to continue. Danny didn't really want to ask any questions about what she'd really done. And June wasn't comfortable offering if he wasn't interested or ready. Plus she already felt stupid for once again careening into him by accident. Sighing, she glanced once over her shoulder one more time at Danny who was looking for a clean glass, and then simply started to leave the kitchen.

Finally plating some food from the grill, Steve glanced up and was surprised to see that Danny wasn't sitting where he'd last seen him with Kono. Quickly looking around, he easily spotted Grace with Malia picking through and showing off the prettiest seashells. But Steve realized that Danny wasn't anywhere outside with the rest of the group. Catching Kono's eye, he shrugged with his hands out and pointed to the food; undeniably asking "where'd he go? he needs to eat. he shouldn't be alone."

Pointing to the house and grinning at the nursemaid-like behavior, Kono waved as reply and got up to track down their errant friend. Spying June in the doorway to the kitchen, Kono called out. "Hi June. Danny in here too?"

"Yes, he's here." Poking her head back around the corner, June got Danny's attention as he continued his search for a clean glass. "Kono's looking for you."

"What are you two up to?" Kono asked as she gave June a friendly hug. "Steve's on high alert Danny. You're MIA, taking too long and the foods up."

Rolling his eyes dramatically about Steve's almost insufferable concern, he finally found a clean glass and took his medication. "It's impossible to find anything in this place. And by the way, June and I got reacquainted. Right, June?"

Still feeling awkward, June readily agreed with him and started to leave again. "Sure. Yeah. I'll meet you two back outside."

"Uh huh." Stated Kono, as she looked from one to the other in amusement. "June fill you in yet on how she was critical in helping us find you?" Beaming and complimentary, Kono back-pedaled as she could immediately tell that she'd possibly made a mistake and that both were very uneasy about the topic. Recovering and trying to save face, she turned to go with June and was almost apologetic. "Never mind. No worries."

Frowning, Danny sighed and held them up just as they reached the sliders. Running both hands through his hair, he was quiet and thoughtful. Looking through the glass doors at the party that suddenly seemed over-crowded and rowdy, he began to feel unnerved.

Quietly, he asked both, "Can we talk for a minute. Inside, here. Where it's quiet?"

"You bet." Kono said with another glance in Steve's direction. He didn't seem to be looking for them since he was back at the grill and now talking with Duke and Loni. Plus with the glare of the sun on the sliders, there was no way he could see them.

As he moved towards the sofa, Danny was subdued as he breathed out his request. "Why don't you both tell me what happened. All of it."

Kono easily and willingly took the reins first and she broke the ice for June to interject where it felt right. Gently and quietly both explained how June had first bumped into Danny and had her first terrible premonition. Going into how her mother had insisted on visiting Duke, June filled him in on that window of time. The conversation then bounced back to Kono and she described how they'd waded through the bits of information to make solid assumptions that turned into fact.

For the large majority of the conversation, he remained very still as he tried to absorb and believe what he was being told. He was extremely upset about Stan being placed in Hoffman's office and the details around the unexpected shooting. And, he had to hold back his reaction when Kono told him that Steve and Duke had nearly half the force protecting them both in the hospital, plus the Edward's home and then Grace at school. While he was undoubtedly glad for it, the magnitude of the effort just about took his breath away.

Misreading the signals, Kono thought he was upset more about June and her odd revelations. "Really, Danny. It's all true. Without June, we wouldn't have found you at all." Kono's voice was very low and quiet as she re-lived the awful rescue and the horrific scare at the hospital with the drug overdose." More softly, she added with some fear still evident in her voice. "You wouldn't be here right now. I really believe that."

Unable to stop speaking, Kono was determined to get the point across. "She just knew and it all came together like pieces in a puzzle." Catching his eye, Kono wanted him to know how important it was that he understand how very critical June had been in saving his life. "Danny, June knew when Rousseau had been in the hospital. She knew you were in danger."

Finally looking over to the young woman he realized that she was as embarrassed as he was obviously ill at ease. But running both hands nervously through his hair yet again, Danny still remained speechless. He was at a complete loss and June could tell that he didn't understand - and might not even believe - what Kono was describing as her very strong sixth sense.

Sharing yet another common opinion about that, June smiled warmly and then started to laugh quietly at the irony. Hesitating at first, June leaned forward and took Danny's hand and turned it over in her own. He was almost resistant and June could tell he was clearly unnerved. But he allowed her to gently run her fingers over his palm and then intertwined their fingers together.

"You know, I don't get it either and I grew up with this stuff." Rolling her eyes dramatically as her mother huffed in disgust in the chair next to her, June continued. "I can barely convince myself that this happened. Except that the feelings were so very strong and that you were in such terrible danger. I was petrified and I don't even know you."

Grinning as she held his hand, she was at first happy to feel nothing; there were no overwhelming dark or evil feelings to take her breath away. But there was a small niggling feeling of 'something' lurking in the farthest reaches of her mind. A small glimmer of a thing that she couldn't quite identify or put her finger on – it felt simply 'off' with Danny. Almost like a deep sadness. And while it certainly wasn't a mortal or a dangerous, deathly feeling as oppressive as her past ones - it was different - 'a new something' – and she'd need to ask Loni for advice.

Giving her head a little shake, she memorized the sensation but then pushed it down hard to look through the glass sliders towards Grace as she happily sat with Chin, Malia and Kamekona. June's smile deepened and she let go of his hand to point to his daughter.

"But I'm glad – for whatever the reason. I'm very glad I could help and that it worked out for everyone."

Still without a word, Danny silently followed her line of sight to Gracie and he visibly relaxed and then softened. But there was still something about him that seemed far away and preoccupied. Finally equating part of what he was being told to something he could grasp and identify with regardless of how it had happened, he was honestly able to express his feelings about at least one thing.

"You're right." Letting out a deep sigh and nodding, Danny's thoughts were only of Grace and he smiled widely to appreciate and then accept the possibilities of whatever had saved him from Hoffman's plan and Rousseau's evil. Speaking to June directly, Danny reached his hand out to her with genuine thanks. "I'm glad about it too. Thank you."

"Are you okay, Danny? Really?" Kono said quietly. She had hoped to see him more relaxed, but could still feel the doubt and anxiety in him and had caught the flicker of unease in June's face. "It's a lot."

"I just don't like not remembering. There's so much that's still a black hole and missing." Grimacing, he shook his head in disgust. "And to hear all of this now from you, too? Yeah, it is a lot to take in."

Changing gears, Danny gave June a frank and direct stare. "So, what do you think now?"

"Now?" she stammered in question. But then she indicated his hands when they'd touched and clarified her answer. "Just now, there was absolutely nothing … exactly." Adding quietly, "at least I think so. You're not happy."

"Not happy?" He was almost defensive and was bothered by the unexpected words. "I'm perfectly happy." But before June could offer some sort of explanation, he looked up to see an annoyed Steve coming in from the Lanai.

Smiling freshly and playfully sarcastic, Danny spoke for Steve's benefit. "And here we go again with Nurse Rachet at the helm." So with the sudden interruption and Danny's perplexing change in mood, June kept her mouth shut.

"Nurse what?" Diverted, Kono snorted a laugh with her eyes sparkling. "Hey Steve. We're just getting reacquainted. I promise we're coming now."

Hands on hips, Steve took in the three seated people who had obviously been in deep conversation since two of them seemed at minimum, very flustered. And even with his joking words, Danny actually seemed different – a little less relaxed - even a bit more distant.

"Everything okay?" he questioned cautiously.

"Peachy, Steven. No worries." Danny said casually as he got to his feet and motioned for both June and Kono to go ahead of him and back outside. "And before you channel the very lovely but evil Nurse Rachet, yes I took my meds. I'm ahead of you for a change."

Allowing everyone past, Steve caught up to Kono. "What happened? What did June say?" He was apprehensive himself with the unsettled atmosphere that he'd picked up on in the room.

"He wanted to know about June. All of it from beginning to end. So we told him." Kono explained. "But before you came in, Danny asked her if she felt anything now. Today."

Making a face, Kono nodded towards June's direction and began to whisper. "But she was vague about it. First it was a solid no and then she was just vague, for lack of a better word. She wound up telling Danny that he felt unhappy."

"Fantastic." Steve breathed softly. "Not what he needed to hear. And he's been happy all day. What's she talking about?" As his face tightened with concern, Kono put her hand on his arm.

"It's not the same as before. Not nearly. And it's weird that she'd think he was sad. He seems great, especially with Grace around for the weekend."

But watching Danny, Steve could see the subtle changes as he was no longer participating in conversation and now picked half-heartedly at the food he'd piled onto his plate. June was also troubled and was talking to Loni in earnest off to the side.

Wanting to interrogate June and Loni, instead Steve grabbed some food for himself and walked over to sit by Danny. "You okay?" His voice was low and only meant for Danny's ears.

Nodding, Danny forced himself to take a huge bite off his own plate which in turn allowed him to beg off a verbal reply. "Don't want to talk, do you." Steve remarked dryly.

The very short and clipped, "nope", made Steve smile but he needed to add reassuring words and assumed June had been the cause. "I'm sure it's nothing with her, Danny. She just wants to help."

Moody, Danny abruptly got up without a word and left a somewhat stunned Steve sitting alone. "Hey, where are you going?"

"For a walk. Keep an eye on Gracie for me." And Danny was off at a slow pace down the beach. Unsure of what to do, Steve had to intercept Grace as she tried to trot after her father. "Not now Grace, your father needs some alone time. Okay?"

Though she was obviously disappointed, Grace did as she was told and sat down by Steve for a moment, before she was off again within seconds to show something else to Malia. Rising with intent to follow Danny, Steve found that he was cut off by both Loni and June.

Loni was warm and welcoming as she firmly pulled him back down to sit. "June told me what happened. He's fine you know. I think June's only picking up on how he feels right now. That, and he's still under the weather."

"Alright." But then Steve couldn't help the mild reprimand that he aimed at June and Kono. "He was better though before you all got together in the house."

Looking down the beach in the direction of the lone figure, he was almost unable to hide his fears. "But is that really it? Nothing like before, right? Nothing's going to … happen?"

Feeling terrible about what she'd accidentally done, June tried to reassure him. "No, not at all like that. But he's not happy about something and no matter what else he says, he doesn't feel well yet. After talking to my mother, I'm sure that's what I picked up on. And I guess I really screwed up."

Quickly getting to her feet, June raced off to catch up to Danny. "God, I need an edit button with my stupid mouth. I'll fix it."

Wanting to follow yet again, Steve was stayed by Loni's hand on his arm. "Let her try. He may listen to her."

Baffled by what June had tried to explain, Steve focused on the first part with Loni. "I don't understand what he could be so unhappy about? He's thrilled about Grace being here today. What am I missing?"

But the answer came from above as Kono joined them at the table. "He hates that he doesn't remember anything. He described it as a black hole. He's also having a hard time wrapping his head around what happened and how far things wound up going. Period."

Thinking hard about how Danny might be rationalizing things, Kono nodded to herself as she came up with another possibility. And the realization was now so obvious; Kono was astonished as she voiced it herself.

"I know what it is. He feels responsible and is taking on all the blame. He thought he'd done the right thing with Stan and in trying to scare off Hoffman. Danny thought it would simply 'end'. Instead all of this insanity happened. He put not only himself in danger and almost died, but then Grace and Rachel as well. And then Stan got shot."

"He's beating himself up for what 'could have been'?" Steve breathed out in disgust. "Well, he's been doing a damn good job of hiding that from all of us."

"Yeah, that and what he created by going after Hoffman in the first place. I think June just called him out on it." Annoyed on his behalf, Kono added angrily. "But he's forgetting what Stan did in the first place. It's really his fault."

Watching the receding figures, Steve could tell that June had since caught up with Danny but he knew that she'd be of little help since he, himself, wasn't sure what to do.

Kono was entirely correct. It was true that Stan Edwards was the real root of the problem and June was merely now a catalyst. But muddled memories or not, Danny felt wholly responsible for setting off the larger and very nasty chain of events by taking the tape and confronting Hoffman face to face. So there was still more to take care of in the self-deprecating world of Danny Williams.

Knowing he'd probably have done the same thing, or even worse in his shoes, Steve could only mutter to himself. "Damn that tone of yours, Danno." Half-heartedly and very much under his breath he added, "And damn Stan Edwards and his stupidity."

~ to be continued ~