I hope you're enjoying the show... (Pardon any medical mistakes. If anything's really glaring, let me know.)

"We don't have much, Steve. Hotel security is spotty here. Apparently they've been a little lax on their landscaping and they're bigger on guest privacy than safety. I'm sure that's gonna change once this gets out."

"Anything that will help, Lou?" Steve exhaled his frustration, hoping Lou didn't hear it.

"The car was a rental. Someone got the tag and a brief video. Tani and Jerry are checking it out now. Junior is taking statements. There were quite a few witnesses. But they're all saying the same thing. Danny pushed Amanda out of the path of a newer red Cadillac. Descriptions of the driver vary. Typical really. Hopefully the rental company will have something on file. If the vehicle wasn't stolen. Which in all likelihood it was."

"Yea, Lou, thanks."

"Hey, we might get lucky and the vehicle has GPS. Most rental fleets use them now. Unless it was a mom and pop, but I doubt it. A Caddie?" Lou laughed. "That has to be an airport type situation. High end model like that."

"Thanks, Lou." Steve repeated. He didn't know what else to say. The case wasn't what he was focused on. The details kept them sane, but it wasn't why Lou had really called.

"How's our boy?"

"No word yet."

"He's tough."

Steve sucked in a deep breath. He didn't want to tell Lou that Danny couldn't move anything below the waist. He didn't want to admit it to himself. Talking about it might make it real. Set it in stone.

"Steve - are you alright? Dumb question, I know. Is there something you're not telling me?"

"Yea." He paused to steady himself for the reveal. "Danny can't move his legs."

"He's paralyzed?" Lou's voice was almost frantic. "Could it be shock? Do they think it's permanent?"

"It's too soon to know anything. They're running tests now."

"I'll be there as soon as I can."

"Thanks, Lou, really."

"You hold on. Have you called Rachel?"

"Amanda did. Rachel's trying to find a sitter for Charlie."

"Oh yea, the mother in law. Bit of a handful, huh?" Lou chuckled. "Hey - Renee can watch Charlie. I'll give Rachel a call. You have her number?"

Of course he had her number. "Yea, Lou, thanks. I'll text you."

There was silence between them. Steve was uncomfortable.

"I'm fine, Lou. See you when you get here."

"I shouldn't have to tell you this but you can talk to me."

And that was all it took for the dam to break.

"I screwed up, Lou." The words came out in a rush, like he hadn't meant to say them.

"Hey, now, this isn't your fault."

"No, not this." Steve paused, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath to steady himself. "With Amanda. Danny. The whole thing today. I didn't take his side."

"You didn't what?"

"I didn't believe him about his mother-in-law. I-"

Lou chuckled. "Hey just stop. How were you to know? Huh?"

"But I was there. She was horrible."

"Of course she was. She's his mother in law."

"It's worse than that."

"I'm sure it was. She's Danny's mother in law."

"I didn't have his back."

"Well...I wasn't there, so -"

"Now I might not - I might not get the chance -" Steve tripped and stumbled over his thoughts. "If he can't -"

"No, uh uh. No way, man. Don't finish that thought." Lou's voice was sharp. "This wasn't your fault. From what I heard, Danny saved his mother in law's life. Some damn fool tried to kill her. You would have done the same."

There was silence for a few seconds.

"So get over yourself and be there for Danny. You two will work this out. I have no doubt about it."

"I hope you're right, Lou."

"And let me tell you something about mother-in-laws." Lou paused, probably for effect. "Mother-in-laws exist to make your life miserable. They're worse than your own parents because they have that parental instinct, but it ain't for you. They're looking out for their own. You're the enemy."

"No way. Danny's parents. They love me."

"Now, I'm gonna skip the fact that you're calling Danny's folks your in-laws and get to the truth about Amanda Savage. First, she took one look at you and saw an easy mark."

"Easy mark?"

"You're a tall drink of water, man."

"Tall drink of water, really?" Steve couldn't help letting his amusement curl his lips into a smile. Lou had a way of lightening any situation.

And he knew it. "You're a giant puppy dog."

Steve laughed but tried to be serious. "Now, you're just -"

Lou rolled right over his objection. "Her goal is to make Danny miserable. I bet she's been doing it for years, judging by his reaction. He complained about her all week, but in that low key sort of way you mention something you're afraid to summon."

"You're making stuff up."

"No way. You know what I mean. He kept this quiet til the last minute. And I bet he tried to warn you."

"He did."

"And you thought he was just doing his usual routine. We all know Danny can moan about things. It's his way of working stuff out. But this - this he kept to himself."

"He's mentioned her over the years."

"Yea? What did he say about her? Before today?"

"That he made her stay in a hotel."

"See? There's your sign. This man, that we know and love, made her stay in a hotel. She came all that way across the ocean to see her daughter and - was Grace born yet?"

"I don't know."

"Doesn't matter." Lou sighed. "Our Danny was rude to someone. How often does he stand up for his own needs? Huh?"

Silence again.

"This woman gets under his skin."

"Well, that's obvious." Steve frowned at the phone.

"It's what evil mother-in-laws do."

"And you have experience with this?"

"No, no thankfully I do not. I hit the lottery there."

"Wait, I thought you -" Steve laughed. "Renee's father."

"You got that right, baby. Her mom is a saint. Love her to death. Her dad - he still gives me the evil eye. He scared the hell out of me as a kid. Still does. I cannot get a wink of sleep when that man is in the house."

"And this helps me how?"

"She clearly got under your skin, too."

"You have to experience her."

"Oh, I'm sure I will before all this is over. I'm sure I will." Lou paused and Steve could hear voices in the background. "Look, Jerry just got some intel on our driver. I gotta go."

"Fill me in when you can."

"You know I will."

"Thanks again, Lou. For listening."

"Take care of our boy, Steve. And yourself. I mean it."

Shoving his phone in his pocket, Steve closed his eyes and collapsed in the nearest chair. He glanced around the waiting room, thankful he was alone. The ever changing light danced across the walls as a thunderstorm boomed out on the ocean. He longed to be in the water, and maybe that's where he'd be once this was over. Swimming soothed his soul. It was one of the few things that made sense. Something that never changed, yet constantly challenged him.

Danny. Steve sighed the name. His mantra. How could he not have believed him? Because he really thought Danny was simply exaggerating like he often did. But now, he'd seen it firsthand. Amanda had zeroed in on Danny and made him miserable. She went out of her way with her snide comments and jabs. It made Steve sick. Why had he allowed it to go on? He whipped a magazine across the room, sending it flapping to the floor.

Take care of our boy. Lou's parting words came back to him.

Steve wished he had taken care of Danny. He wished he'd paid more attention instead of egging him on. This might not have happened. He should have gone after Danny when he'd first walked away. Dragged him back to the table, had it out with Amanda. But that wasn't how things went.

No - this wouldn't have happened if they'd been together.

/././

Steve stood at the window, disgusted. Head pounding. He was happy for his solitude. He didn't want to face anyone.

Amanda was sure to return soon. She'd agreed to a checkup after thirty minutes of grumbling about the inefficiencies of the American medical system. Rachel had insisted, and Amanda had relented. Just like that. Steve took note of Rachel's sway over her mother. Maybe he could use it.

Rachel was on her way. Renee had picked up Charlie. Steve wondered if Rachel had ever stood up for Danny.

"Commander McGarrett?"

"Yes." He sprang to attention. "Do you have an update?"

The doctor walked over to Steve. The fact that he didn't need to introduce himself wasn't lost on the two men. "Please - let's sit down."

"Okay, sure. How is he?"

"Right now, he's resting."

"Can he?" Steve couldn't bring himself to finish the sentence.

"We believe the shock of the accident and resulting swelling is responsible for his paralysis. Odd thing is he does have some feeling in his legs."

Steve felt the tiniest bit of hope but it was still squashed by the larger issue. "But he can't move?"

"Not so much as a twitch."

Taking a deep breath, Steve tried to stave off tears. He couldn't break down now. That would come later. Alone at home. With Eddie at his side. God, he loved that dog...almost as much as Danny.

"His body's in shock. Typically this reaction subsides within a few hours. There's extensive bruising to Danny's lower back and left torso. Probably from the impact. Thankfully, his spine and vertebrae show no signs of damage. He has no broken bones, but does have a severe concussion. Once the swelling goes down - well, we should know more in the morning. For now, he's been mildly sedated so we can better monitor him and keep his stress levels under control. He might be here a few days."

Steve nodded, unable to speak as he digested the information.

"He's damn lucky, son."

"As long as he gets mobility back."

"Yes, that's the hard part. For now, we're playing the waiting game."

"Thanks, Doc." Steve held out his hand. "When can I see him?"

The doctor shook Steve's hand and then checked his watch. "I'd like Danny to rest, so let's give it some time. I'll send someone for you soon, so you can just have a few minutes."

"Okay, thank you. For everything."

Thanks, as always, for reading. Things get interesting in the next chapter. Rachel and her mum have a chat, and we get some more news on Danny.