Steve picked Danny up at the Punana's, then headed back to his house.  He was truly thankful to see that Danny did so well with them and more thankful that Danny didn't ask about his day or what he was working on.  Stealing glances at Danny on the drive back, Steve couldn't help but smile to hear Danny's excitement as he talked.  Danny had recalled parts of his past and for the first time since he lost his memory he really felt that he could get his life back.  

"Steve I know I'm talking crazy, but I really feel like there's some hope at the end of all this.  I owe a large part of that to you.  Last night I recalled several times you were there for me, times you have fought for me.  I didn't say anything because I wasn't sure if it was for real or if I was just dreaming.  After today, I know it was real.  There's more..."  Danny couldn't bring himself to say exactly how he felt and couldn't understand why.  The moment turned awkward so Danny decided against what he wanted to say.  "I just really appreciate it and I...well I really appreciate it."

Steve had admit to himself how much he regretted that he couldn't tell Danny the way he really felt.  "You're welcome Danno...I feel the same way.  For friends to be as close as we are...we sure have some strange hang-ups," Steve spoke quietly.   It wasn't what he wanted to say, but it was more than he ever said before.

******

The following morning Joey took Danny to his appointment with Benny.  On the way he talked about the first time Danny went camping.  "There was me, your father, David, Alan and of course you.  My word I don't even think you were two yet."  Joey began to laugh at the memory.  "It was an overnight trip.  David and Alan had fits for you to join us.  We all went fishing early one morning and James spent the entire morning 'helping' you.  Before the morning was done you were exhausted!"  Joey became quite.

"Joey?  You OK?" Danny asked. 

"You went to your father and wrapped your little arms around his leg.  James picked you up and you began to twirl a lock of his hair with your fingers until you fell asleep.  You always did that with your dad when you grew sleepy.  I remember the first time you did that to me.  It was on another camping trip.  You were five and it was at the end of the day.  We had just finished with our dinner and were sitting around the camp site.   You climbed up in my lap and began to twirl my hair until you fell asleep.  That was when I knew we were finally a family.  That was the same year, Kenny was born.  You told everyone you came in contact with, that you were a big brother.   Only it sounded more like 'Imma big brudder like Dabid and Aben'."  Joey began to laugh as he saw Danny turn a bright red.  "Yeah, I used that on you quite a bit after you got older...funny how it still embarrasses you!"

Danny was relieved to get to Benny's office.  "A reprieve Joey!"  Danny teased as the two men got out of the car.  "Yeah, I guess so son."  Joey was still laughing.

Benny greeted the two men as they entered the reception area.  He had a light calendar that day and was planning on a longer session than usual with Danny.  It was more than apparent that Danny was avoiding the issue of work and he needed to try and slowly find out why.  He wasn't sure if it was because of the type of work he did or if it was tied into what happened to him.  He would be glad when they had more information so he would know what to direction to guide Danny.  In the mean time, he would at least broach the subject.

Ushering Danny into his office he sat beside Danny in an identical overstuffed chair.  Benny liked the informal and relaxing setting, he felt it encouraged conversation.

"Danny, I need to begin today with asking you a question."

"It must be a loaded question then.  You seem a bit concerned."

"Being a detective and having had taken psychiatry in college makes you too good in the observation area Danny,"  Benny teased.

"Why do I remember some things but not others...or not the full picture?  I didn't know I took psychiatry in college, but after you mentioned it...I do?"

"It's just the way amnesia works.  I've explained this to you before.  So, is this your way of avoiding my questions?"  Benny grinned at Danny knowing he was right even before he asked the question.  "May I ask why you want to avoid it?"

Taking a deep sigh Danny looked down at his hand then back up to Benny with a crooked smile and eyebrows raised, "Because I have a good idea of what you want to ask me."

Intrigued, Benny couldn't resist the game and decided that his patient may have given him the safest direction for them to take.  "So why don't you tell me why you don't want to answer."

"You want to ask me about being a cop.  It's too soon to try and figure out what happened to me, so I believe you want to know what my hang up is about my work.  Am I right?"  The smile was gone from his lips and his hands began to sweat.

"Yes, that's what I wanted to ask.  You avoid the subject.  Once you thrived on your work...now you run and hide from it."

"That's pretty strong Benny...the run and hide bit."

"What would you call it?"

"Flee and escape!"  Danny laughed nervously.  "I don't know why, but it's not the work that frightens me.  I think it's the fear of someone getting hurt...and I can't stop it."

Benny noted the true fear in Danny's expression, he also knew this was most likely a key area in what happened to him.  Not knowing any of the facts, Benny was reluctant to pursue any further.  "What if you met the people you work with.  They are all personal friends as well as co-workers.  If you went to the office, you would be able to see them in a more relaxed environment."

"What if they just came to see me?"  Danny asked hopefully, but already knowing the answer.

"You need to go see them.  Being in the office might trigger more of your memory, it may also calm some of your fears."

The remaining of the session was routine but Danny still wasn't convinced about going to visit his office.

As soon as Danny came out of Benny's office, Joey noticed the change in him.  Benny gave him a wink of reassurance but Joey wasn't convinced.  The drive home was a quite one and Danny seemed preoccupied after they arrived.

Joey went in to the kitchen to help Mei prepare for that day's lunch.  "Why so much food?" 

"David called and said he wanted to come by and see Danny at lunch time.  You know that boy's appetite!"  Mei laughed.

Joey laughed along with his wife.  The thought of calling a grown man and one as large as David a 'boy' wasn't foreign to Joey.  All of their sons would forever be known as boys to them.  Just as Amy will always be their little girl...no matter how old she got to be.

His thought was interrupted with the sound of the front door closing.  David headed straight for the kitchen and immediately began to munch.  "So where's Danny?"

"I think he's back in his room."  Joey answered.  "David, you go talk to him.  His session today left him in a pretty dark mood.  I don't know what happened, but he's really struggling with something." 

Mei looked up from her cooking with concern.  Joey began to rub her back, then kissed her cheek.  "I know Mei...but we can't make his world perfect.  I want him happy too...I guess until he's completely well, there's nothing we can do but be here for him."

"That's not good enough Joey.  Danny is just...well he's one of my babies and this isn't right!"

"He's not a child anymore Mei.  He's a grown man and...I know it's not right."  Joey understood what his wife felt.  He shared the same feelings.

Wanting to help calm their fears, David went over to them and gave each one a hug, "I'll go talk to him.  OK?  Don't worry, it'll all work out."

David found Danny lying on his bed with his hand tucked behind his head.  "Mind if I come in?"

Danny sat up despite David asking him not to.  Sitting on the twin bed across from Danny, David looked around at the tiny room.  "Have you seen much of Tommy?"

"Actually, no.  Just enough to wave goodbye when I get here in the mornings.  He goes surfing with his friends sometimes and then he's been doing some job hunting I guess."  Danny added, "and I think he's not sure how to act around me.  Actually I'm not sure how to act around him either."

"Well I bet that's it.  He just doesn't know how to act.  I'll try to ease him in to being around you."

Danny looked at David and smiled.  "Always the big brother, huh?"

"Yeah!  Guess I always took the job seriously.  So you, ah, you want to talk about whatever it is that's bothering you?"

Danny laid back on the bed.  For a moment he didn't say anything and David didn't push for the silence to be broken.  "Benny wants me to go visit the office."

"Gee, Danny that would be great!  So what's the problem?"

"That's just it.  I don't know what the problem is.  I'm scared to death to go back...even for a visit.  I feel like if I don't remember any of them, then if anything happens to them...well it won't matter."

"You tell Benny this?"  David asked with concern.

"Yeah.  He thinks it's because I would feel helpless to save them.  He believes that's the real issue...not so much work or being a cop in itself."

"I'm glad you're discussing all this with him.  Way too complicated stuff for me!"  He laughed and was pleased to see even Danny smile at that one.  "Danny, he's right man.  You know it's just like surfing.  You take a fall...get right back out there.  If you don't the fear will consume you man. That ain't a good thing my bruddah."

"Yeah.  I know you're right, but I'm not looking forward to it.  If I could just remember what it felt like to be me…I don't know."

"I remember when mom and dad said you would be coming to live with us for good.  Alan and I were so excited...but you weren't the same kid.  We never understood what happened to you after your parents died.  The two of us decided that first night that we would spend the rest of our lives protecting you!  Guess we can't always do that."

"Wish you could though.  Sure would save me a lot of trouble!"  Danny said with a laugh.

"C'mon, let's go eat!"

******

Kono and Chin arrived at the house where the complaint came from regarding the party where Danny was found.  The couple talked openly and freely about their complaint and everything still lined up with what was in HPD's report. 

"You have a son who witnessed illegal activity in the house from his window according to this report.  May we speak to him?"  It was more of a statement than a question.  Chin used his usual polite demeanor, but he also wanted them to know he wouldn't take no for an answer.

The couple both agreed and their son was called to the door.  Within seconds a young skinny boy appeared.  He was a homely looking kid and dressed in the latest teenage style.  Chin asked the usual questions but refrained from delving too deep.  He suspected the kid was overly nervous and hadn't been totally honest in the investigation.  Whatever it was, he knew he wouldn't get the answers while the boy's parents were there.  The interview ended and Kono handed his card to them asking them to call if they thought of anything else.

Kono suspected right away there was a reason Chin didn't ask any hardball questions.  As soon as they were in the car he wanted to know what was going on.

"I could see it written all over the kid.  He was deathly afraid we would say something in front of his parents.  The kid's hiding something...I don't think he's afraid to tell us...but he IS afraid to tell his parents," Chin explained.

"So what's next?"

"We wait and try to get the kid alone.  I think you should be the one to really talk to him Kono.  You would have more in common with him than I would."

"What's that suppose' ta mean?"

Chin began to laugh, "Nothin' bruddah...there's a car in the drive with braces on the roof for a surf board.  I'm sure it's the kid who surfs...so that can be a common ground for him to open up to you.  And I don't think the kid would ever believe I'm a surfer!"

Kono started to laugh with that, "If you ever do try it, I'm taking pictures...no one would ever believe me otherwise!"

Their wait paid off, when only minutes later they watched the young man load his board on top of his  VW and head away from his home.  They followed closely behind him, since they didn't think he would notice them.  Kono was thrilled when he noticed the car pull into a McDonalds and park. 

Standing behind the youngster in line Kono started the conversation.  "Hi bruddah!  Cory is the name, right?"

The young man turned around and instantly recognized Kono and Chin. "Yeah, I mean, yes sir.  Cory Lind."

"Nice board, I have a similar one I use.  But I think I'm gonna get another one.  I'm having trouble with one side of the board.  Yours ever give you trouble on the side?"

"Yeah man it does.  Every time I lean into the wave I can feel it give more than it should so I have to compensate for it."  Cory began to talk unimpeded.

The conversation evolved to where the three men were sitting together eating their hamburgers.  Half way through their meal, Kono changed the subject to the night of the party.

"You know more 'bout that party than you let on don't you?  About the night of the party and what went down."

Cory's eyes grew wide and he nearly dropped his hamburger.  "Why do you say that?"

"Hey look, I'm not out to bust you or cause trouble for ya.  But I need to know what went on that night.  I know you went to the police officer and told him about the drugs."

"I told the other officer the next day that I could see them through the kitchen window.  I was in my bedroom studying and happened to look out my window for a break.  I could see right into the kitchen."  Cory was nervous and his voice trembled.

"You can only see when the blinds are open Cory.  When we went in, they were closed."  Kono faked the statement.  He had no idea if the blinds were open that night or not.  He was hoping that Cory didn't know either.

Growing frantic, Cory knew they had him.  "Please don't talk to my parents about this.  Man, please, you have to promise me!  They'll kill me if they knew!"

"How about you tell me everything you know before I make any promises."  Kono looked at the kid in the eyes.

Defeated, Cory knew he had no other option.  "There were two guys who lived in the house.  They went to U of H, I just started there myself.  I never saw them on campus since they were seniors.  Well, we got home from school about the same time so I would see them then.  After a while we would talk.  Just small talk ya know.  Being neighborly and all.  Well they were from the mainland and one of guy's fathers had money and set him and his friend up in the house so they didn't have to live in the dorm.  They were loud in the house...lots of music at all hours.  They had lots of cool friends over there all the time."

"How do you know that?"  Chin asked.  He couldn't count the number of times his own children talked about 'cool' friends.

"I saw them come and go all the time from my house.  Some of them I recognized.  A few were football players from U of H and lots of really nice looking chicks, uh, I mean girls."  Cory blushed at the slip.  "Well, I saw them the day of the party and we did our usual exchange.  But this time they invited me to the party they were going to have that night.  I didn't say anything to my parents since they didn't like them...mostly because of the loud music.  My dad was always going over there, almost every night, to complain.  We would laugh about that whenever I talked to them.  Man, I just thought if I could be at that party...well I would be in.  Ya know...part of the group...cool like them.  I told my parents I had tests to study for so I planned to lock myself in the room and hit the books.  Then I snuck out of the house to go to the party."

"So you were at the party when they started doing the drugs?"  Kono asked wondering if the kid new how lucky he was.

"Yeah I was.  At first they were just doing a lot of drinking.  I did drink some beer...but not much!  I mean I didn't get drunk or anything."

"Go on son."  Chin encouraged.  He let the boy know they weren't interested in how much he drank.

"Well that's when they started to pass out some drugs.  I don't do drugs....so I made out like I had a date and needed to leave.  I thanked them and even asked if I could bring my date back to the party if it was still going on after we finished with our plans.  I didn't really have a date, but I didn't want anyone to know I wasn't, well...you know...that I've not done drugs before.  Well, just as I was leaving some of the other guys said they were going out and would be back...they wanted dates too, so they said they were going to see who they could pick up.  I left with them and went home.  I acted as if I was going home to get my car.  When they were out of site, I pushed my car to the back of the house so they would think I was gone when they got back."

"You pushed your car?  Why didn't you just crank it up?"  Chin asked, confused since the car seemed to be in perfect running condition.

Kono and Cory looked at each other then at Chin.  It was Kono who answered not believing Chin could even ask such a crazy question.  "He told his parents he was going to his room - they would have heard the car engine if he cranked it, would have blown his whole cover man!"

Chin had never practiced such deception when he was a teen, it was obvious Kono had.  Chin began to chuckle at the thought of Kono sneaking outside his parents house...then just as suddenly stopped when the image of Kono was replaced with that of his own teenagers.  "What did you do next Cory?"

"That was it man.  I pushed my car to the back and went to my room like I said.  As soon as I got home I got ready for bed.  That way if my parents came up I could get in bed really quick and pretend to be asleep so my parents wouldn't smell the beer on me.  I didn't look out the window cause I didn't want to take a chance that the guys at the party might see me.  Then I heard my dad get ready to go over there and mom talked him into calling the cops , I mean the police,  instead.  She was afraid for dad to go over there since they had the party going.  She told him if they got mean they could hurt him.  So I heard dad make the call.  I went back out and waited for the police to show up."

"So when the officer arrived, you ran outside to warn him?  That was pretty brave Cory."  Chin said.

"Not so brave.  If anything happened to the cop, I mean policeman, it would have been my fault.  I knew he was coming and I knew they had drugs.  I didn't want to get the guys in trouble, but I was afraid of what would happen if a policeman showed up at the door.  You hear all sorts of stories, I would feel responsible if the policeman got hurt.  I ran to a spot where I knew my parents or any of the guys at the party could see me, and I waited.  You know it's embarrassing to have your parents call on them all the time.  Then I was afraid the kids would find out I was home and didn't do drugs.  The whole thing would have been embarrassing.  When the policemen came to our house the next morning, I told them I saw them taking drugs from my window and knew dad had called them.  I wanted to try and kind of keep the policemen from saying I went out to warn them in front of my parents.  That way my parents wouldn't know what all really went down."

"You shouldn't be embarrassed about not doing drugs man."  Kono replied.

"Everyone's doing it...if they knew I didn't then I would loose what friends I have."

"Maybe not everyone's doing drugs...maybe they giving the same line you are and just letting everyone think they are.  Drugs kill and there's no weakness wanting to live man."  Kono understood the need for a kid to feel like he fit in, but he needed for Cory to understand there were better ways to make friends.

"I guess I never thought of it that way."

"You know what makes a guy cool?  Being his own person.  So, why don't you be cool and be your own person - be a real man?  No excuses"

Cory looked at Kono as if the world had just been revealed to him.  "Yeah, novel ideal, huh?  So where would a cool guy like me start?"

"You can start with being straight with yourself, then your parents and friends."  Kono answered.

"I don't know man, that's a pretty heavy request!"

"Being a man isn't easy.  And being cool comes with responsibilities."

Cory smiled and shook his head in agreement.  As Kono and Chin stood and were ready to walk away Cory asked, "So what happened after I left the party?  I mean there were all kinds of activity after more policemen arrived.  I saw an ambulance out of my window.  And it left wiki wiki, plus I heard rumors that everyone in the house was dead!"

"I'm afraid the rumors were right.  Everyone in the house was found dead."  Chin replied somberly.

"Someone had to survive!  I mean someone alive had to be in the ambulance."

"You must be majoring in Police work at school."  Kono smiled.  "Yeah, one person survived."

"Why are you asking questions then?  If they survived they could tell you what happened."

Kono and Chin were still pretty shook up about Danny but they managed to maintain their facade in front of Cory.  Finally Chin answered after he knew he had control of his voice.  "The guy who survived is not able to talk yet. Still in a bad way."

Kono looked at Chin and agreed with the statement.  Until Danny had his memory back, he wouldn't have his life back!  The thought of Danny never fully returning to normal was frightening...even to tough 5-0 cops.

                                                                                                          *****

Chin and Kono immediately filled Steve in with the information they had gathered.  Steve wanted to interview the girl's parents himself.  He knew Chin and Kono would be sensitive enough, but there were questions in his own mind about their statements in the HPD file.  The Leipua house was nestled between two similar houses in the quaint Diamond Head community. Though the house was very small it was inviting in its appearance.  The yard was actually bare, but with the shrubbery surrounding the front of the house along with many of the fragrant and colorful local flowers placed in front of the shrubs made the yard attractive.  The only trees were several palm trees that could be seen towering over the house in the back yard.  Steve knocked on the door then instinctively stood back so he could be easily seen from the main window of the house.  The door opened and a man close to Steve's own age appeared.  His weary face revealed the pain and sleeplessness he so obviously has gone through since the death of his child.  Steve showed his badge and spoke softly.  "Mr. Leipua?"

"Yes, I am Mr. Leipua.  I've already talked with the police, please no more questions."

Before the man could close the door, Steve rushed with what he knew he must say.  "I'm with 5-0 and we have taken over the investigation from HPD.  Please sir, in order to know what happened to your daughter, there are so many more questions left unanswered."

Mr. Leipua hesitated, seeing his indecision Steve went for all he had. "I believe your daughter was murdered.  One of my men was in that house with her.  He was badly injured and without your help...without your help we could loose him too."

"I know she was murdered.  I knew my daughter and there is no possible way she took drugs."

"I didn't know your daughter Mr. Leipua, but I DO agree that she didn't take those drugs...not  voluntarily."  Steve replied with conviction.

Once again Mr. Leipua hesitated, but this time opened the door wider so Steve could enter the small house.

"I am Benjamin Leipua and this is my wife Su-Li."  Mr. Leipua pointed to his wife who was sitting on the edge of her chair in the couple's living room.

Once again Steve showed his badge and introduced himself.  Mr. Leipua gestured toward the sofa for Steve to take a seat.

"You said you had an officer in the house with our daughter who was hurt and that I could help save him.  How can I possibly help you save this man?"

"My officer was severely beaten and suffered a head injury that night.  As a result he has amnesia - total amnesia.  Without knowing what really happened that house, it could affect his recovery.  Even possibly cause more harm.  So my unit took over the investigation.  From what we know, my officer was in the same room with your daughter.  With the reports I have, it is my belief that she was forced to take the drugs..."  Steve hesitated before he finished, not quite sure what was the best way to do it.  Softly and compassionately he continued, "I believe your daughter was forced to take the drugs, after she was sexually assaulted."  Steve waited to let everything sink in.  He was telling more than he normally did, but they had a right to know everything and they were the only possible link to what might have happened.  "I'm sorry for being so abrupt.  It's not my intention to cause you more pain."

"We were not informed that our daughter was sexually assaulted.  We were only told she was assaulted."  Mrs. Leipua explained with renewed horror as to what happened to her daughter.

"I suspected so much.  Please, again, I'm so sorry."  Steve added

"Why didn't your officer stop it?"  Mr. Leipua asked with thick emotion.  Yet his tone was not angry or accusing, which surprised Steve.

"Of course we don't know everything that went on.  But what we can tell, he did try to stop it.  Somehow they managed to handcuff him to an iron ornament built into the wall.  It was apparent from the injuries he received to his wrists that he fought desperately to get free, but wasn't successful.  He was also beaten while handcuffed and even stabbed.  The most serious injury though was to his head.  There were numerous blows to his head."

Both of the Leipua's closed their eyes and winced at the thought of what Danny must have endured.

"So how can we help?"

"Tell me about your daughter's plans.  When did you last see her...I need to know the details of what she did that day."

"Mary.  Our daughter...her name was Mary.  She was beautiful.  It was her birthday and we had a party for her.  She just turned 16 and was going to go to another party with her friends later that night...she was so excited.  But she never made it to their party for her Mr. McGarrett."  Frustrated, Mr. Leipua banged his hand slightly on the arm of the chair.  "Mary left our home to go to the record store.  She was so excited about getting to drive by herself and begged to go to the record store.  How could we deny her Mr. McGarrett?  But only if we had!"

Unable to go on Mrs. Leipua continued for her distraught husband.  "Mary was our only child, she was our dream...our future.  We never saw her again.  But neither did her friends.  She may have been at a party, but it wasn't the one that was planned for her.  Do you think your officer may have invited her to this one?"

"No, Danno...Officer Williams would never be part of a group like that.  They were a younger group than he socializes with and he would have had nothing to do with drugs.  What record store did your daughter go to?"

"We don't know.  There are so many around here.  Maybe she even went to the mall.  I have no idea."

"As I mentioned I have so many questions.  I'll need to know the names of Mary's friends who were planning the party for her.  May I contact you again, to try and put this all together."  Steve asked not wanting to impose on their time of mourning...but wanting to find out what happened.

"Yes, Mr. McGarrett.  The other policemen were very thoughtful, but seemed like they only talked to us to be nice.  They never really listened that Mary didn't show up at the party she was supposed to go to."  The Leipua's gave Steve the names he needed and asked that he keep them informed - no matter what he found.