Unexpected ChoicesAlong for the Ride chapter 4

Dan reported for his first day of duty at HPD. He found his desk easily enough, liking the open office as he found all his current cases in the locked lower right drawer of his new desk.

Opening up the first file, it looked like it was a crime of passion, the COD said his caseload was going to be a mixed bag, with budget cuts, he wouldn't strictly work on homicide. But it didn't matter to him, he was no longer under McGarrett's thumb.

Dan had called the hospital and got an update on Jenny. She was awake and asking for him. A relief washed over him knowing Jenny wasn't blaming him for the hospital.

Joe had even calmed down and agreed for him to see Jenny after his shift. He quickly got to work and went to work on interviewing witnesses and see where it took him.

50

It was after 9 pm by the time he got to the hospital. Joe met him in the lobby and took him up to Jenny's room. Joe had informed him he had just missed McGarrett by a few minutes.

Once in Jenny's room, Dan sighed inwardly to see Jenny was no longer hooked up to machines but still had an IV.

"Aloha Jenny." Dan said quietly as he approached her bed.

"Oh Danny." Jenny opened her arms up, Dan walked to her as Jenny hugged him. "It wasn't your fault. It was an accident. I tried to talk to Steve about it, but he just wouldn't listen. Is it true, you no longer work at Five 0?"

"Hey slow down Jenny. You've got to take it easy. Yes I'm no longer with Five 0, Steve gave me no choice." Dan returned the hug and then stood next to her bed.

"Steve didn't say why you left but I have an idea." Jenny looked serious.

"Jenny, and I think Joe would agree, your only job now is to get well. I'll be okay. I'm back at HPD as a detective. So don't worry about me." Dan smiled hopefully to ease Jenny's worries.

"Okay if you say so." Jenny smiled. "Just don't make yourself a stranger."

Dan nodded, they talked for a little while, until the nurse said it was time for him to go and he assured Jenny he wouldn't be a stranger.

50

The next morning Dan was up early the next day, his heart a little fuller and calmer knowing Jenny didn't blame him for the accident, unlike his former boss.

Dan was following up on a few leads to a couple of cases he was working. He now had two notebooks to keep track of his cases and try to connect the dots to solve the cases. Five 0 was the last thing on his mind.

With his skill and acumen, Dan was able to wrap up a few minor cases within the month. He concentrated on HPD cases and didn't even read the newspaper if Five 0 was mentioned. That was his past and he planned to move on.

51

A few months had passed and he was at his desk, finishing up some reports. When Detective. Yoshi Tanaka approached his desk.

"Hey brah." Tanaka rapped on his desk.

"Hey can i buy you a quick lunch?" Tanaka asked.

Dan knew Tanaka had a laid back demeanor but didn't miss a trick.

"Sure, I need a break from my reports and it looks like I'm way past lunch. You know there is a great saimen place around the corner of the station. Do you know it?" Dan stook up and stretched.

"Yeah I know it. My treat. Come on." Tanaka headed out of office and Dan followed.

Since it was past lunch, Dan and Tanaka found a table quickly. Dan ordered a large wonton men and Tanaka plain simple saimin.

Both men slurped happily until they were done. Dan pushed his bowl away and took a long sip of his cola.

Tanaka looked at him nervously.

"So I guess you wanted to talk away from everyone else?" Dan surmised.

"Yeah, um, it's about Five 0." Tanaka asked.

Dan had forgotten about Five 0, it must have been the posting he saw about an opening.

"What do you want to know? I take it McGarrett told you what the position would require." Dan knew McGarrett didn't sugar coat anything and by the book.

"Yeah, well I want to know is it the truth?" Tanaka asked nervously.

Dan longed for a cigarette but McGarrett made him quit, so long ago.

"Depends on what he told you. So let me ask you this. Are you involved with anyone, seriously? I mean they are dating a cop, right?"

Tanaka nodded.

"Well I hope they are understanding, because you will miss a lot of dates and family time. Just when you think you can leave the office, something's going to blow and it will be big. Or for some reason, McGarrett wants you to stay so he can bounce some theories off of you. McGarrett is by the book, no cutting corners and a stickler for details. McGarrett wants to make sure the DA can make the case. Every i has to be dotted and t crossed."

Tanaka nodded.

"Okay so don't make any holiday plans. I can tell you every single plan I made to see my aunt in New York. Something happened, big I mean. I had to settle for just a phone call." Dan sighed.

Tanaka frowned. "You aren't serious. I mean I heard you coached a little league team, even went surfing. You had time off."

Dan chuckled. "Oh yeah. I quit coaching little league years ago, since I couldn't make practice, let alone games and I didn't want the kids to suffer. Surfing was far and few between. Once I judged a tournament, with McGarrett's blessing of course, and I ended up working a murder. My love life was non-existent. Sure, I was almost engaged, but that ended badly." Dan chin went to his chest.

"Yeah i heard about that. I'm really sorry." Tanaka said.

"Well that was a few years ago. Anyway, as long as you don't mind the long hours and being at McGarrett's beck and call. Good luck." Dan said, slid out of the booth, pulled out some money out of his pocket and paid for his meal.

"Um, thanks for being so honest." Tanaka sighed. "See you around the squad room."

Dan waved and headed back to HPD.