Guardian

A/N: Now for a little peek into what the others were up to while Steve was off with Dr. Thompson.

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters and make no money doing this. I'm just having fun playing with them.

Chapter 33

Feeling an elbow digging into his ribs, Danny's eyes slowly opened. It took him a moment, but he finally realized he was still on the couch, the offending elbow belonging to Grace.

Glancing up at the clock, he guessed Steve was already gone for his appointment which explained the pile of pillows where the Seal had been seated. Danny found it unexpectedly sweet that he'd thought to ensure his comfort before leaving.

Still nestled into his side, Grace started to whimper. Stroking her arm, he hoped to calm her, but she only seemed to get worse. He silently cursed the nightmares that continued to disrupt her rest.

"Daddy? Daddy? You came?" Danny's heart broke again at the pained sound in her voice as she talked in her sleep. He couldn't even be upset that it was Steve she called for in her sleep. She'd spent that entire time in the bathroom knowing that he couldn't come for her; that her only chance was the Seal.

He'd been honest with Steve when they'd talked about his relationship with Grace, he wasn't upset with her reliance on his partner. He was the only person Danny could imagine trusting so completely with her and he was forever grateful that Steve took that honor and responsibility so seriously.

Shaking Grace's shoulder a bit more, the detective tried to rouse her from the nightmare. He didn't want to scare her, but he couldn't let her stay trapped and scared her in sleep.

Jerking awake as a hand shook her, Grace looked around the room slightly panicked. She wasn't in the bathroom, she was at home. Recognizing the body she was curled against, she relaxed slightly. She remembered the nightmare; knew that she'd called for Daddy just like she had every other time.

"Sorry Danno." Her voice was sad and worried.

The apology threw him. She'd done nothing wrong and this wasn't the first time one or both of them fell asleep before a movie was over. "Why are you sorry Monkey?"

Burrowing closer to him, she didn't answer. Her silence worried him given how close they'd always been; how willing she was usually was to talk to him.

"Grace, you know you can always talk to me, right?" He tried to reassure her.

She nodded against him, sobbing quietly. Hoping she would talk when she was ready, he shifted and pulled her into his lap. Brushing the hair from her face, he whispered, "Danno loves you."

His quiet words seemed to break something loose in her. "I'm sorry, Danno. I'm sorry I couldn't save her. I'm sorry I didn't fight harder. I'm sorry I keep calling for Daddy and not you. I'm…" Her sobs halted her frantic apology.

"Oh Grace." He held her more tightly. "You don't need to be sorry about any of that. There was no way you could have saved her and if you'd fought harder you probably would have been hurt worse. You did the right thing and you made it through. That is what's important."

Looking down at her, he met her tear filled brown eyes. He suspected her apology was largely associated with her final statement. "You definitely don't need to be sorry about calling for Steve. You knew I couldn't get to you because I was in Jersey. You also knew that he could and would do anything to save you, so calling for him made the most sense. If I'd been in that position I'd be calling for him too."

"But you're here now." Her voice was full of guilt and apology.

"I am, but I'm guessing your nightmares are about what happened, so it makes total sense that you're calling out for him. I am here now and will do anything I can to help you including understanding that sometimes you're going to need Daddy instead of Danno. He was the one that rescued you, but more than that he has had a unique set of experiences in is life that means he understands some of what you are thinking and feeling more than I do. I don't ever want you to think that I'm upset that you need him."

Seeing her slightly surprised look he smiled at her. "Truth be told, I need him too. Our crazy Super Seal is uniquely qualified to handle members of the Williams family in distress."

"So you really aren't upset?" She still sounded concerned; worried that she was hurting her Danno.

"Promise, I'm not upset. You have both of us. We're all in this together and we'll both play whatever part you need us to in helping you." He kissed her on the forehead.

"Thanks Danno. Love you." She settled more comfortably in his lap, visibly more relaxed than she had been now that he'd assured her. She knew he'd do anything for her. He'd proved that when he picked up and moved to Hawaii for her, but he was right; over the last week it seemed like Daddy understood how she was feeling and could relate.

Hearing a car pull up outside, Danny smiled. "Speaking of people that are here for you, I think more just arrived."

Grace gave Danny a hug before slipping out of his lap. "I'm gonna run upstairs real quick. Be back down in a minute." She wanted to wash away the tears before seeing everyone. She didn't want to have to explain why she'd been crying.

Nodding, he rose to go let their visitors in, assuming it was one or more of the ohana or Dianne. Approaching the door, his mother appeared at his side.

She gave him a quick hug, before leaning against him with one arm still wrapped around his waist. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah, it is now. She was worried that I was upset with her about Steve. I think if it were anyone but him I would be, but with him I get it. I'm just glad the Neanderthal loves her so damned much. I couldn't stand to see her get hurt by someone else that should be protecting her."

Beth nodded in understanding. "I don't think you have anything to worry about there. It's easy to see how much he loves you both."

/

As the car pulled into the driveway, Dianne noticed car and motorcycle she'd figured out belonged to Kono and Chin as well as one additional car she didn't recognize.

"Just call when you're ready to be picked up, ma'am." The driver reminded her as he opened her door.

"Thank you. I'd imagine it will be after dinner sometime." She found herself unusually concerned that he'd be sitting around waiting for her all day.

"Not a problem, ma'am." He smiled and nodded as she headed toward the house.

Chin appeared before she made it too far. "We're all out back if you want to join us." He welcomed her, taking the small bag she'd brought with a change of clothes. She'd donned her bathing suit under her clothes so she wouldn't have to change twice.

"Thank you, Chin." She followed him around the house. Seeing a large man she didn't recognize, she looked to her companion. "That's Kamekona. He came over to check on Grace and brought lunch with him. I hope you like shrimp."

Dianne nodded, slightly nervous about meeting another person that probably knew her granddaughter better than she did.

"Don't worry, he won't bite. His personality is bigger than he is though, so don't let it scare you. He's really just a big teddy bear."

She smiled at his warning, seeing that his eyes were full of laughter. "I appreciate the warning."

As they neared the group, Grace broke away and ran over to give Dianne a hug. "Hi Grandma. You made it just in time for lunch. Kamekona brought shrimp and we're having a picnic on the beach."

When Kono had suggested lunch on the beach Danny had taken one look at Grace and conceded. He'd long ago admitted to himself that Steve's ability to be soothed by the sand and water had rubbed off on Grace. He was slower to admit that at some point it started having the same effect on him.

"Welcome back." Danny came to greet her. "There are drinks in the cooler and likely more variations of shrimp than you ever dreamed existed."

As everyone settled onto the blankets and filled their plates there was plenty of talking and laughter. Dianne found herself more at ease with the group than she expected. Even Kamekona did his best to help her feel welcome.

Finding herself next to Chin, she decided to ask about the computer assistance. "Chin." She spoke his name and waited for his head to turn. "Beth mentioned you or Kono might be able to help me with something."

He looked a bit puzzled, unsure what he could possibly offer. "Happy to help if I'm able. What's the problem?"

She smiled at his quick willingness. "Danny and Steve offered to let me talk to Grace by video chat when I return to England, but it sounds like I don't have the right equipment. I've needed to replace my computer for some time, but never really had a reason to bother. I'm afraid I'm going to get back home and have no idea what to get or how to use it."

The Hawaiian chuckled. "Ah, that's an easy enough problem to fix. When are you headed back?"

Everyone seemed to fall silent at his question. Oddly enough that bit of information hadn't come up in previous conversation.

"My flight is scheduled for Wednesday." She was less than enthused about the quick departure now that things had changed.

Seeing his daughter's face fall at this bit of news and the saddened look on Dianne's face, Danny spoke up. "Do you have to rush back so soon or would it be possible to adjust your flight and stay a few days longer."

She thought about it for a moment. "I don't think it would hurt anything to stay for a few extra days. My itinerary information is back at the hotel so I'll have to call the airline this evening or tomorrow."

"Which airline are you flying?" Chin questioned.

With that information he tapped away on his phone for a moment before handing it to her. "Just press send and you can call them now. They should be able to look up your flight info."

A few minutes later, Dianne's departing flight was moved to Sunday, gaining an extra four days to spend with the family.

"Great. That give us time to get our outfitted for the video chats and show you how to use everything." He already had a good idea of what they'd need to get.

"Thank you. Just let me know if it is easier for me to give you the money or to come with you to get things." She was very grateful for his help.

"If it works for you, we could go pick everything up Wednesday while Grace is at her appointment." Everyone was are that she was going to see Dr. James that evening and since that only involved Danny, Steve, and Grace it seemed a convenient time for a little tech shopping.

"I have no other plans that evening, so that works for me." She watched as Grace rose from her place and ventured over to Kono and Catherine.

The two women smiled and nodded before rising to join her. Dianne was curious what they were up to and surprised when Grace met her eyes and motioned for her to come with them.

"We're gonna go build a sandcastle. You can help if you want." She invited her grandmother.

Beth smiled over at Dianne. "Be forewarned, Grace and Kono are quite proficient at building sandcastles. I've lost count of how many pictures I've seen of their masterpieces."

Standing up, Mrs. Bradley laughed. "Then I suppose I should learn from the masters. I don't know that I've actually built a sandcastle before."

The entire group gasped in mock horror at this revelation before Catherine replied. "In that case, we insist that you join us. There is no time like the present to introduce you to one of our favorite past times." She turned to Beth. "You should come too."

Danny watched as the women all headed a bit closer to water to start their latest feat of engineering. He was very glad to see Grace happy surrounded by the four women. They were far from out of the woods, but it gave him hope for what the future held.

/

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