Guardian

A/N: First and most importantly, thank you to everyone that has taken the time to leave a review, especially for the last chapter. Hugs to each of you for sticking through this incredible and often painful journey with our beloved ohana.

Second, I hope you enjoy this installment and greatly appreciate it if you take the time to leave a quick review when you're done.

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

Chapter 42

Duke, Governor Denning, and several other HPD officers were waiting just outside the main door when the family emerged. Though it was a very short walk to the fellowship hall entrance they had no intention of leaving the family unattended.

Seeing the governor, Dianne stopped in front of him. "Thank you for coming today. I imagine it wasn't easy with your schedule."

Reaching out and taking her hand, he held it between his as he replied. "Mrs. Bradley, nothing could have prevented me from being here today. Please, let me know if there is anything I can do to help." He held her eyes for a moment longer before making eye contact with each of the other family members, including Grace. "That goes for all of you."

Hearing some noise across the parking lot, Steve looked up to see a reporter and cameraman trying to get a shot of them. This was the part of leading an increasingly high profile task force that he didn't care for. Fortunately, HPD was blocking the pairs attempted entrance to the area and Duke and the officers standing with him immediately formed a barricade of blue to shield the ohana from view.

"Perhaps we should head inside." The governor offered Dianne his arm as he guided her toward the fellowship hall, the living HPD barricade moving with them.

Once inside the room, the family appreciated that the gathered crowd gave them a bit of space to get their bearings. One end of the room held tables where several people had placed light refreshments. Steve recognized a few of the women assisting others at the table from Grace's school.

Throughout the rest of the room there were chairs lining the walls and gathered in small groups spread across the floor. The space had been set up to allow people to mix and talk comfortably.

Feeling Danny and Grace both sagging slightly against him, Steve quickly guided them toward one group of empty chairs. The others followed and soon Dianne, Grace, and Danny were seated. Steve, Chin, and Cath stood behind them, carefully arranged so people could approach the three from the front and sit to speak with them, but not surprise them from behind.

"Why don't we go see what we can find for them to drink?" Beth asked Mary and Kono. Nodding, the two younger women followed Danny's mom across the room. Once they delivered the drinks they would make the rounds of the room, careful to keep an eye on the rest of the ohana.

When the other guests saw that the family was settled, people began trickling over to speak with them. Dianne clung to Danny's hand as she listened to the stories Rachel's friends told. It was nice to hear about pieces of her daughter's life she'd missed out on, but also difficult to be reminded how little she really knew her only child.

Catherine kept her post behind Mrs. Bradley, determined to keep her word to stay with the woman throughout the day. She realized that in some ways the English woman reminded her of her own mother, perhaps that was why she felt such a strong desire to protect her. Regardless of the reason, she would occasionally feel the older woman's hand cover hers where it rested on her shoulder; a silent thank you for being there.

Danny felt as if he were stuck in a haze. Seeing Rachel's body, he was glad his partner had helped him prepare; otherwise, he was sure he'd have ended up on the floor. Despite their difficult relationship in recent years, he didn't believe she deserved to have her life taken so abruptly and so early. Now, hearing everyone that knew and cared for her speak he was reminded of the more pleasant side of his ex that he hadn't seen since the divorce.

Steve listened carefully as people spoke, ready to intercede if anyone treaded into the dangerous ground of how Rachel died. This was a day for remembering how she'd lived, not rehashing her brutal death in front of her mother and child. The two of them and Danny were having a hard enough time already, he'd be damned if he let it become more difficult.

At some point Ms. Jones came and pulled a chair closer to Grace. Steve paid close attention to see how the little girl reacted to the woman from her school. Though she seemed hesitant at first, she quickly relaxed with the familiar woman. Ms. Jones looked up at him and gave a warm smile to the Seal as Grace settled in to talking with her.

She was pleased to see two men with her student seeming to provide her some measure of comfort without even thinking about it. Her father had one arm stretched out to her, holding one small hand safely in his though the angle of his arm couldn't have been comfortable. Ms. Jones rather thought it looked like he would be torn in two if Rachel's mother and Grace leaned away from him.

Commander McGarrett's interaction with her was another interesting phenomenon. Though she didn't know the full extent of his relationship with the Williams family it was obvious he was a fixture in their lives. The way Grace held onto the hand he had draped protectively over her shoulder spoke volumes to the woman. She'd spent her entire career working with children and this one clearly trusted the men with her.

Seeing that Grace was okay with Ms. Jones, Steve allowed his attention to shift back to listening to the conversation between Danny, Dianne, and one of Rachel's friends. Though she seemed friendly enough she was starting to edge around questions that he didn't like. When the woman glanced up nervously at him, his face made it clear she should move along.

As she walked away, his partner looked up at him. "Why do I get the feeling she received some encouragement to leave?"

The Seal's arched eyebrow said it all. He wouldn't deny it and he would do it again as many times as needed.

"Thank you." Danny looked to his daughter and noticed Ms. Jones helping keep her occupied though Grace maintained her handhold on both he and Steve.

"How are you Mr. Williams?" She asked, though she clearly didn't expect an answer. "I was just telling Grace how much we missed her at school and how we look forward to seeing her again when she's ready."

"I'll give you a call later this week to start figuring that out. We're meeting with Dr. James again Wednesday and I'd like to see what she thinks."

Still sitting in the chair Grace was starting to squirm a bit.

"That makes sense. You have my mobile number, right?" He nodded his head. She'd given it to him during their first conversation after Rachel's death. "Feel free to use it so you don't have to worry about catching me during office hours."

Turning her attention back to her student, Ms. Jones noticed Grace's fidgeting. "Do you need to find the ladies room?" Including the funeral they'd been here for a little over two hours by this point.

When the little girl nodded, Danny started looking around to find it.

"It's right over there." Ms. Jones pointed to a door. "I'd be happy to take her and from the looks of things Commander McGarrett will keep an eye on things for the short time we'll be gone."

Danny and Ms. Jones both looked up to Steve. Though he was reluctant to let her out of his sight, Danny knew there was nothing he could do other than stand outside the bathroom door.

"Thank you. That would be great." The two fathers watched nervously as their little girl crossed the room with the other woman.

After a moment, Danny's attention was claimed by another friend of Rachel's. Steve on the other hand, continued watching Ms. Jones and the door where she stood. He wasn't thrilled when one of the other school moms came up and drew her into conversation. Though she remained in front of the door, her attention was now divided.

The Seal's attention remained fixed on the door; however, he caught sight of an unfamiliar man that seemed to be heading in that direction from the corner of his eye. There was something off about him and Steve didn't recall seeing him amidst the mourners exiting the service earlier. When the man reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a flask, he had a sinking feeling this was going to lead to trouble.

Not wanting to alarm Danny yet and cause a scene in the midst of the somber gathering, he remained silent yet on full alert. It took some effort to keep the hand on his partner's shoulder relaxed even as the rest of him stiffened.

Standing next to his boss, Chin could sense the shift in his demeanor and his eyes immediately sought out whatever had caused it. Spotting the same man, he also became suspicious. Spotting Kono watching him, Chin signaled for her to check the mystery man out.

Unfortunately, before she could get to him the man reached the ladies room door and pounded loudly on the wooden surface. The majority of the room seemed to freeze in place at the unexpected and out of place interruption to the quiet murmur of conversations throughout the room.

Danny wasn't sure what had happened. One second he was talking to Rachel's friend, Steve's hand resting on the back of his neck. The next, his Super Seal partner had launched over the chair beside him and broken out in a dead run across the room.

It only took the detective's brain a second longer to realize the Seal was headed in the direction Grace had gone with Ms. Jones. Launching from the chair, Danny immediately followed.

Reaching the unknown guest, Steve grabbed his hand before it could connect with the door again and wrenched the man's arm around. Danny winced, remembering that painful maneuver from their earlier days together.

"What the hell are you doing?" The Seal's voice was dangerously low, coming out as nearly a growl.

"I just wanted to say hello." The slightly slurred, sarcastic tone in the answer did nothing to help McGarrett calm down. He was seeing red, something told him this wasn't just an unhappy accident.

"Who are you and what are you doing here?" Leaning over the man's back, close to his ear, he could smell the alcohol on this breath.

"I'm just a friend of the family." He sneered. "Thought I'd pass Stan's regards along since the bitch and her little brat ruined him."

Standing behind him, Governor Denning and Duke had heard enough and realized they needed to intervene before Steve did something he would later regret in front of a room full of witnesses. The HPD officer glanced at the politician before stepping in to help. "McGarrett, why don't you let me escort our friend out? Perhaps he should take advantage of our fine facilities to sleep off his current state."

Looking up he met the officer's eyes and then looked to Governor Denning. Both men looked at him expectantly. Glancing out over the rest of the room, he quickly noticed the view was obstructed by the semi-circle of police forming a barrier between the ohana and the rest of the mourners.

Steve gave the man's arm one last jerk, causing him to grimace in pain before handing him over to Duke. As soon as his hands were free, he whirled around toward the now open bathroom door.

"It's okay Monkey. Danno's got you and Daddy's fixing it." The Seal could hear Danny's voice as he approached the door. He froze in the entry, unable to come closer when he saw Danny kneeling on the floor, Grace curled in a sobbing mess in front of him.

The Seal closed his eyes, the scene bringing back the memory of finding Grace at the Edwards's residence. He imagined she was having the same flashbacks. Unsure of what to do, afraid he would scare her if he came closer, Steve remained frozen in place.

Somehow Grace knew that her Daddy was watching them, that he'd taken care of the person that had scared her so badly. Looking up, she could barely make out his form in the doorway through the tears in her eyes.

"Daddy." She stretched out one hand that had been wrapped around Danny's neck, reaching for him even as she curled closer against her father.

Steve was on his knees next to the two before it even registered he was moving. His long arms wrapped protectively around his family, he pulled them securely against his chest as the tears finally fell from his eyes.

/

Hopefully that last bit didn't traumatize you guys too much. Though it was not pre-written, the concept has been lurking around waiting for the funeral so it could fall into place.

Anyway, reviews are greatly appreciated!