I do not own Hawaii Five-0 or any characters. No copyright infringement intended.

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Chapter 7

Steve was awakened from a deep drug-induced sleep by an odd noise followed by the sensation of being closely watched. Chin and Kono had left hours ago, but he could hear the television and a weather report in the background. The feeling was foreign and he quite unexpectedly lost his balance in a reflexive lurch off the sofa before tangling his fingers in a curly, sodden mass of fur. He was on one knee when he yanked hard on the creature and felt its resistance suddenly fall away. His injured right arm was out of the sling and he was automatically in a defensive posture before he needed to think.

Blinking his eyes furiously, he ignored the pain in his shoulder as he stared in confusion at the plump fuzzy face before he realized what the odd noise was off in the distance. Crying .. sobbing actually which was now heavily punctuated by hiccups and ragged coughing.

He stayed on his knees swallowing hard to control his breathing and his heart rate. It took effort to calm himself, drop the nearly destroyed stuffed animal, and shake his hands from their tight fists. Instead of throttling the poor stuffed teddy bear, he could have accidentally killed the little girl.

"Kasey." His voice was rough from sleep and medication. As his vision cleared and he focused on what he saw before him, there was no doubt of a strong tinge of emotion as well. Her black hair hung long, damp and stringy down her shoulders to partially obscure her face. Except for a rosy heat to her cheeks, she was pale and looked almost frail where she sat with her legs splayed near the coffee table.

When he'd reacted so severely to her presence, Kasey had gasped in surprise and backed up too quickly. Lord Bear was roughly torn from her grip when Steve snatched it from her arms. The force pushed her backwards and she stumbled over her own two feet to get away. His face was different, he acted as if he didn't even know her and she'd fallen on her bottom. She was sitting on the floor about ten feet away from him in a miserable tear-stained puddle staring at him in shock.

"It's alright. I'm sorry." Steve dropped his voice immediately. They had both scared the other within an inch of their lives. And it was obvious now that he could lose her more quickly than he thought possible.

"Kasey .. oh my god. Where did you come from? We've been looking everywhere for you." He held his left hand out to her and he couldn't hide his relief when she barely hesitated to rocket into his arms. His wounded arm took the bulk of her weight but he completely ignored the severe flare up as he sat back on his heels and gathered her in. Her entire small body was vibrating from the shock and he could feel the odd heat through her damp clothes which meant she was undeniably sick. He closed his eyes in sympathy and stroked her hair

"I'm sorry .. I didn't mean to scare you like that." He had mumbled it over and over again into her hair. But the child was inconsolable and it quickly got to a point where Steve was at a loss as to what to do. So he did the most logical thing - he called his partner.

The storm had worsened and there was no end in sight according to the weather reports. Even in the house, the sound was overwhelming and almost deafening. Steve found himself competing over the din that was merging with a child's unhappy sobs. It was a difficult feat at the best of times and Steve had significant pain killers running through his blood system. He'd been awake for awhile now but he still felt woozy and disconnected as he managed to hit the speed dial for Danny. It rang three long times before his call was answered.

"Steven?" The tone was an interesting combination of amusement and frustration. In the background, he heard a movie in full progress and a shout of "Hi, Uncle Steve!" from Grace.

In typical fashion, Danny cut him off before he could even begin speaking. "I'm fine. You're fine. Storm is still ... storming. Yes as you can hear, Grace and I are having a wonderful time. Unless your arm is suddenly falling off, thanks for calling."

Steve ground his jaw as the muffled sobs around his waist continued. He sighed loudly to make his own desperate point obvious to Danny before apologizing and pleading his case. "Yeah, I'm glad and I know. And I am sorry to cut in on your time with Grace .. but ..Danny."

His partner had thankfully been released around eight o'clock that very same evening and it was now nearing ten thirty. The ER doctor had worked in tandem with a pulmonologist that had ordered a supportive CT scan to qualify the assumed lung contusion. The findings were conclusive for a lesser worrisome but equally painful chest contusion which had indeed missed vital organs. True to their promises, Kono had happily retrieved Danny to escort him to his apartment where Grace already sat waiting with Rachel. Though quite a bit lower key, the father and daughter would have their storm party as planned with Grace more than willing to make sure Danny continued to follow doctor's orders to the letter.

A dramatic groan still cut him off though and Steve glared at the phone as he dug in. "Danny. I sort of need your help."

Steve's wound had been flushed and sutured. His treatment only trumped Danny's by the addition of antibiotics. He wasn't feeling as much pain as his partner - but he now had his own little girl to deal with too. He was out of his element as her little arms tightened again and he felt the sickness radiating off her in waves. Chin and Kono were working late at the FBI offices despite the weather. The HPD Crime Scene Unit had found a thumb drive in the defunct air conditioning ceiling vent in the apartment's hallway. FBI field personnel were as anxious as both Five-0 and HPD to see what data it held .. no one doubted that the small rectangle would be the treasure trove.

His tentative suggestion of calling anyone but Danny had terrified Kasey even more. For the time being, he needed the one person who knew how to deal with a ten-year old child.

He was thinking about all of that while standing in his kitchen as Kasey literally wrapped herself around his leg. He was off balance anyway, and he unexpectedly lurched when Kasey re-tightened her desperate hold. She was near hysterical, feverish and trembling and for the life of him ... Steve didn't know what to do.

"Danno? Can you help me out?" Bending slightly at the waist, Steve quietly tried to shush the exhausted little girl who was once again embedded to his body.

"Is that a kid I hear? Are you starting a day care or something and didn't tell me?" The understanding was immediate though based upon Danny's shocked inhale.

"Kasey? You found her?"

Steve took the opportunity gratefully now that they were on the same page. "She found me. She's been hiding in the back of my truck. She snuck into the house and hid in the downstairs closet." Steve's voice fell to a whisper as he rubbed his face before dropping his hand back to stroking her dirty hair. He wasn't sure he was making sense but he knew what he had almost done.

"God, Danny. I was out of it .. I could have ...she was just standing here."

He didn't need to finish the sentence because Danny knew what he meant. The stunned silence was followed by Danny telling Grace to pack her things together for a quick visit to Uncle Steve's house.

"She's sick, Danny. She's burning up with a fever and congested because she's been out in this weather. But I can't calm her down long enough to check her out and she tried to lock herself in the bathroom when I mentioned the doctor." He was almost rambling but couldn't stop as Kasey's choked sobs created a coughing spasm that completely reddened her face.

"She only agreed to you." Steve voice was full of stress as he became louder. He was jumping around again but couldn't seem to stop. "She locked herself in the bathroom. I just broke the door down ..to get her out .. but .."

"You did what?" The disapproval laced Danny's voice as Steve heard movement on the other side of the connection. The distinct jingle of keys and Grace's worried voice reached him just below Danny's rising rant. "She's ten years old and you ..."

"Hey! Stop. You can't drive. Just tell me what to do!" Steve wasn't happy that he could hear Grace's own annoyance and warnings. "You don't need to come over. I need you to make a few calls and then tell me what to do. Kids can't have aspirin, right?"

He groaned in frustration as Kasey's trembling increased and he failed at juggling both the phone and the child. In the background, he heard Grace beginning to similarly complain to Danno about driving and he almost smiled when he heard the keys get tossed to the table. Grace evidently had refused to leave the apartment or get in the car based on Danny's surprised retort to his daughter.

"What? No. No aspirin! Do not give her anything except for hot soup until I get there!" The stunned outburst was all Steve needed to hear as Danny firmly objected to his question - okay, no aspirin. It also brought on an unexpectedly pained groan and long pause as Danny's breathing suddenly altered.

Wedging the phone to his ear Steve immediately became concerned and then had to wait longer than he was comfortable for an answer. "What's wrong?"

"Just .. I have to take it easy." Danny's admission was carefully huffed out and Steve could tell that he was now sitting. His voice was more subdued and conversational when he asked his next question.

"So, what's her temperature?" But Steve had no answer for the typical question because he didn't have a thermometer. "Steve? Temperature?"

The aggrieved groan and slightly defensive tone each spoke volumes as Steve lay his palm across Kasey's hot, sweaty forehead. "Hot. Okay. Hotter than she should be."

"You don't have a thermometer. Why am I not surprised." Steve offered a repeat of his dramatically stressed moan at the patronizing language. The only blessing was that Danny was purposefully keeping a calmer even-keeled tone. Rants not allowed .. Steve filed the information away for later.

"Daniel. Yell at me later and tell me what to do now."

He could hear the rustling and movement as Danny got things together. In the background, Grace was offering suggestions that included a thermometer, cough medicine and other children's medications that her father evidently kept on hand. Danny was a daddy prepared!

"Steve. I'm fine. We're losing power here about every fifteen minutes or so from this lousy storm. But I have a plan and will be there. Just do me a favor ... take all the grenades, explosives and all your other fun SEAL toys out of the house or put them up high."

"Not funny. That is so not funny, Danno." Steve glared at the phone as he heard the soft sarcastic chuckle. "And for your information, I took the doorknob off to remove the lock. Just .. if you can .. get here .. please. Be careful."

He paused quickly. Mrs. Watson would need to know about Kasey; as well as HPD for the necessary alerts to be canceled and he was already having trouble. "Uh, Danny .. those calls I mentioned .. can you reach out .."

"Yes, Steven." The interruption was mid-sentence with just the slightest hint of continued amusement, however Steve grinned in relief. "I'll do it on the way."

Instead of mocking the desperation in Steve's tone, Danny simply announced that he would be over as soon as possible with his own arsenal of children's medications stowed in a small bag. Thirty minutes later, Steve had managed to comfort Kasey when an HPD cruiser showed up in his driveway. He smiled in relief when both Danny and Grace emerged from the back seat. But where Grace bounced out in delight, her father was much slower and slightly hunched over. As a favor, the officer had also gotten out to carry Danny's heavier overnight bag and ensure he didn't trip or fall over as he made his way to the front door.

"Danny's here, Kasey. You'll like Grace too. She's about your age." Steve sighed as he repositioned the exhausted child onto his lap. He had managed to at least get her out of her ruined wet clothing and into something dry. He was sure that Danny would have something to say about his choice of style. His only come-back was that she was at least warm. Kasey had finally quieted too, but she was refusing to eat or sleep just in case he was not telling the truth.

She melted into him in fear when his front door opened and the strange officer said a few words to Danny. But he remained outside to not frighten the little girl. He handed Grace the overnight bag and she thanked him. Then the door slammed shut firmly leaving only Danny and his daughter standing calmly in the living room.

Kasey relaxed and Steve could tell by her expression that she was relieved to see Danny as promised, and then was brave enough to offer Grace a tiny smile.

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Having long abandoned the awkward sling, Steve was washing Kasey's clothes while Danny cleaned her up thoroughly in the bathroom and dressed her in warm, borrowed clothing from Grace. That had been a battle unto itself because she liked wearing Steve's much over-sized dark blue SEAL sweatshirt. Miles of sleeve fabric were rolled up to bunch uncomfortably around her wrists. Danny staggered in, looked at the display and then carefully bent closer to get a better look.

"Is that duct tape?" Silver tape was wrapped around the fabric to keep the sleeves from unraveling. In his partner's infinite wisdom, he had even snugged the sweatshirt up with a camo belt that was looped twice around her tiny waist. But it still almost reached the floor.

"Oh no!" Danny winced as he raised his voice too loudly and Grace folded her arms in warning. He was supposed to watch his breathing and talk normally. No shouting, no exercise or lifting. No anything that could put pressure on his chest or adversely affect his breathing until his very sore chest healed from the nasty bruising.

He lowered his voice to a whisper when he saw the decked-out camo gear and Kasey's bare toes sticking out from under her Naval 'dress'. "She looks like a mini-you!"

"She's warm." Steve's practiced words of self defense sounded almost lame. Unexpectedly, Kasey also took exception to Danny's comments and even coughing, folded her arms stubbornly across her chest.

"And I like it."

Patiently, Danny rolled his eyes at both of them before taking her hand. He had no intention of losing this battle and she needed a bath anyway. "Great, Kasey. I'm glad but let's get cleaned up ... properly."

Steve laughed at Danny's disgusted final look as the two left the room together. Grace was in tow carrying her small suitcase and a bag that likely held all of her children's medicines plus whatever Danny needed for himself.

Steve now had the teddy bear too because Danny swore that the nearly destroyed and soggy creature could be washed and come out looking like new. In the excitement, Kasey had briefly forgotten about him and he had stayed on the floor propped up against the sofa. Holding Lord Ted up by one grimy paw, he scowled at its smiling bear face since he'd rather just buy a new one. But in reality, he appreciated the toy almost giving up its own furry life for its small owner.

His eyes caught the glint before Lord Ted made it into the suds. Laying the bear flat, Steve unzipped the sodden tummy to be sure that it was empty. However, his fingers connected with a few things and he pulled out the old photograph, his water-logged business card, as well as a black velvet jewelry pouch.

He looked at the picture first. It was undeniably a young Kasey being held in the arms of someone who was more than likely her father. Her black hair was cropped very short and wet from playing in the ocean. She looked to be about five years old and the man was ... big .. familiar .. and Steve felt his stomach clench in shock.

The broad shoulders and his overall stature were unmistakable plus the man he knew did have one son from his first marriage. So this could quite possibly be his friend's son with his own young daughter. So then, Kasey would be his grand-daughter?

Steve frowned and then scratched his head. It was possible but something seemed wrong about the man's age. The man in the photo had graying hair near his temples and seemed to be in his mid-forties.

Flipping it over, the writing on the back provided a desperately needed clue about Kasey's real identity. In a very neat and flowery handwriting it read:

'Becca & Daddy, VA Beach - Summer 2008'

"Becca?" He looked blindly out from where he was getting her clothes ready for the dryer and then studied the man closely again in the picture. Strangely familiar. Too familiar actually.

"Rebecca."

Steve pulled his phone out and immediately placed a call to Kono who may or may not have been in the office, with the FBI, or still interrogating their three criminals with her cousin. The weather was atrocious and it was getting very late now; but he needed her help. He got her on the first ring, but then the wireless connection was full of static and he had to do his best to not shout too loudly into the phone.

"I need a favor. It's about Joanna Pearce and her daughter Kasey. Pull up missing children again but this time focus the search and go back only five years. Search on any female child named Rebecca or Becca from the East coast. Specifically stay again in the Virginia or the Virginia Beach area."

This changed things to provide that elusive starting point and Steve finally felt hopeful that they could find something of value. He ended the call with Kono and then opened the small black bag. The teddy was wet all the way through and the bag was equally drenched. Lord Ted fell awkwardly into the sudsy waters as Steve's eyes nearly bulged out of his head when nine sparkling diamonds fell into the palm of his hand.

~ to be continued ~