I do not own Hawaii Five-0 or any characters. No copyright infringement intended.
Notes: There is a major reference here to my prior story, Rabbit Stew. Even if you haven't read it, the line quoted should make some sense in the context of this story. Thanks for the great reviews ... please be patient for the next chapter .. on a business trip. Thanks for the travel wishes too!
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Chapter 10
"Steve, we have another problem and this will certainly close the loop for us, as well as for the FBI." It was Chin calling with the latest report. Of course Kono had brought her cousin up to speed on the truth behind Kasey's true identity after working so diligently over night. The two continued working together as the morning progressed to tie the different pieces of the growing puzzle together.
What had happened within the last few hours was unfathomable as a report hit Chin's desk from Doctor Max Bergman, the Chief Medical Examiner. An unexpected critical piece arrived as the clouds finally began to disperse from the storm. A body had been discovered on the shores of Kamilo Beach by intrepid beachcombers that were coming out in droves to investigate the interesting and often odd jetsam and flotsam that were left on many a rocky shore. Kamilo Beach was located on the Kau coast of the Big Island and was commonly known as a magnet for debris. After a storm, it was a prime target for beachcombers looking for anything of interest. A human body though, was not on anyone's list of most interesting discoveries.
Danny had just finished his anxious call to the Ramirez's and re-entered the house when Chin called with the alarming news from the M.E.'s office. "Max was notified of a body that had washed up on Kamilo Beach." With a worried glance towards where Danny once again sat in the recliner, he moved quietly to the kitchen to continue talking while Kasey slept on.
"Who is it?" He asked but he sensed that he would know the answer as he dismally ran his free hand over his face.
"There was no actual identification on what was left of her clothing. But she was wearing dog tags for Joanna Pearce." Steve groaned miserably at the confirmation but allowed Chin to continue. Rebecca's mother was dead and regardless of what any one of them thought, it would be a terrible discussion. He looked up as Danny slowly wandered in to discreetly listen in on the conversation.
"Based on decomposition, she's been dead for about three days. She was badly beaten and suffered from numerous internal injuries but Max confirmed C.O.D. to be from a single gunshot wound to the head. She was already deceased when she was dumped into the ocean with her hands bound behind her back."
"Execution style." Steve murmured to himself as the feeling of dread began to rise. He looked up when he heard the worried hum from Danny and nodded as he mouthed "Max' and 'Joanna'. When Danny glanced worriedly towards Rebecca, Steve nodded again and Danny sank quietly to the closest chair. The diamonds were foremost in his mind where they now sat up high on his refrigerator next to his gun.
"But Steve, here's the real rub." Chin paused and sighed audibly. "Max ran the dental records and it confirms what Kono has already found out about Kasey or Rebecca Ramirez ...and her mother."
He felt that he would know the name from the moment Chin first called with news of a discovered body. In fact, it was more than obvious now who the woman's true identity was. "So it is Amy Wilkerson isn't it."
The name made Danny groan louder and he shook his head sadly. Becca had enough misery to contend with and even though certain things were definitely going to be better, other things like the loss of her mother would be terrible blows for the little girl.
"Yes, it is. Like I said, Max ran dental records twice just to be certain and she is most definitely Amy Wilkerson-Ramirez. This is the same person reported as abducting her daughter, Rebecca Anne Ramirez, three years ago in Virginia. They served together in the National Guard. Amy and Joanna were best friends and she obviously stole Joanna's identity. We're getting the specifics about their tour and details behind Joanna's death from their unit commander."
"I'm sorry for the kid, Steve. But at least she's safe now." The remorse was evident in Chin's voice as he confirmed the quiet words. "Ballistics on the bullet matches the two in Danny's vest. This is tightening the noose around Frank Curtis's neck."
"Huh." The pleased sound started deep in Steve's chest and Danny looked up from where he was now sitting at the kitchen table with renewed interest. Steve certainly wasn't happy for Kasey because of the loss of the mother, but they were cobbling together identities and had a connection and motive with finding the jewels. Before filling Danny in, he raised his hand as Grace slowly came in with Kasey.
"Thanks, Chin. We'll talk later." Steve tossed his phone to the counter before leaning back to watch the girls. Kasey was bleary-eyed and quiet as she allowed Grace to tow her along by the hand. He made a low noise in his throat for Danny's benefit because the girls were now in the room.
"What are you two up to?" He asked with a smile.
"Kasey still doesn't feel good." Grace announced with an authoritative voice. "But she's hungry."
Before Danny could make a move, Steve swiped the cough medicine and the thermometer off the table as he took Kasey's hand to pull her up into his lap. "Let's check this out shall we? And then we'll all have something to eat."
Danny rested his chin in his palm with a bemused smile as he hugged Grace to his side and they watched the interesting proceedings. At the beep, Steve made an unhappy face and looked at Danny as if it were his fault. "It's back up to 102 degrees. Now what?"
"Fevers can be stubborn." The much too bland comment said practically through his fist made Steve narrow his eyes but he knew that both Doctor Ramirez and his wife Ellen were anxiously on their way over to the house. It was time to coax Kasey into allowing a new stranger into her quickly changing young life.
"Kasey, I need you to be brave again." Steve kept her on his lap while Danny made a simple breakfast of juice and cereal.
"We have two friends coming over to the house and I don't want you to be scared. The man is a doctor and the woman is a nurse. You're going to stay here while the doctor makes sure you don't need more medicine. Okay?"
He immediately felt the tension through her body and she quickly shook her head no. And to make matters worse, she pushed the juice and cereal bowl away that Danny placed on the table.
"No." Her voice was thin from coughing but her defiant tone was quite plain. "No, I don't want to."
Steve glanced worriedly at Danny for help. "Kasey, I need you to trust us."
To defuse the situation, Danny hugged Grace closer and completely changed the subject as he nonchalantly pushed the food closer again. "Eat a few bites so you can have your medicine. And besides, Grace knows the doctor because he helped us with her rabbit that had babies last year."
"Babies?" Kasey looked at Grace who was now nodding excitedly. But she made a disbelieving face because she wasn't entirely buying the change in conversation. "He's a people doctor that does rabbits?"
The startled noise Steve made at that perturbed announcement connected the family dots and he grinned widely at his partner who was trying to not laugh out loud. Her Uncle had practically said those very words himself when he and Danny had marched into TAMC with the vile creature in a travel crate. They had thought he was sick, were desperate for help and were soon to learn much more about Grace's pet.
"It's a rabbit. This is a military medical hospital for people. I do people. Not rabbits."
Her attitude made Grace quite indignant and she took on Kasey's doubtful challenge. "Well, he did for me. And we had bunnies! Mrs. Hoppy had a whole bunch of babies and Doctor Ram ..."
"Danno!" Grace squealed in surprise as Danny pulled her quickly off her feet and into his lap to stop the unanticipated word.
"That's right, Monkey! And we all thought Mrs. Hoppy was a boy but the doctor was able to find out that he was really a she. What have I told you about boys, huh?" He tickled her and she laughed heartily. The abrupt move did what was intended because Grace forgot to say 'Ramirez' and Kasey finally smiled. But his idea also nearly pitched Danny sideways to the floor.
"Danno?" Grace felt the change as he swayed in the chair holding his chest. Steve was up in an instant and setting Kasey down in the spot he had just vacated. She quickly slid off to stand next to Grace and hold her hand. Danny's eyes were closed and he was fisting the shirt tightly near his sternum as Grace worriedly looked from him to Steve.
Placing a comforting hand on his shoulder, Steve knelt as Danny tried to breathe through the stabbing ache that seemed to radiate through to his back. "How bad? You probably just pulled a muscle, right?"
"Bad." Danny was shaking his head no about moving - he just didn't think he could get up in front of the girls without crumpling to the floor. What he was feeling was more than a muscle pull and he couldn't quite catch his breath. His poor reaction made Steve spin almost in place as both girls stood wide-eyed by his side.
"Ice pack, Grace."
She quickly got the pack from the freezer and Steve gave it to Danny noting that the subtle pained tremble in his hand. "Maybe you should lie down? Medicine?"
Danny shook his head to refuse, though he had yet to open his eyes. Trauma from the bullet had caused very deep soft tissue damage in his chest. The doctors both termed it a deep chest contusion. Not much could be done for him except rest and anti-inflammatories; that and strict orders to not bend, lift or move too quickly. He had unfortunately managed to do two of the three simultaneously.
Their attention was briefly drawn from Danny as the front door bell rang and Kasey screwed up her face unhappily and edged closer to Steve.
"It's him!" She was almost tearful, but Grace raced to open the door because now Danno needed the doctor too. Squeezing Danny's shoulder, Steve got to his feet but spoke to Kasey who seemed uncertain about what to do. In fact, she seemed more interested in running away and hiding from the strangers so Steve gave her a job.
"Stay with Danny and make sure the ice pack stays put. I think the doctor may want to look at him first and we need your help." The request made Kasey a bit happier because it took the attention momentarily away from her. She made an uncertain face but stood resolutely next to Danny to wait.
"Do you feel okay now?" She was leaning on his knee and worriedly hoping he would stop breathing so hard and open his eyes. Sweat had beaded on his forehead though and he had the ice pack anchored to the area around his injured chest. His first inhale was slow and exceedingly careful as his expanding lungs pushed against the internal bruising. What he managed to say came out as a soft whisper because he couldn't quite get past an inability to take a normal breath.
"I moved too fast and the doctor at the hospital said not to do that. Now I know why." Kasey gave him a timid smile which faltered suddenly as a large shape appeared in the doorway behind her and blocked some of the light.
"Danny?" She said his name in a frightened whisper and her smile completely left her face when the loud, booming voice filled the room. Her eyes widened in surprise but Danny only squinted up to welcome the newcomer.
"Doc." The pained wheeze was obvious and though he had another priority, Ponch immediately was concerned for the injured man. He glanced once towards Rebecca and stumbled briefly over his feet. Recovering with a smile, he knelt near Danny and tried to focus. From his bag, he fished out his stethoscope, blood pressure cuff and penlight.
"Well, Detective. I see that you and your illustrious partner have once again found a way to get into trouble. I'm sorry we took so damned long to get here. Even with help, we had to park two streets over and walk in." Kasey was afraid to turn around as she tried to sneak around Danny's chair, but he took her hand and smiled reassuringly. It gave Ponch a better look at his niece as she backed warily away.
"Hey. Me first, okay?" Danny whisper was so soft only Kasey could hear him and she managed a quick nod. Her glassy eyes threatened to spill over with unshed tears made worse by not feeling well.
"Can you and Grace help me out maybe?" She tried to speak and say yes, but the tears rolled down her cheeks when she finally looked up at the big man who had entered the house. He even towered over Steve and seemed just bigger based on his broad shoulders and the way he took over the room with his almost intimidating presence. He had come in and was now kneeling by Danny, but she realized with a start that he looked like someone she knew and she gasped loudly.
"Hey, Doc." Steve was on the man's heels to make sure Kasey wouldn't over-react as Ponch entered the kitchen. He was right because when she got a look at him, she promptly forgot her promise to help Danny. Before she could panic more, Steve used his one good arm to pick her up protectively and she immediately wrapped her arms and legs around him. As agreed moments before in the living room, Ponch did his best to act normally; to such an extent that he suddenly appeared to be ignoring her.
Ellen was standing in the doorway with Grace and one hand covered her mouth. She was trying not to cry as her husband only noticeably began to tremble to her trained eyes. Ponch was struggling badly to focus solely on Danny who was undeniably in pain. Even though she was almost hiding in Steve's neck, Kasey had yet to take her eyes from Ponch's large imposing frame.
"What's wrong Kase?" Steve whispered in her ear as she began to shake and fist his t-shirt. Tears were rolling freely now and she began to sniffle more loudly.
"It's daddy. Mommy said he was gone." The resemblance between Ponch and his half-brother Mike was startling and he could understand a child's confusion, especially after nearly three years.
"No, no I don't think so, sweetie. This is Doctor Ramirez. Do you think that you know him?" Her eyes were full of wonder as she studied every aspect of the big doctor. From Steve's arms, she watched him help Danny and she knew that Steve was right. This man was not her father; but he looked so much like him ... and then ... his last name. It brought back more of her past as the word lurked mysteriously in the back of her mind. Her mother had threatened her though for ever mentioning it again because the bad men would come and take them both away.
Her mother had spanked her for even whispering the old name on the back of the special photograph. Worse though, she had threatened to rip it up and burn it piece by piece which was a horrifying threat. Kasey had promised to never say it again. Ever. Now her mother had left her and she was with Steve and Danny; she was safe but afraid, so Kasey hid her face in his neck and shrugged.
"I dunno. That's my name. I think." She whispered back hesitantly and didn't know what to do when Steve placed a kiss on the side of her wet cheek. Her mother was gone for much too long now and she was frightened all over again.
"I think it might be too." He agreed softly while Kasey rested her head on his shoulder. He could feel the fever through his shirt but she was eyeing every move the doctor made as he took Danny's blood pressure. She sniffled nervously when he made an unhappy face and Steve gently rubbed circles on her back. Her eyes widened when the doctor took a vial and a syringe from his bag next and dabbed at Danny's arm with alcohol.
"Morphine." Steve shifted her in his arms at Ponch's one-worded explanation and made a face as he watched Danny's expression. He hadn't quite expected this much fuss nor the use of such a stronger painkiller in his very kitchen. The sniffle under his chin brought his attention back to Kasey. She most definitely didn't like that both Steve and Danny might hurt from the accidents they had at work. Plus she wasn't at all sure about this man who said he was a doctor but looked very much like her father. A quick look to where Grace stood with Ellen showed that she wasn't faring much better. She was overly quiet but fidgeting worriedly in the doorway.
"What exactly happened?" Ramirez was desperate to look at his niece, but the bruise across the Detective's chest was spectacular. Ponch nodded knowingly as he very gently inspected the area eliciting a pained hiss from his patient. At first he had thought Danny's injury was a ploy to get him into the kitchen. One look now proved otherwise and he'd felt the need to administer morphine based on a low blood pressure and extremely pale complexion.
"The shot was close indeed. Are you coughing? Did they do an EKG? This soft tissue damage is very deep and I don't doubt it's painful. You may need a stronger pain medication and definitely, no more lifting or bending if you can help it." He made a disgruntled face about the supposed results of the first EKG and palmed the medication Danny had been given to read the labels.
"Yes, definitely something better than these. And, bed rest. Danny, you look .. exhausted and need to get off your feet. When the roads are clear, you're getting another MRI and an EKG at TAMC. My treat."
Danny made a disgusted noise in the back of his throat. But the sharp pain in his chest was different and he honestly was concerned after pulling Grace up in his arms. Ponch was more gentle than usual because he knew the reason behind the larger portion of the man's exhaustion. His voice broke as thankful tears filled his eyes. "You need to rest my friend."
Still holding the ice pack to his chest, Danny offered him a comforting smile and then pointed to Kasey.
"A follow-up it is. But someone else needs you. She has a bad cough and a fever." Rising to his feet, Ramirez slowly turned to Kasey. He heard her whispers to Steve about their shared name but saw her fear, too. As he smiled reassuringly, she shyly hid her face in Steve's neck before peeking back at him.
No, the man was not her father but he looked like him and she knew that name from very long ago. She bit her lip and was taken aback when the doctor directly asked the next question. His eyes were full of emotion, but they sparkled and he had laugh lines that she immediately liked. He was definitely big but not scary at all. His smile was genuine and she thought that she could trust him after the way he had just helped Danny. And besides Grace, Steve seemed to like him very much too.
Doctor Ramirez coached her very quietly while Ellen stood in the doorway with her fingers crossed. "What's your name then? Do you remember it?"
Kasey nodded and then glanced at Steve who was also smiling in encouragement. "I'm not allowed to say it."
Both men frowned and Steve shifted uncomfortably with her in his arms as he caught Danny's angry expression. "I think it's okay now." He prodded her softly and she shook her head obstinately while she bit her lip harder.
"No. I can't." The tears welled up in her eyes as she rubbed at her nose. "Mommy said I can't." The last sentence was said more to herself and on a faint whisper as she argued against what she'd been taught.
"I promise it's okay." Steve whispered very softly into her ear as she fisted his shirt. "It's okay to say it." She closed her eyes and tears fell down her cheeks as she finally agreed and Steve wound up rubbing her back again as she began to cry harder.
"Becca." The first sob was long and hard. It broke the ice as Rebecca blurted the rest in a tearful rush. "Mommy changed it a long time ago. But my real name is Rebecca Ramirez."
Ponch bounced nervously on his toes as he clenched both hands into tight fists. He was anxious to hold her but she was clearly uncertain and acting like the sky was going to fall at any minute for admitting the truth. A thousand questions burst through his mind, all of which he was afraid to ask and too many others that he was afraid to voice. He absolutely refused to even glance at Ellen based on the small choked sounds coming from that side of the room.
However, Becca opened the first tiny door for them as she whispered a tearful question to her Uncle.
"Did you really know my daddy?" Shy and hesitant, but asked with a blunt honesty. He smiled because in that simple question and shuddered breath, Steve could see another brave family trait. "You look like my daddy. Mommy said he was gone."
"He's my brother. And he's most certainly not gone, Rebecca. He's been looking for you every day since you went away." He was more severe than he intended to be and she shrank back against Steve nervously as her mind plunged through what that all meant. She closed her eyes and rested again on Steve's shoulder and missed the almost annoyed look that he gave the doctor.
"Too fast." Ellen whispered in a scared voice. "Alphonse. Go easy with her."
Ponch was uncharacteristically emotional and had jumped on what Rebecca had mumbled. But then, she didn't seem to be too frightened because she stared silently at him while trying to figure things out. They all patiently waited as she slowly added that up the words for a small victory as another memory came forward. Before saying anything, she looked at the woman who was standing in the doorway with Grace.
She was familiar too and looked so very kind as she held Grace's hand. Kasey now Becca remembered her father talking about her Uncle Ponch and Aunt Ellen. Uncle Ponch was her daddy's older brother and he was a doctor. He lived far away on an island and one Christmas, he had sent her a colorful Hawaiian dress. She wore it every day until it practically fell apart from well worn love.
Becca stared hard at her Uncle. She and her mother had come to Hawaii. She rubbed her eyes and coughed against a sob in her chest. She hadn't seen her mother in a long time which meant she had left her alone. She tried to be brave as another tiny sob bubbled up. Her mother was missing but this man looked like her daddy and he was a doctor. He lived on this island .. and now both her Aunt and Uncle were in Steve's house.
"You're my Uncle Ponch." His smile knew no bounds at her soft announcement though he was still petrified to move or say too much prematurely. Steve was back to rubbing her back in slow circles as she watched the doctor bounce up and down again in one place. It made her smile through her sadness and she hugged Steve's neck tightly as everyone's excitement grew.
"Yes. I am. Your Aunt Ellen is here too." Wringing his hands nervously, Ponch took a hesitant step forward and held out one hand.
"Can I check your temperature? I hear you don't feel well." Unable to explain herself, Becca spontaneously reached both her arms out to her Uncle and he willingly gathered her from Steve.
"You're a little sprite, aren't you." And then she laughed. It was short, more of a giggle really and it ended on a congested cough. But no one complained as a universally held expectant breath was let out as one. Becca was tired, very stressed and turned to rest her head on his shoulder now. Steve was very happy and smiling at her and she held her hand back out to him. He took her fingers in his bigger ones and gave her a gentle squeeze. Becca could tell that her Uncle Ponch was tall, had big gentle hands, and was very strong just like she remembered her father. She felt safe with him, just like she did with Danny and Steve and she sighed in contentment as she closed her eyes.
"I'm tired." She murmured quietly. "I want to go home."
His joyous smile spread across his face and his eyes crinkled up as he laid the back of his hand on her hot forehead. "You're hot .. and you're home now Rebecca."
"Ha!" Ponch raised his eyebrows at Steve's look of triumph and the resulting glare from his partner which prompted a short exchange of heated words. "Look, no thermometer!"
"He's allowed, Steven. Get over it."
Ponch didn't exactly care what they were talking about as he hugged his niece closer and slowly walked into the living room to sit on the sofa. Ellen had his doctor's bag and sat down next to them.
"Well now. We all missed you very much young lady. Let's see how we can make you feel better. Then we have to make a very special phone call to someone who loves you very much."
~ to be continued ~