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

Notes: thank you, thank you, thank you to JazzieG, CinderH and Synbou for SUCH help. :-) And of course to everyone for the continual wonderful reviews that I am woefully behind in replying to. Super tense work week .. I am hoping to catch up this evening and over the weekend.

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Chapter 16

It was a predicament that he didn't like being in; not that any predicament was a good thing. By its very definition, it was problematic and it spelled trouble. Steve tried to come at it from every direction including getting the opinion from Kono, Chin and Doctor Ramirez. However, he was no better off at solving the issue than he had been earlier.

It was made worse by Grace and the finger-shaped bruising around her ankle that lay under her light weight red slacks. A purposeful ploy that Rachel used to hide the purpling mark from her ex-husband in an effort to keep him calm while his injured chest and damaged left lung had a chance to heal. So he knew Rachel's opinion without having to even ask her. Steve sighed as he watched Grace explain how she'd gotten away from the man that had tried to snatch her on the street in front of his house. He vaguely listened as she bragged about not only her perfectly aimed kick, but how he, Uncle Steve, so easily arrested him. The excited conversation included the sad fact about how the man thought she was Kasey Pearce, too.

Steve allowed it because it was all factual and already something Danny was well aware of. No surprises. Other than its alarming occurrence, it wasn't new. Danny didn't like it, but he was coping just fine.

This was where the predicament entered the discussion though, because Danny still didn't know about Frank Curtis's true intent. Danny didn't know that Frank Curtis wanted Kasey Pearce as a lurid prize for trafficking purposes - and how Grace had almost become the true victim. According to the FBI, there were no current changes in the man's plans either, which meant he was going forward with his special event.

Something was up and Steve wasn't the only one sickened by it.

"Isn't that right, Uncle Steve?" He'd totally missed it while mulling over his predicament of either telling his partner or waiting just a bit longer. Grace was smiling as she stared at him hoping that he'd agree to whatever it was that she'd just explained to her father.

His eyes flew to Danny's face almost guiltily and he saw the quizzical expression because Danny was already guessing something was severely lacking in his timeline. He could also much too easily read that Steve was distracted and greatly bothered by something else. Still propped on his side and needing to use the specialized oxygen mask for hours to come, the situation made the decision for Steve as a nurse came in to adjust Danny's pain medication. Steve frowned as he watched her face cloud over after taking his blood pressure reading; it was still low which according to Ponch, meant the bruised lung was still struggling as it healed.

"Uncle Steve?" Grace was persistent and Danny was now obviously staring at him for his odd lapse.

"I'm sorry, Gracie. I missed that. What's right?" Steve glossed over the questioning look to focus on Grace's happy face.

"Becca's father looks just like Doctor Ramirez except he's really skinny." Steve relaxed as he walked over to where she sat on the bed to lay his hand gently on her head. He was thankful that he'd only missed an easy question.

"He looks exactly like him. You are absolutely correct, Grace." Steve agreed and quietly sighed in relief as he watched Danny's eyes begin to close. He'd become more lucid shortly before Grace and Rachel arrived but Ponch still wanted him completely calm and especially pain-free. His entire team plus the doctor had strongly cautioned Steve against telling Danny anything more about the case and what had nearly happened to his daughter.

The predicament that Steve was putting himself into was feeling that he simply knew Danny better than they did; he would want to know himself if the situation was reversed. Plus Grace and Becca were both safe. He had role played that as a justification too, but still had hesitated and now he was glad that he did because Danny was already sleeping. In the short term, the situation had resolved itself.

Steve checked his watch. It was just after Noon, and the Ramirez family had just left. He had been invited to go with them, but begged off so that Mike and Rebecca could share some badly needed private time. So other than the two dispatched HPD units, the family was blissfully alone.

He sensed Rachel quietly coming up next to them and motioning for Grace to get off the bed, which she did as Danny muttered something sleepily under the rather oppressive mask.

"We'll come back later." Grace groaned dramatically at the idea but Steve smiled at her.

"It's barely a day since Danno got hurt and he's going to sleep a lot. It's okay to come back later." His advice was accepted but didn't do much to erase the disagreeable look in her eyes as she left with her mother.

The HPD presence was still enforced until further notice and Steve watched as two officers trailed respectfully behind them. He still had them with the Ramirez's too, but had canceled the need with only he and Danny now at TAMC. In fact, that was now overkill since they were in a military medical facility; no one feasibly would get in to worsen their predicament.

It justified his determination though to remain in Danny's room as he took the side chair that Rachel had just vacated. Watching the still too shallow rise and fall of his injured chest, Steve agreed now that he would tell Danny everything later. It served absolutely no purpose and there was no need to tell him at that very moment.

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He knew that he wouldn't be even remotely able to sit idly by in his house or at the hospital. His own uneasy temperament created yet another predicament for Steve. As the time neared for the meet with the FBI, Steve became fidgety and then almost irritable as he insisted on some level of involvement. His announcement to Chin and Kono in front of Danny later than day was met with a disgusted knowing sound from the man in the bed. It was approaching dinner time and the Five-0 team was visiting before departing with Agent Marcus for the FBI's war room. There would be limited communications outside of the mission team from that point on and the friends had stopped by quickly to check on Danny one last time. Nothing would be shared until the Curtis affair was brought to its ultimate climax sometime much later the next morning.

Steve could tell by Danny's expression that he anticipated being completely filled in on whatever was being withheld from him. However, that simply wasn't going to happen. Marcus had been brought up to speed on their medical concerns and both cousins had opposed the discussion regarding child trafficking from the onset. Steve's own demand now provided the perfect distraction as Danny pointed meaningfully at him from where he lay in bed.

"Exactly how removed do you intend to be?" Danny teased him as Chin rolled his eyes and Kono began to laugh. "Because .. if the roles were reversed .. you wouldn't allow any one of us to suggest what you're now demanding. Have you mentioned this concept to Ponch? I'm sure he'd have something to say about your most astonishing plan, too."

He pursed his lips and then bit his tongue to stop what would have been a sarcastic comment. In reality, Steve had absolutely no come-back in his own defense so his only reply sounded petulant as he held his injured arm to his chest. One of the reasons he dared to bring it up was because the good doctor wasn't on the premises.

So Steve leaned casually against the wall and ignored Kono's blatant nod towards the white sling as he replied. "Removed. Alright?"

Chin raised his eyebrows as he crossed his arms happily. The cocky attitude wasn't lost on Steve as Danny began to chuckle and rub at the ache in his chest. He was still under strict orders to wear the CPAP oxygen mask for the forseeable future. However, Steve was beginning to resent the ability it afforded the patient to speak - muffled and raspy as his voice was.

"Why do none of us ... believe that, Steven?" The room was silent for a moment except for the mildly annoying whooshing, burbling sound that the oxygen apparatus made as it rhythmically regulated the air pressure to allow Danny some comfort in breathing. He paused and then took a complete break from speaking to watch his friends and overcome a heavier ache in his chest. Briefly closing his eyes, Danny shifted subtly and winced against the deep ache he could never seem to alleviate regardless of medication or position.

"Enough. I liked you better this morning." Steve tried to lighten the mood but his remark fell short. He clearly didn't miss the true reason behind Danny's sudden silence and his finger came up warningly.

"You need to rest. We shouldn't even be discussing this here or now."

Talking was one thing, whereas a complete conversation could become quickly counter-productive. Danny's abstract massaging of his fingers across his hospital gown further justified Steve's final decision about withholding certain information regarding Frank Curtis's plans. Those terrible plans were exactly the reason Steve couldn't make himself sit idly by for the mission.

"This morning? What?" Stubbornly, Danny scowled and then winced unhappily as he accidentally took too deep of a breath. "I want .. to know what's .. happening. And .. I am .. resting."

The wince changed as a sharp cough emanated up from Danny's chest and he grimaced as he pulled at the blanket uncomfortably. Kono's eyes widened in concern as Danny suddenly paled and everyone grew more quiet.

"Not nearly enough resting, Danny!" The worried retort was louder than intended and aggravated for a number of reasons, Steve threw his one hand up in the air. Chin interrupted the potential for even more words to be shared between the two as he grabbed the bed's remote before Danny could cause himself further harm.

"I just realized something. With you on leave for a few days, I'm actually in charge so I get to say how removed you will be."

The glared warning was completely ignored as Chin glanced over to Agent Marcus who wasn't sure if he should smile or be alarmed by their antics. "So, how about the HPD surveillance van?"

His narrowed eyes expressed how well Steve thought of that idea but the damage was done when Marcus readily agreed. The van wasn't even scheduled to be on the wharf let alone near the pier. Their role was to record and monitor all communications for the actual on site teams. They were essentially the backup for the real backup. The van would be two streets removed from the action and hidden behind a deserted warehouse; for communications purposes though, the location was tangent to the freighter and offered a clear line of sight for the cross-fire of radio signals.

It was adequately removed from the prospect of any action and therefore met everyone's distinct expectations. Except of course, for Steve. Before he could verbally object and offer an alternate suggestion, Marcus slapped Steve's back with a not so helpful grin.

"Fine idea! I'm sure Sargeant Lukela can rustle up a spare headset!"

Wincing as the friendly slap sparked an ache in his bicep, Steve refused to give his partner the satisfaction as the happy, sarcastic snort - followed by the faintly muffled 'ow' - reached his ears.

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They were all astounded by the time they drove home in Ponch's huge SUV and things only improved as the comfortable afternoon continued. So much so, that they had already forgotten the two HPD units that were steadfastly stationed in front of the house. As both Danny and Steve had learned so long ago, Rebecca was decidedly precocious and quickly over-coming any residual hesitation in front of her father.

Sitting on the tiled floor of the sunny lanai, she coughed every so often but was enthralled by the variety of gifts that her father pulled out one by one from the bottomless suitcase. Lord Ted sat nearby on a chair overseeing the happy activities with his silly bear smile.

Ellen was laughing by now as every color, size and shape of new clothing was strewn across Rebecca's lap or piled next to her in a not so tidy heap. Each piece had a back story, reason or a way to be validated as it wound up in his suitcase. Mike held each article up by its tiny shoulders if a blouse or shirt, and then by a belt loop or waist if jeans, pants or skirt. The most endearing thing was Becca's attempts at halting the flood of gifts to tidy up the area as quickly as Mike tossed something else in her direction. She would always carry that need with her - to be neat and orderly - but she was giddy and breathless by the time the very last article of clothing came out of the big bag.

"Do you like it?" Mike was beaming as Becca fished through the deep pile for what was already a possible favorite colorful blouse with a new pair of dark blue shorts. Abandoning her immediate need to make a neater, folded pile, she nodded happily and got to her feet.

"Can I try them on?" But she was already on a run for the bathroom and dragging her Aunt Ellen by the hand for help.

Mike stretched his legs in front of him and leaned back on his palms where he sat on the floor to watch them leave. "How did they find her? How did they find you?" He was beside himself with joy and almost unable to believe what was finally happening.

"Stupid luck. At first." Ponch grinned widely and then laughed proudly. He had so much to tell his brother and there didn't seem to be a better place to begin than with that very first question. He intentionally continued to skirt around the issue of Amy until a more private time and place could be found.

"Your daughter is an exceptionally talented pick-pocket, Mikey. She got caught by just the right two cops and then was smart enough to track a Navy SEAL down for help. You met Commander McGarrett today at the hospital; we're all very lucky that Becca became rather attached to him."

He let it hang in the air then; totally on purpose and for so long, that his brother thought the entire thing a complete joke. But based on Ponch's satisfied expression, Mike's jaw eventually fell open at the bald truth.

"He's a what?" Mike murmured in surprise before completely frowning when the first words settled in his brain. "Wait a minute. She was stealing?"

"Exactly, yes. She's been very brave for a very long time. She often needed to be ... creative... to get by." The doctor was grinning in earnest now as he thought about the incredible chain of events. The two looked up as Becca skipped back in with Ellen right behind.

The two were beaming and Becca's eyes were shining as she modeled the dark blue shorts that were only slightly too large. The blouse was a perfect fit and her Aunt had quickly re-braided her long hair so it hung neatly down her back. She was starting to laugh as she wiggled her bare toes because she couldn't bear to look at her destroyed and sorely outgrown sneakers.

Her voice was shy as she rocked backwards to lean for moral support against Ellen's hip. "I have no shoes or sandals."

"We have more shopping to do." Ellen announced daringly to the men who studied the enormous pile of new clothes in the middle of the room. Mike groaned comically as he feigned passing out on the floor with an arm flung over his eyes.

"I knew I forgot something!" He laughed as he rocked back into a seated position and held his arms out to Becca. "The real question is how we are ever going to get all of this back home on the plane!"

Rebecca giggled in excitement as she threw her arms around his neck. They both missed the tragic look shared between Ellen and her husband. Struggling badly to recover, Ellen practically fled the room for the kitchen. "I bet everyone's hungry. We have plenty of things left over from lunch."

Ponch watched her go before sighing almost sadly. He twitched a gentle smile at his niece when she caught his eye while still hanging around her father's neck. She was happy and content; none of them would settle for anything else now. No one heard his private musings though as Mike settled Rebecca on his lap to neaten up their pile of clothing together.

His brother had lost his job, had no savings to speak of at all, and certainly no family ties back in Virginia that Ponch could think of. So as he watched the two together and listened to the non-stop chatter, Ponch leaned back in his chair as an idea started to percolate. "Do you really have to go, Mikey?"

Ponch grimaced as a plate suddenly clattered loudly to the floor in the kitchen and he heard Ellen's muffled curse that ended on a soft odd sound. He waved Mike off as he left the room to check on her and to silently help set the table. She was refusing to look at him as she flew around the room in a rough, much too hasty whirlwind. When a glass toppled into the sink and broke in half, he grabbed her hands and forced her to stop moving. Trembling and near to hyperventilating, her eyes were full of unshed tears.

"Ellen. Calm down." He had rarely seen her this upset. Their marriage worked because they were of the same strong will and mindset. Ponch tried to cut her off because he knew what she was going to say before she even opened her mouth.

"I promise it will work out."

"They can't just leave." Ellen was strangling his fingers as her choked whisper vibrated into his chest. "She can't just come into our lives .. and then, just leave. And Mike, what's he going to do? I don't want to interfere or meddle and I don't mean to. He's a wonderful father ... but it's just so far. If he can't stay, maybe we can move? Find new positions; it won't be too hard for either of us to transfer."

She was rambling and becoming more upset by the minute as tears filled her voice. He shushed her as distant laughter reached them from the other room.

"It's too soon to worry about all of this. Much too soon. Mikey just got here a few hours ago, Ellen." Ponch rested his chin on the top of her head and grinned as he gazed blindly out the window behind her.

"I agree with you and don't want to lose any of this either. But I also think it will work out if we're all patient."

The doorbell rang unexpectedly to break up their private conversation and Ellen wiped the tears away as she pulled out of his arms. With a fierce shake, Ellen was back in a resolute sense of self-control. "Finish the table. I'll get it."

Ponch followed her though as a worrisome thought niggled in the back of his brain. "No. Wait."

He pointed to Rebecca and Mike understood immediately as he picked up his daughter in one smooth motion to remove her from view. However, it was yet a third HPD officer and he was holding a plastic bag which Ponch accepted.

"Doctor? Mrs. Ramirez? This bag was dropped off for you by a Mrs. Watson from CPS." The startled gasp from the hallway and frantic words from Mike indicated that Becca had heard the officer and was instantly afraid.

"Nononono. It's not for you. She's not even here, baby. It's only a police officer." Mike moved deeper into the house to take refuge in a spare bedroom with Rebecca on his knee. She was buried deeply in his chest and he was shocked by the immediate change. Her heart was pounding through his arm as she clung to him tightly. Rocking her, Mike vainly tried to hear their words but her sniffles drowned it all out. He waited while stroking her hair gently until Ponch and Ellen appeared in the hallway.

"What's going on?" Mike warily demanded as Ponch brandished the plastic bag in the air. He rolled his eyes for his brother's benefit to show that nothing was wrong before speaking directly to his niece.

"Rebecca. Mrs. Watson said you left these books at Mrs. Anderson's house. She brought them to the police department for you and one of the officers just dropped them off." Frightened sniffles eased suddenly as an entirely new type of gasp echoed in the room.

"My books from Danny?" Squirming off Mike's lap, Rebecca took the bag from her Uncle and looked inside. Sure enough, the two books she'd gotten from Danny lay inside. Her blotchy tear-stained face magically changed with a huge smile as she looked up happily.

"I didn't want them to get wet in the storm. I left them on purpose."

Kneeling down, Ponch pulled her into his arms. He could feel some of the light trembling that remained in her body and he clucked a mild reprimand at her. "You need to calm down now too, sprite. Nothing is going to happen. Not ever again."

Rebecca finally believed them based on her solemn nod as she warmly wrapped her arms around her Uncle's neck. He stood up keeping her hugged closely in his arms. She closed her eyes to rest her cheek trustingly on his shoulder. Becca felt her Aunt stroking her hair and then sighed in contentment when her father joined them. She definitely didn't have to be afraid anymore.

~ to be continued ~