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

Notes: I will be traveling on business this week - next chapter MIGHT come around Wed or Thurs. thanks for your patience and great comments on the story!

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Chapter 18

Becca stood quietly in her Aunt and Uncle's spare bedroom watching her father sleep. The house was quiet and she was virtually alone without being worried or frightened. She was alone without really being alone and it felt strange to not have to run, hide or be scared. Her mother had lied about her father and for that, she wanted to cry because she didn't understand why. Instead, she stood there and was happy just to watch him sleep.

Her Uncle had gone to work for an early shift well before she had gotten up herself, and he would be back sometime during the afternoon. She could trust that he would be, too. Her Aunt explained that her father was sleeping because he was quite simply exhausted and suffering from something called jet lag. She could just see his dark hair peeking out from under the blankets, hear soft snores, and she smiled happily before sneaking quietly away.

Aunt Ellen was on the phone in the kitchen and Becca was taking the private time to wander around the big house. It was big like Mrs. Anderson's home but more homey and more comfortably lived in. The two police cars had left early in the morning because the bad men were locked up now. According to Uncle Ponch, Steve and Danny had locked them up forever which she didn't actually believe was right because both were hurt. But Rebecca knew what he meant and for the first time in a very long time, she felt truly safe.

The house was on a quiet tree-lined street and Becca went outside to stand in the grass of the front yard. She was still coughing badly from what her Uncle said was bronchitis, but that morning her temperature was normal. There was a small flower garden with a cozy two-person swing that looked like a perfect spot to read the books that Danny had given her. With a smile, Becca went back into the house and got the books along with Lord Ted. The swing was still in the shade and she felt special all curled up on the plush cushions with her important gifts. Picking one, Becca got down to business reading the first book she could remember owning herself.

More than an hour later, Ellen was hanging up the phone in the kitchen and almost annoyed about its length. She had the day off and still had to go through the shift schedule regardless of the fact she'd done it a week ago. It was understandable because someone would always call in sick, need a day off or swap hours. But she had intended to take Rebecca for shoes and sandals while Mike slept himself out in the back bedroom.

Moving quietly through the house, Ellen began to slowly feel the stirrings of panic as she failed at locating her niece. Mike was still sleeping soundly and she didn't dare disturb him. However, by the time she'd walked the long ranch twice with no luck, Ellen was near tears and moments from screaming for him.

Willing herself to not over-react, Ellen forced herself to stand in the living room as she looked for the obvious. It was then she noticed that the front door was cocked slightly ajar and that the teddy bear was missing.

"Please, Becca. Where are you?" Ellen almost mewled the words out in fear as she opened the front door wider. She couldn't understand why the little girl might have run away or left the house alone but regardless, those were her very first terrifying thoughts.

"Becca!" She called more loudly as her eyes flew first across the front lawn and then to the sidewalk before glancing towards the small garden area. She did cry then when she saw the little girl safely curled up on the swing. Lord Ted was her pillow and one book lay open with pages ruffling softly in the breeze. The second book had slid down to the grass and was nearly under her while she slept in the sunshine.

"Oh. God." Ellen sat down with a thump on the top step as relieved tears streamed down her face. Her hands were shaking and she didn't exactly know what to do about herself. Behind her, Mike suddenly appeared to sit down next to her. His hair was badly mussed and still barefoot, he was hardly awake. Only seeing her silhouette through the open front door, he had simply wandered in her direction.

He peered at her curiously as she quickly wiped her face from what appeared to be tears. "What's wrong?" He glanced and briefly smiled when he saw his daughter sleeping peacefully in the garden. She was wearing the same blue shorts and blouse from the day before even though she had the beginnings of a respectable wardrobe.

"Same clothes?" Mike pointed towards Becca and chuckled happily. "She could wear something different three times a day and not duplicate the same outfit. Except of course for shoes."

"She's not used to having things of her own." The explanation was simply said with a watery tone. Hugging his sister-in-law to his side, Mike persisted in getting to the bottom of her unexpected emotions.

"So Ellen, are you going to tell me what's wrong?" Ellen shrugged under his arm while her mind churned through a thousand different answers. What she wanted to say was "please stay" or "do you have to go" because that was her real issue. Instead, what came out was inane and absolutely ridiculous.

Forcing herself to smile, she used his knee to push off and get to her feet. "Nothing's wrong, Mike. I wanted to take her for shoes and now she's sleeping."

"Oh." Perplexed, Mike's mouth dropped open and then automatically closed in confusion. There was no doubt that his sister-in-law had been crying and a delay in shopping was a very unlikely reason. He had to shade his eyes from the afternoon sun as he frowned up at her. She was staring at Becca with an odd expression and completely refusing to look at him.

"Shoes? Really?"

"Yes. Really. We'll just have to go later." With that abrupt and almost defensive statement, Ellen disappeared into the house. Mike was left with his mouth hanging open again.

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Ponch sat in the quiet of his office for hours regaining his focus, composure and perspective. His door was closed and he'd completely ignored his phone; if something were urgent, the right people certainly knew how to locate him. So he sat there staring at a bronze paperweight while he considered everything that had gone so very badly and now the wonderful things that had so recently replaced them. Doctor Waldron had assisted in 'the case' and for once, Ponch was relieved. Frank Curtis had been relegated to the bland role of 'the case'. Handing off this case had been a blessing. He made a mental note to thank the nurse for her actions. Especially since he knew what the rumors would be.

"Doc Ramirez is on the war path. He took on the FBI."

"The man was out of control. Unprofessional."

And the worst: "Can you believe that Doc refused to treat a patient?"

He was well-liked and of course staff knew of Rebecca; he also had a reputation for an acerbic personality. What he had done that morning topped the list of unprofessional behavior. In this instance, it wouldn't be appropriate to allow his actions to linger or fester. The nurse likely could fear for her job and quite frankly, he should be the one reported. She had done the right thing and saved him from added personal anguish and significant professional embarrassment no matter that he had gotten down to work ... eventually.

His early shift would end soon and he would go home to Ellen, Mike and Becca. Using his tablet, Ponch paged through the kidnapped teenager's latest report. It didn't look at all promising and he rubbed his eyes sadly. They still didn't know who she was and her continued 'Jane Doe' status only made the entire situation worse. The bad was replaced by the good; but there seemed to be more bad still creeping in at every corner.

He studiously chose to not review Frank Curtis's medical update. Another aspect of the bad that remained in his facility. The criminal was in the ICU under guard though he was comatose. The bad residing so closely next to the good. Instead of looking at those files, Ponch tapped through to Danny's and his face hardened as he read the first few lines.

"Episode?" At first worried, Ponch's mood swung to annoyed but settled finally on a reluctant acceptance as he read through the report for more information. The timing coincided to what had occurred that very morning, so it was obvious Steve had brought his partner up to speed.

"Damn." He sighed as he roughly pushed away from his desk. Other than what had been termed as a brief episode, Danny's other vital signs had greatly improved and his blood pressure was seemingly more stabilized. There were certain rounds that he was obligated to make, and now one patient in particular who he needed to see for himself. Before getting up, he hung his head as he remembered another critical thing that he absolutely needed to do. He needed to speak to his brother privately about Amy.

Her body was currently with the coroner and awaiting to be officially claimed by family for burial. It was going to hopefully be the final sad thing to care for and then they could all move on and focus solely on Rebecca. Ponch started to get to his feet and then gasped out loud as a strange, unbidden thought came to mind.

"Did Amy know?" He whispered it out loud to himself and then shook his head vigorously to at first dispel the idea. Amy had lost herself to Joanna Pearce long ago. But what if Amy had really won in the end? A frightened, feverish ten-year old child had rationalized it in the kitchen of a Navy SEAL. The warmth he felt when Becca spoke to him returned and he smiled to himself.

"You're my Uncle Ponch."

Suppose Amy had tabled Joanna for one last valiant act?

"She couldn't have. Could she?" He sat down again completely immobile. Amy Wilkerson-Ramirez well knew that her husband's brother lived in Honolulu. In fleeing family, friends and even enemies for so long, why had she come to an island? This very island?

He chose to believe that Amy had rallied one last time to save her daughter. Unconsciously or not, Amy had come to a place where Rebecca could find family and people who loved her. He could never prove it and no one might ever believe him. He was sure that Mikey would have loud doubts and argue against the possibility of Amy coming forward for one last very important gesture. Mike would swear on a stack of Bibles that Amy was lost to everyone including her daughter. Too many desperate events that endangered their child easily proved that fact to him.

But Ponch smiled at the thought and it lifted his spirits. It helped him to find some more good in the mixed up events. Rising to his feet, Ponch continued to smile about the concept. "She did. I know it."

He chose to believe that Amy had come to Hawaii looking for help. Not Joanna Pearce. Amy had abandoned her daughter in one of the last places she could possibly find safety and it had worked like a charm.

In the end and because he needed to find more good even if possibly contrived, Ponch would swear that Amy - not Joanna - had done the right thing for Rebecca.

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Danny woke to a quiet but overwhelming sense of urgent activity. Propped on his side and slightly elevated, he could just make out the increased number of people in the ICU. The blue jackets were unmistakably FBI. His door was partially closed but the sense of urgency and tension easily reached him. Glancing around the room, he smiled when he saw the hand-made get well cards but noticed that the white bag was noticeably missing from the side chair. Steve had obviously taken his own special gift from Grace with him when leaving to get some well-deserved rest himself.

"I don't think your team would have gone home had they known this was going to happen." A nurse he vaguely recognized was already in his room to draw the curtains around his bed for more privacy. Danny hadn't noticed her standing so quietly off to the side and he glimpsed two M.P.'s walking by as he lost his view.

"The FBI seems to have forgotten this is a military hospital." She was older with a confident air about herself. Based on her more tolerant expression, she was only mildly amused by what was happening. Her comment was droll but concerned as she checked his latest results.

"How are you feeling?"

Instead of answering, Danny pointed towards the corridor. "Curtis?"

She smiled at his keen perception and nodded. "He's out of surgery and on a ventilator, but no one is taking chances with that one. I guess it's to be expected."

The activity outside was organized and respectfully quiet but the space didn't lend itself well to the sheer volume of personnel milling about. "We'll do our best to work around this." The nurse groaned to herself and shook her head because her job had just gotten exponentially more difficult but she looked up in surprise as a voice reached them both.

"Find me another room." Doctor Ramirez stormed in seconds later to see Danny. He nodded approvingly at the nurse who had drawn the curtains around his patient and who was now ensuring his comfort level.

"You're being moved, Detective. I'll be back in a moment."

He left again just as quickly and the nurse grinned at Danny's somewhat stunned look. "Well then. There you have it.

Ponch had strolled into the ICU with a lighter step. On the way, he had also made a concerted effort to thank the E.R. nurse for her wise assistance. As he had assumed, she was defensive and worried about her position. His genuine acknowledgement left her almost puzzled and then thankfully at ease. His face did cloud over now though as he pushed open the double doors into the midst of the FBI agents guarding Frank Curtis. He wasn't overly surprised that they gave him a wide berth after what had occurred earlier.

As far as he was concerned, their intrigue was well in hand but their presence in the ICU was distinctly over-kill. Wending his way passed three, he poked his head into Danny's room quickly and then reversed course for the nurse's station. He growled angrily under his breath when he noticed another man in the specialized wing. One also under heavy FBI guard and cuffed to the bed though his casted leg was elevated. It made his resolve stronger to have Danny moved to a private room.

"The patient in room six needs to be moved. Immediately." The head nurse didn't even pause as she pulled up the patient's records.

"Williams? Yes, sir. I will get right on that move for you and let you know."

Virtually ignoring the FBI team for a second time, Ponch returned to Danny's room. It was understandable that the Five-0 team had left for a time. Especially since the entire team had been on the go for so many hours. It was impressive that Steve especially had managed to stay on his feet for so long as it was; the man had to be plainly exhausted. Ramirez made a note to apologize to him, too, the next time he saw him.

"How do you feel?"

"Hey, Doc." Muffled by the mask, Danny's voice also sounded somewhat dry and raspy. While the mask eased breathing considerably, the constantly moving air was definitely drying. Pleased to see him awake and alert, Ponch raised his eyebrows and shoved his hands deeply into his coat pockets as if challenging him.

"I understand you had an episode, Detective. Care to explain?"

The stare was innocent this time. Danny didn't know what Ponch was referring to so the doctor elaborated. "Much earlier this morning. Increased heart rate, spike in blood pressure. The nurse felt you were in pain and wisely administered medication per my written orders. I assume that you have been sleeping quite soundly since that time."

With an aggrieved look towards the hallway, he added. "And ...until this ... debacle .. occurred."

Ponch obviously knew then the reason behind Danny's stress; he could guess that the doctor's own tension had rivaled, or even surpassed what he had experienced because the doctor was noticeably displeased with Frank Curtis's continued presence in his hospital. The almost sarcastic question triggered a return of the internal unease and Ponch raised his hand in apology, instantly regretting it when he saw Danny's face sober significantly.

"Yes, well. Never mind, things seem to be better now." Before Danny could reply, Ponch removed the CPAP oxygen mask and raised the head of the bed.

"How are you feeling? I'd like the truth, please."

"Is that thing staying off now?" Countering the latest question, Danny pointed to the restrictive mask and grinned as Ponch readied a nasal cannula and then draped it over his face. Danny's lips were indeed chapped and he had red marks on his cheeks from where the mask lay so firmly. The nasal cannula was a most welcome change as Danny rubbed his face in relief.

"It may be, yes. I'm pleased with most of your recent readings and as long as they stay that way, then we'll be in business." Ponch now held his opposite wrist behind his back his right hand and gave a small bounce on his toes. Danny seemed to be breathing well without the CPAP and his readings were indeed very consistent. The change from the ICU was timely and Ponch nodded his approval.

"So? Pain, discomfort? Any coughing or dizziness?"

Danny made a so-so face and then replied honestly. He took a experimental deeper, measured breath and while he felt uncomfortable, he was surprisingly better.

"It's sore but not nearly as bad. Not dizzy but I did cough a few times this morning."

"After you tried to get up, I imagine?" The stunned frown finally made the doctor chuckle happily since he had correctly guessed the attempted truancy. But with the large majority of his vital statistics now completely stabilized, Danny's pain management and re-introduction to more activity could take place outside the ICU. Ponch smiled warmly as he glanced at the clock.

"I've asked them to move you today ..now, actually ..you'll be in a private room within the hour. Discharged possibly in another two days or so." The additional days were met with a stony silence which merely made the doctor shrug off-handedly.

"This type of injury is nothing to play with, Danny. Too much exertion on healing pulmonary tissue can be quite detrimental and I'd rather use the luxury of time. After what happened, I don't need to stress that to you. Or, do I?"

Danny considered the comments and nodded in agreement. The pain from the initial injury had been extreme. That which resulted from the altercation with Curtis's men had been nearly crippling and he'd barely escaped being placed on a ventilator. He didn't want to experience any of that again and for a third time. He listened intently as Ponch counted off a few simple ground rules on his fingers.

"Bed rest, anti-inflammatories, pain meds as necessary, as well as supportive oxygen. We'll try to get you on your feet for a short time tomorrow morning. We go this route for another day or two, and you'll be home in no time."

Danny relaxed into the pillows and smiled widely as he heard a familiar soft voice in the hallway. Questioning and confused by the sight of so many officials, but scarcely frightened. The second voice was a bit louder, bidding the first to slow down and stay out of the way. Grace and Rachel had returned for a visit.

"Ah, so you have more visitors then?" At first Ponch smiled, but that fell into an annoyed grimace as two FBI agents wandered by and peeked into the room out of interest. His severe expression moved them along more rapidly. Grace was another reason he had hoped to move Danny. Having a child anywhere near the two lunatics rankled the doctor to his very core.

Coming around the corner of the room, Grace beamed happily up at the doctor before giving out with a not so quiet shout of "Danno!" as she pushed passed the curtains. She was obviously thrilled when she saw that the big oxygen mask was gone and that he was sitting much more upright in bed.

"Are you better?"

"I think so, Monkey. Doc Ramirez was just going over some things so I can go home soon."

Smiling at Grace, Ponch anchored both hands behind his back while bending over at the waist. "Your father's doing very well, Grace. He's going to a private room and then can go home in just a day or two."

Grace's smile grew before carefully using the bed frame as a toe-hold to climb up in order to sit next to Danny. The agile move afforded Ponch a good glimpse of the bruised ankle and he had to work at hiding a flare of anger. Too many reminders of the bad mixed in with the good continued to surround them.

"It's good to see you, Mrs. Edwards." Ponch suddenly wanted to go home to see Ellen and he backed up quickly as he welcomed Rachel. "I will leave you all to visit."

However, before actually going Ponch raised his finger in the air to point from Danny to Grace, and then back again. "Make sure he stays in bed and still gets his rest, alright? I would like you all to come by the house to see Rebecca. I think a party is in order."

Grace nodded happily as Danny rubbed her back in a slow circle. "Would you like to see Becca again?"

"I'd like to bring Mrs. Hoppy to the party. Becca likes rabbits." The chuffed sound from the doctor almost made Danny laugh as he caught the man's eye. "I bet Becca would love her own rabbit, too. Mrs. Hoppy could have more babies and then Becca could pick one out for herself!"

Danny's smile left his face at that stunning remark at the same time Ponch nearly choked. The only person left laughing was Rachel, while Grace began to giggle loudly at the doctor's funny expression.

"No. No." The warning finger was back up in the air as Ponch interrupted the discussion with a stunned voice. He was still backing up to leave the room as he offered nearly disgusted parting words.

"Absolutely no rabbits. I do not do bunnies. Damnable creatures."

~ to be continued ~