AN: Thank you to all who have been following this story right up to Christmas. Hope you all had a fantastic Christmas with your loved ones.

This chapter is a New Year's gift to "meixel"!

In response to the reviews by "Maudlin Mush" and "jodm" regarding Danny's behavior as he suffers from amnesia I have added some trivia which can be read below this chapter. I wish to thank these two lovely reviewers for their attentiveness while reading this story.

Chapter 19

General Hospital, Potrero Avenue, San Francisco, 1972

As the Ford Galaxy eased into a parking space at General Hospital, Inspector Steve Keller contemplated bringing the half empty packet of sunflower seeds with him but decided it was probably best he left it in the car. If he and Williams were to engage in some sort of conversation, he didn't think it would look appropriate to casually chew his way into his usual habit. After all, he barely even knew the detective. Throwing the scrunched up packet into the already overflowing glove compartment, Keller caught his partner raise his eyebrows at him. "What?"

"Nothing. I just hope you realize that I'm not driving all the way back here if you change your mind!" Stone quipped with a bemused expression on his face.

"Very funny, Mike." Steve responded with a hint of sarcasm before exiting the vehicle and closing the door after him.

"I'll pick you up for a late dinner, buddy-boy." Stone called out through the open window then pulled out back onto the street.

Keller made his way into the hospital towards Dan Williams' room, smiling warmly at the receptionist as he passed her desk. "Oh, Inspector!" the young woman called out, stopping Keller in his tracks. As he turned around to double back, she continued, "If you're looking for Mr McGarrett, he's with Mr Williams."

"Thank you." The Inspector replied with a grin then proceeded down the corridor.

When Keller reached the door to Williams' room, he greeted the dark haired detective who had just walked out the door.

"He's asleep." McGarrett informed Keller who could hear the disappointment and despair in his voice.

"I'll pull up a chair and sit out…" Keller took the detective's comment to mean Dan Williams should be left alone to rest but to his surprise, McGarrett cut him off.

"Would you do me a favor, Inspector? Could you stay in the room with him? I don't want him to wake up alone and do nothing but stare at that wall he's been staring at each time I've seen him open up his eyes." McGarrett said in a low voice.

Keller had to admit that he was taken aback by McGarrett's request. The detective's sudden confidence in him was so unexpected that the young Inspector stood staring at the man before him for what seemed like an unreasonable length of time before he finally answered, " Yeah, sure. I'll do that. I'll call you if Williams remembers anything."

"Thanks, I appreciate that, Inspector." McGarrett nodded then walked away, rubbing the stiff muscles at the back of his neck. Ever since the Inspector had volunteered to be used as bait, risking his life to protect his second in command, McGarrett felt his respect for him had grown considerably. In a way, his courage and sense of duty reminded him of Dan.

…..

Entering the ward as quietly as he could, Keller shrugged out of his tan coat, which he placed it across the back of the chair, then helped himself to a magazine from the pile on the table. He glanced over at the sleeping form of Dan Williams then sat himself down in the chair in the corner of the room, facing the door.

Dan Williams could hear someone turning the pages of a magazine somewhere in the room. He'd been thirsty for some time but had feigned sleep during McGarrett's presence earlier. Thinking that it was safe for him to reveal his conscious state without feeling like he was going to be scrutinized under a microscope or overwhelmed with worried vibes, Dan opened his eyes and blinked several times to bring his vision into clarity. He caught sight of a vaguely familiar looking figure wearing a pinstriped white shirt with a maroon tie sitting casually in the chair next to the window. A magazine was held open in his hands as his eyes scanned through the contents. Dan shifted on the bed and reached for his glass of water, only to remember the nurse had taken it away after he took some pain relief medication that morning. His movements didn't go unnoticed and the figure seated in his room glanced up from the magazine.

"Hey, you're awake." Keller commented in a casual tone.

"Yeah, I…" Dan's throat was so parched he could barely talk. Embarrassed by the croak that issued from his throat, he licked his lips and sat up higher against his pillows.

"Can I get you some water?" Keller asked as he eyed the detective carefully.

Dan nodded his appreciation.

"I'll be right back." Keller stood up, leaving the magazine on his seat then walked out of the room. Closing it behind him, he checked the corridor for any nurses or orderlies. Finding the corridor was empty, he walked briskly toward the end of the hall, not wishing to venture away from his post longer or further than necessary. Much to his relief he saw a young nurse pushing a trolley laden with white linen sheets heading for the elevator. Keller hurried to intercept her.

…..

Listening to the footsteps outside his room fading away, Dan's mind began to formulate his escape from the ward that imprisoned him. Climbing out of bed carefully but as swiftly as he could manage, Dan headed for the closet. The room started to spin and he reached out gripping the edge of the table to steady himself. As soon as the vertigo passed, he hurried to the closet, wrenching the door open and retrieving his clothing which had been laundered and folded away in a neat pile. Clutching his belongings against his chest, Dan felt his pulse quicken its rhythm as he slowly opened the door leading out to the corridor. He could see the man that was stationed in his room speaking to a nurse at the end of the corridor. Wondering how he was going to reach the elevator without being seen, Dan decided he would have to stay concealed until he could lose his assigned watcher. He crept down the corridor, searching for a room to hide in. Taking a gamble he figured was worth taking, Dan found that one of the rooms halfway down the corridor was unlocked and he slipped inside. The room was similar to his but it was unoccupied. He closed the door behind him and leaned his head against it, peering through the small window.

…..

Keller had unwittingly frightened the nurse when he called out to her unexpectedly causing her to raise her hands to her face and knocking over the top most pile of linen to the floor.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. Here, let me help you with that." Keller fumbled with retrieving the linen off the floor as the young woman breathed out a sigh of exasperation. "It's alright, I've got it, sir."

"I really am sorry." The Inspector's sincerity was rewarded by a small but genuine smile of understanding. "Listen, would you mind getting Mr Williams a glass of water, please? He's in room 115." Keller continued.

"Sure, I'll bring it over." The nurse replied as she parked her trolley alongside the wall and headed toward the cafeteria.

"Thank you." Keller thanked the woman though she was already walking away from him. The Inspector turned around and headed back to Williams' ward. Unseen by Keller, Williams made the most of his opportune moment and sneaked out of his hiding place when Keller opened the door to room 115. The detective knew he only had seconds before his disappearance was discovered. He dashed out into the corridor and took flight.

…..

Keller had only just stepped foot into the room when to his alarm he saw the bed was empty. After a quick glance at the rest of the room and seeing the detective was clearly nowhere to be seen, he rushed back out into the corridor. His eyes grew wide when they locked onto the fleeing detective reaching the elevator. "Hey! Wait!" Keller's yell was not acknowledged as Dan Williams disappeared into the elevator. By the time the Inspector reached the elevator, the doors had shut. "Damn it!" Keller grated between clenched teeth.

AN – Trivia:

According to the mayo clinic website, real life amnesia doesn't usually cause a person to lose their self- identity. After conducting some research, the various types of amnesia and its causes are extensive and complex. I have chosen to collaborate both fact and fanon into my story as far as Danny's condition is concerned which is why I have not altered his behavior. He is still acting the way Danny would if he didn't sustain amnesia.

Thank you