Chin drove Kono's car to the hospital as she sat in the back with Steve.
She was wiping his sweat drenched face with a cool damp cloth and just minutes into the drive his head settled against her shoulder as exhaustion overtook him. He didn't fight at all as she pulled him down onto her lap, and he slept.

Once they arrived at the hospital she waited in the car as Chin went inside to get a wheelchair.
He was very dizzy as the two helped him out of the car and they both knew he wasn't feeling well, as he did not argue with them about using the wheelchair.
He was taken straight to the ER and then grabbing cups of coffee, they sat to wait.

After several minutes of silence Chin said, "He'll be okay Kono"
"He's burning up with fever Chin, he's got an infection"
"And they'll treat him"
"The case is over now. Stan's under arrest and Danny 's name is cleared"
Chin shook his head, "Not yet it's not. Stan hasn't confessed to anything"
"He tried to kill his wife"
"Yes, and he'll be charged with that Kono, but there's no DNA evidence that he killed Tracy and her diary doesn't refer to him by his name. If he doesn't confess…Danny could still be in trouble"

Chin ran a hand across his face and sighed. They did have Sarah's identification of Stan being seen with Tracy but all that proved was that they were acquaintances and a good defense attorney could plant the seed of reasonable doubt with a jury.
"Kono, I need to go head up his interrogation. Can you handle things here?"
"Of course. I'll call you"

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After his team had left, Danny took Rachel and the kids upstairs to the master bedroom as the HPD worked on processing the scene.
Rachel had been able to calm down quickly for the sake of the children, but Danny knew how shook up she was. She had been blindsided by her husband and her life had forever been changed by someone she loved and trusted, but who turned out to be a mad man. They needed to talk, but for now Gracie's well-being for the main concern for both of them.

As Rachel sat in the nearby rocker and fed Charlie, Danny sat with his little girl on the bed, holding her in his arms "Are you okay Gracie?"
She didn't speak, simply nodding her head affirmatively.

Danny sat quietly for several minutes, measuring in his head the words he was going to speak. Stan had been in his child's life for almost three year and no matter what his feelings were towards the man, Gracie loved him. As much as he had tried to be an ever-present force in his daughter's life, Rachel had re-married and Stan was the man who tucked Gracie into bed most nights. Tears welled in his eyes as he pictured that animal touching his baby girl. He had to say the right things now and he prayed to God to give them all the strength they needed to get through this ordeal.

Eventually he spoke softly, "Gracie, I promise you that everything is going to be okay. I know you're sad and confused, but Stan loved you and he loved your Mommy and Charlie too"

"Then why did he want to hurt us Daddy?"
Danny sighed, "Sometimes Monkey peoples' thoughts get confused and they do really bad things"
"You mean like the bad guys that you and Uncle Steve catch?"
"Well kind of. What I'm trying to say honey, is that sometimes good people do bad things"
"So Stan's not a bad guy?"
"No…..he's not a bad guy. He did a very bad thing though and he will have to be punished for that"
"So he'll go to jail Danno?"

"Yes Monkey, he'll go to jail"
"Was Stan mad at me or Charlie?"
"Oh no baby girl! He was angry but it had nothing to do with you or Charlie. You did nothing wrong Gracie, nothing at all"
"I'm sad for Stan Daddy"
"I know, so am I" He kissed the top of her head as she cuddled up against him as they sat quietly, comforting each other.

After Charlie ate, and Rachel moved to the bed Danny put in a movie, Gracie's favorite 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs'.
After kissing the kids, he hugged Rachel and whispered into her ear "Everything will be alright. I'm here for you and I love you Rachel"
Stepping back from the bed he smiled and said warmly, "You ladies enjoy this theatrical masterpiece and I'll be back soon. I'm going to go check on how the boys are doing downstairs"
His heart warmed as they both smiled at him and he knew everything would be alright.

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As he was making his way down the stairs he took the call from Chin.
"Hey Chin, how's my boy doing?"
"He's in the ER now Danny. How's everyone there?"
"I haven't been able to talk to Rachel yet. I know she's in shock over this…I'm hoping Stan gave her some answers"
"How's Grace?"
"She's confused and scared but she's going to be okay"
"Kids are amazingly resilient aren't they?"
"Thank God for that"
Chin chuckled, "Amen brother, amen"

Chin then asked, "Have you talked to Duke yet?"
"Actually, I was just heading down to talk to him right now"
"Danny….."
Chin hesitated and Danny stopped dead in his tracks, "What is it Chin?"
He told him about his concerns and the need to get Stan to confess.
Danny sighed loudly, "You're right brother. Stan's a bright guy, I'm sure he's already lawyered up"
Chin added, "I haven't even asked you, but maybe you need to do the same thing"
"Steve's been in touch with his attorney for me, but I'm not worried Chin….…..the truth will come out"

Chin then asked, "Danny, I'm thinking our best shot at this is to see if Rachel will talk to Stan"
"No, no way. I don't ever want her to have to face that monster again"
"He's Charlie's Father…she's going to have to deal with him"
"He's a murderer Chin! AND, he tried to kill her and who knows what he was planning on doing to the kids!"
"HEY, brother calm down! I'm on your side here you know"
Danny sat down on the stairs and ran a hand through his hair, "I know you are babe, I'm sorry"
"No need to apologize Danny, but you have to stay focused. This isn't over yet and we need to think things through. All the evidence we have is circumstantial and you said it yourself, Stan is a smart man and he's not going to talk to us. He MIGHT talk to Rachel though, but we have to move quickly while his emotions are still high"

"I don't like it Chin, but you're right. Let me talk to Duke and see where they've taken him and then I'll talk to Rachel. I'll get back to him soon"
"Kono's staying at the hospital. I'm about ten minutes from your place, I'll see you soon"
"Okay brother, and Chin…..thank you"
"You bet"

Danny was talking with Duke out on the front lawn when Chin arrived in Kono's car.
He joined the men and Danny spoke first, "Duke agrees with you Chin"
"Okay, so where is he now?"
Duke then spoke, "The bullet wound to his hand was a through and through. They took him to the infirmary at Halawa prison and they should be done treating him in about half an hour. Then we'll read him his rights and interrogate him"

Danny looked at Chin, "Would you mind sitting with the kids while I talk to Rachel?"
"Sure, no problem"
As they walked up the stairs Danny added, "Prepare yourself, she's watching Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs"
"Really? I love that movie!"
Danny laughed, "When this is all over Chin Ho Kelly…..we need to talk"

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A few minutes later Chin was sitting on the bed with his arm around Gracie as the excited child pointed out the seven dwarfs to him, explaining each name to him.
Danny followed Rachel as she took Charlie into his room and gently placed him into his crib, covering him with a light blue blanket.

As she moved to the door Danny took her hand and they walked into Gracie's room.
As they entered the room Rachel began to sob and Danny pulled her to his chest. He reached back and pushed the door closed and guiding her to Gracie's bed and they both sat.
With his arm protectively around her shoulders he kissed her forehead and spoke soothingly, "It's okay Rach, everything's going to be okay"
"Oh Danny, I'm so sorry. This is all my fault"
"This is NOT your fault. Stan did this…..."

"I drove him to this Danny. I can never forgive myself"
He pulled back from her and placing his hand on her chin, he lifted face and asked softly, "What are you talking about?"
"Our marriage has been failing for a long time Danny, you know that"
"Yes, but you were trying to make it work…..for the kids"
"Oh Danny…." She flung her arms around his neck and buried her face into his chest as she repeated over and over again, "I'm so sorry"

Danny stroked her hair as he asked, "Rachel, what are you talking about?"
It took several seconds for her to compose herself and when she spoke, her words stunned him "Danny…you're Charlie's Father" She looked deeply into his eyes as her words registered and she again said "I'm so sorry Danny"

He said softly, "Are you sure?"
Through her sobs she said, "Am I sure? Danny, I'm not sure of anything right now"
He lovingly stroked her face, "Hey, relax honey, relax and talk to me"
She reached up and placed her hand on top of his as she spoke softly, "I've never seen him so angry Danny. He told me he had taken a home DNE test and that Charlie isn't his…he said I betrayed him and that if he couldn't have us... that…...that no one would"

Danny was stunned. A few months ago she had told him that he was the Father and that she was sure of it….then she had recanted that, telling him that she had been wrong on her dates and that Stan was the Father. That reversal had devastated him. He had never stopped loving Rachel and when he met and fell for Tracy, he had for the first time since the divorce, felt that he was moving on with his life. He had realized over these last few days that he could love again….and now this…..

He looked into the eyes of his first true love and his own eyes filled with tears as he saw in hers the same thing he felt, love and adoration but also pain and confusion. Without saying anything he pulled her to him and held her tightly. They rocked together slowly as he stroked her hair and they both sobbed softly. Several minutes passed before Danny said spoke, his voice choked with emotion, "He's my son…..he's my son"

Rachel pulled from him and now wiping a tear from his cheek, she said "I never meant to hurt you Danny. I never meant to hurt either of you"
Without speaking, Danny pulled her to him and their lips met. He kissed her gently, tenderly and then he said "I love you Rachel. I've never stopped loving you"
Flinging her arms around his neck she whispered to him, "I love you too Daniel"
He then said softly, "Everything will work out. I'm here, I'm here for all of you"

They held and comforted each other for several minutes before pulling apart, "Rachel….I need your help"
He then told her about Stan's connection with Tracy.

"Oh my God Danny, you think Stanley killed her?"
"Yes…we think his plan was to blame me for the killing. To set me up and put me away" He told her of his conversation with Chin and Duke and of the need for her to talk to Stan.
When he was done, she looked at him and smiling nervously she said "Of course I'll talk to him…we need to end this"
He leaned in and kissed her passionately, then adding, "I can't be with you, I need to keep my distance at this point. Chin and Duke will go with you and they'll let you know the questions to ask and I'll stay here with the kids"

As they held hands she replied nervously, "Okay Danny…..I'll be fine"
Still holding hands they left Gracie's room and soon Rachel was driving with Chin towards Halawa prison and her confrontation with Stan.

***** I hope you're still enjoying – More to follow ! *****