Danny ends up caring for a girl he & Pam were named guardians of, much to the shock of the one whose girlfriend gave her up for adoption when they were 17. AU from RKORadio who gave me ok to revise, repost. Kplus for teen pregnancy references, just Kathy Santoni level so not huge.

I helped RKORadio write this in 2005, he removed his account but gave the okay to modify and post it, especially as a bit more time would be needed to make it realistic for them to get Isabelle. It's an alternate universe I might decide to continue someday, but I don't know if I have time.

It takes place around the middle of the 2nd season of the TV universe - we hadnt yet fleshed out how much the 4th bedroom office of books would change things, though like Worldwide Leader she'd slowly become more a mother figure like in books.

More importantly, this considers the pre-series Jesse people forget about, the Fonz-like womanizer who came around rarely, was softened by the love of his three nieces, and who fell in love with Becky, who made him feel different than any woman ever did. (Vanessa, whom Jesse's telling about in the first episode, likely didn't want "food" like Danny interrupts with.) It occurs around the time of the charity auction where Becky bids on a date with Jesse. It also includes parts we don't see of "Middle Age Crazy," and refers to the soccer team Jesse coaches in "I'm There For You, Babe." (In the regular TV & Book Universes, he likely just drives D.J. there, sees how bad the team is, and offers to coach then.)

And Isabelle Makes Four

Danny Tanner grinned as he strolled into his home. His daughters D.J., 11 and a half, Stephanie, almost 7, and Michelle, just turned 2, ran up to him and they hugged warmly. "Hey, girls, how did things go today?"

"Fine. I wrote down a name and phone number for you in the kitchen. You're supposed to call the person back." As Danny thanked her and walked toward the kitchen, Stephanie continued. "If you'd like to know how to pay me for being your secretary, just make note of my Christmas list. Don't worry if you and Santa get me the same thing. You can never have enough toys."

"I'll be sure to double check it," Danny said to humor Stephanie. "Are Uncle Jesse and Joey gone, Deej?" Danny's brother-in-law Jesse and best friend Joey watched the girls, and had ever since a couple months after Danny's wife, Pam, died.

"Yeah. They left about fifteen minutes ago to film that commercial spot in Oakland; they figured you'd be home soon, and I could watch Steph and Michelle for a little bit. I was about to start some macaroni and cheese in case Michelle wanted to eat early."

"Great, thanks," Danny said as he hugged D.J., then looked at the message and made the call.

He was so happy that Jesse and Joey were so helpful and responsible. They enforced limits fairly well with the older girls, though not very well with Michelle yet. Danny had never punished Michelle either, though, and didn't think he could for a long time yet, despite recent reminders at her 2-year-old well-child checkup. That smile just reminded him so much of Pam.

He was especially impressed with Jesse, considering how far he'd come. Even the first day Jesse had come to live with them, a woman had come by to see him…Vanessa, he thought it had been. Jesse had invited her the previous evening to spend the night with him whenever she wanted. That was something Danny would not allow with three impressionable young girls living there, so he'd insisted she sleep on the couch, and Vanessa had left. Jesse had had a lot to learn from his days as a wild, rebellious youth. But, he was a quick study, at least, and had already improved greatly by the time he moved in with the Tanners.

In fact, Danny knew Jesse - who had seemed like the Fonz at times years ago - had his heart set on one woman right now, though she didn't really seem to care for him yet. That woman was Danny's co-host for a local talk show, Rebecca Donaldson.

"Yes, Attorney Hoskins, this is Danny Tanner. Why, thank you, she's been reading since she was four, and she's great with messages. Yes. What?" His curiosity now turned to concern, as he leaned forward and raised his eyebrows. "They what? So, you mean… Yes. Yes, of course. Oh, it's no problem, I mean, even with Pam gone, I'm sure we can manage. I've got two wonderful friends helping me to raise the girls. Okay, I can be there this evening. Fine." He hung up the phone very tenderly.

Stephanie noticed the sad face, and asked in a worried voice, "What's wrong?"

Danny asked them to come into the living room, trying hard to stay strong. Once there, they sat on the couch, with Stephanie and Michelle both fitting on his lap, with Danny being six foot four. D.J. sat next to him. "Girls, do you remember your friend Isabelle?"

"Sure. Her grandparents talk funny," Stephanie said, remembering the Texas drawl they'd had when she met them once.

"Well, they have a thick accent, Steph," D.J. corrected lightly. "Isabelle's mom's from Texas originally, isn't she?"

Danny said she was. "They adopted Isabelle as a baby after they couldn't have any children of their own. She and your mom were good friends for a number of years. In fact, they named your mom and I… as guardians of Isabelle, if something should happen to them…" He blinked back a tear. Even though it was much less painful than Pam's death - indeed, it would mean an addition to their family - he couldn't help but be reminded of the day his beloved wife died.

"Dad, what happened?" D.J. wanted to know.

He decided he'd better say it now; it wasn't going to get any easier. "Yesterday, her parents were out on a boat, and there was an accident. Her mom couldn't swim well, and her dad tried to rescue her, and… well, I'm afraid Isabelle's parents are gone."

As expected, D.J. and Stephanie burst into tears, Stephanie quite a bit more than D.J., as she began thinking of her own mother. Michelle wasn't sure what was wrong; the two-year-old was simply happy to be in the group hug.

After a few moments, Danny said, "The sitter took her home for the night with her family." A social worker had talked with them and made a judgment call - correct, as it turned out - that they'd be safe since there was a shortage of emergency foster parents for orphans like her. It was just a few days after Thanksgiving, and Isabelle's grandparents were flying in soon anyway. "We'll need quick home visits and interviews, but I at least should go down to see her tonight."

"Can we come, too?"

"Well, Steph, it's a long drive. They live in San Jose, remember?"

"And besides, the last time we drove down there, you wanted to stop every half mile," D.J. reminded her.

"That's because it was summer. In the middle of August, nobody should sit still for anything."

Danny chuckled. His middle daughter's energy was boundless, it seemed. But, he knew he needed time to think. "Steph, I'm sure you'd like to help. And, I suppose a little help would be good. But, you'll enjoy it a lot more if I call Grandma and Grandpa Katsopolis, or your friend Allie's mom, Mrs. Taylor, and have one of them come watch you and Michelle, since Jesse and Joey will be working for a while. Deej, if you don't mind, I could use your help, though."

"Sure, Dad."

Danny had thought and rambled for a while as they went through a fast food place's drive through for supper. Continuing, so as to keep from thinking about Pam's death, he said, "I called the sitter's home, and told her we were coming. I wonder if we should stop and pick up some stuffed animals, like Steph always had Mr. Bear with her when Mom died…or maybe we should take Isabelle to her house to get a few. Or would that be too hard on her? Phew!"

"I knew you couldn't stay that organized the whole trip, Dad," D.J. remarked.

She had been pondering how to approach things herself. Her faith was adequate - Pam had taken the girls to church often; Danny had gone much less, being a sportscaster back then. More importantly, she had invited Jesus to save her and make her new inside. But, while the church people had been really nice and helpful, and they went on the church van sometimes, she was used to relying on herself, and in spots like this she really struggled with what to say, though she tried not to let it show.

"You're right, Deej, I've been talking a lot. I think I mentioned her grandparents flying in, right?."

"Three times, Dad. Including letting them stay in the attic." It was 1300 square feet. She didn't bother mentioning that they could stay at Isabel's house. She knew anywhere would be emotional for them; DJ herself had tried to move into the garage a few months after Pam died. "We saw each other what, maybe half a dozen times a year, less since Mom died. Does she even remember us?"

"That's why I needed you, Deej. Shes a bit older than Steph, but she'll still remember another kid more. Someone must have gotten some of her stuf, let's just go there," he finally determined.

They arrived and Danny immediately thanked the sitter and her parents. Meanwhile, DJ ran over and hugged Isabelle. "It's alright," D.J. said in a heartfelt tone.

"No, it's not," the girl declared.

DJ hadn't been sure of what to say. She knew that hadn't made any sense. But at least now, it reminded her of a very special Thanksgiving episode of Sesame Street where they talked about Mr Hooper's death. Big Bird's reaction had been the same, so DJ simply repeated what Gordon had said. "You're right, it's not alright. But, it's going to be alright."

They visited for a while and chatted. As they prepared to leave, Isabelle's grandparents, the Rollins', arrived, so Danny called to say they'd be a bit late.

DJ hadn't noticed that Danny looked preoccupied for a little bit; it was normal with everything going on. Plus, she raised a concern of her own on the way home.

"Dad… you know how you say you don't think Michelle's ready to be put in time out or anything like I do? I don't mind doing it for now, it'snot a lot. But if you start to think about Isabelle's loss…"

"Her grandparents will be here for a while. Even if they don't move in, I told them they can help with the transition. Just like when my mom stayed with us for a few months," Danny reminded her. DJ nodded, figuring there would be no problems.

Saturday morning, Jesse had awakened refreshed after a hectic week of trying to make ads and his music - he'd recently quit his dad's extermination business. He came out of his room now dressed and ready for the day as he saw DJ cheerfully coming from the bathroom. It was apparent that everyone else had been up for a little while. "Hey Deej. This morning we do the interviews, right?"

"Right, we had a home inspection yesterday, and started the background checks. They're going fast since it's a… probate guardianship, I think it's called," DJ recalled out loud. He followed her down to the kitchen as she added, "It's amazing how complex this is."

"Try getting people to buy your stuff," Jesse said. He saw Isabelle and did an imperceptible double take.

"It's not as easy as girl scout cookies," Joey, a professional comedian and child at heart, added before Danny introduced Jesse to Mrs Barker, the social worker, and to Isabelle and her grandparents, who had just arrived.

DJ saw Kimmy come in and explained who the people were. "I kidded Uncle Jesse earlier this week that we got to playing and she started doing cartwheels and all sorts of physical stuff. And her hair didn't get messed up. She definitely has his hair."

Nobody heard what Jesse muttered under his breath about having lots of him, but they knew he fussed over his perfect hair.