Chapter Text
It was getting late, the sky already an inky black with the odd smattering of stars as Grace stared out of the large floor to ceiling windows of Honolulu International. She was still in her pyjamas - the purple ones with the light blue spots that Danno always joked made her look like she had some foreign form of chickenpox. At the thought of her father, the 7 year old sighed and bit down on her bottom lip, glancing over her shoulder to where her mom and Stan were sat talking in hushed tones.
Everything had been hushed and secretive, right from the minute her mom woke her up not even an hour before.
"Grace? Grace wake up sweetheart, c'mon we're going on holiday!"
She rubbed at her eyes until her mom swan into view, perched on the edge of the mattress with a tight smile on her lips and one hand on the girl's shoulder.
"Holiday?" the youngster repeated, stifling a yawn "Where are we going?"
Rachel was already pulling back the covers and ushering her up from the bed and that's when Grace caught sight of a pile of bags in the corner of her room - 2 suitcases and a duffel, how long were they going for?"
"Stan is waiting in the car, so grab your stuff and we'll head to the airport darling-"
"Mommy? I'm not dressed-"
"It's okay, you can change at the airport, or you could stay in your pyjamas and sleep on the plane, but come on now Grace we have to get going."
She felt like she was in a daze as she pulled her little suitcase clumsily down the staircase, followed quickly by her mother. As they reached the driveway, Stan hopped out of the car to shove the bags in the trunk while Rachel locked the door and hurried to get in. Grace clambered up into the back, resting her head against the window as the car purred to life and they pulled out onto the silent street.
"Does daddy know we're going on holiday?" the girl asked quietly, craning her neck to see a big 11 illuminated on the dashboard clock.
"Yes, yes of course he does sweetheart, he said to have a lovely time" Rachel babbled, raking a slightly shaking hand through her hair as she shot a not-so-subtle glance across to Stan, who simply pressed down on the accelerator.
Danny was at Steve's for poker night when his cell started to vibrate against the table, and the others playing gave exaggerated groans.
"Don't think this will get you out of losing" Steve warned his partner "Besides who could be ringing you at this time? Got a booty call Danno?"
The detective waved him down with a laugh, his face instantly falling when he checked the caller ID; "It's my solicitor" he frowned and quickly hit answer, bringing the cell to his ear with an uneasy "Hello?"
"Mr Williams we have a problem"
"Problem? What do you mean problem? What problem?"
"We have your ex-wife's bank account activity on surveillance as you well know, but the recent data shows she's purchased three one way tickets from Honolulu International for tonight-"
"What? What are you saying?"
"We believe she and Mr Edwards are planning on fleeing the country with Grace before the outcome of the custody battle is finalised."
"But she can't do that, she can't just take my daughter, right?"
"Absolutely not Mr Williams and we are going to notify airport security and-"
"I'm going there now, just tell security not to let them get on that plane!"
Danny hung up and scraped back his chair, his heart thudding at a dangerously rapid pace. He patted his pockets for his keys and shrugged on his jacket.
"D? Hey, what's going on? Is Gracie alright?" Steve stood too, holding out an arm to try and ease his partner's panic.
"Rachel and Stan are trying to run with my daughter, they're probably already at the airport, I gotta go"
Steve's jaw set and he nodded, already heading for the door before he addressed the others still sat bemused at the table "Fella's, let yourselves out whenever, I'm sorry but poker night is over-" with that he ushered Danny from the house and for once the detective didn't even question the fact the SEAL was coming with him.
Every time the tannoy crackled to life, Grace noticed her mom jump slightly in her seat before continuing to drum her fingers atop the passport on her knee. The woman kept glancing around, probably for Stan who had gone to find a caffeine fix for the pair and had promised a juice for Grace.
The girl didn't like this, something felt wrong. If they were going on holiday then why did they have so many bags and why was her mom acting so weird?
Chewing on her lip, the youngster approached her mom and smiled cautiously "Mommy? Can I get some crackers from the vending machine over there?" she glanced over her shoulder to the opposite corner of the terminal and then back to Rachel.
"Err yes, go on then, just this once" the woman flustered, digging some change from her purse and dropping it in her daughters hand "Straight there and straight back though okay? We'll be getting on the plane really soon sweetheart."
Grace nodded, backing away before turning and running off into the busy crowd. She pushed her way through, dodging and weaving until she almost fell smack bang into the vending machine. Checking behind her, the girl was relieved to be blocked from her mother's view - she didn't want her to be angry or upset but Grace knew she had to do this.
Beside the vending machine was a payphone, covered in forgotten stickers and the odd bit of scrawled graffiti, it still seemed to work fine as she stood on her tiptoes and hurriedly fed it quarters.
Grace had her dad's number memorised ever since she could speak, something he made sure to teach her just in case. The girl was never more grateful for that than now, lifting the heavy handset to her ear and waiting as the dial tone sounded.
"Detective Williams" came the strained voice at the end of the line and for a moment Grace wondered if she'd woken him up.
"Danno?" she spoke quietly "Danno it's me!"
"Grace? Oh my god baby are you okay? Where are you?"
"I'm at the airport daddy, we're going on holiday but I'm sad I didn't get to say goodbye to you first-"
"It's alright monkey, I'm really glad you called because guess what? I'm on my way to the airport too!"
"You are? Are you coming with us?"
"It's a surprise for your mom okay? So you've gotta keep it a secret for me for a little while longer"
"Okay daddy...I need to go now or mommy will come looking for me, see you soon?"
"Hey, hey Grace baby, what terminal are you in, do you know?"
"Huh?"
"The big number on any signs around, what's the big number?"
"I think it's a 6...yeah a 6!"
"That's my girl, I'll be there real soon okay? Don't get on the plane without me."
"I won't daddy!"
The change ran out before Grace could say goodbye, but feeling a lot happier she darted back across the room to find Rachel. She was now holding a polystyrene cup of coffee courtesy of Stan who was sat back down with his own drink and when Grace approached he offered her a carton of juice which she took with newfound enthusiasm.
"Where are your crackers darling?" Rachel asked suddenly, regarding the girl with raised brows.
"None left"
"Oh? Well I'll look after the change and we can get you some on the plane?"
Grace pulled a face, panicking to find an excuse that wouldn't rat out her dad. "I put the coins in a donation box, it had a puppy on it...are you mad?"
Rachel smiled and ruffled her daughter's hair "Of course not sweetie" she said before turning back to talk to Stan.
Not fifteen minutes after his call with Grace, Danny and Steve skidded to a halt outside the airport - their eyes fixed to the terminal directions as they dodged their way through the crowds.
"She said 6, do you see six?"
"No I don't see it, maybe we can find someone and ask? Security know we're coming right?"
"I don't know what flight they're on, for all I know they've already left Steve!"
"D, security said they wouldn't let them board, alright? Now let's just focus on finding our girl."
With a groan of exasperation, Danny shoved his way to the front of the nearest queue, flashing his badge at anyone who dared try and stop him. Steve followed behind with muttered apologies, the irony not lost on him at the sudden role reversal.
"Where's terminal 6, I need terminal 6" Danny told the woman at the desk, tapping his knuckles on the counter "It's an emergency"
She looked slightly scared of the man but lifted an uneasy hand to point round the corner "Through there and on the right sir" she stammered, barely having time to blink before Danny took off running again.
Steve nodded in thanks and ran after him, trying to keep his own worry for Grace at bay for the sake of his partner.
As the pair rounded the corner and headed for the right terminal they were met with the mass of people trying to make their way through security. Danny thumped the wall, skidding to a halt and raking a hand through his hair as he tried to assess the best way through.
"What are you stopping for?" Steve demanded breathlessly from beside him.
"Have you not noticed the wall of people in front of us you neanderthal?"
Steve shook his head and placed a hand on his badge, shooting Danny a meaningful look just as the tannoy crackled into life.
Flight B72 to Las Vegas is now boarding at terminal 6. That's flight B72 to Las Vegas boarding at terminal 6.
"That's us" Rachel sighed in relief, shouldering her bag and extending a hand to Grace who looked horrified at the concept of leaving without her dad.
"I-I need the toilet!" the youngster bluffed.
"There isn't time now darling, you can hold it till we're on the plane can't you?"
Stan placed a hand on the girl's shoulder "You can do that can't you Gracie? Like a big girl?"
"I really do need to go mommy" she tried again, staring pleadingly up at Rachel who pursed her lips and checked the queue forming at the gate "You really can't hold it?" she checked, and Grace shook her head slowly.
"Take her in love, I'll get in the queue or we'll be here all day" Stan huffed, gathering up their carry-on's as Rachel grabbed Grace's hand and all but dragged her along to the bathroom.
...
The stalls were nearly empty, aside from a few stragglers doing last minute make-up or making the most of the quiet bathroom since the latest plane was called.
"Quick as you can sweetheart" Rachel chirped, standing against the wall with her arms crossed as Grace shoved her way into the last stall and locked the door with a breath of relief.
"C'mon Danno" she whispered, resting her head on the door and closing her eyes as she willed her father to appear soon.
The hand dryer burst into life, the door squeaked open and then slammed shut, the toilet flushed and Grace still stayed shut up in her cubicle. Eventually the door vibrated as someone knocked, and the girl crouched to see her mom's sneakers, feet tapping impatiently.
"Grace, come on, we need to go" she called, her voice strained.
She was going to argue, claim illness or say she'd left a favourite cuddly at home-
Last call for flight B72 to Las Vegas, last call flight B72
She was out of time. Trying to hide her disappointment, the girl flushed the toilet and stepped out of the cubicle, allowing her mom to hurry her over to the sinks and pump soap into her hands before leading her from the bathroom without even drying them off.
"There we are, Stan's almost at the front of the queue" Rachel breathed, unintentionally tightening her hold on her daughter as she all but dragged her across the room.
"Mommy-"
"Not now Grace, mummy needs to concentrate a moment alright? Now take your bag and be a good girl for me okay?" they stopped beside Stan who held Grace's backpack out to her, helping her slide it onto her shoulders. The people in front of them walked through the gate and the woman at the desk ushered them forward with a too-bright grin.
"Boarding passes please" she held out her hand and took them, passports too and proceeded to check them systematically. When she got to Grace's she paused slightly, faltering in her work as she glanced back down at the girl.
"Is there a problem?" Stan pushed.
"Err-"
"GRACE?"
Danny's voice seemed to echo through the whole terminal and Grace felt her mom go slack beside her and the sound.
"Daddy?"
The few people still milling around the main room automatically parted to let the detective through and when Grace caught sight of him she ducked under the rope divider and ran for him - despite both Rachel and Stan yelling after her.
Danny cleared the remaining distance easily and lifted his daughter into his arms with a weak laugh of relief, one hand cupping the back of her head and the other holding her close on his hip. "It's okay baby, Danno's here, Danno's here" he breathed, feeling Steve place a comforting hand on his back, his other ruffling his niece's hair as she clung to her father.
"What are you doing here Daniel?" Rachel had left the queue with Stan, the pair of them now standing metres away from the men.
"You think you can take my daughter away from me Rach? Huh?" Danny's voice was scarily low and he turned, passing a confused Grace to Steve, who balanced her on his hip with a wary eye on his partner.
"We're just taking a vacation Danny, nothing dramatic-"
"Shut the hell up Stan. I know what you were planning alright? My solicitor called and told me exactly what you two were cooking up so don't try and feed me anymore lies!"
Rachel had paled, her eyes fixed on Grace who cuddled tighter to Steve. "We- we were just going to-"
"To what Rachel? Take our daughter to Vegas and not come back for the custody hearing? I mean clearly that was the plan since you didn't buy a return ticket, right?" Danny's voice dripped with sarcasm, his anger only staying at bay because of Grace being present.
"We've done nothing wrong and you're scaring Grace" Stan growled.
"From the perspective of a law enforcement worker, I'd say kidnap is something wrong Stan" Steve said harshly.
"And don't you dare try and paint me as a monster in front of my daughter" Danny's eyes flashed and he wasn't sure he'd be able to have stopped himself from landing a hefty punch to the man, had security not arrived.
Rachel stared at them in shock, tears spilling down her cheeks "You're arresting us?" she whispered "I'm her mother!"
"You're not under arrest" Steve told her dully "But you won't be able to leave the country or even leave the house without someone knowing about it, not until the custody hearing is done. You understand?"
"And Grace is staying with me" Danny said firmly, taking a step back so he was beside Steve "Just in case you felt like taking off again."
"No" Rachel moaned "No, no Danny please, please don't take her from me, please!" she fell forward, lunging for her daughter but a security officer held her up as she dissolved into hysterical tears.
"You were gonna take her from me Rach" the detective reminded her calmly "The only difference is, I'm letting you know that you won't get to see her anymore" with that he turned his back on his ex wife and lifted Grace back into his arms as he began to walk toward the exit.
"GRACE! Grace! Baby girl I love you, okay? Mummy loves you!"
The girl hiccuped back a sob "What's going on Danno? Why is mommy so sad? Aren't we going on vacation together?"
Danny pressed a long kiss to his daughter's temple, relieved that he was holding her in his arms, safe.
"Not today baby girl. We're going home."