"Somewhere I Belong"
Shakespeare's Lemonade
Rating: T
Genre: Family/Friendship
Summary: Steve doesn't belong in Hawaii anymore. There are too many memories of what he's lost. But he's about to be adopted into a new family and find a place he really belongs. What will become of his former life?
Pairings: Danny/Rachel, Steve/Kono, Rick/Adele.
A/N: Set a little after the season 1 finales of both series. I don't know about certain pairings. Rick and Adele are together like they are on the show, but that really doesn't come into the story. And Steve and Kono may not actually end up together. I'm still working on that. However, Danny and Rachel are a sure thing.
Thanks to SophieSaulie for being my unofficial beta on this project.
Prologue
Director H.J. Higgins looked up from his desk and tried not to roll his eyes.
"What now, Operative Dorset?" he said. "Another pet mission to the far reaches of the earth?"
"No." Michael Dorset shook his head and dropped a file in front of Higgins. "A new recruit," he said. "This guy would be an invaluable operative."
Higgins opened the file, ready to refuse the suggestion. "Lieutenant Commander Steven J. McGarrett," he read. "A Nay SEAL?" He looked up at Michael curiously.
"He speaks four languages, has taken down terrorists and drug lords, and he's currently out of work."
Higgins raised his eyebrows. "Why is he out of work?"
"He's been leading a task force in Hawaii for the past nine months. Until he was framed for the murder of Hawaii's Governor Jameson. The task force was scrapped, but McGarrett's record remains clean."
"And why isn't he going back to the SEALs?"
Michael shrugged. "I don't know. But I think he would be a perfect addition to the ODS."
"So, what? You want to fire Martinez? And here I thought you were getting along."
"I don't want to fire Martinez," Michael clarified. "But we could always use more help."
"A fifth?" Higgins didn't seem convinced. "Why do you want this so badly?"
Michael sighed. "Casey's been talking about retirement. Not now, but soon. I think it would be a good idea to phase in a new member early."
"Because waiting three years didn't work so well the last time?"
"It was unrealistic to wait that long."
"I understand your position, but with programs being cut left and right, how do you expect the agency to hire another operative?"
"Trust me; McGarrett will be more than worth it."
Higgins sighed. "I'll think about it. No promises."
"That's all I ask."
The smile on Michael's face as he left the office made Higgins think that somehow, the decision had already been made.
CHAOS
"So, you're really going?" Danny Williams asked as he watched his partner—former partner—pack up his suitcase.
Steve stopped for a second. "This is unreal, Danny," he said. "It's the kind of job I need to be in and it's not too far away from family."
Danny nodded noting the term Steve used for the Williams'. "So, you'll be back for Thanksgiving and Christmas?"
Steve smiled. "And Grace's birthday, and any other major holidays. When I can, that is."
"Yeah... And here I thought you were getting to like Jersey."
"I'll never liked Jersey. Though, I'm not sure I'll like Langley any better. You know they wear suits all the time?"
Danny laughed humorlessly. "Maybe I should join the CIA."
Steve shook his head. "They'd never take you."
"They don't know what they're missing."
"No. They don't."
Steve went back to packing and for a while, neither of them said anything. Danny wasn't about to say it, but he was glad Steve had taken the job. It meant he would at least live close to them and be able to visit a lot. And it was the kind of job Steve had to do. After the dissolution of 5-0, he needed something that would let him move on. The CIA was perfect really.
Still, Danny was a little sad that he would be driving Steve down to Virginia in the morning. He'd help his friend move in and get settled and the he had to leave him there. It wasn't so far away. Not like Hawaii or Indonesia or something.
Danny had been a little surprised at how seemingly easy it was for Steve to leave his home once again, but after everything he had suffered there, perhaps easy wasn't the best word. In any case, Danny understood. Chin and Kono didn't so much. And Danny understood that too.
Danny knew they all had to move on with their lives. It had been hard to leave something that had worked so well, but none of them had a choice. And Danny had an entire family to take care of now. He was remarried to Rachel and their baby was due in January. But Steve was still a part of that family. Steve was the only thing Danny wasn't willing to give up.
H-5-O
Morning came all too soon for Steve. Everything was packed and the car was idling in the driveway. Grace was crying and Rachel was trying not to. Steve knew they would miss him and he would miss them, but he couldn't live in Danny's basement forever. He had to live his own life.
Still, he would say goodbye properly. In the doorway, Steve knelt down to Grace's level and hugged her tightly.
"I'll be back to visit all the time," he promised.
"When?" Grace asked through tears.
"Thanksgiving," Steve said. "That's only four months away."
"That's a long time."
"It won't seem like it. And we can talk on the computer like you do with Uncle Chin and Aunt Kono."
Grace looked Steve in the eye, seeming still a little unconvinced. But she released her choke hold on his neck and allowed him to stand up again.
Steve looked at Rachel who was standing behind Grace. She seemed to be trying not to care, but he could see the conflict in her eyes. Finally, she moved forward and hugged him.
"Take care of yourself," she whispered.
"I will," Steve said. "And you take care of Danny for me."
Rachel smiled at him. "You know I will do an excellent job of that," she said.
Steve nodded, smiling back. "See you in November."
Rachel nodded stiffly and patted his arm. "You'd better be going," she said.
Steve gave Rachel and Grace on last look and turned to where Danny was waiting. For once, he let his friend drive.