Hey! Back again, said I couldn't keep ye waiting for too long. I know the summary sucks, but I decided to take a break from the whump stories so sorry to all Steve/Danny whump fans..not going to be much of that in this story, it's going to be more bromance centered, with a tiny bit of whump. But don't worry I am going to get back to the whump stories after this one 'coz I just love those type of stories!
This story isn't going to be as long as trying to protect Grace 'coz to be honest I don't even know where i'm going with this story yet! Anyway here is chapter 1, enjoy!
Chapter 1
"I...I can't even drive this heap of crap!" Danny complained as he drove Steve's dad's prized possession the old Mercury marquis down the street heading towards Five-0 headquarters
"Well, I said I could drive but no, you insisted on driving.." Steve said looking out the window with a smile on his face
"That is only because the doctor said no driving for at least a month! Which in one way is good, it means my life won't be put in danger everytime I get into the car with you-" Danny said
"-What's that supposed to mean?" Steve said turning towards Danny almost demanding an answer
Danny only laughed in Steve's face which slightly frustrated Steve before answering "It means you are not a good driver, my friend, actually no scratch that, you, are a terrible driver-"
"I am not! I am a very skilled driver" Steve said trying to defend himself
"Oh yeah...suree" Danny said deciding to end the conversation as quickly as it started
It had been 3 weeks since Steve and Danny had been released from the hospital, Steve was still getting extensive physiotherapy sessions 3 times every week while Danny was almost fully recovered, apart from the short flashbacks he might get at random points throughout the day. Steve had advised him many time to get counselling but Danny being Danny decided counselling was only for the weak and vulnerable. Danny didn't want to consider himself weak, he didn't think needed counselling anyway . Rachel was getting back into her normal routine but since the accident she has not let Grace out of her sight for two minutes and if she vanished for any length of time she would panic to the extent of getting a panic attack she is constantly checking her back and has gone for numerous counselling sessions in order to get over her annoying phobia.
As for Grace, Grace would be returning to school next week she was only released two weeks ago, but she was bouncing to get back to school and meet with all her friends again. She needed it, somedays she would be on top of the world other days she wouldn't even feel like getting out of bed.
Since the whole thing started, or ended whichever way you want to look at it Danny decided to move in with Rachel in her huge mansion. Stan was constantly away on business and Rachel decided it was best for Grace if two of them gave each other a bit of space, Stan was not able to support Rachel or Grace through any of this and last week Rachel and Stan had a huge argument which ended up with Stan storming out of the house, she hasn't seen him since.
Danny pulled into the HQ parking lot in the crocky old marquis, the doctors said Steve wasn't supposed to be back at work until two weeks time but Steve being the stubborn SEAL that he was couldn't obey rules of any sort. His arm was still in a sling and he coudn't walk on his leg too much or else it would just seize up and well, it would be useless.
They both hoped out of the marquis, Steve a little slower then Danny but they made their way inside HQ to meet Chin and Kono sitting pretty in their offices. The abandoned the comfy armchairs when they saw Danny come in the door followed by Steve.
They swung the heavy glass doors open to greet their two colleagues and tell them the news.
"Hey guys, the Governor rang earlier" Chin started the conversation
"Oh yeah? What did he want?" Steve asked curiously
"Well, he said HPD are going to take up any arising cases within the next 3 weeks, basically..we have the next 3 weeks off" Chin said happily
"What? I would much rather get back to work-" Danny said but was interrupted by Steve
"Why don't we go on a holiday? We said we would go on a holiday once we were all released from the hospital?" Steve suggested and Chin and Kono were immediately up for it
"Yeah great idea! Our uncle has a holiday home by the beach in Kauai.." Kono suggested, anticipation in her eyes
They all looked at Danny
"I dunno y'guys, I mean Grace is going back to school next week and she is looking foward to it so much," Danny said but didn't get to finish his sentence
"We can go this week, well for the rest of this week? C'mon Danny a break would be good for all of us!" Steve said almost begging
Danny inhaled deeply before letting it all out in one big stressed exhale, he spent the next 3 minutes or so thinking before he wiped his tired eyes and decided a break away could do all of them good, just to relax and forget about the events of the last few weeks.
"...Okay, fine I'll ask Rachel.." Danny gave in much to Steve's delight.
That evening Danny arrived home the the delicious smell of chicken stir-fry for dinner, Rachel was a good cook that is one of the reasons why Danny loves her. Grace was sitting up at the kitchen table ready for dinner to be served, chicken stir fry was her favourite. Danny knew he had to ask about going away on holiday but wondered how Rachel would react, he dreaded asking her.
"Dannnoooo!" Grace said happily as she ran up to her father throwing her arms around her father's neck, Danny picked her up and swung her around like a proud father he kissed her on the cheek affectionately.
"Monkeyy ..I missed you today" Danny said laying her down and stroking her hair
Grace smiled "..missed you too Danno"
"Grace dinner is on the table, it's going to get cold, eat up!" Rachel called out from the nearby kitchen
Grace automatically turned on her feet and bolted towards her favourite meal. Rachel came out to the hallway to meet Danny, she threw her hands around Danny's neck and kissed him on the lips, which made Danny a very happy man
"..I missed you today.." Rachel said seductively
Danny laughed playfully "I missed you more" Danny said finishing his sentence with another kiss as he wrapped his arms around Rachel's waist
"How is Grace today?" Danny asked looking over Rachel's shoulder to see his daughter scoffing down her stir-fry
"..She is doing good" Rachel cleared her throat "..today was a good day.."
"Good! ...and how were you?" Danny asked putting Rachel's hair behind her ear.
"..I'm fine Danny.." Rachel insisted as she walked back into the kitchen
"..I have a question for you.." Danny said nervously
Rachel stopped in her tracks "Yeah, what is it?"
"How about we go away this week? Me, you Grace, Steve, Chin and Kono? We said we would go on a holiday once this was ..finished and I think it would do everybody good?" Danny asked
There was a moment of silence before Rachel answered "...I guess I wouldn't mind a break"
"Great! Kono and Chin's uncle have a holiday home in Kauai, next to the beach, Grace will love it!" Danny said excitedly
"Well, lets tell her then.." Rachel said grabbing Danny's hand and heading towards the kitchen
The next day Chin and Kono along with Steve were driving towards the airport for the short journey to Kauai, Danny, Rachel and a very excited Grace were following behind.
They checked in at the airport and soon were high in the sky in a small and overcrowded plane and not even half an hour later were beginning their decent into Kauai.
Soon enough they were on the road again, this time in a rented cars on a different island. They went to the western side of the island where Kono and Chin's elderly uncle Nathan had a luxury holiday home only a few steps to the beach.
They stopped outside a big bungalow, brightly coloured plants planted all around the perimeter of the house with sunflowers growing high in the front garden.
Grace was the first inside the house, it was huge everything was open plan, a lovely leather sofa situated a few feet from the 42 inch plasma screen TV, and off course a sweet home cinema system, not that they came on holiday to watch TV or anything. Grace ran outside, she was amazed by what she saw. The beach was only around 20 feet away and to the side of the house was a small but fun swimming pool, she gets the best of both worlds here!
She ran down towards the waters edge and immediately noticed the surf boards "Danno can you teach me how to surf?" she asked beaming with excitement
"I sure can!" Danny said
"This is going to be the best week ever!" Grace could hardly keep still for a fraction of a second "I'm going to pick out my room" she said as she ran inside almost bumping into Rachel who was on the way out
"Whao slow down Grace!..." She walked down to Danny "Isn't this amazing?!" Rachel said stunned
"Danny wrapped her arms around her "It's amazing!"Danny said as both locked lips once again
"Whoa, whoa slow down tiger!" Steve mocked from the decking
"..Sorry.." Danny said staring into Rachel's big brown eyes
"...I'm gonna go unpack" Rachel said slowly releasing Danny's hand as she made her way inside, kindly smiling at Steve on the way
"..Things are getting serious between ye two huh?" Steve asked as he walked towards Danny, two beer bottles in his hand. He offered Danny one and he accepted
"Things haven't been this good since we were first together.." Danny said but could see the uncertainty in Steve's eyes
"W..What, whats the matter?" Danny asked
"I know this is supposed to be a relaxing week but..." Steve hesitated
"Go on.." Danny said prompting Steve to finish his sentence
"..Okay...you..you can't hide these feelings forever Danny, I know-" Steve said and Danny knew exactly what he was talking about
"I don't need counselling Steve..I'm fine! okay I'm fine!" Danny said repeating himself
"Danny they are only going to get worse, tackle them now while you ca-"
"Stop just stop...I don't need to hear this coming form you, okay?" Danny laid down his beer and started walking away
"I'm only looking out for you D!" Steve managed to shout before Danny was out of view
Steve face palmed his face tiredly and was caught by Chin coming out to join him
"Y'okay brah, you look exhausted" Chin said patting Steve on the back
"Im not the one you should be worried about Chin!" Steve confessed tiredly
"What are you talking about?" Chin asked concern growing
"It's Danny, I'm worried about him.." Steve said wiping his eyes
"...ya me too brah, he looks exhausted and to be honest I don't know if getting in a serious relationship with Rachel is a very good idea in his state.." Chin said looking back at Danny who was unpacking his stuff in the bedroom with Rachel
"Yes, finally someone understands, so what should we do?" Steve asked
"I don't think we can do anything Steve, just keep an eye out for him...that is all we can do, just be there for him" Chin said honestly
Steve only nodded as he took another sip of his beer, Steve stood there for another four minutes just staring out to the endless sea and crashing waves as the sun began to set a golden glow over the calm blue waters. Suddenly Steve found himself looking at a completely different view, he opened his eyes to see Chin,Danny and Rachel staring down at him worry plastered across each of their faces.
Steve wiped his face and began to sit up, his world was spinning but that didn't bother him he was determined to prove to them he was okay, nothing was going to ruin their holiday.
"Steve? No just sit down brah can you hear me?" Chin called out checking Steve's vital signs
Steve coughed and he felt fine, what the hell just happened? He heard Danny "You blacked out on us Steve, you with us?"
Steve nodded is response he started to stand, Danny arm was around Steve's waist while Chin's had Steve's arms supported as they helped him up to a standing position. He first was wobbly, his legs felt like jelly but he got the hang of it but Danny and Chin were not letting go just yet.
They brought Steve inside and laid him down on the leather sofa, heat was radiating off Steve and he was almost wet with sweat but of course he insisted he was fine. He scrunched his eyes closed, the room felt like it was getting smaller before his world went black again.
"Steve? Steve! Wake up buddy c'mon!" Danny encouraged shaking Steve's shoulder violently, with no response and under pressure Danny stood back and the flashbacks flooded his memory.
The sound of the gunshot, Grace's screams then nothing. It was just a terrible living nightmare and he couldn't take it anymore! No holiday away or anything of the sort could fix him. He felt his breathing rate get faster as he looked down and saw Steve was still out cold and Kono was on the verge of ringing 911. He cracked
He ran his hands through his hair, beads of cold sweat began to run down his face and the room felt like it was going to eat him. He felt small, he was officially loosing it! He ran, into the back room he sat on the bed as tried to control his breathing rate but it was no good, he could feel hands on him, he could hear voices, but most painful of all he could hear Grace's screams so clear, so vivid so terrifying.
He was so stressed his world was popping in and out of focus, he was almost pulling his hair out when all of a sudden it stopped. The room stopped spinning, he couldn't hear Grace scream, he could hear 100% but Rachel still looked as concerned as hell
He looked up at hear half confused/ half terrified
Rachel didn't have to say anything, they both embraced each other, Rachel now knew the extent of Danny's needs, he needed counselling.
Rachel and Danny sat in the bed slowly rocking back and forth, neither person said a word as the room darkened in the night.