Disclaimer: Ideas are fictional; not making any money on this. Hawaii 5-0 belongs to CBS. That's okay because none of this would work on TV.

After almost 9 months of writer's block, I finally have an idea I can work with. I've missed writing. I'm scheduled to retire in September and hope to get back in the habit again.

Family Life, Chapter 1

Fall, 2021

Steve and Danny settled into a comfortable routine with Jack and Jesse. They all missed Grace who was studying in London for her sophomore year. With 5-0 a team of eight now, the senior members of the task force spent a lot less time in the hospital emergency room. Steve was still more reckless than Danny liked, but he was the model of procedural propriety compared to the daredevil super-SEAL of their first year together.

The boys were in third grade now, and Steve and Danny were dismayed to discover the boys were assigned to different teachers. The principal and counselor explained that it was the school policy to keep siblings out of the same classes whenever possible. Their own family counselor recommended that Jack and Jesse be kept together. Jesse had made a remarkable recovery from the trauma of his former family life, but the boys were accustomed to watching each other's back. Fortunately, Steve and Danny prevailed; the boys were together again.

The family spent Labor Day weekend at the cabin. Renovations to the cabin were complete. The boys spent the days fishing, swimming, and playing SEAL Team 8 (in honor of their age). Although Charlie, Andy, and Kekoa were frequent visitors, it was just the McGarrett-Williams family for this weekend. Steve and Danny had a firm policy that they wouldn't worry about work at the cabin, but they couldn't shake a bad feeling about Steve's assignment for the coming week.

Just before they took off Friday to pick the boys up from school and leave town, Steve received a letter by special messenger: Steve was ordered to report to the base on Tuesday. The governor confirmed the assignment. Steve's commission was temporarily being re-activated; he was in the Navy again.

Danny sputtered when he read the letter and ranted for almost 20 minutes before Steve could calm him down. "I don't understand how you can sit there so calmly. You've been out of the Navy since before Jack was born. You're still in pretty good shape for a forty-something year old, but you're hardly in SEAL condition. I hear how your knees pop when you get up in the morning."

"Danny, there's nothing in this letter about a SEAL mission. I'm supposed to report in my summer khakis, not camo. I don't know what is going on, but I suspect the Navy either wants to ensure 5-0's cooperation on a joint operation or maybe the Navy needs to activate my secret clearance again. I'll know soon enough, so until then let's just enjoy the weekend with the boys."

After the boys went to bed Saturday night, the men retired to their private bathroom. The Jacuzzi tub was an extravagance for basically a weekend retreat, but it was worth the money at times like this. Danny leaned back and settled against Steve's chest. Steve's strong arms were wrapped around him and Steve was nuzzling his neck.

"You know babe, I wish we could freeze time and stay here. No one is shooting at us, and the boys have such a great time here."

"Admit it Danno, you have a great time too. We all do. It's like being at summer camp without the counselors and bullies."

"When did you ever have a problem with bullies? You were the high school quarterback!"

"I was also a science nerd. I didn't get taller and fill out until my last year on the island. Then Dad shipped Mary and me to the mainland and I was the new kid on the block. It didn't get better until I went to the academy."

"I guess I have a hard time thinking of you like that. You still have the death glare after all these years. Even Jack and Jesse know to quiet down and get to sleep when you go in with that look on your face."

"Don't knock it Danno. The boys are asleep, aren't they? You and I are naked in the tub together."

"Yeah, and I can't reach any of your good parts like this." Danny scooted toward the other end of the tub so he could turn to face Steve before sliding closer to his target.

"But I was having such a good time Danno."

"Don't whine! You know I hate it when you whine." Danny silenced Steve with a kiss. Actually it was a series of kisses. First Danny rubbed his lips against Steve's lips and then nibbled on his lower lip before touching tongues. His arms and legs were wrapped around Steve, a position he couldn't hold for long before his bad knee protested.

Fortunately, Steve was well aware that Danny couldn't hold the position for long, but he was reluctant to break the hold. He could sense the desperation in Danny's kisses and guessed that his recall was the reason. When he knew that Danny's knee must be burning, he took control and broke the kiss.

"Let's get out of here. We have a big bed in the next room waiting for us." Steve deftly stood and pulled Danny up. They dried each other before moving to the bedroom. After over 10 years together, this part of their relationship was still going strong. As Steve had so succinctly put it only weeks before their first ceremony, "I'm a guy, after all. We need sex or we die."

The need was strong tonight with both men, but Steve wanted to slow down. "Danny, I'm not going anywhere. We've got all night."

Danny laughed. "When did you get to be such an optimist? It's been a while since we were able to go all night, but I get the message. I'm so used to sleeping with you every night. I'm a little freaked that you might not come home Tuesday night. The SEAL mission you went on that first year was so hard for Grace and me. We were so afraid that you wouldn't come home to us."

"Hey, I told you that I'd be back. But I have to admit that I worried what kind of trouble you and the team might get into without me there."

"Steve, I'm wounded. You always start the trouble. I know what you mean. Just like Jack and Jesse, we're used to being back-up for each other. Now you've distracted me long enough." This time when Danny kissed Steve, it was with great deliberation and restrained passion. Steve was on his back so Danny could control their lovemaking tonight.

Danny wanted to touch Steve everywhere. He drew his fingers down the side of Steve's face and followed with his lips and his tongue. Then he gave serious attention to the underside of Steve's jaw where he could feel Steve's pulse beating a steady rhythm. Danny slipped lower still to Steve's chest. Steve's nipples were already hard before Danny put his mouth on them.

Steve was letting Danny have his way but he that didn't stop him from touching Danny wherever he could reach. At the moment, his fingers were in Danny's hair, gently massaging his scalp the way he knew Danny liked. Then he moved to Danny's shoulders. He found a lot of tension there, so he spent a few minutes working out the knots.

Soon both men were moaning with pleasure. Danny's mouth was on one of Steve's very favorite places and his hands were kneading Steve's ass. Steve was frustrated that he couldn't return the favor but he could be patient. It was a long weekend so there was always tomorrow. For now, Steve needed more.

Fortunately, Danny knew his husband well and was willing and able to give Steve what he wanted. When he was satisfied that Steve was ready for him, he thrust into Steve and held his position. It always felt like coming home to Danny when he made love with Steve.

The rest of the weekend passed too quickly for Steve and Danny. There was the usual flurry of activity after a trip to the cabin. Dirty clothes and linens were sorted in the laundry room. Jack and Jesse were in their bathroom getting their showers and brushing their teeth. Danny was stowing the perishables in the fridge while Steve packed school lunches for their sons. Both boys insisted that school food was gross.

"So do you have your uniform all ready for tomorrow morning? It must take an hour to pin all those medals on."

"Fortunately I only have to wear my khaki's, but it will take me a while. I'm out of practice. I'm just relieved that I didn't dispose of my uniforms when I left the Navy."

"Did you think this would happen? Is that why you didn't get rid of them?"

"Yes and no. I was warned it could happen, although the odds were low because of my work with 5-0. We're considered an essential part of protecting the islands. And I was superstitious about getting rid of my uniform, sort of like you know you're going to need something if you throw it away."

"You really have no idea was this is all about?"

"No Danny, I don't. Which fruit do you think the boys will like better, the plums or grapes?"

"Grapes, they're neater to eat and no seeds or pits."

After the boys were tucked in, Steve and Danny retired to their room to spend some quality time together. Neither men were entirely sure that Steve would be home the next evening, and both wanted a good memory to carry them through the week.

Earlier that evening

She parked her car down the street at the supermarket and walked to her destination. Even though she had traded her 'Vette in for something less flashy, she knew that a strange car parked for too long on the side of the street would attract attention.

Catherine Rollins was a woman on a mission. The last seven years had been a mixed bag for her. Professionally, she was doing quite well. After her last encounter with Steve and baby Jack, Catherine transferred to the D.C. area. She alternated between the Pentagon and Langley with high profile assignments that earned her a promotion to Lt. Commander and more recently to Commander. Just weeks ago she was transferred back to Pearl Harbor. Catherine considered it serendipitous that her current investigation required special expertise that only Steve McGarrett could provide. At least, that was how she sold it to her boss.

Personally, Catherine's life was a lot of nothing special. She had friendly acquaintances but no close friends. Men still hit on her at bars, but one-night stands held no appeal. In fact, no man had appealed to her since Steve. After a particularly disastrous date last month, Catherine decided that it was time to mount a campaign to win Steve back. She was surprised when she realized that Steve and Danny had been together for almost 10 years. Surely Steve would be tired of Danny by now. Catherine and Steve always enjoyed a lot of hot sex, and maybe he was ready to switch teams again.

So that is how Catherine came to be hiding in the house next to the McGarrett-Williams home when Steve and his family arrived home from their weekend at their cabin. The house had been vacant since spring when the family moved back to the mainland due to a job transfer.

It was almost 4 p.m. when the dark blue SUV pulled into the driveway, signaling the return of Steve and the family. Two young boys and a dog spilled out of the vehicle almost before Steve could turn the engine off. Danny was out next. "Okay boys, come back and get your stuff while I open the door and turn off the alarm. And Jesse, don't roll your eyes at me. You know the drill."

Catherine sucked in her breath. She knew that Steve and Danny had adopted another boy, but it was easy to see which boy was Jack. Before their breakup, Catherine and Steve spent one rainy afternoon looking at old photos. From what she could recall, Jack looked just like Steve did at that age. He was tall and lanky; his dark hair was cut short, and he was very tanned.

Then Catherine got her first glimpse of Steve McGarrett in more than 7 years. The years had indeed been very kind to him. His hair was almost salt-and-pepper now, but the infamous McGarrett physique was alive and well. The sight of him still made her wet.

Catherine watched as Danny walked back to the SUV to help Steve unload. The boys had carried their smaller bags into the house, leaving their dads to carry in the heavy items. Steve hip-bumped Danny as he pulled out a cooler. Danny retaliated with an elbow to the ribs. Steve escalated the action by pulling Danny close for a scorching kiss. Then he whispered something dirty into Danny's ear judging from the quick grin on Danny's face.

Catherine realized that she had to rework her plan. Steve and Danny were obviously still going strong. That was okay; she wasn't afraid to work hard to get something she really wanted. And Catherine really wanted Steve McGarrett.