Ok so this story is kind of based after my other fic 'Hostage Negotiation for Dummies' but if you haven't read it, it has no consequence on this story. This is a little more team whump/angst and this one will probably be done from more than Steve and Danny's perspectives as the team splits up. Please review and tell me what you think.
Danny was beaming as he watched Kono remove the black-strip blindfold from Chin's eyes. For a second Chin just stood there blinking rapidly-squinting in the sudden harsh sunlight-but his eyes widened in astonishment and glee as he saw the pristine white, gleaming ship, bobbing on the bright blue ocean. The wind was cool and light and the hot, afternoon sun threatened to burn anyone who was unprotected from its glare, and people hurried up the metal gangplank onto the small cruise ship.
The 'upu mea hou or New Hope, was more like a large yacht than a cruise ship, but the rows of decks and wooden top deck were blatantly designed for sightseeing and tourists who wanted to ride around the island. These trips were incredibly expensive, starting in the early afternoon and returning to the docks late in the evening after numerous diving trips and water based activities as well as sightseeing and a beautiful gourmet dinner. To go out like this was for the incredibly rich-hence why the boats were smaller and more private-and many Hawaiian natives never had the chance to experience them, except for special days… like today.
"Happy birthday, Chin!" Kono, Steve and Danny yelled unanimously, throwing their hands up enthusiastically, large smiles on their faces as Chin's face flashed in realisation and he glowed with joy and anticipation.
"So what do you think?" Steve asked, gesturing wildly toward the ship "Nice place to spend your birthday right?"
Chin hesitated, his mouth agape "I…I don't know what to say…this is amazing! Thank you so much!"
The others laughed and pushed their friend forward, joining a few people and heading toward the ships gangplank. A few other well -dressed looking people glared at the rowdy cheering team as they headed toward the start of the gangplank and two familiar figures waving eagerly at them. The adorable little girl broke away from the beautiful, dark haired young woman, sprinting directly into Danny's arms. Danny clasped his arms around his brilliant daughter as she leapt onto him, wrapping her skinny arms around his neck and clinging on like her life depended on it. Reveling in the pure joy of the moment, Danny stood there for a minute just embracing her, and breathing in her deep, sweet scent, lacing his fingers through her silky hair.
"Hey Danno!" she leant back as Danny stood taller, still holding her up "Happy birthday Uncle Chin!"
"Thank you Grace."
Grace turned back to Catherine who was now cuddling Steve sensitively and stared at her expectantly.
"Aunt Cath, please may I have Uncle Chin's card?"
"Of course sweetie, just a second…"Catherine raised her arm and rifled through the handbag slung at her hip, finally pulling a sparkly pink envelope and handing it graciously to the bouncy little girl "Here you are."
Grace just nodded her gratitude and thrust the pink paper into Chin's already outstretched hand. Chin turned it round, marvelling at the little stickers that decorated the envelope and Steve hovered over his shoulder with a wide grin on his handsome face. It was hard to believe that Steve had been tortured for three days only a few months ago and was still carrying the scars of his final meeting with Wo Fat. Grace giggled cheekily as Chin slid his finger under the top of the envelope and it snapped open, spraying up glitter into the air just as a gust of wind whooshed past and Chin and Steve were coated in multi coloured sparkles. The two men spluttered and coughed, staggering back and trying to brush off the shimmering dust as the others burst into uncontrollable laughter, filled with merriment and their friends confused and uncomfortable expressions. No matter how hard they tried the two couldn't remove the glitter from their clothing and their clothes sparkled making Danny fall back into peals of laughter at Steve's cringing expression.
They eventually managed to collect themselves to board the boat, consumed in amusing chatter and teasing SuperSEAL's appearance, the girly gliiter contrasting with his handsome, muscular exterior. Even Catherine couldn't help but chuckle at her boyfriend's embarrassment as people shot him funny looks from across the boat. Settling down into a line of sunbeds at the top of the boat, Steve finally decided that the best course of action was to remove his shirt and lay there in his shades, his rippling muscles glowing with his bronze tan. Danny glowered at him enviously as a few women sat down nearby, occasionally giggling amongst each other as they looked over at Steve's relaxed form as he laid on the cot. Catherine's face made Danny smile as she glared daggers at the pretty girls huddled across the desk and Grace sniggered loudly, curling up next to Danny in her pink tank-ini and lying her head across his bare chest. Chin and Kono sat on their own sunbeds beside them, talking animatedly as Kono lathered Chin's back in a layer of sun cream before rushing off to the bar to grab everyone drinks.
Danny closed his eyes and toyed with Grace's hair as the boat hummed and the engines jumped into life. The water churned as the propeller turned and soon they were heading out into the open ocean. Danny swore he had never felt so peaceful, so perfect before in his life and for a second he allowed some pleasant thoughts about the pineapple-infested hellhole into his mind as he drifted off. The gushing waves and light, gentle breeze were pleasurable and Danny couldn't help but marvel at the tranquillity of the water and the island as a whole. Grace was breathing softly beside him and Danny adjusted his arm as he cradled her shoulder and pulled her a little closer. Somehow he had managed to negotiate with Rachel to allow him to spend time with her for the entire weekend despite it not being his turn and Danny was determined to make this the most memorable and brilliant day for Gracie.
Nothing was going to go wrong.