A/N: Thanks to everyone who took the time to write a review. I really appreciated the feedback. There's some well deserved Steve angst in this chapter.
Chapter Two
Steve sat in his office and watched the outer doors. He knew he deserved to be yelled at by Danny. He still couldn't believe that he'd forgotten Grace was in the truck with them.
More than once during the rest of the weekend he'd found himself driving towards Danny's place, only to realise that if Danny wouldn't answer his calls he'd be less than please if he showed up on his doorstep. So he'd waited, knowing that Danny would be in Monday morning and they could work things out then.
However, Danny was late. Steve still sat and watched the doors while pretending to work on the stack of papers in front of him.
Chin and Kono had arrived at their usual times and were hard at work on the Frisk case. Steve was unable to concentrate on anything. He needed to get things sorted out with Danny, and soon.
A knock on his door had him turn as Chin entered his office.
"Morning Steve have you seen Danny yet this morning?"
"What? No. I haven't seen Danny yet. He's late," Steve's tone was distracted as he turned back to watch the outer doors again.
"Steve? What's going on? Is everything alright?" When Steve didn't answer Chin continued, "Did you and Danny have a fight? I thought you guys were taking Grace to the beach on Saturday?"
"I screwed up, Chin. We didn't exactly have a fight. I did something that I'm not sure Danny will forgive me for. I put Grace's life in danger." Steve rubbed a hand over his face as he spoke.
"What exactly did you do, Steve?"
"Frisk drove by us as we were headed back to my place, and I started to follow him. Danny called for HPD to intercept, but Frisk spotted us and fled." Steve ran his hand over his face again as he thought about what had happened.
"You didn't give chase with Grace in the vehicle? Tell me you didn't do something as stupid as that?"
"Yeah I did." Steve looked down then back up. "Chin. I forgot she was with us. Danny had to yell at me before I remembered. I pulled over immediately and stopped. Grace was upset and crying. Danny calmed her down then took their stuff and walked away."
"He didn't rant at you? Tell you off for the danger you put Grace in?" Chin looked surprised.
"No Chin. He just said, 'We'll get a cab.' and they left." Steve glanced at the door again.
"This is bad, Steve. Danny is only just getting over Peterson taking Grace, and now for you to put her in danger. This is really bad." Chin saw Steve's expression change and realised that Danny must have walked in. "I'll leave you two to sort this out," he hastily left Steve's office.
Steve watched as Danny walked in and immediately went into his own office and closed the door. He was glad Chin decided to leave as he expected Danny to storm in any moment and let him have it. But that didn't happen. Instead Danny stayed in his own office and worked on his computer, not even looking in Steve's direction. Finally Steve could stand it no longer, and with a sigh got up and headed to Danny's office.
Danny's head came up as Steve walked in without even a knock. Steve could tell from Danny's face that they both had about the same amount of sleep the last two nights, next to none.
"Danny we need to talk," Steve sat down in a chair that faced the desk.
Before he could say more Danny handed him a sheet of paper.
"I want you to sign that. We'll talk after you sign, and not before."
Steve read the paper then looked up in disbelief and jumped to his feet.
"What is this?" He slammed the paper down on the desk. "You're not transferring back to HPD. I won't let you."
"Either you sign the transfer or I resign." Danny stared steadily at Steve. "You can decide." There was little to no emotion in his voice.
Damn Steve thought. This was worse than he'd imagined. Danny was serious. He couldn't be the reason Danny lost his job, so Steve signed the form but didn't give it back as Danny held out his hand.
"No. First we talk. Then you get this back."
Danny lowered his hand to his desk.
"Okay. What do you want to talk about, Steve? How you scared my daughter half to death? How you forgot she was in the truck? Maybe, how you could have gotten her killed?" Danny's voice was calm, no anger, just resignation.
"I'm sorry, Danny. You have to believe me when I say that I don't know how I could have forgotten that Grace was there."
"The problem is that I do believe you, Steve. I know that you don't realise what is going on with you. Ever since the North Korea thing you've been distracted. You've taken stupid risks, not only with your life, but with everyone around you."
"That's not true Danny," Steve started, but Danny cut him off.
"Yes it's true. I've talked to you about it. Asked you to get help, and so has Chin. You haven't listened." Danny stood and walked around the desk. "Well I've had enough. This thing with Grace was it for me. I'll see this case with Frisk through. Then we're through." Danny took the paper out of Steve's hand and left the office.
All Steve could do was turn and watch him leave. He was too stunned to say anything. This couldn't be real. Danny couldn't leave Five-0.
"What happened? Where's Danny going?" Chin walked into Danny's office as soon as the outer door closed behind Danny.
"He's decided to transfer back to HPD," Steve answered, defeat written all over his face.
"What! Wait! Is that the paper he had? You signed it?" Kono asked in disbelief as she walked in behind Chin. It was obvious to Steve that Chin had filled Kono in on what had happened with Grace.
"He didn't give me a choice, Kono. Either I sign the transfer or he'd resign right now. What could I do? I know he needs to work. He can't lose his job because of my stupidity."
"What else did he say Steve?" Chin quietly asked.
"He said that since North Korea I've taken stupid risks and that I need help. That both he and you have talked to me about it, and this thing with Grace was the end for him. He said we're through." Steve looked at Chin. "You think he's right don't you?"
"Yes I do." Chin walked up to Steve and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Since North Korea you've been more driven than before. You barely listen to Danny anymore. He's your partner Steve, and as your partner he acts as a balance for you. The last few months that hasn't happened. You've both been out of sync, and I've seen it wearing on Danny. He's become quieter and not the Danny we've all come to know and love. He'd hoped that the beach trip would help you both relax and unwind."
"It did, until I saw Frisk. I can't explain what came over me. You're right, and I'll talk to someone, although it may be too late as far as Danny's concerned." Steve looked down at the floor, defeat written all over his face.
"He'll come around Steve," Kono walked up to Steve. "Just give him a little time. If you get yourself sorted out maybe we can all persuade him to come back. After all we're Ohana."
"I hope so Kono. I really hope so," Steve got up and walked out of Danny's office. "Because I don't think I can do this without him."
Chin's phone rang as he followed Steve into the main office.
"Steve, Frisk's car has been spotted headed north."
"Text me directions," Steve turned to leave.
"Wait. Kono, go with him. Danny's not here and Steve need's a partner. Both of you be careful. Frisk is dangerous."
"Okay. Let's go boss." Kono headed out two steps behind Steve.
TBC
