A/N: Hey everyone! So I still have ideas bouncing around in my head….So when this story is over, you can expect another one! Distractions suck, but I'm trying to get these chapters out as best as I can. Please review! They feed my productivity. Also, if there is a name in this chapter that you know, I highly doubt that I own it, so please don't sue me.

Chapter 7

"Well, Ava. It's not much, but for now, it's home sweet home," Steve announced to Ava, turning in his seat to look at the young girl. "What do you think?"

Ava didn't say anything, nor did she give any indication that she heard what Steve said, but he got the distinct impression that Ava was pleased with what she saw. Ava was rocking back and forth in her seat in the back of the extended cab of Steve's Silverado. Ava was shaking her head in figure eights while rocking. There also seemed to be a hint of a smile on her face. Nothing big, but maybe a glimmer in her eyes that told Steve she was happy and pleased.

Steve got out of his truck and went around to help Ava out of her seat. Steve gripped Ava's shoulder, making sure that he gripped firmly enough that it made Ava comfortable with the contact but not so hard that it would hurt or bruise her.

Ava slipped out from under Steve's hand, not liking the feeling. But after a moment, Ava grabbed Steve's ring and pinky fingers. Steve looked down at his maikai keiki and smiled gently. He led Ava inside and gave her a tour of his house.

"This is the living room, I have cable, so you can watch whatever you want. This is the kitchen. Up those stairs is the den. Along this hallway is the bathroom," Steve led Ava up the main staircase. "Here is my room. If you ever need me at night, come wake me up. I won't be mad. This is your room. If you want to change anything, just let me know. I want you to be comfortable while you're here."

Steve stopped and gave Ava some extra time to explore her room. It was very simple, with a full size bed in one corner. On the wall across from the door, between two windows, sat an old wooden desk that Steve vaguely recalled being bought at a flea market back when his mom was still alive. There was a dresser a few feet away from the bed, positioned so that the sleeper could literally roll out of bed and be in front of the dresser, ready to put on the first thing their hands touched. Steve knew from experience that pre-teen girls weren't the most fun to wake up, and teenaged ones were even worse.

After a few minutes of letting Ava explore, Steve interrupted her explorations with a deep, soothing voice, "Ava, sweetie. We need to go to the next thing. You can come back later and finish exploring. But right now, we need to get you started with your therapy," The words seemed to have little effect on the girl as she continued to look around the room and inspect areas at what appeared to be random intervals. "Ava, we need to stick to your schedule, don't we? It says that right now we should be having sensory therapy. Do you want to stick to your schedule?"

Those seemed to be the magic words and Ava turned abruptly and walked out of the bedroom, going to what she remembered as the living room. She promptly went and sat down in front of the small coffee table, facing the couch. She sat there patiently, waiting for Steve to bring her the blue foam blocks. Steve chuckled and placed as many as fit on the table in front of Ava. He started to walk away, heading into the kitchen, when Ava started to get agitated.

Steve walked back up to the table and squatted down next to Ava. "Maikai keiki, what's wrong? Why are you so upset? I'm just going into the kitchen," Steve didn't really expect an answer so he was surprised when Ava tapped his chest with one hand while pointing to the couch with the other. "Oh. Do you want me to sit with you?" When Ava smiled at his words, Steve got up from his crouch and went to sit on the middle cushion, directly across from Ava.

Steve was looking at the girl across from him and forming a plan of action in his head while keeping an eye on what Ava was doing. Obviously the first thing was to get the girl comfortable in his house. Make sure she knew where everything was. Next was probably getting Ava used to being around the entire team. She hadn't met Chin or Lou yet, but if her meetings of Danny and Kono were anything to go by, it wouldn't be an easy first few encounters. Perhaps introducing just one at a time would help Ava, especially if Steve were there to help Ava get comfortable and make sure no one did anything that could upset the child. Then Steve would have to set up a multitude of doctors appointments: dentist, pediatrician, physical therapist, psychologist...the list was on-going, leaving Steve to wonder how Danny had any hair left after 12 years of this with Gracie.

With a mental list set in his mind, Steve finally let himself relax for the first time since he and Kono found Ava in the house. He just let his mind wander while he played blocks with the small girl. Ava seemed to delight in being able to knock down the tall towers that Steve was building with his blocks. Maybe we should try Jenga, Steve thought. He quickly revised that thought at the next moment when Ava managed to make a crash with the falling blocks, something that was quite a feat since the blocks were foam and didn't make much sound when falling.

The following 47 minutes was spent with Steve and Ava playing around the coffee table in the middle of the living room. It was relaxing and Steve had a thought that it was something he could very easily get used to. And Steve smiled, realizing now that that wasn't necessarily a bad thing. Maybe he could be SuperSEAL and also be a SuperDad. Danno managed, and if Danno could manage, then so could Steve.

When the time was up, Ava knew immediately and, without prompting, got up and went to the bathroom, just like her schedule said. Exactly 3 minutes later, Steve spied Ava going up the stairs. He mentally called up the schedule and realized that it was time for Ava to lay down in her room and wait for dinner. This was the one time of the day that was "unscheduled", meaning that whatever Ava wanted to do, as long as it was kept in her room, she could do. She could nap, read, play with blocks some more. Whatever she was in the mood for. Steve remembered the note that Anna put on the schedule she wrote. Ava likes being able to have some choice. Letting her have time to specifically choose whatever she wants lessens the amount of fighting she does when she is told to do something. VERY IMPORTANT! With a note like that, you could bet safe money that Steve will be letting Ava have this time to herself.

He decided that while Ava was playing contently in her room, he could start making some of those phone calls he needed. Steve sighed, hopefully once the initial appointments were out of the way, things would be smoother sailing. But wishing is for dreamers, so Steve took another deep breath and picked up the phone, making an appointment for the pediatrician that Danny had recommended, hoping, wishing, that it would go well and Ava didn't cry or have a tantrum.

With a date set with the doctor for the following week, Steve puttered about the kitchen, making dinner. It was only a matter of time before Ava came down hungry and in search of food, and Steve would be damned if dinner wasn't ready when that time came.

Maikai keiki - precious child

A/N: Sorry for the wait! I was on vacation for the last week and for yesterday and today (it feels like longer) I have been at training for my RA position at school. Boring as all get-out, but it must be done, so I do it. I make no promises for when the next update might be, but it will happen and this story will prevail and go on.