/ / / Spying \ \ \
"Your mother's on Oahu, Steve." Catherine said apologetically. Steve thought of everything he'd gone through since she'd left and he could feel the tight press of anger but he pushed it down and away until he could make sure the right person was on the receiving end of it this time.
/ / / / /
Steve waited until they were home before he grabbed Danny's hand and pulled him out onto the lanai. It was a warm night but there was a soft breeze and Steve didn't want to be inside while they talked.
"What's up babe?" Danny asked kicking off his shoes and stretching his legs out until he was sprawled between two chairs.
"You know that I asked Catherine to find out where my mother is."
"Yeah, ruining her downtime; I don't know why that woman ever returns your calls."
"Because I would do the same for her."
Danny nodded and turned more fully to Steve in a silent question about what Cath had found out.
"She turned the plane around and came back to Hawaii."
Danny sighed. "Why?"
"I don't know," Steve said quietly. "She didn't want to go. So I suppose she decided she knows better and that she didn't need to tell me. Not that she tells anyone anything."
"Steve," Danny shook his head. "She thinks she is doing the right thing, she thinks she is protecting you."
"Yeah," Steve said. "She's protecting me from everything but her own actions. At least when you are protecting Grace you're only lying to her about how terrible boys her age are."
Danny scoffed. "I was a boy her age, they are horrible."
"You do realise that if she does end up dating boys that both her parents will be able to give her first hand advice?" Steve pointed out. Danny thought about it for a second and then pinched Steve on the arm.
"You are not allowed to give her dating advice beyond don't." Danny reminded him.
"I'll start building the tower tomorrow."
"So she's here but she's hiding." Danny said pulling Steve back.
"Yeah."
"Right," Danny said and swung around until his legs were bent over Steve's. "So what is the plan?"
"You sure you don't want to ask for a bullet proof vest first?"
Danny shrugged at him. "You'll keep an eye on me I'm sure."
Steve nodded and basked in the idea of Danny trusting him. "I've asked Cath to help find her."
Danny laughed. "You are so lucky she isn't your girlfriend anymore Steven."
"Why?"
"Because it is never a good idea to get your girlfriend to spy on your mum."
"She was never my girlfriend and she is finding her, not spying on her."
"Potato, po-ta-to." Danny said with a grin. "She wasn't your girlfriend so am I your boy-friend?"
Steve knew Danny said it to make him blush and it worked, just a little heat on his ears and cheeks but Danny watched for it and positively beamed when he caught sight of it.
Danny moved a little closer and kissed Steve on the cheek. "Can I help?"
"Probably best not to have my boyfriend spying on my mother either," Steve said with a grin.
"It's apparently not spying, it's finding."
"Not at the moment," Steve said. "You've got enough to worry about with Rachel and Grace. What did your lawyer say?"
Danny pressed himself closer into Steve's side before he started talking. "I have a good case, stable job, stable relationship, stable custody visitations, house with a room for Grace, the fact that Grace doesn't want to leave Hawaii either will work for me but in the end Rachel has primary custody of Grace."
"What if she didn't?"
"What do you mean?" Danny asked pulling away so he could properly look at Steve.
"If Grace goes, you go?" Steve waited for the pause and slow nod. "And therefore I go but if it comes to that what if you sued for a change in your custody level?"
Danny froze next to him. "No judge in their right mind would give me half custody even with the 'positive improvements in my life' while I'm still a cop and work for Five-0."
Steve nodded. "Okay, but whatever you need to do I'll support you."
Danny kissed him gently. "I know, babe."
Steve pulled Danny closer and they rested back to look up at the stars and listen to the ocean even if neither of them were paying much attention.
/
If you celebrate Christmas...Merry Christmas, if you don't have a lovely last week of 2012 :)
The next chapter deals with Doris' reappearance and break-in/breakfast and it is my absolute favourite chapter so far so I'm hoping to have it finished between all my cleaning today. :)
