***** Here are the next two chapters, I hope you enjoy and as always THANK YOU for reading and reviewing - it's nice to know people enjoy your efforts and reviews truly are great motivation to keep writing! ******

After Rachel joined them at the table with a tray of food, Gracie again asked "Danno who was that lady in the room?"
"Monkey her name is Doris McGarrett"
"Is she Steve's Aunt?"
After glancing at Rachel he looked into his daughter's eyes, "No Gracie…she's Steve's Mom"
With a confused look on her face she asked, "I thought his Mom was dead?"
"We all thought she was dead honey"
"Even Uncle Steve?"
"Yes, yes…it's very confusing Gracie, but before Steve was born his Mom worked for the Government and when Steve was a teenager some really bad people were coming after her and to keep her family safe she faked her death and disappeared. Everyone who loved her thought she was dead and she had to stay away all these years"

"To protect Uncle Steve and Mary from the bad guys?"
"That's right"
"When did she come back?"
"Not too long ago"
The little girl smiled widely, "I'm so happy for Uncle Steve!"
Danny smiled at the innocence of the child as he responded, "I'm happy for him too baby"
She seemed to not have any more questions and he decided that she really didn't need to know anything else at this time. In her eyes, Steve had his Mom back and that was good news.
After their snack, they all made their way back to the room.

As they entered, Kono was standing at the bed wiping Steve's head and face with a cool cloth and talking to the unconscious man quietly. Chin was sitting in a chair at the bedside and Doris was standing at the window of the room with her hands folded across her chest. Without saying a word Gracie walked towards her.

She didn't say anything immediately, she simply stood next to the older woman and looked up at her.
After several seconds, Doris looked down at her and smiled, "Hello Gracie, Steve has told me so much about you"
Gracie smiled at her, "I'm really happy that you're alive. I love Uncle Steve very very much and he needs his Mom. Everybody needs their Mom, even SuperSEAL's"
Tears were flowing down Doris' cheeks as she dropped to her knees and pulled the little girl to her chest.
"Thank you my dear child…oh thank you"
Rachel was holding Danny's hand as they watched their daughter, unable to hear the words being spoken but knowing in their hearts that Gracie was doing what she did best….spreading her love.

Doris pulled Gracie to arms-length and said, "Steve's told me about your kind and gentle heart and you have shown that to me Gracie. Thank you for taking such good care of Steve, he loves you so very much"
"You're welcome Mrs. McGarrett. He takes really good care of me and Danno too"
Doris kissed Gracie's forehead and hugged her. Then holding hands they walked back Steve's side.

After Gracie and Rachel had left, the group decided that Chin and Kono would go home for the night with Doris and Danny staying. As they sat bedside Doris said quietly, "Your daughter is an amazing child Danny"
"Yes she is…..but she is just a child Doris. In her eyes she just see's you as Steve's Mom. She has no idea about the pain you've caused him" Danny smiled, "And you know what Doris, even if she was old enough to understand everything, she still would probably believe that all that mattered is that you're alive. She would forgive you of everything"

"That says a lot about you and her Mother. Danny, you've raised her to be a loving and compassionate child"
"Well, I'm not as compassionate Doris"
"You are Danny, but you're also loyal. I've been very humbled watching your interactions with Steve. When my son was at his weakest, when his pain was at its worst…..he didn't call out for me, he called out for you Danny. It's YOU he trusts, it's YOU he needs and I thank God that you're in his life. He's very lucky to have you"

"You're wrong Doris, I'm the lucky one. Steve is the most honorable and decent man I've ever known. He's given me much more than I've given him. He's changed my life and I don't know what I would do without him. And Gracie…." he grinned, "She idolizes him"

"I've been thinking constantly about what you told me in the cellar Danny and you're right. I've been very unfair to Steve and I cannot expect him to trust me without answers. Once he's strong enough I will tell him everything"
"EVERYTHING Doris, NO more secrets"
"That's right…..everything. I owe him the truth no matter what the cost to me. I hope and pray that he can find it in his heart to forgive me, but if he can't…..I'll understand, and I'll leave if that's his choice. I need you to promise me something though Danny"
"What's that?"

"Please promise me that you'll be there to pick up the pieces"
"I promise you that I'll be there for him. Whatever happens, I'll be there"
She reached across the table and squeezed his hand. "I need to go get some fresh air"
Danny nodded and after she left the room he moved to the bed and taking Steve's hand in his, he said "I'm here with you Steve. Gracie made it up to see you today and it was sure great to see her. You're doing so great partner. You keep resting and healing and I promise you that I'll be here for you…always"

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Steve's recovery went well. Two days after the emergency tamponade the Doctor's began to wean him off the morphine and the first couple of days were very tough. His pain was severe, yet he battled every attempt at giving him any morphine. Two days after waking, he was up moving around and twelve days after being shot, Steve McGarrett was released from the hospital. Doris was holding his arm as she and Danny led him into his house.

"I'm fine you two"
Danny stated, "Oh knock it off will ya! It's not like we're carrying you, although I CAN if you'd like me too?"
"You're both Mother Hen's you know that don't you?"
Doris chuckled, "Yes we know…..so let it be"
That evening Chin and Danny manned the grill and they shared an amazing dinner of Chicken ka-bobs and grilled jumbo shrimp.
Gracie and Kamekona had joined the group and it was a joyous celebration of life and the love of the 5-0 Ohana.

Danny had made the conscious decision to step back and let Doris tend to Steve's needs.
She stayed with him while Danny and the others would drop in for lengthy 'visits'. Danny returned to work a few days later leading the Task Force until Steve would be able to return.

One day, six weeks after the surgery Steve came out onto the patio of his home. It was about three thirty and it was a typical warm and sunny Hawaiian day.
Doris was sipping a glass of iced tea and looking up from the book she was reading she asked, "Did you have a good nap sweetheart?"
"Yeah…. Hey Mom, I think it's time we talked"
Doris set the book down sitting forward in her chair…she knew...this was it…...

******* Here we go, Doris comes clean next...I hope you enjoy and please let me know what you think! ********