Chapter 10: Double Play
Grace's visit was a grand slam. The two fans had snuggled down together and yelled at the umpires reminiscent of Kono and football. Even though the islanders thought the game was ridiculously boring, it came alive when those two narrated the action.
Somewhere along the seventh inning Chin, who had disappeared after the fourth, returned with a pile of hot dogs appropriately dressed in mustard and relish. Beer and soda poured into large plastic tumblers added to the ambiance. For the first time in days life felt just right to the 5-0 ohana.
The baseball gods were feeling benevolent and the Mets managed to win and not because of that blind, no-account bum of an ump! (Steve was duly impressed, Gracie beat Kono on the put-downs). Then the three Hawaiians let the two Jersey-ites alone for the better part of two hours.
By seven Danny was drowsing with his daughter happily snuggled on his chest. Loathe as they were to disturb them, medicine needed to be doled out and dinner needed to be consumed before returning Grace to her mom. Pizza had been ordered, with and without pineapple, and was set up on the dining table.
The young girl looked at the choices. Danno's favorite was there, sausage, cheese and sauce with a nice thin crust. Then another that looked to have vegetables on it. Finally, the third had the requisite pineapple chunks and ham.
Much to the amusement of the natives, Grace selected a slice of the sausage pizza and a slice of the pineapple. Danny's eyebrow lifted.
"My own flesh and blood?" he pretended to be aghast, "eating that abomination?"
"It's not a abamnachin," she protested. "It's Hawaiian pizza!"
"It's not natural!" her father growled playfully. "Who puts fruit on pizza?"
"Tomatoes are a fruit," Kono pointed out helpfully.
"No, just no!" Danny retorted. "The USDA declared tomatoes were vegetables. So there!" He stuck out his tongue causing all to laugh. They all settled down to eat keeping the conversation light. Grace decided that the Hawaiian pizza was ok, but kind of sweet. She settled on her father's lap and helped him eat a third slice of what was rapidly becoming known as a Jersey special.
"Ok, kiddo, time to get back to mom," Steve said as he tossed a wuzzed-up napkin onto the table.
"Shotgun!" Danny called as Grace pretended indignation.
"No fair!" she exclaimed, still sitting on his lap, arms wrapped loosely around his shoulders.
"Life isn't fair," he smirked. She frowned a little and burrowed closer.
"I know that, Danno," she whispered in his ear. "But I can wish it was."
"You sure can, monkey," he whispered back. McGarrett stepped up to carry Grace to the truck. The drive was uneventful, the Williams were fairly quiet, huddled against each other, whispering, giggling. He was curious what was going on, glancing over at the pair. Danno finally lifted mischievous eyes to meet his.
"Hey, Steve," he grinned.
"Hey, Uncle Steve," Grace grinned as well.
Scary.
"Do I even want to know?" the driver asked.
"No-oo," the little girl sing-songed. Steve sighed, rolling his eyes. His passengers went back to giggling. Soon they were at the rolling gates and he slid up to the com box. A quick word and the gate slipped open allowing them to come up to the house. With a couple hugs the young girl slipped up and ran up to the door, waving before she crossed over the thresh hold.
With a sigh Danny relaxed against the back of the seat.
"What were you two laughing about?" Steve finally asked as they were driving away. He watched as his partner settled back against the seat and shut his eyes.
"Just about the weird stuff you Hawaiians do," he answered.
"Us Hawaiians?" he asked, incredulous. "We're not weird! It's you mainlanders!"
"I guess it's a matter of perspective," Danny offered. He really didn't want to get into a snark-fest now that he was all relaxed.
McGarrett decided that he wouldn't press it, given that it had been a good evening. Danny looked to be relaxed and he really didn't need to continue the ongoing Jersey vs. Honolulu argument.
"I think we need some ice cream," Steve decided. He swung off the main drag and pulled in front of a small shop that had pictures of malsadas, candy and ice cream in the windows. Danny took his place by his friend as they walked inside and checked out the offerings.
Being who they were, the first thing they did was glance around the store and sized up the clientele. Danny noted a couple off-duty cops and unconsciously sidled closer to Steve. Hyper aware of his surroundings, Steve spared a glance to his friend then swept his eyes around the shop once more, deciding a couple people weren't normal ole tourists.
Placing a hand on Danny's shoulder he guided him closer to the freezer and engaged him in deciding what flavors to bring back.
"Hey, Jake, it's Williams," a bulky man nudged his companion.
"Damned haole," the man named Jake sneered a little louder, catching the attention of the other people in the store. Danny straightened up but did not turn around.
"Surprised he can walk around after the other day," the first man snickered. "Heard the guys really put him in his place."
"Maybe he needs a reminder?" Jake grinned.
"Yups, might just," came the response. "Hey, Williams! What d'ya think you're doing out in polite society? Haole like you needs to crawl back under your rock."
"Look, Steve, pineapple and coconut sherbet," Danny plucked a carton out of the deep freeze. "Just right for the ohana." Purposefully ignoring the taunts.
"No macadamia nuts?" Steve played along. Williams reached in and tugged out a second carton
"Macadamias and white chocolate chunk," he offered.
"Hey, Williams, I'm talkin' to you!" the bulky man was right behind him, nearly breathing down his neck.
"Oh! This looks good!" Danny continued as if nothing was wrong. "Raspberry sorbet and dark chocolate chips!"
"Sorbet? Sorbet?" Steve scoffed. "You Jersey guys are weird!"
"I'm talkin' to you!" a large, beefy hand landed on William's shoulder and spun him around. Before another word could be spoken, McGarrett grabbed the offensive hand and twisted it sharply.
"OW!" a pain-filled cry filled the store. Without a word Steve frog-marched the man to the door and shoved him outside where he sprawled out on the ground. He spared a single glance at the man called 'Jake' and returned to the deep freeze.
"Ok, so we have pineapple/coconut, white chocolate macadamia and raspberry sorbet with dark chocolate," he said as if nothing had happened.
"Yeah, that sound like enough for us?" Danny agreed without apparent concern.
"Let's toss in a plain vanilla, just in case," his partner decided. "Only thing I know about Kono is she likes grape shaved ice. Don't know about Chin."
"HEY!" now Jake decided to weigh in. "We're police officers! You're under arrest for attacking an officer!" Instead of grabbing McGarrett he latched on to Williams and jerk his arm hard, causing a grimace and small expression of pain.
"And we're 5-0 detectives," Steve growled in a dangerously low voice, an iron grip on the offending wrist. "I will be arresting you for physically assaulting my partner if you don't stop NOW." Jake was now the recipient of a twisted arm and body launch out the store's door.
Danny simply picked up the four pints of ice cream and and brought them to the counter. He pulled out his wallet and tossed a plastic card down. A nervous clerk ran the charge, obtained a signature and packaged the cold treats. Steve grabbed the bag, waited for Danny to rearrange his wallet and slip it back into his pocket.
Once out the door they noted two rather pissed-off off-duty police officers waiting impatiently for them. The Navy seal handed off the bag to the Jersey detective. Neither said a word but the combined glares should have been a tip-off to their inner feelings.
"Looks like the haole and his little playmate need some lessons on island manners," Jake hit his palm a few times with his fist.
"Ok, I think my friend and I have impeccable manners," Danny said as he leaned back against the truck. Steve stood slightly in front of him, his tall, muscular frame a definite deterrent.
Jake and his buddy checked out the smirking haole and the dark, silent man in front of him. If it had just been the one they would not have thought twice. But this guy looked... tough.
"Uh, what did you say your name was," suddenly the big, beefy block wanted a little information.
"McGarrett, Steve McGarrett," the Navy seal answered. "Head of the governor's task force. And you are?" The two men looked at one another.
"We, uh, heard that this haole was a problem for you, that you and your team wanted to be rid of him," Jake gestured towards the surly blonde-headed man.
"Your intel is incorrect," Steve said. "Danno is my partner. He's a vital part of our team. Without him we don't function to our full potential."
"Uh, maybe we should just be going," the bulky man hedged.
"Maybe you should," Steve said agreeably. "And maybe you might want to pass the word around. Mess with any of us and you'll have some serious consequences to deal with." Completely cowed the two officers shuffled off to their car and took off.
"Hey, little playmate," Danny teased, "ice cream's melting." A marrow-chilling glare was sent in his general direction.
"Your face is gonna get stuck like that some day," the blond continued as he climbed up into the truck. "Just sayin'." Steve growled again as he slid behind the steering wheel and jabbed the key into the ignition.
"Of course, with the scintillating conversation you generally engage in that face will be beneficial," he continued, hands describing circles in the air. "Growling will just enhance it."
"Doesn't seem to be very effective on you!" Steve grumped.
"Naw," Danny grinned as he settled back. "Ohana knows."
Steve had to smile. "Yeah, ohana does."