Summary: Chin and Steve talk after Jamie falls asleep in Steve's lap.

Warnings: Nada.

Words: 1,461 (I don't know why I continuously forget about this section.)

A/N: Any requests for what you guys would like to see? Drop me a review!

Chapter Fourteen

Steve and Jamie Bond Part 2

After dinner had been finished, Jamie had crawled into Steve's lap and rested against his chest. Steve carded his fingers through the boys' hair brushing out the tangles. Chin watched with a fond look. It wasn't long before the soothing motions had helped lull the boy to sleep.

"He out?" Steve asked in a whisper.

Chin replied by nodding his head. Steve smiled at the affirmative and continued to run his fingers through the boys hair.

"I can't believe how fast his hair grows. It's like a weed," Steve commented.

Chin chuckled, "You just notice it more because he wants his hair cut so short."

"That is true, I rarely notice Grace's hair because it's so long."

"That girl has some long hair."

"Yeah, Danny doesn't want her to ever get more than a trim."

"Because he likes it?"

"Yeah, and he loves to brush it. She still struggles with the tangles in the back, so it's the one thing he's still allowed to help with." Steve smirked.

Chin laughed, "She has him wrapped around her finger."

"Yeah, well, I think she has us all wrapped around her fingers."

"Truth, bruddah, truth."

"Yet, we're not complaining."

Chin laughed once more, "For now, at least. Once she starts taking an interest in boys, man, we're going to be overly protected. Now she has not just Danny, but you, Stan, and then me and Kono."

"I think Kono's scarier than all of us," Steve admitted.

"Something tells me she's going to give Grace advice on how to appear as a vulnerable and delicate girl, but that if he tries anything, she'll be able to knock the punk straight on his ass," Chin laughed.

"I know. She'll be fine though. I'm going to try and convince Danny to let her carry a pocket knife and pepper spray once she gets into high school. Of course, I'll have to teach her how to use them, but I just want her to be prepared for every situation. Maybe even a defense course," Steve mused.

"Danny's not going to let you," Chin said.

"He will if I use the 'Grace shouldn't be defenseless' case," Steve pointed out.

"That is true. I think it's a good idea. Girls should have just as much right to defend and protect themselves," Chin agreed.

"Well, my daughter is not going to grow up helpless and vulnerable to teenage guys. We were both one and we know what goes on in their minds. No boy doesn't think about it, but that doesn't mean they can't have a bit of self-control and respect," Steve commented.

"Exactly. Kono was able to get the upper hand on me just before she went into high school. I'm telling you man, it seriously helped relieve me of the fear that she couldn't defend herself," Chin shared.

"I want Grace to be like that. Feminine and strong," Steve concluded.

"What about Jamie here?" Chin asked, glancing at the boy still fast asleep content in his adoptive fathers arms.

"Jamie will know how to be a bit more physical if anything happens to him. I'll teach him how and where to hit if he's ever jumped," Steve said softly.

"Will you take him shooting?" Chin asked curiously.

"Probably not for a while. He needs to be able to have a clear mind. His mind is still cluttered from the events of his mom. Once he's in a stable and happy mind set then I'll take him out. Until then, he's going to remain innocent, naïve, and rely on Danny and I."

Chin smiled, "Sounds like you've thought about this before."

"I have. I don't ever want him to feel defenseless like that again. I definitely want to give him tools if he ever finds himself in that situation again. Like, what if Daddy and Danno don't come home, what's the first thing he do? Call Uncle Chin, who will call the police. That means teaching him how to use the phone and punch in the numbers and all of that. Then, if for whatever reason you and Kono don't pick up, he needs to call 9-1-1. I'd rather him call you guys first so he can have a trusted adult with him first before he calls unfamiliar people."

"That makes complete since actually. Have you thought about Stan and Rachel? Asking them if it's okay if Jamie calls them an event of an emergency?"

"No. I haven't really thought about that, actually. That might be something to discuss with them both. I'm sure they wouldn't mind if it was an extreme circumstance. I don't know Chin, it's not like I'm going to leave him home alone. It's never going to happen. He's either with us at or home, or we're taking him to a trusted baby-sitter who can work around our odd hours. I don't know if I should hire a nanny or take him somewhere."

"Well, I have a cousin who just recently graduated from the university and has returned home. She's great with kids, even majored in early childhood development, she's looking for a job. This would be a good starting place for her if you really need someone. I'm sure she would be more than happy to work with your guys schedule, especially if she's able buy food and pay rent at the end of the month," Chin shared.

"That would be perfect. Why don't you talk to her and give her my number if she's up to the job. I want her to hang out with Jamie a little while before we leave him with her. I want to make sure he's comfortable with her, and Danny and I are comfortable leaving him with her."

"Sure, I'll drop by my auntie and uncle's house and visit with them and let her know," Chin said.

"Thanks man, I appreciate it."

"How is Jamie though? Is he adjusting and all of that?"

"It seems so. He's just a bit clingy, and kind of does better when he's being held. Danny thinks that the mom didn't hold him as much as she probably should of after her husband passed away. Apparently, touch is really important for child development. I've researched it a bit and found out that touch and meeting a babies needs are inherent to a healthy brain for a baby. Babies who are touched and their needs are met turn out to be positive, trustful, and happier children. Danny has a theory that Jamie's regressed a bit and needs his needs to be met by us so that he can trust the world again. I know some people think it probably looks like we're babying him, but honestly, we're just meeting him halfway. If he has a nightmare, we come to him to console him. If he admits to being a bit hungry, we feed him a snack. If he asks to be picked up, we pick him up. His needs are being met, and it's affecting his relationship with us. He's smiling more and playing like a kid his age should be. He has a bigger appetite. He sleeps really well most nights out of the week. He's getting better. I can't help but see that we're doing the right thing by him."

"Nobody can judge you. It's obvious that he's turning into a kid again and that's what's important. He's been through more than enough for his age. It's time for him to be a child again. He's a completely different kid than when I first met him. He's improved leaps and bounds."

Steve kissed the top of Jamie's head, "I'm glad you can see it. Sometimes Danny and I don't think he has because he still has awful nightmares."

"What are his nightmares about?" Chin asked, concerned for his nephew.

"It used to be nightmares about his mom leaving him and being alone again. Feeling that fear of the unknown. It's escalated a bit to Danny and I leaving him now. It seems to terrify him more than his nightmares about his mom leaving do."

"Well, it kind of makes since. You and Danny are probably the first consistent and stable people in his lives. He doesn't want you guys to leave him, and the mere idea is enough to scare him," Chin said.

"I know. It scares me. I have a job where I'm at the risk of being put in danger daily. I could leave him at any moment."

"Maybe Jamie will be enough to keep you from being a bit reckless and actually think. I'm sure that'll make Danny happy."

"Yeah…I think you're right."

Steve knew Chin was right, too. He knew that although he had saved Jamie, Jamie would also save him as well. They had saved each other.