"I'm still not clear on why Danny has to go," Steve said again. He clearly believed that repeating his objections enough times would get him a different answer, an answer he could finally accept.
Steve, Danny, Chin, and Kono were all in Chin's office, the one that had originally been Steve's back when he ran the Task Force rather than the entire state. Chin had adamantly refused to move into the larger office, repeating that it would always be Steve's. Not until Steve and Danny had snuck in one night and made it Chin's office did he take up permanent residence.
"Dude. Really?" Chin said, studying Steve with the same critical, assessing expression he wore especially when dealing his long-time boss.
"That's Governor Dude to you," Steve said, glancing at Kono in hopes of recruiting her to his side.
"I'm with them," she said to his disappointment. "Chin can't go. I can't go. The doctor would have my neck for leaving this close to having this baby. You can't go. That only leaves Danny."
"No. I forbid it," Steve said. He could feel Danny's body tense where he was sitting on the couch next to him.
"Oh. You forbid it," Danny said slowly, turning the evil eye squarely on Steve. "You forbid it."
"All right. I didn't mean to say that," Steve said in contrition. "But it's 10 days. In St. Paul. Minnesota in February. You've lived here long enough to have thin Hawaiian blood."
"St. Paul has buildings," Danny said, still frowning at Steve. "I won't be making igloos."
"I know," Steve sighed. He reached over for Danny's hand, entwining their fingers. "It's 10 days."
"You'll survive. And anyone who wants to set up a task force like Five-0 needs first hand information," Danny reminded him, some of his displeasure melting. As though there was any possibility he could stay mad at Steve longer than five minutes.
"Maybe I'll go with you," Steve tried.
"No you won't. You can't leave Hawaii for 10 days," Kono said with a light laugh. "You are in charge."
"You only say that when you want something," Steve said, regarding her with narrowed eyes. "What's your end-game, Kalakaua?"
She just smiled her dimpled-smile at him and didn't answer.
"When are you leaving, brah?" Chin asked Danny.
"Week from today," Danny said. "Unless the Governor forbids it again."
"I said I was sorry," Steve said, looking down at their joined hands.
"I know," Danny conceded, leaning over to kiss his greying temple.
"You'll have to fly commercial. Since I'm not going," Steve said.
"It's fine. They are arranging my flight. First class, thankfully."
They chatted about what records Danny would take to St Paul to help them establish their own task force as well as assist them in avoiding some of the bumps in the road Five-0 had encountered. They all agreed that no task force would ever be just like theirs unless there was another SEAL out there with an undiagnosed death wish who was determined to leap before he looked.
"I don't have a death wish," Steve said not for the first time.
"You did until Danny kissed you," Kono said.
"I kissed him," Steve corrected.
"Details. You have been much easier to live with ever since you admitted you are crazy in love with him," Kono said.
"For you it's been easier," Danny said, trying to sound grumpy.
"We're not buying it," Chin said, shaking his head. "He's not the only one crazy in love."
"I'm in love," Danny agreed. "I am not crazy."
"Yes you are," the chorus of three informed him. He just shrugged and otherwise ignored them. "Come on, Governor SEAL. The kids will be home from school in 10 minutes."
"Yay," Steve said with a huge smile. "Milk and cookies."
"Only if you do all your homework," Danny warned, pulling Steve up. "We'll see you at dinner?"
"Not me," Chin said. "I have a date."
"Ooohh… we're not good enough for him," Danny said.
"I'm staying home and feeding my kids," Kono said.
"Kids? You have kids?" Steve said, following Danny out as he pulled him by the hand.
"Yeah. You're the biggest of them," Kono yelled after him. The current members of Five-0 barely lifted their heads as Danny and Steve went through the offices. Their presence was as commonplace as Kono yelling at them, and Chin laughing at them. It wasn't any wonder there was a list a mile long of officers hoping for a chance to be assigned to Five-0.
~0~
Steve and Danny arrived back at the residence 3 minutes after the kids had been dropped off by Henry. There were five of them sitting at the dining room table, squabbling over the virtues of plain milk over chocolate.
"Do we have 5 kids?" Steve asked Danny when they entered the dining room.
"I don't think so," Danny said, considering the children gazing at him and Steve in complete innocence. "Do you belong to us?"
"I do," a chorus of voices claimed.
Danny looked over at Steve with a shrug. "They all say they belong to us."
"Okay," Steve said with a nod, sitting at his place at the head of the table. "From the looks of them, they wouldn't lie to us."
Danny continued to consider that as he sat at the foot of the table. He turned to John, studying him. "Your name?"
"John Williams-McGarrett, sir," John told him formally. Danny squinted at him then at Steve before returning to look at John.
"I guess you can stay. You bear an unfortunate resemblance to my whack-a-doodle husband."
"Thank you," John said with Steve's exact smile.
"And you?" Danny said to Alicia. "What is your name?"
"I am Alicia Williams-McGarrett-Edwards," she claimed as seriously as John had.
"Edwards you say," Danny said, looking down at Steve. "Do we know any Edwardses?"
"I think we may. One or two or a dozen," Steve said, going to the kitchen to see what the hold-up was with the milk and cookies.
"How are your grades? Do we have to buy you new clothes?" Danny asked her suspiciously.
"I have straight A-s, sir. And I have no need for new clothes," Alicia told him.
"All right. You can stay," Danny said, focusing on Emma. "Do I know you?"
"Uh huh," Emma said with a great deal of nodding.
"Your name?"
"Emma Williams-McGarrett," Emma informed him.
"I see," Danny said, considering it. "You are related to this John Williams-McGarrett?"
"He's my brother, sir," Emma confirmed.
"Your brother you say," Danny said, studying her. "You look vaguely familiar. I suppose it would come to no harm if you hung around."
"Thank you," she chirped with a disarming smile.
"You," Danny said, pointing at the child next to Emma. "Are you mine?"
"No sir," the girl admitted with a smile. "I'm a friend of Emma's."
"Your name?" Danny asked.
"Dancy," she said brightly.
"I see," Danny said. "You are Emma's BFF?"
"Yes sir," Dancy agreed with a nod.
"I guess you can stay then," Danny decided. He focused on Zachary who was very nearly smiling at him. "And you?"
"Zachary, sir," he responded promptly.
"Zachary," Danny repeated like he was considering it. "The Zach that has been known to fix all of our computers?"
"That's me," Zach agreed.
"Excellent. You can most definitely stay," Danny said with a nod of approval. He leaned back in his chair, twisting toward the door to the kitchen. "Hey, Governor SEAL. What's the hold up with our cookies? We have hungry children to feed."
"First, stop yelling," Steve requested as he returned to the dining room. "And second, they are coming. Cook was making a fresh batch. Apparently the oven burned the first ones."
"The oven burned them," Danny repeated as the cook entered with a plate piled high with cookies. Lolhol Pu had been the official Governor's cook since before Steve was elected. He happily agreed to remain when Steve asked him, very quickly becoming expert at fixing all the family's favorites including superb pasta for Danny. He was rarely seen without a smile on his round face, his disposition perfect for his position. There was some possibility that he was related to Chin and Kono but they never entirely confirmed that.
"That's my story," Lolhol said, putting the plate on the table. "I dare you to prove differently."
"Uh huh," Danny said, eyeing Lolhol in suspicion. "Did you know we have 5 children?"
"I never know how many you claim on any given day," Lolhol said with a shrug, winking at the children. "Did you settle the great plain versus chocolate milk debate?"
"We'd like 3 plain and 2 chocolate, please," Dancy requested.
"Of course. Governor? Governor's other half?" Lolhol asked.
"Coffee for me," Danny said.
"Same for me," Steve said. "Then I need to go back to my office." This announcement was met with a chorus of protests, all five children reminding him that he had said he would swim with them. "I'm sorry, kids," he said, shaking his head. "I have to finish up at the office."
"I'll swim with you," Danny said, accepting a steaming cup of coffee from Lolhol who had returned with the drinks.
The kids decided he'd make an adequate substitute, some discussion about taking their swim to the beach instead of the pool.
"Much easier at the pool," Steve reminded them. "And you have to make sure you take Henry or Albert with you."
"We know," Emma said with a huge sigh. "No swimming without appropriate supervision."
"Exactly," Steve said. "And no sass about the rules."
She shrugged innocently, dunking her cookie into her milk.
"We could go to our house," John suggested.
"It's too late to do that," Danny said. "By the time we got there, it would be dark."
That convinced the children to swim in the pool, Dancy assuring Danny that she had brought her swimsuit with her.
"You need to leave one here," Emma told her.
"I will," Dancy agreed. "Oh. I mean. If it's okay with you," she amended, looking at Danny with a guilty expression.
"Of course you should," Danny said. "You swimming?" he asked Alicia and Zachary.
"I am," Alicia said.
"I am not," Zachary decided. "I'm going to start my homework."
"That's fine," Danny said. "Does Rachel know where you are?"
"Yes, Danno," Zachary said with a surprising amount of sarcasm and a roll of his eyes which pleased Danny and Steve more than annoyed them. If it had been one of the other children, they would have been displeased. But for Zachary to employ sarcasm was an excellent sign.
"We called before we left school," Alicia added.
"Good," Steve said. "Enjoy your swim. How many of you will we see at dinner?"
They all said they were planning on staying, Danny assuring Steve he would tell Lolhol before they went down to the pool.
~0~
"I thought you were telling the kids at dinner that you are going to Minnesota," Steve said to Danny as he took off his clothes while leaving the bathroom. Danny was already in bed, reading a book. Or at least he was holding it. All he was really doing was studying Steve's body as more of it was revealed. "Weren't you?"
"What?" Danny said, shaking himself and focusing on Steve's face. "Wasn't I what?"
"Do you ever listen to me?" Steve asked as he climbed into bed, laying next to Danny.
"Sometimes. When you aren't doing a strip-tease in our bedroom."
"I was getting ready for bed. How is that a strip-tease?" Steve asked, looking up at him.
"It always is when you undress," Danny told him. "What did you ask me?"
"I thought you were going to tell the kids at dinner about St. Paul."
"Oh," Danny said, waving it away. "I told them in the pool. They made me promise to tell you that they need to eat three meals a day while I'm gone. And a snack when they get home from school."
"I have never withheld food," Steve said.
"But you have made them work for it," Danny said.
"Well. It's good for them. What did Zachary say?"
"He doesn't care. Since you aren't going. And I'll have my phone. They have cell service in Minnesota, you know."
"Yeah," Steve said with a pout. "Not the same thing."
"I know it's not. But it's only 10 days. You'll be fine. At least I'm not going to some undisclosed location that I can never admit that I've visited."
"Yeah," Steve said. "Can't say I'm sorry those days are behind me."
"Me too," Danny agreed, leaning over to kiss Steve. "Go to sleep. You can barely keep your eyes open."
"'Kay," Steve said, closing his eyes and falling asleep before Danny could reach over to turn off the light. When he was laying next to Steve, he automatically reached over to pull Danny tight against his body, his long arm draped over Danny's belly where it would stay all night.
~o0o~~o0o~~o0o~
Danny reached over and silenced the alarm with a faint groan. What an ungodly hour to have to get up. No one should be expected to be awake at 4:30 in the morning. But since his flight left at 6:30, he had very little choice but to obey the call of the alarm.
"Wut?" Steve mumbled into his pillow as Danny carefully untangled himself.
"Go back to sleep," Danny said, kissing his head. "It was just my alarm."
"Donn go," Steve slurred.
"You know I don't have any choice," Danny said. "Go back to sleep."
"Uhn," Steve grunted, closing his barely open eyes. "Miss you."
"I know, babe. I'll miss you too," Danny assured him before he disappeared into the bathroom. He was not even a little surprised when the shower door opened so that Steve could climb in with him. "Why in God's name are you even awake?"
Steve shrugged, reaching for the soap and scrubbing Danny's warm skin.
"It isn't forever, you goof. I've been gone longer."
Steve shook his head at that before picking up the shampoo.
"You're so sleepy you can't even talk," Danny said in sympathy as he closed his eyes. "You aren't coming to the airport with me."
"Am so."
"No you aren't. Because then you won't be here to get the kids up for school," Danny told him gently.
"Henry can do it," Steve said, pouting just a little.
"Henry isn't their father. And you can't go to the airport. You have a meeting at 8:30."
"Your flight's at 6:30. I'll get back in time. And to get the kids up," Steve said.
"There is no reason for you to go. You can't come inside. Leon and Chin would both kill you themselves."
"Sometimes being Governor sucks," Steve decided.
"I know. Hate it for you," Danny said, patting Steve's chest. "Let me out so I can get dressed."
Steve sighed but turned off the water, leaving the shower stall with Danny. He swiped off some of the water with a towel before sitting on the closed toilet to watch Danny shave.
"Don't forget that Emma has a field trip next Tuesday," Danny said. "I signed her permission slip but she needs to be at school half an hour early."
"You wrote it down, right?"
"It's on your schedule. Henry and Leon both know. John said he'd just go at the same time. And Friday is spirit day. John's jersey and Emma's cheerleading outfit are both clean and ready. Emma said she needs white shoes. The cheerleaders are wearing one red and one white."
"Okay," Steve said. "I'll take her to the store after school today."
"Tell Henry this morning," Danny reminded him.
"I will. Is there a pep rally?"
"Yeah. So John will be home by 4:30. Emma may stay at school. She'll tell Henry once Coach Morris decides. The basketball game starts at 6:30. Henry has made all the arrangements if you want to go." Danny stopped lathering his face long enough to look over at Steve. "Do you?
"Do I what?" Steve asked with a frown.
"Want to go?"
"Where?"
"To the basketball game. Where is your head, babe?" Danny asked gently.
Steve shrugged. "You know the University professors are still talking about walking out?"
"I know they are. You can give into their demands or you can keep the budget balanced. You know you can't do both."
"They do deserve a raise," Steve said. "But that means raising tuition."
Danny nodded as he carefully scrapped away the stubble. He understood the complications of the demands of the educators but he wasn't sure walking out on their students was the right way to solve the dispute. Unfortunately, Steve was the main fulcrum of the battle. The stand-off had cost him several sleepless nights already.
"There's no easy answer," Steve said as much to himself as to Danny.
"No there's not," Danny agreed. "The distance ed is helping a little, isn't it?"
"It isn't generating the amount of revenue that was projected," Steve said. "I don't see much point in adding to the infrastructure if it isn't going to offset the costs."
"You still need to upgrade all the servers, babe. Or they'll be left behind and never catch up."
"If I had an extra 23 million I'd be glad to," Steve said, sounding weary.
"I know. Minnesota has a lottery. I'll see if I can win us a few mil."
"That'd be great," Steve agreed, standing up. He used his towel to wipe away some of the left over shave cream clinging to Danny's chin.
"Go back to sleep while you can. You have the Correspondents' Dinner tomorrow night and you know it usually goes until 11:00," Danny said, one warm hand on Steve's chest.
"Yeah. Did you read over my remarks?"
"I made the changes. It's on your computer," Danny said. "And Henry made sure your tuxedo is clean and pressed."
"Okay," Steve said with a nod. For all he was protesting Danny going to Minnesota, he knew it was the right thing for him to do. Didn't make it any easier to consider the prospects of being without him for ten days. It felt ridiculous to even Steve that Danny leaving would have such an impact on him. But Danny was his anchor, his rock, and any other cliché he could think of to use to try to justify Danny's importance to him. He could not imagine having survived this long without him. And he certainly wouldn't have the two perfect children they were blessed to have.
"…then it will be time," Danny was saying when Steve tuned back in. They had gone back into their bedroom without Steve paying any attention, Danny fully dressed for his trip.
"It will be time?" Steve repeated, his eyebrows pulled low over his grey eyes in confusion.
"Oh babe," Danny said, shaking his head in fond exasperation. "You haven't heard a word I've said."
"Probably not," Steve confessed. What good was it to lie to him? Danny would know. "What were you saying?"
"It's not important," Danny assured him, approaching where Steve was sitting to kiss him on top of his head. "Go back to sleep. I'll call as soon as I land."
"Stay here," Steve said. He knew his words were useless. And there was a time he couldn't imagine saying them to anyone.
"Babe," Danny said with a shake of his head. "Go to sleep. You'll be so busy you'll barely know I'm gone."
"I'll be busy but I'll still know you are gone," Steve said, wishing with all his heart he didn't sound so needy. But as he loved (and needed) Danny with all of his heart, he supposed he couldn't help it.
"Okay," Danny said, having nothing else to offer that might help. "Go back to sleep."
"Okay," Steve agreed, watching Danny pull his suitcase out of their bedroom. Too bad he couldn't fit in it with Danny's winter clothes he'd taken out of storage.
~o0o~
Steve was in his bathroom the next evening, struggling with his bow tie. He couldn't remember having this much trouble the many other times he'd put one on. As he looped the bottom over the top it occurred to him that he was much better at tying Danny's than his own. That was the reason for his struggle this time. He considered asking Henry to help but then decided he'd get it on his own. There was a time he had no choice but to tie his own. He could still do it.
He had just decided it was going to stay straight when he saw Emma approaching, her pale face reflected back to him in his mirror.
"Hey Em," Steve said, turning to look at her properly. "What's up?"
Her hair was standing up like she'd just gotten up. But since it was 6:15, he didn't think she'd been napping. He'd seen her and John at lunch but concerns of his office had kept him occupied until it was time for him to get ready for the Correspondents' Dinner – also known as the annual Make Fun of the Governor with Complete Immunity Dinner.
"I don't feel so good," she said, her arms wrapped around her waist like she was trying to conserve her body heat. Her tee shirt and jeans looked as they usually did, clean but worn because she had no doubt been chasing John around the yard as they generally did on sunny days like today.
He knelt before her, the back of his hand automatically going to her cheeks. She definitely felt warmer than normal. "Do you have an upset stomach?" he asked, trying unsuccessfully to calm her unruly curls.
"Uh huh," she agreed, swaying slightly before him. "My head hurts."
"Oh dear," Steve said, kissing her forehead. "Let's put you in bed and I'll get you some Motrin."
"'Kay," she said.
He wasn't entirely sure she'd heard what he had said so he took her hand to lead her to her bedroom. He was already making contingency plans in his head. Henry was going with him to the Correspondents' Dinner. Chin and Malia were on the Big Island at a conference. Kono was due to have her baby any day and if Emma was contagious, Kono was not a good option to come.
"I'm going to ask Dancy's mom if she can come and watch out for you," Steve said as he drew back Emma's covers. She was struggling to get her jeans off. That she hadn't taken off her sneakers was making it almost impossible. Steve knelt before her, straightening out her clothes to help her out of shoes and then her jeans.
"Can't Kono come?" Emma asked. She was finally crawling into bed with an effort as though everything hurt.
"Not with the baby so close," Steve said, helping her settle in her bed. He was brushing her curls from her face when she straightened with a start, leaning over the edge of her bed, vomiting on Steve's trousers and shoes. The retching continued for what felt like an eternity but was probably no longer than 20 seconds. Steve held her shoulder until he was sure she was done.
"Oh Daddy," she said, tears in her eyes as she swiped across her mouth with the back of her hand. "I made a mess."
"It's okay, baby," Steve assured her, concentrating on keeping his sympathetic nausea at bay. He stepped out of his shoes, taking them and his socks over to her bathroom. Looking at his pants in her mirror confirmed that they were out of the picture for the night. He left his soiled trousers in her bedroom, returning to her bedside in his formal white shirt and tuxedo jacket. "I'm going to call Halley to clean up your floor. I'll be right back with some Pepsi," he promised, kissing her on the head.
She barely nodded, squeezing her eyes closed.
"Are you still nauseous?" he asked gently.
"Uh huh," she said, laying stock still.
"All right. Here's your bathroom trash can. Use it if you need to," he said, kissing her one last time. "I'll be right back."
"Kay," she whispered as if saying that much was difficult for her.
He went into the hallway, using the residence intercom to contact the head of the housekeepers. He explained what had happened, receiving Halley's promise to be right there.
He was in the middle of dialing Henry when John appeared at the top of the steps. One look at his face confirmed that whatever Emma had, John had also caught.
"Have you been throwing up?" Steve asked John, wrapping a steadying arm around his waist.
"No but I think I'm going to," John said. Steve hurried them into John's bathroom. They didn't make it, John throwing up in Steve's tuxedo jacket. "I'm sorry," John said as he sat on the edge of the tub to continue being sick into his toilet.
"Emma has it too, whatever it is," Steve said. He removed his jacket and shirt, leaving them in John's bathtub. He could hear Halley in the hallway on her way to Emma's room and knew he had to inform her that John was also sick. He supposed the briefs he had on covered him about as well as some of his boardies and that she had seen him in those often enough. "Halley," he called from the doorway to John's room.
"Yes sir?" she responded. She was carrying a mop and a bucket filled with all the necessary cleaning supplies.
"John has it too. He got it on me but not the floor."
"I'll keep an ear open for him," she said with a motherly nod. She was old enough to be Steve and Danny's mother and loved the children as though they were her own grandchildren. "You need to dress, sir. You're due at the dinner in less than 10 minutes."
Steve looked down at himself and back through the door to John's bathroom. John was still leaning over his toilet but seemed to be trying to breathe through the need to be sick again. "I can't leave them like this. Not with Danny out of town."
"Did you call Mrs. Edwards?" Halley asked sensibly.
"She's in England. Stan's with the kids but I don't want to risk exposing all of them to this if it's the flu that's going around."
"The children had their flu shots," she said in sympathy.
"You know it's the best guess when they formulate them," Steve said. He gave up trying for a semblance of modesty when Henry came down the hallway.
"I don't think you can attend the dinner dressed like that, sir," Henry said with a laugh.
"The kids have the flu…or something. It's making them nauseous. This," Steve said, waving at his mostly bare body, "is the result."
"Oh," Henry said. Steve could see the wheels turning in his head. "I'll contact Sebastian. He can explain to the correspondents why you are running late. I'll stay here with the kids. Leon can drive you to the dinner."
"I'd rather stay here," Steve said in indecision.
"I understand, sir," Henry said in sympathy. "But the dinner can't be rescheduled."
"What if I was the one with the flu?" Steve asked, trying for stern. But Henry just looked at him, having learned when Steve was bluffing and when he had truly made up his mind.
"You'd be there anyway," Henry reminded him. "You need to dress, please. I'll make the calls."
"Yes, all right," Steve agreed reluctantly. He went into John's bathroom, giving him a wet washcloth to use on his heated face before helping him to bed. He strategically placed his trashcan in case John needed. "Henry will be here if you need anything, Bud."
"Kay," John agreed, his eyes barely open.
"I'll get their Motrin. And their Pepsi," Henry promised, going further down the hall to peek in on Emma.
"She asleep?" Steve asked as he went toward his bedroom.
"Yes sir," Henry said, following him. "If I may, sir, you need to shower."
"Oh. Right, right," Steve agreed with a sigh. "I knew I should have gotten a second tuxedo."
"I'll order one tomorrow," Henry agreed.
"Would you find a suit you think will work?" Steve requested as he disappeared into his bathroom for another shower.
When he emerged from the shower, his black suit was laid out on the bed, a crisp white dress shirt next to it. He pulled them on, stepping into his dress shoes before looping his tie around his neck. He was pulling it in place as he went down to Emma's room. When he didn't see her asleep in bed, he went into her bathroom to find her curled over her toilet. "Bad, huh?" he asked in sympathy, pulling her hair back for her.
"Gross," she muttered, watery eyes looking up at him. "Can you shoot me, please?"
"Nope. How would I ever explain it to Danno?" he asked, wetting a fresh cloth to cool down her face. "Did you take the Motrin?"
"Uh huh. Not sure it's still in my stomach," she said as he helped back to bed. He sat her on the edge as he got a clean nightshirt from one of her drawers. He had to do most of the work pulling off her sweaty tee shirt and getting her to put her arms through the clean shirt.
"I'll ask Henry to give you a more. If it's still in you, a little more won't hurt," he assured her, kissing her head.
"Can't you stay?" she asked. She looked so small and vulnerable curled up in her bed he almost agreed.
"I want to, baby. But I need to go to the dinner. I'll be home just as soon as I can, I promise. Henry and Halley are both here. They'll hear you if you need anything."
"What about Bud?" she asked, squeezing her eyes closed. "Did you ship him off to a secure location?"
"It's too late. He has it too."
"Uhnn…" she moaned. "Sorry."
"It's not your fault," he said gently.
"Do Zach and Ali have it?" she asked.
"I don't know. I didn't call Stan yet but I will. For now, try and get some sleep. And I'll check on you when I'm home."
"Kay," she mumbled.
"Okay," he agreed with a last kiss, going down to check on John. He was equally miserable in his bed, laying on his back to stare blindly up at the ceiling. "You going to live?"
"Doubt it," John said, using all his energy to turn his head to look over at Steve. "You're late."
Steve shrugged, sitting carefully next to John. "Sebastian is explaining. Henry and Halley are staying in case you need anything."
"Okay. How's Em?"
"About the same as you," Steve said. "Miserable. Asked me to shoot her."
"Did you?"
"First, you would have heard it," Steve said with a laugh. "And secondly, what would I tell Danno when he got home?"
"There is that," John said. "We have terrible timing."
"Nothing to be done about it, Bud."
"Yeah. Go to your dinner. Don't puke on anyone," John said.
"Good advice," Steve agreed, leaning down to kiss his forehead. "Try and sleep. I'll see you when I get home."
"All right," John said, closing his eyes and trying not to shiver himself out of his bed.
Steve reluctantly left John's bedroom, running into Henry leaving Emma's. "She take the Motrin?"
"She did. I'm going to give John his," Henry agreed.
"Please call me if they need me," Steve requested, glancing between the two doors.
"I will. They're going to be fine, sir. You know that."
"I know. I just hate leaving them like this."
"I understand," Henry agreed, going toward John's door to give him the Motrin.
"I'll see you in a couple of hours," Steve said.
"Yes sir," Henry agreed.
Steve went downstairs to find Leon patiently waiting for him. "Did Sebastian explain?" Steve asked as he followed Leon out the back door to the waiting sedan.
"I believe so, sir. You're only going to be half an hour late," Leon said as he opened Steve's door for him. "Sebastian told them to begin serving dinner. You'll still be on time for your remarks."
"I hope Sebastian told them the truth about the delay," Steve said, taking out his cell phone, glad it had been on his dresser when Emma was sick on him. "Hey," he said when Danny answered.
"What's wrong?" Danny asked on instant alert.
"What makes you think something's wrong?" Steve responded.
"You should have been at the dinner 45 minutes ago. You aren't there from the sounds in the background. So something is wrong," Danny said, a worried edge to his voice.
"I am late," Steve admitted. "Emma and John have a virus or the flu or something. Emma made it impossible for me to wear my tuxedo to the dinner."
"Oh no," Danny said. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. Henry and Halley are staying upstairs in case the kids need them. I would stay home but you know I can't."
"I know, Babe," Danny said. "I'd check on immediate flights home but we're in the middle of blizzard that's supposed to last into tomorrow evening."
"I heard that on the news," Steve said. "I'm going to get Sebastian to reschedule as many of my appointments tomorrow as possible. I know he won't be happy about it, but I am not leaving the kids alone."
"I totally agree with you," Danny said. "When are Malia and Chin due back?"
"Not until Saturday. I'm going to call Malia for a referral tomorrow. Someone willing to make a house call, with any luck," Steve said.
"Good. Don't be surprised if she tries to come back," Danny said.
"I need to call Stan just in case. And Kono," Steve said, sounding weary to his own ears.
"You do. Call me when you get home from the dinner. And I'll get the first flight home I can," Danny said.
"Okay," Steve agreed. "Love you Danno."
"Love you more," Danny said, hanging up.
Steve called Stan to give him a heads up. Stan assured him that Alicia and Zachary were showing no signs of illness and offered to bring them to the mansion to help out. Steve advised against it, not wanting to expose anyone else unnecessarily.
Kono told him she was fine as were all her kids. Charlie was also just fine and volunteered to go to the mansion as well. Steve said that wasn't a good idea, fearful of transferring it to Charlie and by extension Kono.
"How are you feeling, sir?" Leon asked, looking in the rearview mirror at Steve.
"I'm fine. I don't have it. I hope Henry doesn't get it from staying with them."
"He undoubtedly has part-time parental immunity," Leon assured him.
"Probably," Steve agreed.
It wasn't many minutes longer until they pulled in front of the hotel where the Correspondents' Dinner was being held. Leon opened his door and escorted him through the overly ornate entry doors. They found Sebastian pacing the floor in front of the largest of the ballrooms.
"Governor," Sebastian said, the hint of disapproval always there even more pronounced. As soon as he could, this time Steve was definitely firing him.
"Dinner is being served?" Steve asked.
"Yes sir. It was delayed ten minutes."
"Unavoidable but regrettable," Steve said with a nod of dismissal. Leon opened the ballroom door so that Steve could enter, all eyes turning toward him as he crossed the threshold. Several of his closest supporters came to welcome him, seeming much less disturbed by his tardiness than was Sebastian. It did occur to Steve that he was the only man present not wearing a tuxedo but there was nothing to be done about it. The press could say whatever they wanted. Not wearing it was a favor for all present.
Once Steve had made it to the dais, he was introduced by the MC, one of the newscasters from the most popular local TV new show.
"We promised he'd arrive," Teri Okita said with a laugh. "We'll go with 'better late than never.'" She waited until the laughter had quieted before turning to Steve. "Governor."
"Thank you, Teri," he said as he stepped up behind the microphone. "I guess you heard why I am late, which is also the reason I'm no longer in my tuxedo. Emma and John picked a hell of a time to be sick. Danny's out of town and I'm out of tuxedos," he said to the laugh of the audience. "I'll be leaving as soon as I have refuted all the lies and half-truths the local press are planning to send my way."
That brought some additional laughter and a smattering of applause as Steve sat in the chair closest to the podium.
"My kids had it last week," Teri Okita said to him as he sipped the chilled pineapple juice.
"Is it the flu, do you suppose?" Steve asked her. When the waiter came to inquire whether he preferred the beef or whitefish, he declined both.
"My doctor thought it was," she said. "You aren't coming down with it, are you?"
"No," he assured her. "I'm just not ready to face food quite yet."
"Having a child throw up in your shoes is rather off-putting," she had to agree with a laugh.
"I'm trying to decide if I should throw them away," Steve admitted.
"This your first time?"
"It is since the time Emma learned walk. She used to use my shoes all the time, for all sorts of…mmm…functions. We never could figure out why. I went through at least two dozen pairs of boots before she grew out of it," Steve said.
"You couldn't put them up out of harm's way?" Teri asked with a genuine smile.
"If we put them out of reach, she'd cry until I gave them to her. Danny thought it was a very bad sign that she was so attached to my boots of all things."
"It's unusual," Teri agreed.
"It was. John dragged around a pair of Danny's boxers until he was three. We had to keep replacing them on the sly."
"Danny's boxers," she laughed.
"They were flannel, from when he lived in New Jersey. I don't know why he held onto them. John took them out of the laundry basket and that was that."
"The laundry basket?" she said, crinkling her nose.
"Danny had just washed them, to use as a dust rag," Steve said with a laugh. "His mother sent us a dozen exact replicas so John would never be without them."
"Do you still have those boxers?" she asked with a maternal smile of understanding.
"They are at the beach house, in the box marked 'save to embarrass the kids one day,'" he confessed.
"Do they know about this box?"
"Only if Danny told them," Steve laughed. "Surely you and Marvin have one of those boxes."
"Of course," she agreed with a laugh. "Doesn't every parent?"
"I should hope so," Steve said.
Before too many more minutes elapsed, Teri was once again standing at the podium, introducing the first guest speaker. It was Kunakana Kolekona from Honolulu Star-Advertiser. He'd always been a supporter of Steve's from the first days of Five-0. His barbs and remarks were not as sharp as the ones Steve knew would follow. But it was all for a good cause – raising money for many of the local charities.
Through some secret, backroom negotiations to which Steve was not privy, there were only five speakers rather than the customary eight or nine. He decided he'd find out whoever was responsible and give them a raise. Unless it was Sebastian. He was not getting a raise under any circumstance.
Steve refuted the insults that had been thrown at him, getting the biggest laughs of the evening. The first time he'd been the 'honoree' of the roast, he could only stumble through his responses. Danny had told him he sounded in control and eloquent. Of course the fact that Steve was giving him a blow-job while he commented on Steve's responses may have colored Danny's judgment in Steve's favor.
Each subsequent roast had gotten easier for Steve to respond. It was a matter of making notes as the journalists spoke and turning the insults back on them. It was all in good fun and Steve was careful that none of the barbs were sharp enough to wound.
"And as much as I would love to remain to be regaled with the seemingly limitless litany of my flaws and failures, I have to get home so my children can puke on this suit as well."
That made everyone laugh, raising to their feet to applaud as he made his slow way out of the ballroom. Leon accompanied him, making certain that his exit didn't take as long as his remarks had.
"Well done, sir," Leon said when they were in the sedan headed back to the residence.
"You sure?" Steve asked, looking out the window. "Danny is the only one who tells me the truth."
"You were brilliant, sir. And I say that as an audience member, not as a staff member," Leon assured him.
"Thank you," Steve said sincerely. "Do you know who shortened the program?"
"Henry called the chair of the committee. Heidi Martin's children were ill last week. She understood exactly how important it was for you to be able to leave early."
"I'll have to call tomorrow and thank her," Steve said. "I hope the journalists who missed their chance to loose their flings and arrows won't take it out on us."
"They drew straws, sir. It was purely chance that determined who would be left off," Leon told him.
"That's good," Steve said, reaching up to loosen his tie.
"Your phone," Leon said, handing it back to him.
There were no voice mail messages, to Steve's relief. He had a text from Danny that said blizzard still full on. See you in may maybe?
"I told Danny not to go to Minnesota in February," Steve said with a shake of his head.
"It is unfortunate timing," Leon had to agree.
"Hey Henry," Steve said after he'd called him. "How are the kids?"
"Asleep," Henry said. "Halley made Emma some hot tea. That seemed to help. John's been asleep since you left."
"All right. I'll be home in five minutes. Are you feeling all right?"
"I'm fine, sir. No worries here. Lolhol said he'd make them chicken soup first thing tomorrow," Henry said.
"Good," Steve said. "Danny said the blizzard is still roaring in Minnesota."
"I heard that," Henry agreed. "Maybe it will let up."
"Hopefully before May," Steve said. "Thank you, by the way, for arranging to shorten the program tonight."
"You're welcome, sir," Henry replied. He made it sound off-hand, as though it hadn't taken two dozen phone calls and some possible promises that he'd slowly reveal to Steve as time permitted. Steve wouldn't begrudge the favors that got him home much earlier than usual.
"I'll see you in a few," Steve said, hanging up after appropriate good-byes.
Leon pulled into the covered garage, not surprised that Steve let himself out the of backseat. He generally did when no one was around to witness. He went up the backstairs after wishing Leon a good night.
"Henry?" Steve called quietly as he approached the sitting room.
"Governor," Henry said, stepping into the hallway. He looked tired and more rumpled than Steve could ever remember seeing him. But he did not look at all ill, much to Steve's relief.
"Go get some sleep. I told Sebastian to cancel or reschedule all my appointments tomorrow. Except the phone call with the President. I can take that in my office up here," Steve said, a warm hand on Henry's shoulder.
"I'm willing to sleep right here," Henry said, indicating the couch that was long enough to accommodate him.
"I know you would. But I'll need your help tomorrow. One of us needs a full night's sleep," Steve pointed out.
"Very well, sir. I'll come up at 8:00 unless you need me earlier."
"Thank you, Henry. For your help and your friendship," Steve said sincerely.
Henry nodded and left with wishes for Steve to have a restful night, if possible.
Steve peeked in on Emma and John, finding them both sleeping soundly. They felt warmer than normal but they weren't burning up nor were they restless. Those were good signs.
"Hey," he said as soon as Danny answered his phone.
"Did you sneak out early?" Danny asked.
"Henry arranged to shorten the program. Only five journalists used me for target practice."
"Pity," Danny said. "Their stories are the only thing that keeps your head small enough to fit through the doorways."
"That's your job," Steve said, laying down on top of the covers. "I wish you were here."
"Me too Babe. If I'd had any idea…."
"I know. They were fine this morning. And they aren't the only reason I miss you."
"I know that too," Danny said with love in his voice.
"Promise me you'll never go to Minnesota in February again," Steve said.
"I promise."
"Or December, January, or March just to be on the safe side," Steve added.
"This is a hundred year storm, Babe. They never expected it to develop into a blizzard or I wouldn't have come," Danny reminded him.
"I know. How are the officers you met with?" Steve asked, needing a brief distraction.
"Fairly clueless to be honest. Hawaii is unique in so many ways, other states don't seem to understand why it works so well for us. I think they'll be able to use some of our strategies but I don't expect them to be nearly as successful as we were."
"And still are," Steve reminded him.
"Exactly. Are the professors going to strike?" Danny asked, bringing Steve back to his reality.
"I met with the head of the union today. For almost three hours. What part of 'there is not money in the budget to meet your demands' is so hard for him to understand? I'm not just arbitrarily denying their requests."
"I know that, Babe. And so do they. They are playing hardball to see if you blink first," Danny reminded him. "But they forgot they are going up against Super SEAL and his thousand yard death stare."
"He said if we don't find a resolution by Friday, they'll walk out."
"What'd you say?" Danny asked, able to guess the answer.
"I told him to enjoy his unpaid vacation now. Because come June, classes would still be in session. And how was any of that educationally sound for their students?"
"Good for you," Danny said.
"I had lunch with the University system president yesterday. He's on my side at least. He sympathizes with their demands as well but sees how unrealistic they are."
"The good people of Hawaii are with you too," Danny reminded him. "It's going to work out. Don't give in."
"I won't," Steve said.
"You need to get some sleep. The kids are going to need you," Danny said.
"I know. I love you," Steve said, trying to not sound as pitiful as he felt with Danny so terribly far away.
"Danno loves you. Get some sleep."
"'Night," Steve said, hanging up. He traded his suit for sleepwear, checking one more time on the kids before crawling into bed. It felt too big, too cold, and too lonely. But he knew he had to sleep. He'd be on full time Daddy-duty the next day and had to be rested to make it through.
~0~
Steve woke at 6:00 the next morning, laying still to listen. Everything sounded normal but that didn't mean it necessarily was. After visiting the bathroom, he pulled on a pair of jeans and a battered tee shirt. They could be ruined and he wouldn't mind.
He checked on Emma who seemed to be having a bad dream. She was fighting her covers, her right arm flailing.
"Shh…baby girl. You're okay. You're just having a nightmare," Steve said, brushing the hair out of her face. "Sleep, baby."
"Daddy?" she whispered, slowly opening her eyes to squint up at him.
"Go back to sleep," Steve soothed.
"I couldn't find you. You left and we looked and looked and looked. You were gone," she said, scared grey eyes peering up at him.
"I'm sorry, baby girl. I'm right here," Steve said, leaning down to kiss her forehead. It was a little warmer than normal but not overly hot. "How are you feeling?"
"Not good," she said. "Achy."
"The flu is going around. I think you and John caught it," Steve said. "I'll get you some Motrin and you can go back to sleep."
"Can I have some hot tea? Halley gave me some last night and it helped," she said as she slowly sat up.
"Sure. I'm going to check on John then I'll go down for it," he promised. "Do you need help going to the bathroom?"
"No. I'm not dizzy," she said, carefully getting out of bed and making her way to her bathroom.
Certain she was steady on her feet, Steve went down the hall to John's bedroom. John was still sound asleep, his only movements his breathing which was normal and not labored.
Steve went down to the kitchen to make Emma her tea, putting on a pot of coffee for himself. He had a feeling he was going to need it. As he was preparing to take Emma's cup up, Lolhol came in.
"Are you feeling all right, sir?" Lolhol asked Steve, studying him.
"I'm fine. The tea's for Emma. The coffee's for me when it's ready," Steve said with a nod at the pot.
"I'll bring it up to you. What would you like to eat?" Lolhol asked.
"I'm not especially hungry."
"That doesn't matter, sir. You have two sick kids to care for. You need to eat."
"All right," Steve said. "Something simple. Toast and fruit?"
"I'll bring it up as quick as it's done," Lolhol agreed.
"You aren't due to be here for another forty five minutes," Steve observed as he headed for the kitchen door.
"I figured you could use the help," Lolhol said as he put on his apron and started his preparations for Steve's breakfast.
"Thank you," Steve said sincerely before leaving.
He took the tea to Emma who drank about a third of it before she decided she'd had enough. Steve helped settle her back in bed, assuring her he'd be in the sitting room if she needed him. She only had to call.
"Okay," she said, laying down. "Could you read to me, just for a minute?"
"Of course," he agreed, reaching over for the book on her nightstand. It had been a long time since he'd had the opportunity to read to any of the children and he certainly wasn't going to miss this one. He read a page and a half before she was back sound asleep.
When he went to John's room, his bed was empty. The sounds coming from John's bathroom made it clear why he was no longer in bed. Steve pushed the door the rest of the way open to find John hanging onto the toilet as though his life depended on it.
"I'm sorry, Bud," Steve said, helping to brace him.
John took a deep breath and straightened slightly. "I think I'm done for now. But I… uhm… my bed is… uhm… I'm sorry."
"No worries, baby. I'll change your sheets. Wash your face and brush your teeth if you can manage."
John gave a weary nod, slowly standing with Steve's help. Once Steve had him propped up against the vanity, he went out to John's room. Years of practice made stripping and remaking the bed the work of only a few minutes. Steve put the sheets in the basket he'd left outside John's door, just in case. He didn't want to send them down the laundry shoot. The housekeepers needed to be aware of the 'special' mess these sheets represented.
Steve went back into the bathroom to find John still leaning against the vanity. He looked like he'd simply stay there if Steve hadn't returned to help him back to bed.
"Do you want some tea?" Steve asked. "Em drank some and it seemed to help."
"Not right now," John said. "When I wake up."
"All right," Steve agreed, giving John the Motrin he'd brought in with him. "I'm in the sitting room if you need me."
"Thanks, Daddy," John said, his eyes drifting closed.
Steve checked Emma on his way by, glad she was asleep minus the nightmares. Lolhol was waiting for him in the sitting room, a carafe of coffee and his simple breakfast laid out on the table.
"Thank you," Steve said as he sat at the small table they normally used for homework and games.
"I'm going down to make chicken soup," Lolhol said. "I'll send one of the housekeepers up for the laundry basket."
"I appreciate it," Steve said.
"Halley will send your tuxedo to the cleaner today. You may need a new one," Lolhol warned.
"Henry is ordering me a back-up at any rate. I'd hate to lose that one but if they can't get it clean, I certainly understand," Steve said.
"Is there anything else you need from me right now?" Lolhol asked, watching to make sure Steve ate.
"No but thank you."
"Call if you need," Lolhol reminded him as he left the sitting room.
Steve kept an ear tuned for any possible sounds from the kids as he turned on his laptop. Despite what he kept telling himself, he couldn't help but look at the coverage of the Correspondents' Dinner. The reviews said he was funny, on-point, witty, and forgiven for the delay in the start of dinner. None of the reports included why he was late which he appreciated. The kids were in the spotlight enough already. Their bout of the flu didn't need to be covered.
"Hey," he said when his phone vibrated, Danny's picture popping up to smile at him.
"Super SEAL. How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine," Steve assured him. "The kids are asleep."
"They still puking?" Danny asked.
"John was this morning. Em had a fight with her covers and apparently misplaced me. She was searching for me."
"I know that feeling," Danny teased. "The snow is letting up, if one and a half inches per hour is considered letting up at all. They think I can fly out day after tomorrow."
"Two more days?" Steve asked, trying not to sound as pathetic as he really did feel.
"I know, I know. I'm never allowed to go to Minnesota in February are again," Danny said.
"Exactly," Steve agreed.
"Are you eating? I know how you get," Danny said.
"Lolhol is making sure," Steve said.
"He's there already?"
"He's worried about the kids," Steve agreed.
"How's Henry?"
"I haven't talked to him yet. I told him to come at 8:00. He needs to sleep while he can," Steve said.
"That's true," Danny agreed.
"Aren't you supposed to be with the St Paul PD imparting all of your hard earned wisdom?" Steve asked as he sipped his coffee.
"We're on a break," Danny said. "I had some time. Thought I'd call my boyfriend to check up on him."
"And how is he?" Steve laughed.
"Wacko as usual."
"Give him my best regards," Steve said, enjoying Danny's responding laugh.
"You got it. I better go. The Governor can be late to his roast but the instructor can't be late for his session."
"Copy that," Steve said.
"Danno loves you," Danny said before hanging up.
Steve had finished all of his toast and most of the fruit when Henry came into the sitting room. He was dressed in jeans and a tee shirt, far from his customary attire but more suited to helping care for two sick children.
"How are you feeling?" Steve asked by way of greeting, looking at him closely for any signs of illness.
"I'm fine, sir. I am not among the infected," Henry said.
"I'm very glad. Did you eat?"
"I did. Before I came up. I talked to Sebastian. He's decided to remain out of the residence, just in case," Henry said.
"Makes sense. He hasn't called me."
"He doesn't want to risk interrupting," Henry explained.
"Ahh…" Steve said, pressing his speed dial for Sebastian.
"Good morning, Governor," Sebastian said in cool greeting.
"'Morning. Were you able to reschedule all of my appointments?" Steve asked.
"All except the meeting with the chair of the House Finance Committee. He insisted on discussing the final appropriations before they reconvene."
"If he's willing to risk getting the flu, he's welcome to come up," Steve said in a tight voice.
"I explained the circumstances, sir. He said he will take the chance."
"Fine," Steve said. "That's at 4:00?"
"Yes. Your call with the President is still on schedule for 2:30," Sebastian reminded him.
"I'll be available," Steve assured him. "Did you email me the full briefing?"
"You'll have it in the next half hour," Sebastian said.
"All right. Call if you need me. I have my phone of vibrate. If I can't answer, I'll call as quickly as I can," Steve said.
"Understood, sir," Sebastian said, disconnecting.
"Really?" Steve said to Henry when they were both settled in the comfortable chairs. "He had the briefing ready last night. I told him I'd look at this morning. And now it will be another half an hour?"
"Sebastian is… well. I don't have to tell you, sir," Henry said.
"Yeah," Steve sighed. "Thank you again for staying with the kids last night."
"You know it's no problem," Henry said. "They slept almost the entire time you were gone."
"They were asleep when I checked a little while ago. John was sick again. Emma had some tea."
"And you ate?"
"Lolhol made sure," Steve agreed. "Danny said the blizzard is down to one and a half inches per hour. He thinks he can come home day after tomorrow."
"It's quite the storm," Henry said, reaching for the remote. He turned the TV to one of the channels of all weather all the time, the map of the mid-west solid, threatening purple.
"Danny said they are calling it a hundred year storm," Steve said, trying not to sound as put-out about the forces of mother nature as he felt.
"Looks like one," Henry agreed. "Did you call the school about their absences?"
"Oh crap. Danny usually does it," Steve said, taking out his phone. School wouldn't have started yet so he was still in the clear. "You aren't going to tell Danny you had to remind me, right?"
"Never," Henry said, crossing his heart and making Steve laugh.
"Yes, hello. I need to speak to the attendance monitor please," Steve said. He waited only a minute to be transferred to the correct extension. "I'm calling to let you know that John and Emma Williams-McGarrett won't be in school today," Steve informed the woman on the other end.
"I see," she said, pausing to apparently make a note. "Thank you for letting us know, Detective."
"Detective?" Steve repeated.
"This is John and Emma's father, isn't it?" she asked, sounding slightly confused.
"Yes, I'm their father. I'm Steve, not Danny," he explained.
"Oh Governor," she said in surprise. "I'm so sorry. It never occurred to me…I mean, Detective Williams-McGarrett generally calls."
"Danny's out of town, "Steve said with a laugh in his voice. "I'm on Daddy-duty."
"I see, sir," she said.
"You'll ask that their teachers send us any urgent assignments?"
"Certainly, sir. I hope John and Emma are feeling better very soon."
"Thank you," he said. "I'll call about tomorrow as soon as we know."
"Of course. That will be fine. I'll make a note. And alert all of their teachers. It shouldn't be a problem." She stopped abruptly, apparently realizing she'd been rambling.
"All right," Steve said, hanging up after saying good-bye.
"Surprised it was you, sir?" Henry asked, pretending his focus was still on the TV.
"I guess I've never called them out sick before," Steve said.
"You're generally a little too busy," Henry reminded him.
"True that," Steve agreed just as he heard John calling for him.
"Hey Bud," Steve said as he entered to sit on the edge of John's bed. "What's up?"
"You have to call school," John said, fevered eyes looking up at Steve.
"I just did. The monitor thought I was Danny."
"Huh," John grunted.
"Do you need anything? Some Pepsi or tea?" Steve asked, kissing his forehead to judge his fever. It was still there but not as bad as last night.
"I don't think so," John said. "Could you put on a movie for me?"
"Sure. Which one?" Steve asked.
"Mmm…. The second Thor," John decided.
"All right. I don't know how you can sleep through all that destruction but I'll put it on for you," Steve agreed, going to John's TV to start it.
"I won't really hear it," John reminded him, barely able to keep his eyes open.
"Don't let Loki take you over, Bud," Steve said, kissing him before slipping out of his room. He went down to Emma's to find her watching the door. "You okay, baby?" he asked, sitting on her bed.
"Uh huh. I heard John call you. He okay?" she asked.
"He was reminding me to call you out of school. I had just done it," Steve assured her.
"'Kay. Good," she said with a sleepy nod.
"Do you need anything, sweetie pie?" Steve asked with a kiss.
"No. Since you still won't shoot me."
"Nope," Steve said, standing up to look down at her. "Do you want a movie? John's watching Thor 2."
"Uhn," she grunted, slowly sitting up.
"What, baby? You need to go to the bathroom?" Steve asked, on high alert.
"No. I'm going to go John's room," she decided.
"All right," Steve agreed, helping her down the hall and getting her settled in the second bed.
"Don't puke on me," John said through barely opened eyes. Steve placed the trash can between the twin beds just in case.
"No promises," Emma said, turning her back to him and closing her eyes.
"Sleep well," Steve said with a last kiss for them both.
When he got back to the sitting room, he discovered that Kamekona had arrived and was happily chatting with Henry. But then he rarely saw Kamekona do anything that he didn't do happily.
"Hey Big Guy. What brings you here?" Steve asked, sitting back in his chair.
"Back-up. With the keiki sick and Danno out of town, you'll need the help," Kamekona explained.
"Flippa's watching the shrimp truck?" Steve asked, reaching over for his laptop.
"You know it, brah. How are the babes?"
"Better than last night, I think. I'm going to call Malia to see if she has a recommendation. I'm pretty sure it's just the flu but better safe than sorry," Steve said.
"True that," Kamekona said with a nod. "You eat?"
"Lolhol made sure," Steve said, dialing Chin's computer on his. "Brah."
"How are the kids?" Chin asked, looking concerned.
"News travels fast," Steve said.
"You know it. You need us back?"
"No. We have it covered. Kamekona and Henry are both here. I was wondering if Malia could recommend a doctor that wouldn't mind making a house call."
"Hey," Malia said when she appeared over Chin's shoulder. "You know I'll be on the next flight if you want."
"I do know. I'm pretty sure it's that flu going around," Steve assured her.
"What are their symptoms?"
He told her what they had endured and that they were both asleep. She confirmed that it was most probably the flu and unless they got significantly worse, there was no reason to summon a doctor. Steve should keep doing what he was already, making certain the kids replaced as much of the lost fluid as possible.
"Copy that," Steve said. "Emma had some tea this morning. John hasn't yet but as soon as he wakes up, I'll get him some."
"Tea is best," Malia agreed. "Pepsi is fine if that's all they want."
"Right," Steve agreed. "I'm being hailed. I'll check in later today."
"Aloha," Malia said as Steve passed his laptop to Kamekona to go to John's room in response to Emma's call.
"What's wrong, sweetie?" Steve asked, sitting next to her.
"I'm hot. And cold. I can't be both," she complained, throwing off the covers and shivering.
"I'll get you a fresh night shirt. That will help, to get you out of the sweaty one."
"The blue one," she requested. "With Cinderella on it."
"Right," Steve said, going into her room to find the correct one. He thought she was getting to be too old to still want the Princesses adorning her clothes but until she said no to Disney, he and Danny would continue to buy every Princess imaginable. "Do you think you can drink something? You can't get dehydrated," he said when she had on her fresh nightshirt.
"No," she said, shivering.
"All right, baby. I'll get you some tea when you wake up again."
"When's Daddy coming home?" she asked with a pout.
"Day after tomorrow if the blizzard lets up," Steve said.
"Can I talk to him?" she asked.
"Me too," John said, turning enough to look over at them.
"He's in meetings right now. I'll leave him a message and ask him to Skype as soon as he has time."
"'Kay," she agreed. "Love you, Daddy."
"Love you too," he said, kissing her and John before leaving them to sleep. When he got back to the sitting room, he reported on their condition before leaving Danny a message to request a cheer-up Skype call. He also checked his email, finding the briefing Sebastian had promised to send. He read over it, asking Henry if he thought the proposed budget for the Department of Agriculture was sufficient.
Henry looked over the figures on his copy, comparing it to last year's figures. "It will be adequate, sir. The businesses help fund the outreach. This appropriation is for standard expenditures."
"Very well," Steve said, reading through the rest of the briefing. It was as dry and boring as Sebastian. And it made him long for the days of reading Danny's Five-0 reports, or at least pretending to, before signing them. He was pretty sure Chin wrote the majority of the reports from current Five-0 but he'd never asked and felt secure in his lack of knowledge.
"What's the President callin' about?" Kamekona asked since he was leaning a little too close to Steve. If he'd been worried about what was on his screen, he'd have made sure the big guy couldn't see it.
"I'm not at liberty to say," Steve said. His serious tone warned Kamekona that it wasn't one of his 'it's classified' jokes or evasions. He was not at liberty to discuss it.
"Got ya," Kamekona said with a nod. "I thought I might see Miss Gracie here."
"She said she'd come. But I don't want her getting it too," Steve said.
"Understood," Kamekona agreed, reaching for the remote and changing the channel on the TV. He put on one of the local news casts which was reporting the highlights of the Correspondents' Dinner from last night.
"And we are told that Governor Williams-McGarrett was late due to the illness of his children," one of the newscasters said, looking properly sympathetic.
"Could explain why he wasn't in his tuxedo," the other said, looking unhappy about Steve's breech of protocol.
"Your tux fall victim to the kids?" Kamekona asked.
"Both of them. Last night could be the last time I ever wear it," Steve agreed.
"Ah well. You could have worn your uniform," Kamekona suggested.
"There wasn't time for me to obtain permission," Steve said.
"He looked quite appropriate in his suit," Henry said, watching Steve on the TV.
"Thanks," Steve said, answering his phone when it vibrated. "Hey."
"Hey," Danny replied. "The kids okay?"
"They miss you," Steve said. "Will you have time to Skype with them?"
"At 2:00 your time," Danny said. "I'll be done for the day."
"All right. I'll let them know the next time they wake up. I talked to Malia. She said unless they get worse, I don't need to have a doctor come."
"That makes sense," Danny agreed. "You call them out of school?"
"I did. The monitor assumed I was you."
"You've never called before," Danny reminded him. "She had no reason to think it wasn't me."
"True," Steve said. "How's the snow?"
"White and furious," Danny said. "I thought I missed 'real' winters. I take it back."
"Most of Jersey's winters weren't like that," Steve said.
"Thankfully, no. I need to go. I'll see you electronically at 2:00."
"Good," Steve agreed, hanging up.
The majority of the rest of the morning was spent listening out for John and Emma, coaxing them to drink tea or Pepsi before they could fall back asleep. There was no more vomiting for which they were all grateful.
They were both awake right before 2:00 when Steve connected John's TV to Skype. He had just gotten it ready when Danny's face appeared, smiling at them over the distance.
"There's my two infected babies," he said in sympathy.
"We aren't babies," Emma protested as she so often did, her smile nearly normal.
"But we are infected," John had to confirm. "You aren't sick, are you, Daddy?"
"No, Bud. I'm fine. Just like Super SEAL. We got cootie shots before we had you so we'd never catch anything you bring home," Danny claimed.
"That is so not true," Emma said with a soft laugh.
"It might be," Danny said. "Have you been drinking?"
They told him what they had eaten, which was not a lot, and had drunk, which was a little bit more. While they were in the middle of describing Lolhol's delicious chicken soup, Henry appeared in the doorway, motioning to Steve.
"Yeah?" Steve said when he stood in the door with Henry.
"The President's people want to know if you can talk with him now. The change
n't urgent but would help with his schedule tonight," Henry explained.
"Sure. Give me a second," Steve requested, returning to John's room to explain. They barely acknowledged his explanation before he left to talk with the President.
Emma and John were still talking to Danny when he returned ten minutes later.
"Everything okay?" Danny asked, focusing on Steve.
"Better than okay," Steve said with a nod.
"Good," Danny said. The conversation resumed between the children and their distant father, their close-by father content to simply listen and be with them, even if it was one-quarter electronic.
~o0o~o0o~o0o~
"Oh my God," Danny said as he entered their bedroom. Steve was cross-way on the bed, his head practically in the plastic trash can by the bed. "You look like hell."
"Shut up," Steve said, barely able to lift his head to glare with fevered eyes over at Danny. "Did I slip into a coma? You aren't due home until tomorrow."
"Henry called and told me you were puking up everything you ever ate. As luck would have it, one of the members of the possible Minnesota Five-0 is a retired Navy SEAL with connections to people who fly in the worst imaginable weather. When he heard the sad tale of Smooth Dog trying to care for sick children while having the flu himself, he got me a seat on a transport," Danny said. He was sitting next to Steve, rubbing his back in gentle circles. He knew the next step would be to get Steve a fresh tee shirt. This one was soaked through.
"You ride cargo?" Steve asked, his voice rough, his cheeks unnaturally pink.
"Thankfully no," Danny said, going over to the dresser for a clean tee shirt.
"Kids know?" Steve ask, finally managing to sit up to exchange shirts.
"It's 2:30 am here. I thought they could wait until morning to give me their germs," Danny said.
"They're 80% over it. Their old man is going to die from it," Steve claimed, laying his fevered cheek on Danny's thigh.
"You are not. They had it for 36 hours. You will too. Then you'll be back to ordering people around."
"I'm totally firing Sebastian this time," Steve said, wrapping a sweaty arm around Danny's waist to make sure he didn't leave him.
"Okay. But not until the sun comes up," Danny said, leaning down to kiss Steve's sweat soaked hair. "I'm going to peek in on the kids. Then I'll be right back."
"Em's in John's room," Steve croaked.
"John's room?"
"Yeah. You know how they get when they're sick," Steve said, closing his eyes so maybe the room would stop its stupid spinning.
"True. All right. Try not to die before I get back," Danny said, getting a wane smile in return. He crept down the hallway, peeking into John's room to find both kids out like a light. He returned to their bedroom to find Steve in the exact same position. "Get in bed the right way. Then I'll join you."
"You should sleep in the guest room. Or Zach's room. You don't want this," Steve said.
"Either I'm going to come down with it or I'm not. Sleeping with you won't really change that," Danny said as he began to strip off his clothes. "You have approximately 30 seconds to move or I'm sleeping on top of you."
"Bossy," Steve complained, painfully turning so he was laying the correct way, the trash can in quick, easy reach.
"That's better," Danny said as he emerged from their bathroom in his sleep clothes. "Drink this. It will help."
"No," Steve said, not opening his eyes to see what was being offered. Just the idea of drinking anything made him queasy - more queasy.
"Stop being a baby and drink the water. You need it to wash down the phenergan."
"Where'd you get phenergan?" Steve asked, opening one eye to squint at Danny's palm.
"I have my ways," Danny said, coaxing him to drink. "There. That will help."
"Huh," Steve grunted, waiting for Danny to get into bed with him. As soon as he was settled, Steve shifted up against him, his hand in the middle of Danny's stomach. "I'm glad you're home. Don't go again."
Danny laughed softly, reaching down to kiss Steve's hot head. "I'll try to leave only when the kids don't have the flu."
"Or not at all," Steve countered, snoring softly even before he finished saying it.
Danny reached over to turn out the light, Steve's arm circling him to hold tight. At least Danny knew Steve would sleep with him in the bed. He was glad he could help Steve through his bout of the flu after Steve had braved being nursemaid to the two kids. He deserved a medal for his valor in the face of all that puking.