Danny arrived at Rachel's a few minutes before they were due home and he took the opportunity to rest. God he was tired! He closed his eyes and tipped his seat back slightly. As fate would have it, as soon as he dozed off he was awakened by his young daughter's squeals of "DANNO, DANNO, I've missed you!"

He jolted awake and grinned widely at his exuberant child, "Hey Monkey, I've missed you too. I'm sorry I've been so busy"
He stifled a yawn causing her to respond, "Were you sleeping Danno?"
"Huh, no…no…just resting my eyes dear. Did you have a good day at school?"

He had exited the truck and as Gracie spoke, they walked hand in hand a few feet behind Rachel who was carrying Charlie.

"Yes. Guess what daddy? I'm the best in my class in spelling and we're going to have a Spelling B with all the third grade classes. If I win that then I get to be in a tournament against other schools!"

"Wow, that is really exciting! I'm so proud of you. We'll have to practice alot"
"I like to practice spelling, it's fun"
They entered the house and Rachel turned to Grace, "Sweetheart, could you please get your Mom and Dad glasses of water and take them out onto the patio. Daddy and I are going to put Charlie down for a nap and then we'll be right out. We have lots to talk to you about"

"What is it Mommy? Is something wrong?"
"No, No...let us put Charlie down dear. But I'll tell you this, it's great news!"
Gracie grinned broadly, "Okay…hurry up please!"
Danny chuckled, "We will Monkey…..you go now"
Gracie skipped away singing One Direction's 'That's What Makes You Beautiful'. Danny laughed, "She's crazy"
Rachel smiled back at him, adding "She's her daddy's girl"
"That she is…that she is"
They walked upstairs and after kisses and hugs for Charlie, Rachel laid him into his crib and taking the baby monitor they stepped into the hallway.

"Danny, I wanted a minute alone with you. Use your judgement but if you want to tell her about us…..I'm ready, and we should tell her…..together"
"Really? Have you talked to Stan?"
"Yes. I told him everything Danny. His time away helped him clear his head. He now sees that what we had was over a long time ago"
"And he knows about us?"
"Yes"
"How did he take it?"
"Amazingly well. I don't think it was much of a surprise to him"
A little voice called out from the bottom of the stairs captured their attention, "Mommy, Danno….hurry up PPLLEEASSEE!"
Danny reached out, placing his hand under her chin he pulled her to him, kissing her passionately. As they separated Rachel said breathlessly, "I love you Daniel Patrick Williams"
"And I love you Rachel Miranda Kinlan Williams Edwards…Williams…" They chuckled and he kissed her again before he added softly, "forever"

Again the little voice called up to them, "Dannnnnooooo? Your ice is melting…"
Rachel laughed, "I think she's ready for some good news"
"Let's go"

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They made their down the stairs looking at the little girl who was nearly bouncing out of her skin with excitement.
Danny scooped her up into his arms and the three made their way out to the patio.
He carried her and sat her on the bench with Rachel sitting on the other side of her.
"Gracie, I have some wonderful and amazing news for you. Your Uncle Steve is alive"
She smiled broadly pulling her hands to her face, "REALLY? OH DANNO REALLY?"
"Yes baby, really!"
Gracie flung herself onto his lap, wrapping her tiny arms tightly around his neck, "Oh Danno I'm so happy. Where is he? Is he here? When can I see him?"

"Whoa whoa baby! I'll answer all your questions, I promise"
"Okay, okay…..where is he?"
Rachel responded to her giddy daughter, "Gracie, I know you're excited but just let your daddy talk now and you listen"
Gracie turned and faced her daddy as he continued, "He's at his house. I'm going to tell you what happened to him because I think that you're old enough to understand but I want you to ask me any questions you have okay?"
"Okay Danno"

"Remember how I explained to you that Uncle Matt had gotten into trouble with some really bad guys and to keep him safe he had to change his name and go live somewhere else?"
"Uh huh…and that we could never see him again. I miss Uncle Matty daddy"
"I know honey, we all do. Last week Uncle Steve found out that the bad guys had found Uncle Matty and that they were going to hurt him unless Uncle Steve and I brought them a lot of money. I know in school you've been taught about drugs and to 'just say no' because drugs are so dangerous, right?"

"Yes Danno, the DARE program. Drugs are very scary"
He hugged her and then pulling her to arms-length he continued, "You're right Gracie, drugs are very scary. Now I'm going to tell you what happened, but remember he's at home and he's getting better"

"Okay Danno. What happened?"
"The people that Uncle Matty was hiding from found him and they took him. Uncle Steve decided to go find him without telling us?"
"Why would he do that Danno? You're partners"

"Yes we are, but your Uncle Steve knew that these guys were really, really bad and he wanted to keep the rest of us safe. He knew that Chin, Kono and I wouldn't let him go alone so he had the Governor tell us that he was dead. He thought that was the only way he could keep us from going with him"

"Is Uncle Matt okay daddy?"
"Yes, he's going to be fine. He was shot but Steve got him to a Doctor and they're taking good care of him"
She responded softly, "Did Uncle Steve get shot too Danno?"

"No baby. The bad men beat Uncle Steve up and he's bruised up and pretty sore"
Even at nine years old, the little girl sensed there was more, "Danno…what else did they do to him?"
"Gracie these bad guys sell drugs to people and they tied Steve up and used needles to shoot drugs into his arms and it's made him very sick"
"But you said he's getting better, right?"
"Yes…yes he is but it's going to take a very long time and he's hurting really bad"
"Can I go see him Danno?"
"Not yet Monkey"
"But Uncle Steve says I help him feel better when he's sick"
"You do honey, but this is different. I need you to be a big girl and try to understand. I PROMISE you as soon as he's feeling a little better you can see him"

She reached up and hugged him stating softly, "I understand. Can I talk to him on the phone?"
"Maybe tomorrow okay?"
She pulled away from him and smiled as tears welled in her eyes, "Okay…..I'm so happy that Uncle Steve is not dead, but I'm sad when he's sick"
"I know baby girl, me too. Gracie, Steve can't be left alone so I'm going to need to stay at his place and I won't be able to see you very much for the next few weeks, I need to take care of him, do you understand?"

"I know daddy. I want you to take care of him. Can I call you though?"
"Monkey you can call me a hundred times a day!"
She giggled and again reached up to hug and kiss him, "I love you Danno"
"I love you too honey, with all my heart"

He decided it would be best to save the news about the divorce until the next time he saw her as they were all quite emotionally drained. He stayed and helped with her homework before leaving to head back to the McGarrett home.

As he pulled onto the freeway he phoned Kono, "Hey, how's our patient doing?"
"He's hurting Danny…..and he's stubborn. He's still refusing to take any codeine"
"Well, he never does anything the easy way does he?"
She chuckled, "No he does not…how did it go with Gracie?"
"She's worried about him but she's overjoyed that he's alive. Oh God Kono…..can you believe this?"
"I know. A short time ago I we were wondering how we were going to survive without him. I'm still numb"
"Yeah, me too. You haven't started anything for dinner have you?"
"No not yet. I don't think anyone's very hungry"
"How does soup and bread bowls sound?"
"That would be perfect"
"Can you two handle him until I get back?"
"Oh yes, we're fine Danny"
"Okay, see you soon"

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When Danny returned he put the food on the kitchen counter and moved to join his friends on the deck.
Chin and Kono were chatting as Danny asked, "Hey, where's Steve?"
Chin motioned towards the water, "He wanted some time alone"
"How long's he been down there?"
"Not too long"
"Does he seem depressed?"
"No….but he's in obvious pain"
"That's what Kono said. Soup's on the counter, help yourselves. I'm going to go check on him"
As they moved inside, Danny walked down to the water's edge.

Steve was sitting in a wooden deck chair staring aimlessly out at the vast blue/green water.
Danny sat in the chair next to him, not speaking for several minutes.
Finally Steve spoke softly, "Is Gracie doing okay?"
Danny smiled and laughed, "I don't think I've ever seen her so happy"
"I should never have done this to you all…oh God Danny, I'm…."
Danny interrupted him, "Don't say it Steven….don't say it"

"Stop the bullshit Danno, I'm sorry…."His voice choked with emotion as he continued, "Oh God….I'm so….sorry"
He sat forward in his chair grimacing in pain, "Forgive me…please forgive me"

Danny moved to his partner's side telling him what he needed to here, "I forgive you partner" Standing at Steve's side he placed one strong hand on his shoulder while rubbing his back with the his other hand, "Relax Steve, it's going to be okay, I promise"

******* MUCH MORE TO COME, please let me know what you think….every review is greatly appreciated ! *******