Hello! Here's a really short story for tonight! We just watched tonight's episode (5x12) and we had a few ideas, but before we get to that, have you all heard about the eighteenth episode? For those who haven't, from what we've read (SPOILER ALERT) Danny gets in some trouble for killing Reyes. Like, being put into a Mexican prison and getting beaten pretty badly kind of trouble. Also, he uses his one phone call not to call Steve and arrange for money to bribe the guards, but to call Grace and say goodbye. Additionally, Chin is supposed to have more trouble with internal affairs, this time about the 5.5 million he gave Danny to help buy Matt's freedom. Lastly, we're to expect Joe White to make a reappearance. Sounds good, right? Let's hope they do it the way it should be done! Anyway, on to the story!

Summary: We weren't crazy about how Steve seemed more concerned about his car than Grace. We also didn't like how he treated Danny. This is our take on that episode.

As Danny stood there in the shade, leaning against his car, a million thoughts ran through his mind. The moment his partner's massive truck came into view, he straightened up, posture stiff with anger. He shook his head, preparing himself.

"Yo." Steve greeted. Danny took a deep breath.

"Hey. Let me ask you a question, kay? At what point did you think that it was a good idea to leave my innocent, twelve year old daughter, alone, in a deserted street by herself? When did you think that was okay?" He asked, trying his hardest to keep his voice level. His anger ratcheted up a notch when Steve laid a patronizing hand on his shoulder.

"Good morning. I'm fine. How are you?" He replied, brushing off Danny's question.

"No, no no no. Don't do that. Answer the question." Danny demanded. He listened as Steve made excuses about Grace being in a safe part of town and claimed that he was overreacting. The final straw came when Steve changed the subject to his car. Steve's obsession with his car made something snap inside him.

"No, don't you start on that piece of junk. I don't care if it was a damn classic! How is a piece of metal more important than my daughter, huh?" Danny said, barely keeping his voice down to avoid unwanted attention. Steve stared back in surprise.

"Danny, don't you think you're overreacting? She was completely-"

"Safe?" Danny interrupted. "Safe? You don't get to decide that! When you picked her up this morning, you made a promise, which I foolishly expected you to keep, that you would not let her out of your sight. I don't care if you weren't in a high crime neighborhood! You don't ever leave my little girl alone like that. She was in a 'safe', upperclass neighborhood at tennis lesson when she was taken." Steve looked completely taken aback by Danny's outburst.

"Danny, I-"

"No. I don't wanna hear it. When you have your own child, a child that's been kidnapped and threatened before, you can decide for yourself what's safe. Until then, don't gamble with my daughter's life." Danny finished angrily, shoving past his partner and joining Chin and Kono with the body. Steve stood there for a moment in shock. He hadn't expected Danny to react at all to his car chase, let alone to be so angry. However, as he stood there, he felt no indignation, only guilt.

For the rest of the rest of the day, Danny refused to speak to him about anything that didn't directly pertain to the case. The car rides, usually filled with idle banter, were silent, the air charged with anger. Even once the case was wrapped up, Danny didn't make eye contact with him. He left the office without saying his usual goodbyes. There was a noticeable absence at dinner that night. As they all dined on shrimp from Kamekona's truck, all Steve could think about was how he'd left things with Danny.

H

5

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Later that night, Steve pulled up in front of Danny's house. It was a Tuesday, so Grace would be at her mom's. With a six pack in his hand, he took a deep breath and knocked on the door. A moment later, it swung open. Danny said nothing, just raised his eyebrows.

"Danny, I promise I'm not here to make any excuses. I am truly sorry, from the bottom of my heart." Steve said softly, staring into Danny's ice blue eyes. Danny glanced down at the beer, then without a word, turned and walked back into the house. Taking the still open door as an invitation, Steve followed him, setting the beer on the counter. He took two out, sliding one to Danny. They sipped their drinks in silence for a few minutes before Danny spoke up.

"It's been almost three years. Three years since she was taken, and I still wake up every morning, terrified that my daughter is going to be targeted because of me." He said quietly. "I don't expect you to know what that feels like, but I what I do expect is that you listen to me when I tell you to keep my daughter safe. I have those rules for a reason, Steve. Because of me, because of my job and what I do, Grace will always have a target on her back. I don't like being the overprotective father who won't let his daughter go to sleep over without running full background checks, but it's necessary."

"You're right." Steve agreed. "I…I never thought about that. Danny, I know that what I did today was…unacceptable. I broke a promise and I understand if you won't let me near her again. But please, please, believe me when I say that I would do anything to protect Grace."

"I know you would. And I know the next time she goes out with Uncle Steve, he'll be watching her like a hawk." Danny said, taking a long sip. Steve smiled.

"Yes, he will. Thank you, Danny." Danny nodded.

"Truth is, since I killed Reyes, I've just been waiting for the other shoe to drop. He…he threatened her, you know. She's all I've got, Steve, and I wouldn't be able to live with myself if something happened to her. After losing Matt, I just…" He trailed off.

"Hey, don't you think on that, Danny. You did what you had to. There was nothing you could have done to save Matt. And Grace? Between you, me, and the rest of the team, she's the safest kid in the world."

"I know. And I can't tell you how much it means to me." They smiled at each other.

"We good?" Steve asked.

"Yeah."

"Partners?" Steve said, holding up his bottle.

"Brothers." Danny amended, clinking his own against Steve's.

There. Done. Usual spelling and grammar disclaimers apply. Didn't mean to post this so late, but Ben was a little crabby tonight an didn't want to go to bed right away. Can you believe that in one week, Mitch and I will have been married a year? It feels like forever!

I hope Steve didn't seem too much like the bad guy. We just wanted to address how much of a jerk the show is making his out to be, which does not line up with his character at all. The Steve we know and love would've apologized and made things right, not made everything about him. Anyway, Have a good night! Morning? I don't even know.