Guardian

A/N: This one is a bit longer than the last few, but the boys commandeered the evening and refused to give it back. The whole last scene can be blamed on McDanno.

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters and make no money doing this. I'm just having fun playing with them.

Chapter 36

Sitting around the dinner table, all traces of fish tacos having long been devoured by the family, Steve was a bit surprised when his cell phone started vibrating in his pocket. Usually he would suspect a case, but the governor had already promised that wasn't going to happen.

Fishing the phone out, he recognized Mary's picture on the screen. Flashing it to Danny so he'd know what was up, Steve quickly excused himself from the table to take the call.

"Hey Mary. Was starting to think I wasn't going to hear back from you." He'd left a message earlier in the week just letting her know about Rachel and that Danny and Grace would be staying with them.

"How's my big brother holding up?" She jumped right to the point, concern etched in her voice. "I'm sorry I'm just now calling. Work's been crazy and I never could seem to get to the phone to call you back." In truth, she wasn't really sure what to say and knew that he would have immersed himself in taking care of Danny and Grace.

"I'm okay. It's been one hell of a week, but we're making it through. Funeral is Tuesday though, so we're not even close to passed the worst of it is my guess." After being separated following their mother's faked death, they were never as close as they used to be, but Steve wished his sister could be here. She was the missing piece of the expanding family. Of course, he'd never actually ask her to come. He didn't want to cause problems in her clearly hectic schedule.

"Guess it's a good thing I fly in tomorrow then, isn't it. Is there room for me there or should I crash at a hotel. I know your message said Danny, Grace, and Mrs. Williams were all staying at the house." She was partly curious about where she would stay, but was also curious if she'd get any admission out of her big brother about his relationship with his partner. Last time she'd visited it was pretty apparent they were both head over heels for each other.

"There's one guest room open. Danny's in with me now." She could hear the smile in his voice though she was also a bit surprised it hadn't taken more prodding to get him to admit it.

"Does that mean congratulations are finally in order?" She was happy for them.

"I suppose so. It's all new, but honestly sis in so many ways it's just right." He sighed contentedly, pleased that she didn't seem bothered by his new relationship.

"Yeah, doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure out you two were meant for each other. I assume Grace is pleased with this new development." She'd seen the little girl with her brother before and knew how much they adored each other.

"Yeah, you could say that. I should warn you, in Grace's book I'm now Daddy, so don't let it throw you when you get here. Speaking of, what time do you land tomorrow?"

"Daddy, huh? Something tells me you wear that title very well. I always knew you'd be a great dad someday." Despite her giggle, she sounded sincere. "Anyway, flight lands at 12:20. Should I catch a cab?" She knew what the answer would be, but didn't want to make someone come get her given the circumstances.

"Like hell. I'll come get you. Just call me when you're ready and I'll meet you out front in the truck."

"Thanks, Steve. It'll be nice to see you for a few days. I couldn't get too much time off, so I'll have to head back late Friday. I just needed to come make sure everyone was okay." He could tell she missed him just as much as he missed her.

"I'm glad you're coming. I'm sure Danny and Grace will appreciate it as well. Love you, Mare. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Love you too." She disconnected the call before he could say anything else.

Returning to the dining room, Steve discovered the dishes had been cleared and dessert was waiting on the table.

"You guys didn't have to wait for me." He pointed to the still unserved dessert.

"Now he tells us!" Danny threw his arms up in mock exasperation. He lowered his voice as Steve sat next to him. "Everything okay with Mary, babe?" The detective rested a hand on his partner's thigh.

"Yeah. She's flying in tomorrow and staying until sometime late Friday." He was still a bit surprised that she'd actually gone to the trouble.

"Yay! Aunt Mary's coming!" Grace beamed from across the table. She got along well with Steve's sister when she visited.

"Sure is. Her flight lands at 12:20, so I'll have to grab an early lunch before I go get her." The Seal started serving up the dessert as he spoke. Even though it was Grace that asked for it, it was one of his favorites too.

Passing plates around the table, the conversation fell silent as everyone started eating again.

Finishing off her piece, Dianne leaned back in her chair. "That was delicious. My compliments to the chef." She nodded at Steve.

"Actually, I just put the crust in, Grace did the rest."

A chorus of congratulations and praise echoed around the room at that news.

"You'll be a master chef yet." Kono laughed.

Grace tried to fight a yawn when she responded. "Thanks Aunt Kono." The words out, she let out a big yawn.

"Monkey, looks like it's time for you to head to bed." Danny smiled affectionately at her.

Nodding, the little girl rose from the table and made her way around, giving each of the adults a big hug.

"Would it be okay if I stayed for bedtime again?" Dianne asked, looking to the two fathers and Grace.

The men both nodded as Grace smiled. "Yes, please."

"Okay. Go get your shower and then we can read for a bit." She gave her granddaughter a kiss on the cheek before the little girl stopped to give her Danno and Daddy hugs.

When she disappeared out of the room, Danny looked back to Dianne. "You don't need to ask about staying for bedtime while you're here. While we both love being able to read with her and tuck her in we are capable of sharing." His grinned at the grandmothers.

"Thank you, Daniel. I appreciate the chance to spend the extra time with her." She smiled back at him.

As everyone started to rise and clear the table, Dianne reached out to stop the detective. "Daniel, I hate to ask you this, but I'm supposed to meet the funeral director for the final funeral arrangements at noon. I thought I was okay to handle it alone, but now…" She fell quiet before she could actually ask him anything.

"Would you like me to come with you?" He guessed she was working up to asking for his support.

"You wouldn't mind? I know you and Rachel were barely on speaking terms in recent months." She hated to ask him.

"That is true, but as Steven reminded me, there was a time when I loved her deeply and no matter what she gave me my daughter. Not to mention, no one should have to go to a meeting like that alone." He set the dishes he'd been holding down and pulled her into a hug.

"Thank you."

/

The grandmothers upstairs with Grace and everyone else having left for the night, Steve looked over at his partner where he stood looking out the window over the sink. Though they'd had a great day with the family the Seal now felt an overwhelming need to simply spend some time unwinding with his best friend.

"Danny?" He waited for the man in question to turn. "Wanna grab a couple beers and sit outside for a bit?"

The shorter man pushed himself away from the sink and moved to open the fridge. "You read my mind, babe."

Slipping out the back door, the pair kicked their sandals off before they strolled down to the chairs. Slipping into their chairs, they both stared over the moonlit water content to simply enjoy the quiet in each other's presence.

Shifting his beer to his other hand, Steve finally reached across the table and grasped Danny's free hand. Lacing their fingers together, he leaned back against the chair.

"Is it just me or does it feel like we've been doing this a lot longer than the last few days?" The detective squeezed the Seal's fingers.

"I hope you don't mean that in an 'oh god this is never going to end' kind of way?" McGarrett teased, though part of him was genuinely worried that Danny would want out. That Danny was already tired of the baggage that came with him.

"Hey, Super Seal, that's not what I meant." He turned to face his partner. They were close enough that he recognized the slight shift in his voice. "I meant it in a very good way. We get to bypass some of the awkward new love stuff because we've spent the last couple of years forging a partnership, a friendship that you just don't have with most people when you decide to pursue a romantic relationship."

Steve laughed a bit. "I suppose we did take a rather unique path to where we are. You don't regret this do you?"

Danny turned to look at Steve. "No babe, I don't regret this. I guess part of me wishes we hadn't both been so afraid of admitting we wanted this. I regret the lost time, but I don't regret taking this step at all."

The Seal gave him a heartwarming smile, the smile he only reserved for him and Grace. "Me too. It's strange. I've had team members that I'd lay my life down for, I had my friendship with Catherine, but until you I never had a best friend. Guess that whole thing about marrying your best friend really does apply."

"Are you saying you want to get married?" Danny looked a bit surprised.

"At some point, yes. I don't want to rush into it, but quite frankly I can't imagine ever wanting to spend my life with someone the way I do with you, ever wanting someone as much as I do you."

His words seemed to be drawing Danny closer and Steve finally let himself lean in to meet him. Their kiss was slow and gentle, an expression of the incredible love they both felt and a promise of a future to come.

When they finally broke apart, they both relaxed into their chairs again, taking a sip of their beers.

"So, I should probably tell you that I had a conversation with Grace earlier."

"Just one?" Steve smirked. "Could have sworn I saw you talk to her more than that."

Danny smacked the Seal's stomach with his free hand. "Smart ass. Yes I had lots of conversations with her today, but I believe one in particular should be shared."

Steve continued to watch him as he gestured to continue. "She woke up from our nap having a nightmare, calling out for you, and was afraid that I was mad. Given how often the pair of you seem to operate on the same wavelength, I thought it warranted repeating. I hope you already understand this after our conversation the other day, but just sit still and listen."

"I'm all ears Danno." He sat up a bit, angling himself in the chair to focus more carefully on his partner.

"Good. First, she apologized for not being able to save Rachel and not fighting harder. I assured her, just as I'm sure you have that there was nothing she could have done and that she did the right thing by taking refuge instead of fighting. Oddly, that was the easier part of the conversation. The second part of the conversation is where you really come in; I am not upset that Grace is calling for you in her sleep. I understand the nightmares are tied to her being trapped in that bathroom and that you were the only person she knew could come rescue her. Beyond that, I also understand that she is leaning more heavily on you now in some ways than she is me. Again, I am not upset by this. For better or worse your life experience to this point has created a unique ability for you to relate to the way she thinks and feels right now."

Danny stopped talking for a moment, watching Steve to gauge his reaction.

"You told Grace all this?" He arched an eyebrow in question.

"Yes, I did. When she apologized to me for needing you so much even though I'm here now, it just about killed me. I know I've often been selfish when it comes to letting others hold a place close to her, but that just doesn't apply with you. When I see the two of you together all I see is the two most important people in my life. That you love each other so much and care so deeply about each other only makes me love you both that much more."

Danny was surprised to see unshed tears glistening in Steve's eyes. Being used to seeing him as the ferocious Super Seal at work, it was always a bit disarming to realize just how deeply he really felt things.

"Come on, babe. I wasn't trying to make you cry." Danny brushed a tear away with the pad of his thumb.

"I know Danno. I'm just not uses to this much love. I know I said last night that I understand that when you feel you feel deeply, but I guess sometimes it just hard for me to realize that holds true where I'm concerned as well. To hear you talk of how much you love me in the same sentence as how much you love Grace, it's…. overwhelming." He leaned into the hand that still rested on the side of his head.

"Too much?" The Jersey native was still a bit concerned about pushing him into emotional overload.

"No. It's an unfamiliar feeling, but one that I would trade for the world." Steve turned his head slightly to kiss Danny's hand.

"You know, I think that accusation of feeling deeply could apply to both of us, Steven." He pulled the Seal forward until their lips met.

"You might be right about that Daniel." He traced his tongue along his partner's lower lip before pressing their mouths together again.

Hearing a car pull up, the two leaned apart and looked toward the house. A few seconds later Dianne emerged. Spotting them she waved and blew them a kiss.

"I'll see you two tomorrow." She called softly as she headed toward her car.

The pair listened as the car door shut behind her and then the driver's door shut and the car pulled away.

"Hard to believe how much that's changed. I never imagined she could actually be so incredibly human. It's hard to reconcile the Dianne we're getting to know with the Mrs. Bradley that I lived in constant terror of when I was married to Rachel."

Steve chuckled at his observation. "I can only imagine based on the glimpse I got the other day. I'm glad it's working out. Grace will certainly grow up knowing she is loved deeply by a large number of people. She will never have to feel like she's facing the world alone."

Danny realized just how true those words were. It wasn't just he and Steve that would be there for her, it was the entire family. "You know, I think the same applies for the two of us as well."

"This pineapple infested hellhole isn't quite so lonely after all, is it?" The Seal smiled at him.

"No, my pineapple infested home is far from lonely." There was no doubt, this island, this house were now home.

/

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It's not ready yet, but there will be a Guardian: Love Explored chapter going up that will technically fall between this and Chapter 37. If you've alerted that story you'll see it when it posts, if not I'll try to include a reminder when I post 37.