He waited a couple of minutes and then he approached Tyler. He placed a hand on Tyler's shoulder, saying softly "Tyler…."
Steve felt his shoulder's heave beneath his grasp. The SEAL dropped to his knees and instantly Tyler turned into his chest. Steve held him tightly, rocking softly as he held his child whispering words of encouragement through his own tears, "It'll be okay Tyler…..I'm here"

The two men sat comforting each other for quite a while until Tyler said quietly, "I'm sorry Steve"
"What? My God what are you sorry for?"
"I'm acting foolishly…I…I didn't even know her"

Pulling Tyler to arms-length the SEAL spoke, measuring his words carefully, "Buddy…..I'm sorry. I'm sorry that you never got to know her when she was healthy and I'm sorry that I didn't do more to help her. Tyler, the Becca I knew was beautiful, loving, compassionate…..not the woman who did these terrible things. She loved you…..and I love you. I loved you before I met you, as soon as I knew about you. Ty the last twenty four hours has changed my life. I wish I could take your pain away, but I can't. I don't want us to have any secrets, I want you to know everything about me…..the good and the bad. I want that because it's what you deserve. Your birth Mother was a tortured soul, but she loved you…I know that. And I also know that your parents, your brother and your sisters love you with all their hearts. If it's too painful for you to see me, to talk to me, to have me in your life….I'll understand. I only want you to have peace and happiness Tyler no matter what the cost to me. This is about you, and only you. The fact that you are upset about Becca's actions is a good thing, it's a normal thing…..but it is not your fault, not in any way…..and it's not mine either. Her family has taken full responsibility for what happened to her and they feel horrible. If they had stood up to her Father everything could have been different. Ty…they're good people and they want only happiness for you"

Tyler was staring into the campfire, "Steve, how did she die?"
Steve explained how he had been shot and was hospitalized. He told of how after Danny was attacked he was able to identify her as his attacker. Danny had also been able to tell them that she had talked about harming Shauna. He told of sending HPD to Shauna's home and how she had been found stabbed to death. He then explained how he had hoped to bring her in unharmed but that Chin had been forced to shoot her as she had lunged at Steve with a butcher knife. "She died in my arms Tyler. She died telling me she loved me…..and you"

Tyler looked up at Steve, both men's eyes swollen and red, "I have no doubt that you did everything you could for her. It's been a hell of a twenty-four hours, hasn't it?"
"Yes, it sure has been"
Tyler wiped his eyes, "We should probably get back to Danny and Gracie, huh?"
"Are you ready?"
"Yes. My head is spinning Steve….so much is happening"
"I know Tyler"
"Hey Steve…my family and friends call me Ty"
Steve smiled as he stood and reaching a hand down he helped the young man up, "Let's go Ty"

Danny looked up relieved to see the two men approaching, their arms draped around each other's shoulders. Slipping his shirt back on, he stood to greet them, "Is everything okay?"

Steve smiled as Tyler spoke firmly, "Yeah Danno…we're good"
Gracie giggled, "OOOHHHH, he called you Danno!"
Tyler held his hands out, "Is there a problem with that?"

Danny grinned goofily, "Not too many people can get away with calling me Danno. In fact, you're looking at both of them! But, Tyler you can call me anything you like"
Tyler responded, "I was just telling Steve that my family and friends call me Ty"
Gracie asked, "Can we call you Ty?"
"Gracie…..I would love that! What do you say about getting back to camp so we can swim. That waterfall looked really fun!"
The little girl jumped up and down, YEAH, LET'S GO!"

They walked back with Ty and Steve leading them on in Military marching songs, their voices and their laughter echoing off the cavern walls surrounding them.

Once back at the campsite they all changed into their swimsuits and spent a couple of hours frolicking in the water. Gracie and Ty bonded even more and they all had a wonderful time. Steve and Danny eventually left the young ones in the water and after changing they went about gathering wood, starting a fire and getting dinner started.

50505050505050505050505050

Danny asked, "Can you tell me what happened earlier partner?"
"Yeah, Tyler saw your scars and I told him everything Danny…everything about Becca"
"Hey I'm sorry man, I didn't even THINK about that"
"No Danno it's all good. I needed to tell him, I just hadn't gotten around to it"
"So he's alright then?"

"He will be…..it's gotta be horrible to find out that the woman who gave birth to you was crazy….let alone a killer. He's blaming himself a bit"
Danny chuckled, "Of course he is….he's got McGarrett blood coursing through his veins and that's what McGarrett's do, they blame themselves for everything"

Steve grinned, "He's a good man Danny. I'm so proud of him….." Steve's voice tailed off.
Danny added, "But…"
"What do you mean?"
"I heard that pause. You're proud of him….but…..let me finish for you, you're worried about him"
"Yeah….I know the life he's getting into Danny….and it terrifies me"
"It didn't take long…..I knew it wouldn't"
"What?"
"You're thinking like a Father"
"I have no right to try to hold him back from his dream….to be a SEAL"
"No, I guess you don't but…you can sure give your opinion. Do you not want him to continue the training?"

"I'm proud of him Danny, unbelievably proud" Steve smirked, "And yet I find myself hoping he'll drop out. I can't believe I'm having these selfish thoughts"
Danny grasped Steve's shoulder, "You're not being selfish. Like I said, you're thinking like a Father. Do me a favor though and talk to him or God help me, you're going to be impossible to live with"
Steve chuckled, "I will"

After dinner they all went on another short hike walking along the water's edge. They skipped rocks in the water and simply enjoyed each other's company.

After they returned to the campsite they toasted marshmallows and made smores. A short while later Danny and Gracie turned in for the night giving Steve and Tyler an opportunity to talk more.

Tyler had lots of questions about Catherine. Steve told him all about her and that she would have leave again at the end of May.
"She's excited to meet you"
"Well that should be just about the time I'm off next…and I'd love to meet her"
Steve said softly, "Really?"

"Steve all these years I feared about what I would find out about my birth parents. Honestly, I've had my worst nightmare come true with what I've heard about my Mother…and at the same time I've had my dreams come true in meeting you. To find out that a man as distinguished and honorable as you is my Father, it's amazing. Steve…..if you want to have a relationship with me, I would love to keep in touch and get to know you better"

Steve ran a hand across his face and with his voice choked with emotion he said, "I couldn't be happier Ty"
They stood and embraced tightly and after a couple of minutes they parted as Ty asked, "Hey Steve, I've had a hell of a day. I know I'm not twenty one, but….. could I have a beer please?"

Steve chuckled, "Under the circumstances, I think that will be okay"
Tyler moved to the cooler and returned to the campfire with two longboards, handing one to Steve.

Tyler talked about his friends back home. He told Steve about Sam, his best friend since they were eight years old. Sam had enlisted in the Marines last year and he was currently serving in Afghanistan. And he told Steve about Amber. They had been dating since they were fourteen.

"Do you love her Ty?"
"Absolutely, in fact…..we're engaged"
"REALLY? Wow, that's fantastic!" Steve stood and moved to Ty, embracing him again.
They sat back down and Tyler told him more about Amber. She was in her Senior year at Duke University studying Nursing. She was due to graduate in June and they were planning an October wedding.

"I would love it if you could come to the wedding…..all of you, including Catherine"
"I promise you, we'll all be there! Thank You Ty"

The men chatted freely, laughing and getting to know each other more. Eventually Tyler turned the conversation back to Becca.
"Steve, thank you for telling me everything about Becca. It's important to me that you want everything out there, as you said no secrets. I feel very honored to be your biological son. The things you have done in your life, your unselfish actions and heroism are amazing. I have no reason to doubt anything that you have told me about Becca. The bottom line is, she gave birth to me and I will always love her for that. By giving birth to me it eventually led to her decline into madness but I realize that this is not my fault. All I can do for her, and for you is to be a good and decent person. Hopefully I can bring honor to both of you some day"

Tears were slipping from the SEAL's eyes as he choked out the words, "You already have Ty"

******* MORE TO FOLLOW - I hope you're liking what I've done with Tyler so far ? ********