Title: Finding Home
Rating: T
Pairings/Characters: Steve/Danny, past Danny/Rachel
Warning: None
Word Count: 1,850
Notes: Canon divergences on episode 9x12 and 9x13.
Finding Home
Steve saw Rachel and Danny sharing their meal alone outside. He smiled at the picture they made, but inside his heart was breaking. But he pushed those feelings down as he moved around the restaurant, checking up on how everyone was doing. He had no right to feel hurt. He had no claim on Danny.
And even if he thought they might have been moving towards something since they were both finally single at the same time, obviously Steve had been wrong.
With the way Danny was looking at Rachel right now, Steve didn't stand a chance. Danny would never move on from Rachel. It would always be her for him. No matter how many times it didn't work out, Rachel was the one Danny would choose.
And now that Rachel was divorced, Danny had another chance with her. And this time, Steve was sure Danny would do everything he could to get Rachel back.
It was time for Steve to move on. It was time for him to stop hoping for something that would never happen.
xXx
Rachel was watching him, so he did his best to not look around to see where Steve was.
He took a bite and as she continued watching him, he sighed and put the fork down, and looked up at her. "Is there a reason for your intense scrutiny?"
Rachel tilted her head. "Just wondering why you're sitting with me."
"I would be sitting with Grace, but she's surrounded by her fan club right now." He gestured to where a circle was gathered around Grace, basking in her presence.
Rachel chuckled. "I meant I was surprised you were sitting with me and not Steven."
Danny stiffened. "What's that supposed to mean?"
She rolled her eyes. "You are not a stupid man, Daniel. You know what that means."
Danny averted his eyes. "Steve is busy. I'm sure that he's playing host despite the fact this isn't our restaurant anymore."
Rachel's eyes were soft and all-knowing. "Danny, is there a reason you're trying to recreate the meal we had on our first date?"
Danny shrugged. "Just trying to remember the good times. There's nothing wrong with that."
"You're right," Rachel agreed. "We did have good times. In the past. And those times will stay in the past. In our memories."
"It could be more than the past, though, Rachel. I'm single. You're single. We've both grown up. We're different people now, and I'd like to think we learned from our mistakes. We can try again. Be the family that Grace and Charlie deserve."
Rachel sighed. "I would like to think we have learned from our mistakes. And that would include us trying to be in a relationship again. We've been there, done that, twice. It didn't work out either time for us."
"Third time's the charm," Danny implored.
Rachel shook her head. "No, it isn't. Danny, I'm not sure why you're trying to force something when it isn't me that you want. But I think we're in a good place now, and I certainly think we work better as friendly exes than anything romantic."
"What do you mean it isn't you that I want? I know what I want."
"Okay, maybe you do. You've always been pretty self-aware as a person. But if you know what you want, you're trying to deny yourself it because you think there is no way you'll get it. So, you're falling back on something that is familiar and comfortable. Like our relationship. It's safer. And easier. And you don't have to put yourself out there."
Danny thought about denying it. Telling her everything she said was wrong. But what was the point? Rachel was right, and she knew she was right. "Steve and I are just friends. That's all we ever been."
Rachel smiled. "What kind of friend rushes to the hospital at 4 am?"
Danny gulped. "He loves Grace. Of course, he would come."
"Oh, I know he loves Grace. Those two together are adorable. Thick as thieves. But he came for you. To be there for you."
"We're friends. It's not out of the realm of possibility that a friend would come to the hospital when something horrible happened."
"No, it's not. But you and I both know deep down that Steve didn't come to the hospital just because you're his friend. That man loves our daughter as if she was his own. He loves Charlie the same way. He's just as protective of them as we are. And from what Lou told me, I pity anyone that tries to hurt either of them."
Danny cracked a smile. "For once, I'm not angry at his Neanderthal moves. I just wish I could have been there to see it."
Rachel laughed. "Yeah, I'm sure you would have loved to have some popcorn to eat while you watched. But Danny, you can't keep pretending it's just friendship between the two of you. You have a chance to have something great with him. If you just take a step towards him. Because despite being a tough, strong navy seal, I don't think he's going to make the first move where you're concerned. Not if he thinks you and I are going to happen again."
"And why can't we happen again?" Danny tried.
"I've already told you. We're comfortable and easy. And I'll always love you as you'll always love me. After all, we share two beautiful children together. But we're not in love anymore. And deep down, you know that. You're just scared to take a chance on something new."
Despite himself, Danny's eyes zeroed in on Steve, who was talking to Tani and Koa. "I'm not scared of new relationships. I've had new relationships in the past."
"Yeah, maybe. Gabby and Melissa. But I think deep down, you didn't believe they'd go anywhere, so it was safe. If it ended, you wouldn't be hurt that much. But, if you and Steve end…" She trailed off, waiting for him to finish her sentence.
"If Steve and I end, I'll lose my work partner, Grace and Charlie's uncle, and my best friend."
Rachel reached over and lightly touched his hand. "And if you don't end? You'll have something great. A relationship with someone who loves you with his whole heart. Someone who will do everything he can to protect you and bring you happiness. To both you and the kids."
"And someone who understands the life of a cop," Danny joked.
"Yes. You can safely say you won't have the same arguments about your job that you and I had."
"No, just our normal arguments about Steve recklessly putting his life in danger because he sees himself as less important than everyone else."
"Well, it sounds like it's up to you to show him how important he is."
"What if he doesn't feel the same way?"
Rachel dropped her hand when Steve looked over at them. He looked so sad. Danny saw the expression on his face, too. "Trust me, he feels the same. But you'll have to be the brave one this time and make the first move."
"I'll think about it, Rach."
"Fine, think about it. But no matter what you decide to do with Steven, just know that you and I work better as friends who co-parent their children. And that's all we should be."
"Duly note," Danny wryly answered.
Rachel went back to eating, but Danny lost his appetite, too lost in thoughts about his partner.
xXx
It was a couple of weeks later that everything came to head. It happened after Tani, Adam, and Junior were back, safe and sound, from the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. They all were taken to the hyperbolic chamber to be on the safe side, but the doctors reassured them the three of them, as well, as the survivors of the Neptune would make a full recovery.
And after everything that happened, Steve was trying to talk Danny into going out to a bar instead of going home.
"Listen, I know Grace asked you to get me off her back. I'm not as oblivious as both of you think I am. But I did get off her back for a little while, gave her some breathing space. But I really want to go home and check on her."
Steve's shoulders almost slumped. "Okay, Danno. No problem. Rachel should be home soon too, right? I bet you want to see her." He smiled, but it was brittle. Like he was going through the motions so Danny wouldn't worry.
"For the last time, there is nothing between Rachel and me. Except for our children. And making sure they are safe and healthy is our top priority."
"Of course, but you can't say there's nothing between the two of you. You guys have a history. And those feelings just don't go away."
"They don't go away, but they do change. And in this case, they changed into something a lot healthier. We're friends who care about each other, but we're not in love anymore. And both of us have accepted that. The real job is trying to get you to accept it."
Steve shook his head. "I just find it hard to believe you are ready to walk away from her. Both of you are single. Now is your chance to rekindle the relationship. To make your family whole. You can get everything back that you lost."
And Danny snapped, tired of this endless battle with Steve. "There's one problem with that scenario in your head, Steven."
"What?" Steve asked, wide-eyed.
"I'm in love with someone else. And Rachel would never stand for being the second choice. And she should never stand for it."
Steve ran a hand over his head, his fingers going through the short bristles that had once been a full head of hair. "What are you saying?"
Danny rolled his eyes and muttered, "I'm in love with an idiot."
"Love? You love me?" Steve asked.
There was such hope in his voice that Danny's expression softened. "Of course I'm in love with you. Who else would I be in love with?"
Steve opened his mouth.
"And don't you dare say Rachel. Or else," Danny threatened.
Steve's mouth snapped shut, and he smiled sheepishly. "I just find it hard to believe you'd choose me over her."
Danny took a step closer, and their chests were almost touching as they breathed in each other's air. "There's no choice. You have my heart, Steven. And even Rachel knows that. She's the one that told me if I wanted anything to happen between us, I'd have to make the first move because the big, tough Navy Seal was too scared."
"The only thing that scares me is losing you, Grace, and Charlie. That's why I would never make the first move," Steve admitted.
"I'm scared of that, too. It's why it has taken me so long to tell you."
"Now what?" Steve asked.
"Now we kiss." And Danny did just that, sealing his lips over Steve's. And it felt like coming home.