Steve's cell phone rang. Danny waved goodbye with a smile.
"This is Lieutenant McGarret."
"Hello, Mr. McGarret, this is Sandy from Moanulua High. I wasn't able to get a hold of Amanda. It's regarding your son Jago."
"Is he okay?"
"Yes he is," she paused, "well, he is sporting a nice black eye; but, other than that, he is fine. Apparently he and another student had a disagreement and got into a fist fight. He's in the principals' office now. Is there any chance you could come in to discuss this issue with your son and the principal?"
Steve sighed as he began to rub his temple, "Yes, certainly. I'll be there in thirty minutes."
WHAT TO DO?
"Steve, I'm in the middle of altering the finishing touches of my wedding dress. What is so important you couldn't wait until dinner?" Amanda asked over the phone as the seamstress fixed the last of the buttons.
"It's Jago, he…"
"Oh my God! Is he okay!?"
Steve sighed, "relax Mandy, he is fine."
"Oh, whhhheeww, okay, go on."
"I'm heading up to the principals' office now. Apparently he was in a fight. I'm calling you to get your opinion of what you want me to do."
"Want you to do? Steve, you're his father."
"Yeah I know; but, in all fairness I only learned I even had any kids just six months ago."
"Fine Steve, just keep him with you. Danny or I will bring him home later this afternoon. We will handle the punishment if we decide he has earned it."
"You and Danny?"
Steve was quiet for a few moments.
"Okay, no, it's time I step out of the friend zone. I just hope he feels the bond to me as I feel for him."
"Are you kidding? The children each adore you to pieces. They started calling you dad after just one week. I promise you won't bring any damage to your relationship with Jago. If anything, it'll bring you two closer. Granted, not instantly, but after things have settled and the tears are dry."
"Tears? Oh, wait, ummm, I, hummm, umm, you think I should spank him?"
"If he doesn't have an honorable reason for fighting, that is what I would do. But, this is your decision. If you rather ground him, it's all you. Just keep in mind when grounding any of the kids; they tend to mope around for days. I personally found spanking works best with them. Well, the boys at least."
"Why is that?"
"I don't know. It helps them release any anger they may have inside. Honestly, I just have always had the boys behave much longer after a spanking then a grounding."
"What about Ainsley?"
"She just doesn't get in that much trouble."
"And when she does get in trouble?"
"It really depends what it is; but, generally I ground her for a day or two. She is just wired to be a good girl. So far anyway."
"Thank God for that. It's one thing having to punish the boys; but, the thought of punishing my little girl kills me."
"Hey, she's my little girl too you know," Mandy replied with a smirk.
"I know, but it's different for me. I'm her daddy."
Mandy chuckled.
"Alright, I'm going in now, wish me luck."
"Good luck."
5-0
As Steve walked down the hall his phone rang, it was the school. He picked it up and found out they were now calling about his daughter, Ainsley.
"I'm here now; I'll be there in a second."
He hung up the phone and quickly made a beeline to the nurse's office. Inside he found his daughter sporting a huge black eye and holding a towel over her nose to keep it from bleeding further.
"Oh my God, baby girl, what happened? I thought it was Jago that got in a fight."
"He didn't mean to daddy, it was an accident."
"He didn't mean…Ainsley, what happened?"
She hesitated to explain the situation as she didn't want to get her brother in further trouble. The nurse, however, was determined for justice. She spoke up.
"According to witnesses, Ainsley was doing her best to stop Jago. He wasn't paying attention and as he took a swing at the other boy his elbow connected with Ainsley's nose."
Steve did his best to keep calm.
"Was Jago even aware of what he did?"
"Considering how tight knit I have personally seen the kids together, I don't think so," the nurse replied.
Steve took a deep, well needed breath.
"Baby girl, wait here, I'm going to get your brother and then I'll be back for you to take both of you home."
He kissed her forehead and left the nurses office and went quickly to the principal's office.
5-0
Once Jago saw Ainsley his heart fell.
"Who did that to you!? I'll kick their ass!" Jago snapped as he examined his sister's condition.
"You did it," Steve answered with a clear tone of disappointment.
"What! Me? How?"
"It was an accident," Ainsley tried.
"One that COULD have been prevented if your brother wasn't so hard headed and un-focused of his surroundings."
"I don't get it," said Jago, "how?"
"I tried to stop you but your elbow connected with my nose first."
"I'm so so so so sorry. I would never hurt you on purpose."
"I know, honest, I'm not mad at you."
"Well, that makes ONE of us," said Steve sternly, "Baby girl, get up front. Jago, back seat, now," he said as he opened the back door."
"Dad, I'm sorry."
"You got in a fight with a guy over surfing. A guy you are competing with. You let him get in your head. On top of that your sister gets really hurt. OH, and let's not forget this is just days before your mother's wedding. She will just LOVE having wedding photos with two of her children with big black eyes. Trust me you think you are sorry now? Ohh just wait until we get home."