Disclaimer: Ideas are fictional; not making any money on this. Hawaii 5-0 belongs to CBS. That's okay because none of this would work on TV.
This chapter takes place sometime between Episodes 6 and 7.
It was a tough weekend. No matter how hard they all tried to stay happy, Steve's duty was the elephant in the room. Grace was clingy and a little whiny. Truth be told, they all were. Steve was embarrassed to admit that going away for a couple of weeks hit him so hard.
Steve finally called Joe White to see if the man had any indication what Steve would be doing. Joe hesitated and then finally told Steve what he didn't really want to hear. "Son, all I can tell you is that the decision to bring you back at this time has nothing to do with your annual requirement. That's what they're calling it, but you're needed for a specific op. I don't know any more than that, but you should be prepared."
"Thanks for the heads up Joe. I've had a bad feeling since I received the letter. It's somehow easier now that I've got confirmation." Steve ended the call and went down by the beach. Grace was building a sand castle while Danny supervised construction from the edge of the lawn.
When Steve heard news of the planned op, he knew what he would have to do. He started building the wall back up, the one that Danny and Grace had destroyed. He wouldn't hide behind it completely this time, but he would have to keep his emotions on the side with his family. When he left on Monday, Steve would be in SEAL mode again. He felt stronger now that he had a plan.
Steve grabbed a beer from the cooler and sat next to Danny. He decided that Danny needed the absolute truth. "I talked to Joe. I'm not going to be training for the next two weeks. I'll be part of an op, one that's crucial enough that they called me up for it. I'm guessing that the Navy is using the annual duty to hide whatever is being planned."
"I probably won't be able to call much, if at all. The same goes for e-mail. I don't know why I'm important enough to be called back now. I will promise to be careful. I need to know that you'll be okay. And Grace can't know any of this." Steve held his breath, hoping Danny wouldn't give up on him now. Other team members had lost their wives and girlfriends because they couldn't deal with the separations and the risks.
Danny mulled the information over and finally spoke. "When you get back, we should probably talk about the civil ceremony thing. I want to have a big party. Maybe instead of New Year's Day at sunset, we could do it at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve. I want to start the new year like that."
Steve exhaled now; he wasn't even aware that he had been holding his breath. "I like the idea. There will be fireworks everywhere. We can have our own here." Steve paused and then let the rest of it out. "In case anything happens, the house is yours. Most of the insurance money would go to you and Grace too. I fully intend to come back to you and Grace, but in case something happens, I want you to know that this time with you and Grace has been the most perfect time of my life."
Somewhere along the way, Danny had reached over to take Steve's hand. Now he was tightly gripping it, almost painfully so. "I'm not going to waste our time by saying I don't want your house. I'll just say that I appreciate the thought but it's not necessary. You'll be back before we know it and in one piece. Now why don't you go help Grace with her castle? You know that you want to."
Steve carefully extracted his hand from Danny's and joined Grace on the sand. He used all of his self-discipline to focus on the moment, this time with Grace. He had been afraid that loving Danny and Grace had weakened him somehow, making him vulnerable as a warrior. He realized now that love only made him stronger.
The rest of the weekend was better. Saturday night after Grace was in bed, Steve packed his duffel. It was mostly packed all the time, but he added pictures of Danny and Grace. They made love later, Steve doing his best to show his devotion to Danny. Later, he told Danny, "Never forget that you and Grace are the reason that I do this. My team might be preventing the next 9-11. Before now, I was serving my country. Now, I'm protecting my family too."
Sunday started with an extra long cuddle with Grace. They had pancakes and sausages for a late breakfast, steak and potatoes for an early supper. Steve churned some peach ice cream for them; the machine had been on sale at the home supply store and he couldn't resist. He decided if Home Depot sold it, then making ice cream must be a manly pursuit. At least that's what he told Danny. Grace giggled when she heard them talking about it.
"I have to say babe; that is the best ice cream I've had since I left Jersey. Manly or not, you can make this anytime you want. Am I right Monkey?" Danny was licking his spoon and checking to see if there was any left.
"There's a little left. Help yourself. I'm full. This will probably be the last good meal I'll get until I come home. Everything was great. Danno, you outdid yourself on the grill. I name you King Steakmaster." Steve patted his belly and sat back in his chair.
"Does that mean I don't have to clean up?" Danny looked hopeful; he hated doing the dishes.
"Danno, help us so we can get done faster. I want Daddy Steve to dry my hair tonight." Grace was getting a little more hyper as the day went on.
Steve lifted Grace to the counter so they were almost level. "Grace, there's still time for everything. We had an early supper so we have plenty of time." Steve lifted her chin so their eyes met. "I'm coming back Grace. While I'm gone, I want you to plan an op for me. The Joes need to capture the Kens in their lair. We trained the Barbies last month so they can be on the team. When I get back, you can run the op for me. Okay, Commander Grace?" Steve snapped to attention and saluted Grace.
Grace straightened her back and returned the salute, just the way Steve had taught her. "Aye, aye, Commander Daddy."
Danny protested the weekend that Steve taught Grace the proper way to salute. Now he could see that it bolstered Grace's spirit.
Later that night, Danny confessed as much to Steve. "Okay, the salute helped her get through the rest of today. But so help me, if she ever looks at a Navy recruiter, I will hurt you. After all, I know where you live."
"But Danno, I'm thought she could be the first woman SEAL." Steve whined just to annoy Danny. He knew they would need laughter tonight.
"Keep it up and I'll have you wear white for our ceremony." Danny knew the game and played it well.
"Well, it is my first 'wedding'. I think I'm entitled." Steve had the impudence to look wounded.
"Okay, who wears the garter?" Danny upped the ante.
They looked at each other and answered in unison, "Kamekona". Now they both laughed at the image.
They turned in early that night. Joe White had volunteered to pick Steve up at 3:30 a.m.; Steve was due on the base at 4:00 a.m. sharp. That way Steve's truck would be available if Danny needed it, and they wouldn't have to get Grace up so early to take Steve to the base.
It seemed to Steve that his head had just touched the pillow. He hated to wake Danny, but the man had insisted that he wanted to see Steve off. He had two coffees to go and some granola bars packed when Steve came downstairs with his bag.
"Did you say goodbye to Grace?" Danny knew that Grace would be crushed if he hadn't.
Steve could only nod his head. It had been heart wrenching to leave Grace. When he woke her, Grace crawled into his lap. "I don't want you to go Daddy, but I won't cry. Even little SEALs don't cry." She hugged him tightly and let Steve tuck her back in."
"I love you Grace. You take care of Danno for me. I'm leaving you in charge of Danno hugs. Every time he looks sad, you give him one for me." Grace nodded and went back to sleep.
Danny heard the knock at the front door. Joe was here. "You play nice with all the other SEALs. Blow up something big for me. You know you want to."
Then Danny hugged Steve, and they exchanged "I love you's". Then Steve was out the door. Danny passed Joe a coffee. "Thanks Danny. Don't worry. Steve's the best. He'll be back before you know it. I'll keep an eye out for any news and I'll pass on whatever I can."
That comforted Danny; he needed it. It didn't seem right to be in the house without Steve. Danny decided to at least try to get another couple of hours sleep. When he reached the door to their bedroom, he saw Grace walking down the hall. Danny opened his arms for Grace and took her into the big bed that still had Steve's scent on one side. Grace cuddled up to Steve's pillow and murmured "Daddy". Then she was asleep. Danny threw an arm over the other side of the pillow and also slept.
Joe was concerned about Steve; he seems so distracted. "Are you okay son? I remember how hard it was when I was with the wives. I also remember it was harder without them when I had nothing to come home to. You're a lucky man."
"For the first time in years, I have to agree with you Joe." Steve was lost in thought for the rest of the drive.
Steve's orders were to report to a hangar on the far side of the air field. Ordinarily, SEAL teams travel in helos or cargo planes. The plane in Hanger 8 was a luxury Gulfstream. Joe motioned to Steve. "This is your ride Steve. Take care of yourself. I'd hate to bring bad news to Williams."
Steve nodded. "Thanks for everything Joe. You'll check on Danny?"
"You bet. He'll need someone to keep him out of trouble." Joe watched Steve climb the steps to the cabin.
Steve was surprised to see his old SEAL team assembled on the plan. The cabin had been set up as a briefing room. The seats around the conference table were wide and comfortable. Steve saluted the CO, Captain Spinler.
The CO returned the salute and motioned for Steve to take the empty seat. "At ease Commander McGarrett. Have a seat. I'll begin the briefing as soon as we're at cruising altitude."
Steve sat as ordered and reviewed what he already knew. He was activated because of his skills and experience. He was a skilled tracker especially in a forest or jungle setting. He was a top-notch sniper. He had experience as a SEAL team leader and in military intelligence. Now he knew that there was a sense of urgency; they were being briefed during transport to save time. Their destination was far enough away to warrant a smooth ride; the team could rest after the briefing.
"Hey Smooth Dog, it's great to see you. Has island life made you soft?" His friend, Mark Bates, greeted him as the plane taxied out of the hangar.
"I'm not the guy with performance issues Greyhound. Did you get a pass from your wife for today, or will you be In the doghouse when you get back?" Bates was a devoted family man and took a lot a ribbing about it. His nickname came from his lanky frame and his speed in pursuit. Well, that and the time he spent ten minutes chasing through a jungle after what turned out to be a rabbit.
The rest of the team greeted Steve similarly, and he had ready responses for all of them. This was their equivalent of a handshake or a man-hug. When the plan leveled off, Captain Spinler activated the view screen and began the briefing.
Their destination was South America. A drug cartel was smuggling cocaine into the States; naval bases were a target, those with submarine crews in particular. The coke was tainted and several sailors were dead. Intel indicated that Hawaii was the next target for the cartel, targeting thousands of crew who swarmed there when the fleet docked. The team's mission was to track down the cartel's distribution center and destroy it. It was hidden somewhere deep in the jungle; there had already been several unsuccessful attempts to locate it. The last tracking party never made it back; their bodies were discovered a week ago.
NCIS had identified one of the key lieutenants in the cartel. He came into a nearby town every two weeks or so. He was expected within the next couple of days. Steve's role was to track the man back to the drugs with his team as back-up. Well, at least he could tell Danny that he blew something up.
After the briefing, each team member was given a packet with more information on his part of the mission. Breakfast was served and the team settled down to study the intel. Steve committed the data to memory; then sat back to process the information. He was sure that the area in question had electronic surveillance, probably infrared sensors. There was also evidence of booby traps.
Steve would be wearing a special suit to hide his heat signature. He would neutralize the sensors as he went along. Steve judged that the team would arrive in-country early enough to get their special gear. The CO came over to talk to Steve personally.
"Commander McGarrett, I asked to have you activated for this mission for several reasons. I need your skill as a tracker. Your performance as head of 5-0 has been exemplary. Success here will save a lot of lives and will save you a big headache on the island. I regret that we recalled you under the guise of your two weeks active duty. Your reputation precedes you, both as a SEAL and with 5-0. We didn't want to give the cartel advance notice that we're going after them."
"You will be assigned to me until your team can take out the cartel. It may take only a week or two, or it may take months. Knowing you and your team as I do, I think it will probably be the former. Do you have any questions?"
Steve thought briefly and asked, "Will I be able to make a phone call before we go out. No classified information would be disclosed."
Captain Spinler nodded. "I heard that you have a family now. Congratulations. I trust your discretion. Keep it brief."
Steve was relieved on two counts: that the CO accepted his relationship with Danny and Grace, and that he would have one last chance to talk to Danny and Grace. Steve spent the remainder of the flight in SEAL mode playing out scenarios mentally and considering options.
I was undecided until I started this chapter which way to go with Steve's activation. I'm not going to draw this out into several chapters of jungle warfare. I just wanted the opportunity to explore how difficult it is for those who serve and the families they leave behind. Steve will be home by the end of the next chapter.