A little over an hour later Danny was sitting with Gracie in her favorite little burger joint as they ate and chatted about school.
"Danno, is everything okay?"
"Of course it is Monkey? Why do you think something's wrong?"
"I haven't been able to see you much lately. Mommy says you're just working a really important case but you've seemed kinda' sad. You seem happier today though!"
"I am much happier today and you are so smart my dear child. I'm going to tell you what happened, but I don't want you to worry because everything's okay now, alright?" Gracie shook her head and Danny continued, "Two weeks ago your Uncle Steve was hurt very badly and Danno's been with him most of the time.
He hurt his brain baby and he's been in a coma, that means that he was sleeping and he couldn't wake up, but he's awake now and he's going to be just fine"
Tears were welling in the little girls eyes, "Is Uncle Steve's brain going to be okay?"
"YES, yes Monkey, come over here" Gracie slid from her seat in the booth and moved to the other side slipping in next to her father. Danny pulled her close to him, kissing her on the top of the head. "You know how tough and how crazy your Uncle Steve is and he's going to be just fine, I promise you Monkey, I promise you! I'll take you up to see him in a couple of days okay?"
"I want to see him now Danno, I want to see him now"
Seeing the fear in his baby's eyes he knew he had to take her because she would not rest until she saw him. She sure loved her 'Uncle Steve'.
"Let me call and see how he's feeling okay Monkey" Gracie nodded in agreement as Danny dialed Catherine's number.
"Hi Catherine, how's Steve feeling? Is he awake?"
"Yes Danny, he's awake and alert. He's refusing to eat anything though...he's so stubborn"
"Oh yes, the Steven we know and love. Can I talk to him for a minute?"
Catherine handed the phone off, "Hey Danno. Don't even start on me about the food. This is not my idea of a 'liquid diet' if you know what I mean brother"
"Your stomach can't even handle chicken broth from what I hear and you want a beer? Hey brother seriously, I've got a little Monkey here who's very worried about her Uncle Steve, are you up to a visitor?"
"Absolutely, I can't wait to see her"
"Thanks buddy, we'll be up soon"
"Okay Miss Grace, why don't you finish your burger up and we can go to the hospital"
"I want to take it with me daddy"
"Okay wrap it up. I'm going to go use the bathroom so you wait right here for me"
About half an hour later they entered the hospital room relieved to see Steve alert and talking, sitting up in bed.
"Hey, there's my little angel. How are you Gracie?" Gracie's eyes lit up as she moved towards the bed. "Danno lift her up here so we can talk" Danny lifted the little girl and sat her next to Steve and he took her tiny hand in his, "Thank you so much for coming to visit me sweetheart, it's so good to see you"
"Are you okay Uncle Steve?"
"Yes I'm fine. These silly Doctors are just going to keep me here for a little while, but I promise you I'm fine. I feel even better after seeing you!"
Gracie smiled from ear to ear looking to her dad and then back to Steve,
"I brought you something?"
"Oh yeah, you brought me a present?" Gracie pulled her back pack from her shoulders and pulled out the napkin wrapped, half-eaten cheeseburger, soaked with ketchup and mustard. Danny pulled his hand to his face trying to avoid laughing.
"What's this Gracie?"
"Daddy said you wanted a beer. I thought you might like my burger with it, it was really good. I don't like chicken broth either Uncle Steve"
"Thank you very much. I will eat this for dinner" He whispered, "This... place has horrible... food"
Danny could tell that Steve's pain was increasing, "Monkey you give Steve a hug now but be gentle okay, the nurses will only let us stay for a few minutes so we have to get you home now" Danny grabbed her back pack and helped her lean gently against Steve as he hugged her. She then kissed him on the cheek and Danny picked her up, backing away from the bed.
Steve looked at the little girl and smiled, "Gracie, can you do me a huge favor? Can you draw and color me some pretty...pictures for my walls here. I would sure love it"
"I will, I'll start tonight, bye bye Uncle Steve, bye bye Catherine" She was beaming as Danny led her from the room. He turned and mouthed 'Thank You' to Steve and playfully blew him a kiss.
Catherine smiled and took the burger from Steve's hands, "She's so adorable"
"Yes, she's very...special to me...Cath...I think I need some more...pain meds, k'..." Catherine rang the nurse who again increased the drip and soon Steve was under.
Steve was still sleeping when Danny returned at about seven o'clock. Catherine stood to greet him and they embraced. "Is he okay?"
"Yes, he's been sleeping since you left"
"I shouldn't have brought her up, it was too much for him"
"No, Danny don't be silly. Gracie being here was good for him. He's just tired"
Steve spoke, "I'm awake…can I have my burger and beer now?"
They all chuckled, "Sorry about that brother. I didn't know she had that with her"
"I love that kid man. She's so sweet"
"How are you feeling brother?"
"I'm hungry…I want my burger"
Catherine chuckled, "Stop it now Steve, I'll go have the nurse sent you in a dinner tray"
Danny moved to the bedside, "Thank you brother for seeing Gracie. She was really worried about you"
"Is she alright now?"
"Thanks to you, yeah….she's great. She wouldn't even do her homework, she started the pictures for you. I know that visit was hard on you….."
Steve interrupted him, "Don't be silly Danno. I loved every minute she was here. I love her very much"
"And she loves you brother. Rachel and step-Stan send their love as well"
Steve chuckled, "Tell them thanks man"
Catherine returned to tell the men that a dinner tray would be brought in shortly. She came over and kissed Steve, "If Danny here can handle you, I'm going to go pick MaryAnn up and we're going to grab a bite to eat. She will be up here to relieve Kono in the morning and I'll be back up around lunch time okay?"
"Sounds good sweetheart, I love you"
"I love you too baby. Sleep well"