This is a lot shorter than most of my chapters, I know, but I had to update something. So, here is a new chapter.
Thanks so much for reviewing, alerting, and actually taking the time to read this. I know it's long (I'm beginning to think it might not have an ending :D), and thanks for sticking with me this long.
Anyway, I own nothing, please drop a comment if you can, and I'll see ya in the next chapter
Bye...
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Steve…
I had been allowed to move from the recliner to the couch (I admit it, I asked Kono before she left), and now Danny and I were sitting side-by-side, watching Sports' Center, again. Of course, I hadn't really been paying attention.
Mostly I was trying to figure out how best to approach Danny about how he was really feeling. I know Kamekona had told me to let him talk when he was ready, but I really didn't want to wait.
But because I am so touchy, feely, I had gotten about as far as demanding 'tell me how you're really doing or I will have Grace sing every High School Musical song she knows.' I hated that plan with a passion, but I knew it would annoy Danny, and I was willing to sacrifice my sanity… I think.
"Hey Steve," Danny said and I glanced over at him. "Something's been bugging me since my mother called. How did Matilda know that I was hurt in order to call her?"
"I told you, I…I called her."
"Steve, you may be able to do a lot of things well, but lying is not one of them." I opened my mouth to argue, but he cut me off by saying, "When did she call?" He could read me too well. I wasn't used to anyone but Cat being able to do that.
"The night you were shot." I had been hoping he hadn't decided to ask. I wanted him to think I had called Matilda, let her know what was up before it all came out. "She, um, she had just gotten home, mentioned your messages, and I told her." He nodded. "Then I, uh, I asked her about Grace's tuition."
"What?" Danny said through numb lips, his eyes locked on mine.
"I, uh, I heard you tell her in one of your messages."
He was quiet for a second then finally snapped, "What are you, fifteen?" he shook his head, looking away from me.
"I wanted to know what was wrong," I defended myself. "You were acting like a total jackass all week before you were shot…"
"And me telling you to 'drop it', what, just went in one ear and out the other?" I knew getting him worked up wasn't going to help him at all. There was a chance he could pull some stitches, maybe have a relapse. I didn't want to put Grace through that again. So, I just took a deep breath, counted to ten, pushed my retort down, and calmly said, "She agreed to open Grace's savings account for you."
He sniffed, glaring at the TV, his blue eyes blazing. He closed his eyes, took a few deep breaths, and finally opened them. He looked at me and said, "And she's paid up the tuition for next year?"
"Yeah." I nodded.
"And what were the conditions?"
"What?"
"Oh come on Steven, there are always conditions with people like her. So, lay them on me." he gestured with his uninjured arm, telling me to 'go ahead.'
"She wanted you to only use the money on Grace," I said slowly, "and to know your condition."
"That's it?" he asked skeptically.
"That's it," I sighed letting my eyes settle on the television again. We fell into an uncomfortable silence, both of us watching basketball highlights. It lasted all of three minutes, and then Danny said, "How did you convince her?"
I was quiet for a second before I told Danny what I could remember from the phone call. When I finished I glanced over at him, finding his hands covering his face and him shaking. At first, I thought I was in anger, until he lowered his hands.
"You're laughing?" I asked in astonishment. He nodded, putting a hand over his chest as he laughed harder. "I don't think laughing is good for you."
"I…I'm sorry," Danny replied around some chuckles. "It's just…" he laughed harder, rubbing his chest. "It's just you told her…she had a…black hole for a heart."
"Why is that funny?" I questioned raising an eyebrow.
"Because…that's what I…told her when…she left Jersey…" his laughter cut off, turning into coughing. I grabbed the half empty glass of water Kono had given me and handed it to him. He drained the whole glass, glancing down at his t-shirt.
"What?" I asked following his gaze.
"Just looking for blood," he managed hoarsely. He coughed again, wincing, setting the glass onto the table. "God, don't do that."
"Hey, I never told you to laugh," I protested half-glaring at him. A wave of worry still rolled through me. That was a close call.
"I know," he said slowly massaging his chest again. He took a deep, shaky breath, removing his hand. "You know, you don't always have to step in and help me."
"Of course I do. We're O'hana."
He smiled, shaking his head. "You know, one day I am going to return the favor."
"This isn't a contest," I said meeting his eyes.
"I know. I'm just saying…" he trailed off, taking another deep breath. "It's a two-way street. If you're ever in a bind and need my help…" he made a circular motion with his right hand, signifying he was always willing to help. "You're my…O'hana, too. I guess…"
We fell into another lengthy silence, this one not so uncomfortable, and then I said, "That stung, didn't it? Admitting that."
"Like a mother," he replied and I snorted. Danny chuckled once, grabbing the remote off the table. He flipped through several channels, eventually finding an A-Team marathon.
"No," I protested snatching the remote from him.
"Hey, I was watching that," he snapped as I turned it over.
"I'd rather avoid Murdock jokes if you don't mind," I grumbled stopping on NCIS. "Ah, here's a good show."
"A cop show? Isn't there enough of these."
"No, no, there isn't a show like this. They are like the Navy police. These are my people."
He laughed, "Your people?"
"Yeah, my people."
"Whatever." Danny leaned into the couch, letting his eyes slip close. I had my eyes glued to the television, not really sure who was who (I had only seen one or two episodes of the show), mulling over what to say. Finally, I heard myself say, "There is one thing you can do for me."
"I am not kissing you or doing anything remotely romantic…" he joked cracking a smile, opening his eyes.
"Ha, ha," I retorted shaking my head. "Smartass." Danny's grin widened. I took a breath, "Tell me, how are you really doing?"
"Steve…" his smile wilted.
"Danny, come on. You were talking about Rachel before you were shot. I honestly thought you were opening up. Just tell me…" I thought about it for a second than tacked on, "Please."
He shook his head, glaring at the TV (I couldn't help but compare his glare to the gray haired man's on the screen). Danny sniffed once then said, "What's there to say? She's gone, I'm not." he shrugged. "It was her time, and it wasn't mine."
"Yeah, but that doesn't answer my question," I pointed out trying to meet his eyes. But Danny was hell bent on keeping his eyes locked on the television screen. "How are you doing?"
"I'm fine…"
"Sure you are, physically. But that's not what I wanna know."
He took a deep breath, absentmindedly rubbed his chest, and said, "I still miss her, okay? When I was out I kept having these very vivid flashbacks. You know, of when we were together, when she left me. They're mostly flashes, I can't really remember every, exact memory, but it got me thinking…" he shook his head. "She was the first girl I actually loved, the first girl who really got me. You know?" I did, it was like that with me and Cat. "So, yeah, I still miss her. And, as happy as I am that I get to see Gracie grow up, I can't help wondering why I'm alive, after a God damn bullet pierced my chest. While Rachel, whose side wasn't even hit by the car, died. It just doesn't make sense to me." Danny ran a hand through his hair. "Does that answer your question?"
I was quiet for a second, watching him. Then I nodded and said, "We can watch the A-Team if you want." I handed him the remote.
"Thank you," he said and turned NCIS over. Instead of A-Team, he turned it back to Sports' Center. He tossed the remote on the table and said, "You're annoying, you know?"
"And you aren't?"
"I am not annoying. I happened to be a joy to be around…"
"Yes, the Munchkins in Oz totally miss you." He threw a glare at me. "Maybe when you go back they'll make you the new mayor. Or the sheriff. Yeah, Danno, you can actually be the sheriff." He threw a pillow at my head, wincing when it pulled on his stitches.
"You can be a real dickhead, McGarrett." I just grinned, taking the pillow and putting it behind my head…
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Danny…
I felt like nudging McGarrett, waking his ass up and shutting up his snoring. But a sleeping Steve made me happy, so I left him alone. Besides, Grace was asleep next to him, and I really didn't want to wake her up, either. I figured if Gracie could sleep through the 'buzz saws' then I could at least tolerate them. Just for a while...
I was flipping through one of McGarrett's magazines (Guns and Ammo: why wasn't I surprised) when my phone rang. I scooped it off the table, checked the caller I.D. and answered, "Williams?"
"Danny, Marcus Palmer here."
"Hey, Chief Palmer."
"So, how are you doing? Your partner, McGarrett, told me you were shot."
"Yeah," I replied casually.
"So, how long until you can get back on the job?"
"Another couple months until I can do desk work." Yep, I was pretty much stuck behind a desk doing paperwork after the doctor cleared me for work. I hated to sound like Steve, but that sucked ass in my book. "I'm not sure when the doctor will let me handle field work."
"That's too bad. But, on a brighter note, I still have that job for you." I know I had told Steve I probably wasn't going to take it, but that was when Mason was still out there. But, now that he wasn't…
I let my eyes rest on Steve and Grace. She was snuggled up close to him, her head resting on his arm. I now knew she'd only be mad at me for a while, for taking her from Steve, but she'd get over it. And it wasn't like Steve couldn't come visit Jersey. But she saw McGarrett as family, Chin and Kono, too. And as my father taught me 'we don't abandon family.' Me and Gracie couldn't abandon Steve, not when he needed us more than he would admit.
"Thanks, Marcus, but no thanks. I think I'll stick to Hawaii."
"You sure?"
"I'm sure…"
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