Disclaimer: I don't own Hawaii Five-0… sigh … Unfortunately.

A/N: Thanks to all the reviewers and followers. I really hope you won't be disappointed! And please keep in mind that English is not my first languages.

Chapter 3

"Steve! Steve are you there? Come on its Kono…"

Steve sought out Danny's gaze, shrugged and went to answer the call.

"Hi Kono… are you missing us already?" Kono could hear that Steve had some fun, because there was still laughter in Steve's voice and she felt bad for spoiling it.

"Thank God you are finally answering!" Kono was breathless.

"We were snorkeling … Kono, what's wrong?"

"Steve, you have to set sail immediately and go for safety! There is a freak storm building up and coming your way. Fast!"

"Shit!" Steve knew instantly what Kono was talking about.

"Get Grace on board, now!" He shouted to Danny who looked uncomprehendingly at him, but did as told anyway.

"How long till it's here?" Steve almost shouted in to the microphone.

"Chin thinks, approximately an hour!

"Damn! Why now? Damn! …..Sorry Kono, we will call as soon as we're safe. And Kono, thanks to you and Chin!"

"Anytime and Steve, Malama pono!

*** HF0 ***

Danny helped Grace on board. "What's going on Steve?" He looked at his friend and knew immediately that there was something wrong and they were in a deep mess.

"A storm is coming!" Steve hurried to set sail.

"A storm? But there is no fu.. freaking cloud anywhere!" Danny raised both hands to the sky.

"I know Danny, but fetch Grace's and your life jacket and put it on. Hurry please!" The worry that emanated from his SEAL friend let Danny do what Steve asked without question.

Only when the sailboat sped over the water, Danny dared to ask Steve again what was wrong.

"Sorry Danny, Kono called to warn us of a freak storm."

"A freak storm?"

"Yeah, these are especially dangerous, because they are building up practically out of nothing! The sky is blue and cloudless like now and suddenly you are in the middle of a storm!"

"How much time do we have until it hits?" Danny pulled Grace closer.

"Chin and Kono said an hour and we have already used up 20 min."

"Danno, there are dark clouds coming." Grace pointed to the side. Danny saw them too und looked anxiously at his friend who just nodded.

"We're too far away from a safe harbor. But I know a small island nearby, with caves where we will be safe!" Danny stared at Steve and formed the question 'enough time?' over Grace's head.

Steve just stared back and shook his head slowly.

"Danny its best you go and pack some necessities and water for you two and please could you bring my backpack, too?"

"Sure" Danny went down below deck to pack the most necessary things into some of his SEAL friend's special waterproof bags, while Grace leaned heavily into Steve's side.

"I'm scared Uncle Steve!" Steve wrapped one arm over her shoulder and pulled her even closer.

"Don't be Grace, we will be okay…"

"Here" Danny put his and Steve's backpack down and looked worried about the fast closing dark clouds.

"Steve is right, Monkey! It'll be okay!" Danny just pray that he was right and held his daughter close.

It became dark as night, but just before the heavy rain started they could see a small island appear on the horizon. It was then, the Storm hit with full force. The heavy wind made short work with the sails and soon they were ripped apart and gone – now they had only the motor, which was much slower.

"Danny I'm afraid the boat won't make it much longer" Steve shouted over the wind "and I think it's best if we are not on board when it capsizes." Danny nodded and reached out for Grace, but Steve shook his head and pulled Grace into his arms.

"I'll take Grace!" Danny wanted to protest but Steve mouthed first 'No' and then 'please'. He just hoped his friend would understand.

Danny gave Steve a long look and then nodded. Steve squeezed his arm and then slung a rope from his life jacket to Danny's. Danny watched as Steve talked in Grace's ear, quickly hugged her and then carefully swung the girl on his back and roped her to him, too. The men stood on the railing, Danny with their backpacks and Steve with his precious cargo, ready to jump, when the boat finally started to turn and capsize.

"Go!" Steve yelled and grabbed for Danny's sleeve and then felt his friend hit the water next to him.

When Danny surfaced, he could make out Steve who checked for him and pointed in a direction, which Danny assumed, was not seeing anything in the heavy rain followed Steve as well as he could; thankful for the life-jacket that held him above water. Suddenly a loud cracking and bursting interrupted the howling wind, when the sailboat hit a reef and broke in single parts before their eyes. The beautiful 'Makani' sank in seconds. Steve stared at the destruction and turned after making sure his friend was next to him. He slowly fought his way against the waves which became higher and bigger towards land.

They would make it, they had to!

*** HF0 ***

Although Danny told everyone - who would listen, or not - that he didn't swim, but fortunately he could and that even very good.

"Easy Grace!" Gently, Steve tried to loosen the girl's death grip around his throat, but only when he coaxed her to look behind and she saw her Danno, her grip loosened and Steve could breathe easier again.

Yeah, it would be tough, but they would make it!

After what seemed hours, Steve finally felt sand below his feet. He waded a few more feet and stood. He slowly turned around and saw that Danny was not much behind him.

With one hand he reached out to his friend, while the other was on Grace's, to calm the terrified girl down.

They tried to stand and walk to the tree line, but it was impossible. The wind was too strong and would have knocked them down immediately. So they crawled on all fours to the trees, where they finally could stop for a brief moment.

"As I remember the caves are that way, fortunately not too far!" Steve had to bring his mouth up against Danny's ear, who nodded in understanding.
"Grace?" Danny laid his hand on Grace's back and stroked her gently. Steve shook his head and mouthed back "Later!" and pointed first to the rope which tied Grace to him and then into the direction where he assumed the caves were.

Since walking in this storm was impossible they practically crawled from tree to tree and made their way slowly towards safety.

Finally, after what seemed an eternity, Steve pointed at a rock formation. Danny nodded and crawled next to his friend.

"Danny." He shouted into Danny's ear. "Go ahead! Wind is stronger.. I'm not as fast!" Again Danny nodded; he stayed ahead but close enough to his daughter and Steve.

Danny had just crawled to the next reachable tree, when he hauled himself up and saw Steve do the same just one tree behind him. Danny smiled at him and Steve smiled back, when suddenly an astonished look replaced the smile.

Danny saw Steve look down and followed his gaze.

"Steve!" he shouted shocked and soundless against the storm.

A huge branch protruded from his friend's side.

Danny was just about to crawl back, when a log slammed into Steve's left side.

Danny saw that Steve, who was still on his knees, turned slightly at the last moment, which brought him even more in harms way, but saved Grace from most of the impact.

Danny crawled as fast as he could over to his friend and daughter, shouting their names over and over in unbelievable panic.

"Steve! Gracie!" Danny came to kneel beside them.

Oh God, oh god! The damn caves were only a few feet away! And now…. Danny saw immediately that Steve was unconscious and… a mess!

"Gracie?" He took his baby's head and turned it around. And there two big wet brown eyes stared at him. She was crying.

Danny hurried to cut the rope with the knife in his backpack and took Grace in his arms.

It broke his heart, but he had to leave Steve behind for a short moment.

His first priority was Grace! He needed to bring his daughter to safety. And the cave was only about 30 to 40 feet away!

Slowly, but as fast as possible he crawled with Grace in his arms to the cave.

Just behind the entrance he put her down.

"Danno!" She cried heartbreakingly.

"You hurt, Monkey?" She just cried harder. "Monkey?" his eyes searched her body frantically.

There! She cradled her left arm, which was strangely bent where it shouldn't.

"Oh God, Gracie. Your arm!?" Now she finally nodded with tear stricken face. "Hurt!"

Danny helped her sit down against the wall of the cave. "Grace, I'll make it better – I promise! But you have to sit there for a minute so I can fetch Uncle Steve. Okay?" He pleaded with his eyes and it made him sick to his stomach not to be able to help his girl immediately.

Again, Grace just nodded and cried even harder. Danny hugged her gently to him and kissed her on the head.

"Brave girl! I'll be back in a minute!" But Grace held tight. "Monkey, you have to let me go! I need to get Uncle Steve." Danny had to pry her arm loose with gentle force, because she wouldn't let him go and for the second time today his heart broke.

Again he kissed her head and went into the storm to get his fallen friend.

More to come…..