Without further ado the epilogue.
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Epilogue
Three months after the kidnapping they were sitting in Joey's house. The boys and Grace were doing a lot better. They had counseling and Jamie and Grace were certainly doing a lot better.
Jared still had big mood swings but the doctor assured them that he would be better with time. He still had the occasional nightmare, just not as often. It was always the same dream and no matter what Joey tried, he couldn't help his son. He was thankful for the team. They really stepped up when he needed it. Especially in the weeks after his release from the hospital. Jamie was doing quire well. He still had the occasional headache but no nightmares or anxiety. The whole team went to a therapy session. They reluctantly agreed but Joey told them that it was in Jared's best interest. The trial of Ariel Ortéga had been moved up. The governor wanted to set an example. You don't mess with the families of law enforcement. This did put them in a position they were hoping to avoid. Ramón Gutíerrez had remained silent the whole time. The DA needed Jared's testimony but Joey was fighting them tooth and nail. He wanted to protect his son from going through that. This afternoon, he had an appointment with Jared's doctor. He wanted to know what would happen if Jared had to face Ortéga and Gutíerrez. The boys were over at Danny's.
Joey looked at Steve who, of course, was driving. He was happy to have good friends like them. Steve looked at Joey.
"What's up?" He asked him.
"Nothing. Just thinking."
"Are you worried?" Steve asked him.
"Yeah. These past three months have been hard on him. He's been having these nightmares and these anger issues. When's enough enough?" Joey asked.
"It's going to be okay. Ortéga is going to pay for what he's done." Steve said. He parked the car in front of the hospital. Joey got out and Steve followed him.
"You want me to wait outside." Steve asked.
"I want you to come with me." Joey said.
"What?" Steve looked at Joey.
"I just need someone who knows my boy. I would've asked any of the other but he seems to be more comfortable around you. You can help if things go south." Joey was scared of what the doctor would say. Afraid that his boy would never be the same kid he was. They went inside the doctor's office.
"Welcome Joey, Steve. I understand that you want to talk about Jared?" Dr. Ailani Ka'e'a looked at Joey and Steve, both were not particularly fond of psychologists.
"Thanks. Uhh, yeah well ehm, the DA wants Jared to testify. Do you, in your professional opinion, think he's up for that?"
"You want to know if he is emotionally stable enough to handle that kind of stress?"
"Yes."
"Did you talk to Jared and asked him what wants?"
"NO! I'm not going to ask my ten-year old son if he thinks he's stable enough to testify against the man who had him kidnapped and locked in a cellar where he nearly died. Are you crazy?" Joey shouted.
"Joey, calm down." Steve said as he laid a hand on his shoulder. Joey ran a hand through his hair and scrubbed his face.
"I'm sorry." He sighed. This whole situation was wreaking havoc on his nerves.
"Jared is not as fragile as you think he is, Joey. This may be a good thing for him. He's got a lot of anger inside him. This may be a good thing. He's angry because he's afraid. He thinks he's weak. Just ask him if he thinks he's capable of facing him." Joey thought about what Dr. Ka'e'a just told him.
"What if he says that he isn't capable?" Steve asked.
"Well, then I will make sure he doesn't have to testify. But you need to give him control of this. It happened to him and he needs to be the one with a say in this." Steve and Joey nodded.
"If you want I could come over when you ask him?" Joey thought about it, then looked at Steve.
"No, that won't be necessary. We can handle this." Joey said.
"Your sons have a good safety net and despite the many downs you've encountered, they are doing well. They will get through this. I understand that you are the one he feels comfortable with." Steve just nodded.
"You are uncle Steve, the big bad SEAL. Although he did mention that Joey is taller than you." Steve chuckled.
"Jared and I have an understanding." Steve said.
"Just talk to him. He is perfectly capable of expressing himself." Joey nodded.
"Thank you doctor." They shook hands with the doctor and left.
After the meeting Joey and Steve talked about it. Joey wanted Steve to be there with him. Steve agreed but said he would hang out in the background. They went back to Danny's. They explained to Danny what the doctor had said and what the next course of action was. Joey said that he wanted to take Jared for a walk. So Joey, Steve and Jared took a walk. Eventually Joey had asked Jared what he wanted to do. Jared started to cry. And Joey said that he wouldn't have to testify. Well that's when things got a little out of hand. Jared had a major temper tantrum, throwing punches and everything. Joey wrapped him into a hug. When he finally broke down he told Joey that he wanted to testify but he was afraid that he would screw everything up. Joey reminded him that he was just a boy who went through something no person should ever have to go through. Steve decided to add some words off advice to the boy and promised him that he wouldn't have to face them alone. Jared asked if the whole team would be there and Steve promised him that they would all be there to support him. Jared apologized for losing his temper and Joey once again told him that he had nothing to be sorry about. He did tell him that it would put on Tae Kwan Do or karate. That made Jared laugh and Joey hugged his son and told him he was proud of him. They went back to Danny's and had dinner there. Grace and Jamie were conked out on the couch before eight. Jared on the other hand was stuck at Joey's side. He was nervous and anxious. They would meet with the DA tomorrow and to go over Jared's statement and prepare him for the witness stand.
A week later Jared was called to the stand. He did an amazing job and Joey was very proud of his son. His son had been having more nightmares that week and Joey found himself calling the doctor every other day. She told him that it was just anxiety and nerves. But after the third night Joey was fried. He had slept only eight hours in three days. He was moody and prickly. Chin and Kono had decided to take the boys and do something fun. Grace and Danny joined as well and Steve went to Joey's. He took Joey fishing. He wanted to take him swimming but the water was pretty rough. Not that they caught anything but it was enough to take Joey's mind of things. Steve told him that everything would work out. And Joey finally believed it when his son was called to the stand and gave his testimony. He answered all the questions the lawyer had asked him. And when the judge told Jared he could step down, Jared stuck his tongue out to Ariel Ortéga. A lot of people had to laugh but it was Jared's way of showing him that he wasn't afraid anymore. Ortéga went ballistic and had to be dragged out of the courtroom. Joey had hugged his son with tears in his eyes. They picked up Grace and Jamie and went out to celebrate.
A day later Joey got the call that Ortéga and Gutíerrez were both convicted and got two life sentences, to be served in Halawa. Jared was doing a lot better. Dr. Ka'e'a said she only wanted to see Jared once every two weeks. Jamie was also doing well. He didn't need the therapy as much as Jared needed it mostly because of the memory loss due to the concussion and traumatic experience but Joey wasn't sure if Jamie was not telling the whole truth about not being able to remember that much. However, Dr. Ka'e'a assured him that Jamie was telling the truth. She also said that he might've repressed the memories and that there was a chance that they would surface but Joey told her that they would deal with when the time was there.
Grace had also made a lot of progress. She had finally let go of the guilt. Things had exploded between Rachel and Danny and the doctor had called them for family counseling. She explained what was happening and Grace also was given the opportunity to say what she wanted. This certainly made both parents feel like crap. Rachel more than Danny cause Grace told Rachel that she loved her father very much and he would do anything to protect her. She felt safe with him. She loved her mother but she also loved her father and there was nothing wrong about that. She wanted to see her father and be with her father. Rachel had then told them that she was just worried about her daughter and Danny's job. Danny told her that he would give his life to protect Grace and Rachel knew that. But she still blamed Danny for what happened. Danny explained tried to explain that yes his job was dangerous but he did it to keep his daughter safe and Rachel knew all this. Eventually things settled and Rachel promised that she wouldn't take Grace from him. Grace told her parents that she loved them equally. After her little outburst things went well between Rachel and Danny.
Joey started working full days again and the boys went back to their normal routine, before the kidnapping. Jared finally went outside again to play with his friends and just like Joey, his son felt at home on a surfboard in the ocean. Joey followed through on his promise and put his sons on a martial arts class. Jared loved it. His little anger issues diminished a lot and he was a natural. Jamie was more reluctant to do martial arts but he eventually liked it too. As a reward the boys could pick another sports they wanted to do. Jamie wanted to do baseball and Jared football. So their schedule was pretty full. Joey tried to be home for dinner and bed time and most of the times he made it. Of course being part of an elite team didn't always make things easier but they managed.
Steve looked at his friends and smiled. Danny walked up to him and looked at him suspiciously.
"What are you smiling about?" Danny asked his friend.
"Just enjoying this, Danno." Steve said knowing it would piss off his friend.
"You really are a goof, Steven, you know that?" Danny said with a smile.
"An overarmed giant teddy goof." Steve looked at his friend.
"But you love me." Steve said.
"You my friend, are a softie underneath that Super-Seal exterior and yes I love you." Danny said.
Steve looked at the rest of his team and he knew that they would be fine. Things would work out just fine for his Ohana.
The End
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Well this was it. Thanks again for sticking with me. You guys are awesome.
Mahalo!
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Danke Schön
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