Danny finished talking with Gracie and Rachel and then he went down to check on Steve. He found him standing in shin deep water. Removing his shoes and socks he waded out next to Steve. It was obvious that the SEAL had been crying.
"Thanks for talking to her Steve. She was so happy to hear your voice"
"How could I have put her through that? How could I have done that to any of you? I'm selfish, so damn selfish…."
Danny attempted to respond, "Steve, she's fine now…."
"I love you man but please, don't even try to justify what I did. You know...I really need some time alone D"

"You promise me you won't do anything stupid if I leave you here"
Steve held up hands, "Buddy I've got nothing on me. Do you want to frisk me?"
"Knock it off will you, I'm sorry"
Steve closed his eyes and sighed, "No Danno, I'm sorry…..Thank You for worrying about me. I promise you I won't do anything stupid…..I won't hurt myself, I promise"

"You need your anti-biotic, here take this" Danny handed him a bottle of water and his pill.
Steve took the water and washed the pill down, "Thanks, I'll be up soon"
Danny walked away and when he reached the sand he turned back and called out, "When you're ready to talk babe, you know where to find me" He then walked back up to the house. Sitting on the patio he phoned Kono to fill her in.

"Danny….good morning. How is he doing?"
"It's a roller-coaster Kono. He's up one minute and then the next I'm afraid he'll do something crazy"
"What, hurt himself?"
"Yeah…I'm sure it's crossed his mind honey. Damn these drugs!"
"Danny, can Chin and I come back over?"
"Not right now…..not yet. Kono...he's embarrassed"
"Why is he embarrassed?"
"His mind's not right….he feels weak and sick. He's so vulnerable Kono. Hey, if it makes you feel any better, he doesn't want me here either. Please remember what I said, we need to take it a day at a time….that's all we can do for him"

"Take good care of him Danny and send him our love"
"You know I will. I'll call you soon"
"Okay, bye now"
Hanging up the phone he looked out towards the water seeing that Steve was now sitting in a wooden deck chair, his head tipped back, deep in his thoughts.

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He sat staring out at the calm, peaceful water. It had been a long time since he had thought of Chad. Well not really…..he actually thought about his old friend a lot. He hadn't thought about his death in a long time though…..another one of his selfish action. How many lives had he destroyed over the years?

Steve tipped his head back and his mind drifted back to much happier days, the care-free days of his youth. He remembered the day he met Chad. His family had moved to Hawaii midway through 5th grade from a tiny town in North Dakota. Steve had heard the giggles of some of the other students as their teacher, Mrs. Cranston had introduced the clearly awkward ten year old boy to the class. He was skinny and small and wore coke-bottle glasses, but Steve instantly saw something special about the kid. When class had let out for recess Mrs. Cranston had held Steve back asking him to take some papers to the office for her before heading outside. When he stepped out onto the playground his eyes were instantly drawn to the circle of boys off to the corner of the brick building.
He raced towards to group of fifth and sixth grade boys who had surrounded Chad. Even at ten years of age, Steve McGarrett was well respected amongst his peers. He pushed through the group to find the school bully, Bobby Duncan shoving the shocked and clearly scared newcomer to the ground.

Steve hollered, "KNOCK IT OFF BOBBY, LEAVE HIM ALONE!"
There were gasps of disbelief from some of the boys, while those who knew Steve well, simply smiled.
Nobody, NOBODY ever talked to Bobby Duncan like that. He was a large child, almost two hundred pounds at the young age of ten. He turned his attention away from Chad and bull rushed Steve. He barreled into Steve's mid-section sending the much smaller boy flying across the pavement. The tar and pebbles tore into Steve's left forearm and elbow and he laid on the ground for several seconds trying to suck the air back into his winded lungs.

He sat up quickly, shaking the cobwebs from his head. He heard the boys screaming for him, calling out to him to help.
Steve looked up to see Bobby sitting on top of Chad, pummeling the small victim as Chad protectively covered his head and face. In seconds Steve was off the ground and going airborne he threw his body into Bobby knocking him off his prey.

The two boys jumped to their feet and Bobby threw the first punch, connecting hard to Steve's face. Steve was undeterred and as blood flowed freely from his broken nose he threw a mighty right hook, connecting squarely to Bobby's chin, knocking him to the ground. Bobby looked up at him as Steve screamed, "DO YOU NEED MORE BOBBY? YOU LEAVE HIM ALONE, YOU HEAR ME!"

At that moment three teachers appeared on the scene and the crowd of gawking children quickly disbanded.

Steve smiled at the memory because that day, THAT moment he had met the boy who would become his best friend, his most trusted confidant and a true brother. He would teach Chad how to play football and the small speedster would catch any pass that he threw to him.

Bobby Duncan would continue to grow and he became an All-State Offensive Lineman protecting Steve from the massive Defensive Tackles who tried game after game to take the star Quarterbacks' head off. Bobby would go on to play in the NFL but he was killed in a tragic car accident at the tender age of twenty five.

His eyes remained closed and tears slid down his cheeks as he remembered the day years later that would change both Steve and Chad forever.
After his Mom had died and his Dad had sent him State-side to live with his aunt and uncle, Steve had become horribly withdrawn. His Dad and 'Uncle Joe' had come to visit with him and they discussed Steve's desire to attend Military school and to eventually become a SEAL. Steve could remember to this day the excitement that overwhelmed him once everything was in place and he was due to start school ten weeks later.
His Dad was scheduled to visit him two weeks before he entered the Academy and to Steve's amazement when John McGarrett showed up, he wasn't alone. Chad Reynolds was with him and he shared the news with his buddy that he too, had been accepted into the Academy.
Since his Mother's death and the separation from his Dad and Mary, Steve had felt isolated….abandoned…..but now Chad was with him and he wasn't alone anymore.

Thinking back, he would have gladly remained alone. He would give anything to change the course of events that were set into motion on that day. In his life he had lost everyone he ever loved, but no more….. not ever again…..

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Danny asked Cindy to please sit on the deck and watch out over Steve while he went inside and gathered all the weapons in the home, including his own guns. He put all the pistols, knives and ammunition into a duffel bag and then he took the bag and rifles out to Steve's vehicle. He was still going to need to get the gun from the safe but he felt a bit better now.

Once done he strolled down to the water and sat next to Steve.
"Hey are you awake?"
"Yeah….just thinking"
"How are you feeling?"
"The pains haven't been too bad this morning"
"Good. Hey Steve I've ummm been meaning to tell you something"
Steve's eyes remained closed as he responded, "What's that?"
"Well, um Rachel is getting a divorce"
Steve's head pulled forward and he sat upright, "What? When did this happen?"
"When you were in Washington"
Steve smiled slyly, "That's good right? I mean…. you two?
Danny smiled broadly, "Yeah, yeah….. it's a really good thing"
"Danny that's great partner. I'm so happy for you. I imagine Gracie is thrilled?"
"Actually we haven't told her yet. We've all been a bit pre-occupied with 'other things' this week. If you're okay with it though, would you mind if Chin and Kono sit with you this afternoon so Rachel and I can tell her?"

"Danny I really don't need a babysitter you know?"
"I'll take that as a you don't mind. Thanks buddy, I'll call them"
"You are infuriating, you know that"
Danny chuckled, "Yeah, I know…oh that's not all. Charlie…..the little guy might be mine after all"
"I KNEW IT! I knew it! God Danny, this is great news!"
Steve's smile warmed his heart as Danny added, "We don't know for sure. We're going to have a DNA test done"
"Well I AM sure. He looks just like you partner. I'm so happy for you man"
Danny was so happy to see Steve happy, truly happy. He sat smiling at the SEAL until Steve said, "WHAT?"
"Nothing, nothing"
"What's with the dopey grin?"
"I'm just happy partner….it's the first time I've seen you smile since we got you back"
Steve continued to smile, "I'm happy 'cause you're happy Danno"
"Are you ready to go back up to the house?"
"Yeah, I think I could use a nap"
"You know what? So could I, you're wearing me out"

Once back in the house Danny had Steve give him the gun from his safe and then Steve went upstairs to take a shower.
He then went to lie down in his room and Danny went into the kitchen to visit with Cindy.
"I haven't had to do much Mr. Williams"
"You probably won't. He's as stubborn as they come and he's not one to ask for help. I'll let you know if he needs anything. If HE says he needs something...…call for an ambulance!"
"He can't be that bad?"
"Tell me what you think after you've covered a few shifts with him"
"He seems to be a charming young man"
"Oh, he's charming alright…..he is charming. Would you like more coffee Cindy"
"Yes please"
The two visited and Danny gave her additional information on Steve, himself and the 5-0 team as their patient slept soundly upstairs.

************** Much more to come - I hope you're enjoying ! STEVE'S REASONS ? COMING SOON !**************