Thank you to everyone reading. Sorry for the delay! :-)

Steve watched Eric approach his uncle. It took all of his strength to refrain from grabbing the kid and shaking him. He squeezed his hands into fists, almost growling.

But he wouldn't interfere. Danny had ensconced himself in one of the chairs outside not long after returning from the hospital, making it clear he needed some space for this conversation. He understood his best friend needed to do this alone, but he still gritted his teeth and glowered from the shadows of his yard.

/././

Eric slid into the seat beside his uncle. "I'm so sorry, Uncle Danny."

"I really wish everyone would stop apologizing to me." Danny continued to stare straight ahead. "It's getting old."

"I didn't mean for anyone to get hurt. Especially you."

"I know."

"I'll do whatever it takes to make this up to you."

Chuckling, Danny shook his head and sighed loudly. "Make this up to me? Eric, sometimes, that's not possible. Sometimes the only thing is to move forward. Go on with life. You said you were sorry. I accept your apology. We're done with that."

Eric's face brightened just a little. Danny held up his hand.

"But." This time Danny turned to face him. "If you ever do something stupid like this again-"

He let the words hang for a few seconds, not breaking eye contact. The sound of the waves suddenly very loud.

"If you screw up like this again, I can't guarantee I'll be able to help you out of a jam. Understand me? This is serious. If you had gone ahead with this meet, there's no telling what might have happened. What they might have done to you once they were through using your sorry excuse for an ass." He stopped, grabbed his nephew's arm when Eric looked away. "Hey, look at me. Bad guys tend to tie up loose ends. Sometimes, it doesn't matter if you owe them money. And it doesn't matter if you helped them out either. When they're done with you - Do you get what I am telling you here?"

"Yes, Uncle Danny."

"I hope so. Because I do not want to have to hold your mother's hand at your funeral."

"Okay Uncle Danny."

"Don't okay me." Danny pushed up in his chair, using his sore hand. He winced and took a few seconds to recover from the unexpected wave of pain. "I could smack you right now. But I don't think it would do any good. If this weekend didn't get my message through your thick skull, I don't think anything will."

/././

Steve stood off to the side, still just out of view. He could hear the conversation perfectly. His partner had wanted a private moment, yet he needed to be a part of it. This thing with Eric was his problem too.

Chin walked up to his hiding spot. "Do you think he'll get through to the kid?"

Steve shook his head. "I don't know. I really don't."

"Eric is smart, but stubborn."

"A Williams trait."

They both chuckled.

"Chin, thanks for bringing him by. I know it means a lot." To both of us. Steve added mentally.

Chin caught the message in Steve's eyes and nodded ever so much. "Means a lot to Eric too. He really wanted to talk to Danny. To apologize."

Steve frowned. "Might be too late."

"Danny's got a big heart, though Steve."

"Too big. That's why he's such a target."

"He'll forgive him. They're family." Chin was stopped from saying more by a sharp sigh from Steve.

"Maybe he shouldn't this time." Steve shoved his hands into his pockets. "There's not much stopping me from smacking Eric around myself. Scare some sense into him. Make it stick this time."

"You did not just say that." Chin's half laugh carried a touch of unease.

"I can only take so much, Chin. Danny can only take so much."

"Listen, Steve, I know where you're coming from. We've seen dozens of kids like Eric. The difference here is this is Danny's nephew. We have to give him a little slack." Chin shook his head and looked away for a second. "I've been there. This kid had some tough choices to make. And without the best-"

"This isn't the first time. Danny's tried to help before. After his visit here last year, I even thought Eric had straightened himself out. He was starting college."

Chin exhaled loudly, losing his cool ever so much. "I don't know. I just have the feeling there is more here than we're seeing right now. Call it a hunch, but there's something else at play here."

Steve looked at the ground, kicking a tuft of grass. "I know, Chin. It's driving me crazy. I'm just waiting for the next hammer to drop."

/././

The visit didn't last more than an hour. Danny was obviously fading, but he kept a brave face for his nephew. But now it was time for Eric to leave. Problem was, his nephew didn't want to go.

"No you can't stay here. I'm a target. You're a target. We can't have two targets running around." Danny stood near the front door, hands on his hips. He'd planted himself firmly with this decision, despite the fact that Eric had come prepared to stay the night.

"Uncle Danny-"

Danny held up his hand. "Stop. I've made my decision. As long as Chin will have you, I will feel better if you stay with him again."

Chin nodded from the corner. "That's fine, Danny. And Kono will swing by tonight to keep Eric company too."

"See." Danny punched Eric lightly. "You wanted to get to know Kono the last time you were here. Now's your opportunity."

Steve chuckled and grabbed Eric's bag. "I'll see you guys out."

Once the door shut behind them, Steve stopped Chin. He didn't care if Eric eavesdropped but he sent him a clear signal to back off just a bit.

"We have two good leads to follow up on tomorrow."

"The box and the pizza guy?"

"Yes. Thanks for arranging the meeting with the pizza guy." Steve smiled, thankful for the help of his team. He was about to thank Chin when he was interrupted.

"The box?" Eric was obviously listening to them.

Steve turned to the younger man, face stern. "Yes the box. And your uncle doesn't know about it yet. The box or the pizza guy. So please don't tell him."

The use of the word please did not hide the fact that Steve had unconsciously made a fist with his free hand.

"Okay, McGarrett." Eric looked at the ground. Steve was obviously pleased he'd made the nephew uncomfortable.

"I doubt they'll even speak to each other tonight." Chin dipped his head closer to Steve. "And speaking of the box, CSU hasn't been able to find the fabricator. I might have another way to figure that out."

"How Chin?"

"Our favorite entrepreneur."

"Kamekona?"

Chin nodded. "He's had some things made for his shrimp truck, so I bet he knows where to have that kind of work done on the cheap."

"And under the radar." Steve smiled. "Good thinking, Chin."

/./././

Chin pulled away from Steve's place, watching the street carefully. Nothing seemed out of place at the moment, so he decided to strike up a conversation with Eric, say his peace. "You know, Danny cares a lot about you. This isn't easy for him."

Eric didn't answer. He just nodded at the older man.

Chin figured he may as well be blunt with the kid. A little big of tough love.

"You screwed up, Eric. And Danny won't tell you how much he blames himself for this."

"But it's not his fault."

"That doesn't matter. He's your uncle and he takes that job seriously."

Chin thought he saw a beige sedan following him. It didn't quite match Steve's description but he kept an eye on it anyway. If it was a tail, they were pretty good. Finally the vehicle pulled off at a local watering hole. He breathed a deep sigh of relief and went back to talking to Eric.

"We all have our stories around here. We all have our faults. The big thing is not letting them destroy your life. You can learn from this."

Eric reclined his seat back and groaned. "I know - it's not too late and all that crap."

Chin corrected a swerve after he shot Eric a surprised glance.

"Sorry. That's just what popped into my head." Eric straightened his seat.

"Well, there's truth in what you said. But you better not let Danny or Steve hear you talk like that."

"Uncle Danny doesn't realize how tough it is for me back in Jersey. Living in his shadow."

"That's your choice." Chin flicked the turn signal and pulled up to his house. "You can live in his shadow or you can accept that you have one too."

/././

The television was on, but the volume had been turned down an hour ago. Danny sat in the chair, sound asleep. The room was dark, and Steve lay on the couch listening to the ocean. Checking his watch, he decided it was time for his patient to go to bed. A chair was no place for someone to sleep under the best circumstances.

"Danny?" He leaned over his friend, giving his arm a gentle squeeze. "Hey man, wake up."

Danny murmured something and opened his eyes, squinting at the light from the television.

"Danny, you're not sleeping in this chair tonight."

"Yes sir, benevolent overlord, sir." Danny waved his hand in a lazy salute.

"Funny." Steve nudged him harder. "Come on, get up. You can use my bed again."

"There are other rooms in this house, Steven, with beds."

"Well, this way I don't have to change anymore sheets. Come on, stop arguing."

"Okay."

"Okay?" Steve took a step back, a little surprised. "You're agreeing with me?"

"Yea, okay. I'm too tired to fight." Danny sat up and stretched, scratching at the edges of his brace. "When can I take this off?"

"We'll rewrap it in the morning. Give it a chance to air out."

"Sounds good." Danny held out his good hand. "Help me up?"

Steve grinned. "Sure thing, partner. Now, go to bed."

"I'm going." Danny stopped at the steps, sleepy grin on his face. "You're not gonna tuck me in?"

"Not tonight. You're a big boy, D. I'll see you in the morning."

"You'll miss me."

Steve raised an eyebrow and then chuckled. "We'll see about that. Good night, Danno."

Danny froze. "Danno. Oh shit, Grace. I should have called her tonight."

"I called Rachel for you."

"You did what?" Danny sat on the steps. "What did you tell her?"

"The basics. She won't worry Grace, but she wants to talk to you in the morning."

"You shouldn't have done that. Things were just getting good again." Danny ran a hand through his hair and closed his eyes. It felt like someone was squeezing his head again.

"Hey, it's nothing big. She's worried about you. That's all."

"Well, that's all seems to turn into I'm changing the custody agreement pretty fast."

"Not this time. Not ever again. You know that, Danny." Steve squeezed Danny's knee. "It'll be fine."

"Okay."

"Okay? Really?" Steve wasn't used to such a pliable Danny. It was a little unnerving.

"I wish I had some of the drugs that doctor gave me to sleep. I really do. Right about now I'd like to just-"

"You'll be fine without them."

"What if I can't sleep?"

"Then we'll talk about it. Okay? Just go upstairs and lie down. See what happens. If you're not asleep in ten minutes, come back down here."

Danny nodded and headed up the steps. He paused when he was just out of sight. "G'night, Steven."

"Night partner."