Another short one that is really focusing on Steve and Danny's relationship. This is something in the show that to me, never really got addressed as much as it should have. Anyway, love getting your comments.

Enjoy!

"This one is simply explained." Danny said as Steve just looked at him smiling. "The Hawaiian Parks and Recreation department clearly does not get the funding it needs to have safe playground equipment for children.

"Excuse me?" Steve asked raising his eyebrows, wondering where his friend's sudden passion came from.

"The equipment, Steve, is not safe for children to play on!" Danny said, raising his voice.

"Where is this coming from, Danny?" Steve asked perplexed at the passion in his partner's voice.

Danny looked at the floor and mumbled. "Rachel had me go to a meeting for the local Parks and Rec department and we found something that we were both passionate about."

Steve raised an eyebrow. "Protecting the children of Hawaii from the dangers of playgrounds?"

"Yes! When we first moved here, Grace was swinging on the playset when it suddenly broke on her. Thankfully she was okay, but then Rachel and I got involved."

"When you first moved here?" Steve asked. "You mean, around the time when..." Steve drifted off, not sure how to continue.

"Yes Steve, when Rachel and I were maybe seeing each other."

"So really, this patriotism towards safe children's parks was..."

Danny looked at him confused. "My desire to have a safe place for Grace to play..."

Steve kept going,"And maybe a desire to get closer to a certain English woman."

Danny frowned. "I can see clearly what you are insinuating Steve but I can guarantee you that me attending those meetings was for the purpose of giving my daughter and future son a safe place to play."

Steve just couldn't quit. "So none of that was to maybe... impress Rachel?"

Danny just stared at him. For a really long, uncomfortable time.

Steve just looked back, putting on a face of innocence.

Eventually Steve started looking around and he cleared his throat. He then looked back and met Danny's eyes.

"Yes, Daniel?" He asked.

Danny sighed and flung his arms in the air. "You, my good sir, are impossible to deal with!"

"I'm sorry Danny, I am just trying to get the full picture here!" Steve shouted.

"Why do you possibly need to know the answer to that, Steve? Whatever me and Rachel had, it is gone! Long gone! After she moved here, I thought it was over, but I still loved her. I loved her so much. I had an affair with her! I was going to run away with her but then-" Danny finally stopped, putting his hand over his mouth.

"But then what?" Steve asked confused.

"Nothing. Then, nothing. It just ended. But I am with Melissa now and I'm happy so it is all okay."

"Danny, then what?" Steve asked again with determination.

"Rachel, Grace and I were going to go back to New Jersey together when we first found out Rachel was pregnant. She was going to leave Stan." Danny said softly.

"Why didn't you guys go?" Steve asked noticing his friend's shift in tone.

Danny looked down and then looked up and met Steve's eyes. "Because," Danny said, "some idiot got himself arrested for murdering the governor of Hawaii."

Steve was shocked. "What?" He asked.

"You," Danny laughed sadly pointing at Steve, "were never supposed to find this out. The night that you got arrested and the whole thing went down, I was supposed to meet Rachel and Grace at the airport to go back to New Jersey."

"You were going to get back together." Steve said quietly. "You, Rachel, Grace, and Charlie were going to be a family."

"Yeah. But when I blew her off to go save you, she realized that I had to put the job first sometimes and she wanted the stability that Stan had to offer." Danny finished.

Steve looked up at Danny, finding that Danny could not look at him.

"Danny, I am so sorry. If I had of known..."

"You would have done what, Steve?" Danny asked suddenly angry. "It was a complicated situation that was inevitable. You didn't ask to have a corruption case thrown at you and mess with your life like that. Besides, Rachel would have realized the importance of the job to me at some point. Might as well of been then."

"But Danny," Steve said, "You would have had Charlie. She wouldn't of lied to you. You could see Grace everyday instead of every other weekend and holidays. You chose me over your family."

"Let's get two things straight, Steve. Number one, I still get to see my kids. Even though I missed out on Charlie's early life, I get him now for the rest of his life. I call them every day. If I hadn't of gone back to save you, you could have died in that prison. That means I'd never get to see you. I am happy for the time I get with my kids, and if I could go back I would make the same decision. Number two, you are my family ya big goof, you're my brother, and don't you ever forget it."

As soon as Danny said this, thunder crashed outside, reminding them of the storm, and shaking the house.

"See! The universe agrees!"

Steve looked at Danny seriously for a moment and then laughed. Danny was relieved, as he laughed alongside Steve.

"Danny," Steve said. "Thank you."

"Of course. I love you buddy."

"Love you too."

Preview for 'Chapter Nine: Intermission for the Storm'

"That sounds close." Steve said. Danny moved towards the window to see if he could do the old count the lightning trick he learned from his parents. You see the lighting, and you count the seconds it takes for you to hear the thunder to know how far the storm is out.

Danny saw the flash and counted. "One, two, three..."

Danny would have finished, but at that moment, a tree decided to crash through Steve's window. The exact window where Danny was standing.

"DANNY!"

Oooh a cliffhanger. I promise Danny and Steve will get out of the storm okay, just wanted to add a little semi-plot. I am currently writing future chapters and it looks like there will be about five or six more after this next one.

Don't forget to comment if you have any suggestions!

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Hawaii Five-0 (obviously)