When Danny arrived back at the house with Gracie they found Steve and Chin out on the deck grilling chicken breasts.
The little girl raced to Steve and he lifted her off the ground much to Danny's displeasure.
"STEVEN WHAT ARE YOU DOING?"
"What's wrong with you? I'm hugging Gracie"
"And you can't do that without lifting her off the ground?"
"Oh Doctor Danno, relax"
"NO, no I'm not going to relax, now put her down" Kissing Gracie's cheek the SEAL set her onto the ground as Danny's rant continued, "You're not supposed to be lifting anything, you know that. She's too heavy"
Gracie Williams looked at her Father and said, "Daddy, I'm not too heavy"
"You know what I mean young lady, Uncle Steve should not be lifting you, he's still recovering"
Steve then said, "You're right Danny, I wasn't thinking...I'm sorry" Placing a hand on the top of Gracie's head he added, "I'm just fine, no harm done. Are you two hungry?"
Danny smiled, "Yes, we're starving aren't we Monkey?"
"Yes we are!"
Rachel and Charlie were traveling to Charleston South Carolina on a two week business trip with Stan. His family lived there and they hadn't seen Charlie in over a year. Gracie had been disappointed about not being able to go along but it was the middle of the school year and they didn't want her to miss that much school. Her disappointment had dissipated once Steve had suggested the hike next Saturday into the jungle to see the famed petroglyphs. For his daughter's sake Danny had agreed to the hike even though his first hike there had led to Steve falling off a cliff and breaking his arm. Honestly he didn't even believe Gracie would enjoy the hike but he knew she would enjoy the time with her Uncle Steve, she always did. Then to make things even better, she had gotten the role in the school play and she was enjoying her after school practices immensely. Now of course, the hike was up in the air. Depending on Steve's condition they may need to postpone that, although Steve had insisted to him that he not tell Gracie this because he has certain that he would be 'ready to go'...crazy neanderthal!
After dinner the three men sat in rapt attention as Gracie Williams transformed before their eyes practicing her lines as Mary Todd Lincoln. It was the first time in days that Steve seemed truly happy and that brought joy to them all.
Steve woke early the next morning and Danny woke to the sound of childish giggles coming from the kitchen. The wonderful aroma of coffee and sausage on the griddle brought a smile to his face as he staggered into the kitchen and the sight before him warmed his heart. The kitchen was an absolute mess with flour and eggs covering the countertop, as well as Gracie and Steve. The child was coaching her beloved Uncle on how to properly mix luscious blueberries into the batter.
Looking up from the bowl Steve grinned, "Good Morning Danno! We're making your favorite breakfast"
Gracie chimed in, "Blueberry pancakes and sausage"
"I can see that, and it sure smells great"
Steve added, "It'll be ready by the time you get dressed partner"
Danny chuckled "Okay, I'll be right back"
A few minutes later Gracie was serving breakfast to three favorite men as Chin had also arrived.
Danny moaned softly as he savored his first bite of pancake, "Oh my God Gracie these are wonderful!"
She grinned broadly, "Uncle Steve helped you know"
Danny smiled, "Good job Steven"
"I had a great teacher"
Danny then said, "I would ask what you two are going to do while we're gone but looking at this kitchen I think you'll still be cleaning when we get back. Dear Lord it looks like a hurricane hit in here"
Steve replied, "But look at the results of that hurricane Danno. You know, he's right Gracie these pancakes are cramazing, you're quite the little chef"
Danny shook his head in disbelief, "Cramazing Steve? Really?"
Gracie laughed, "He's learning LOTS of new words Danno"
Danny rolled his eyes, "That's great Monkey...just great"
About an hour later as the men prepared to leave the house Danny looked at Steve, "You're sure about this?"
Steve put a hand on his partners shoulder, "Yes Danny...I'm fine, I promise. You two take care of business"
"Okay, we'll be back soon. You call me if th..."
Steve interrupted him saying softly, "Danny...go"
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As the men drove towards Halawa Prison Chin smiled, "Steve seems to be doing much better today"
"I think we can thank Gracie for that can't we?"
"She's an angel Danny and what she does for him is truly miraculous...she gives him hope and a reason to live Danny, and that's what he needs right now"
The proud Father smiled, "She does the same thing for me Chin. Someday when she's grown, she's going to be blown away when we tell her these things"
"Yes, she will be"
A short time later the men were led to an interrogation room and Ricky Norman was brought in.
"Detectives, long time no see. What brings you to my humble home gentlemen?"
The men both watched Norman's reaction as Chin simply said, "Louis Romono"
Norman fidgeted in his chair and said nervously, "Is that name supposed to mean something to me?"
Chin grinned, "Yeah...why don't you tell us about him?"
"I don't know no Romono"
Danny then said, "Sure you do Ricky. You met him seven years ago...in his cab. And the meeting didn't end very well for Romono"
Chin said coldly, "You're awfully nervous Ricky...what's the problem?"
Danny added, "I think Ricky's battling with his conscious partner"
"No Danny, not our boy Ricky. He's proud of everything he's done, isn't that right Ricky?"
The inmate looked at the detectives and smirked "You think you've got it all figured out do you? It's nothing like you're thinking boys. Yeah, I knew Romono and I was in his cab MANY TIMES... he's not the man you obviously think he is...I want to see my lawyer"
Danny slammed his hands down onto the table "Oh we've got it figured out Ricky. You murdered Louis Romono and we're going to prove that. You're serving forty years now and when we're done with you, you're NEVER going to spend another day outside of these walls. You are scum...and you will pay for this"
Ricky Norman glared evilly at Danny, "I have nothing to say to you"
Danny met his glare and replied, "Think about us Ricky, we'll see you soon"
The men then left Halawa and headed back to Steve's.
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Back at the McGarrett home, Steve and Gracie had finished cleaning up the kitchen and Gracie wanted to take a walk.
Walking down to the water's edge they shed their shoes and socks and Gracie took hold of Steve's hand and they began to walk down the shoreline, their feet sinking in the sand as the Ocean washed over them.
They didn't speak for a while and then Gracie said, "Uncle Steve can I ask you something?"
"Of course honey, you can ask me anything"
"Danno told me that a bad man wants to hurt you. He didn't say that you caught him though...did you?"
Steve hesitated slightly before saying, "No...no Gracie we didn't catch him yet...but we will"
"Why does he want to hurt you?"
"Honey it's a very long and complicated story"
"Uncle Steve, I'm not a baby anymore...you can tell me the truth"
"I know you're not a baby Gracie, but there's just some thing's that you don't need to know"
"But that's not fair...I know your job is very dangerous and that people want to hurt you and Daddy"
"Have you talked to Danno about your feelings?"
"Not really"
They stopped walking and still holding her hand he looked into her pretty brown eyes, "Can I make a deal with you sweetheart?"
"Uh huh"
"When Danno get's back, we'll all sit down together and talk okay?"
She smiled at him, Okay"
He then said, "There's a place I like to go to when I need to think. Would you like to go there?"
"Yes, I'd like that"
As they walked down the beach, Steve's mind raced, 'This day was bound to happen. Gracie was growing up and the questions were going to start' He grinned softly as she squeezed his hand, 'She's a smart little girl and they needed to tell her things...but just how much? I can't make that call because as much as I love this child, I'm not her Daddy...I'll follow Danny's lead on this'
A short time later they reached the path that led up the cliff.
"Do you want to go up there?"
"It looks scary"
"Do you trust me?"
"Yes, I trust you"
"Just hold my hand. You're going to love it up there sweetheart, I promise"
"Okay"
They slowly walked up the path as Steve talked to her the entire time.
"Whenever I need to think or even if I'm just sad I like to come up here. It's so beautiful and peaceful Gracie"
As they reached the top and moved towards the edge of the cliff Gracie said softly, "Wow"
"Isn't it gorgeous Gracie?"
"Yeah it is"
"It takes my breath away every time I come here"
"Has Danno been here before?"
"Yeah, he's been up here"
As they sat down and looked out over the vast blue Ocean Steve thought back to the last time he was up here. It had been almost six months ago now. It was on the anniversary of Freddy Hart's death. Three months earlier he and Catherine had gone into North Korea and they had returned his remains to his family. As the date of his death approached he had been overwhelmed with pain and guilt over the loss. Danny had found him up here late that night and they had sat here for hours. He had told Danny story after story about Freddy and his partner had done just what he had needed him to do... he had listened. Danny's words from the other night echoed in his head, 'I don't ever want you to forget that you matter Steve. I'm here for you and I promise you that I always will be' Tears welled in his eyes and he couldn't believe how lucky he was to have Danny and Gracie in his life.
Gracie reached over and touched his arm, "Are you okay Uncle Steve?"
Blinking away tears he said softly, "Yeah baby girl, I'm fine. I'm just thinking about how lucky I am to have you and Danno in my life...I love you so much"
She smiled, "I love you too Uncle Steve"
******* Thank You so much for reading and a special THANKS to those of you who take the time to review - Please know that reviews are the only way writers know that you like and appreciate our efforts, so thank you and happy reading - more to follow! *******