When the men arrived back at the house they found it empty.
"His truck is here, where could they be?"
"Relax Danny, they can't be far"
"Maybe they're down at the water?"
They walked to the water's edge and seeing their socks and shoes along with their footprints leading down the beach, the pair decided to grab a beer and wait for them to return.
Sitting in the wooden deck chairs and cracking open their beers, Danny said "Hey, before they get back, I got a call from Catherine last night"
"Oh yeah?"
Danny sighed, "You know that I'd been keeping Ian posted on Steve's recovery and he'd been relaying the info to Cath for me"
"Yeah, so how's she doing?"
"She seems to be okay, but she's worried about Steve"
"She hasn't called him has she?"
"No….but she wants to. She asked me what I thought about that and I told her I thought she should give him some space right now. Do you agree with me?"
"Well, yes and no Danny"
"Thanks buddy, that's no help"
Chin chuckled, "Okay, let me elaborate. I agree that Steve needs space right now and we all, Catherine included, want to do what's best for him but ….."
As Chin hesitated, Danny asked "But what?"
"We've both had our hearts broken before Danny, so think about it. When you were first separated from Rachel, would you have wanted to know if she was at least thinking about you and worrying about you?"
Danny took a long swig from his beer, "Yeah, I guess I would have but I think that knowing that would have also given me false hope"
"I get that Danny but Steve's a smart guy and if you want my opinion…..…I think you should tell him and leave it up to him"
"Of course I want your opinion, that's why I asked" He smiled at his friend and added, "Okay, thanks...I'll talk to him"
Changing the subject Chin then asked "So what do you think Norman meant about Romono?"
"I don't know but he said Romono was not the man we thought he was"
"He also said he'd been in the man's cab many times Danny. We need to find out what their connection was"
"Yeah... there's something we don't know"
They stopped talking as Steve and Gracie came into view. Danny smiled at the sight of his treasured daughter walking hand in hand with best friend. As they drew near, Steve called out "You guys sure got back fast"
Danny stood and replied, "Yeah, we've got some more digging to do"
"What, Norman's not the guy?"
"Oh no, he's the guy but he lawyered up. We'll fill you in later" He then looked at Gracie, "Hey, where'd you take Superman to?"
"He took me to the most beautiful place Danno"
Steve added, "I took her to the peak"
Danny smiled at her "Oh yeah? It's pretty up there isn't it?"
"It sure is"
Steve then said, "Hey Gracie, would you mind running into the house and grabbing your old Uncle a bottle of water?"
"Sure, I'll be right back!"
"Take your time, I need to talk to the guys for a few minutes"
"Okay"
Once she was out of earshot Danny asked, "What's up?"
Steve ran a hand across his mouth before saying, "She's growing up Danny"
He grinned, "Yes Steve, unfortunately as much as I don't like that, it does happen...…..why, is something wrong?"
"No nothing's wrong but she's asking questions"
"What kind of questions?"
"She's asking about Wo-Fat and why he's after me"
"Yes, she's growing up…."
"And she's smart Danny. I didn't know what to say, or how much you'd want me to say"
"This is probably my fault"
"What do you mean?"
"When I was telling her about your injuries I told her she wasn't a baby any longer and that I thought she could handle the truth. I guess I opened up that door, didn't I?"
Steve smirked, "You don't have an easy job Danny"
"Tell me about it! Between you and her, you're making me prematurely grey!"
Chuckling the SEAL stated, "It makes you look even more dashing my dear friend"
"You're such an ass McGarrett"
Laughing, the three men made their way up to the house.
50505050505050505050505050505050505050505050505050
They all sat on the patio and Gracie joined them.
"So Monkey, Steve tells me you have some questions for us?"
"Uh huh…..who is that bad man who wants to hurt Uncle Steve and why does he want to hurt him?"
Danny sat forward in his chair, folding his hands in front of him and resting them on the table. "It's a long and complicated story"
She smiled and rolled her eyes, "That's EXACTLY what Steve said"
"Really?"
He glanced at Steve who answered curtly, "Really"
Danny then said, "Well that's because it's true Gracie. I told you that you're not a baby anymore and that I will tell you more things about our jobs and the enemies we face and I meant that, but that doesn't mean that you need to know everything. As your Father and your Uncles', we will share more things with you but we'll share only what we feel you are able to handle. You can always talk to Steve and Chin or Kono, but if they're unsure of what to tell you, they'll come to me or your Mom. You're still a child, and you're a young child. I need you to trust me and for you to be mature enough to know that if we aren't telling you something it's for your own good. Do you understand me?"
"Yes Danno I understand. So can I know about this bad guy?"
Danny sighed before saying, "He's a very bad man. He's from Japan and years ago Steve's Mother was involved in a mission with the Government that resulted in the man's Father being killed. He now wants to hurt Doris to get revenge"
"So that's why Uncle Steve's Mom was away for all those years?"
"Yes honey. She wasn't just away….the Government helped to fake her death in order to keep her safe"
She looked at Steve and said softly, "You mean you thought she was dead?"
"Yes, I did Gracie…we all did. Me, my Dad and Mary"
"So when your Mom came back here did she think the bad man was dead?"
Danny continued, "No…she came back because the bad man found out that she was still alive and that she was hiding. So to get her to come back, he had his men kill Uncle Steve's Dad"
She then asked, "So she came back"
"Yes. But this man is still trying to find her and that's why she had to go away again"
"To hide?"
"Yes, but this man wants revenge and that is why he is trying to hurt Steve, to get to her. But we will find him Gracie and we will arrest him"
The little girl didn't say anything. She stood and moved to her Uncle's side. Holding out her arms, he leaned in and she wrapped them around his neck saying softly, "I'm so sorry he killed your Daddy and wants to hurt you and your Mom. I love you"
"Thank you Gracie, I love you too"
After she returned to her chair Danny asked, "Do you have any more questions right now Monkey?"
"No Daddy, I just hope you find the bad man soon"
"We will Gracie, we will"
50505050505050505050505050505050505050505050505050
Gracie asked if she could be excused saying she wanted to go read her book.
After she retreated into the house Steve said, "You handled that well Danny"
"I hope I didn't say too much. I don't want to scare her"
Chin replied, "It's a reality for her Danny and she needs to know. As Steve said, she's a smart girl and she'll be okay"
Danny looked at Steve, "Are you okay with what I said"
"Absolutely partner. It is what it is…she's a huge part of our lives and as she gets older she's going to need to be taught how to keep herself safe. We're not going to be with her all the time. Like I said, you handled it well"
Danny moved in his chair, "Umm Steve, there's something else we need to talk about"
Steve looked at his nervous partner, "What is it Danny?"
"I wanted you to know that Catherine called me last night after you were in bed"
"Is that all? You had me scared" His heart skipped in his chest as he asked, "Did she want me to call her?"
"She didn't say so, but I'm sure she'd love to hear from you. She's worried and she wanted to know how you're doing"
"Okay…thanks man"
Danny hesitated briefly and then asked, "Are you going to call her?"
Steve grinned, "I will…...we want to remain friends Danny"
"I know and that's all good, but you don't owe her anything you know"
"So is Doctor Danno becoming Doctor Phil now?"
Danny smiled, "No….he's just being a friend"
Steve grimaced slightly and Danny asked, "Hey are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm just a little sore and tired that's all"
"Why don't you go lay down for a while. Chin and I have some research to do on our murder victim"
"So tell me about it?"
After receiving a rundown on the interrogation, Steve thanked them both and went inside to take a nap as the men set up their laptops and got down to work.
As he walked past the guest bedroom that used to be Mary's room, he knocked lightly on the door.
"Come in"
Peeking his head inside he found Gracie lying on the bed with her hands behind her head as she stared up at the ceiling.
He asked softly, "Are you okay Gracie?"
Without moving she said, "I'm okay, I'm just thinking….hey Uncle Steve?"
"Yes?"
"I can understand why you go up to the peak to think, it's so quiet and it smells so good up there"
He smiled, "It's a special place for me"
"Is it okay if I use it too Uncle Steve?"
"Of course it is but I need you to promise me that you won't ever go up there alone because it's slippery and dangerous"
"I promise"
"Good. Is there anything I can do for you Gracie?"
"No, I'm okay. Are you okay?"
"I'm just tired so I'm going to my room to take a nap. Come get me if you need me and Danno and Chin are downstairs okay?"
"Okay"
Closing the door, Steve moved to his own room and lying down, he quickly fell asleep.
50505050505050505050505050505050505050505050505050
Gracie was quiet for the rest of the day but by the next afternoon she was back to her normal self.
The four of them all went to an afternoon matinee and then they went out for pizza before heading home.
They skyped again with Kono and Adam and Gracie was very excited to talk with them.
By the middle of the week, Steve seemed to have a lot more energy and his bruised body was healing well.
On Thursday evening at dinner Gracie brought up the upcoming hike into the jungle.
Danny replied, "Gracie, I'm sorry but we're going to need to postpone our hike"
She whined, "No Danno, please no I really want to go!"
"Gracie, Steve's not up to it yet"
"COME ON DANNO! Uncle Steve can you do it?"
Danny shot an exasperated glance to his partner asking, "So? Are you up to this Superman?"
"I know this isn't the answer you want to hear partner, but I'm ready and looking forward to it"
Gracie called out excitedly, "YES!"
Danny shook his head, "How can you two be so excited about a four mile hike in ninety degree weather?"
Gracie chimed in quickly, "It's good exercise Danno"
Steve chuckled stating, "That's my girl!"
The Jersey detective mumbled something about the two of them wanting to 'do him in' and Gracie smiled broadly as Steve winked at her.
***** Next up - the day of the hike arrives. Will things go off without a hitch? I hope you're still enjoying! *****