Danny happened to be in the teachers lounge with Kono when Steve's call came in.
"Hey Partner, how did it go?"
"Well…good I guess. He took the deal"
"So that's good, he'll get the help he needs now. You got the names from him?"
"Yeah"
Steve told him everything and then Danny stated, "Kono had two boys talk to her this morning"
He gave Steve the names and he confirmed that they both were on Jason's list.
Danny then asked, "How do you want to handle things?"
"I'm going to text you all the list of the fifteen names. Don't do anything, just keep an eye on them. I'm going to have HPD coordinate with Principal Kalama on bringing the kids and their families in. If all goes well Danno, your teaching days are almost over"

Danny chuckled softly, "Thank God!"
Steve added, "You guys did a great job. Keep alert today and I'll see you all at Manny's tonight"
"Thanks buddy, we'll see you tonight"

It was another very long day for Danny. He was both physically and mentally exhausted, as was Coach Palacio.
After the school day he was very relieved as the Coach called off practice for the boys. He pulled them all together to let them know about Troy, and after letting them know that the Coaches would stick around until six o'clock of any of them wanted to talk, he released them for the day.

At six, Danny went home and showered. He then called Gracie to see how she had done on her spelling test that day. He smiled as she told him excitedly how she aced her test and they finalized their plans for the weekend as well. Knowing he would be out late celebrating Kono's birthday on Friday night, he wasn't picking her up until lunch time on Saturday. He promised to take her shopping for a new Easter dress and new shoes and they were then going to Uncle Steve's for dinner. After hanging up with Gracie, he left the house.

He pulled up in front of Tracy's building a few minutes after seven. As he walked to the door he spotted his elderly friend, Sarah Ennis sitting in a rocker on the concrete stoop off her first floor patio door.
He approached her, smiling broadly "Good evening Sarah, how are you tonight?"
She smiled back at him warmly, "Officer Williams, it's so good to see you"
She held out her hand which he took into his own and lifting it, he kissed it gently, "I'm wonderful Sarah"
She looked at the flowers in his other hand and grinning she stated, "For Miss Tracy?"
"Yes"
She chuckled, "I thought you were only 'friends' young man?"
Danny blushed and said, "Sarah, you have to meet my partner…the two of you would get along great!" The two laughed and after chatting for a few minutes, Danny made his way inside.

They smiled at each other as Tracy opened the door and Danny handed her the beautiful bouquet of flowers.
Taking them she leaned in and kissed him, "Thank you Danny….come in"
As he followed her into the kitchen so she could put the flowers into a vase, his eyes moved up and down her body.
She looked absolutely gorgeous, dressed in a light, flowered dress with a matching flower in her hair…her beautiful brunette hair flowing down over her shoulders. Once she was finished, she turned to face him. He was leaning against the kitchen cupboards and smiling. Without saying a word, she moved to him and fell into his warm, loving embrace.

"You look beautiful Tracy"
They kissed passionately and as they parted she stroked his cheek lightly with her index finger, "I'm falling in love with you Danny Williams"
He said softly, "So am I…..it's all happening so fast, but my heart says it's right"
"Follow your heart sweetheart"
They kissed again and he asked, "Are you ready to go?"
"Yes"

As they exited the building, neither one noticed Sarah Ennis watching them from just inside her patio door. The older woman couldn't help but feel a bit uneasy as she watched the couple walk hand in hand to Danny's Camero and he opened the car door for her. In her 77 years she had always been a good judge of character and she knew in her heart and soul that this young man was a good and honorable person. Before today she had felt the same way about young Tracy…but this morning as she had sat in her rocker, she had watched Tracy walk outside with a different man and before he had gotten back into his vehicle they had hugged. They hadn't kissed or been outwardly affectionate towards each other but it definitely appeared to her that the two of them shared an intimacy. As the Camero pulled away from the curb, Sarah sighed and closing her drapes, she silently hoped that this nice young man would not be hurt.

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They were the last to arrive and Steve had already ordered several appetizers and along with pitchers of beer, they were already enjoying themselves.
Danny called out, "Hey we're not even late! You're starting without us!"
Steve stood and held his arms out, "Danno!"
Danny shook his head and chuckled as he embraced his partner. Steve then kissed Tracy on the cheek and hugged her as they sat at the table.

Chin poured them each a beer as Kono handed them plates for the appetizers.
Steve smiled widely saying, "I want to propose a toast"
Danny looked at him and asked, "How much have you had to drink Steven?"

Everyone chuckled and their leader continued, "Ok Danny…I'm being very serious now"
They all grew quiet and looked at him, "I wanted to tell you all that I've never been more proud of each of you. Four days ago we were given a case that shook each of us, literally to our core. And while several young lives were lost, it could have been so much worse. HPD worked off the list that Miller gave me and as of an hour ago, everyone involved in this has been brought in, interviewed and the drugs have been recovered. The Governor has agreed that the State will cover the cost of re-hab for each of the fifteen surviving youths. The parents of Miller and Detweiler both accepted our offer and they will have their boys enrolled in in-patient re-hab by next week. As for Finley, Governor Denning hasn't decided on how to move ahead yet. They may charge him with the theft from the pharmacy. As I said, I couldn't be more proud of this team and what each of you did to end this so quickly…you saved many lives" Holding up his beer, they all clicked their glasses together.

Steve then turned to Tracy, "So Tracy, I've kept this guy pretty busy and you've not had much time with him….."
As Tracy took hold of Danny's hand and replied, "We've made the best of it" Danny rolled his eyes and said, "Don't encourage him Trace….."
Steve laughed and Danny shoved a basket of chicken wings in front of him saying, "Eat something….stop talking!"

They had a great night visiting and as Tracy watched the friends banter lovingly back and forth her guilt deepened. She now understood why her former lover wanted her to move ahead with the next step. Whatever his plans were for Danny, it wouldn't work if Steve was in the picture. It was becoming more and more obvious to her that her main role in this was to divide these men…..to break their trust in each other, and her eyes became misty as she wondered how she could ever pull this off. Watching these two men socialize she was amazed at the depth of their friendship. She had only seen them together twice, yet their love and respect for each other was obvious. They were much more than partners, they were in every way possible….brothers.

As the night, and the drinking progressed she kept to the plan by cozying up to Danny.
By the time they were ready to call it a night, both Danny and Kono had definitely had too much to drink. Steve gave them all the next day off to rest and as he offered to take Kono home, Danny handed his keys to Tracy.

As they walked to the parking lot Steve grinned at his drunken partner and he said teasingly to Tracy, "Don't you take advantage of my partner now Tracy"
Danny waved his hand at his friend, "Steven, you're not helping me here…."
Steve laughed and moving to his truck he replied, "Drive safe Tracy, I'll see you Thursday Danno!"

They went back to Tracy's and in a very short time Danny was sound asleep on the couch.
Tracy covered him with a blanket and leaning down she kissed his cheek and whispering softly, she said "I'm so sorry Danny"

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The next morning Danny woke to the smell French Toast and sausage.
He shuffled into the kitchen, "Good Morning"
She smiled at him, "Good morning, how do you feel?"
"Hung over"
"You had a very good time last night…...so did I"
"I'm sorry Tracy. I don't normally drink like that. That case was very difficult"
She moved over to him and kissed him, "It's okay, everybody needs to let loose once in a while"
He smiled, "It smells wonderful. Let me go wash up"

When he returned to the kitchen, breakfast, along with cantaloupe and honeydew melon, freshly squeezed orange juice and a cup of strong black coffee was waiting for him.
As they ate, Tracy asked him more questions about his partner.
"I have to tell you Danny, what you share with your team is very special"
"Oh believe me, I know that"
"Tell me some more about Steve"
"What do you want to know?"
"He appears to be a very complicated man"
"In some ways he is, but in other ways he's not complicated at all"
"What do you mean?"
Without giving her any details about the man he loved and admired so much, he told her that Steve had experienced great personal loss as a teenager. He also told her of his years as a one of the most highly decorated Navy SEAL's in US history.

"So he was a SEAL Commander?"
"Yes, but his missions were classified. I can't tell you anything about them, other than he served his country with honor and distinction…..he's an American hero"
"Has he told you about his missions?"
Danny hesitated before saying, "Why all the interest in Steve?"
"I find him fascinating…."
"Yes, yes I can agree with you on that, he is fascinating"
"Does he have a girlfriend?"
"Really?" He smirked, "I don't know if I like the way this conversation is going"
"Oh Danny, I love you. He's your partner and your best friend….I just want to know about him"
Danny smiled softly, "He's not seeing anyone right now…."
She heard a sadness in his voice and decided not to ask any more questions. She really didn't need to know any more.

Danny sighed as he silently thought about Steve and Cath…and the last time she was home on leave. Steve had been in a bad place emotionally. They had just cleared his name in the death of Governor Jameson but they had also found that tape…..that tape that showed his Dad meeting with the Governor and Wo-Fat. The elusive criminal had said to him at one point to stop searching for answers because he might not like what he found. Steve was becoming obsessed with finding Wo-Fat, and Catherine was wanting him to stop the search.

Danny was mindlessly eating bites of french toast as he remembered the call he got from a drunk and depressed Steve in the middle of the night a few months ago, telling him that Catherine had left and that their relationship was over. He had raced to Steve's place to find him sitting in the sand at the Ocean's edge surrounded by empty beer bottles. They had sat there until the sun rose, talking, crying and drinking. Danny understood Cath's position, she was scared for Steve…..he was too, but at that time the SEAL's mind was fully on finding out what had happened to his Mom. Cath had left saying she couldn't stand by and watch him destroy himself. Two days later she had called him to see how Steve was doing and he had promised her that he would keep in touch with her. She loved Steve, and he knew that Steve loved her…they would reconcile, Steve just needed to clear his head of these demons first. He knew that his partner would never rest until he had his answers, all of them…..and he would stand by him and help him to get those answers, no matter how long it took.

Tracy placed another piece of french toast on Danny's plate and he reached out and grabbed her forearm. "I'm sorry Tracy. There are just a lot of things I don't feel comfortable sharing. Steve and I are like brothers, I love him and I can't betray his confidence"

She leaned down and kissed his cheek. "You're a great man and a loving friend Danny. I'm sorry for prying, please forgive me"

He pulled her down onto his lap and kissed her, saying softly "There's nothing to forgive"

******* Next up Friday night arrives and the next piece of the plot is put into place - I hope you're enjoying and I'd love to hear from you! *******