Disclaimer: Ideas are fictional; not making any money on this. Hawaii 5-0 belongs to CBS. That's okay because none of this would work on TV.

Steve took the family to Chinatown for their last night together. Mom and Dad strolled around the shops until their hunger drove them into a nearby restaurant. The men had Chinese beer while Mom had one of the tropical drinks that are more potent than they seem. Grace had a virgin fruit drink with a pretty umbrella stuck in a slice of pineapple.

Steve ordered a family dinner that included a pu-pu platter, soup, eggroll, two from Column A, and one from Column B. They had enough food for ten people and brought home two sacks of leftovers. "Well Danny, it looks like we won't be cooking tomorrow."

Grace was reluctant to get her shower until Nana promised to dry her hair. Mom and Dad were mostly packed, but they had a very early flight in the morning. They finished packing everything except what they needed for tonight or tomorrow. Steve helped lug the larger luggage pieces downstairs. He hated to see Mom and Dad go home. He had heard in-law jokes for years, and he was so happy that his were such great people.

Nana and Poppa tucked Grace in at her request. Danny could see that she was upset. "Grace, Nana and Poppa will come in to say good-bye in the morning. Don't forget that they will be back right after Christmas. Aunt Jackie and Aunt Paula will be coming too with your uncles and cousins. We'll have a big party then"

That seemed to settle Grace and she finally went to sleep. Mom and Dad stayed downstairs to visit with Steve and Danny for a little bit longer. Then they went up to get ready for bed. Danny and Steve sat on the couch drinking a beer and admiring the tree.

"We've had quite a week. It's so hard to say good-bye to Mom and Dad. I thought it would be a little odd having them here but it's been great. I'm really going to miss them." Steve wasn't sure how to say goodbye. There had been so few 'hellos' in his life the last few years.

"I know babe. It's always hard to say goodbye. They'll be back soon, and we have a lot to do before Christmas. Can we decorate the outside? Please, not with Santa in a loud shirt and board shorts. We have cards to send out. Do you think one of the pictures we took will be good for a photo Christmas card? What are we doing for Christmas dinner? Do we invite a houseful over again?"

"Danno, slow down. Yes, okay, yes, and it's up to you." Steve watched while Danny tried to match the answers with the correct question. "Mom usually fixed a ham for Christmas dinner. I think we should invite any of the team who needs a place to go. Chin and Malia will be married by then. Kono is still reconciling with her family after last summer, but I think she'll be with them. Joe and Lori probably won't have any other pressing invitations. I'm not sure about Max. We'll have last minute preparations for the ceremony, and your family will be coming in on the 27th. I would enjoy something less hectic for Christmas day."

Danny thought about Steve's idea. "Yeah, that's a good idea. Maybe we can provide the ham, bread, and desserts, and the others can bring side dishes. We won't be so tired at the end of the day. What do you want Santa to bring you for Christmas this year, little boy?" Danny leered at Steve hoping to dispel some of his sadness.

Steve thought for a minute and replied, "Santa, I don't think I can wait until Christmas for my present. I have what I want right here, and I plan to unwrap it tonight. Want to make out on the couch while Mom and Dad are upstairs?"

Danny laughed and pulled Steve down for a torrid kiss. They continued like that for a while kissing by the light of the tree. Finally Danny stood and pulled Steve up. "I've been on second base long enough. I think it's time that we take this someplace more private." He turned the tree lights off and took the empty bottles to the kitchen while Steve checked the doors and the alarm.

They climbed the stairs together and walked into the bedroom. Steve closed and locked the door behind them. "You know, it was a smart idea to decorate the tree today. The house will seem empty tomorrow without Mom and Dad. The tree will be a reminder of the great week we had together."

"I've enjoyed the time off this week. It's given me time to recuperate some from our trip to North Korea. How are you feeling babe? You seem to be doing much better than a week ago." Danny watched Steve move around the room as he stripped and put his clothes in the hamper. His range of motion was good, and he didn't seem to be in any pain.

"My ribs are still a little sore. My shoulders are probably at 90%. The rest of me is doing okay. I expect that I'll be on restricted duty for another few days. I'll need a little physical therapy for my shoulders to loosen them up and build some endurance. I probably need to start running on a treadmill and let the therapist evaluate what comes next there. I'll be at the medical center for a while." Steve wasn't looking forward to being poked and prodded, but he wouldn't jeopardize his recovery or his team.

"Steve, I know you're frustrated that you still can't do everything. I can see that you've been making a real effort to take care of yourself and not overdo it. Thank you for that. It kills me to see you in pain, and it's worse when you refuse to slow down so you can heal."

Steve walked over to Danny to kiss him softly. "You and Grace have taken such good care of me. I don't want to make it any harder that it has to be. I didn't want to miss this week with Mom and Dad because I was too stupid to slow down for a few days. And I really want to be able to do this." Steve walked Danny over to the bed, helped him finish undressing, and pushed him down.

Steve lay down next to Danny and kissed him. The kisses start out soft but as he made his way down Danny's torso, they became a little rougher. Danny was raking his hands through Steve's close cropped hair. Danny didn't know what to expect; Steve always varied the program. Tonight, Steve went for a slow, sweet seduction. Danny never knew where Steve's mouth would go next, or how long it would stay. Steve's hands seemed to be everywhere at once.

Just when Danny didn't think he could hold out much longer, Steve started talking. "Tell me what you want, Danno. Tell me how to pleasure you. Where do you want my hands? Where do you want my mouth?"

Danny couldn't speak, so he pulled Steve's head up and pushed his hands down. "Tell me that you want me, Danno. Tell me that you need me." Steve kept up the verbal and physical assault on Danny's senses.

"I want you, I need you now. You know what I want. Please, now." Danny was begging, but Steve wanted to prolong their lovemaking tonight. When they were finished, Steve didn't want there to be room for anything but the two of them. Finally when Steve's endurance started to wane, he gave Danny his release and took his own.

Steve and Danny didn't move for several minutes. Finally Danny spoke. "You are a maniac!"

Steve had the grace to look sheepish. "Yes, but I'm your maniac." Steve was stroking Danny's hair, trying to soothe him. Steve knew that he had pushed Danny pretty far tonight. "Do you want to soak in the tub for a little while? We can just sit together and enjoy the jets."

Danny's leg ached a little and his back was sore. "Yeah, that sounds like a plan." It took a few minutes before both men were mobile. Steve turned on the faucets to fill the tub and then pulled Danny into the shower to clean up a little. He knew that once the swirling water worked its magic, they would be too tired to do anything but go to bed.

Steve worked quickly in the shower and then settled them both in the tub. Steve sat in back supporting Danny against his chest. He held him close and whispered how much he loved Danny. He rubbed Danny's back and massaged the sore spot on Danny's thigh. Then he went to work on Danny's shoulders and neck. When he pulled Danny close again, Danny was limp. "I think it's time we got out before you fall asleep in the tub.

Steve turned off the jets and opened the drain. He stepped out of the tub and helped Danny out. Steve dried them both, and then dressed them. He pulled Danny onto the bed and settled next to him. By the time that Steve pulled the covers up, Danny was asleep. Steve held him for a long time, stroking his back or his cheek. "I love you so much Danno. I've got your back tonight, just like you had mine in Korea." Finally, Steve drifted off to sleep.

The alarm went off early on Monday. Steve turned the annoying buzzer off and shook Danny to wake him up. "Danny, it's time to get up. You need to take Mom and Dad to the airport."

It took Danny several tries to open his eyes. "What did you do to me last night? The last thing I remember is being in the tub. Don't get me wrong, I feel terrific today. Actually, I feel better than terrific." Danny was out of bed and stretching to test for sore spots.

Steve suppressed the urge to look smug. He rolled out of bed and went to Danny. He kissed him softly. "I took care of you last night the same way that you've been taking care of me. That's what lovers do. I can hear Mom and Dad getting ready. Why don't you do the same and I'll make some coffee. I want to pack them some snacks for the plane. It's a long flight and they don't feed you nearly enough."

It was agreed that Danny would make the airport run while Steve stayed behind with Grace. Danny was dressed in casual clothes; he would have time to change before he went to work. Steve had travel mugs filled for his family by the time that Mom, Dad, and Danny came downstairs.

"It was hard to say goodbye to Grace." Mom had tears in her eyes.

Steve pulled her in for a hug. "I know what you mean. She broke my heart when I was deployed in August. You'll be back soon. And you know that we'll take good care of her."

Mom patted Steve's cheek. "I know that. You and Danny are the most devoted fathers I've ever seen. We need to hit the road. There will be a crowd at the airport. I'm going to miss you Steve. You take care of my Danny too. I know that he will take care of you."

"Yes ma'am." Steve hugged Mom one more time and then kissed her on the cheek. "I love you Mom."

Mom sighed. "Yes, I know you do. I love you too."

Then Steve and Dad exchanged hugs. "Dad, thanks for making the trip. I'll see you soon. I love you."

"No Steve, I should be thanking you. I can't remember the last time that I enjoyed myself more. You take care of our Danny and Grace. I love you, son."

Steve nodded at Danny, and then they were gone. Steve knew that Danny would have an emotional farewell at the airport with his parents. He decided to get ready for his doctor's appointment and make the bed. As he was finishing in the bathroom, he heard Grace crying.

Steve rushed to her room. Grace was sitting up in bed, crying her little heart out. Steve picked her up and hugged her, making soothing noises as he patted her back. "Want to talk about it sweetheart?"

Grace finally calmed down enough to talk. "I just hate it that everyone is so far away. Mommy and Daddy Stan are in Europe. Now Nana and Poppa are going back to New Jersey. I miss everyone." Grace started crying again.

Steve sat on the side of the bed and rocked Grace. "I know baby. I miss them too. It's really hard to say goodbye. I'm still here, Grace. I won't be going anywhere for a while. Danno's here too. We're going to need your help. We need to decorate the outside for Christmas. We don't know what to do."

Grace stopped crying again; Steve pulled some tissues out of the box and wiped her face. Then he walked with her into the bathroom and ran some cold water. "Why don't you wash your face and blow your nose. I'll make you a cup of my special hot chocolate with as many marshmallows as you want."

Steve closed the door to give Grace some privacy and waited patiently until she was finished. Then he carried her downstairs and set her on the kitchen counter. He kept a constant stream of suggestions for the front lawn, including putting Danny in one of those giant blow-up globes as one of Santa's elves. That one elicited a giggle from Grace.

Steve was just pouring her hot chocolate into a mug when Danny walked in. He heard Steve's cheery patter and Grace sniffling and realized that Steve just handled his first crisis. Danny peaked around the kitchen doorway and his heart melted. There sat Grace on this counter, holding a mug of hot chocolate topped by an impossible number of marshmallows. Her face was red and her eyes were puffy. Steve looked a little frantic, but he kept his best smile glued on his face.

Steve saw Danny hiding by the doorway. "Hey Grace, it looks like Danno is home. Why don't I make us some breakfast? What sounds good to you?"

Grace took a sip, getting a chocolate and marshmallow moustache in the process. "Can I have some of your Froot Loops?"

Now Steve had a real smile on his face. "Who told you about my stash of Froot Loops?"

Danno pulled the cereal from the back of the pantry. "Uh, Grace and I may have borrowed some of your cereal while you were deployed. Haven't you wondered why your box is never empty? There are another couple of boxes in the back of Grace's closet."

At least Danny looked embarrassed. Grace had an eerie Steve-smirk on her face. Ah, it made Danno proud!